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(CNN) -- While foreign policy became an unexpected pivotal point in last week's town-hall style presidential debate, Monday's final showdown will focus entirely on international affairs. And with the U.S. government knee-deep in an investigation of its handling of the Benghazi consulate attacks and as reports emerge of planned negotiations with Iranian leaders, the topic could provide a pivot point in the tight race for the White House. "I think it's going to be an important debate," senior Obama campaign adviser David Axelrod said Sunday, though he sought to lower expectations. "I don't think any one event is decisive, even though being strong at home and building our economy is the No. 1 issue." Photos: When every vote counted, closest U.S. elections . President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney meet for their third of three debates in Boca Raton, Florida, the biggest swing state prize with 29 electoral votes. It marks the closing note of the debate season, one that landed Romney a much-needed boost after his widely applauded performance -- and Obama's derided one -- in the first debate. The second matchup was considered more of a draw, with Obama edging Romney in several polls of debate-watchers. Political observers say incumbents usually have an advantage on foreign policy because of their experience making decisions for the country and access to some of the most privileged intelligence. A Pew Research Poll that came before the second debate showed Obama ahead of Romney 47% to 43% when voters were asked which candidate they thought would handle foreign policy decisions better. That's within the margin of error and is a much tighter poll than one taken by Pew in September, which showed Obama leading Romney 53% to 38%. The Obama campaign has attempted to paint Romney as unprepared to handle issues on the world stage. Calling Romney "reckless," Axelrod on Sunday hinted at one line of attack the president could take during Monday's debate. "We all remember his 'Dukes of Hazzard' tour of international destinations over the summer, where he not only roiled countries that are not as friendly to us but also our best ally, Britain." During a trip to the United Kingdom, Israel and Poland, Romney generated international criticism in July for his comments in London questioning the UK's preparations for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Campaign explorer: Ads, money and travel . That perceived gaffe was followed by what some said were inappropriate comments about Palestinians, questioning why Palestinian-controlled areas had a lower GDP per capita than Israel. Romney also faced criticism over his initial response to the Benghazi consulate attack, in which killed four Americans were killed, and the breaching of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo last month. He put out a statement the night of the unrest, then held a news conference to chastise Obama on foreign policy the next morning. Democrats and some Republicans argued the reaction was made in haste. Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, cited the incident as an example of Romney being unprepared to be a world leader. "Gov. Romney just seems to be bluster, blunder, cowboy-alone foreign policy," Richardson said on CNN's "State of the Union." "I'm troubled at this time when we had the Benghazi crisis, he's trying to make political gain." But questions have lingered over why the U.S. was unprepared for the attack on the consulate in Benghazi and the mixed signals that the White House sent over its cause. In last week's debate in Hempstead, New York, Obama took responsibility for the security of State Department personnel, saying ultimately the buck stops at his desk. "That's why nobody's more interested in finding out exactly what happened than I do," he said . Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich pointed to Obama's words and criticized the lack of robust security at the consulate, adding the whole episode represents a larger narrative of the president's foreign policy track. Intelligence on Benghazi shifted . "If we can't figure out what went on in a relatively open city in a country we had helped liberate, why do we think we know what's going on with Iran's nuclear program?" the former Republican presidential candidate and speaker of the House said on CNN's "State of the Union." Defending Romney, Gingrich said he had ample foreign policy experience from his time as Massachusetts governor, as well as his role in running the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and living overseas as a missionary. Weighing in on the expectations for Monday's debate, CNN contributor and New Yorker political reporter Ryan Lizza told CNN's Athena Jones that while foreign policy is important, it's not "what's going to drive the vote." "So if you're Mitt Romney, every second you're talking about foreign policy is wasted. Which might mean that Romney tries to break out of that, tries to bring home some of the foreign policy issues to domestic economic issues. For instance, when you're talking about China, that's in some ways a domestic issue," he said. Lizza said Romney has a choice to make. He could try to attack Obama over the administration's handling of the Benghazi attack, a strategy he took during last week's debate but ended up making headlines over mixing up a detail in the timeline. "Or does he just put that aside, put those attacks aside and try to move on to some other issues where he has more of an advantage?" Lizza said. New election lingo: from 'Obamaloney' to 'Romnesia' As for the president's challenge, Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Obama will need to be "defining the Middle East strategy going forward." "He's had some successes, he's had some things that are still pretty murky," Alterman said. Romney, on the other hand, has a broader challenge of laying out specific policies without upsetting the Republican base. "The Republican Party hasn't really figured out what a Republican foreign policy looks like after the Bush administration," Alterman said. "I think Romney has been uneager to really delve into that, but I think the challenge he will have on issue after issue is you have to get more specific." Also developing on the international front, The New York Times reported Saturday cited an anonymous senior administration official saying the U.S. and Iran have agreed to take part in unprecedented, one-on-one talks over the country's nuclear program. The White House denied the report was true. Asked about Iran on Sunday, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio used an argument often made by Romney, saying the president failed to back the 2009 protest movement in Iran that the country's regime stifled with a violent crackdown. "That set a tone where now Iran thinks they can go harder and faster than they could go. And today, they're closer than they've ever been to a nuclear capability," Rubio said on ABC's "This Week." "That's very unfortunate." Opinion: 'Iranians are trying to take advantage of our election cycle' But former White House chief of staff and current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, also appearing on "This Week," said that while he didn't know whether the reports of talks with Iran were true, the "tables have been turned" by Obama's approach. "Three and a half years ago, the world was criticizing us on Iran. Today, the world is criticizing Iran on its attempts to acquire nuclear weapons. That's a direct change," he said. Obama, Romney unite ... for RG3 . CNN's Athena Jones and Greg Clary contributed to this report.

President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney meet Monday night for their final debate . Monday's final showdown will focus entirely on international affairs. Middle East expert says Obama needs to be "defining the Middle East strategy going forward" Romney faces the challenge of laying out specific policies without upsetting base .

Madrid (CNN) -- It's an ominous number. There could be up to 10,000 new Ebola cases per week in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone by the end of this year as the outbreak spreads, the World Health Organization warned Tuesday. And now that a nurse has become the first person to contract Ebola on American soil, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has a new plan to help hospitals handle the deadly virus. "For any hospital anywhere in the country that has a confirmed case of Ebola, we will put a team on the ground within hours," CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden told reporters. The response team will include experts in infection control, protective equipment and experimental therapies. A team such as that, Frieden said, might have prevented a Dallas nurse from contracting the disease. The nurse was a member of the medical team that treated an Ebola patient who died last week. "I wish we had put a team like this on the ground the day the first patient was diagnosed. That might have prevented this infection," Frieden said. "But we will do that from this day onward with any case anywhere in the U.S." In addition to the many experts it sent to Dallas, Frieden said, the CDC "could have sent a more robust hospital infection control team and been more hands-on with the hospital from day one about exactly how this should be managed. "Ebola is unfamiliar. It's scary," said Frieden. "And getting it right is really, really important, because the stakes are so high." Speaking to reporters in Switzerland, WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Bruce Aylward told reporters that the Ebola outbreak could get worse before it gets better. By December, he said, there could be between 5,000 and 10,000 new cases weekly in West Africa. Compare those December projections to the latest figures. As of Tuesday morning, there were a total of 8,914 Ebola cases and 4,447 deaths reported to the WHO, Aylward said. The outbreak's mortality rate, he said, is about 70%. "This has been a deadly disease ever since we discovered it in 1976," said Dr. Seema Yasmin, a staff writer at the Dallas Morning News and a former CDC disease detective. "Certainly the death rate can be lowered if we don't have any delays in diagnosis and don't have any delays in treating people," Yasmin told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. Aylward told reporters that in 90 days, officials have a goal they're aiming for: They want to see the number of cases dropping from week to week. To start to decrease the rate of infection, the WHO says it hopes to isolate 70% of Ebola patients and have 70% of Ebola victim burials performed safely by December 1. Getting responders, facilities and plans in place to meet the goal will be very difficult, Aylward said. Missing the goal will mean that more people will die than should have and that even more resources will be needed because the infection rate will continue to climb, he said. Dallas nurse speaks . Days after authorities announced that a Dallas nurse had contracted Ebola, concerns in the United States have focused on a key question: Are people who are putting themselves in harm's way to care for Ebola victims receiving the training and equipment they need? "I've been hearing loud and clear from health care workers from around the country that they're worried, that they don't feel prepared to take care of a patient with Ebola," Frieden said. Every hospital in the United States needs to be prepared to handle Ebola, he said, adding that the CDC will be stepping up training efforts. The Dallas nurse, Nina Pham, had cared for Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan, who contracted Ebola in Liberia and died of the illness at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. "A single infection in a health care worker is unacceptable," Frieden said. "And what we're doing at this point is looking at everything we can do to minimize that risk so those that are caring for her do that safely and effectively." At least 76 health care workers who may have come into contact with Duncan after he was hospitalized are now being monitored for symptoms of the disease, Frieden said. At the Dallas hospital, teams from the CDC are taking a number of steps to improve safety in handling Ebola, Frieden said, including ensuring there's a site manager making sure protective equipment is put on and taken off correctly. "There wasn't a single individual accountable for that," he said. "That's a critical role and that's there now." They're also improving training at the hospital and limiting the number of staff who go into the isolation area, he said. In a statement Tuesday, Pham thanked supporters for sending kind wishes and prayers, according to the Dallas hospital where she is being treated. "I am blessed by the support of family and friends and am blessed to be cared for by the best team of doctors and nurses in the world," she said. Infected nurse's assistant 'helping' as doctors treat her . Health authorities in Spain said a nurse's assistant who is the first person to contract Ebola in Europe in the current outbreak is still in serious condition but doing better. And even as Teresa Romero Ramos lies in a hospital bed, she's doing everything she can to take care of doctors, nurses and herself, said Dr. Marta Arsuaga, who is Romero's doctor and friend. "She is helping us to treat her. ... She was where I am now, so she knows what I have to do," Arsuaga said. Romero's case, like Pham's, has raised serious questions about how equipped hospitals are to cope with the Ebola outbreak. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said Monday that the Madrid hospital treating Romero doesn't meet all the standards set for centers capable of Ebola care. And in a scathing letter, Javier Limon, Romero's husband, said she received only 30 minutes of training in putting on protective gear and called for the resignation of Madrid's regional health minister over how the case has been handled. Romero helped care for one of two Spanish missionaries who were brought back to Madrid for treatment after being infected with the virus in West Africa. Both men died of the illness. Besides treating Romero, Spanish authorities are monitoring 81 potential Ebola cases -- 15 in hospitals and 66 at home, according to the Spanish Ministry of Health. None of them is showing symptoms of Ebola, the ministry said. Romero is stable but remains in serious condition, Antonio Andreu, director of the Carlos III Hospital in Madrid, said at a news conference. A spokesman for a special committee created in Spain to keep people informed about Ebola said Spain will have a contagious diseases reference center in each of its regions. Police, firefighters and ambulance personnel, as well as hospital staff, will be trained to deal with Ebola cases. Andreu insisted that Spain's health care professionals have the situation under control. But he said more training will be given to health care workers and new guidelines will be prepared. "Ebola is not a problem of Spain. It is not a problem of the United States," he said. "It's a global problem." CNN's Laura Perez Maestro reported from Madrid, while Laura Smith-Spark wrote and reported from London and Catherine E. Shoichet wrote and reported from Atlanta. CNN's Alexander Felton, Claudia Otto, Elwyn Lopez, Jason Hanna and Dana Ford contributed to this report.

New site manager at Texas hospital is a "critical role," CDC director says . WHO predicts 5,000-10,000 Ebola cases a week in worst-hit countries by December . CDC director: A new team will help hospitals around the United States deal with Ebola . Dallas nurse: "I'm doing well"; she thanks "everyone for their kind wishes and prayers"

(CNN) -- When the Battle of Gettysburg was over after three days, the Civil War's bloodiest battle had claimed 51,000 casualties. The Union Army of the Potomac clashed with Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in July 1863. The battle turned against Lee and his invaders on July 3, and Confederate forces returned to Virginia. The ferocious battle, considered a turning point in the war, occurred 150 years ago this week, on land that is now a national military park. Gettysburg anniversary provides a bigger story . With soldiers' graves on the battlefield and near a former hospital site, Gettysburg residents pleaded with state officials to create what is now called the Soldiers' National Cemetery. At the cemetery's dedication on November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln gave his epochal two-minute Gettysburg Address, reminding listeners "that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." In 1864, a group of citizens established the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association to preserve part of the battlefield as a memorial to the Union soldiers who fought there, according to the National Park Service. In 1895, the association transferred its land holdings to the federal government. The NPS took over administration of the park in 1933. This week, the park will continue to mark the 150th anniversary of the battle with a series of commemorative events. At least 25,000 visitors per day were expected from June 28 through July 7, according to the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau. Park stats: Gettysburg National Military Park welcomed about 1.2 million visitors last year. The nearly 6,000-acre site includes 1,320 monuments and memorials, 148 historic buildings, 410 cannons and the Soldiers' National Cemetery (with 7,756 total interments). (About 3,500 are Civil War burials. The rest came from subsequent wars.) The location: The site is in Adams County, Pennsylvania, about 35 miles southwest of Middletown's Harrisburg International Airport. If you go: There's no fee to enter the park but there is an admission fee for the Gettysburg Museum Experience, the film "A New Birth of Freedom," narrated by Morgan Freeman, and the Gettysburg Cyclorama. (National Park passes are not accepted for entrance to the museum and visitor center.) Visitors can book licensed battlefield guides for private tours for a fee, and reservations are recommended. During the summer months, bus tours are available for a fee. Meet our ranger: Seasonal park ranger Caitlin Kostic fell in love with the history of the Civil War in the fifth grade, when her teacher played the 1993 movie "Gettysburg" as part of a history lesson on the war. "After watching it, I couldn't get enough of it and bought books and watched specials," said Kostic, 24, who lived in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, about 120 miles northeast of Gettysburg. "As a result, my parents brought me to Gettysburg that summer for a one-night stay. I told my mom that someday I would be giving tours of the battlefield at Gettysburg." Kostic started interning at the park in college and is working her third summer as a seasonal ranger, having just completed a master's degree in applied history. "I love getting up every day and coming to a place that is rich in history, and I love spending my time reading, researching and teaching the public about things that are so much bigger than myself. It's a very humbling experience." For a day trip, don't miss: The battlefield. "That's the reason we are here." A basic introduction to the battlefield can take two or three hours, Kostic said. "You step out onto the field, and you are walking in the footsteps of the soldiers. "You get a sense of what they saw and their struggles. It gets pretty hot and humid in the summer. You experience that heat and humidity in that terrain, putting yourself in the mindsets of the soldiers who fought here. That helps place (people) back in time. " During the summer, there are about 20 free park ranger programs each day, every day of the week. Visitors can also purchase an audio CD to help navigate the field, take a bus tour or hire a licensed guide for a private tour. Favorite less-traveled spot: Power's Hill, located on the Baltimore Pike, was part of the Union army's artillery line and the site of Gen. George Gordon Meade's temporary headquarters on July 3. At the time of the battle, the hill was about half-covered in trees, while the other half was bare. Over time, the hill has been completely covered by trees. A park effort is underway to remove some of the trees "to recapture the historic landscape" of 1863, Kostic said. "It's a very strategic part of the field. It's hard on a program to imagine those trees not there," she said. "When the battlefield is rehabilitated, we can give more effective programs." Favorite historical spot: Soldiers' National Cemetery. Created after the battle, but before the war ended in April 1865, there are 3,500 Union soldiers interred in the cemetery where Lincoln came to deliver his Gettysburg Address. It also contains the graves of soldiers of subsequent conflicts through Vietnam, Kostic said. It was closed to new burials in 1972. "It shows that sacrifice is a generational thing," she said. "Every generation has been called to sacrifice something. That sacrifice can be linked throughout the years ... and you can capture a lot of American history in that cemetery." Favorite nature spot: Little Round Top. Part of the Union position on July 2-3 and perhaps the most visited part of the battlefield, the entire western slope of Little Round Top (which is also a hill) is void of trees. "You can see the entire battlefield from this hill," she said. "You can see the South Mountain range and part of the town, and you get a whole sense of the area. People enjoy going in the evening because they can watch the sunset. "We look upon these fields as beautiful landscapes, but the only reason we look at them is because of the carnage that took place 150 years ago. At one point these fields were ugly because of the wounded and dead that littered the field." Most transformative moment in the park: Last year on July 2, 2012, it was the anniversary of the battle. During anniversary days, the rangers give programs in real time, sharing history at the time it was actually being made on the battlefield. Located at Little Round Top, Kostic was giving her first-ever real time program at 4 p.m., at the time fighting had occurred at that spot. "The actions of the people 149 years ago made the site important [that anniversary day]," she said. "Knowing the stories of the men, knowing that many of them were wounded and dying ... it's an extremely humbling experience." Favorite other park to visit: The National Mall in Washington, D.C. "I love the fact that there is so much to do, and it's free," Kostic said. If she had to pick one site at the mall, it's the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. "That's my favorite spot at the mall."

Battle of Gettysburg took place 150 years ago at a site that is now a national military park . Don't miss a visit to the battlefield, "the reason we're all here," says ranger Caitlin Kostic . At the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, Lincoln gave historic Gettysburg Address .

(CNN) -- You wouldn't think that gay rights would be on a collision course with immigration reform. After all, what does one of these things have to do with another? Not all that much. Yet, the fact is, these two worthwhile causes are about to collide, running right into one another at high speed. All for the sake of politics. Here's why: The Gang of Eight's bipartisan immigration reform compromise bill -- "The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Modernization Act of 2013"-- combines border security and temporary guest workers with a pathway to green cards and U.S. citizenship for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States. You've probably heard about how there are many on the right who want to kill the bill to please anti-Latino nativists. The weapon of choice seems to be the amendment process; more than 300 changes were proposed. For example, one person gunning for the legislation is Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who has proposed an amendment that dismantles the pathway to U.S. citizenship. Cruz would welcome more legal immigrants by expanding the high-skilled temporary worker program. But the senator opposes giving illegal immigrants U.S. citizenship. The Cruz amendment says that "no person who has previously been willfully present in the United States while not in lawful status shall be eligible for United States citizenship." That amounts to a lifetime ban. What a terrible idea. The pathway should be long and difficult, but there has to be a pathway. It can't just be scrapped. These people broke the law, but it's a civil infraction, not capital murder. But you might not have heard the other half of the story -- that there also are those on the left who would like to see the bill defeated, even if they have to be more clever and discreet about their efforts to kill it. The group that they want to please is organized labor, where despite the public pronouncements of labor union leaders that they support immigration reform, the rank-and-file may not be so easily convinced. Many of today's union members -- especially in rust belt states like Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc -- still see foreign workers the same way that previous generations of union members saw them: as competition and a barrier to higher wages. Senate panel tackles border security in immigration bill . In 1986, the last time that Congress passed meaningful immigration reform, the AFL-CIO fought the effort tooth and nail. Not much has changed since then. Oh, the leaders are singing a different tune. But, at the grassroots level, there is still resistance. Over the years, I've done radio interviews and given speeches where I've been confronted by self-described union members -- electricians, plumbers, carpenters, construction workers -- who complain about illegal immigrants taking jobs and allowing employers to pay lower wages. In 2007, John Sweeney, who was then president of AFL-CIO, helped kill a bipartisan immigration reform bill by coming out against guest workers and firing off a letter to Senate Democrats telling them not to support any bill that included that provision. Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota successfully proposed an amendment to weaken the guest workers provision. Republicans yanked their support, and the bill died. Six years later, business and labor have agreed to a plan for a guest worker program. But union members are still threatened by immigrant labor. Are union opponents of immigration reform still pulling the strings of some Democrats? Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy has filed an amendment to the Gang of Eight bill that would allow gay Americans with foreign-born partners to sponsor them for green cards just like heterosexual couples can. Leahy can follow through by introducing the amendment, either in committee or on the Senate floor. To be impacted, gay couples don't even have to be married; the proposed amendment -- known as the Uniting American Families Act -- is designed to help "permanent partners" of U.S. citizens or legal residents apply for a green card and defines "permanent partner" merely as someone older than 18 and involved in a financially interdependent, committed relationship. Still, according to a group called Immigration Equality, only about 35,000-40,000 gay couples would be affected. Senate watchers say if the gay partners measure is introduced in the Judiciary Committee, it is likely to pass along Democratic Party lines and become part of the Senate bill. That could be the end. According to National Public Radio, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes the Leahy amendment, and it could withdraw its support for the entire bill. The same goes for evangelical Christian groups, and most Republican lawmakers. The votes will vanish. And so, for the sake of the estimated 40,000 same-sex couples that would be affected by such an obscure change, an estimated 11 million people will be out of luck. Adios, immigration reform. For his part, Leahy has said that he doesn't think his amendment will kill the bill. Then he must be the only person in Washington who thinks that. Politico called the Leahy amendment "the most serious threat to bipartisan immigration reform." Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, de facto leader of the Gang of Eight, was more blunt. He told Politico that reform is "difficult enough as it is" and that the gay partners amendment "will virtually guarantee that (the bill) won't pass" and that "the coalition that helped put it together will fall apart." That's the whole idea. Don't be fooled. The latest shenanigan by Democrats isn't about gay rights. It's about game playing. And when the games are done, what was the best hope for immigration reform in a quarter century may go down the tubes, and all that will be left to do is mop it up. Democrats will have to find new ways to convince furious Latino voters that it was Republicans who killed the bill, and Republicans will be forced to run for cover. The legislation isn't perfect. But it would improve the lives of millions of illegal immigrants who, at least, would be given some sort of protective status so they wouldn't have to worry about being unceremoniously scooped up and shipped out of the country by the Obama deportation machine while they pick up milk for their kids' cereal. Not everyone who might support the gay partner amendment is simply doing the bidding of labor unions. I'm sure that many gay rights advocates are pushing for the change with the best of intentions and for legitimate reasons. They think this battle is worth fighting, even if maybe this isn't the best time and place to fight it. Still, this is beyond sneaky. It's sinister. Democrats thought of everything, even having the task of amending the bill fall to a senator from Vermont, a state where, according to the Census Bureau, Latinos account for just 1.6% of the population -- just in case there is a backlash from Latino voters. By the way, President Obama has said that he supports Leahy's amendment. The president also claims to support immigration reform. It's something that we hear Obama and other Democrats say all the time, and which -- with stunts like this -- becomes less and less believable every time we hear it. This time they have gone too far. If this amendment is proposed, and support for the bill fades, and immigration reform dies on the vine, Latinos need to stop paying deference to the Democratic Party and instead make it pay a price. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ruben Navarrette.

Immigration reform bill could be sunk by amendments from left and right, says Ruben Navarrette . He says reform died in 2007 after a "poison pill" amendment by Democratic senator . Ted Cruz and Patrick Leahy have introduced amendments that could doom bill, he says . Navarrette: Leahy amendment on gay couples will energize opponents of immigration reform .

(CNN)They came by the thousands -- in France and in Israel -- to cry, to honor and never to forget. Mourners on Tuesday remembered beloved sons and daughters who became terrorist targets in three attacks last week in France. They died at the hands of three Islamist extremists who tried to use religion to justify their slaughter. "He was killed by false Muslims," said Malek Merabet, whose brother Ahmed -- also a Muslim -- was one of three French police officers killed in the attacks. "One must not confuse extremists with Muslims. Mad people have neither color nor religion." French authorities on Friday killed the three people directly behind the wave of terror. It began two days earlier with the massacre of 12 at the offices of the satirical Charlie Hebdo magazine; continued Thursday with police officer Clarissa Jean-Philippe's slaying in the Paris suburb of Montrouge; and climaxed the next day with a hostage siege at a kosher grocery store that killed four. Since then, many around the globe have joined France in rallying against the Islamist terror threat. That spirit was evident Sunday in Paris when world leaders joined an estimated 1.5 million people marching in defiance of the killers and in solidarity with one another. But if Sunday was a day for unity, Tuesday was a day to grieve. That's what happened in Jerusalem, where Israeli leaders joined thousands to remember the four victims of the eastern Paris grocery store siege and to support their loved ones as they were buried. The four men -- Philippe Braham, Yohan Cohen, Yoav Hattab and François-Michel Saada -- were shot dead Friday. "I'm crying," Braham's wife told the mourners. "But I know that you all cry with me." At a ceremony 2,000 miles away in Paris, French President François Hollande posthumously gave the Legion d'Honneur to Merabet, Jean-Philippe and Franck Brinsolaro, laying medals on the coffins of all three slain police officers. Merabet was buried later Tuesday, while the other two will be laid to rest in the coming days. "They shared one desire: that of protecting their citizens," Hollande said. "They had one ideal: that of serving the republic. They died in accomplishing their mission with courage, with bravery, with dignity. "They died as police officers." At Tuesday's ceremony, Hollande spoke about the three officers individually as well as their shared profession and values. Brinsolaro was a protection officer for Charlie Hebdo's editor, Stéphane Charbonnier, who was also killed Wednesday. "He had become one of those policemen especially trained to ensure the safety, the security of people who are particularly vulnerable," Hollande said. And Jean-Philippe was responding to a traffic accident when she was killed by a gunman suspected in last week's terror attacks. "She was cowardly shot in the back," Hollande said. "How can one justify that one can kill so cowardly a young woman of 26 years of age, with all the future before her devoted to others?" Hollande spoke of the "wonderful future" Merabet had ahead of him before his horrific death, which was caught on video -- with a gunman walking right up to him as he lay sprawled on the ground, then opening fire. Merabet was laid to rest at the Bobigny Islamic cemetery in a Paris suburb after a brief ceremony. Mourners applauded other police officers on hand and watched as Merabet's coffin -- draped in a French flag -- was carried to the grave site. One target of the terrorists -- Charlie Hebdo, the magazine -- will live on. "There is a future," said Gerard Briard, the magazine's editor-in-chief, "but we don't know yet what it will resemble. (But) there will be no interruption. In two weeks' time, there will be another edition of Charlie Hebdo." The publication -- known for its provocative jabs at religion, politics, society and more -- went to the presses Tuesday for the first time since the attack. Three million copies will be printed, up from the usual 60,000, in several languages, including Arabic. The issue will hit newsstands Wednesday. This time, the cover features a drawing of a frowning Prophet Mohammed with a teardrop coming from his eye. "All is Forgiven," the cover headline says in French. Charlie Hebdo puts Mohammed on its new cover . In the prophet's hands, a sign says, "Je suis Charlie" -- or "I am Charlie," the phrase adopted around the world in protest of the attacks. The UK-based Ramadhan Foundation condemned such depictions of Mohammed as offensive to "millions of Muslims around the world." Yet cartoonist Renald Luzier told reporters Tuesday that the new edition's cover felt appropriate to him, adding that he cried after finishing it. "I'm sorry that I've drawn him again, but the Mohammed that we've drawn" is, above all, a Mohammed who is crying, said Luzier, who goes by the pen name Luz. Muslims worldwide have condemned last week's attacks on Charlie Hebdo and elsewhere in France. But al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the terror group's North Africa branch, is threatening more of them, according to a warning posted on jihadist websites. The group has battled French forces before in Africa. Many former French colonies are in that area, with Paris often coming to their support to fight against Islamist militants. More than 6,000 forces are involved in operations in and around Africa, according to Defense Ministry spokesman Sacha Mendel. "France pays the cost of its violence on Muslim countries and the violation of their sanctity," the terror group said in a statement. "As long as its soldiers occupy countries such as Mali and Central Africa and bombard our people in Syria and Iraq, and as long as its lame media continues to undermine our Prophet (Mohammed), France will expose itself to the worst and more." France's National Assembly voted later Tuesday to extend airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq. But before doing so, assembly members stood tall together, proudly singing France's national anthem, "La Marseillaise." Among its lyrics, these timely words: "Liberty, cherished liberty, fight alongside your defenders." That fight is happening inside France, where, Mendel says, there will be more than 10,000 French troops deployed by Wednesday. And outside France, the battle against ISIS and al Qaeda is in full force in parts of the Middle East and beyond. Then there's the ongoing investigation and intelligence work, aimed at preventing future attacks and learning more about the latest one. Tracking down the assailants' contacts is also a priority for authorities. A French citizen admitted in court Tuesday that he knows one of the brothers blamed for the attack on Charlie Hebdo, CNN affiliate TV7 Bulgaria reported. Bulgarian authorities first arrested Fritz-Joly Joachin near the country's border with Turkey on a warrant for allegedly kidnapping his son. Now, he also faces terrorism charges, and a French court has requested his extradition, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. Bulgarian public prosecutor Darina Slavova told Agence France-Presse that the 29-year-old Joachin "was in contact several times" with Charlie Hebdo attacker Cherif Kouachi. According to AFP, the prosecutor said the charges against Joachin "are for participation in an organized crime group whose aim was organization of terrorist acts." CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq, Salim Essaid, Pamela Brown, Gul Tuysuz, Stephen Collinson, Lindsay Isaac and Hande Atay contributed to this report.

France's National Assembly votes to extend support for airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq . Spokesman: Over 10,000 troops soon to be deployed around France . French, Israelis remember victims of last week's terror attacks .

(CNN)After days of caving, counter-caving, threats, U-turns, investigations and pontifications, it's hard to know which way's up anymore with Sony, "The Interview" and North Korea. So, now people will go to the movie when it opens Christmas Day in the U.S. and then perhaps everyone can judge the merits of this massive incident, but let's take a moment to speak for the only subgroup not represented in the viral debate. The film is about journalists, yes? OK, let's see what this might do for/to journalists, then. Sony Chairman Michael Lynton (a friend) said this about the film to CNN: . "First of all, we made the movie because it was -- because we thought it was a funny comedy. Secondly, there is a long history of political satire in film. And this clearly falls into that realm." OK. And Michael -- who had run Penguin Books after the 1980's Salman Rushdie affair, when Iranian Ayatollahs condemned Rushdie to death for writing "The Satanic Verses" -- admitted that Sony's originally pulling "The Interview" from theaters was a blow to freedom of expression, which is uniquely dear and protected under the U.S. Constitution. OK. And after declaring Pyongyang was in fact behind the massive attack, President Barack Obama weighed in about setting a dangerous precedent: "We cannot have a society in which some dictators someplace can start imposing censorship here in the United States," Obama said. "Imagine what they start doing once they see a documentary that they don't like or news reports that they don't like." Absolutely right. And that's where we journalists come in. Because after all the Sturm und Drang about process, corporate profits, legal liabilities, constitutional rights, letting terrorists set the agenda -- let's talk a little about content. Let's in fact spare a thought for our subset diligently working away out there in the United States and around the world. What's the message? David Carr, media writer for The New York Times, said this about the film's content: . "...while I am all for bold creative choices, was it really important that the head being blown up in a comedy about bungling assassins be that of an actual sitting ruler of a sovereign state? If you want to satirize a lawless leader, there are plenty of ways to skin that cat, as Charlie Chaplin demonstrated with "The Great Dictator," which skewered Hitler in everything but name." Yes, and...? What about those bungling assassins. They're journalists, right? Or meant to be? And what message will that send to every whacked-out dictator from another planet, paranoid, control freak thug posing as president? Not to mention crazy extremist throat-slitting militant terrorists? I don't want to spoil the discussion-party about satire, comedy, freedom of expression, etc., but I can tell you from personal experience the above-mentioned already think we are velvet revolutionaries at best, or CIA agents, military spies ... and yes, would-be assassins! One of the most appalling acts of "journo murder" was the killing of legendary Afghan freedom fighter Ahmad Shah Massoud, just days before 9/11. Imagine, two terrorists posing as journalist and cameraman get The Interview. They are in fact wired-up suicide bombers. No one thought to check them and the rest is history. In Iran, 35 journalists are in jail on specious charges, including Iranian-American Jason Rezaian of the Washington Post. His mother told me the family has heard that a closed "trial" condemned him on "espionage-related" charges. It's nonsense, of course, but this is what journalists have to endure. The Iranian government seems to believe all these people are regime-change agents, through cultural subversion. They are terrified of a so-called Velvet Revolution and Color Revolutions ever since they put down the Green Movement after the disputed 2009 elections. Journalists were swept up in a dragnet, forced to "confess" on Iranian state TV before being "tried" and sentenced to the infamous Evin Prison. Check out Jon Stewart's excellent debut movie, "Rosewater," on the case of British-Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari. It's a sobering saga of the ridiculous, Kafkaesque dark reality of what it takes to be a journalist in Iran and other countries. In Russia, offending journalists -- not to mention anyone who vaguely looks sideways at Putin -- can feel the wrath of the system. Some are arrested, some worse. Anyone remember reporter Anna Politkovskaya, shot point blank in her Moscow apartment building in 2006? A staunch critic of the Kremlin and author of "Putin's Russia," she was working on a series of reports about human rights abuses in Chechnya at the time of her death. And by the way, Facebook this week caved in to the Russian government's demand that a site for opposition politician Alexei Navalny be taken down. He's under house arrest. Huh? I didn't hear a peep of "Sony-rage" about this serious damage to freedom of expression. Terrible year for journalists in the Middle East . Over the years, in these and many other countries, the number of journalists killed, injured, arrested and just plain shut up, has soared and continues its horrible upward trajectory. Finally, this year, spare a thought for the victims of the madmen of today's Middle East: journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, aid workers Alan Henning and Peter Kassig, were trussed up in Guantanamo colors, and forced to kneel before their throats were slit so wide their heads came off. Before their execution, they were forced to denigrate their families and their flags. They were forced to admit to false charges of spying and plotting. They were forced to give up their very dignity before they were forced to give up their lives. As I say, "The Interview" might be very funny. I just wish it weren't yet more fodder for the deluded who see all journalists as their mortal enemy. We haven't mentioned what North Korea does to offending journalists. Their own prisoners get labor camps, torture and starvation rations, if they're not executed. Foreigners get traded for a whole load of publicity and who knows what else. But I bet journalist Lisa Ling is probably pleased her sister's prison ordeal there began and ended (in 2009) before this film was released. And furthermore I can assure you, our colleagues who have been so brutally killed and imprisoned, this year and every year, were certainly not the "easily distracted members of the American press who choose gossip" type that "West Wing" and "Newsroom" creator Aaron Sorkin railed against in his Sony-rage last week. "The wishes of the terrorists were fulfilled in part by easily distracted members of the American press who chose gossip and schadenfreude-fueled reporting over a story with immeasurable consequences for the public -- a story that was developing right in front of their eyes," Sorkin said in a statement. No, the ones we lost this year were brilliant, brave and full of heart, daring to keep doing the dangerous job of bringing you the truth. May they rest in peace. ---- . (P.S. -- RIP also The New Republic, after 100 years of important game-changing journalism. My favorite observation is by now-resigned literary editor Leon Wieseltier: "We need not be a nation of intellectuals but we must not be a nation of idiots.")

Christiane Amanpour says the fate of real journalists is forgotten in Interview furor . In the controversial film, journalists are sent to kill Kim Jong Un . Amanpour says many dictators already don't trust journalists .

(CNN) -- It was an international who's who of horse racing super powers: Japan, Great Britain, Ireland, France, the United States and a resurgent Germany were all represented in the start gate of this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. As the field entered the turn for home, the grey and maroon racing silks of Sheikh Joann Al Thani nudged ahead of early pacemaker Joshua Tree -- and from then there was only going to be one winner. Five lengths clear, French jockey Thierry Jarnet had time to ease up past the winning post, flicking his whip in the air in celebration aboard Treve, later named horse of the year for 2013. It was a home success for the adoring Parisian public, but the victory yet again highlighted the newest force in global horse racing. Treve's success is merely one headline in a myriad of horse-racing moments coming thick and fast for Qatar, a country with the third richest natural gas reserves and a population of just two million people -- but a GDP of $183 billion. The first in the sport dated back to 2011 when the stallion Dunaden won the Melbourne Cup at the first attempt by owner Sheikh Fahad, cousin of Joann. It was a suitably dramatic event for anyone to make their mark; after a photo finish, the stewards took nearly three minutes to decide the outcome and award a prestigious victory to a horse that had cost Fahad a mere $150,000. To highlight that fact, just a week after October's Prix de l'Arc triumph, Joann -- brother of Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad -- left attendees at auction house Tattersalls aghast by paying $8.25 million for the daughter of 2001 Epsom Derby winner Galileo, a world-record fee for a yearling filly. And then in November, Joann announced further plans to make his mark on the sport by appointing Harry Herbert -- who runs England's prestigious Highclere stud -- as racing adviser to his Al Shaqab operation, with the ambitious stated view to be "one of the leading forces in thoroughbred racing." Veteran champion Frankie Dettori, meanwhile, has become Sheikh Joann's retained jockey after his split with Dubai-owned Godolphin. The rise of Qatar as a global player in the sport of kings has no previous equal. Not even Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin enjoyed anything like this level of success so soon despite plowing millions of pounds into it from day one. What is truly remarkable is the speed with which the gulf state has got to this point. The first major player was Sheikh Fahad. He watched horse racing on TV for the first time in 2008, attended his first meeting at the start of 2010 and, by April of that year, had started buying horses. Sheikh Fahad's first move was to give British bloodstock agent David Redvers a relatively paltry £1 million to invest. "He was looking for someone to put his toe in the water, to have a feel for it," Redvers recalls. "We had a huge amount of success in a short period of time." In fact, in his first year of racing, Fahad's horses won 26% of the races he entered -- and that success paved the way for others to follow. "When he won the Melbourne Cup with Dunaden it showed to the rest of Qatar Royal Family that things just weren't down to the Al Maktoum family," Redvers adds. "So there has been greater investment from Sheikh Fahad's brothers and obviously Sheikh Joann. "Sheikh Fahad's hunger for knowledge is extraordinary. He's an extremely good judge of horses and he's utterly fascinated, he's made some very good decisions and had some great results, particularly considering the scale of investment. It's not the case of the person with the most money wins. If it was, horse racing would lose its magic." Sheikh Fahad has spent admirably but also wisely, pushing his acquisitions through Pearl Bloodstock and Qatar Bloodstock to feasible limits while still ensuring both are money-making businesses. After his early successes, Sheikh Fahad has increasingly tried to take more of a back seat in horse racing, allowing his brothers to come to the forefront, but along with Joann he remains the integral figure for his country. As well as the Arc victory with Treve, Joann has also enjoyed widespread success as an owner over the past 18 months. His portfolio of victories in 2013 includes Olympic Glory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot as well as Toronado in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. But as of last week, he has announced his intention to up the ante and increase his stable of 110 horses in England and France with Al Shaqab, a breeding operation set up by his brother Hamad back in 1992. "Our ambition is to have the most successful horse racing operation in the world," says his spokesman Nasser Sherida Al Kaabi. "When he entered the race, he wanted to be number one. He doesn't accept being second." Sheikh Fahad has also thrown his financial support behind two up-and-coming English trainers, Olly Stevens and his wife Hetta, by setting them up at Robins Farm Racing with Redvers' help. Olly earned his license in January before enjoying his first winner with only his second runner a month later. He has since enjoyed a first Royal Ascot winner with his first runner there, Extortionist, plus a first group classification success with Green Door at Doncaster. Stevens was first approached to take over Robins Farm on the day his twin sons were born, and describes the tie-in with Sheikh Fahad as "all quite fortuitous." "He's massively passionate about the sport, hugely knowledgeable with it too," Stevens says of Sheikh Fahad. "He's a great person to work with and he's really taken a chance on us. "You couldn't ask to train for a better person. He loves animals and he loves sport, and he's very supportive. But also he leaves us to get on with the nuts and bolts day-to-day stuff. "I hope he's pleased. He's certainly very optimistic about what we're doing. He's trying something new with us and we'll see what happens." At a time when Qatar is in the sporting spotlight for the wrong reasons, with difficulties in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup, its entry into the horse racing fraternity has almost virtually been one of positive stories and the sport's often close-knit community has well received these relative newcomers. It has also invested heavily in sponsorship, agreeing a 10-year deal for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in June 2010, via the Qatar Investments and Projects Holding Company (QIPCO). QIPCO also sponsors the 35-race British Champions Series, which culminates at Ascot in the richest day in the UK horse racing calendar with $4.7 million at stake. Both lucrative sponsorships are aimed at putting Qatar on the global map -- its latest attempt to use sport to improve its political sway. As Sheikh Fahad said at the start of his horse-racing venture: "It opens a lot of doors for us. Sport unites the world, and that's the vision of Qatar.

Relative newcomers to flat racing have taken the traditional super powers by surprise . Qatar royal family first "dipped their toe in the water" in 2010 with near immediate results . Prix de l'Arc Triomphe winner Treve is among the horses owned by the Qataris . Sheikh Joann Al Thani recently broke the European record for a yearling at $8.25 million .

Washington (CNN) -- Gary Johnson and Virgil Goode have no chance of winning the November 6 presidential election, but the two "third-party" candidates could have an impact on who does. Together, Johnson of the Libertarian Party and Goode of the Constitution Party are in position to siphon a few thousand votes from Republican Mitt Romney and perhaps President Barack Obama in some of the handful of battleground states considered up for grabs and therefore decisive in determining the winner. Goode, a former Democrat-turned-Republican congressman from Virginia known for an anti-immigration stance and other strongly conservative policies, routinely won well over 120,000 votes in his home district in elections from 1996 to 2008. If he gets only 10% of that support this time, it could be enough to swing what is currently considered a dead-even race for Virginia's 13 electoral votes to Obama. Gary Johnson: An uphill battle to catch a wave, win the presidency . "Virgil Goode is a wild card, particularly in Virginia," said Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report, adding "he could be a factor even if he wins only a handful of votes." A similar scenario involves Johnson, the former Republican governor of New Mexico, in other states considered too close to call like Colorado, Nevada and New Hampshire, said Wendy Schiller, a political science professor at Brown University. All three states, with a combined 19 electoral votes, are known for independent-minded voters, she noted, enough of whom might be inclined to back a Libertarian instead of Romney. In Nevada, a CNN/ORC International poll last month showed Goode winning 4% support and Johnson 3%, with Obama holding a 47%-44% lead over Romney in the state. Based on 2008 turnout in Nevada, the support for Goode and Johnson would amount to about 67,000 votes. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus downplayed the impact of third-party candidates earlier this month, telling CNN that Johnson's candidacy was "almost a non-factor." Could Obama's struggles with white voters cost him the election? Voters "are not going to throw their vote away when we have an election here that's about the future of America," Priebus said. "I don't see that happening." CNN polling shows that support for Obama and Romney changes little when third party candidates are factored into state races, said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "In all states CNN has polled so far, the minor party candidates are getting no more than 4% of the vote, and usually closer to 1%-2%," Holland said, noting that including them doesn't change the margin between Obama and Romney. "Statistically speaking, it's difficult to make the case that the minor party candidates are affecting the race." The influence of third party challengers has dropped dramatically since Texas billionaire Ross Perot won almost 19% of the vote in 1992, drawing conservative ire for harming incumbent Republican President George H.W. Bush's re-election chances against Democrat Bill Clinton. Eight years later, consumer activist and Green Party candidate Ralph Nader got 2.8 million votes, including more than 94,000 in Florida that ensured Democratic Vice President Al Gore's loss to Republican George W. Bush in the state by 537 votes. Despite plummeting votes for third party candidates in recent elections, the tight race this year between Obama and Romney makes even fractional support for others potentially decisive in a key state, and therefore the election. Who's up? Check out: CNN Polling Center . "If the race is close enough, 100 votes can matter," said Scott Rasmussen, president of the polling company Rasmussen Reports. The fierce competition of this year's race means fewer undecided voters and fewer people choosing a third-party option, he noted, adding: "It's not a Ross Perot year." Goode rejects any insinuation that he seeks to play a spoiler role, saying his policies would be better for the country than those of Obama or Romney. If he managed to win, "it would shake up Washington in that an average citizen would be president instead of someone that is backed by super-PACs," he recently told CNN. Johnson depicts himself as more liberal than Obama on social issues and more conservative than Romney on fiscal issues. He says same-sex marriage is a constitutional issue and should be legal, supports legalizing marijuana usage, and also says he would abolish the Internal Revenue Service. To Schiller, Johnson represents a possible threat that should worry the Romney campaign. "I think you can argue that Gary Johnson will siphon off Romney votes," she told CNN, arguing that hardcore conservatives who consider the former Massachusetts governor to be too moderate could opt for the Libertarian. Do the math: CNN Electoral Map . "If Colorado gets closer, I think it will matter if Johnson's in the race," Schiller said, noting that "1,000 or 2,000 votes from Romney -- it makes a difference." To counter that dynamic, Romney's campaign must make the argument that a vote for Johnson is the same as voting for Obama, according to Schiller. "Any time you have a third party in a very tight race and that third party candidate seems a lot more like Romney than he does Obama, then if you're Romney, you have to discredit that candidate," she said. However, Johnson's campaign told CNN in September that some of the candidate's support came from former Obama supporters in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. By running as the Libertarian Party candidate, Johnson hoped to gain the support of the relatively small but fiercely loyal following of Ron Paul, the Texas congressman who has failed in three bids to win the Republican presidential nomination. So far, the polling suggests little progress by Johnson in winning over Paul's supporters. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist survey earlier this month in Virginia showed 1% of likely voters -- about 38,000 based on the 2008 turnout in the state -- supported an unspecified candidate other than Obama or Romney. The bulk of that support appeared to be from strongly liberal or moderate younger voters, a demographic closer to Obama's base. Obama could get hurt by two other minor party candidates -- Jill Stein of the Green Party and Rocky Anderson of the Justice Party -- but both are considered far less likely to get enough support to undermine the president. A CNN/ORC national poll at the end of September showed Stein with 3% compared to 4% for Johnson, while Goode and Anderson had negligible support. However, Stein failed to register in CNN/ORC polls in recent weeks in Florida and Nevada, and she got 1% support in Ohio compared to 3% for Johnson. According to Schiller, possible voter apathy by liberals disappointed with Obama's first term helped motivate the president's campaign to mount a huge effort to boost turnout both in early voting and on Election Day. "I think they understood they had to get the people who would definitely vote for Obama to the polls, period, with no wavering and no indecision," she said. CNN's Holland warned against assuming supporters of third party candidates changed their mind from a major party contender. "Minor party supporters usually fall into that category because they don't like the two major party candidates," he said. "So in a hypothetical world in which the race were only between the two major party candidates, a lot of minor party voters would have just stayed at home." The other candidates, the other debate . CNN's Dan Merica and Lisa Sylvester contributed to this report.

Third-party candidates could impact close races in swing states . CNN's polling director says there is no statistical impact so far . Conservative Virgil Goode could siphon votes from Mitt Romney in Virginia . Libertarian Gary Johnson's campaign says it attracts Republicans and Democrats .

(CNN) -- It was two years late and billions of dollars over budget, but this week the Singapore Airline-owned A380 completed its maiden passenger journey between Singapore and Sydney. Making history: the first double bed on a commercial jet . On board were nearly 500 passengers who had bid thousands of dollars for the historical experience. This was a turning point in aviation history as Airbus' superjumbo became the world's largest aircraft. And the time had finally come for it to receive some admiration. Singapore Airlines' CEO, Chew Choon Seng named the jetliner the "queen of the skies". Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus said he would like to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary on one of its double beds. And CNN's Richard Quest, who was on board the maiden flight, said there was "nothing quite like it". The luxury on board, he said, sets a new standard for air travel. It's the quietest large passenger jet ever built (inside and out), it has a low fuel-burn to reduce fuel use and emissions, it can carry 40 percent more passengers than other large aircraft and in greater comfort. But the feature that has attracted greatest interest on the Singapore Airlines A380 is its ''beyond first class" cabins. Behind the sliding doors of the Singapore Airlines Suites, the well-heeled can luxuriate in a private cabin designed by leading French yacht designer, Jean-Jacques Coste. There's a wide leather seat and alongside that, a standalone bed. This is two meters long with Givenchy duvets and cushions. And for couples traveling, the beds on the middle two suites can be converted into double beds. From bed or chair, travelers can catch a movie on a 23-inch widescreen LCD. Laptops can be plugged into an in-seat power supply and business travelers with just a thumb drive can plug this into a USB ports and access a suite of office tools on Singapore Airlines' in-flight entertainment system. Celebrity chefs including Britain's Gordon Ramsay and Georges Blanc were behind the first class menu that can be eaten off Givenchy tableware. Unlike other airlines, that have considered offering casinos, gyms and showers on their future A380s, Singapore Airlines has opted instead for a configuration that, whilst offering luxury, also makes money. As Chew Choon Seng, CEO of Singapore Airlines reminded reporters last week, the first Boeing 747s soon ditched the lounges and bars on the upper decks in favor of seats that could generate cash. Behind the 12 luxury suites there are 399 economy seats, ranked 10-abreast on the upper and lower decks, as well as 60 business class seats that are the biggest yet at 87 centimeters wide. Singapore Airlines has ordered 19 superjumbos for an estimated price tag of $5.7 billion. The second is due to arrive next February with further deliveries later in 2008. Tickets for the A380's first return commercial flight between Singapore and Sydney were sold at auction on eBay. One passenger paid $100,000 for the experience, with the majority paying between $1,500 and $5,000. The $1.4 million raised has gone to charities in Singapore, Sydney and a global humanitarian organization. From Sunday 28 October, Singapore Airlines will commence its scheduled service between Singapore and Sydney on one of the three daily flights in each direction. The jetliner to be delivered next spring will be used on one of the three daily flights between Singapore and London's Heathrow Airport. It's been a long road to this point for Airbus, but the journey is by no means over. The airline has a tough delivery schedule ahead to fulfil its 185 orders to 15 customers (see figures below). Next year it plans to deliver 13, a further 25 in 2009 and 45 in 2010. Tom Enders, Airbus' CEO doesn't underestimate the scale of challenge ahead. "This is not a piece of cake," he told CNN, "but we have learned our lessons and we are very confident today that we can deliver to our customers." It hasn't just been Airbus that has been frantically preparing for the A380 launch. Airports around the world have had to make changes to runways and gates, as well as buy in new vehicles that can tow the giant aircraft and lift high enough to its upper decks. Seventy airports are now ready, Airbus has said. Singapore's Changi Airport, home to the Singapore Airlines A380 fleet, was the first, and when its new Terminal 3 opens early next year, 19 gates across the three terminals will be A380-ready with aerobridge access to both decks. Heathrow's new Terminal 5 will be able to handle four A380s at one time. British Airways, the Terminal's sole occupant, recently confirmed an order for 12 superjumbos and it now wants BAA to upgrade a satellite building to be built next to Terminal 5 to accommodate them. As Willie Walsh, BA's CEO told CNN, "we want to make sure that development is built with the A380 in mind." But whether the arrival of the A380 sets a standard for future air travel is still undecided. As CNN's Richard Quest points out, while these giant airplanes may be suitable for getting large numbers of people between key destinations quickly, demand could be even higher for the medium-size jets such as Boeing's up-coming 787 Dreamliner. As Richard Quest says, "there's no doubt the A380 will sell, but it is going to take a long time to reach the 420 sales which is the amount Airbus needs to make money." But those worries, he adds, are for another day. Thursday was a day for celebration. SOME KEY FIGURES . Orders . Total: 185 orders (165 firm orders) 15 customers . Emirates: 47 Qantas: 20 Singapore Airlines: 19 Lufthansa: 15 Air France: 12 British Airways: 12 ILFC: 10 Emirates: 8 Virgin Atlantic: 6 Thai Airways: 6 Malaysia Airlines: 6 Qatar: 5 Kingfisher: 5 Korean Air: 5 China Southern: 5 Etihad: 4 . Delivery schedule . 1 in 2007 13 in 2008 25 in 2009 45 in 2010 . The Aircraft . Wingspan: 79.8 meters (747 - 64.4 meters) Length: 73 meters or seven London buses in a row (747 - 70.7 meters) Height: 24.1 meters (747 - 19.4 meters) Internal cabin width: 6.58 meters (747 - 6.1 meters) Seats: 555 (747 - 416) Flight range: 15,000 kilometers (747 - 13,450 kilometers) Wiring: 500 kilometers . Ideal routes . SIN-LHR DXB-LHR SYD-LAX CDG-NRT JFK-NRT . Ticket sales for maiden passenger trip between Singapore and Sydney Top ticket price: US$100,380 The bargain: US$560 for a single economy seat E-mail to a friend .

Singapore Airlines A380 superjumbo completes historic maiden flight . Luxury first class cabins have separate leather seats and double beds . One passenger paid $100,000 for the first Singapore to Sydney trip .

Washington (CNN) -- Humanitarian assistance from the United States began its journey to Japan Friday, as President Barack Obama extended a helping hand to the nation after it was hit by a devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami. There are eight warships either near Japan or headed for it. All are attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet, which is headquartered in Yokosuka, Japan. Navy personnel began loading tons of disaster relief supplies aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet command flagship, the USS Blue Ridge, currently in Singapore The vessel and its crew were scheduled to depart for Japan Saturday morning, according to a statement from U.S. 7th Fleet public affairs. The USS Essex was scheduled to leave Malaysia Friday evening carrying about 2,000 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary movement. The USS Harpers Ferry and the USS Germantown are en route to Japan from the Philippine Sea. The USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered carrier, has been pulled from a long-planned exercise off the Korean Peninsula and is now headed for the earthquake area, accompanied by USS Chancellorsville and the USS Preble. And the USS Tortuga has left its base at Sasebo, a port city in far southern Japan. The ship already has several landing craft on board, but it's heading to South Korea to take delivery of MH-53 cargo helicopters, which it will then carry to Japan. In addition to the 7th Fleet ships that have already received orders to head to the island nation, all ships in the fleet that can carry helicopters or aircraft have been ordered to be ready to deploy within 24 hours, if necessary. Fleet vessels not designed to carry aircraft must be able to deploy within 48 hours. The fleet is also undertaking a full accounting of all personnel in Japan, as well as the condition of their family members. However, no reports of injuries among 7th Fleet personnel have been received and no major damage has been reported among fleet assets, according to the public affairs statement. The public affairs statement pointed out that the 7th Fleet is not conducting full-scale disaster response operations, which would only come after a formal request from the Japanese government. It's not just the military that is taking steps to get help to victims of Friday's earthquake. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and its partner agencies are on standby in case their assistance is needed, the agency said in a news release. In addition, six Los Angeles County canine disaster search teams have been activated. The dogs were trained by the Search Dog Foundation and are now getting health clearance from their veterinarians to ensure they are ready to deploy. They will be part of a Los Angeles task force mobilized along with one from Virginia by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Each team will come with more than 70 personnel and approximately 75 tons of search and rescue equipment, in addition to the search and rescue dogs. "On behalf of the American people, I wish to convey our sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the people of Japan who have been affected by this devastating earthquake and tsunami," said Rajiv Shah, the administrator for USAID, in a written statement. "We are working with the government of Japan to provide any assistance needed in the rescue effort as quickly as possible." The agency also is dispatching a disaster assistance response team. California Gov. Jerry Brown said in a news release that he has "directed California's Emergency Management Agency to make state resources available to the Japanese government." Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig even promised assistance from Major League Baseball. Citing "our shared love of baseball for more than a century," Selig said in a statement that Japan is "a particularly special place to us" and that MLB will provide aid in the coming days and weeks. The American Red Cross is communicating with the Japanese Red Cross Society and its global partners, according to a statement from the agency. So far, the American Red Cross has not received any requests for blood from its Japanese counterparts, or from the U.S. or Japanese governments. The organization is encouraging people with loved ones in Japan to use the Red Cross "Safe and Well" website, an online tool which helps families connect during natural disasters and emergencies. Earlier in the day, Obama described his country's assistance priorities at a news conference. "I offer our Japanese friends whatever assistance is needed," he said. "Today's events remind us how fragile life can be." He said the main U.S. assistance to Japan would probably be "lift capacity" in the form of heavy equipment to help clean up damaged infrastructure. The U.S. government is taking inventory of how many military personnel are in Japan to provide help, he said, adding that American citizens in Japan will also receive assistance. Obama called the earthquake and tsunami "a potentially catastrophic disaster," saying the images of destruction were "simply heartbreaking." At a session of the President's Export Council on Friday morning at the Old Executive Office Building, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged "immediate disaster relief assistance" and said, "We are working closely with the government of Japan to provide additional help," according to a State Department statement. The State Department on Friday said there were no immediate reports of casualties among the tens of thousands of U.S. citizens -- tourists, military personnel and others -- in Japan. The State Department issued an alert against nonessential travel to Japan because of the earthquake and tsunami. The alert said that Tokyo airports were closed and others also may be closed or restricted, and that public transportation in Tokyo and other areas has been interrupted. The alert also said strong aftershocks are likely "for weeks" and included instructions for what to do if caught in an earthquake or aftershock. It urged U.S. citizens in Japan to contact family and friends to let them know of their well-being. American Airlines told CNN that it would resume flights into Japan on Saturday. Both American and Delta Airlines canceled flights into Tokyo Friday. It was unclear if flights to other Japanese airports also were affected. In addition, Delta, United and Continental airlines announced they were waiving change fees for people whose travel plans involving Japan were affected by the disaster. The Yokota Air Base, a U.S. Air Force facility in Japan, accommodated 11 commercial planes carrying more than 500 passengers, after the flights were diverted to the base when the earthquake closed Tokyo's Narita International Airport, according to a news release from the Air Force's 374th Airlift Wing. Volunteers from various organizations brought food, water and cots for the stranded passengers and helped them register with the Red Cross. At the State Department, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Janice Jacobs said a 24-hour consular task force has been set up to help Americans affected by the earthquake. Americans in Japan who need help, or people seeking information about a loved one in Japan, can send an e-mail to [email protected], Jacobs said. Americans outside Japan but in tsunami-affected areas who need help, or people seeking information about an American in affected areas outside Japan, can e-mail [email protected], she said. A telephone information line also has been set up at 1-888-407-4747, said Jacobs, who encouraged people to use the e-mail options if possible. When seeking information about Americans in Japan or other affected areas, Jacobs said, people should provide the full name, birth date and location of the person, as well as any pre-existing medical conditions, and if they are elderly or a child. CNN's Kim Hutcherson, Michael Martinez, Ed Henry, Barbara Starr, Elise Labott, Larry Shaughnessy, Dave Alsup and Bonney Kapp contributed to this report.

NEW: The U.S. 7th Fleet takes the lead regarding delivery of aid to Japan . Eight major U.S. warships are ordered to Japan . U.S. federal agencies coordinate search and rescue teams . Bud Selig promises aid from MLB, citing a "shared love of baseball"

London (CNN) -- Britain's accused rioters are facing the courts in growing numbers, as the streets remain quiet and the police continue their efforts to bring all those responsible for rampaging through London and other cities to justice. More than 1,900 people have been arrested and about half that number charged, the majority in the capital -- and the front pages of British newspapers are filled with the accounts of those hauled up in court, many during special overnight sessions. The violence first broke out in north London's Tottenham neighborhood after a protest over the death of a local man, Mark Duggan, who Prime Minister David Cameron said was shot by police, and spread on successive nights across London and other cities. But after two nights of relative calm, much of the nation's attention has turned to what happens next for those caught -- and what the fallout from the disorder may be for British society. Several newspapers highlight the case of 18-year-old Chelsea Ives, who appeared in court in Westminster on Thursday, reporting that she was picked to be a London Olympics "ambassador" tasked with welcoming guests to the capital during next year's Games. But a London 2012 Organising Committee spokeswoman said Friday that Ives "is not a London 2012 Olympics ambassador and never has been. We believe she was actually a youth ambassador for the Waltham Forest borough." Ives was allegedly captured on video hurling bricks at a police car and was reported to police by her parents after they spotted her on a television news bulletin. She denied charges of burglary, violent disorder and attacking a police car, the Guardian newspaper reported. The Guardian also highlights the cases of an 11-year-old girl who pleaded guilty to criminal damage in Nottingham and a 12-year-old boy who admitted taking a bottle of wine from a Manchester supermarket. As thoughts turn to the weekend ahead, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, speaking in Nottingham, warned prospective troublemakers against stirring up more unrest, saying they should "think again." Home Secretary Theresa May announced that a march planned for Saturday by the English Defence League, a far-right group, had been banned. "It is clear that a ban is needed to ensure communities and property are protected," she said in a statement Friday. A significant number of officers would be deployed in the town of Telford, 30 miles west of Birmingham, to police any English Defence League presence, she added. In Birmingham, where three young men were killed in a hit-and-run incident in the early hours of Wednesday, community groups are planning a "peace rally" for Sunday with the aim of promoting unity, West Midlands Police said. Londoners can expect the "surge" of 16,000 police officers deployed since Tuesday to remain on the city's streets through the weekend, Prime Minister David Cameron said Thursday. The huge deployment comes against a backdrop of questions over Britain's policing approach and as lawmakers raise the prospect that new powers could be granted to police to tackle future unrest. Cameron told lawmakers at an emergency session of Parliament on Thursday that police in London had waited too long to begin arresting rioters after unrest broke out Saturday. "What became increasingly clear earlier this week was that there were simply far too few police deployed onto the streets. And the tactics they were using weren't working," he said. "Police chiefs have been frank with me about why this happened. Initially, the police treated the situation too much as a public order issue rather than essentially one of crime." This week's apparently orchestrated looting -- which occurred in different places at the same time -- presented "a new and unique challenge," but police had ultimately changed their approach, he told lawmakers. Officers are now being given more tools to tackle disorder, Cameron said, with "every contingency" being looked at, including greater powers to ask suspected troublemakers to remove their masks. The government may also consider measures to prevent troublemakers from using social media to coordinate disorder, he said. Cameron promised a thorough inquiry into Duggan's death Saturday but said it did not justify the ensuing violence. What started as a peaceful demonstration in front of the police department by community members and Duggan's relatives and friends was "used as an excuse by opportunist thugs in gangs, first in Tottenham itself, then across London and then in other cities," he said. "It is completely wrong to say there is any justifiable causal link." The August 4 shooting occurred when officers from a police unit that deals with gun crime in the black community stopped a cab carrying the 29-year-old father of four in the working-class, predominantly Afro-Caribbean district of Tottenham, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said. Police in the capital reported 1,144 riot-related arrests Friday, with 693 people charged. Police in West Midlands reported 467 arrests since Monday evening, and Greater Manchester Police listed 176, while police in Merseyside, which covers Liverpool, reported 74 arrests and Nottinghamshire Police 109. Some 186 officers have reported being injured since Saturday, London's Metropolitan Police said late Thursday, having had "unprecedented violence directed against them." Officers in London arrested a 22-year-old man Friday on suspicion of murder after the death of a 68-year-old man the previous day from injuries sustained in an attack in west London's Ealing neighborhood Monday. Richard Mannington Bowes, who the Metropolitan Police said was assaulted after he tried to stamp out a fire set by rioters, was the fifth person thought to have died in connection with the disorder. The force said Friday that three of the latest suspects to be charged included a 19-year-old man who is believed to have posted a picture on Twitter posing with a haul of suspected stolen goods and two teenage girls charged with counts including robbery, attempted robbery and possession of a knife. Cameron said those convicted can expect to go to jail and promised new efforts to deal with gang culture and reform Britain's "broken society." But much damage has been done, with retailers losing more than £100 million ($161 million) over four nights of looting and violence, one analysis found. Cameron promised government help for families and businesses whose properties have been damaged. They will receive tax breaks and grants, including a new £20 million ($32 million) fund to help affected retailers get back in business, he said. Police said residents could help them by identifying photographs of looting suspects. The Metropolitan Police and other police forces posted surveillance photos online. Detectives investigating the hit-and-run incident in Birmingham arrested on Thursday three more males on suspicion of murder. They are ages 16, 17 and 26. A 32-year-old man who had been arrested Wednesday has been released on bail. The three victims, ages 31, 30 and 20, were leaving prayers at 1 a.m. Wednesday and returning to a gas station they had been guarding to protect it from looters when the incident occurred, witnesses said. Another man died after being found shot in a car in Croydon, south London, on Monday night. The violence comes against a backdrop of austerity measures and budget cuts. But Cameron, community leaders and police have repeatedly pointed to a criminal, rather than political, motivation for the looting. Analysts say a mix of economic and social tensions has been at play in the unrest, with deprivation a key factor. Those seen taking part in rioting and looting have been from diverse ethnic backgrounds and span a wide range of ages, and many are young. CNN's Carol Jordan, Ed Payne, David Wilkinson, Anna Stewart and Bharati Naik contributed to this report.

Official warns against anyone stirring up new trouble this weekend . Community groups in Birmingham plan a weekend peace rally after deaths there . More than 1,900 people have been arrested nationwide, authorities say . Cameron says police shot Mark Duggan, the man whose death first sparked protests .

(CNN) -- The sun is shining, barbecues are out, beaches are packed and the commute to work is slightly less crowded than normal. It can mean only one thing: football's summer transfer window is upon us. Most managers hate it, fans are powerless to resist hourly updates on it; sports journalists worldwide are consumed by it. With a further month of fevered speculation, rumor, counter-rumor and downright subterfuge to come before it closes, CNN tries to work out what it all means. Will he, won't he? Every summer needs a transfer saga. Recent tradition tends to place an Arsenal player at the center of a heart-wrenching drama, with dastardly suitors attempting to steal him away from Arsene Wenger's bosom. Usually, after a summer of emotionally charged hearsay, these players stick around to give the Arsenal boss one more chance to deliver the satisfaction they crave. But eventually, as with Patrick Vieira (Juventus), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), and Robin Van Persie (Manchester United), the lure of new pastures proves too strong, and the bond is broken. This year, in a dramatic break from tradition, it is Arsenal's turn to play the villain in the love triangle, and covet the prized assets of other clubs. Gonzalo Higuain proved to be nothing but a flirt, eventually finding Napoli more enticing than North London. While many label him a bad boy, Arsenal now seem only to have eyes for Luis Suarez. Faint heart, as they say, never won fair maid; but only time will tell whether Arsenal's seduction technique and slightly eccentric offers of £40 million, plus one pound, will be enough to tempt the controversial Uruguayan. But none of these great romances can hold a candle to events on the other side of North London. For weeks Tottenham Hotspur have been clinging desperately to Gareth Bale, begging him to remember the good times and promising that a top four finish in the Premier League can make him happy again. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have been suggestively whispering that, while he looks great in white, he'd look even more fabulous in the white of the Castilian giants. Certainly the prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale on their respective wings is more than enough to get most Madrilenos salivating, but until this week it seemed that Spurs would keep their man. Now, however, things have changed; the latest reports indicate the Londoners' passion for Bale has cooled sufficiently for them to admit defeat. As with many a high-profile divorce, however, the scale of the pay-off should at least help to wipe away their tears. Vive la revolution! Time was when the mere suggestion Chelsea or Manchester City were interested in a player pretty much put an end to transfer speculation; indeed, when Edinson Cavani indicated he was ready to leave Napoli behind him, England seemed his inevitable destination. To the surprise of many, however, the towering striker opted to join the newly minted French champions, Paris Saint Germain, instead. The Premier League may still believe itself to be the world's best, but this summer's evidence shows that its spending power may be diminishing. What's more, the traditional big three European leagues -- England, Spain and Italy -- can no longer have it all their own way. For a start the Bundesliga has already demonstrated its strength on and off the pitch, with trophies and multi-million dollar transfer fees alike. France's Ligue 1, however, is making a surprise bid to join the giants. The resurgence of Monaco, and their favorable tax rules for foreigners, has added a new string to the French elite's increasingly impressive bow. Alongside their Qatari-backed Parisian rivals, Monaco are simply outbidding the big spenders, leaving the likes of Chelsea -- who they also beat to the signature of Falcao -- scratching their heads. Suddenly, French football seems a lot more interesting, and Jose Mourinho's billionaire-backed Blues a little less potent. Austerity is for normal people . All over Europe, austerity is biting hard. Unemployment, particularly among the young, is at eye-watering levels, and belts are being tightened accordingly. In England, where former Premier League perennials Coventry City have become the latest club to hit skid row, fans have also been protesting at high ticket prices. All the signs should point to a more sensible age of spending in the game. Of course, we're talking about football here though -- a world where almost nothing makes any sense whatsoever. So while Spanish unemployment lines grow, talk of Real Madrid paying a record-obliterating $120 million for a player many argue they don't really need seems absolutely genuine. In fact, according to a FIFA report, transfer spending over the first six months of 2013 sharply increased, while the list of multi-million dollar deals in this summer's window grows almost daily. It remains to be seen whether spending in 2013 will set new records, but don't bet against it. Are you ITK? Everyone likes a bit of juicy gossip, and starved of the usual stuff to talk about, football fans in summer are particularly susceptible to a little tittle-tattle. The inexorable rise of Twitter has spawned a wave of people claiming to be "ITK" ("in the know") -- particularly supposed agents. The most notorious of these fakes unmasked himself last year, but only after his (completely fabricated) rumors had found their way into the mainstream media. One hapless fan even bought a shirt with the name of an apparently done-deal transfer emblazoned on it. These days it is often hard to tell whether the rumor you have picked up on social media is anything more than a mischievous hoax, but fake agents are not just found on Twitter. A more insidious breed is also playing a highly damaging role in some young footballers' careers. The problem is particularly acute in Africa, where an international scouting camp has been set up to help young players find genuine agents and avoid being exploited by chancers. Even experienced players can be hoodwinked, as Glasgow Rangers striker Francisco Sandanza discovered to his cost earlier this year. The Spaniard was sacked after details of an overly candid phone call with a man purporting to be an agent were made public, to the anger of his employers. Buyer beware. Footballers have feelings too . Wayne Rooney is "angry" and "confused". Gareth Bale is "horrified" and "distraught". Meanwhile Arsene Wenger apparently experiences every defeat "like a death", so who knows how the Frenchman is coping as Arsenal keep missing out on their transfer targets. Footballers and their agents, managers and chairmen have been reaching for their thesauruses in an attempt to convey the sheer emotional turmoil that the transfer window brings. There are safety issues for the general public too: back in 2006 Ashley Cole almost "crashed his car in disgust" when he heard Arsenal were only prepared to offer him £55,000 a week, rather than the £60,000 he had his heart set upon. Top footballers are fragile creatures. During this unsettling period, as they are forced to endure exotic beach holidays and wonder just how much money might be on the table, one really has to feel for them. Still, with just a matter of weeks to go until the Window closes, calm will soon be restored - at least until it reopens on January 1st, and the whole astonishing business gets underway once again.

The European football season has two transfer windows . One runs in the offseason, the other throughout the month of January . Gareth Bale and Luis Suarez are two high-profile EPL stars linked with moves . French clubs Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain have spent heavily .

(CNN) -- For a year, journalist and author David Eimer traveled the edges of China exploring a side of the country that obliterates expectations. "Most people are unaware of the sheer diversity of China in terms of ethnic minorities," says the former Beijing resident and China correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph newspaper. "I met people who have blond hair and blue eyes and look completely European but are 100% Chinese in terms of upbringing and language." The Chinese government officially classifies 55 ethnic minorities. During his travels through Yunnan, Tibet, Xinjiang and the Dongbei region, Eimer met many of them. These are people distinct from the Chinese majority -- the Han -- with their own languages, cultures and histories, who happen to be living within China's national borders. Eimer has collated their stories in his latest book, "The Emperor Far Away: Travels at the Edge of China," published in July by Bloomsbury USA. CNN spoke with Eimer (now based in Bangkok) about his travels and China's ethnic minority communities. CNN: Why write this book? David Eimer: There are a hundred million people living in China who aren't Han. I wanted to go to those regions and give them a bit of voice. CNN: Your favorite place from your travels? Eimer: Deep south of Yunnan. It's got great food, it's not a politically sensitive area. Almost half of Chinese minorities live in the south of Yunnan. If you want, you can see Hakka villages, Dai villages and a fair number of tourists do go there for that. The Chinese like to think of Xishuangbanna [an autonomous prefecture within Yunnan Province] as their own Thailand. It doesn't have a coastline, but the food, language and climate are all similar to Southeast Asia. CNN: Any memories stand out from the area? Eimer: One of my favorite experiences was trekking through villages along the border with Burma and staying with families along the way. You just arrive and ask around, pay them RMB 50 ($8) and they'll say, "sure," and you can drink rice wine with them. CNN: Which was the most difficult place to cover? Eimer: Tibet just because of the controls the government places on foreigners who go there. As a journalist you're not meant to be there, but it's not a problem for tourists. It's a stunning part of the world. You'll see scenery that you don't see anywhere else on the planet. (But) Tibetans are the hardest people to really engage with. You won't want to get them in trouble by asking sensitive questions, and a lot are scared by the heavy PLA and wujing (paramilitary) presence. The food is really bad. The hotels aren't really hotels, they're just like plain concrete-floor rooms with no showers. There was a space of 10 days where I had one shower. CNN: What was wrong with the food? Eimer: They can't grow vegetables so it's all imported. I love Chinese food but I have to say Tibetan food is my least favorite. It's dumplings or fried rice and a bit of yak meat if you're lucky, so yeah it grinds you down a bit. CNN: What was the appeal of Dongbei, China's northeast region? Eimer: It's right next door to North Korea and Russia and I don't think people realize that there's like a "third Korea" within China. There are a couple million ethnic Koreans living in Dongbei along the border, they are given leeway in terms of speaking the language and going to schools that teach in Korean. They are all watching South Korean soap operas and listening to K-pop and eating dog (a common North Korean dish) and kimchi inside China. Chinese Koreans are all from North Korea, but culturally they are South Korean, they haven't been cut off and isolated. CNN: Did you get to the Russian border area? Eimer: When you head toward Russia it just looks like Siberia. I was there in winter and the landscape is bleak, lots of snow and under-populated areas. I was interested in Manchus in this region. The Manchus were the only minority that ruled China in the past. I thought it was interesting to see their homelands and how they had been absorbed to the point of having only 100 people left who can still speak the Manchu language. CNN: Did you meet any Manchus? Eimer: The only genuine Manchu person I met was in Xinjiang, thousands of miles away from what was once the Manchu heartland. There's a specific ethnic minority in Xinjiang -- the Xibe -- who are closely related to the Manchu and who are the descendants of soldiers sent to guard the edges of the Qing Empire in the 18th century. Xinjiang is now the only place in China where you're likely to hear someone speaking an approximation of Manchu. In fact, although around 10 million people in China register themselves as Manchu, most are mixed Han and Manchu, a result of extensive intermarriage, so there are very few people left who are 100% Manchu. CNN: In the book you seem pessimistic about the Tibetan and Uyghur independence movements. Eimer: I'm pessimistic about Tibetans and Uyghurs gaining independence. To split the country is ultimate heresy for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party), it will never happen and they will do everything to prevent it. Sadly the situation now in Xinjiang and Tibet has gotten to the point where violent extremism is the way forward rather than reconciliation. You're not going to see Uyghurs sitting down in Beijing for talks. Giving Ilham Tohti life in prison sends the message: it's our way or no way. [A Uyghur economics professor at Beijing's Minzu University, Tohti was found guilty of "separatism" and sentenced to life in prison by a Chinese court in September.] . The situation will only get worse. It will present really big challenges for the CCP. Are they going to effectively keep one-third of China's landmass under virtual martial law? CNN: Would you say Taiwan and Hong Kong are heading down a similar road? Eimer: What's happening on the fringes, you can include Hong Kong into that. Hong Kong is it's own place. It's not the mainland. In Xinjiang and Tibet, CCP rule is being challenged more and more, and the same goes for Hong Kong where (they're) doing it in a peaceful, nonviolent way. I think it's interesting that the pressures the CCP are getting are from parts of the country that were previously regarded as reasonably docile. They weren't prepared for Hong Kong people to stand up and say "no" and they have to be careful because Taiwan is looking very closely at what's going on in Hong Kong to determine whether One Country Two Systems will work for them. CNN: Some argue that China is already doing the best it can to keep an incredibly large country and population relatively united. Eimer: Managing China is insanity. How do you do it? I still think China is the most fascinating country in the world for many of these reasons. China is more like an empire. Managing China has always been difficult, which is why the book is called "The Emperor Far Away." CNN: What do you always travel with? Eimer: A Swiss army knife, notebook, pen and money or access to money, as well as passport, of course. Anything else you can buy along the way.

Journalist David Eimer's new book chronicles many of China's 55 official ethnic groups . Xishuangbanna is China's Thailand, with food and climate similar to Southeast Asian countries . Eimer also visited the "third Korea," located inside of China . He says Tibetans are the hardest to interview .

(CNN) -- Her almond-shaped brown eyes shine through her sunken face as a doctor lifts her sweater to reveal a tiny rib cage pushing against her skin. Little more than a year old, Israa al Masri wastes away at the National Hospital in the besieged Damascus suburbs just a few miles from the medical supplies needed to save her. Slowly, painfully, organs shut down one by one as her muscles atrophy until, barley breathing. On January 12, the toddler's heart stops. The cause of death: hunger. Starvation is the Syrian government's newest and cruelest weapon against opposition neighborhoods leaving infants with swollen heads and distended bodies, their mothers dry of breast milk, and their elders skeletal and dehydrated, according to activists and doctors. In one of the earliest cases, 1-year-old Farah Atout arrived at the Maliha medical center weak and whimpering as doctors struggled to find veins to feed her intravenously. "I remember this child very well she was about a year old and she weighed only 4 kilograms," said Dr. Mazin Ramadan, who treated Atout last November. Her destitute family fled their village with just the clothes on their back, leaving them with little access to food, Ramadan said. "They arrived and put this child between my hands and imagined with a shot or some medicine her strength would come back and the ordeal would be over," said Ramadan, one of the few pediatricians in the area. After just 48 hours, nothing remained of the baby but a skeletal frame with tubes bandaged to a yellowed face frozen in anguish. But what appeared at the time a unique horror, now repeats itself over and over in the Damascus suburbs, doctors and activists told CNN. Parents often risk death by sniper fire, simply to forage for nutrition. A nurse, who did not wish to be identified for fear of reprisal, in the besieged Yarmouk Palestinian Refugee Camp on the outskirts of Damascus told Amnesty International that around four people a day arrive with gunshot wounds from snipers targeting civilians as they pick plants and shrubs from nearby fields. Established in 1957, Yarmouk, an unofficial refugee camp, has been home for decades to thousands of Palestinians displaced by Arab-Israeli wars. At National Hospital South of Damascus, near Yarmouk, 43 people have died of starvation, 22 of them children, the youngest just 23 days old, with most of the deaths occurring this past month, a dramatic increase, according to hospital staff. "Sometimes I get a case due to malnutrition or lack of medicine and, I feel utter desperation because I cannot help the child. We have reached a state where this is normal -- that every two to three days a child dies. It just feels like there is no nutrition. What can we do?" said a doctor at the hospital who did not wish to be identified out of fear of Syrian forces. Parents sometimes crumble in the face of despair and very few options. "I had a 2-year-old patient just a few days ago, and she was diagnosed with a life threatening condition and when her father found out he said 'OK. I will take her home to die.' Just like that -- without hesitation. He said 'What am I to do? There is no food and no medicine,' " the doctor said. Infants are particularly vulnerable. "The first 1000 days of life, from conception to 2 years are absolutely critical as far as nutrition and the developmental foundations of life are concerned. If the child in the womb of a pregnant mother, and the mother isn't getting the food she needs and there is this obstacle in the way of getting access to this kind of vital nutrients they need to grow. They are not going to recover. That is a real tragedy," said Greg Barrow a spokesman for the United Nations World Food Programme. In a video widely viewed on YouTube of a skeletal 10-year-old named Bashar Kaboush in the eastern Ghouta town of Jisreen, a distraught man who CNN has confirmed is a relative of the child shouts: "Is this acceptable to God? Look at this child. Is this acceptable to world? Does the look like a human body? Is this the arm of a child? He is just 10 years old." Mohammed Abu al Rgaa an activist in Jisreen told CNN that residents fear Kaboush and dozens of others may soon die of hunger. Rgaa shared with CNN the case of 8-month-old Mohamad Faissal from the same town who recently died from lack of infant milk and proper medical care. Shocking online video of Faissal's lifeless body bore the hallmarks of starvation such as a swollen abdomen and protruding ribs, doctors said. The cause of crisis is clear. The once thriving agriculture belt to the east of the capital and the collection of towns and neighborhoods to the south wilted under a government siege blocking food staples from those areas. Opposition-controlled farmland lies desolate after nearly two years of warfare that has destroyed crops and livestock, leaving little more than stores of grain for thousands trapped behind government tanks. Many say the blockades are used by the Syrian government as collective punishment against opposition areas. Hostilities make it difficult to gain a clear view of the scope and scale of malnutrition in the area, but the WFP estimates at least 800,000 civilians remain under siege. "This underlines exactly why humanitarian agencies like the WFP have been calling for more access. To really see with their eyes: What is the scale of the problem? Who is most vulnerable? What kind of assistance do they need? And how can we get it in fast? That is absolutely critical," Barrow said. Amnesty International has been more direct: "The Syrian government is cruelly punishing civilians living in opposition-held areas. Starving civilians as a method of warfare is a war crime. The blockades must be lifted immediately and access to humanitarian aid must never be used to score military or political gains," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa director. Syrian officials failed to respond to CNN requests for comment on this story, but have said in general terms that "foreign-backed terrorists" catapulted the country into a spiral of violence that has triggered Syrian army efforts to expel opposition fighters from the Damascus suburbs. Perhaps most disturbingly, packed aid convoys ready and willing to deliver assistance to those in need are barred from doing so -- mainly by Syrian government troops. "The road to political stability and confidence building in Syria starts with an important step: ensuring no one dies because of a lack of food or medicine or from the cold when humanitarian workers are nearby but are not allowed in" said Ertharin Cousin, WFP's executive director. Geneva II peace talks secured an agreement for some aid to enter the Yarmouk Palestinian Refugee Camp this week, but several hundred food parcels and limited medical evacuations are simply not enough to stave off malnutrition. "To make any progress in addressing these needs, UNRWA's presence and humanitarian assistance work must be permitted to continue and expand over a period of months, not days," Chris Gunness, Spokesman for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said in a statement. "If the siege does not end, I expect even I will be dead," Assaf said over a crackly Skype connection. "If the siege is not broken these cases will increase and there will be mass death. To be honest this is what I would expect: mass death."

Many are starving in suburbs south of Damascus, Syria . Infants are particularly vulnerable, doctors say . Many say Syrian government is purposely starving opposition areas .

Madison, Wisconsin (CNN) -- In the canon of political cliches, "it all comes down to turnout" is among the most tired. But in the case of the polarizing and closely watched Wisconsin recall election, the maxim happens to ring true. Public polling, internal polling and campaign strategists all tell the same story: Republican Gov. Scott Walker is clinging to a tiny lead over his Democratic opponent, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, heading into Tuesday's vote. And the number of undecided voters has dwindled to almost zero, strategists in both parties say, meaning that the only mission left for both sides is to get their rabid supporters to the polls. "Our sole focus right now is on our grassroots get-out-the-vote-effort," said Ben Sparks, a spokesman for the Wisconsin Republican Party. The final blitz began over the weekend. "We Are Wisconsin," an umbrella group funded by labor unions and the Democratic Governors Association, said it contacted nearly 750,000 voters over the weekend, with the goal of touching 1.4 million people with phone calls or door knocks by the close of polls Tuesday. Meanwhile, the state GOP and the Republican National Committee, which are coordinating some of their efforts with the Walker campaign, boasted Monday that they have identified and contacted 4 million voters since January -- a number that has national Republicans speculating that they can put the state in play for Mitt Romney in November. The recall fight has its roots in Walker's successful push in early 2011 to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights in an effort to close an ugly budget shortfall. The push sparked a bitter partisan battle between Walker and Democrats in the state legislature, and set off a wave of historic protests from union members inside and outside the state capitol in Madison. After Walker signed the controversial budget bill in March 2011, labor organizers subsequently managed to collect 900,000 certified signatures to trigger a recall and are now among those leading the final get-out-the-vote push. On Monday, at a Madison-area branch of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Barrett supporters spent the day popping in to pick up fliers for door-to-door voter contact efforts. The union is also paying for cab rides to the polls on Tuesday. Randy Case, a retiree from Cross Plains, was among those who dropped by the AFSCME office to help. He said Walker deserves to be removed from office because he trampled on Wisconsin's cherished tradition of fair play in state government. "This is a friendly state," Case said. "People get along here, and I think in our government, that has meant we elect people who work across the aisle and listen to other side. And that has just been absent with this current administration. It's 'my way or the highway,' which is simply not a Wisconsin value. It's not how we govern ourselves." Walker argues that his reforms are working, pointing to a projected budget surplus and a modest uptick in jobs since he took office last year. Democrats have tried to poke holes in those numbers, but according to recent poll from Marquette University Law School, a slight majority of voters approve of Walker's performance in Madison. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Barrett's hometown paper, also came to Walker's defense with a helpful messaging point last week, writing in an editorial that the governor deserves to finish his term. Walker is not the only Republican facing a recall Tuesday. Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch is on the ballot against Democrat Mahlon Mitchell, a Fitchburg firefighter dubbed "M&M" by some of his supporters. The undercard also features four of the Republican state senators who helped Walker pass his budget reforms. Just one GOP loss in those recall races would flip control of the state Senate back to Democrats, at least until the next election in November. But the marquee race is between Walker and Barrett, a rematch of the 2010 governor's race. In that historically Republican year, Walker edged Barrett in their original matchup by 5 points. Different dynamics are at work on Tuesday, though, giving Democrats some hope even though Walker is considered the narrow favorite. While the anti-Walker fervor may have waned since protests consumed the state capitol grounds in early 2011, insiders here predict that turnout on both sides is likely to be higher than it was for the original Walker-Barrett race. But even in the race's eleventh hour, strategists in both parties are struggling to figure out whether turnout will be closer to 2008 levels, when nearly 70% of eligible Wisconsin voters participated in the presidential election, or 2010, when voter turnout dropped to 49%. Democrats are hoping for the 2008 model. Almost 3 million people voted in that election, and the state went heavily for Barack Obama. "It was a low turnout in 2010 and a high turnout in 2008," said former Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, who spent Monday traveling the state rallying Democrats. "If we get anywhere near 2008 or even halfway there, we are going to win, because those folks are more likely to vote for Tom Barrett." But unlike 2008, when Republican turnout underwhelmed, Wisconsin voters on both sides are now engaged at a level not seen in recent memory. "We have an example of Hatfields and McCoys going on in this state like we have never seen," said Brian Nemoir, a Milwaukee-based Republican strategist. "People are hyper-engaged, as much in support for their own candidate as in disgust for the opponent." Handmade signs are nearly as prevalent as official ones. Some locals say they have resorted to lowering their voices in public when discussing the recall to avoid setting off arguments with strangers. The Marquette University poll revealed that 26% of all voters have slapped a bumper sticker on their car or planted a sign in their lawn. The same survey found that a third of voters have simply stopped talking politics with someone they know because the race is so heated. And this is all in a state with a historical reputation for collegiality and Midwestern politeness. A flood of campaign money, much of it from out-of-state interest groups and most of it benefiting Republicans, is partially responsible for the hothouse political climate. About $64 million has been spent on the race since November 2011, an analysis from the Center for Public Integrity found. That's a new state record, shattering the previous record of $37.4 million spent during the 2010 governor's race. Beginning last fall, Walker seized on a loophole in Wisconsin law that allows incumbents in recall elections to raise unlimited sums. Walker outraised his opponent by an almost 8-1 margin, collecting $30.5 million to Barrett's $4 million. Roughly two-thirds of Walker's contributions came from out of state, the Center for Public Integrity reported, while only a quarter of Barrett's funds originated from outside Wisconsin. Beyond the individual campaigns, independent groups have played a major role in the race, helping saturate television and radio airwaves with negative advertising. The Republican Governors Association, for instance, has spent more than $8 million on Walker's behalf, most it on television ads. Working against Walker are unions like AFSCME, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the Service Employees International Union, which have also steered millions of dollars to the state in their efforts to unseat the governor.

Democratic groups say they contacted nearly 750,000 voters over the weekend . Republicans have contacted 4 million voters this year . The recall fight stems from a battle over collective bargaining rights for public employees . Republican Gov. Scott Walker faces off against Democrat Tom Barrett, mayor of Milwaukee .

Ferguson, Missouri (CNN) -- Mike Knox, owner of Freestyle Barber & Beauty in Ferguson, Missouri, said police have pulled him over twice for what he calls "DWB" -- driving while black. When he questioned why he was stopped, officers pressed him for insurance information -- not something a driver should be pulled over for, he said. "People are just tired of that happening," Knox said. "Why should we get pulled over every time we get in the car?" Knox wouldn't be surprised if Michael Brown, 18, smarted off to Officer Darren Wilson. "He probably did. It happens quite often," Knox said. It's common for black people to give police attitude in the area, he said. Wilson, a white police officer, fatally shot the unarmed, African-American Brown on August 9 -- the event that started protests and violent street clashes in the town of about 22,000 people. Dozens of people have been arrested as Ferguson became a flash point of racial conflict. Black residents of Ferguson say there's been friction for years with the overwhelmingly white police department. White residents also complain the police are heavy-handed. The department was formally accused of using excessive force Tuesday in a federal lawsuit. The family of Jason Moore says he died of cardiac arrest September 17, 2011, when police fired Tasers at him, according to the lawsuit. The family says that Moore, who they say suffered a psychological disorder, was walking around naked and posed no threat to police. The public relations firm handling media inquiries of the Ferguson police did not immediately respond Wednesday to CNN's request for comment on the suit. To locals and longtime observers, tension has been brewing since the 1970s, when school desegregation and white flight changed Ferguson's demographics. Today, two-thirds of Ferguson's population is black, but arrest statistics don't reflect that. According to a 2013 report released by the Missouri attorney general, African-Americans are highly over-represented in crime statistics. They accounted for 93% of arrests after traffic stops, 92% of searches and 86% of traffic stops. Michael Brown shooting, protests highlight racial divide . The police chief is white. There are only three African-Americans on the 53-person police force. The mayor is white, and so are five of the six city council members. Police chief defends department . Police Chief Tom Jackson has come under heavy criticism for the way police have handled protests and looting, but he defends the department against accusations of racism. When CNN asked him about the perception that police stop blacks more than whites, Jackson said, "Well, if that is the perception out there, then that's something we have to work on." When asked if it's more than a perception, he said, "I don't think so." But African-American residents say it's more than perception. Marquita Rogers, 27, said she believes race played a factor in Brown's death. "I'm not saying that every white police officer in Ferguson is racist like that, but some are" she said. "First time I seen a black cop is when they blocked off the street," she said, referring to recent turmoil in her city. 'They all got a power trip problem' Tom Steigerwald, 31, has lived in Ferguson since 1994. When he was 20, an officer came to his house because he was playing music too loud, he said. The officer told him to open his door but he stuck his head out the window instead, he said. After an exchange of words, the officer smacked him in the head, he said. His father talked him out of filing a report. "They all got a power trip problem, a lot of them," he said. Arvid Wilkerson, 22, said, "Police do what they want," he said. "They abuse that badge." He thinks that's exactly what happened with Brown. "They get trained to use their night sticks and Tasers, and they get trained to fight. There's no reason to pull out a gun and definitely no reason to kill him, or overkill him is what they did," he said. "That could've been me." A traffic case brought Henry Davis into conflict with Ferguson police. Davis filed a federal lawsuit against the city and four police officers in 2010, alleging the police used excessive force against him in the jail cell after arresting him in 2009. Last March, a federal judge ruled in favor of the city and the officers. Davis is appealing. In the lawsuit, Davis says officers wrongly arrested him in the first place, thinking he was another person by the same last name. Lawsuit alleges excessive force . At the jail, police beat and kicked him so badly he suffered a concussion, the lawsuit says. "I shouldn't have been there, I was the wrong person," he told CNN. "They beat me for no reason while I was handcuffed." To top it off, police charged him with four counts of property damage, saying he had bled on their uniforms. He also was charged with driving while intoxicated, speeding, failure to drive in a single lane, no proof of insurance and failure to obey a police officer. Police tell a different story in their responses to Davis' lawsuit, saying Davis acted intoxicated, belligerent and aggressive toward arresting officers. One officer claims he suffered a broken nose. In a 2010 plea bargain in municipal court, Davis pleaded guilty to two counts of property damage, careless driving, speeding, failure to obey a police officer, and two non-moving violations, according to a U.S. magistrate's summary of the case. Two counts of property damage were dismissed. After Davis filed his lawsuit in August 2010, police charged Davis with felony assault on a police officer. That charge was dismissed in 2013. Chief says he improving department . Jim Schottel, Davis' attorney, said he's not shocked by the Michael Brown case. "Ferguson had a policy and custom for its officers to use excessive force at will," Schottel said in the lawsuit he filed for Davis, who like Brown is African-American. Chief Jackson, who was hired in March 2010, told CNN he's trying to improve the department. "I wasn't here when that happened," he said of the Davis case. "All I can say is that from the time I got here I've been working on improvements to make this a very professional police department." Schottel said Jackson is trying to improve the department, but "the culture in the police department was one where there was no fear of punishment." Meanwhile, one of the four officers Davis sued, Kim Tihen, left the police department and ran for city council, reported The Daily Beast. She won election in 2012. Schottel doesn't know if the Michael Brown case will help his appeal of the Davis lawsuit. He expects the case to be heard the week of December 8. "I've been told by other lawyers the appeal now stands a better shot," he said, "but I don't speculate." Complete coverage of Ferguson shooting and protests . Magazine: The Aftermath in Ferguson . Read more about the flash point in the Heartland at CNN.com/US . This story is based on reporting by Eliott McLaughlin in Ferguson, Missouri and Ralph Ellis in Atlanta, Georgia. Ralph Ellis wrote it. CNN's Jason Carroll and Kevin Conlon also contributed to this report.

Ferguson is two-thirds black, but 2013 report showed blacks over-represented in arrests . Of Ferguson's 53 police officers, three are African-American . In 2010, Henry Davis sued the department over alleged use of excessive force . A federal judge ruled against Davis, but he is appealing .

Washington (CNN) -- In her grilling on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius reiterated a frequent assertion in the Obamacare sales pitch --- consumers have options when shopping for insurance plans on the health care exchanges. "The 15% of our neighbors and friends who are uninsured have affordable new options in a competitive market," Sebelius said in her testimony to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. After apology, Sebelius subpoenaed over Obamacare website . But a CNN analysis found that consumer options vary significantly from state to state, and many Americans are discovering that they have very few options. Fact-checking Obamacare claims . In West Virginia and New Hampshire, for example, residents shopping on the exchanges can only purchase plans from a single company. Contrast that with the state-operated exchange in New York which has 16 participating companies, an average of five per county. Wisconsin, which is on the federal exchange, has 13 participating insurers, although some counties in the state have only one. So what prices are people finding in states where only one insurer lists on the exchange? In states with many insurers on exchanges, plans vary far more dramatically in price. Some are more expensive but many are significantly cheaper. Big difference state-to-state . In Pennsylvania, for example, with 10 insurance companies listed on the exchange, a 27-year-old can buy a silver plan from Highmark for $133.83. Highmark is the same insurance company that operates on the West Virginia exchange. A 27-year-old in West Virginia, meanwhile, can purchase silver plans ranging in price from $193.93 to $250.69 a month. In New Hampshire, that same individual can browse silver plans costing from $236.46 and $238.62 a month. These prices do not include offsets from subsidies. Individuals are also able to view less expensive bronze or catastrophic plans on the exchanges (the latter only being available for buyers under age 30) as well as more expensive gold plans. Platinum plans, which offer the highest level of coverage, are not available in West Virginia or New Hampshire according to the data on Healthcare.gov. Your options under Obamacare . A Department of Health and Human Services report released in late September asserted that an average of eight insurance companies would be participating in states on the federal exchange; try telling that to a resident of New Hampshire or West Virginia with their single choice. In general, urban and suburban counties with higher populations tend to have more insurers, while it's common for rural counties to be limited to one or two options. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 12 million people live in counties with only one insurer, compared to the 117 million in counties with more than five insurers. There is no data to indicate how many of those people will be shopping for insurance in the exchange. Special coverage: Health care in America . Rural areas suffer; not profitable . Rural areas are, on the whole, less desirable to insurance companies because they offer a smaller pool of potential customers. It is also more difficult for insurance companies to make a profit in rural counties because there are fewer health care providers and lack of competition allows regional hospitals to charge more for services. Yet, the number of insurance companies operating on the exchange is often a fraction of the number that actively sells insurance in the private market. In Wyoming, for instance, there are six companies that actively sell insurance but only two advertise plans on the exchange. In North Carolina, nine companies sell plans, but only two of those are on the exchange and only one of those sells statewide. Some companies are choosing not to participate in certain areas because they are waiting to see how the implementation of Obamacare plays out in the first year. It remains to be seen how many will ultimately sign on despite the problems the exchange has faced so far. The technical problems facing the website are, to some extent, drawing attention away from the shortage of insurance options. But some lawmakers are now calling on the administration to address the issue. A group of senators and congressmen from Arkansas wrote to Sebelius on Monday, expressing their frustration at the lack of options in their state and calling on her to release information about her department's correspondence with state officials. "Before the law's implementation, state insurance officials claimed that there would be as many as eight carriers offering coverage in the individual market," wrote Senator John Boozman and Representatives Tom Cotton, Steve Womack, Rick Crawford and Tim Griffin. "However, a consumer logging on to the AR Health Connector website will find, at most, four plans offering coverage, while 60% of the state will have no more than two provider options." "This is a disappointing, if unsurprising, failure of the reforms promised by Obamacare, which will mean decreased competition among plans, leading to higher costs, higher premiums, and less consumer choice." Lawmakers: Arkansas families pay more . Arkansas is one of six states that operate exchanges in partnership with the federal government. The authors of the letter say that families in Arkansas now have to pay 100%-600% higher premiums under Obamacare. New York site lists bakery, mechanic for Obamacare help . A lack of options is certainly having an effect on insurance prices -- how much is still up for debate. Cynthia Cox of the Kaiser Family Foundation looked into the link between options and price, and found that in counties with more than five insurers, the average premium was about $20 a month less than in areas with only one insurer. Cox specifically compared the pricing available for a 40-year-old individual shopping for a silver plan. The Obama administration, for its part, has discounted the significance of this analysis. "Under the Affordable Care Act, nearly all consumers (about 95%) will have a choice of two or more health insurance issuers, often many more," HHS spokeswoman Joanne Peters said in a statement to CNN, "and nearly all consumers (about 95%) live in states with average premiums below earlier estimates." Peters added that, "In the marketplace, new rating and benefit rules along with bans on pre-existing exclusions allow insurers to compete for customers based on price and quality." This information is also reflected in the September HHS report. What else can go wrong with Obamacare? Comparisons difficult to make . Premiums on the federal exchange are lower than those previously projected, but comparing rate changes in any given state is tricky, according to Cox, who co-authored a report for Kaiser in September outlining the changes that individuals in the private market could expect. Because all plans must offer an expanded set of benefits under the Affordable Care Act, they cannot be compared straightforwardly to plans offered in the past. Another reason why insurance options and prices vary so significantly from region to region has to do with how state governments choose to use their rate review authority, which was expanded under the Affordable Care Act. In some states, officials can prevent insurance companies from raising rates if they believe those rates are unjustified, and some states have used this authority to keep prices down on the exchanges. Other states, such as Florida, have acted to formally reject their rate review authority, thereby preventing any state influence in prices. State laws can also play a role in promoting insurance competition. In Arizona, for example, there is a state requirement that prevents insurance companies from cherry-picking which counties they offer PPO plans in, according to Arizona Department of Insurance spokeswoman Erin Klugh — although they can selectively offer HMO plans. Because of this rule, Arizonans across the state have multiple insurers to choose from. CNN's Adam Aigner-Treworgy and Jessica Stanton contributed to this report .

CNN analysis shows Obamacare choices, premiums vary from state to state . In West Virginia and New Hampshire, consumers only have single choice . Rural areas have fewer Obamacare options because of sparse population, providers . Kaiser study shows those with more choices pay lower premiums .

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Libyan government and rebel officials offered wildly disparate views of the situation on the ground Sunday, as gunfire and explosions continued to rock Tripoli not far from the home of embattled leader Moammar Gadhafi. Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, the ruler's son and a top official in his regime, insisted on Libyan state-run television that the rebels were losing every battle -- saying so hours after his father told supporters that the "traitors" and their NATO allies were lying and nearing their end. This perspective, however, contrasted with reports from CNN reporters, witnesses and rebel officials that government forces continued to lose ground all around the North African nation and faced fresh attacks in the capital. Faithi Baja, political affairs chief for the rebel's Transitional National Council, said early Sunday in a video statement that rebel fighters freshly launched operation inside Tripoli is "going easily" and they are inching toward Gadhafi's Bab al-Azizia compound. "The revolution from inside Tripoli has officially started (Saturday) evening in many parts ... of Tripoli, and is expected to spread to all of Tripoli," Jumma Ibrahim, a rebel spokesman from the western mountain region around Zintan, said hours earlier. Heavy clashes broke out Saturday night in at least one neighborhood in Tripoli, marked by intense gunfire, explosions and people screaming as they ran through the street, a resident told CNN. Gunfire and explosions have become normal occurrences in the capital, but CNN personnel on the ground for weeks report that the fighting appeared to be among the most intense yet. "Most of the neighhoods in Tripoli are rising up," Jumma Ibrahim said. But speaking just before midnight in Tripoli, government spokesman Musa Ibrahim insisted that all is safe and "in excellent condition." He said that the Libyan capital remains under government control, adding that the nearby highways remain open. He blamed small groups of "armed gangs" -- a term that Gadhafi loyalists have frequently applied to rebels -- for the blasts and gunfire heard overnight Saturday inside Tripoli. He insisted that government forces had put down the fighters "within half an hour," making the statement at the same time gunfire continued to crackle intermittently around the capital. About two hours later, Moammar Gadhafi echoed his spokesman in claiming rebel officials were lying about the situation in Tripoli and beyond while predicting the six-month-long conflict would climax soon. In his audio address, broadcast on state-run TV, the Libyan leader blasted the rebel "traitors" and the NATO forces backing them as unethical and intent on destroying the county and ruining lives. And as he had done in a speech six days earlier, he tried to rally citizens to his side. "A great thing, anyway, that despite the Christian air raids, you continue to be up in Tripoli," he said, an apparent reference to those who listened to his speech from Green Square. "March forward, march forward, march forward. "They have lost and used everything, and their last resort is their lying campaign. Now, this is the ending," he added. The rebel spokesman, Jumma Ibrahim, claimed opposition fighters control the main intelligence operations building in Tripoli. He also said some Libyan army personnel had defected and joined the rebels in the vicinity of the capital's airport, which he claimed the rebels were able to take over with their newfound support. Musa Ibrahim, the government spokesman, denied that the airport had switched hands -- insisting, as with the rest of Tripoli, it was safe and under the control of Gadhafi's forces. CNN could not immediately confirm how significant the fighting was, including whether rebel fighters had taken control of any parts of the city, including the airport. Jumma Ibrahim, the rebel spokesman, said the clashes in Tripoli were "planned by rebels inside Tripoli in the neighborhoods of Fashloum, Souq al-Juma, Ben Ashur ... and other places." This came after coordination with other anti-Gadhafi elements, added Baja. Musa Ibrahim confirmed that armed men had entered those three neighborhoods in the capital, but said they were confronted and defeated in a matter of minutes. Hours earlier, Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim rejected rebel claims that the governments of Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria have been asked to accept Gadhafi and his family. And Gadhafi, in his speech early Sunday morning, stated unequivocally that he is still in Libya. Officials from the United States and NATO, whose forces have launched scores of strikes on Gadhafi's forces, also said they have no indication the Libyan leader is making preparations to leave. Whatever his next move, international pressure on Gadhafi appears to be growing. Tunisia -- Libya's western neighbor that, until now, had been neutral in the conflict -- joined a host of other nations in recognizing the Transitional National Council as Libya's legitimate government. A U.S. official said Friday that Gadhafi might be preparing for a "last stand" in Tripoli as a months-long NATO air campaign continues amid reports of rebel advances. A second U.S. official said the longtime leader's plan could involve a final military offensive against civilians, launched from his last major strongholds around the Libyan capital. The officials, who have knowledge of the situation on the ground, did not want to be named because of the sensitive intelligence matters. While uncertain of how upcoming events will unfold, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Friday that U.S. officials in Benghazi have been working with the Libyan opposition "on exactly what it's going to look like post-Gadhafi." "Impossible to say when he'll go, but it's clear that he will go," Toner told CNN. The fighting continues, meanwhile, on a number of fronts, including in the west, where fighting has raged for days over the strategic city of Zawiya, about 30 miles west of Tripoli and a major supply route to the capital. On Saturday, it appeared the rebels had taken control of all of Zawiya after pushing Gadhafi's forces beyond the east gate, according to CNN's Sara Sidner who is in the city. Artillery fire could be heard, and mortars were launched toward Zawiya on Saturday, she reported. Rebel fighters told Sidner that NATO had warned civilians to leave the main part of the city. NATO has not yet commented on that statement. Musa Ibrahim, the Libyan government spokesman, said late Saturday that Gadhafi's forces are surrounding Zawiya and still control it. Earlier, the rebels seized a major oil refinery in Zawiya and controlled only the western part of the city, said Hobab Jomaa, a rebel fighter. But Saif al-Islam Gadhafi sarcastically laughed at the idea the opposition would take Tripoli. And he was emphatic that he, his father and their supporters would not surrender. "We are in our land, in our country," he said. "We have no problem if it takes six months, one year or two years -- victory will be ours. This is our country, and we will not leave it." CNN's Jomana Karadsheh, Matthew Chance, Sara Sidner, Kareem Khadder, Roba Alhenawi, Ben Wedeman, Barbara Starr and Yasmin Amer contributed to this report.

NEW: Saif Gadhafi says the rebels are losing, insists"we will not leave" Libya . Moammar Gadhafi slams the rebels' "lying campaign," vows their end is near . A rebel official says that the "coordinated" Tripoli operation is "going easily" Heavy clashes broke out late Saturday in a Tripoli neighborhood, a resident says .

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama told his war council Wednesday that the U.S. troop commitment to Afghanistan is not open-ended, and he asked for revisions to options he previously received for sending more troops, a senior administration official told CNN. The war council -- made up of top Cabinet, Pentagon and administration officials -- met with Obama for the eighth time to discuss a request by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan for up to 40,000 more troops. The meeting lasted more than two hours, according to the senior administration official. "The president and his team discussed the length of time that it would take to implement the options he's been presented," the senior official said. "The president believes that we need to make clear to the Afghan government that our commitment is not open-ended. After years of substantial investments by the American people, governance in Afghanistan must improve in a reasonable period of time to ensure a successful transition to our Afghan partner." In particular, Obama pushed for revisions in proposed plans for troop increases to clarify how and when U.S. troops would turn over responsibility to the Afghan government, the official said. The president's questions at the meeting could change how many troops eventually are sent to Afghanistan, as well as how long they would be there, according to the senior administration official. Before the meeting, Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, said the meeting would continue evaluating how best to carry out the mission in Afghanistan. Petraeus provided no specifics on options under consideration, but said the process is approaching completion. "I think we are indeed nearing a decision on this very important topic," he said, emphasizing the need to focus on the mission of ensuring that Afghanistan "does not once again become a sanctuary or safe haven for al Qaeda and the kind of transnational extremists that carried out the 9/11 attacks." Earlier, a senior administration official and a U.S. military official independently told CNN that one option presented to Obama calls for sending about 34,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan in addition to the 68,000 already committed to the country. The military official said the plan would send three U.S. Army brigades, totaling about 15,000 troops; a Marine brigade of about 8,000 troops; a headquarters element of about 7,000 troops; and 4,000 to 5,000 support troops. The combat brigades would be brought in gradually, in three-month intervals, according to the military official. The troops would be spread across the country, mainly focusing in the south and southeast, where much of the fighting is, according to the official. The military official said the option has been a favorite at the Pentagon in recent weeks. That is only one option, the senior administration official emphasized. Three other options, the official said, would be "different mixes," or "different components of it." The senior administration official said Obama was expected to ask the war council meeting about cooperation the United States can expect from the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, civilian support the United States is willing to offer, and support the United States can expect from other countries. On Wednesday night, The Washington Post and The New York Times reported that concerns have been raised recently by the U.S. Ambassador in Kabul about Karzai's ability to rid his country's government of corruption and mismanagement. All those factors could lead to "further refinements" or some "greater elements being considered," the official said, adding: "He's got to fine-tune this, put it all together ... for what direction best advances our interests." Despite reports to the contrary, Obama has not decided the number of U.S. troops he will send to Afghanistan, White House officials said. Such reports are "absolutely false," Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said. Anyone who suggests otherwise, "doesn't have, in all honesty, the slightest idea what they're talking about." White House officials would not say whether Wednesday's meeting with the war council would be Obama's last with that group before deciding on Afghanistan. They said he would continue to discuss the war effort in smaller groups in coming days, including during his trip to Asia, which starts Thursday. Republican members of the Senate Armed Services Committee urged Obama in a letter sent Wednesday -- Veterans Day -- to agree to the request for additional troops by U.S. military leaders in Afghanistan. The letter, signed by 10 GOP committee members, said success in Afghanistan will require local leaders and citizens being able to govern and secure their own country without "substantial" international assistance. "This won't be perfect or easy, but it will allow America's fighting men and women to leave Afghanistan with honor, and it will enable Afghans to build a better, more peaceful future," the letter said. "That is our goal, and we must stay in the fight until is is won." Republican leaders have criticized Obama for taking so long to decide on the troop request, but Petraeus said the process of analyzing the situation has been "very useful." "There has been a refinement of objectives; there has been discussion of various courses of action," he said. "There have been explanations and discussions about how the civilian component of this will complement what is done by the work of our military troops. All in all, I think it has been a very productive couple of months that we have spent on this." Also Wednesday, a new national poll showed Americans are split over whether Obama is taking too long to decide whether to send more U.S. troops to the war in Afghanistan. The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey also indicated that, by a narrow margin, Americans think the president should listen to the recommendations of the generals in charge of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. According to the survey, 49 percent of people questioned say the president is taking too long to decide whether to increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan; 50 percent do not. "There is a gender gap on this question, with most men saying Obama is taking too long and most women willing to give him more time," CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said. "That's due in part to the partisan differences between men and women, but gender differences on the use of military force, and maybe even differences in how the genders make important decisions, can also be contributing to the split." The poll indicates that 52 percent think Obama should listen to the generals, with 48 percent saying the president should take other matters into account as well. But a troop buildup remains unpopular, with a separate question indicating that a majority opposes sending more troops. Roughly one in five Americans opposes more troops, yet also thinks that Obama should pay attention to the U.S. military leaders in that country, Holland said. "That suggests that a lot of people who don't support a troop build-up are unaware of Gen. Stanley McChrystal's request for a bigger U.S. military presence there," he said. "And that, in turn, indicates that the military leaders in the field might provide Obama some political cover if he decides to increase troop strength there." The poll also suggests widespread agreement among Americans that Afghanistan will never have a stable democratic government, with only one in 10 people questioned saying that will occur within a year, and one-third saying it will ever happen. Overall, 56 percent of Americans oppose sending more troops, while 42 percent favor increasing troop strength. The CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll was conducted October 30-November 1, with 1,018 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points for the overall sample. CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser and Tom Cohen contributed to this story.

Obama discusses options with war council Wednesday afternoon . One confirmed option calls for sending about 34,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan . Discussions include how Afghan President Hamid Karzai figures into strategy . Obama has not decided the number of U.S. troops he will send, White House officials say .

(CNN) -- Lawmakers drew battle lines for a fresh round of sparring over U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl after a classified briefing Monday on the prisoner swap that led to his release. Authorities released an update about his condition. And more details emerged about his time in captivity. Details about why he disappeared off a military base nearly five years ago and ended up in Taliban hands remain murky. One thing is clear: the political debate over Bergdahl's release is showing no signs of dying down. Here's a cheat sheet on the latest developments, based on CNN's reporting: . After classified briefing, lawmakers have 'more concerns' Monday it was the House of Representatives' turn to hear the Obama administration's explanation of how it handled Bergdahl's case, as top White House deputies tried to convince lawmakers they made the right call when they didn't notify Congress in advance about the controversial exchange of Bergdahl for five Taliban figures. But it didn't seem like many minds were changed after the classified briefing, CNN's Dana Bash reported. "If anything, I have more concerns," said Rep. Peter King, R-New York. "Probably the most distressing thing or the most disturbing thing I heard was at least 80 to 90 people in the administration were aware of this proposed deal, and yet they couldn't notify anyone in Congress." After Monday's briefing, National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said that figure was the number of people in the administration authorized to get intelligence information about the Taliban in Qatar. "The specifics of the detainee exchange and the related military operation were more closely held," she said. Why wasn't Congress told about the deal beforehand? Lawmakers at Monday's briefing said they were told concerns over possible leaks made the White House keep them in the dark over the deal. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California, told CNN's "Erin Burnett: Outfront" that the White House should have told congressional leaders, even if the law gave them wiggle room. "I think the President had the constitutional authority ... to make this decision without consulting with Congress, but I think it would have been wiser, far wiser, for the administration to have notified certainly the leadership of Congress in the interest of having good relations," he said. "Most of the leaks that have taken place have come from the administration and not from Congress," he added, "so they really should have brought at least the leadership within their confidence, and I think that was a mistake." And that's not all. Some lawmakers are also steamed about the terms of the deal. They say they're worried that the five Taliban figures released could end up back on the battlefield -- a concern administration officials have downplayed in their public comments defending the deal. Don't expect the sparring to stop any time soon. A briefing of the Senate Armed Services Committee is scheduled for Tuesday. And the real fireworks are expected to come Wednesday, when Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is scheduled to testify before the House Armed Services Committee, where he'll likely face questions about the administration's decision not to seek congressional input on the deal that secured Bergdahl's release. Bergdahl hasn't spoken to his parents yet . Bergdahl is "continuing to improve every day" as he recovers at a military hospital in Germany, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said Monday . But he hasn't spoken with his family yet. The "decision to speak with the family is a decision the returnee has to make when he or she is emotionally in the right place to make the phone call," Warren said. Doctors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where Bergdahl was taken after his handover, have said he's in stable condition but not ready yet to travel to the United States. "There is no predetermined timeline for Sgt. Bergdahl's recovery process," a hospital statement said Friday. "The duration will continue to be based on the pace of his healing and reintegration process." When he is ready, Bergdahl will be flown to the San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas, where he may be able to reunite with his parents. He was kept in a cage . As Bergdahl recovers, details are slowly emerging about the conditions he endured during five years of captivity. Citing an American official, The New York Times reported Sunday that Bergdahl told medical staff that the box he was kept in for weeks at a time was pitch black and like a shark cage. CNN reported Friday that Bergdahl has said he was kept in a small box after trying to escape, according to a senior U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of not being identified. The official also told CNN that Bergdahl suffers from psychological trauma caused by physical abuse. A Taliban source with knowledge of Bergdahl's captivity told CNN's Nic Robertson on Sunday that Bergdahl escaped at one point and was on the run for three days. When he was recaptured after that attempt, according to the Taliban source, he was not punished with a cage or cell, but was taken to a more secure location where he had no chance to escape. A U.S. official told CNN last week that Bergdahl may have tried to escape his Taliban captors on at least two occasions. He wants to be recognized by his old rank . The Times report added that Bergdahl has taken walks outside his hospital room while wearing his Army uniform, according to the American official. Bergdahl, who was promoted twice on schedule while in captivity, objects to being called sergeant, the Times reported. Bergdahl said he wants to be recognized by his old rank, a senior U.S. official told CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr on Sunday. Bergdahl was a private first class when he went missing on June 30, 2009, in Afghanistan's Paktika province, where he was deployed with the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. "In his mind, he's a Pfc," the official told Starr. His parents have received threats . The FBI is investigating threats against Bergdahl's parents, who have not been seen publicly since sending their son messages of love through a news conference days after his release. "We are working jointly with our state and local partners and taking each threat seriously," FBI Special Agent William Facer told CNN in an e-mail Saturday. Facer declined to detail the nature and severity of the threats, and a military representative for the Bergdahls declined to comment. Bergdahl's father received threats in three messages via e-mail at his home, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the contents of the e-mail. The first threat came on Wednesday, the official said, adding that FBI investigators will be tracing the messages to pinpoint who sent them. Since Bergdahl's release, critics, including a former member of his unit, have contended that Bergdahl deserted. The Army concluded in a 2009 report that he left his post deliberately. But the Army has no definitive finding that Bergdahl deserted because that would require knowing his intent -- something Army officials can't learn without talking to the soldier, a U.S. military official told CNN. CNN's Elise Labott, Barbara Starr, Kevin Liptak, Jake Tapper, Qadir Sediqi, Ed Lavandera, Devon Sayers, Shimon Prokupecz, Deirdre Walsh, Ashleigh Banfield and Chloe Sommers contributed to this report.

NEW: Lawmakers say they're still skeptical after a briefing on Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's case . NEW: King: "At least 80 to 90 people in the administration were aware of this proposed deal" NEW: White House official: Specifics of the prisoner swap "were more closely held' Bergdahl was kept in a pitch black cage for weeks at a time .

(CNN) -- It's the question Edin Dzeko is constantly asked. "You ask me again about war..." sighs the 28-year-old, rolling his eyes and smiling as he enjoys a rare moment of peace outside Bosnia-Herzegovina's team hotel in the picturesque suburb of Ilidza. Perhaps the line of questioning is understandable given that just a short drive away is Dzeko's home city of Sarajevo, where the national hero lived throughout the Bosnian War which raged between 1992 and 1995. The war in Bosnia left tens of thousands dead, and hundreds of thousands displaced. But just as the bullet holes which still riddle this land represent a gruesome past, Dzeko and his teammates have become symbols of a different more optimistic future. For the first time in its short history, Bosnia is off to the World Cup. "I never thought I would be where I am now," Dzeko, who played a key role in Manchester City's 2013-14 English Premier League title triumph, told CNN. Dzeko's early years were played out against the devastating backdrop of the consequences of a brutal internecine conflict. "I started to play football when I was about 10, my father brought me to one school because there were more pitches where we could play. Everything was destroyed after the war." In previous interviews Dzeko has spoken of how his family home was destroyed and he was forced to live in his grandparents' house with 15 of his relatives. His mother once inadvertently saved his life, calling him inside seconds before the land he was playing on was hit by bombs. The siege of Sarajevo followed the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, with conflict erupting between the ethnic groups which make up Bosnia -- chiefly Bosnian Muslims, Croats and Serbs. Modern-day Bosnia is an independent state, although still under international administration. "I was here all the time during the war and I know what it is, but I think we came out stronger," explains Dzeko. "We want to show the world that even if you go through some bad periods, you always have to think positive just to go forward. "Some people had a very hard life, we are still making positives and I think that's amazing." Amid the bombs and bullets, Dzeko forged an unlikely path to the top. After signing his first professional contract in Bosnia, the young striker earned a move to Teplice in the Czech Republic before getting his big break with VFL Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga. He became one of the hottest properties in European football during a prolific spell which saw him score 67 Bundesliga goals in three-and-a-half seasons, with City winning the race for his signature after paying Wolfsburg a reported $45 million in January 2011. While Dzeko carries echoes of the fighting wherever he goes, other members of the Bosnia squad had a different experience. Asmir Begovic and his family left Trebinje, 80 miles south of Sarajevo, and headed to Germany before immigrating to Canada. Aged four when his family relocated, Begovic has no memories of the conflict which engulfed his homeland. "And it's probably better so," the 26-year-old goalkeeper, who plays in England for Stoke City. "I mean it's obviously very bad memories, very bad experiences for some of my other family members who have been around and stayed for the war. "I left when I was a boy, so I really don't remember much from the past. "As I've gotten older I've educated myself a little on the situation and what happened, drawn on experiences from my family members and friends, who lived through it and it was just a very unpleasant experience as people can imagine. "For our quality of life as a family, just being able to be safe in a different country meant a lot to us." Although Begovic's life abroad has left its mark on his voice -- he speaks perfect English with a slight North American accent -- he insists his upbringing was distinctly Bosnian. "I've always been very close to the country," he says. "When the opportunity came it was a fantastic thing for myself and my family to do, I couldn't wait to put on a Bosnia shirt and I haven't really looked back since." Neither has Bosnia's national football team. Since an inauspicious first official international match in November 1995 -- a 2-0 reverse away to Albania -- "The Dragons" have gone from strength to strength. Bids to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships fell agonizingly short, with Portugal ending the team's hopes at the playoff stage of both qualification competitions. But, on October 15, 2013 in the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius, a goal from striker Vedad Ibisevic sealed a 1-0 win for Safet Susic's Bosnia and passage to Brazil 2014. Cue wild celebrations on the streets of Sarajevo, with the team flying home to be greeted by 50,000 ecstatic Bosnian football fans. "I am proud of this team that we achieved some great things, that we did some things that nobody could do it before us," said Dzeko. "When you see 50,000 there waiting for you, then you know you did something good." "We've learned from our past, we've learned from our failures and I think we've definitely grown as a team and we've been able to overcome that final hurdle now," added Begovic. "To receive such an ovation and such a reception from our people, being able to celebrate with them is what qualifying and being able to qualify for major tournaments is all about. "It's something we have all accomplished together." Now Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana Stadium awaits. At the arena first built for the 1950 World Cup and lavishly redeveloped for Brazil's second hosting of the tournament, Bosnia will take its bow against a Lionel Messi-led Argentina. African Cup of Nations winners Nigeria and Iran are the other two teams which make up a tough Group F. "I'm very much looking forward to it," says Begovic, who will be trying to keep out four-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner Messi. "That's what football is all about, being able to work your whole life to get to a World Cup and then playing against one of the biggest football countries in the world in the opening game. "Obviously we're massive underdogs, so we've got nothing to lose in that game, we can go there with an open mind and see how we can beat them. "It's going to be a huge challenge, but I believe in the quality of our team and we can cause Argentina problems." With players like Begovic and Dzeko, not to mention Roma playmaker Miralem Pjanic, Bosnia have players capable of upsetting the odds. And in Dzeko, they also have a leader who is determined to show how far his country has come in the last 20 years. "I love this country, I love my country," he said. "I am very happy that I am born here and I am very happy that I know that I will always, always come back here. "I think we all just can't wait for this World Cup to start." Interactive: Take the pulse of the 2014 World Cup .

Bosnia-Herzegovina will play at the World Cup for the first time in its short history . First major tournament the team has played at since gaining independence in 1992 . Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is the biggest star in a team . Bosnia will play in Group F, alongside Argentina, Nigeria and Iran .

Queens, New York (CNN) -- Kellie Phelan doesn't mince words when she looks back at herself five years ago. "I was basically a crackhead," Phelan said. "I literally was getting arrested every other week. I got pregnant by a drug dealer. ... I was seven months pregnant, and I was still smoking crack." When she finally gave birth to her daughter, Phelan was behind bars, serving a 90-day jail sentence for possessing crack cocaine, violating her probation. It was a wake-up call. "That was the most traumatizing experience of my life," Phelan said. "To go see my beautiful, healthy baby girl in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs and shackles ... I was embarrassed that was the way I brought her into this world. "I knew I was changing my life. I just didn't know how I was going to change my life." Fortunately, Phelan connected with Hour Children, a nonprofit that reaches out to convicted mothers at five correctional facilities in New York. Now, at 38, she says she is drug-free, has a job she loves and is raising her daughter in an apartment of her own. "When you see what (these women) can do with support and love and education, it's miraculous, really," said Sister Teresa Fitzgerald, who founded Hour Children. "They don't believe in a future and are hung up on the mistakes of their life. And life is not about a mistake. We all get a gift of life, and we have to live it." Over the past 25 years, Fitzgerald's group has provided life-changing assistance to more than 9,000 mothers both behind and beyond bars. Its goal is to reintegrate former inmates into society by helping them with common post-release stumbling blocks, such as reuniting families and finding safe, affordable housing. It also provides the women with free counseling, education and employment support. "Everybody loves children, and they're an easy sell," Fitzgerald said. "But the mothers, for many of them, their lives were so horrific growing up, and they didn't have what children deserve. They ended up on the negative side of life. "If you don't get the support and tools, you can't give it to your child. ... It's a dead end all around." Hour Children -- named in part because jailed mothers get only an hour at a time to visit with their children -- begins counseling women at least three months before their release. Women are referred to the group by corrections workers, or they can reach out directly. Most have family histories of substance abuse, physical abuse, mental illness and other types of trauma, Hour Children says. According to the New York Department of Corrections, 29% of the state's female ex-convicts are eventually re-arrested. But Hour Children says that for women in its program, that rate drops to 3%. "No woman comes out of prison and says 'Gee, I really want to mess up again,' " said Fitzgerald, 65. "You talk with these women ... about the skills that they need and the perspective and the possibilities of change. That's the key here: that change can happen." Do you know a hero? Nominations for 2012 Heroes close August 31 . Phelan admits she initially had little faith that Hour Children would live up to its promise to meet her upon her release from Rikers Island in New York. But the organization picked up her and her baby and brought them to one of its transitional homes in Long Island City. "From the moment I walked through the doors, it was like home," Phelan said. "I knew I was going to be OK from that point on. ... "If I hadn't found this organization ... my family would have taken my baby. ... I'd be dead, in prison, smoking crack or doing heroin. No doubt about it." In Long Island City, the group maintains several affordable, sober-living transitional homes as well as permanent homes and offices. Hour Children also offers affordable day-care and after-school programs, a food pantry, a community garden, thrift stores and a salon -- all of which are open to the general public. These opportunities can mean a great deal, because women leaving prison have limited options. Reuniting with children who've been in foster care can be contingent upon the mother finding income and a stable home, but some ex-offenders aren't eligible for public housing in New York. And offenders on state work-release programs have eight weeks to find work. "Employment and housing can be daunting because so many doors are closed to our mothers," Fitzgerald said. "We all know who they are, so they don't have to defend the fact that they have been in prison. Women without that help, going out there on their own, have a huge challenge." Fitzgerald knew nothing about the prison population in 1985, when a fellow nun asked her to escort a young child to Rikers Island so she could visit her mother. Witnessing the consequences of the forced separation on the child, mother and family moved Fitzgerald to rededicate her life to repairing and strengthening broken bonds. She and four other nuns began taking in children who were born behind bars and raising them until their mothers' release. This work continues today, with children regularly placed with Hour Children community members who coordinate regular visitations with moms inside. Each visit an inmate receives offers her greater incentive to make a change. "Little steps matter," Fitzgerald said. "They sit in prison, and they can hardly imagine how to get from here to there. "Nothing happens in isolation. When you come out and you have a community of support that encourages you to use your time well to make little steps that turn into big steps, you see the hope there. ... They show each other they can do it." Women applying for housing are required to enroll in the group's employment and training program. They must also be willing to comply with sober and communal living restrictions and responsibilities. They're welcome for as long as they feel they need support and continue to progress. Some have stayed for a few months, others as long as 15 years. "We welcome people in," Fitzgerald said. "When they are here and it's clear they are not using the services and progressing, then you can say to them: 'We invited you. If you're not utilizing what we offer, you have to move on.' We hold them to their commitment." The group functions on private donations and small grants and says that more than 60% of its staffers, including Phelan, have come through the program themselves. Phelan runs the group's youth mentoring program. She says that thanks to Fitzgerald, she's proud of who she is today. "I want people to admire me, and I want to help people the way she's helped me," Phelan said. "If I could know I'd change a life like she changed mine, it gives purpose to the years I ran the streets. ... It makes it all understandable then. Because God put me through it for a reason." That's precisely the dignified spirit that Fitzgerald says carries this population forward. "They admit to their mistakes, and I admire that because I know a lot of people on the outside who don't," she said. "But they want to move beyond the mistake. And they want to rise up almost from the ashes and say: 'Wow! Look at me. I can do it.' " Want to get involved? Check out the Hour Children website at www.hourchildren.org and see how to help.

For 25 years, Sister Teresa Fitzgerald has been reaching out to mothers behind bars . Her nonprofit helps the women turn their lives around after their release . Fitzgerald: "If you don't get the support and tools, you can't give it to your child" Do you know a hero? Nominations for 2012 CNN Heroes close August 31 .

London (CNN) -- After five years in crisis the eurozone's new leader has emerged. With influence reaching from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean Sea, the European Central Bank now rules the common currency with unparalleled power. But as the bloc's new protagonist, the ECB is facing criticisms it has overstepped its remit, and potentially broken the law. It began back in 2007, following the U.S. sub-prime housing collapse and subsequent banking crisis. As the reverberations spread across the globe, Europe's central bank took action. Read more: Is the eurozone crisis almost over? For five days -- beginning August 9 -- the ECB pumped 335 billion euros ($431 billion) through the arteries of the European banking system in an effort to revive liquidity in the private sector. It was the first sign of the central bank's willingness to take exceptional measures in order to protect the single currency. Several expensive national bailouts later, the European Central Bank is still grappling with financial crises. But now, it's focused on saving the eurozone. Does the latest strategy break the law? Today, the ECB is relied upon to implement a swathe of controversial and highly unorthodox policies that its President Mario Draghi terms "non-standard measures." Such actions include lending to banks at cheap rates, buying-up national debt, negotiating bailouts for financially beleaguered countries and even brokering political support. Read more: Greece: When anger goes beyond despair . Its strategies -- and comments from Draghi -- have been critical to driving down the borrowing costs of eurozone countries, and helping offset the crisis. The ECB's latest crisis-busting solution to buy government debt -- dubbed Outright Monetary Transactions [OMTs] -- is drawing criticism from economists who claim it is tantamount to financing governments struggling to control their debt burdens. Roland Vaubel, a professor of economics at Mannheim University, told CNN the eurozone's central bank is "violating" its statute and intervening in the sovereign bond market is "illegal." But Christopher Pissarides, Nobel economics laureate, supports the most recent action taken by the euro-area's central bank and believes it is adhering to its mandate by support ailing nations. He told CNN: "The first point in their mandate is that they should provide the right environment for the euro to establish itself and become the common currency, and I do think that these measures that they are taking are necessary to ensure that." Read More: Euro crisis opens old wounds for Greece, Germany . The potentially unlimited OMT program has created a rift between the ECB and Germany's central bank president Jens Weidmann, who says the measures pose a risk to euro-area stability. Joerg Kraemer, chief economist at Commerzbank -- Germany's second largest bank -- agrees that the central bank risks losing credibility. He told CNN: "As an economist, I would say that bond purchases are against the spirit of the ECB statute." Kraemer added: "The ECB should not do the job of de facto financing government expenditures." This is not the first time the ECB has supported governments in the bond market by buying up debt. On May 10, 2010 -- eight days after Greece agreed a 110 billion euro [$141 billion] bailout with European partners and the International Monetary Fund -- the bank announced the Securities Markets Program, a predecessor to the now-operational OMTs. Hero or villain? The OMT program was launched on September 6 at the bank's monthly press conference in Frankfurt, following political pleas for action from Italy and Spain. Prime Ministers Mario Monti and Mariano Rajoy had both urged the European Central Bank to buy bonds of eurozone countries to help governments manage unsustainable levels of interest on debt. Draghi has always maintained the ECB's latest solution is not a tactic to fund the debt-stricken nations of southern Europe. To dispel these fears, he introduced strict conditions. According to the rules any country, including Spain and Italy, that appeals for the OMT program must first request a bailout from the euro-area's rescue fund -- the European Stability Mechanism. While this was the path taken by previous aid recipients and eurozone minnows Greece, Ireland and Portugal, it is considered politically destructive for economic giants Spain and Italy. Spain: Perils of being 'filthy stinking poor' But Vaubel says even imposing conditions on eurozone members is a violation of the ECB's statute. He says that the central bank must retain independence and not accept orders from lawmakers. Vaubel argues that by using the government-funded ESM as a condition of central bank support, the ECB "accepts orders from finance ministers" which is "prohibited." Joerg Rocholl, president of the European School of Management and Technology, told CNN the central bank is taking its mandate to the extreme, even with conditions imposed on countries seeking aid. Rocholl added that the ECB has become a guarantor for the private and public sectors in the eurozone: "The ECB is more than a lender of last resort, not only to the banks, but also to nation-states," he said. ECB goes on charm offensive . In October, Draghi traveled to Berlin to justify his policy action to German lawmakers. In a two hour grilling by ministers, he sought to convince euroskeptics that an ECB bond-buying program does not pose an inflation risk. Before entering the Bundestag, he also made clear that the OMTs were not "disguised financing of governments." When the former Goldman Sachs banker emerged from parliament -- looking calm and collected -- he stated to a handful of journalists that sovereign bond purchases were in compliance with the ECB mandate. The message was backed by German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. But not everyone who attended the question and answer session with the central bank chief was swayed. Frank Schaeffler, a member of the Free Democrat Party in coalition with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, told CNN he was "definitely not" convinced by Draghi's justifications for bond purchases. He said: "Many Germans have become skeptical towards the antics of the ECB." However, he added "there is not much credibility left to be damaged." European Central Bank executive board member Benoit Coeure has publicly defended the bank's strategy. In October, he told the Financial Times the ECB will suspend any OMT operations if the countries do not comply with the conditions. He said: "It's a condition of the efficiency and credibility of the program." The threat of this monetary support being removed is potentially dangerous to both the country in question but also to other nations seeking respite, according to Joerg Rocholl. He said: "It is very hard to imagine how the ECB could withdraw OMT support if a country didn't pursue the reform targets." Legal challenges ahead for the ECB . Despite Draghi's best efforts to impress policymakers in the Bundestag, Vaubel expects the issue of bond purchases to appear on the agenda of the German constitutional court. In September, the highest court in Europe's largest economy approved and gave legitimacy to the eurozone's permanent rescue fund the ESM. According to Vaubel, the OMT program is likely to come before the German constitutional court in December, and he expects the central bank's latest policy initiative to meet a very different fate. He added "I foresee that the constitutional court will deem that these OMTs cannot be justified by the ECB."

ECB President Mario Draghi has said the latest crisis solution is not a tactic to fund the debt-stricken . The ECB implements controversial and highly unorthodox policies termed "non-standard measures" The potentially unlimited OMT program has created a rift between the ECB and Germany's central bank president .

(CNN) -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia downplayed reports of personal and ideological rifts stemming from the recent landmark health care reform ruling, telling CNN in an exclusive interview "it offends me" to hear criticism of his colleagues over how they ruled. The 76-year-old justice talked Wednesday with CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight," discussing a range of judicial topics -- from the death penalty to abortion rights and the Bush v. Gore decision. Scalia, along with Bryan Garner, is co-author of a new book, "Reading Law: The Interpretation of Legal Texts." The men describe their legal philosophy, and how to make sense of the law and the U.S. Constitution. They call their approach "textualism." Even in dissent, Scalia stirs controversy . Scalia would not specifically address the health care decision or other recent or current case issues, such as immigration enforcement, affirmative action or gay marriage. And he would not discuss how the court reached its health care ruling in internal deliberations. But the conservative justice downplayed media reports of personal fallout from opposing conservative and liberal members of the court over the 5-4 decision three weeks ago. Scalia was on the losing side of the ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act, the sweeping legislation championed by President Barack Obama. Chief Justice John Roberts was the deciding vote in that decision, agreeing with his liberal colleagues to uphold the individual mandate, which would financially punish people who do not purchase health insurance. Some media and blog reports -- citing sources with specific knowledge of the deliberation process -- suggested strong tensions among the court's conservatives over Roberts' vote, which some commentators perceived as political expediency. But Scalia said it was wrong to question Roberts or other court members personally for their legal conclusions. "We are not a political institution," Scalia said. "I don't think any of my colleagues on any cases vote the way they do for political reasons." Scalia added he was dismayed at the criticism of Roberts, suggesting those who may have leaked information were not entirely privy to the internal discussions over the health care decision. On abortion, Scalia said the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing the medical procedure should be overturned, believing it remains an issue best left for states to decide. No matter what it does, high court is seen as political . The court doesn't do democracy any favors by getting involved in the abortion debate in such a way, according to Scalia. Likewise with capital punishment, Scalia said the issue is not whether the court should ultimately decide whether there should still be a death penalty -- he claimed not to have an opinion on that -- but rather whether individual states should decide such a question. "If you don't like the death penalty, fine, change the law," he said. "I'm not 'pro' death penalty, I'm 'anti' the idea that is not ultimately a democratic choice." But he emphasized capital punishment has been around since the nation's founding and was well-established in law and social tradition. And Scalia reiterated his firm views over what he agreed was the most talked-about recent court decision -- the 2000 ruling effectively handing the presidency to George W. Bush after the Florida ballot recounts. "Get over it," he said about supporters of Al Gore, many of whom are still convinced the case was wrongly decided in favor of the Republican. "He (Gore) would have lost anyway if all the ballots were recounted." In his new book, Scalia argues interpreting laws and the Constitution properly requires a strict approach to look at the actual text of the law itself. He warns that squishy, unprincipled decision-making is bad for the country and for the reputation of judges themselves. "The descent into social rancor over judicial decisions is largely traceable to nontextual means of interpretation, which erodes society's confidence in a rule of law that evidently has no agreed-upon meaning," write Scalia and Garner. The jaunty jurist has long been able to light up, or ignite, a room with his often brash demeanor and wicked sense of humor, and he displayed that in the hourlong conversation with Morgan. Despite his reputation as an intellectual fighter, Scalia described himself as "a peaceful man." When asked if he had ever broken the law, the justice said, "I've had a few speeding tickets, though none recently." His outgoing personality and sharply written opinions have made him among the most recognizable of justices, and a particular favorite of conservative activists, scholars and lawmakers. President Ronald Reagan named Scalia to the high court in 1986 after previous jobs as an appeals court judge, a government and private lawyer, and a law professor. Justices finances show overseas travel, book royalties, gifts . "At one extreme, he can alienate some of his colleagues," said Joan Biskupic, legal affairs editor at Reuters, who has written a biography of Scalia. "If he is trying to get anybody to sign an opinion, it was harder when he would use more combative language. But as much as they would say 'I'd like to strangle Nino,' he was still theirs in many ways." That harshness was evident in the closing days of the term ending in June. On two issues that left Scalia on the losing side -- health care and immigration enforcement -- he displayed the fierce rhetoric that has become his trademark. Scalia, writing for the minority, argued the court's ruling favoring federal authority over immigration matters encroaches on Arizona's sovereign powers. "If securing its territory in this fashion is not within the power of Arizona, we should cease referring to it as a sovereign State." "He can be belligerent; he is obviously very candid about how he feels," Biskupic said. "He loves to call it as he sees it, completely not politically correct. In fact, he prides himself on not being PC on the bench, in court." Many legal scholars say Scalia ultimately failed to sway his colleagues on the really big constitutional issues, and court sources say he has grown somewhat frustrated over the years being on the losing side of many cases, or not being able to write more majority opinions. Antonin Gregory Scalia was born in 1936 and admitted to being the center of attention as the only child, doted on by his father, a Sicilian-born professor of romance languages, and his mother, a schoolteacher. They instilled a love of learning and the confidence to exercise his intellectual muscles. He attended Georgetown University as an undergrad, and later Harvard Law School, where he met his future wife, Maureen McCarthy, who was attending nearby Radcliffe. They raised nine children, including a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, and a priest. The family is united by a strong Catholic faith. When asked about his greatest achievement as a judge, Scalia went back to the foundation of his book. He said he hoped he has moved his colleagues toward a more textured view of the law. "The court pays more attention now to the text" of the law and the Constitution, he said, and less to legislative history, congressional floor debates and the views of foreign governments. For a lover of language, the precise meaning of words contained in the law has been his goal. And he has no plans to step down anytime soon. "Of course, I'll retire when I start to realize I'm not doing as good a job as I should," he said, adding he still thinks he is fully engaged. Taking a look at Scalia's influence, defiance . Watch Piers Morgan Live weeknights 9 p.m. ET. For the latest from Piers Morgan click here.

CNN's Piers Morgan interviews Justice Antonin Scalia . Scalia says he was dismayed by recent criticism of Chief Justice John Roberts . "I'm not 'pro' death penalty," he says, arguing that it should be a democratic choice . The conservative jurist has argued for state sovereignty in several major cases .

(CNN)The scene of devastation is staggering in Debaltseve, the town at the heart of the battle between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists in recent days. Barely a house is unscathed by shelling. Elderly civilians trapped by the fighting still cower in basements. After most Ukrainian forces pulled out Wednesday, the separatists are now in control. It's obvious there's been a seismic shift on the battlefield. But it's not yet clear what the Ukrainian withdrawal means for the shaky peace deal that came into force Sunday. Will the separatists halt their offensive, satisfied with the territory they hold? Or will they be emboldened to push for more? The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany spoke Thursday by phone in an attempt to patch up the deal, rocked by the fierce fighting for control of Debaltseve, a strategic railroad hub. They called for the ceasefire to be respected along the entire front line and for the withdrawal of heavy weaponry by both sides to create a buffer zone, as agreed to in Minsk, Belarus. But skeptics may wonder whether it's too late to salvage the deal, hammered out a week ago by the four leaders -- Germany's Angela Merkel, France's François Hollande, Ukraine's Petro Poroshenko and Russia's Vladimir Putin. The ramifications for the West are huge because the 10-month-long conflict in eastern Ukraine has hiked tensions with Russia to a level not seen since the end of the Cold War, affecting trade and raising the specter of a Russian threat to Eastern Europe. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh, who was able to return to Debaltseve on Thursday after a two-week absence, said the physical change in the town was astounding, with destruction on a wide scale. Terrified elderly women are still taking shelter in the basement of a building formerly held by Ukrainian forces but now in rebel hands, he said. Humanitarian aid deliveries have started quickly, with food parcels brought in on trucks run by the separatists. Those still in Debaltseve -- a fraction of its former population of 25,000 -- are angered by what has happened to their hometown. A Ukrainian tank and other destroyed military armor could be seen across the town, and the noise of machine gun fire could be heard, suggesting some Ukrainian soldiers are still holed up on the edges of Debaltseve, Paton Walsh said. The rumble of shelling also continued, mostly in the distance. It's not clear yet how many civilians, separatist militants or Ukrainian soldiers died during the days of fighting for Debaltseve or in attempts to leave the town. Ukrainian leaders claim their troops' withdrawal was strategic and organized, but the signs indicate that a vastly better equipped separatist force outgunned them and that they came under fire while retreating. Separatist fighters who spoke to CNN said the road out of town was still a contested area. Kiev and the West accuse Russia of arming and training the separatists and sending Russian troops over the border to fight with them. Russia has steadfastly denied the claim. Debaltseve: Inside the ghost town . Ukraine's Poroshenko has not hesitated to point the finger at Russia over the fighting this week in Debaltseve. "The whole world saw that Russia doesn't adhere to its commitments," he said after his troops' hasty retreat. "In my telephone conversation with Merkel, Hollande and Putin I stressed that the situation around Debaltseve was in breach of Minsk accords," he tweeted a day later. According to his office, Poroshenko asked for "definite guarantees in case there are further attempts to violate the agreements." The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, has criticized the separatists for refusing to allow its monitors into Debaltseve. Michael Bociurkiw, the OSCE spokesman in Kiev, told CNN on Thursday that the organization had made contact with both the Ukrainians and the separatists regarding access to Debaltseve. Separatist leaders in Luhansk and Donetsk said they were unable to provide safe passage for the OSCE monitors, he said, so "at the moment it is not possible for us to visit the area." Poroshenko said all four leaders had agreed in their phone call that the OSCE should be supported in its mission and that full access should be ensured starting Thursday, particularly around Donetsk's airport and in other towns where fighting has occurred in the past hours. Only after a full ceasefire is achieved will the drawback of heavy weapons start under direct OSCE observation, he said. A statement from Hollande's office said the leaders had agreed the ceasefire should be in effect on the entire front line without exception. The leaders called for an acceleration in the release of prisoners held by both sides, as agreed to under the Minsk deal. Poroshenko said this release should include those captured in Debaltseve. A statement from the Kremlin said the leaders had stressed that the start of the implementation of the Minsk agreement had led to a decrease in military activity in eastern Ukraine and fewer civilian casualties. "The leaders emphasized the need of holding a ceasefire, taking real steps to withdraw the heavy weapons and release of prisoners," it said. Poroshenko sought to portray his forces' retreat from Debaltseve as organized and orderly, disputing separatists' claims that the Ukrainian troops were surrounded and surrendered their arms. The separatists regarded Debaltseve as already being their territory when the front lines for the ceasefire were drawn. Hours after Kiev pulled its troops out of Debaltseve, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council said it would ask for U.N. peacekeepers to be sent to eastern Ukraine. But a spokesman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, Alexander Lukashevich, said Moscow rejects any such call. The Minsk agreement is the basis for the ceasefire and resolution of the conflict, so there's no need for international monitoring, Lukashevich said at a televised briefing. He added that the government in Kiev was responsible for its implementation. "We're convinced the full responsibility of fulfillment of the agreement lies only on the parties of the conflict," Lukashevich said. Poroshenko said the question of deploying peacekeepers along the front line and the Ukraine-Russia border had been included in the Minsk agenda. Speaking later Thursday in Kiev, he insisted that Russia, given its alleged involvement in the conflict, could not play a role in peacekeeping operations in Ukraine. "Ukraine will not agree to a peacekeeping format, which threatens to legalize thousands of Russian militaries -- we already have enough such 'peacekeepers,' " he said. In a sign of the heightened tensions between Russia and other European nations, Britain's Royal Air Force scrambled fighter jets Wednesday after Russian aircraft were identified flying close to UK airspace, the Ministry of Defence said. "The Russian planes were escorted by the RAF until they were out of the UK area of interest. At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into UK sovereign airspace," a spokeswoman said. UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told Britain's Telegraph newspaper that there's a "real and present danger" that Putin would use murky tactics to destabilize the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which border Russia on NATO's eastern flank. CNN's Alla Eshchenko, Matthew Chance and Khushbu Shah contributed to this report as did journalist Victoria Butenko in Kiev.

A CNN team finds wide destruction in Debaltseve, now in separatist hands . Leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany speak a week after forging peace deal . Ukrainian President says a separatist offensive in Debaltseve breached the deal .

Washington (CNN) -- CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley will moderate the second presidential debate, to be held Tuesday at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, the first woman to do so in two decades. Crowley, host of CNN's "State of the Union," was asked about the town hall format, her role, her expectations for how she'll manage the face-off between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney, and her feelings about being selected for the honor. You can ask Crowley about her experience through iReport. CNN: Does a town hall debate present unique challenges and opportunities for the candidates because it's not your normal debate behind a podium? Candy Crowley: It does, because they are going to have roughly 80 people, as I understand it, looking at them in addition to me. You know and I know it is very easy for politicians to run over a reporter -- they don't care. There is no price to be paid for being rude to a reporter, not answering the question. But 80 undecided voters looking at you, and some of them getting up and going, "Well, what about this?" It's just harder to dodge. There's also the whole -- you know, if you want to get into the optics of it, there's the whole wandering around the stage, and feeling their pain, and there's this whole kind of other set of expectations that we've come to want, or at least talk about afterwards, that now goes with modern television debates. CNN: How is a town hall debate different than other debates in terms of challenges and opportunities that presents itself? Crowley: The challenge is that they've got to connect not just with the people looking into the television and watching them, but the people who are on the stage with them. Some 80 or so undecided voters are chosen by Gallup, so they have to keep those folks in mind. It's a much more intimate and up-close adventure with voters than talking through a reporter. CNN: Now, we heard a lot with all these debates about style versus substance. Does it become even more about style because it's a town hall? Crowley: No, I think it's both about substance and style no matter what the debate is, and you don't know which it's going to be most about until it's over. If a voter gets up and says, "I am unemployed and I haven't had a job in X amount of months and this happened and that to my health care," there has to be substance to that answer. You can't just be about, "Oh my gosh, that's terrible, I'm so sorry to hear your story." It's got to be, you know, give them something. So I think it's both, and I think there is a lot in common with the debates, in that we're not going to know until after the debates are over -- where this is something where the message came through with style, or in substance, or maybe a little of both, which is generally the case. CNN: I guess with or without the podium and with the audience interaction it seems like you would kind of, everything would carry more weight. Crowley: Well, I think it does in a sense of these are real people that -- the audience doesn't necessarily relate to either presidential candidates or media. They just don't. But they do relate to 80 people sitting on a stage that look like them, and maybe have stories similar to theirs. And so they can kind of see themselves through the town hall meeting participants. And I think that's where a candidate has to make a connection, because the candidate that makes a connection with the person asking the question is also making a better connection with the person back at home. CNN: There is some sense, one of the people I interviewed talked about how a town hall setting is viewed maybe as a little bit more freewheeling, free-flowing, less predictable because of the audience interaction. Do you buy that? Or do candidates always go back to their script and their talking points? Crowley: Whenever candidates get a chance, they will return to their talking points. And I think that's where we come in, like why I said, "We know this. But the question was not oranges, it was apples, so could you please address apples, that would be good." So yes, I think the instinct of any politician anywhere is to go back to their comfort zone, which is the talking point. But I think it is more difficult to stay in that zone when you have a person with a story asking you a question that relates to their life. CNN: What past debate moments are the most memorable? Crowley: What's interesting to me is when I look back at the debates, there are things that are kind of monumental. Now, one of them is more history to me than having actually having seen it, and that is when Gerry Ford talked about Poland as being free, and of course it was behind the Iron Curtain. And this was seen as a monumental mistake. But you go from that sort of thing, all the way to George H. W. Bush, the father, looking at his watch. Or Al Gore sighing. It's just, there's something about these debates that magnifies things that perhaps you don't see as the person in the room with them. But remember, George Bush looking at his watch was taken as some sign that he didn't care. Fair? Not fair? It matters, it's television. And so it's not just what you say, but it's how they present themselves. You never know when that moment is. You never know until it happens. You can't set up these moments. But the purpose of the debate is to get beyond what people have already heard, down to what one hopes the viewers and the voters are waiting to hear about. CNN: What is it like to be the first female moderator in 20 years? Crowley: People say, "Do you think you're going to ask a different question because you're female?" and I think, "I'm going to ask different questions because of all the things that I am." Bob Schieffer and I are different, Jim Lehrer and I are different, we come from different backgrounds, we've had different experiences, and certainly, one of the differences between them and me is that I'm female and they're male, so that's a part of it. And so, I guess I didn't embrace the history of it until women started coming -- and by the way, men as well -- I mean, I have just sons, and they were thrilled and said, "Mom, did you know you're the first woman, you know, in 20 years?" So they were excited by it. So I embraced that, kind of, after the fact. I first just embraced it as an amazing chance for a journalist. CNN: How did you get the news? Crowley: I was actually sitting at work. We were booking the show ("State of the Union") and I was in my office and I got a phone call from the executive director of the presidential debate commission, who said, "We were wondering if you'd be willing to moderate a debate." And I said, "Let me just think -- yes!" It was a very quick phone call, actually. CNN: What was your reaction? Crowley: Well, understand that they told me not to tell anyone, so that was in some ways the hardest part. I cheated -- I told my children -- but beyond that, I didn't tell anybody. And so it was just this weird sort of "Cheshire Cat" thing going on, because I knew something that other people didn't know. But I mean inside, I was thinking, 'Whoa, this is amazing." I mean, for a journalist, does it get better than that? Not much better that I can think of.

CNN's Candy Crowley is first woman to moderate presidential debate in 20 years . "There's something about these debates that magnifies things," she says . Crowley: Purpose of debate is to get beyond what people have already heard .

(CNN) -- Ten years after "The Nanny Diaries" became a bestseller, authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus have released back-to-back new books. A lot has changed in the publishing industry, not to mention in the authors' personal lives, between the bookends of their careers thus far. "Over You" is a young adult novel about a teenager who helps friends cope with breakups, while struggling to move on from her own heartbreak. And "Between You and Me" depicts a famous singer's public self-destruction, in a story reminiscent of recent real-life celebrity dramas. It's been a busy decade for McLaughlin and Kraus, both 38. "The Nanny Diaries," their satirical novel about a young woman who looks after the offspring of spoiled Manhattan parents, sold four million copies. It spawned a sequel ("The Nanny Returns") and a feature film. McLaughlin and Kraus also wrote "Citizen Girl," "Dedication," and their young adult debut, "The Real Real," in addition to various short stories. But their prolific writing career isn't their only priority these days. The two former nannies recently became mothers: McLaughlin's son, Theo, and Kraus's daughter, Sophie, are both 2 years old. The authors live in New York City, where I went to high school with Kraus. The new mothers talked to CNN over the phone about their transition from writers, to working moms, who are also adapting to a shift in the literary landscape. The following is an edited transcript. CNN: How has becoming mothers impacted your writing? Kraus: We're definitely more efficient than we've ever been before, because we have to be. We no longer have those sweet spot, post-sugar crash, 5 to 8 p.m. hours to make up whatever we haven't gotten done during the day. We have a hard clock-out because we have to be at pickup. We have to do the parts of the day that we love: dinner, bath time and bedtime. And sometimes we get back to work after our kids go to bed, but we're usually really brain-fried by then, in a way that we didn't used to be. McLaughlin: We're a lot less precious about getting to work. We're not getting that perfect cup of tea, and waiting until the morning light is just so, and finding just the right inspiration. It's butt in the chair, when you get the kids settled, and you just go. The upside of that for our writing creatively is that you're in a constant state of thinking about the novel. Your brain is constantly firing on problem solving. Are the characters working? All those hard questions that you have to put the material through are ever-present now. CNN: Would you say that becoming mothers around the same time brought you closer together as a writing team? Kraus: Definitely. I can't imagine what it would have been like if it had been one of us years apart from the other. Because I think you can't appreciate how tired you are, or how much willpower you have to harness on some days to focus, until you've done it. It really is like nothing else. And I think that we have a lot of compassion for each other. We understand what it is when the other has been up all night with their children, if someone has the flu or something. I think it's impossible if you haven't had kids yet to really get that. McLaughlin: Becoming a parent is such an extreme change in your life. I think it's invaluable to your sanity to have somebody who understands it and is going through it with you. Just on an individual level, regardless of the work, on a personal level, it's priceless to have that support from somebody who gets it. You don't have to explain yourself in that way. It's just really comforting. CNN: You have two new books out, in different genres. Has motherhood helped you to write something that you wouldn't have been able to before? Kraus: It's funny. We look back at books that we've finished with a different lens than we have before. Specifically, we talked a lot about "The Nanny Diaries" in the last couple of years because when we were nannies, we couldn't really understand why so much derision and scorn was thrown the way of not just us, but our colleagues. And now that we're parents, and we're so dependent on having fantastic caregivers, so that we can step away and do things that we need to do, we're even more mind-boggled by it than we were before. We are so appreciative of the women who come in and make our kids' days awesome. And we love that our kids love these women. We appreciate the affection that these women give our children, and the structure, and the education and the discipline. And it means the world to us. CNN: Did you ever consider not coming back to work after your children were born, or was it agreed that you definitely would? Kraus: Speaking for myself, I was counting the days until my daughter was old enough to start daycare. They have a 3-month-(old) policy. I love doing both. And I am so grateful that I have a career that I am deeply committed to and that brings me so much joy. And it makes me a happy person, which I think makes me a happy mom. I am so psyched when I get to pickup at 5:30. And I try to make those hours with her as fun as possible because I've had a good day. Even the tough days are good days. And I am grateful to have both in my life. McLaughlin: I agree to all of that and I think, additionally, it was interesting for me to discover the moments I've had of: 'I should just be doing this; I should just be parenting' have not come ever from not wanting to be working or a lack of passion to be working. It comes from moments where there aren't enough hours in the day. It's wishing I had more time to do both. I feel really blessed to be able to go to work every day. I have no question that it makes me a better parent. It fulfills me so much that I am able to be so much more present with my son. CNN: Do your kids play together? Kraus: Not as often as we would like! McLaughlin: But when they do, they are quite enchanted with each other. Kraus: It was so cute. They kissed each other on the lips goodbye at Christmas. It was painfully cute. CNN: You're collaborating with Teen Vogue and Estée Lauder on "breakup to beautiful" makeovers at Nordstrom stores. Did you approach them? Or did they come to you? Kraus: This was Emma's brainchild. McLaughlin: We reached out. The landscape of publishing is rapidly shifting. It's a very unstable time for an author. I think we've been doing a lot of thinking about how we can continue to be out there when we've lost so much marketing via foot traffic of brick and mortar stores, and the consolidation of retailers. That was so much of how novelists depended upon connecting with readers. So we have been doing a lot of thinking outside of the box about how to do that. McLaughlin and Kraus are signing copies of "Over You" at Estée Lauder counters in various Nordstrom stores through December 1.

It's been 10 years since Emma McLaughlin, Nicola Kraus wrote "The Nanny Diaries" Co-authors recently released back-to-back books, one a young adult novel, "Over You" The pair, who typically write together, both gave birth to their first children two years ago . Changing lives have meant their writing methods, points of view have changed as well .

Washington (CNN) -- In the bitter political debate over health care reform two years ago, one of the most contentious issues was a proposed advisory board that would recommend how to achieve needed but as-yet-unreachable Medicare savings. Opponents dubbed the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) a "death panel" that would ration medical coverage for senior citizens based on cost and effectiveness, rather than decisions reached between patient and doctor. Supporters called such rhetoric overheated and misleading, arguing the advisory board was necessary to motivate a reluctant health care industry to adopt cost-cutting reforms that Congress had proven unwilling or unable to impose. Now the House will consider repealing the advisory board provision this week in an election-year move that rekindles the fiery emotions of the health care fight back in 2009 and 2010. While the repeal effort is expected to eventually fall short, it gives opponents of health care reform a rallying point for their continued efforts to undermine the 2010 law. Some of the rhetoric from two years earlier has re-emerged, such as warnings of a government takeover of health care. "What we oppose is the president deciding who gets what," Rep. Tom Price, R-Georgia, told a news conference Wednesday. Earlier this week, Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee told reporters that the IPAB panel was "designed to put a Washington bureaucrat between the patient and their doctor." That's not the intent or the reality of the advisory board, insisted Dr. Donald Berwick, the former administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. For example, the law targeted by the repeal effort specifically forbids the advisory board from rationing health care to reduce spending. "We're in a very polarized era. It's hard to have rational conversations with people" on the issue, Berwick told CNN. Paul Van de Water, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said this week that "charges that the board is going to be able to deny people care are just flat out wrong." "The law makes every effort to restrict the board so that it can't do that," Van de Water said. "And in fact, if anything, the charge is the opposite of the truth." The 15-member IPAB board would comprise independent experts to recommend Medicare cost reductions starting in 2015 if Congress and the health care industry and insurers fail to agree on $300 billion in savings called for in the health care reform law. Designed as a nonpolitical solution in the event of legislative stalemate, the panel's recommendations do not require congressional approval but can be offset by Congress. Some critics, including Democrats who back health care reform, cite the independent board's relative autonomy as a reason for eliminating it. In addition, Republican sponsors have added long-desired tort reform provisions against frivolous lawsuits to offset the cost of eliminating the panel intended to bring Medicare savings. However, the legal lobby and many Democrats oppose tort reforms, raising questions about the final makeup of the bill. According to Berwick, opposition to the IPAB panel breaks down into three groups: a "significant minority" that hates the 2010 health care reform law and wants to scare people about it; political opponents of President Barack Obama trying to hurt his re-election chances, and health care providers and insurers "doing quite well in the status quo" who are unwilling to commit to Medicare reforms. Despite such opposition, no one disputes the need to change Medicare in order to keep it solvent in coming decades, as baby boomers reach retirement age and flood its ranks. Republicans who have long opposed Medicare want to lower the cost by eventually making it a subsidized program instead of a government-run system. The House Republican budget for 2013 made public Tuesday would offer future seniors a choice of staying in the traditional fee-for-service Medicare plan or opting for a Medicare-approved private plan, all of which would be available via a new Medicare exchange. No matter which plan they chose, including the traditional Medicare plan, seniors would receive a government subsidy to help pay for their choice. The 2010 health care reform law sought cost reductions in Medicare through more efficient delivery of services. For example, it envisioned increased collaboration through electronic medical records to reduce repetitive and costly tests, as well as basing reimbursement on quality of care rather than quantity of services provided. "It's conceivable you could ratchet down on payments for routine MRIs or CAT scans and use some of that money to shore up payments to providers and ... make the whole system a little more efficient," noted Uwe Reinhardt, a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Under the law, the IPAB panel would step in if targeted cost reductions went unmet. Those seeking repeal of the advisory board say it will lead to indiscriminate cost-cutting rather than the intended reforms to maintain Medicare's long-term solvency. Rep. Nan Hayworth, R-New York, who practiced ophthalmology for 16 years prior to her election to Congress in 2010, said Medicare reimbursements already were being lowered to a point where some physicians cannot afford to treat Medicare patients. "That is the last thing our seniors need," Hayworth said Wednesday. "In many practices across the country, that threat will only increase with IPAB." Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Arkansas, said at a Monday news conference that the advisory board "will do nothing to change how Medicare works," adding "it will simply say we've run out of money, and now we're cutting." The American Medical Association, a major physician's advocacy organization, also wants to repeal the advisory board even though it supported the broader health care reform law. It already wrestles with what has been a 15-year problem involving Medicare reimbursements that exemplifies the difficulty of reforming the program. The Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate provision enacted in 1997 limits increases in Medicare costs to the same rate of growth in the gross domestic product. Under the formula, the costs have repeatedly risen higher than planned. Rather than cutting payments to Medicare doctors, Congress has regularly authorized extra money to make up the difference, with the latest so-called "doc fix" set to expire at the end of 2012. That means doctors face a 30% cut in Medicare reimbursements from the government in January, and now the IPAB panel would be empowered to recommend steeper cuts, AMA board Chairman Dr. Robert Wah told CNN in a telephone interview. The AMA wants Congress to stabilize funding for Medicare reimbursements for five years to allow doctors time to work out reforms outlined in the 2010 health care legislation. According to Wah, the fear is that the IPAB panel will recommend across-the-board spending cuts that drive doctors away from Medicare patients while failing to inspire the necessary reforms. "A board that doesn't have to answer to anybody and has the latitude to make dramatic cuts has consequences for our patients," said Wah, later adding: "It's very hard to do that kind of innovation when there is uncertainty and the threat of large cuts." For Berwick, the question is, "how do you create the political and social will for uncomfortable changes?" "The evidence so far is that motivation solely from inside health care, changing itself, is insufficient," he said. CNN's Laurie Ure contributed to this report.

NEW: Republicans say doctors will drop Medicare patients if payments are cut . The House will vote Thursday on eliminating an independent panel on Medicare cuts . The panel is supposed to help develop cost-saving Medicare reforms . Congress has been unable to bring down Medicare costs .

(CNN)It really isn't fair that just a million people call New Zealand's South Island home. Why should so few people get to hog such spectacular landscape? (Compared to, say, similarly sized England's population of 52 million.) The larger of the country's two main islands is more visually stunning than the North Island. With its smaller population, it's also more lonely and wild. To get a handle of the island's most sublime landscapes, we asked Auckland-based award-winning photographer Mike Hollman to share his favorite spots to photograph. Named New Zealand Travel Photographer of the Year in 2013 by the New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography, Hollman grew up on the South Island and says the landscape has had a tremendous impact on his work. "The light is always changing and offering different views," says Hollman. "My favorite time to shoot is in autumn, especially April (New Zealand's fall is from March to May) when the trees turn golden and the light on the landscape is magical." 1. Milford Sound . With an annual rainfall of 6.8 meters, Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in New Zealand. All that rain makes for spectacular waterfalls, with hundreds cascading into the fjord on a wet day. Located within Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is a 295-kilometer road trip from Queenstown, through vast landscapes of mountains and rainforest. Numerous scenic flight options are available from Queenstown. 2. Glenorchy-Queenstown Road . The 45-kilometer road between Glenorchy and Queenstown may be the most scenic in New Zealand. Magnificent views greet every turn as the road winds its way along the edge of Lake Wakatipu. "The light is constantly changing and there are always opportunities for great photographs," says Hollman. He recommends the view from Bennets Bluff Lookout, 25 kilometers from Queenstown. 3. Matai Falls, The Catlins . Located on the southeast corner of the South Island, The Catlins is home to beautiful waterfalls such as Matai Falls. There's a lot to explore in the area. Landscapes range from rolling farmland to sweeping coasts to temperate rainforests. It's a 30-minute forest walk to reach Matai Falls, with parking available at the Matai Falls car park on the Southern Scenic Route, 18 kilometers south of Owaka. 4. St. Clair Beach, Dunedin . St. Clair Beach is one of the beautiful sandy beaches that sweep along the eastern suburbs of Dunedin. Located 15 minutes from central Dunedin, it's a popular surfing spot and home to cafes, bars and an outdoor heated saltwater swimming pool. "The old wooden poles at the end of the beach have always been one of my favorite places to photograph," says Hollman. 5. Moeraki Boulders . These large, strange-looking spherical concretions eroded from the shoreline are some of nature's oddest sights. Some of the largest boulders measure more than two meters in diameter. Maori legend claims the boulders are remains of food washed ashore from the wreck of a large sailing canoe. "Best viewed at low tide, these beautiful boulders always make for interesting photographs," says Hollman. The boulders are located on Koekohe Beach on State Highway One, 75 kilometers north of Dunedin or 40 kilometers south of Oamaru. 6. Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo . Located in Mackenzie Country in central South Island, Tekapo is renowned for its stunning clear skies and was declared an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2012. "This is a great location for astro-photography, which attracts tourists from the world over," says Hollman. "The Church makes for a nice subject, with the Milky Way and a shooting star in the background." Tekapo is located on State Highway 8, midway between Christchurch and Queenstown. 7. Lupins on Lake Tekapo . Each summer the lupins around Lake Tekapoturn turn startling colors, attracting visitors and photographers in droves. Found along the shores of Lake Tekapo and surrounding countryside, the flowers are usually at their best during the first two weeks of December. Lake Tekapo is on State Highway 8 between Christchurch and Queenstown. 8. Aoraki/Mount Cook . New Zealand's highest mountain (3,754 meters) is known as Aoraki by Maori; it received its European name, Mount Cook, in 1851. Located in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, it features a number of walks and activities for all levels of fitness. "The mountain is spectacular to photograph and is always different each visit," says Hollman. Accommodations at Aoraki/Mount Cook village range from backpacker-friendly to luxury. The village is 334 kilometers from Christchurch, and 258 kilometers from Queenstown. 9. Icebergs on Tasman Lake . Located in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Tasman Glacier on Tasman Lake is New Zealand's longest glacier at 27 kilometers. The towering sights can be viewed from the shoreline or you can book a boat trip with Glacier Explorers from September to May for closer views. 10. Lake Matheson . At the heart of Glacier Country and Westland National Park, Lake Matheson is an achingly pretty sight. Formed by glaciation 14,000 years ago, it's surrounded by an ancient native forest. The lake mirrors two of New Zealand's highest peaks -- Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. 11. Franz Josef Glacier . A main attraction on the South Island's west coast, this 12-kilometer-long glacier descends from high peaks through temperate rainforest to just about 300 meters above sea level. Activities can be booked from the township of Franz Josef, located five kilometers away. 12. Southern Alps . Running 450 kilometers from north to south, the Southern Alps form a natural range along the entire length of New Zealand's South Island. At 3,724 meters, Aoraki/Mount Cook is the highest point. "A scenic flight is a fantastic way to see these mountains closeup," says Hollman. "There are many options and they operate out of all of the local tourist areas. For the best light, try for an early morning or evening flight." 13. Waimakariri River . The Waimakariri River flows from the Southern Alps across the Canterbury Plains to the Pacific Ocean. One of the loveliest areas of the river is near Arthur's Pass. "The braided river banks and mountain light make for some great landscape photography," says Hollman. He recommends views of the river from State Highway 73, between Arthur's Pass and Christchurch. Mike Hollman is an award winning photographer based in Auckland, New Zealand. A Fellow and Master of Photography with The New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography, he was named New Zealand Travel Photographer of the Year in 2013. His work has been featured in National Geographic's travel photo competitions, published in books and magazines and can be viewed at http://www.mikehollman.com and www.facebook.com/mikehollman.photograph.

New Zealand's South Island has fewer people and more scenic views than North Island . NZ travel photographer Mike Hollman lists his favorite places to photograph . List includes best road trip, glaciers, icebergs and alien boulders .

(CNN) -- "Who controls the past controls the future." President Reagan's former aides say Obama's budget repudiates Reaganomics. It's a line from George Orwell's novel "1984." But it could also serve as the rallying cry for two groups battling over President Obama's ambitious domestic agenda -- and the legacy of two former presidents. Critics of Obama's proposed $3.5 trillion federal budget say he's poised to jeopardize the economic gains unleashed by President Reagan. They say he will make the same mistakes that President Lyndon B. Johnson did when he committed massive amounts of federal money to create a slew of anti-poverty programs dubbed "The Great Society." "The Great Society created a lot of programs and wasted a lot of money," said Kenneth Khachigian, a former Reagan speechwriter and adviser. "The biggest war on poverty was the economic boom started by Reagan." But others like Joseph Califano Jr., Johnson's senior domestic adviser, say the notion that the Great Society was a failure is one of the "greatest political scams" in American history. Republican leaders who have labeled Obama's budget proposals socialist are rehashing the rhetoric their predecessors used to attack Great Society programs like Head Start 40 years ago, Califano says. "I'm hearing the same round of arguments," Califano said. "The Republicans said that if you provide Head Start and preschool education to poor kids, it would 'Sovietize' our kids and be communistic." 'Failure' of the Great Society . The clash between both points of view centers on Obama's plan for reviving the nation's economy. The Senate and the House of Representatives passed similar versions of Obama's $3.5 trillion budget for 2010 last week. The budget didn't receive a single Republican vote in either chamber. Both chambers will meet after Easter recess to produce a final budget. Even before last week's vote, though, Obama's budget was creating a partisan wedge. Proponents said it would use trillions of dollars to transform education, spark a green industrial revolution and provide health care to all Americans. CNN political analyst David Gergen said Obama's budget "set forth the most ambitious reform agenda of any president since Lyndon Johnson." Gergen's comment could be taken as a compliment or a reprimand, depending on one's historical point of view. Craig Shirley, author of "Reagan's Revolution: The Untold Story of the Campaign That Started It All," took it as a warning. His model for reviving the nation is Reagan, who moved "power from the government to the people" by cutting taxes and making government less intrusive. Shirley, alluding to an alleged Reagan quip that "Johnson declared war on poverty and poverty won," says out-of-wedlock births, illiteracy and bloated federal programs increased during the Great Society. He says Medicare and Medicaid, two vaunted Great Society programs that provide health care to the poor and elderly, are now virtually bankrupt. "All evidence says that the Great Society was a failure," Shirley said. Khachigian, Reagan's speechwriter, says Obama's budget would also create tension between people who fought their way up the economic ladder and those who did not. Under Obama, the well-off would be "brought back down through higher taxes and subsidizing benefits for people who have not worked as hard." Obama's budget is influenced by the president's previous job as a community organizer, Khachigian says. "You can't have been a community organizer and not have in your mindset that agencies of the government exist to, as Obama said, to 'spread the wealth,' '' Khachigian said. If Obama wants to look at an economic blueprint for lifting the nation out of a nasty recession, he should look at Reagan, Khachigian says. Reagan's tax cuts helped end the deep recession he inherited when he came into office, he said. The economy took off, and everyone benefited. "I would argue that the biggest war on poverty took place when the economy started booming in 1983,'' Khachigian said. The 'myth' of Reagan's tax cuts . Other analysts had a different take on the legacy of the Reagan Revolution and what it can teach Obama. Will Bunch, author of "Tear Down This Myth: How the Reagan Legacy Has Distorted Our Politics and Haunts Our Future,'' says Reaganomics is built on a fable. Reagan didn't prove that tax cuts and small government lead to economic growth, because he never consistently did both, he says. Bunch says Reagan did cut taxes in 1981 but raised them in succeeding years. He also expanded the federal government and created a huge national debt. "His initial 1981 tax cuts went so far that he was actually forced to increase taxes a half-dozen times in the years that followed, something you never hear about," Bunch said. Obama would do better to follow the example of Johnson, not Reagan, says Califano, Johnson's senior domestic adviser. He says Johnson's Great Society was designed to give the most vulnerable Americans -- the poor, the elderly, the disabled and racial minorities -- the same opportunities as the affluent. "The Great Society saw government as providing a hand up, not a handout," said Califano, who wrote about his time with the president in "The Triumph and Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson." He says the Great Society proved that government wasn't incompetent. Johnson persuaded Congress to pass at least 100 Great Society proposals. Programs awarded college students financial aid, gave struggling families food stamps and gave millions of Americans access to health insurance for the first time. It also reduced poverty, Califano says. About 22 percent of Americans lived below the poverty line when Johnson took office in 1963. By 1970, when the impact of Great Society programs was being felt, the poverty rate dropped to 12.6 percent, Califano says. (The poverty rate in 2007 was 12.5 percent, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.) Califano, who calls Obama's budget a logical extension of the Great Society, says Obama personally benefited from the Great Society "crown jewel": the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which ensured African American participation at the polls. "My God, Obama wouldn't be president if Lyndon Johnson hadn't passed that civil rights law," Califano said. "He would not have gotten the votes to get elected." Robert Weisbrot, co-author of "The Liberal Hour: Washington and the Politics of Change in the 1960s,'' says the Great Society also helped lay the foundation for the modern environmental movement with its passage of clean air and water laws. Read why Weisbrot says Obama can't create another Great Society . "We can find much to celebrate in those years in the 1960s when we see a burst of reform when the government is ready to face problems openly and decisively," Weisbrot said. There may be, however, one point of agreement for supporters and critics of Obama's domestic agenda. It was expressed by Khachigian, Reagan's former speechwriter. When asked whether he was miffed that some people were now comparing Obama to Reagan, he said his opposition to Obama's budget was based on something deeper: fear. He says the nation could become a Failed Society if Obama's approach doesn't end a brutal recession. "It's not a matter of pride but of practicality," he said. "If this doesn't work, we're all in deep doo-doo."

Clash over Obama's budget centers on America's future, and past . Reagan aides say Obama forgets lessons of Reaganomics . Author says Reagan raised taxes and increased size of government . LBJ's senior aide says Johnson's Great Society was a success .

(CNN) -- Keeping global warming down to a level people can live with means cutting carbon emissions to "near zero" by the end of the century, even in an increasingly industrialized world, the top U.N. experts on the issue reported Sunday. That may be doable, but it will take "substantial investments" in everything from planting more trees to replacing fossil fuels with low-carbon power sources like solar, wind and nuclear energy, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change announced in its latest report. "What this report clearly shows is that the challenges to resolve the global common problem are huge," said Ottmar Edenhofer, a German economist and one of the lead authors of Sunday's document. "But also this report shows that there are some steps to resolve this issue. I would say in that sense the report also outlines the challenges, but it provides hope -- modest hope." Jennifer Morgan, the director of the Climate and Energy Program at the World Resources Institute, agreed. "The report shows that the scale of change require to tackle climate change is massive, but the ability to solve it is possible," she said Sunday. "We need to do it quickly, before it will get so expensive to respond that we may hit the points of no return." Little time left to turn down the world's heat, U.N. says . 'Substantial investments' Edenhofer's modest hope will require more than tripling the share of electricity produced by renewable sources or nuclear power, along with refining the still-evolving technology of capturing carbon emissions and storing them underground. And it will take a coordinated global effort, likely including taxes on emissions, he said. No direct price tag was attached to that scenario, but Edenhofer said it would require "substantial investments," and more delays just drive up the expected cost. The impact could amount to shaving the projected average growth of the global economy by six-hundredths of a percentage point -- from about 2% per year to 1.94% -- over the coming century. The total global economy was about $72 trillion in 2012, according to World Bank figures. "We are clearly arguing that achieving these goals is a huge technological and institutional challenge. We are not saying this is a free lunch," Edenhofer told reporters from Berlin, where the final document was approved over the weekend. "Climate policy is not a free lunch," he said. "But climate policy could be a lunch worthwhile to buy." In the United States, the second-biggest producer of greenhouse gases, a boom in natural gas along with conservation efforts, more renewable energy and a steep recession combined to reduce carbon emissions by about 10% in the last decade. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who in February called the issue "the greatest challenge of our generation," said Sunday's report is an economic opportunity. "So many of the technologies that will help us fight climate change are far cheaper, more readily available, and better performing than they were when the last IPCC assessment was released less than a decade ago," Kerry said in a written statement. "These technologies can cut carbon pollution while growing economic opportunity at the same time. The global energy market represents a $6 trillion opportunity, with 6 billion users around the world." Minds must change, supporter says . But addressing the issue involves more than technological changes, said Morgan, who worked as a review editor for one of the chapters of the report. "It is about shift of mindsets of political leaders and business leaders to step it up and have the will to implement changes," she said. Despite more than two decades of efforts to restrain carbon emissions, not only are emissions still going up, they're going up faster than ever, Edenhofer said. Though there's been an increased emphasis on generating power from renewable sources, the use of coal has gone up in the past 10 years, he said. Limiting the projected increase in global average temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees F) over preindustrial times will require cutting emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases by 40% to 70% by 2050 "and to near zero by the end of this century," the IPCC concluded. Sunday's report is the third part of a benchmark U.N. assessment that comes out every six years. The first, in September, reaffirmed the science behind the warming of the planet; the second, at the end of March, warned that chances to limit the increase in temperatures are slipping away, with the world's poor expected to bear the worst of the effects. Morgan said it will be important to craft solutions that are fair and take care of those people who are being impacted already or soon will be. Blueprint for national leaders . The reports are aimed at guiding world leaders as the United Nations attempts to work out a new treaty to limit emissions in 2015. Previous rounds of talks have been strained by disputes among the biggest emitters -- China, the United States and European countries -- and poorer countries whose populations could see the worst impacts first. About half of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere since the dawn of the industrial age has been produced since 1990, the scientists behind Sunday's report concluded. On the current path, global average temperatures could go up anywhere from 3.7 to 4.8 degrees C (6.7 to 8.6 F) over preindustrial levels by 2100. That would produce a world with higher sea levels, deeper droughts and more intense storms, along with oceans made more acidic by the absorption of carbon dioxide, with impacts on vital marine life that "we cannot estimate at this point in time," IPCC Chairman Rajendra Pachauri said. There's "a broad set of technologies" that could be deployed to head off that future, Edenhofer said -- many of which are listed in the report. And the document points to potential benefits of the effort, including cleaner air and healthier populations. One of the most controversial is carbon capture and sequestration technology, which would reduce smokestack emissions and put the carbon dioxide in storage. But the technology is expensive. "It's not fully proved yet in terms of being commercially viable, but it looks like it has the most promise of all, because it can be coupled with lots of sources of carbon dioxide and essentially be used to neutralize them," said Charles Kolstad, a report co-author and an environmental economist at Stanford University. If paired with renewable bioenergy sources, it could lead to net negative emissions, he said. Act now, environmentalists say . Other leaders of some of the world's biggest environmental groups called the report a positive one. "The IPCC is clear that acting on climate change is possible, beneficial and affordable," said Samantha Smith, the head of the World Wildlife Fund's climate and energy program. "If we act now, costs will be only a very small fraction of global economies. Those who say it's too hard and too expensive are wrong." She said the report should convince investors "to pull your money out of dirty fossil fuels and put it into renewable energy and energy efficiency." Morgan said individuals can also do that by seeking greener power sources and ways to save energy, and by keeping a close eye on where they invest their 401(k) plans and other savings vehicles. She also said it would be a a challenge for her organization to make sure that people see there is still hope. "There is a chance that their children won't have to deal with this problem," she said. Carbon dioxide benchmark hits new heights, worries scientists . Opinion: Is it time for international agreements to recognize national laws? CNN's Steve Almasy contributed to this report.

NEW: John Kerry calls the report a wake-up call to an economic opportunity . NEW: Environmentalist says political will must change too . U.N. panel holds out "modest hope" of heading off most global warming . Sunday's report is the latest in a benchmark U.N. assessment of climate change .

Washington (CNN) -- Years-old but newly scrutinized videos of MIT economics professor Jonathan Gruber ignited a political firestorm this week because the self-described architect of Obamacare thanks "the stupidity of the American voter" for leading to passage of the president's signature piece of legislation. With Obamacare open enrollment set to begin over the weekend and the Supreme Court set to weigh in again on the law next year, Republicans pounced, using the videos as additional ammunition in their case that President Barack Obama and his administration misled the American public on Obamacare. Obama on Sunday dismissed the idea that his administration and other proponents of the law misled voters about the legislation, noting that "we had a yearlong debate." "The fact that some adviser who never worked on our staff expressed an opinion that I completely disagree with ... is no reflection on the actual process that was run," Obama said. So why should old videos of an economics professor matter? Here's the gist: Gruber called voters stupid, Republicans are calling him the Obamacare architect, and Democrats are calling it all a big misunderstanding. Still confused? This will help: . Was Gruber the "architect" of Obamacare? Not exactly. This is a law that was passed by both houses of Congress and written in different forms by several Congressional committees. It's many thousands of pages long and has a myriad of different provisions. But Gruber clearly played an important role in crafting the idea behind the series of exchanges, subsidies and taxes that form the law's centerpiece. He continues to argue the country is better for Obamacare -- but we'll get to that. And he doesn't look nearly as cool as this guy, who actually goes by the name, "the architect." So why is he being called that? And what did he actually do? Gruber's work did shape the Affordable Care Act in three key ways: . 1. Gruber played a crucial role in crafting the health care law passed in Massachusetts during then-Gov. Mitt Romney's tenure. Gruber modeled the impact and effectiveness of that state's plans to implement an individual mandate -- the controversial policy that essentially forces people to get covered, or get fined. And this matters because the 2004 Massachusetts law was the model for Obamacare. The "individual mandate" became a key component -- and political lightning rod -- of the health care law most people now call Obamacare. Obamacare's next fight for survival . 2. Gruber was hired in 2009 as a consultant by the Obama administration -- and paid nearly $400,000 -- for a year of his work. What'd he do? Gruber has called it "technical support" and "analysis." What he really did was take a bunch of numbers and model the effects of proposals that would later become the Affordable Care Act. "If they hadn't had this kind of analysis, well, the law would not be designed as well," Gruber said on the O'Reilly Factor last year, discussing his work. 3. At least eight states called him in to counsel them on how to implement the health care law and set up state-run health insurance exchanges. So he's pretty important to Obamacare. O.K. but this guy is still calling voters stupid! I vote. Am I stupid? No, you're not stupid. At least we don't think so. So why is he calling us voters stupid? Let's first look at what Gruber actually said: He was defending the fact that the law was written behind closed doors and he said Democrats intentionally made the law confusing to mask the fact that the law instituted a new tax to pay for health reform. Why'd the Democrats do this? Voters don't like new taxes. Gruber said it was more important to get health reform than to be up front. "It's a very clever, you know, basic exploitation of the lack of economic understanding of the American voter," Gruber said at the Honors Colloquium 2012 at the University of Rhode Island. And: "They proposed it and that passed, because the American people are too stupid to understand the difference," he said at Washington University at St. Louis in 2013. The brunt of Gruber's argument is that policymakers crafting the law had to take politics into account. And politics means that politicians prefer to vote for a tax on insurance companies that will ultimately get passed on to consumers, rather than voting for a tax on consumers outright, for example. Gruber's "stupid" comments are summed up his contention that people don't want to pay more taxes, even when they want cheaper or better things. For instance: . - Want better public education? - Sure! - Want to pay higher taxes to improve public education? - Eh... This also applies to voting for the individual mandate "penalty," as the Obama administration refers to it, rather than a "tax," as the Supreme Court ruled in 2012. And it turns out that Gruber always knew a tax on expensive insurance plans would eventually grow to hit almost every insurance plan. He admitted as much in yet another video that surfaced on Friday. The White House and Democrats, by the way, promised up and down that the so-called "cadillac tax" wouldn't affect most Americans. The guy who thinks voters are 'stupid' But the controversy over whether the mandate is a "tax" isn't news, right? Nope. But it is giving Republicans' claims that the Obama administration misled voters on the "truth" of the Affordable Care Act more credence. So why are Democrats trying to distance themselves from Gruber? Democrats clearly don't want Obamacare tarnished anymore than it already has because of one guy. And they definitely don't want him to be the face of Obamacare or Democrats' view on the law. What they're trying to do is downplay Gruber's role in crafting the law. On Sunday, President Obama speaking from the G20 summit in Australia called him "some adviser who never worked on our staff." Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Gruber "didn't help write our bill" and claimed not to "know who he is." She wasn't being entirely up front on that point. Pelosi actually cited Gruber's work approvingly in 2009 and even mentioned him by name in an interview that same year. Obamacare architect discussed misleading public in 4th newly uncovered video . Was Gruber making a larger point here that we're missing? Definitely. If you can get past his condescending tone and insults, Gruber's speeches actually offer some insight into how policy is impacted by politics. "If you had a law which said healthy people are going to pay in -- if you made it explicit that healthy people pay in and sick people get money, it would not have passed, OK?" Gruber said. And while the (impartial) jury on the Affordable Care Act is still out, the law has lowered that national uninsured rate and, so far, the law is proving to be cheaper than expected. Either way, Gruber has said he believes the U.S. is better off with Obamacare than without it. And if less transparency helps implement better policy, he's O.K. with that. But am I? Are you? You make that call. Third video emerges of Obamacare architect insulting voters .

Gruber called voters stupid, the GOP is calling him the Obamacare architect, and Dems are calling it all a misunderstanding . Gruber played a crucial role in crafting the law and its Massachusetts model, but isn't "the architect" of the law . Gruber's "stupid" comments came as he explained the lack of transparency in selling the law to have it pass . The GOP is using this to prove voters were misled and Democrats are trying to distance themselves from Gruber .

Baltimore (CNN) -- Marcus Dixon refers to the tattoos on his face as the "art of war": an eye etched on his forehead, five stars down the left side of his face, and the words "don't cry" on his eyelids. The tattoos are permanent reminders of his past life as a drug dealer. Dixon got the tattoos, he said, to send a message to his enemies and the police to leave him alone. "I had to create a character that no one would dare challenge," he said. But Dixon's mother and his best friend feared for his safety. They staged an intervention and convinced him to make a fresh start. Dixon stopped selling drugs and moved to Atlanta. But with a criminal record and no connections, he had a difficult time finding a job. After a few months, he moved back to Baltimore, dejected. "I was at the lowest of my lows," he said. He also wasn't in contact with his two sons, which troubled him since his own father hadn't been involved in his life. "I was confused, lost, and didn't have the slightest idea of how to be a good father," said Dixon, now 30. "I didn't have examples that could guide me." Dixon's outlook began to change, however, when he followed his mother's advice and went to the Center for Urban Families in Baltimore. There, he's gotten job training, life skills and support that have made him much more optimistic about his future. Since 1999, the center has helped thousands of Baltimore residents find jobs and enabled hundreds of fathers to become more responsible parents. "What we want to do is get these people above ground and back into the mainstream," said Joe Jones, the nonprofit's founder and CEO. "We help them get them jobs so they can pay taxes and child support." Most men, like Dixon, walk through the center's doors because they need help finding a job. But Jones believes that jobs are just the first step. For him, the key to creating real change in Baltimore's troubled communities is ending what he calls "the cycle of father absence." "If we don't crack the code of men having babies for whom they're not responsible for, all of our efforts to build a better Baltimore will be limited," said Jones, 57. "We're there to create a pathway to help them to understand how to begin to take on that responsibility." According to the 2012 American Community Survey just released by the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 19 million children across the country -- 26% -- are living without a father in the home. In Baltimore, among African-American children, the rate is 69%. Jones says many of the men he tries to help grew up without fathers themselves. He also knows that children who grow up without fathers are more likely to become teen parents, use drugs and commit crimes, according to the National Fatherhood Initiative. "The one thing that is consistent with all these men is that they want to be involved with the lives of their children, but they just don't know how," Jones said. His nonprofit runs a Responsible Fatherhood program to give men the support and tools they need to become better parents and reverse the cycle. A large part of that is helping men with their financial responsibilities. Jones says you can't fix the problem of deadbeat dads unless you address that many of them are dead broke. In the four Baltimore ZIP Codes where Jones' nonprofit works, there are nearly 3,000 men who together owe more than $40 million in child support, according to the Maryland Department of Human Resources. When Dixon first came to the Center for Urban Families, he owed $47,000 in child support. The size of this debt discouraged him from seeking employment, he said, because it usually only paid minimum wage and most of his wages would be garnished. But a counselor at the center helped Dixon arrange a plan with Child Support Services, which forgave more than $30,000 of his debt as long as he stayed employed. The center also helped Dixon land a full-time job -- loading trucks on the overnight shift at a clothing warehouse -- so he could earn money while taking classes at Baltimore City Community College. Dixon, who now covers his tattoos with makeup every day, is six credits away from earning his associate's degree in general studies. He plans to apply to more colleges soon to study pharmacology and molecular sciences. Jones' program also teaches men that being a father is about more than finances. They are taught nurturing skills, such as how to change diapers and communicate with their kids. "You have a group of men speaking about issues they are having about their children," Dixon said. "That's unheard of. Men don't do that, especially black men in the neighborhoods that we come from. "Without these meetings, I would not know how to be a father." Dixon has now embraced his role as a dad. He recently filed for visitation rights with his eldest son, who is 10 years old, and he takes his younger son, age 3, to school at least three times a week. "The first day I took him to school, I got the sense of fatherhood," Dixon said. "It has made me feel (like) more of a man." Jones knows firsthand the struggles Dixon endured and the satisfaction he feels from having turned his life around. It's a transformation he experienced himself. Jones grew up in Baltimore and remembers the day his own father left, when he was 9 years old. As a teenager, Jones became a heroin and cocaine addict and spent 17 years selling drugs and committing petty crimes to support his habit, spending time in and out of jail. Jones said his biggest regret is that when he was 21, he had a son who he didn't take responsibility for. In 1986, after being charged with multiple drug-related offenses, Jones decided to turn his life around. He begged a residential rehabilitation program to let him into the program, and he persuaded the judge to let him complete the one-year rehab instead of going to jail. "I didn't want to go to jail anymore," Jones said. "I was physically and psychologically tired and my conscience was bothering me." Jones earned his associate's degree at Baltimore City Community College, and he says he hasn't looked back. He found a series of nonprofit jobs and was hired by the Baltimore City Department of Health, eventually working on an initiative to improve maternal and child health. Working there, in the early 1990s, it struck him that there were no programs for fathers. So in 1992, Jones started the Men's Services program at the Department of Health, and the experience led him to found his nonprofit seven years later. "It's my way of giving back ... in ways in which I took from my community many years ago," Jones said. Now married, he's raised two children with his wife and has been able to repair his relationship with his eldest son Trey. Today, they often go to baseball games together, along with Jones' youngest son. Jones' turnaround is an inspiration to Dixon and the other men in his program. "When I learned Joe's story, (it) pretty much blew me away," Dixon said. "And look what he has obtained. So nothing's impossible. "He's more than a role model. He's that North Star." Now Dixon feels confident that he can follow Jones' example. "Joe allowed me to find and restore my dignity," he said. "That's one of the greatest things that you can offer anyone." "You can't become a better father without being a better man." Want to get involved? Check out the Center for Urban Families website and see how to help.

CNN Hero Joe Jones is trying to build a better Baltimore through better families . His nonprofit is giving men the tools they need to become more responsible fathers . He says many absentee fathers want to change but just don't know how .

(CNN) -- Much of the East Coast was digging out Sunday after a monster winter storm caused record snowfall in some areas, disrupting holiday travel and shopping and leaving at least four people dead. But the worst of it appeared to be in sight. Winter storm warnings for New York and Long Island expired at 11 a.m. ET Sunday, and warnings for the Boston, Massachusetts, metro area and much of southeastern New England expired at noon. By early Sunday, Bethesda, Maryland, had recorded a whopping 23 inches of snow, and Medford, New Jersey, had seen 24 inches. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received its second-highest snowfall in a single event, with 23.2 inches. Is wintry weather affecting you? Share stories, photos or videos . Washington's Dulles International and Reagan National airports saw snowfall of 18 inches and 16.4 inches, respectively -- the highest one-day totals ever for December. The previous record at Dulles was 10.6 inches in December 1964, and at Reagan National, it was 11.5 inches in December 1932. East Coast travelers again were warned to expect treacherous roads Sunday and face flight delays and cancellations. Dulles was accepting flights and had one runway open Sunday, said Tara Hamilton of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. A runway opened at Reagan National just before 1 p.m., and flights began taking off. New York's LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark airports were all open Sunday morning, according to the Port Authority of New York. However, air traffic was light, said spokesman Steve Coleman. "The runways are good to go," he said. But 1,200 flights had been canceled by the airlines at the three airports, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. JFK airport canceled the most flights, with 550 grounded. American Airlines canceled 160 flights Sunday and has canceled another 20 set for Monday, said airline spokesman Charley Wilson. The 20 Boston and New York flights were grounded because of the backlog of flights the airline has to manage in the wake of the storm. See flight delay info on the Federal Aviation Administration's Web site . Elsewhere in New York, the Long Island Railroad was running limited service, but train service was suspended on several branches. Two people were killed in weather-related crashes, the Virginia State Police said Sunday, and "there are two additional deaths that are likely related to the winter storm." See traffic and road closure information . Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine authorized up to 1,000 National Guardsmen to assist in response to the storm, which had dumped up to 18 inches of snow in parts of the region by Saturday evening. Through 8 a.m. Sunday, Virginia State Police had responded to more than 6,100 calls for service, nearly half of those for traffic crashes and disabled vehicles. The storm, known as a nor'easter, blanketed the mid-Atlantic region and the heavily populated I-95 corridor. However, the interstate itself was in good shape Sunday morning, reported CNN producer Xuan Thai, who drove to Washington from Philadelphia. She said while traffic was extremely light, snowplows were out and the roads were cleared. Meanwhile, people in western North Carolina were digging out from the powerful storm. About 28,000 households had no power into Sunday night, including 24,118 in Asheville's Buncombe County, said Drew Elliot, spokesman for Progress Energy. That's down from 50,000 in Buncombe on Saturday. Power has been restored to 39,000 households, according to Elliot, but new outages continue as trees or branches fall on power lines. While the majority of customers should have electricity by Monday, "We don't see full restoration until midweek," Elliot said. The weather delayed the start of two National Football League games Sunday. The Chicago Bears-Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers-Philadelphia Eagles games began at 4:15 p.m. ET instead of 1 p.m. to allow crews to clear streets and walkways in and around stadiums. The weekend storm could rival the Knickerbocker blizzard of 1922, which dropped between 28 and 33 inches of snow in the Washington area, said CNN meteorologist Karen Maginnis. "I don't know that it will be a record-breaker, but this is significant," Maginnis said. "This is a really bad storm." The foul weather prompted an emergency declaration in Washington, stranded hundreds of motorists, shut down airports, caused power outages and threatened to keep hordes of holiday shoppers indoors. New York City sanitation staffers worked all night to dig out, Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters Sunday. The heaviest snow fell in the eastern part of the city -- 12 inches in the Rockaways, he said, as opposed to 6 inches in the Bronx. Officials were focusing on clearing the highways and bus routes before surface streets, he said, but it estimated most streets would be cleared by Sunday night. Authorities reported "no major snow-related incidents," Bloomberg said. Virginia State Police reported travel was still hazardous in several areas Sunday, saying, "Virginians are still discouraged from traveling unless absolutely necessary." Slick road conditions, disabled vehicles and crashes were reported on I-81 through the New River Valley west of Roanoke, authorities said, and U.S. 29 was also hazardous. Numerous vehicles were pulled off I-81 overnight Saturday and early Sunday. On I-81 Saturday night, authorities moved motorists to shelters because of traffic stoppages, said Bob Spieldenner, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Those people were being taken back to their cars and put back on the road Sunday, he said. About 73,000 utility customers were without power Sunday, he said. Washington Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said the storm is "perhaps the biggest we've seen in several years." "We are going to throw everything we have at it to keep the District open for business on this busy pre-holiday weekend," Fenty said as he announced the snow emergency. But he also urged residents to stay put in their homes. "We urge everyone if you don't have to go anywhere, wait. This snow should end early tomorrow morning with a 24-hour cleanup," Fenty said. "We should have a lot of streets ready to go by rush hour Monday. And, hopefully, all of it done between Monday and Wednesday." Nine people were taken to a hospital after a bus and city snow plow collided, a Washington fire official said. The injuries are not considered serious. The storm also halted above-ground Metrorail operations in the District because of the "heavy snowfall that is covering the electrified third rail," according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin on Saturday declared a state of emergency and "authorized the use of the National Guard to assist with snow removal and emergency assistance and operations." Manchin said West Virginia is working to help stranded motorists, clear roadways and restore power outages. Farther north, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino declared a snow emergency after forecasts of up to 15 inches of snow with 30-mph winds between Saturday night and late Sunday morning. CNN's Sean Morris, Larry Lazo and Dave Alsup contributed to this report.

NEW: American Airlines canceled 160 Sunday flights and 20 scheduled for Monday . NEW: About 28,000 still without power in western North Carolina, utility official says . Several East Coast cities see record-setting snows of about 2 feet . At least four dead in Virginia; residents urged to stay home .

Istanbul (CNN) -- The latest ISIS advance in Syria has brought a swath of the country's north-central Kurdish region under siege, with Kurdish leaders warning of another humanitarian crisis without international intervention. The Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani (Ayn al-Arab in Arabic) is an island, surrounded by ISIS on three fronts and the Turkish border to the north. The town was already mostly blockaded by ISIS, but in the past three days some 60 nearby villages fell under ISIS control, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or "Islamic State," as the group calls itself, took 39 villages on Friday alone as Kurdish forces withdrew from their positions, the Observatory said. Clashes are constant around Kobani as Kurdish fighters attempt to hold off ISIS, which is armed with heavy artillery and tanks, Kurdish activist Mostafa Baly told CNN. "Mobilization of people in Kobani is not enough," said Redur Xelil, a spokesman for the Kurdish fighters. "The international community has to take action. If not, there will be a new (Sinjar) genocide, but this time in Kobani." Sinjar is the Iraqi city that came under ISIS attack last month, causing thousands to flee onto adjacent Mount Sinjar, where refugees became stranded and were starving before U.S. airstrikes helped pave a way for them to flee. The fighting around Kobani has been intense for four days, Xelil told CNN. Masoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdish Region in Iraq, called the ISIS attacks in northern Syria "barbaric" and described them as ethnic cleansing. "I ask the international community to take every measure as soon as possible to save Kobani and the people of Syrian Kurdistan from the terrorists," he said in a statement. "The ISIS terrorists perpetrate crimes and atrocities wherever they are, therefore they have to be hit and defeated wherever they are." As ISIS encroached on the nearby villages, residents fled toward Kobani, said Baly, the Kurdish activist. There were reports that ISIS kidnapped some of those fleeing to Kobani, including women, children and the elderly, Baly said. At least three rockets landed in Kobani, causing much panic, he said. "There is a great deal of fear, but people are insisting on standing up to ISIS and remaining steadfast in the face of their attack," he said. Turkey opens border . The fear of a humanitarian crisis in Kobani rose as displaced people sought refuge there but became trapped between the fighting and the Turkish border. An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Kurds fleeing the violence walked right up to the wire border fence with Turkey, where they initially were not allowed in. They just sat at the border as Turkish Kurds on the other side of the fence tried to persuade the Turkish guards to let them in. The situation on the border could be observed on a live feed from the border and from video footage aired on Turkish news outlets. The refugees also tried to force their way into Turkey, creating chaos as one woman stepped on a landmine. Turkey finally opened the border, relieving some of the mounting pressure in Kobani and allowing refugees to enter Sanliurfa province. "Four thousand of our siblings will be hosted in our country," Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told state media. "Opening our arms to our Syrian brothers is our historic humanitarian responsibility." Hosting Syrian refugees is nothing new for Turkey and other neighboring nations. About 815,000 registered Syrian refugees were in Turkey as of last month, part of the 3 million total registered Syrian refugees that the U.N. has counted amid Syria's three-year civil war. A further 6.5 million people were believed to be displaced within Syria as of last month, according to the U.N. U.S. military on deck . The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to approve the arming of Syrian rebels as top U.S. military leadership approved a plan to strike ISIS in Syria. The House approved Obama's request Wednesday. The approval allows President Barack Obama to carry out part of his stated strategy to combat ISIS, though some political leaders remain divided on the way forward. With approval in hand to arm and train Syrian rebels to fight ISIS, Obama said Thursday the plan keeps with "the key principle" of U.S. strategy: No American combat troops on the ground. "The American troops deployed to Iraq do not and will not have a combat mission," he said in televised remarks from the White House. "Their mission is to advise and assist our partners on the ground. ... We can destroy ISIL without having our troops fight another ground war in the Middle East." Obama said more than 40 countries, including Arab nations, have offered assistance in the battle against ISIS. Long vetting and training process . National Security Adviser Susan Rice, speaking to reporters Friday, said that now that approval to arm moderate Syrian rebels has been given, a long process will start to vet and train those who will be benefit from the measure. U.S. military personnel will train the Syrian fighters outside of Syria, and the process of planning the training and vetting the participants will take months, she said. "This is a serious training program, and we are serious about vetting those we are training and equipping," she said. Rice stepped around questions about whether airstrikes against ISIS in Syria will require an additional thumbs-up from President Obama, repeating the President's own announcement that the United States is "prepared" to broaden its actions in the region into Syria. ISIS videos . The advance by ISIS in northern Syria comes as the Islamist group released a 55-minute English-language video warning America against "direct confrontation." The video describes the conflict as a fight between believers and nonbelievers, and praises its successes on the battlefield. Earlier this week, ISIS released another video showing a captive British journalist criticizing the American and British governments. Citing the Sunni terror group's brutality, from beheading civilians -- including American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff -- to the mass execution of its opponents, Obama said the United States will not back down. "With their barbaric murder of two Americans, these terrorists thought they could frighten us or intimidate us or cause us to shrink from the world," Obama said. "But today, they are learning the same hard lesson of petty tyrants and terrorists who have gone before: As Americans, we do not give in to fear. When you harm our citizens, when you threaten the United States, when you threaten our allies, it doesn't frighten us. It unites us." The question now appears to be not if, but when, the United States will strike ISIS in its stronghold in northern Syria. The U.S. military has everything it needs to strike ISIS targets in Syria, a plan that officials told CNN is still waiting on Obama's signoff. ISIS, meanwhile, is modifying its behavior, from the way it communicates to the way it conceals itself, in response to potential U.S. airstrikes in Syria, U.S. military officials told CNN. The officials expressed confidence the airstrikes would be effective. Gul Tuysuz reported from Istanbul, and Mariano Castillo wrote and reported from Atlanta. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz, Barbara Starr, Jason Hanna and Chelsea J. Carter contributed to this report.

NEW: Group says ISIS has taken over 60 Kurdish villages in three days . U.S. official says it will take months to train and vet Syrian rebels who will take part . Kurdish leaders warn of humanitarian crisis without international help . Turkey opens border for Kurdish refugees in northern Syria .

(CNN Student News) -- July 1, 2011 . Download a PDF map related to today's show: . • Atlanta, Georgia . Transcript . THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. Leadership Unplugged . CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Hi! I'm Carl Azuz, welcoming you back to another summer edition of CNN Student News. Got something really cool for you this week. We're talking about Leadership Unplugged. This is a program that just wrapped up. It's a partnership between a group called 21st Century Leaders and the staff of CNN and CNN Student News; and what it does is bring about 75 of Georgia's brightest high school students to the Georgia Tech campus, where they spend a week learning about everything from journalism to, of course, leadership skills. PRISSY STEWART, 21ST CENTURY LEADERS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: That's our goal, is to help them become more comfortable as leaders. You can tell as the week progresses they have come out of their shells, they have taken some risks and learned to work with people who are very different from them. AZUZ: I had the honor and privilege of kicking things off. I talked a little bit about how I got to where I am, what we do at CNN, and some students then talked to us about their first impressions as the week started. LEJOI LANE, SENIOR: I think that what stood out most to me was the fact that we got the chance to meet so many unique people and so many different genres of CNN. TYLER MEUSE, SENIOR: Being able to sit down and talk to professionals one-on-one and ask them the most important questions. BROOKE VAUGHAN, SENIOR: What stood out to me the most was Carl Azuz. His speech was great. I love how he asked questions and actually got the audience involved in us as students. He actually cared about our answers and cared to have a conversation with normal high school students. AZUZ: As things got rolling, students learned about many different facets of media. We talked to them about some of the new technologies available to us. We talked about how social networking gets used in newscasts. These were their impressions of that. EMILY CHO, SENIOR: I learned a lot about how you have to balance between the social media and what actual news is. It's a big question as to which one comes first: determining what your audience wants to hear and what they need to hear. GRACE LITTLE, SENIOR: This panel showed me just how much social media influences the way news gets around the world, especially in areas that don't allow CNN to have cameras on the ground. It's truly essential in making accurate news reporting. PHILIP MUSEY, SENIOR: I learned that CNN uses Twitter a lot. You hear a lot about younger generations using Facebook, but Twitter is pretty well known and well used at CNN. AZUZ: A big highlight of this conference happened right here at the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Students got to listen to a dinner panel of CNN talent and executives, and they heard a few things about work and life. OLA RICHARDSON, JUNIOR: Something I really learned is that the friends you get here are the friends that you will need in life. VICTORIA PARKS, JUNIOR: Definitely that just be yourself and you can be whoever you want to be, and you can do whatever you want to do. Just follow your dreams and pursue yourself. RED DENTY, JUNIOR: Keep working at it. If you want to work in video broadcasting, you have to start low and work your way up. CHANDLER BARRE, JUNIOR: You have to have your hook and the one thing that sets yourself apart from everybody else, and make yourself the one that is remembered. Shoutout . TOMEKA JONES, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Time for the Shoutout! Who is credited with saying, "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other"? If you think you know it, shout it out! Is it: A) Mahatma Gandhi, B) John F. Kennedy, C) Martin Luther King Jr. or D) Abraham Lincoln? You've got three seconds -- GO! That quote about leadership comes from former U.S. President John F. Kennedy. That's your answer and that's your Shoutout! Leadership Unplugged . AZUZ: Of course, the name of the program: Leadership Unplugged. A big focus is learning what it takes to be a leader. Here's what students said about that in their own words. GABRIELLE PUYAT, GRADUATED AS A JUNIOR: You have to be able to connect with all different kinds of people. And not everyone's going to like you; you're not going to like everyone. But if you have the ability to communicate and cooperate, then you can lead. FIRST BORN, JUNIOR: I think leadership is the ability to stand out above other people and give them a sense of belonging. As a leader, I don't think that you're able to have everyone like you. MACHMUD MAKHMUDOV, JUNIOR: If you want to be exceptional and create something and be really successful, you really need to persevere as a leader. And know that even though you might be going through tough times, in the end, true leaders do what it takes to be successful. AZUZ: This was the 6th year for Leadership Unplugged, but this was the first year that some of the students actually got to go on the air live on a CNN network. A few of the students were interviewed by Carlos Montero, an anchor with CNN en Espanol. CAMILA DONOSO, SENIOR: He just asked us about how we liked it and everyone was a little nervous. He said it was good. The captions were really funny because it said, you know, "young leaders changing the world." And we're like, "Oh my God!" But if you think about it, we are, because we're making a difference. Winners . AZUZ: These 75 students were divided into groups and they were given a project to work on throughout the week. That project was to pitch a story to a panel of CNN executives, so a little bit intimidating there. But they were scored on their pitch, and they were scored on things like the presentation itself, how creative the story was, how balanced the story was. And the winning pitch was a story about illegal immigration in the United States. Some members of that winning group talked to us about what it was like to win. JUSTIN WHITE, JUNIOR: I was actually afraid that we hadn't won, but when they called our name, I just knew we had it. ADEOLA ADENIRAN, SENIOR: Yeah, I was really excited. But I knew that, like, deep down, that we might have a chance because of our title. Our title was really powerful: "Undocumented and Unafraid." It gave me a little hope there. Goodbye . AZUZ: So, that was how the week wrapped up, and that is how we wrap up this special summer edition of CNN Student News. We hope to lead you back to CNNStudentNews.com, and that you'll plug in for more stories right here throughout the summer. Hope to see you soon. For CNN Student News, I'm Carl Azuz.

CNN Student News is producing special, web-only shows all summer long . This week, we explore a week-long conference called Leadership Unplugged . The program introduces high school students to the world of journalism .

(CNN) -- William Fox-Pitt sounds rather like a character straight out of the pages of a novel and, at times, his life has played out like one. He used to teach the "Queen of Pop" Madonna how to ride a horse, while his first wife left him for his arch-rival on the three-day eventing circuit, Andrew Nicholson. It is a career beset by tragedies too -- of riders and horses -- that made him think twice about climbing back into the saddle. But now happily married for a second time, the Briton has three children and a myriad of victories. At the age of 45, the world No.1 is still riding and is still desperately seeking that elusive Olympic gold medal. "If I'd won gold at London 2012, it might have been different," Fox-Pitt, who won team silver at his home Games, adding to the bronze he won in Beijing four years earlier and another silver secured in Athens in 2004, tells CNN. "That would have been a good time to think I'll kick back. But I'm still living the dream over again. "Of course, there's the sense that I've used up a lot of good luck in an obviously dangerous sport. But if you're doing something you love, it's worth the risk. "In the front of your mind, there's that sense you could have a prang and end up in a mess. But this is a calculated risk. If your number is up crossing the road, riding a horse or getting in the car, that's how it is. It certainly makes everything feel more fragile." It is 23 years since Fox-Pitt thought about walking away from the sport altogether. Competing at the prestigious annual Badminton event in the UK, his mount Briarlands Pippin lost a shoe just before a fence, slipped, flipped over at the fence and had to be put down because of a broken neck. For all the bravado required for such a dangerous sport, Fox-Pitt talks of that moment as though the emotional wounds are still raw. "I was really quite damaged by that," he recalls. "I remember being very unsure whether I thought this was a good sport. I've had some bad falls, times when I've woken up in the air ambulance, I've had friends that have died doing this. "And yes you do ask yourself, 'what on earth are you doing?' But if you're going to break your neck, you might as well be doing something you love. Thankfully I'm still hanging in there." This is not the rider nor family man brushing off the obvious repercussions of a fall, but rather the elite athlete in him knowing that he cannot spend too much time dwelling on the what ifs of his sport. That sport reached its nadir in 1999 with five rider deaths in as many months, a period Fox-Pitt described as a "freak year". Improvements in safety have steadily come into force in the proceeding 15 years, with collapsible fences and inflatable jackets for riders. But while Fox-Pitt wants to be safe, he does not want to entirely eradicate the inherent dangers of horse and man riding over gargantuan fences, often at breakneck speeds. "I think there has to be an element of risk, otherwise no one would want to do it," he explains. "It's a bit like Formula 1. I'm sure the guys are the same before a race -- at the start of the cross-country I get that feeling in the pit of my stomach. It's the excitement, the anticipation and the nerves. It's a very raw feeling ahead of what you're hoping to conquer." The Briton, who was educated at Eton, where Princes William and Harry and British Prime Minister David Cameron among others attended, is bemused as to how he has made it to the pinnacle of his sport. Modest to the core, he says: "I never thought this would happen. When I started competitively I was quite average. Riding was just a family thing to do." But that modest beginner has managed to become the golden boy of eventing, something which seemed to catch the attention of Madonna when she was married to Guy Ritchie and living in the UK. "Well, I'm not sure it was because of what I'd achieved but just simple geography that she approached me -- she lived nearby with Guy Ritchie," Fox-Pitt says. But how was it teaching the notoriously volatile "Queen of Pop" how to ride? "It was a very enjoyable and surreal experience," Fox-Pitt, who taught her for two or three years, says. "When she arrived, no one could quite believe it was happening and there is something about her that's quite extraordinary, but it was also all very normal, she was very normal. "Horses are great releases for people and I think the riding was just that for her. Needless to say she took it very seriously. She's quite feisty and we had a few, how should I put it, heated debates about stuff. It was a fun time but it's all in the past now." Similarly in the past is Fox-Pitt's previous life with Wiggy, his first wife, who left him for Nicholson, the New Zealand horseman who is currently ranked second in the world. Fox-Pitt, however, can now look back on the separation and laugh. "It was a bit like something out of Eastenders," he says. "I can see people like to make a lot of the rivalry and that's good for the sport. It adds an interesting twist to something that can often be dull I guess. "It's someone that the media and people supporting make quite a hoodoo about and that can be quite tiring. Everyone seems to have their team -- his or mine. I guess it's fun for most people." The relations between the pair are understandably still frosty because of their personal and professional lives, while there are few words exchanged between the two riders, except for the odd congratulations should one get the upper hand on the other. Yet there is so much more to Fox-Pitt than the remarkable horseman that he is. There is his indomitable mother, Marietta, who spurred him on to ride and would not accept his occasional decisions to quit. There are the contradicting aspects of him -- that he is part of the bloodline of William Pitt, British Prime Minister in the 18th Century, which contrast to the black eye he sported after sumo wrestling at his bachelor party, prior to his second marriage to the television presenter Alice Plunkett. But first and foremost, he is known for pulling off the ultimate equestrian juggling act, mastering the three complex disciplines of dressage, cross-country and show jumping. Quite how much longer he will ride is a question he cannot answer. Rio de Janeiro 2016 is an obvious cut-off point but, then again, so was London 2012. "I really had to do London -- if I hadn't that would have been devastating -- and in many ways everything else is a bonus," Fox-Pitt adds. "It takes a long time in eventing to build up your business, horses and sponsors and to finally make some money. My horses wouldn't retire and I'm not sure I could see someone else ride them. "I could do without the sick feeling in my stomach before a big event but I'm not done yet. I'm still having fun."

Fox-Pitt risks life and limb in his bid to remain the world's No.1 three-day event rider . He has toyed with quitting the sport after the deaths of close friends and horses . When Madonna lived in the UK, he used to teach the "Queen of Pop" how to ride . His heart is now set on winning a so-far elusive Olympic gold medal in 2016 .

(CNN) -- Who are the seven women who police say one Indiana man has confessed to killing? "They're not forgotten, because they're not nobodies. They're somebody," said Lori Townsend, whose 19-year-old daughter Afrikka Hardy was found strangled at a Motel 6 in Hammond, Indiana, over the weekend. "They're somebody's daughter," she told CNN affiliate WLS, "somebody's mother, somebody's sister." Here's what we know so far about the suspected serial killer's victims: . Afrikka Hardy . "She could walk into a room and just light it up with her smile and her laugh and just her presence," Townsend told CNN's Don Lemon. "Afrikka never met a stranger. She loved everybody. And that was kind of part of her problem. She was a little naive on trusting people." Hardy, 19, had recently moved back to Chicago after graduating from high school and living for five years with her mother in Aurora, Colorado. Authorities say suspect Darren Deon Vann hired a prostitute through the backpage.com site serving Chicago and arranged a meeting with Hardy at the Motel 6. That was a surprise to her mother. "I had no idea. That's not the way I raised Afrikka. She wasn't raised up like that," Townsend said. "Her three months out there, she never said that anything was wrong. She never gave me any inclination she was doing this or thinking about doing this." But even if true, that information is irrelevant, the mother said. "What matters is that my baby be remembered for who she really is," Townsend wrote on Facebook Monday. "Remember her smile, laugh, tender heart and the fact that she is no longer with us!" In Facebook posts, Townsend described her daughter as a princess and posted a YouTube video of her belting out a ballad. Hardy's cousins told The Chicago Tribune that she enjoyed singing, loved kids and eventually wanted to own a day care. "She had plans on going back to school, and we talked about it numerous times," one cousin told the newspaper. "But I guess she started hanging with different people and it took her towards another way." Teaira Batey . The last time Gloria Cullom saw her daughter, they were grocery shopping together in Gary. "She said, 'I love you. I'll be back, Mama.' That's what she said to me, and she left, and she went with her friend," Cullom told CNN affiliate KARE. "But she didn't come back that night." When she heard from her the next day, Batey was crying, sounded scared and wanted someone to pick her up, Cullom said. She was never heard from again. Batey's family reported her missing in late January, boyfriend Marvin Clinton told CNN's Poppy Harlow. At first, they held off because Batey had been known to leave her home in Gary for days or even a week at a time, Clinton said. But as the days passed, he said, they became increasingly concerned and contacted police. "We know her daily routine. She would go out, you know, and hang out, go visit friends and things like that," he said. "But she would always stay in touch with the family." Batey, 28, didn't work, Clinton said. "It was more being home, being a mom, raising her son, doing things as a family," he said. Cullom said her daughter was mentally ill and often willing to trust people. "Like I told (the police) there, she might be grown, but she had a mind like a 12-year-old. She's very vulnerable, but she's a sweet person," Cullom told KARE. "She's very trusting. She never thought that somebody would hurt her if she never gave them no reason to hurt her." Authorities at one point suggested that maybe Batey had decided to leave and start a new life, but Clinton said he didn't buy it. "Teaira would not leave her son like that," he said. "She was a loving, kind person ... a bighearted person. Teaira was the kind of person that ... would give you her coat to wear if you didn't have one." Clinton told CNN affiliate WLS that he's been struggling to tell their 2-year-old son what happened. "I don't know how to explain it to him right now. ... He's been asking for Mommy a lot, and the only thing I can tell him is, 'Mommy's not here right now,'" Clinton said. Anith Jones . The 35-year-old was last seen on October 8, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. She was reported missing two days later. Her sister told the newspaper that Jones, who lived in Merrillville, Indiana, ran a booth at a flea market. "She was a kind, loving woman," Yolanda Nowell, a Chicago police officer, told the Sun-Times. "She was my favorite sister. She was everybody's favorite aunt." Her 2001 Chevrolet Prism was found parked in the driveway of a vacant house in Gary earlier this month. Police with cadaver dogs had searched other vacant lots and abandoned homes to look for her, the newspaper said. They didn't find her, until Vann pointed them to an abandoned house in Gary. The bodies of two other women were found at the same address. They have not yet been identified. Vann had "some sort of connection" with Jones, Gary Police Chief Larry McKinley said, adding that authorities don't know yet what the connection is. Kristine Williams . Williams, 36, was a resident of Gary and a mother of four, according to her mother-in-law, Deborah Berry. Berry told CNN she had not heard from Williams since February but did not file a police report because Williams would often "disappear." "I've been kind of wondering what happened to Kristine. She kind of disappeared," said Berry. "I haven't talked to her since February. She would call me every couple of months. I was like her mother. Her real family wouldn't have much to do with her." Williams did not have a job, and according to Berry, she had two children from her marriage with Berry's son Siad, and two more children from different fathers. All four were put up for adoption, said Berry. Jane Doe #3 . One victim, described by authorities as Jane Doe #3, was a 5-foot-tall woman with shoulder length blond hair tinted red. She wore a pair of size-3/4 twentyone black by RUE21 blue jeans and white Nike gym shoes size 6, said Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey. "We may have a possible lead. We will be conducting DNA analysis with her possible family through the Indiana State Police. As well as all the victims that we have identified, to be able to make a positive identification," said Frey . Jane Doe #5 . Frey said a victim known as Jane Doe #5 wore a silver-colored chain-linked bracelet that said "Best Aunt" when investigators found her. Fray asked for help identifying the 5-foot 3-inch African-American woman, who she said was also wearing a silver-colored ring with scalloped engravings and another silver-colored ring with a heart shape. Jane Doe #6 . Frey said a victim known as Jane Doe #6 was an African-American woman. CNN's Sonia Moghe, Daniel Verello, Justin Lear, Greg Botelho and Holly Yan contributed to this report.

Afrikka Hardy loved singing and working with kids, her family says . Boyfriend: Teaira Batey was a "bighearted" person who helped those in need . Anith Jones' car was found abandoned after she was reported missing . The names of three women whose bodies were found have not been released .

(CNN) -- Dozens of Americans have been among the thousands of foreigners who flocked to Syria to take part in its bloody, messy civil war. Yet for the three years, there was only one known American casualty. But, in a few short days, that death toll may have tripled. On Wednesday -- months after a Florida man killed himself in a northern Syria suicide bombing and a day after news broke that Douglas McAuthur McCain, a 33-year-old man reared in Minnesota, died fighting for ISIS -- a coalition of Syrian opposition groups announced that its forces had killed another American in battle. The coalition did not name the fallen American. But it did say he and McCain died as its forces battled Kharijites, a historical reference to fanatical Muslims who rejected moderate teachings and advocated killing those who violated ultraconservative values. The coalition noted that its fighters from groups with names such as Hazem Movement, the Islamic Front, Al-Mujahideen Army, Noureddine, al Zanki Battalion, Faylak Al Sham had joined those from the more moderate Free Syrian Army and more extremist al-Nusra Front. They took on ISIS forces last weekend in and around Aleppo -- which is where McCain was killed. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, who was among those who reported McCain's death, said the U.S. government is "looking into" this latest reported American casualty, even if it hasn't confirmed his death. Still, the idea of more Americans fighting for groups like ISIS, and more of them dying, wouldn't be surprising. Syria, after all, isn't exactly a stable place with stable borders. Nor is neighboring Iraq, where ISIS -- under the name it calls itself, the Islamic State -- has made major advances in recent weeks. "The ability to travel into these countries demonstrates how porous the borders are," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, who had top roles in the State and Defense Departments in President George W. Bush's administration. "I think we need to understand that there's going to be more of this rather than less of this." Sources: McCain radicalized gradually . There are no details on the third American casualty, but more is known about the other two. The first was Moner Mohammad Abu-Salha, a 22-year-old from Florida who joined al-Nusra Front, an al Qaeda-linked organization that the U.S. government has blacklisted as a foreign terror organization. The group showed a video of him, and U.S. officials later confirmed, taking part in a suicide bombing earlier this year in northern Syria. U.S.: Jihadi in suicide bombing video grew up in Florida . And on Tuesday, the world was introduced to Douglas McCain. Friends and relatives described him as a decent man who loved to play basketball and loved his family. His conversion to Islam didn't alarm his relatives, according to uncle Ken McCain, though Facebook posts in support of ISIS did. He'd been on U.S. authorities' radar for some time by then. They become aware of McCain in the early 2000s, due to his association with others -- including one person from Minnesota who died in Somalia, apparently while fighting as a jihadi -- a U.S. official said. Still, there was no indication then that McCain -- who at one point studied Arabic at San Diego City College -- was involved in anything nefarious. Law enforcement sources told CNN that he appears to have radicalized gradually in the years since his conversion. Authorities didn't know about McCain's travels to Turkey until he was already there, a U.S. official said. Turkey was also the last place where, several months ago, McCain was in contact with his relatives. At the time of his death, at least, McCain was on a list of Americans believed to have joined militant groups. Such people would be stopped and subjected to additional scrutiny if they traveled, according to the official. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki added that U.S. authorities knew about McCain's ties to ISIS. Psaki didn't say how they approached his case, specifically, though she did lay out the government's general strategy and concerns about cases like his. "We use every tool we have to disrupt and dissuade individuals from traveling abroad for violent jihad and to track and engage those who return (to the United States)," Psaki told reporters Wednesday. "(McCain) is a reminder of the growing concern that the United States has, that many countries in the world have, about the thousands of foreign fighters from 50 nations who are engaged in Syria and who are affiliating themselves with ... extremist groups." Opinion: ISIS: Is it really a threat to the U.S.? Official: Americans-turned-extremists 'willing ... to die' ISIS, especially, isn't just any extremist group. Its tactics are so brutal that even al Qaeda -- which was behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks -- disown them. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel last week called ISIS "beyond just a terrorist group. They marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess. "This is beyond anything we have seen, and we must prepare for everything." Who is ISIS? That includes more Americans dying. Some might be like McCain, who went to the Middle East to join the jihad. Or there may be more like James Foley, the American journalist that ISIS beheaded -- a gruesome execution that it videotaped and broadcast, along with the promise of more such killings if the United States doesn't continue to strike ISIS in Iraq. Not only aren't U.S. officials refusing to back down against ISIS in Iraq, they are signaling that they might go after the group in Syria. If President Barack Obama OKs such strikes, he'd be on the same side as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Nonetheless, U.S. officials insist they won't coordinate with al-Assad; in fact, the Obama administration is pushing Congress for funding to train and equip "moderate opposition" forces trying to unseat the Syrian leader. Official: Obama weighing options against ISIS in Syria . Military action isn't the only way the United States is going after ISIS, officials say. There are also things like cutting off funding for the group as well as promoting stable and productive governments as an alternative to ISIS. But the U.S. focus isn't just about what's happening in Syria and Iraq. It's also about making sure there aren't people like McCain who join ISIS and end up returning home -- perhaps intending to unleash the group's brutal brand of terror in their homelands. To this point, White House spokesman Josh Earnest insisted Wednesday "we are working with Interpol and other law enforcement agencies, as well as homeland security agencies ... throughout the West and the region, to try to monitor the movements of these individuals and to mitigate the threats. "...These are individuals who have been radicalized," Earnest said. "These are individuals who received some military training. And they have demonstrated, as Mr. McCain did, a willingness to die for their cause." California man arrested, wanted to join ISIS . Man arrested after overseas trip, accused of sympathizing with ISIS . CNN's Raja Razek, Josh Levs, Jim Sciutto, Andy Rose, Evan Perez, Rosalina Nieves, Samira Said and Hamdi Alkhshali contributed to this report.

Rebel coalition group claims 2 Americans -- including Douglas McCain -- die in Syria . Only one has been named; both were fighting with extremist militant groups in Syria . U.S. official: Foreigners fighting for such extremist groups come from 50 nations . Obama spokesman: U.S.-born extremists dangerous due to training, willingness to die .

(CNN) -- It's time to do away with vanity plates. For the most part, vanity plates have flown under the legal radar, but the time has come for the government to give up on this constitutionally corrupt policy. Like the lottery, vanity plates are another thinly veiled money grab by the government against its citizens. A Michigan case is putting vanity plates under the spotlight. That state's scheme is similar to many other states' vanity plate programs. On standard plates, the letter and number configuration is computer-generated and random. For an additional fee of about $30, Michigan allows vehicle owners to select their own unique letter and number configuration for their license plates -- with limitations. And that's where the constitutional trouble begins. Michigan's Motor Vehicle Code contains a "content-based" restriction: It prohibits officials from issuing a personalized license plate "that might carry a connotation offensive to good taste and decency." And there's the constitutional problem: "offensiveness" and "good taste and decency" are in the eye of the beholder -- the beholder here being whoever is reviewing the application. In 2012, Sgt. Michael Matwyuk decided to order a personalized license plate that would express his identity as a so-called "infidel" when he served in Iraq. "Infidel" is a term that is commonly used by both enemy forces and our own military in the current theater of war, as explained by Matwyuk. It is not a word banned by the FCC or recognized as unprotected speech. He began by visiting the vanity plate page on Michigan's website, and clicked on an Iraq War Veteran service plate, which allows six characters for personalized plates. Because the word "infidel" contains seven letters, Matwyuk tried the shorter "INFIDL," but it was "not available." Matwyuk got creative and typed "INF1DL" into the spaces provided, replacing the letter I with a numeral 1. It was available, and Sarge selected it. Unfortunately, shortly after, a letter from the Department of State rejected Matwyuk's "INF1DL" plate because someone -- a person, not a website program -- determined it might carry a connotation offensive to good taste or decency. Asking for constitutional trouble . The law as written is constitutionally suspect. First, it's vague. Read the Michigan prohibition again. Once you have, ask yourself: "Do I now clearly know which words are prohibited and which words are not?" Put another way, if you were asked to come up with a list of offensive words, would "infidel" have been in the top 20 of your list? Top 50? If a law does not provide clear instructions on its face so that reasonable citizens can determine what speech is prohibited, then it's likely unconstitutional as written -- before it's even applied. An additional way a scheme is unconstitutional on its face is when the person making the decisions (like the official who wrote the rejection letter to Matwyuk) has "unfettered discretion." It seems pretty clear that the website first approved Sarge's INF1DL, but then a human later vetoed it, with, apparently, unfettered discretion. Being offended does not an offensive word make . As a society, we have fatally mixed up the concept of subjective versus objective when it comes to offensiveness. Because an individual is offended by a word, that word does not thereby become universally offensive. Determining whether something is offensive must use an objective standard, which means society on the whole should concur that it is taboo. Too often when a single individual is offended, we make the illogical jump to conclude that the material offending one is now offensive to all. Worse, we now deem material offensive not for its actual measured effect, but for its untested potential effect. No one was actually offended by Matwyuk's plate, likely not even the person who actually rejected it. Rather, it was banned because the official imagined some potential offensiveness. In addition to confusing subjective versus objective in defining "offensive," we've placed government officials in the business of foreseeing the future, with an overly cautious eye. INFIDL versus INF1DL . INFIDL is not a word. And if INFIDL is not a word, then INF1DL is definitely not a word. It has a number in it! How offensive could it possibly be? As spoken, INF1DL actually doesn't even sound like "infidel." It's pronounced "inf-number-one-del." To interpret it as the offending "infidel" in fact requires a mistake by your brain, and an error in pronunciation. Either way, the official who rejected Matwyuk's INF1DL had to reason that the number 1 is functionally the same as the letter I. They're not even the same species. But fortunately for this government official, no one will ever discipline him for erring on the side of supercareful. And just like that, the First Amendment can be violated. It's not really the official's fault. Someone gave him too much power. That someone is the Michigan Legislature. If "infidel" is offensive, it's offensive because of its religious connotation only. It's not one of the seven deadly words you can't hear on TV, and it's not obscene by itself under any test of the Supreme Court. Therefore, Michigan wades headlong into another First Amendment quagmire: entanglement with religion. The absurd discussion follows: Is CRUSDR okay? How about ATHEST? If many different people would disagree on whether a word (or nonword) is offensive, then the statute has failed to properly instruct its citizens on what is prohibited. Worse, should our government really be volunteering for this litigation? Should your tax money be spent litigating in federal court whether IPASGAS should be stamped on a license plate? Government selling ad space . Can I pay extra to have my passport custom "bedazzled" with rhinestones, the way people do with their iPhones? Of course not. Sometimes our government has a greater duty than entering the market for a quick buck from its citizens. And is the $30 that Michigan extracts from its citizens really worth it? People have to be hired and extra infrastructure must be created to process those applications. Then, when they are litigated because citizens' applications are rejected, how fast do you think attorney fees burn through those state revenues? Vanity plates serve no public interest. Vanity plates represent a state selling ad space on its property, disregarding a known constitutional risk, and then losing more money defending the practice. Citizens already have the constitutional privilege to stencil virtually any word on their cars as it is (with the usual limitations of the First Amendment), without their government trying to make an extra buck on the few square inches that are state property . Matwyuk should have gotten his plate, but really no one should have them . If the Michigan scheme were constitutional to begin with, Matwyuk should have been entitled to his customized plate under any analysis of "offensive" that is reasonable, and not driven by neurosis. Instead, officials employed an overly risk-averse, pre-emptive analysis. Since the official has unfettered discretion, he'll never get in trouble for the plates that never saw the light of day. Those facts may be fatal to the statute and the vanity plate scheme. The real question is whether vanity plates are ultimately worth the constitutional and financial burdens they create. And the answer is: PRBYNOT. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Danny Cevallos.

A Michigan man who served in Iraq was denied a vanity plate saying "INF1DL" Danny Cevallos says it ran afoul of Michigan rule banning "offensive" plates . He says states have no business dictating what words people can put on their plates . Cevallos says vanity plates in general are a bad idea -- states selling people ad space .

(CNN) -- Mystery, moonlight and the sounds of bat wings flapping replace electricity and artificial sound during a night "off the grid" in nature. Be it a safari through the endangered red wolf's habitat or stargazing from the highest mountain range in the United States, nighttime is the right time for outdoor adventures in national wildlife refuges and national parks. Here are five places hosting nocturnal events from now through mid-December. Howling safari night hikes . It is estimated that there are 110 to 120 red wolves left on Earth, according to the Red Wolf Recovery Program. The best chance to hear them is during Howling Safari night hikes at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in East Lake, North Carolina. When: The hikes are every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. through the end of August. There are also hikes on October 12, November 16 and December 7. Be sure to check the website as the hike times change after August. Fall hikes offer the same red wolf program as Howling Safari hikes, and cooler temperatures and fall's season increase wolf activity. Where: Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is on the Outer Banks, about a 20 minute drive from Manteo on Roanoke Island and about a three hour drive from Raleigh. If you go: The hike costs $7 per person and children 11 and younger are free. Hikers should bring a flashlight and bug repellant and gather at the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail. The hikes last about two hours and pets are not allowed. For more information, call 252-216-9464. Scorpion hunts . Nights in the Nevada desert belong to scorpions and coyotes. Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge and Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge are hosting night hike scorpion hunts. When: Pahranagat's night hike scorpion hunt is on September 7 at 8 p.m. and Moapa Valley's is on September 14 at 8 p.m. Where: Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is about an hour and a half north of Las Vegas, and Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge is about an hour northeast of Las Vegas. If you go: RSVPs must be made to [email protected]. There is no cost to attend, and all ages are welcome. Staff will provide ultraviolet flashlights to search for scorpions. Rocky Mountain stargazing . With the ongoing discoveries of new stars, planets and constellations, Rocky Mountain National Park's 7,000-feet and higher elevations make it one of the best places in the Western Hemisphere for weekend warrior astronomers to stargaze. When: There are program options for people staying near the east and west side of the park, which are a about two hours apart. "Astronomy in the Park" and "Celestial Wilderness" are similar events. Park rangers and local astronomers conduct a 30-minute program followed by sky-viewing. "Astronomy in the Park" takes place on the east side. It starts at 8 p.m. on August 9 and 30 at the end of Upper Beaver Meadows Road. "Celestial Wilderness" takes place on the west side of the park. It starts at 8:45 p.m. on August 3 and 10 at the Harbison Meadow parking area. "Stories behind the Moon and Stars" starts at 8 p.m. August 2 and 18 at the Estes Park Memorial Observatory, 1600 Manford Avenue. Guests can learn about the constellations, tour the Milky Way and gaze at the moon against a backdrop of local storytelling. Where: The east entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is about an hour and 15 minutes west of Fort Collins and two hours northwest of Denver. Estes Park Memorial Observatory is about 15 minutes east of Rocky Mountain National Park. If you go: The programs are free, but park admission is $20 per vehicle. The pass is valid for seven days. Visitors are encouraged to dress in warm clothes, bring a flashlight and binoculars. For more information, call 970-586-1206. Full-moon hiking . Bryce Canyon National Park is home to hoodoos, those oddly shaped rock formations created by millions of years of erosion. The vistas are beautiful during the day, but the park also offers the chance to view them under the expanse of a Western night sky during full-moon hikes. When: Hikes are scheduled each month now through December. Admission to the park is $25 per vehicle and $12 for individuals (bicycles, motorcycles and hikers) and is valid for seven days. Tickets for the hikes are free and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. In-person sign-up begins at 8 a.m. (the line starts forming at 7 a.m.) at the visitor center on the day of the hike. Attendance is capped at 30 people per hike. Where: Bryce Canyon National Park is in south-central Utah. The closest cities with major airports are Provo, about a three and a half-hour drive, and Las Vegas, Nevada, about four hours. While you're in the area, check out Zion National Park, which is less than two hours southwest; Grand Canyon National Park, which is five hours southwest. And Canyonlands National Park, which is five hours northeast. If you go: The hikes are between one and two miles. Lug traction footwear is required and must be presented when signing up for tickets. Waterproof hiking boots are required during the winter. Also be sure to bring drinking water and a jacket. Flashlights are not allowed. Rangers may allow flash photography with certain restrictions. Children 5 or younger are not permitted. Bat watching . The cave at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a part-time home to Brazilian free-tailed bats. The bats swirl out of the cave just before dusk to hunt and return gorged with food before dawn. The park hosts nightly bat watches in the Bat Flight Amphitheater. Before the bats fly, park rangers give an interpretative program explaining why bats use the cave as a place to raise pups. When: Programs take place between mid-April and late October, depending on when the bats migrate to and from Mexico. Carlsbad Caverns' bat population varies, but the best times to view them are generally in July and August. Where: Carlsbad Caverns National Park is in the southeast corner of New Mexico, about a two and a half hour drive east of El Paso, Texas, and two hours south of Roswell. The programs are held at the Bat Flight Amphitheater, which is in front of the Carlsbad Cavern opening. Start times vary with changing daylight times in the spring, summer and early fall. Call the Bat Flight information line 575-785-3012 for updates on start times. There is no cost to attend. If you go: There is wheelchair access to the amphitheater. Use of cameras, including video and cell phones, is prohibited as the flashes and sounds can disturb these wild animals. Pets are not allowed.

Night events are scheduled in national parks and wildlife refuges through December . Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is home to endangered red wolves . Scorpions glow under ultraviolet light because of proteins in their exoskeletons . Colonies of bats exit the Carlsbad Caverns caves together every evening to hunt .

(CNN) -- Tom Stuker jokes that his home is "in Row One in a nice, big plane." The 57-year-old car dealership consultant is a mega-frequent flier who has racked up 9.7 million miles during 5,000 flights over the past three decades -- and he's got the stories to prove it. "I've experienced aborted takeoffs, aborted landings, near misses and passenger deaths on three different flights." Sure, his status as frequent-flier king earns him royal treatment. But the U.S. commercial airline system often leaves him stranded like millions of other travelers. To deal with potential gridlock from the 1 billion U.S. air passengers expected to crowd the skies by 2021, the FAA is overhauling its traffic system, which has remained largely unchanged for 30 years. The overhaul is called NextGen and components of the air traffic program are already in use or being tested at airports in several U.S. cities including Philadelphia, Houston, Seattle and Louisville, Kentucky. That's none too soon if you ask Stuker, who like many travelers believes the current traffic infrastructure is showing signs of stress. Stuker, who lives in Illinois and New Jersey, usually flies out of Chicago's O'Hare and Newark's Liberty airports bound for Los Angeles or Australia. He's spent countless hours on airport tarmacs waiting to take off -- only to return to the gate when the flight is canceled. "When I'm sitting in first class, I can't complain," he said. But what really frustrates Stuker are flights that fail to arrive on time. "It's the missing of connections which is so screwed up," said Stuker. "The airline on-time ratings are so low -- even since 9/11 when air traffic went down." In fact, from 1990 to 2008, the national average for all delayed flights increased from 41 minutes to an hour, according to the Brookings Institution. Millions of consumers are so frustrated with the airline experience that they're avoiding it, and delays are part of the problem. Some 41 million potential fliers chose not to travel by air from May 2007 to May 2008, according to Geoff Freeman of the U.S. Travel Association. That translates into $26.5 billion in lost spending that could have boosted a recession-dogged economy. "The result is less travel, less spending, fewer American jobs," he said. But as the nation emerges from recession, air passenger traffic will explode, say experts. The NextGen overhaul is so complicated and massive that it's often compared to the space race of the 1960s. It will take until at least 2025 to complete and will have an estimated total price of $22 billion. However, long delays and additional costs are threatening to add hundreds of millions of dollars to the project, according to the Department of Transportation. When it's done, technology and communication improvements in aircraft and at airports promise to save consumers time, money and headaches. A major pillar of NextGen involves tracking aircraft. Currently, aircraft are tracked by radar, a technology that dates to before World War II. NextGen aims to switch its tracking system to a technology that millions of travelers have had in their pockets for years: global satellite positioning, or GPS. Tracking aircraft by satellite is more accurate than radar. Currently, planes must fly zig-zag routes to stay close to ground-based radar tracking stations. With GPS technology called ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast), planes can be tracked while flying in straight-line routes. These routes are shorter. They save thousands of hours of travel time, millions of gallons of fuel and millions of dollars. "There are some estimates that flights could be 10% to 20% shorter in the short distances and a few percent better in the long distances," said air industry consultant Michael Miller of Miller Air Group. Shorter routes use less fuel, which could cut airline costs. "It could eventually bring down airfares, but not until the entire system is upgraded," Miller said. Southwest Airlines has been using the technology about a year and expects to save $60 million in annual fuel costs by 2020, when ADS-B is mandated for use nationwide. Alaska Airlines has been using GPS-based NextGen technology since the mid-'90s to enable planes to fly safely through mountainous terrain in low visibility weather. This technology, called Required Navigation Performance, allowed Alaska Airlines to avoid canceling low-visibility flights, saving it $15.8 million last year. On the ground, NextGen calls for new cooperative systems between airports, traffic controllers and airlines. Airlines sharing precise information about where their flights are on the tarmac and exactly when aircraft are expected to depart their gates can save up to 4½ minutes per flight in delays, said Mike Romanowski, the FAA's top NextGen official. Travelers may have more flights to choose from on certain routes because of NextGen. More accurate tracking with GPS technology ultimately would allow more aircraft to follow each other safely at closer range. "But we're not just going to throw capacity where it doesn't make sense," warns the Air Transport Association's Tom Hendricks. "We will be much more able to respond to that consumer demand." This all sounds like good news to a frequent flier like Stuker, but he knows dealing with congestion won't solve the whole problem. "Whether a person travels once a year or 300 times a year, it will make their ongoing travel more seamless," Stuker speculated. "But you've still got the problems on the ground. You've still got the actual boarding of the plane and getting in line -- I mean, that's where the frustration comes from, you know?" Stuker admitted he doesn't spend much time waiting in line these days, thanks to his mega-frequent flier status. When facing a tricky connection, he's greeted at the terminal by helpful golf-cart drivers who whisk him to his next flight. If the connection is really tight, the airline will actually escort Stuker directly from the plane to the tarmac where a vehicle will drive him to his next gate. "They treat me like I own the airport," he said. But Stuker is quick to remind himself that he's not too disconnected from his coach-class traveler days. Increased capacity and demand could affect even him. Airports say they're watching developments carefully. Officials at the nation's busiest airport, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson, don't know when the FAA plans to unveil NextGen there. But they don't expect to see it reduce aircraft delays for many years. The clock is ticking. Takeoffs and landings at U.S. airports are expected to top 69 million in 20 years. Stuker said he expects to cross the 10-million-mile mark sometime in August. When NextGen takes hold, he'll still be dreaming of his favorite destination in the entire world: "home." If NextGen goes as planned, he'll get there quicker and arrive on time. This is part one of a three-part series of stories surrounding the FAA's "NextGen" overhaul of the U.S. air traffic system. Check back on Wednesday for more on the technology involved and how it might be used in other fields. CNN's Steve Kastenbaum, Patrick Oppmann and Sean O'Key contributed to this report.

Mega-frequent flier: Better air tracking system needed . Missing connections is "screwed up," says flier with 9.7 million miles . Massive FAA overhaul aims to cut flight times, reduce late arrivals . It's possible it might cut airfares within decades, expert says .

(CNN) -- LeBron James is a grown man who made a grownup decision to take his massive basketball-playing ability from Cleveland to Miami in a desire to get the one thing every true baller desires: the opportunity to call yourself a champion. Forget all the nonsense about him "owing" his hometown and how his legacy could have been cemented had he stayed in the Midwest and continued to try to win a title in Cleveland. LeBron had the absolute right to pick up his things and go where he thought it was best to win, and he did it. Enough with all of this ridiculous chatter that he's a selfish, spoiled basketball prodigy. LeBron was an employee of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had no ownership stake and no control. Everyone talks about what his presence meant to the Cleveland economy. Did he own any of those businesses? No. But he made them, and the Cavaliers, richer by his play. There is undoubtedly a tradeoff, because being a star athlete is a two-way street. You become richer by virtue of folks coming to see you play, and the league, team, marketers and surrounding businesses get to piggyback off of your success. LeBron gave them a solid seven seasons, and everyone enjoyed the ride. Say thank you for the LeBron gravy train, and now, like any smart business owner, you need to figure out your next revenue stream. Now, let's deal with the fans. I read with fascination about how LeBron "owed" the fans. Really? What exactly did he owe them? We need to stop with this belief that fans in a city "own" a particular player. We get to sit back and enjoy the skills of these modern-day gladiators in our gleaming new Colosseums, while they bust their butts, play injured and have to take all of the criticism when things go bad. As fans, we justify it all by saying, "Well, he's getting millions to play, so he should shut up." We need to grow up and realize that once his playing days are over, we will say, "Thanks, LeBron, now move over so we can worship the next stud." In fact, when a particular athlete has overstayed their welcome, the fans are the loudest in telling him to leave the court. To me, there is a huge difference between a player like LeBron James and Albert Haynesworth of the Washington Redskins. Albert has pocketed nearly $40 million and has refused to show up at training sessions with Washington because he doesn't like the defensive scheme. That is dumb. LeBron showed up and did his part, and when his contract was up, he exercised his free will to do as he pleased and shop his talents. He did what every single American wants: to go to a new job where the desires you always wanted can be fulfilled. So how is that wrong? No one -- athlete, stockbroker, Wal-Mart greeter, grocery store clerk, secretary, journalist -- wants to be treated like they are a piece of property. We all desire the freedom that comes with making our own choice as to where we want to work and achieve the goals in life that we all set. I can identify with that. In 1993, I decided to leave the Austin American-Statesman, where I was the county government reporter. The then-city editor sat across from me and said, "I felt like it was a punch in the gut when told you were leaving." He had an indignant, paternalistic tone that I found offensive. See, I was making $24,000. When the Houston Chronicle pursued me for a job a few months earlier that would be around $27,000, I was told I was talking myself out of a job in Austin. So when the Fort Worth Star-Telegram offered me a gig at $32,000, I didn't even bother seeing whether Austin wanted to counter. The new job allowed me to go to a bigger market and have the upward mobility I desired, so I took the job. So I told the city editor, "Look, you didn't take some kid off the street, teach him how to talk, write and dress. You paid me for a service, and I delivered. Now I'm choosing to take my skills elsewhere." I then got up and left the meeting. It was offensive to me that my bosses at the paper felt like I was being an ungrateful employee. I wanted to do more with my talents, and I refused to allow someone to make me feel bad about my decision. It's my life, my career, my choice. So how is that bad? Now I get folks who didn't like LeBron having a one-hour special to announce his decision. But we are all used to the hype in sports. Do we really need a six-hour pregame show for the Super Bowl? Can't we play the NBA All-Star Game without all of the side attractions? Would boxing be boxing without the wild and crazy news conferences? Hype and sports go hand-in-hand. That's why I found the letter written by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert so pathetic. Here is a man who was enriched by the play of LeBron James; according to Forbes, the value of the franchise increased by $100 million with his on-court performance. Yet instead of being a gracious owner and simply reaffirming his commitment to the fans to put a winning team on the court, Gilbert ripped LeBron to shreds, calling him "narcissistic" and his decision to leave a "cowardly betrayal" and "a shameful display of selfishness." Gilbert even went on to trash all athletes by saying, "It's time for people to hold these athletes accountable for their actions. Is this the way you raise your children?" In an interview, Gilbert later said LeBron quit on the team in the playoffs the past two years. Really? So if he was all of that, Dan, why did you want to re-sign him? Who wants a quitter on his team? If LeBron had chosen to stay in Cleveland, rich boy Dan would have been all smiles, slapping his back, getting ready to count the money he could make off of the back of LeBron. So who would have been the real selfish, narcissistic individual, Dan? Gilbert now says it's time to speak out against LeBron, yet as long as James made him richer, he would have kept quiet. Sorry, Dan, you've pimped LeBron long enough. LeBron showed Dan Gilbert that only LeBron owes LeBron an explanation. No owner, CEO or boss has the right to demand that someone stay as an employee. The employee has a right to live their life as they see fit. As the CEO of LeBron James Inc., he did what's in the best of interest of him. And as the most important shareholder, isn't that what he's supposed to do? I'm sorry, folks, but the loyalty that used to exist from teams and companies is gone. Some still believe in it, but for many of us, we're simply a dot on the spreadsheet. Business is cutthroat, and we have to accept that reality. So, King James, go to Miami and do your thing. Grow your corporation to be as big as you want it to be. And never look back at the haters who are mad you chose not to act like a highly paid indentured servant or 21st-century slave, held in place by the invisible shackles dressed up as loyalty to a city, owing the fans and satisfying someone who is clearly an ungrateful owner. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Roland Martin.

Roland Martin says LeBron James is a grown man who made a grownup decision . He says James doesn't owe his former employer or city loyalty . Martin: James acted in his own interest, as he should . Cavaliers owner was wrong to rip James as "narcissistic," Martin says .

(CNN) -- In my previous CNN opinion piece, I explained to readers my reasons why President Obama should not be re-elected. Many keen readers responded: If those are the reasons to vote against Obama, then what are the reasons to vote for Mitt Romney? Opinion: Why debate is crucial for Obama, too . This is an entirely fair question; Romney's obligation is to make the case to the American people why he should be president. Here, then, are my reasons to vote for Romney. Business and management career success . The American economy is in desperate need of a turnaround artist. Mitt Romney has made his career in the private sector doing exactly that -- turning around failing business and enterprises. During his time at Bain Capital, Romney was responsible for building companies that Americans shop at everyday -- Staples, Domino's Pizza, Sports Authority, and Brookstone. Of course, not all of his investments were successful and some companies failed, but on the whole, Bain Capital's returns for its investors were nothing short of stellar. In its independent analysis of Bain's record, The Wall Street Journal reported, "Bain produced about $2.5 billion in gains for its investors in the 77 deals, on about $1.1 billion invested. Overall, Bain recorded roughly 50% to 80% annual gains in this period, which experts said was among the best track records for buyout firms in that era." How to watch, clip and share the debate . Romney was one of the most successful venture capitalists of the late 1980s and 1990s. The Obama administration attacks Romney's business career, but praises that of billionaire investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett. That's quite the double standard. Perhaps, they should heed President Bill Clinton, who called Romney's business record "sterling." Opinion: Obama, light a cig; Romney, throw deep . Romney's success didn't end at Bain. In 1999, he left to rescue the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics from the verge of collapse. Romney took control and managed the Olympics from debt and disaster into a national success. If Romney can thrive in the private sector, where 5 of 10 small businesses fail within five years, and the public sector, where regulations and inefficiencies often stifle success, surely he can help the U.S. economy back to its feet. Executive governing experience . Romney took office as governor of Massachusetts in 2003, at a time when the state was undergoing its own recession. After the dot-com bubble burst, Massachusetts lost more than 200,000 jobs and had a $3 billion budget shortfall. Romney closed the budget deficit without raising state taxes, but by raising fees and closing tax loopholes. Although the number of jobs created during his term was ranked near the bottom compared with other states, Massachusetts did progress from shedding jobs to creating tens of thousands. The unemployment rate dropped from 5.6% to 4.7%. And he accomplished all this with a Democrat legislature. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Massachusetts topped the nation in eighth grade math and reading scores in 2007, the last year of Romney's term. While Romney did inherit what was arguably already the best school system in the country, he continued his own conservative reforms and was a good steward of the state education system in place. Today it consistently ranks as the best state education system in the United States. And thanks to Romney's state-led health care reform, in 2012, Massachusetts had the lowest percentage of uninsured, at 4.9%, according to a Gallup survey. Character and leadership . To hear many in the mainstream media describe Mitt Romney, he's out-of-touch, stiff, insensitive and uncaring. In reality, Mitt Romney, the man, husband and leader, is a deeply benevolent, compassionate, and generous man. But he must tell his story. For example, in July 1996, Romney closed down all of Bain Capital and sent his employees to New York City to search for the 14-year-old daughter of Robert Gay, a partner at Bain Capital. She had snuck off to a rave party in New York City and had been missing for three days. Romney set up a command search center in New York City, coordinated with the New York Police Department, put up posters all over the city, and sent out alerts. It wasn't long before the young girl was found in a basement suffering from ecstasy withdrawal. Referring to Romney's efforts, Gay said: "It was the most amazing thing, and I'll never forget this to the day I die." Opinion: Why you shouldn't vote for Obama . At the Republican Convention, Ted and Pat Oparowski told the tear-jerking story of their 14-year-old son, David, who was diagnosed with terminal Hodgkin's disease. Romney visited him frequently, becoming a close friend. At David's request, he wrote the young man's will and gave the eulogy at his funeral. These are the untold stories of a good and decent man. In 2011, Romney and his wife, Ann, gave almost 30% of their income to charity, more than $4 million. As Romney likes to say, compassion isn't measured by welfare or food stamps, but by the ability to lift people off welfare and food stamps. Each year he gives millions of his own dollars to help people in such a way. Romney's plan . After four years of President Obama's failed economic leadership, Romney would bring to the White House a specific, detailed plan for returning to fiscal responsibility and job creation. His plan would cut federal spending as a share of GDP to 20% by 2016. It would reform our complex tax code by reducing tax rates 20% across the board while eliminating loopholes, specifically those for the highest earners, and maintaining revenue neutrality. It would also reduce the U.S. corporate tax rate, now the highest in the world, to 25%. Under a Romney administration, the largest drivers of our debt would be reformed by giving more choice and responsibility to individuals rather than bureaucrats for managing their Medicare and Social Security. In the case of Medicaid, it would be block granted and sent back to the states. Romney's plan will reduce onerous regulations and taxes, like Obamacare, and usher in a new era of fiscal certainty for business owners and entrepreneurs. In debates, presidential candidates' tics and tells matter . Romney will also champion energy independence, will approve the Keystone pipeline and stop the Environmental Protection Agency's regulatory war on coal. Borrowing from his experience in Massachusetts, Romney will push for more school choice for parents and students, performance pay for teachers, and, with 3 million skilled jobs going begging, new skills training for skilled workers. Finally, his pick of Rep. Paul Ryan as his vice presidential candidate cements his conservative credentials as a fiscal reformer bent on tackling the debt and entitlements, something our current president ignored. Romney's experience and success in both government and business, his leadership in public office, as well as his compassion in private, make him a man qualified and equipped to lead America's comeback, certainly more qualified than Barack Obama before his candidacy for the White House in 2008. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of William Bennett.

William Bennett says Romney's business acumen gives him an advantage at fixing economy . Bennett: Romney is portrayed as uncaring, but he is compassionate and generous . Bennett: He would cut federal spending as a share of GDP to 20%, reform tax code . Romney will approve the Keystone pipeline and stop EPA's war on coal, he says .

Doha, Qatar (CNN) -- Delegates representing Arab and African nations and NATO coalesced behind the Libyan rebels at a summit in Qatar on Wednesday, promising more humanitarian aid and money channeled through a temporary trust fund of sorts. Members of what is called the Libya Contact Group agreed that a temporary financial mechanism could provide a way to get money to the Libyan opposition. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said participants in the Qatari capital, Doha, were discussing the possibility of using frozen Libyan assets for the fund. "I think this discussion about the trust fund is very interesting," he told reporters. "And we will look into it because the frozen international money belongs, if it's government money, to the people of Libya." Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, deputy chairman of Libya's National Transitional Council, the country's opposition body, said Wednesday night that international delegates had agreed to make the funds available. Ghoga said more than $100 billion in regime funds would be unfrozen and made available to the opposition, though he did not say which country or countries would release the funds, or when. He also said rebels requested that NATO intensify its airstrikes and protection of the civilian population. The funding decision came amid a grim assessment of the humanitarian fallout from the Libyan conflict and reports of mounting civilian casualties. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the delegates that in a worst-case scenario, as many as 3.6 million strife-affected people could eventually require help, and that the money to provide that help has been slow in coming. So far the United Nations has seen only 39% of the $310 million it requested in emergency funding, "clearly insufficient given the prospective need," Ban said. "It is critical that the international community act in concert, that we speak with one voice, and that we continue to work in common cause on behalf of the Libyan people," he said. The international delegates were meeting with Libyan opposition leaders in an attempt to work out a peaceful end to the deadly impasse in the North African nation. Despite a NATO-led aerial campaign and rebels fighting on the ground, leader Moammar Gadhafi has shown no signs of acquiescing. Among the high-profile attendees in Doha is Gadhafi's former intelligence chief and foreign minister, Moussa Koussa, who fled to Britain last month. Ghoga said Koussa was not invited to any of the meetings, however. "Nobody from the National Transitional Council even considered meeting up with him," Ghoga said. "It is our belief that Moussa Koussa was seeking to get residency in Doha, or future residency." Rebel spokesman Shamsiddin Abdulmolah had said the opposition was open to meeting with Koussa if he first made clear, in writing, what he has to offer. The Libyan Contact Group was formed after a London conference on Libya last month. The first meeting in Doha comes as civilian casualties continued to mount. The besieged western city of Misrata has been especially vulnerable. Gadhafi's tanks have been pounding the city, where several more people were killed Wednesday, Abdulmolah said. Tuesday, a doctor told CNN, at least 10 people were killed and 30 were wounded. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that Gadhafi's forces have reportedly destroyed crucial food supply warehouses in Misrata and cut off water and power to the city "in an apparent attempt to starve (residents) into submission." Snipers have targeted Misrata residents seeking medical attention, she said. A military official said on state-run television that NATO "airstrikes hit Misrata's main road of Tripoli Street, resulting in civilian casualties." The official said the towns of al-Sbai'ah, Aziziyah and Sirte were also hit by "the colonial crusader enemy." U.S. fighter jets have continued to fly bombing missions in the NATO-led campaign, Pentagon spokesman Col. David Lapan said Wednesday, although U.S. officials had previously indicated in public comments that the U.S. mission had become limited to providing support, including refueling and electronic jamming. Lapan said the U.S. aircraft assigned to NATO are ordered to defend the pilots who are enforcing the no-fly zone, and nothing more. NATO, he said, must still request U.S. strike aircraft should they want them for offensive operations. British Foreign Secretary William Hague and French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe both called Tuesday for NATO to get more aggressive with the airstrikes in Libya, and opposition members urged the international community to implement the U.N. Security Council resolution that calls for "all necessary measures to protect civilians under threat of attack." Libyan National Transitional Council member Ali Issawi said the rebels should be supported with military supplies. He said the Libyan people ought to have the right to defend themselves. Ghoga said the opposition has submitted a wish list of military equipment to Qatar and France. He said the list was compiled by rebel military leaders, but he didn't know exactly what was being requested. "I don't think there's going to be a problem in getting military equipment in," Ghoga said. Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, a co-chair of Wednesday's meeting, said the opposition's international allies will consider the needs. "Of course we will look at it and make things available for the Libyan people to defend themselves," he said. Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim accused Qatar late Wednesday of providing rebels in eastern Libya with Milan anti-tank warheads, but he did not say when. There was no immediate response from the Qatari government. A week ago, a CNN team in eastern Libya saw the rebels with Milan anti-tank missiles, which they didn't have before. Fighters said they obtained the missiles from the transitional government in Benghazi but didn't know where they came from. MBDA, the multinational missile manufacturer that makes the Milan missile, says it is in service in 43 countries around the world. It does not list those countries, but the military analysis site GlobalSecurity.org says the Milan missiles are used by the Qatari armed forces. "The message to Gadhafi is clear," the Qatari prime minister said. "He should use his head and those who are around him should advise him that it is in the interest of Libya, and if he is interested in Libya, then he should relinquish power and leave the Libyan people to decide their own destiny." Hague said arming the rebels would not necessarily mean violating an arms embargo imposed on Libya. "We understand the resolutions to mean the arms embargo applies to the whole of Libya, but that in certain circumstances it is possible, consistent with those resolutions, to provide people with the means to defend the civilian population," he said. The Doha meeting follows an effort earlier this week by the African Union to forge a peace plan that had been accepted in principle by Gadhafi. Ghoga and fellow rebel leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil rejected it on grounds that it did not provide any solutions to violence against the Libyan people. Meanwhile in Germany, the foreign ministry said it had summoned the Libyan ambassador to inform him of the expulsion of five Libyan diplomats. They will have to leave Germany within seven days because of accusations that they intimidated Libyan citizens in Germany. CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom, Reza Sayah and Frederik Pleitgen contributed to this report .

Delegates agree to set up a funding mechanism for the opposition . The Doha meeting convenes as civilian casualties mount . Ban Ki-moon: As many as 3.6 million people could need help in the Libya conflict . The rebels have asked for arms .

(CNN) -- There are plenty of times when I literally wish I could take a hammer to the portrayal of girls and women in the media. In a new ad, a little girl gets to do just that. The ad is by the provocative toy maker GoldieBlox, which captured national attention last year when its ad encouraging girls to "disrupt the pink aisle" and become inventors went viral and led to a Super Bowl commercial. In this newest ad, a girl, armed with a hammer, breaks rank from the other girls, who are dressed in pink, wearing high heels and picking up Barbie dolls, and silences a machine showcasing a robotic "1984"-like figure who is repeating, "You are beauty and beauty is perfection." "Take that, beauty talk" is no doubt the message of the ad, before revealing a new toy for girls: A girl action figure holding a hammer. "I think it's fantastic. Girls have idolized Barbie for way too long," said Laura Beyer, a mom of two grown children in West Allis, Wisconsin. "This finally allows them to break the mold." Ellen Williams, co-founder of the blog Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms, had an equally positive reaction. "It was about girls being more than their exteriors," she said. "My 16-year-old daughter curls her hair and does her nails every week, but she also is in the robotics club and takes AP calculus." The more representations of what it means to be a girl, the better, said Avital Norman Nathman, editor of the motherhood anthology "The Good Mother Myth." "While I'm not sure if one ad has the ability to undo all of the other ads out there that send the opposite message, it at least shows that there are choices out there and not one prescribed way to be a girl," said Norman Nathan, who is also founder of the blog The Mamafesto. The ad does have its share of critics too, especially those who think a company trying to bust gender stereotypes might be pushing some at the same time. "It doesn't surprise me that the doll, despite its proclamation that it is here to break the beauty mold, still has a slender figure and long full blond hair," said the children's television host who goes by the name Miss Lori. But here's my question: Do ads like the one by GoldieBlox really empower girls? We have seen a string of female empowerment ads recently -- from the incredibly popular "Run Like a Girl" campaign by Always, which has more than 50 million views on You Tube, to Pantene showcasing how often women apologize to the Dove "Beauty Patch" and HelloFlo's hilarious "Camp Gyno" about a girl getting her period for the first time. Audrey Mann Cronin, a communications consultant, said she used the Pantene ad on how women apologize much more than men during a recent presentation to illustrate the need for female empowerment. "We need to empower girls and women to find their own authentic voice, but sometimes we all need permission -- and inspiring ads can be very effective as they drive conversation," said Mann Cronin, who is also the founder of the blog, "Say It Like You Mean It." The ads themselves, many women say, may not be empowering girls, but it's the conversations they are sparking that actually do. "I've sat down with my 9-year-old daughter to watch many of these ads, and we always end up having great conversations afterwards about how not all girls are the same and it's OK for girls to like and be anything they want," said Sharon Choksi, co-founder of Girls Will Be, a company providing empowering clothing for girls. "Those seem like simple concepts but all our kids are bombarded every day with messages that try to tell them otherwise and try to place limits on them based solely on their gender." Raising awareness about key issues affecting girls and young women is a big plus of the ads, said Micky Morrison, a mom of two and founder of BabyWeightTV. "So that girls can start to see how they are being manipulated in subtle ways and discriminated against, so that they learn to stand up for themselves." Diana Graber teaches digital literacy in schools and recently wrapped up a middle school unit on gender stereotypes in the media. She says young people are stressed and angry about "the unhealthy and unattainable images they are assaulted with daily ... so why not 'flip the switch' and empower young children with strong messages" like the one in the latest GoldieBlox ad, said Graber, co-founder of CyberWise.org, a digital literacy site for parents, children and educators. WATCH: The Dove beauty patch: Bad for women? The ads can get people talking, said Melissa Atkins Wardy, author of the stereotype busting book "Redefining Girly," but "empowerment can't be sold or purchased." "True, authentic empowerment comes from changing ideas, behaviors and comments that fail to give a girl full credit for who she is as an individual," said Wardy, who also runs a business providing gender empowerment clothing called Pigtail Pals & Ballcap Buddies. More and more women do seem to be demanding that companies showcase an authentic view of girls and women in their advertisements, and are rewarding those companies that do. According to a recent online survey by the women's lifestyle media platform SheKnows, 71% of women believe companies should be held responsible for using their advertising to promote positive messages to women and girls. 52% of the more than 600 women surveyed said they bought a product because they liked how the brand and its advertising portrayed women and girls, while 54% said they had stopped buying a product because they were unhappy with how women were portrayed by the brand. "Our users have indicated clearly that they want ads that celebrate authenticity and aspiration for women," said Samantha Skey, chief revenue officer for SheKnows. "And most importantly, they will get behind the brands who empower their girls." The bottom line is no doubt one motivator for corporations in getting behind gender empowerment ads. Tackling issues such as the continued disparity between men and women in certain fields such as science, technology, math and engineering is another. Verizon recently launched an ad called "Inspire Her Mind," designed to send a message to parents about encouraging girls to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields and compete for the higher-paid tech jobs in the future. "Corporate engagement isn't optional when it comes to solving pressing social issues," said Rose Kirk, president of the Verizon Foundation and vice president of global corporate citizenship at Verizon. "We are missing a big opportunity and failing these girls if we don't find creative ways to close the gender gap quickly." While we talk about the impact these ads could have on girls and young women, there is also the thinking by some that they are more important for boys and men. "We need more images of girl power and realistically beautiful women sewn into the fabric of entertainment and commercialism in order to reverse the longstanding socializing of our boys and men to expect girls to be girly and women to be sexy first and sometimes only," said Miss Lori, who is also a social media strategist and Babble.com contributor. "My girls know they are strong and capable. They just need the rest of the world to get out of their way and let them be what they were born to be: powerful people, not just powerful girls." Do you get think ads like the new one by GoldieBlox truly empower girls? Tell Kelly Wallace on Twitter or CNN Living on Facebook.

New ad by the toy maker GoldieBlox smashes the idea "beauty is perfection" The company's first ad went viral last year and led to a Super Bowl spot . Ads like these, women say, empower women by sparking conversations . Female empowerment ads are also good for the bottom line, women's media expert says .

(CNN) -- It was bound to happen eventually. But Marc Marquez has looked so utterly indomitable since the start of the MotoGP season in March, that it still felt strange when it did. The immaculate Spaniard finally succumbed to racing mortality in the Czech Republic, failing to win for the first time in 2014. The fact that he didn't even make the podium in Brno just over two weeks ago made it seem even stranger. This Sunday, at one of motorsport's fastest and most famous tracks -- the UK's Silverstone -- Marquez will be seeking to bounce back. What's more, the youngest world champion in motorcycling's elite class is feeling relaxed now that his record-equaling 10-race winning run has ended. "I feel a little bit less pressure," he told CNN this week, "because nobody will ask me again if I can win all the races." The brutally quick Silverstone circuit is also one that the ever-smiling 21-year-old enjoys, in spite of the dependably capricious British weather. "I always feel good there, and we try to be ready for rain conditions and for dry conditions because the forecast is really unstable, but this year looks okay -- we will try to enjoy it, and try to do our best," said the Honda rider, who last year finished second at Silverstone in his debut season in MotoGP. Marquez's teammate and compatriot Dani Pedrosa finally managed to put one over on his young rival in Brno, and goes into the race contented following his first victory since Malaysia last October. He is second overall in the standings, 77 points behind Marquez with seven races to go. "We had a great weekend in Brno and a good test on the Monday," said the 28-year-old, who was third here in 2013. "We had quite a good race here last year, I had to recover some gap to the front but it was good. I'm happy to be here and the weather is looking good, so hopefully we can have a strong weekend." Former champion Jorge Lorenzo, seeking to improve on two consecutive runner-up finishes, is sensing that the season might be finally coming together for him and his factory Yamaha. "After three consecutive podiums I feel good," said the Spaniard, who has won at Silverstone three of the past last four years. "Last weekend in Brno we found some good solutions that surely will give us at least a tenth (of a second) in the next races." Almost 160,000 spectators swarmed to last year's British MotoGP, and those gathering this year will dine on an unexpected feast of homegrown riders in the premier class. Among them is Scott Redding, a rookie MotoGP rider who knows all about beating Marquez -- because he's done it, albeit in the sport's lower classes. Redding won the Moto2 race here last year, and also triumphed in the 125 cc class back in 2008 as a 15-year-old. He's been on podium four out of six times at his home event. "I like the character of Silverstone, a fast-flowing track, big open areas, with speed, and that's what gives you adrenaline," the 21-year-old said. Redding also enjoys the atmosphere of his home crowd: "I don't look at it as pressure. I look at it as support. I feel like every one of the fans that are cheering -- even if they're cheering for Marc Marquez -- it feels like they're cheering for me." Riding an Open-class Gresini Honda means, however, that he will not be troubling the podium this year -- his bike is way off the pace. "It is a bit annoying and it does disappoint me a bit," he explained. Rumors that Redding will be riding a factory spec bike next year are welcomed by Marquez. "I hope Scott is on a factory Honda next year as I think he's got good potential," the world champion told Bike Social. "I enjoyed riding with him in Moto2, he's a really good rider, really aggressive and keeps pushing all the time." Bradley Smith, riding for the satellite Yamaha Tech team, is currently the Briton most likely to break into the top five. With the ink barely dry on a new contract for next season, the thoughtful 23-year-old is in good spirits. "I know the team well; I'll be going into my fifth season, I know the bike now, so it's good," he told CNN. "I don't really want to have to learn a new motorcycle and how to ride it." Smith admits the Marquez domination was embarrassing for his fellow riders, and expects the Repsol Honda man to bounce straight back after his Brno blip. "It was hard work ... it makes us look rubbish at the end of the day. It's monotonous, it's the same old Marc, Marc, Marc, Marc, which I understand," Smith said. "I expect him to come out fighting at Silverstone, but now that's given confidence to Dani, Jorge and Valentino (Rossi), that they have got a chance, and there is a slight weakness, and they've just got to keep opening that up." Last year all British eyes were on the charismatic, straight-talking Cal Crutchlow, who had amazed spectators in 2012 by registering a sixth place from the back of the grid while riding with a freshly broken ankle. Last year's race was disappointing, however, and this year he is enduring an ordeal of a season with Ducati. "I normally leave here on Sunday night completely smashed on drugs that they've given me from the medical center," Crutchlow joked at a recent media event held by British broadcaster BT Sport. He puts his British MotoGP crashes down to simply trying too hard: "Problem was I wanted to win too early, I never saved it for the race; I wanted to win the practices." Crutchlow believes that Marquez's dominance has benefited the sport: "It's not boring, because people were tuning in to see if he'd win again. He dominated most of the races; he was really playing with people." He also reckons the Spaniard was unlucky in Brno. "We know he had a tire problem, as did a lot of the riders over the weekend, and I think he would have put up a lot more of a fight than he did." The three top Brits all see positive signs for the future of the sport in the UK. The British MotoGP is moving to a £280 million ($460 million) new purpose-built complex in Wales in 2016. "It's a fantastic facility, and looks great for motorcycle racing in general," Smith said. Redding, however, warns that Britain -- and the world -- has a long way to go to match Spain. "You go to Spain and it's a completely different ball game. I spent the last two years training in Spain, and that's what's changed me as a rider," he told CNN. "You see riders at the age of six come in on their lunch break from school, go an hour riding and then go back to school ... the passion you get there is unbelievable and it makes a massive difference."

Marc Marquez is seeking to bounce back at this weekend's British Grand Prix . The MotoGP leader finished fourth in Brno, ending his unbeaten run in 2014 . Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa is only other rider to win a race this season . Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo seeking his third successive Silverstone success .

(CNN) -- Spain, a eurozone behemoth, is in the crosshairs of Europe's financial crisis. The country is suffering from soaring borrowing costs, a banking system leaking cash and unemployment rates at devastating levels. Greece might be risking expulsion from the eurozone but Spain's situation is a focus of concern. If such a major economy were to fail, the repercussions could cause unprecedented havoc across Europe -- and the globe. Just how bad is the pain in Spain? On Thursday, Spain will reveal its 2013 budget, which is expected to introduce harsh new austerity measures. Reports have suggested they could match the potential requirements of a full sovereign bailout. According to Michala Marcussen, Societe Generale economist, "substantial efforts" will be required to meet a budget deficit target of 4.5%. Pension reforms are possible, such as fast-tracking plans to increase the retirement age to 67 from 65, while taxation and labor markets could also be targeted, Marcussen noted. The budget is followed by Friday's release of the country's banking audit, which is expected to reveal details of the sector's financial needs. Consensus sits at €60 billion and "too low a number will raise concerns that there are more hidden losses to come -- all the more given the very frail economic backdrop," Marcussen wrote in an analysis note. The audit follows an agreement by eurozone finance ministers in June to give aid to Spain, tagging up to €100 billion to shore up its banking sector. At the time, Spain's prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, said the deal meant "European credibility won, the future of the euro won [and] Europe won." The country has been facing credit issues after its financial problems were thrown into sharp relief by the bailout of Bankia, the country's fourth-largest bank. Bankia was forced to call for €19 billion ($23.7 billion) in assistance in May, panicking markets. It sent Spain's cost of borrowing (for the sovereign 10-year bond) toward 7% -- a level which is regarded as unsustainable and has precipitated bailouts of other euro countries. But Spain -- in its second recession since 2009 -- has been dubbed "too big to bail, too big to fail." The Spanish economy is the eurozone's fourth-largest -- after Germany, France and Italy -- making up around 11% of the bloc's GDP. To put that in perspective, Greece, Portugal and Ireland -- the three eurozone countries which have already been bailed out -- combined make up less than 6% of the bloc's economy. A request for aid would likely create a backlash in the markets and test the European Central Bank's plan to buy up sovereign bonds on the secondary market. How did Spain reach this point? Spain's banking sector is facing up to years of bad investments, largely in real estate, which was buoyed by cheap credit and the country's sunny climate. Its housing boom-times of 2002 to 2008 were fed, in part, by retired north Europeans buying up second houses in places such as Valencia and Murcia, according to political scientist Julio Embid, of think-tank Fundación Alternativas. Real estate prices have now fallen some 30% to 50% from their highs, leaving Spain's banks, or cajas with housing stock on their books whose current value is much lower than the original. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of houses built during the boom remain unsold, and people wanting to buy may find it difficult to get credit. Embid also points to the cajas' politically-driven executive appointments as a contributing factor to the crisis. "Many senior bankers were low-profile regional politicians or majors, without any financial experience or bank background," he said. What has Spain done to try and sort through this mess? The government set up the FROB (Fund for Orderly Bank Restructuring) in 2009, to help reorganize its banking sector, and has received international recognition for its efforts to date. According to April's International Monetary Fund report, the country has reduced the number of financial institutions from 45 to 11. The report noted: "The authorities are, rightly, focusing on strengthening the banking sector." It said the authorities were showing "an appropriate sense of urgency" but also warned that "unless the weak institutions are quickly and adequately cleaned up, the sound banks will suffer unnecessarily by a continued loss of market confidence in the banking sector." As it stands, the banks have an estimated €300 billion of problem loans on their books, with the full cost of recovery not yet clear. What other headaches does Spain face? In addition to the financial sector's problems, Spain could be liable for the debts of several regional governments, which have been hit with ratings downgrades. Spain also has an unemployment crisis, with more than half those under 24 out of work, and almost one in four people overall. Spain's jobless rate has helped pushed the eurozone's total unemployment rate to 11% -- its highest since the eurozone was created in 1999. Why is the economy collapsing now? The situation in Spain has developed like a perfect storm, with money being pulled out of the country, despite the desperate need to stem capital flight and support its banking system. This leaves Spain in a precarious financial state, driving investors away, pushing up its borrowing costs and making it more likely to need a bailout. It's a reminder of how governments are inextricably tied to their country's banking systems, essentially the lifeblood of their economy. In Ireland, the banking sector's similar gorge on property forced the country to take a €67.5 billion bailout in 2010. The mood of the markets may, ultimately, dictate Spain's ability to pull itself from its financial hole. Investors already twitchy about the prospect of a "Grexit" -- a Greek exit from the euro -- will react badly to further bad news out of Spain. Ratings agency Standard & Poor's has put the chance of Greece exiting the euro at around one in three, but says the impact of such an outcome on other countries is not yet clear. The struggles in Europe have been exacerbated by continued miserable news out of the U.S. Where does Madrid stand when it comes to making cuts to public services? Spain's emergence as the crisis epicenter has again fed debate over the value of austerity over stimulus. Greece, the first euro country to take a bailout, has been swallowing austerity medicine since 2010. But its economy has slid further into recession, and initial hopes it could detach itself from external life-lines within two years now look wildly optimistic. Spain has also been implementing austerity measures to try and combat its crisis. Rajoy, who won a landslide victory over the Socialist Party in November 2011, focused on cost cutting and labor reforms. But, as with other fragile countries within the euro bloc, Spain's economy remains weak and its unemployment levels continue to rise. Some European leaders are now voicing concerns against austerity measures and in the U.S., the Federal Reserve has moved towards more stimulus, with further quantitative easing. CNNMoney's Aaron Smith, Alfred Souza and Ben Rooney, and CNN's Al Goodman and Tim Lister contributed to this report.

Spain, a eurozone behemoth, is in the crosshairs of Europe's financial crisis . The country faces soaring borrowing costs, a banking system in disarray and high unemployment rates . If such a major economy were to fail, the repercussions could cause unprecedented havoc across the globe . But the situation in Spain is developing like a "perfect storm," with money being pulled out of the country .

Washington (CNN) -- "They deserve a vote." President Barack Obama made that impassioned argument toward the end of his State of the Union message on Tuesday, using a strong emotional appeal to hammer home his plea for a vote in Congress on several gun control measures. He drew on the spirit of Hadiya Pendleton, the Chicago teenager who was shot dead just a week after performing during the president's inaugural weekend celebration. Her parents were sitting next to first lady Michelle Obama in the House gallery. "They deserve a vote," Obama called out again. He called on the image of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was wounded by a gunman two years ago in Arizona. "Gabby Giffords deserves a vote," he said. But in using passion to push Congress toward action, did the president go too far? And will it work? It might. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a leading Republican and tough Obama critic, told CNN's Jim Acosta that he would not block a vote on gun control in the Senate. "No, let's vote," Graham said. "I don't disagree with the president to have a debate. Let's vote. Let's find something we can agree on." West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, a gun enthusiast, also said he would not get in the way of a vote. "I won't block a vote on anything, whether I support it or not," he said. Whether Obama's plea is taken as an effective tactic that will help spur legislative action or is seen as a cheap, emotional ploy designed to push through a one-sided agenda depends on where you fall in the debate, political experts say. What Obama said Tuesday night . "That's the way to do it. If you don't do that it's not going to happen," said Alan Lizotte, dean and professor at the State University of New York at Albany's School of Criminal Justice. "You bring the families in, you bring in Giffords and it makes the case this needs to do be done," Lizotte said. In perhaps the most passionate part of his speech, Obama was also sending a message to voters, who polls have shown are divided over changes in gun law. "Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress. If you want to vote no, that's your choice. But these proposals deserve a vote," Obama said. "Because in the two months since Newtown, more than a thousand birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries have been stolen from our lives by a bullet from a gun," he said. Obama pressed on as people stood and applauded and some wiped away tears. One woman clutched a photo of a shooting victim. Graham to Obama: Stop 'cheerleading' for gun laws . Gun control advocates are hoping to capitalize on that emotion. MomsRising, a grassroots organization for mothers, plans on delivering a Valentine's Day petition with more than 150,000 signatures aimed at urging the National Rifle Association and members of Congress to "to stop blocking commonsense gun regulations." "Sandy Hook was a wakeup call for many moms across the nation. ... Moms are so upset by the current state of our gun policy and continue to be upset," said Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director and co-founder of the group. The nation's gun lobby and other gun rights advocates said they will work hard to ensure that legislation is considered without the type of emotion on display during the State of the Union address. "What I want from my legislative policy makers is a serious adult discussion, emotions are very strong and it's not what you want to make decisions on. We did that after 9/11 and we ended up with the Patriot Act," said Richard Feldman, who served as regional political director for the NRA during its rise to power in the 1980s and is president of a gun rights group, the Independent Firearm Owners Association. NRA President David Keene was similarly put off by the president's approach. Complete coverage of the gun debate . "The one thing that sort of upsets me a little bit is the president is trying to use emotion to force things through before they are rationally debated, argued and examined and that's a mistake because that's the way you get to bad policy," Keene told CNN following the president's speech. "There are going to be votes on some of these things. Some of these things may have more support than others and some of them may drop along the way as we head to the final days of this confrontation on second amendment rights," he said. Gun rights advocates are also using emotional appeals to make their point. "Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Riots. Terrorists. Gangs. Lone criminals. These are perils we are sure to face-not just maybe. It's not paranoia to buy a gun. It's survival," the NRA's executive vice president Wayne LaPierre wrote in an op-ed published Wednesday by the conservative news website, The Daily Caller. "It's responsible behavior," he continued. "And it's time we encourage law-abiding Americans to do just that." Congress is preparing to consider such measures as a ban on the manufacture of new high-powered assault weapons, cracking down on straw purchases of guns for those who can't pass background checks, curbing gun trafficking and expanding background checks. House Speaker John Boehner has said he has no plans to bring any measure up for a vote until the Senate acts first. Republicans oppose any assault weapons ban and rural-state Democrats facing tough re-election fights are unlikely to support it as well, meaning that proposal has little chance of passing Congress. There is some bipartisan support for expanded background checks, especially to keep guns out of the hands of people with mental illness. A number of lawmakers may also support limiting the size of ammunition magazines. The top Democrat in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, has a good rating from gun rights groups and has said he would work to ensure that a variety of proposals are brought to the floor for consideration. Gun focus shifts from ban to checks and trafficking . To that end, the emotional nature of the president's address could help Democrats who are in a difficult position on Obama's push for Congress to at least vote on tougher gun laws. The call places pressure on congressional Democrats, particularly in the House who may find that support of tougher gun laws could make it hard for them in the 2014 mid-term election. But bucking the party could anger the Democratic base. "I think that the emotional appeal in the State of the Union speech can be important for elected officials who have to appeal to a jurisdiction that is not overwhelmingly Republican," said Daniel Webster, director of Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. "I have some confidence that there will be support in the Senate, including from several Democrats in states with large populations who are gun owners, for passing universal background checks, funding to encourage better reporting to the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) mental health disqualifications, and measures to strengthen laws that can be used to prosecute and deter illegal gun trafficking," Webster said. However getting such legislation past the House is another matter. "I am less optimistic about these things in the House because the Republican party has so few moderates, most are in safe gerrymandered districts, and the NRA provides critical funding and grassroots resources," Webster said. "But I suspect that the party will take a hit politically if they have a deaf ear to the country's cry for much needed reforms." Gun violence plans: What's in the works . CNN's Jim Acosta contributed to this report .

Some embrace President Obama's appeal for gun control vote; others turned off . Two key Senators say they won't block effort to bring proposals to a vote . Gun control advocates aware emotionally charged environment works for them; gun rights groups see differently . Lawmakers in tough districts must consider both emotion and logic when casting votes .

(CNN) -- Juventus took a giant step towards the quarterfinals of the European Champions League following a crushing 3-0 win over Celtic. Alesandro Matri's early strike and further goals from Claudio Marchisio and Mirko Vucinic completed a perfect night's work for the Italian champions. There was also success for Paris Saint-Germain, which claimed a 2-1 away win at Valencia, although it must do without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the second leg after he was shown a straight red card. Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore had given the French club a two goal lead at the break, but Adil Rami's late strike and Ibrahimovic's dismissal means its all to play for in the French capital in three weeks time. Lisbon Lions . While PSG might still have to sweat, no such problems are expected for Serie A leaders and two-time European Cup winners Juventus. Dressed in all black and surrounded by the cauldron of Celtic Park, Juventus headed out to face one of the most intimidating atmospheres in European football. With the majority of the 57,917 crowd clad in green and white bellowing out their support for the Scottish champion, it was clear that this night was something special. Back in the knockout phase for the first time in five years, Celtic was dreaming of the glory days when it ruled the continent following its legendary cup final win of 1967. The victory over the might of Inter Milan in Lisbon, led to the team, which was to become known as the 'Lisbon Lions', becoming the first non-Latin side to win the trophy. Managed by the legendary Jock Stein, all of the players were born within a 30 mile radius of Glasgow. On May 24 1967, Lisbon was overrun with the green and white of Celtic and not that of local club Sporting. Goals from Tommy Gemmel and Stevie Chalmers secured victory over an Inter side which had won three of the four past editions of the competition. "There is not a prouder man on God's Earth than me at this moment," said Stein following the triumph. "Winning was important, but it was the way that we won that has filled me with satisfaction. "We did it by playing football; pure, beautiful, inventive football. There was not a negative thought in our heads." That night in Lisbon is never far from memory whenever the words 'Europe' and 'Celtic' are mentioned in the same breath. They are synonomous. The success of the past generation is a reminder of how Celtic became the first British club to win the competition, a fact which supporters are quick to point out at every opportunity. But while it has dominated domestically in recent years, helped by the downfall of fierce rival Glasgow Rangers, success in Europe has been more difficult to achieve. Real Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester United: Which is the biggest club? Not since it lost to Porto in the 2003 UEFA Cup final had Celtic hit the European headlines, that was until this year and its shock victory over Barcelona. A 2-1 home win against the La Liga champions helped Neil Lennon's side qualify for the last-16 and a meeting with Juventus. While the visitor appeared favorite on paper, Celtic's home form in the Champions League has been nothing short of remarkable. In its 23 matches before welcoming Juventus, Celtic had suffered just two defeats, while winning 15 and drawing six. With the second leg in Turin on March 6 to come, the home side would have hoped to secure a result in a bid to keep the tie alive. The atmosphere suggested a gladiatorial arena, the bloodcurdling noise of Celtic Park rose as the players emerged. This was Celtic's time. Foreign owners in UK football: The good the bad and the ugly . Or perhaps not. Instead, it took Juventus just three minutes to silence one of European football's most intimidating arenas. On Sunday, Efe Ambrose was celebrating Nigeria's victory in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations -- but on a freezing February night in Glasgow he was left to rue a horrendous defensive error. It was his mistake which allowed Federico Peluso's long ball to release Alessandro Matri and the striker fired home, despite Kelvin Wilson trying to clear off the line. The shock and horror was etched across the faces of the Celtic players, but slowly and surely, those emblazoned with the green and white began to show its famous spirit. Kris Commons came agonizingly close to an equalizer when his overhead kick sailed just inches wide of the far post, while Ambrose should have netted with a free header just after the hour mark. That miss was to be severely punished as Juventus wrapped the game up with 13 minutes remaining when Matri released Marchisio, who turned Scott Brown and slotted the ball home. Worse was to come for Celtic with 83 minutes on the clock when Ambrose, who only returned from South Africa on Tuesday morning, gave away possession and Vucinic raced in to score. "We need a miracle," Celtic manager Lennon told ITV. "But it's the harsh reality of Champions League football and some of my young players will learn a huge lesson tonight. "I thought for 70-odd minutes, until the second goal, we were by far the better side -- but you can't give away goals like we gave away, sloppy." How Manchester United tried to drown the stars of Real Madrid in 1957 . On a day when wrestling was dropped from the Olympics, Lennon was frustrated with the way Juventus' defenders manhandled his players at set-pieces. Time and time again, defender Stephane Lichtsteiner was grappling with Gary Hooper and Scott Brown inside the penalty area, but nothing was forthcoming from referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco. "I'd like to ask the referee, is the game different in Spain or Italy?" Lennon said. "Every time one of my players tried to move he was held. He should have given a penalty on at least two occasions." Big spending masks age of austerity for top soccer clubs . While that win all but secures Juventus' place in the last eight, PSG faces a more difficult proposition following an infuriatingly frustrating second half performance. In front of a watching David Beckham, who is hoping to make his debut within the next few weeks, PSG showed why they should be feared in this year's competition. Leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Lavezzi and Pastore, Carlo Ancelotti's men missed several golden opportunities and could have easily scored four or five at the Mestalla. Lavezzi, who has now scored in each of his past three Champions League games, should have had a hat-trick only to miss two simple chances. Beckham to donate PSG wages to children's charity . That wastefulness was punished in the final minute when Rami bundled home from close range to give the home side hope. The tie then took another twist when Ibrahimovic was shown a straight red card for a controversial studs up challenge on Andres Guardado. "Ibrahimovic did not deserve the red card. I don't understand the decision," Ancelotti told French Canal Plus television at full time. "We played well and had chances to score more goals. It was a good team performance, but this was just the first leg. There is still the return to come."

Juventus claims 3-0 win at Celtic in first leg of last-16 tie . Italian champion now in pole position to qualify for quarterfinal . Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent off in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-1 win at Valencia . Ibrahimovic will miss the second leg on March 6 .

Washington (CNN) -- When the nation's capital was turned upside down Friday with the announcement that Justice John Paul Stevens was retiring after 40 years on the federal bench, he was miles away from the political circus -- literally and figuratively. The 89-year-old justice was quietly working on his caseload at his Fort Lauderdale, Florida, condo, a second home that serves as his occasional refuge from the high-pressure atmosphere of the U.S. Supreme Court. It is doubtful his replacement will soon find any sanctuary in what could be a protracted fight over the shaky ideological balance of a mostly conservative high court. The 112th justice, by most measures, will have a tough act to follow, as he or she seeks to navigate the complex dynamics of a divided bench and gain a measure of the level of influence Stevens enjoyed for the past two decades and more. "He is undoubtedly a leader on the court," said Diane Amann, a former Stevens law clerk who is writing a book about him. Names added to Supreme Court short list . She predicted President Obama will replace a liberal with a liberal, "and although the vote change [on a 5-4 conservative majority] may not alter very much in the short run, the absence of Justice Stevens' leadership, his ability to build coalitions along people with very different ideas about things, will be something that will be hard to replace in the short term." Short-term considerations drive much of the politics over who the nominee will and should be. Progressives worry Obama may not get another high court pick and urge him to name a forceful advocate for the left. "The president now has an opportunity to name a worthy successor who will stand up for equal justice for all, not just the wealthy or powerful," said Nan Aron, president of Alliance for Justice, which describes itself as a national organization dedicated to advancing justice and democracy. The most important number at the court . The late liberal lion, Justice William Brennan, was noted for saying the most important number at the court was five, the votes need to command a majority on the nine-member bench. Such practical concerns also figure in the White House calculus over whether their nominee will pass Senate muster without fear of a filibuster. "The court needs a consensus-builder just as much as it needs a progressive firebrand," said Doug Kendall, president of the liberal Constitutional Accountability Center, which describes itself as a "think tank, law firm and action center dedicated to fulfilling the progressive promise of our Constitution's text and history." "President Obama's next nominee needs to improve upon [Justice Sonia] Sotomayor's performance by articulating the differences between judicial conservatives and progressives and focusing on how the Constitution and the law itself point in a progressive direction." Administration officials quietly acknowledge the desire to excite liberals in an election year with an outspoken judge willing to take on the right. They also know Obama has his own liberal, but restrained. view of constitutional interpretation. Most of his federal judicial nominees thus far have been noncontroversial, center-left candidates. Many liberal activists say the president may be inclined to go the same route, choosing a nominee who will be spared a bruising confirmation. For their part, many conservative activists would not mind a fight, and their early rhetoric suggests they anticipate one. The Judicial Crisis Network, a conservative advocacy group, warned Obama against "packing the Supreme Court with rubber stamps instead of judges. To an activist judge, the Constitution represents an inconvenient truth that they will distort, ignore, or defy to push their radical liberal agenda." Grudging acknowledgement . Some conservative groups grudgingly acknowledge Stevens' influence and his ability to pull conservatives like Anthony Kennedy and Sandra Day O'Connor onto his side in hot button-cases. When the chief justice is on the losing side of a case, Stevens -- as senior associate justice -- gets to assign who writes the all-important opinion. That opinion becomes the voice of the court, whence its strength and influence derive. O'Connor, for example, supported the liberal bloc in upholding affirmative action for college admissions in 2003 and was rewarded by being selected to articulate her view of the necessity, but also the limits, of diversity in school selection. That same year, Kennedy joined four liberal justices in striking down state laws that banned homosexual sodomy and wrote a forceful opinion. He also issued landmark rulings against applying the death penalty for juvenile killers and those sentenced to die for non-homicides. Stevens' willingness to put aside ego and to rule narrowly on hot-button cases -- combined with an unmatched cordiality and kindness -- earned him quiet power and respect. "The distinctive thing about Justice Stevens that's going to be hardest to replace is his attention to the individual case and his willingness to decide it in a way that really isn't determined by ideology," said Christopher Eisgruber, a former Stevens law clerk and author of "The Next Justice: Repairing the Supreme Court Appointments Process." "His intelligence, of course, has made him a very important contributor to that, but I think it's really that distinctiveness to his approach that will be toughest to replace." In some ways, the nomination of Sotomayor last year represented perfect timing in a perfect political climate -- a president still in the glow of his first months on the job and the political desire to name a woman and a Latino that put other liberal constituencies at bay. She was a candidate with a sterling resume who deftly maneuvered her way to confirmation. This time will be different, when the options are wider. Some advocacy groups have weighed in. Groups already weighing in . "We call on President Obama to nominate a woman to fill this seat," said National Organization for Women President Terry O'Neill. "The Supreme Court is out of balance, with women making up a mere 22 percent of the bench. That's simply not enough." Who else has a stake? Should Obama: . -- Name a non-judge or politician? How about Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm or Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick? Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and Claire McKaskill, D-Missouri, are frequently mentioned. And supporters of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sing her praises, though the White House Monday tempered that talk by saying the president wanted her in her current job. --How about an articulate academic? Stanford Law School Professors Pamela Karlan and Kathleen Sullivan have earned progressive praise. --There are no Asian-Americans on the high court, or the federal appeals courts for that matter. Harold Koh, formerly dean at Yale Law School and now a top State Department lawyer is a Korean-American who would represent another history-making choice. "The president doesn't seem to have the perfect-storm candidate this time that he did with Sonia Sotomayor," said Thomas Goldstein, a top Washington attorney and founder of Scotusblog.com. "There's a delicate balance here. I think he's likely to appoint somebody who's more on the center left, someone like Sonia Sotomayor who the president believes really shares his values as a judge, but doesn't generate the kind of political heat that would disrupt politics over the summer." Meanwhile, Stevens remains his usual apolitical self, detached from the political storm. As usual, he'll find time for his twice weekly tennis matches with his daughter. He returns to the bench next week for oral arguments, then will finish writing his remaining opinions. In two and a half months he will be gone from the court, but not forgotten.

CNN's Bill Mears says President Obama has tough choice to make . Retiring Justice John Paul Stevens had earned grudging respect from the right . Obama must balance competing pressures from liberals, conservatives, Mears says . Mears: This Supreme Court nominee likely faces choppier water than Sonia Sotomayor did .

(CNN) -- They call it "The List." On it: the names, ages and addresses of 21 people accused by police of buying sex from a 29-year-old fitness instructor. And it's the talk of Kennebunk, the historic, picture-perfect Maine town that had been -- until recently, at least -- best known for its bygone shipbuilding industry and a money-making tourist trade. Police say the instructor, Alexis Wright, used her Zumba fitness studio and the office of her business partner, Mark Strong, to run a prostitution ring. They say she videotaped intimate encounters with some of the dozens of customers she allegedly entertained. On Monday, police released a partial list of those accused of hiring Wright after a judge rejected a request to shield their names from public view. The attorney for two men named on the list argued that identifying them would destroy their lives, families and careers. Police are releasing the names and addresses in batches, and more names are expected soon. Strong's lawyer, Dan Lilley, says the list of Wright's alleged johns runs 150 names long. Among them, according to Lilley: lawyers, accountants and a local TV personality. While much of the world is getting its first salacious tastes of the whole affair, Kennebunk residents have been dealing with it since at least July, when police arrested Strong and made the case public for the first time. The tawdry details have riveted residents of the small community of 10,000, a tree-shaded, picket-fenced tourist destination of stately sea captain's homes and 200-year-old inns just a short drive from the Bush family oceanside compound in nearby Kennebunkport. Everyone wants to know who's on that list. "You can't go anywhere without people bringing it up," said Kristen Schulze Muszynski, managing editor of the 6,000-circulation Journal-Tribune. And it's starting to wear on at least some of residents. "I'm tired of it, honestly," resident Tina Palanka told CNN affiliate WGME. "I'm really tired of it. There's got to be more to Kennebunk than this. This is not a good legacy." It's certainly not typical for a place where the most recent crime roundup issued by police leads off with charges against a 51-year-old man for letting his dog roam free. "Boy, it really hit us hard," resident Paul Bergeron told WGME. The sex allegedly occurred at a store-front Zumba exercise studio, run by Wright. Zumba is, according to the brand's official website, "an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party that's moving millions of people toward joy and health." According to Kennebunk police, someone tipped off authorities more than a year ago that something more than Latin-inspired dance was going on at the studio, located on a leafy stretch of York Street, next door to one pizza parlor and across the street from another. Maine's State Police and the state's Drug Enforcement Administration soon started looking into the case. And in February, five months after the investigation began, police raided Wright's fitness studio and Strong's office. What police found hasn't been officially released -- the search warrant records have been sealed. But the Press Herald newspaper of Portland reported that the findings included videotapes of Wright having sex with numerous men, a ledger containing prices for various sex acts and detailed customer records. A grand jury indicted Wright on 106 counts related to the alleged prostitution business, including invasion of privacy charges for allegedly filming some of her sessions, according to court documents. The grand jury indicted Strong, who is also a private investigator, on 59 counts. Both have pleaded not guilty. Neither Wright -- whose studio is now closed, according to its website -- nor her attorney, Sarah Churchill, returned calls from CNN. The York County district attorney's office declined to comment Tuesday. Police are also issuing summonses for the men on Wright's list, accusing them of engaging in prostitution, a misdemeanor charge. Two men on the list argued the names shouldn't be made public because doing so would cause "irreparable harm" to their reputations, their families and their businesses, according to court documents. They deserved to be shielded under state victims' rights laws and the state constitution, their attorney argued. On Monday, Superior Court Justice Thomas D. Warren disagreed, ruling that the names of people accused of crimes have to be available to the public. "The principle that court proceedings are public is essential to public confidence. If persons charged with crimes could withhold their identities, the public would not be able to monitor proceedings to observe whether justice has been done and to observe whether certain defendants may have received favored treatment," Warren wrote in his decision. Warren ruled that some of them men, those who had been filmed during sex acts, could also be victims of a crime -- invasion of privacy -- and deserved to have their addresses shielded from the public, but Tuesday he revised his decision after a "conference call with counsel for the interested parties in the civil action," according to a Kennebunk police news release. One man told CNN affiliate WCSH TV that his name appears on the original list. But he said it's not him. "When I first saw my name on the computer I laughed," said the man, who CNN has chosen not to name. "And then as I got up I'm thinking, 'All my years in law enforcement, all my years, activities with children, coaching baseball, the young men that I know who are now dads today and responsible citizens, this is very misleading and I don't think it's fair.' And then I became upset, to say the least I was very upset." The release also has upset some of Muszynski's readers. The Journal-Tribune editor says she's getting letters wondering why the names of the men are coming out before trial. She said she isn't getting any letters from readers upset that Wright's name has been plastered in media accounts of the case, bringing up what some say is a long-held double standard in prostitution cases -- the accused prostitute gets all the attention, while her customers slip away out of public view. As it happens, that tide appears to be turning, said Michael Shively, a Cambridge, Massachusetts, criminal justice researcher with Abt Associates who has been tracking anti-prostitution programs since 2005. Nationwide, Shively said, 525 cities and counties have at least once tried some form of what's known as "shaming" -- publicizing the names of men who buy sex or focusing on them instead of the sellers. No one has formally studied the effectiveness of such efforts, he said. "But evidence that is available points in the direction of it being a pretty effective thing to do," he said. "But it's not definitive." Read Shively's national prostitution study for the U.S. Justice Department (PDF) And while Kennebunk doesn't appear to be intentionally shaming Wright's alleged customers -- the city releases a weekly list of people accused of crimes -- all the attention is putting a spotlight on the men, nevertheless. "Had the city hired a public relations firm, they couldn't have written a better script for generating as much attention as possible," Shively said, referring to the incremental release of the names of those charged as prostitution customers. CNN's Adam Reiss and Deborah Feyerick contributed to this report.

Police add ages and addresses to list of 21 alleged johns . "You can't go anywhere" without hearing about "The List," says local editor . Court denies request to shield clients' identities from the public . Authorities: Clients paid fitness instructor for sex at her studio in Kennebunk, Maine .

Havana, Cuba (CNN) -- As soon as Alan Gross got out of Cuban airspace Wednesday morning, he called each of his two daughters to say the two words he had dreamed of saying for years: "I'm free," a spokeswoman for his legal team says. It was the end of five years locked up in wretched conditions, as his lawyers have described his time in a Cuban prison: 23 hours a day confined to a room, with one hour a day outside "in a small, walled courtyard where you can barely see the sky," according to attorney Scott Gilbert. Addressing the world at a news conference after his arrival in Washington, Gross began with another two words: "Chag Sameach" -- Hebrew for "happy holiday." "I guess so far it's the best Hanukkah that I'll be celebrating for a long time," the 65-year-old said. "What a blessing it is to be a citizen of this country, and thank you, President Obama, for everything you have done today and leading up to today," he said. Saying he was "very happy" to see President Barack Obama's announcement of a new era in U.S.-Cuban relations, Gross added, "This is a game changer, which I fully support." He thanked his wife, Judy, his family, his "lawyer and personal Moses Scott Gilbert," and Jewish, Christian and Muslim organizations. "God bless you and thank you. It was critical to my survival knowing that I was not forgotten. Your prayers and your actions have been comforting, reassuring and sustaining." Gross praised Cubans, saying, "Cubanos -- or, at least, most of them -- are incredibly kind, generous and talented. It pains me to see them treated so unjustly as a consequence of two governments' mutually belligerent policies." Gross asked for "complete and total privacy." His family lives in Maryland. Gross: 'I'm incredibly blessed' Smiling often as he spoke for several minutes, even as he mentioned his need for new teeth (they have been breaking, says legal team spokeswoman Jill Zuckman says), Gross seemed to have a new lease on life. "I'm incredibly blessed finally to have the freedom to resume a positive and constructive life," he said, adding, "It's good to be home." His family had said he might not live another year in prison. "Alan is resolved that he will not endure another year imprisoned in Cuba, and I am afraid that we are at the end," Judy Gross said this month. Gross, who couldn't visit his own mother before her death this year, had lost hope. His health was in danger; he had lost more than 100 pounds. In July, he said goodbye to his family, and refused to see them again while he was imprisoned. He also refused to meet with U.S. diplomats in Havana, as a protest against the slow progress of efforts to free him. On Tuesday, he learned that he would be freed as part of a landmark deal announced Wednesday between the United States and Cuba. Three lawmakers and his wife flew to Cuba on a U.S. government plane to pick him up. The flight landed at a Cuban military base at 8 a.m. At 8:45 a.m., when the pilot announced they had left Cuban airspace, Gross stood up, took a deep breath and made the phone calls to his grown daughters Shira and Nina, said Zuckman. Shira has battled breast cancer during her father's imprisonment. Gross also spoke with Obama by phone on his flight back to the United States, a senior administration official said. The plane touched down shortly after 11 a.m. ET at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry happened to fly in around the same time, and Kerry gave Gross a big hug, Zuckman said. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona; Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, were on the plane, Zuckman said. Van Hollen, who is Gross' congressman, and Flake and Leahy were part of a U.S. congressional delegation that met with Cuban President Raul Castro to discuss Gross' case last year. In the air, Gross ate popcorn, which he had missed. He also ate corned beef on rye and latkes (potato pancakes) with apple sauce and sour cream -- a traditional Hanukkah food. Gross' Cuba mission debated . Gross spent more than 25 years traveling the world, helping people in more than 50 countries and territories, according to a website that has pushed for his release. His work included helping communities in Pakistan, creating jobs in the West Bank and Gaza, and designing agricultural improvement projects in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and the West Bank, the website says. He traveled to Cuba as a subcontractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development. The U.S. State Department says he was working to bring the Internet to Cuba's small Jewish community despite Cuban government restrictions on Internet access. But Fulton Armstrong, a former senior adviser to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Gross' mission, part of the agency's "regime-change" programs, was "dangerous and counterproductive." The operation involved the smuggling of parabolic satellite dishes hidden in Styrofoam boogie boards, Armstrong said. Cash was transported to Cuba to finance demonstrations against the Castro regime. "They were sending this poor guy into one of the most sophisticated counterintelligence operating environments in the world," said Armstrong, who spent 25 years as a CIA officer. "It was not credible his story about the Jews. It didn't make sense." Sentenced behind closed doors . In March 2011, Gross was tried behind closed doors for two days and convicted of attempting to set up an Internet network for Cuban dissidents "to promote destabilizing activities and subvert constitutional order." He was sentenced to 15 years. A 2012 lawsuit filed by Judy Gross accused USAID and Development Alternatives Inc. -- the company that sent him to the island -- of negligence. It said the agencies had a contract "to establish operations supporting the creation of a USAID Mission" in Cuba. In 2013, Gross reached a financial settlement with Development Alternatives. Attorney: Gross' treatment 'cruel, inhuman, and degrading' Leading human rights attorney Jared Genser had pushed for Gross' release. In 2012, he wrote the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, saying Gross had been "denied adequate medical diagnosis and treatment for the last six months, which constitutes cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment under international law." Gross "suffers from a number of ailments including degenerative arthritis," Genser wrote. His "repeated requests for an independent medical evaluation have been denied." A mass developed on Gross' right shoulder, and he was not given adequate medical diagnosis and treatment, the attorney said. En route back home at last, Gross told his legal team what he wanted, in addition to time with family: a glass of good scotch, since he hasn't had a drink in years, and a nice cigar, a habit he's picked up while in prison. CNN's Patrick Oppmann reported from Havana, and CNN's Josh Levs reported from Atlanta.

NEW: "What a blessing it is to be a citizen of this country," Alan Gross says . NEW: Gross says Cubans treated unjustly due to governments' "mutually belligerent policies" Gross lost more than 100 pounds in prison, and he said goodbye to his family this year . His mother died while he was in prison in Cuba .

Los Angeles (CNN) -- "Black Spartacus Heart Attack Machine" is the first single off Tom Morello's new solo album, and it's an ode to his guitar. That's not surprising for the Rage Against the Machine axeman, who was once No. 26 on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." "I got this new steel string," he explains, holding up his black acoustic with a bit of pride. "Mick Jones of The Clash referred to his main guitar as a 'heart attack machine,' and it's black, so I called it 'Black Spartacus.' " When asked if he might one day write a real love song, as opposed to one for his guitar, Morello rolls his eyes. "Why do people keep asking me that?" he says before launching into an overtly sexual jam, worthy of a '70s porno flick. "Try making babies to that!" In the next room, Ben Harper chuckles. "That guy's made plenty of baby-making songs," Morello says. Harper laughs again. He knows it's true. The two musicians have an easy friendship. For years, they've supported each other's charitable endeavors and activist causes -- which inadvertently led to their first duet, the gospel-tinged "Save the Hammer for the Man." It's a track on "World Wide Rebel Songs," Morello's fourth record under the guise of his Nightwatchman alter ego. "We were playing a show in Chicago for some union issue, and some of the other musicians on the bill were grousing about not getting paid," Morello says. "One of the other musicians canceled the show because he had to return to his vineyard. We were on the phone kind of moaning about this, and Ben said, 'Tom, you let me know if you want me to put the hammer down.' And I said, 'Ben, save the hammer for the man.' And we're like, 'Hold on. One day, that must be a song!' " Morello says he and Harper have a lot in common, "from the ethnicity of our parents to quite a number of things." Both hail from white moms and black dads. "We like to consider ourselves the biracial, punk rock Everly Brothers," Morello says. In the home studio where the pair recorded "Save the Hammer for the Man," the 47-year-old singer-songwriter spoke with CNN about "World Wide Rebel Songs" and how events in his childhood shaped his political activism. CNN: "World Wide Rebel Songs" has a broader focus than your previous albums. The Nightwatchman has gone global. Tom Morello: I was not looking into a crystal ball when writing the songs for "World Wide Rebel Songs." I wrote the songs about a year and a half ago, and yet worldwide events have caught up with them -- from the maquiladoras of Tijuana (plants that export manufactured goods), to the unrest in Europe and North Africa. It's a record with a global focus, and it's part folk record and part rock record. CNN: You pick up the electric guitar, which you really haven't done as The Nightwatchman. Morello: This is the first Nightwatchman record where I really play a lot of electric guitar. About three years ago, I played an electric version of Bruce Springsteen's "The Ghost of Tom Joad" with Bruce on stage, and it was the first time I'd ever sung with an electric guitar in my hands. I realized I could do what I do best as an electric guitar player without sacrificing the integrity of the political, folk music singer-songwriterism that I enjoy very much. CNN: Are you getting more comfortable as a singer these days? Morello: It's a matter of playing hundreds and hundreds of gigs, and recording four records of my material. Some of my favorite singers have been Johnny Cash or Leonard Cohen -- people who may not be able to hit a high "C" on the piano, but whose voices contain the gravitas that makes the music feel like they mean it. CNN: This is a really autobiographical album, isn't it? Morello: While the events it speaks of are on a global level, it's also the most personal Nightwatchman record, as well. I deal in some parts of the record with my Kenyan heritage. Music, I think, is best when it honestly explores personal demons, and it stirs around in the silt of the psyche to find out what's really there. And if it's true and it rhymes, I'll put it on the record. CNN: There's a song on this record, "Facing Mount Kenya," that seems quite personal, given your family's history in Kenya. Morello: My parents met in Kenya. My father is African, is Kenyan. The Kenyan side of my family was involved in the anticolonial movement. My great uncle was Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's first president, who led the movement to oust the British from Kenya. I didn't grow up with my Kenyan family. I grew up in a small, conservative suburb of Chicago. The song "Facing Mount Kenya" explores the pride in that country and the distance from it as well. CNN: What was it like growing up biracial in a small Illinois town? Morello: I literally integrated the small town of Libertyville, Illinois. I was the first person of color to reside within its borders, which was confirmed when the real estate agent had to go door-to-door in the apartment building we wanted to rent, asking if it was OK for this interracial family -- my mom is white and I was a 1-year-old half-African kid -- to live in the apartment building. The sales pitch was, "Well, look, he's not an American Negro. He's a very exotic African," and that was something that the neighbors were like, "Oh, that's very interesting!" -- until I got old enough to date their daughters. CNN: Were there any incidents of racism you can talk about? Morello: People often ask how I became political, or when I became political. When you're the only black kid growing up in an all-white town, you find your politics on the first playground that you go onto. In some ways, it was an idyllic place to grow up -- but when I was 13, there was a noose in my family's garage. There was some name-calling throughout. You know, race is not an issue that is settled to this day. In the Northern suburbs, certainly in the 1970s, it was a hot button. CNN: You graduated from Harvard. Then all of a sudden, you were a rock star. Morello: The first Nightwatchman album is called "One Man Revolution." It's not a misnamed album. I was the only black kid in an all-white town. Then I was the only radical student in a conservative high school. Then I was the only rock 'n' roll guitar player at Harvard University. Then I was the only dude with a Harvard diploma in a Hollywood rock 'n' roll band. So in some ways, there's always been a sense of aloneness. But where I really felt the greatest connection -- outside of close-knit family -- is playing this Nightwatchman music, and in playing it live. This is a place where I feel not disconnected in any way, but very, very connected, and it's a place that feels like home.

"It's a record with a global focus," Tom Morello says of his new solo album . Morello was No. 26 on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Tiame" list . He talks about the racism he faced growing up in a small Illinois town .

(CNN) -- Ever wonder what your toddler would say about your homemade baby food if she had an acid tongue and a Twitter account? Bunmi Laditan thinks she knows. Laditan's tweeting alter ego, the Honest Toddler, has been making followers guffaw at the wry observations of a semi-fictional baby pundit for about a year now. Laditan, a social media and online marketing manager based in Montreal, works from home so she can be with her children. She is set to release "The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Parenting" in May. Inspired by her spunky daughter, Tali, Laditan began a Twitter account that expressed what might really be going through her toddler's mind during a particularly tantrumy week. "She had the ability to speak, but if she could fully articulate, what would she say?" Laditan wondered. Clearly, many of her nearly 200,000 Twitter followers would like to know the same thing and get a kick out of Laditan's interpretation. CNN reached out to Laditan to find out why toddlers are so sassy, how Twitter fits into modern motherhood and what makes it all worthwhile. An edited transcript of the talk is below: . CNN: What gave you the idea to do Honest Toddler? Laditan: My 3-year old, who was 2 at the time, we were having a really hard time. I have an older child, I've been through the toddler stage before, but I think I blocked it out of my memory. She was being defiant and I was busy with work, and literally it was the worst week we'd ever had. I just started (The Honest Toddler) for fun. I was so surprised by the response. Not in a million years did I think a bunch of people would read it. CNN: Working moms wear a lot of hats. What did you do before "supervising," as your book cover says, The Honest Toddler? Laditan: I began in social media ... nowadays the first place you go, in terms of a really quick sense of community, is online. Just because it can be really hard to get in the car and find the mom group. It was difficult for me to navigate (being a mother). Wanting to read about motherhood, work-at-home moms, writer moms. Can I still have a career? How do I do it? How are other people managing? So I began taking a real interest in the parents online, and since my background is in marketing, I really wanted to incorporate that in how I would earn an income from home. So I began doing social media for companies. One was "Tasty Baby," who made online organic baby food, and from there, I kept working and expanding and taking classes and working with other PR firms, learning how to do my job better. I've always loved writing, but "I can love it, it's just not going to be my bread and butter," is how I always felt. But I wanted to keep writing, so I wrote for sites like "Mothering," "iVillage," "Huffington Post," and really just enjoyed it. CNN: There seems to be a lot of very seriously toned parenting media on the Internet these days, and The Honest Toddler is anything but. Why do you think that is? Laditan: I get that there has to be an authority source. I've been in that mode, too, when writing. I think it's about trying to regain control and trying to help people feel as if there is a how-to. Even though at this point we all know there really isn't any one way. At one point or another you realize, there is no one way to do it, it's going to be messy, we can pretend all we want with our Instagrams and Facebook photos that it's all going great. But it's a struggle, so we do have to support each other and give each other a little bit of slack. CNN: Honest Toddler is pretty unique with regards to the content on Twitter, too. Laditan: I've seen Sarcastic Rover or when people tweet from the perspective of an inanimate object or animal, and I think they probably match up much closer to Honest Toddler than most parenting tweets. I think it's that different perspective. One of the reasons I believe it's popular -- and I don't think it has anything to do with me or my writing ability or anything like that -- is it has to do with parents who have already wondered what their kids are trying to say. Who have already thought, I know, if my child had the ability to articulate, they would say something like that. They have the opinions of people long before they have control of their bowels. They really believe we are on the same level. They believe we are peers. They see their mother and father as the ones who take care of them and where they go for comfort, but they really believe they have an equal vote. CNN: That's a lot of sass for such a tiny human. Are toddlers sassy? Laditan: Toddlers are ... people without filters. They're exactly like us but they don't have all the etiquette and social norms. So they say things that we would say if we didn't fear the social consequences. CNN: How much of The Honest Toddler is rooted in the real life experiences of your children that you observe? Laditan: Much of it is. I'm scared to say how much because I know that -- one of the reasons I love being anonymous is because that didn't feel like I would be judged. Not for my lack of parenting but just the situations are so crazy. And I know those situations happen to other people, too. On Friday, I was tweeting about Tali's ear infection and going to the pediatrician's office. She told me right away, "I don't like the doctor." And I knew it was going to be a struggle. CNN: At the end of the day, what makes a parent's struggle worth it? Laditan: The number one thing that really makes it all OK is knowing that it won't last forever. When you contextualize any difficult experience, that's what makes it bearable. With my first child, I had no idea what a contraction would feel like. Only what I'd seen on TV, like TLC, all these women screaming, 'I'm going to rip in half, this is going to be terrible!' But one woman (in a prenatal class), who had six kids said, 'You can handle 10 seconds of anything.' And she said the worst part of a contraction will probably last around 10 seconds. And when I was actually in labor, I thought of that. Knowing that made it bearable. It's the same thing when both my kids are still in their pajamas, crying, we're late for school, I'm thinking, "Great, now we're going to have to go to the secretary's office and she's going to see that they're late again and that I'm not dressed, and I have weird stuff in my eyes from sleeping so I obviously didn't wash my face or brush my teeth before I drove them there." I'm thinking all those terrible things and then I think, "They're going to grow up and I'm not going to be doing any of this and I know I'm going to miss it, and they're going to want to be with their friends and not with me." So that's what makes it doable. That's what makes me able to appreciate it and be able to laugh about it.

Writer Bunmi Laditan is the woman behind The Honest Toddler feed on Twitter . Nearly 200,000 Twitter users follow the dry observations Laditan's alter ego . Her experiences with an ornery 2-year-old inspired The Honest Toddler . Laditan will release a book based on the Twitter account in May .

(CNN) -- The human imagination is an amazing thing. Take for example the story of how a simple father-and-son chat led to a prototype spacecraft for landing on other planets. One Friday evening in 2009, NASA engineer Stephen Altemus arrived home from work feeling, well, kind of frustrated. Altemus, who was chief engineer at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, believed the agency was under "incredible pressure and scrutiny" for allegedly high budget costs. NASA's ambitious Constellation program to develop a next-generation rocket was about to be canceled. "The environment was a sense of uncertainty and chaos and redirection," Altemus told CNN last week on the phone. Engineering, he believed, wasn't being used to contribute to NASA's future. "That responsibility to make sure every dollar is spent exactly right within the agency sometimes causes a stifling of innovation," Altemus said. "What NASA needed was an innovative fire that made it OK to try and fail and learn from mistakes." Altemus' 15-year-old son noticed something was wrong. " 'You never talk bad about NASA, Dad,' " Altemus recalled his son saying. The conversation that followed, the engineer said, was a "moment of inspiration -- instigated by my son." They sat down at the family dinner table and talked about how to "put NASA back on the map with a bold mission that seemed nearly impossible." A short time later, Altemus created a few charts and his son put together an illustrative YouTube video. Monday morning at his office, Altemus made his pitch to his NASA leadership team. "I said, 'What if we unleashed the power of engineering, and did things our way, and were not deterred? What could we do together?' " It was a radical idea: Build an unmanned spacecraft with a robotic explorer and send it to the moon within 1,000 days. Its engines would be powered by liquid oxygen and methane fuel. The vehicle would also have a self-guided laser landing system that avoided coming down on big boulders and other hazards. Altemus' fellow team members said, "Yes." They were in. Altemus then took his crusade to a higher level, briefing officials at NASA headquarters. "We told them, 'We've got an idea that's going to change the agency.' They were like: 'Yeah, yeah, this is really good but politically this may not fly.' " Nonetheless, Project M was born. "We had no money we had no endorsement from leadership, we had no authority to proceed, we had nothing. All we had was this commitment to do engineering in a lean, affordable way." Despite a shoestring budget, Altemus' team cobbled together the parts and technology they needed. They bartered. They traded. At first, "a whole lot of political fallout came trying to squash the project," Altemus said. Nonetheless, Project M gained momentum. "It was nothing like what NASA was used to." Eventually, "the whole attitude changed." By June 2010, Project M ended without making it to the moon. But it resulted in an offshoot project called the Morpheus planetary lander. An unmanned spacecraft that can haul 1,100 pounds of cargo, Morpheus looks like a four-legged metallic spider on steroids. Given what this thing can do without risking human lives, the four-year program was a steal at $14 million. Compare that to the approximate $1.7 billion cost of one space shuttle. That's billion, with a "B." Mainly Morpheus serves as a testing platform for new technologies that could take both unmanned and manned spacecraft to other worlds. It's the first NASA prototype spacecraft to be propelled using liquid oxygen and liquid methane. It's also the first to use a suite of laser-based sensors as a kind of autopilot for dangerous landing situations. "The technologies demonstrated on Morpheus are directly applicable to future robotic, and eventually human missions," Morpheus Project Manager Jon Olansen told CNN via e-mail. That includes landing on asteroids, the moon, Mars, or even Jupiter's moon, Europa. U.S. President Barack Obama has called for astronauts to orbit Mars by the mid-2030s. But its development wasn't exactly smooth sailing. In 2012, during an engine test of a Morpheus prototype, the lander rose a short distance, rolled over and slammed into the ground. It caught fire immediately and exploded about 30 seconds later. Thankfully there were no injuries, but the crash "was a huge setback for the team," Altemus said. NASA quickly "picked itself up" and figured out how to fix the problem. Read more about the crash . Today, the latest version of the Morpheus lander "is a centerpiece for the agency to show what a fantastic team it is, and what incredible things can be done with just sheer willpower to imagine," said Altemus, who in 2013 ended a 25-year career at NASA to start an engineering products business based on space technology. The sophisticated self-guided system that prevents Morpheus from setting down in hazardous landing zones could be used on a lander that could safely put astronauts on another planet. The auto-pilot could greatly reduce astronaut workload during the critical phase of a manned mission, Olansen said. It opens up areas for exploration that were once considered too dangerous even for robotic landings -- like the north and south poles of the moon, which are riddled with craters. In fact, during the next decade, NASA plans an unprecedented mission to send astronauts to an asteroid. Accomplishing that feat would be historic. Training has already begun. On May 9, two astronauts performed a simulated asteroid space walk at the Houston facility's 40-foot-deep low-gravity simulation pool. They practiced on a mockup of an Orion, NASA's manned spacecraft which is still being developed. Read more about the asteroid mission . Amazingly, NASA planners hope to design a robot spacecraft that would capture an asteroid and haul it into a stable orbit near the moon. Next, astronauts aboard an Orion would spacewalk to the asteroid and collect rock samples that would help scientists learn more about the components of asteroids. It's possible that Morpheus' fuel -- liquid oxygen and methane -- could be found on Mars or other planets. This opens the door to the idea that a Morpheus-like lander could refuel there. Here's how it might work: An unmanned fuel-making spacecraft would travel to Mars ahead of the lander. The fuel-making spacecraft would then harvest methane from the atmosphere, said Altemus. "If there's water in the soil you would harvest the water and break down the water into oxygen and hydrogen. Then the lander sets down near the fuel-making spacecraft and uses the oxygen and methane to refuel for another flight. How amazing would it be if that father-son talk across a Houston dinner table back in 2009 had even the smallest connection to a journey to another world? Human space exploration is "part of our DNA," said Altemus. "It's as simple as that. We as human beings will find a way to strive to create, to invent. As long as there are planets in the sky that are unreachable, somebody's going to try to reach them."

Ideas for NASA's unmanned Morpheus spacecraft started with a father-son talk . Morpheus spacecraft has technology to land on other planets . It's fueled by liquid oxygen and methane, which can be found on other planets . Morpheus also proved that its self-guided landing hazard avoidance system works .

(CNN)As Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste was flying to freedom Sunday after 400 days in jail, the man in charge of Egypt was making a long speech lamenting his country's many problems. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi touched on the desperate state of the economy, the deadly jihadist insurrection in Sinai, the role of religion in politics and human rights. Amid this litany of woes, the jailing of Greste, who is Australian, and two other Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt had become an embarrassment for a government whose human rights record was already receiving plenty of adverse attention. In July, soon after their sentences were handed down to an international outcry, President al-Sisi acknowledged the case had been a PR disaster for Egypt. He told local journalists the trial had been "very negative" for the country's reputation. "I wished they had been deported immediately after their arrest instead of being put on trial," he said. Greste was arrested at the end of 2013 along with Al Jazeera Cairo bureau chief Mohamed Fahmy and producer Baher Mohamed. They were accused of disseminating "false information" and belonging to a "terrorist organization." After a four-month trial, Greste and Fahmy received seven-year sentences; Mohammed got 10 years. As of Monday, Fahmy and Mohamed were still behind bars. The case against them was part of a heavy-handed campaign against anyone who had anything to do with members or supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which was decreed a "terrorist organization" soon after al-Sisi and the military seized power. That campaign was supported by almost hysterical media coverage of the "threat within." Human rights groups say thousands of Brotherhood members are in jail awaiting trial; nearly 200 more have been sentenced to death. Throughout the proceedings against the Al Jazeera journalists, the Egyptian government -- from al-Sisi downwards -- insisted it had no part in the judicial process. Few observers took that at face value. Many thought the trio were pawns in a confrontation between al-Sisi and the emirate of Qatar, which funds Al Jazeera. The charges even suggested as much, accusing the trio of broadcasting scenes "through the Qatari Jazeera channel to assist the [Muslim Brotherhood] terrorist group in achieving its purposes of influencing international public opinion." Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop also alluded to the political complexion of the case when the three men were sentenced, saying: "Al Jazeera is not the favorite news channel in Egypt. So my fear is that Peter Greste was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Throughout the Middle East --- from Syria to Gaza to Libya -- Qatar has funded and supported groups affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood since the Arab Spring erupted four years ago. Among Qatar's allies was the leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Morsi, who became President in June 2012 but was ousted by al-Sisi a year later. Egypt's traditional allies were openly appalled by the sentences against the three. The White House lambasted "the prosecution of journalists for reporting information that does not coincide with the government of Egypt's narrative." But the journalists' trial (several others were charged in absentia) was part of a pattern. Human Rights Watch said the prosecution "coming after the prosecution of protesters and academics, shows how fast the space for dissent in Egypt is evaporating." One of many examples: Amr Hamzawy, an academic and former member of parliament, was charged with "insulting the judiciary after a tweet claiming the conviction of 43 employees of pro-democracy organizations demonstrated the "politicization" of the judiciary. He is yet to be tried. It was a draconian campaign that seemed tone-deaf toward governments that had long enjoyed good relations with Egypt, and which -- in the case of the United States -- provided billions in military aid. And as harrowing as the experience of the three Al Jazeera journalists has been, others have suffered worse fates, according to human rights groups. After al-Sisi was elected President, Human Rights Watch urged him to investigate "the police and army killings of more than 1,400 demonstrators over the past 12 months and the mounting allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees." Egyptian officials might argue that the Al Jazeera case was one component of a broader strategy to get Qatar to mend its ways -- and that it worked. In the wake of the military takeover in Egypt, Qatar had become a sanctuary for Egyptian Brotherhood leaders. But in recent months, the Qataris have quietly distanced themselves from prominent Brotherhood figures. Several left Qatar in September, although the Qataris insisted they had not been expelled. Weeks later, al-Sisi issued a decree allowing Egypt to repatriate foreign prisoners, which is exactly what has happened to Greste. Fahmy holds both Canadian and Egyptian citizenship, so the same procedure seems likely in his case, but Baher Mohamed is Egyptian and his fate remains unclear. Which brings us back the speech al-Sisi was making Sunday as Greste was being deported. It came two days after the jihadist group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis -- an affiliate of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) -- carried out its most audacious attack yet on security outposts in the Sinai desert, killing at least 30 people. Acknowledging the threat from Islamist militancy, al-Sisi spoke of a "dangerous mass that has for the past 30 to 40 years been spreading extremist thought and doesn't want to understand that God had created us different" (code for the Muslim Brotherhood.) Al-Sisi announced that "east of the [Suez] Canal is now a single military command under the leadership of General Osama Rushdi to fight terrorism." But it's the second time in four months he has promised the Egyptian people that he will combat extremism in Sinai. He also addressed the shooting death in Cairo last week of political activist Shaima Sabbagh, while casting himself as father of the nation. "Shaima was the daughter of Egypt and all the daughters and sons of Egypt are my children," al-Sisi said, promising an investigation. Activists claim Sabbagh was shot by police during protests to mark the fourth anniversary of the 2011 uprising, in which more than 20 people were killed. Anti-government protests have become more frequent despite the best efforts of the security forces. On the parlous state of the Egyptian economy and its public finances, al-Sisi was equally forthright, thanking Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for their financial support, estimated at $11 billion in the year to July 2014. "If it was not for your support, Egypt would not have survived until now," he said. But he also admitted the government was still strapped for cash. "Egypt does not have 150 billion Egyptian pounds (about $20 billion) to spend on its people." Simply put, amid this dire outlook, the Al Jazeera case became an irritant that al-Sisi's government could do without. As President al-Sisi himself made clear, the war on the Muslim Brotherhood will continue to be pursued remorselessly. But his opponents at home and many international observers see a broader and unremitting campaign against dissent of any sort. CNN's Ali Younes contributed to this report.

President al-Sisi acknowledged Al Jazeera case had been PR disaster for Egypt . Egypt's traditional allies were openly appalled by the sentences against the three . Many thought trio were pawns in battle between al-Sisi and Qatar, which funds Al Jazeera .

(CNN) -- October 16 marked Flea's 50th birthday, and the iconic bass player of the Red Hot Chili Peppers held an event celebrating both his life and his life's focus on giving back. An army of caterers scurried around his Los Angeles backyard Tuesday, preparing for a party that was a birthday bash as well as a fundraiser for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, the nonprofit school Flea co-founded 11 years ago. Flea's days of rock star excess are clearly over -- unless you count the silent auction, where a Banksy drawing of a rat fetched $100,000 and a spirited bidding war erupted between actor Owen Wilson, musician Ben Harper and producer Rick Rubin over a crayon-colored cashmere blanket that ultimately sold for $2,250. Shortly before his guests arrived, Flea reflected on the first half-century of his life -- which has been just as colorful as the cashmere blanket that caused such a ruckus during the silent auction. With the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he's won seven Grammys, pioneered a bold style of rock infused with funk and rap, overcome drug dependency and earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On his own, Flea's found purpose and personal satisfaction in giving back. CNN: Happy Birthday, Flea! 50. How does it feel? Flea: Outstanding! I woke up this morning and I just felt so grateful for everything. Grateful to be alive, grateful to be exactly where I am. I give and receive love every day, (and) I feel creatively vibrant. I have some great friends; I feel like I'm capable of giving a lot to the world. And ultimately, that's what I really care about, is just giving. CNN: Tonight you're also holding a benefit for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which you co-founded 11 years ago. Flea: The Silverlake Conservatory is a nonprofit music school in Los Angeles where we teach music, mostly to kids, but to people of all ages -- people who are old, people with beards, all kinds of people. But we teach all the orchestral instruments, all the band instruments, group lessons, private lessons, orchestra, adult choir, children's choir, all kinds of music groups. And we're not about fame or celebrity or anything like that. We're academic, teaching theory and fundamentals of music and technique on a particular instrument. Unfortunately, the public school system has cut the funding to music programs, and there's a big void, so we're doing our best to fill it in our community. CNN: What made you decide to bring the annual fundraiser to your own home this year? Flea: Well, I've done it before, but this is a special night tonight. We've had incredible fine artists donate to our auction tonight -- Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, Banksy, Matt Monahan, Laura Schnitger, Barry McGee, Ed Ruscha. Some of the great people in the contemporary art world have come out to support our music education. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are playing tonight, Rancid is playing tonight, and it's all happening in my backyard, and it's my birthday. You know, 11 years ago we had the opening night for the school party and it was on my birthday. So it's always an incredible birthday to have. In a minute, I'm going to go shower, put on my suit, and it's on. CNN: When you woke up this morning, did you reflect back? Flea: Yeah, turning 50 is a little bit of a taking stock moment. I feel probably a little dumber. I don't think I'm as sharp as I was when I was younger, but I'm definitely wiser, and less likely to make gigantic blunders of an intellectual, spiritual, emotional or physical type. Less likely to do something dumb, but I'm not as quick. I feel a little bit wiser, but more than anything the passion for the things that I really care about like playing music, and being kind, and children, and the things I love -- sports, books, art -- my passion for all these things has deepened. It just feels like there's an infinite well of greatness to get into. I just feel like I go deeper and deeper into it. I feel like I have a profound spiritual life, as well. CNN: When you were young, did you ever think you would achieve the level of musical success that you've had? Flea: No. I've always kind of been an in-the-moment kind of person. I don't think that far in advance or have any idea what's around the next corner. And I never have. I just kind of try to make the best decisions as they come up. And as life has gone on, I really have faith in that philosophy a lot. I really have faith that each thing that comes up is a gift, and I'm grateful for the opportunity, whether it be a difficult thing or a fun thing. CNN: You've been in the Chili Peppers for more than half your life. Do you see yourself continuing with them for eternity? Flea: I love the Chili Peppers, and I would love to. If there's anything I know, it's every time you start making plans, you don't know what's going to come up next. Anything can happen. So I love being in the Chili Peppers and it's my home, and I've been doing it for more than half my life. Of course, during the course of doing it, there's been all kinds of ups and downs, and moments of extreme (positivity), floating on clouds of greatness, and times of just groveling, and misery, and uncertainty, and anger, and love and all those things. Like being in a family. I really can't predict. But I love being in it for now, and right now, about as far as I'm thinking is getting through this tour that we're doing, performing at the highest level possible, then hunkering down and writing another record. CNN: You also keep busy with side projects. You performed with Patti Smith a couple of days ago, then you have the Atoms for Peace project. Where is that going? Flea: Wherever it goes, it goes. I've been very fortunate to play with some great artists in my life, and Patti is one of them. I love her to death. I'd do anything for her. And if she says, "Flea, come play," I come. She's just the greatest. And my thing with Thom (Yorke from Radiohead), Atoms for Peace -- Thom, and Nigel (Godrich), and Mauro (Refosco) and Joey (Waronker) -- is just fun, and I'm grateful for that, as well. I love those guys. CNN: Looking back on your 50 years, is there anything you'd do differently? Flea: Nothing! CNN: It must be nice to wake up in the morning and think that. Flea: Yeah. Of course. I've made a billion mistakes, but I wouldn't have learned without making them. I needed to make errors, and misbehave, and be an insensitive, thoughtless person to work my hardest on becoming a kind, caring one. CNN: So when you blow out the candles on your birthday cake, what are you going to be wishing for? Flea: A Lakers world championship.

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea turned 50 on Tuesday . His birthday party was also a fundraiser for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music . Flea: I woke up at 50 feeling grateful for everything . His birthday wish? "A Lakers world championship"

New York (CNN) -- Pro basketball is a staple of American athletics, taking its place with Major League Baseball and the National Football League as one of the pre-eminent U.S. sports leagues. And it's big business, too, pumping tens of millions of dollars into the U.S. economy. So the owner of the Brooklyn Nets raised eyebrows this week when he said he planned to transfer ownership of the team to a company in Russia -- at a time when tension between the U.S. and Russia is at its highest level since the end of the Cold War. That raised two questions: Will it happen? Does it matter? The billionaire owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, Monday reiterated his year-old intention to transfer the Brooklyn Nets ownership base to Russia, but has since toned down his rhetoric. "This is a long process which may or may not come to fruition and nothing is imminent," Prokhorov's company, Onexim Sports and Entertainment, which owns the NBA basketball team, said in a statement released via the Brooklyn Nets. "Of course, no steps in this direction could or would be taken without the full knowledge and approval of the NBA." On Monday, the 48 year-old Russian national told reporters in Moscow, "I have already stated that I will transfer the basketball club (under the Russian jurisdiction)," according to Russian news agency ITAR-Tass. Not so fast, the NBA said, telling CNN the transfer has yet to begin. "The Nets are owned by Mikhail Prokhorov through a U.S.-based company," Mike Bass, executive vice president of NBA communications, told CNN. "We have received no official application, nor is there a process under way through our office to transfer the ownership of the Nets to another company." If an application to change ownership was submitted by the Nets, 75% of NBA team owners -- or 23 of 30 -- would have to approve the move, Bass said. He said that the NBA's Board of Governors (the 30 team owners) would have to decide whether there are any issues with the transfer of ownership application. Currently, the NBA has no rules prohibiting a foreign company from owning an NBA team. The back-and-forth comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin pushes Russian businessmen to "de-offshore" companies owned abroad. Last week, Putin stressed the importance of bringing the companies home and making them pay Russian taxes to help grow the economy, according to the Kremlin website. "Entrepreneurs need to understand their responsibility," Putin told a group of Russian businessmen last week. "Our priority stance is that Russian companies have to be registered here, in their home country and have a transparent ownership structure." Onexim Group is described as a private investment holding company that owns or manages various metals companies, financial companies and media outlets, as well as the Nets, according to the site. In recent weeks, Washington has imposed sanctions on senior Russian officials and what officials called "cronies" of Putin, as well as a bank, after warning Putin against annexing Crimea from Ukraine. President Barack Obama also signed an executive order that authorizes his administration to target Russian companies vital to the economy, including financial services, energy, metals and mining. When asked about the idea of a basketball team transferring its ownership to be based in Russia, the State Department declined to comment. Onexim says the discussions to move the Brooklyn Nets under Russia's jurisdiction began in the spring of 2013. At the time, Prokhorov intended to run for public office and the move was an attempt to comply with Russian laws regarding political candidates. "Mikhail was not in any way tying it to the current political situation," Ellen Pinchuk, director for international projects at the communications adviser group Mikhailov & Partners, said this week. Prokhorov called the move "an outstanding opportunity to use NBA technologies for the step-by-step development of basketball in Russia," according to ITAR-Tass. Alexander Kliment, director of Russia research and emerging markets at Eurasia Group, a global political risk and consulting firm, said there is a basic agreement between Putin and oligarchs permitting them to make money as long as they stay out of government. They're also expected to comply with government demands, he said. "Prokhorov is falling into line with the Kremlin's broader emphasis on returning the assets of Russia's wealthiest businessmen back to Russia," Kliment said. "There's a political dimension to that: to ensure that the wealthiest are as dependent on him as possible and as independent of the west as possible." Russia's oligarchs always had to balance keeping assets at home versus abroad, Kliment said, but pressure has been increasing. "For a long time the political risk of keeping assets in Russia appeared to be higher, but in the past month that has shifted because of pressure from both the Kremlin and the White House," Kliment added. Courtney Brunious, associate director of the USC Marshall Sports Business Institute, said such a move in the sports world could be complicated by the current political situation. "Any type of moves that take into consideration the residency of who owns the team would be impacted by whatever laws in the country in which they reside and any type of sanctions that currently or could potentially be placed on a country, such as Russia," Brunious said. If NBA team owners gather to discuss the transfer they have to consider the best interest of the league and owners, as well the ramifications of ownership change, he said. "Anyone that has a background, like Prokhorov, that could be aligned with sanctions, needs to be taken seriously," Brunious said. He added: "The NBA as a whole wants draw from a large audience. They want to focus on the talent and competition on the court, they don't necessarily want to link up with geopolitical issues." "Unless the move raises issues with the league or the U.S. government, Nets fans probably shouldn't be worried. As long as the Nets ownership group is financially sound and not running afoul of those groups, the team won't likely feel much of an impact," Brunious said. Prokhorov became principal owner of the Nets in 2010. He bought 80% of the team, as well as a 45% stake in the Barclays Center, the iconic new facility the team has called home since 2012. The Brooklyn Nets are worth $780 million, the 5th most valuable franchise in the NBA, according to Forbes. Prokhorov -- worth $10.4 billion, the 120th richest person in the world and the 11th richest in Russia, according to Forbes -- gained his wealth through minerals and metal investments in the years after the fall of communism in the early 1990s. He's got a reputation as a financial sage. "I like business, it's my profession," Prokhorov told CNN's Matthew Chance in 2011. "I spend, like, 15 hours a day in the office. It's the great joy in my life, and I never think about money." Prokhorov has shown interest in politics in the past, and even ran for president in Russia as an independent against Putin in 2012. At the time, some saw him as too close to the regime in power. Many Russians suspected the Kremlin put Prokhorov up to garner some legitimate votes without being a true threat to Putin, giving the impression that the contest was fair. CNN's Leigh Remizowski, Quand Thomas, Jillian Martin and Frederik Pleitgen contributed to this report.

Russian billionaire owner of Nets considers ownership move to Russian jurisdiction . The move is "not in any way tying it to the current political situation," the owner's rep said . Obama signed an order that can target Russian companies vital to its economy .

(CNN)Amber Vinson says she followed all the rules when caring for an Ebola patient. So how did the Texas nurse contract the deadly virus? "I have no idea," she told CNN. "I go through it almost daily in my mind: what happened, what went wrong. Because I was covered completely every time. I followed the CDC protocol. ... I never strayed. It is a mystery to me." Vinson, who was declared Ebola-free last week after treatment at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, spoke with CNN's Don Lemon in an exclusive interview that aired Thursday. She described her experience fighting the deadly virus and fired back at critics who said she should never have boarded commercial flights after treating an Ebola patient. "I'm a nurse. I care. I care for me, I would not put myself in danger. First, I would not take Ebola to my family and my best girlfriends. I would not endanger families across the nation, potentially exposing them to anything," she said. "I had no symptoms. There was no way, at that time -- I could not transmit it." The 29-year-old nurse choked up thinking of the harsh reactions of some people after they learned she had Ebola. "It's just not me," she said. "All I do is care. All I want to do is help. I would never try to hurt anyone." Opinion: Ebola will elevate respect for nurses . 'I did what I was supposed to do' Shortly after Vinson's diagnosis, CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden told reporters that she shouldn't have taken the flights. "The CDC guidance in this setting outlines the need for what is called controlled movement. That can include a charter plane, a car, but it does not include public transport," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director told reporters at the time. "We will from this moment forward ensure that no other individual who is being monitored for exposure undergoes travel in any way other than controlled movement." Vinson said she felt like Frieden blamed her without any basis. "I did what I was supposed to do, and now you're saying I should not have flown," she said. "You know, I checked multiple times before I even left Dallas to see if it was OK to go." And when her return flight from Cleveland to Dallas got repeatedly delayed, Vinson said she checked her temperature multiple times and reported it to the Texas Health Department. Then her contact there would speak with the CDC. "She would tell me if i was OK to go or not," Vinson said. "And I got the OK every single time." 'It's a struggle' Vinson's diagnosis came amid a wave of national concern about the possible spread of Ebola in the United States, especially after it became known she had flown on two commercial flights after treating Duncan. She became the second person known to have contracted Ebola in the United States, and the second nurse from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas to get the virus after caring for an Ebola patient. Learning that her colleague, nurse Nina Pham, had contracted Ebola was a shock, Vinson said. "My heart dropped," Vinson said. "I was afraid for myself. My first thought was, Nina is a great nurse. I know her nursing. She follows rules and protocol as closely as I do. If this happened to her, it can happen to me. It rocked my world." Several days later, Vinson was diagnosed with Ebola after returning to Dallas from a trip to visit family in Ohio, where she was planning her wedding. Days after being inside a bridal shop, she was isolated in a hospital, fending off the virus. It wasn't an easy battle, Vinson said. "It takes so much out of you. It really does. It is very draining. And even now ... walking a short distance, I get short of breath," she said. There were several particularly rough days, she said. "You've got to force yourself to get up, and forcing yourself takes a lot out of you, too," she said. "It's a struggle. You're fighting for your life." Mom: 'I just wanted to be there' For Vinson's family, it was also a harrowing ordeal. Like television viewers across America, Debra Berry stared at a TV screen and saw her daughter walking from an ambulance into the airplane that would take her from Dallas to Atlanta for treatment. It was a devastating sight for Berry, who was quarantined in Dallas and so couldn't be with her daughter. "I wouldn't have cared if she had triple Ebola. I'm her mother. Give it to me. Wrap me up in Hefty bags," she said. "I just wanted to be there. Because I knew in my gut that she was alone." Hearing remarks people made about her daughter didn't help. "I think they could have used the science to guide the situation, rather than make the comments they they did," Berry said. Even now, she said, "people just aren't listening." "I want them to hear that my daughter is a hero," she said. Vinson's fiance, Derrick Markray, said the intense media spotlight has been difficult. "It's not like she's an entertainer who was looking for fame," he said. "It found her." In the interview with Lemon, he described the agony of the first days after Vinson's diagnosis. He feared the worst, realizing that if Vinson died, her remains would be discarded as hazardous waste; there wouldn't even be an urn at her funeral. "The reality of it all just really set in, the gravity of it," he said. He wondered, "Can our system really handle this?" Ready to rebuild . Vinson survived the deadly virus. Doctors can't say for sure exactly what saved her, though they say her young age and how quickly she received treatment were likely factors. Going forward, Vinson said it's clear that more planning is necessary for U.S. hospitals to better handle Ebola. "We weren't the best prepared," she said. "We did not have extensive training. We did not have a level of feeling comfortable with putting on and taking off the protective equipment. We didn't have the time to practice it. There was not a lot of education done beforehand." That, she said, is a lesson that hospitals need to take seriously. "Everyone needs training," Vinson said. "Health care providers need to feel comfortable. They need to feel like they're protected so they can provide the best care." Vinson said nursing remains her passion, but she doesn't know when she'll be suiting up in scrubs again. "Right now I have to take care of me," she said. "It's taken weeks. I feel like I gain a little bit of strength every day," she said. "But I know me, and I'm not at the position right now where I feel comfortable providing care." For the 29-year-old nurse, it's also time to get her life back on track. After her diagnosis with Ebola, cleanup crews destroyed her engagement ring and the wedding binder she used to plan her upcoming nuptials. "We've got to rebuild," she said. And if anyone else contracts Ebola, she's ready to step in -- this time by donating blood to help in their treatment. "Are you going to give plasma?" Lemon asked her. "Absolutely," Vinson said, "as soon as I am able to do so." CNN's Greg Botelho and Jason Hanna contributed to this report.

"I feel like I gain a little bit of strength every day," nurse Amber Vinson says . Vinson says she followed the CDC's rules when caring for an Ebola patient . She says she has "no idea" how she contracted the virus . She defends her decision to travel on commercial flights, saying she had no symptoms .

(CNN) -- Yume-Hotaru's first novel was a best-seller in Japanese bookstores, and he wrote it entirely with his thumbs. Publishers in Japan were quick to see the potential of putting cellphone novels into print. The 22-year-old who would rather be identified by his pen name than his real one (Yume-Hotaru means "Dreaming Firefly" in Japanese) started composing the novel on his cell phone in 2007. Between classes, on the bus or before going to bed at night, he would type single sentences into his phone's tiny keypad, uploading each one straight to the mobile social networking site Mobage-town. The more Yume-Hotaru posted, the more popular his story became. It won a prize and soon publishers approached him, asking if he wanted to turn his digital book into a paper one. By early 2008, his novel "First Experience," a story about love and sex in high school, was a top title in one of Tokyo's biggest bookstores. Since it emerged in Japan nearly a decade ago, the cell phone novel, or keitai shosetsu, has moved from a little-known subgenre to a mainstream literary phenomenon. Keitai shosetsu sites boast billions of monthly users while publishers sell millions of copies of cellular stories taken from phones and turned into paperback. It is even spreading to other countries as other cultures start to take part in a type of composition long considered purely Japanese. As the name suggests, cell phone novels are written entirely on handsets and posted on sites like Maho no i-rando (Magic Island), the first and largest mobile novel portal in Japan. The site has a million titles, 3.5 billion monthly visitors and six million registered users, according to the company. Mobile readers instantly see new chapters as they are added, often adding comments about the direction they think a novel should take. The diary-like stories are written and read mostly by young women in their teens and 20's. Many authors use pen names and claim their stories are at least partially autobiographical. The novels often center on themes that are rarely discussed aloud in Japanese society -- drugs, sex, pregnancy, abortion, rape and disease. "When they write those novels, they share their secret, personal problems, and when they read by mobile phones, they can hide what they are reading," explained Toshie Takahashi, an associate professor of media studies at Rikkyo University in Tokyo. "They are also involved and engaged with their mobile phones very strongly," added Takahashi, noting that 96 percent of high school students own a cell phone in Japan. "The mobile phone itself is embedded in young people's everyday lives very deeply and also emotionally and physically." Despite its popularity among young women, a male writer known as Yoshi, widely considered the first cellular novelist, brought the burgeoning genre to light when he self-published "Deep Love" in 2002. The story about a prostitute in Tokyo sold nearly 3 million copies and was adapted for film, television and Manga, or Japanese comics. Publishing phenomenon . A struggling Japanese publishing industry was quick to take notice of the growing popularity of keitai shosetsu, especially early works like Yoshi's "Deep Love." Many of the popular cell phone novels have since been turned into paperbacks, and bookstores across Japan now have entire sections devoted to the digital-age literary genre. By 2007, half of the country's 10 best-selling novels were written on cell phones, according to book distributor Tohan while last year mobile novels and comics were a $240 million market in Japan, which is over 5 percent of the country's $4.5 billion total mobile content market, according to Japan's Mobile Content Forum. In January 2009, three Japanese mobile phone novel publishers reported collective sales of 1.7 million copies. Publishers, like Goma Books, one of the first to print cell phone novels, have also launched their own keitai shosetsu sites, which they use to sift through for talent whose work will be marketable on bookshelves. Goma's mobile story site Orion carries 20,000 novels and has approximately two million monthly users, according to the company. Goma has also published several top-selling keitai shosetsu, including "The Red Thread," by Mei (also a pen name). Since it was released in 2007, the story, which revolves around the romance of two middle school students, has sold nearly 2 million copies and was adapted for a TV series and movie last December. The publishing house now prints a new mobile novel every month. Some literary purist don't think the cell phone novels constitute real literature, but their popularity is undeniable. "The sentences may be a bit immature. It doesn't have a major plot line sometimes. It is just love stories of ordinary high school girls, said Aya Tanaka, a spokesperson for Goma. "But it is kind of like popular comics, it is what the teenagers want to read, and for the publishers, it is quite a big market and it does sell." Michael Keferl, a trend consultant with Cscout Japan in Tokyo, believes that "[readers] are participating in the creation of the novel, which is one of the reasons why they buy it afterwards. They are helping to write it and are also witnessing it being written." Crossing cultures . However some believe the future of keitai shosetsu as one that is quickly following in the footsteps of most teenage fads: A sudden and rapid rise to mass popularity followed by a slow but steady decline to the fringes of the not-so-cool. Last year few mobile novels appeared on best-seller lists while new stories published online have lost their characteristic edginess, said Chiaki Ishihara, a Japanese literature expert at Waseda University in Tokyo who has studied cell phone novels. "Keitai shosetsu is rapidly declining at this point," Ishihara told CNN. "In a few years, it may not even be considered a subculture." Others see the cell phone novel moving from an initial boom that peaked around 2007 to a period of market stabilization. "You are not going to have as many of the big hits as you had before because there are so many titles out," said Keferl. "Things are leveling out now." While the cell phone novel market may be cooling in Japan, it is just starting to emerge in other countries, like the United States, where faster networks and cheaper data plans are leading more consumers to use handsets in ways similar to people in Japan. Many companies are starting to launch mobile web sites in the U.S., including DeNA, the Japanese firm that owns Mobage-town, the site where Yume-Hotaru writes his keitai shosetsu. "What has surprised us is users in America are behaving in a similar way to the Japanese," said Dai Watanabe, president of DeNA Global, Inc. "They are writing about things that are very close to their actual lives. I was surprised to see it is very similar with what is happening in Japan." Julian Knighten, a 22-year-old who works three jobs, writes his cell phone stories while lying in bed at night in his home outside of Dallas, Texas. He said he had never heard of keitai shosetsu before but likes writing cell phone novels because of the relationship he has with readers and the feedback they give him about his stories. "It encourages me to write," said Knighten. "And it gives me the chance to escape reality."

Hugely popular cell phone novels have created new market for publishers in Japan . Written on cell phone, often by 20-somethings with themes taboo in society . Publishing boom has led to sector maturing, but sales still in millions of copies . Cell phone novels finding popularity in U.S. with advancing mobile technology .

(CNN) -- On Sunday, during the inauguration ceremony, and followed by endorsement of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani presented Majlis [the Iranian parliament] with a list of proposed cabinet members. A look at candidates shows that after eight years of the chaotic and catastrophic presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, things are getting back to normal. This could also mean that the old guard is in charge again. Senior ruling elites (the average age of Rouhani's new cabinet is 57) are celebrating their victory after surviving Ahmadinejad pressures to uproot them. Read more: Rouhani takes over as Iran's president . After nearly two months of heated discussion and wild speculation about the makeup of Rouhani's cabinet, the list of the proposed ministers can finally predict Iran's future. A close aide to Rouhani, Hesamodin Ashna, wrote on his public Facebook page: "This cabinet has been designed to return peace to the government of the country. The presence of veterans indicates difficult crisis that must be resolved. It takes at least two years to find out what in the past eight years has caused this country to fall apart." The economic orientation of the new administration is clear. The appointment of Mohammad Nahavandian -- head of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines -- as the presidential Chief of staff, sends the message that the new government will be relying on the private sector. And the composition of the cabinet seemingly shows Iranian liberals will be at the helm of the economy. However, there is still speculation about the political proportions of the new administration. A mistake that many political critics make is trying to determine the political weight of the cabinet based on the overused dichotomy of principlist-reformist, neglecting that such a categorization can no longer describe the political arena of Iran, particularly in the post-election era. Read more: Rouhani feels limits of office . Now, let's look at a few facts. All 18 proposed ministers have good relations with Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the head of the Expediency Council who became known as the kingmaker in this election. Some of these candidates are even considered Rafsanjani's apostles. Sixteen of them have held prominent positions in the administration of Mohammad Khatami, the former reformist president who is out of favor with the hardliners and was not even invited to Rouhani's inauguration. More interestingly three of these proposed ministers, Mohammad Akhoundi, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh and Ali Rabiei, were three of the most important members of the Mir-Hussein Mousavi campaign in 2009. (This candidate is still under house arrest with his wife after protesting the vote result and leading the Green Movement). Naturally such a makeup of the cabinet drew criticism from the radicals in the principlists' camp. But more interestingly, radical reformists, particularly the activist and journalist body associated with them, have criticized Rouhani for his cabinet picks. Why? Because the position of the three sensitive ministries of culture, intelligence and interior were not given to pure reformists. The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance was offered to Ali Jannati -- the son of 87-year-old head of the Guardian Council Ahmad Jannati -- who unlike his father has good relations with Hashemi Rafsanjani and during the presidency of Khatami was Iran's ambassador to Kuwait. In an interview conducted less than a week ago he uttered almost everything that a reformist would say. Jannati said he did not believe in censorship before publication of books. Censoring has been the standard procedure in the past three decades of publication in Iran. He also promised that if a newspaper criticizes the administration it would not land in hot water. Read more: Presidential elections without buzz . Despite being a principlist, Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi, the candidate minister of intelligence has mostly trodden his own path. Less than two years ago he was disqualified from running for Majlis by the Guardian Council for "lacking practical commitment to Islam and the regime." In a recent interview, Alavi had the courage to openly say "there is a security atmosphere in the country at present and individuals are not at ease to speak [their minds]" and promised that the situation would change. Unlike the candidates for culture and intelligence ministries, Abdolereza Rahmani Fazli, the proposed interior minister whose job description includes appointing the 31 governors, has not revealed his view points. A principlist, Rahmani Fazli is very close to the speaker of Majlis, Ali Larijani. Therefore, many radical reformists have criticized Rouhani for giving a share in his cabinet to Larijani. An unofficial campaign has also started lambasting the speaker of Majlis as the sole obstacle to reforms in the country. It appears that certain political currents in Iran are repeated like short cycles. About 12 years ago, the reformists launched a campaign against Hashemi Rafsanjani and his cohorts including Hassan Rouhani to blame him for all the country's problems in order to prevent his election to the sixth parliament. Demonizing Rafsanjani actually turned out to hurt reformists most as they lost a powerful ally, who could have helped them in furthering their agenda and paved the way for the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 2005 election. Portraying Larijani as the new wicked could have similar sequels. Larijani has already shown that he wants a relationship based on give and take. In the aftermath of the 2009 presidential election, despite pressure by hardliners to condemn popular protests, he remained silent as long as he could. In the beginning, he even tried mediating between the defeated candidate Mousavi and the supreme leader. It is only natural for the new president whose campaign slogan was "solving things with prudency" to choose negotiation to strengthen the position of his camp instead of resorting to confrontation and exclusion. The boldest step Rouhani has taken is nominating Mohammad Javad Zarif as foreign minister. Zarif's candidacy has been heavily opposed by the hardliners who insist this choice means that the new administration is serious about reducing tensions with the West, particularly with the U.S. Some have claimed that Rouhani's cabinet does not create strong hope of a political opening in Iran. But the reality is that the winds of change began blowing two months ago immediately after the election by the republication of two highly circulated reformist magazines that had been banned. And even though Mohammad Khatami was not allowed to attend the inauguration ceremony, his pictures have once again found their way to the front page of the newspapers. However, it appears that the threat of the radicalization of the supporters of change is stronger for the new administration than the pressure from extremists. Two weeks ago, one of the most prominent anti-regime figures in the country, 81-year-old Ebrahim Yazdi -- who has been sentenced to eight years in prison -- stressed in an interview with a reformist paper that Rouhani's administration should not be expected to perform miracles: "He has to arrange the melody of desired change with the increasing tolerance and endurance levels of the opponents of reform," he said. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ali Reza Eshraghi .

President Hassan Rouhani has presented Iran's parliament with a proposed cabinet list . Ali Reza Eshraghi says it suggests a return to the old guard, after Ahmadinejad . 16 proposed ministers had positions in the government of reformist Mohammad Khatami . However, three key posts were not given to pure reformists, Eshraghi says .

(CNN) -- Author R.L. Stine has returned to the evil street that made him famous in the 1990s, and fans are looking forward to the new ways he'll terrorize Shadyside High School teenagers on "Fear Street." "Party Games," out on September 30, is the first of six new "Fear Street" books that Stine is releasing. The premise: When Shadyside High School senior Brendan Fear has a birthday party at his parent's summer house on Fear Island, things go from bad to worse. Stine, 70, is the author of more than 300 novels for children and teens, including the much-loved "Goosebumps" and "Fear Street" series. The latter was a major hit, selling 80 million copies and building a fan base that for years has been asking him to revive the spooky series. "The whole thing happened because of Twitter," Stine said. "It's a great way to keep in touch with my original readers, and 'Fear Street' was mentioned more than anything else. That's what they read when they were kids. And I suppose we're all nostalgic for what we read back then." R.L. Stine aims to give adults 'Goosebumps' The new "Fear Street" arrives at a time many consider to be a renaissance of young adult horror. It disappeared as a dominant genre in the early 2000s with the rise of fantasy novels and series such as "Harry Potter" and "Eragon." Popular shows such as "The Walking Dead" and "American Horror Story" helped revive interest in horror literature, said Catherine Scully, young adult editor for the Horror Writers Association. Like today's TV shows, today's teen horror novels are darker and scarier than the "Fear Street" of the 1990s, reflecting the way popular culture has changed. Along with Stine, a new class of authors is attempting to redefine young adult horror for the "Saw" generation, which can easily find graphic depictions of violence on TV and in movies and video games. By weaving in diverse elements -- such as historic gothic and psychological thrillers -- and making both protagonists and villains more three-dimensional, this new wave of authors is hoping to appeal to readers looking for something more than gore and torture porn. Unlike horror depicted on television and the big screen, in horror literature for young adults, subtlety is key, rather than shock value, author and horror expert Jonathan Maberry said. "Modern teen horror goes more inside the personal experience rather than the body count," he said. "The more subtle you go and leave for the reader to interpret, they can participate and it's even scarier." A brief history of young adult literature . Where it began, where it's going. The definition of teen horror can be difficult to pinpoint, especially as new authors broaden the range of topics contained within the genre. In the broadest sense, it embodies the disturbing, imaginative manifestations of fear and dread, life-or-death situations, thrilling surprises and a loss of control, authors and literary observers say. Horror is defined by what scares you, "and that's very personal and different for each person," said Scully, who reviews young adult horror in HWA's 'Scary Out There' blog. Horror novels by Stine, Christopher Pike and Lois Duncan emerged as a salve to the 1970s and 1980s' "problem novels" that dealt with divorce, drugs and alcohol abuse. In the early 2000s, authors began began weaving elements of horror into fantasy, such as the "Harry Potter" series. Horror was the umbrella genre that gave birth to popular subgenres such as paranormal and dystopian, Scully said. As the genre evolved, it began attracting more readers with its diversity of subgenres and topics. Themes of empowerment and hope emerged, showcasing teens defeating evil in the face of their greatest fears -- and surviving to the end of the book, Scully said. Readers sound off: Books that changed YOUR lives . "I look at YA horror as being the swords and shields we give our teens to fight with these problems that we have limited ways of coping with," Scully said. "Teen horror stories are actually empowering them against these horrific things in their life. To have their own stories and their own ways of fighting back, I think we give them a voice." Cat Winters, Kendare Blake, April Genevieve Tucholke and Kami Garcia are some of the authors folding in suspense and elements of psychological terror into horror novels. "Horror combines what readers love by merging the scary creatures from 'Twilight' and gritty, horrifying elements of dystopian (literature)," gothic horror author Winters said. "Horror can be a genre of its own but finds its way into almost every other genre." Kenneth Oppel, author of a young Victor Frankenstein series, believes that part of the appeal of modern young adult horror is the shift away from crazed serial killers to demons within ourselves. Case in point: zombies, monsters of our own creation. Zombies connect well with the teen experience, standing as a metaphor for misunderstanding, loss or massive life changes and how characters handle the consequences, Maberry said. Isaac Marion, author of "Warm Bodies," which was adapted for the big screen in February 2013, didn't write his book for young adults. But they connected with the message: figuring out who you are and who you want to be, even if you're a zombie, he said. His book is told from the perspective of a zombie who feels lost until he meets (and doesn't want to eat) a living person. "It always seemed strange to me that there was no curiosity about what's going on behind the scenes of this creature," Marion said. Young adult books from page to screen . New twists to old favorites . For years, fans have been asking Stine to revive "Fear Street" in online fan forums and over social media. But publishers weren't interested, claiming the idea he left behind in 1995 was outdated in the new world of young adult fiction dominated by dystopian worlds and paranormal events. Stine took to Twitter, thanking his fans for their interest while letting them know that the idea was discouraged. Then, associate editor Kat Brzozowski of Thomas Dunne Books, a division of St. Martin's Press, reached out to him. The "Fear Street" series married supernatural horror with real-life horror of teenagers' deepest fears and insecurities. That's why they were so popular with young readers, Brzozowski said, including herself. She thought it was fitting that the grandfather of teen horror revisit his most popular series for old fans and a new generation. Young adult books that changed our lives . While the Stine "recipe" remains the same -- following one character's perspective closely -- Stine says the new "Fear Street" books will be longer, more adult and more violent, reflecting how young adult fiction has changed since the 1990s. "For me, it's thinking of new scares, plot twists and cliffhanger chapter endings I haven't done before, moving into the modern world," Stine said. "It will be a roller coaster ride of fearful surprises." Follow Ashley Strickland on Twitter .

R.L. Stine is reviving his most popular series, "Fear Street" Stine joins other authors in reviving horror books for teens . TV shows like "The Walking Dead" helped renew interest in horror literature . Author Jonathan Maberry: "Modern teen horror goes more inside the personal experience"

(CNN) -- Do you find yourself enviously clicking through pictures of celebrity homes on your lunch hour? Instead of turning green over the multibillion-dollar estates of George Clooney or Brad and Angelina, why not follow their lead? Plan your own getaway in a place where the stars have found solace, far from the fray. To make yourself at home (at least temporarily) in your own private villa, contact local rental agencies or do your own research on sites such as HomeAway.com. Or choose a lower priced hotel option and simply savor the same scenery that the stars enjoy. Once you arrive, feel free to pretend paparazzi are hiding around every corner in hope of snatching a candid of you, in all your celeb-y glamour. Lake Como, Italy . Though George Clooney may not have invited you to his private villa, you can still have a grand time in the Italian Alps. The panoramic views from Hotel La Perla are just part of the reason visitors rave about the place. They also appreciate the large rooms with high ceilings, the serenity and the friendly, knowledgeable staff. A Como must-see is the marble and gold-inlay interior and high octagonal dome of the Cattedrale di Como. Under construction from the 14th century to the 18th, the cathedral displays traces of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, and is among the most important churches in Northern Italy. And don't miss the spectacular views from the Funicular Railway, which makes the steep climb to the town of Brunate. Then savor the vista over wine and a fine meal at Ristorante Bellavista. North Carolina lures 'Hunger Games' fans . Maui, Hawaii . For a taste of the Hawaii that Oprah enjoys, head to Upcountry Maui, with its fertile, rolling ranches and sweeping views. Vacation rental sites offer affordable Upcountry options, but you can also avoid beachfront crowds with a stay at the Banyan Tree House. After a simple breakfast, stretch out in a hammock, surrounded by flowers and shaded by giant banyan, monkeypod and jacaranda trees, or take a dip in the pool. Take an afternoon stroll to Makawao, a quiet cowboy town that's now a center for artists. Explore the galleries and a glassblower's shop, then stop by the Makawao Garden Café for lunch in a little courtyard, under the shade of a tropical tree. Diners call the restaurant "a little Eden" that's kind of like being "in your own little rainforest." Save room for dessert at T. Komoda Store & Bakery, which locals laud for their sticky treats like cinnamon snails and small donuts -- some glazed and some filled with guava jam -- sold five on a wooden stick. Visit Ulupalakua, Maui's second largest cattle ranch, on the slopes of Mount Haleakala, where, in the mid-1800s, ranchers cultivated sweet potatoes, taro and sugarcane in the rich, volcanic soil. Other must-sees include the view from Haleakala Crater, the highest point on Maui, and Wailua Falls, the 200-foot, rainbow-making cascade dropping into a tropical rainforest pool that was featured in the opening scene of "Fantasy Island." World's most outrageous hotel amenities . Aix-en-Provence, France . If a Brangelina-style extended stay at a mammoth South of France château isn't exactly in your mere-mortal budget, why not create a little adventure of your own with a rental in the heart of Aix-en-Provence? Check out Aix en Appartements for listings ranging from garden studios to modern lofts to a terrace apartment overlooking the clocktower. Aix offers endless opportunities to explore thousands of years of history. Visit the Eglise Saint Jean de Malte, a fortified, 13th-century Gothic church. Stop in next door at Palais de Malte, built in 1676, which is now the Granet Museum, featuring archaeology exhibits and collections of 16th to 20th-century paintings, including some by Cézanne. Then stroll the pedestrian streets full of shops in the old Roman town, where you can still see remains of the Medieval ramparts and the market motifs on buildings that played an important role in the region's agricultural commerce. When hunger strikes, don't miss L'Epicurien, a small bistro located just beside the Museum of Natural History, featuring creative cuisine with dishes that highlight seasonal produce. Diners rave about the squash soup with foie gras, the oyster ravioli and the raw, marinated cod. Five must-see Oscar film sites . Taos, New Mexico . Julia Roberts is said to love Taos for the escape it offers from big-city life. Surely you will, too. For a no-hassle getaway stay at the American Artists Gallery Bed & Breakfast, which offers in-room fireplaces, oversized Jacuzzi tubs and heated tile floors, as well as stunning views of the Taos Mountains. With house specialties including stuffed French toast, Navajo cornbake casserole and cheese biscuits, plan to swoon over the gourmet breakfast. You'll appreciate that hearty meal while you're at Rio Grande Gorge, where hiking, biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and hot air ballooning are all ways to enjoy the spectacular 800-foot canyon. If, by dinnertime, you're not too worn out for walking, stroll from the inn to Lambert's of Taos for their signature dish: pepper crusted loin of lamb with a red wine demi-glace, sautéed vegetables and garlic linguine. Then, on day two, head for the foothills of the largest peaks in New Mexico to visit Taos Pueblo, a complex of multiple-storied adobe buildings that have been continuously inhabited by Native Americans for more than 1,000 years. Tour the grounds and support the local artisans by buying mica-flecked pottery and silver jewelry at curio shops within the pueblo. Nashville, Tennessee . When Nicole Kidman set up house outside of Nashville with country music megastar Keith Urban, the farm's distance from Los Angeles and New York was a big part of the draw. Nashville's warm, casual, down-home feel is easy to love. Even if you're not a country music fan, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame for the rich Americana and the impressive curation. In addition to the diverse collection of costumes, memorabilia, instruments and photographs, the museum cleverly "displays" the music itself using snail-shell spiral pods that allow you to sample recordings spanning decades in the genre's evolution. Once you're ready for a little irreverence about country music, catch a Doyle and Debbie Show, a parody act "simultaneously lampooning and idolizing" the iconic duo tradition, which the Nashville Scene called a "hilarious piece of low-brow inspiration turned into high entertainment." For some serious soul food that diners call a "damn fine meat and three," head to At the Table in South Nashville. They close early so make yours a lunch visit. For dinner, try ChaChah for tapas.

Can't afford a second home? Sample the good life with a rental . For a taste of the Hawaii that Oprah enjoys, head to Upcountry Maui . A Brangelina-style château might be out of reach, but perhaps an Aix-en-Provence pied-à-terre?

Editor's note: CNN.com has a business partnership with CareerBuilder.com, which serves as the exclusive provider of job listings and services to CNN.com. You can sell your skills, your time or your used stuff to make some extra money. With an abundance of job losses, salary cuts, eliminated bonuses and diminished 401(K) matching contributions, your income is shrinking -- but the bills aren't. If your regular job isn't earning you enough cash or you've lost your job altogether, these simple side gigs can help put some padding in your pockets until -- maybe even after -- you get back on your feet. Here are 10 ways real people are creatively taking home some extra dough: . 1. Do freelance work . Felice Premeau Devine left her lucrative, full-time job two years ago to raise her son. In the interim, she's picked up writing and editing freelance work and started a blog, where she is able to earn a little cash from advertising. Nowadays, almost any job can be done on a contract or freelance basis. Check out sites like Sologig, which lead job seekers to contract, consulting, freelance, temp-to-hire and part-time project opportunities in your field. 2. Sell your books . If you're a college student or you hung on to your college textbooks thinking you might want to read them again somewhere down the line, select retailers like Barnes & Noble allow you to sell your textbooks for some quick cash. Or, take some classics from your personal library and sell them at a local second-hand bookstore. 3. Search circulating coinage . Susan Headley, the "guide to coins" on About.com, is a lifetime coin collector who has been boosting her income by searching through circulating coinage for the past six years. In 2008, she made about $2,500 and so far in 2009, she has earned approximately $500 from coins she's found. People who search circulating coinage successfully for a side income do so in very large numbers, she says. They buy rolls of coins from banks, typically in whole boxes, and sort through it to find stuff that just doesn't belong, Headley says. Half dollars, for example, were no longer made from 90 percent silver after 1965, but they still had 40 percent silver in them until 1970; either of these turn a nice profit. Presidential dollar errors can be worth $50 to $5,000 each; uncirculated state quarters can sell from $10 to $50 per roll; and rare error coins can value up to $35,000. 4. Start a "business" Turn your hobby, skills or expertise into a part-time business. Sites like Jobvana can help you do so by providing you with free tools to market your services and offer specialized skills to those looking for help. Peter Olson says he built a profile in September 2008 offering to teach guitar lessons. He has since gained two students, earning about $240 extra dollars per month and grossing around $1,000 since he started teaching. 5. Enter local and online sweepstakes . Wendy Limauge has been entering sweepstakes since 1993 and teaching others to win through her Web site, Sweeties Sweeps, since 2002. Though winning sweepstakes rarely provides actual cash, her winnings have consistently provided her and her family with 200 to 300 prizes a year, many of them large items she and her husband couldn't afford on their incomes alone. Prizes she has won include three TVs, two of which are flat-screens; a home theatre system; three dishwashers, each won on separate occasions; at least $1,500 in grocery gift certificates; an $18,000 voucher for the vehicle of her choice; a trip to France valued at $25,000; and, in March 2009, she won $5,000 in an instant-win game. "The Internet has so many options for saving money, getting something for free, winning a prize or earning money from home," Limauge says. "You just need to find those resources that offer helpful information and point you in the right direction to get you started and keep you motivated." 6. Give your opinion -- and get paid . Linda Childers, a California-based freelance writer, says many of her friends participate in focus groups. Contributing an hour of your time can earn you up to $100, sometimes more. Online surveys, phone surveys and product trials can also earn you anywhere from $5 to $150. Check out Free Paid Surveys or FindFocusGroups. 7. Sell your junk . Terri Jay earns $2,000 - $3,000 per month just by selling junk. On eBay, Jay not only sells stuff she isn't using; she hits up local thrift stores on 99-cent days, garage sales and tack sales, looking for things of which she knows the value. She says her best sale was for a drink tray from the 70s: She paid 25 cents for it and it sold for $87. "The trick is to [sell] what you know," she advises. "Therefore you can list them [at correct prices] so they will get picked up in searches [on eBay]." 8. Join a direct selling company . Direct selling is one of the easiest ways to earn some extra cash, especially if you sell products you love. Avon, for example, allows you start your own business for $10 -- your take home depends on your efforts. Some full-time representatives earn six-figure salaries, others own licensed Avon Beauty Centers and many just sell Avon part time around their family's schedules. Haizel MacIntyre started her Avon business in June of 2008 to earn supplemental income to her full-time job when her husband was laid off. Since joining Avon, MacIntyre averages $1,800 a month in sales and her husband is helping her run the business. Her Avon earnings help pay the bills, provide extras for her three kids and she is hoping to earn enough to put towards her college tuition when she goes back to school to get her Masters in Social Work. 9. Be a secret shopper . Keen eyes for detail as well as a good memory are really all that it takes to succeed as a secret shopper, says Zippy Sandler, who has been mystery shopping for about 13 years. After registering with a secret shopping company, you are paid to basically go undercover and report on a company's operation from the customer point of view. Sandler decided to start secret shopping not only to earn money eating, traveling and shopping, but also to learn customer service skills to pass along to the employees she managed at a retail store. Depending on the clients she is shopping for, Sandler says she has earned everywhere from $100 to $2,000 per month. 10. Sell your photos to stock agencies . It doesn't matter if you're a hobbyist, an amateur or a seasoned photographer - anyone can submit their photos to stock photo agencies like Shutterstock.com. If your images are accepted, they will be available for download by subscribers. Each time someone downloads your photos, you get 25 cents. Copyright CareerBuilder.com 2009. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority .

There are creative ways to earn extra money . Sell your photographs to stock photo agencies; sell your used books . Join a direct selling company like Avon cosmetics . Get paid for opinion surveys, enter local or online sweepstakes .

(CNN) -- Congress might cut most of the federal funding for your local poison control center, which could mean a longer wait during your next poison-related emergency. Measure H.R. 1 would cut $27.3 million, or about 93%, of federal funding for poison control centers across the United States. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives, but rejected by the Senate on March 9. Congressional leaders now need to negotiate a final spending measure, and that bill might include cuts to the poison control centers. "My feeling is that just based on my experience, it would end up costing lives somewhere along the way," says Jo Anne Bryant, a nurse with 30 years experience who recently called a poison center when her husband, Ronald, accidentally inhaled pesticide fumes while cleaning out the garage. "I've dealt with some emergencies in this field over my career, but I was completely at a loss as to what to do. When it came to this, I felt completely helpless." Bryant dialed the national poison center hot line 1-800-222-1222 and was told to take her husband to the hospital if he had specific symptoms, including vomiting. He'd already thrown up, so they headed to the emergency department, where he was treated and released. It's not just the patients . Hospitals rely on poison control centers, too. Poison centers answered 4.2 million calls in 2009, and about 16% of those calls came from hospitals seeking their expertise. "After the hospital did their initial treatment," says Bryant, "they also called the poison control center to verify that they had administered the correct treatment." What about when you dial 911? They call your poison center, too. When the 911 operators figure out your emergency is poisoning related, they conference in the poison center for a three-way conversation. That's because the poison center staff answering phone calls include nurses, physicians and pharmacists with specialized poison center training, and there is always a toxicologist on call. "If we're not around, you better tell your 911 operator to strap their belts on to answer a whole lot of calls that they don't know a damn thing about and can't safely manage that patient at home," says Mark Ryan, director of the Louisiana Poison Center. Spending here, saving there . Poison control center operators say their services save health care dollars, primarily because most callers are told they don't need a hospital. Eliminating call centers could increase unnecessary trips to the hospital, further burdening the health care system, they say. "Poison centers treat nearly 75% of all exposure cases at home, without the patient having to go to a health care facility," said Jim Hirt, executive director of the American Association of Poison Control Centers, in a written statement. "The costs of this cut would ultimately far exceed the $27 million saved." According to a study cited by the Department of Health and Human Services, for every dollar spent on poison control centers, $7 in health care spending is saved. Other studies find the per dollar value of poison control centers to be far greater. Louisiana has already been down this road. Because of state budget cuts, the Louisiana Poison Center closed on October 31, 1988. The percentage of patients treated at home dropped to 28.6%, from 74.1% before the center closed, according to a 1991 study published in the Southern Medical Journal. The Louisiana Poison Center reopened in 1992, because the additional health care costs outweighed the savings, and because of stories like Peggy Toner's. Toner's 2-year-old daughter swallowed an antibiotic cream one day in 1990. With the Louisiana Poison Center closed, she called another state's poison center for help, but the staff was instructed not to help her, because the state where she lived, Louisiana, was not paying for their poison center services. "It was the most horrible feeling in the world," says Toner. "What if my daughter died because they wouldn't help me?" She then called a Kentucky poison center, where she got help. Creating one national call center . The cuts in federal funding would eliminate all but one of the nation's 57 poison control centers, which rely heavily on federal funding. Click here to see how many federal dollars your local poison control center receives. "There's just no reason to maintain 57 separate call centers around the country when technology would enable us to get the job done with one," said a statement from Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Montana, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Health and Human Services. "We can save millions simply by cutting out 56 duplicative locations and with record debt and deficits putting our future in jeopardy, it's worth looking under every rock for savings." Poison control center operators strongly disagree. "Local relationships are invaluable" says Ryan of Louisiana. "There's no way a single center could get in there and provide for the wants and needs of every state. It's not possible." He also warns of putting all resources in a single entity. "What happens if the hypothetical 'single' center gets wiped out by a tornado and the infrastructure is destroyed? Where are those 12,000+ calls each day going to go?" Many health care students -- doctors, nurses, pharmacists, EMTs -- receive formal toxicology training from their local center. "Who else knows what we know?" says Ryan. It is unclear how one enormous center would be funded, or in which state it would be. "If you want the same number of people to be answered," says Gaylord Lopez, director of the Georgia Poison Center, "suddenly you need to have probably six- or seven-hundred people working in a single poison control center." Proponents of the one-center plan cite innovation in private business and say government could follow the example to be more efficient. "If you look at things like bookstores or movie rental stores, with internet technology, where long distances really aren't an issue anymore, what they do is they save a ton of money by putting everything in a single warehouse," said one congressional staffer speaking anonymously. Could it work? Many call centers already serve areas far beyond their locale. A call center in Nebraska also handles emergencies in American Samoa and Micronesia. Oregon serves Guam. A Jacksonville, Florida, call center serves the Virgin Islands. And Montana -- Rehberg's state -- is served by the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, which also handles Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho and Nevada, negotiating rates with each state. Cell phones also make out-of-state poison emergencies a common thing. Timing the announcement with National Poison Prevention Week, which began Sunday, the American Association of Poison Control Centers will release an iPhone app to help users dial the poison control hot line. Those calls, like all cell phone calls, may ring at the nearest poison control center, or not. "Every single center gets calls from other states almost daily," says Ryan. "Two or three a day; we see it more with certain carriers than others." Still, poison center operators insist that local matters. "I think it was just an ill-informed decision by somebody who, let's just hope, was new on the scene," says Lopez about the proposed budget cuts, "and wasn't that ill-informed after lots of experience."

Measure H.R. 1 could cut 93% of federal funding for poison control centers . House passed H.R. 1 but Senate rejected it; cut could still be in a final, negotiated bill . Centers answered 4.2 million calls in 2009; about 16% of those came from hospitals . The cuts are meant to eliminate all but one of the nation's 57 poison control centers .

Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) -- Millions of Indonesians cast their ballot for their next president in a neck-and-neck race between Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, a former furniture businessman who has drawn comparisons to U.S. President Barack Obama, and Prabowo Subianto, a well-connected former military man. Official results may take two to three weeks. Unofficial quick counts showed a slight edge for Widodo. One survey group, Lingkaran Survei Indonesia, showed 53.3% for Widodo and 46.7% for Prabowo with 99% of its data, and another group, Center for Strategic International Studies reported 52% for Widodo over 48% for Prabowo, with 95% of its data. Another independent survey group, Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting indicated 52-53% for Jokowi over Prabowo's 46% with 99% of data. Quick counts in Indonesia are usually accurate with a slim 1-2% margin of error, said Kevin Evans, a political analyst. Unlike previous Indonesian elections though, this race is a tight one. "Officially it will take us a few weeks to know if we are the actual winner so it must be official," Prabowo told CNN. "I am very confident, very confident," he said after voting. "You saw how enthusiastic the people are, how happy they are. Of course, this is my home village but most of the reports I get from all over Indonesia, we are doing very well." Over 185 million eligible voters across 17,000 Indonesian islands were eligible to vote. The campaign . Both candidates have been dogged by allegations leading up to voting day for the world's most populous Muslim nation. Earlier this year, Widodo had enjoyed double-digit lead in polls only to watch that advantage erode following smear campaigns suggesting that he is of Chinese descent, or even a Christian -- a deal breaker for many in this Muslim-majority nation. Prabowo, a career military man, had not been able shake off persistent questions about his human rights record. The current president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, will end his 10-year tenure, as Indonesian law prohibits a third term. Yudhoyono leaves office with sagging popularity as growing violence against religious minorities and high-profile scandals tarnished his presidential legacy. Voters are looking for firm leadership that they haven't received under the current president, said Douglas Ramage, an analyst from Bower's Asia Group. The next president will be inaugurated on October 20. The economy question . Yudhoyono leaves behind a slowing economy hampered by trade and budget deficits. The first and foremost issue -- like all elections -- is the economy. Indonesia's economy has slowed to 5-6% growth, which the World Bank says is not enough to provide jobs for the 15 million Indonesians joining the work force. The two candidates have touted the usual talking points, pledging economic growth, more jobs and better infrastructure. "It has the people, it has the resources, it has favorable demographics, it has rapid urbanization and it has a rising middle class," said Ndiame Diop, the World Bank lead economist for Indonesia. "And it has very good macro-economic management. I think those are ingredients that really lift the country." But there are concerns over whether the next leader will cut roughly $30 billion in annual energy subsidies. Analysts also worry over a rise of protectionism within the country. "Both candidates believe Indonesia deserves a bigger share of their national wealth," Ramage said. "Both candidates are presenting a more inward-looking vision of Indonesia." "Prabowo might be giving voters what they want to hear: a version of a muscular and assertive Indonesia whose wealth has flowed out of Indonesia and been seized by foreign countries. That message may be resonating with voters." Questions over Prabowo . Prabowo, a former son-in-law of Indonesian president Suharto, has sought to project an image of a take-charge leader. Having never served in public office, the former lieutenant general has campaigned hard on his military service. And that has appealed to the nation which has had a history of military leaders. "I think Prabowo has the character of a firm leader and at this point what Indonesia needs is a leader who is very strong," said Budi Satria, an Indonesian voter. "When I say firm, it doesn't mean someone who just speaks loudly, but someone who is decisive." Prabowo's military record has made him subject of scrutiny for his alleged involvements in controversial campaigns in East Timor, West Papua and a crackdown on pro-democracy activists in 1998. He was removed from his military post that year. In 2000, Prabowo was denied a visa to the United States, believed to stem from his human rights record. He has defended his record, describing himself as "the staunchest human rights defender in this country." It hasn't swayed Andreas Harsono, human rights researcher based in Jakarta. "Of course he makes statements about human rights, but it is murky," said Harsono of Human Rights Watch. "Someone who is accused of making human rights abuses and fired from his job as a general, now talking about human rights, is problematic." One Indonesian poll indicated about a third of voters know about the human rights questions pertaining to Prabowo. "I do think that human rights and the question over Prabowo's record has made impact on voters, particularly on swing voters' or undecided voters' political behavior," said Usman Hamid, a former student activist in 1998 and masters candidate at Australian National University. Economic class schisms . Earlier this year, Widodo appeared to be a virtual lock for the presidency as he enjoyed double-digit leads in various polls. As a political newcomer to the national stage, he climbed the ranks as mayor of Surakarta to become Jakarta governor. Projecting an image as a reformer, he became known for his spontaneous visits to slums, which drew media attention, and unannounced drop-ins at government offices to catch under-performing workers. "We want to see this election proceed in a clean, honest way so that it can produce a clean and honest leader who is willing to serve the people," he told CNN. As the campaign wore into the summer, Widodo's polling numbers took a hit. "The Prabowo camp has been effective at negatively defining Jokowi as weak on policy substance and basically not ready for the national stage," Ramage said. "In campaigns, you have to define your opponent first, and Prabowo did that very effectively." The bulk of his support came from the poorer Indonesians. "I choose Jokowi because I can see that he cares for the poor and marginalized," said Wulan, an Indonesian voter in Jakarta. Meanwhile, the bulk of Indonesia's upper class tends to back Prabowo, according to polling data. But the race may boil down to swing voters. "The 15% swing voters will be crucial, said Hamdi Muluk, a University of Indonesia professor who specializes in political psychology. "These voters, they come from the middle class, they're very skeptical and more knowledgeable... it's the key to win the election." CNN's Kathy Quiano reported from Jakarta and Madison Park repoted and wrote from Hong Kong. Intern Casey Tolan contributed to this article.

Unofficial quick counts show slight edge for "Jokowi" Widodo over Prabowo Subianto . 185 million voters eligible to decide president of Indonesia for next five years . Middle class swing voters key to who wins the presidency .

Chicago (CNN) -- In Roseland, one of Chicago's most dangerous neighborhoods, many residents stay off the streets to protect themselves from rampant gang violence. But one grandmother opened her door and invited gang members to come inside. "They say I'm a nut because I let kids into my home who I didn't even know," said Diane Latiker, 54. "But I know (the kids) now. And I'll know the new generation." Since 2003, Latiker has gotten to know more than 1,500 young people through her nonprofit community program, Kids Off the Block. And she hopes that by providing them with support and a place to go, she is also bringing hope to a community in crisis. "We are losing a generation to violence," said Latiker, who started the program in her living room. According to Chicago Public Schools, 140 of its students have been shot since the school year started in September. "How can a kid get a gun like he can get a pack of gum? It's that crazy," Latiker said. Latiker, a mother of eight and grandmother to 13, has lived in Roseland for 22 years. She said she was once "young and dumb," dropping out of high school and having seven children by age 25. But she said that by 36, she had turned her life around: She got remarried and earned her GED. She had also given birth to her eighth child, Aisha. This time, she said, she was determined to do things right. But when Aisha became a teenager in 2003, Latiker worried that Aisha and her friends would fall in with a gang. After all, gang members lived next door, and there weren't many safe things for teenagers to do. "I started taking (Aisha and her friends) to swimming and movies and whatever," Latiker said. "My mother saw that, and she said: 'Diane, why don't you do something with the kids? They like you and respect you.' " Latiker was hesitant at first. She wanted to focus on being a grandmother and rebuilding her relationships with her older children. But after thinking and praying about it, she decided to make use of the natural rapport she had with young people. "I invited them into my living room," she said. "They all started saying: 'I want to be a doctor. I want to be a rapper. I want to be a singer.' They didn't want to be out here running up and down the street. They wanted to be involved in something." Latiker told them her house was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They could come over for food, or homework help, or just to talk about their hopes, dreams and fears. Kids Off the Block was born. "It doesn't matter where they come from, what they've done," Latiker said. "We've had six gangs in my living room at one time. ... But that was the safe place. And you know what? They respected that." As Latiker began to see positive change in many of the kids, she quit her job as a cosmetologist to focus on them full-time. She set up tutoring sessions with teachers and retired educators. She provided job interview training and opportunities to play football, basketball and soccer. Latiker and volunteers also started taking the kids on field trips to museums, movies, skating rinks, water parks and professional sports games. In 2004, the group started traveling to other cities across the country, including Detroit and St. Louis, so they could talk to the young people living there. The experiences "let them know there is something beyond their block," Latiker said. Latiker has also made many personal sacrifices along the way. She sold the family television to put extra money into the program, and she gave away her dining room set to make room for a computer station. "We moved into the dining room, and then we moved into one of my bedrooms," she said. "(At one point) there were 75 young people in my three rooms." Do you know a hero? Nominations are open for 2011 CNN Heroes . In 2008, just when Latiker thought her home would burst at the seams, some potential donors came to her home for a visit. Impressed, several of them pooled their money to buy a bus for the program. But a few days later, Latiker learned the building next door was for sale -- for the same price as the bus. "I prayed about it and finally called the donors and asked if the money for the bus could be spent on the building next door instead," Latiker said. Her prayers were answered. The building was hers, and Kids Off the Block opened the doors of its new home on July 15, 2010. "We call it The KOB Youth Community Center, and we invite everyone -- all of the youth in the community -- to come," she said. With 301 members from Roseland, Latiker said the center has brought community outreach to "a whole new level." Every day, 30 to 50 young people show up at the center for tutoring, counseling or activities such as sports, drama, dance or music. "KOB" caters to people age 11 to 24, but 80% of those in the program are male, Latiker said. She emphasizes activities that target males because they are most often perpetrating or confronting the violence of the streets. Maurice Gilchrist, 15, is one teenager who credits Kids Off the Block with turning his life around. Gilchrist joined a gang when he was 12, and he says life in a gang meant looking behind his back every day. "We always used to jump on people, rob everything, steal," he said. Gilchrist discovered Kids Off the Block when he went to Latiker's house after school with a friend, Latiker's grandson. There, Gilchrist connected with others his age, ate pizza, did his homework, and talked with Latiker, who invited him to join the group. Today, Gilchrist's grades have improved and he has set his sights on playing football in college. Without Latiker and her program, "I would be locked up, (or) dead, somewhere beat up, in a hospital," he said. "You name it, I would be there. "Miss Diane, she changed my life. I love her for that." For Latiker, opening up her door was the first step toward change. And she hopes other people will follow her lead. "If we came outside, we could change so many things," she said. "This community -- if it was once vibrant and safe -- how did it get to this point? Because people started going inside." To help "shock the community" into action, Latiker set up a stone memorial in front of the community center for all the young people who have lost their lives to violence since 2007. There are 220 stones lining the memorial, each representing a victim, and Latiker said they are still 150 stones behind. Through her efforts, Latiker has become a voice for local youth and she wishes more people would take the time to listen to them. "Our young people need help," Latiker said. "All of them are not gang-bangers. All of them are not dropouts. But the ones that are, they need our help. Somehow or another, something ain't right here. And why don't we ask them about it?" Want to get involved? Check out the Kids Off the Block website at www.kidsofftheblock.bbnow.org and see how to help.

Diane Latiker is reaching out to young people in her troubled Chicago neighborhood . "Kids Off the Block" provides recreational activities and valuable life skills . Latiker urges others in the community to listen to children and help them when possible . Do you know a hero? Nominations are open for 2011 CNN Heroes .

(CNN) -- Theresa Borawski sat down heavily on a neighbor's porch, somewhere in between her front door and her good friend's driveway. The distance between the two was less than half a mile. It might as well have been 20. She had already taken a break on a tree stump near the road. This was the last stop, she told herself as she stood up from the porch slowly. She was going to make it. Reaching her friend's house was like reaching the finish line of a much longer race. "I was just like I had run in a marathon," Borawski remembers. "It was the biggest moment in my life." "He had to bring me home because I couldn't walk back," she laughs, "but ..." But the victory was sweet for a woman who just six months before had primarily relied on a wheelchair to get around, a woman who had lived in her house for two years without walking to the mailbox. At her heaviest in March 2011, Borawski weighed 428 pounds. "I could no longer participate in life's activities and was forced to become a spectator while people around me lived their life," she wrote on iReport.com. "Today, I am 276 pounds lighter, 14 jean sizes smaller, and no longer need a wheelchair, walker or cane to get around. I am a walking, talking miracle and have been given a second chance at life." Borawski's father died when she was 8. Friends and family showed their sympathy with food. The lunch lady at school put extra fries on her tray; the neighbors gave her more candy at Halloween. Her grandparents were caterers, and their extended family got together often for exorbitant meals. "I learned at a very young age that food makes the happy times better and the sad times more bearable," she says. She was heavy throughout high school and college but says her weight never really affected her life until 2003, when a series of setbacks sent her into a downward spiral. Borawski lost her church job of 15 years and moved more than 200 miles to start anew. She lost her grandfather and best friend back-to-back a few months later. Then her new job was cut from the church's budget. "All of a sudden I'm 42 years old, living alone, unemployed, no income whatsoever," she says. So she comforted herself with food and decided to go back to college. Professor Chuck Bowden wasn't surprised by Borawski's amazing transformation. She caught his attention right away as a student willing to work hard. "I already knew she was dedicated," Bowden says. "I think starting over as a college freshman had to be a challenge -- almost just as impressive." Over the next four years, Borawski gained weight steadily. Her doctor diagnosed her with rheumatoid arthritis, an extremely painful chronic disease that inflamed her joints. The extra pounds she was carrying only made the condition worse. She used a walker or cane to get around. When she graduated from Mid Michigan Community College, she could barely walk across the stage to get her diploma. By January 2011, "my life was in complete chaos," Borawski says. She was working at the college and traveled around campus in an electric wheelchair. "I always heard her whirring down the hall," Bowden remembers. He and Borawski had become friends and chatted often about the future. "With the (arthritis) and the extra weight, I got very concerned that she might ... not be able to take care of herself." His fears weren't far off. Borawski had difficulty standing long enough in the shower to wash and condition her hair. She could only shop at stores that had mobile carts; it took her a week to carry in her groceries from the car because she could only carry one or two bags at a time. She was seriously considering moving into an assisted living facility. "I could barely function," Borawski says. She got up, rode around in her wheelchair, popped painkillers, ate and went to bed every night at 7 p.m. "Every bit of energy I had went to just living." Her wake-up call came on March 1, 2011. Her sister phoned to tell her she was getting bariatric surgery. Borawski pleaded with her not to -- she had heard horror stories about the procedure's aftereffects. When the sister hung up, Borawski went to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of peach soda. "Something just clicked in my head," she says. A quick calculation made Borawski realize she had been drinking nearly 7,000 calories a week in soda -- the equivalent of 2 pounds. She opened up the bottle and dumped it down the drain. Then she did the same with the rest of her stash. At that moment, Borawski gave up sugar cold turkey. Ten days later, she went to the doctor and had lost 7 pounds. She bought a calorie-counting book on the way home and started reading food labels. Soon after, she restricted her calorie intake to 1,000 calories a day (experts warn against eating less than 1,200 calories a day because it sends your body into starvation mode). She says she wasn't hungry at that limit because of her lack of mobility. "Because I was so heavy, I had a lot of success really quickly. I lost 45 pounds between March and Memorial Day." In October 2011, Borawski walked to her mailbox without a cane for the first time. Her next trip was to the neighbor's mailbox. The first time she walked down the steps at work, her student assistant cheered. Almost a year later, she showed up in Bowden's office doorway. He never heard her coming. "There's a chance we may have done a little dance in the hall," he says with a laugh. "To see somebody walk again? I considered that miraculous." Every time she lost 20 pounds, Borawski went to the store and bought a pair of pants in the next size smaller. They sat in the corner of her room until she could pull them on. They were her motivation when she was tempted to cheat. To celebrate losing 200 pounds, she bought a black and white diamond ring. She wears it every day as a reminder never to go back. "The first row of black diamonds is the first 100 pounds, the second row is the second 100 pounds," she says. "The white diamonds in between are the new life I've found." Last month, Borawski walked three miles for the first time. She does 200 to 300 squats a day to strengthen her legs after years of immobility. She eats around 1,400 calories to maintain her weight at a healthy 150 pounds. Her rheumatoid arthritis has improved significantly, and her doctors are "amazed and impressed" at her overall health. Borawski's goals now are simple: to walk a 5K in September and to inspire others. She keeps her electric wheelchair in her office with a sign: "Theresa doesn't live here anymore." "The key for me was finding a plan that I could live with for the rest of my life," she wrote on iReport. "I am a brand new person, have so much energy and am now a participant in life, rather than just watching it pass me by. I am blessed beyond measure and can't wait to see what the future holds for me!" Have you lost weight? Share your story on iReport .

Theresa Borawski loses 14 pant sizes after spending years in a wheelchair . Borawski stopped eating sugar and cut out soda . Last month, she walked three miles for the first time without assistance .

New York (CNN) -- Jason Brezler is an elite New York firefighter. He is also a highly decorated officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, who has served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. So why is Maj. Brezler facing possible discharge on less than honorable terms after serving 13 years with the Marines? He is accused of mishandling classified information and faces an investigation that could determine his future. "For a man like Jason Brezler, being asked to separate from the Marine Corps that he loved so much would be an even worse punishment than jail," said Kevin Carroll, Brezler's attorney, a former CIA officer who is providing Brezler pro bono representation along with his law firm Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan. In an e-mail to CNN, Marine Col. Francis Piccoli wrote that because of "the mishandling of classified information, Maj. Brezler has been ordered to show cause of retention in the U.S. Marine Corps before a Board of Inquiry." That board will consist of three officers: one colonel and two lieutenant colonels. Brezler, a tall man with a strong New York accent and a blond buzz-cut, is legally barred from speaking about his case. But influential supporters are leaping to the 32-year-old veteran's defense. A congressman, a senator and two Marine Corps generals have written letters on Brezler's behalf. None of his defenders dispute the fact that Brezler broke security protocol when he sent classified information over an insecure line in summer 2012. In fact, his attorney said Brezler quickly reported the mistake to his superiors. His defenders argue the urgency of the situation warranted the security breach. "Maj. Brezler was in a position where lives were in danger and time was of the essence, and in the end his assessment of the threat proved accurate," wrote New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in a letter to the Marines. During summer 2012, Brezler was attending graduate courses in Oklahoma when he received an e-mail from Marine officers in Afghanistan's Helmand province, a deeply troubled area where Brezler had been deployed in 2009-2010. "The subject line of the e-mail he received said in all capital letters with three exclamation marks 'IMPORTANT: SARWAR JAN IS BACK,'" said Carroll. Brezler had history with Jan, an Afghan police commander who had been active in Helmand province. "When Jason was serving in Afghanistan in 2010, he caused Sarwar Jan, a police official, to be fired from that position because he was raping children," Carroll said. Despite repeated efforts by CNN's bureau in Kabul, Jan could not be found to comment for this report. Carroll said "within minutes" Brezler wrote his colleagues back at Forward Operating Base Delhi in Afghanistan, with a warning about Jan. He attached to the e-mail a classified document that included allegations about Jan, claiming he had ties to the Taliban. "Jason immediately responded with everything he knew, including some extraordinarily derogatory information he knew about this man indicating that he was a threat not only to local children but to Marines," Carroll said. "When the Marines in Afghanistan wrote back saying that some of that information might have been classified, (Brezler) immediately turned himself in." In retrospect, some observers believe this was a breach of security that could have saved lives. On August 10, 2012, less than two weeks after Brezler's warning, three Marines were shot to death in the gym at FOB Delhi. Their names were Staff Sgt. Scott Dickinson, Cpl. Richard Rivera and Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley. The suspected gunman was a teenage servant, known by the single Afghan name Aynoddin, who was working on the base for Jan. Despite his earlier dismissal, Jan had been appointed to command the Afghan police in another district of Helmand Province, where FOB Delhi was located. More than a year later, Buckley's home in Oceanside, New York, is decorated with American flags and photos in honor of the slain 21-year old. Asked what would have happened if commanders at FOB Delhi heeded Brezler's warning, Greg Buckley Sr. paused, his eyes filling with tears. "I would have my son," he said. "I would have my boy with me today." Before the shooting, Buckley Sr. said that his son had warned him over the phone about the Afghan police commander named Jan. "He told me that (Jan) was a bad person," the elder Buckley said. "They all knew that he was a bad guy. He was thrown out of two other bases prior to this for drug laundering, prostitution and ties to the Taliban," he said. In the aftermath of the shooting, Jan was detained by Afghan security forces, according to an August 2012 report in The Washington Post. Despite repeated requests for information, Afghan officials both in the Helmand provincial government and in the Interior Ministry of the national government in Kabul told CNN they had no information about either Jan or Aynoddin's current whereabouts. Meanwhile, more than 14 months after the deadly shooting, American investigators have yet to publish the results of their inquiry. "The case is still open, pending prosecution by the Afghanis," wrote Ed Buice, a spokesman for Naval Criminal Investigative Service, in an e-mail to CNN. Military experts and government officials are questioning why it has taken so long to release a report. "Generally, investigations are conducted a lot more quickly," said Rep. Peter King, a Republican from New York. Last month, King sent a letter to the Department of Defense asking investigators to answer several questions, including: . -- Did Sarwar Jan commit sex crimes against juveniles while on U.S. Defense Department facilities? -- Did Jan use U.S. government funds to procure his victims? -- Why was Jan reportedly dismissed as district police chief? Why was he reappointed? Instead of getting answers, King said he saw action being taken against Brezler. "The only person who's being penalized, or potentially punished, is the person who tried to warn the Marines," the congressman said. "I cannot possibly understand it." Brezler's case has been taken up by the Marine Corps Times, the newspaper that first broke the story of the major's legal troubles. "Brezler's treatment sends the messages that in the Marine Corps there's no room for honest mistakes," the Times wrote in a recent editorial. "He's the sort of officer the Corps needs more of," it read. Buckley Sr, father of the slain Marine, agrees: "They should be giving him a medal, not prosecuting him." The Marine Corps declined to comment further on Brezler's case. Piccoli said the silence was vital to avoid influencing the officers the major is expected to face at his board of inquiry next month. The hearing, which could take a few hours or a few days depending on the number of witnesses called, will end with an immediate recommendation by the board. Depending on the evidence presented, there are several options open to the board. The three officers could recommend either an honorable discharge or a less-than-honorable discharge. The latter could result in a loss of veteran's benefits, including free health care. The Secretary of the Navy would need to give a final stamp of approval on that decision. If the board recommends no action against Brezler, the decision is final.

Jason Brezler faces possible discharge on less than honorable terms . He served for 13 years, including four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan . Brezler is accused of mishandling classified information . Influential supporters are leaping to the 32-year old veteran's defense .

Washington (CNN) -- The question most readers will bring to George W. Bush's memoirs can be put into just two words: "Why Iraq?" Here's an abridgement of the former president's answer, from pages 228-229. "There were state sponsors of terror. There were sworn enemies of America. There were hostile governments that threatened their neighbors. There were nations that violated international demands. There were dictators who repressed their people. And there were regimes that pursued WMD. Iraq combined all these threats. ... Before 9/11, Saddam was a problem America might have been able to manage. Through the lens of the post-9/11 world, my view changed. I had just witnessed the damage inflicted by nineteen fanatics armed with cutters. I could only imagine the destruction possible if an enemy dictator passed his WMD to terrorists." That's the key point: After 9/11, threats that previously glanced off all of our attentions suddenly rose to dominate our minds. Here's George W. Bush again, from pages 152-153, reporting on a discussion with Dick Cheney that occurred in October 2001 during a presidential visit to China. " 'Mr. President ... one of the bio-detectors went off at the White House. They found traces of botulinum toxin. The chances are we've all been exposed.' The CIA had briefed me on botulinum toxin. It was one of the world's most poisonous substances. ... Deputy National Security Adviser Steve Hadley explained that the FBI was testing the suspicious substance on mice. The next twenty-four hours would be crucial. "If the mice were still scurrying around, feet down, we'd be fine. But if the mice were on their back, feet up, we're goners. ... The next day, Condi got a message that Steve was trying to reach her. 'I guess this is the call,' she said. After a few minutes, Condi came back with the news. 'Feet down, not feet up,' she said. It was a false alarm." I was working in the White House in October 2001, and I remember vividly the mood of doom. Had you asked me then, I would have told you: I am certain I will die in the next two years. If it isn't botulinum toxin breathed into the air conditioning, then it will be a car bomb on 17th Street. If not a car bomb, then a sniper will open fire inside the Pennsylvania Avenue Starbucks where so many White House staffers picked up their morning caffe latte. I wrote a new will that October. I doubled my insurance coverage. My wife and I started uncorking and drinking the best bottles of wine in the cellar -- might as well enjoy them while we still could. President Bush nicely describes the way in which our post-9/11 fears became self-reinforcing. "Years later, incidents like the botulinum scare can seem fanciful and far-fetched. It's easy to chuckle at the image of America's most senior officials praying for lab mice to stay upright. But at the time, the threats were urgent and real. Six mornings a week, George Tenet and the CIA briefed me on what they called the Threat Matrix, a summary of potential attacks on the homeland. "On Sundays, I received a written intelligence briefing. Between 9/11 and mid-2003, the CIA reported to me on an average of 400 specific threats each month. The CIA tracked more than twenty separate alleged large-scale attack plots, ranging from possible chemical and biological operations in Europe to potential homeland attacks involved [sic] sleeper operatives. Some reports mentioned specific targets, including major landmarks, military bases, universities, and shopping malls. For months after 9/11, I would wake up in the middle of the night worried about what I had read." In retrospect, these CIA warnings look like a classic bureaucratic response: Chagrined by their failure to thwart the 9/11 attacks, America's intelligence agencies overcorrected. On September 9, 2001, a state trooper in Maryland pulled over one of the 9/11 hijackers for speeding. Ziad Samir Jarrah, one of the four men who seized the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, was driving 95 mph in a 60 mph zone. Had Jarrah been detained, who knows how his fellow plotters would have reacted? Maybe they would have assumed their security had been breached and canceled the operation. But Jarrah's name did not appear on any watch list, much less any list shared with local law enforcement. Having missed Jarrah, the agencies became determined never again to miss anyone. They careened from providing a false negative to generating hundreds of false positives. Bush mentions that in late September 2001, FBI director Bob Mueller told him that there were 331 potential al Qaeda operatives inside the United States. The October anthrax attacks intensified the alarmist mood. In the days after October 2, 2001, anthrax-laced letters arrived at the National Enquirer; ABC, NBC and CBS News; and the Senate offices of Majority Leader Tom Daschle. Altogether, 17 people were infected. Five died. From the memoirs of George W. Bush, pages 157-158. "One of the letters containing anthrax read: . 09-11-01 . YOU CAN NOT STOP US. WE HAVE THIS ANTHRAX. YOU DIE NOW. ARE YOU AFRAID? DEATH TO AMERICA. DEATH TO ISRAEL. ALLAH IS GREAT. I was struck by a sickening thought: Was this the second wave, a biological attack? ... The biggest question during the anthrax attack was where it was coming from. One of the best intelligence services in Europe said it suspected Iraq." And now the key line, on page 159: "We believed more attacks were coming, but we didn't know when, where, or from whom. ... As time passed, some critics charged that we inflated the threat or manipulated alert levels for political benefit. They were flat wrong. We took the intelligence seriously ..." iReporter: Welcome back, President Bush . Bush's account of his decision-making in his Iraq chapter will likely seem stunted to many readers. He offers considerable detail on the milestones toward the decision -- and yet readers will search in vain for the actual moment at which the decision occurred. On page 251, he "wasn't ready to move yet." On page 252, "I was deeply disappointed that diplomacy had failed." On page 253, "Military action was my last resort. But I believed it was necessary." The how is all there. But a big part of the why is here: . "I remembered the shattering pain of 9/11, a surprise attack for which we received no warning. This time we had a warning like a blaring siren." The U.S. had been accepting risks from Saddam Hussein for more than a decade. Suddenly those risks were now intolerable. And for all the grief and cost of Saddam's removal, that particular risk now threatens the United States no longer. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Frum.

David Frum: Bush's memoirs help explain why U.S. attacked Iraq . He says White House was being briefed on huge number of threats . Intelligence agencies overreacted after failing to stop 9/11, he says . Saddam Hussein was a threat the U.S. could anticipate, Frum says .

Washington (CNN) -- The Supreme Court wrestled Wednesday with a familiar, if elusive, foe -- legislative intent -- when considering whether a California man should be compensated after the government violated his privacy by disclosing his personal medical history. The justices appeared torn over the meaning of two fuzzy words in federal law -- "actual damages" -- and whether Stanmore Cooper's claims of mental and emotional distress are covered under the Privacy Act. "The argument you have made -- and I certainly understand it, that this is the Privacy Act and so it's precisely these types of damages that you would be concerned about -- really cuts both ways," said Chief Justice John Roberts to Cooper's lawyer. "What you are saying is this (law) covers a really big chunk of damages, because this is what the whole act was about," Roberts said. "And it seems to me that argument suggests that there is some weight to the government's point: that if you are going to get that, you really do need clearer" language in the law that would immunize the government to some extent, from a flood of hard-to-disprove lawsuits. The ambiguity has divided lower courts for years, and privacy experts say the ease with which the government can collect and share information in the digital age makes the issue of personal privacy liability ripe for review. Cooper, 69, became a licensed recreational pilot in 1964, but two decades later the San Francisco man was diagnosed with the HIV virus. As his condition worsened over time, he let his private pilot's certificate and his airman medical certificate lapse. Cooper in 1996 then applied for long-term disability with the Social Security Administration. "I was in bad shape, I didn't have long to live," he told CNN. But as his health improved, thanks to a cocktail of anti-retroviral therapy, he went back to work and wanted also to fly again. "I found out they were issuing medicals (exemptions) and I reapplied" to the Federal Aviation Administration "without revealing my HIV status," he said. "Big mistake." He received his new pilot's certificate but, unknown to him, a joint local-federal initiative called Operation Safe Pilot was launched in 2002. Using a spreadsheet, the agencies shared and compared the names and personal data of about 45,000 pilots in Northern California, looking for those potentially medically unfit individuals who were also receiving federal benefits. Cooper was among four dozen or so pilots tagged as a "person of interest." When confronted by government agents, he admitted to a misdemeanor charge of filing a false report. He was sentenced to probation and fined, and his pilot's certificate was revoked. The retired business executive's name was listed in a federal press release and later, through his prosecution, Cooper's medical history suddenly was a matter of public record. "I had been able to control those of whom I shared my information about my HIV status, limited to some co-workers, family, and close friends," he said "And suddenly that was out of my control." Cooper, who was eventually allowed to fly again, sued. "I chose not to reveal my HIV infection and that was a very bad thing," he said. "I took responsibility for it and I paid the price. I was punished. And I think now it's the government's turn to own up to breaking the law and take responsibility for what they did." A federal judge found both the FAA and the Social Security Administration violated the Privacy Act with the information-sharing probe, but said under the law only "actual damages" could be collected by plaintiffs seeking redress. Since Cooper made no claims for economic harm, such as lost wages or medical expenses, he was therefore was out of luck. The judge found "emotional injury" alone did not qualify and dismissed the lawsuit. But a federal appeals court reversed, ruling for Cooper. The FAA then asked the high court to intervene. During a sedate hour of oral arguments, the justices stayed away from the specific claims of emotional harm made by Cooper, focusing instead on what the law says about qualifying for damages. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg repeatedly hammered away at the government lawyer arguing for the FAA. She said the federal damages provision in question is similar to state tort claims that include both emotional and financial harm. "The person who is subject to this, to this embarrassment, this humiliation, doesn't have out-of-pocket costs, but is terribly distressed, nervous, anxious, and all the rest," she said. "The act that the Congress is reaching, the impact is of that nature. I mean, pecuniary [monetary] damages ordinarily attend conduct that embarrasses, humiliates you, causes mental distress." Eric Feigin of the Justice Department admitted the Privacy Act's language may be interpreted as allowing damages for such things as "humiliation, embarrassment and mental anguish," but said because the phrase "actual" damages remains vague, the government should get the benefit of the doubt, tipping the case in its favor. "Simply because a plaintiff may have suffered an adverse effect" from the privacy violation, said Feigin, "doesn't mean that the plaintiff suffered actual damages." The bench expressed confusion over which similar but competing terms used in other laws dealing with damages -- "general," as opposed to "special," "proven" as opposed to "presumed" -- may apply in the Privacy Act's unique use of "actual damages." Getting that right in the justices' minds will mean the difference between whether Cooper or the government ultimately prevails. "It's sort of odd," Justice Sonia Sotomayor said, "for Congress to borrow from the defamation context and with a defined term of art, 'special damages,' and not use it in the Privacy Act if that's what it intended." She hinted that view would allow Cooper to collect for emotional distress. But Justice Antonin Scalia appeared to support the government, saying various agencies were being burdened with an overly complex and inclusive federal privacy law. He suggested it was not meant to cover the kinds of claims Cooper is seeking. "All you have to know is that you shouldn't give it (the personal information) to the other agency, because you are not making it public. You are not doing the kind of thing that constitutes an invasion of privacy under state law. You just failed -- intentionally failed -- to follow the very detailed and picky, picky prescriptions contained in the Privacy Act. To say that you get emotional distress for that as opposed to what I would call genuine privacy incursions, which state law covers, is a different question." Raymond Cardozo, Cooper's lawyer, pointed out his client's information was made public, and his name and HIV status are still posted on a federal government database. He also made a larger argument, that his client's dilemma is one that may affect all Americans. "Congress passed this act to restore the citizens' faith in their government, and it made a solemn promise to the American citizens that in cases of intentional and willful violation, the United States shall be liable for actual damages," he said. "Today, the government is proposing that "actual damages" be read in a way that renders this act virtually irrelevant. That makes a mockery of that solemn promise." Cooper attended the public session at the court and expressed optimism he would prevail. "They've betrayed my trust and I can't get that back," he said afterward. "There was nothing to lose here. I had to do it. It was the right thing to do." The case is Cooper v. FAA (10-1024). A ruling is expected next spring.

The court tries to figure out what Congress intended by the words "actual damages" Stanmore Cooper says the words cover mental and emotional distress . The government argues they are aimed at monetary damages . Cooper says the public disclosure of his HIV status caused him harm .

LONDON, England (CNN) -- James Bond would be lost without them -- those madcap gadgets merging two technologies that help him beat the bad guys and save the planet. The underwater watch with a built-in Geiger counter, for example; or the car that doubles as a submarine; or the exploding bagpipes and missile-launching wheelchair. An artist's impression of what a Flying Electric Generator might look like . Now a U.S. company has taken a leaf out of 007's book and developed a similarly unlikely "combination" technology. The "villain" in this case is not a psychotic, cat-stroking megalomaniac, but something both more prosaic and, potentially, more threatening -- global warming: in particular, how to meet the world's energy needs without swamping the planet with clouds of atmosphere-clogging pollutants. And the madcap gadget that might just provide a solution? A helicopter that doubles as a wind turbine. Or, to give it its technical name, a FEG (Flying Electric Generator). The brainchild of Australian engineering specialist Professor Bryan Roberts, the FEG is being developed by San Diego-based company SkyWindPower. Code-cracker turned turbine enthusiast . The latter is headed by David Shepard, who started his career cracking Japanese military ciphers during World War Two, and went on to create the Farrington B numeric font that appears on credit cards around the world. Shepard has long been convinced of the need for a new global energy source to reduce reliance on carbon-emitting fossil fuels. For the last two decades his attention has focused on the electricity-generating potential of high-altitude winds, and when he learnt of Professor Roberts' prototype "gyromill" -- a flying wind turbine that the Australian had been developing since 1979 -- he decided it offered the best model for realizing that potential. The two men started working together in 2002, and the FEG is the result. High-altitude winds . The guiding principle of the FEG is that wind speed and constancy are far greater at high altitude than they are on the ground, especially in the two major jet streams - the Sub-Tropical Jet and the Polar Front Jet - that exist in each hemisphere (at around 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude respectively). A turbine at great height, so the theory goes, can generate far more power than a similar turbine at or near ground level. It has been estimated that capturing just one percent of the available energy of these high altitude winds would meet the electricity needs of the entire planet. "The winds a few miles above the mid latitudes of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are far stronger and more persistent than the winds just above us," Shepard told CNN. "This results in potentially being able to generate electricity for over eighty percent of the time, as opposed to thirty percent of the time at ground-based wind turbine sites. "The largest ground-based wind turbines currently produce about five megawatts each. We expect typical FEGs to produce about 20 megawatts each." Helicopter technology . But how do we get a working turbine up to the necessary height -- at least 15,000 ft (4600 meters) above the earth's surface? That's where helicopter technology comes in. Taking the form of a giant H-shaped frame, the prototype FEG has four huge blades at the four points of the H, each blade 10.7 meters (35 feet) in diameter. These act like the rotors of a helicopter, lifting the FEG to the required height. Once in place, the blades not only keep the FEG air-born, providing lift like the surface area of a kite, but also act as turbines, turning dynamos within the platform that generate electricity, which is transmitted back to earth through a vast aluminum tethering cable. An in-built GPS (Global Positioning System) uses satellite technology to ensure that the FEG always remains in the same place, both vertically and horizontally. According to Shepard, development is already at an advanced stage. "Professor Roberts demonstrated a FEG in Australia at an altitude of sixty feet over a decade ago," he told CNN. U.S. demonstration in three years . "We expect to make a demonstration in the U.S. less than three years from now at high altitude in normal high altitude winds. In four years I would expect this sort of technology to be in active use." As with ground-based wind farms, Shepard envisages whole "sky-farms" of FEGs hovering above the earth in restricted airspace. Forty-three such FEG "arrays" -- each comprising 600 FEGs -- would, he estimates, generate sufficient electricity to power the whole of the U.S. "Our calculations show that by reserving less than one four-hundredth of U.S. air space, located at relatively remote locations not on airway routes, all of America's electrical energy needs could be met," he says. "That is considerably less airspace than is already restricted for other purposes, primarily military." Not only would the FEGs provide clean energy -- the feedback from environmental groups, according to Shepard, has been overwhelmingly positive -- but at less cost than conventional electricity generation. While each FEG would cost an estimated $2,260,000 to build, maintain and support, arrays of FEGS would, in the long term, prove extremely cost effective, generating electricity at about 2 cents per kilowatt hour, as opposed to the 3-5 cents of conventional generating methods. There are risks, of course. Even in restricted airspace there is the possibility of collision with aircraft that unwittingly -- or illegally -- stray into that airspace. Likewise, despite numerous design features aimed at ensuring the stability of the air-born FEG, the possibility of the structure malfunctioning and plummeting to earth cannot be excluded. Crashes "inevitable" "Inevitably crashes will occur," the SkyWindPower Web site acknowledges, "Just as airplane crashes occur. "Statistically, however, FEGs should be just as reliable as commercial airliners, whose safety records are incredibly good. "And FEGs don't take off or land at airports teeming with people in and around them." Shepard and Roberts are not the only people to have considered harnessing the power of high-altitude winds. Magenn Power, a Canadian company, have been developing a helium-filled, medium altitude wind generator, while in the Netherlands Laddermill has been exploring similar ground using kite technology. SkyWindPower's FEG, however, is at the forefront of the field, with the U.S. government showing considerable interest in the prototype helicopter-cum-wind-turbine. Whether it will provide a definitive solution to the world's ever-increasing energy needs remains to be seen. With the effects of global warming and climate change becoming increasingly acute, however, a technology that might once have been dismissed as no more than a James Bond fantasy now looks as if it could have a serious role to play. They might not be quite as sexy as your average Bond adventure, but flying wind turbines could end up generating a lot more heat than 007 and Pussy Galore ever did. ....................................... Are Flying Electric Generators a crackpot idea? Or could they help save the planet? Share your views and read others' thoughts in the Just Imagine forum.

U.S. company develops "flying" wind turbine . Wind energy far greater at high altitude . FEG (Flying Electric Generator) would hover at 15,000 feet . Massive air-born wind farms envisaged .

Washington (CNN) -- We were somewhere down South in the back half of October 1996. I believe we were in a theater. I remember thinking how terrible the lighting was, how small and deflated the crowd. I remember the look on the candidate's face. Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole was on stage with Heather Whitestone, the first deaf Miss America. She signed, "I love you" to the crowd. Then he signed it, too. They said what they were supposed to say, but there was something wordless encapsulated in that moment. I remember for the first time thinking, "Dole knows he's going to lose." I have covered campaigns since 1984. It is the losing ones I remember most. Sure, Dole had been the consistent underdog in his bid to unseat then-President Bill Clinton. But politicians are like gamblers, wired to believe they will beat the odds. Unlike gamblers, though, when presidential nominees run out of chips, they can't fold and go home. Greene: What it's like to lose an election . As it turns out, late October is about when Dole and company knew the game was lost but not over. One top aide tells stories of a dispirited Dole who said during a West Coast swing that he was done and wanted to go home. The source says Dole was eventually persuaded to keep moving with a nonstop, cross-country trek to gin up some campaign excitement and try to help down-ballot Republicans. But a senior Dole strategist told me this week that it was the candidate's idea to lead this last hurrah. 'Kinda says it all about the man' "We knew we were going to lose ... and Dole came up with the selfless idea to do the 96-hour fly-around and to help save the Congress. Kinda says it all about the man." The result was a 96-hour victory tour. Staff wore 96-hour victory T-shirts, and the press received caps that read "96 hours until the White House Beat." We flew crazily around the country, visited bowling alleys and diners in the dead of night, Dairy Queens and factories by day, interrupted by "hygiene stops" at various hotels. It all led to a final sentimental stop in Dole's hometown of Russell, Kansas, where he voted on Election Day. The Senate and House stayed in Republican hands. It was perhaps some solace for Dole, who exited the political scene on November 5, 1996. He opened his Election Night speech in typically wry, painfully truthful fashion: "I was thinking on the way down in the elevator -- tomorrow will be the first time in my life I don't have anything to do." Politics: Romney trails in states with personal ties . Flash forward 12 years. Sen. John McCain, of a different generation but like Dole an old warrior, knew his political battle was lost as early as mid-September, according to former top aide Steve Schmidt. "With the '(on the) right track' number in the country dropping to 6% and the stock market diving, we were the incumbent party. The blame would default to the Republicans. We knew at that point it was not survivable." In contrast to the Dole campaign, losing was never spoken about out loud in Camp McCain. "I never said anything to him," Schmidt says, "and he never said anything to me, but everyone was reality-based." There was never a question in the McCain camp that the candidate would be out there fighting until the end of what everyone knew was coming. Anything less than a full-on effort can shave a point or two off the percentages of down-ballot candidates. However long a candidate or his staff has to prepare mentally for defeat, it is still a blow of surprising proportions. Those who have been through it liken it to having a terminally ill loved one -- you know what's coming, but it doesn't help. Opinion: What's really at stake in election 2012 . 'We lost. It's so hard' Schmidt describes Election Night with McCain like this: "When you are at that moment in the suite 'we lost Ohio. We lost North Carolina.' You know it's over. We lost. It's so hard." In a graceful concession speech bowing to the sweep of history, McCain congratulated the nation's first African-American president and told his supporters that "we fought as hard as we could. And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours." If there is something worse than campaigning for weeks without hope, it may be losing in overtime. Al Gore won the popular vote and lost the electoral vote in a presidential election ultimately untangled 35 days later with a controversial Supreme Court decision. Gore yielded, saying while he disagreed with the court, he accepted the decision "for the sake of unity of the people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession." Four years later, John Kerry went to bed in Boston on Election Night believing that Ohio absentee votes would make him the president. It was clear by morning he was wrong. Politics: If Romney wins... Elated by early exit polling on Election Night, Camp Kerry was both stunned and devastated. But the candidate insisted he didn't want to drag things out since there was no chance of winning: He ended his campaign at Faneuil Hall in Boston just hours after a meeting of close aides. "I'm sorry," he told the crowd, "that we got here a little bit late and a little bit short." People often say that candidates seem different -- better, bigger, more likable in their goodbye moments than at any point in the election process. Kerry was seen as removed, unemotional and often peeved to be so challenged by a man he didn't believe should be president. There was none of that in his parting words: "I wish that things had turned out a little differently. But in an American election, there are no losers, because whether or not our candidates are successful, the next morning we all wake up as Americans." Politics: If Obama wins... Coulda, shoulda, wouldas and a world of hurt . As poetic and gracious as the losers generally are, there is bitterness over the slash-and-burn nature of campaigns that lasts for years, anger over lost moments, frustration over coulda, shoulda, wouldas and a world of hurt. One source in a losing campaign called the concession speech "the highest point of acting, but the lowest point of sincerity." Still, they do seem different at the end, maybe because it's not about them. The finale of a losing campaign might be acting on the personal level, but it's real democracy on a grand scale. In saluting Dole, Gore, Kerry and McCain, Schmidt explains, "You have people who were all senators deeply rooted in the best aspects of that institution, duty-bound to play their part in ensuring a smooth and peaceful transition of power." Think about it -- the first person who addresses the winner as Mr. President-elect is the loser. It is the loser who offers the first legitimization of the election with a concession speech, beginning a series of events that ends in the swearing-in of a president in January. Mitt Romney's vision for America . Grace is easy in the winning. In some ways, democracy shines most in the losing. Obama's vision for America .

Politicians are like gamblers, wired to think they can beat the odds . Bob Dole knew he would lose but went on marathon to help down-ballot Republicans . Four years ago, John McCain told supporters, "The failure is mine, not yours" John Kerry in defeat: "... The next morning, we all wake up as Americans"

(CNN) -- Forty-four years ago, an Australian man stood on the Olympic podium in Mexico alongside two American athletes who, with their heads bowed, punched the air with gloved hands in a black power salute. The peaceful yet potent political protest at the 1968 Olympics by 200-meter medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos became a symbol of the struggle for civil rights in America. To their left in the photo stood silver medalist, Australian Peter Norman, who stared straight ahead, his hands by his side, but who expressed his support for the pair by wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge. Yet, on the list of famous Australian athletes, Norman barely rates a mention. Far from elevating Norman to the status of hero in his home country, his family say he was shunned on his return to Australia and unfairly denied the opportunity to contest another Olympics -- claims the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) denies. "In the States he's hugely well known. But here in Australia, a lot of people are shocked when they find out that the white guy in the black power protest is an Aussie," his nephew, Matt Norman, told CNN. Norman, a filmmaker who describes himself a civil rights activist, turned his uncle's Olympic story into a film "Salute" which was released in Australia four years ago and had a short run in cinemas during the 2012 Olympics in the U.S. and UK. Peter Norman: The forgotten Black Power hero . He has turned the story into a film script called "1968" that aims to set the record straight using big name stars including Ewan McGregor, Will Smith and Jamie Fox, Norman said. It is hoped filming will begin next year. It was not "Salute," but a magazine article that alerted Australian Federal lawmaker Andrew Leigh to Norman's story and motivated him on Monday to urge the country's Federal Parliament to formally acknowledge Norman's achievements and extend him a posthumous national apology. The athlete suffered a heart attack and died in 2006 at the age of 64, but his 91-year-old mother, Thelma Norman, was in Parliament to hear seven MPs, including Leigh, deliver impassioned speeches as to why Norman deserves a greater presence in modern Australian history. "It's just one of those tales that I think ought to be better known," Labor MP Leigh told CNN. "What really struck me about it, was that I, as an Aussie, should have been brought up on Peter Norman, but I wasn't." Bronze medalist Carlos told the ABC Tuesday that there was "no one in the nation of Australia that should be honored, recognized, appreciated more than Peter Norman for his humanitarian concerns, his character, his strength and his willingness to be a sacrificial lamb for justice." During his speech, Leigh told Parliament: "After Carlos forgot his gloves, Norman came up with the idea that the two Americans should share the one pair of gloves. A protest like this, on a global stage, had never been done before. "At the time, it was electrifying. Racist slurs were hurled at Smith and Carlos. IOC President Avery Brundage -- a man who'd had no difficulty with the Nazi salute being used in the 1936 Olympics -- insisted the two be expelled In that moment Norman advanced international awareness for racial equality." However, what happened after Norman returned home to Australia is less clear. More than 40 years after that "electrifying" event, divergent accounts have emerged about whether Norman's political stance denied him future Olympic glory. Norman's family insists he was deliberately excluded from the Australian Olympic team sent to the Munich Games in 1972, despite repeatedly qualifying. "He qualified for both the 100 and 200 meters for the Munich Games but just wasn't selected. I guess that could be considered as a ban but he was pretty disappointed by that," Norman's brother, Laurie, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The AOC says Norman failed to qualify for the Munich Games after finishing third in the 200-meter sprint at the Australian Championships in March 1972. The body's media director also denied any suggestions that Norman was "blacklisted" for supporting Smith and Carlos' podium protest. "There was no punishment dealt out to Peter Norman following the 1968 incident with black power salute. He was not punished. He was not ostracized. He was not blacklisted. He wasn't even reprimanded by the Australian Olympic Committee at the time," Mike Tancred told CNN. "He was given, what has been written in a book by historians, as a gentle caution and then he was given some tickets to a hockey game so he could go and watch his teammates play hockey and that was the sum total of his punishment," he added. Asked whether the AOC would support a formal apology to Norman from the Federal Parliament, Tancred said: "We're a little bit baffled by this debate. We never had an issue with Peter Norman. He never had an issue with us. "There was never any suggestion that he was ostracized or not happy with the AOC. We've got nothing to apologize for because we've never wronged Peter Norman." Norman's family says that the Olympian was also snubbed during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney by not being invited to be part of the official opening or closing ceremonies. The AOC said no former athletes were invited and that Norman was offered tickets to buy to attend, like any other former Australian Olympian, as the cost "would have been astronomical" to host them all. "The AOC is certainly right that they treated him like every other former Olympian," Leigh said. "He was given the opportunity to purchase tickets. They could have done so for hundreds of people who have ever competed for Australia in the Olympics. But I do think he's pretty special. Not just because he's pretty much the only white guy to win a sprint medal in the last generation. But just that amazing stance that he took in 1968, being on the right side of history when so many others were on the wrong side." Aside from his political statement, Norman has for 44 years retained the Australian record set for the 200-meter sprint during the 1968 Games. Asked whether, aside from the apology, the AOC would support Norman's recognition for his achievements on the track, Tancred evoked another great and arguably better-known Australian Olympian, distance runner Herb Elliott. "There's people like Herb Elliot who won gold medals in 1960. We're not acknowledging Herb Elliot... so why do we have to acknowledge that Peter Norman might hold a 200-meter record? There are lots of champions out there who have done equally as well or better than Peter Norman." Tancred also said that the debate in Federal Parliament was "irrelevant" given the progress made in civil rights since the 1968 Games. "The politicians from both sides need to look and check on who is the American President, at present. He's black. And I think the whole world has moved on since 1968. So on that score, really, their debate is irrelevant," he said. The Australian parliament has yet to issue a formal apology or recognition for Norman. While the motion was debated, an official vote still needs to be scheduled for a later date. Read more: Peter Norman, forgotten Black Power hero .

Australian Parliament debates whether to issue apology to Peter Norman . Norman famously supported the 1968 Olympics black power salute protest . AOC says there's no need for an apology as Peter Norman wasn't wronged . Norman's family says the Olympian was "blacklisted" after his silent political protest .

(CNN) -- We can spend the next few years beating ourselves up and debating the proposition that George W. Bush saved Iraq and Barack Obama lost it. Or we can get real and try to sort out what we can do now to protect U.S. interests in a region that's melting down. Iraq was never the U.S.'s to win. That point -- along with lowered expectations and focused goals -- must be the basis of any new approach to the region. And here are three reasons. 1. Demography: There are two factors that nations -- even functional ones (and Iraq is not) -- can't alter: What they are -- their demography; and where they are -- their geography. Iraq has been dealt an unhappy hand in both departments. There is, to be sure, a sense of Iraq national identity. But at the same time the end of Saddam Hussein's cruel rule -- for which the U.S. is responsible -- opened up a Pandora's box of sectarian tensions and expectations -- for which the U.S. is partly responsible -- that have never been adequately addressed. In essence, the U.S. overturned a brutal minority Sunni rule and enabled Shia majority rule. The ins became the outs, and the outs the ins. And guess what? Despite several successful elections, $25 billion from the U.S. to train and equip the Iraqi military, and another trillion in support of the Nuri al-Maliki government, Iraq never equitably distributed political and economic power. Sunnis became disenfranchised, angry and vulnerable to jihadi persuasions; Shia sought to get even, get ahead and maintain a privileged position; and Kurds sought to protect their own interests and effectively create a separate governing authority. Iraq these days isn't so much a nation as it is a collection of battling sectarian groups, each seeking advantage at the expense of the Iraqi state. 2. Geography: Iraq's neighbors, particularly Iran and Saudi Arabia, do not share America's vision of an equitably balanced and independent polity. Each of them has its own vision. Iraq has become a pawn in a regional competition between Sunnis and Shia and Arabs and Persians. Iran wants a weak, stable Iraq not aligned with the West, under Shia influence. The Saudis want al-Maliki out and are happy that the militant group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria may provide that opportunity, even as they fear the jihadists. They want Sunnis empowered and Iran disempowered. Turkey has made its peace with the Iraqi Kurds and hopes to get them to moderate the radical tendencies of those in Syria, but really has no answer to the ISIS contagion. Jordan is vulnerable to ISIS too, but can't exercise much influence in Iraq. And that leaves Syria. The regime of Bashar al-Assad is aligned with both Iran and al-Maliki, and -- likely under Tehran's encouragement -- has begun to use military force against ISIS along the Syria-Iraq border. All this regional maneuvering reflects the reality that the neighbors' interests will continue to trump America's by virtue of their proximity, their influence in Iraq, and the reality that Iraq is more vital to them than it is to us. 3. Syria: Iraq can't be stabilized without dealing with Syria. And to date, the U.S. -- by default the only power that remotely has the capacity to alter the course of the civil war there -- has been unable and unwilling to do that. The ISIS threat may prompt a review of the Obama administration's Syria policy, but we should be under no illusions that Washington is ready to jump in with a comprehensive political, economic, and military strategy to end the conflict. Indeed, the United States will be faced with some tough choices. It may find itself in the odd position of ramping up support for the more moderate Sunni rebels in Syria but also striking ISIS. That means we will be trying to weaken al-Assad on one hand, but indirectly strengthening him on the other by attacking a common enemy. Under no circumstances should the Obama administration commit to trying to put two broken nations back together again. Bottom line is that the real challenge is ISIS, which is likely to remain ensconced in parts of Syria and Iraq. What should Obama do? First let's be clear about what he shouldn't do. The United States needs to abandon any illusions that it can transform or find an easy way out of the situation. It is stuck in a region that it can't fix or leave. There isn't a single problem in this region that has a comprehensive or definitive solution. Instead, the U.S. should accept the reality that it will be dealing with outcomes, not happy endings, there. Iraq may never be a unified polity, but it need not necessarily be a failed one. The question is, can we shape these outcomes to our advantage? Bush 43 tried to do too much; Obama too little. Is there a balance? The U.S. needs at least three different but related approaches: . 1. Coordinate with regional partners. Sure, in the case of Iran, it's like putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop. But the U.S. can't begin to deal with ISIS on its own. Iran is the key external power in Iraq. And Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia have a stake in stopping ISIS's advances. The U.S. may have to accept the reality that the evil al-Assad is a hedge against ISIS, even though his policies helped to facilitate its rise. 2. Think diplomacy first, then military force. You need the first to make the second effective. That coordination must try to produce a more acceptable political arrangement in Baghdad, with or without al-Maliki. Without the Iraqi government regaining Sunni support, ISIS will continue to roll. And this means some new and more inclusive political arrangement in Baghdad to share power. Forget democracy and making Iraq whole. To bring Sunnis around and check ISIS, we may have to not only concede influence to Iran but also to some pretty bad Sunnis, including former Saddam supporters and insurgents. 3. The U.S. will need to do what it can to buck up the Iraqi military. This could easily lead to sending additional advisers, but under no circumstances should it involve the use of combat forces. We may well have to use airstrikes and drones against ISIS. And this is tricky, because it risks feeding jihadi sentiment. That's why a new political arrangement is mandatory. But even without it, the United States must face the reality that ISIS -- with money, passports, and a base of operations -- will emerge as a threat to our friends in the region, to Europe and ultimately to us. We shouldn't run scared. ISIS's own ideology will produce a counterreaction among Iraqis who will oppose its harsh, unforgiving ideology. Indeed as the International Crisis Group points out, ISIS is its own worst enemy. The region is littered with the remains of failed jihadi efforts, including al Qaeda central. In 2013, there were 17,800 global fatalities as a result of terrorist attacks. Only 16 of those were Americans. Terror is not a strategic threat to the homeland right now. But it may well require a coordinated counterterror effort with our regional and international partners to prevent it from becoming one.

Aaron Miller: Debating what went wrong in Iraq not useful; protecting U.S. interests now is . Iraq is complex, he says, with sectarian groups at odds, neighbors with own interests . He says U.S. must work with Iraq's neighbors, even al-Assad, to halt ISIS. Democracy can wait . Miller: U.S. must help right Iraqi military, but without combat forces. Point is to check terror .

(CNN) -- It's every African-American parent's nightmare: seeing your son being led away in handcuffs when you know he's done nothing wrong. The surreal scene happened to me one recent morning. While sitting in my backyard I heard adult male voices around the side of the house. I opened the gate and saw a white police officer handcuffing my 13-year-old son. The plainclothes Evanston, Illinois, officer and his partner did not identify themselves as police. They did not ask our son's age or where he lived. They told him first to put his hands up and then handcuffed him. They assumed he was guilty, of what we didn't know. His crime appeared to be that he was a black male. Later, we would listen to the 911 tape of what preceded the incident. It was apparent police had targeted my son while he was riding his bike home from a friend's house. Why? According to officers, he fit the description of a burglary suspect who had allegedly entered a nearby home. The description they offered: a black male wearing cargo shorts. Our son was wearing cargo shorts, but that identification could have applied to hundreds of black males in Evanston on that particular day. Why didn't the 911 dispatcher ask for a more detailed description of his skin color? His build? Whether he had facial hair? (He doesn't.) Whether he had a tattoo or piercings? (He doesn't.) Or whether he was wearing a hat? (He was.) Authorities on the scene didn't care about my son's other attributes. He is an honor roll student, saxophone player, basketball player and law-abiding teenager. All they saw was his gender and race. To make matters worse, after handcuffing him, police paraded him to the front of our house in full view of neighbors and passersby, and at least three other armed, uniformed officers surrounded him and me. They leaned him against a cop car, his hands still cuffed behind him, and made him wait so the alleged victim could be driven over to identify him in what's known as a "show up." When I protested, asking why my son needed to be handcuffed, they told me he might flee. Give me a break! He's going to try to run with five armed cops and his mother standing near him? The humiliation of being forced to participate in a quasi-lineup was unconscionable. When the alleged victim said our son was not the intruder, the officer uncuffed him and his partners left almost as quickly as they had swarmed in. But before the officer who handcuffed our son left, I demanded an apology. The halfhearted response seemed insincere at best. He didn't even look either of us in the eyes. These officers clearly did not like it that I verbally resisted my son's detainment or my telling them it seemed like racial profiling. That police could handcuff a fully cooperating, nonresisting 13-year-old boy at his home with his mother in plain sight ought to leave all Americans shaking in their boots. It was unnecessary. It was unfair -- un-American. But it happens more often than we know, particularly to young African-Americans, who often don't have the resources to advocate for themselves. This is the United States of America, where one is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. But this rarely applies if you're a male of African descent. Trayvon Martin's killer has claimed self-defense, but did Martin deserve to be approached by a neighborhood watchman and shot to death? He was carrying a bag with soda and some Skittles candy, not a weapon. I'm reminded of the 2009 incident involving Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates, one of the nation's top African-American scholars. Gates returned home to find his key wouldn't work because his lock was jammed. Initially, police thought he was breaking into his own home. Even though he produced identification to prove he lived in the house, he was ultimately arrested for disorderly conduct after he angrily accused officers of racial profiling. Prosecutors dropped the charges. I teach at Northwestern University, which is home to the Medill Innocence Project, a program whose work has overturned wrongful convictions and influenced Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's effort to end the state's death penalty. It's not surprising that many of those exonerated are African-American men. In fact, the National Registry of Exonerations tracked 958 former convicts exonerated in the United States. Of that total, 45% were African-American men, even though they make up only about 6%-7% of the country's population. Racial profiling has a long history in the United States and there seems to be little relief in the so-called "age of Obama." A 2009 American Civil Liberties Union report called racial and ethnic profiling "a widespread and pervasive problem throughout the United States, impacting the lives of millions of people in African-American, Asian, Latino, South Asian and Arab communities." In 2012 it continues to be a common rite of passage for young black males. Just ask any black male you know and he will tell you a story. No wonder some hate the police. My husband and I cannot undo what happened to our son. At 13 he is now officially inducted into black manhood. I shudder to think what could have happened if I had not been home. Thank God we had taught him at around age 10 to cooperate with police. He complied in every way. But what if he'd gotten scared and run? What if he had reached for his cell phone and police thought it was a weapon? The officers never patted him down. What if police had planted something on him? What if the victim had lied and said my son was the perpetrator? To be sure, police officers have a tough and dangerous job and are vulnerable to injury at a moment's notice. They should try to catch criminals, but not at the expense of treating people with respect and dignity. We have to fight crime without automatically indicting black males. The ACLU report concluded that alienating marginalized groups would ultimately prevent police from reducing crime. When police make mistakes, they must own up to them. They could have identified themselves first and politely asked my son some questions with me present. They also could have profusely apologized. Despite our harrowing experience, I know we are lucky. It was 10 minutes of our lives. The truth prevailed and we will move on. But we will never be the same. The incident is forever seared into my brain and is giving me sleepless nights. The worry I already had for my son being away from home or school is now magnified right at the time he wants to be more independent. We've told our son that he shouldn't think all police officers are bad. However, it is clear more training of Evanston dispatchers and police officers is needed. To parents of African-American youth, as your children (particularly males) return to the routine of classes and homework, remember to school them about the police. They are not always their friends. It's unfair that black parents have to teach this lesson while most white parents don't. But if we don't educate them early and often we may be sending them to an early grave. Follow CNN Opinion on Twitter. Join the conversation on Facebook. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ava Thompson Greenwell.

Ava Thompson Greenwell: Recently her son, 13, was stopped, handcuffed by police . She says it happened next to her house, she objected, they said they were seeking burglar . She says her son was stopped because he was black . Greenwell: Every black mother's nightmare, that her son could be profiled. This must stop .

(CNN) -- As the United States prepares to build its first new nuclear power reactors in three decades, concerns about an early generation of plants have resurfaced since last year's disaster in Japan. The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant -- the subject of a battle between state authorities and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission over its continued operation -- uses one of 23 U.S. reactors built with a General Electric-designed containment housing known as the Mark I. It's the same design that was used at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, where three reactors melted down after the station was struck by the tsunami that followed Japan's historic earthquake in March 2011. The disaster resulted in the widespread release of radioactive contamination that forced more than 100,000 people from their homes. GE says the Mark I design has operated safely for more than 40 years and has been modified periodically to meet changing regulations. No nuclear plant could have avoided a meltdown after being swamped by a tsunami and losing power to cooling systems for an extended period of time, the company says -- and at least one expert CNN spoke to agrees. But concerns about the Mark I's ability to contain the consequences of a severe accident have been raised for decades, and critics say the Fukushima Daiichi accident shows it can't survive a real-world disaster. The structure was designed so steam that builds up in an overheating reactor can be diverted into a doughnut-shaped water tank known as the suppression pool, or torus, where it condenses back to water to reduce pressure inside the reactor containment building. That allows utilities to build a much smaller containment structure -- as little as one-sixth the size of those used at some U.S. plants. Stephen Hanauer, a former top safety official at what was then the Atomic Energy Commission, warned in 1971 that in an accident in which the core slowly loses coolant and overheats, the Mark I containment "would overpressurize. That could lose the torus water source, hence ECCS [emergency core cooling system] as well as leak out fission products." Read the 1971 Atomic Energy Commission document (PDF) In 1978, the NRC, which replaced the AEC, decided that the design was safe. Hanauer agreed with that decision, which GE and plant operators have pointed out. But the following year, there was a partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. Three Mile Island used an entirely different design, but the NRC began an extensive safety review after the accident that resulted in several changes to the Mark I. One of those was a 1989 push for utilities to install a vent system that would release steam from the containment during an emergency. But as critics point out, that also raises the odds that radioactive material will escape the containment -- even with a "hardened" vent, one that tries to filter out the reactor byproducts. Read the 1989 NRC recommendation for U.S. nuclear plants to install vents (PDF) "A hardened vent is just a way of saying we're going to uncontain the containment," said Ken Bergeron, a former physicist at the Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico, who took part in the NRC review. "The question comes up now -- and this is a really important question -- can the Mark I containment be made better?" Arnie Gundersen, a former nuclear engineer and a leading critic of the Vermont Yankee plant, says the Japanese accident shows the Mark I containment system can't prevent a release of radioactivity in a meltdown. Watch an excerpt from CNN's Special Investigations Unit report on Vermont Yankee . In an October hearing before the NRC's Petition Review Board, he said the vents were a "Band-Aid fix" for the design that failed "not once, not twice, but three times" at Fukushima Daiichi. "True wisdom means knowing when to modify something and knowing when to stop," said Gundersen, who leads a state commission set up to monitor the Vermont Yankee plant. Half of U.S. reactors are more than 30 years old . The NRC has rejected a petition by anti-nuclear groups to immediately shut down all reactors using the GE Mark I containment. But it said it would examine several of the issues the petitioners raised as part of its review of the Japanese disaster. Bergeron called the Mark I containment the smallest and weakest of those used in American plants. But he said the NRC "punted" in the face of industry resistance by calling only for utilities to install vents. As for GE, he said, "They got the rule book from the federal government, and they said 'This is all you have to design it for.' The real question is: What should have been done after 1979, when you found out the rule book was flawed?" GE says it has made several changes to the Mark I design since 1980 aimed at improving safety in the event of an accident. The manufacturer, which has a partnership with Japanese industrial giant Hitachi, stands by its product and says the tsunami that struck Fukushima Daiichi would have devastated any plant. "There is no nuclear plant operating today that would have performed differently," GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy spokesman Michael Tetuan told CNN. Bergeron agrees that no power station could have survived the long-term loss of power that occurred at the Japanese plant without a meltdown. But he noted that at Three Mile Island, the worst U.S. accident to date, there were "essentially zero emissions" from its much larger containment structure. "From the point of view of public safety, that's a home run," he said. Tetuan said the nuclear industry is still studying what happened in Japan, "and there will undoubtedly be lessons learned that will need to be implemented across the industry and across all types of nuclear plants, including the Mark I." But he added, "The GE Mark I containment structure design is a proven, reliable technology. It fulfills all regulatory requirements in one of the most highly regulated industries in the world." Commission: U.S. nukes are safe, but ... Japan will need decades to clean up after Fukushima Daiichi, the world's worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986. About 110,000 people are still displaced from homes, a Japanese government commission reported in December. A 20-kilometer (12-mile) radius around the plant remains off-limits. Workers have peered only briefly into the damaged reactor buildings, and experts say a full damage report may take years. "We need still a little bit more time to find out what really happened," said John Lee, a nuclear engineering professor at the University of Michigan. "It took three years at Three Mile Island to be able to open up the pressure vessel," Lee said. "So we're not quite there yet." 2011 nuclear power report: No changes needed . Michigan nuclear plant cited for safety violations . The U.S. nuclear industry hasn't built a new reactor since Three Mile Island. But on February 9, the NRC approved two new reactors at the Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia. The reactors are of a different design than the GE plants at Fukushima Daiichi and in the United States. CNN's Todd Schwarzschild and Curt Merrill contributed to this report.

U.S. OKs new nuclear reactors a year after Japan disaster . 23 GE Mark I reactors in U.S. share same design as Fukushima Daiichi plant . Many are aging, but have undergone safety improvements . GE says design is proven, reliable technology that is safe to use .

(CNN) -- Construct a film that includes chiseled, handsome Hollywood actors like Matthew McConaughey and Alex Pettyfer portraying strippers, as is the case with Friday's "Magic Mike," and you can guess that veiled promise of nudity will draw some moviegoers. But add Channing Tatum to that mix, and the stakes are raised even higher. The 32-year-old actor has steadily built a career over the past seven years, folding teen films, action flicks, comedies and romantic dramas into his filmography. Yet this seems to be the year that Tatum's success has reached a crescendo, the moment at which the actor is poised to reach a new level of stardom. "Magic Mike," directed by Steven Soderbergh and inspired by Tatum's own brief stint as a stripper in his younger years, has caused a frenzy of anticipation, leading box office observers to expect this to be another solid turnout for the actor. If that happens, it will be just the latest in a string of successes for Tatum, who had a strong showing with both February's "The Vow" and March's "21 Jump Street," says Phil Contrino, editor of Boxoffice.com. "I can't think of an actor who's having a stronger year in terms of building their drawing power," Contrino says, estimating that "Magic Mike" will pull in $29 million on opening weekend, taking second place behind "Brave." That would ride on the heels of the romantic drama "The Vow," which "turned him into kind of a more solidified romantic interest," Contrino says, and earned $194.6 million globally, as well as his comedic success with Jonah Hill, "21 Jump Street," which earned $195.6 million worldwide. That movie not only had a solid box office run, but it also showed just how funny Tatum can be. "He's coming off these two very huge movies, and then you have ['Magic Mike']. It's great timing," Contrino says. "Not only can he be in a romantic role because women would love to be with him, but he can be in an action role because he fits that mold too. In terms of a box office draw, that's a dangerous combination." Hollywood has taken notice, says Forbes' Dorothy Pomerantz, who pegs Tatum as one of the actors who has the most to gain or lose this summer. "When you talk to anybody in this town and you say, who's the next big movie star, [it's] Channing Tatum, Channing Tatum, Channing Tatum," says Pomerantz. "He is the one that everybody has their eye on, everybody's expecting to be a guy who can draw audiences, [and] who can draw a lot of money." More specifically -- and most importantly -- he's been able to draw profit. "He's not just minting box office money -- lots of people can do that," Pomerantz says. "He's making movies that are being made on a small budget that are just churning out the dollars. I think when you talk about this being a make or break moment for him, that's apt." Yet Tatum hasn't gotten this far by being a repeat critical darling or a constant nominee at awards shows. Instead, he's used strategic film choices, an innate gift that lures in audiences and a reputation for a diligent work ethic to go from the fringes of the industry to high-profile features, such as his upcoming role in the Wachowskis' sci-fi film, "Jupiter Ascending." Anne Fletcher, who directed Tatum in his breakout lead role in 2006's dance-centric movie "Step Up," says she knew instinctively that Tatum was right for the part, however green he may have been at the time. "Channing and I are each other's firsts -- first starring role, first directorial," Fletcher says. "I think a lot of [the casting] was instinctual. ... We auditioned him and he was fantastic. The thing about Channing was that a) he could move, and b) he had so much charisma. It just poured out of him ... and without question that would permeate on screen." "Step Up" went on to gross $114 million worldwide and spawn a franchise, with a fourth film arriving this summer, and it was also a stepping stone for Tatum to show that he could dance as well as "hold the camera's attention," says Peter Debruge, senior film critic for the trade publication Variety. " 'Step Up' sort of took Hollywood by surprise in terms of how popular it was, and I don't think anyone would've thought that would be the film that would launch an acting career," Debruge says. "Especially because what he really brought to that were dance moves." Casting directors Amanda Mackey and Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, who have cast Tatum in 2006's "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," 2009's "Fighting," and this year's "The Vow," say that the actor has been able to carve out a space for himself as an American guy's guy who can show sensitivity. "The thing that I think Channing does so naturally and brilliantly is ... he has an innate honesty and charm that is just beguiling," Mackey says. "And I think it's completely natural and I think it's exactly actually who he is. I don't think it's about performance, I think it's about something in his being that's very honest." Debruge agrees, saying that while he doesn't necessarily look to Tatum for an exciting, groundbreaking performance, he also doesn't overlook what the actor does well, which is "connecting directly with an audience." "What he's doing is low-key and very natural," Debruge says. "In some ways, it appears so effortless that there's this sense that anyone could do it. And I think it's really a mistake to dismiss it as being that simplistic." Debruge adds that Tatum's performance in "Magic Mike" is the kind where "critics can once again sharpen their knives when looking for the chance to break down his performance, but I think it's a little bit more complicated, what he's doing," he says. "I don't think he's a great thespian, the kind of person who's shown that he can deliver complexity, but there is a subtlety, a casualness that feels familiar and that feels like you can relate to the characters that he plays, that's not accidental and is absolutely part of the performance." Thus far, though, critics seem to have fallen for Tatum's particular brand of nonchalant charm in "Magic Mike." Observers are curious to see who turns out for the film, as well as how well it will perform. Pomerantz, for one, predicts that even if "Magic Mike" is a flop, it won't hurt Tatum's trajectory. "There's something about him that's working right now, and Hollywood is rooting for him, [and] I think the audience is rooting for him," she says. And if this movie is a hit, she adds, "it takes all these suspicions that Hollywood has about him as a leading man and shoots them through the roof. He is the guy."

Channing Tatum has had a successful year with "The Vow" and "21 Jump Street" "Magic Mike" is poised to help push his career to a new level . Source: When you talk about who's the next big movie star, it's Channing Tatum .

(CNN) -- Outside the windows of a C-130 cargo plane, the ocean spreads out in all directions. Somewhere below, it is believed, are the remains of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared on a journey from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. But a sighting has eluded searchers so far, and the mystery surrounding the plane grows. "This is still a search and rescue operation as far as the Malaysian government is concerned," CNN's Saima Mohsin said as she accompanied the crew of the C-130. The military plane was flying at just 500 feet above sea level, with searchers peering out the windows. All that could be seen on the water were rescue ships, also on the mission. Search aircraft were covering an area of about 12,500 square nautical miles. Local fishermen have even been asked to help. "Crucial time is passing," David Gallo, with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "That search area -- that haystack -- is getting bigger and bigger and bigger." Indeed, that search area grew Tuesday. A senior Malaysian Air Force official told CNN that Flight 370 was hundreds of miles off course, traveling in the opposite direction from its original destination and had stopped sending identifying transponder codes before it disappeared. If correct, those ominous signs could call into question whether someone in the cockpit might have deliberately steered the plane away from its intended destination, a former U.S. aviation investigator said. "This kind of deviation in course is simply inexplicable," said Paul Goelz, former managing director of the National Transportation Safety Board. Nearly three dozen aircraft and 40 ships from 10 countries have so far failed to find any sign of the aircraft, which took off from Kuala Lumpur shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday (noon Friday ET). The Boeing 777-200ER was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members. Gallo described what will happen once some debris from the aircraft is found, though he stressed there's still no evidence the plane hit the water. "Once a piece of the debris is found -- if it did impact on the water -- then you've got to backtrack that debris to try to find the 'X marks the spot' on where the plane actually hit the water, because that would be the center of the haystack. "And in that haystack you're trying to find bits of that needle -- in fact, in the case of the flight data recorders, you're looking for a tiny little bit of that needle," he said. 'Not hopeless' According to the Malaysian Air Force official, who declined to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media, the plane's transponder apparently stopped working at about the time flight controllers lost contact with it, near the coast of Vietnam. The Malaysian Air Force lost track of the plane over Pulau Perak, a tiny island in the Strait of Malacca -- many hundreds of miles from the usual flight path for aircraft traveling between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing, the official said. If data cited by the source is correct, the aircraft was flying away from Beijing and on the opposite side of the Malay Peninsula from its scheduled route. Previous accounts had the aircraft losing touch with air traffic control near the coast of Vietnam. Rescue officials have expanded the search area. "What I'm seeing here is clearly they have no idea," said CNN aviation correspondent Richard Quest. "They know roughly the area, but even there they are starting to scrabble around as to -- was it going in this direction? Had it turned round?" Quest described the search as "extremely painstaking work," suggesting that a grid would have been drawn over the ocean and that teams are combing the area, bit by bit. Although the work is challenging, he is confident that Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will be found. "It's not hopeless by any means. They will find it," Quest said. "They have to. They have to know what happened." U.S. officials expressed frustration Tuesday with the way the search has been handled. "To me, every minute counts here. And that was such a key point -- that the plane actually reversed course and was flying back over Malaysia toward Indonesia. Why wasn't that made known? Why weren't jets scrambled? Why wasn't an alert put out on that immediately?" said Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House counterterrorism and intelligence subcommittee. "So far they seemed to have dropped the ball at every level. I hate to be the Monday morning quarterback, but it appears as if they've basically done nothing right so far," he said. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers echoed King's comments when he spoke to CNN's Erin Burnett. "The Malaysians have not been fully cooperative in making this a scientific search pattern using all the assets very wisely. So you start out in one place, and you're 500 miles away the next day. That tells me that they've got a lot of gaps to try to fill," he said. 'Still a mystery' Gallo, of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, speaks from experience. He helped lead the search for the recorders of Air France Flight 447, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in 2009. The Air France flight was en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris when communications ended suddenly from the Airbus A330, another state-of-the-art aircraft. It took four searches over the course of nearly two years to locate the bulk of Flight 447's wreckage and the majority of the 228 bodies in a mountain range deep under the ocean. It took even longer to find the cause of the disaster. In 2011, the aircraft's voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered from the ocean floor after an extensive search using miniature submersible vehicles. "In this case, I thought for sure -- in a highly trafficked area where there's lots of air traffic, lots of ship traffic, not far from shore -- that for sure this would be a more rapid finding of some remnants of the plane -- but nothing," Gallo told CNN's Blitzer, comparing the Malaysia Airlines and Air France flights. Cmdr. William Marks of the Navy's U.S. 7th Fleet also spoke to Blitzer. He said the Gulf of Thailand is "pretty much saturated," but that the Strait of Malacca is "not quite" because "it's harder to get things over there." Marks spoke by phone while aboard the USS Blue Ridge, which is assisting in the search. "It's not a matter of if we can see something. We certainly can. We've picked up small wooden crates on our radar. We've picked up something as small as a soccer ball or a basketball. So we can see if things are out there. "Now this is U.S. Navy technology -- not everyone has this same technology," he said Tuesday. A day earlier, Marks told Blitzer the search area was growing on account of currents and the wind. "It's a very large search area, but still a mystery -- still a lot of question marks." Interpol 'inclined to conclude' Malaysia Airlines disappearance not terror . Two mystery passengers add to intrigue in airliner's disappearance . Who travels with a stolen passport? Missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370: What we know and don't know . CNN's Saeed Ahmed contributed to this report.

"We've picked up something as small as a soccer ball (on radar)," an official says . CNN rides along with searchers on plane . Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared four days ago . Nearly three dozen aircraft and 40 ships have so far failed to find any sign of the aircraft .

(CNN)The University of Virginia and its campus police department are investigating a new report of a sexual assault in a campus residence as the college community struggles with how to move forward and improve its sexual assault policies after coming under national scrutiny. It's the first report of a sexual assault on campus since the controversial and widely questioned Rolling Stone article, published in October, that depicted the brutal gang rape of a woman named Jackie. It's also the only reported sexual assault in the university police public reports since the start of this 2014-2015 school year, according to a CNN review of records on its website. There are few details about this newest case. A statement sent to students on Thursday said police were notified by the Dean of Students "about a sexual assault incident reported to have occurred on January 30, 2015, in a residence hall on-Grounds." The notice said police were notified on February 5, six days after the incident. Before the uproar over the Rolling Stone story, UVA policy allowed student victims to decide whether or not police were contacted after a sexual assault. Since then, the university mandated a "zero-tolerance" policy, which has yet to be defined; it's unclear if the alleged victim in the latest assault participated in reporting it to police. University officials would not comment on those questions. This all comes as the university is trying to move forward from the fallout of the Rolling Stone piece. The story of Jackie has been questioned and has prompted several investigations -- a police investigation, an internal review at UVA, and a Columbia Journalism Review of Rolling Stone's reporting process. A lot is still unknown. Here's what we do and don't know: . What we know: Some of the details in the story are not true. Charlottesville police informed the university at the start of the spring semester that its investigation has found no evidence that the brutal gang rape happened at Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, as the Rolling Stone story alleged. However, the police have not ruled out that Jackie was raped -- possibly even gang raped, somewhere else, perhaps on a different day. The investigation is ongoing, and police aren't releasing any other details of what they've found. CNN talked to several of Jackie's friends who were with her the night she says she was allegedly attacked, and according to them, she told a different version of what happened that night. In the article, Jackie said she was gang-raped by seven men while two men looked on. Her friends said Jackie told them she was forced to give oral sex to five men. Jackie's Rolling Stone version said the perpetrator was a man she met at her job at the university pool. She told her friends it was someone she met in her chemistry class. She told her friends the assailant's name, but no one by the name she gave attended the University of Virginia, nor could anyone by that name be located in a database search across the United States. What we don't know: We don't know how much of the rest of the Rolling Stone story, including Jackie's account, was correct. Jackie has not talked to any member of the media since Rolling Stone issued an apology for its reporting, and the writer of the story has not spoken publicly since the apology, either. Columbia Journalism Review is now fact-checking all of the details at the request of Rolling Stone. What we know: Some of the details in the Rolling Stone story that deal with the broader issue of how sexual assault reports are handled at UVA have been confirmed. For example, the university has admitted that it never expelled a single student for committing sexual assault, even when the student admitted it. The law firm O'Melveny & Myers LLP is now looking into how the university has historically handled sex assault claims. Even before the Rolling Stone story, UVA was the subject of a Title IX lawsuit filed by a woman who said she was drugged and raped by a fellow student, and that the university medical center lost some of the evidence, that a nurse didn't tell the truth about the woman's injuries, and that a school administrator shared confidential information. In May 2014, the Department of Education for Civil Rights announced that it was investigating 55 schools, including UVA, for possible violations related to how it handles sex abuse claims. What we know: Part of the independent investigation by O'Melveny & Myers is looking at how UVA responded specifically to Jackie's astonishing accusations against members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. According to Rolling Stone, Jackie first reported her allegations to the university in the spring of 2013, months after the alleged assault happened. The university did not call police because Jackie did not want the police involved, Rolling Stone reported. However, many people on campus were well aware of Jackie's shocking allegations. Several people present at the annual "Take Back the Night" awareness event listened as Jackie took to a podium and told her story to a crowd of hundreds in 2014. The police were not called until the account was published in Rolling Stone in November, causing national scrutiny and outrage. What we don't know: It's unclear if police were aware in detail of the allegations before the Rolling Stone story was published. The fraternity Phi Kappa Psi expressed concern to police after members began to field questions from Rolling Stone about the allegation of a gang rape. It's unclear exactly why that did not turn into a full police investigation. UVA officials were also involved in that conversation, Phi Psi said. After being suspended for the rest of the fall semester, the fraternities were allowed to come back in the spring as long as they signed a new operating agreement which mandates sober fraternity brothers at parties, bans the serving of pre-mixed drinks, requires the use of guards at staircases, and other safety measures. This created some tension. Phi Psi was the first to sign the new agreement, but two other fraternities accused the university of "bullying" them into signing it. Then, days later, some sorority members were appalled to learn that their national chapters banned them from attending any fraternity bid night activities on Saturday, January 31, one of the biggest celebrations of the year in campus Greek life. From outside Charlottesville, the University of Virginia appears to be a campus in turmoil, struggling with how to move on from allegations that sexual assaults are rampant. But on campus many student leaders, like Student Council President Jalen Ross, agree that some of that discourse is good -- it will help them come up with the best plans for moving forward. But Ross also told CNN he's concerned with the level of involvement the national fraternity and sorority organizations have had, and cautions that they do not speak for students on campus.​ . It's clear from talking to students at UVA that many of them still see some merit to the criticisms of how the university handles sexual assault allegations. Many also believe that something bad may have happened to Jackie, although they are skeptical of the details in the Rolling Stone story. Most students got back from winter break and returned to normal life at school. Behind the scenes, leaders are working on new ways to tackle binge drinking and general campus safety. The university just adopted an ambassador program which provides sober escorts over the age of 21 for any student who needs help getting home. The "zero tolerance policy" pledged after the Rolling Stone story has yet to be defined, and some advocates are worried that it will have a chilling effect on reporting of sexual assault. Ross said he's been working with state legislators who have proposed mandatory reporting, to make sure that any new proposals also don't discourage women from coming forward.

Police not ruling out that "Jackie" was raped . UVA facing new report of sexual assault on campus . University trying to move forward from fallout of Rolling Stone article .

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Would you be offended if your boss got your name wrong? Maybe. Would you want to leave your job? Maybe not. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson gave David Beckham the boot after a defeat to Arsenal in 2003. But if you're already unhappy, like Charles N'Zogbia, being called "Insomnia" by a no-nonsense and unapologetic Joe Kinnear was the last straw. The winger got his wish to leave Newcastle granted in the January transfer window by moving to Wigan, prompting a war of words between the pair. "When you hear the manager say something like this about you, then you know he doesn't respect you," said the Frenchman. "If he doesn't respect you, what's the point of playing for him? Newcastle's veteran boss hit back at the 22-year-old, who had refused to play for the club again under Kinnear, for "living in a fantasy land." "There was not a day when he didn't have some Mickey Mouse story about a club that wanted him," Kinnear said. "First it was Arsenal, then Manchester United, then Real Madrid, then Aston Villa and Lyon. I think he needed bringing down to earth and I can assure you nobody tried to stop him going." The N'Zogbia-Kinnear feud is the latest in a long line of players and managers falling out at club level. Football Fanzone picks out some of most memorable from the last 10 years. Do you agree with our selection? Have your say in the Sound Off box. Davor Suker vs John Toshack, 1999 . Suker had been the World Cup's leading scorer for Croatia in 1998 and was still one of Europe's top marksmen when he had his falling-out with Real Madrid boss Toshack. Reports suggested Suker had been highly critical of Toshack, particularly the Welshman's transfer dealings at the Bernabeu. The club suspended him without pay. Suker conducted a strange clear-the-air-by-blaming-the-media press conference, throughout which he referred to himself in the third person. But he had signed his own death warrant at Real and was sold to Arsenal in the summer of 1999. Alan Shearer vs Ruud Gullit, 1999 . More often than not, when a manager's relationship with a player breaks down irreparably it's the player who loses out. Not when the club is Newcastle and the player is Alan Shearer. Gullit had arrived at Newcastle promising "sexy football" but his team weren't even able to flirt with good results. When Gullit dropped Shearer for the local derby with rivals Sunderland, it was considered a bold decision; when Sunderland ended up winning the game, it was considered a stupid one. Shearer, loved by the Toon fans, was going nowhere and made his feelings about the dreadlocked Dutch coach clear. Gullit was sacked shortly after, but still found time to criticize Shearer, saying: "I told him to his face he was the most overrated player I have ever seen." Jaap Stam vs Sir Alex Ferguson, 2001 . Stam had proved himself to be one of Europe's top center-backs, with three Premier League titles and a European Cup in his three years at Manchester United. But an ill-advised autobiography in the summer of 2001, from which dressing room secrets and criticisms of the Neville brothers emerged, enraged Ferguson. Stam might have been indispensable to the Old Trafford faithful, but not the combustible Scot who promptly sold the Dutchman in the autumn to Lazio. United shipped goals thereafter. Robbie Fowler vs Gerard Houllier, 2002 . The seeds of Fowler's 2002 exit from Liverpool were sown three years earlier in the infamous 'line-sniffing' goal celebration, which left Houllier irate. The Frenchman had already broken the club's transfer record for Emile Heskey to partner Michael Owen in attack, leaving fans' favorite Fowler as the odd one out. Player and manager had already been at odds over team selection when Fowler was left out of the squad for the start of the 2001-02 Premiership season after kicking a ball at assistant manager Phil Thompson during training. Fowler, becalmed by injuries but still a deadly finisher, eventually apologized but the damage was done and he was sold to Leeds in November 2002. David Beckham vs Sir Alex Ferguson, 2003 . Ferguson was concerned his protégé Beckham was spending too much time indulging in the celebrity lifestyle flaunted by his high-profile wife, Victoria. The England captain's Manchester United form had not dipped alarmingly but Ferguson still wielded the axe -- or, indeed, the boot. An argument between the two erupted in the Old Trafford dressing room after a defeat to arch-foes Arsenal, and Beckham took a boot in the face from a furious Ferguson. The cut forehead healed but the rift didn't and the England captain left for Real Madrid that summer. Wayne Rooney vs David Moyes, 2006 . Rooney had already secured his move away from Everton by the time he had his spat with Moyes, his former boss at Goodison Park. Rooney's 2006 autobiography revealed how he believed Moyes was jealous of his success and that the new Manchester United forward "would have gone anywhere to get away from him" -- including signing for Newcastle. Moyes took umbrage and then took Rooney to court, winning a substantial payout from the England star. Andriy Shevchenko vs Jose Mourinho, 2007 . When you're one of the world's most feared forwards and you've just been signed for an eye-watering $45m, the expectation is you'll score goals. Shevchenko, though, turned 30 shortly after arriving at Chelsea -- but played as if he'd just turned 40. Mourinho never wanted the Ukrainian in the first place (he'd been bought by club owner and Shevchenko's friend Roman Abramovich), but after months of heavy-legged displays, the goal-shy striker saw fewer and fewer first-team minutes. Mourinho lost the power struggle with Abramovich when he was sacked in September 2007, and Shevchenko didn't last much longer at Stamford Bridge. Gordon Strachan vs Aiden McGeady, 2008 . McGeady has long been one of those Celtic players you expect to be whisked away following a big-money offer. He is still there -- just. McGeady's departure from the club looked assured when he was banned from training for two weeks and heavily fined after a launching into a dressing-room tirade at Strachan. A home draw to Hearts led to Strachan tearing into the Irishman after the match and McGeady responded with personal abuse. McGeady has since returned to the Bhoys' starting XI but Scotland's player of the year and young player of the year for 2008 is drinking in the last-chance saloon at Celtic Park.

Some of football's biggest names have rowed with their managers . Football Fanzone has listed some of the most memorable spats since 1999 . Do you agree with the list? Have your say in the sound off box below.

(CNN) -- If fans thought season one of "Orphan Black" was mysterious, get ready to spiral deeper down the rabbit hole for a second season. The show returns this Saturday April 19 on BBC America. Never heard of "Orphan Black"? For the uninitiated, "Welcome to the trip, man," as character Cosima Niehaus would say. It all unfolds in the first three minutes of the series premiere: A woman on a train platform witnesses another woman jump to her death -- and they're identical. The witness, morally ambiguous Sarah Manning (played by Tatiana Maslany), assumes the dead woman's identity. It's no spoiler to say that things don't work out the way she planned. By taking on the identity of the deceased Beth Childs, Sarah discovers that Beth was in contact with other identical women who are actually clones. Together, the clone sisters realize that some of their loved ones are really monitors for the mysterious Dyad Institute, overseeing the clone experiment. The clones can only trust one another as they try to unravel the mystery of their origins and the people who seek to control them. "It's a crazy, fast-paced clone conspiracy thriller and a long-arc mystery," co-creator and writer Graeme Manson told CNN. The idea was heavily inspired by the mind-bending film "Memento," and evolved into a multifaceted story dealing with themes of nature vs. nurture and identity theft. "We thought clones hadn't really got their due." For many, those first few glimpses hooked viewers and turned them into instant fans -- celebrities like Kevin Bacon, Damon Lindelof, Patton Oswalt and Emma Roberts included -- and the #cloneclub community was born. Why 'Orphan Black' works . Tatiana Maslany . Maslany's unique embodiment of each clone, from tough girl Sarah to geeky scientist Cosima to high-strung soccer mom Alison, is fascinating to watch. She created a playlist of songs to help her develop personalities for each character. As for playing multiple clones in a single scene, Maslany has acted against a double most recently. But she's been known to rely on tennis balls with faces drawn on them and Xs taped on the wall and floor. "Watching her do these characters in a very substantial, complex, layered way really is what made this absolutely absurd idiotic premise work," co-creator and director John Fawcett told CNN. While the campaign to get Maslany nominated for an Emmy didn't succeed (and, as a result, incited the Twittersphere), Maslany was nominated for Golden Globe and People's Choice awards, and won the Critics' Choice, Young Hollywood and Canadian Screen awards. It can't be easy to portray so many different characters, but Maslany makes it look effortless. "I kind of have to think about all of them [...] Just breathing and being there as that character, and letting that come out, with an awareness that I do have to move on from that person at the end of it," Maslany told Entertainment Weekly. See Tatiana Maslany and more of CNN's 10 fresh faces for 2014 . Cliffhangers galore . If you watch "Orphan Black" regularly, you might have trust issues. Every episode is a roller coaster of twists and turns that creates doubt before the audience can believe a character's motives completely. Paul Dierden (Dylan Bruce), Beth's boyfriend, proves to be a chameleon. One minute, he seems loyal to Sarah-as-Beth. The next minute, he's reporting on her activities to the Dyad Institute. There is no lag time as the action stacks up back to back, usually pairing car chases and shootout scenes in between kidnappings and one clone masquerading as another. "We wanted cliffhangers every act break and left turns when you weren't expecting them and to generally keep the audience unbalanced," Fawcett said. Unconventional characters . Each clone is surrounded by a memorable cast of characters. From Sarah's sassy foster brother Felix (Jordan Gavaris) to Cosima's beautiful lover Delphine (Evelyne Brochu,) "Orphan Black" tends to celebrate the underdog. These gritty, flawed portrayals aren't the characters you normally see on TV and they aren't written as classic archetypes. Sarah is a con artist with a checkered past, but she's also a fiercely protective mother to her young daughter, Kira. Cosima isn't played as your average geek -- she's quirky, making a brilliant discovery about clone DNA one second and smoking pot the next. Dr. Aldous Leekie (Matt Frewer) of the Dyad Institute is as charmingly likeable as he is terrifyingly controlling. Not only have fans identified with each clone, but the representations of LGBT characters like Felix and Cosima as well. "I take joy in playing someone who is so liberated, not just in his sexuality, but his work as an artist, and his life," Gavaris said. "He's not perfect, he's an antihero with a lot of flaws (most of them powder-related), but he is a fully realized human being." Clone science . Fawcett has become accustomed to hearing people say, "I don't normally like sci-fi, but I love your show." That's probably because cloning and body augmentation is played as modern science, rather than futuristic science fiction. The fictional Dyad Institute explores the ethical complications of when science plays God. It poses a question largely explored in Season 2: When you're a clone, who really "owns" you and your DNA? What to expect in Season 2 . Now that you're caught up, the new season will catapult from last year's finale. "Season 2 does two things," Manson told CNN. "It continues our fast pace and momentum and opens up our mysteries while giving some answers." Specifically, this means the addition of threatening characters (think religious extremists) and delving into Cosima's mysterious illness that could endanger all of the clones, while further exploring a clone we met at the end of Season 1: Rachel Duncan. The ruthless corporate pro-clone and Sarah's nemesis is actually Maslany's favorite to play, and a large focus of the second season. The relationships between characters will shift as well. "Sarah and Felix will be tested, there's some contention there," Gavaris said. "I wanted to establish Felix outside of the clones, and the only way to do that is to put a wedge between him and Sarah. But I think the audience will understand it when we get there." The biggest question shaping Season 2: who took Sarah's daughter, Kira, at the end of Season 1? As the only child born to a clone, plenty of people have good reason for viewing her as a scientific goldmine. And it appears we may not be finished with meeting all of the clones. Fawcett added that learning what the fans liked from season one and the strong response from the "clone club" inspired the entire "Oprhan Black" team to pull out all of the stops for Season 2. "The clone club community has been so inclusive and such a source of respectful conversation online," Gavaris said. "It's the society we want. There's no need for boxes or labels. We would all rejoice in a world where everyone is accepted."

Season 2 of "Orphan Black" returns April 19 . Taking on the topic of clones, and using one actress to play them, makes the show stand out . Season 2 promises new, threatening characters and more mysteries .

(CNN) -- If travel industry experts are correct, next year will see us snapping holiday "braggies," eating dinner at a local's house, being served by a "Botler" and, more than likely, heading to Asia. Singapore, Thailand and Japan are among top destination picks for next year, while world-class sports events like the 2015 Rugby World Cup will also see fans flocking to host nation England. Why Asia's hot right now . "One of the hottest regions is Asia and there are a couple of different drivers," says Elizabeth Crabill, president of global travel provider TravelBound, which serves 40,000 travel agents worldwide. Japan, notoriously expensive for foreign visitors, is set to become more affordable because of the depreciation of the yen, which has lost nearly a quarter of its value since 2012. "International currencies are going to go a lot farther," says Crabill. She points to increased interest in Okinawa, "the Hawaii of Japan," a string of islands in the south with a subtropical climate and a strong indigenous culture. Thailand is expected to bounce back from a coup in May, which hit tourism hard with unrest and curfews. "There's a lot of pent up demand," says Crabill, adding that in spite of the recent negative headlines tourists are likely to stream back to Thailand for great food and glorious beaches. Meanwhile, Singapore will celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence in 2015, making it a big draw for visitors. Famed for its eclectic cuisine, soaring skyscrapers -- and, more recently, ambitions to transform itself into a city in a garden starting with the 100-hectare Gardens by the Bay -- Singapore is putting on a number of events to celebrate its Golden Jubilee. Highlights include the opening of the National Gallery Singapore and the opening of the Jubilee Walk, which will cover historic locations on the island. "It's our top destination for 2015 globally," says Crabill. Instant messaging, wearable tech, robots . Tech continues to drive the future of travel and it's shaping everything from the way we show off about our holidays with "braggies," like a selfie, but taken within 10 minutes of arriving at your hotel. It's also changing who brings us room service (clue: it might not be a human). "Technology is the strongest disruptive force in the travel industry today," says Angelo Rossini, travel and tourism analyst at Euromonitor International. He's one of the editors of the annual WTM Global Trends Report 2014, released at last month's World Travel Market in London. One of the most surprising predictions in the report comes out of Asia, where millions of people now make travel bookings via instant messaging. Chinese messaging service WeChat has 440 million active users -- second only to U.S. messaging service Whatsapp -- but it's leading the way when it comes to monetizing its popularity. Chinese online travel agency Ctrip sells air, train and other tickets on WeChat, while travelers on low-cost carrier Spring Airlines book flights and check in using its WeChat service. "Instant messaging is becoming a threat to telecoms companies -- and also for social media," says Rossini. "We definitely expect this to become the case in more and more other regions of the world." The report predicts that wearable tech (Internet-connected devices that you wear) will be an increasingly important tool for travelers over the next couple of years. Products currently on sale include the Sony SmartWatch and Google Glass. But it's the Apple Watch, which goes on sale in 2015, that's expected to be the real game changer. Starwood Hotels, which owns the Sheraton, St. Regis, W hotels and several other global brands, is getting ahead of the trend with an Apple Watch and iPhone app that allows hotel guests to unlock their hotel rooms without a key card. Perhaps taking all this to its logical extreme, Aloft Hotels, also part of the Starwood group, is trialing a robot butler, known as "Botler" in Cupertino, California. "Botler brings you things you need, for example toothpaste, your slippers, a newspaper," says Caroline Bremner, head of travel and tourism for Euromonitor. Cruise line Royal Caribbean installed robot bartenders on its new Quantum of the Seas, which it says is the world's most technologically advanced cruise ship. However, technicians had to pull to plug on them on the inaugural voyage after they failed to stand glasses upright and mix cocktails fast enough, according to the Daily Telegraph. "At some point the introduction of tech has to be functional, not just novelty, and there's a danger that hospitality goes toward gimmick," says Bremner. Do-it-yourself holidays and the sharing economy . In 2015, more of us will likely book our own holidays, use online forums to research destinations and rent from locals when we get there. "We are seeing more and more people move away from the model of getting a package holiday," says James Kay, spokesperson for online booking and review company, TripAdvisor. The company announced in August 2014 that 315 million people now use the site each month -- an increase of 20% from 2013. Increasing numbers of people are using TripAdvisor's forums to research destinations in advance, taking the opportunity to ask locals specific questions. "They will take time to put the pieces of a trip together, because they figure they can get better value for money on it and also find those local gems," Kay adds. The sharing economy, particularly peer-to-peer rentals and experiences, is gaining popularity at warp speed. Poster child of the movement, holiday rentals site Airbnb currently has 6 million guests in 190 countries. Some of that growth has come from word-of-mouth, according to Euromonitor's Bremner. "People might have been hesitant but then they hear of (others) who have had a positive experience -- or not -- and they are more inclined to try it out," she says. Hanging with the locals . What we're all likely to be doing a lot more next year is eating with the locals -- not in restaurants but in their homes, according to the WTM Global Trends Report 2014. Sites like Eatwith.com, which pairs travelers with home cooks and Bookalokal.com, a network of locals who offer meals and cooking classes, are rapidly expanding. "My best travel experiences have always involved having a local person on the ground, so I set out to launch a platform where travelers could connect with local people," says Bookalokal.com founder Evelyne White in the report. Both Bookalokal.com and EatWith.com apply the Airbnb model to dining: guests review hosts and some are verified for food quality, venue and cleanliness. Peer-to-peer sites that offer experiences, like Vayable.com, are also popping up. Vayable connects travelers with locals offering everything from a night photography tour of Paris to kayaking in Auckland to a tour of Kibera, Africa's largest slum. Services like these are forecast to become some of the fastest growing areas in the travel industry over the next few years, fueled by the public's appetite for authentic experiences and connections with local people.

Aloft Hotels is trying out a robot butler named "Botler" in Cupertino, California . "Braggies" are just like selfies, but taken within 10 minutes of arriving at your hotel . Travelers will be eating more meals alongside locals, say industry insiders .

Albany, Oregon (CNN) -- The Oregon teen accused of planning to bomb his high school had a detailed itinerary for his attack that included napalm bombs, firearms and killing himself before the police could, authorities said Tuesday. According to a three-page probable cause affidavit released by authorities, an investigator wrote that police found notebooks and other documents in 17-year-old Grant Acord's room. They contained handwritten and typed plans, including diagrams, to commit mass murder, the affidavit said. In one of the plans, Acord wrote that he wanted to go to first period then take a few hours in the parking lot to prepare for his attack, during which he would "shoot and throw bombs throughout the school." On Tuesday, the teen appeared in court via a video feed from jail. It was the initial hearing for a gawky teenager accused of plotting a monstrous crime. He sat awkwardly in a folding chair, shoulders slumped. When the judge entered, Acord snapped to attention in front of a microphone. Unsure of where to position himself, he answered the judge's questions in calm, respectful, short answers. It was a surreal juxtaposition to see the face and demeanor of a young man who authorities say modeled his plan on the 1999 massacre at Colorado's Columbine High School. Acord's timeline -- which police say he entitled "The (Loosely Stated) Plan AKA Worst case Scenario" -- would have begun at 7:30 a.m. and would have ended with an attack just after 11:10. The writing said he planned to pack his truck with the bombs and guns at home, go to West Albany High School and slip out of class after first period. Then he would have waited until 10 a.m. where he would have moved to "smoke spot" to "gear up." After that, he planned to move to another parking lot, check for a school resource officer, and if none was there, he would back in the truck at 11:10 a.m. into a spot near one of the exits he had staked out. His harrowing plan continued: "Get gear out of trunk. Carry duffle in one hand, napalm firebomb in the other, walk towards school with (Airport Stalk music from the Call of Duty video game) blasting out of car. Drop duffle. Light and throw napalm, unzip bag and begin firing. Cooly state: 'The Russian grim reaper is here.' If 3rd exit is blocked by napalm fire, or is locked, run to 1st entrance." The plan ends with a suicide. "Kill myself before S.W.A.T. engages me," he writes. He was charged as an adult with attempted aggravated murder and 18 other charges related to making and possessing a destructive device. Acord, who said little throughout the proceeding, did not enter a plea. A judge set bond at $2 million. Authorities are still not saying when Acord wanted to launch his plan. The affidavit suggests he still had a fair amount of planning to do, including purchasing a Hi-Point 995 rifle and a Mossberg shotgun, and building several more bombs. Officials at the school and police said a fellow student's tip led to Acord's arrest. Family attorney: 'He's very mentally ill' Acord's mother says her son suffers from a rare form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. "My heart goes out to everyone affected by Grant's struggle with PANDAS, a rare form of OCD," Grant Acord's mother said through her attorney. "I grieve for my son but understand and support the efforts of law enforcement to keep our beloved community safe," his mother, Marianne Fox, added. "This is a challenging and confusing time for everyone who knows Grant. I will have no further comment while I wait with the rest of you to see what unfolds." Acord's goal, said Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson on Monday, "was to model the Columbine shootings with some adjustments that would make it a greater success." PANDAS, which stands for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcus, is caused by the body's immune reaction to a strep infection, not the infection itself, according to the International OCD Foundation. Dr. Rosario Trifiletti, a New Jersey-based child neurologist and expert on PANDAS, notes there is a similar but broader diagnosis called PANS, or pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, that affects 1% to 2% of children and can result in "explosive violence" among sufferers. Trifiletti, who emphasized he cannot comment on Acord's case because he hasn't treated him, said he has seen youngsters with PANS become deeply fearful and violent with their parents. "I think the thing that shocks parents is how quickly they change. They can snap," he said. In his research, however, he has never seen any sufferer premeditate violence in the manner outlined in the allegations against Acord. "There has not been a kid who has done anything close to this," the doctor said. There are no clear diagnostic criteria for PANDAS, according to the PANDAS Network, which says the disorder is marked by a rapid onset and intensification of obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Among those, according to the National Institutes of Health, are "obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors and motor or vocal tics." Those symptoms can be accompanied by anxiety attacks, irritability, extreme mood swings, temper tantrums, immaturity, hyperactivity, handwriting changes and problems in school, the NIH says. As for PANS, the peer-reviewed journal Pediatrics & Therapeutics cites several categories of "neuropsychiatric symptoms" that can accompany the disorder: anxiety; emotional changes and/or depression; irritability, aggression and/or severely oppositional behaviors; behavioral regression; a drop in school performance; sensory or motor abnormalities; and bodily symptoms such as sleep disturbances and problems with urination. Alan Lanker, the attorney for the mother, said Acord has received treatment, but he did not know the details of the teen's treatment. "He's very mentally ill. He has PANDAS. It's a brain infection that's causing a mental illness. It's been their concern for some time," Lanker said. Disturbing allegations . Police found six types of explosives after they arrested Acord on Thursday night at a home in Albany, Oregon, Haroldson said. They recovered napalm, pipe and drain cleaner bombs, as well as Molotov cocktails Friday from "a secret compartment that had been created in the floorboards" of the teen's bedroom, Haroldson said. The prosecutor said Acord wanted to outdo the Columbine High School shootings, which left one teacher and 14 students dead, including the two gunmen. Sheriff: Student plotted college attack, fantasized about stabbings . Fifth-grade boys' plot to kill a classmate thwarted . In January: Teen free on bail after allegedly plotting 'terrorist attacks' CNN's Holly Yan, Cristy Lenz, Greg Morrison, Jennifer Bixler, Jake Carpenter and AnneClaire Stapleton contributed to this report.

Plan called for firebombs, firearms and background music, affidavit says . Grant Acord, 17, didn't enter a plea during video appearance; bond set at $2 million . An attorney for the suspect's mother says teen has rare form of OCD . NEW: Authorities say student tip led to arrest .

Washington (CNN) -- The chairman of the Republican Party and a leading GOP senator called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to give up his post Sunday, following the publication of remarks he made about President Obama's race in 2008. A new book quotes Reid, D-Nevada, as saying privately in 2008 that Obama could be successful as a black candidate in part because of his "light-skinned" appearance and speaking patterns "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one." The remarks were "embarrassing and racially insensitive," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, head of the GOP's Senate campaign arm, in a statement to CNN. GOP Chairman Michael Steele, on NBC's "Meet the Press," said: "Racism and racist conversations have no place today in America." Steele also was on the defensive for a remark he made last week that members of both parties have called a racial slur. In an interview with Fox News, Steele used the phrase "honest injun." The Congressional Black Caucus has accepted Reid's apology and is dismissing calls for him to step down as majority leader. Rep. Barbara Lee, chairwoman of the caucus, issued the following statement: "I have had an opportunity to speak with Senator Reid and he apologized for his unfortunate remarks concerning the president, and he understands the gravity of such remarks. There are too many issues like the economy, job creation and energy for these regrettable comments to distract us from the work that must be done on behalf of the American people." Democrats also rejected the calls for Reid's dismissal. Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia, chairman of the Democratic Party, said "the case is closed" following Reid's round of apologies. Douglas Wilder of Virginia, who 20 years ago became the nation's first elected African-American governor, also rejected calls for Reid's ouster. "I think that what Reid was giving was a personal opinion, which wasn't affecting the laws or the operation of the dispensation of justice in our country," Wilder told CNN's "State of the Union." But he said he believes the incident "illustrates the need for more open discussion about race." Reid's office made clear he has no plans to step down. Democrats rejected the calls for Reid's dismissal, and Reid's office made clear he has no plans to step down. "Sen. Reid will stay in his position as majority leader and will run for re-election," his spokesman said. "As the leader in the fight to pass the Voting Rights Act and legislation banning hate crimes, Sen. Reid has a long record of addressing issues that are important to the African-American community. His Republican critics who are looking to politicize the issue can't say the same." Reid's controversial quote is in the book "Game Change," due in stores Monday. The authors write that "Reid was convinced, in fact, that Obama's race would help him more than hurt him in a bid for the Democratic nomination." In a statement to CNN, Reid said, "I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words." "I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African-Americans for my improper comments. I was a proud and enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama during the campaign and have worked as hard as I can to advance President Obama's legislative agenda," Reid said. In his defense, he pointed to his efforts to integrate the Las Vegas strip and the gaming industry, among other legislation favored by African-American voters. "I have worked hard to advance issues important to the African-American community," he said. And the senate leader called Obama on Saturday afternoon to apologize for the remarks. In a statement issued after the call, Obama said, "As far as I am concerned, the book is closed." "Harry Reid called me today and apologized for an unfortunate comment reported today," the president said. "I accepted Harry's apology without question because I've known him for years, I've seen the passionate leadership he's shown on issues of social justice and I know what's in his heart." An aide to the senator told CNN that Reid also offered apologies to several prominent African-American political figures, including House Democrats Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and Barbara Lee of California; the Rev. Al Sharpton; CNN political contributor and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile; NAACP chairman Julian Bond; and the head of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Wade Henderson. Steele, the GOP's first African-American chairman, was asked about the remarks on both "Meet the Press" and "Fox News Sunday." He told NBC on Sunday he believes Reid is out of touch with "how African-Americans generally feel" about sensitive issues. Steele was asked by NBC whether he believes the situation is similar to one involving former Sen. Trent Lott, who lost his post as Senate majority leader in 2002 after saying that the nation would have been better off if one-time segregationist candidate Strom Thurmond had been elected president. "Oh, yeah. There is a big double standard here," Steele said on NBC. Steele added: "When Democrats get caught saying racist things, you know, an apology is enough." Steele said that if a Republican senator had made the same remark Reid did, Steele himself and the Democratic Party "would be screaming for his head very much as they were with Trent Lott." Cornyn, in his statement, also accused Democrats of following a "double standard," and noted that they had pushed Lott to step down. "As we await his explanation, Sen. Reid should do the right thing, follow the example that he himself set in 2002, and step down as majority leader," Cornyn said. Kaine shot back against those arguments. "Anybody looking at Trent Lott's statements praising somebody who had been a pro-segregation candidate for president will see that there is no comparison between those comments and those of Sen. Reid," Kaine told NBC. The comments "were in the context of praising the senator and acknowledging that the senator could be a great president, but they were still insensitive," Kaine said. Asked whether Reid should resign, he said, "Absolutely not. ... We're moving on." Nevada state Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, who is African-American, affirmed his support for Reid in a statement Saturday. "While I am disappointed in Sen. Reid's comment and choice of words, I accept his apology," said Horsford, a Democrat. "I have known Sen. Reid for many years and he has consistently been supportive of advancing the interests of the African-American community as he has for all Nevadans and all Americans." Steele, meanwhile, was asked about his remark in a Fox News interview last week that the GOP platform "is one of the best political documents that's been written in the last 25 years, 'honest injun' on that." "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace noted that lawmakers from both parties have called that a racial slur. "Well, if it is, I apologize for it. It's not an intent to be a racial slur. I wasn't intending to say a racial slur at all," Steele said. CNN's Dana Bash, Mark Preston and Rebecca Sinderbrand contributed to this report.

NEW: Congressional Black Caucus rejects calls for Reid to step down . Michael Steele calls for Reid to step down, accuses Dems of "double standard" GOP chair says Senate majority leader's language "harkens back to the 1950s and '60s" New book quotes Reid discussing "light-skinned" Obama's lack of "Negro dialect"

(CNN) -- Calling himself "deeply flawed," now-disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong says he used an array of performance enhancing drugs to win seven Tour de France titles then followed that by years of often-angry denials. "This is too late, it's too late for probably most people. And that's my fault," he said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired Thursday night. "(This was) one big lie, that I repeated a lot of times." Armstrong admitted using testosterone and human growth hormone, as well as EPO -- a hormone naturally produced by human kidneys to stimulate red blood cell production. It increases the amount of oxygen that can be delivered to muscles, improving recovery and endurance. In addition to using drugs, the 2002 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year admitted to Winfrey that he took blood transfusions to excel in the highly competitive, scandal-ridden world of professional cycling. Doping was as much a part of the sport as pumping up tires or having water in a bottle, Armstrong said, calling it "the scariest" that he didn't consider it cheating at the time. 12 telling quotes over the years from Armstrong . The same man who insisted throughout and after his career that he'd passed each of the "hundreds and hundreds of tests I took" contended in the interview that he wouldn't have won without doing what he did. While Armstrong didn't invent the culture of doping in cycling, he said, he admitted not acting to prevent it either. "I made my decisions," Armstrong said. "They are my mistakes." Armstrong: I was "a bully" The first installment in his interview, which was conducted earlier this week with the talk-show host, aired Thursday on the OWN cable network and on the Internet. The second installment will be broadcast Friday night. Armstrong admitted he was "a bully ... in the sense that I tried to control the narrative," sometimes by spewing venom at ex-teammates he thought were "disloyal," as well as suing people and publications that accused him of cheating. He described himself as "a fighter" whose story of a happy marriage, recovery from cancer and international sporting success "was so perfect for so long." "I lost myself in all of that," he said, describing himself as both a "humanitarian" and a "jerk" who'd been "arrogant" for years. "I was used to controlling everything in my life." iReport: Tell us your take on the first part of the interview . The scandal has tarred the cancer charity Livestrong that he founded, as well as tarnished his once-glowing reputation as a sports hero. Those who spoke out against Armstrong at the height of his power and popularity not only felt his wrath but the wrath of an adoring public. Now, with Armstrong stripped of endorsement deals and his titles, those who did speak out are feeling vindicated. They include Betsy Andreu, wife of fellow cyclist Frankie Andreu, who said she overheard Armstrong acknowledge to a doctor treating him for cancer in 1996 that he had used performance-enhancing drugs. She later testified about the incident and began cooperating with a reporter working on a book about doping allegations against Armstrong. Armstrong subsequently ripped her, among others. More recently, he said he'd reached out to her to apologize -- in what Andreu called "a very emotional phone call." "This was a guy who used to be my friend, who decimated me," Andreu told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Thursday night. "He could have come clean. He owed it to me. He owes it to the sport that he destroyed." In his interview with Winfrey, Armstrong said he understands why many might be upset that it took him so long to speak out, especially after going on the offensive for so long. He said he's reached out in recent days to several people, such as Andreu, who publicly accused him of doping and then were attacked -- and in some cases sued -- by him. Bleacher Report: Twitter erupts Thursday night . And the former athletic icon also conceded he'd let down many fans "who believed in me and supported me" by being adamant, sometimes hurtful and consistently wrong in his doping denials. "They have every right to feel betrayed, and it's my fault," he said. "I will spend the rest of my life ... trying to earn back trust and apologize to people." Years of success and defiance, then a rapid fall . The Texas-born Armstrong grew up to become an established athlete, including winning several Tour de France stages. But his sporting career ground to a halt in 1996 when he was diagnosed with cancer. He was 25. He returned to the cycling world, however. His breakthrough came in 1999, and he didn't stop as he reeled off seven straight wins in his sport's most prestigious race. Allegations of doping began during this time, as did Armstrong's defiance, including investigations and a lawsuit against the author of a book accusing him of taking performance enhancing drugs. He left the sport after his last win, in 2005, only to return to the tour in 2009. Armstrong insisted he was clean when he finished third that year, but that comeback led to his downfall. "We wouldn't be sitting here if I didn't come back," he told Winfrey. In 2011, Armstrong retired once more from cycling. But his fight to maintain his clean reputation wasn't over, including a criminal investigation launched by federal prosecutors. That case was dropped in February. But in April, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency notified Armstrong of an investigation into new doping charges. In response, the cyclist accused the organization of trying to "dredge up discredited" doping allegations and, a few months later, filed a lawsuit in federal court trying to halt the case. In retrospect, Armstrong told Winfrey he "would do anything to go back to that day." "Because I wouldn't fight, I wouldn't sue them, I'd listen," he said, offering to speak out about doping in the future. The USADA found "overwhelming" evidence that Armstrong was involved in "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program." In August, Armstrong said he wouldn't fight the charges, though he didn't admit guilt either. And the hits kept on coming. In October, the International Cycling Union stripped him of all his Tour de France titles. Even then, he remained publicly defiant, tweeting a photo of himself a few weeks later lying on a sofa in his lounge beneath the seven framed yellow jerseys from those victories. Then the International Olympic Committee stripped him of the bronze medal he won in the men's individual time trial at the 2000 Olympic Games and asked him to return the award, an IOC spokesman said Thursday. The USOC was notified Wednesday that the IOC wants the medal back, USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky said. "We will shortly be asking Mr. Armstrong to return his medal to us, so that we can return it to the IOC." Livestrong: Tell the truth about doping . CNN's Carol Cratty, Joseph Netto and George Howell contributed to this report.

NEW: "This was a guy who used to be my friend, he decimated me," accuser says . NEW: Armstrong regrets fighting the USADA, when the agency claimed he had doped . After years of denials, he admits using performance-enhancing drugs and blood doping . "I will spend the rest of my life ... trying to earn back trust and apologize," Armstrong says .

(CNN) -- It's that time of the year when winter sports enthusiasts dust off their skis and snowboards and get ready to hit the slopes in search of perfect powder and fresh adventures. The choice of ski resort is key to that enjoyment and a good place to start might be Solden in Austria where the Alpine Skiing World Cup starts next weekend on the treacherous Rettenbach Glacier. The courses set for the daredevil professionals might prove a little daunting for the average skier -- but help is at hand from Olympic legends who forged their reputation at that highest level, yet still appreciate the needs of the less gifted participant. Step forward Tommy Moe, whose approach may border on the reckless but who seized his moment to win the blue riband event in alpine skiing. Moe's gold in the downhill at the Lillehammer Games of 1994 came as a surprise to almost everyone but himself. He sensed something special would happen. "I thought today's the day, I will either win or crash," he told CNN. "You have to have that sort of mentality. Looking back I was at the peak of my career." He went on to win silver in the super-G to complete a triumphant Games. His fellow American Chris Klug is another ski aficionado. Klug was given a precious second chance of life after a liver transplant and grabbed it with both hands to join Moe in Winter Olympic folklore. Klug spent nearly a decade on a transplant waiting list after being diagnosed with a rare condition, but it did not stop him competing in the parallel giant slalom event at the 1998 Nagano Winter Games. Two years later he underwent successful surgery after a perfect donor match was found and within weeks was training again for his demanding sport. "I was so glad that my lifestyle had not been compromised," he told CNN. Far from it. Earning a place in the U.S. team for a "home" Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Klug achieved the remarkable feat of winning a bronze medal in the parallel giant slalom event. "It was the highlight of my life and I certainly received a lot of exposure because of my condition." To this day, Klug remains the only transplant recipient to win an Olympic medal. He went on to compete in the 2010 Vancouver Games to extend his career at the top to nearly 20 years. "I'm proud to share my story and let people know what is possible after a transplant," said Klug who gives inspirational speeches and runs a foundation? Klug also competed on the professional skiing tour where he raced against Moe, who naturally is full of admiration for his feats. "Chris is a great guy," he said. Given their backgrounds and love of the mountains, it is no surprise that in retirement both remain close to the sport, acting as expert guides to groups and individuals of all standards. Having raced all over the world, both also have a unique insight and a particular view of what constitutes their ideal ski resort. Given their pedigree and knowledge, they were asked to contribute by author Chris Santella to his book, "Fifty Places to Ski and Snowboard Before You Die." Santella, who is based in Portland, Oregon, asked experts, both competitive skiers like Moe and Klug and influential figures in the sport, for their choices and the result is an eclectic mix across several continents. Moe spends most of his time at his home in Wyoming with his wife Megan and two daughters, Taylor, who is six, and four-year-old Taryn. He is also an owner of the Tordrillo Mountain resort in the Alaskan wilderness, where he leads skiers of all standards on heli-skiing tours -- the only way to access 1.2 million acres of terrain. By confession, Santella is not an expert skier, but his own choice is Tordrillo after going with Moe on one of his expeditions. "I looked down where were supposed to go and must admit I had some doubts, but it was brilliant thanks to Tommy," he said. Moe was renowned for his all or nothing approach. It was ultimately his undoing after a serious crash in 1995 on the Kvitfjell course he had won gold on the year before had a detrimental effect on his ambitions at the highest level. But skiing with the likes of Klug and other ex-Olympic stars, he extended his career on the U.S. professional circuit. These days, Moe is mostly content to take in the views and pass on his expertise to others. "I still ski for myself just a little bit, but I've got a lot smarter. I just liking skiing with business friends, or people hire me to ski with them." His two daughters have also taken to the slopes and although Moe would be delighted if they followed in his illustrious footsteps, he is wary of the dangers. "It is a tough career and as I know only too well you can get injured," he said. Not that his daredevil days are behind him just yet. "Live life on the edge, or you are taking up too much space," remains Moe's mantra at heart. He understands why Santella chose Tordrillo for special mention. "It's pretty special. Alaska is really vast with so many mountain ranges. Our little area has 1.5 million acres of our own terrain we can access mainly by helicopter. "It's a wilderness and we can go to untouched mountains with a dream landscape at all times of the year." And would it be Moe's own top choice? "It's definitely in my top three along with my own selection of Niseko (which in the southwest of Hokkaido, Japan's second-largest island) and probably Jackson Hole in Wyoming." For the 42-year-old Klug, who lives in Aspen, Colorado, there is no place like home. "Maybe I'm biased but not only do we have incredible terrain, but Aspen has a unique history so you can come here to find great skiing and snowboarding as well as big city cultural attractions," he told CNN. However, as Santella notes in the foreword to his book, it's an entirely subjective judgment. For some the perfect setting would offer to chance to match legends such as Moe and Klug on the same pistes. "To push your skills to the limit on dizzying steeps or monstrous moguls," he wrote. "To walk in the turns of some of the sports' most celebrated practitioners ... for others it might be a few gentle runs on the nursery slopes and good 'apres-ski.' " But he is keen to stress that you don't need to travel to the other side of the planet to experience the sheer joy of snowing or snowboarding. "A good dump of snow on your modest local hill can make for a great day. Yet a trip to a dream venue can create memories for a lifetime." For Klug, every day is a great day after facing down a life-threatening condition to inspire others with his feats. "I stared death in the face for nearly 10 years on a transplant waiting list and went on to win an Olympic medal," he says proudly. "It's about not taking a single turn for granted and enjoy the ride." Santella hopes his guide will inspire skiers and snowboarders of all standards to take to the slopes, but knows the selection of the top 50 resorts will be open to debate with so many so passionate about the sport.

Ski legends choose their favorite resorts from around the world . Tommy Moe entered record books as Olympic downhill champion in 1994 . Chris Klug only transplant recipient to win an Olympic medal . Other contributors include U.S. star Jonny Moseley .

(CNN)A few months before Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing, an enthusiastic plane spotter named Gunnar Kullenberg heard Malaysia Airlines was about to stop flying to the United States. He wanted a photograph of its majestic Boeing 777-200 and planted himself at the Los Angeles airport at dawn. That's where he snapped a photo of the airplane dancing in the glowing sky. "I didn't think much of it, other than that it was a beautiful fall day here in Southern California," Kullenberg recalled. Ercan Karakas, an airline captain, captured a similar image in Istanbul in January 2012. "I'm a spotter. I love to watch and photograph the takeoffs of heavy aircrafts," he wrote of the experience. "I know they are not a metal, flying bird; they connect thousands of people in a journey to happiness." When Flight 370 went missing, Kullenberg and Karakas were among the plane spotters who checked their trove of images. Several found they had photos of the plane when they discovered the registration number matched. Flight 370 was airplane 9M-MRO. These spotters' fantastical musings of planes in flight turned suddenly to dark speculation. "I fly 60 to 90 times a year; how could this happen?" asked Hansueli Krapf, a Swiss businessman who captured 9M-MRO sitting on the runway in South Africa two years ago. "What on earth could have happened to a plane when there is so much tracking?" Plane spotters upload hundreds of images to air buff websites all the time, reflections of their fascination with flight. They chat for screen pages about the mechanics and wonder about their far-off destinations and the passengers. They invent stories about people from far-flung countries touring faraway lands, on holiday, on business or studying abroad -- just like the passengers of Flight 370. After the plane disappeared, Michael Raisch, a visual historian, surfed the airline websites looking for postings of the missing plane. "You begin to see how interconnected the world is," said Raisch, who once compiled a time-lapse photo project of the rebuilding of One World Trade Center. "There is a mystique to flying. Like everything matters more if it happened on an airline." Raisch put up a Web page with some of the photos and reached out to the photographers for their recollections. What is emerging is a visual history of the plane. The plane spotters document the 9M-MRO's travels. It spent time in Los Angeles, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Perth, Australia. It set down in South Africa, Vienna and Rome. The dates the spotters shared with CNN for the pictures they posted on websites such as airliners.net and Wikimedia.org sync with the dates the plane flew through those airports. So does the information they provided about their own backgrounds as pilots or aviation students or ordinary folks with long histories of photographing planes. Their motive for recording air travel is also well-documented. They all love planes. Plane spotters seek 'Wayne's World' thrills . Canadian Dan Miclea said he contributed to the gallery after he had an "Oh, wow" moment when he realized he'd seen 9M-MRO sitting on a runway in Rome on June 27, 2010. The 20-year-old has taken thousands of images of planes, including the moment he spotted a shiny Boeing 777 from Malaysia. "It's fascinating that we get such a big piece of metal up in the air and fly," he said. Bernhard Ebner posted his photo when he discovered he had spotted the missing plane on May 5, 2013, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. "We wanted to wake up early in the morning to catch the most long-haul flights," Ebner said. "It was a beautiful sunrise at this day as you can see on the picture, and a little bit foggy. Perfect for catching the early birds." His excitement over capturing a picture of an exotic Malaysian airliner turned to sadness when he realized it had later vanished from the sky. "I was so surprised about this and can't really believe it. They have 105 planes, 15 Boeing 777-200, and I caught exactly this one, I don't know what I really should (say) now," Ebner said. Raisch said he believes the plane spotters are deeply affected by having a piece of the airplane's history. "It's human nature to want to hold on to a piece of something," said Raisch, who still marvels at his photos of the towers before 9/11 and talks passionately of his chance encounter with actor Paul Walker, who died in a car crash. "The human part of you says, 'OMG, I have this piece of something that is now missing. I have something that is now lost.' " Krapf, the frequent flier, said he feels like each picture allows him to share a special part of an airplane's history. He has been fascinated with planes since he was 4. "My father used to take us to Zurich Airport, and we would just watch," said Krapf, who later became an amateur pilot. "For me, pilots were heroes, gods. The aircrafts themselves with the noise they made and the size of them, the fact that we could fly, it all fascinated me." He remembers the five-hour layover in South Africa, where he caught sight of the bold white plane with its blue and red streaks sitting on the runway, a glint of sunshine piercing the metal. "I was on a business trip on the way home from Zambia. I always take free time at airports to take some photos of planes," he said. Lorenzo Giacobbo's image on January 30, 2011, in Rome is the kind of breathtaking photo the plane spotters yearn to capture. The sky is cloudy and rain showers are painting the clouds. Streaks of light pierce the liquid gray sky and illuminate the metal. "The moment I saw those images that I took of the plane, I was feeling shock and glad at the same time, because I never believe that plane is now gone and I have in my personal collection a copy of the plane," he wrote. The experience is perhaps most emotional for Ignatius "Iggy" Kwee, who snapped his image in Perth on August 10, 2010. He was active on a WhatsApp chat group for aviation fans when word of the missing plane came through. "It's just sad really, and being a Malaysian myself, I might even have had a ride on that similar aircraft once upon a time ago flying from Kuala Lumpur to Perth back in the days before AirAsia X came to this part of the world," he said in a message to Raisch. "The triple seven is a joy to fly in. It's graceful with its huge twin engine, feeling robust in the air and beautiful to photograph in action with all the flaps down, the triple landing gear bogeys. Now having learned this is the first total airframe and lives lost of a triple seven in a crash, it's just unbelievable in this modern aviation world." Ocean Shield: A mission of hope in search for Flight 370 . Flight 370: High-tech search tools . Inside the flight simulator . Read the cockpit transcript .

Plane enthusiasts discover they took photos of missing Malaysia Airlines plane . In photos, Boeing 777-200 registration number is visible on plane . Plane spotters seem both happy and dismayed to find they have these images .

ABUSIR, Egypt (CNN) -- Today, I met Cleopatra's lawyer. Well, not her lawyer but someone who is determined to defend the legendary queen against centuries of bad publicity. Kathleen Martinez, an archaeologist from the Dominican Republic, wants to mend Cleopatra's tattered reputation. Kathleen Martinez is a young archaeologist from the Dominican Republic who has toiled for three years on a barren hillside overlooking the coastal highway linking Alexandria with the Libyan border. According to the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, it's here, at a spot known as Abusir, that the tomb of Marc Antony and Cleopatra might be located. I met Martinez in a dusty tomb full of bones at the excavation site. She recounted to me that, as a young girl, she listened in on a scholarly discussion in her father's library about Cleopatra. "They were speaking very badly about her and about her image," she recalled. "I got very upset. I said I didn't believe what they are saying, that I needed to study more about her." Martinez went on to earn a law degree but continued to be fascinated by the saga of Cleopatra. Four years ago, she managed to convince Zahi Hawass, the untiring director of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, to allow her to start excavating at Abusir. Her fascination with -- and admiration for -- Cleopatra is intense. The last queen of Ancient Egypt, she told me, "spoke nine languages, she was a philosopher, she was a poet, she was a politician, she was a goddess, and she was a warrior." In short, Martinez believes, Cleopatra was a woman way ahead of her times. And given that history is written by the victors -- in Cleopatra's case, the Romans -- her press was somewhat less than complimentary. It was "bad propaganda," in Martinez's words. For that reason, she told me, "I want to be Cleopatra's lawyer." With Hawass, Martinez is now working on a book about Cleopatra to repair all that damage. The tale of Antony and Cleopatra has fueled the popular imagination for centuries. Ill-fated lovers were a favorite theme for William Shakespeare, and the Roman noble and the Egyptian queen certainly fit the bill. Marc Antony was a no less fascinating character than Cleopatra. In his youth, he led a life of heavy drinking and womanizing. According to the Roman historian Plutarch, Antony accumulated debts of 250 talents, the equivalent of $5 million, before reaching 20. To escape his creditors in Rome, he fled to Greece, where he studied with the philosophers of Athens, before being called to join the Roman legions in the east, then serving under Julius Caesar. After Caesar's assassination, Marc Antony became embroiled in a series of power struggles and eventually ended up in Egypt. Egypt was the enemy of his former ally, Octavian, who would go on to become the Emperor Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. Octavian defeated Antony's forces at the battle of Actium in 30 B.C. Shortly afterward, Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide, he by his own sword, she by a poisonous asp. Octavian, according to Plutarch, allowed them to be buried together "in splendid and regal fashion." But no one knows where. The sudden focus on Antony and Cleopatra has also reignited an old debate over the latter's looks. Was Cleopatra a stunning beauty a la Elizabeth Taylor, or somewhat less spectacular? Researchers from Newcastle University in England claimed in 2007 that, based upon coins found from the period, she was quite homely, with "a shallow forehead, long, pointed nose, narrow lips and a sharply pointed chin." See gallery of tomb that might be Cleopatra's » . The same researchers didn't have a very flattering assessment of Marc Antony either, saying he had "bulging eyes, a large hooked nose and a thick neck." No Richard Burton. This does contradict Plutarch's description of Marc Antony as having "a noble dignity of form; and a shapely beard, a broad forehead, and an aquiline nose [that] were thought to show the virile qualities peculiar to the portraits and statues of Hercules"? Hawass hasn't had much to say in defense of Marc Antony, but he claims the coins found in Abusir show Cleopatra was "beautiful." At Abusir, he showed me one of the coins with Cleopatra's likeness. "The only thing you can see here is her nose is a bit big." That's because, Hawass insisted, "when you draw a face on a coin you cannot draw the beauty of a queen, and therefore I think that the lady who captured the hearts of Julius Caesar and Marc Antony cannot have been ugly." Egyptians, who are intensely proud of their country and its ancient heritage, may be forgiven for their insistence on this point. I tend to take the middle ground on this one. Beauty is more than skin deep, and what seems to have captivated Julius Caesar and Marc Antony was not physical but rather inner beauty. Watch report from CNN's Ben Wedeman on Cleopatra » . Plutarch wrote in his "Life of Antony" that "for her beauty was in itself not altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her." In other words, she was plain. Plutarch goes on to write, however, that she was intelligent, charming and has "sweetness in the tones of her voice." The mystery of what Cleopatra really looked like may never be solved. In any event, it's just one of many mysteries in Egypt. Others include the obvious ones: How were the pyramids built? Who built them? Why were they built? How old is the Sphinx? Hawass dismisses with lusty contempt the people who espouse the more fantastic theories (that aliens built the pyramids, that the Sphinx is more than 10,000 years old), labeling them "pyramidiots." But there are other historical mysteries out there that have yet to be answered. Some archaeologists are trying to find the tomb of Alexander the Great (who died in Babylon but, according to some ancient historians, was buried in Egypt). Others are searching for the remains of the lost army of Cambyses -- 50,000 soldiers dispatched on a mission by the Persian Emperor to attack the Oracle of Amon (today's Siwa Oasis in western Egypt) only to disappear during a sandstorm in the Sahara Desert. There has been plenty of excitement in the past few days over reports that Martinez and her team are about to find the long-lost tomb of Antony and Cleopatra. Alas, the enthusiasts are going to have to be patient. The summer residence of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is just down the road from the site. For security reasons, no one is allowed on the hillside where the excavations are taking place from May through November. So unless Mubarak decides to overrule his security detail, the solving of this mystery will have to be put on hold for at least another five months. We've waited 2,000 years. I guess we can wait a few more months.

Kathleen Martinez has toiled for three years in Egypt looking for Cleopatra's tomb . Martinez says the Egyptian queen has gotten an unfair reputation over the centuries . Cleopatra spoke nine languages and was a philosopher and poet, Martinez says . So was Marc Antony's lover beautiful or plain or ugly? That debate rages on .

London (CNN)Amid massive global interest in the trial, appeal and retrial of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito, it has been easy to overlook their alleged victim, Meredith Kercher, who was found brutally murdered in the flat she shared with Knox in Italy in 2007. Knox and Sollecito were convicted of Kercher's murder in 2009 but were acquitted and released from prison on appeal in 2011. In March 2013, Italy's Supreme Court overturned the pair's acquittals, saying that the jury did not consider all the evidence and that discrepancies in testimony needed to be answered. The case was sent to a retrial in Florence, which began in September 2013 and concluded in January 2014 with another conviction for murder for Knox and Sollecito. Italy's high court met Wednesday to consider whether that latest verdict should be definitively upheld or sent back for another appeal. At the time of the conviction, speaking in Florence, Kercher's sister Stephanie said the family might never know exactly what happened on the night of her death. "I think we are still on the journey to the truth," she said. "I think it may be the fact that we don't ever really know what happened that night, which is obviously something we will have to come to terms with." Lyle Kercher, Meredith's brother, said: "Nothing is going to bring Meredith back, nothing will take away the horror of what happened for her." "The best we can hope for is finally bringing this whole case to a conclusion, having a conviction, and everyone can move on with their lives." A lawyer for Kercher's family, Francesco Maresca, said in his closing remarks in December during the retrial that Kercher had been forgotten. "No one remembers Meredith, while the two defendants write books, speak to the media and earn money," Maresca said. When Knox made the media rounds to promote her memoir in May 2013, Kercher's sister said the family was not interested in reading the book. "We are not interested in this book just like so many others about the case and we will not read it," Stephanie Kercher said in a statement. "I have no doubts that on the other side there is a story of pain and loss and enormous mistrust but in the end it is also one of hope and the opportunity to live life. Something Meredith will never have and something we can never share with her. Meredith is the victim in this tragic case." Despite the focus on Knox's endless travails, Kercher's family and friends remain determined to keep her memory alive. "I want people to remember Meredith for the good times she had in Perugia, not just the horrible ending," said Natalie Hayward, who got to know Kercher before her death. "She was very generous and open and had a very big heart. She was a very fulfilled human being. She was happy and talked about her family all the time. She had lived life to the full. That gives me a great deal of comfort." Kercher was just 21 when she was killed in the villa she rented with Knox in the central Italian university town of Perugia. Her body was found semi-naked and her throat had been slashed. Kercher was a third-year student at the University of Leeds focusing on European Studies when she got the chance to live in Perugia for a year to study European Politics and Italian. She worked at Gatwick Airport, near her home in Coulsdon, a dormitory town south of London, to raise money for the trip. Her father John told the Daily Telegraph: "She fought so hard to get out there. There were quite a few setbacks but she was determined to go and kept persisting and eventually got what she wanted." Her family later described how she was "excited at the prospect of spending the year studying there to improve her language skills, make new friends and immerse herself in the culture. She was pursuing her dream." She moved into a shared apartment with Knox but tensions mounted between the two young women, according to Hayward, who met Kercher in September 2007. Hayward told the Sunday Telegraph in 2011 that Kercher, known to her friends as "Mez," became "frustrated" by Knox's refusal to do cleaning and was unhappy that her flatmate kept a sex toy on open display in a bathroom cabinet. Kercher, the youngest of four children, had a good sense of humor, according to her family, and "a sense of the ridiculous." While growing up she was interested in poetry, gymnastics and ballet. Her India-born mother Arline gave an interview to Italian television show Porta a Porta in September 2011 in which she described Meredith's love of life. She said her daughter was a "very loving child, a very sweet girl." She said: "She was always ready to help you. I will never, ever forget her." Her father, a freelance journalist who wrote a book about his daughter -- "Meredith" -- described her as a "beautiful, intelligent and caring girl whom everyone loved" in a story for the Daily Mail newspaper, before the book's release. "I hope our telling the world about the enchanting, generous, kind person that Meredith was can help those whose lives she touched," he wrote. "I also hope this book might help to keep Meredith's case in the spotlight, and, in some small way, to keep alive the hope that we might yet know the truth about her death." John Kercher wrote about the moment he learned the British student killed in Perugia was his daughter. He'd spoken to her the day before. "I drop the phone," he wrote in Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper. "I don't believe it and think there must be a mistake. But I know it's probably true. I can't cry. I'm numb with shock." He also told about hearing that some of Meredith's friends planned to lay flowers at her old school after her death. Expecting just a few, he and Arline arrived to find more than 70 people, some having come from around the country. "It's unbelievably touching," John Kercher recalled. A trust fund had been set up to support the Kercher family's fight for justice. "Meredith is not only a terrible loss to her family and friends, she is also a huge loss to the world," he said. Richard Ottaway, the member of parliament for Coulsden, was taken aback by Meredith's funeral at Croydon Minster. "It was packed and overflowing," he told CNN. "It was quite clear Meredith was a popular girl ... so many friends there. It was the perhaps moving service I have ever been to." The priest who took the service described how Meredith's parents dealt with that emotionally charged day. "They were very, very courageous," said Canon Colin Boswell, vicar of Croydon. "They had great dignity and calm sort of dignity which they maintained right up until now." The Kercher family, who were not in court Wednesday, have said that if Knox's conviction is confirmed, they want authorities in the U.S. to extradite her to Italy, according to Britain's Press Association. However, as it stands, it is uncertain whether this will happen. Francesco Maresca, the Kercher family lawyer, said: "The interest of the family is to arrive to the end of this trial. They want to be able to remember Meredith outside of the court room."

Kercher was killed in 2007 in villa in Perugia, Italy, that she rented with Amanda Knox . 21-year-old lived life to full and had "big heart," say friends .

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) -- The accused came from all walks of life: Retirees, dads and twentysomethings. An engineer, a business owner and an auto worker. A man in a wheelchair. Men in need of Spanish or Farsi translators. Brett Beasley, with Nashville's Health Department, educates men arrested for trying to buy sex about STDs. About 40 men somberly entered a classroom on a recent Saturday morning. About half of them wore shiny wedding bands. All had tried to buy a prostitute's services and were caught by police. It was their first offense, and a county court referred them to a one-day program called the John School. It's a program run by volunteers and city officials in conjunction with Magdalene House, a nonprofit that works to get prostitutes off the streets. "Prostitution doesn't discriminate," said Kenny Baker, a cognitive behavioral therapist who is the program's director. "Most of these men don't have a prior criminal history, so our goal is to help these folks understand why they put themselves in a bad position, to prevent it from happening again." Set in a church in Nashville, Tennessee, the John School is led by former prostitutes, health experts, psychologists and law enforcement officers who talk to -- and at times berate -- the men about the risks of hiring a prostitute. Prostitution is based on the law of supply and demand. The thinking is: Women won't stop selling sex until men stop buying. So Nashville and a growing number of cities are shifting their focus from locking up suppliers to educating buyers. Across the country, about 50 communities are using John Schools. Atlanta, Georgia, and Baltimore, Maryland, are among dozens more cities that plan to launch similar programs by the end of the year. See where the John Schools are » . "It will make them [offenders] see that this is not a victimless crime, and they are contributing to the exploitation of women," said Stephanie Davis, policy adviser on women's issues at the mayor's office in Atlanta. "It's hurting them, the man, and it's hurting their families and its hurting the community." No comprehensive effort has been made to track the numbers, but experts estimate 1 million to 2 million prostitutes work in the United States. The FBI's 2007 Uniform Crime Report lists about 78,000 arrests for prostitution and commercialized vice, but experts say those numbers are extremely conservative because many sex workers and johns aren't caught. Experts add that easy accessibility to prostitutes and pornography on the Internet are feeding the problem. In most communities, prostitution has been a one-sided battle focused on the women who offer sex. Their customers, when they are arrested, are usually cited for a misdemeanor and fined. By comparison, prostitutes are often charged with more severe sentences and jailed for months, depending on the offense. But in Nashville, the johns' faces are shown on a police Web site. For decades, Nashville battled prostitution by arresting women on the streets and through stings. Still, the problem persisted, irritating business owners and residents. In the early 1990s, Nashville's mayor helped launch the John School with the help of the Magdalene House, public defenders, prosecutors and police officers. Nashville became one of the first major cities in the U.S. to focus on the customers, predominantly men. Only first-time offenders who solicit an adult are eligible for John School. Johns who pick up minors are not eligible and face much tougher sentences. "If you get caught again and you get me, I will guarantee to put you in jail," warned Antoinette Welch, a local prosecutor, in speaking to the men in the class. "I've had men cry to me that they will lose their jobs or their wives, but you're all grown up and you make your own decisions." The men listened carefully as Welch talked about their records; many had not yet told their wives or significant others about their arrest. If the john pleads guilty, pays a $250 fee and completes the course without re-offending, the charge can be dismissed after a year. The money paid by the john goes to Magdalene House; the program doesn't cost taxpayers any money. John School models in other communities may differ. A woman who called herself Alexis, a 35-year-old former prostitute with dark hair and bright blue eyes, spoke to the men as the class came to an end. Four years ago, she left the streets and now works at a factory. By the age of 10, Alexis had learned to barter with sex with her stepfather. In her 20s, she found herself hooked on drugs and selling her body. She was arrested more than 80 times. She was hospitalized after someone shot her on the job. As she told her story, the men were silent. A few blushed, while others stared at the floor. "These gentlemen are no different than I was on the streets," she said. "I think everyone has to look at the void they are trying to fill." One john, a father of two with salt-and-pepper hair, found himself near tears after Alexis spoke. In July, he tried to pick up a prostitute through Craigslist. He said he was depressed and having problems with his wife. "I'm so embarrassed," he said. "These girls are somebody's daughters. I have a daughter." Some evidence suggests that John Schools are working. A study released in 2008 by Abt Associates Inc. for the federal government looked at the John School program in San Francisco, California. It's one of the largest programs in the country; more than 7,000 johns have attended since 1995. According to the study, the re-arrest rate fell sharply after the school was launched, and stayed more than 30 percent lower for 10 years afterward. But critics call John School a slap on the wrist. On Saturday, one john abandoned the classroom. Carol Leigh, a member of the Sex Workers Outreach Project, a group that promotes decriminalizing prostitution in California, said she doesn't believe the program is an effective deterrent. "John School doesn't do that much," said Leigh, who has worked as a prostitute. "The reality is they aren't spending that much time on the johns and they will just go to other venues. This also doesn't target the violent offenders who are the real problem." Melissa Farley, head of the nonprofit group Prostitution Research and Education in San Fransisco, believes johns deserve stronger punishment like longer prison sentences. A recent study by the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation conducted among johns in Chicago, Illinois, found that 41 percent of them said John School would deter them from buying sex, compared with 92 percent who said being placed on a sex offender registry would scare them from re-offending. Nashville officials said they haven't tracked recidivism rates in their city, but the school's program director said it's probably deterring a third of the offenders in each class. At least one college educated, 47-year-old john's attitude appeared to change on a recent Saturday. After class he wrote, "There is no good part. I would rather be with my wife. This was quick but it wasn't worth it."

Experts say about 1 million to 2 million prostitutes work in the United States . About 50 communities have programs that focus on deterring johns . Nashville's program includes a speech from a former prostitute . The Internet is making it easier for people to buy prostitutes, experts say .

Stephenville, Texas (CNN)The trial of the man accused of killing Chris Kyle, the protagonist in the top-selling book and hit movie "American Sniper," began Wednesday with a lawyer using Kyle's own words to bolster an insanity defense. Eddie Ray Routh is accused of killing Kyle and Kyle's friend, Chad Littlefield, at a firing range at Rough Creek Lodge, about 90 miles southwest of Dallas on February 2, 2013. In his opening statement, defense attorney Tim Moore read a text Kyle sent to Littlefield about Routh as the three men rode in Kyle's pickup truck to the range. "About an hour and a half into the drive, Chris Kyle was sitting in the driver's seat and he texts Chad Littlefield sitting right next to him. He texts, 'This dude is straight-up nuts,'" Moore said. "Chad Littlefield texts Chris Kyle back, 'He's right behind me, watch my six [military lingo for 'watch my back.']. So while we don't know what the conversation was, we do know what Chris Kyle was thinking at the time he was in that truck." Moore said Routh killed the two men because he suffered "a psychosis so severe that at that point in time he did not know what he was doing was wrong. ... He thought in his mind at that moment in time it was either him or them." But Erath County District Attorney Alan Nash told the jury that Routh told investigators he used drugs and drank whiskey that morning. He admitted that he killed the two men and said he "knew what he was doing was wrong," the prosecutor said. Routh used two guns, Nash said. Routh shot Kyle five times in the back and side and once in the side of the head, using a .45-caliber pistol, and shot Littlefield with a 9 mm pistol four times in the back, once in the hand, once in the face and once in the head, Nash said. A different .45-caliber pistol with all its rounds fired was found on the ground near Kyle's head, Nash said. "(Kyle) had shot all the bullets in his gun when he was shot in the back," said Nash, referring to the fact that Kyle had just fired at a target. The trial comes just weeks after the release of the film about Kyle, a former Navy SEAL who claimed to be the deadliest sniper in U.S. history with 160 confirmed kills in Iraq. The film has grossed more than $280 million, the most ever for a war movie, and the autobiography by the same name spent weeks on best-seller lists. The first witness with Kyle's widow. Taya Kyle recounted the last conversation with her husband, on the phone. "I said are you OK?" she said. "He said 'yep.' And that's not common for him. I could tell something was up and he was just quiet ..." On that day, Kyle took Littlefield and Routh, a troubled veteran he was trying to help, to the firing range. Taya Kyle said her husband sounded irritated. "Normally, going out there, especially a place like Rough Creek -- usually it's beautiful. He feels really good about helping somebody. He's making their day and he knows it," she testified. "Earlier, he thought that guy sounded really excited to go, so he thought he was doing a good thing." She said their last conversation "was very short, and it wasn't short like, 'Hey, you are interrupting a good time.' It was short like, 'I wish I could say more but I'm not going to because there were people around.' " Later she texted and he didn't reply, and she became worried, she testified. Kyle had already risen to fame through his book when he died. He'd been doing charitable work to help former troops suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The range is a small, remote part of the sprawling 11,000-acre Rough Creek Lodge, and the men were isolated, authorities said. Frank Alvarez, resident manager of Rough Creek Lodge, testified Kyle had "exclusive access to the range when he came out." Kyle had said he was going to use the range for about 45 minutes, Alvarez testified, but "about 5 p.m. I got a radio call that said I had to go to the shooting range. Something had happened." A hunting guide found Kyle, 38, and Littlefield, 35, Kyle's friend, motionless and called 911. The men were dead when officers arrived. Jurors were shown graphic photos of their bodies. Taya Kyle was in the courtroom at the time. Routh, an unemployed former Marine reportedly diagnosed with PTSD, was gone, and so was Kyle's black Ford pickup, police said. Routh drove up in Kyle's truck at his sister's house 65 miles away, police said. She called 911, telling the operator he claimed to have killed two men. "They went out to a shooting range. Like, he's all crazy," Routh's sister told authorities. Routh got back into the truck and hit the road again, police said. Officers caught up with him that evening at his home in a Dallas suburb. While talking with police, he jumped back into the truck and sped off again, police say. They gave chase and stopped him after spiking his tires. He did not struggle when they arrested him, police said. Relatives of Routh, 27, and those close to him declined interview requests from CNN. Routh's attorney is making the case that his client is not guilty by reason of insanity. Since July 24, 2013, when a judge filed a gag order in the case, nobody associated with Routh's trial has been permitted to speak to the media. Before that order was issued, a reporter asked Capt. Jason Upshaw of the Erath County Sheriff's Office what could have driven Routh to the alleged murders. "I don't know that we'll ever know," Upshaw said. Routh served in the Marines from June 2006 to June 2010. His time in the military included a 2007 tour of duty in Iraq and a humanitarian mission to help the victims of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Kyle learned to shoot on hunting trips with his father, then went on to serve four combat tours in Iraq with the SEALs, though his official biography notes he also worked with Army and Marine units. He received two Silver Stars and other commendations before leaving the Navy in 2009 after 160 confirmed kills, which he called a record for an American. He said that while killing did not come easy at first, he knew it meant saving lives. "The first time, you're not even sure you can do it," he said in the interview. "But I'm not over there looking at these people as people. I'm not wondering if he has a family. I'm just trying to keep my guys safe." Kyle's story and the movie made from it have triggered broad enthusiasm but also drawn critics and doubts about his accounts. A sniper's view: 'When you are bred to kill, you know' Correction: Earlier versions of this report incorrectly described the military background of Chad Littlefield, who was killed with Chris Kyle. Littlefield was not a veteran. CNN's Jason Morris reported from Stephenville, Texas, and Ralph Ellis and Jason Hanna wrote from Atlanta. Greg Botelho and Ben Brumfield contributed to this report.

Defense lawyer: Chris Kyle described accused killer as "straight-up nuts" in a text . Eddie Ray Routh is accused of killing Chris Kyle and another man at an isolated outdoor firing range .

Amman, Jordan (CNN) -- They arrived at the church with only what they could carry: clothes, pictures and a few family heirlooms. It's all that is left of a life before the Islamic State terror group swept into northern Iraq, giving the Christians of Qaraqosh and Mosul an ultimatum: Convert, leave or die. Most, like Ammar Zaki and his family, fled first to the relative safety of Iraq's Kurdish capital of Irbil and then made their way to Amman, Jordan, where they found sanctuary in a church. Roughly 100 Iraqi Christians are being sheltered at St. Mary's Church in the Marka neighborhood of Amman. Their sanctuary offers little more than floor mats and a roof, but it's a welcome haven after fleeing ISIS persecution. "Jesus Christ told people, 'leave everything and follow me,' " Zaki said, cradling his 9-month-old daughter, Athena. "So we did." The stress and strain of the journey show in Zaki's tired eyes. "We had to leave everything and go ... to be Christian, to stay in my religion," he said. Safe haven . Jordan's capital of Amman has become a magnet for many refugees in recent years trying to escape war or persecution. More than 1 million Syrians fleeing a civil war have poured into the tiny desert kingdom, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis -- many of them Christian -- have sought haven from the sectarian fighting and later ISIS. The country's population has swelled, with the U.N. Refugee Agency estimating more than 645,000 refugees have made their way to Amman, according to 2014 figures. That number does not include the refugee camps that have been set up near its border crossings with Syria and the West Bank, home to a large number of Palestinians. Families flee Mosul . The influx of refugees has put a strain on the country, and nowhere is that more evident than at St. Mary's Church, where about 500 refugees, including some Muslims, have walked through the doors, Father Khalil Jaar said. Many are children who arrived sick "because of the trauma of the incidents they suffered in Iraq: fear, insecure, no food," Jaar said. "They left their homes in a few hours ... leaving everything behind them. It's a very big shock. That's why I do my best to help these people to overcome this situation and to (help them) look for a better life." The church helps the refugees as much as it can, with charity from nonprofits, but mostly private donations. Some of the Christian refugees live in the church, on the floor. Others live in nearby apartments rented by the church until they are granted asylum, a process that can drag on for years. ISIS overtakes Iraq's largest Christian city . "We don't know how many days or months they stay with us; that's why I think any kind of help is welcome," Jaar said. Jaar rests little these days, spending his time welcoming visitors, helping new arrivals and, sometimes, taking the children on excursions to help them forget. He does it all with a big, wide smile. Still, he knows it will be difficult for the refugees, who after months on the move need rest and time to apply for visas to relocate to Europe, the United States or Australia. "I learned so much from them, their patience and solidarity. I am very happy to be with them, to be serving these people," he says, just minutes before he comforts a woman -- a refugee -- in tears over the frustrating process of applying for asylum. "When someone knocks on my door, I cannot say no. I have to say yes and give any kind of help," Jaar said. "My church, my school, my heart is open for every single one who comes to ask for help," he said. Christian faith . The Iraqi families at the church have built their own small community, with the women take turns cooking and children sharing toys. Zaki lives with his wife and two children in a room crowded with at least three other families. Their suitcases are piled along the entrance, and their laundry hangs from the windows. Zaki's children, Athena and toddler Ethan, may never see Iraq again -- a price their father says he is willing to pay to keep his faith. Before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Iraq's Christian population was estimated at more than 1 million. By the time the war was over, it dwindled to less than a third of that. Christians flee Iraq ahead of ISIS . Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, and its surrounds were home to an estimated 60,000 Christians prior to ISIS sweeping in. Since ISIS fighters took control of the city, all have left, according to Caritas International, a nonprofit aid group working to resettle refugees. "Maybe in two years or three years, you will not see any Christians in Iraq. All of them they will leave," Zaki said. Picking up the pieces . There is nothing to go back to, says Nadira Haddou, a 57-year-old mother of five who fled Mosul. "I don't want to go back. They took our homes. They took our belongings. They took our belongings," she said. "I have nothing to go back to. I want to go to America." The refugees all tell similar tales of the night of June 10, when ISIS fighters seized control of Mosul. For Ann Danyal, there is life before ISIS and life after. "It's very hard to describe. (Life) changed 180 degrees. It felt like a dream. The first few days, we were wishing to sleep and wake up and it would all turn out to be a dream," she said, shaking her head. With her 7-year-old daughter lying across her lap, Danyal recalled how she and her family worked for years to build their lives "in the home of our ancestors" and then how it just ended. "All of a sudden, they threaten you. They uprooted us," she said, fighting back tears. Danyal's daughter is struggling to cope, recalling the belongings she left behind in Mosul. " 'If only we'd brought that pillow' or 'if only we'd brought that toy,' " Danyal said her daughters tells her. "I left without saying goodbye to my parents -- their graves. I still see them," she said, her voice trailing off as she remembered. "My childhood home ... I wake up and wish I could go back," she said, looking at her hands, tears rolling down her cheeks. Long wait for peace . Sitting on a plastic chair in his living room across the street from the church, sipping hot Turkish coffee under a poster of Pope Francis, 60-year-old Basem Peter Rafael takes a drag from his cigarette. He points to 1991 as the start of Iraq's problems: the Persian Gulf War. Back then, he says, he named his son Salam -- Arabic for peace -- "because we were waiting for peace." "Now he is 23, and still we are waiting," he said. CNN's Jomana Karadsheh and Samira Said reported and wrote from Amman, Jordan, and Chelsea J. Carter reported and wrote from Atlanta.

About 100 Iraqi Christians are being sheltered at St. Mary's Church in Amman, Jordan . The refugees fled after ISIS seized Qaraqosh and Mosul in northern Iraq . The Christians fled with only what they could carry . U.N. Refugee Agency says more than 645,000 refugees, including Syrians, are in Amman .

Washington (CNN) -- An immigration proposal crafted for months in secret by a high-profile, bipartisan cadre of senators is both a rare moment of simpatico in politics and a matter of political practicality. President Barack Obama, who won re-election with strong support from Latinos, the fastest-growing demographic, has called an overhaul of immigration a second-term priority. Meanwhile, Republicans who lost the Latino vote by large numbers, have signaled that mainstream members might be willing to compromise on thorny immigration issues. "There aren't a whole lot of other issues where Republicans think they need to compromise or Democrats think they need to compromise," said Clyde Wilcox, a government professor at Georgetown University. "There's two different ways this could be viewed this. It's either a Kumbaya moment ... or both sides see that on this particular issue there's a necessity for compromise." But the deal is far from done. The plan could face stiff opposition in the House of Representatives, where conservatives and tea party leaders have resisted any compromise that even hints at relief or amnesty for those already in the country illegally. House Republicans are also working on a plan of their own, seeking bipartisan support. And Obama is said to have drafted his own detailed plan, which could differ from the Senate proposal in key areas, including border security and a path to legality. Obama to pitch immigration reform today in Vegas . The senators announced their plan a day before Obama speaks in Las Vegas on immigration, signaling a major push by both sides to focus on the contentious issue in the new Congress. Aides said the president's remarks on Tuesday will touch on the blueprint he's detailed in the past: improving border security, cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers and creating a pathway to "earned" citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Those provisions align closely with what the eight senators laid out in a framework of their legislation, which CNN obtained Sunday. Possible compromise on immigration takes shape . Obama previously came under criticism from Latino activists for failing to deliver on a 2008 campaign promise to make immigration reform a priority of his first term. Last year, as the campaign heated up, the Obama administration announced a halt to deportations of some young undocumented immigrants in a move that delighted the Latino community. Exit polls in November indicated Latino voters gave overwhelming support to Obama over GOP challenger Mitt Romney, who had advocated a policy that amounted to forcing undocumented immigrants to deport themselves. Since the election, mainstream Republican leaders and some conservatives such as Sen. Marco Rubio, a child of Cuban immigrants and a rising star in the party, have called for addressing the immigration issue instead of ceding the Latino vote to Democrats. "There is a new, I think, appreciation on both sides of the aisle -- including maybe more importantly on the Republican side of the aisle -- that we have to enact a comprehensive immigration reform bill," Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, said Sunday. "We are losing dramatically the Hispanic vote, which we think should be ours, for a variety of reasons, and we've got to understand that," McCain told ABC's "This Week." McCain is one of the eight senators proposing the compromise. Four are influential Democrats, while Republicans joining McCain in the effort include tea party-backed newcomers Rubio of Florida and Jeff Flake of Arizona -- two states where immigration is a major issue. Democrats pointed to the proposal Monday as an example of bipartisan cooperation. "I'm glad to see that there is bipartisan agreement among my colleagues regarding the principles of immigration reform," Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii said in a statement. "Hawaii residents are particularly interested in getting this done. Our state is an example of how our immigration system can work. We are a people of many stories and cultures, and our state is stronger because of the thousands of immigrants like me who have made Hawaii their home." The Congressional Hispanic Caucus also hailed the effort. "For many years, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has pushed for a permanent, legislative solution to our ineffective and unjust immigration system, and we believe 2013 will be the year this goal becomes reality," Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Texas, the caucus chairman, said in a statement. "The Senate's blueprint is a positive step toward this important goal, and we look forward to reviewing the details with the Senate. Their 'tough, but fair' approach provides a good foundation for the legislation that is needed. According to a CNN/ORC International poll conducted this month, 53% of those polled said allowing illegal immigrants to become legal residents should be the main focus of U.S. policy, compared with 43% who said the focus should be on deportation and curbing illegal immigration. Those figures have flipped from 2011, when 55% of those polled favored deportation and nixing illegal immigration as a domestic policy focus and 42% said they favored a pathway to citizenship. Still, the immigration overhaul proposal faces partisan obstacles. Opinion: America needs 21st century immigration plan . Shortly after the immigration compromise was announced, conservative groups and lawmakers made it clear that they would oppose such a measure. NumbersUSA, a group seeking to reduce U.S. immigration, called the Senate plan an attempt to "out-amnesty Obama" and said it was activating its 1.3 million members to push for congressional opposition. "No one should be surprised that individuals who have supported amnesty in the past still support amnesty," said Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, a former chairman of the House Judiciary Committee who serves on that chamber's immigration subcommittee, in a statement. "When you legalize those who are in the country illegally, it costs taxpayers millions of dollars, costs American workers thousands of jobs and encourages more illegal immigration. By granting amnesty, the Senate proposal actually compounds the problem by encouraging more illegal immigration." The bipartisan compromise is encouraging, but several questions remain, said Norm Ornstein, a longtime political analyst and co-author of "It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided with the New Politics of Extremism. Opinion: Stars align at last for immigration plan . "One, will this compromise make it through the Senate, once the details are hammered out (always more difficult than frameworks) and with a lot more than 60 votes? Two, will House Republicans, who have very different impulses and constituencies, be supportive? Three, if not, will (House Speaker John) Boehner bring an immigration bill to the floor that will get many more Democratic votes than Republican?" Ornstein said. Other Senate-led bipartisan efforts have faced similar chances of success. Proposals to resolve the debt crisis -- including the so-called super committee -- failed. The nation was able to avert the fiscal cliff narrowly thanks, in part, to the bipartisan efforts of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Vice President Joe Biden. But political experts said that on immigration, there might be more room to meet in the middle. Still, for his part, Boehner was noncommittal. "The speaker welcomes the work of leaders like Sen. Rubio on this issue, and is looking forward to learning more about the proposal in the coming days," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said. CNN's Dana Bash and Tom Cohen contributed to this report.

Immigration plan a product of compromise from senators on both sides . Experts say Democrats want a deal and Republicans need a deal . But plan may face resistance in House, where conservatives lament path to citizenship . There, leaders will need to lure most Democrats and many Republicans to vote for it .

Nanjing, China (CNN) -- Nanjing, a city of 8 million in eastern China, is the capital of the coastal Jiangsu Province. But some 80 years ago it was the capital of China. The revolutionary Sun Yat-sen founded the Republic of China (ROC) here in 1912 after playing an instrumental role in overthrowing the Qing dynasty, the last of the Imperial eras in China. Sun's successor, Chiang Kai-shek, headquartered his nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) government here from 1927 until the Communist Party pushed them from the mainland in 1949 and moved the capital north to Beijing. This gave Nanjing, whose name literally means the "southern capital," something of an identity crisis. But 64 years after the end of the KMT's rule, the city seems to have found its place again as a legacy of Minguo, or the Republic of China. From tourism to dining to real estate, many Nanjing businesses are selling themselves with a nod to the former capital's nationalist past. The city's main center of nightlife, known simply as 1912, is named and themed after the founding year of the Republic. Located a stone's throw from the KMT's Presidential Palace, century-old villas are revamped and dolled-up to house bars and restaurants. The complex boasts of its "classic Minguo cultural significance" on its website. Walking around the city's commercial center, Xinjiekou, it's common to see billboards and video screens advertising new real estate known for its "Minguo flavor." Yihe Road was the city's Legation Quarter in the early 20th century and is lined up with distinctive Minguo-style architecture -- exquisite and painstakingly intricate Chinese carvings decorate the otherwise European façade. The quiet 500-meter strip has in recent years been renovated by authorities to resemble its former Republican glory. While culture-lovers swarm here to trace Nanjing's olden-day charms, university graduates are often seen taking graduation photos in retro Republican-style outfits. Instead of run-of-the-mill black robes, male students don Chinese tunic suits, known as Sun Yat-sen suits, while females wear ocean-blue, wrap-up tops and black cotton skirts. Enthusiasm for this era has also provided the most unlikely of job opportunities in China. Xu Jinshui, 46, is a professional impersonator of Chiang -- a controversial figure for many mainlanders. During the day he stands like a wax figure outside the Presidential Palace. Fully Chiang-costumed, Xu charges tourists for taking photos with him. By night, the quiet Zhejiang native ushers in guests at Ming Du Hui, a Minguo-themed restaurant, still dressed as Chiang. "If we want to introduce the Minguo Cuisine to the public, we need to throw in a related experience," explains general manager Lv Xinhe. "Chiang Kai-shek is a famous character and people know about him." The 150-seat restaurant, whose per-head bill averages RMB 300 (US$48), serves food that was popular with nationalist officials. The menu includes yellow croaker soup, which was said to be Chiang's favorite, and May-ling Soong's Steak, a meat dish designed by Chiang's wife. The local communist government seems to encourage the cultural comeback. According to Shen Jiahua, the president of Nanjing Dining Chamber of Commerce, the authorities have endeavored to popularize Republican food since 2011. A dozen restaurants in the city have been certified to carry the "Minguo Big Cuisine." "[What we do is] to pass on the dining culture of Nanjing and create a unique culinary signature of the city," says Shen. The well-groomed 56-year-old former soldier owns Yushang Xunfu, a 4,000-square-meter Nanjing restaurant devoted to researching, developing and cooking the cuisine, which comprise the prevailing governmental dishes of the time. Each of the establishment's 27 dishes is coupled with an interesting historical anecdote, often linked with influential KMT leaders, such as Sun and Bai Chongxi, a noted Hui-Muslim nationalist General. Shen spent approximately RMB 40 million (US$6.4 million) decorating the restaurant, which features colossal crystal chandeliers. The clientele are mostly businessmen, government employees and military officials. "Commercial gimmicks are perhaps the most obvious part of [this Republican cultural comeback], and it is best and most easily manifested through cuisine," says media producer and culture consultant Frank Hossack. Hossack, 43, came to China in 1993. The Scot has lived in Nanjing for the past decade and now edits, among other things, English-language magazine The Nanjinger. This specific period attracts the locals because, according to him, it was when "the government really made the biggest bounds, greatest developments and smartest innovations in what was called the Nanking Decade from 1927 to 1937." Hossack also regards the nostalgic trend as a reflection of Nanjing's desire to find a new identity, when the provincial capital is often eclipsed by nearby Shanghai, which is a 90-minute train ride to the southeast. Chinese magazine Fan Yue Ri Li defined the Republican culture, or the "Republican feeling," as an "aristocratic spirit." In one article, the publication argued that modern China needed this lost essence because, for one reason, "the general social customs, taste and language are becoming coarse and vulgar." The lengthy essay was later re-posted on the web edition of the state-run People's Daily. "To some extent, it shows people partly recognize that era's values," says ROC culture specialist Chen Weixin. Although Chen declines to point out the specific values, a general consensus among the Chinese public and media is that Republican times often embody openness, diversity, freedom and democracy, . As an architect focusing on Republican times, 42-year-old Chen has been involved in the restoration of many Minguo buildings, including part of the Presidential Palace. "On the other hand, it shows that people are connecting with their culture and history," he adds. "Here on the mainland, [a certain incident in] history caused a disruption to the passing of the traditional culture, but the Republican culture was in line with it," he continues. "That's why people resonate with that era's culture." According to Chen, the Republican culture never went extinct in Nanjing after 1949, even though it did diminish. The city's layout till today is based on the "Capital Plan," a blueprint drafted by the nationalist government from 1930-1937. As Chiang's wife, May-ling Soong, once said: "We live in the present, we dream of the future and we learn eternal truths from the past." This may well explain Nanjing's obsession with its Republican past.

Nanjing, a city of 8 million in eastern China, was previously the Chinese capital . Chiang Kai-shek headquartered his nationalist Kuomintang government here until 1949 . Now the city is making a comeback thanks to its links with its republican past . Tourists flock here to sample the food, music and culture of this era .

Lille, France (CNN)Former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn conceded Wednesday that his approach to sex is rougher than that of most men, as he took the stand for a second day in his trial in France on aggravated pimping charges. His words followed testimony from two sex workers about his behavior at sex parties he's accused of organizing or encouraging in Europe and the United States. He denies knowing that the women involved in the parties were prostitutes. One, named only as Mounia R., told the court in the northern French city of Lille that Strauss-Kahn had "brutal" sexual relations with her and must have known she was being paid. A second, named as Jade, told the court that she had been subjected to an "unsolicited" sexual act by Strauss-Kahn -- who's commonly known by his initials, DSK -- after going to a party at the Tantra sex club in Belgium. "Through this trial, I am discovering that my sexuality is perhaps rougher than most men's sexuality. If some women don't like it, it's their right. But my behavior is the same with all women," Strauss-Kahn said. Strauss-Kahn, who was married to French TV journalist Anne Sinclair until their divorce in 2013, has never denied that he took part in the parties. But the crux of his defense is that he did not know prostitutes were involved. Both Mounia R. and Jade are plaintiffs in the case. Jade told the court she had refused to have sex with Strauss-Kahn at the Tantra club, "because it was a butchery." He was allegedly on a mattress with 40 people. She later accompanied Strauss-Kahn to his hotel at the request of fellow defendant Fabrice Paszkowski, a businessman friend of the former IMF director, she said. It was there that she was subjected to the unwanted sexual act, she told the court through tears. Asked by the judge if she had voiced her refusal, Jade responded that she didn't have time to say anything. Strauss-Kahn didn't ask and she would have said no had he done so, she said. "Had I been a libertine, he would have asked, this seems obvious," she said, using a term that describes someone who is sexually or morally unrestrained. Strauss-Kahn on Tuesday denied knowing any of the women at the sex parties were prostitutes, saying he was told by Paszkowski that they were "libertines" who liked sex. She had previously met Strauss-Kahn at a hotel in Paris, Jade said, when he was the only man surrounded by other women in a bed. He did not speak to her but treated her "like an object, not as a human being." Asked about Jade's testimony, Strauss-Kahn maintained that he didn't know she was a prostitute, although she mentioned to him that she was performing dances in a swinger club for money. The dances were sometimes followed by sexual acts on stage. Jade later went on a trip to Washington, D.C. as part of a group accompanying Strauss-Kahn, the court heard. She told the judge that she had agreed to go despite his behavior in Belgium because she needed the money -- she was paid 2,000 euros ($2,260) -- and wanted to see the American capital. "I was there for him, for DSK. I was told so, otherwise why would I go to DC? No one else was in DC, except him!" she said of the trip. She did not sleep with Strauss-Kahn on that trip, she said. He approached another woman in the group for sex but was turned down. The court also heard excerpts of testimony given previously by two other sex workers, named as Estelle and Marion, who joined a second trip to Washington with Strauss-Kahn. Estelle alleged that Strauss-Kahn had asked to see her without Paszkowski's group and had inquired about her fees. Marion's testimony said that Estelle had told her that. Questioned about this, Strauss-Kahn conceded that he had asked to see Estelle alone but denied speaking of any remuneration. He said that if money was mentioned, it was just to cover her travel expenses. The two women had been introduced to Strauss-Kahn as secretaries working for a construction company at which another defendant in the case, businessman David Roquet, was employed. According to excerpts read out by a magistrate, a witness who was part of that second trip to Washington said he had doubts about the professions of Estelle and Marion after spending time with them. The next day he allegedly told Paszkowski: "You are not going to make me believe they were secretaries. Never do this again to me!" Strauss-Kahn: I didn't know there were prostitutes at sex parties . Two women who accompanied Strauss-Kahn on a third trip to Washington said they considered themselves libertines, not prostitutes, but would not turn down a "present." The women, named Florence and Hélène, said they worked as an assistant film director and a financial counselor and received payment for the trip. They were not in court Wednesday, but parts of their statements were read aloud by magistrates. Unlike other women in this case, Helene and Florence said they didn't perceive any brutality or deviance at the parties. When asked whether the men of the group knew of their being paid, Helene said, "Even if things weren't told, and considering their status and intelligence, it would have been too good to be true." Late Wednesday, a woman named Ines recalled hearing Strauss-Kahn say he "loathed whores." That comment came after she wondered aloud about the profession of women at a sex party they'd both attended, Ines said in a statement read in court. Ines, who said she slept with Strauss-Kahn in hopes he'd help her find work in communications, did not attend the hearing. Prosecutors say the operations of the prostitution ring, organized from the Hotel Carlton in Lille, stretched all the way to New York and Washington. Sex workers involved in the parties said they were like orgies. In France, prostitution is legal, but pimping is not. In questioning Tuesday, Strauss-Kahn acknowledged that the sexual encounters were organized in such a way that they could fit his agenda. "But I don't consider myself as the organizer of any party whatsoever," he said, adding that he had never asked anyone to organize parties for him. He also spoke of his dislike for prostitution and the risks that he considered using prostitutes would pose in terms of his political ambitions. Prosecutors say Paszkowski and Roquet picked up the bills for the sex parties for their influential friend. The prosecutor's office in late 2013 asked for Strauss-Kahn's case to be dismissed, citing lack of evidence. However, the investigating magistrates did not follow their recommendations. The trial of Strauss-Kahn, who saw his stellar career plummet to earth after a separate sex scandal that resulted in his arrest in New York in 2011, opened in Lille just over a week ago. He was later cleared of the New York allegations. Before that scandal erupted, he had been on track to run for the French presidency -- an election his Socialist Party later won with Francois Hollande as its candidate. CNN's Sandrine Amiel reported from Lille and Laura Smith-Spark wrote from London.

Strauss-Kahn: "I am discovering that my sexuality is perhaps rougher than most men's" A sex worker tells the court that Strauss-Kahn subjected her to an unsolicited sex act .

(CNN) -- On June 17 and 18, the political world's focus will be on Northern Ireland, where the Group of Eight summit will take place. Although this is a region defined by its violent history, the summit is already proving to be one of the most complex and wide-ranging security operations Northern Ireland has ever seen. Thousands of additional police officers are being brought in from England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland to assist. During the 2005 event, which took place in Scotland and was the last G8 summit in the UK, four al Qaeda-inspired men detonated bombs on the London transport network, killing 52 people and themselves. Although any kind of incident at or around the summit venue itself remains unlikely, there is the risk of a terrorist attack timed to distract from the event. But this year, unlike the 2005 attack, the focus is on a very different kind of group. If you thought Northern Ireland's troubles were a thing of the past, you'd be forgiven. A brutal terrorist campaign over 35 years that saw almost 4,000 deaths came to an end thanks to a hard-fought political process. What that took should not be underestimated. Years of painstaking mediation and negotiation, risky moves by brave politicians on all sides and the crucial involvement of the U.S. saw hope prevail, despite the occasional setback that threatened destabilization. Communities on both sides of the social and political divide cautiously welcomed the peace process and its negotiated settlements. The "Troubles" seemed finally to be over. Former paramilitaries agreed to lay down their arms, and once-sworn enemies eventually learned to share power. Yet, peace in Northern Ireland is still described by many as fragile. In recent times, riots, gunfire and petrol bombs have returned to the streets. The "flag protests," which defined the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013, have again highlighted the inherent divisions in Northern Irish society. The Union flag, flown proudly over Belfast City Hall for so long, was lowered after a vote by the City Council. Some among Northern Ireland's Unionist community were outraged. Protests escalated. But it is not the rioters and flag protesters who pose the most persistent threat to this fragile peace. Another group watches from the sidelines. They are the "dissident" Republicans, splinter groups that have grown in size and impact since the peace process saw the end of the Provisional IRA as we once knew it. The dissidents are responsible for a growing wave of low-level bombings, shootings and threats across the region. They insist that only armed resistance can force Britain's withdrawal from Northern Ireland and lead to a united Ireland. While most people in Northern Ireland view the peace process as having brought stability, the dissidents reject it. Though tactically proficient, the dissidents lack strategic acumen. On the surface, they are united by the idea of "Brits out," with aspirations to achieve a united Ireland through violence and their disdain for the Sinn Fein leadership and the peace process that it has embraced. Traditionally, dissidents have been split by local differences, ideological divergences, petty jealousies and competitive personalities. "Dissident Republican" came to describe a range of groups. One calls itself the Real IRA. Then there's the Continuity IRA and Óglaigh na hÉireann, Gaelic for Irish Volunteers. There has been talk of a merger to unite the disparate factions. In July, the "New IRA" was announced: a merger of the Real IRA, the Derry-based Republican Action Against Drugs and other previously non-aligned Republicans. But the Continuity IRA stayed aloof from the alliance. The new group's members and supporters may number in the few hundreds, but it seems their ranks are growing. They have killed soldiers, police officers and most recently a prison officer. They continue to target Northern Irish police stations, with weaponry of growing sophistication. They shoot suspected inner-city drug dealers north and south of the Irish border to help embed themselves in their communities while simultaneously undermining the police. These dissident factions are capable of causing sometimes extensive disruption with actual or hoax improvised explosive devices. Just last year, police in Northern Ireland recovered an armor-piercing rocket that included the plastic explosive Semtex in the city of Londonderry. We have monitored the dissidents' steady rise, logging thousands of events and documents in the process. What does it all add up to? In short, the threat posed by dissident Republican groups is evolving, and probably for the worse. Their activity has increased. Their recruitment efforts continue to expand. Many of these new recruits belong to a different generation from their forerunners. They weren't even born at the time of the 1994 Provisional IRA cease-fire, and some of the older members are senior ex-IRA members who bring much needed political acumen, as well as expertise in bomb-making, recruitment, training and targeting. Their activities span the country, north and south, with mostly urban concentrations in Belfast, Derry, Dublin and Limerick. There is increasing evidence of training and recruitment in the Irish Republic, with evidence for some logistical support appearing in England. True, they don't have the kind of support once enjoyed by the Provisional IRA. But the dissidents don't just acknowledge their lack of popular support. They embrace it. They revel in their "noble isolation." Terrorism analysts have come to associate this particularly dangerous kind of thinking with Islamist terrorist groups, not Irish Republicans. Yet Ireland's newest dissidents are a different breed and pose new threats. In responding to recent dissident activity, Northern Ireland's politicians have been vocal. We hear, time and again, "Nobody wants a return to the old days," "They have no mandate" and "They will never win." Those same clichéd responses never deterred the Provisional IRA. In defiance, and in an appeal for support, the dissidents claim the ability to bring their "struggle to a successful conclusion through military operations." The 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, when the progenitors of Irish Republicanism were executed by occupying British forces, is in 2016. Just like their IRA predecessors, the dissidents draw their inspiration and legitimacy from an unyielding view of the past yet find a steady stream of eager recruits in the present. In the years leading up to 2016, it is likely that the dissidents will try to strengthen their support and perceived legitimacy through a proliferation of attacks. They will promote themselves as the true heirs of the 1916 Republicans, heirs who can finally bring about a united Ireland through one last campaign of force. The IRA itself was once just a ragtag bunch of self-appointed guardians of an age-old mission that found relevance in contemporary events. A remorseless logic in what the dissidents say reveals why they are unpredictable, dangerous and ambitious. We have become dangerously complacent about the dissident Irish Republicans. We hope we are wrong, and the G8 summit in County Fermanagh does not become a platform on which they can bring international attention to their campaign. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writers.

Writers: G8 summit in Northern Ireland presents a security nightmare as IRA rises again . Al Qaeda-inspired terrorists killed 52 people in London during 2005 summit in Scotland . Writers say that this year, new energized IRA groups are an underestimated threat . This is not the Provo IRA of old, they say; these are fanatical splinter groups .

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Moammar Gadhafi's military machine pounded the western city of Misrata again Tuesday as France and Britain called for beefed-up NATO airstrikes to stop such attacks on the Libyan people. Witnesses reported heavy shelling in central Misrata, besieged for weeks and the scene of some of the worst fighting in the Libyan conflict. At least 10 people were killed and 30 others wounded in the heavy shelling, a doctor operating in two central clinics told CNN. The doctor, identified only as Dr. Hakim for safety reasons, said medical teams are exhausted from treating the wounded. Rebel fighter Moaath al-Misrati told CNN the shelling came after rebels killed several of Gadhafi's snipers. "We are expecting a ground offensive by the Gadhafi forces any time now," he said. The witnesses said all telephone communications, including mobile service, had been cut. British Foreign Secretary William Hague and French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe both called Tuesday for NATO to get more aggressive in Libya, and a rebel leader issued a plea for the international community to carry out the U.N. Security Council resolution of March 17, which calls for "all necessary measures to protect civilians under threat of attack" in the North African country. Hague told reporters in Brussels, Belgium, that "a huge amount has been achieved in Libya, but clearly there is more to be done." Juppe said NATO needs to fully embrace the role it accepted -- to protect Libyan civilians from Gadhafi's forces. "NATO wanted to take charge of the military operations, we accepted it," Juppe said on France Info radio. "It has to carry out its role today, which means to prevent Gadhafi from using heavy weapons to bombard the population." Specifically, Juppe mentioned the attacks on Misrata, where on Monday at least five civilians -- including two toddlers, a 75-year-old man and an Algerian worker -- were killed and more than 20 people wounded in mortar attacks, according to witnesses. In Benghazi, Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, the deputy chairman of the Transitional National Council, issued an "urgent statement" calling on the international community "to intervene and stop the massacres that Gadhafi promised in Misrata, and to implement the UN resolution in any possible means." Ghoga told CNN that the opposition has submitted a wish list of military equipment to Qatar and France. He said the list was compiled by rebel military leaders and he didn't know exactly what was being requested. Last week, when asked by CNN's Reza Sayah which countries were providing rebels with weapons and training, Ghoga said, "We are in communication with our brothers in Qatar and also with our brothers in the Egyptian republic and with our friends in Italy and France." He indicated in the interview that the weapons were on their way to Libya. Meanwhile, Libya's most high-profile defector flew from Britain to Qatar Tuesday for talks on how to break the deadly impasse in his nation. Former Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa flew to the Qatari capital, Doha, to meet with government officials and Libyan opposition leaders ahead of the first meeting Wednesday of the Libya Contact Group, formed in London last month and charged with implementing United Nations resolutions. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will also attend. In a news conference in Benghazi, Ghoga did not explicity reject the idea of opposition leaders' meeting with Koussa in Doha, but said such a meeting was "not on the agenda." In an earlier interview with the BBC, Koussa had expressed concern that the situation in Libya was spiraling downward into a grinding war, in the mold of the conflict in Somalia. Koussa, who fled Libya last month and sought safe haven in Britain after resigning his post in Gadhafi's regime, urged all parties to avoid plunging Libya into a civil war. "This will lead to (much bloodshed), and Libya will be a new Somalia," Koussa told the BBC. Koussa, a longtime Gadhafi confidant and a former Libyan intelligence chief, also told BBC, "The solution in Libya will come from the Libyans themselves through discussion and democratic dialogue." did not explicitly reject the idea of meeting with Libya's held a press conference on Tuesday and when asked if the opposition would be open to a meeting with Moussa Koussa - Libya's former Foreign Minister - in Doha, the Deputy Chairman of the Transitional National Council did not explicitly reject the idea. He told reporters a meeting with Moussa Koussa in Doha "was not on the agenda." An African Union attempt at forging peace fell flat when Ghoga and fellow rebel leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil rejected it on grounds that it did not provide any solutions to violence against the Libyan people. Gadhafi had agreed in principle to stop hostilities and allow outside forces to help keep the peace, his government and African Union mediators said Monday in a joint statement after a meeting in Tripoli. The African Union plan announced Monday did not address whether Gadhafi will step down, nor is it binding. According to the memorandum detailed by Ramtane Lamara, the African Union's commissioner for peace and security, the plan had four elements: . -- An immediate end to all fighting . -- Libyan authorities' cooperation "to facilitate the diligent delivery of humanitarian assistance" -- The protection of foreign nationals in Libya . -- The start of talks involving various Libyan authorities, including opposition figures, with the aim of setting up "an inclusive transition period" to adopt and implement "political reforms necessary for the elimination of the causes of the current crisis." U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that Washington is still "waiting to get a full readout" from participants in the African Union's peace mission in Libya. "We've made it very clear that we want to see a cease-fire," Clinton said. But she said there also must be, among other things, a resumption of water, electricity and other services to Libyan cities that have been "brutalized by Gadhafi's forces." She also reiterated the U.S. position that Gadhafi needs to step down from power. Ghoga, the Transitional National Council's deputy chairman, on Tuesday said rebel forces were "fighting in the direction of Brega" from the western gate of the "completely liberated" city of Ajdabiya. "Gadhafi's forces still have some elements in Brega," he told reporters. "We added more security personnel to protect the oil fields in the city because the regime is trying to strand us economically." "The situation in Tripoli is very dire," Ghoga continued. He said fuel and food there were depleted "because all fuel is being for the Gadhafi forces' need(s)." Ghoga also claimed that "thousands of demonstrators" opposing the regime were arrested in the capital and that "a large number of them were executed in the Saladin military academy," but didn't provide further details. CNN could not independently confirm those claims. He added that on Monday, "there was a massive demonstration in Fashloum in Tripoli, and the majority were hiding their faces, fearing arrest." CNN's Amir Ahmed, Reza Sayah and Ben Wedeman contributed to this report .

NEW: Leading rebel official calls on international community to help Libyan civilians . At least 10 killed in Misrata shelling, doctor says . France and Britain call for intensified NATO attacks . Ex-Foreign Minister Koussa flies to Qatar ahead of an international meeting .

(CNN) -- As "The Dark Knight's" crusading District Attorney Harvey Dent vigorously tries to combat Gotham City's crime spree, he quotes the old saying: "The night is always darkest before the dawn." The late Heath Ledger plays the Joker in "The Dark Knight," a performance already garnering raves. But the dawn may have been the brightest time for "The Dark Knight," which was scheduled to have about 3,000 late-night showings, including almost 100 showings at 3 and 6 a.m. Friday, according to Fandango.com spokesman Harry Medved. Medved said he couldn't remember the last time there were more than two or three such showings in the middle of the night -- usually in New York or Los Angeles. "Isn't that when people are just thinking about waking up and going to Starbucks?" Medved asked. "I predict coffee sales will increase tomorrow." With the film's running time of two and a half hours, Medved is declaring "The Dark Knight's" opening day Dark Friday, predicting that attendance at work could be dramatically down. During a survey given to people who buy tickets through Fandango.com, 38 percent of those who are working said they would be taking either some time or the day off to see the movie. According to MovieTickets.com, "Dark Knight" sold out more than 150 performances in Los Angeles and New York alone. The midnight show times were not just for major movie centers, either. Medved said cities such as Fresno, California; Orlando, Florida; and towns in Minnesota are hosting early-morning showings. Enthusiasts showed up in groups, some dressed head to toe in costume to celebrate the movie's release. The midnight showing at the 428-seat Henry Ford IMAX theater in Detroit sold out in less than a week, according to the Detroit Free Press. One group attending the showing, which was preceded by a costume party, showed up with a homemade version of the Batmobile and outfits representing nearly every major Batman character. The film also opened Thursday in Australia and Wednesday in Taiwan. It will be released in Japan on August 9. See when the film is opening around the world . "The Dark Knight" has risen to second place on Fandango.com's all-time list of advance tickets sales, second only to "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith." "The Dark Knight" tickets represent 94 percent of Fandango's sales, Medved said. Interest is high at IMAX theaters, too, especially because six film sequences were shot with IMAX cameras. And it's not just the movie business that were looking to cash in on the blockbuster. Corporate America hopes to capitalize on the hype, too, with Dominos offering a Gotham City pizza and Comcast showing behind-the-scenes movie footage and interviews with the cast and filmmakers via its On Demand service. As fans left the midnight screenings, the hype surrounding the movie has only continued to build. The film is even earning Oscar buzz, thanks to the late Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. Moviegoers purchasing tickets on Fandango echoed those sentiments, with 53 percent saying his performance was their main motivation for seeing the film. Ledger's performance has been hailed as "indelible" (Los Angeles Times' Kenneth Turan), "powerful" (The Washington Post's Stephen Hunter, in an overall mixed review) and "mesmerizing" (CNN.com's Tom Charity); clips of his character have dominated the movie's marketing campaign. See how Ledger made the joker his own » . His absence was conspicuous Monday at the New York premiere, his co-stars noted. "He should be here, shouldn't he? Because this is his big moment; because he is the most amazing thing in the picture," said Michael Caine, who plays Bruce Wayne's butler, Alfred. "And it's not because he's dead or something and everyone's concentrating on him. He would have been the most amazing thing in the picture anyway." Caine also praised the late actor's commitment to immersing himself in a character, something he says is evident from Ledger's opening monologue. "It's one of the finest close-ups I've ever seen," Caine said. Other members of the cast praised Ledger for redefining the character brought to life in the past by Mark Hamill ("Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker") and Jack Nicholson ("Batman"). See members of the cast praise Ledger » . Aaron Eckhart, who plays District Attorney Harvey Dent, said it was tragic that Ledger wasn't around to celebrate his achievement. "It's hard to talk about; this is his. He created the Joker," Eckhart said. "He did it in his own way, and it's sad, but on the other hand, I am proud to be able to honor him tonight." Director Christopher Nolan also praised the rest of the cast, including Christian Bale as Batman, Gary Oldman as police Lt. Jim Gordon, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes and Morgan Freeman as tech wizard Lucius Fox. Nolan, who directed "Batman Begins" three years ago, said he was glad he was able to take a step back and opt for a different approach. See the cast on the "black carpet" » . "I think we've tried to expand the scope of the story, to tell a grander, more epic tale," he told CNN. "We've tried to really take the character and take it to darker territory by introducing it to the Joker." Nolan seems to have made believers even out of those who were not die-hard fans of the Batman series, including Gyllenhaal, who said she was "never a superhero movie kind of girl." "I watched a Batman here, a Batman there, but this is different," she said. "Chris [Nolan] wanted us to play everything for truth. It's about real people in the midst of this wild crazy Batman world. And I became a Batman fan shooting it. I mean, have Batman sweep you up and save you from certain death. It converts a girl, you know?" The movie was expected to be shown on a record-breaking 9,200 screens in its opening, according to its studio, Warner Bros. (Like CNN, Warner Bros. is a division of Time Warner.) Hollywood columnist Nikki Finke said that insiders at the studio are being conservative, predicting a weekend opening of between $90 million and $100 million -- strong but not record-breaking. But box office experts, according to Finke, are saying the movie could make as much as $130 million, which would make it a narrow third for best opening weekend, behind "Spider-Man 3" ($151 million) and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" ($136 million). Regardless of how much money the movie grosses, by far the biggest anticipation may be whether the Academy Awards agree with those -- including Oldman -- who say Ledger should earn an Oscar. "I just wish that he was here to talk about his performance," he said. "I really feel that there is at least an Oscar nomination, if not a win for him. He really is that good." CNN entertainment producer Doug Ganley contributed to this report.

"The Dark Knight" will open with about 3,000 late-night shows . Fandango.com: Movie will have almost 100 shows at 3 and 6 a.m. Friday . Cast praises Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker .