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Second Earthquake Strikes of Japan's Coast; Catholic Church Sex Abuse Scandal; Building Support for Abbas Government

Aired July 16, 2007 - 11:00   ET

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

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning again, everyone. You're with CNN. You're informed.
I'm Tony Harris.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins.

Developments keep coming into the CNN NEWSROOM on this Monday, July 16th.

Here's what's on the rundown.

Ghastly scene. Dozens of deaths, 170 wounded when a truck blows up in northern Iraq.

HARRIS: Minutes ago, a second earthquake strikes off Japan's coast. New tsunami warnings go up in the Pacific.

COLLINS: A Russian spy poisoned in Britain. The accused killer hiding behind the Kremlin. Moments ago, London retaliates.

In the NEWSROOM.

Japan hit by two strong earthquakes in half a day. The latest just a short time ago.

Already word of seven people killed, at least 800 injured. Victims of the first 6.8-magnitude quake centered off Japan's northwest coast.

Several buildings crumbled. The world's largest nuclear power plant also damaged, causing some radioactive water to leak.

Reuters journalist Dan Sloan is on the phone now with us from Tokyo.

Dan, the latest from where you are?

DAN SLOAN, REPORTER, REUTERS: Well, indeed, Heidi, as you noted, the earthquake which first hit about 13 hours ago has left a sizable bit of damage, some seven killed, more than 800 injured. Hundreds of buildings that have been damaged. And indeed, the latest we have is that another earthquake has happened west of Niigata, which is on the Sea of Japan. This earthquake also in the Sea of Japan, but closer to prefectures of Kamanthala (ph) and Pakui (ph), which are down the coast from there. Essentially, I just spoke with our Reuters people in Niigata. They did not feel the second quake there, but nonetheless, there's a great deal of concern about aftershocks -- there have been a number of them throughout the day -- and whether any further damage will be caused.

COLLINS: And Dan, as you had mentioned to us a little bit earlier today when first we talked, about 5,000 people evacuated. But today is a national holiday there, Marine Day, I understand. Has that had any impact on whether or not people are perhaps vacationing, not in the area?

SLOAN: Well, it had a major impact in that people were not at work. And the time of the earthquake was about 10:13 in the morning. That could have either had people in the business place or commuting at that hour. So, arguably, it is something that the timing may have helped to keep the casualty levels low.

Nonetheless, what we have seen subsequent to the earthquake, as you can imagine, trains both domestic, the bullet train, as well, have been canceled. Lines have been shut down. We have some road damage, which I think you're able to see via the video.

COLLINS: Right.

SLOAN: But right now, that area is one in which a number of people are in these evacuation centers. They are waiting for some sign that the aftershocks will not cause further damage.

There are expectations of rain on Tuesday. That would add to an already saturated landslide after the typhoon that came across Japan over the weekend. So, essentially right now a lot of the rescue efforts are being focused through the night to try to get relief to those that can still be helped.

COLLINS: Yes. I can imagine.

Dan, quickly, before we let you go, any idea of the condition of the hospitals and whether or not they are even capable of helping injured people?

SLOAN: Well, apparently what we are hearing is that for those 800, they have been rushed to facilities in the area and the surrounding regions. The prime minister's office set up an emergency center. He himself, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the site earlier today. He was off in the countryside but came back to Tokyo and went up to Niigata.

This is a very important time. There are political campaigns going on, and showing that the government is concerned and going to step forward is very important to the fortunes of the election ahead.

COLLINS: All right.

Dan Sloan, we'll keep our eye on this situation. Thanks so much for that. Dan Sloan, a Reuters journalist for us this morning from Tokyo.

HARRIS: And Heidi, just moments ago, Britain announced that it is going to expel four Russian diplomats in retaliation for Moscow's refusal to extradite a suspect. His name, Andrea Lugovoi, to face charges in Great Britain in the poisoning death of Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko.

British officials want to charge Lugovoi with murder. Now we certainly await Russia's response.

Again, Britain planning to expel four diplomats from the Russian Embassy in London. We will continue to follow developments on this story.

COLLINS: A crowded shopping area in northern Iraq a gruesome scene this morning. Iraqi police say a suicide truck bomber killed at least 80 people in Kirkuk, 170 wounded. A Reuters cameraman says he saw dozens of bodies scattered across the market. Some passengers trapped on a bus, where they burned to death.

Minutes after the blast, U.S. and Iraqi security forces defused a car bomb near a medical facility. A couple hours later, one police officer killed in a car bomb attack in southern Kirkuk. More than a dozen people died in other attacks in Baghdad.

CNN "Security Watch".

A story we've been following all morning, fears al Qaeda could tighten its grip in northwest Pakistan. Taliban militants abandoning a cease-fire there. Weekend suicide attacks and bombings in the region killed dozens of people. Most of the victims military or police. Tensions have been high since the military stormed a mosque in Islamabad last week, killing dozens of militants. The U.S. now waiting to see how Pakistan responds to the latest violence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHEN HADLEY, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: What we've seen in the last year or so is a problem in the northwest territories in Pakistan where the -- President Musharraf had a very aggressive strategy of using force again Taliban and al Qaeda in that area. And over a year ago, he reached an understanding with tribal leaders that they were going to police Taliban and al Qaeda. And the truth is, it did not work.

And what we've seen, pooling of the Taliban, training, operational planning. President Musharraf understands it has not worked. We understand it has not worked. And what you're beginning to see now is his taking steps to bring new troops in place to get control of that situation.

It is worrying to us, it's a source of concern.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COLLINS: National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley adding the U.S. wants Pakistan to do more to gain control over its northwest province.

HARRIS: In the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal a landmark settlement in a Los Angeles courtroom today. It is worth $660 million.

CNN's Kara Finnstrom in Los Angeles.

Kara, good to see you.

Where is all of this money coming from?

KARA FINNSTROM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a lot of money.

Cardinal Roger Mahony says that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will be splitting that with insurers and also with some of the specific religious orders that these accused priests belong to. He also mentioned, though, that the L.A. Archdiocese will be selling off some of its property.

Now, a little bit later, all of this expected to be formalized by a judge in the courtroom -- in the courthouse just behind us. Yesterday, the cardinal held a press conference to announce this initially, and he started by offering up an apology to all of the victims.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CARDINAL ROGER MAHONY, L.A. ARCHDIOCESE: Once again, I apologize to anyone who has been offended, who has been abused in the Catholic Church by priests, by deacons, religious men and women, or lay people in the church. It should not have happened and should not ever happen again.

And so our efforts go forward. While we reach a settlement of the civil cases, we still stay focused on the road ahead. And that is to never let down our guard.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FINNSTROM: Now, Mahony was asked repeatedly during that press conference if he made mistakes in handling all of this. He said that some of the alleged incidents happened before he even came into leadership back in 1985. He also said that he struggled spiritually during this, saying at some points he felt he had bottomed out, he just didn't know what to do.

This morning, earlier on "AMERICAN MORNING," one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs said those answers were simply not enough.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY DRIVON, ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF: He's apologized for what other priests did, for what religious did, et cetera, et cetera. But what he did was equally or perhaps even more wrong. The cover-up was the real big problem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FINNSTROM: Now, as part of the settlement, the records of accused priests, the confidential records, will also be released. And this is something that Mahony had initially fought. And getting those records will actually give us a better idea of what the church knew and when and what type of action they took -- Tony.

HARRIS: Yes. CNN's Kara Finnstrom for us.

Kara, thank you.

COLLINS: New information just now in regarding Senator John McCain's campaign for president. Want to let you know that apparently we have been learning here that almost his entire press shop has just now recently resigned their post.

We know of at least five people here that I see. Apparently, the decision not unexpected, but certainly another sign that the Arizona Republican will possibly have to rebuild his campaign from the very, very beginning.

And this doesn't come very long after the resignations just last week of several senior staffers. That included campaign manager Terry Nelson, chief strategist, John Weaver. They both stepped down.

So we will continue to find out more about this. We heard John McCain speaking in this video you're seeing here. He admits that he's not a great fundraiser, but also reassures those that are following him that this campaign will go on.

So we'll be following this story for you, obviously, here today.

And what would you ask the presidential candidates if you could? Here's your chance.

In fact, CNN is teaming up with YouTube for the upcoming presidential debates. You can submit your videotaped questions to cnn.com/youtubedebates. The Democrats are going to take those questions July 23rd and Republicans on September 17th.

If you can't wait, join John Roberts and Kiran Chetry for a sneak preview. They'll reveal some of your video questions tonight and every night this week at 8:00 Eastern, here on CNN.

(NEWSBREAK)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

COLLINS: A show of support in the Mideast. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The goal, building support for the Abbas government. It is in control of the West Bank, but Hamas controls Gaza. Our Atika Shubert is in Jerusalem now with the latest.

Good morning to you, Atika.

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi.

Well, President Abbas is desperate to consolidate power over the West Bank, particularly over the various militant and political groups there. And so Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has offered to release 250 Palestinian prisoners, but also grant amnesty to more than 100 Palestinian militants, all to help President Abbas get his political house in order. But it's a very controversial policy here in Israel. Critics say it's too much of a security risk and that President Abbas is too weak of a political leader -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Any idea, Atika, what the people of these countries think of this? Is this a significant step forward, or obviously a lot more work to be done?

SHUBERT: There's still a lot more work that needs to be done. And it's a real question of what the Palestinian public will think. They're normally very skeptical of any Israeli promises. And Hamas is already calling the Palestinian president a collaborator for accepting this deal. So it's really just a small step at this point.

COLLINS: All right. We'll continue to watch this one, alongside you.

Thanks so much.

Atika Shubert, live from Jerusalem this morning.

HARRIS: Well, no one is calling this second event in Japan an aftershock anymore. A second earthquake as powerful certainly as the first, Chad Myers is following that for us in the severe weather center.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COLLINS: Well, getting sick after getting a Taste of Chicago. Salmonella poisoning and what you need to know about food safety wherever you live.

HARRIS: When a javelin toss goes off course, look out. An athlete stabbed in the back. Boy, we'll tell now how this happened.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Food festival illnesses. Three hundred seventy-eight people sickened at Taste of Chicago. At least 32 said to be confirmed cases of salmonella poisoning.

Our medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, joins us now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: It happened in Chicago, but everyone needs to pay attention because it seems like we're hearing more and more about salmonella outbreaks in some foods that might surprise you.

In this case, the salmonella has been linked to a dish that was a salad -- a cucumber and tomato salad -- served on hummus at a Persian restaurant at the Taste of Chicago food festival. At least 378 people have become ill and 12 people hospitalized. Now, again, what makes this unusual is that usually we think of salmonella in animal products like eggs or chicken, but recently we have been hearing about other kinds of food -- peanut vegetable, vegetable snacks and now a salad on hummus.

Elizabeth Cohen, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: To get your "Daily Dose" of health news online, log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. The address, CNN.com/health.

HARRIS: Well, a different take on health care. Some doctors forming exclusive clubs. Will they mean better care?

CNN's Gary Nurenberg takes a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. THOMAS LANSDALE, PRACTICES RETAINER MEDICINE: Any tenderness here? Any pain?

GARY NURENBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): For a $1,500 annual fee, Baltimore doctor Thomas Lansdale is trying to help patients like Steven Kaplan avoid frustrations like this.

GEORGIA WILLIAMSON, PATIENT: You can call a doctor's office. And after you press one for this and three and four and five, and you finally do press the right number on your telephone, and you get an actual person talking to you, "We'll be able to see you in six to seven weeks."

NURENBERG: In Lansdale's office...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a little bit more personal.

LANSDALE: The phone is answered immediately. And if they're sick, they're seen literally that day, sometimes within the hour.

NURENBERG: Lansdale is one of a growing number of doctors who limit the size of their practice by having patients pay an annual retainer for service. They don't accept insurance. It's payment up front.

DR. SIDNEY WOLFE, PUBLIC CITIZEN: I think it's just contrary to the whole ethic of the medical profession.

NURENBERG: Dr. Sydney Wolfe is with the advocacy organization Public Citizen.

WOLFE: And you start distinguishing between the more well to do and the less well to do. So I'm completely opposed to it in any form.

WILLIAMSON: It's like having an old-fashioned family doctor.

NURENBERG: Georgia Williamson says she's healthier because she pays for what she calls a membership program run by her doctor in Virginia.

WILLIAMSON: He's now able to spend the time that he didn't have beforehand.

NURENBERG: In a statement on retainer practices, the American Medical Association says, "Concern for the quality of care the patient receives should be the physician's first consideration." Lansdale says in the typical insurance-driven model he financially needs to see 15 to 20 patients a day.

LANSDALE: I just can't practice medicine that fast. So this model gives me the time to take care of patients in the way that I think they deserve.

NURENBERG (on camera): In addition to the retainer fees, doctors also recommend that patients keep health insurance to pay for tests, specialists and hospital stays. It may be too early to call this a trend, but some patients say it is just what they need.

WILLIAMSON: I know that it works for me. It works for me.

NURENBERG (voice over): Gary Nurenberg, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Dwindling war chest, staff defections, sinking poll numbers. Is this campaign in serious trouble?

Clergy abuse in the Catholic Church. A long legal battle comes to an end today in Los Angeles.

The man and the message -- martyrdom for Muslims. New video from al Qaeda.

And a robber crashes a party. The guests respond with the only weapon they have -- wine and cheese.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPT. CORRESPONDENT: The attacker took down his hood, had a little bit more wine, helped himself to some cheese, then he tucked away his gun and looked around.

(END VIDEO CLIP) HARRIS: Our Zain Verjee on the crook overcome by hospitality.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

HARRIS: Heidi, last hour we learned that Britain is planning to expel four diplomats from the Russian embassy in London. Our Alphonso Van Marsh is standing just outside No. 10 Downing Street.

Alphonso, explain to everyone what this is about.

ALPHONSO VAN MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. What it's about is becoming the first major diplomatic crisis for Gordon Brown, the prime minister here since he moved into No. 10 Downing Street. Behind me, his foreign secretary, within the last hour, as you mentioned, announcing the expulsions of four Russian diplomats from London. That is this government's response to Russia's refusal, refusal to extradite the chief suspect, according to British officials, in the radioactive poisoning death of Alexander Litvinenko.

Let's listen to a little bit from David Miliband (ph), the foreign secretary, when he made his announcement to the House of Commons just a short while ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The importance of this issue, and Russia's failure to cooperate to find a solution, we need an appropriate response. Our aims are clear. First, to advance our judicial process, second to bring home to the Russian government the consequences of their failure to cooperate, and third to emphasize our commitment to promoting the safety of British citizens and visitors.

I have, therefore, agreed with colleagues across government the following steps. First, we will expel four diplomats from the Russian embassy in London. Second, we shall review the extent of our cooperation with Russia on a range of issues, and as an initial step, we have suspended visa facilitations with Russia and made other changes to visa practice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAN MARSH: Now it's not clear what the Russian reaction to this will be, Tony. What's interesting to note, the No. 4, four diplomats expelled from London. The last time something like this happened was in 1996, when Russia expelled nine British diplomats accused of running a spy ring in Moscow. The U.K. expelled four Russian diplomats in retaliation.

HARRIS: What is next. All right, our Alphonso Van Marsh just of No. 10 Downing Street in London.

Alphonso, thank you.

(NEWSBREAK) COLLINS: The defense says witnesses changed their stories, but the sentence stands. Today, attorneys for a Georgia death row inmate will have one more chance to make their case before tomorrow's scheduled execution.

CNN's Rusty Dornin explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTINA CORREIA, TROY DAVIS SISTER: I'm trying to answer all these e-mails and things about Troy.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On a mission, Martina Correia works 18-hour days with one aim -- to save her brother Troy's life. Troy Davis was convicted of killing Savannah police officer Mark Mcfale (ph) in 1989. He is scheduled to be executed on Tuesday. There was no physical evidence, no murder weapon found. Correia says that alone should cast doubt on the jury's guilt verdict.

CORREIA: When you only have eyewitness testimony, you have no physical evidence. People have fallacies and we make mistakes.

DORNIN: A case of mistaken identity -- that's what Davis' lawyers and supporters claim. This was the scene in 1989 in this parking lot at the Greyhound bus station in Savannah, Georgia. Some witnesses say Davis and two other men were following a homeless man across the street harassing him. Off-duty officer Mark Mcfale (ph) ran out to break up the fight. That's when some witnesses claim Troy Davis shot the policeman twice and ran.

In Savannah, the manhunt was on. Davis surrendered to investigators days later.

(on camera): Since Davis' conviction, the defense claims seven witnesses have changed and sometimes even contradicted their own story. During the trial, the defense claims it was another man that shot Mcfale (ph) in this parking lot. Now some of the witnesses are pointing their finger at the same man, claiming that fear of reprisal and police coercion caused them to accuse Davis.

(voice-over): Monty Holmes is one witness who changed his story. Now he claims he was coerced by police.

MONTY HOLMES, WITNESS: They are trying to get me to say he did it. Well, he didn't do it.

DORNIN: Major Everett Ragan headed the homicide investigation back then. He dismisses allegations of coercion and for witnesses changing the stories, he doesn't believe it.

MAJ. EVERETT RAGAN, SAVANNAH, GA. POLICE DEPT.: There's no doubt in my mind we arrested the right person.

DORNIN: There's no element of doubt that it could have been the other man?

RAGAN: No.

DORNIN: Sergeant David Owens has no doubts either. He was a close friend of the victim, a man everyone called Mac. It was Owens you see here trying to save Mcfale's (ph) life in the back of the ambulance in 1989. Owens now hopes the victim won't be forgotten.

SGT. DAVID OWENS, SAVANNAH, GA. POLICE DEPT. : I just told the people for what this man stood for what's good in society. And he was murdered for it. And now the punishment needs to be fulfilled.

DORNIN: But how can you fulfill the punishment, argued defense attorneys, if you execute the wrong man? They claim other witnesses who were there that night have never testified, but have submitted affidavits. Prosecutors in Savannah declined comment, but in court papers state these same affidavits have been presented to other courts and found insufficient to materially affect the verdict in this case.

The Supreme Court also refused to hear the case. Here in Savannah, his lawyers filed an extraordinary motion for a new trial.

JASON EWART, TROY DAVIS' ATTORNEY: No court has ever been able to sit down and take a look at the evidence. They've never heard testimony. They've never talked to the witnesses again.

DORNIN: And no court will. Davis' plea for a new trial was denied late Friday. Within the last week, there was a rally by civil rights activists and Amnesty International in hopes of saving Davis' life. We spoke to him on death row on Friday. During the trial, he never pointed the finger at anyone else.

TROY DAVIS, DEATH ROW INMATE: Because I didn't want to be labeled as a snitch.

DORNIN: And that's the only reason?

DAVIS: Yes, which is stupid.

DORNIN: Davis says he remains optimistic that his cries will be heard, but -- how are you preparing for the idea that these efforts to save your life may not work?

DAVIS: I put it all in God's hands and staying prayerful.

DORNIN: Monday, both sides will present evidence to the state parole board in Atlanta. The board could allow the execution to go forward the next day or commute Davis' death sentence in what may be Troy Davis' last chance for life.

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Have you seen this video from the track and field event in Rome? the javelin thrower lost his footing as you can see. Then look at the highlighted part of this video. The sphere goes hurling well outside the target zones, and hits another athlete in the back. The injury was not as serious as it first appeared. The javelin penetrated only a short way into the athlete's lower back. He's now in the hospital.

HARRIS: Let's get now to our Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr who I understand is on the phone with us. She is traveling with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace. Barbara, good to talk to you. Maybe you can give us a sense of what is on the general's agenda today.

VOICE OF BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Tony, General Pace landed here in Baghdad just a few short hours, ago and it's been a series of meetings across Baghdad today with top commanders about the situation here in Iraq, the surge and what comes next. General Pace made it clear that basically, they're working on three planning scenarios.

After the September 15th progress report, what do they do next? Do they continue the surge? That's going to be a big problem, it's going to be a big strain on the troops. Do they cut back on troops? That's something they know there's political pressure for. Even a planning scenario for adding troops. Of course, that's not something anybody really wants to see happen.

But, behind the scenes, this all comes at a time when there is a lot of concern here about the growing violence and the concern that between now and September 15th the situation here will become even more deadly.

We've learned today there's new intelligence here in Baghdad that Iranian -- loyalist if you will, amongst the Shia are planning to try and bring in as many Iranian weapons, as much technology, cause as much trouble as they can between now and that September 15th progress report, Tony.

HARRIS: Okay. Our Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr traveling with General Peter Pace. Barbara, thank you.

COLLINS: No doubt YOUR WORLD TODAY, which is coming up in about 10 minutes, will be covering that story as well. Jim Clancy standing by to tell us what else will be in the show. Hi there, Jim.

JIM CLANCY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Heidi. Hell, Tony. Well, this Monday we're going to be serving all the news around the world, like you say we'll have that story as well. We're also going to be looking at Britain and its surprising move. Instead of blinking amid all of the tensions between Moscow and the west, Britain gives four Russian diplomats the boot. It's this whole case of the former KGB agent and Kremlin critic who suffered radiation poisoning and died.

In Japan, meantime, a second earthquake sending shock waves across the country amid some casualties and heavy property damage. We're going to show you all the latest videotape coming from the various scenes, including a nuclear power reactor that suffered damage and a small leak.

And a rather bizarre story to report out of Israel in the West Bank. Memories of their youth, why some American travelers feel a strong pull to the sound of gunfire and the smell of tear gas at demonstrations along the so-called separation wall.

All that and much more, coming up at the top of the hour on your world today. back to you.

COLLINS: OK, Jim. Thanks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

COLLINS: Meanwhile, a robber crashes a party. The guests respond with the only weapon they have -- wine and cheese.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The attacker took down his hood, had a little bit more wine, helped himself to some cheese and then he tucked away his gun and looked around.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Our Zain Verjee on the crook overcome by hospitality.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: In just a little more than an hour from now, President Bush will be making some comments this afternoon on the Middle East -- the Israeli/Palestinian situation.

Our Ed Henry will be covering that for us. He joins us now with a look ahead.

Ed, it looks like the president will be calling for some sort of international conference in this Fall.

ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Good morning again, Heidi. A senior administration official here confirming to CNN, President Bush in these remarks will call for an international conference this Fall to be chaired by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

It would include Israel, some of its Arab neighbors. Obviously the point being, trying to jump start the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.

Now, also significant, though, that the president will be calling for a new financial commitment going directly to the Palestinian Authority. Instead of going to outside groups, going to the Palestinian Authority.

We're told it will be in the neighborhood of tens of millions of dollars in direct aid to the Palestinian government. Try to help and prop up the emergency government put in to place with President Abbas. But there also may be millions of dollars in more aid going to outside groups, all intended to try to help the Palestinian people directly deal with some of the humanitarian crisis that could be developing from Hamas taking over Gaza.

So obviously the president trying a two-pronged approach here calling for this major international conference, a peace conference in the Fall, but secondly, trying to get money directly to this new Palestinian government.

Heidi?

COLLINS: All right, very good. Ed Henry covering that for us, coming up about 1:15 our time here. Thanks, Ed.

HENRY: Thank you.

COLLINS: CNN NEWSROOM continues just one hour from now. There we are.

HARRIS: How did we get there -- how about this story, we've been telling folks about all morning.

We've got a peach of a problem for motorists. 25 tons of peaches -- the fruit on a California highway when a truck overturned. Well, you know, there were some -- well, no injuries, thanks the great part about it -- well bruised fruit obviously, but it took crews a few hours to clean up the considerable mess.

COLLINS: It was a sticky situation.

HARRIS: Well, there you go Heidi.

COLLINS: CNN NEWSROOM continues one hour from now.

HARRIS: YOUR WORLD TODAY is next with news happening across the globe and here at home. I'm Tony Harris.

COLLINS: And I'm Heidi Collins, have a great day everybody.

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