CNN 2008-07-04

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Hello, I'm Naamua Delaney at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Here is a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

Freed at last after five years in captivity¹, three Americans held hostage by leftist rebels in Colombia are back on US soil and will be reunited with their families. Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell were among those rescued during an incredible operation yesterday. Columbian secret agents tricked leftist rebels into handing them over without a single shot being fired. The men are now undergoing tests at an army medical center in San Antonio, Texas.

And that is former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt clinging to her two children during an emotional reunion at the Bogota Airport. Betancourt was among 15 people rescued yesterday. She was held captive by FARC rebels for six years. The rescue operation was planned by Colombia months ago and monitored by the White House. It is being called "one of the most brilliant and successful operations in recent memory".

The man charged with kidnapping a missing Vermont girl could face the death penalty. Twelve-year-old Brooke Bennett's body has been found in a shallow grave near her uncle's home. She's been missing for a week .The girl's uncle, Michael Jacques, has been charged with kidnapping under a federal law that provides for the death penalty in a kidnapping resulting in a child's death. Jacques was already in custody² on a sexual assault count against another girl. More charges against Jacques could come after the girl's autopsy³ today.

A man suspected in a two-state killing⁴ spree is being transferred from a Madison County jail to Knox County in Illinois. Nicholas Sheley is charged with aggravated⁵ battery, vehicle hijacking⁶ and theft in the beating death of a 65-year-old man in Knox County. Police suspect Sheley in six other deaths across Illinois and Missouri. The victims include a two-year-old child and a 93-year-old man. Local reports say an axe⁷ was used in some of the killings⁸. Police say they believe the spree may have been fueled by drugs, specifically meth.

An important warning before you start making hamburgers tomorrow for your Fourth of July celebrations. The nation's biggest grocery store chain is expanding a voluntary recall of ground beef. Kroger stores in more than 20 states may have been selling meat contaminated with E.coli. Kroger says you should check any ground beef you bought at one of its stores. You can get details at Kroger.com.

Well, those are the headlines this hour. Stay with CNN for more on these stories and the other news of the day.