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CNN Sunday Morning
Libya: Coalition Airstrikes Continue; Libya: Opposition Fighters Move West; Japan: Radiation Levels Elevated at Reactor Site
Aired March 27, 2011 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Good Sunday morning. We have developments out of Libya. Coalition airstrikes continue, as opposition fighters claim yet another city as they move west toward Moammar Gadhafi strong holds. We'll have the latest on the fighting in just a moment.
Also in Japan, another developing story, radiation levels in the waters at one of the Fukushima nuclear plant reactors has tested, get this, 10 million times the normal level. All work has been stopped in that building so what next?
Also, in California, flooding and mudslides have brought misery. While in the south, severe thunderstorms bringing damaging winds. Our Reynolds Wolf is here. We'll check in with him for the latest.
But from the CNN Center, this is your CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes. Thank you for spending some of your weekend here with us. Let me get you updated now.
We have to start with those advancing rebels in Libya. They are gaining new ground in their fight against Moammar Gadhafi's regime. Just moments ago, rebels claimed another victory in the town of Brega. It's a former Gadhafi stronghold.
Our Arwa Damon who has been reporting for us from the region, she has been reporting on the rebels' advancement. She is with the rebels. She's going to join us from Brega here in just a moment. We'll get to her live as soon as we can.
But let's take a look at what we've been watching throughout the past 24 hours.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES (voice-over): What you're seeing and hearing there, this was just east of Brega. This was in Ajdabiya. Much of the gunfire that you were hearing there, however, was celebratory. Rebels chased government troops out of that town and have claimed it.
Like I said, now claiming Brega so they are making their way west. Also, we need to talk about coalition airstrikes. The French officials say they destroyed Libyan air force planes on the ground in Misrata as just as they were trying to take off. Now for the U.S., it was more of the same from the Mediterranean Sea, firing off cruise missiles aimed at Libyan government forces. New video you're seeing here from the "USS Stout."
The U.S. has launched around 200 cruise missiles since coalition operations began eight days ago. President Obama briefly talked about the reason for the U.S. involvement during his weekly White House message.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: The United States should not and cannot intervene every time there is a crisis somewhere in the world.
But I firmly believe when innocent people are being brutalized, when someone like Gadhafi threaten as a bloodbath that can destabilize an entire region and when the international community is prepared to come together to save thousands of lives, it's in our national interest to act.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Now we are expecting to hear much more from President Obama to talk to the American people about Libya and the American involvement there. We expected to hear from him tomorrow night. He will deliver an address from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., scheduled for 7:30 Eastern time. You, of course, can see that live right here on CNN.
Also, I told you there are developments in Japan as well. We need to turn there now where work has stopped at two of the damaged nuclear reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant. That is because test found the radiation level in standing water to be 10 million times normal. That's in one of the reactors.
The other has water that's about 10,000 times above normal radiation levels. The Japanese government must now sign off on the power company's plans to address the problem.
Meanwhile, workers are going ahead with cleanup operations at the reactor number one right now pumping out contaminated water. Our Paula Hancocks is live for us in Tokyo.
Paula, where should we start here? It sounds very disturbing to hear that these radiation levels in that water seemed to have spiked so dramatically?
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, T.J. What we know in reactor two is that two workers went into the turbine building. Remember, this is the same sort of building that in reactor three where three workers were injured in that stagnant contaminated water back on Thursday.
So they went into the area. They took tests and then they realized that it was actually 10 million times higher than it would be on any normal day in these cooling systems. So obviously that particular area is now sealed off, the same with reactor three. The turbine building, you can't access it at this point because of this stagnant water. One thing they said in reactor two, which is significant, not to get too technical about this. It had the presence of iodine 134.
Now this is only ever present when nuclear fissions take place, so the concern now is that it's highly unlikely there has been some kind of rupture into the reactor core itself.
Maybe there has been a leak. They're looking into it, but obviously not being able to physically get inside the turbine building. It means that it's very difficult for them to pinpoint whether or not there is a leak. T.J. --
HOLMES: All right, our Paula Hancocks with the update for us from Tokyo. We appreciate you this morning. Thanks so much.
Also, we've been telling you about what's happening in Libya. Rebel forces seemed to be advancing there, seemed to be making their way west. They have now taken another city, and, again, moving to that all important city, the capital, the Gadhafi strong hold of Tripoli.
Our Arwa Damon joins me now from Brega. Excuse me, we haven't established our connection with our Arwa Damon just yet. We are going to get her on the line. She did the reporting for us yesterday from the other area where in fact the rebels had take.
That was Ajdibiya and now they had made their way just west of Ajdabiya to Brega, another all important town. But again, they seemed to making their way, taking towns as they go along.
Again, we will establish connection with Arwa and bring her to you as soon as we get her up.
Also, the developing story that was here yesterday on CNN's "SATURDAY MORNING." Today, we can update from London. Dozens of police officers injured in clashes that followed what had been peaceful protests against government spending.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: This is what it looked like at the famous Trafalgar square. After the main rally, some people broke off, went to the park. At least say they swarmed in to make an arrest when someone tried to attack the Olympic countdown clock.
It escalated from there, 66 people were injured, about half of them were police officers. More than 200 people were arrested.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Also, I need to take you to Wisconsin now where we've got some new controversy this morning over Wisconsin's new law that's supposed to strip most of the collective bargaining rights from most state employees. Well, people are wondering now, is it in effect or not? State judge issued a restraining order over a week ago, but a state bureau has posted the law online.
Wisconsin Republicans say since it's published that means the law is technically in effect. But the judge's ruling is supposed to keep the law from being published and taking effect. So we'll get back to you when everybody figures this one out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice-over): Also the main computer system at Alaska airlines back up and running this morning, but the problems it caused will be lasting a little while.
Workers were installing a backup power system yesterday when a transformer blew. Alaska Airlines ended up canceling about 15 percent of its flights and they were delays on the flights that did take off.
GARY FRANZEN, PASSENGER: I went to two lines inside that were about three times longer than this, so I came out here to see if I could rebook and get home.
ERIN SWANDA, PASSENGER: A little frustrating, but not a good start to our vacation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: The computer crash couldn't have come at a worse time. This is from time a lot of people are doing some spring breaking right about now.
I'm told now that we do have Arwa Damon, again, giving you updates from Libya as we get them and they are fast-moving developments we were telling about another town, Ajdabiya, that the rebel had taken yesterday.
And now they seemed to be making their way west and a report of another town that the rebels are now in control of Brega. CNN's Arwa Damon is joining me now this morning. Arwa, hello to you. Tell us what does Brega look like?
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, T.J., as we were driving through, this does not appear as if that city that's very critical oil town has in fact sustained all that much damage. According to opposition fighters here, we're on the outskirts of Brega right now.
According to them they are saying that Gadhafi's forces basically withdrew a significant distance after those airstrikes pounded them that allowed then the opposition to eventually take control of Ajdabiya.
What we are now hearing is that the road all the way to Ras Lanouf around 100 miles to the west is clear and in control of the opposition according to the fighters here at the checkpoint. They were telling us that they are stationing themselves outside of Ras Lanouf.
They say that Gadhafi's forces are on the other side of again another oil-rich, critical location. They say that this time they have learned their lesson. They have a bit more military expertise. They're going to be taking this battle very slowly.
And again as we have been reporting, everyone here -- very thankful to the international community, very thankful to the coalition for those airstrikes that have allowed the opposition to come this far, T.J.
HOLMES: And can you tell us as well. It seems to me you were reporting this yesterday that this would not have been possible without those coalition airstrikes essentially clearing the road literally for them to make their way west.
Tell us about the group. We're getting an idea of what's around you, but what kind of collective group and collective force is kind of traveling together to make their way across the country?
DAMON: Well, T.J., first of all, driving all the way here from Benghazi, you see the impact that those airstrikes have had. That's celebratory fire. They are making their way to the front line further west. But as --
HOLMES: All right. We lost that signal there. We'll try to re- establish it a little later, but our Arwa Damon there, and certainly she was startled there.
I want our viewers to understand what we are seeing there that in fact it was celebratory fire. She has been traveling along as the rebels have made their way, the opposition made their way west across the country.
And she has seen plenty of that, celebratory fire. So I just want to make sure our viewers understood what they were seeing there and what startled - it was just right next to her there. But again, another important city, another important development at least for the opposition there in Libya as they make their way west, taking another town from Gadhafi forces.
Turn to Yemen now with the president of Yemen is calling his own country a, quote, "ticking time bomb." He also says he's ready to step down. He said he could step down in just a matter of hours if need be.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice-over): Anti government protesters have been demonstrating for weeks there calling for his resignation. President Saleh has given into some demands, but says he won't hand over the country to gangs, drug dealers or the rebels currently fighting the government.
We are also watching developments out of Syria. Anti-government demonstrators faced a barrage of gun fire from government forces there on Friday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Also, some protests at the White House both for and against the wave of uncivil unrest that's been sweeping through the Middle East.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This war isn't for democracy and freedom, this is a war for exploitation.
HOLMES (voice-over): Those organizations -- excuse me, those demonstrations that you're seeing there were organized by several separate groups.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: We have been telling you about -- kind of an ugly weather situation in a lot of parts of the country. Reynolds, good morning. There is a lot to keep up with yesterday.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: There really was, T.J. T,J., you're a boxing fan, right?
HOLMES: I am a boxing fan.
WOLF: Have ever seen Oscar Dela Hoya working the speed bag?
HOLMES: Yes, of course.
WOLF: That's essential what mother nature has been doing. Seriously we're talking about some heavy rainfall in parts of the higher elevations and some heavy snowfall. When will the rough stuff going to end? We're going to let you know coming up plus a snapshot of your forecast around the country just moments away. You're watching CNN. See you a little bit.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's 13 minutes past the hour in the CNN SUNDAY MORNING. We talked about spring cleaning invoice taken to another level this weekend in some parts of the country. Thanks to some severe weather.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice-over): Take a look at what folks in Capitola, California are having to deal with. A little blurry eye this morning if you will, this is flooding that hit the town yesterday.
City officials point to a broken culvert that compromised by the strong storms earlier this week. Also in San Francisco, pretty rocky start for a couple of car owners. Check this out, heavy rains brought down two massive boulders there.
Also in San Pablo, more rain adds to that we were showing you pictures yesterday. Can you imagine how this feels for homeowner there? Having to look at this. Yards began giving way on Thursday. Additional rain means a foot or more of property essentially washed away.
And severe weather not reserved just for California. Rough night for much of the south, thunderstorms, lightning, tornado watches, hail here in the greater Atlanta area. This all took place overnight. What about today?
Reynolds Wolf, good morning to you, kind sir. It was kind of rough here last night.
WOLF: Window rattlers, but things are calm again in parts of the southeast. What we see now to the west is just been nuts. You know the video we showed you moments ago with the car that was hit by the giant like raiders of the lost ark Steven Spielberg sized boulder?
That's some amazing stuff and problem is there may be more rain in store for California today, which means, there is still a potential for more mudslides. Higher elevations, we're looking maybe a foot or maybe even a bit more of snow right around 7,000 feet and higher. What a mess.
It is the winter season that will never end. Here is the big motor. Here's the engine that's making it all happen. This area of low pressure tapping into all that moisture from the gulf -- the Gulf of Alaska, but at the same time, of course, the Pacific Ocean, the world's largest geographical feature, and as that moisture makes its way on shore, it's going to interact with that cold air aloft, and boom, you're going to have the snow.
Rough driving possible on parts of the I-5 corridor and when you make your way into the Central Rockies, a little bit of a break in parts of the great basin. But then into the Central Rockies, the Wasatch range, anywhere from 5 to 10 inches of snowfall, great for skiers.
But for people who are hoping for more spring-like conditions, you're going to out to head for parts of Texas because it's going to be beautiful there today if you don't mind a few scattered showers. Now we had, of course, the rough weather here in Atlanta and parts of the Carolinas and in Alabama, Mississippi overnight. But that's going to calm down a bit.
Still could hear a rumble of thunder, but the worst is now over. We make our way up to the Mid-Atlantic, rain can be expected to the outer banks and parts of the interior. Higher elevation, same rules apply.
We get to the high levels of the Appalachians. Snow possible there. Nice and cool and dry for you in the great lakes. High temperatures soar up into the 30s. Not too high in Chicago, 33 degrees, 31 in Minneapolis, 40s in Boston and New York and back to the nation's capital. Memphis, right about 54 degrees this afternoon, 57 in Denver, 51 in Salt Lake City. We wrap it up out west in San Francisco and Los Angeles, highs in the mid to upper 50s. All right, let's shrink that down and move it on out. That's the latest with the forecast, T.J.
HOLMES: All right, thank you, Reynolds. Do you dive?
WOLF: Very badly.
HOLMES: Well, some folks, if you're not a diver, after this next story, you might want to become one when you hear one dive netted a man some $250,000.
WOLF: Big bucks!
HOLMES: Yes, big money. It's 16 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's 18 minutes past the hour on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Get you caught up with a couple of stories from our affiliates this morning.
(BEGI VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice-over): On the ocean floor, deep beneath the Florida keys, a diver hits the jackpot. Take a look at this. It's a gold chain medallion and a cross you see there. Might not look like much to you.
But it's worth about $250,000. Yes, from a dive. Now, this guy, you think he might be awfully excited about it. Not the first time the ocean has been kind to this man and his dive team. See, they do this they dive for treasure. Back in 1985, they found a sunken Spanish galleon and pulled artifacts worth about $450 million. So maybe the chain is not a big deal.
Also take a look at this, in Stuart, Florida, massive brushfire scorched about 15 acres. Broke out around noon Saturday near a mobile home park. Firefighters say it's contained at this point. No reports of injuries or no report either of exactly how this thing started.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Can you imagine? You work at something your whole life and you get a call one day from Buckingham Palace. That thing you've been working on your whole life, we think are you so good, we want you to come over here and do it.
Yes, the call of a lifetime and the gig of a lifetime. You get to bake the royal couple's cake. It's 20 minutes past the hour. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's 23 minutes past the hour on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm told this next story is fantastic. It is riveting. You will not be able to take your eyes off of it.
Some members of our staff have been raving about it this morning. The story is simply about cake. Not just any cake. As you know, we're about 34 days away from the social event of the year, Prince William going to be marrying Kate Middleton.
A break from tradition, to tell you about now, CNN's Max Foster reports that the couple will not have one, but two wedding cakes at their reception. Let's see if this story is as good as our executive producer says it is.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's nice.
MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fiona Cairns is famous for her fruitcakes and has a famous following to match. Paul McCartney amongst them, but what it was like to get a call from the palace?
FIONA CAIRNS, ROYAL WEDDING CAKE MAKER: It was terribly exciting. I was overwhelmed. I felt privileged, excited, and daunted, all at the same time.
FOSTER: Kate it seems, knew exactly what she wanted.
CAIRNS: She showed us her mood board. She has quite a few ideas and has led us as to how she would like her wedding cake to be, so quite traditional, but with a modern twist.
FOSTER: The main royal wedding cake will be a classic design. No color, just cream and white, with carefully considered floral decorations, each with a meaning.
CAIRNS: Kate has selected the flowers, for example, the rose symbolizes happiness. The oak and acorn symbolizes strength and endurance and we have a long list. A lot of these are actually within the architecture of Buckingham Palace, and sweet William. We haven't made sweet William yet, but we will be.
FOSTER: William has been actually working on his own cake as well. In a break from tradition, Prince William will have a groom's cake. And guess what? It's made of chocolate cookies. This rich tea biscuits, mixed with chocolate into a cake mix that William has grown up with.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the past, something like this, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, absolutely delighted. We were asked by the palace if we would make a cake that was one of Prince William's recipe.
It's the palace recipe, and they swore me to secrecy. It's going to be literally covered in chocolate decorations. It's going to look absolutely beautiful.
FOSTER: Both wedding cakes will have multiple layers and they'll be big enough for the 600 guests to have a slice of each. As to what the cakes will look like?
CAIRNS: Well, that's a surprise really.
FOSTER: Max Foster, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: If you're into cake. The groom's cake, again, you heard there, British cookie maker McDidi's. It's a secret recipe they're using. What is known is that the cake will contain more than 37 pounds of chocolate and 1,700 of the company's rich tea brand cookies. That's enough to feed all 600 guests.
Well, are you possibly going to be a guest? You, CNN sending you possibly as an I-Reporter to London to cover the royal wedding. Now, you don't exactly get an invitation to the wedding. You're going to be there to cover it for us.
You can head over to ireport.cnncom/royalwedding and send a video by April 10th telling us why it should be you that we send to be our I-Reporter. A winner will be picked April 11th.
For all of you married couples out there, think of the thing you want most in the world. Are you willing to divorce your spouse to get it?
A story you have got to hear. Guatemala's first lady wants to be president, but the law doesn't allow it. So you see where I'm going here. She found a heck of a loophole. It's 27 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Welcome back, everybody to CNN SUNDAY MORNING. We're at the bottom of the hour here. I'm T.J. Holmes. Glad you're spending some of our weekend here with us.
We want to get you updated on what we're seeing in Libya. Developments happening there where Libyan rebel forces are claiming a new victory this morning. In another battle with troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. Brega is the town we're talking about there just west of Ajdabiya. It was a Gadhafi stronghold, but now it is in rebel hands. Opposition troops say they are headed towards Tripoli in the western part of the country.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES (voice-over): This was the scene east of Brega in Ajdabiya. Again, that's the city we were telling you about yesterday that rebels claimed to have taken over.
Much of the gunfire as you're hearing here celebratory after rebels chased government troops out of town. CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson has more now on a Libyan woman in the capital of Tripoli whose story may highlight the brutality of the Gadhafi regime. NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): She came to tell her story to the only people she thought would listen, international journalists in a city hotel.
We are all Libyans, she calls out. Why don't you treat us the same? She claimed to be picked up at a government checkpoint, tied, beaten, and raped. Her name is Iman al-Obeidi. Look at what Gadhafi's brigades did to me? She screams.
My honor was violated by them. It is the first time anyone here has dared challenge the regime on camera CNN's cameraman was there and so was journalist Jonathan Miller.
JONATHAN MILLER, CH4 NEWS: She was -- she had clearly been injured, there were marks on her face. She showed us marks on her legs as well. She said her wrists were bound to her ankles and that she had been raped.
ROBERTSON: But barely had reporters began asking questions that government officials known as minders started grabbing her and pulling her away. One minder pulled a handgun. Journalists were beaten. CNN's camera was violently snatched away and systemically smashed. Our footage taken.
MILLER: We took the woman to one side of the table and closed the table off again to try to intervene between the minders and her, but they came -- I think over the table or around and wrestled me and some others to the ground, throwing punches, being quite violent.
ROBERTSON: In another brazen display of brutality, much feared by regime opponents and rarely seen by reporters, a bag is put over the woman's head and she is led away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you OK?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. No.
ROBERTSON: A little later, she was man handled out of the hotel. Screaming it seemed for her life. If you don't see me tomorrow then that's it she was shouting. Journalists protesting her treatment all the way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are you going with her? Where are you going with her?
ROBERTSON: But to no avail. Bundled into a car against her will, she was sped away. Her last words, she was being taken to jail.
(on camera): Officials said she was insane that she was being taken to a hospital. We asked to see her to make sure she was OK then we were told she was, in fact, sane.
She was being held at a police facility. She was safe and well that we might see her in a few days. We've heard that before. Nic Robertson, CNN, Tripoli, Libya.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Taking a look now at some other stories making headlines. Disturbing new test results from Japan's crippled nuclear power plant.
Today government officials say radiation levels in pooled water inside one reactor building are now at about 10 million times above normal.
Despite that finding, an official with Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says they do not envision negative health impacts.
Also, an update to a story we brought you yesterday. He's safe and well, but still in the hands of Syrian authorities. That is the word from Tom Root about his son.
The 21-year-old American college student disappeared in Syria about eight days ago. Root suspects his son was picked up in protests near Damascus University where his son is studying Arabic.
We can tell you about that heavy snow in the west. Heavy rains and thunderstorms in the southeast. Reynolds Wolf here with us once again. All of that stuff -- the storms in the south done? What about out west?
WOLF: Residual rainfall in the southeast. You ever heard of a place called Capitola? It's new for me, and I'm sure many people wish that mother nature in heard of Capitola. Look at what's happening. It's been day after day after day of this onslaught.
You can see there's a culvert that failed and widespread flooding in the city. Again, a lot of people are going to be cleaning up today. The problem is, as they are cleaning up, more rain may be moving in, which could mean more mudslides, more flooding and problems.
It's not only in the form of heavy rainfall. It's also in the form of some mudslides. In fact, as we go look at San Francisco, a very rocky start for a couple of homeowners and car owners too. Take a look at this. The rain coming down, the hillsides get very loose and of course, gravity takes its toll and huge rocks go down the hillside.
Take a look at these cars. You're going to see this mere moments with these boulders rolled right down, damaged buildings, and you see it here in San Pablo, a good time contacting the insurance folks trying to get the deal on this car. It's going to be certainly rough.
We may see the scene play out again later this afternoon, tonight and perhaps even through tomorrow. Let's go nearby San Pablo. Again, we were talking about the sinking feeling for homeowners, mudslides, believe it or not, a foot or more of property washed away due to the heavy rainfall. So again, cleanup problems there.
You were talking about the southeast, especially here in Georgia. The rain, thunderstorms, and of course, large hail in many places coming down. At times, almost golf ball-sized hail. You will see it picked up. It's almost tennis ball size. Heavy stuff when it comes down. Of course, it can cause damage to not only roofs, but to cars, to -- what a mess.
HOLMES: And tornadoes.
WOLF: There were some reports of tornadoes, but in terms of fatalities or in terms of any widespread damage, thankfully did not happen. But we're getting to that point, T.J., where we get to the heavy spring hours and as we get closer to summer, we have transitions.
And this is the time of the year where we could possibly see more tornadoes, potential outbreaks in the weeks and months to come. This scenario weather wise, around the nation, we'll give you this quickly.
To the west, cold air and moisture, especially in the higher areas, Sierra Nevada's and Rockies, but back out east, it's mainly a rain event until you get to the portions of the Appalachians where you might see several inches of snowfall in the high spots of not only Virginia, but west Virginia.
Maybe a light dusting in Washington, D.C. this morning, we're seeing just a little touch of snowfall that's moving into nation's capital as it moves out over the open water, warmer air is falling in the form of rainfall and a little bit of sleet too.
We've got more on the forecast coming up in mere moments, but for now, back to T.J.
HOLMES: All right, Reynolds, do appreciate you. And you are going to want to stick around for this story, Reynolds.
In Guatemala, the president's wife is divorcing him, but she's not leaving him for another man and she's not leaving him because he was with another woman. No, she is divorcing him so that she can get married to the people. What? We'll explain. It's 38 minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's 40 minutes past the hour on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. You're going to want to stick around for this story. This was a fascinating story we got out of Guatemala where the first lady of that country has now filed for divorce from the president.
But she's not doing it because of any problems in the relationship necessarily. Our Nadia Bilchik joining me for this "Morning's Passport." Simply put, why is she divorcing him?
NADIA BILCHIK: Well, she is divorcing him because she wants to run for president and the constitution in Guatemala does not allow any relative of the president to run and this dates back many years.
The country has gone through 36 years of civil war and it was a way of putting in place the fact that no strong man would ever take over the country.
But she has really been the woman behind this man. You know, they say behind every powerful woman -- behind every powerful man there lies a woman. Some people say she's already running the country anyway.
HOLMES: How many years has he served so far?
BILCHIK: He served since 2008. So he was elected in 2007, came in 2008 and he can only serve according to the Guatemalan constitution, he can only serve one term.
HOLMES: OK, now is she going to be able to get away with this? I'm sure there are some people hooting and hollering about this, and it will be challenged in court.
BILCHIK: Absolutely. What happened was on May 8th, she announced she was running for president and then on May 11th, they filed for mutual divorce, in this way that it was uncontested.
In Guatemala, there is an uncontested divorce, it is no problem. Now it remains to be seen. In around 30 days, we'll know if the constitutional court is going to let this pass. In other words, have her seen as no longer a relative of the president, but that remains to be seen.
HOLMES: Now what are they going to do have they said what they are going to do moving forward? Will they have a relationship of some kind or are they going to have separate living quarters? What are they going to do?
BILCHIK: Well, they are saying that they divorced and they are going to divide everything, but it's costing the country a lot of money in this way. In the perception of the two of them has changed.
People are going it's so expedient of them to do this. Interesting enough, when she was interviewed when she was announced she was running for president, there was no problem with the marriage and all of a sudden, filing for divorce.
So it's very clearly that she wants to be president. But it would be like Hillary, if was told when Hillary run for president, you have to divorce Bill in order to run for president, would she?
HOLMES: Well, I don't know.
BILCHIK: Now in Argentina, we have Kristina Ketchner who is the current president, her husband was president, but the Argentinean constitution doesn't prohibit the wife of a president from running. Of course, he died last year, but he could have run again interestingly enough.
HOLMES: I want to go back to Guatemala here for a second. How has she been received? You said that for the most part, people think she's been running the country, but is she loved there anyway or people like her to be president? BILCHIK: It's a very interesting - Guatemala is fascinating. There is a huge Mayan population, the indigenous people of Guatemala, who are very poor. She has respect amongst those people because she has put certain social reforms into place and she has been seen at least socially active, but very controversial figure and not hugely popular at the moment.
The person who is more popular is Otto Perez Molina and he's a former general who is said to do more than on cracking down on crime in Guatemala. You're looking at a country that's one of the central trafficking places for drugs between South America and America.
So there's enormous crime. They say something like 18 people a day are murdered. There's extreme poverty. So it's going to be interesting to see the next step is, is the constitutional court going to allow her?
At the time it was announced, T.J., they thought they could get around it, think saying it is my wife, not a blood relative. Is it worth divorcing your husband to run for president?
HOLMES: I just put that question out to our folks online. Would you divorce your spouse for what you thought was a greater good because she has used the line I'm divorcing my husband, I'm getting married to the people. We'll see if that flies.
Interesting stuff. We love it. A fascinating story. Nadia Bilchik, thank you, as always.
BILCHIK: Thank you.
HOLMES: We got a testament to the human spirit. The earthquake, of course, brought tragedy to Japan, and we still don't know how many people lost their lives, exactly how many people lost their lives. But this morning, we bring you proof that life goes on and that the country will, in fact, recover.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right. It's about a quarter of the top of the hour --
WOLF: I know we're on. I'm just adjusting.
HOLMES: Getting himself together here. We're still getting adjusted to these couches and whatnot.
WOLF: Nice.
HOLMES: Well, Reynolds here. OK, the way you teased this story. I mean, we see a lot about the heavy snow out west -- Rocky Mountains and all that stuff. Skiers love it, but often times it looks so pristine. It looks beautiful. Does it do that naturally or you have to groom it?
WOLF: No, T.J., doesn't happen naturally. There's a little bit of magic that goes with it. The magic starts off with men and women, a very dedicated group of people that work at so many of these resorts, they get out there, and the work they do is just phenomenal to make things picture perfect for anyone and everyone that likes winter sports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF (voice-over): Steamboat Springs, Colorado, -- some of the world's finest skiing. The champagne powder, a very light dry snow coupled with sweeping mountain vistas keep millions coming back each year.
(on camera): But getting the hills in picture perfect shape doesn't come naturally. In fact, it takes work, a lot of hard work, with incredible machines like this.
(voice-over): At 5:00 p.m., the mountain belongs to them. About a dozen groomers on staggered shifts work through the middle of the night to keep the slopes pristine. Dave Hudspeth has been grooming these mountainsides for over three decades.
(on camera): Operating this, pretty simple, pretty difficult?
DAVE HUDSPETH, STEAM BOAT SKI RESORT: No, it takes years to master, you know, to get it to run efficiently and make it work well.
WOLF (voice-over): He's letting me drive this intimidating mammoth.
HUDSPETH: Push this button here.
WOLF (on camera): This one here, OK.
HUDSPETH: The yellow one? That's right. Very good. There you go.
WOLF: OK.
HUDSPETH: Give a little throttle.
WOLF: Neat. OK, right here. A little faster?
HUDSPETH: Whatever you feel comfortable with.
WOLF (voice-over): Putting me in the driver's seat makes me question this guy's sanity.
HUDSPETH: We can be out on some that has not been skied, and maybe something more gentle.
WOLF (on camera): Now you tell me.
HUDSPETH: This is nothing, but you're doing great.
WOLF (voice-over): It's a mechanized ballet, riding these behemoths of the hillside, sculpting powder into a skier's dream. Dave and his crew make this tough task look very easy, it's not and after this lesson I have a new appreciation for their efforts, from the black diamonds to the bunny slopes.
(on camera): Wow.
HUDSPETH: Good job.
WOLF: Nope, wrong one. There we go.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF: You know, when you drive one of those things, it's a bizarre situation because you don't have a steering wheel on that thing. You don't. Two gear shifts and in the left hand, you basically have these things in the weird little contraption and you steer by feel. I have no business driving a car, much less this.
HOLMES: That slope he was on, has he had incidents or accidents and problems in the past?
WOLF: The guys are pros. They got nerves in steel, but I mean, they'll do that. They'll go down things that are far steeper than that with conditions that are far worse in terms of visibility.
But someone has to get up there and someone has got to groom those slopes and they do that. They're not the only ones -- they do it at virtually every resort out in the west. It's really amazing. A giant rake for the snow.
At the golf course, the sand traps, the same rule applies here except you don't clean out those sand traps with zero visibility and extreme cold. Who knew unless you are a freak.
HOLMES: Reynolds, appreciate you, buddy. Reynolds got a lot weather wise. We'll talk to you again here shortly, but it's about 10 minutes until the top of the hour. Quick break on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: About seven minutes to the top of the hour now. So much of the focus on Japan right now is on the mounting nuclear crisis. But as you know, there is so much else going on right there.
Of course, there was the historic earthquake, 10,000 people dead. Cities were wiped out by that tsunami, but as our Kyung Lah now reports, there are signs, in fact, that life will go on.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you need a sign that life can return to Japans' devastated tsunami zone -- here is a small one. His name is Yuma and hers, Yukia, their still weary mother went into labor in the car, fleeing the tsunami. She barely made it to a hospital on high ground. After I gave birth to my babies, says this first-time mom, I wasn't filled with joy, because I heard the news about so many victims. Kanako Suzuki, Yuma's mother lost an aunt and her home in the tsunami, but gained a son.
I'm trying not to be depressed, she says, because I have to move forward for my baby. Across the region, people are beginning move forward, digging out their homes, finding precious possessions.
A picture, he tells me. A part of his family's history, saved. Food is getting to the victims, many having their first hot meal since the tsunami left them homeless. And the most resilient, the young, laughter filling this muddy evacuation center, a moment to play and be children.
(on camera): When entire cities up and down the northern Japan coastline looks like this, the natural question is, how do you begin to rebuild? City leaders say the answer is actually quite simple. You have to start somewhere.
(voice-over): Not that it's easy, says this city spokesman. The tsunami flattened more than half of his city. I don't want to lose my hometown. I want it to come back. We won't give up, he says, fighting spirit among the survivors who pledged to begin the next chapter in the rebirth of a region. Kyung Lah, CNN, Morioka, Japan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: As we approach the top of the hour here now, coming up, she carved a political path for the women who would follow her. Geraldine Ferraro has died. We'll hear from her former running mate about her life and legacy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We have several business reports coming out this week. They could tell us how the economy's recovery is actually going. Also, do you believe Apple is turning 35? What did we do 36 years ago, before we had Apple?
Our Poppy Harlow has the details on that. We'll check in also with Stephanie Elam, but we kick off the business week ahead with Alison Kosik.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, T.J. A final look at fourth quarter GDP shows the U.S. economy grew at a 3.1 percent rate in the last three months of 2010. That's better than the government reported last month.
Improved business spending and profits helped boost the figure. A Federal Reserve study of household wealth show Americans took a big hit during the recession, taking everything into account.
The value of the home, car, income, and debt, the average net worth of a household in 2007 before the recession began was $125,000. Fast toward two years to 2009. It fell to just $96,000. Stephanie. STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Alison. Toyota's warning all of its North American plants to prepare for a possible shutdown. The reason? A shortage of parts from earthquake ravaged Japan. Most of Toyota's U.S. plants are in the south including Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee.
Meantime, Ford is asking dealers to limit orders of some of its vehicles in tuxedo black or red. The glittery substance in the paint also comes from a supplier in Japan. Ford says it's working to find a substitute.
Poppy Harlow has a look at what's coming up in business news. Hey, Poppy.
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Thanks a lot, Steph. What is a big week for the economic calendar with reports on housing, manufacturing, and also the auto sector coming out.
On Friday, we'll get that all-important March jobs report and Wall Street will certainly be watching for any sign of recovery. February's reading shows the unemployment rate dropped below 9 percent for the first time in nearly two years and about 200,000 jobs were added. So, we'll see how that turns out.
And also, coming up next week, Apple turns 35 years old. Originally known for its Mac computers, Apple is now the consumer electronics powerhouse behind the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
We'll follow it all for you all week on CNN Money.
Back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Good morning.
We are seeing fierce fighting as Libyan's opposition fighters move west against Moammar Gadhafi's stronghold. Rebel leaders pledged to take their fight all the way to the capital of Tripoli.
Also, in Syria, protests against the government spreading. We'll get the latest on a region in revolt.
And here at home, the Muslims next door. Religious tension divides a Tennessee community.
Hello to you all. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is your CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes. Thank you for spending some of your weekend here with us.
We do want to start with those important gains we're seeing by rebel forces in Libya. They are pushing further into areas formerly controlled by forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.
The latest town we're talking about is Brega. It's the latest city to fall to rebel forces. Government troops pulled out of there. And this follows the same kind of progress we saw in Ajdabiya yesterday.
Our Arwa Damon is following the rebels from one conquest to the next. And here's what we heard from her last hour in Brega.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We've been seeing a regular stream of fighters, moving westward. We're here on the outskirts of Brega. The opposition forces managing to control this critical oil town and are pushing, making their way, encountering very little resistance as they move towards the west -- still intent on reaching their aim of taking battles all the way to Tripoli.
The fighters are crediting their success this far on the airstrikes that we have seeing pounding Gadhafi's military positions. We have a number of fighters gathered here, still trying to secure the entrance to Brega, realizing and learning from the mistakes they made in the past when, militarily, they did not secure the locations that they had taken over. People, by and large, feeling very optimistic, realizing that they have to a certain degree the world's best air force at their own disposal.
They are telling us that, this time, they are taking the battle fairly slowly. Moving forward, making sure when they do end up encountering gaff Gadhafi's military, they are able to deliver those forces -- Gadhafi's forces -- a critical and final blow.
Arwa Damon, CNN, Brega, Libya.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Now, the opposition forces are saying that none of this would have been possible without coalition air strikes. They were essential to the victories. French officials say they destroyed Libyan air forces planes on the ground in Misrata just as they were preparing to take off. Misrata is another one of those key cities where rebels are battling government troops.
Also, take a look at this. New video we are getting from the USS Stout. It shows the Navy ship firing more cruise missiles from the Mediterranean Sea. Those missiles aimed at Libyan government forces. The U.S. has launched around 200 cruise missiles since coalition operations began some eight days ago.
CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson joins us once again live from Tripoli this morning.
Nic, hello once again. And is the government responding to what appear to be gains made by rebel forces?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, not really, T.J. What they are telling us is sort of leaking out and coming very slowly. Yesterday, a government official -- deputy foreign minister mentioned that government troops made what he called tactical retreat from Ajdabiya, all the way to the east. And then -- excuse me -- the government spokesman said they just retreated to the outskirts of the city.
But when I asked him later on in the day, what's the latest. We're hearing that the rebels are in Brega, he didn't have any information. He said he didn't know and would get back to us later.
We know that the lines of communication for the government here have been targeted, trying to -- across the country to where their forces are in the east, and we know that the army is being targeted, at places in advance of where the rebels are moving towards. But government officials here really don't seem to have a straight answer on where their forces might be digging in, what towns they may be considering their next stronghold, if you will.
So, the picture that we get from here is sort of admissions of defeat, sometime after the defeat, and really not a clear picture of what the government is planning next, T.J.
HOLMES: All right. And, also, before we let you go, we do want to get a follow up, if we can, if you have an update on the woman -- that dramatic story we saw yesterday, who came into your hotel, in front of many journalists, claiming that she had been taken and bound and beat and raped by Gadhafi forces.
And this scene broke out. We're showing the video to our viewers here once again, Nic.
But do we have an update on her fate, quite frankly? Where she ended up? Is she still in the hands of Gadhafi forces?
ROBERTSON: She's still in the hands of Gadhafi's police at the moment we're told. We were told, contrary to what we were told yesterday, we were told that she was psychologically imbalanced, insane and being taken to a hospital. We were subsequently told that she was, in fact, sane and she had gone to a police station to file criminal complaints against the people she accused of raping her.
But all this rings very hallow because what we've seen on state television is a campaign on state television to smear her, calling into question her character, her motives and really portraying her as a traitor to the country. So, really, at this stage, without journalists independently being able to visit her and see her -- her conditions are unknown, her state is unknown, and everything that we've --
HOLMES: We'll continue to get the updates. He was finishing his thought there, but, yes, we'll get back to him a little later this morning.
We want to move on to what we've been watching in Yemen. The president there is calling his country, quote, "a ticking time bomb." He also says he is ready to step down. Said he can do it with just a couple hours' notice.
Anti- government protesters have been demonstrating there for weeks. They have been calling for him to him to step down, calling for his resignation. It's just one of the Middle East countries we have seen growing anti-government sentiment.
Our Stan Grant has been watching it all for us from Abu Dhabi. He's on the line with me now.
Stan, we are to make of the president in Yemen saying, yes, he will step down. He could do it in a matter of hours if need be?
STAN GRANT, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Yes, and the caveat here is the transition process, T.J. He says that he also will not negotiate with gangs or drug dealers, as he likes to characterize some of these protesters. He also says he doesn't want the country to devolve into chaos, and as he predicts, outright civil war.
The strategy throughout this is being to play up the risk posed by al Qaeda. As we know, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula based in Yemen. He says that if he goes, they also have the possibility of rising to more prominence, more power, and then presenting a threat to the West. Now, the United States is being relying very much on President Saleh to be able to keep al Qaeda in check there, and he's playing that as one of the cards in this negotiation.
So, while on one hand he is saying, look, I'll walk away, I don't want to hang onto power. On the other hand, if I do you, there are going to be consequences.
This is the strategy throughout. But the protesters saying there's no more time for that. They don't want to hear concessions. They don't want to hear compromises. They simply want him to go.
And if you look at the people who have been defecting from him, senior generals, senior tribal leaders. They are joining the opposition as well and they're all saying the same thing. The time is up for President Saleh -- T.J.
HOLMES: Stan, what can you tell us as well about Syria? Another place where things appear to be escalating. They were protests. We had a doctor who is live in the southern city of Daraa there in Syria, taking about snipers taking out some of the protesters. What can you tell us about the latest from Syria?
GRANT: And these protests continue by the day. And according to human rights observers, activists inside the country, the death toll also is increasing by the day there.
It's very difficult to get information out of Syria. It's very much a closed state. Media is not being allowed. Certainly, CNN, we have not been able to get access there.
But speaking to people inside the country, they are saying that many are now watching these protests which began in the southern city of Daraa and now spreading and wondering just when it will actually get to the critical point, the point where the demands of the president's ouster reach the level that we've seen in Egypt, Yemen, in Tunisia, and Libya. At the moment, the president is also offering some concessions, saying that he'll look at repealing 48-year-old emergency law that's been used to crack down on protesters in the past. But again, the protesters here are saying that, no, they feel (INAUDIBLE) despite these crackdowns, despite the deaths, we're seeing more and more people coming out in the streets each day and protests moving away from Daraa to other cities and coastal towns as well -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Stan Grant, reporting for us from Abu Dhabi. Stan, we appreciate you as always.
We want to turn to Japan now where we have new developments this morning from that Fukushima power plant. Officials say the radiation level in contaminated water at the number two reactor is -- get this -- 10 million times higher than normal. Workers evacuated from the building. Their work had to be put on hold.
Also, officials are still trying to determine the relationship between contaminated water inside the plant and in seawater just offshore.
The official death toll meanwhile from the Tsunami and earthquake, nearly 10,500, and some 16,000 people are still missing.
We go over to London now where dozens of police officers were injured in clashes that followed what had been peaceful protests against government spending. Take a look at what it looked like yesterday. This was after the main rally.
Some people broke off from that main rally, went to other areas. And police say they swarmed in to make an arrest when someone tried to attack the Olympic countdown clock. Everything just kind of escalated from there. Sixty-six people injured. About half of them were police officers. More than 200 people were arrested.
I want to turn back to this country. And in particular, what was kind of a rough day and rough night for many parts of the country weather-wise.
Let's say good morning once again to Reynolds Wolf.
Reynolds, a rough night -- is that going to lead to a rough day today as well?
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: You know, I don't think so. I think we had worse during the overnight hours -- a little bit this morning, but now, that storm system is moving off the Eastern Seaboard. However, out toward the west, more snow and more rain for parts of the golden state of California and to the Rocky Mountains. We're going to talk about that coming up in a few moments.
Yes, a matter of fact, let's take a few minute break and you go grab a cup of coffee. And we'll see you back and tell you the whole story.
You're watching CNN. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: A quarter past the hour on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
It was a rough start night --
WOLF: It was, man.
HOLMES: -- for some places. It was rough around here.
WOLF: Yes, it really was. I mean, parts of Atlanta -- the strong thunderstorms, there wasn't just Alabama -- Alabama and Tennessee, parts of the Carolinas.
And what we have around the nation, T.J., is pretty interesting. It's almost like a giant assembly line this is your assembly line, OK? You got this for your assembly line, the conveyor belt. One system, one product, boom, moves off the coast, out west, we'll get a little bit more of this beginning to build up.
And let's zoom in a little bit and show you what's happening. Scott is the man behind the camera. Scott, let's show people what's happening here in parts of the Central Rockies, mainly snow here, out towards to the west, it's rain for now. But into the afternoon, we can expect that the snow was actually going to pick up, maybe one to two feet before all said and done.
Now, the East Coast, we've got some snow issue there, too -- one to two inches of snow possible. Along parts of the I-95 corridor from Washington southward to Richmond, and a few spots in between. Manassas, you might have snow, too. Same situation for you in many other spots.
Just keep it in mind from Philadelphia, New York -- it looks like precipitation is going to be well to the south. But along the Delaware coast, mainly, it makes some light snow, perhaps a few rain drops and sleet mixed in, too.
In the south, it's all been thunderstorms where you're going to have some large hail that dropped in parts of Caladega (ph) County. That is moving out and that is certainly the good news.
However, out west where we're going to see most of that action take place. Certainly, it will be advisable, it's been a rough time for you, and, of course, the rough trend may continue.
T.J., that's a quick look at your forecast. Let's just pitch it right back over to you.
HOLMES: All right. We're going to start in New Orleans. We do have to give the update. But it is the big happening, what's everybody talking about right now -- what's happening in NCAA tournament.
An amazing game yesterday, but more amazing who came out on top. Can you believe that |butler is going back to the Final Four? This little school out of Indianapolis, beat the big dog, Florida, which a lot of people had going to the Final Four, in overtime. The game was absolutely unbelievable.
But the story there is Butler, the little school that could. It was a Cinderella last year. This is a solid team, no doubt. But to think this team is going back, know how hard that is to do and a school that is not one of those big dogs, those powerhouses from super conference that -- they have been able to do this back-to-back years now, Reynolds.
WOLF: Unreal. Just phenomenal. And amazing coaching, too. The coach, if I'm not mistaken, he's only to his mid to early 30s, I think.
HOLMES: I think still early 30s. And they signed him up after his Final Four run last year to a pretty long contract. He sounds like he wants to stay there. He's happy in Indianapolis. He has a good pool of recruits to fill that team.
But congratulations to them, no doubt.
One other ticket was punched yesterday. UConn-Arizona, that game. Everybody knew this would be the game of the night. And it certainly did not disappoint. This guy, Kemba Walker, is unbelievable. But UConn came out on top last night. The final score, 65-63.
But this is their second Final Four trip in the past three years. This is a team now that has won, what is it, five, six, seven eight games in a row? Eight or nine games in a row? Do I have that right? Because they won five games in five days to win the big east tournament up in Madison Square Garden as we know.
But two more tickets going to be punched today as well. But we are getting down to four from that 68.
WOLF: It's amazing and there is the chance by the time the day is over, we could have VCU and Butler in the Final Four.
HOLMES: VCU, which nobody said should be in the tournament in the first place. Shaka Smart, I love his name, the coach there.
WOLF: I'd be more surprised if the Washington Generals of the Globetrotters made it in there. That's amazing stuff.
HOLMES: All right. Reynolds, we appreciate you. We'll check in with Reynolds, of course, plenty. He's got a lot weather-wise. We'll check in with him again.
Meantime, they are -- they are American citizens, but you might not know it based on the treatment they are getting from their neighbors. I'm talking about Muslims living in a small southern town, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. A clash of cultures in this morning's "Faces of Faith."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: Well, at 22 minutes past the hour now.
In this morning's "Faces of Faith," a clashes of culture in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It's a small national suburb and it has been at the epicenter of a month's long battle over the construction of a mosque. It's a battle that includes a proposed state bill to ban of Sharia law, a practice that includes teaching lessons in the Koran.
Tonight, CNN's Soledad O'Brien chronicles the emotional struggle in a special that's called "Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door." Here now, a preview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN SPECIALCORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Construction was barely under way when members of the congregation received disturbing news. A fire in the middle of the night had damaged equipment at the construction site.
SALEH SBENTAY, ISLAMIC CENTER OF MURFREESBORO: And I looked at the site, and, it has to come down, you know, it's why? You know, what did we do?
O'BRIEN: A day later, leaders of the congregation came to assess the damage.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a natural growth to our community. I mean, we are growing.
O'BRIEN: Our interview was interrupted by gunfire.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are some shots fired.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, do you hear that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Murfreesboro, Tennessee, police department.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Standing here, I don't know.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A little scared. That's what they are trying to do. It's a terrorist act.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I heard very loud shots coming from this way.
UNIDENTIFIED POLICE OFFICER: Hang on. You want me to go up there and check for you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I mean, it very well could be hunters.
UNIDENTIFIED POLICE OFFICER: We'll check it out. We'll make sure that we document at least your concerns.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you so much. We appreciate it. We are grateful for your work.
UNIDENTIFIED POLICE OFFICER: OK. All right. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This whole issue is set.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: You can see so much more of Soledad O'Brien's report, the fight over the construction of a mosque in the heart of America's Bible belt. That airs tonight, 8:00 Eastern, right here on CNN.
All right. So, we've got a possible government shutdown, the 2012 race for the White House and President Obama preparing to talk about Libya. All those things to look forward to in what's shaping up to be another busy week in politics.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Rebels are gaining ground in Libya. They claim victory today in Brega, that is one of Moammar Gadhafi's former strongholds. And yesterday, they also claimed the town of Ajdabiya. Coalition strikes had played a critical role in these rebel victories.
Also some disturbing new test results from Japan's crippled nuclear power plant. Today, government officials say radiation levels of pool of water inside one reactor are 10 million times above normal. Another has water 10,000 times above normal. The Japanese government must sign off on the power plant's plans to deal with the problems.
Also, Geraldine Ferraro is being remembered as the person who broke the political glass ceiling for women. She died yesterday at the age of 75 after a long battle with cancer.
In 1984, as you know, she became the first woman from a major party to run for national political office when Democrat Walter Mondale chose her as his vice presidential running mate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTER MONDALE (D), FMR. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (via telephone): She was a very close friend and we went through all of that history together. And we've been friends ever since, and she had a tough, tough fight with that cancer, and, you know, we're going to miss her.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Geraldine Ferraro also served as host of CNN's "Crossfire," died, again, at 75 years old.
It's going to be a big week ahead in politics. The Congress is getting back to work on budget, trying to avoid a government shutdown. But we need to start with the president's schedule.
Here now, CNN political director, Paul Steinhauser.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Hey, good morning, T.J. The week ahead takes off with President Barack Obama going primetime Monday night on national TV to give a speech on Libya. Expect the president to explain why U.S. forces are involved in the conflict and what the endgame and exit strategy are in Libya. Republican lawmakers and even some members of the president's own party have urged Mr. Obama to speak out publicly on U.S. goals in Libya.
Members of Congress are right back in Washington this week, and topping their agenda -- hammering out a budget to keep the government running. Current federal funding runs out in less than two weeks. Democrats and Republicans are far, far apart on how much to cut out of the budget. If there is no agreement by a week from Friday, there could be a government shutdown of some services and offices.
Meanwhile, on the campaign trail, a bunch of probable Republican candidates make stops in New Hampshire and Iowa, crucial states on the road to the White House -- T.J.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All right. We'll be back here at the top of the hour with more CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
We need to hand it over to "SANJAY GUPTA, M.D." which starts right now.
