muslims are very excited about ramadan.describe it in a metaphorical sense of expecting a month-long guest because of all the excitement surrounding it in terms of being with your family, establishing and re-establishing your relationship with god and those around you. we follow the lunar calendar. and, so every year ramadan moves up in the year. this year it's in the summer time. it's gonna be more than twelve hours. no eating, no drinking, the whole day. and you're still supposed to doing all the things that you'd normally do. so, yeah, it's a challenge definitely. but, i'm still looking forward to it.ó( two of the things that people look forward to during ramadan would be the iftars, which is when we break our fasts at the end of the day at sunset. and the prayers, special ramadan prayers that come after our evening prayers. you're supposed to start your fasting when you hit puberty. so, for guys and girls, it's different ages. >> i started my fast when i was six. it was hard. i kept breaking it by accident. >> really, w

and so ramadan is that realy intense,ocused way of doing that.on our own selve and then worki on our relationship to others. and, ultimately our retionship o god. there's a prayer walways say, "grant us good in thilife and good inhe hereafter." a l of prayers that we do in ramadan is really aing for in the next life that we attaithe highest levels of hean, and to mbe see our beloved prophet mohamm when we're there. >> abernethy: in india ere is often conflict between slims and hindus. but in mumbai this ye there is a joint celebration f islam's ramadan and hinduism's ganh chaturthiestival. both holidays started on t same day, and each fah group celebrating with the other. duringhe festival muslims have attended prayeservices for the hindu elephant headed god ld ganesha while hind feasted at muslim households as theyat down to eatfter their day long fat. that's our progm for now. i'm bob ernethy. there's much more on our web site, including mo about senator kennedy and relign, audio and video dcasts are also available. join us at pbs.org. as we le

today begins ramadan. a holy month in the islam world. in fact, president obama soffering greetings for muslims. >> on behalf of the american people, including muslim communities in all 50 states i want to extend best wishes to muslims in america and around the world. ramadan car i'm. >> that is our muslims greet each other during the holy month, and this is muslims most important time, right now. >> absolutely. and a key part of ramadan is fasting during daylight hours. our arwa damon has more. >> reporter: hi, betty, t.j. ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar and a time when muslims fast. sunrise to sunset about ab staining from food, drink and other physical needs. it is meant to be a time of purification of the soul, a time for muslims to feel closer to god. a time of sacrifice. it is also meant to be a time of giving. for example, if a person is ill or traveling, or unable to fast, they are encouraged to give money and food to the poor. now, during this time period, there are also a number of very special traditions, meals

iranian muslims who've planned a pilgrimage to mecca during ramadan may have to change their plans. iran's health minister has banned pilgrimages to saudi arabia worried that crowds could increase the risk of spreading swine flu. the virus has killed more than 800 people worldwide since april. in india, hindu priests held a fire ritual to seek divine intervention to stop the spread of the h1n1 virus. and in israel, a group of rabbis and jewish mystics sought to do the same thing in an airplane service where they chanted prayers and blew rams' horns or shofars while flying over the country. here in washington this week, president obama hosted a special medal of freedom ceremony at the white house. the president gave america's top civilian honor to sixteen people he called "agents of change." among the honorees were two prominent religious leaders. retired anglican archbishop desmond tutu was recognized for his fight against apartheid in south africa, and his efforts for reconciliation after apartheid ended. reverend joseph lowery was honored for his longtime civil rights work. obama

there is a ban on smoking right now in iraq as it is ramadan. with the evening call to prayer, a normal life resumes. without nicotine, many iraqis say that the country cannot function. they reacted with astonishment to a government proposal to ban smoking on all of the time in public places. >> almost everyone is puffing away. it is hard to believe that the government has any chance of banning smoking in iraq. many say that it does not have its priorities right. fix the basics first, like security. >> to get the person who is a terrorist, not the smoking. this is a free pleasure. >> not everybody respects the daytime ramadan bar on smoking. the government workers have to light up outside. >> i hate smoking. i never put a cigarette in my mouth my whole life. i am trying to practice my authority inside of my office and ask them not to smoke. if they want to smoke, they need to go outside. >> attitude -- attitudes are dragging behind when police are seeking a smoke inside of a hospital. with their business possibly under threat, traders in the mai

ramadan curry. >> as you heard there, ramadan curing, that is how muslims greet each other during the the month. >>> back to the weather, hurricane bill skirting past bermuda. reynolds wolf will be up in the next few minutes to tell us how the east coast is going to feel this thing. bicycle, what are we waiting for? the flowers are blooming. the air is sweet. and zyrtec® starts... relieving my allergies... 2 hours faster than claritin®. my worst symptoms feel better, indoors and outdoors. with zyrtec®, the fastest... 24-hour allergy medicine, i promise not to wait as long to go for our ride. zyrtec® works fast, that the bank of america really has the market cornered on. let me make it easier for you. let me show you how i can make it easier for you. we have the number one rated online banking website. it has an alert system that can text message you, so you're mobile banking, your bank's telling you what your current balance is. it's telling you if a certain check is cleared. customers that use the internet, use online banking. it all kind of falls in with what you're doing, and it's

. >>> the islamic holy month of ramadan begins this weekend. and president obama is once again making good on a campaign promise to try to reach out to muslims. president obama said u.s. efforts to end the iraq war and isolated extremists in afghanistan and pakistan are aimed at builting a more peaceful world. the president also reiterated his support for a two-state solution for israelis and palestinians. >>> you know, moving can take a toll on your back and on your bank account, hln money expert clark howard delivers a tip to prepare you and your wallet for the next move. >> are you moving this summer? let me tell you something about moving, you got to be so careful and if you're moving from state to state, you got to know there's lots of people out there who are really sleazy, there are also very legitimate movers. first place you should go is moving.org. you go there and you'll be at the website of the trade association for real movers. that doesn't mean you're always going to get a great move, but it puts you in the direction of dealing wi

she will fa the punishment of sixlashes once the fasting month of ramadan is over.smuslims are not allowed to ink cohol, although many don the liberal urbaareas. otrs, thou, agree with the judge. >> my opinion as to wheth to whip or not to whip is in fact the prerogave of the judge to decide. it is a sson for the public. it is better to haveaning. >> kartika shukno has toait four weeks. if it's carrie out, malaysia's repution as amoderate nation is likely to be chaed by many. >> just a few days before japas general election and it looks as though the oppition mocratic party could defeat thliberal democts who have led japan the st few dedes but manynames and facesill stay t same, a the bbc roland burke reports from rokoko. in japanese litics, the family name can be a valble asset. >> katsuhito yakahume isrying to make vire of his humble origins, using his bike to campaign for parliament. t however many people he bow to as he tries to struggle through e streets he will struggle to be asell known as his president. so running for ofce is shinjiro kn jumi. in this town h

although the authority dees laid the sentence at the end of ramadan and have agreed to review the penalty. >>> and one more note from asia tonight, taiwan announced today that the dalai lama will be allowed to visit that country to help ease the pain caused by a typhoon that killed an estimated 670 people earlier this month. taiwan's president said the tibetan spiritual leader could, quote, help rest the souls of the dead and also pray for the well being of the survivors. but the move cast a shadow over taiwan's improving relations with china, said, quote, it resolutely opposes the dalai lama's visit to taiwan. china's news agency said under the pretext of religion, he has all along been engaged in separatist activities. china has long vilified the dalai lama for what it says are his attempts to fight for independence in tibet. >>> as the tributes to senator edward kennedy continued today, nowhere more than in the united states than is his death reverberating more than in ireland. that country's foreign affairs minister called kennedy, quote, the embodiment of the irish immigrant story. a

she will face the punishment of six lashes once the fasting month of ramadan is over.s muslims are not allowed to drink alcohol, although many do in the liberal urban areas. others, though, agree with the judge. >> my opinion as to whether to whip or not to whip is in fact the prerogative of the judge to decide. it is a lesson for the public. it is better to have caning. >> kartika shukarno has to wait four weeks. if it's carried out, malaysia's reputation as a moderate nation is likely to be changed by many. >> just a few days before japan's general election and it looks as though the opposition democratic party could defeat the liberal democrats who have ruled japan the past few decades but many names and faces will stay the same, as the bbc's roland burke reports from rokosuko. in japanese politics, the family name can be a valuable asset. >> katsuhito yakahume is trying to make a virtue of his humble origins, using his bike to campaign for parliament. but however many people he bows to as he tries to struggle through the streets he will struggle to be as well known

this weekend marks the start of ramadan, the islamic lunar month of prayer and fasting. markets in the muslim world were packed with shoppers as people stocked up on traditional foods for iftar, the meal served when fasting ends each day at sunset the fast is one of the five pillars of islam and is considered a method of self- purification. muslims believe that it was during the month of ramadan that the quran was revealed to the prophet muhammad. >> potter: president obama urged the faith community this week to support his health care plan, calling it an ethical and moral obligation. in a conference call sponsored by more than 30 religious denominations and organizations, the president accused his critics of distortion and fabrications. >> i know there's been a lot of misinformation in this debate. and there are some folks out there who are, frankly, bearing false witness. but i want everyone to know what health-insurance reform is all about. >> potter: mr. obama said it's not true that his plan would mean government funding of abortions, as charged again this week in

. >>> muslims around the world are sell britting ramadan. the month-long period of casting and reflection. this is modesty and self-restraint. president obama taped the noefg the 1.5 billion muz rimm whose observe this month. >> on behalf of the american people including muslim communities 24 all 50 states, i want to extend best wishes to muslims in america and around the world. ramadan kareem. >> take a look here. caught on tape. a string of heists. police say the robbers have in common and why the story yous may shopping in on high alert again. trilipix. there's more to cholesterol. get the picture. >>> all right. so a well-known department store chain is on high alert after a string of daring robberierobber >> police in three states are comparing notes and examining surveillance video hoping to are a break. our sean callebs has the latest on this. >> reporter: two masked men caught on surveillance video brazenly breaking into a department store. they're holding 2 x 4s they used to smash open the jewelry counters and garbage bags filled wi

police say the bomber approached on foot as security guards were celebrating the end of ramadan. a train has slammed into an earth moving machine killing five passengers. several cars derailed as the train was traveling from the capital, ankara, to istanbul. there has been charges made in the hijacking of the arctic sea. it disappeared only to reappear three weeks later off of the west african coast. south africa's leader is visiting zimbabwe on the first presidential visit. let's hope that he can ease tensions within the fragile unity government. there will be a dinner in his honor. he is expected to call for an end of prosecution of political opponents. after six years and the deaths of about 300,000 people in the war in sudan, this is over. that is the declaration from the outgoing head of the african peacekeeping force. the conflict has now descended into low intensity banditry. >> for many, it was the world's most horrifying conflict. government-backed militiamen swept through villages. they raped and murdered civilians. this is what made darfur a household name. now the u.n

. >> the fact that he is going home to his family in time for ramadan, i am in the state of total disbelief. krask>> it was announced an actf passion. now he only has a few months to live. marion's stepfather says he feels betrayed. >> he brutally murdered 270 people. i see no reason to grant him amnesty, and that is what this amounts to. he is going home to is family and not just another person or hospital. >> they said they are trying to work through the grief and are still reeling from the decision, one they do not think they will ever understand. >> he is saying a live band comfort of one state-sponsored terrorist -- the life and comfort of one state-sponsored terrorist is more important than the lives of all 270 innocent loved ones. >> the only way to deal with the hurt and pain is to compartmentalize all of this and try to push on, but rose murray says she will never get over the death of her child region rose mary says she will never get over the death of her child and they are still -- rosemary says she will never get over the death of her child and they are still mourning. >> we wa

and one of the things he had done was, you know, housewives in the arab world during the month of ramadans sort of like having to make thanksgiving dinner 30 days in a row, so they go crazy for new ideas, and he had gotten a bunch of lebanese to start making turkey instead of lamb for their ramadan fast. everybody was watching sitcom, so they thought it was a good idea. this is just an excerpt from one of his shows. he was on a mission to transform arab cuisine. his burly frame bursting out of his uniform introduced foods vicariously. he wanted households to get away from standard fare, to sample new dishes. part of chef ramsey's appeal was while cooking on television, he fielded live calls. future television had to add two operators to answer questions while he was on the air. his satellite television broadcast considered mandatory viewing. watching him felt like eavesdropping on an extended arab living room. once a bee plopped down into a cream dish just minutes before the show ended. the chef told me he could not ignore it because the cameraman, the donkey, a crowning insult, focused r

grounds it seem as if a decision has been me to do everything they can to get him home to lib in time f ramadan, and the suspicion is th given his canc is terminal, heould die fairly qckly. >> it is rtain toaise tensio between russia and i neighbor geoia. russia's prime mister has been in the breakaway georgian republic of abkhazia. vladimir putin promised to spend almost $500 million on russ's military bases and frtified its border with orgia. >> the russian prime minier arrived here ahort of a warm welcom. whilmr. ptin paid respect to those killed i previous conflicts with georgia, he also pledged massive reurces for thearge number of russian oops now peanently based he. in inforl talks between mr. putin and the eye because -- the abkhaz lear, it became clear that russia wanted t finance eir rdown region. the govnment described itself as loyal ally of mscow. t in this local hospital, small glimpse of how abkhazia has now perhaps become much more than that. thes twins will apparently be named after him anthe russian present. there wil be growing in what will be inhe very least a client state.

president obama taped a message to muslims around the world who observe ramadan. >> on behalf of the american people including muslim communities in all 50 states i want to extend best wishes to muslims in america and around the world. >> not in my backyard is the call many residents from a michigan town reacting to the possibility that some gitmo detainees would be transferred there. this week hundreds of angry residents turned out for an emergency town hall meeting, a prison in the town is closing because of state budget cuts. federal delegation toured that facility to see if they could contain some of the guantanamo detainees there. >> we're all for any other state wanting their prisoners here we don't want the terrorists in our backyard. >> the obama administration has pledged to close guantanamo complex by 2010 and insists no final decision has been made, though, on putting those detainees somewhere. they don't know where they will go. >> rocks flew, windows shattered during a five hour prison riot in kentucky. this happened last night at the north point training center, a mediu

police say t bomr approaed on foot as security guards were celebrating the enof ramadan. a train has slammed in an earth moving machine killing five passengs. seral carserailed as the train was traveling from t capital, ankara, to istanbul. there has been chargemade in the hijacking of t arctic sea. it dippeared only reappear three weekslater off of th west africanoast. south africa' leader is visiting zimbabwe on theirst presidtial visit. let's hope that he canase tensions within the fragile unity government. ther will be ainner in hi honor. he isxpected to call for an end of prosecution of political opponents. after six years a the deaths of about 300,000 people in the war inudan, this is er. thats t declaration from the outgng head of the african peaceeping force. the conict hasow descended into low intensi banditry. >> for many, it was the world's most horrifying confct. government-backed militiamen swept through vilges. th raped and murdered civians. th is what made darfur a household name. now the u.n. soldiercharge of keepin peace says that darfur is no longeat war

he approached as the guards were celebrating the end of the ramadan fast. there has been of a train accident in northwest turkey killing passengers and injuring others. it derailed in istanbul. russia has charged eight men with kidnapping. this is over the apparent hijacking of the cargo ship last month. the arctic sea disappeared, only to reappear on the west african coast three weeks later. there is suspicion it was carrying an illicit cargo. german's chancellor is calling for a freeze on israel's the building of settlements. angela merkel was speaking to the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu. they also discussed iraq. netanyahu called for sanctions. we have this report from berlin. >> netanyahu came to berlin with a clear message for angela merkel. he said that it was time to get tougher with iran about its nuclear ambitions. >> there is not much time. i think the most important thing that could be put in place, what the u.s. secretary of state hillary clinton called " crippling sanctions." it is important that real pressure on this regime. we c

this i just ahead of the holy month of ramadan.hey are bringing their o policians of badlanning and corruption contribut to the oblem. >> still to come for you on "bbc worlnews," is this gold medal-winning alete really a man? she now faces a gender test after a victory in berli fit, reports from south korea that suggests i northern neighbor is about to easborder restrictions. the north is also indicang it would li to have tks with the u.s. over its nuclear program. from sel, korea,we he this report. >> some say that mexicois, perhaps, an unlikely location, for one of the world's most secret states. but govern bill riardson, an experiend diplomat, who has visited p'yoyang, beeves thatorth korea is trying to send a clear signal. >> let'ticket vantage of this, and the next ep should be se kind ofialogue that iolves the unit states and north korea. >> -- let's take aantage of this. >> north korea released the repoers with the help ofill clinto and they believe ey deserve mething in return, and at is direct talks. that may prove problem

have done ramadan greetings in written form in the past. >>> well, the sheriff's deputy in midland,been fired. three others suspended over this picture, a restaurant waitress posing with one of their rifles on the back of a patrol car. not a good move. her name, bambi, by the way. the deputies were out of town for a training session near austin. someone called the local cops about a woman with a gun. here's the kicker. the deputies admit they had a few beers. surprise, surprise. >> her name is not bambi. you made that up. you had to have made that up. >> that's what it said on the little name tag. maybe it's part of the theme of the restaurant. >> mike galanos, they will have some explaining to do, i do believe. thanks very much, mike. >> see uh, campbell. >>> tonight's "newsmaker," hear from the kidnapped families about their fight to get them free. >>>n't and to's "breakout," biracial and not black. the controversial debate over what really defines race. >> you're not just black or you're not just white. we somehow need to be acknowledged more instead of just saying somebody's bla

. >> the fact that he is going back to his family and in time for ramadan, i am in a state of total disbelief. scotland's justice secretary made the announcement, in which he said this was an act of compassion. now the man has been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer and is said to only a few months to live. the stepfather says he feels betrayed. >> he brutally murdered 270 people. i see no reason to grant him in the amnesty, and that is what this amounts to. he is going home to his family. not to another person or even the hospital. >> they say they are trying to work through the grief and are still reeling from the decision, when they do not think they will ever understand. >> he is saying the life and comfort of one state-sponsored terrorist is more important than all of the lives of our 270 innocent loved ones. >> we want to know what you think. do you agree with the decision to set the bomber free because he is dying of cancer? you can grab your cellphone and text the word yes or no to this phone number. standard text messaging rates to apply. we have heard from more than 600 of you.

this is just ahead of the holy month of ramadan. they are bringing their own politicians of bad planning and corruption contributed to the problem. >> still to come for you on "bbc world news," is this a gold medal-winning athlete really a woman? she now faces a gender test after a victory in berlin. first, reports from south korea that suggests its northern neighbor is about to ease border restrictions. the north is also indicating it would like to have talks with the u.s. over its nuclear program. from seoul, korea, we have this report. >> some say that mexico is, perhaps, an unlikely location, for one of the world's most secret states. but governor bill richardson, an experienced diplomat, who has visited p'yongyang, believes that north korea is trying to send a clear signal. >> let's ticket vantage of this, and the next step should be some kind of dialogue that involves the united states and north korea. >> -- let's take advantage of this. >> north korea released the reporters with the help of bill clinton, and they believe they

although t authority dees laid theentence at the end of ramadan anhave agreed to reew the penalty. >>> d one more nte from asia tonight, taiwan announced toy that the dai lama will be allowed toisit that cntry to help ease the pain caused by a typhoon th killed an estimated 670 people eaier this month. taan's president sd the tibetan spiritual ader could, quote, hp rest the sols of the de and also pr for the well being of he survivors. but e move cast a shadow over taiwan's improving relations with china,said,quote, it resutely opposes the dai lama's visit ttaiwan. china's news agency said under thepretext of religion, he ha all along been enged in separatist activities. chinhas long vilified the dalai lama for wt it says are his attemptso fight for indendence in tibet. >>> the tributes to senator edward kennedy continued today, nowhere more than in the united stes than isis death reverbering more than in ireland. that country's foreignffairs nister called kennedy, quote, the emboment of the irish immigrant story. and asnother mourner putit, kennedy was ab in the corrids of washgton.

>> the bbc understands preparations are already being made to send him home to libya in time for ramadan, which begins next friday. freed on compassionate grounds, he would also be free to continue his second appeal against conviction. glen campbell, bbc news. o. >> chinese state media reported that 600 children were suffering from lead poisoning after contamination from a factory in the northwest. 80% of the country living in two villages have tested positive for lead poisoning. and hundreds of people were e sack waited from their homes in california because of fires spreading across the largest american state, the largest in santa cruz in the north where more than 8 kilometres of vegetation have been burned. at least two other areas in california have been struck. if you're going on holiday, this may be important to you, who can make the perfect cocktail? the brits and slow vacs have the championship titles. 100 competitors from 52 countries were in the german capital. >> 20 seconds! >> these are some of the most talented bartenders in the world taking part in the finals of the interna

reporter: tse taliban fighters say ey will probly paon their captives becaus this is the ho month of ramadan. however, taliban spokesman told al jazeera that when they find peoe who vod, they wl be given appropria punishnt. e first stage was filmed further up th road. the main highway between kabul and kandahar. it not only demonstrates ho the taliban intendo de with those that vot in the election, it also show the contro they hav sometimes they on the most iortant route tohecountry. james bays,l jazeera >>> you've seen the taliban's intimidation ofvoters up close. now we want to give you a sense of the other side. how coalitionforces are tryin to crackdown on taliban rebels who carry out schntimidation and violen and have created a chilling eect on ordinary people. for th, we go to oras gan province. where sally sara in abc australia is embded with austraan forces. >> reporter: australianroops sh their way thugh the greenry, hunting forhe taliban. they stay off thepathwa because of the danger of improvised elosive devic. rockets wereired at a polling station and stralian troops not far from

prices of raw sugar in the last 28 years, and a lot of these people just ahead of the holy month of ramadan, are blaming the politicians for poor planning and contributing to the corruption. >> still to come, is this the gold medal winning athlete really a woman? that is the question after victory in berlin. she now faces a gender test. first, though, reports from south korea suggest its northern neighbor is about to ease border restrictions. north korea also indicates it wants direct talks with the u.s. over its nuclear program. >> is a new mexico is perhaps an unlikely location for a charm offensive by one of the world's most secretive states, but gov. bill richardson, an experienced diplomat, who has visited p'yongyang, believes that north korea is trying to send a clear signal. >> take advantage of this, and the next step should be some kind of dialogue that involves the united states and north korea. >> north korea seems to believe that its jester in freeing two american journalists following the recent visit by bill clinton deserves something in return. that something is direct talks.

muslims belve that it was during the mth of ramadan that the quran w revealed the prophet muhammad. >> tter: president obama ured the faith community th week to support hihealth care plan, calli it an ethical and moral obligation. a conference call sponsore by more than 30 religis denomations and organizations, the psident accused his crics of distortion and fabcations. >> i know there's been a t of misinformatioin this debate. and tre are some folks out thereho are, frankly, bearing false wness. but i waneveryone to know what health-insurance reform all about. >> tter: mr. obama said it's not true that his plan woul mean government fundinof ortions, as charged again th week in a newd by the family resear council. >> congress wilsoon vote on president obama'sealth care ll, a bill limiting our choices to preserve fe and expandg the choice to end one. >> potter: some cservative christn leaders warn that unless abortion ispecifically cluded, it would be covered "rproductive health." mainline denominations contue to be shary divided over issuesurrounding homosexuality, and this wee it was

the first day of ramadan -- the streets are deserted. there has not been much use in the media. we are told he might be taken south to a town in the desert to meet colonel khadafy, presumably was given his thanks for all the lobbying he did on his behalf. and we have from a second source that is a distant relation to the colonel. perhaps that does explain why the colonel has taken such a personal interest. >> all right, live from tripoli. thank you very much. you are with "world news today." coming up -- honoring the sunshine policy. north korean delegates pay tribute to the former south korean president. firefighters increase appeared to have brought the bulk of wildfires near athens under control -- firefighters in greese. strong winds fanned flames, driving them parsley close to homes of the area and forcing people to pack up and leave. >> it is known in the suburbs of athens but the smoke is so thick it looks like the dead of night. after weeks of searing temperatures, but all of groves have burned a tried and it doesn't take long for the fires to course through them. the ch

all right, arthur, we will -- when is ramadan? i think starts around the 22nd, that weekend, somewhere in there. >> coming up, you mean. >> yeah, the 22nd. >> of august, okay. >> that's it. >> i have vacation -- it's going to look like i'm taking off for ramadan. >> maybe you'll just be -- >> all right. looking forward to my ramadan holiday coming up. that, too? no wonder things are so confusing in the middle east.x thanks, art.x see you later. the same kind of stuff even though they're -- very strange. >> not strange to them. >> different religions. >> like jerusalem, it's got the most holy places of three major religions right on top of each other. >> she gets me. you looked at me like i had three heads. >>> anyway, the cash for clunkers program, it's reaching mother russia. that story is right after this. first, let's check out gold prices this morning. we have seen the dollar a little weaker and that's helping out gold prices. up $6.30. fithe same tools the pros use, so you can be a disciplined trader. by selecting from eigh

and still be first women to be caned in malaysia, it will be taking place after the holy month of ramadant we are currently on. let's i don't know what's happening. i don't know. i need time. >> reporter: legal representatives met with katika and her family. they believe she's been deeply traumatized by this 18-month saga. she has chosen not to appeal the sentence. one of the reasons being is she feels she has brought shame to her family and she just wants to serve her punishment so that it can all end. the lawyers say that the sharia legal act, the criminal act, must be overturned, it must be reviewed, otherwise it will set a dangerous precedent for other muslims here in malaysia. >>> stories we're pushing forward next hour. literally, dressed to kill. would-be suicide bombers detained in pakistan, accused of targeting the very heart of the government. cnn lands the exclusive. >>> also ahead, our i.d. with the vip in just over an area. the crypt of marilyn monroe goes to the highest bidder. more from the woman selling it on ebay and booting her husband to do it. >>> speaking of marilyn,

security forces say the plot was supposed to be carried out during ramadan.s in ten days. >>> rape is a weapon of war in the congo, and secretary of state hillary clinton says that must stop. before touring a refugee camp crowded with rape victims today, she promised $17 million in u.s. aid. some of it will go toward prevention programs but most will help train doctors to treat rape victims. such abuse is a key theme of clinton's visit to the nation. the united nations has recorded at least 200,000 cases of sexual violence against females of all ages since government and rebel troops began fighting. >> i hope that here in the drc there will be a concerted effort to demand justice for women who are violently attacked and to make sure that their attackers are punished. and i hope that students will take the lead in this to speak out because these are fundamental human rights. >> now, another part of this story is that clinton a lot of people are talking about how she got riled up during a university appearance yesterday because of a mistaken translation. that h

jon: -- ramadan starts said. jon: what do you think? you can go online and vote.w, to health care. just hours ago, president obama took a shot to answer some questionsç in a liveç radio interview at the white house, and the caller is did not hold back. there has been a lot of controversy about what is in the health-care bill, and the president said there are four key points. number one, it would have to avoid adding to the federal deficit, so we would have to find a way to pay for it. number two, it would actually have to reduce the costs of health care. number three, it would have to protect from abuses, so insurance companies cannot dropping if you get sick, and four, it would have to be affordable. that is it, but it is easier said than done, particularly when you look at the politics here. major garrett has more. >> politics? they are working the telephones, even on this august recess, talking. of course, there is politics, but today, the focus was on politics almost one generation ago. president obama accused republicans of plotting their return to power thr

. >> but the fact that he is going home to his family even the fact that they said in time for ramadan, i'm just in a state of total disbelief. >> scotland's justice secretary made the announcement in which he said this was an act of compassion. abdel has been diagnosised with terminal prostate answer and is said to only have a few months to live. the step father says he feels betrayed. >> he brutally murdered 270 people. i see no reason to grant him any amnesty and that's what this amounts to. he's going home the his family. not to another prison or even a hospital there. >> the family tells 11 news that they are trying to understand. >> he is saying the life and comfort of one state-sponsored terrorist is more important than the lives of all of our 270 innocent loved ones. >> melissa carlson, wbal-tv 11 news. >> really feel for those families. >> al decision a lot of people justin don't understand. >> time is 6:27, 76 degrees on tv hill. much more. >> three people are behind bars for the hate crime involving the beating or an elderly man. i'm jennifer franciotti. details are next. >>

tonight at sun down, more than 1 billion people around the world will begin to observe ramadan. during the next 30 days muslims will go without food or water during daylight hours and spend most of the day performing prayers and charity as an act of foes focus on god. >>> hurricane bill is heading to bermuda, carrying winds of 125 miles an hour. it is expected to pass the u.s. east coast and that has some residents pulling their boats out of the water for a weekend of rough surf. here's kim to tell us what those of us heading to ocean city might have in store. >> reporter: funny you should ask. i have the ocean city forecast up for all of you beach goers. if you are leaving today, thunderstorms will be coming probably later on tonight. saturday is a washout and sunday drying out. bill will not bring this rain to you at all. it will be several hundreds of miles out in the ocean. but we will get rain from the front approaching us today. one thing in ocean city to look out for, rip tides and very rough surf from that strong hurricane out in the atlantic ocean. straight to the point

her sentence was postponed under the end of the islamic holiday ramadan.bidden from drinking alcohol, as you might know. she pleaded guilty in a religious court and would be the first woman caned for violating the religious laws if that were to happened. >>> he's targeting gun owners to help drive up his bottom line. jim lynch, along with hummers, now sells guns. he says it's helping his dealership survive. >> we had to do something than just sell hummers, and it's been a huge success. >> they have a great selection of ammo. they haven't found the ammo they have in other places. it's getting harder to find some, because it's getting more popular. >> lynch also offers his customers test drive on the 60-acre off-road course behind the dealership. >>> bob, this makes sense, you bell relationships, you could sell almost anything. >> and get to shoot the place up maybe? >>> notice the hurricane tropical tomorrow bill long gone, in fact, far away from newfoundland as well. it turns into a stationary front around south carolina, so going into florida it will be u

. >>> tonight at sun down, one billion people around the world will observe ramadan. during the next 30 days muslims will go without food or water during daylight hour and spend their days performing prayers and charity as an act of sacrifice to god. >>> a park honoring a beloved dc-born singer is given a major facelift. >>> and a new school year means new school clothes. what do you do when the clothes get damaged? we will introduce you to a project that could come in handy. >> the crickets are getting chatty outside. i wonder if they are telling you about the rain forecasted this afternoon? i have the forecast ready to go. it is friday morning and you are watching 9 news now. good morning. fafafab@ you know what i love about raisin bran crunch®? all the delicious raisins. i like the crunchy flakes and the granola clusters. you know, that's why it says "crunch" on there. yeah, but raisins are before "crunch" on the box. even "bran" made it before "crunch." yeah, but look at how big the word "crunch" is. i mean it just dominates the box. i like the box because in the

they were breaking the day long fast for the holy month of ramadan. >>> hundreds of people are out of their homes this morning, forced to evacuate a wildfire that started on an isolated ridge line. this fire has already scorched more than 500-acres of brush. it is going -- it is one of four burning in the area. >>> finally cameras outside of a courtroom in doylestown, pennsylvania capture an angry father. he lashes out at news cameras after his daughter was convicted of staking an about dc -- faking an abduction. she will spend nine to 23 months in jail. >>> introduce you to the youngest worldwide sailor coming up in what's on the web. and even if it doesn't come ashore tropical storm danny could cause problems a the beach this weekend. >>> here's howard. >> watching danny and thunderstorms on live doppler hd an what looks to be a busy forecast for the weekend is coming up when 9 news now returns. come on in. where getting a new vehicle is easy. because the price on the tag is the price you pay on remaining '08 and '09 models. you'll find low, straightforward pricing. it's sple. now g

. >>> it is the first full day of ramadan for the world's 1.5 billion muslims.ll spend the next month in prayer, and sunrise to sunset fast. >>> those are stories that are making headlines here on hln. i am so glad you are with us. i'm susan hendricks. >>> hurricane bill will produce deadly rip tides, and reynolds wolf will tell you what to do if you happen to get caught in one. >> reporter: here in the florida east coast, conditions are not better, and partly cloudy skies and people are enjoying themselves and you would never know that a major hurricane is brewing. of course we don't have the rain flow here, there is still the threat of the storm, and that is rip currents. so the question is, what is a rip current? well, for the answer, we go over to geo zranno, and what is it? >> it is is a channel of water which happens when we have easterly winds 10 miles sustain and we have water that accumulates against the shoreline, and the channel of water pulls it back to sea. >> reporter: when an increased volume of water is pushed toward the shoreline by a tropical s

her caning in malaysia is postponed until the end of the islamic holy month of ramadan. she pleaded guilty in a religious court and she would be the first woman caned for violating malaysia's religious laws. >>> there's more drama in the life of actes lindsey lohan. why police were called to her los angeles home for the second time in four months now. >>> thankfully no one was seriously hurt here. a small sputtering plane landed into oncoming traffic on a california freeway. a lot of you have been checking this out on cnn.com but here are the pictures. police say the pilot hit an suv and another car yesterday before this, vw you see here, hit him out site santa barbara. his engine quit and he tried landing with traffic but obviously lost control there. >>> hundreds of passengers on two planes bound for minnesota was stuck for hours. people on the sun country flight spent 5 1/2 hours on the ground at jfk airport friday and delta flight spent four hours there. >> and we sit and we sit for 3 hours, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. and then the weather rolled in. so when the weather rolls

the guards had gathered for a meal to end their ramadan fast. and a u.s. service member was killed today in a militant attack in south you southern afghanistan. 44 american troops have died this month, equaling the number killed in july, the highest total since the war began. u.s. forces monitoring somali pie at activity faced a dangerous problem wednesday. jennifer griffin joins us live with this story. >> hello, bret. this is the first time that somali pirates off the coast of somolia have fired weapons at an armed u.s. military aircraft. the incident happened in the last 24 hours when a u.s. navy helicopter made a surveillance flight over a taiwan niece-flagged fishing vessel, which was taken over in april. you can see the pirates standing over the heavy caliber weapon and then you see the blast fire, the black necks coming toward the cam rax the u.s. coast guard was about 3,000 yards away t returned to base unharmed. the pirates have turned the wind farm into a moargtsship to attack other vessels such as the maersk alabama, the first u.s. vessel taken

. >> the gaza strip: muslims in the middle east and across the world arcing the first day of ramadan.oly month is celebrated with fasting or you do ours, it is meant to teach patients, august the. >> that's a wrap on this rock strip around the world in 80 seconds. see when the countdown is on for tuesday's launch of these days shall discover. the crew plans to bring tons of supplies to the international space station. this is a live picture there of the astronauts who are already up there, while they will spend months in zero gravity, and they're getting some help staying in shape and building the strength they will need when they return to earth. it will show you the latest in dddddddddddddddd see when i look at the kennedy space center in florida, a gorgeous shot of the sun setting behind the launch pad. taking down frÉmont scheduled for tuesday morning. the shuttle and its crew will deliver supplies to the international space station. good odds at the moment the weather will behave. there is this 70% chance conditions will be acceptable for liftoff. >> it takes a st