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CNN Trends: Bribery, Bieber, B-ball
Dad bribes daughter to quit Facebook, Justin Bieber hits a milestone and a 2-year-old's basketball skills win the web.
Iran claims released footage is from downed U.S. drone – Reza Sayah reports
(CNN) - Iran says it has decoded and released footage from a U.S. drone that it downed more than a year ago.
The black and white aerial footage, Iran claims was from a RQ-170 spy plane, was aired by Iranian news agencies and placed on YouTube.
A man, identified in Iranian media as Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, narrates parts of the footage.
CNN can not independently verify the authenticity of the video. Also CNN could not immediately reach Pentagon officials for comment.
This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Reza Sayah looks at the claims from Iran, and whether the claims could be true.
READ MORE: Iran claims released footage is from downed U.S. drone
Fmr. scout: 'In order to remain relevant, the Boy Scouts need to stop discriminating'
The Boy Scouts are considering a major shift in their policy toward homosexuals and their board could vote to lift the national ban on gay scouts and leaders today. If that happens, local troops will decide on their own whether or not to accept gays.
After James Dale was expelled from the Boy Scouts in 1990 for being gay, he filed a lawsuit against the organization in New Jersey State court saying his expulsion violated New Jersey's state law against discrimination. His case made it to the Supreme Court in 2000, and it was ruled that the Boy Scouts could refuse membership to people who identify as gay.
Dale joins Early Start this morning to comment on today's vote, saying that he thinks it's "great that they’re having a conversation about this but I think it’d be more important if they did the right thing once and for all."
"What they’re going to do now is kick the can down the road and delay the inevitable," Dale says. "They can’t continue to discriminate... Unfortunately I think what they’re going to do today is compromise. They’re going to go half way."
Dale also responds to a comment by the president of the Southern Baptist Convention Richard Land on Starting Point yesterday, when he said that allowing gays could be a "catastrophe" that would propel many members to leave the Scouts.
"I’m not going to comment about what a small minded hate monger has to say about discrimination issues," Dale says.
Ski champ Lindsey Vonn tears ACL, MCL in race crash – BleacherReport.com's Jared Greenberg on her condition
(CNN) - Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn suffered a "complex knee injury" when she crashed during the opening day super-G at the Alpine Ski World Championships in Austria on Tuesday, doctors said.
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association said the four-time Alpine World Cup champion was airlifted from the race course in Schladming, Austria, to a hospital. She was evaluated and released, according to the U.S. Ski Team.
Vonn, 28, does not need immediate surgery on the "complex torn ligament" in her right knee, said Dr. Christian Kaulfersch, who is treating her at the Schladming Hospital.
U.S. team officials are considering whether she should fly back to the United States or remain in Europe for treatment, he said.
This morning on "Early Start," BleacherReport.com's Jared Greenberg reports on the latest in Vonn's condition.
READ MORE: Ski champ Lindsey Vonn injures knee in race crash
Boy Scouts of America to vote on ending ban against gay membership – Casey Wian reports
Irving, Texas (CNN) - The polarizing debate over whether Boy Scouts of America should allow gay members could culminate with a vote on a new policy Wednesday.
But no matter which way the vote goes, activists on both sides aren't going to be satisfied.
The controversy pits leaders of religious groups that sponsor about 1 million Boy Scouts against activists who want the organization to end its ban on openly gay Scouts and Scout leaders.
Representatives from both camps aren't happy with a proposal to let local troops decide if they want to allow gay members.
This morning on "Early Start," Casey Wian reports on the highly anticipated vote.
READ MORE: Boy Scout leaders to vote on ending ban against gay membership
VIDEO: Bunker where Ala. boy was held hostage rigged with bombs – Victor Blackwell reports
Victor Blackwell on details inside the bunker where an Ala. boy was held hostage for a week.
Study: Salaries for liberal arts grads up
Christine Romans looks at a study showing salaries for liberal arts graduates are on the rise.
CNN Trends: Obama skeet-shooting doll, Gaga demands
Skeet-shooting President Obama doll for sale, and a list of Lady Gaga's diva demands.
The road ahead for Ala. child hostage Ethan – Psychologist Patricia Saunders weighs in
Clinical psychologist Patricia Saunders Ph.D. on how family and the community could help 5-year-old Ethan after being held hostage for a week in an underground bunker.
'Stuff You Should Know' podcast hosts: The age of being dumb...is over
"Stuff You Should Know," the Science Channel's new primetime show, sounds like a show we should all be watching. It's based on the hugely popular podcast, downloaded by 5 million monthly.
It features two regular guys trying to explain the secrets of the universe, and the emphasis is on "trying to."
The show premiered on Jan. 19th, and this Saturday the Science Channel will run a marathon of the show.
This morning on "Early Start," hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explain the allure of their podcast, and explain why it's now cool to be smart.
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