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North Korea Welcomes N.Y. Philharmonic; Deadly Tactics Target Police in Iraq; Northern Illinois Students Return to Classrooms
Aired February 25, 2008 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. A high note of diplomacy. Not since the Korean War has North Korean welcomed such a large cultural group from the U.S. We'll talk all about it coming up today.
And American brothers, overseas actors. Oscar shines on both. Highlights from Hollywood's night.
And beware of phone callers bearing money. The latest scam targets your tax rebate check.
You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Special guests in North Korea. In fact, today's guest of honor, the New York Philharmonic.
Quite a day indeed. But some people actually say it's a communist country that may be changing its tune.
Let's go ahead and listen in now.
CNN's Alina Cho is live and has the very latest from Pyongyang this morning -- Alina.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Heidi, good evening, from Pyongyang. It is snowing here. It is frigidly cold about 80 members of the media are here in the capital of North Korea. The New York Philharmonic will be performing here in Pyongyang in less than 24 hours. And that will certainly be historic.
A little less to report on the diplomatic front. Talks aimed at ending the nuclear standoff have progressed a bit, but there have been no real breakthroughs. North Korea still has not given a correct and complete declaration of its nuclear programs, while Pyongyang says the U.S. has not provided the fuel aid it promised. So with that as the backdrop, and New York Philharmonic is hoping to use music as a tool. They call it the international language of diplomacy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHO (voice over): Violinist Michelle Kim is a symbol of Korea's painful history. She was born in South Korea. Her parents were born in the North, and fled to the South during the Korean War. The 34- year-old is one of the most prominent members of the New York Philharmonic. She's nervous, not only about playing well, but also about what this means for diplomacy with the west. MICHELLE KIM, NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC: Well, there's an old Korean thing, I'll translate it in English. But you can't spit on the face that's smiling at you and I hope that music will open their hearts as well.
CHO: Even music in North Korea is tightly controlled. It's a crime to listen to anything not sanctioned by the government.
So when the New York Philharmonic performs in Pyongyang, Tuesday, the first American orchestra to play there, there will be symbolism everywhere, including the "Star-spangled Banner" and Gershwin's "An American in Paris."
LORIN MAAZEL, CONDUCTOR, N.Y. PHILHARMONIC: It's a kind of tongue-and-cheek way to say Americans do travel abroad to Paris some time ago, and now to Pyongyang.
CHO: Some have criticized the New York Philharmonic's trip to Pyongyang as a propaganda coup for North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
(on-camera): What do you say to blunt that criticism?
MAAZEL: It's the only weapon we have, so to speak, but a very important one. I've conducted orchestras in countries where I don't speak the language, but I speak the language of music and so today we get along instantly in this language.
CHO: What do you hope that this one concert might be able to accomplish?
KIM: This might not solve the nuclear weapons systems. This might not solve the problems with the U.S. politically, but this will certainly be in their hearts as something to remember, something that's very positive.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: Tomorrow night's concert will be shown live around the world, including right here in Pyongyang. That is unprecedented, but it is unclear exactly how many average North Koreans will be able to watch it, because a lot of people here in North Korea do not own television sets. That is considered a luxury here.
Also unclear, whether the man known as the dear leader himself, Kim Jong Il, will be in attendance. Members of the New York Philharmonic say they have no confirmation yet and that no one will know for certain until the first note is played -- Heidi?
COLLINS: Boy, that's true. It's such a fascinating story.
Alina, I know it's not only a professional accomplishment for you to be there but also a personal one. Tell us a little more about that.
CHO: You're absolutely right. It's been an emotional past week or so. Not sure if you know, Heidi, I was in Seoul, shooting with my family, Seoul, South Korea. Both of my parents grew up in Seoul. They lived through the Korean War.
Two of my father's uncles actually disappeared during the war, never to be seen again. So, nobody in my family knows what became of them. They don't know if they were kidnapped or if they defected. But our family believes that they -- if they are still alive could very well be living here in Pyongyang. So yes, it is a very personal story, a professional accomplishment as well, but I'll be telling more of my story, my family's story, tomorrow morning -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right. We will very much be looking forward to that.
CNN's Alina Cho coming from Pyongyang this morning. Thank you, Alina.
Well, it's been called the most dangerous place in the world. Today a reminder of Pakistan's volatility. A suicide bomber struck near the nation's military headquarters in Rawalpindi. Military officials say the army's top-ranking medical officer is among the eight dead. The government blames militants operating near the Afghanistan border.
Pakistan is a U.S. ally armed with nuclear weapons and targeted by terrorists. Less than two months ago opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in a suicide bomb attack.
Another presidential run for Ralph Nader. But is he going to be a factor this time around?
CNN's Jim Acosta has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): There he goes again.
RALPH NADER (I), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Dissent is the mother of ascent. And in that context, I have decided to run for president. I'm seeking the presidential nomination.
ACOSTA: Four times a losing candidate for the White House, consumer advocate Ralph Nader is mounting another long-shot bid for the presidency on issues, he says, the two major parties won't touch.
NADER: All the candidates, McCain, Obama and Clinton, are against single pair health insurance, full Medicare for all. I'm for it.
ACOSTA: That was Nader's message back in 2000 when the then Green Party candidate earned just enough votes to essentially deny Al Gore the state of Florida and the White House. In 2004, some on the left begged Nader not to run. He did anyway, but in the end he wasn't a factor in John Kerry's loss. Still, Republican s see Nader as a potential spoiler.
MIKE HUCKABEE (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think it always would probably pull votes away from the Democrat s, not the Republican s. So naturally, Republican s would welcome his entry into the race and hope maybe a few more will join us in.
ACOSTA: Barack Obama says it's up to his party to make sure that doesn't happen.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think the job of the Democrat ic Party is to be so compelling that a few percentage of the vote going to another candidate is not going to make any difference.
NADER: It's the largest corporations...
ACOSTA: Nader first gained public attention with his campaign for car safety more than 40 years ago. He now faces a hard question: who's buying what he's selling?
RACHEL SKLAR, HUFFINGTON POST: I'm wondering, who wants him to run? Where is the demand? Who has been clamoring for Ralph Nader? This is what I genuinely don't understand.
ACOSTA (on camera): While he's a headache for Democrat s, Ralph Nader is not a proven vote-getter. Four years ago, he managed to pick up just a meager 0.3 percent of the ballots cast.
Jim Acosta, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Overseas now, a powerful earthquake shakes western Indonesia, the quake with a magnitude of 7.0 hit off the coast of Sumatra island. A tsunami warning was issued, but then later canceled. This is the fifth quake registering 5.0 or more in the last 24 hours.
Surf's up and the warnings are out. Look at that. You don't want to ride that wave, that's for sure. This is off the San Francisco coast yesterday. Today, high surf warnings are posted along the Southern California coast. Forecasters say waves up to 28 feet could last through Tuesday. People are being told to stay out of the ocean.
Also, I want to show you this: fire dangers in Texas. The western third of the state is under a red flag warning due to high winds. The same was true over the weekend when this huge grass fire broke out in the town of Snyder.
Rob Marciano standing by this morning in the weather center to talk a little bit more about both of these things.
Extreme fire danger again today in West Texas?
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: That looks horrible.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. Yes. It will get better. Things will get better. COLLINS: OK. Good. We'll check in later.
MARCIANO: All right.
COLLINS: So you can tell us later things are all better.
MARCIANO: OK.
COLLINS: Thank you, Rob.
MARCIANO: See you.
COLLINS: To this story now. An airline passenger dies while crying for help.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONIO OLIVER, CARINE DESIR'S COUSIN: She said, "My darling, please don't let me die. Get me oxygen, please, baby, I love you, baby, I love you. Don't let me die. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't breathe. Please, please." And I start yelling on the plane, "Somebody help me."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: What went wrong? Elizabeth Cohen fills us in coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Welcome back, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
The award show of brotherly love. Oscar smiles on the makers of "No Country for Old Men."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: An American Airlines passenger begs for help, couldn't breathe and pleading with the flight attendant, "Don't let me die." But Carine Desir did die.
Her cousin says she was twice refused oxygen and then medical equipment failed. He says oxygen tanks were empty and a defibrillator did not work. No comment on that from the airline. Doctors and nurses onboard tried but could not save the woman.
Desir was on a flight from Haiti to New York on Friday. Medical examiner says Desir had a bad heart and died of natural causes. What kind of medical care can you expect to get if you get sick on a flight? Our medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is here now to talk a little bit more about that.
A lot of people very interested in this story.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh sure. I mean we all fly and you want to know, what would happen top me if there were an emergency...
COLLINS: Yes.
COHEN: ...on flight? And the FAA does require that certain pieces of medical equipment be put on flights.
COLLINS: Sure.
COHEN: So let's go over what some of those are. First of all, there needs to be an automated external defibrillator. You see those all the time in malls and other places, very easy to use. Also a kit to start an I.V. and also certain drugs, like epinephrine and nitroglycerin. That second one there is a heart drug for when people are having heart attacks.
In addition, there are certain kinds of training that the flight attendants need to have. They need to know how to use defibrillators. They need to know how to administer CPR minister and they do drills, according to the FAA, at least every two years. They need to have training on what do you do if -- if X happens what do you do? If Y happens what do you do? That there are certain protocols for certain kinds of medical emergencies.
COLLINS: Right. And I know that you hear from the medical side of things. But do we even know at this point whether or not those tanks were empty? We don't really have that -- the information.
COHEN: No. And really, whether or not protocol was followed really depends on who you listen to.
COLLINS: Exactly.
COHEN: I mean the cousin says that not once but twice they tried to use oxygen tanks, two different tanks and that both times they were empty, and that request for oxygen to begin with weren't even followed. And so we actually at CNN we asked the American Airlines spokeswoman, what was up? Were those oxygen tanks empty?
COLLINS: Right.
COHEN: And this is what she had to say. She said, "I cannot confirm that." In other words, she didn't deny it. She didn't say, "Oh, they were full." We just said, were they empty? And she said, "I cannot confirm that," but that would not be typical. In other words it would not be typical to have empty oxygen tanks.
COLLINS: No.
COHEN: And in fact said that she believes, there's no doubt in her mind, that the folks on the airplane did everything they could to help this passenger.
COLLINS: Yes, because that type of equipment would have to be checked every single time...
COHEN: Right. Right. COLLINS: ...the aircraft goes up in the air?
COHEN: It needs to be checked regularly. Right. So if they were empty, there's definitely something wrong.
COLLINS: Yes. And, again, you know, the actual medical examiner said that she died of natural causes. She did have heart disease. But then it still goes back to whether or not the equipment was actually in place that possibly...
COHEN: Right.
COLLINS: ...could have helped.
COHEN: Right. There's no question that she died of natural causes. I mean no one did anything to her. It was whether or not the equipment was there. And the staff -- you know the flight attendants did end up doing what they were supposed to do.
COLLINS: Yes, they even did CPR.
COHEN: Right. They found two doctors, they found two nurses, they tried to give oxygen. But if the equipment's not there...
COLLINS: Yes. Boy.
COHEN: ...you can do anything you want and it's not going to help.
COLLINS: Yes. I think there's a lot of more questions here.
COHEN: Absolutely.
COLLINS: All right. Appreciate it. Thanks so much.
COHEN: Thanks.
COLLINS: Elizabeth Cohen, our medical correspondent there at CNN.
Well, you know it, you feel it, gas prices are up again. According to the latest Lundberg Survey pump prices jumped almost 16 cents a gallon over the past two weeks. The national average for a gallon of self-serve regular is now $3.10. That's about 75 cents more than this time last year.
What a country. One movie gathers Oscar gold while the other top prizes come with an accent.
CNN's Kareen Wynter has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JON STEWART, HOST, 80TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS: Town was torn apart by a bitter writers' strike. But I'm happy to say that the fight is over. KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Hollywood put the writers' strike behind it for good and got back to enjoying what it loves best -- a night at the Oscars.
DENZEL WASHINGTON, PRESENTER: "No Country for Old Men."
WYNTER: And Joel and Ethan Coen certainly enjoyed the big night. They took to the stage three times to accept Academy Awards for their crime thriller "No Country for Old Men." Best picture, directing and adapted screenplay.
JOEL COEN, OSCAR-WINNING DIRECTOR: We are very thankful to all of you out there for letting us continue to play in our corner of the sandbox. So thank you.
WYNTER: "No Country for Old Men" ruled the night and performers from other countries swept the acting categories. Marion Cotillard won best actress for her portrayal of singer Edithe.
MARION COTILLARD, ACTRESS: Thank you, life, thank you, love, and, it is true, there is some angels in this city.
WYNTER: Daniel Day-Lewis picked up the second best actor Oscar of his career for "There Will Be Blood" and accepted it from the queen herself, Helen Mirren.
DANIEL DAY-LEWIS, ACTOR: That's the closest I'll ever come to getting knighted.
WYNTER: Javier Bardem's performance as that killer with a bad haircut in "No Country for Old Men" earned him a best supporting actor trophy, while Tilda Winton role as a conniving attorney in "Michael Clayton" garnered her the supporting actress prize.
TILDA WINTON, ACTRESS: I'm still recovering from that moment and I have absolutely no idea what happened after that.
WYNTER: The Oscar for best song went to "Falling Slowly" from the very low-budget Irish film, "Want," proof that the Hollywood dream factory is indeed back in business.
MARKETA IRGLOVA, BEST ORIGINAL SONG WINNER: No matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Oh I love that song. That was one of my most favorite moments. Kareen Wynter joining us now from Los Angeles this morning.
And as well as the big winners and their great music, it is all about the fashion. So who stood out to you, Kareen?
WYNTER: It really is. You're right, Heidi. It's always, always about the fashion. Well, I think the biggest accessory, fashion accessory for the night was the baby bump everyone has really.
COLLINS: Yes. What were those? Three or four?
WYNTER: Who could keep count? I know there was Nicole Kidman.
COLLINS: Yes.
WYNTER: Cate Blanchett, and one of my favorites, Jessica Alba. She looked so, so stunning. She was wearing really a simple long full-length purple gown, pregnant but, you know, she had to bring it with the glamour. She had that maternity glow, which, Heidi, you and I know all about, right?
COLLINS: Yes.
WYNTER: It just kind of hits you.
COLLINS: I looked just like her when I was pregnant. It's great.
WYNTER: I know you did. I know you did. So one of my favorites, absolutely. And then also the winner of lead actress, I mean, she looks beautiful.
COLLINS: In her white gown, right?
WYNTER: Amazing. Amazing. Marion Cotillard received the top honor, one of the top honors for the night with winning best actress and it's one of those dresses, we're not seeing her right now, but one of those dresses that you look now 10 years from now, Heidi, and it's so timeless. Such a (INAUDIBLE), you'll say, wow. So, so -- memorable. It was a vintage fish scale design. It had a mermaid effect and, boy, did she wear it well.
And so did some other women. You're seeing Hilary Swank there. Cameron Diaz, though, a fashion miss. Look at that ponytail. The fashion critics, they really tore her up. One described it as --the fact that she just rolled out of bed. Kind of harsh. I love Cameron, and she was looking for that effortless look, maybe didn't really pull it off, but it's still Cameron Diaz.
COLLINS: Yes, it is. All right. Kareen Wynter, thanks so much coming to us from Los Angeles.
WYNTER: Sure, Heidi.
ALI VELSHI, CNN SENIOR BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I'm Ali Velshi in Bandera, Texas, the cowboy capital of the world.
Gas prices have shot up again. But I've got a solution. Stay with me. I'll be back in a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Gas prices up about 16 cents, and more signs of recession. Our Ali Velshi is on the CNN Election Express keeping an eye on the economy in Bandera, Texas.
Whoa, is that really like a 10 gallon, or what is that on your head?
VELSHI: This is really -- this is a real hat. It's a buffalo Stetson hat, it's the real thing. I got the boots and I'm going to prove to you that I'm a real cowboy. I'm in fact in the cowboy capital of the world. Not America, the world. About 50 miles outside of San Antonio, Heidi.
And you know one of the things, irrespective of what we were just reporting about gas prices, I was talking to people around here about their concerns about the economy, and oil prices and gas prices are a big deal. Texas is one of those weird places where some people are getting very, very rich off of $100 a barrel oil. But a whole lot of other people with working wages are finding that gas prices are a little high. They're not making -- having a hard time making ends meet.
You just mentioned the numbers. Let's take a look at them. Gas prices over the last two weeks have spiked 16 cents, which we expected because oil prices went up. That is 75 cents now in a year. That's a national average for unleaded self-serve gasoline, and that's a survey of thousands of gas stations.
We talked to one of the cowboys around here who was talking about how wages aren't keeping up with gasoline prices. Here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLINT RINGO, WATCHING GAS PRICES: Gas is over $3 a gallon. If you make $6 an hour, figure it up. Forty hours as week, you don't get too much, you know? You don't have cable, Internet. There's lots of things you don't have. How do you get gas to go to work?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VELSHI: So that's one of the concerns. We've heard talk about wage. We've heard a lot of talk around here about health insurance, and I must tell you, Heidi, that one thing across Texas that we're seeing so far -- we're going to be here for a least at least another week -- is that people are all engaged in this political process. They're all voting in the primary, they're all following it very closely -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes, but, you know, one of the things a lot of people are wondering about, I think, Ali, is that you might be all hat and no cattle? Is that true? I don't know if I'm buying that.
VELSHI: Yes. Someone asked me that the other day, after Hillary Clinton sort of mentioned that about Barack Obama.
COLLINS: Yes.
VELSHI: So I got the whole outfit. I got boots. And by the way, I actually really cattle.
COLLINS: Dear god. VELSHI: Have you seen that? I was riding a cattle.
COLLINS: That's a long horn.
VELSHI: A steer.
COLLINS: Yes.
VELSHI: Now, I understand that you're quite a wrangler yourself?
COLLINS: Oh yes, indeedy. Just horse, though. None of that, with the horns.
VELSHI: You got -- I mean -- yes. Horses. Yes. We actually were on some horses, too. I got say, I think I did better riding the cattle than I did the horses, but, you know, I'm a young cowboy yet.
COLLINS: Yes, they go a lot slower.
VELSHI: There you go.
COLLINS: They're a lot slower. A lot smoother.
VELSHI: Yes, that's...
COLLINS: Wow. Look at your beck rein in that steer. Boy, this is big and bad.
VELSHI: Yes.
COLLINS: (INAUDIBLE), Ali.
VELSHI: I'm not bad.
COLLINS: We're seeing a whole new side of you. Excellent. We'll check back a little later.
VELSHI: Well, we're going to be touring around Texas. We'll be coming back to you.
COLLINS: Wonderful. Very good. You know the way to keep the gas prices down, just ride the horse. Don't have to worry about the gas, right?
VELSHI: Go ride the horse, perfect.
COLLINS: All right. Ali Velshi who's "Minding Your Business" this morning.
Thanks so much, Ali.
Traveling, a hellish highway in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was set off mass, mass fleet of foreigners and use these targets of opportunity. They know, you know, that by sitting around and monitoring this route then they've got easy pickings.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Going behind the scenes on the warfront. Pages from our Kyra Phillips' "Reporter's Notebook."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Welcome back, everybody -- 9:30 Eastern Time now.
Deadly tactics target police in Iraq. A disable man in a wheelchair blows himself up. A top police commander and two other members of the force are killed. The news comes as Iraqi police and joint forces step up security for thousands of religious pilgrims. They are the latest targets of insurgence.
Today, three Shia Muslims were killed in Southeastern Baghdad. Over the weekend, a suicide bomber killed at least 45 Iraqis and injured 68 others. They were all Shia Muslims traveling for holy day celebrations. So what is it like to travel to Iraq? To report on the violence and risk your life for the story.
CNN's Kyra Phillips is in Baghdad this morning. Good morning to you, Kyra.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi. You bring up an interesting point, because before I left, here we are five years into this war and people were still asking me, how do you get into Baghdad? Does the military take you in? I said, no. Actually, we fly commercially and there's an actual Baghdad International Airport with a check-in, with baggage claims.
But as you know, because of the danger, it's a totally different experience from when you're flying in the states. So I bought a handy cam and tried to explain our journey the best I could. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS (voice-over): So basically this is the beginning of the trip. Everybody, that's boarding for Baghdad. Our security tights, construction workers, and journalists. A lot of people always ask how we get into Baghdad? And they always think it's through the military. But believe it or not, we fly in commercial airplanes. This one's Royal Jordanian, it's an airbus. And it's going to be a packed flight today.
For many of these passengers, it's their first trip into Baghdad. Like Matt, he's a paramedic from Washington State.
Tell us what you're going to be doing in Iraq?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going to be doing convoy operations out of Baghdad.
PHILLIPS: And you're a civilian, so why come in and do this?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's good pay.
PHILLIPS: The flight is quiet and it's tense. Passengers are lost in their own thoughts, going to work, going to war, going home. It's time to land.
(on camera): Coming in for landing, you have to do a really tight loop. It used to be a lot tighter and faster. It used to call the spiral landing, but now it's just a general turn, and then it comes in. So once you hit ground, you're totally relieved. Isn't that right?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Correct.
PHILLIPS (voice-over): You can see Saddam's mansions all across Iraq. Ornate and flashy palaces now mostly military compounds.
We're in Baghdad.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are.
PHILLIPS: It's always a relief to land. Armed guards hurry us to the bus. We head to baggage claim and for security reasons, I can't show you very much here, but I can show you, we are incredibly protected.
(on camera): So, basically we got to put our vests on and then we'll have armored cars taking us from the airport to the bureau. It's actually -- that's all right. (INAUDIBLE).
It's actually one of the most dangerous parts of the trip, but we've got great security. We've got a couple cars. We have our Iraqi security and our other security. That's about all I can say.
(voice-over): I can't show you the faces of our security team, but I can tell you the mantra. Weapons, medical packs, and communications.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the radio here.
PHILLIPS: Safety in numbers and mitigating every threat.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For the purpose of this journey, should anything happen, all right -- do not attempt to get out of the vehicle or open the doors. Just listen to me (INAUDIBLE) below the window line.
PHILLIPS: This is the route from Baghdad International Airport to our bureau. Infamous for terror attacks.
Why is this essentially been one of the dangerous groups here in Baghdad?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because it presents of mass groups of foreigners and it use as targets of opportunity. They know, you know, that by sitting around and monitoring this route, that they've got easy pickings. Within an hour, someone is going to travel along this road.
PHILLIPS: There was a time you could never come down this road without something happening.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's very true. Yes.
PHILLIPS: And now you've got more Iraqi army.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. We have them on the front line. Today, we've a lot of (INAUDIBLE). It's been probably an hour, taking along (INAUDIBLE) for ID's, objects, or whatever.
PHILLIPS (on camera): So its times like this where security definitely becomes more concerned. They called it a bit of a chokehold, where we come to a standstill and all the cars stop, because it's something going to happen. You're a bit of a sitting duck. So security pays attention to the balcony. If anybody step on balconies or house. So one's allowed to gawk over the overpasses anymore?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. (INAUDIBLE). It's easy just to drop a couple of grenade over the top -- on to the vehicle.
PHILLIPS: About two minutes from our compound, I'm going to turn off the camera because the last thing we want to do is compromise where we live and all the security around our compound. We have live Iraqi workers and other workers that work really hard to protect us. So we made it. We're here. And we're looking forward to doing a lot of great stories.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And Heidi, I think the reality of the journey really started once we got into the compound, because in less than ten minutes, a bomb went off. A car bomb went off not far and it shook the bureau. You could smell the smoke. That smell is very distinct. And we had to go down to the safe room, get a head counted.
I remember looking at my producer, Isabel, who is here for the first time and I said, well, welcome to Baghdad. And she just sort of looked at me and said, welcome to Baghdad.
COLLINS: Yes. Boy, oh boy, that's a rude awakening, obviously. So what do you have plan for tomorrow, Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Well, this is something I know that you'll enjoy, Heidi. You've had experience with this. We actually go inside with the Iraqi Air Force. It's the first time we're going to be able to give you an exclusive look. I wanted to do this last year when I was here, but it wasn't up and running.
So I actually go through training and go flying with one of Iraq or Iraq's top gun school. This is what we officially call it now and how he is preparing to become a young pilot. Hoping to go supersonic one day, flying in an F-16 or an F-18 and when I asked him, why he wanted to do this. Why he was taking this risk? Well, this is what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Why do you want to be a pilot?
LT. MAJID, IRAQI AIR FORCE: I have three answers. First, this is my dream. And second, I want to serve my country, and actually, a top gun.
PHILLIPS: Top Gun. The movie "Top Gun."
MAJID: Yes. I saw this movie three times. So he motivated me to be a pilot.
PHILLIPS: So you're Maverick and I'm Goose?
MAJID: We are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: I can tell you he had a pretty good sense of humor, Heidi. So tomorrow, "Inside Iraqi Top Gun."
COLLINS: Oh, that's interesting. But you know, Goose didn't fare so well, Kyra. So might want to pick another character. I'm not sure.
PHILLIPS: But we have faith in Maverick.
COLLINS: Yes, we do. Indeed. All right, Kyra Phillips, coming to us from Baghdad. Thanks, Kyra.
And now, an explosion rocks an Israeli army firing range, wounding three people. Two of them seriously hurt. The blast happened in a coastal town just south of Tel-Aviv. So far, no word on the cause of that blast.
No surprises for Cuba Fidel Castro's brother, officially installed as president promising to keep the status quo.
CNN's Morgan Neil has more.
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MORGAN NEILL, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Was it once an unprecedented and widely expected.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Raul Castro Ruiz.
NEILL: With little fan fair, Cuba's National Assembly ended nearly 50 years of rule by Fidel Castro, who named his 76-year-old brother Raul Castro, the country's president. At his side, an empty chair where Fidel Castro once sat. But Cuba's new president made it clear his brother's role in government had not ended. PRES. RAUL CASTRO, CUBA (through translator): I ask out of this assembly, at the supreme organ of national authority that on decision, especially concerning the events of the nation's future, above all in defense, foreign politics, and the social economic development of this country. It allows me to continue consulting with the leader of the revolution, our brother Fidel Castro Ruiz.
NEILL: The new number two, 77-year-old, Jose Ramon Machado. Among the five vice presidents of the Council of State, just one new face in General Cuba's Armed Forces. The message was clear. There would be no big break with the past.
HAL KLEPAK, ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE OF CANADA: It's the signal I think is one of continuity and even conservatism but it's also one of Raul's taking over play completely the reigns of government.
NEILL: Cubans were generally unsurprised by the announcement. Giselle (ph) who works as a cook said who better than him to continue in his brother's path. Gilberto (ph) out with his wife said there are problems that Raul is going to have to solve, but within he's possibilities, he's going to try and solve them.
As 614 deputies showed their unanimous support, President Raul said only the communist party could direct the state. But he also gave hope to those Cubans looking for relief from the country's often suffocating web of regulations and red tape.
(on camera): For anyone expecting to see signs of a new direction in this government, it was a reality check. The team of close allies, many from the Armed Forces, Raul Castro's message was clear. In this revolution don't expect big changes.
Morgan Neill, CNN, Havana.
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COLLINS: We want to take a moment now to check out the weather situation. Rob Marciano is standing by in the weather center for more. Apparently, winter storm warnings in the Midwest, huh?
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COLLINS: IRS calling with your rebate checks. Not.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Once he asked me for my checking account number, I knew that social number would be the next thing he'd ask for. But he wasn't about to get either one.
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COLLINS: Good for her. Scammers at work. We'll help you put them out of business.
Also, the opening bell just a couple of moments ago for February 25th, this Monday. Dow Jones Industrial averages, I understand are down. Looking like about ten points down right now. NASDAQ down as well. About three points or so.
We're going to be checking in with Susan Lisovicz in just a few minutes, probably going to talk more about this gas prices that everybody is noticing to be quite a bit higher over last year. We're back in a moment.
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COLLINS: Students at Northern Illinois University are back in class for the first time since the campus shooting. Last night, more than 12,000 people honored the five killed by Stephen Kazmierczak. Five bouquets were place on the stage and there was a special tribute with a request.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We also ask that at this time you would turn on your flashlights to show the world that our light will not be extinguished by the darkness that enveloped this campus on February 14th.
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COLLINS: After the ceremony, Senator Barack Obama talked with the family of at least one of those victims. This morning, there is extra security at the school. The counseling center has extended hours and hundreds of volunteer counselors are stationed around campus for students if they need to talk.
Two people injured in a Greyhound Bus crash. They are still in the hospital this morning. State police say the bus went off the road and flipped over on Interstate 380, in Northeastern Pennsylvania yesterday. 41 people were injured. Passengers say it happened in an instant, while many people were sleeping.
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UNIDENTIFIED PASSENGER: We felt like a jerk and that's when the bus -- like the driver lost control. And it definitely spun out like at least one full circle. It might have done like one and a half, and then it went into the median of the road and it's like, flipped over on to its -- like the top of the bus.
UNIDENTIFIED PASSENGER: I just remember that the bus driver was going fast and that he swerved, and then I closed my eye and then I opened them again and the bus was flipping over.
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COLLINS: The bus was headed from New York City to Syracuse. Investigators are trying to find out what caused the crash.
Millions of you are waiting for tax rebate checks. But there are some people out there trying to take advantage of your anticipation. CNN's justice correspondent, Kelli Arena, has the story.
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KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Edna Lawrence may be 69-years-old but, she's no pushover.
EDNA LAWRENCE, RECEIVED SOLICITATION: Once he asked me for my checking account number, I knew that my social number would be the next thing he'd ask for. But he wasn't about to get either one.
ARENA: She says she got about eight calls from a man claiming that he was from the IRS and had a rebate check for her. He wanted her bank information so he could direct deposit the check.
LAWRENCE: He just said that we were owed $400. And we were to receive it back and that's the only way we could get it.
ARENA: Lawrence called the Texas Attorney General to complain. The office got so many complaints that it put out a consumer alert. The AG is worried that hard economic times will lead people to act before they think.
GREG ABBOT, TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL: Here's my concern. And that is people may think, gosh, this may or may not be true but what can it hurt for me to go ahead and give out my bank account number.
ARENA: Everyone is a target. As many as 128 million households across the country will get rebate checks as part of the stimulus package. Kevin Kolbye is with the FBI.
KEVIN KOLBYE, FBI: I think if they can call 200 people in one day and they can get five to 10 individuals that will provide them with their personal identification numbers and social securities and dates of birth and banking information, that they've had a successful day.
ARENA (on camera): So, here's the deal. The IRS says that most people don't have to do anything to get their tax rebates this year besides file taxes. And what's more, officials say that they won't be soliciting personal information over the phone or through e-mail ever.
Kelli Arena, CNN, Austin, Texas.
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COLLINS: Looking for a fountain of youth for the family pet? A booming business in Japan. How about a massage for your pooch?
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COLLINS: A Georgia couple now a whole lot richer, thanks to a lucky lotto pick.
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ROBERT HARRIS, MEGA MILLIONS WINNER: $270 million. What a blessing. Now I won't have to get out there and work.
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COLLINS: Yes. Collecting their check today. Robert and Tanya Harris. They have the only winning ticket in Friday's mega millions lottery drawing. The payout was $270 million but with the lump sum option, the couple will end up with about $164 million before taxes. They told their story on CNN's AMERICAN MORNING today.
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ROBERT HARRIS, MEGA MILLIONS WINNER: Well, I'd been wanting to play with my grandchildren's birthdays. And I stopped at the store and it was heavy rains in our area. And by the time I got to the registrar and filling it out, the power went off and I couldn't play it. So I went on home and asked Tanya to go back to the store later and play the two tickets that I filled out. I played them and woke up the next morning and we hit.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What do you definitely know you want to do with some of this money?
TONYA HARRIS, MEGA MILLIONS WINNER: Well, we would like to have a home. We want to buy some acres and build a home and I'm going to get my Mercedes I've always wanted.
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COLLINS: That's awesome. Over the weekend, Robert quit his job as an iron worker.
Placing a premium on aging animals. Some in Japan going to very expensive lengths to keep the family pet around a little bit longer.
CNN's Kyung Lah takes a look.
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KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nearly 17 years old, Indy, a back Labrador needs help getting in the car. He struggles to walk short distances and needs help rolling over in his dog bed.
HISASHI ISHIDA, PET OWNER: He's like my child, says owner Hishashi Ishida. No, he is my child. And we have to take care of him like we do our elderly. And he does. Indy gets water therapy treatments once a week. Even floating on his back to relax. It's followed by a water massage. All of Indy's care costs more than $500 U.S. dollars a month. Ishida said he even moved closer to the spa, just so Indy could get regular therapy.
TAKESHI YAMAUCHI, ACUPUNCTURIST: Love, love, much more than husband or child.
LAH: Acupuncturist Takeshi Yamauchi started out treating humans, then found much more demand from owners of aging animals. (on camera): It's perhaps not so surprising in a country that dotes on its pets. Where buying designer duds for your dog is considered mundane. But in entire industry has now sprouted up around taking care of older pets.
(voice-over): That's because there are more old pets in Japan than ever before. Pet ownership boomed in the early 90s. Just like with the baby boomers, families are now seeking elderly care options so pets live longer.
YAMAUCHI: Cats 22 -- 22 or 23. The dogs are about 19 and up.
LAH: First daughter, second daughter. Well, I like Babo (ph) more. Babo (ph) is the 11-year-old shitzou, getting acupuncture for achy hips twice a week. It's estimated one in four humans in Japan will be 65 or older in less than a decade. These doting pet owner say think of yourself and how you'd like to be treated when you're old.
` Kyung Lah, CNN, Tokyo.
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COLLINS: Enter stage left. U.S. musicians make a command performance in a country. President Bush calls part of an axis of evil. Music for a diplomatic milestone. Rare live reports from North Korea.
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COLLINS: Good morning, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Here's what's on the rundown now this morning.
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