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Tennis Star Serena Williams Back In Action; GOP Candidates Slam White House; Skinny Women, Fat Paycheck; Transportation Department: U.S. Airlines Collected Over $5 Billion in Fees Last Year; President Obama in Puerto Rico; FDA Out with New Sunscreen Regulations; Bahraini Doctors and Nurses Reportedly Tortured; New Hybrid Power Plant; More Calls For Weiner to Step Down

Aired June 14, 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, Suzanne, and thank you.

President Obama is making a rare presidential visit to Puerto Rico right now, speaking there with leaders and citizens about jobs and their status as a U.S. possession. Puerto Rico is an important stop for the president. He's the first president to make an official stop there in 50 years, since John F. Kennedy. President Ford was actually the last president to visit Puerto Rico while in office, but he was there for an international economic conference, not to meet with Puerto Rico's leaders.

They have a special importance now. While residents there are U.S. citizens, they can't vote in a presidential elections, but Puerto Ricans living in the U.S., of course, can. And right now, there are more Puerto Ricans living on U.S. soil than on the island.

This trip was promised by the president the last time he was in Puerto Rico as a candidate. Even though he lost the primary to Hillary Clinton. CNN White House correspondent Dan Lothian is traveling with the president. He's in San Juan for us. Dan, what would you say is the key message the president is delivering there today in Puerto Rico?

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think you pointed out a couple. And then, first of all, this was a promise that the president made during the campaign in 2008, so when he came here this morning, he said that I'm delivering on that promise.

But the president also wanted to thank the people of Puerto Rico to let them know they're not forgotten for the sacrifices they've made, in particular, the military, the president laying out names of veterans who have served not only in Iraq but also Afghanistan, so the president wanted to thank them for that.

But thirdly, this was a moment for the president to say listen, I understand the difficult situation that you might be facing here on this island. This is an island that has an unemployment rate of more than 16 percent, they have a high crime rate as well.

And the president wanted to deliver to them a message of the United States, the mainland U.S., is looking out for your wellbeing, that the president's health care reform package, that the economic plan has various investments for Puerto Rico, including broadband, that he believes long-term will help this island.

But I can tell you that there are a lot of people who are still struggling on this island, are not happy that the president came here for just a few hours, and they want to hear more than just words because it is a difficult situation economically here, as it is on the mainland, and they want more than just words.

KAYE: And Dan, I'm sure there's also a lot of talk about statehood. We know Puerto Ricans have rejected statehood several times. Where does the White House stand on this issue?

LOTHIAN: That's right. And you know, the president has weighed in on this. For those who aren't sort of up to speed on this, about half of the people on this island are pushing for statehood, the others -- half or so, want to maintain it as a territory. Only a really small minute population is looking for independence. And so, the president told the people of Puerto Rico that he has been looking into this, he had a task force that was looking into it. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have addressed the question of political status. In March, a report from our presidential task force on Puerto Rican status provided a meaningful way forward on this question so that the residents of the island can determine their own future. And when the people of Puerto Rico make a clear decision, my administration will stand by you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LOTHIAN: So, the position of the United States and that task force, at least, is that this really be put to the people in a form of a vote. Two referendums for their -- for the people of Puerto Rico to decide their own futures. And as you heard from the president there, whatever they decide here, the White House will stand behind them -- Randi.

KAYE: And Dan, I know this is technically an official presidential visit, that's how the White House certainly is framing it, but how much of this is really campaigning, would you say, for the Hispanic vote in 2012?

LOTHIAN: Right. Well first of all, the president is having a fund- raiser here on the island later today, so that's one point. But secondly, yes, I mean this is really about courting the Puerto Ricans but also, the overall Hispanic vote. More Hispanics, as you pointed out earlier, or rather Puerto Ricans, live off the island than on the island.

About 4.6 million Puerto Ricans live in the United States, and it's about tapping into that vote in key states like Florida. The president did pick up a big chunk of the Puerto Rican vote there in 2008, and so that really is what the administration is doing, it's appealing not only to the Puerto Ricans but also to Hispanics in general.

I was talking to a Democratic official who told me that they have already started recruiting volunteers and training them to make sure that they have language skills in order to go out and try to drum up support for the president. They've also set up Hispanic phone banks in Florida to reach out to that community. So, this is a critical group for the president as he looks to winning again in 2012.

KAYE: Dan Lothian for us in San Juan. Dan, thank you as always.

Serena Williams is back on the court just three months after a near death experience. Williams is making her return to competitive tennis. In fact, she won her first match today in England. It wasn't easy though, it took three sets. But just getting back on the court was a victory in itself, really.

As you may remember, Serena Williams suffered a pulmonary embolism in March, that's a blood clot that settles in the lung. The CDC says it's deadly in one-third of cases but didn't stop Serena. She was already recovering from foot surgery. Still, this was a shock and it is today's "Sound Effect."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SERENA WILLIAMS, AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER: I'm really honored to have a chance to walk out on the court, because you know, three and a half months ago I never thought I would have that chance again. I never even thought about that chance. I just thought if I can just pull through this and survive, then wow, I would be really excited for that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: Excited is right. The fans are excited, too, and they're looking forward to seeing her play at Wimbledon later this month.

Former ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, will formally announce his bid for the presidency next week, a Republican source is telling CNN. Meantime, seven other Republican contenders squared off last night during the first big GOP primary debate in New Hampshire.

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann delivered the first surprise of the debate, announcing onstage she had officially filed the paperwork for a presidential run. The Republican candidates duked it out in a broad range of issues from the debt ceiling to abortion and foreign policy.

Front-runner Mitt Romney was expected to be a target for the other candidates, most of whom trail Romney by double digits in most polls but in the end, the attacks went straight to the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHELE BACHMANN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: President Obama is a one-term president.

TIM PAWLENTY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This president is a declinist (ph). He views America as one of equals around the world.

MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENT CANDIDATE: Any one of the people on this stage would be a better president than President Obama.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: On the winners and losers of the debate, CNN political analysts agree Romney and Gingrich gave strong performances and Bachmann was the biggest surprise of the night.

Some disturbing news related to the war on drugs. More than 70 percent of guns seized in Mexico and turned over to the U.S. from 2009 to 2010 originated in the U.S. A new Congressional report indicates many of those weapons are arming Mexico's violent drug cartels.

Senator Dianne Feinstein and several other senators are calling for tougher fire arms laws. They want an assault weapon ban that expired in 2004 to be reinstated. In the next hour, we take a deeper look at these alarming findings and the deadly results.

A fellow Democratic lawmaker says Congressman Anthony Weiner might resign in a couple of days. And the calls for Weiner's resignation are only getting louder. House speaker John Boehner weighed in today, when asked whether Weiner should step down, Boehner simply said, quote, "Yes."

Boehner's response follows a string of lawmakers including Democratic leaders who are pressuring Weiner to give up his post. New photos surfaced of Weiner on TMZ.com that showed him half-dressed, taking a picture of himself reportedly at a gym used by legislators. Weiner has been granted a two-week leave of absence from the house as he seeks treatment for his quote, sexting problem.

Feeling the backlash. Comedian Tracy Morgan has agreed now to go back to Nashville next week to say he's sorry for an anti-gay rant during a recent standup comedy show. The "30 Rock" star will return with staffers from the gay and lesbian alliance against defamation, or GLAAD as it's more commonly known, to apologize to the audience who attended the show at the Ryman auditorium.

Morgan will also work with the Tennessee equality project. This is all happening following a phone call he made to GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios, who will join us for a follow-up today. We'll talk details about his conversation with Morgan and plans for their trip back to Memphis in the next hour.

Statehood or status quo, that is the debate in Puerto Rico. The president there for a rare visit right now. We'll examine the sides of the statehood debate, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: The president's trip to Puerto Rico is shining a spotlight on the island, their status as a U.S. possession and their influence in the political system. As we said earlier, and it bears repeating, there are more Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. than on the island. There are large communities in New York as well as Florida.

Puerto Rican-Americans also make up the second largest group of Hispanic-Americans in the U.S. just behind Mexican-Americans. All this solidifies Puerto Rico's importance economically and politically, even without a vote in presidential elections. Joining me now to talk more about Puerto Rico is CNN en Espanol correspondent Juan Carlos Lopez. Juan Carlos, you're there, are people there excited to have a U.S. president paying a visit there?

JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ, CNN EN ESPANOL CORRESPONDENT: From what we've seen, yes. It's an historic visit, 50 years without a president coming on an official visit. John F. Kennedy was the last one in 1961. So, there is a lot of talk, people did go out to try to get a glimpse of the president driving by. There have been protests, some in favor, some against, but the island seems to be mobilized and seems to be very excited with the president's visit for many reasons.

KAYE: And have you seen any evidence that the current economic problems on the mainland have trickled down to Puerto Rico?

LOPEZ: Well, actually, the recession started in Puerto Rico before it did on the mainland. Right now, unemployment on the island is 16 percent, and we have 9.1 percent on the mainland, so the island is facing difficult times. That's one of their main concerns, and they have been suffering the consequences for quite a while now.

KAYE: What would you say exactly is Puerto Rico's influence in the U.S.?

LOPEZ: Well, you were talking about the numbers, 4.6 million Puerto Ricans in the United States, in the mainland. Now, Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens by birth but they can only vote in the presidential elections when they're on the mainland. You have an electorate in Florida, especially in central Florida, in Orlando, that can be very important in the next elections. They could swing the election one way or another. So, they do play -- they could play a very important role in the electoral process and coming to Puerto Rico is a link that many will establish with the island and with them living in the United States, and that could really help the Democrats.

KAYE: I want to ask you about statehood. That is certainly an ongoing issue there. We know that Puerto Ricans have rejected the idea of statehood three times, and most recently in 1998. Why is that? Why have they repeatedly voted against this?

LOPEZ: This is a very politically active island. People live politics probably as much as they live sports. And they don't agree on what the future of the island should be. There is a group that wants Puerto Rico to become the 51st state, but there's another group that wants to maintain the current status, the commonwealth, maybe modify it, and there's a third group that wants independent from the U.S.. And that's why there hasn't been agreement.

There is no one-set position on the island. Puerto Ricans are very adamant about this issue, they debate is constantly, and they just haven't reached an agreement. There was a presidential task force and President Obama said today that they would respect whatever Puerto Ricans decided. Now, Puerto Ricans have to go ahead and vote and see where they want to take the island.

KAYE: All right, Juan Carlos Lopez, thank you very much. Appreciate it, nice to see you.

Your weight, turns out, could help determine how much money you make. And it works differently for men and women. We'll tell you exactly how it's working. (INAUDIBLE) next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Welcome back, everyone.

It is time now for "Your Money." Want a bigger paycheck? You might try losing some weight or gaining it, even, depending on whether you're a man or a woman. Alison Kosik joins us from New York to explain.

Alison, you've been looking at a new study. What is it telling you?

ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's saying that weight can have a big effect on what you're paid, Randi. But it turns out, there's a double standard here because it's different for men versus women. For ladies, the less you weigh, the more you make. And, for men, it's just the opposite.

So look at this chart that we put together. Look closely. The pay scale is on the left, the weight goes along the bottom there. Follow the pink line for the women. So what you make drops significantly as the weight gets higher. The 70 -- the negative 70 is somebody who is less -- who is basically 70 pounds less than the average weight of a normal woman. So they're going to get paid more.

But, like I said, it's the opposite for men. The blue line goes up as the weight increases. Once again, the more men weigh, the more they're paid in real dollars. What does this amount to? Women who are 25 pounds overweight make $16,000 a year less than a woman of average weight. A man who weighs 25 pounds more than the average man earns $8,000 more. Nice, right, Randi?

KAYE: Yes, there's something really wrong with that. But what does this mean? I mean does this mean that the guys are off the hook? That they can just eat doughnuts, skip the gym, do whatever they want and still make more money?

KOSIK: Well, you know what, we're critical of men, too. People were (INAUDIBLE) -- were shown pictures of slender and muscular men in this study. And muscular men had positive traits. They were called things like polite, happy, brave, healthy and smart. But slender men were -- had the following traits. They were called nervous, sneaky, afraid, sad and weak. So if you're a slender guy, you may want to bulk up at the gym if you want a higher paycheck -- a bigger paycheck.

KAYE: Yes, you don't want to be known around the office as sad and weak. That's not good.

KOSIK: Or sneaky.

KAYE: Yes, exactly. So --

KOSIK: Not sneaky.

KAYE: But does this go beyond pay? I mean does weight affect the workplace in other ways, according to the study?

KOSIK: You know, you're right, it's not just about pay because what happens is, it affects how your co-workers see you. Obese people were rated as less desirable workers, they were less conscientious, less agreeable. Also the study says people of average weight are more able to get things accomplished and influence other people.

But here's something interesting that I found in this study, Randi. I found that as Americans, we're really conscious about our weight. We're really, you know, obsessed with being -- with looking good. But at the same time, we're sort of super-sizing what we eat. We're, you know, we've got great access to cheap, fast food and we just -- we're gluttonous, we eat a lot, yet we're really obsessed with how we look. So, I don't know, call us all hypocrites. Who knows. The study -- I guess you can take this study tongue and cheek at this point, Randi.

KAYE: Yes, and I don't know about you, but when I'm stressed out in the office, I eat more. So, I don't know -- I don't know what the study says about that, but, hey.

All right, Alison, thank you. Appreciate it.

KOSIK: I'll have to look into that part.

KAYE: OK. You let me know.

KOSIK: OK.

KAYE: And, of course, for all the latest financial news, be sure to join Christine Romans for "Your Bottom Line" each Saturday morning at 9:30 Eastern. And don't miss "Your Money" with Ali Velshi. That's Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. Eastern and Sundays at 3:00.

Twenty-one minutes past the hour. Time to check top stories.

President Obama is in Puerto Rico. A cheering crowd greeted him when he arrived in San Juan this morning for a five-hour visit. In an airport speech, the president said Puerto Ricans should vote on whether they want statehood or independence. He said his administration will support whatever decision they make.

The Wallow Fire in Arizona is now the largest wildfire in that state's history. Officials say the blaze has now burned 733 square miles. That's one mile more than the previous record holder, the 2002 Radeo (ph) Fire. The Wallow Fire has been burning since late May, but firefighters are finally making some progress. The blaze now 18 percent contained.

The company that owns the Perkins and Marie Callender restaurant chains has filed for bankruptcy protection citing the weak economy. Twenty-seven Perkins restaurants and 31 Marie Callender restaurants have been closed and 2,500 jobs will be eliminated. The company says it will continue to operate 448 Perkins restaurants and 74 Marie Callender restaurants.

The trial of Casey Anthony just getting back underway this hour after taking the morning off. These are live pictures of Casey Anthony at the trial. Prosecutors are now down to their final witnesses. Have they proven the 25-year-old mother killed her daughter Caylee? We'll take you inside the courtroom again, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: After taking the morning off, the capital murder trial of Casey Anthony got back underway this hour. The trial began just three weeks ago and lines of investigators and forensic experts have been called to the stand by the prosecution in an effort to prove their theory. By the way, you're looking at live pictures there from Orlando. Their theory is that the 25-year-old mother killed her daughter Caylee by knocking her out with chloroform and putting duct tape over her nose and mouth. They allege the Orlando mother then put the body in garbage bags and stored it in her trunk before dumping it in woods near her home.

So to help us understand the science behind all the evidence, we want to go straight to medical examiner Dr. Michael Hunter, who is following this case very closely. As an active medical examiner and board-certified forensic pathologist, doctor has routinely involved -- he's been routinely involved in the investigation of suspicious deaths.

So, doctor, I want to ask you, how do you determine if, at least in this case, a child suffocated from duct tape that might have been wrapped around her mouth and around her head? How would you know?

DR. MICHAEL HUNTER, MEDICAL EXAMINER & FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST: Right. You know, the prosecution is putting that theory out there because of the location of the duct tape on the mouth or in the vicinity of the mouth. Now, homicides like that in young children certainly do happen where obstruction of the airway occurs because of the placement of the tape. But can you say that for certainty? I mean there are other reasons why duct tape may be used on victims of a homicide post- mortem. It can be used for binding, more easily transporting a body from one location to the other. I can see where it could be used to simply stem the flow of some fluids that might come from the mouth and nose post-mortem, and that can occur very early following death.

KAYE: And how do you link back the body of Caylee Anthony to Casey? Because yesterday we learned that there weren't any fingerprints found on the duct tape, for example. So how do you make that link, if you can make that link?

HUNTER: Right. Yes, well, you're not going to expect to see fingerprints on duct tape where the remains have been for six months. It would be extraordinarily unlikely that you're going to have prints. How you tie her back is the scene. The scene, I think, strongly suggests -- and I think the state has proved -- that Caylee was actually in a vehicle at the house for some period of time, probably several days. That links her back.

There's some testimony today from an expert who did actually examine the tape and found a heart shape that she testified about which may actually tie back once again to some heart-shaped stickers that are present in that location. So the evidence is -- you know, you have to look at the scene. You have to look at the scene and then extrapolate what that may mean.

KAYE: Got it. So the fingerprints not being on the duct tape isn't surprising.

HUNTER: No.

KAYE: I also want to ask you about this, because obviously in your line of work, you know quite a bit about decomposition.

HUNTER: Sure.

KAYE: Tiny flies in the trunk of Casey's car apparently fit the prosecution's theory that a body was stored in the trunk. So does that sound like it could be in line with decomposition and remnants of it in the trunk?

HUNTER: Sure. I mean I think the state has shown I think clearly that a body has been in that trunk for a period of time. The carpet has been analyzed with material that has been testified to being from a decomposed human body. There is hair that is consistent with Caylee's that has features of decomposition. Once again, that of a decomposing body.

And you brought up the entomologist. Flies have a life cycle and an entomologist can look at that life cycle and what's left in that vicinity to estimate as far as how long that that person may have been in the trunk. He's saying anywhere from say three to five days. Much, much longer where she was subsequently found.

KAYE: And just very quickly, before we have to let you go here, you mentioned the hair. The hair that was found.

HUNTER: Sure.

KAYE: There is some question about whether or not that hair might have been from Caylee when she was alive or from Caylee when she was already deceased. Can you make that determination? How do you test that?

HUNTER: Right. There is a feature of a particular hair that has some DNA evidence which links back to Caylee. And what I'm talking about is there is black banding that the hair specialist is testifying to, saying you don't get that type of banding material on the hair unless it comes from a decomposed body. Now, the defense is certainly arguing the point that, you know, testimony like this hasn't been offered in court often at all. You know, how specific is it? How comfortable are you testifying to it? But I think it makes a lot of sense that you're putting a hair from a decomposed body that is linked to Caylee in the trunk of the car. So they're trying to bring her into that vehicle and say -- and to show that she is the source of that decomposition in that vehicle.

KAYE: All right, Dr. Michael Hunter, thank you so much for your expertise. I really appreciate you coming on today and helping us understand all right of that we've been hearing now for weeks in the courtroom.

Thank you.

HUNTER: OK, thanks, Randi. OK.

KAYE: And our sister network, HLN, is your destination for complete coverage of the Casey Anthony trial. You can watch special coverage of the trial throughout the day on HLN.

Wait until you hear how much the airlines are collecting in fees from passengers just like you. Buckle up and keep your seat. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: It is half past the hour. Here's a look at some of the headlines and news you may have missed.

President Obama is in Puerto Rico right now. It is the first official presidential visit to the territory since President Kennedy visited 50 years ago, although Presidents Johnson and Ford made unofficial stops there. The U.S. Caribbean territory has nearly four million residents who are American citizens but can't vote for president. But more than four million Puerto Ricans living in the 50 U.S. states do have full voting rights and the president could use their support in his 2012 re-election bid. He will wrap up today's trip with a fundraiser.

Michele Bachmann made news in last night's Republican presidential debate.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MICHELE BACHMANN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I filed today my paperwork to seek the office of the presidency of the United States today and I'll very soon be making my formal announcement.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: The Minnesota Congresswoman is the only woman to confirm her candidacy for the 2012 race. The former tax litigation attorney for the U.S. Treasury Department is a favorite of the conservative Tea Party movement. As chairman of the Tea Party caucus in the House Bachmann is a fiery critic of the Obama administration, as were others in last night's debate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MITT ROMNEY (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Any one of the people on this stage would be a better president than President Obama. He has failed in job one, which was to get this economy going again. He failed in job two, which was to restrain the growth of government. And he failed in job three, which is to have a coherent, consistent foreign policy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOP insiders indicate that front-runner Mitt Romney was perhaps the biggest winner in Monday night's debate.

Arizona's wallow fire has now burned about 733 square miles, making it the largest fire in the state's history. Right now, officials say it's about 18 percent contained. A big improvement over yesterday. They say the northward advancement has been stopped. That is certainly some good news. But another fire is now burning in southern New Mexico at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Hundreds of visitors were evacuated as crews tackled the 14,000 acre wildfire inside the park.

The Transportation Department says U.S. airlines collected -- are you sitting down -- almost $5.7 billion in fees from passengers. That was in 2010. That includes $3.4 billion in baggage fees and $2.3 billion in reservation change fees. The fees collected last year were roughly twice the amount collected in 2009.

About 3,800 Air Canada employees went on strike today after failing to reach an agreement on pensions. The striking workers are customer service and sales employees. Air Canada says flights will continue as planned despite the strike and the airline is operating at full schedule.

New sunscreen rules out today to help you avoid skin cancer. You'll want to hear this. Details right after a break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: So of course, with summer in full swing, it's a familiar question causing many of us to scratch our heads. Which sunscreen SPF number provides the best protection from skin cancer? The Food and Drug Administration is out today with new regulations aimed at making it easier for you to make the right choice.

Chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Whether we dab it or lather it all over, most of us know sunscreen is designed to protect us from the dangerous rays. But labels on suntan oils, lotions and sprays can be confusing. Now the Food and Drug Administration wants to give Americans better sun protection by unveiling new regulations and guidelines on sunscreen products.

DR. JANET WOODCOCK, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION: FDA has taken these actions to provide uniformity and standards in the marketplace.

GUPTA: The agency's testing will let consumers know whether a sunning product is broad spectrum, which means it protects against both ultraviolet rays A and B. UVA rays are the main cause of skin cancer and premature aging. Too many UVB rays can cause serious sunburn.

When it comes to a product's sun protection factor, or SPF number, which lets people know how long they can stay out in the sun before they reapply the product, people will no longer see figures higher than 50.

WOODCOCK: We don't know whether over 50 provides any additional protection for consumers.

GUPTA: Once the new label regulations are in effect, the FDA hopes they will assure sunbathers that any product labeled broad spectrum and SPF 15 or higher not only protects against sunburn but skin cancer as well, because it has been tested.

WOODCOCK: FDA is putting warnings on products that don't meet the broad spectrum and SPF 15 test and that's to warn consumers that those products don't provide protection against skin aging and against skin cancer.

GUPTA: The new labels will also tell buyers how much time they can use a water-resistant product while either swimming or sweating before they lose protection. And products will no longer be allowed to label themselves waterproof, sweat proof or call themselves sun blocks once the regulations are in place, in about a year.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAYE: Doctors and nurses facing military trials in Bahrain. Their charges and their claims of torture in a live report from there, right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: In Bahrain, human rights groups say dozens of doctors and nurses have been tortured for taking part in anti-government protests. The unrest first erupted back in February, between the revolts that toppled the presidents of Tunisia and Egypt.

Lawyers for the doctors and nurses say they also were forced to sign false confessions. The government accuses them of stockpiling weapons and taking control of a hospital during demonstrations. They are being tried by special military courts and today Human Rights Watch called on the government to stop the proceedings. Nic Robertson is following developments in Bahrain and joins us now.

Nic, if you can, can you just give us an update, what is the status of these military trials? Are they still in progress?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They're absolutely still in progress and the government is really sort of fast-forwarding a huge number of defendants through these cases. It was more than 40 people yesterday, there were more than 30 the day before. The trials continue. The doctors themselves, that case has been postponed to the 20th of June. But a government official today called me into his office to show me videotape that he says proves the allegations that the government's making against the doctors.

It's not legal evidence that would stand up in a court of law that you and I are familiar with, where the defendant is innocent until proven guilty, but the government here is convinced it's right, won't listen to any outside calls that the doctors should have their confessions squashed, they should be treated by civilian doctors and indeed, that if they're going to be tried, put in a civilian court -- that's like a Military court (INAUDIBLE).

The government is just completely set on going down this track, Randi.

KAYE: And what about these claims of torture? I mean, these doctors and nurses, from what I understand, were in tears claiming that they had been tortured.

Has there been a government response to these allegations?

ROBERTSON: Well, the prosecutor in the court, again, a military officer, said there hasn't been. We haven't had access to these defendants, the doctors and nurses in the prison. I asked for that today. I was laughed at.

I saw the doctors there in the courtroom. All their heads were shaved. They looked incredibly stressed. They looked under a lot of duress. They looked very nervous. Some of them are wearing what appeared to be their former suits that just hung loosely on them.

So the idea that these doctors are going to get what they're asking for, which is independent medical examination, doesn't seem likely. But we have heard from human rights groups and medical, independent medical professional groups, that they've seen other people who've been in detention here by the government at the moment and they say they can confirm that those people have shown signs of torture. So they say they can only imagine what's happening to the doctors.

KAYE: Nic Robertson for us with that update from Bahrain.

Nic, thank you very much.

Time right now, about 44 minutes past the hour. We're checking our top stories for you.

In Syria, witnesses say the government is expanding its crackdown in the northern part of the country along the border with Turkey. Troops are said to be conducting a scorched earth policy, destroying houses and crops as residents flee for safety, many of them crossing the border into turkey. Residents say hundreds of people have been arrested.

In India, a very unusual help wanted ad. Listen to this. The ad is for someone who is willing to slip the noose around the neck of a murderer. The call went out after the president rejected a last chance mercy petition from a convicted murder. All official hangmen have either died, retired or disappeared. Finally, the son of a late hangman offered his services, saying he wanted to continue the family legacy.

The massive Wallow Wildfire in Arizona has become the largest in the state's history. It's burned more than 733 square miles since Memorial Day. In neighboring New Mexico, another fire is burning in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Hundreds of visitors have been evacuated as crews battle the 14,000-acre blaze.

Every month, most of us probably pay our electric bill, we hope, but where exactly does all that power come from, and how clean is it? Coming up after this quick break, we want to take you inside what could be the next generation of power plants. Keep it here.

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KAYE: So when was the last time you paid your electric bill? Ever really think about where that electricity comes from? Well, you should. It's important for the environment and of course, for your bank account.

Right now, we get the majority of our energy from oil, then comes natural gas, coal and nuclear power. Only a small portion of our energy actually comes from renewables; they are the cleanest type of energy. Plus it helps that it's harder to run out of renewables, of course, because once we have depleted all the oil, natural gas and coal on the planet, we'll need to fall back on something, right?

But there is a huge problem with renewable energy right now. It is super expensive. General Electric is hoping to help fix that with a new hybrid power plant. Take a look here. It's an artist rendering of the plant from GE. They are hoping to open the plant in Turkey in 2015. It's a cross between natural gas, wind and sun power plant.

So think about it. If you have a power plant that's just solar, you can't get any juice at night. If you have a power plant that's just wind, well what happens when the wind dies down? You don't get any power. So imagine if you were able to combine those into one big bad power plant. Yes, GE is doing exactly that.

And here to tell us all about it is Paul Browning. He is the VP of GE's thermal products division.

Paul, thanks for coming on the show.

First of all, tell us how this new plant works. PAUL BROWNING, VP OF THERMAL PRODUCTS, GENERAL ELECTRIC: Well, thanks, Randi.

This is a power plant that uses aviation technology to provide a level of flexibility in a gas-powered power plant that we haven't really had before. Not only that, but it's providing world class efficiency at the same time. And that combination of flexibility and efficiency makes it so it pairs really well with wind. So it can be there when the wind is not blowing and similarly with solar so it can be there when the sun is not shining.

So we've designed the power plant to provide this flexibility. And then in the project that we introduced in turkey, we actually combined the solar, the wind and the gas all into one power plant that provides a hybrid capability so that you get the best of both worlds. As you said earlier, you've got gas there to give you good, reliable power, and then you've got the renewables to sort of take us into the future of power generation.

The other comment I'll make is renewables are getting more and more affordable. The GE renewables business is a big part of that. We've announced world record solar efficiencies, world record wind efficiencies, and we're driving the price down overtime. So renewables are really here today and affordable today.

KAYE: And when we talk about diversifying energy sources, which we certainly talk a lot about on this show, why do you think it's so important?

BROWNING: Well, you know, different fuels have different strengths and weaknesses. As we described for renewables, they're very clean energy. However, their intermittency, the fact that they're not there when the sun is not blowing -- or the wind is not blowing, sun is not shining is a problem.

On the other hand, natural gas, a very flexible fuel and also one of the cleaner fossil fuels. The two of them together make a great pair.

So you know, that's just one example of how the diversity of fuels really allows a power plant operator to take the best of both worlds and to make sure when you turn the switch on at home that that power is always there for you.

KAYE: And do you think that we as a country will be able to wean ourselves off of oil and gas in our lifetime? Maybe our children's or grandchildren's lifetime? And if not, I guess, why?

BROWNING: Well, I'll tell you what, if we do, this power plant is a great step in the right direction.

What we see with this power plant that we announced in Turkey is that right now it's 15 percent renewables, 85 percent gas in terms of how it's producing the power. But over time as we develop this technology, we think we'll be able to change that balance, be more renewables, less gas, and head towards a future where we can increase renewables content over time and decrease our reliance on fossil fuels.

KAYE: Paul Browning from GE with a really cool project underway, it certainly sounds like.

Paul, thanks for coming on the show and sharing it with us.

BROWNING: Thank you.

KAYE: Well, first he tried to shrug it off as a prank by a hacker. Now he's fighting for his political life. Can Congressman Weiner keep his job? Our Political Update is coming your way next.

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KAYE: Time for a CNN Political Update. The pressure is growing for Congressman Anthony Weiner to quit.

CNN's senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash is standing by with much more on this.

Dana, when House Democratic leaders called for Weiner to resign, they were hoping, I would imagine, that it would end what they call a political distraction. Doesn't seem to be working so well, does it?

DANA BACH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It doesn't. They were hoping, Randi, they would not enter what is now a third week of the story and what is, they consider, a distraction.

But you know, House Democrats, this morning, met for the first time in over a week. They were gone from Washington when Anthony Weiner admitted to sending the lewd Twitter pictures. And I can tell you that the frustration outside that meeting was palpable from Anthony Weiner's fellow Democrats who said that they just wanted this to end. They wanted to talk about what they were talking about inside the meeting, which is high gas prices, energy, and things like that and they came out, they were pounded by reporters by questions about Anthony Weiner.

Now Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, inside that meeting, Randi, she reiterated what she said publicly, that she thinks it's time for him to go. And another one of his colleagues from New York said she thinks it's only a matter of time.

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REP. NANCY PELOSI (R-CA), MINORITY LEADER: I wanted to be sure that they knew why I came to the conclusion that with the love of his family, the confidence of his constituents, and the need for help that Congressman Weiner should resign from the Congress.

QUESTION: Is it possible to get onto your business without him resigning?

REP. CAROLYN MCCARTHY (D), NEW YORK: We're going to find out. Hopefully, we're hearing that he might resign in a couple of days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: That was Carolyn McCarthy of New York. She did not say where she heard that he was going to resign.

And I think, just to be clear, some of Weiner's colleagues are still saying it's up to his constituents and him, that it's not up to members of the House Democratic Caucus to push him out. But I can tell you, there are certainly a lot more of them saying it's time. Even, Randi, even the former House ethics chairman is saying that he should go.

KAYE: Yes, this is certainly a very tough, very confusing time.

Is the hope, though, still, that when Weiner's wife returns for her trip abroad with Hillary Clinton that then maybe he'll resign.

BASH: It is the hope. That is what so many of these Democratic lawmakers and other Democratic sources I'm talking to are saying. That she is supposed to return now we think maybe in the early hours of tomorrow morning. And some point, she will find him wherever he is in this undisclosed treatment center, and that the two of them will talk. Because that is what Weiner has told his colleagues, that he wants to wait to look her in the eye and talk to her about it.

And I can just tell you that behind closed doors today in that meeting, Randi, a source told me that Nancy Pelosi was really expressing confidence that she does think that ultimately Weiner will resign. Because somebody asked about the possibility of the caucus taking other steps, like stripping him of his committee assignments, and her response was he won't have any when he resigns.

KAYE: No committee assignments, those are tough words there.

Dana Bash for us there at the Capitol. Thank you.

BASH: Thanks, Randi.

KAYE: Your next update from "The Best Political Team on Television" is just one hour away.