(CNN Student News) — August 30, 2011
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Originally Published On: www.cnn.com – Original Article Here
(CNN Student News) — August 18, 2011
Download PDF maps related to today’s show:
• Syria
• Libya & Malawi
• Joplin, Missouri
Transcript
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
YAINER OVIEDO, SENIOR, JOPLIN HIGH SCHOOL: Hi, I’m Yanier Oviedo.
LYDIA MCALLISTER, SENIOR, JOPLIN HIGH SCHOOL: And I’m Lydia McAllister, and we’re from Joplin High School and you’re watching CNN Student News.
CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Our thanks to Lydia and Yainer, whom you might remember from yesterday’s program. They were helping us kick off today’s show. We’re gonna hear more from them in just a few minutes. I’m Carl Azuz. Let’s get to today’s headlines.
First Up: Arab Spring
AZUZ: First up, we’re checking in on two countries in turmoil that are both located in the same part of the world. Earlier this year, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa experienced something that was called an "Arab Spring." Basically, protesters in a bunch of countries revolted against their governments. In some cases, it led to longtime leaders being kicked out of power. In most nations, it led to violence.
That’s what we’re seeing in Syria, the first country we’re talking about today. The violence there has gone on for months. There are reports that Syrian military forces have been shooting at civilians who are speaking out against the Syrian government. Syrian officials deny that. They say they’re targeting armed groups and terrorists. And CNN can’t confirm the claims from either side because Syria won’t let outside journalists into the country. What we do know is that this isn’t just affecting Syrians. The United Nations usually has more than 160 workers in Syria. But it’s pulling dozens of them out because of the violence. Other countries who also have officials in Syria have told them to leave as well.
The north African nation of Libya was also part of that "Arab Spring." The conflict there developed into a civil war. Rebels, like the ones you see in this video that was posted on YouTube, are fighting against the forces of longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi. The rebels say they’re making progress in their efforts to get closer to the capital city of Tripoli, but Gadhafi has been urging his supporters to fight back. The rebels and Libyan military aren’t the only ones involved here. Other countries — including the U.S., as well as Great Britain and France — are part of a NATO mission that’s been flying air strikes against Gadhafi’s forces. Over the past week, NATO planes have damaged or destroyed around 150 military targets.
Failing State
AZUZ: Next up, we’re heading down to southern Africa, to the nation of Malawi, home to around 16 million people. Spring may be long gone, but some people in Malawi are trying to piggy-back off what’s happened in the "Arab Spring." These people are protesting against their government. It hasn’t developed into anything like what we’re seeing in Syria or Libya, but the situation is getting dire. Nkepile Mabuse looks at what’s behind all this.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
NKEPILE MABUSE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Inspired by the "Arab Spring," Malawians took to the streets last month calling for President Bingu wa Mutharika to resign. The country’s human rights commission says police used live ammunition against unarmed civilians, killing 19 people.
This is but one of the many reasons behind the angry demonstrations: just about everything in Malawi is in short supply. People here blame the president for mismanaging the economy. They’ve demanded he explains why he’s seemingly so wealthy while all they know is hardship.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, MALAWI: People are starving. There is no medicine in the hospitals
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, MALAWI: You go to the shops, people are not buying goods because it’s very difficult to find money and the future looks very bleak.
MABUSE: President wa Mutharika has threatened to "smoke out" those who protest again, but organizers are determined to return to the streets. Malawians are not the only ones demanding good governance. In June, the IMF suspended its financial assistance to Malawi citing economic mismanagement. Britain, the European Union and the United States have also cut aid. Malawi, which was hit by a devastating famine in 2005, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Without the help of foreign governments, many here fear the worst. Wa Mutharika has asked the nation for more time to address their needs, but many here have told us their patience has run out. Nkepile Mabuse, CNN, Malawi.
(END VIDEO)
I.D. Me
TOMEKA JONES, CNN STUDENT NEWS: See of you can I.D. Me. I’m a U.S. government organization that’s part of the Health and Human Services Department. I’m responsible for protecting and advancing public health, and I establish rules for the nation’s food supply. I’m the FDA, the Food and Drug Administration, and I’m responsible for regulating parts of the tobacco industry.
FDA Warning Label Lawsuit
AZUZ: Specifically, the FDA deals with the manufacturing, marketing and the distribution of tobacco products. The organization’s facing a lawsuit because of a new rule about cigarette packages. In June, the FDA introduced nine new warning labels. Those include graphic images of what could happen to your body if you smoke. Officials say they’re designed to make people more aware of the dangers of cigarettes. According to the new rules, half the space on each cigarette package would have to display one of these labels by September 2012.
Five tobacco companies have filed a lawsuit against the government. They say these new warning labels are unconstitutional. Their argument is that the government shouldn’t require companies that are making a legal product to put a label on it that essentially urges people not to buy it. An FDA spokeswoman said the agency doesn’t comment on unresolved lawsuits.
Is This Legit?
JIM RIBBLE, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Is this legit? On the Enhanced Fujita scale, an EF-5 is the strongest category of tornado. True! The scale measures a tornado’s wind speed by the damage that the storm causes.
Learning in a Disaster Zone
AZUZ: To put this in perspective: An EF-1 tornado might pull the shingles off your roof. An EF-5 would rip the entire house off its foundation. That’s what roared through Joplin, Missouri last Fall: an EF-5 tornado. Yesterday, we had a report on the start of the new school year in Joplin. And I had a chance to talk with two of the students who were featured in that report. You saw them introduce today’s show. I asked them some of the questions you posted on our blog.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
AZUZ: Yainer, can you describe the mood for us of the students you’ve spoken to as you guys get back to school in Joplin?
OVIEDO: Yeah. So far, the mood’s been really great. Everyone’s excited. We got our laptops today during third and fourth hour, so everyone’s really happy about it.
AZUZ: Lydia, in an article you wrote for CNN.com, you said you were "more excited than usual" to get back to school this year. Talk to us about that.
MCALLISTER: It’s nice going to school every day. Just the normality of it all. It’s been such a crazy summer. Now going to school this week, that’s all the same.
AZUZ: There’s a student on our blog named Montana who wanted to know how difficult it was to prepare for school this year, since so many people lost their supplies in the tornado. What was that like?
MCALLISTER: Actually, we got almost everything donated to our school. So, none of the students had to buy school supplies this year. We even got backpacks given to us with the laptops. So, that’s been really great.
AZUZ: You know, a lot of students saw the story today on CNN Student News; they were really interested in about what it’s like to go to school in a mall, even if it’s in an old store. In fact, Jaeyeong from Korea wanted to know what that’s like.
MCALLISTER: It’s definitely an experience. Something that not a lot of, I don’t know any other high school that has to go to school in a mall. It’s cool. The building itself is shut off from the mall completely. There’s one door, I think, that goes into the mall, but it’s closed off right now.
AZUZ: So, you don’t have direct access to shopping?
MCALLISTER: No, we’re kind of in our own little world over here. It’s nice. I like it.
AZUZ: James wanted to know if you get to eat in the food court?
OVIEDO: I guess they’re trying to see if we can earn it.
AZUZ: Would you prefer to eat there or just have the school food?
MCALLISTER: Definitely the food court.
AZUZ: I want to ask you guys what advice do you have for the students of Ringold, Georgia and Tuscaloosa, Alabama? Now, those are two other towns that were hit by tornadoes this spring. And what sort of advice would you have for students who are getting back to school there?
MCALLISTER: I think you just have to look at it as any other school year and go back knowing that, and go back with a good attitude.
OVIEDO: Stay strong. Things are going to be hard for a while. With all your friends, just going back to normal.
(END VIDEO)
Maps Promo
AZUZ: CNN Student News brings you headlines from around the globe. And on our home page — that’s CNNStudentNews.com — we help you pinpoint just where these global headlines happen. Our maps are free, downloadable and now updated for the new school year. We’re giving you some continental context. You’re gonna love it. Check ‘em out at CNNStudentNews.com.
Before We Go
AZUZ: Before we go, they say that music soothes the savage beast, which is just about the only reason we can think of why someone would stash a piano in the middle of the woods. This one was actually part of an art project. The idea was that people out hiking would find it and maybe sit down to play a song or two. That’s one way to enhance the sounds of the forest.
Goodbye
AZUZ: And it’s another way for people to get in tune with nature. If you’re keyed up for more headlines, come on back tomorrow. For CNNStudentNews.com, I’m Carl Azuz.
Originally Published On: www.cnn.com – Original Article Here
(CNN Student News) — August 23, 2011
Download PDF maps related to today’s show:
• Libya
• United Kingdom
• China
Transcript
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: A country that has been ruled by the same person for more than 40 years could be changing hands. That’s our top story today. I’m Carl Azuz, and you’re watching CNN Student News!
First Up: Libya Uprising
AZUZ: The war that has raged across Libya since February appears to be coming to a conclusion. Now, when we put today’s show together, the fighting was not over. There were reports of gunfire and explosions in parts of the Libyan capital of Tripoli. But most of that city was controlled by the rebels who have been fighting the forces of longtime leader Colonel Moammar Gadhafi.
This was how things looked in other parts of the country: people celebrating the news that Colonel Gadhafi’s rule might be almost over. There were celebrations in Tripoli, as well, despite the clashes happening between rebels and Gadhafi’s supporters. Several significant events helped give momentum to the rebels. They gained control of a main square where Moammar Gadhafi’s troops had gathered previously. They took over the state-run television. And they arrested three of Colonel Gadhafi’s sons. It wasn’t clear what may happen to these men. but the International Criminal Court does have a warrant out for the arrest of one of the sons who was captured.
Reacting to the news out of Libya yesterday, President Obama described the situation as fluid, meaning uncertain and changing. But he said it’s clear that "the Gadhafi regime is coming to an end and the future of Libya is in the hands of its people." So, what about Colonel Gadhafi himself? As of Monday afternoon, he hadn’t been arrested. The rebels weren’t sure where he was. But rebel officials said Gadhafi’s capture would be the real moment of victory in this.
Moammar Gadhafi — whom you see in this file video — was 27 years old when he led a group of Libyan army officers in overthrowing the country’s king. That was in September of 1969. Colonel Gadhafi has ruled Libya ever since. In the 1970s and ’80s, he was known for supporting terrorism and terrorist groups. Starting in the late 1990s, he began working to re-establish connections with Western countries, like the U.S. But now, his 42-year reign looks to be ending. Early in the day Monday, Sara Sidner was in Tripoli reporting on the events there as the rebels advanced. Here’s what she had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
SARA SIDNER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: From the coastal road to Green Square, what we are seeing are rebels that are filling the streets. They are celebrating. They are very, very jubilant that they’ve been able to come into this city so easily. Everybody seems to have guns, but we have [GUNFIRE], we have seen some families, for the first time, seen some families out. They are yelling Allah al Akbar, God is great. A happy scene that the Gadhafi regime did not show much resistance. And they feel like they are finally able to speak their minds about this regime they are very unhappy with.
Just a few residents. We see a little boy [GUNFIRE] that’s here. There is some gunfire, not as much as what we’ve seen in the past when the rebels go forward. But certainly this city is a whole different place than it was just a day ago. Sara Sidner, CNN, Tripoli.
(END VIDEO)
AZUZ: We remind you that what’s happening in Libya is a developing story. The situation is changing; we have new details coming in all the time. In order to stay up on the most recent events, you can always go to CNN.com or to check out our home page, CNNStudentNews.com.
Shoutout
STAN CASE, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Time for the Shoutout! Which U.S. president helped establish Labor Day as a national holiday? If you think you know it, shout it out! Was it: A) Franklin Roosevelt, B) William Taft, C) Theodore Roosevelt or D) Grover Cleveland? You’ve got three seconds — GO! In 1894, President Grover Cleveland helped make Labor Day a national holiday to honor American workers. That’s your answer and that’s your Shoutout!
Jobs after Labor Day
AZUZ: After that holiday honoring American workers, President Obama is planning to push Congress to pass a new jobs plan. He’s scheduled to give a speech outlining his ideas after Labor Day. But this could turn into a tough political fight, because as Barbara Hall explains, different people have different ideas about the best ways to create jobs.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
BARBARA HALL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Will politics get in the way of creating more jobs? President Obama’s jobs plan remains a work in progress, even during his summer vacation.
U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: A lot of folks are still looking for work. So, we need folks in Washington — the people whose job it is to deal with the country’s problems, the people who you elected to serve — we need them to put aside their differences to get things done. There are things we can do right now that will mean more customers for businesses and more jobs across the country.
HALL: During last week’s bus tour, the president was criticized by some for not stopping in communities who need jobs the most.
REP. ELIJAH CUMMINGS, (D) MARYLAND: We want the president to go to Iowa, but we also want him to come to Detroit. We want him to come to Los Angeles, and we want him to stick with a jobs agenda.
HALL: A jobs plan is expected to be introduced after Labor Day. Lawmakers from both parties are saying the economy needs help, though their prescriptions are different.
GOV. MARTIN O’MALLEY, (D) MARYLAND: For a modern economy to create jobs, a modern economy requires investments.
GOV. BOB MCDONNELL, (R) VIRGINIA, CHAIR, REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION: The Tea Party says we want the same thing middle class America wants: We want less spending; we want a balanced budget; and we want to keep taxes where they are. That’s a reasonable message.
HALL: And some GOP presidential candidates are making political capital out of jobs
GOV. RICK PERRY, (R) TEXAS, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, there’s not anybody else in the race, including the president, that has created as many jobs as I have.
HALL: I’m Barbara Hall, reporting from Atlanta.
(END VIDEO)
What’s the Word?
TOMEKA JONES, CNN STUDENT NEWS: What’s the word?
It’s the fee that someone pays for instruction, like you’d get at a college or university
TUITION
That’s the word!
Co$t of College
AZUZ: Around the U.S., more of those tuition costs are being passed on to students and their families, especially at public universities. That’s because the states — who help pay part of the costs of public schools — are struggling financially. And it’s not just the U.S. People are raising concerns about the cost of college in spots all over the world.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT, LONDON: I’m Atika Shubert at one of the many university campuses here in London. And the big concern here is tuition fees. They have more than tripled as a result of budget cuts. What used to be $5,000 now costs more than $15,000. And when you graduate, the job prospects are looking very slim. In fact, here in the UK, graduate unemployment is at an all-time high of 20 percent.
EUNICE YOON, CNN ASIA BUSINESS EDITOR, HONG KONG: I’m Eunice Yoon in Beijing. Here in China, students worry that a college diploma just isn’t as prestigious as it used to be. In the past, anyone with a university degree was virtually guaranteed a stable job. But that just isn’t the case anymore, with over two million graduates joining the work force every single year. China’s universities, on the whole, are less competitive than America’s. The school system is evolving, but for the most part it’s still largely controlled by the government. Some people argue that it’s still too rigid for creative thinkers. So parents, teachers, as well as students alike have all been lobbying for higher education reform. They see a lot of students who can afford it choosing to study overseas. In fact, last year alone over 100,000 Chinese students decided to attend American universities, and that trend sparked public concerns here that perhaps if China doesn’t reform its universities faster, it could risk losing their best and brightest.
KEVIN FLOWER, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF AND CORRESPONDENT: I’m Kevin Flower in Jerusalem, where a public university education is heavily subsidized by the Israeli government. So, students here at Hebrew University could expect to pay about $3,000 a year in annual tuition. Now, that might sound like a bargain, but it does not include the price of housing, which can be both scarce and extremely expensive, especially in big university cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. And that and a generally high cost of living has led many Israeli students to participate in a nationwide social protest movement that has thousands taking up residence in tents throughout the country. And of course, another complaint heard here and across the region is that there are too few job opportunities for too many college graduates.
(END VIDEO)
Before We Go
AZUZ: A story we’ll continue to follow. Now, before we go today, you’ve heard of catfish. These are fishing cats! The three kittens were born recently at a zoo in Ohio. You know how your cat hates the water? Not true here! The fishing cats — that is the species name — are actually great swimmers. They even have webbing between their toes to help them move through the water. They look cute now, but full-grown fishing cats are powerful enough to take down some wild pigs or young deer.
Goodbye
AZUZ: That is one tough tabby. But it would probably make a purr-fect bodyguard, even if the sight might be a little a-meow-sing. For CNN Student News, I’m Carl Azuz.
Originally Published On: www.cnn.com – Original Article Here
(CNN Student News) — August 19, 2011
Download PDF maps related to today’s show:
• Syria
• New Hampshire, Illinois and Texas
Transcript
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Fridays are awesome on CNN Student News! So is a story we have coming up on a U.S. Army officer. Hey, everyone. I’m Carl Azuz. We’re starting today in the Middle East.
First Up: Syrian Conflict
AZUZ: Pressure is increasing for Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, to quit his job. We’ve talked this week about the violence going on in Syria and the protests there against the country’s leader. Yesterday, U.S. officials explained why they believe the Syrian president’s got to go.
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON: The people of Syria deserve a government that respects their dignity, protects their rights, and lives up to their aspirations. Assad is standing in their way.
AZUZ: The United States also announced new sanctions — new punishments –against the Syrian government. Those include limiting access to assets that Syria has in the United States. President al-Assad is also facing heat from European leaders. France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union: all of them calling for him to step aside.
I.D. Me
JOHN LISK, CNN STUDENT NEWS: See if you can I.D. Me! I’m a stock index that was established in 1896. Most people use me to measure the overall U.S. stock market. I was founded by Charles Dow and Edward Jones. I’m the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and I’m made up of 30 high-profile stocks.
Economic Concerns
AZUZ: The Dow is highlighting concerns about the U.S. economy. Yesterday, it dropped more than 400 points. At one point during the day, it was down nearly 530 points. That came after Morgan Stanley — this major investment bank — put out a prediction that was pretty negative about economic growth around the globe.
So the Dow took a big drop. So what? What does that mean? Well, the Dow indicates not just how major companies are doing, but how investors feel about the economy in general. And if that is dropping, that means investors are pulling money out of the market. They’re not feeling confident in it. And this doesn’t just affect the U.S. There’s a global economy. What happens in one country affects other countries. And that’s what we’re seeing. Stock markets in Europe and Asia took a hit yesterday, as well.
Battle for Jobs
AZUZ: The stock market is one way people determine how the U.S. economy is doing. Another is the national unemployment rate. Right now, it’s just over nine percent. Everyone wants to create new jobs. But President Obama and the Republican candidates who are hoping to be the next president don’t agree on how to do that. Holly Firfer has more on that.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wrapping up a three-day midwest tour in his home state of Illinois, President Obama held a town hall meeting at a production facility, where he focused on jobs while fighting to keep his. He said by starting with basic ideas, like building the nation’s infrastructure, the economy will move in the right direction if Congress does not get in the way.
U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: These aren’t radical ideas. I mean building roads, when did that become a partisan issue?
FIRFER: Many feel political bickering in Congress is taking focus away from the real needs of the country.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We’ve lost our rating as far as being able to borrow money. It’s pretty concerning.
FIRFER: Meanwhile in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney claimed the president’s inexperience was responsible for the economic crisis and subsequent standstill in Washington.
MITT ROMNEY, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As far as I can tell, he didn’t lead a business, didn’t lead a state, didn’t lead a city. He didn’t have leadership experience and therefore didn’t know how to work with Congress.
FIRFER: Also campaigning in New Hampshire, GOP hopeful Rick Perry continued to tout his record of job creation as governor of Texas and criticized the president for what he called his inability to manage the economy.
GOVERNOR RICK PERRY, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We spent the last 2.5 years in a grand experiment with the American economy, and it has been a terrible, terrible disaster.
FIRFER: According to White House officials, President Obama will address job growth and the nation’s debt with a new economic plan some time after Labor Day. In Washington, I’m Holly Firfer.
(END VIDEO)
Billion Dollar Disasters
AZUZ: Talking ’bout the weather. So far this year, we’ve seen some extreme weather events: floods, blizzards, tornadoes. You hear a lot about the lives that are lost, the damage that happens. But there’s a cost to all that damage, too. Chad Myers is here to take us through some of this year’s costliest weather events. Chad, can you start with the total?
(BEGIN VIDEO)
CHAD MYERS, CNN WEATHER ANCHOR: Carl, believe it or not, NOAA now estimates $35 billion — with a b — in lost revenues, lost crops, just basicaly lost money over the U.S. from severe weather alone this season. Let’s take a look at the top nine.
The first one, $9 billion: the tornadoes that rolled through Alabama, especially Tuscaloosa, just north of Birmingham and even into Georgia that night. Seven billion dollars from the tornadoes that hit, including Joplin, Missouri, that leveled part of that town; $7 billion and 177 people dead. Five-and-a-half billion dollars just because of the droughts in the Southwest, especially Texas and Oklahoma. Some spots drier than the Dust Bowl. Four billion dollars with the spring and summer floods of the Mississippi River, all the way down the Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico.
And then a couple of them all rounded up here, from the Midwest tornadoes, that’s including parts of Alabama, Texas and even into the Carolinas. And then April 11, $2.2 billion, no deaths, but that was the North Carolina event there. Tornadoes through the Midwest. The Groundhog Day blizzard: two feet of snow in parts of Chicago. Then the upper Midwest flooding, that’s in the Dakotas. In fact, that’s still going right now. Hard to believe, $35 billion in losses, Carl.
(END VIDEO)
Texas Drought
AZUZ: Thank you, Chad. One of the things you heard Chad mention was the drought in Texas. This has been going on for 10 months. It was made worse by a blazing hot Summer. Officials are looking at some of the industries that will feel the biggest effects of this. Number one: livestock. Producers have lost an estimated $2.1 billion. Cotton, next on the list. Around $1.8 billion lost there. This drought is affecting people who produce hay, corn and wheat, as well. The state’s agriculture commissioner said the numbers aren’t good. But he added that Texas farmers and ranchers will adapt and overcome the drought.
Shoutout
MICHELLE WRIGHT, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Time for the Shoutout! In the U.S. Army, what is the official name for a one-star general? If you think you know it, shout it out! Is it a: A) Brigadier General, B) Major General, C) Lieutenant General or D) General of the Army? You’ve got three seconds — GO! All of these ranks are addressed as "general," but a brigadier general wears one star. That’s your answer and that’s your Shoutout!
Marcia Anderson
AZUZ: That’s the rank General Marcia Anderson holds right now. But she’s been nominated to get another star and possibly be promoted to major general. It’s impressive for someone who, back in college, never thought she’d go into the military. General Anderson sat down for CNN’s "Red Chair" interview series to talk about how she got to where she is.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
BRIGADIER GENERAL MARCIA ANDERSON, U.S. ARMY RESERVES: My husband would say that I could talk to a pole, and I do tend to make friends in movie lines buying tickets.
When women enlist in the military, I think they should expect to be challenged. They are going to put you in charge of some people besides yourself. They are going to make you responsible for resources. You are going to have to mentor those people.
My nomination and hopefully my confirmation to major general, I will be the first African-American female in the Army to have achieved that rank.
The biggest pivotal moment in life: the look on my dad’s face — and I’m going to get a little teary here — the look on my dad’s face when he got to promote me to brigadier general. He served in the Korean War at a time when they just were integrating the military. I know he could have been anything, but because of that time, perhaps he didn’t get to achieve as much as he could have.
I think the biggest "a-ha" moment was when I graduated from high school. The world just seemed really bright and I just kind of felt as if anything was possible.
I just wanted to be the kind of person that, when I passed away, people would say, "she tried to treat people the right way." That would leave me with a really good feeling and I think a really good legacy.
(END VIDEO)
Before We Go
AZUZ: A valet parks your car. But at this golf course, the valet might bark at it, too! Just another day on the job for Kaleigh. She’s a six-year-old dog who helps out the golfers. When they finish a round and drop off their carts, they leave the keys with Kaleigh and she brings ‘em back to the clubhouse. So, if you call the person who carries your clubs a caddy, what do you call the dog who gets your keys?
Goodbye
AZUZ: A retriever, of course. She just does that all day long; doesn’t go out to the holes. She puts the cart before the course! We look fore!-ward to seeing you next week for more CNN Student News. Have a good one.
Originally Published On: www.cnn.com – Original Article Here
(CNN Student News) — August 18, 2011
Download PDF maps related to today’s show:
• Syria
• Libya & Malawi
• Joplin, Missouri
Transcript
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
YAINER OVIEDO, SENIOR, JOPLIN HIGH SCHOOL: Hi, I’m Yanier Oviedo.
LYDIA MCALLISTER, SENIOR, JOPLIN HIGH SCHOOL: And I’m Lydia McAllister, and we’re from Joplin High School and you’re watching CNN Student News.
CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Our thanks to Lydia and Yainer, whom you might remember from yesterday’s program. They were helping us kick off today’s show. We’re gonna hear more from them in just a few minutes. I’m Carl Azuz. Let’s get to today’s headlines.
First Up: Arab Spring
AZUZ: First up, we’re checking in on two countries in turmoil that are both located in the same part of the world. Earlier this year, parts of the Middle East and Northern Africa experienced something that was called an "Arab Spring." Basically, protesters in a bunch of countries revolted against their governments. In some cases, it led to longtime leaders being kicked out of power. In most nations, it led to violence.
That’s what we’re seeing in Syria, the first country we’re talking about today. The violence there has gone on for months. There are reports that Syrian military forces have been shooting at civilians who are speaking out against the Syrian government. Syrian officials deny that. They say they’re targeting armed groups and terrorists. And CNN can’t confirm the claims from either side because Syria won’t let outside journalists into the country. What we do know is that this isn’t just affecting Syrians. The United Nations usually has more than 160 workers in Syria. But it’s pulling dozens of them out because of the violence. Other countries who also have officials in Syria have told them to leave as well.
The north African nation of Libya was also part of that "Arab Spring." The conflict there developed into a civil war. Rebels, like the ones you see in this video that was posted on YouTube, are fighting against the forces of longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi. The rebels say they’re making progress in their efforts to get closer to the capital city of Tripoli, but Gadhafi has been urging his supporters to fight back. The rebels and Libyan military aren’t the only ones involved here. Other countries — including the U.S., as well as Great Britain and France — are part of a NATO mission that’s been flying air strikes against Gadhafi’s forces. Over the past week, NATO planes have damaged or destroyed around 150 military targets.
Failing State
AZUZ: Next up, we’re heading down to southern Africa, to the nation of Malawi, home to around 16 million people. Spring may be long gone, but some people in Malawi are trying to piggy-back off what’s happened in the "Arab Spring." These people are protesting against their government. It hasn’t developed into anything like what we’re seeing in Syria or Libya, but the situation is getting dire. Nkepile Mabuse looks at what’s behind all this.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
NKEPILE MABUSE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Inspired by the "Arab Spring," Malawians took to the streets last month calling for President Bingu wa Mutharika to resign. The country’s human rights commission says police used live ammunition against unarmed civilians, killing 19 people.
This is but one of the many reasons behind the angry demonstrations: just about everything in Malawi is in short supply. People here blame the president for mismanaging the economy. They’ve demanded he explains why he’s seemingly so wealthy while all they know is hardship.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, MALAWI: People are starving. There is no medicine in the hospitals
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, MALAWI: You go to the shops, people are not buying goods because it’s very difficult to find money and the future looks very bleak.
MABUSE: President wa Mutharika has threatened to "smoke out" those who protest again, but organizers are determined to return to the streets. Malawians are not the only ones demanding good governance. In June, the IMF suspended its financial assistance to Malawi citing economic mismanagement. Britain, the European Union and the United States have also cut aid. Malawi, which was hit by a devastating famine in 2005, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Without the help of foreign governments, many here fear the worst. Wa Mutharika has asked the nation for more time to address their needs, but many here have told us their patience has run out. Nkepile Mabuse, CNN, Malawi.
(END VIDEO)
I.D. Me
TOMEKA JONES, CNN STUDENT NEWS: See of you can I.D. Me. I’m a U.S. government organization that’s part of the Health and Human Services Department. I’m responsible for protecting and advancing public health, and I establish rules for the nation’s food supply. I’m the FDA, the Food and Drug Administration, and I’m responsible for regulating parts of the tobacco industry.
FDA Warning Label Lawsuit
AZUZ: Specifically, the FDA deals with the manufacturing, marketing and the distribution of tobacco products. The organization’s facing a lawsuit because of a new rule about cigarette packages. In June, the FDA introduced nine new warning labels. Those include graphic images of what could happen to your body if you smoke. Officials say they’re designed to make people more aware of the dangers of cigarettes. According to the new rules, half the space on each cigarette package would have to display one of these labels by September 2012.
Five tobacco companies have filed a lawsuit against the government. They say these new warning labels are unconstitutional. Their argument is that the government shouldn’t require companies that are making a legal product to put a label on it that essentially urges people not to buy it. An FDA spokeswoman said the agency doesn’t comment on unresolved lawsuits.
Is This Legit?
JIM RIBBLE, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Is this legit? On the Enhanced Fujita scale, an EF-5 is the strongest category of tornado. True! The scale measures a tornado’s wind speed by the damage that the storm causes.
Learning in a Disaster Zone
AZUZ: To put this in perspective: An EF-1 tornado might pull the shingles off your roof. An EF-5 would rip the entire house off its foundation. That’s what roared through Joplin, Missouri last Fall: an EF-5 tornado. Yesterday, we had a report on the start of the new school year in Joplin. And I had a chance to talk with two of the students who were featured in that report. You saw them introduce today’s show. I asked them some of the questions you posted on our blog.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
AZUZ: Yainer, can you describe the mood for us of the students you’ve spoken to as you guys get back to school in Joplin?
OVIEDO: Yeah. So far, the mood’s been really great. Everyone’s excited. We got our laptops today during third and fourth hour, so everyone’s really happy about it.
AZUZ: Lydia, in an article you wrote for CNN.com, you said you were "more excited than usual" to get back to school this year. Talk to us about that.
MCALLISTER: It’s nice going to school every day. Just the normality of it all. It’s been such a crazy summer. Now going to school this week, that’s all the same.
AZUZ: There’s a student on our blog named Montana who wanted to know how difficult it was to prepare for school this year, since so many people lost their supplies in the tornado. What was that like?
MCALLISTER: Actually, we got almost everything donated to our school. So, none of the students had to buy school supplies this year. We even got backpacks given to us with the laptops. So, that’s been really great.
AZUZ: You know, a lot of students saw the story today on CNN Student News; they were really interested in about what it’s like to go to school in a mall, even if it’s in an old store. In fact, Jaeyeong from Korea wanted to know what that’s like.
MCALLISTER: It’s definitely an experience. Something that not a lot of, I don’t know any other high school that has to go to school in a mall. It’s cool. The building itself is shut off from the mall completely. There’s one door, I think, that goes into the mall, but it’s closed off right now.
AZUZ: So, you don’t have direct access to shopping?
MCALLISTER: No, we’re kind of in our own little world over here. It’s nice. I like it.
AZUZ: James wanted to know if you get to eat in the food court?
OVIEDO: I guess they’re trying to see if we can earn it.
AZUZ: Would you prefer to eat there or just have the school food?
MCALLISTER: Definitely the food court.
AZUZ: I want to ask you guys what advice do you have for the students of Ringold, Georgia and Tuscaloosa, Alabama? Now, those are two other towns that were hit by tornadoes this spring. And what sort of advice would you have for students who are getting back to school there?
MCALLISTER: I think you just have to look at it as any other school year and go back knowing that, and go back with a good attitude.
OVIEDO: Stay strong. Things are going to be hard for a while. With all your friends, just going back to normal.
(END VIDEO)
Maps Promo
AZUZ: CNN Student News brings you headlines from around the globe. And on our home page — that’s CNNStudentNews.com — we help you pinpoint just where these global headlines happen. Our maps are free, downloadable and now updated for the new school year. We’re giving you some continental context. You’re gonna love it. Check ‘em out at CNNStudentNews.com.
Before We Go
AZUZ: Before we go, they say that music soothes the savage beast, which is just about the only reason we can think of why someone would stash a piano in the middle of the woods. This one was actually part of an art project. The idea was that people out hiking would find it and maybe sit down to play a song or two. That’s one way to enhance the sounds of the forest.
Goodbye
AZUZ: And it’s another way for people to get in tune with nature. If you’re keyed up for more headlines, come on back tomorrow. For CNNStudentNews.com, I’m Carl Azuz.
Originally Published On: www.cnn.com – Original Article Here
(CNN Student News) — August 25, 2011
Download PDF maps related to today’s show:
• Bahamas
• North Korea & Russia
• Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Originally Published On: www.cnn.com – Original Article Here
(CNN Student News) — August 22, 2011
Download PDF maps related to today’s show:
• Libya
• Dominican Republic & Puerto Rico
• Ohio & Washington, D.C.
Transcript
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Hey, and thank you for joining us! I’m Carl Azuz, launching you into CNN Student News! If you were with us last week, it’s great to have you back. If this is your first day, welcome to our 2011-2012 coverage.
First Up: Crisis in Libya
AZUZ: First up today, two very different views on how the civil war is going in the north African nation of Libya. This conflict started months ago. Longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi and his forces are fighting against rebels who want Gadhafi out. Other countries are involved in this, too, as part of a NATO mission to protect Libya’s civilians.
There were reports that hundreds of people were killed yesterday during fighting in and around the Libyan capital, Tripoli. The rebels say they’re making significant progress, advancing toward Gadhafi’s headquarters. But the Libyan government says the rebels are losing every battle. Colonel Gadhafi went on the radio Sunday, urging his supporters to continue their fight. A CNN crew that’s been in Libya for weeks said this weekend’s fighting in Tripoli seemed to be the most intense fighting yet in the capital city.
Middle East Violence
AZUZ: Violence increasing in another conflict, meanwhile, this one in the Middle East. It started with a series of attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers on Thursday, and it’s turned into days of fighting between Israelis and Palestinians. These two groups have clashed for decades. And two regions — Gaza and the West Bank — have traditionally been at the center of those clashes.
At least eight Israelis were killed in the attacks on Thursday. Israel then launched air strikes against what it called "terrorist targets" in Gaza. And in response, say Israeli officials, around 100 rockets have been fired into Israel. You can see some of the damage from those in this video. Israel’s government says it will respond to any attempt to harm Israeli civilians or soldiers. Palestinian officials are urging Israel to stop what it calls the "unjustified aggression" against the Palestinians in Gaza.
Is This Legit?
STAN CASE, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Is this legit? Storms in the Atlantic Ocean are given names when they become hurricanes. Not legit! They get names when they are classified as tropical storms, which is one level below a hurricane.
Severe Weather
AZUZ: The 9th storm to get a name might be the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic season. Forecasters predict that Tropical Storm Irene is picking up strength as it moves toward islands in the Caribbean Sea. On Sunday afternoon, Irene had wind speeds around 50 miles per hour. Won’t be considered a hurricane until those wind speeds reach 74 miles per hour. Experts think that could happen very soon. Officials announced hurricane warnings for Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic yesterday. Some predictions estimated that Irene could dump up to 20 inches of rain on parts of the Dominican Republic. There’s concern that heavy rain could trigger mudslides there; that has happened before.
VP Biden in China
AZUZ: Vice President Joe Biden has finished a trip to China. But this was the scene when he arrived in the country last Wednesday. He was there for five days meeting with Chinese leaders, and the biggest issue discussed during his visit was the U.S. economy. China has bought more U.S. debt that any other foreign country. So, officials there are concerned about America’s ability to manage that debt. During one speech, Vice President Biden explained why it’s important for the U.S. to protect Chinese and American investors.
U.S. VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I read that some Chinese are concerned about your safety of your investments in American assets. But please understand no one cares more about this than we do, since Americans own 87% of all our financial assets and 69% of all our treasury bonds, while China owns 1% of our financial assets and 8% of our treasury bills, respectively.
What is Ramadan?
AZUZ: All right, shifting gears now. About 1.6 billion people — just over a fifth of the world’s population — are Muslim. And we’re in the middle of the most sacred time on the Muslim calendar. It’s called Ramadan, and it lasts for an entire month. Although there are disagreements about when exactly that month starts. Dan Gilgoff explains that — and more — about this observance.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
DAN GILGOFF, CNN.COM RELIGION EDITOR: Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting. It’s meant to be a month of reflection, prayer and charity, detachment from worldly affairs. A month of purification. It’s one of the 5 pillars, or duties, of Islam. Ramadan is believed to be the month during which the prophet Mohammed started receiving the divine revelation, the Quran, or the Muslim holy book, from God, or Allah. And so, the most holy night during Ramadan — and of the entire Islamic year — is called the night of power, and that’s the night which it is believed that Allah did start to reveal the text of the Quran to the prophet Mohammed in the year 610.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. And the Islamic calendar operates according to the lunar cycle, the cycle of the moon. And so every year, Ramadan moves up around 11 days earlier than the previous year. It’s supposed to begin with the sighting of the first new moon of that cycle. And every year, there are debates about when that first new moon becomes visible, so that various countries believe that they see the first new moon on various days and Ramadan will begin on different days in different countries.
The fast is broken each night with what’s called the iftar meal, and it’s a meal that’s often times communal or banquet-style meal that’s eaten in a mosque. The fast each night is often broken with dates, which is believed to have dated to the time of Mohammed. Every year during Ramadan the international sale of dates just skyrockets. The month of Ramadan ends with the holiday called Eid ul-Fitr. It’s often simply just referred to as Eid. It is the start of the next lunar month after Ramadan. It’s a break the fast holiday that’s marked by a lot of celebrations and feasting with friends and families. A lot of mosques hold carnivals for a couple of days after Ramadan ends.
(END VIDEO)
Shoutout
TOMEKA JONES, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Time for the Shoutout! What historic figure once said, "out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope"? If you think you know it, shout it out! Was it: A) Queen Elizabeth II, B) Martin Luther King Jr., C) John F. Kennedy or D) Mahatma Gandhi? You’ve got three seconds — GO! That phrase was part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. That’s your answer and that’s your Shoutout!
Memorial Virtual Tour
AZUZ: When Dr. King gave that speech, he was standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Now, the civil rights leader will have his own memorial in the nation’s capital. The dedication ceremony being scheduled for next week. But we’ve got a little virtual tour for you right now.
The entrance, with the two stones that have been separated, is meant to symbolize the mountain of despair that Doctor King was talking about. And the single boulder inside is meant to be the stone of hope. There’s also an inscription wall inside the memorial featuring more than a dozen of Dr. Martin Luther King’s most famous quotations.
Blog Promo
AZUZ: Dr. King will join the other famous Americans who have memorials in Washington, D.C. The question we’re asking on our blog is who else do you think should be honored with a national memorial? Head to CNNStudentNews.com. Tell us your choices and your reasons why. We’re looking forward to your ideas. But please remember, it’s first names only on the blog.
Mailman Honored
AZUZ: This Ohio mailman is used to delivering greetings to people on his route. Last week, he was the one getting the special greetings from all of them. That is because he was back home and delivering mail after spending a year serving in the Army National Guard in Afghanistan. Rob Lustig said he was overwhelmed by the homecoming.
ROB LUSTIG, MAILMAN, AFGHAN WAR VETERAN, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: I can’t keep a smile off my face, because every time I look around there’s another sign. How are you doing? I just want to thank my customers for the support and the balloons and their generosity and thoughtfulness. It makes me feel good.
Before We Go
AZUZ: Makes us feel good, too. We’re going to stay in Ohio for today’s Before We Go segment and visit a national food festival. But these contestants aren’t bobbing for apples. They’re bobbing for burgers! And they’re doing it in a kiddie pool filled with ketchup. Mmm. It’s just one of the competitions at the National Hamburger Festival. Another event: the hamburger eating contest. The winner there gobbled up a quarter pounder and 10 patties in five minutes.
Goodbye
AZUZ: A victory like that deserves a patty on the back. It looks like there’s an a-bun-dance of fun going on there. We just hope you’ll ketchup with us tomorrow for more CNN Student News tomorrow. Man, these puns are making me hungry. I’m Carl Azuz. Have a great day.
Originally Published On: www.cnn.com – Original Article Here
(CNN Student News) — August 19, 2011
Download PDF maps related to today’s show:
• Syria
• New Hampshire, Illinois and Texas
Transcript
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Fridays are awesome on CNN Student News! So is a story we have coming up on a U.S. Army officer. Hey, everyone. I’m Carl Azuz. We’re starting today in the Middle East.
First Up: Syrian Conflict
AZUZ: Pressure is increasing for Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, to quit his job. We’ve talked this week about the violence going on in Syria and the protests there against the country’s leader. Yesterday, U.S. officials explained why they believe the Syrian president’s got to go.
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON: The people of Syria deserve a government that respects their dignity, protects their rights, and lives up to their aspirations. Assad is standing in their way.
AZUZ: The United States also announced new sanctions — new punishments –against the Syrian government. Those include limiting access to assets that Syria has in the United States. President al-Assad is also facing heat from European leaders. France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union: all of them calling for him to step aside.
I.D. Me
JOHN LISK, CNN STUDENT NEWS: See if you can I.D. Me! I’m a stock index that was established in 1896. Most people use me to measure the overall U.S. stock market. I was founded by Charles Dow and Edward Jones. I’m the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and I’m made up of 30 high-profile stocks.
Economic Concerns
AZUZ: The Dow is highlighting concerns about the U.S. economy. Yesterday, it dropped more than 400 points. At one point during the day, it was down nearly 530 points. That came after Morgan Stanley — this major investment bank — put out a prediction that was pretty negative about economic growth around the globe.
So the Dow took a big drop. So what? What does that mean? Well, the Dow indicates not just how major companies are doing, but how investors feel about the economy in general. And if that is dropping, that means investors are pulling money out of the market. They’re not feeling confident in it. And this doesn’t just affect the U.S. There’s a global economy. What happens in one country affects other countries. And that’s what we’re seeing. Stock markets in Europe and Asia took a hit yesterday, as well.
Battle for Jobs
AZUZ: The stock market is one way people determine how the U.S. economy is doing. Another is the national unemployment rate. Right now, it’s just over nine percent. Everyone wants to create new jobs. But President Obama and the Republican candidates who are hoping to be the next president don’t agree on how to do that. Holly Firfer has more on that.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wrapping up a three-day midwest tour in his home state of Illinois, President Obama held a town hall meeting at a production facility, where he focused on jobs while fighting to keep his. He said by starting with basic ideas, like building the nation’s infrastructure, the economy will move in the right direction if Congress does not get in the way.
U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: These aren’t radical ideas. I mean building roads, when did that become a partisan issue?
FIRFER: Many feel political bickering in Congress is taking focus away from the real needs of the country.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We’ve lost our rating as far as being able to borrow money. It’s pretty concerning.
FIRFER: Meanwhile in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney claimed the president’s inexperience was responsible for the economic crisis and subsequent standstill in Washington.
MITT ROMNEY, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As far as I can tell, he didn’t lead a business, didn’t lead a state, didn’t lead a city. He didn’t have leadership experience and therefore didn’t know how to work with Congress.
FIRFER: Also campaigning in New Hampshire, GOP hopeful Rick Perry continued to tout his record of job creation as governor of Texas and criticized the president for what he called his inability to manage the economy.
GOVERNOR RICK PERRY, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We spent the last 2.5 years in a grand experiment with the American economy, and it has been a terrible, terrible disaster.
FIRFER: According to White House officials, President Obama will address job growth and the nation’s debt with a new economic plan some time after Labor Day. In Washington, I’m Holly Firfer.
(END VIDEO)
Billion Dollar Disasters
AZUZ: Talking ’bout the weather. So far this year, we’ve seen some extreme weather events: floods, blizzards, tornadoes. You hear a lot about the lives that are lost, the damage that happens. But there’s a cost to all that damage, too. Chad Myers is here to take us through some of this year’s costliest weather events. Chad, can you start with the total?
(BEGIN VIDEO)
CHAD MYERS, CNN WEATHER ANCHOR: Carl, believe it or not, NOAA now estimates $35 billion — with a b — in lost revenues, lost crops, just basicaly lost money over the U.S. from severe weather alone this season. Let’s take a look at the top nine.
The first one, $9 billion: the tornadoes that rolled through Alabama, especially Tuscaloosa, just north of Birmingham and even into Georgia that night. Seven billion dollars from the tornadoes that hit, including Joplin, Missouri, that leveled part of that town; $7 billion and 177 people dead. Five-and-a-half billion dollars just because of the droughts in the Southwest, especially Texas and Oklahoma. Some spots drier than the Dust Bowl. Four billion dollars with the spring and summer floods of the Mississippi River, all the way down the Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico.
And then a couple of them all rounded up here, from the Midwest tornadoes, that’s including parts of Alabama, Texas and even into the Carolinas. And then April 11, $2.2 billion, no deaths, but that was the North Carolina event there. Tornadoes through the Midwest. The Groundhog Day blizzard: two feet of snow in parts of Chicago. Then the upper Midwest flooding, that’s in the Dakotas. In fact, that’s still going right now. Hard to believe, $35 billion in losses, Carl.
(END VIDEO)
Texas Drought
AZUZ: Thank you, Chad. One of the things you heard Chad mention was the drought in Texas. This has been going on for 10 months. It was made worse by a blazing hot Summer. Officials are looking at some of the industries that will feel the biggest effects of this. Number one: livestock. Producers have lost an estimated $2.1 billion. Cotton, next on the list. Around $1.8 billion lost there. This drought is affecting people who produce hay, corn and wheat, as well. The state’s agriculture commissioner said the numbers aren’t good. But he added that Texas farmers and ranchers will adapt and overcome the drought.
Shoutout
MICHELLE WRIGHT, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Time for the Shoutout! In the U.S. Army, what is the official name for a one-star general? If you think you know it, shout it out! Is it a: A) Brigadier General, B) Major General, C) Lieutenant General or D) General of the Army? You’ve got three seconds — GO! All of these ranks are addressed as "general," but a brigadier general wears one star. That’s your answer and that’s your Shoutout!
Marcia Anderson
AZUZ: That’s the rank General Marcia Anderson holds right now. But she’s been nominated to get another star and possibly be promoted to major general. It’s impressive for someone who, back in college, never thought she’d go into the military. General Anderson sat down for CNN’s "Red Chair" interview series to talk about how she got to where she is.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
BRIGADIER GENERAL MARCIA ANDERSON, U.S. ARMY RESERVES: My husband would say that I could talk to a pole, and I do tend to make friends in movie lines buying tickets.
When women enlist in the military, I think they should expect to be challenged. They are going to put you in charge of some people besides yourself. They are going to make you responsible for resources. You are going to have to mentor those people.
My nomination and hopefully my confirmation to major general, I will be the first African-American female in the Army to have achieved that rank.
The biggest pivotal moment in life: the look on my dad’s face — and I’m going to get a little teary here — the look on my dad’s face when he got to promote me to brigadier general. He served in the Korean War at a time when they just were integrating the military. I know he could have been anything, but because of that time, perhaps he didn’t get to achieve as much as he could have.
I think the biggest "a-ha" moment was when I graduated from high school. The world just seemed really bright and I just kind of felt as if anything was possible.
I just wanted to be the kind of person that, when I passed away, people would say, "she tried to treat people the right way." That would leave me with a really good feeling and I think a really good legacy.
(END VIDEO)
Before We Go
AZUZ: A valet parks your car. But at this golf course, the valet might bark at it, too! Just another day on the job for Kaleigh. She’s a six-year-old dog who helps out the golfers. When they finish a round and drop off their carts, they leave the keys with Kaleigh and she brings ‘em back to the clubhouse. So, if you call the person who carries your clubs a caddy, what do you call the dog who gets your keys?
Goodbye
AZUZ: A retriever, of course. She just does that all day long; doesn’t go out to the holes. She puts the cart before the course! We look fore!-ward to seeing you next week for more CNN Student News. Have a good one.
Originally Published On: www.cnn.com – Original Article Here
(CNN Student News) — August 19, 2011
Download PDF maps related to today’s show:
• Syria
• New Hampshire, Illinois and Texas
Transcript
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Fridays are awesome on CNN Student News! So is a story we have coming up on a U.S. Army officer. Hey, everyone. I’m Carl Azuz. We’re starting today in the Middle East.
First Up: Syrian Conflict
AZUZ: Pressure is increasing for Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, to quit his job. We’ve talked this week about the violence going on in Syria and the protests there against the country’s leader. Yesterday, U.S. officials explained why they believe the Syrian president’s got to go.
U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON: The people of Syria deserve a government that respects their dignity, protects their rights, and lives up to their aspirations. Assad is standing in their way.
AZUZ: The United States also announced new sanctions — new punishments –against the Syrian government. Those include limiting access to assets that Syria has in the United States. President al-Assad is also facing heat from European leaders. France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the European Union: all of them calling for him to step aside.
I.D. Me
JOHN LISK, CNN STUDENT NEWS: See if you can I.D. Me! I’m a stock index that was established in 1896. Most people use me to measure the overall U.S. stock market. I was founded by Charles Dow and Edward Jones. I’m the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and I’m made up of 30 high-profile stocks.
Economic Concerns
AZUZ: The Dow is highlighting concerns about the U.S. economy. Yesterday, it dropped more than 400 points. At one point during the day, it was down nearly 530 points. That came after Morgan Stanley — this major investment bank — put out a prediction that was pretty negative about economic growth around the globe.
So the Dow took a big drop. So what? What does that mean? Well, the Dow indicates not just how major companies are doing, but how investors feel about the economy in general. And if that is dropping, that means investors are pulling money out of the market. They’re not feeling confident in it. And this doesn’t just affect the U.S. There’s a global economy. What happens in one country affects other countries. And that’s what we’re seeing. Stock markets in Europe and Asia took a hit yesterday, as well.
Battle for Jobs
AZUZ: The stock market is one way people determine how the U.S. economy is doing. Another is the national unemployment rate. Right now, it’s just over nine percent. Everyone wants to create new jobs. But President Obama and the Republican candidates who are hoping to be the next president don’t agree on how to do that. Holly Firfer has more on that.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wrapping up a three-day midwest tour in his home state of Illinois, President Obama held a town hall meeting at a production facility, where he focused on jobs while fighting to keep his. He said by starting with basic ideas, like building the nation’s infrastructure, the economy will move in the right direction if Congress does not get in the way.
U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: These aren’t radical ideas. I mean building roads, when did that become a partisan issue?
FIRFER: Many feel political bickering in Congress is taking focus away from the real needs of the country.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We’ve lost our rating as far as being able to borrow money. It’s pretty concerning.
FIRFER: Meanwhile in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney claimed the president’s inexperience was responsible for the economic crisis and subsequent standstill in Washington.
MITT ROMNEY, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As far as I can tell, he didn’t lead a business, didn’t lead a state, didn’t lead a city. He didn’t have leadership experience and therefore didn’t know how to work with Congress.
FIRFER: Also campaigning in New Hampshire, GOP hopeful Rick Perry continued to tout his record of job creation as governor of Texas and criticized the president for what he called his inability to manage the economy.
GOVERNOR RICK PERRY, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We spent the last 2.5 years in a grand experiment with the American economy, and it has been a terrible, terrible disaster.
FIRFER: According to White House officials, President Obama will address job growth and the nation’s debt with a new economic plan some time after Labor Day. In Washington, I’m Holly Firfer.
(END VIDEO)
Billion Dollar Disasters
AZUZ: Talking ’bout the weather. So far this year, we’ve seen some extreme weather events: floods, blizzards, tornadoes. You hear a lot about the lives that are lost, the damage that happens. But there’s a cost to all that damage, too. Chad Myers is here to take us through some of this year’s costliest weather events. Chad, can you start with the total?
(BEGIN VIDEO)
CHAD MYERS, CNN WEATHER ANCHOR: Carl, believe it or not, NOAA now estimates $35 billion — with a b — in lost revenues, lost crops, just basicaly lost money over the U.S. from severe weather alone this season. Let’s take a look at the top nine.
The first one, $9 billion: the tornadoes that rolled through Alabama, especially Tuscaloosa, just north of Birmingham and even into Georgia that night. Seven billion dollars from the tornadoes that hit, including Joplin, Missouri, that leveled part of that town; $7 billion and 177 people dead. Five-and-a-half billion dollars just because of the droughts in the Southwest, especially Texas and Oklahoma. Some spots drier than the Dust Bowl. Four billion dollars with the spring and summer floods of the Mississippi River, all the way down the Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico.
And then a couple of them all rounded up here, from the Midwest tornadoes, that’s including parts of Alabama, Texas and even into the Carolinas. And then April 11, $2.2 billion, no deaths, but that was the North Carolina event there. Tornadoes through the Midwest. The Groundhog Day blizzard: two feet of snow in parts of Chicago. Then the upper Midwest flooding, that’s in the Dakotas. In fact, that’s still going right now. Hard to believe, $35 billion in losses, Carl.
(END VIDEO)
Texas Drought
AZUZ: Thank you, Chad. One of the things you heard Chad mention was the drought in Texas. This has been going on for 10 months. It was made worse by a blazing hot Summer. Officials are looking at some of the industries that will feel the biggest effects of this. Number one: livestock. Producers have lost an estimated $2.1 billion. Cotton, next on the list. Around $1.8 billion lost there. This drought is affecting people who produce hay, corn and wheat, as well. The state’s agriculture commissioner said the numbers aren’t good. But he added that Texas farmers and ranchers will adapt and overcome the drought.
Shoutout
MICHELLE WRIGHT, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Time for the Shoutout! In the U.S. Army, what is the official name for a one-star general? If you think you know it, shout it out! Is it a: A) Brigadier General, B) Major General, C) Lieutenant General or D) General of the Army? You’ve got three seconds — GO! All of these ranks are addressed as "general," but a brigadier general wears one star. That’s your answer and that’s your Shoutout!
Marcia Anderson
AZUZ: That’s the rank General Marcia Anderson holds right now. But she’s been nominated to get another star and possibly be promoted to major general. It’s impressive for someone who, back in college, never thought she’d go into the military. General Anderson sat down for CNN’s "Red Chair" interview series to talk about how she got to where she is.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
BRIGADIER GENERAL MARCIA ANDERSON, U.S. ARMY RESERVES: My husband would say that I could talk to a pole, and I do tend to make friends in movie lines buying tickets.
When women enlist in the military, I think they should expect to be challenged. They are going to put you in charge of some people besides yourself. They are going to make you responsible for resources. You are going to have to mentor those people.
My nomination and hopefully my confirmation to major general, I will be the first African-American female in the Army to have achieved that rank.
The biggest pivotal moment in life: the look on my dad’s face — and I’m going to get a little teary here — the look on my dad’s face when he got to promote me to brigadier general. He served in the Korean War at a time when they just were integrating the military. I know he could have been anything, but because of that time, perhaps he didn’t get to achieve as much as he could have.
I think the biggest "a-ha" moment was when I graduated from high school. The world just seemed really bright and I just kind of felt as if anything was possible.
I just wanted to be the kind of person that, when I passed away, people would say, "she tried to treat people the right way." That would leave me with a really good feeling and I think a really good legacy.
(END VIDEO)
Before We Go
AZUZ: A valet parks your car. But at this golf course, the valet might bark at it, too! Just another day on the job for Kaleigh. She’s a six-year-old dog who helps out the golfers. When they finish a round and drop off their carts, they leave the keys with Kaleigh and she brings ‘em back to the clubhouse. So, if you call the person who carries your clubs a caddy, what do you call the dog who gets your keys?
Goodbye
AZUZ: A retriever, of course. She just does that all day long; doesn’t go out to the holes. She puts the cart before the course! We look fore!-ward to seeing you next week for more CNN Student News. Have a good one.
Originally Published On: www.cnn.com – Original Article Here
(CNN Student News) — August 15, 2011
Download PDF maps related to today’s show:
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Somalia
• Acworth, Georgia
Transcript
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Standing outside CNN’s world headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, my name is Carl Azuz, and I welcome you to CNN Student News, kicking off its 2011-2012 school year!
First Up: The Downgrade
AZUZ: Every day on CNN Student News, we bring headlines from around the world right into your classroom. We do it without any commercials. First up today, we’re going to look back and ahead.
What we’re talking about is the U.S. economy, and we’re starting with something called the debt ceiling. Debt is the amount of money that a person, company or government owes. The debt ceiling is this limit on how much debt a country can have. The U.S. hit that limit earlier this year, and there were concerns that if the government went over that debt ceiling, it wouldn’t be able to pay some of its bills.
President Obama and members of Congress had a tense debate over the Summer about the idea of raising the country’s debt limit. There were strong disagreements over how to make a deal or even if there should be one. A deal was passed on August 2nd. It raised the U.S. debt ceiling and set up some government spending cuts to help lower the country’s debt down the road.
But as you know, actions can have reactions. Credit rating agencies give countries grades based on their ability or how willing they are to pay off their debts. One of the major agencies — Standard and Poor’s — downgraded the U.S. from a AAA rating to a AA+. Ali Velshi is going to help explain that for us in just a second.
But that downgrade, along with some other factors, sent shock waves through the stock market. Last week was a roller coaster ride: big ups and downs. Experts are predicting that this week will be the same. Now, we’re gonna get back to that credit rating. Ali Velshi is here to talk about why the U.S. was downgraded and what in the world that means.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Standard and Poor’s lowered the U.S. from a AAA credit rating — the best in the world, and the only one the U.S. has ever had — to AA+. They said they downgraded the U.S. for two reasons. One is that the debt ceiling deal didn’t go far enough: it didn’t cut far enough and it didn’t raise taxes. The other problem is political. They said that the United States has not demonstrated the ability to get its political house in order and make sound decisions about its budgeting.
Standard and Poor’s is the full name; it’s a credit rating agency. You’ve got those for your own personal credit, but globally there are three of them: S&P, Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch. And basically, they assign every company, every publicly traded company, and every country a debt rating. A debt rating is the risk associated with lending that company or that country money.
You know, prior to this whole debacle, I think most people thought AAA was a battery size. Let me tell you what the difference is between AAA and AA+. AAA credit rating means extremely strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. That is the highest rating that S&P can give a country or a company. AA+ means very strong capacity to meet its financial obligations. That differs from the highest rating by just that little word: extremely strong and very strong. Even after a downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, the United States could borrow at a lower interest rate than it could before the downgrade. That’s because comparatively, the U.S. is still one of the best and safest bets out there.
(END VIDEO)
Stage Collapse
AZUZ: All right, our next story today: A "freakish accident" is how Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels described what happened at the State Fair this past Saturday. Around 8:45 p.m., a police captain got on stage to warn the crowd to find cover. Just minutes later, a powerful storm blew in, causing the concert stage to collapse. At least five people were killed. Dozens of others were hurt. What was good in all of this, though, was that many people who weren’t hurt rushed into the area to try and help. Witnesses said folks were trying to lift the scaffolding back up, while others searched for victims and pulled people back out of the wreckage.
I.D. Me
STAN CASE, CNN STUDENT NEWS: See if you can I.D. Me! I’m an African nation that got its independence from Britain and Italy. I’m located on the Horn of Africa, between the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. My capital is Mogadishu, but I don’t have a permanent national government. I’m Somalia, and I’m home to around 10 million people.
Famine in Africa
AZUZ: Somalia is one of several African nations that are all facing the same crisis right now: famine, a severe shortage of food. Twelve million people are being affected by this hunger crisis. Reports say thousands of Somalis have been leaving the country each week, and they’re looking for food, water and shelter. Aid workers in Somalia and other countries in the Horn of Africa are working to help the victims of this famine. The United Nations says many of these people — especially in parts of Somalia — need help immediately. But that aid costs money. The U.N. estimates it’ll take about $2.5 billion to deal with the crisis. Right now, only about half of that amount has been donated.
Impact Your World
AZUZ: This famine’s happening halfway around the world, but there are ways for you to get involved. You can go to our home page, CNNStudentNews.com, scroll down to the Spotlight section, and click the link that says "Impact Your World." That’s how you can find out how you can make a difference.
Shoutout
TOMEKA JONES, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Time for the first Shoutout of the school year! What professional sport’s hall of fame is located in Cooperstown, New York? If you think you know it, shout it out! Is it: A) Baseball, B) Basketball, C) Football or D) Hockey? You’ve got three seconds — GO! Cooperstown is home to the Baseball Hall of Fame! That’s your answer and that’s your Shoutout!
Field of Dreams
AZUZ: The players enshrined in Cooperstown are some of the best to ever take the field. But down in Acworth, Georgia, there’s a group of young ballplayers who are excited just to get out on the diamond. Randi Kaye has this report on the field that helps them realize that dream.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
RANDI KAYE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Eight-year-old Justin Millwood is one of more than 100 kids who participate in the Horizon League in Acworth, Georgia. This field of dreams is a specially designed rubber field so kids with disabilities can play baseball. And all of this would never have been possible if not for a generous donation.
JAMES ALBRIGHT, DIRECTOR OF ACWORTH PARKS AND RECREATION: Between public and private partnerships, we were able to raise $500,000 to $600,000 right off the bat. Most of that was catapulted by an anonymous $250,000 donation.
KAYE: None of this could be possible without volunteers. Throughout his time with the Horizon League, 16-year-old Nick Geter has formed a special bond both on and off the field with Justin, who has been bound to a wheelchair all his life due to cerebral palsy, and aspires one day to be able to walk.
KAREN MILLWOOD; JUSTIN’S GRANDMOTHER: He loves it. It gives him a chance to get out and be like other kids.
KAYE: Nick says he’s happy that he’s been able to have an impact on kids like Justin.
NICK GETER, SENIOR, NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL: For me, impacting Justin’s life and these other kids’ lives and I really get a lot out of this. I always thought that you had to have the newest stuff, the best, brightest whatever. But I come out here and I see these kids and they have all kinds of disabilities and stuff, and they’re so happy just to be able to play baseball.
JAY ULRICH, PARENT OF SPECIAL NEEDS KID: It changes everything. It lets them have a sense of accomplishment. And then when their buddies are here, they get to see football players, baseball players, high school cheerleaders that treat them as an equal. That doesn’t necessarily happen in other environments.
KAYE: Thanks to the help of Nick and others, Justin gets to live out another dream.
GETER: You know how you been working with that walker at therapy?
JUSTIN MILLWOOD, HAS CEREBRAL PALSY: Yes
GETER: Well, we were gonna try and raise the money for it, and guess what?
J. MILLWOOD: What?
GETER: We got somebody to donate the walker for you and they’ve already bought it and it’s on its way. You are gonna be able to walk. Isn’t that cool?
J. MILLWOOD: Yes.
GETER: I love seeing Justin’s smile, and every day it’s the last thing I see when I leave here.
KAYE: This makes a special moment even better on this field of dreams.
J. MILLWOOD: It’s really been great.
KAYE: Randi Kaye, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEO)
Before We Go
AZUZ: What a story! Before we go today, we’ve got time to round up one last story for today’s show. You’ve heard of the bull in the china shop? This is the outdoor kind! A barreling bovine bounded his way down the streets of Auburn, Washington. He took police on a 30-minute chase — or rodeo. The cops weren’t able to corral the guy, so get this, they brought in cowboys. Eventually, they lassoed the bull and brought the tail to an end.
Goodbye
AZUZ: Calling out cowboys with lassos definitely took the bull by the horns. At least it roped up the situation. We hope you’ll steer your way back for more CNN Student News tomorrow. Yeah, the puns are part of the show, so you’re either gonna laugh or suffer with me! I’m Carl Azuz. We’ll see you soon.
Originally Published On: www.cnn.com – Original Article Here