Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 04/13/09
Tonight on AC360°, we take you inside the cockpit of a plane where a passenger is at the controls after the pilot died in flight. Some very tense moments. Air traffic control operators did an amazing job helping the passenger safely land the plane.
And, don't miss Erica Hill's webcast on the daring landing and tonight's other headlines during the commercials. Watch our WEBCAST
Want to know what else we're covering tonight? Read EVENING BUZZ
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And take a look at our live web camera from the 360° studio. Watch the WEBCAM
Evening Buzz: Pirates' Revenge Coming?
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
President Obama wants to get tough on pirates operating off the coast of Africa. Today he praised the work of U.S. Navy SEALs who rescued American Capt. Richard Phillips and killed three pirates.
"I share our nation's admiration for Captain Phillips' courage and leadership and selfless concern for his crew. I want to be very clear that we are resolved to halt the rise of piracy in that region. And to achieve that goal, we're going to have to continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks. We have to continue to be prepared to confront them when they arise. We have to be sure that those that commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes," Pres. Obama said.
Meantime, pirates in Somalia are vowing revenge for the killings.
Three gunshots, all fatal, led to the successful rescue operation in the waters off Somalia yesterday. Navy SEAL snipers hit three pirates on their lifeboat in near darkness to end a five-day hostage standoff. The pirates had repeatedly threatened to kill their hostage, Capt. Phillips. A fourth pirate, who fled the lifeboat to get medical attention earlier in the day, is now in U.S. custody. The Justice Department is reviewing the case to see if the surviving pirate should face U.S. prosecution.
Do you think he should face charges?
Also, do you think the U.S. can do more to patrol the waters off Africa to fight piracy?
Sound off below.
The first officer of Capt. Phillips' ship called on U.S. to fight tough against piracy, "America has to be at the forefront of this. It's time for us to step in and end this crisis. It's a crisis. Wake up. This crew is lucky to be out of this with every one of us alive. We're not going to be that lucky again," said Shane Murphy.
Join us for the latest developments on the rescue of Capt. Phillips tonight on AC360°. We'll also have tonight's other headlines, including the remarkable story of a passenger who landed a plane after the pilot died.
Turn to CNN in at 10pm ET.
See you then!
Goldman reports $1.8 billion profit
Tune in tonight for more on the economy and Goldman Sachs with Ali Velshi on AC 360° at 10 p.m. ET.
The big investment firm also sets plans to sell $5 billion in stock, paving the way for it to repay its TARP loans.
Colin Barr
Fortune
Goldman Sachs reported a much stronger-than-expected first-quarter profit Monday, bouncing back from its worst quarter as a public company.
Goldman (GS, Fortune 500) also set plans to raise $5 billion through a sale of stock, saying it wants to become the first big bank to repay the federal loans extended during last fall's financial sector meltdown.
In reporting its results a day earlier than expected, New York-based Goldman said it earned $1.81 billion, or $3.39 a share, for the quarter ended March 31. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial were looking for a profit of $1.64 a share.
Video: Captain Phillips' wife speaks out
The wife of the captain held hostage by pirates makes a statement about her husband's release.
Video: Easter egg roll
The Obamas celebrated their first spring at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday by hosting one of the oldest presidential traditions — the annual White House Easter egg roll.
More than 4,000 area schoolchildren were estimated to take part in the festivities on the White House South Lawn, which kicked off with a joint appearance by the first family and the Easter bunny on the residence's famous Truman Balcony.
Family of slaying suspect says charges 'out of character'
CNN
The family of a woman who faces charges of killing an 8-year-old playmate of her daughter's said Sunday the accusations are "completely out of character." The Tracy, California, family offered their prayers to the victim's family.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of this beautiful girl," said a man who would not give his name, identifying himself only as a relative of suspect Melissa Huckaby, 28.
He was referring to Sandra Cantu, who was last seen alive March 27 in the mobile home park where she lived with her family - the same mobile home park where Huckaby lives with her own 5-year-old daughter. The two children were close friends and played together frequently, Tracy police Sgt. Tony Sheneman said.
Sandra's body was found Monday, stuffed into a suitcase and submerged in a pond at a dairy farm.
Huckaby was arrested late Friday after she was questioned by police. She faces kidnapping and murder charges in Sandra's death.
Beat 360° 4/13/09
Ready for today's Beat 360°?
Everyday we post a picture – and you provide the caption and our staff will join in too.
Tune in tonight at 10pm to see if you are our favorite!
Here is the 'Beat 360°' pic:
U.S. President Barack Obama jokingly speaks into the ear of a costumed Easter Bunny after his microphone malfunctioned at the start of the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
Have fun with it. We're looking forward to your captions! Make sure to include your name, city, state (or country) so we can post your comment.
UPDATE: Check out our Beat 360° Winners!
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But wait!… There’s more! When you win ‘Beat 360°’ not only do you get on-air prime-time name recognition (complete with bragging rights over all your friends, family, and jealous competitors), but you get a “I Won the Beat 360° Challenge” T-shirt!
Obama's ASU legacy
Editor's note: Mark Preston is the political editor for CNN.
By Mark Preston
CNN
Keep the honorary degree - I'd take the scholarship program.
Arizona State University's refusal last week to present an honorary degree to President Obama cast an unnecessary dark cloud over the school and forced officials to do something they apparently were trying to avoid: recognize the president for his accomplishments.
Instead of giving him a piece of paper, the school now has named its "most important scholarship program" after him - and the controversy still hasn't gone away.
Warren Buffett's electric car
Warren Buffett hasn't just seen the car of the future, he's sitting in the driver's seat. Why he's banking on an obscure Chinese electric car company and a CEO who – no joke – drinks his own battery fluid.
Marc Gunther
Fortune Magazine
Warren Buffett is famous for his rules of investing: When a management with a reputation for brilliance tackles a business with a reputation for bad economics, it is usually the reputation of the business that remains intact. You should invest in a business that even a fool can run, because someday a fool will. And perhaps most famously, Never invest in a business you cannot understand.
So when Buffett's friend and longtime partner in Berkshire Hathaway (BRKB), Charlie Munger, suggested early last year that they invest in BYD, an obscure Chinese battery, mobile phone, and electric car company, one might have predicted Buffett would cite rule No. 3 above. He is, after all, a man who shunned the booming U.S. tech industry during the 1990s.
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