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CNN Live At Daybreak

Taiwan Election; Coping with Allergies

Aired March 25, 2004 - 06:33   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: The 9/11 Commission will hold three more public hearings, by the way, in April, May and June before the release of its final report. The hearings will include testimony on law enforcement and the intelligence community. Also on the agenda, the emergency response in New York and the national crisis management in Washington.
Demanding a recount in the presidential elections sounds all too familiar to Americans, except this is in Taiwan, a place where Washington has a lot at stake.

CNN's Mike Chinoy has more on that in Taipei.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE CHINOY, CNN SENIOR ASIA CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Did Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian stage his own shooting to steal last weekend's election? The police say that's impossible. Still, these opposition demonstrators claim Chen did do it to win a sympathy vote in an election where his margin of victory was less than a quarter of a percent.

LIEN CHAN, OPPOSITION CANDIDATE: That gunshot cost us almost half a million votes.

CHINOY: Chen's supporters say the allegation is an outrage.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who would risk his life at an assassination attempt that if went just an inch further may have taken the president's life?

CHINOY: The opposition has also accused Chen of dirty tricks on election day, a charge he indignantly denies.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): This is the biggest insult to my personal integrity.

CHINOY: It's like Gore versus Bush in Florida, only a lot nastier. Government and opposition legislators trading punches over Chen's proposal for parliament to pass a law allowing a recount, and potentially it's more dangerous. The reason: China claims Taiwan as a breakaway province. Beijing has always said unrest here could be grounds for military intervention.

And even if Chen weathers this crisis, tensions could still get worse, because he supports Taiwan independence, which Beijing has warned it will use force to prevent. (END VIDEOTAPE)

It's a situation the U.S. is watching anxiously, hoping that Taiwan's fragile young democracy can cope, and that Chen Shui-bian doesn't provoke a confrontation with China that could force Washington to intervene -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Well, I was going to ask you more about that, Mike. Specifically, what is the Bush administration saying about this drama being played out there?

CHINOY: Officially, the Bush administration is not saying anything about the election, other than to congratulate the people of Taiwan on their democratic exercise. It's refrained from congratulating Chen Shui-bian and is going to continue to refrain from doing so until this whole mess has been sorted out.

But the Bush administration has been very frustrated with Chen for months, because he's campaigned on a platform of pushing Taiwan towards independence, and Washington is worried that if he goes too far, the Chinese will, over the course of the next year or two, be tempted to use military action, and that could draw the U.S. into a war.

So, assuming President Chen at the end is able to stay on and his victory is confirmed, the U.S. is going to be pushing him to restrain the kind of anti-China positions that he took during the campaign in the hopes of avoiding a crisis with China. Washington really needs Chinese help with North Korea, with other areas, and doesn't want the president of Taiwan messing things up with Beijing -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Mike Chinoy reporting live from Taipei this morning.

Taking a look now at some other stories making news across America.

Searchers have found the wreckage of a light plane that smashed into a mountain in Kentucky. Six people from Illinois were aboard. No one survived. A state trooper says that if the plane had been 20 or 30 feet higher in the air if would have cleared that mountain.

A setback for an endangered right whale and the scientists trying to save it. The whale is entangled in a web of fishing gear off of the South Carolina coast, but rough waters forced the rescuers to turn back. They may have to wait for days before the seas calm down again.

And pink is a problem at one California middle school. Six boys -- you see them there -- at the Newport Beach school were banned from a class picture for refusing to cover up their pink t-shirts. The principal says the color is associated with so-called dance crews, which can develop into gangs. The boys insist they wore the shirts so they could stand out in the photo, but the school administration wasn't buying that, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I guess not.

COSTELLO: No.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COSTELLO: Spring is here. It really is, and so is America's past time. But so much for an easy pre-season. Wait until you see what happened to the new darling of the Yankees. Oh, that's A-Rod. It could be bad.

And you know what else happens every spring? The sniffles and the sneezes. We'll help you help your kids beat their allergies.

Then, does this -- doesn't that look romantic to you? The history of a kissing ceremony next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's 6:42 Eastern Time. Let's talk about allergies. Whether you're young or old, they're nothing to sneeze at. With spring springing up comes the pollen just as your children want to be outside.

So, how to cope with spring allergies? Well, the doctor is in this morning, pediatrician Dr. Tasheem Haque.

Welcome to DAYBREAK.

DR. TASHEEM HAQUE, PEDIATRICIAN: Thank you.

COSTELLO: We appreciating having you here.

HAQUE: Thank you. Good morning.

COSTELLO: Good morning. So, tell us about allergy season and your children.

HAQUE: OK. Well, yes, it's true. Given this time of year, we all start blaming allergies for -- excuse me -- blaming pollen for setting off our allergies. Kids -- parents may not realize kids are affected by allergies, but an estimated 40 percent of children suffer from allergies.

COSTELLO: Really? Forty percent.

HAQUE: Forty percent. Now, given these statistics, recognizing that your child may have allergies will help prevent them from missing school and keep you at work, since almost two million school days are lost during the year due to allergies.

COSTELLO: Wow!

HAQUE: So how do you tell whether your child has allergies? Well, allergic rhinitis or hay fever, which is the most commons springtime allergy symptom, which we know as the watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and itching, is one of the obvious signs. But if those symptoms are not present, there are other things parents can look for to try to figure out whether their kids have allergies. COSTELLO: Allergies or whether they just have a cold is what you're talking about.

HAQUE: Exactly. And that's actually one of the first signs. Now, if you think your child has a constant cold, it's important to try to clarify whether it's a cold or an allergy. Colds and allergies are frequently confused, but colds usually last about 3 to 10 days and are accompanied by a fever.

COSTELLO: Oh.

HAQUE: Now, another sign is a child that's always rubbing their eyes or rubbing their nose. That child more than likely has allergies.

And finally, a family history of allergies should parents' suspicions.

COSTELLO: So, if you have allergies, it's pretty likely your kid might have allergies as well.

HAQUE: Exactly. Exactly.

COSTELLO: So, as a parent, can you prevent your kids from developing allergies? Is that possible?

HAQUE: Absolutely. There are a number of things parents can do to minimize allergies. Some of those preventative strategies include closing windows and doors to keep the pollen out, using heppa (ph) filters, pruning back large shrubs and trees and removing dead leaves and grass clippings, which also harbor mold, another common springtime allergen. Maintaining good nutrition and hydration is also critical, because children that have healthy immune systems can also fight off allergies much better.

COSTELLO: Oh, I see. OK. So, but let's say your kid does have an allergy, and he's miserable or she's miserable, what should you do?

HAQUE: Well, here's the good news. There are actually a number of treatment options available to parents. Some of the more traditional allergy treatments include antihistamines. Now, those are medications like Zyrtec, which is approved for children greater than 2 years of age, or medications like Claritin, Allegra or Alavert. Allegra, though, it's important to know, can only be used in children greater than 12 years of age.

Now, if antihistamines fail, we step up and we can start using Singular, which was one once just as asthma drug, but in the last few months has been approved for allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

Nasal steroids, which many people don't think are safe in children, but they are, are also commonly used in allergy management. And some of the more common ones are Nasonex or Flonase.

And if all of that fails, there are always allergy shots, which have proven to be very helpful. Now, one other point I did want to make, there are many alternative treatments, which have proven to be helpful in managing allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

COSTELLO: Oh, you're going to talk about herbs, aren't you?

HAQUE: Yes, I am. Some of them include just some very basic things, like maintaining good nasal hygiene, which means doing saline or salt water washes to the nose, keeping the mucus membranes moist.

COSTELLO: Well, that sounds like something your kid will be excited about.

HAQUE: Exactly, always lots of fights with that on. Then compounds called bioflavonoids. Those are natural antihistamines, and they're found in foods like onions, garlic, cayenne pepper. Supplements such as zinc or vitamins A, C and E. And finally, steam inhalation, especially during allergy attacks often seem to be helpful as well.

Now, I will say that not enough studies have been done on some of these alternative treatments, but many people find them effective and use them regularly.

COSTELLO: OK, well, parents out there give it a try.

HAQUE: Exactly.

COSTELLO: Dr. Tasheem Haque, thank you for joining us on DAYBREAK this morning.

HAQUE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:47 Eastern Time. Here are the latest headlines for you.

Richard Clarke blasts Condoleezza Rice in an appearance on "LARRY KING LIVE." Clarke is the former White House counterterrorism chief, as you know.

Israeli soldiers have arrested a 14-year-old boy wearing a vest packed with explosives. The boy surrendered near Nablus in the West Bank. He is now being questioned.

The Supreme Court hears arguments on whether the phrase, "under God," should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance recited in public schools. The justices learned yesterday -- or listened, rather, yesterday to supporters and opponents.

In money, a survey of American businesses finds weak job growth and mounting budget deficits are the economy's biggest problems of the year. Monetary policy, on the other hand, is like the baby bear's porridge; it's just right.

In sports, a spring training scare for the New York Yankees when Alex Rodriguez is hit in the face by a deflected ball. Oh, you could hear hearts breaking. The American League's most valuable player suffered only a bruised cheekbone, so it's OK.

In culture, Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul, has been released from a Detroit hospital, where she was treated for a blood disorder. Her doctor says Franklin responded very well to treatment, and she's doing just fine.

In weather, rain in the Northeast and Midwest, dry in the South.

Those are the headlines and the weather. Your next update is coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING" at the top of the hour.

Chad has the DAYBREAK "Coffee Quiz" when we come back.

And a giant in the land of Lincoln. We'll tell you about this tribute to one of Illinois most famous residents in history. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Oh, it's that time. The possibilities are endless to win this mug.

MYERS: That's right. All you have to do is answer two simple questions.

COSTELLO: We're ready.

MYERS: Are you paying attention?

COSTELLO: I am.

MYERS: Well, all right.

What percentage of American children have allergies?

COSTELLO: Oh.

MYERS: You just talked about that three minutes ago.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: And the Olympic torch is expected to be lit today. It was in Athens. But when will it be in America?

COSTELLO: Oh, you scared me. I thought you gave the answer. So, the question is: When will the Olympic torch be in America?

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: So, e-mail us your answers at Daybreak@CNN.com. Daybreak@CNN.com. And you may win this beautiful CNN mug.

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: Time for a little business buzz right now. You may be having flashbacks to the '70s at the gas pumps. Have gas prices hit another record high?

Sasha Salama reports live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

Good morning.

SASHA SALAMA, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Good morning, Carol.

And it is a story we're hearing over and over again, right? The AAA, which by the way commissions a daily survey of more than 60,000 gas stations around the country, the AAA is saying that the average price of a gallon of gas is at an all-time high again -- $1.74 a gallon.

What's behind the rising gas prices? Well, first of all, demand is strong for gas. Inventories of gas are low. And the price of crude oil is high, and crude oil is where gasoline comes from.

Now, as far as a state-by-state breakdown, California, you're getting hit the hardest. A gallon of gas in California is $2.14 a gallon. Oklahoma is doing the best at $1.60 a gallon.

Now, the Bush administration is voicing its concern about rising gas prices, but so far is saying it will not tap into the government's oil reserves to bring more oil to the market and bring prices down.

So, at least for now, prices at the pump are staying very high, and the prediction is they're going to go even higher in April and May, which is even before the summer when the summer driving season is notoriously when gas prices are at the highest.

So, I wish I had some better news for drivers, but I don't -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Sasha Salama reporting live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

""The Lightning Round" is coming up, but first here are the latest headlines.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: And just a note, Chad. Aretha Franklin did make it home from the hospital Wednesday.

MYERS: Excellent.

COSTELLO: It's her 62nd birthday.

And, yes, it is time for our "Lighting Round." So, let's go.

Chad, for villagers in Bali a kiss is not just a kiss. It's a good luck ceremony dating back to the 19th century. You can see people kissing. They really are kissing in there. And guess what? When things get too hot, Chad...

MYERS: Yes. COSTELLO: ... the kissers are doused with water.

MYERS: Nice.

COSTELLO: What a beautiful thing.

MYERS: Boy, that looks like a -- yes, a party.

COSTELLO: Piece of cake, and they look like a strawberry.

MYERS: Yikes!

COSTELLO: It may look like a strawberry, Chad, but the creators of this huge butter cake in the Philippines are trying to get into the "Guinness Book of World Records" for their eight-foot-tall strawberry confection.

MYERS: That is beautiful.

COSTELLO: It is pretty, isn't it?

MYERS: I don't know how the cake on the bottom supports all of the cake on the top.

COSTELLO: I don't know.

With the warm weather coming, it's time for swimming lessons. This baby hippo...

MYERS: Oh!

COSTELLO: Isn't it cute? Baby hippo makes a splash in the Berlin Zoo. He's only 2 weeks old and look how big he is. Oh, gosh, that poor mother. His mom still has to give him a little help in learning to swim, but he's getting good at it.

MYERS: Those big eyes.

COSTELLO: Chad, imagine driving down the road with honest Abe Lincoln looking down on you.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: This is an image of the proposed 305-foot monument to be built in Lincoln, Illinois. It will be visible from 20 miles away.

MYERS: Great. They can put a cell tower in his hat, and they can use him for a couple of other things.

COSTELLO: You know, that's a good idea. I never thought of that.

MYERS: Well, you know, anything that's high they'll put a cell tower antenna on top of it nowadays.

COSTELLO: Poor Abe. I'm sure he would approve. (WEATHER BREAK)

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 25, 2004 - 06:33   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The 9/11 Commission will hold three more public hearings, by the way, in April, May and June before the release of its final report. The hearings will include testimony on law enforcement and the intelligence community. Also on the agenda, the emergency response in New York and the national crisis management in Washington.
Demanding a recount in the presidential elections sounds all too familiar to Americans, except this is in Taiwan, a place where Washington has a lot at stake.

CNN's Mike Chinoy has more on that in Taipei.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE CHINOY, CNN SENIOR ASIA CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Did Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian stage his own shooting to steal last weekend's election? The police say that's impossible. Still, these opposition demonstrators claim Chen did do it to win a sympathy vote in an election where his margin of victory was less than a quarter of a percent.

LIEN CHAN, OPPOSITION CANDIDATE: That gunshot cost us almost half a million votes.

CHINOY: Chen's supporters say the allegation is an outrage.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who would risk his life at an assassination attempt that if went just an inch further may have taken the president's life?

CHINOY: The opposition has also accused Chen of dirty tricks on election day, a charge he indignantly denies.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): This is the biggest insult to my personal integrity.

CHINOY: It's like Gore versus Bush in Florida, only a lot nastier. Government and opposition legislators trading punches over Chen's proposal for parliament to pass a law allowing a recount, and potentially it's more dangerous. The reason: China claims Taiwan as a breakaway province. Beijing has always said unrest here could be grounds for military intervention.

And even if Chen weathers this crisis, tensions could still get worse, because he supports Taiwan independence, which Beijing has warned it will use force to prevent. (END VIDEOTAPE)

It's a situation the U.S. is watching anxiously, hoping that Taiwan's fragile young democracy can cope, and that Chen Shui-bian doesn't provoke a confrontation with China that could force Washington to intervene -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Well, I was going to ask you more about that, Mike. Specifically, what is the Bush administration saying about this drama being played out there?

CHINOY: Officially, the Bush administration is not saying anything about the election, other than to congratulate the people of Taiwan on their democratic exercise. It's refrained from congratulating Chen Shui-bian and is going to continue to refrain from doing so until this whole mess has been sorted out.

But the Bush administration has been very frustrated with Chen for months, because he's campaigned on a platform of pushing Taiwan towards independence, and Washington is worried that if he goes too far, the Chinese will, over the course of the next year or two, be tempted to use military action, and that could draw the U.S. into a war.

So, assuming President Chen at the end is able to stay on and his victory is confirmed, the U.S. is going to be pushing him to restrain the kind of anti-China positions that he took during the campaign in the hopes of avoiding a crisis with China. Washington really needs Chinese help with North Korea, with other areas, and doesn't want the president of Taiwan messing things up with Beijing -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Mike Chinoy reporting live from Taipei this morning.

Taking a look now at some other stories making news across America.

Searchers have found the wreckage of a light plane that smashed into a mountain in Kentucky. Six people from Illinois were aboard. No one survived. A state trooper says that if the plane had been 20 or 30 feet higher in the air if would have cleared that mountain.

A setback for an endangered right whale and the scientists trying to save it. The whale is entangled in a web of fishing gear off of the South Carolina coast, but rough waters forced the rescuers to turn back. They may have to wait for days before the seas calm down again.

And pink is a problem at one California middle school. Six boys -- you see them there -- at the Newport Beach school were banned from a class picture for refusing to cover up their pink t-shirts. The principal says the color is associated with so-called dance crews, which can develop into gangs. The boys insist they wore the shirts so they could stand out in the photo, but the school administration wasn't buying that, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I guess not.

COSTELLO: No.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COSTELLO: Spring is here. It really is, and so is America's past time. But so much for an easy pre-season. Wait until you see what happened to the new darling of the Yankees. Oh, that's A-Rod. It could be bad.

And you know what else happens every spring? The sniffles and the sneezes. We'll help you help your kids beat their allergies.

Then, does this -- doesn't that look romantic to you? The history of a kissing ceremony next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's 6:42 Eastern Time. Let's talk about allergies. Whether you're young or old, they're nothing to sneeze at. With spring springing up comes the pollen just as your children want to be outside.

So, how to cope with spring allergies? Well, the doctor is in this morning, pediatrician Dr. Tasheem Haque.

Welcome to DAYBREAK.

DR. TASHEEM HAQUE, PEDIATRICIAN: Thank you.

COSTELLO: We appreciating having you here.

HAQUE: Thank you. Good morning.

COSTELLO: Good morning. So, tell us about allergy season and your children.

HAQUE: OK. Well, yes, it's true. Given this time of year, we all start blaming allergies for -- excuse me -- blaming pollen for setting off our allergies. Kids -- parents may not realize kids are affected by allergies, but an estimated 40 percent of children suffer from allergies.

COSTELLO: Really? Forty percent.

HAQUE: Forty percent. Now, given these statistics, recognizing that your child may have allergies will help prevent them from missing school and keep you at work, since almost two million school days are lost during the year due to allergies.

COSTELLO: Wow!

HAQUE: So how do you tell whether your child has allergies? Well, allergic rhinitis or hay fever, which is the most commons springtime allergy symptom, which we know as the watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing and itching, is one of the obvious signs. But if those symptoms are not present, there are other things parents can look for to try to figure out whether their kids have allergies. COSTELLO: Allergies or whether they just have a cold is what you're talking about.

HAQUE: Exactly. And that's actually one of the first signs. Now, if you think your child has a constant cold, it's important to try to clarify whether it's a cold or an allergy. Colds and allergies are frequently confused, but colds usually last about 3 to 10 days and are accompanied by a fever.

COSTELLO: Oh.

HAQUE: Now, another sign is a child that's always rubbing their eyes or rubbing their nose. That child more than likely has allergies.

And finally, a family history of allergies should parents' suspicions.

COSTELLO: So, if you have allergies, it's pretty likely your kid might have allergies as well.

HAQUE: Exactly. Exactly.

COSTELLO: So, as a parent, can you prevent your kids from developing allergies? Is that possible?

HAQUE: Absolutely. There are a number of things parents can do to minimize allergies. Some of those preventative strategies include closing windows and doors to keep the pollen out, using heppa (ph) filters, pruning back large shrubs and trees and removing dead leaves and grass clippings, which also harbor mold, another common springtime allergen. Maintaining good nutrition and hydration is also critical, because children that have healthy immune systems can also fight off allergies much better.

COSTELLO: Oh, I see. OK. So, but let's say your kid does have an allergy, and he's miserable or she's miserable, what should you do?

HAQUE: Well, here's the good news. There are actually a number of treatment options available to parents. Some of the more traditional allergy treatments include antihistamines. Now, those are medications like Zyrtec, which is approved for children greater than 2 years of age, or medications like Claritin, Allegra or Alavert. Allegra, though, it's important to know, can only be used in children greater than 12 years of age.

Now, if antihistamines fail, we step up and we can start using Singular, which was one once just as asthma drug, but in the last few months has been approved for allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

Nasal steroids, which many people don't think are safe in children, but they are, are also commonly used in allergy management. And some of the more common ones are Nasonex or Flonase.

And if all of that fails, there are always allergy shots, which have proven to be very helpful. Now, one other point I did want to make, there are many alternative treatments, which have proven to be helpful in managing allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

COSTELLO: Oh, you're going to talk about herbs, aren't you?

HAQUE: Yes, I am. Some of them include just some very basic things, like maintaining good nasal hygiene, which means doing saline or salt water washes to the nose, keeping the mucus membranes moist.

COSTELLO: Well, that sounds like something your kid will be excited about.

HAQUE: Exactly, always lots of fights with that on. Then compounds called bioflavonoids. Those are natural antihistamines, and they're found in foods like onions, garlic, cayenne pepper. Supplements such as zinc or vitamins A, C and E. And finally, steam inhalation, especially during allergy attacks often seem to be helpful as well.

Now, I will say that not enough studies have been done on some of these alternative treatments, but many people find them effective and use them regularly.

COSTELLO: OK, well, parents out there give it a try.

HAQUE: Exactly.

COSTELLO: Dr. Tasheem Haque, thank you for joining us on DAYBREAK this morning.

HAQUE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:47 Eastern Time. Here are the latest headlines for you.

Richard Clarke blasts Condoleezza Rice in an appearance on "LARRY KING LIVE." Clarke is the former White House counterterrorism chief, as you know.

Israeli soldiers have arrested a 14-year-old boy wearing a vest packed with explosives. The boy surrendered near Nablus in the West Bank. He is now being questioned.

The Supreme Court hears arguments on whether the phrase, "under God," should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance recited in public schools. The justices learned yesterday -- or listened, rather, yesterday to supporters and opponents.

In money, a survey of American businesses finds weak job growth and mounting budget deficits are the economy's biggest problems of the year. Monetary policy, on the other hand, is like the baby bear's porridge; it's just right.

In sports, a spring training scare for the New York Yankees when Alex Rodriguez is hit in the face by a deflected ball. Oh, you could hear hearts breaking. The American League's most valuable player suffered only a bruised cheekbone, so it's OK.

In culture, Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul, has been released from a Detroit hospital, where she was treated for a blood disorder. Her doctor says Franklin responded very well to treatment, and she's doing just fine.

In weather, rain in the Northeast and Midwest, dry in the South.

Those are the headlines and the weather. Your next update is coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING" at the top of the hour.

Chad has the DAYBREAK "Coffee Quiz" when we come back.

And a giant in the land of Lincoln. We'll tell you about this tribute to one of Illinois most famous residents in history. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Oh, it's that time. The possibilities are endless to win this mug.

MYERS: That's right. All you have to do is answer two simple questions.

COSTELLO: We're ready.

MYERS: Are you paying attention?

COSTELLO: I am.

MYERS: Well, all right.

What percentage of American children have allergies?

COSTELLO: Oh.

MYERS: You just talked about that three minutes ago.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: And the Olympic torch is expected to be lit today. It was in Athens. But when will it be in America?

COSTELLO: Oh, you scared me. I thought you gave the answer. So, the question is: When will the Olympic torch be in America?

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: So, e-mail us your answers at Daybreak@CNN.com. Daybreak@CNN.com. And you may win this beautiful CNN mug.

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: Time for a little business buzz right now. You may be having flashbacks to the '70s at the gas pumps. Have gas prices hit another record high?

Sasha Salama reports live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

Good morning.

SASHA SALAMA, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Good morning, Carol.

And it is a story we're hearing over and over again, right? The AAA, which by the way commissions a daily survey of more than 60,000 gas stations around the country, the AAA is saying that the average price of a gallon of gas is at an all-time high again -- $1.74 a gallon.

What's behind the rising gas prices? Well, first of all, demand is strong for gas. Inventories of gas are low. And the price of crude oil is high, and crude oil is where gasoline comes from.

Now, as far as a state-by-state breakdown, California, you're getting hit the hardest. A gallon of gas in California is $2.14 a gallon. Oklahoma is doing the best at $1.60 a gallon.

Now, the Bush administration is voicing its concern about rising gas prices, but so far is saying it will not tap into the government's oil reserves to bring more oil to the market and bring prices down.

So, at least for now, prices at the pump are staying very high, and the prediction is they're going to go even higher in April and May, which is even before the summer when the summer driving season is notoriously when gas prices are at the highest.

So, I wish I had some better news for drivers, but I don't -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Sasha Salama reporting live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

""The Lightning Round" is coming up, but first here are the latest headlines.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: And just a note, Chad. Aretha Franklin did make it home from the hospital Wednesday.

MYERS: Excellent.

COSTELLO: It's her 62nd birthday.

And, yes, it is time for our "Lighting Round." So, let's go.

Chad, for villagers in Bali a kiss is not just a kiss. It's a good luck ceremony dating back to the 19th century. You can see people kissing. They really are kissing in there. And guess what? When things get too hot, Chad...

MYERS: Yes. COSTELLO: ... the kissers are doused with water.

MYERS: Nice.

COSTELLO: What a beautiful thing.

MYERS: Boy, that looks like a -- yes, a party.

COSTELLO: Piece of cake, and they look like a strawberry.

MYERS: Yikes!

COSTELLO: It may look like a strawberry, Chad, but the creators of this huge butter cake in the Philippines are trying to get into the "Guinness Book of World Records" for their eight-foot-tall strawberry confection.

MYERS: That is beautiful.

COSTELLO: It is pretty, isn't it?

MYERS: I don't know how the cake on the bottom supports all of the cake on the top.

COSTELLO: I don't know.

With the warm weather coming, it's time for swimming lessons. This baby hippo...

MYERS: Oh!

COSTELLO: Isn't it cute? Baby hippo makes a splash in the Berlin Zoo. He's only 2 weeks old and look how big he is. Oh, gosh, that poor mother. His mom still has to give him a little help in learning to swim, but he's getting good at it.

MYERS: Those big eyes.

COSTELLO: Chad, imagine driving down the road with honest Abe Lincoln looking down on you.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: This is an image of the proposed 305-foot monument to be built in Lincoln, Illinois. It will be visible from 20 miles away.

MYERS: Great. They can put a cell tower in his hat, and they can use him for a couple of other things.

COSTELLO: You know, that's a good idea. I never thought of that.

MYERS: Well, you know, anything that's high they'll put a cell tower antenna on top of it nowadays.

COSTELLO: Poor Abe. I'm sure he would approve. (WEATHER BREAK)

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