CNN news 2011-11-02
CARL AZUZ, CNN ANCHOR: Big thanks to the students and teachers at Garner Hayfield Middle School. That was one seriously great introduction, so we do appreciate it. I`m Carl Azuz. Let`s get to today`s headlines.
First up, we`re talking about a deadly attack that happened in Afghanistan over the weekend. More than a dozen people were killed, including nine Americans. Four of them were U.S. troops. According to officials, two British civilians, a Canadian soldier, a citizen of Kosovo and four Afghans also died in this attack.
AZUZ (voice-over): It all happened in the city of Kabul -- that`s the capital of Afghanistan. A suicide bomber drove his car into an armored bus that was part of a convoy from NATO. The Taliban said it was responsible for this attack. The Taliban is the militant group that ruled most of Afghanistan before the U.S. led the invasion that kicked the Taliban out of power in 2001.
The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan called Saturday`s attack " a shock," but he also showed determination, saying, quote, "We are not going to let these guys win."
AZUZ: In the U.S., parts of the East Coast are dealing with the impact of a major snowstorm that hit over the weekend. You might expect this kind of thing in January, not in October.
AZUZ (voice-over): The early winter weather dumped snow from Maryland and Pennsylvania up into New York, New Jersey and farther northeast. Some spots got more than nine inches of snow in less than a day, and this storm is being blamed for several deaths.
Millions of people had their power knocked out. Travelers were stranded when flights were canceled, airports closed. An iReporter shot this video of a tree that fell under the weight of the snow.
Big problem in some areas was that since the leaves hadn`t fallen yet, trees accumulated more snow. They took on even more weight than they normally might, and that weighed them down, weighed them even more, causing them to crash.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: See if you can ID me. I`m an island that`s part of New York state. I was the first stop for millions of immigrants coming to America. I`m part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, but I`m not Liberty Island.
I`m nearby Ellis Island, and I`m sometimes called "America`s Golden Door."
AZUZ: When those millions of immigrants came to Ellis Island, they were greeted by the Statue of Liberty. We mentioned last Friday that it was Lady Liberty`s 125th birthday. She`s due for some improvements. But Emily Schmidt explains that even though the statue might change, what it symbolizes stands the test of time.
EMILY SCHMIDT, CNN REPORTER (voice-over): When a statue stands watch for 125 years, sometimes things come full circle, like these words, said by President Grover Cleveland at the dedication in 1886, and repeated again Friday.
KEN SALAZAR, SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR: We will care for her. We will celebrate her. And we, the people of the United States, will continue to perfect her in both word and in deed.
SCHMIDT (voice-over): At 305 feet, one inch in the air, the statue`s tower of copper and gold leaf is a testament to liberty and opportunity. Nearly 12 million immigrants passed her to get to Ellis Island.
SALAZAR: . so help me God.
CROWD: So help me God.
SALAZAR: Congratulations.
SCHMIDT (voice-over): One twenty-five more became U.S. citizens in New York on her birthday.
ANATOLLY GRYSCHCHENKO: And for me, it`s just a personal achievement that I`ve been dreaming for years and years, and I am extremely excited to be here. And I cannot wait to take that oath.
SCHMIDT (voice-over): The statue is due for $27 million in upgrades next year, including safety improvements and an elevator so anyone can reach the observation deck. And everyone is in for a new view.
BRIAN CURY, CEO EARTH CAM: Lady Liberty is our statue, our icon, and I think people will see it in the perspective they`ve never seen before.
SCHMIDT (voice-over): These five webcams unveiled Friday will live stream pictures, including the first views from the torch since it closed to visitors in 1916. That torch still burns more fiercely than even 125 birthday candles, a continuing beacon to the world. I`m Emily Schmidt reporting.