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CNN Live At Daybreak

Mourning in America; Eye on the World; Probe Delayed; Ray Charles Dies at 73; Treating Melanoma

Aired June 11, 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: Good morning to you, and welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Let me bring you up to date now.

Mourners have only a few more hours to view the casket of former President Ronald Reagan. Public viewing will end some time around 9:00 Eastern, and then at 11:30 Eastern, his funeral at the National Cathedral will get under way.

Legendary blues singer and pianist Ray Charles is being remembered as a giant of an artist. He died at his California home after a long battle with liver disease. He was 73 years old.

In money news, if you're buying a home, it will cost you more. Mortgage company Freddie Mac says the benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgages rose 6.30 percent. That's up from 6.28 percent last week.

In culture, fans of the late actress Katharine Hepburn have doled out nearly $2 million at her estate auction in New York. A diamond and sapphire broach sold for $120,000. That's six times its estimated value.

In sports, he's back. Boston Red Sox Nomar Garciaparra smacked a two-run double to help Boston to a 9-3 victory over the Padres. It was Garciaparra's second game of the season after missing the first 57 games because of an injury to his Achilles tendon. Ouch!

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.

COSTELLO: Good for him.

MYERS: Yes, good. You come back and all of a sudden you're hitting doubles. That's not so bad.

Hey, good morning, everybody.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right, thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: The funeral of a president. The nation and the world will say final good-byes to Ronald Reagan in just a few hours. Right now, people are still in line at the Capitol Rotunda hoping to view his casket, but that's not guaranteed before the public viewing ends.

More now live from Ed Henry. He's just outside the Capitol.

Tell us more -- Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Sixty-nine thousand people as of 11:00 p.m. last night had already passed the casket of former President Reagan. Thousands more overnight, and one of those people is John Merigos (ph). He just moments ago passed through the Rotunda. He's joining us right now.

Thanks for coming by -- John.

JOHN MERIGOS, MOURNER: My pleasure.

HENRY: Wanted to ask you, how long did it take you to get through this line?

MERIGOS: Hours, eight hours.

HENRY: Eight hours.

MERIGOS: Yes.

HENRY: And why did you do it? Why would you wait on line eight hours to do this?

MERIGOS: It's a tribute to President Reagan and his greatness and to his legacy.

HENRY: And take people inside the room who have not been there, what is it like to be in the same room with the casket, to see the Honor Guard, what is it like?

MERIGOS: Well it's auspicious, it's humbling. You know of course you're waiting quite a while just to -- just for probably a minute or two. But the people and the -- and the dedication that people bring in to stop and see him says much about how people feel.

I was struck by the families, the children who have been here. It's one thing for us, I mean I've come from Boston, but it's -- when you walk in it's a somber mood. They're asking you to be quiet. And of course you pass through a lot of security. But it's an amazing feeling because it's brief, but you know you're there to give tribute to a man who believed in this country and did much to change it.

HENRY: Thank you very much for joining us -- John.

MERIGOS: My pleasure.

HENRY: And, Carol, President Bush came through last night. He was also here for just a moment, just like the rest of the public. You cannot stay long. You have to keep the line moving. They've been asking not to salute, not to linger by the casket. They're trying, as you mentioned, to get as many people as possible through. Public viewing will end at 9:00 a.m. The reason why they need to do that is they need to get the Rotunda ready. They need to get the Rotunda ready for Mrs. Reagan. She will be here somewhere in the 9:00 hour, we're told. She will come to the Capitol and she is going to, at 9:45, go into the Rotunda and have a private moment or two with the casket as she gets ready.

The departure ceremony should be at 10:30. We're going to have departure ceremony from 10:30 on to Washington National Cathedral, where, in the following hour, they will have the national funeral service -- Carol.

COSTELLO: And just to clarify, Ed, if you're trying to get in line now, you won't be able to because they have cut off the line. Are they actually turning people away?

HENRY: Well that is our understanding. As of last evening, we were told that at 7:00 a.m. they would start cutting off the line and you can not join the line. But overnight, the line was spanning five, six, seven blocks away from the Capitol. So there were just too many people and they didn't want to disappoint people. Police officers here on the scene are saying that they had to cut off the line at some point in the middle of the night. We're still trying to get full confirmation on that, but that's what officers here on the scene are saying.

And officers are also saying that even if you are currently on the line, it does not guarantee that you will get past security and into the Rotunda by 9:00 a.m. Again, they have got to shut down at 9:00 a.m. to get ready for Mrs. Reagan's arrival, her private moment with the casket and then on to the National Cathedral -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Ed Henry, live from D.C., thank you.

HENRY: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Our special coverage of the Reagan state funeral begins this morning at 10:00 Eastern, 7:00 Pacific Time.

Secretary of State Colin Powell was President Reagan's National Security Adviser. He will be Bill and Soledad's guest on "AMERICAN MORNING." That will come your way in the 7:00 Eastern hour.

Let's talk about what's happening in Iraq now, because there has been some fighting in Sadr City and we've got some pictures of celebration back that are kind of confusing.

So let's join our senior international editor David Clinch to explain those pictures for us.

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Morning, Carol.

Well, yes, we have seen fighting. This Shiite rebellion in Iraq that was meant to be over, or everyone hoped was over a week or so ago, is not over. We saw fighting in Najaf yesterday. The Americans, though, refuse to get involved there. They said the Iraqis should handle it themselves.

The Americans, on the other hand, in Sadr City, which is a suburb of Baghdad, were heavily involved in fighting with this Mehdi militia. You can see Apache helicopters overhead there last night, right in the middle of Baghdad, hitting the Mehdi militia hard over night into this morning. It's still going on.

Something we really don't like to see, obviously, in the aftermath of this is we got some pictures of some children injured in that fighting overnight last night. The Americans, of course, always making an effort not to hit civilians, but this is a very heavy, heavily populated part of town.

Now the celebrations...

COSTELLO: And don't those pictures...

CLINCH: That's what you were talking about.

COSTELLO: Right.

CLINCH: Basically it's Friday today, Friday prayers. That's always a very tense day in Iraq on a -- for the last few months. In these Shiite areas today, you see these Mehdi militia guys going through the streets with their guns in the air going to prayer. That's the -- that's the strange juts (ph) to position that you see in these Shiite areas at the moment.

COSTELLO: Do they bring their guns inside the mosques while they pray?

CLINCH: Well that's not -- that's not clear to us. But obviously tensions very high on a Friday in all of these Shiite areas, Baghdad, Najaf, all of the other cities as well.

COSTELLO: Well let me ask you this question. We know the Mehdi militia is still at war. What about the other insurgent groups within Iraq, has the violence from them quieted down?

CLINCH: To a certain extent, yes, although we did see an event in Fallujah a few days ago where the Iraqi -- again, the Americans have pulled out, for the most part, of Fallujah, so that, in itself, of course, has lowered tension.

But the Iraqi forces in Fallujah were hit a few days ago, and there have been a couple of more incidents in Fallujah and Baquba and other cities, which are Sunni cities, within the last 24 hours. But the level overall in those areas is down. Still a high death toll, though, a few Americans and other coalition soldiers killed.

COSTELLO: So touch a little bit now on the politics of Iraq and what happened at the G-8 Summit.

CLINCH: Right. Well the G-8 Summit, obviously, Iraq was very central. But you know the phrase all politics is local. Well we're seeing that playing out in regard to Iraq all over the world in the last 24 hours.

In Australia, we've got the U.S. basically getting involved in Australian politics. The opposition there promising to pull all the troops out if they win the election.

COSTELLO: Ala Faine (ph).

CLINCH: Exactly. The Americans weighing in there, saying that's outrageous, will affect the relationship between Australia and the U.S. if that happens.

In Britain, you saw just in the last 24 hours Blair's party has taken a very big hit in just local elections, but still a big hit, according to opinion polls, because of dissatisfaction about the Iraq war.

COSTELLO: Yes, but there's no -- nothing about Britain pulling its troops out of Iraq?

CLINCH: No, obviously not. That -- and Blair making it clear he feels he did the right thing and he'll take the political hit as far as he's concerned.

In Italy, somewhat interesting thing, you know those Italian hostages were released the other day, a lot of opposition figures saying that's very convenient for Italian leader Berlusconi who has got elections coming up on Friday. So some controversy over that, too.

So again, all politics is local.

COSTELLO: And there's always a conspiracy theory somewhere in there.

CLINCH: Exactly.

COSTELLO: Thank you -- David.

CLINCH: All right.

COSTELLO: An investigation spawned by the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal has been delayed. The top commander in Iraq is trying to clear his name and the investigators are getting new information.

More details now from our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At the G-8 Summit in Georgia, President Bush insisted he never authorized torture despite some recently disclosed administration memos arguing the U.S. is not bound by international laws in its war on terror.

BUSH: Look, I'm going to say it one more time if I -- maybe I can be more clear. The instructions went out to our people to adhere to law.

MCINTYRE: Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, who originally ordered the investigation into Iraq prisoner abuse, has asked for an officer senior to him to be put in charge of the probe so his actions can also be scrutinized.

LT. GEN. RICARDO SANCHEZ, U.S. IRAQ COMMANDER: I am fully committed to thorough and impartial investigations that examine the role, commissions and omissions of the entire chain of command and that includes me.

MCINTYRE: It was Sanchez who put military intelligence in charge of parts of the Abu Ghraib Prison and whose orders outlined how the prisoners could be interrogated. Questions about whether Sanchez' orders were clear and correctly applied and even an accusation, which Sanchez firmly denies, that he was aware of the abuse are the subject of a nearly completed investigation by two-star General George Fay.

But Pentagon officials say by putting a four-star officer in charge, who unlike Fay would have the authority to question Sanchez himself, will make it easier for Sanchez to defend his actions and dispel any suggestion of conflict of interest. A Pentagon spokesman says granting Sanchez' request will "ensure a complete, thorough, and transparent investigation that leaves no doubts as to the veracity of its findings."

Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has just issued strict new procedures to preserve evidence in the event prisoners die in U.S. custody, including requiring autopsies and mandating that he is personally notified. In addition, Rumsfeld's memo orders the remains will not be washed and all items on or in the body will be left undisturbed.

(on camera): The investigation into questionable interrogation practices was due to be wrapped up this week but will now be delayed, in part because it will take time to find a higher ranking general to put in charge but also because sources say a key member of a military intelligence unit, who wasn't talking, is now providing new important information.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And coming up in the next hour of DAYBREAK, Martha Stewart asking for a new trial, and she may actually have a chance at getting one. We'll talk to our legal eagle Kendall Coffey to find out why.

Plus, I just want to hear him sing. One of America's best-known voices is silenced forever now. Up next, the life of the legendary Ray Charles.

This is DAYBREAK for Thursday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:45 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Mourners have just a few more hours to view Ronald Reagan's casket at the Capitol Rotunda. His state funeral takes place this morning at 11:30 Eastern.

In New York, a judge dismisses criminal charges against the mayor of New Paltz for marrying gay couples. The judge says prosecutors failed to prove the state has a legitimate interest in banning same- sex marriages.

In money, if you leased a Ford between 1991 and 1994 you might be getting a hundred bucks in the mail. It's part of a settlement involving overpayments in the company's Red Carpet Leasing Program.

In culture, Amazon.com says early orders for Bill Clinton's book "My Life" have set a record for autobiographies. Amazon says orders are running seven times those for former First Lady Hillary Clinton's memoir.

In sports, Vijay Singh is leading the PGA's Buick Classic. He opens play today at 8 under par after shooting an opening round 63. He is one shot ahead of Fredrik Jacobson.

MYERS: He is just on fire.

COSTELLO: He certainly is.

MYERS: If I could have one hole like he shoots a round, please, someday.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

Those are the latest headlines for you.

Not just America, but the world, has lost another legend. The musical genius of Ray Charles is stilled by acute liver disease.

CNN's Fredricka Whitfield has this look at Ray Charles' remarkable career.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Ray Charles' life was a rags to riches story, told with lyrics and melodies liberally laced with soul.

Born Ray Charles Robinson on September 23, 1930 to Aretha and Bailey Robinson in rural Albany, Georgia. The family was desperately poor. By the time he was 7 years old, glaucoma was robbed Charles of his sight. But before he went blind he saw his little brother drown.

Charles credits his mother with helping him overcome blindness and become independent. RAY CHARLES, AMERICAN MUSIC LEGEND: She was watching me go blind. You know, she knew I was going to lose my sight. But her thing was you still got that brain. You still can think. And there are two ways to do everything. You just got to figure out which one is good for you. That was the influence my mom had on me.

WHITFIELD: After his mother died, he left Florida State School for the Blind, where he learned to read braille, play piano and memorize music. Learned so well he could compose and arranged melodies in his head. Charles hit the road as a struggling musician.

It was about this time, though, that he picked up a drug habit, a habit he didn't kick until convicted of heroin and marijuana possession 20 years later.

Charles's path to greatness would lead him far from the South to Seattle, Washington. His first real taste of fame would come with the 1955 release of "I've Got a Woman." It was the beginning course of Charles' indelible mark on the face of popular music.

In 1960, Charles won his first Grammy for "Georgia on my Mind." His rendition of the song would later become the state song of Georgia.

The music of Ray Charles defined modern soul, brought jazz and R&B to the mainstream, helped country music gain worldwide acceptance.

And along the way, many credited Charles with being instrumental in the invention of rock 'n' roll.

CHARLES: You can bend. I mean you can change. As long as you stay within the context of the song itself so you don't lose the public. You can always do it 50,000 different ways, too.

WHITFIELD: His icon status caught the eye of Pepsi. In Charles the soft drink giant found one of their most memorable pitch men.

In 1986, Charles became one of the original inductees into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

His rendition of "America the Beautiful" would set the 1984 Republican Convention on fire.

"A Song for You" brought Charles his 12th Grammy in 1994.

The popular entertainer also knew the value of giving back. He lent his considerable talents to the song "We Are the World," raising millions to feed the people starving in Africa.

His life was a lesson in triumph overcoming tragedy. And his audience, the whole world.

CHARLES: For me, my music is my existence. It's just like your breathing. Without your breathing, you're no longer here. Without my music, I feel I'm no longer here.

WHITFIELD: Fredricka Whitfield, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Ray Charles died at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 73. His funeral is next week in Los Angeles.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: In health news this morning, each year more than 5,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma. It is one of the deadliest cancers. Now there is optimism an experimental therapy will help save lives.

CNN medical correspondent Holly Firfer has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Brett Smith was told he had less than a year to live. With tumors in his liver, lungs and adrenal glands, melanoma was ravaging his body until he met Dr. Keith Flaherty who entered him into an experimental trial for a new melanoma therapy using a drug called Bay 439006.

DR. KEITH FLAHERTY, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA: It's a drug that blocks the function of an enzyme and, in this case, it's an enzyme that we know is abnormal or mutated in the majority of cases of melanoma.

FIRFER: By blocking that enzyme it prevents melanoma from growing and spreading. Early study results show that the drug in conjunction with traditional chemotherapy shrinks tumors and keeps them from recurring.

BRETT SMITH, MELANOMA PATIENT: Now I can live a normal life just by taking a pill in the morning and a pill at night.

FIRFER: Although this experimental therapy is showing promising results, Dr. Flaherty warns it's not a cure for cancer. It's a way to treat melanoma as a chronic disease. That's why the medical community is looking at other trials.

Dr. Frank Kaluska is working on an individualized vaccine using cells from a melanoma patient's own tumors and adding a gene which stimulates the body's immune system. Those treated cells are reinserted into the tumor with the hope that the recipient's own immune system gets a boost to destroy the cancer.

DR. FRANK KALUSKA, MASS. GENERAL HOSPITAL: And what we hope is that the vaccine makes them immune to melanoma so that the melanoma doesn't come back.

FIRFER: Dr. Kaluska adds it's important because right now there are no proven treatments to help melanoma patients like there are for some other cancers. He says patients like Donald Anderson would not be alive today if not for this experimental vaccine. DONALD ANDERSON, MELANOMA PATIENT: Until he tells me that there are no other alternatives then I will keep fighting and keep fighting and keep fighting.

FIRFER: Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: So, instead of heading to the beach this weekend, how about heading to a matinee. A remake of the popular "Stepford Wives" hits screens this weekend. And we will preview it for you in the next hour of DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL 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 June 11, 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: Good morning to you, and welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Let me bring you up to date now.

Mourners have only a few more hours to view the casket of former President Ronald Reagan. Public viewing will end some time around 9:00 Eastern, and then at 11:30 Eastern, his funeral at the National Cathedral will get under way.

Legendary blues singer and pianist Ray Charles is being remembered as a giant of an artist. He died at his California home after a long battle with liver disease. He was 73 years old.

In money news, if you're buying a home, it will cost you more. Mortgage company Freddie Mac says the benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgages rose 6.30 percent. That's up from 6.28 percent last week.

In culture, fans of the late actress Katharine Hepburn have doled out nearly $2 million at her estate auction in New York. A diamond and sapphire broach sold for $120,000. That's six times its estimated value.

In sports, he's back. Boston Red Sox Nomar Garciaparra smacked a two-run double to help Boston to a 9-3 victory over the Padres. It was Garciaparra's second game of the season after missing the first 57 games because of an injury to his Achilles tendon. Ouch!

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.

COSTELLO: Good for him.

MYERS: Yes, good. You come back and all of a sudden you're hitting doubles. That's not so bad.

Hey, good morning, everybody.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right, thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: The funeral of a president. The nation and the world will say final good-byes to Ronald Reagan in just a few hours. Right now, people are still in line at the Capitol Rotunda hoping to view his casket, but that's not guaranteed before the public viewing ends.

More now live from Ed Henry. He's just outside the Capitol.

Tell us more -- Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Sixty-nine thousand people as of 11:00 p.m. last night had already passed the casket of former President Reagan. Thousands more overnight, and one of those people is John Merigos (ph). He just moments ago passed through the Rotunda. He's joining us right now.

Thanks for coming by -- John.

JOHN MERIGOS, MOURNER: My pleasure.

HENRY: Wanted to ask you, how long did it take you to get through this line?

MERIGOS: Hours, eight hours.

HENRY: Eight hours.

MERIGOS: Yes.

HENRY: And why did you do it? Why would you wait on line eight hours to do this?

MERIGOS: It's a tribute to President Reagan and his greatness and to his legacy.

HENRY: And take people inside the room who have not been there, what is it like to be in the same room with the casket, to see the Honor Guard, what is it like?

MERIGOS: Well it's auspicious, it's humbling. You know of course you're waiting quite a while just to -- just for probably a minute or two. But the people and the -- and the dedication that people bring in to stop and see him says much about how people feel.

I was struck by the families, the children who have been here. It's one thing for us, I mean I've come from Boston, but it's -- when you walk in it's a somber mood. They're asking you to be quiet. And of course you pass through a lot of security. But it's an amazing feeling because it's brief, but you know you're there to give tribute to a man who believed in this country and did much to change it.

HENRY: Thank you very much for joining us -- John.

MERIGOS: My pleasure.

HENRY: And, Carol, President Bush came through last night. He was also here for just a moment, just like the rest of the public. You cannot stay long. You have to keep the line moving. They've been asking not to salute, not to linger by the casket. They're trying, as you mentioned, to get as many people as possible through. Public viewing will end at 9:00 a.m. The reason why they need to do that is they need to get the Rotunda ready. They need to get the Rotunda ready for Mrs. Reagan. She will be here somewhere in the 9:00 hour, we're told. She will come to the Capitol and she is going to, at 9:45, go into the Rotunda and have a private moment or two with the casket as she gets ready.

The departure ceremony should be at 10:30. We're going to have departure ceremony from 10:30 on to Washington National Cathedral, where, in the following hour, they will have the national funeral service -- Carol.

COSTELLO: And just to clarify, Ed, if you're trying to get in line now, you won't be able to because they have cut off the line. Are they actually turning people away?

HENRY: Well that is our understanding. As of last evening, we were told that at 7:00 a.m. they would start cutting off the line and you can not join the line. But overnight, the line was spanning five, six, seven blocks away from the Capitol. So there were just too many people and they didn't want to disappoint people. Police officers here on the scene are saying that they had to cut off the line at some point in the middle of the night. We're still trying to get full confirmation on that, but that's what officers here on the scene are saying.

And officers are also saying that even if you are currently on the line, it does not guarantee that you will get past security and into the Rotunda by 9:00 a.m. Again, they have got to shut down at 9:00 a.m. to get ready for Mrs. Reagan's arrival, her private moment with the casket and then on to the National Cathedral -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Ed Henry, live from D.C., thank you.

HENRY: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Our special coverage of the Reagan state funeral begins this morning at 10:00 Eastern, 7:00 Pacific Time.

Secretary of State Colin Powell was President Reagan's National Security Adviser. He will be Bill and Soledad's guest on "AMERICAN MORNING." That will come your way in the 7:00 Eastern hour.

Let's talk about what's happening in Iraq now, because there has been some fighting in Sadr City and we've got some pictures of celebration back that are kind of confusing.

So let's join our senior international editor David Clinch to explain those pictures for us.

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Morning, Carol.

Well, yes, we have seen fighting. This Shiite rebellion in Iraq that was meant to be over, or everyone hoped was over a week or so ago, is not over. We saw fighting in Najaf yesterday. The Americans, though, refuse to get involved there. They said the Iraqis should handle it themselves.

The Americans, on the other hand, in Sadr City, which is a suburb of Baghdad, were heavily involved in fighting with this Mehdi militia. You can see Apache helicopters overhead there last night, right in the middle of Baghdad, hitting the Mehdi militia hard over night into this morning. It's still going on.

Something we really don't like to see, obviously, in the aftermath of this is we got some pictures of some children injured in that fighting overnight last night. The Americans, of course, always making an effort not to hit civilians, but this is a very heavy, heavily populated part of town.

Now the celebrations...

COSTELLO: And don't those pictures...

CLINCH: That's what you were talking about.

COSTELLO: Right.

CLINCH: Basically it's Friday today, Friday prayers. That's always a very tense day in Iraq on a -- for the last few months. In these Shiite areas today, you see these Mehdi militia guys going through the streets with their guns in the air going to prayer. That's the -- that's the strange juts (ph) to position that you see in these Shiite areas at the moment.

COSTELLO: Do they bring their guns inside the mosques while they pray?

CLINCH: Well that's not -- that's not clear to us. But obviously tensions very high on a Friday in all of these Shiite areas, Baghdad, Najaf, all of the other cities as well.

COSTELLO: Well let me ask you this question. We know the Mehdi militia is still at war. What about the other insurgent groups within Iraq, has the violence from them quieted down?

CLINCH: To a certain extent, yes, although we did see an event in Fallujah a few days ago where the Iraqi -- again, the Americans have pulled out, for the most part, of Fallujah, so that, in itself, of course, has lowered tension.

But the Iraqi forces in Fallujah were hit a few days ago, and there have been a couple of more incidents in Fallujah and Baquba and other cities, which are Sunni cities, within the last 24 hours. But the level overall in those areas is down. Still a high death toll, though, a few Americans and other coalition soldiers killed.

COSTELLO: So touch a little bit now on the politics of Iraq and what happened at the G-8 Summit.

CLINCH: Right. Well the G-8 Summit, obviously, Iraq was very central. But you know the phrase all politics is local. Well we're seeing that playing out in regard to Iraq all over the world in the last 24 hours.

In Australia, we've got the U.S. basically getting involved in Australian politics. The opposition there promising to pull all the troops out if they win the election.

COSTELLO: Ala Faine (ph).

CLINCH: Exactly. The Americans weighing in there, saying that's outrageous, will affect the relationship between Australia and the U.S. if that happens.

In Britain, you saw just in the last 24 hours Blair's party has taken a very big hit in just local elections, but still a big hit, according to opinion polls, because of dissatisfaction about the Iraq war.

COSTELLO: Yes, but there's no -- nothing about Britain pulling its troops out of Iraq?

CLINCH: No, obviously not. That -- and Blair making it clear he feels he did the right thing and he'll take the political hit as far as he's concerned.

In Italy, somewhat interesting thing, you know those Italian hostages were released the other day, a lot of opposition figures saying that's very convenient for Italian leader Berlusconi who has got elections coming up on Friday. So some controversy over that, too.

So again, all politics is local.

COSTELLO: And there's always a conspiracy theory somewhere in there.

CLINCH: Exactly.

COSTELLO: Thank you -- David.

CLINCH: All right.

COSTELLO: An investigation spawned by the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal has been delayed. The top commander in Iraq is trying to clear his name and the investigators are getting new information.

More details now from our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At the G-8 Summit in Georgia, President Bush insisted he never authorized torture despite some recently disclosed administration memos arguing the U.S. is not bound by international laws in its war on terror.

BUSH: Look, I'm going to say it one more time if I -- maybe I can be more clear. The instructions went out to our people to adhere to law.

MCINTYRE: Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, who originally ordered the investigation into Iraq prisoner abuse, has asked for an officer senior to him to be put in charge of the probe so his actions can also be scrutinized.

LT. GEN. RICARDO SANCHEZ, U.S. IRAQ COMMANDER: I am fully committed to thorough and impartial investigations that examine the role, commissions and omissions of the entire chain of command and that includes me.

MCINTYRE: It was Sanchez who put military intelligence in charge of parts of the Abu Ghraib Prison and whose orders outlined how the prisoners could be interrogated. Questions about whether Sanchez' orders were clear and correctly applied and even an accusation, which Sanchez firmly denies, that he was aware of the abuse are the subject of a nearly completed investigation by two-star General George Fay.

But Pentagon officials say by putting a four-star officer in charge, who unlike Fay would have the authority to question Sanchez himself, will make it easier for Sanchez to defend his actions and dispel any suggestion of conflict of interest. A Pentagon spokesman says granting Sanchez' request will "ensure a complete, thorough, and transparent investigation that leaves no doubts as to the veracity of its findings."

Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has just issued strict new procedures to preserve evidence in the event prisoners die in U.S. custody, including requiring autopsies and mandating that he is personally notified. In addition, Rumsfeld's memo orders the remains will not be washed and all items on or in the body will be left undisturbed.

(on camera): The investigation into questionable interrogation practices was due to be wrapped up this week but will now be delayed, in part because it will take time to find a higher ranking general to put in charge but also because sources say a key member of a military intelligence unit, who wasn't talking, is now providing new important information.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And coming up in the next hour of DAYBREAK, Martha Stewart asking for a new trial, and she may actually have a chance at getting one. We'll talk to our legal eagle Kendall Coffey to find out why.

Plus, I just want to hear him sing. One of America's best-known voices is silenced forever now. Up next, the life of the legendary Ray Charles.

This is DAYBREAK for Thursday.

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COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:45 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Mourners have just a few more hours to view Ronald Reagan's casket at the Capitol Rotunda. His state funeral takes place this morning at 11:30 Eastern.

In New York, a judge dismisses criminal charges against the mayor of New Paltz for marrying gay couples. The judge says prosecutors failed to prove the state has a legitimate interest in banning same- sex marriages.

In money, if you leased a Ford between 1991 and 1994 you might be getting a hundred bucks in the mail. It's part of a settlement involving overpayments in the company's Red Carpet Leasing Program.

In culture, Amazon.com says early orders for Bill Clinton's book "My Life" have set a record for autobiographies. Amazon says orders are running seven times those for former First Lady Hillary Clinton's memoir.

In sports, Vijay Singh is leading the PGA's Buick Classic. He opens play today at 8 under par after shooting an opening round 63. He is one shot ahead of Fredrik Jacobson.

MYERS: He is just on fire.

COSTELLO: He certainly is.

MYERS: If I could have one hole like he shoots a round, please, someday.

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COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

Those are the latest headlines for you.

Not just America, but the world, has lost another legend. The musical genius of Ray Charles is stilled by acute liver disease.

CNN's Fredricka Whitfield has this look at Ray Charles' remarkable career.

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FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Ray Charles' life was a rags to riches story, told with lyrics and melodies liberally laced with soul.

Born Ray Charles Robinson on September 23, 1930 to Aretha and Bailey Robinson in rural Albany, Georgia. The family was desperately poor. By the time he was 7 years old, glaucoma was robbed Charles of his sight. But before he went blind he saw his little brother drown.

Charles credits his mother with helping him overcome blindness and become independent. RAY CHARLES, AMERICAN MUSIC LEGEND: She was watching me go blind. You know, she knew I was going to lose my sight. But her thing was you still got that brain. You still can think. And there are two ways to do everything. You just got to figure out which one is good for you. That was the influence my mom had on me.

WHITFIELD: After his mother died, he left Florida State School for the Blind, where he learned to read braille, play piano and memorize music. Learned so well he could compose and arranged melodies in his head. Charles hit the road as a struggling musician.

It was about this time, though, that he picked up a drug habit, a habit he didn't kick until convicted of heroin and marijuana possession 20 years later.

Charles's path to greatness would lead him far from the South to Seattle, Washington. His first real taste of fame would come with the 1955 release of "I've Got a Woman." It was the beginning course of Charles' indelible mark on the face of popular music.

In 1960, Charles won his first Grammy for "Georgia on my Mind." His rendition of the song would later become the state song of Georgia.

The music of Ray Charles defined modern soul, brought jazz and R&B to the mainstream, helped country music gain worldwide acceptance.

And along the way, many credited Charles with being instrumental in the invention of rock 'n' roll.

CHARLES: You can bend. I mean you can change. As long as you stay within the context of the song itself so you don't lose the public. You can always do it 50,000 different ways, too.

WHITFIELD: His icon status caught the eye of Pepsi. In Charles the soft drink giant found one of their most memorable pitch men.

In 1986, Charles became one of the original inductees into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

His rendition of "America the Beautiful" would set the 1984 Republican Convention on fire.

"A Song for You" brought Charles his 12th Grammy in 1994.

The popular entertainer also knew the value of giving back. He lent his considerable talents to the song "We Are the World," raising millions to feed the people starving in Africa.

His life was a lesson in triumph overcoming tragedy. And his audience, the whole world.

CHARLES: For me, my music is my existence. It's just like your breathing. Without your breathing, you're no longer here. Without my music, I feel I'm no longer here.

WHITFIELD: Fredricka Whitfield, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Ray Charles died at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 73. His funeral is next week in Los Angeles.

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COSTELLO: In health news this morning, each year more than 5,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma. It is one of the deadliest cancers. Now there is optimism an experimental therapy will help save lives.

CNN medical correspondent Holly Firfer has more for you.

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HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Brett Smith was told he had less than a year to live. With tumors in his liver, lungs and adrenal glands, melanoma was ravaging his body until he met Dr. Keith Flaherty who entered him into an experimental trial for a new melanoma therapy using a drug called Bay 439006.

DR. KEITH FLAHERTY, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA: It's a drug that blocks the function of an enzyme and, in this case, it's an enzyme that we know is abnormal or mutated in the majority of cases of melanoma.

FIRFER: By blocking that enzyme it prevents melanoma from growing and spreading. Early study results show that the drug in conjunction with traditional chemotherapy shrinks tumors and keeps them from recurring.

BRETT SMITH, MELANOMA PATIENT: Now I can live a normal life just by taking a pill in the morning and a pill at night.

FIRFER: Although this experimental therapy is showing promising results, Dr. Flaherty warns it's not a cure for cancer. It's a way to treat melanoma as a chronic disease. That's why the medical community is looking at other trials.

Dr. Frank Kaluska is working on an individualized vaccine using cells from a melanoma patient's own tumors and adding a gene which stimulates the body's immune system. Those treated cells are reinserted into the tumor with the hope that the recipient's own immune system gets a boost to destroy the cancer.

DR. FRANK KALUSKA, MASS. GENERAL HOSPITAL: And what we hope is that the vaccine makes them immune to melanoma so that the melanoma doesn't come back.

FIRFER: Dr. Kaluska adds it's important because right now there are no proven treatments to help melanoma patients like there are for some other cancers. He says patients like Donald Anderson would not be alive today if not for this experimental vaccine. DONALD ANDERSON, MELANOMA PATIENT: Until he tells me that there are no other alternatives then I will keep fighting and keep fighting and keep fighting.

FIRFER: Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: So, instead of heading to the beach this weekend, how about heading to a matinee. A remake of the popular "Stepford Wives" hits screens this weekend. And we will preview it for you in the next hour of DAYBREAK.

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