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Rescue Workers in Illinois Desperately Digging Through Debris of Building; In Basra, Series of Car Bombings Leave at Least 68 Dead

Aired April 21, 2004 - 10:00   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.


DARYN KAGAN, HOST: Good morning to all of you. From CNN headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the top stories at this hour.
The date is set for President Bush and Vice President Cheney to meet with the 9/11 Commission. Bush and Cheney will answer the commission's questions on the morning of April 29; the two will appear together. And officials say they'll stay as long as needed. Neither Bush or Cheney will be under oath, and each will answer questions informally.

In Iraq, a series of blasts in Basra leaves at least 68 Iraqis civilians dead this morning, including 18 school children and at least 16 police officers. Officials say that five car bombs exploded near three Iraqi police stations. About 100 others were injured. We'll have the latest in a live report straight ahead.

In Saudi Arabia, a suicide bomber blasts a building in the capital of Riyadh. Smoke boiled from the building after the attack. Though many are believed to have been inside at the time, death and injury counts are not confirmed. An interior minister said that at least 40 were taken to hospitals. Officials say they received prior warning that six bombs would go off. They were able to diffuse all but one.

Back here in the U.S., rescue workers in Illinois are desperately digging through the debris of a building that was destroyed by a tornado. There's the correct video. Crews hope to find four or five people they believe may be trapped. A wave of tornadoes touched down in north central Illinois and Indiana yesterday, damaging over 75 homes, knocking out power to 15,000 houses. In fact, a news conference beginning in Utica, Illinois, let's listen in.

TOM TEMPLETON, SHERIFF, LASALLE COUNTY, IL.: It's moving along rapidly than we had thought it had. It's doing well, there are a lot of debris that's being removed. The cranes have been helping in that tremendously and the other heavy equipment. So we're hoping that as we get down through the debris, again, we're still holding hope we're going to find some survivors of this. Nothing's changed. There's still the three individuals who have been confirmed to have died. And again, there's not a lot else that we really have to report right now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sheriff?

TEMPLETON: Yes?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We heard reports there are two more body counts. Is that not correct?

TEMPLETON: I don't have any information as to that. No.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And we heard reports that a priest was called down.

TEMPLETON: Who?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The priest of a church here, the local church.

TEMPLETON: There have been several clergymen been in and out the whole night. So I'm not surprised if there would be a priest in there, yes. I haven't seen him but...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sheriff, we've had several high-ranking sources within several fire departments tell us that there are two more bodies that were pulled from that wreckage. The rumors are flying around...

TEMPLETON: That's what we're trying to do is trying to quench those rumors. I have three confirmed deaths so far and that's the best can I tell you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You had two more people who were injured who were reported from that rubble?

TEMPLETON: The injured have all been transported; they've all been transported to the hospital hours ago. There is no one that we found that has been found alive since then. If there are others, when the coroner gets here, if the coroners notified that there are, the coroner will come up here and notify you of those. Until that time, there are three confirmed deaths.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How many injuries then?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How much long do you expect it to take to locate the group?

TEMPLETON: It's probably going to be another few hours I would have to expect.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Few meaning three?

FRED ESMOND, MAYOR, UTICA, IL.: I think we don't really know, say two hours.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, you want to step up please?

Mainly...

TEMPLETON: Sure.

ESMOND: We're hoping within a few hours...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you identify (UNINTELLIGIBLE) ESMOND: Mayor Esmond. E-S-M-O-N-D.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First name, Fred?

ESMOND: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

ESMOND: Basically, we're taking every precaution to, you know, for not any more serious injury; I guess that's what I'm saying. That's what's taking so long. And because of that, because of the debris that is there, as Tom has mentioned, you can't just go in there and rip things apart. You got to do it by hand and machinery, and it takes time. But I do think that probably in the next two to three hours we should pretty much have an answer for you. You know?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From your perspective, Mayor, give us some sense of what this tornado has done to your town, please.

ESMOND: Well, it's a -- it's a very serious disaster. We've had people from all over here to help, volunteers from Chicago, Skokie, Aurora. We're not going to get into -- we're going to thank them all later. But...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you lost some people that you knew?

ESMOND: Oh, yes. Mm-hmm. And I think we just want to -- I know it's important to everybody in the news media. I would think that maybe we'll have a lot more to report in a few hours, and I hope everybody would just hang in there. And we'd like to get back with you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sheriff, you said that there are three more...

ESMOND: Right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you not yet recovered, is that what you're saying?

ESMOND: Basic -- three, yes.

TEMPLETON: The recovery effort is still ongoing. OK?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are there -- are there...

TEMPLETON: There are three confirmed dead and the recovery effort is still ongoing.

ESMOND: Getting them out.

TEMPLETON: Now, the governor is scheduled to be here probably around noon. We expect him here quite -- well, I'd say probably close to noon. I don't know if he's coming by air, if he's coming on the ground, but I'm sure he's going to want to speak to you. So what I would say to you now is that we will get back with you probably at noon, hopefully with the governor, for him to come and address you at that point in time.

(CROSSTALK)

TEMPLETON: Thank you.

KAGAN: We've been listening in to a news conference from Utica, Illinois. that town and other cities around Illinois hard hit by tornadoes overnight. In that one town, three people dead in the building that was behind the officials we were listening to. But the recovery effort does go on. We heard officials talk about the challenges, considering all of the debris they need to go through. The recovery effort for bodies and also possible survivors still going on at this hour in Utica, Illinois.

Meanwhile, we want to go back to Utica, Illinois. That's where CNN's Lisa Leiter is standing by with the search and recovery mission taking place in that town -- Lisa.

LISA LEITER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, we just heard from the sheriff here, just gave a press conference. We also heard from Mayor Fred Esmond for the first time, evaluating what happened in the town. Basically, the situation has not changed from the earlier press conference in terms of the number of people confirmed dead. That number is still at three. And right now there are still about four to five people, they really don't know exactly how many people still trapped inside the rubble of that building that collapsed, where there was the restaurant and bar called the Milestone.

The mayor and the sheriff telling us here, just a few moments ago, that it will likely take a few more hours to continue to comb through the debris in order for the recovery effort to be complete. They basically don't want any more injuries, so they say they're really taking their time and that's why it's been taking so long. There have been several clergymen apparently called to the scene as well, and they were telling us that.

Also, you know, Mayor Fred Esmond definitely, you know, looked very somber as he addressed the press; basically saying it was devastating to his town, a very serious disaster. And he also noted and it's worth noting, there have been fire trucks coming along this street for the past few hours from all over the surrounding areas and as far away as even north of Chicago. So over 100 miles away, you have different fire departments coming in. And the Governor Rod Bogoyavich is expected to come to this area around noon to assess the damage and to meet with local officials here.

But we've been taking a walk around in just the last hour or so, looking at some of the homes here. And the residents actually are starting to come back in. You know, daybreak here really revealed the devastation that many of these residents had feared. And we spoke just a few moments ago with a resident across the street, whose house was really destroyed. He said a lifetime gone; he's lived her 30 years. and while he's grateful that his daughter and her children, who were inside the house at the time, are safe, he's definitely very upset about the home that he helped build, is now destroyed -- Daryn.

KAGAN: A lot of dreams destroyed there in that tiny city of Utica, Illinois. Lisa Leiter, thank you.

We focus now on the latest from Iraq. Police in Basra say a series of car bombings left at least 68 people dead; all were detonated near police facilities. In Fallujah, dozens of insurgents reportedly ignored a cease-fire agreement and attacked a group of U.S. Marines. Three Americans were injured in that fighting.

In another development, a Danish citizen who has was reported missing has been found dead.

And the Dominican Republic has become the third country in recent days to announce the withdrawal of its troops.

Let's get the latest from Baghdad and our Jim Clancy standing by in the Iraqi capital -- Jim.

JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, anguish in Basra, doubts -- serious doubts coming out of Fallujah. Let's look at the horrific scenes first in Basra; we're right in the middle of a morning rush hour, if you will. There were five different bomb attacks on four different facilities. The most serious perhaps, these at outside police stations. Among the victims said to be 18 school children, whose vans being used as school buses taking them to class, some of the bodies burned beyond recognition. Eyewitnesses on the scene said when they came out of their homes trying to help the wounded they saw bodies everywhere. As you said, more than 60 people killed, some 68 now, more than 100 others wounded.

These were suicide car bomb attacks. There was also one against the police academy there. Two separate bombs there. The first aiming at the police officers, the suicide bombers said to be wearing a police uniform. Then a subsequent blast about 30 minutes later, taking aim at police and rescue workers that have arrived on the scene.

Meantime, doubts about this cease-fire in Fallujah. It was just after dawn this morning here local time in Iraq that anti-coalition forces in numbers, about 50 of them, attacked U.S. Marine positions with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles. The Marines fired back, touching off a furious firefight. It lapsed the better part of three hours as it went back and forth. Some commanders on the ground interpreting this as a last gasp by those insurgents inside Fallujah. But if it is not, it could mean the Marines will have to go back in force to finish what they had started in cleaning out the town of fighters and their weapons.

Still unfulfilled the promises weapons would be turned over, promises and requests by community leaders to turn over foreign fighters. None of that has happened. Will it happen in the hours and the days ahead? Some U.S. coalition officials here saying that it had better happen; otherwise we will see more military action in Fallujah -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Jim Clancy in Baghdad. Jim, we're going to get back to you in the next hour. Now, we want to get the latest on the terror in Saudi Arabia, that is where a massive explosion has thundered through a Riyadh neighborhood housing government offices. The video you are looking at shows the face of one such building, the face just sheered off.

For more on the developing story, we're going to go to Arab news journalist Nasser al Satti. He is joining us by phone from Riyadh.

Nasser, thank you for being with us.

NASER AL SATTI, ARAB NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Thank you.

KAGAN: Where were you when the explosion took place?

AL SATTI: I was in my office about five kilometers away from the site of the explosion. And when we received some reports from the guys who heard the explosion that a massive explosion took place in Riyadh, it's the old sector, the old part of the city.

KAGAN: And I understand you're home, where your wife and child are, was not too far from where this took place?

AL SATTI: Excuse me?

KAGAN: Your home is not too far away from where this blast took place?

AL SATTI: No, it's just about maybe about less than two kilometers from the area.

KAGAN: And what does your wife say about feeling the explosion?

AL SATTI: It's not here. Maybe you are mixed with another reporter. It's about maybe my colleague's wife and children in their apartment, and there are only maybe 50 meters away from that area.

KAGAN: But they're OK?

AL SATTI: They are OK. It's everything -- they told that everything in the house is almost broken: glasses, everything, furniture is torn apart. But everybody is safe, thank God.

KAGAN: OK. Yes, I was given incorrect information on that. Anybody claiming responsibility within Riyadh?

AL SATTI: I can't hear you very well. Can you come again?

KAGAN: Yes, is anyone claiming responsibility for the blast?

AL SATTI: No, not yet. Not yet. So far, we did not hear anybody.

KAGAN: There have been reports here in the U.S. of potential danger happening in Riyadh, all nonessential U.S. employees ordered to leave Saudi Arabia. Has there been a sense of danger within Riyadh for non-Americans? AL SATTI: Nothing for actually non-Americans. What's happened today is -- is in a security building, and I think those who were, the victims or the casualties were all Saudis, I believe, and that's all. But nothing against westerners or foreigners, or Americans in the country.

KAGAN: And finally, what's the latest information you having on, this the latest number of casualties or deaths?

AL SATTI: So far, only two persons confirmed were killed, but I believe the number -- the death toll will definitely will (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the hours coming will -- when announced will be much larger, larger number. I mean because if you look to the amount of damage in the area, it is massive really. Especially the building and the annex even building the warehouse annexed to that building also is completely damaged.

KAGAN: And the time of day that this happened in Riyadh, this is like the beginning of the weekend for this community?

AL SATTI: This is. Yes, today is the last working day in the week. And it's been like 2:00, when everybody was going out of their home or -- yes.

KAGAN: We will continue to monitor the situation from Riyadh.

Nasser al Satti, Arab journalist, thank you for giving us the latest information by phone.

We're going to take a break and we're back with more news after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Let's take a look at some stories across America.

In Oregon, a judge has ordered a ban of same-sex marriage licenses, the only place that is still issuing those documents to gay and lesbian couples. The judge says that the state Supreme Court needs to issue a ruling on the controversial issue. But he says the states must recognize more than 3,000 licenses already have been issued to same-sex couples.

In California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger becomes the driving force in creating the state's first hydrogen highway. Schwarzenegger yesterday signed an executive order to create a statewide network of 150 to 200 hydrogen-fueling stations by 2010. Schwarzenegger says that a half million of the alternative fuel vehicles could be on the road by that time.

And he's barely old enough to vote in the presidential election, yet the NBA's Lebron James easily captured plenty of ballots to become the league's rookie of the year. The 19-year-old is the younger player ever to capture those honors. He got 508 points that overshadowed another phenom, 19-year-old Carmelo Anthony, who finished second in the polling out of Denver. An old tool of the U.S. military goes to work in Iraq trying to take out insurgents. A live report from the Pentagon on the Predator drone and how it's being used now in Iraq.

And here's Gerri with more from what we'll be hearing from her in just a bit.

GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey Daryn. Good to see you. You know, we're talking all about the earnings report today. We're in the middle of earnings season. What do you need to know? What are the red flags? Stay with us on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: How about those very exciting quarterly earnings reports? They provide investors with a valuable snapshot of a company's health. You can see a glance of the business and you can see if it's turning a profit, but there's more do-to-it than just the pennies per share.

Our financial news personal finance editor, Gerri Willis here, not just to explain how to decipher the earnings, but Gerri how do you keep your eyes from glazing over when you see all of the small print arrive in the mail?

WILLIS: You know that's right, Daryn. They are exciting for some people like me. Take a look at these numbers. You'll find this exciting. Earnings this quarter, first quarter growing 20.5 percent over this time last year. But look at the comparisons here, Daryn. The fourth quarter of last year, they were up nearly 30 percent. We may have already seen the peak in earnings growth. Just want to point out, you know, it's always about the trend, and we're seeing, like a slight decline from the fourth quarter here.

KAGAN: OK. So you get this earnings report. You want to understand the context of what you're looking at.

WILLIS: Well, you do want to understand the context. Analyzing earnings reports is all about comparisons. Comparisons between how the company did last year at the same time, last quarter. And even comparing with other companies as well, say S&P 500 companies, how are their earnings coming in generally, and does your company fit in with that?

And another thing to check out in these reports, you don't want to just look at the bottom line. You also want to look at the top line. Revenue or sales is also important, because look, a lot of companies have been cutting costs to make their numbers, as Wall Street says. Top make their earnings look better, they simply lay people off and cut other costs. You want to see if the company whose stock you hold is actually improving earnings by having more revenues. More sales -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Let's skip ahead to tip No. 3. And that is when you look at these reports, you can view -- you can watch out for some warning signs about these companies? WILLIS: All right. Two phrases here, Daryn. Very simple: restructuring charges and one-time charges. Now, the problem with a lot of companies is that one-time charges are actually two Times, or three Times, or four times. When you get a lot of charges, that means the companies can't make the numbers that Wall Street thinks they've set out and they're having to explain away their numbers.

KAGAN: And there is a lot of information in these reports, but there's information that is not there. What's some of that critical data that might be missing?

WILLIS: Well, think about quality of management. You know, you're not going to know much about that from reading the earnings report. You're going to have you to look at other sources of information too. Money.com is a great place to go, and of course, all of the business press. As well as sec.gov for real details on how these companies work and some information, too, about executive compensation, a very controversial topic.

KAGAN: And finally, take the news in stride? Can't believe everything that you read?

WILLIS: That's right, Daryn. You know, you're going to see these stocks go all over the place as earnings get released. That's because professional investors are trading out of these stocks willy nilly. As an individual investor, you don't have to do that. You can take the information in stride and look at the trends over time, quarter to quarter, and make your decisions in a reason fashion, not quickly.

KAGAN: And really, just a personal note here, when that stuff comes in the mail for you, you're like yippee! Like getting a good magazine?

(LAUGHTER)

WILLIS: Is that sad somehow?

KAGAN: It's just -- it's fascinating. It's good to know that you're out there for people like us. Gerri Willis thanks for stopping by.

WILLIS: You're welcome, Daryn.

KAGAN: A lot of news still ahead. A day of massive violence in Iraq. And

Testimony from deputy defense secretary Paul Wolfowitz. You see him there, before a House committee about -- talking about whether the U.S. will be ready to hand over Iraq on June 30.

And keeping the U.S. safe and open, Secretary Of State Colin Powell urges the U.S. to extend its visa waiver program. What is that? We'll explain and what it means to people from other countries. A live report coming up.

This is CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired April 21, 2004 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, HOST: Good morning to all of you. From CNN headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the top stories at this hour.
The date is set for President Bush and Vice President Cheney to meet with the 9/11 Commission. Bush and Cheney will answer the commission's questions on the morning of April 29; the two will appear together. And officials say they'll stay as long as needed. Neither Bush or Cheney will be under oath, and each will answer questions informally.

In Iraq, a series of blasts in Basra leaves at least 68 Iraqis civilians dead this morning, including 18 school children and at least 16 police officers. Officials say that five car bombs exploded near three Iraqi police stations. About 100 others were injured. We'll have the latest in a live report straight ahead.

In Saudi Arabia, a suicide bomber blasts a building in the capital of Riyadh. Smoke boiled from the building after the attack. Though many are believed to have been inside at the time, death and injury counts are not confirmed. An interior minister said that at least 40 were taken to hospitals. Officials say they received prior warning that six bombs would go off. They were able to diffuse all but one.

Back here in the U.S., rescue workers in Illinois are desperately digging through the debris of a building that was destroyed by a tornado. There's the correct video. Crews hope to find four or five people they believe may be trapped. A wave of tornadoes touched down in north central Illinois and Indiana yesterday, damaging over 75 homes, knocking out power to 15,000 houses. In fact, a news conference beginning in Utica, Illinois, let's listen in.

TOM TEMPLETON, SHERIFF, LASALLE COUNTY, IL.: It's moving along rapidly than we had thought it had. It's doing well, there are a lot of debris that's being removed. The cranes have been helping in that tremendously and the other heavy equipment. So we're hoping that as we get down through the debris, again, we're still holding hope we're going to find some survivors of this. Nothing's changed. There's still the three individuals who have been confirmed to have died. And again, there's not a lot else that we really have to report right now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sheriff?

TEMPLETON: Yes?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We heard reports there are two more body counts. Is that not correct?

TEMPLETON: I don't have any information as to that. No.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And we heard reports that a priest was called down.

TEMPLETON: Who?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The priest of a church here, the local church.

TEMPLETON: There have been several clergymen been in and out the whole night. So I'm not surprised if there would be a priest in there, yes. I haven't seen him but...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sheriff, we've had several high-ranking sources within several fire departments tell us that there are two more bodies that were pulled from that wreckage. The rumors are flying around...

TEMPLETON: That's what we're trying to do is trying to quench those rumors. I have three confirmed deaths so far and that's the best can I tell you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You had two more people who were injured who were reported from that rubble?

TEMPLETON: The injured have all been transported; they've all been transported to the hospital hours ago. There is no one that we found that has been found alive since then. If there are others, when the coroner gets here, if the coroners notified that there are, the coroner will come up here and notify you of those. Until that time, there are three confirmed deaths.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How many injuries then?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How much long do you expect it to take to locate the group?

TEMPLETON: It's probably going to be another few hours I would have to expect.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Few meaning three?

FRED ESMOND, MAYOR, UTICA, IL.: I think we don't really know, say two hours.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, you want to step up please?

Mainly...

TEMPLETON: Sure.

ESMOND: We're hoping within a few hours...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you identify (UNINTELLIGIBLE) ESMOND: Mayor Esmond. E-S-M-O-N-D.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First name, Fred?

ESMOND: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

ESMOND: Basically, we're taking every precaution to, you know, for not any more serious injury; I guess that's what I'm saying. That's what's taking so long. And because of that, because of the debris that is there, as Tom has mentioned, you can't just go in there and rip things apart. You got to do it by hand and machinery, and it takes time. But I do think that probably in the next two to three hours we should pretty much have an answer for you. You know?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From your perspective, Mayor, give us some sense of what this tornado has done to your town, please.

ESMOND: Well, it's a -- it's a very serious disaster. We've had people from all over here to help, volunteers from Chicago, Skokie, Aurora. We're not going to get into -- we're going to thank them all later. But...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you lost some people that you knew?

ESMOND: Oh, yes. Mm-hmm. And I think we just want to -- I know it's important to everybody in the news media. I would think that maybe we'll have a lot more to report in a few hours, and I hope everybody would just hang in there. And we'd like to get back with you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sheriff, you said that there are three more...

ESMOND: Right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you not yet recovered, is that what you're saying?

ESMOND: Basic -- three, yes.

TEMPLETON: The recovery effort is still ongoing. OK?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are there -- are there...

TEMPLETON: There are three confirmed dead and the recovery effort is still ongoing.

ESMOND: Getting them out.

TEMPLETON: Now, the governor is scheduled to be here probably around noon. We expect him here quite -- well, I'd say probably close to noon. I don't know if he's coming by air, if he's coming on the ground, but I'm sure he's going to want to speak to you. So what I would say to you now is that we will get back with you probably at noon, hopefully with the governor, for him to come and address you at that point in time.

(CROSSTALK)

TEMPLETON: Thank you.

KAGAN: We've been listening in to a news conference from Utica, Illinois. that town and other cities around Illinois hard hit by tornadoes overnight. In that one town, three people dead in the building that was behind the officials we were listening to. But the recovery effort does go on. We heard officials talk about the challenges, considering all of the debris they need to go through. The recovery effort for bodies and also possible survivors still going on at this hour in Utica, Illinois.

Meanwhile, we want to go back to Utica, Illinois. That's where CNN's Lisa Leiter is standing by with the search and recovery mission taking place in that town -- Lisa.

LISA LEITER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, we just heard from the sheriff here, just gave a press conference. We also heard from Mayor Fred Esmond for the first time, evaluating what happened in the town. Basically, the situation has not changed from the earlier press conference in terms of the number of people confirmed dead. That number is still at three. And right now there are still about four to five people, they really don't know exactly how many people still trapped inside the rubble of that building that collapsed, where there was the restaurant and bar called the Milestone.

The mayor and the sheriff telling us here, just a few moments ago, that it will likely take a few more hours to continue to comb through the debris in order for the recovery effort to be complete. They basically don't want any more injuries, so they say they're really taking their time and that's why it's been taking so long. There have been several clergymen apparently called to the scene as well, and they were telling us that.

Also, you know, Mayor Fred Esmond definitely, you know, looked very somber as he addressed the press; basically saying it was devastating to his town, a very serious disaster. And he also noted and it's worth noting, there have been fire trucks coming along this street for the past few hours from all over the surrounding areas and as far away as even north of Chicago. So over 100 miles away, you have different fire departments coming in. And the Governor Rod Bogoyavich is expected to come to this area around noon to assess the damage and to meet with local officials here.

But we've been taking a walk around in just the last hour or so, looking at some of the homes here. And the residents actually are starting to come back in. You know, daybreak here really revealed the devastation that many of these residents had feared. And we spoke just a few moments ago with a resident across the street, whose house was really destroyed. He said a lifetime gone; he's lived her 30 years. and while he's grateful that his daughter and her children, who were inside the house at the time, are safe, he's definitely very upset about the home that he helped build, is now destroyed -- Daryn.

KAGAN: A lot of dreams destroyed there in that tiny city of Utica, Illinois. Lisa Leiter, thank you.

We focus now on the latest from Iraq. Police in Basra say a series of car bombings left at least 68 people dead; all were detonated near police facilities. In Fallujah, dozens of insurgents reportedly ignored a cease-fire agreement and attacked a group of U.S. Marines. Three Americans were injured in that fighting.

In another development, a Danish citizen who has was reported missing has been found dead.

And the Dominican Republic has become the third country in recent days to announce the withdrawal of its troops.

Let's get the latest from Baghdad and our Jim Clancy standing by in the Iraqi capital -- Jim.

JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, anguish in Basra, doubts -- serious doubts coming out of Fallujah. Let's look at the horrific scenes first in Basra; we're right in the middle of a morning rush hour, if you will. There were five different bomb attacks on four different facilities. The most serious perhaps, these at outside police stations. Among the victims said to be 18 school children, whose vans being used as school buses taking them to class, some of the bodies burned beyond recognition. Eyewitnesses on the scene said when they came out of their homes trying to help the wounded they saw bodies everywhere. As you said, more than 60 people killed, some 68 now, more than 100 others wounded.

These were suicide car bomb attacks. There was also one against the police academy there. Two separate bombs there. The first aiming at the police officers, the suicide bombers said to be wearing a police uniform. Then a subsequent blast about 30 minutes later, taking aim at police and rescue workers that have arrived on the scene.

Meantime, doubts about this cease-fire in Fallujah. It was just after dawn this morning here local time in Iraq that anti-coalition forces in numbers, about 50 of them, attacked U.S. Marine positions with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles. The Marines fired back, touching off a furious firefight. It lapsed the better part of three hours as it went back and forth. Some commanders on the ground interpreting this as a last gasp by those insurgents inside Fallujah. But if it is not, it could mean the Marines will have to go back in force to finish what they had started in cleaning out the town of fighters and their weapons.

Still unfulfilled the promises weapons would be turned over, promises and requests by community leaders to turn over foreign fighters. None of that has happened. Will it happen in the hours and the days ahead? Some U.S. coalition officials here saying that it had better happen; otherwise we will see more military action in Fallujah -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Jim Clancy in Baghdad. Jim, we're going to get back to you in the next hour. Now, we want to get the latest on the terror in Saudi Arabia, that is where a massive explosion has thundered through a Riyadh neighborhood housing government offices. The video you are looking at shows the face of one such building, the face just sheered off.

For more on the developing story, we're going to go to Arab news journalist Nasser al Satti. He is joining us by phone from Riyadh.

Nasser, thank you for being with us.

NASER AL SATTI, ARAB NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Thank you.

KAGAN: Where were you when the explosion took place?

AL SATTI: I was in my office about five kilometers away from the site of the explosion. And when we received some reports from the guys who heard the explosion that a massive explosion took place in Riyadh, it's the old sector, the old part of the city.

KAGAN: And I understand you're home, where your wife and child are, was not too far from where this took place?

AL SATTI: Excuse me?

KAGAN: Your home is not too far away from where this blast took place?

AL SATTI: No, it's just about maybe about less than two kilometers from the area.

KAGAN: And what does your wife say about feeling the explosion?

AL SATTI: It's not here. Maybe you are mixed with another reporter. It's about maybe my colleague's wife and children in their apartment, and there are only maybe 50 meters away from that area.

KAGAN: But they're OK?

AL SATTI: They are OK. It's everything -- they told that everything in the house is almost broken: glasses, everything, furniture is torn apart. But everybody is safe, thank God.

KAGAN: OK. Yes, I was given incorrect information on that. Anybody claiming responsibility within Riyadh?

AL SATTI: I can't hear you very well. Can you come again?

KAGAN: Yes, is anyone claiming responsibility for the blast?

AL SATTI: No, not yet. Not yet. So far, we did not hear anybody.

KAGAN: There have been reports here in the U.S. of potential danger happening in Riyadh, all nonessential U.S. employees ordered to leave Saudi Arabia. Has there been a sense of danger within Riyadh for non-Americans? AL SATTI: Nothing for actually non-Americans. What's happened today is -- is in a security building, and I think those who were, the victims or the casualties were all Saudis, I believe, and that's all. But nothing against westerners or foreigners, or Americans in the country.

KAGAN: And finally, what's the latest information you having on, this the latest number of casualties or deaths?

AL SATTI: So far, only two persons confirmed were killed, but I believe the number -- the death toll will definitely will (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the hours coming will -- when announced will be much larger, larger number. I mean because if you look to the amount of damage in the area, it is massive really. Especially the building and the annex even building the warehouse annexed to that building also is completely damaged.

KAGAN: And the time of day that this happened in Riyadh, this is like the beginning of the weekend for this community?

AL SATTI: This is. Yes, today is the last working day in the week. And it's been like 2:00, when everybody was going out of their home or -- yes.

KAGAN: We will continue to monitor the situation from Riyadh.

Nasser al Satti, Arab journalist, thank you for giving us the latest information by phone.

We're going to take a break and we're back with more news after this.

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KAGAN: Let's take a look at some stories across America.

In Oregon, a judge has ordered a ban of same-sex marriage licenses, the only place that is still issuing those documents to gay and lesbian couples. The judge says that the state Supreme Court needs to issue a ruling on the controversial issue. But he says the states must recognize more than 3,000 licenses already have been issued to same-sex couples.

In California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger becomes the driving force in creating the state's first hydrogen highway. Schwarzenegger yesterday signed an executive order to create a statewide network of 150 to 200 hydrogen-fueling stations by 2010. Schwarzenegger says that a half million of the alternative fuel vehicles could be on the road by that time.

And he's barely old enough to vote in the presidential election, yet the NBA's Lebron James easily captured plenty of ballots to become the league's rookie of the year. The 19-year-old is the younger player ever to capture those honors. He got 508 points that overshadowed another phenom, 19-year-old Carmelo Anthony, who finished second in the polling out of Denver. An old tool of the U.S. military goes to work in Iraq trying to take out insurgents. A live report from the Pentagon on the Predator drone and how it's being used now in Iraq.

And here's Gerri with more from what we'll be hearing from her in just a bit.

GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey Daryn. Good to see you. You know, we're talking all about the earnings report today. We're in the middle of earnings season. What do you need to know? What are the red flags? Stay with us on CNN LIVE TODAY.

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KAGAN: How about those very exciting quarterly earnings reports? They provide investors with a valuable snapshot of a company's health. You can see a glance of the business and you can see if it's turning a profit, but there's more do-to-it than just the pennies per share.

Our financial news personal finance editor, Gerri Willis here, not just to explain how to decipher the earnings, but Gerri how do you keep your eyes from glazing over when you see all of the small print arrive in the mail?

WILLIS: You know that's right, Daryn. They are exciting for some people like me. Take a look at these numbers. You'll find this exciting. Earnings this quarter, first quarter growing 20.5 percent over this time last year. But look at the comparisons here, Daryn. The fourth quarter of last year, they were up nearly 30 percent. We may have already seen the peak in earnings growth. Just want to point out, you know, it's always about the trend, and we're seeing, like a slight decline from the fourth quarter here.

KAGAN: OK. So you get this earnings report. You want to understand the context of what you're looking at.

WILLIS: Well, you do want to understand the context. Analyzing earnings reports is all about comparisons. Comparisons between how the company did last year at the same time, last quarter. And even comparing with other companies as well, say S&P 500 companies, how are their earnings coming in generally, and does your company fit in with that?

And another thing to check out in these reports, you don't want to just look at the bottom line. You also want to look at the top line. Revenue or sales is also important, because look, a lot of companies have been cutting costs to make their numbers, as Wall Street says. Top make their earnings look better, they simply lay people off and cut other costs. You want to see if the company whose stock you hold is actually improving earnings by having more revenues. More sales -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Let's skip ahead to tip No. 3. And that is when you look at these reports, you can view -- you can watch out for some warning signs about these companies? WILLIS: All right. Two phrases here, Daryn. Very simple: restructuring charges and one-time charges. Now, the problem with a lot of companies is that one-time charges are actually two Times, or three Times, or four times. When you get a lot of charges, that means the companies can't make the numbers that Wall Street thinks they've set out and they're having to explain away their numbers.

KAGAN: And there is a lot of information in these reports, but there's information that is not there. What's some of that critical data that might be missing?

WILLIS: Well, think about quality of management. You know, you're not going to know much about that from reading the earnings report. You're going to have you to look at other sources of information too. Money.com is a great place to go, and of course, all of the business press. As well as sec.gov for real details on how these companies work and some information, too, about executive compensation, a very controversial topic.

KAGAN: And finally, take the news in stride? Can't believe everything that you read?

WILLIS: That's right, Daryn. You know, you're going to see these stocks go all over the place as earnings get released. That's because professional investors are trading out of these stocks willy nilly. As an individual investor, you don't have to do that. You can take the information in stride and look at the trends over time, quarter to quarter, and make your decisions in a reason fashion, not quickly.

KAGAN: And really, just a personal note here, when that stuff comes in the mail for you, you're like yippee! Like getting a good magazine?

(LAUGHTER)

WILLIS: Is that sad somehow?

KAGAN: It's just -- it's fascinating. It's good to know that you're out there for people like us. Gerri Willis thanks for stopping by.

WILLIS: You're welcome, Daryn.

KAGAN: A lot of news still ahead. A day of massive violence in Iraq. And

Testimony from deputy defense secretary Paul Wolfowitz. You see him there, before a House committee about -- talking about whether the U.S. will be ready to hand over Iraq on June 30.

And keeping the U.S. safe and open, Secretary Of State Colin Powell urges the U.S. to extend its visa waiver program. What is that? We'll explain and what it means to people from other countries. A live report coming up.

This is CNN LIVE TODAY.

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