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IMF Head Pressured to Resign; Newt Gingrich Faces Tough Week; Obama's Mideast Speech Preview; Maria Shriver at Oprah Tribute; Al Qaeda's Appoints Temporary Leader; One Christian Group Warns of Doomsday; Division of Labor Affects Health; Man Eats 25,000th Big Mac; Millennials Go to Work; Snake Advisory Issued in Louisiana

Aired May 18, 2011 - 09:00   ET

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

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Have a great long break.

It is 9:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 6:00 a.m. in the West. Good morning to you. I'm Carol Costello, in for Kyra Phillips.

There could be big developments today in the case against the IMF chief. The hotel maid who claims Dominique Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her could tell a grand jury her story and the international pressure is growing for him to resign.

Flooding could get worse in Louisiana and Mississippi and the water could be high for a long time. The governor of Louisiana says the record water levels could last more than a month.

And this could be a big day for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Houston's newspaper reports that doctors will perform major surgery on her skull.

But first, we now have an idea of who will leave al Qaeda now that Osama bin Laden is dead, and it's not who you'd expect.

CNN's Dan Rivers is in London.

So, Dan, who is this man?

DAN RIVERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is Saif al Adel who is a former Egyptian special forces officer, a veteran of al Qaeda, the chief of their military committee for many years. A veteran of Afghanistan and Somalia. He's got a long track record as a terrorist.

We are being told that he has been appointed in a caretaker capacity to sort of look after the organization while they try and find a permanent replacement for bin Laden, which may well be Ayman al- Zawahiri. But that has yet to be confirmed.

We understand there's lots of sort of consultations going on between different branches. But that has obviously been hampered by the intelligence that the U.S. has seized at bin Laden's lair in Pakistan.

COSTELLO: Do we know where he is now? RIVERS: Saif al Adel, we understand, is in Afghanistan. We're not sure where, but there is talk from this one source that we talked to, Noman Benotman, who's a former Libyan Islamist, who's now turned his back on terrorism. He has got sources who say that, you know, there is activity in Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan. The training camps are being reestablished there so that's a possible location.

COSTELLO: Dan Rivers, live in London, many thanks.

Also this morning, there are calls for Dominique Strauss-Kahn to resign as head of the International Monetary Fund. After all, it's tough to keep the global economy stable when you're locked on up Rikers Island fighting sex charges.

Deborah Feyerick is following the story for us.

So, Deb, do we know? Has the alleged victim talked with the grand jury yet?

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we're learning right now is that the 32-year-old West African who's at the heart of what's now become an international incident is set to testify before the grand jury today. That's according to her lawyer who spoke on a morning show earlier.

After laying low, we are also told that she was finally reunited with her teenage daughter yesterday. That's according to a friend.

Now this woman is set to testify before the grand jury and will likely recount the story of how she allegedly walked into the hotel room in order to clean it as she was instructed and that's when she has said that Strauss-Kahn grabbed her from behind and the sexual assault took place.

Her lawyer -- her private lawyer, says this incident has turned her world upside down.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFFREY SHAPIRO, ATTORNEY FOR ALLEGED VICTIM: She's frightened, yes. Totally frightened. This is a person who assaulted her and raped her, and she's -- any television program she turns on, he's pictured on it. And she has to live this. It's a nightmare that keeps recycling in her mind. And she can't escape from it. She has no point of refuge.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

FEYERICK: Now Dominique Strauss-Kahn was supposed to be in Europe, as you mentioned, meeting with world financial leaders to try to figure out the debt crisis over there. Instead after that handcuffed walk out of the police station house which you saw -- that's something the French call outrageous and illegal.

In fact he's been put on a suicide watch at Rikers Island. This is just a precaution. Technically he's not suicidal. They do this for many of their high-profile clients or -- I should say people who are incarcerated, just as a precaution to make sure that, you know, in fact this fall from grace doesn't affect them as deeply as it might.

Now his lawyer has said that forensic evidence will show the encounter was not forced. That if indicted, Strauss-Kahn will plead not guilty. The woman's lawyer disputes suggestions that in fact this was consensual, saying that in no way was this consensual.

We're learning that the woman fled New Guinea. She came here to the United States seeking asylum. She's been working at the Sofitel on the books for about 2 1/2 years. Her lawyer calls her intelligent, somebody without pretense, without an agenda -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Deborah Feyerick, reporting live from New York, thank you.

Maria Shriver is not hiding after the scandal broke out about her husband's out-of-wedlock child. She was actually in Chicago with her good friend, Oprah, and we have some pictures to show you.

Shriver was taking part in Oprah's last show tapings. We'll have a little more on that later.

Today, we're also learning more about the scandal inside the Schwarzenegger house. The ex-governor admitted to fathering a child with a household staffer. The "New York Times" is reporting the child is a boy, he's about 14 years old now, that his mother was working in the house while she was pregnant and while Shriver was pregnant with the couple's youngest child.

We're also seeing how Schwarzenegger's family is dealing with all of this. Shriver put out this statement.

"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."

Their 17-year-old son, Patrick, dealing with the fact he has a half- brother nearly his age, he posted a tweet using his mother's maiden name as his last name. He says, "Some days you feel like, expletive, some days you want to go out and just be normal for a bit. Yet I love my family, until death do us part."

And his 21-year-old sister Katherine, wrote, "This is definitely not easy but I appreciate your love and support as I begin to heal and move forward in my life. I will always love my family."

Boy, Newt Gingrich is having a really bad week and it's only Wednesday. There was that big bill at Tiffany's, the ill-received criticism of Paul Ryan's Medicare plan, and Newt Gingrich was also covered in glitter.

Our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser joins us.

So, it's been such a bad week for him. Some are saying his campaign is already over.

PAUL STEINHAUSER, DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yes, and you know, Carol, it was just one week ago today that the former House speaker from Georgia announced he was running for president as you said. It's been a pretty week, I guess you could say, in some ways Newt has stepped in.

The latest, last night, Gingrich, according to his campaign, apologizing to Paul Ryan, as you mentioned, the budget chairman. The Republican from Wisconsin. And he also said this on FOX News last night, quote, "I made a mistake."

What are we talking about? This also started I guess on Sunday when Newt Gingrich was on the Sunday talk shows and talking about Paul Ryan's Medicare proposal, which is backed by just about every Republican in Congress. He said, "I would be against a conservative imposing radical change."

That's how he described it. Obviously a critique of the Medicare plan. Since then, he has been hammered by conservatives and Republicans across the country and now it seems he is doing this mea culpa.

But, Carol, this is damaging stuff and a lot of people, a lot of analysts and pundits are saying, can he recover from this. His campaign says, yes, he can recover from this.

COSTELLO: Why can't he have a different opinion, though?

STEINHAUSER: Yes, of course he can have a different opinion, but you know what? It just shows how much the Republican Party right now, just when it comes to stuff like Medicare -- is really, really very strict and almost orthodox in a way.

COSTELLO: And just to follow up about that Tiffany's bill. Anything new coming up about that?

STEINHAUSER: Yes. This is how he responded last night to the Tiffany's bill. He said on FOX News, "I frankly don't want to play the gotcha games in Washington and I'm just not going to participate," saying no. Also "The Washington Post" asked him to respond, he said no.

And Carol, do you want more? Check this out. Let's go to the videotape as I would say. Look at this from last night in Minneapolis. He was there with his wife Callista. This was a book signing. And look what happens here. A gay protester we believe, a gay rights protester, hit Gingrich and his wife with confetti at this book signing.

A liberal blog posted the video yesterday. The guy was rushed out of the room and Gingrich literally was brushed off and said, nice to live in a free country, so it just doesn't end, I guess for Newt Gingrich.

Interesting week so far, Carol. Stay tuned.

COSTELLO: Yes, we will. Paul Steinhauser, many thanks.

We'll have your next political update in one hour and a reminder for all the latest political news, go to our Web site, CNNPolitics.com. He wrote an open letter to President Obama with tips on how to make the Arab world love Americans.

Up next, social activist and Arab-American comedian Dean Obeidallah will tell us -- will tell us what the president has to do and oddly enough, it involves a cigarette.

And look at the lines. The only things that inspire this kind of turnout are iPhones and Oprah. Only a few more shows to go. We'll take you inside last night's star-studded taping and we'll tell you more about Maria Shriver's surprise appearance.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Checking stories "Cross Country" now.

In Georgia, students at Pebble Brook High School just outside of Atlanta left their classes. They took a stand against the state's newly signed immigration law. Last week, Georgia's governor signed what many consider the toughest anti-immigration bill into law.

In Auburn, Michigan, people want to know why a recent $2 million lottery winner is still using food stamps a year after winning the jackpot. Leroy Fick justifies using Michigan's welfare system by saying he paid close to $1 million in taxes on his lottery payout.

Shoppers in select cities will be able to pick up a wedding dress at Costco. The warehouse store is selling couture inspired gowns ranging from $699 to $1400. A special 10-day rollout event began yesterday in San Diego.

It's being billed as a presidential speech that could reshape the debate over peace in the Middle East. President Obama is scheduled -- President Obama has scheduled what's being called a major policy address tomorrow at the State Department, but we've heard all of this before, haven't we?

Remember, President Carter's Camp David accord in 1978? Then there were the Oslo accords under President Bill Clinton in 1993. Then in 2002, the "Mideast Roadmap to Peace" was developed during President George W. Bush's administration. And in 2003, we saw the very secretive "Geneva Accord" sponsored by Israel and the Palestinians.

Yes, we've heard it all before. So let's bring in State Department correspondent Jill Dougherty for a preview of what we expect to hear from President Obama.

So, dare we hope, Jill?

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, you know, I could ask you this question. What peace fest process? I mean basically, it is dead in the water. So, if you look at this speech, it's either a good time to give a speech or a bad time to give a speech.

It's a good time in a sense because he's not just going to talk about Mideast peace. He's going to talk about the region and Osama bin Laden is dead. You have the so-called Arab spring. You know those democratic movements in certain countries and Egypt and Bahrain are doing pretty well.

But look at Syria and we expect, according to officials that we've been speaking with that the president will go pretty hard on Syria and perhaps talk personally about the president, Bashar al-Assad. We'll have to see how far he goes.

But essentially on the Mideast peace, it's not a good time to be delivering a speech.

COSTELLO: OK. So, on that note, on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, do we expect the president will break any new ground?

DOUGHERTY: Not really, because, you know, look at what is happening or not happening. Number one, you have that unity between Fatah, the Palestinian political party, the leadership, and Hamas, which is considered by the United States a terrorist organization.

You also have Palestinian demonstrators coming over the border, coming right up and over the border into Israel. Israeli troops firing back on them because they're taking their queue -- the demonstrators -- from the Arab spring and they're unarmed. It's a real dilemma for Israeli security.

You also have George Mitchell, the special representative from the United States on the Arab Israeli peace and he resigned.

And, then, finally, you have this big movement, Carol, in September, the Palestinians want a United Nations resolution for independents.

So, at this moment, why would the president stick his neck out at a time like this?

COSTELLO: I guess we'll find out tomorrow, huh?

Jill Dougherty, many thanks.

So, the mood for a new Middle East peace plan is tepid at best.

Dean Obeidallah is an Arab-American comedian who is known for using his comedy for social commentary. Dean has written an open letter to President Obama with suggestions on how he can win over the Arab world.

Welcome, Dean.

DEAN OBEIDALLAH, COMEDIAN: Thanks. Thanks for having me on.

COSTELLO: Oh, we're looking forward to it.

So, there's this new Pew Research poll out that shows the Arab world dislikes America as much ever despite its desire for democracy. Why is that? OBEIDALLAH: Well, when I've been in the Middle East, I've been performing stand-up comedy the last three years, from Egypt to Saudi Arabia. I saw -- honestly, I was there the day after President Obama was elected and crowds of 4,000 people in Cairo cheering for President Obama.

I was in the Middle East in June 2009 when he gave his Cairo speeches performing in Muscat, Oman. Believe me, he had the Arab world at hello, more accurately, Assalamu Alaikum.

But recently, I've noticed the crowds have diminished in their cheering of President Obama. It's not a dislike for American people or America. It's a disappointment frankly in, you know, there's great rhetoric saying we're going to change.

We want Arab world to be our friend. And liken it to the fact that America's like the cool kid in high school and the Arab world wants to sit at the cafeteria table with us and be our friend. And they see Israel sitting with us all the time.

They want to sit down. They want the swap the apple pie, and we have a good time together. And, sometimes, I think that they feel they're kept as arm's length. So, you know, some of my advice is reaching out to the Arab world through my op-ed as I wrote about the specific things.

COSTELLO: Yes. And also in your op-ed, you suggest jobs would make Arabs love President Obama more. But let's face it -- jobs would make Americans love President Obama more. So, how realistic is that that America could help Arabs create more jobs?

OBEIDALLAH: Well, in them, I actually -- I reached out using social media, Facebook and Twitter, the same ones using the recent revolutions and asked the young Arabs across the region, what are the issue of most concern to you. And there were three: two practical, and one emotional. The practical one was job creation.

Obviously, it's difficult for the president of the United States to create jobs there. Other is using our expertise and perhaps financial aid to create an environment for more business investments. The other was democratic reforms, especially, each country. The Arab world is not a monolithic place.

The third, though, is the most emotional issue, the one you just brought up. That's the Palestinian-Israeli issue. The young Arabs are linked to there, just like the older generation.

They want to see American leadership and they want us to see us fair and just in our resolution and our leadership, and not just one side. Not just pro-Israel. And we have to have some fairness in it. And that will help both, frankly, the Palestinians and Israelis, and America, in reaching out to the 300-plus-million people in the Arab world.

COSTELLO: Fascinating. And, Dean, I wish we could talk more, but also in our op-ed piece, you talk that President Obama should openly smoke in the Arab world because they're into smokers there.

OBEIDALLAH: They love smoking. I went to a gym, they had an ashtray in a treadmill. I said they got him smoking, President Obama doing the speech. They'll love it. Believe me.

COSTELLO: Dean, thank you. We appreciate your being here.

OBEIDALLAH: Thanks.

COSTELLO: If you want to read more of Dean's editorial, go to CNN.com/Opinion. There, you will find his complete open letter to President Barack Obama.

And, of course, you can see the president's Mideast policy speech live here on CNN tomorrow, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time.

There aren't many people who can steal Oprah's spotlight. But this week, this lady's one of them. More on Maria Shriver's surprise appearance at last night's tribute.

Also, what relaxes you after a tough day at work? Putting your feet up? Watching some TV? That is certainly true for men, but it's a story for the ladies too, and they may not like it. We'll explain.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HANK WILLIAMS, JR.: I'm Hank Williams, Jr. And you can make an impact to help the people of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, that have been totally devastated by the worst disaster in the history of the state. You have to be here. You just can't describe it. It's absolutely unbelievable.

These cities need not millions, they need billions.

Help is on the way. America can survive and Alabama can survive. So, please join the movement, "Impact Your World." Go to CNN.com/impact.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: We just got new pictures to show you, and here they are.

There is Maria Shriver with Oprah Winfrey. Yes, they were in Chicago for the taping of Oprah's last week of shows, and there's a shot of Maria walking out on to stage. And you see this one here. She's hugging Oprah.

If you're wondering what Maria said -- well, our entertainment correspondent Kareen Wynter was there, too.

Kareen, when Maria Shiver walked on stage, what was the reaction of the crowd?

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: You can just imagine. They completely embraced her. You could see Oprah's expression. You know, when you think of it, too, Carol, this took a lot of guts, a lot of courage. This is a woman who came out on this national stage. She's in the midst of this scandalous split with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

But you know why she did it? She and Oprah go way back. In fact, when she walked out on stage, Carol, she came out with Oprah's best friend, Gayle King, and she didn't say much. But, boy, did she dazzle the crowd? By the way, was dressed to kill in that gorgeous blue sequin dress. You know, her hair was done, her makeup. She was smiling ear to ear.

And she said a few words. She thanked Oprah for her friendship over the years. She's known Oprah for about three decades and she also thanked Oprah for teaching her the truth.

And this is one -- again, one of the highlight of the night. Oprah chimed in and said, "Here's to the truth," and then, guess what, Carol? The audience just rose to its feet, applauded, embraced Maria.

You're really, really felt for her. There was no specific reference to the scandal, of course, but you could tell they really appreciated her coming out on this huge night.

COSTELLO: Oh, yes, there was no need at all. There are a lot of rumors flying around out there like I've heard that when Maria Shriver got the news that the scandal would break and become public, she was actually eating with Oprah Winfrey.

WYNTER: Well, we know that she did dine with Oprah on Monday at a Chicago restaurant. Maria's children were there. And it's not surprising.

Again, they have a long friendship. They go way back and it really, really is pointed in the fact that, you know, despite all that she's going through, that's why she came out last night.

And there was so much speculation leading up to it. Of course, Oprah's camp wasn't saying much. Would Maria be there? What kind of role would she take on? But at the end of the night, she came out. She said a few words, and it really meant a lot to Oprah.

COSTELLO: Oh, yes. I like it. I like stories about girl power.

Kareen Wynter, many thanks. We appreciate it.

WYNTER: Yes, absolutely.

COSTELLO: The CIA flying radar-evading drones deep into Pakistani airspace. A new report on another covert operation emerges. Details after a break.

And they've quit their jobs, given away pets, they broken leases. They are true believers that this sat is judgment day. We'll get the inside scoop from a CNN producer who hit the road with their Christian caravan. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: New information is emerging on the CIA's covert mission that led up to Osama bin Laden's capture. According to "The Washington Post," for months, the CIA used stealth drones to fly secret missions into Pakistani airspace to spy on the compound where Osama bin Laden was killed.

CNN's Stan Grant is following this development from Islamabad, Pakistan.

Stan, what are you hearing about this report?

STAN GRANT, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It certainly fits, Carol, doesn't it, with what we've been hearing all along about this operation. This was an absolutely precise operation. It was carried out several months that they had kept this Osama bin Laden compound under surveillance.

Now, what we're talking about here are stealth drones. And they avoid detection. They fly much higher than the regular drones that we're quite used to hearing a lot about in Pakistan, which attack the Pakistan/Afghanistan border, targeting insurgents. These had flown over this compound for several months, trying to ascertain if bin Laden was actually there.

Now, they didn't get any photos of him, but they were able to see activity inside the house and, of course, there were reports of this tall man who was seen walking back and forth in the compound. They believe that was bin Laden himself.

Now, at the same time, there's also reports of a safe house in Abbottabad where bin Laden was staying. Now, these safe houses were being used again to keep a watch on this compound, all part of this intricate planning that went into targeting bin Laden -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Stan, another question -- essentially, these drones were looking into people's homes within Pakistan. I mean, if that's true, is that likely to increase the tension ever more between the United States and Pakistan?

GRANT: Absolutely. You know, you've come -- this comes at a critical time. There has been so much concern, so much finger-pointing, since the killing of Osama bin Laden. And what Pakistan is concerned about is what they see as a lack of respect for its sovereignty and an invasion of its air space.

They are concerned that this whole mission was carried out covertly, secretly, that they were not brought into the loop. And they say that if this is a relationship of trust, if this is really an alliance, how could the United States carry this out?

Now, the U.S. counters, of course, and says the stakes were so high here that secrecy was an absolute must. But it has certainly damaged this relationship. We saw yesterday this clash between a NATO helicopter and Pakistan military and the NATO chopper, according to Pakistan military, came into Pakistan air space. They fire on each other and troops were injured. This is the environment we're in right now. An environment of suspicious, mistrust and anything that suggests a lack of respect for Pakistan's sovereignty is not going to be viewed well -- Carol

COSTELLO: Stan Grant, reporting live from Islamabad. Thank you so much.

Some other stories we're following this morning. A source with knowledge of al Qaeda says the terror group has picked a new, temporary replacement for Osama bin Laden. He has Saif al-Adel, an Egyptian who has played a prominent role in al Qaeda. He's only a caretaker until the permanent replacement is selected.

The housekeeper who Dominique Strauss-Kahn is accused of trying to rape plans to testify against him. That's what her attorney told NBC News this morning. In the meantime, pressure is mounting for Strauss- Kahn to resign as the head of the International Monetary Fund. He's on suicide watch at the Rikers Island jail.

Space shuttle Endeavour docked with the International Space Station this morning bringing a science experiment and other equipment. Its Endeavor's last mission before NASA retires the shuttle fleet.

There was a preview of a possible baseball playoff series last night. It had the same kind of October dramatic. St. Louis leading Philadelphia in the eighth inning when the Philly's Jimmy Rollins -- there he is -- pops it up. The Cardinals' Tyler Green, look at that. He drops the ball. Green was actually in as a defensive replacement. Rollins made the score to tie the game. Oops. Then in the bottom of the ninth, you see it. The bases were loaded for the Cardinals' Lance Berkman lines the single over (INAUDIBLE) in outfield. The Cards win 2-1, also win the two game series.

There were two superstars performances in last night's mad thunder playoff game but only one team could win. We'll have more sports for you in 20 minutes.

At the end of the long day at work, how do you relax? A new study shows if you're a woman, the answer is drastically different than if you're a man.

Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange with details.

I had to laugh when I read the study.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I know. I did, too. I was doing exactly that. So, this pretty funny, though, you have to listen to this.

For men, their stress levels fall when they're wives are busy working around the house while they're relaxing, meaning they feel more relaxed while watching their wives stay busy. So they're eating bon bons on the couch, feeling good while the wives are really working their tails off --

(CROSSTALK)

KOSIK: OK, whatever they're doing. They're on the couch. We can only imagine, right?

So, this is a study out of the UCLA. It was published by the American Psychology Association and what it did, it looked at how many women are able to relax after a long day at work and how household chores fit in to that mix.

So, what so the men do while their wives are scrubbing those pots and pans? Well, they watch TV, they do a hobby, they do anything leisure related. But, here's the key here. Doing housework, it doesn't relax us women. We have to do it. So, it's a priority for us. What truly relaxes us and brings down our stress level is when our significant others are helping us with the stuff around the house.

So the study's conclusion is that the division of labor at home really does affect our physical health. So step it up, men. Help out. Your wife is going to be happier, less stressed out. And, you know what, you may actually find you're actually less stressed if your wife is less stressed. Go figure, right?

COSTELLO: That's a good point, Alison. A good point. I hope my husband is listening, but I'm sure he's not.

Alison Kosik, live at the New York Stock Exchange.

The next generation of American employees hit the workforce.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These kids have been told that they're the most amazing things on the face of this earth from the day they were born.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: From coddling to the competitive job market, we'll take a look at the millennials coming to a workplace near you.

And unless these guys are right and the world does come to an end on Saturday, what they believe and what they're doing about it, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is an eye catching campaign for sure. Billboards across the country and around the world announcing that May 21st, that would be this coming Saturday, is judgment day. A Christian broadcaster and his followers have been trying to spread is word for months now and the reception, well, it's been mixed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DARRYL KEITT, PROJECT CARAVAN MEMBER: We see people that give us the thumb. They say thumbs up. We also see people that unfortunately, give us the other finger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Ouch. You probably noticed that guy was in an RV. He and his fellow believers have been crisscrossing the country in caravans giving us a heads-up that the world will end on Saturday. That's right.

On Saturday, they say a monster earthquake will start at the international dateline and work its way around the world, hitting each time zone at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

CNN.com's Jessica Ravitz hit the road with some of these people and you did that back in March. And, first of all, I just want to know how many people actually believe this.

JESSICA RAVITZ, CNN.COM WRITER/PRODUCER: It's hard to count numbers. I was with a team of 10 people who were traveling and there were four other teams, four total that had hit the road. The radio station owner, this 89-year-old guy named Harold Camping (ph) estimates that there are maybe 20,000 listeners but they broadcast online, as well, so there's no telling how many people are listening to his message.

COSTELLO: And these people really believe it because of some have actually given up their jobs.

RAVITZ: They've walked away from homes, from jobs, even from kids in some cases.

COSTELLO: So, what exactly do they think will happen? The earthquake will hit, the world will be destroyed and what will happen to them?

RAVITZ: For those who have been saved or are going to be saved, they'll be beamed up to heaven on that day. Everyone else will suffer unspeakable sufferings for the next five months until the world actually ends on October 21st.

COSTELLO: OK. So this Christian broadcaster who sort of spearheaded this movement, didn't he say like, 10 or 15 years ago that the world would end in 1994 or something, and it didn't.

So why do these people believe him now?

RAVITZ: Well, now he's been able to study a little more closely different passages in the bible and he know has understood things that he didn't understand then. Different proofs have been revealed in these recent years. And so now, they're absolutely certain this is it.

COSTELLO: It's just hard to wrap your head around. So, if the world does not end on Saturday, how will that affect these people who've given up their livelihoods in preparation for heaven?

RAVITZ: Well, we'll just have to check in with them. But they won't even entertain that thought. It's a given in their mind. I tried to ask them what they would do if they woke up on May 22nd and they won't even go there.

COSTELLO: I don't think -- I think I'll be watching the Preakness. You're going to a wedding --

RAVITZ: I'm going to a wedding on the 21st in pajamas because why does it matter, right?

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: Thank you so much, Jessica.

RAVITZ: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: We appreciate it.

You can read more of Jessica's piece, "Tick-Tock Goes the Doomsday Clock" at CNN.com/religion. And if you'd like to join the conversation, just leave a comment for Jessica.

They're young, college educated and quick to jump ship if you don't keep them happy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

They live in a world where everything is in 140 characters. They don't want to read more than a few sentences and don't read more than a few sentences.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Their millenials coming to a workplace near you and what they mean to America's changing job market.

And he's been grabbing them nearly twice a day for almost 39 years. We'll tell you how one man's Big Mac attack has him hitting a new high mark under the golden arches.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Checking stories Cross Country now.

Deputies in Cherokee County, Georgia arrest a woman who hours earlier told them she'd been kidnapped. But investigators say the 44-year-old woman's story just didn't add up. They tracked her down by cell phone. Now she faces charges of making false statements.

Police in St. Robert, Missouri released the dash cam videotape of a 23 mile high speed chase and shootout last week. Cops were pursuing a man armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, plenty of ammo, and drove speeds that reached 120 miles per hour. It all ended on a nearby college campus.

In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, a personal milestone that earns national attention. That's Don Gorske eating his 25,000th Big Mac. It's hard to believe, isn't it, On the 39th anniversary of his first.

Time now for CNN in depth, they are high performers, yet high maintenance. CNN's Allan Chernoff investigates how millennial employees are changing America's work culture. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALISON BROD, ALISON BROD PUBLIC RELATIONS: Taking an inventory of all the stuff that we have that we can give away and then pick up the great ideas.

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Public relations executive Alison Brod surrounds herself with young employees, mostly in their 20s, so-called millennials.

BROD: A memorial day of package nice day.

CHERNOFF: She says their energetic, tech savvy, collaborative but they can also be needy and have a sense of entitlement.

BROD: These kids have been told that they're the most amazing thing on the face of this earth from the day they were born.

CHERNOFF: Even after the gut wrenching recession that threw millions of Americans out of work, many millennials still expect favored treatment from employers. Just as their coddling parents may have provided.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My parents have pushed that for me, told me I was the best at whatever I did. And as a result, I think millennials crave that attention, they crave that praise.

CHERNOFF: Their skill in being able to tweet and talk at the same moment. Never has there been such a generation of talented multi- taskers and networkers who are able to build business with a few keystrokes on Facebook.

But such talents can come with side effects. Employers say millennials have short attention spans and often communicate as they tweet in quick sound bites.

BROD: They live in a world where everything is 140 characters. They don't want to read more than a few sentences and they don't read more than a few sentences.

CHERNOFF: They also believe work is not their entire life. The most important factor for them in choosing a new job is a good work-life balance, according to a survey from PR firm Euro RSEG, salary came in second and work atmosphere, third.

None of which is to say the millennials are slackers. Many are ambitious. Three-quarters believe hard work is the key to achievement. To bring out the best in young workers, bosses need to manage to the millennial style. Give lots of feedback, set concrete goals and consultants say, think of yourself more as a t-ball coach than a boot camp instructor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Allan Chernoff joins us now. I think they have it together: balance, work and personal life. I think that's great and is so much better than what baby boomers thought. Well, work is everything. So I'm going to give them a break on that.

But I also wonder what happens if these needy millennials are not getting all the attention or recognition they're used to.

CHERNOFF: Right. Well, if they don't, they are quick to jump ship. I mean, after all look at some of their role models. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook for example, right? An instant billionaire. So a lot of these folks do want success very rapidly. Of course, the reality is that most of us have to gradually climb that corporate ladder.

COSTELLO: Oh, that.

Allan Chernoff, fascinating report. Thank you.

All week, we'll continue to partner with CNNMoney and "Time" magazine to dig deep on America's job hunt. And to learn where the jobs are, how to get them and how to keep them. Check out the all-new CNNmoney.com powered by CNN, driven by you.

The 14-year-old son of the Cleveland Cavaliers' owner represented the team at the NBA draft lottery last night and he delivered a number one pick. It was really special. We've got sports in less than ten minutes.

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COSTELLO: An update for you on the Mississippi River flooding. It's now estimated about 9,000 people have been displaced or evacuated in Louisiana and Mississippi. Louisiana's governor warns record water levels could last for more than a month.

CNN's Rob Marciano was in Morgan City, that's about 70 miles west of New Orleans, where people are going to great lengths to protect their homes.

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Carol, the folks who live in the path of the Morgan City spillway express, the water that's pouring out of the right side of the Mississippi, some of them are take something drastic measures to save their home, especially those who live outside of the protective levees and sea walls.

Check out this house behind me. It's an old one; 140 years old, so it's worth saving. About 19 hours of work and then it's lifted up to six feet and once the flooding is done, they're going to make that a permanent structure. But the flood waters are already starting to coming in here. The river itself should be about 400, 500 yards that way so it's encroaching rapidly.

I spoke with a family member who grew up in this house earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARCIANO: People say, well, they live outside the floodwall I shouldn't feel sympathetic to them. ARIO GROSS, MORGAN CITY RESIDENT: Yes they -- some people say that because we chose to live here. But we chose to live here because it's not -- it's hard to find a riverfront property and it's pristine. We -- I loved growing up here. A lot of childhood experiences. And I love it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARCIANO: Two bedroom, one bath, it's got electricity, it's got plumbing, and it's on the river and they're going to ride out the -- the flood, believe it or not. Folks have evacuated in a lot of areas up and down the basin but not one Red Cross shelter has been activated yet. A lot of folks who are moving out are doing it slowly and staying with some friends and families.

The river here is not expected to crest until next week in Morgan City -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Thank you Rob.

Some stories making headlines later today, the personal belongs of Ted Kaczynski, a.k.a. the Unabomber, will be sold in an online auction that begins in the next hour. The federal government is selling his things to raise money for his victims. Kaczynski's mail bombs killed three people.

Around 11:30 Eastern this morning, President Obama will deliver the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

At about 1:20 Eastern, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers remarks on the 50th anniversary of the State Department's Operation Center. She'll be joined by former Secretaries of State, Madeleine Albright and Lawrence Eagleburger.

We're following a lot of developments in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM. Let's check in first with Stan Grant.

STAN GRANT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Carol, as you know, a lot of speculation about how much money Pakistan gets from the U.S. every year. Billions of dollars and now this relationship at a new low. Some are asking, is the U.S. getting what it pays for. More of that at the top of the hour.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: A new chapter in the recovery of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. I have an exclusive interview with her neurosurgeon, he talks about how he closed up the gaping hole in her -- how he close up the gaping hole in her skull.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kareen Wynter in Chicago, the fans, the famous faces, the fantastic performances -- Oprah Winfrey's farewell spectacular. It did not disappoint. I'll have all the details coming up.

COSTELLO: Thanks to all of you. Also it's been a tough week for Newt Gingrich, reports of a big bill at Tiffany's and then he got some heat after he attacked the GOP proposal to overhaul Medicare. And then he got an attack of his own, a glitter attack. That's coming up in our next hour.

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COSTELLO: Most basketball fans were expecting to see the Lakers and Spurs battling right now to go to the NBA finals. Jeff Fischel is here. And they've both been knocked out.

JEFF FISCHEL, HLN HOST: Yes, I mean we're used to this. Year after year, you've seen Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan go at it. They're the stars, they're the teams that go at it at the Western Conference finals. Not this year.

It's not the Lakers, it's not the Spurs; instead future Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd versus young superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Game one, ridiculous shot by Durant. Look at that on the baseline, gets the roll. He had 40. The Thunder within five in the final minutes but don't mess with Dirk. That step-back in your eye jumper was deadly all night for Dirk. 48 points for the big "D," in the big "D," Dallas wins; game two tomorrow.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a good luck charm at last night's NBA draft lottery. That's Nick Gilbert the 14-year-old son of Cavs' owner Dan Gilbert. He represented the team and made dad proud. He won the number one pick. And talk about a long shot, the team had less than a three percent chance of getting it. Nick knows about long odds, he's been battling NF, a nerve disorder since he was born.

NHL playoff: Boston's Tyler Seguin splits right through two defenders and scores. He had two goals and two assists in period number two. It was a breakout game for the rookie, he's only on the ice because of a teammate's injury. Before the series, in fact, he had spent the play-offs in the press box sitting and watching and apparently learning. Bruins win 6-5 and tied the series; they're one game apiece.

It was supposed to be a day-off but the Braves all-star catcher Brian McCann but down to the last out the Braves needed him. And with two strikes, he hit a pinch-hit home run to tie the game with Houston.

McCann, no, you don't get a day off. In fact, he stayed in the game to catch. He comes up again in the 11th, gone. A two-run game- winning home run which is called a walk-off homer. McCann, have a day when you thought you were going to sit and watch. The Braves win it 3-1.

Elvis has not left the ballpark. In fact, he's playing some great "D." Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus does his own shakes and moves. Takeaway hit, goes to first for the out. Chicago would beat Texas 4-3. One more thing Major League Baseball has lost a legend. Harmon Killebrew died yesterday after battling cancer. He was 74. Killebrew played almost his entire career with the Minnesota Twins. Only Babe Ruth had more 40 home run seasons. He finished with 573 all-time.

He was -- I mean this guy was loved in the Twin Cities, and not only because he was a great player, because he was a great guy. In fact, one time he was asked, what do you do to have fun? He said, you know, I do the dishes. He's this easy-going, nice guy. In fact, they love him so much, they buried a picture of him yesterday under home plate at the Twins ball park.

COSTELLO: That's terrific.

FISCHEL: Harmon Killebrew is gone at 74. Great guy.

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: He was amazing. He hit 40 home runs like six seasons in a row.

FISCHEL: Yes, and former MVP of the American League. And again, when you thought of the Minnesota Twins all through the '60s and '70s, you thought of Harmon Killebrew.

COSTELLO: And what a great baseball name.

FISCHEL: Yes. The Killer, the Hammering Harmon. Either way, when you have more than one nickname, you're great.

COSTELLO: Exactly.

FISCHEL: He was.

COSTELLO: Jeff, thank you.

FISCHEL: OK.