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Your World Today

British Airways Flight Lands Short of Runway; Lawsuit Challenges Casino Caucus Sites White House Calls for Stimulus Package

Aired January 17, 2008 - 12:00   ET

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

JIM CLANCY, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Frightening, but not fatal. A jetliner plowing into the grass far short of the runway at Heathrow.
ISHA SESAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Police in Nairobi stand their ground for a second day to keep angered protesters from Uhuru Park.

CLANCY: And a flight instructor and Britain's Prince Williams take to the cockpit above eastern England. Later, one of them takes off alone.

It's 5:00 p.m. right now at London's Heathrow airport, 8:00 in the evening in Nairobi, Kenya.

Hello and welcome to our report seen around the globe.

I'm Jim Clancy.

SESAY: I'm Isha Sesay.

From Madrid, to the skies over England, wherever you're watching, this is YOUR WORLD TODAY.

Well, after a long flight, some terrifying moments of passengers arriving at one of the busiest airports in the world.

CLANCY: We're going to begin our report this hour in London, where a British Airways plane landed short of the runway at Heathrow, skidding to a halt on grass near an airport parking lot.

SESAY: All 152 passengers and crew members were evacuated on emergency chutes. Three passengers suffered minor injuries.

CLANCY: Well, for other airline passengers, of course, delays of many flights, including the flight of Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He was going to go to China. We'll get to that in just a minute, but first let's get more on the emergency landing of the Boeing 777.

Richard Quest joins us. He's at Heathrow right now.

The latest on the flight and what caused this accident.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it will take many months before we know finally why Flight 38 came down several hundred feet short of the runway. What we do know, and the pictures show quite terrifyingly, is that the plane came over the perimeter fence and then landed on the grass.

The main gear touched down. And after that, it skidded along the grass before the undercarriage, the main undercarriage, stripped away, causing damage to the wings and to the fuselage.

The plane then came to a halt just on the edge of the runway that it was intended to land on. That was the southern runway.

A hundred and thirty-six people got off the plane safely. But, Jim, there's no getting away from the fact, this could have been a terrible disaster at Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport. And the investigators will want to know exactly why the plane didn't make it on to the runway.

CLANCY: You know, like you say, it could have been so much worse. But even as we look at that, that plane -- well, if it's not a total loss, it's pretty heavily damaged.

QUEST: We were talking about that with some experts about it, whether it's what they call in the industry a whole loss or a total whole loss. And the damage to the fuselage is relatively limited. It's the undercarriage. Most of that damage came when the undercarriage was swept away by the grass -- the flaps, which had been fully deployed.

Now, there are numerous rumors, there's lots of gossip. I mean, I'll just give you a taste of some of the things that we are hearing here -- total power loss, plane ran out of fuel, engine had problems, power had problems.

These are all just rampant, open speculation. And what's interesting is, when you talk to the passengers who were on board, or those who saw the plane come in, some say the plane was swerving from side to side. Others say that the engines were roaring.

It just shows, in these situations, speculation is very dangerous. And it will take some weeks for the investigators to come up with the real reason.

CLANCY: Well put.

Richard Quest, no stranger to airline safety stories. And he's covered a lot of it for us.

Richard, as always, thank you there at Heathrow.

Now, to try to minimize all the disruption this has caused, air traffic controllers at Heathrow are diverting some of the incoming flights to other airports. All the passengers who were scheduled to go through Heathrow are being advised, contact your airline.

Incidentally, a very high-profile passenger was sitting on a plane waiting to take off when the crash landing happened -- Prime Minister Gordon Brown. His flight to China was briefly delayed. Those on board could actually see the incident in the distance. Now, if you'd like an update on all of today's delays and cancellations, log on to www.heathrowairport.com, because there's going to be a lot of disruptions. Brace yourself for some delays -- Isha.

SESAY: Jim, well, we want to give our viewers some more information now on Heathrow airport. As we said, one of the busiest in the world.

It has two runways, though controversial plans for a third are in the works. Both of the existing runways are more than 3,000 meters long.

The southern runway, the shorter of the two, was briefly closed after today's incident. It has now reopened for departing flights. Heathrow is host to about 1,300 flights a day.

Well, we've been asking viewers to send us any photos they've taken after the rough landing today at Heathrow airport. This submission we received puts us right with the rescue workers.

Alex Quinonez, an American from Boston, was at London's Heathrow on his way to Lisbon, Portugal, when he snapped this pic that you're looking at and sent it via his Blackberry. It shows rescue personnel at Terminal 1 of Heathrow airport carrying one of those three injured passengers out on a stretcher.

A big thank you to our I-Reporters on the scene at London's Heathrow airport.

And if you have pictures or video of the incident, please send them to us. The Web site for you, CNN.com/ireport. Or you can send your video to I-Report at CNN.com -- Jim.

CLANCY: Well, international aid agencies appealing for more than $40 million to help with the refugees created by the political crisis in Kenya. Opposition leader Raila Odinga says seven anti-government protesters died in clashes with police on Thursday. This, the second straight day of demonstrations across the East African nation to protest President Mwai Kibaki's re-election last month.

Well, a heavy police presence has made turnout lower than expected. Tensions still simmer. Violence flared in parts of the capital, Nairobi, and in western Kenya as police confronted demonstrators.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEN ODHIGOM, OPPOSITION DEMONSTRATOR: These people use police to kill us. We are asking, why? We are complaining of something that is true. The elections were rigged. And what we want to happen is that Kibaki should resign.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CLANCY: Well, the U.S. ambassador there in Nairobi is saying that obviously this situation has to be negotiated to an end, a political compromise. Washington urging all of the parties to get involved in that process rather than stoking the violence and the differences between the political sides.

All right. The United States working on the political damage control after remarks by the U.S. defense secretary has angered some NATO allies.

European and Canadian officials demanding explanations after Robert Gates appeared to question the ability of some NATO troops to fight against insurgents in Afghanistan. The "Los Angeles Times" quoting Robert Gates as saying this: "I'm worried we have some military forces that are not properly trained, and I'm worried we have some military forces that don't know how to do counterinsurgency operations."

A Pentagon assured NATO allies their efforts were highly valued. Gates personally called the Canadian defense minter to explain those remarks.

SESAY: Jim, let's talk politics now. And the race for the White House heads west and south.

CLANCY: U.S. presidential hopefuls setting their sights on Saturday. In two days' time, thousands of voters will weigh in on their choice on who should win their party's nomination.

SESAY: Democratic and Republican candidates both face tests in the Nevada caucuses. But in South Carolina, only Republicans are up for vote. That state's Democratic primary is a week later, on January 26th.

CLANCY: Nevada probably best known for the Las Vegas Strip, and it's the site of a legal battle brewing this hour, at least for the Democrats. Several casinos have been designated as caucus sites to allow the employees on the strip to take part in the political process, but a hearing in the courts that's under way right now could decide if locations give certain voters an unfair advantage.

Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley has more on the -- well, shall we call it a legal gamble?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Mix politics with the law and you are entering a portal to the unknown -- the Nevada caucuses.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Are we going to let a bunch of lawyers try to prevent us from bringing about change in America?

UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: No!

OBAMA: Are we going to let those folks change the rules when they don't work for them? UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: No!

CROWLEY: At issue on the campaign trail and in the courtroom are nine casino caucus sites in Las Vegas set up by the Democratic Party so workers who can't be in their home precincts can still participate in the Saturday caucuses. Many of those workers belong to the Culinary Union which has endorsed Barack Obama.

A couple of days after that endorsement, a lawsuit was filed challenging the constitutionality of the at-large precincts. The Culinary Union notes that nobody objected to the plan when the Clinton campaign thought it would be getting the endorsement.

D. TAYLOR, NEVADA CULINARY WORKERS UNION: We (ph) were trying to change the rules a week before that were approved 10 months before. That's just not right, and I think people see through it as just crass politics. Clearly, we have people in the Clinton campaign, who are allied with Clinton, who are putting politics over principles.

CROWLEY: At least one of the people involved in the suit is a Clinton supporter. The state Teachers Union has also joined the suit. One top official is on a Clinton leadership panel. The union itself has not endorsed anyone.

TERRY HICKMAN, NEVADA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: But there's always (INAUDIBLE) conspiracy theories (INAUDIBLE). But our effort and our belief is that there's a fundamental right of fairness that is being ignored.

CROWLEY: The legal argument is that the casino caucuses give those workers an unfair advantage over other voters who might also be working. The Clintons, both of them, say they are not involved. She's playing it cool.

SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D-NY), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You know, I hope that it can be resolved by the courts and by the state party, because obviously we want as many people as possible to be able to participate.

CROWLEY: He's playing it not so cool.

WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you want to take that position, get on the television and take it. Don't be accusatory with me. I had nothing to do with this lawsuit.

CROWLEY: The politics of Nevada's caucuses go to the courtroom today.

HICKMAN: Oh, I think it will completely call into question the legitimacy of this caucus.

CROWLEY: Enter the portal to the unknown.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Las Vegas.

(END VIDEOTAPE) SESAY: A major boost for the Obama campaign. The powerful chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee throwing his support behind Barack Obama.

Sources say Senator Patrick Leahy will endorse the Illinois senator. A source says Leahy sees the "kind of possibilities that Barack Obama can bring to affect change for this country and the world."

And a Hillary Clinton supporter is apologizing to Obama for comments he made last Sunday. Bob Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, says he made inappropriate comments while criticizing Obama at a Clinton campaign event. Many people interpreted Johnson's remarks and are drawing attention to Obama's acknowledged drug use during his youth.

CLANCY: Well, coming up a little bit later, more on the South Carolina contest. We'll give you a look at the state's Republican primary just two days from now.

Plus, Democrats have a week to campaign in the state. We're going to check one strategy to take South Carolina away from a candidate counting on a win there in his native state.

SESAY: OK. We're going to take a short break now.

And he's the man charged with shoring up the ailing U.S. economy.

CLANCY: And today, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has delivered a blunt message to lawmakers in Washington -- act now or face the consequences. We're going to have a lot more on that just ahead.

SESAY: We'll also look at the growing stink in Italy, where a rubbish collection strike in Naples has sparked riots in the street and a public health nightmare.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SESAY: Hello, everyone.

It's rare for the chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve to weigh in on the government's fiscal policy. But with the American economy teetering, that's just what Ben Bernanke has been doing today.

Bernanke's appearing before a congressional committee on Capitol Hill. He says a slowdown, rather than a recession, is likely, but still called for urgent action to help the economy. He told lawmakers an economic stimulus package is a good idea but only if it meets certain conditions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN BERNANKE, FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN: To be useful, a fiscal stimulus package should be implemented quickly and structured so that its effects on aggregate spending are felt as much as possible within the next 12 months or so. Stimulus that comes too late will not help support economic activity in the near term, and it could be actively destabilizing if it comes at a time when growth is already improving.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CLANCY: President Bush has also backed introducing a series of short-term measures to try to stimulate demand. Most lawmakers agree that something has to be done to try and stop the economic slowdown. But as Christine Romans tell us, they are still divided on just how that help should be delivered.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On Capitol Hill, a growing sense of urgency about the ailing U.S. economy. Larry Summers, Treasury secretary under Bill Clinton, says there's a risk a recession could be long and severe.

LAWRENCE SUMMERS, FORMER TREASURY SECRETARY: A risk of doing too little, too slowly, with respect to the recession forces that are gathering are far greater than any risk that the political process will do too much too rapidly.

ROMANS: The president just wrapped up a trip to the Middle East, and a spokesman says he will talk to congressional leaders about the economy by phone Thursday. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer...

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: If this isn't done in the first quarter, finished, signed, sealed and delivered and already going into effect, it may be too late.

ROMANS: That the situation is worsening, there's little doubt. Wealthy investors and Middle Eastern and Asian governments have bailed out America's top financial institutions. American consumers are spending less. Food and energy costs are rising and more people are out of work.

LAWRENCE MISHEL, ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE: Middle class family who may have an income of about $52,000, that as a result of the higher unemployment, their incomes are going to be $1,400 less this year than what they were in 2007. And there will be a further deterioration in 2009.

ROMANS: Democrats talk about extended unemployment benefits, food stamps and help with home heating oil. Republicans favor tax cuts for business investments and lower corporate income taxes. All the while, there's a feeling Washington is fiddling while Rome burns.

REP. JIM SAXTON (R), NEW JERSEY: There's a real risk that a stimulus package will morph into a special interest Christmas tree, with politicians designing the economic stimulus package a positive impact on the economy is far from guaranteed.

ROMANS: A not so subtle sub plot, the promise of bipartisanship with plenty of barbs.

(on camera): Democrats saying the president has been late to the process. Senator Chuck Schumer actually blamed the president for not acting sooner to mitigate the subprime mortgage crisis, and he said the president has not been engaged in the process. The White House disagrees.

Christine Romans, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(BUSINESS REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips, at the CNN Center in Atlanta.

More of YOUR WORLD TODAY in just a few minutes, but first a quick check on stories making headlines right here in the U.S.

Pumping up the economy by putting more money in your pocket, it's an idea gaining support at the White House and on Capitol Hill this morning. Just a short time ago, Fed chairman Ben Bernanke told a House panel that he supports a temporary economic stimulus plan if lawmakers act fast.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BERNANKE: To be useful, a fiscal stimulus package should be implemented quickly and structured so that its effects on aggregate spending are felt as much as possible within the next 12 months or so. Stimulus that comes too late will not help support economic activity in the near term, and it could be actively destabilizing if it comes at a time when growth is already improving.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Bernanke did not endorse any specific plan.

Just log on to cnnmoney.com for more on how proposals to stimulate the economy could affect your taxes and your wallet.

And parents, you know one of the most miserable sights is a baby or toddler with a bad cold. And you can try chicken soup and tender- loving care, but experts are saying lay off the cold medicines. The FDA warning today over-the-counter cough syrups and cold medicines are too risky for children under 2. The agency says in rare cases the drugs can have serious, even deadly, side-effects.

Two police officers are dead and now a second suspect in custody. Police in suburban Atlanta announced the development just a short time ago. They say they're looking for at least one more person.

Those two officers were killed while working as security guards at an apartment complex. A reward of up to $60,000 is being offered for information that lead to arrests and convictions in this case.

And right now crews are at a huge fires at a recycling plant in Cocoa, Florida. Thick, black smoke billowing from a pile of burning tires.

According to our affiliate WFTV, fire crews from two counties are trying to put out those flames. We have tape from one of our affiliates and live pictures on the other side. Not sure on what caused that fire. We've had no reports of any injuries or evacuations.

We're going to keep you updated as we get more information from our affiliates. We appreciate those pictures.

Well, neighborhood on fire. Police lucky to get out alive.

It broke out overnight in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire. Several apartment houses burned. The Red Cross expects as many as 50 people have been left homeless. Four firefighters were injured. The preliminary findings point to burning candles in the first apartment building.

(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS: Well, Defense Secretary Robert Gates taking fire from key U.S. allies this morning. They're outraged by his apparent criticism of NATO troops serving in Afghanistan. He said many had not been trained to fight insurgents, and earlier Gates said that those concerns are not behind the Pentagon's sending of more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE SECRETARY: This deployment of Marines does not reflect dissatisfaction about the military performance in Afghanistan of allied forces from other nations. I mention this because there have been several recent media reports of discontent in the United States and among other NATO members about operations in Afghanistan. This does not reflect reality or, I believe, the views of our governments.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, it's worth noting that NATO units first deployed to Afghanistan with the primary mission of peacekeeping work.

Marine manhunt. The search for a Marine suspected of killing a female Marine who accused him of rape is going international now. Ahead in the "NEWSROOM," we're going to talk to an FBI investigator about the newest developments in this case.

Meantime, YOUR WORLD TODAY continues after a quick break.

I'm Kyra Phillips. See you in half an hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) JIM CLANCY, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to our viewers joining us from more than 200 countries and territories around the globe, including right here in the United States. This is YOUR WORLD TODAY and these are your headlines.

An investigation is underway into what caused a British Airways flight to land short of the runway at London's Heathrow Airport. All 136 passengers and 16 crew members aboard the Boeing 777 were evacuated safely. Several people suffered minor injuries.

Kenya's main opposition leader says seven protesters have been killed in clashes with police. Nationwide demonstrations are continuing for a second straight day to protest last month's disputed presidential election. Opposition leader Raila Odinga wants President Mwai Kibaki's government to set a date for new elections.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke making a key appearance before a congressional committee in Washington, D.C. He told lawmakers he supports an economic stimulus package aimed at avoiding a rapid slowdown, but only if it is temporary and quickly implemented. The news has failed to lift the financial markets. A live look now at Wall Street shows that the Dow Industrials are down 136.

ISHA SESAY, CNN ANCHOR: OK. Not on our shelves. That's the message from officials in the European Union who say meat and milk from cloned animals won't be sold in European food markets any time soon. A spokeswoman for the E.U.'s health commissioner has said there are currently no plans to redraft current rules which prohibit such foods from entering the food chain.

Well, the statement follows a consumer outcry in Europe after the E.U.'s food safety agency said meat from cloned animals is probably safe to eat. Across the Atlantic, in the United States, meat and milk from cloned animals have already been declared fit to sell. But for some European shoppers, that argument is hard to swallow. More now from Diana Magnay.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIANA MAGNAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): So the science says yes to cloned animals in the food chain. The latest twist in a tale of discovery which began with Dolly the sheep. More milk and better meat, the researchers say, a chance for farmers to be assured of better, more uniform quality.

General Shafagal (ph) once famously asked how it was possible to govern a country with 246 different types of cheese. We came to one of Paris' most famous street markets to ask this nation of food lovers how they feel about cloned foods.

There's everything that you could wish for here. Cheese to make your mouth water. Only the very finest cuts of meat. And a clientele who say they're not yet prepared to trust what the scientists say about food from cloned animals.

GEORGE HELFT, CONSUMER: I don't say I'm completely against it, but I think more research is necessary.

LAURENCE OSTOLAZA, CONSUMER: We have to wait to be sure that kind of food is health and is safe (ph). So we have to wait and we have to be prudent.

MAGNAY: Would you ever buy that kind of thing?

OSTOLAZA: No.

MAGNAY: Next we headed to McDonald's, where customers also gave cloned foods the thumbs down.

ABDEL HAKIM ZEDIER, CONSUMER: It's not natural. It's my opinion. Yes. And I don't think it's good.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, (through translator): Of it's cloned meat, it should be marked as such to show how it's produced.

MAGNAY: We did find one food professional who seemed prepared to give the concept a bit more time.

NICOLAS BERGERAULT, ATELIER DES CHEFS: Yes, it's just a copy based of an existing animal. So I would think, from myself, that it's less dangerous. But on the other hand, I really think that we are trying to do too many things on changing the rule of nature.

MAGNAY: France prohibits its farmers from planting GM crops until more research is done. A far cry from the U.S. where GM foods don't even have to be labeled to appear on supermarket shelves. The U.S. is proposing the same labeling system, i.e. none at all, for cloned animal foods when they finally go on sale in perhaps five years' time. It's likely that here in Europe the wait will be much longer.

Diana Magnay, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CLANCY: All right. It's interesting. Let's get a check of our e-mail in-box and what you've been saying. Many of you, we find, quite opposed to the idea of food products coming from cloned animals.

SESAY: That's right. When asked how you felt, Sarah Dishman from Fredericksburg, Virginia, says, "would I eat food produced from cloned animals? My response is no. Such actions are eventually pushed to a point where the question of unethical becomes void and distant."

CLANCY: Bonnie Parman, and she's from Mount Vernon, Washington, writes this. "I grew up on a dairy farm in Washington state eating beef, drinking milk and enjoying it all. Having milk and meat from cloned animals will make me become a vegetarian."

SESAY: Igwe Osaro from Onne, Nigeria, is looking for more worldwide approval. Igwe says, "I think whether it is safe or not to eat foods from cloned animals is an issue that should still be given wider independent investigations from other parts of the world and not just the American government."

CLANCY: We really enjoy hearing from you and getting your perspective. Stay in touch by e-mailing your thoughts to yourviews@cnn.com.

SESAY: Well, a nail biter still (ph) for U.S. presidential hopefuls in South Carolina.

CLANCY: It's the first big contest in the southern U.S. for the race for party nominations.

SESAY: Republicans face the gauntlet in two days. Their primary comes January 19th. Democrats have a week left to sway those voters as they face ballots a week from Saturday.

CLANCY: Now the state could crown a front-runner in the Republican race. Mike Huckabee has not chalked up a victory since Ohio -- excuse me, Iowa. New Hampshire went to John McCain. Mitt Romney, as you know, this week won Michigan. John King is on a campaign trail and has more on the battle for first position in a wide open race.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Michigan's winner claims momentum in a Republican race as confused as volatile as ever.

MITT ROMNEY, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have more delegates than anybody else right now. More votes for president than any other Republican.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lord, we just lift up Governor Huckabee and Janet to you.

KING: South Carolina votes next and the tone is instantly more conservative.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm proud of my pro-life record. Twenty-four years. I've never changed.

KING: The locals brag that since 1980 the Republican winner here has gone on to win the nomination.

HENRY MCMASTER, SOUTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL: Nobody who's ever won in the Michigan primary has got elected president. We do that here.

KING: But this campaign isn't following the traditional scripts. Three early tests and three different winners. Three very different appeals to a party struggling to pick a new leader.

SCOTT REED, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Huckabee, very popular with the social conservatives. McCain, very popular with the reform conservatives. And now Romney, who has his first victory, very popular with the change conservatives, the economic conservatives. KING: Romney spent months targeting social conservatives here. Now, though, the new economic theme he used in Michigan. There it was the auto sector. Here, textiles.

ROMNEY: I will finally fight for every job that we have in this country. It is not acceptable to me to simply write off an industry.

KING: But Romney is splitting the next two days between South Carolina and Nevada, which also votes Saturday. His calculation, the race will stretch on for weeks, so target Nevada while others fight for South Carolina.

ROMNEY: I panning to get the nomination. I'm not looking for gold stars on my forehead like I was in first grade. I want delegates.

KING: Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee needs a win to prove Iowa was not fluke and that he can shine across his native south.

MIKE HUCKABEE, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Somebody in your dorm is saying, I'm not voting for that guy. Lock his door.

KING: His appeal to Baptist students included a testimonial about finding Christ at age 10.

HUCKABEE: And I remember praying that prayer that day and feeling overwhelmed with the presence and sense that God really did love me.

KING: Signing this no amnesty pledge was a not so subtle dig at Senator McCain, who again found himself explaining his view that millions who enter this country illegally should be allowed to stay.

MCCAIN: No one, under no circumstances, will anyone who will take precedence over someone who came here legally or waited inside or outside this country legally.

KING: Appealing to veterans in South Carolina's deep military tradition is part of McCain's strategy.

MCCAIN: I'll win here in South Carolina and I'm -- that's all there is to it.

KING: Money is tight and McCain needs to prove he can win a state where conservatives dominate and where reminders that his campaign stalled here eight years ago are easy to come by.

John King, CNN, Spartanburg, South Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SESAY: Looking ahead now to the next Democratic primary in the state. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are pulling out all the stops to winner over African-Americans in that southern state. And star power may help them do it, especially with young people. Suzanne Malveaux explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): Que the campaign theme songs because look out South Carolina. In days, Hollywood's biggest stars will be descending on you.

HILL HARPER, ACTOR & OBAMA SUPPORTER: We're going to go to churches. We're going to go to beauty shops and barber shops and that's going to be great. But it's not just me. There are many people from Los Angeles.

MALVEAUX: Actor on CSI New York and best selling author and youth activist Hill Harper will be just one of many campaigning in South Carolina, going after that hot commodity -- young folks who could tip the balance of power and determine who gets the Democratic nod.

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: Thank you, South Carolina!

MALVEAUX: There's fierce competition for their attention. On Barack Obama's side, Oprah Winfrey, Scarlett Johansson, Will Smith, Halle Berry and Harper, who was one of Obama's secret weapons in Iowa where he was a big hit recruiting college students.

HARPER: And we want to find out if they're registered, are they going to vote, who are they going to vote for, what are the issues they care about and educate them about the senator if they're not already committed to voting for him. Fifteen million people watch in a week. It creates a platform. We know that young people, in particular, pay attention to celebrities.

MALVEAUX: Actor Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins have been frequent traveling companions for the trailing John Edwards. Hillary Clinton's big-name backers tend to be older, reflecting the Democratic establishment with deep pockets. And President Bill Clinton's close ties to Hollywood. Like Barbra Streisand, Ted Danson, Quincy Jones and Magic Johnson. While Hollywood stars can raise lots of money, the question is, who will be more successful in the fight over fresh voters. Clinton supporter Anthony Singleton (ph) is not that much impressed with the star power.

ANTHONY SINGLETON, CLINTON SUPPORTER: I think, to me, it's a gimmick.

SAMUEL ROBINSON (ph), OBAMA SUPPORTER: It's a hodge-podge. It's a hodge-podge.

MALVEAUX: Obama supporter Samuel Robinson also downplayed the celebrity influence.

ROBINSON: I am a free thinker. I think for myself.

MALVEAUX: Predictably, older voters are more dismissive. Sheryl Mack is a grandmother and Clinton supporter. SHERYL MACK, CLINTON SUPPORTER: I think the bottom line is that people are going to make decisions based upon what they think Hillary brings to the table.

MALVEAUX: But getting young voters to the table in South Carolina is key. Many who are still on the fence.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I guess Hillary or Obama mostly.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is an important election, but I haven't been following it that closely yet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this point I have not chose an candidate.

MALVEAUX: And what is unique about South Carolina is nearly 50 percent of the likely Democratic voters are African-American. Which means winning over the young voters in that group will be critical to the winning candidate.

Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, Charleston, South Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SESAY: Well, CNN is the only place to be for complete coverage of the race for the White House. Join John Mann, "The Campaign Trail." That's a wrap-up of the week in U.S. politics. And it's every Friday at 1900 GMT.

CLANCY: Coming up in just a moment here on YOUR WORLD TODAY, it's not just ugly and smelly, it's also costly.

SESAY: Yes. We'll look at the week-old waste buildup in Naples and see how all that garbage is crippling the city's image and sinking its economy in the process.

CLANCY: And then, his flight instructor said, I'm going to jump out now. And just like that, Prince William was on his first solo flight. Details straight ahead.

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CLANCY: Welcome back to YOUR WORLD TODAY.

Italian businesses today are taking a hit. The image of Naples' filthy streets are being beamed around the world. Garbage has been piling up since Christmas. Alessio Vinci is there. He reports the trash is taking its toll on several industries.

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ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): The amount of garbage is just as disturbing as the unbearable stench. Trash is not just an emergency here, it's a national shame. The landfills are full and a combination of mismanagement and local mafia involvement have led to pictures like these making headlines around the world. Naples is facing an image problem that will take months, if not years, to restore.

And with it come problems that are beginning to cripple the economy of this region, which prides itself on its beauty, warm weather and delicious food. Local officials say hotel bookings have dropped significantly. Emergency funds have already been allocated, not just to clean up the street, but also to rebuild the region's likeness.

VALERIA VALENTE, NAPLES TOURISM COUNSELOR, (through translator): The extraordinary measures include targeted initiatives and campaigns to relaunch our image through upcoming events, in particular Easter. This means that if before we invested 400,000 euros, now we'll try to invest twice as much.

VINCI: There isn't much time to clean up this mess. The Easter holidays are only a couple of months away. And in warmer weather, this stuff will smell even more. Not to mention the greater health hazard.

Fears of toxic fumes spreading in the air and contaminating pastures have also hurt this region's famous production of buffalo mozzarella cheese. Orders are down 25 percent according to producers who say the quality of the product is unaffected by the garbage crisis, but how to convince consumers.

MARIO PIEROLUONGO, SALES MANAGER, FATTORIE GARAFALO: We are just focused on the image problem that the trash emergency may cause to all plants like our plants who always work for granting these people a very high-quality product. So I underline, it's just an image problem at the moment.

VINCI: Delays in coming up with a viable solution could also mean that thousands of jobs could be lost. Hundreds of thousands of workers are employed in farms like this one throughout the region. Workers want to see their streets cleaned. Their jobs depend on it.

Alessio Vinci, CNN, Naples.

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CLANCY: And this is a great time to share with you what our I- Reporters are saying about the situation right now in Naples. Tourist William Lehnert was in Naples last week and he sent us this video. He says the situation was, in his words, completely disgusting. There were garbage bags everywhere. Lehnert says the situation wasn't as bad in Rome and Venice. The people of Naples were embarrassed, he says, adding that he had to keep his windows closed just to keep the smell out.

And that is a beautiful city. To bad.

SESAY: Yes, but it must be so foul right now. It must smell so bad.

Anyway, moving on. A country's national anthem is supposed to unite a nation. CLANCY: But that did not happen in Spain. It wasn't the tune, it was the words.

SESAY: So the lyrics have been scrapped. We'll tell you why when YOUR WORLD TODAY returns.

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SESAY: The weather across eastern England may be bleak and cloudy, but that didn't keep Britain's Prince William on the ground. Here you see him and his flight instructor getting into the cockpit of a small trainer on Thursday. The prince made his second solo flight. The first took place on Wednesday. The young royal said he was as surprised as anyone when he was told to go it alone.

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PRINCE WILLIAM, TRAINING WITH ROYAL AIR FORCE: Well, I'm still here to tell the tale and I haven't been (INAUDIBLE) plane. So so far it looks all right. But it was one of those experiences where I thought it would never come around. And I thought, you know, hopefully, it will (INAUDIBLE) practice. And they next thing I know, my instructor jumps out and goes, gon on, get on with it. I was up there (INAUDIBLE) going, what?

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SESAY: Well, William is on a four-month assignment with the Royal Air Force. Next he'll train with the Royal Navy.

CLANCY: You know, Spain, one of the few countries in the world that has a national anthem. An anthem without any lyrics. No words to the song.

SESAY: Yes, no words to the song. And it looked like that was about to change. Spain's Olympic committee held a nationwide contest to put lyric to the tune.

CLANCY: But as we're hearing from our man in Madrid, Al Goodman, disharmony is what resulted.

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AL GOODMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): The English proudly sing their national anthem. The Americans croon to theirs. And then, there's Spain. Hold it. The Spanish anthem doesn't have any words. This man won a nationwide contest with his lyrics for the anthem. But then, suddenly, the Spanish Olympic committee, which sponsored the contest, withdrew the winning entry.

ALEJANDRO BLANCO, SPANISH OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, (through translator): Once Spaniards heard these lyrics, they sparked a lot of controversy, even rejection.

MANUEL RINCON, TAXI DRIVER, (through translator): Viva Espana. GOODMAN: "Viva Espana," or long live Spain, is how the now discarded lyrics began. The phrase struck a sour note. Critics say it hearkens back to the long, right wing dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

MARGARITA SAENZ-DIEZ, JOURNALIST: You have to understand that many Spaniards do not consider the national anthem as their own. It was played a lot under Franco.

GOODMAN: Spain is now a democracy, but many still bristle at the military march that served for more than two centuries as the national anthem.

Spain is made up of many different peoples and five languages are spoken across the country. So, naturally, getting agreement on one set of lyrics is no easy task.

One of those languages, ancient bask, is among those taught in Madrid. Basks have their own national anthem and lyrics. At the Bask Cultural Center, we found a Spaniard who liked the proposed lyrics for the Spanish national anthem.

"They're good," he says, "and very neutral about Spain."

Many others say the proposed lyrics lacked polish and shine.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, (through translator): The French and American anthems speak about an enemy to defeat. Our lyrics mentioned field, wheat and friends. It's just stupid.

RINCON: The anthem should give us goosebumps. Spain's long history and diverse culture should show in the lyrics.

GOODMAN: The Spanish Olympic committee says the search will go on. But in Beijing and elsewhere, Spanish athletes will likely have to just hum along to the wordless anthem as they've done for years. It's a tune almost every Spaniard knows.

Al Goodman, CNN, Madrid.

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SESAY: That's it for this hour. I'm Isha Sesay.

CLANCY: I'm Jim Clancy. Don't go anywhere. This is CNN. The news is always straight ahead.

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