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Music exec: Whitney Houston looked 'healthy and beautiful' days earlier

Two loud booms jolted awake the music industry executive in her fifth-floor room of the Beverly Hilton hotel. The time was 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The thuds seemed to be coming from the room below. The voice of a man, loud and urgent, followed. It was only later that she learned the news: Whitney Houston, a guest in the room below hers, had died. Cause of death: Unclear. Time pronounced: 3:55 p.m., February 11, 2012. Age: A mere 48. The shock and grief from fans worldwide was immediate: Houston's pipes and presence, her grit and glamour had made her an icon. For a decade and a half, she ruled the charts: 170 million albums sold, including seven back-to-back multi-platinum ones. Numerous No. 1 hits, including the biggest-selling U.S. single of all time, "I Will Always Love You." Emmys, Grammys, Billboard Music awards. Dozens of them. And while her luster had dimmed in recent years, as she battled drug addiction, Houston was in the midst of a comeback. A few shows here and there, mostly abroad, and a movie in the works. She had appeared healthy and beautiful in recent days, said the music executive -- who did not want to be identified because she didn't want reporters hounding her. Just days before, the exec had seen Houston swimming in the hotel pool with daughter Bobbi Kristina. They looked happy, she said. What exactly happened Saturday afternoon now awaits a coroner's examination. Police and fire officials were called to Houston's room at 3:43 p.m., after Houston's bodyguard found her unconscious body. Medics tried reviving her, but failed. There were "no obvious signs of criminal intent," said Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen. Medics removed her body from the hotel room early Sunday morning and an autopsy has been scheduled. But the county coroner's office could not say when. "I just can't talk about it now. It's so stunning and unbelievable," said singer Aretha Franklin on hearing the news. "I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen." Saturday night, fans mourned Houston's death in different ways inside and outside the Beverly Hilton. Outside, grieving fans laid roses and flickering candles on the front and back entrances of the sprawling complex. Some sang songs. Others played her music videos on their smartphone. "Everyone has their own demons, and some overcome them and some never do," said Tya Conerly, referring to Houston's history of drug abuse. "Sometimes life gets the best of us." Inside the hotel, music industry's biggest names gathered in elegant attire for an annual pre-Grammy party that had been long planned by Houston's mentor, Clive Davis. "I do have a heavy heart, and I am personally devastated by someone so close to me for so many years," Davis told the gathering of artists and entertainers, that included Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight and Britney Spears. "My heart goes out to her daughter Bobbi Kristina and her mother, Cissy." He then asked for a moment of silence. "We dedicate this evening to her," he said. Houston had been scheduled to attend the festivities. She had performed as late as Thursday night at a pre-Grammy event in the area, a raspy rendition "Jesus Loves Me" with singer Kelly Price. The organizers of Sunday's Grammy Awards said they have retooled the show to pay respect to Houston, with the help of singer Jennifer Hudson. "It's going to be something respectful," said Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the show. "It's not going to be a full-blown tribute. That's too early and it's too fresh at this moment. It's going to be something respectful to Whitney's memory." Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey, on August 9, 1963, the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston. Her cousin was Dionne Warwick; her godmother Aretha Franklin. "You couldn't find a more auspicious template for great expectations," said music critic Gene Seymour. In the mid-1980s, Davis spotted Houston in a New York nightclub and signed her on the spot. For the next quarter century, he steered her career and served as her mentor. "I saw a depth and a range and soul ... that rarely ranks at the top level," he said Thursday. "And that's why we've been working together ever since." Her string of Billboard No. 1 hits included "Saving All My Love for You," "How Will I Know," "The Greatest Love of All," "Where Do Broken Hearts Go," and "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)." In 1991, Houston's commanding performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl, just days into the first Persian Gulf War, electrified audiences and became the gold standard for performing the national anthem, according to many music critics. The next year, she released the soundtrack to her movie "The Bodyguard," one of the top 10 biggest-selling albums of all time. Her cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" for the soundtrack has been interpreted by many but rarely duplicated. She appeared in several more films in the 1990s, including "Waiting to Exhale." In 2000, Houston earned her sixth Grammy for best female R&B performance and, a month later, she was named female artist of the decade at the "Soul Train" Music Awards. But by then, her battle with drugs -- cocaine and marijuana -- and her tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown were taking their toll. The couple appeared together in the mid-2000s on the reality show "Being Bobby Brown," and had one child together, Bobbi Kristina. In a 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Houston recalled how her mother arrived one day at her doorstep with sheriff's officers and a court order in a drug intervention. "(My mother) says, 'I have a court (injunction) here,'" Houston said. "Either you do it my way, or we're just not going to do this at all. We are both going to go on TV, and you're going to retire.'" She entered rehab and took a long hiatus. Her 2009 release, "I Look To You," was her first in seven years. "I just took a break, which sometimes you have to," Houston said. "You have to know when to slow that train down and kind of just sit back and relax for a minute." She recently returned to a movie set for "Sparkle," a remake of the 1976 hit that was loosely based on the story of The Supremes. It is scheduled to be released nationwide in August, her first movie role since 1996's "The Preacher's Wife." Music mogul Simon Cowell said Houston's death is one of those events where you remember what you were doing when you heard the news. "It's that significant," he said. "I'm so sad for her. She was undoubtedly one of the greatest superstars of all time, one of the greatest voices in our lifetime we're likely ever to hear."

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:08:42 GMT

Stunned celebrities mourn Whitney Houston

The sudden death of singer Whitney Houston at age 48 shocked fans and musicians all over the world. The outpouring of grief was immediate, with one common refrain: The world had lost one of its greatest singers. Nearly all of the trends on Twitter worldwide were shortly associated with the singer's death: R.I.P Whitney Houston, #DearWhitney, #IWillAlwaysLoveYou, The Bodyguard, Bobby Brown and Wanna Dance With Somebody. "The first full hour after the news broke saw 2,481,652 tweets and retweets, peaking at 61,227 tweets at 5:23 p.m. (all times are PST)," according to Topsy.com, which indexes and ranks results based on the most influential conversations on social media "That is over a thousand tweets a second, not quite as much as during the Superbowl but still a lot." Russell Simmons: "My thoughts and prayers are with her beautiful child and her entire family. This is a tough time for the entire music community, as we all loved Whitney. May she rest in peace and may we all dance with somebody tonight." Barry Manilow: "My heart goes out to her family, to Clive (Davis, Houston's mentor), and to everyone who knew and loved this amazingly talented and beautiful artist. I will always love her." Christina Aguilera: "Whitney's voice was so special to me. Her notes soared to places most singers dream of reaching. She will be missed." Kelly Rowland: "I am beyond heartbroken. Whitney Houston was undoubtedly one of the greatest singers and performers of all time and such a huge influence on me." Mariah Carey: "Heartbroken and in tears ... My heartfelt condolences to Whitney's family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth." Smokey Robinson: "I've known Whitney since she was a little girl and I loved her. She was like family to me. I will miss her." Gloria Estefan: "Sending prayers of peace and solace to her family, friends & fans! Such a loss! Whitney was always so sweet to me! Was rooting for her through her struggles! Such a shame ... I'm truly saddened by this news!" Aretha Franklin: "I just can't talk about it now. It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen." Simon Cowell: "You're going to remember where you were when you heard the news. It's that significant. She was undoubtedly one of the greatest superstars of all time. One of the greatest voices in our lifetime we're likely ever to hear. And to hear this news, it really, really, really upset me. It really has." Quincy Jones: "I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Whitney's passing. Ashford & Simpson first made me aware of Whitney when she was just 16, and I always regretted not having had the opportunity to work with her. She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly." Paul Shaffer: "What a voice. What a beauty. What an actress. She had everything and she made us all feel so good when we heard her." Britney Spears: "I was the biggest fan of hers. She influenced me so much. She sent so much love out to the world and she was an inspiration for so many people, and we're there with her." Michelle Williams, of Destiny's Child: "Whitney was my musical hero ... the reason why I wanted to sing. I will never forget the voice." Bruno Mars: "This is terrible news. I'm sick to my stomach. Nobody sang like Whitney. I hate this feeling." Jessica Simpson: "I found my voice singing Whitney Houston's music. Today I lost my idol." Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records: "Whitney Houston was not only an amazing artist but also a beautiful person. She was so smart and her knowledge and appreciation for the musical art form was remarkable. Every time we would see each other, we always had wonderful conversations about life and the business." Cee-Lo Green: "R.I.P. Sister WHITNEY HOUSTON!!!!! We will always love you." Ricky Martin: "RIP Whitney Houston. Sending my love and deepest condolences to her family and friends. Fly Whitney Fly." Nicki Minaj: "Jesus Christ, not Whitney Houston. Greatest of all time." Dolly Parton: "Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, 'Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.'" Kenny Lattimore, R&B singer: "Whitney Houston, the singers' singer and voice that inspired the world. Many emulated, but there is only one Whitney." Marc Anthony: "I can't believe it ...Rest in Peace Whitney. Descanses." Deborah Cox: "I am deeply saddened and touched to the core of this news of my musical mentor Whitney Houston. I'll always love you. xo" Star Jones: "I can't watch any more news. It's too painful when a sister-friend passes; don't want analysis ... want reflection. RIP #Whitney." Magic Johnson: "R.I.P. Whitney Houston. Our prayers go out to Bobbi Kristina and her family." Nick Lachey: "How tragic to hear about Whitney Houston's passing. Such a shame. She had one of the most iconic voices of my lifetime." Clay Aiken: "RIP Whitney Houston. The soundtrack of so many lives. I'm sure heaven reverberates (to)nite with the sound of (your) voice. It always was angelic." T.D. Jakes, producer of "Sparkle," Houston's yet-to-be-released last movie: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely passing of Whitney Houston, whom we were blessed to have just completed work with on the remake of the film "Sparkle." ... At the apex of her career, Whitney had no peer, with a voice that shaped a generation." Gov. Chris Christie: "Whitney Houston was a true New Jersey treasure. Her terribly premature death is an awful loss for her family and the incredible New Jersey musical family. Her soaring talent put her in the pantheon of great New Jersey musical talents like Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and Bruce Springsteen."

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:02:12 GMT

Paul campaign enlivened by No.2 finish in Maine

Ron Paul said Saturday he would keep up his strategy of campaigning in states holding presidential caucuses after his second-place finish in Maine's contest. Paul told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that the caucus strategy made sense for his campaign, which has struggled to raise the amounts of money posted by his competitors or the super PACs that support them. He said he would campaign in primary states only if they allocated delegates proportionally instead of winner take all and the cost of campaigning there didn't exceed his budget. "We're going to continue like we are doing, the smaller states, the caucus states where we can accumulate delegates," Paul said. "We had a good day. We are convinced we will win the majority of the delegates out of Maine today." While the state's GOP chairman announced Saturday that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had won the Maine preference poll with 39% of the vote, the results there are non-binding, meaning delegates could still be awarded to other candidates. Paul said the cost of campaigning in large states didn't make sense for his operation. "To compete with someone with hundreds of millions of dollars is difficult," Paul said. "So for us to spend $25 million and the difficulty we have with raising money with the odds of not coming in first, that is not a wise choice of spending money." Paul agreed the race for the White House is rapidly becoming Romney's to lost. Think he is pretty much there," Romney said. "He does have the money and the organization. He just doesn't have the enthusiasm that I think we have able to get in our crowds, you know, really excited about what he believes in. I think that's his biggest problem. But I would say yes, he is out in front and people are picking away at him. He lost a few but he picked up a little steam today. You have to give him credit for that." Paul said Romney's disposition made him more appealing than the other candidates in the race, but that his positions were far from his own. "It just happens that because I've known Mitt a while longer he is friendlier, but I don't sympathize more with his positions," Paul said.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:21:54 GMT

Romney wins Maine caucuses

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney ended what had been the worst week of his campaign with a quick one-two Saturday -- winning the Maine caucuses hours after placing first in a closely watched straw poll of conservative leaders and activists. In Maine, Romney squeaked out a tight win over Texas Rep. Ron Paul in that state's Republican presidential caucuses, taking 39% of the vote to Paul's 36%. He had gone 0-for-3 in Tuesday's contests in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri, which all went to former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Santorum himself came in second in Saturday's poll of attendees at the much watched Conservative Political Action Conference, with 31% of the vote compared to 38% for the former Massachusetts governor. Romney's campaign released a statement after the Maine results were announced early Saturday evening, thanking the state's voters and continuing to tout his conservative principles as he had at the Washington conference. "We stand for conservative principles, liberty and prosperity. All of these are under threat. I'm in this race because I believe that America can be turned around, that we don't have to accept unemployment over 8%, a national debt that is as large as our entire economy, and a president who, even as his own policies fail, apologizes for America's past successes," the statement read. "We've had enough. It's time to reverse Barack Obama's legacy of domestic disarray and foreign-policy weakness," it added. For Paul, the 3-point margin in Maine was the closest he has come to victory in the 2012 campaign. Still, he's 0-for-9 in the campaign so far as the only one of four GOP contenders not to win a state. "Just remember, the revolution is only beginning," Paul told cheering supporters after the results were announced. "The momentum is going to continue, we're not going away. We're going to be in all these places where we're going to pick up, continue to pick up the delegates, for one good reason -- we have the message that America needs at this particular time." He has said his strategy is to compete in states like Maine, where he can be competitive, and gather up delegates while bypassing others to save time and money. Ultimately, he says, that will keep him in the race until the Republican National Convention in August. "We're going to continue like we are doing the smaller states, the caucus states where we can accumulate delegates," Paul told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Saturday night. Paul said that he might compete in some primary states where votes are awarded proportionately rather than winner-take-all states. "If there is a good chance in one of the very expensive states and it is proportional, we will be in those states," he said, explaining his strategy. Asked if he felt the race was Romney's to lose, Paul responded, "I think he's pretty much there -- he does have the money and the organization." But, Paul continued, "He just doesn't have the enthusiasm that I think we have been able to get in our crowds, you know, really excited about what he believes in. I think that's his biggest problem." Earlier Saturday, Romney visited caucus sites in Maine, something he hadn't done up to this point in the campaign. "I want to be your nominee. I want to beat President Obama," he told caucus-goers in Sanford. "I believe I can. I believe I'm the one person in this race who actually can beat this president. I believe it's essential that we beat this president. That we take America back and that we keep America as it's always been -- the hope of the earth." Maine's caucuses are non-binding, meaning the state's 21 delegates will be allocated later. The state GOP encouraged municipalities to hold their caucuses between February 4 and 11, but some began in late January. One county representing about 2% of the vote was not able to complete its caucuses because of a heavy snowfall. The contest was open only to registered Republicans, though independents and unregistered voters were able to register as Republicans on Saturday to participate. After gaining some momentum with wins in Florida and Nevada, Romney went 0-for-3 on Tuesday while Santorum won in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri. Santorum and Newt Gingrich did not actively compete in the Maine contest, as Paul was the only candidate who had recently campaigned in Maine. But after his triple losses Tuesday, Romney held a town hall in Portland -- his first visit to the Pine Tree state this entire election cycle -- then added events on Saturday morning. That instantly set up a two-man contest between Romney and the Texas congressman Paul, who has a loyal libertarian following. Romney has deep ties in the state: He won its caucuses in 2008, and has long been active in the state's Republican politics as a leading political figure in nearby Massachusetts. Until recently, the race seemed to be Paul's for the taking. As his opponents took hot pursuit of delegates in other states, Paul packed up his V-neck sweaters and headed north -- campaigning over two days in Maine in late January in the run-up to the Florida primary. Huge crowds, a loyal following and the state's caucus system -- which emphasizes open discussion and persuasion over closed voting -- seemed to give Paul the edge. Paul started Saturday at the same caucus site that Romney will attend -- though the two didn't cross paths, their speaking times to caucus-goers about 45 minutes apart. He attended two other caucus sites later in the day. At Romney's Portland town hall, the candidate steered clear of naming Santorum and Gingrich. Instead, Romney continued to train his fire on the man holding the office he seeks, blasting Obama's economic and domestic policies. Yet Romney also came under fire from hecklers who persisted in pestering him and peppering him with questions. At various turns, a heckler screamed that "Romneycare" was the blueprint for "Obamacare," insisted the nation's financial system needed to be regulated and -- at one point -- accused Romney of "not telling the truth" on certain issues. The candidate would have none of it. Romney engaged the heckler -- and others who later joined in -- by directly challenging their assertions. "It was a wonderful reception in Maine," Romney said when asked why he got such a tough reaction from the crowd. "Of course, there are always going to be people who are in favor of President Obama. But if people want to replace President Obama, they're going to vote for me."

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:48:19 GMT

Rapper 50 Cent visits impoverished areas in Africa

Rap star Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson visited Kenya and famine-hit Somalia this week to raise awareness on hunger and poverty issues. Jackson flew to the southern Somali border town of Dolo, which has provided refuge to the thousands of women and children fleeing drought and conflict in the nation. "What I am seeing is devastating -- these women and children have risked everything to come to this Somalia camp, just to get food," Jackson said. "They need our help." Somalia has battled famine conditions in some regions and an Islamist insurgency that has disrupted aid to people in danger of starvation. The United Nations declared an end to Somalia's six-month famine recently, but said the situation is still fragile. The singer teamed up with the World Food Programme for the Wednesday and Thursday visits that included a stop in a slum in neighboring Kenya. In Nairobi, he visited with children at the sprawling Kibera slum, most of whom are orphans. "To meet those kids was so inspiring, they have nothing, yet they are so positive and optimistic," he said in a statement posted on the U.N. agency's website. "I want to do my part so they get food and an education. I hope more people will join me to help end this devastating situation." Jackson has pledged to provide one billion meals for the hungry, and is donating a meal from every sale of a new energy drink, Street King, according to the World Food Programme. The rap star has sold millions of albums and produced major hits including "Candy Shop" and "In Da Club."

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:45:59 GMT

6 days after death, Powell brothers remembered as smart, loving boys

The story of their deaths -- hacked with hatchets, doused in gasoline before the home they were in exploded, according to police -- has been well documented. Six days later, hundreds packed a Tacoma, Washington, church to remember the lives of young Braden and Charlie Powell, describing them as intelligent, compassionate, joyful boys who made big impressions in a short time. "This moment is about two beautiful boys," Dean Curry, lead pastor at the Life Center church, said to open Saturday's memorial service. Authorities say the boys' father, Josh Powell, snatched them from a social worker who was delivering them for a supervised visit Sunday, locking the doors before killing them, as well as himself, just minutes before his Puyallup, Washington, home exploded. The children's mother, Susan Cox-Powell, hasn't been seen since December 2009. Law enforcement authorities in West Valley City, Utah, had identified only one person, Josh Powell, as someone they were investigating in relation to her disappearance. Members of both the Powell and Cox families attended Saturday's service. "Mark this moment. These two families, who have had so much pain, have come together, have set aside very dark and hurtful moments to celebrate children," Curry said. "May each and every one of us remember their example." The memorial featured snapshots of the boys, as well as tributes from their teachers. Tammy Oughton recalled Charlie Powell, a former student in her kindergarten class who turned 7 last month, as an "amazing young man" who displayed a "keen intellect and a compassionate heart." Within Carson Elementary School in Puyallup, "Charlie was known as the little scientist" -- due to his love of nature and vast knowledge, Oughton said. She also noted how much the first-grader loved to write, as well as how "classmates liked the silly little things that he did to make them laugh." "We will miss him, but he will not be forgotten," she said. Charlie's younger brother, Braden, who also celebrated a birthday in January, turning 5, was remembered as a "budding puzzlemaster," "tickle monster" and loving boy in remarks from one of his pre-kindergarten instructors, Kristy King. At the YMCA program he attended, Braden was known for the "huge smile on his angelic face," as well as his "contagious, joyful energy." King described him as affectionate, always quick to hold a teacher's hand and reluctant to let go. "Braden had an enthusiasm for life and took pleasure in everything," she said. "He had a heart of gold." The boys' grandparents Charles and Judith Cox, who were engaged in a long and bitter child custody battle with Josh Powell, took the stage briefly. Charles Cox said that the support they've received since their daughter went missing "helps us to be strong, and helps to know that there are good people." He also expressed thanks for the support his grandsons had received, saying, "All their teachers, their social workers, the police: Everyone was doing everything they possibly could to keep them safe, and to help them and love them." While Susan Cox-Powell has not been found, her father suggested that he believes she is dead -- and that she is now reunited with her sons in heaven. "We know that they are with their mother," he said.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:01:21 GMT

On first anniversary of Mubarak's ouster, unease reigns in Egypt

Hosni Mubarak's fall from power a year ago stunned the world -- three decades of iron-clad rule ended in 17 days by an unexpected groundswell of popular protests. A banner headline in the Al-Ahram newspaper said: "The people have toppled the regime." But in the year that followed, Egyptians increasingly realized that what they ousted was one man, not the military that stood behind him. And they grew bitterly frustrated at what they perceive as the slow pace of change. Saturday brought another reminder of the powers that be in Egypt as America's top military officer was in Cairo to meet with his Egyptian counterparts. On the table for discussion was the fate of 16 Americans who are among 43 foreigners working for civil society institutions who are to be tried in Egypt for receiving illegal foreign funding. And possibly the fate of U.S. military aid, conditioned now on the progress of Egypt's transition to democracy. The United States viewed the legal proceedings against the foreigners as a crackdown, another sign that autocracy has hardly departed Egypt. Many Egyptians would probably agree. On the first anniversary of Mubarak's departure, the plan was to voice their frustration, though Saturday came and went without the ceremony that was anticipated on such a day. Activists kicked off a general strike, hoping for the kind of large protests that made Tahrir Square a familiar name. But the demonstrations were scattered and light. "A year later, nothing has changed. We have been facing the same regime, if worse," prominent activist Gigi Ibrahim told CNN on Saturday. Ibrahim said farmers, students and workers will help "settle this revolution once and for all." "Many people ... don't know what actually toppled Mubarak was the last three days of those 17 days when large numbers of workers in different sectors went on strike," she said from Cairo. The Egypt Revolutionaries' Alliance, comprised of democratic and secular political groups, called for the immediate dismantling of the interim government and immediate presidential elections. It also demanded the dismissal of the prosecutor general, and a purge and overhaul of the Interior Ministry that came to be despised during last year's revolt and again last week as anger mounted over a deadly stampede at a soccer match. The alliance said a committee should be formed to to investigate any crimes by Egypt's new rulers while revolutionary tribunals should try former regime figures. Meanwhile Saturday, an American student was arrested with an Australian journalist and their female translator in the city of Mahalla, north of Cairo, for inciting people to join the general strike and handing them money for doing so, a spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Interior told CNN. Spokesman Alaa Mahmoud said they were transferred to a general prosecutor for an investigation. An official spokesman for the U.S. Embassy said it was in touch with the male student. The arrests came as Human Rights Watch decried what it called a disturbing assault on free expression. "Violations of the right to freedom of expression have included military trials of protesters and bloggers, interrogations of journalists and activists for criticizing the military, the suspension of new satellite television licenses, and the closure of an outlet of Al Jazeera television," the global monitoring group said. It cited cases of notable people who have "faced charges of insulting religion under vague and arbitrary laws dating from the Mubarak administration." And another case in which a pro-democracy activist was sentenced to a year behind bars for handing out leaflets. "Actions like these were hallmarks of Mubarak's 30-year rule, but they also have been used repeatedly in the year since the (Supreme Armed Forces Council) assumed control," Human Rights Watch said. The revolutionaries' alliance, however, was not deterred. The next step, said member Rami Shaath, will be civil disobedience. Don't pay taxes or government bills. The armed forces council came down hard on the strike, saying it "serves those interests of parties aiming for the destruction of Egypt and is a tool brought to Egypt from abroad." Council leaders Lt. Gen Sami Enan and Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, meanwhile, sat down for talks with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Gen. Martin Dempsey. Dempsey's spokesman, Col. Dave Lapan, said they discussed a wide range of issues, including the investigation of nongovernmental organizations in the country and an announcement that 43 foreigners working for such groups, including 16 Americans, would face prosecution. Egyptian authorities carried out 17 raids on the offices of 10 organizations, including the U.S.-based Freedom House, National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute. Among those going to court is Sam LaHood, the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The Egyptians said the pro-democracy organizations had received illegal foreign financing and were operating without a proper license. But some of the groups had been tacitly operating for some time in Egypt without permission, even under Mubarak. Washington threatened to cut off the $1.3 billion in military assistance it gives Egypt every year. In doing so, the United States escalated the crisis that is now testing its alliance with its Arab ally. Lapan gave no details of the meetings. Outside, unease reigned on the streets of Cairo and beyond. The Egyptians served as role models for their Libyan neighbors. They look now to a Syria in flames and flickers of discontent elsewhere and can take heart that they played a role in inspiring people to stand up for freedom. But a year since their own revolution was declared victorious, the euphoria has dimmed. The general strike is open ended. More may take to the streets Sunday, which unlike Saturday is a working day in the Muslim world. Organizers have not given up hope. They are optimistic that momentum will build as long as a military regime rules Egypt.

Published: Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:47:50 GMT

Report: Syrian general gunned down in Damascus

A Syrian general was gunned down in the heart of the capital on Saturday, according to state media, as fresh violence flared in several cities and world powers mulled a way to halt the government's bloody offensive against civilians. An "armed terrorist group" assassinated Brig. Gen. Issa al-Kholi, a military physician who was the director of Hamish Hospital, in front of his Damascus house Saturday morning, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency said. Three gunmen shot him to death, the media outlet said. The killing occurred "In the framework of targeting the Syrian intellectuals and the medical and technical cadres," SANA reported. "A number of efficient, skilled and specialized national cadres were assassinated by armed terrorist groups," said SANA, which cited the killings of a professor, a nuclear specialist, a teacher and a couple of engineers. Al-Kholi once headed the arthritis division at Tishreen Military Hospital and received medical training in Romania and Paris. Andrew Tabler, a Syria expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said al-Kholi is from a powerful Alawite military family and is a relative of Mohammed al-Kholi, the former head of air force intelligence under Hafez al-Assad, President Bashar al-Assad's father and predecessor. The al-Assad family is Alawite, a minority in Sunni-dominated Syria that has a major presence in the military and government. Tabler said air force intelligence is a powerful unit that is in charge of missile systems and investigating military defections. Hafez al-Assad was in that military branch. Jeffrey White, a defense analyst also at the institute, told CNN that al-Kholi was not likely a senior officer or affiliated with a key regime unit. White said he believed the assassination was the first of a higher-ranking Syrian officer in the capital. The capital has not been engulfed with the same kind of daily violence other cities have during the 11-month Syrian uprising, but the killing and recent attacks in Damascus could be a sign that the resistance is spreading to the seats of power. Free Syrian Army Lt. Col. Mohamed Hamado said al-Kholi is "definitely close to Bashar's inner circle" and that his family has been close to both Bashar al-Assad and his father. The FSA is the anti-regime resistance group led by military defectors. The deputy head of the Free Syrian Army said the killing could have been carried out by the regime itself. The al-Assad regime "is now assassinating and targeting anyone they suspect of joining the revolution or thinking of defecting. That may have been the case with General al-Kholi," Col. Malek Al Kurdi told CNN. Al Kurdi claims the regime "assassinated" the deputy head of the armed forces, Gen. Bassam Najm el-Din Antakiali, in September, even though state media reported that he died of an "acute heart attack." At least 30 people were killed in Syria on Saturday, including 12 in Homs, according to the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, a network of opposition activists. Homs, located in the country's west, is Syria's third largest city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, another opposition group, put Saturday's toll at 46, 32 of them civilians. Over the past week, 687 people, including 59 children, have died, the LCC reported late Saturday. About two-thirds of those occurred in Homs. "Today is the seventh day in a row we're under shelling -- nonstop bombardment," an activist named Omar said Saturday. He said government forces have surrounded the area with thousands of soldiers and dozens of tanks: "Not the normal tanks. Big tanks. Russian tanks." "We just want from Assad to give us permission to move the injured baby -- they are just the babies," Omar said, referring to al-Assad. "They have to leave the area to have a good treatment. ... He don't even let us save and treat our (injured) babies." Unrest rippled in the south as five men in the southern province of Daraa were killed when a a tank attacked them in the town of Al Musefra, LCC activist Abu Oudai said. They were among 13 people killed in Daraa, where the government security crackdown and the nationwide uprising started in mid-March. Funerals were held, meanwhile, for 39 members of the Syrian army and law enforcement units. SANA said the officers were targeted while on duty near Damascus and in Homs. World leaders have tried to pass resolutions denouncing the regime's bloody crackdown, but have been stymied by Russia and China in sending a unified message. Almost a week after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution intended to stop the killing, Saudi Arabia has drafted a similarly worded document -- but one that lacks the same punch. The Saudi draft resolution will be submitted to the U.N. General Assembly, where vetoes are not allowed, but resolutions are not legally binding. The three-page draft "strongly condemns" the violations of human rights by Syrian authorities. It cites "the use of force against civilians, arbitrary executions, killing and persecution of protesters, human rights defenders and journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, interference with access to medical treatment, torture, sexual violence and ill-treatment, including against children." The text was provided to CNN by a diplomatic source on the condition that it not be posted in full because it could be amended. The U.N. General Assembly will convene Monday. Both Russia and China, which have major trade ties with Syria, have said they support an end to the violence but disagreed with the text of the draft resolution they rejected last week. "We do believe that, in order to stop violence, armed methods must be stopped not only by the government, but also by the opposition," said Russia's U.N. ambassador, Vitaly Churkin. "That was the key flaw of the draft resolution." CNN cannot independently confirm details of the fighting in Syria because the government has severely limited the access of international journalists. But virtually all reports from within the country indicate al-Assad's forces are slaughtering protesters and other civilians en masse. Opposition activists in Homs describe relentless bomb explosions from Syrian forces, wounded people bleeding to death in the streets because they can't get medical attention and snipers picking off civilians running for cover. U.N. officials estimate 6,000 people have died since protests seeking al-Assad's ouster began nearly a year ago. The LCC says the toll has far exceeded 7,000. Al-Assad's regime has insisted its crackdown is aimed at armed gangs and foreign terrorists bent on destabilizing the regime. But U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford said the truth is obvious. "We know who's shelling Homs," he said. "It's not the opposition, it's the government."

Published: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:46:52 GMT

Romney wins CPAC straw poll

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney won the close-watched Conservative Political Action Conference presidential straw poll on Saturday. Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, took 38% of the vote in the poll. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum received 31%, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was at 15% and Texas Rep. Ron Paul stood at 12%. When asked about their preference for vice president, 34% of the attendees at the conservative conference chose Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney's win took some of the sting out of a bad week for the former governor, who saw the momentum he had gained with back-to-back wins in Florida and Nevada slowed by going 0-for-3 on Tuesday in contests in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri. Conservatives have had lingering doubts about the depth of Romney's conservative convictions, which has kept him from being able to run away with the nomination. "Honored to have won the CPAC straw poll," Romney tweeted after the results were announced. "I'm heartened that so many friends here agree with me about the need for conservative change." In an address to the conference on Friday, Romney tried to convince the conservative leaders and activists gathered that he was one of them, describing himself as a "severely conservative" governor of Massachusetts who stood with conservatives in the fight against same-sex marriage and abortion. He framed his conservatism with his stable family and his private sector experience and defended his business record -- for which Gingrich and Santorum have attacked him. Those attacks have made some Republicans uncomfortable. "I started new businesses and turned around broken ones, and I am not ashamed to say that I was very successful at it," he said. "I know conservatism because I have lived conservatism." He took broad swipes at President Obama and a single, subtler one at his two closest challengers, Santorum and Gingrich, portraying himself as a Washington outsider compared to Gingrich, the former House speaker who resigned his post, and Santorum, whom Romney has hammered over his record on earmarks during his time in Washington. "I am the only candidate in this race, Republican or Democrat, who has never worked a day in Washington," he said. "I don't have old scores to settle or decades of cloakroom deals to defend." Winning the straw poll would have capped a stunning turnaround for Santorum with his earlier three-state sweep. His campaign reported that it had raised $1 million a day in the three days following his sweep. Santorum used most of his address Friday to attack Obama but also took an opportunity to tie the front-runner to the president, calling Romney's health care program in Massachusetts the "stepchild" of Obama's sweeping health care reform. But the straw poll also gives Santorum an argument that he is the stronger conservative challenger to Romney than Gingrich. Gingrich had surged to challenge Romney near the end of last year and stunned him by winning South Carolina's primary, which has been won by every one of the party's eventual presidential nominees since 1980. But Romney successfully counter-punched, with his campaign and super PACs that support his candidacy pouring millions of dollars into attack ads that blunted Gingrich's growing momentum. Gingrich used his CPAC speech to portray himself as the heir to Barry Goldwater's and Ronald Reagan's conservative movement, slamming a GOP establishment that lacks the "toughness," "commitment," and "philosophy" necessary to build a political majority. "This is the year to reset the country in a decisive, bold way," Gingrich declared. "This is going to be a big choice, big decision election." Paul, the fourth major Republican candidate, was invited but opted to stay on the campaign trail in Maine, which announces the results of its caucuses later Saturday. CNN's Peter Hamby, John Helton, Ashley Killough, Kevin Liptak and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report

Published: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:41:37 GMT

Sun newspaper staff among eight arrested in police probe

Authorities arrested eight people Saturday -- including five journalists of Britain's bestselling Sun newspaper -- as part of an inquiry into alleged illegal payments to police and officials. The other three are a police officer, an employee of the Ministry of Defence and a member of the armed forces, the Metropolitan Police said. A search was carried out at News International's offices in east London, the police said, as well as the homes of those arrested. News International, which owns the Sun, is a U.K. subsidiary of media mogul Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Following the arrests, Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News Corp, issued a personal assurance to one of his executives to continue to own and publish The Sun newspaper, according to an internal staff memo sent by News International Chief Executive Tom Mockridge. Mockridge also said he was "very saddened" by the arrests of deputy editor Geoff Webster, picture editor John Edwards, chief reporter John Kay, chief foreign correspondent Nick Parker, and John Sturgis, who is a news editor. The five journalists were arrested at their homes, police said. "I understand the pressure many of you are under and have the greatest admiration for everyone's continued professionalism," Mockridge wrote. "The Sun has a proud history of delivering ground-breaking journalism. You should know that I have had a personal assurance today from Rupert Murdoch about his total commitment to continue to own and publish The Sun newspaper. "Today we are facing our greatest challenge," Mockridge said. The Sun's editor, Dominic Mohan, said in a statement: "I'm as shocked as anyone by today's arrests but am determined to lead The Sun through these difficult times. "I have a brilliant staff and we have a duty to serve our readers and will continue to do that. Our focus is on putting out Monday's newspaper." Mohan has said the paper has a readership of more than 7.7 million. The arrests are part of Operation Elveden, an investigation running in parallel with a police inquiry into alleged phone hacking by the media, the police statement said. Late Saturday, all eight people were released after posting bail, police said. News Corp.'s Management and Standards Committee said it had provided the information to the Elveden investigation which led to Saturday's operation. Elveden has been widened out to include alleged corruption involving public officials, as well as the police. The five journalists, with ages between 45 and 68, were arrested at their residences in London, Kent and Essex on suspicion of corruption, aiding and abetting misconduct in a public office, and conspiracy in relation to both offenses, police said. News Corp. said in a statement that it "remains committed to ensuring that unacceptable news gathering practices by individuals in the past will not be repeated." The other three suspects were arrested on suspicion of corruption, misconduct in a public office, and conspiracy in relation to both these offenses. A 39-year-old officer with Surrey Police is being questioned at a London police station, the Met Police said. The Ministry of Defence employee, a 39-year-old woman, is being questioned at a police station in Wiltshire, as is the member of the armed forces, a 36-year-old man. The police said the operation "relates to suspected payments to police officers and public officials and is not about seeking journalists to reveal confidential sources in relation to information that has been obtained legitimately." The Ministry of Defence said it was a matter for the Metropolitan Police and that it could not comment on an ongoing police investigation. The latest arrests come two weeks after four current and former Sun employees and a London police officer were arrested in connection with Operation Elveden. News Corp. established its Management and Standards Committee in the wake of the summer 2011 scandal over alleged hacking of voicemail, which led to the closure of the News of the World Sunday tabloid. The revelation that a murdered 13-year-old girl's phone was hacked by journalists in search of stories -- and that many other crime and terror victims, politicians and celebrities had also been targeted -- prompted widespread outrage in Britain. News Group Newspapers, part of News International, paid out hundreds of thousands of pounds this week to settle lawsuits over phone hacking from celebrities and politicians, including a former Tony Blair spokesman, Alastair Campbell. The latest settlements meant News Group Newspapers has settled 59 of the 60 lawsuits against it. British Prime Minister David Cameron set up an independent inquiry into press ethics and practices in response to the scandal. Mohan defended his newspaper in testimony before the Leveson Inquiry earlier this month. "The Sun is a private enterprise that performs a public duty with a public interest: to inform a mass readership so that British democracy can function properly," he said in a written witness statement. "The Sun is occasionally boisterous and often cheeky but it is always a loyal companion to our readers, male and female. It relates to them in a more passionate way than any other title and in doing so it has become Britain's best-selling newspaper." Two parliamentary committees are also investigating the scandal. There have been 17 arrests in relation to Operation Weeting, the phone-hacking inquiry, and 21 in connection with Operation Elveden. Three people have been arrested in connection with both investigations. A third police inquiry is investigating alleged email hacking. No one has been charged.

Published: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:14:58 GMT

Greece lawmakers debate bailout deal as crisis simmers

Greece's Cabinet approved austerity measures demanded in return for a new eurozone bailout of the debt-stricken country Saturday, a day ahead of a crucial vote in Parliament. The Cabinet move comes after several ministers resigned from the coalition government and clashes between hooded youths and riot police disrupted a protest rally. Lawmakers are discussing the bill Saturday before the full Parliament votes on the deal Sunday. In a speech Saturday evening, Prime Minister Lucas Papademos urged the Cabinet to approve the deal, warning of "social explosion, chaos" if it fails. "The state will not be able to pay salaries and pensions or import basic goods" such as medicine and fuel, he warned, adding that "unemployment, which is currently unacceptably high, would increase even higher." Ultimately, Papademos said, if Parliament rejects the deal, Greece -- already in the midst of a prolonged recession -- would be "bankrupted and out of the eurozone." Parliamentary approval would pave the way for the eurozone finance ministers to sign off on the new €130 billion ($172.6 billion) bailout deal next week. Greece needs the funds in order to meet €14.5 billion in debt repayments due next month. Some isolated scuffles broke out as protesters rallied in Syntagma Square, in front of the Parliament building, but the mood was calmer than a day earlier. Friday's protest dispersed after youths smashed pavements and began throwing stones and pieces of marble, as well as Molotov cocktails, at the police, who responded with stun grenades and teargas. Meanwhile, a 48-hour strike called by trade union leaders in protest against the cuts rolled into its second day Saturday. Former Prime Minister George Papandreou told the PASOK parliamentary group, the majority party in the coalition, that Papademos was right about the urgent need for the deal and that lawmakers must explain to the Greek people what bankruptcy would mean for the country. Antonis Samaras, leader of the New Democracy party, the other main group in the coalition, told his lawmakers that he would call for an early election if a separate agreement was reached on Greece's private sector debt. In his address to the Cabinet, Papademos said approval of the bailout deal was essential to ensure Greece's future in the 17-nation eurozone and overcome the current economic crisis. "It is absolutely necessary to complete the effort that began almost two years to consolidate public finances, restore competitiveness and economic recovery," he said. Investors in markets around the world watched the Greek Parliament nervously Friday as the drama played out. Even if the sweeping reform package agreed to by Greece and the so-called troika, made up of the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund, is approved Sunday in Parliament, Greek lawmakers must still do more. Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg and head of the Eurogroup, which brings together euro-area finance ministers, said Thursday that other assurances were also needed from Athens before the bailout could be paid out. Greece's political leaders must pledge that they will continue to implement the measures after upcoming elections, he said. Athens must also find a further €325 million in "structural expenditure" cuts for 2012, Juncker added. It is not clear whether Greece's lawmakers have yet hammered out a way to make the additional cuts. The leader of the third member of the coalition government, the right-wing LAOS party, told reporters Friday his party would not back the proposed deal. All four of the party's ministers, including the transport minister and deputy defense minister, then resigned. Deputy Foreign Minister Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, of PASOK, also stepped down. LAOS, the smallest member of the coalition, holds 16 seats in the 300-seat parliament, while PASOK has 153 and New Democracy 83. The bailout deal, which would result in significant losses for bondholders, is intended to help reduce Greece's debts to 120% of Gross Domestic Product by 2020, from about 160% currently. The austerity measures are expected to include job and wage cuts, as well as pension reforms and other unpopular moves. Greek labor unions have waged protests against the measures this week and the issue has become politically charged ahead of planned elections in April. Greece must also settle with its private sector creditors. Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said Thursday that the "basic parameters" of a deal had been reached with private sector creditors to write down a portion of the nation's debt. Greece, which owes some €330 billion, has come close to default before. The nation has struggled to follow through on austerity measures and economic reforms that were a condition of its 2010 bailout package. At the same time, the Greek economy has been in recession for years and many analysts warn that additional austerity could make the situation worse.

Published: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:06:17 GMT

Gingrich jokes about tracking immigrants via mail

GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich got a good laugh from his audience of conservatives Friday when he ribbed the U.S. government for not using mail services, such as FedEx, to track down the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the nation. He said the media didn't need to fact check him because he was engaging in "hyperbole." Well, it turns out Gingrich's suggestion wasn't far from reality. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, two Guatemalans allege that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were guilty of unreasonable search and seizure, and racial profiling when they arrested Guatemalan nationals picking up a package at a FedEx facility in Florida. The package contained a passport mailed to one of them by the Guatemalan government in the type of sting Gingrich was jokingly suggesting. "It is a practical reality that we have the technology that enables us to track -- between UPS and FedEx, we track 24 million packages a day -- while they're moving, and we allow you to find out where they are for free," Gingrich told the Conservative Political Action Committee in Washington. "That's the world that works. Now here's the world that fails -- the federal government today cannot find 11 million illegal immigrants, even if they're sitting still. Now, I have a simple proposal: we send a package to everyone who's here illegally, and when it's delivered, we pull it up on a computer, we know where they are." The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Damaris Roxana Vasquez, a Guatemalan living in Jupiter, Florida, and her friend Gaspar Gonzalez, an undocumented Guatemalan immigrant. It alleges that when the two 21-year-olds drove to FedEx in January 2010, ICE officials arrested Gonzalez, and then went to the car where Vasquez was waiting, held her at gunpoint and separated her from her then 2-year-old son, a U.S. citizen. Gonzalez was deported; Vasquez, who was reunited with her child a few hours later, is fighting to remain in the United States. The incident unfolded after FedEx employees inspected the package and alerted ICE officials that it contained a passport. At the time, a spokesperson for ICE told reporters that the sting occurred because of concerns over document fraud. The passport was returned to the Guatemalan government. John De Leon, an attorney representing the two Guatemalans, said the lawsuit "challenges the interaction of private industry and the government in their attack on Latino immigrants in this country." De Leon said he didn't think the matter should be considered funny by anyone, especially conservatives. "There's nothing amusing about the idea of government using corporate efficiency in order to violate people's rights," said De Leon, who has filed a suit against ICE and FedEx in U.S. District Court in Florida. "This is a rank operation against a Latino group of people. These passports were lawful passports. There was nothing illegal about them." He accused ICE of conducting warrantless searches of the packages. "FedEx can do that, but the government cannot," he said. "Much less FedEx acting as an agent of the government." De Leon added that ICE also violated international law by limiting the Guatemalan Consulate's ability to get official documents to its nationals in the United States. "This is a free country. There should be a wall between the police function and corporate entities. Corporations should not become police agents of the government," he said. FedEx Senior Communications Specialist Chris Stanley said the company "has a long history of cooperation with law enforcement. We do not comment on the specifics of that cooperation." He said he had no details of the case above and directed CNN to federal authorities. The Department of Homeland Security had no spokesperson available for comment. Gingrich told the CPAC audience: "Let me say for my friends in the news media that was hyperbole and we don't need a fact check." Turns out it was closer to the truth than he thought.

Published: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:00:02 GMT

Obama, GOP spar over economy in weekly addresses

A fight over how best to improve the nation's economy emerged in the weekly presidential and Republican addresses Saturday as each side accused the other of obstructing economic progress for political gain. President Barack Obama zeroed in on the payroll tax cut extension, which remains stuck on Capitol Hill after lawmakers failed to agree on terms of a 10-month extension earlier this week. Congress passed a two-month extension of the cut in December, but members of Congress and the president are loathe to continue extending the measure in 60-day increments. In his address, Obama laid out the ramifications of letting the payroll tax cut expire. "At the end of the month, taxes are set to go up on 160 million working Americans," Obama said. "If you're one of them, then you know better than anyone that the last thing you need right now is a tax hike. But if Congress refuses to act, middle class taxes will go up. It's that simple." Congressional Republicans insist the 2 percent payroll tax cut be fully paid for in order to pass. The total cost is estimated to be $160 billion. Obama said Saturday that the delay boiled down to political posturing. "Congress needs to stop this middle class tax hike from happening," Obama said. "Period. No drama. No delay. And no ideological side issues that have nothing to do with this tax cut. Now is not the time for self-inflicted wounds to our recovery. Now is the time for common-sense action. And this tax cut is common sense." Obama encouraged listeners to contact their representatives and urge them to pass the extension. Meanwhile Saturday, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell also levied the charge of political obstructionism in the weekly Republican address, saying Obama and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid were stalling on presenting a federal budget proposal. "While federal law mandates that the president release his budget on the first Monday of every February, the administration has extended that period another seven days," McDonnell said. On Friday, the White House released their budget proposal, which forecast a $901 billion deficit in 2013, and included plans to make investments in infrastructure while raises taxes for the rich. McDonnell also charged Reid with holding up the budget process, saying, "Senator Harry Reid's majority hasn't passed a budget in over 1,000 days. Now, the senator is refusing to even consider a budget on the floor. This is an astounding failure of leadership and management of the nation's finances." McDonnell went on to predict portions of Obama's budget, saying he expected the president to increase taxes, ignore entitlement reform, and fail to address the federal debt. "In short, we can expect that this will not be a proactive budget built to promote fiscal responsibility and future prosperity," McDonnell said. "Rather it appears we'll see a bloated budget that doubles down on the failed policies of the past. Republicans know that we can do better." McDonnell said Obama and Senate Democrats were ignoring their responsibilities as leaders, saying, "At every level, governments should pass budgets on time that fund core functions like education, transportation, and public safety well, and don't waste precious taxpayer dollars. And, at every level, governments should enact policies that ensure our private sector job creators, small business owners, and entrepreneurs can compete against the world, create jobs, and innovate."

Published: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:46:52 GMT

Police arrest suspect in videotaped beating of gay man

One of three suspects in a videotaped beating of a gay man has been arrested, Atlanta police said Saturday. Christopher Cain, 18, was taken into custody around midnight and charged with aggravated assault and robbery, said a statement from police spokesman Carlos Campos. Three men were seen in the video shouting anti-gay slurs as they beat, punched and kicked Brandon White, 20. Police have identified two other suspects but they have not yet been arrested nor have their names been released. White was attacked February 4 outside a convenience store in a working class neighborhood in southwest Atlanta. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed doubled to $10,000 a reward for information leading to arrests. Meanwhile Saturday, community leaders and neighborhood residents rallied outside the convenience store in support of White. "When you see something going wrong, you must do what you're doing here today,' said U.S. Rep. John Lewis. White did not report the attack at first but stepped forward after a video went viral on the internet. The video showed three men punching and kicking White after he stepped out of the JVC Grocery and Deli. The men, believed to be members of a gang called Jack City, yelled: "No f----ts in Jack City." Later, the store's surveillance video showed White, dressed in a purple shirt and black jeans with a cell phone to his left ear, exit the store along with another man. As soon as they stepped outside, White was accosted by his attackers. The surveillance video captured eight men standing around watching, two of them with video cameras in hand. One man lunged at White with a tire in his hands. "If a straight person can walk to the store, I should be able to do the same thing," White said. "I could have died that day. They are monsters. At this point I am beyond mad." He said he could not at first even bring himself to watch the video; he was so humiliated and embarrassed. But after its wide circulation, White decided to talk to the police. "Once they put it out there they set themselves up,"said. "I feel I was violated. The scars run deeper than anyone will know. The physical pain, I can get over that. My thing is: Who's to say they won't come after me again? Who's to say they won't kill me?" FBI agents are also investigating the case to determine whether it meets criteria for prosecution under the federal hate crimes statute. White said he could not comment on that aspect of the investigation. U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said her office is looking into potential civil rights violations based on sexual orientation. Georgia does not have a state hate crimes statute. "The actions depicted in the video are appalling and unacceptable in our community, and we encourage anyone with information about this video to contact the FBI or Atlanta Police," Yates said. Pittsburgh community residents said the corner where White was attacked is notorious for violence. They called for the JVC store to be shut down and asked for beefed up security. Those who attended Saturday's rally said it was up to everyone to make sure this kind of attack does not occur again. "This is not a one day campaign. this is not a one week campiagn, this is a lifetime campaign," said Cleta Winslow, an Atlanta City Council member. Last year, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs released a study that showed that hate crimes committed against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and HIV-affected people were on the rise in America. In 2010, the coalition reported a 13% rise in LGBT hate crimes and documented 27 murders, a 23% increase from 2009. State Rep. Simone Bell, who is openly gay, told CNN affiliate WSB TV that she hopes this case will pave the way for anti-hate crime legislation in Georgia.

Published: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:30:41 GMT

Thousands cheer Suu Kyi on campaign trail

Thousands of cheering people crammed the streets in a southern Myanmar district Saturday to catch a glimpse of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi on the historic first official day of her campaign. Supporters lined the streets of Kawhmu with the party flags of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) as the 66-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate's convoy of 40 cars and vans made its way south to Kawhmu. It was the first time Suu Kyi, hidden from her people for years under house arrest, has been able to openly campaign; the first time people have been able to publicly support her. One banner said: "We want peace and human rights by the people for the people." A year ago, the scene might have been unthinkable. No wonder then that Suu Kyi was greeted Saturday more like a rock star than a politician. She plans to hit the campaign trail for the next 50 days. Dressed in white, Suu Kyi popped out from the sunroof of her vehicle, clutching in her hand flowers that have come to symbolize defiance in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. She registered last month to run for a parliamentary seat in Kawhmu after Myanmar's autocratic regime agreed to negotiate with an ethnic rebel group and pardoned hundreds of political prisoners. National reconciliation has been a priority for Suu Kyi. The international community has applauded liberalization efforts in Myanmar, long secluded from the rest of the world since a military junta grabbed power in 1962. The generals began loosening their grip after international criticism for their country's abysmal human rights record. Western nations have recently extended an olive branch of sorts and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Myanmar in December, becoming the first top U.S. diplomat in the nation in more than five decades. Suu Kyi's party boycotted the 2010 elections that put the military-backed civilian government of President Thein Sein in place. But she can only hope to make a small dent in parliament. The NLD is putting up candidates for 23 of 48 parliamentary seats that are being contested. Even if every NLD candidate wins, the party will have a sliver of votes in the 440-seat lower house. However, the symbolic importance of her run does not escape anyone. Excited supporters were talking about when Suu Kyi will be in parliament -- not if. The daughter of Gen. Aung San, a hero of Burmese independence, Suu Kyi herself became an inspiration with her fight for democracy. She quietly defied Myanmar's military junta for years from from the prison of her disintegrating Inya Lake villa in the former capital, Yangon. She was released from house arrest in November 2010.

Published: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:30:48 GMT

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