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New Airport Screening Rules; Al Qaeda Rising; Radical Yemeni Preacher

Aired January 04, 2010 - 11:00   ET

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

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Heidi Collins.

CNN NEWSROOM continues now with Brooke Baldwin.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: It is Monday, January 4, 2010. Here are some of the top stories we're working for you right now in the CNN NEWSROOM.

First up, the government begins extra airport security checks today. You need to know about this, new rules for flyers coming to the U.S. from 14 countries.

And what is al Qaeda plotting? Three western nations have now shut their embassies in Yemen.

And the new year finds terror back at the top of the news. The president's actions and what his critics are saying.

And a good Monday morning to you. I'm Brooke Baldwin, in today for Tony Harris.

And you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

I want to get right to this. They're calling it enhanced screening, new screening rules in effect today, right now, affecting anyone flying into the U.S. from certain countries.

CNN Homeland Security Correspondent Jeanne Meserve reporting on exactly who will be affected by this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: As of now, all passengers on flights heading into the United States will be subject to random screening, not the mandatory intensive screening that has been in place since Christmas Day. But those flying in from certain countries or with passports from those countries will be required to go through enhanced screening. That could include full- body pat-downs, carry-on bag searches, full-body scanning and explosive detection swabs. This, according to a new security directive issued by the Transportation Security Administration and now in effect.

The countries include those that are officially listed by the State Department as sponsoring terrorism: Cuba, Sudan, Iran and Syria. The other countries were chosen because of concerns, particularly about al Qaeda affiliates. They are Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen. In addition, pilots on inbound flights will have the discretion to prevent passengers from keeping pillows and blankets in their laps and to limit movement in the cabin.

The president's top counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, fanned out across the talk shows on Sunday to say although there were lapses and errors in sharing intelligence prior to the attempted Christmas attack, there is no smoking gun. He rejected comparisons to the failures of communication before 9/11.

JOHN BRENNAN, WHITE HOUSE SR. ADVISER ON COUNTERTERRORISM: It's not like 9/11. There was no indication that any of these agencies or departments were intentionally holding back information. And I can point to numerous...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No turf battles?

BRENNAN: No turf battles. There were lapses, there were human errors. The system didn't work the way it should have. But no agency was trying to -- I think there were human errors and lapses, and so what I'm going to do is to make sure I tell the president exactly what I think went wrong, but there wasn't an effort to try to conceal information.

MESERVE: The president meets with his top homeland security and intelligence advisers tomorrow to discuss the shortcomings that allowed Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to board an aircraft on Christmas Day.

Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Jeanne, thank you.

Other big stories we're watching for you on the CNN wire, staying on the topic of Yemen here.

France joined the U.S. and Britain today in shutting down its doors in Yemen because of these threats, specifically from al Qaeda. As well here, Japan suspending visa services at its embassy there. "The New York Times" is reporting four suicide bombers were planning attacks there.

And American aid to Yemen will more than double this year. Over this past weekend, the U.S. military commander for the Middle East -- that being General David Petraeus -- actually went to the capital, Sana'a, meeting with Yemen's president about al Qaeda and its growing threat.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS, COMMANDER, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: Al Qaeda is always on the lookout for places where they might be able to put down roots. Some years ago, actually -- this is when I was still in Iraq -- we could see the development of cells of al Qaeda in Yemen. This past year, of course, that was recognized by al Qaeda senior leadership by being designated al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, AQAP. But during that time as well, in fact dating back to last year -- in fact, late 2008 -- there has been an effort to partner with President Salih and with the security forces of Yemen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: In Afghanistan, the first American deaths of the new year. Four U.S. soldiers were killed in a roadside bombing. The military says it happened in southern Afghanistan, but was not more specifying than that.

And Dubai opening the world's tallest building at this hour. I want to take you to live pictures so you can check this thing out for yourself.

Just imagine, if you will, this 160-plus-story building. It's called the Burj. It's about a half-mile high and costs $1.5 billion.

What they're doing now -- this is this sort of opening ceremony for the building today -- a lot of excitement there. Some people saying this is really just an architectural miracle. Others saying it's just downright ostentatious. But the Burj, by the way, began -- the building for it, the construction -- back in 2004, well before the financial crisis ended Dubai's building boom.

And that is a look at some of your headlines for now.

But we want to drill down a little bit more now on Yemen and the rising al Qaeda threat with our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr.

And Barbara, we know that General Petraeus was in Sana'a over the weekend. We know he met with the president of Yemen.

What do we know was essentially the motivation perhaps behind that meeting?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Brooke, look at this way -- now, in 2010, when you look at the threat out there, Yemen is in what they call the first tier of threat countries, because with this link to the Detroit bomber situation, and the closing of the U.S. embassies in Yemen, it just underscores that al Qaeda in Yemen now has the capability to basically reach out and touch the United States or touch U.S. interests.

That is General Petraeus's concern. He went to the capital of Sana'a. He met with President Salih in Yemen, a very small group, behind closed doors.

No question about it, they are talking about intelligence, they are talking about targeting al Qaeda, they are talking about where al Qaeda is hiding and how to jointly go after them. General Petraeus, right before he went to Yemen, made some unusually rare remarks about how he views that country. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETRAEUS: It's a country that has a lot of challenges -- the Hutis in the north, some southern secessionists in the south, a reduction in oil production, although gas is going up, thankfully. But a youth bulge, many of the challenges of countries that are in the process of development, rugged terrain, tribal areas and so forth.

So very important, indeed, that Yemen has taken the actions that it has. And, indeed, that not just the United States, but countries in the region, its neighbors and so forth, have provided -- they in particular have provided significant assistance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: Well, don't look for sort of the old way of doing business here when you think about what's next. Don't look for U.S. troops on the ground in Yemen. That's not going to happen. By all accounts, the next steps will be more intelligence-sharing, more sharing of targeting, the possibility of working together on striking al Qaeda targets, more training and equipping of Yemeni forces.

This is much more like the Pakistan situation. No troops on the ground there. Sort of at standoff range, but really pushing the local military forces to go after these al Qaeda targets and stepping in very quietly and attacking them when local forces are unable to -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: It's interesting you bring up Pakistan. I was talking to a professor of Middle Eastern Affairs from the London School of Economics yesterday, saying, you know what? A lot of people don't realize there are more members of al Qaeda in Yemen, about 200 to 300, than in Pakistan. I thought that was interesting.

Barbara, let me ask you one other question. What is the Yemeni response to the U.S. in stepping up our efforts there?

STARR: Well, Yemeni officials say that starting in December, last month, when this all began to ramp up, they did move their security forces to the areas, especially in the east, where they believe al Qaeda members are hiding. They are going after those targets. They're going after them as best they can.

But, really, Brooke, by all accounts, it's their ground forces. We've even seen videos of it, pictures, their ground forces that are really doing most of the work.

Who's conducting the air strikes that have been seen? The U.S. is not publicly admitting that, but there's a pretty strong belief the U.S. is behind it -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Barbara Starr for us at the Pentagon.

Barbara, thank you.

And just ahead here, the radical cleric whose influence includes al Qaeda.

And Rob Marciano tracking this brutally cold weather. If you think today is freezing, hey, guess what? This guy is saying wait until later this week.

But first we are looking at the Dow, up 144 points today, the first day of trading in this new year. We'll get a check with Susan Lisovicz, more on the numbers, and some of these new manufacturing numbers we're getting, coming up at the bottom of the hour.

Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Threats from al Qaeda in Yemen prompting these new security steps we've been talking about today. The U.S. Embassy in the Yemeni capital is shut down for the second day today. The British, French embassies, they're closed as well.

And a senior Obama administration official is telling CNN that this U.S. Embassy closure is due to a very specific, credible and ongoing threat. That's what they're saying.

And starting today, here's something you need to know. Many international travelers coming into the U.S. will be facing what they're calling enhanced, tighter screening, particularly those flying through what the U.S. is considering "state sponsors of terrorism" or other countries of interest like Pakistan, Yemen and Nigeria. Fourteen countries in total there.

We're also learning a little bit more about the spread terrorism, specifically in Yemen. And our senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, reporting on a radical Yemeni preacher with direct ties to several known terrorists.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANWAR AL-AWLAKI, MUSLIM CLERIC: The Islam of Aman (ph) was an opening. His (INAUDIBLE) was victory.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Anwar al-Awlaki...

AL-AWLAKI: Reign (ph) was mercy.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): ... the radical Yemen-based preacher seen here online. His followers in Britain say he's like Osama bin Laden.

ABU MUWAZ, SALAFI YOUTH MOVEMENT: He reminds me of, for example, Sheikh Osama bin Laden and also Ayman al-Zawahiri in terms of he's soft-spoken, and at the same time, the knowledge that they have, the foundations that they have.

AL-AWLAKI: ... and said, "Hand me over your scrolls." ROBERTSON: This is the same Anwar al-Awlaki who exchanged e- mails with Major Nidal Hasan, accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood.

After the killings, Awlaki praised Hasan on his Web site, calling him a hero. The Web site is down now. Six years ago, he moved from the U.S. to London.

Abu Muwaz was one of thousands who flocked to his lectures.

MUWAZ: He was well-revered. People loved him. People his classes. People loved the way he explained things.

ROBERTSON: For these radical Muslims in London, Awlaki was God's messenger.

ABU NUSYABH, MUSLIM: He doesn't say fight until there's no more corruption left. It's Allah who says that. So, reality, he may quote a verse. It's the verse that inspires the people, not Imam Anwar al- Awlaki.

ROBERTSON (on camera): And Awlaki is still getting his message out, because even though his Web site is down and he's in hiding from Yemeni authorities, DVD box sets of his teachings are still for sale, openly taking a prominent place in bookstores like this in London, keeping his radicalizing message alive.

(voice-over): The newest DVD set released last month sells out in the open for $100. The storekeeper tells me he's doing good business. Even more frightening, the people he sells them to think Awlaki is mainstream.

And this video with the ominous title "The End of Time: A New Beginning" shows Awlaki inspiring his followers in a 45-minute live Internet broadcast to an audience in London. And whether he wants it or not, Awlaki has inspired people to terrorism. In London, court transcripts reveal that at least some of the group that conspired to blow up passenger jets en route to the U.S. in 2006 were Awlaki devotees, so too terrorists in Toronto convicted of planning to blow up targets in Canada and in the United States, the six men arrested in May 2007 and convicted of planning to kill soldiers at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ever since I heard this lecture, brother, I want everyone to hear about it. You know why? Because he gives it to you raw and uncut.

ROBERTSON: What you are hearing are three of the Fort Dix plotters praising Awlaki -- why Awlaki is so influential is a combination of birth and upbringing. He was born in the United States. His father was a minister in the Yemeni government. He is smart and privileged. He preached in Imam Johari Malik's mosque in Virginia.

IMAM JOHARI ABDUL-MALIK, DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH, DAR AL HIJRAH ISLAMIC CENTER: Young, handsome, Californian, has the benefit of English without an accent, and who also is proficient in the Arabic language. In fact, he is technically an Arab. What better mix?

ROBERTSON: The imam doesn't agree with Awlaki, but it was at his mosque Awlaki met two of the 9/11 bombers, although there is no evidence he knew what they were planning. But what's on everyone's mind now is what influence Awlaki may have had on a young Nigerian either here or in Yemen.

Nic Robertson, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: All right, parents. For those of you with high schoolers in the house, now is the time to start looking for a college. And perhaps more importantly, finding a way to pay for it.

Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis has your "Top Tips" next in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Do you need cash for college? Hey, guess what? The sooner you start looking, the better. We all know that; right? Sometimes it's easier said than done, though.

Applications for federal student loans, they are being taken right now. And CNN Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis joining me now from New York with the details.

And Gerri, let's start with the FAFSA. That is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. That's the application a lot of people are filling out.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Very well done.

BALDWIN: Yes. And there's some changes.

WILLIS: That's right. That's exactly what it stands for, and you've got to have this form if you're applying for college.

It's something you have to fill out if you plan on applying for any federal loans like the Perkins loan, the Stafford loan. And the good news here is that it's now shorter and simpler.

The new online application eliminates questions that don't apply to the applicant. It streamlines info. And if you filled it out a FAFSA last year, you can prefill the application with your tax return info.

Experts say you should submit that FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st. Look, the sooner you turn it in, the more aid you're liable to get.

Here's the info you should gather before you go online: Social Security number, driver's license, last year's tax return and W2, current bank and brokerage statements, mortgage info. You'll also need your current school code. And you can get that at FAFSA@ed.gov. And you'll also need a FAFSA pin number. OK. You get that at pin.ed.gov -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: OK, pin.ed.gov. Got it.

So that's FAFSA. That's federal. Then there's all kinds of other forms people can fill out.

WILLIS: Right.

BALDWIN: I mean, I can imagine it can get pretty confusing for the students. So, Gerri, what is the best strategy for looking for these loans, for filling these things out?

WILLIS: Well, the strategy is you max out that federal aid first. The good news here is that funding for federal student loans has increased. Let's take a look at the changes.

The Pell Grant will increase to $5,500 and the Hope Scholarship Credit will rise to $2,500. After you've completely gotten all the federal money you're entitled to, then you may have to rely on student loans, private student loans, but they are generally more expensive.

Sallie Mae recently came out with a new student loan option where you can make interest-only payments while you're still in school. This could really help you cut down on the amount you owe by the time you graduate. And that's always the goal -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: So let's say, you know, you're a student, you fill out your FAFSA, you get it sent in, but then one of your parents loses one of their jobs. Does that change things? What advice would you have?

WILLIS: Yes. Well, there's good news here.

If you do fill out the FAFSA and your personal financial situation changes, maybe a lost job, as you suggest, you can ask for what they call a professional judgment review. This allows families to have their financial aid package opened up again, reevaluated, and you may be able to get more money from federal grants or need-based scholarships.

And, of course, if you have any questions, send them to me at Gerri@CNN.com. We love to hear from you and we answer those questions right here every Friday.

BALDWIN: Got you. Gerri Willis, thank you very much.

WILLIS: My pleasure.

BALDWIN: Hey, let's get a quick check of some of our top stories now.

New tougher security procedures starting today at airports around the world. Passengers headed to the U.S. from countries linked to terrorism will now be undergoing these extra screenings including mandatory pat-downs and some full-body scans. And it's census form time officially here. The Census Bureau kicking off its once-in-a-decade survey of American households at an event in New York today.

This year's form, hey, it's only 10 questions, they say. It's one of the shortest questionnaires in history. You can look for it in a mailbox near you in March.

And have you seen this movie? I think I'm the only one on the planet who is not.

This is "Avatar," taking the top spot at the box office for the third straight week. The James Cameron flick has already made more than a billion, with a "B," dollars. Only four other movies in history have actually passed that mark. Amazing.

Well, the snow, the wind, the chill, it's definitely winter across much of the nation. Meteorologist Rob Marciano has the ice cold numbers next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Taking a look at weather. It is taking a dangerous and deadly toll all around the world.

(WEATHER REPORT)

BALDWIN: Well, here's something. Minimum wage, it is going down in one state. 2010 starting out on a Rocky Mountain low.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Quick live picture, the first family of the United States just now touching down at Andrews Air Force Base there in Maryland. A little bit of a temperature change for President Obama and the first family coming in after spending ten days in Waikiki and Hawaii. Coming into the Washington-area, quite a bit chillier.

And yes, he has quite a lot on tap this week. We'll be talking to CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux about a big meeting the president will be having at the White House. Talking homeland security, terrorism and talking to relevant agency heads about security, specifically aviation security. We'll check in with Suzanne and dig in to that.

But for now, let's talk about the workers. All across the country, they are back to their job today but for thousands of people the year 2010 not really a year to celebrate. That's because one state is actually lowering -- lowering the minimum wage. Susan Lisovicz at the New York Stock Exchange with those details.

Susan, happy new year to you. I guess not a happy new year for some people in Colorado.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: This is really unusual, but then, again, Brooke, these are unusual times. Colorado's minimum wage is being lowered by $0.03 to $7.25 an hour. It is actually first decline in the minimum wage since its creation in 1938, and it would have fallen even further if not for a federal floor.

Why is this? Well, Colorado's minimum wage is tied to inflation, and as we've said numerous times, prices actually fell last year. One of the reasons why, lower fuel prices. It affects just under 50,000 workers. Works out to a loss of $62 a year. So three cents an hour, not so much. Sixty-two dollars a year -- and if you're working for minimum wage, that $62 make as difference because you're only making about 15 grand a year -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Absolutely it makes a difference. And for people sitting there thinking, uh-oh, this is happening in Colorado, could this happen in New York? Florida? California? I mean, could this happen in other states?

LISOVICZ: Well, there are ten states, Brooke, that tie minimum wage to inflation. It includes some biggies like Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Ohio. In most of those states, there's no provision for lowering the amount so basically minimum wage stays flat if the cost of living falls. So, so far, Colorado the only one.

Stocks are not falling today. In fact, we we've got a terrific rally on this first trading day of the year. One of the reasons why, we've got a strong manufacturing report. Manufacturing expanding at the fastest level in more than three years. And Brooke, as you well know, the manufacturing sector has just been decimated during the recession.

So check it out -- the Dow, the Nasdaq, S&P 500, each up at least 1.5 percent. First trading day of 2010, let's hope it's a good omen for the year and the decade.

BALDWIN: Absolutely. The January effect, right?

LISOVICZ: Very good, and we'll be talking about that in the next hour, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Good deal. Susan Lisovicz -- see, I'm paying attention -- thank you. We'll see you in a little bit.

LISOVICZ: You're welcome.

BALDWIN: Are you possibly on a job search? Millions of Americans are. So get a jump on your resolution, you can log on to CNNMoney.com.

And you can see things are looking up in Dubai today. Look at that, pretty pictures. Live pictures. All kinds of fireworks going way, way up in the sky. This is the Arab city-state opening the world's tallest tower. Look at that. This tower, this is the Burj, it soars at least 160 stories high.

And my friend and CNN correspondent Mohammed Jamjoon has a pretty cool assignment there. He is in Dubai for this grand opening. Mohammed, I don't know if you can hear me over those fireworks, but hello or I guess good evening to you there in Dubai. Does it hurt your neck craning up and looking at that thing?

MOHAMMED JAMJOON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hello, Brooke, it is a little but hard to hear right now. The roar of the crowd is just amazing. There's a spectacular fireworks display that is going on behind us, illuminating the tallest building in the world. It's the Burj Dubai. Also it's just been renamed the Burj Khalifa officially.

This goes up about half a mile into the sky. We went up there earlier today, we saw the observation deck, that's on the 124th story. Panoramic views that are just stunning of Dubai and the surrounding areas.

And I can tell you that there is such an excitement here today well before the fireworks display happened. Well before the ruler of Dubai inaugurated the building. Just people standing around. There are thousands of people here. They were clapping, singing, telling us they couldn't be happier that Dubai is getting the world's tallest building.

Now you can hear the cheer of the crowd once more -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Wow. Amazing. I'll let you go. I'll let you go celebrate if you can squeeze it in in between your live reports for us. Mohammed Jamjoon for us in front of the Burj. Pretty stuff. Mohammed, thank you.

And coming up next hour you'll get to see the ins and outs of this building. Our Stan Grant goes inside. He will walk through with some of the developers. By the way, it has enough windows to cover 17 football fields. We're telling you, this thing is huge. Huge.

President Obama, as we saw just a couple minutes ago, arriving back in Washington. We will look at the big agenda facing him for the start of 2010.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: President Obama, there he is. There's the first family coming off of Air Force One there at Andrews Air Force Base, ending officially a ten-day vacation in a much, much warmer climate -- shaking some hands there -- much warmer climate over Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Now back in Washington.

And his holiday getaway, you know this, it was interrupted by the attempting bombing of a U.S. jetliner, that happening Christmas Day. White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joining us live.

And, Suzanne, he is back, he has a lot on his plate. What is priority -- really, priority number one for Mr. Obama this week?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. You brought up a good point. It's a lot chillier here in Washington, D.C. -- 17 degrees with the wind chill. And of course, he has a lot on his plate.

The thing that we're looking at, I spoke with the senior administration official, is this meeting that is going to take place in the situation room tomorrow. It really is kind of a follow-up to lots and lots of briefings that he's had over the last 10 days or so on this terrorist attack. It really is a chance to meet face to face with the key players, the agency chiefs, if you will, from the CIA. We're talking about the director of national intelligence as well as the secretaries of justice, homeland security, defense, state. All of them are going to be sitting in the situation room tomorrow afternoon, and they're going to be giving progress reports, updates about how they feel the departments and agencies can better protect the American people.

We had over the weekend -- we heard from a counterterrorism adviser to the president, John Brennan, who was saying, look, while there was no smoking gun when it came to any one particular piece of evidence that would have said this suspect, Abdulmutallab, would be on a plane aimed at striking the United States, there certainly were pieces of the puzzle, information that did not get relayed from one agency or one department to another that should have or could have been relayed. And that is the kind of thing that the president is going to want to hear from various cabinet level officials. He's going to talk about, ask a lot of questions, I'm told, about what they learned over the last ten days as a result of this.

And at the same time, Brooke, we're not just talking about counterterrorism. Obviously that's taking front and center stage, but the president, I'm told, is also going to be intimately involved in negotiation process when members of Congress come back and try to hash through that huge health care reform bill on the House and the Senate sides. That he is going to make it very clear that he wants that on his desk. He hopes it's going to be on his desk before state of the union. We're talking just weeks away -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Yes, Suzanne, I'm glad you brought that up because, yes, as you said, terrorism issues have been really front and center but we have health care overhaul, financial regulations, Afghanistan. I mean, do -- are we hearing any kind of presidential new year's resolutions so to speak?

MALVEAUX: Well, one of the things the administration definitely wants to do is he wants them to sign the health care bill as quickly as possible because they're really trying to turn the page now, turn the corner if you will, and focus on more economic pocketbook issues that the American people are so frustrated and so concerned about.

They want to focus on creating jobs. They're also going to be dealing with that authority issue of dealing with the national debt. These are things that the president is going to be talking about. So health care reform, they want to get that done and out of the way so they can move forward and focus on the kind of financial economic issues that so many people are discussing and say are, quite frankly, the most important issues to the American people -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Absolutely, Suzanne Malveaux, bundled up for us there at the White House in Washington. Suzanne, thank you.

Now to our top stories. New mandatory airport screenings starting today. Passengers flying into the United States from any one of these 14 countries including Nigeria and Yemen will be facing full body scans and patdowns.

To Afghanistan, where the first American battle casualties are now being reported in the new year. NATO says four U.S. service members died in a roadside bombing Sunday. That happening in the southern part of Afghanistan there.

After five years of construction, more than a billion dollars, the world's tallest skyscraper officially opens today in Dubai. We just saw all the fireworks, a big celebration, reaching about a half mile into the sky. This is called the Burj, it is actually the Burj Khalifa now, has 164 floors, more than a thousand residential units and 57 elevators.

You know, we've been talking a whole lot about Yemen, the problem with government and specifically terror cells, but there's also a refugee crisis that many of us haven't heard about, that hidden war that has thousands of families on the run.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: I want to get you this information. We're just getting this from the Associated Press, happening in Las Vegas, a deputy U.S. marshal says at least two federal marshals were shot and a gunman was apprehended after some kind of gunfire broke out in the lobby of a federal courthouse. This happening in downtown Las Vegas.

Chief Deputy Marshal Roxanna Leah Erwin (ph), she said today she didn't have any immediate information on the condition of the marshals, but she says authorities had a shooter in custody. Erwin says it appeared a shotgun was used during the confrontation. Again, at least two federal marshals shot, a gunman apprehended after this gunfire in downtown Las Vegas.

Well, again, looking at a map there of Las Vegas, happening at the federal courthouse, as soon as we get any more information on that we'll get that to you. Chief deputy marshal there saying that the authorities had the shooter in custody.

A renewed U.S. focus on Yemen has brought a lot more attention to the country and its own underlying problems. Freelance reporter Jane Ferguson has more on how the conflict in the north is causing thousands of families to flee.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE FERGUSON, FREELANCE REPORTER (voice-over): Accessing Yemen's hidden war takes a grueling eight-hour drive from the capital city of Sanna through mountain ranges notorious for kidnappings. Fifteen military checkpoints later, the frontline of fighting between the Yemeni Army and antigovernment Huti (ph) rebels is marked by Al Mazraq camp. Thousands of internally displaced people have fled to this spot. A fraction of up to 200,000 estimated to have been affected by the fighting in the north of the country.

Fatima al-Sahbani (ph) and her husband fled their home in the Malahit (ph) area, which has seen heavy fighting in recent months. In the panic, they lost contact with their fellow villagers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): There were air strikes in our home. We went inside our houses. We ran away with other villagers who already escaped. We ran from town to town from the Hutis.

FERGUSON (on camera): Mazraq camp here in north Yemen is home to almost 20,000 refugees. The Yemenis who have fled the fighting between the al-Hethis (ph) and the Yemeni government. Most have come from the Saudi Arabia border and the area of Sadah (ph) where their homes have been destroyed by heavy shelling.

Those who run this camp say they're unsure when these people will be able to return home.

(voice-over): For those who make the three to five-day journey on foot, even a canvas tent is no certainty. With almost three times as many people as the camp was meant to house, many are forced to sleep out in the open. With nothing more than a blanket to sleep on, desperation is taking hold.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We have a child inside the tent who died last night. He was only 20 days old. He died because of the cold weather.

MAI BARAZI, UNHCR: These people, some of them, it was their second displacement. So there are people who left Sadah area, running from the war to Saudi Arabia's border and then again they were pushed from Saudi Arabia borders back to Yemen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): They took us against our will. They searched us at gunpoint.

FERGUSON: Neighboring Saudi Arabia's involvement goes beyond turning back Yemeni refugees. Claiming rebels incurred into their territory in early November, the military launched attacks on the Hutis turning Yemen's internal conflict into an international one.

With a blanket ban on outside media, November images like these obtained from the rebels, which can't be independently verified, are the only signs. Despite claims that Saudi Arabia launched attacks inside Yemen, both the Yemeni and Saudi governments maintain their armies stayed within their respective boundaries.

The Yemeni government also says the rebels are receiving outside report, an allegation repeated by Vice President Abd al-Rab Mansar Al- Hadi (ph) on a visit to Mazarq camp.

(on camera): The rebels, is there any -- is there any evidence to prove that they're linked with a larger international network like al Qaeda or the Iranians or is it just domestic?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. They are helping them.

FERGUSON: Who are helping them?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Iran.

FERGUSON: Iran. And how are they helping? With the weaponry?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, By money.

FERGUSON: By money.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. OK. That's all.

FERGUSON: OK.

(voice-over): A conflict that broke out five years ago is only now beginning to attract international attention. With regional players involved, focus has been on the political repercussions. But with aid to agencies planning to host displaced people for up to a year, those caught up in this mostly uncovered war will continue to suffer in silence, waiting to return home.

Jane Ferguson, for CNN, Yemen.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: All right. Before we go to break, I want to update you on the situation happening at a federal courthouse in downtown Las Vegas. Here's what we know according to a deputy U.S. Marshal.

At least two federal marshals happening in Las Vegas, excuse me, two federal marshals shot and a gunman has been apprehended after some kind of gunfire broke out in the lobby of this federal courthouse in downtown Las Vegas. We still don't know exact the conditions of the marshals but at least authorities have the shooter in custody and apparently, according to the chief deputy marshal there in Las Vegas, as we're looking at live pictures courtesy of our affiliate KVVU, we are hearing that a shotgun was used during the confrontation.

Again two, federal marshals shot. We don't know their condition but the gunman appears to be in custody. More on this breaking story next in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Want to take you back to our breaking story happening out of downtown Las Vegas. If we have those pictures, I can tell you exactly what's happening. We're getting new information.

You see a bunch of people out and about in downtown Las Vegas. That's because this building has been evacuated. The building is this federal courthouse building and all of this happening because at least two, possibly three either federal marshals or security guards, take a look at the police presence, all these patrol cars, these two or three marshals, security guards were shot in the lobby of this federal courthouse in downtown Las Vegas.

Also, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect was then shot about a block from the scene. Is he now in custody and we understand that he was using a shotgun. That is the weapon that has been taken in and the building, again, is being evacuated right now. All of this happening in downtown Las Vegas. We still don't know the conditions of these two, possibly three security guards or U.S. Marshals. All we're hearing from metropolitan police is the fact that they are wounded.

More on the story in the CNN NEWSROOM. Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Back on our breaking story this noon hour eastern time, we are watching this developing is story out of downtown Las Vegas, live pictures courtesy of KVBC. A lot of police presence really honing in on this federal courthouse building because some time ago, two, possibly three federal marshals were shot and wounded in the lobby of this federal courthouse building in Las Vegas.

You can see police definitely cordoning off the area. They are also evacuating this building there you can see the police just lined up right outside of the federal courthouse building.

Here's what we know about the suspect. This individual was shot about a block from the scene. He was using some kind of shotgun during these confrontations. Again this happening in the lobby of this federal courthouse building, the building again being evacuated according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police. Two to three agents or possibly security guards were wounded. As soon as we get updates we will bring that to you live right here on CNN.

And time now for your top of the hour reset. Once again, I am Brooke Baldwin here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

It is 8:00 in the evening in Yemen where three western embassies are shut down, closed their doors because of fears of a possible al Qaeda plot.

And it's noontime in Washington where almost 1,000 special interest groups are lobbying the health care reform bill and it's bright and early 7:00 a.m. In the morning in Hawaii where budget cutbacks add up to the shortest school year in the nation.

Let's get going right now. First up, we'll talk about Yemen, the U.S. Shutting down its embassy for day two now amid specific new threats from al Qaeda. Paula Newton has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: For decades, Yemen has been a reliable outpost for al Qaeda and now terrorists there are stepping up their threats. Vowing to kill every crusader working in western embassies. President Obama's counterterrorism adviser confirmed the threat to CNN. JOHN BRENNAN, WHITE HOUSE SR. ADVISER ON COUNTERTERRORISM: There are indications that al Qaeda is planning to carry out an attack against a target inside of Sana'a, possibly our embassy, and what we do is to take every measure possible to ensure the safety of our diplomats and citizen abroad.

NEWTON: Both the American and British embassies were shut down in Yemen's capital, Sana'a, as security officials evaluate the threat level. The Obama administration is now directly linking al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to the Detroit bombing attempt involving explosives allegedly hidden in the underwear of Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Both the United States and Britain are working to enhance security training already under way in Yemen, and that includes creating a Yemeni counterterrorism police unit.

BRENNAN: We are very concerned about al Qaeda's continued growth there. But they're not just focusing on Yemen, as was evidenced by Abdulmutallab's effort to try to bring down that plane. They are, in fact, looking to the West.

NEWTON: Both American and British officials are sensitive to claims they are opening up yet another front in the war against terrorism. But Britain's prime minister, Gordon Brown, concedes the pressure building on al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan has had unintended consequences.

GORDON BROWN, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: The weakness of al Qaeda in Pakistan has forced people out of Pakistan and forced them into Yemen and Somalia. One lesson I think we've learned is that by taking on al Qaeda in south Waziristan, we have diminished the strength, we have dispersed their organization.

NEWTON: But to what end? Several hundred al Qaeda members have now regrouped in Yemen, a deeply conservative, poor and anti-western nation where there are only limited options in fighting a war on al Qaeda.

(END VIDEOTAPE)