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CNN Live At Daybreak

Fight for Iraq; Brahimi's New Iraq; Eye on the World; Martha Stewart Case; Instant Gratification; Middle Class Squeeze

Aired April 16, 2004 - 05:30   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: Tony Blair and George Bush will put their heads together at the White House today, and they have got a lot to talk about, like Iraq and the Middle East.
Good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. Happy Friday, it is April 16. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Let me bring you up to date now.

The two pillars of the Iraq coalition, President Bush and Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, are meeting in Washington today. Their summit will be held against a background of continuing bloodshed in Iraq.

A series of explosions overnight at or near a U.S. Marine base five miles from Fallujah. No report on the blast, but reporters speculate the Marines were being attacked with mortars.

Denmark's Foreign Ministry says a Danish businessman has likely been kidnapped in the Iraqi town of Taji. The man was traveling from Basra to Baghdad at the time.

Vice President Dick Cheney visited U.S. troops today in South Korea winding up his Asian tour. Earlier in the day, Cheney had lunch with South Korean leaders, calling that country a valued part of the coalition. To the Forecast Center now and Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: What's left of a cease-fire being put to the test this morning in the Iraqi city of Fallujah. Three Japanese hostages have been released in Iraq and a Danish businessman may be the latest foreigner to be kidnapped.

A live report now from our Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf.

Hello -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hello, Carol.

The Danish Foreign Ministry confirms that one of its nationals appears to have been kidnapped. We're still waiting for further details. It's the latest, of course, in a string of kidnappings. The backdrop a tense situation in Fallujah, west of Baghdad, and in the holy city of Najaf, south of Baghdad.

Now it is the Muslim holy day, Friday. You can probably hear behind me the mosque, a sermon there talking about how Islam and people here have to remain strong and have to resist. And criticizing the West for not contributing to the outcry over what is happening in places like Fallujah where there has been an outpouring of criticism about civilian casualties.

And the United States it is taking extra care to make sure that civilians do not come in harms way, but hundreds of civilians there have been killed in this ongoing fight between Marines surrounding the city and a collection of insurgents and what's thought to be foreign fighters. A cease-fire is still holding there, according to top U.S. military officials, but there is sporadic fighting, including explosions overnight and possible mortar fire from the insurgents -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jane Arraf live from Baghdad this morning.

A formula for the new Iraq is welcomed in Washington. The Bush administration is supporting the outlines of a plan by U.N. Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. It's a plan that seems to give the U.N. a major role in plotting Iraq's future.

Richard Roth is our senior correspondent at the United Nations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He calls it a sketch for now, but the picture in the mind of top U.N. diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi may become the political road map for Iraq as the U.S. transfers power. Brahimi called elections early next year the defining moment for Iraq.

LAKHDAR BRAHIMI, U.N.-IRAQ ENVOY: Naturally the security situation has to improve significantly for these elections to take place in an acceptable environment.

ROTH: Despite the turmoil now, Brahimi thinks it possible to form a caretaker government in May. The provisional government would replace the Iraqi Governing Council handpicked by the U.S.

BRAHIMI: I am absolutely confident that most Iraqi people want a simple formula for this interim period of just six or seven months.

ROTH: During that time, the coalition authority would dissolve, the government would be led by a prime minister, along with a president as nominal head of state.

Brahimi wants to duplicate his work in Afghanistan where he held a national conference to promote dialog and reconciliation, bring differing factions under one tent and perhaps people start talking.

As long as Brahimi shoots for the June 30 hand over deadline, the U.S. is happy with his early plans.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: I would note that he did say it can be done and it can be done on the schedule that's set.

ROTH: Left unclear, how much authority the caretaker leaders would have over the U.S. military and the nation.

GUNTER PLEUGER, GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Everybody agrees that also after the 30th of June the American troops will be needed to provide security and stability in the country, but the question is on what basis?

ROTH (on camera): In Iraq so far, no plan has gone according to plan. Afghanistan could serve as a short-term model, but conducting nationwide elections will be a huge test for Iraqis and their protectors.

Richard Roth, CNN, United Nations.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And we want to talk a little bit more about Tony Blair's meeting with President Bush.

To do that, to help us to do that, I should say, our senior international editor Eli Flournoy joins us now.

Good morning -- Eli.

ELI FLOURNOY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Good morning, Carol.

It's about Blair in a really tough spot. I mean if you are reading the papers in Britain or if you are a Blair political supporter, you almost want to say don't go. And this every time he goes to meet with President Bush, his approval ratings in Britain go down. It's a very unpopular war and occupation of Iraq. And now on top of that, a Mid East plan from Sharon, which Bush supported, and Blair has indicated that he is at least cautiously supportive of that, also very unpopular with the British people.

COSTELLO: It's interesting his approval ratings slip when he visits President Bush, but Americans really like Tony Blair. And it's really important for him to stand shoulder to shoulder with President Bush at this time.

FLOURNOY: Absolutely. For Bush this appears to be very positive for Tony Blair to be coming in. He's a key coalition, the key coalition member, has stood by George Bush and by the United States through this whole thing. Americans appreciate that.

The British, on the other hand, are not so appreciative of the -- of the relationship between Bush and Blair. Bush himself is unpopular with many of the British people. And as I said, both the Iraq war and the way the Mid East peace plan is being handled are not popular at all in Britain.

COSTELLO: Well Tony Blair met with Kofi Annan yesterday. How much pull does he have? I mean will he be able to get this resolution rolling, the resolution that President Bush also wants?

FLOURNOY: Well he will have some influence, but that exactly how much influence, that is -- that's what remains to be seen. And it's clearly the United States is the sole superpower, clearly Bush and the Bush administration are in the -- in the driver seat. They obviously are the upper hand as far as the partnership. And that's one of the things that is very distressing to many of the -- of the British people is that they don't feel like Blair's position are representing their interests, the British people's interests is -- has any kind of balance in this -- in this relationship.

COSTELLO: Well I was trying to read how many casualties that Britain has suffered. They have lost 60 British troops, right?

FLOURNOY: Yes, it's something or somewhere in that range. Yes, it's significant, and not nearly as many as the U.S.

COSTELLO: And how many British troops remain in Iraq?

FLOURNOY: Well there are thousands. They are mainly focused in the southern...

COSTELLO: The southern part.

FLOURNOY: ... in the southern part of Iraq in the Basra region. And they -- you know they have suffered casualties. In general, their relationship with -- the British forces relationship with the Iraq -- with Iraqi locals in the areas where they are in general has been much, much better and they have not seen the kind of intense insurgency operation against them. But because of the overall situation in Iraq has intensified and some would say deteriorated recently, that affects -- that affects the British as well. And there are great concerns that there are going to be more British casualties as a result.

COSTELLO: Right. And of course President Bush will meet with Tony Blair for 90 minutes and then they are going to have a press conference and then they're going to go to lunch. And of course we'll keep everyone informed.

FLOURNOY: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Eli Flournoy, many thanks.

FLOURNOY: Sure.

COSTELLO: The Surgeon General's warning does not seem to be swaying teenagers. Later, why smoking is on the rise among the young.

Also, how Martha Stewart's pricey purse is playing in her appeal.

And getting a tan without the sun. Why health experts say this is the way to go.

This is DAYBREAK for April 16.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 5:41 Eastern Time. Here is what's all new this morning.

There's a new report of a kidnapping in Iraq. Denmark says one of its citizens was traveling from Basra to Baghdad when he was taken captive in Taji.

President Bush will meet today with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, of course Iraq high on the agenda. You can watch their joint news conference live right here on CNN later this morning, probably around noon Eastern.

In money news, mortgage rates have jumped to their highest level since early December. That's because improving economic numbers suggest the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates sooner than expected.

In sports, Scottie Pippen, one of the NBA's 50 greatest players, says this is probably his last season. If he indeed calls it quits, he'll be retiring at the ripe old age of 39.

In culture, you're hired, the words of Donald Trump to Bill on the hit NBC reality show "The Apprentice." Bill beat out Kwame Jackson to get a $250,000 a year job working for the Donald -- Chad.

MYERS: Yes, the only thing is, Carol, he's already a millionaire, doesn't even need the money.

Hey, Boston, today 52. Tomorrow, much warmer, you get to 68 tomorrow. Miami 79, 82, yes, that's normal; but look at Atlanta, all the way up to 80 tomorrow afternoon, Charlotte, as well. A couple of races going on this weekend, the trucks and the cars are up in Virginia. Should be great weather for that. Decent weather in Denver today, too, 71 and 73 for the next couple of days. That warm air, though, does leave Phoenix and it does leave most of the intermountain west. Seattle today, showers. Tomorrow the same -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

Those are the latest headlines for you.

Two months to go before Martha Stewart is sentenced and her lawyers are looking for ways to get her guilty verdict overturned. The latest reason is in the bag.

Our Allan Chernoff has more for you.

041501CN.V98

COSTELLO: Will the Scott Peterson murder trial move again? That's one of the stories 'Across America' this Friday morning. The judge in the Peterson case will hear arguments May 7 on a second change of venue motion in the double murder trial. It's already been moved from Peterson's hometown of Modesto to Redwood City, 80 miles away. But his attorney wants it moved to L.A. County, saying Peterson can not get a fair trial in northern California.

A little girl who survived 10 days in a California ravine after a car crash out of the hospital this morning. Five-year-old Ruby Bustamante suffered a broken knee and an infection in a cut finger. Her mother, though, was killed in the crash.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROSE LOPEZ, AUNT: This is a joyful occasion, but at the same time there is sadness because now we need to make burial arrangements for Ruby's mother, Norma.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: And a train station in New Carrollton, Maryland will reportedly become the first test site for rail security screenings. The "New York Times" reports the Transportation Security Administration will begin conducting passenger screenings next month. "The Times" says the focus will not be guns and knives but bombs. It comes on the heels of the Madrid train bombings.

Could getting too much sleep be a bad thing? If you are waking up after sleeping for more than eight hours, you may want to hear our next report.

Also ahead, year round tanning without the risks. You'll want to stick around to hear what health experts are saying about this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back to DAYBREAK.

'Health Headlines' for you this morning.

Looks like those anti-tobacco ads really do help kids. A study found that the number of teenagers who consider smoking rises sharply when states cut funding for anti-tobacco campaigns.

Much is made of the dangers of too little sleep, but there are also problems for people who get too much sleep, none of whom work on this shift. Anyway, researchers say those of you who spend 9 or 10 hours each weeknight getting your ZZZs has a host of sleep problems, including trouble falling and staying asleep.

Who would have thunk that?

MYERS: Well not if you sleep 10 hours you don't.

COSTELLO: I know, why would you have -- never mind.

MYERS: Never mind.

COSTELLO: You can't get too in depth in that one.

And can you say McHealthy? Fast food giant McDonald's is rolling out the new Happy Meals for adults. You get salad, you get bottled water and you get some pedometers, not edible ones.

MYERS: No.

COSTELLO: And coming soon, hold the fries, they are offering fresh fruit for kids instead.

MYERS: Good.

COSTELLO: That is good. How many kids do you think will choose the fresh fruit over the fries?

MYERS: One.

COSTELLO: Half of one.

If tanning is your thing, you are in luck, you don't have to bake or fry anymore, no.

Our Kathleen Hays looks at the hot new alternative to getting your tan on.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Baking in the sun is definitely out and pasty white legs just won't do. But don't despair, there is still a way to get the perfect tan. Fake it.

Strip, spray, dry and go. Getting bronzed by spraying is the hottest thing not under the sun. It's like applying makeup but on your entire body.

BETSY REEVES, JEWELRY DESIGNER CLIENT: You just feel fantastic. And it lasts -- it lasts a week.

HAYS: And it's easy. Someone sprays you for 15 minutes with a self-tanning mist. Within four hours, your body turns the shade of your desires.

NAN BUTLER, SLATE SALON OWNER: It's safe. It's fast. It's not harmful. And it doesn't have any odor like most self-tanning lotions, so giving them instant gratification.

HAYS: Sunless tanning products have been around since the late 60s, but streaking and orange complexions scared most people away. Twenty years later, tanning beds became the rage. The coffin-like UV beds guarantee a healthy glow year round. But is the short-term gain worth the long-term cost?

LESLIE BAUMANN, DERMATOLOGIST: Tanning beds are terrible for your skin. They use UVA light, which causes aging and skin cancer.

HAYS: Despite warnings from dermatologists, 28 million Americans go to a tanning facility each year, and tanning is a glowing business with 25,000 salons in the U.S. generating nearly $5 billion in sales a year. Now spray tanning is the latest non-wrinkle method, and it's attracting a lot more bodies.

DAN HUMISTON, ITA PRESIDENT: It's definitely added some excitement to our industry because we have -- we have now expanded our customer base to those people that normally couldn't get it -- achieve a tan through the sun or through tanning salons.

HAYS: Dermatologists are also promoting sunless tanning as the safe alternative to beaches and tanning beds. But even better, they say, embrace your natural skin tone.

BAUMANN: Many dermatologists are trying to work with American cosmetic companies to use models that are not tan so that we can make tanning less of a fashion.

HAYS: It's a tough sell when the hottest celebrities from J.Lo to Jennifer Aniston never leave home without it. For many people, a rich tan is still the No. 1 accessory, even if it's from a bottle.

Kathleen Hays, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: It just struck me, you could have someone come to your home and spray you each morning. Wouldn't that be a luxury?

For more on this or any other health story, head to our Web site. The address, CNN.com/Health.

MYERS: You've actually had it done, but not by airbrush. You go to a booth.

COSTELLO: No, there are -- there are booths you can go into and then the machine turns on and it sprays you.

MYERS: But now she said it lasts a week. You said not.

COSTELLO: I don't think so.

MYERS: No.

COSTELLO: For me it lasted three days, and it's pretty pricey. It's not cheap.

MYERS: Yes. Yes, I have this stuff in a bottle, you put on your hand and you kind of spread it on.

COSTELLO: Did you get it at Wal-Mart?

MYERS: No, I haven't been to Wal-Mart in a while, actually, Carol, anyway.

It's time for 'Stump the Big-Headed Weatherman.' COSTELLO: I know we couldn't do it Thursday because we had so much breaking news, but 'Stump the Weatherman' is back, DAYBREAK@CNN.com. If you have any questions for Chad, please send them in, weather questions.

MYERS: Rich (ph) in Florida wants to know is it true that if I cut a hailstone in half will there actually be rings in the hailstone like rings of a tree? And yes, that's true.

COSTELLO: You're kidding!

MYERS: Ever time the hailstone goes up, it freezes with a new layer of ice. It goes up and down in the thunderstorm, around and around and around. And sometimes a golf ball size hailstone, if you cut it in half, it could have 20 different rings in there on its 20 different trips up and down in the thunderstorm.

COSTELLO: And you can actually see them like they are different colors?

MYERS: You can actually see them, yes.

COSTELLO: Not like red and white but darker than...

MYERS: No, well, yes, you can see -- you know how ice freezes sometimes it's clear, sometimes it's not clear. You'll be able to see the clear, the white. It's kind of milky, clear, milky, clear, milky, clear all the way.

COSTELLO: That's fascinating.

MYERS: Pretty cool (ph).

COSTELLO: Well thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: Thank you, Rich.

COSTELLO: So, DAYBREAK@CNN.com, send us your weather questions. It is 'Stump the Weatherman' Friday.

As you know, your tax returns were due just a few hours ago. And you probably also realized that middle class families continue to pay more than their fair share of the nation's tax burden despite the recent tax cuts. In fact, corporations have been paying less and less taxes over the last several decades while American families have been paying more and more.

CNN's Lisa Sylvester reports on this middle class squeeze.

041500CN.V19

Lisa Sylvester, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: In the next hour of DAYBREAK, another reported kidnapping in Iraq. This time a Danish businessman is missing.

Also ahead, the art of war, an Arab perspective from the theater on the situation in Iraq.

And later, where to find a jewel of a deal when it comes to family vacations.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Tony Blair and George W. Bush, a meeting of Western leaders about the war raging in Iraq.

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 April 16, 2004 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Tony Blair and George Bush will put their heads together at the White House today, and they have got a lot to talk about, like Iraq and the Middle East.
Good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. Happy Friday, it is April 16. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Let me bring you up to date now.

The two pillars of the Iraq coalition, President Bush and Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, are meeting in Washington today. Their summit will be held against a background of continuing bloodshed in Iraq.

A series of explosions overnight at or near a U.S. Marine base five miles from Fallujah. No report on the blast, but reporters speculate the Marines were being attacked with mortars.

Denmark's Foreign Ministry says a Danish businessman has likely been kidnapped in the Iraqi town of Taji. The man was traveling from Basra to Baghdad at the time.

Vice President Dick Cheney visited U.S. troops today in South Korea winding up his Asian tour. Earlier in the day, Cheney had lunch with South Korean leaders, calling that country a valued part of the coalition. To the Forecast Center now and Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: What's left of a cease-fire being put to the test this morning in the Iraqi city of Fallujah. Three Japanese hostages have been released in Iraq and a Danish businessman may be the latest foreigner to be kidnapped.

A live report now from our Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf.

Hello -- Jane.

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hello, Carol.

The Danish Foreign Ministry confirms that one of its nationals appears to have been kidnapped. We're still waiting for further details. It's the latest, of course, in a string of kidnappings. The backdrop a tense situation in Fallujah, west of Baghdad, and in the holy city of Najaf, south of Baghdad.

Now it is the Muslim holy day, Friday. You can probably hear behind me the mosque, a sermon there talking about how Islam and people here have to remain strong and have to resist. And criticizing the West for not contributing to the outcry over what is happening in places like Fallujah where there has been an outpouring of criticism about civilian casualties.

And the United States it is taking extra care to make sure that civilians do not come in harms way, but hundreds of civilians there have been killed in this ongoing fight between Marines surrounding the city and a collection of insurgents and what's thought to be foreign fighters. A cease-fire is still holding there, according to top U.S. military officials, but there is sporadic fighting, including explosions overnight and possible mortar fire from the insurgents -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jane Arraf live from Baghdad this morning.

A formula for the new Iraq is welcomed in Washington. The Bush administration is supporting the outlines of a plan by U.N. Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. It's a plan that seems to give the U.N. a major role in plotting Iraq's future.

Richard Roth is our senior correspondent at the United Nations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He calls it a sketch for now, but the picture in the mind of top U.N. diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi may become the political road map for Iraq as the U.S. transfers power. Brahimi called elections early next year the defining moment for Iraq.

LAKHDAR BRAHIMI, U.N.-IRAQ ENVOY: Naturally the security situation has to improve significantly for these elections to take place in an acceptable environment.

ROTH: Despite the turmoil now, Brahimi thinks it possible to form a caretaker government in May. The provisional government would replace the Iraqi Governing Council handpicked by the U.S.

BRAHIMI: I am absolutely confident that most Iraqi people want a simple formula for this interim period of just six or seven months.

ROTH: During that time, the coalition authority would dissolve, the government would be led by a prime minister, along with a president as nominal head of state.

Brahimi wants to duplicate his work in Afghanistan where he held a national conference to promote dialog and reconciliation, bring differing factions under one tent and perhaps people start talking.

As long as Brahimi shoots for the June 30 hand over deadline, the U.S. is happy with his early plans.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: I would note that he did say it can be done and it can be done on the schedule that's set.

ROTH: Left unclear, how much authority the caretaker leaders would have over the U.S. military and the nation.

GUNTER PLEUGER, GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Everybody agrees that also after the 30th of June the American troops will be needed to provide security and stability in the country, but the question is on what basis?

ROTH (on camera): In Iraq so far, no plan has gone according to plan. Afghanistan could serve as a short-term model, but conducting nationwide elections will be a huge test for Iraqis and their protectors.

Richard Roth, CNN, United Nations.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And we want to talk a little bit more about Tony Blair's meeting with President Bush.

To do that, to help us to do that, I should say, our senior international editor Eli Flournoy joins us now.

Good morning -- Eli.

ELI FLOURNOY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Good morning, Carol.

It's about Blair in a really tough spot. I mean if you are reading the papers in Britain or if you are a Blair political supporter, you almost want to say don't go. And this every time he goes to meet with President Bush, his approval ratings in Britain go down. It's a very unpopular war and occupation of Iraq. And now on top of that, a Mid East plan from Sharon, which Bush supported, and Blair has indicated that he is at least cautiously supportive of that, also very unpopular with the British people.

COSTELLO: It's interesting his approval ratings slip when he visits President Bush, but Americans really like Tony Blair. And it's really important for him to stand shoulder to shoulder with President Bush at this time.

FLOURNOY: Absolutely. For Bush this appears to be very positive for Tony Blair to be coming in. He's a key coalition, the key coalition member, has stood by George Bush and by the United States through this whole thing. Americans appreciate that.

The British, on the other hand, are not so appreciative of the -- of the relationship between Bush and Blair. Bush himself is unpopular with many of the British people. And as I said, both the Iraq war and the way the Mid East peace plan is being handled are not popular at all in Britain.

COSTELLO: Well Tony Blair met with Kofi Annan yesterday. How much pull does he have? I mean will he be able to get this resolution rolling, the resolution that President Bush also wants?

FLOURNOY: Well he will have some influence, but that exactly how much influence, that is -- that's what remains to be seen. And it's clearly the United States is the sole superpower, clearly Bush and the Bush administration are in the -- in the driver seat. They obviously are the upper hand as far as the partnership. And that's one of the things that is very distressing to many of the -- of the British people is that they don't feel like Blair's position are representing their interests, the British people's interests is -- has any kind of balance in this -- in this relationship.

COSTELLO: Well I was trying to read how many casualties that Britain has suffered. They have lost 60 British troops, right?

FLOURNOY: Yes, it's something or somewhere in that range. Yes, it's significant, and not nearly as many as the U.S.

COSTELLO: And how many British troops remain in Iraq?

FLOURNOY: Well there are thousands. They are mainly focused in the southern...

COSTELLO: The southern part.

FLOURNOY: ... in the southern part of Iraq in the Basra region. And they -- you know they have suffered casualties. In general, their relationship with -- the British forces relationship with the Iraq -- with Iraqi locals in the areas where they are in general has been much, much better and they have not seen the kind of intense insurgency operation against them. But because of the overall situation in Iraq has intensified and some would say deteriorated recently, that affects -- that affects the British as well. And there are great concerns that there are going to be more British casualties as a result.

COSTELLO: Right. And of course President Bush will meet with Tony Blair for 90 minutes and then they are going to have a press conference and then they're going to go to lunch. And of course we'll keep everyone informed.

FLOURNOY: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Eli Flournoy, many thanks.

FLOURNOY: Sure.

COSTELLO: The Surgeon General's warning does not seem to be swaying teenagers. Later, why smoking is on the rise among the young.

Also, how Martha Stewart's pricey purse is playing in her appeal.

And getting a tan without the sun. Why health experts say this is the way to go.

This is DAYBREAK for April 16.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 5:41 Eastern Time. Here is what's all new this morning.

There's a new report of a kidnapping in Iraq. Denmark says one of its citizens was traveling from Basra to Baghdad when he was taken captive in Taji.

President Bush will meet today with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, of course Iraq high on the agenda. You can watch their joint news conference live right here on CNN later this morning, probably around noon Eastern.

In money news, mortgage rates have jumped to their highest level since early December. That's because improving economic numbers suggest the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates sooner than expected.

In sports, Scottie Pippen, one of the NBA's 50 greatest players, says this is probably his last season. If he indeed calls it quits, he'll be retiring at the ripe old age of 39.

In culture, you're hired, the words of Donald Trump to Bill on the hit NBC reality show "The Apprentice." Bill beat out Kwame Jackson to get a $250,000 a year job working for the Donald -- Chad.

MYERS: Yes, the only thing is, Carol, he's already a millionaire, doesn't even need the money.

Hey, Boston, today 52. Tomorrow, much warmer, you get to 68 tomorrow. Miami 79, 82, yes, that's normal; but look at Atlanta, all the way up to 80 tomorrow afternoon, Charlotte, as well. A couple of races going on this weekend, the trucks and the cars are up in Virginia. Should be great weather for that. Decent weather in Denver today, too, 71 and 73 for the next couple of days. That warm air, though, does leave Phoenix and it does leave most of the intermountain west. Seattle today, showers. Tomorrow the same -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

Those are the latest headlines for you.

Two months to go before Martha Stewart is sentenced and her lawyers are looking for ways to get her guilty verdict overturned. The latest reason is in the bag.

Our Allan Chernoff has more for you.

041501CN.V98

COSTELLO: Will the Scott Peterson murder trial move again? That's one of the stories 'Across America' this Friday morning. The judge in the Peterson case will hear arguments May 7 on a second change of venue motion in the double murder trial. It's already been moved from Peterson's hometown of Modesto to Redwood City, 80 miles away. But his attorney wants it moved to L.A. County, saying Peterson can not get a fair trial in northern California.

A little girl who survived 10 days in a California ravine after a car crash out of the hospital this morning. Five-year-old Ruby Bustamante suffered a broken knee and an infection in a cut finger. Her mother, though, was killed in the crash.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROSE LOPEZ, AUNT: This is a joyful occasion, but at the same time there is sadness because now we need to make burial arrangements for Ruby's mother, Norma.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: And a train station in New Carrollton, Maryland will reportedly become the first test site for rail security screenings. The "New York Times" reports the Transportation Security Administration will begin conducting passenger screenings next month. "The Times" says the focus will not be guns and knives but bombs. It comes on the heels of the Madrid train bombings.

Could getting too much sleep be a bad thing? If you are waking up after sleeping for more than eight hours, you may want to hear our next report.

Also ahead, year round tanning without the risks. You'll want to stick around to hear what health experts are saying about this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back to DAYBREAK.

'Health Headlines' for you this morning.

Looks like those anti-tobacco ads really do help kids. A study found that the number of teenagers who consider smoking rises sharply when states cut funding for anti-tobacco campaigns.

Much is made of the dangers of too little sleep, but there are also problems for people who get too much sleep, none of whom work on this shift. Anyway, researchers say those of you who spend 9 or 10 hours each weeknight getting your ZZZs has a host of sleep problems, including trouble falling and staying asleep.

Who would have thunk that?

MYERS: Well not if you sleep 10 hours you don't.

COSTELLO: I know, why would you have -- never mind.

MYERS: Never mind.

COSTELLO: You can't get too in depth in that one.

And can you say McHealthy? Fast food giant McDonald's is rolling out the new Happy Meals for adults. You get salad, you get bottled water and you get some pedometers, not edible ones.

MYERS: No.

COSTELLO: And coming soon, hold the fries, they are offering fresh fruit for kids instead.

MYERS: Good.

COSTELLO: That is good. How many kids do you think will choose the fresh fruit over the fries?

MYERS: One.

COSTELLO: Half of one.

If tanning is your thing, you are in luck, you don't have to bake or fry anymore, no.

Our Kathleen Hays looks at the hot new alternative to getting your tan on.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Baking in the sun is definitely out and pasty white legs just won't do. But don't despair, there is still a way to get the perfect tan. Fake it.

Strip, spray, dry and go. Getting bronzed by spraying is the hottest thing not under the sun. It's like applying makeup but on your entire body.

BETSY REEVES, JEWELRY DESIGNER CLIENT: You just feel fantastic. And it lasts -- it lasts a week.

HAYS: And it's easy. Someone sprays you for 15 minutes with a self-tanning mist. Within four hours, your body turns the shade of your desires.

NAN BUTLER, SLATE SALON OWNER: It's safe. It's fast. It's not harmful. And it doesn't have any odor like most self-tanning lotions, so giving them instant gratification.

HAYS: Sunless tanning products have been around since the late 60s, but streaking and orange complexions scared most people away. Twenty years later, tanning beds became the rage. The coffin-like UV beds guarantee a healthy glow year round. But is the short-term gain worth the long-term cost?

LESLIE BAUMANN, DERMATOLOGIST: Tanning beds are terrible for your skin. They use UVA light, which causes aging and skin cancer.

HAYS: Despite warnings from dermatologists, 28 million Americans go to a tanning facility each year, and tanning is a glowing business with 25,000 salons in the U.S. generating nearly $5 billion in sales a year. Now spray tanning is the latest non-wrinkle method, and it's attracting a lot more bodies.

DAN HUMISTON, ITA PRESIDENT: It's definitely added some excitement to our industry because we have -- we have now expanded our customer base to those people that normally couldn't get it -- achieve a tan through the sun or through tanning salons.

HAYS: Dermatologists are also promoting sunless tanning as the safe alternative to beaches and tanning beds. But even better, they say, embrace your natural skin tone.

BAUMANN: Many dermatologists are trying to work with American cosmetic companies to use models that are not tan so that we can make tanning less of a fashion.

HAYS: It's a tough sell when the hottest celebrities from J.Lo to Jennifer Aniston never leave home without it. For many people, a rich tan is still the No. 1 accessory, even if it's from a bottle.

Kathleen Hays, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: It just struck me, you could have someone come to your home and spray you each morning. Wouldn't that be a luxury?

For more on this or any other health story, head to our Web site. The address, CNN.com/Health.

MYERS: You've actually had it done, but not by airbrush. You go to a booth.

COSTELLO: No, there are -- there are booths you can go into and then the machine turns on and it sprays you.

MYERS: But now she said it lasts a week. You said not.

COSTELLO: I don't think so.

MYERS: No.

COSTELLO: For me it lasted three days, and it's pretty pricey. It's not cheap.

MYERS: Yes. Yes, I have this stuff in a bottle, you put on your hand and you kind of spread it on.

COSTELLO: Did you get it at Wal-Mart?

MYERS: No, I haven't been to Wal-Mart in a while, actually, Carol, anyway.

It's time for 'Stump the Big-Headed Weatherman.' COSTELLO: I know we couldn't do it Thursday because we had so much breaking news, but 'Stump the Weatherman' is back, DAYBREAK@CNN.com. If you have any questions for Chad, please send them in, weather questions.

MYERS: Rich (ph) in Florida wants to know is it true that if I cut a hailstone in half will there actually be rings in the hailstone like rings of a tree? And yes, that's true.

COSTELLO: You're kidding!

MYERS: Ever time the hailstone goes up, it freezes with a new layer of ice. It goes up and down in the thunderstorm, around and around and around. And sometimes a golf ball size hailstone, if you cut it in half, it could have 20 different rings in there on its 20 different trips up and down in the thunderstorm.

COSTELLO: And you can actually see them like they are different colors?

MYERS: You can actually see them, yes.

COSTELLO: Not like red and white but darker than...

MYERS: No, well, yes, you can see -- you know how ice freezes sometimes it's clear, sometimes it's not clear. You'll be able to see the clear, the white. It's kind of milky, clear, milky, clear, milky, clear all the way.

COSTELLO: That's fascinating.

MYERS: Pretty cool (ph).

COSTELLO: Well thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: Thank you, Rich.

COSTELLO: So, DAYBREAK@CNN.com, send us your weather questions. It is 'Stump the Weatherman' Friday.

As you know, your tax returns were due just a few hours ago. And you probably also realized that middle class families continue to pay more than their fair share of the nation's tax burden despite the recent tax cuts. In fact, corporations have been paying less and less taxes over the last several decades while American families have been paying more and more.

CNN's Lisa Sylvester reports on this middle class squeeze.

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Lisa Sylvester, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: In the next hour of DAYBREAK, another reported kidnapping in Iraq. This time a Danish businessman is missing.

Also ahead, the art of war, an Arab perspective from the theater on the situation in Iraq.

And later, where to find a jewel of a deal when it comes to family vacations.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Tony Blair and George W. Bush, a meeting of Western leaders about the war raging in Iraq.

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