CNN 2011-11-20

 Thanks to Maranda and T for today's ireport introduction.I'm C.A.Today's CNN student news is reporting on Syria,storms ,sugar and a super committee.

First up,we're heading to Afghanistan.There're more than 100,000 NATO troops in that country.Most of those are American troops.And most of them are scheduled to leave by the end of 2014.Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai says that's a good thing.During a speech to tribal 1 elders on Wednesday,C complained about NATO.He also tried to set some limits on what NATO troops can and can't do in his country.For example,Karzai thinks it's a good idea for US forces to have bases in Afghanistan.But he doesn't want Americans to search houses or to arrest Afghans.NATO is trying to include the Afghan military in more of its operations.And as Nick P. reports,more areas are being turned over to Afghan control.
Slowly,NATO is tranferring the security of Afghanistan over to the Afghans.The next regions to be handed over will soon be announced by president Hamid Karzai.It may NATO and Afghan soldiers have told CNN, include two of what have been historically the most violent parts of the country's south.First in XX,there's a district of Nad.e.Ali,where many British soldiers have died over the years.But also in XX,the Afghandab Valley.Recently ,a hot bed of insurgent 2 violence where many Americans have also died.Now an Afghan official in Afghandab tells us security is a lot better,but that's because the Americans are there in force.If they leave,he tells us,things may get worse and fast.But the logic 3 of this ,some say,is to have Afghans face their toughest job while NATO still has enough troops to help.
It is good while we have a significant NATO presence in Afghanistan to start with tougher spots in Afghanistan.And that will provide a push into the Afghan security forces to defend themselves in the meantime have the support of NATO.
Next up,the middle eastern nation of Syria.It's been suspended by the Arab League.France has removed its ambassador from Syria.Turkey is threatening to cut off power supplies.All of these are because of Syria's violent crackdown on people who are protesting against the Syrian government.The Arab League voted to suspend Syria over the weekend.Officials from the group said this was because Syria's president Bashar Al Assad didn't meet his promises to pull troops out of some areas and to give journalists access inside of Syria.
There're also reports about a group of fighters that deserted 4 the Syrian military.They call themselves the free Syrian army.And they claimed to have attacked an important government compound this week.
Just the facts.
Congress ,as so-called Super Committee,was created in July as part of the deal to raise the US government's debt ceiling.The goal of the committee is to come up with a plan to reduce the country's deficit 5.There're 12 memebers in the committee.6 Republicans and 6 Democrats 6.And the committee is split evenly between the US representatives and senators.
The clock is wining down for those 12 Super Committee members.They have until next Wednesday to come up with a plan that would save the US government more than 1 trillion dollars over the next 10 years.The committee has been working since September.It's considered increasing taxes to raise money,lowering taxes for different groups of Americans,finding ways to cut government spending.Whatever recommendations the committee comes up with,the Congress has until December 23rd to vote on it.And no one can change the recommendation by the committee or try to block the vote.Then the rules.If the Super Committee can't come up with the plan by November 23rd or if the Congress can'r pass it by December 23rd,automatic spending cuts go to effect ,including cuts to the US defense 7 department.So there's a lot of stake here,and not a lot of optimism.
According to a CNN ORC international poll that came out yesterday,78% of the people who were asked think it's either somewhat or very unlikely that the Super Committee is going to meet next week's deadline.
As you can see from these pictures,parts of the southern US have some cleaning up to do after severe weather swept across the region yesterday.There was suspected tornado 8 as part of the storms.They stretched from Louisiana through Mississippi, Ale Bama and Georgia.Parts of a few states were under tornado watch as well.At least 1 person was killed.Several others were injured.There was major damage to some homes and buildings.The strong winds and possible tornado knocked down trees and left more than 1,000 people without power.