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CNN Live At Daybreak

Supreme Court to Consider Eminent Domain Property Rights; Cartoonist Drawing Fire in Iraq

Aired February 22, 2005 - 06:30   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: Could a legal fight over this Connecticut home convince the Supreme Court to protect your property?
And California gets that sinking feeling again. We'll take a look at the worst damage.

It is Tuesday, February 22. You are watching DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you. From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

"Now in the News."

A powerful earthquake jolts central Iran. The latest reports say 231 people are dead, hundreds of others injured. The 6.4 magnitude quake sent panicked residents pouring into the streets. Hospital officials say they're maxed out and cannot handle anymore of the injured.

President Bush takes his message of trans-Atlantic unity to the NATO and European Union summits in Brussels today. He wants European leaders to help more with Iraq's post-war democracy.

Police near Dallas, Texas, recovered an SUV belonging to a missing pregnant woman, but not the woman and her 7-year-old son. They are still missing. They've been missing since Saturday. A local Amber Alert has been expanded nationwide.

In California, it's back to court for Michael Jackson. Jury selection resumes today in his child molestation trial. The process was delayed last week when the singer was hospitalized with the flu.

To the forecast center now and Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Would you give up your home so your community could have a new convention center or maybe some condos or even a parking lot? Are you familiar with the words "eminent domain?" That's how local governments take over private property for public use. And the Supreme Court hears arguments on one neighborhood's case today.

Joining us with more is CNN's Radio Dick Uliano. He's in Washington.

And I guess, Dick, this all started with a grandmother in Connecticut, who didn't want to move out of her home?

DICK ULIANO, CNN RADIO: Exactly. Her name is Susette Kelo, and she bought some waterfront property in New London, Connecticut, in 1997 on the Thames River for something like $50,000. And she likes her little two-bedroom pink Victorian home.

But now the city of New London says that Kelo and her neighbors need to move, because the city wants to economically develop this area with some mixed type of zoning, including businesses, stores, perhaps condos. And they are intent on seizing the land by eminent domain.

Not fair, says Kelo. She wants to hold on to her property.

COSTELLO: And this has gone all the way to the Supreme Court now.

ULIANO: It's an interesting case, because nobody in this case, Carol, is arguing the constitutionality of eminent domain. It's been around for a long time. Governments can take private property for the public good, for public use.

This was used extensively in the 1960s and the 1970s. For example, for highway construction, to build a school.

But what's different is about 20 years ago, the courts made this public use much broader than it had been. And now the courts say that public use can be really anything, including economic development, not just a highway. And Susette Kelo and her neighbors say that's not right. And so, they've taken this all the way to the high court.

COSTELLO: Well, we'll see what the high court rules. Thank you. Dick Uliano reporting live from Washington this morning.

Despite promises not to significantly boost troops strength in Iraq, Australia's prime minister says he will send as many as 470 more troops to Iraq. They'll protect Japanese engineers and replace Dutch troops who are leaving in March.

Iraqis from all walks of life are showing courage and tremendous danger from insurgents. One very brave man is using his talent to target the insurgency.

Let's head live to Baghdad and find out more from Nic Robertson.

Hello -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, you know when Saddam Hussein was in power here, nobody could criticize his leadership. And now, there are literally hundreds of newspapers in the country with plenty of cartoonists willing to put their name to pictures to parody the situation in Iraq, the lack of electricity and whatever else it is that people feel in their lives.

But one man we found is willing, in his cartoons, to really take on the terrorists.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTSON (voice over): It's painful and provocative, and that's exactly what this cartoon is supposed to be.

"The most painful thing I've ever drawn," newspaper cartoonist Muayyad Nima tells me.

"So many Iraqis have been killed by insurgents, he explains. But their bodies are like a sea, but Iraq is determined to sail across to a better place."

MUAYYAD NIMA, CARTOONIST (through translator): I try to make the viewers see the cartoon in its real form, so he's shocked by the ideas. So at least he starts to realize that he cannot be neutral, that he has to take a side.

ROBERTSON: But his pictures, like this one of a family watching TV, reveling in the bloodshed by insurgents, or this, where Iraqis simply ignore insurgents on a killing spree. And not just a wake-up call to Iraqis. They are a direct challenge to the insurgents.

NIMA (through translator): I try to make my style as one of a stand. That is why I cartoon, which gives a sense of deepness after all these events and this atmosphere that is full of killing and terrorism. I have to be tough.

ROBERTSON: And Muayyad's message does seem to be getting through.

"His cartoons go deep into the true reality," this reader says. "It really is stinging criticism."

Such critique, though, is a new and rare phenomenon. Saddam Hussein banned dissent. And today, few cartoonists dare risk the insurgents' wrath and possible death.

NIMA (through translator): It seems I am not feeling the fear. It is not heroism. I feel that I'm presenting a work that enlightens people.

ROBERTSON: Some of his pictures need no explanation. For this grandfather who made a living teaching ceramics during Saddam Hussein's rule, years of artistic frustration finally being released.

NIMA (through translator): I have to be like this. When I implement an idea, I really feel that some people are being moved by the idea, which means that I am on the right path.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTSON: And information we've got just in, in the last few minutes, an Iraqi Special Forces convoy was moving through Baghdad. It was attacked by insurgents. And according to a local hospital, three people have been killed and 32 wounded -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Nic Robertson reporting live from Baghdad this morning. Thank you.

The president's trip to Europe is a pivotal one for the United States with plenty of handshakes and fence-mending to go around. But so much more is at stake.

For that, we go to CNN's Soledad O'Brien with a look ahead to "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning -- Soledad.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol, good morning to you.

And you're absolutely right. President Bush is reaching out once again today to Europe. Today, he's going to meet with NATO and EU leaders in Brussels. Iraq, Syria, Iran are all expected to be topics of discussion.

So, what exactly does the president hope to achieve? And just how difficult will it be to get European support?

This morning, we talk with Dan Bartlett -- he is a counselor to the president --about all that.

That's ahead this morning on "AMERICAN MORNING" in just about 20 minutes -- Carol.

COSTELLO: We'll see you then. Thank you, Soledad.

A military branch and a gay rights group, an unusual team. We'll tell you about that in just a bit.

Then, a look at the amazing damage caused by the latest rounds of storms in California.

Here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's time now for a little "Business Buzz." Airport employees filed a lawsuit over potential health hazards at a major airport. Can you get sick in the airport?

Carrie Lee live at the Nasdaq Marketsite with the answer.

Good morning -- Carrie.

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Or in the terminal area anyway, Carol. That's right. CNN is learning of a lawsuit filed on behalf of employees at Denver International Airport United's terminal.

Now, the suit is accusing the airport of failing to stop de-icing fluid, raw sewage and mold from contaminating Concourse B and endangering workers.

This is similar to another suit that was filed back in 2003, the same lawyers. That suit, by the way, is still unresolved. And that case involved two employees of United Airlines who allegedly suffered respiratory problems and other ailments consistent with toxic exposure.

Now, the lawyers are hoping this latest case is going to force the airport, as well as the city, to clean up the alleged contamination. The airport, by the way, opened in 1994. The lawsuit states that the problems began soon after.

So, we'll keep an eye on that story, a rather interesting one.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

LEE: Yes. Meanwhile, turning to...

COSTELLO: What...

LEE: Oh, sorry. I knew you were going to ask about the futures.

COSTELLO: Well, I was just going to ask you.

LEE: Yes. It looks like a weak open for today's session, Carol. One stock to watch, Home Depot, out with profits for the recent quarter, in line with expectations, showing a bottom line gain of 13 percent year over year.

Back to you.

COSTELLO: Thank you. Carrie Lee live at the Nasdaq Marketsite.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:44 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

President Bush poses for pictures with European leaders in Brussels. He's at NATO headquarters now. All 26 alliance members are said to be prepared to help with an Iraqi training mission in some way.

The casualty count has been changing through the morning following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in central Iran. Officials now say 231 people are dead, at least 650 injured.

In money news, airlines are scaling back or eliminating bereavement rates as part of an effort to revamp pricing strategies. The bereavement fares may not be widely missed, because they typically did not offer big savings anyway.

In culture, a Georgia company has bought Johnny Carson's boyhood home. Historic Properties says the two-story home in Norfolk, Nebraska, will become a memorial of some kind to honor the late entertainer.

In sports, Barry Bonds is scheduled to talk to the media when he arrives at the San Francisco Giants spring training camp later today. It will be the first time he's spoken publicly since his grand jury testimony in the steroid controversy was leaked. And I just wonder if he'll mention Jose Canseco.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.

The search for that pregnant mother and her 7-year-old son is entering the fourth day now.

CNN's Soledad O'Brien is following the story on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Hey, Carol, good morning to you. In fact, a massive search is under way this morning. The pregnant woman and her 7-year- old son have missing, as you said, since Saturday. Blood was found in her living room. And yesterday, her SUV was found in a creek bed just north of Dallas. No sign, though, of either the mother or the little boy.

This morning, we talk to the woman's aunt, and she's going to tell us what she thinks may have happened.

Carol, that's coming up at the top of the hour on "AMERICAN MORNING." COSTELLO: All right, we'll see you then. Thank you, Soledad.

Coming up on DAYBREAK, the Wild West lives up to its name when it comes to the weather. No, that's not an above-ground pool. It's an in-ground pool, at least it was. Mudslide madness next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Hail, floods and mudslides, just some of the wild weather that's been gripping parts of the United States. Hail piled up on the wet streets of north Georgia as severe storms rolled through. Storms brought lightening strikes, sparked four house fires, power was knocked out, streets were flooded. Authorities blamed the weather for a traffic crash that killed a woman. And you can see the hail there in Atlanta.

In Las Vegas, flooding turned some streets into rivers, and more rain from a wet winter storm is in the forecast. Police say there were so many traffic accidents they have not even counted them all yet.

In Los Angeles -- excuse me -- a 30-foot sinkhole opened up, thanks to several days of heavy rain and flooding. And engineer who was assessing the hole was killed when he was swept into it. At least four other deaths in California are blamed on the weather.

And that nasty weather is also to blame for mudslides that threatened dozens of homes in a wealthy Bel Air neighborhood. An entire back yard swimming pool, and the whole back yard as well, took a big tumble. The multimillion dollar home is still intact, at least for now. We get more on that story from Kim Ruggie (ph) of our affiliate station KTLA.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice over): In a matter of seconds, the back yard of this home on Roberto Lane collapsed, and down the hill it went, swimming pool and all. You can see the barbecue, chairs, potted plants, a trail of debris and mud down the Bel Air hillside.

The owner of the home, Lonnie McKee, couldn't believe her eyes.

LONNIE MCKEE, HOMEOWNER: The patio had separated from the pool deck, and then all of a sudden it just all went down. But I didn't see it go down. But when I looked out, it was gone, the whole back yard and the pool.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As if the rain wasn't enough, that pool spilled all its water down the hillside, and it ended up in a home about 200 yards below.

BATT. CHIEF DENNIS WATER, L.A. CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT: It went through the back of one house and out through the front of it with the mudslide, because it had about 20,000 or 30,000 gallons of water to the mudslide, which just increased the flow of the mud.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That home is now red-tagged, along with the McKee family home and their neighbor's home to the south. Part of their back yard also gave way in the slide.

BRAD ROSENBERG, HOMEOWNER: The northwest corner is hanging out over the hill. It's been undermined. So, I don't really know what's going to happen to the house.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The concern now is that the homes may also collapse. So, to alleviate the pressure on the hill, two pools have been drained of their water.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That was KTLA reporter Kim Ruggie (ph).

Over the past four days, L.A. alone has gotten more than 7 inches of rain. Since November, more than 32 inches of rain has fallen.

Chad, I hope I didn't steal your thunder.

MYERS: No, no, it's all right, Carol. We actually have been looking at this all morning long. The rainy season actually started in November, even a little bit of rain in October, 32 inches of rain in Los Angeles downtown since then.

COSTELLO: It's incredible.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Well, get back to more weather in a bit. It is now 6:53 Eastern. Here is what will be making news today.

In America, it would be considered a strange partnership to say the least, but the British Royal Navy has announced a partnership with the gay rights group, Stonewall, to recruit and retain gay and lesbian sailors. Britain lifted its ban on gays in the military five years ago.

The Japanese imperial household released some home video today showing the crown prince and his daughter, the princess. They were hitting the slopes. This is the first time the little girl has been seen on video since her birth. Reports out of Japan say a special commission may change an imperial law to allow a female to succeed the throne. A male hasn't been born to the imperial family since 1965.

And the next time you pass up a penny, consider this. A copper penny minted in 1792 and held in a tobacco tin for several years has been sold. The owners auctioned it off in California for -- get this -- $437,000.

This is DAYBREAK for a Tuesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: You know, it's time for the DAYBREAK coffee quiz.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And why am I still using a paper cup?

MYERS: Is that the new DAYBREAK coffee mug?

COSTELLO: This is the new DAYBREAK coffee mug that we're giving away. Actually, they're not in yet, but they come in many different colors, and they're beautiful. You'll just have to trust us on this one.

MYERS: It seems like I've heard the same story before.

COSTELLO: It's Jack Cafferty. He keeps taking it.

MYERS: Well, we asked the question yesterday. We started DAYBREAK coffee mugs back up. Here are the questions from yesterday. What's the estimated intelligence budget that John Negroponte will oversee? That number is $40 billion with a B. And the NBA star whose family is opening up a new restaurant? Obviously, we showed you that. Yao Ming.

And the winner of our first new DAYBREAK coffee mug quiz, Jane Webster from Franklin, North Carolina.

Now, if you didn't win yesterday -- congratulations to Jane. But if you didn't win, here is your chance to win today.

Whose boyhood home was just purchased to create a museum? Carol, shall I give them a hint?

COSTELLO: No!

MYERS: OK. And what supermarket chain applied for bankruptcy protection?

E-mail your answers to Daybreak@CNN.com. Both answers please, your name and address.

COSTELLO: Daybreak@CNN.com. Those are easy questions.

MYERS: They're pretty easy.

COSTELLO: Yes.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: I'm going to interview Jeff Gordon later this morning.

MYERS: Are you really?

COSTELLO: He'll be on our show tomorrow. Give me a question, Chad. What do you want me to ask him?

MYERS: Wow! What does he feel that -- he should have been the champion last year, but they changed the way that they made the points at the end of the season. Do you think you still should have been champion last year? Or do you like the new points system?

COSTELLO: That's a positive question. I like that.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad. That does it for us. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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 February 22, 2005 - 06:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Could a legal fight over this Connecticut home convince the Supreme Court to protect your property?
And California gets that sinking feeling again. We'll take a look at the worst damage.

It is Tuesday, February 22. You are watching DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you. From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

"Now in the News."

A powerful earthquake jolts central Iran. The latest reports say 231 people are dead, hundreds of others injured. The 6.4 magnitude quake sent panicked residents pouring into the streets. Hospital officials say they're maxed out and cannot handle anymore of the injured.

President Bush takes his message of trans-Atlantic unity to the NATO and European Union summits in Brussels today. He wants European leaders to help more with Iraq's post-war democracy.

Police near Dallas, Texas, recovered an SUV belonging to a missing pregnant woman, but not the woman and her 7-year-old son. They are still missing. They've been missing since Saturday. A local Amber Alert has been expanded nationwide.

In California, it's back to court for Michael Jackson. Jury selection resumes today in his child molestation trial. The process was delayed last week when the singer was hospitalized with the flu.

To the forecast center now and Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Would you give up your home so your community could have a new convention center or maybe some condos or even a parking lot? Are you familiar with the words "eminent domain?" That's how local governments take over private property for public use. And the Supreme Court hears arguments on one neighborhood's case today.

Joining us with more is CNN's Radio Dick Uliano. He's in Washington.

And I guess, Dick, this all started with a grandmother in Connecticut, who didn't want to move out of her home?

DICK ULIANO, CNN RADIO: Exactly. Her name is Susette Kelo, and she bought some waterfront property in New London, Connecticut, in 1997 on the Thames River for something like $50,000. And she likes her little two-bedroom pink Victorian home.

But now the city of New London says that Kelo and her neighbors need to move, because the city wants to economically develop this area with some mixed type of zoning, including businesses, stores, perhaps condos. And they are intent on seizing the land by eminent domain.

Not fair, says Kelo. She wants to hold on to her property.

COSTELLO: And this has gone all the way to the Supreme Court now.

ULIANO: It's an interesting case, because nobody in this case, Carol, is arguing the constitutionality of eminent domain. It's been around for a long time. Governments can take private property for the public good, for public use.

This was used extensively in the 1960s and the 1970s. For example, for highway construction, to build a school.

But what's different is about 20 years ago, the courts made this public use much broader than it had been. And now the courts say that public use can be really anything, including economic development, not just a highway. And Susette Kelo and her neighbors say that's not right. And so, they've taken this all the way to the high court.

COSTELLO: Well, we'll see what the high court rules. Thank you. Dick Uliano reporting live from Washington this morning.

Despite promises not to significantly boost troops strength in Iraq, Australia's prime minister says he will send as many as 470 more troops to Iraq. They'll protect Japanese engineers and replace Dutch troops who are leaving in March.

Iraqis from all walks of life are showing courage and tremendous danger from insurgents. One very brave man is using his talent to target the insurgency.

Let's head live to Baghdad and find out more from Nic Robertson.

Hello -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, you know when Saddam Hussein was in power here, nobody could criticize his leadership. And now, there are literally hundreds of newspapers in the country with plenty of cartoonists willing to put their name to pictures to parody the situation in Iraq, the lack of electricity and whatever else it is that people feel in their lives.

But one man we found is willing, in his cartoons, to really take on the terrorists.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTSON (voice over): It's painful and provocative, and that's exactly what this cartoon is supposed to be.

"The most painful thing I've ever drawn," newspaper cartoonist Muayyad Nima tells me.

"So many Iraqis have been killed by insurgents, he explains. But their bodies are like a sea, but Iraq is determined to sail across to a better place."

MUAYYAD NIMA, CARTOONIST (through translator): I try to make the viewers see the cartoon in its real form, so he's shocked by the ideas. So at least he starts to realize that he cannot be neutral, that he has to take a side.

ROBERTSON: But his pictures, like this one of a family watching TV, reveling in the bloodshed by insurgents, or this, where Iraqis simply ignore insurgents on a killing spree. And not just a wake-up call to Iraqis. They are a direct challenge to the insurgents.

NIMA (through translator): I try to make my style as one of a stand. That is why I cartoon, which gives a sense of deepness after all these events and this atmosphere that is full of killing and terrorism. I have to be tough.

ROBERTSON: And Muayyad's message does seem to be getting through.

"His cartoons go deep into the true reality," this reader says. "It really is stinging criticism."

Such critique, though, is a new and rare phenomenon. Saddam Hussein banned dissent. And today, few cartoonists dare risk the insurgents' wrath and possible death.

NIMA (through translator): It seems I am not feeling the fear. It is not heroism. I feel that I'm presenting a work that enlightens people.

ROBERTSON: Some of his pictures need no explanation. For this grandfather who made a living teaching ceramics during Saddam Hussein's rule, years of artistic frustration finally being released.

NIMA (through translator): I have to be like this. When I implement an idea, I really feel that some people are being moved by the idea, which means that I am on the right path.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTSON: And information we've got just in, in the last few minutes, an Iraqi Special Forces convoy was moving through Baghdad. It was attacked by insurgents. And according to a local hospital, three people have been killed and 32 wounded -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Nic Robertson reporting live from Baghdad this morning. Thank you.

The president's trip to Europe is a pivotal one for the United States with plenty of handshakes and fence-mending to go around. But so much more is at stake.

For that, we go to CNN's Soledad O'Brien with a look ahead to "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning -- Soledad.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol, good morning to you.

And you're absolutely right. President Bush is reaching out once again today to Europe. Today, he's going to meet with NATO and EU leaders in Brussels. Iraq, Syria, Iran are all expected to be topics of discussion.

So, what exactly does the president hope to achieve? And just how difficult will it be to get European support?

This morning, we talk with Dan Bartlett -- he is a counselor to the president --about all that.

That's ahead this morning on "AMERICAN MORNING" in just about 20 minutes -- Carol.

COSTELLO: We'll see you then. Thank you, Soledad.

A military branch and a gay rights group, an unusual team. We'll tell you about that in just a bit.

Then, a look at the amazing damage caused by the latest rounds of storms in California.

Here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's time now for a little "Business Buzz." Airport employees filed a lawsuit over potential health hazards at a major airport. Can you get sick in the airport?

Carrie Lee live at the Nasdaq Marketsite with the answer.

Good morning -- Carrie.

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Or in the terminal area anyway, Carol. That's right. CNN is learning of a lawsuit filed on behalf of employees at Denver International Airport United's terminal.

Now, the suit is accusing the airport of failing to stop de-icing fluid, raw sewage and mold from contaminating Concourse B and endangering workers.

This is similar to another suit that was filed back in 2003, the same lawyers. That suit, by the way, is still unresolved. And that case involved two employees of United Airlines who allegedly suffered respiratory problems and other ailments consistent with toxic exposure.

Now, the lawyers are hoping this latest case is going to force the airport, as well as the city, to clean up the alleged contamination. The airport, by the way, opened in 1994. The lawsuit states that the problems began soon after.

So, we'll keep an eye on that story, a rather interesting one.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

LEE: Yes. Meanwhile, turning to...

COSTELLO: What...

LEE: Oh, sorry. I knew you were going to ask about the futures.

COSTELLO: Well, I was just going to ask you.

LEE: Yes. It looks like a weak open for today's session, Carol. One stock to watch, Home Depot, out with profits for the recent quarter, in line with expectations, showing a bottom line gain of 13 percent year over year.

Back to you.

COSTELLO: Thank you. Carrie Lee live at the Nasdaq Marketsite.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:44 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

President Bush poses for pictures with European leaders in Brussels. He's at NATO headquarters now. All 26 alliance members are said to be prepared to help with an Iraqi training mission in some way.

The casualty count has been changing through the morning following a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in central Iran. Officials now say 231 people are dead, at least 650 injured.

In money news, airlines are scaling back or eliminating bereavement rates as part of an effort to revamp pricing strategies. The bereavement fares may not be widely missed, because they typically did not offer big savings anyway.

In culture, a Georgia company has bought Johnny Carson's boyhood home. Historic Properties says the two-story home in Norfolk, Nebraska, will become a memorial of some kind to honor the late entertainer.

In sports, Barry Bonds is scheduled to talk to the media when he arrives at the San Francisco Giants spring training camp later today. It will be the first time he's spoken publicly since his grand jury testimony in the steroid controversy was leaked. And I just wonder if he'll mention Jose Canseco.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.

The search for that pregnant mother and her 7-year-old son is entering the fourth day now.

CNN's Soledad O'Brien is following the story on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Hey, Carol, good morning to you. In fact, a massive search is under way this morning. The pregnant woman and her 7-year- old son have missing, as you said, since Saturday. Blood was found in her living room. And yesterday, her SUV was found in a creek bed just north of Dallas. No sign, though, of either the mother or the little boy.

This morning, we talk to the woman's aunt, and she's going to tell us what she thinks may have happened.

Carol, that's coming up at the top of the hour on "AMERICAN MORNING." COSTELLO: All right, we'll see you then. Thank you, Soledad.

Coming up on DAYBREAK, the Wild West lives up to its name when it comes to the weather. No, that's not an above-ground pool. It's an in-ground pool, at least it was. Mudslide madness next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Hail, floods and mudslides, just some of the wild weather that's been gripping parts of the United States. Hail piled up on the wet streets of north Georgia as severe storms rolled through. Storms brought lightening strikes, sparked four house fires, power was knocked out, streets were flooded. Authorities blamed the weather for a traffic crash that killed a woman. And you can see the hail there in Atlanta.

In Las Vegas, flooding turned some streets into rivers, and more rain from a wet winter storm is in the forecast. Police say there were so many traffic accidents they have not even counted them all yet.

In Los Angeles -- excuse me -- a 30-foot sinkhole opened up, thanks to several days of heavy rain and flooding. And engineer who was assessing the hole was killed when he was swept into it. At least four other deaths in California are blamed on the weather.

And that nasty weather is also to blame for mudslides that threatened dozens of homes in a wealthy Bel Air neighborhood. An entire back yard swimming pool, and the whole back yard as well, took a big tumble. The multimillion dollar home is still intact, at least for now. We get more on that story from Kim Ruggie (ph) of our affiliate station KTLA.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice over): In a matter of seconds, the back yard of this home on Roberto Lane collapsed, and down the hill it went, swimming pool and all. You can see the barbecue, chairs, potted plants, a trail of debris and mud down the Bel Air hillside.

The owner of the home, Lonnie McKee, couldn't believe her eyes.

LONNIE MCKEE, HOMEOWNER: The patio had separated from the pool deck, and then all of a sudden it just all went down. But I didn't see it go down. But when I looked out, it was gone, the whole back yard and the pool.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As if the rain wasn't enough, that pool spilled all its water down the hillside, and it ended up in a home about 200 yards below.

BATT. CHIEF DENNIS WATER, L.A. CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT: It went through the back of one house and out through the front of it with the mudslide, because it had about 20,000 or 30,000 gallons of water to the mudslide, which just increased the flow of the mud.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That home is now red-tagged, along with the McKee family home and their neighbor's home to the south. Part of their back yard also gave way in the slide.

BRAD ROSENBERG, HOMEOWNER: The northwest corner is hanging out over the hill. It's been undermined. So, I don't really know what's going to happen to the house.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The concern now is that the homes may also collapse. So, to alleviate the pressure on the hill, two pools have been drained of their water.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That was KTLA reporter Kim Ruggie (ph).

Over the past four days, L.A. alone has gotten more than 7 inches of rain. Since November, more than 32 inches of rain has fallen.

Chad, I hope I didn't steal your thunder.

MYERS: No, no, it's all right, Carol. We actually have been looking at this all morning long. The rainy season actually started in November, even a little bit of rain in October, 32 inches of rain in Los Angeles downtown since then.

COSTELLO: It's incredible.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Well, get back to more weather in a bit. It is now 6:53 Eastern. Here is what will be making news today.

In America, it would be considered a strange partnership to say the least, but the British Royal Navy has announced a partnership with the gay rights group, Stonewall, to recruit and retain gay and lesbian sailors. Britain lifted its ban on gays in the military five years ago.

The Japanese imperial household released some home video today showing the crown prince and his daughter, the princess. They were hitting the slopes. This is the first time the little girl has been seen on video since her birth. Reports out of Japan say a special commission may change an imperial law to allow a female to succeed the throne. A male hasn't been born to the imperial family since 1965.

And the next time you pass up a penny, consider this. A copper penny minted in 1792 and held in a tobacco tin for several years has been sold. The owners auctioned it off in California for -- get this -- $437,000.

This is DAYBREAK for a Tuesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: You know, it's time for the DAYBREAK coffee quiz.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And why am I still using a paper cup?

MYERS: Is that the new DAYBREAK coffee mug?

COSTELLO: This is the new DAYBREAK coffee mug that we're giving away. Actually, they're not in yet, but they come in many different colors, and they're beautiful. You'll just have to trust us on this one.

MYERS: It seems like I've heard the same story before.

COSTELLO: It's Jack Cafferty. He keeps taking it.

MYERS: Well, we asked the question yesterday. We started DAYBREAK coffee mugs back up. Here are the questions from yesterday. What's the estimated intelligence budget that John Negroponte will oversee? That number is $40 billion with a B. And the NBA star whose family is opening up a new restaurant? Obviously, we showed you that. Yao Ming.

And the winner of our first new DAYBREAK coffee mug quiz, Jane Webster from Franklin, North Carolina.

Now, if you didn't win yesterday -- congratulations to Jane. But if you didn't win, here is your chance to win today.

Whose boyhood home was just purchased to create a museum? Carol, shall I give them a hint?

COSTELLO: No!

MYERS: OK. And what supermarket chain applied for bankruptcy protection?

E-mail your answers to Daybreak@CNN.com. Both answers please, your name and address.

COSTELLO: Daybreak@CNN.com. Those are easy questions.

MYERS: They're pretty easy.

COSTELLO: Yes.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: I'm going to interview Jeff Gordon later this morning.

MYERS: Are you really?

COSTELLO: He'll be on our show tomorrow. Give me a question, Chad. What do you want me to ask him?

MYERS: Wow! What does he feel that -- he should have been the champion last year, but they changed the way that they made the points at the end of the season. Do you think you still should have been champion last year? Or do you like the new points system?

COSTELLO: That's a positive question. I like that.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad. That does it for us. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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