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NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) -- An American diplomat has described the violence in Kenya's Rift Valley as "clear ethnic cleansing" aimed at chasing out members of the Kikuyu tribe who are loyal to President Mwai Kibaki. However, U.S. envoy Jendayi Frazer said she did not believe the ethnic clashes that have brought Kenya to its knees following disputed elections last month could be classed as genocide. The violence she saw this month while visiting the Rift Valley, where Luos people are fighting Kikuyus, "was clear ethnic cleansing," she told reporters at an African Union summit in Addis Ababa on Wednesday. "The aim originally was not to kill, it was to cleanse, it was to push them out of the region," she said, according to The Associated Press. Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday pleaded with Kenya's government to take "extraordinary measures" to protect civilians hours after an opposition lawmaker was killed outside his home. Hundreds have died in fighting sparked by last month's presidential election, which opponents insist was rigged to ensure Kibaki's re-election. "Kenya, which has long been a stable and peaceful country, today is in turmoil with innocent men, women and children being hounded and killed," Annan told Kenya's National Assembly before heading into talks with Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga. Annan's speech came as police and demonstrators clashed in Nairobi and hours after gunmen killed opposition lawmaker Mugabe Were in a car outside his house. About 100 supporters also gathered in Kisumu, Kenya's third-largest city, in a show of anger over Were's killing, prompting police to fire tear gas and bullets to disperse them, the Kenya Broadcasting Corp. reported. Watch as CNN's Nic Robertson describes unrest in western Kenya's Naivasha » . The western city of Kisumu is a stronghold of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement that has accused the president of rigging the December 27 vote. Odinga said he suspected "the foul hands of our adversaries" in the shooting death of Were, a parliament member from the Orange Democratic Movement, according to The Associated Press. See dramatic photos following Were's killing » . During his assembly address, Annan called on Kenya's leaders to stop the "downward spiral into chaos that is threatening this beautiful country." "There is only one Kenya. We all have multiple identifies, but I hope you all see yourself as Kenyans first," Annan said. "[We] must stress our common humanity and uphold respect for human rights and the dignity of others." The United States is considering imposing sanctions against members of the Kenyan government and opposition figures involved in the recent violence in that country, senior State Department officials told CNN. Although no decisions have been made, visa and travel bans are among the measures being considered. They do not expect the sanctions to target Kibaki or Odinga, the officials said, but rather those on both sides who are instigating the violence. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice voiced concern Tuesday about Kenya's violence, saying she planned to speak with Annan soon about possible solutions. Since the election, a spasm of political violence has taken on ethnic overtones as supporters of Kibaki, a member of the Kikuyu tribe, battle with followers of Odinga, from the Luo tribe. Bloody street battles often have involved machetes. The government says 600 to 650 people have been killed, while the opposition says at least 1,000 have died. The Kenyan Red Cross Society puts the number at 863. More than 200,000 people have been displaced in the turmoil, according to the Red Cross. "Right now there is nothing," said tailor Margaret Njambi, who fled with her four children and took refuge in a police station in Kakamega after rioters burned her house and shop. "The house is no more. There is nothing left there for me." E-mail to a friend . CNN's Elise Labott, Saeed Ahmed, Stephanie Halasz and Zain Verjee contributed to this report. Copyright 2008 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

U.S. diplomat says violence in western Kenya is "clear ethnic cleansing" Ex-U.N. chief Kofi Annan holds talks with Kenyan president, opposition leader . Opponents accuse President Mwai Kibaki of rigging December vote . Government says up to 650 killed in violence; opposition says 1,000 have died .

(CNN) -- Angola's ruling party held a big lead Saturday as the southern African nation posted preliminary results in its benchmark national election. With almost 70% of the vote counted, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) had almost 75% of the vote. Friday's election was only Angola's third since it gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Under the terms of a constitution approved in 2010, the leader of the party that wins Friday's parliamentary vote will automatically become Angola's president. President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who has held power since 1979, had been widely expected to retain the top spot as the head of the MPLA. After independence, Angola suffered through 27 years of civil war. Friday's election were widely viewed as an indicator of the country's progress after a decade of peace. Elections in 1992 were abandoned midway and led to an outbreak of further violence. The MPLA won the 2008 parliamentary vote with a landslide 82%. It appeared from early results that the MPLA was headed for another comfortable victory. The main opposition party and a former civil war enemy of the MPLA, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), is among the nine political parties and coalitions contesting the election for 220 members of the National Assembly. UNITA won about 18% of the vote in the preliminary results. Seven other parties split up the rest of the vote. UNITA has alleged fraud in previous elections and again voiced concerns about apparent irregularities in election campaigning this time around. But on Saturday, spokesman Alcides Sakala said the party would recognize the election results, the official Angola News Agency reported. They include the scheduling of the vote only three days after a public holiday for the president's birthday, questions about voter rolls, and "what seems like a concerted effort by certain security forces to tell people in rural areas that if they do not vote for the ruling party, the country will be back to war," said Domingos Jardo Muekalia, UNITA's deputy secretary for external relations, speaking at the Chatham House think tank in London. In 1992 and 2008, there were "substantial irregularities -- some intentional such as manipulation, fraud and intimidation and others resulting from inexperience," he said. Human Rights Watch also accused the government of "numerous incidents of political violence, intimidation of protesters, and crackdowns on peaceful demonstrations," in a report issued on August 1. "The human rights environment in Angola is not conducive for free, fair and peaceful elections," said Leslie Lefkow, deputy Africa director for the rights monitoring group. "The Angolan government needs to stop trying to stifle peaceful protests, gag the independent press or use the state media for partisan purposes if these elections are to be meaningful," Lefkow said. Angola, sub-Saharan Africa's second-largest oil producer, pumps out more than 1.9 million barrels per day and boasts an expanding investment portfolio in its former colonial power, Portugal, and in other parts of Africa. But despite big spending on infrastructure and social programs since the end of its brutal civil war in 2002, corruption, poor governance and economic inequality remain serious issues for much of the country's population of about 18 million. Angola ranked 168th out of 183 countries on Transparency International's 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index, and was 148th out of 187 countries in the U.N.'s Human Development Index. A number of small but consistent demonstrations have taken place in Angola since last year, revealing a growing frustration with the economic hardship that many still face in the country. Over the last few months, civil war veterans have taken to the streets to demand overdue subsidy payments, and disgruntled youths and civil rights activists have staged rallies to voice their concerns about the lack of jobs and opportunities. The protracted civil war killed up to 1.5 million people, according to the CIA World Factbook. About 4 million people were internally displaced, more than half of them children, the United Nations said. After peace was established, the country faced the challenge of reestablishing civil institutions, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, clearing land mines and demobilizing large numbers of former fighters. Opinion: Is oil-rich Angola a development success?

Preliminary results with 70% of the vote counted showed an easy win for the MPLA . Jose Eduardo dos Santos is expected to keep presidency he's held for three decades . Many are closely watching Angola's third election since independence . The opposition UNITA party voiced concerns about irregularities .

London (CNN) -- Spain's Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, may not seem a natural performer but he appears all too familiar with the waltz; a typically slow dance, usually partnered, often mournful, with little room for improvement. As his country faces the prospect of a bailout, Rajoy's gentle glides may mark him as a natural on the political dance floor. But to others, his moves are far too predictable. In recent weeks, Rajoy has measured his steps carefully. He has been balancing political tactics with the need to stabilize the economy. He wants to avoid the fate of Greece, Ireland and Portugal, which have been left at the mercy of foreign creditors. Gliding sideways . But his steps are being read like an open book. Spaniards no longer believe he can keep up the tempo. Media speculation is centered on a European Union summit on October 18 and 19, and the potential for Rajoy to seek a bailout at that time. But this gloomy conservative has built a career on digging in his heels, and some suggest Rajoy will wait until after regional elections in the Basque country and in his home state of Galicia on October 21 before asking for any help. It's all tactics of course. By withholding unpopular news until after the election, Rajoy may have a better chance of winning a full majority in the local parliament. But playing politics with the budget may not be a good idea. Rajoy delayed announcing the 2012 budget in March until after a regional ballot in Andalucia -- the Spanish region with the highest unemployment in the country at 32.8% -- but the move did not pay off. His center-right party, Partido Popular, failed to oust the Socialists. In harmony with the partner . Rajoy's political moves have, to a certain extent, been in harmony with the European Central Bank. The ECB this month outlined its plan to save the euro by offering to make unlimited purchases of short-term government bonds. The announcement eased pressure on Spain -- and Rajoy -- and the country's borrowing costs fell. Last week, Rajoy had yet another reason to continue his slow dance. The Spanish Treasury sold $6.3 billion of three-year and 10-year government bonds, more that it had planned. But, despite the optimism, some suggest Rajoy should request aid now, when market conditions are more favorable. Delays in acknowledging Spain needs a support package may be more costly for it in the long run. According to Nicholas Spiro, managing director of Spiro Sovereign Strategy, there's a "surreal air" to Spanish debt auctions. Spiro, in a note, wrote the bond sales are well received because investors are pricing in an eventual request from Madrid for an ECB-backed bond-buying program. Staying steady . Rajoy has often said he sees little point in asking for aid. This month, in his first TV interview since being elected, he said he will not accept outside conditions over a possible bailout. Speaking to Spain's national broadcaster TVE, Rajoy said: "We have to study any conditions imposed on the bailout package and then we will see. But of course, I would not like it if they told us where we had to cut or where not." Spaniards taking to the streets in protest don't care about the politics as long as they can get a job, pay their mortgage and eat. Only a week ago, tens of thousands of demonstrators from across Spain took to the streets of Madrid in a large anti-austerity protest. The last dance? Meanwhile, on the streets of Barcelona, Rajoy faces a domestic challenge that could make seeking a bailout even more complicated. Last week, Rajoy rejected Catalonia's demand for greater economic independence. As the most economically powerful region, Catalonia argues it can do without Madrid. Madrid disagrees. Fears of separatism are so acute that Spain's King Juan Carlos -- in an unusual move -- has spoken out. The king released an open letter on the Royal Palace's website calling for national unity and lamenting the country's economic pain. "The worst thing we can do is to divide our forces, encourage dissension, chase illusions, deepen wounds," the king wrote. Many believe Rajoy will continue his slow dance despite the political discord. But it seems, no matter the delays, Spain is slowly stepping toward a bailout. As such, this could be Rajoy's last political dance.

Spain's Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, may not seem a natural performer but he appears all too familiar with the waltz . As his country faces the prospect of a bailout, Rajoy's gentle glides may mark him as a natural on political dance floor . Rajoy has been measuring his steps carefully, balancing political tactics with the need to stabilize the economy . But there are complicating factors in this slow dance toward a possible bailout .

(CNN) -- Did you hear that? It's a door busting open in Washington, unblocking a huge backlog of airline issues that will directly affect America's millions of air travelers. For the first time since 2007, after 23 extensions, Congress has finally passed a long-term funding bill for the FAA. It costs $63 billion and will last through 2015. President Obama is expected to sign it into law. For the millions who fly commercial airlines yearly in the United States, here are five reasons why you should care: . 1. Airline tarmac delay rules to be the law of the land . Many of the tarmac delay rules for commercial airlines -- like reporting flight delays and cancellations and providing passengers with adequate food, water and ventilation in planes stuck on the tarmac -- will be more than just rules. They'll be the law of the land, backed with the full enforcement and authority of the federal government. Somehow, not included in the legislation is the three-hour limit on the amount of time planes can remain on the tarmac before they must return to the gate. It's still a regulation. "There's a concern it might lead to more flight cancellations or delays, so it may need more study before it becomes law," said Charlie Leocha of the nonprofit Consumer Travel Alliance. Consumer advocate group FlyersRights.org blames the exclusion on politics. "House Republicans, in the end, sided with their friends the airlines by forcing removal of the [three-hour tarmac delay limit] in the newly codified law for airline passengers, with total disregard for what's best for the flying public," wrote executive director Kate Hanni in an email to CNN. 2. Investigation into cell phone use on planes . Is there really a good reason why we can't use our phones on planes? The arguments have long raged on both sides. The new law requires a government study within 120 days to look into the issues surrounding aircraft cell phone use. Speaking of studies: Would airlines lose or damage fewer bags if they had to pay for them? The law orders a study, due in 180 days, to find out. 3. Better information about child safety seats, insecticides . Traveling with small children and their safety seats may be a little easier. The new law requires airlines to post on their websites the maximum dimensions of child safety seats that can be used aboard their aircraft. Also, the Department of Transportation must post online a list of countries that force airlines to spray cabins with insecticide. 4. Better access to the halls of power . Airline travelers who feel powerless against the system may like the DOT advisory board created under the new law. The Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection will include appointed officials from airports, airlines, the government and a member specifically to represent consumers. Also, the law creates a DOT phone line and website for consumers to lodge complaints. 5. High tech air traffic control systems . The legislation clears the way for the FAA's highly anticipated satellite-based air traffic control system, which promises to make air travel more efficient, less air-polluting and less time-consuming. That system, part of a massive air-traffic overhaul called NextGen, is expected to be put into place about 2020. Other stuff: . -- Federal subsidies for rural airports . The bill trims the embattled $200 million Essential Air Service airport subsidies program, which opponents say is a waste of money. Small rural airports that handle fewer than 10 daily passengers and are less than 175 miles from a major hub airport will no longer qualify for federal operating subsidies. Alaska and Hawaii are exempt from the cuts. -- Smoking . Fourteen years after smoking was banned on domestic flights for U.S. commercial airlines, the law shuts the door on the last bastion for mile-high smokers. Lighting up will no longer be allowed aboard any charter aircraft or other for-profit flights, foreign or domestic, says Leocha. -- Special exemptions for military . The law includes a message to the airlines called a Sense of Congress that nudges industry leaders to consider offering special travel exemptions for military members. Congress is hinting that airlines should cut troops a break on airline rules surrounding luggage and traveling family members. Overall, says Leocha, the new FAA law could end up saving taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars -- perhaps billions -- "if only for the ability to plan ahead and coordinate projects in the future."

New FAA bill, expected to become law, offers consumer protections and information . Tarmac delay rules now become law, but three-hour delay regulation is not included . $63 billion bill creates aviation consumer protection committee . Studies will look at cell phone use aboard aircraft and compensation for lost bags .

(CNN) -- A man arrested in connection with the 1990 abduction, rape and attempted murder of an 8-year-old girl appeared before a judge Thursday on an attempted capital murder charge, according to CNN affiliate KTRK. Dennis Earl Bradford, a 40-year-old welder, was arrested after DNA tied him to the crime, police say. Dennis Earl Bradford waived his right to a court-appointed attorney when he appeared Thursday, saying he would retain his own. For security reasons, the hearing was held at the Galveston (Texas) County Jail and not in a courtroom, the station reported. The judge ordered Bradford to undergo a physical and mental evaluation and set bail at $1 million. His next court appearance was set for Wednesday, according to KTRK. Upon conviction, an attempted capital murder charge could result in a sentence of life in prison. Bradford, a 40-year-old welder, was arrested early Tuesday in Little Rock, Arkansas, in connection with the 1990 incident involving Jennifer Schuett, who was abducted from her bedroom, raped and left for dead in Dickinson, Texas. Schuett shared her story with CNN two weeks ago in hope of someday bringing her attacker to justice. CNN normally does not identify victims of sexual assault, but Schuett decided to go public with her story to increase the chances of finding and prosecuting her attacker. "It's not about me anymore," she told CNN in September. "It's about all the little girls that go to sleep at night. I know there are so many girls out there who have been raped and hurt. You have to fight back." Bradford's arrest came after DNA and other forensic tests led police to him, authorities said. "This is a huge day for me," Schuett told CNN on Tuesday. "And I want to see this through the end. The rest will come out during the trial." Schuett said she was alone in her bed August 10, 1990, when a man crept in through a window. She remembers waking up in a stranger's arms as he carried her across a dark parking lot. She said he told her he was an undercover cop and knew her family. He drove her through the streets of Dickinson, pulling into a mechanic's shop next to her elementary school. "Watch the moon. The moon will change colors, and that is when your mom will come to get you," she recalled him saying. "Oh, it looks like she is not coming." Schuett said he drove her to an overgrown field next to the school and sexually assaulted her. She passed out. When she regained consciousness, she was lying naked on top of an ant hill with her throat slashed from ear to ear and her voice box torn. She was found at 6 p.m. on a hot August day after lying in the field for nearly 12 hours. She was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. "Three days after the attack, I started giving a description. The doctors told me I would never be able to talk again, but I proved them all wrong," Schuett said. She believes that she got her voice back so she could tell her story. Houston FBI Special Agent Richard Rennison is one of the lead investigators in the case, along with Dickinson Police Detective Tim Cromie. Both men were discussing the case when Rennison received a memo from the FBI's Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) team, seeking child abduction cases that had gone cold and could be retested for DNA evidence. Schuett's was one of the cases selected. "This is the only one that I can think of that the victim has suffered some traumatic injuries and survived," Rennison said. "The main reason the CARD team picked this case was because she was alive. In cases of child abduction, it is rare that the child is recovered alive. Frequently, you recover a body. And most times, you never find them." The investigators found evidence collected 19 years ago, which was retested. It included the underwear and pajamas Schuett was wearing, as well as a man's underwear and T-shirt, which were found in the field where Schuett was found. The clothes were tested in 1990, but the sample wasn't large enough for conclusive results. But now, modern techniques allow DNA to be isolated from a single human cell. They were still awaiting the results when CNN featured Schuett's story in late September. CNN's Mayra Cuevas-Nazario contributed to this report.

40-year-old held on $1 million bail in girl's abduction, rape, attempted killing . He could get life in prison if found guilty . "I want to see this through the end," victim says . DNA and other tests led to suspect, police say .

Paris (CNN) -- In the tunnels and caves that lie deep beneath Paris an elaborate, and, at times, dangerous game of cat and mouse is played out nearly every weekend. In this case the mice are represented by the cataphiles -- a group of dedicated hedonists who love to party in the abandoned quarries deep beneath the French capital - and the part of the cat is played by the police who patrol the places most people would fear to tread. Paris has two main underground attractions -- one being a vast catacomb which holds the remains of more than six million people, the other being a network of tunnels and quarries that stretch nearly 321 kilometres under the city. At the official catacombs visitors who are prepared to walk down the 139 steps and along endless tunnels are met by truly extraordinary sights as well as a fascinating slice of 18th-century life in Paris. In 1786 the cemeteries of Paris were full to bursting, meaning corpses were often buried near those people still living. After the collapse of a communal grave near the center of the city it was decided to transfer all the bones to one vast ossuary. Nowadays the mountains of unwanted bones have been arranged into a macabre set of alleys and pillars - a process that was started two centuries ago. One of the museum's curators Tram Nguyen told us how people usually reacted on their first visit: "When you come here for the first time you get quite destabilized but then you get used to it. There are so many bones here you don't see them as human remains, you just see them as decorations." Our program was looking as all aspects of underground life in Paris and in the process of researching it we also came across another extraordinary group who put the subterranean spaces to new uses. Urban Experiment, UX for short, is a highly secretive organization which has gained a cult following after successfully completing a series of high profile stunts deep under the city. Members of UX very rarely reveal what, how, or why they do what they do but CNN arranged a series of meetings with one of their members who slowly let us into some of the secrets. We first met Lazar Kunstmann - not his real name but the one he insists on using -- in an anonymous Parisian bar. With a shaved head and regulation black clothes he is a friendly, if somewhat cagey, individual. We wanted to know who the UX were. His answer was suitably cryptic. "The UX is a collective of people who pursue the same aim with a range of skills. It is anyone and everyone. There are no characteristics in terms of age, sex, social or cultural background -- the only characteristic is to live relatively close to the area where the projects are carried out, in Paris. All the rules of the UX have to do with feasibility -- the practical aspect of the execution of the projects." The Palais de Chaillot - or more precisely one of quarries that lies beneath it -- was the scene of one their most infamous projects. The group - which has existed for 30 years -- dug deep under the theatre to create their own fully functioning cinema in one of the hundreds of caves under the city. They even made their own film to mark the event. Over a beer Kunstmann explains what motivates the UX. "We are a group who use public spaces, not necessarily the public spaces underground, not necessarily abandoned. It is simple - the only characteristic of the spaces we use is that they are public, and have been left, that's to say "loosely" abandoned. The vocation of these spaces is to accommodate projects." Secrecy is, of course, essential for Kunstmann and other members of the UX. "The secrecy is just linked to the feasibility. When we were young we profited from the craze of underground parties in the 1990s in the ancient quarries of the Latin Quarter in order to discover, that in fact there was all this public space, which was totally abandoned, which we could use for anything. Much later, at the same time as wanting to learn more about all this public space, to have a geographic and practical knowledge - that is by getting hold of maps and keys to use the tunnels - we realized this really was the ideal location for numerous projects." Before we leave him Kunstmann tells us that the UX have several more projects in mind but, unsurprisingly perhaps, he declines to elaborate saying future plans have to be kept under wraps. Living life in Paris' Empire of the Dead .

The catacombs of Paris contain millions of bones after cemeteries could no long accommodate burials . "Cataphiles" love to explore the deserted tunnels and abandoned quarries under the city . UX has completed a a series of high profile stunts deep under the city, including its own fucntioning cinema . Expert: "There are so many bones here you don't see them as human remains, you just see them as decorations."

(CNN) -- Obamacare is dying. The latest wound is largely self-inflicted. Medicaid and the new Obamacare exchanges are competing for the same young and healthy customers that Obamacare needs to survive -- and Medicaid's winning. President Obama and the entire Democratic Party have nobody else but themselves to blame. In its hubris, the Democratic Party members assured the country again and again in 2009 and 2010 that it knew enough to be able to forcibly reorganize one-sixth of the American economy without causing millions to lose their current health insurance coverage, without triggering skyrocketing costs and without causing a host of terrible unintended consequences. The problem is that it is impossible. The information that would be required to competently manage America's health care economy is too vast, complex and dispersed throughout the economy and among millions of people. It is impossible for anyone to know or control. And repeated assurances by Obama and virtually every Democrat that it was possible are the greatest lie perpetrated by the supporters of Obamacare. Consider the latest illustration of this destructive hubris of the Democratic Party. To make Obamacare work, the White House needs to attract 2.7 million Americans under the age of 35, out of 7 million uninsured, into the new Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges next year -- the young invincibles most averse to buying insurance in the first place. If the young don't sign up in big numbers, the cost of insurance premiums and government subsidies balloons to pay the expense of taking care of older, sicker enrollees. An actuarial death spiral begins, with increasing costs leading to fewer and fewer young people signing up and making the problem worse and worse until the insurance companies can no longer afford to manage the program and exit the market. But what the architects of Obamacare apparently failed to take into account is that many young people are also eligible for Medicaid and will enroll in that government program instead, in the 25 states that have agreed to expand Medicaid. According to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than half of the total uninsured population qualified for Medicaid since they earn less than 138% of the federal poverty level in the states that have expanded Medicaid. Since income grows with education and experience, the younger these uninsured are, the more likely they are to qualify for Medicaid because they are also poorer. And since Medicaid is free for these young people, that means no premiums are going to the insurance companies to subsidize the older enrollees. The other challenge in signing up young people is that the Obamacare law also made it possible for young people to stay on their parents' plan until the age of 26, further reducing the pool of the eligible young who can subsidize the old and sick. Only 21% of the uninsured population are in the target age bracket of 26 to 34. This has set up an enrollment battle between Medicaid and the new insurance exchanges for this same pool of customers. Early evidence from Connecticut, Maryland, Washington and Kentucky suggests that the young who do sign up are enrolling overwhelmingly in Medicaid. According to an article in the Connecticut Mirror, figures released in October showed that most of the young enrollees were signing up for Medicaid. Data from Kentucky tell the story; 47,966 residents enrolled via the exchanges, but only 8,780 signed up for insurance. The remaining 82% went to Medicaid. Worse still, only 19% of the Kentuckians who bought insurance were between 18 and 34 years of age. In the Bluegrass State, eight times as many of the young cohort enrolled in Medicaid as insurance plans. If these trends hold up, Obamacare's exchanges will implode financially. Instead, we need a "breakout." Technology and the entrepreneurial spirit of Americans have the capability to deliver better health care at lower cost for all Americans. We need to replace Obamacare with reforms designed to allow us to live longer, happier and healthier lives far into the future. It all starts with an honest recognition that a one-size-fits-all model of health care cannot work in a country as large and diverse as ours. We need reforms tailored for individuals who can choose what is best for them. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Newt Gingrich.

Newt Gingrich: Medicaid and Obamacare exchanges compete for the young . Gingrich: U.S. health care is too vast and complex for one-size-fits-all program . He says the young must sign up to offset the cost of older, sicker enrollees . Gingrich: Technology, entrepreneurial spirit could deliver better health care .

(CNN) -- A Muslim activist group has launched a new ad campaign to reclaim a word they say has been abused and distorted by Muslim extremists and by anti-Muslim groups. The MyJihad ad campaign is using print ads and social media to educate the public about what they say is the true meaning of the word "jihad." The Merriam Webster dictionary defines the term as "1: a holy war waged on behalf of Islam as a religious duty; also: a personal struggle in devotion to Islam especially involving spiritual discipline" and "2: a crusade for a principle or belief." But some religious activists dispute the emphasis on "holy war." They say the word is often misunderstood and has been co-opted and "misapplied" by radical Muslims who use it to justify terrorist acts and by anti-Muslim groups who use the word to foment fear in non-Muslims. "The word 'jihad' literally means struggle, struggle for a good cause," said Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "It is a concept, a noble concept, within Islam that emphasizes a personal struggle within yourself to be a better person, a better husband, better wife, better worker, better neighbor," he explained. "It is not aggression, and it does not mean to commit harm against other people. If people commit harm against innocent people, it will be in violation of the spirit of Islam and a violation of the concept of jihad." Lawyers seek to limit New York police surveillance of Muslims . The campaign is the brainchild of Ahmed Rehab, an activist who is also the executive director of CAIR in Chicago. He launched the effort in December with a small group of activists. They began running ads on 25 city buses in Chicago and later expanded to buses in San Francisco. The ads began running at four metro stations in Washington in late January. They depict Muslims and non-Muslims sharing how they define their personal struggles. One shows a white Jewish man and a black Muslim man standing side by side, with the slogan "#MyJihad is to build bridges across the aisle." Another shows a young female photographer wearing a headscarf and holding a camera. The slogan reads "#MyJihad is to capture the truth even when it's unpopular." Rehab said the donor-funded campaign is about making sure Muslim children can grow up in a world where they're judged on their own merits and not according to radical stereotypes. Controversial 'Defeat Jihad' ad in NYC subways? "I don't wake up in the morning looking for my Kalashnikov or AK-47," he said, highlighting one such stereotype. The group has also taken its campaign to social media, asking supporters to post on their Facebook pages and use #MyJihad on Twitter to share their personal struggles. Rehab said they have received tens of thousands of encouraging tweets, Facebook messages, letters and e-mails. The campaign has also attracted skeptics, especially online. A user with the Twitter handle @Shaqton wrote: "Al-Qaeda: #MyJihad is carrying 'earth-shattering, shocking and terrifying' attacks against 'heart of the land of non-belief' -- U.S. and Europe." Another user, with the handle @PeterTownsend7,wrote: "Claiming that critics read the Quran 'out of context' is another way of saying that you wish it did not say what it plainly does #myjihad." Awad said the organizers of the campaign should expect to face resistance to their message but believes they will be successful in starting a conversation about this important tenet of Islam. Faith groups launch campaign to counter controversial 'Defeat Jihad' ad . "It's an uphill battle, because you are trying to dismantle preconceived ideas about the concept of jihad, because traditionally people have seen stereotypes and they have seen actions by some Muslims, and the majority of Muslims did not step in to say, 'No, this is our faith, and we are going to claim it,'" he said. "It is going to be an uphill battle, because you are trying to undo accumulation of misperception and mispractice -- misperception by non-Muslims and mispractice by some Muslims, and I think it's important for us to take this initiative." The group hopes to place ads in more cities in the United States and around the world and to expand to other media such as radio and television. "The message is global. The goal is anti-radicalization," Rehab said.

Muslim group wants to reclaim true meaning of the word "jihad" Jihad "does not mean to commit harm against other people," group says . Activists plan to add TV, radio to social media and public transportation campaigns .

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two key Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee announced their opposition to Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Friday, a further sign the party's conservative base is uniting against President Obama's first high court pick. Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination is to be put to a vote in the Judiciary Committee next week. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, the former chairman of the committee, and Texas Sen. John Cornyn, head of the party's Senate campaign committee, announced on the Senate floor their intention to vote against the 55-year-old federal appeals court judge. Hatch's decision came as something of a surprise. The veteran Republican has voted for every high court nominee in his 32-year Senate career, including President Clinton's two liberal choices, Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer. Hatch had praised Sotomayor's "credentials and experience" and the fact that she would be the first Hispanic justice. But despite the nominee's compelling life story, Hatch said that controversial off-the-bench comments by Sotomayor troubled him. "I reluctantly, and with a heavy heart, have found that I cannot support her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court," Hatch said in a written statement. "In truth, I wish President Obama had chosen a Hispanic nominee that all senators could support. I believe it would have done a great deal for our great country. Although Judge Sotomayor has a compelling life story and dedication to public service, her statements and record were too much at odds with the principles about the judiciary in which I deeply believe." Cornyn candidly admitted that his opposition to Sotomayor could carry political risks in his home state, where one-third of the electorate is Hispanic. "Voting to confirm a judge -- this judge or any judge -- despite doubts would certainly be the politically expedient thing to do, but I don't believe it would be the right thing to do," he said on the Senate floor. "Many of her public statements reflected a surprisingly radical view of the law," he said. He argued that the "stakes are simply too high for me to confirm someone who could address all these issues from a liberal, activist perspective." Seven other Republicans have said they would vote against Sotomayor. Five mostly moderate GOP lawmakers announced their intention to back her. A vote is scheduled for Tuesday in the Judiciary Committee, followed by an expected final floor vote a week later. There is little doubt about the outcome, and Republican Party leaders have said no filibuster is planned. Conservative groups have been pushing Republican senators to rally hard against Sotomayor. The National Rifle Association stressed the intensity of its opposition to her nomination Thursday, warning senators that their votes will be considered in its future candidate evaluations. Among those supporting Sotomayor is conservative Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, whose folksy questioning of the nominee during last week's confirmation hearings attracted wide attention. His decision brought a rebuke from the conservative Judicial Confirmation Network, which slammed Graham's support "based upon his apparent willful blindness to her record, both on the bench and off, of indulging her own ethnic and gender biases, personal political views, and liberal agenda in the name of 'law.'" The network's counsel, Wendy Long, dismissed Graham's "cynical, pandering comments during the Judiciary Committee hearings, which were clearly aimed at drawing attention to himself rather than illuminating the role of the court in our constitutional republic." Some Republican moderates have privately expressed concern that attacking Sotomayor could hurt the party's efforts to attract more Hispanics and women, especially since her confirmation seems assured. Sotomayor's "wise Latina" comments were cited by Cornyn and others as reason for opposing her. The Texas Republican said Sotomayor was less than forthcoming when explaining her remarks in a 2001 speech. Sotomayor told a group of Hispanic law students that "I would hope that a wise Latina woman, with the richness of her experience, would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life." She has echoed the sentiment in related talks she has given over the years. Cornyn said the remarks contrasted sharply with her pledge during her confirmation hearings to rule on cases without personal bias. "Who is the real Judge Sonia Sotomayor?" he asked.

Sen. Orrin Hatch says nominee's off-the-bench comments are troubling . Sen. John Cornyn cites "surprisingly radical view of the law" Vote on nomination to come soon, with approval expected . Conservative groups have been pushing senators to oppose .

London (CNN) -- His ambition was to get a six-pack before he turned 25 years old. With just nine months to go, time was running out. In his quest for a healthier lifestyle, Edwin Broni-Mensah embarked on a grueling fitness regime requiring him to consume four to five liters of water a day. And from this sparked an an idea that could improve access to water not just in the his native UK, but also 4,000 miles away in Ghana. "(Britain has) some of the best water in the world. And yet once you leave your house, you are encouraged to drink it out of a plastic bottle rather than just being able to get free water," says Broni-Mensah. "So I thought 'How can I improve on people's accessibility (in the UK), get a six pack simultaneously and then help provide that same benefit to people around the world?" he chuckles . The Manchester-based PhD student's response was to launch GiveMeTap -- a sustainable water scheme where people can buy stainless steel water bottles and refill them using a network of cafes and restaurants across Britain. Using this concept, Broni-Mensah aimed to cut down plastic waste and use the profits from the sale of GiveMeTap water bottles to build water projects in Africa. "Here is a product and viable service (that can) directly impact the lives of people in Africa where there are some 300 million people without water," he says. "(People) can save money, reduce the amount of plastic wastage that gets discarded into landfills and ultimately for every bottle that we sell we are able to help another person get access to clean drinking water." Four years on and Broni-Mensah, now 28, is as enthusiastic about GiveMeTap as ever. The energetic young entrepreneur has moved his social initiative out of his parents house, down to London's Google Campus. He now has a dedicated squad working with him. As they work among other aspiring entrepreneurs at the communal startup space, GiveMeTap -- which also relies heavily on award grants and corporate partnerships to provide additional funding for Africa projects -- has now successfully signed up around 300 UK cafes and restaurants. "We've won 14 business awards and that has helped us to keep investing, to keep scaling but it's also about getting the message out to people," says Broni-Mensah. "That's our role we need to grow quickly." To date, GiveMeTap has been able to build four water projects in Ghana, Malawi and Namibia with another four projects to be constructed in Ghana from December. "My parents are both Ghanaian so being able to go back to Ghana eight weeks ago was really emotional," he says. "It was really important to go back to the places where my dad had grown up and wasn't able to get the same benefits (I had). "There's some 3.5 million people in Ghana that don't have access to clean drinking water. We're trying to reduce that number in a very focused way at the moment because it helps us learn but it also helps us get a direct impact in a small community." Broni-Mensah's heritage is a driving force behind his passion for providing aid to Africa but he stresses that his sustainable water initiative is not a parachute enterprise. While on the ground, the GiveMeTap team elects a local water committee which is in charge of collecting funds to sustain the pumps so that each project is not donor-dependent. "If something breaks they need to be able to be self-sufficient which is really important," says Broni-Mensah. "You see more and more NGO-types that are trying more to empower the people to do things themselves because that's how you get long-lasting impact. "I love going back because it's encouraging for more black people to go back from the diaspora to help African communities. Black people helping black people is an amazing thing. It builds more trust between us as people." Outside of Africa, Broni-Mensah continues to push the GiveMeTap ethos and build up the free water refill participation network. He hopes to have 1,000 UK-based establishments signed up in addition to branching out internationally. "We are looking to grow across the whole of the United Kingdom ... once we've done that, (move) into European markets and in America. "Social entrepreneurship is the future where you will see more and more organizations solving a social mission at the core but through a business mechanism." And in case you were wondering, the young entrepreneur did succeed in getting his six-pack.

Edwin Broni-Mensah launched GiveMeTap -- a free water refill network in the UK . The project also sells water bottles, with profits funding water projects in Africa . Water projects have so far been constructed in Namibia, Malawi and Ghana .

Paris (CNN) -- Flamboyant fashion designer John Galliano went on trial Wednesday, accused of making anti-Semitic comments against at least three people in a Paris cafe. Galliano, who was fired by fashion giant Christian Dior in March after video surfaced showing him praising Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, testified Wednesday that drugs were to blame. Judge Anne-Marie Sauteraud read out a list of the abuse Galliano is accused of hurling at Geraldine Bloch and Philippe Virgitti, including obscenities mixed with remarks about their ethnic backgrounds. "He said 'dirty whore' at least a thousand times," the judge said. Galliano said on the witness stand that he had no memory of making the comments. Asked to explain his "lack of memory," he said: "I have an addiction. I am currently undergoing treatment." Galliano's attorney said before the trial began the designer "was a sick person, who was suffering from addiction and this is something we are demonstrating through medical evidence, expert reports." "We must not judge a man who for 30 years has been dedicated to diversity, who has been a loving person for all races, cultures and religions ... based on 40 minutes where he was sick through alcohol and medication," Aurelien Hamelle said. Galliano testified that he suffered from an increasing workload and no time to mourn after the 2007 death of his alter ego at Dior, designer Steven Robinson. "With his death, I found I had no protection," Galliano said. His body became dependent on drugs, he said. "I was taking sleeping pills during the day," he testified. "I've only just discovered since rehab what a lethal mix I was taking." Bloch testified Wednesday that she encountered Galliano on a crowded cafe terrace, which led to an angry exchange. "I don't remember his exact wording; there were different phrases," Bloch told the court. "It's true that I was angry. I insulted him, too." Virgitti testified the confrontation, which he called "just an argument in a bar," began when Galliano sat down next to his party at the cafe. "He started speaking to us very quickly after arriving," Virgitti said. "He told Geraldine to speak less as she was disturbing him. We didn't know what to do. The situation got worse. He started touching her hair, saying she had no hair. I told him, 'Don't touch her.' " He acknowledged during his testimony that while Galliano "said things he shouldn't have," the incident "has been so overly played out in the media." Galliano faces a six-month jail term and a fine of 22,500 euros ($32,410) if he is convicted, according to prosecutors. A verdict in the case did not come Wednesday. Galliano will be judged in one trial over two separate incidents, one in October and one in February. After the second incident, Galliano was taken to a police station where a test revealed he had a high level of alcohol in his blood, authorities said at the time. He was later released. The video is from yet another incident. He is not being tried for the incident because the couple involved chose not to press charges. "I love Hitler," Galliano said in a video obtained by Britain's Sun newspaper. "Your mother, your forefathers would be f---ing gassed and f---ing dead." Christian Dior condemned his "deeply offensive statements and conduct." French law prohibits the incitement of racial discrimination, hatred or violence based on a person's origin or their membership -- or nonmembership -- in an ethic, national, racial or religious group. Galliano apologized after the video was released. "I only have myself to blame and I know that I must face up to my own failures and that I must work hard to gain people's understanding and compassion," Galliano said in a statement. "Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society." Galliano has kept a low profile since his firing, but Vanessa Friedman, fashion editor of the Financial Times newspaper, said that given time, he could return to the industry. His career is over in its present form, she said. But he could return to Britain, where there is "residual love for him," lay low and make a comeback in a few years, she said. "People love a redemption story," Friedman said. CNN's Saskya Vandoorne, Catherine Clifford and Richard Allen Greene contributed to this report.

John Galliano testifies he was taking "a lethal mix" of sleeping pills . It was "'just an argument in a bar," one alleged victim says . Galliano says he can't recall making abusive comments . Galliano faces six months in jail and a fine of 22,500 euros if convicted .

(CNN) -- The authorities who control Kosovo may have stolen organs from prisoners of war and political rivals when the Kosovo Liberation Army was fighting Serbian forces for control of the territory, European authorities allege in a new report. "Numerous indications seem to confirm that ... organs were removed from some prisoners ... to be taken abroad for transplantation," according to a draft report from the Council of Europe. Investigators have "made progress" toward "proving the existence of secret KLA places of detention in northern Albania where inhuman treatment and even murders are said to have been committed," draft author Dick Marty says. Illegal organ trafficking continued after the war ended, the draft suggests. Nearly 1,900 people who disappeared during the conflict still have not been found, and another 500 disappeared after NATO troops arrived in June 1999, Marty says. And links between "criminal activity" and "certain KLA militia leaders ... has continued, albeit in other forms, until today," he report charges. Prime Minister Hashim Thaci of Kosovo is one of the founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army. The report names him as the "boss" of a prominent faction in the militia that "apparently wrested control" of "illicit criminal enterprises" from rivals across the border in Albania. His office refused to comment on the allegations. Kosovo's government called the report "defamatory" and "mendacious," saying the allegations "have been constructed to damage the image of Kosovo and the Kosovo Liberation Army." Kosovo's acting President Jakup Krasniqi -- a Thaci ally -- expressed deep indignation about the report, saying it was "nothing but fabricated and irresponsible statements." Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said it was "based on no facts, evidence or reality. Thus it proves political line of the author, who flagrantly abuses the authority of the Council of Europe." European Union officials in Kosovo said that anyone with concrete evidence of war crimes or organized crime should come forward. "The mission is already investigating and prosecuting a number of cases related to war crimes and organized crimes," spokesman Blerim Krasniqi said. On Thursday, the report will be debated by a committee of the Council of Europe, an organization with 47 member countries that seeks to promote democracy and human rights. The council's parliament plans to debate it in January. The report is based partially on investigations by European Union officials and was written by Dick Marty for the Council of Europe's Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. Investigators are not getting enough cooperation from either Albania or Kosovo, the report adds. Kosovo's majority population is ethnic Albanian. Serbs are the minority. The KLA was backed by NATO bombing when it fought for independence from Serbia in the late 1990s. Kosovo has made it "complicated" to dig for missing bodies, and Albania has refused to allow it, Marty says, adding: "Serbia ultimately cooperated." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday, "We are very seriously concerned about the published information." He was appearing in a joint news conference in Moscow with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic. The report from the Council of Europe -- which is separate from the European Union -- was prompted partly by allegations made in a book in 2008. Carla Del Ponte, the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for the former Yugoslavia, leveled the accusation in her memoir "Madame Prosecutor." The court opened an investigation into the allegations but dropped it, the Council of Europe said, without explaining why. Evidence has since been destroyed, Marty's draft says. He acknowledges the chaotic situation in Kosovo after the war but also criticizes the international community for tending to see Serbs as aggressors and Kosovars as victims. "The reality is less clear-cut and more complex," Marty writes. But the international authorities who took control after the 1999 war felt that they "needed to promote short-term stability at any price, thereby sacrificing some important principles of justice." Kosovo was a province of Serbia but declared independence in 2008. About 70 countries have recognized the declaration, but Serbia does not, and international organizations including the United Nations and European Union continue to have administrators in Kosovo. Journalist Vlora Rustemi in Pristina, Kosovo, and CNN's Maxim Tkachenko in Moscow contributed to this report.

NEW: Kosovo's acting president calls the allegations "fabricated and irresponsible" The report cites evidence that organs were removed from prisoners for transplant abroad . Ex-Kosovo Liberation Army figures are still involved in criminal activity, the report says . Kosovo calls the Council of Europe report false and libelous .

(CNN) -- Most people would struggle to place it on a map, but Socotra is one of the world's last unspoiled island chains -- an archipelago off the coast of Yemen that has wildlife so diverse it has been described as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean. Its isolation lends Socotra a bucolic serenity and has blessed it with an array of unique animals and plants. A third of Socotra's 825 plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world, according to UNESCO, which added the archipelago to its World Heritage List for its natural beauty. German photographer Claudius Schulze had been fascinated by Socotra since reading about it in a magazine, but he was led there by an old proverb. "I had a project that didn't work out and we have a proverb in Germany about being 'ready for the island' if you are exhausted -- so I thought it was time to go to Socotra," he said. "I started looking up flights and applying for a visa straight away." When Schulze, 27, finally made it there he was captivated by both the scenery and the people he met. "It blew my mind. It's incredibly amazing and other-wordly," he said. "The landscape is bizarre, with mountains, valleys that cut 600 meters into the landscape, moon-like desert plains and huge sand-dunes and endemic plants that are completely different from anything I've seen." The archipelago has four islands, of which one is uninhabited and two others have only 450 and 100 residents respectively. Schulze visited only the main island, also called Socotra, which covers an area of 3,625 square kilometers. He has published a book of photographs and the story of his travels, called "Socotra, an island." The tribal Bedouin people of Socotra live mostly from goat herding, date plantations and fishing. The population of the islands is estimated at 44,000, according to the Socotra Governance and Biodiversity Project (SGBP). However, Schulze said there appeared to be far fewer people, with official figures including many who now live elsewhere. Although the official language is Arabic, most people speak an unwritten Socotri language of pre-Islamic origin, according to the SGBP. Also on Inside the Middle East: Qatar's first female Olympians . Schulze received hospitality from the Bedouin people of Socotra, staying in their homes and eating with them, but said he was never quite able to bridge the cultural divide he felt. "I discovered I was alien to the people and they were alien to me," he said. "They were extremely hospitable, they welcomed me in their houses and I had tea with the village elders, but there was an invisible world of extreme cultural difference." Schulze said he also witnessed the devastating impact of industrial fishing on the island's small boats. "I was a guest of fishermen on the coast and there were days when they didn't catch anything so there was nothing to eat but yesterday's bread," he said. "They are often victim of pirate European fishing trawlers illegally depleting their stocks, because neither Yemen nor (nearby) Somalia has effective coast guard to stop them. "I realized for the first time what overfishing means. It's not about running out of tuna in 10 years' time, it means people will starve now because they don't get their daily fish." Also on Inside the Middle East: Auctions celebrate art of the Islamic world . He visited Socotra three times over a year, each time for three weeks, in order to see it in different seasons. Schulze has been unable to return to Socotra with his finished book, and a lack of a postal system makes it impossible to send it there. However, he has presented the book to members of the Friends of Socotra, an international group composed mainly of scientists interested in the unique biodiversity and culture of the islands. In addition to its endemic plants, reptiles and snails, Socotra has 192 species of land and sea birds, including many threatened species, and diverse marine life, according to UNESCO. The SGBP says the local population has developed strong traditional rules to protect the island's natural resources because of its isolated position and history of self-sufficiency. Schulze's book is available through his website and at selected bookshops listed on the site.

Socotra, off the coast of Yemen, has been described as the Galapagos of the India Ocean . Photographer Claudius Schulze visited in search of adventure and exploration . He has produced a photography book of his travels in Socotra .

(CNN) -- More than a month ago, the public health community celebrated the polio-free certification of Southeast Asia including India, viewed as a hopeful step toward global eradication. But the euphoria has waned as concerns grow the virus is making a comeback and re-appearing in countries that had previously eliminated the disease within their borders. Pakistan has seen major challenges in recent years, reporting 80% of polio cases this year. The country faces challenges within its health system including restricted access to its federally administered tribal areas and violence against polio campaign health workers. Vaccine workers have been tortured, shot, bombed, and even have had their family members kidnapped. "You have disruption of health services, vaccination services are broken where areas are no-go because there is mistrust and health teams are not allowed within the conflict area," said Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, who is co-director of The Hospital for Sick Children in Canada and also works in Pakistan. "In that particular circumstance, to imagine that business would be as usual is naïve." While Pakistan faces hurdles, India's polio program has been lauded as a model for tackling polio. India's program "was largely internally funded, strongly managed," said Bhutta. Once considered the hardest place to end polio, India boosted disease surveillance and immunization efforts to vaccinate hard-to-reach communities. To counter rumors and misgivings about the vaccine, social mobilizers, religious leaders and parents were included to increase understanding about immunizations. "In Pakistan, that political will in terms of making this a national priority hasn't existed," Bhutta said. "They haven't invested enough in routine immunizations, which are critical to eradicating polio. You've got to get people aware of the importance of preventive strategies." In 2014, the World Health Organization confirmed 74 new cases of polio -- 59 of them were in Pakistan. Within Pakistan, 46 of these cases have been from its restive Federally Administered Tribal Areas, which is located along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and retains internal autonomy. The country with the second highest number of polio cases is Afghanistan, which reported four cases. But all of these are related to viruses that originated from Pakistan, according to the WHO. Emergency measures recommended . On Monday, the WHO recommended emergency measures for three of the countries deemed as the greatest risk for further exporting the virus -- Syria, Cameroon and Pakistan. The organization called for residents of these countries to get vaccinated and show proof of polio immunization before international travel. It also calls for the head of state to declare polio a national public health emergency. "If the situation as of today and April 2014 went unchecked, it could result in failure to eradicate globally one of the world's most serious vaccine preventable diseases," said Dr. Bruce Aylward, assistant director-general for polio, emergencies and country collaboration at the WHO. Pakistan has been establishing vaccination booths at its land borders with Afghanistan, China, India and also Iran, according to the WHO. Bhutta said he wasn't surprised by the WHO's move, but worried the recommendation was a "Band-Aid measure" that's "not going get to the root of the problem." This may divert the vaccines and human resources from Pakistan communities that need them the most, to the huge number of travelers, Bhutta said. "I'm concerned that will take away from the main polio control program and that's the last thing anybody wanted." Pakistan is considered the only country that is "off track" in meeting its target to stop polio transmission, according to the WHO. Militants in Pakistan have targeted anti-polio campaigns since U.S. intelligence officials used a fake vaccination program to aid their hunt for Osama bin Laden in 2011. Since then, militant groups, with connections to the Pakistani Taliban, have been opposing polio vaccinations and accusing health workers of pursuing a political agenda. Dozens have been killed in acts of violence carried out against polio vaccine workers. Pakistan has tried to protect its health workers from violence. In Peshawar, authorities banned the riding of motorcycles during vaccine campaigns to prevent attacks, said Aylward. Polio, which can cause permanent paralysis in hours, has been reported in 10 countries: Afghanistan, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Israel, Somalia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Cameroon and Syria.

India celebrated its polio-free certification in late March . Its neighbor Pakistan grapples with polio efforts with several cases reported in 2014 . World Health Organization recommends emergency measures in Pakistan . Pakistan has public health challenges including tribal areas, threats to health workers .

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Two Americans -- one a Green Beret -- were killed Monday when an assailant wearing an Afghan National Security Forces uniform opened fire on the group, U.S. and NATO's International Security Assistance Force officials said. The shootout in eastern Afghanistan didn't last long, as coalition forces "returned fire and killed the attacker," a U.S. official told CNN. Two Afghan army personnel also were killed, said Gen. Zahir Azimi, an Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman. A U.S. military official told CNN that at least 10 Americans were wounded as well. The assailant fired at the victims with a truck-mounted machine gun, Azimi said, after a meeting between coalition and Afghan forces at a military base in the Jalrez district of Wardak province, about an hour west of Kabul. Green Berets and Afghan forces are based there, a U.S. official said. A spokesman for the Taliban, the militant group that once ruled Afghanistan, said the shooter was an Afghan police officer, but it's unclear if that was the case. A U.S. official said a variety of Afghan security forces -- including army, national police and perhaps local police -- were at a training-related meeting. The incident appeared to be the latest "green-on-blue" attack, or strike against coalition members by people dressed in police or army uniforms. Assailants conducting similar subterfuge killed dozens of coalition troops in 2012. On Friday, a coalition contractor in eastern Afghanistan was killed when people wearing Afghan uniforms turned their weapons against ISAF members, NATO said. The last coalition soldier killed in a "green-on-blue" attack was a Briton, who was slain on January 7. And in the last similar fatal assault on U.S. troops, two Americans were killed October 25. The coalition has been working to thwart such insider attacks. Coalition soldiers are required to have a loaded weapon within reach at all times. In addition, the coalition ended training for hundreds of Afghan soldiers last year until the completion of background checks for insurgent links. Most of the insider attacks are believed to be the result of Afghan soldiers suffering from combat or emotional stress, a Defense Department official told CNN in September after an especially deadly weekend for coalition troops. Only about 15% of the "green-on-blue" attacks are believed to be the result of insurgent links, and about 10% come from infiltrators not affiliated with the military, the Defense Department official said. The latest attack comes a day after Afghan President Hamid Karzai outraged the ISAF commander by contending there are "ongoing daily talks between Taliban, American and foreigners in Europe and in the Gulf states" and "that Taliban want longer presence of foreigners -- not their departure from Afghanistan." U.S. Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, who oversees the NATO-led force, said that's "categorically false." "We have fought too hard over the past 12 years. We have shed too much blood over the past 12 years. We have done too much to help the Afghan Security Forces grow over the last 12 years to ever think that violence or instability would be to our advantage," Dunford said. Newly installed U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visited Afghanistan this weekend on his first overseas trip since his confirmation. Hagel told reporters he tried to reassure Karzai that the United States has no unilateral back-channel talks with the Taliban. Hagel, Karzai meet after strained Afghan weekend . "Secretary Hagel addressed these questions directly with President Karzai in their meeting," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Monday. "The last thing we would do is support any kind of violence, particularly involving innocent civilians." Carney noted that the United States and its coalition allies are staying the course with their stated policy to end the war that began in 2001 "because we were attacked from Afghanistan." "We've drawn down the surge forces and we're winding down our troop presence in Afghanistan, as we build up Afghan security forces and turn over security lead to Afghan security forces. And that progress continues," he said. Afghan police officer embraces suicide bomber to save others . U.S. general: No dangerous detainees to be released to Afghan custody . Journalist Masoud Popalzai reported from Kabul; CNN's Barbara Starr, Matt Smith, Wesley Bruer and Lindsey Knight contributed to this report, and Mark Morgenstein wrote it from Atlanta.

A Green Beret is one of two Americans killed in Afghanistan, a U.S. official says . Two Afghans also are killed; 10 more Americans are wounded, coalition officials say . The assailant is dead, a U.S. official says . It was first fatal "green-on-blue" attack on coalition troops in two months .

(CNN)The unspeakable terror that began with the Charlie Hebdo massacre in France again invaded the lives of ordinary citizens on Friday with separate violent standoffs that thrust a jittery nation into a new crisis. The twin episodes -- one outside the French capital involving the suspects who shot and killed 12 people Wednesday at the offices of the satirical magazine, the other at a kosher grocery store -- ended simultaneously with staccato bursts of gunfire and blasts of what appeared to be stun grenades by small armies of law enforcement officers. "France is living through a trial, when we see the worst massacre of this kind in the last 50 years," President Francois Hollande said in and address to the nation Friday. One of the most terrifying weeks in modern French history culminated with the shooting deaths of the suspects in the Charlie Hebdo slaughter -- brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi -- and scenes of still-stunned hostages being led to freedom by heavily-armed security forces from the kosher supermarket, after the man who police say took hostages there was killed. "It's like a war," a man who identified himself only as Teddy said as the episodes unfolded. "I don't know how I will explain this to my 5-year-old son." This father lives across the street from a school in the village of Dammartin-en-Goele, where security forces launched an assault on a graphics/printing business where the Kouachi brothers had holed themselves up. Country riveted by hostage drama . For hours Friday, there was no teaching in the classrooms in the small town northeast of Paris. Dozens of schools were on lockdown. Teachers and their pupils hid in fear. Mothers approached officers seeking assurances that their children were safe. Some students were later allowed to leave. Police officers accompanied them, holding their hands as they guided the children away. The littlest ones were lifted onto an awaiting bus that would deliver them to the safety of nearby sports facilities. The two suspects told police by phone that they wanted to die as martyrs, Yves Albarello, a member of Parliament, said on French channel iTele. Shortly before 5 p.m., helicopters swooped down on the building where the Kouachi brothers holed themselves up. Explosions and gunfire echoed through the industrial area. Smoke rose from the building. At the grocery store in Paris, four people were killed when police stormed the business near Porte de Vincennes, Hollande said. Earlier, a salesman, who identified himself only as Didier, told France Info radio that he had shaken hands with one of the gunmen about 8:30 a.m. Friday as they arrived at the printing business. Didier at first thought the man, who was dressed in black and heavily armed, was a police officer, he told the public radio station. As he left, the armed man told Didier, "Go, we don't kill civilians." "It wasn't normal," Didier said of his encounter. "I did not know what was going on." Relief, but hunt continues for another suspect . Fear of the unknown has gripped France. The dread Friday reached an eastern Paris kosher grocery store where a man suspected of a killing a police officer a day earlier took a number of hostages, including children. The hostage-taking suspect, Amedy Coulibaly, was a close associate of Cherif Kouachi, a Western intelligence source told CNN. Coulibaly demanded freedom for the Kouachi brothers. About the time security forces killed the Kouachi brothers, other officers, guns blazing, moved in on the kosher market. Police shouted "get down!" and "we've got him," according to video from CNN affiliate BFMTV. Some hostages were killed, according to French radio reports. A man who presumably was a hostage got out with an infant, as did others. Among those who may have escaped the building was a female accomplice of the grocery store hostage-taker and suspect in Thursday's fatal police shooting. On Friday night, the words "Paris est Charlie," French for "Paris is Charlie" were triumphantly projected on the iconic Arc de Triomphe. A new manhunt was launched, meanwhile, for the only surviving suspect from the two hostage situations, police union spokesman Pascal Disant said. That suspect, Hayat Boumeddiene, 26, was allegedly an accomplice of Coulibaly in the standoff at the kosher market. In a televised address to the nation later, Hollande warned: "France is not done with threats that are targeting (the country)."

Week of terror ends with Charlie Hebdo attackers killed . Separate violent standoffs thrust jittery nation into a new crisis . President Francois Hollande: "France is not done with threats"

(CNN) -- Air Canada has seen quite a turnaround. A few years ago, Canada's national carrier was on the brink of declaring bankruptcy for a second time in a decade, and at the end of 2011 it reported a $60 million loss. After a year-long shakeup, however, the once-turbulent company has seen a dramatic rise in profits, and its end-of-year earnings for 2012 were $8 million (the first time the company had turned a profit in five years). Calin Rovinescu, the company's CEO, attributes the upturn to his "Gangnam-style" approach. In a recent issue of the airline's in-flight magazine, he wrote: . "Full-service, established airlines like Air Canada have to be especially flexible and nimble to avoid becoming the great-uncle launching into a twist at the wedding, whilst the youngsters go 'gangnam'." In other words, Air Canada realized it had to learn new moves, or, as Rovinescu clarifies, "get off the dance floor." One of the carrier's most prominent restructuring methods is adding 109 more seats to five new Boeing 777-300ERs, and introducing a new premium economy class. "I want us to be the leading, premium airline in North America," says Rovinescu, who acknowledges there is stiff competition. Read more: Economy class goes gourmet . Though there's always a risk that a boosted up economy class will lure a few passengers who would have otherwise booked a more expensive business-class ticket, Rovinescu is confident the move will instead attract a new demographic of economy passengers who want a few extra creature comforts. "People that are on the edge of being able to pay for a business class seat may well move to the premium economy, but our expectation is that it will be more than made up by economy class passengers that buy in (because they find) the pricing of a business class too high." Another major move is that the airline has started to launch a bigger presence in the Asian market, increasing their routes between Toronto and Vancouver to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Perhaps the most dramatic change, though, is the addition of a second, low-cost airline, called Rouge, which the company is billing as its "leisure" service. Rouge employs smaller planes and travels to separate, more vacation-themed destinations than the main carrier. "We're a pretty good brand in the leisure market, though word is that we do well on the business travel-side internationally. We look at our business and say, well, we could either abandon (the leisure-side) over time, as there will always be an efficient, lower cost producer, or we could get into it in a much more meaningful way." It's still too early to see what effect these changes will have on Air Canada's bottom line in the long run. But the company's recent profit margins bode well. "One year does not a transformation make," acknowledges Rovinescu, "but I'm really encouraged by the results of last year. I will characterize ourselves as a baseball game. We are probably in the fifth inning right now of a transformation process." Read more: Air Canada flight finds stranded Australian yacht . The company also faced labor challenges last year with disputes with the airlines' two largest unions, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The launch of Rouge was one point of contention, with airline staff worried about the implications for the safety of their jobs. "Some of the things (we implemented) were a little bit of a shock to the airline, a shock to the system. The contracts were all settled and everybody did a great job and went back to work," he says. "Otherwise, we wouldn't be winning awards," he adds. The accolades he refers to include an award for best international airline in North America for three years running in the World Airline Awards. The carrier also was named best North American airline for international travel and best North American airline in-flight experience (as voted on by readers of U.S. magazine Business Traveler). As Rovinescu points out, Air Canada has a legacy to maintain, and sometimes doing so can be harder than starting from scratch. "As significant as it is for an entrepreneur to start a business, it's a lot tougher to convert a business that has been around for twenty five years, and that's really what we're doing now," he says.

In 2012, Air Canada turned a profit for the first time in five years . Calin Rovinescu, the CEO, wrote that the company needed to keep up with the competition by going 'Gangnam' One major change was introducing premium economy class . The company also started a low-cost airline called Rouge, which has vacation-oriented routes .

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Negative attacks are as American as apple pie. Since the early days of the republic, candidates attacked with a vigor that contemporary strategists would admire. In the 1800 presidential election, for example, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams criticized one another with a stunning ferocity on everything from foreign and domestic policy to private character and personal behavior. Later campaigns weren't much better. Critics of Andrew Jackson in 1836 accused him of murdering Indians. In 1884, Grover Cleveland was ridiculed for fathering an illegitimate child. William Jennings Bryan was characterized as a dangerous radical in 1896 who would ruin the economy. Despite these historical precedents, the 2008 campaign has reached all-time lows in the use of misleading and inaccurate political appeals. Even Karl Rove, the architect of negative ads in previous campaigns, has complained about the tenor of this year's campaign. John McCain broadcast an ad taking Barack Obama's words out of context and suggesting Democrats were trying to compare GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin to a pig. The McCain campaign ran another spot erroneously claiming Obama favored comprehensive sex education for kindergarteners. Democrats have not been above reproach either. After McCain secured the GOP nomination this spring, outside groups falsely claimed the Republican supported a 1,000-year war in Iraq and therefore was not worthy of the presidency. These misleading appeals suggest voters must remain vigilant about candidate, party, and group claims. Generally, the most misleading commercials have come from independent groups uncoordinated with the candidates. These organizations feel free to run emotional and inaccurate content designed to play on voter's fears and anxieties. Some of the worst ads in recent memory, such as the Willie Horton ad in 1988, have been broadcast by these kinds of groups. In past years, the only upside of attack ads was that they generally contained more issue content than other types of ads. Since reporters police campaign appeals, the ads generally stick to the issues and rely on factually-accurate information. Ad sponsors and candidates realize they will be held accountable for unfair ad content. However, commercials run this year represent a break with this general pattern. Attack ads broadcast in recent months have twisted the truth, lied about personal background, taken statements out of context, and clearly sought to manipulate voter sentiments. Most worrisome from a factual standpoint is McCain's claim that Obama will raise taxes on the middle class. Although Obama has pledged to increase income taxes on those earning more than $250,000, he has been careful not to make proposals that would raise taxes on the middle class for fear of being labeled a tax-and-spend liberal. McCain's tax claims have been condemned by leading editorial boards and surely will attract considerable attention in upcoming debates. With all the factual inaccuracies that have taken place, voters need to protect themselves from efforts at political manipulation. Non-partisan Web sites such as www.factcheck.org represent one source of unbiased information. They analyze ads and compile factual information in support of or in opposition to ad claims. Other trustworthy fact-checkers include ad watches and reality checks run by leading news organizations. These features dissect candidate claims in regard to accuracy, strategy, and impact. But the best thing for voters to do is to watch the candidate debates and judge for themselves. Study the statements and the factual bases of policy claims. Pay attention to how the candidates speak and what they say. Find out what non-partisan groups think and see what they have to say regarding the major issues. By the time the campaign is over, the presidential candidates are expected to have spent 55 percent of their overall budget on ads. Strategists put together spots very carefully and pre-test major messages on small groups of voters. Most of this money will be devoted to television spots. But increasingly amounts are being targeted on radio, direct mail, and Internet appeals. In the end, voters are going to have to decipher competing charges and counter-charges amid considerable noise from all sides. The 2008 election is unusual in having so many big issues on the agenda: the economy, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, health care, taxes, immigration, education and climate change. It is an election that truly matters because of the stark differences between the parties and the closeness of the campaign. Voters need to pay serious attention to the facts in order to make a wise choice. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer.

Darrell West: Negative attacks have long history in U.S. politics . This year's ads have hit new lows for distorting the truth, West says . Ads against McCain and Obama have twisted their words, he says . West: Voters should use fact-checking resources in media and on the Web .

(CNN) -- He's the most expensive footballer in the world, but Cristiano Ronaldo is proving to be an absolute bargain buy for Real Madrid. The Portugal forward took his goal tally to an incredible 49 in 47 league games since his $130 million move from Manchester United in 2009 as he fired his fourth hat-trick this season in Sunday night's 4-2 win over third-placed Villarreal. The visitors had threatened to become the first team to win at the Santiago Bernabeu this season, leading 2-1 after 18 minutes, but Ronaldo completed his treble to put Real ahead and then set up a clinching goal by substitute Kaka to keep his side two points behind leaders Barcelona. Kaka was delighted after his winning contribution, and also hailed Ronaldo's heroics. Who is the world's best footballer? "He has decided many matches and will continue to do so for Real Madrid. He is a great player that stuns us all day after day with goals and his way of playing. He is fundamental to this team," the former world player of the year said. "To return to the Bernabeu and score was such a special moment. It had been a long time since I scored, so it was very important to me. I felt such raw emotion from the crowd." Ronaldo has now scored 22 goals in 18 La Liga games this season, and 31 overall. With defending champions Barca having beaten Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 on Saturday, Real were rocked when Ruben Cani put Villarreal ahead in the sixth minute. But Ronaldo was on hand to equalize from close range three minutes later after Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil combined well to set him up. Benzema was starting up front in the continued absence of Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain, who will have back surgery on Tuesday. The Real squad took to the pitch wearing shirts supporting him with the words "Stay strong Pipa. Get well soon." But it was Villarreal who scored next as Marco Ruben beat the offside trap and sent a delightful chip over goalkeeper Iker Casillas for his first goal for the club. Ronaldo struck a vital blow when he equalized in the first minute of time added on, stealing a header from Xabi Alonso's free-kick. But Real struggled to find a winner until Kaka came on for his first home appearance this season with 20 minutes to play, having returned as a substitute in the meaningless midweek Spanish Cup second-leg defeat at Levante. Nine minutes later the Brazilian's cross was not dealt with by Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez, and Ronaldo finally fired in a low shot after the ball ran loose -- though he appeared to have come back from an offside position. There was no doubt about the fourth goal on 82 minutes, as Ronaldo slipped a clever pass into the box and Kaka poked the ball past Lopez. Real coach Jose Mourinho's wild celebrations prompted an angry reaction on the Villarreal bench, with coach Juan Carlos Garrido already sent off for protesting the third goal. Real return to action on Thursday for the first leg of the Spanish Cup quarterfinal against city rivals Atletico, who travel to Hercules in La Liga on Monday. In Sunday's other games, fourth-placed Valencia closed the gap on Villarreal to two points after a controversial 1-0 win in the derby at Levante. Juan Mata followed up his late winner in last weekend's win over Espanyol with another goal that appeared to be offside as he broke free to score with seven minutes left. The winger missed a first-half penalty, clipping the top of the crossbar, and then in the second half he had a curling free-kick tipped onto the woodwork. Espanyol are a point back in fifth after thrashing bottom club Real Zaragoza 4-0 at home, while Mallorca joined sixth-placed Atletico and Getafe on 27 points with a 4-1 win over relegation-threatened Almeria. Getafe could only draw 0-0 at Osasuna, who moved five points clear of the bottom three. Sporting Gijon moved above Almeria and Zaragoza on goal difference after drawing 1-1 at Racing Santander thanks to a 90th-minute equalizer from midfielder Diego Castro.

Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick inspires Real Madrid to 4-2 win over third-placed Villarreal . Kaka scores fourth goal in Bernabeu comeback as Real twice come from behind . Ronaldo takes his tally to 31 goals this season in all competitions . Valencia close to within two points of Villarreal with controversial derby victory .

(CNN) -- The United States and its allies have plenty to worry about in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with al Qaeda, two Talibans, the Haqqani Network and a plethora of other militant groups active. But the United States and intelligence analysts believe another group, one of Pakistan's most powerful and well-established, is also broadening its horizons. It is Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, which means "Army of the Pure." It was blamed for the attack on Mumbai, India, hotels in November 2008 in which nearly 200 people were killed over three days. That attack "shows the organization's global ambitions," said Dan Benjamin, the U.S. State Department's coordinator for counterterrorism. Bernjamin has been in Islamabad meeting Pakistani officials this week as part of a "strategic dialogue" between the United States and Pakistan. Lashkar-e-Tayyiba "appears to have a very complex mix of indigenous and international targets," Benjamin said at a U.S. Embassy briefing Thursday. "We are working with Pakistan's civilian authorities to investigate further into this organization, but definitely [Lashkar-e-Tayyiba] maintains some level of connections with al Qaeda," Benjamin said at the briefing [WHEN added above]. Earlier this year, Benjamin said of the Mumbai attacks: "The target was set directly out of [Osama] bin Laden's book, filling the gap created by a diminished al Qaeda." Lashkar-e-Tayyiba claims it is focused on the same issue as it was when created: freeing the disputed territory of Kashmir from Indian rule, experts say. In a rare interview earlier this year, the man widely regarded as the organization lader, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, told The Independent newspaper that the group was not involved in the Mumbai attacks, despite substantial evidence to the contrary. Lashkar-e-Tayyiba was allegedly behind several high-profile attacks in India. And it is precisely because it is aimed at India's presence in Kashmir that the organization has been tolerated and even supported by Pakistani officials over the years -- even after it was banned there in 2002, intelligence officials and some Pakistani officials say. The current Pakistani ambassador to Washington, Husain Haqqani, wrote three years ago that Lashkar-e-Tayyiba was "backed by Saudi money and protected by Pakistani intelligence services." Saeed has been periodically put under house arrest when things have got a little overheated, but the group maintains an expansive compound near Lahore in Punjab and according to intelligence analysts remains well-connected to elements of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI. NATO in Afghanistan believes Lashkar is extensively involved with militant groups there. Friday, the International Security Assistance Force said it had detained a Taliban commander in the eastern Nangahar province who had "assisted with the recent influx of [Lashkar-e-Tayyiba] insurgents into the province." They are believed to have worked with the Haqqani Network to carry out attacks on Indian targets in Kabul, including several this year. Much to Pakistan's consternation, India has expanded its presence in Afghanistan, especially through Indian government-aided construction and training projects, since the overthrow of the Taliban. Lashkar-e-Tayyiba fighters are also believed to have joined the Taliban in attacks on U.S. Forward Operating Bases in eastern Afghanistan over the last couple of years. One scholar who has long studied Lashkar believes it is well placed to expand its activities. "Evidence suggests Lashkar has support cells in the Persian Gulf, Britain, North America, mainland Europe, and possibly Australia," wrote Stephen Tankel this year in a paper for the New America Foundation. The case of David Headley suggests that is the case. The Pakistani-born American citizen confessed this year to a planning role in the Mumbai attacks and a conspiracy with senior figures in Lashkar-e-Tayyiba to attack the office in Copenhagen of the Danish newspaper that published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in 2005. He said he visited Pakistan several times to meet with Lashkar leaders.

Lashkar-e-Tayyiba blamed for attack on Mumbai, India, hotels in November 2008 . Organization has "complex mix of indigenous and international targets," State Department says . Lashkar-e-Tayyiba says it is focused only on freeing Kashmir from Indian rule, experts say . Lashkar-e-Tayyiba joined Taliban in attacks on U.S. bases in Afghanistan, experts say .

(CNN) -- In hiding, they listened carefully. To gunshots and explosions. To friends and strangers hiding with them. With their lives at stake, they spoke quietly and tried to decide: When do we run for it? Sara Head of Washington hid in a stairwell. Uche Kaigwa-Okoye's place of refuge was a stall in a ladies' restroom. Zulobia Kassam was in the back of a supermarket. Each was lucky enough never to see any of the gunmen who killed dozens in the upscale Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday. But not seeing their attackers was itself part of the terror. Stuck between floors . Head, along with a business colleague and a driver, fled from the parking lot after the shooting started. Her group ran into a stairwell, thinking they would go up one level and find a safe exit. But they could hear more gunfire and backed down, winding up with a group of strangers cowering on the stairs between floors. Keep up with the latest developments in Kenya . "We heard lots of shots at first, then none for a while -- maybe 15 minutes more -- then more," Head said. "We didn't go want to go up or down," she said. Head saw two people in the stairwell bleeding from minor wounds. People talked on their cell phones -- she contacted her husband and the American embassy -- but then a stranger said the talking might attract the attackers. Those with smartphones whispered reports of hostages taken and grenades going off. "No one really knew what was going on," she said. Safety: Can the attack happen again? Crowding in the ladies' room . Kaigwa-Okoye thought he heard a table fall over, "and then it happened repetitively, and it got really loud." Soon people started screaming and Kaigwa-Okoye joined many who ran outside. But they heard gunfire outside, too, so Kaigwa-Okoye went back inside. Still unable to see any attackers, they thought they were backing away from danger. But when they reached a corner, shots were fired -- shots that seemed to be in their direction. They fled to a ladies' restroom, where 20 people soon were hiding. "We were really scared," he said. "Every sound sounded scary. We couldn't make out sounds, and they had grenades. It was really, really loud ... They must have passed our corridor several times. We heard gunshots down our corridor." Some people ventured out but quickly returned, saying it was unsafe. Near supermarket gunfire . Kassam had just finished coffee when she entered a supermarket in the mall. "We entered and the lights went off," she said. She waited for the generator to kick in, but instead she heard gunshots and saw people running. "We rushed to the back and hid ourselves," Kassam said. "We heard random shots from everywhere -- upstairs, downstairs ... we even heard shots 30 feet from us," she said. "People were petrified, crying, praying," she said. Surviving the mall massacre: 'Just lucky' 'The lights came on' Head had been in the stairwell 90 minutes when a door from the supermarket opened. "The lights came on in the stairwell, and people went out. I was very, very hesitant because ... there was no information to tell me it was safe to exit," she said. "It was just that the people in front of me were exiting." "People were saying be quiet," she said. She saw drops of blood on the floor as they walked through the hardware section and a cereal aisle and then through the storeroom to get outside. Still they walked quietly until it seemed safe to make noise. Then they ran, she said, not stopping even when they reached crowds of onlookers and photographers. Tear gas, then rescue . Kaigwa-Okoye heard firing but then realized police had arrived on the floor where he was hiding in the restroom. They were firing tear gas. Officers told them to walk out single file and made them throw away their bags. Kassam had been hiding in the back of the supermarket for more than two hours when a security person arrived and said it was safe to flee. She and others walked through a storage area. "We saw lots of blood, sandals and shoes," she said. She made it outside to the main road. And even at what seemed a safe distance, she again heard shooting in the distance. Al-Shabaab grew amid Somalia's lawlessness . World leaders condemn terror attack at Kenya mall .

Saturday's attack on a Kenyan mall left people scrambling for their lives amid chaos . Shoppers had to quickly hide and then wonder whether to run -- and when . American Sara Head hid in a stairwell: "We didn't want to go up or down" 20 people huddled for safety in a restroom, where "every sound sounded scary"

(CNN) -- The sea of signs and flags held with defiant pride may have said "31" -- but the history books will note that Juventus clinched a record-extending 29th Italian league title Sunday, with three matches to spare. The "Calciopoli" match-fixing scandal which saw the club stripped of its 2005 and 2006 scudettos and relegated to Serie B still looms large in the history of the "Old Lady" of Turin, but successes in the last two seasons have restored Juve's fortunes as Italy's top football team. "It wasn't easy for us to reclaim our title this year," said coach Antonio Conte after the 1-0 win over Palermo that ended the hopes of second-placed Napoli and prompted Juve fans to invade the pitch at the Alps stadium to get keepsakes of the day, with some even cutting up the goal nets. Conte has had his own problems, having missed the start of this season after being banned for failing to report an instance of match-fixing while he was the coach of Siena -- the 10-month punishment was later reduced to four on appeal, and he returned to the touchline in December. "Starting out as favorites doesn't do you any favors and we knew that the Champions League would take it out of us on a physical level," said the 43-year-old, whose team reached the quarterfinals of Europe's top club competition. "However, we've had a triumphant charge to the title, sealing the achievement with three games to spare. The defeat against Inter gave us greater hunger but the loss against Sampdoria affected me even more, I promised it wouldn't happen again and stayed true to my word. "I dreamt of returning and winning here and that's precisely what has happened. I'm in the right place. We've achieved extraordinary things over the past few years, but you always need to raise the bar in football, taking into account the economic difficulties that Italian football is experiencing. "So it's only right that I sit down with the club at the end of the season to plan for the future. I'll always be grateful to (president) Andrea Agnelli and owe him a great deal, and that's why I want the situation to be clear. But I want to stay here." Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal scored the goal that clinched title, netting from the penalty spot after an hour following a foul by Massimo Donati on striker Mirko Vucinic. It was his 10th Serie A goal this season, and 15th overall, making him Juve's top scorer. The victory, which came despite the 83rd-minute red card to Paul Pogba, put Juve 14 points clear of Napoli, who then beat Inter Milan 3-1 later Sunday to reduce the deficit again. Edinson Cavani netted a hat-trick to pass 100 goals for Napoli and extend his league-leading tally to 26 this season, while eighth-placed Inter look likely to miss out on European football next season. AC Milan went four points clear in the battle for third place, beating Torino 1-0 thanks to an 84th-minute goal from striker Mario Balotelli to capitalize on Fiorentina's defeat to fifth-placed Roma on Saturday. Meanwhile, Ajax clinched a third successive Dutch league title on Sunday, beating bottom club Willem II Tilburg 5-0 to earn a 32nd Eredivisie crown overall with one match to play. Coach Frank de Boer emulated the feats of Rinus Michels (1966-68) and Louis van Gaal (1994-96) in winning a treble of titles, having also won five as a player. It kept Ajax four points clear of second-placed PSV Eindhoven, who beat NEC Nijmegen 4-2. Paris Saint-Germain's bid for a first French title since 1994 faltered with a 1-1 draw against Valenciennes that left the capital club seven points clear with three matches to play. PSG had key defender Thiago Silva sent off after Gael Danic put the midtable visitors ahead, but Brazilian Alex netted a late equalizer. Marseille had earlier ensured PSG could not wrap up the title this weekend by beating Bastia 2-1 on Saturday.

Sunday's win over Palermo gives Juventus a 29th Italian league title . Club and its fans celebrate with flags and signs denoting "31" Turin side still refusing to accept loss of two titles in match-fixing scandal . Dutch club Ajax clinches third successive league title and 32nd overall .

(CNN) -- Pope Francis doesn't want a commonly quoted Bible verse chanted as empty words on Christmas Day -- the one about peace on Earth. "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors," heavenly hosts proclaimed when Christ was born, according to the Vatican translation. The pontiff told tens of thousands of people gathered in front of the Vatican on Wednesday where he wants that peace to happen -- in Syria, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and the Holy Land. False pretenses won't do. "True peace is not a balance of opposing forces. It is not a lovely 'facade' which conceals conflicts and divisions. Peace calls for daily commitment," Francis said in his Christmas Urbi et Orbi message. The Urbi et Orbi address is customarily political and global, as its name indicates. It is Latin and means "to the city (of Rome) and to the world." Popes give the address and blessing on special occasions such as Easter and Christmas. Vatican TV estimated that about 150,000 attended the blessing in St. Peter's Square, which marked Francis' first Christmas celebration as pope. He asked Jesus to inspire peace in warring factions around the world. "Prince of Peace, in every place turn hearts aside from violence and inspire them to lay down arms and undertake the path of dialogue." He also continued his criticism of money-driven evils. "Lord of heaven and earth," he prayed, "look upon our planet, frequently exploited by human greed and rapacity." Pray for peace . Francis asked Christians to pray for an end to the violence and suffering in Syria and for humanitarian aid to get through to its people. He prayed for people dying of hunger, thirst and violence in the Central African Republic to find an end to war and poverty. He also addressed a new armed conflict. "Foster social harmony in South Sudan, where current tensions have already caused numerous victims and are threatening peaceful coexistence in that young state," he prayed. He asked God to have mercy on civilians killed in Nigeria and Iraq and prayed that Israelis and Palestinians find peace together in "the land where you chose to come into the world." Francis remembered refugees fleeing conflicts and misery in Africa who died off the coast of Italy when their overfilled boats capsized before reaching the town of Lampedusa . He prayed for those who lost entire families and homes to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Pope adored . The massive turnout on Christmas Day mirrored the popularity Francis has enjoyed since becoming head of the Catholic Church. His reputation for being down to earth and genuinely caring about people has touched a chord with millions. Christmas Eve was no different. There was a record number of requests to attend this year's Christmas Eve Mass, the Vatican said. "People are listening to him, because he's speaking in a language that's not Vaticanese," said Gerard O'Connell, a Vatican analyst. "He's speaking the language of ordinary people." The Pope preached Tuesday evening on love, forgiveness and facing life with bravery and with God's help. "To us the Lord repeats, 'Do not be afraid.' ... And I, too, repeat, do not be afraid,'" Francis said. He called on the throngs gathered at St. Peter's Basilica on Tuesday to cast aside hatred. "If we love God and our brothers and sisters, we walk in the light. But if our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then darkness falls within us, and around us." Reforms, surprises . Nine months into his papacy, much has been made of the Pope's reforms, among them more scrutiny at the Vatican bank, changes to the church's bureaucratic structure, and a commission to deal with the abuse of minors. And while this year's Christmas liturgy remains the same, experts say we should expect the unexpected. "He tends to be a surprise, because he does things that are normal, but are very abnormal in terms of the papacy," O'Connell said. "He brought three homeless men into where he is living to have breakfast with him on his birthday. ... I suspect we will see something else again over the Christmas period." The festivities began on Saturday, with the Pope's Christmas message to the Curia. He urged the church's governing body to avoid gossip and to focus on service. And then he practiced what he preached, spending three hours at a local hospital bringing Christmas cheer to sick children.

"Peace calls for daily commitment," Francis says in his Christmas Urbi et Orbi message . Make it in Syria, Israel, the Palestinian territories, South Sudan, he says . The Urbi et Orbi address is customarily political and global, as its name indicates . It is Latin and means "to the city (of Rome) and to the world"

(CNN) -- Syrian opposition voices spoke out Monday against a proposed law that would allow for new political parties, calling it little more than a publicity stunt. If enacted, the bill would add to a long list long list of reform promises going back at least five years. "The Syrian regime is just easing international pressure to implement political and social reforms in Syria. The regime is simply constitutionalizing dictatorship through this new law that lacks basic elements for political parties to be formed freely," said Hassan Chalabi, a member of the Syrian National Salvage Congress. Chalabi said the proposal "does not fulfill the aspirations of the opposition and the people of Syria." Others say the prerequisites required to form a new party make it nearly impossible to do so. "The law stipulates that any political party needs to have at least 2,000 members representing at least seven Syrian provinces before being active," said Damascus lawyer Anwar Al Bounni, who heads the Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research. He added that the parties cannot be active until they are legalized by a committee formed by the minister of interior, a judge and three other members appointed by the president. This stipulation, Al Bounni said, makes it impossible for opposition parties to establish a presence, despite the new law. "The law issued by the Syrian government is just for the media consumption and to delude the international community that the Syrian regime is implementing reforms. The reality is that it is not," Al Bounni said. Anti-regime demonstrators took to the streets Sunday night, chanting for the fall of the regime into the early hours of Monday, according to activists and protest videos posted on the Internet. State media also reported the sacking of two regional governors as a move to appease Syrian citizens. The governors replacing those sacked were to do more "to meet the citizens' demands and interests," according to the SANA state news agency. More than 12,000 demonstrators participated in two towns alone, dissident organization Local Coordination Committees of Syria said. Videos posted on YouTube showed public squares of at least five cities packed with nighttime protesters. Pro-democracy activists renewed their claim of a government "detention campaign" and reported 15 arrests in a Damascus suburb during a demonstration in support of the city of Homs, which is under a military crackdown. CNN cannot independently confirm the demonstrations or detentions. Syria's Cabinet approved the bill Sunday to provide for the formation of new political parties, according to SANA, "as part of the directives of the political reform program." It would require that new parties adhere to principles similar to those of Western democracies, SANA reported. But new parties would not be allowed to have members "convicted of an offense or felony." Past announcements of reform have done little to quell protests. Online videos posted Monday morning showed protesters reaffirming demands of regime change, chanting: "The people want the fall of the regime." President Bashir al-Assad had introduced economic and, to a lesser extent, political reforms in Syria as early as 2006, according to a July 2006 report by the Carnegie Endowment. Those reforms were "more cosmetic than consequential," the report concluded. Human Rights Watch says Syrian security forces have intensified their campaign of mass arrests in cities that have had anti-government protests. The cities include Hama, Homs and suburbs around Damascus, the group said. Citing "reliable activists and witnesses," it estimated that security forces have arrested more than 2,000 anti-government protesters, medical professionals caring for wounded protesters and people alleged to have given information to international news media and human rights organizations. Local Coordination Committees of Syria estimates that more than 15,000 people arrested since the beginning of the protests remain in detention, Human Rights Watch said. The organization said it had "already documented widespread torture from the accounts of people who have been released, causing concern that many detainees still in detention are being tortured." The unrest in Syria began in mid-March after teens were arrested for writing anti-government graffiti in the southern city of Daraa, according to Amnesty International. As the clashes intensified, demonstrators changed their demands, from calls for freedom and an end to abuses by the security forces to calls for the regime's overthrow. CNN's Rima Maktabi contributed to this report.

The opposition says the proposed law is "constitutionalizing dictatorship" Sunday protests fell on the heels of Cabinet approval of a reform bill . Videos posted online showed public squares filled with anti-regime protesters . Activists renewed claims of arrest campaigns by President Bashir al-Assad's regime .

(CNN) -- The spread of polio constitutes an international public health emergency, the World Health Organization declared Monday. "If unchecked, this situation could result in failure to eradicate globally one of the world's most serious vaccine preventable diseases," the WHO said in a statement. At the end of 2013, 60% of polio cases resulted from the international spread of the virus, and "there was increasing evidence that adult travelers contributed to the spread," according to the statement. Polio mainly affects children under the age of 5, according to the WHO. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis; 5 to 10% of patients die when their breathing muscles become immobilized. It can only be prevented by vaccination. Of the 10 countries currently infected with polio, three -- Pakistan, Syria and Cameroon -- have allowed the virus to spread internationally, according to an emergency committee convened by the organization, which met late last month. Polio has spread from Pakistan to Afghanistan, from Syria to Iraq and from Cameroon to Equatorial Guinea, according to the WHO. The concern is that the spread comes during the low transmission season for polio, typically January through April, said WHO spokeswoman Christine Feig. This is a "red flag," she said, as "it has been years" since the virus was spread to three countries during low season. Polio re-emerged in Syria in October 2013 after a 15-year absence. The ongoing civil war in Syria has hampered immunization rates "due to the severe interruption of public health services and to the conditions in which the people are living," according to a WHO report. There have been 74 cases of polio so far this year, Dr. Bruce Aylward, WHO assistant director-general for polio, emergencies and country collaboration, said Monday. Of those, 59 were in Pakistan. No other country has reported more than four cases, and the only country with four was Afghanistan, he said. The committee's decision to declare an international public health emergency means that Pakistan, Syria and Cameroon are urged to declare national public health emergencies regarding polio and ensure all residents and long-term visitors are vaccinated. In addition, the WHO said, citizens of those countries traveling internationally should be vaccinated before their departure and carry proof in the form of an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. Meet India's last polio patient . "A coordinated international response is deemed essential to stop this international spread of wild poliovirus and to prevent new spread with the onset of the high transmission season in May/June 2014," according to the organization. Nations infected with polio, but not spreading the disease internationally now include Afghanistan, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Israel, Somalia and Nigeria, the WHO said. Those nations were also encouraged to take similar measures to ensure high levels of vaccination in residents and travelers. While the recommendations are not legally binding, they are in the context of the International Health Regulations, which are binding on member states, Aylward said. "These recommendations are not legally binding in the strict sense ... but they do carry substantial weight because, of course, they are in the context of a legally binding international treaty," Aylward said Monday. No cases of polio have been detected in Israel, but the WHO previously reported the virus was found in sewage samples, as well as in stool samples from children who had been immunized. In all, 417 cases of polio were reported worldwide in 2013, said Aylward. Further spread of the virus could put at risk countries that are currently polio-free but are "conflict-torn and fragile" with compromised routine immunization services, the WHO said. The current situation is "in stark contrast" to the "near-cessation" of the spread of polio from January 2012 through April 2013, according to the statement. In March, Southeast Asia, including India, was declared polio-free. India, the world's second most populous country, was able to achieve the goal by deploying immunization efforts to reach those most vulnerable, according to UNICEF. Polio was eradicated in the United States in 1979, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination campaign against polio, other diseases begins in Mideast . Pakistan grapples with polio fight . India beats the odds, beats polio .

Polio has spread to three countries this year . It's typically the low season for transmission of the virus . Pakistan, Syria and Cameroon are urged to put measures into place . 417 cases of polio were reported worldwide in 2013, WHO says .

(CNN) -- Grammy-winning singer Angelique Kidjo joined human rights activists to demand courts martial for troops who publicly gang raped women in the streets of the West African country of Guinea last month. It's part of a strong message against rape that Kidjo, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, and activist Leymah Gbowee are spreading to the women of Africa, the governments of Africa and the rest of the world. "I refuse any man to stand here and justify rape to me, because every girl, every woman that is raped is their mother, their grandmother that they are raping, their sister and their daughter," Beninese singer Kidjo told CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Friday. "And we cannot sit back -- I can't just accept it, and I'm never going to accept it in my life's breath." Governments, international and regional groups "have failed the women of this world," said Gbowee, founder and executive director of Women Peace and Security Network Africa. "They've come up with all of these exotic resolutions, but they lack accountability mechanism, and they're almost like toothless bulldogs," she said. " ... You have what happened in Guinea-Conakry few days ago. No one is compelling that military government to court martial all of those who raped women publicly in the streets." Guinean soldiers cracked down on pro-democracy protesters a month ago, leaving more than 150 people dead. The United States, the European Union, and the African Union have all imposed sanctions against Guinea's military junta. On Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the three members who would comprise the international commission to investigate the alleged crackdown and rapes. Separately, in The Hague the International Criminal Court, which tries people accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, has said it would look into the deaths and rapes and determine whether they fall under its jurisdiction. The Guinean government under Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, who seized power in a bloodless coup in December, said last month that most of the people who died were crushed in the rally. Gbowee, a Liberian, was the focus of the documentary "Pray the Devil Back to Hell," which shows how women confronted then-Liberian President Charles Taylor with a demand for peace to end a bloody 14-year civil war. Led by Gbowee, Liberian women locked arms and refused to let Taylor's representatives out of negotiations in Ghana until they had reached a peace agreement. Ultimately, Taylor resigned from office after a U.N. tribunal charged him with war crimes. He went into hiding for a time but is now on trial. The efforts of the Liberian women ultimately led to the election of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as Africa's first female head of state. "I think definitely this can be repeated," Gbowee said of Johnson-Sirleaf's election. "And one of the things that I'm grateful [to] the documentary for is that it emboldens women in every part. " ... This documentary is like a landmark or something that tells other women, 'People did it before we came, we've done it, and they can also do it,'" she said. "So it's not a fluke. It can happen. People just need to rise up and rise above the politics that so deeply divide us as women." Women have power but must learn to use it, said Kidjo, who provided music for the documentary. "The thing is, we women of Africa, we have the power," she said. "We women of the world, we have the power, but we don't know the power we have." "... I've been thinking about Israel and Palestine for so many years," she said. "Who's paying the highest price for this? The mothers, crying for their sons dying." Kidjo said she believed that a strong coalition of women could be a deciding factor. "We say to both sides, 'Enough is enough. We are tired of war, as you said. We are tired of our children not being safe. Without peace, our children can't go to school, we can't have health care.'" she said. "I mean, we women, we have the power. We've got to be absolutely in power." And that begins with communities, Gbowee said. "What we need to do and what we've done -- what we did in Liberia was going back into the communities and really just reassuring these women that it's OK to step out with that power," she said.

Gbowee: International groups, governments "have failed the women of this world" Gbowee led Liberian women to confront then-President Taylor to reach peace deal . Kidjo: Women have real power but must learn to use it . U.N. secretary-general announces members of Guinea probe commission .

Paju, South Korea (CNN) -- North Korea held a huge military parade in Pyongyang on Thursday, using the 70th anniversary of the birth of its late leader Kim Jong Il as an opportunity to try to invoke deeper reverence for his son and chosen successor, Kim Jong Un. State television broadcast footage of the younger Kim and senior officials from the secretive regime on a platform overlooking a square filled with thousands of people. The platform was bedecked with Kimjongilias, the brilliant pink flower named after the dead leader. With a giant portrait of a smiling Kim Jong Il, who died in December, looking down on proceedings, soldiers carried out a salute to him and his father, Kim Il Sung, who founded North Korea. The soldiers paid "high respects" to the two deceased Kims and pledged loyalty to Kim Jong Un, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. In South Korea, two dozen North Korean defectors met in a park to release balloons carrying criticism of Kim Jong Il over the heavily militarized border that separates the two countries, a move that has irritated Pyongyang in the past. Thursday is the first of two big occasions in the early months of 2012 for the nuclear-armed North Korean regime to eulogize former dictators and reinforce the position of its young new leader. The 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, who ruled North Korea for almost half a decade, takes place on April 15. The date of his birth, known as "the Day of the Sun," is the biggest national holiday in North Korea. Kim Jong Il's birthday was recently dubbed "the Day of the Shining Star." The significant anniversaries come soon after Kim Jong Un, who is thought to be in his late 20s, was elevated to the position of "supreme leader" of the insular state. North Korean newspapers on Thursday carried special reports on Kim Jong Il. Before the parade began airing, Korean Central Television (KCTV), the government-run news broadcaster, showed chorus groups singing lyrics in praise of him, as well as images from his life. And state-run media have already documented a number of events and initiatives that took place ahead of the anniversary of his birth. Kim Jong Un and other senior officials attended a "national meeting" Wednesday to commemorate the occasion, according to KCNA. Kim Yong Nam, the president of the North Korean parliament, made a speech at the event praising Kim Jong Il's "immortal feats" and also urging that "all the party members, service persons and people should protect Kim Jong Un politically and ideologically with their lives and get united around him." Other recent measures related to Kim Jong Il's birthday reported by state media include an ice sculpture festival held by public security forces and the delivery of gifts to children across the country, in some cases by helicopter. Pyongyang has warned South Korea and other countries not to expect any change in its policies under Kim Jong Un. It has kept up its criticism of the current South Korean government of President Lee Myung-bak. The United States said Monday that a U.S. envoy will meet with North Korean officials next week to test Pyongyang's stance on its nuclear program. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Glyn Davies will meet with his counterpart, North Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, in Beijing . The North Korean regime's willingness to talk to Washington but not Seoul has been criticized in South Korea. "Two months after a leadership change in Pyongyang, North Korea is returning to the dialogue table," The Korea Times, an English-language daily, said in an editorial Thursday. "That's good news. Not so good news is it seems to be interested only in its conversation partner across the Pacific, not across the inter-Korean border." The North Korean defectors in the park in Paju sent balloons Thursday carrying leaflets that called on the North Korean people to rise up and fight. The large helium balloons had writing on them, saying things like, "Kim Jong Il starved to death 3 million people," "Liberate the North Korean people" and "North Korean killer Kim Jong Il." They sent 200,000 leaflets, 500 DVDs and $1,000 in one dollar bills. CNN's Paula Hancocks, Jethro Mullen and Judy Kwon contributed to this report.

NEW: State television shows a large military parade in Pyongyang . Kim died in December and has been succeeded by his son, Kim Jong Un . Thursday is the first of two big occasions for North Korea in the early months of 2012 . In April, the country will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founder, Kim Il Sung .

(CNN) -- She's been dubbed the Russian "Tsarina," a former circuit-board-equipment seller who happened to sit next to one of the world's richest business moguls on a plane -- and now heads his company. Meet Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, the chairperson of French commodities giant Louis Dreyfus Holdings, with a net worth estimated at an eye-watering $6 billion according to Forbes. Orphaned at seven after her parents died in a train accident, Louis-Dreyfus was raised by her grandfather in what was then the Soviet Union, studying law at Moscow State University. She met her future husband, billionaire Robert Louis-Dreyfus, on a plane in 1988. When he died from leukemia two decades later, the mother of three was left in charge of one of the biggest commodity companies on the planet, as well as the French football club Olympique de Marseille. You might not recognize the 160-year-old Louis Dreyfus firm, but it's the one trading 70 million tonnes of agricultural goods each year, employing 30,000 people. And since 1851 it's been handed down from one male heir to another -- until now. Margarita Louis-Dreyfus sat down with CNN's Leading Women to talk about the act of "fate" that sat her next to her future husband, how his illness taught her to manage "big egos," and her plans for a company which claims to feed and clothe 500 million people worldwide. "My memories of growing up in St Petersburg are very positive. I grew up without parents, but with my grandfather. But I didn't feel that I was really abandoned -- I had enough love from him. During the week I was in the boarding school and when I came home every weekend I had fun with my friends. I was not cold in winter -- I'm telling you this because many people expected that I suffered from hunger. The Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s was OK. Of course I didn't have the luxury that children have today, but I had freedom. I had time to read which was very important generally for Russian children. It gave me a sense of the wide world and gave me a wish to see the world." "I met Robert on the plane on the way from Zurich to New York. We made a stop in London where he had just started his job as CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi and I was going on vacation to Switzerland from New York. We met shortly on the plane, a short conversation, and after this when I came back from vacation we met again. He was coming to Switzerland every weekend because his dog was here. The plane was empty and the computer put us together and I was wondering why...but it was kind of fate." "The moment I gave birth to the twins I learned Robert had leukemia. So nobody can live a normal life anymore. I had been a housewife up until the birth of the twins. Then came this big sickness that changed our lives completely. And we couldn't have a normal family vacation where everybody was happy and everybody was running around. The sickness was always there and we were traveling to different doctors But we had many hopes that he would still have many more years." "The medical world is also a man's world. In the three years of fighting for Robert's life I had to unite five big professors from around the world at one table. Each of them had different ideas and different strategies and were used to their decision being followed. So for me, I felt the strength of the woman. Because all of these men, they have big egos and I was kind of there to absorb these egos, give them the feeling of respecting their opinion -- even if you don't take it. Later when I came to the man's world of commodities, also with big egos, I was used this experience. Nobody knows everything so the main thing is to work together." "The Louis Dreyfus Foundation has a focus on giving back. It's a new project for us, it's now one-year-old and the whole idea was about education. For example in Israel, the youth orchestra includes Arabic children together with Jewish children who are learning through music how to love together. You know 'education' is a magic word. And this magic word also becomes important in our foundation -- educating the farmers on how to produce sustainably and to feed themselves."

Margarita Louis-Dreyfus is in the top 200 billionaires on the planet. Why? Inherited commodities giant Louis Dreyfus Holdings from late husband . First woman to lead the firm in it's 160-year-history, learned to manage "big egos" Mother-of-three was an orphan who grew up in Soviet Union .

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Inside a former church on a suburban London street, a room has been designed to recreate the conditions found in Siberian salt mines. CNN writer Anouk Lorie relaxes in Britain's first salt cave, in Wandsworth, London. The floor and walls are covered with a thick layer of natural sea salt while particles of dry rock salt are pumped into the room. Welcome to an Eastern European style salt cave which claims to rid asthma and allergy sufferers of their breathing problems through "salt therapy," also known as halotherapy. With the sound of waves playing in the background and the sand-like mound of salt underfoot, the place could easily be mistaken for an exotic snow beach. Before entering the salt chamber, visitors are required to wear a shower cap to cover their hair and shoes to preserve the salt's purity. During each hour-long session they simply sit back, relax and put their feet up while soaking up the saturated air and tranquil atmosphere. Salt therapy claims to work by clearing the airways of mucus and reducing inflammation triggered by allergies to dust, pollen or pollution. Minerals including potassium and magnesium are said to clean out mucus blocking the airways. The treatment is widely used in Eastern Europe and Russia, where people with chronic breathing disorders often spend two to three hours per day in underground salt grottos. The Russian government even approved "salt caves" for medical use in 1995. In the U.S., the trend has been adopted in the Chicago area with the popular Galos Cave. Several spas in other parts of the country have also installed salt breathing rooms. In 2006, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study on patients with cystic fibrosis who used this kind of saline therapy for 48 weeks. The study found that it was a safe and effective additional therapy for patients. The benefits of salt therapy were first discovered in the late 1800s when workers in Siberian salt mines were found to suffer from a surprisingly small number of respiratory problems. Familiar with such treatments in her hometown, Sofia Benke from Hungary was therefore surprised when she moved to the UK two years ago and discovered there were no salt caves in the country. Have you used the salt cave? Did it work for you? Would you visit one? Tell us in the SoundOff box below . "I was suffering from sinus problems and antibiotics didn't work. I had heard so many stories of how salt caves had treated friends' problems, so I decided to open one in London," the 30-year-old told CNN. The salt, which has no additives, is shipped in from Lithuania. Benke's patients vary from six-month-olds to 65-year-olds and most are asthmatic children who come in with their parents. Ideally, treatment lasts one to two weeks and patients need to be in the cave for one to two hours every day, Benke says. The room's temperature and salt concentration depending on the patients' condition. The benefits are then said to last for up to 12 months. Each session costs around $56 and the first one is free. Many of the patients have reported positive results. Twenty-eight-year-old yoga instructor Tish Webster, who has always suffered from hay fever and severe allergies to dust, told CNN she noticed results after three sessions. "I noticed first thing in the morning I wasn't as congested as I usually am. Having now done ten sessions, I haven't yet taken an allergy tablet this year, which is incredible for me." Despite the positive testimonials, the therapy has not yet been recognized by the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and at least one study suggests the therapy should be used as a complementary therapy, not as an alternative. Dr Elaine Vickers of Asthma UK, said: "It's currently impossible for us to say whether or not salt caves are beneficial for people with asthma. However, some people say they find them helpful. "Our advice to people with asthma is to follow the recommendations of your doctor or asthma nurse, and to keep them informed if you decide to try a complementary treatment such as halotherapy." Other health practitioners say stopping medication like steroids for asthma and only opting for alternative care can be dangerous and counter-productive. But, according to Benke, some of her patients have stopped medication, not because she urged them to. "I would never do that," she said. The reason for this is because their symptoms were no longer present after undergoing salt therapy, she said.

A salt cave clinic in London says it can treat respiratory illnesses like asthma . Treatment is based on a room recreating the conditions of Siberian salt mines . The process is called salt therapy, also known as halotherapy .

REDMOND, Washington (CNN) -- Should a bridge that would connect two campuses at Microsoft's headquarters be funded with $11 million from the federal stimulus package? An artist's rendering shows how the proposed bridge would be constructed over a busy highway. Critics of using stimulus money for the bridge say it would give the software giant a break on a pet project. They also say it serves as a warning sign of how some stimulus money is not being used to finance new projects but is being diverted to public works already under way. Supporters argue the bridge is an ideal public-private partnership that will benefit an entire community while fulfilling the stimulus package's goal of getting people back to work. "It's going create just under 400 jobs for 18 months constructing the bridge," says Redmond Mayor John Marchione. "It's also connecting our technical sector with our retail and commercial sectors so people can cross the freeway to shop and help traffic flow." See a larger image of the proposed bridge » . Marchione applied for federal stimulus money after costs jumped on the project from $25 million to $36 million. Marchione says the increase in costs were due to a rise in construction prices and because the bridge will be built on a diagonal in order to connect Microsoft's original East campus with a newer West campus that are split by a public highway. Microsoft is hardly getting the bridge for free. The company is contributing $17.5 million or a little less than half the tab of the $36 million bridge, which would be open for public use. And even though the bridge goes from a parking lot behind Microsoft's West campus across a highway to an entrance of Microsoft's East campus, Marchione says, people other than Microsoft employees would use the overpass. "We're not a one-company town," Marchione says. "Our traffic studies show that Microsoft traffic would be about 42 percent of the bridge, yet Microsoft is paying for about 50 percent of the bridge, so we think we are getting fair value. "The United States taxpayer is leveraging their dollars, and I think everyone is getting a fair deal." But a watchdog group monitoring how stimulus money is being spent says the taxpayer in this case is getting ripped off. "This is $11 million where we are substituting public money for private money, and that means there's some other project that would have a greater benefit than a bridge to Microsoft that's not being built," says Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense. But without the stimulus money, Marchione counters, the bridge may not have been built. Microsoft had "capped out" its contribution to the project, he explains. And the economic tough times have affected even the biggest companies. "Microsoft laid off 5,000 people in January," Marchione points out. Ellis doesn't buy it. "Let's face it. Microsoft is one of the most lucrative companies in the country," Ellis says. "They could have easily funded this out of pocket change. This is really about getting while the getting is good. Uncle Sam has a big wallet that's there for the taking, and Redmond wanted to take it -- and Microsoft was happy to let them pick up that part of the tab." Microsoft did not respond to CNN requests for an interview on the bridge project. But in a posting online, Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith wrote: "As the largest employer in Redmond, Microsoft takes its responsibility to the surrounding community seriously. We have spent over $50 million to assist the City of Redmond and other local governments with street construction, transit facilities, water and sewer facilities and fire equipment." Last week, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire certified 138 projects, including the bridge, to receive stimulus funding. Construction is expected to begin in June. Michael Ennis of the Washington Policy Center, a Seattle-based not-for-profit group that advises policy makers, said there are many reasons the bridge project is a good one. "Any time you can include the private sector in funding transportation projects, it's a win-win situation," Ennis explains. "The state has a monopoly on our roads system. Even if Microsoft wanted to pay for this project on their own, legally they are required to work with the public sector." But Ennis also says the bridge does not fit with the kind of projects the stimulus plan is meant to bankroll. "This project would have moved forward regardless of having the federal money or not, so it doesn't have any additional benefit to the economy," he says. As he pedaled on his bicycle to work, one Microsoft employee saw the issue in much simpler terms. "It's going to cut about two miles off my ride each day," he said.

Project would build bridge between Microsoft's two campuses . Microsoft paying for about half of the $36 million project . Mayor backs plan, says bridge will benefit entire community . Taxpayer watchdog group says project a good example of waste .

(CNN) -- The opening day of the World Cup brought joy and sadness to the host nation as Brazil won its first game, rallying to defeat Croatia 3-1. But it was a day marred by a small, but contentious, protest over the billions spent on the sports spectacle. Here are five things that happened Thursday as the first ball was kicked in Sao Paulo. Protest problems . The most expensive World Cup is underway. Brazilian officials shelled out $11 billion on the tournament, three times what organizers in South Africa spent for the 2010 Cup. Not surprisingly, there are Brazilians who believe the money could have been better spent. With reporters descending on Sao Paulo for the opening match, protesters tried to make their way toward Arena Corinthians stadium and were met by tear-gas firing riot police. The cops' goal: To keep the demonstrators from reaching the main avenue, leading to the stadium. It wasn't a big protest, but it was met with a big response. At least one person appeared to be arrested. Several people were injured, including a CNN producer and reporter. Mind control . The best kick of the day went perhaps two yards. A paraplegic, identified by the BBC as 29-year-old Juliano Pinto, wore an exoskeleton and a blue cap fitted with electrodes. The electrodes helped him use his brain to control the exoskeleton to take a few steps and take the ceremonial first kick before the opening match . It went about 6 feet before a ball boy scooped it up and took it to the center of the match officials. "We did it!!!" Dr. Miguel Nicolelis tweeted. Nicolelis, a Brazilian-born neuroscience professor at Duke University, and a group of scores of scientists developed the exoskeleton after they decoded the alphabet of neurons in the brain and figured out how to transmitted the mind's language to devices outside the brain. Bad start . That penalty that everyone is talking about, the one that should never have been given, well, it should probably have been stopped. It was a double punch in the gut for Croatian fans. First, referee Yuichi Nishimura awarded Brazil an undeserved penalty kick. It seemed obvious to almost everyone watching the match that Brazilian striker Fred went down in the penalty area on his own, but Nishimura must have thought there was contact from a Croatian defender. Then when Neymar's hit his spot kick, goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa guessed correctly and got a hand on the ball -- but he couldn't stop it from going in the goal. Croatia's coach didn't worry about any fines from FIFA after the match for critical remarks against the referee. "It's ridiculous. If we continue in this way, we will have a circus," said Niko Kova, according to Yahoo Sports. "If that's how we start the World Cup, then we may as well give up and go home now." Maybe it's time for a manager's challenge and instant replay? When doves die . You release three doves in an open-air stadium with 60,000 screaming people and helicopters circling overhead, what could go wrong? Well, it appears from media reports that at least one -- possibly two -- didn't live to see themselves home. One dove took a header into the stands almost immediately after liftoff, wrote the New York Times. Other media reported a second crashed. But there was good news. "Exciting dove update," tweeted Hadley Freeman of the Guardian newspaper, "The one remaining dove has flown into the press box!" It wasn't the first misstep of the day. During the opening ceremony, the motorized stage riser hiccupped as rapper Pitbull and singer Jennifer Lopez ascended from inside the setup. At one point, it even appeared it might sink back under the stage. But it stopped and Pitbull stepped up a few feet and, once out, helped JLo out from the hole. Traffic trouble . The United States, which plays it first match of the tournament on Monday, wanted to have a private scrimmage against Belgium on Thursday. But with a transit strike making bad traffic worse, Belgium coach Marc Wilmots and U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann agreed to call off the match, Sports Illustrated reported. Perhaps they should have rescheduled and traveled during the Brazil-Croatia match; the roads of Sao Paulo were practically empty then. Except for the protesters and riot police ...

Some protesters think Brazil is not rich enough to spend so much money for a sporting event . Man takes ceremonial first kick in robotic outfit controlled by his brain . Three doves were released before the match and bad things happened . U.S., Belgium had to change plans for a scrimmage due to potential travel troubles .

(CNN) -- Japan have comfortably beaten Denmark 3-1 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup. First half goals from Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo gave the Danes a mountain to climb. They never looked like they would recover and a miserable night was completed when Shinji Okazaki added a third in the 87th minute, shortly after a Jon Dahl Tomasson 81st minute goal had given Denmark a glimmer of hope. The Danes were comprehensively outplayed by Japan who produced their most resolute and skilful display of the tournament so far. As runners up in Group E Japan will now face Paraguay in Pretoria on Tuesday for a place in quarter-finals. The three-time Asian Cup champions join Netherlands, who confirmed first place in the group by beating an already-eliminated Cameroon 2-1 in Cape Town. A first half strike from Robin van Persie and a second by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar seven minutes from time ensured Netherlands finished with a 100 percent record at the top of Group E setting up a second round clash with Italy's vanquishers Slovakia in Durban on Monday. Champions Italy crash out of World Cup . The win over Cameroon team in Cape Town completed a comfortable group stage for the Dutch, despite not playing their best football. They will be boosted though by the return of Arjen Robben who came on as a second half substitute. Japan 3-1 Denmark . Denmark, who needed to win the match to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages, started their match with Japan brightly. Skipper Jon Dahl Tomasson saw a chance go narrowly wide in the opening minutes. But two Japanese strikes within 13 minutes of each other stunned the Danes. Honda gave Japan the lead in the 17th minute with fine free kick which flew past keeper Thomas Sorensen who appeared to be deceived by the flight of the ball. Yasuhito Endo doubled Japan's lead in the 30th minute when he curled a beautifully executed free kick around the Danish wall and past the despairing dive of Sorenson. If the Danish keeper was possibly at fault for the first goal, there was nothing he could do with Endo's strike which found the bottom left corner of the net. The second half didn't get any better for the Danish keeper when he fumbled an innocuous looking free kick from Yasuhito Endo. His blushes were saved when the ball cannoned to safety off his right hand post. Jon Dahl Tomasson scored for Denmark in the 81st minute, turning in the rebound from his own penalty kick which had been awarded for a push on Daniel Agger. But it was too little too late for the 1992 European Champions. Moments later, Okazaki scored a third for Japan after Keisuke Honda unselfishly laid the ball on for him. It sealed a memorable win and qualification for the last 16 on foreign soil for the first time in their history. But man-of-the-match Honda believes Japan could go even further in the tournament. "I expected to be really jubilant but I'm not as jubilant as I thought I would be because I don't think we are finished here. I believe we can go further in this competition," the CSKA Moscow star said, AFP reported. Netherlands 2-1 Cameroon . Robin Van Persie opened the scoring for Netherlands in the 36th minute. Playing a neat one-two with Rafael van der Vaart on the edge of Cameroon's penalty area, the Arsenal striker then fired a low shot under keeper Souleymanou to register his first goal of the tournament. Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o leveled the scores in the 65th minute after Cameroon were awarded a penalty by the Chilean referee, Pablo Pozo when Rafael van der Vaart raised an arm to block Geremi's free-kick in the box. Eto'o stepped up to score his second goal of the tournament. The introduction of Arjen Robben -- his first appearance at the 2010 World Cup -- immediately created panic in the Cameroon defense. Cutting in from the right, Robben fired a shot from 20 yards which rebounded off the post. The ball fell kindly to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who coolly slotted home the ball into an empty net and secure victory for Netherlands.

Japan produce stunning performance to beat Denmark 3-1 in Rustenburg . Netherlands beat Cameroon 2-1 in Cape Town to continue 100 percent record . Japan to meet Paraguay, Netherlands to face Slovakia in last 16 .

London (CNN) -- Rights groups have slammed a lunch hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on Friday for including monarchs criticized for their countries' human rights records. Among those who attended the event at Windsor Castle is the king of Bahrain, whose government has come under fire for its crackdown on anti-government protests last year and its handling of continuing unrest. Swaziland's King Mswati III, accused by critics of enjoying a lavish lifestyle at public expense while his people suffer great poverty, was also there. The monarchs' lunch, with a menu that included English asparagus, lamb from Windsor and strawberries from Kent, is part of celebrations of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, marking her 60 years on the throne. It will be followed by an evening banquet at Buckingham Palace hosted by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said it was "outrageous that the queen has invited royal tyrants to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee." He called for the invitations to monarchs heading nations with poor records on rights to be withdrawn immediately and said protesters would stage a rally outside Buckingham Palace as royals arrive for the dinner. "The invitations are a shocking misjudgment," he said. "They show the queen is out of touch with the humanitarian values of most British people. She's putting royalty before human rights." No significant protests marked the monarchs' arrival at Windsor, where they were each greeted by the queen and the duke of Edinburgh before sitting down to eat. But rights group Amnesty International said the event risked giving the impression that Britain did not care about the victims of human rights abuses. "We can imagine why victims of recent human rights abuses in countries like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Swaziland and Thailand might feel their plight has been ignored when they see the guest list for the queen's diamond jubilee celebrations," said Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa director for Amnesty International. He said that Bahrain's King Hamad al-Khalifa had tried to address the abuses committed last year by setting up an independent inquiry but that failures to ensure reforms are fully implemented "make his promises seem hollow." Luther added: "He should use this occasion to commit to releasing the prisoners of conscience still held in Bahrain and ensure true accountability for the violations of the last year." The UK Foreign Office said all the world's sovereigns have been invited to the lunch, which was organized by the Royal Household with its support, although all will not necessarily attend. A Foreign Office spokesman defended the inclusion of al-Khalifa at the lunch, saying Britain and Bahrain "work together closely on a range of important issues." "The UK is a longstanding friend and ally of Bahrain, and ministers regularly meet with Bahraini counterparts in the UK and abroad," he said. "This strong relationship also allows us to have a full and frank discussion on a range of issues including those where we have concerns. On human rights, we support the reforms already under way in Bahrain, and we want to help promote that reform." The reforms include "bringing to account those individuals responsible for human rights abuses," he said. Grand Prix organizers were urged to cancel the F1 race in Bahrain last month because of concerns about human rights. Bahrain is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet and is viewed as an important bulwark against Iran's influence in the Persian Gulf. Bahrain's king is not on the guest list for the smaller evening event, but Swaziland's monarch is among those invited to both lunch and dinner. The menus for the two meals have not been made public. Royals from Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Monaco, Brunei, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Thailand are among those invited to both events, as are the emperor and empress of Japan. The Spanish queen did not attend, however, amid tensions over a planned visit by Prince Edward and his wife next month to Gibraltar, a UK territory that Spain also claims. "Queen Sofia has canceled her visit to the UK for the Jubilee celebrations following the advice from the Spanish government that the visit would be inappropriate in the current circumstances regarding Gibraltar," a spokesman for the Spanish Royal Household said. CNN's Max Foster, David Wilkinson and Laura Smith-Spark contributed to this report.

NEW: The kings of Bahrain and Swaziland are among the royals to attend the Jubilee lunch . NEW: Queen Elizabeth II greets each monarch on their arrival at Windsor Castle . Campaigners say monarchs from countries with poor human rights records should not be invited . Foreign Office says UK's relationship with Bahrain means it can push for more reforms .

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- Rebel forces have declared a cease-fire after four days of fighting in the North Kivu province of eastern Congo, the French ambassador to the United Nations said after Security Council talks on the unfolding humanitarian crisis. Congolese soldiers and displaced civilians move into Goma on Wednesday, fleeing advancing rebels. Laurent Nkunda, the Congolese Tutsi general who leads troops of the National Congress for the Defense of the People, ordered the cease-fire, Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert told reporters. "We hope that it will stand, and we hope that tomorrow Mr. Nkunda will announce that he stops his offensive," Ripert said, adding that he expected the the council would condemn the military operation. He called the humanitarian situation "very alarming," said more than 50,000 people "are on the road," and expressed hope that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon would send a high-level envoy to the region for talks "as soon as possible." Representatives of European countries "are talking together" about how best to ease the situation, Ripert said. "We are looking into the most effective and fastest way of helping MONUC," he said, using the French acronym for the U.N. mission in Congo. Nkunda has accused the Congolese government of failing to protect the Tutsi tribe from Rwandan Hutu militia in Congo. Ripert cited reports of fighting at the DRC's border with Rwanda and called on neighboring countries "to use restraint and not to interfere." News of the cease-fire was embraced by Samuel Nagbe, a representative of the relief agency Oxfam, in the eastern Congolese city of Goma. "We are very happy that, at least, the fighting is going to stop," he told CNN. He called for the factions to meet "to find a lasting situation to the crisis." Nkuda's troops were advancing after fighting between the rebels and government forces led thousands of people to flee south toward Goma, capital of North Kivu province in eastern Congo. Conditions in the region were "continuing to deteriorate rapidly," the medical charity Doctors Without Borders said in a statement posted on its Web site. Madnodje Mounoubai, spokesman for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, said government troops were leaving the city, which wasn't on the front lines. He said he didn't know where the soldiers were going, but suspected they were headed to areas of heavy fighting. Ban said at midday he was "alarmed at the escalation of violence" over the prior 24 hours and warned of a "humanitarian crisis." In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters the agency was sending Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer to the region as an envoy. "We're working as best we can to minimize or defuse the situation, get more troops in there," McCormack said. Attacks by CNDP rebels have uprooted hundreds of thousands of displaced people from camps run by the United Nations and other organizations. "The humanitarian situation is quite dire," Mounoubai told CNN by phone from Kinshasa, Congo's capital. "We have internally displaced people streaming out of camps. Both parties are blocking the U.N. from reaching desperately needy people to evacuate," he added. "I cannot emphasize how desperate the situation on the ground is." The region's instability endangers aid workers, some of whom have joined the exodus. Michael Arunga, a spokesman for World Vision, told CNN the organization's workers had fled to the Rwandan border, where they were assessing the situation and caring for civilians crossing into the area. Arunga said he himself had fled from Goma, where he could hear shootings at night. "For agencies to operate on the ground, we need a peaceful environment," he said. Doctors Without Borders said that on Sunday, medical teams in Rutshuru treated 70 wounded, and had been working round the clock since. Some of the people who sought help had been on the run for weeks, said the group, which described the situation as "extremely volatile." Doctors have been working mostly in towns and camps in and around Kitchanga, Masisi, Mweso, Nyanzale and Kayna. DWB says it is the only international organization still providing medical and humanitarian assistance in Kitchanga, Masisi, Mweso and Rutshuru.

NEW: U.N. says rebel troops to adhere to cease-fire . 45,000 flee refugee camp in matter of hours . U.N. says its peacekeepers still in charge of Goma . Congo says Rwandan forces join fight with minority Tutsi rebels .

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An Army sergeant complained about faulty wiring in Iraq months before another soldier was fatally electrocuted in a shower in the same quarters, according to documents released Wednesday by a congressional committee. Ryan Maseth, a 24-year-old Green Beret, died in his shower January 2. Sgt. Justin Hummer filled out a work order in July 2007 that warned, "Pipes have voltage, get shocked in the shower." Hummer told investigators from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that at least once, he had to use a wooden stick to turn off the shower "because the electrical current was so strong." Army records show that electricians from contractor Kellogg, Brown and Root found "several safety issues concerning the improper grounding of electrical devices" in February 2007. In January 2008, Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth was electrocuted in a shower in the same quarters where Hummer lived the previous summer. A follow-up investigation "found nearly all of the same problems and deficiencies that had been reported one year previously," a committee report states. Maseth and Hummer had been based at a Saddam Hussein-era palace complex near the Baghdad airport. Hummer's concerns were not shared with the Defense Department's inspector-general's office. That office concluded that there was "no credible evidence" that KBR and the Pentagon agency that oversees defense contractors were aware of electrical problems at the facility, committee Chairman Henry Waxman said during a Wednesday hearing. But the Pentagon's inspector-general, Gordon Heddell, said that his investigators "have absolved no one" and that he was not aware of the work orders Hummer filed. "They're certainly very dramatic, and they certainly are documents that we will have to spend a lot of time looking at," he said. Waxman, D-California, has led a House investigation into a series of electrical accidents in Iraq that he said may have been responsible for the deaths of 19 U.S. troops and contractors. But in the first appearance by a KBR executive before the panel, the company's Baghdad engineering and construction manager blamed the Army for the deaths. "The reality is that KBR's actions were not the cause of any of these terrible accidents," Tom Bruni said. KBR is a former subsidiary of the oilfield-services giant Halliburton, once led by Vice President Dick Cheney, and it holds the largest U.S. service contract in Iraq. Bruni's argument drew sharp questions from Rep. Tom Davis, the committee's ranking Republican, who pressed him on who was responsible for the deaths. "I think that the Army has some responsibility in this," Bruni said. "Well, if they have some, who would have the rest?" the Virginia representative asked. "Just conceivably, who else could have it, if the Army just has some responsibility? Would KBR have some then?" "The responsibility lies with the Army," Bruni replied. He said the Army never authorized the electrical repairs identified in early 2007 or in a follow-up report that November. But Waxman said the Army had been warning of electrical hazards in Iraq since 2004, including one fatality similar to Maseth's. A report that year warned U.S. commanders that contractors must properly ground electrical systems. "But despite these warnings, few actions were taken by Pentagon leadership or KBR officials," Waxman said. Jeffrey Parsons, executive director of the Army Contracting Command, said the service does not have the expertise to adequately oversee contractors' electrical work. The service is working with the Corps of Engineers "to obtain this expertise," Parsons said. Maseth's parents have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in a Pennsylvania court against KBR. Despite the attention focused on the issue by Waxman's committee, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, said that poor wiring remains "a genuine danger to our men and women serving in Iraq." "My office has heard from several active-duty soldiers a report that as recently as three weeks ago, soldiers in Iraq continued to receive electrical shocks on a regular basis as they carry out their daily activities, including taking showers," Casey told the committee. Do you have a tip or story idea? Send it to the CNN: Special Investigations Unit. CNN's Abbie Boudreau, Scott Bronstein and Justine Redman contributed to this report.

Sergeant complained about bad wiring months before another soldier died . Soldier testified Wednesday that he sent a work order to fix the problem in 2007 . Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth was electrocuted in a shower in the same quarters in 2008 . Executive from electrical contractor KBR blamed Army for wiring issue .

Washington (CNN) -- A government report obtained by CNN on Friday states that government agents and lawyers mistreated Monica Lewinsky when they approached the former White House intern in January 1998 to get her to cooperate with an investigation into President Bill Clinton. The report, which was first reported by the Washington Post's Rosalind S. Helderman, notes that while "no lawyer involved in the confrontation with Monica Lewinsky committed professional misconduct," the encounter "could have been handled better by all of the OIC lawyers involved." Read the full report here. At the center of the government report is what happened after FBI agents and lawyers from the Office of Independent Counsel, who at the time was investigating the affair with Clinton, approached Lewinsky at a food court and moved the conversation to a hotel room nearby. The counsel -- which was led by Ken Starr -- was investigating Clinton for a number of issues, including his extramarital affair with Lewinsky. "Associate Independent Counsel Michael Emmick confronted Lewinsky with her false affidavit and other criminal activities relations to the Jones case," the report states. "In an effort to gain her cooperation, Emmick told her she could be prosecuted on multiple criminal charges, but said if she cooperated, the OIC would take it into account in charging decisions." In doing so, however, the agents and lawyers denied Lewinsky attempts to speak with her lawyer, Frank Carter. "Because they feared she would want to call Carter," the report -- which was posted online by the Post -- states, "OIC lawyers devised a deliberate strategy to discourage her from doing so." One way of doing that was telling Lewinsky that contacting the lawyer would "get less value for her cooperation." To sum up the confrontation, the report -- which was ordered by Robert W. Ray, Starr's successor -- states: "On the slippery slope, Emmick did not stop." The National Archives provided CNN with the report and Spokeswoman Laura Diachenko said the reason this report was able to be released - but other from the Starr investigation were not - was because the report was not clearly marked as sealed. "If the Special Counsel report authored by Jo Ann Harris was considered sealed by the Special Division, it should have been clearly marked to indicate its status. It was not," Diachenko said in an emailed statement. "If the report was marked as under seal, it would not have been released." The release of the 2000 report on Lewinsky comes at a time when the former White House intern has stepped back into the public eye after more than a decade of trying to be private. Lewinsky delivered her first high-profile speech since the affair at Forbes' 30 Under 30 summit on Tuesday and earlier this year Vanity Fair announced that the former White House intern was a contributor to the magazine. Since then, Lewinsky has penned pieces on cyberbullying and her life after the Clinton affair. At the Forbes appearance, Lewinsky spoke at length about her confrontation with agents and lawyers that was detailed in the government report. "It was just like you see in the movies," Lewinsky said of the encounter. "Imagine, one minute I was waiting to meet a friend in the food court and the next I realized she had set me up, as two FBI agents flashed their badges at me." She added: "Immediately following, in a nearby hotel room, I was threatened with up to 27 years in jail for denying the affair in an affidavit and other alleged crimes. Twenty-seven years. When you're only 24 yourself, that's a long time. Chillingly, told that my mother too might face prosecution if I didn't cooperate and wear a wire... My friends and my family were subpoenaed to testify against me." The government report - titled the "Report of the Special Counsel Concerning Allegations of Professional Misconduct By the Office of Independent Counsel in Connection with the Encounter with Monica Lewinsky" - substantiates Lewinsky's story. "For nearly twelve hours, the OIC lawyers were in a hotel room with this hysterical but very focused young woman," reads the report. Lewinsky, however, never cooperated with the investigation. And while Clinton was impeached by the House, the Senate acquitted the president of the House charges in 1999. OPINION: Shame on Monica Lewinsky . OPINION: Stop judging Monica Lewinsky .

A government report finds that Monica Lewinsky was mistreated during the 1998 affair investigation . Lewinsky, who had an affair with President Bill Clinton starting in 1995, was hounded by agents to cooperate in the investigation . In doing so, the agents did not allow Lewinsky to contact her lawyer and confronted her with a "false affidavit" The release of the report comes at a time when Lewinsky is stepping back into public after a decade of attempted privacy .

(CNN)What is Africa's most prosperous country? According to new research from the Legatum Institute, which last week ranked prosperity in 38 African countries around criteria ranging from economics to education to health, the title belongs to Botswana, the diamond-rich country in southern Africa. As well as posting a relatively high per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $15,176, Botswana also fared well in terms of governance, education and personal freedom. As the country spends 8% of its GDP on education, it is among the biggest proportional spenders in the world according to the World Bank. This is the third year in a row that Botswana has topped the index. In contrast, the Central African Republic was the lowest ranked country on the continent. The country, which has a per capita GDP of $584, has seen increasing violence since the end of 2012, and only 21.5% of the population have access to sanitation according to the prosperity index. Biggest gainers . Rwanda was the best improver, gaining five ranking places to end up as the eighth most prosperous country in Africa. The country was found to have the sixth highest ranking in regulation and government effectiveness, the eighth highest score in rule of law and the lowest perceptions of corruption in Africa. "Rwanda deserves credit for actively encouraging women to play a central role in shaping the future of their country. And it seems to be paying dividends," says the report. These findings bucked trends across the continent, where 41% of women are out of work, as opposed to 23% of men. "We cannot talk about the prosperity of women in Africa if we don't change the inappropriate policies that hinder their progress," argues Marieme Jamme, a Davos Young Global leader and CEO of SpotOne Global Solutions. "We cannot sugar coat the issues of funding, mentoring, gender equality, recognition and representation and expect women to come winners within the current framework and plans we have in Africa." Other notable gainers since 2012 included countries from East Africa -- while neither Kenya nor Mozambique featured in the top 10 most prosperous countries in Africa, they both rose by four places in the rankings since 2012. As over 44% of Kenyans thought it was a good time to find employment, the country ranked ninth in terms of entrepreneurship and opportunity. But following the 2013 siege in Nairobi's Westgate Mall, the country ranked 32 of 38 in terms of safety and security. Falling down the ranks . Regional partner Tanzania, by contrast, fell eight places since 2012 going from 11th to 19th in the latest rankings. A drop in five-year average growth and an increase in inflation were coupled with a decline in confidence in financial institutions and falling satisfaction with living standards. The country fared particularly badly in terms of personal freedom, where it fell from 24th to 28th. While Tanzania's education score rose by one place in the rankings, the report argues that Tanzania needs to improve the quality of education in schools rather than focusing on enrollment rates. "Tanzanian education is not producing graduates with the skills needed to work in the formal sector," the report says. "The lack of an adequately skilled workforce is a hindrance to investment in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, finance, and communications...Tanzania needs education that improves students' chances of finding employment." The biggest faller was Malawi, which dropped 11 places since 2012 to 20th in the index. The report cites a drop in the five-year GDP growth rate as part of the reason the country fell by 18 places in the Economy sub-index. In all, average prosperity in Africa has been on the up since 2012. In the past two years all countries have seen increases in at least one area tracked by the report. But Nathan Gamester, program director of the Prosperity Index ,added a cautious note to the findings: "As African economies grow, a chief concern for many governments is how to ensure that the fruits of growth benefit a majority of the population and contribute to true long term prosperity." Click through the gallery above to find out what are Africa's top 10 prosperous countries according to the Legatum Institute. Read this: S. Africans making a fortune in UAE . More from Marketplace Africa .

Legatum Institute: Botswana is the most prosperous country in Africa . The Central African Republic is the least prosperous country on the continent . Rwanda was the best improver gaining five ranking places since 2012 . Malawi was the biggest faller, dropping 11 places since 2012 .

(CNN) -- For the Dawsons of Tauranga, New Zealand, the canoe slalom event at the London Olympics will be a family affair. Mike Dawson, who is competing in the men's kayak class, will not just be trying to impress his father, who coaches him, or his brother and sister, who will be watching from the crowd. He will also need to ensure he doesn't incur the disapproval of his mother, Kay, who is one of the judges at the event. The idea of a mother officiating in a competition in which her son is participating may strike some as a little unfair, but the Dawsons and the New Zealand Canoe Federation are eager to stress there's no scope for special treatment in this case. "The only real advantage mum can give me is her presence at what will be my biggest race ever," said Mike Dawson, who is competing in the Olympics for the first time after finishing 16th in the canoe slalom world championships in Slovakia last year. The event involves the kayakers flinging themselves down a steep course of white-water rapids, weaving through a series of gates like slalom skiers in a race against the clock. If the competitors touch or miss a gate, they suffer a time penalty. Each gate has a judge watching out for errors, and a chief official oversees the entire course. As one of the gate judges, Kay Dawson has an important role, but her decisions will be scrutinized by other officials -- each gate judge also monitors the two gates on either side. Competitors' runs are reviewed on video, and the chief official has the final say. "I can't envisage any way a single gate judge could influence the outcome for any athlete," said Maree Burnett, the secretary general of the New Zealand Canoe Federation. "Kay is a very experienced international judge." The International Canoe Federation, which selected her as the only judge from New Zealand for the Olympic event, agrees. In the past few years, Kay Dawson has officiated at canoe slalom world championships and world cups in which her 25-year-old son has raced. The ICF has "a strong officiating process in place to ensure accuracy and fairness at all its competitions, whether it is at world cups, world championships or at the Olympic Games," said Lerina Bright, a spokeswoman for the federation. She noted that some judges at the event have the same nationality as some competitors. "That could equally be thought to create a conflict of interest," she said. "However, the judging process is thorough and stringent and does not provide any possibility for a single individual to affect the outcome of a competitor's run." Despite the multitude of officials at the canoe slalom event, the role of individual judges is still significant, Kay Dawson has said. "When officiating the athlete and 100% accuracy is always the focus, one poor call can mean the difference between a top-10 finish and chance of a medal or being out of the competition," she wrote in an article on the New Zealand federation's website in February. Relationships with family and friends don't enter the equation, though, she says. "I've been officiating for a number of years now and know a lot of the athletes, so it is easy to put aside any personal emotions when I'm on the course," Kay Dawson said in comments relayed by the ICF on Wednesday. "Several of the top men's slalom paddlers have stayed with us in New Zealand while they've been training with Mike and I owe it to all of them to do the most professional job possible," she added. Mike Dawson, who was born and raised in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand, says the best way for him to stamp out any perceptions of favoritism is to not make any mistakes. "If I'm paddling well, the gate judges won't come into play at all," he said. He is not the only New Zealander competing in the canoe slalom: Luuka Jones, also from Tauranga, became the first New Zealand woman to compete in the kayak competition in the Olympics after qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Games. London will be her second Olympics, at the age of just 23. For Mike Dawson, the Games are full of new experiences. "We've been in the Olympic Village for a few days and it's pretty cool," Mike Dawson said. "I can see how people get intimidated, but really it's just like a hotel with an epic food court."

Mike Dawson is competing in the men's kayak event at the Olympics . His mother, Kay, is one of the judges at the event . The Dawsons and the New Zealand Canoe Federation say she can't influence the result . She is one of many gate judges over the canoe slalom course .

(CNN) -- As a child, Ranjan Avasthi was once bitten by the family's German shepherd. His parents responded quickly by separating the two, bandaging his wounds and gradually reintroducing healthy interaction with the dog. Fast-forward a few decades. Avasthi, now a doctor, has a wife, child and his very own German shepherd mix. His toddler may be a bit young for cautionary tales, but Avasthi fully understands the risks and rewards of kids and pets sharing a household. As a doctor who specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry, he has seen kids transform in the presence of pets. He also knows that kids will be kids. They love to grab ears, pull tails and simply rub pets the wrong way. While cats and dogs reside in roughly 84 million U.S. households without incident, accidents happen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly half of the 800,000 medically treated dog bites each year involve children, mostly between the ages of 5 and 9 years old. Even with the most well-behaved fur kids, it's best to avoid leaving children and pets unsupervised. "Kids naturally do things that upset cats and dogs — hugging, staring, petting on the head," says animal behaviorist Kristen Collins of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA.org). "These can stress animals, and any stressed animal is more dangerous." MNN: Rescue dogs sniff out endangered species . We all know that kids and pets can peacefully coexist. But it also helps to have an action plan, just in case your child is bitten by a pet (yes, cats bite, too). Take measures to help prevent emotional scars after a pet bites or scratches your child. Collins and Avasthi offer expert advice: . Take swift action: Remove the pet immediately, then discuss why pets may have reacted negatively. "A lot of it is talking about what happened and asking, 'Why do you think this happened?'" Avasthi says. "Allow children to discuss what can be done to prevent the situation from recurring." Teach kids to read a pet's body language: Collins strongly encourages parents to discuss body language while watching pets. ASPCA.org provides guidelines, photos and safety tips to help kids and parents recognize signs — such as flattened ears or wrinkled forehead — that indicate distress. Reinforce healthy interaction: Help kids understand how to safely approach a cat or dog. Start by asking human handlers if you can approach, then extend a closed hand for the cat or dog to smell. "It's best if you let the pet come to you," Collins says. "It can prevent a lot of bad situations." She also recommends that kids and parents practice the proper way to pet a cat or dog using stuffed animals. Focus on areas where animals like to be petted, such as their chest or side. "We sit with kids and talk about things dogs don't like and cats don't like," Collins says. "It's equally important to explain what they do like." MNN: Why do cats purr? Reintroduce pets slowly: Each situation differs, but psychiatrists often use exposure therapy to help patients deal with phobias, Avasthi says. The process resembles slow and deliberate steps that his parents took many years ago. Therapy may begin with kids seeing photos of puppies, then pint-sized pups and, eventually, larger dogs. During subsequent sessions, kids watch videos of pets and gradually interact with an adult cat or dog. The goal is to help kids overcome a fearful response when they think about the pet. Try a training class: Avasthi and Collins recommend training to build confidence — for kids and pets. Many dog trainers encourage kids to participate in group classes, setting the foundation for safe interaction at an early age. "Then the child is not afraid and doesn't learn the wrong behaviors," Avasthi says. Collins also encourages games such as fetch, along with obedience and teaching trick training. These activities help kids learn positive interaction, and dogs learn that kids are great treat dispensers, she says. Encourage a healthy respect for Mother Nature: "Educate kids that our house pets — even though domesticated and pets — they are animals," Avasthi says. "Sometimes they may not mean to hurt us; they may be playing, irritated or even frightened." Respecting pets also means giving them space when they show signs of being distressed, overstimulated or tired. Continue the conversation @Soulpup on Twitter. © Copyright 2011 Mother Nature Network .

Kids love to grab pets' ears, tails or simply rub them the wrong way . CDC: Nearly half of medically treated dog bites involve children . Training builds confidence for kids and for pets .

(CNN) -- Wind power provides a fifth of Denmark's electricity, most of it generated by giant wind farms built on land and in the country's coastal waters. But the tiny Danish island of Samso is proving bigger isn't necessarily better by generating all its electricity using wind turbines of its own. Nineteen miles off the coast of mainland Denmark, 91 turbines reach 114 meters above the turbulent waters of the North Sea. Together they form Horns Rev 2, the world's biggest offshore wind farm, which can generate enough electrify to power 200,000 homes. Anders Eldrup is CEO of Dong Energy, which operates Horns Rev 2. He told CNN that Denmark's trailblazing efforts in wind power are the result of the country's energy crisis during the 1970s. "The Danes were totally dependant on oil imported from the Middle East. Suddenly there was an embargo, so no oil. We learnt the lesson the hard way that you have to have diversified supplies of energy." The World Wind Energy Association says wind power currently provides 1.5 percent of the world's electricity. That's a drop in the ocean, but as a clean and renewable source of energy, wind power is receiving support from governments around the world. "I have to admit that the reason there is a business is that there are some government subsidies attached to wind production," said Eldrup. "That goes for Denmark and that goes for other European countries where we are doing wind operations." The U.S. government recently announced that its economic stimulus bill contributed to a 39 percent increase in the country's wind power output last year, defying predictions that new wind energy output would decline because of harsh economic conditions. "Small wind" is also being promoted, with governments encouraging individual households to produce their own wind power using micro turbines. The United States offers a 30 percent investment tax credit to people who buy micro turbines. Many other countries offer grants for installing turbines, as well as feed-in-tariff payments that allow individuals to sell the electricity they generate to their national grid network. Are wind farms an underused source of clean energy, or a blot on the landscape? Leave your comments in the "Sound Off" box at the bottom of this article. When it comes to small-scale renewable energy, the Danish island of Samso -- population 4,000 -- is an example to the world. Among its energy-production facilities are 11 one-megawatt turbines on the island itself and 10 more turbines within three miles of its coast. As well as using wind turbines to provide electricity, and straw-burning plants to provide heating, some islanders have solar panels on their roofs and others warm their homes using geothermal energy and the heat given off by fresh cow's milk. Jesper Kjems, of the Samso Energy Academy, told CNN, "100 percent of our electricity comes from onshore turbines. About 75 percent of our heating comes from heating plants and private people who have changed their oil furnaces to something renewable. "Then we have the offshore turbines, which compensate for what we use in fossil fuels, heating and transport. All in all we send more energy to the mainland than we use." Two of Samso's turbines are owned by a co-operative of around 450 of the island's residents. "[They] are the most important ones because they are the turbines that give the normal guy on the island the opportunity of investing in turbines," said Kjems. While the residents of Samso can take advantage of their island's blustery weather, open spaces and low-population density to be carbon neutral, the success of wind energy on a global scale may come down to simple economics. Danish company Vestas is the world's biggest supplier of wind turbines. Its president for Northern Europe, Klaus Mortensen, told CNN, "We are very focused on providing the lowest cost of energy. With the present system we are competitive with oil at $50 a barrel." There is an expectation that prices will come down as turbines become cheaper and bigger companies throw their buying power into developing wind farms. Eldrup told CNN, "Our initiatives, small company that we are, whatever we do won't change the world. "But if we can be a good example so that some of the big guys will do some of the same things then the implications can be much bigger. That would be wonderful." What do you think? Should we all try to live like the Samso islanders? Have your say by leaving a comment in the Sound off box below.

A fifth of Denmark's electricity comes from wind power . Horns Rev 2 is the world's biggest offshore wind farm . The tiny island of Samso produces all its own electricity . Samso's residents can buy shares in two of the island's turbines .

(CNN) -- Remember the worst job you ever had? You know, back when there were jobs to be had? Jesse Eisenberg tries to strike up a relationship with Kristen Stewart in "Adventureland." For writer-director Greg Mottola, it was the summer he spent on hiatus between college and the real world, working as a carny at the local carnival. He's turned the experience into the basis for the wonderful "Adventureland." Handing out stuffed animals to the lucky customer whose tin horse romps home in first place -- this is not how James (Jesse Eisenberg from "The Squid and the Whale") would choose to see himself. The paycheck is dismal, but undeniably commensurate with (as a character puts it) "the work of pathetic, lazy morons," which is what it comes down to. Most jobs have their compensations, though. At Adventureland, for James, the biggest benefit comes in the form of Em (Kristen Stewart), another recent grad with plans to move to New York in the fall, and who isn't entirely disdainful of his company. Last time out of the gate Mottola enjoyed a hit with the spectacularly lewd "Superbad," an angle that Miramax Films is understandably keen to play up in the marketing this time around. At first glance the cap seems to fit. James' sexual experience -- or rather the lack of it -- is a defining element in the story. "Adventureland" comes with the usual farcical peccadilloes of teen comedy -- barf gags, car wrecks and inopportune erections -- as well as several familiar supporting players from the Judd Apatow stable. Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig are engagingly upbeat as the mutually besotted park managers, and Martin Starr (from "Freaks and Geeks") is James' cerebral, pipe-smoking buddy, Joel. (Mottola directed a couple of episodes of Apatow's short-lived Fox series "Undeclared.") There's also an extended cameo from Ryan Reynolds, an actor whose faintly supercilious good looks have graced innumerable dumb slacker comedies, including "Van Wilder," "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" and "Waiting." Yet, after an initial flurry of gross guffaws, the movie edges toward something rather different: a nuanced, sensitive coming-of-age story that finds its heart in post-adolescent romantic turmoil. Obviously adept with actors, Mottola respects his characters too much to let first impressions stick. The relationships in "Adventureland" are much richer, and stickier, for it. The understanding that James arrives at with his father (Jack Gilpin), for example, is delineated in just a handful of looks and glances between them, but it's enough to imply the older man's resignation at his fate, and his appreciation for James' tacit sympathy. It's in moments like these (and there are a number of them) that we're reminded Mottola made a fine indie movie, "The Daytrippers," more than a decade ago now, another sharp and tender comic distillation of family bonds and fractures. Blessed with comical seriousness, Eisenberg is like a young Woody Allen: fretful, intelligent, naive and deluded. And like Allen, he seems to enjoy more than his fair share of luck with the opposite sex. Still, "Adventureland" makes more effort than "Superbad" -- not that hard admittedly -- to develop a character for Stewart. Looking wan and pensive (the "Twilight" star always looks in need of a good night's sleep), Stewart as Em gives the impression she's living life more acutely than the others. She seems to have more on the line. Set in the mid-'80s, the film suggests the period unobtrusively, but predominantly through pop music. Lou Reed provides sweet relief to repeated bursts of Falco's "Rock Me Amadeus." Yes, in retrospect, that's exactly what being young in 1987 was like. A mature movie about immature young people, "Adventureland" may be too muted to succeed in today's marketplace, too sensitive for its own good. Like an anxious parent, a critic can only send it on its way and hope the world treats it well. "Adventureland" is rated R and runs 107 minutes. For Entertainment Weekly's take, click here.

"Adventureland" is about a young man spending a summer in a crummy carnival . Tom Charity: Film pays attention to teen movie clichés but goes much deeper . Director Greg Mottola cares about characters, making movie richer, Charity says .

(CNN) -- It may feel to us, in France, as if Dominique Strauss-Kahn has constantly been in the news since that fateful afternoon of May 14, 2011, when NYPD officers arrested him on board an Air France flight bound to Berlin. The then-head of the International Monetary Fund was due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel to try to solve the euro crisis. The man the French like to call DSK has only spoken twice about the day he fell from grace, the day he risked a brilliant international career, like many others to play Russian roulette. The first time he talked publicly was in September 2011 on French television. Now, almost two years later, he has given his first English language interview, on CNN. The French weren't very tender with him the first time he spoke out; they will undoubtedly be as severe the second time. DSK says how he still feels "very angry" at the U.S. justice system for having paraded him, handcuffed, for the whole world to see, "at the precise time when a man should be considered innocent." Two years later, DSK still smarting over 'perp walk' Those images were, and indeed remain, shocking. It is illegal in France to show the face of people arrested by the police until they are proved guilty. It is, however, difficult to feel sorry for him now, especially after all that we have learnt since: his admission that he attended orgies in France with prostitutes paid for by friends, although he assures us he could not have possibly realized they were prostitutes because he only ever saw them naked. This man was going to be France's next president after five years of Sarkozy rule. I would have voted for him, as no doubt millions of my compatriots would have done too, convinced as we were of his dazzling intelligence and that he was the man to resolve the euro crisis. We vaguely knew of his womanizing, certainly not a crime in French books, except we weren't aware it was pathological. Strauss-Kahn doesn't however dwell too long on his Sofitel demise and swiftly moves on to explain how Europe is suffering a crisis of leadership. Quoting an Arabic proverb, he says that an army of lions led by a sheep will always be defeated by an army of sheep lead by a lion. Does he unconsciously imply that he was the lion Europe could have had and badly needed to dig itself out of its financial quagmire, if only fate hadn't decided otherwise? Possibly. Meanwhile, the former head of the IMF blames the European institutions for failing to implement hard decisions and for dithering. He says that some European leaders are "perfectly up-to-date" and capable but that they are victims of deficient decision-making mechanisms at a supra-national level. Would he give, as France has tried to convince a reluctant Germany since 2008, more power to the European Central Bank and its director Mario Draghi? Probably. As Martin Schultz, president of the European Parliament tweeted this week: "The U.S. have one currency, one central bank and one government. Europe has one currency, one central bank and... 17 governments! It cannot go on like this," before adding: "We cannot live with 17 individual policies on the euro. We need one single euro governance." According to Strauss-Kahn, cohesion in decision making in Europe is not the only stumbling block. The European banking system is also at fault, "sick," and needs reforming before growth can settle back in. Reforming traders' pay and bonuses is just but a small part of the problem, Strauss-Kahn says, what is even more important is to purge the whole system. When Strauss-Kahn first spoke to the French in September 2011, he also dived into European economics to give a mini-lecture on how to go about the financial crisis. The French public reacted angrily: what was he doing, distilling his knowledge, when he was in no position to actually help the country any longer? The French perfectly knew of his skills, so lamentably wasted; they just didn't want to hear him anymore. The world will probably feel the same watching his interview with CNN. Strauss-Kahn's voice doesn't resonate anymore; it was lost, once and for all, in a hotel suite in Manhattan. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Agnes Poirier.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn gives first English-language interview since arrest, on CNN . DSK says he still feels "very angry" at U.S. justice system for having paraded him . Hard to feel sorry for him, Agnes Poirier says, after his admission he attended orgies . French know of his skills, Poirier argues; they just didn't want to hear him anymore .

(CNN) -- So it looks like President Obama got the message. In his second debate with Mitt Romney, the president delivered a comeback performance that will stand as a model for future debaters of how to right a listing ship. Obama was as good in Hempstead as he was bad in Denver. In fact, this may have been the finest debate of his career and just at the moment when he needed it most. CNN Poll: Nearly half say Obama won showdown . Navigating the tricky shoals of the town hall format, the president laid out a persuasive case for re-election, point by point, drawing sharp contrasts with his opponent while avoiding rudeness. Obama's arguments were not always as succinctly stated as they needed to be, and he too often strayed far from the topic at hand. But by the end of the debate, he had checked off pretty much every item on his list of "Things I Should Have Done in Denver." It was Obama the community organizer who showed up, a man with a message to sell and an audience to sell it to. His interaction with the participants was confident, engaged and energetic, all the qualities he had failed to muster in Round 1. He appeared to draw strength from the 82 citizens on the stage, strength that grew as the evening progressed. At times Romney seemed taken aback by this fresh incarnation of the debater he had bested two weeks ago. Both substantively and stylistically, Romney operated in Obama's shadow in this match, second banana to the president's leading man. Clearly this was not the role Romney intended to play. Romney's defining moments were too frequently negative. His attempts to directly confront the president carried plenty of dramatic charge, but they didn't quite play out the way they must have in rehearsal. These maneuvers left an impression more of petulance than leadership. 'Binders full of women' raises brows . The thing that really gets Romney exercised in these debates is when he thinks he's not getting his due, which means he wastes far too much time demanding another minute or the final say or a chance to go back to something from a previous answer. Romney may believe this assertiveness makes him look strong and in command. More likely it reinforces a negative perception that the candidate needs to dispel: that of a plutocrat grabbing every last crumb he thinks he deserves. The town hall debate was a particularly inappropriate setting for Romney to display this side of himself. Romney's chief problem was that he did not connect to the audience as effectively as Obama did. This became apparent every time Romney began a response with "I appreciate that" or "that's an important question," words that signaled his discomfort with many of the topics the voters wanted to discuss, like equal pay for women, banning assault weapons or immigration. Obama's big moments were more positive, especially, and unexpectedly, on the topic of Libya. Staring daggers at his opponent, the president said it was "offensive" for Romney to suggest that the White House had sought political gain from the murder of an American ambassador and three others. When moderator Candy Crowley backed up Obama's version of events over Romney's, the president got off one of the few funny lines of the night: "Could you say that a little louder?" Opinion: Obama bounces back, dominates debate . Obama also delivered a clever rejoinder in a back-and-forth about the candidates' personal finances. After the president brought up his rival's overseas investments, Romney cited Obama's own holdings: "Have you looked at your pension?" "It's not as big as yours," came the answer, "so I don't look at it that often." Advantage, Obama. One of Romney's lowest points came when a woman in the audience asked him to differentiate between himself and former President George W. Bush. The governor's response might have been written by the staff of "Saturday Night Live:" "President Bush and I are different people and these are different times," he said. "That's why my five-point plan is so different from what he would have done." Not exactly a sound bite for the ages. Before this debate, I wondered whether Obama would acknowledge the elephant in the room: his shoddy performance in Round 1. Would he make a joke about it, or tell a cute story about what Michelle had said that night? Turns out he didn't need to. Obama's performance spoke for itself. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Alan Schroeder.

Alan Schroeder: President Obama delivered a comeback performance in second debate . Schroeder: Obama connected with the audience, Romney less so . He says Romney's defining moments were too frequently negative . Schroeder: Substantively and stylistically, Romney operated in Obama's shadow .

(CNN) -- Kimberley Locke knows a thing or two about singing competitions. "American Idol" finalist Kimberley Locke is the new co-host of "Gospel Dream." Having placed third during season two of "American Idol" -- just behind winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken -- the singer is back in reality show action as the new co-host of "Gospel Dream." The Gospel Music Channel's talent search is going into its fourth season, and Locke joins fellow host Mike Kasem (son of Casey Kasem) and the judges -- gospel artist J. Moss, Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams and industry executive Mitchell Solarek -- on the show. Locke has worked steadily since she first burst onto the "Idol" scene in 2003. She has modeled, served as a spokesperson for plus-sized clothier Lane Bryant and Jenny Craig and appeared on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club." All the while, she has continued to pursue her music. Her "8th World Wonder" was a big hit, making the Top 10 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary charts. She's had three dance chart No. 1s. Locke recently spoke with CNN about the "Gospel Dream," life after "American Idol" and the one reality show she really wants to appear on next. CNN: How did you get involved with "Gospel Dream?" Kimberley Locke: Funny enough, I've been wanting to do more hosting, and I had been talking to my manager about it. They contacted me out of the blue, and I was like "Oh, I put it out to the universe, and here it is." CNN: Are you a gospel music fan? Locke: I am a gospel music fan. Of course I grew up in the church singing gospel music. I don't listen to as much as I used to, but I used to sing in a girl a cappella group and that's how we started, performing in church. CNN: Why do you think so many performers in the music industry come out of the church? Locke: I think a lot of people become stars in their church. ... The church environment is so supportive. When you are first starting out and learning how to sing in front of an audience, that's the kind of audience you want to be in front of. Even if you mess up and you sound horrible, they kind of let you stand there and collect yourself while the pianist keeps playing. Then they plow through it with you. That's a part of the business, a professionalism that really comes in handy when you get to this level. CNN: You've had some experiences with singing competitions. How is "Gospel Dream" different? Locke: It's different in that the contestants are very focused on where they want to be and the type of music they want to sing. When you are on "Idol," you are forced to fit into all of these different genres you may or may not want to do and you may or may not even be familiar with them. The "Gospel Dream" contestants' direction is really clear and defined, so they are picking songs that really speak to them on a personal level. Watch Locke talk about the show » . CNN: How has life been for you post-"Idol?" Locke: Life has been great post-"Idol." So many opportunities, so many things I would have never imagined. Things that I didn't even associate with singing, like modeling, hosting, being a spokesperson, owning a restaurant. It just opened so many doors. CNN: You were a plus-sized model and spokesperson for Lane Bryant, but now you are way too small to do that. Locke: That really opened me up to bond with my fans. I tell people I'm still a big girl at heart. CNN: When is your next album coming out? Locke: I just started working on the next album. We are in the very preliminary stages of putting together the concept of the record and we just compiled a bunch of songs to start listening to. CNN: Are you planning on doing any other reality shows? Locke: I'm not really a big reality show fan. I did "Celebrity Fit Club" because there was a purpose behind that in my wanting to lose weight. There is only one reality show I really, really want to do, and that's "Dancing With the Stars." I want to be on that show because then I'd lose the extra 10 to 15 pounds I want to lose.

Singer Kimberley Locke finished third during season two of "American Idol" She is co-hosting the fourth season of the talent competition "Gospel Dream" Locke has worked steadily since "Idol" as a spokesperson, host and performer . She says she'd like to appear on "Dancing With the Stars"

(CNN) -- The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday on the circumstances surrounding the release of convicted Pan Am Flight 103 bomber Abdelbasset al-Megrahi from a Scottish prison last year. The Scottish government released al-Megrahi just over a year ago on the grounds that he had cancer and was not likely to live more than three more months. Al-Megrahi is the only person convicted in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, in December 1988, killing 259 people on the plane and 11 on the ground. Most of the dead were Americans. The flight was heading to New York from Frankfurt, Germany, via London, England, when it blew up. A special Scottish court in the Netherlands convicted al-Megrahi in 2001. Al-Megrahi is "a very sick man," but there is no way to tell how long he will live, according to the father of one of the people who died in the 1988 bombing. Jim Swire, whose daughter Flora died in the terror attack, said earlier this month that he recently saw al-Megrahi in Libya. Swire criticized U.S. senators who tried to hold hearings this summer into questions surrounding the release of al-Megrahi. He said he had written to them to say it was more important to let Scottish legal proceedings run their course, because a review commission had found possible miscarriages of justice in the case. "They didn't want to know about that," he said of the senators. Swire, who said he does not think that al-Megrahi is guilty, defended the decision. "At three months, just over half [of people with his cancer] would be dead," Swire said. Doctors have said al-Megrahi has terminal prostate cancer. But after three months, mortality rates level off, and there is no way to predict how long cancer patients will live, said Swire, a retired general practitioner. "He can walk a few steps," Swire said of al-Megrahi. He did not ask al-Megrahi or his doctors about the Libyan's medical condition out of respect for his privacy, he said. But he said the fullness of his face suggested that he was on steroids to slow the cancer. Al-Megrahi was appealing his conviction when he was freed on compassionate grounds in August 2009. He then dropped the appeal. Swire said he thinks al-Megrahi feels guilty about having withdrawn his appeal, because it leaves him with no way to clear his name and no way for those -- like Swire -- who think he is innocent, to have the case reviewed. But al-Megrahi's death could change the legal playing field, Swire speculated. "If he were to die, the the situation would change," and Swire might be able to get the case reopened, he said. Swire is in the minority among victims' families in thinking that al-Megrahi is innocent. American officials have blasted officials for releasing al-Megrahi. "As we have expressed repeatedly to Scottish authorities, we maintain that al-Megrahi should serve out the entirety of his sentence in prison in Scotland," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a written statement. President Barack Obama's assistant on homeland security and counter-terrorism, John Brennan, called the release "unfortunate and inappropriate." Democratic Sens. Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg noted that al-Megrahi was given three months to live when he was released, but is still alive. Menendez noted that on August 20, 2009, al-Megrahi stepped off a plane into the arms of a cheering throng in Libya. "A mass murderer tasted freedom, experiencing joy," Menendez said. "It was a scene that made the stomach turn ... that made old wounds fresh again in the hearts of those whose family members died at the hands of that man." "Al-Megrahi ... is very much free, living in the lap of luxury by all accounts," Menendez said. Lautenberg said: "It is the families of those victims who deserve compassion, not this terrorist." The case has outraged many on both sides of the Atlantic and led U.S. senators to demand answers from Scotland about the details of his release. CNN's Melissa Gray contributed to this report.

270 people died in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Scotland in 1988 . Al-Megrahi was freed last year on the grounds that he was likely to live only a few months . The father of a bombing victim says he doesn't think al-Megrahi is guilty .

(CNN) -- Nintendo announced a November release date for its next-generation Wii U on Thursday while looking to shore up two key constituencies -- those still puzzling over the console's "second screen" controller and hardcore gamers who still view the Wii as geared toward families and kids. The Wii U will launch in the United States on November 18. Two configurations will be available: a basic set for $299 and a $349 "deluxe" edition that will have additional memory, a stand and charger for the GamePad and the "NintendoLand" game. At a New York press conference, the company also introduced Nintendo TVii, a free TV and movie service that utilizes the Wii U's handheld controller, with its built-in screen, as a remote control and tablet-of-sorts for additional content. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime acknowledged that, while players who have gotten their hands on the new console have enjoyed it, others remain confused. "We've come here today not just to make news, but to give you a better sense for how Wii U will change the way you play games, how it will connect your gaming friends and how it will change the way you watch television," he said. "The agent of that change is the Wii U GamePad -- a second screen that does not exist anywhere else." The U's major advance on the company's top-selling Wii console is the GamePad, which has a 6.2-inch touchscreen that interacts in various ways with games that are designed for it. Players can play together, with one person using a TV screen and the other using the game pad, or a single player can get additional content on the GamePad that enhances the game on the big screen. E3: With new titles, Nintendo works to explain Wii U . While it's not certain how many new titles will be available at launch time, at least 50 games will be available for the Wii U by March, Fils-Aime said. And while Thursday's events showcased new titles in venerable Nintendo franchises like "Mario Bros.," there was heavy focus on games favored by more hardcore and adult players. Those titles included "Call of Duty: Black Ops 2," "Mass Effect III," "Assassin's Creed III" and "007 Legends." "The Wonderful 101" and "Bayonetta 2," both from Platinum Games, will be exclusive to the Wii U. The company has trumpeted enhanced video and memory capabilities on the new system as a way to provide an experience that's at least on par with the rival Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony Playstation consoles, which are preferred by many diehard gamers. Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg, who attended the event, called the Wii U "the most capable Nintendo platform ever, especially for the kind of games we make." He touted planned titles like "Skylanders Giants," "Wipeout 3" and "Transformers Prime," as well as the "007" and "Call of Duty" games. "We've never been able to achieve this level of realism before on a Nintendo platform," he said. Nintendo TVii brings together a way to stream, watch and record shows and movies from sites like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and YouTube. Via the GamePad, it lets users get additional information about shows and share thoughts via sites like Facebook and Twitter. Richard George, an executive editor at gaming site IGN who covers Nintendo, said Thursday's presentation may have been the moment the company finally hammered home the value of the new system. "Nintendo's presentation and vision is far more comprehensive and compelling than what they showed at the past two E3s," he said, referring to a summer video game conference. He said the price may be slightly more than many had predicted but that the free inclusion of Nintendo TVii, which he called a key selling point, offsets that. The presentation made strides with the hardcore gaming crowd, but that key holes remain, he said, notably titles like "Bioshock: Infinite," "Tomb Raider" and "Grand Theft Auto V." Questions still remain about which, if any, of those titles will be coming after the launch period. But while reaching out to new audiences may be a focus, Nintendo has sold 630 million gaming consoles since 1983 and George says that's a big deal. "Loyal Nintendo fans will snatch this up like crazy," he said.

Nintendo announces launch date, price for Wii U console . Wii U launches November 18; $299 for basic package and $349 for deluxe . Console features handheld gamepad with 6.2-inch touchscreen . "Hardcore" games like "Mass Effect," "Call of Duty" and "Bayonetta" planned .

Centennial, Colorado (CNN) -- A parolee believed responsible for killing Colorado's prison chief racked up more than two dozen disciplinary charges behind bars, including threatening to kill a guard and make her "beg for her life," according to prison records released Thursday by the state Department of Corrections. The documents paint a portrait of 28-year-old Evan Ebel as a volatile and, at times, dangerous inmate, who threatened guards, fought with other inmates and disobeyed orders. The release of the records came the same day that a Colorado law enforcement official told CNN that Ebel left prison after serving the entirety of his sentence wearing tracking ankle monitor. The official, who examined Ebel's prison file, spoke on condition of anonymity. It is not immediately clear from the official's statement how long Ebel was supposed to wear the monitoring device or whether he was wearing it when authorities say he killed Colorado Department of Corrections director Tom Clements. Clements was shot to death at his home outside Colorado Springs on March 19. Ebel was killed two days later in northern Texas in a gun battle with authorities that left a sheriff's deputy wounded. Texas authorities: Bomb-making materials found in car . Prison records show that almost from the moment Ebel was locked up he proved to be a problem. He was written up at least 28 times on disciplinary charges that resulted in additional days on his original seven-year sentence for robbery and menacing -- infractions that saw him serve more than five years in maximum administrative segregation. Among his more serious offenses was on September 17, 2005, when he threatened to kill a female guard, saying he would "kill her if he saw her on the streets and that he would make her beg for her life," according to the records. As punishment, he was put in lockdown for 59 days and stripped of visitor privileges. Over a two-year period also beginning in 2005, he threatened to kill two other prison guards as well as an inmate. Ebel's prison sentence was extended by four year after he attacked a correctional officer. He was released from prison on mandatory parole, meaning he served his entire sentence, in January. Investigators have said they are looking into whether Ebel might have conspired with other inmates to kill Clements. The corrections chief earned widespread recognition not only for prison reforms but also for a crackdown on prison gangs, including the white supremacist 211 Crew, who once counted Ebel among their ranks. On Thursday, a 22-year-old woman appeared in court to answer charges that she purchased the gun that Ebel used in the killing of Clement and pizza deliveryman Nathan Leon. Gun links Colorado prison chief's killing to Texas shootout . Stevie Marie Vigil of Commerce City is accused of buying the gun from a weapons dealer and giving it to Ebel, who could not purchase his own gun because he was a convicted felon, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Vigil was charged with one count of unlawful purchase of a firearm. If convicted, she faces up to a maximum of 16 years in prison. It is unclear how Vigil knew Ebel, and authorities have declined to detail how the two knew each other. The gun was bought at High Plains Arms in Englewood, Colorado, the shop owner told CNN. Authorities said that the business apparently followed all Colorado laws in the sale. Authorities have said the bullets that killed Clements came from a gun that was found with Ebel, who had handwritten directions to the prison chief's house in his car. Investigators also found a pizza box and a pizza delivery uniform jacket that they believe links Ebel to the death of Leon, who worked as pizza delivery driver. Authorities have speculated that Ebel may have killed Leon for his uniform -- to use it as a disguise in the killing of Clements, who was gunned down after he opened his front door. In Texas, Ebel was driving a black Cadillac, a car which matches a description that witnesses in Clements neighborhood said they saw idling near Clements' home the night of his slaying. Authorities have told CNN that the Cadillac was legally purchased, and they are interviewing individuals who accompanied Ebel at the time of the purchase to learn more. CNN's Jim Spellman reported from Centennial, Colorado, and Chelsea J. Carter reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Carma Hassan, Dana Ford and Holly Yan contributed to this report.

NEW: Evan Ebel was written up 28 times for disciplinary issues, according to records . NEW: He threatened to kill guards and beat up other inmates, the records show . NEW: Ebel left prison wearing ankle monitoring device, says an official . Authorities have charged Stevie Marie Vigil with buying a gun and giving it to Ebel .

Washington (CNN) -- A retired U.S. general said Thursday that the Dutch policy of allowing openly gay soldiers to serve in its military led, in part, to its failure to halt the massacre of Muslims in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica in 1995. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, "nations like Belgium, Luxembourg, the Dutch, et cetera, firmly believed there was no longer a need for an active combat capability in the militaries," John Sheehan, former supreme allied commander - Atlantic, told a Senate hearing on the don't ask, don't tell policy under which gays are not allowed to serve in the U.S. military openly. "As a result, they declared a peace dividend and made a conscious effort to socialize their military," he said. "That includes the unionization of their militaries. It includes open homosexuality demonstrated in a series of other activities, with a focus on peacekeeping operations, because they did not believe the Germans were going to attack again or the Soviets were coming back. "That led to a force that was ill-equipped to go to war. The case in point that I'm referring to is when the Dutch were required to defend Srebrenica against the Serbs. The battalion was under-strength, poorly led, and the Serbs came into town, handcuffed the soldiers to the telephone poles, marched the Muslims off and executed them," Sheehan said. "That was the largest massacre in Europe since World War II." Asked whether Dutch leaders had told him that the Dutch military's performance was linked to its gay soldiers, he said, "Yes. ... They included that as part of the problem." He was referring to the incident that began July 11, 1995, when Serb forces overran the United Nations "safe zone" of Srebrenica and systematically executed men and boys while expelling the rest of the Muslim population. In all, 8,000 Bosnian Muslims were killed. Asked which Dutch officers had told him that the debacle at Srebrenica was in part due to the fact that gay soldiers serve in the Dutch army, Sheehan cited a "Hankman Berman," whom he described as "the chief of staff of the army who was fired by the parliament because they couldn't find anybody else to blame." A spokeswoman for the Dutch Embassy in Washington said Dutch officials did not know to whom Sheehan was referring. A former general, Henk van den Breemen, is identified in news reports as having served as Dutch chief of defense staff from 1994-1998. CNN was not able to reach him. In a statement issued after the hearing, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said, "Srebrenica was an unconscionable massacre, but it's way off the mark to attribute it in any way to the fact that gays can serve openly in the Dutch military, which failed to protect Srebrenica's citizens. "I know of no historian or commentator who has attributed this massive failure to protect the citizens of Srebrenica to Dutch policy on gays serving openly in their military. The U.S. military serves side by side with the Dutch in Afghanistan without any difficulty whatsoever." In a written statement, the Dutch ambassador to the U.S., Renee Jones-Bos, said of Sheehan's comments, "I couldn't disagree more. "I take pride in the fact that lesbians and gays have served openly and with distinction in the Dutch military forces for decades, including in leading operational positions, such as in Afghanistan at the moment," she said. "The military mission of Dutch U.N. soldiers at Srebrenica has been exhaustively studied and evaluated, nationally and internationally. There is nothing in these reports that suggests any relationship between gays serving in the military and the mass murder of Bosnian Muslims." Sheehan, who retired from the military in 1997, told the Senate Committee on Armed Services that he opposed a proposal to let gays serve openly in the U.S. military. The American Psychological Association submitted testimony to the committee that said "scientific research has demonstrated that ending the ban on openly gay people serving in the military is unlikely to reduce military readiness or unit cohesion." It said the gay ban was suspended during the Gulf War with no apparent detrimental impact on military readiness. CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr and Tom Watkins contributed to this report.

Dutch force "ill-equipped to go to war" in early '90s, retired U.S. general says . He tells Senate panel that led in part to failure to stop Srebrenica killings . Dutch leaders linked poor performance to gays in military, he says . Senate committee chairman says remarks "way off the mark"

(CNN) -- So, it turns out that flirting at work really can get you ahead -- at least according to one study, which says that with no serious intentions, it can really pay off in negotiations. But would any woman use these tactics in the real world? Should she? We asked one successful entrepreneur, Victoria Pynchon, co-founder of She Negotiates Consulting, which helps women get better at asking for raises and promotions. Pynchon thinks it's ok and, in fact, necessary. She told us why in this opinion piece: Why it's ok for women to flirt at work. It got a huge response from CNN readers and on social media -- with strong opinions both for and against. Nearly 200 people took part in our quick vote and we found that there was an almost equal number who were ok with flirting at work and those who weren't. We also asked our friends at The Levo League, an online community for women in the first decade of their careers, to see what the next generation of professionals think. Below we've collated a selection of the best comments from our users and The Levo League community. FOR . ChrisMay: "Whether anyone likes it or not, sex sells. And when a woman puts herself through school and gains competence, when she discovers that she is in an environment where her competence has taken a back seat to her bust size, then she is given a license to pull out the big guns; it becomes a tool. If she abuses it, it can bite back. If she's smart, she'll strike a balance that sends the brainless male side spinning like a top as she climbs the corporate ladder. I see it every day. It's an art form. You go girl." Martina Lundardelli: "It means we, as women, can be charming but in a positive way. Our attitude towards problems and life in general is charming. Since work is a part of our lives, we should just remain women. We still continue using our brains, our skills and our competitiveness, but with elegance and an attitude that is a feature of our gender. So yes, I do agree." Lila Barton, 22, on The Levo League: "It's no secret that women have a certain "feminine charm." Since the beginning of time, men have been captivated, confused, and absolutely in love with it. But when it comes to using this charm to get what you want, women have to be extremely careful ... Every woman understands when they cross the line between being warm and friendly to flirtatious." Zac: "Women will use their charms, not because its right or wrong, but because its a part of their toolset. As a guy, I think it's unfair, but the world is an unfair place and I know that if I had the opportunity to juke the system to get what I want, I probably would." AGAINST . Guy: "I worked with many women below, beside and above me, and the most successful and respected women managers were acting just like themselves and not trying to emulate men and never used charm or their beautify to manipulate the situations ... in some respects women have a natural tendency to be good managers, they can also endure hard work better than men and they have better abilities than men to talk themselves out of trouble." Russell Conner: "Sure they can (flirt at work), and I can put them in the same category as butt-kissers and yes-men. I have followed, mentored, supported and even stepped aside for competent and talented women. Some of whom I never met in person, no 'female charms' in play. If any of them had tried that, they would have lost my respect." Maxie McCoy on The Levo League: "I think it (is) a very slippery slope to view flirting as an asset to negotiation and getting what you want ... However, looking at female charm as a skillset that involves winning others over, being authentic, warm and personable is a relevant and useful conversation to have." Yosisme: "Isn't saying it's ok to make vague sexual references (flattery/flirting) to co-workers to gain influence, sort of like saying it is ok to intimidate people to get what you want as long as you don't follow through on the threat? ... Both are using a vague promise of something to emotionally manipulate someone. Does it really matter if the false insinuation is sexual or violent? I don't condone either method." What do you think? Is it ok for women to use their feminine charms to improve their chances of success at work? Tell us in the comments below.

Recent study found that women who flirt get a better deal . CNN polled online community: Is flirting at work is acceptable. No: 57% Yes: 43% . We've curated some of the strongest comments for and against .

Atlanta (CNN) -- The victim of a vicious beating by a gang of men shouting anti-gay slurs said Wednesday that he wants his attackers to face justice. Brandon White, 20, spoke out for the first time at a news conference in Atlanta. He said he should never have to worry about being assaulted just because he is a gay man. "If a straight person can walk to the store, I should be able to do the same thing," he said. "I could have died that day. They are monsters." A video circulated online shows three men punching and kicking White after he stepped out of the JVC Grocery and Deli in southwest Atlanta's Pittsburgh neighborhood. The men, believed to be members of a gang called Jack City, yelled: "No f----ts in Jack City." The store's surveillance video shows White, dressed in a purple shirt and black jeans with a cell phone to his left ear, exit the store along with another man. As soon as they step outside, White is accosted by his attackers. The surveillance video captured eight men standing around watching, two of them with video cameras in hand. One man lunges at White with a tire in his hands. White told HLN later Wednesday that he went home after the 30-second attack. "At this point I am beyond mad," he told Jane Velez-Mitchell. "I actually go back because I wanted to see who they were." Atlanta police said the incident occurred February 4. White said he did not report it right away because he did not want to draw attention to himself. He could not even bring himself to watch the video at first, he was so humiliated and embarrassed. The video was released on YouTube and WorldHipHop.com, and was posted on The Smoking Gun. When it went viral, White decided to talk to the police. "Once they put it out there they set themselves up," he told HLN. "I feel I was violated," White told reporters. "The scars run deeper than anyone will know. The physical pain, I can get over that. My thing is: Who's to say they won't come after me again? Who's to say they won't kill me?" Mayor Kasim Reed has doubled to $10,000 a reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects, said his spokesman, Reese McCranie. FBI agents are also investigating the case to determine whether it meets criteria for prosecution under the federal hate crimes statute. White told HLN he could not comment on that aspect of the investigation. U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said her office is looking into potential civil rights violations based on sexual orientation. Georgia does not have a state hate crimes statute. "The actions depicted in the video are appalling and unacceptable in our community, and we encourage anyone with information about this video to contact the FBI or Atlanta police," Yates said. Enraged gay rights activists vowed that justice would be served, and residents appealed for expanded police presence in their community. Devon Barrington Ward of Change Atlanta said the Jack City gang has no place in the Pittsburgh neighborhood. "When I realized this was taking place in my own backyard, it was a gut-wrenching feeling," Ward said at Wednesday's news conference. "My brother was assaulted, so that means I was assaulted." Ward said tougher laws are needed to make victims like White feel empowered to come forward. White's attackers, Ward said, are "cowards" who will be caught. Pittsburgh community residents said the corner where White was attacked has been the scene of other acts of violence. They called for the JVC store to be shut down. "Pittsburgh is not Jack City," said LaShawn M. Hoffman, head of the Pittsburgh Community Improvement Association. He said he is alarmed by the fact that no one on that corner thought to call police while White was being beaten. "This is not the norm for our neighborhood," he said. Last year, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs released a study that showed that hate crimes committed against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and HIV-affected people were on the rise in America. In 2010, the coalition reported a 13% rise in LGBT hate crimes and documented 27 murders, a 23% increase from 2009. State Rep. Simone Bell, who is openly gay, told CNN Atlanta affiliate WSB she hopes this case will pave the way for hate-crime legislation in Georgia. CNN's George Howell contributed to this report.

NEW: Victim won't give opinion on whether it was a hate crime . Atlanta mayor doubles the reward to $10,000 . An online video shows his brutal beating by men shouting anti-gay slurs . Federal authorities are determining whether the case is a hate crime .

New York (CNN) -- Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik arrived at the federal prison in Cumberland, Maryland, Monday to begin a 48-month prison sentence, prison authorities said. Kerik reported to the medium-security facility, which houses some 500 inmates, at approximately 1 p.m. ET, authorities said. Kerik -- nominated by President George Bush in 2004 to be homeland security adviser, only to later withdraw from consideration -- was sentenced to four years in prison last February. He pleaded guilty to charges including lying to Bush administration officials during his 2004 nomination. Ed Ross, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, said Kerik will be expected to perform a number of manual jobs including plumbing, landscaping and food service at the prison, which also has a minimum security camp. On the eve of his imprisonment, Kerik maintained his prosecution was unjust, and said he had to prepare his two daughters, ages 7 and 10, for his departure. "Words cannot express my disappointment in the prosecutors and the judge's behavior, and his sentence that followed," Kerik wrote on his blog Sunday. "I have repeatedly expressed remorse for what I may have done, however, unlike many, I can't remain silent in the face of what I believe has been a gross injustice, which I pray will be remedied by an appellate court." He said he made his two daughters watch the movie "Rocky Balboa" for the scene in which Sylvester Stallone's character tells his son that the world can be an unfair place but one has to persevere. "As I prepare to serve my sentence, I have had to likewise prepare Angelina and Celine, my 7- and 10-year-old daughters for what is next to come, and had to teach them that there are times when we are put in situations which are beyond our control and that no matter how undeserved, unsought, or unwanted, we must find the strength, courage, and perseverance to carry on and move forward." Kerik, 54, pleaded guilty in November to tax fraud and six other felonies. He has been under house arrest in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, since then. In court papers, prosecutors said Kerik denied to a White House official that there was "any possible concern" about his relationships with contractors involved in renovating his apartment or that he had any financial dealings with prospective city contractors. Kerik had been scheduled to go to trial on various corruption charges, including allegations that he received and concealed benefits of about $255,000 in renovations to his Riverdale, New York, apartment from a company seeking to do business with the city of New York. He pleaded guilty to that charge and several tax-related counts in November. Kerik was New York police commissioner from 1998 to 2002, a tenure that included the September 11, 2001, attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center and killed more than 2,700 people. He spent a brief stint in Iraq training the country's police force after the U.S. invasion in 2003, and President Bush nominated him to be homeland security secretary in 2004. However, Kerik withdrew from consideration after allegations surfaced that he had employed a nanny with a murky immigration status. In 2006, he pleaded guilty to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gifts while working as city corrections commissioner. Under his plea agreement, he paid $221,000 in fines and avoided jail time. His admission dogged the 2008 presidential campaign of his longtime patron, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who said his endorsement of Kerik had been "a mistake." Kerik made an unsuccessful appeal for clemency to Bush in 2008, according to court papers released in October. Kerik's sentence exceeded the 27- to 33-month prison term recommended by federal prosecutors. "With great power comes great responsibility and comes great consequences," said U.S. District Judge Stephen Robinson during the sentencing on February 18. Kerik ended his blog post Sunday, saying: "Finally, I can only hope that history will judge me based on my 30 years of public service to our great nation, and not by tabloid headlines, my imperfections, or the mistakes that I may have made."

NEW: Ex-New York police commissioner turns himself in to begin 4-year sentence . He pleaded guilty to lying to Bush officials, tax fraud . Kerik was nominated to be homeland security secretary in 2004, withdrew . Calls conviction 'gross injustice, which I pray will be remedied' on appeal'

(CNN) -- Utility companies will return Sunday to restore power in parts of Rayne, Louisiana, after a tornado pummelled the region, killing at least one person. A Louisiana mother who died sheltering her child during the tornado was identified early Sunday as Jalisa Granger, a sheriff's office official said. The 21-year-old's body was found by "a family member who lived nearby" who went to check on her, said Maxine Trahan, a spokeswoman for the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office in Rayne, Louisiana, adding that the "child was OK." Granger was killed when a tree fell on her house in the storm. Eleven people were injured, she said. "There's a lot of damage out there," Trahan said. "Most residents were evacuated, leaving for other relatives' homes. About 20 (who were) evacuated didn't have somewhere to go, but were taken to the local fire department." Utility companies will be returning to the area Sunday morning to help restore power, she said. The storm that killed Granger was one of at least two twisters tied to a weather system that has caused major damage in the state and wreaked havoc on Mardi Gras festivities. The National Weather Service confirmed that tornadoes hit the city of Rayne, about 80 miles west of Baton Rouge, and the nearby city of Crowley on Saturday morning. Packing winds between 111 and 135 mph, the tornado was 300 yards wide and produced damage over a 5-mile stretch, according to the weather service. The northwest section of Rayne was especially hard hit, with video from CNN affiliate KATC showing several buildings leveled, lots reduced to rubble and large trees knocked down. Petijean said the city's electricity infrastructure was badly damaged, with power going out for all its 10,000 residents soon after the tornado came through. In addition, several houses were knocked off their foundations and there were reports of gas leaks, which led to mandatory evacuations of about 1,500 residents in the city's northwest, Petijean said. The mayor said a curfew was imposed in part of the city, with people asked to stay indoors until 6 a.m. Sunday while authorities check to ensure all is safe. Some of those evacuated are being cared for by the Red Cross. The impact zone is an area about one to two square miles, said Rayne police dispatcher Whitney Thibodaux. Among the buildings affected were a public housing units and Rayne High School, with damage to the computer room, library and gym. Three people, meanwhile, suffered injuries when the twister hit Crowley, according to the National Weather Service. Debris was reported along a 2-mile-long damage path on Interstate 10, and there was damage to a Waffle House, car wash and several residences. About 150 miles to the east, meanwhile, revelers and residents of New Orleans were soaked much of Saturday as steady rains fell on the city. This weekend -- the last one before Ash Wednesday -- is traditionally one of the busiest in The Big Easy, with people partying and enjoying Mardi Gras festivities. The weather forced several changes to the Mardi Gras schedule, including the delay of the Krewe of Endymion parade from Saturday to Sunday, according to a release from the New Orleans Police Department. Other parade-related festivities were pushed up to start earlier Saturday, given the rain-soaked forecast for Saturday afternoon and beyond. The rain stopped later Saturday in New Orleans and the weather service's forecast called for sunny conditions Sunday, with high temperatures in the lower 60s. A flood advisory remains in effect through Monday morning for numerous communities along the Mississippi River, including parts of Chicot and Desha counties in Arkansas; Adams, Bolivar, Isaquena, Washington, Madison and Wilkinson counties in Mississippi; and Claiborne, East Caroll, Jefferson, Tensas and Warren parishes in Louisiana. There were also flood warnings in effect for the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City, Louisiana, through Sunday afternoon; the Tchefuncte River in Covington, Louisiana, through Monday at noon; and the Bogue Falaya River at Camp Covington, Louisiana, through Tuesday morning. CNN's Rick Martin, Craig Bell, Tina Burnside and Jacqui Jeras contributed to this report.

Jalisa Granger, 21, dies when a tree hits her house in Louisiana, the sheriff's office says . After steady rain Saturday, sun and warmth are forecast Sunday in New Orleans . Flood warnings are in effect for towns along several rivers, including the Mississippi . The tornado had winds as strong as 135 mph and damaged a 5-mile stretch .

(CNN) -- Colorado theater shooting suspect James Holmes will wear a hidden harness under his clothes to restrain him during his trial, which will have the largest jury pool in state history. Holmes is accused of killing 12 people and wounding dozens more in an Aurora movie theater. He will wear the harness, which will be anchored to the floor, because of the violent nature of his alleged crimes, a judge said. Judge Carlos Samour Jr. will send out 5,000 jury summons and expects at least 3,200 people will end up in court, he ruled on Thursday. That would mean each of the 450,000 Arapahoe County residents eligible for jury duty would have a 1 in 90 chance of being called, for this one case alone, court spokesman Rob McCallum told CNN. The idea is to bring in 800 prospective jurors at a time on Thursdays and Fridays early next year, a process that McCallum says could take three to four weeks. Those thousands will be winnowed down to 12 men and women for the start of the trial, which is set to begin February 3. It is expected to last four months. Judge accepts theater shooting suspect's insanity plea . Asking more people than usual to come to court for high-profile cases is common in the U.S. justice system, given concerns many of them already know the story and have strong opinions about it. In Florida, for example, there was a 500-person jury pool for the now-ongoing murder trial of George Zimmerman, who is accused in the killing of teenager Trayvon Martin -- a case that drew national headlines for weeks. So too, of course, did what happened just after midnight the night of July 20, 2012, in the Denver suburb of Aurora. It was then and there, authorities say, that a man walked through an exit door into a crowded Theater 9 of the Century movie complex as a late-night premiere of the Batman sequel "The Dark Knight Rises" played. The former neuroscience graduate student wore all-black, a ballistic helmet, a tactical ballistic vest, protective leggings, a throat and groin protector, and a gas mask, police say. And he carried an arsenal that included two Glock handguns, an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun and 6,295 rounds of ammunition, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Steve Beggs has testified. "He didn't care who he killed," prosecutor Karen Pearson told a judge during a preliminary court hearing in January, adding Holmes chose his venue carefully to cage his victims. "He intended to kill them all." After the carnage and Holmes' subsequent capture outside the theater, he was charged with 166 counts of murder, attempted murder and weapons violations. Rescue workers weren't prepared for chaos of Aurora shooting . Since his arrest, much of the in-court discussion has resolved around Holmes' mental state. Judge Samour earlier this month accepted the defense's plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. He was then taken to the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo for evaluation, and is expected to be back in Arapahoe County Jail on August 2. Prosecutors in Arapahoe County announced in April they would seek the death penalty. Despite the notoriety of the mass shooting, the judge ruled Thursday that the empaneled jury will not be sequestered, as Holmes' defense team requested. Making it so they couldn't go home throughout the prolonged trial, Samour said, was an "unnecessarily drastic, expensive and impractical remedy that ... will create an extreme and undue hardship for jurors." The judge also ruled against the defense's attempt to prevent jurors from using phones or computers, barring their use in court but saying preventing them from using them outside is "unreasonable and unfair." One thing jurors won't be able to see is restraints on Holmes. As someone accused of "multiple violent crimes," Samour says that Holmes must be restrained carefully during his trial. But the judge said he needn't wear handcuffs or shackles. Instead, the judge ruled, Holmes will "wear a harness under his clothing which will not be visible to the jury" and will be anchored to the floor. CNN's Carma Hassan contributed to this report.

NEW: Judge: The jury won't be sequestered, can use phones and laptops outside court . NEW: James Holmes will wear a harness that the jury can't see, the judge says . The trial of the man accused of killing 12 in a Colorado movie theater should start in February . The jury pool will have 5,000 people -- 1 of 90 residents in county -- spokesman says .

Boston (CNN) -- Trying to show a softer, lighter side of accused killer and crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger, his defense lawyers have released photos that they say they would expect to show the jury should Bulger decide to testify. In response to a CNN question, his lawyers acknowledged, "yes," they have prepared Bulger, 83, to take the stand as they would any other witness. "Every criminal defendant has until the last witness is presented on the defense to make a decision as to whether he or she will testify," said the lead counsel, J. W. Carney. Bulger, his lawyers say, is calling the shots and will make the decision Friday after the defense reads testimony from one victim's mother and then calls its last two witnesses, an FBI secretary and admitted former hitman John Martorano. If Bulger does not testify, closing arguments will likely happen Monday. Bulger offers $822,000 to relatives of two murder victims . The 20 photos, released late Wednesday, show Bulger smiling and relaxed. Described as an animal lover, he's seen separately with dogs, a goat and a parrot. In one photo he is seen posing in front of the Stanley Cup. In others, he appears smiling with girlfriend Catherine Grieg, who went into hiding with Bulger in 1995 and who was arrested with him 16 years later in 2011 living under an alias in Santa Monica, California. One of the men featured in a photo with Bulger was identified as a defrocked, formerly high-ranking official of the Boston archdiocese, Frederick J. Ryan, according to the lawyer for two former Catholic Memorial School students who brought sexual molestation claims against the archdiocese in 2002. Attorney Mitchell Garabedian said that one of his clients and another person who worked with Ryan identified the former vice chancellor in the photo Thursday morning, after the images became public. Garabedian's clients' claims were acknowledged, and they received money as part of a settlement. Ryan was defrocked by the Vatican in 2006. "If the defense were trying to show a kinder, gentler Whitey, it certainly backfired," Garabedian told CNN Thursday. Prosecutor Fred Wyshak objected to the photos, saying, "I don't know if being an animal lover is going to salvage his reputation." Bulger laughed at the remark. The personal photos are a stark contrast to the numerous surveillance images shown to the jury. Bulger is facing 19 counts of murder as part of a racketeering conspiracy, and 13 counts of extortion, racketeering and money-laundering. Bulger's lawyers have called five retired FBI agents who worked in Boston during Bulger's alleged reign of terror in the late 1970s and 1980s. The defense team has repeatedly raised questions surrounding what the FBI did and did not do in investigating internal corruption and protecting confidential informants. Victim's mother warned FBI about impending murder . Former Special Agent Matthew Cronin testified Thursday about rampant leaks in the Boston office that compromised several of his cases. Suspicion fell on Bulger's handler, agent John Connolly, currently serving 40 years for crimes relating to Bulger. Having worked in New York City, Cronin said of the Boston field office, "Here everyone was interested in everyone else's business. You learned to keep your cards close to the vest." On cross-examination, prosecutor Brian Kelly asked Cronin, "If the FBI does a lousy job, that doesn't give a criminal the right to murder people, does it?" Judge Denise Casper sustained the defense team's objection. Bulger, pale with a ring of gray stubble around his balding head, sits at the defense table either staring straight ahead or hunched over a pad taking notes. His brother Jackie has been court nearly every day, sitting in the front row reserved for Bulger's family. Nephew Billy Bulger Jr., son of former Massachusetts Senate President Billy Bulger, was also in court Thursday. Prosecutors wrapped up their case last week after calling 63 witnesses over 30 days. Casper is reviewing the defense's motion to include an additional charge of "accessory after the fact to murder" in Bulger's final charges. CNN's Ross Levitt contributed to this report. CNN national correspondent Deborah Feyerick is live tweeting from inside the Boston federal courtroom, follow Feyerick at @DebFeyerickCNN for live updates.

Bulger's attorneys release photos showing him smiling and relaxed . He also is shown posing with the Stanley Cup and his girlfriend . A former FBI agent says the Boston office had rampant leaks . Bulger is facing 19 counts of murder as part of a racketeering conspiracy .

(CNN) -- Back in January, Vice President Joe Biden summed up President Obama's first term with: "Osama Bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive." At the time, the Obama campaign sought to emphasize the president's record in foreign policy and saving the auto industry. Last week, the campaign unveiled a new theme and sent Biden to Ohio to test it out. For the first time, Biden called the Republican contenders by name and said that they would "bankrupt the middle class." The campaign is now more focused on the economy, highlighting the difference between the president's "promoting the private sector" and the GOP's "promoting the privileged sector." The president's political fortunes have improved, but voters are fickle. Voters applauded George H.W. Bush for winning the Gulf War in 1991; then after an economic slump, they fired him in 1992. If the economy keeps getting better and if President Obama seems to be on top of world affairs, then he will indeed win. Conversely, if the recovery stalls or if he botches a foreign crisis, then he will probably lose. So how do things look? Although unemployment remains high, it has come down from its peak levels. Other economic indicators are pointing in the right direction, too. In the past three years, for instance, the Dow Jones has increased by about 70%. On the global scene, President Obama has pulled out of Iraq. As tough as the war in Afghanistan may be, it has not cost nearly as many American lives as Korea or Vietnam. In any case, the administration is planning to withdraw. All told, things aren't great, but they were worse a few years ago. That's hardly an inspiring slogan, but the reality may be sufficient for the president to get a second term. Here's the rub: Reality can suddenly turn bad. In the middle of his term, President Carter seemed a decent bet to win re-election. The economy was doing OK, and he had brought the Egyptians and Israelis together at the Camp David Summit. Then the revolution in Iran disrupted oil supplies, hiking gasoline prices and triggering an economic recession. The Iranian hostage crisis initially prompted Americans to rally around their president, but as it dragged on, his approval ratings sank. Although the current situation in Iran isn't identical, there are enough similarities to trouble the White House. Uncertainty has driven up pump prices, which have slowed the rise in the president's poll numbers. As Newt Gingrich says, "You can't buy enough advertising to offset driving past a gas station." A nuclear Iran would put the president's diplomatic skills to the test. If he failed, he would pay a steep price on Election Day. So sunshine means political victory and dark skies mean defeat. But consider the partly cloudy scenario, where the news is bad enough to put the outcome in doubt but not so terrible as to ensure the president's ouster. In such cases, messaging comes into play. It might move only a point or two, but in an otherwise 50-50 election, that margin can make the difference. President Obama's habitual response to policy problems is to say that "there is no silver bullet." He should drop that line, since it sounds defeatist. And werewolves are the only ones that like hearing there are no silver bullets. Instead, the classic political strategy is to go on the attack. As Richard Nixon put it: "Politics is battle, and the best way to fire up your troops is to rally them against a visible opponent on the other side of the field." For Democrats, this advice means painting the GOP candidate as the heartless instrument of the wealthiest 1%. We are already hearing such rhetoric. For President Obama, however, there is a catch. During the 2008 campaign, he collected millions in campaign contributions from the 1%. This time out, some of them are shutting their checkbooks to him. Moreover, the rhetoric of rich versus poor can lead to awkward moments. Recently, Vice President Biden accused the GOP of not caring about the middle class. Critics noted that he made the remarks at a $10,000-per-couple fundraiser. This kind of back-and-forth will count only if conditions produce a close election. A big margin on either side will depend largely on the economy and grand issues of war and peace. Reality trumps rhetoric. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of John J. Pitney, Jr.

Vice president Joe Biden pitches to voters, "Osama Bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive" John J. Pitney Jr.: Presidential elections turn mostly on the big things: economy, war and peace . He says that in a close election, rhetoric can affect the margin of difference . He says that at the end of the day, reality trumps rhetoric .

(CNN) -- Dads in short shorts and moms in beehive hairdos are becoming all the rage on the Internet. Parents are usually the first to show off pictures of their kids, but that role has been reversed in a new breed of style blogs in which children submit nostalgic and stylish photos of their parents from back in the day. Blogs like My Mom, the Style Icon, My Parents Were Awesome and Dads in Short Shorts allow proud children to submit nostalgic pictures of their parents to put on display for the world. "Similar to the way that young people look to celebrities as style icons, more people are looking to these attainable vintage fashions from their parents and there is a growing population of people who prefer these classic looks," said Margot Nason, editor of the trend forecasting newsletter Trend Central. What is so unique about these blogs is that the photos celebrate just how cool today's offspring think their parents are. Rather than laughing or cringing at old photos of their folks, today's children want everyone to see their parents in their heyday. Newspaper editor Piper Weiss got the idea for My Mom, the Style Icon when she was rifling through her mother's closet in search of vintage clothes to steal for her own wardrobe. "I began using pictures of her before I was born as a guide to my own style because I figured whatever looked good on her when she was young would look good on me now," said Weiss, 31. "I discovered a photo album of pictures of her before she met my dad and she was so heart-stoppingly gorgeous I wanted to share them with everyone I knew. I started the blog with pictures of my mom and then people's own submissions started rolling in." Since the Web site has been live for a little more than a month, Weiss has received several hundred submissions of parent pictures from folks who want to memorialize their mom and dad's most stylish years on the Internet. During a recession, folks are more likely to indulge in the kind of nostalgia these old pictures evoke. "Times of uncertainty make you long for the past, and the nostalgia of these pictures makes people feel safe," said Samantha Marcus Yanks, editor-in-chief of Gotham and Hamptons magazines. "And a bit of nostalgia is inspirational in fashion these days, because it seems more affordable." The Web site Dads in Short Shorts, started by marketing manager Tara Eisenberg, 26, and painter Annie Kyle, 26, has a genesis similar to My Mom, the Style Icon. "On a summer road trip we were looking through an old photo album and discovered a shot of a dad in bright yellow shorts mixed in with seemingly normal family photos," Eisenberg said. "The mom claimed the shot was an 'accident' and that she was just 'testing the camera.' Upon further investigation, we noticed a lot of our friends had similar 'accidents' in their old photo albums, and thus the blog was born." Dads in Short Shorts has had more the 50 submissions of dads wearing above the knee pants, with more pouring in every day. How do parents feel about being exposed in all their youthful glory and occasional fashion disasters on the Internet for all to see? "The blog is great fun for me and the nostalgia is a trip," said Marilyn Weiss about her debut on My Mom, the Style Icon. "Not many guests want to sit down and see your old photos. They want to show you theirs. "Fortunately for this mom, my daughter has provided me with quite an extensive and diverse audience." Samantha Josephs, whose mom, Susan Buckner, played Patty Simcox in the movie version of "Grease," was inspired to send a picture of her mom from the '70s when she was touring with Dean Martin and the Golddiggers. "The photos that I've collected from her from all of the girls in the group were always my favorite because of the platinum big hair and the kitten eyes," Josephs said. "My mother looks iconic in the photo, and I still look at her the same when I see her now." Buckner was certainly a style icon in her own right in the '70s, but being made one in the Internet age held a whole new meaning. "My mom screamed when she saw it. She thanked me a thousand times over, made it her screen saver and said what an amazing gift this was to her to be made an icon on the Internet," Josephs said.

Some "kids" are proud of how stylish their parents were years ago . Photos from the '60s and '70s are popping up on sites celebrating parents . 3 to check: Dads in short shorts, My Parents Were Awesome, My Mom, The Style Icon . Old photo albums and recessionary times may have sparked nostalgia .

(CNN) -- Healthy men and women with good cholesterol levels could significantly reduce their risk of heart disease by taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, better known as statins, according to a study released at the American Heart Association meetings in November. Today, only people with high levels of cholesterol are prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, known as statins. Nearly 18,000 people in 26 countries, including 7,000 women and nearly 5,000 minorities, participated in the clinical trial, the results of which were published in The New England Journal of Medicine. All had very good cholesterol levels, with average LDL -- or "bad" cholesterol -- levels of 108 and average HDL --or "good" cholesterol -- levels of 49. However, each participant had elevated levels of "high-sensitivity C-reactive protein" or hs-CRP -- a marker that indicates inflammation in the body and can contribute to coronary heart disease, the No. 1 killer of men and women in the United States. Under the current guidelines set for lowering cholesterol levels, none of the participants would have qualified for taking statins. In the study, the participants took 20 milligrams of the drug Rosuvastatin -- commercially known as Crestor -- or a placebo pill. The maker of Crestor, AstraZeneca, funded the study. According to the lead author, Dr. Paul Ridker of the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, the pharmaceutical company had no input in the study's design and didn't see the final data analysis until the study was submitted for publication. Designed to last up to five years, the trial was stopped after less than two because endpoints set by an independent oversight committee were met, the study says. Researchers found that participants taking Crestor cut their risk of heart attack, stroke and death by nearly half -- 44 percent -- compared with participants taking the placebo. Bad cholesterol levels were reduced by 50 percent and hs-CRP levels dropped 37 percent. Overall death in the Crestor group was 20 percent less than the placebo group. "This is a huge reduction, unprecedented reduction in risk occurring very quickly," said Dr. Steven Nissen, a cardiologist at Ohio's Cleveland Clinic, who has studied the significance of CRP in predicting heart disease. Nissen estimates that 36 million Americans qualify for statins and that the new research could add at least 10 million to the ranks of who should be taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. Some published reports suggest the number could be twice as high. The study's statistician, Harvard University's Robert Glynn, estimates that about 250,000 heart attacks, strokes, hospitalizations and cardiac deaths could be prevented over five years if people with good cholesterol and high hs-CRP levels were taking statins. Ridker, the lead author, said doing so would benefit patients and health care providers, noting a simple blood test to detect hs-CRP levels is much cheaper than hospitalization. Blog: Heart disease and cholesterol . Ridker said the diversity of the participants, including women, African-Americans and Hispanics, is significant because there is limited information on preventing heart disease among those demographic groups. Today, only people with high levels of cholesterol are prescribed statins. Those with good cholesterol levels typically don't have their hs-CRP levels tested because there are no clear guidelines on who should be tested and how often. "These studies show that CRP levels are now emerging as an important risk factor in the development and progression of coronary heart disease," said Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, director of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, referring to this study and two others being presented at an American Heart Association conference this weekend. Dr. Mark Hlatky, a professor of health policy and cardiology at Stanford University, reviewed the study for The New England Journal of Medicine. Hlatky agreed the study "provides more evidence about the effectiveness of statin therapy in reducing cardiovascular risk," even among people who don't currently meet the guidelines for this kind of therapy. But he suggested that before changing any guidelines, more research needs to be done to determine the effectiveness of testing people for hs-CRP levels, something this study was not designed to do.

Study: Statins can help healthy with good cholesterol levels cut heart disease risk . None of study's participants would qualify for taking statins under current guidelines . Maker of Crestor funded study; lead author says firm had no input in study's design . Cardiologist: New research could add 10 million to ranks of those taking such drugs .

(CNN) -- The rebel battalions and commanders battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime are signing a "code of conduct" pledging to refrain from torture and other human rights abuses, an opposition group said Wednesday. More than two dozen Free Syrian Army officials have signed the documents, just days after an uproar over reports that a unit called the Tawheed brigade claimed responsibility for executing pro-regime members of the Berri clan in Aleppo, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said. Rafif Jouejati, the LCC English-language spokeswoman, said some of the content in the code had been in development for months by human rights experts and the LCC and FSA. But the work was accelerated in the wake of the executions last week, she said. The al-Assad regime has been widely condemned for torture and other human rights abuses. But as the rebel army has evolved, reports have surfaced of mistreatment by rebel fighters as well, including CNN's own reporting on a rebel-run prison last week. The reported executions last week highlighted fears that rebels are intent on revenge killings and sectarian retribution. "As the ranks of the Free Syrian Army expand and its brave fighters fight a national, multi-front battle, there has become a need for rules to govern their work. These rules must combine the spirit of the national duty they carry out today in facing the aggressor, Bashar Al-Assad and his regime, and moving towards the regime's ouster and the interests of justice and military discipline," the LCC said. Read more: Syria timeline -- From uprising to civil war . The code says the rebel army will use weapons "to overthrow the criminal regime that has been imposed upon us," but at the same time, it pledges to "refrain from any behavior or practice that would undermine the principles of our revolution: the principles of freedom, citizenship, and dignity. "I will respect human rights in accordance with our legal principles, our tolerant religious principles, and the international laws governing human rights -- the very human rights for which we struggle today and which we intend to implement in the future Syria," the code said. The pledge calls for shunning "any form of torture, rape, mutilation, or degradation," preserving prisoners' rights, rejecting "physical torture or murder of prisoners or informants," and says army members should "not participate in any public execution." Also, fighters who take the pledge vowed not to issue "any executive orders, particularly with regard to death or corporal punishment" and promised to heed the legal system to determine guilt or innocence of people. "Any person who takes up arms in the name of the regime, regardless of their rank, should be arrested and remain in the custody of the Free Syrian Army. In the event that an individual is arrested, and it is determined that the individual was working for the regime, voluntarily or for payment, to supply information about revolutionary activists, that individual shall be considered a prisoner and treated in accordance with laws governing prisoners of war," the code said. The code says people should use their arms only to defend people in the fight. They shouldn't use weapons against activists or civilians, no matter what their opinions are, and not use weaponry against any Syrian citizens. It calls for shunning "theft or looting on the pretext" of "helping to finance the armed struggle" and taking people hostage for ransom. It also calls "for a pledge not to exercise reprisals on the basis of ethnicity, sect, religion, or any other basis, and to refrain from any abusive practices, in word or in deed, against any component of the Syrian people." The fighters also have to pledge to surrender their weaponry to a "Transitional Authority, which will manage the country's affairs during the transitional period after the fall of the regime." People who violate the code also agree to submit to a fair trial "under the supervision of the Free Syrian Army's leadership and monitored by an independent judiciary body." The LCC said "these ethics and principles represent the essence of our revolution and its moral and national foundation." There are nearly 30 "initial signatories," including Lt. Col. Muhannad Ahmad Al-Talaa, commander of the Military Council of Deir Ezzor, Col. Qassim Saad Eddin, commander of the Military Council in Homs, and Capt. Ali Shakerdi of the al-Amjad Battalion in Aleppo.

NEW: LCC, FSA and human rights experts had been working for months on a code . NEW: The effort was accelerated after last week's reports of executions . Nearly 30 commanders and battalions signed the pledge . The fighters vow to shun looting, sectarian violence, torture and public executions .

(CNN) -- On Sunday morning, a strange word suddenly started trending for me on Twitter. The word was Ruzzle. I had no idea what it meant, so I did the smart thing and asked my dog. "Mikey, what's a Ruzzle?" Through nonverbal communication, he indicated that it might have something to do with his groin. Though, to be fair, he'd been indicating this for the better part of an hour. And with varying degrees of intensity. So, just to be sure, I Googled this strange new word and discovered that Ruzzle was actually a popular game app for your mobile device. And for some reason -- I still have no idea why -- at 10 a.m. on Sunday, lots of people were tweeting about it. Thus, I had to learn more. But not really. I don't generally care on Sundays. Or wear pants. Nevertheless, a little half-hearted research revealed that this uber-popular word game seemed to be the offspring of a wild and kinky one-night-stand between Boggle and Scrabble. Apparently, things got a little crazy at the bar, there was a shared cab ride and, lo and behold, we now have Ruzzle. The underlying message: Be careful with tequila, kids. After downloading the app and opening a game account (for which I was denied the user name "RealGilbertGottfried") I soon learned that Ruzzle consists of three two-minute rounds in which you and your opponent each get 16 letters placed in four rows of four that can be linked together to create words by gliding your finger over the screen at any connecting angle. Like Boggle. Each letter is also given a point value based on difficulty, and some even award extra points by doubling or tripling the letter or overall word score. Like Scrabble. In the end, the player with the most points after three rounds is the one who doesn't get shingles. Obviously, it's a game of high stakes. "Hi, boss. Yeah, it's Hank. I won't be in this week. What's that? Yes. Ruzzle. Again." OK, so the player with the most points actually just wins. However, if you're competitive like me, losing is just as bad as a blistering skin rash. Which is why playing my mom was a horrible idea. She always wins. At everything. But I'm a glutton for punishment and told her to sign up so she could give me something to write about and, perhaps, humiliate me in the process. Which she promptly did on her first attempt: 859-805. The ensuing e-mail conversation went like this: . Mom: "Good game." Me: "I've got your good game RIGHT HERE!" Mom: "Oh, my, that doesn't sound nice ..." I'm a particularly sore loser. And she's gone on to destroy me three more times. "I just want you to play as well as you can, dear." Constantly getting beat by your mom. Man, what a drag. Since then, I've at least found a way to defeat two random strangers whom I've played against, and this has temporarily restored my limited sense of self-worth. Fortunately, there are plenty more strangers to go around. And "plenty" is a bit of an understatement. The maker of the game, Stockholm-based MAG Interactive, boasts that it now has more than 9 million players in over 100 countries. It's also available in 10 languages. I'm currently utilizing the English version of the game because, after 34 years, I've somehow managed to grasp it at a solid third-grade level. Much like one Twittererer who oh-so-intelligently chimed in on Sunday morning with "...pop a book open. Then you'll stop loosing [sic] in Ruzzle." Sage advice. For him. So Ruzzle is officially something that matters, and, at press time, it was the No. 4 overall free app in America. It was also the No. 1 word game, apparently beating out Words with Friends, Scramble with Friends and Shared Needles with Friends. That last one might not actually be a game. Anyway, now I'm included among the millions who play Ruzzle. But probably not for long. I get bored easily, and my interest is already starting to wane. Plus, I just keep "loosing" to my mom.

"Apparently This Matters" is CNN Tech's weekly, offbeat look at items trending online . This week, Jarrett investigates the growing appeal of Ruzzle . The mobile game has more than 9 million players, including Jarrett's mom . Don't challenge her; she's good. Better than Jarrett, anyway .

(CNN) -- The mood at Hong Kong's Metropark Hotel was subdued Thursday -- but only because most of the guests were in their rooms nursing hangovers from a night of partying the evening before. Quarantined guests and hotel employees wave through the glass at Hong Kong's Metro Park Hotel. And with good reason. For seven days, the 200 guests and 100 staff members at this modest business hotel in the Wanchai bar district have been in involuntary confinement after health officials determined that a guest there had contracted swine flu. But in another 24 hours -- at 8:30 p.m. Friday to be precise, as guests kept reminding themselves -- they would be free to leave. "Last evening, people perked up a bit," said Kevin Ireland, an Indian national. "We're cheerful. We're happy we're getting out tomorrow." For most of the guests here, it was a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. They picked the same hotel as a 25-year-old guest from Mexico who tested positive for the H1N1 virus. And Hong Kong health officials -- unwilling to see a repeat of the SARS epidemic in 2004 that killed nearly 300 people -- placed the hotel on lockdown. That was last Friday night, when Ireland was headed out to grab some Italian food with friends but hotel staff stopped them at the door. Since then, the guests have kept themselves busy trying to ward off boredom as they waited out their seven-day confinement. Images from a British hotel guest » . Most stayed cocooned in their tiny rooms, flipping through channels on the television or staying connected with their work colleagues via Internet chats. With no pool to lounge by and just one restaurant to pick from, guests milled about in the lobby to pick up food or get their temperatures taken once a day. "We go down to the lobby for food and then back to the room to eat your food," said Leslie Carr, a British man. "Not many people are downstairs hanging around to talk or discuss anything." Outside, bars and clubs lay only a short walk away. But police in face masks stood guard at the door, barring exit. Packs of reporters and camera crews peered through the hotel's glass windows. The British contingent organized a quiz night once. When a French national had a birthday, the country's consulate sent wine and champagne. The Hong Kong government, itself, tried its best to make living arrangements as comfortable as possible. They delivered a box of chocolates to guests, comped their rooms and offered them free long-distance phone calls. But food was a constant complaint. Guests, tired of hotel fare, were allowed to order take-out -- a boom in business for area eateries. "A tribal instinct sort of manifested itself," Ireland said. "You get into linguistic groups. You hang with people of the same country and region." Mark Moore, a British national, spent many hours kicking himself for changing his plans at the last minute -- the day before the quarantine. He was scheduled to fly home at the end of a business trip, but decided to spend the weekend visiting friends and family in Hong Kong. "I wish I'd left the day before," Moore said. "I definitely wish I'd gone home a day early." Tempers sometimes flared. Guests questioned the point of a quarantine when they were allowed to flout health safety recommendations. Many walked around without the blue surgical masks they were expected to cover their mouth and noses with. Each also had to take a 10-day dose of anti-viral medication. None have tested positive for the virus. "We were all using the same elevator when we knew the virus can spread through touching objects," Ireland said. "The health workers worked in shifts. I don't know if they go home or to some other place where there's some sort of quarantine. And we're handing money to pay the people outside bringing our food. I'm not wearing gloves, the guy on the outside's not wearing gloves." Hong Kong's Chief Executive Donald Tsang publicly apologized to the guests but said the precautions were needed. "In view of the lack of data ... we have to be very cautious," added Yuen Kwok-Yung, a professor of microbiology of Hong Kong University. "I believe that as time goes by, we can change our strategy." By Thursday, many guests said they have paid their bills and packed their bags. All there was left to do is stare at the clock ticking away toward their release.

More than 340 people quarantined in Hong Kong following single case of H1N1 . Hong Kong health officials have been unwilling to see a repeat of the SARS . Those isolated due to remain in quarantine until Friday . Confined persons include 36 travelers in three-row vicinity of sick man aboard flight .

(CNN) -- The social media universe has been aghast this week after the revelation that Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia has invested $300 million in Twitter. The shock and awe seems to center around the notion that Twitter has been at least partly responsible for the Arab Spring uprisings that directly threaten the Saudi royal family's grip on power. On the surface, anyway, this seems like a contradiction. Why would the king's nephew be investing in the medium of his family's enemy? Will he attempt to influence the development of the network or try to make it more susceptible to censorship in a regime-threatening emergency? And what of Twitter? Will the participation of a major investor widely considered to be the beneficiary of one of the world's most exploitative dynasties tarnish the company's otherwise net-friendly brand image? Why would Twitter accept such an investor, and why would he court them in the first place? The answer, most simply, is for the money. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is no doubt aware of Twitter and Facebook's tremendous influence in his own and neighboring countries, and may even be personally concerned about what a revolution might do to his own and his family's sovereign rule. But why should that stop him from positioning himself to become the wealthiest deposed royal he can be? It's a win-win. For its part, Twitter, which isn't even a public company, is not actually selling shares to a Saudi Arabian prince. It's Twitter's early investors who are selling $300 million of their own shares to the Prince's investing group, "Kingdom Holding Company." Of course, Twitter benefited by selling those shares initially, and now benefits indirectly as the resale of these shares puts the company's total valuation up to $8.4 billion. The dismay and disillusionment associated with this transaction seems overblown to me, or at least misplaced. In short, we are looking at the wrong medium. We are not witnessing Twitter operate against its central, democratizing premise. We are witnessing money operate in perfect accordance with its own, highly abstracting premise. Money, by its very nature, launders. This is exactly what money and the corporation were invented 700 years ago to do: provide kings and other members of the aristocracy with a way to invest at arm's length in projects they may or may not want to be associated with. The corporation gives people a way to invest passively in companies whose operations they might not want to know about, much less be known for. Likewise, generic, central currencies give people who have done Lord-knows-what the very same access to markets as those who have earned their money through sweat or innovation. Once it's money, it is as clean as anyone else's money. Similarly, once you sell your business to shareholders, they can do what they like with the shares. That's what is meant by shareholding. In the simplest language possible, when you sell your business, you have sold your business. (Maybe that's why so many top people have been leaving Twitter lately. Their shares have vested and they are less restricted about what they can do with them once they quit.) This is the beauty and horror of investment capital. Just as a Saudi prince can invest in our revolution-inspiring Internet darlings, each of us is free to invest our own retirement savings in the likes of cigarette and liquor companies, weapons manufacturers, polluters, outsourcers and sweatshop exploiters. We can put our kids through college by investing in the very oil companies through which the Saudi royals made their money in the first place. Then, hopefully, our kids can go on to become peace workers, revolutionaries or even Twitter employees. Or not. If we're truly concerned about the long arm of international investing, we might best reconsider how we invest ourselves. Instead of relying on the anonymity of outsourced investing to the stock market, why not look around for who or what needs money in our towns and communities? The Obama administration is already in the process of curtailing the regulations that prevent nonmillionaire investors from putting money into one anothers' businesses. This means we can begin to depend on local money to start-up our own ventures, and on local ventures to build our own savings. And at that point, if we don't feel like having a Saudi Arabian prince participate, we can just say no. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Douglas Rushkoff.

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal invests $300 million in Twitter shares . Douglas Rushkoff: Investment will not inhibit Twitter's democratizing influence . He says the prince is doing what investors do everywhere: buying shares to make money . Rushkoff: Corporations allow investors to put money in without exercising control .

(CNN) -- Almost exactly a year ago, Stanford University took a bold step. It opened up an online version of three of its most popular Computer Science classes to everyone around the world, for free. Within weeks, close to 100,000 students or more were enrolled in each of these courses. Cumulatively, tens of thousands of students completed these courses and received a statement of accomplishment from the instructor. This was a real course experience. It started on a given day, and the students would watch videos weekly and do homework assignments. These were real homework assignments for a real grade, with a real deadline. One of those classes was taught by my co-founder, Andrew Ng. In his on-campus Stanford class, he reaches 400 students a year. It would have taken him 250 years to reach the number of students he reached through that one online course. The Stanford endeavor showed what is possible. It showed that it is possible to produce a high quality learning experience from some of the top instructors in the world at a very low cost. At the same time as this project was being run, it had become clear that changes in higher education were desperately necessary. A high-quality education is now a critical need for most people who aspire to a better life, while it continues to be out of reach for many. TED.com: The 100,000 student classroom . In many parts of the world, including large parts of Africa, Asia and South America, good education is often not available because of lack of capacity. Even in the United States, where education is arguably there to be had, it may not be within reach. Since 1985, tuition costs have gone up 559%, almost double the rate of the escalating costs of health care. This Stanford project led to the founding in early 2012 of Coursera, a social entrepreneurship company that hosts around 200 free courses from 33 of the world's best universities, including Princeton, Stanford, Penn, Michigan, Caltech, Duke, Illinois, Washington and others. The courses span a spectrum of topics: physics, biology, computer science, engineering, medicine, literature, sociology, poetry, business and many more. The courses are full courses complete with short video lectures, quizzes and assignments. For some courses, papers or projects are assessed through a peer grading system. They serve a rich community of learners from all over the world, crossing geographic, ethnic and language boundaries. More than 1.4 million students have enrolled to take these great courses, opening new intellectual horizons as well as opportunities. TED.com: Let's use video to reinvent education . One of the greatest opportunities of this technology, one that is yet untapped, is the window that it opens into understanding human learning. The data that one can measure is unprecedented in both the level of detail and in its scale. Thus, we can apply data analytics in entirely new ways to understand what works and what doesn't, ranging from general educational strategies to specific design choices for a given course. This transformation from a hypothesis-driven to a data-driven mode has revolutionized other disciplines, such as biology, and may now allow us to systematically improve the quality of education. This paradigm, which combines meaningful work that can be graded at scale with peer-teaching among students, allows us to offer some of our best educational content to students around the world, at a negligible marginal cost of pennies per student. It therefore makes feasible the notion of universal education, with the potential of some remarkable consequence. TED.com: Teach statistics before calculus . First, it allows us to establish education as a basic human right, so that anyone with the motivation and the ability would have the opportunity to get the skills that they need to make a better life for themselves, their families and their communities. Second, it enables lifelong learning. For many of us, learning stops when we finish our formal education. With the availability of these amazing courses, we would always have the opportunity to explore new directions, whether to expand our minds or to make a change in our lives. Finally, it opens the door to a wave of innovation. Because talent can be found everywhere. Maybe the next Albert Einstein or the next Steve Jobs is living in some remote village in Africa. With access to education, he or she can come up with the next big idea and help make the world a better place for all of us. As Tom Friedman wrote in May, "Big breakthroughs happen when what is suddenly possible meets what is desperately necessary." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Daphne Koller.

Daphne Koller: Three Stanford computer science courses were opened to all online . She says thousands took part, showing the hunger for education around world . Online education could upgrade skills, reach people who couldn't afford college, she says . Koller: Online education enables lifelong learning and promotes innovation .

(CNN) -- Paul J. Zak is the founding Director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies and Professor of Economics, Psychology and Management at Claremont Graduate University. He is the author of The Moral Molecule: The Source of Love and Prosperity. Evolution does not promote happiness. Most creatures live on the edge of survival and do whatever it takes to get through another day. Yet, many human beings seek to be, and often are, happy. How did that happen? I spent a decade running neuroscience experiments to understand why humans are, much of the time, moral. We expect others to be honest, trustworthy, and kind and are outraged when they are not. As I report in my recent book The Moral Molecule: The Source of Love and Prosperity, my experiments showed that a then largely-ignored brain chemical in humans, oxytocin, motivates moral behaviors. Oxytocin does this by producing the feeling of empathy: When we are emotionally connected to others we tend to treat them well. My studies showed this was true even between complete strangers. Over 2,000 years ago, Aristotle claimed that morality comes from being in community with others. My experiments confirm this. Aristotle also argued that practicing virtue made one happy. I decided to put this to the test. I found that individuals who release the most oxytocin -- I call them "oxytocin-adepts" -- were more satisfied with their lives compared to those who release less oxytocin. Why? They had better relationships of all types: Romantic, friendships, family, and they even shared more money with strangers in laboratory experiments. The moral molecule morphed in the happy molecule. Happiness largely comes from other people for social creatures like us. The logic step was to see if I could hack the happiness molecule. There is evidence in animals that repeated release of oxytocin biases the brain to release it more easily. In other words, it might be possible to become and oxytocin-adept. I began by refusing to shake hands. My experiments had shown that touch causes the release of oxytocin, so I replaced the handshake with a hug. Yes, for everyone, even on a first meeting. I found that after an embrace people opened up and connected to me much better than before I started this practice. My second hack was spending an extra second looking at people's faces and then telling them what I saw. "Hi Laura, you look sad today, are you OK?" Or, "Hi Jorge, you really look happy, tell me what you've been doing?" People appreciated my focus on how they felt and conversations went from the superficial to what really mattered. I was practicing empathy. My third hack was the most difficult. Oxytocin is sometimes called the "love chemical" because it sustains bonds between romantic partners and between parents and children. I decided to tell my friends and colleagues that I loved them. The response was overwhelming. Everyone lit up, some cried, everyone returned the love in words and deeds. I even earned the nickname "Dr. Love." Did I really hack the happiness molecule? I certainly feel much more connected to those around me, more open to emotional experiences, and, well, happier. I recently turned 50 and I was amazed when I had four surprise birthday parties on the same day. I think my brain hacks have made me a better friend, father, and colleague. Rich social networks extend life and improve health, so you might want to try to hack your oxytocin, too. Here's your to-do list: Give eight hugs a day, focus on how those around you feel, and yes, use the "L" word when you can. If you find these difficult, start using them on a dog. My experiments have shown dogs are better oxytocin stimulators than other pets, and better stress-reducers, too. One more suggestion: Last year I decided to end every conversation with the word "service," as in, "I am at your service." If I'm in a meeting, the person I'm with wants something from me. My new hack is to give others what they want generously whenever possible. Nearly everyone is surprised and pleased by this and I typically get back much more than I have offered. I'm an introvert who learned to revel in community. If you can hack the happiness molecule like I have, then I've been of service. And that makes me happy. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Paul J. Zak.

Paul J. Zak: I spent a decade trying understand why humans are usually moral . His new book reports how brain chemical oxytocin motivates moral behaviors . He also tests Aristotle's theory that practicing virtue made one happy . The logical step was to see if I could hack the happiness molecule, he writes .

Washington (CNN) -- The Obama administration aims to cut the annual number of new HIV infections in the United States by 25 percent over the next five years, according to a nationwide HIV/AIDS strategy unveiled Tuesday. Federal officials are also seeking to combat a growing sense of complacency about the disease, partly by reducing the percentage of infected Americans who are unaware of their status. Specifically, the strategy focuses on three key areas: reducing the number of people who become infected, increasing access to care, and decreasing HIV-related health disparities. "The actions we take now will build upon a legacy of global leadership, national commitment, and sustained efforts on the part of Americans from all parts of the country and all walks of life to end the HIV epidemic in the United States and around the world," President Barack Obama said in a memorandum sent to a number of federal departments and agencies. "The question is not whether we know what to do, but whether we will do it," the president said Tuesday evening at a White House reception. "Whether we will fulfill those obligations .... to prevent a tragedy." The White House's goal, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius noted, is to make new infections rare while ensuring that those who are infected have an "unfettered access to high quality life-extending care free from stigma and discrimination." Among other things, the strategy calls for an intensification of HIV prevention efforts among communities where the disease is most heavily concentrated. It highlights the need to steer federal grant money toward organizations dealing with high-risk groups such as gay and bisexual men and illegal substance users. It also cites the importance of greater education and "scientifically proven biomedical and behavioral approaches" to reduce the spread of the disease, including the use of condoms, abstinence, HIV testing, and access to sterile needles and syringes. While the spread of the disease has slowed since the 1980s, an estimated 56,000 Americans still contract HIV each year, according to White House Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes. Roughly 1.1 million Americans are currently living with HIV. Approximately 1 in 5 infected Americans is unaware of his or her status, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The plan does not call for a major increase in the roughly $19 billion the federal government spends on HIV/AIDS programs, though administration officials on Tuesday cited new benefits provided by the recently passed health care reform law. One leading HIV/AIDS activist, however, was sharply critical of the administration's strategy. Michael Weinstein, president of the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, told CNN in an interview that "when you see what this administration has done on AIDS, you have to give them very low grades." Obama has "consistently underfunded AIDS" programs, Weinstein said. The president "did not mention the word AIDS for the first five months of his administration. This national AIDS strategy has been worked on for 15 months, [and] I think it could have been done in 15 minutes. There's nothing new in it." Weinstein criticized the administration's intention to redirect money to those groups at greatest risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. "It's not good to pit one group against another and it's unnecessary," he said. "The bottom line is that we should be seeking to get all sexually active people to get an HIV test." The White House announcement came less than a week after a group of scientists published a study saying they had made a key discovery that could help in the development of an HIV vaccine. Scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said last week that they had found three human antibodies that neutralize more than 90 percent of the current circulating HIV-1 strains. "This is significant because we've now found antibodies that are good templates for HIV vaccine development," said Peter Kwong, co-author of the study published last Thursday in the journal Science. More than 18,000 people with AIDS die each year in the United States, according to the CDC. More than 576,000 people with AIDS have died in the United States since the epidemic began. The World Health Organization says AIDS accounted for an estimated 2 million deaths in 2008, and more than 33 million people are living with HIV worldwide. CNN's Alan Silverleib and Dick Uliano contributed to this report .

A leading AIDS activist criticizes the White House for underfunding HIV/AIDS efforts . The White House HIV/AIDS plan focuses on reducing infections and increasing access to care . Roughly 1.1 million Americans are infected with HIV/AIDS . AIDS accounted for 2 million deaths worldwide in 2008, the World Health Organization says .

(CNN) -- There's a lot to be said for determination. Two years ago, a contraption that looked a bit like a bouncy ball attached to a clothesline, took flight in a pioneering experiment in the German countryside. A YouTube clip of a man flying the electric "Multicopter" attracted over 8 million hits, with comments ranging from: "AMAZING MACHINE!" to "Not sure you could pay me enough to sit in the middle of flying blenders bolted together." Regardless, the three German engineers behind the baffling creation plowed ahead with their dream of making an electric helicopter. Last week it paid off. There wasn't a bouncy ball in sight as the slick white "Volocopter" took to the air for the first time, quietly hovering 20 meters high, while its ecstatic creators cheered below. Featuring 18 propellers on a lightweight carbon frame, the futuristic copter -- which has been around €4 million ($5.4 million) in the making -- could change the way we commute forever. "What we're looking at now, is in the future where everyone is traveling not by car, but by some kind of aircraft," explained Stephan Wolf, co-chief executive of e-volo, the company behind the remarkable flying machine. "Normal helicopters are very hard to fly. But we thought 'what if you could have a helicopter that is easy for the pilot to fly, and cheap compared to other aircraft?'" Clever copter . Powered by a 100 kilogram battery, the two-passenger Volocopter can travel at least 70 kilometers per hour, recently making its first remote-controlled flight in a hanger in Karlsruhe, southwest Germany. The chopper weighs just 300 kilograms in total. One limitation is that it currently only has enough power to fly for 20 minutes -- though designers are looking at ways of increasing this, or introducing a hybrid engine. Many small rotors -- attached to a 10-meter wide circular frame -- also help the eco-friendly machine hover more easily than other helicopters. "If you let the joystick go, the Volocopter will just hover in the current position, so there's nothing the pilot has to do," said Wolf. "But if you do that in another helicopter it will crash immediately." Reimagining the city . Indeed, the Volocopter's simplicity sets it apart from other helicopters, and its creators hope in the future commuters will be able to take their electric aircraft to work, instead of languishing in gridlocked cars below. The European Union is already looking at ways personal aerial vehicles (PAVs) could revolutionize urban spaces. It might sound like a scene from the Jetsons, but a city where flying machines replace cars isn't as far off as it seems. "The most helicopters in the world are in Sao Paulo, Brazil," explained Wolf. "They have several thousand movements per day because the streets are congested and everyone who can afford it is taking the helicopter to go from one building to the next. "You can imagine this happening in a big city in Germany. And already we've been approached by several companies who'd like to do it, maybe with landing pads on buildings." The team hopes to sell its first Volocopter by 2015, with each machine setting you back €250,000 ($338,000). They're now on the lookout for further funding to develop their unique design. Think big . It's a long way from the first awkward-looking Multicopter test flight in 2011. Even more impressive, considering Wolf himself was a computer software engineer for 25 years before turning his attention to futuristic flying machines -- "I was dreaming of building a helicopter since I was a child," he said. Then there's the other e-volo founders -- Thomas Senkal, a former physicist, and Alexander Zosel, who managed a disco for almost 10 years, who also got on board the pioneering project. "I think everyone wants to fly," said Wolf. "Helicopters are very expensive and people think maybe this is a way to be a pilot themselves. "In 20 or 30 years from now there will be even more cities with millions more people living in them and transportation will be a big problem. Maybe you need to go up in the air to solve these problems."

Introducing e-volo's Volocopter: multi-rotor electric helicopter makes maiden flight . Eco-friendly machine powered by 100 kg battery, can travel 70kph . Part of EU scheme looking at how personal aerial vehicles could replace cars . Expected to be available by 2015, would cost around $338,000 .

(CNN) -- This time it'll be Jason Dufner who laughs last and loudest. For months he's been ribbed by his pals for dozing off during a visit to a school arranged through the PGA Tour, creating a phenomenon that became internationally known as "Dufnering." The 36-year-old captured his maiden major title at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill in New York on Sunday, two years after his heartbreaking playoff defeat to Keegan Bradley. And don't be surprised if the Alabama resident does another spot of "Dufnering" this week, this time with a major difference -- the Wanamaker Trophy will be by his side. "I checked out there," Dufner told CNN of the moment when he fell asleep on a trip to Dallas that was subsequently recreated by Bradley, Rory McIlroy and Bubba Watson to name but a few. "That's the only time I did it, actually I did it once with Lindsey Vonn because she asked me. "They caught me in a moment of relaxation and then the guys out here tried to give me a good ribbing on it and tried to get me in trouble. "I ran with it and it turned out to be a good thing and a lot of people have taken to it so maybe I'll give them a special treat when I get home later this week with the trophy." Dufner has become a cult figure on Tour due to his "moment of relaxation" but also because of his incredibly laid back demeanor. His mood barely seems to flicker away from calm and composed -- some people criticizing him for a lack of emotion -- and during his charge to the title he was still seen chewing tobacco. Dufner says his climb to the pinnacle of the game has kept him grounded and that his new found success won't alter him. "A lot of things are going to change in my life because of this but I don't think it's going to change me one bit," he explained. "That's just who I am, the way my parents raised me, that's the way I've been since day one. "No matter what success I've had I've always had a lot of the same friends, the people that have been with me through college and through the mini tours. "I've had the same caddy for 12 years which is pretty darn though out here. Those are the type of relationships I build and that's the type of guy I am." That it was the PGA Championship crown that helped him break his major duck was fitting. Two years ago Dufner blew a five-shot lead over Bradley, eventually losing to his U.S. Ryder Cup teammate in a playoff. But after he fired a final round of 68 to finish on 10-under Bradley was one of the first to congratulate him, having raced back from the airport to toast his friend's victory. "It made me hungrier actually to be so close and lose it like I did," Dufner said of his near miss at the Atlanta Athletic Club in 2011. "I was able to learn from all the mistakes I made, learn from that experience and put it all together this week. "Unfortunately when I did lose I was a little disappointed but I think it helped me in the long run. "It's tough because you're not sure what happened or did I really do this but to be in the company of people who've won majors now and to have my name on the Wannamaker Trophy -- unbelievable feeling." Dufner's triumph marks the end of an arduous 13-year rise to the top of the game. After turning professional in 2000 he flitted between the PGA Tour and its feeder competition, the Nationwide Tour. He's remained his usual unflappable self throughout his journey and has gone from strength to strength since cementing his spot on the PGA Tour in 2009. "It's always been a struggle for me," Dufner explained. "I felt like I was talented but I went through the ranks, whether it be junior golf, college golf, mini tour, early pro golf it was a struggle. "There were moments of greatness followed by a lot of disappointment and frustration and question marks but the last couple years I've really solidified my spot out here on the PGA Tour. "Now I'm getting more comfortable trying to win these tournaments."

Jason Dufner celebrates his first ever major title with success at U.S. PGA Championship . Dufner says he might celebrate by doing a spot of 'Dufnering' pose with his trophy . The 36-year-old was teased by fellow pros for falling asleep on a school visit in Dallas . Dufner insists his first major victory won't change him one bit as a person .

Sanaa, Yemen (CNN)Deposed Yemeni President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi picked up support Monday from the Gulf Cooperation Council, with that regional group of six Arab states calling on the Yemeni people to support Hadi against Houthi militants who forced him from office. Hadi escaped from the capital, Sanaa, on Saturday after being under house arrest for a month following his resignation under pressure from Houthi rebels. After his escape, he released a statement declaring he is still President of Yemen, and calling all political decision made since September illegal and invalid. The statement from the Gulf Cooperation Council Monday echoed Hadi, with council members stressing that all procedures taken by the Houthi after their coup were invalid. According to two presidential aides, Hadi met Monday with an official Saudi delegation that informed him of Saudi Arabia's recognition of him as the constitutional President of Yemen. Meanwhile the Gulf council -- whose member countries are the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait -- urged the U.N. Security Council to consider measures against the Houthis, and the council called on the Houthis to release Prime Minister Khalid Bahah along with government ministers who remain under Houthi arrest. A nephew of the President was kidnapped Sunday by Houthi rebels, two security officials in Ibb province told CNN. The nephew, Nasser Ahmed Mansour Hadi, was heading to the seaport province of Aden, where the President fled after escaping from house arrest. Tens of thousands of anti-Houthi protesters took to the streets Monday for the third continuous day in support of Hadi. On Sunday, Sanaa saw large demonstrations calling for an end to the militant occupation of the city, and urging Hadi to stand against the Houthis. "The Houthis thought they could not be stopped, and it only took hours for them to fall in the eyes of the people. Yemen has a President and the people will stand with him to uproot the Houthi militants from Sanaa," Ali Al-Saedi, a protest organizer in Sanaa, told CNN. In Taiz, tens of thousands took to the streets to show support for the legitimacy of Hadi as President, and to condemn the continued Houthi takeover of the capital. They carried placards reading "Out to militant rule, return of government institutions." Last month, Houthis attacked the presidential palace and ministerial Cabinet, forcing both the President and Prime Minister to resign. Houthi militants then put Hadi under house arrest. Since then, Houthis have failed to form a government or reach a deal with other political factions for the formation of a presidential council. The militants tightened their grip on power over the last month, but the House of Representatives has not met to accept Hadi's resignation. Hours after Hadi fled Sanaa on Saturday, Houthi officials tried to force parliamentarians to meet immediately to accept his resignation, but their efforts failed. On Monday, a senior aide to Hadi said the ousted President sent a letter to Yemen's head of Parliament asking that his resignation be withdrawn. The ruling General People's Congress Party, headed by Yemen's former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, which holds a majority of seats in Parliament, said it will not push for a Parliament vote to accept the resignation of Hadi. "Hadi is the President of Yemen, since his resignation has yet to officially reach Parliament. Yemen is still led by a constitutional elected President," said Abdul Aziz Jubari, the secretary general of the independent Justice and Building Party. Houthis are Shiite Muslims who have long felt marginalized in the majority Sunni Muslim country. They had been at war with the central government for more than a decade, but their entry into Sanaa in September brought things to a head, sparking battles that left than 300 people dead before a ceasefire was agreed to that month. Houthis then pressured Hadi to step down last month after he refused to agree to certain political demands. The Houthis' takeover of Sanaa stunned governments of Western nations, which pulled out diplomatic staff this month. Foreign evacuation continued in the Yemeni capital as Egypt evacuated all its Embassy staff and closed its Embassy on Monday morning. Earlier this month, the United States, along with most European and Gulf countries, suspended operations in their embassies in Yemen amid growing unrest. CNN's Jason Hanna, Ed Payne, Ben Brumfield and Greg Botelho contributed to this report.

Aide: Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi has sent a letter to Parliament withdrawing his resignation . Hadi was deposed from his post by Houthi rebels last month, but says he's still President . Six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council say they support Hadi .

(CNN) -- Miles Craigwell is a 21st-century warrior. The armor has come off, the helmet lays on the side of the field. Gone are his gridiron days -- this is rugby sevens and it's as fast as it is brutal. "We're modern-day gladiators," the 27-year-old told CNN's Rugby Sevens Worldwide show. "We are out there fighting, we are brotherhood, together, we're teammates. We hit each other for one another and we have each others' backs, so I think that sums it up very much." Craigwell knows all about being in a battle -- after an impressive college career at Brown University, he was tipped for big things when he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. But after failing to make the grade and with his life at a crossroads, he moved back to Boston where a chance glance at a television changed everything. "I just happened to be in a diner and I saw the rugby on TV," he said. "And then, right then and there I called my agent and told him, this is the sport I want to do. "Football wasn't working out at the time and I didn't want to go into the corporate 9-5 just yet. "I felt like I still had athletic bones in me. So I saw it and I was like, you know, it involves a lot of things that football does; running, tackling, hitting. Just using your speed and physicality. "So I called up my agent, told him to get in touch with the USA coach, and then from there I was welcomed to try out with his summer club team, and then from the club team I went to nationals, and then from there got invited to the USA camp." Since making the switch in 2010, Craigwell has not looked back, becoming an integral part of the U.S. team -- which is seeking to break into the sport's top-10 rankings -- despite his late entry into the game. But while some of the skills he gained in gridiron have helped him adapt, Craigwell still can't get over how different the game is from the one he witnessed in the comfort of that Boston diner. "It was definitely appealing on TV but in real life it was more than I expected," he explained. "The fitness levels necessary was beyond my imagination. I ran track and played football in college at the collegiate level, and coming off of the rugby pitch you're more drained and more tired than any other sport I've participated in. "I'd say football has the hardest hit because you wear a helmet and shoulder pads -- people think they're invincible. "But it's going to hurt on the rugby pitch as well because you don't have any padding. It's flesh to flesh, so whatever you work out and whatever you have, whatever God's given to you and whatever you make in the gym is going to help you out on the pitch. "So it's imperative that you work out, you lift and go out there with your best birthday suit on." One of the biggest differences Craigwell encountered was the speed of the game and the levels of concentration. Sevens is a non-stop sport, with games divided into seven-minute halves -- a world away from the stop-start nature of the NFL. "In football it's really just three or four seconds of concentration," he said. "But in rugby it's the full seven minutes so you're hitting someone here, then you have to get up, then you might have to hit the next person who has the ball -- it's just continual play. "Whereas in football you have water breaks, you have timeouts, TV timeouts and then you go from offense to defense and vice versa. "You have to be skilled in both attack and defense in rugby, which is pretty different from football, where you might just focus on offense or you might just focus on defense." While his friends and family might not have caught up yet with all the new rules and changes, Craigwell says he has been given a huge amount of support following his decision. With the sevens circuit set to arrive in Las Vegas on January 24, the winger is hoping the tournament will capture the imagination of the locals -- although he's already looking forward to a night out in "Sin City." "The Vegas tournament is great," he said. "I mean it's Vegas -- what more do you need? "What better attraction do you need to get out there and go? "We have a great following in the States and everybody loves to go to Vegas, so it's a really good tournament. It's one of my best."

Miles Craigwell plays rugby sevens for the United States . He was drafted by NFL team Miami Dolphins after college . Craigwell failed to make the grade and took up rugby instead . U.S. welcomes sevens circuit to Las Vegas in January .

(CNN) -- The hottest way to present your resume currently involves just 140 characters and a lot of hype. Twitter resumes -- or "twesumes" -- have been touted as the best way for social media-savvy types to snag a dream job. But before you post your own abbreviated CV, it is worth considering its limitations and what tweeting your employment history really says about you. "I cannot imagine someone explaining their breadth of experience in 140 characters," says Sai Pradhan, a headhunter and managing director for Trufflepig Search, based in Hong Kong. "I know people are calling it an elevator pitch these days, but my goodness, even that's a bit longer. At most it could be an introduction with a link to your CV." The term twesume (a contraction of "Twitter" and "resume") began gaining traction in 2011 after it appeared in an article by Sean Weinberg on social media news site, Mashable. Weinberg co-founded the website RezScore, which allows users to upload their resumes and receive an algorithmic-based grading on it. In subsequent years, the 140-character CV has been hailed by some as ushering in a brave new world of truncated, social media-reliant resumes. It was reported last year that U.S. venture capital firm Union Square Ventures and a handful of American tech companies were to only accept links to jobseekers' "web presence" -- from blogs to Twitter accounts -- instead of traditional resumes. Read more: Fake Amazon resume a huge hit . Earlier this year, the chief marketing officer of U.S. technology company Enterasys, Vala Afshar, announced that he would only consider Twitter applications for a senior social media strategist position with a six-figure salary. All candidates were supposed to use the hashtag #socialCV and possess more than 1,000 Twitter followers. Afshar says he heard from hundreds of applicants and selected 15 for in-person interviews. "The main point of this process is that the selection committee, including me, never references their CV," he wrote to CNN in an email. "The process was purely a digital research and conversation-oriented recruitment process." Although Pradhan is enthusiastic about the business potential for companies using social media, she isn't convinced that Twitter will replace the resume for job-seekers. For her an updated profile on LinkedIn is more useful. However a tidy web presence is increasingly important. International advertising firm Ogilvy & Mather is currently hiring a director-level candidate for its social media team in Hong Kong. Application instructions for a similar posting last year warned: "Take a look at your Twitter / Weibo profile and if you find the words: maven / guru / expert? No need to apply. We want people whose focus it is to build our clients' profiles, not their own." The implication is that while social media has made it easier for direct access to companies advertising on Twitter or LinkedIn, it has also made it much easier for unqualified wannabes to jam up the job search. Read more: What's your office personality type? For Pradhan, who recruits middle to senior level marketing and communications professionals, checking job candidates' social media is the final stage in the process. She mentions a recent Asia-wide search for a director of digital marketing as an example: . "We basically honed it down to five candidates. And at that point, we actually looked at their online presence. We knew them on paper. We had talked to them in person and interviewed them a few times. And then it was time to see that they've actually been doing what they say." For businesses, Twitter is just part of the evolving cornucopia of platforms to share and engage with potential partners and customers. The same principles that apply to selling goods are also valid for job-seekers marketing their skills. "Back in the day, the only way to generate authority in your field was to speak at conferences and write papers and things like that," says Pradhan. "Now you can write a blog. Now you can post relevant content to connect with an audience. You can create followers for yourself. It's a way to build credibility." Whatever the next platform for self-promotion, she urged jobseekers not to abandon commonsense and real-world skills: "Nothing beats meeting someone in person, shaking their hand and saying, 'I really want to work with you.' That's what it comes down to. Among all these online experiences, the success comes in moving them offline.

Twitter resumes have been touted as new method to land a job . Format has been hyped up and value questioned by headhunters . Some companies say they only consult job seekers' 'web presence' Recruitment expert believes 'twesumes' can play a part in a person's digital profile .

(CNN) -- A magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck the Pacific near American Samoa, triggering towering tsunami waves that gushed over the island and leaving at least 22 people dead. The tsunami wave hit right in the middle of the harbor of Pago Pago, the capital. American Samoa Gov. Togiola Tulafono, speaking from Hawaii, said Tuesday's quake ranked "right up there with some of the worst" disasters on the island. He said about 50 people had been treated for injuries so far but he expected that number to rise. The quake hit the small cluster of South Pacific islands early Tuesday morning. By evening, Laumoli, standing outside the LBJ Tropical Medican Center morgue in the capital of Pago Pago, confirmed 22 deaths. "I thought it was the end of the world," said Dr. Salamo Laumoli, director of health services. "I have never felt an earthquake like that before." Laumoli feared more fatalities would turn up as rescue workers were still trying to access parts of the island severed by damaged infrastructure. Laumoli said people in outlying villages on one end of the main island have been cut off because the main bridge was washed away. "Two or three villages have been badly damaged," he told CNN International. Listen to Laumoli speak about the impact of the quake and tsunami » . Tulafono cited extensive damage to roads, buildings and homes, and said he had spoken to the military about mobilizing reserve forces for assistance. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, canceled tsunami watches and warnings for American Samoa about four hours after the earthquake hit. However, a tsunami advisory is still in effect for for the coastal areas of California and Oregon. Watch report on end of tsunami warning » . The Japan Meteorological Agency also activated a tsunami advisory along its eastern coast. The precautionary alert means that the height of a possible tsunami wave would be less than a foot and a half. President Barack Obama "declared a major disaster exists in the Territory of American Samoa" late Tuesday and ordered federal aid to supplement local efforts. The declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals. The tsunami waves hit right in the middle of the Pago Pago harbor, the capital, said Cinta Brown, an American Samoa homeland security official working at the island's emergency operations center. The water devastated the village of Leone. Watch a resident talk about what happened » . "The wave came onshore and washed out people's homes," Brown said. The same happened on the hard-hit east and west sides of American Samoa, she said. The quake generated three separate tsunami waves, the largest measuring 5.1 feet from sea level height, said Vindell Hsu, a geophysicist with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Preliminary data had originally reported a larger tsunami. Officials in the U.S. territory issued a clear call and were focusing on assessing the damage, Brown said. Reports of damage were still emerging, but a bulletin from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the waves "may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts. Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility." Tulafono, the governor, was on his way back home Tuesday night on one of two U.S. Coast Guard C-130 transport planes flying to American Samoa with aid. The Coast Guard also will transport more than 20 officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to American Samoa, said John Hamill, external affairs officer for FEMA in Oakland, California. The FEMA team will include a variety of debris experts, housing experts, members of the Corps of Engineers, and other disaster relief specialists, Hamill said. Tulafono told reporters Tuesday that it was hard being away from home when disaster came calling. It was a time, he said, for families to be together. Those who experienced the massive quake described it as a terrifying event. Brown was standing in a parking lot when her sports utility vehicle began rocking left and right. "You could hear the rattling of the metal" of a large chain link fence around the lot, Brown said. "It shakes you because you know something else is coming," she said. CNN's Augie Martin, Mariano Castillo, Moni Basu, Tess Eastment and Nick Valencia contributed to this report .

NEW: White House declares major disaster; orders federal aid . U.S. sending plane with aid, officials to help American Samoa . Magnitude-8.0 quake strikes near Samoan Islands early Tuesday . Quake struck at depth of 7.4 miles, triggered three 5-foot tsunamis .

(CNN) -- It's a nerve-wracking week for the 20 young journalists of South Africa's newest youth magazine. It's nearly deadline day and the Cape Town office is a buzz of activity as the finishing touches are made to the first magazine aimed at the mainstream youth of South Africa. But it's also a publication that's been made entirely by the same people it's targeting. "It's not just them writing articles and then a professional team taking that and making it pretty," said founder of Live Magazine South Africa, Gavin Weale. "Live SA has been commissioned by young people, subedited, designed and illustrated. We even have young people working on the circulation, distribution and marketing," he added. But along with producing 48-pages of news, views and entertainment the project is bringing together young people from a range of different backgrounds and races. The results are breaking boundaries and giving many of the youngsters an opportunity to realize their full potential, the founders say. One of the writers, Ntomboxolo Nana, has aspirations of one day working as a professional journalist. Just a few years ago she was a member of a gang and spent time in prison. "She has tried to apply for college but is struggling to get in to school so we are giving her a platform to get in to school. We hope that the experience she gets here will push her into journalism," explains Live Project Co-ordinator, Nkuli Mlangeni. Mlangeni says the magazine is also providing young people with a platform to speak out about issues that are affecting them. "It's a place for them to communicate to other young people in their age group about the political situation, education system and discuss what culture they are interested in," she said. She adds that a lot of the media in South African is run by an older generation. "They didn't have places to do this before, there are blogs and social networking but internet is still not accessible to everyone so this is a good medium as the magazine will be distributed for free," she continued. Nana is currently writing a story about an issue that the younger generation have been protesting about in the area. A child was beaten up at a school in Khayelitsha on the principal's orders. Nana's piece about violence in schools hopes to give a voice to some of the concerns the younger generation have had with the incident. Another writer is working on a 'dummies guide' to the ANC youth leader, Julius Malema. There will also be articles reviewing products and advice and tips for school-leavers and young entrepreneurs. Kenyan youth find their superhero . Live magazine originated in the UK and after a decade in business and a circulation of 30,000 the success of the quarterly publication prompted Weale to bring the concept to South Africa. Weale secured funding for the project from the Shuttleworth Foundation, a social innovation agency set up by Mark Shuttleworth, a famous South African entrepreneur. But the hope is for the magazine to become the authentic voice of South African youth and be entirely self-sustainable within one to two years. The reporters are aged 18-25 and come from a range of different circumstances. Weale says the editor comes from one of the most dangerous townships in Cape Town and is working alongside youngsters who have had more privileged upbringings. The organization is also working with 'remote' contributors in surrounding townships through regular workshops. However, despite the youngsters different backgrounds, the professional mentors that guide and train the youngsters report that a common theme unites them. "All the kids wanted to address the segregation in Cape Town, they all wanted to talk about that and use the magazine as a platform to discuss it," said Mlangeni. Another mentor, photographer Chris Saunders, has been honing the youngster's camera skills. He says it's been incredible hearing how everyone has interacted with each other. "The conversations they've had while they are working in the same room have broken a lot of boundaries," he said. "There is still a rift between many communities and people are still separated by language and cultures and this has really been a bridge to that," he continued. "They sit in a room and talk about their different cultures and problems. It's been a learning curve for us as well." The first issue of Live SA will hit the streets in mid-November across the Western Cape and Gauteng. But Live has future ambitions to take the concept to other parts of Africa. "There are millions of young people out there who are hungry for this kind of opportunity, so it can't happen too fast!" Weale said.

Live Magazine South Africa is written for and produced by young people in Cape Town . The first issue will be published mid-November . The 48-pages of news, views and entertainment aims to give a voice to the younger generation . The reporters are aged 18-25 and come from a range of different circumstances .

(CNN) -- Andrew Ferguson makes the college admissions process feel a lot like an M. Night Shyamalan movie: Plenty of drama and tension. Maybe a little terror. And plot twists that will leave parents saying, "I did not see that coming." Ferguson's new book, "Crazy U: One Dad's Crash Course Into Getting His Kid Into College" is part comic memoir and part parental prep guide. Ferguson, a senior editor at The Weekly Standard, jokes that the book is primer on how to prevent a murder. "This isn't a book about how to get your kid into college," he said. "It's about how to survive getting your kid into college." But with all the sage advice on navigating the potholes and mazes of college admissions, "Crazy U" also is a poignant read about parents helping their beloved son leave home and find success at a decent school. Ferguson chatted with CNN and the following is an edited transcript: . CNN: A lot of the application process seems to be about mom and dad and not about the student. Ferguson: It's sort of parenthood concentrated. It's all of the ironies of parenthood put together because, of course, the job of a parent is to teach the people that you can't live without, to live without you. You sort of fulfill yourself by denying yourself. That's what goes on in this college admissions process. You're trying to help the kid leave you. There are some parents who think that's great, but most of the parents I know feel pretty torn about that. On one hand I'm writing about the struggles my son had getting through the process. On the other, I'm writing about the struggles my wife and I had. Two sides of the same coin. CNN: How much of the research and application process should be the student's and how much should be the parents? Ferguson: Every parent and child are going to have to determine that for themselves. Even against your best intentions, the process has a way of sucking you in. There are little trapdoors built into the process that demand the parent get involved. My son assumed the posture of one of those bodies floating face-down in that scene of "Titanic." I think that was a reaction to my over-aggressiveness. But I knew I was going to have to poke him once in a while. CNN: Does he understand now why you did what you did? Ferguson: I really don't know. I do know that he's extremely happy where he is and he's thriving. How much of that entails gratitude to his mother and father is not clear. He's read the book and he hasn't tried to murder me or anything, so I assume it wasn't entirely offensive to him. I've often thought the key to the whole process is how to keep your kid from murdering you, and how to keep from murdering your kid. If you can get through this thing without homicide, I think that's a victory in itself. CNN: You write that for every piece of advice you get, there's another piece of advice to counter it. Ferguson: That's how everybody ends up. They may not admit it, but that's what everybody does. I talk about this law of constant contradiction which seems as ironclad as anything Newton or Einstein came up with. That's partly because there's so much advice out there. It's almost inevitable that someone will say, "Proofread your application." And someone else will say, "Put a bunch of typos in your application so that you can say something original." The problem with a lot of the advice on the Web is that it may be good, but you don't know where it's coming from. Are you supposed to trust someone who calls himself Puppy Wuppy or RodtheBod69? CNN: The problems you describe mainly concern those applying to higher-end universities, right? Ferguson: I don't want to sound ungrateful. These are high-class problems. The kind of craziness and frenzy that I describe is something well-to-do or prosperous people put on themselves. But it's seeping down into income levels where you wouldn't expect it. A lot of this is caused by things that are very admirable, like our love for our children and our desire to see them get ahead.

Andrew Ferguson writes book on how to survive getting your kid in college . Ferguson: Admissions process is about helping one you can't live without, live without you . No ironclad rules, but take advice from "RodtheBod69" with a grain of salt . It's chiefly a problem for the prosperous, he admits, but other income levels deal with it, too .

(CNN) -- A magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck the Pacific near American Samoa, triggering towering tsunami waves that gushed over the island and leaving at least 22 people dead. The tsunami wave hit right in the middle of the harbor of Pago Pago, the capital. American Samoa Gov. Togiola Tulafono, speaking from Hawaii, said Tuesday's quake ranked "right up there with some of the worst" disasters on the island. He said about 50 people had been treated for injuries so far but he expected that number to rise. The quake hit the small cluster of South Pacific islands early Tuesday morning. By evening, Laumoli, standing outside the LBJ Tropical Medican Center morgue in the capital of Pago Pago, confirmed 22 deaths. "I thought it was the end of the world," said Dr. Salamo Laumoli, director of health services. "I have never felt an earthquake like that before." Laumoli feared more fatalities would turn up as rescue workers were still trying to access parts of the island severed by damaged infrastructure. Laumoli said people in outlying villages on one end of the main island have been cut off because the main bridge was washed away. "Two or three villages have been badly damaged," he told CNN International. Listen to Laumoli speak about the impact of the quake and tsunami » . Tulafono cited extensive damage to roads, buildings and homes, and said he had spoken to the military about mobilizing reserve forces for assistance. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, canceled tsunami watches and warnings for American Samoa about four hours after the earthquake hit. However, a tsunami advisory is still in effect for for the coastal areas of California and Oregon. Watch report on end of tsunami warning » . The Japan Meteorological Agency also activated a tsunami advisory along its eastern coast. The precautionary alert means that the height of a possible tsunami wave would be less than a foot and a half. President Barack Obama "declared a major disaster exists in the Territory of American Samoa" late Tuesday and ordered federal aid to supplement local efforts. The declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals. The tsunami waves hit right in the middle of the Pago Pago harbor, the capital, said Cinta Brown, an American Samoa homeland security official working at the island's emergency operations center. The water devastated the village of Leone. Watch a resident talk about what happened » . "The wave came onshore and washed out people's homes," Brown said. The same happened on the hard-hit east and west sides of American Samoa, she said. The quake generated three separate tsunami waves, the largest measuring 5.1 feet from sea level height, said Vindell Hsu, a geophysicist with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Preliminary data had originally reported a larger tsunami. Officials in the U.S. territory issued a clear call and were focusing on assessing the damage, Brown said. Reports of damage were still emerging, but a bulletin from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the waves "may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts. Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility." Tulafono, the governor, was on his way back home Tuesday night on one of two U.S. Coast Guard C-130 transport planes flying to American Samoa with aid. The Coast Guard also will transport more than 20 officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to American Samoa, said John Hamill, external affairs officer for FEMA in Oakland, California. The FEMA team will include a variety of debris experts, housing experts, members of the Corps of Engineers, and other disaster relief specialists, Hamill said. Tulafono told reporters Tuesday that it was hard being away from home when disaster came calling. It was a time, he said, for families to be together. Those who experienced the massive quake described it as a terrifying event. Brown was standing in a parking lot when her sports utility vehicle began rocking left and right. "You could hear the rattling of the metal" of a large chain link fence around the lot, Brown said. "It shakes you because you know something else is coming," she said. CNN's Augie Martin, Mariano Castillo, Moni Basu, Tess Eastment and Nick Valencia contributed to this report .

NEW: White House declares major disaster; orders federal aid . U.S. sending plane with aid, officials to help American Samoa . Magnitude-8.0 quake strikes near Samoan Islands early Tuesday . Quake struck at depth of 7.4 miles, triggered three 5-foot tsunamis .

Austin, Texas (CNN) -- Fernando Alonso declared he has reached the "Last Chance Saloon" as Formula One rolls into the Wild West of Texas for Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix. With three races left to run this season, the 33-year-old Ferrari driver has still not announced which team he will race for in 2015. It is widely expected Alonso -- a two-time world champion with Renault in 2005 and 2006 -- will leave Ferrari and be replaced by four-time Red Bull champion Sebastian Vettel. When asked by CNN in Austin if he felt he had reached the end of the road when it came to choosing a team capable of powering him to a coveted third world title, he responded: "Probably yes. "Winning or not winning is a matter of being in the right place, at the right moment. "Definitely I want to win. I want to win the third title. I'm sure that I will have the opportunity in the next years." Alonso is widely regarded as the most talented all-round driver among the current generation of racers. As such, the Spaniard is understood to hold the key to the major moves in F1's driver merry-go-round. Video: Race around the awesome Austin circuit . Vettel was asked at the Circuit of Americas why he has not revealed his plans despite announcing at the Japanese Grand Prix three weeks ago that he is leaving Red Bull at the end of the year. "What's the delay? Because I'm not allowed yet," he explained. "I think once it's out you can make it out for yourself." Alonso remains coolly enigmatic about where his future lies and the feisty driver is probably enjoying teasing the media pack eager for answers. "At the end of the day, it's my decision, what I want and what I need to do for my future," he said. "I will try to do the best for me and for Ferrari as well, as I always did, I understand everyone but I need to choose. "Let's wait. You want to know the taste before cooking the plate. Let's wait." Alonso has been linked with a return to McLaren, where he endured a tumultuous 2007 season as then debutant Lewis Hamilton's teammate. He left in acrimonious circumstances after falling out over his status within the team. McLaren is entering a new phase next season with the return of its former engine partner Honda. But a return to McLaren could be doubly risky for Alonso as the Honda engines are as yet unproven. A potential move to McLaren has cast uncertainty over the future of the team's current drivers Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion for Brawn Grand Prix, and Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen. "I try not to think too much about it, at least in a negative way," said Magnussen, who finished third on his grand prix debut in Australia. "I still have a chance of being here next year so that's what I'm focused on. I can only do my best to really show that I can give them something positive for the future. "You really need to deliver when you're a McLaren driver. I've got to do that. "I think I've done a decent job this year, I know my potential and I know I can do a lot better. "I don't have a Plan B. I'm fully focused on Plan A." When Alonso signed for Ferrari in 2010, it looked like a match made in motor racing heaven. But although he narrowly lost the title to Vettel in 2010 and 2012, the famous Italian team has struggled to provide a car capable of consistently challenging for the title. Alonso is understood to feel it is time to move on although he said a reported sabbatical from the sport was "unlikely." The Spaniard is, at least, sanguine about the lessons he learned with Ferrari, with which he has won 11 grands prix. "Getting the respect of everyone has more value sometimes," he told CNN. "Like these five years at Ferrari. "When I joined in September 2009 I didn't have the respect that I have now, in five years it was difficult but I grew up as a driver and a person." Alonso may be older and wiser but F1's gunslinger is still calling the shots in the driver market.

Fernando Alonso is widely expected to leave Ferrari at the end of the season . The Spaniard has been with the Italian F1 team since 2010 . Alonso won back-to-back drivers' championships in 2005 and 2006 . The U.S. Grand Prix takes place in Austin, Texas on Sunday .

(CNN) -- Urban exploration is an edgy pastime. But give it a Japanese name and this underground community, known for seeking out derelict and often inaccessible environments, sounds even more hardcore. Haikyo is the Japanese word for ruins and is the term used to describe urban exploration ("urbex"), a growing trend for people to track down and often photograph society's crumbling edifices. Urbex in Japan plays out in much the same way it does in the rest of the world -- explorers are recreational trespassers who seek out abandoned, man-made structures, where they have a good poke around as they soak up the atmosphere. There are few hard and fast rules aside from the oft-quoted mantra -- "Take nothing but photographs, leave only footprints" -- but there are a few aspects that are unique to urban exploration in Japan. Among these, abandoned amusement parks and sex museums. German Florian Seidel, a translator, has lived in Japan more than seven years and been a dedicated urbexer for almost five. He says he's seen the hobby take off in Japan since he started. Although there are no official numbers -- urbexers tend to be a low key, scattered community not least of all because of the potentially illegal aspects of the business, such as trespassing -- he says the number of urbex blogs has exploded from a dozen when he started to about 100 today, most of which are in Japanese. "There are tons of abandoned places in Japan, the problem is you have to find them," says Seidel. That's the part he most enjoys. He's proud of the fact that more than 90% of the places on his site, Abandonedkansai.com, he has researched and found himself. As with most urbexers, he doesn't give away exact locations, largely because he doesn't want to see them overrun. 'Very, very weird' The detective work doesn't end when he's found and explored a site. Seidel likes to find out about the history of place. Take those abandoned sex museums -- there are two in Japan, both of which have been deserted for more than 10 years. "In the 1960s, Europe had the sexual revolution, but that didn't happen in Japan -- they had sex museums, especially in onsen [hot spring] towns," says Seidel. "There were 20 to 30 sex museums all over Japan, pretty much one in every prefecture. Most of them closed from the beginning of the 1990s -- I guess the Internet killed them." Seidel has visited two abandoned Japanese sex museums and although both have clearly been picked over and pilfered from, enough remains to make it clear what they were all about. The one in Hokkaido he remembers best for the bizarre shooting games and taxidermy animals in sexual positions -- horses and monkeys. "You could say it was partly educational and very, very weird," says Seidel. The other museum, in southern Japan, is filled with crumbling erotic statues and sculptures and an eerie naked mannequin in a white casket, her mutated nipples pointing in all directions. He found old advertising pamphlets that boasted of wax dolls of Marilyn Monroe and a 1970s erotic star, but these were long gone when he visited. Other amusements . The current hot haikyo site is an abandoned amusement park, Nara Dreamland, says Seidel. It's so popular that a security guard has been posted at the gate to try and keep out the curious. "Technically, if there's a security guard there it's not abandoned, but it makes it onto all the lists and blogs," says Seidel. Nara Dreamland, built in 1961 and closed in 2006, does make for dramatic images -- the abandoned, rusting rollercoaster set amid the desolate ruins of the theme park. If you're after atmosphere, it's got plenty. But what about the danger factor? "I'm a conservative explorer, I've never been injured, but it's definitely dangerous," says Seidel. "There are all sorts of rusty things where you could get tetanus, there's barbed wire and some military areas could still have ammunition -- a mine could go off." For a sample of Seidel's haikyo images, you can check out the above gallery or visit his site, Abandonedkansai.com.

Around the world, urban explorers hunt down and often photograph society's crumbling edifices . In Japan, urban exploration is referred to as "haikyo," the Japanese word for "ruins" Japan-based Florian Seidel documents his derelict findings on his blog, Abandonedkansai.com .

(CNN) -- Unlike Greece, Spain and Italy, Hungary does not use the euro single currency, but it is afflicted by similar debt problems. Fears are now growing that Hungary could go bankrupt, prompting it to request help from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. So is Hungary the next step on Europe's path to meltdown? How much does Hungary owe? It is eastern Europe's most indebted nation, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 80%. Despite receiving a $15.8 billion loan by the IMF in 2008, the country is now asking for more. It needs up to $25 billion in loans just to stablilize the struggling forint currency, but this will only go so far. Other countries such as Italy and the UK have similar or higher debt levels, but as Viktor Szabo, former head of market analyis at the National Bank of Hungary, points out, his country is more at risk because its savings are much lower and it is more reliant on foreign investment. What does this mean? The net effect is that Hungary is paying an unsustainable 10% premium over one year to service its debts. If Budapest defaults on its debts, banks in eurozone countries, Austria in particular, whose banks' balance sheets which be hit. This could trigger the "contagion" effect which has been so destabilizing to the eurozone countries. Hungary's problems were compounded when its credit rating was junked by the major ratings agencies, meaning its debt is now regarded as high risk and making it more expensive to raise money to refinance existing obligations. Will Hungary get its loans? Not necessarily. The EU says Hungary is failing to cut its budget deficit fast enough, as it has demanded with other countries seeking bailouts. The situation is complicated by the fact that the EU is threatening to take Hungary to the European Court of Justice over that country's new constitution that critics say undermines the independence of key state institutions, rigs the electoral system and curbs press freedoms. Both the EU and IMF say they will refuse to extend aid to Budapest unless the government there guarantees the independence of the central bank. The heads of both those institutions spoke out over fears proposed reforms will give the Hungarian government undue influence over monetary policy. How did this situation come about? Current Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban came to power in April 2010 with a landslide victory that meant his Fidesz party could rule without coalition partners for the first time since the fall of communism. Armed with a comfortable two thirds majority in parliament, the new government set about cutting red tape. But critics say that after less than two years in power, Orban's iron grip over crucial (and supposedly independent) institutions is tightening. The changes to the constitution enacted over the new year have sparked protests in the country amid concerns they will curtail freedom of the press. So will Hungary change course? The Hungarian government has indicated it is ready to meet some of the criticisms of the EU and IMF but critics say it is taking an isolationist position. Former First Deputy Foreign Minister Matyas Eorsi, who helped steer Hungary towards EU accession in 2004, told CNN he believed this approach was doomed. "You cannot run such a small country in the middle of Europe by claiming an independence war against everybody around you," he told CNN. The government has "declared a freedom fight against international institutions like the IMF," said Eorsi, while at home, "it has systematically dismantled the checks and balances of independent institutions." With the current set up Hungary risks a "catastrophe," he warned. What will happen next? The government had two strategies, said Szabo: to cut debt and boost growth. "Neither worked," he said. The EC had asked Hungary to cut its debt to GDP ratio by half a percentage point, but it in fact rose by several points. "The high-risk premium shows a lack of confidence in the markets about Hungary. People are starting to take money out of banks and put it into foreign currency, and open accounts abroad." There are now two outcomes: Hungary will go bust, said Szabo, or it must "surrender and accept all conditions of the IMF and the EU." Former minister Eorsi agreed, and urged PM Orban to either change his domestic policies now or resign. Failing that, he said, the Fidesz party had a duty to oust their leader at the next parliamentary vote.

Hungary requests help from EU, IMF over fears it could go bankrupt . It is eastern Europe's most indebted nation, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 80% . Problems compounded when credit rating was junked by major ratings agencies . Situation complicated with EU threatening legal action over Hungary's new constitution .

(CNN) -- Bloody clashes erupted Saturday between pro- and anti-Syrian regime fighters in the Lebanese city of Tripoli, the deadliest outburst of violence in recent weeks and further indication that Syria's turmoil is spilling across borders. Twelve people were killed and approximately 50 were wounded in the latest fighting, according to the state-run National News Agency. Of those hurt, 12 were transported to a hospital in the coastal city, including one in critical condition. At one point, a continuous stream of "rocket bombs" hindered national security forces' attempts to secure the area, the news agency said. One rocket exploded over a well-known castle in the city, while another landed some distance away. Prime Minister Najib Mikati went to Tripoli to assess the security situation, state news reported. After meeting with leaders from the different factions involved in the clashes, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel announced that national security forces will enter the area to enforce a cease-fire set to begin at 5 a.m. Sunday. Anyone who does not abide by the cease-fire "will bear responsibility," said Charbel, according to the official news agency. The sectarian violence in Tripoli -- which is on the Mediterranean coast, about 50 miles from Homs in Syria -- mirrors the tensions in its neighboring nation. Clashes in both nations pit Sunnis, who make up the majority of the Syrian opposition and population, against Alawites and other Shiites, who are dominant in President Bashar al-Assad's government. Sunnis are the majority in northern Lebanon, where Tripoli is located and where anti-Assad factions are relatively strong. The Syrian president, meanwhile, has more support in southern Lebanon and among members of the powerful Shiite militant and political group Hezbollah, which is considered a terrorist organization by U.S. authorities. Saturday's fighting is not the first time tensions have simmered over, including in Tripoli. Last month, violence flared after Lebanese authorities arrested Chadi Mawlawi, an Islamist activist who was helping Syrian refugees by providing food and shelter, his cousin said. Lebanon had accused Mawlawi of being an operative in an al Qaeda-inspired group -- something his relatives deny. The activist was eventually released, but not before his arrest sparked fighting that killed seven people and left dozens wounded. Elsewhere in Lebanon, the kidnapping of a group of Shiite Muslim pilgrims in Syria prompted angry protests last month in Beirut, the capital. Also last month, gun battles in Beirut between rival political parties -- one supporting Syria's al-Assad and one opposing him -- left two dead and 18 wounded. That was the worst outbreak of violence in a city where the powerful Hezbollah militia engaged government troops in street battles in 2008. That bloodshed came hours after Lebanese troops killed two Sunni Muslim clerics -- both opposed to the embattled Syrian regime -- at a checkpoint in northern Lebanon. Syria has long been a major influence in Lebanon, and not just because of the extensive border the two nations share. Lebanon was considered part of "greater Syria" until the end of World War I. Syrian troops were deployed in Lebanon between 1976 and 2005, primarily in the north -- ostensibly at first as peacekeepers to help stop Lebanon's long civil war, though they stayed long after the fighting stopped in 1990. The Syrian forces' 2005 withdrawal followed the car-bomb killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut, which some blamed on elements of al-Assad's regime. Since then, Lebanon's most prominent political blocs have been sharply divided -- the ruling pro-Syria alliance led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati on one side and anti-Syrian factions led by Saad Hariri, the son of the assassinated former prime minister, on the other. The unrest in Syria that began 15 months ago with peaceful anti-government protests, followed by a government crackdown, has meant further complications for Lebanon. Thousands of refugees have poured across the border. And in April the Lebanese army announced it had intercepted a cargo ship bound for Tripoli that was filled with weapons it believes were meant to be delivered to rebel forces in Syria. CNN's Hamdi Alkhshali and Nick Thompson contributed to this report.

12 dead, 50 are wounded in fighting in the coastal city of Tripoli, state news reports . Lebanon's government says it will enforce an agreed-upon cease-fire in the area . The clash was the latest pitting factions opposed to and supporting Syria's leaders .

(CNN) -- So used to being the only British man in the second round at grand slams -- especially outside Wimbledon -- Andy Murray will have company at the U.S. Open. Although Murray didn't play his first-round match against Michael Llodra on Monday, the defending champion is fully expected to defeat the French veteran. And if he indeed gets to the round of 64, he will find qualifier Dan Evans alongside him. Evans became the first men's player outside the top 150 in the world rankings to defeat a top-15 rival at the U.S. Open in six years when he dispatched Japan's Kei Nishikori. The 179th-ranked Evans didn't only beat Nishikori -- he won in straight sets 6-4 6-4 6-2. After Evans rallied from a break down in the first set, he cruised. "When I saw the draw, it was a little bit daunting but I went out and I played a good game and he didn't react that well to how I was playing," Evans told Sky Sports. Once described as the bad boy of British tennis because he liked partying and didn't practice hard enough, Evans has seemingly turned his career around in recent months. The 23-year-old sent Britain into the Davis Cup world group playoffs when he crushed Russia's Evgeny Donskoy in April in the decisive fifth match. Murray decided to skip the series but is expected to feature when Britain faces Croatia in September with a spot in next year's world group at stake. With his performance in New York, Evans now has the edge over James Ward in being the No. 2 behind Murray in the tie. Ward failed to qualify for Flushing Meadows. Ahead of the U.S. Open, Evans reached challenger finals in Vancouver and California to see his ranking move from around 250 to his current 179. Qualifying and toppling Nishikori will see the diminutive shot-maker's ranking rise yet further. "I've just been on the practice court a lot more and in the gym a lot more," Evans said. "It's been a gradual process from January onwards and I'm reaping the rewards of it now." Britain had another winner on day one of the season's last major, as Laura Robson overcame Lourdes Dominguez Lino 7-5 6-0. Robson was one of the young stars of the 2012 edition, sending crowd favorite Kim Clijsters into singles retirement and also upending Li Na. Her 2013, though, has been blighted by injuries and a coaching change. She has yet to register a quarterfinal showing at any event this campaign. Elsewhere, men's favorite Rafael Nadal eased past American Ryan Harrison in straight sets and Venus Williams maintained her record of never losing in the first round of the U.S. Open when she beat 12th-seeded Kirsten Flipkens 6-1 6-2. Nadal missed last year's U.S. Open due to knee troubles. "For me, the chance to be back here playing -- I have a chance to compete this year -- is great," Nadal, unbeaten on hard courts this year, told reporters. Flipkens, the Wimbledon semifinalist, had gotten the better of Williams in Toronto this month in the 33-year-old American's comeback from a back injury. Blake to retire . Andy Roddick retired last year after the U.S. Open and Mardy Fish's days on the tennis tour might be numbered given his health issues. Now a third member of the U.S.'s older generation, James Blake -- like Williams 33 -- said Monday in an emotional news conference he would quit following the U.S. Open. "Despite the tears, I'm actually really happy about this," Blake told reporters. Diagnosed with severe scoliosis as a teen and later breaking his neck in a practice accident, Blake persevered. He reached a career high of No. 4, has claimed 10 titles, won a Davis Cup and played at the prestigious year-end championships. His career, however, has been slowed by injuries in recent years and he became a father in 2012.

Daniel Evans pulls off a major upset on the opening day of tennis' U.S. Open . Evans, ranked 179th, beats No. 11 seed Kei Nishikori in straight sets in New York . Venus Williams, Agnieszka Radwanska and Li Na were first-round women's winners . James Blake will retire after the U.S. Open, putting an end to his 14-year pro career .

Donetsk, Ukraine (CNN) -- The battle for control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Slovyansk has intensified in the past 24 hours, with civilians caught in heavy crossfire between government forces and pro-Russian separatists. Each side blames the other for mortar and rocket fire that has struck apartment buildings and homes in the town, which is now also suffering acute power and water shortages. Social media video from Slovyansk uploaded Sunday and apparently filmed in the past two days shows extensive damage to an apartment block in the center of the town, which appears to have taken a direct hit to the third floor. Another building was engulfed by fire. Other videos showed people hurrying to basements, with the sound of artillery and rocket fire in the distance -- and at times much closer. The charred ruins of cars littered the streets, and windows in a number of buildings had been blown out. The office of President Petro Poroshenko, who was inaugurated Sunday in Kiev, said he had opened the first meeting of a three-party contact group on implementing a peace plan he had discussed with French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the D-Day commemorations on Friday. In an apparent reference to the fighting around Slovyansk, Poroshenko said: "We have to stop fire this week. For me, every day of people dying, every day of Ukraine paying such a high price is an unacceptable one." The talks involve Ukrainian ambassador to Germany Pavel Klimkin, a special envoy with the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe and Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov, the President said. Slovyansk -- normally a city of some 130,000 people -- was taken over by separatists early in April. The Ukrainian army first attacked separatist blockades on its outskirts later that month but subsequently withdrew. Only in the past week have Ukrainian troops moved decisively to bottle in the separatists, using tanks, artillery and rockets against their defenses. A spokesman for the Anti-Terrorist Operation told CNN from outside Slovyansk that the army was not shooting at residential areas and that separatists had launched a counterattack early Sunday. Separatist officials in the town told the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS that artillery fire had been aimed at the city administration building, the former Security Service compound and Police Department -- all of which are occupied by the separatists. ITAR-TASS quoted a local militia official as saying that "there were victims among civilians as many were injured by shrapnel." CNN was unable to confirm the account, but one social media video appeared to show a pool of blood close to the impact of a shell. Overall casualties in Slovyansk are impossible to quantify. A health official with the Donetsk regional administration, Elena Peteyaeva, said 140 bodies had been collected -- but it was not clear over what time span. Peteyaeva said there were only three ambulances at work in the town and very few people were able to get out. A CNN team that reached the area Thursday found all major roads into Slovyansk blocked and deserted. During an extensive tour of the region, only two cars, piled high with belongings, emerged from country tracks. South of Slovyansk, separatist groups have consolidated their hold of several towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. A CNN team on Sunday visited Shnizhne, Krasny Luch and Antratsyt, all on or close to the main road east to the Russian border. Separatist roadblocks guarded the fringes of each town in a heavily industrial part of the Donbass region, and dozens of well-armed fighters were seen in the center of Shnizhne. The main administration building in Antratsyt was surrounded by sandbags. One nearby border crossing at Marynivka -- which was the scene of clashes last week when separatists of the so-called Vostok Battalion tried to bring heavy trucks and an infantry fighting vehicle across the border -- had been reinforced by the Ukrainian Border Guard, with additional troops deployed on nearby hills. Even so, the troops deployed at the border admitted it was impossible to patrol the 1,200-mile border effectively, much of it unfenced amid rolling, empty countryside. Journalists Azad Safarov and Victoria Butenko contributed to this report .

Civilians caught in a crossfire between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists . Social media video shows extensive damage in the city of 130,000 people . President Petro Poroshenko has consulted with France, Germany and Russia on peace push . Poroshenko: 'Every day of Ukraine paying such a high price is an unacceptable one'

(CNN) -- When you hear "trick or treat" this year, think "nudge." From economists who study how we actually behave, as opposed to how we're supposed to behave, "nudge" is shorthand for the growing body of research showing how small design changes in supermarkets, schools, offices and homes can lead to meaningful behavior changes. Help can't arrive soon enough. With Halloween generating $2.5 billion in candy sales, candy dishes are filling up fast. Confronted by thousands of new calorie missiles staring at us from our desks and break rooms, we usually try two ways to manage risk. First, we hope once again to exert self-control and willpower, believing that the hyper-rational part of our mind can win out over the weaker devil within us that really wants that miniature chocolate bar to fill the midafternoon lull. Dan Ariely and Daniel Kahneman are economists whose work shows this approach is a loser. We are, in Ariely's words, "predictably irrational." Absent a nudge, what we are supposed to do and what we really do are two different things. Which brings us to the second option: Someone attempts to pass a new rule banning candy, birthday cakes and cookies. From babies to CEOs, no one likes to have choices taken away. Just ask the American Heart Association, which has found itself on the losing side of the "bake sale battles." Nudges represent a third way forward, where we change the conditions in which we live, work and play. As a result of these design changes, we make different and healthier choices -- unconsciously, in most cases. Nudge solutions acknowledge our frailty: that we aren't likely to make the smart choice on our own. Yet these innovations avoid the policy and political fights that come with Bloomberg-style soda bans. 5 scary good healthy Halloween treats . In a new book, "Slim by Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life," Brian Wansink, director of Cornell's Food and Brand Lab, lays out all kinds of practical nudge solutions. "Becoming slim by design works better than trying to become slim by willpower," Wansink writes. "It's easier to change your eating environment than to change your mind." Let's start with that office candy dish, an armory for Halloween treats. "The most dangerous candy dish is one that is close, clear and chocolaty," according to Wansink's hidden-camera monitoring of office workers. Here's where design matters. When the candy dish is within easy reach, just beyond the keyboard, workers eat an average of nine pieces of candy per day. Putting the candy dish in a desk drawer cuts consumption to an average of three pieces per day. Wansink saw similar reductions with the candy dish placed on a table top at least 6 feet away. While nudge solutions can help us manage our personal candy battles, the real impact occurs when school cafeterias and other large institutions adopt the practices. Without removing any junk food or banning any items, Wansink and his colleagues have tested nudge solutions in real school lunchroom settings. Fruit consumption more than doubled. More kids picked white milk over sugary drinks. Simply changing the names of some of the items and switching the order of menu options on the lunch line led to healthier choices. They managed all this without any fights over what kind of food would be available. Chocolate milk, which contains more sugar, is a sore point for some nutrition directors. Wansink reports that when schools ban chocolate milk, fewer kids drank milk at all. More of them took white milk but threw it away. And some kids stopped eating lunch, due to the hassle. "When we make chocolate milk less convenient, even simply putting white milk in the front of the cooler and chocolate in back, sales increase by 30 to 40 percent. No complaints. No front-page stories creating movie-ready bad guys out of well-meaning local dietitians." All this promising news can be hard for traditional advocacy leaders wedded to nutrition strategies that attempt to hammer a rational food orthodoxy into our collective consciousness. But challenging the status quo is a good thing. The 2009 book, "Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness," by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, makes the case why nonprofit organizations, foundations and government agencies should replace stale program strategies with more promising nudge innovations. The only certainty is that willpower and prohibition have not worked so far, and there's no reason to believe we will become predictably rational. So let the nudging begin. Join us on Facebook.com/CNNOpinion.

As Halloween approaches, the lure of the office candy dish grows . John Bare says the traditional approach of relying on willpower doesn't work . Studies have shown that design changes can affect behavior more effectively, he says .

(CNN) -- Members of the nation's oldest black sorority have accused the organization's president of using her sorority credit card for personal items and its board of directors of spending too much on her. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority President Barbara McKinzie denies the claims in the lawsuit against her. The suit alleges that the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's board of directors signed off on spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on President Barbara McKinzie and commissioned an expensive wax figure of her. McKinzie denied the allegations, saying they are "without merit." The most "outlandish representation" in the lawsuit, she said, is the allegation that the sorority spent $900,000 on a wax figure of her. Two wax figures -- one of McKinzie and one of the sorority's first president, the late Nellie Quander -- were purchased by the hostess chapters of the sorority's centennial convention last year, not the national AKA organization, for a total of $45,000, McKinzie said. The lawsuit says the sorority's board of directors approved the use of $900,000 for the wax likeness of McKinzie ahead of the centennial celebration. Edward W. Gray Jr., an attorney representing the plaintiffs, acknowledged that the sorority disputes the lawsuit's account of the statue's price tag. However, he said, "we have no way of knowing what the actual number was. We hope that it was as little as they say." He added that $45,000 is still a large amount of money, although, "certainly, it's a lot better than $900,000." He called the alleged conduct "shocking and bordering on illegal." The wax figures are to appear in the National Great Blacks in Wax museum in Baltimore, Maryland, according to AKA. The museum said they are on a traveling exhibit. The lawsuit, filed last month in a Washington superior court, also accuses McKinzie of using her sorority credit card for "designer clothing, lingerie, jewelry, gifts and other excessive and inappropriate expenses of a personal nature." It demands that the sorority fire McKinzie and the board of directors and that the alleged damages be repaid. The lawsuit says that by using her credit card for personal purchases, as well as for "properly reimbursed expenditures," McKinzie amassed American Express points, which she then redeemed for a 46-inch television and gym equipment. It also says that the sorority's board of directors had agreed on compensation for McKinzie without the approval of the sorority's policy-making body. The compensation, it says, included a $4,000-a-month stipend that McKinzie is to receive for four years after she leaves office. The board of directors also voted to buy a $1 million life insurance policy for McKinzie, a purchase that was also not approved by the policy-making body, the lawsuit says. McKinzie denied the accusations. "Allegations about personal use of AKA funds are false and unsupported by the organization's audited books," she said. The "malicious allegations leveled against AKA by former leaders are based on mischaracterizations and fabrications not befitting our ideals of sisterhood, ethics and service." The lawsuit also blames McKinzie and Betty James, the executive director for the organization's corporate office, for financial decisions they made for the sorority. The sorority's claimed deductions on its federal tax returns in 2006 and 2007 were "unreasonably large and inappropriate, thus exposing the sorority to potential IRS claims and obligations," the suit says. Furthermore, the sorority's policy-making body has not approved McKinzie's investment philosophy, which "has caused the shifting of several million dollars of the sorority and foundation funds from cash and cash equivalents to stock and bond investments." McKinzie said in her statement that under her leadership, "accounting and budgetary practices have been tightened, erasing past IRS liabilities and cost overruns." In addition to McKinzie, James and the sorority, the lawsuit names other members of the board of directors and the AKA Educational Advancement Foundation Inc. as defendants. AKA was founded in 1908 and is based in Chicago, Illinois. CNN's Taylor Gandossy contributed to this report.

Alpha Kappa Alpha members say board OK'd $900,000 for wax figure of president . She is accused of using sorority credit card for "inappropriate expenses" President of U.S.'s oldest black sorority denies "malicious allegations"

(CNN) -- If laughter is the best medicine then few are more qualified to offer a prescription than Riaad Moosa. The South African comic-turned-movie-actor is a fully trained doctor, but it's his Indian heritage and Muslim faith that provide the basis for his stand-up material. "I'm a comedian who happens to be Muslim [and] my comedy stems on all forms of my identity," he says. Moosa came to prominence on the comedy-club circuit of his native Cape Town around the turn of the century and became known for poking fun at Islamic stereotypes. He believes this serves to highlight the prejudices many people have developed about Muslims due to fears of terrorism or violent extremism. "When I started out it was around the whole 9/11, Islamophobia was just sort of hitting a second wind," he says. "Obviously that informed a lot of my humor and it influenced a lot of what I was talking about on stage because it was extremely relevant at the time. "I would just speak about how people perceived Muslims and how scared they are of Muslims." See also: South African comic duo stir up stereotypes . Moosa however says that Islam is a religion which is tolerant and open to comedy, especially in South Africa. "I'm sure in certain parts of the world it still sounds a bit strange [being a Muslim comedian]," he says. "In the Cape, in fact, it's completely the opposite. The Muslims in the Cape are associated with having a very good sense of humor." Moosa has been known to crack jokes on the death of Osama bin Laden and European perceptions of Islam. In one routine he jokes: "Europeans ridicule Muslim culture because they don't understand the wisdom behind it. Take swine flu for instance: all the sudden you've got Europeans scared of pigs -- we've been saying that for years!" Watch video: Riaad Moosa, doctor turned comedian . Moosa describes such gags as "hard jokes" but says he should able to extract humor from every aspect of his life. He draws a line however at insulting or demeaning his religious beliefs. "I would never want to disrespect my beliefs," he says. "There are certain, obviously different, areas you wouldn't go. It's not congruent to who I am as a person and it would be insincere and it wouldn't be based on truth." Despite being a natural comedian, Moosa says he always wanted to be a doctor. "Both my parents are doctors, so from the time I was a child I wanted to do medicine," he says. "It just so happened that I also had this other talent for making voices -- that's how my mom put it -- I used to always impersonate people." Having qualified as a doctor, Moosa admits that his new career is something of a departure. "It's a very different type of work -- I mean, I never got applause with the medicine. I never got: 'That's an amazing prostate exam doctor, do you have any DVDs of your prostate exams?'" Moosa's latest film project, Material, has already been released in South Africa. In the movie he plays an aspiring young Muslim comedian challenging his family's expectations of what it means to be successful in modern South Africa. In many ways, Material has more than a whiff of Moosa's own life-story about it. He has been heavily involved throughout the project, helping write the script, being cast in the starring roll and even having a financial stake in the film. "The challenges that I have of being a South African comedian as a Muslim ... does get dramatized in the story," he says. "It's not specifically my story because my family is very supportive. There was no moment where I had to challenge my parents specifically to try and achieve my dream, which is what happens in the movie." Moosa hopes the underlying themes portrayed in the film of an underdog fighting against the odds and tradition will make it a hit outside South Africa. See also: Muslim comedian branches out . Like his comedic routines, Moosa has tried to create a piece of art that will resonate with his audience on multiple levels. He says there are plans to take the film to India and the Middle East and has already visited London to promote the movie at the 2012 BFI London Film Festival. He adds: "It is a universal tale and I think many communities or people around the world will connect with that story. "That's the trick, to not make it a South African story but a story about an ordinary person trying to follow their dreams."

Riaad Moosa is a comedian, movie star and a qualified doctor . He uses his religious identity to poke fun at Islamic stereotypes . Moosa believes Islam is a religion that is open to comedy . His latest movie tells the story of a Muslim comedian challenging his community's expectations .

(CNN) -- For discerning clubbers around the world the hottest sound in dance music right now is coming not from New York or London, but from the townships of Pretoria, South Africa. DJ Mujava's "Township Funk" was the first Township House track to receive international attention. DJ Mujava's "Township Funk" became the surprise global club anthem of last year, an instant favorite on dance floors everywhere, with its ear-popping mix of incessant, driving snare drums and retro electronic noises. Its distinctive sound is part of a larger scene known as Township House that comes straight from the townships of Pretoria. But its improbable journey to glitzy superclubs around the world may never have happened without the help of South Africa's taxi drivers. South Africa has long been a voracious consumer of imported European House music, but over the last few years a small group of producers in Pretoria have begun experimenting with their own sound, more representative of the music of the townships they live in. They came up with a style that mixes the raw beats of the South African hip-hop style called Kwaito with House music's tempos and electronic sounds. But the problem for the Pretorian producers was getting their music heard. Neither the radio stations nor the big record labels in South Africa were interested in their rough-and-ready sound -- so the producers decided to go directly to the public. DJ Qness writes for South African dance music magazine BPM and works for Mujava's record label, Sheer Music. "In South Africa, the easiest way to the people is through the taxis," he told CNN. South African taxis are actually small mini buses and are by far the most popular mode of public transport in a country where car ownership is limited. A Pretoria University study estimates that between five and 10 million South Africans use taxis every day. The Township House pioneers began to give CDs of their tracks to taxi drivers. The drivers played the CDs to a captive audience of commuters and the response was incredible. Passengers wanted to know where they could buy the tracks they were hearing, and with no record stores stocking the music, taxi drivers began selling CDs directly from taxi ranks and roadside stalls. Do you think Township House is the next big thing in dance music? Sound off below. Qness said that even without radio play the township sound began outselling imported dance music and the record labels began to take notice. "These people created a demand," he said. "Then Mujava's 'Township Funk' blew up on the streets and everything went crazy." But the Pretorian producers aren't the only ones to realize the power of taxi drivers when it comes to promoting a cause. Pretoria-based Gospel Taxi Club spreads the word of God by giving taxi drivers CDs that mix music with messages from the Bible. In the run up to the recent general election, South African opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) gave taxi drivers CDs featuring specially recorded songs that promoted the party message. The idea was the brainchild of Makashule Gana, of the DA Youth. He told CNN that giving the CDs to taxi drivers to play in their vehicles was a way of reaching as many people as possible, and that while there was no way of quantifying its effectiveness, he believed that the party had received extra votes because of the CD. Once Pretoria's taxi drivers had generated a buzz about "Township Funk," Sheer Music stepped in, signing Mujava. The track got a low-budget video of township dancers demonstrating their best moves while Mujava DJs at the roadside. The video was posted to YouTube, where it was spotted by British labels Warp Records and This is Music. The result was a worldwide release, big-name remixes and a global club sensation. Mujava's success has created an international buzz about the Pretorian sound. Producers like Bojo Mujo are starting to make waves, McLloyd's "Tembisa Funk" has just been released by British dance label Positiva and Mujava is currently scheduled for a European tour, but has had to cancel because of illness. Qness told CNN, "By combining the electronic sound from European House with the hard drum and the raw snare they've created something totally unique. You can't find it anywhere in the world -- only in South Africa." Only in South Africa -- and thanks to Pretoria's taxi drivers, in clued-up nightclubs around the world.

The hottest sound in dance music is coming from Pretoria, South Africa . It's a style known as Township House, produced in the city's townships . The style's pioneers promoted their music by giving their CDs to taxi drivers . Taxi drivers played the CDs to passengers and sold CDs at taxi ranks .

(CNN) -- I am 17 years old and a senior in high school. I am also, like thousands of other people living on this planet, sick. Like "spend a quarter of my life in the hospital, do treatments every day to stay alive" sick. I was born with cystic fibrosis, which the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation describes as a "life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system." I was only 13 years old when I was forced to face the fragility of my own life. A routine surgery landed me in a medically induced coma for two weeks with a mere 1% chance of surviving. But survive I did. Today, I do breathing treatments for up to four hours a day and take around 30 pills. Up until a few years ago, my life expectancy was 25. Every breath I take is a miracle. I want you all to know that this isn't a sob story. I'm not here to make you feel bad for the poor sick kid. In fact, I hope to accomplish quite the opposite. I want to share a story about finding joy and beauty in places that others see pain and suffering. I am sick, yes. But I am so much more. My life is wonderful, not in spite of this illness but because of it. I'm writing to you from the hospital, a.k.a. my second home. When I was younger and obsessed with becoming an artist, the hospital was my New York loft apartment. I would move the furniture around to create space on the floor, throw down some sheets and indulge in any form of art that I could get my hands on. The people who would come and visit loved to tell me how sorry they were that I had to live this kind of life: sick and alone, trapped in hospital room after hospital room. I would argue with them, tirelessly. I'd try to show them that although this life may be different from their own, it was anything but miserable. Oftentimes, it was wasted effort. I still wonder why they could never see my time in the hospital the way I did: as a blank canvas waiting to be turned into something beautiful. As I got older, my life become a whirlwind of homework and responsibilities. The hospital became my retreat, a place to gather my thoughts and focus on my health. The nurses are my friends as well as my caretakers. The doctors are my parents as well as my physicians. Hospital life, like all of life, is filled with both pain and joy in equal measures. There are so many moments to share, so much life that has been lived in these hospital rooms -- from late-night room service orders with my friends to Harry Potter movie marathons to wake-me-up-at-2-in-the-morning blood draws that taught me patience. There were moments of total contentment, when I would look up from my homework and see the sun setting over the hospital courtyard, washing my room in an orange glow. Like all teenagers, I had the lonely nights, the sleepless nights and the stay-up-late-finishing-homework nights. I even threw three New Years Eve parties as a patient, complete with sparkling juice and beeping IVs. Sure, there were endless tests and procedures; doctors always finding something else that was wrong with my body. But there was also laughter, those moments when we could see how wrong the world had been: A short life CAN be as rich as a long one. Something that always surprises people to hear is that my health has very little to do with my happiness. Yeah, being sick can suck (big time), but nothing is one-sided. I can't let the pain block out the beauty. When I was 13, my parents and I started a foundation to support families like ours living with cystic fibrosis, called the Claire's Place Foundation. When I was 14, I became a public speaker, and now I am creating a video series called "The Clairity Project." Get it? Claire-ity. The videos shine a light on hospital life and break down the social barriers we have around people who are sick. The past four years have been a whirlwind of traveling, speaking, fundraising and experiencing life in ways I never imagined. Some things in life are ours to choose, while other things choose us. I never chose to live this crazy bizarre life with cystic fibrosis, and I didn't wake up from the coma with a plan to move my life down a totally different path. Yet that seems to be exactly what happened. And, of course, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Claire Wineland was born with cystic fibrosis . Wineland makes the best of the time she has to spend in the hospital . "Hospital life ... is filled with both pain and joy in equal measures," she says . Wineland produces a viral video series called the Clairity Project .

(CNN) -- At full speed, the Rimac Concept_One is little more than a cherry red blur, flashing from one corner of the horizon to the other in the blink of an eye. If its projected performance figures prove to be true, this radical electric concept car -- the brainchild of an award-winning young Croatian designer -- could accelerate faster than all but two of the fastest supercars on earth. The Rimac Concept_One's figures are impressive. Not just for an electric car, but for traditional petrol-engine cars as well. For years electric vehicles have been regarded as the frumpy inner-city siblings of their hardier countryside 4x4 brethren or zippier track-friendly supercar sisters. Electric vehicles have tended to have names like Leaf, Buddy or Spark as opposed to Vanquish, Venom or Phantom. All this may be set to change when Rimac goes into production. First unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show in September, 2011, the Concept One is an electric vehicle that aims to be even faster than the Bugatti Veyron. Its precocious 25-year-old inventor, Mate Rimac, says that the car produces 1018 horsepower, can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 2.8 seconds, has a top speed of 305 kph (190 mph), and can travel 600 kilometers (372 miles) on a single charge. Mate Rimac says that he has always been motivated by the desire to demonstrate the superiority of electric over petrol-powered cars: "I have two passions; cars and technology," Rimac says. "Technology because Nikola Tesla was born in Croatia, and he invented the electric motor that is used in so many applications today. And I knew simply by theory that this motor is so much better to drive a car -- even a sports car. "I decided to combine my two passions, technology and cars and make an electric car that can prove the electric motor is much better even on the racetrack. Not just city cars for boring stuff, but to show people that the future will be interesting -- that one day when petrol is gone and you only have electric cars in the world, you won't have to compromise in terms of performance, speed or (how) far (it can go)." While he was still in high school, Rimac bought a lime green BMW for less than €1000 and began modifying it with new parts. "I couldn't wait to pull out (the motor) and put batteries and electric motors inside instead of the gas engine," Rimac says. After several years of rebuilding and alteration, Rimac set a world record with his car, which became the fastest accelerating electric car in the world. The car is still recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest quarter mile by an electric vehicle. After setting five separate world records with his modified BMW, Rimac began to work towards building his very own car from scratch. He enlisted the help of the highly-regarded young car designer Adriano Mudri, and began work on the Concept_One. Now Rimac is turning his dream car into a reality on a shoestring budget: "In the car industry, it's common to design a new car with 1 billion to 5 billion dollars. But, most of those cars carry over components from previous versions -- engines, gear boxes and stuff. We had to design a car (including) the whole technology under the skin, (while) the company itself didn't have a desk to put a computer on. And we did all that with less than 0.1% of the budget which is usual in the car industry," Rimac says. Preliminary impressions from the automotive press have been generally positive, although many, such as GTspirit.com, said that they approached the concept of a vehicle that has "no sound, no downshift and no smell of burnt petrol" with trepidation. Some also disputed the figures Rimac has released, suggesting that their projected performance statistics may be ambitious. Still, the notion that an electric car might soon not just match, but outperform the best petrol vehicles on the planet is certainly a captivating one. When Rimac releases a production car into the wild in the not-too-distant future, the eyes of the world will certainly be watching.

The Rimac Concept_One is an electric-powered supercar . The car can reportedly accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 2.8 seconds . Creator Mate Rimac claims it can reach a top speed of 208kph . He says he wants to "show people that the future will be interesting"

(CNN) -- Wash your hands, slap on some hand sanitizer and put the latest norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship out of your mind. Nearly 22 million travelers are expected to hop on board cruises this year to set sail for fun and exciting locations, enjoying the dining, entertainment and sun available on cruise ships all over the world. But if you're a novice, how do you choose a voyage on which to spend your hard-earned dollars? There are plenty of options in the 7th Annual Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards, which highlight the top cruise lines for North American travelers in 18 categories, including best new ship, best cruise line for families, best value for money and best river cruise line. The cruising website's choices were announced Tuesday. Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, was named best new ship just after its November launch. Disney Cruise Line was named "best for families" for the second consecutive year. "We originally launched our Editors' Picks Awards in 2008, to highlight lines that we felt were doing a great job," said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, in a statement. Cruise Critic, which launched in 1995, hosts an online cruising community with more than 100,000 vetted consumer reviews of cruises. Cruise Critic is owned by the Independent Traveler, a subsidiary of TripAdvisor. "Just six years later, the industry has grown tremendously; cruise lines continue to up the ante, and there are more options than ever before for travelers looking to hit the seas," said Brown. "With our team of editors covering hundreds of cruise ships each year, these awards allow us to both highlight lines that truly lead the way and also help guide consumers to a purchase that's right for them." You can also check out the Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Lines wins in U.S. News & World Report's 2015 Best Cruise Lines rankings, which named 15 cruise lines in five categories, also released Tuesday. U.S. News' rankings are based on a data analysis of expert evaluations of cruise ships' quality, reputation among travelers and results from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health evaluations. "The cruise industry is booming -- their efforts to revamp their image and win over new types of travelers by launching new ships and innovative entertainment experiences is paying off," said Liz Weiss, travel editor for U.S. News, in a statement. "We aim to help travelers sort through their options and identify cruise lines and ships that best suit their needs." Cruise Critic's full list of winners: . Best new ship: Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas . Best ship refurbishment: Oceania Cruises (R-Class) Best for luxury: Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions . Best for families: Disney Cruise Line . Best itineraries: Princess Cruises . Best for adventure: International Expeditions . Best value for money: Carnival Cruise Lines . Best dining: Oceania Cruises . Best entertainment: Norwegian Cruise Line . Best suites: Celebrity Cruises . Best inside cabins: Royal Caribbean International . Best standard cabins: Holland America Line . Best shore excursions: Azamara Club Cruises . Best for romance: Windstar Cruises . Best cruise ship bar: Celebrity Cruises' Martini Bar . Best North American home port: New Orleans . Best new river ships: Emerald Waterways' Emerald Sky and Emerald Star . Best river cruise line: Viking Cruises . Top three U.S. News winners in each category: . Best luxury cruise lines . 1. Crystal Cruises . 2. Silversea Cruises . 3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises . Best cruise lines for the money . 1. Royal Caribbean . 2. Disney Cruise Line . 3. Carnival Cruise Lines . Best cruise lines for romance . 1. Silversea Cruises . 2. Crystal Cruises . 3. Azamara Club Cruises . Best cruise lines in the Caribbean . 1. Disney Cruise Line . 2. Royal Caribbean . 3. Carnival Cruise Lines . Best cruise lines for families . 1. Disney Cruise Line . 2. Royal Caribbean . 3. Celebrity Cruises .

Nearly 22 million travelers are expected to take cruises this year . Royal Caribbean's newest ship wins Cruise Critic's "best new ship" award . Disney Cruise Line wins Cruise Critic's best cruise line for families . Royal Caribbean also wins U.S. News award for best cruise line for the money .

(CNN)The dawning of the New Year is often seen as a time for new beginnings. But the first fixture of 2015 marked the end of a 22-game winning streak for Real Madrid which went down 2-1 to an all-action Valencia side Sunday. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 12 minutes but Los Blancos were pegged back at the beginning of the second half when Antonio Barragan's strike deflected off Pepe and beyond Iker Casillas. Nicolas Otamendi then rose highest in the Madrid box to power a header beyond Casillas a little over 10 minutes later to give Valencia a lead they would refuse to relinquish. Madrid did create numerous chances for the equalizer but were foiled by a mixture of poor finishing, heroic defending and some spectacular goalkeeping from Valencia's Diego Alves Carreira. Valencia also had chances of its own as Madrid piled forward in the latter stages. Barragan in particular was guilty of being wasteful as he fired wide when through on Casillas. After the match, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti lamented his side's inability to kill the game off when they were ahead. "There were key moments in which we could make the second goal," Ancelotti told the Real Madrid website. "But it didn't materialize. You can not always be effective." "We worked well and we had chances to score (and) we deserved at least a draw." Valencia boss, Nuno Espirito Santo, was in more ebullient mood when speaking to reporters. "This victory deserves a lot of credit, as does the fact that we came back from behind," he said in comments carried by the Valencia website. He continued, "I still believe that our biggest success is yet to come. It was a great win, but we still only have 34 points. It is not the time to celebrate anything, although of course the fans have to enjoy the victory." The result meant Madrid's great rivals Barcelona could have returned to the summit of La Liga if it defeated David Moyes' Real Sociedad later on Sunday. But an own goal from defender Jordi Alba saw the Catalans lose 1-0 despite a frantic second period in which they dominated. Barca remain a point behind Real in second position and are ahead of third placed Atletico Madrid, which won comfortably against Levante on Saturday, only on goal difference. Valencia, meanwhile, move up to fourth and into the final Champions League spot. English FA Cup . After a hectic period of fixtures over the festive period, England's leading clubs returned to action in the FA Cup Sunday. Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City all overcame lower-league opposition with varying degrees of comfort. United had to wait until the second half before goals from Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria secured a 2-0 victory over Yeovil Town. Chelsea overcame Watford in far more comfortable fashion at Stamford Bridge. The Blues won 3-0 thanks to strikes from Willian, Loic Remy and Kurt Zouma. Manchester City meanwhile had to come from behind to win 2-1 at home Sheffield Wednesday. James Milner struck twice in the second half to spare City's blushes. Although the competition is notorious for feats of giant killing over the years there were few shock results Sunday. The most surprising was perhaps Premier League QPR being downed 3-0 at home by third-tier side Sheffield United. Elsewhere, Aston Villa defeated Blackpool thanks to a solitary goal from Belgian striker Christian Benteke while Southampton was held at home to Ipswich Town of the Championship. In the day's late game, Arsenal comfortably eased aside Hull City 2-0 in a repeat of last year's final. Per Mertersacker opened the scoring for the Gunners in the first half while a late second from Alexis Sanchez rounded off a routine victory. French Cup . As in England, there were few surprises in France's premier cup competition. Monaco defeated Nimes 2-0 with strikes from Bernardo Silva and Valere Germain while goals from Thomas Toure and Abdou Traore ensured Bordeaux overcame Toulouse 2-1. In perhaps the tie of the round, Lyon were made to sweat for their 3-2 victory against Ligue 1 rivals Lens. After taking a three-goal lead in the first half through Nabil Fekir, Alexandre Lacazette Lacazette and Mouhamadou Dabo goals, Lyon conceded two in the second period but held on to claim victory.

Valencia defeat Real Madrid 2-1 at Mestalla Stadium . Result brings to an end Los Blanco's 22 game winning streak . Barcelona miss chance to go top after losing at Real Sociedad .

LONDON, England (CNN) -- South American nations have always played a major part in the world of football, and when it comes to the World Cup they are considered among the main contenders every time. But this time around there may be a new threat from the continent making its mark internationally. Nelson Valdez (left) celebrates his goal against Venezuela, Tuesday, to keep Paraguay top in qualifying. Out of 18 World Cup Finals to date, a South American team has won the competition nine times, demonstrating that although Europe may be where the money is, the other side of the Atlantic has the raw talent. Generally speaking, however, the continent's dominance has been largely down to two countries: Brazil, who have won the title an astonishing five times; and Argentina, who have made it to the tournament's final match four times and taken the trophy home twice. The rest of the continent has rarely played a major part in the proceedings. Now, though, as the qualifying stages for the 2010 World Cup Finals gather speed, the two giants are being put to shame by a footballing nation that has, until now, had very limited success at international events: Paraguay. Having only qualified for the finals seven times, and never made it further than the second round of the competition, Paraguay aren't usually seen as a serious threat to the big international teams, but this year the bookmakers may have to take a serious look at the small country from the center of the continent, with a population of just 6.1 million. Following Tuesday night's 2-0 victory over Venezuela, Paraguay cemented their position at the top of the South American qualifying group, with 17 points from eight matches -- four points clear of the faltering Argentina and Brazil, who share second place. So far in the group, the Paraguayans have recorded a 2-0 home win over Brazil and managed to secure a 1-1 draw away to the recent Olympic champions Argentina, proving they can keep up with the best in the world, even without one of their star players, striker Roque Santa Cruz, who was injured for the Buenos Aires fixture. So, how are they managing it? And can they continue this form through the qualifiers and into the finals themselves? Since 2006, the team has undergone some radical changes. A lot of big names in the squad and behind the scenes left the team following Paraguay's relatively poor performance in the World Cup Finals in Germany. So it was goodbye to the old, including Paraguay's most capped player, Carlos Gamarra and coach, Anibal Ruiz, who has been replaced by Argentine Gerardo "Tata" Martino. But this left the door open for a whole new face for the nation's team. And the new breed of players clearly have a lot of skill, impressing people all over the world. Players like Santa Cruz, for the English Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, and Edgar Barreto, an integral part of the Reggina Calcio squad in Italy's Serie A, represent Paraguay's swelling talent in the major European leagues. The Paraguayan presence in the world's top leagues, shows the depth of their squad, and it also means players will be given the benefit of experiencing top level football on a regular basis; something that can only aid the development of an already talented player. The style the team plays -- emphasizing a strength in attack, boosted by Santa Cruz and his gifted strike partners, Club America's Salvador Cabanas and Borussia Dortmund's Nelson Valdez -- hints at a tactical change, as well. In the past, the Paraguayans have relied heavily on a solid defense to secure results, and not always had the goals to back that up. Now, although the defense is still strong -- featuring Boca Juniors regular Claudio Morel Rodriguez, and the powerful partnership of Paulo Da Silva and Julio Cesar Caceres -- there is some flair up front, which the manager is capitalizing on. So, with an influx of good players, who are getting the necessary top level experience and a manager who knows how to get the most out of his team, this may be an opportunity for a new country to step to the foreground from South America and end the dominance of Brazil and Argentina. As the table stands now, Paraguay are looking good to qualify, and if they can exercise the same level of skill they have shown in the opening eight matches, they could top the group and head to South Africa as the team to watch in the finals.

In the past Brazil and Argentina have dominated South American football . Paraguay are challenging, beating Brazil and topping World Cup qualifying group . The team has had a reshape since 2006, many new, talented players . Experience of playing in major leagues across the world helps player development .

(CNN) -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Washington State voted Wednesday in favor of a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage, putting Washington on the path toward becoming the seventh state in the nation to legalize marriage for gay and lesbian couples. "With today's vote, we tell the nation that Washington state will no longer deny our citizens the opportunity to marry the person they love," said Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Demorcrat who has vowed to sign it. "We tell every child of same-sex couples that their family is every bit as equal and important as all other families in our state. And we take a major step toward completing a long and important journey to end discrimination based on sexual orientation." The law will go into effect in June, when the legislative session ends, unless opponents halt its implementation by putting it on the November 2012 ballot. The 55-43 vote in the House included two Republicans in support of the bill. The Senate vote last week was 28-21 and included four Republicans. "Like thousands of other same-sex couples, my partner Eric and I are very grateful for these protections that the law now provide," said state Rep. Jamie Pedersen, a Democrat, moments before the vote. "But domestic partnership is a pale and inadequate substitute for marriage." In America: Inside my society-destroying family . State Rep. Jay Rodne, a Republican, disagreed. "Marriage is about life," he said. "It's about joining that man and that woman as husband and wife and mother and father, linking them with their natural-born children or adoptive parents and carrying forward our civilization." The National Organization for Marriage, which opposes the law, has said it will seek to gather the 120,577 signatures needed to put the issue to voters as a referendum in November. The group did not immediately return a call. Joseph Backholm, director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, has said the issue should be put to a public vote. "If we as a state are going to take the position that mothers and fathers are interchangeable and replaceable, if we are going to send a message to fathers and potential fathers in this state that it isn't important to be in the lives of their children because dads specifically don't matter, that is something we should all do together," he said last month. Preacher: Why I fight for traditional marriage . But Thalia Zepatos, director of public engagement for Freedom to Marry, questioned the fairness of a vote. "Is it appropriate for all the voters to vote on the rights of a small minority group of people?" she asked. Advocates of same-sex marriage have followed several paths toward legality in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Iowa, New York and the District of Columbia. "In each state, the question of marriage has come up either through the courts, through the legislatures or directly at the ballot," Zepatos said. "I think this demonstrates the growing support nationally amongst Republicans, Democrats and Independents who see that allowing committed and loving, same-sex couples to get married does not take anything away from the marriages of their friends, neighbors and family members." The benefits of same-sex marriage translate into benefits for the larger community, said Zepatos, citing one study that predicted $88 million in additional spending would occur in Washington once the practice becomes legal. "It's a real boost for small business in particular," she said. Preacher: Why I support same-sex marriage . In 2009, Maine state legislators passed a same-sex marriage bill that drew subsequent challenges by opponents who pushed for a referendum that ultimately overturned the law with 53% of the vote. Proponents are trying to get it back on the ballot this year. Gay rights advocates have already garnered thousands of signatures in an effort to force a second referendum in November. In California, a 2008 public vote outlawed gay and lesbian couples' right to wed. Two years later, a federal district court overturned the voter-approved measure known as Proposition 8, saying couples were unfairly denied their rights. A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday against California's ban, arguing that it unconstitutionally singles out gays and lesbians for discrimination. Sound off on iReport: What's your view? The ban has remained in place during the appeals process and could soon get a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. Similar battles have unfolded in Maryland, where same-sex marriage opponents have pressed for referendums to counter bills that appear to enjoy growing support in their state houses. CNN's Tina Burnside contributed to this story .

NEW: Opponents want the matter put to a public vote . The bill is up for the governor's signature . The legislation was approved in a 55-43 House vote .

(CNN)Kayla Mueller was difficult to reach -- 6,000 miles away and held captive by the Islamic militants of ISIS. But her family and U.S. government officials say they went to great lengths to try to rescue the 26-year-old humanitarian worker, efforts that ultimately failed. Her parents announced Tuesday they'd received confirmation she had died. Now they're working to bring her body back from Syria. U.S. troops may have come close to rescuing Mueller in July when they staged a daring raid at an abandoned oil refinery near Raqqa in Syria in an attempt to find journalist James Foley, who was executed by ISIS in August, and other hostages. Several dozen elite U.S. commandos from units such as Delta Force and Navy SEAL Team 6 flew in aboard helicopters, a U.S. official told CNN, and engaged in a firefight with militants. Troops found evidence the hostages had been there recently, including writings on the cell walls and hair believed to be Mueller's, one U.S. official said. "We devoted enormous resources, always devote enormous resources to freeing captives or hostages anywhere in the world," President Barack Obama said Tuesday in an interview with BuzzFeed News. A spokeswoman for the family said Mueller's parents often communicated with the White House in trying to free their daughter, who was taken hostage in August 2013. Last summer, the Muellers asked the Obama administration to consider trading Dr. Aafia Sadiqqi, known as "Lady al Qaeda," in exchange for Mueller, the spokeswoman said. The Daily Beast first reported on the family's request to the White House. ISIS has repeatedly called for the release of Sadiqqi, who is serving an 86-year sentence in Texas. Authorities said she shot at two FBI special agents, a U.S. Army warrant officer, an Army captain and military interpreters while she was being held unsecured at an Afghan facility on July 18, 2008. The White House did respond to the family, but the family spokeswoman gave no details on what the answer to their request was. Other rescue efforts included a trip by Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who went to Iraq and Qatar and met with Syrian rebel leaders to try to secure Mueller's release. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Arizona, said one of his aides went to a refugee camp near Kobani, Syria, to look for her. Gosar said government sources told him a man showed up at a terrorist training camp in Syria claiming to be Mueller's husband. He appealed for her release and wanted to talk to her but was turned away. The family representative said the man was actually Mueller's boyfriend, who was kidnapped at the same time as Mueller. He'd been released from captivity and went back to try to get Mueller released, the spokeswoman says. He continues to stay in touch with the family. In clearing up another question, the spokeswoman said that contrary to many media reports, the family never turned down a military rescue mission because it was too risky. Instead, the family had reached out to the White House and asked for notification if there would be another rescue attempt after the failed mission last July. Mueller's family has not spoken out against the U.S. government's efforts, but James Foley's brother has complained the government didn't do enough. "I don't have all the answers, but I do think that a more cooperative approach (is needed)," Michael Foley said. "And there wasn't sharing of information. You wouldn't believe how difficult it was to get information (on) released journalists ... from the ways that we have these walls built." On Thursday, an official with the Joint Chiefs of Staff said a report in The Daily Beast that alleged the administration failed to act quickly on British intelligence about the location of the hostages is "clearly false" and "very ill-informed." The official said once plans were developed and Pentagon had confidence in the ability to carry out the mission, officials made their recommendation to the White House and "quickly" received clearance to carry out the operation. There was no sitting on intelligence or any delay in acting upon it, the official said. Bernadette Meehan, National Security Council spokeswoman, said, "U.S. forces conducted this operation as soon as the President and his national security team were confident the mission could be carried out successfully and consistent with our policies for undertaking such operations." CNN's Brian Todd, Dana Bash, Pamela Brown and Ross Levitt contributed to this report.

U.S. troops made a rescue effort in July but didn't find Mueller or other hostages . Mueller's parents asked the White House about swapping a prisoner for their daughter .

(CNN) -- A Nevada city councilwoman who faced possible sanctions over a travel expense voucher and public comments was found dead with her husband Tuesday, hours before a City Council meeting that had the issues involving her on its agenda, officials said. Donna Fairchild and Bill Fairchild were found in a residence in the city of Mesquite, Nevada, on Interstate 15 near the border with Arizona, authorities said. Police got a call from the residence about 4:30 a.m. Each apparently suffered a single gunshot wound, the city said. Autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday. Results from the Clark County Coroner's Office were expected to take four to six weeks, according to a statement from the city. Mesquite city spokesman Bryan Dangerfield would not comment on the circumstances of their deaths but said police confirmed that a note and a 9 mm handgun were found at the scene. "The content of the note will not be disclosed until the investigation is complete," Dangerfield said. City Manager Timothy Hacker said he believed that Donna Fairchild was concerned about the agenda items, according to CNN Las Vegas affiliate KLAS. The City Council was required to meet Tuesday night, but in light of the day's events, Dangerfield said the allegations against Fairchild probably would not be debated. Two prayers were offered by pastors during the meeting, he said. Fairchild, who was a candidate for mayor, told the Desert Valley Times last week that she would not comment on the allegations against her, but instead would talk about them Tuesday night. Mayor Susan Holecheck and City Attorney Cheryl Truman Hunt had planned to ask the City Council to consider sanctioning Fairchild through possible reprimand, removal from boards or expulsion for filing a $94.60 mileage reimbursement request with the city for a January 4 Nevada Development Authority board meeting she allegedly did not attend, according to an item on the council agenda. Fairchild allegedly violated the city's code of conduct and its personnel policy, and allegedly fraudulently presented a claim to a public officer, Hunt wrote in a January 18 memo. Holecheck, who is seeking re-election, and Hunt also wanted the City Council to consider removing Fairchild as the city's representative to the Nevada Development Authority board of directors. According to a filing on the agenda, comments Fairchild made about the development authority in a newspaper article "were negative towards this agency, and deemed incompatible with the mission of the agency and good working relations with other NDA board members." A January 7 article of the Desert Valley Times includes interviews and comments from Mesquite mayoral candidates. In the article, Fairview said, "We just got a bill from the Nevada Development Authority: It costs $7,500 to belong. There was one thing that came out of the NDA, and that was Do It Best. That was huge for the community, but I don't think we're getting the bang for our buck." In the article, Fairchild said that Mesquite should be doing most of its own marketing. NDA Executive Director Somer Hollingsworth wrote Holecheck that Fairchild -- who was the city's representative to the board since July 2009 -- should have brought her concerns to him, rather than airing them publicly, especially since she was a member of the NDA executive committee, according to an e-mail attached with the filing. According to the agenda item, Fairchild could have discussed her issues with the NDA if she had attended the January 4 board meeting. Messages seeking comment were left with Holecheck and Hunt on Tuesday. A statement from the mayor's office and City Council said, "It is with a heavy heart that we make this announcement. Mesquite has lost two citizens that have devoted their life to public service. On behalf of myself and the City Council, this is a tremendous loss to our community and we express our deepest sympathies to the Fairchilds' family, loved ones and friends." Donna Fairchild served on the City Council from 2001 to 2007 and was re-elected in 2009. She moved to Mesquite with Bill Fairchild in 1999 after they both retired from the Denver Police Department, the city said. Donna Fairchild also has been an EMT/paramedic and news reporter for KIMN/KYGO radio in Denver. In Mesquite, Bill worked at a recreation center and was a member of the Virgin Valley Honor Guard and the Veterans of Foreign War. The Fairchilds were married for 21 years, the city said. CNN's Melanie Whitley and Frances Causey contributed to this report.

Councilwoman Donna Fairchild faced possible sanctions . City Council was to look at mileage reimbursement request . She and her husband were found dead in Nevada city . Each apparently died of single gunshot wounds .

Editor's note: CNN Contributor Bob Greene is a bestselling author whose forthcoming book is "Late Edition: A Love Story." Police tape surrounds the scene of a shooting in southern Alabama on Wednesday. (CNN) -- Carnage in Germany, carnage in Alabama, and one of the most saddening aspects of the killings is this: . The impulse to ask "why," while present, seems somehow muted. There will be a search for answers -- why did Michael K. McLendon, the gunman in the American South, murder 10 people, why did Tim Kretschmer, the gunman in the German South, murder 15 people -- but even when a tentative answer is arrived upon, it almost certainly won't mean much. Because the real answer we're searching for -- the answer that will stop these bursts of bloodshed -- seems destined to ever elude us. There is always an impulse to blame obscene killing sprees on outside stimuli. In the years just after World War II, comic books were cited as an incitement for young people to harm each other. Violent television programs were subsequently blamed, as video games sometimes are today. The connective theory has long been: if society desensitizes people to violence, if violence becomes a commodity, then it will proliferate. If people are passively taught that violence is everywhere, then violence will sprout, if not everywhere, then many wheres. But to place the brunt of the blame for this on outside forces is to duck a truth that we are understandably reluctant to face: the impulse to murder without remorse seems to be, in some people, almost like a learned language, deriving from somewhere deep and difficult to find. Thankfully, it remains relatively rare, although during weeks like this one it is not easy to take much comfort in that. Yet with each new torrent of killings, with each new demonstration that, to some among us, the idea of spreading heartache and horror is not only acceptable, but attractive... With each new demonstration of that, we find ourselves once again looking for lessons, in a search that can seem perpetually futile. Are the gunmen in cases like these out to make a name for themselves? If so, they are ordained to fail; there was a time when multiple, random murders were enough to give the perpetrators such notoriety that their names became catchphrases. Charlie Starkweather, whose name means nothing to most people today, had more than one movie made about him after his killing spree on the American Plains in the 1950s. There was a time when we could ascribe, to people who murdered without mercy, a dark desire for the worst kind of fame. But that's gone. Those names you read in the second paragraph of this story -- Michael McLendon, Tim Kretschmer -- may be freshly in the news today, but you will have forgotten them in a month or two. That's one more numbing sign of just how ordinary extraordinary violence has become: the names fail to stick. The protagonists are interchangeable. How to stop this? There has long been a debate over whether the death penalty is a deterrent to murder, but this week the murderers themselves are both dead, and almost certainly they considered that probability before they set out to kill. The learned language of violence seems to contain a concession, on the part of those who absorb it, that their acts may very well conclude with their own dying -- and that the price, in their minds, is acceptable, even, perhaps, sought. Which may be the most chilling lesson of all. Because if even death for those who do it is not enough to stop the profane slaughters around the globe, then our impotence in the face of this feels all the more profound. Whatever our need may be to grasp for answers, the killers, by dying on the day they kill, deny us the chance for even that scant solace. It's the ultimate taunt; it is as if they are saying: You want to know why? You'll never know. Which leaves us with only one certainty: . Before long -- in a matter of days, or weeks, or months -- we'll be asking these questions again. The names will change; the specks on the map will be different. But somewhere, someone who has learned the wordless language of spreading hurt and grief will do this once more, and we will pause anew in our daily lives to wonder what has become of us. And feel all the more empty at the silence that greets our question. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Bob Greene.

Bob Greene: The real reason mass murderers kill people is elusive . He asks whether outside influences play a role in inciting violence . Greene: These days, killers seeking lasting fame seem destined to fail . He says killers who commit suicide prevent us from knowing their motives .

Amman, Jordan (CNN) -- The wife of an alleged suicide bomber who killed eight people at a U.S. base in Afghanistan last week says she is shocked by his actions but "proud" of what he did. Defne Bayrak, the Turkish wife of Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi -- a Jordanian doctor identified as the attacker -- said she doubted accusations her husband had been an intelligence agent, but was satisfied he did not die in vain. "I am proud of my husband. My husband accomplished a very big operation in such a war," she told reporters. "If he is a martyr, may God accept his martyrdom." Al-Balawi has been named as the suspected bomber behind a December 30 attack on a U.S. base in Khost, in southeastern Afghanistan, that killed seven CIA officers and contractors, and a Jordanian army captain. U.S. and Jordanian officials say al-Balawi had been recruited as a counterterrorism intelligence agent, despite concerns over his extremist views, and was being used in the hunt for a senior al Qaeda figure. Bayrak, speaking from their home in Istanbul, told CNN Turk television she was "shocked" to hear what he had done. "It is impossible for me to make a guess if he was an agent, what was his reason going there," she said. "I am not saying whether I am believing or not believing. I am trying to say, we were not expecting something like this." Al-Balawi's mother, Shnara Fadel al-Balawi, told CNN her son, who she said had been a loner since childhood, had aspired to go to America, even telling her last year that he had booked a ticket to the United States. It is not clear that he did go to the United States, however. His wife said he went to Pakistan for further schooling and then found work. Bayrak, an author and Turkish-Arabic translator, said they had been continually in communication via the Internet and that he repeatedly said he was coming home. "When he phoned us, his conversations were very normal. Since he was always talking about coming to Turkey, naturally a human being would be shocked when such news comes," she said. His brother told CNN that al-Balawi's actions were "out of character" and that the man was "under pressure." The man's father, who said he was shocked by his son's actions, added that he had been called from Afghanistan, by a man speaking broken Arabic who told him his son was dead and that he had died as a hero in an operation to kill CIA agents. The caller said, according to the father, the circumstances could make problems for his family and that they would have to cope. The family didn't know whether the Afghan caller was from al Qaeda, but thinks it was some militant group. A Jordanian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had said authorities in Jordan arrested al-Balawi more than a year ago "for some suspicious information related to him," but released him because of a lack of evidence. "After (a) few months, he got in touch with us through the Internet and sent us several e-mails that include very important and rather dangerous information that might affect the security and stability of the country," the official told CNN. "We kept in touch with him through e-mails in order to get more information and also trying to bring him over to be able to get more information. We shared and exchanged the information he gave us with some other friendly countries that are involved in countering terrorism." U.S. sources said bin Zeid was the Jordanian operative working closely with al-Balawi, who was from the same hometown as the onetime leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Jordanian and U.S. intelligence agencies apparently thought al-Balawi had been rehabilitated from his extremist views and were using him to hunt Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's No. 2 figure, the former intelligence official said. Former CIA official Robert Richer called the bombing the greatest loss of life for the agency since the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, which killed eight agents. An American intelligence official vowed last week that the United States would avenge the attack. CNN's Nic Robertson, Caroline Faraj and Talia Kayali contributed to this report.

Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi thought to be bomber who killed 7 CIA operatives . The Jordanian grew up a loner, wanted to go to medical school, mother says . His wife, a translator in Turkey, "shocked" to hear what he had been accused of . Al-Balawi's father said he received call from Afghan saying son died a hero .

(CNN) -- It's interesting how many people have swallowed the BP public relations' bait to call the explosion from Deepwater Horizon oil rig the Gulf oil spill. We need to call it what it is: the BP oil spill. The federal government needs to take control and take punitive action against BP and any negligent government regulators immediately. As a concerned citizen, preparedness speaker and author, and former commander of federal troops in disaster response, I watched with interest as BP brought out its big PR guns to protect its brand and its platoon of expert engineers, paid by BP to talk about how it happened and how they intended to fix it. BP's reaction was much like Toyota's when it was confronted with safety issues. It, too, focused on PR to protect its brand, versus telling the truth, and sent out its engineers to talk about the problem and the fix. The U.S. Coast Guard was the first responder. The Coast Guard's priority always is to save lives. They spent days looking for the 11 missing men. Meanwhile, BP took advantage of this time to make itself the authoritative voice in the news about the spill and blame other companies. The U.S. government response was based on laws and rules that were created after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. After Valdez, the law changed to make the offending company responsible for the cleanup. A fund was created that all oil companies contributed to. If there was an emergency oil spill, a company could draw up to $75 million from this fund to fix the problem. But the fund was meant to help small wildcat operations, not huge conglomerates like BP. Sticking to that regulation was part of the problem. The No. 1 rule when dealing with disaster is to figure out which rules you need to break. Rules are designed for when everything is working. A democracy is based on trust. BP has proved it can't be trusted. iReporters share views on oil spill response . The government needs to change the game and make this a punitive effort. The government has been too friendly to oil companies. The government should immediately freeze BP's assets and start to charge the corporation -- say $100 million -- each day the oil flows. The money could be held in a fund that U.S. government draws on to take care of the people along the Gulf Coast and pay the states for doing the cleanup. Next, BP and the government bureaucrats who broke a law and put the public at risk need to go to jail. I remember when we were evacuating New Orleans on Saturday following Katrina. We pushed the survivors to the airport and a major called and said the pilots refused to fly the plane without a manifest and there was trouble with weapons scanners. I told him to direct everyone to put the people on the planes as fast as possible, and we would to do the manifest en route or on landing. As a result, we flew 16,000 people out of NOLA airport in less than seven hours. The priorities of the response to the spill must be to stop the flow of oil, prevent the oil from getting into the shoreline as much as possible, mitigate the effects of the oil in the ocean, and take care of the people who have lost their source of employment, such as fishermen and those in the tourist industry. BP's job is to focus on stopping the flow of oil. The government needs to provide more military "command and control" of the situation. As BP works to stop the gusher, the government must address the problem of the oil coming ashore and take care of the people affected, possibly retraining them in other jobs. The government could do this by using the Stafford Act to fund the states so they can protect their shoreline and clean up the oil. Then, the long-term effects of the spill must be mitigated. The people of the Gulf Coast, particularly South Louisiana, are still recovering from Katrina. They've been through hurricanes Rita, Gustav and Ike. They know hurricane season is right around the corner and this BP oil spill has the potential to get much worse. And they don't trust BP. In fact, the latest curse going around in southern Louisiana today is, "BP you." Punitive action must start immediately, with BP supplying the money, from fines, to help the Gulf Coast get over this catastrophe. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Russel Honoré.

Gen. Russel Honoré: This disaster is the BP oil spill, not the Gulf oil spill . BP should be fined, he says, even $100 million, each day the oil is gushing . Money from fines should be used to help Gulf Coast and its people recover, Honoré says . General believes BP and negligent government regulators should face jail time .

(CNN) -- She graced the cover of Vogue, launched a best-selling biography and was named Australian Sportswoman of the Year. Quite impressive, considering this was her "time off work." Even more so, given she's a race horse. Champion thoroughbred Black Caviar hasn't competed since her dramatic win at Britain's Royal Ascot eight months ago but that hasn't diminished the hype surrounding the world's greatest sprinter, who remains undefeated in a staggering 22 consecutive races. Now, after a long absence due to muscle injury, the six-year-old mare is set to return to the track in what could well prove her D-Day race. "We're all hoping she wins on Saturday," co-owner Colin Madden told CNN. "But the real benefit is she doesn't read the newspapers so she doesn't know the pressure is on." Her performance at the Lightning Stakes, in her hometown of Melbourne, will determine if this is the last hurrah of a stellar career. "If things go really well, we've got around two or three more races left in her," Madden said. And if she doesn't live up to expectations? "We'll just have to see. The fact she got 22 wins without losing, and the affection Australians have for her, means our respect for her is so high. None of us want to see her race if she can't present herself well." It will be a defining race for a horse who appeared "tired and cranky" in her most recent win at the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in June. Black Caviar, worth almost $7 million in prize money, barely nudged ahead of the tightly fought pack. It was later revealed she had muscle strain in her legs which would put her out of action -- until now. "She was courageous the way she won at Ascot," Madden said. "It was at the end of a very long run of competitions -- she'd had five races that year and a trip to the UK." Healed and rested after an eight-month break, Madden says we'll see a return to the Black Caviar of old on Saturday -- not the mare who scrambled over the finishing line in front of a sellout crowd of 80,000 at Ascot. "She's fully recovered. She's got a glint in her eye and her mind and body are strong," he added. She appeared back on top form during a training run in Melbourne last week, with bookmakers already placing the two-time Lightning Stakes winner as the favorite for Saturday's race. Depending on her performance, Black Caviar could next compete at a handful of races across Australia in the coming months, including Newmarket in Melbourne and the T.J. Smith Stakes in Sydney, said Madden. But a return to Ascot was unlikely, he added. Since demolishing the field in her first major win at the Danehill Stakes in 2009, an air of mystique has followed world champion thoroughbred. The superstar mare, who even has her own Twitter handle, has not just won all 22 of her races -- with the exception of Ascot she has won them by staggering margins, destroying world-class fields to become one of the top-rated race horses on the planet. Her unblemished record is the second highest of all time, trailing behind only Hungarian horse Kincsem, which apparently took 54 races in the late 1800s. Beyond the track, Black Caviar may also have a profitable career as a breeding mare, with managing owner Neil Werrett last year hinting that champion British thoroughbred Frankel could be a good match. Frankel, who wrapped up his stellar career in the Champion Stakes at Ascot with an unblemished 14-win record, has now been put out to stud -- with big returns expected for owner Saudi Prince Khalid Abdullah. The top-rated race horse in the world is expected to start his new duties this month, commanding a fee of $160,000 each time he sires a foal. Win or lose on Saturday, one thing is certain -- Black Caviar has already cemented her place in the hearts of Australians. More than 10,000 people packed into Melbourne's Federation Square to watch her Ascot triumph on the big screen in June, her biography has sold 50,000 copies, and in December she became the first horse to grace the country's Vogue magazine.

Horse racing's greatest sprinter, Black Caviar, returns to track after long absence . After nailbiting Ascot win, Australian mare competes for first time in eight months . Depending on outcome at Lightning Stakes, it could be one of her last races . Champion thoroughbred could have profitable future as breeding mare .

(CNN) -- The parents of a Virginia Tech student who disappeared last month during a Metallica concert asked Wednesday for volunteers to help conduct a community search this weekend. Morgan Harrington, a 20-year-old education major, went to the concert at the University of Virginia's John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia, on October 17. Police said they are continuing to follow leads in the case, but have no new information. "We will stop at nothing until she is found," Harrington's father, Dan Harrington of Roanoke, Virginia, told reporters Wednesday. During the concert, Harrington left her friends to use the restroom, Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said Wednesday, and when she did not return they called her on her cell phone at 8:48 p.m. She told them she was outside the arena and could not get back in because of its policy, Geller said, but told them not to worry about her and that she would find a ride home. There are restrooms inside the arena, Geller said, and police do not know how or why Harrington got outside. Witnesses who saw her outside the arena said she did not appear to be with anyone, Geller said. At about 9:30 p.m. that night, witnesses reported seeing a person matching Harrington's description walking on a nearby bridge, Geller said. No further sightings were reported. Harrington's purse, with her identification and cell phone inside, was found the following day in an overflow parking lot near the arena, Geller said. A friend had driven Harrington's car to the concert, she said, and so was still in possession of the car keys when they got separated. Police would not say whether Harrington was intoxicated. A $150,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Harrington's whereabouts, Geller said. Of that, Metallica contributed $50,000. Authorities have received more than 350 leads since Harrington disappeared, Geller said. She was reported missing the day after the concert, when she did not show up at her parents' home to study for a math exam with her father. Working with police and the Texas-based Laura Recovery Center, the Harringtons organized the community search to begin Friday and reconvene Saturday or Sunday. The couple was joined at the Wednesday press conference by Ed Smart, whose daughter Elizabeth was abducted in 2002. She returned home nine months later after police found her in the custody of suspect Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. "When a child is missing, you have no idea of what to do and how to move forward," Smart said, calling it "the club that nobody wants to belong to." "There isn't a parent out there that would want to be in his position," he said of Harrington. "The importance of it is, there's a girl that is lost out there that needs to be found." Harrington said he reached out to Smart last week to seek advice on how to go through the disappearance of a child. Smart has been supportive and helpful, he said, and offered to come to Virginia and speak to reporters Wednesday. Gil Harrington spoke briefly. "Morgan, two-for-one," she said, referring to a motto on a Web site set up by the family, www.findmorgan.com: "I love you too much, forever and once more." "We are trying to find you," she told her daughter. "We will never stop. We are trying, honey, hang on. And to the person who has taken Morgan from us, please just let her go." Dan Harrington said Smart's story had provided them with hope. "People do come back," he said. "Not everyone is lost. We have to hold out hope that our daughter will return to us." Smart told reporters he never lost hope that his daughter was alive, but "that doesn't mean there wasn't doubt at times." "I believed she was still out there and felt that she would come home," he said. "That's what we're hoping for with Morgan. We just want to see her come home ... I believe that somebody can help us." Harrington is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a black Pantera T-shirt, a black miniskirt, black tights and black boots when last seen.

Morgan Harrington was separated from friends at Metallica concert on October 17 . A $150,000 reward is being offered for information; 350 tips have come in . Woman fitting 20-year-old Virginia Tech student's description spotted by bridge . Harrington's purse, cell phone found next day in overflow parking lot near arena .

(CNN) -- To get through the long, tedious hours sitting in the fossil archives at the University of California-Berkeley, Jason Head would listen to the hypnotic sounds of The Doors. So when he happened upon one of the biggest lizards that ever walked on land, he found it fitting to name it after the band's frontman, Jim Morrison -- the original Lizard King. But that's not what makes this find interesting. It's what the existence of the "Bearded King Morrison" tells us about the effects of climate change that's intriguing. The climate connection . Lizards, like snakes and turtles, are cold-blooded animals. They depend on warmth from their surroundings to heat their bodies. And when the environment warms up, they become more active, get hungrier, eat more and grow. For six years, Head sifted through fossils of animals that lived 40 million years ago, looking for clues on climate change. Then it jumped out at him: The Bearded King Morrison, as Head named his now-extinct lizard. Head and his team introduced it in a study to be published Wednesday by research journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. "It struck me that we had something here that was quite large and quite unique," he said. The find was striking, because when it comes to climate trends, bigger reptiles point to a warmer climate, Head said. "One of the things you can actually do is estimate past temperatures by looking at the body size of fossil reptiles," said Head, a paleontologist who studies the Earth and its atmosphere at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The lizard's hefty size helped confirm the elevated global temperature during a period known as the Paleocene greenhouse. "This would be a globally warmed time in Earth's history, where there's no ice at the poles," Head said. There was a lot of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere back then. Sound familiar? Man-made global warming in the 21st century is pushing temperatures back up in that direction, he said. Current average temperatures are only about 2.5 degrees Celsius shy of where they were 40 million years ago, Head said, when the Bearded King Morrison grazed in the forests of what is now Myanmar. The Doors connection . The lizard's proper scientific name is Barbarurex morrisioni, and there is a backstory to how Head arrived at it. The Doors is Head's favorite 60's rock band. The Doors' founder Ray Manzarek dies at 74 . "I had their albums going on kind of endless loop while we were writing and doing the analysis on the lizard," he said. The size of the lizard took him by surprise. It reminded him of the nickname of now deceased Doors singer Morrison, also known as the Lizard King. Morrison also had a reputation for standing up for the environment. The king-size lizard, the ecological connection. For Head, the name fit. The Bearded King Morrison was no dinosaur. It was smaller than today's crocodiles and Komodo dragons. But those are carnivorous reptiles. This was an herbivore. It ate plants. It was six feet long and weighed as much as a German shepherd, pretty sizable for a lizard. Head says he hasn't found fossil records that show why the creature eventually went extinct. The big deal . The evolution of such a large reptile shows what a huge effect a slight warming bump can have, Head said. With the ice caps gone, Earth's climate became warm and muggy, and forest covered the planet. There was plenty of greenery for the chubby lizard to munch through. As man-made climate change progresses, existing reptiles will spread out into new territory, Head predicts. So can we see another spurt of such giant lizards? Unlikely. For them to evolve to the size of the Bearded King Morrison, they would require global temperatures to slowly rise a few degrees and then remain stable for a very long time. Today's climate is warming so rapidly that "we'll basically block off their ability to respond to the temperature increase," Head said. Instead of evolution, he said, we'll see extinction. Or, as Morrison sang, "This is the end, my only friend." More space and science news from CNN Light Years . Follow @CNNLightYears on Twitter .

Lizard's size confirms elevated global temperature during Paleocene greenhouse period . The cold-blooded animals depend on warmth from their surroundings to heat their bodies . Man-made global warming in the 21st century pushing temperatures back up in that direction .

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) -- Gangs of young men armed with machetes are roaming the streets in Kenya as post-election violence threatens to engulf the country. Horrific attacks are being reported, including the torching of a church where people who had sought refuge were burned alive. At least 148 people have been killed and about 75,000 have fled their homes since President Mwai Kibaki won a narrow victory, according to Kenyan government officials. The Associated Press reported a higher number -- about 275 -- have died since Saturday. Much of the violence is between supporters of Kibaki from the majority Kikuyu tribe and backers of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who is from the Luo tribe. The ethnic violence, previously rare in Kenya, is reminiscent of the strife that led to the Rwanda genocide. In a particularly disturbing incident, a mob appears to have burned a church filled with Kenyans seeking refuge from the violence. The Red Cross told The Associated Press that at least 50 were burned to death at the church, some of them children. As many as 200 people were at the church, about 185 miles northwest of Nairobi, KTN reporter Tony Biwott told CNN. Watch as machete-wielding looters haul away goods » . Biwott said he counted at least 15 charred bodies, including children, in the burned church and an adjacent field. "I'm sure there were more than 15 but I couldn't count the ones who were ashes," he said in a phone interview. The wounded sustained gunshot wounds, burns and cuts from a panga, a machete-like weapon, the Red Cross said. Watch smoke darken skies near a burned church . The national police commissioner has said in Kenyan society, churches are considered sacred and no one would expect such violence there. He said an investigation into the incident is under way. About 120 people are reported dead and over 1,000 injured countrywide, according to The Red Cross. Police and political backers of opposition leader Raila Odinga began clashing about four days ago as Odinga, of the Luo tribe, narrowly lost Kenya's presidential election to Mwai Kibaki. Kibaki is a member of Kikuyu, Kenya's largest tribe. Violence broke out in several cities as frustration mounted during the slow hand-count of the ballots. Kibaki was re-elected with 51.3 percent of the vote, to 48.7 percent for Odinga. "What we now witness is a cold and calculated plan to organize and engage in massacres," government spokesman Alfred Mutua said. Bringing in the New Year, Kibaki -- who rarely speaks to the press -- urged calm to the nation. "It now is a time for healing and reconciliation amongst all Kenyans," he said. Foreign Minister Raphael Tuju said the government is committed to taking control. "If the tear gas doesn't work then unfortunately they have to use live bullets," he told CNN. "The president has been sworn in, the elections are over, the Kenyans have to accept the results, the opposition has to accept the results." Tuesday, international observers said the balloting fell short of international standards for democratic elections. Alexander Lambsdorff, the head of the EU Election Observation Mission in Kenya, cited discrepancies in vote counts, election observers being turned away from polling places and observers being refused entrance to the electoral commission vote-counting room. The violence also has displaced some 75,000 Kenyans inside the country, Mutua said. The government said Tuesday it will not allow any political rallies in the aftermath of the controversial election outcome. Odinga's opposition Orange Democratic Movement had scheduled rallies for Tuesday, raising fears of more violence. Mutua said there was no intention to impose a state of emergency or curfew at this point, and said police are handling the violence well and with "extreme restraint." However, he warned that police restraint would not last forever. The violence is rare for Kenya, which has enjoyed relative calm even as war and chronic political violence wracked neighboring countries, such as Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda. The United States has withheld congratulations for Kibaki, citing concerns of voting problems, even though Kibaki has claimed victory. E-mail to a friend .

NEW: Red Cross: 120 people have been reported dead, 1,000 injured . International observers have called into question Kenyan election results . Witnesses: Mob set fire to church and burned people to death . The vote was marred by allegations of vote-rigging by both of the main parties .

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- The Afghan Taliban are prepared to open an "office outside the country for talks with foreigners," a purported spokesman for the movement said in a statement released Tuesday. The statement could signal the Taliban's public willingness to talk to the United States for the first time. Calling himself "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan spokesman," Zabiullah Mujaheed said the Taliban have a "preliminary agreement with Qatar and other respective sides." The Taliban are asking for the release of prisoners from the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in exchange for opening the office, he said. He said the group is also "ready for talks and negotiation inside the country." It appears to be the first time the Taliban -- who ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001, when they were ousted in a U.S.-led invasion -- have offered talks without the condition of an American withdrawal from the country. Read more about Qatar as a mediator . It is not clear if the purported spokesman speaks for all parts of the loose-knit Afghan Taliban. His statement was released in Pashto, a local language. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always tried to solve any problem with its opposite side through talks," the statement said. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul responded cautiously to the statement. "We support an Afghan-led reconciliation process in which the Taliban breaks with al Qaeda, renounces violence and accepts the Afghan constitution, especially protections for minorities and women," said Gavin Sundwall, a U.S. Embassy spokesman. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the United States is prepared to support an Afghan-led reconciliation. "But this process will only be successful if the Taliban are prepared to renounce violence, break ties with al Qaeda, support the Afghan constitution in all of its elements, including human rights for all citizens, and particularly for women," she said. Nuland said U.S. officials are not aware of any formal announcement, "but we are prepared to support a process that the Afghans support. " A top Afghan peace official said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the Taliban statement. "We are optimistic that they want to come to the negotiating table, but we have to be cautious because words alone are not enough," said Ismail Qassemyar, a member of the country's High Peace Council. He agreed with the Americans that talks had to take place between Afghans. The peace talks are "an Afghan process .... Americans can't give them anything in Afghanistan because America can't make any decision on behalf of the Afghan nation," he said. Last week he warned against the United States or other nations trying to strike their own peace deals with the militants. "We ask our international friends not to hold any kind of talks with the Taliban leaders," Qassemyar said December 27. Recent media reports have said the United States and other foreign governments with a stake in the Afghan war may try to strike a separate deal with the Taliban. The Washington Post reported in December that the Obama administration reached a tentative deal with Taliban negotiators that would have included the Taliban's public renunciation of international terrorism and the transfer of five Afghans from Guantanamo Bay. The deal collapsed, the Post said, because of Afghan President Hamid Karzai's objections. Any talk of a peace process slowed in September when suicide bombers killed senior Afghan peace negotiator and former President Burhannudin Rabbani. Karzai told CNN in December that the government cannot hold talks until the Islamic militia identifies a representative with the authority to negotiate. Karzai said Rabbani's death showed that "we were actually talking to nobody." "A man who came in the name of a messenger for peace turned out to be a suicide bomber," Karzai said. "Therefore, we have now clearly said that we will welcome a Taliban address, but that address must have the clarity that this representative is authorized and is representing the Taliban movement as we see it." Qassemyar said a Taliban office in Qatar would by no means legitimize the Islamist group. "We accept an address for the Taliban in Qatar if they come there as a movement or a group, not a government or use it as a propaganda venue," he said.

NEW: Nuland: "We are prepared to support a process that the Afghans support" The Taliban have a preliminary deal to open an office in Qatar, a statement says . They want detainees freed from Guantanamo Bay as a condition for talks . It appears to be their first public offer of talks without a U.S. withdrawal .

Philadelphia (CNN) -- The operators of two vessels involved in the "duck boat" accident on the Delaware River two summers ago have reached a $17 million settlement with the victims and the families of the two Hungarian students who died that day. The families of the Dora Schwendter and Szabolcs Prem will split $15 million, and nearly 20 other victims who involved in the accident will split $2 million. Schwendter, 16, and Prem, 20, died on July 7, 2010, when a sludge barge towed by a tugboat plowed into the disabled, 33-foot "Ride the Ducks" tour boat they were riding on the Delaware River, plunging the amphibious vessel and its 35 passengers and two crew members underwater. Their families filed wrongful death lawsuits against K-Sea Transportation of East Brunswick, New Jersey, which operated the tugboat guiding the barge along the river, and Ride the Ducks of Norcross, Georgia, which operated the tour boat. Ride the Ducks issued a statement saying it is "glad to bring closure to this sad chapter" and expressing sympathy, noting that "as parents ourselves, we are sorry for what they have experienced." On the second day of a federal trial that began Monday, U.S. District Judge Thomas O'Neill, who presided in the nonjury trial, halted the proceedings and told the parties in the case to work out a settlement. The parties negotiated from noon Tuesday to late Wednesday afternoon. It was not disclosed how the payment of the settlement would be divided by the two companies. A lawyer representing the families of the two victims said the decision was a wake-up call for the transportation industry. "To lose an only child is a parent's worst nightmare," said Robert Mongeluzzi from Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky law firm. "They still remain in search of closure, but they wanted us to find out what happened and make sure it didn't happen again." During his opening statement, Mongeluzzi played a video clip of the accident that showed Schwendtner throwing a life preserver to Kyle Burkhardt, the duck boat¹s first mate. "Sixteen-year-old Dora Schwendtner throws her life preserver to Kyle Burkhard to save his life. And, because of the defendants' failures, she lost hers," Mongeluzzi said. In testimony Tuesday, Kevin Grace of Waterloo, Illinois, who was aboard the duck boat with his 9-year-old daughter when it was struck, described the chaos of that day as "the most horrific thing" he had ever witnessed. "The initial impact came with loud screams and cries from the rest of the people on the boat," Grace said. "As I got near the window, the boat turned and pitched, and the river rose up and just swallowed us." He added that he was unable to secure a life jacket on himself and only managed to get one over his daughter's head. "The only thing I could do was reach up and grab a handful of hair and just hold on," he said. "Under no circumstances was I going to let go. Her lifeline was my hand on her hair." "It was like being a washing machine with a bunch of strange objects, shoes and clothes and people people flailing underwater," he said. The distracted tugboat pilot who crashed the barge into the sightseeing craft is serving time in federal prison for his criminal conduct associated with his role in the accident, federal prosecutors said. Matthew R. Devlin, 35, of Catskill, New York, pleaded guilty on August 1, 2011, to one count of misconduct of a ship operator causing death, and was sentenced to a year and a day. In addition to the prison time, he also will spend three years on supervised release. Devlin admitted that he was distracted by his cell phone and laptop for an extended period of time before the collision, that he piloted the tug, the Caribbean Sea, from its lower wheelhouse where he had significantly reduced visibility, and that he did not maintain a proper lookout or comply with other essential rules of seamanship, according to federal prosecutors. He also surrendered his Coast Guard-issued license as a mate, according to federal prosecutors. Based on federal sentencing guidelines, Devlin could have received up to four years in prison. CNN's Michael Teng contributed to this report.

The families of two Hungarian students who died will split $15 million . The disabled "Ride the Ducks" tour boat was struck by a barge on July 7, 2010 . Survivors of crash receive $2 million in settlement for $17M total . Pilot of the tugboat is serving prison time for causing the accident .