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Earthquake in Indonesia; Young Woman Tortured in West Virginia; Toy Makers Heading to Capitol Hill; President Bush Listening to General Petraeus

Aired September 12, 2007 - 11:00   ET

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

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Here's what's on the rundown.
Indonesia on edge today after a one-two punch -- a powerful earthquake, a small tsunami. And this just in now, word of an aftershock and a new tsunami warning.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Fresh troops heading into the Iraq War zone. Thousands may be going the other way soon. The president set to announce a drawdown.

COLLINS: Toy makers called to Capitol Hill this hour to account for all those safety recalls. Trouble with the toy factory, in the NEWSROOM.

HARRIS: The magnitude of Indonesia's powerful earthquake stronger than first thought. The U.S. Geological Survey now reporting the quake measured 8.2, up from 7.9. And we're just getting word now of another aftershock, this one a 6.6 magnitude aftershock. And a second tsunami warning has been issued.

Now, the quake struck off Southern Sumatra Island and was followed by a small tsunami about two feet high. The number of casualties unclear right now. A tsunami watch has been lifted in Indonesia. But, once again, after this aftershock -- a second aftershock, 6.6 in magnitude -- a second tsunami warning has been issued. A spokesman for Mercy Corps tells CNN buildings and homes have collapsed in the town of Bengkulu and people are running in the streets.

This quake centered near the area where a massive earthquake struck in December, 2004. It triggered a tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people, most of them in Indonesia.

COLLINS: Rob Marciano joining us now to give us a little bit more information about these two new chunks of information we have -- Rob, a second aftershock, 6.6 and also now a second tsunami warning in place.

Where is that for, exactly?

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, this is all coming out of Jakarta, Indonesia. The Indonesian authorities are saying this. And we attributed this to the Associated Press. And I've got nothing from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center at this point. The Indonesian authorities are claiming a 6.6 magnitude aftershock occurred about 45 minutes ago. USGS is saying a similar -- a quake at that time, or an afkk at that time, registered a 5.9. So a significant aftershock.

But what I question is when they say a second tsunami warning has been issued, typically they don't issue tsunami warnings, you know, unless it's, you know, closer to seven or over 7. So we'll dig a little bit deeper for you on this. You know, Salom (ph), keep that map up so I can switch my router here and we'll go over to Google Earth and give you another vantage point.

Is Google Earth even loaded? There it is.

So several aftershocks have been -- have kind of popped up over the last couple of hours, which is typical when you have a big quake. The biggest one -- there's that five -- there's the 5.9. That's the most recent one. The red is most recent. The oranges are within the last few hours or past day. And there's the 8.2, the initial one, which hit shortly after -- around 8:00, or before 8:00 this morning Eastern time.

This blue line is the fault that is so active. The area where -- Banda Aceh is closer to up here, so in a similar area.

I should note that earlier this morning, that the Indonesian authorities lifted the tsunami watch that was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The Tsunami Warning Center still has a tsunami watch for the entire Indian Ocean Basin because these tsunamis that are generated to get to, say, India, you know, it takes a couple of hours. To get to, you know, the east coast of Africa it takes several hours. To get to northwest Australia it takes several hours, as well.

But any earthquake, any tsunami that's going to occur right near the earthquake, that could be within minutes of the earthquake.

So, basically, we're going to see several of these rumble throughout the day, as far as aftershocks are concerned. Typically, if it's less than 7.0, it historically doesn't trigger tsunamis that are destructive.

(WEATHER REPORT)

MARCIANO: But we're going to see more aftershocks. I mean, whenever you get a big one like this, you get more aftershocks.

COLLINS: Yes. Certainly.

HARRIS: I have to ask you, just for my clarity. You're comfortable with the information about the aftershock, correct?

MARCIANO: Without a doubt, there was an aftershock.

HARRIS: OK.

MARCIANO: A very...

COLLINS: We just don't know how big.

MARCIANO: ...verified by the USGS, 5.9. There was a 5.7 earlier today, as well.

HARRIS: Yes, absolutely.

MARCIANO: You'll get aftershocks generally from three to six, generally speaking, with this. I'm not so much comfortable with the tsunami warning issued by the Indonesian authorities.

HARRIS: Got you.

MARCIANO: But they're there and I'm not. So, there's only so much guessing and forecasting that I can do sitting here in Atlanta. Certainly, we want to give -- defer to the folks who are there on the ground.

HARRIS: No. No, I just wanted to give you an opportunity just to clarify what you're comfortable with and what you're tracking from other sources.

Appreciate it, Rob.

MARCIANO: You bet.

HARRIS: OK.

COLLINS: Thanks, Rob.

A small West Virginia town stunned today by a gruesome case. Six people held on bond this hour. The white suspects accused of torturing an African-American woman.

CNN's Brianna Keilar is in Charleston this morning -- Brianna, officials are considering this a hate crime.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They're looking into the possibility that it may be one, Heidi. And we're also hearing from Logan County prosecutors that they have confirmed drugs were involved in this case. But, obviously, you have a black victim. You have six white suspects at this point. So Logan County prosecutors are conferring with the FBI and looking into the possibility that this could be classified as a hate crime.

Police reports indicate that at least one suspect did refer to the victim, Megan Williams, by a racial slur as that suspect cut the victim with a knife.

And, you know, normally CNN does not identify victims in sexual assault cases. But in this particular case, the Williams family says they want the public to know exactly what happened to her. So right now, Ms. Williams is recovering here at this hospital here in Charleston, West Virginia. It's about an hour-and-a-half drive from Big Creek, West Virginia, where officials say Megan Williams was held.

Police say that perhaps the key to her survival was an anonymous tip they received. They went to check this tip out on Saturday and here's what they found.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF W.E. HUNTER, LOGAN COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA: Upon approaching the place, deputies found Frankie Brewster sitting on the front porch. They got to talking to her. She got up and walked toward the door and a young black lady came to the door and said, "Please help me."

She had two black eyes. A part of her hair had been pulled out. She had lacerations on her legs, marks on her neck and she had been physically, mentally and sexually abused.

QUESTION: This just sounds like a horrific crime. I mean...

HUNTER: It's out of a horror movie.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Police say one of Williams' captors actually forced her to eat animal waste, threatening her if she didn't. Police at this point arrested and are holding six suspects, all of them white, as we said.

Police reports paint Frankie Lee Brewster and her son, Bobby Brewster, as really the ringleaders in this case of kidnapping and rape, but, as well, George Messer and Alisha and Karen Burton, a mother and daughter, as well as Danny Combs are facing serious criminal charges. All six of these suspects have extensive histories of criminal charges, many of these charges involving violence. So police very familiar with these six suspects.

In fact, Frankie Lee Brewster actually served five years in jail after she pled out to voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of her son's grandmother. Also, Logan County prosecutors telling us that -- something we just learned that actually Ms. Williams had be to Logan and had been to the Brewster household back in July.

So it appears that this was not the first time in this last week that she was actually at this house -- Heidi.

COLLINS: OK, Brianna Keilar getting more information for us from West Virginia this morning.

Brianna, thanks.

HARRIS: And this information just in to CNN.

The Associated Press is reporting a local official telling an Indonesian news agency that at least seven people have been killed in the quake we've been telling you about all morning long here, that 8.2 magnitude earthquake. We have heard about damage in Bengkulu. We don't know if these deaths come from that town. But, again, the news as it is being reported by the Associated Press is that at least seven people have been killed in this huge quake, now an 8.2 magnitude quake.

We will continue to follow the reporting on this and bring you the latest information as we get it.

In the meantime, parents have had a lot of questions lately. And right now on Capitol Hill, toy execs are offering some answers about toy safety. A Senate committee -- live pictures now -- are asking them questions about massive recalls.

Now, Rusty Dornin is at a toy store in suburban Atlanta -- Rusty, good to see you.

What's been the impact of these weeks of recalls there?

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I've learned you can't leave me alone in a toy store for too long in here, Tony.

(LAUGHTER)

DORNIN: No, these are toys that were made in China, as were most of the toys here at the Picayune Toy Store in Dunwoody, Georgia.

And here with us is Becky Goblish, who is going to tell us about -- how many parents have called in to ask about the toys.

BECKY GOBLISH, STORE OWNER: Well, tons (ph) of parents who have been calling in. Their main concern is are you selling anything made in the USA?

DORNIN: And your answer?

GOBLISH: My answer is good luck with finding something made in the USA.

DORNIN: OK, so tell us where -- show us again. Now, you have no Mattel toys.

GOBLISH: No Mattel toys.

DORNIN: But you were affected by one recall in June.

GOBLISH: One recall.

DORNIN: All right. So show us some of where the toys are from.

GOBLISH: China. China. Thailand. China. All China.

DORNIN: OK.

GOBLISH: These are German, but they're -- probably their components came from China.

DORNIN: OK.

GOBLISH: We have over here more.

DORNIN: You've got some made in the USA.

GOBLISH: Made in the USA. But look, meager.

DORNIN: Also, to talk with us a little bit -- come on over here -- Susan Schoenfeld (ph), who is a customer here at the store. And she came to buy toys for your grandson.

SUSAN SCHOENFELD: For my grandson, who is 18 months.

DORNIN: That's right. Are you concerned about whether...

SCHOENFELD: I'm very concerned because I see on TV that many of the Thomas toys have been recalled. And I have bought him the magnets and the toys. And he has magnets on his refrigerator. So I have told his mother to check, you know, the boxes and everything. So I am real concerned.

DORNIN: Now, most of the toys here are from China. Of course, they have not been recalled, the ones that are here. But does it make you want to look at the labels and want to buy made in the USA more?

SCHOENFELD: Most definitely. Most definitely.

DORNIN: So this is going to change your buying habits?

SCHOENFELD: This is going to change my buying habits and I'm going to be asking more questions.

DORNIN: OK. All right, thank you very much for joining us.

And a lot of people are going to be paying very close attention to that testimony that's going on today to hear what the toy manufacturers have to say about the safety of toys and in the future how they're going to guarantee that safety -- Tony.

HARRIS: Hey, Rusty, how is all of this, all of these recalls, impacting that woman's business there? I mean is she able to sell toys and can she get more U.S. made toys into her store?

DORNIN: Well, she hasn't -- Becky, he's just asking me, can you get more U.S. made toys into your store and have the recalls affected you? You said you had one recall.

GOBLISH: One recall, the Thomas Tank. And most of those pieces were made with red -- with lead dye and they're yellow and red products.

DORNIN: If you wanted to get more U.S. toys, could you?

GOBLISH: A very limited number of manufacturers in the USA today, very limited.

DORNIN: Some manufacture the components, but not the entire toy.

GOBLISH: Not the entire toy.

HARRIS: Oh. GOBLISH: Yes.

DORNIN: So people need to read the labels.

She's probably got many toys from Italy, Germany and that sort of thing. But many of them also buy components from China. But, again, not all of the components are unsafe by any measure.

GOBLISH: No.

DORNIN: But China, again, is agreeing to crack down on the amount of lead paint in any of the toys.

HARRIS: Boy, you have a lot of work to do these days if you are a parent.

DORNIN: Yes.

HARRIS: Rusty Dornin, appreciate it. Have fun in that store, Rusty. Be safe. OK, thanks.

COLLINS: New this morning, Americans living longer than ever before. The preliminary government report out today shows the average American can expect to live about a month longer, reaching age 78, thanks, in part, to better care for heart disease. But living longer may hurt your quality of life. The findings also show a dramatic increase in the rate of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Remember, this is only a preliminary report. The numbers may, indeed, change.

HARRIS: Deploying to Iraq -- U.S. troops offer their thoughts on the mission ahead while heading into the fight.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I'm Suzanne Malveaux at the White House, where President Bush is preparing for a primetime address to be delivered tomorrow, where he will call for withdrawing some 30,000 U.S. troops. I'll have more on that in a minute.

COLLINS: A devastating spinal injury. Now a new development. Will NFL player Kevin Everett walk again?

Our Elizabeth Cohen joins us live to put things into perspective.

HARRIS: Homer Simpson's a bust. Marge is, too. Kenyan soapstone carvers turn tradition on its head while turning their talents to "The Simpsons."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Well, once again, we want to bring you the latest information that we have on the Indonesian quake.

A local official telling an Indonesian news agency -- that information picked up by the Associated Press and we're bringing that to you now -- that at least seven people have be killed in the 8.2 magnitude earthquake.

And we are working here at CNN to independently confirm this information. We are aware of damage in Bengkulu but, again, we don't know if those deaths come from that town. But, again, this is reporting from the Associated Press.

OK, I'm getting some information now that CNN can confirm three deaths attributable to this Indonesian earthquake. Once again, it's an 8.2 magnitude quake.

We are going to continue to follow developments in this story throughout the day, obviously, here in THE NEWSROOM and bring you the latest information as we get it.

COLLINS: The Iraq report card -- progress reported on Capitol Hill. A new decision reported at the White House -- withdrawals by next summer.

The latest now from White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.

Suzanne, good morning to you.

MALVEAUX: Good morning.

COLLINS: This decision to begin withdrawals, inevitable?

MALVEAUX: Well, there certainly is a part of it that's inevitable. We've heard military planners for some time say that this surge could not last beyond April of this next year. So this is something that was going to happen anyway, but it's going to happen a little bit sooner than most expected. But expect the president essentially to make the case here that he should get some sort of credit, political credit, for at least allowing enough progress to pull back those some 30,000 troops, back to the pre-surge level of December of last year.

Also, Heidi, we've heard the president talk a lot about giving some breathing space to the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri Al-Maliki, to make some progress. President Bush also really trying to asking Congress for some breathing space, some six months or so, to allow this government, in whatever way they can, to reconcile their differences -- Heidi.

COLLINS: How has it all gone over with members of Congress? We've got the Republicans and the Democrats, obviously. But some Republicans are feeling differently than the rest of their party. How does it break down?

MALVEAUX: Well, certainly. I mean the administration, at least, at the very least, can take comfort in the fact that they do not think that there are enough Republican defections that would override a presidential veto, for example. A lot of Democrats very upset, enraged by what they've heard so far from Crocker, as well as Petraeus, and what they believe they'll hear from the president.

We saw House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just yesterday. She was here at the White House. She met with the president. She said it was an insult to the intelligence of the American people to think that this was any kind of new vision or new strategy. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow responded to that this morning, saying essentially that he thought they were not giving credit, that this was a success story, and they were wrong on that score, that there's a new mission, a new strategy in the sense that more responsibility is being given to the Iraqi people and that that will only continue.

We'll see how that plays out in the primetime address tomorrow -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Yes, we will.

All right, CNN's Suzanne Malveaux reporting from the White House this morning. Suzanne, thanks.

HARRIS: Americans asking, Iraqis answering. We took e-mails you sent to CNN.com to five Iraqis from different backgrounds.

Our Aneesh Raman moderated this discussion on security.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'd like to first ask them what they think is the solution to end the fighting and the violence?

MOHAMMED IBRAHIM, 22-YEAR-OLD MEDICAL STUDENT: Michelle has a question that's the question of all the Iraqi people. So, as I am an Iraqi, I can't answer. I just -- I can only pose -- ask the question to everyone who can answer me.

RAMAN: Do you think that individual Iraqis can affect this situation or is it out of your hand?

IBRAHIM: They cannot do anything. They cannot ask -- they can ask their question only.

RAMAN: Do you think -- and we'll go down the line -- do you think there is any politician right now that can do what you need, that is working in the best interests of you, the Iraqi people?

IBRAHIM: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Basically, not all of them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think, really.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

RAMAN: I want to play our first video question from Matthew Rancon (ph), who's a junior at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

MATTHEW RANCON: Hi.

My question for you would be how do you see this war in Iraq ending and what are you and your friend and family doing to help make that come true?

As you know, we have lots of soldiers over there who are risking their lives and dying so you can live in a freer country.

WOROUD ABDUL KAREEM, 14-YEAR-OLD STUDENT: About the Americans that are dying, I'm sorry for them, you know. Everybody dies here. Iraqis die and everybody dies. You know, it's really painful for their families. But the thing that has to end, like what are we going, as you said, like we just have to make more safety things.

IBRAHIM: Everything have end. Every beginning have an end.

But the problem is when, when and who will make the difference?

My friends say that we want 10, maybe 20, 30 years of (INAUDIBLE). No, not only the time. We need good people to do that.

RAMAN: Let's go to one more e-mail question we've had. It comes from Shane (ph) in Arkansas.

Do you think American troops should leave or stay?

IBRAHIM: Leave, but not now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The American soldiers leave the Iraqs more into us, for us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Doctors feared he'd be paralyzed by this hit. Today, an NFL tight end is down, but not out. We'll tell you more, coming up from Buffalo.

HARRIS: A record number of immigrants living in the U.S. -- what that means for the nation.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: A possible new development in the case of Buffalo Bills' Kevin Everett. Everett suffered a spinal cord injury on Sunday and the initial prognosis was quite grim after that hit there. But there is new hope following surgery.

Dr. Peter Ostrow, from our affiliate WIVB, reports.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DR. PETER OSTROW, WIVB CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): All of us who saw the injury during the football game and heard the early reports feared the worst. But many things went right for Kevin Everett. The Bills training staff practices for situations just like this and they were ready. Dr. John Marzo led the drill and trainer Bud Carpenter immobilized Kevin's head.

As soon as they put him in the ambulance, treatment began. He was given steroids as the ambulance went through the tunnel and two I.V.s were inserted so he could be given a treatment that would lower his body temperature. Within an hour of the time they reached Millard Fillmore Gates, he had a C.T. Scan and an MRI scan, and within an hour-and-a-half, Dr. Cappuccino and Dr. Kevin Givens began surgery. And it went very well.

ANDY CAPPUCCINO, SURGEON: The spinal cord was completely decompressed and the spine was fixated from the back with four screws and two small rods. At that point in time, an intra-operative ultrasound or Doppler study was performed to evaluate the cord. The covering of the cord and the cord itself were completely intact and actually looked good.

OSTROW: The doctors were reluctant to give an optimistic prognosis. But there were some early hopeful signs.

CAPPUCCINO: This examination about six hours after surgery did show voluntary movement of his legs in his A.D. Ductors (ph), the muscles that pull his legs together, the quadriceps and the plantar flexors, the motors that push his feet down.

OSTROW: And Kevin Everett himself, in a message to his mother, gave the most optimistic prediction.

CAPPUCINO: He told her that he was going to get better and he didn't want her to worry.

OSTROW: And Dr. Cappuccino says we may be witnessing a minor miracle.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COLLINS: Kevin Everett's teammate, Robert Royal, visited him in the hospital.

Royal told CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING" he was surprised by Everett's movements.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT ROYAL, BUFFALO BILLS: He was moving so much and he was -- and he was so attentive to what we was talking about, you know?

He was smiling and he was actually -- he was shaking his head up and down and moving so much, to the point where, you know, I actually thought it was bad. But, obviously, those are some of the things that the nurses and doctors wanted to see him do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Royal says he is not thinking about Everett rejoining the team. He just wants to see him walk out of the hospital.

HARRIS: Coming up on the half hour.

Welcome back, everyone to THE NEWSROOM.

I'm Tony Harris.

COLLINS: Hi there, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins.

Directly to Indonesia now, rocked by a powerful earthquake and strong aftershocks, too. The Associated Press says local officials report seven people dead. CNN can confirm three of those deaths. A second tsunami warning issued following the aftershocks. The U.S. GSS raising the magnitude of the quake to 8.2 from 7.9.

It hit off Southern Sumatra Island and was followed by a small tsunami about two feet high.

A spokesman from Mercy Corps tells CNN buildings and homes have collapsed. In the town of Bengkulu, people were running in the streets. This quake centered near the area where a massive earthquake struck in December of 2004, I'm sure you remember. It triggered a tsunami that killed more than 230,000 people, most of them in Indonesia.

We are also now hearing that the second tsunami alert -- I believe I just mentioned it to you -- has now been canceled. This is according to -- let me double check the source here -- the Indonesia's government that is watching the situation, obviously, from on the ground there.

So as you can see, we've had warnings issued and then canceled. We've had numbers -- the magnitude of the initial quake changing and certainly, I imagine, the fatality numbers will also be just as fluid. So the situation changing as we follow it here today.

HARRIS: What do you say we get an update on weather conditions stateside. Rob Marciano following those developments for us as well as keeping an eye on the situation in Indonesia.

Good to see you, Rob.

MARCIANO: Good to see you, Tony. We can do that for you.

Might want to clarify one thing or add one thing, I should say. Another wire coming in -- and this is attributed to the Meteorological Agency in Indonesia, that they say 20 minutes after the quake -- and we'll zoom in the main quake there at 8.2, earlier this morning, there have been several aftershocks, but several minutes after the initial quake or 20 minutes, reports of a nine foot wave or tsunami or surge in Padang, which means that wave was moving along quickly.

The reason we hesitate is because there's a tidal gauge there that we've been reporting on all morning. And this was confirmed by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center that -- it didn't raise over two feet. So, certainly there are local effects. There's geography and bysmmetry (ph) that would make other areas more susceptible to a higher surge. So we'll pass that information along as it becomes available. But there have been reports of more than just that two feet. And, still, an Indian Ocean-wide tsunami, a watch in effect.

All right, want to talk about this. This is our latest and greatest tropical depression. It is number nine. It will probably become our next tropical storm. And right now, affecting everybody from Houston to Galveston, to Beaumont, Port Arthur and over towards Lake Charles, Louisiana. And here's the projected path of the storm. Expected to intensify to a tropical storm later on today, with winds of 45 miles an hour making land fall later tonight and early tomorrow morning as a weak to moderate tropical storm.

The main effect of this particular storm will be heavy rain from Houston east to Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, Texas, and east to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where they've already seen significant rain. Already seen flash flooding this morning in Beaumont, Texas. So, it's going to be a rainmaker, guys, in an area that doesn't need any more rain. So, we'll continue to track that as well.

And we've got another tropical depression also way out there in the Atlantic, but we've got time to prepare for that. Back to over to you.

HARRIS: All right Rob, appreciate it. Thank you.

MARCIANO: Sure.

HARRIS: Well, imagine all of these buildings -- take a look at this picture -- and then imagine them all shaking. That is exactly what happened. Indonesia's earthquake felt in neighboring countries. We will talk to a CNN i-Reporter on the scene.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Getting some interesting pictures, if you will, coming into us from our affiliate in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, WSVN. Look at this: live pictures, in fact.

Here's what we know. Obviously, you can see a van has driven right into a 7-Eleven there. According to police, Ft. Lauderdale police, apparently this could have been a car robbery. They don't know for sure yet. But the van crashed into the front door of this convenience store. If you happen to know the area, State Road 84.

Also getting some information -- I believe this coming into us, from the affiliate there WSVN, that it possibly may have hit a person and then ended up in the 7-Eleven convenience store. We do not know about any injuries at this time. Ft. Lauderdale police also saying they're aware of the accident. They also don't know anything about injuries. So we'll continue to watch those live pictures for you, pretty dramatic coming out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

HARRIS: And our top story today, Indonesia rocked by a powerful earthquake and strong aftershocks. The Associated Press says local officials report seven people dead. CNN confirms three deaths. A second tsunami warning issued following the aftershocks.

The U.S. Geological Survey raising the magnitude of the quake to 8.2 up from 7.9. It struck off southern Sumatra Island and was followed by a small tsunami about two feet high. A spokesman for Mercy Corps tells CNN buildings and homes have collapsed in the town of Bengkulu and people running in the streets. The quake felt in neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

CNN i-Reporter Joey Bourgoin joins us by phone from Bangkok. Joey, thanks for your time. What did you feel in Bangkok?

VOICE OF JOEY BOURGOIN, I-REPORTER: We were up on the 62nd floor of a hotel at a restaurant and -- which taking some pictures of the sunset. And the -- we felt some swaying, or I did. And my friend thought that maybe it was the wind blowing on the building, but then other patrons in the restaurant started to feel it as well and standing up. It was just the building swaying back and forth.

HARRIS: Joey, how ...

BOURGOIN: Going back and forward (ph).

HARRIS: Joey, how freaked out were you?

BOURGOIN: Quite freaked out, being on an open-air 62nd floor restaurant. It was -- I thought it was my vertigo, but everyone else standing up, I was ready to run.

HARRIS: What do you do?

BOURGOIN: Well, we were waiting for direction from the staff. And we saw the security. He got on his two-way radio. And everyone is kind of standing and the staff are saying, do you feel an earthquake? And obviously, we were feeling something. And we just waited and then it passed. It was about a minute and a half, I think. And then everyone just kind of sat down and looked around and people started to ask for their bills and ready to go.

HARRIS: And did this feel strangely reminiscent to you?

BOURGOIN: Yes, I was here for the 2004 earthquake, the tsunami, the big tsunami earthquake. And I was on the 18th floor of my building in my condo and had a similar experience where there was waving. And I thought I was feeling some nauseous. And then, little cracks formed in my wall and most of my building evacuated then.

So it did -- I kind of thought it was an earthquake and said that, but then everyone said, no, it's probably just the wind. And ...

HARRIS: Yes.

BOURGOIN: ...I don't see the wind moving a 62-floor ...

HARRIS: So, where are you now, Joey, and what are your plans?

BOURGOIN: I am in my room on the 18th floor, and hoping there's no more swinging of buildings tonight.

HARRIS: There's always a chance for an aftershock, you know that.

BOURGOIN: I know. I've got the news going. And I'm on CNN, the Internet. And just watching for everything that's going on.

HARRIS: All right, Joey. Be safe, all right?

BOURGOIN: All right, thank you.

HARRIS: Yes, Joey Bourgoin. Bangkok, Thailand. Ooh.

COLLINS: Up next now, kicked out of the convent? Three California nuns looking for a new home. We'll tell you why in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: New census data shows a record 37.5 million immigrants now live in the United States. Looking at the nation, about one in five speak another language. Our education profile also changing. Latin American immigrants contributing to a rising high school dropout rate. Asian immigrants more likely to get a college degree than those born in the U.S. The biggest number of college graduates live in Massachusetts. And this is no big surprise. More immigrants settle in California than any other state.

HARRIS: When the kids nag you for some fast food, you may be able to point them toward some healthier options. Yay!

Susan Lisovicz is at the New York Stock Exchange with details. Oh, help me, Susan. Help all of us.

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

COLLINS: If you think it, it will happen. Or is that if you build it, they will come? I don't know, something like that.

HARRIS: And it works, it works. It's working for the markets today.

COLLINS: Yes, a little bit.

Hey, Jim Clancy is up next right here on CNN. "YOUR WORLD TODAY" in about 15 minutes or so.

Hi there, Jim.

JIM CLANCY, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hi, Heidi and Tony.

And if you say it, what will happen? Remember five of the senators who would be president were up there questioning General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker in the last day and issue No. 1 on the table, the war in Iraq. How did those senators fare? What does the public think? We'll hear from Candy Crowley.

Also, we're going to take you to Los Angeles where it was arguably the biggest day in the world for a little Iraqi boy. And we've told you Youssif's story of being burned by hooded gunmen. Now, hear how he's come to get help that could change not only the way he sees the world, but the way the world sees him. Also, we'll have the latest on the Indonesia quake. A lot of people rattled. Buildings damaged or destroyed, people's lives changed. We're going to see how our i-Reporters brought us the news.

All that and more coming up at the top of the hour in "YOUR WORLD TODAY." Be with us.

HARRIS: All right, Jim, appreciate it. Thank you.

COLLINS: Deploying to Iraq. U.S. troops offer their thoughts on the mission ahead while heading into the fight.

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HARRIS: Heading into the war zone. Young Americans on their way to Iraq, offering their own views of what lies ahead.

CNN's Gary Tuchman has their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At an air base in a country we cannot disclose for security reasons, army soldiers board an Air Force C-130. They are part of the surge. They are on their way to Iraq.

(on camera): This huge transport plane is packed with soldiers going into the war zone. Some seem relaxed and are able to sleep, but many others are too nervous to do so. We just crossed the border into Iraq. And for many of these troops, it's the first time they've ever been here and they're all aware of how indiscriminate the loss of life has been.

(voice-over): You look at faces and wonder what they're thinking. Specialist Kevin Duong of California has been deployed for the first time and says he's ready.

SPEC. KEVIN DUONG, U.S. ARMY: Pretty cool. I might maybe re- enlist after my four years.

TUCHMAN: But ask the new soldier if he would change anything about the length and number of deployments in this war and he says ...

DUONG: Maybe we should, you know, like, send some soldiers home who's been here for probably, like -- longer than two years, give them a break.

TUCHMAN: What about those soldiers who keep coming back? Sergeant Juan Rivera (ph) of Florida is here for the third time.

(on camera): Is it hard to keep the same enthusiasm?

SGT. JUAN RIVERA, U.S. ARMY: I think it is hard, yes.

TUCHMAN: Are you coming back again?

RIVERA: Most likely, yes.

TUCHMAN: How does that make you feel? Honestly?

RIVERA: It's just hard.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): They fly in a stark, windowless cabin. Many of them not aware of the challenges happening in the cockpit one level above. The Air Force flight crew has to keep an eye out for insurgent attacks, particularly as they take off and land.

MAJ. PHILLIP CLINTON, U.S. AIR FORCE: What we're looking for is either like a shoulder-launched rocket, an anti-aircraft artillery or even small arms.

TUCHMAN: They fly several flights across Iraq a day, more than eight hours of flying. Also taking soldiers out of the war zone to go back home. Specialist Travis Pierce has been here a year.

(on camera): Is it hard to keep morale up when you're here so long?

SPEC. TRAVIS PIERCE, U.S. ARMY: It comes and goes. It's like a roller coaster. Sometimes it's hard to keep morale. Other times it's easier to come by. It just depends on the people you hang around, your friends, other soldiers.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Sergeant Melinda Perry is also going home. She has four small children, but says if the war goes on, she'll probably be back.

(on camera): How does this war end?

SGT. MELINDA PERRY, U.S. ARMY: Us winning.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): When this war started, many troops felt victory would come when Saddam Hussein was caught. Now, three quarters of a year after his execution, it's hard for many troops to answer what signifies a win.

PERRY: I don't know, but just sticking together and doing what we have to do and doing what we're told to do.

TUCHMAN: This war has now been going on for four and a half years. The youngest soldiers on this plane were in junior high school when it began.

Garry Tuchman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Kicked out of a convent? Three California nuns looking for a new home. We'll tell you why.

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COLLINS: They've dedicated their lives to serving the community. This morning, three California nuns may have to find a new home, facing the loss of their convent. The reason, the church sex abuse scandal.

Amy Johnson of our affiliate KCAL explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SISTER ANGELA ESCALERA, SISTERS OF BETHANY: Shock.

AMY JOHNSON, KCAL REPORTER (voice-over): Sister Angela Escalera is talking about being kicked out of the Santa Barbara convent she's lived in for 43 years.

ESCALERA: Well, we felt very secure because the convent was built for us.

JOHNSON: But in a letter dated June 28, yet received two months later, the Los Angeles Archdiocese says they're selling the property to pay off the $660 million sex abuse scandal. Sister Escalera says she was not only surprised, but hurt by the letter.

ESCALERA: Well, of course I did say it hurts that we weren't worthy of a phone call. We weren't worthy of saying, we're sorry, you know.

JOHNSON (on camera): And although the sister admits she is angry, she says her anger is not directed at the decision to sell the convent, but more the actions that have led to this decision.

ESCALERA: There's problems worldwide, and that's why I'm angry. All those children abused and look at -- all the victims of it. That is my anger.

BERNIE SALOMON, RESIDENT: Yes, I think that the guys that did the bad stuff should pay for the bad stuff, not some innocent nuns.

JOHNSON (voice-over): Bernie Salomon is so disappointed about the situation, he's part of a group trying to save the convent where the three nuns live.

SALOMON: They're a fixture in the community, and they do good work in the community, and they deserve to stay in the community. If they leave here, there's going to be another gap in helping people that need help.

JOHNSON: But Salomon and the sisters are running out of time. They're supposed to be out by December 31st.

ESCALERA: I've lived all my religious life here. I said, so when I die, I'm going to die here.

JOHNSON: Her previous thoughts, now she leaves the situation in God's hands.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: A spokesman for the archdiocese tells the "L.A. Times," the decision to sell the convent was difficult, but necessary.

CNN NEWSROOM continues just 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: I'm Heidi Collins. Have a great rest of the day, everybody.

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