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Report: Nigella Lawson Choking Allegation; Justin Rose Wins the U.S. Open; Justices Strike Down Arizona's Voter Law; Family Watched Home Burn on TV; Dow Rallies;
Aired June 17, 2013 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me. Checking our top stories, at just about 30 minutes past the hour, remember the blind activist who escaped from house arrest in China last year? Now he says he's being forced out of New York University because of pressure from China.
Quote, "As early as last August and September, the Chinese communists had already began to apply great unrelenting pressure on New York universities. All fellowships come to an end. Even before his rival, it was discussed as a one-year experience," end quote.
A London newspaper, "The Guardian" reports that British spies targeted world leaders during the G-20 summit in 2009. Spies intercepted delegates' phone calls and monitored e-mails. "The Guardian" also reports the U.S. spy based in Britain intercepted communications from then president -- Russian President Medvedev. The president cites documents from NSA leaker, Edward Snowden.
In Michigan, another search for missing Jimmy Hoffa who disappeared back in 1975. Federal agents are executing a warrant to begin digging in a field in Oakland Township. They received a tip from former Tony Zorrelli that Hoffa's body was buried there.
The 16,000-acre Black Forest fire in Colorado now considered a homicide scene with federal investigators called in. Two people have died in the wildfire, which has destroyed 483 structures. The El Paso County sheriff says it will be some time before the residents will be allowed to permanently return home.
A British celebrity chef and her children have moved out of her home. This comes as police in London determine whether or not an investigation is necessary into allegations that Nigela Lawson's husband put his hands around throat and check her. Photos were first published in the British tabloid "The Sunday People" he says, instead he just touched her neck in a playful sort of way.
Senior international correspondent Matthew Chance now joins us with the latest. So what happened?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it seems that the account that Charles Saatchi that you just mentioned there the husband of Nigella Lawson of course is a millionaire advertising executive and an art dealer as well, saying that you know the pictures looked a lot more violent than they -- they actually -- than nest and the scene actually was, he said he maybe held her neck as he was trying to emphasize a point he was making as they were involved in what he calls an intensive debate about their children.
But take a look at these images. Because they -- they broke yesterday, but they've been splashed all over the front pages of today's newspapers. This one here, look you can see the pictures of Nigella Lawson that celebrity chef that with her hand clearly cupped around her neck, that hand of course belonging to her husband Charles Saatchi.
The headline here as well, the police saying that they're going to probe Nigella's what they call a choke attack. That's a reference to the fact that Scotland Yard here in the British capital has said that they are going to look into all the details, the facts they say surrounding this incident to establish whether they need to proceed with a formal investigation.
At the moment no actual complaint has been made to authorities, but of course this has raised concerns and sort of spotlighted the issue that no matter how rich or famous, or how much celebrity you may have, you're not necessarily protected from the risks of domestic violence.
COSTELLO: So there are a couple of other pictures that we can't show you right now. We're trying to get the rights to those pictures, but in another picture, the husband is seen with his hands around Nigella Lawson's throat. And she seems to be grimacing in pain. And then there's a third picture of Nigella leaving the restaurant in tears.
CHANCE: Yes, with regard to that -- that first picture you mentioned with her grimacing with pain, and she's also seen apparently crying, Charles Saatchi her husband says that she wasn't crying because of the -- of any hurt that she was feeling, it was simply because they both don't like arguing. That's -- that's his explanation of that.
And -- and you're right, she has been photographed leaving the family home, which is in another upscale area of London called -- called Chelsea. Her publicist -- Nigella's publicist has spoken to CNN saying she's taking her kids and she's moved away from the family home in Chelsea. Charles Saatchi says that's because they separated he says that because of so many press and media outside that house, that he advised his wife to move away until the dust settles.
So we're getting you know sort of slightly some ambiguous lines from the various sides in this.
COSTELLO: All right Matthew Chance reporting live for us from London, thanks so much.
A Major League Baseball player takes a line drive to the head, it was a vicious line drive, too. Now many are questioning whether pitchers should be required to wear helmets. We'll talk about that next, in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: What's it going to take for Major League Baseball to protect pitchers? Fans are asking that question after the Tampa Rays Alex Cobb was hit in the head by a vicious line drive on Saturday. Cobb had to go to the hospital, but he's since been released. There have been calls for pitchers to wear reinforced helmets or hats, but many big league hurlers worry about how it would impact their throwing. I talked with Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander about the issue during spring training?
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JUSTIN VERLANDER, DETROIT TIGERS PICTHER: I don't know. It depends on how it feels on my head, you know? You know we don't ever like to think that pitchers don't ever like think about balls coming back at us. You know I saw (inaudible) in there last time in the World Series and you know I think all pitchers, is kind of you know, I saw McCarthy last year I think you know any pitcher anywhere in the world just kind of turned their head and didn't want to watch.
Because you know that's of those things you don't want to see, you don't want to have in your head and think about it. You know it's really scary. But you know, I guess as long as it's functional and you know it doesn't restrict anything or it doesn't feel weird on my head, I wouldn't be opposed.
COSTELLO: Really, that would mess you up that much, just a little adjustment like to your hat?
VERLANDER: Maybe. I don't know. I would have to try it out. I know I -- when I try things and they don't work right away, I get rid of them. So it better work on the first try.
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COSTELLO: As for Alex Cobb, he's looking forward to returning to the mound. He tweeted -- "I can't thank everyone enough for the prayers that was the only way for me to make it out of there OK, looks forward to getting back out there."
We hope he's OK.
Elation and dejection, a tale of two golfers at the U.S.; Justin Rose winning his first major league title. Phil Mickelson a bridesmaid yet again at the Open. Here with your "Bleacher Report" story from Ardmore, Pennsylvania is CNN's Don Riddell. Hi Don.
DON RIDDELL, BLEACHER REPORT: Hey there, Carol. It looked as though the stars were aligning finally for Phil Mickelson at the U.S. Open. He's finished second here a record five times. Make that an even worse record now, six it was yet another heart breaking day for lefty. There is no doubt that he was the fan's favorite here. But he couldn't hold it together and it was obvious at the end when he spoke to us in the media center, that he was absolutely crushed by yet another disappointment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JUSTIN ROSE, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: This one is probably the toughest for me because at 43 and coming so close, you know, five times, it would have changed the way I looked at this tournament all together. And the way I would have looked at my record instead I just -- I just keep feeling heartbreak.
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RIDDELL: Heartbreak indeed. Six times the runner-up. Now he's been a very successful golfer, he's had a great career, he's won four Majors, but you do now wonder if he's perhaps destined never to win the national championship -- Carol.
COSTELLO: I can't even imagine how that feels. Don, thanks so much.
I guess we'll be right back.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN Breaking News.
COSTELLO: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled -- has ruled on a voter I.D. case in Arizona -- the issue of providing proof of citizenship when you register to vote. A hot issue, right? Let's go to Joe Johns he's live with the Supreme Court what's the ruling Joe?
JOE JOHNS, CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Carol, the court held that the State of Arizona's evidence of citizenship requirement is pre-empted by federal law. However, if a state has evidence that an individual is not eligible to vote, then the state doesn't have to allow it.
This refers to a law passed in 1993 called the National Voter Registration Act in which the United States government required that all states use a consistent form for voter registration.
Arizona passed a law saying that citizenship proof would be required in order for people to be allowed to vote. The court essentially held today, no, you have to go ahead with the federal form. However, you have to go through procedures if you want to change it. That's the long and short of it -- Carol.
COSTELLO: That's a confusing one, I'll say that.
JOHNS: Not so, really. I mean when you think of it, all it says is the federal government's law prevails over state law when it comes to the issues of voter registration. That's the bottom line on this.
COSTELLO: All right. Joe Johns reporting live from the U.S. Supreme Court.
It's up, up and away for Google. Details on how these new balloons could help bring the Internet to remote areas around the world. We'll be back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: 46 minutes past the hour. Time to check our top stories.
Apple reversing track, the company originally said it had no idea about the government's data collection program. Well now Apple is saying say it received some 4,000 to 5,000 requests for data. And its legal team reviewed each and every request before providing the government with information.
In sports, San Antonio one win away from the NBA title after a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday. Tony Parker led the Spurs with 26, and Danny Green broke Ray Allen's record for three-pointers in the NBA finals. The series shifts to Miami for Game 6 on Tuesday.
Rolling Stones front man, Mick Jagger will soon have another item on the auction block, a few locks of his hair. A former girlfriend is auctioning the hair off on July 3rd, and it's expected to fetch about $3,000. All of the proceeds will be donated to charity though
A Florida teenager got a pretty big surprise while fishing off the Gulf of Mexico last weekend.
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CHRIS KREIS, FLORIDA TEENAGER: There were two big bull sharks in the area. So that's why I was kind of hauling it back to the boat really quickly.
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COSTELLO: I would be swimming quick, too. As you can see, Chris was able to grab the shark's fin to hitch a ride for a little bit because he's crazy. Neither he nor the shark were injured.
In weather, about 10 inches of rain made for a soggy Father's Day in Springfield, Missouri, causing a few roads to flood and left a few motorists stranded. That same weather system will have those of you on the East Coast reaching #or your umbrellas today.
Firefighters making slow but steady progress against Colorado's most destructive wildfire ever. It's allowing some evacuees to return home this morning, but for thousands of others, it's still too dangerous. The Black Forest fire is now 65 percent contained. It's burned through 16,000 acres, destroyed nearly 500 homes and is blamed for two deaths.
CNN's Paul Vercammen spoke to a couple whose home was in the line of fire, but are still counting their blessings.
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BILL MOREAU, LOST HOME TO FIRE: That's ridiculous trying to think of everything you've had in the house after --
KAREN MOREAU, LOST HOME TO FIRE: 34 years today.
B. MOREAU: Yes, happy anniversary. PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Karen and Bill Moreau spent their 34th wedding anniversary in the hotel room taking inventory for insurance. The high school sweethearts were joined by their adult sons, daughter-in-law and 10-day-old grandson Emmitt.
Bill watched the Black Forest fire destroy his house on TV.
B. Moreau: It was obviously our house, and the fire was -- licked up the side of the garage, and ran the eave line and then it was seriously just an inferno.
VERCAMMEN: Bill fears the fire burned an American flag that belonged to his late father, a Navy Corps man.
B. Moreau: All the other stuff means nothing, that's what we bought insurance for. But it's the things that represent our family's heritage. My children's books when they were kids, things we have saved to pass from Kevin to Emmitt.
VERCAMMEN: Karen hopes the blaze did not melt down a weather vane from her Iowa family farms. She calls it king.
K. MOREAU: He's followed us wherever we went and if there's one thing I would like out there --
VERCAMMEN: The entire family is celebrating because the house where son Kevin Moreau and his wife Sylvia and Baby Emmitt live, was spared from the Black Forest flames, barely.
They are evacuees along with visiting brother Craig, and are staying in nearby rooms. On a wedding anniversary, a father's day -- a new baby eases the pain.
K. MOREAU: When I'm feeling really down, all I have to do is hold him and man -- back up there.
B. Moreau: Already just talking about him alleviates my emotional stress. And when you look at his whole life is in front of him, and we've had a blessed life, and we just hope the same for him.
Paul Vercammen, with three generations of Moreaus, Colorado Springs.
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COSTELLO: Coming up in the NEWSROOM, why is Google launching balloons? We'll tell you next.
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COSTELLO: So the Dow is up what -- 155 points and we're wondering why. For that, let's head to New York and Christine Romans -- why?
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, you have a homebuilder confidence survey, that was the best, the strongest since 2006, Carol, really showing a recovery and how people are feeling about the housing market. You also had another New York manufacturing index that was strong as well.
Even before those two pieces Carol, you had indications this morning that it was going to be a strong day, in part because last week we had a down week. Most of the averages down one percent last week, and people were thinking, we still feel like the economy is healing, we feel like housing is healing, the job market is performing. Not great, but better than it had been last year, so they're buying stocks Carol.
COSTELLO: Good thing. Good thing so far, right? Let's talk about something cool, Christine. Google is launching hot air balloons into the sky in an attempt to bring the Internet to people and places not connected. This is really cool.
ROMANS: Look at that -- it looks like a jellyfish right. So solar panels actually in the balloon, but there's a loon -- they call it the loon mission control which is with GPS and you know, radio frequencies able to talking to these balloons. There's going to be 30 of them, they're deploying them over New Zealand. And about 60 different houses have antennas that have been attached to them so actually the Wi-Fi, the signal -- Internet will be able to bounce from balloon to balloon and give these people Internet access.
Google points out that two thirds of the world, Carol, does not have reliable, fast, internet access. This is an experiment, high-tech experiment to see if maybe balloons are a way to bring it to parts of the world that might be difficult to serve.
It's interesting too because think after a natural disaster or something, how you might be able to go in and really build out Internet access quickly, safe and efficient; quickly after some kind of disaster or something. So a lot of kind of hypothetical possible uses for it, but Google -- which of course is a company that became a verb, right -- gave us driverless cars and Google glass. It looks like, I don't know, it looks like a jellyfish to me but 60,000 feet.
COSTELLO: How is it going to stay up there, though. I mean what if something -- like a bird runs into it or something?
ROMANS: They're going to float at 60,000 feet. They going to be able move them up and down between different wind layers, I guess. And they will have a parachute attached Carol if in case something terrible happens and they have to bring them down.
COSTELLO: That is amazing. I hope it works.
ROMANS: It's really cool. I'll report back if it does.
COSTELLO: Please do. Christine Romans, thank you much.
ROMANS: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: You're an avid bicyclist, and you're frustrated by the lack of bicycle lanes especially in the city. This ought to give you a lift -- actually a lift off. Jeanne Moos has the story.
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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bike riders sick of sharing the streets with cars. Maybe this will give you a lift.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my goodness.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A flying bicycle.
MOOS: OK. So it didn't fly high. It didn't fly far, it doesn't fly long.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You could tell it's phony.
MOOS: It's what --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's phony. It isn't real.
MOOS: Oh, it's real, a flying bicycle's public debut to place in an exhibition hall and a chance for a public capital. It was a nonhuman on the bike. But it wasn't E.T. avoiding a roadblock.
Instead of being silhouetted against the sun, the flying bike stayed low a total of six propellers that look like fans provide the lift, powered by batteries. It was operated by remote control.
JAN SPATNEY, PILOT OF FLYING BICYCLE (through translator): I have to say it is already good control. I can fly it without problems.
MOOS: Three Czech companies collaborated on the flying bike. It was a site to warm the heart of a window washer.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's what we need to clean windows. That would be great. I'm going to talk to my boss, to see if we can buy some o# those nice bikes. We can be flying.
MOOS: One tiny problem. Flight time for the bike is limited to five minutes. That's when the batteries run out. New Yorkers were skeptical.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It doesn't even look safe.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Those propellers are kind of big.
MOOS: Now you fly above, where are you going to land? Where do you park it?
And how are you going to lock it up like a regular bike on the sidewalk?
The lead company Duratech says that battery capacity will improve - enough for the bike to be used for sports or tourism, but some don't see the point. What issues do you see with it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That it's insane from the very beginning. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's like, what are they called, the segways? They made a big thing about English like everybody was going to be on segways. Didn't happen. Same thing with that.
MOOS: Oh, yes? Tell that to E.T.
Jeanne Moos, CNN.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I guess it will sell to extraterrestrials.
MOOS: -- New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: It certainly will.
Thank you for joining me today. I'm Carol Costello. CNN NEWSROOM continues after a break. .
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