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Bomb Hits Norway Government Buildings; NFL Owners Approve Deal; The Help Desk; Height and Cancer Connection; The Age of Millennial Moguls
Aired July 22, 2011 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Top of the hour. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Let's get you up to speed.
We're following breaking news -- at least one, perhaps two bombs, rocked government buildings in central Oslo a couple of hours ago. We should say explosions. One building houses the prime minister's office. Police say Norway's leader was not inside and is safe. Police say one person has been killed and several had been wounded.
Christian Aglen is a Norwegian, and he captured some of the dramatic images that you're watching right now. He's joining me on the phone again.
So, Christian, where are you about now? And describe what you are seeing?
CHRISTIAN AGLEN, WITNESSED NORWAY EXPLOSIONS (via telephone): Sure. And right now, I am on (INAUDIBLE) street. It's one of the main streets in downtown Oslo.
Right now, it seems like most of the areas have been blocked off. The atmosphere is a little bit more quite now. Obviously, a lot of people are anxious. And we have a lot of questions and we need to get answers.
WHITFIELD: Describe for me what is in the vicinity of where the explosions took place?
AGLEN: Sure. It's a tightly packed area. There's a lot of building in the area. I believe there are several -- several government or just justice buildings in the area.
In the addition, to the building that I was in which is the headquarters of "V.G.," one of largest newspapers in Norway -- where I work, it's actually right next door, maybe less than 100 yards away. When the explosion went off I was sitting at my desk and the entire building was shaking very, very hard. It really felt like an earthquake.
And then after maybe three or four seconds subsided, the alarms went off in the building and we evacuated, and I came outside and there was shattered glass everywhere. And there was a lady on the ground, obviously injured.
And, you know, people are just shocked. And that's the state we're in right now. It's bitter shock, but at the same time, I just want to say that despite the tragedy, we are all going to get through this together. And this -- to say to the rest of the world, that there's certainly not a way to communicate anything, whether it's political thing or whatever it is, it's tragic for all of humanity.
WHITFIELD: Well, it's still unclear, Christian, whether it was indeed a bomb, whether this is intentional, or whether this was some kind of explosion that is rooted in some accident, gas explosion, et cetera.
AGLEN: Sure.
WHITFIELD: Is there anything more that's being said there, whether it'd be by witness, eyewitness accounts or even officials, to make you believe it was one over the other?
AGLEN: Yes. From a what I have seen, I've been looking a little bit on the news on my phone here, from what I've seen, it has been confirmed -- the police have confirmed that it's a bomb. There have been rumors about two bombs, but that's not confirmed from what I know. And casualties have been reported, including a lot of injuries.
WHITFIELD: All right. Christian --
AGLEN: And I can also add to that, that this explosion was very powerful. You know, I have not been in an explosion before, but, you know, the windows several blocks away had been shattered.
WHITFIELD: Was it one or two? One or two explosions?
AGLEN: Some people -- I think there were rumors about two, but from what I know, it's one, and I only heard one. So, we'll stick with that for now.
WHITFIELD: All right. Christian Aglen, thanks so much for your information.
Of course, for your images, too, really putting us on the ground there and getting an idea of what is taking place there in downtown Oslo, Norway.
All right. Back in this country, forecasters say the intense heat wave will peak along the Eastern Seaboard. The weekend will be a bit cooler, but only by just a bit. Extreme humidity today will make it feel so hot that any prolonged outdoor activity could easily lead to heat stroke, and that threat follows you indoors when there is no air-conditioning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do not have air-conditioning. Fortunately, I have an automatic fan which pretty consists of a piece of paper, something just fanning myself.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't have air-conditioning. I don't want no air-conditioning.
REPORTER: You don't have it or you don't want it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I don't want it.
REPORTER: You have a fan in there?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I'll just be outside and I go inside when it'd be time to go to sleep.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right. Washington's all-time record high of 106 may fall today, factor in the humidity and Capitol residents are going to think that it is feeling like 125 to 130 degrees today.
All right. Still not clear when or if NFL players will vote on a new 10-year labor contract. NFL owners have overwhelmingly approved the agreement, but tweets from players point to troubles. One says owners tried to slip things into the contract that weren't part of the deal. Another tweet, quote, "It's not over, people."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROGER GOODELL, NFL COMMISSIONER: Hopefully, we can all work quickly, expeditiously and get this agreement done. It is time to get back to football. That is what everybody here wants to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)\
WHITFIELD: The labor dispute will cost at least one game. The pre-season Hall of Fame game on August 7th has been cancelled.
News Corp executive James Murdoch says he did not lie to parliament, but two former "News of the World" editors suggests that he did. Murdoch told parliament Tuesday that he did not know the tabloid routinely used phone hacking to get scoops. Rather, he thought it was the work of a rogue reporter.
But the editors say they told Murdoch about an email indicating the practice had deep roots at the "News of the World."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Clearly, James Murdoch has got questions to answer in parliament. And I'm sure that he will do that, and clearly, News International has got some big issues to deal with and a mess to clear up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: "The Los Angeles Times" reports the man arrested for beating a baseball fan in a Dodgers parking lot last spring was not involved in the attack. The newspaper says police have two new suspects in custody. The previous suspect remains jailed on a parole violation.
Santa Clara County paramedic Bryan Stow was jumped at the Dodgers-Giants game on March 31st -- the beating was so brutal it left him in a coma for weeks. Stow was still not out of the woods. He had emergency surgery just this week because of a fluid buildup on his brain.
President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are working behind the scenes at a wide-reaching debt ceiling deal. The president has been trying to persuade Democrats who are queasy over possible changes to Medicare and Social Security.
Boehner meets with the full Republican caucus today, and many members remain skeptical about tax increases.
And President Obama takes his case for raising the debt ceiling and reducing the deficit directly to the public, during a town hall meeting at the University of Maryland. The president repeated his call for a balanced approach of spending cuts and taxes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If we only did it with cuts, if we did not get any revenue to help close this gap between how much money is coming in and how much money is going out, then a lot of ordinary people would be hurt and a country as a whole would be hurt, and that doesn't make any sense. It's not fair. And that's why I've said, if we're going to reduce our deficit, then the wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations should do their part as well.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: For many Republicans, the big sticking point is taxes and some are not willing to compromise. One Georgia congressman told CNN's John King, the answer is not taxes but the so called cut, cap and balance bill that requires a balanced budget amendment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. TOM GRAVES (R), GEORGIA: This is no time to compromise. We've had years and years and years of compromises, and that led to $14 trillion in debt. And if we're going to get out of this mess, we've got to hold firm to what we know were the true solutions.
The House passed a very bold proposal. It's probably the most incredible proposal. (INAUDIBLE) the taxpayers this week, now it's in the Senate. And as your polls have shown, that is 66 percent of America, a super majority of America , believes this is the right way to go, which means they don't want to compromise anymore either.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: More talk today, but no action on the debt plan definitively. And Americans are simply getting fed up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I blame both parties for the stalemate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All of the people who are responsible for this are elected to do a job. See? If I did my job like that, I'd be fired.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right. Joining us again to talk about where things stand and where they go from here is CNN contributor, John Avlon. He's a senior political columnists for "Newsweek" and "The Daily Beast."
All right. So, we heard from the president at the University of Maryland last hour underscore that everybody has a responsibility to get this done, and in his words, saying, quote, "neither party is blameless but both parties have a responsibility to solve it."
You have to wonder whether he was just answering a question or whether he really is admonishing those who he says are making this very difficult to pass something?
JOHN AVLON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: I think he was making a point. He also had a good line, I thought, and said the American people devoted for divided government in 2010, not dysfunctional government. And that is what we are confronting right now.
This is a self-inflicted wound. That's what it would be to the economy if we do not raise the debt ceiling. This is something that was done 17 times under Ronald Reagan with divided government. So, it really is incumbent upon the Congress and the president to be able to come upon to an agreement so that the American people don't wake up and, all of a sudden, find out that our interest rates have increased and we're deeper in a fiscal hole.
And it would be great if we could get folks to agree to agree on a grand bargain, on a big plan, whether it's the gang of six plan, which I think, you know, would cut and level taxes, do entitlement reforms, and raise some revenues through the loopholes, or whether it's a grand bargain that President Obama and John Boehner are trying to negotiate.
I think that's what is incumbent in Washington is to deal with the long-term problem. Whether there's enough time to do it before August 2nd has yet to be seen. But it's very clear, to put our nation on better fiscal footing, we need to deal with the long term deficit and deficit.
WHITFIELD: So, what's interesting -- the president keeps the using the word "compromise." But then there are others who are saying, is president compromising or is he caving? You know, there are a lot of players who are very concerned -- Democrats and Republicans who are concerned -- and particularly Democrats are concerned that the president may be giving up too much in order to come about a deal.
AVLON: Yes. Everybody is going to have to give up something. That is the nature of negotiation. And I think the problem we've got right now is that we've got hard-core constituencies in the Congress and the House of Representatives who either oppose any entitlement reform, which is necessary to deal with the larger problem, or any revenue increases.
Now, the reality is, there are middle grounds in this. There are ways of constructive compromise. And if, you know, people don't want to raise taxes -- that's fine. Tax reform that closes tax loopholes, tax expenditures, effectively earmarks embedded in the tax code, that should be a common sense way of moving this ball forward. But some folks to the far right have decided that's tantamount to a tax increase.
So, the reality is everyone who's got to be at the table, everyone who's got to be at the table, and everyone is going to have to give a little bit. That's the nature of negotiation.
That's what we seem to have lost in Congress in the recent years, and this era of hyper-partisan, people are forgetting that they are paid to reason together. And instead, we're facing default -- the real prospect of it -- and that should be a serious wake-up call for people frustrated with the dysfunction in Washington, D.C.
WHITFIELD: All right. John Avlon, thanks so much. Appreciate your insight one more time. Have a good weekend.
AVLON: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right. Here's a rundown of some of the stories that we're covering.
Over the next hour, first, we'll you why some NFL players don't like the owner's deal to end the lockout. How football fans could feel the pain.
And millennial moguls, how young super stars use social media to rise.
Then the heat is beginning to take its toll on food crops.
And an Air Force sergeant discharged from the military because he's gay speaks out about today's expected announced on the end of "don't ask, don't tell" and it's certification.
And later, tall women and cancer? A new study finds a new connection.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. More on the explosions that have rocked downtown Oslo, Norway.
Nima Elbagir is in London following the developments.
So, Nima, one explosion or two? And is there confirmation that there was a bomb involved?
NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Norwegian police have now confirmed it was a bomb. They say it was one explosion. At the moment, the death toll stands at two with eight injured. Many of those injured are believed to be in quite serious condition.
So, there is a concern we might see the death toll rising. It sounds like it was a pretty big attack, Fredricka. One eyewitness who spoke to CNN says he was six kilometers away and he still heard the blasts. At the moment, it sounds like a car bomb, as it is believe to be. The police haven't confirmed, but there are the mangled remains of a car outside the building that houses the prime minister's office.
And at the moment people believe all signs point to the fact that the blast was detonated from a car.
WHITFIELD: And what about first responders? Are they able to address the needs of everybody on the ground there? Have most of the injured been removed from the scene so to speak or are people being treated at nearby hospitals?
ELBAGIR: The Norwegian Red Cross tells CNN that they have actually now set up something near site and are treating people there. We saw some pretty incredible pictures where you can see passersby tending to some of those who have fallen. They were attempting to move people to hospitals. Well, obviously, it depends on the circumstance and the situation, the medical situation, of the people caught up in that blast.
As yet, though, Norwegian authorities are being quite slow with the release of the information. The confirmation it was a bomb actually came from the police. They obviously don't want to result in any more concern or any more panic than is already happening in the streets of Oslo, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Are officials saying any more about the proximity of this bomb? Did it appear as though it was targeting a specific building or targeting a specific person even?
ELBAGIR: Well, this bomb, what we do know is that the bomb was detonated right at the center of power. This is one of the largest concentrations of power in Oslo. You have the prim minister's office. You have the oil ministry. You have the offices of one of the largest newspapers there.
It does appear from eyewitnesses that we've spoken to that the bomb was directly in front of the prime minister's office, which, I mean, you are hearing that from the states. It sounds pretty unbelievable, and I think that says a lot about the situation in Norway, the security situation. They are unused to these kinds of threats. It would be unbelievable to get that close to the White House and Oval Office, to get that close to 10 Downing Street here in London.
But it does sound like from people we've been speaking to, that that bomb was detonated right in front of the prime minister's office -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Nima Elbagir, thanks so much, from London. Appreciate that.
All right. Back in this country, and now, we're going to focus our attention on the deadly heat wave that's moving east now, New York, Washington, Philadelphia, all baking today. We'll find out how long this will last.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Oh, yes, it is very hot. It will feel like 120 degrees or even hotter along the East Coast today. Chad Meyers is tracking that very dangerous heat. Folks, if they have, got that A.C., if not a fan, at least hydrate.
CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I'm not sure people exactly understand what 120 will do to your body, or to a pet. And so, I know we've talked about for days and days about you being safe and staying hydrated, and keeping yourself cool and all that kind of stuff, find a movie, find a mall or whatever.
Today, make sure the pets and the elderly are taken care of. I don't want to say this, ever has to say this again, because I don't want to lose pets today. We lost people yesterday and we're probably going to lose more today. But this is a day you cannot believe your pet tied up in the sun, you cannot leave them tied up on the grass.
WHITFIELD: Or in the car.
MYERS: Or in the car.
WHITFIELD: That drives me nuts!
MYERS: I see that all the time. But look, you have to give these pets shade and you must give them water. They are wearing a fur coat, OK?
WHITFIELD: Good point.
MYERS: Get a life people in the Northeast. You must, must, must take care of your pets and take care of the neighbors. If they happen to forget, I don't know what you can do, but try to give them water at least. At least give them some water somewhere because this is what it feels right now, 119 in Atlantic City.
Your body cannot literally cool down. If you are outside and you're sitting there, you cannot cool down because your body is 98, it feels like 119 outside. Your body tries to perspire. It tries to evaporate. If it can't evaporate, then you do not cool down. You must go inside to cool down. You must bring a pet inside for it to cool down.
Make sure -- even if you can spray it with some water, you're good. Here's an iReport, and don't know what to think because this horse actually has blinders on. But that's I guess what you can do. I don't know if you take the blinders off, if the horse gets spooked or what.
But he enjoyed. This was up in Ontario. Enjoyed it a lot. He got a little drink.
And he wouldn't let any of the other horses share. When they got close, he was like, no, no, this is mine.
That's what you can do for yourself, that's what you can do for your kids, and that's what you can do for the pets. Keep them -- if you don't have air conditioning, water obviously helps everywhere. Sprinklers are on, people are opening up, and firemen are opening up fire hydrants for the kids, and making sprinklers out of them.
Here in Atlanta, we have all those sprinklers downtown. They are fantastic as well. But today is a dangerous day. Today is a no tolerance day for pets, kids and elderly and even for yourself.
It's one of those days that we are going to lose people. We lost, what, 22 yesterday. We just don't even that.
WHITFIELD: That's incredible.
MYERS: And there are many, many more people involved today, because there are millions up and down I-95. Whereas the people we lost yesterday and the day before we're in Kansas, now, such a populated area, sure Kansas City is. But now, you are talking about hundreds of millions of people with heat indexes above 110.
WHITFIELD: That's extraordinary. Yes, you don't leave your pets in the car and you don't leave your kids in the car either.
MYERS: Not for 30 seconds, not if you're just going --
(CROSSTALK)
MYERS: You know, something happens in the bank. You don't get out for five minutes.
WHITFIELD: Not even with the window down. It's not enough.
All right. Thanks so much, Chad. Appreciate that.
MYERS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: All right. So, if you escape the heat wave baking much of the country, your wallet might feel the impact. The hot dry weather can scorch corn and other crops in the nation's midsection and that could mean higher prices at the grocery store.
We'll check in now with Alison Kosik at the New York Stock Exchange.
So, Alison, how worried are farmers about their crops?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: They are very worried. You know, corn is a major concern, Fredricka. We spoke with the senior economists at the American Farming Bureau, and you know what he says, he says the timing of this heat wave just happens to be really terrible, because corn is in the phase right now where the kernels are being formed, and if it's hot and dry for a long time, these kernels won't form and what does grow won't be top quality.
All right. Another problem, it's so hot that even irrigating these crops not helping much. Of course, it is too soon to say what kind of impact this going to have, but there are two key factors in play here: you know, how long will this heat last? And how dry will it get?
And guess what? If this can add insult to injury here, aggravating this situation for this corn crops, heavy rains in the spring made growing conditions difficult for farmers, too, so you can see how this could potentially affect corn -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Wow, and then it doesn't stop there. It has a real ripple affect, doesn't it, because corn has many purposes?
KOSIK: Yes. You know, it's not just the corn on the cob we need to worry about. You know, corn oil, corn syrup, bourbon even, tortilla chips, you know, all these kinds of things, you know, where corn is put into. You know, and even bigger concern here is the feed for animals, Fredricka. Corn happens to be the main ingredient in feed grain, it's what livestock eat.
And so, you add to that, cattle won't gain as much weight and heat, and dairy cows produce less milk -- all of these affect our food supply. And if the food supply is hit, you can beat prices are going to be affected as well -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness. That's right. OK. So, how are the markets doing right now?
KOSIK: We got mix -- we're mixed right now. The Dow is down 33. NASDAQ higher by 14. You know, we don't have any new news on debt talks. Wall Street is really focusing on earnings.
We got a disappointing report card from Caterpillar, also from Verizon. We found that Verizon actually didn't sell as many iPhones as expected in the second quarter. But that, believe it or not, that is being offset by McDonald's. McDonalds is leading the Dow right now. Who knew the higher priced frozen drinks could impact a huge company?
WHITFIELD: Wow.
KOSIK: Those frozen drinks that McDonald's sells -- that's really helping them boost their earnings for the second quarter -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness, just in time for this very hot summer.
All right. Thanks so much, Alison Kosik. Appreciate it.
All right. The U.S. military moves a step closer to ending the ban on gays in the military. We'll get reaction from a former Air Force major who was outed and then ousted from the service.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The process of allowing gays to serve openly in the military is expected to take a major step forward today. A U.S. official tells CNN the Pentagon is ready to certifying that repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that will not harm military readiness. After that certification, there will be a 60-day waiting period before the policy is finally repealed.
President Clinton signed it into law in December 1993. In October of 2004, the gay activist group, the Log Cabin Republicans sued to challenge the policy. Six years later, in September of last year, a federal judge ruled it was unconstitutional. In December, Congress voted to repeal "don't ask, don't tell."
So while the ban on gays in the military is ending, the policy has already cut short a lot of promising careers. Mike Almy was a major in the Air Force. He served for 13 years. He says he was forced out of the military after someone got access to his private e- mails and revealed that he is gay. He joins us now from Washington.
Good to see you!
MIKE ALMY, FORMER AIR FORCE MAJOR: Thank you for having me today. What a historic day for all of us.
WHITFIELD: It really is a historic day. So, you were discharged after somebody got into your e-mails. What does this mean to you, the repealing "don't ask, don't tell" is getting the certification today?
ALMY: It's a little bittersweet, I have to be honest with you. Obviously, it's a historic day and just a huge day and a step towards equality for gay and lesbian Americans, those serving in the military. This is long overdue. This law has weakened our national security and harmed our defense and thrown out 14,000 people. So, it's a huge step forward.
Yesterday, five years ago was my last day on active duty, the day that I was thrown out, so obviously it came too late to help me. But there are tens of thousands of patriotic Americans serving the military today who will benefit from this law as well as future generations to come.
WHITFIELD: Would it inspire you to re-enlist?
ALMY: I really hope to. As you said earlier, I did 13 years. My father retired as an officer in the Air Force as well. I grew up in the military. This is my calling. This is what I was born to do. I can't wait to get back in and finish my career as an officer and a leader in the Air Force.
What we need right now in the military is role models. Officers and leaders alike, gay and lesbians, who can serve along their straight counterparts equally and openly with zero detriment to the mission.
WHITFIELD: Do you think this repeal would inspire a lot of others who may have been forced out of the military because it was revealed they are gay or because they decided you know what? This is not for me. Do you think this may change their minds now that they too may want to re-enlist?
ALMY: Sure, I think obviously it's a very personal decision. For people such as myself who have been thrown out fairly recently within the last few years, they may want to go back into some capacity as a guard or reserves.
But this law has been in effect for 17 years, and those that were thrown out a long time ago have moved forward with their lives, gone on to have new careers, new families. So, it's obviously going to be a very personal decision, and for some, a painful division.
But now it's time to put that behind them and celebrate this step toward equality and this law will finally strengthen our national security so we can serve openly honestly right alongside our straight counterparts.
WHITFIELD: All right. Major Michael Almy, the Air Force. We don't say you're retired, though, right?
ALMY: Not retired, just kicked out.
(LAUGHTER)
WHITFIELD: OK. Maybe back in, if you are really pursuing that. All right, the best to you.
ALMY: Hopefully so.
WHITFIELD: All the best to you. Thanks for your time. Appreciate it.
ALMY: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right, next, more on the breaking news out of Oslo. An American who witnessed today's explosions describes that scene.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. More now on that explosion taking place in downtown Oslo. Confirmation now that a bomb indeed did go off in downtown Oslo, Norway. And at least eight people have been reported injured and possibly at least two confirmed deaths, we're hearing as well.
Ian Dutton happens to be an airline pilot for U.S. - a U.S. airline. And he was there in downtown Oslo when this took place.
So, Ian, you're on the phone with me now. Describe for me what you heard, felt and thought.
IAN DUTTON, AMERICAN EYEWITNESS TO OSLO EXPLOSION (on the phone): Well, I had -- actually, I had flown all night from New York to Oslo, and so you know, the first thing you want to do is have a little bit of a rest. So, I was just waking up at 3:30 local time when the explosion occurred. I am in a tower hotel that is maybe a quarter- mile from the actual bombing site and on a very high floor, so I have a good vantage point right into the - right into the scene.
And it just shook the whole hotel. I was not sure if my bed had been hit by lightning or if an earthquake occurred, and of course, earthquakes are not common here in Norway, so I thought that was kind of unlikely. And I looked out the window, and it's just a wall of smoke and debris.
And the people out on the street, obviously, were in this moment of shock. I mean, it wasn't even panic, it was more of this can't be going on, this can't be happening. And actually, it reminded me - I was actually being a resident of lower Manhattan, I was right in the middle of the scene on September 11 of 2001, and it reminded me very much of that same feeling of helplessness and confusion.
WHITFIELD: So some real parallels that you experienced through all of this. When you looked out the window and saw all this shattered glass and you saw people, did you see a lot of folks that appeared to be injured and others running to their aid? What was the behavior of people on the street?
DUTTON: Well, from my vantage point, like I said, it was -- the initial reaction was surprise and shock. Of course, being 28 stories above it, I didn't have the same -- the same connection with the emotion on the street.
It was probably five minutes or so of mostly confusion, and I could not actually see for myself injured people, although certainly with a bomb or an explosion of that magnitude, there was certainly going to be injuries.
There was not panic. There wasn't running. And then it took, say, five minutes or so before the emergency responders started to arrive on the scene. And they very quickly set up cordons, I guess, of ambulances. I could not imagine Norway even had so many ambulances. But just streams of them are arriving on the scene and being processed through, and that was due to the nature of the injuries, glass injuries.
WHITFIELD: Incredible, Ian. So, how long are you going to be there in Oslo?
DUTTON: Well, we're expecting to return tomorrow. We don't -- at this point, there have not been any announced changes to our plans, and we believe the airport is open and the airport is a good 25 miles north of the center. I am also looking down at the main train station, and the main train station has been closed for sometime as a precaution, I believe. There has been some disruption on the roads and with public transit. So, I can't tell for sure what is going to be happening in the next day.
WHITFIELD: All right. Ian Dutton, thanks so much. Glad you are well. And thanks for sharing your story with us. And all the best to, of course, the folks there in Oslo as we look at the images --
DUTTON: Sure. That's our wishes as well, all the best to anyone who have been affected.
WHITFIELD: That's right. All right, thanks so much, Ian. Appreciate it.
We will have much more of the NEWSROOM right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: A look at some other stories we're covering across the country now. A giant sinkhole in Leesburg, Florida, is getting bigger by the day and now there's concern it could swallow an entire neighborhood. The whole has already destroyed one business. It opened last month as a 60-foot hole. Folks in the neighborhood say it started growing again this week.
The Avengers and Captain America, werewolves and vampires. You can find them all under one roof in San Diego. The annual Comic-Con is underway. It showcases comic books, science fiction television shows and movies, among other things.
America's first lady is pitching in and helping some of the country's neediest veterans. Michelle Obama was in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to renovate a community center for homeless women veterans. The project is part of an upcoming television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
NFL players could soon be suiting up again. League owners have voted to end the four-month lockout. They've approved a labor and revenue sharing deal, but the players still have to give their okay.
CNN's Joe Carter is with us now to explain what is going on right now. Joe?
JOE CARTER, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Fredricka. I can tell you for certain we will not see a vote come from the players today. NFL Players Association president, Kevin Mawae, just released a statement a short time ago basically saying the players are not going to talk out of respect to Myra Kraft and the Kraft family. Of course, Myra Kraft is the wife to Robert Kraft, the owner of the Patriots. She passed away earlier this week. Many owners across the league are attending her funeral today in Boston.
Now this statement, which we obtained just a short time ago reads in part, "Player leadership is discussing the most recent written proposal with the NFL, which includes a settlement agreement, deal terms and the right process for addressing recertification. Now, there will not be any further NFL-PA statements today out of respect for the Kraft family while they mourn the loss of Myra Kraft." Again, Mrs. Kraft, wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, passed away earlier this week. Many owners will be attending her funeral.
So, this means it's going to be a very busy and very critical weekend for the players. Of course, last night here in Atlanta, 31 of the 32 team owners voted for a new collective bargaining agreement. This agreement from the owners' perspective is a deal that is ten years long - ten years strong, lucrative, unprecedented, and a deal that would start football on time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROGER GOODELL, NFL COMMISSIONER: I think we have crafted a long- term agreement that can be good for the game of football, be good for the players, be good for the clubs, and most importantly, good for our game and for our fans. We really are anxious to get back to football.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARTER: Now, the players did not receive this new proposal until late last night, and there was an immediate pushback from the players to the owners. Now they've said all along - their player reps - that they will not be bullied into making a quick decision. Owners are trying to lay out a time line for when they should recertify their union.
Now, again, this is a big purchase. A 10-year deal. A lot can change in 10-years, so they have to go through this with a fine- toothed comb. I mean, again, it's like -- it's like saying, would you buy a brand-new car or a brand-new house without making sure all the terms of the deal are in place? Probably not.
Now the players will have until Tuesday, according to the owners. If that happens and they vote yes and they recertify as a union, football is on. Everything's on time. If not, we could see the pre- season have more cancelled games like the recent Pro Football Hall of fame game that was cancelled for August 7th.
Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: So that still is off the table. Even if everyone comes to terms on Tuesday, that August 7th game is not going to happen?
CARTER: Definitely not going to happen. It's been canceled. And if they delay it past Tuesday, we could see more pre-season games gone.
WHITFIELD: Oh, boy.
CARTER: For every week that the pre-season's gone, the NFL says $200 million to $250 million down the drain.
WHITFIELD: Wow. Incredible. All right, thanks so much. Appreciate that update.
OK, so what does your height have to do with your risk of getting cancer? A new, large study finds a surprising connection. But first, here's some free money advice from the CNN "Help Desk."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Time now for "The Help Desk," where we get answers to your financial questions. Joining me this hour, Jack Otter, the executive editor at cbsmoneywatch.com, and Ryan Mack, the president of Optimum Capital Management. Thanks for being here, guys.
First question. An interesting one. It comes from Sharon in Maryland. And Sharon writes, "are hybrid index annuities worthwhile? At what age should I consider buying an annuity index?"
What do you think, Ryan?
RYAN MACK, PRESIDENT, OPTIMUM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: Well, I mean, I've seen instances when individuals might be 25 years old and had an annuity in their portfolio, but it's very, very rare.
HARLOW: Right.
MACK: I mean obviously the older you are, the more secure in your income you are, and it's probably a little bit more of a secure investment strategy. I'll explain briefly how they work. If you invest in a hybrid annuity. If the market gives you a 15 percent return, you might get a 7.5 percent return. But if the market goes down 15 percent, you'll have a zero percent return. Again, depending upon the terms.
So then ask the right questions. What are the terms of that annuity? What are the interest rate that they provide? And what are highly tied to that different index fund? Is that tied to Libor (ph)? Whether it's tied to S&P, the Nasdaq? I mean are they from an A rated insurance company, making sure that insurance company doesn't go under while you try to -- depending upon that money for retirement. So asking the right questions and making that a part of the overall picture in your portfolio, and that, again, can they change the bells and whistles on you? There are many instances where, if this is an insurance company, they can change that contract.
HARLOW: Read the fine print.
MACK: Exactly.
HARLOW: Read the fine print. Thank you so much.
Jack, this question for you comes from Shirley in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Shirley writes, "I am 81 years old. I lost $60,000 in the recession and bailed out of my investments. Except for IRAs, all my money is in various kinds of CDs. Is it wise for me to reinvest in the market now?"
So she's been sort of putting her money in safe-harbor CDs knowing what she's going to get in return, but now she wants to maybe jump in.
JACK OTTER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, CBSMONEYWATCH.COM: She's 81 and she has a risk tolerance that I would describe as low. So I would say, stick to those CDs. Right now there's a funny anomaly in the market where CDs actually give you a much better rate than bonds, because the big guys can't really buy CDs. But you can get 3.5 percent now in a seven or 10 year CD.
There is an early withdrawal penalty, but it's only two months of interest. So, to me, that's where I would go if I were her. There's a bigger lesson here, which is she sold at the bottom. That's her (INAUDIBLE). She just --
HARLOW: It's that fear.
OTTER: Yes, exactly, and she doesn't want to deal with that sinking feeling of seeing a 50 percent loss in her stocks. Fair enough. Learn from that lesson. Don't jump back in now when the prices are up only to sell again at the bottom.
HARLOW: Sure.
OTTER: She's learned a tough lesson, but let's leave it there. Stay safe and liquid and she'll be all set.
HARLOW: Good advice. Thanks, guys.
Well, if you have a question you want answered, just send us an e-mail any time to cnnhelpdesk@cnn.com.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, we continue to watch breaking developments out of Oslo, Norway. An explosion taking place. Now it's been confirmed that a bomb indeed set off an explosion there. And state broadcaster NRK is reporting that two people are reported dead and dozens more injured. Still unclear who is responsible for this reported bomb there in downtown Oslo. We'll keep you posted throughout the afternoon.
Meantime, this look at health. A new study says taller women may be more likely to get cancer. Elizabeth Cohen is here to explain why.
So, Elizabeth, how much more of a risk are we talking? You know I don't like this.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I know, I feel bad I'm talking to a 5'10" woman. And that's exactly who they studied was women who were 5'10" and taller.
WHITFIELD: Oh, lucky me.
COHEN: But, so let's take a look at the numbers here. So women who were 5'10" and taller, three times more likely to get cancer. OK. And if you break it down sort of inch by inch. For every four extra inches of height, a 16 percent increased chance of getting cancer. Now, that number we see here, the 5'10" and taller, that's compared to women who were five feet and lower. So three times more likely to get cancer than someone who's five feet or shorter.
WHITFIELD: OK. So what's the explanation? Why the increased risk?
COHEN: You know what, they don't really know, but there's two theories that are floating out there. One is, is that taller people, while they were growing, had more growth hormone, and maybe that hormone sort of set things off. That's one. Another one is actually much simpler, which is that taller people just have more cells.
WHITFIELD: We're bigger.
COHEN: They're bigger, right, so there are more cells where something can go wrong with more.
WHITFIELD: More move (ph) -- more stuff.
COHEN: Right. Exactly.
WHITFIELD: OK. So, you can't change your height.
COHEN: No.
WHITFIELD: What can you do when you hear this kind of information?
COHEN: Right. Really, there's nothing you can do. I mean we asked the experts --
WHITFIELD: OK.
COHEN: Should taller people get screened more, right, because some people at higher risk -- like if your mom had breast cancer, whatever, you want to do more screening. This is not the case.
WHITFIELD: Uh-huh.
COHEN: So there really is nothing you can do here and just sort of appreciate how beautiful it is to be so tall and --
WHITFIELD: I'm feeling so comforted now, Elizabeth, thanks so much.
COHEN: I know. Sorry.
WHITFIELD: This is lovely news.
COHEN: Right. I'm sorry. I know, and here I am 5'2" telling you so, you know, that's just the way it goes.
WHITFIELD: Yes, that smarts (ph).
COHEN: But, you know, but, really, but the doctors were like, there's just not -- there's just -- you know, it's not worth getting extra screening just because you're tall.
WHITFIELD: I mean maybe I was better off not knowing this at all, huh?
COHEN: That may be.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks.
COHEN: Thanks.
WHITFIELD: Well, I do like to be informed.
COHEN: Oh, good. That's right.
WHITFIELD: So, thank you very much, Elizabeth. Appreciate that.
All right, the age of millennial moguls. See how young superstars use social media to rise.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, this breaking news we're following. This also in Norway. Unrelated, as far as we know, to the blast that took place in downtown Oslo. Now we understand in a separate incident apparently a man has fired five shots into a youth summer camp. Not in downtown Oslo, but somewhere nearby. And apparently the suspect was dressed in a police uniform. And it's unclear how many people may have been injured. We understand that several actually had been injured. It's unclear exactly the extent of the injuries. And it's unclear whether this is in any way related to the blast that took place in downtown Oslo earlier today where at least two are reported dead and several others injured. We will keep you posted on these two events taking place in Norway.
All right, meantime, millennials making millions. This is a story you're going to want to watch. If you are a baby boomer with millennial kids, those who came of age at the turn of the century, get them to the television set now so that they can learn how to be the newest kind of moguls. Kareem Wynter reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They're some of the most successful entertainers in the world. They're not just leading their industry, they're redefining it. And they're all under 30. They're Hollywood's millennial moguls. Young super stars with cross over talent, carefully crafted images and incredible social media savvy.
ANTHONY SALEH, V.P. & GENERAL MANAGER, ATOM FACTORY: My generation understands how to embrace this new form of accessibility that the consumer is getting from the artist.
WYNTER: Anthony Saleh would know. At just 25, he, too, is a millennial and the GM of Atom Factory, best known for managing Lady Gaga. He says today's young super stars owe a huge thanks to FaceBook, Twitter and YouTube.
SALEH: Gaga interacts with her fans in such a loving way more than anyone. Your fan won't connect to you unless they know that you're real and that they can reach out and touch you.
MELISSA VICTOR, V.P. OF PUBLICITY, ISLAND DEF JAM: Exactly. It's a whole different generation.
WYNTER: Melissa Victor agrees. She's part of Justin Bieber's publicity team at Island Def Jam. She says today's biggest millennial success stories all have a strong, personal identity.
VICTOR: I think it's talent, hard work and also knowing who you are and knowing what you stand for, that's really important.
SALEH: At the end of the day, the fan will respect, honor, and love that you stay true to your crowd.
WYNTER: Likewise, both execs agree that a strong support network is also key.
SALEH: Make sure to surround yourself with very down-to-earth, grounded people who understand you still want to embrace and hold on to your morals and values.
WYNTER: And ultimately these young moguls call their own shots.
VICTOR: I don't think it's one person being a puppet. I don't think you can be really, truly successful and be a puppet in this time and age because the consumer's so savvy.
TAYLOR SWIFT, MUSICIAN/ACTRESS: I feel very lucky that I don't have to live my life based on anybody telling me what image to portray or what to do.
WYNTER: So whether it's music or movies, fashion or fragrance, the winning streak of these millennial moguls, fueled by their fierce fans, shows no signs of slowing.
Kareem Wynter, CNN, Hollywood.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, I'm Fredricka Whitfield. CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Randi Kaye.
Randi.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, Fred. Thank you. Have a great weekend.
