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Civilian Casualties Factor Into War Decisions

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:46:00 -0500 - The fighting in Gaza has killed more than 600 Palestinians — many of them civilians. Col. Jim Hellis is chairman of the U.S. Army War College's department of national security and strategy. He talks with Ari Shapiro about how the U.S. military factors in civilian casualties when assessing war strategy. Hellis says it's a balance among legal, ethical and political concerns.

U.S. Wants Sustainable Cease-Fire In Gaza

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:34:00 -0500 - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has held off calling for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, preferring what she calls a more durable solution to make sure Hamas can't continue to fire rockets into Israel. But others say waiting too long to get a truce won't help.

Israel Debates Moving Deeper Into Gaza City

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:00:00 -0500 - Israel is under growing pressure to end its military operations in Gaza, following the terrible bloodshed that occurred in the territory over the past 24 hours. However, Israeli leaders are discussing whether to expand military operations in Gaza. That would be a significant escalation of the assault and would inevitably bring even greater casualties among the civilian population.

CNN's Dr. Gupta May Be Next Surgeon General

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:00:00 -0500 - President-elect Barack Obama is looking for a surgeon general. And CNN says its chief medical correspondent is under consideration for the job. Should the offer come, CNN says Dr. Sanjay Gupta has indicated he's likely to take it. The 39-year-old Gupta is a practicing neurosurgeon.

Missing 2 Senators 111th Congress Starts Work

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:00:00 -0500 - On the opening day of the 111th Congress, Roland Burris showed up as promised to claim Barack Obama's seat as junior senator from Illinois. And as promised, he was rejected. Burris and his attorneys left the Capitol to consider their options, and the Senate carried on with the day's ceremonies. A Senate from Minnesota also is vacant because of an election dispute.

Rep. Obey: Cash Needs Pumped Into Economy Now

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:00:00 -0500 - President-elect Barack Obama and Congress are working on a stimulus plan to prop up the ailing U.S. economy. It's expected to cost about $775 billion. Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, tells Ari Shapiro he worried the stimulus package won't be big enough.

Community Concerned Over Spill's Long-Term Effect

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:00:00 -0500 - Two weeks after one of the nation's worst coal waste accidents, officials in eastern Tennessee are trying to ease public health concerns. About 300 acres of land and water were inundated with coal ash — sludgy residue that spilled from a holding pond at a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant. Officials say the health risk is minor, but some people near the plant are skeptical.

Serbia Plays Key Role In Russian Gas Pipeline Plans

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:43:00 -0500 - Belgrade is part of a fierce struggle between Russia and the West over the future of energy supplies to Europe. Russia has taken control of Serbia's state oil and gas industry, while the Serbian capital hopes to be a hub for a major Russian gas pipeline.

Undecided We Stand: Debating Bush's Legacy

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:19:00 -0500 - President Bush leaves office as one of the least popular presidents ever, but he says it's up to history to judge him. Bush likes to recall that Harry Truman was widely reviled when he left the White House 56 years ago but decades later became an icon of strength in adversity.

Rights Case Could Alter Handling Of Terror Suspects

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:14:00 -0500 - The Supreme Court ruled in June that detainees at Guantanamo Bay had the constitutional right to challenge their detentions in U.S. courts. On Wednesday, a federal judge will begin exploring whether detainees at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan have that same right.

Obama Eyeing CNN's Gupta For Surgeon General?

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:17:00 -0500 - Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent and a practicing neurosurgeon, is reportedly in talks to become the Obama administration's surgeon general. Gupta worked on health policy as a White House fellow in the 1990s.

New Congress Starts With Senate Seat Drama

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:28:00 -0500 - The pomp and circumstance of the opening of the 111th Congress was overshadowed Tuesday by the brouhaha over Illinois Senate appointee Roland Burris, along with Minnesota's contested Senate seat and the simmering controversy over Barack Obama's reported pick for CIA director.

Obama Vows No Earmarks In Stimulus Package

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:31:00 -0500 - President-elect Barack Obama has met with his team of economic advisers in Washington and said the government must get its own fiscal house in order. He said new spending in the stimulus package will be carefully monitored, and won't include earmarks.

Burris Gets The Senate Boot, Vows To Take Seat

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:28:00 -0500 - Roland Burris came to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to take his seat as the junior senator from Illinois, but the Democratic leadership in the Senate kept him out. Despite getting shunned, Burris says the law is on his side.

Hoyer Sets Mid-February Timeline For Stimulus

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:24:00 -0500 - Congress is unlikely to meet President-elect Barack Obama's plea for an economic stimulus package that would be ready by the time he takes office Jan. 20. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says the package is likely to be ready for Obama's signature by mid-February.