Early Start's new website
What's trending for August 10, 2012
Pop stars reign supreme in Forbes magazine’s list of social networking superstars. Rihanna tops the list with 23.8 million Twitter followers and 59.6 million Facebook fans, followed by Lady Gaga, Eminem, Justin Bieber, and Katy Perry.
Also, in China, an angry grandmother has found a new way to deal with fast traffic. She dressed an inflatable doll in lacy lingerie and tied it to a tree near the crosswalk, telling the UK’s Daily Mirror that she hoped drivers would slow down if she “could give them something worth looking at.”
And on its third full day on Mars, the Curiosity Rover has sent back the first 360-degree color pictures of the Red Planet.
NOAA revises forecast– Forecasters now expect more named storms
According to predictions released yesterday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 12 to 17 named storms are likely in this year’s Atlantic hurricane season. Original predictions were made in May for nine and 15 storms.
CNN’s meteorologist Alexandra Steele is here to break down the numbers and explain what you should be prepared for.
Members of the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek make repairs but leave one bullet hole to serve as a reminder of tragedy
The SikhTemple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin reopened today after six people were killed and three others were wounded last Sunday when a gunman went on a shooting rampage. Attorney General Eric Holder will speak at a memorial for the victims, hosted at the temple later this afternoon.
CNN received an exclusive look at the temple, where a bullet hole that punctured the door to the main prayer area remains. Members say it won’t be repaired, but will stay as a reminder of the tragedy.
CNN’s Ted Rowlands reports on his conversations with the temple members.
A controversial mosque in Murfreesboro, Tennessee will open this morning
Delayed by years of protests and lawsuits, the mosque will hold its first prayers today, with a week left in the Holy Month of Ramadan. The opening occurs after a mosque was burned down in Joplin, Missouri, which federal officials are investigating as possible arson.
CNN’s George Howell discusses his exclusive look at the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.
Olympic gold medalist Jenn Suhr upsets to win gold with a vault of 15 feet, 7 inches
The Olympics is full of stories of sacrifice and determination and for pole vaulter Jenn Suhr her journey is no different.
Recently, in the London 2012 Olympics, she fought through injuries and adversity to claim her spot at the top. As a result, she was able to stun the Russian favorite to win the women's pole vault competition with a vault 15 feet, 7 inches.
On "Starting Point," Suhr talks about her journey and other Olympians participating in the 2012 Olympics.
Four-time Olympic diving gold medalist Greg Louganis lends his experience to team USA
Today, team USA continues to turn up the heat at the 2012 London Olympics after take the lead with 90 medals total. A lot of attention is expected to be focused on the pool, as two Americans vie for the men's 10-meter dive.
David Boudia and Nick McCrory have already won a bronze together in the men's 10m platform synchronized dive. That is the first medal for men's diving since the 1996 Atlanta games. 4-time Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis has been an athlete mentor for USA Diving since 2010. Louganis believes Boudia is America's best shot at gold because “he’s been on the international stage a little bit longer, he’s more seasoned. He was a silver medalist at the world championships last year.”
The diving legend also talks about his personal experience at the Olympics, particularly how homophobia led to his distance from USA Diving.
President Obama leads Mitt Romney by 7-points in new CNN/ORC poll
The election clock is ticking down with less than three months until America votes.
New polls show president Obama’s lead is growing and Mitt Romney’s support slipping. President Obama now leads Mitt Romney by 7-points, 52% to 45%, according to a new national CNN/ORC poll.
CNN’s political editor Paul Steinhauser breaks down the numbers and also weighs in on a potential running mate for Mitt Romney.
Breaking News: 7 troops killed in 2 Afghan. attacks
Breaking news this morning out of Afghanistan – A man wearing an Afghan military uniform opened fire on U.S. troops killing three soldiers in the country's southern Helmand province.
On Wednesday there was another deadly attack where a suicide bomb attack in eastern Afghanistan left four Americans dead, including an aid worker and senior members of an army brigade.
– CNN's Chris Lawrence reports
CNN's Jamie Florcruz reports on the murder trial of Gu Kailai, who's accused of killing a British businessman
Jaime Florcruz shares details on Early Start regarding China’s “Jackie Kennedy” murder trial. Gu Kailai, the wife of a recently deposed top official in the Chinese Communist Party, is accused of poisoning British businessman, Neil Heywood.
Chinese officials report that “economic matters” were at the heart of the matter, and that Gu Kailai poisoned Haywood out of fear that Haywood would harm her son, Bo Guagua.
The trial has been adjourned, and a verdict will come soon. China has a conviction rate of 98%, so most experts expect Gu to be convicted.
Media requests release of documents in James Holmes shooting case
Later today, accused aurora shooter James Holmes is expected to be in a courtroom again for a hearing. A Colorado judge will decide whether to lift parts of a gag order to release evidence in the case against him. All this comes on the heels of new reports of more red flags raised that paint a disturbing picture of a tragedy that might have been prevented.
The hearing is centered on media companies’ call for the judge to unseal more documents in the case. Because of the seal, lawyers representing the media do not even know what two of the documents are about.
Criminal defense attorney Lisa Wayne trained the two public defenders for James Holmes' andweighs in.
On Twitter
