CNN news 2008-06-13 加文本

Good morning from the cnn Center in Atlanta, I'm Reggie Aqui. Thanks for checking in. Here's a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

A deadly storm system spawned several tornadoes across the Midwest. In Iowa, four boys aged just 13 and 14 were killed when a twister ripped through a Boy Scout campground. And in Kansas, two people died after a tornado touchdown. It destroyed more than 60 homes and 3 schools.

We wanna get you now to a lockdown on the upper Mississippi River after days of widespread flooding. Starting today, commercial shipping is banned along a 200-mile stretch of the river in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. That area is expected to be closed for two weeks. One Iowa-based barge line estimates its company will lose about 40, 000 dollars a day because of the shutdown.

Let's get now to gas prices, and once again, a record high. AAA says the average price of gas is up one cent this morning to $4. 06 a gallon. A cnn opinion research poll shows 62 percent of people think that unethical oil practices are what's causing high prices. 32 percent blame supply and demand.

"This is a regretable incident. We are sad to see the loss of life among a Pakistani military who are our partners in fighting terror. "The Defense Department releases a video of a controversial air strike in Pakistan. U. S. military officials say the video shows the strike targeted Afghan militants who attacked coalition troops near Pakistan's border. But Pakistan's government calls the strike “cowardly and uNPRovoked” and says eleven of its soldiers were killed, including a high-ranking major.

The military says it's not ending its so-called "Stop Loss" policy anytime soon. And the number of troops affected by the program may actually go up slightly. Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen says by keeping soldiers past their enlistment dates, army units are stocked with trained soldiers ready to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. Right now about 11, 000 soldiers are serving under that program. (Www.hxen.net)

Well, this comes as no surprise to most of you. Forbes Magazine says that Oprah Winfrey is the most powerful celebrity. Who comes in second? Tiger Woods, followed by Angelina Julie and her partner Brad Pitt in tenth place. Now Forbes says the rankings are based on wealth and fame.

Be sure to stick with cnn. com 24 7 for news from around the world. Of course, we are gonna have your updates right here throughout the day