CNN news 2008-12-23 加文本

Hello, there, it is good to see you. Thanks for joining us. From the cnn Center in Atlanta, I’m Virginia Cha. Here is a look at what’s happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

In Denver, Investigators are looking into what caused this Continental Airlines jet to slide off a runway and burst into flames Saturday. The plane’s left engine burst into flames as it dropped into a 40-foot ravine. The flight recorders have been recovered. None of the 115 people on board was killed, but dozens were actually injured.

Whoa, bitter cold temperatures, heavy snow challenging people all across the U.S. Part of the northeast got 14 inches of snow. In the Midwest, the wind chill reached minus 30 degrees. Thousands are without power. Iowa, Illinois and Maine all face blizzard conditions and adding insult to injury. Planes, trains and automobiles stymied by this winter blast left many holiday travelers stranded over the weekend. (www.hXen.com)

The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush is expected to stand trial next week. If convicted, Mundtadhar al-Zeidi could face prison time. Now al-Zeidi is hailed as a hero by a lot of Iraqis protesting his detention. Last week, a spokesman for Iraq’s Prime Minister said the shoe-thrower apologized in a letter and pleaded for leniency.

Toyota is forecasting its first operating loss in 71 years. The Japanese auto maker says it faces an uNPRecedented crisis. In response, the world’s second biggest car maker is freezing the launch of a new factory in the U.S. and slashing production in India.

The price of gas hasn’t been this low in almost 5 years. AAA is reporting that the national average for regular unleaded is down to $1. 66  a  gallon. That’s almost 60% off the record high price of $4.11 a gallon back in July.

Jim Kerry’s “Yes Man” opened at number one, taking in 18 million dollars over the weekend. And here is a quick look at other box office hits. Coming in at number two, “Seven Pounds” at 16 million. The animated “The Tale of Despereaux” came in third at 10.5 million, fourth “The Day The Earth Stood Still”.

Be sure to stick with cnn.com 24/7. We’re here for you with news from all around the world and of course we will have updates right here throughout the day.