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Shriver Speaks Out On Arnold's Secret Child; IMF Head Behind Bars; Sex Drugs Used In Libya; Saving New Orleans; Salaries: Who Makes What and Why; Obama on Middle East Peace; Parents Name Child After the 'Like' Button on Facebook; Mid-East Special Envoy George Mitchell Resigns; Bill Gates Calling for Stronger Immunizations Programs; Parking Goes High Tech; Gingrich Slammed By GOP Over Medicare Remarks

Aired May 17, 2011 - 13:00   ET

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

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, Suzanne.

I'm here live in Los Angeles as Maria Shriver speaks out on Arnold Schwarzenegger's affair and news of a secret child. Moments ago, Shriver released this statement. This is a painful and heartbreaking time. As a mother, my concern is for the children. I ask for compassion, respect and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment. We'll have much more on this developing story in just about ten minutes.

Meanwhile, the head of the International Monetary Fund is spending his first full day on an exclusive island unlike anywhere he's ever been, Rikers Island. Until Friday at the earliest, Dominic Strauss-Kahn will be a guest of New York City in an east river compound reserved for criminal defendants and convicts.

It's a world away from the swanky Manhattan Hotel where he allegedly forced himself on a maid on Saturday and brought himself an array of sex crime charges, along with one count of unlawful imprisonment.

Besides Strauss-Kahn, Rikers houses 14,000 inmates, give or take, and employs some 10,000 guards. It's made up of ten separate jails, most of them barracks, but some regular cell blocks as well. Strauss- Kahn has an 11 by 13-foot cell to himself, but even when he takes his daily one hour exercise, he'll be separated from other prisoners. He's also separated from phones, TVs and the Internet, also.

CNN's Deborah Feyerick is following his drama as it plays out in New York City, and Deb, I understand that you've done some digging on the forensics. What did you find?

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Well, right now, we do know that everybody is waiting for the results of the forensics to see, in fact, what was found at this hotel, whether, in fact, there is a direct connection to Mr. Strauss-Kahn and the young lady who's made these allegations against him.

Remember, she made the allegations very, very quickly, within moments of this alleged assault happening. And that's one of the reasons that police and special victims are taking this so seriously. Seriously enough to pull this man off the plane within hours of these allegations. We spoke to a -- an investigator, somebody who used to work with the sex crimes unit, and here's what they're looking at.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: You have a hotel worker going up against one of the most powerful men, the head of the International Monetary Fund. What sort of evidence need to be met for police to believe that something, in fact, did occur?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's a great question. Obviously, body fluids, and where it is. If it's on the bed of the alleged offender, may not be terrifically significant. If it's on the clothing of the victim, and I don't know where it is, that's going to be awfully significant. Most hotels in this day and age have cameras in corridors. Is there tape of this woman leaving the room? What condition was she in, both in clothing disarray and an emotional distress? What condition was he in when he left the room, if these things are filmed?

FEYERICK: (INAUDIBLE) to the airport to get him off the plane. Is that an extraordinary measure?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If the special victims unit detectives had probable cause, meaning a witness who they believed who told the truth, made an immediate outcry, found evidence to support it, which is not needed, but icing on the cake, then they did the only thing that they could do, which was to stop this man before he left the country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FEYERICK: And all that evidence that you heard described, all that would go before a grand jury. New York City has three sitting grand juries, so this could happen at any time. They will decide whether, in fact, the allegations are sufficient enough to actually take this case to trial. Remember, Mr. Strauss-Kahn, he is going to plead not guilty. These are only allegations. There's no indictment that's been issued just yet.

His lawyer says that the forensics will show that this was not a forcible encounter. He did not get any more specific than that. Only to say that, in fact, he could be exonerated. So, a lot still happening here -- Randi.

KAYE: And Deb, what's the latest on the other potential victims in this -- not in this case, but other potential victims?

FEYERICK: Well, that's one of the things that investigators are looking at. They're trying to go back and see who else may have experienced something similar, whether they stepped forward, whether they did not step forward. You know, that is one of the things that they do in these cases, where they just sort of, you know, kind of beat the rug and see how much dust comes out. What there is, what's hidden, and that will all be used, obviously, to make their case. All this evidence going to a grand jury. And Mr. Strauss-Kahn is expected to be back in court on Friday.

He could, by the way, Randi -- his lawyers could present a new bail package which a different judge would consider as to whether he should be released from Rikers Island. You have to remember, this is a man who has been at the center of the world. He was supposed to be negotiating on behalf of Europe to try to get out of the fiscal crisis that they're suffering right now with the Euro. And instead, he's sitting alone in a jail cell in isolation. So, very, very different scenario.

KAYE: Oh, yes, it certainly is. Deb Feyerick following it for us out of New York City. Deb, thank you.

Meanwhile, stunning allegations today. Gadhafi forces using gang rape as a weapon of war. Libyan police being given sexual enhancement drugs to use as, quote, machetes against innocent women.

The chief prosecutor of the international criminal court at The Hague says reports indicate these are not isolated incidents and appear to be institutionalized. The face of these attacks, Eman al- Obeidi and her story of rape, just one of many. She was the woman who barged into a hotel full of journalists announcing she had been raped by security forces. Will the ICC's investigation expose an even darker, twisted side to Moammar Gadhafi's regime?

Let's get straight to Nic Robertson who joins us now from London with more on this. Nick, how were these so-called enhancement drugs first discovered?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, when rebels went into military bases to take Gadhafi's forces weapons away from them and use them for themselves against his army, they discovered, they say, what they describe as Viagra, a sexual performance enhancing drugs, inside some of these compounds. And they put that together with the fact that many women they think are being sort of systematically taken, at Gadhafi forces check points and raped, and this is why the chief prosecutor is going to investigate it.

KAYE: These details are so disturbing. But, of course, there's the question of who organized them? I mean, how close does this come to Gadhafi? Is there any indication?

ROBERTSON: Well, the chief prosecutor has already said and decided and put on the record that Moammar Gadhafi has absolute power in the country. So, he is criminally responsible for crimes that are committed by his forces in suppressing and repressing the people of the country, this is what he has already determined.

So, it's a matter of determining, was this coordinated by military commanders on the ground? Was it something that was issued from -- from senior levels like Gadhafi himself? But the ultimate criminal responsibility -- the chief prosecutor says in other cases of crimes against the civilian population, the responsibility is going to rest with Gadhafi, whether or not he specifically said you should go out and do this.

KAYE: All right, Nic Robertson following that story for us today from London. Nic, thank you.

To Louisiana now and the high cost of preventing catastrophe. The Army Corps of Engineers estimates 25,000 homes could be lost or damaged by spillage of the Mississippi River by way of the Morganza Spillway.

As we've been reporting, the spillway is gradually be opened to lower the river downstream and lessen the flood risks in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. In the farm lands and bayous that would have stayed dry had the spillway stayed closed, most folks are getting out, but a few see a different solution.

If the water gets high, well, make the house even higher. Contractors can jack up a house and put it on stilts for roughly the price of building a house from scratch. State officials and army engineers insist, the price of not opening the floodgates would have been much higher for many more people. And CNN's David Mattingly has that side of the story for us in New Orleans.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Open floodgates, inundated floodways, thousands hit by floodwaters, so New Orleans stays dry. The alternative, city officials say, would have been worse than Katrina.

LT. COL. JERRY SNEED, HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF, NEW ORLEANS: We do live in a bowl, so there's going to be quite a bit of water, maybe 20 feet, 25 feet of water throughout the city. Could easily happen.

MATTINGLY: Without the diversion of massive amounts of water by the Army Corps of Engineers, this flood would soon be pushing water over the New Orleans levees. With the Morganza spillway opening, the rising Mississippi is abruptly cresting here a week early. At 17 feet, it is still just 3 feet from going over the top.

(on-camera): Just 3 feet from the top. That still sounds like a near miss to me.

SNEED: Well, again, it is -- we're watching this very careful. We are not out of the woods yet.

MATTINGLY (voice-over): And that, in part, is because of what the flood could do to commerce at this major port. If this water comes up just one more foot, then the coast guard could have to make the decision to shut down river traffic. If that happens, city officials say it would bring an economic impact of $295 million a day.

These levees on the Mississippi River get tested by seasonal floods every couple of years. The levees that failed during Katrina were on waterways, not directly connected to the river. (on-camera): Is there something that the people and the rest of the country should learn from New Orleans as they experience the flood of 2011?

H.J. BOSWORTH JR., CIVIL ENGINEER, NEW ORLEANS: Yes. And what people along the Mississippi need to know is that levees are only as good as their weakest mound of mud or mound of sand or whatever is in them.

MATTINGLY (voice-over): And the people hit by these floods, like the people of New Orleans, will find out what they are made of as they try to put their lives back together after being caught in nature's wake. David Mattingly, CNN, New Orleans.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: Last week, we Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger were separating, now it seems that we know why. More details about Arnold's secret love child is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Reactions are pouring in now that former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger admits to fathering a child with another woman. Here's what we know and can tell you. Schwarzenegger says the affair happened more than a decade ago, before his first run for office.

The "L.A. Times" first reported the news, saying the mother of the child is a household staffer, and Schwarzenegger has provided support for the child since birth. The newspaper says it's not publishing the former staffer's name to protect her privacy, but the staffer did say she recently retired on good terms with the couple after working for them for 20 years.

Moments ago, Maria Shriver released this statement. This is a painful and heartbreaking time. As a mother, my concern is for the children. I ask for compassion, respect and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment.

TMZ Harvey Levin joins me now. And Harvey, you knew about this child five days ago, apparently, but you didn't report it. I'm curious as to why?

HARVEY LEVIN, CREATOR, HOST AND EXECUTIVE, TMZ: Well, his people were just, you know, impervious on this, and just -- not true, not true, not true. And some of them absolutely knew, there's absolutely no doubt. I mean, we -- you know, this is one of those things where I felt it was important to get some kind of confirmation from them before reporting it.

But Maria has talked about it some over the last couple of months. She was devastated by this, I mean, I'm told literally inconsolable when she found out. And she has taken steps, you know, to get a business manager, to kind of create a plan, and this has been months ago, to kind of end this marriage. Though she has not pulled the trigger. But we absolutely heard about this, and his people who are --

KAYE: And what are you hearing --

LEVIN: -- just trying to stonewall it.

KAYE: And what are you hearing -- what are you hearing in terms of specifics about the child? I mean he or she has to be about 10 years old now.

LEVIN: It would seem the child is about 10 years old. The way -- the way we are hearing it, Arnold didn't just decide one day to tell Maria. It started to unravel and he was forced to tell Maria. But that's kind of the way this thing went down. And they were doing everything they could to hide this thing. So, you know, on two levels, this remained a mystery for a lot longer than you would expect.

KAYE: And if my math is correct, this staffer worked for Schwarzenegger and Shriver for quite some time after this child was born. I mean any idea how he managed to keep this under wraps?

LEVIN: Well, I -- all I can say, Randi, is, there is more to this story. We're going to be publishing some information on the website shortly. But Arnold was able to compartmentalize his life in a semi effective way. Maria -- one of the reasons Maria separated, you know, although this was a huge event, Maria has been miserable in this marriage for several years and made that very clear to people who knew her.

And part of the reason was the womanizing. So it's not this one incident that set Maria off, by any means. And it was also Arnold's ego. She felt ignored by him. So this is not just, again, one person. Arnold was able to kind of deal with his family in one area and deal with the rest of his life in a different area. But there's more to this story. We're going to be putting some things up shortly.

KAYE: And they have obviously separated. Do you think -- or any idea on where they're headed now? What are you hearing?

LEVIN: Well, I am told that Maria has been seriously talking about divorce. That her religious views have created conflict for her. And also, Arnold's power over here has created conflict over here. And with all that went on, he has tremendous emotional power over here and he has -- and he has used that and wants desperately to get back with her. So she feels conflicted. And it looked as if it was going to happen apparently a while ago and then just didn't. So Maria has chosen, for whatever reason, not to pull the trigger and formally try and end the marriage. But that certainly is a possibility.

KAYE: I want to just remind our viewers of Arnold Schwarzenegger's statement. "After leaving the governor's office, I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago. I understand and deserve the feelings of anger ask disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."

Harvey, what do you make of the timing of all of this coming out after he's left office?

LEVIN: Well, you know, I think it came out because the wagons started to close in. You know, we were making phone calls, you know, over the last week. Clearly "The L.A. Times" was making phone calls as well. And I think they realized that this was seeping out and they wanted to control it. And I think that's why they did it. But they were certainly willing to not tell the truth, you know, until they absolutely had to.

KAYE: And I know that Schwarzenegger has talked about returning to acting. I'm sure you're well aware of that. Of how do you think this is going to impact his future acting career? If at all?

LEVIN: Well, I, you know, Randi, I have to tell you something, I mean I think that's something where everybody tries to take a snapshot and say, he'll never act again. He'll never do a movie again.

I have seen so many cases where, you know, things subside, things change, and I don't think that this is going to ruin Arnold Schwarzenegger's acting career. He doesn't do romantic comedies. You know, he does action movies. And I, you know, you can't look at today and say this will define Arnold Schwarzenegger. It never happens that way in Hollywood. Never, ever, ever.

KAYE: All right, Harvey Levin, all over this story. We'll, of course, check TMZ's website throughout the day and see what you turn out. Thanks for your time.

LEVIN: Sure, Randi.

KAYE: All right. So, admit it, you're a little curious about how much other people make, right? Well, in two minutes, we tell you what other people earn and what they did to get those jobs and that money. Don't go anywhere.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Now it's time for this week's in depth look at the job market. Whether you're looking for your first job, a new career or a pay raise, you probably want to know what other people make and what they did to get their jobs. Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange with more on this.

So, Alison, tell us, how are our salaries determined?

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're taken out of the clear blue sky, Randi, aren't they? I'm kidding about that, actually, but -- because there are really three main factors that go into what your salary is.

We talked with an analyst at payscale.com and he tells us the most important things are your education and your experience or your skills. There's also location that factors into that equation. Think about it. The highest salaries you'll find, they're in California and New York. And that's because -- that's because of the higher cost of living.

Now, those things are important to know so that when you actually go in for salary negotiations, you can go in with realistic expectations. So with all that being said, we did go ahead and pick a few industries to look at more closely.

And we're starting with the legal sector. Now, when most people hear that, they often think about lawyers making six figures. And that's because of the education you need to go into that field. You need four years of college, three more -- three or more in law school. And some do make the six-figure salaries.

But the median salary is really not that high. But the pay for that sector runs the gamut. You can look at it here. There's the entry level law clerk who makes $30,000 and the parallel who makes around $55,000. And, no, you don't have to go to law school for those areas because most clerks and paralegals, they have a bachelor's degree only. Something to keep in mind, Randi.

KAYE: And, Alison, what about jobs, though, that don't require as much education? I mean how do those jobs fare as in terms of pay?

KOSIK: Oh, sure. And you know that within any industry that you can find, these salaries are really in a range and there's usually a lot of room to move up. You look at the retail industry, for instance. You'll see a six-figure salary there, too.

But then again, we picked out a retail pharmacist, like the one at your local drugstore. That one requires more schooling. But you can make a decent living without having an advanced degree. There are buyers. Those are the people who pick the stuff that's sold in the stores where you buy clothing, for instance, and they make in the $50,000 range.

Another area where you don't need as much education to break in are with hotels and restaurants. A waiter or line cook with a high school diploma makes only around $20,000. But if you go ahead and work your way up to executive chef or a hotel manager, the median pay actually jumps to about $50,000. And you can actually get upwards of $65,000. And with this industry, you know, a lot of people wind up going to a trade school or get a two-year associates degree. So there is some education in there, but not a huge amount.

You know, bottom line with this, the big theme, Randi, is really education and time. If you have education, you start out at a higher salary. And that can wind up affecting your career earnings. But if you don't, you can still get in at that lower level and really slowly, you know, work your way up, prove yourself, and maybe work your way up the ladder.

Randi.

KAYE: All right, Alison Kosik, thank you. Appreciate it.

KOSIK: Sure.

KAYE: It's time right now, about 25 minutes past the hour, and time for a check of our top stories.

We now know why Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver split. The former California governor admits he fathered a child outside his marriage more than 10 years ago. The mother was a long-time member of his household staff. Schwarzenegger says he told his wife after he left the governor's office in January.

The flood of historic proportions still on the move. Engineers plan to open more floodgates along the Mississippi River soon to divert high water away from New Orleans. Water from the upstream spillway is already overrunning some homes. As many as 25,000 could go under water over the next few weeks.

We are looking at the space shuttle Atlantis being moved from its processing hangar to the vehicle assembly building, as it's called, to be prepped for its last flight. It will be rolled to the launch pad at the end of the month in anticipation of the final mission in the space shuttle program's 30-year history. Launch is set for mid-July. And, of course, we will cover it live right here for you on CNN.

A region in revolt. President Obama talking about Middle East upheaval this afternoon with one of the region's major players. We'll ask our Ed Henry about this -- how this might influence the president's upcoming major Middle East address. That is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: President Obama welcomed Jordan's King Abdullah to the White House today. The two had a lot to discuss with the growing unrest across the Middle East and recent protests along Israel's borders. The meeting comes just two days before the president is due to give an important speech on the Middle East. CNN's senior White House correspondent Ed Henry joins me at this time every day.

And, Ed, what was at the top of the agenda for today's Oval Office meeting?

ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, it's funny, Randi. As you lay it out, it's hard to pick one topic that is really at the top. You have the Israeli border situation. You have Libya, which the president talked to the king about. And just the broader Israeli/Palestinian peace process.

And then also the broader Arab spring. You know, a of the hope right now in the Arab world about Tunisia, about maybe Libya down the road, as well as Egypt. But I think clearly coming out of this Oval Office meeting, one of the things that the president and the king wanted to stress in their statements was that it really -- all of this needs to be followed up with economic reforms so that the people in the Arab world actually feel like there's some change beyond all the rhetoric we've heard, Randi.

KAYE: And what do we expect the message to be? Any more details as far as the message on Thursday in the Middle East speech?

HENRY: What White House aides are saying is that they believe the president will use the killing of Osama bin Laden to sort of show that people around the world have a real -- you know, a whole other option beyond al Qaeda and that this wills how people, particularly in the Muslim world, that bin Laden is gone, and that it's time to choose a whole new option, a whole new approach here.

I think the other thing that we're going to be looking at is how concrete does the president get about the Israeli/Palestinian process? Diplomats close to the king were saying before this meeting that King Abdullah really wanted to stress that President Obama needs to get specific, lay out some real details to some sort of an Obama plan, perhaps, on Mid-East peace. And the White House has been resistant to that before.

And I think especially now, after we saw on Friday, George Mitchell, the president's special envoy to the Mid-East, basically stepping down, announcing he's stepping down. That was another sign that this peace process is really stalled right now.

And a lot of people are watching and waiting for the president's speech Thursday, because that's the day before the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes here to the White House. Everyone's going to be reading the body language, and figuring out, coming out of that speech, is there any hope, any concrete steps coming out of the speech and then the visiting Israeli prime minister to get this peace process going again, Randi.

KAYE: And then, of course, we also have the resignation of the Middle East point man, George Mitchell. I mean, that's sort of a game-changer at this time, isn't it?

HENRY: Yes. Look if you go back to the very first week of this administration, President Obama named George Mitchell to that position, not just as a former Senate majority leader, but somebody who helped bring peace to northern Ireland. And there were many people had predicted that would never happen and he was able to do it. And there was a lot of hope here inside the White House that George Mitchell could then bring that to the Israeli/Palestinian peace process. And after two-and-a-half years, he seems to be frustrated about all of the travel back and forth with very few results.

And so if you want a clear sign that this process right now is going nowhere fast, look no further than the fact that George Mitchell stepped aside. It's a really poor sign right now, Randi.

KAYE: That doesn't sound good.

All right. Ed Henry Staking Out the White House for us, as always. Thank you, Ed.

Well, a lot of people love that "like" button on Facebook. But one mom takes her love to a whole new level. You are not going to believe this. That story is coming in 90 seconds.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Let's check on the latest headlines and some stories that you may have missed. The flooding from the Mississippi River is snaking its way towards the Gulf of Mexico, leaving behind a trail of devastated communities. The river neared record levels at Greenville, Mississippi., and floodwaters are expected to peak at record levels this weekend farther south. More residents in Louisiana's low country are scrambling to build makeshift levees and evacuating their homes.

For the first time in its history, the Army Corps of Engineers has hoped three floodways, one in Missouri and two in Louisiana. Dozens of communities in nine states up and down the Mississippi River are being affected. Millions of acres of farmland flooded. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal says the damage to agriculture in Louisiana alone will be $300 million.

Rap fans are mourning the death of M-Bone as police search for his killer. The rapper from the group Cali Swag District was killed Sunday night in a drive-by shooting. The group is known for the song "Teach Me How to Dougie." Police say the rapper was sitting in a car in Englewood when another car pulled up and fired two rounds. He later died at the hospital from gunshot wounds to his head. His rep says M-Bone was the victim of a random act of violence.

Apparently we now know why Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver split up. A source tells CNN Schwarzenegger fathered a child 10 years ago with a household staffer. The source says he has provided support for his child since birth. The shocking news comes just a week after Schwarzenegger and Shriver made public that they were separating after 25 years of marriage.

Schwarzenegger admits to the affair. In a statement, he says, "After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event. I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment." In a written statement, Shriver calls it a painful and heartbreaking time. She says, "As a mother, my concern is for the children." She also asks for privacy for her family.

Bill Gates is calling for stronger immunization programs while urging drug companies to make vaccines more affordable for poor countries. The goal, to save 10 million lives by 2020. Addressing the World Health Organization, the Microsoft founder and philanthropist says five or six new vaccines could be available by the end of the decade. Gates says it is critical to make this, quote, "the decade of vaccines."

First, there was baby Facebook in Egypt. Now an Israeli couple has named their baby Like as in the "Like" button on Facebook. Yes, I am not kidding you. An Israeli news source says the parents were looking for a unique name for their daughter and they don't just like Facebook, but like the meaning behind the word, I guess, by definition. I guess we could say we already like "Like," right? Yes, I think so.

Well, for two brothers, the dream of college and a military career are not possible unless they get some help from Congress. Their story, in 60 seconds.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Paying for a college education can be a huge burden. And financial aid and scholarships help ease that strain. But for undocumented immigrant youths, receiving federal assistance for college is illegal for the time being. Supporters of a bill called the DREAM Act say it would provide them affordable access to college, military service, and eventually an opportunity for citizenship. The DREAM stands for Development, Relieve and Education of Alien Minors. It failed to pass the last Congress.

Well, the act was reintroduced in the Senate this week by Senator Dick Durbin and 31 co-sponsors. And for two undocumented brothers in Phoenix, Arizona, it really may be their only hope. Thelma Gutierrez sat with the boys and discovered they, too, to still dream the American dream.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Somewhere in Phoenix is a tiny trailer park. People who know this place told us it's where the dreamers live.

Dreamers are kids who want to go on to college or serve in the U.S. military, but can't because they're undocumented.

We came here to meet two students. We can't identify them, because they're in the country illegally.

"Alex" is 17, he says he came to the from Mexico about four years ago on his own to chase a dream.

"ALEX," UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT: I had always dreamed of being a doctor. Well, when I came here and I started to study, I decided to become a neurosurgeon.

GUTIERREZ: A lofty ambition, but Alex is determined. He's also a top student at his school.

"ALEX": I'm kind of a straight-A student.

GUTIERREZ: Alex lives in this trailer with three other teenagers who are also dreamers. They work cash jobs, construction and yard cleaning, to pay for food, rent and utilities while they attend high school.

(on camera): You left Mexico City to come here for a better life, and yet you're living in this trailer park and you know, really struggling. I mean, is this kind of what you were dreaming where you would end up?

"ALEX": No, not even close.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): A few doors away, "Jason" and his brothers live with their mother in a small trailer. He's also 17. He came from Mexico when he was a baby. He says his only allegiance is to the United States, and he's dreamed of serving in the military ever since he was a boy.

"JASON," UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT: I just really wanted to go in there. Like, I had plans and everything already.

GUTIERREZ: It was all mapped out. "Jason" is in ROTC, an officer training program for young students. He's also an honor student who hoped to enlist on his 18th birthday. When the DREAM Act was shot down last year, he said it was a blow that is indescribable.

"JASON": I was planning on joining the military with the DREAM Act, but since they didn't pass it, that kind of cancelled out my dream of going in there.

GUTIERREZ (on camera): How did that make you feel?

"JASON": It's just frustrating, not being able to follow your dream.

GUTIERREZ: Now that the DREAM Act has been introduced once again, "Jason" holds on to hope he'll be able to wear an Army uniform, and "Alex"" hopes someday he'll be able to go on to medical school.

Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Phoenix, Arizona.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: Under current federal laws, undocumented immigrants are ineligible to receive financial aid or loans, and most states are charged out of state tuition rates. The legislation came close to passage in the previous Congress, falling just five votes short of the 60 required to move forward in the Senate.

The revised bill includes a critical provision that would allow states to charge in-state tuition rates to all resident students, regardless of immigration status. This provision was removed from the bill voted on by the last Congress.

Charged with sexual assault. Now held on New York's notorious Rikers Island in jail. Pressure builds for the IMF chief to resign. The latest on that, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Not even bomb threats are stopping Queen Elizabeth II's historic visit to the Republic of Ireland. The queen, wearing a symbolic emerald green coat and hat, reviewed an Irish Military Guard shortly after arriving today. She is the first British monarch to visit Ireland since the company gained independence from the U.K. back in 1921.

The queen also honored Irish Nationalists who were killed in the fight for independence, laying a wreath at Dublin's Garden of Remembrance, the country's monument to its fallen heroes. Just hours before her arrival, the Irish Army carried out a controlled explosion of a pipe bomb discovered on a bus heading for Dublin. Militant Nationalists opposed to British control of Northern Ireland are suspected of planting that device.

About 200 people opposed to the queen's visit threw bricks and bottles at police, who pushed them back with riot shields and batons. Officials from both countries describe the four-day visit as an opportunity for reconciliation and much better relations.

Turning now to the scandal that's rocked both France and the financial world, the head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominic Strauss-Kahn, now behind bars on New York's infamous Rikers Island, a 400-acre jail complex that's home to some of the country's most violent criminals.

He was placed there after being charged with trying to rape a maid at a New York hotel and a judge denied him bail. In a statement, the IMF, today, said Strauss-Kahn does not have diplomatic immunity.

Strauss-Kahn denies the charges against him. He was viewed by many as a leading contender to become France's next president. Now many within the IMF and in France say his only recourse is to resign. This sentiment developing as more women come forward with their own allegations of unwanted sexual advances by him.

This woman, French journalist, Tristane Banon said Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her during an interview nine years ago. Her mother says she persuaded her at the time not to press charges because Strauss- Kahn was a family friend and close to their politics. Now her lawyer says she plans to file a legal complaint against him.

Strauss-Kahn, of course, isn't without supporters, including his wife who says she doesn't believe the charges. And in France, some describe his treatment in New York to that of a, quote, "lynching. " Others say he might be the target of a political set-up.

We'll continue to follow that.

Forty-seven minutes past the hour. Checking developments in our top stories right now.

The International Criminal Court accuses Moammar Gadhafi's security forces of gang raping women stopped at checkpoints. The ICC's chief prosecutor says they're investigating reports that the security forces are using sexual enhancement drugs, which he called a tool of massive rape.

In Pakistan, NATO says two of its helicopters were fired on from the Pakistani side of the border with Afghanistan. The spokesman says the choppers returned fire. Pakistan says two of its soldiers were wounded, and has lodged a strong protest. Pakistanis are also calling for a meeting with NATO.

President Obama discussed Mideast peace today with Jordan's King Abdullah at the White House. Mr. Obama says it's more vital than ever for the Israelis and Palestinians to restart peace talks. He also says the U.S. will stay engaged in the process in a bid to help the two sides find an equitable and just solution, those were his words.

Mr. Obama plans to deliver a speech on Thursday on U.S. policy in the Middle East, and meets Friday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Have you ever tried to park in a big city? Yes, you probably have, and it's horrible, isn't it? Well, all the pain and struggle may be a thing in the past. We will tell why right after the break.

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KAYE: Parking in any big city can be brutal, we all know that. Driving in circles, getting lost, missing the appointment, not fun. But now the worst part of the ride is turning somewhat into a high- tech adventure, actually.

CNN Silicon Valley correspondent, Dan Simon, joins us live to explain just a little bit.

Hi, Dan.

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Randi.

The key to making this technology work begins with what you are seeing right here. This is a sensor embedded in the street. This can tell whether or not a parking space is free, and that information ultimately is uploaded to a smartphone app.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SIMON (voice-over): Finding a place to park in San Francisco can be a futile effort.

In this neighborhood it is pretty cut throat. Anywhere in the city, it is pretty tough.

SIMON: So it figures that the Bay Area, home to the world greatest technology companies, would offer an innovative solution.

(on camera): Except, it does not come from industry, but city hall. The City of San Francisco is offering a free iPhone app that can show you in real-time how to land a parking spot.

(voice-over): These street sensors determine whether or not the space is free. The info gets uploaded to a central computer and relayed to the app. Fire it up, and you can see the map around you. Dark blue means plenty of spots; light blue it's getting tight; Red, pretty much forget it.

(on camera): All right, let's see if we can find ourselves a parking spot.

(voice-over): How well does it work? Sometimes perfectly.

(on camera): The app says on this block there should be two spots available and guess what, there is one of them right there.

(voice-over): Other times, not so much. Still, the city claims its internal testing showed a high level of accuracy.

(on camera): How accurate is it?

NATHANIEL FORD, CEO, SFMTA: Ninety percent accurate.

SIMON (voice-over): Nathaniel Ford runs the city's transportation agency. He says the $20 million project, entirely federally-funded, is about trying to ease congestion.

FORD: That helps us speed up our transit system, helps us with greenhouse missions in terms of automobiles circling around.

SIMON (on camera): The app has been downloaded more than 12,000 times, but there's real concern about whether or not it's creating another problem. California has a no texting law while behind the wheel, and driving while using the app surely doesn't seem safe.

FORD: We do not encourage people, and it's not necessary, to constantly look down at your device looking for a parking spot.

SIMON (voice-over): Still consider a pilot project, the city installed sensors in 7,000 of the city's 24,000 metered-parking spaces, and 12,000 more in city-owned garages. If it works, look for it to expand here and in other big cities.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SIMON: Well, it is estimated here in San Francisco that people circling around for a parking spot, that accounts for 30 percent of the congestion that you have in the city. So that's why officials here are trying to see if technology might provide a solution -- Randi.

KAYE: So, Dan, where might else we see this soon? You mentioned that it might be heading to other cities.

SIMON: Well, right now, San Francisco, it is a pilot project here, and they have the most vast system, if you will, but Ft. Worth, Texas and West Hollywood in California, they're also experimenting with this technology to a limited degree. And if it is successful there and here in San Francisco, then, of course, it will greatly expand.

But the key, of course, is to not use it while you are driving, because, of course, that can be dangerous -- Randi.

KAYE: Yes, no texting, no looking for a parking spot, none of that stuff while you're behind the wheel.

Dan Simon, thank you. Cool stuff.

And for more on the innovative parking spot, you can check out our blog at CNN.com/Ali. You can also read and watch videos about our past "Big Is" there.

To see what innovative idea we'll look out tomorrow, make sure to tune in as always, as we like to say, same "Big I" time, same "Big I" channel.

Donald Trump and Mike Huckabee are out of the way, you would expect it to be good news for Newt Gingrich, but the spotlight isn't being kind to the former House speaker. Your CNN Political Update is next.

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KAYE: Time now for the a CNN Political Update. And Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is having some issues with his own party over his comments Medicare reform.

CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser joins me now from Washington.

Paul, what is this controversy all about?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Hey, Randi, six days after Gingrich formally announces for president and I guess you could say the honeymoon is already over.

Here's what happened. Sunday, on the talk shows, on the Sunday talk shows, the former House speaker, he was asked about Paul Ryan, the Budget chairman in the House, his Medicare plan, which Republicans overwhelmingly approve of, and this is what he said. He called it radical change, he was somewhat critical of it.

He also, talking about health care, he said he supported a some kind of concept of the individual mandate, another big no-no with the Republicans.

So since then, in the last 48 hours, Gingrich has been really slammed by a lot of the conservatives, by a lot of Republicans. So I guess you could definitely say he may be a little bit in the doghouse.

Gingrich talked to our Jim Acosta last night in Iowa, that is where Gingrich is, a good place to place to be if you are running for president, of course. And he had actually had some complimentary things to say about Ryan. And today, in what also appears to be a little bit of damage control, Gingrich signed a petition calling for the repeal of President Obama's health care law, which was passed last year by Democrats in Congress.

So keep your eyes on this story, Randi, it's far from over.

KAYE: All right, I certainly will.

And what's this buzz today over the Wisconsin Senate race? What is happening there?

STEINHAUSER: Yes, some big names here. Let's go back to Paul Ryan, the Budget chairman, a congressman from Wisconsin. He told our Candy Crowley the other day on the Sunday talk shows that he would announce this week whether he would or would not run for that open Senate seat in Wisconsin.

We found out today, and the answer is no. He is going to stay in the House, he says he can do better work for the country from the House.

But here's who now may run for that seat, a guy called Tommy Thompson. If you remember, he was the long-time governor of Wisconsin, and since then he was also the Health and Human Services secretary under President Bush and ran for the White House as a Republican four years ago. He is very likely now to run for this seat, which is held by Herb Cole, a Democrat, who announced the other day he is not running for reelection.

Randi, remember, the Democrats have a slight edge in the Senate. They're going to try to hold on to it in the next election. We'll see if they can keep it -- Randi.

KAYE: They are going to try and hold on tight. All right, Paul. Thank you.

STEINHAUSER: Yes, they are.