Jim Clancy: Casserole Controversy in Italy

While browsing through the videos on CNN's International site, I came across an unusual report from CNN's Jim Clancy. He reports on a controversy involving Italian TV Chef Beppe Bigazzi and a cat casserole recipe. (I can't make this stuff up.)

Source: Cat casserole controversy

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More from Iraq and Iran

I actually hadn't planned on doing more clips from Michael Ware today, but the incredible marathon of reporting he did the past couple of days has just been amazing: from Sunday to Tuesday, for Domestic and International, he did 40 reports! But since I can't fit them ALL on here ... heh ... I pulled a couple of clips that I think were exceptional looks at what he does so very well.

First is a piece from Tuesday's Your World Today, with Jim Clancy giving an overview of the story and then Michael's report on the handover ceremony:

On BackStory that same day, a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the report, followed by a chat with Michael Holmes:

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Cal Perry had an investigative piece air this week on the way veterans are being cared for upon their return. Not surprisingly, we aren't doing all that well in that regard. If ever a group of Americans deserved the best health care possible, it is these men and women:

Reza Sayah gave us a look at the reports out of Iran that Newsweek's reporter there -- detained by the government some 10 days ago -- has "confessed" to working against the regime. This is scary stuff, and I hope there is some way of getting all these detainees released:

We can only hope that the CNN=MJ programming will abate soon.



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Taliban Takeover

It's been quite a week in Pakistan, with Taliban forces accepting a "peace" deal with the government in which they would surrender their weapons in return for keeping control of the Swat Valley region, and then the Taliban doing what they always have done in the past: saying thank-you-very-much and continuing to advance.

Tuesday Reza Aslan was on American Morning to discuss the situation with John Roberts and the possibility of the Pakistani government collapsing:

(I'm currently reading Reza's new book -- it is excellent, of course!)

Wednesday John spoke with Ivan Watson in Islamabad, who reported on the overnight move that brought the Taliban within 60 miles of Islamabad:

Later that day, Ivan had a piece on The Situation Room that showed how Islamabad's residents were reacting to the advance:

An interesting piece from International's Jim Clancy that shows how the Taliban really advances -- by using Sharia law to intimidate their way to power:

Friday, Roland Martin spoke with Ivan about the situation on the ground, and with Peter Bergen about the long-term possibility of the Pakistani government collapsing. Ali Velshi and Erica Hill also take part in the conversation:

So, time for a reality check -- just how close to Islamabad are the Taliban forces? Thursday on International's BackStory, Michael Holmes used Google Earth to show just how far that 60 miles "as the crow flies" is -- and a look at the mountainous terrain is quite reassuring. (Well, maybe not if you live there, but...)

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Where in the World...?

SATURDAY: Suzanne Malveaux was in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago with President Obama.

MONDAY: John Roberts co-hosted American Morning from Atlanta, where he emceed a fundraiser for the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children. TJ Holmes was in for Heidi Collins.

TUESDAY: Randi Kaye was in Boston to cover the "Craigslist Killer." TJ was again in for Heidi.

WEDNESDAY: Jeffrey Toobin was in San Francisco; Ivan Watson was reporting from Islamabad; Frederik Pleitgen (above) traveled from Baghdad to Kandahar with an Army unit that specializes in clearing bombs from roads... legendary producer Tommy Evans also traveled with him (clips in Monday's post.)

THURSDAY: Cal Perry is back in Baghdad.

FRIDAY: Nic Robertson is back in Islamabad. TJ was in for Rick Sanchez; Dr. Drew was in for Larry King.

That's it for me today... have a great weekend!

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Georgia on our Mind

When Russia invaded Georgia August 7th, it was more than a local flare-up. It seemed like cease-fire agreements were announced almost daily, even as the army dug in and local residents fled in fear.

Matthew Chance, based in Moscow, was the first CNN reporter in. And by Tuesday, the first cease-fire was being announced. Matthew appeared on The Situation Room from the Georgian capital of Tbilisi: 

Election Center later that day included a prepared piece of his trip into Gori (a city NOT inside the breakaway states) and conversations with local residents. When the elderly woman takes his hand and brings him to see what is left of her home and the remains of the bomb that destroyed it... It's an incredible moment.

One of Time magazine's best photographers, Yuri Kozyrev, was sent into Georgia as well, and his work is just incredible. On Thursday he spoke by telephone with Brianna Keiler on Newsroom. Some of the photos are very difficult to view, but they are an important documentation of the events:

Yuri's photographs can also be viewed on the Time.com site. I think the fourth one, of the Georgian soldier being treated by Russian medics, is so gripping... the look of fear and apprehension on his face is breathtaking.

By Thursday, Michael Ware and his team had arrived and was reporting for International from Gori:

On Friday, International had a special on the Georgia Crisis, and host Jim Clancy spoke with Michael, now in Tbilisi. Also included was Michael's piece from earlier in the day when he traveled to the port city of Poti and filmed Russian troops there:

Saturday, Michael traveled back to Gori. A cease-fire had been signed by then, but Russian troops destroyed a main railway bridge on a line that runs from through Tbilisi and out to Poti and the Black Sea. (Not for nothing, but those of you who voted for Michael as Hottest Male Reporter definitely want to watch this clip... I'm too much of a lady to say anything more in this forum!)

Sunday, Michael appeared on Fareed Zakaria GPS and spoke with guest-host Jill Dougherty. He summed up the entire invasion and Russia's intentions and successes:

Russia has agreed to an immediate withdrawal, and Michael spent today in Gori, waiting to see any signs that they are actually going. Not so much:

Whether the cease-fire and withdrawal holds up or not, CNN will be getting the real story out from the ground, from the front lines, from the Best Warzone Teams in Television!

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