CNN news 2009-11-13 加文本

cnn 2009-11-13

Good morning, I'm Melissa Long at the cnn center here in Atlanta. Here's a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

President Obama leaving today for an important visit to Asia, eight days, five cities and four countries. The president's primary objective is to reassure Asian allies that have lent billions to the US that the US is strong, the dollar is still solid. Concerns of regional and  international security including those in North Korea will be discussed. The President's plans for Afghanistan will no doubt be in the mix, plus he will meet several newly elected leaders for the first time.

The president's top diplomat in Afghanistan is raising some major red flags over possible troop increase. The Washington Post reports the US ambassador Eikenberry sent two classified cables to the White House in the past week. In those he expressed serious reservations about sending more US troops. Afghanistan's government is still unstable. The White House spokesperson says the president won't discuss classified documents publicly.

There is a sign that the terrible job market may be slowly healing. The number of first-time claims for unemployment fell last week to the lowest  level since January. The Labor Department says new jobless claims dropped  502,000 for the week, ending  November 7th. Again it dropped TO 502,000.

Tomorrow morning, the parents of Falcon Heene are expected to enter pleas of guilt(s) in connection with the balloon-boy hoax. In the statement, their attorney says the mother, Mayumi Heene will plead guilty to false reporting to authorities .That is a  misdemeanor. The father, Richard Heene is expected to plead guilty to a felony offense of attempting to influence a public servant. They could receive jail time, but their attorney is saying the prosecutor is in fact recommending probation.

Michael Tyson in trouble this morning with the law. The former boxing champ was arrested last night after a scuffle at the LA airport. Police say he punched a paparazzo in the head, sending him to the floor. The photographer went to the hospital with a cut on his forehead. And both men have been charged with misdemeanor battery.

You are up to date. Those are the headlines for your this hour. Do stay with us here at cnn.com online for more on these stories or other news that develops today.