American Morning
Terror plot against the Pentagon averted yesterday
Rezwan Ferdaus, a 26-year-old man from Massachusetts, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly plotting an attack on the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol with a remote-controlled model aircraft filled with C-4 plastic explosives.
Ferdaus, who has a physics degree from Northeastern University in Boston, was also charged with trying to provide material support and resources to al-Qaeda to help the terrorist organization carry out attacks on U.S. soldiers overseas.
Today on American Morning, CNN national security contributor Fran Townsend explains how serious of a threat Ferdaus was and how the investigation played out.
Man organizes flashmob to propose to his girlfriend at UCLA
Nam Tran and his girlfriend Trang Vu met each other on the campus of UCLA, so he decided to bring her back to the school for a very special surprise proposal. Tran organized a giant flash mob outside UCLA's Ackerman Union, the place they first met.
Tran and a large group of students and friends danced to Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" before he got down and one knee and asked Trang to marry him. She responded, "duh."
Since then, the video of the proposal has gone viral.
Tran and Vu sit down with Christine Romans and Carol Costello on American Morning today to discuss the proposal and what it's like to have their special moment broadcasted to thousands of people online.
AM One Minute News for Sept. 29, 2011
Here's what you need to know to start your day. This morning, we're monitoring:
* A man was arrested in an alleged plot to strike the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol with remote controlled planes packed with explosives.
* The Justice Department is asking the Supreme Court to look at President Obama's health care law.
* Michael Jackson's assistant testified in the Conrad Murray trial yesterday on the chaotic scene he witnessed when Jackson stopped breathing.
* In Iran, the attorney for the two American hikers who were released last week says he was briefly detained by security forces on Tuesday.
* The House is expected to approve a bipartisan Senate deal that temporarily averts a partial government shutdown.
* Just in to CNN: Sen. John McCain is in Libya. He arrived in the capital of Tripoli a short time ago.
* Tampa Bay Rays grab the American league wildcard slot with a 12th inning walk-off homer against the Yankees, completing an historic comeback.
Tune in to American Morning every morning for the most news in the morning at 6am Eastern.
Minding Your Business for Sept. 29, 2011
This morning on American Morning, Christine Romans reports on the morning business news headlines.
Today we're watching:
* U.S. stock futures are up this morning, but concerns linger about Europe.
* Earlier this morning, Germany's parliament passed a measure to overhaul a European bailout fund.
* Waiting for the latest released on the number of Americans filing first-time jobless claims. We're also waiting for a revision on how much the U.S. economy grew in the second quarter.
* Nokia, the world's largest cell phone maker, is announcing plans to cut 3500 jobs.
* A hacker group known as Cabin Crew hit Goldman Sachs. They published personal information for several employees including CEO Lloyd Blankfein.
* Reebok is required to pay $25 million in refunds for claiming its "Easytone" and "Runtone" sneakers tone leg and buttock muscles.
* You may soon have to start paying more money to see a 3-D movie...for the glasses.
Tune in to American Morning at 6am Eastern every day for the latest in business news.
Talk Back: Why would anyone want to run for president?
From CNN's Carol Costello:
Let’s face it, Americans are demanding of their politicians, especially with the economy in such a rut. Voters love to rip candidates to shreds about both political issues and their personal lives, so who would want to subject themselves to the constant scrutiny and indecision?
The public wants politicians to keep their taxes low, but not cut services. Candidates are not conservative enough and not liberal enough. Is there anything a candidate can do right? Not saying that politicians don't deserve some derision, but as a candidate, you can't even be yourself. So, why would someone put themselves through that?
Talk Back: Why would anyone want to run for president?
Let us know what you think. Your response could be read on our program.
Actor Taye Diggs discusses new children's book 'Chocolate Me!'
Actor Taye Diggs, best known for his work on Broadway and for starring in ABC's "Private Practice," has written a new children's book called "Chocolate Me!"
The book tells the story of a black child who is teased for looking different, but eventually learns to embrace what sets him apart from his predominatly white neighbors with the help of his mother. Diggs, who worked on the book with his cousin Shane Evans, wrote it with the goal of helping kids accept their skin color.
Diggs sits down with Carol Costello and Ali Velshi today on American Morning to talk about the book and what inspired him to write it, and what we can expect from the new season of his hit show, which premieres this Thursday.
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
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