BBC News with Jerry Smit.
In what it called the largest operation of its kind in the United States, the FBI has rescued more than 100 children who’ve been forced into prostitution. The FBI assistant director described child prostitution as a persistent threat to children across America. Nick Bryant reports.
Operation Cross Country unfolded in 76 cities and targeted motels, casinos and truck stops. The largest number of children were rescued in San Francisco, Detroit, New Orleans and Milwaukee. The FBI said it had arrested 150 people, suspects they described as pimps. They had allegedly preyed on vulnerable teenagers and exploited them over a period of time. The girls were trapped in a cycle that involved drugs, physical abuse and even torture.
President Obama has welcomed the resumption of direct talks between Palestinians and Israelis. Mr Obama said there would be difficult work ahead, but urged good faith on both sides. The first meeting between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in three years will be a dinner in Washington hosted by the US Secretary of State John Kerry. The two sides face the same issues that have scuppered past peace initiatives, including Israeli settlements on the West Bank. The head of the Israeli delegation, the Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, acknowledged the difficulties.
"There’s a lot of cynicism and scepticism and pessimism, but there is also hope. And I believe that by re-launching the negotiations we can recreate hope for Israelis and for Palestinians as well. And I truly believe that peace between Israel and the Palestinians is in the Israeli interest and Palestinian interest, the interest of the international community.”