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CNN Live Today

The Fight For Iraq; Wal-Mart Heir Dies; Missing Student; Shark Attacks

Aired June 28, 2005 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: The cupcakes.
Andy, we've got to talk about that.

ANDREW SERWER, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. I'll see what I can do.

NGUYEN: All right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can we FedEx them down? I don't think that will work out so well.

NGUYEN: Yes, that (INAUDIBLE)

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN: You've got to get your own.

NGUYEN: Thank you, guys. Have a great day.

Here is what's happening right "Now in the News."

Another shark attack off the Florida Panhandle. A 16-year-old was bitten while fishing about 60 feet from shore. Doctors had to amputate the Tennessee boy's leg. The attack came two days after a girl was killed by a bull shark less than 100 miles away.

A new counterinsurgency push is underway in Iraq's Anbar province. One thousand U.S. forces backed by Iraqi troops launched Operation Sword this morning. Their target, insurgents and foreign fighters who have been making life miserable for Iraqi civilians. The same forces involved in Operation Sword just completed Operation Spear in Anbar.

And the Senate is meeting this hour for a vote on its version of the energy bill. This is a live look right now. The measure is expected to pass, but there is work ahead to bring it in line with the House bill. The Senate version is twice as expensive. The House bill, more favorable to industry. The Bush administration says there is no short-term fix for high gas prices. Treasury Secretary John Snow says the government can't do much to offer relief. Snow thinks the high prices will prompt drivers to cut down on travel and encourage producers of alternative energy. Crude oil prices closed Monday at more than $60 a barrel, at an all- time high.

And now, on cnn.com, it is offering a whole new way to get the headlines. Just log on to our Web site and click on "watch" to check out the most popular stories. Everything from politics to sports to entertainment and it's absolutely free now on cnn.com.

Well, good morning. I'm Betty Nguyen, sitting in for Daryn Kagan today.

One year ago today in Baghdad, a simple ceremony marked the transfer of sovereignty from the U.S.-led coalition to the interim Iraqi government. It was a first step on the road to elections, the installation of the government, and the current drafting of a constitution. It has also been a year of unrest. Insurgents have stepped up attacks on Iraqi security forces and civilians, as well as American troops. Eight-hundred-eighty-one U.S. military members have been killed since that handover. Most of them in combat. That's an average of more than two a day.

Now in the face of that death toll, and public doubts over the course of the conflict, President Bush speaks to the nation tonight, stressing the need to stay on course. And U.S. forces have launched a new operation to secure Iraq's wild west. Operation Sword is the fifth military campaign in recent weeks in Anbar province. The insurgency shows no sign of slowing in Baghdad. CNN's Jennifer Eccleston has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Despite today's anniversary, or perhaps because of it, the violence continues. A prominent Shiite tribal leader, a member of the Iraqi National Assembly, was killed in a suicide car bomb attack Tuesday morning in Northern Baghdad. Shiite Dhari Ali al-Fayadh, his son, and three bodyguards died when a suicide car bomber slammed into his convoy.

But today marks the one-year anniversary of the handing over of sovereignty to Iraqis. One step in many political landmarks, including the historic January election of the transitional assembly, the adoption of a government in April, and this summer and fall the writing and the adoption of a constitution and elections of a five- year government which is scheduled for later this year in December.

But clouding the political process is a spike in violence over the last year. A surge in insurgent attacks across the country, a surge in car bombs and suicide bombers, the most effective means now to kill large numbers of Iraqi people. Over 800 U.S. forces have been killed and thousands of Iraqis. And despite the number of major U.S. operations to rid the country of its insurgency, it still remains effective. And Iraqis and the U.S. military says the political process, getting all Iraqis involved, getting all Iraqis to take ownership of their country is key to stemming the insurgency here in Iraq.

And one year later, many Iraqis still live under substandard living conditions. Not enough power. Not enough water. Not enough clean drinking water. And sub par sanitation and sewage. These day- to-day hardships, on top of the grinding violence, especially here in the capital, limits the Iraqis ability to believe their government and American assertations that life is indeed improving in Baghdad and across the country one year after the handover of sovereignty. Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And a reminder about the president's address tonight from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Our special coverage begins at 7:00 tonight with Anderson Cooper.

Now to other news.

One of the world's most publicly recognized families is privately mourning the death of a member of their clan. Wal-Mart heir John Walton died Monday after a small plane he was flying crashed in Wyoming. He was the second son of Wal-Mart's founder, Sam Walton, and one of the world's richest men. Our Sean Callebs is in Bentonville, Arkansas, with the latest.

Sean.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For several hours today, we have seen employees file into the corporate headquarters, many with heavy hearts, certainly a somber day here as they try to proceed business as usual. And if these workers did not know John Walton died yesterday, they certainly found out this morning. Here's how local newspapers are handling it. "The Morning News: Springdale" with a giant banner headline, "John Walton dead at 58." "The Arkansas Democrat Gazette" also, "John Walton Dies in Crash of an Ultralight."

Certainly Arkansas, the epicenter for this family empire. But John Walton did not live or ultimately die here. He lived in Wyoming and passed away yesterday morning when his ultralight plane crashed shortly after takeoff. One phrase you're going to hear a lot, "air to the family fortune." His personal cut of this family fortune estimated at $20 billion.

But John Walton was so much more. He was a father, a husband. He leaves three siblings and a mother. He is also a decorated Vietnam Veteran, winning the silver star from heroism. He also over the years resisted efforts by his father, Sam Walton, to join this family company. He finally joined the board in 1992, really keeping a low profile, focusing many of his efforts on the family's charitable arm. Over the years, donating hundreds of millions of dollars chiefly for education. You hear it from civic and business leaders in Arkansas, John Walton's integrity, his passion will be missed.

Sean Callebs, CNN, Bentonville, Arkansas.

NGUYEN: With an Alabama teen now missing in Aruba more than four weeks and two suspects just released, there are new questions about the pace of this investigation. CNN's Chris Lawrence has been covering this story and joins us now from Palm Beach, Aruba.

Chris.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, it's been over a month now since Natalee Holloway disappeared. You can really start to feel the tension really building here in Aruba now from both the family and some of the search team and investigators. Steve Croes, a local deejay on a party boat here, was released over the weekend. But that didn't cause much of a ripple. The family really never even figured out how much really he had to do with it. It turns out he didn't have much to do with this at all.

But the fact that Paul van der Sloot walked out after just a few days in jail was just devastating to the family. Now, van der Sloot was suspected of having something to do with Natalee's disappearance through his son, Joran, who's a teenager and one of the last people to see Holloway on the night she disappeared. But he was never charged with anything like all the other suspects. But the family felt that he had some answers. And when he walked out, it just almost sent them back to square one.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BETH HOLLOWAY TWITTY, NATALIE HOLLOWAY'S MOTHER: I feel like that I have carried this and it's June 13th. You know, I really felt like we were pushing forward and we were working together. And, you know, after this weekend when it's ripped out from me, you know, I don't know. Maybe I need a chart. You know, I would love to know where I am. I don't know if I'm at the beginning. I don't know if I'm in the middle. You know, I don't think any of us know where we are anymore.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAWRENCE: :Yes, the search team also has questions. They have been out every day since they arrived at the end of last week. Volunteers from Texas. They've got search dogs. They've got special sonar equipment that they've been trying to put to use in different parts around the island. But they're feeling the pressure as well. And we're now into our fifth week here of the search for Natalee Holloway and still no answer as to exactly what happened to her.

Betty.

NGUYEN: Chris, you could hear the frustration in Natalee Holloway's mother's voice. I'm also wonder though, with the release of these two men, van der Sloot and Croes, does it signify in any way that maybe this investigation is falling apart?

LAWRENCE: It could be. It depends on how you look at it. I think Steve Croes -- we always were trying to figure out what connection he had to this. Turns out he overheard something in an Internet cafe and told police a story. Our police sources told us that over a week ago, that he basically lied to police. But never really had any direct involvement in this. So that wasn't so much of a surprise.

But having the judge walk free, who many people thought was very integral to the case, that could signal that there could be some problems. The real test will come in a week because that's when prosecutors have to prove why they should be able to keep these three suspects for up to 60 days. If they can prove that, they've got another two months to interrogate them. If they can't, it's very possible all three could walk free.

NGUYEN: We'll be watching to see.

Chris Lawrence in Aruba.

Thank you, Chris.

Meanwhile, the search for a Boy Scout missing in Yellowstone National Park enters its fourth day with few leads and little hope. Thirteen-year-old Luke Sanburg is presumed dead after falling into the Yellowstone River and being swept toward a rapid. The scaled back search has shifted focus to body recovery. The Montana youngster was camping with his Boy Scout troop.

Now to the rescue of Brennan Hawkins. Remember him? The 11- year-old Cub Scout found after four days of wandering the Utah wilderness? Well last night Brennan and his parents appeared in an exclusive prime time interview on CNN's "Larry King Live."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR: Brennan, did you know -- Brennan, did you know that everybody was worried about you?

BRENNAN HAWKINS: Yes.

MRS. HAWKINS: He didn't then. When you were on the mountain did you know?

BRENNAN HAWKINS: Not really.

KING: Have you been eating well now that you're back, Brennan?

BRENNAN HAWKINS: Yes. Sort of.

MR. HAWKINS: One night, Larry, he ate -- one night he ate seven pieces of pizza. He's eaten a variety of candy that he loves and, you know, he's back on track. He's eating very well.

BRENNAN HAWKINS: That's true.

KING: Would you go camping again, Brennan?

BRENNAN HAWKINS: Oh, yeah. It's just not in the same area.

KING: Just not in the same -- you going to be a Boy Scout, too?

BRENNAN HAWKINS: Yeah.

KING: What do you want to be when you grow up?

BRENNAN HAWKINS: I have no clue.

KING: An honest 11-year-old!

You got any girlfriends, Brennan? BRENNAN HAWKINS: Let's talk about that later.

KING: He's pretty cool.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: I don't blame him. Well, after Brennan was found, doctors said they were shocked at how well he had held up. In fact, he was released from the hospital after only about 10 hours.

Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, he spelled out detailed confessions right here on our air yesterday. And coming up, a criminologists look inside the mind of BTK.

Plus, trouble in the water? Another teen falls prey to a shark. We will have the latest.

And later, it's an arrival for the family record book. This newborn -- look at it? Look at her! She outweighs her siblings and they weren't small either. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: A second shark attack off the Florida Panhandle has left a teenager in critical condition and tourists on edge as the holiday weekend approaches. CNN's Adaora Udoji is in Cape San Blas with the latest.

Is the beach closed at this moment or are people coming out?

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No. It's actually a very rainy day here in the Florida Panhandle. We're actually standing at Cape San Blas. This is where the attack took place.

But some very good news for the Hutto family, that is the family of the 16-year-old victim. Doctors today saying that the prognosis is excellent for the young man. They did have to amputate his right leg and he did suffer some serious injuries from his hands because he was literally trying to push the shark off of him. But doctors say given the fact that he's young and healthy, that they expect that he will do quite well. That he will do -- he'll heal quite quickly from that attack that happened less than 24 hours ago on the beach here.

He and his brother were about 60 yards away from the shore. They were doing some fishing, using shrimp as bait. And apparently Craig Hutto, he caught a fish an was reeling it in and out of nowhere the shark attacked. People on the beach did not see the shark. All they say is they heard screams and they saw a gush of red -- a gush of red blood in the water. The brother managed to somehow pull Craig Hutto from the shark and brought him to shore. And as things unfolded, Betty, there was actually a doctor on the shore who was able to quickly administer medical care. He was taken then to a hospital, a two-hour surgery, where they did amputate that leg.

After that attack, the beach was closed and there are some additional warnings that some authorities in the area are going to be putting up. They put various flags indicating whether the surf is good, whether it isn't good, but that additional flag would be a purple one just to indicate to people coming to the beach that there is possibly dangerous marine animals in the area.

But back to Craig Hutto. One of the doctors today was talking about his condition very optimistically.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. GLENN SUMMERS, SURGEON, BAY MEDICAL CENTER: Probably in the hospital here a matter of weeks. That will be somewhat up in the air because their family is from out of town. So if we can get him to a center that's closer to their home, that's better for everybody. And then it will be a period of some months before he can really start aggressive rehab and try to get on with a normal life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UDOJI: Now we also expect that the beach will open. It's supposed to open at midday today. We expect there will be greater patrols, both here on the beach, but also from the air. I mean after all, Betty, this is the second shark attack in just a number of days.

NGUYEN: CNN's Adaora Udoji, thank you.

Meanwhile, autopsy results are in on the 14-year-old girl killed in Saturday's attack off the coast of Destine. Shark experts say the size of the bite on Jamie Marie Daigle suggests the bull shark was as much as eight feet long. The Louisiana girl was playing on a boogie board about 100 yards offshore when the shark mauled her leg.

So, is there increased reason to fear the water or is this merely a feeding frenzy by the media? Let's turn now to a shark expert for the latest on this. Robert Hueter heads up both the shark research center and the shark biology program at the Mote Marine Laboratory. He joins us from Tampa.

We want to thank you for being with us. Does it appear -- I know it's early in the second attack, but does it appear that a bull shark was involved in the second attack as well?

ROBERT E. HUETER, MOTE MARINE LABORATORY: Yes, Betty, it does, based on the reports that we have right now and the severity of the wounds. In Florida, we get a number of bites every year, up to as many as 30. But typically these are by smaller sharks that bite and release. But when you have a massive injury such as the last two, it's usually the bull shark that's the culprit.

NGUYEN: OK. So what do we know about bull sharks and what causes them to attack humans?

HUETER: Well, first of all, let's get it straight, that they don't attack humans very often. Fatal attacks in Florida are very rare. The last one we had was back in 2001. We have one every few years. So these animals are not hunting people. They are, however, larger predators that are hunting sometimes larger prey, such as large fish, like tarpin (ph), or marine mammals like bottle nose dolphins or sea turtles. So every once in a while, unfortunately, someone either gets in the way of a bull shark or is perceived as a potential prey item. And when they're bitten it's usually massive and sometimes fatal.

NGUYEN: Well, let me ask it this way. Was there something that these two victims did that may have attracted the bull shark?

HUETER: Well, we have guidelines that have been out there for decades about how people should behave at the beach. And we don't want to say that either of these did anything wrong because the fact is, they could have probably done what they did a thousand more times and never had a problem. But, in both cases, you can isolate some things. In the first case, the girl was very far from shore and we recommend against that in the summertime because then you're sort of a long target for patrolling sharks.

NGUYEN: So how far do you recommend?

HUETER: Well, it's just stay within the normal swimming area of the beach where life guards typically would keep you. So inside around the sand bar area. Don't get outside of the second sandbar where there are these sharks patrolling around. This is nothing unusual and there's nothing strange going on in the environment.

In the second case, this boy was wade fishing. And when you fish and there's sharks around, the activity of the fishing, as well as the smell in the water and so on, can attract their attention. So, you know, in the second case, the shark may have been going for the fish. Who knows. But this is something that we recommend against, this kind of . . .

NGUYEN: OK. We have a graphic that we want to put up that talks about some of the steps that you can take when in the water to avoid a shark attack. One is, you mentioned, don't go too far offshore. Avoid schools of bait fish. Avoid areas where people are fishing. Something that you just mentioned, the boy was in an area where he was fishing. I think this is interesting, don't wear shiny jewelry or highly contrasting colors. Why is that?

HUETER: Well, you have to sort of think like a shark. What they're looking for, they're not looking for people. They're looking for typically fish that are contrasting in color, that shine in the water as they catch the sun. So if you wear shiny jewelry, if a shark is within visual range, not to put thoughts into his head, but it's thinking, well, I wonder what that is over there, let me go investigate. The whole idea is to try to keep sharks from coming around your vicinity.

NGUYEN: All right. Robert, we thank you for your time and your insight today.

HUETER: My pleasure. NGUYEN: Are you feeling the pain at the pump? I am. And you know what? You better get used to it. The gasoline pain may be around for quite some while. We'll have those details.

And, later, inside the mind of a serial killer. Why did he kill? What was his thrill? A closer look at the man known as BTK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, it looks like it's a good day for the markets. The Dow is up 76 at 10,367. And the Nasdaq also up 15 at 2,060.

Since the price of filling up is still going up, the question is, how high will it go? Today the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.21. That is up eight cents from two weeks ago. Prices all across the U.S. are also pumped up. In L.A., $2.42. Or in Chicago, $2.30. And with the price of crude oil recently hitting a record, topping $60 a gallon a barrel, many are fuming over the once- unthinkable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOONE PICKENS, BP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: You have gasoline in Europe at $5, and in the United States at $2.20. Eventually, Well, it's going to have to move up. I do think you're going to see gasoline prices move up to $3 within a year from now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Now analysts do not expect prices to go down any time soon.

Well, still to come here on CNN LIVE TODAY, is his support declining? Recent polls shed light on how people really feel about President Bush.

And later, this little one gives true meaning to the words "big baby." We will tell you how much she weighs in at. That story straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: We're coming up on the half hour. I'm Betty Nguyen, good morning, in for Daryn Kagan today.

Here's what's happening right "Now in the News."

U.S. and Iraqi troops have launched another offensive against insurgents massed in the Anbar province, which is west of Baghdad. About 1,000 U.S. Marines, soldiers and sailors are being joined by 100 Iraqi soldiers in Operation Sword. It's the fifth such offensive in recent weeks.

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