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NEWS STREAM
Violence in Bahrain; Libya's "Day of Anger"; Awesome Architect; Crackdown on Protesters in Bahrain; Shia Party Leader Speaks; An Activist's Angle; Bahrain in Context; Major Solar Flare's Effects on Earth; BIG Ideas in Architecture; Computer Beats Former "Jeopardy!" Champs; Anchor Rancor; Rahm Emanuel Offers Reward for Identity of Person Behind Fake Twitter Account
Aired February 17, 2011 - 08:00 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.
Now, what had been largely peaceful protests in Bahrain, have now turned truly ugly. Anti-government demonstrators, who had settled in the capital's Pearl Roundabout, were swiftly, and aggressively unsettled when the police moved in. Just watch, and listen to this.
In the violence that ensued this morning, at least three protestors were killed. The uprising in this tiny Middle Eastern kingdom is now indisputably large-scale.
Now, two people had already been killed this week, as Shiite Muslim demonstrators voiced their discontent for the Sunni-led government.
Nic Robertson joins me on the phone from Manama. Nic, the crackdown started hours ago. What is happening now?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Well Kristie, I'm looking at the main highway here, that only a few hours earlier was deserted, and had a huge convoy of army armored personnel carriers mounted with heavy machine guns, moving towards the center of the city.
There seems to be some amount of normal traffic back on the roads. Also, the army has issued a statement, warning citizens not to congregate in places in the city, so as to allow normal daily life to continue. But also, not to endanger themselves.
We've also heard from the ministry of interior, that has announced its figures for the people injured and killed overnight. They say that 92 civilians were wounded. Two people were killed. They say that 50 security officers were injured - 50, two of them in a critical condition. They say they've made one arrest. And that they found small guns and knives at the scene of the main protest, at the Pearl Roundabout.
When we were at the Pearl Roundabout in the early hours of the night, it was peaceful. It was a peaceful protest. There were no weapons on display when we were there. However, these are the images that the people of Bahrain are sitting on their (inaudible). Today, it appears that (inaudible) being abandoned, and some of the (inaudible) at the impromptu campsite at the Pearl Roundabout.
But as the police came in and stormed through that area, there were violent incidents. Many of those people, winding up in hospital here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Doctors and nurses struggle to save lives. It's 5:00 a.m., in one of Bahrain's principal hospitals. The emergency room is overflowing - victims of a violent confrontation with police. According to medical workers, hundreds wounded, as police crackdown on peaceful protestors sleeping out at a makeshift protest camp in the center of the city.
This 15-year-old boy, with buckshot wounds to his abdomen and arms, tells me he was asleep when the police attacked around 3:00 a.m. Friends carried him to the hospital, he says.
Another older man describes how he was awakened by teargas being fired. Explains where a canister of gas hit him high on his thighs.
(People shouting)
Outside the emergency room, on the hospital forecourt, angry protestors chant, the people want to bring down the regime.
Barely two hours earlier, 1,000 armed police in a carefully coordinated operation, swarmed the protest camp. Until then, it had been peaceful. Families, tents, food, a festive spirit. Protest placards being prepared. A defiant stand, against the ruling regime being mounted.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need freedom.
They say they are modeling themselves on Tahrir Square in Cairo. But here in this tiny Persian Gulf nation, the protest is not simply about overthrowing an unpopular leadership, it's religious. Most protestors are from the Shiite Muslim majority, long-dominated by Sunni rulers.
And are demanding jobs, including positions in Bahrain's security services. At stake, stability of this American ally, on an island once claimed by Iran. Not just home to the U.S. 5th Fleet, but at the choke point of the world's busiest oil shipping lanes.
As day breaks over Bahrain, the battle lines are being drawn. The protestors say they are more determined than ever to overthrow the government. The government could not have made its position clearer - protests will not be tolerated.
And with the sunrise, this, a convoy of about 50 army armored personnel carriers, driving down the main highway towards the Pearl Roundabout in the center of the city. Alongside the battle vehicles and their heavy machine guns, trucks of razor wire. The government has upped the ante.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STOUT: And that report from our Nic Robertson in Bahrain. A side note for you - much of that report was filmed off of Nic's IPhone, his camera equipment still being held at the airport.
Nic Robertson, reporting for us. He'll join us later in the program here, live from Bahrain.
Now, there are many ways in which Bahrain differs from Egypt and Tunisia. But its demonstrators have followed the example of both North African nations, in using social media to galvanize the protest movement.
Now this Facebook page - It was created by users, claiming to represent the Bahraini youth. It calls February 14th, which was Monday of this week, Revolution Day in Bahrain. And the language pulls no punches.
Now one section - it reads like this - "We have been suffering the ills of corruption and brutal oppression on all levels for far too long, established under an irresponsible and unaccountable regime".
The author then stresses the movement's peaceful motive, writing this - There is no difference between Sunni and Shia, rich or poor, between Bahraini, Ijami, Julio tribes. We are all Bahrain.
Now, political activists in Libya have used Facebook and Twitter to call for nationwide protests. Anti-government demonstrations have already taken place this week in the coast city of Benghazi. And videos like this one posted at YouTube, are said to show them clashing with police.
Several people were arrested on Wednesday. Amnesty International has called on the Libyan government to stop cracking down on peaceful political demonstrations.
Now, the first successful uprising happened in Tunisia, more than a month after street protests ousted the president, the country is still under a state of emergency.
Our Neil Curry, takes the pulse of Tunis, after the revolution.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NEIL CURRY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL FEATURES PRODUCERS: One month on from the so-called Jasmine Revolution, this is the Rue Borgiba, the main street in the center of Tunis.
In the space of about half an hour, we saw people sipping coffee, chatting, and going about their general business. We were moved on by the army for getting a little close with our cameras. And we ran into a demonstration against the European Union, and interference by the EU, as they see it.
He says, Tunisia now is at the revolution of its population. It's searching for its own independence, and now it's a sovereign state. He says, Tunisia has its own destiny in its hands.
Just 10 meters further up the street, we met a group of break dancers, who said they were disappointed, as their lives hadn't really changed since the revolution.
He says, we have some kind of freedom, but we don't know what are the limits of these freedoms. And I personally don't feel that the revolution has answered all of my goals in Tunisia.
A few meters away, we see a sign of appreciation for Facebook, the social media network used by many here to organize the demonstrations, which lead to regime change.
Others are on the street to give thanks to the military, for their role in the transition of power.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are here today because we want to support the army - the Tunisian army - because they protected us since the Jasmine Revolution, and we would like to show our love and our support to them.
CURRY: Tunisia has lifted its overnight curfew, but the continuing state of emergency, in theory, forbids public gatherings of more than three people.
In practice, everywhere we looked along this one street, different groups gathered to discuss issues important to them. Some felt let down by the interim government. But even they were glad to be able to express their descent, without fear of arrest.
A month after the revolution, the streets of the capital are calm. But with no date yet set for elections, and relatively few prominent political figures emerging so far, a key question remains hanging over Tunisia - what happens next?
Neil Curry, CNN, Tunis.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STOUT: You are watching NEWS STREAM. And still ahead, we will go back to Egypt, to show you images that were beyond the reach of our cameras during the height of the uprising.
And new allegations raise questions about the actions of some members of the military during the protest.
Also ahead, we'll be looking at the impact that the internet could have on future protests in Cuba, as some think this new video suggests the communist government is paying close attention.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
STOUT: Welcome back.
Now, a harrowing event on Vietnam's Halong Bay claims 12 lives. An overnight tour boat that was packed with people, sank early Thursday. The survivors say they woke up to water rushing into their cabins.
They say the boat went under quickly. Fifteen people made it out safely. The victims include 10 foreigners and two Vietnamese. The weather was said to be calm when the boat, and officials are investigating.
Egypt's health minister has released the government's first official death toll from the country's political uprising, telling State TV that 365 people were killed. The clashes left hundreds injured, including a number of people who say that they were detained and beaten by Egyptians in military uniforms.
Arwa Damon reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On February 4th, Fadi, a known activist, snuck out of his home. He had to sneak, he tells us, because his home had been surrounded by neighbors who had turned against him.
The details he offers about what happened after that, are chilling.
FADI YEHIA (through interpreter): Ten minutes later, I was stopped at a civilian checkpoint. They asked for my ID. Searched my laptop, and found pictures from the Tahrir Protest. I was handed over to the military police, and they instantly began beating me, and electrocuted me.
In the morning, I was accused of being a spy for Facebook. It was difficult to explain to them that Facebook isn't a party, or an individual, that one can spy for.
Once my glasses came off, I couldn't see anything. The beating I was receiving was unimaginable.
DAMON: It's been just over a week, and there's still scarring on Fadi's body here, here, here, here, here, here. And, like he said, he was being beaten and electrocuted all through, on his entire body.
His wrists bear scars. Some 56 hours after he says his torment began, he says an officer apologized, and then released him.
Do you want to see those who did this to you, tried or held accountable?
YEHIA: The institution, the people are only following orders. And, they're ignorant.
DAMON: Others, are not so forgiving.
MAYSARA OMAR: I think those who are responsible for these actions, should be brought to justice.
DAMON: Maysara does not want to be filmed, as he shares his ordeal. But he agrees to have his photograph taken. He says, he was also picked up on February 4th, describing a day of peaceful protests, until, he says, he ran into a pro-Mubarak crowd.
OMAR: They identified me, realized that I was not one of them, and handed me to a very young person in a military uniform, who took me to a very small police station. And there, they looked into my bag and found several papers. They started beating me. And, they tied my hands behind my back.
DAMON: Maysara says that he was then strangely brought here, on this street that runs in front of the Hilton, used as a base by many members of the media. On that day, at 4:00 p.m., he tells us that there were no press or civilians around, just the troops.
He was dragged down this road, into a building, and then interrogated once again.
OMAR: The soldier started beating me with his rifles - a military soldier. He was fully in military uniform.
DAMON: He says, he was eventually released, only to be picked up by another unit.
OMAR: A group of six or seven soldiers, made like a semi-circle around me, and started beating me for at least half an hour, nonstop.
DAMON: Were you crying out at this stage, trying to rationalize with them, trying to make it end?
OMAR: Yes, I was. At this moment in particular, when the beating was really hard, I was trying to speak to them, and tell them that, that was inhumane.
DAMON: He was then told he would be taken to a hospital.
OMAR: Indeed. They took me in an ambulance. Inside the ambulance I saw a nurse, but I was guarded by two soldiers. The ambulance started moving, and the soldiers started beating me inside the ambulance.
DAMON: He was taken to the museum - the same museum in Tahrir Square - guarded by soldiers who were hailed as protectors of the peace. Inside, he says, the beatings continued.
The military has pledged to bring about an end to arbitrary detentions, and to uphold human rights. But human rights watch says, that while allegations like these are not systematic, they are very worrying.
HEBA FATMA MORAYEF, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: It's important to publicize these cases. And this is an important role that the human rights community can play - is to - to sound alarm bells, when it comes to the role of the military in overseeing the transition, and in overseeing a break from the abusive practices of the Minister of Interior.
DAMON: And that is exactly what both men warn. That the military must eliminate these practices, or they will lose the trust of the people, and face a head-on confrontation.
Arwa Damon, CNN, Cairo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STOUT: U.S. President Barack Obama is said to have telephoned one of the country's veteran TV news correspondents, as she recovers at home, after being attacked in Cairo. Details of the call, have not been disclosed.
Lara Logan, was covering events, the day Hussein Mubarak stepped down, when a mob surrounded her. She suffered, what her employer describes, as a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating.
One of Logan's friends, a former colleague, trains people to deal with hostile situations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PROF. JUDITH MATLOFF, COLUMBIA SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM: She's about as savvy as you can get. And it just goes to show that, no matter how prepared you are, no matter how experienced you are, terrible things can happen.
Knowing Lara, she'll get back on the horse and ride again. You know, she's not going to let this stop her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: And this attack against Logan has, again, brought the issue of sexual violence in Egypt, to the forefront.
Now, CNN producer and camerawoman, Mary Rogers, has lived and worked in the country since 1994. And, you can go to our website and find a new blog from her, detailing the kind of harassment that many women in Egypt are all too familiar with.
Just go to CNN.com, and follow the links to Must Read.
Now, one day after Apple unveiled a controversial subscription plan for the app store, Google has taken the wraps off its own plan - a Google One Pass. It allows publishers to set their own prices and length of subscription. And allows users to view what they've bought (inaudible) devices, including PCs and tablets. While Apple takes a 30 percent cut from publishers, Google told Fortune Magazine, it would only charge 10 percent.
Now, next week, we'll be speaking to Google's chief evangelist. He is a man hailed as one of the godfathers of the internet, Vince Cerf. Now, I want to know what you would like to ask Cerf, from that neutrality, to his thoughts on how the internet, or even Google will evolve. Tell us on Facebook.com/NewsStreamCNN or Twitter.com/klustout.
Now, Don Riddell will be here with a sports update next. And, he'll explain why the protest in Bahrain could affect the start of the Formula One calendar.
(COMMERCIAL)
STOUT: All right. Coming to you live from Hong Kong. You are back watching News Stream.
Now, let's go back to our top story. More about the protest in Bahrain, but this time how it could affect the start of Formula 1 calendar.
Don Riddell, joins us with that -- Don.
DON RIDDELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Kristie. Yes, the start of the new Formula 1 season is in real jeopardy, because of the deteriorating situation in Bahrain. The Middle Eastern country is due to host the curtain-raiser to the 2011 season in just over three weeks' time, on March 13th. But escalating violence in the kingdom, could result in its cancellation. At least three protestors were killed in clashes with police in the capital Manama today. Hundreds more were injured.
Now, the F1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone, is concerned that protestors could target his race, in an attempt to generate global publicity. Within the past hour, this weekend's GP2 race in Bahrain, has been cancelled. Those teams are on their way home. Today's practice session was unable to run, because medical staff were called in to help at hospitals in the capital.
If the Bahrain Grand Prix is cancelled or delayed, that could mean the season begins in Melbourne, or there are reports that perhaps even Abu Dhabi will step in to host the opening race. So, we'll work on that story and get you those details as soon as we can.
Meanwhile, the Lotus team, Renault Formula 1 team, has hired Nick Heidfeld as their replacement for the injured Robert Kubica. The Polish driver could miss the entire season after a serious rally crash earlier this month.
A Lotus team principal, Eric Buleah, said it was an easy decision to sign the German veteran, after Heidfeld impressed during testing in Spain over the weekend. Heidfeld has driven in 172 races during his 11-year F1 career. And while he said he'd like to have come back in different circumstances, he is proud to be given the chance.
In the NBA, an incredible result on Wednesday night. The Cleveland Cavaliers, the league's worst team, that set a record losing streak of 26 games only last week, pulled off a stunning win against the LA Lakers, who are the two-time defending NBA champions. Nobody saw it coming.
And certainly not Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, who'd thrashed the Cavs by 55 points, just last month.
LA was playing their seventh consecutive road game, and to be honest, it showed. That buzzer-beater from Anthony Parker, gave the Cavs a five- point lead in the second quarter. Parker scored 18, but it was Ramon Sessions that came off the bench to steal the show, with 32. Cavs up by 12 now.
The Lakers really were poor. Bryant scored 17, but made only eight of his 25 attempts on goal. Those really are horrible stats. And Cleveland surely couldn't have believed their luck. The Cavs established a 10-point lead in the fourth. Here's Sessions again, taking the game to the NBA champs.
But the Lakers at least showed their fighting spirit at the end, reducing a 10-point deficit, to just two. Kobe made it close, but Los Angeles fell short in the end by five points. Pau Gasol scored 30, but that wasn't quite enough. The score, 104-99. That is the Cavs' 10th win of this season.
That's all the sports we've got time for now. Kristie, back to you.
STOUT: All right, Don. Thank you very much for that.
Now, the first match of the Cricket World Cup, it starts this weekend. It was supposed to be hosted by four countries - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. But Pakistan was stripped of hosting duties, after an attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket Team in 2009. The opening ceremony is taking place right now, in Bangladesh.
Sara Sidner was there, to see how the country is preparing for the big event.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SARA SIDNER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Here in the capital Dhaka, the signs are everywhere, that Cricket World Cup is kicking off, here in Bangladesh. Just behind me, a huge Cricket Bat, that will be pasted with names of people from across the country.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It is a matter of pride that the World Cup is going to be held in Bangladesh. We are proud.
SIDNER: Here in South Asia, people are generally crazy about Cricket, and Bangladesh is no exception. If you check out any open space, you can also see people taking up a bat and a ball, and I'm talking adults and children. People are so crazy about it here in Bangladesh, that some folks stood in lane for three full days, just to get their hands on a ticket.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Everyone is excited that the World Cup is going to be held here. They're all feeling good. They're expecting the Bangladesh team will win.
SIDNER: But there was bound to be disappointment. The stadium here in Dhaka, where the opening game will be held, only seats about 25,000 - a fraction of the millions of adoring fans.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Many of them did not get any tickets. Even after that, they are still supporting the team. It is only possible because they love cricket so much.
SIDNER: And that disappointment actually turned to anger, when fans found out that 10,000 of the 25,000 total tickets ended up in the hands of VIPs and government officials. The bottom line is, everyone wants to get as close as they possibly can, to the biggest international sporting event that Bangladesh has ever hosted.
Sara Sidner, CNN, Dhaka.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STOUT: Now, we are continuing to monitor the unfolding events in Bahrain. Ahead, we will go back to our correspondent in the capital Manama. As tanks roll in, the opposition withdraws from parliament.
And youth protestors in the streets of Yemen say, that they represent a variety of demands, but they share one thing in common. Hear how their online activism is working to take hold. Next.
(COMMERCIAL)
LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching NEWS STREAM, and these are your world headlines.
A Pakistani court has delayed a decision on whether or not an American official has diplomatic immunity. The hearing for Raymond Davis is now set for March 14. Davis was arrested after shooting dead two men in Lahore he says were trying to rob him. The US says Davis has diplomatic immunity and should be released.
At least 12 people died when a tour boat sank in Vietnam's Ha Long Bay early on Thursday. The dead include ten foreigners from the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and France, and two Vietnamese. Fifteen people were rescued. A Vietnamese official says that the cause of the accident is being investigated.
Now, at least three protesters were killed in Bahrain Thursday morning, when government forces cleared a makeshift camp set up by demonstrators in the capital. Tanks rolled into the Pearl Roundabout in Manama to prevent demonstrators from returning. Hundreds of people were injured in the early morning raid as police attacked with rubber bullets and teargas.
Tensions remain in Bahrain hours after that police crackdown took place. To get an update from the capital, let's rejoin Nic Robertson. And Nic, what is the situation right now?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Well, this morning, the deserted highway that that very large military column of about 50 armored personnel carriers with heavy machine guns.
The deserted highway that it rolled into the center of the city on does, now, have some traffic on it. I'm looking at a military truck driving along, now, along with other normal, civilian vehicles.
However, having said that, that there is -- there are -- there is more traffic about, many of the stores I'm looking at, the large super malls here, are all closed. They're all shut. And you can see police checkpoints on the road around here, stopping people getting access to the Pearl Roundabout, where, of course, the demonstrators were camped out overnight when the police came in and forced them off of that area.
It's not clear, at the moment, if more protests are specifically planned or what the protesters are thinking about. At the moment, they certainly last night were very angry and said that they would continue with their protests. But we're not seeing them thus far out on the streets at the capital. Kristie?
STOUT: You went to a hospital earlier today, and you saw firsthand the toll of the brutal crackdown that took place hours ago. Did you see many examples of excessive force?
ROBERTSON: Well, I spoke to a boy who told me -- his father told me he was 15 years old. He looked young, and he had what appeared to be buckshot wounds in his arm and his abdomen. I talked to another slightly older man who had injuries to his legs, he said, from teargas canisters.
I saw doctors trying to, literally, keep somebody alive. The CPR that they were trying, they were literally doing CPR on a person in the triage, the emergency room area of the hospital.
There was another man there with his eye hugely swollen, and doctors rushed him away for further surgery. They were applying an ice pack in a rubber glove to the side of his head to try and keep the swelling down on that very bad injury on his head.
So, the wounds that we saw there were many and varied, as they were wounds to the head, the chest, to the legs, many of them -- many of those wounds very bloody, Kristie.
STOUT: All right, Nic Robertson, thank you for that. Nic Robertson, joining us live from Bahrain.
Now, we've got, on the phone, a former member of the Bahrain parliament, who is also a member of the Al-Wefaq Party. Abdul Jalil Khalil, his predominately Shia party pulled out of parliament after the crackdown in Manama. He joins us now.
Welcome to NEWS STREAM. You -- did you witness the crackdown in the early hours of this morning? What did you see?
ABDUL JALIL KHALIL, LEADER, AL-WEFAQ PARTY (via telephone): I was released hospital since 4:00 AM. When I was there, I saw two people, brought to the ICU, were already dead. With small bullets in their bodies and a big hole in their heads. And one of them wearing sleeping pajamas, you know?
And later, maybe ten to -- three minutes, we received at least more than 60 injured people, and ten of them were in critical conditions. And honestly, the scene with their bodies, their backs, were full of small bullets and small items and blood, full of blood. Most of them, again, with the sleeping -- the pajamas.
And honestly, it was -- in the Salmaniya Hospital, it was full of crowds because people just -- the attack started at 3:00, you know? And it took at least one hour. It is a decision, honestly, to kill not to diffuse people from Lulu Square, because there is many ways to diffuse people from the square, not to kill people.
Even I ask people brought to Salmaniya Hospital ICU, "Did you -- have you been notified from the police that -- warned by the police?" They said, "No, we were sleeping, and suddenly, we were attacked by the police."
You know, the police here, they don't speak Arabic. They are those security forces, most of them, 90 percent of them, from Pakistan and Prusistan (ph). They don't speak Arabic.
STOUT: Right.
KHALIL: They just attack victims. And it was a big shock in Bahrain, now. Because, honestly, the protest in Lulu Square, it was very, very peaceful. And even their slogans and demands were, honestly, most of them logical. And most of them -- the main objective is not to overthrow the government. They ask for real reform.
So, I'm really asking that the person who showed the decision and killed at least, today, four people, three plus one in a critical condition, asking if, really, we -- those people want parliament with full authority. Is this impossible? They want government being elected. Is it so impossible that it cannot be met? Cannot be discussed, cannot be negotiated? So, you -- they have to bring their forces to kill people?
It's really, really, totally unacceptable in Bahrain, now. And by the way --
STOUT: Abdul Jalil Khalil, you describe to us, quite graphically, the brutal and bloody outcome of the crackdown --
KHALIL: That's right.
STOUT: That took place earlier today in Bahrain. You described seeing at least two dead bodies, 50 wounded individuals, ten of them critically injured.
KHALIL: That's right.
STOUT: This is according to your account, what you saw at the hospital. Do you think this bloody crackdown will intimidate the protest movement, or do you think it will galvanize and strengthen the anti- government protesters to turn out again?
KHALIL: This will make the situation very, very complicated. Very, very complicated. Because now the Bahrain defense force is brought from their camps to Manama, the capital of Manama. And now, Manama is sealed. Nobody allowed to get in.
This is -- will raise the tensions and the pressure and -- especially those people being killed, now there are three, and people waiting to take them to the cemetery. Through the 3,000 now is in Salmaniya Hospital. I just came from there. And people are -- 3,000 persons available there to take the march. Take the bodies to the cemeteries. But the security force has refused to allow them. And it was really -- the situation is very, very complicated.
STOUT: It's just a few days into the start of Bahrain's own uprising, and we've seen this very bloody crackdown, this reaction from the security forces. So, in your heart, do you really think that what happened in Tunisia and what happened in Egypt could also happen in Bahrain? Or do you fear otherwise.
KHALIL: Honestly speaking, honestly speaking, that the demand is not really started today. Asking for elected parliament or government being elected didn't start, it goes to 2001, 14th February, when the new king, Hamad, came to power, he made a referendum. And in this national charter, 98 percent from all people, Sunni and Shia, everybody agreed with the national charter.
In the national charter, it was specified clearly that the legislative power should be from two chambers. One is parliament, with full authority, and the second one, which is lower and nominated by the king, but it is for consultations, not for legislation.
So, today, after ten years, people now are asking, we should go back to the national charter, which all, everybody agreed, and voted with the national charter.
So, I know, I fully agree that the youth, inspired by Egyptian revolution, but their demands are different, a bit different. In Egypt, they asked for to overthrow the regime. But here in Bahrain, we know the situation is a bit more complicated. So, that's why the majority of the people, their demands, their objective is to reform the situation. We want political reform, not to overthrow the government.
STOUT: OK. OK, Abdul --
KHALIL: And not to --
STOUT: OK, Abdul, we're going to have to leave it at that, I'm sorry, sir. But thank you for sharing your views here on NEWS STREAM as a Shia party leader, Shia politician, joining us live from Bahrain, giving us his views of what's been happening there.
Now, as we've been telling you here on the program, Twitter has proven an important means of sharing information and organizing within Bahrain and without -- the outside world. And, on Wednesday's NEWS STREAM, we featured the updates of a protester, an anti-government activist. Her name, Maryam Alkhawaja.
Now, she represents the Bahrain Center for Human Rights. Earlier, she spoke to my colleague, John Vause, about what she experienced in Manama this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARYAM ALWHAWAJA, BAHRAIN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (via telephone): What happened was the riot police showed up. They, basically, took up all the bridge with their jeeps, and they came out and instantly started shooting at the protesters with no prior warning.
When the protesters started chanting "Peaceful, peaceful," and started to withdraw to the back side of the roundabout, they realized that they had been surrounded by the other side, as well, and the riot police emerged from the back side and started shooting teargas, rubber bullets, bird shotgun at the protesters.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: The reasons behind Bahrain's protest mirror those elsewhere in the region. Alleged government corruption and a lack of opportunities. But in other respects, this tiny kingdom stands out. Let's compare it to Egypt and Yemen on some social and economic figures provided by the CIE fact book.
Now, Yemen's GDP per capital is just $2,600 US a year. Egypt's is better, at $6,200. But look at Bahrain's. At $40,400, it is among the highest in the world.
Now, these protests have, of course, been driven by young people, so let's look at the median age of each country. Now, in Yemen, it's about 18 years old. In Egypt, still pretty young, 24. And Bahrain? It's over 30.
And finally, let's examine a major catalyst for you, if we bring up the slide. Unemployment. Now, in Yemen, it measures at 35 percent. Egypt, much lower, 9.7 percent. But look at Bahrain, here. It's 15 percent. So, it's not in line with the nation's wealth at all. This might help to explain the unrest that we're seeing there.
Up next on NEWS STREAM, we have a lot more ahead. Stick around for that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
STOUT: All right, welcome back. You're watching NEWS STREAM. We're going to cosmic, now, with Mari Romas. She joins us at the World Weather Center. Mari, correct me if I'm wrong, here. Are we still awaiting this major solar flare?
MARI RAMOS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: We are. What happened is, back on February 14th, it was hot on the sun. Really hot. There was a -- the big -- the first big solar flare of this solar cycle. And we're still expecting the effects of it here on Earth, because it does take a few days.
Now, that original advisory from the space weather experts had been up through the 20th, we can see the effects of this. But they've downgraded it somewhat, Kristie, and they say that now we have a chance -- about a 35 percent chance to actually see the effects of this on Earth as something a bit more significant. But we'll have to watch, because it's still much too early to tell.
This is what a solar flare looks like, and this is the solar flares that occurred back on February 14th, and this is the big one, right here, the so-called X-Class. It's the big one, so to speak. And you can see how beautiful it actually looks, how much it extends out with that geomagnetic storm that comes with it.
Well, when you look at it over here, an X-Class is considered a major solar event, and it can have effects on Earth. The effects that we could see here, aside from beautiful auroras, for example, those are those so- called Northern Lights, or Southern Lights near the poles. You would also be able to see -- you could have problems with satellite communications. It's -- the radioactivity could be dangerous for the astronauts, for example, or for satellites, which is very significant.
So far, the only advisory is for an R 1 radio blackout, which is considered minor. There are five on the scale of radio blackouts, R 1 through R 5, so here we are at the bottom of the scale so far, which could mean, sometimes, a loss of radio communications in some cases. So, we'll be watching and see exactly what happens.
When you talk about solar cycles, though, Kristie, you've got to remember, it's about 11 years, and this is what it looks like when we are at a minimum in a solar cycle. It's a big difference. This picture's pretty old, back from 1996. This is what the sun actually looks like.
But look at what happens. All of a sudden, all of these solar flares begin to sort of light up the sun, so to speak, and this is what a maximum looks like.
Well, that was then. That was back in the year 2000. So, we are back, now at what could be another solar maximum, and this solar flare that we saw is just the beginning of it.
Speaking of the sun, one more thing I want to show you is something that has never been seen before by humans. These are some of the newest pictures that we have from NASA's STEREO satellites. It's basically twin satellites, positioned on either side of the sun, and they give us the first 360 degree view of the sun for the very first time.
When we talk about solar flares and solar storms, it's really important to know when they're coming, so here on Earth, we can be prepared. Well, this, they say, is the best tool, or one of the best tools, that we have now to be able to actually predict how intense these flares will actually be and what kind effect they may have right here on Earth.
So, that's your space weather for today. Back to you.
STOUT: Thank you very much. And, of course, we turn to you for the space forecast. Mari Ramos, there.
Bjarke Ingels has developed some of the most revolutionary structures in the world. He is a world-renowned Danish architect and a founding partner of Bjarke Ingels Group, also known as BIG, B-I-G. He spoke with Ali Velshi and showed him some of his remarkable designs.
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ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: When we talk about thinking outside the box, it seems that in your designs, you don't even start with a box.
BJARKE INGELS, FOUNDING PARTNER, BJARKE INGLES GROUP: Sometimes we actually almost do start with a box. I can show you -- it's actually -- this is our website, all these little colorful icons are, essentially BIG ideas --
VELSHI: Something you built. Yes.
INGELS: So, just to give you an example --
VELSHI: That's the one we were just looking at. What is this?
INGELS: It's a project we did in Copenhagen that's called The Mountain.
VELSHI: Yes.
INGELS: And, essentially, we were asked to do an apartment building and a parking structure. And we thought, instead of building a traditional stack of apartments next to a big box of parking --
VELSHI: Yes.
INGELS: We would turn all the parking into a manmade, south-facing hill, creating a mountain of homes, where, essentially, rather than sitting stacked on each other, each house actually has a garden the same size as the apartment itself.
VELSHI: Wow.
INGELS: So it becomes like a mountain in otherwise flat Copenhagen in Denmark.
VELSHI: All right, let's take a look at another one that you've got. You did the Danish Pavilion at the Expo.
INGELS: Yes.
VELSHI: In Shanghai.
INGELS: Essentially, what we were trying to show, because the whole theme of the expo was sustainability.
VELSHI: Yes.
INGELS: So, we're trying to show this idea that, actually, sustainable cities can actually increase the quality of life. So we designed the pavilion as a loop where people can bicycle, like they do in Copenhagen. And at the heart of it, we had a harbor bath. Because in Copenhagen, the harbor water has become so clean that you can swim in it.
VELSHI: Wow.
INGELS: So, essentially, to sort of transmit this idea that the sustainability is not necessarily a question of sacrificing your quality of life to sort of -- I'm Danish, so we call it a Protestant idea that it has to hurt to do good.
VELSHI: Right.
INGELS: But that, actually, sustainability can increase the quality of life.
VELSHI: That's excellent. All right, you've got some things underway, right now. I'm on my way to New York this evening. You've got a great project, West 57.
INGELS: Yes. Actually, we're doing a project on the west side of Manhattan for Durst Fetner Residential.
VELSHI: Yes.
INGELS: And, essentially, what we're trying to do is, we're trying to sort of -- let me help you, here.
VELSHI: Here we go. There we go, all right, there.
INGELS: We're trying to sort of combine the typology of the American skyscraper that created density.
VELSHI: Yes.
INGELS: With the typology of the European courtyard that creates a garden at the heart of the block as this sort of urban oasis in the middle of a dense city.
VELSHI: Right.
INGELS: So, you can see --
VELSHI: And this is what it's going to look like?
INGELS: You can really see the trees and the nature inside the block.
VELSHI: All right. You're working on something else that has to do with waste. Tell me about this.
INGELS: Something like -- one of the most recent projects we did -- let me find it, here. It's -- it's a waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen.
VELSHI: So, turning waste into energy?
INGELS: Essentially, burning waste as fuel.
VELSHI: Yes.
INGELS: And we thought that, since it's going to the biggest and tallest structure in Copenhagen, and we call it -- Copenhagen actually has the climate, but not the topography for alpine skiing.
VELSHI: Right.
INGELS: So, we basically took a ski resort and pasted it on the roof of the factory.
VELSHI: Right.
INGELS: So that, instead of having this sort of big box that blocks the views or casts shadows on the neighbors, we actually get a manmade mountain for alpine skiing in the heart of Copenhagen.
VELSHI: So, people can ski on this thing?
INGELS: Basically, you can take the elevator along the chimney up to the top of it, and then you can take a green, a blue, or a black slope all the way down, and you will -- because we can engineer it, you'll return at the foot of the elevator, and you can get another ride.
VELSHI: That's brilliant. And because you said the climate is suitable, it just doesn't have the topography. So you put a mountain in a place that can sustain a ski hill.
INGELS: We have the snow, but we don't have the hills.
VELSHI: Brilliant. We love this. This is fantastic. Thank you for these innovative, forward-looking designs. We look forward to following much more of your work.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STOUT: And he knows how to communicate his designs so well.
Now, up next here on NEWS STREAM, what do you say when a machine beats you at your own game? Well, you welcome your new computer overlord, of course. Coming up next, get the blow-by-blow from "Jeopardy!'s" man versus machine battle.
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STOUT: Now, mere human minds have proved no match for the super computer Watson, which has just been crowned the new king of trivia. Watson earned more than $77,000 on the US game show "Jeopardy!" That's more than former champs Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter combined.
Watson has the processing capabilities of 2800 powerful computers, but that is not to say it played perfectly. Watson came up with more than a couple of weird answers.
IBM developed the computer and says you can expect to see a Dr. Watson in a few years. It hopes to use the game show computer technology in a device for medical diagnostics.
When a journalist is on there, live like this, there's certain rules. Yes, we think jokes about Justin Bieber are fair game, but when an anchor zings a fellow reporter about his size, well, our Jeanne Moos feels she needs to step in.
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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's February, the month for sending hearts and flowers, unless you're a TV anchor, in which case it's the month to belittle the guy sitting next to you at the news desk.
BELINDA HEGGEN, NETWORK TEN ANCHOR: What have I done? What have I done?
MOOS (voice-over): She did it to the sports guy for Australia's Network Ten.
MARK AISTON, NETWORK TEN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Probably shying off the little urn.
MOOS (voice-over): Mark Aiston was talking about a miniature sports trophy.
AISTON: Belinda, I just can't understand how something so small can be so impressive.
HEGGEN: Well, Mark, you would know about that. Thank you very much. Weather's next with Jane Reilly.
MOOS (voice-over): Many folks assumed the worst. Those two have issues. But when the sports reporter tweeted his "small willy" response, he linked to his blog, where he posted the video.
HEGGEN: Well, Mark, you would know about that.
MOOS (voice-over): And noted, "Just for the record, Belinda and I get on fine." Meanwhile, Belinda Heggen went on Nova Radio and assured folks, Mark's always the one making jokes, but this time --
HEGGEN: He just set it up and I -- I didn't even think, I just had to lob it back.
(LAUGHTER)
MOOS (voice-over): And speaking of lobbing, watch as snippy remarks lob back and forth on Valentine's Day on "Good Day New York" between the medical correspondent and an anchor, who doesn't seem to think energy drinks and soda are as bad as the doctor suggests.
SAPNA PARIKH, MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT, "GOOD DAY NEW YORK": Depending on how much caffeine's in there.
GREG KELLY, ANCHOR, "GOOD DAY NEW YORK": We're all right.
PARIKH: I'm going to move on.
ROSANNA SCOTTO, ANCHOR: "GOOD DAY NEW YORK": OK.
PARIKH: You just decide whatever -- you decide whatever you want.
KELLY: All right, doctor.
PARIKH: There was a really great event yesterday --
KELLY: No problem.
PARIKH: You done?
KELLY: Equinox, at Equinox, at Equinox.
PARIKH: You let me know when you're done.
KELLY: At Equinox.
PARIKH: You done?
KELLY: Yes.
MOOS (voice-over): But those were love tapes compared to another encounter on the very same show years earlier.
MOOS (on camera): It was a classic case of on-air hostility, the standard against which all talent testiness will be judged.
MOOS (voice-over): The segment was titled "Landlord versus Tenants," but it turned into Anchor Man verses Reporter.
DICK OLIVER, CORRESPONDENT, "GOOD DAY NEW YORK": So, what do you want, now?
JIM RYAN, ANCHOR, "GOOD DAY NEW YORK": Well, if I have to teach you how to be a reporter, Oli, I'll do that later.
OLIVER: Why don't you do that later, Jim.
RYAN: I'll give you lessons on how to become a reporter later on.
OLIVER: And I'll give you some lessons on how to be an editor, because I was your boss, once.
RYAN: Yes, you were, and are no longer. How did that happen?
MOOS (voice-over): It so happens the cat fight was memorable that, just the other day, "Saturday Night Live" reprised it all these years later.
JESSE EISENBERG, GUEST HOST, "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE": I'm not going to take reporter lessons from a can of hairspray.
MOOS (voice-over): This just in, anchor rancor. Jeanne Moos.
AISTON: Something so small can be so impressive.
MOOS (voice-over): CNN.
HEGGEN: Well, Mark, you would know about that.
MOOS (voice-over): New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STOUT: And now, we'd like to take you Over and Out There. Rahm Emanuel is offering a $2500 reward for the person behind a fake Twitter account to step forward. Now, as you can see here, the Chicago mayoral candidate's real Twitter account, it's the standard political fare.
But an impersonator with a pretty salty keyboard is posting under the Twitter handle "Mayor Emanuel." Let's just say the imposter has a way with expletives.
Now, to add insult to injury, the fake feed has 20,000 more followers than Rahm Emanuel's real Twitter feed.
That is NEWS STREAM. But the news continues at CNN. "WORLD BUSINESS TODAY" with Charles Hodson, Maggie Lake, and Andrew Stevens is next.
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