2014 news

Saturday, 12 July 2014

CDC finds 'distressing' problem at labs

An investigation of an anthrax incident at the CDC concludes no lab workers were exposed

The investigation turned up another safety issue involving bird flu

The CDC director is "upset" and "angry" that it happened

(CNN) -- Concluding its investigation into the unintended anthrax exposure at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the CDC says it has found another more "distressing" problem due to lab workers not following protocol.

The CDC held a news conference to discuss the conclusion of its investigation Friday. It determined that while it is "not impossible" that the staff was exposed to viable B. anthracis (anthrax), it is "extremely unlikely" that this happened.

The lab workers' health is being monitored, and they were given antibiotics as a precaution. No one who may have been exposed has gotten sick.

The incident was discovered on June 13.

Before the term "vaccination" was coined, millions died every year from infectious diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis and yellow fever. But the birth of immunology brought with it cures for some of the world's most deadly diseases. Click through the gallery to see who is credited with developing these life-saving vaccines:

Dr. Edward Jenner is known as the founder of immunology. He first attempted vaccination against smallpox in 1796 by taking cowpox lesions from a dairymaid's hands and inoculating an 8-year-old boy. On May 8, 1980, the World Health Assembly announced that smallpox had been eradicated across the globe. Samples of the virus are still kept in government laboratories for research as some fear smallpox could one day be used as a bioterrorism agent.

You probably know Louis Pasteur as the man who invented pasteurization. But Pasteur also developed the first vaccines for rabies and anthrax. The French microbiologist grew rabies in rabbits first to weaken the virus. Then in 1885, he injected the vaccine into a 9-year-old boy who had been attacked by a dog; it was a success and Pasteur became famous.

Veterinarian Gaston Ramon used a formaldehyde solution to deactivate the toxic part of the diphtheria toxin, which allowed scientists to later inject inactive diphtheria into humans as a vaccine. Ramon's discovery helped lead researcher P. Descombey to develop a similar toxoid for tetanus in 1924; it was first used in soldiers during World War II.

In 1900, Belgian physician Jules Bordet worked with Octave Gengou to isolate the microbe that causes bordetella pertussis, the pathogen that leads to whooping cough. The isolated bacterium was used to develop the pertussis vaccine. Bordet won the 1919 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work in immunology.

Camille Guerin, left, and Albert Calmette developed the Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine for tuberculosis disease. The vaccine was first used in humans in 1921, after 13 years of animal testing.

The CDC recommends 14 vaccines for American children younger than 6. Of those 14, microbiologist Maurice Hilleman developed eight, including the MMR vaccination and the FDA-approved vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis and pneumonia. After his death in 2005, Merck pharmaceuticals dedicated The Maurice R. Hilleman Center for Vaccine Manufacturing in Durham, North Carolina, to its most successful researcher.

Although many scientists contributed to the development of the current vaccine for yellow fever, Max Theiler was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1950 for his work. The South African researcher first inoculated mice through their brains, and then took a serum from the protected mice to inject in humans.

Dr. Jonas Salk was something of a scientific hero after developing the polio vaccine. Before it was widely used, more than 45,000 Americans contracted the virus each year. By 1962 -- less than 10 years after it was first tested -- the number of cases had dropped to 910, according to the Salk Institute. "Salk never patented the vaccine, nor did he earn any money from his discovery, preferring to see it distributed as widely as possible," his biography on Salk.edu says.

They discovered the cure for ...

Camille Guerin and Albert Calmette

They discovered the cure for ...

75 People possibly exposed to anthrax

The CDC report says the potential exposure happened between June 6 and June 13. A lab that had been preparing the anthrax samples for use in two other labs on the CDC's Atlanta campus "may not have adequately inactivated the samples."

That means the other labs were working with samples thought to be harmless; therefore, workers didn't wear protective equipment they would otherwise have been using when handling such infectious material.

Procedures in two of the three labs may have exposed workers to the anthrax, the CDC said. Hallway and lab areas have since been decontaminated. The leader of one of the labs was reassigned shortly after the incident was revealed. CDC spokesman Tom Skinner would not confirm the name of the person who was reassigned.

There are three types of anthrax infection: cutaneous (through the skin), inhalation (through the lungs) and gastrointestinal (through digestion).

According to the report, the exposure happened because the lab that was handling the dangerous material initially didn't use an approved sterilization technique. It didn't have a written plan reviewed by senior staff to make sure all safety protocols were followed, and there was a limited knowledge of peer-reviewed literature about the process that would make it less dangerous. The lab also did not have a standard operating procedure that would make sure the transfer of the material would be safe.

Bottom line, "the scientists failed to follow a scientifically derived and reviewed protocol that would have assured the anthrax was deactivated," according to CDC Director Tom Frieden. It "should have happened, and it didn't."

During the investigation "multiple other problems were found," according to Frieden.

What to know about anthrax

Investigators found another troubling case that involved a dangerous transfer of material. This happened six weeks ago. But what's "most distressing," according to Frieden, is that he had found out about it "less than 48 hours ago."

In this case, a culture of nonpathogenic avian influenza, meaning a type of the flu that is not that dangerous, was unintentionally cross-contaminated with a potentially deadly kind of flu -- the highly pathogenic H5N1. This strain has killed millions of birds and infected over 600 people over the last decade.

In the case of this contamination, the CDC says none of the lab workers were exposed to the dangerous virus. It was, however, shipped to a lab run by the United States Department of Agriculture.

The CDC has closed the labs that were involved in the incidents. The lab where the flu contamination occurred won't reopen until the lab puts better safety procedures in place, Frieden says.

The lab involved in the anthrax incident will remain closed for such dangerous microbes until Frieden personally approves its reopening under conditions that prevent any such mishap from happening again, Frieden said.

The CDC has also stopped moving any biological material out of its two highest-level labs while their procedures are being reevaluated.

As a result of these problems, the CDC has created a high-level group of leaders who will work on lab safety issues. It has also started putting together an external advisory group to take a closer look at lab safety. And the CDC is carefully reviewing all the other procedures for labs working with dangerous pathogens, and it has put together a rapid-response command structure to hopefully help the labs avoid future incidents.

"I will say that I'm just astonished that this could have happened here," Frieden said.

He stands by his labs, which are considered some of the best in the world, and he stands by his scientists. But he added that he is "upset," "angry" and has lost sleep over the incidents, and he is "working around the clock" to make sure it never happens again.

CDC lab leader reassigned during anthrax investigation

CNN's Miriam Falco contributed to this report.

Putin meets Cuba's Castro brothers

Russian President meets Raul and Fidel Castro during a visit to Cuba

Putin and counterpart sign deals expanding cooperation between the two countries

Russian officials agreed to forgive 90% of the more than $30 billion Cuba still owed

Cuba and the former Soviet Union enjoyed one of the firmest Cold War alliances

Havana (CNN) -- In a scene out of the Cold War, Cuban President Raul Castro and ailing brother Fidel met with the current leader of the communist island's longtime economic benefactor, the state press reported Saturday.

During a daylong visit on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his counterpart signed a slew of agreements expanding cooperation between the two countries.

Putin also visited with Fidel Castro at his home outside Havana. Pictures released in Cuban state media showed the men standing and a smiling, with Putin placing his hand on Castro's arm.

Castro was sidelined in 2006 by a mystery gastrointestinal illness and no longer holds official duties, but he still regularly greets visiting heads of state.

Cuba was the first stop on Putin's Latin American tour, which will take him to Argentina and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the World Cup final game on Sunday. Russia is set to host the next World Cup in 2018.

On Saturday, Argentina President Cristina Kirchner tweeted a picture of her shaking hands with Putin.

"Argentina is Russia´s main strategic partner in Latin America, the United Nations and the G20 Group," Putin said hours before departing for his trip to Latin America, according to the Telam news agency of Argentina.

In an interview with the Cuban news agency Prensa Latina, Putin said the "Latin American nations that struggled for their independence inspire our deepest respect for their autonomy and their right to self-determination."

"Today, cooperation with the Latin American nations is one of the key orientations and prospects of Russian foreign policy," Putin told Prensa Latina. "Multilateralism in world affairs, respect to international law, strengthening of the central role of the U.N. and sustainable development are the principles that bring us together."

Last week, Russian officials agreed to forgive 90% of the more than $30 billion Cuba still owed Russia. The remaining $3.5 billion would be paid back over a space of 10 years and reinvested in Cuba.

"It's a great sign of the generosity of Russia towards Cuba," Raul Castro said in video released of the agreement signing with Putin.

The two countries announced they also would cooperate more closely on energy, security and health matters.

The head of the Russian oil drilling consortium Rosneft accompanied Putin on the trip, and Cuban officials announced that the firm would help them explore for oil off the island's northern coast.

Several international companies have drilled for a massive reserve of oil Cuban officials believe lies about 50 miles off their shores, but so far all have come up dry.

Cuba and Russia once enjoyed one of the firmest Cold War alliances, but that special relationship between ended abruptly with the collapse of the Soviet bloc at the start of the 1990s.

The loss of supplies from oil-rich Russia along with the end of favorable trade and aid that once propped up Cuba's ailing economy plunged Cuba into an severe economic crisis.

In an interview published in the Cuban communist party newspaper Granma on Friday, Putin promised a new era of closer relations with Cuba.

"We are disposed to recover lost possibilities," Putin said.

Following the crisis in Ukraine, Russian officials said they were looking to establish new naval bases in handful of countries, including Cuba.

While Cuban officials have said little about the Russian overtures, they have several times allowed a Russian spy ship to dock and resupply in Havana's port.

It remains to be seen how significantly the two countries can aid one another as both Cuba and Russia deal with flagging economies and the impacts of U.S. trade sanctions.

"They are looking at ways to rebuild the relationship but it's not that easy anymore," said Marc Frank, author of the book "Cuban Revelations." "Russia is no longer the Soviet Union while Cuba is still a Cuba. It's a communist country while Russia really is not."

According to Granma, Fidel Castro discussed with Putin his research into growing food in tropical and subtropical climates as a way to fight the effects of global warming.

Many Cubans said they remembered the relative economic security that the alliance with the Soviet Union brought and welcomed a renewed Russian presence on the island.

The child of a Cuban father and Russian mother, Andrei Shevsou in 2013 opened the Havana restaurant Tavariche, which serves Russian food and is filled with mementos of the Soviet era in Cuba.

"One country is cold, the other is hot. We have different food, different ways of thinking," he said. "But we found common ground because [we] lived through historic times together."

Google executives promote Internet freedoms on Cuba visit

'First steps' to end Afghan election crisis

NEW: Abdullah says 'today we are happy to announce' the agreement for an audit

NEW: Ghani says he's 'delighted' how 'the candidates will abide by the will of the people'

Audit of 8 million ballots will take weeks to complete, Kerry says

Both presidential contenders allege large scale vote fraud in last month's run-off

Kabul (CNN) -- An audit of Afghanistan's disputed presidential election results will begin within a day in Kabul, and the two candidates will accept its determination of who won, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday.

"Make no mistake. These will be the first steps of what will obviously be a hard, difficult process and we will be working hand in hand with both candidates," Kerry said. "In keeping with each of the candidate's request, this audit will be conducted with the highest international standards."

The inauguration of the new president of Afghanistan, originally scheduled for the first week of August, will be postponed while the audit of votes cast for Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani is conducted, Kerry said. Both candidates stood beside him.

Kerry announced the brokered deal amid fears the country could descend into chaotic bloodshed. He extended his stay here to deal with the issue.

Abdullah cited how "there were previous challenges in relation to the election, and today we are happy to announce" the agreement for an audit.

Ghani said he was "delighted" by the accord in which "the candidates will abide by the will of the people."

Ballots cast in the provinces will be brought to Kabul by NATO-led International Security Assistance Force and Afghan national security forces for the audit, Kerry said.

Kerry arrived in Kabul on Thursday for the unannounced visit amid concern over signs of growing division following the country's contested presidential runoff election.

Despite efforts by the Taliban to disrupt the election, about 8 million votes were cast in June 14 balloting and provisional results showed Ghani ahead with roughly 56% support to 43% for Abdullah, according to Afghanistan's Independent Elections Commission.

Abdullah: Half of ballots 'suspicious'

Could Afghanistan be the next Iraq?

Both candidates have alleged large-scale vote fraud and manipulation during the runoff last month.

The audit will take weeks to complete, Kerry said.

Roadside bombing

Amid continued insecurity, a civilian vehicle hit a roadside bomb in the Panjwai district of southern Kandahar province on Saturday, killing eight members of one family, including four women, according to the Afghan Interior Ministry. Two children were injured.

Only two days earlier, six members of a mine-removal team were killed and three others were abducted in an ambush by gunmen in western Herat province, a local police official said.

The United States is withdrawing most of its troops by year's end, reducing the primary leverage it has had in Afghanistan. But it still supports the country with billions of dollars in foreign aid.

The international community, which fears a resurgence of the Taliban, is keen to see Afghanistan continue on the path to democracy.

'Critical moment'

The Obama administration says it has no favored candidate but wants to see a credible and transparent process that produces a president who can bring Afghanistan together and govern effectively.

Senior administration officials said Friday that Kerry's meeting with the two candidates had focused on the need to preserve the gains Afghanistan has made over the past 13 years, through a legitimate political transition.

Conversations have focused on two main areas, the officials said: how to address allegations of fraud in a credible manner and restore confidence in the electoral process; and how to ensure political dialogue so the process is inclusive and produces as unified a government as possible.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has been looking into the fraud allegations.

But the senior administration officials stressed that the political process must be Afghan-led.

Although once an ally of President Hamid Karzai, Abdullah has in recent years become an opponent and vocal critic of the Taliban. Ghani, also a former adviser to Karzai and finance minister, was once a U.S. citizen, but he gave up his passport to run for president five years ago.

The International Crisis Group, a nongovernmental organization, said in a news release Friday that Afghanistan had "reached a critical moment in the development of its democratic system." It urged both sides to engage in talks and to accept the outcome of investigations into the fraud allegations.

"The final result will be less important, however, than the way the contest is decided," the group added. "Such periods of transition are a crucial test for a country's institutions. This is a moment when Afghans must hold tight to their constitution and the rule of law, despite political turmoil."

Nuclear talks

After Saturday's meetings in Kabul, Kerry is expected to travel to Vienna, Austria, for talks on Iran's nuclear program.

Iran and six world powers, the United States among them, are engaged in a final round of negotiations ahead of a July 20 deadline aimed at reaching a permanent deal on the future of Tehran's nuclear program.

Tehran insists its ambitions are peaceful, but the world powers fear it has ambitions to build nuclear weapons.

Kerry is due to speak in Vienna with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the senior administration officials said. The foreign ministers' encounter will come amid a row over fresh spying allegations against the United States.

Germany's government on Thursday asked America's top spy chief stationed in the country to leave.

This followed the revelation that two Germans -- one working at a German intelligence agency, the other in the Ministry of Defense -- are suspected of spying for the United States.

Ghani leads Abdullah in Afghan election, officials say

Afghan candidate demands end to vote count, claims fraud

The Afghan voice that won't be silenced

CNN's Jamie Crawford reported from Kabul. CNN's Laura Smith-Spark wrote in London and Michael Martinez in Los Angeles. CNN's Masoud Popalzai in Kabul contributed to this report.

Rocky Mountain lightning kills woman

One woman is killed and seven people are injured in the lightning strike

The names of the hikers have not yet been released

Hikers are urged to be aware that when storm clouds gather, they should head to lower ground

(CNN) -- A lightning strike on a trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, left one woman dead and seven people injured.

The strike occurred Friday on the Ute Crossing Trail, park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said.

The seven injured hikers were treated at the Estes Park Medical Center. Their names have not been released.

Dr. Martin Koschnitzke, of the Estes Park Medical Center, speaking to CNN affiliate KUSA, urged walkers to be aware of changing weather conditions.

"We can't emphasize enough that when it starts getting dark and clouds are forming, it's time to get down," he said. "My understanding is this group was actually in the process of doing that and still got caught, which is really a sad thing."

Medical officials told KUSA that three people still in the hospital Friday evening were being treated for burns, lacerations and broken bones.

Fire lieutenant resuscitated after lightning strike in Ohio

LeBron back with boss who ripped him

James: "My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball"

Four-time league MVP returning to Cavaliers after four years with Heat

James says he "talked it out" with Cavs owner who ripped him in 2010

James: "My goal is still to win as many titles as possible"

(CNN) -- After four years away, King James is sensationally taking his throne back to Cleveland.

LeBron James told Sports Illustrated for a story published Friday that he'll leave the Miami Heat for the Cleveland Cavaliers -- a bombshell return to his home region that he devastated when he left via free agency in 2010.

"I always believed that I'd return to Cleveland and finish my career there," the four-time NBA MVP said in a piece he wrote with SI's Lee Jenkins. "I just didn't know when."

"I looked at other teams," James wrote, "but I wasn't going to leave Miami for anywhere except Cleveland. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy."

LeBron James defaced in Miami Heat mural

Basketball superstar LeBron James, one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, announced Friday, July 11, that he would be returning to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Click through the gallery to see James' career to this point.

James drives to the hoop in 2002 as he plays for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. James was already starting to become a household name in high school, and ESPN was even airing some of his games.

James shouts instructions during a 2003 game against Mater Dei High School in Los Angeles.

James, right, plays for St.Vincent-St.Mary in 2003. He would go straight from high school to the NBA, becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.

James poses in front of a Hummer after a news conference at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in April 2003.

James poses with his new Cleveland Cavaliers jersey after he was drafted in June 2003.

James goes for a dunk during an October 2003 game in Sacramento, California. In his first year in the NBA, he won the league's Rookie of the Year Award.

James, left, takes a portrait with fellow NBA All-Stars Kobe Bryant, right, and Kevin Garnett in February 2005. James has been an All-Star every year since.

James grimaces during a game against Milwaukee in January 2007.

James looks over backpacks at Sam's Club in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, in August 2007. James runs a nonprofit organization called the LeBron James Family Foundation, which helps needy children in his hometown area.

U.S. basketball players receive their gold medals after they defeated Spain at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. From left are Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, James, Carlos Boozer and Michael Redd. James would also win a gold medal on the 2012 Olympic team.

James stands on stage with rapper Jay-Z during the "Last Chance For Change" concert in Cleveland in October 2008. The event was part of the presidential campaign for Barack Obama.

James goes to the basket during a March 2009 game against the Boston Celtics. James won the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.

In July 2010, James speaks at the Boys & Girls Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. It was there that he announced, live on an ESPN program called "The Decision," that he would be leaving Cleveland to play for the Miami Heat.

From left, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and James are introduced to Miami Heat fans during a welcome party in Miami in July 2010.

James performs his famous pregame ritual -- throwing crushed chalk into the air -- before a Heat preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs in October 2010.

James celebrates with the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy after the Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA title in June 2012.

Fans hold a sign commemorating James' 20,000th career point, which he scored in January 2013 against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California.

James presents President Obama with a jersey while the Heat were being honored at the White House in January 2013.

James goes up for a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers in March 2013.

James appears on a Nike poster outside American Airlines Arena in Miami in May 2013. In 2014, James was named the World's Most Powerful Athlete. He has endorsement deals with Nike, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Upper Deck, Samsung, Audemars Piguet and Dunkin' Donuts.

James holds the Finals MVP trophy and the Larry O'Brien Championship trophy after the Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win back-to-back titles in June 2013.

James attends the 2013 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles with his future wife, Savannah Brinson. They have two children.

James adjusts a protective mask he wore in March to protect a broken nose.

James competes against the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA Finals in June. The Spurs won the series and prevented the Heat from winning three straight titles.

James reacts on the bench during the NBA Finals in June. Later that month, he became a free agent.

The rise of LeBron James

Cleveland fans celebrate LeBron's return

After winning two NBA championships in Miami and reaching four straight NBA finals, the league's biggest active star this summer exercised his contract's option to become a free agent two years early.

The move comes four years after he and marquee free agent Chris Bosh left their teams to join Dwyane Wade in Miami -- with James famously announcing his move in an ESPN special called "The Decision."

James was a Cleveland hero, growing up some 45 miles away in Akron and starring seven years with the Cavs after they drafted him first overall, straight out of high school, in 2003. But his 2010 departure -- and the way he did it, on television -- rankled the people of Cleveland, with fans burned James jerseys and stomping on his likeness.

If those fans torched the figurative bridge, Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert seemingly vaporized it with a scathing letter blasting James' "cowardly betrayal" and, in a forecast that didn't quite pan out, promising that the Cavs would win an NBA title "before the self-titled former 'king' wins one."

But Friday's announcement by the prodigal son generated excitement in the lakeside city long starved for a professional sports championship. Car horns honked as the news spread, CNN's Martin Savidge reported from the city.

"We welcome you back with open arms. Glad you're home!" Cavaliers fan Corey Adams posted on the Facebook page of CNN affiliate WEWS.

"Cleveland fans are trying to figure out how to unburn their LeBron jerseys," Twitter user nic_johnston44 wrote.

Micky Arison, the Heat owner who helped lure James away in 2010, said on Twitter that he was "shocked & disappointed in today's news."

"However I will never forget what Lebron brought us for 4 years. Thanks for memories @KingJames," Arison's post said.

This week, the Cavaliers made their intentions known when they shipped off Jarrett Jack, Sergey Karasev, Tyler Zeller and a future first-round draft pick to clear the salary cap space necessary to sign James. Numerous reports say that the maximum salary for a veteran of more than 10 years is $20.64 million. James has been in the league 11 years.

James joins a Cavaliers team that has struggled, making no playoffs and picking first three times in the NBA draft since James' departure. Those picks were two-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, UNLV's Anthony Bennett and University of Kansas phenom Andrew Wiggins, all currently in Cleveland's possession.

James: Bringing trophy to Cleveland "most important"

James' Instagram account Friday had a photo, showing him in a Cavaliers jersey, said: "I'm coming home."

In the SI piece, James wrote that when he left Cleveland, he was "on a mission" for a championship. Now that he won two in Miami, he's turning his thoughts to Ohio.

"Our city hasn't had that feeling in a long, long, long time," he wrote. "My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question.

"But what's most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio."

What about that letter?

So how could James return to a team after Gilbert's 2010 letter?

James addressed this in the Sports Illustrated piece.

"I've met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We've talked it out," the story reads. "Everybody makes mistakes. I've made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?

He also addressed Cleveland fans' negative reaction to his move to Miami.

"It was easy to say, 'OK, I don't want to deal with these people ever again.' But then you think about the other side," he wrote. "What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react?"

So he felt OK to return to Cleveland, where he feels he has unfinished business. In his first Cavs stint, he won two league MVP awards and went to the NBA finals once, but won no ring.

"I'm not promising a championship. I know how hard that is to deliver," James said in Sports Illustrated. "We're not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to win next year, but I'm realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010."

His ties to his home, he said, pulled him back.

"My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn't realize that four years ago. I do now."

White House takes notice

The news generated intense interest as soon as it broke, around 12:30 p.m. Friday. Three of the top 10 trending terms on Twitter were almost instantly related to James.

It even came up in the daily press briefing at the White House. When asked, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said he didn't know if noted NBA fan President Obama had a reaction to James' move.

But Earnest added: "The fact that he has made this decision is a testament to the kinds of values that he has incorporated into his life and he says that he is interested in instilling in his children."

"I think it is a pretty powerful statement about the value of a place that you consider home," Earnest said.

Professional athletes weighed in. From Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson on Twitter: "Congrats to my man @KingJames on Cleveland! Too bad we don't have the #Sonics #NoPlaceLikeHome."

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith said on Twitter: "I'm happy Lebron is going to CLE....not that he owes anyone anything but he means more to that city than anywhere else in the world! Iconic."

CNN's Michael Pearson, Eliott C. McLaughlin and Jason Durand contributed to this report.