CNN news 2011-10-14
CARL AZUZ, CNN ANCHOR: Today`s forecast: widespread global headlines, zero chance of commercials, at least for the next 10 minutes. From the CNN Newsroom to your classrooms, this is CNN Student News.
First up today, the U.S. Congress is considering taking action on President Obama`s jobs bill. It was schedule to come up for a procedural vote, which is kind of like a test vote last night.
But here`s the thing about it: no one expects it to pass.
AZUZ (voice-over): Everyone in Washington wants to find ways to create jobs in America, even though they don`t agree on how to do that. President Obama says his bill is the solution, and he`s been pushing to get it passed.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Let`s put construction workers on the job. Let`s put teachers in the classroom. Let`s give small businesses a tax break. Let`s help our veterans. Pass this bill. Let`s meet our responsibilities.
AZUZ: The economy is expected to be a big focus of next year`s presidential election. Some people think the debate over this specific bill is actually more about politics than about really trying to get something done.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL: What this week has shown, beyond any doubt, is that Democrats would rather talk about partisan legislation they won`t pass, than on actually passing legislation we know would create jobs.
AZUZ: U.S. officials say they`ve broken up an alleged murder plot targeting Saudi Arabia`s ambassador to the United States. Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are allies. And according to authorities, this plan was organized by people inside Iran`s government.
AZUZ (voice-over): Justice officials say two men, both with ties to Iran, began plotting to kill the Saudi ambassador back in the spring. A spokesman for Iran`s government said the alleged plot is a complete lie. This is a developing story, so if you want the latest details on it, you could go to our home page -- that`s cnnstudentnews.com.
AZUZ: The Dallas Mavericks are the reigning champs in the National Basketball Association, but defense of that title for them? Going to have to wait a bit, because the NBA has canceled its first two weeks of its season.
This is part of that lockout that started in July we`ve been telling you about. Owners and players can`t make a deal on the rules for player salaries and how to split up the money that the league makes. And this isn`t just a sports story, it`s a business one as well. Mark McKay looks at the financial ripple effects of this lockout.
MARK MCKAY, CNN REPORTER: Philips Arena is home to the NBA`s Atlanta Hawks, but these doors won`t be opening for basketball any time soon. The league`s decision to cancel some regular season games made sure of that. But that decision just doesn`t impact team owners and players. It also affects surrounding businesses that count on those games being played.
SCOT HUMPHREYS, GM, DANTANNA`S: There`s definitely going to be a decrease in business on what would have been home games. We usually get a nice pop two hours before the game. Then depending on how they do, some after-game business.
AARON BUGGS, ASSISTANT GM, STATS RESTAURANT: We always try to make sure we have a good showing of conventioneers to come to the restaurant. But as far as filling the void from Philips Arena, there`s pretty much nothing that we can do. I mean, our hands are pretty much tied when it comes to that.
MCKAY (voice-over): The NBA just completed one of its most successful seasons in years. Attendance, merchandise sales and television ratings were all up, but that momentum could be lost if the current lockout continues for an extended period.
CHRIS MANNIX, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SENIOR WRITER: These two sides should be sitting in a room in New York City for the next, you know, week, two weeks, however long it takes to get done. But right now, they seem content to not negotiate, not meet, and to sort of let this thing play out and see who blinks first.
MCKAY (voice-over): The cost for this waiting game will be expensive. NBA commissioner David Stern said the league lost $200 million by canceling the preseason. If a significant amount of regular seasons games are lost as well, the league will find itself having to satisfy broadcast partners who paid billions to televise those games.
KURT BADENHAUSEN, FORBES SENIOR EDITOR: The NBA is going to have to make good with their TV partners. They`re not going to continue to pay for no games. And, you know, it has effect on the TV partners because they use NBA games, which are strong ratings drivers for a, say, a TNT. They`re strong ratings drivers, and that helps boost ratings for other programming.