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CNN Live Saturday
Marines Train In Arabic; Rebels Vow To Attack Haitian Capital; Police Getting Closer To Solving Hardon Family Mystery
Aired February 28, 2004 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KELLI ARENA, CNN ANCHOR: Chaos in the streets, rebels at the edge of the capital and U.S. marines on standby. What to do about the crisis in Haiti. We're live from Port-au-Prince, and the White House.
Plus a Mississippi family vanishes without a trace on Valentine's Day. Now authorities say they're close to solving the mystery.
Hello and welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Kelli Arena. Those stories and more coming up.
Also ahead getting ready to make a high-tech gadget purchase? Well how can you be sure that you're getting the most for your money? A look at the hottest new gadgets and what's best for your budget today on "Dollar Signs." Call us, e-mail us, but first a look at the headlines this hour.
Israel says a deadly air strike on a car in Gaza City today targeted senior members of Islamic Jihad's military wing. Palestinian security sources say the missile killed, two other Jihad members and a young boy who was standing nearby.
The Iraqi governing council's self-imposed deadline for a transitional constitution has just now passed and there's no word of a document being completed. But a coalition official tells CNN the council is close to drafting it. Thorny issues include the role of Islam and the structure of the presidency.
Police in California are investigating a string of apparent sniper shootings on a stretch of Interstate 580 near Castro Valley. There have been no injuries so far, but the state highway patrol says someone targeted at least five vehicles in one hour Monday evening.
And a disappointed Pfizer pharmaceutical company is shutting down research on whether Viagra can help female sexual problems. The firm says studies testing the effects of the male anti-impotency drug on women are inconclusive and do not support a filing for regulatory approval.
We begin in Haiti, where rebels are closing in on the capital of Port-au-Prince. But even as they advance, the man they want to throw out of office is vowing to stay. CNN's Lucia Newman is in the Haitian capital and joins us by phone -- Lucia.
LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Hello, Kelli. The situation here is still very chaotic. The French ambassador's residence was machine gunned last night. There were no injured. But this just as France sent in reinforcements to guard the embassy and the personnel.
The French special forces were dispatched just a short while ago to rescue a group of French nuns who had sent an SOS saying that they were being threatened by armed thugs from just on the outskirts of the capital.
At the university hospital, we were told that bodies were being brought in all day long to the morgue. At least seven people were killed overnight. Again, like yesterday, some execution style.
Thousands of people, Kelli, not hundreds, were at the port again today, along with heavily armed thugs on a looting rampage. The U.S. embassy is very concerned about American warehouses containing tons of humanitarian aid being ransacked as well. A high-ranking police official conceded that the police cannot control the situation.
After a relatively calm morning we can tell you that the streets are again becoming dangerous with armed guns, with armed gangs, sorry, armed with machetes and shotguns roaming the streets. At one roadblock, in fact, we were threatened by armed men who were obviously drunk, drugged or both. Very, very aggressive.
All this lawlessness with no political resolution in sight, as you mentioned. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is still refusing to resign, while the rebels are now vowing to come in to the capital of Port-au-Prince within the next day or two if he does not -- Kelli.
ARENA: All right. Lucia Newman in Haiti. Thanks for that report.
A team of 50 U.S. Marines is already in Haiti to beef up security at the U.S. embassy, but the White House is considering sending a three ship task force carrying another 2,200 Marines to the region.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us with details -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kelli, the very latest here is that the State Department is not yet calling for full evacuation of Americans inside Haiti, but a senior State Department official telling CNN that the situation has gotten worse on the ground. They're advising Americans essentially to stay put. They say it is too dangerous to travel to the airport. That these commercial flights out of that embattled nation have been canceled.
And essentially what is happening is today Secretary Powell spoke with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He also spoke with his French counterpart, Dominique de Villepin, to decide and strategize how to proceed. What is the best way to proceed next.
Now, essentially the Bush administration is taking a two-pronged approach here. Publicly, the Bush administration is endorsing a plan which would allow Aristide to share power with his opponents, to remain in office until the end of his term. And it would be backed up by a multinational force. But privately what is happening is State Department officials are telling us, that they are urging Aristide to step down.
At the same time, the U.S. is involved, and is entertaining this contingency plan, perhaps sending a task force of three ships, 2,200 Marines, to the coast off of Haiti to prepare for the very worst.
We are told from the White House spokesman that the president has not yet made that decision, hasn't signed off on that yet. But the administration is under increasing pressure to intervene immediately.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MAXINE WATERS (D) CALIFORNIA: Get rid of the thugs that came in, that's holding those cities hostage. We can stabilize Haiti and we can be in and out in a short period of time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And Kelli, again, the State Department is also warning not only Aristide, but also the opponents. They're condemning the violence. They are telling them they need to stop the violence. But clearly it is out of their hands at this time.
ARENA: Suzanne, the military that's on standby, solely for a peacekeeping-type mission?
MALVEAUX: Well, they would possibly act in a number of missions. One could be interdiction, sending the Haitians back who are at sea. Another, possibly getting Americans, as well as officials, out of the U.S. embassy. And possibly, if Aristide decides that he is going to step down, to give him safe haven to get out of the country. All of that, still, of course, not yet to be determined.
ARENA: All right, Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Thank you.
Now an update on a grim domestic story that we've been following. There appears to be a break in the case of a Mississippi family of three missing since February 14. New information about the disappearance of the Hargon family led investigators to five buildings and 160 rural acres near Taylorsville today. CNN's Heidi Collins reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two weeks ago the Hargon family simply disappeared. Relatives quickly reported Michael, Rebecca and 4-year-old James Patrick, last seen on Valentine's Day, missing. All that was left behind, evidence of foul play.
SHERIFF JAMES WILLIAM, YAZOO COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI: We have determined that some sort of crime was there, some violent, violent- type crime, with the blood that was found there. And also the gun casings.
COLLINS: For their neighbors and friends in a small, tight-knit community of Vaughan, Mississippi, it has been a trying few weeks. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that is to plea to God for our friends.
COLLINS: A prayer vigil just days ago. Vaughan residents have also done their best to help police, searching local woods for any sign of the family, and providing more than 400 tips to authorities. That work may finally have paid off.
Authorities are now questioning a family relative, and have obtained a warrant to search a local building, part of which they say could be the relative's residence. And for an already troubled community, answers may now be in sight. Heidi Collins, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA: Elsewhere across America, the mayor of Washington is asking the city's corporation council from guidance on how to handle same-sex marriages that take place outside the district. Anthony Williams' office says he doesn't intend to propose same-sex marriage for D.C. because he doesn't want any trouble with Congress.
In San Francisco, where the mayor isn't worried about that, the city is still free to give gays and lesbians marriage licenses, for now. The California Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge, but it's letting the city to keep licensing same-sex marriages in the meantime.
In Los Angeles, grocery workers are working on a new contract offer aimed the ending a four-month work stoppage. About 59,000 employees have been on strike or locked out since October 11.
Super Tuesday is less than 72 hours away and it could be make or break for the campaign of Senator John Edwards. Voters in 10 states will have their say. More than 1,100 delegates are at stake. Edwards lags behind Senator John Kerry in delegates, but the North Carolina senator vows to fight on.
Both men are busy campaigning today in some of the super Tuesday states. John Edwards is in Georgia, where he's hoping for a strong showing. Kerry is focusing on New York. CNN national correspondent Kelly Wallace reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Everywhere he goes now, John Edwards is asked, what will happen if he doesn't do well on super Tuesday? His answer continues to be, regardless of how he does, he is not getting out of the race.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS, (D-NC) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm in this race for the long haul, absolutely. What I need to do is continue to win delegates.
WALLACE: Edwards is spending a lot of time here in Georgia, believing this state, the only southern contest in this next round of primaries, is his best chance to defeat John Kerry. Earlier in the day he was in Augusta talking to African-American lawmakers before coming here to Atlanta, where he was introduced by former NBA star, Charles Barkley.
It is an uphill battle, though, because the most recent state poll shows Edwards trailing John Kerry by 26 points. Part of the North Carolina Senator's strategy now is reaching out to organizes for former presidential candidate Howard Dean. His campaign holding a conference call Saturday afternoon with Dean supporters in twelve states, even as the former Vermont governor himself is unlikely to publicly come out and endorse Edwards or any other candidate.
Meantime on the West Coast, it was a seemingly relaxed John Kerry getting some exercise before the cameras, before heading to Brooklyn where he will have a rally Saturday night. And the big names keep joining the Kerry bandwagon. The latest, former New York governor Mario Cuomo and his son Andrew, the former housing secretary, are now endorsing the Massachusetts Senator.
Kerry, Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton will square off tomorrow morning in New York City. The final debate before super Tuesday. The pressure, perhaps greatest on John Edwards, with many observers saying this could be one of his last chances to try and change the dynamics of this race. Kelly Wallace, CNN reporting from Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA: CNN is the place to be this super Tuesday. Our special coverage of the primaries starts at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Count on us to bring you the winners and live campaign updates as the results begin to roll in.
Hundreds of U.S. marines are packing up and heading back to Iraq. And this time, they're even more prepared for the job.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stop or I will shoot.
CROWD: (SPEAKING ARABIC)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ARENA: They've passed the class, now these Marines are ready to walk the walk, and talk the talk.
Plus, computers, cell phones and palm pilots. We're living in a high-tech world. Can you keep up? Coming up in less than half an hour, purchasing high-tech gadgets, how to get the most for your money. Just e-mail your question to dollarsigns@CNN.com, or call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ARENA: 25,000 members of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force have begun their return to Iraq. Many are heading out this weekend, while other departures will continue through the spring.
This time around, Marines are taking with them something more than just weapons. CNN's Miguel Marquez explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mihale idot (ph)!
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Class is in. As thousands of Marines start heading back to Iraq, this time around they'll take some new lessons with them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stop or I will shoot.
CROWD: (SPEAKING ARABIC)
MARQUEZ: 400 Marines learning Arabic, 30 hours a week, for four weeks.
MARQUEZ: The hope? Basics in Arabic will reduce complications in the field.
PETTY OFFICER ANDREW SLAUGHTER, HOSPITAL CORPSMAN: When I was over there the first time I wish I'd learned a lot more language class. That's why I volunteered to come to this class. I think the language is the most important thing. Just being able to talk to the people.
MARQUEZ: And Slaughter says that first experience in Iraq taught him that a basic understanding of the culture could be nearly as important.
SLAUGHTER: When you want someone to come here in America this is all right. But when you do this over here, that's what they use to do for the dogs. It means you're telling someone they're basically the same as a dog. You're supposed to do this, not this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We want to talk today about the religion.
MARQUEZ: As part of the language instruction, Marines learn about Islam, the customs of dining, entering a home, they even get in the kitchen and make Arabic food.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All of these things are going to be just as important, if not more important, than our weapons and our vehicles and our equipment.
MARQUEZ: For Marines soon to be on the ground, the most important weapon may be their ability to say hello, and earn the trust and respect of every Iraqi they meet.
MAJ. KIRK GREINER, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Just another tool to put in the tool bag for the Marines.
MARQUEZ: Miguel Marquez, CNN Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA: Time for some other news around the world. An Israeli helicopter fired a missile at a car in Gaza City, killing three people inside, and a young boy nearby. 15 people were also wounded. An Israeli Army spokesman says the strike targeted senior members of the militant group Islamic Jihad.
In Pakistan a shocking suicide bombing at a Muslim Shia mosque. Authorities say the bomber is dead and at least four other people are hurt. Police say the attacker was wearing explosives on his belt, and that it erupted during prayer service.
In China, difficult negotiations on North Korea's nuclear program have ended, without any major progress. The six-nation talks lasted three days. U.S. officials say the delegations are inching closer to Washington's call for a complete and irreversible nuclear dismantling by Pyongyang.
Back in this country, factory workers in Maryland faced an uncertain future. The company they worked for was up for sale. But rather than let it be snatched up by an owner who might send their jobs overseas, they took matters into their own hands. Our Elaine Quijano explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over); It sounded like the start of an all too familiar American story. When the Belgian owners of the Hedwin Corporation decided to sell the company.
DAVID RUBLEY, PRES, CEO HEDWIN CORP: No longer strategic in their business plan. And they had put us up for sale.
QUIJANO: The 380 workers at their Baltimore manufacturing plant faced an uncertain future. Until employees at the plastics packaging company agreed to take drastic action.
RUBLEY: We decided that rather than have someone buy the company, we would like to own it ourselves and control our own destiny.
QUIJANO: But where to find more than $10 million to buy the corporation? They discovered a government program called an ESOP.
RUBLEY: ESOP is employee stock ownership plan. And we found out more information about it, originally through the Internet.
QUIJANO: The employees, under Rubley's leadership, hired a consultant to help wade through the details. They worked with the Belgian owners who Rubley says were cooperative and eventually secured loans allowing them to close the deal on January 30.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love it! I enjoy it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because I'm working for myself now. I enjoy working for myself.
QUIJANO: The workers earn between $24,000 and $32,000 a year. Under the plan, on top of their regular pay, they'll receive half their salary in stock at the end of the first year. With the business generating $50 million annually, employees have their eye on the future.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's a positive move.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. I think it's a good thing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because I own more than a house (ph) now.
QUIJANO: The new arrangement also means knocking down the traditional wall between labor and management.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a saying here it's a management problem. Well, now we're part of management. So it's our problem, too.
QUIJANO: A way of doing business that motivates producers to produce more, and managers to manage better. When the company's bottom line and financial future are linked directly to their own.
RUBLEY: If we don't work together, if we don't stand together then it won't work. But if we do, we can be successful.
QUIJANO: Elaine Quijano, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA: It's where the who's who will be, and we're there.
KENDIS GIBSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kendis Gibson live on the red carpet here in Hollywood. And this is probably some of the stuff that you'll see live on the red carpet tomorrow when many of the stars walk it tomorrow.
We're going to have a preview of the Academy Awards and some of the bling some of the stars will be wearing. Coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ARENA: They're the most prestigious, most influential and most coveted awards the entertainment world has to offer. The 76th Annual Oscars will be handed out tomorrow. Our Kendis Gibson joins us with a preview -- Kendis.
GIBSON: You know, Kelli, the Oscars is all about the talk about gold. And you know, gold plated statuette, what we're talking about. But you what, you really want to talk about some other sort of glitter. And the bling, you know, the diamonds some of the stars will be wearing. Sally Morrison is from the Diamond Information Center and she has some of the trends, I guess, that folks will be doing here? SALLY MORRISON, DIAMOND INFORMATION CENTER: One of the things we're going to be seeing tomorrow night.
GIBSON: Including from the ears, earrings.
MORRISON: From the ears. Ears bearing a new story (ph). Linear, like these, long, up and down. Not so much with the chandeliers I think. Even some of the necklaces. You see this one here, very linear, on the north/south axis. This ones from Damiani, very pretty, very clean, very modern. Simpler things.
Also the classics. Studs. Really, big studs to make a statement. These are five carats each. They're from Elara. If you wear these you don't really need anything else.
GIBSON: Now we were talking a little bit earlier about Keisha Castle-Hughes who, as you might know, is 13 years old, the youngest nominee for best actress nominee.
MORRISON: Right.
GIBSON: Which kind of creates some problems or some challenges, what do you wear and what do you use as jewelry?
MORRISON: I think for a young girl you have to use something very simple or something very, very delicate. She's been wearing some things this week, including actually some things from this designer, Kumi, which is sort of ethnically inspired and very simple. But also maybe even something like this. Little, simple stuff.
GIBSON: Let's talk about the necklaces here, also. We have this which is really an amazingly beautiful.
MORRISON: This is a major diva piece.
(LAUGHTER)
MORRISON: This is from Martin Katz. It's $3.6 million. It's extremely important piece for a little bit more seasoned of an actress I would say. A little too much for Keisha.
GIBSON: $15 million?
MORRISON: $3.6 million. All D-flawless.
GIBSON: Wow! Absolutely beautiful. We believe it comes from somewhere in Africa, Botswana, perhaps, the diamonds. Maybe a little bit of what you'll be seeing on the red carpet tomorrow at the 76th Annual Academy Awards.
Let's go back to you -- Kelli.
ARENA: All right, Kendis. I think I could use one of those.
GIBSON: I'm sorry, you're right next us. You can't see him off camera. ARENA: Well, you can see more of Hollywood's gold rush Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Our Daryn Kagan hosts a live program from the red carpet outside the Kodak Theatre where Hollywood's best will be honored.
So many products. So many choices. What do you really need to stay connected in a high tech society? Next in our "Dollar Signs" segment, gadgets, gadgets, gadgets. Cell phones, PDAs, computers, iPods, what do you really need? And how much should it cost you. Just send your question to us at dollarsigns@cnn.com, or call, 1-800- 807-2620. Come one, call. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Capital; Police Getting Closer To Solving Hardon Family Mystery>
Aired February 28, 2004 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KELLI ARENA, CNN ANCHOR: Chaos in the streets, rebels at the edge of the capital and U.S. marines on standby. What to do about the crisis in Haiti. We're live from Port-au-Prince, and the White House.
Plus a Mississippi family vanishes without a trace on Valentine's Day. Now authorities say they're close to solving the mystery.
Hello and welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY. I'm Kelli Arena. Those stories and more coming up.
Also ahead getting ready to make a high-tech gadget purchase? Well how can you be sure that you're getting the most for your money? A look at the hottest new gadgets and what's best for your budget today on "Dollar Signs." Call us, e-mail us, but first a look at the headlines this hour.
Israel says a deadly air strike on a car in Gaza City today targeted senior members of Islamic Jihad's military wing. Palestinian security sources say the missile killed, two other Jihad members and a young boy who was standing nearby.
The Iraqi governing council's self-imposed deadline for a transitional constitution has just now passed and there's no word of a document being completed. But a coalition official tells CNN the council is close to drafting it. Thorny issues include the role of Islam and the structure of the presidency.
Police in California are investigating a string of apparent sniper shootings on a stretch of Interstate 580 near Castro Valley. There have been no injuries so far, but the state highway patrol says someone targeted at least five vehicles in one hour Monday evening.
And a disappointed Pfizer pharmaceutical company is shutting down research on whether Viagra can help female sexual problems. The firm says studies testing the effects of the male anti-impotency drug on women are inconclusive and do not support a filing for regulatory approval.
We begin in Haiti, where rebels are closing in on the capital of Port-au-Prince. But even as they advance, the man they want to throw out of office is vowing to stay. CNN's Lucia Newman is in the Haitian capital and joins us by phone -- Lucia.
LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Hello, Kelli. The situation here is still very chaotic. The French ambassador's residence was machine gunned last night. There were no injured. But this just as France sent in reinforcements to guard the embassy and the personnel.
The French special forces were dispatched just a short while ago to rescue a group of French nuns who had sent an SOS saying that they were being threatened by armed thugs from just on the outskirts of the capital.
At the university hospital, we were told that bodies were being brought in all day long to the morgue. At least seven people were killed overnight. Again, like yesterday, some execution style.
Thousands of people, Kelli, not hundreds, were at the port again today, along with heavily armed thugs on a looting rampage. The U.S. embassy is very concerned about American warehouses containing tons of humanitarian aid being ransacked as well. A high-ranking police official conceded that the police cannot control the situation.
After a relatively calm morning we can tell you that the streets are again becoming dangerous with armed guns, with armed gangs, sorry, armed with machetes and shotguns roaming the streets. At one roadblock, in fact, we were threatened by armed men who were obviously drunk, drugged or both. Very, very aggressive.
All this lawlessness with no political resolution in sight, as you mentioned. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide is still refusing to resign, while the rebels are now vowing to come in to the capital of Port-au-Prince within the next day or two if he does not -- Kelli.
ARENA: All right. Lucia Newman in Haiti. Thanks for that report.
A team of 50 U.S. Marines is already in Haiti to beef up security at the U.S. embassy, but the White House is considering sending a three ship task force carrying another 2,200 Marines to the region.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux joins us with details -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kelli, the very latest here is that the State Department is not yet calling for full evacuation of Americans inside Haiti, but a senior State Department official telling CNN that the situation has gotten worse on the ground. They're advising Americans essentially to stay put. They say it is too dangerous to travel to the airport. That these commercial flights out of that embattled nation have been canceled.
And essentially what is happening is today Secretary Powell spoke with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He also spoke with his French counterpart, Dominique de Villepin, to decide and strategize how to proceed. What is the best way to proceed next.
Now, essentially the Bush administration is taking a two-pronged approach here. Publicly, the Bush administration is endorsing a plan which would allow Aristide to share power with his opponents, to remain in office until the end of his term. And it would be backed up by a multinational force. But privately what is happening is State Department officials are telling us, that they are urging Aristide to step down.
At the same time, the U.S. is involved, and is entertaining this contingency plan, perhaps sending a task force of three ships, 2,200 Marines, to the coast off of Haiti to prepare for the very worst.
We are told from the White House spokesman that the president has not yet made that decision, hasn't signed off on that yet. But the administration is under increasing pressure to intervene immediately.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MAXINE WATERS (D) CALIFORNIA: Get rid of the thugs that came in, that's holding those cities hostage. We can stabilize Haiti and we can be in and out in a short period of time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And Kelli, again, the State Department is also warning not only Aristide, but also the opponents. They're condemning the violence. They are telling them they need to stop the violence. But clearly it is out of their hands at this time.
ARENA: Suzanne, the military that's on standby, solely for a peacekeeping-type mission?
MALVEAUX: Well, they would possibly act in a number of missions. One could be interdiction, sending the Haitians back who are at sea. Another, possibly getting Americans, as well as officials, out of the U.S. embassy. And possibly, if Aristide decides that he is going to step down, to give him safe haven to get out of the country. All of that, still, of course, not yet to be determined.
ARENA: All right, Suzanne Malveaux at the White House. Thank you.
Now an update on a grim domestic story that we've been following. There appears to be a break in the case of a Mississippi family of three missing since February 14. New information about the disappearance of the Hargon family led investigators to five buildings and 160 rural acres near Taylorsville today. CNN's Heidi Collins reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two weeks ago the Hargon family simply disappeared. Relatives quickly reported Michael, Rebecca and 4-year-old James Patrick, last seen on Valentine's Day, missing. All that was left behind, evidence of foul play.
SHERIFF JAMES WILLIAM, YAZOO COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI: We have determined that some sort of crime was there, some violent, violent- type crime, with the blood that was found there. And also the gun casings.
COLLINS: For their neighbors and friends in a small, tight-knit community of Vaughan, Mississippi, it has been a trying few weeks. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that is to plea to God for our friends.
COLLINS: A prayer vigil just days ago. Vaughan residents have also done their best to help police, searching local woods for any sign of the family, and providing more than 400 tips to authorities. That work may finally have paid off.
Authorities are now questioning a family relative, and have obtained a warrant to search a local building, part of which they say could be the relative's residence. And for an already troubled community, answers may now be in sight. Heidi Collins, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA: Elsewhere across America, the mayor of Washington is asking the city's corporation council from guidance on how to handle same-sex marriages that take place outside the district. Anthony Williams' office says he doesn't intend to propose same-sex marriage for D.C. because he doesn't want any trouble with Congress.
In San Francisco, where the mayor isn't worried about that, the city is still free to give gays and lesbians marriage licenses, for now. The California Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge, but it's letting the city to keep licensing same-sex marriages in the meantime.
In Los Angeles, grocery workers are working on a new contract offer aimed the ending a four-month work stoppage. About 59,000 employees have been on strike or locked out since October 11.
Super Tuesday is less than 72 hours away and it could be make or break for the campaign of Senator John Edwards. Voters in 10 states will have their say. More than 1,100 delegates are at stake. Edwards lags behind Senator John Kerry in delegates, but the North Carolina senator vows to fight on.
Both men are busy campaigning today in some of the super Tuesday states. John Edwards is in Georgia, where he's hoping for a strong showing. Kerry is focusing on New York. CNN national correspondent Kelly Wallace reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Everywhere he goes now, John Edwards is asked, what will happen if he doesn't do well on super Tuesday? His answer continues to be, regardless of how he does, he is not getting out of the race.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS, (D-NC) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm in this race for the long haul, absolutely. What I need to do is continue to win delegates.
WALLACE: Edwards is spending a lot of time here in Georgia, believing this state, the only southern contest in this next round of primaries, is his best chance to defeat John Kerry. Earlier in the day he was in Augusta talking to African-American lawmakers before coming here to Atlanta, where he was introduced by former NBA star, Charles Barkley.
It is an uphill battle, though, because the most recent state poll shows Edwards trailing John Kerry by 26 points. Part of the North Carolina Senator's strategy now is reaching out to organizes for former presidential candidate Howard Dean. His campaign holding a conference call Saturday afternoon with Dean supporters in twelve states, even as the former Vermont governor himself is unlikely to publicly come out and endorse Edwards or any other candidate.
Meantime on the West Coast, it was a seemingly relaxed John Kerry getting some exercise before the cameras, before heading to Brooklyn where he will have a rally Saturday night. And the big names keep joining the Kerry bandwagon. The latest, former New York governor Mario Cuomo and his son Andrew, the former housing secretary, are now endorsing the Massachusetts Senator.
Kerry, Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton will square off tomorrow morning in New York City. The final debate before super Tuesday. The pressure, perhaps greatest on John Edwards, with many observers saying this could be one of his last chances to try and change the dynamics of this race. Kelly Wallace, CNN reporting from Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARENA: CNN is the place to be this super Tuesday. Our special coverage of the primaries starts at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Count on us to bring you the winners and live campaign updates as the results begin to roll in.
Hundreds of U.S. marines are packing up and heading back to Iraq. And this time, they're even more prepared for the job.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stop or I will shoot.
CROWD: (SPEAKING ARABIC)
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ARENA: They've passed the class, now these Marines are ready to walk the walk, and talk the talk.
Plus, computers, cell phones and palm pilots. We're living in a high-tech world. Can you keep up? Coming up in less than half an hour, purchasing high-tech gadgets, how to get the most for your money. Just e-mail your question to dollarsigns@CNN.com, or call us at 1-800-807-2620. We'll be right back
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ARENA: 25,000 members of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force have begun their return to Iraq. Many are heading out this weekend, while other departures will continue through the spring.
This time around, Marines are taking with them something more than just weapons. CNN's Miguel Marquez explains.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mihale idot (ph)!
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Class is in. As thousands of Marines start heading back to Iraq, this time around they'll take some new lessons with them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stop or I will shoot.
CROWD: (SPEAKING ARABIC)
MARQUEZ: 400 Marines learning Arabic, 30 hours a week, for four weeks.
MARQUEZ: The hope? Basics in Arabic will reduce complications in the field.
PETTY OFFICER ANDREW SLAUGHTER, HOSPITAL CORPSMAN: When I was over there the first time I wish I'd learned a lot more language class. That's why I volunteered to come to this class. I think the language is the most important thing. Just being able to talk to the people.
MARQUEZ: And Slaughter says that first experience in Iraq taught him that a basic understanding of the culture could be nearly as important.
SLAUGHTER: When you want someone to come here in America this is all right. But when you do this over here, that's what they use to do for the dogs. It means you're telling someone they're basically the same as a dog. You're supposed to do this, not this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We want to talk today about the religion.
MARQUEZ: As part of the language instruction, Marines learn about Islam, the customs of dining, entering a home, they even get in the kitchen and make Arabic food.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All of these things are going to be just as important, if not more important, than our weapons and our vehicles and our equipment.
MARQUEZ: For Marines soon to be on the ground, the most important weapon may be their ability to say hello, and earn the trust and respect of every Iraqi they meet.
MAJ. KIRK GREINER, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Just another tool to put in the tool bag for the Marines.
MARQUEZ: Miguel Marquez, CNN Los Angeles.
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ARENA: Time for some other news around the world. An Israeli helicopter fired a missile at a car in Gaza City, killing three people inside, and a young boy nearby. 15 people were also wounded. An Israeli Army spokesman says the strike targeted senior members of the militant group Islamic Jihad.
In Pakistan a shocking suicide bombing at a Muslim Shia mosque. Authorities say the bomber is dead and at least four other people are hurt. Police say the attacker was wearing explosives on his belt, and that it erupted during prayer service.
In China, difficult negotiations on North Korea's nuclear program have ended, without any major progress. The six-nation talks lasted three days. U.S. officials say the delegations are inching closer to Washington's call for a complete and irreversible nuclear dismantling by Pyongyang.
Back in this country, factory workers in Maryland faced an uncertain future. The company they worked for was up for sale. But rather than let it be snatched up by an owner who might send their jobs overseas, they took matters into their own hands. Our Elaine Quijano explains.
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ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over); It sounded like the start of an all too familiar American story. When the Belgian owners of the Hedwin Corporation decided to sell the company.
DAVID RUBLEY, PRES, CEO HEDWIN CORP: No longer strategic in their business plan. And they had put us up for sale.
QUIJANO: The 380 workers at their Baltimore manufacturing plant faced an uncertain future. Until employees at the plastics packaging company agreed to take drastic action.
RUBLEY: We decided that rather than have someone buy the company, we would like to own it ourselves and control our own destiny.
QUIJANO: But where to find more than $10 million to buy the corporation? They discovered a government program called an ESOP.
RUBLEY: ESOP is employee stock ownership plan. And we found out more information about it, originally through the Internet.
QUIJANO: The employees, under Rubley's leadership, hired a consultant to help wade through the details. They worked with the Belgian owners who Rubley says were cooperative and eventually secured loans allowing them to close the deal on January 30.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love it! I enjoy it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because I'm working for myself now. I enjoy working for myself.
QUIJANO: The workers earn between $24,000 and $32,000 a year. Under the plan, on top of their regular pay, they'll receive half their salary in stock at the end of the first year. With the business generating $50 million annually, employees have their eye on the future.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's a positive move.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. I think it's a good thing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because I own more than a house (ph) now.
QUIJANO: The new arrangement also means knocking down the traditional wall between labor and management.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a saying here it's a management problem. Well, now we're part of management. So it's our problem, too.
QUIJANO: A way of doing business that motivates producers to produce more, and managers to manage better. When the company's bottom line and financial future are linked directly to their own.
RUBLEY: If we don't work together, if we don't stand together then it won't work. But if we do, we can be successful.
QUIJANO: Elaine Quijano, CNN.
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ARENA: It's where the who's who will be, and we're there.
KENDIS GIBSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Kendis Gibson live on the red carpet here in Hollywood. And this is probably some of the stuff that you'll see live on the red carpet tomorrow when many of the stars walk it tomorrow.
We're going to have a preview of the Academy Awards and some of the bling some of the stars will be wearing. Coming up.
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ARENA: They're the most prestigious, most influential and most coveted awards the entertainment world has to offer. The 76th Annual Oscars will be handed out tomorrow. Our Kendis Gibson joins us with a preview -- Kendis.
GIBSON: You know, Kelli, the Oscars is all about the talk about gold. And you know, gold plated statuette, what we're talking about. But you what, you really want to talk about some other sort of glitter. And the bling, you know, the diamonds some of the stars will be wearing. Sally Morrison is from the Diamond Information Center and she has some of the trends, I guess, that folks will be doing here? SALLY MORRISON, DIAMOND INFORMATION CENTER: One of the things we're going to be seeing tomorrow night.
GIBSON: Including from the ears, earrings.
MORRISON: From the ears. Ears bearing a new story (ph). Linear, like these, long, up and down. Not so much with the chandeliers I think. Even some of the necklaces. You see this one here, very linear, on the north/south axis. This ones from Damiani, very pretty, very clean, very modern. Simpler things.
Also the classics. Studs. Really, big studs to make a statement. These are five carats each. They're from Elara. If you wear these you don't really need anything else.
GIBSON: Now we were talking a little bit earlier about Keisha Castle-Hughes who, as you might know, is 13 years old, the youngest nominee for best actress nominee.
MORRISON: Right.
GIBSON: Which kind of creates some problems or some challenges, what do you wear and what do you use as jewelry?
MORRISON: I think for a young girl you have to use something very simple or something very, very delicate. She's been wearing some things this week, including actually some things from this designer, Kumi, which is sort of ethnically inspired and very simple. But also maybe even something like this. Little, simple stuff.
GIBSON: Let's talk about the necklaces here, also. We have this which is really an amazingly beautiful.
MORRISON: This is a major diva piece.
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MORRISON: This is from Martin Katz. It's $3.6 million. It's extremely important piece for a little bit more seasoned of an actress I would say. A little too much for Keisha.
GIBSON: $15 million?
MORRISON: $3.6 million. All D-flawless.
GIBSON: Wow! Absolutely beautiful. We believe it comes from somewhere in Africa, Botswana, perhaps, the diamonds. Maybe a little bit of what you'll be seeing on the red carpet tomorrow at the 76th Annual Academy Awards.
Let's go back to you -- Kelli.
ARENA: All right, Kendis. I think I could use one of those.
GIBSON: I'm sorry, you're right next us. You can't see him off camera. ARENA: Well, you can see more of Hollywood's gold rush Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Our Daryn Kagan hosts a live program from the red carpet outside the Kodak Theatre where Hollywood's best will be honored.
So many products. So many choices. What do you really need to stay connected in a high tech society? Next in our "Dollar Signs" segment, gadgets, gadgets, gadgets. Cell phones, PDAs, computers, iPods, what do you really need? And how much should it cost you. Just send your question to us at dollarsigns@cnn.com, or call, 1-800- 807-2620. Come one, call. We'll be right back.
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