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Princess Diana Murder Investigation; Prince Harry Carries on His Mother's Charity; Prince William Talks to CNN; Idaho Wildfire Spreads; Rain Still Swamping Southeast; Filner Recall Effort Grows; Baby Veronica Custody Battle; Judge Orders Baby Name Change; Sandusky Victim Settles Lawsuit; Olympic Star to be Indicted for Murder

Aired August 18, 2013 - 16:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. A look at our top stories this hour in the CNN NEWSROOM.

The British press is reporting a new conspiracy claim involving the death of Princess Diana. They say police are investigating accusations that the military was involved. We're headed to London for details.

An out of control fire in Idaho is threatening thousands of people. Authorities are telling them to get their stuff and get out now before it's too late.

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner faces a growing number of sexual harassment claims and now a major recall effort. We'll tell you what his opponents plan to do to force him out of office.

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WHITFIELD: We start in London where claims of a conspiracy in the death of Princess Diana are gripping the world. Police have stayed tight lipped only saying we're looking into new information. But does that new information include a plot possibly involving the British military? Erin McLaughlin is following the case from London.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIC MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The metropolitan police are still in the process of assessing this information's relevance and credibility. They are also still not saying what this new information is.

However, the British media including a newspaper called "The Sunday People" is reporting that this new information includes a claim that the British military was involved in the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi al Fayed. "The Sunday People" is reporting it has had access to a seven-page handwritten letter from the in-laws of a special forces sniper who's yet to be named.

The letter was written following the breakdown of his marriage to their daughter, alleges that he boasted to his wife that the elite British SAS unit was behind the deaths.

The metropolitan police in London launched a two-year investigation which examined the various conspiracy theories surrounding the princess' death, inquiry which is called "Operate Pageant" found no evidence to support those theories and concluded that she and Dodi died because their driver was drunk and going too fast.

In response to this latest development, the police have said they're scoping the claims but have not reopened the Pageant investigation. The metropolitan police has also highlighted the outcome of the inquest which concluded in 2008 that the crash was the result of gross negligence on the part of the driver and the paparazzi -- Erin McLaughlin, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Princess Diana's son, Harry, is carrying on his mother's work 16 years after his mom visited a potentially deadly minefield in Angola. The prince walked through the same dangerous grounds. He went to get a firsthand look at mine clearing operations run by The Halo Trust, a charity that is working to get rid of every land mine in that country.

And tomorrow morning, on "NEW DAY," Prince Harry's brother, William, opens up about fatherhood and the British throne.

It is his first official interview with us since the birth of his son, George. The prince sat down with our Max Foster. The interview is part of a one-hour special premiering in September. A portion of the interview will air Monday on "NEW DAY" 8:00 am Eastern time.

To central Idaho now, where thousands of people are told to get out of the path of a fast-growing wildfire. Evacuation orders covering 2,200 homes in six communities.

Paul Vercammen is following this story for us.

So Paul, just how quickly is this fire growing?

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, some good news here. It slowed down a little bit, they say it burned only 8,000 acres overnight and that is great news because it was burning at such a rapid clip that it quickly exceed 100,000 acres.

And in talking to firefighters on the ground there, they say some 200 homes which had been evacuated may be open tomorrow morning, with residents being allowed to return if the conditions stay favorable. Nevertheless, out West, we now have 39 major wildfires, the heaviest concentration in Idaho with nine huge fires right now.

And the biggest of all of them is Beaver Creek fire, or I should say the most rapidly expanding fire is Beaver Creek.

One bit of good news as some of the other fires in Idaho have sort of been ramping down and getting more containment, the assets have been shifted to the Beaver Creek fire in the Sun Valley area and talk about assets.

We have more than 1,200 firefighters on the ground at the Beaver Creek fire. We have got 11 helicopters in the air. Some 88 engines and some 20 water tankers and also we have some snow blowers.

The Sun Valley ski resort using the blowers as water cannons to sort of set up a wet protection. Fire not close to the resort yet but soaking the ground around it just in case something dastardly happens in that area.

Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: And the Sun Valley folks feel like that's a smart strategy and tried it before?

VERCAMMEN: Well, they have gone ahead and done it before and of course they think it's a very smart strategy because these blowers are powerful. If they can put a lot of white powder on the slopes in winter, imagine the amount of water they can get on the ground. Not near the resorts yet, but certainly, they want to protect those ski lifts and the lodges and the rest of the buildings in that area.

WHITFIELD: All right. All the best to them. Thanks so much, Paul Vercammen, appreciate it.

So the weather isn't helping the firefighting efforts in Idaho. Meteorologist Jennifer Delgado is in the Severe Weather Center, with a look at the conditions in the area.

JENNIFER DELGADO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Fredricka, looks like we are still watching this critical area for fires and you can see for yourself. We still have red flag warnings in place across Idaho. In fact, there five multiple fires burning there and going through today, we are still expecting wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour. We're also going to see single digit relative humidity values.

Certainly that is bad. We like to get some moisture out there but the reality is we're still talking about hot temperatures and really overall dry conditions.

Now, as we go through Monday, we have a 10 percent chance of rainfall and, on Tuesday, notice that climb. You're thinking that sounds great but the problem is see if we get the dry thunderstorms and we get the lightning out there. Those could spark additional wildfires across the region.

So this is certainly an area that we need to watch. Now, we continue to follow the flooding across parts of the Southeast. Looking at some of these totals that we are talking about. These are incredible. This is our surplus.

For Atlanta, we have had more than 10 inches above average since June until now. For areas like Ft. Lauderdale, even more than that, 11 inches. Imagine if you're going down there for vacation and that's all you see is rain. More of that rain is on the way, Fredricka, we're talking 3-6 inches across the Florida Panhandle, southern parts of Georgia even into South Carolina could pick up 2-4 inches of rainfall. The ground is already saturated and that's why we still have many of these flood watches in place, even these flood warnings, that is going to continue as we go through today and the problem is, Fredricka, it gets worse.

We're talking the stationary front; it's not going anywhere any time soon. This thing is going to be pesky and it's going to stick around through the week. And that means more rain so even through Thursday, we are talking several more inches of rainfall. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: That's terrible. Thanks so much, Jennifer.

All right. Those floods in the Florida Panhandle have made quite a mess as you would expect. They are still cleaning up and trying to get the roads open there, and a pretty similar story up the coast in North Carolina.

This is from the Wilmington area overnight where many roads there were under a couple of feet of water as Jennifer Delgado just mentioned, the wet conditions are expected to hang around for a few more days.

A 4-year-old girl in the middle of a legal tug of war. Her father wants her, but the U.S. Supreme Court says she belongs to the family that adopted her. Who should get custody of Veronica?

And 16 women say San Diego Mayor Bob Filner sexually harassed them. Now a recall effort under way to force him out of office. We'll talk to two people leading that recall.

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WHITFIELD: The effort to recall San Diego Mayor Bob Filner is officially on. People who want to see him kicked out of office are starting to gather signatures on a petition calling for a recall election.

Filner is now facing sexual harassment allegations of 16 different women; under city law, recall supporters to get more than 101,000 registered voters to sign the petition.

Joining me now from San Diego, April Boling, who is treasurer for the Filner recall effort and Rachel Laing, spokeswoman for the Filner recall effort. All right. Good to see both of you.

Rachel, you first. You call this recall effort an epic, logistical feat but you say the biggest challenge is really making sure people have a chance to sign the petition. Tell me what you're doing to make that happen.

RACHEL LAING, SPOKESPERSON, FILNER RECALL EFFORT: We have an army of volunteers of ABOUT 1,100 people who've promised to take the petitions and circulate them among their friends and get them back to us. That's -- it's all voluntary effort right now.

WHITFIELD: And so, April, how confident are you all at this point that you're going to get the kind of support that you want in order to have this mayor recalled?

APRIL BOLING, FILNER RECALL EFFORT: I'm confident that there are far more than 101,000 people out there who would like to sign the petition. And our logistic problem is going to be to get a piece of paper in front of them and then get it back from them, but the support is absolutely there. It's almost unbelievable the number of people who want this to happen.

WHITFIELD: And so, April, you signatures, then what? What do you do with those signatures?

BOLING: The signatures have to be turned in to the city clerk, they have to be verified. They determine whether or not we have enough good signatures. If not, we have some additional time. In the end, once we have enough valid signatures, then this will go to a recall election.

WHITFIELD: And then, Rachel, apparently history has it that six mayoral recalls have been attempted in your city. But every time apparently there wasn't enough signatures in order to make it happen.

What do you suppose makes it different this go around?

LAING: Well, the widespread knowledge of the mayor's behavior, women are so angry. Men are angry. Nobody wants this is guy in charge anymore. They know about it. They're aware.

WHITFIELD: And that, though, the mayor admitted that he acted inappropriately. Then said that he was voluntarily going to seek some therapy. It lasted a week as in-patient and then he says he followed up a week outpatient.

April, in your view, was that appropriate enough?

BOLING: No. Absolutely not. The very fact that he admitted that he has that kind of a problem, it is clear he should not be mayor, should not be in a position of power where women need to come to him to get something because he uses power to then take advantage of them.

And that's why at such a visceral level so many people are angry. It is because he's using the power of his position to take advantage of women. It's awful.

WHITFIELD: April Boling, Rachel Laing, thank you for your time. Appreciate it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Moms and dads spend a whole lot of time deciding on a name for their baby. Well, now a judge is telling one family the name they chose isn't appropriate.

Can that judge do that? Baby Messiah's story next.

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WHITFIELD: Two sets of parents are in a heartwrenching struggle over 3-year-old little girl. Veronica's fight has gone all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court but it still rages on. Veronica was adopted as a baby by a family called the Capobiancos, but when he was 2, her biological father, who is a member of the Cherokee Nation, Dustin Brown got custody under the Indian Child Welfare Act.

This summer, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling sided with the Capobiancos but they still don't have Veronica back. In a hearing on Friday, the two sides entered a mediation agreement but that remains sealed. So we still don't know where Veronica will go.

I'm joined by now by attorneys Mo Ivory and Tanya Miller. Good to see both of you ladies.

So wait a minute: the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in, said the child belongs with the adoptive parents. However, those adoptive parents are still fighting in now a lower court.

Mo, how can this be?

MO IVORY, ATTORNEY: Well, we're dealing with two sets of laws here and the father, the biological father, invoked an Indian law that actually supersedes the state law, so at that precise moment in time he went and he took custody, physical custody of the child and even though now the Supreme Court doesn't agree and even the state courts don't, he has the physical custody of the child.

So that is really right now what that mediation is going to be all about. But I have to say that I'm a little bit concerned about the biological father because, of course, he was -- gave up his rights in the first place and now he's sort of come back and he's gotten the support of the Indian nation more because I think it's about cultural identity than it really is necessarily the best interest of the child.

WHITFIELD: And so, Tanya, what does this mediation agreement mean? I mean, who should feel most hopeful about this?

TANYA MILLER, FORMER DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It's interesting. We are not sure exactly what it means because as Mo alluded to, the Oklahoma judge sealed the mediation order. We don't know what it says.

There had been reports, however, that this father has gone to the Capobiancos and has proposed several shared custody arrangements. He has the child during the year. They have the child in the summer, et cetera. And the Capobiancos rejected every single shared custody proposal that this father has made.

WHITFIELD: Somewhere along the line there has to be some kind of -- maybe psychological evaluation of this little child.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sure.

WHITFIELD: Granted, two years with the Capobiancos, a year and some change with Mr. Brown. But it would seem as though someone would have to evaluate what's in the best interest of the child.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sure.

WHITFIELD: The adjustment of the child.

Is it too early to make that kind of evaluation?

IVORY: No. But the family, I really have more compassionate sort of. I have compassion for both, but their adoption went through. I can understand why they don't want to have a shared custody arrangement.

If I adopt a child and I raise them for the first two years of their life, I'm not really ready to start -- I don't know what the condition of the family is, the Indian family, how the child will be raised, if the father -- I mean, this is a father who gave up all of his parental rights in the beginning.

WHITFIELD: But at the same time, stuff happens.

IVORY: Right.

WHITFIELD: And sometimes people make a decision and they second guess themselves later. You hear it all the time. Perhaps a biological parent who thought they would give their child up for adoption and then they have a change of heart.

Why would that be disputed if the biological parent says, you know what? I really do want to now care for my child. I made a decision a while back but, you know, the child is blood and I really would like to start over.

MILLER: Here's the thing. This analysis really has to not start not with what the Capobiancos wants and with what the father wants. It really has to start at this point in time with what's in the best interest of the child.

Is it in the best interest of the child at this point to remove her from her biological father, who by the way disputes that he ever relinquished his parental rights and who, by the way the Supreme Court in South Carolina said was a fit father, was a loving father, who had -- he had no other basis to take this child away from the father and that's why the Supreme Court gave the custody to the father in the first place in South Carolina.

So we are at a point now where both parents who love this child want to have this child and we need someone to decide by looking at the child, doing a psych eval, whatever the case may be, what's in her best interest right now? And I don't think anyone's done that yet.

IVORY: But is it in the best interest of a child to have a father who flip-flops back and forth about whether he wants to be a parent?

WHITFIELD: I'm not going to resolve that one. You got me thinking. This is the stuff that they are going to consider.

IVORY: Right, absolutely.

WHITFIELD: Because it really doesn't seem that cut and dried, clearly. It's not. We would have had a different resolution.

Let's talk about another big fight, this one involving a judge in Tennessee changing a baby's name from Messiah to Martin. Mom and Dad went to court because they couldn't agree on a last name but the judge made them change the first name. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LU ANN BALLEW, CHILD SUPPORT MAGISTRATE: The word Messiah is a title, and it's a title that has only been earned by one person and that one person is Jesus Christ.

JALEESA MARTIN, MOTHER: Everybody believes what they want. So I think I should be able to name my child what I want to name him. I don't think a judge could make me change my baby's name because of her religious beliefs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Wow. So now the mom is appealing the decision.

All right, Mo, this is very interesting. Very unique. On what grounds can a judge say, I'm going to rename your child, even if the judge has personal feelings about a child's name?

IVORY: Not on those grounds. This judge is clearly --

WHITFIELD: On some grounds?

IVORY: On some grounds, if it's the right grounds. If it -- I believe that this judge made a huge mistake, I think it will be overturned because the judge is basing her religious belief, only one person has earned that title.

Whether you agree with that or not, the basis is really about whether it would infringe on other people to have a child named that way and there are a lot of cases that show if a child is named, for example, Rejoice is the first name and Christ the King is the last name, then every time they were called out in class they would be called Christ Rejoice the King and which could be a little bit offensive to the other kids in the class if they're not of that religion or if they don't have the same beliefs.

WHITFIELD: Interesting.

IVORY: Yes. So the basis is more does it infringe on other people's rights more so than it infringes on mine as a judge's opinion.

WHITFIELD: But interesting choice of words. You said for the right reasons. This judge is going to argue for the right reasons I am changing this child's name, Tanya. MILLER: That's absolutely ridiculous. It is laughable that a judge who is charged with enforcing the law, charged with protecting individual liberties is going to mock the First Amendment, the First Amendment choices by this family to name their child whatever they chose to name him because of her own personal religious beliefs.

WHITFIELD: So what's the recourse now?

MILLER: Well, the recourse is to appeal her decision. She was a magistrate judge and they are -- and I think they have already done that. They have appealed this decision and it's going to be overturned.

It's just a matter of time and I think this judge is going to be brought up on some ethics charges, well, they're going to be questioning her fitness and I think whether or not she violated her ethical duties in imposing her own personal religious beliefs on litigants that appeared in front of her.

IVORY: Aside from the legal argument, though, please stop naming your children these ridiculous names, because that's really what it is about. Aside from the legal argument.

(CROSSTALK)

IVORY: Well, ridiculous, I mean, when you can't get a job because your name is something that throws people off a little bit or doesn't allow you to go out into what is still a world that judges you before you even walk into the room. I mean I just think that we have taken this whole name Cadillac, Lexus, all of these kinds of names that have become commonplace.

And I think that's really, for me, what made me think about this story, like why does the kid have to be named Messiah? I just think that we have gone a little bit --

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: (Inaudible) the choice of the parents.

IVORY: It is. And then you're putting -- you're making that choice that will affect your child's life, though, for the long run.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, and it sparked dialogue, hasn't it?

Mo Ivory, Tanya Miller, good to see you both, you ladies. Thanks so much.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, next from the CNN NEWSROOM, police in London taking new information about the death of Princess Diana very seriously.

And, the Blade Runner, Oscar Pistorius, heading back to court tomorrow. We could learn when his murder trial might begin. (MUSIC PLAYING)

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WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back to the NEWSROOM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. If you're just now tuning in, thanks so much for joining us.

Let's take a look at the top stories right now in the NEWSROOM.

New information in Princess Diana's death has caught the eye of British police. They have not given any details about it but it could revolve around conspiracy claims that Princess Diana's death was not an accident. British newspaper "The Sunday People" reports it saw a letter from the in-laws of a former soldier, who apparently said the British military was involved in her death.

Penn State University has settled the first lawsuit by a victim of convicted child sex abuser Jerry Sandusky. The former assistant football coach is serving a prison term that could last 60 years after being convicted on 45 charges last June.

The man known as Victim 5 was among eight young men who testified at the trial. The lawyer says the settlement terms are confidential but adds the compensation was, quote, "fair and adequate."

President Barack Obama is enjoying his last few hours of vacation on Martha's Vineyard. He spent a good portion of today on the links. Yesterday he played a round of golf with comedian Larry David. The president returns to Washington tonight.

Tomorrow, South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius will formally be indicted. He's charged with murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, who would have turned 30 on Monday.

As CNN's Robyn Curnow reports, both sides are bracing for a long trial in a case that has captured the attention of the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REEVA STEENKAMP, MODEL: Hi, I'm Reeva (inaudible).

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN HOST (voice-over): She was one of South Africa's top models and on Monday Reeva Steenkamp would have turned 30.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here it comes.

CURNOW (voice-over): August 19th, instead marked by a return to court for her boyfriend Oscar Pistorius. The second appearance since he was granted bail in February. The Olympic star is charged with the premeditated murder of Steenkamp. She was shot and killed by Pistorius inside the bar on Valentine's Day. Pistorius said it was a tragic mistake. He heard noises and thought Steenkamp was an intruder. The state says it was intentional and after a two-month delay, the prosecution says the investigation is finished and their indictment is ready. KELLY PHELPS, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: So now on Monday we start to get an indication of which of those initial allegations they have now managed or feel that they have managed to back up with evidence.

CURNOW: Also, on Monday, a trial date is expected to be set. A family spokesperson tells CNN the defense is preparing for a long trial full of more postponements.

PHELPS: Similar sorts of cases have taken as long as two years, three years in order to get from the beginning of the trial to sentencing, for example. And over a year to get to a conviction stage.

CURNOW: A trial that the family of Reeva Steenkamp said they will not attend.

Robyn Curnow, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Next, more than a billion U.S. dollars and a country in crisis. How should the Obama administration handle Egypt? We will ask former U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The violence in Egypt isn't just in the streets today at a prison in Cairo; members of the Muslim Brotherhood started rioting. State media says 36 people were killed during the attempted breakout. Today on the streets of Cairo, there were several peaceful marches. The protest followed days of violent clashes between backers of ousted President Mohamed Morsy and Egypt security forces.

Dozens of Christian churches have also come under attack. Hundreds of people have been killed. Joining us now from Brooklyn, Massachusetts, New Mexico's former Governor and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Bill Richardson. Good to see you, Mr. Ambassador.

BILL RICHARDSON, FMR. U.S. AMBASSADOR: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: So the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has strongly condemned the attacks on churches and he's appealing to authorities to revive the political process immediately. So what would be the best way to do that?

Well, it's reaching unacceptable levels of violence, a civil war is near. I think the Obama administration has been correct in its policy but I think we're coming very close, Fredericka, to saying to the generals, we're going to cut off $1.3 billion in military assistance unless there's a change.

WHITFIELD: So when you say corrected policy, you mean correct that the White House has not used the word coup and it is time now to change that language?

RICHARDSON: No. I would stay away from the language.

WHITFIELD: Why?

RICHARDSON: I would continue the diplomatic efforts. I would also get our allies, some Arab allies playing footsy with the Egyptian military, telling them, you know, continue some of these things. I think we have to get our allies on a path to saying to the generals, you cannot continue this murderous route. You have to have some kind of a political dialogue.

WHITFIELD: Do you mean -- sorry. Go ahead.

RICHARDSON: Well, some of Arab allies, the Saudis --

WHITFIELD: Like Saudi Arabia?

RICHARDSON: Yes, yes. And, you know, and Israel, too. Israel wants stability there. Look. Egypt is important to us because they permit our war planes to come in unaffected. Access to the Suez Canal. They help us with terrorism. The peace treaty with Israel. So we got to be careful here but at the same time we can't let them continue brutalizing some of the opposition there, the Muslim Brotherhood.

There has to be some kind of a political dialogue. We should continue pushing for that but use the remaining leverage that we have. Also, American tourism, American investment, diplomatic efforts in the region. Get other countries in the Arab world and Europe, Europe is helping us. The EU.

WHITFIELD: Is leverage also in the form of the U.S., perhaps -- because "The Washington Post" is reporting the U.S., at least the White House is considering whether to stop next month's deployment or shipment of U.S.-made apache helicopters. Is that leverage if the U.S. were to say we're no longer going to send you those helicopters nor are we going to send you the kind of supplies that you need to do repairs on the existing apaches that you have?

RICHARDSON: Well yes that is leverage. We have already said we're going to hold off on the F-16s, four of them. We're canceling the military exercises which are symbolic of a partnership. The Egyptian military does recognize that it's -- there is value in the relationship with the United States. They haven't, however, been listening to us. So we have to get their attention.

Real substantial budget support that goes to the military, apart from weapons, like the helicopters, calibrate that assistance and I think those are the next steps and I think the administration has some tools in their quiver to do that. But the level of violence is unacceptable. Eventually we're going to have to stand for the end of the violence, for democracy, for human rights, for rule of law, for transparency and the situation is not getting any better.

WHITFIELD: Some U.S. lawmakers took to the Sunday talk show air waves today and said that the U.S. has simply lost credibility and so he is unable to get the attention of Egypt in large part because of that. Do you agree or if not why not?

RICHARDSON: No. We haven't lost credibility. We have stood on the side of democracy. We were for the elections there, the Muslim Brotherhood screwed things up, Fredericka. They weren't inclusive. They packed the courts. They were undemocratic. A change took place. Most of the people in Egypt supported that change but what needs to happen is the military should assume its traditional role of being an arbiter of some kind of democracy.

The rule of law, elections, instead of going after the opposition and instead of these brutal killings and we're the only country perhaps with a few others that have the leverage to make them change but let's keep some arsenals in the quiver and we have that with the $1.3 billion in military assistance.

Again, I mentioned tourism. The Egyptian economy's in terrible shape. But we have to get our Arab allies on the same page. The European Union has been helpful. But make that happen stronger. Maybe get the United Nations Security Council to get involved, although I'm not sure the Russians or Chinese would help us in the Security Council as much as they should. But diplomacy, diplomacy, diplomacy. Leverage through military assistance. But don't do it all without getting something in return.

WHITFIELD: And discussions like this might be driving the conversations. This week from the White House and beyond and it just may even drive some conversations on cross fire which, as you know, will be making reappearance on CNN next month. Do you recall that day right there, February 2003 when you were on "Crossfire"? What are your memories of it?

RICHARDSON: Well, I used to enjoy that show. I was asked to be part of it quite a bit. I enjoyed it. In fact, Newt Gingrich, who was the Republican on the show, kind of said he wants me to come on so I look forward to it. I think it's a great show.

WHITFIELD: Isn't it funny?

RICHARDSON: I was sorry you guys canceled it but I think it's good to that you're bringing it back.

WHITFIELD: Well it is making a comeback. And look, isn't it like look in a mirror image? You look exactly the same. How did you do that?

RICHARDSON: That's not true. You're very generous.

WHITFIELD: It's been ten years! All right.

RICHARDSON: I owe you one. I owe you one. Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, Ambassador Bill Richardson thanks so much. Good to see you. Pleasure talking to you.

Of course, as we mentioned, just a reminder, "Crossfire" is back making it's come back next month, starting September 16 so mark your calendars, 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

To whet your appetite a bit, there's more here. In fact, with Newt Gingrich with a "Crossfire" classic. NEWT GINGRICH, HOST, "CROSSFIRE:" One of the great virtues of "Crossfire" is that it introduces new names, new people, and new stars. Gives you a chance to measure folks you have never heard of before. And here from 15 years ago is an example of just that. A brand new Paul Ryan elected but not yet even sworn in describing what he believes in, what philosophy he follows. And I must say, I don't think he's aged a day. Take a look at it and you decide.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): Is your philosophy that you should vote the way your constituents want because it is a democracy or is your philosophy that you vote what you truly believe and if your constituents don't like it, too bad?

REP. PAUL RYAN (R), WISCONSIN: This is a great question and this is the question that I campaigned on. You campaign on a specific set of ideas and principles. That's what I campaigned on. I've campaigned on a very specific philosophy that I believed in. Having articulated that philosophy and those beliefs, I do believe that once you are elected you have the moral authority to act on that philosophy. And it is exactly what we need in Washington.

We don't need people who are following the winds of public opinion polls but are fighting for certain principles they believe in.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GINGRICH: Paul Ryan still fighting for what he believes in. He'll be on the new "Crossfire" and the future Paul Ryan's of both the Democrat and Republican side is also going to show up so you get to meet the stars of the future.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): And now, here's the star of "The Price is Right," Bob Barker!

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Wow! That takes us all back. He was the host of "The Price is Right" for 35 years. And well before Oprah Winfrey was doing it, Bob Barker was famously known for giving away cars on his long-running game show.

Well if you think he's slowing down, think again. Jarrett Bellini talked extensively with Bob Barker for a red chair interview. Jarrett from our newsroom to your red chair. Come on down!

JARRETT BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Fred. We sat down with Bob Barker in Los Angeles for a very special red chair interview and he confirmed to us that he did his very own fight scene with Adam Sandler back in 1996 for the movie "Happy Gilmore" and he's really proud of that. He also tells us about giving up "The Price is Right" and about his time in the navy. We got some old pictures and he was a handsome young man. He still is. The ladies love Bob Barker. Check out what he had to say in our red chair interview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB BARKER, HOST, "THE PRICE IS RIGHT:" I did beat up Happy Gilmore. I crushed him. After I'd finally finished him off, and he was obviously out, I said, now you've had enough, bitch. I never taped a "Price Is Right." Once Happy Gilmore had been released that the audience didn't want to talk with me about my fight scene with Happy Gilmore and when I went up there, the director came over to talk with me about what we were going to do the next day and he said, now, don't worry about these fight scenes, he said, we have a double. He'll do that. I said, what do you mean you'll have a double? I said I know how to fight. He said, all right, all right, you can fight. He let me fight.

I did "Price is Right" for 35 years, and I never wanted to retire. And then, I just thought, now's the time. And when I left "The Price is Right," I was going to talk with the host who replaced me and try to get that person to continue the spay neuter plug that I did at the end of every show and when they chose Drew, I had occasion to meet him and as we were introduced, before I said anything, Drew Carey said, Bob, I'm going to do that spay neuter plug at the end of every show as long as I'm the host of "The Price is Right." I said, Drew, you're my man. That's great news to me.

I was a fighter pilot in the Navy during the war of 1812. Actually, it was World War II. Every man in the country wanted to be in the service. I was a freshman in college at the time that Pearl Harbor was attacked and one day I was looking at a magazine and here was a full color page and it was a young naval aviator wearing his whites and I thought, if I'm going to war, I want to go war looking like that guy. And I went down that day and to the post office and joined the navy as a naval aviation cadet.

I had never been up in an airplane. I had certainly not thought about what was involved in landing one on a carrier. And I'd never even seen the ocean. But I loved that picture. I thought that's what I want to do. So I became a naval officer eventually.

I'm a total abolitionist. I'd like to see all animal testing ended. My wife Dorothy Joe brought animal rights to my attention. I never thought about the cruelty to animals in the production of fur in factory farming and I stopped wearing my leather jackets and I, too, became a vegetarian. I just felt compelled to try to do what I could to help them. And I've been doing that ever since. Every place I speak, any time I have the opportunity, if I'm a guest on a show, whatever, I've got to say, help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered!

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Thank you, Bob Barker, for coming on down.

All right. A hotel's trash can be a homeless charity's treasure if the CNN hero gets involved. Thanks to one man's a-ha moment, tons of stuff that would have ended up in Chicago landfills is helping thousands of people live better.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): Housekeeping.

JUDSON KINNUCAN, CREATED BIN DONATED IN 2009: On a day-to-day basis, there are tons of items that are thrown away. It's shocking to understand how much hotels have in excess. I was doing a lot of volunteering and I saw how desperately in need people were for all those types of things. And I thought to myself, I could be that connection, that match maker.

My name is Judson Kinnucan and I collect donations around Chicago for charities that don't have the money and the manpower to do it on their own. We did a multitude of different items donated and whatever charities need, we can get them those items. Full barrel of shampoo, conditioner and lotion for you. But hygiene is 365; we need every single day of the year. A lot of great stuff in here. We partner with over 40 hotels; we work with dozens of companies.

Fantastic. That's just a lot of showers right there. They're going to love this. The excess of corporations is great because there is always an overage for a damaged product that is still good.

(UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE): There is a double impact here. We are seeing environmentally responsible and people in Chicago are benefiting from this.

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): How many of these can you use?

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): Two or three if you have them.

KINNUCAN: Men and women who are struggling with issues of poverty. They have as much personal dignity as anyone else. So anything that they can do to keep themselves looking good and feeling good is important.

It's a simple concept but its very labor intensive. This thing is full. But it's fun for me. When this is empty, give me a call. Come pick it up and get you another one. And if I improve people's lives, it is a double bonus.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Will Bob Filner show up for work tomorrow morning? The San Diego mayor is facing a recall effort. That's where we start our look at the "Week Ahead."

Organizers are hoping to collect the nearly 102,000 signatures needed to boot Bob Filner out of office. Sixteen women publicly accused him of sexual harassment, the latest a 67-year-old great grandmother. Also on Monday, blade runner Oscar Pistorius will be in court where he will be formally charged with premeditated murder in a painfully ironic twist, Monday would have his girlfriend's Reeva Steenkamp's 30th birthday. Pistorius admits shooting her to death but says it was an accident.

On Wednesday, George Zimmerman's wife Shelly is due in court for the start of her perjury trial. She is accused of lying under oath about whether she could afford her husband's legal fees during a bond hearing in April.

On Thursday, NASA plans another live look at a spacewalk like this one. Two cosmonauts will be rigging some cables outside the International Space Station; they're getting ready to install a science lab that will replace a 12-year-old docking compartment.

And here on earth, existing home sales have been up so far this summer but are people also buying new houses? We'll find out Friday when we get the new home sales numbers.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. That's going to do it for this hour of THE NEWSROOM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. The next hour of THE NEWSROOM begins now with Pamela Brown in New York. Hi, Pamela.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, Fredricka. I'll take it from here. Thank you so much.