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CNN Live At Daybreak
Retirees and the Threat of AIDS; Toy Heaven Coming
Aired November 26, 2004 - 05:00 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.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: In Iraq's Falluja, a deadly mix -- an insurgents' laboratory with formulas and ingredients for making explosives and chemical agents. We are live to Baghdad in just 16 minutes.
Now in Florida, retirees and the threat of AIDS -- our Dr. Sanjay Gupta has a story about being HIV positive that may shock you.
And get ready to ride in style. Well, if you're a kid, that is, a kid with big bucks. A toy heaven is coming your way.
It is Friday, November 26 and you are watching DAYBREAK.
Well, Good morning, everybody.
Thanks for waking up with us on this morning after Thanksgiving.
I'm Betty Nguyen in for Carol Costello.
There is a lot going on this morning, so let's check the headlines right now.
The starting bell is about to ring. Today is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with many stores opening before dawn. Retailing experts predict holiday sales will be more than 4 1/2 percent higher than last year.
In Colorado, work crews have been at it through the night. Check out this video. They're trying to clear part of Interstate 70 west of Denver near Glenwood Springs. This huge rock slide forced both lanes to close and knocked a hole in the highway. Motorists face a 220-mile detour.
Well, more proof of the dangers still in Iraq's Falluja. Two Marines were killed and three others wounded when they were ambushed while searching a house there on Thursday.
A wave of protesters in Kiev. Ukraine's pro-Russia prime minister is kept from his offices by thousands of cheering opposition supporters. The Ukraine Supreme Court has barred publication of disputed election results.
And we want to go to Chad Myers, who's still recouping from that turkey dinner this morning -- good morning, Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning.
It was very good.
I hope you had a nice time, as well.
NGUYEN: I had a great one. I'm still full, though.
MYERS: Enjoyed the football and all that. It was a good day, all in all.
NGUYEN: It sure was.
MYERS: And it was a pretty good day for traveling yesterday, as that big storm that was in the east kind of pulled through.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Well, it's Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. And you know what that means. Today marks the official beginning of the end of the year holiday shopping season, make or break time for some stores. Retailers call it black Friday. Now black Friday refers to the surge of shoppers retailers count on for raising annual profits. And hopes, well, they are high. Sales are expected to be 4 to 6 percent higher this year. MasterCard, though, sees it a little differently. It is predicting the busiest the Thursday before Christmas, and that is December 23, for the those last minute shoppers.
The retailers want to build on last year's sales, but are you planning to help them? It seems some of you want to open your pocketbooks wider while others, well, they want to keep a lid on it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, once I get to the malls, I plan to spend. This has been a good year and I'm feeling very generous and I see a lot of buying over the next couple of weeks. Buy, buy, buy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm just ignoring them this year. I've had it with consumerism.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Funny how they talked to all men shoppers there.
Well, if the analysts are right, you just might be spending more this holiday season. The National Retail Federation predicts the average consumer will spend more than $700. That is off about 4 1/2 percent from last year. And the retailers are hoping to prove the analysts right. Some stores are opening even earlier today than they did last year, and cutting prices even more.
And if you are going for those holiday bargains, there is one place you won't find them. That is at FAO Schwarz. The ritzy New York City toy store is coming back from bankruptcy.
But as our Mary Snow reports, its prices, well, they still aren't child's play. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There was fanfare and fans. And the way the lines looked, you'd think something was being given out for free. But you'll be hard-pressed to find anything free, or cheap, for that matter, at FAO Schwarz. One of its attractions -- a gas-powered child size Ferrari that can go up to 15 miles per hour. The price tag? $50,000.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think this year. Maybe next year.
SNOW: Maybe he didn't buy one, but FAO Schwarz says Colin Farrell did. The storied toy store on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue reopened after filing for bankruptcy last year. Touted as the oldest toy store in America, FAO Schwarz succumbed to the fierce competition sparked by the likes of Wal-Mart. Now it's back with a new look and it's not worried about capturing crowds looking for cheap. Like this $150,000 dancing piano, similar to the one Tom Hanks made famous in the movie "Big"; or $300,000 for this motion simulator. It costs five bucks just to try it at the store.
In a world where discount stores are king, you won't find any bargains here. But for some that's the attraction.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I hate Wal-Mart.
KIM RICHMOND, FAO SCHWARZ: It's not really so much over the top as it is that you walk through the store and you just see so many amazing things.
UNIDENTIFIED FAO SCHWARZ EMPLOYEE: Your new best friend and make her just like you.
SNOW: Madam Alexander dolls for $40 a pop to look like you.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: They have some really cool toys.
SNOW: And a cool $135 will get you not just any Barbie, but one decked out in designer duds from Versace and Kate Spade.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I think it's a neat store with all of the Barbies around.
SNOW: But if you're interested in babies, not Barbies, there's a nursery complete with nurses for these newborn dolls for $80. Snacks cost a pretty penny, too. This California family splurged on a $100 ice cream sundae -- 12 scoops of ice cream, 26 ounces of Belgian chocolate, complete with mining hats, a hammer and pick to eat with.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a $100 sundae, but worth every penny.
SNOW (on camera): And if you really don't know what to get that special little someone and a $3,600 stuffed polar bear won't do, you can always go the gift certificate route. They have them for $50,000. If you really want to splurge, they have them for $100,000.
Mary Snow, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
NGUYEN: All right, now that brings us to DAYBREAK E-Mail Question of the Day. What is the must have item on your holiday shopping list? What about that child-sized Ferrari, a plasma television? You name it and we'll send this in. Or are you avoiding the mad dash altogether? We do want to hear from you, all you Santas out there. Just write in to DAYBREAK at cnn.com.
News across America this morning, Minnesota Timberwolves player Michael Olowokandi missed last night's game against the Indiana Pacers after being suspended for a nightclub incident in Indianapolis. Police were forced to shock the 7', 270 pound center twice with a stun gun when he refused to leave the bar at closing time. He was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.
A six-month-old Florida boy is back home after being caught up in a car theft. The child was in the back seat when someone took the car from a Tallahassee area housing project.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSEMARY REYNOLDS, MOTHER: I'm just trying to think positive. I'm happy. I'm happy now he's here with me. I'm so happy. I'm just glad he is not hurt. I'm glad. He is safe with me now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Glad to have her baby back. Doctors say the boy was not injured from being stuck in the car overnight. Police, though, are still searching for a suspect.
Michael Jackson's attorneys want a psychological evaluation performed on his accuser. They say the indictment is different from charges laid out during previous exams of the boy. They're also asking for a similar evaluation of the accuser's family. Now, the judge is expected to hear arguments on Monday.
And epidemic of SpongeBob related thefts -- we're not joking here -- have police looking all over for the big yellow sponge. In Wisconsin, they are looking for a six foot tall inflatable SpongeBob that was used to promote the SpongeBob SquarePants movie. Similar thefts have occurred at Burger King restaurants in Michigan, Minnesota and Utah. Maybe that's on some people's shopping lists.
Well, are you looking for that special someone? You might want to start by hailing a cab. That's right. But make sure it's the right one. We'll have more on that at 24 past.
Then, a huge Thanksgiving detour for hundreds of drivers. At 35 past, we'll tell you where it was raining rocks.
And later this hour, from the young to the old, it seems no one is immune. Details at 51 past.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Friday morning, November 26.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
NGUYEN: All right, we want to get a pre-dawn look at today's big shopping day.
Live now to Virginia Beach and reporter Rhona Williams of CNN affiliate WAVY.
She is outside a Best Buy store.
And I can imagine, I don't even have to ask are the lines long, because they usually are this time of the morning the day after Thanksgiving.
RHONA WILLIAMS, WAVY CORRESPONDENT: They are, indeed, Betty. I don't know why this surprises me, but as you mentioned, were here at the Best Buy in Virginia Beach. The first person in line says he got here shortly after 9:00 last night and since then, I can tell you, the line has grown tremendously. It's wrapped completely around the building. It's become sort of like a party out here. The folks say that the temperatures and the cold weather are not going to keep them from getting those bargains. The temperature, I can tell you, has dropped a significant amount from what it was about 24 hours ago. But that's not stopping the shoppers out here.
We're told that computers, DVD players and TVs seem to be typically the hot ticket item this year.
Now, as you know, the day after Thanksgiving, called black Friday, typically one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Retailers call it black Friday because it's time to pull in those big profits and get out of the red, if necessary.
Let me show you some of the things going on out here. We have Starbucks on that end giving out coffee and we also have Java Company out here that's setting up. This is the first time that I've seen this out here. They're setting up cappuccinos, Danishes, just making it an all time party. And some of these avid shoppers out here are ready for the doors to open in about 45 minutes.
It is typically pretty funny out here.
Let me talk to some of those folks out here. I can see what they're doing is handing out vouchers for the first people in line to guarantee getting those hot ticket bargain items.
What are you standing out here waiting for today?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Probably can get some...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A DVD player.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A DVD player. WILLIAMS: A DVD player?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
WILLIAMS: What's some of the hot items this year?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: PlayStation, Xbox, all that stuff.
WILLIAMS: What time did you get out here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 2:45?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
WILLIAMS: 2:45 this morning?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
WILLIAMS: The temperatures don't bother you at all.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's got...
WILLIAMS: Oh my goodness, we have a baby out here.
Yes, I can tell you that the store opens at 6:00 our time, about 45 minutes from now. The line wrapped completely around the building. Folks say they cannot wait to get inside and get those hot ticket items this year.
Back to you -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Rhona, people are there with their blankets covering them, with babies.
I mean are these items really that good of a deal to be out there since, one guy, 9:00 last night?
WILLIAMS: You know, we asked that question. 9:00 last night. And he looks like an Eskimo. He's completely wrapped up. And we've asked some of these people, you know, is it worth it? And they say if we can get in there and get these, the bargain sales, saving up to like $100 or so, then it's worth it. It's worth it being out here in the cold.
I don't know if I could do, but they're die hard shoppers.
NGUYEN: Me either. I'm with you on that one.
All right, Rhona Williams of affiliate WAVY, thank you for that report this morning.
Well, your news, money, weather and sports.
The time right now is 5:15 Eastern. Here is what's all new this morning.
Iran is telling world leaders what they want to hear. Top officials say the country will honor its pledge to freeze uranium enrichment and all related activities. Now, that commitment came this morning in Vienna, before the European Union and nuclear watchdog group, the U.N. nuclear watchdog group.
Presidential votes are still being counted in Ohio. That fact has led the Reverend Jesse Jackson to plan a Sunday rally in Columbus. Jackson is calling for an investigation into possible voting problems in the state.
In money, one day after making his debut in the Macy's Parade, SpongeBob SquarePants is again making news in New York. The cartoon character and now movie star will ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange this morning. We're all looking forward to that, of course.
Well, in culture, is "Bay Watch" the worst television show ever? British TV executives say it is the worst program ever imported into their country. They credit mind numbingly predictable scripts as the reason for ranking it that way.
All right, to sports now. The Dallas Cowboys snapped a three game losing streak with a 21-7 win over the Chicago Bears. Quarterback Vinnie Testaverde replaced struggling Ricky Drew Henson to lead the Cowboys to two second half touchdowns. Boy, glad my Cowboys finally pulled out a win -- Chad.
MYERS: It was so hard to watch the Bears in that red uniform.
NGUYEN: I know.
MYERS: I know it was a throwback to the old days, but you just haven't seen it in so many years it's like what is that? Are they the Orangemen? What is this, Syracuse playing?
NGUYEN: The Bears.
MYERS: Hey, good morning.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Well, police in central China are searching for a suspect in a deadly knife attack at a high school. Eight people are dead and four others were wounded in that attack.
Now, for the latest, we are joined by CNN's Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz -- good morning to you.
JAMIE FLORCRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
It was a cold-blooded crime that has shocked this small city in central China, where an unarmed man, a man armed with a knife, barged into this high school dormitory early Friday morning and stabbed to death eight students and wounded four others.
Now, the students were apparently sleeping when they were attacked, according to a high school officials we talked to by phone. And the Chinese police are still searching for the attacker and are investigating the motive of the crime.
Meantime, the case has already set off alarm bells in China. You know, China has traditionally enjoyed a relatively low crime rate. But in recent months, it has seen a series of knife attacks in schools and kindergartens.
Just last September, for example, a man wielding a knife and homemade bombs attacked 20 students in a kindergarten. And then a month before that, a janitor in a Beijing kindergarten also attacked students and teachers, killing one child -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Not the kind of trend China wants to see.
Jaime FlorCruz, thank you for that report.
Manufacturing death -- Iraq's national security adviser says that is what insurgents were doing at what appears to be a lab in Falluja. U.S. and Iraqi officials say chemical materials were found at the site.
And our Karl Penhaul is in Baghdad with the latest on this -- hi there, Karl.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Betty.
This laboratory was discovered in the southeast corner of the city of Falluja. And, as you say, National Security Adviser Kassim Daoud has described this as a chemicals laboratory. Nevertheless, a U.S. military spokesman on the ground says that we shouldn't jump too fast to conclusions and describe this as a chemical weapons lab because he says there's no evidence at this stage to suggest that insurgents who used this area were, in fact, manufacturing anything beyond explosives there. There isn't even any evidence, he says, that research into chemical weapons was being carried out.
But certainly what was found in that laboratory were some industrial chemicals that can also be poisonous. And that seems to be what a U.S. military spokesman in Washington has referred to when he said that inside that laboratory there were some what he termed chemical blood agents.
In layman's terms, all these chemical blood agents are industrial mass produced chemicals that can also be poisonous.
But certainly other evidence found at that building also suggests that it was used as a torture room and to kill victims. And so a pretty horrific find, whatever the outcome of this is -- Betty.
NGUYEN: No doubt.
Karl, I want to ask you, though, any clues as to who was running that lab? Al-Zarqawi's people? Maybe Saddam's old regime? Do you know?
PENHAUL: We have seen in some of the slide photographs that Kassim Daoud showed in a press conference yesterday, in one of those slides, there's clearly visible a banner of the Taweden Jihad Movement (ph), otherwise known as the al-Zarqawi network. That was one of the black banners with gold lettering on it. Introductions seem to be that it could have been them who were using this laboratory -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Karl Penhaul in Baghdad for us this morning.
Thank you, Karl.
Still to come this morning, Americans are visiting Britain in record numbers, but they are not leaving behind record amounts of greenbacks.
And watch your step with a certain New York cab driver or you might be next to go down the aisle.
And today's E-Mail Question -- what is the must have item on your holiday shopping list?
You are watching DAYBREAK for Friday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right, before you go out and get yourself mauled today, we'll fortify you with some "Late Night Laughs."
MYERS: Maestro, some Turkey Day highlights, please.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)
JAY LENO, HOST: The great thing about Thanksgiving Day is all the big match-ups, you know? The Cowboys versus the Bears at Texas stadium. They were there. The Colts versus the Lions at Ford Field. And, of course, Michael Moore versus Kirsti Ally at the Hometown Buffet. That was, that was, that was the most vicious.
But you know the original Thanksgiving where the Indians and the pilgrims gathered together -- a lot of people don't know this -- apparently then an Indian got hit with a beer. All hell broke loose and one of the pilgrims was suspended for a whole fortnight. Did you know that?
We eat way too much in this country, especially -- and on Thanksgiving, even our national symbols, you can see that in our national symbols how much we eat. Show that photo today from New York. See what I'm saying?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, COURTESY CBS/WORLDWIDE PANTS) DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST: You know, each giant balloon, each of those giant balloons that you see takes 54 men to control it with tethers, big cables that are tethering the balloon. It's the same team that gets Michael Moore into his pants.
Oh, let's see, you've got the Butterball turkey, $22; pumpkin pie, $10; spending day with relatives you can't stand, priceless.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: You know, they did get one thing right -- we eat way too much. I did plenty of that yesterday. I'm going to be paying for it.
MYERS: Did you? I was trying to be very, very cautious because I didn't want to...
NGUYEN: Why?
MYERS: Because I wanted to make it to dessert.
NGUYEN: Oh, that's true.
MYERS: I always eat so much at the beginning that I never make it to the good part.
NGUYEN: You've got to constantly graze throughout the day.
MYERS: Yes, that's right.
NGUYEN: I think that's the key to it.
All right, Chad...
MYERS: Talk to you in a few.
NGUYEN: Talk to you in a little bit.
MYERS: Right.
NGUYEN: Well, we do want to give you live pictures. Look at this. You know, we're talking about this being a black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. This is at a Wal-Mart in Alpharetta, Georgia. And these folks are lining up by the dozens. I can't see out the door to see how long this line is, but getting in line already, what, at 5:27 Eastern to get in on those holiday deals. And they are ready with their shopping carts in hand. So we'll see how this one goes. We'll continue to watch all of these areas today, as shoppers head out for those bargains.
Well, a couple of days ago, we told you about a New York cab driver who fancies himself as a modern day Cupid. He gets to know his regular customers and then plays matchmaker with the ones he thinks might hit it off.
While he apparently has quite a knack for it, as CNN's Chindrinka Norayin. And she wanted to know more about this. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
CHINDRIKA NORAYIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Meet New York taxi driver and matchmaker Ahmed Ibrahim.
AHMED IBRAHIM, CAB DRIVER/MATCHMAKER: Twenty-one years and you listen to all the stories and I realized they are missing each other by one get out, one get into my taxi. So I said you know what? I've got to do something about it. So I started to help some people.
What kind of job do you do?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am a buyer.
NORAYIN: Armed with a digital recorder, the Egyptian immigrant conducts brief interviews with regular passengers, then connects couples he thinks are made for each other. The rest, he says, is up to them.
This couple took a ride in Ahmed's taxi, then went on to ride through the tunnel of love. They've been dating six months now.
NATALIE DILLON, AHMED CUSTOMER: We both felt that, you know, meeting Ahmed, he's just, he's such a character. And somehow you trust him and you believe that he really wants to help you out. And we, I don't know, it was great meeting someone else that thought what the hell, why not try something new, you know, in order to meet someone in New York?
MARTIN KARAMON, AHMED CUSTOMER: I think, honestly, because it sounded so outrageous and so different, that I was less skeptical. Because to me it was more like sort of this New York adventure that I went on.
NORAYIN: Ahmed dispenses some keen advice to customers. First dates should take place on a weekday, he says. And try not to be too choosy.
IBRAHIM: If you find seven points of 10 points in a guy, please go out with him. Give him a chance. Don't be picky, you know? It's like high school, you're looking for Miss. Universe. You go to college, you look for Mr. America. You know, when you -- when we get older, we say hey, Miss. Brooklyn is OK for me.
NORAYIN: While his clients come first, the divorced matchmaker is also in the market to find a suitable match for himself. So far, Ahmed hasn't found his Miss. Brooklyn.
Chindrinka Norayin, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
NGUYEN: Yes, maybe he should take some of his own advice and try not to be so choosy, right? That's the key, we hear.
All right, well here is what is next during DAYBREAK today. Americans taking vacations overseas are keeping their hands in their pockets and their cash, as well.
Also, in western Colorado, boulders as big as buses bring I-70 to a standstill.
From Atlanta, this is DAYBREAK for Friday morning, November 26.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired November 26, 2004 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: In Iraq's Falluja, a deadly mix -- an insurgents' laboratory with formulas and ingredients for making explosives and chemical agents. We are live to Baghdad in just 16 minutes.
Now in Florida, retirees and the threat of AIDS -- our Dr. Sanjay Gupta has a story about being HIV positive that may shock you.
And get ready to ride in style. Well, if you're a kid, that is, a kid with big bucks. A toy heaven is coming your way.
It is Friday, November 26 and you are watching DAYBREAK.
Well, Good morning, everybody.
Thanks for waking up with us on this morning after Thanksgiving.
I'm Betty Nguyen in for Carol Costello.
There is a lot going on this morning, so let's check the headlines right now.
The starting bell is about to ring. Today is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with many stores opening before dawn. Retailing experts predict holiday sales will be more than 4 1/2 percent higher than last year.
In Colorado, work crews have been at it through the night. Check out this video. They're trying to clear part of Interstate 70 west of Denver near Glenwood Springs. This huge rock slide forced both lanes to close and knocked a hole in the highway. Motorists face a 220-mile detour.
Well, more proof of the dangers still in Iraq's Falluja. Two Marines were killed and three others wounded when they were ambushed while searching a house there on Thursday.
A wave of protesters in Kiev. Ukraine's pro-Russia prime minister is kept from his offices by thousands of cheering opposition supporters. The Ukraine Supreme Court has barred publication of disputed election results.
And we want to go to Chad Myers, who's still recouping from that turkey dinner this morning -- good morning, Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning.
It was very good.
I hope you had a nice time, as well.
NGUYEN: I had a great one. I'm still full, though.
MYERS: Enjoyed the football and all that. It was a good day, all in all.
NGUYEN: It sure was.
MYERS: And it was a pretty good day for traveling yesterday, as that big storm that was in the east kind of pulled through.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Well, it's Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. And you know what that means. Today marks the official beginning of the end of the year holiday shopping season, make or break time for some stores. Retailers call it black Friday. Now black Friday refers to the surge of shoppers retailers count on for raising annual profits. And hopes, well, they are high. Sales are expected to be 4 to 6 percent higher this year. MasterCard, though, sees it a little differently. It is predicting the busiest the Thursday before Christmas, and that is December 23, for the those last minute shoppers.
The retailers want to build on last year's sales, but are you planning to help them? It seems some of you want to open your pocketbooks wider while others, well, they want to keep a lid on it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, once I get to the malls, I plan to spend. This has been a good year and I'm feeling very generous and I see a lot of buying over the next couple of weeks. Buy, buy, buy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm just ignoring them this year. I've had it with consumerism.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Funny how they talked to all men shoppers there.
Well, if the analysts are right, you just might be spending more this holiday season. The National Retail Federation predicts the average consumer will spend more than $700. That is off about 4 1/2 percent from last year. And the retailers are hoping to prove the analysts right. Some stores are opening even earlier today than they did last year, and cutting prices even more.
And if you are going for those holiday bargains, there is one place you won't find them. That is at FAO Schwarz. The ritzy New York City toy store is coming back from bankruptcy.
But as our Mary Snow reports, its prices, well, they still aren't child's play. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There was fanfare and fans. And the way the lines looked, you'd think something was being given out for free. But you'll be hard-pressed to find anything free, or cheap, for that matter, at FAO Schwarz. One of its attractions -- a gas-powered child size Ferrari that can go up to 15 miles per hour. The price tag? $50,000.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think this year. Maybe next year.
SNOW: Maybe he didn't buy one, but FAO Schwarz says Colin Farrell did. The storied toy store on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue reopened after filing for bankruptcy last year. Touted as the oldest toy store in America, FAO Schwarz succumbed to the fierce competition sparked by the likes of Wal-Mart. Now it's back with a new look and it's not worried about capturing crowds looking for cheap. Like this $150,000 dancing piano, similar to the one Tom Hanks made famous in the movie "Big"; or $300,000 for this motion simulator. It costs five bucks just to try it at the store.
In a world where discount stores are king, you won't find any bargains here. But for some that's the attraction.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I hate Wal-Mart.
KIM RICHMOND, FAO SCHWARZ: It's not really so much over the top as it is that you walk through the store and you just see so many amazing things.
UNIDENTIFIED FAO SCHWARZ EMPLOYEE: Your new best friend and make her just like you.
SNOW: Madam Alexander dolls for $40 a pop to look like you.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: They have some really cool toys.
SNOW: And a cool $135 will get you not just any Barbie, but one decked out in designer duds from Versace and Kate Spade.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: I think it's a neat store with all of the Barbies around.
SNOW: But if you're interested in babies, not Barbies, there's a nursery complete with nurses for these newborn dolls for $80. Snacks cost a pretty penny, too. This California family splurged on a $100 ice cream sundae -- 12 scoops of ice cream, 26 ounces of Belgian chocolate, complete with mining hats, a hammer and pick to eat with.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a $100 sundae, but worth every penny.
SNOW (on camera): And if you really don't know what to get that special little someone and a $3,600 stuffed polar bear won't do, you can always go the gift certificate route. They have them for $50,000. If you really want to splurge, they have them for $100,000.
Mary Snow, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
NGUYEN: All right, now that brings us to DAYBREAK E-Mail Question of the Day. What is the must have item on your holiday shopping list? What about that child-sized Ferrari, a plasma television? You name it and we'll send this in. Or are you avoiding the mad dash altogether? We do want to hear from you, all you Santas out there. Just write in to DAYBREAK at cnn.com.
News across America this morning, Minnesota Timberwolves player Michael Olowokandi missed last night's game against the Indiana Pacers after being suspended for a nightclub incident in Indianapolis. Police were forced to shock the 7', 270 pound center twice with a stun gun when he refused to leave the bar at closing time. He was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.
A six-month-old Florida boy is back home after being caught up in a car theft. The child was in the back seat when someone took the car from a Tallahassee area housing project.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROSEMARY REYNOLDS, MOTHER: I'm just trying to think positive. I'm happy. I'm happy now he's here with me. I'm so happy. I'm just glad he is not hurt. I'm glad. He is safe with me now.
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NGUYEN: Glad to have her baby back. Doctors say the boy was not injured from being stuck in the car overnight. Police, though, are still searching for a suspect.
Michael Jackson's attorneys want a psychological evaluation performed on his accuser. They say the indictment is different from charges laid out during previous exams of the boy. They're also asking for a similar evaluation of the accuser's family. Now, the judge is expected to hear arguments on Monday.
And epidemic of SpongeBob related thefts -- we're not joking here -- have police looking all over for the big yellow sponge. In Wisconsin, they are looking for a six foot tall inflatable SpongeBob that was used to promote the SpongeBob SquarePants movie. Similar thefts have occurred at Burger King restaurants in Michigan, Minnesota and Utah. Maybe that's on some people's shopping lists.
Well, are you looking for that special someone? You might want to start by hailing a cab. That's right. But make sure it's the right one. We'll have more on that at 24 past.
Then, a huge Thanksgiving detour for hundreds of drivers. At 35 past, we'll tell you where it was raining rocks.
And later this hour, from the young to the old, it seems no one is immune. Details at 51 past.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Friday morning, November 26.
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NGUYEN: All right, we want to get a pre-dawn look at today's big shopping day.
Live now to Virginia Beach and reporter Rhona Williams of CNN affiliate WAVY.
She is outside a Best Buy store.
And I can imagine, I don't even have to ask are the lines long, because they usually are this time of the morning the day after Thanksgiving.
RHONA WILLIAMS, WAVY CORRESPONDENT: They are, indeed, Betty. I don't know why this surprises me, but as you mentioned, were here at the Best Buy in Virginia Beach. The first person in line says he got here shortly after 9:00 last night and since then, I can tell you, the line has grown tremendously. It's wrapped completely around the building. It's become sort of like a party out here. The folks say that the temperatures and the cold weather are not going to keep them from getting those bargains. The temperature, I can tell you, has dropped a significant amount from what it was about 24 hours ago. But that's not stopping the shoppers out here.
We're told that computers, DVD players and TVs seem to be typically the hot ticket item this year.
Now, as you know, the day after Thanksgiving, called black Friday, typically one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Retailers call it black Friday because it's time to pull in those big profits and get out of the red, if necessary.
Let me show you some of the things going on out here. We have Starbucks on that end giving out coffee and we also have Java Company out here that's setting up. This is the first time that I've seen this out here. They're setting up cappuccinos, Danishes, just making it an all time party. And some of these avid shoppers out here are ready for the doors to open in about 45 minutes.
It is typically pretty funny out here.
Let me talk to some of those folks out here. I can see what they're doing is handing out vouchers for the first people in line to guarantee getting those hot ticket bargain items.
What are you standing out here waiting for today?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Probably can get some...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A DVD player.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A DVD player. WILLIAMS: A DVD player?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
WILLIAMS: What's some of the hot items this year?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: PlayStation, Xbox, all that stuff.
WILLIAMS: What time did you get out here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 2:45?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
WILLIAMS: 2:45 this morning?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
WILLIAMS: The temperatures don't bother you at all.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's got...
WILLIAMS: Oh my goodness, we have a baby out here.
Yes, I can tell you that the store opens at 6:00 our time, about 45 minutes from now. The line wrapped completely around the building. Folks say they cannot wait to get inside and get those hot ticket items this year.
Back to you -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Rhona, people are there with their blankets covering them, with babies.
I mean are these items really that good of a deal to be out there since, one guy, 9:00 last night?
WILLIAMS: You know, we asked that question. 9:00 last night. And he looks like an Eskimo. He's completely wrapped up. And we've asked some of these people, you know, is it worth it? And they say if we can get in there and get these, the bargain sales, saving up to like $100 or so, then it's worth it. It's worth it being out here in the cold.
I don't know if I could do, but they're die hard shoppers.
NGUYEN: Me either. I'm with you on that one.
All right, Rhona Williams of affiliate WAVY, thank you for that report this morning.
Well, your news, money, weather and sports.
The time right now is 5:15 Eastern. Here is what's all new this morning.
Iran is telling world leaders what they want to hear. Top officials say the country will honor its pledge to freeze uranium enrichment and all related activities. Now, that commitment came this morning in Vienna, before the European Union and nuclear watchdog group, the U.N. nuclear watchdog group.
Presidential votes are still being counted in Ohio. That fact has led the Reverend Jesse Jackson to plan a Sunday rally in Columbus. Jackson is calling for an investigation into possible voting problems in the state.
In money, one day after making his debut in the Macy's Parade, SpongeBob SquarePants is again making news in New York. The cartoon character and now movie star will ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange this morning. We're all looking forward to that, of course.
Well, in culture, is "Bay Watch" the worst television show ever? British TV executives say it is the worst program ever imported into their country. They credit mind numbingly predictable scripts as the reason for ranking it that way.
All right, to sports now. The Dallas Cowboys snapped a three game losing streak with a 21-7 win over the Chicago Bears. Quarterback Vinnie Testaverde replaced struggling Ricky Drew Henson to lead the Cowboys to two second half touchdowns. Boy, glad my Cowboys finally pulled out a win -- Chad.
MYERS: It was so hard to watch the Bears in that red uniform.
NGUYEN: I know.
MYERS: I know it was a throwback to the old days, but you just haven't seen it in so many years it's like what is that? Are they the Orangemen? What is this, Syracuse playing?
NGUYEN: The Bears.
MYERS: Hey, good morning.
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NGUYEN: Well, police in central China are searching for a suspect in a deadly knife attack at a high school. Eight people are dead and four others were wounded in that attack.
Now, for the latest, we are joined by CNN's Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz -- good morning to you.
JAMIE FLORCRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
It was a cold-blooded crime that has shocked this small city in central China, where an unarmed man, a man armed with a knife, barged into this high school dormitory early Friday morning and stabbed to death eight students and wounded four others.
Now, the students were apparently sleeping when they were attacked, according to a high school officials we talked to by phone. And the Chinese police are still searching for the attacker and are investigating the motive of the crime.
Meantime, the case has already set off alarm bells in China. You know, China has traditionally enjoyed a relatively low crime rate. But in recent months, it has seen a series of knife attacks in schools and kindergartens.
Just last September, for example, a man wielding a knife and homemade bombs attacked 20 students in a kindergarten. And then a month before that, a janitor in a Beijing kindergarten also attacked students and teachers, killing one child -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Not the kind of trend China wants to see.
Jaime FlorCruz, thank you for that report.
Manufacturing death -- Iraq's national security adviser says that is what insurgents were doing at what appears to be a lab in Falluja. U.S. and Iraqi officials say chemical materials were found at the site.
And our Karl Penhaul is in Baghdad with the latest on this -- hi there, Karl.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Betty.
This laboratory was discovered in the southeast corner of the city of Falluja. And, as you say, National Security Adviser Kassim Daoud has described this as a chemicals laboratory. Nevertheless, a U.S. military spokesman on the ground says that we shouldn't jump too fast to conclusions and describe this as a chemical weapons lab because he says there's no evidence at this stage to suggest that insurgents who used this area were, in fact, manufacturing anything beyond explosives there. There isn't even any evidence, he says, that research into chemical weapons was being carried out.
But certainly what was found in that laboratory were some industrial chemicals that can also be poisonous. And that seems to be what a U.S. military spokesman in Washington has referred to when he said that inside that laboratory there were some what he termed chemical blood agents.
In layman's terms, all these chemical blood agents are industrial mass produced chemicals that can also be poisonous.
But certainly other evidence found at that building also suggests that it was used as a torture room and to kill victims. And so a pretty horrific find, whatever the outcome of this is -- Betty.
NGUYEN: No doubt.
Karl, I want to ask you, though, any clues as to who was running that lab? Al-Zarqawi's people? Maybe Saddam's old regime? Do you know?
PENHAUL: We have seen in some of the slide photographs that Kassim Daoud showed in a press conference yesterday, in one of those slides, there's clearly visible a banner of the Taweden Jihad Movement (ph), otherwise known as the al-Zarqawi network. That was one of the black banners with gold lettering on it. Introductions seem to be that it could have been them who were using this laboratory -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Karl Penhaul in Baghdad for us this morning.
Thank you, Karl.
Still to come this morning, Americans are visiting Britain in record numbers, but they are not leaving behind record amounts of greenbacks.
And watch your step with a certain New York cab driver or you might be next to go down the aisle.
And today's E-Mail Question -- what is the must have item on your holiday shopping list?
You are watching DAYBREAK for Friday.
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NGUYEN: All right, before you go out and get yourself mauled today, we'll fortify you with some "Late Night Laughs."
MYERS: Maestro, some Turkey Day highlights, please.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)
JAY LENO, HOST: The great thing about Thanksgiving Day is all the big match-ups, you know? The Cowboys versus the Bears at Texas stadium. They were there. The Colts versus the Lions at Ford Field. And, of course, Michael Moore versus Kirsti Ally at the Hometown Buffet. That was, that was, that was the most vicious.
But you know the original Thanksgiving where the Indians and the pilgrims gathered together -- a lot of people don't know this -- apparently then an Indian got hit with a beer. All hell broke loose and one of the pilgrims was suspended for a whole fortnight. Did you know that?
We eat way too much in this country, especially -- and on Thanksgiving, even our national symbols, you can see that in our national symbols how much we eat. Show that photo today from New York. See what I'm saying?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, COURTESY CBS/WORLDWIDE PANTS) DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST: You know, each giant balloon, each of those giant balloons that you see takes 54 men to control it with tethers, big cables that are tethering the balloon. It's the same team that gets Michael Moore into his pants.
Oh, let's see, you've got the Butterball turkey, $22; pumpkin pie, $10; spending day with relatives you can't stand, priceless.
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NGUYEN: You know, they did get one thing right -- we eat way too much. I did plenty of that yesterday. I'm going to be paying for it.
MYERS: Did you? I was trying to be very, very cautious because I didn't want to...
NGUYEN: Why?
MYERS: Because I wanted to make it to dessert.
NGUYEN: Oh, that's true.
MYERS: I always eat so much at the beginning that I never make it to the good part.
NGUYEN: You've got to constantly graze throughout the day.
MYERS: Yes, that's right.
NGUYEN: I think that's the key to it.
All right, Chad...
MYERS: Talk to you in a few.
NGUYEN: Talk to you in a little bit.
MYERS: Right.
NGUYEN: Well, we do want to give you live pictures. Look at this. You know, we're talking about this being a black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. This is at a Wal-Mart in Alpharetta, Georgia. And these folks are lining up by the dozens. I can't see out the door to see how long this line is, but getting in line already, what, at 5:27 Eastern to get in on those holiday deals. And they are ready with their shopping carts in hand. So we'll see how this one goes. We'll continue to watch all of these areas today, as shoppers head out for those bargains.
Well, a couple of days ago, we told you about a New York cab driver who fancies himself as a modern day Cupid. He gets to know his regular customers and then plays matchmaker with the ones he thinks might hit it off.
While he apparently has quite a knack for it, as CNN's Chindrinka Norayin. And she wanted to know more about this. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
CHINDRIKA NORAYIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Meet New York taxi driver and matchmaker Ahmed Ibrahim.
AHMED IBRAHIM, CAB DRIVER/MATCHMAKER: Twenty-one years and you listen to all the stories and I realized they are missing each other by one get out, one get into my taxi. So I said you know what? I've got to do something about it. So I started to help some people.
What kind of job do you do?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am a buyer.
NORAYIN: Armed with a digital recorder, the Egyptian immigrant conducts brief interviews with regular passengers, then connects couples he thinks are made for each other. The rest, he says, is up to them.
This couple took a ride in Ahmed's taxi, then went on to ride through the tunnel of love. They've been dating six months now.
NATALIE DILLON, AHMED CUSTOMER: We both felt that, you know, meeting Ahmed, he's just, he's such a character. And somehow you trust him and you believe that he really wants to help you out. And we, I don't know, it was great meeting someone else that thought what the hell, why not try something new, you know, in order to meet someone in New York?
MARTIN KARAMON, AHMED CUSTOMER: I think, honestly, because it sounded so outrageous and so different, that I was less skeptical. Because to me it was more like sort of this New York adventure that I went on.
NORAYIN: Ahmed dispenses some keen advice to customers. First dates should take place on a weekday, he says. And try not to be too choosy.
IBRAHIM: If you find seven points of 10 points in a guy, please go out with him. Give him a chance. Don't be picky, you know? It's like high school, you're looking for Miss. Universe. You go to college, you look for Mr. America. You know, when you -- when we get older, we say hey, Miss. Brooklyn is OK for me.
NORAYIN: While his clients come first, the divorced matchmaker is also in the market to find a suitable match for himself. So far, Ahmed hasn't found his Miss. Brooklyn.
Chindrinka Norayin, CNN, Atlanta.
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NGUYEN: Yes, maybe he should take some of his own advice and try not to be so choosy, right? That's the key, we hear.
All right, well here is what is next during DAYBREAK today. Americans taking vacations overseas are keeping their hands in their pockets and their cash, as well.
Also, in western Colorado, boulders as big as buses bring I-70 to a standstill.
From Atlanta, this is DAYBREAK for Friday morning, November 26.
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