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Terror Plot Charges; Renovated White House Briefing Room Reopens
Aired July 14, 2007 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center, this is the CNN NEWSROOM. And it's Saturday, July 14th, 10:00 a.m. here in Atlanta, Georgia, 3:00 p.m. in London.
Good morning to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning.
I'm Suzanne Malveaux, in for Betty Nguyen.
Two doctors in two countries now face charges in connection with the terror alerts in Great Britain.
A live report straight ahead.
HOLMES: Plus, culture clash. Starbucks losing face and space in Beijing's Forbidden City. We will tell you why.
MALVEAUX: And we start now with this breaking news in the British terror plot investigation. A third doctor has now been charged in connection with those failed terror attacks in London and Glasgow. That makes two people charged just today, one in London, one in Australia.
Let's get right to our Alphonso Van Marsh in London for the very latest -- Alphonso.
ALPHONSO VAN MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right -- that's right, Suzanne.
We're getting these details. We understand that charge from Metropolitan Police is saying that that said that Sabeel Ahmed, as you mentioned, has been charged under the Terrorism Act of 2000. Now, that legislation in part reads that he's accused of "having information which you know or believe may have been part of material assistance in preventing the commission by another an act of terrorism."
In essence, Suzanne, information that could prevent an act of terrorism.
Now, this is in connection with that large-ranging investigation, that international investigation into those failed car bomb attacks on June 29th and June 30th, two car bombs in London that did not go off, as well as a Jeep Cherokee that was driven into terminal one of Glasgow International Airport. What makes this interesting is that Sabeel Ahmed, as you mentioned, is a doctor and is -- also went to the same medical school as the suspect who was charged today in Australia. That, of course, being Mohammed Haneef, who, as you mentioned, was charged with providing support to a terrorist organization.
A lot of developments in this wide-ranging international investigation into those failed terror attacks -- Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: Thank you, Alphonso.
HOLMES: Well, Ahmed is the third person charged in this plot so far. Another doctor, Mohammed Haneef, appeared in an Australian court early this morning. He's charged with providing support to a terrorist organization. The two doctors charged today, Mohammed Haneef and Sabeel Ahmed are cousins.
MALVEAUX: And more time, more patience. President Bush again today appealing to Congress to give his so-called troop surge in Iraq more time to succeed. But leading members of his own party are making their own demands.
Senator John Warner and Richard Lugar are proposing legislation, and it calls for the president to give Congress a new war strategy by mid-October to start redeploying troops from Iraq. Some Democrats complain the measure does not require the president to actually implement the plan.
HOLMES: Well, in the war zone, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for the first time publicly reacts to the White House progress report on Iraq. He told reporters this morning the Iraqi army and police are ready to take over security in the country if U.S. troops leave. But the prime minister admits the forces need more weapons and more training. Al-Maliki also said his government needs -- needs time to put in place the political benchmarks Washington wants.
MALVEAUX: And Senator John McCain has been one of the president's staunchest supporters in the war in Iraq. And it was just minutes ago this is what the Republican presidential candidate had to say about the Iraq government's progress.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The bad news right now, my friends, is that the Maliki government is not governing like a government should. They're not doing the things that we need them to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And those comments coming at a campaign event in New Hampshire. The war in Iraq putting great strain on McCain's campaign. And what we'll do is we'll take a closer look about that in about 30 minutes.
HOLMES: Word this morning that a suicide car bomber has killed 18 Pakistani soldiers. A Pakistani army spokesman says the bomber crashed his car into two army vehicles near the volatile north Waziristan region near the Afghan border. No one has claimed responsibility, but the border is a haven for Islamic militants, including supporters of the Taliban and al Qaeda.
MALVEAUX: And the U.S. has issued a new travel warning for Israel and the Palestinian territories. The State Department is warning Americans to postpone trips to the West Bank and avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip. Visitors also are being advised to exercise caution while in Israel. The department cites a threat to U.S. citizens and U.S. interests in these areas, and increased violence.
HOLMES: An Amber Alert is out this morning for three children missing in Arizona. Police in Kingman say Marcel, Krystal and Brittany Shaffer are believed to be with their mother. Police think she was headed to Oregon.
The mom, Sandra Shaffer, was denied custody of the children last year by a court in Oregon. The sheriff's office believe Shaffer is driving a green Pontiac Grand Am with the Arizona license plate, 915- XBP.
MALVEAUX: And searchers are out this morning in northeast Alabama looking for a missing mother and daughter. Twenty-six-year- old Kim Whitton, and her daughter, 11-year-old Haleigh Culwell, were last seen June 21st. The missing woman's husband, Barry Whitton, was arrested Thursday on unrelated charges. State, local and federal officials swarmed over the family's property this week looking for clues.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL DAYMOND, FBI: People may be scared. They may be uncomfortable with the situation. But they have no need to be. They can -- again, remain anonymous when they call. All we're looking for is their information.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, Whitton has not been charged in the disappearances. Authorities say the body of Whitton's first wife was found buried in nearby Hilth (ph) 10 years ago. Now, her death ruled a homicide, but no arrests were ever made.
HOLMES: Firefighters getting closer to gaining control of fires in one state, and new ones pop up in another.
Battle against Mother Nature next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
And a crackdown on shrimp from China, a move that should make American shrimpers happy. Why they say the ban is too little, too late.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(NEWSBREAK) (WEATHER REPORT)
MALVEAUX: And OK, admittedly, this next story is one that we in the media care a little bit more than you do about. But we thought you'd like to see our new digs at the White House.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: The press corps covering the president is back in the White House.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We missed you.
Sort of.
MALVEAUX: Mr. Bush unveiled the new glossy, state-of-the-art, high-tech briefing room after a nearly year-long renovation. It started with putting in air-conditioning.
BUSH: Modern conditions. Conditions where, you know, a fellow like me would feel comfortable coming in here and answering a few questions without losing 20 pounds.
MALVEAUX: It's a big improvement. A sleek new podium, larger work spaces, seats with Internet, phone and power connections, robotic cameras, and 570 miles of cable, in what was once the presidential swimming pool below.
It may not look like much, but this is what it was like before: broken, tattered chairs, chipping paint, asbestos, cluttered work quarters no bigger than closets. And an infestation of other living things.
ELAINE QUIJANO, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: And remember the spiders...
MALVEAUX (on camera): That used to come down?
QUIJANO: ... dangling from the ceiling as you would be typing. And little friends coming down to visit once in a while.
MALVEAUX: And then the mice that used to, like, scamper a bit.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was a rat hole. No doubt about it.
MALVEAUX (voice over): So, will this sleeker set make it any easier for the White House to spin?
(on camera): So, Helen, do you think they will tell us the truth anymore now that they have a new stage?
HELEN THOMAS, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: No. But I'm glad they kept a promise that it would be -- we would come back to the White House.
MALVEAUX (voice over): Since the renovation, the White House has played musical chairs. CNN's been moved to the front row, where the most prominent networks are assigned.
(on camera): My FOX colleague, second row.
So, Bret, how are the nosebleed seats here?
BRETT BAIER, FOX NEWS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Man, do you have to do this to me?
MALVEAUX: Well, is this a fair and balanced view here from the second row?
BAIER: Very fair and balanced. Right behind Helen Thomas. We think we are central focus, left and right. All good.
THOMAS: I like being front row center. I can stare them down, and so forth, and ask the questions, and I can be heard. And I hope the answers will be a little better than we've had.
MALVEAUX (voice over): More likely, than not, the answers won't come at all. President Bush playfully reenacted a familiar routine.
BUSH: So ready? I'm going to cut the ribbon. And then would you -- no, then you yell. I cogitate, and then smile and wave.
(LAUGHTER)
MALVEAUX: Perhaps with the new digs, we will see more of Mr. Bush. We'll certainly keep asking.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Y'all come back.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: He actually did come back the following day for that press conference. But we were out of the White House for about a year or so. And it was the first time in more than a century that the White House press corps was not in the building covering the president.
HOLMES: That's amazing to us. We're not in it every day like you are, but to see the cracks in the -- this is the White House.
MALVEAUX: I know.
HOLMES: You all are the White House press corps, for god's sake.
MALVEAUX: The asbestos, the rats.
HOLMES: Are you serious?
MALVEAUX: It was about time that we got a facelift. And I know Helen Thomas, who I talked to in that piece, there was one point in the history of the White House where President Nixon wanted to move us out of the White House, tried to get us out of the White House. She was the one journalist who actually fought for us to bring us back in.
HOLMES: And it worked.
MALVEAUX: Yes. And we're -- and we're...
HOLMES: The famous stare-down, as she says.
MALVEAUX: It works.
HOLMES: She can stare them down.
All right. Well, very nice. Glad you got some new digs. Sorry our place is a little dusty.
MALVEAUX: This is luxury compared to the White House. I like this.
HOLMES: All right.
MALVEAUX: Thanks, T.J.
HOLMES: All right.
MALVEAUX: And a baby food recall to tell you about this morning. There is a choking risk involved.
HOLMES: Yes. Parents need to hear this. We've got it for you. So stick around for that.
Also, you've heard of a Roman bath, but what is this, a ramen bath? It's all the rage in Japan. And it's just one of the most popular stories on CNN.com.
We'll have details when CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: A warning for parents this morning. Gerber is voluntarily recalling nearly half a million packages of baby cereal. The company says some clumps in their organic rice and oatmeal cereals may not dissolve in water or milk, causing a choking hazard.
So far, no injuries to report, though. Gerber says the recall -- you should call the company about the recall if you'd like to get a refund.
MALVEAUX: And Starbucks loses face in China. A controversial coffee house is closing in China's Forbidden City after strong opposition to a U.S. chain operating in one of China's historic sites. Starbucks opened shop on the former imperial palace grounds in 2000. A campaign for its closure has been brewing since early this year when a Chinese television anchor complained that the American company's presence was trampling Chinese culture.
HOLMES: And now to Chinese import troubles here. The recent ban on Chinese shrimp would seem to be a boon for American shrimpers who complained for years that imported shrimp is so cheap, they can't make a living. So what do they think of the ban? CNN Gulf Coast Corespondent Susan Roesgen reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right. Thank you.
SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN GULF COAST CORRESPONDENT (voice over): For American diners, there's nothing better than fresh shrimp...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, it's really good.
ROESGEN: ... right out of the Gulf of Mexico, like the shrimp in many restaurants here in New Orleans. But when you order shrimp, it probably doesn't come from the Gulf.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Coming out hot.
ROESGEN: In fact, less than 10 percent of the shrimp on American tables comes from American waters. All the rest is imported.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And they use preservatives in them before they ever get them. And they've got to do something to keep them fresh until they get here. And they use a lot of that stuff. Domestic stuff don't have that.
ROESGEN: Federal officials worried about toxins banned Chinese shrimp last month, but these days most American shrimpers are caught between cheaper foreign shrimp and high fuel costs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've got to catch a lot. And you've got to catch a lot to offset what -- you know, what they want to give you at the dock for them.
ROESGEN: And the ban on Chinese shrimp probably won't help much. That's because in the big picture, China is just a small part of the problem.
American diners get more shrimp from Thailand, Indonesia and even Ecuador than they do from China. A tasty dish that leaves many American shrimpers starving.
(on camera): Americans are eating more shrimp than ever, more than four pounds per person per year. The question is, can American shrimpers keep up with that increased demand?
Susan Roesgen, CNN, New Orleans.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: OK. Everyone loves to soak in a hot tub, including myself. But this is really strange. And a giant bowl of soup. That story is hot on CNN.com right now.
Veronica De La Cruz from the dot-com desk has more for us on that.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN ANCHOR: Hot is the word.
MALVEAUX: That is so strange to me. What...
DE LA CRUZ: Hot as -- yes, you've heard of a Roman bath, right?
MALVEAUX: Yes.
DE LA CRUZ: How about a ramen bath?
MALVEAUX: Who came up with -- who came up with this idea?
DE LA CRUZ: Well, of course, you know, the Japanese. They just love the stuff.
This is one of the most popular videos on CNN.com right now. Take a look.
OK. This is real pork broth that these people here are soaking in. But health regulations, Suzanne, prohibit the spa from using real noodles, so these are actually noodles that have been fashioned from spa products.
I guess it looks like it's kind of fun, right? So, slowly, you can cook yourself in the soup. But I wouldn't recommend eating it.
MALVEAUX: Is this very popular. This looks like -- it looks like a lot of fun.
DE LA CRUZ: It's all the craze. It's all -- I guess so. Maybe -- maybe there's some health benefits that we don't know about.
MALVEAUX: Is broth supposed to be good for your skin?
DE LA CRUZ: Maybe -- yes, maybe it's like a milk bath. Who knows? Maybe it will catch on here in the U.S.
Let's go ahead and get to this next story, which comes from down under. Talk about a rampage.
An Australian man got a hold of a restored Army personal carrier. Take a look at this.
He went joyriding. Police gave chase, but apparently it was no easy takedown. The armored vehicle finally stalled. There it goes. It crashed into -- it took down a whole bunch of mobile cell phone towers, too.
The driver is in court today on numerous charges. And Suzanne, apparently his mother has said that it was the barracks' fault for not locking up the tank.
MALVEAUX: Well, she's got to defend her son.
DE LA CRUZ: Right. Right.
MALVEAUX: He's a good boy. DE LA CRUZ: Exactly.
Also popular today, watch out, Sony, because rival Nintendo is closing in. The Wii gaming console by Nintendo already wildly popular, but it could eventually be bigger than anyone thought.
It has already outsold the Xbox 360 and the PS 3. Some industry insiders think that Wii sales could eventually take over the PS 2, which had been the top gaming system in the world.
And anyone out there who is trying to buy a Wii, knows they are extremely difficult to get. Shipments to stores, they typically sell out in about an hour.
MALVEAUX: Wow.
DE LA CRUZ: And I don't know if you've ever played this thing. A lot of fun. I mean, did you see that kid right there?
MALVEAUX: That looked really, really cool.
DE LA CRUZ: But people have ended up in the hospital with tennis elbow from actually -- from playing the Wii.
MALVEAUX: You're kidding?
DE LA CRUZ: I think actually T.J. has, right?
(CROSSTALK)
HOLMES: I haven't had a medical issue, but that thing is awesome. It is -- I'm not kidding. It's absolutely awesome.
DE LA CRUZ: And you know what? I did want to go ahead and solicit for some I-Reports before I let you go.
Jennifer Bernstein (ph), if you're out there, we're looking for an I-Report from your new baby.
HOLMES: Tate Bowman Adam (ph) is the name.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes, Tate Bowman Adam (ph).
HOLMES: Our executive producer...
DE LA CRUZ: We want to welcome Tate (ph) to the world.
HOLMES: ... just had a baby, yes.
DE LA CRUZ: So send us your photos and your video. Send us an I-Report.
MALVEAUX: But she's been e-mailing. She's been on her BlackBerry e-mailing all morning about this.
HOLMES: She's been a mom for about 20 minutes now. DE LA CRUZ: From her hospital bed.
(CROSSTALK)
DE LA CRUZ: Still on her BlackBerry.
HOLMES: Those things are addictive.
DE LA CRUZ: Congratulations.
HOLMES: Congratulations.
MALVEAUX: Yes, congratulations.
HOLMES: All right.
Well, we're going to turn now to the arrival of Boeing's 747 Dreamliner and also Airbus'A-350. With the arrival of those two big suckers (ph), there's no question now the rivalry between the two companies is going to be heating up. And while Airbus might have the edge on size, capable of ferrying between 550 and 800 people, Boeing now taking steps to make passengers more comfortable.
This week's "On the Go" profiles some of Boeing's onboard improvements.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERIK TORKELIS, EDITOR, "BUDGET TRAVEL": For its new airplane, the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing has tried to make the plane do what it can to lessen the effects of jet lag. The planes have lighting that simulates the natural lighting of the destination. So if the sun is setting where you're going, it will look like sunset inside the plane.
Normally the air pressure inside a plane is equivalent to being 8,000 feet high, but Boeing is dropping it to 6,000, which it says will allow for more oxygen, which will make passengers less tired.
The planes will have increased humidity. And thanks to a new filtration system, better air quality inside the cabin.
Airlines such as Continental and Northwest have ordered the 787 Dreamliner, which Boeing is testing this summer. We'll have to wait until the planes are in circulation to see if the changes really help.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: And we're tracking new developments in the U.K. terror investigation. One suspect goes to court in Australia, another faces charges in Britain.
We'll have new information next.
HOLMES: Also, Senator John McCain losing staffers and losing money, but still hot on the campaign trail. He's in New Hampshire this morning.
We'll take you there. Stay here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: And welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM.
I'm Suzanne Malveaux, in for Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And I'm T.J. Holmes.
Night raids shed new light on the insurgency in Iraq. Military commanders say there may be an Iran connection.
MALVEAUX: Plus, the cancer battle. One woman goes against all odds in her race to stay alive. Her inspiring story coming up.
new developments this morning in the British terror plot investigation. A third doctor has now been charged. Dr. Sabeel Ahmed was arrested on a highway in northern England shortly after the failed attack on the Glasgow Airport. Ahmed is charged with having information that could have prevented an act of terrorism. He could appear in court as early as Monday.
HOLMES: The announcement of charges against Ahmed came hours after a distant cousin made his first appearance in an Australian court. Dr. Mohammed Haneef now also charged in connection to the alleged terror plot.
CNN's Hugh Williams has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
HUGH WILLIAMS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: (voice-over): After 12 days in custody, finally a decision, with Australian federal police issuing a statement saying the Joint Counter-Terrorism Task Force was charging the 27-year-old Indian doctor, Mohammed Haneef, with providing support to a terrorist organization. The maximum penalty is 15 years in jail. They said the charge relates to his involvement with the alleged perpetrators of terrorist incidents in the United Kingdom on the 29th and the 30th of June.
MICK KEELTY, AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE COMMISSIONER: The allegation is that Dr. Haneef provided support to a terrorist group. The specific allegation involves recklessness rather than intention, the allegation being that he was reckless about some of the support he provided to that group, in particular, the provision of his Sim card for the use of the group.
WILLIAMS: The charge was filed as authorities were running out of time to hold the accused man under Australia's tough new anti- terrorism laws. On Friday, the police dropped a further bid to extend the detention of Dr. Haneef, who has been held in custody for 12 days. He was arrested at Brisbane Airport by authorities on July 2nd after trying to leave the country for India on a one way ticket and has been held ever since. He had been working as a junior doctor in the Gulf Coast hospital south of Brisbane.
Haneef has maintained he was leaving Australia to visit his wife, who had just had a child and his family in India continued to protest his innocence.
FIRDAUS HANEEF, WIFE OF DR. MOHAMMED HANEEF: But they are charging him with something very -- which is very, very stupid. I'm not going to (INAUDIBLE) for this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So --
HANEEF: (INAUDIBLE) killing police, no.
WILLIAMS: During his detention, police twice raided his home to collect evidence and also questioned five other Indian doctors working in Australia under temporary visas. All of the other doctors were released without charge.
Police commissioner Mike Keelty says that it comes from 12 days of investigation, but the presumption of innocence remains and it will be up to the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he has, in fact, committed a crime.
KEELTY: The length of time for the detention of Dr. Haneef is something that we had to work our way through. It was a question of balancing human rights, balancing the needs of the community and the needs of the organization to establish the facts.
WILLIAMS: A magistrate in Brisbane adjourned a bail hearing for Dr. Mohammed Haneef until Monday morning, when Haneef's lawyers will continue to seek bail.
Hugh Williams, CNN, Sydney.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
MALVEAUX: And death threats this morning from drug traffickers working along the U.S.-Mexico border. The threats aimed at American journalists reporting on Mexico's drug trade. They appear concentrated around the violent border town of Nuevo Laredo. Last night, the "San Antonio Express News" pulled its correspondent out of Laredo. "The Washington Post" is reporting sources have told several Texas newspapers that hit men may have been hired to cross into the U.S. to kill American reporters.
HOLMES: Meanwhile, in Iraq today, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki publicly reacts to the White House progress report on Iraq. He told reporters this morning the Iraqi Army and police are already keep security in the country if U.S. troops leave. But the prime minister admits the forces need more weapons and they need more training.
This all comes as two top Republicans proposed legislation demanding President Bush give Congress a new war strategy to start redeploying troops from Iraq. They want the new plan by mid-October.
There's also this -- new concerns about Iranian influence in Iraq.
MALVEAUX: this time the focus is on whether Iran is infiltrating the Iraqi police force.
More from CNN Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
BARBARA STARR, PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: (voice-over): U.S. troops on a pre-dawn raid in Baghdad captured an Iraqi police lieutenant suspected of being an Iranian agent, raising questions about whether the elements of the police have now been infiltrated by Tehran.
GENERAL PETER PACE, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: And we're waiting to hear from the folks who are going to investigate this on the ground. I would not want to presume anything, and especially when it comes to that detail.
STARR: But a U.S. military statement said the Iraqi police officer is believed to have close ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, a group the U.S. says is involved in dozens of attack against American troops in Iraq.
After the man was captured, a ferocious firefight broke out. U.S. troops came under fire from a nearby Iraqi police checkpoint.
ROBERT GATES, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I think we've been pretty straightforward in saying all along that -- that the Iraqi police were a challenge.
STARR: It's just the latest example of potential growing Iranian influence in Iraq. A U.S. military drone spotted these rockets ready for launch outside Baghdad. Commanders believe Iranian rockets and mortars are being widely used in the growing number of attacks on Baghdad's highly secured Green Zone and other areas.
Intelligence sources are tell CNN insurgents frequently fire these weapons from populated areas, making it tough for the U.S. to launch counterattacks.
PACE: They hope that they'll be counter-battery fire that will be indiscriminate, that would cause damage from where the mortars are being fired. And we're not going to do that.
STARR: (on camera): Defense Secretary Robert Gates believes all of this is part of an intense campaign by Al Qaeda, Iran and other insurgent groups to cause as much mayhem as possible, to weaken the Iraqi government and to weaken U.S. support for the war.
Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
MALVEAUX: and the war in Iraq proving to be a drain on John McCain's presidential campaign. McCain is in New Hampshire today vowing to carry on with the campaign. But he's already lost two top staffers this week and more could be out by Monday. Also, his campaign is just about out of money.
But speaking this morning, he said that will not stop him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I know how to campaign. And in the State of New Hampshire, I can win in New Hampshire, as I did in 2000. And I know that I can and I know that I will.
(APPLAUSE).
MCCAIN: I never was going to rely on money to win this campaign.
I'm not a very good fundraiser and I'll admit it. But I can out campaign any of these guys and I will and I can and we're going to be doing it just fine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Well, while McCain is in New Hampshire, many of the other candidates are stumping in the other early state. That is Iowa. Democrats Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Republican Sam Brownback are all there today.
HOLMES: Well, Senator Hillary Clinton was as well to be in New Hampshire, as well, today, but instead, she'll be along with the former first ladies who will be paying respects to an American icon -- Lady Bird Johnson. She is lying in repose, as you're seeing right now in the live picture, at the LBJ Museum in Austin, Texas. She died Wednesday at the age of 94.
First Ladies Laura Bush, Barbara Bush and Rosalyn Carter are expected to attend the private funeral service today, along with former Presidents Carter and Clinton.
MALVEAUX: And take a look at this. The security against those smash and grab types.
HOLMES: Also --
MALVEAUX: Ooh.
HOLMES: That was nasty. Taking the lead in the battle against breast cancer. Up next, an inspiration and a great smile this morning from a two time breast cancer survivor. We'll be talking to her coming up.
And, also, a rare photo-opportunity -- the tallest man in the world and the smallest together.
MALVEAUX: Together.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) STEVE HARVEY: I'm a funny guy. That's how I make my living. So my show is funny. And right after my first 12 minutes of inspiration, we funny. But even throughout that, I'm never disrespectful of god or anybody's faith or what they believe in, because it's necessary, man. Without your faith part of your life, I don't know how you make it, man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: You know he's a funny guy, talk show radio host and actor. He's also so fly for 50, if you hear him tell it. He's also a person of faith. Steve Harvey -- my interview with him in our Faces of Faith. That's tomorrow at 7:00 Eastern.
MALVEAUX: And, well, if you need a little inspiration to get you up and going this morning, well, you know, don't look any further.
Here she is.
This is Diane Groff.
She's survived breast cancer twice and she turns 50 tomorrow and is celebrating it by taking part in a triathlon named in her honor.
And she is joining us live from Denver.
Diane, I want to be the first person to tell you happy birthday.
DIANE GROFF, TRIATHLETE: Well, thank you, Suzanne.
Thank you.
MALVEAUX: The big 5-0.
Now, this is an, I guess, eight now in a whole series of triathlons that you've been doing, obviously to inspire women.
Tell us what -- how did you get started?
GROFF: Well, two years ago, when I saw that the Denver Danskin was ling up to be on my 50th birthday, I thought what a great way to celebrate. As well as, I'm five years cancer-free, which is an important milestone in the world of survivorship.
And I've had a tremendous amount of support from family and friends and from other organizations. And the Danskin folks have been tremendous. So it's an honor for me to show up at each start line. And the reason I chose the Danskin Women's Triathlon Series is that there's a team survivor competent, where women cancer survivors get together the day before each race and we have a breakfast where we share our stories of survival and how we've trained for the triathlon the next day.
And it really sets the tone for the whole weekend. When we line up at the start, it's more of a celebration of being fully alive. And when we cross that finish line, it gives us hope and validation. And when we give each other high fives, we're giving it for a myriad of reasons.
MALVEAUX: And take us back -- obviously, you were first diagnosed nine years ago and then a recurrence in 2001.
What did you think at that time?
Did you imagine that you would be able to do what you are able to do now to inspire other women?
GROFF: Well, being a cancer survivor, I gave myself permission to do what I'm passionate about. And I call that moving through space. And I've always been a bicyclist. My husband and I have bicycled across Iowa on the Ragbrai 18 times.
MALVEAUX: Wow!
GROFF: And we've bicycled in Colorado and I've taken the City of Longmont youth on the Ride of the Rockies bicycle ride. So I always considered myself as a bicyclist and a runner. And then thanks to the Danskin Women's Triathlon Series and Team Survivor, I'm now a triathlete. My first triathlon was four years ago, as a member of a relay team. I did the bicycling and the running.
And I knew that I'd have to come back and do the entire triathlon. And the Denver Triathlon will be my 13th triathlon in four years.
MALVEAUX: Wow!
Unbelievable. No small feat. I've done a couple of triathlons. This is amazing. I love your story. And I love the part about what you call cycle therapy, the fact that when you put your helmet on, you had a whole different mind set. And you were actually biking to and from some of your cancer treatments.
Can you tell us a little bit about that?
GROFF: Right. Yes. When I was diagnosed the second time, we really rolled up our sleeves and we handled everything very aggressively medically. And at that point in time is when I discovered Team Survivor. And it gave me permission to continue enjoying my passion for moving through space.
And so, yes, I made the commitment to go to all of my cancer treatment appointments by bike. It was just a couple of miles away. But, yes, putting on my bike helmet and looking in the mirror, I looked like I always looked, even when I had no hair. And it also felt like I was putting on armor and I could go into that battlefield and fight cancer.
And then on the days that I would get my red blood cell booster shots, I would capitalize on feeling well and go on a longer bicycle ride so --
MALVEAUX: That's amazing.
It's amazing.
Well, we want to congratulate you. I know that your home town of Denver is naming tomorrow as the official Diane Groff Day. And you are truly an inspiration for some of us.
So, again, happy birthday.
GROFF: Well, thank you.
Thank you.
And Governor Ritter has proclaimed the State of Colorado as Rocky Mountain Team Survivor Day, as well, to honor all of the women cancer survivors who have added fitness as an important part of their survivorship.
MALVEAUX: Excellent.
OK.
Well, Diane, thanks so much.
GROFF: Thank you.
HOLMES: Well, how about a couple of couple of chick flicks for the cure?
This September, Twentieth Century Fox and MGM are re-releasing several movies that are female favorites, such as "Thelma and Louise" and "Legally Blonde." So for every DVD sold, $0.50 will go to help fight breast cancer. You'll be able to recognize the DVDs because they'll be packaged in pink.
All right, well, how about this?
All kinds of sophisticated anti-theft devices out there. That's pretty simple. Scorpions in a display case.
MALVEAUX: So that means hands off the jewels. Call it a new take on store security, up next in THE NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: have you ever met a person whose mission in life seems more important than life itself?
Well, that describes our CNN Hero this morning.
Yes, she's a woman who was forced into prostitution at age 16. Now she's devoted to saving
have you ever met a person whose mission in life seems more important than life itself?
Well, that describes our CNN hero this morning.
HOLMES: Yes. She's a woman who was forced into prostitution at age 16. Now she's devoted to saving other victims from sex slavery.
Somaly Mam is this morning's CNN Hero.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOMALY MAM: In Cambodia, prostitution is illegal. But right now you can see everywhere we have the prostitutes, because of the corruption. The brothel owner, they force them to have sex. They hit them. They receive a lot of violence.
I remember when I was young. I was sold into the brothel. I was forced to have sex and I was raped.
But I needed people to help me. I need the people, but nobody helped me.
My name is Somaly Mam and my mission in life is to help the victims, to take them out from the brothel. And many of them, they have HIV/AIDS. Sometimes they cut themselves. Sometimes they try to suicide. I just say to them, you have your hands full. Everybody treat them -- treat you so bad.
Why they treat you so bad?
It's not your fault.
(INAUDIBLE).
You face the police who are corrupted. You go into court. Sometimes they are so corrupted.
I have a lot of people that are trying to destroy me everywhere. They're trying, trying. But I just want to say to them no way.
My organization, we have the counseling and we have advocacy training, serving, addressing and imbue them of the opportunities of the world and then integrate them into society.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I feel like I have a new life. I was so upset before, it seemed like everything was destroyed. Now I have a new life.
MAM: I just want to give them love, for real. It's what I needed.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
HOLMES: And if you'd like to learn more about Somaly Mam's organization or if you'd like to make a contribution, you'll find all the information you need at cnn.com/heroes.
Well, turning to New Orleans now. Black-owned businesses were hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. Ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM, stories from those who are trying to make a comeback.
MALVEAUX: and, of course, we've all heard about guard dogs.
But what about guard scorpions?
Yes, scorpions. A new way to keep the merchandise safe ahead here in THE NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We're going to take a little trip to the Water Cooler. I don't know if you've been there with us before, Suzanne, but this is where we --
MALVEAUX: No. The first time.
HOLMES: Yes. So we hope you make it through, where we pull out some interesting video that we share with you.
And we're going to start with what is really your favorite story of the day maybe, this low tech security at this Jewelry store --
MALVEAUX: I love this story.
HOLMES: -- live scorpions.
MALVEAUX: And earlier this year, the owner put about a dozen scorpions in the display case as part of a Southwestern theme featuring turquoise and silver. Now, these creepy critters were such a hit with customers that the Detroit store decided to make them permanent additions. I just love that.
HOLMES: I don't know why.
MALVEAUX: It's so weird.
HOLMES: And, of course, they can deliver a nasty sting, as we know, and that also makes them a pretty effective theft deterrent.
MALVEAUX: And China is such a big country that it can boast they have the world's tallest man and they also have the world's smallest man. In fact, they got together this week and this is quite the photo- op, the photo-op a lifetime to see these two guys together.
HOLMES: Bao Xishun is one of the most famous people you'll find in China. A humble herdsman he is. His wedding this week was out of control. Every aspect of the event was sponsored by various Chinese corporations, down to the shoes he was wearing.
MALVEAUX: One company even donated a super, super king sized bed to the couple because, well, he broke two smaller beds. And for the record, let's see, he is 7'9". His bride is 5'6". So, she's still pretty tall.
HOLMES: He's not a good ball player, we understand. Not a good basketball player at 7'9". MALVEAUX: That's too bad.
HOLMES: But we need to show you folks and say congratulations to our executive producer here, Jennifer Bernstein, who had her baby on Friday the 13th, little Tate Bowman (ph) -- I believe I have the name right -- Tate Bowman Adams.
MALVEAUX: It was amazing. I saw her yesterday. I was talking to her. And she said, well, I've got to go home a little bit early here just to make sure.
You know, I'm feeling a little, a little funny. And then this morning, you know?
Who knew overnight it would happen?
HOLMES: (INAUDIBLE).
She had a baby on Friday the 13th. But congratulations and stop working. She keeps sending us messages on the Blackberry from her hospital bed.
So congratulations, Jen.
We'll see you back here soon.
Meanwhile, the next hour on NEWSROOM coming up right now.
Well, it is that time -- time for us to check out the big stories from last week on "AMERICAN MORNING" and look ahead to what's going to be happening next week.
And for that, as always, we turn to Kiran Chetry, who is in New York -- hello.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, T.J.
Good to see you.
Yes, we had a lot of big stories this week. And, as you know, T.J. the terror threat -- how prepared are we for the next attack and how powerful just a few words can be.
I talked to Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff specifically about what prompted his comments when he spoke about the gut feeling of an impending attack.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING")
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: As I laid out a number of specific strategic elements that led me to the conclusion that we do face a period of increased risk, part of it is what you just said, the issue of increased training activities. Part of it is the volume and frequency of public statements received in the last few months. Part of it is a history in recent years of summertime attacks. So, actually, we laid all this out before I drew my conclusion. (END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: So that was Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff on "AMERICAN MORNING". It was this past Thursday.
A lot of debate about how best to warn Americans and some questions and answers for you, T.J. next week, as well.
HOLMES: All right.
And, also, you've got a class reunion coming up. And this is not just your every class reunion here, a really special one.
CHETRY: You know, this certainly is special. You're right.
We're following up on a promise that was made 20 years ago. A money manager, a very generous guy by the name of George Weiss made an offer to a group of inner city kids. He said if you go to college, I will pay for it -- the entire class. It was a great story about how this happened and also the surprises and the challenges faced by these kids and their dedication trying to live up to their end of the deal.
How did it turn out?
Tragic for some and very, very hopeful for others.
So we're going to show you the reunion two decades in the making. That's coming up Monday on "AMERICAN MORNING," T.J. so hope you'll be watching.
HOLMES: Well, of course, I'll be watching. Kiran Chetry, thank you so much.
And, remember, you can always catch "AMERICAN MORNING" with Kiran and John beginning at 6:00 Eastern.
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