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CNN Live At Daybreak

Political Firefight; 'Business Buzz'; Picking Pope

Aired April 18, 2005 - 06:29   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. From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
"Now in the News."

At the Vatican, the cardinals prepare to elect a new pope. Their day began with mass in St. Peter's Basilica. The 115 cardinals will go into seclusion at the Sistine Chapel to select the new leader of the Catholic Church.

China is refusing to apologize for widespread anti-Japan protests. Demonstrators in several Chinese cities intensified as the foreign ministers from both countries met in Beijing. Protesters oppose Tokyo's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

The mother of Michael Jackson's accuser will be back on the stand when the trial resumes today. Jackson's attorney is set to begin the second day of cross-examination. The mother already protested to the judge once last week that the attorney was being too aggressive.

Amtrak's high-speed Acela train is limping back into action after brake problems were discovered last week. One train will run this morning from New York to Washington, and then from Washington to Boston this afternoon. For more information, you can contact Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL, or log on to Amtrak.com. And use your patience this morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: All the other trains that are running are listed on there, and you can click on departure times and how much time -- how much longer it will take you to go one stop to another. The Acela train is...

COSTELLO: And how long you'll be standing on a train, because there are no seats.

MYERS: Well, exactly. The Acela train is a great train, but even from D.C. to New York, you're still only saving about 40 minutes compared to the regular ride on a regular train. So...

COSTELLO: They're much nicer trains.

MYERS: They certainly are. And if you can sit down, that's makes the whole thing -- it's better than a two-hour bus ride standing up on a train.

(WEATHER REPORT) COSTELLO: On to the business of Congress and Tom DeLay. Democrats accuse him of an abusive power and say he should answer to ethics charges. But DeLay isn't exactly in hiding. He spoke before the National Rifle Association. And while he did not directly address the ethics allegations, he hinted at it, quoting gun control advocate Sarah Brady.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. TOM DELAY (R-TX), MAJORITY LEADER: As I was walking up here to the dais when we were first introduced, Chris Cox (ph), who is a very dear friend and so is Wayne LaPierre (ph), who was telling me about how -- you know, I ought to hang in there, and said that Sarah Brady said that when a man's in trouble or in a good fight, you want all of your friends around them, preferably armed. So, I feel really good tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Brady's husband is Jim Brady, who was shot in the assassination attempt of President Reagan. So, DeLay is not exactly tempering his comments. He's in your face. But will that bravado save him or sink him?

Just in time, "TIME" magazine's Viveca Novak joins us from Washington.

VIVECA NOVAK, "TIME" CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: First of all, Viveca, do you really think most Americans even understand what DeLay is accused of?

NOVAK: Probably not. This is going to -- this is his -- he's kind of a repeat offender here, if you consider the three ethics violations he got in trouble for last year. And now, the problems are related to a number of things that are kind of complicated.

But the most, I think, understandable one involves his ties to a lobbyist named Jack Abramoff, who is in a lot of trouble for allegedly bilking Indian tribes of a whole lot of money for his alleged lobbying services. And the ties to Tom DeLay are pretty close. Tom DeLay once called him one of his dearest friends.

And it appears that Jack Abramoff was heavily involved in setting up trips for Tom DeLay to Scotland and England and parts of the United States that had good golf courses, which are always an important part of Tom DeLay's trips.

COSTELLO: So, why doesn't Tom DeLay distance himself from this guy or speak out against him or something?

NOVAK: Well, when Jack Abramoff first -- when his name first surfaced last year in connection with some of these allegations, Tom DeLay said anyone who is using my name to promote their business, that's just wrong. And that appeared to be something that Abramoff was doing. And Tom DeLay has pretty much abandoned Jack Abramoff, and yet he is not able to really cut him off in terms of the connections that investigators -- two Senate committees and now also the FBI, the Justice Department are investigating Jack Abramoff and his ties to various legislators.

COSTELLO: We said it when we began this story that Tom DeLay isn't exactly in hiding. He's coming out and he's saying some interesting statements.

NOVAK: Yes.

COSTELLO: For example, in the Terri Schiavo case, he was front and center. And when the judges didn't rule the way he wanted them to, he uttered this, and I'm going to quote him. He said: "This loss happened because our legal system did not protect the people who need protection most, and that will change. The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior, but not today."

He's not exactly being careful about how he says things. Even if he can recover from this ethics scandal, can he recover from himself?

NOVAK: Well, that's a good question. He's not exactly the type of guy to hunker down and hope this blows over. He's going to be out there. He can't help himself. And, you know, all of the investigations, we'll just have to see how they all come out.

He is -- you know, somebody asked me yesterday if like Trent Lott he might just sort of hunker down for a little while and then make a comeback. I think with him, with all of these allegations -- you know, with Trent Lott it was just one statement that he made regarding Strom Thurmond and how things might have been better if he had won the presidency when he ran back in the '40s. With Tom DeLay there are just too many things he's embroiled in at this point, and I think it would be very hard for him.

COSTELLO: Viveca Novak joining us live from Washington. Thank you.

"TIME" magazine is also out with its rankings of the nation's best and worst big city mayors. Making the best mayors' list, are you ready? New York City's Michael Bloomberg, Atlanta's Shirley Franklin, Baltimore's Martin O'Malley, Chicago's Richard Daley and Denver's John Hickenlooper. "TIME's" worst mayors' list include: Detroit's Kwame Kilpatrick, San Diego's Dick Murphy and Philadelphia's John Street.

You can read more in "TIME" magazine this week.

It's time now to look at stories that will be making news in the week ahead.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice leaves for Russia tonight. She's going to cement a deal meant to stop anti-American militants from stealing Russian nuclear material, while stemming what her predecessor called Russia's democratic backsliding.

On Tuesday, so-called BTK killer Dennis Rader has a preliminary hearing scheduled in Wichita, Kansas, but he could request a delay. Rader has been charged with killing 10 people in that area over three decades.

And Wednesday is the sixth anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting rampage when two high school students killed 12 classmates and a teacher before killing themselves.

On Thursday, British's Queen Elizabeth celebrates her 79th birthday.

And Friday is Earth Day. It will be celebrated around the world.

As you might imagine, some frightening stories after a seven- story-high wave smacks into a cruise liner. The Norwegian Dawn was battered by rough seas en route to New York. Then it diverted to South Carolina after that rogue wave hit halfway up the 14-story-tall ship. It broke windows. It flooded dozens of cabins.

Here's one passenger's reaction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES FRALEY, CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER: We're talking 47-foot waves hitting the 10th floor, knocking Jacuzzis on the 12th overboard, people sleeping in hallways with life preservers on. Just pure pandemonium.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: After inspection, the Coast Guard pronounced the vessel ship-shape. It's back in New York, and it's scheduled to sail again this afternoon.

We'll hear more from Mr. Fraley and what his experience was like on that ship. Soledad O'Brien joins me now with a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning.

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

That's right. James Fraley and his wife, they were actually on their honeymoon. They were among the first people, though, allowed to leave the ship after it was diverted to Charleston. Mr. Fraley says he actually thought they were going to die on the ship. We're going to get more details from him this morning on exactly what happened.

Also, of course, we're following the big story out of Rome. The Catholic Church begins its conclave to pick the next pope. The cardinals, though, are said to be divided over the ideal candidate. Is there a frontrunner? We're going to talk to CNN Vatican analyst John Allen this morning -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Thanks, Soledad.

Here's your morning Helis update. You know, that wayward beluga whale romping around the Delaware River? Well, wildlife officials in New Jersey say it appears the whale is making its way downriver. That's a good thing. It's got a ways to go. The beluga is some 1,200 miles south of where it should be, which would be the North Atlantic. But at least he's heading in the right direction.

Today is judgment day for Mexican mother living in the United States after a judge tells her English or else.

Also ahead on DAYBREAK, the new frontier of WiFi. It's called WiMAX.

Here's a look at what else, though, is making news this Monday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: I was waiting for the music to begin. But alas, there it is.

To our market watch now. The international markets are plunging this morning. Get this. I thought this was a typo, but it's not. Japan's Nikkei closes down 432 points, Britain's FTSE trading down almost 84 points, the German DAX is down 108 points.

It's time now for a little American "Business Buzz." WiFi, WiMAX, what are they? Why do we need them? Carrie Lee explains what Intel is doing that may get you out of your office and keep you working 24 hours a day.

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is actually an upbeat business story, unlike the markets check you just did.

We're talking about a new technology here from Intel. Think about sitting on your laptop computer outside. The weather here at least in New York has been great lately. You can do that now to a certain extent, but Intel has a new product out. WiFi, of course, is short for wireless fidelity. It gives you the opportunity to sit outside to an extent. You have to be within 150 feet from a hub, though.

So, now, Intel is introducing a chip using what's called WiMAX technology. And according to "The Wall Street Journal," this would deliver an Internet connection over a distance of 1 mile up to 10 miles. So, this new technology would replace standard wire connections and eventually for mobile use in laptops.

Intel also hopes to offer the chips at a low enough price to make WiMAX hardware cheaper for home use. And in addition to allowing you to check your e-mail outside on a nice day, WiMAX is also good for thinly-populated areas, where wiring a neighborhood is too expensive.

So, a couple of clear advantages to WiMAX.

COSTELLO: Oh, yes, on your lunch hour you can take your computer out.

LEE: Well, the thinly-populated areas, that's a great thing, too.

COSTELLO: That's true.

LEE: Because not everyone has the capability for wireless access.

COSTELLO: That's true. And it is very convenient and kind of fun sometimes.

LEE: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Carrie Lee, thank you.

LEE: OK.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, here's the scenario: You're on a plane, you have a drink, and then you have another drink. Who is responsible for your behavior once you leave the airport? That's the question one airline is facing today.

You are watching DAYBREAK for a Monday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: This is the big day Roman Catholics have been waiting for. The conclave to pick the next pope gets under way in a matter of hours. The 115 cardinals, who will make the selection, celebrated mass in St. Peter's Basilica ahead of the conclave. The conclave itself will begin around noon Eastern after the cardinals have walked in a procession to the Sistine Chapel. They'll be sequestered. And they will take an oath of secrecy. The first vote could come tomorrow.

This entire process dates back centuries and is filled with tradition.

Joining us live is Nancy Dallavalle, associate professor of religious studies at Fairfield University in Connecticut.

Welcome.

NANCY DALLAVALLE, FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY: Good morning.

COSTELLO: Good morning. Cardinal Ratzinger gave a homily this morning.

DALLAVALLE: Yes.

COSTELLO: And he said some interesting things. He said, in unusually blunt terms, mind you, he made clear what type of pastor that -- what kind of pope it should be, the next pope I should say.

DALLAVALLE: Yes, yes,

COSTELLO: I'm not saying that very well. Let's see: "One who should not allow a dictatorship of relativism, the ideology that there are no absolute truths to take deeper root."

What did he mean by that?

DALLAVALLE: Well, this is familiar language from Cardinal Ratzinger. And he certainly is very concerned that the next pope would maintain the kind of dogmatic certainty that he has stood for as he has been in charge of the congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

What is very clear is that the next pope is going, in fact, to have to dialogue with modernity and to not dismiss it. And so, I'm not certain that Cardinal Ratzinger's attempt to hold off this kind of dialogue with relativism will be successful, at least in the West.

COSTELLO: Because there's kind of a clash in the conclave, isn't it?

DALLAVALLE: Well, there's a little bit of that, yes. And part of it is that there are real genuine competing interests. And so, the cardinals do recognize that not only do they have to dialogue with modernity, they also have to deal with a range of issues.

At the same time, I don't think that Ratzinger's concern for the faith being transmitted is well-served by the kind of split that goes in the West when we have a cult of devotion and celebrity and skepticism. We need real dialogue with Islam, but also with the thought forms that go on in Western culture.

COSTELLO: Well, you talk about Western culture. I mean, I'm wondering if the church really even cares about what happens in the United States as it applies to Catholics, because the Catholic population is growing in other countries.

DALLAVALLE: Right, right. So, there is a sense in which some have suggested that the West is lost, both the United States and Europe. And so, they are turning increasingly to the devotion that is really springing forward in Africa and Indonesia. The next pope is going to have to hold this story together, and that will be a huge challenge.

COSTELLO: Any guesses?

DALLAVALLE: You know, if I guessed, that would immediately rule one out. So, how should I do that? What is very certain is that it won't be one from the United States. The other thing is I think we should stop thinking about the idea of a transitional figure. No cardinal gets elected pope, wakes up the next morning and looks in the mirror and says, I'm only a transitional figure. This person will think of themselves as the pope.

COSTELLO: I think so. Nancy Dallavalle, thank you so much for being here with us. We appreciate it.

DALLAVALLE: Thank you very much.

COSTELLO: This is a week full of sad anniversaries. And for the last 10 years, the community of Oklahoma City has observed the now infamous date of April 19.

CNN's Soledad O'Brien joins us now for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning once again.

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

Tomorrow, of course, is marking that 10th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. This morning, we're going to meet Michael Reyes (ph). He and his father were working in the Murrah Building that day. Michael survived. His father, though, did not.

Today, he works in the new federal building, not far from where the old one stood. He's going to tell us how that bombing changed his life and the city that he calls home.

Bill Hemmer is on assignment for us in Oklahoma City. He's going to join us live from there a little bit later on "AMERICAN MORNING" at the top of the hour.

Carol -- back to you.

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Soledad.

It sounds like a special effect on the big screen, but passengers on this cruise liner know it was the real thing. What was it like on board when a seven-story wave collided with their floating vacation? More on that story when DAYBREAK returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Courageous and relentless. That's how people remember an American aid worker killed in Iraq after spending years helping others. Twenty-eight-year-old Marla Ruzicka was killed in Baghdad Saturday when a car bomb struck her convoy.

According to "The New York Times," an American medic who rushed to the scene says her last words were, "I'm alive," as her car was engulfed in flames. The California woman founded the campaign for innocent victims in conflicts. She helped secure millions of dollars in aid money from Congress for civilian Iraqis hurt by war.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLIFFORD RUZICKA, MARLA RUZICKA'S FATHER: I think her forming her own organization civic, where she'd become much more effective working with the U.S. government and the U.S. military, I think has been her crown achievement. I think she's taught the government and the military how to pay attention to the collateral damage they do to countries and to all of the civilians that they harm.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Also, a prayer vigil for in Indiana man held captive in Iraq was canceled without explanation over the weekend in his home state. Forty-seven-year-old contractor Jeffrey Ake was abducted Monday near Baghdad. There has been no word about him since a videotape aired on Al-Jazeera. The vigil was planned for Friday night in LaPorte, Indiana.

It is now 6:53 Eastern. Here's what will be making news today.

A news conference is scheduled in the case of a Mexican mother who was ordered by a judge to learn English. Civil rights groups are upset that the Tennessee judge threatened to take away the woman's child if she didn't learn the language and take birth control.

The Georgia Supreme Court is considering what could be a landmark lawsuit against Delta Airlines. They're being sued by a man who was hit by a drunk driver who allegedly had too much to drink while on a Delta flight.

And a cruise ship is expected to arrive in New York today after a very rough ride. The ship was slammed by a seven-story-high wave that caused serious damage and several injuries.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CARLA BURGESS, CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER: When we were going through all of this, they offered free drinks. Free drinks! Can you believe that? They want people drunk while we're going through all of this mess. And then they offered 25 percent off of your next cruise. Who wants to go on the next cruise? I sure don't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MYERS: I'll take that coupon if she doesn't want it.

COSTELLO: I understand why she's upset.

MYERS: Of course.

COSTELLO: Because it was a scary thing.

MYERS: It really was.

COSTELLO: A lot of people thought they were doing to die.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: But, again, how can you control what happens out in the middle of the ocean?

MYERS: It was Mother Nature at its worst. A rogue wave, 47-feet high or so, the seas themselves were 17 feet, the boat was going back and forth. Even with the stabilizers on, you can't do much about it.

Here's the mug question and the giveaway for today, Carol. I've been told to move on. Laser beams in what two colors will soon warn pilots in restricted airspace over D.C.? The answer was red and green. And the answer to the next one, what is the name of the whale stranded in the Delaware River? It's name is Helis, a French version of Elis (ph), which means propeller. There's a little propeller mark on her back.

The winner, the winner from Minden, Louisiana, is Karen McGowan. Karen, congratulations. You mug is in the mail.

And I hope you were paying attention today. We have two new questions for you for today. Who appeared on "TIME's" list of the five best big city mayors? You just need to give me one. And Queen Elizabeth celebrates a birthday this week. How old will she be?

CNN.com/daybreak. The questions are right there. Give us the answers.

COSTELLO: We will indeed. Thank you, Chad.

You are watching DAYBREAK for a Monday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: "Now in the News."

The process to elect a new pope has begun. It started with a prayer. One hundred and fifteen Catholic cardinals ended their mass in St. Peter's Basilica just over an hour ago. They're now preparing to take part in the conclave to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

There is serious concern this morning over the shutdown of one North Korean nuclear plant. The potential for plutonium harvesting exists when a plant shuts down completely. North Korea says the plant has been stopped for routine cleaning.

An unregistered sex offender charged with the murder of Florida teenager Sarah Lunde is being arraigned about an hour from now. Police say David Onstott confessed to choking the 13-year-old to death in her home on April 10.

The Boston Marathon is today. It starts at noon Eastern. And some are saying an American may actually win this year for the first time in 20 years. Olympian Alan Culpepper (ph) is a favorite to lead the American revival.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: That does it for us. I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers. "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 April 18, 2005 - 06:29   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. From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
"Now in the News."

At the Vatican, the cardinals prepare to elect a new pope. Their day began with mass in St. Peter's Basilica. The 115 cardinals will go into seclusion at the Sistine Chapel to select the new leader of the Catholic Church.

China is refusing to apologize for widespread anti-Japan protests. Demonstrators in several Chinese cities intensified as the foreign ministers from both countries met in Beijing. Protesters oppose Tokyo's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

The mother of Michael Jackson's accuser will be back on the stand when the trial resumes today. Jackson's attorney is set to begin the second day of cross-examination. The mother already protested to the judge once last week that the attorney was being too aggressive.

Amtrak's high-speed Acela train is limping back into action after brake problems were discovered last week. One train will run this morning from New York to Washington, and then from Washington to Boston this afternoon. For more information, you can contact Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL, or log on to Amtrak.com. And use your patience this morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: All the other trains that are running are listed on there, and you can click on departure times and how much time -- how much longer it will take you to go one stop to another. The Acela train is...

COSTELLO: And how long you'll be standing on a train, because there are no seats.

MYERS: Well, exactly. The Acela train is a great train, but even from D.C. to New York, you're still only saving about 40 minutes compared to the regular ride on a regular train. So...

COSTELLO: They're much nicer trains.

MYERS: They certainly are. And if you can sit down, that's makes the whole thing -- it's better than a two-hour bus ride standing up on a train.

(WEATHER REPORT) COSTELLO: On to the business of Congress and Tom DeLay. Democrats accuse him of an abusive power and say he should answer to ethics charges. But DeLay isn't exactly in hiding. He spoke before the National Rifle Association. And while he did not directly address the ethics allegations, he hinted at it, quoting gun control advocate Sarah Brady.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. TOM DELAY (R-TX), MAJORITY LEADER: As I was walking up here to the dais when we were first introduced, Chris Cox (ph), who is a very dear friend and so is Wayne LaPierre (ph), who was telling me about how -- you know, I ought to hang in there, and said that Sarah Brady said that when a man's in trouble or in a good fight, you want all of your friends around them, preferably armed. So, I feel really good tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Brady's husband is Jim Brady, who was shot in the assassination attempt of President Reagan. So, DeLay is not exactly tempering his comments. He's in your face. But will that bravado save him or sink him?

Just in time, "TIME" magazine's Viveca Novak joins us from Washington.

VIVECA NOVAK, "TIME" CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: First of all, Viveca, do you really think most Americans even understand what DeLay is accused of?

NOVAK: Probably not. This is going to -- this is his -- he's kind of a repeat offender here, if you consider the three ethics violations he got in trouble for last year. And now, the problems are related to a number of things that are kind of complicated.

But the most, I think, understandable one involves his ties to a lobbyist named Jack Abramoff, who is in a lot of trouble for allegedly bilking Indian tribes of a whole lot of money for his alleged lobbying services. And the ties to Tom DeLay are pretty close. Tom DeLay once called him one of his dearest friends.

And it appears that Jack Abramoff was heavily involved in setting up trips for Tom DeLay to Scotland and England and parts of the United States that had good golf courses, which are always an important part of Tom DeLay's trips.

COSTELLO: So, why doesn't Tom DeLay distance himself from this guy or speak out against him or something?

NOVAK: Well, when Jack Abramoff first -- when his name first surfaced last year in connection with some of these allegations, Tom DeLay said anyone who is using my name to promote their business, that's just wrong. And that appeared to be something that Abramoff was doing. And Tom DeLay has pretty much abandoned Jack Abramoff, and yet he is not able to really cut him off in terms of the connections that investigators -- two Senate committees and now also the FBI, the Justice Department are investigating Jack Abramoff and his ties to various legislators.

COSTELLO: We said it when we began this story that Tom DeLay isn't exactly in hiding. He's coming out and he's saying some interesting statements.

NOVAK: Yes.

COSTELLO: For example, in the Terri Schiavo case, he was front and center. And when the judges didn't rule the way he wanted them to, he uttered this, and I'm going to quote him. He said: "This loss happened because our legal system did not protect the people who need protection most, and that will change. The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior, but not today."

He's not exactly being careful about how he says things. Even if he can recover from this ethics scandal, can he recover from himself?

NOVAK: Well, that's a good question. He's not exactly the type of guy to hunker down and hope this blows over. He's going to be out there. He can't help himself. And, you know, all of the investigations, we'll just have to see how they all come out.

He is -- you know, somebody asked me yesterday if like Trent Lott he might just sort of hunker down for a little while and then make a comeback. I think with him, with all of these allegations -- you know, with Trent Lott it was just one statement that he made regarding Strom Thurmond and how things might have been better if he had won the presidency when he ran back in the '40s. With Tom DeLay there are just too many things he's embroiled in at this point, and I think it would be very hard for him.

COSTELLO: Viveca Novak joining us live from Washington. Thank you.

"TIME" magazine is also out with its rankings of the nation's best and worst big city mayors. Making the best mayors' list, are you ready? New York City's Michael Bloomberg, Atlanta's Shirley Franklin, Baltimore's Martin O'Malley, Chicago's Richard Daley and Denver's John Hickenlooper. "TIME's" worst mayors' list include: Detroit's Kwame Kilpatrick, San Diego's Dick Murphy and Philadelphia's John Street.

You can read more in "TIME" magazine this week.

It's time now to look at stories that will be making news in the week ahead.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice leaves for Russia tonight. She's going to cement a deal meant to stop anti-American militants from stealing Russian nuclear material, while stemming what her predecessor called Russia's democratic backsliding.

On Tuesday, so-called BTK killer Dennis Rader has a preliminary hearing scheduled in Wichita, Kansas, but he could request a delay. Rader has been charged with killing 10 people in that area over three decades.

And Wednesday is the sixth anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting rampage when two high school students killed 12 classmates and a teacher before killing themselves.

On Thursday, British's Queen Elizabeth celebrates her 79th birthday.

And Friday is Earth Day. It will be celebrated around the world.

As you might imagine, some frightening stories after a seven- story-high wave smacks into a cruise liner. The Norwegian Dawn was battered by rough seas en route to New York. Then it diverted to South Carolina after that rogue wave hit halfway up the 14-story-tall ship. It broke windows. It flooded dozens of cabins.

Here's one passenger's reaction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES FRALEY, CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER: We're talking 47-foot waves hitting the 10th floor, knocking Jacuzzis on the 12th overboard, people sleeping in hallways with life preservers on. Just pure pandemonium.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: After inspection, the Coast Guard pronounced the vessel ship-shape. It's back in New York, and it's scheduled to sail again this afternoon.

We'll hear more from Mr. Fraley and what his experience was like on that ship. Soledad O'Brien joins me now with a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning.

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

That's right. James Fraley and his wife, they were actually on their honeymoon. They were among the first people, though, allowed to leave the ship after it was diverted to Charleston. Mr. Fraley says he actually thought they were going to die on the ship. We're going to get more details from him this morning on exactly what happened.

Also, of course, we're following the big story out of Rome. The Catholic Church begins its conclave to pick the next pope. The cardinals, though, are said to be divided over the ideal candidate. Is there a frontrunner? We're going to talk to CNN Vatican analyst John Allen this morning -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Thanks, Soledad.

Here's your morning Helis update. You know, that wayward beluga whale romping around the Delaware River? Well, wildlife officials in New Jersey say it appears the whale is making its way downriver. That's a good thing. It's got a ways to go. The beluga is some 1,200 miles south of where it should be, which would be the North Atlantic. But at least he's heading in the right direction.

Today is judgment day for Mexican mother living in the United States after a judge tells her English or else.

Also ahead on DAYBREAK, the new frontier of WiFi. It's called WiMAX.

Here's a look at what else, though, is making news this Monday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: I was waiting for the music to begin. But alas, there it is.

To our market watch now. The international markets are plunging this morning. Get this. I thought this was a typo, but it's not. Japan's Nikkei closes down 432 points, Britain's FTSE trading down almost 84 points, the German DAX is down 108 points.

It's time now for a little American "Business Buzz." WiFi, WiMAX, what are they? Why do we need them? Carrie Lee explains what Intel is doing that may get you out of your office and keep you working 24 hours a day.

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is actually an upbeat business story, unlike the markets check you just did.

We're talking about a new technology here from Intel. Think about sitting on your laptop computer outside. The weather here at least in New York has been great lately. You can do that now to a certain extent, but Intel has a new product out. WiFi, of course, is short for wireless fidelity. It gives you the opportunity to sit outside to an extent. You have to be within 150 feet from a hub, though.

So, now, Intel is introducing a chip using what's called WiMAX technology. And according to "The Wall Street Journal," this would deliver an Internet connection over a distance of 1 mile up to 10 miles. So, this new technology would replace standard wire connections and eventually for mobile use in laptops.

Intel also hopes to offer the chips at a low enough price to make WiMAX hardware cheaper for home use. And in addition to allowing you to check your e-mail outside on a nice day, WiMAX is also good for thinly-populated areas, where wiring a neighborhood is too expensive.

So, a couple of clear advantages to WiMAX.

COSTELLO: Oh, yes, on your lunch hour you can take your computer out.

LEE: Well, the thinly-populated areas, that's a great thing, too.

COSTELLO: That's true.

LEE: Because not everyone has the capability for wireless access.

COSTELLO: That's true. And it is very convenient and kind of fun sometimes.

LEE: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Carrie Lee, thank you.

LEE: OK.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, here's the scenario: You're on a plane, you have a drink, and then you have another drink. Who is responsible for your behavior once you leave the airport? That's the question one airline is facing today.

You are watching DAYBREAK for a Monday.

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COSTELLO: This is the big day Roman Catholics have been waiting for. The conclave to pick the next pope gets under way in a matter of hours. The 115 cardinals, who will make the selection, celebrated mass in St. Peter's Basilica ahead of the conclave. The conclave itself will begin around noon Eastern after the cardinals have walked in a procession to the Sistine Chapel. They'll be sequestered. And they will take an oath of secrecy. The first vote could come tomorrow.

This entire process dates back centuries and is filled with tradition.

Joining us live is Nancy Dallavalle, associate professor of religious studies at Fairfield University in Connecticut.

Welcome.

NANCY DALLAVALLE, FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY: Good morning.

COSTELLO: Good morning. Cardinal Ratzinger gave a homily this morning.

DALLAVALLE: Yes.

COSTELLO: And he said some interesting things. He said, in unusually blunt terms, mind you, he made clear what type of pastor that -- what kind of pope it should be, the next pope I should say.

DALLAVALLE: Yes, yes,

COSTELLO: I'm not saying that very well. Let's see: "One who should not allow a dictatorship of relativism, the ideology that there are no absolute truths to take deeper root."

What did he mean by that?

DALLAVALLE: Well, this is familiar language from Cardinal Ratzinger. And he certainly is very concerned that the next pope would maintain the kind of dogmatic certainty that he has stood for as he has been in charge of the congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

What is very clear is that the next pope is going, in fact, to have to dialogue with modernity and to not dismiss it. And so, I'm not certain that Cardinal Ratzinger's attempt to hold off this kind of dialogue with relativism will be successful, at least in the West.

COSTELLO: Because there's kind of a clash in the conclave, isn't it?

DALLAVALLE: Well, there's a little bit of that, yes. And part of it is that there are real genuine competing interests. And so, the cardinals do recognize that not only do they have to dialogue with modernity, they also have to deal with a range of issues.

At the same time, I don't think that Ratzinger's concern for the faith being transmitted is well-served by the kind of split that goes in the West when we have a cult of devotion and celebrity and skepticism. We need real dialogue with Islam, but also with the thought forms that go on in Western culture.

COSTELLO: Well, you talk about Western culture. I mean, I'm wondering if the church really even cares about what happens in the United States as it applies to Catholics, because the Catholic population is growing in other countries.

DALLAVALLE: Right, right. So, there is a sense in which some have suggested that the West is lost, both the United States and Europe. And so, they are turning increasingly to the devotion that is really springing forward in Africa and Indonesia. The next pope is going to have to hold this story together, and that will be a huge challenge.

COSTELLO: Any guesses?

DALLAVALLE: You know, if I guessed, that would immediately rule one out. So, how should I do that? What is very certain is that it won't be one from the United States. The other thing is I think we should stop thinking about the idea of a transitional figure. No cardinal gets elected pope, wakes up the next morning and looks in the mirror and says, I'm only a transitional figure. This person will think of themselves as the pope.

COSTELLO: I think so. Nancy Dallavalle, thank you so much for being here with us. We appreciate it.

DALLAVALLE: Thank you very much.

COSTELLO: This is a week full of sad anniversaries. And for the last 10 years, the community of Oklahoma City has observed the now infamous date of April 19.

CNN's Soledad O'Brien joins us now for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning once again.

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

Tomorrow, of course, is marking that 10th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. This morning, we're going to meet Michael Reyes (ph). He and his father were working in the Murrah Building that day. Michael survived. His father, though, did not.

Today, he works in the new federal building, not far from where the old one stood. He's going to tell us how that bombing changed his life and the city that he calls home.

Bill Hemmer is on assignment for us in Oklahoma City. He's going to join us live from there a little bit later on "AMERICAN MORNING" at the top of the hour.

Carol -- back to you.

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Soledad.

It sounds like a special effect on the big screen, but passengers on this cruise liner know it was the real thing. What was it like on board when a seven-story wave collided with their floating vacation? More on that story when DAYBREAK returns.

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COSTELLO: Courageous and relentless. That's how people remember an American aid worker killed in Iraq after spending years helping others. Twenty-eight-year-old Marla Ruzicka was killed in Baghdad Saturday when a car bomb struck her convoy.

According to "The New York Times," an American medic who rushed to the scene says her last words were, "I'm alive," as her car was engulfed in flames. The California woman founded the campaign for innocent victims in conflicts. She helped secure millions of dollars in aid money from Congress for civilian Iraqis hurt by war.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLIFFORD RUZICKA, MARLA RUZICKA'S FATHER: I think her forming her own organization civic, where she'd become much more effective working with the U.S. government and the U.S. military, I think has been her crown achievement. I think she's taught the government and the military how to pay attention to the collateral damage they do to countries and to all of the civilians that they harm.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Also, a prayer vigil for in Indiana man held captive in Iraq was canceled without explanation over the weekend in his home state. Forty-seven-year-old contractor Jeffrey Ake was abducted Monday near Baghdad. There has been no word about him since a videotape aired on Al-Jazeera. The vigil was planned for Friday night in LaPorte, Indiana.

It is now 6:53 Eastern. Here's what will be making news today.

A news conference is scheduled in the case of a Mexican mother who was ordered by a judge to learn English. Civil rights groups are upset that the Tennessee judge threatened to take away the woman's child if she didn't learn the language and take birth control.

The Georgia Supreme Court is considering what could be a landmark lawsuit against Delta Airlines. They're being sued by a man who was hit by a drunk driver who allegedly had too much to drink while on a Delta flight.

And a cruise ship is expected to arrive in New York today after a very rough ride. The ship was slammed by a seven-story-high wave that caused serious damage and several injuries.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CARLA BURGESS, CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER: When we were going through all of this, they offered free drinks. Free drinks! Can you believe that? They want people drunk while we're going through all of this mess. And then they offered 25 percent off of your next cruise. Who wants to go on the next cruise? I sure don't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MYERS: I'll take that coupon if she doesn't want it.

COSTELLO: I understand why she's upset.

MYERS: Of course.

COSTELLO: Because it was a scary thing.

MYERS: It really was.

COSTELLO: A lot of people thought they were doing to die.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: But, again, how can you control what happens out in the middle of the ocean?

MYERS: It was Mother Nature at its worst. A rogue wave, 47-feet high or so, the seas themselves were 17 feet, the boat was going back and forth. Even with the stabilizers on, you can't do much about it.

Here's the mug question and the giveaway for today, Carol. I've been told to move on. Laser beams in what two colors will soon warn pilots in restricted airspace over D.C.? The answer was red and green. And the answer to the next one, what is the name of the whale stranded in the Delaware River? It's name is Helis, a French version of Elis (ph), which means propeller. There's a little propeller mark on her back.

The winner, the winner from Minden, Louisiana, is Karen McGowan. Karen, congratulations. You mug is in the mail.

And I hope you were paying attention today. We have two new questions for you for today. Who appeared on "TIME's" list of the five best big city mayors? You just need to give me one. And Queen Elizabeth celebrates a birthday this week. How old will she be?

CNN.com/daybreak. The questions are right there. Give us the answers.

COSTELLO: We will indeed. Thank you, Chad.

You are watching DAYBREAK for a Monday morning.

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COSTELLO: "Now in the News."

The process to elect a new pope has begun. It started with a prayer. One hundred and fifteen Catholic cardinals ended their mass in St. Peter's Basilica just over an hour ago. They're now preparing to take part in the conclave to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

There is serious concern this morning over the shutdown of one North Korean nuclear plant. The potential for plutonium harvesting exists when a plant shuts down completely. North Korea says the plant has been stopped for routine cleaning.

An unregistered sex offender charged with the murder of Florida teenager Sarah Lunde is being arraigned about an hour from now. Police say David Onstott confessed to choking the 13-year-old to death in her home on April 10.

The Boston Marathon is today. It starts at noon Eastern. And some are saying an American may actually win this year for the first time in 20 years. Olympian Alan Culpepper (ph) is a favorite to lead the American revival.

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COSTELLO: That does it for us. I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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