American Morning
Al Qaeda expands presence in Yemen amid unstable government
Yemen has become increasingly unstable and violent in recent weeks as the future of President Ali Abdullah Saleh remains uncertain and 40,000 protesters march in the capital city. Tuesday Yemeni protesters and military and pro-government gangs clashed in several areas, with at least six killed and hundreds more injured.
The United States has said it has no intention of stopping its military aid to Yemen, despite the unrest. The aid supports Yemeni counter-terrorism efforts against al Qaeda’s influence in the country, where the group has active operatives.
Today on American Morning, Paul Cruickshank, CNN terrorism analyst and alumni fellow at New York University’s School of Law, explains how al Qaeda is expanding its reach in Yemen while the President is distracted.
Are U.S. authorities worried by what al Qaeda could achieve with a greater stronghold there?
Emergency 737 inspections broaden talk of aging aircraft
(CNN) - The Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency Airworthiness Directive Tuesday mandating operators of at least 80 older Boeing 737s to conduct inspections for wear and tear. The order comes days after a Boeing 737 flown by Southwest Airlines made an emergency landing with a hole in its fuselage. The planes must be inspected every 500 cycles, which are take-offs and landings, until more can be learned about a Friday incident when a Southwest Airlines plane landed with a hole in its fuselage.The FAA mandate affects about 80 U.S.-registered 737-300s, 737-400s and 737-500s, mostly operated by Southwest. Another 95 or so aircraft are registered outside the United States.
How safe are our planes? Do low-cost carriers planes that fly frequent, shorter flights need more maintenance? Today on American Morning Peter Goelz, former National Transportation Safety Board managing director, explains the meaning behind the emergency inspections.
Jeep flies by police in wild chase
Have you seen this?
A couple wanted for armed robbery blows by a police road block in a Jeep in Catawba, North Carolina. Ali Velshi shows you on American Morning.
Malcolm X book reveals startling details of his assassination
Details in a new biography about the life and legacy of Malcolm X reveal new information about the activist’s early life and his assassination in 1965.
The book, Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention, suggests that police were aware of death threats against Malcolm X and stood back, and that different people may have been involved in the assassination than those convicted.
Today on American Morning, Zaheer Ali, the lead researcher on the book who has spent most of his academic career researching Malcolm X, talks about reactions to the new information with AM’s Ali Velshi. He explains the importance of revisiting Malcolm X’s story.
Van Hollen hopes 'cooler heads prevail' in budget demands
Earlier on American Morning, Texas Republican Rep. Jeb Hensarling told AM's Christine Romans that Senate Democrats have done little to help reach a budget deal for funding the federal government. "So far there's nothing in the Senate," Hensarling said. "The Democrats not only do they not have a bill, they don't have a plan. They've put nothing on the table."
Maryland Democrat Rep. Chris Van Hollen responds this morning with AM's Kiran Chetry. Van Hollen says it is the Republicans' unwillingness to move on their position, rather, that is holding back a deal. He says Tea Party Republicans are "fueling this drive toward a shutdown."
"I really hope that cooler heads will prevail," Van Hollen tells AM, "because if you go to a shutdown, it will create all sorts of problems around the country."
Watch Van Hollen's full interview with Kiran here:
Obama intervening in budget battle 'better late than never'
The budget battle continues in Washington today with only a few days left for Congress to come to an agreement on the 2011 federal budget. If a deal is not reached by Friday at midnight, part of the government will shut down. President Obama has called a White House meeting Tuesday for Congressional leaders to try to reach a deal and avoid the shutdown.
So, how close is Congress to closing a deal? Today on American Morning, AM’s Christine Romans talks with Texas Republican Rep. Jeb Hensarling, a member of the GOP leadership involved with negotiations.
Hensarling tells AM that Obama stepping in is "better late than never." But, he says, not having a Senate bill is a problem. "I'm afraid the Senate probably wants to have a shutdown. They think it's in their political best interest."
For the full interview, watch here:
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