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CNN Live Saturday

Protests in Gaza City After Hamas Victory; Roof Collapse in Poland Strands Many; Many Retirees Are Moving Back Into Urban Areas; Tribute Today to Space Shuttle Challenger

Aired January 28, 2006 - 18:00   ET

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

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: the daughter of Chile's longtime leader, Augusto Pinochet, well, she fled the country a few days ago and even requested political asylum here in the United States.
And NASA paid tribute today with flowers and a section of remembrance to the seven astronauts of the space shuttle Challenger. Twenty years ago today the shuttle exploded shortly after lift-off from Cape Canaveral.

Now, the hour's top story. A reporter on the scene says it looks like a collapsed house of cards. An exhibition hall in southern Poland full of people collapsed. So far 20 people are confirmed dead. CNN's Tim Lister has more details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In an instant, a weekend bird show is transformed into a scene of chaos and horror. Without warning a roof of a convention hall in Katowice caved is in. Inside it's estimated at least 100 people trapped inside. Seventy five crews from Katowice and surrounding areas converged on the scene as well as mine rescue teams. Their work was slowed by the darkness and the snow. About 100 people were pulled from the collapsed billing. Some with serious or critical injuries. The luckier ones still able to walk.

But many more were trapped under steel girders in temperatures well below freezing. And some were beyond help. "The biggest problem," said this fire officer, "is the temperature right now. It's minus 13 degrees. The victims need to be pulled out as soon as possible and that's why we are setting up heated tents."

This woman's father was among the missing. "There are people in there covered in blood," she says. "Pinned down. There are people moaning and screaming."

Authorities were rushing heavy equipment to the scene to try to stabilize the building's beams. The rescue operation is likely to continue well into Sunday. The racing pigeon show had attracted thousands of visitors to a convention hall. And exhibitors from as far as away as Belgium and Ukraine. Local police are blaming the weight of the snow for the roof's collapse.

Poland, like much of Central Europe, has endured one of its hardest winters in years. It's not the first roof collapse this winter. Three weeks ago 15 people were killed including 12 children when the roof of a skating rink in southern Germany caved in. Tim Lister, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: And to the Middle East. Where this week's stunning political victory by the Palestinian militant group Hamas has sparked a second straight day of violence. Armed, the defeated Fatah Party are venting their frustration. And they are threatening resistance to Hamas leadership. CNN's Ben Wedeman is on the scene.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Ramallah, they took to the roof to the Palestinian parliament. In Nablus, their guns did the talking and in Gaza, for the second day running, several thousand Fatah rank and file strutted through the street, venting rage at their own leaders and the militant Islamic group now set to take over the Palestinian Authority.

"Hamas are spies," they chant. Gunmen and gun boys unwilling to cede power and admit defeat. "We want to keep control of parliament," this gunman tells me. "Like a military coup d'etat," I ask? "Yes," he answers.

"Treason, treason," shouts this woman.

(on camera): After a fair and free election, the Palestinians are now having to deal with the very messy aftermath. With many armed and potentially dangerous men not accepting the results of the election.

(voice-over): Senior Fatah officials say they're confident they can reign their men in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've had problems before. We were able to deal with them and we were able to protect the democratic process and allow a peaceful change of government through the democratic process.

WEDEMAN: But if these are the men who are supposed to offer that protection, the Fatah-dominated security services, the so-called democratic process may be in peril. Rather than trying to restore law and order, they're protesting as well.

I asked one of their leaders Nabil Tamuz (ph), if he conceded that Hamas had won the election. "It's a status quo we won't accept," he responds. Having lost at the ballot box, Fatah militants are taking their battle back the streets and show no sign of backing down. Ben Wedeman, CNN, Gaza.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Right now President Bush is warning Hamas that its newfound political power does not guarantee future U.S. support. CNN White House correspondent Elaine Quijano standing by with more on that. Elaine? ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good evening to you, Carol. The president's comments underscoring the Bush White House as the U.S. tries to assess the future of Middle East peace.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO (voice-over): President Bush is sending a clear message to Hamas. He told CBS News the group must renounce violence and its pledge to destroy Israel. Or else U.S. economic aid to the Palestinian government will stop.

GEORGE W. BUSH, U.S. PRESIDENT: Aid packages won't go forward. That's their decision to make. But we won't be providing help to a government that wants to destroy our ally and friend.

QUIJANO: Yet the Bush administration is facing a difficult question. How to cut off aid to Hamas without punishing the Palestinian people. Since 1993, the U.S. has given more than $1.5 billion in financial assistance to the Palestinians for water, medicine, education and other areas. Much of that money has flowed through non-governmental organizations or NGOs and was designated for specific projects.

PROF. SHIBLEY TELHAMEY, U OF MD: The problem for the administration is there's a huge humanitarian need by the Palestinian people. A lot of that aid, frankly,. goes to NGOs as well. And some of that aid to NGOs should continue because people need help on the ground separate from the authority.

QUIJANO: A State Department official tells CNN the U.S. is committed to assuring that Palestinians do receive humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, as the U.S. waits for the political dust to settle, one prominent senator says it's in an untenable position. To have a government in the Middle East led by a group committed to the destruction of its neighbor, Israel.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) AZ: Hopefully that Hamas now that they are going to govern will be motivated to renounce this commitment to the extinction of the State of Israel. And then we can do business again. We can resume aid and we can resume the peace process. It's very, very important, though, that they renounce this commitment.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

QUIJANO (on camera): And economic aid to the Palestinian Authority will be on the agenda on Monday. That is when Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with her counterparts in London. Her counterparts from Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. Back to you, Carol.

LIN: Thank you, Elaine.

Now a quick reminder. Tomorrow on CNN's LATE EDITION, Wolf Blitzer's guest includes top Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar. LATE EDITION gets started tomorrow morning at 11:00 Eastern, 8:00 Pacific.

Four western peace activists taken hostage in November appear today on a video on the Arabic language television station, al-Jazeera. Their captors released the tape and issued what they claimed to be a last chance demand. All Iraqi prisoners in U.S. or Iraqi custody must be released or the hostages will be killed.

And in Baghdad the trial of Saddam Hussein resumes tomorrow. A new chief judge will be presiding in the case. The previous judge resigned. One human rights group is expressing concerns that outside interference could be influencing the court's independence.

And here in the U.S. a majority of people say they are unhappy with the president's job performance. A new "Time Magazine" poll finds that 55 percent disapprove of the way he's doing his job, 41 percent approve. The results are about the same as in a "Time" poll from last November.

Now, President Bush can't run for reelection, of course. But he had a word of praise for a well-known Democrat who already knows what it's like to live in the White House. When asked about his own party's favorites in 2008, however, he refused to name names.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: It's hard to tell and the minute I start speculating you'd make all kinds of news with it. And it would interject me in the race. I'm trying to figure out how to play this coming down the pike. For a political observer like yourself. And political participant like me this is an unusual year because it's the first time there hasn't been a kind of natural successor in either party.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: Well as for his own political career President Bush also said he didn't think he would have made it to the White House if he hadn't married Laura Bush.

Well President Bush says the Senate has the responsibility to hold an up or down vote on Samuel Alito. The president used today's weekly radio address to call for Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court. Some Democrats are trying to organize a filibuster. That's a Senate maneuver that would prevent a vote.

So far Senator John Kerry and other filibuster organizers don't have enough support. The final vote on Alito is expected Tuesday.

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan wants to keep Alito off the high court. And she said Friday she's going to run against California Senator Dianne Feinstein if Feinstein doesn't support the Democratic filibuster. However Sheehan issued her statement just as Dianne Feinstein announced she would support a filibuster.

Sheehan staged an Iraq War protest outside the president's ranch while he was on vacation last summer. Her son Casey died in Iraq in 2004. Sheehan made her Alito announcement from a conference in Venezuela. She had no comments since Feinstein announced she does support the filibuster. Now, 20 years today most anyone school age or older remembers what they were doing when they learned of the fate of the space shuttle Challenger. And many watched on live television. Today at Arlington National Cemetery flowers and a firm tribute remembers the memory of seven American pioneers.

CNN's John Zarrella reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZARRELLA (voice-over): Olivia Guitard laid two roses at the foot of the memorial. One for her late mother who loved the space program, the other for the crew of Challenger.

OLIVIA GUITARD, TOURIST: Twenty years ago today we had our children here at Disneyland. And we looked up in the sky and saw this. The whole accident as it happened. And so we said we have to come back today.

ZARRELLA: Hundreds of people came here Saturday to honor the memory of the fallen astronauts. June Scobee Rodgers, wife of Challenger Commander Dick Scobee, laid a wreath below the memorial mirror which is inscribed with the names of 24 astronauts who have passed. She spoke of how her late husband viewed the risk of space flight.

JUNE SCOBEE RODGERS, COMMANDER SCOBEE'S WIDOW: And he often would quote Wilbur Wright, one of the Wright brothers. And said if you want perfect safety in a flight, you have to sit on the fence and watch the birds fly.

ZARRELLA: Challenger was supposed to be a crowning moment in the shuttle program. Seven astronauts, among them Christa McAuliffe. She would be the first teacher in space. Under a cold, blue sky, Challenger lifted off.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have main engine start - four, three, two, one. And liftoff. Liftoff of the 25th space shuttle mission and it has cleared the tower.

ZARRELLA: The flight would last only 73 seconds.

The Rodgers Commission formed to investigate concluded the solid rocket booster seals called O-rings had failed. Hot gases escaped and very quickly ruptured the main fuel tank. The shuttle fleet was grounded. Another teacher never flew. For retired Maryland schoolteacher Colleen Cronland it was important to be here.

COLLEEN CRONLAND, RETIRED SCHOOLTEACHER: And I was a science teacher in the schools when this happened. So it's pie interest, it was my profession. And my birthday. So I came to honor her.

ZARRELLA: The people who came here all said it is important we not forget those who died paving the way to the future.

John Zarrella, CNN, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Coming up, two children abducted and abused. This surveillance video is part of the investigation. So are the suspects in police custody. That story next. And this ...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, the main thing is everything is very close.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: So long suburbs. Hello big city. Baby boomers switching scenes from boring to busy.

And are you a puzzle player? Well stay tuned. A crisscross stumper crosses over to the big screen. You're watching CNN SATURDAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: An Alabama couple facing child sex abuse charges will reportedly posing as hurricane victims. But police say their crimes went much further than that. And tonight a little girl and teenage boy are extremely grateful that a complete stranger acted on a hunch and refused to give up. David Mattingly has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TRACIE LEE DEAN, GOOD SAMARITAN: I'd like to report a strange incident involving a child.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This scene in a gas station at Evergreen, Alabama is what led Tracie Lee Dean to call police. You can hear the concern in her voice in the worried 911 call.

DEAN: After a few minutes I was like, "OK, why is this little girl wandering around here by herself?" So I gave her a good five minutes. Then I said, "Does your mommy work here?" And she said, "No." And then this man was like, "Elizabeth, are you trying to find a new mommy?"

MATTINGLY: It was this little girl you see here in the surveillance video and her brief encounter with Dean that started this one woman's crusade and ended this one little girl's nightmare.

DEAN: I've seen that look before, that blank look, that there's something missing. I call it -- I consider it like they're missing love.

MATTINGLY: Police followed up on Dean's 911 call and went to the gas station.

SHERIFF TRACY HAWSEY, CONECUH COUNTY: The clerk said that she knew these people, that they frequent the store, that they come in a good bit and that the older gentleman is the grandfather of the little girl. MATTINGLY: Even though she was back home in Georgia, Tracie took matters into her own hands. On a Web site for abducted children, she thought she had found a match. A 300-mile drive back to Evergreen put her back in that store looking at their surveillance tapes. Police were brought in and visited the family at their trailer park, where they arrested the man who'd raised Tracie Dean's suspicions. Jack Wiley is charged with sex crimes against the three-year- old girl and a 17-year-old boy who lived with him. Wiley's companion, Glenna Faye Cavender, is charged with child abuse. Both are now behind bars. The children are in protective custody.

Neighbors in a trailer park where they lived for the past month or so are shaken.

ERICA FOSTER, NEIGHBOR: They just kept saying, "Well, if you ever need a babysitter, we can watch them."

MATTINGLY: Local authorities are canvassing the area and interviewing local children.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've got possibly some other kids in that area that had some contact with Mr. Wiley.

MATTINGLY: The next step is a DNA test to determine the two children's real parents and a national search to find any other children this couple might have encountered.

David Mattingly, CNN, Evergreen, Alabama.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Now police are checking to see if the couple might be involved in other crimes as well. But here is their picture. And take a good look at it. Because authorities truly believe someone out there knows something that can help them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAWSEY: We had a call from U.S. marshals in Atlanta concerning him. We got his picture up and the help of you guys, we think there's going to be a lot of phone calls. We already had a numerous amount of calls come in already that think they may very well know these people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LIN: You can hear more from the sheriff tonight when he joins me for a live interview.

In the meantime keep in mind that this whole thing unraveled from a chance encounter in a convenience store. The assistant manager Greg Odom is standing by in Brudin, Alabama to talk with us by telephone. Greg, good to have you. Tell us a little bit more about that moment when that little girl was in the store. Did you also notice something fishy? Something funny?

GREG ODOM, CONVENIENCE STORE ASSISTANT MANAGER (on phone): Good evening, Carol. Thanks for having me. No, actually the night that this all took place, I was already off duty. But after a concerned phone call from Miss Dean, I did return to the store. And replay the video. And you know, we found the little girl. And you know, Officer Brian Davis (ph) just happened to be in the store at the time we were reviewing the video. So he got very interested and took Miss Dean to the back table back there and began interviewing her. And everything kind of ensued from there.

LIN: Right. And looking at the video tape. I mean we see her. We've blocked out her face to protect her identity. But she's kind of playing and hanging out. Was there anything in her demeanor that told you that she was troubled or worried or scared?

ODOM: Well, at the time, they were supposed to be hurricane refugees. Though, my state of mind was maybe they were upset from that. They just weren't a real close family.

LIN: And when you say that, what observation were you making?

ODOM: Well, they weren't really hugging her. They just kind of let her roam around free in the store. Not really keeping a close eye on her like most parents would do.

LIN: Is it true that Tracie had tried to contact authorities several times about this little girl she'd met in your store. But that authorities just didn't respond?

ODOM: That's what Tracie told me that night. I went up there and sat and talked to her. And she -- it's just unbelievable the amount of persistence that she has. Trying to get people to listen to her. And I was actually very reluctant to go to the store that night because it was so late. But in hindsight I'm very glad that I did.

LIN: You bet. You could have saved some lives here, Greg. Greg Odom, thank you very much.

ODOM: Thank you.

LIN: All right, we want to take a look at some international news. Here's Shannon Cook with a look at what's ahead in the world news. Shannon?

SHANNON COOK, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol. We've been following this story out of Poland. Rescue workers there are battling freezing cold temperatures to reach about 100 people trapped after the roof of an exhibition hall collapsed. I'll bring you the latest on that.

LIN: And later, they say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, I'm going to talk to a doctor who says you should have apples all throughout your day. In order to lose weight. Be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: New efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear programs. A representative of the Iranian government will meet Monday with members of the European Union in Brussels. And also Monday, western diplomats plan to discuss Iran at a meeting in London.

Now the talks come as the west struggles to resolve the stalemate over Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran insists its nuclear facilities will only be used for electricity. And here in the U.S., a new poll finds that 57 percent of Americans would support military action if Iran continues to produce material used to make nuclear weapons.

Time now to check other stories making news around the world. A roof collapse in Poland has rescue workers frantically searching for survivors. Shannon Cook has more on that story from A Control. Shannon?

COOK: Hey, thanks Carol.

Here's what we know right now. At least 20 people were killed after the roof of an exhibition hall collapsed in southern Poland. Hundreds of people were believed to be inside. They were attending a pigeon show when the roof buckled under heavy snow. Many are feared trapped in the debris. And darkness and the cold are hampering rescue efforts there. Officials say more than 100 people have been taken to the hospital so far. Some with serious injuries. By the way, we have a live report coming out from the scene in just a few minutes so stick around for that.

To Georgia now where an energy crisis couldn't have come at a worse time. The former Soviet Republic is enduring its coldest winter in decades. But help is on the way. Officials tell us Iran has agreed to provide Georgia with emergency natural gas that could begin flowing as soon as tomorrow. About a week ago a series of explosions destroyed the Russian pipeline that normally supplies Georgia with gas.

Happy Chinese new year. The lunar new year has begun. It's China's most celebrated holiday. And this year authorities have lifted a 12- year ban on fireworks. That makes many Chinese rebels happy because the ancient tradition of exploded fire works is intended to drive away bad luck and scare off evil spirits. And by the way this Chinese New Year celebrates the Year of the Dog.

And quite fittingly, Carol, did you know that acupuncture for pets is becoming quite popular in Hong Kong? Kind of like a new trick to treat old dogs, if you like. Vets are using needles to help with various ailments is and ease pain in achy dogs and achy cats. They say the procedure can help with skin diseases, arthritis and also tumors. They've been using acupuncture on horses in china for thousands of years. But, Carol, pet acupuncture is just now catching on.

LIN: I'm sure my cat would not get the point. Point made. Thanks very much, Shannon.

COOK: Good one. Thank you.

LIN: All right, coming up. The murder mystery that has shaken all of New England. A mother and her baby daughter, killed. And now it's captured the international spotlight. An update on that investigation straight ahead.

And later, they are getting older and it's time to pack the bags. Baby boomers discovering the city's life for them. You are watching CNN SATURDAY. Stay right there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Happening now in the news. Fatah protests Palestinian election results in Gaza City today. And President Bush warns the new ruling party, Hamas, that it could lose American aid to the Palestinians if it won't renounce violence.

And brutal cold makes it tough for rescue workers in Poland. They are trying to find at least 100 people trapped after a roof collapsed at an exposition building. Polish authorities and the media say at least 20 people were killed.

President Bush called Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito a man of great character and integrity during his weekly radio address. Senate Democrats have threatened a filibuster. Republicans hope to confirm the Supreme Court nominee next Tuesday.

A new video of four kidnapped aid workers has surfaced. The militants who released the video repeated a demand for Iraqi prisoners to be set free. Two Canadians, an American and a Britain were abducted in November.

Welcome back. Returning to our top story now, it is a race against time to save people trapped after a roof collapse in Southern Poland. Temperatures are well below freezing. And it's been hours since something went terribly wrong at a crowded exposition hall.

Anna Dudzinska from polish radio Kadowice is on the scene of the collapse. She joins me now by telephone. Anna, what is the latest from the scene?

ANNA DUDZINSKA, POLISH RADIO KADOWICE: The latest from the scene is what I can say. And what I really can see now is the people rescue teams still working. They are really very tired. The rescue teams are exchanging all the time. I just have met some rescue teams from coal mines because in this area there are thousands of coal mines.

This is an area where there is plenty of coal mines. And of course they need their own rescue teams. So they now are helping with this tragedy, with the collapsed roof. And how they are arrange everything and helping people to leave.

But as you said, it's -- I'm afraid it's working with time. And it's changing from minute to minute. It's really freezing in Poland. That's why a lot of people from Kadowice are coming to the place where it's happened. And coming back with blankets for people who are stuck under the roof of this construction. Because it's really very, very cold.

What also those people from rescue team explained to me is that they find out three dead bodies. But also they found out one live man who started to talk with them. So the hope still is. And as you probably know there is still 100 people under the roof. Probably less than 100. But anyway, it's a huge amount. And of course there is a hope that some of them are still alive.

LIN: Certainly Anna, and it's good that you are on the scene. I know you've had a chance to talk with some of the families. They were actually on their telephone or on their cell phone talking to people inside the wreckage.

DUDZINSKA: Yes. That sounds really like tragedy (ph). Because after it happened, people from the hall where it happened started calls to their friends, their families and ask for help. Ask for help and nobody could help, really, because when families are coming, of course.

It's not difficult to understand that those who are helpings rescue teams do not want even to talk with families. Because they are doing their job. And even difficult to explain where the people are.

LIN: Exactly. Anna Dudzinska. Thank you so much for reporting from the scene as we cover the disaster in Poland. We'll be continuing this throughout the hour.

Now, news right here at home. An off-duty New York City police officer is in extremely critical condition after another officer mistook him for an assailant outside a fast food restaurant in the Bronx overnight. He was shot three times.

Evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have until Monday to get an authorization code to extend their federally funded hotel accommodations. The number to call is 1-800-621-FEMA.

Yes, that's former Attorney General Janet Reno. She got up and sang Aretha Franklin's "Respect" at a Miami fundraiser this week. The karaoke performance was caught on tape. Proceeds went to the Human Services Coalition of Dade County. A group that helps fight poverty.

And chalk up another social trend to the baby boom generation. As more boomers retire they are leaving the suburbs behind and turning many American urban centers into boomer towns. CNN's Gary Nurenberg has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW WATSON, RETIRED JUDGE: The main thing is everything is very close.

GARY NURENBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When retired judge Matthew Watson isn't riding his bike on Washington D.C. streets he likes to walk.

WATSON: We can walk outside to restaurants. We can walk to the dry cleaner. Walk to hardware store. If we want to go to the theater, ten or 15 minutes away.

NURENBERG: Watson and his wife Marjorie gave up this suburban home.

WATSON: Wanted less to do around the house.

NURENBERG: For a two-bedroom condo in the heart of the city.

WATSON: There's nobody playing tennis.

NURENBERG: Good-bye long commute.

WATSON: It really does create extra time for us that we didn't have before. We are not traveling as much to and from things around town.

NURENBERG (on camera): The Watsons are part of a national trend. Retirees returning to the city. Developers are designing from projects with them in mind.

MARC DUBICK, DEVELOPER: We expect to have empty nesters. People that are coming from the suburbs. That their houses are too big. Their children have grown up and they've decided to move back into an urban environment.

NURENBERG (voice-over): Census figures showed big increases in the over 64 population in cities as diverse as Kansas City and San Francisco. Developers are working on senior-centered projects in downtown Ft. Worth and Philadelphia.

CHARLES GRAVES, WASHINGTON PLANNING OFFICE: People are moving back to the city from the suburbs and they want to enjoy the things that are unique to cities.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think they are extremely imaginative.

NURENBERG: The Watsons like the theater and access to art galleries, attractions not all cities can provide.

WILLIAM FREY, BROOKINGS INST.: This is a city that doesn't have a there there, the seniors aren't going to provide that there.

NURENBERG: Bookings Institution demographer, William Frey says the senior influx offers both pluses and minuses to the American cities.

FREY: They are great in terms of the tax base. So cities have a lot to gain from attracting seniors in their 50s and 60s. Later on, it may mean more public expenses to deal with those health care and services for the older elderly.

NURENBERG: For now, for the Watsons, urban life is --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good.

NURENBERG: Gary Nurenberg, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE) LIN: Time now to talk about dieting. And a leading obesity researcher says forget about counting calories and carbs. He says the best way to lose weight is to limit flavors. And he has written a book about it called "The Flavor Point Diet." The author Dr. David Katz joins me from New York.

What is a flavor point?

DR. DAVID KATZ, "THE FLAVOR POINT DIET": Well, basically every distinct category of flavor in the diet stimulates different cells in the appetite center of the brain.

When we jumble flavors together it takes more calories to feel full. And the modern American diet jumbles more foods together than any diet in history. In addition, the food industry knows how the appetite center works. And they actually hide flavors in processed food. So there's lots of salt and it's a sweet food like breakfast cereal. There's lots of sugar added to savory foods like salad dressing.

This pushes back the point where we feel full. It takes too many calories to feel full. What flavor point fixes is by arranging flavors thoughtfully you fill up on fewer calories. You have to cut calories to lose weight. But you don't have to be hungry if you can fill up on fewer calories. That's what flavor points is all about.

LIN: For example, there is a day for apples, and we've come up with a list of things and how people can start their day with that flavor point. Tell me how that works, you start the day with apples, you lunch on apples, it's almost like an anal retentive diet. You have to keep track of your flavors.

KATZ: Not at all. In fact, it's wonderful delicious food. It has a strong French Mediterranean influence. My wife is French and she designed the meal plan.

And the way it works is there's six weeks of meal plans. For the first several weeks we have a flavor theme that's a subtle theme woven throughout the day. That subtle repetition soothes the appetite center in the brain the way a refrain in your favorite song is soothing and appealing.

It's not overt. It's quite subtle. It's background. But it plays to something called sensory specific satiety, Carol, which is a well-studied property to the appetite center. Which for 30 years has been known to appetite researchers and the food industry which has used it to booby-trap the field supply so it takes the calories to feel full.

We put this meal plan to the test in 20 overweight adults, working people with families for 12 weeks. They lost up to 31 pounds. They lost an average of 16 pounds. They took up to seven inches off their waist line. Lowered their blood sugar and blood cholesterol and blood pressure.

LIN: Maybe it's because they are eating better. I mean you talk about apples that are good for you. Then you organize your vegetables, and vegetables are good for you. You are not asking people to eat junk food.

KATZ: Absolutely not. This is about extremely wholesome nutrition. Part of what sets Flavor Point apart is that it's balanced nutrition every day. What this diet is about that's completely novel is how to get there from here.

I'm not reinventing the destination of what wholesome nutrition is all about. In fact there is a great deal of agreement among nutrition experts about what healthful eating is. It's hard for people to get there from here. If it takes more calories than it should to feel full and satisfied, you have a choice between being thin, but being hungry or being overweight and being satisfied.

LIN: So are you saying to people that if they followed a Flavor Point-like diet that they are not going to be hungry?

KATZ: Absolutely.

LIN: And still lose weight?

KATZ: That's exactly what's going to happen. Just to represent that I ran into a woman the other day who said Dr. Katz I brought your book. I've been on the diet for over a week. I love the food. By the way, the food is delicious, it's not repetitive at all. It's very subtle, the flavoring.

She said, I have just one question. I have lost three pounds in a week. Do I have to finish all the food? It's too much food. Flavor point turns down the number of calories it takes to feel full. That's the innovation here. Very powerful.

LIN: All right. I'll be looking for the cheese burger flavor point.

KATZ: Don't hold your breath. That one's not coming from me.

LIN: Thanks very much.

KATZ: Thank you.

LIN: Coming up, a Massachusetts mother and her baby girl found dead in their home. And now attention is shifting to her husband. But is he a suspect? New information today on that investigation. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

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LIN: Police in Massachusetts have launched an investigation spanning two continents following the shooting deaths of a Boston-area mother and daughter. CNN's Jason Carroll that has that story. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They were, it seemed, a portrait of a happy family. Neil Entwistle and his wife Rachel's Web site chronicled each special occasion, their trips, the baptism of their baby girl, Lillian, the comfortable life they all shared in this home in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, about an hour west of Boston.

They had planned a dinner party last Saturday night. But, when the guests arrived, no one answered.

(on camera): Rachel's mother, who lives not far away, became suspicious and called police. Police came here to the house and, once inside, they say they didn't see anything suspicious. Entwistle's friends came back the next day on Sunday. And, once they were inside, they say they didn't see anything wrong either.

(voice-over): But when police went back later that night, they found the bodies of Rachel, 27, and Lillian, just nine months old, under the covers in the master bedroom, the same bedroom police and Entwistle's friends had checked before. Both had been shot.

MARTHA COAKLEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Police have said that, we do not believe this was random. There was no sign of a forced entry or any sign of burglary.

CARROLL: Missing from the scene, 27-year-old Neil Entwistle. Police say he left for England within 48 hours of the murders. Investigators say he's not a suspect, but do say they have a -- quote -- "high level of interest in him."

Now news reports say Entwistle has agreed to come back to the United States.

(on camera): Are there any plans to contact him again?

(voice-over): Margaret Kirk (ph), a spokeswoman for police in Nottinghamshire, a county north of London where Entwistle grew up, says police there have been in contact with him for the past several days. They offered to drive him to the U.S. Embassy in London to speak with authorities.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have actually driven him down there. And, I mean, I would say we still are in contact with him in that sense.

CARROLL (on camera): You have no idea if -- if he will be speaking with detectives from the U.S.?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, not -- you know, ours isn't really to ask what it is he's going to do down there, just that, you know, wherever he's going, he gets there safely.

CARROLL (voice-over): Detectives from the Hopkinton Police Department left Wednesday night for England. Their case has drawn media attention...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tonight, detectives are on the trail of Neil Entwistle.

CARROLL: ... on two continents.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A new twist in the murder of...

CARROLL: Newspapers trying to find any leads about what happened to this seemingly happy family.

Neighbors who knew them don't have a clue. They told us the couple met while attending York University in England. Entwistle's mother was described as overjoyed when her son announced he was marrying the American girl from Massachusetts.

PAULINE MOORE, NEIGHBOR: I can remember talking about when they got married and how excited she was.

CARROLL: But police are investigating Entwistle's business ventures. The online auction site eBay says he failed to deliver a number of items he sold on the site.

He also ran what authorities say may have been a pyramid scheme, linked to Internet pornography, an operation investigators have shut down -- still, no motive, no suspects. For now, there is at least one man police still want to talk to.

Jason Carroll, CNN. Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Well the Associated Press quotes British police as saying Entwhistle has left the U.S. embassy in London after being questioned today by those Massachusetts investigators. We'll keep you posted.

Now here's what's coming up on CNN "ON THE STORY.

ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: We are "ON THE STORY" at the George Washington University. White House Correspondent Dana Bash is on the story of what we'll hear at next week's State of the Union speech. Michael Holmes reports from Baghdad on the risks of covering war. Deborah Feyerick reports on teens saying no to sex before marriage. And Brooke Anderson has the buzz from the Sundance Film Festival. All that's coming up all "ON THE STORY."

BROOKE ANDERSON: I'm Brooke Anderson in Park City, Utah. Question for you. What is a four letter word for gusto? Think about it. And coming up we will tell you the answer as we go behind the scenes of a new Sundance documentary all about this, The New York Times crossword puzzle. Stay with us. CNN LIVE SATURDAY continues after the break.

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LIN: The Sundance Film Festival wraps up tomorrow. But tonight a slew of people have some words for a new documentary that features comedian Jon Stewart as well as the Indigo Girls. It's called "Word Play." And you might say it's turning film making into a game. That's right. CNN's entertainment correspondent Brook Anderson's playing. She joins us from Park City, Utah where the festival is being held. With a puzzling topic, you teased us brook with a riddle.

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Carol. You know the New York Times crossword puzzle gets progressively more difficult as the week goes on. Whether it's a Monday puzzle or a Friday or Saturday puzzle, there are solvers who can finish it in mere minutes. Sometimes two minutes if you can believe it.

So now we take you inside a new Sundance documentary all about the crossword phenomenon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): What's an eight-letter word for a clever verbal challenge that's inspired a contest? The answer is "Word Play," the title of a documentary devoted to the New York Times crossword puzzle and the countless Americans that try to conquer it every week.

JON STEWART, COMEDIAN: I respect very much those that create the puzzles. I don't know how they do it. Quite frankly I don't know why they do it.

ANDERSON: "Word Play" is cris-crossed with celebrities. But the real stars are the man behind the puzzle.

WILL SCHWARTZ, NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD EDITOR: My name's Will Shwartz. I'm the crossword editor for The New York Times.

ANDERSON: And the country's premier puzzle solvers who spend much of their time training for an annual tournament.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can never get under two minutes, dang it.

ANDERSON: A handful of players from the film came to Sundance. They gave me tips on completing the Sunday times puzzle.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You waste time by putting the tops and bottoms on the I there.

ANDERSON (on camera): That's a good trick.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When it says jaw breaker and has a question mark you know it's something like a pun. So in this case it's fist. You are thinking candy.

ANDERSON: Very clever.

(voice-over): After making progress with the pros I hit the sidewalks of Sundance for a little more help. Four letter word for hold your horses.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wait.

ANDERSON (on camera): That's an easy one.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Four letter word for bloke? a male.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A four letter word for gusto.

A five letter word for puncture.

Wound?

ANDERSON: Crossword puzzle?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure.

ANDERSON: Oh, great, we found one. Forty-two down. Four letter word. Some singers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Um, I don't know. But I'll think about it when I come back I'll let you know.

ANDERSON: Thank you. Okay. We'll see if he comes back.

(voice-over): Sure enough, he did.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know what? Rays. Give that a shot.

ANDERSON (on camera): Oh, that's great.

(voice-over): And we finally figured out that stickler.

(on camera): OK, so maybe now we can do 116 across. Gusto.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Zest?

ANDERSON: Very good. No one else could get that. That's perfect.

(voice-over): Now if I could only get 33 across.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

And I did eventually get 33 across. The clue was this. After a single hearing of a sacred piece in the Sistine Chapel Mozart. And the answer is wrote it down from memory. A 21 letter answer. "Word Play" was picked up this week by a distributor, ISP films, for a reported one million dollars. And Carol, it will be released in theaters some time this year.

LIN: Brooke, you make CNN proud. Good job. Thanks much.

Well there's a lot more ahead on CNN tonight. A check of the headlines next and then "ON THE STORY."

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