Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Serena Williams wins U.S. Open battle with sister Venus

QUEENS, N.Y. -- Serena William defeated sister Venus in three sets to move within two victories of completing the first Grand Slam since 1988.

The younger Williams won 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in the U.S. Open quarterfinals Tuesday night in front of a celebrity-filled crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was her 11th three-set victory at a major this year.

Serena improved to 9-5 against her sister in Grand Slam matches.

Giant Russian transport aircraft in Syria raise concerns

Three giant Russian Condor transport aircraft have flown into the Assad International Airport near Latakia, Syria, over the past few days. They have unloaded large containers but it's not known yet what's in the containers, reports CBS News correspondent David Martin.

At the same time a passenger flight has arrived, presumably bringing people who will move into the modular housing which has been erected at the airfield and can now hold in excess of 1,000 people. A U.S. official says every indication is that Russia is setting up a forward operating base, but for what reason remains unclear.

It could be preparations for military intervention or it could be a ramping up of military deliveries to the Assad regime.

Russia may insert combat aircraft into Syria creating uneasy air space

The U.S. position is that "any effort to bolster the Assad regime would potentially be destabilizing." According to government spokesmen in both Greece and Bulgaria, Washington has asked them to deny Russia overflight rights, something that has made the Russians angry and led a harsh rebuke of Bulgaria from Moscow.

Hillary Clinton "trying to be as transparent as I possibly can" about emails

Hillary Clinton, asked again about her use of a private server for her email while she was secretary of state, told ABC News' David Muir, "That was a mistake. I'm sorry about that. I take responsibility, and I'm trying to be as transparent as I possibly can."

Last week, Clinton did not apologize for her decision to use the server when asked by NBC News whether she was sorry. On Monday, the Associated Press asked her in another interview why she wouldn't apologize, and she responded, "What I did was allowed. It was allowed by the State Department. The State Department has confirmed that.

Clintons paid State Department staffer to manage private email server

"I did not send or receive any information marked classified," Clinton said. "I take the responsibilities of handling classified materials very seriously and did so."

She told AP that the email issue is "a distraction, certainly," but maintained that it hadn't affected her campaign plan.

In December, Clinton provided the State Department with copies of 30,000 emails - 55,000 pages of documents, in response to a recordkeeping request. And over the summer, Clinton turned over her server to the Justice Department, which is investigating the security of her server and what classified information may have been in the email cache Clinton provided.

Uniformed men accost refugees, leave them adrift at sea

ISTANBUL -- Just off the Turkish coast Tuesday morning, 40 Syrians were crammed on a rubber dinghy, desperate to reach Europe.

On board was Tanya Ibrahim, a high school art teacher from Aleppo, her 3-year-old son, Mohammed Jan, and her husband Abdeqaden, who filmed their dangerous journey. We first met them in Turkey before they set out.

They fled Syria two years ago, after their home was bombed, but they told us there's no regular work for Syrians in Turkey,so they borrowed $2,000 to pay a smuggler.

Mohammed Jan, 3, hangs on to his mother aboard a crowded boat of Syrian refugees headed for Greece

CBS NEWS

Plane catches fire on Las Vegas runway

LAS VEGAS -- A passenger plane caught fire on the runway at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas Tuesday afternoon.

According to the airport, British Airways Flight 2276 was preparing to depart for London's Gatwick Airport with 159 passengers and 13 crew members on board when the fire occurred.

Billowing black smoke and orange flames could be seen pouring from under the plane's wings, sending passengers fleeing quickly from the aircraft and across the tarmac before about 50 firefighters doused the aircraft in minutes.

The airport said all passengers and crew used emergency slides to evacuate from the Boeing B777-200.

Fire officials said 14 people were taken to Sunrise Hospital by early Tuesday evening for minor injuries, most a result of sliding down the inflatable chutes to escape.

British Airways passenger describes plane fire

Reggie Bügmüncher, of Philadelphia, said she was charging her phone and waiting at a gate for her flight when she heard people saying, "Oh, my God." She looked out the window and could see "bursts of flames coming out of the middle of the plane."

Monday, September 7, 2015

Hillary Clinton, fighting for votes, promises to defend unions

Mississippi boy and dog rescued after falling into well

BROOKHAVEN, Miss. -- A four-year-old boy was rescued after being stuck in a well for several hours with his dog, CBS News affiliate WJTV reported.

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said the unidentified boy remained alert and spoke to emergency workers as rescuers hoisted the boy up with a rope.

Clifford Galey, civil defense director for Lincoln County, tells The Daily Leader newspaper that the boy had been trapped in a well nearly 25 feet deep. The hole, about 70 miles south of Jackson,was only about a foot and a half wide.

Lawyers seek federal injunction to free embattled Kentucky clerk

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Attorneys for the Kentucky clerk who was jailed last weekbecause of her refusal to issue marriage licenses to gay couples said Monday they have filed an emergency motion with a federal court that they hope will result in Kim Davis' freedom.

The filing seeks to have Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear accommodate Davis' "religious conviction," and not compel her to grant licenses to gay couples, Liberty Counsel said in a statement.

Kim Davis appeals jailing for denying marriage licenses

"The motion requests an injunction pending appeal for an exemption from the Governor's mandate that all county clerks issue marriage licenses," the statement said.

Davis' lawyer Harry Mihet told CBS News correspondent Jericka Duncan that there is a "win-win" solution that would make everyone happy. "That solution is for the court or the State of Kentucky to remove Kim Davis' name off of the marriage licenses and to allow someone other than her to sign these licenses that do not bear her name," he said.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

In dependent report dismisses Mexico account on missing students

John Kasich to Kim Davis: Comply with the law

Despite her religious beliefs, Kim Davis -- the defiant Kentucky clerk who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples -- should follow the law, Republican presidential candidate John Kasich said Sunday.

"I respect the fact that this lady doesn't agree, but she's also a government employee," Kasich, who opposes same-sex marriage, said on ABC News' "This Week." "She's not running a church. I wouldn't force this on a church, but in terms of her responsibility I think she has to comply."

Kentucky clerk remains in jail; marriage licenses issued

"I think, you know, the court has spoken, the court has ruled as everyone knows," Kasich added. "Most people know, I believe in traditional marriage -- but the court has ruled."

The Rowan County clerk was jailed Thursday after she refused a federal judge's order to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Despite her confinement, Davis' attorney said "she has a clean conscience."

Ill. town names new chief in wake of lieutenant's murder

Ill. town names new chief in wake of lieutenant's murder

Germany prepares to take in thousands of migrants

MUNICH -- There are more than 121,000 Catholic parishes in Europe. On Sunday, Pope Francis called on every one of them to take in migrants.

The Pope made his first public comments on the migrant crisis at the Vatican as the lines of those fleeing Syria, and elsewhere, continue in staggering numbers.

Germany is already bracing to take in 800,000 migrants this year. Many of them arriving in Munich.

Throwing down its borders and opening its arms, the German interior ministry said nearly 12,000 migrants have arrived over the weekend. And counting.

The fear and desperation that had been etched on their faces for so long gave way to relief and smiles.

Lawyers appeal contempt ruling against Ky. county clerk

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- In Kentucky on Sunday, lawyers for county clerk Kim Davis said they filed an appeal -- challenging the ruling that put her in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

"Getting her out of jail is a priority for us because she doesn't belong there. She is a prisoner of conscience," said Attorney Roger Gannam is one of the attorneys representing Kim Davis. Her legal team is hopeful today's appeal on the contempt order will get the Rowan County clerk out of jail soon.

"We hope through this first step and the subsequent appeals steps we take, we will be able to get a higher court to overturn the improper contempt order that Judge Brunning entered on Thursday," said Gannam.

Sunday was the first day Davis' husband Joe saw his wife since she was locked up for defying a court order.

Davis' church didn't hold its usual afternoon service.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Trapped, broke and scared in Budapest

BUDAPEST -- An estimated 3,000 increasingly frustrated refugees and migrants remained stuck Wednesday morning at the main train station in Budapest, as officials refused to let them board trains to wealthier European countries to the west.

As CBS News correspondent Charlie D'Agata reports, after long, dange

Precisely choreographed parade in China to mark WWII anniversary

Beijing is in the final stages of preparations for a massive parade Thursday, which will show off some of its newest military hardware and marks the occasion of China's celebration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Tens of millions of Chinese lost their lives in the war.

Police hunt for 3 suspects after Illinois officer killed

CHICAGO -- A manhunt was underway in far north suburban Fox Lake, after a police officer was shot and killed while chasing three suspects on foot, CBS Chicago reports.

Lake County Major Crimes Task Force Cmdr. George Filenko said the officer was shot Tuesday morning near Rollins Road and Route 59.

Illinois cop shot and killed after traffic stop

At a late-morning news conference, Lake County Sheriff's Det. Chris Covelli said, around 7:50 a.m., the officer radioed he was pursuing three suspects, after looking into their "suspicious activity." Police lost radio contact with the officer, who was later found with a gunshot wound. Shortly after the news conference, Covelli confirmed that the officer died.

In the afternoon, Covelli identified the officer as Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, a 30-year police veteran who was known as "G.I. Joe."

Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmidt said the 52-year-old Gliniewicz was a "dear friend" who was married and the father of four boys. He described Gliniewicz as "a decorated police officer, a family man, and a dear friend for the entire village of Fox Lake."

"Understandably, our officers are having a very difficult day," Schmidt said.

Washington school shooter texted "I'm sorry" to families before killings

Stocks stabilize in Asia after gyrating in China

HONG KONG -- Asian stocks recovered from sharp losses in extremely volatile trading Wednesday as investor sentiment improved amid reports of renewed Chinese government efforts to bolster share prices.

The coming session on Wall Street also looked promising early Wednesday, with futures for the 3 main indexes up about 1 percent each.

On Tuesday, the major U.S. benchmarks finished sharply lower after pessimistic factory data was released. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.8 percent to end the day at 16,058.35, the S&P 500 fell 3 percent to 1,913.85 and the Nasdaq composite fell 2.9 percent to 4,636.10.

The Shanghai Composite Index in mainland China opened 4.4 percent lower Wednesday before scratching out a gain by midday, then slipping 0.4 percent.

Other Asian benchmarks also swung between gains and losses. Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 0.3 percent while South Korea's Kospi edged up 0.2 percent. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index climbed 0.1 percent and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.1 percent.

The Shanghai market saw its last day of trading Wednesday before a two-day holiday to celebrate Japan's defeat in World War II.

Some analysts suspected Beijing was intervening after an initial plunge to prop up share prices heading into the holiday. Investor sentiment also improved on other signs that Beijing was stepping in, including a China Securities Journal report that said nine brokerages have pledged 30 billion more yuan for stock buying, adding to 100 billion yuan put up by 50 brokerages over the weekend.

"The 'National Team' is out in force today in the Chinese markets," said Angus Nicholson, of IG Markets, referring to state-owned agencies that have been used to support the market. The government "has been busying itself in the stock markets, scaring off any bearish sentiment."

After the release dismal manufacturing data from China and the U.S. on Tuesday, investors will be poring over other U.S. economic data Wednesday as well as the Federal Reserve Board's "Beige Book" survey of economic conditions due out later in the day.

On Friday, monthly U.S. jobs data will also provide further clues for investors, as uncertainty over whether Fed officials will raise rates this month continues to overshadow markets.

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in a speech in Indonesia that global economic growth is likely to be weaker than expected. Asia is still expected to lead global growth, but the pace is slowing and could sag further because of recent financial market volatility.

"Overall, we expect global growth to remain moderate and likely weaker than we anticipated in July," Lagarde said. That reflects "weaker-than-expected recovery in advanced economies and a further slowdown in emerging economies, especially Latin America," she said.

Chinese stock index jumps, other Asian stocks rise

BEIJING - China's main stock index surged 5.3 percent Thursday, its biggest gain in eight weeks, as markets across Asia advanced in the wake of Wall Street's rebound, giving investors some relief after gut-wrenching global losses.

The Shanghai Composite Index posted its first gain in six days to close at 3,083.59 points, bouncing back from losses that triggered worldwide selling and wiped nearly 23 percent off its value over the past week. It was the biggest one-day increase since June 30.

Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 2.9 percent to 21,697.31 and Tokyo's Nikkei 225 added 1.1 percent to 18,574.44. Sydney's S&P ASX 200 advanced 1.2 percent to 5,233.30 and Seoul's Kospi gained 0.7 percent to 1,908.00. Markets in India, Singapore, Bangkok, New Zealand and Jakarta also rose.

European markets also advanced in early trading. France's CAC-40 increased 2.1 percent to 4,597.36 and Germany's DAX gained 2.4 percent to 10,240.92.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Canada's Prime Minister Harper: What recession?

TORONTO - Prime Minister Stephen Harper, campaigning for a fourth term on a record of economic growth, has refused to recognize that Canada is in a recession, despite new data to the contrary.

Collapsing prices for oil -- a major export -- have taken their toll on Canada's economy, which has recorded its second consecutive negative quarter, the economic benchmark of a recession. It contracted at an annual pace of 0.5 percent in the second quarter and 0.8 percent in the first quarter of 2015, Statistics Canada reported Tuesday.

That could spell trouble for Harper, whose Conservative Party already faced an uphill battle ahead of the Oct. 19 election. Analysts call the three-way race a toss-up.

Play VIDEO

Canadian politician makes truly bizarre campaign ad

Harper refused to use the term recession, saying the economy was bouncing back after a brief bump. He pointed to 0.5 percent growth in June.

"I think it's more important to describe the reality of the situation rather than to have labels," Harper said.

Harper called Canada an "island of stability" amid rough financial waters. The country avoided the worst of the 2008 global financial crash and fared better than most nations during that period. Unlike the U.S., it avoided a real estate market implosion or credit crisis.

That was before oil prices plunged, dragging down Canada's economy. Now, Harper's bid to become the first Canadian leader to win four consecutive terms in over a century is far from assured.

He has reminded Canadians of their recent prosperity. The Conservatives have run small deficits and are promising balanced budgets.

"We've had a couple of weak months, but the fact of the matter is over the long haul, post the global financial crisis, Canadians know there is no better place to be," Harper said.

Since coming to power in 2006, Harper has managed to pull a traditionally center-left country to the right. He has lowered taxes and supported the oil industry, but he has failed to win approval for new pipelines that would get the oil to market.

Analysts say the left-of-center opposition New Democrats, led by Tom Mulcair, have a chance to gain power for the first time. Mulcair has moved his party to the center and vowed to balance the budget.

No matter what party wins the most seats in Parliament, analysts say a minority government is likely, meaning the winner would retain a shaky hold on power and rely on another party's support to pass legislation.

The campaign is the first three-way race in Canadian history. The vote on the left could split between the New Democrats and Liberals, who could form a coalition.

The opposition Liberals, who governed Canada for most of last century, said they would stimulate the economy with deficit spending on infrastructure.

Opposition Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, the 43-year-old son of late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, said Harper refused to acknowledge the economy was in trouble and his plan was failing.

"Today it has been officially recognized what Canadians have known for a long time, that there is a need for investment," Trudeau said.

© 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

European migrant crisis spills into an unprepared Hungary

BUDAPEST -- There's a crush of humanity flooding into Europe to escape war and poverty on two continents. The chaos has reached Hungary, where refugees are stranded as governments argue over what to do.

By early morning there were already hundreds of refugees at Budapest's main train station, hoping to get to Germany.

But frustration soon boiled over when Hungarian police shut the station down, and tried to force them back.

After having traveled so far, more than 1,000 migrants are now within 100 yards away from the last leg of their journey to Germany, but they are barred from getting anywhere near it.

Play VIDEO

Migrants find risky moves only way to go through Europe

One train left for Munich without any migrants on board, leaving hundreds exhausted and stranded. The refugees had reason for hope Tuesday. Hundreds had managed to leave Hungary by train Monday night.

But in the chaos and despair here, the situation seems to change by the hour -- and European governments seem no closer to figuring out what to do.

In the crowd we saw a familiar face: Mohammed Bazav, a Syrian refugee we met Monday as he was dodging police at the Serbian border.

He was asked where he was sleeping.

"Here, here, in the street," he said, pointing. "Yes, other humans here, all the people sleep in the street."

Play VIDEO

Hungary builds fence to stem flow of migrants

Amar and Najeen are also Syrian refugees. They fled the ongoing war in Homs. They spent all they had left on train tickets, which turned out to be worthless.

Amar and Najeen are Syrian refugees fleeing the war in Homs. But they are now stranded in Budapest with no money and no home.

"The train is closed and no money," said Amar. "Now I don't have any money, all the people don't have any money (sic). All the people."

They just got married last year and were hoping to start a new life in Europe. The last time they ate was "two days," said Najeen, crying.

Trapped and exhausted, Najeen said she wishes she never left Syria.

Even though migrants were shut out of the train station, they're everywhere in this city: in parks, in the streets, and the subway. And they've told us if they can't get onto trains, they'll jump in the back of smugglers' trucks, or walk - anything to get to the richer countries further north.

© 2015 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Pope eases church rule on abortion forgiveness

For one year, it will be much easier for Catholic women who've had the procedure to get back in the church's good graces

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