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CNN Saturday Morning News
Florida Police Check Toll Booth Video For Leads In Murder Of Family Of Four On Florida Turnpike; United Nations Security Council Expected To Debate Sanctions For North Korea Today; Republican House Leaders Say They'll Kick Bob Ney Out Of Congress If He Does Not Resign This Month; British Troop Withdrawal From Iraq
Aired October 14, 2006 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: "Now in the News": The hunt is on for the killer, or killers, of a family just gunned down along the Florida turnpike. That's underway at this hour. Authorities believe the killer may have used the family's dark colored Jeep as a getaway car. We do have a live report from the scene, that is just ahead.
Something in the air over North Korea. Sources tell CNN the U.S. has preliminary evidence of radioactivity at the site of that suspected nuclear test. Officials say radioactive debris was detected in air samples. There's more analysis to be done before those results can be confirmed. But North Korea claims that it conducted a nuclear test on Monday.
And concerns over North Korea's nuclear ambitions are front and center at the United Nations today. The U.S. is hoping for a vote on sanctions to punish North Korea. Diplomats plan to meet in about five hours. We're going to have complete coverage throughout the morning on this very topic. A detailed report, that is just minutes away.
Plus, an apparent series of revenge killings in Iraq to tell you about. An official says the bodies of 26 Iraqis have been found north of Baghdad. Investigators believe they were killed in retaliation for the slayings of 14 Shiite construction workers kidnapped at gunpoint on Thursday. Dozens of other bodies have also been found in and around Baghdad.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: Good news this morning concerning former President Gerald Ford. Ford's son, Stephen, says his father is strong and doing well. Ford was admitted to the hospital this week for unspecified tests. He underwent heart surgery in August, of course, you might remember. At 93 he's the oldest living American president.
We're going to get a quick check of the weather now. Rob hanging out with us this Saturday.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HOLMES: Of course, we run down the top stories every 15 minutes here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING with in-depth coverage all morning long. The next check of the headlines coming up at 7:15 Eastern.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't have any indication why this happened. There were no comments made about the family unit itself, just that these were newcomers into this residential area.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Why did it happen? Who did it? Police are still in the dark about a gruesome killing of a family in Florida. We're going to have a live report in just a few minutes.
NGUYEN: from the CNN Center, it is October 14th. Whew! Got past that Friday the 13th. We're all OK, right? Everything is good?
HOLMES: We're all fine.
NGUYEN: This is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: Good to have you back. I'm T.J. Holmes. You did some duty up in New York for a little bit.
NGUYEN: I did. Working it.
HOLMES: No rest for the weary.
NGUYEN: I'm back here working it. We have a lot to tell you about this morning. So, let's get you started, shall we?
Florida authorities are anxiously looking for a dark-colored Jeep with a temporary tag in the back window. It's believed to belong to a family of four discovered shot to death early yesterday along the Florida turnpike. CNN's Susan Candiotti has our report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Side by side, investigators inching their way over the site of an apparent execution-style murder, looking for whatever evidence there might be. A man, a woman and two young children, Floridians, who police say moved recently, apparently shot dead at point-blank range and abandoned on the side of the road. The woman used her body, trying to shield the children from what was to come.
SHERIFF KEN MASCARA, ST. LUCIE CO., FLORIDA: The woman, in a defensive posture, had both of the children surrounded, underneath her arms in an effort that we can assume was to protect them from the gunfire.
CANDIOTTI: The sheriff says the killer or killers also aimed at the boy and girl, both of whom, like the adults, were shot multiple times. The woman was found in a fetal position. The man face up. No evidence of a struggle. Investigators estimate the murders happened between 1:30 and 3:00 Friday morning, just south of the Ft. Pierce turnpike exit.
JANIS RICH, RESIDENT: Oh, that's where it is?
CANDIOTTI (on camera): Yes.
RICH: Oh, my God! That close?
CANDIOTTI (voice-over): Janis Rich and her husband were in bed with the windows open, their home right next to the turnpike.
RICH: We were sound asleep and we heard pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop.
CANDIOTTI: And then, silence. They looked out a window, heard nothing more, and saw no movement across the highway. A passing motorist discovered the bodies at day break and called police.
Authorities used metal detectors, shovels and sifters to find bullets and blood in the grass. Investigators say the casings indicate a semiautomatic gun might be the murder weapon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Well, police do hope surveillance videotapes from turnpike toll plazas will provide some clues. CNN's Susan Candiotti is live in Florida following this story.
Susan, let me ask you this. It really seems like police are searching anything and everything they can. It doesn't seem like they have a lot of information behind this killing.
CANDIOTTI: They don't, or if they do, let's put it this way, they're not letting on. Remember at this point they've known the identities of these victims since the very start, yet they still won't say who they are.
Let's get back to those surveillance videos, Betty. They have to go through 480 hours, they estimate, of surveillance videos from the toll booths along the Florida turnpike system. And that could take them a very long time. They're looking to see if they can find that dark-colored, two-door Jeep Cherokee on any of those tapes.
They're also going through -- and get this -- garbage cans that they've collected from every rest stop along the turnpike, sifting through all of that mess to see if any evidence might be found in any of those garbage cans.
NGUYEN: Yes. A lot of tedious work ahead, really just kind of looking for a needle in the haystack at this point. Let me ask you this. In the meantime, we haven't been told a whole lot about the victims. What do you know about their identities?
CANDIOTTI: All they will say is that they have roots in Florida, and they are described as Hispanic. Now, authorities indicate that this is a multi-state search that stretches from here across the Southwest of the United States. So we don't know precisely where this family moved from, when they came to Florida. Authorities won't say if they came here from out of state.
And, also, they say that they're waiting to tell us their names because cops are still reaching out to their relatives in case, authorities say, those relatives might be under some sort of threat, although they won't explain why. So we don't know if the authorities know more than they're letting on right now.
NGUYEN: We'll see as this investigation continues. But disturbing, nonetheless. Susan Candiotti, thank you for that report. We'll talk to you later.
HOLMES: New details this morning about efforts to clear the air over North Korea's suspected nuclear test. Turns out that air might not be so clear. Officials say air samples have found evidence of radioactivity at the test site. CNN's Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Two U.S. officials tell CNN the United States now has, in hand, preliminary evidence of radioactivity from a North Korea test site supporting the U.S. belief that North Korea did in fact test a nuclear device last Monday Korea time.
The evidence is preliminary, but the official says if confirmed, the United States will be in a position to say definitively that North Korea was testing a nuclear device. The evidence was enough to prompt John Negroponte's office, the director of National Intelligence, to draft the following statement:
"Preliminary analysis of air samples collected on October 11 has detected radioactive debris consistent with a North Korean nuclear test in the vicinity of Punggye on 8 October."
The statement goes on to say, "Additional analysis is ongoing, and will be completed in a few days."
But an official tells CNN that even though the statement was sent in advance to key members of Congress, a decision was made late in the day not to release it publicly. The official tells CNN that decision was based on the reluctance to issue a formal U.S. government statement on results that were only preliminary and need further analysis.
As well as concern that the release of such a statement on the eve of a vote on sanctions in the United Nations could be seen as an attempt to influence the outcome.
DANIEL PONEMAN, FMR. NAT'L. SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBER: I think the most important thing in what we're witnessing in the Security Council now is that the resolution come out clearly, firmly, unanimously, and that it send a clear signal to North Korea that the international community is unified.
MCINTYRE: If confirmed, these test results would go a long way towards substantiating the U.S. government's working theory, that the nuclear test was basically a failure. As one official put it, more fizzle than pop. Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Now the question, how to punish North Korea for its claimed nuclear test. That's the focus at the United Nations. The U.S. is hoping for a vote today on sanctions, but diplomats are still trying to hammer out the details. We'll keep you updated on developments as they happen.
In less than five hours the five permanent members of the Security Council and Japan meet behind closed doors. That will be followed by a meeting of the full 15 member Security Council. No word on exactly when the council will vote.
That brings us now to this morning's e-mail question. We're asking, how concerned are you? And what would you do about North Korea? You can e-mail us at WEEKENDS@CNN.com. We'll read some of your responses a little later in the newscast.
NGUYEN: Now to Basra. Shiite leaders and British leader General Dannatt are in agreement; the presence of British soldiers in Iraq seem to incite even more bloodshed. During an interview with ITN, Dannatt discussed withdrawing British troops. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. RICHARD DANNATT, BRITISH ARMY CHIEF: We don't want to be there forever. We've been there for three and a half years; three and a half years ago we had some 20,000, 30,000 soldiers there. We're now down to 7,500. Indeed, in southeast Iraq, which the British are responsible for, there were four provinces. We've already had handed two of those provinces over to Iraqi control, and the third province we're well on the way to. So we're going in the right direction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: So while British soldiers are praised for their so- called gentler approach to the policing the region, Shiites insists their presence creates targets for attackers.
CNN's Michael Ware in Basra with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From here on the ground in southern Iraq, it seems that General Dannatt is not alone in his concerns. There is a belief among some British officers that the mere presence of British troops is inciting attacks.
In Mayson (ph) Province, where much British blood has been spilled and where six Royal Military police officers were executed by a Shia militia in 2003, a British battle group was garrisoned in the main town. Over five months the camp was hit by 281 mortars, prompting the battle group commander to empty the garrison and disperse his forces into the desert. Now speaking days before General Dannatt went public with his concerns, the battle group commander said that one of the major reasons behind the decision to empty the garrison was that the base had become a magnet for attacks.
LT. COL. SIMON BROWNE, BRITISH ARMY: I agree with what the chief of general staff has said this morning, that if we were to withdraw and put a completely Iraqi face on the security situation around here, I'm sure that things -- the ingredients are there for the situation to improve.
WARE: So it seems that General Dannatt is reflecting the concerns of some of his commanders here on the ground. Indeed, senior British diplomats here in Basra highlighted the fact that political factions in the southern part of the country gained traction and credibility, on the street, for strikes against British forces.
While no one here is suggesting that it is time for a withdrawal immediately, there are indications from military and diplomatic officers that that time for departure may be coming sooner than many people thinking. Michael Ware, CNN, Basra.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And the violence in Iraq continues with dozens of bodies found in and around Baghdad the past couple of days. But take a look at this, now. A success for Iraqi security forces. They discovered a car rigged with explosives parked along a highway 30 miles south of Baghdad. Inside they found mortar shells stuffed into the seats and doors. The highway was shut down while the device was disabled.
NGUYEN: There's mother plane mishap for a Yankee player, yes? A private jet shoots over the runway. We have the full story, that's in about five minutes.
HOLMES: Plus, a Republican congressman pleads guilty to corruption charges. But he's still got a job. And he still has his government paycheck. That report coming up in about 20 minutes.
NGUYEN: And baseball: Well, it's looking pretty good again, raking in the cash. The business side of baseball. When we go "Beyond The Game" right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Coming up a little later in this morning. Let's tell you about a form of breast cancer. It is targeting younger women. You definitely want to see this. We're going to tell you what to look for. Plus, find out about the newest breast cancer screening treatment and prevention techniques, so important. Dr. Sanjay Gupta hosts "House Call" at 8:30 Eastern.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: "Now in the News": Toll booth surveillance video may provide clues in the death of a family of four gunned down along the Florida turnpike. Their bodies were discovered early yesterday near Port St. Lucie. Police are hunting for a dark colored Jeep believed to belong to the family.
The U.S. moves a step closer to confirming North Korea's claim it conducted a nuclear test. Officials say air samples contain evidence of radioactivity at the test site. The findings are preliminary, however. They will take a few days to finish analyzing results.
Diplomats at the U.N. meet in a few hours to discuss punishing North Korea. The U.S. hopes for a vote today on the sanctions. Details are being hammered out, but the draft resolution could prevent weapons material and luxury goods from entering North Korea.
NGUYEN: Well, in the Middle East, let's tell you about this, Palestinian officials say Israel killed at least six militants and wounded 15 in air strikes east of Gaza City in the past three days. Officials say 19 people have been killed in fighting as Israel presses forward with an expanded offensive in Gaza.
This idol -- check it out -- is ancient American. It is Aztec. At more than 12 tons, 45 feet, it's the biggest Aztec idol ever found. Mexican archaeologists unveiled the discovery on Friday, saying this could lead to a hidden chamber under the heart of Mexico City. Some are calling this discovery one of the greatest archaeological finds in Mexico.
As you know, we run down top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING with in-depth coverage all morning long. The next check of the headlines coming up at 7:30 Eastern.
HOLMES: The air space along New York City's East River is now closed to most small fixed-wing planes. The new restrictions following the crash of a small plane this week that killed Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle, and flight instructor. The FAA says private planes can no longer fly up and down the river under visual flight rules, which require they turn around at a certain point. Lidle's plane crashed into a Manhattan apartment building.
A few scary moments for Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, who was aboard this private jet when it ran off the runway in Burbank, California. The jet was stopped by some kind of high tech arresting system. Six other people were also aboard. No one, however, was hurt.
NGUYEN: As you're waking up this morning, let's get you caught up on the weather outside.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Other stories "Across America" this morning to tell you about. A California teenager had some serious explaining to do. Upset about the war in Iraq, the girl posted a picture of President Bush and scrawled the words "kill Bush" to her MySpace web page. She was placed on federal authorities checklist, pulled out of class, then questioned by Secret Service agents. Agents said they would delete her investigation file. In Burlington, Vermont police are questioning a man suspected in the death of a college student. Michelle Gardner-Quinn attended the University of Vermont. Surveillance video shows the 36-year-old man, also accused of being a sex offender, Brian Rooney walking with Gardner-Quinn the morning that she disappeared. Rooney is in police custody on charges of sexual assault, and lewd and other conduct with a child. We'll stay on top of that investigation.
Well, after three days of protests, police began arresting students at Washington's Gallaudet University. It's the nation's only liberal arts university for the deaf and hearing impaired. Students there say they do not want incoming President Jane Hernandez in office.
HOLMES: The first evidence to support North Korea's claim of a nuclear weapons test, the U.N. Security Council meets to decide on sanctions. How will North Korea react to international pressure? Our report from U.N. headquarters, in New York, about 13 minutes away.
NGUYEN: It does seems a growing number of Americans are willing to part with their money at the baseball stadium. Why is that? A lot of folks will tell you, hey, it's the game, that's why. Up next, we go "Beyond the Game" with Rick Horrow.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: America's pastime enters the home stretch. In the National League, the Cardinals last night, of St. Louis, they took a win last night against the New York Mets. That ties up that series a game apiece. I probably should have gone to bed and not stayed up and watched that one.
In the American League, the Detroit Tigers beat Oakland A's again. Tigers need just one more win to sweep the series. Oakland, come on, make the thing interesting.
Despite the recent steroid scandal you've been hearing so much about the past few months, even a year or so, baseball is back. It's on solid financial ground as it nears another round of labor negotiations. To talk about baseball's turnaround and its future we're joined by the author of "When The Game Is On The Line" Rick Horrow.
Good morning, Sir. How you doing?
RICK HORROW, SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Hey, T.J., good working with you, man. It's going to be fun. And we've got to make sure we can gang up on Betty. Toward the end of the season we'll hear about Texas football, we'll hear about a lot of stuff. So you and I have to stick together, OK?
HOLMES: Oh, man! I love you already. I'm hugging the plasma here.
We're going to talk baseball. I'll call you later and we'll talk about Betty. But we're going to talk baseball, are they on good footing? Is it all gravy these days with baseball?
HORROW: It is more gravy than you can possibly imagine. Five years ago we were on the brink of labor Armageddon; now when you look at the numbers, $1.6 billion in revenue, five years ago -- nearly $6 billion today. Five teams were making money then, now 20. And $450 million of profit. Last five years they were losing $450 million.
And here's the bottom line, fans are happy; 76 million showed up. Players are happy; $3 million average salary, that's a big deal. And of course owners are happy, $380 million average franchise price, a 14 percent increase over last year. That is stout.
HOLMES: What happened? When did we all get happy again, the fans? When did they get us back? How did that happen?
HORROW: I was going to say when all the lawyers got involved, but I'm too smart for that. When they agreed to the collective bargaining agreement this last time, $300 million are shared from the haves to the have-nots; and that's why you have parity. The Twins aren't in anymore, but at least they were in the post-season. The Oakland A's are in the postseason, as we know, for a little while anyway. And you have teams there that might not have been there otherwise.
HOLMES: Now, we've got another collective bargaining session coming up, what, this fall or a little later? Is that right?
HORROW: Well, they're in session right now because the agreement expires at the end of the year. The bottom line, of course --
HOLMES: Now, is that going to be all good? Let me ask you, is that going to be all good, since they're on financial footing they don't want to mess this thing up?
HORROW: Well, you know, the goose that's laid that golden egg that is about to stay golden, you would expect the risks are enough to keep them at the table. There are a few issues though. There are $3 billion of guaranteed contracts, T.J., where they're paying but players aren't playing anymore. They've retired. So, they have to be fixing that. There are a lot of other issues on both sides. You would think there's enough incentive to sit at the table and stay there until they get the deal done. For baseball fans, let's just hope it happens.
HOLMES: Are you enjoying the playoffs, so far?
HORROW: Yes, yes, yes, of course I am. But you know, I want to see seven games. I was up in New York for game one. I got tickets, good news was they were great tickets but that was the night that that first game was rained out so I sat there and did nothing.
HOLMES: Before we let you go, of course, we have to do the fair ball, foul ball. We'll go with the foul ball first. What have you got for us this week?
HORROW: The foul ball is interesting. We've got a coach and a player, Marty Hogan, suing on behalf of his nine-year-old kid in Saline, Michigan. Why? Because he thought that he would be guaranteed that his kid would not be picked last, would not be used as designated hitter, and wouldn't be used as a bench warmer. They're suing the Saline Youth League for 85 bucks, saying my kid has got to play. Well, as parents we can all commiserate but that ain't the way to do it I don't think.
HOLMES: Ah, that poor kid.
HORROW: Exactly.
HOLMES: What's your fair ball this week?
HORROW: That's just as interesting one. Sandy Sullivan, 65- year-old Republican, never ran for political office, she's running against 28-year-old incumbent Doug La Follette in a Wisconsin attorney general race. She wrote a book about the Green Bay Packers and the sex she had with them in the '60s. Paul Harney, Don Hudson, a few other guys.
Now, interestingly, most of the voters said, what does this have to do with us voting 40 years later? Are you hearing that, country? But the bottom line is, with Green Bay Packers, you never know. Politics really do make strange bedfellows my friend.
HOLMES: That's the fair ball? That sounds kind of foul, man?
HORROW: Hey, we had two foul balls but they were both funny so we didn't know what to do this week. How's that?
HOLMES: All right, Rick. It's a pleasure. We're going to be working together a lot. And, of course, I'll call you later and we'll talk about Betty.
HORROW: Yes, sir, about Betty.
HOLMES: We'll see you, man. And I will hand it back over to Betty.
NGUYEN: Yes. Be very careful. You know what's foul, you two trying to gang up on me. You know what I have to say to that, T.J.? Bring it on, buddy. Bring it on. OK? Remember, you have to sit next to me. So just be careful.
HOLMES: See you shortly.
NGUYEN: All right. Well, hey, the U.S. now has some preliminary evidence to confirm that North Korea's claim that it tested a nuclear device could actually be true. The U.N. Security Council meets in a few hours to decide what to do about that. Our report in about five minutes.
HOLMES: Plus, the first member of Congress pleads guilty in the Abramoff scandal. Ohio Republican Bob Ney under pressure from his own party to resign and do it now. CNN's Bill Schneider reports in about eight minutes here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: "Now in the News." Punishing North Korea. Diplomats meet at the U.N. today to discuss sanctions over North Korea's suspected nuclear test. The U.S. hopes for a voted today, but concerns from Russia and China could delay any action. The first meetings are set to begin in about four-and-a-half hours. And we of course are going to follow that for you.
Sources tell CNN the U.S. has preliminary evidence of radioactivity at the site of North Korea's suspected nuclear test. Officials say radioactive debris was detected in air samples. More analysis, of course, is needed to confirm these results. North Korea claims that it did indeed conduct that test on Monday.
Well, toll booth surveillance video may provide clues in the death of an apparent family of four just gunned down along the Florida Turnpike. Their bodies were discovered early yesterday near Port St. Lucie. Police are hunting for a dark colored jeep believed to be belonging to that family.
HOLMES: Good news this morning concerning former President Gerald Ford. Ford's son, Steven, says his father is strong and doing well. Ford was admitted to the hospital this week for unspecified tests. You may remember he underwent heart surgery in August. At 93, Gerald Ford is the oldest living American president.
Too early and just too much snow in western New York, continues to cause all kinds of issues. Crews worked through the night but word this morning, it could be days before power is fully restored. New York Governor George Pataki is asking President Bush to declare a federal emergency. At least three deaths are blamed on the storm.
Rob Marciano hanging out this weekend. They got some relief coming to them up there in New York?
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, it's above freezing, T.J., so that snow will be slowly melting but you see all those trees down. That's the biggest issue. With trees on the trees and all that snow, it just knocked them all down. So still some lake effect snow showers, but no real accumulation expected today.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MARCIANO: T.J., back to you.
HOLMES: All right. Thanks so much, rob. And of course we run down the top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING with in-depth coverage all morning long. Your next check is going to be coming up at 7:45 Eastern time.
And hello again. Good Saturday morning to you. I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for starting your day with us. HOLMES: Concern over the threat of a nuclear North Korea is dominating the agenda at the United Nations. The Security Council meets today to discuss sanctions. It's an issue that's of particular interest to the incoming secretary-general. Details from senior U.N. correspondent Richard Roth.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon could be forgiven for being distracted during his confirmation vote by the 192 countries of the U.N. At every major diplomatic step on his road to becoming the next secretary-general, North Korea has either announced or potentially tested a potential nuclear device.
BAN KI-MOON, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL-DESIGNATE: That made be me resolve my commitment to work for much more -- safer world to de- nuclearize the Korean Peninsula.
ROTH: Once in office on January 1st, the career diplomat said he wants to go to North Korea to help ease tensions. But the Security Council isn't going to wait. The 15 countries are set to adopt a resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea to punish Pyongyang for whatever it tested.
Non-military sanctions designed to block material or technology that could be used for producing weapons of mass destruction, also banned, luxury goods.
JOHN BOLTON, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: I think, you know, the North Korean population has been losing average height and weight over the years. And maybe this will be a little diet for Kim Jong-il.
ROTH: Writing the resolution involved the usual hard bargaining between the U.S. and China. To get Beijing's support, more restrictive sanctions were removed. China wants to soften any measure that requires countries to stop and search goods for North Korea.
WANG GUANGYO, CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: It will lead to different escalation of provocations.
ROTH: U.S. Secretary of State Rice heads to Asia next week for talks in the region.
(on camera): Outgoing Secretary-General Kofi Annan told Ban he'll need a good sense of humor in the job. Based on the area he comes from, he'll need it.
Richard Roth, CNN, United Nations.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: The U.S. is hoping for a vote today on sanctions against North Korea, but diplomats still trying to hammer out those details. We'll keep you updated on developments as they happen. Still five hours away roughly from the five permanent members of the Security Council and Japan meeting behind closed doors. That will be followed by a meeting of the full 15-member Security Council. No word on exactly when the council will vote.
NGUYEN: Republican House leaders say they will kick Representative Bob Ney out of Congress if he does not resign this month. The Ohio Republican pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiracy and making false statements in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. Our senior political analyst Bill Schneider reports it's not the only scandal shaking up Capitol Hill ahead of the midterm elections.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): Guilty as charged. That's how Ohio Congressman Bob Ney pleaded in federal court on Friday.
ALICE FISHER, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Congressman Ney, in the documents, admits that he accepted a stream of benefits from Jack Abramoff and other lobbyists.
SCHNEIDER: Ney, a Republican, could face more than two years in prison and up to $60,000 in fines. He also faces pressure from his own party leaders.
REP. DEBORAH PRYCE (R), OHIO: He betrayed the trust of his constituents and of his colleagues here in the House and I do believe that he should resign.
SCHNEIDER: His lawyer says he will, but not yet. When he does, he'll be the fourth member of this Congress to resign in scandal, all Republicans.
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), MINORITY LEADER: They have one in jail, two in rehab, one under indictment. I mean, the list goes on.
SCHNEIDER: Randy "Duke" Cunningham is serving an eight-year prison term for taking $2.4 million dollars in bribes from defense contractors. Former Majority Leader Tom DeLay was indicted in Texas for campaign finance violations. Mark Foley resigned after it was revealed that he exchanged sexually explicit messages with House pages.
REP. DENNIS HASTERT (R-IL), HOUSE SPEAKER: We have the Ethics Committee doing an investigation, we have the U.S. attorney general and the FBI doing an investigation. And on Foley, we have the State of Florida doing an investigation.
SCHNEIDER: Any Democrats in trouble? Representative William Jefferson is under investigation for bribery. The FBI found $90,000 in his freezer, cold cash.
Republicans argue that corruption is not a partisan issue.
TONY SNOW, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: What Congressman Ney did is not only a reflection of the Republican Party, it's a reflection of Congressman Ney, and he ought to step down. SCHNEIDER: But it does seem to be hurting Republicans. Since December, the Democrats' lead on handling ethics in government has increased, mostly because more people say they don't trust either party.
(on camera): Democrats are talking about what they call a "culture of corruption" in Washington. Not just the scandals, but also the fact that this Congress failed to pass major lobbying reform legislation after House and Senate Republicans were unable to come to agreement.
Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And we want to remind you that Bill Schneider is part of the best political team on television. Remember this as well. To stay up with the news and the latest election information, all you have to do is turn to the "CNN Political Ticker." That's anytime. Just logon to CNN.com/ticker.
HOLMES: Maybe her favorite story of the day coming up.
NGUYEN: Which is?
HOLMES: A piece of ice I'm going to tell you about.
NGUYEN: That kind of ice?
HOLMES: To melt any girl's heart.
NGUYEN: Oh, I love that kind of ice. Oh, yes. I'm so there, T.J. If only, though, you could lend me $20 million so I can buy that.
HOLMES: Can I buy you breakfast and we will call it a day?
NGUYEN: No, not the same.
(WEATHER REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Time now for this morning's political shout-out from the "CNN Election Express Yourself Tour." This weekend, the tour has hit the jackpot in Vegas and they did not let me ride. And we asked the voters, what would you do about Iraq?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Probably get the politics out of it and let the military go ahead and go in and do what the original plan was. And that's to go in and rid Saddam, which we did, turn the country over to their government and then let them handle the situation themselves. Go ahead and pull the soldiers out. I think we have accomplished our mission. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think what they really need to be doing is follow through on the decisions that they're making right now. Like, for example, they're giving the control to the Iraqi government now, but then weeks later they'll go back and regain control. So I think they should just follow through on their decisions for once.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have a feeling that Bush has simply been a president who has had to listen to maybe some wrong advice and hasn't been willing to listen to the right advice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To find out where the tour is headed next, go to CNN.com/election.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: "Now in the News," diplomats at the U.N. meet in a few hours to discuss punishing North Korea over its suspected nuclear test. The U.S. hopes for a vote on sanctions today. Details still being hammered out. The draft resolution could prevent weapons materials and luxury goods from entering North Korea.
The U.S. moves a step closer to confirming North Korea's claim that they conducted that nuclear test. Officials say air samples contain evidence of radioactivity at the test site. These findings, however, are preliminary. It will take a few days still to finish analyzing the results.
The hunt still under way this morning for the killer or killers of an apparent family of four gunned down along the Florida Turnpike. Authorities believe the victims' dark colored jeep was used as a getaway car. Police say the woman had tried in vain to shield two small children from the bullets.
NGUYEN: Well, Wall Street notches another record close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up almost 13 points at 11,960 yesterday. It's the Dow's sixth closing record in the past two weeks and investors now have the 12,000 benchmark in their sights.
HOLMES: And too early. And that's just too much snow in western New York.
NGUYEN: Yes it is. It's only October.
HOLMES: It's just October. It's not even Halloween yet. Crews worked through the night in New York. Word is this morning could be days before everybody has got power fully restored. Hundreds of thousands are without power at this point. New York Governor George Pataki asking the president to declare a federal emergency. At least three deaths are blamed on the storm.
NGUYEN: And we do run down the top stories every 15 minutes, don't we, T.J?
HOLMES: We sure do. I was going to just move my lips there and see if it worked out. We do that every 15 minutes, as she was saying. We have got in depth coverage for you all morning long. Your next check of the headlines coming up at the top of the hour.
NGUYEN: All right. So what's happening online this morning? Who else to talk to about it, Veronica De La Cruz is here with the inside scoop. Good morning.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Good to see you. This one is for all you hipsters out there.
NGUYEN: Hipsters?
DE LA CRUZ: Yes. Got to be too cool for school for this one.
NGUYEN: Oh, OK.
DE LA CRUZ: You know, all of you disciples of the indie scene out there, if you're into the obscure when it comes to books, fashion, movie, music, well, CNN.com has launched a very special report just for you. Our online report takes a look at the indie scene. Now indie is the label for independent art that fits under the broad banner of culture. It's created outside of the mainstream and without corporate financing. This gallery shows you what it meant to be indie through the ages starting with Andy Warhol in the '60s and the punk rock scene of the '70s.
So what is indie now? Where do you find it? From this Adidas zip-up down in a local thrift store to these nerdy specs. And especially to music, take a look at what to wear, what to listen to in this click-through gallery.
Now if you say Radiohead is the favorite band, just make sure to mention that "The Bends" is their best work to date. This map highlights towns like Austin, Texas, known for its thriving indie music scene. And take this quiz to see how much you know about the culture. Listen, up, hipsters right here. For example, Mos Def and Taleb Kweli first debuted on which have record label, Betty?
NGUYEN: Can I phone a friend? I don't know.
DE LA CRUZ: It is Rawkus, Anticon, or Babygrande?
NGUYEN: I'll take all of the above.
DE LA CRUZ: T.J. knows.
NGUYEN: T.J. doesn't know.
HOLMES: No, I don't know. I should, because I have got those guys.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: We've exposed the truth here.
DE LA CRUZ: It's Rawkus Records, just so you know. NGUYEN: Well, that was going to be my second choice, actually.
DE LA CRUZ: Well, speaking of the indie scene, the famed New York club CBGB's is shutting its doors after an amazing 30-year run. CBGB's is credited with launching the careers of bands like the Ramones, Patti Smith, Blondie, that list goes on and on and on.
Here are some pictures our reporters have sent us of the scene back in the day. This one was sent to us by James Brogan. This is his band Social Unrest. It was back in '81. We also got this one, the band Jericho who played at CBGB's in the late '90s. And we'd like to thank Evan Kurowski for sending us that picture. You can find all those pictures online at CNN.com/ireport. Send us your images as well if you have any. And coming up at 10:00 we're going to show you the best of ireport from this week.
I'm sorry that you guys are not too cool for school.
NGUYEN: Well, do we have another quiz coming up because you may want to preface in advance.
DE LA CRUZ: OK.
NGUYEN: We didn't do so great on that one. Guess we're not that hip. OK. Veronica, thank you.
DE LA CRUZ: What can you do? All right. See you guys later.
NGUYEN: Well, I'm kind of hip. I don't know about T.J.
HOLMES: I have got both of those guys on my iPod. I just didn't know the label.
NGUYEN: Sure you do. Right. Well, "The Water Cooler" is next. Talk about hip. You don't want to miss it.
HOLMES: Yes, and you -- ew, you don't want to do this at home.
NGUYEN: What is that?
HOLMES: If you even need to ask. But yes, you will get to see this stunt again. Yes, fascinated by that, aren't you? You're going to see it again when CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Oh, yes, time for T.J.'s favorite part of the morning.
HOLMES: I just like that sound.
NGUYEN: I know, it's great.
HOLMES: It's "The Watercooler."
NGUYEN: Who came up with that? We don't know. HOLMES: This is when we step back of course from all that serious stuff we talk about and tell you about some of the odd, unusual stories that we have uncovered.
NGUYEN: Yes, odd indeed.
HOLMES: First up, you hungry? The latest culinary craze in Southeast Asia, fried crickets showing up in all kind of dishes. Bar patrons even eat them like peanuts.
NGUYEN: Well, they are kind of crunchy, right?
HOLMES: Beer crickets, I guess we could call them. Demand is so great that cricket farming has become big business in Vietnam.
NGUYEN: Oh, lovely. OK. Now this is what I'm talking about. It is one of the world's largest white diamonds. No, you can't eat this, but you can definitely wear it. And the biggest one found in more than a decade called the Lesotho Promise. I don't know exactly what that means. But the 603-karat -- let me repeat that, the 603- karat raw stone sold this week at auction for 12 million smackeroos. The buyer says it will eventually be cut into a giant heart-shaped gem that will be worth about $20 million.
And, T.J., you know, my birthday is coming up. You may want to think about that.
HOLMES: I've been saving. Maybe your 50th I'll be ready for it.
NGUYEN: Yes. You may want to put that on lay-away.
HOLMES: Well, we've got one more for you here. Look at this. If you can figure out what's happening here, this is a 5-year-old girl in India. She's roller skating under 40 SUVs that are parked side by side.
NGUYEN: My goodness! Look at that. How in the world?
HOLMES: The ground clearance, about eight inches.
NGUYEN: Wait, wait, wait, eight inches?
HOLMES: Yes. And there you go. She had to -- you can see she had to speed up at times to make it under all...
NGUYEN: Can we see that again? We have to see that again.
HOLMES: Yes. That is a little weird.
NGUYEN: This is way too crazy.
HOLMES: That was eight inches. She can actually go as low as six inches. We're trying to re-rack this, because we don't even believe what we just saw. But there it is.
NGUYEN: Yes. Rob Marciano, we have got to bring you into this mix. Did you see that?
MARCIANO: Don't re-rack that, because then you're taking out of my weather time.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Rob, you're so selfish.
HOLMES: Well, do something that fascinating then for us.
MARCIANO: OK. Well, listen, when I was her age, I only went under 20 SUVs at a time at that point.
NGUYEN: Oh, whatever.
MARCIANO: Yes, exactly. Actually I don't want to see that again. That actually hurts to watch.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MARCIANO: See you guys later.
NGUYEN: Looking good. Thank you, Rob. Well, we're just getting warmed up on this edition of CNN SATURDAY MORNING, especially with that video. If that doesn't have your interest perked.
HOLMES: Yes. We are just getting going. Warm here but other people have got some cold problems as you just saw there. But we're going to keep up with our top stories, including new developments on North Korea. Will the U.N. punish the rogue state for its claim that it tested a nuclear bomb?
NGUYEN: This morning we're also asking how concerned are you and really what would you do about North Korea? What are your thoughts about that? E-mail us WEEKENDS@CNN.com. We're going to read some of your responses in our next hour.
HOLMES: And of course, we're back in just a moment. You are watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: "Now in the News," possible evidence that North Korea did conduct a nuclear test after all. Sources tell CNN the U.S. has preliminary indications of radioactivity at the test site, and officials say radioactive debris was detected in air samples.
Well, diplomats meet in just a few hour to discuss punishing North Korea for its claimed nuclear test. The U.S. hopes for a vote today on sanctions against North Korea, but concerns from Russia and China, well, that could delay the vote.
We'll have much more on this story in just a moment.
HOLMES: An apparent series of revenge killings in Iraq. An official says the bodies of 26 Iraqis have been found North of Baghdad. Investigators believe they were killed in retaliation for the slayings of 14 Shiite construction workers.
America's oldest living president, Gerald Ford, doing well, and he's strong. That is the word from his son Steven. The ex-president is back in the Hospital this week for unspecified tests. In August, Ford underwent heart surgery.
NGUYEN: In Washington, police begin arresting students at Gallaudet University, the nation's only liberal arts university for the deaf and hearing impaired. Students, well, they're against the hiring of incoming president Jane Fernandes. They say she's not open to different points of view and does not reflect the student body's diversity.
I want to get you to Rob Marciano this morning.
I know it's a Saturday, Rob, but some folks really not feeling the love in the weather department today.
MARCIANO: No. Certainly they'll be picking up the pieces in Buffalo and waiting for that snow to melt.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: All right. Thank you, Rob.
We do run down the top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage all morning line.
So, your next check of the headlines -- mark it down -- coming up at 8:15 Eastern.
HOLMES: A horrific discovery along a Florida highway. We'll have a live report on the apparent murder of an entire family. That's coming your way in just about five minutes.
NGUYEN: Yes, just a tragic story.
HOLMES: Yes.
NGUYEN: And lots of questions surrounding it. We'll get to those questions and hopefully find some answers for you.
This is CNN SATURDAY MORNING, from the CNN Center here in Atlanta. It is October 14th, no longer freaky Friday, Friday the 13th. We've made it past that.
It's 8:00 a.m. here at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, 9:00 p.m. in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.
Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And I'm T.J. Holmes.
Thank you so much for being with us this Saturday morning.
Not quite a smoking gun, but new evidence this morning could back North Korea's claim that it conducted a nuclear test. Officials say the U.S. has evidence of radioactivity from the test site.
A statement obtained by CNN says radioactive debris was detected in air samples. The findings are, however, preliminary. It will still take a few more days to finish analyzing the results. North Korea's claim that it conducted a nuclear test Monday set off shock waves around the world. Since then, the U.S. and other nations have been trying to confirm their claim. .
Diplomats, meanwhile, meet today to discuss punishing North Korea. They're still working out details of a resolution to impose sanctions. Well, observers say it's important to send a strong signal that the world opposes a nuclear North Korea.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANIEL PONEMAN, FMR. NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBER: I think the most important thing in what we're witnessing in the Security Council now is that the resolution come out clearly, firmly, unanimously. And that it send a clear signal to North Korea that the international community is unified. I think, frankly, the sanctions themselves in the first instance could be somewhat modest and still be effective if the message is clear because they could always be made stronger.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: The U.S. is hoping for a vote today. The Bush administration is pushing for stiff sanctions and is opposed to one- on-one talks with North Korea.
NGUYEN: Well, sanctions could ban North Korea from importing weapons materials and even luxury goods, but would that be an effective tool for dealing with this current crisis?
Senior U.N. Correspondent Richard Roth takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROTH (voice-over): North Korean diplomats don't say much, but ask about sanctions and their diplomats can be blunt.
PAK GIL YON, North KOREAN AMB. TO U.N.: Sanctions will not solve the problems at all.
ROTH: But the U.N. Security Council is banking on sanctions to pressure North Korea to change its behavior. Sanctions remain a popular option in the diplomatic toolkit, but do they work?
KOFI ANNAN, SECRETARY-GENERAL, UNITED NATIONS: Sanctions can be a blunt instrument. So you have to be very careful as to how you apply the sanctions and what kind of sanctions can be used. And there are times when sanctions can be effective.
ROTH: Effective in cases like South Africa, where economic sanctions get partial credit for ending apartheid. Its leaders deciding apartheid wasn't worth the rising financial pain from sanctions.
KIM ELLIOTT, INST. FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS: It's still a balancing act in terms of what sanctions are imposed, what countries are involved, and whether or not you're actually able to hit key nodes in a target economy or not.
ROTH: In Libya, Moammar Gadhafi may have seen the U.S. invasion of Iraq and realized his weapons were more a liability than a benefit, but some say he decided over time his weapons weren't worth the cost to his oil industry
BOLTON: I think there have been a number of successful sanctions regimes, not the least of which was the sanctions regime that helped persuade Libya after a sustained period to give up its own pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
ROTH: What about Iran? Current U.S. sanctions don't appear to be curbing Iran's nuclear desires. Iran's oil holds too much appeal for other nations to buy into sanctions so far.
There are cases of where the world does impose sanctions. The United Nations put travel and financial sanctions on al Qaeda and the Taliban, bans that have loopholes. Currently, U.N. sanctions now target several African nations, mostly arms embargoes to cut off weapons to warring factions. But weapons bans are notoriously weak and hard to enforce without strict monitoring.
A current Security Council member knows the dilemma.
NANA EFFAH-APENTENG, GHANAIAN AMB. TO U.N.: We need a cooperation of the international community as a whole. And it's not always that it's effective. But we cannot do without -- without sanctions.
ROTH: Broad sanctions were in place on Saddam Hussein's Iraq for more than a decade, containing a dictator but causing massive suffering.
JAN EGELAND, U.N. HUMANITARIAN AID UNDERSECRETARY: But these sanctions must not hurt the ordinary people. A ruler will always eat its food. The women and the children in the villages, that will often suffer.
ROTH (on camera): Now the U.N. is going after North Korea, but a country which pursues nuclear weapons while allowing millions of its own citizens to starve doesn't seem a candidate for bending under sanctions.
Richard Roth, CNN, the United Nations.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: We do want to give you this programming note. U.N. Ambassador John Bolton will talk about North Korea. That's tomorrow on "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER". You'll want to tune in beginning at 11:00 Eastern. And all of this brings us to our e-mail question today. Here's what we're asking you: How concerned are you and what would you do about North Korea? Would you impose sanctions? What kind of sanctions?
E-mail us, WEEKENDS@CNN.com. We're going to read some of those responses just a little bit later in the newscast.
HOLMES: A manhunt is under way this morning for the person or persons who killed a Florida family of four. Their bodies were found early yesterday along the turnpike near Port St. Lucie and their vehicle is missing.
CNN's Susan Candiotti is in St. Lucie County with the latest on this investigation.
Good morning, Susan.
CANDIOTTI: Good morning, T.J.
You know, investigators have known the victims' names from the start, yet all they will reveal is that they are Hispanic, that they have roots in Florida, that the man and woman, the adults, have different last names, and again that they lived somewhere Florida. But what they will reveal now is the car that they were apparently driving and that the killer or killers might now have.
It is a vehicle that apparently delivered four people to their death. An execution-style murder on the side of the Florida turnpike.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF KEN MASCARA, ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA: The suspect vehicle is actually -- was being driven by the victims. And it is referred to as a two-door, very dark -- it could be black or dark green -- Jeep. It has a paper temporary tag in the rear window, and we do not know if that temporary tag is of Florida or another state.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: Again, these murders happened early Friday morning. And the murder scene is now cleared; however, authorities did pick up evidence, including bullets, bullet casings, and blood. And authorities say that the reason that they found -- or because they found bullet casings, that might indicate that a semiautomatic weapon was involved, but they have not found a weapon.
They are now going through garbage cans that they've collected from all the various rest stops along the Florida turnpike system. And are also going through 480 hours of surveillance cameras collected from toll booths along the turnpike, looking for signs of this dark- colored, older model Jeep Cherokee -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right, Susan. Thank you so much this morning.
NGUYEN: Police have a suspect in the death a University Vermont coed, but so far no charges have been filed in this case. Michelle Gardner-Quinn's body was found yesterday in a gorge about 13 miles from UVM's Burlington campus. Gardner-Quinn had a chance meeting with 36-year-old Brian Rooney on October 7th, and even used Rooney's cell phone to call a friend. Well, that was the last anyone heard from her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THOMAS TREMBLAY, BURLINGTON POLICE CHIEF: A short time ago, Mr. Rooney was arrested and is currently in police custody on charges unrelated to the disappearance of Michelle. Those charges include sexual assault and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. Each of these charges stems from events that occurred well before Michelle's disappearance and that were uncovered during the course of our investigation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: The 21-year-old woman was walking back to her dorm from downtown Burlington when she encountered Rooney. They were seen together in a store surveillance videotape about 2:30 in the morning last Saturday.
HOLMES: Well, it's light's out for thousands in western New York. A weather check on the surprise big chill, that's coming up.
NGUYEN: Plus, still to come, the fallout from a British general's assessment about the troop situation in Iraq. Hear what he had to say.
HOLMES: And at the bottom of the hour, a cancer doctor who became a patient. "House Call" tackles the mysteries and myths of breast cancer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I thought, I'll never get cancer because this is what I do for a living, I am very careful about my diet, my exercise. And it can't possibly happen to me. And of course I was incredibly naive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: "Now in the News," punishing North Korea. Diplomats meet at the U.N. today to discuss sanctions over North Korea's suspected nuclear tests.
Now, the U.S. hopes for a vote as well as today, but concerns from Russia and China could delay any action. The first meetings are set to begin in less than four hours. We'll stay on top of it for you.
In an apparent string of sectarian revenge killings, that is what we understand is happening in Iraq. The bodies of 26 Iraqis have been found north of Baghdad. Officials think they were killed to retaliate for the slayings of 14 Shiite construction workers.
Well, new flight restrictions for New York City's East River, that is following this week's plane crash into a Manhattan high-rise. The FAA now bans most small fix-winged planes unless they are in in contact with air traffic controllers. The restrictions went into effect immediately but do not apply to helicopters.
Listen to this. A Secret Service agent questioned a 14-year-old about an apparent threat on her MySpace Web site. Upset over the war in Iraq, the girl posted a picture of President Bush with the words "Kill Bush". She was placed on federal authority's checklist, and after talking to her agents said they'd delete her investigation file.
We run down the top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage all morning line. Your next check of the headlines, that is coming up at 8:30 Eastern.
HOLMES: Buffalo's October surprise. A heavy snowfall took out trees, downed power lines. And late word now is that power could be out for days.
This is a record-breaking snowfall for October being blamed on at least three deaths at this point. New York's governor is asking President Bush to declare a federal emergency.
Well, we...
NGUYEN: Yes, let's talk about this...
HOLMES: Go ahead.
NGUYEN: ... a federal emergency that could be in effect.
Rob Marciano, this snow, all of this winter weather, it's only October but it seems like it came out of the blue.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Well, they're a major U.S. ally in Iraq, no doubt, but hear what a British general is saying about how long his troops should stay there. We have those details straight ahead.
HOLMES: Also, does your family have a history of breast cancer? Did you get genetic testing? Are you in the clear if your family is cancer free? Dr. Sanjay Gupta answers all your questions about breast cancer coming up in 10 minutes on "House Call".
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's over 2,000 years old, and some will tell you it's one the healthiest diets in the world. Inspired by the traditional cuisine of countries like Italy, Spain and Greece, some health experts believe the Mediterranean Diet can have dramatic benefits. DR. DREW WARNER, VALLEY VIEW HOSPITAL: The diet is very high in olive oil, which is unsaturated fat, which is really much better for us. It's better for our hearts and other thing.
COSTELLO: Dr. Warner believes the Mediterranean Diet helps lower the risk of cancer and obesity. This Sicilian woman says she savors her food and eats less red meat than an average American does.
ANTONELLA CALGERONE, MEDITERRANEAN DIETER: I like American meat, but I prefer Sicilian fish.
COSTELLO: And fresh fish is a key part of the Mediterranean Diet. Also lots of fresh produce, olive oil, whole grains and wines, but only in moderation, of course. Although the diet is higher in fat, people in the Mediterranean region eat smaller portions, so they consume fewer calories.
Carol Costello, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: The violence in Iraq continues with dozens of bodies found in and around Baghdad the past couple of days. But take a look. A success here for Iraqi security forces that may have -- quite have possibly prevented more deaths.
They discovered a car rigged with explosives parked along a highway 30 miles south of Baghdad. They found mortar shells stuffed into the seats and doors. The highway was shut down while the device was disabled.
In Basra, Shiite leaders and British army chief Richard Dannatt are in agreement. The presence of British soldiers in southern Iraq seems to incite even more bloodshed.
Dannatt caused a stir when British media reported that he was calling for a withdrawal of British troops soon. He later explained what "soon" might mean, and it might not come from one to three years. British Prime Ministers Tony Blair says he was no -- in no disagreement with his army chief.
CNN's Zain Verjee has the story for us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The British prime minister says he's in full agreement with the overall comments from the chief of the British army, the Britons should not stay in Iraq forever. But Tony Blair says some of the words are being taken out of context.
In the London newspaper "The Daily Mail," General Richard Dannatt says British troops in Iraq are making the situation worse. And he says the British troops should leave Iraq soon. The paper also quotes Dannatt saying the post invasion plan for the war was poor. Dannatt echoed some of his comments about Iraq in a TV interview.
GEN. RICHARD ANNATT, BRITISH ARMY CHIEF: We need to keep energy and we need to keep pressure on, because we can't afford to be there indefinitely. We've got a major commitment in Afghanistan, we've got commitments in the Balkans still. And I'm particularly concerned to make sure there isn't an army in being (ph) for five years' time, for 10 years' time, for whatever problems in the world crop up next.
VERJEE: Meanwhile, Dannatt says some of his comments to the paper are being overblown. In remarks on the British Defense Ministry Web site, Dannatt did say that British troops are helping the security effort in Basra, but "There other parts where our mere presence does exacerbate and violence results."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And of course you can see more of Zain Verjee's reports on "THE SITUATION ROOM," weeknights at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m., only on CNN, the most trusted name in the news.
NGUYEN: Let's get to some of our e-mails this morning.
The question is, how concerned are you and what would you do about the situation in North Korea?
As you know the Security Council is going to be voting today, a little bit later around noon Eastern. But in the meantime, what do you think they should do? Should sanctions be imposed?
Well, Edwin from Toronto writes, "They need to be treated as the real deal. Iran will see them as a template and need to use them as an example. Whatever is done with North Korea will be what Iran or any other nation, for that matter, that feels they are allowed to act outside the confines of international social values."
HOLMES: Also, from Peggy in Illinois, says she "would cut off all trade but food and medicine to North Korea. There would be no shipments out or in. When the North Koreans get fed up with their ruler, they will figure out a way to take over the government. Where there is a will there is a way. Perhaps the army will wake up to the fact he is not taking the best interest of his people to heart."
NGUYEN: And course we want you to keep writing in with your thoughts about the situation in North Korea. What do you think about it? And more importantly, what do you think should be done about North Korea and its desire for nuclear weapons?
E-mail us, WEEKENDS@CNN.com.
Well, President Ford is hospitalized once against. An update on his condition is straight ahead when we check this morning's top stories. HOLMES: And the amazing advances in the battle against breast cancer. "House Call" brings you an in-depth look in just five minutes.
NGUYEN: Plus, at much to the hour, eating right while on the run, that's hard to do, isn't it/ Well, our fitness guru, Jerry Anderson, answers some of your questions in today's "Jump Start". So send them in if you want to.
"What's your problem?" That's what he's asking -- WEEKENDS@CNN.com. We'll have Jerry answer some of your physical fitness questions.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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