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CNN Live At Daybreak
9/11 Commission Meets Today; A Chilling Warning from Hamas
Aired March 23, 2004 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you.
It is Tuesday, March 23.
From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Let me bring you up to date now.
The stage is set for today's 9/11 Commission public hearing. Raising the stakes is a book by President Bush's former counter- terrorism czar. He accuses the president of ignoring the threat posed by al Qaeda.
Here's John Kerry back in 1971 catching the attention of then President Nixon and his FBI. Newly released files show the high level of surveillance of Kerry when he was an anti-war Vietnam vet.
Was Terry Nichols an innocent victim betrayed by his friend or a partner in terror? Jurors will decide as testimony begins in Nichols' Oklahoma City bombing murder trial.
It's not just same-sex marriages being banned in one Oregon county. Marriage licenses will not be given to anyone in Benton County until a court rules on the legality of gay marriage.
And soul singer Aretha Franklin is in the hospital this morning. Her publicist says she's in stable condition, but we're not being told what's wrong with her or where she's being treated. Aretha Franklin will be 62 on Thursday. We update the top stories every 15 minutes. The next update comes your way at 6:15 Eastern.
Is anyone to blame? The 9/11 Commission meets today to investigate why. On the hot seat today, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and current Secretary of State Colin Powell. Later today, the Commission is supposed to hear from former Defense Secretary William Cohen and current Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will not appear.
As for the mood in Washington, well, it's a little tense this morning.
Let's head live to D.C. now and CNN's Bill Prasad -- good morning, Bill.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
These hearings unfold at a time when the Bush administration is feeling a great deal of heat. There are almost the daily attacks from political enemies. There's that book from a former political friend. And there are tough questions from the grieving.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD (voice-over): Could it have been prevented? Those who lost loved ones turn up the pressure in Washington.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're here today to demand answers and accountability for what happened on 9/11 in a process that is open, transparent and uncompromising.
PRASAD: A bipartisan commission investigating the attacks may hear its most important testimony over the next two days. High ranking members of the Bush and Clinton administrations will be questioned about what was known before the attacks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why did it take you so long in the Bush administration to develop a counter-terrorism policy and strategy, especially as the spike up in the warnings were at record levels through the spring and the fall?
PRASAD: Monday, the White House launched a counter-offensive aimed at discrediting former terrorism advisor Richard Clarke. His new book accuses Mr. Bush of ignoring terrorism threats pre-9/11, something the White House strongly denies.
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: His assertion that there was something we could have done to prevent the September 11 attacks from happening is deeply irresponsible. It's offensive and it's flat out false.
PRASAD: Among those expected to testify today, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. The stakes are high for a president seeking reelection, for families trying to heal and for a country wondering if it could happen again.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD: The Commission's goal is to duck the political crossfire, seek past the emotions and discover the truth. The deadline for their report is July -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I wanted to ask you about Condoleezza Rice and her decision not to testify.
What's the reasoning behind that, Bill?
PRASAD: Dr. Rice says she's more comfortable talking to commissioners in private. She says if she meets and testifies publicly with commissioners, she will violate the confidentiality of the conversations that she has had with the president.
Now, of course, she is one of the president's most trusted advisers. But, Carol, on the flip side, some of the Democrats and some of the grieving family members say that she won't testify in public because she has something to hide. It's something the White House denies.
COSTELLO: All right, Bill Prasad reporting live from Washington this morning.
A couple of programming notes to tell you about. Former counter-terrorism chief Richard Clarke will be a guest on CNN's "American Morning." That begins in the next hour. And then tomorrow night, after he testifies before the 9/11 Commission, Clarke will be the guest on CNN's "Larry King Live." Of course, that airs at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
A chilling warning from Hamas -- retaliation not only for Israel, but perhaps for the United States, as well. Of course, this comes after Israel kills the spiritual leader of the terrorist group Hamas.
Live to Jerusalem and CNN's Paula Hancocks for more -- hello, Paula.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Well, we're on very high alert at the moment, the highest alert that Israeli citizens can be on. Security police chiefs and police chiefs on very high alert. Visibly more security on the streets at the moment. This is after that revenge -- vow of revenge from Hamas, not just for Israel, but also, as you say, for the United States.
A Hamas leaflet that was passed out in Gaza City on Monday said that the Zionists could not do this without U.S. approval.
Now, the U.S. Bush administration has said that they didn't have prior knowledge of this warning -- of the attack that was going to take place against Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas, but Hamas vowing revenge further afield than just the State of Israel.
Also, Israeli embassies across the world have been told to increase their security. We had the chief of police for Tel Aviv earlier on this morning saying militants groups will "make every effort to carry out terrorist attacks."
So people are on standby here. People expect another terrorist attack from Hamas. And Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade, as well, also vowing to increase the war on Israel.
Very interesting polls coming out in the Israeli newspapers this morning, Carol. One poll said that 60 percent of Israelis questioned said that they agreed with Ariel Sharon's move to assassinate Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. And in the very same poll, 81 percent said that they did believe that assassination meant there would be an increase in attacks against Israelis. So just under half of those polled said they are more afraid now.
And Israeli officials have been saying that these attacks are going to continue. The targeted killings will continue. The fight against terror, they say, will continue. Moshe Yaalon, the chief of police here in Israel, said a little earlier on this Tuesday, "In the short-term, such an act may strengthen emotions and motivation of Hamas." But Israeli officials showing no sign of stepping back on their attacks against the top leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade and other militant groups.
Now, on the military front, Israeli tanks moved into northern Gaza overnight, they say in response to Kassam rockets being sent over the border to Israel -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Paula Hancocks live from Jerusalem this morning.
In Spain, a judge has filed charges against four more suspects in the Madrid train bombings. That makes a total of nine people charged in the March 11th blast that killed 202 people. The judge ordered the latest suspects, three Moroccans and a Spaniard, to remain in custody as the investigation moves forward.
And the fallout continues from those Spain train bombings. And if you ride the rails, it could affect you eventually. The nation's rail system will be the focus of a Senate committee this morning.
Homeland security director Tom Ridge says his department will begin testing new ways to screen passengers and their luggage later this spring and he says dog teams will be trained to sniff out danger.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: And while there are no indications that terrorists are planning similar attacks in the United States in the near term, we have asked transit and rail operators around the country to be on a heightened state of alert and deploy additional security personnel and surveillance equipment where necessary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: New York City police already have increased security for subways and commuter trains. Police have been conducting security sweeps before cars enter tunnels or cross over bridges. Some officers are also being briefed on the background of terrorist groups, their weapons and how to handle possible attacks.
Also, more security coming to the nation's 361 sea and river ports. Huge radiation detectors sort of like giant Geiger counters already are in use in New Jersey. They're used to detect radiation. And similar devices are planned for 90 percent of the nation's ports by the end of this summer.
To the forecast center now.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: All right, it's time to talk about out coffee mug contest.
MYERS: Really?
COSTELLO: Really. MYERS: Well, OK.
COSTELLO: Here's the questions we asked you yesterday. Veterans who can't make a trip to Normandy to observe D-Day this year can go to what city instead? And, two, a government certified medical marijuana program could come to this country? Which one?
MYERS: Canada.
COSTELLO: Canada.
MYERS: The first one was Portsmouth.
COSTELLO: Yes, thank you, Chad. You were listening yesterday. But tell us who the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee mug is this morning.
MYERS: Carol, ironically, the winner comes from Key West, Florida. He lives less than five minutes, five blocks from my favorite restaurant, Louis' Backyard.
COSTELLO: Get out.
MYERS: Gary -- and only about two blocks from where we got married. Gary Thomas from Key West, Florida this morning our winner from yesterday. The mug is in the mail. Actually, it's in the mail to us, then we'll get it into the mail to you when we get it.
COSTELLO: Well, I hope you wrapped it up good so it won't break on the way.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: All right, Chad. And, of course, we'll have two more news questions for you at 6:50 Eastern time.
MYERS: I'll be right here.
COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Chad.
Coming up on DAYBREAK, a warning for people who take anti- depressants. What you need to know about these prescription drugs.
And how about some tunes with that Big Mac? McDonald's' latest menu offering is musical.
Plus, red hot over a redneck stereotype. Now one governor demands more than an apology for this T-shirt.
This is DAYBREAK for March 23rd.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: 6:13 Eastern time.
Time to take a quick look at the top stories now.
The independent 9/11 Commission holds public hearings today. Among those scheduled to testify, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
A New York jury heads into day four of deliberations in the trial of former Tyco executives Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Swartz.
And commissioners in one Oregon county have stopped issuing all marriage licenses. They're waiting until a court rules on the same- sex marriage issue.
We update the top stories every 15 minutes. The next update comes your way at 6:30 Eastern.
Time for a little business buzz right now. Forget fries with your Big Mac. Soon you may get a musical treat at McDonald's, at Mickey Dees.
Carrie Lee has more on the story live from the NASDAQ market site.
It seems everybody's jumping on this bandwagon.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They certainly are, Carol. And Sony is the latest company to do so. Sony is teaming up with McDonald's to promote its new download music site, which is expected to come out this spring. McDonald's is expected to commit about $30 million worth of advertising in exchange for discounts to license some songs from Sony's new download service, which is called Sony Connect.
Now, those songs would then be offered to McDonald's' customers for free with the purchase of certain menu items. Customers would basically receive codes for this music and they can then use those codes online for downloads. So you're not downloading the music in the McDonald's locations, but rather at home later.
Sony expects to launch Sony Connect this spring, offering 500,000 songs. And, Carol, as you were saying, a lot of players already in this space, of course, Apple, Napster, Microsoft, Dell...
COSTELLO: Starbucks.
LEE: ... $0.99 a song. They've got -- Starbucks and Hewlett- Packard. $0.99 a song here. Well, that's basically the going rate. We'll see if it takes off or not.
COSTELLO: Very interesting.
A quick look at the futures?
LEE: Things looking a little bit bullish this morning. We could see a bit of a rebound. Let me tell you, though, stocks closed at their lowest level of the year yesterday, the Dow down over 120 points. The NASDAQ down by about 1 1/2 percent.
Motorola could be a stock to watch. The company has unveiled a mobile phone. Consumers in the U.S. will be able to use it almost anywhere in the world. So if you go to Latin America, Europe, you can use this new phone from Motorola. So we'll keep an eye on that one today -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, we'll catch you at the next half hour.
Carrie Lee live from New York this morning.
In health news this morning, drugs that are supposed to help you overcome depression may actually make you more depressed and drive you to commit suicide. Health experts are now studying whether there is, indeed, a link. In the meantime, the FDA is taking precautions.
CNN's Christy Feig has more for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Food and Drug Administration is warning doctors and family members of patients who take certain antidepressants to watch for signs that suggest they might be at an increased risk of attempting suicide.
DR. DIANNE MURPHY, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION: Aggression, hostility, they're acting out. They're just having a worsening of their clinical situation. That's what we want you to pay attention to and to go back and talk to your doctor.
FEIG: There are ten drugs at issue, including some of the most popular, like Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. Psychiatrists say the first few weeks on a new antidepressant are the most dangerous.
DR. ADELAIDE ROBB, CHILDREN'S NATL. MEDICAL CTR.: The first week or two on medication somebody is still feeling overwhelmingly sad but their energy level is high enough that they can have the ability to plot and carry out a suicide.
FEIG (on camera): The FDA issued the warning based on testimony last month from parents who told of bad experiences their teenagers had while taking antidepressants.
(voice-over): Terry Williams' 14-year-old son took Prozac.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: After four weeks of treatment he's beginning to show signs of agitation, which we were not aware that was a potential side effect and after seven weeks of treatment he hung himself.
FEIG: The FDA says these drugs do work and people shouldn't stop taking them but until studies of potential risk are completed later this year they want those caring for people taking the drugs to watch for problems.
Christy Feig, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Eli Lily & Company, makers of Prozac, stress that, "The FDA has not found a definitive link between anti-depressants and suicidal behavior, but cautions caregivers should carefully monitor patients for signs of worsening depression."
That's a quote.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, it was an arrest that caught the nation's attention when the suspect died. We'll tell you what investigators concluded.
A performer's emotional plea. Bobby Brown has a favor to ask of you.
And the DAYBREAK Photo of the Day. Take a look. What is it? We'll have the answer for you, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: A decision in a police beating investigation tops our Stories Across America this morning. Prosecutors say they will not seek charges against police in last year's beating death of Nathaniel Jones. Remember this? The 350 pound Jones was repeatedly hit by metal nightsticks while police say he was resisting arrest. The corner ruled the death a homicide, but did not conclude that police used excessive force.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL ALLEN, HAMILTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR: These things, they're not pretty. I mean there's just no getting around it. That thing was flashed all around the world and probably will be again. It's not pretty. But, again, the only one that committed crimes in that parking lot was Mr. Jones. And it is a tragedy that he's dead. I mean there's no question about that. But he's the one that committed the crimes and I think it's appropriate to point that out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Army Chaplain James Yee has been reprimanded on charges of adultery and downloading pornography on his government computer. You recall, you may recall Yee had been accused of mishandling confidential documents while working as a Muslim chaplain at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay. Those charges were dropped last week.
Jury selection resumes today in the Scott Peterson murder trial. Monday, 1,000 prospective jurors began what could be a six week selection process. The judge in the case set May 17th as the date for opening statements.
And embattled singer Bobby Brown was released from a Georgia jail a little earlier than expected. He had an urgent family court matter in Virginia. Brown had been sentenced to serve 60 days after violating his probation, but was already scheduled for early release on Thursday.
Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BOBBY BROWN, ENTERTAINER: I love you. This is the last time you'll see me coming out of here or going in. Thank you for your support, all the people out there, for me, myself and my wife and my family. If you could just do us a favor and just let us live for a little while and, you know, enjoy each other, get some sobriety. You know, enjoy your lives and we're going to try to enjoy ours. God bless you all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: A troubled family but hopefully, I don't know, they can be on the mend, because as you know, Whitney Houston is in a drug rehab center now.
MYERS: Right.
COSTELLO: Anyhow...
MYERS: Unpretty.
COSTELLO: How's the weather?
(WEATHER REPORT)
MYERS: Carol?
COSTELLO: Yes?
MYERS: Remember that Picture of the Day?
COSTELLO: I certainly do.
MYERS: Do the names Duke Xavier Texas and Illinois remind you of anything?
COSTELLO: Hmmm, does Georgia come to mind?
MYERS: Georgia on my mind, Atlanta on Friday. On Sunday, it should be Duke and Texas. But Xavier might have something to say about that. That is the Georgia Dome. That's where the game will be played, the sunset over Georgia a couple of days ago.
COSTELLO: Oh, that's beautiful. So the DAYBREAK Photo of the Day.
MYERS: Nice shot there.
COSTELLO: The sun over the Georgia Dome.
MYERS: Yes, all right.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad, for setting the mood.
MYERS: Are your teams still in the sweet 16?
COSTELLO: You know, I just don't pay attention to college basketball. I know I should, but, you know, I love football and baseball and that's it for me.
MYERS: That's enough.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
Up, up and away, how high will gas prices go? We've got the forecast for fuel.
And more on the testimony in Washington today from presidential advisers past and present and the events that led up to 9/11.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning to you.
Welcome back to DAYBREAK.
I'm Carol Costello.
It is Tuesday, March 23.
Let me bring you up to date.
The independent commission investigating the events of 9/11 is holding public hearings today. Among those scheduled to testify is Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Clinton administration Defense Secretary William Cohen.
FBI documents show that the agency kept John Kerry under constant surveillance in the early '70s after he became an outspoken opponent of the war in Vietnam.
Israel says it will not change its policy of targeting Hamas leaders for assassination, even though the killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin has sparked the condemnation of the U.N. and many of its member nations.
A Spanish court has charged four more people in connection with the terrorist train attacks that killed 202 people. So far, nine people have been charged in those attacks.
We update the top stories every 15 minutes. The next update comes your way at 6:45 Eastern.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired March 23, 2004 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you.
It is Tuesday, March 23.
From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Let me bring you up to date now.
The stage is set for today's 9/11 Commission public hearing. Raising the stakes is a book by President Bush's former counter- terrorism czar. He accuses the president of ignoring the threat posed by al Qaeda.
Here's John Kerry back in 1971 catching the attention of then President Nixon and his FBI. Newly released files show the high level of surveillance of Kerry when he was an anti-war Vietnam vet.
Was Terry Nichols an innocent victim betrayed by his friend or a partner in terror? Jurors will decide as testimony begins in Nichols' Oklahoma City bombing murder trial.
It's not just same-sex marriages being banned in one Oregon county. Marriage licenses will not be given to anyone in Benton County until a court rules on the legality of gay marriage.
And soul singer Aretha Franklin is in the hospital this morning. Her publicist says she's in stable condition, but we're not being told what's wrong with her or where she's being treated. Aretha Franklin will be 62 on Thursday. We update the top stories every 15 minutes. The next update comes your way at 6:15 Eastern.
Is anyone to blame? The 9/11 Commission meets today to investigate why. On the hot seat today, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and current Secretary of State Colin Powell. Later today, the Commission is supposed to hear from former Defense Secretary William Cohen and current Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice will not appear.
As for the mood in Washington, well, it's a little tense this morning.
Let's head live to D.C. now and CNN's Bill Prasad -- good morning, Bill.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
These hearings unfold at a time when the Bush administration is feeling a great deal of heat. There are almost the daily attacks from political enemies. There's that book from a former political friend. And there are tough questions from the grieving.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD (voice-over): Could it have been prevented? Those who lost loved ones turn up the pressure in Washington.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're here today to demand answers and accountability for what happened on 9/11 in a process that is open, transparent and uncompromising.
PRASAD: A bipartisan commission investigating the attacks may hear its most important testimony over the next two days. High ranking members of the Bush and Clinton administrations will be questioned about what was known before the attacks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why did it take you so long in the Bush administration to develop a counter-terrorism policy and strategy, especially as the spike up in the warnings were at record levels through the spring and the fall?
PRASAD: Monday, the White House launched a counter-offensive aimed at discrediting former terrorism advisor Richard Clarke. His new book accuses Mr. Bush of ignoring terrorism threats pre-9/11, something the White House strongly denies.
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: His assertion that there was something we could have done to prevent the September 11 attacks from happening is deeply irresponsible. It's offensive and it's flat out false.
PRASAD: Among those expected to testify today, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. The stakes are high for a president seeking reelection, for families trying to heal and for a country wondering if it could happen again.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD: The Commission's goal is to duck the political crossfire, seek past the emotions and discover the truth. The deadline for their report is July -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I wanted to ask you about Condoleezza Rice and her decision not to testify.
What's the reasoning behind that, Bill?
PRASAD: Dr. Rice says she's more comfortable talking to commissioners in private. She says if she meets and testifies publicly with commissioners, she will violate the confidentiality of the conversations that she has had with the president.
Now, of course, she is one of the president's most trusted advisers. But, Carol, on the flip side, some of the Democrats and some of the grieving family members say that she won't testify in public because she has something to hide. It's something the White House denies.
COSTELLO: All right, Bill Prasad reporting live from Washington this morning.
A couple of programming notes to tell you about. Former counter-terrorism chief Richard Clarke will be a guest on CNN's "American Morning." That begins in the next hour. And then tomorrow night, after he testifies before the 9/11 Commission, Clarke will be the guest on CNN's "Larry King Live." Of course, that airs at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday.
A chilling warning from Hamas -- retaliation not only for Israel, but perhaps for the United States, as well. Of course, this comes after Israel kills the spiritual leader of the terrorist group Hamas.
Live to Jerusalem and CNN's Paula Hancocks for more -- hello, Paula.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Well, we're on very high alert at the moment, the highest alert that Israeli citizens can be on. Security police chiefs and police chiefs on very high alert. Visibly more security on the streets at the moment. This is after that revenge -- vow of revenge from Hamas, not just for Israel, but also, as you say, for the United States.
A Hamas leaflet that was passed out in Gaza City on Monday said that the Zionists could not do this without U.S. approval.
Now, the U.S. Bush administration has said that they didn't have prior knowledge of this warning -- of the attack that was going to take place against Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas, but Hamas vowing revenge further afield than just the State of Israel.
Also, Israeli embassies across the world have been told to increase their security. We had the chief of police for Tel Aviv earlier on this morning saying militants groups will "make every effort to carry out terrorist attacks."
So people are on standby here. People expect another terrorist attack from Hamas. And Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade, as well, also vowing to increase the war on Israel.
Very interesting polls coming out in the Israeli newspapers this morning, Carol. One poll said that 60 percent of Israelis questioned said that they agreed with Ariel Sharon's move to assassinate Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. And in the very same poll, 81 percent said that they did believe that assassination meant there would be an increase in attacks against Israelis. So just under half of those polled said they are more afraid now.
And Israeli officials have been saying that these attacks are going to continue. The targeted killings will continue. The fight against terror, they say, will continue. Moshe Yaalon, the chief of police here in Israel, said a little earlier on this Tuesday, "In the short-term, such an act may strengthen emotions and motivation of Hamas." But Israeli officials showing no sign of stepping back on their attacks against the top leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade and other militant groups.
Now, on the military front, Israeli tanks moved into northern Gaza overnight, they say in response to Kassam rockets being sent over the border to Israel -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Paula Hancocks live from Jerusalem this morning.
In Spain, a judge has filed charges against four more suspects in the Madrid train bombings. That makes a total of nine people charged in the March 11th blast that killed 202 people. The judge ordered the latest suspects, three Moroccans and a Spaniard, to remain in custody as the investigation moves forward.
And the fallout continues from those Spain train bombings. And if you ride the rails, it could affect you eventually. The nation's rail system will be the focus of a Senate committee this morning.
Homeland security director Tom Ridge says his department will begin testing new ways to screen passengers and their luggage later this spring and he says dog teams will be trained to sniff out danger.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: And while there are no indications that terrorists are planning similar attacks in the United States in the near term, we have asked transit and rail operators around the country to be on a heightened state of alert and deploy additional security personnel and surveillance equipment where necessary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: New York City police already have increased security for subways and commuter trains. Police have been conducting security sweeps before cars enter tunnels or cross over bridges. Some officers are also being briefed on the background of terrorist groups, their weapons and how to handle possible attacks.
Also, more security coming to the nation's 361 sea and river ports. Huge radiation detectors sort of like giant Geiger counters already are in use in New Jersey. They're used to detect radiation. And similar devices are planned for 90 percent of the nation's ports by the end of this summer.
To the forecast center now.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: All right, it's time to talk about out coffee mug contest.
MYERS: Really?
COSTELLO: Really. MYERS: Well, OK.
COSTELLO: Here's the questions we asked you yesterday. Veterans who can't make a trip to Normandy to observe D-Day this year can go to what city instead? And, two, a government certified medical marijuana program could come to this country? Which one?
MYERS: Canada.
COSTELLO: Canada.
MYERS: The first one was Portsmouth.
COSTELLO: Yes, thank you, Chad. You were listening yesterday. But tell us who the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee mug is this morning.
MYERS: Carol, ironically, the winner comes from Key West, Florida. He lives less than five minutes, five blocks from my favorite restaurant, Louis' Backyard.
COSTELLO: Get out.
MYERS: Gary -- and only about two blocks from where we got married. Gary Thomas from Key West, Florida this morning our winner from yesterday. The mug is in the mail. Actually, it's in the mail to us, then we'll get it into the mail to you when we get it.
COSTELLO: Well, I hope you wrapped it up good so it won't break on the way.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: All right, Chad. And, of course, we'll have two more news questions for you at 6:50 Eastern time.
MYERS: I'll be right here.
COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Chad.
Coming up on DAYBREAK, a warning for people who take anti- depressants. What you need to know about these prescription drugs.
And how about some tunes with that Big Mac? McDonald's' latest menu offering is musical.
Plus, red hot over a redneck stereotype. Now one governor demands more than an apology for this T-shirt.
This is DAYBREAK for March 23rd.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: 6:13 Eastern time.
Time to take a quick look at the top stories now.
The independent 9/11 Commission holds public hearings today. Among those scheduled to testify, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
A New York jury heads into day four of deliberations in the trial of former Tyco executives Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Swartz.
And commissioners in one Oregon county have stopped issuing all marriage licenses. They're waiting until a court rules on the same- sex marriage issue.
We update the top stories every 15 minutes. The next update comes your way at 6:30 Eastern.
Time for a little business buzz right now. Forget fries with your Big Mac. Soon you may get a musical treat at McDonald's, at Mickey Dees.
Carrie Lee has more on the story live from the NASDAQ market site.
It seems everybody's jumping on this bandwagon.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They certainly are, Carol. And Sony is the latest company to do so. Sony is teaming up with McDonald's to promote its new download music site, which is expected to come out this spring. McDonald's is expected to commit about $30 million worth of advertising in exchange for discounts to license some songs from Sony's new download service, which is called Sony Connect.
Now, those songs would then be offered to McDonald's' customers for free with the purchase of certain menu items. Customers would basically receive codes for this music and they can then use those codes online for downloads. So you're not downloading the music in the McDonald's locations, but rather at home later.
Sony expects to launch Sony Connect this spring, offering 500,000 songs. And, Carol, as you were saying, a lot of players already in this space, of course, Apple, Napster, Microsoft, Dell...
COSTELLO: Starbucks.
LEE: ... $0.99 a song. They've got -- Starbucks and Hewlett- Packard. $0.99 a song here. Well, that's basically the going rate. We'll see if it takes off or not.
COSTELLO: Very interesting.
A quick look at the futures?
LEE: Things looking a little bit bullish this morning. We could see a bit of a rebound. Let me tell you, though, stocks closed at their lowest level of the year yesterday, the Dow down over 120 points. The NASDAQ down by about 1 1/2 percent.
Motorola could be a stock to watch. The company has unveiled a mobile phone. Consumers in the U.S. will be able to use it almost anywhere in the world. So if you go to Latin America, Europe, you can use this new phone from Motorola. So we'll keep an eye on that one today -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, we'll catch you at the next half hour.
Carrie Lee live from New York this morning.
In health news this morning, drugs that are supposed to help you overcome depression may actually make you more depressed and drive you to commit suicide. Health experts are now studying whether there is, indeed, a link. In the meantime, the FDA is taking precautions.
CNN's Christy Feig has more for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Food and Drug Administration is warning doctors and family members of patients who take certain antidepressants to watch for signs that suggest they might be at an increased risk of attempting suicide.
DR. DIANNE MURPHY, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION: Aggression, hostility, they're acting out. They're just having a worsening of their clinical situation. That's what we want you to pay attention to and to go back and talk to your doctor.
FEIG: There are ten drugs at issue, including some of the most popular, like Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. Psychiatrists say the first few weeks on a new antidepressant are the most dangerous.
DR. ADELAIDE ROBB, CHILDREN'S NATL. MEDICAL CTR.: The first week or two on medication somebody is still feeling overwhelmingly sad but their energy level is high enough that they can have the ability to plot and carry out a suicide.
FEIG (on camera): The FDA issued the warning based on testimony last month from parents who told of bad experiences their teenagers had while taking antidepressants.
(voice-over): Terry Williams' 14-year-old son took Prozac.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: After four weeks of treatment he's beginning to show signs of agitation, which we were not aware that was a potential side effect and after seven weeks of treatment he hung himself.
FEIG: The FDA says these drugs do work and people shouldn't stop taking them but until studies of potential risk are completed later this year they want those caring for people taking the drugs to watch for problems.
Christy Feig, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Eli Lily & Company, makers of Prozac, stress that, "The FDA has not found a definitive link between anti-depressants and suicidal behavior, but cautions caregivers should carefully monitor patients for signs of worsening depression."
That's a quote.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, it was an arrest that caught the nation's attention when the suspect died. We'll tell you what investigators concluded.
A performer's emotional plea. Bobby Brown has a favor to ask of you.
And the DAYBREAK Photo of the Day. Take a look. What is it? We'll have the answer for you, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: A decision in a police beating investigation tops our Stories Across America this morning. Prosecutors say they will not seek charges against police in last year's beating death of Nathaniel Jones. Remember this? The 350 pound Jones was repeatedly hit by metal nightsticks while police say he was resisting arrest. The corner ruled the death a homicide, but did not conclude that police used excessive force.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL ALLEN, HAMILTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR: These things, they're not pretty. I mean there's just no getting around it. That thing was flashed all around the world and probably will be again. It's not pretty. But, again, the only one that committed crimes in that parking lot was Mr. Jones. And it is a tragedy that he's dead. I mean there's no question about that. But he's the one that committed the crimes and I think it's appropriate to point that out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Army Chaplain James Yee has been reprimanded on charges of adultery and downloading pornography on his government computer. You recall, you may recall Yee had been accused of mishandling confidential documents while working as a Muslim chaplain at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay. Those charges were dropped last week.
Jury selection resumes today in the Scott Peterson murder trial. Monday, 1,000 prospective jurors began what could be a six week selection process. The judge in the case set May 17th as the date for opening statements.
And embattled singer Bobby Brown was released from a Georgia jail a little earlier than expected. He had an urgent family court matter in Virginia. Brown had been sentenced to serve 60 days after violating his probation, but was already scheduled for early release on Thursday.
Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BOBBY BROWN, ENTERTAINER: I love you. This is the last time you'll see me coming out of here or going in. Thank you for your support, all the people out there, for me, myself and my wife and my family. If you could just do us a favor and just let us live for a little while and, you know, enjoy each other, get some sobriety. You know, enjoy your lives and we're going to try to enjoy ours. God bless you all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: A troubled family but hopefully, I don't know, they can be on the mend, because as you know, Whitney Houston is in a drug rehab center now.
MYERS: Right.
COSTELLO: Anyhow...
MYERS: Unpretty.
COSTELLO: How's the weather?
(WEATHER REPORT)
MYERS: Carol?
COSTELLO: Yes?
MYERS: Remember that Picture of the Day?
COSTELLO: I certainly do.
MYERS: Do the names Duke Xavier Texas and Illinois remind you of anything?
COSTELLO: Hmmm, does Georgia come to mind?
MYERS: Georgia on my mind, Atlanta on Friday. On Sunday, it should be Duke and Texas. But Xavier might have something to say about that. That is the Georgia Dome. That's where the game will be played, the sunset over Georgia a couple of days ago.
COSTELLO: Oh, that's beautiful. So the DAYBREAK Photo of the Day.
MYERS: Nice shot there.
COSTELLO: The sun over the Georgia Dome.
MYERS: Yes, all right.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad, for setting the mood.
MYERS: Are your teams still in the sweet 16?
COSTELLO: You know, I just don't pay attention to college basketball. I know I should, but, you know, I love football and baseball and that's it for me.
MYERS: That's enough.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
Up, up and away, how high will gas prices go? We've got the forecast for fuel.
And more on the testimony in Washington today from presidential advisers past and present and the events that led up to 9/11.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning to you.
Welcome back to DAYBREAK.
I'm Carol Costello.
It is Tuesday, March 23.
Let me bring you up to date.
The independent commission investigating the events of 9/11 is holding public hearings today. Among those scheduled to testify is Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Clinton administration Defense Secretary William Cohen.
FBI documents show that the agency kept John Kerry under constant surveillance in the early '70s after he became an outspoken opponent of the war in Vietnam.
Israel says it will not change its policy of targeting Hamas leaders for assassination, even though the killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin has sparked the condemnation of the U.N. and many of its member nations.
A Spanish court has charged four more people in connection with the terrorist train attacks that killed 202 people. So far, nine people have been charged in those attacks.
We update the top stories every 15 minutes. The next update comes your way at 6:45 Eastern.
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