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Tiger Woods, Former President Bush Honor Troops With Memorial Tournament.

Aired July 04, 2007 - 11:00   ET

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

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: -- This is just the first wave Melissa of "Potter" mania. The release of J.K. Rowling's seventh and final book is set for July 21st. No word on whether Harry Potter will live or die in the last book. Have we come to that?
MELISSA LONG, CNN ANCHOR: Almost. Boy have those kids grown up before our eyes over the years. We do want your view of the "Harry Potter" mania, send us your "Harry Potter" videos, pictures via CNN iReport, go online cnn.com/ireport.

HARRIS: And good morning again everyone you're with CNN, you're informed. I'm Tony Harris.

LONG: I'm Melissa Long, in today for Heidi Collins. New developments keep coming into the CNN NEWSROOM on this Fourth of July, here's what's coming up on the rundown. It was supposed to be a final message. Sources tell CNN the UK terror suspect left a suicide note.

HARRIS: BBC correspondent Alan Johnson celebrating independence. He calls his Gaza kidnapping a nightmare.

LONG: The Coney Island chow down. Nathan's famous hot dog eating contest next hour. But let us be "frank" with you. Injury could sideline a top dog. Relish the thought in the NEWSROOM.

HARRIS: UK terror plot. Sources close to the investigation tell CNN they have found a suicide note. It is linked to the two men who rammed a vehicle into the Glasgow Airport. The jeep was filled with explosives. Both men are in custody. The man on the left was severely burned and is in critical condition. Authorities believe the two suspects are also responsible for last week's failed London car bombings. Both men are doctors and all seven of the eight suspects are doctors or medical students. Earlier today Britain's new Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed increased scrutiny of immigration policies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GORDON BROWN, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We'll expand the watch list which is the cooperation right across the world from Europe to the Arab states of potential terrorists so that we list them in such a way that authorities in different countries can be warned. We'll expand the background checks that are being done where there are highly skilled migrant workers coming into this country, where people sponsor them, we will ask them to give us their background checks. Thirdly, as a result of what has happened in the National Health Service, I have asked that Lord West, the new terrorism minister, to conduct an immediate review as to what arrangements we must make in relation to recruitment to the NHS because of what we know has happened over the last few days. Finally, of course, we will want to sign new agreements with other countries around the world so that we act together to deal with the potential terrorist threat and we are able to deport people to countries where they should be, rather than in this country.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: The arrests within the medical community have been a shock to Britain where nearly 40 percent of registered doctors are trained abroad.

LONG: Dogs and guards greeting July 4th partiers along with the usual fireworks and parades. Security has been stepped up today from coast-to-coast. The TSA, Transportation Security Administration, is focusing on cities where people use subways and trains. Boat patrols are out in Boston, the Charles River, the scene of the traditional pops concert and fireworks display. The government says the extra measures were not prompted by any specific threats.

HARRIS: You saw it here on CNN just minutes ago, President Bush rallying the troops on this Fourth of July and urging support for his Iraq war policy. He told members of the air national guard of West Virginia that the nation is thankful for their service.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: We give thanks for our founders. We give thanks for all the brave citizen soldiers of our continental army who dropped their pitch forks and took up muskets to fight for our freedom and liberty and independence. You are the successors of those brave men. Those who wear the uniform are the successors of those who dropped their pitch forks and picked up their muskets to fight for liberty.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Members of the 167th air wing have earned six bronze stars and two purple hearts for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

LONG: U.S. soldiers in Iraq, now U.S. citizens. A special Fourth of July ceremony for dozens of troops at camp victory. 157 took the oath of allegiance. Overseeing the ceremony, General David Petraeus, commander of multi-national forces in Iraq. And also on hand, Republican presidential candidate and war vet Senator John McCain.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: In this place in this hour, you are more important to our country than many able-bodied Americans who live safe and contented lives because you protect them. You have made our country better than it was before you came to America. And I am deeply grateful to you.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: The naturalization ceremony was described as very emotional.

HARRIS: Bravery above and beyond. We brought you this dramatic rescue video yesterday. One of two helicopter pilots clinging to the wing of an apache chopper while taking insurgent fire near Baghdad. The apache crew had just swooped in to pluck their comrades out of harm's way, after they'd been shot down. One of the rescued pilots tells CNN it's a miracle.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

C.W.O. MARK BURROWS, U.S. ARMY: When we had gotten in the canal, we thought we could go through it, we couldn't. Then the attackers arrived on both sides and started shooting into the canal at us. They couldn't see us but the rounds were literally passing right beside us. It's a miracle we didn't get hit, but Steve got in, the original front seat of the apache, strapped on the outside of the aircraft. I strapped on the other side. We had to do that because it's only a two-person aircraft. It's just an emergency procedure that somebody had developed in days past. We actually trained for this before we came here in the event that it happened, so we all knew exactly what to do. I sat on the left side of the aircraft resting against the engine and I had no helmet, no hearing protection. They were going about 120 miles an hour so it was a pretty wild ride but at that point I was just elated. It wasn't the most enjoyable ride, but we were getting out of there. It was only about a ten-minute flight to Baghdad. I could endure anything at that point after what we had just gone through.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: What a story. The first phone call both pilots made when they landed was to their wives.

LONG: On this Fourth of July, it is sizzling out in Las Vegas, out in Phoenix. And Rob I know is planning for the pool party at your house? When is it, 1:00 in the afternoon when it starts?

HARRIS: Don't perpetuate this.

(WEATHER REPORT)

LONG: On this Fourth of July, celebrating independence after almost four months in captivity. Now a morning of bliss. BBC reporter Alan Johnston freed after 114 days as a hostage. A shadowy militant group, the army of Islam released him, but only after Hamas surrounded the Gaza City neighborhood where he was held. Just last hour Alan Johnston held a news conference.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALAN JOHNSTON, FREED BBC JOURNALIST: It just is unimaginably good to be free. Maybe you have to have been a prisoner of some kind for some time to know how good it is just to be able to do the most basic, basic things that freedom allows, at least get a haircut and to drink what you want, to walk through doors that you want to walk through. If you want to speak to people that you love or friends and so on. You want to do everything at the same time. You want to read books, newspapers, go to the movies, go to the beach and sit in the sun and eat and talk and all the rest of it. It is the most extraordinary Fourth of July for me that I could imagine.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Hamas says that securing Johnston's freedom is evidence it is cracking down on lawlessness in Gaza.

HARRIS: An update now on a high-profile killing in Texas that we told you about last month. Damien Morales was fatally beaten by an angry crowd when the car he'd been riding in struck and injured a child. It happened not far from a celebration in Austin. Now a 20- year-old man has been arrested and charged with manslaughter. Police say more arrests are expected.

LONG: A harrowing plunge from a parking deck in Atlanta. Witnesses say the driver of that red sports car was speeding and possibly trying to pull a stunt when it slammed into a railing. The car blasted through, fell several stories. The driver was injured. Witnesses say he demanded a lawyer when police arrived. Our CNN affiliate WSB says the driver faces charges of drunk driving and reckless driving.

HARRIS: Just minutes from the start of the super bowl of competitive eating Melissa. All you really need to know is that Kobayashi is a game-time decision. Wait a minute. A jaw injury still hampering the six time defending champion. CNN's Allan Chernoff is live at Coney Island in New York this morning. A game-time decision Allan? Wait a minute, it is game time. He needs to strap it on, he needs to take a shot or do something, but it is time to go.

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony I can tell you this much, Kobayashi is in the house. Tekura Kobayashi we understand got some acupuncture treatment this morning. So he is here. We are expecting that he will actually be competing. As you know, he has a jaw injury. He had a wisdom tooth taken out only last week. So we're expecting him to compete, but he may not be able to compete effectively. As a result, we're expecting that Joey Chestnut will regain for the USA the mustard yellow international belt. Chestnut in a qualifying round actually did set a new world record in hot dog eating. Tony?

HARRIS: So Allan, what is the target? What is the record here? What's the ballpark of how many hot dogs have to be eaten in what length of time to be crowned, belted the champion?

CHERNOFF: Tony, it is a 12-minute contest and the numbers are right up here in Coney Island. 59 1/2 hot dogs eaten only last month by Joey Chestnut in 12 minutes. He is vowing, he has vowed to us publicly that he will eat at least 60 hot dogs today. Let me tell you, game-time conditions are perfect. It's overcast, nice and cool. Last year it was hot, steamy and humid. Very, very tough conditions, but today, it looks like we are primed for a new world record to be set.

HARRIS: 60 hot dogs with a jacked-up jaw. I need to see this to believe it. Allan Chernoff, we're checking back with you in just a couple of minutes. Allan appreciate it, thank you.

LONG: One of the other stories we're following today, fire breaking out in a North Carolina home, but where are the kids? The firefighters can't find them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank the Lord there was a television on. I could see a little glimmer of a television and I was like, that's it, television and a kid.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Turns out, TV may be a good thing for one family. Too much television.

HARRIS: An international tuberculosis scare taking a new turn. Just ahead, a new diagnosis.

LONG: A Michigan woman the victim of tragedy this Fourth of July, killed while trying to set off a fireworks display.

HARRIS: Independence Day, a holiday at home, but for American troops in Iraq, it's another day of bullets and bombs. We're on patrol with one unit in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Welcome back everyone to the CNN NEWSROOM, I'm Tony Harris. A couple of hams go for the Coney Island hot dog title, but wait. Hold the ketchup. A mouth injury may sideline a top contender. Let's take you now, live pictures from Bethesda, Maryland, the congressional country club where Tiger Woods is hosting a golf tournament this week. Golf back in the nation's capital, you're listening to the U.S. Navy ceremonial band. Many, many festivities underway now. George Bush, George Herbert Walker Bush, will be striking the ceremonial first tee shot, I believe, with Tiger Woods coming up in just a couple of moments. Is Barbara Bush there? Front row, OK, just took a seat there in the visor. Our Brianna Keilar is there and we will check in with Brianna in just minutes, right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Can we take you back to the congressional country club in Bethesda? Take a look at this picture. George Herbert Walker Bush and Tiger Woods together, sharing a golf cart ride to the first tee today. Melissa what's going on here today?

LONG: Ceremonial first shot. We are honoring America's troops. This is the AT&T national hosted by Tiger Woods. It's actually the Earl Woods memorial pro am named after his father, who was a lieutenant colonel green beret with Special Forces in Vietnam.

HARRIS: It's amazing, it's golf back on a great, great track. If you're a golfer, you know exactly what I'm talking about here. Congressional is just a fantastic golf course there in Bethesda. Hosted a couple of U.S. Opens in the past. But here you go, Tiger Woods and President Bush about to hit the ceremonial tee shot today. Tournament to begin, I believe, tomorrow.

Well for a North Carolina family, today might as well be Thanksgiving instead of the Fourth of July. The story from reporter Erin Coleman of affiliate WRAL.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN COLEMAN, WRAL (voice-over): It was 1:30 in the morning this Halifax County house went up in flames.

CHRIS CLEMENTS, FIREFIGHTER: I was rolling out of the top windows on the back and I could hear the fire crackling. You could hear the parents hollering for the kids.

COLEMAN: For firefighter Chris Clements, it was a scene that hit very close to home.

CLEMENTS: I only had to drive a block. Good gracious, I know these people, whoever they are, I know them. And it turned out, I really did know them. People I work with and our kids growing up together.

COLEMAN: He coached 10-year-old Landon Poole in ball. 4-year- old Emerson plays with his kids. Both of them were still inside.

CLEMENTS: It's tough when it's kids, especially kids you know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The mama was screaming their babies were inside so we went in to try and find them.

CLEMENTS: The smoke was so thick and heat. The mother and the father actually found Emerson, the little girl and they were hollering Landon, get Landon, Landon's in here. Thank the Lord there was a television on. I could see a little glimmer of a television. And I was like, that's it. Television and a kid. And I ran to the television and when I did, there was Landon laying on the floor.

COLEMAN: Both kids were unconscious.

(ON CAMERA): Firefighters say the fire started on the second floor near the kids' bedrooms, but luckily everyone was sleeping downstairs because the air conditioner was malfunctioning.

NIKE HITE, FIREFIGHTER: It was by the grace of God that everything turned out the way it was because he had a big hand in all of this.

COLEMAN (voice-over): That's something these men say they'll never forget. (END OF VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Now at last check the kids were in fair condition. One footnote on this story, 18-year-old Nick Hite who you saw there just a moment ago, responded as a volunteer firefighter. Hours later he was starting his first full day as a full-time firefighter. He and the other firefighter now hailed as heroes.

LONG: He set off a tuberculosis scare by traveling around the world and now there is word Andrew Speaker does not have the most deadly form of TB as previously diagnosed by the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC is standing by its order to isolate the Atlanta attorney, but Speaker says the health agency went too far. He spoke with our Anderson Cooper.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Did the CDC apologize to you? Do you think you are owed an apology by the CDC?

ANDREW SPEAKER, TB PATIENT: Yes, I do. I think they owe an apology to the people that they scared. I know they do dual testing here when they are running a test to see whether or not somebody has tuberculosis or what kind, they run two at the same time to make sure the results are correct. They created a huge international panic -- they scared millions of people around the world.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Earlier I spoke with CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen about this new diagnosis and also the CDC's position.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: We still would have told him not to get on an airplane. This doesn't change it at all. In some ways, I think what's been forgotten a little bit here is that MDR is still a vicious disease. 30 percent of the people who get MDR TB, they die. That is an incredibly high mortality rate. So the CDC says they wouldn't have changed anything. They still would have told him note to fly to Europe and they still will told him in Europe, don't fly home.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Now the CDC says the Speaker case underscores the need to spread the word about drug resistant-TB. To get your daily dose of health news, go online to our website. You will find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. Just type in cnn.com/health.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN: I'm Frederik Pleitgen at forward operating base (INAUDIBLE) in Central Iraq, where U.S. soldiers on this Fourth of July are not taking the day off. In fact, they're working harder than ever. More on that in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: No time for celebration. The Fourth of July in Iraq just another dangerous day for U.S. troops. Details from CNN's Frederik Pleitgen, embedded with soldiers just south of Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So tonight, high risk for small arms fire, dismount IEDs.

PLEITGEN: For Lieutenant Jason Dupuis, this Fourth of July begins long before dawn, with a briefing for a dangerous mission in a rural area south of Baghdad. A raid in a neighborhood where only a few days before, Dupuis' platoon found IEDs and bomb making components. The neighborhood they know is hostile to American forces. What's the most dangerous thing here for you guys?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dismounted IEDs.

PLEITGEN: Why?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no armor around you, you know as your body armor, so no fragmentation can cause much bodily harm.

PLEITGEN: No Independence Day celebrations for these soldiers. To them they say the Fourth of July is just another day with another combat mission and Dupuis' main goal is bringing all his men back alive. This unit like so many others in Iraq is stepping up operations as a result of the U.S. troop increase, the so-called surge. Trying to disrupt insurgent activities around Baghdad. Operations the commanding general says are key to success.

MAJ. GEN. RICK LYNCH, U.S. ARMY: There has to be a long-term gain. It's got to be clear and hold and build and the only people can do the hold piece is the Iraqi security forces. Has to happen.

PLEITGEN: Jason Dupuis and his men wrap up their mission at the crack of dawn. They haven't found any new IEDs this time. Back at base Dupuis shows me what he says he's fighting for, his wife Tamara five months pregnant.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is his head right here, OK, there's his spine.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Red one, are you ready?

PLEITGEN: On Independence Day especially Dupuis says he's proud to serve his country here in Iraq but he also says the Fourth of July is another day gone by, another day he gets closer to seeing his family again.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: CNN's Frederik Pleitgen joins us live now from forward operating base (INAUDIBLE) just south of Baghdad. And Frederik you told us earlier, no special Fourth of July events are planned there, but are you seeing soldiers expressing their patriotic feelings in any way today?

PLEITGEN: Well, absolutely Tony and they're expressing them obviously in words to us, to everyone that we talked to. And especially I talked to some of those soldiers that you saw on that mission in that report we just saw and basically all of them were saying that it is a very special day to them in many ways, especially when they go on operations like this one. They do feel a lot of patriotism. They are glad to be with their buddies, with their comrades. They say in many cases have done so many missions with their buddies, they've gone through so many situations. They say it's on a day like this where they really do feel that national pride where they really do feel that patriotism amongst each other. And I have to say, when we were rolling back from that operation, they were saying a lot of patriotic things, they were being very patriotic. When you go into the mess hall of this forward operating base, you do see a lot of American flags. You do see a lot of banners. So there is definitely a lot of that patriotic feeling going around even though they obviously can't show it in the way they would like to. They can't show it in fireworks or anything of course because that would be a major security risk here, but there is a lot of that patriotic feeling going on around here. Tony?

HARRIS: CNN's Frederik Pleitgen for us, Frederik thank you.

Welcome back everyone to the CNN NEWSROOM. Happy Fourth of July to you, I'm Tony Harris.

LONG: I'm Melissa Long in for Heidi Collins today. And on this fourth a holiday tragedy to tell you about. A Michigan woman dies while trying to set off fireworks. WXYZ's Michael Rosenfield reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was a good person. She was fun, funny, fun-loving, great sister. Best mom. Would do anything for her children.

MICHAEL ROSENFIELD, WXYZ (voice-over): Grief stricken family members after the devastating death of 27-year-old Danielle Barr.

DEBBIE HALL, MOTHER OF VICTIM: She would never do anything like last night to put her children through what happened to her. And by the grace of God, I am so glad that they didn't see their mother, this beautiful girl get violently -- died.

ROSENFIELD: The Taylor woman was killed last night when she leaned over this box of 25 cylinders, each of which contained three- inch mortars. Police say it was lit, but didn't go off immediately so Danielle looked right into it. One of the cylinders launched the explosive in her face. No one could even help until the remaining 24 fireworks discharged.

HALL: I haven't seen my baby -- they won't let me see her because it's bad.

ROSENFIELD: Danielle was dead an arrival at Detroit Receiving from catastrophic head injuries.

HALL: I just want you to get the word out and try and find why this happens and that nobody else has to go through what we've been through, losing our baby.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The accident happened at this car wash where Danielle was a cashier. She and other co-workers organized the display. They fireworks were professional quality and should never have been in the hands of the car wash employees. A license is required and the ATF is trying to determine who sold the fireworks, who bought them, and who could face charges.

GEORGE KRAPPMAN, ATF SPECIAL AGENT: Essentially, it's a display mortar. It is something you would see at a municipal show, that kind of caliber of fireworks.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LONG: Funeral services for the 27-year-old are scheduled for Friday.

HARRIS: No break on this Fourth of July Independence Day holiday from the military sacrifices. We're just getting word here at CNN of a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan that has killed six NATO soldiers and an Afghan NATO employee.

The attack is the latest in the south where NATO troops, as you know, have been battling it out, fighting it out with Taliban militants. This attack occurring in Kandahar Province. The nationalities of the slain soldiers, not disclosed. We can add that the majority of the soldiers in the Kandahar Province are Canadian. We'll continue to follow this story and bring you the latest developments.

LONG: It was supposed to be a fatal mission. Sources tell us police have found a suicide note from a U.K. terror suspect.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, my name is Titus Brown. I'm in Seaclick R-set (ph). Hometown, Slosis (ph) Groves, where the family is. This goes out to Michelle, T.J., and Keeley.

Just want to say enjoy the summer, enjoy the holiday. I love you guys. I miss you. Can't wait to get home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: An this Fourth of July, no break from the flooding, in parts of the Midwest and Southern Plains. In Northeastern Oklahoma, a rising river has forced a new round of evacuations. Hundreds of people in Miami, Oklahoma, fled their homes after the river spilled over its banks. Forecasters warned conditions could actually get worse. Parts of Kansas and Texas are also coping with high water.

LONG: Watching your safety and security, officials are on guard against hidden terror dangers, even in the trash. Reporter Christopher Sine of our Phoenix affiliate KNXV reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice over): Take a close look. That's a trash can right there. In an instant, it absorbed a bomb blast. Now look at this. Look familiar? It's a similar trash can. Dozens in fact, now scattered around Sky Harbor International Airport.

DEB OSTEREICHER, SKY HARBOR INT'L. AIRPORT: It's just one of the many layers of security we have in place.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Even though Sky Harbor has its own dedicated bomb-stiffing K-9 unit working around the clock, security officials know the dogs can't be everywhere. Knowing terrorists could use a trash can to house a bomb, the airport replaced hundreds of receptacles.

(on camera): See that trash can right there?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Uh-huh?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That trash can is a bomb-resistant trash can. What do you think about that?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Probably not a bad idea.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's neat.

OSTEREICHER: We consider ourselves on the cutting edge of security.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With only nine other U.S. airports using the cans, the thick, heavy shiny cylinders, as seen in this video we found online, are designed to absorb the force of an explosion and remain intact.

OSTEREICHER: We do have them here as a precaution to limit a blow if that were something to happen we have them here. We hope that never does happen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Each high tech durable can costs about $1700 each. Sky Harbor calls it a safety expense.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A shame that they had to, you know, the world we live in today.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SR. CORRESPONDENT: Only one hour away from the Hot Dog Eating Championship of the World here in Coney Island. The tension building. We'll have details coming ahead on CNN's NEWSROOM..

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: On this Fourth of July, the world's best golfer, of course talking about Tiger Woods, has an opportunity to meet, mingle with George H.W. Bush, the first President Bush today at a special tournament, the AT&T National.

Moments ago -- I want to share tape with you -- of the 41st President George H.W. Bush with the first shot at this tournament.

GEORGE H.W. BUSH, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I've got laughing rules in effect. If anybody laughs when I hit it, they're dead. We've got the Secret Service here to look after that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Do you have Mulligans?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drum roll, please.

BUSH: There is no way I can get down there.

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: If you see it fall, let me know. Ready? All right. Why did I agree to do this?

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: Hey!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was awesome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: That was great.

LONG: Tiger Woods must have been his lucky charm today. Talk about pressure in front of the media, and of course, in front of the world's best golfer. CNN's Brianna Keeler is there, in Bethesda, Maryland, at the Congressional Country Club.

Hi, Brianna. Happy Fourth.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Happy Fourth to you, Melissa. The tournament officially kicks off, well it kicked off with that honorary first swing there from former President Bush.

It kicks off tomorrow. Today was the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am Tournament. Of course, named after Tiger's father, a Vietnam veteran who died last year. Also, Tiger owes his iconic nickname to a military connection, as well. That's what his father used to call a Vietnamese soldier that he served with. The military playing a big role here today, being honored in many ways. Including as part of Tiger's foursome at this tournament.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SGT. MIA KELLY, U.S. ARMY: That's a good one.

KEILAR (voice over): Aside from Army Sergeant Mia Kelly's home course, at Virginia's Fort Belvoir, the only place this career military woman may spend more time is overseas.

KELLY: I've been to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, also, you know, places like Germany, Korea, Panama, Japan, all over.

KEILAR: But this Independence Day, Kelly is taking the tour of a lifetime; 18 holes with Tiger Woods in a pro am tournament ahead of the AR&T National, which Woods is hosting. Woods' father Earl served in Vietnam, spending 12 years as a Green Beret. Tiger says growing up in a military family gives him first-hand knowledge of the sacrifice troops make.

TIGER WOODS, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: I know I can't serve with them, but I just want to say thank you in some way.

KELLY: It is the Fourth of July, celebrating our Independence Day. In order for us to maintain our independence we have to have a strong military. So I think this is just an awesome thing.

KEILAR: Kelly who works with an army information operations unit started playing golf in 2004, and now she's hooked.

KELLY: It's the never-ending pursuit of that perfect golf game. The perfect shot, the perfect putt.

KEILAR: But today, Kelly says she'll settle for a first shot that doesn't embarrass her.

KELLY: I think the only thought that will go through my head is just, oh, please, please, please don't whiff the ball.

(LAUGHTER)

It's going to be nerve-racking, but I think after the first shot, it will get a lot easier.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: I'm happy to report Sergeant Kelly did not whiff her first shot. She hit a little rough. She kind of plugged away through the first hole, but after that she was on a roll, Melissa.

LONG: Live from Bethesda.

HARRIS: What fun.

LONG: From the Congressional Country Club, Brianna Keilar. Happy Fourth, to you.

HARRIS: And just minutes from the start of the super bowl of competitive eating. All you need to know is that Kobayashi is a game- time decision.

Oh, oh, in my ear an update, he is competing. Despite the little jaw injury that's been hampering of late, CNN's Allan Chernoff is live at Coney Island, New York, this morning.

All right, Allan, give us the very latest, minutes away from the start of the competition. CHERNOFF: That's right, Tony. The contestants being introduced right now. The tension building here. Everybody in the house waiting for the master, the six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi. He will appear on the stage, but how well will he be able to compete?

As you know, Kobayashi is suffering from a jaw injury he suffered from a result of practice. Too much mastication, obviously. Last week he had a wisdom tooth extracted, hoping that would resolve the problem. He remains less than 100 percent.

He had acupuncture this morning. That may not resolve the problem entirely. As a result, we are anticipating that Joey Chestnut, of the United States, will be able to actually claim the mustard yellow belt here in Coney Island -- Tony.

HARRIS: All right. Let's leave it there. As you mentioned, the tension, anticipation, it's all mounting there at Coney Island. Allan Chernoff, for us. Allan, thank you.

LONG: After four months as a hostage, BBC journalist Alan Johnston is free today. We have some new video to share with you, of Johnston seeing his parents once again. They've been speaking to the media saying how relieved they are their son is now free. That's Graham and Margaret Johnston arriving at the BBC to see their son after 114 days as a hostage.

Jim Clancy will be, of course, covering this during YOUR WORLD TODAY at the top of the hour -- Jim.

JIM CLANCY, CNN ANCHOR, YOUR WORLD TODAY: Well, Melissa, as we look at those pictures there, it's July 4th, Independence Day in the United States. I don't think anybody in the world is celebrating their freedom more than Alan Johnston. As you said, some four months in captivity. A surprise to a lot of people, the longest a any journalist has ever been held. We'll have more on his story.

In Pakistan, the siege is continuing there. Desperate hours, a Taliban madrasa, or religious school remains surrounded by paramilitary police. Hundreds of militants have surrendered, but thousands more remain. Are they unwilling hostages, the leaders of that madrasa? We'll get some analysis.

Plus, who is going to be hosting the 2014 winter Olympics? Today is the day we find are going to out. Russia, South Korea, Austria all hoping the committee chooses their cities, we'll have a report, showing the release of the city.

Sylvia (ph) and me, for YOUR WORLD TODAY, coming up at the top of the hour. Back to you.

HARRIS: We'll be there.

LONG: Thank you.

HARRIS: Private lives, public figures, L.A.'s married mayor comes clean revealing a behind-the-scenes relationship with a TV reporter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

I'm Sergeant Mitchell with the 385th Signal Company, Hometown, Augusta, Georgia. I would like to send all my love to my wife Kimberly, my daughter, Megan and wishing all my friends and family good health, happiness and have a knockout Fourth of July. I'll be home soon.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: Funnyman Robin Williams playing television news producer, taking over the controls on CNN's "Larry King Live" Check this out.

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ROBIN WILLIAMS, COMEDIAN: OK, go tight on Larry, real tight, if you can. That's tight. Just try to cut the suspenders, because I wore those first. OK.

Larry, we've got an interview with one of your sperm in an assisted living in Miami. We are hoping -- it's been there a couple of years. I don't know. Bob, cut to the sperm. OK. Back to Larry. OK, Larry -- Larry, we've got -- give me the shot of Britney? Pan up, OK. Not yet. Keep the two of them in, keep the producer there wondering how we are going to air this.

OK, now we've got Mel Gibson and a rabbi. Let's see what happens. He's doing a production of "Fiddler On The Roof" in Orange County. It's really fun though.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Robin Williams at the controls there. Williams also has some rehab jokes about himself and other celebs.

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WILLAIMS: I think Britney, just have to keep her away from the razor for a while. I think if you're going to go bazillion you don't go commando. And don't get out of a limousine like you are sliding into third.

The next thing you know, everything is in the witness protection program. People come out of that going, what are you doing?

You mean, Lindsey when she was going to get out, she was going to have a birthday party sponsored by a vodka party. Not wise in rehab. It's like taking the child just out -- you know, the little hypoglycemic child having a Krispy Kreme.

Take some time. Some quiet time. I think that will be good for her. Rehab is just the beginning, having been through it, you know?

LARRY KING: You went through it?

WILLIAMS: Went through it, yeah.

KING: So what were you addicted?

WILLIAMS: I had a little problem with alcohol. It wasn't really a problem everybody had it. But it was the idea that -- I was an alcoholic.

KING: You were a drunk?

WILLIAMS: Well, that's nice of you to say that.

KING: You said it first.

WILLIAMS: You know, you wake up in a field with a road flare nicely placed. What's your name?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LONG: Funnyman Robin Williams. Tonight on "Larry King Live" you'll see Anna Nicole Smith's baby Dannielynn with her father Larry Birkhead. Hope you'll watch that tonight, 9 p.m. Eastern, 6 Pacific, on CNN television.

HARRIS: The Los Angeles mayor dealing with questions about integrity and trust, his extra marital relationship, a local TV reporter reveals. CNN's Ted Rowlands has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Los Angeles' Mayor Antonio Villariagosa, whose marriage of 20 years has been publicly collapsing over the past few months now acknowledges he's having a relationship with a television news reporter named Mirtala Selenas.

MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA, LOS ANGELES: It's true, I have a relationship with Miss Selenas.

ROWLANDS: The latest chapter in a public unraveling of the mayor's personal life has been playing out since January, when people started noticing that he had stopped wearing his wedding ring.

Last month after weeks of dodging questions about the ring, he announced that he and his wife were splitting up. Farina Villariagosa, who voters saw faithfully at her husband's side in the run-up to his 2005 election victory, has filed for divorce. While Villariagosa admits there is another woman now, he doesn't seem to think voters will care.

VILLARIAGOSA: The vast majority of people base their sense of trust on what you do in your public life. Whether or not you keep your promises. I said to people when I first was elected, that I work as hard as do you from my first day to my last, that I accept responsibilities as I have today, as I have every time it was necessary.

I'll continue to do that. But as I said, I'll leave the speculation to others. I'm not going to get into every detail.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Well, speaking of details, as the report in this morning's "L.A. Times" points out, shortly after the mayor's admission, the Mirtala Selenas, reported the political scandal on television, but failed to reveal her involvement.

LONG: It is Independence Day, and independence day for a kidnapped BCC reporter; he was held 114 days in Gaza.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALAN JOHNSTON, KIDNAPPED BBC REPORTER: I dreamt many times, literally dreamt of being free again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: A dream come true for Alan Johnston.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Just news into CNN, breaking news for you, just reading through some of the information here, we'll share with you right now.

Al Gore's son jailed today, busted on suspicion of possessing marijuana and prescription drugs. The arrest taking place after Al Gore III was pulled over for allegedly driving a Prius 100 miles per hour, on an Orange County freeway at about 2:15 a.m. this morning.

The deputy detected the smell of alleged marijuana and a search of the car turned up less than an ounce of pot along with prescription drugs including Valium, Xanax, Vicodin, Adderall, which is used to treat attention deficit disorder.

We do know that Gore was also arrested on suspicion of drug possession and booked into the inmate reception center there in Santa Ana. He was also arrested in 2003 on a similar charge.

So breaking news here into the CNN NEWSROOM. Al Gore's son, Al Gore III, arrested this morning on suspicion of possessing marijuana and prescription drugs. More information on this story to come, throughout the day here in the NEWSROOM.

LONG: Now, a star-spangled show in South Dakota, to share with you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MALE SINGER, FIREWORKS)

LONG: Fireworks lighting up the night sky, music filling the air, Mount Rushmore celebrating America's 231st birthday. This big show drew a crowd of about 20,000 people. More than 5,200 shells were used in that fireworks display. Nice music.

CNN NEWSROOM continues, one hour from now.

HARRIS: "Your World Today" is next, with news happening across the globe, and here at home. Have a great Independence Day everyone.

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