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Attack in Kabul; American Hikers May be Freed in Iran; Libya: Forging a New Future; Novak Djokovic Wins U.S. Open, Fourth Grand Slam; Buenes Aires Bus Crashes Into Two Trains During Morning Commute

Aired September 13, 2011 - 08:00:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: Welcome to NEWS STREAM, where news and technology meet.

I'm Kristie Lu Stout, in Hong Kong.

And we begin in Afghanistan, where the Taliban have staged a major assault near the U.S. Embassy.

Plus, a possible reprieve for two Americans held in Iran as we hear that Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal could be free within days.

And the United Nations answers Pakistan's plea for help as the country copes with devastating floods yet again.

Now, militants have launched an attack in the heart of Kabul, just blocks from the U.S. Embassy and NATO headquarters. U.S. and Afghan officials say that they have been firing rocket-propelled grenades, and the Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attacks. You may remember they also claimed responsibilities for attacks over the weekend that killed two Afghan civilians and wounded 77 U.S. troops.

Let's head straight to Kabul now. Our Suzanne Malveaux is standing by.

And Suzanne, what is the casualty count and what is the latest on this attack?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kristie, we do have some updates here, because obviously this has been taking place for hours now.

We understand all of this starting about 1:30 local Afghan time. That is when you had this group of men in a vehicle who drove up right across from the U.S. Embassy, went to an abandoned building, started firing at not only the U.S. Embassy, but Afghanistan intelligence offices, as well as the NATO coalition headquarters force. All of them essentially taking cover, duck and cover.

We have since learned that a force involving the interior minister says that helicopters came in, circled around. This is part of an international military force. Came in for help, for assistance, along with Afghan police and army and air force, and took out two of the insurgents in that building, fired into the building.

We are told they believe that three or four other insurgents are still inside of the building, that this continues, this firefight continues, that there was at least one police officer that was killed, at least five people injured. This is far from over.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for this attack. We've also heard from the folks inside the U.S. Embassy, confirming that, yes, they are under attack, but that there are no casualties from the U.S. Embassy.

Should also let you know here, Kristie, we've got additional attacks that have happened throughout the afternoon. None of them have been spectacular. They have been small, but they have been very significant because of where they're located, and that is in central Kabul, really the heart of the security apparatus.

A second attack happening with a suicide attacker wearing a suicide vest. This was in western Kabul. Tried to enter a police compound.

The police shot that suicide attacker. We understand that two police were injured in that attack. The Taliban claiming responsibility for that.

A third attack happened as well. This was another suicide bomber at a local high school. We don't have a lot of information about that one. We know that two people were injured, a police officer and a civilian.

What makes this so significant here is the death toll is small, but it has a very symbolic meaning, a very important, big, symbolic meaning in terms of the Taliban strategy, what they're able to do. They have been trying to show and undermine, as the Afghan security tries to take over, that they have reached, at the heart of the security apparatus, at the most powerful institutions. This is not to be really underplayed, if you will, because this has been their strategy, to invoke fear in the citizens of this city because of their reach and because of their strength -- Kristie.

STOUT: And because of their ability to reach near the U.S. Embassy. As you mentioned, multiple attacks today, including one ongoing near the American Embassy, and all this comes weeks after the storming of the British Council office in Kabul.

So is the general security situation getting worse there in the capital? And why?

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly, there's a lot of security that's here. We've been here actually covering the fact -- the program -- the international program to train the Afghan police, the Afghan army, as well as try to form an Afghan air force. They're trying desperately to get folks up to speed, to get them with significant weapons, modern weapons, teaching people how to read and write. But clearly, this is a part of a deliberate attempt, a strategy by the Taliban.

The Taliban has released multiple statements, has been on the phone with CNN producers today, saying that they are attacking these various sites to show their power, to show their influence. And this comes at a critical time, as you know, Kristie, when the Afghans are trying to take over their own security. So these are very targeted, very specific demonstrations, symbolic demonstrations -- powerful, symbolic demonstrations -- of their strength and of their reach -- Kristie.

STOUT: Suzanne Malveaux, joining us live from Kabul.

Many thanks indeed.

Now, two Americans convicted of being spies in Iran could be set free soon. Their lawyer says Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal will be released on condition that they each put up $500,000 in bail. Now, the attorney says the families of the men are trying to get the money together as soon as possible.

Iran sentenced them to eight years in prison, but the men say that they were hiking in Iraq and accidentally crossed the border into Iran.

And here's what Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had to say in an interview with NBC News.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, IRANIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): I think these (INAUDIBLE) will be freed in a couple of days.

ANN CURRY, "THE TODAY SHOW": In a couple of days?

AHMADINEJAD: Yes, in a couple of days. Inshallah they will be freed. But let me ask a question. Are they really the problems?

You know how many Iranians are now in the American jails? They are Iranians. It's not about only two people in Iran.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: Let's bring in journalist Shirzad Bozorgmehr. He joins us on the line from Tehran.

And Shirzad, what led to this apparent breakthrough?

SHIRZAD BOZORGMEHR, JOURNALIST: I'm sorry, could you repeat the question?

STOUT: What led to this apparent breakthrough, the news that these two Americans may be released within days?

BOZORGMEHR: Well, the only possible motivation that I could think of is that we've got a few days before the General Assembly at the United Nations, and President Ahmadinejad is due to arrive in New York pretty soon. So this could be a kind of gesture on the part of the president before his arrival in New York.

STOUT: Now, this is a gesture by the Iranian president, but will Iran follow through? On the positive side, Sarah Shourd, the American woman who was arrested with the two men, she was returned to the U.S. on bail in 2010. So, is it a given that Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer will be handed over, or could this deal be all talk from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

BOZORGMEHR: Well, as far as the lawyer is concerned who has been to the court of appeals today, and was informed officially by the court that the bail has been set for $500,000 each for Shane and for Josh, this is official, this is final. But the case continues.

The appeal that the lawyer has filed on behalf of his clients will continue. How long it will take before there's a new verdict, we don't know and he didn't know. Didn't want to predict, but he said that they will definitely be released as soon as bail is posted. And according to Iranian law, they can leave the country.

STOUT: All right. Shirzad Bozorgmehr joining us on the line from Tehran.

OK. Thank you very much for that update.

Now, ahead here on NEWS STREAM, Pakistan appeals to the world for help. Torrential rains and floods have killed hundreds of people, and even more are homeless.

Allegations of abuse. Libya's new leaders respond to claims their fighters killed and lynched helpless prisoners.

And a hero's welcome to Cairo. Turkey embraces a significant new role in the Middle East.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

STOUT: Welcome back.

Libya's new leaders are trying to forge a new future for their country, but signs of how hard that will be are everywhere.

Now, in the scarred capital, Tripoli, where new allegations of war crimes by both sides are surfacing. And in the south, in Bani Walid and Sabha, two major cities still held by Gadhafi loyalists ready and willing to fight. And even on the airwaves.

And on Monday, an anchor on Syrian-based television read a new message purportedly from Moammar Gadhafi to the Libyan leader. The fugitive ousted leader vowed to "kill until victory," and he defiantly called the uprising a blatant attempt to return Libya to imperialism.

But while Gadhafi is on the run, the head of Libya's interim government addressed thousands of cheering supporters in Tripoli's Martyrs Square for the first time, and at that very spot where Gadhafi used to stand.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MUSTAFA ABDUL JALIL, CHAIRMAN, NTC (through translator): We aim to establish a state of law, a state of welfare, a state where Islamic Sharia law is the main source of legislation. This matter requires several things. Primarily, unity of classes and non-division. Also, the sole rejection of hatred and envy, not taking law into your own hands to stop injustice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: Some big promises from Libya's National Transitional Council there. But can the country's new leaders carry them out?

Let's go to CNN's Jill Dougherty, near Bani Walid, in Libya.

And Jill, before we talk about the NTC's ability to govern, what have you seen there -- there in Bani Walid?

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kristie, you know, we are at a checkpoint, and this is controlled by the rebel forces. Now, down this road, about 15 kilometers or so, nine, 10 miles, that is where the center of Bani Walid is. So the forces are about halfway there, the main body of the rebel forces.

One of the dilemmas that they have right now is they can get in sporadically, but they would like to go in and be able to really take the city and join the battle. One of the problems is that there are people still left in that town, and many of the people who are in this rebel force are from this town. They do not want to kill their own people.

So it is a problem, but ultimately they really have to take this city. It's been a loyalist city on the side of Moammar Gadhafi. His sons were here. It's a very important, strategically and every other way, city for them to take -- Kristie.

STOUT: Now, Jill, there is a new report alleging war crimes by both Moammar Gadhafi and the rebel government, and this is just another blight to the NTC's credibility.

So, Jill, how ready are they to govern?

DOUGHERTY: That's the million-dollar question, Kristie. But you'd have to say that they have been able, from basically nothing in February, to meld themselves into some type of force. I mean, after all, they were able to take the capital of Tripoli, they've been able to put together this NTC, which with all it's problems, has been able to somehow lead this force to come together.

But what they have to do right now, as they become more successful, they have to move quickly into the political process. The political process is complicated. Don't forget, this NTC is not a government. It's a transitional council that leads to an interim government, that leads to a government, finally, after elections.

And you have to go as speedily as you can, but you can't rush it either. And don't forget, there are many different tribes, there are interest groups, there are people who have their own interests. And they will all be feuding in one way or another.

That's to be expected, but could that feuding turn into something really serious? Could it destroy their chances? Those are the issues. And the timing is very, very important, because as they make these military gains, they still have Moammar Gadhafi out there someplace, and that's the ultimate thing.

We spoke with one of the young men here, and he was saying, you know, he felt that it would be over when Gadhafi is taken out or found or whatever - - arrested. But until then, and until there's complete control, you're going to have a strange kind of political and military working at the same time, trying to do it as quickly as possible.

STOUT: Jill Dougherty, thank you very much indeed for your insight and analysis, and update from there, near Bani Walid, live in Libya.

Jill Dougherty, reporting.

Now, one of Gadhafi's sons is offering to negotiate with Libya's interim government. Saadi Gadhafi is in neighboring Niger after crossing the remote Sahara Dessert border, and he spoke to CNN's own Nic Robertson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: He said that what he is doing there, he's on a humanitarian mission. That's how he describes it, that's why he says he's fled south out of Libya, for Niger. He said that there are thousands of his tribesmen who fled across the border into Niger, afraid of the rebels, the National Transitional Council, afraid of what will happen to them, he says.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: Nic Robertson there.

U.S. officials say that Niger intends to detain Saadi Gadhafi, but Reuters reports that authorities in the country say that the younger Gadhafi is only being watched for now.

You hear Nic mention that Gadhafi's fellow tribal members say that they are terrified of the anti-Gadhafi forces. And now a disturbing, just-released report by Amnesty International accuses both sides of committing war crimes, including killing and torturing prisoners. And one of the report's authors spoke with CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DIANA ELTAHAWY, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: It is the responsibility of the national council to investigate these crimes. We have called on them as Amnesty International to put the judicial processes in place and to make sure that they get a grip on the various armed groups that are currently conducting arrests outside of the framework of the law.

The country's facilities are currently under control of various local and military councils, without oversight by the Ministry of Justice or the public prosecution. We visited about eight detention centers here in the west, in Tripoli and Zawiya, where about 2,300 people are held. Many of them told us that they were beaten, some were tortured. In fact, when I was in one of these detention centers, I could overhear prisoners screaming in pain, and I could overhear sounds of whipping.

And this was when an Amnesty International delegate is inside the facility. You can only imagine what takes place outside this oversight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: Some damning allegations there. And the National Transitional Council says it condemns all human rights abuses.

Now, we will turn to Pakistan after the break. And there has been another militant attack in the northwest and flooding in the south. We'll take a close look at both stories.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

STOUT: Coming to you live from Hong Kong, you're back watching NEWS STREAM.

Militants attacked a school bus near Peshawar in northwestern Pakistan, killing at least three children and the driver. Now, the children, they were age between 9 and 14, and they were on their way home from school. Seventeen people were wounded and no one has claimed responsibility, but a police official says the area has seen similar attacks as locals put up resistance to the Taliban.

And the southeast of the country is battling heavy rain and floods that have killed some 200 people in the past month. Now, Pakistan's commercial capital of Karachi is submerged in knee-deep water, bringing it to a grinding halt. Similar floods last year swept through much of the country, killing about 2,000 people.

And the United Nations says 200,000 people need immediate help. And for the latest, let's go to Nick Paton Walsh. He joins us live from Islamabad.

And Nick, many in the region are still recovering from what happened last year. So how is Pakistan coping this time around?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. This is the main concern, I think.

We have areas -- the rural areas of Sindh. I mean, there are pictures now that caught the attention pretty much of politicians here of the main commercial city, Karachi, half under water, but it's really in the outlying rural areas around where these days -- in fact, a month -- heavy rain has begun to take its toll. Some of these areas are areas which are still really recovering from last year's floods, those historic rainfalls that, as you say, killed 2,000 people.

The death toll is 200 for the past month so far now, but the real concern is that these people are already in an incredibly fragile state. And as we heard from the United Nations, maybe the more likely people to be victims this time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STACEY WINSTON, SPOKESWOMAN, UNITED NATIONS: They are more vulnerable this year than last year in the sense that they've been twice hit, those that have already been weakened by the floods from last year. So, although the numbers might not be as large in terms of numbers affected yet, and hopefully they won't be like last year, it's still very much having a huge impact on the communities in the southern part of the country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALSH: Now, aid workers accept there is a plus and a minus from this repetitive flood happening this year, as well as last. There is infrastructure in place, and there are aid stockpiles which make it easier to get assistance to the needy. On the other hand, they're much more needy because there is very little left in some of these areas after last year's floods -- Kristie.

STOUT: I'm just wondering if there's enough help. The number out there, the number of homeless, 200,000 people. Where are they living? And do they have access to enough shelter, food and water?

WALSH: That is the concern in the coming days. This has not stopped.

We are perhaps at the beginning of a monsoon that's moving in from India. And the real concern is, what happens in the coming days?

People are moving from affected areas to camps, and some of these camps are being affected by new rains. The concern, I think, is perhaps a repeat of last year, where rivers burst their banks, where the waters really covered a huge part of the country. And I think the real concern is, what are these rains going to do in the coming 48 hours or so?

Karachi, much of it already under water. Not a huge amount known about the impact of last night's rains on the whole region. The concern is, if it happens again, night after night after night, what position are we going to be in at that point?

Kristie.

STOUT: All right.

Our Nick Paton Walsh, joining us live from Islamabad.

Thank you very much indeed.

And as Nick just said, the real concern here is finding out what is going to happen in the next 48 hours.

(WEATHER REPORT)

STOUT: Now, Turkey's prime minister received rapturous reception in Cairo, where he is meeting with his Egyptian counterpart. But the meeting comes at a delicate time for the Middle East. We'll have that.

And it is a delicate time for traders, investors in the world's stock markets as well. We'll bring you the latest.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout, in Hong Kong.

You're watching NEWS STREAM, and these are your world headlines.

Militants have launched an attack in the heart of the Afghan capital of Kabul near the U.S. Embassy and NATO headquarters. Afghan officials say a policeman and two militants have been killed, and the Taliban are claiming responsibility. They apparently took over a building near the embassy and have fired rocket-propelled grenades from there.

Now Iran may be about to release two young American convicted of spying. Their attorney says Shane Bauer and Josh Fatal could go free soon if they each put up half a million dollars in bail money. The attorney says their families are trying to get together quickly. The two men say that they were hiking in Iraq when they inadvertently strayed across the unmarked border into Iran.

James Murdoch may be called before British lawmakers again about allegations of phone hacking at News International newspapers. A spokesman for the culture and media committee says the group is highly likely to want to put fresh questions to the News International CEO. Now former senior News Corp executive Les Hinton is also being recalled.

And Monday saw a heated political debate in the U.S. state of Florida sponsored by CNN and the Tea Party express. Now the top U.S. Republicans running for their party's presidential nomination were trying to set themselves apart from the pack. And the night, it belonged to Mitt Romney and Rick Perry who sparred over benefits programs and jobs.

Now a heroes welcome is signaling Turkey's widening role in the Middle East. Now the Turkish prime minister Recap Tayyip Erdogan was mobbed as he arrived in Cairo for Tuesday's Arab League meeting. And the cheering crowd chanted Egypt and Turkey are one hand.

This visit comes at a delicate time. Earlier this month, Turkey ejected the Israeli ambassador because of Israel's refusal to apologize for a deadly raid on an aid convoy.

Let's get the latest now from CNN's Ivan Watson who is in Cairo. And Ivan, Erdogan has also addressed the Arab League there. What did he say?

IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Just moments ago he addressed the foreign ministers of the Arab League and he basically called for brotherhood, sort of pursuing common interests in a time of change and upheaval in the Middle East, throughout the Arab world.

He called on the foreign ministers to support the Transitional National Council in Libya, which has just undergone such intense fighting, saying that that represents the will of the Libyan people.

And he also spent an awful lot of time denouncing Israel for the killing last year of eight Turkish humanitarian workers and one American humanitarian worker in an aid convoy that was trying to bust the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. And he announced his demand for recognition of Palestinian statehood at the United Nations.

Take a listen to what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, EGYPTIAN PRIME MINISTER (through translator): The time has arrived so they hope to realize in Gaza and the Palestinian flock have to flow in the light nation and rise the flag. Come so we can rise the Palestinian flag. Let's rise this flag. Come on. Let's rise the Palestinian flag in the sky. And the symbol for peace and justice in the Middle East.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: So there you have it from the Egyptian capital, the leader of Turkey, a non-Arab, non-Arab speaking country announcing himself as a champion for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause, a slap in the face again to Israel, a former close ally of Turkey. Those relationships have deteriorated over the last year or two.

Surprising Erdogan had nothing to say about his eastern neighbor Syria, which has been blamed for the deaths of more than 2,200 people over the course of the last five months. An angry crowd outside the Arab League Headquarters calling on Erdogan and the Arab League general secretary to take on a harder stance against the Syrian president Bashar Al Assad whose security forces have been accused of killing so many unarmed protesters inside Syria, but no mention of that country or its government during this long speech before the assembly of Arab states Kristie.

STOUT: Now Turkey's leader surely flexing his regional muscle there in Egypt. Ivan Watson joining us on the line live from Cairo. Thank you Ivan.

Now police in Argentina say a bus and two trains have collided in Buenes Aires and people have been killed. We have to get the details now. Let's go to Brian Byrnes. He joins us live from the capital. And Brian, can you give us any more details on the number of casualties and the aftermath of this collision?

BRIAN BYRNES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, hello Kristie. Well, I can tell you just in the last few minutes one of the operators of the train who was trapped for more than two hours inside the wreckage has been freed. And he was just transported via helicopter to a local hospital with neck injuries.

However, this crash between a bus and two trains this morning in Buenes Aires has left seven people dead and more than 100 people injured including children.

Firefighters and paramedics have been working for the last few hours to free trapped people from the twisted metal wreckage. But officials just said that with the freeing of this train up there are no more people trapped inside the wreckage. And ambulances and helicopters have been transporting the people to various hospitals in the city. And the hospitals are really overwhelmed right now. Many of the injuries are to the head and the neck. And there are some emergency surgeries taking place throughout the city right now, Kristie.

STOUT: So seven dead, at least 100 injured. Do you have any information at this point on the cause of this collision?

BYRNES: Yeah, it appears that a passenger train was crossing the track when the bar was coming down. And as soon as it crossed through the intersection it was hit by an oncoming train. And then that oncoming train pushed the bus onto a train on the other side of the track. That's why we have the two trains involved as well as the bus. And this happened about 6:15 am local time. So it was at the beginning of the morning commute. A lot of people riding the bus, a lot of people riding the trains. And of course waiting at the train station. That is why we have so many injuries.

And unfortunately, this seems to be a very common occurrence in Argentina. Just in the past year there's been at least three other train crashes in the greater Buenes Aires area that's left more than 125 people injured, rather. But today, so far, seven people dead in this collision and more than 100 injured, Kristie.

STOUT: All right. Brian Byrnes joining us from Buenes Aires. Thank you very much for giving us the latest on this bus, train crash.

Now let's move over here to this touch screen. And this is something else we're monitoring here at News Stream. This is how the European stock markets stand right now. Now they were all down a short time ago, but have turned around in the last hour or so. And it all follows a day of heavy losses as the European debt crisis, especially the situation in Greece, continues to weigh on investor sentiment. And the situation is so dire that Bloomberg says that Greece has a 98 percent chance of defaulting in the coming five years.

Now that despite yet more tough austerity measures. But the public discontent against that fiscal tightening is intensifying.

Now let's show you some video. This was the scene in Greece's second city at the weekend as demonstrators clashed with police during protests against those austerity measures. And it is still ongoing.

Now Tuesday marks day two of a 48 hour strike. And thousands of tax collectors and customs officials, they walked off the job yesterday. And a mass protest march is expected in the Greek capital in a little under an hour-and-a-half from now. It's all over plans to cut salaries and services while raising taxes.

And this all feels very familiar. We have seen a number of protests against austerity measures in Greece recently. So how have we gotten here again? Is it any different this time around?

Now Nina Dos Santos joins us from our London bureau. And Nina, will these new protests have any sway on the government in Greece?

NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's hard to see at the moment, Kristie, because as you quite rightfully said, we have seen this situation many times over the course of the last two years since Greece was initially awarding its birthday (ph) back in April 2010. The same questions remain unanswered, particularly for the people on the streets of Athens that are protesting today.

The situation that Greece is facing essentially is that it's borrowed too much. It's projected borrowing is set to reach at some point 150% of the country's total gross domestic product. And at the same time, the cost of servicing that debt becomes unsustainable which is why they've now had two bailouts. It's a country that's economy is shrinking ever faster that's making it just a little bit more difficult to pay back those debts.

Now what we found out through the course of the last two or three days is that Greece's economy is now expected to shrink by 5 percent this year from originally 3.8 percent and that means fewer tax revenues to pay down those debts which is why we're seeing even more austerity being passed from one day to the next. And that's one of the reason for the people on the streets in Greece, in Athens and Salaniki (ph) are protesting so much, Kristie.

STOUT: And the focus is also on the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and she is trying to calm nerves over a possible Greek default. Nina, what is she saying?

DOS SANTOS: Yeah. We've had an interesting comment from Angela Merkel saying that she won't allow Greece to go into uncontrolled insolvency. That's what she said. But we should also remember that we've got various other senior figures across the Eurozone as such as Herman Van Rompuy who was the president of the European Council, we've got Nicolas Sarcozy, all of these ministers and prime ministers and presidents of these countries desperately scrambling to try and calm the markets.

Because the reality is, Kristie, it's not just Greece it's also Italy that's hitting the headlines today. Now Italy is a much bigger economy. It's also got a similar problem to Greece in the sense that it's borrowed too much. It's borrowing to (inaudible) to about 120% of GDP. It's got $1.9 trillion worth of outstanding debt. Now it transpires that they've been talking to the Chinese to try and get the Chinese to invest in Italian debt to try and calm the markets, also to invest in Italian companies.

Because the worry is that if Italy faces the same fate as Greece, Greece it could be just too big to fail for want of a better term, Kristie.

STOUT: All right. Nina Dos Santos live in London. Thank you very much indeed.

Now meanwhile across the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. has its own problems. President Barack Obama's jobs bill has arrived on Capitol Hill, but there are signs of trouble ahead. And it's all over how he plans to fund the $447 billion package.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The bottom line is when it comes to strengthening the economy and balancing our books, we've got to decide what our priorities are. Do we keep tax loopholes for oil companies or do we put teachers back to work? Do we keep tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires or should we invest in education and technology and infrastructure, all of the things that are going to help us out innovate and out educate and out build other countries in the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: But House Republican Leader Eric Cantor says it does not make sense to try to create jobs by taxing what he calls the job creators.

Now coming up on News Stream, one of the stranger cases from parents laboring where a group of adult really men really kept as slaves on a British caravan site for up to 15 years? We'll bring you their story.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

STOUT: Welcome back.

Now a police sting is exposing shocking allegations of slavery and abuse. Now British police are questioning five suspects after freeing two dozen men. And they say the victims were lured to a trailer park and then held as slaves, some for as long as 15 years.

Atika Schubert reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATIKA SCHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: British police say they have rescued 24 men that were kept as virtual slaves, some for as long as 15 years, here at the Greenacres Caravan site in Bedfordshire. Police say the men were from England and parts of Eastern Europe, many were homeless who were lured to this trailer park with promises of food and shelter. Instead, they were threatened with violence and forced into hard labor, often doing road work from 7:00 in the morning to 7:00 at night without pay.

Living in squalid conditions, police said many of the men were on the verge of starvation.

SEAN O'NEILL, POLICE CHIEF INSPECTOR: There's no electricity. There's no running water. People have been -- had their hair cut, put in dirty clothing and made to work doing any form of laboring rather than being given proper food.

SCHUBERT: Police say they received a tip-off from other alleged victims who had managed to escape the site.

According to the UK human trafficking center, in the last two years, almost 1,500 cases of slavery and human trafficking have been reported to police. And now with the new anti-slavery law passed in Britain last year anyone convicted of holding a person of servitude can spend up to 14 years in prison.

Atika Schubert, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STOUT: So now we know the extent of the slavery problem in Britain, but what about the rest of western Europe? Now we put that question to the head of the group Anti-Slavery International.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AIDAN MCQUADE, DIRECTOR, ANTI-SLAVERY INTERNATIONAL: I think unquestionably in terms of absolute numbers we're talking about the age of being the largest numbers of people in the world. But if you look at the International Labor Organization and ask to assess the problem, slavery in Europe and in North America, that's where smaller numbers, but high value slavery. It's a thing that's making millions of dollars of people trafficking other human beings.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's all about money at the end of the day, isn't it? A lot of the money is in Western Europe and the U.S. for example. They're rich economies.

MCQUADE: Yeah. And there's a basic rule in all business which is if you can reduce costs you will increase profits. And so there is a compulsion upon people, particularly in the black and gray economies in this part of the world to reduce their costs as much as they can by using slavery for example.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: Now we also asked Britain's home office to discuss this issue with us. They declined, but they sent this statement. It was signed by the UK's immigration minister Damian Green. And it reads like this, quote, "the government is tackling human trafficking and building on our strong record in supporting victims, fighting traffickers, and stopping this horrible trade from happening."

We have recently published a national human trafficking strategy. We will be adopting the EU directive on trafficking and we are creating the national crime agency to further improve our response to this brutal crime.

And the statement goes on to say that these measures, along with improved victim care arrangement, will ensure that all victims, adults and children, receive care tailored to their specific needs.

Now still to come on News Stream, it was clash of the titans in New York last night as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal slugged it out for the U.S. Open title. We've got that in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

STOUT: Welcome back.

Now last week's heavy rain in New York resulted in a Monday finish for the U.S. Open tennis championships. So let's join Alex Thomas in London with more on what happened on the very last day -- Alex.

ALEX THOMAS, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: It was a blockbuster, Kristie. The men's singles final featuring the world's two highest ranked players, and boy did they play like it. The defending champion Rafael Nadal up against Serbia's Novak Djokovic, winner of the Australian Open and Wimbeldon championships earlier in the year.

This one was a scintillating match packed with high class tennis and intense rallies. But after four grueling sets lasting more than four hours, Novak Djokovic came out on top winning 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1. It was the world number one's first U.S. Open triumph and his 10th tournament victory of the year.

Djokovic has won all but two of his 66 matches this season. And after clinching the fourth grand slam title of his career he spoke to our own Candy Reid.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CANDY REID, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, the dream run season continues. Novak Djokovic, the 2011 U.S. Open champion. Novak, many congratulations. What a season it's been. You've won more majors than you've lost matches this year. How do you sum that up?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC, TENNIS PLAYER: Well, thank you. First of all, I have to say I'm filled with joy and positive thoughts and incredible success that I have had this year it's just something that I didn't expect, but it came you know as a result of the hard work and just dedication to the sport, the right approach to every grand slam, great scheduling. And it keeps going. So as long as it's like that, I'll be very happy.

REID: Out of everything you've managed this season, what would you say has been your hardest achievement?

DJOKOVIC: Well, I think every title is different in a way, especially grand slam I won. This is my fourth, third this year, which is amazing. But every grand slam is different and special in its way. And I think here there's a lot of entertainment. It's the biggest court, center court we have in our sport, 23,000 people. It's very loud. It's very exciting to be a part of such entertainment.

And on the other hand, you have Wimbeldon which is very quiet. And I think most prestigious event, and the event I always dreamed of winning. So I cannot compare, but I'm delighted to win both.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS: And you can hear more of that interview later on World Sport.

Now Serena Williams has escaped a tournament ban for her verbal outburst during the women's final. The American has been fined $2,000 for a rant at the umpire during her defeat by Australia's Samantha Stosur. Williams was angry at being docked a point and losing her service game at the start of the second set after the official ruled a shout of "come on!" had intentionally hindered Stosur's attempt to get the ball back.

Williams was still under probation for screaming verbal abuse at a line judge in 2009, but tournament organizers decided this latest incident wasn't a major offense.

Now I'll show you a record breaking display in the NFL by Tom Brady. The New England quarterback threw for 517 yards in the first Monday Night game of the American football season. And that was a new Patriots record. In fact, it was the fifth best performance in NFL history.

Brady's stunning showing came in a 38 points to 24 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The Patriot's quarterback is the reigning league MVP. And he showed why with this master class of offensive passing including a 99 yard throw to Wes Welker, another New England record.

The only sour note on the night was an interception that Brady threw, breaking his NFL record of 358 passes without being picked off.

Finally, some mixed news for England at the Rugby world cup. Secord row forward Courtney Lawes has been banned for two matches for dangerous play against Argentina, but captain Lewis Moody should be back from injury for Sunday's game against Georgia.

England are in New Zealand's so-called adventure capital Queenstown, wehre the players were given Monday off to enjoy some adrenaline sports -- bungee jumping, zip lining, jet boating, and white water rafting. Manager Martin Johnson laughing off suggestions it was any more dangerous than daily training.

More sport in an hour-and-a-half's time where we hope to speak to the new U.S. Open champ Novak Djokovic live on CNN, Kristie.

STOUT: Oh, that's must see TV. Alex Thomas, thank you very much indeed. Take care.

And now jobs, it's a hot topic in the U.S. at the moment as a subject that the media, News Stream included, is keen to cover. But some people just don't want to play ball. Jeanne Moos reports on a story for everyone who has a gripe with the media.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here's a little knock-knock story you might not want the kids to hear.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey! Get your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) camera out of here. That's none of your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) business you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) bite. Unless you want trespassing, get the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out of here now.

MOOS: If he swears like a longshoreman, that's because he is one. He belongs to a longshoreman's union local in Washington State.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's none of your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) business you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) suck. Unless you want trespassing, get out of here.

MOOS: He threatened to bust the camera.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you want your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) camera broke you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) sucker?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just wanted to hear your...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I said bye.

MOOS: He threatened glasses.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know what you dumb (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you like (EXPLETIVE DELETED) glasses? Don't (EXPLETIVE DELETED) threatened me you son of a (EXPLETIVE DELTED)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ...my friend.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out of this parking lot right now.

MOOS: Now he may seem touchy, very touchy, but the union is in the midst of a bitter fight with management. It involves jobs that the EGT Grain terminal, the other day police say 500 union protesters broke windows, pushed a security vehicle in a ditch, cut break lines to box cars and dumped grain.

The union says what it calls a scab worker drove into union pickets blocking the terminal entrance.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you!

MOOS: So tensions are high, the perfect height for dropping F-bombs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't (EXPLETIVE DELETED) partner.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're not in the PR staff, are you?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don't (EXPLETIVE DELETED) worry about who I'm with.

MOOS: Later, someone who actually is on the union's PR staff told CNN the Longshoreman lost his cool when he saw media shooting on private property. He felt his union and American jobs are under attack. And he lost his temper.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'd (EXPLETIVE DELTED cold cock him in a heart beat. Get out of here now.

MOOS: Hey, this guy makes even Serena Williams look like a Zen master.

SERENA WILLIAMS, TENNIS PLAYER: Come on!

MOOS: After a run-in with the chair umpire at the U.S. Open.

Serena was fined $2,000 bucks for verbal abuse.

But there's no fine for verbally abusing the media.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can I get your name, sir?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you, you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) sucker. That's my name, (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you, you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) sucker.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.

MOOS: But when we called the union.

Hi there, I'm trying to reach Mr. -- Mr. F you Bleep sucker.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He -- he's not available.

MOOS: Monogram your towels with that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's my name, (EXPLETIVE DELETED) you, (EXPLETIVE DELTED) sucker.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STOUT: Oh, a moment to compose oneself. Now I want to bring you an update on the penguin that attracted global attention after turning up on the shores of New Zealand. Well, it seems he's gone missing.

Now nicknamed Happy Feet, this is the last time he was seen. It was when the penguin was released into the south ocean about 10 days ago. He was fitted with a GPS transmitter to track his progress back home, but the transmitter has been silent for the past four days. And there are fears that either the transmitter has fallen off or something more sinister has happened.

Now time now to go over and out there to a tale of two towns. Now reports say that two South African rugby fans were a little bemused when their GPS sent them around in circles in a suburb of Wellington New Zealand. Now they were in the right place in Eastborne, a town of fewer than 5,000 people. The problem, though, was that the hotel they had book with splendid views of the beach and pier was all the way over here, that's about 20,000 kilometers away in a town in southern England called, you guessed it Eastborne, home to almost 100,000 people. And it's a perfectly nice looking hotel. The thing is, New Zealand's Eastborne doesn't even have a hotel. And even if it did, chances are it wouldn't bill customers in pounds.

That is News Stream, but the news continues at CNN. World Business Today is next.

END