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Day of Victory in Egypt; Violence Flares in Yemen; Budget Drama Boils in Wisconsin; States and Cities in Budget Crisis; No Surgeries at VA Hospital After Spots Discovered on Surgical Instruments; Boehner Vows Deep Budget Cuts; Bahrain Funerals Stoke Rallies; Migraine Patient has Knife in Brain; Lanterns, Dragons and Riddles; "Anna Nicole" The Opera

Aired February 18, 2011 - 09:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, guys. Good morning. It's 9:00 a.m. on the East Coast and 6:00 a.m. out West, 4:00 in the afternoon in Cairo.

We've got live pictures right now from Tahrir Square. A huge celebration of victory one week after these same people helped change their government. The story is a big part of our Friday morning.

And so is this one. Protests in America over deep budget cuts. They are boiling over in Wisconsin. Unless your state is rolling in excess cash, scenes like this could be coming to your capital, too.

But we begin in Egypt this hour. An ancient land celebrating a new beginning. Thousands of citizens back in Tahrir Square to celebrate their so-called day of victory. Exactly one week ago, they achieved the unthinkable through sheer will and staggering numbers.

They ousted an unpopular president and today they're sending a message to the new government.

FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello there, Kyra. We are, indeed, just outside Tahrir Square. Let's show you what we're seeing here. The biggest demonstrations since January 25th when these uprisings began and the mood very festive down there.

The crowd is congregating after Friday prayers. In the square itself, they heard from a sheik, who've been exiled for many years in Qatar, who said that this revolution was the Egyptian's people and it had only just begun.

What we're seeing now, Kyra, is the happiness, the celebration following the unthinkable, as you put it a week ago. While the government is looking at is demonstrations of tens of thousands of people saying that they want to see an end to corruption and a quick transition to democracy.

It will be interesting over the next few days to see how this military interim government reacts to the increasing numbers of protests and strikes on the streets by civil workers and also business private workers, demanding higher pay, higher pay that the government says it can't pay. PHILLIPS: And Fionnuala, so far, peaceful? I mean, you look at these pictures and it looks like even more people have gathered since those protests a week ago.

SWEENEY: These are the biggest protests since this uprising began on January 25th. And I should, of course, correct myself, not say protests, say demonstrations. The atmosphere is extremely festive, extremely celebratory, occasionally hearing firecrackers going off.

But underneath there are still a lot of resentment and concern about how the military government is going to move this country forward. They are moving forward on issues of corruption. Last night, we heard about a number of former government ministers being arrested on charges of corruption, but the question is, can the military government match the expectations of these people down in the square whose expectations, Kyra, are now sky high, given that they did do the unthinkable last Friday.

PHILLIPS: Yes. It's going to be interesting to watch this develop. That's for sure.

Fionnuala Sweeney, there live in Cairo. Fionnuala, thanks.

And across much of the Arab world today, Friday prayers are giving way to renewed anger and resolve.

As you can see there in Bahrain, funerals were held for three of the four protesters killed in yesterday's brutal government crackdown. Thousands of people marched, many of them condemned Bahrain's ruling family.

Well, today's surging protests is yet the latest signs the government of this key U.S. ally could suffer the same fate as Egypt and Tunisia.

Also facing a major challenge today, the U.S.-backed regime in Yemen. Today these protests are growing larger, angrier, even more violent. This is an outburst of stone-throwing that happened yesterday. And today, well, apparently the bloodshed is even worse.

CNN crews confirm that a grenade attack in southern Yemen where more than 10,000 people had massed a demand that the president resign.

CNN's Mohammed Jamjoon is there.

Mohammed, what can you tell us?

MOHAMMED JAMJOOM,CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, let me tell you first what happened in Sana'a today, in the capital, what we observed. Eight consecutive days of anti-demonstrations, eight consecutive days of clashes. A day of clashes today. There were about 1500 anti- government demonstrators in the streets. They were then attacked by pro-government gangs, about a hundred or more of them.

These gang members, they were wielding taggers, they had sticks. They were trying to beat the anti-government demonstrators. The anti- government demonstrators, they're trying to carry out a peaceful protest. They were chanting peace but they were also calling for regime change, asking for the president here to step aside.

Sana'a, not the only place where violence is happening. There were 20 injured in Sana'a today. But in the south, as you said earlier, we heard that there were 10,000 people gathered in the city of Taiz. This is the sixth consecutive day there have been -- there's been a peaceful sit-in there. But there was an assailant who was in the car, drove past the crowd and threw a grenade into the crowd.

We've heard at least 22 injured and we're trying to find out if the casualty numbers have gone up. This is a real concern for the neighbors of Yemen and for the U.S. because right now there seems to be a momentum gaining for this protest movement here and the government is wondering if it will pose a serious threat for the government of President of Saleh.

PHILLIPS: Mohammed Jamjoom, we'll be talking to you more from Yemen.

Well, hostility also appears to be rising in Libya. Anti-government organizers there say more than a hundred thousand people have turned out for protests today and the crowds came under fire by government operatives in civilian clothes.

CNN does not have crews in Libya and cannot confirm these claims or those of the government. It's reporting that seven people were killed in yesterday's day of rage. Human rights groups believe that death toll is much higher.

Now for protests in our own country. Protests over deep budget cuts may be coming to a state capital near you. Center stage for the drama right now, Wisconsin.

State capital on Thursday was jam-packed with these protesters. We're likely going to see more of this today. State workers, a lot of them teachers, furious over Governor Scott Walker's plans to cut their benefits and collective bargaining rights. They claim his budget repair bill is really a union buster. Walker says Wisconsin's budget is broken and some tough choices have to be made.

A lot of schools are closed again today. And teachers say they are not budging until they can get some answers that they can live with.

CNN talked with the head of the teachers union just a little while ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRYAN KENNEDY, WISCONSIN TEACHERS' UNION PRESIDENT: Taking away bargaining rights is a nonstarter. We have reached out time and time and time again since November 3rd, since the day after the election his people have refused to return a single call. They have never even acknowledged the unions except to give us notices of termination of contract extensions. They don't want to come to the table and bargain.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: CNN's Casey Wian is actually in Madison right now.

And you know, Casey, this is the kind of loud passion that you usually see from Packer fans at Lambeau Field.

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. Over the last few days, there have been a lot of angry voices here. In fact, some of those teachers and other sympathizers, 500 or so of them, spent the night behind me inside the state capital on the floor. We're expecting thousands more folks to show up later today to protest these proposed cuts.

Teachers say they are angry about the proposal that would require them to pay more for their health and pension benefits and would severely limit their collective bargaining rights.

We talked to one counter-protester who is definitely not sympathetic to their cause.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shame on you for abandoning our children today. At least there's a few teachers out there who have the guts to stand up against you union thugs and actually teach our children. Yep, you're AWOL. You're AWOL. You're AWOL. I have a right to be here.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

WIAN: In his words, those teachers will continue to be AWOL today. Schools in many parts of the state are closed because of these protests. And I have to tell you that the protesters are very encouraged by the fact that state Democratic lawmakers have left the state to deprive the state legislature of the quorum it needs to move this legislation forward.

So, right now, the legislative process, Kyra, is at a standstill but we're expecting a lot of loud voices here at the capital later today to protest this proposal.

PHILLIPS: Now, Casey -- Casey, many of these protesters are arguing this is just a temporary solution even if these cuts go into effect, it's not going to be enough in the end.

WIAN: They seem to be convinced that this is an effort to just limit the power of unions. In fact, many of the union leaders have said publicly -- and it's remarkable to hear this -- that the governor is going to get his money. They are willing to give concessions, financial concessions, but what they don't want is an end to their hard won collective bargaining rights that are very generous compared to what public sector -- public union workers enjoy in other states.

They don't want to give those up. They say that this is not necessarily about money. There are other ways to cut this budget deficit but they don't want their collective bargaining rights to be taken away from them.

PHILLIPS: Casey Wian in Madison, Wisconsin. We will continue to follow this. Thank so much.

Fourteen Democrats from Wisconsin Senate actually left the state over this. They made a beeline for the border crossing to Rockford, Illinois, and stayed at the Best Western. Why? Well, political strategy. With them out of state there weren't enough senators to vote on the bill.

One of the 14 Democrats talked to CNN this morning. We'll hear from him first, then a Republican supporter of the budget chimes in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shame on you for abandoning our children today. At least there's a few teachers out there who have the guts to stand up against you union thugs and actually teach our children. Yes, you're AWOL. You're AWOL. You're AWOL.

I have a right to be here. You can be here. I have a right to be here, too. Hey, nice language. There's kids around. They should be in school. But nice language.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: And these protests could be coming to a state capital near you because Wisconsin is one of many places in crisis. We'll take a look at other states across the country that are dealing with budget shortfalls. That's coming up.

More than 100 doctors, nurses and health care executives have been indicted and arrested in what's described as the biggest single day crackdown on Medicare fraud ever. The arrests took place in nine cities across the country ranging from Miami to Los Angeles. The alleged false billings totaled $225 million.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC HOLDER, ATTORNEY GENERAL: With today's arrests, we're sending an important message. Health care fraud is not easy money. It's a serious crime. And as we have shown today --

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, the people arrested are accused of charging for phantom procedures and unnecessary equipment. FBI officials say that we all feel the impact of medical fraud through higher health care costs, higher insurance premiums and more expensive prescription drugs.

All right. Want to warm-up in the east? Not a bad way to get the weekend started. Meteorologist Rob Marciano is tracking all those high temps for us.

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, at least to start by the end of the weekend and we'll change -- it's still February so let's not get carried away here.

(WEATHER REPORT)

MARCIANO: So it's still February. Enjoy the spring-like temperatures while you got them at least for today.

PHILLIPS: Yes, it's beautiful. Thanks, Rob.

MARCIANO: All right.

PHILLIPS: Well, garbage in the operating room, spots on surgical equipment. Two details coming from an investigation of a VA hospital. More on that coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: OK, we just told you about growing protests in Wisconsin over plans to cut the state budget. In a check Cross Country, nearly every state and several major cities are in the grips of a budget crisis.

Take a look at New Haven, Connecticut, now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CROWD: We won't back down! We won't back down!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Police actually took to the streets yesterday to protest the layoffs of 16 officers. That city is facing a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall. And news of the layoffs came just as officers were responding to a double shooting.

Then, in Michigan, the governor's asking everyone from senior citizens to state workers to make what he calls shared sacrifices. He says he's doing his part.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. RICK SNYDER (R), MICHIGAN: So, today, I'm making it clear that in terms of my compensation as governor of the state of Michigan, I will make reimbursements so my net salary for this year, for calendar year 2011, will be $1.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: And in New Hampshire, the governor is calling for a massive budget restructuring, including slashing as many as 200 state jobs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. JOHN LYNCH (D), NEW HAMPSHIRE: None of us can say, "Cut state government spending, but don't close the office in my town," or "Don't change my program."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: And according to the US Census, budget shortfalls, well, it will continue in most states throughout 2012.

Earlier this week, we told about problems at the Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis that forced the facility to shut down its operating rooms. Well, the center is now hoping to get the OR back up and running again next week. And we're learning more details about all the red flags that put that facility back in the spotlight. Chris Reginier of KTVI takes us inside.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RIMA NELSON, HOSPITAL MEDICAL DIRECTOR: I really want us to regain the trust of our veterans.

CHRIS REGINIER, KTVI CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): And Rima Nelson, the medical director of the John Cochran VA Medical Center, admits that trust is eroding. It's been two weeks since the OR here was shut down after spots were discovered on surgical instruments. For the first time since the shutdown, our cameras were allowed into the OR.

This is what the operating rooms look like. Hospital officials say they have run all kinds of tests to try and find out what the spots are, but, so far, they're not sure.

NELSON: We would like to reopen as soon as we can, but we will not reopen until we know the cause.

REGNIER (voice-over): An independent sterilization consultant brought in by the hospital says the spots could be warning signs.

CHARLES HANCOCK, STERILIZATION EXPERT: It may be an indication of a more serious problem or a precursor to an occurrence which might be serious.

REGNIER (voice-over): So far, 104 surgeries have been canceled, 101 have been sent out and performed at other facilities, and 76 have been rescheduled. Even with the problems, the chief of surgery says he still believes in the OR here.

MICHAEL CRITTENDEN, CHIEF OF SURGERY: I'm absolutely confident in the OR. Our OR nurses are competent in the OR.

REGNIER (voice-over): Our cameras were also allowed into the hospital's dental clinic. That's where sterilization problems last summer potentially exposed 1800 vets to hepatitis and HIV. Vet's we've talked with have different opinions of the care at Cochran.

DAN NELSON, VETERAN: I wouldn't go in for surgery right now. If I was dying, I'd probably die. I'll be honest with you.

WILLIAM DANIELS, VETERAN: All my visits have been excellent to outstanding, and I'm very appreciative of everything that I've gotten.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: I can promise you we will definitely stay on top of that story, as we do with all VA issues here in this program. Parts of the US Capitol are starting to look like a cheap hotel. What would you say if your congressman was sleeping in his office? We are going to find out why they are doing it, and why some critics say taxpayers are being cheated.

And a teen wrestler in Iowa forfeits his match. The reason? He says he will not wrestle a girl.

(MUSIC - "Eye of the Tiger")

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: In Washington, House Republicans are vowing to make deep cuts to the federal budget. The showdown with Democrats could lead to a potential government shutdown March 4th, when stop-gap funding measures run out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R), HOUSE SPEAKER: When we say we're going to cut spending, read my lips. We're going to cut spending.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, Republicans have vowed to cut $60 billion from the fiscal 2011 budget. Yesterday, lawmakers voted to cut $20 million from the National Endowment for the Arts and retained a $390 million cut aimed at heating subsidies for poor households.

They've never wanted you to accuse them of sleeping on the job, but a small group of congressmen have taken sleeping at the office to a different level. Critics say that they are taking advantage of taxpayers. CNN's Jim Acosta is on Capitol Hill with a different perspective. Jim, can't these guys find a room?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That is a good way of putting it, Kyra. You mentioned the budget battle just a few moments ago. They have been putting in some long nights here. They were here the other night until 4:00 in the morning, and then last night, they put in a long night as well. So, you could understand why some of them may just want to crash on the couch in their office or set up a cot.

But with so many members of Congress sleeping in their offices these days, some critics are starting to complain the House is becoming like a hotel where the lodging is on the House.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA (voice-over): After a long day on Capitol Hill, Republican Congressman Joe Walsh checks into what's become the cheapest hotel room in Washington. His own office.

ACOSTA (on camera): And how good of a night's sleep is that? That doesn't look too comfortable, Congressman.

REP. JOE WALSH (R), ILLINOIS: I'm going to be honest. It's horrible. The couch is very uncomfortable.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Walsh sleeps on the couch, saving his family the expense of finding a second home in the nation's capital, giving him more time to take care of business.

WALSH: A couple of times, I've rolled off.

ACOSTA (on camera): You've rolled off the couch in the middle of the night?

WALSH: I've rolled off the coach to a thud.

ACOSTA (voice-over): But a liberal watchdog group isn't comfortable, either, and is calling for an investigation, accusing more than 30 lawmakers of bilking a fringe benefit on which members of Congress must pay taxes.

But this is nothing new. Republican Jason Chaffetz was showing off his cot to CNN two years ago.

ACOSTA (on camera): That's a well-made bed, right there.

REP. JASON CHAFFETZ (R), UTAH: I've got a good mattress right here.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Democrats are doing it, too, even though freshman Hansen Clarke isn't sure how long he can take it.

REP. HANSEN CLARKE (D), MICHIGAN: I haven't had a good night's sleep since I've been here in Congress.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Walsh, a Tea Party conservative who turned down his own congressional health care plan, welcomes any investigation.

ACOSTA (on camera): So, let me ask you this. You don't want the federal health benefits, but you'll take the free housing?

WALSH: No.

ACOSTA: Is there a contradiction?

WALSH: No, that will be determined. If this is free housing that I have to pay some tax for, I'll pay it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA: So far, there are roughly about three dozen congressmen, not congresswomen, who are sleeping in their offices these days, Kyra, and that might be because of the fact that they don't have a shower in their office bathrooms, leaving the congressional gym as the only place to wash up.

PHILLIPS: That was actually --

ACOSTA: If we can get into that kind of detail.

PHILLIPS: I was going to say, that was my next question was, where do they shower and brush their teeth? That makes me a little nervous.

ACOSTA: I know.

PHILLIPS: Are you sure that these guys just don't want to go home?

ACOSTA: Well, they are quick to point out that they do go home to their districts on the weekends, but it's when they're here in Washington that is the stretch.

And keep in mind, this is one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country, so an apartment here can cost you $1000, $1500, maybe $2,000. So, the savings are real.

We should point out, though, that they are making a cool $174,000 a year in the House of Representatives. So, that does give you enough money, some say, to go out and get an apartment.

But this may be a little bit of a story in search of a scandal, Kyra. There are lots of things going up -- on on Capitol Hill these days, and some of these lawmakers are puzzled as to why we are focusing on, but it is kind of fun to point it out.

PHILLIPS: It's definitely an interesting story, that's for sure.

ACOSTA: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Jim, thanks.

ACOSTA: You bet.

PHILLIPS: We're continuing to follow developments in the Mid East this morning, as well. The crowds of demonstrations are growing in Yemen and Libya. And in Bahrain, thousands of people filled the streets for the funerals of slain protesters.

And check out these crowds in Cairo. Live pictures here. It's one week to the day that the government was toppled, and today is a day of victory. Thousands of people are standing there in Tahrir Square. They're celebrating. Not protesting, but celebrating. We're back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, on Wall Street today, we're expecting stocks to hold pretty steady. Investors are waiting to see if any big news comes out of the G20 meeting in Paris. You hear the opening bell, right there. One major focus likely to be inflation. It's been making headlines lately because food prices have been rising all around the world.

Meanwhile, U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke is speaking this morning on a panel with central bankers. We'll be tracking the numbers throughout the day.

Well, protests over deep budget cuts may be coming to a state capital near you. Center stage for the drama right now: Wisconsin. Take a listen. (VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)

PHILLIPS: This was the scene yesterday at the state capital. It was jam-packed with protesters. We're likely to see more today as well. State workers, many of them teachers, and they are furious over Governor Scott Walker's plans to cut their benefits and collective bargaining rights. They claim his budget repair bill is likely a union buster.

Walker says Wisconsin's budget is broken and some tough choices have to be made.

Well, a lot of schools are close again today. And teachers say they are not budging until they get some answers that they can live with.

CNN actually talked with the head of the teachers union just a little while ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRYAN KENNEDY, WISCONSIN TEACHERS UNION PRES.: Taking away bargaining rights is a nonstarter. We have reached out time and time again since November the 3rd, since the day after the election, his people have refused to return a single call. They have never even acknowledged the unions except to give us notices of termination of contract extensions. They don't want to come to the table and bargain.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, 14 Democrats from Wisconsin Senate actually left the state over this. They made a beeline for the border. They crossed into Rockford, Illinois, and stayed at the Best Western. Why? That was all political strategy, of course. With them out of state, there weren't enough senators to vote on the bill.

One of the 14 Democrats spoke with CNN this morning. We're going to hear from him, first. Then a Republican supporter of the budget chimes in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

JON ERPENBACH (D), WISCONSIN STATE SENATE: In this bill, which is supposed to be just a technical minor bill, he throws in the union- busting provision. So, again, that's why we're having the problems we're having in Wisconsin right now, and that's why we actually had to leave the state to slow the process down, to bring the governor back to the table, hopefully, and for people's voices to be heard.

GLENN GROTHMAN (R), WISCONSIN STATE SENATE: We had elections last November and the idea that union has to sign off or has to agree in order to pay for part of their pension, seems to me, a little bit ridiculous. Many people in the state of Wisconsin got laid off and have no job at all. Many others are not having a 401(k) contribution or contributing more to their health insurance. The idea that Governor Walker or the state legislature can't have public employees contribute towards their pension without Bryan Kennedy signing off is absurd!

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

PHILLIPS: Well, Wisconsin is just one of many places in crisis. We're going to take a look at other states across the country that are dealing with budget shortfalls. That's still ahead.

We're also following the protests that are rippling through the Arab world this hour.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)

PHILLIPS: That's Bahrain, where thousands of people filled the streets for the funerals of slain protesters. At least four people were killed, possibly hundreds more wounded in the crackdown yesterday by the government. Many people in the crowd called the soldiers and security forces criminals.

And government forces rolled into the square in the middle of the night when most protesters were fast asleep. Some of the survivors say it was nothing short of a massacre.

CNN's Arwa Damon found many of the stunned witnesses at the hospital overflowing with dead and wounded.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "This is the lie of life," Ali says angrily when you ask him if, like the foreign minister claimed, the police warned the demonstrators before the attack. "The one thing that never, ever crossed my mind was that they would attack us like this," he says. "It was a massacre."

The government says they used a minimum of force, claiming their forces also suffered casualties. They say they found firearms and knives among the protesters.

Inside, we meet Zaineb Farda, she and her two children were sleeping in a tent with other women and their kids when they woke up coughing on tear gas. "And then they set the tent on fire. It went up in flames around us," she says. "My 6-year-old grabbed on to me and said, 'Mommy, mommy, call the police!' and I had to say to her, 'It's the police that is doing this to us.'"

(on camera): As we're walking through the hospital, we just went past the resuscitation room where a man is being treated on his last breath. Still very intensive tragic atmosphere here at the hospital.

(voice-over): Habib Abdullah (ph), an ambulance worker tells us that the police wouldn't let the ambulances through. "We had to walk and then they shot us," he says, hardly able to breathe.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Once again, that was our Arwa Damon reporting. And this morning, there's a new explosion of violence in Yemen. Witnesses tell us that there has been a grenade attack in a southern city where 10,000 people were holding an anti-government protest. This is an outburst of stone-throwing yesterday.

Today, well, the bloodshed is even worse. CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom is in the capital with more -- Mo.

MOHAMMED JAMJOOM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Look, Kyra, we just got an update from a police official in Taizz, that's the city where there are 10,000 anti-government holding a peaceful sit-in the city's Freedom Square. There was grenade attack that was launched by an assailant. We now hear 43 injured, one dead from that attack.

Now, earlier today in Sana'a, 1,500 anti-government demonstrators, largely students from the university here, started marching through the streets. As they were marching, we were there. We saw them.

Pro-government gangs, about a hundred people, gathered, started chasing them, started hitting them with clubs, throwing rocks at them. Some of them had their daggers out. It got quite violent. Finally, the crowd was dispersed.

We are seeing more and more of these kinds of demonstrations going on the last few days. Today is the eighth consecutive day of demonstrations in Sana'a. Also, the eight consecutive day where clashes have happened -- very worrying for government officials here who feel that if this protest movement keeps gaining momentum the way it has, if there's more anger, it could pose a serious threat to the regime here -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Now, the U.S. embassy apparently is issuing a statement. How significant is that? And how concerned do you think the U.S. is, the people even there on the ground, about the terrorists, the extremists gaining a foothold within all of this?

JAMJOOM: Well, Kyra, as for the statement, it really shows concern on behalf of the U.S. officials here. It shows concern that there's a rising tide of violence here. The demonstrators have been attacked over the last few days.

I mean, I'd just read you a portion of the statement: "The embassy calls on the government of Yemen to fulfill its responsibility to protect the life and property of all Yemenis and to safeguard their basic and human civil rights."

There's been a concern here because every time there's anti-government demonstrators in the streets trying to peacefully assemble, there had been pro-government gangs that have come out and try to harass them, sometimes injuring them. It's really been violent the last few days.

As far as your other point, a lot of concern not just from the U.S. but from regional neighbors. Yemen, even before this protest movement started catching on, was in a tenuous state. A lot of people have thought it could be a failed state at any time. You have a secessionist movement in the south. You have a rebellion that goes on in the north.

And most worrying of all, al Qaeda -- al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is a resurgent organization here. It's attracting more and more members to Yemen. They've been able to plot an attack -- and launch spectacular attack plots from here against the U.S. and other regional allies. Very concerning for the U.S., very concerning for Yemen's neighbor to the north, Saudi Arabia, the world's number one oil exporter, and really making people wonder here if this regime is in serious threat or what happens if there's a power vacuum -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Mohammed Jamjoom in Yemen -- thanks, Mohammed.

And in Libya, much of the same story -- protests growing across the country and it's violent. Anti-government organizers say more than 100,000 people have turned out for protests today and the crowds came under fire by government operatives in civilian clothes.

CNN doesn't have crews in Libya and can't confirm these claims, or those of the government. It's reporting, though, that seven people were killed in yesterday's day of rage. However, human rights groups believe that death toll is much, much higher.

Right now, in Egypt where the government has already been toppled, take a look at this -- thousands of citizens celebrating their so- called "day of victory." They have returned to Tahrir Square, exactly one week after their movement ousted President Hosni Mubarak. Pro- democracy activists say that show of strength is also sending a message to the military. Egyptians are keeping a close eye on the reforms that have been promised but not yet delivered.

As a potential presidential candidate, Donald Trump is pushing his conservative credentials, but records show that he's donated thousands of dollars to Democrats. So, what's up with that?

And he was a contender to be state champ. Instead, he forfeited the match. Why did this high school wrestler refuse to wrestle? Well, he didn't want to wrestle a girl.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, a high school wrestler in Iowa refuses to compete because as he looked across the mat at his competition, he saw a young woman. Joel Northrup gave up his chance to be a state champ by refusing the match. She is the first girl to ever qualify for the state tournament.

After the forfeit, Northrup released a statement saying, quote, "Wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times. As a matter of conscience and my faith, I do not believe it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner. It is unfortunate that I have been place in a situation not seen in most other high school sports in Iowa."

Northrup's athletic director later commented on the decision.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SCOTT MAHMENS, LINN MAR ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: You know, I'm sure it was hard for him like it would be hard for anybody. But, you know, it's a decision that his family made and that's what it is.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Interesting. His family made the decision. Northrup is still eligible to compete in the consolation round.

Now, Monday, I'm going to speak to this young man who made that controversial decision. So, set your TiVo now. Joel Northrup will be in THE NEWSROOM, 9:00 a.m. Monday, to make his case.

Migraine sufferers, listen up. What if all this time it was more than a really bad headache? For one man it was. In fact, it was a knife in his brain.

Either opera is going camp or this may be a sign of the times. End times. A new show on a prestigious London stage. Are you ready for the name of it? "Anna Nicole," the opera.

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PHILLIPS: Well, the sooner the better that's Florida's position when it comes to holding its 2012 presidential primary but it's getting some pushback.

More on that, from CNN senior political editor Mark Preston. Hey, Mark.

MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Hey, good morning, Kyra.

Yes, you know, we always talk about Iowa and New Hampshire and Nevada and South Carolina as states that really are the proving grounds for presidential candidates. Well, Florida wants to get in on the action. And in fact, their primary is on January 31st of 2012.

This is going to cause a big headache for the Republican National Committee because they have already created a calendar that has Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada holding their contests in February. What's the rub? Well, those contests are supposed to go first so if Florida doesn't move their date to later on, then those four states are going to have to hold their contests back in -- in -- in January of that date.

So Florida have to come under some -- some kind of penalty from the RNC, they might lose delegates to the convention which will be held in Tampa. So can you imagine the RNC right now telling Florida Republicans Kyra, that they can't go to their own convention?

So right now, the RNC has this big headache on their hand. Dean Cannon who is the Florida House Speaker was here at CNN yesterday. He said, he doesn't think Florida is actually going to change their date from January 31st. He also said that his state is more representative of the whole electorate across the country than Iowa and New Hampshire, South Carolina and -- and Nevada. So we'll see how this plays out but, again, a big headache for the RNC.

You know, Ed Rollins a contributor here at CNN who is the political director for Ronald Reagan and he actually ran Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign in 2008. But a new column on CNNPolitics.com, he is not talking up Huckabee; he's talking up Chris Christie, that tough-talking New Jersey governor.

In fact, what Rollins says in his column is that conservatives want Chris Christie to run. Why? Because he contends that Christie is this tough talking honest Republican who is willing to make tough budget decisions including rejecting billions of dollars from the federal government to build a -- a tunnel underneath New Jersey for commuters heading into New York -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Mark thanks so much.

And apparently we've got some developing news out of Bahrain. We've been talking about those anti-government protests. Now we are just getting word from our Arwa Damon who is there covering that that she is in an area she just heard shots fired.

Arwa, what exactly can you tell us and is it going more violent?

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Kyra, I'm just outside of Tahrir Square (SIC) with the first round of anti- government demonstrators that came marching -- trying to march back on to the Square. They were initially greeted by bursts of gunfire. We at the Square were a short distance away, we arrived to the Square. We are in the middle of talking to a man who was covered in blood. He was describing how as the demonstrators arrived the soldiers took down on one knee and began shooting them. An ambulance worker told us that four people had been killed. An unknown number wounded.

As we were having this conversation, we heard shots fired. Again, the crowd scrambling back, using the ambulances for cover. The ambulances themselves actually moving and trying to protect the people from the incoming hail of bullets.

The situation right now, bearing in mind this only happened around ten minutes ago has been quiet. There was one gunshot that we heard. The demonstrators are not truly very distraught and very agitated, unsure what move to make next.

They do appear that they want to take on the military but as soon as they try to approach this outer cordon that is on one corner of the Square, they are being shot at and forced back -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Ok. Arwa and once again, our Arwa Damon calling into us from Bahrain, where we have seen these anti-government protests get stronger throughout the morning. And -- and there were -- there were -- there was actually a -- a number of people that were -- that showed up to honor the dead, those protesters that were killed within the past couple of days, Arwa. Has that already finished? Is this a continuation of that -- of that march that we saw through the Square there in Bahrain? Do you see that it's getting bigger? Do you -- kind of give us a sense compared -- comparing yesterday to today.

DAMON: Well, Kyra, the specific spot that we're at -- that the demonstrators that were trying to march in from this direction, and there were those who we saw earlier in the morning that were at the funeral. They have really dispersed at this point in time. They are standing around in small clusters seeming as if they are trying to regroup; figure out what their next move should be.

There's a -- they were also joined by a number of doctors, demonstrators, who were sitting in, in front of the hospital, because if you'll remember that Thursday night, when -- when the police went in and attacked the demonstration site, they were also preventing ambulances from entering. Doctors had to enter on foot and in fact, a doctor from this hospital we were told was killed, an ambulance worker wounded as well, so they were staging their own sit-in in front of the hospital.

They even came out to join the crowds that were coming here from the various locations where the funerals were taking place. But, as I said, the crowd is very dispersed right now, not entirely sure what their next move is going to be. People keep grabbing us, telling us, trying to point out positions where they believe the military and the police may be set up. It's a very, very tense situation here right now -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Arwa. Keep us posted, please keep calling in as you get new developments. I appreciate it. Our Arwa Damon, calling in there from the square in Bahrain.

More from the CNN NEWSROOM straight ahead.

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PHILLIPS: All right. Grab your passport. We are heading around the world for stories that caught our eye this morning.

First stop, a bizarre medical story out of China. Migraines had plagued the flu for years, and like a lot of migraine sufferers, well, he simply dealt with the pain. Then recently he began bleeding from the mouth. Well, a trip to the doctor for a bad headache revealed a four-inch knife in his brain.

It turns out he'd been stabbed in the jaw during a robbery attempt in 2006. Doctors pulled the blade out and said the knife just missed a brain artery. He's expected to take a full recovery.

Staying in China, a lantern festival marks the official end to Chinese New Year's. All across the country, colorful celebrations, dragons, costumes and of course lanterns.

As part of the celebration, children are given riddles to solve. Here's one for you, see if you can figure it out. What's full of holes but can still hold water? Yes, a sponge.

Last stop, London, London's Covent Garden, a bastion of high culture has turned a little low brow hoping to attract a new audience. Composer Mark Anthony crafted this story of -- yes, the one-time stripper turned "Playboy" model, turned TV reality star, turned billionaire widow, turned infamous legend here in the states, now apparently in London.

Writer Richard Thomas says he liked Anna Nicole because she's a figure that resonates with the times.

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RICHARD THOMAS, WRITER: It's a rags-to-riches story and a cautionary tale all chopped in a blender with two bottles of tequila, and three (INAUDIBLE) of sugar and whooshed up and a just poured over -- over a two-hour timeframe.

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PHILLIPS: Oh yes and cast of characters? Oh yes, none other than Larry King. The opera says that there's not a much of a backlash yet, if fact, all advanced tickets have sold out.

And we can't wait to bring this story to you.

If this Vietnam vet doesn't inspire you, no one will. He's proof that ability is far more important than disability. He just needed some better clubs to improve his golf score and thanks to the folks at Nike, he should have an even better game this summer.

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