the vatican is a country. but people in ireland know that sit the representation of the catholic church internationally. many people in ireland feel that the archbishop who is the papal nunzio, the representative of the vatican in ireland and the vatican have been parsing and analyzing and being very legalistic in their approach. for example, there was a request of the vatican in a previous inquiry that they come up with some information about a particular abuser and a particular series of abusers in past. and the vatican didn't respond to that particular request. because it didn't go through the diplomatic channels of the papal nunzio and going back to rome and all the rest. the irish people feel that the vatican high school been very legalistic although the vatican say they've been following it straight down the line in addition to the diplomatic norms they have to follow. >> suarez: richard downes from r.t.e., thanks a lot. >> suarez: for more, we're >> brown: again, the major developments of the day. democ

the report singled dealt a former vatican 823 pope's for dangerous failings in child molestation. father mcgee resigned and has since confessed that he could have done more to protect victims of abuse. the alleged cover-up seems to have been the final straw for the irish government. >> you are watching "bbc news day," you have news as a warning to european leaders of the debt crisis. >> that's right. a stark warning. on the eve of an emergency summit, the president of the european commission has warned of negative consequences beyond europe possible orders if the leaders failed to take decisive action. -- beyond europe's orders if the leaders failed to take decisive action. top of the agenda is to stabilize greece. there was a discussion between the french president and the germantown -- chancellor which might have resulted in a new plan. >> greece and its debts are hanging over the eurozone. a country without growth. even president obama has been piling on the pressure to find a lasting solution. the summit as regarded as crunch time. >> and no one should be under any illusions,

he accuses the vatican of tampering investigation into child abuse by priests. >> the church and staten ireland have been linked for generations. the close relationship appears to have changed with the publication of the report into child sex abuse in the diocese of county cork. the report from the vatican had blocked and frustrated and inquiry into the issue as recently as three years ago. he was scathing in his criticism. >> the report shows the disfunction, disconnection, and elitism that dominates the culture of the vatican today. the rape and torture of children were downplayed. they managed to pull the primacy of the institution from its power, standing, and reputation. >> other deputies in parliament voiced similar criticisms. the hierarchy of the catholic church expressed deep remorse. >> i find myself today asking if i can be proud. when i am seeing, i have to be ashamed of. >> after so many clerical sex abuse scandals in ireland, many have thought the worst revelations were exposed. the report singled out the former vatican aide to three popes for dangerous failures in child

what is that doing in the vatican library? how they ended up here in the vatican. it may be that some spy, maybe one of my priestly predecessors, may have stolen these letters and brought them to rome to present in the case if a trial was made for henry's request for a divorce. >> safer: but the church refused to let henry divorce catherine of aragon so he could marry anne. he married her anyway, broke with rome, and took control of the church of england. the country was largely converted to the protestant faith. >> celenza: this is one of the moments in the 16th century that leads to the fracturing of christianity, and to much of the bloodshed and the wars that, especially, the later 16th century was known for. >> safer: as man explored the planet, a scientific revolution was also under way. by the mid-17th century, navigators had mapped much of the world in remarkable detail. >> roth: rio de janiero. cuzco. mexico city. >> safer: galileo turned his eyes and his telescope on the heavens. here, from 1612, are his drawings of s

. >>> the vatican this week recalled its ambassador to ireland. this follows the release last week of an irish government report accusing the vatican of encouraging bishops to ignore child-protection guidelines adopted by irish bishops in 1996. ireland's deputy prime minister has demanded that the vatican respond to the findings in the report. >>> palestinian president mahmoud abbas this week urged palestinians to ratchet up peaceful protests against israel. he said the effort could increase pressure on the united nations, which is expected to consider approving palestinian statehood in september. >>> meanwhile, the ongoing conflict continues to take a heavy toll on that region's tiny christian minority. kim lawton has a special report on the diminishing numbers of christians in the holy land and the complicated, and sometimes controversial, efforts to support them. >> reporter: it's sunday morning in the west bank town of bethlehem. christians have gathered for worship at the ancient church of the nativity, which marks the traditional birthplace

the document comes from the world council of churches, the vatican and the world evangelical alliance, which together they say represent 90% of the world's christians. the groups urge christians to reject violence or any "coercive" methods while attempting conversions. they also say members of other religions should be treated with respect. creators of the document say they hope to reduce the tensions that can sometimes arise when christians proselytize in non-christian societies. >>> we have a report today on the moral choices involved in the intense negotiations underway in washington over what to do about the country's $14.3 trillion debt. if the debt ceiling is not raised by august 2nd, in just one month, the treasury department says for the first time in american history the governmentill t have enough ney to meet all its obligations. the administration wants congress to raise the debt ceiling so the government can borrow more to pay those bills. but many members of congress say they want, first, a believable long-term plan to reduce the deficit. so far, there's no agreement on s

. >>> in other news, the vatican has named denver's ar, bishop charles chaput to be the new ar, bishop of philadelphia. chaput is an outspoken conservative who has been criticized catholic politicians who support abortion rights. chaput succeeds cardinal justin rigali, who is at retirement age, 76. ri sgally was at the censer of the controversy earlier this year when a philadelphia grand jury accused church officials of covering up sex abuse allegations against dozens of priests. >>> in dublin, strong words against the vatican from the irish government, which accused the holy see of being, quote, entirely unhelpful to irish bishops trying to deal with the predator priests. just last week, the so-called cloyne report three years ago an irish church official with strong ties to the vatican had failed to report charges of sex abuse to civil authorities. the cloyne report excavates the dysfunction, the disconnection and the elitism that dominate the culture of the vatan today. the rape and torture of children were downplayed or managed to uphold instead, the primacy of the institution, its

. >>> the vatican has recalled its ambassador to ireland following accusations that the vatican sabotageds by bishops to report sex abuse cases to police. last week the ireland prime minister accused the vatican of down playing the sexual abuse of children in order to protect its power and reputation. >>> this morning in new york hundreds of same-sex couples are waking up as married couples. >> i now pronounce you legally married. >> yesterday 761 couples tied the knot on the first day that same-sex marriage became legal. mayor bloomberg participated in the historic event. he official -- he officiated the wedding of two of his gay staff members. >>> the hand holding day was in response to a controversial incident that happened last weekend. museum workers say a security guard told a lesbian that hand holding was not allowed in the building there. sparked outrage from other people visiting. >> the guard was immediately removed, immediately removed. the couple who was approached were apologized to and really had a wonderful experience after that. >> now yesterday's hand holding day was held

. >>> and how's business going at the vatican? the early morning business headlines is straight ahead. >>> plus why in the wake of the break-up of her marriage, maria shriver may be looking at a world-record payday. >>> the captain is back, two bizarre walkoffs and you think you ate a lot of hotdogs yesterday? think again, you're watching "early today." >>> good morning, and welcome back to "early today." i'm lynn berry, and here are some of your top headlines this morning. >>> former imf chief dominique strauss-kahn is facing new sexual assault charges. prosecute a french writer. if she files charges, he plans to respond with a slander complaint. he is already facing a sexual assault case in new york, although that case has been jeopardized by questions about the accuser. >>> in mexico officials are searching for seven missing american tourists whose boat capsized during stormy weather. one american has been confirmed dead. 19 other tourists and 16 crewmember were rescued. >>> yesterday in canada prince william and wife kate took

the vatican returned to a profit last year after three years in the red. however, donations from the faithful fell by nearly $15 million, or 18%. >>> well, two losses in baseball that no doubt kept their respective losing managers gritting their teeth all night, and derek jeter returns. >>> plus, it's become the fourth of july athletic competition. the coney island hot dog eating contest. your early morning sports headlines are straight ahead. >>> and the hot weather continues around the country. if you are lucky, you'll get afternoon showers to cool you off. your forecast is coming up. you're watching "early today." >>> good morning. if are you just waking up, this is "early today." in sports it's only appropriate that baseball's yankees welcome back their captain, healed from injury, on the fourth of july. here's nbc's bill seward with an early look at all your sports headlines. >>> very good morning to you. after a short stint on the dl, derek jeter resumed his pursuit of 3,000 hits. unfortunately, tlrm no fireworks for him in cleveland. jeter led thing

. >>> how is business going at the vatican?our "first look" headlines are straight ahead. >>> the captain is back. two bizarre walk-off and you think you eight a lot of hot dogs yesterday? think again. you're watching "first look" on msnbc. [ female announcer ] ever wish vegetables didn't taste so vegetably? well, v8 v-fusion juice gives you a full serving of vegetables, plus a full serving of fruit. but it just tastes like fruit. and try our deliciously refreshing v8 v-fusion + tea. discover aveeno positively radiant tinted moisturizers with scientifically proven soy complex and natural minerals. give you sheer coverage instantly, then go on to even skin tone in four weeks. aveeno tinted moisturizers. >>> quick back to "first look" this morning. dominic strauss-kahn is looking at different charges. if she files charges, he plans to respond with a slander complaint. he's already facing a sexual assault case in new york, although that case has been jeopardized by questions about the accuser. >>> in mexico officials are searching

chanting and the parody is something like if anyone is old enough to remember and the mouse before vatican two and you don't understand anything and it's mumbo jump bow and this is a parody of that. the second and third pieces before the intermission i will not introduce. i think the program notes are sufficient and rather than lecture i would much rather you enjoy the performance. the one thing i would like to emphasize about the first piece this is indeed a comic piece and in most instances westerners have a great problem when they come to a concert of classical music and view it as this is supposed to be serious music. this is not serious music and i would ask to you laugh. you are welcome to laugh. you may laugh. you need to practice laughing. we can progress -- all right. now, for those of you that find laughing difficult ladies and gentlemens you can at this timtiter in a nice way andf you want to be butch about it do the manly thought. please this isn't a work of aesthetic value it should be seen as humorous. as i of practicing this piece i can assure you and my ability for tongue t

. >> in other news, the leader of ireland has launched an attack on the vatican, for encouraging the leadership not to report pedophilia by the priests. he says this is a function of elitism and our system that is present in catholicism. libya says the removal of gadaffi from power is not on the table. in afghanistan, forces have handed over security to the afghan police and the army. the handover ceremony took place with the british officers have been since 2006. this is one area gradually placed under government control. our defense correspondent was at the ceremony and filed this report. >> a moment of national pride. afghans taking responsibility for their own security. this ceremony showing that they are up for the job. but the british soldiers still have concerns, about corruption within the afghan police. >> some allegations of corruption, what we're trying to do is eradicate this. we are trying to push the locals away. >> even if afghanistan routes out the corruption, -- this is another province that was just handed over. there has been little fighting here, over the past 10

. >>> the vatican announced the resignation of bishop daniel walsh. during his leadership the diocese was hit with two lawsuits alleging sex abuse. in 2006 authorities threatened false with criminal charges for allowing an accused priest to flee to mexico. they say that walsh is very tired after a difficult decade. >>> prisoners adding state prison are -- at a state prison are eating their last meal before a hunger strike with a call for improved conditions and want to prison to change protocol on how prisoners are released from and introduced to the prison. >>> eight ex-convicts are helping cleanup oakland. they are part of a crew picking up litter on freeways under a contract with caltrans. they say they committed their crimes in oakland and want to do something positive for the city. they hope the three-year contract will lead to jobs and. >>> amtrak is suing the trucking company whose driver took a big rig into the side of the train last week. the impact ignited an inferno that charred the train along interstate 95 east of reno. amtrak accuses the

some new charges of an alleged vatican cover up. >>> and also the new list of social network no noes. what people don't want to see on facebook. >>> what oakland police are saying about a homicide in the rock ridge neighborhood. >>> let's bring you up to date to some of the story. the family of bryan stow posted a new message on the website. they are saying bryan is showing new signs of improvement. he's now opening his mouth on his own when it's time to check his temperature. he's even enjoying watching television in his hospital room. >>> an investigation under way now after a soda bomb was found at a bus stop in marin county. it was made out of containers filled with drano or other household chemicals. this particular one was filled with rocks. >>> and we're following the dropping news from oakland. ktvu's kraig debra says police are investigating a very disturbing discovery made in the rock ridge neighborhood. >> reporter: it's located between shabough and miles. a couple of minutes ago, looked like they were getting ready to open the street. they department do that even eventuall

the irish prime minister and tax the vatican saying that he was standing by his -- james murdoch claims he did not mislead parliament about the phone hacking allegations. with almost half of somalia's people short of food, the u.n. announces emergency food drops. lucian freud has died. >> it is to i am here in london. you are watching "newsday." leaders of the 17 countries which use the euro have agreed to the terms of a second bailout plan for greece. the greek rescue package will be worth more than $150 billion and there will be billions more from private investors such as banks. >> nearly 10 years ago, the euro had been lost to a fanfare of celebration. they are now facing the greatest test. the leaders came up with a historic package designed to draw a line under the greek debt crisis. the french president and the german chancellor pushed through a rescue plan which amounted to nearly 110 billion euros. the deal not only covers short- term funding but is intended to cover the debt burden. >> i have made it clear that today is not someone standing up and waving a magic wand but it is

it reminded us more about that second vatican council and why it was so important. >> well, that wasalled by john the 23rd. updating of the church. he used that word. he was in favor of change. the success of politics carried on against the intricate opposition by people who couldn't see change. i think god particularly in the roman carrier thought it was just the on imagination, but they were wrong. on a topic like that, change occurred. an example of what is possible. i don't say it should happen everywhere, but once you see the possibility, then you think about what might happen. >> what has been the best part of writing this book for you? >> i think the action. there are very fine reactions, really both in england and the united states from a number of people involved in parish work. i think someone said, every parish ought to have a copy of it. but that's too much hope, but i just know some pastors have really said that this is a refreshing breeze to know how change has happened in the church. >> certainly i will add it to my library. this is the university of notre dame press p

encyclical on the moral teaching of the roman catholic church has been officially published by the vatican. veritatis splendor, which had been widely leaked, argues for absbsute standards and against more liberal moral views. italy is the physical center of the catholic church, which condemns contraception and abortion. how, then, can italians equate a low birth rate with religious practice? [bonoli speaking italian] [translator] yes, i think that catholic couples and even young italian catholics have for some time now made a distinction between their religious conscience and what might be considered as a dictate from the church. therefore, they don't feel bound within their conscience to take notice of the rules which they probably don't agree with, but this doesn't mean that they feel any less catholic. [speaking italian] [translator] i believe, and i'm a catholic, et cetera, but life has to be practical. you have to try and act according to your various needs, according to your personal problems, the type of family, and the type of work you do. don mario picchi lives in rome and has bee

there the vatican would probably find support among us writers. no writer has the right to make that much money. [laughter] indeed, without diabolical assistance, no writer can. [laughter] so well -- [inaudible] watch me race to strike that match. but what departs from that region of envy? what, after all, is at stake? in truth, just the human voice. but what a primordial commodity this is. a compatriot and friend who never lets anything pass that he thinks might be of interest to me sent me a clipping from "the new york times" only a few weeks ago. accompanying the linkage were the words, "i'm indeed ecstatic to send this to you." i down loaded the attachment, and there it was, the origin of language, the latest verdict on that subject now declares began on the continent of africa. now, clearly, we have a stake in the fortunes of our faculty. here are some snippets. a researcher found that languages spoken around the world had detected an ancient signal that points to southern africa as a place where modern human language originated. further, we

there any way to do the tighten the belt speech from a room that doesn't look like the foyer of the vatican's chocolate shortage, he might not do it from the waterfall room. (laughter) augustus gloop! but enough on the theatrics, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. >> basically, the debate has centered around two different approaches. the first approach says "let's live within our means by making serious, historic cuts in government spending. let's cut domestic spending to the lowest level it's been since dwight eisenhower was presiden president." >> jon: all right. so massive cuts to government spending. no surprise coming from the republicans. what's that? oh, that's the democrats' plan. (laughter) what the (bleep)'s been going on down there? (laughter) so what exactly do the republicans want? >> republicans in congress are insisting on a different approach, a "cuts-only" approach. an approach that doesn't ask the wealthiest americans or biggest corporations to contribute anything at all. how can we ask a student to pay more for college before we ask hedge fund managers to stop paying tax

vatican city is the headquarters of the catholic church. it's also its own country.by the way, the biggest country is russia. >> that's awesome. >> think that's pretty cool? that's because it is, literally. these teens are testing the chilly effects of liquid nitrogen at ex.i.t.e. camp. >> ex.i.t.e. is really about just that -- exciting girls, their interests that they already have, their aptitude in engineering, technology -- those kinds of stem discipline -- science, technology, engineering, and math. >> ex.i.t.e. stands for exploring interests in technology and engineering. the camp was started by ibm in 1999. and today, the program hosts locations all over the world. "teen kids news" visited one of their base sites to check it out. >> what i want you to do is have your -- what state in here? liquid. what state is in here? solid. >> i am lucky enough that once a year i come down from my poughkeepsie site and i teach the 8th grade girls a class called states of matter and we learn a bit about solids, liquids, and gas. it's a unique opportunity for them to get to se

i think at the vatican it bugs the answer that mr borden gave was a little bit in the period that you see a button in the post electoral period again i'm not sure i understand your question correctly i think that you said that after the trail campaign you have to use what that means over just because every electoral campaign you know it's all kinds of. media techniques i should let them both a muzzle on i think this was what he meant mission at the legion ag and the matter of personal hygiene and there's nothing to talk about but what he used the expression was and i'm well i think it's one of those nice metaphor in any case in the upcoming elections should be transparent fear and based on russian law. the use of any kind of electoral. but your. my soul with the stakes police but it's got you all of. you should just make sure that everything is done according to move the russian with laws as for me and what my plans are i have said this many times for him i suggest that we go jim it would have some patience but it's very soon i will make an announcement to the goose about what i'm goi

, because clearly that is not working now so we have to begin to think in different ways, but the vatican is increasingly forbidding any discussion on that. >> still, there are small signs of renewal. some parishes now have lay people in positions that would have been unthinkable a generation ago. kevin mullally is a full-time pastoral worker. sheena darcy works for the international eucharistic congress. >> i've seen young people come bak tonow god's love i'veeen young people get more involved in the church. >> they're also searching for the basic things, belonging and love and, you know, acceptance and tolerance and all those elements go together in a spirituality. >> yes, there's been an ak a knowledgement that what happened was dreadful. it was absolutely dreadful. however we do also -- we do need to move on. >> whatever happens, the cath liblg church in ireld has already chang irrevocab. >> i do believe catholicism will continue, survive in ireland. i do believe the clerical church will not. that doesn't mean there won't be priests, of course there will be, but i don't think as a for

. >> in other news, now, the vatican has recalled its ambassador to ireland, following severe criticism by the irish parliament in the church's role of covering up child sex abuse. a report accused church authorities of concealing the sexual abuse of children by priests as early as 2009. britain has joined france in suggesting that colonel qaddafi should remain in libya so long as he steps down from power. william hague said that although britain's preference was for colonel qaddafi to go into exile, it was up to the libyan people to decide. now, to the u.s. debt talks which are locked in a bitter standoff. with just a little more than a week to go until the august 2 deadline when the u.s. must lift the debt ceiling or risk default, both sides are digging in for a fight. today, rival proposals were rolled out and tonight, the president will address the nation in a televised address. but among those who think the tea party republicans should hold their ground is freshman representative joe walsh and he joins me now from capitol hill. thank you very much for joining us. are you really pre

the vatican is expected to name the archbishop of denver to take over for rigali. >>> the stifling heat in much of the country is being blamed for as many as a dozen deaths shattering hundreds of record highs all month as it spreads toas some real feel e humidity has some real feel temps out there hitting a scorching 125 degrees. more now from abc's karen travers. >> reporter: with temperatures soaring, even this pool in central pennsylvania provided little relief. >> very, very hot. >> it's like a burning. >> reporter: a massive heat dome is scorching the middle of the country. 20 states from texas to minnesota and into ohio are under a heat watch, warning or advisory. so much of the heat is centered over areas still drying out after massive spring floods. all that surface water is evaporating adding high humidity to triple-digit misery. almost three-quarters of texas is in exceptional doubt. here's lake travis before the drought and here's what it looks like now. in neighboring oklahoma, ponds are drying up forcing farmers to move their fish by hand to save them. >> we do have dry, ho

the hague crimes tribunal has ended a plea of not guilty on behalf of former bosnian serb general vatican luggage the accused was escorted out of the court for shouting and interrupting the judge as he threatened to boycott the proceedings is protesting as he wants his own. noise rather than a court appointed ones previously the judge refused to postpone the hearing on the basis of his poor health not issues accused of genocide in altering its mass killings of muslims during. his country's as not of another failed international criminal court has taken one side and its products on the yugoslav wards. cried little town of sibling meets in bosnia and herzegovina looks a delicate you houses are being built people go about their business and in the center of the town a mosque and a church sit side by side but disappearing unity is an illusion sixty years ago the entire region was torn apart by ethnic clashes during the yugoslav war instead of became infamous when the united nations stated eight thousand muslim men and boys were massacred by bosnian serb forces today a memorial for the decease

thrown out of court protesting general vatican love issues a directive from the hague tribunal where he's accused of crimes against humanity. sixteen people have been killed in a fire in an old people's home in ukraine it took five brigades five hours to extinguish the flames in that small village in the country's north west they managed to rescue eleven people who needed hospital treatment for severe smoke inhalation three of them are in intensive care the blaze completely destroyed the roof of the building and much of its wooden construction police say it was not started deliberately. this week rebels in libya made significant advances battling government forces but they say progress on their way to tripoli has been slowed by a lack of support from nato meanwhile germany has agreed to supply munitions for their life is continuing as trikes billion did not originally back their operation and some suggest that coalition pressure has caused a shift in position parties reno is going to decide who is whether germany joining nato bombing operation will turn out to be a good. deal more bo

default came however at a price which has outraged the greek public the greek parliament passed the vatican austerity plans demanded by the u.n. international monetary fund including a sell off of state assets and swift budget cuts that almost eighty billion euros he's now any by the measures despite a widespread public opposition with protesters saying because what's in there are people not responsible for the economic mess three days of demonstrations that hundreds eight hundred as angry crowds clashed with police responded with tear gas and stun grenades but actual journalistic demetri confidence has been with protesters that syntagma square the focal point of the rest. i think the only real option for them right now for the protesters and for the greek people is if some sort of political option or movement develops out of the society out of the ranks of ordinary people who are intelligent who are capable who come from universities who have some idea of what the country needs according to scholars here in greece or constitutional scholars and former members of the government they claim t

the vatican formally accepted the early resignation of 74-year-old bishop daniel walsh. the diocese has been hit with several lawsuits during walsh's 11-year tenure, alleging child abuse by former priests. 59-year-old robert vossa will take over as the bishop of santa rosa zining tomorrow. >>> golden gate riders will need to find another way to commute tomorrow. the ferry system says it will suspend ferry service all day tomorrow because of a strike announced by ticketing agents at the terminals. golden gate transit buss will operate normally along with supplemental services. the strike is expected to last until 10:00 tomorrow night. normal ferry service will resume on saturday. >>> okay. as many of us sit down to the dinner table, we have this story. still ahead. dread for your favorite red. the new warning about how climate change could impact wine right here in california. >>> i'm scott budman with, yes, another tablet. this one comes from hp. it's released tomorrow. it's aimed right at the consumer market. we put it through its paces coming up. >>> in just a matter o

that's why i can't imagine you going to comic con, where it would be the baby jesus going to the vaticanetting a really good seat. >> jimmy: yeah, really, really good. >> quick audience. >> jimmy: you went in real quick and got out real quick? because they tear you apart. >> you know what it is? those are the people t tt we work for. actually. >> jimmy: yes. >> those are the people that support my luxurious lifestyle. >> jimmy: uh-huh. >> and have taken care of me for all these years and i'm very grateful for their kind attention and their patronage and i'm looking forward to kind of working for them again. >> jimmy: right. >> so i'm delighted to be there. i'm delighted to be there. >> jimmy: okay. >> i don't want to spend too much time sitting in bars and, you know, just chatting up strangers. >> jimmy: i got you. >> but i'm there to work and it doesn't bother me at all. i like it. >>>>immy: did you sit and watch the film with them? >> i sure did. first time i saw it with all of the effects finally finished and with the music. and it was -- it was very gratifying. >> jimmy: it came out

. >> it would be great if he was like pound chilling with the boys at pound vatican -- real tweet talkously, in five seconds -- >> go, go. >> do you think that there is -- do we have like certain twitter people and facebook people and the two don't mesh? do you find one more -- that you like one more than the other? >> twitter for people that, you know, work in media allows you to send a message out to people where facebook is at least more personal. and even though you can get access to someone on twitter quickly, facebook is more of your personal friends. so that's really where it's different. you know, that -- that's how i see it and use it. >> yeah. i find myself using it. i was wondering -- i find myself using twitter much more. i wondered if there was -- >> yeah, definitely. you got a lot of messages to send out to people. >> yep. thank you. appreciate it, brian. >> all right. thanks. see you, don. >> don lemon cnn. ♪ >>> oh, it is billed as the ultimate party weekend. the 18th annual essence music fest is in full swing in new orleans. straight ahead, we take you to the big easy