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CNN Live At Daybreak

Three Suicide Bombings in Iraq; Southern California Landslides

Aired June 02, 2005 - 06:00   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is Thursday, June 2.
Homes destroyed, hundreds evacuated. This morning, people are picking up the pieces after a landslide lands in Laguna.

DAYBREAK starts right now.

It started with a crackle, then collapse. More on the devastating day in one oceanside community.

Also ahead, a sign of things to come in the corporate world. The number one guy at the SEC calls it quits.

And shaming neighbors into getting their property cleaned up. I'll talk to one community leader who thinks it may work in his city.

Then later, a training camp spoof turns ugly for the 49ers. Wait until you hear about this.

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: And good morning, everyone.

We'll have more on the landslides in California in just a minute.

Also ahead, the jury gets the Michael Jackson case today. But that doesn't necessarily mean we're close to a verdict.

But first, now in the news, three suicide car bombs have killed at least 16 people and wounded 53 others in Iraq. This damage is from Kirkuk, where the bomber was targeting an American diplomatic convoy. The blast ended up killing two children.

A leading anti-Syrian journalist has been killed in Beirut when a bomb in his car exploded. Security sources say the bomb went off when he started the car. He wrote for Lebanon's biggest selling daily newspaper.

Israel is releasing about 400 more Palestinian prisoners. Busloads of Palestinians are being set free into the West Bank and Gaza under an agreement made between the two sides in February.

Police in Richmond, Virginia are searching for a suspect who is responsible for three murders. The separate shootings all took place in about 15 minutes. Police believe two of the murders may have been racially motivated. To the Forecast Center now and Chad -- good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: We get started this hour in Iraq, where suicide bombers are targeting the northern part of that country this morning. At least 16 people are dead in three separate bombings.

Let's head live to Baghdad now and Jennifer Eccleston -- hello, Jennifer.

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

Well, Iraqis wake each day to the sounds of violence. And today's seemingly coordinated attacks yet another example of the terror that shadows large parts of the population.

Now, as diners were enjoying breakfast this morning in northern Iraq, in Tuz Khormato, outside the city of Kirkuk, a suicide bomb ripped through a restaurant, leaving it a heap of twisted metal and glass, killing at least 10 people and wounding 38 others. Now, among the diners were bodyguards to one of Iraq's deputy prime ministers. Now, one was killed and six others were wounded. The deputy prime minister was not at the scene.

Almost 30 minutes later, another car bomb targeted an American diplomatic convoy, this time in Kirkuk proper. Two Iraqis were killed in that attack and 11 others were wounded. And further south of Kirkuk, in the city of Ba'qubah, which is 35 miles north of Baghdad, about 10 to 15 minutes after the Kirkuk blast, a regional counselor and three others were killed when a suicide bomber targeted their convoy. And overnight here in Baghdad, a tragic incident. A mortar barrage killed three children, two siblings and their cousin, and also their uncle.

Now, Carol, it's an inauspicious start to the month of June, following a deadly May, where nearly 700 Iraqis were killed and nearly 80 American troops, including the announcement today of the death of a soldier after a roadside bomb struck his vehicle outside the hostile city of Ramadi -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jennifer Eccleston live in Baghdad this morning.

Shifting our focus now to the United Nations, Secretary General Kofi Annan has fired long-time staffer Joseph Stephanides for his role in the Oil For Food Program. He is accused of improperly intervening in the initial bidding process to help a British firm win a contact. Stephanides says he's done nothing wrong and that he will appeal. It is the first dismissal resulting from the investigation into the scandal surrounding the $64 billion program.

Bill Clinton for U.N. secretary general? The former president says he's flattered that some people think he's the man for that job.

But as he told our Larry King, he's got enough going on already.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM CNN'S "LARRY KING LIVE")

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I have a lot of freedom to do things that I believe in and care about now, so I don't really think this U.N. thing is on the horizon. It's flattering to be talked about, but it's not what -- I should be doing what I'm doing, I think.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Now to the Deep Throat story and Bob Woodward, who's sharing some details about his once super secret Watergate source. By now you know that Mark Felt has admitted to being Deep Throat. Felt was the number two man at the FBI during the Watergate scandal. In today's "Washington Post," Woodward talks about reporting the story with his partner, Carl Bernstein. He says, and I quote from the article this morning: "I was thankful for any morsel or information, confirmation or assistance Felt gave me while Carl and I were attempting to understand the many-headed monster of Watergate. Because of his position, virtually atop the chief investigative agency, his words and guidance had immense, at times even staggering, authority. The weight, authenticity and his restraint were more important than his design, if he had one.

In the meantime, the "New York Times" reports this morning that Woodward's long planned book about his relationship with Felt will be out soon, perhaps as early as next month. Felt also has plans to write a book and "collect all the money I can."

Larry King will have an exclusive, live, prime time interview with Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein tonight. That airs at 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

It is happening again in southern California -- million dollar homes sliding down hills. More than a dozen homes have come crashing down and 1,000 people have been ordered out of the area.

We get more now from CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Only from the air can you grasp the scope of the landslide that sent some homes tumbling down intact, smashed others to bits and brought roads to a dead end in midair.

The first signs of trouble came just before dawn when residents reported hearing strange sounds.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know that crackling candy that you eat, that cracks?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. That's exactly what it's like is (INAUDIBLE).

BLITZER: Some time after 6:00 a.m., the ground gave way, sending panicked residents fleeing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because we all knew that the Earth was moving very quickly and we had to depart.

BLITZER: Amazingly, as these million dollar homes plunged down the hillside, there were only a handful of minor injuries. Now, with some homes barely clinging to the hillside and others snapped in two, officials are trying to figure out the extent of the danger.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have geologists in the area that are trying to assess the perimeter of the damage, in other words, how far back it extends. But there's still -- it's dangerous up there. There are men and women working up there as the ground is moving.

BLITZER: Officials are suggesting residents prepare for extended stays in temporary shelters. But for some, when they return is not that important.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got out safe. That's all I care about right now.

BLITZER: Wolf Blitzer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: The wealthy seaside community of Laguna Beach is no stranger to natural disasters. Four hundred homes were destroyed in a 1993 wildfire. And in 1998, a rainstorm triggered a landslide that damaged 300 homes. And although yesterday's slide happened in dry, sunny weather, it followed an exceptionally wet winter in California.

Still to come this hour on DAYBREAK, they've heard both sides. Now the jury gets down to work in the Michael Jackson case. We'll take you live to California.

Plus, it may get good mileage, but there are questions this morning about the reliability of a popular hybrid car.

And less than sportsmanlike conduct. That's what some people think about a spoof on tape for the 49ers training camp. It gets pretty obscene at times. We'll take about it.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Thursday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: After a long 14 weeks, the Michael Jackson trial is heading into the home stretch. Closing arguments are scheduled for today. The prosecution and the defense will have a final chance to sway the jury before they begin deliberations.

For a look ahead, let's head out to Santa Maria, California, where CNN's Kareen Wynter is standing by -- good morning, Kareen.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

And I can tell you yesterday, we saw a line of fans and supporters out here in front of the courthouse. It's expected to actually grow again today. But last night, many of those also lined the ranch, the entrance of Neverland Ranch, the singer's home, to basically deliver well wishes on the eve of these closing arguments that are expected to be quite dramatic.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

WYNTER (voice-over): A visibly weary Michael Jackson left court Wednesday, following a full day of jury instructions. The singer's spokeswoman said Jackson was upset as he listened to the charges against him.

RAMONE BAIN, JACKSON SPOKESWOMAN: We are here at the end of a long trial and he realizes in the next day or two there are going to be jury deliberations. And who wouldn't be nervous? Who would not be?

WYNTER: The jury is expected to begin deliberating Friday. Today, the defense and prosecution will deliver closing arguments, the last chance for both sides to sell their case to the eight women and four men who will decide Jackson's fate.

ANDREW COHEN, LEGAL ANALYST: They're going to be filling in some of the blanks, each side. Prosecutors talking about the pattern of molestation and conspiracy, the defense talking about the pattern of extortion, this family's manipulation of Michael Jackson.

WYNTER: Jackson faces 10 felony charges, including four counts of molestation, one count of attempted molestation, four counts related to alcohol and a conspiracy charge. The judge has also left the door open to jurors to convict Jackson of a misdemeanor, furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Michael Jackson had denied being a child molester. Some legal experts say the complexity of the case could slow jury deliberations, so don't expect a quick verdict.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

WYNTER: We've also heard from other legal experts who argue jurors have already made up their minds and will make a quick ruling in this case.

Those court proceedings are expected to begin a little over two hours from now -- Carol.

COSTELLO: And I know you will still be there.

Kareen Wynter reporting live from Santa Maria, California this morning.

Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 6:12 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

At least 16 people have been killed in a series of suicide car bombings in Iraq this morning. This damage is from Kirkuk, where the bomber was targeting an American diplomatic convoy.

In money news, there's now a new way to shop with eBay. The Internet auctioneer bought Shopping.com for more than $600 million cash. The purchase gives eBay a foothold in the comparison shopping business.

In culture, "Jeopardy" millionaire Ken Jennings is now lending his name to a new game. It's called Quizology. Jennings says he hopes the audio trivia game can some day become as popular as its predecessor, Trivial Pursuit.

In sports, Lebron James has a new coach. The Cleveland Cavaliers will name Mike Brown as their new head man later today. Brown spent the last two years as an assistant in Indiana. He will be the Cavs sixth head coach in the last six seasons.

MYERS: Ouch. That's stability.

COSTELLO: Yes, isn't it?

MYERS: Yes.

Good morning, everybody.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: That's a look at the latest headlines this morning.

We're also following a developing story out of Lebanon.

A car bomb has exploded in Beirut, killing a prominent anti- Syrian journalist.

CNN senior international correspondent Brent Sadler joins us live from the Lebanese capital to tell us more -- hello, Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello.

Good morning, Carol.

This is an assassination in typical Lebanese fashion that we've seen over many decades here, a targeted attack against a car driven by a very prominent Lebanese journalist called Samir Kassir. Now, this journalist has for many, many months been a high profile figure, both in his writings and in his speeches, of the anti-Syrian opposition that came about after the February assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, that really triggered off the so-called Cedar Revolution for democracy here. Syrian troops, yes, they pulled out of Lebanon recently. But Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. secretary of state, only recently was accusing Syria of still trying to covertly pull strings behind the political scene here in Beirut. And this assassination of this very well known and prominent journalist working for a newspaper that has for years criticized Syrian policy in Lebanon, certainly sends a message not only to the media in Lebanon, but also to the opposition itself -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Brent, can you get into more of the way this assassination was carried out? Because didn't this man start his car and that ignited a bomb?

SADLER: Not too many details on the precise detonation technique of how the bomb was set up. But the car was parked in a very populated part of the predominantly Christian part of the Lebanese capital, in a neighborhood called Ashrafieh. It was right between a flower shop and some clothes shops. And so someone got there, had been able to establish an explosive device. And when the journalist got inside, apparently that's when the car detonated. A typical kind of political assassination that we see here, have seen in Lebanon over many, many years -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Brent Sadler reporting live from Beirut, Lebanon this morning.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, you've seen the yards, hopefully not in your neighborhood. But what if this was your view? Hear one town's plan of action to fight your messy neighbor who refuses to clean up his yard.

And while we're on the topic of bad manners, how about cell phones on airplanes? Why the government now thinks those phones should be turned off, permanently.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALTER UPDEGRAVE, SENIOR EDITOR, "MONEY": One of the things that happens is a lot of people have switched jobs quite a few times and they may have a 401K that they left at an old employer or an IRA if they started somewhere and they just haven't kept track of. I think it's a good time to kind of grab all these accounts and bring them together, roll them all into one IRA or put the money into your current employer's 401K plan.

But basically the idea is to get all of your assets into one place so that you know what you're dealing with and you can manage them better and more efficiently.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time for a little "Business Buzz." French aircraft company Airbus says it will delay delivery of the world's largest commercial jet by six months. The delay comes as Airbus and its U.S. rival, Boeing, are locked in fierce competition for global leadership in aircraft manufacturing.

The government will investigate the Toyota Prius, the fast selling gas-electric hybrid sedan. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will look into reports the engine can stall without warning. The preliminary probe will involve about 75,000 2004-2005 models.

And the business world is buzzing as the head of the SEC steps down.

Carrie Lee joins us with more on that and a look at who might replace him.

Didn't he just take that position a short time ago?

CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Two years ago, which is not too long of a time. But he's certainly made his mark. And he says it's time to move on. Of course, we're talking about SEC Chairman William Donaldson. He announced his resignation effective June 30.

Now, Donaldson took over the SEC, as I said, two years ago, after the wave of corporate scandals hit Wall Street. He was tough on Wall Street and sided with the Democrats on rules for stock market trading, hedge funds and mutual funds.

Donaldson is 74 years old and he says he wants to spend more time with his family. That's pretty much what everyone says, but still, two years there.

President Bush will reportedly nominate comfort Republican Congressman Christopher Cox as Donaldson's replacement. I'll tell you a little bit about him. He's 52 years old. He's been in Congress for 16 years. He currently heads, chairs, the House Homeland Security Committee, and he's also been on the Financial Services Committee.

He supported the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002, which put stiff new corporate accountability rules on companies after all those scandals. He also supports a repeal of capital gains and dividend taxes, Carol, which I think is very interesting. That's clearly siding with investors.

COSTELLO: Especially for those that make lots and lots of money.

LEE: But still, a lot of people who are investing in stocks, capital gains does benefit everyone, from the small to the large investor. So if Cox -- he does have to be confirmed by the Senate. We'll see if he takes the helm.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

LEE: Yes.

COSTELLO: A quick look at the futures?

LEE: Yes, things looking mixed, actually, for today's session. We did see the Dow, Nasdaq, S&P all gain nicely yesterday. Some weak econ reports, but that's prompting people to think well maybe the economy isn't growing so fast. Maybe the Fed won't be so aggressive in raising interest rates.

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Carrie Lee.

LEE: OK.

COSTELLO: We appreciate it.

You know that irresponsible neighbor you have, the one who never mows his lawn, who never paints the house and drives your property value down? And no matter how much you've complained, the problems remain.

Well, in Dayton, Ohio, they're trying a new tactic. It's called shaming.

Live to Ohio now and Bill Nelson, from the Department of Building Services in Dayton.

Good morning, sir.

BILL NELSON, DIRECTOR OF BUILDING SERVICES: Good morning.

COSTELLO: Your planned simplicity seems a beautiful thing -- a giant sign posted in the offender's yard.

What exactly does it say?

NELSON: Well, basically it's a notice of violation, which is typically something that we would post on the property that would be an 8-1/2 x 11 notice that we would actually mail to the property owner, as well as post on the property.

We decided that we would enlarge this sign into what we came up with, a 3 x 4 foot sign that would be more noticeable, more visible and would alert the neighbors and the residents in the community as to who the owners of the property were.

COSTELLO: So the name of the owner is prominently displayed on this sign?

NELSON: Yes. The sign actually has a place for the name of the owner based on the records that we have and also on the lender and the mortgage company, if, in fact, there is someone who has a financial interest in the property, as well.

COSTELLO: And the intent here is to actually shame these people into cleaning up their property?

NELSON: Well, that's correct. We want to motivate property owners. We've tried a number of things in the city, including prosecution, tickets and those types of things. And we thought that this might be an additional way to help improve on this situation and get property owners to step up to the plate and take care of the property and to make it more habitable.

COSTELLO: You know, Bill, it's funny because when you call to complain, not very much happens. But it seems when you post a sign with the owner's name, action is taken.

Why do you think that is?

NELSON: Well, I think people typically don't want to be that visible. They don't want to be that noticeable. And I think that by having the neighbors know who they are, and particularly if you are a corporate entity who has an interest in the property and the city, I think this just really raises the bar a little bit and I think people really don't like that. And I think it motivates them to try to do something about it.

COSTELLO: Also, we have to bring this up, because some neighbors complained this is actually worse for the neighborhood, having the sign there along with the unkempt yard.

I mean, I would think twice about buying a home in such a neighborhood.

NELSON: Well, that's a good point and we certainly have made it a point that we will not put signs in every neighborhood or on every property. But these are sort of the worst case offenders where we think we can get some immediate response from them and then that will result in the sign being taken down.

But that is something that we're concerned about and we are certainly monitoring it. And we don't -- we do not intend to really saturate neighborhoods with these kinds of signs. But we thought in the worst case scenarios and for selected properties, it would make a big difference.

COSTELLO: Bill Nelson, director of building services in Dayton, Ohio.

Thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning.

It started out as some harmless fun at the beginning of training camp. Oh, but now a team videotape has started a fury that has some San Francisco 49ers red-faced.

Also ahead, did hate cause a shooting spree in Virginia? We'll take you there live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: And good morning, everyone.

Thank you for waking up with us this morning.

Also coming up this half hour, it was done in jest, but now a videotape from a training camp is coming back to haunt the San Francisco 49ers. This is the mild stuff from the video.

But first, now in the news, it is being called an assassination in Lebanon. A prominent journalist was killed in a car bomb in Beirut just a short time ago. He was known for his strong opposition to Syria's presence in Lebanon.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has had minor heart surgery to clear blocked arteries. An adviser says the procedure went off without any complications. It was performed on Tuesday in Jordan.

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin today in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial. Jackson's spokeswoman says the entertainer was nervous and upset while the judge gave final instructions to the jury.

To the Forecast Center and Chad -- good morning.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired June 2, 2005 - 06:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is Thursday, June 2.
Homes destroyed, hundreds evacuated. This morning, people are picking up the pieces after a landslide lands in Laguna.

DAYBREAK starts right now.

It started with a crackle, then collapse. More on the devastating day in one oceanside community.

Also ahead, a sign of things to come in the corporate world. The number one guy at the SEC calls it quits.

And shaming neighbors into getting their property cleaned up. I'll talk to one community leader who thinks it may work in his city.

Then later, a training camp spoof turns ugly for the 49ers. Wait until you hear about this.

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: And good morning, everyone.

We'll have more on the landslides in California in just a minute.

Also ahead, the jury gets the Michael Jackson case today. But that doesn't necessarily mean we're close to a verdict.

But first, now in the news, three suicide car bombs have killed at least 16 people and wounded 53 others in Iraq. This damage is from Kirkuk, where the bomber was targeting an American diplomatic convoy. The blast ended up killing two children.

A leading anti-Syrian journalist has been killed in Beirut when a bomb in his car exploded. Security sources say the bomb went off when he started the car. He wrote for Lebanon's biggest selling daily newspaper.

Israel is releasing about 400 more Palestinian prisoners. Busloads of Palestinians are being set free into the West Bank and Gaza under an agreement made between the two sides in February.

Police in Richmond, Virginia are searching for a suspect who is responsible for three murders. The separate shootings all took place in about 15 minutes. Police believe two of the murders may have been racially motivated. To the Forecast Center now and Chad -- good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: We get started this hour in Iraq, where suicide bombers are targeting the northern part of that country this morning. At least 16 people are dead in three separate bombings.

Let's head live to Baghdad now and Jennifer Eccleston -- hello, Jennifer.

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

Well, Iraqis wake each day to the sounds of violence. And today's seemingly coordinated attacks yet another example of the terror that shadows large parts of the population.

Now, as diners were enjoying breakfast this morning in northern Iraq, in Tuz Khormato, outside the city of Kirkuk, a suicide bomb ripped through a restaurant, leaving it a heap of twisted metal and glass, killing at least 10 people and wounding 38 others. Now, among the diners were bodyguards to one of Iraq's deputy prime ministers. Now, one was killed and six others were wounded. The deputy prime minister was not at the scene.

Almost 30 minutes later, another car bomb targeted an American diplomatic convoy, this time in Kirkuk proper. Two Iraqis were killed in that attack and 11 others were wounded. And further south of Kirkuk, in the city of Ba'qubah, which is 35 miles north of Baghdad, about 10 to 15 minutes after the Kirkuk blast, a regional counselor and three others were killed when a suicide bomber targeted their convoy. And overnight here in Baghdad, a tragic incident. A mortar barrage killed three children, two siblings and their cousin, and also their uncle.

Now, Carol, it's an inauspicious start to the month of June, following a deadly May, where nearly 700 Iraqis were killed and nearly 80 American troops, including the announcement today of the death of a soldier after a roadside bomb struck his vehicle outside the hostile city of Ramadi -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jennifer Eccleston live in Baghdad this morning.

Shifting our focus now to the United Nations, Secretary General Kofi Annan has fired long-time staffer Joseph Stephanides for his role in the Oil For Food Program. He is accused of improperly intervening in the initial bidding process to help a British firm win a contact. Stephanides says he's done nothing wrong and that he will appeal. It is the first dismissal resulting from the investigation into the scandal surrounding the $64 billion program.

Bill Clinton for U.N. secretary general? The former president says he's flattered that some people think he's the man for that job.

But as he told our Larry King, he's got enough going on already.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM CNN'S "LARRY KING LIVE")

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I have a lot of freedom to do things that I believe in and care about now, so I don't really think this U.N. thing is on the horizon. It's flattering to be talked about, but it's not what -- I should be doing what I'm doing, I think.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Now to the Deep Throat story and Bob Woodward, who's sharing some details about his once super secret Watergate source. By now you know that Mark Felt has admitted to being Deep Throat. Felt was the number two man at the FBI during the Watergate scandal. In today's "Washington Post," Woodward talks about reporting the story with his partner, Carl Bernstein. He says, and I quote from the article this morning: "I was thankful for any morsel or information, confirmation or assistance Felt gave me while Carl and I were attempting to understand the many-headed monster of Watergate. Because of his position, virtually atop the chief investigative agency, his words and guidance had immense, at times even staggering, authority. The weight, authenticity and his restraint were more important than his design, if he had one.

In the meantime, the "New York Times" reports this morning that Woodward's long planned book about his relationship with Felt will be out soon, perhaps as early as next month. Felt also has plans to write a book and "collect all the money I can."

Larry King will have an exclusive, live, prime time interview with Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein tonight. That airs at 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

It is happening again in southern California -- million dollar homes sliding down hills. More than a dozen homes have come crashing down and 1,000 people have been ordered out of the area.

We get more now from CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Only from the air can you grasp the scope of the landslide that sent some homes tumbling down intact, smashed others to bits and brought roads to a dead end in midair.

The first signs of trouble came just before dawn when residents reported hearing strange sounds.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know that crackling candy that you eat, that cracks?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. That's exactly what it's like is (INAUDIBLE).

BLITZER: Some time after 6:00 a.m., the ground gave way, sending panicked residents fleeing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because we all knew that the Earth was moving very quickly and we had to depart.

BLITZER: Amazingly, as these million dollar homes plunged down the hillside, there were only a handful of minor injuries. Now, with some homes barely clinging to the hillside and others snapped in two, officials are trying to figure out the extent of the danger.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have geologists in the area that are trying to assess the perimeter of the damage, in other words, how far back it extends. But there's still -- it's dangerous up there. There are men and women working up there as the ground is moving.

BLITZER: Officials are suggesting residents prepare for extended stays in temporary shelters. But for some, when they return is not that important.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got out safe. That's all I care about right now.

BLITZER: Wolf Blitzer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: The wealthy seaside community of Laguna Beach is no stranger to natural disasters. Four hundred homes were destroyed in a 1993 wildfire. And in 1998, a rainstorm triggered a landslide that damaged 300 homes. And although yesterday's slide happened in dry, sunny weather, it followed an exceptionally wet winter in California.

Still to come this hour on DAYBREAK, they've heard both sides. Now the jury gets down to work in the Michael Jackson case. We'll take you live to California.

Plus, it may get good mileage, but there are questions this morning about the reliability of a popular hybrid car.

And less than sportsmanlike conduct. That's what some people think about a spoof on tape for the 49ers training camp. It gets pretty obscene at times. We'll take about it.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Thursday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: After a long 14 weeks, the Michael Jackson trial is heading into the home stretch. Closing arguments are scheduled for today. The prosecution and the defense will have a final chance to sway the jury before they begin deliberations.

For a look ahead, let's head out to Santa Maria, California, where CNN's Kareen Wynter is standing by -- good morning, Kareen.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

And I can tell you yesterday, we saw a line of fans and supporters out here in front of the courthouse. It's expected to actually grow again today. But last night, many of those also lined the ranch, the entrance of Neverland Ranch, the singer's home, to basically deliver well wishes on the eve of these closing arguments that are expected to be quite dramatic.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

WYNTER (voice-over): A visibly weary Michael Jackson left court Wednesday, following a full day of jury instructions. The singer's spokeswoman said Jackson was upset as he listened to the charges against him.

RAMONE BAIN, JACKSON SPOKESWOMAN: We are here at the end of a long trial and he realizes in the next day or two there are going to be jury deliberations. And who wouldn't be nervous? Who would not be?

WYNTER: The jury is expected to begin deliberating Friday. Today, the defense and prosecution will deliver closing arguments, the last chance for both sides to sell their case to the eight women and four men who will decide Jackson's fate.

ANDREW COHEN, LEGAL ANALYST: They're going to be filling in some of the blanks, each side. Prosecutors talking about the pattern of molestation and conspiracy, the defense talking about the pattern of extortion, this family's manipulation of Michael Jackson.

WYNTER: Jackson faces 10 felony charges, including four counts of molestation, one count of attempted molestation, four counts related to alcohol and a conspiracy charge. The judge has also left the door open to jurors to convict Jackson of a misdemeanor, furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Michael Jackson had denied being a child molester. Some legal experts say the complexity of the case could slow jury deliberations, so don't expect a quick verdict.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

WYNTER: We've also heard from other legal experts who argue jurors have already made up their minds and will make a quick ruling in this case.

Those court proceedings are expected to begin a little over two hours from now -- Carol.

COSTELLO: And I know you will still be there.

Kareen Wynter reporting live from Santa Maria, California this morning.

Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 6:12 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

At least 16 people have been killed in a series of suicide car bombings in Iraq this morning. This damage is from Kirkuk, where the bomber was targeting an American diplomatic convoy.

In money news, there's now a new way to shop with eBay. The Internet auctioneer bought Shopping.com for more than $600 million cash. The purchase gives eBay a foothold in the comparison shopping business.

In culture, "Jeopardy" millionaire Ken Jennings is now lending his name to a new game. It's called Quizology. Jennings says he hopes the audio trivia game can some day become as popular as its predecessor, Trivial Pursuit.

In sports, Lebron James has a new coach. The Cleveland Cavaliers will name Mike Brown as their new head man later today. Brown spent the last two years as an assistant in Indiana. He will be the Cavs sixth head coach in the last six seasons.

MYERS: Ouch. That's stability.

COSTELLO: Yes, isn't it?

MYERS: Yes.

Good morning, everybody.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: That's a look at the latest headlines this morning.

We're also following a developing story out of Lebanon.

A car bomb has exploded in Beirut, killing a prominent anti- Syrian journalist.

CNN senior international correspondent Brent Sadler joins us live from the Lebanese capital to tell us more -- hello, Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello.

Good morning, Carol.

This is an assassination in typical Lebanese fashion that we've seen over many decades here, a targeted attack against a car driven by a very prominent Lebanese journalist called Samir Kassir. Now, this journalist has for many, many months been a high profile figure, both in his writings and in his speeches, of the anti-Syrian opposition that came about after the February assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, that really triggered off the so-called Cedar Revolution for democracy here. Syrian troops, yes, they pulled out of Lebanon recently. But Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. secretary of state, only recently was accusing Syria of still trying to covertly pull strings behind the political scene here in Beirut. And this assassination of this very well known and prominent journalist working for a newspaper that has for years criticized Syrian policy in Lebanon, certainly sends a message not only to the media in Lebanon, but also to the opposition itself -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Brent, can you get into more of the way this assassination was carried out? Because didn't this man start his car and that ignited a bomb?

SADLER: Not too many details on the precise detonation technique of how the bomb was set up. But the car was parked in a very populated part of the predominantly Christian part of the Lebanese capital, in a neighborhood called Ashrafieh. It was right between a flower shop and some clothes shops. And so someone got there, had been able to establish an explosive device. And when the journalist got inside, apparently that's when the car detonated. A typical kind of political assassination that we see here, have seen in Lebanon over many, many years -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Brent Sadler reporting live from Beirut, Lebanon this morning.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, you've seen the yards, hopefully not in your neighborhood. But what if this was your view? Hear one town's plan of action to fight your messy neighbor who refuses to clean up his yard.

And while we're on the topic of bad manners, how about cell phones on airplanes? Why the government now thinks those phones should be turned off, permanently.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALTER UPDEGRAVE, SENIOR EDITOR, "MONEY": One of the things that happens is a lot of people have switched jobs quite a few times and they may have a 401K that they left at an old employer or an IRA if they started somewhere and they just haven't kept track of. I think it's a good time to kind of grab all these accounts and bring them together, roll them all into one IRA or put the money into your current employer's 401K plan.

But basically the idea is to get all of your assets into one place so that you know what you're dealing with and you can manage them better and more efficiently.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time for a little "Business Buzz." French aircraft company Airbus says it will delay delivery of the world's largest commercial jet by six months. The delay comes as Airbus and its U.S. rival, Boeing, are locked in fierce competition for global leadership in aircraft manufacturing.

The government will investigate the Toyota Prius, the fast selling gas-electric hybrid sedan. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will look into reports the engine can stall without warning. The preliminary probe will involve about 75,000 2004-2005 models.

And the business world is buzzing as the head of the SEC steps down.

Carrie Lee joins us with more on that and a look at who might replace him.

Didn't he just take that position a short time ago?

CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Two years ago, which is not too long of a time. But he's certainly made his mark. And he says it's time to move on. Of course, we're talking about SEC Chairman William Donaldson. He announced his resignation effective June 30.

Now, Donaldson took over the SEC, as I said, two years ago, after the wave of corporate scandals hit Wall Street. He was tough on Wall Street and sided with the Democrats on rules for stock market trading, hedge funds and mutual funds.

Donaldson is 74 years old and he says he wants to spend more time with his family. That's pretty much what everyone says, but still, two years there.

President Bush will reportedly nominate comfort Republican Congressman Christopher Cox as Donaldson's replacement. I'll tell you a little bit about him. He's 52 years old. He's been in Congress for 16 years. He currently heads, chairs, the House Homeland Security Committee, and he's also been on the Financial Services Committee.

He supported the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002, which put stiff new corporate accountability rules on companies after all those scandals. He also supports a repeal of capital gains and dividend taxes, Carol, which I think is very interesting. That's clearly siding with investors.

COSTELLO: Especially for those that make lots and lots of money.

LEE: But still, a lot of people who are investing in stocks, capital gains does benefit everyone, from the small to the large investor. So if Cox -- he does have to be confirmed by the Senate. We'll see if he takes the helm.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

LEE: Yes.

COSTELLO: A quick look at the futures?

LEE: Yes, things looking mixed, actually, for today's session. We did see the Dow, Nasdaq, S&P all gain nicely yesterday. Some weak econ reports, but that's prompting people to think well maybe the economy isn't growing so fast. Maybe the Fed won't be so aggressive in raising interest rates.

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Carrie Lee.

LEE: OK.

COSTELLO: We appreciate it.

You know that irresponsible neighbor you have, the one who never mows his lawn, who never paints the house and drives your property value down? And no matter how much you've complained, the problems remain.

Well, in Dayton, Ohio, they're trying a new tactic. It's called shaming.

Live to Ohio now and Bill Nelson, from the Department of Building Services in Dayton.

Good morning, sir.

BILL NELSON, DIRECTOR OF BUILDING SERVICES: Good morning.

COSTELLO: Your planned simplicity seems a beautiful thing -- a giant sign posted in the offender's yard.

What exactly does it say?

NELSON: Well, basically it's a notice of violation, which is typically something that we would post on the property that would be an 8-1/2 x 11 notice that we would actually mail to the property owner, as well as post on the property.

We decided that we would enlarge this sign into what we came up with, a 3 x 4 foot sign that would be more noticeable, more visible and would alert the neighbors and the residents in the community as to who the owners of the property were.

COSTELLO: So the name of the owner is prominently displayed on this sign?

NELSON: Yes. The sign actually has a place for the name of the owner based on the records that we have and also on the lender and the mortgage company, if, in fact, there is someone who has a financial interest in the property, as well.

COSTELLO: And the intent here is to actually shame these people into cleaning up their property?

NELSON: Well, that's correct. We want to motivate property owners. We've tried a number of things in the city, including prosecution, tickets and those types of things. And we thought that this might be an additional way to help improve on this situation and get property owners to step up to the plate and take care of the property and to make it more habitable.

COSTELLO: You know, Bill, it's funny because when you call to complain, not very much happens. But it seems when you post a sign with the owner's name, action is taken.

Why do you think that is?

NELSON: Well, I think people typically don't want to be that visible. They don't want to be that noticeable. And I think that by having the neighbors know who they are, and particularly if you are a corporate entity who has an interest in the property and the city, I think this just really raises the bar a little bit and I think people really don't like that. And I think it motivates them to try to do something about it.

COSTELLO: Also, we have to bring this up, because some neighbors complained this is actually worse for the neighborhood, having the sign there along with the unkempt yard.

I mean, I would think twice about buying a home in such a neighborhood.

NELSON: Well, that's a good point and we certainly have made it a point that we will not put signs in every neighborhood or on every property. But these are sort of the worst case offenders where we think we can get some immediate response from them and then that will result in the sign being taken down.

But that is something that we're concerned about and we are certainly monitoring it. And we don't -- we do not intend to really saturate neighborhoods with these kinds of signs. But we thought in the worst case scenarios and for selected properties, it would make a big difference.

COSTELLO: Bill Nelson, director of building services in Dayton, Ohio.

Thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning.

It started out as some harmless fun at the beginning of training camp. Oh, but now a team videotape has started a fury that has some San Francisco 49ers red-faced.

Also ahead, did hate cause a shooting spree in Virginia? We'll take you there live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: And good morning, everyone.

Thank you for waking up with us this morning.

Also coming up this half hour, it was done in jest, but now a videotape from a training camp is coming back to haunt the San Francisco 49ers. This is the mild stuff from the video.

But first, now in the news, it is being called an assassination in Lebanon. A prominent journalist was killed in a car bomb in Beirut just a short time ago. He was known for his strong opposition to Syria's presence in Lebanon.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has had minor heart surgery to clear blocked arteries. An adviser says the procedure went off without any complications. It was performed on Tuesday in Jordan.

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin today in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial. Jackson's spokeswoman says the entertainer was nervous and upset while the judge gave final instructions to the jury.

To the Forecast Center and Chad -- good morning.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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