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VIDEO: Pope Francis reminds followers 'we are protectors of one another'
Pope Francis talks about the importance of protection during his official inaugural Mass.
Police: Fmr. UCF found dead in dorm room, planned a larger attack at school – Ed Lavandera reports
This morning, CNN has new developments in the apparent suicide of a former student at the University of Central Florida. Police were called to a UCF dorm early Monday morning by a student who said his roommate had pulled a gun on him. The suspect, 30-year-old James Oliver Seevakumaran, was dead by the time officers arrived.
Investigators say they found a detailed plan for an attack, homemade bombs, a handgun, an assault weapon and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Investigators now believe Seevakumaran was planning a massacre on campus. CNN’s Ed Lavandera has more on the investigation.
Police say they don’t know what made Seevakumaran turn his gun on himself, but “it could have been a very bad day for everybody” on campus. Police Chief Richard Beary told reporters, “All things considered, I think that we were very blessed here at the University of Central Florida."
Investigators say they discovered several weapons among "writings laying out a timeline of what Seevakarum planned to do," Lavandera reports. "A plan, investigators say, was designed to, quote, ‘give them hell.' We don't know who he planned to target, but investigators say he was acting as a ‘lone wolf.’”
Late winter blast smacks the Northeast with snow – Alison Kosik reports
Spring may be just hours away, but the chill is here to stay in some parts of the United States.
Blowing snow forced the closure of many roads and highways from North Dakota to Minnesota. In the Northeast, snow, ice and rain turned roads in the New York City area into slick, slippery messes overnight. Boston is meanwhile bracing for up to six inches of snow today and the New England Mountains could see up to a foot of snow.
Alison Kosik is live in Concord, New Hampshire with more on the late winter blast on "Early Start" this morning.
Report: Americans aren't saving enough for retirement
Christine Romans is minding your business with details from a study on retirement savings, and the latest on U.S. stock futures and world markets.
An EBRI report reveals that people are not putting aside enough for their retirement. “You’ve got 57% have less than $25,000 in savings,” Romans says. “That is not enough.” Only about 12% has more than $250,000 saved. “That’s where you want to be,” she says. But more people are less confident about saving for retirement due to job uncertainty, day-to-day expenses and high debt.
Stock futures indicated slightly lower opens this morning as the recession deepens in Europe. Cyprus is set to become the fourth European country to get a bailout and possibly be a headwind for U.S. stocks. After a major rally, “the market's been ripe for a pullback,” Romans says, “so tread carefully here.”
Steubenville teens found guilty as mom of victim speaks out for first time – Poppy Harlow reports
CNN's Poppy Harlow reports on two Ohio teens convicted and sentenced to a juvenile correctional facility for rape. The Steubenville rape victim’s mother spoke out for the first time since her daughter was raped. See what her mother said, as reported by CNN's Poppy Harlow on this morning’s Early Start.
Report: Workers choose cheaper health plans when given choice
Alison Kosik looks at a Wall Street Journal report showing when given the choice, workers choose cheaper healthcare plans.
Pope Francis's personable character energizes world's Catholics
CNN's Ben Wedeman looks at how the personable character of Pope Francis is energizing Catholics around the world.
Arrests after dramatic helicopter prison break in Canada – Paula Newton reports
Even by dramatic jailbreak standards, this escape was particularly brazen.
Two men posing as tourists reportedly commandeered a helicopter from a Canadian tour company, ordered the pilot to fly over a detention center near Montreal, hoisted two inmates using cables or ropes into the hovering aircraft - and zipped away.
All in broad daylight. All in full view of incredulous witnesses.
But despite the movie-worthy getaway, the prisoners' freedom didn't last long. By early Monday morning, authorities arrested both inmates and two other people.
CNN's Paula Newton reports on this brazen prison break on "Early Start" this morning.
READ MORE: Canadian prisoners captured after daring helicopter escape
Zoraida Sambolin goes behind the big top for Cirque du Soleil's 'Totem'
For almost 30 years, Cirque Du Soleil has been entertaining audiences with its visual and acrobatic artistry. The latest production is called "Totem." Inspired by mankind’s origin myths, Totem show traces the evolutionary journey of the human species from an amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly.
Zoraida Sambolin visits the set and talks with the artists and performers at the Big Top in CitiField, its New York City location. She even goes head over heels with one of the show's entertainers.
CNN Trends: Kate wants a girl and Will wants a boy, soccer player banned for alleged Nazi salute
Reports say Duchess of Cambridge wants son and William wants daughter, and Greek soccer player banned for Nazi salute.
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