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Kobe Bryant Prosecutors Ask For Indefinite Delay; Bush Shares Spotlight with McCain in N.M., Arizona

Aired August 11, 2004 - 13:28   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.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: As we told you at the top of the hour, prosecutors in Colorado are asking for an indefinite delay in the Kobe Bryant criminal trial. The move comes a day after Bryant's accuser filed a civil lawsuit in federal court in Denver. Let's go to CNN's Gary Tuchman, joining us on the line now, he's in Panama City, Florida, on another story.
Gary, what can you tell us?

GARY TUCHMAN, NATIONAL CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, the step taken by the prosecution could be a self-inflicted move to the demise of a criminal trial. Prosecutors have asked for the August 27 starting date of Kobe Bryant's sexual assault trial to be delayed, this after they led the charge for months to speed things up. The judge had moved deliberately throughout this case because he said once he set a trial date it would not be changed. And then Judge Terry Ruckriegle set the August 27 date.

Now prosecutors say they went a delay because of closed door transcripts that were released to the public that discussed alleged sex this woman had with other men. They say that and other issues make it impossible for them to have all of their resources ready for trial in 16 days.

This all comes one day after the woman's attorneys filed a civil suit against Bryant in which the woman will seek money in a different court, in Denver, in the federal courthouse there. The one you're looking at now is the circuit courthouse in Eagle County, which is 120 miles west of Denver.

What it all comes down to is this: We've been watching this judge in action now for months. He will likely not take kindly to this request, what is relatively the last second before this trial begins. It's possible -- and we emphasize possible -- he'll tell the prosecution either start on time or we won't do this at all.

A previously scheduled hearing this Monday will likely take up this issue -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: I should say so, Gary. Is this tantamount really to saying we're dropping the charges and they're just trying to preserve the possibility, if it should come to pass that they could pursue the charges later?

TUCHMAN: Let's put it this way: If the judge gives them that ultimatum and they say, "Well, we can't start the trial, so we're not going to do it," it certainly is a face-saving way of handling this situation rather than saying, "We are dropping the case."

But it's very clear right now the prosecution is not saying, "We are dropping the case." But one other thing can happen -- and that can happen any day now, too. We were told why the woman's personal attorneys that she may not want to go forward with the case no matter what the prosecution wants to do.

They filed a civil case yesterday. They didn't say she wanted to drop out just yet, but that's also possible. So, there's a lot of things that could still happen in this case. One of things, though, that might not happen is an actual criminal trial.

O'BRIEN: When the dust settles and the fingers are pointed, Gary, -- and I'm not asking you necessarily to point the fingers -- who's going to be to blame for this mess in Eagle? Is it the judge, the prosecutors --what happened out there?

TUCHMAN: Well, I think that you will have everyone blaming the other person. That's what happens in life, and that's what will very likely happen in this case, also.

O'BRIEN: Gary Tuchman, thanks very much, on to your storm coverage. We appreciate it -- Fredricka?

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Red arrows on Wall Street today. Rhonda Schaffler join us live from the New York Stock Exchange with a look at some of the reasons why -- Rhonda.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. Lots of them here this afternoon.

One reason: disappointing news from Cisco Systems. That triggered a pretty sharp sell-off in technology stocks. Last night, Cisco said its quarterly profit jumped 41% from a year ago, topping expectation. But the company also said its customers are showing caution, and revenue could be weaker than expected in the current quarter. That, of course, makes investors nervous.

Just how nervous? Nervous enough to send the Nasdaq down 1.75%. Cisco shares sliding 10%. Blue chips making a bit of a comeback. The Dow off just 34 points. The Dow had been down more than 100.

There are signs of relief on the oil front. Oil prices lower following Saudi Arabia's pledge to pump more oil if needed. Crude oil down slightly at $44.45 a barrel.

That's a quick check on the markets. Still ahead, a new way to point and click your way to your favorite Hollywood flick. I'll tell you how to get in on that action later this hour.

CNN's LIVE FROM rolls on after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Some stories now in the news. Rescue teams in Turkey are frantically searching for survivors at the site a deadly train collision. Two trains crashed head-on today; four killed at least. One witness said several people still trapped. The train crash is the third in Turkey in recent weeks.

A big development in the Kobe Bryant case. Prosecutors asking for an indefinite delay in his criminal trial. The move comes a day after the woman who accused Bryant of rape filed a civil lawsuit in federal court. Our legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin join us next hour with some insight into what this all means.

More tales of lies and deceit in the Scott Peterson murder trial. Jurors listening to a second day of testimony from Peterson's former mistress, Amber Frey. We'll have a live report from Redwood City, California, in our next hour.

Florida is bracing for a double dose of tropical weather. Tropical Storm Bonnie charging toward the panhandle. It's on track to hit tomorrow morning. Tropical Storm Charley is right behind. We'll have an update on the tropical weather in about 40 minutes.

Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

WHITFIELD: The American West is the stage for presidential politics at this hour. President Bush is sharing the spotlight with Senator John McCain in New Mexico and Arizona.

Let's go live to the White House for details from CNN's Jill Dougherty. Hello, Jill.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.

Well, President Bush spent the evening and now this morning -- kind of a late morning -- and he will be at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. And then, he will be leaving for two spots today: Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he'll be taking part in an "Ask President Bush" event -- that's kind of the town hall format; and then, he'll be going on to Phoenix, Arizona, where he'll be appearing at a rally with Senator John McCain.

Two issues that he constantly brings up: one is domestic economic issue, and the other one is the war on terror and, in fact, the issue of Iraq. And we're hearing a little new wrinkle in his stump speech, and that has to do with taking a swipe at John -- at John Kerry.

Specifically, the president has been hounding Kerry to say whether or not he would have supported invading Iraq and removing Saddam Hussein. And the president finally, he says, got an answer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My opponent has found a new nuance. He now agrees it was the right decision to go into Iraq. (INAUDIBLE) my motives and even my credibility.

Senator Kerry now agrees with me that even though we've not found the stockpile of weapons we believe were there, knowing everything, he would have voted to go into Iraq and remove Saddam Hussein from power. I want to thank Senator Kerry for clearing that up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOUGHERTY: So, Albuquerque, New Mexico, the first spot on the campaign trip today. And that's the eighth trip of the president to that state. In fact, he's going there just two days after John Kerry.

Back in 2000, it was a very tight race, 48% to 48%. Gore won it, but it was by a mere 366 votes. And one of the groups that the president will definitely be addressing his comments to, and that is Hispanics. They make up about 41% of the population. It's a crucial group that the president wants to get aboard.

And then on to Phoenix, Arizona, his ninth visit to that state. In 2000, he won it, but again, it was very close. And he doesn't want that to happen. He wants it more this time.

WHITFIELD: Well, Jill, at least twice now we've seen the president, along with John McCain, stumping -- which kind of begs the question: When are we going to see the present and vice president together stumping?

DOUGHERTY: Well, they have seemed to have pretty separate schedules so far. And you'd have to say that they have different constituencies. The president taking a softer line, talking about the economy, et cetera. And you have the vice president with sort of a harder line. They have different functions to fulfill at this time. And McCain, of course, is a big help to the president with independent voters.

WHITFIELD: Jill Dougherty, at the White House, thanks very much -- Miles?

O'BRIEN: On the other side of the fence, John Kerry regards those five electoral votes in Nevada as rather critical. He's spending another day in Las Vegas, in the general area, campaigning at a senior citizens center. Live pictures of that event right now.

He's been talking about prescription drug benefits and Medicare. Let's listen for a moment.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: ... allow it to be in the marketplace without showing how you find $1 trillion to make up the difference to our seniors.

I will never privatize Social Security. I will not cut the benefits, and I will not raise the retirement age in this country, period.

(APPLAUSE)

And to those who say to me, well, the Social Security's system is going to be in trouble, you've got to do this, ladies and gentlemen, I've spent 20 years in the Congress, I've heard that several times before. and each time we hear it, we fix it. We fix it in a little, you know, tweak here, tweak there. The biggest fix for Social Security is to put America back to work and start creating jobs that pay more than the jobs that we're losing overseas. And that's what I intend to do. That's what I intend to do.

(APPLAUSE)

So I'm opening it up to questions. And I would love to answer any you have. But just before I do, one second.

I know everybody wants to hear from Teresa. I...

(APPLAUSE)

So I thought, before we answer any questions, let me just ask Teresa to share a couple thoughts with you quickly. How's that? Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, JOHN KERRY'S WIFE: Good morning. Good morning.

This particular subject of people my age and a little older and -- of course, I'm at that age now. They haven't sent me a card, though. I'm still waiting. But health is obviously -- well, it's not obvious, but it is a very important issue and throughout my life, because of my dad and the experience in Africa.

But coming from a third world country and a country that did not have either the resources or access to the kinds of things we have, and which is representative of most the world really, if you don't focus on prevention and wellness, you die, right?

(APPLAUSE)

And so most of the work that I have done through the foundations, including the prescription drug plan called -- I can't think of the name now. Anyway, it's something I worked on, which is now law in Massachusetts. It's called Prescription Advantage. And about 100,000 people now in Massachusetts use that. It has got (UNINTELLIGIBLE) cap for drugs as well, means tested. Anyways, it's a private thing, but the government passed it, and it was introduced on a Wednesday, or at least press conference. On Thursday, the speaker of the house and Senate president had...

O'BRIEN: All right, the campaign rolls on, and so do we. We're going to leave Henderson, Nevada. Teresa Heinz Kerry, along with her husband, John Kerry, talking to folks there at the Valley View Recreation Center about Medicare prescription drugs, health care and the like. We'll keep you posted, of course, on all developments for campaign 2004 -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, well, still ahead on LIVE FROM, no more smoochy kissing, air kisses only, please. We'll tell you why the president of the Philippines has made that request. And let the Games begin. We'll go live to Athens, where the Olympic competition is already under way.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: News "Around the World" now, starting in the Middle East where Palestinian militants claimed responsibility for a bombing near Jerusalem. A suspected suicide bomber killed one Palestinian, wounded eight others, and wounded seven Israelis. It's not known if the dead man was the bomber.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld appears at a news conference in Afghanistan with President Hamid Karzai. Rumsfeld saluted Afghanistan's success in the run-up to October election. More than nine million people are registered to vote there.

Now to the Philippines, none of that kissy-kissy stuff anymore in public for President Arroyo. The only man she wants kissing her from now on is her husband. She says unknown admirers have been kissing her on both cheeks, and she's just had enough.

O'BRIEN: Need to introduce them to the air kiss or something.

Well, if you're a woman soccer fan, you will not doubt be watching Olympics, as the U.S. team challenge the hometown Greece Goddesses.

Let's dial up our picture perfect live shot from Athens, the Acropolis looming over his shoulder, our own Socrates himself, Michael Holmes.

Hello, Michael.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Miles. Don't tell anyone we're actually in Atlanta in the studio next to you.

O'BRIEN: Don't start that. It's a green screen.

HOLMES: It's true, we could get into trouble. No, we are here. That is the Parthenon. It is gorgeous, especially at this time of night, an amazing setting. It does look unreal.

Now sport, you're right. The football already under way. The opening ceremony is not until Friday night, but there are some sports under way. Mia Hamm and the girls have been playing the locals. And last we heard, that match still going on, but the U.S. women's soccer team was 2-nil up. So a good start for them in these preliminary rounds that are under way.

Tomorrow, the Greek men are going to be playing South Africa. Sorry, that's also tonight. That's going to be in a little while from now.

And tomorrow, the Iraqi soccer team, which did very well, by the way, in recent Asian games, they're going to be playing Portugal. That's going to be a pretty tough start for them. So yes, sports already under way. We've got a taste of it actually today.

Miles, what's going to happen during the Olympics themselves, we're in the center of the city, and apparently the men cyclists were having a bit of a test of the road course for the cycling events and virtually the whole center of the city shut down. We got some good spectator views of them whizzing by, but the traffic was murder there for a while.

Ticket sales are going pretty well, 89,000 sold yesterday. There's still 2.5 million to go, however. So plenty of tickets for your favorite sport, Miles, the synchronized swimming, I'll get you a couple.

And also Greek officials are telling us they're not that worried about that, they're worried about the 4.5 billion television that's going to be audience out there, because that's where their future tourists are -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Michael Holmes, just quickly, I noted yesterday about that wonderful picture postcard live shot. I saw you afterward and you got a few good pictures. You going to share those with us, of you in front of the Parthenon?

HOLMES: I only just heard that you guys were still watching us there when -- after we did our live shot. We pulled out our little cameras.

O'BRIEN: Yes, we did.

HOLMES: We were playing tourists.

O'BRIEN: Next time I see you, send me a couple of those digitals, send me an e-mail, will you. And have fun. Enjoy the big show.

HOLMES: Will do. OK.

O'BRIEN: Michael Holmes. And we'll be checking with him all throughout.

(MARKET REPORT)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired August 11, 2004 - 13:28   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: As we told you at the top of the hour, prosecutors in Colorado are asking for an indefinite delay in the Kobe Bryant criminal trial. The move comes a day after Bryant's accuser filed a civil lawsuit in federal court in Denver. Let's go to CNN's Gary Tuchman, joining us on the line now, he's in Panama City, Florida, on another story.
Gary, what can you tell us?

GARY TUCHMAN, NATIONAL CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, the step taken by the prosecution could be a self-inflicted move to the demise of a criminal trial. Prosecutors have asked for the August 27 starting date of Kobe Bryant's sexual assault trial to be delayed, this after they led the charge for months to speed things up. The judge had moved deliberately throughout this case because he said once he set a trial date it would not be changed. And then Judge Terry Ruckriegle set the August 27 date.

Now prosecutors say they went a delay because of closed door transcripts that were released to the public that discussed alleged sex this woman had with other men. They say that and other issues make it impossible for them to have all of their resources ready for trial in 16 days.

This all comes one day after the woman's attorneys filed a civil suit against Bryant in which the woman will seek money in a different court, in Denver, in the federal courthouse there. The one you're looking at now is the circuit courthouse in Eagle County, which is 120 miles west of Denver.

What it all comes down to is this: We've been watching this judge in action now for months. He will likely not take kindly to this request, what is relatively the last second before this trial begins. It's possible -- and we emphasize possible -- he'll tell the prosecution either start on time or we won't do this at all.

A previously scheduled hearing this Monday will likely take up this issue -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: I should say so, Gary. Is this tantamount really to saying we're dropping the charges and they're just trying to preserve the possibility, if it should come to pass that they could pursue the charges later?

TUCHMAN: Let's put it this way: If the judge gives them that ultimatum and they say, "Well, we can't start the trial, so we're not going to do it," it certainly is a face-saving way of handling this situation rather than saying, "We are dropping the case."

But it's very clear right now the prosecution is not saying, "We are dropping the case." But one other thing can happen -- and that can happen any day now, too. We were told why the woman's personal attorneys that she may not want to go forward with the case no matter what the prosecution wants to do.

They filed a civil case yesterday. They didn't say she wanted to drop out just yet, but that's also possible. So, there's a lot of things that could still happen in this case. One of things, though, that might not happen is an actual criminal trial.

O'BRIEN: When the dust settles and the fingers are pointed, Gary, -- and I'm not asking you necessarily to point the fingers -- who's going to be to blame for this mess in Eagle? Is it the judge, the prosecutors --what happened out there?

TUCHMAN: Well, I think that you will have everyone blaming the other person. That's what happens in life, and that's what will very likely happen in this case, also.

O'BRIEN: Gary Tuchman, thanks very much, on to your storm coverage. We appreciate it -- Fredricka?

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Red arrows on Wall Street today. Rhonda Schaffler join us live from the New York Stock Exchange with a look at some of the reasons why -- Rhonda.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. Lots of them here this afternoon.

One reason: disappointing news from Cisco Systems. That triggered a pretty sharp sell-off in technology stocks. Last night, Cisco said its quarterly profit jumped 41% from a year ago, topping expectation. But the company also said its customers are showing caution, and revenue could be weaker than expected in the current quarter. That, of course, makes investors nervous.

Just how nervous? Nervous enough to send the Nasdaq down 1.75%. Cisco shares sliding 10%. Blue chips making a bit of a comeback. The Dow off just 34 points. The Dow had been down more than 100.

There are signs of relief on the oil front. Oil prices lower following Saudi Arabia's pledge to pump more oil if needed. Crude oil down slightly at $44.45 a barrel.

That's a quick check on the markets. Still ahead, a new way to point and click your way to your favorite Hollywood flick. I'll tell you how to get in on that action later this hour.

CNN's LIVE FROM rolls on after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Some stories now in the news. Rescue teams in Turkey are frantically searching for survivors at the site a deadly train collision. Two trains crashed head-on today; four killed at least. One witness said several people still trapped. The train crash is the third in Turkey in recent weeks.

A big development in the Kobe Bryant case. Prosecutors asking for an indefinite delay in his criminal trial. The move comes a day after the woman who accused Bryant of rape filed a civil lawsuit in federal court. Our legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin join us next hour with some insight into what this all means.

More tales of lies and deceit in the Scott Peterson murder trial. Jurors listening to a second day of testimony from Peterson's former mistress, Amber Frey. We'll have a live report from Redwood City, California, in our next hour.

Florida is bracing for a double dose of tropical weather. Tropical Storm Bonnie charging toward the panhandle. It's on track to hit tomorrow morning. Tropical Storm Charley is right behind. We'll have an update on the tropical weather in about 40 minutes.

Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

WHITFIELD: The American West is the stage for presidential politics at this hour. President Bush is sharing the spotlight with Senator John McCain in New Mexico and Arizona.

Let's go live to the White House for details from CNN's Jill Dougherty. Hello, Jill.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.

Well, President Bush spent the evening and now this morning -- kind of a late morning -- and he will be at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. And then, he will be leaving for two spots today: Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he'll be taking part in an "Ask President Bush" event -- that's kind of the town hall format; and then, he'll be going on to Phoenix, Arizona, where he'll be appearing at a rally with Senator John McCain.

Two issues that he constantly brings up: one is domestic economic issue, and the other one is the war on terror and, in fact, the issue of Iraq. And we're hearing a little new wrinkle in his stump speech, and that has to do with taking a swipe at John -- at John Kerry.

Specifically, the president has been hounding Kerry to say whether or not he would have supported invading Iraq and removing Saddam Hussein. And the president finally, he says, got an answer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My opponent has found a new nuance. He now agrees it was the right decision to go into Iraq. (INAUDIBLE) my motives and even my credibility.

Senator Kerry now agrees with me that even though we've not found the stockpile of weapons we believe were there, knowing everything, he would have voted to go into Iraq and remove Saddam Hussein from power. I want to thank Senator Kerry for clearing that up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOUGHERTY: So, Albuquerque, New Mexico, the first spot on the campaign trip today. And that's the eighth trip of the president to that state. In fact, he's going there just two days after John Kerry.

Back in 2000, it was a very tight race, 48% to 48%. Gore won it, but it was by a mere 366 votes. And one of the groups that the president will definitely be addressing his comments to, and that is Hispanics. They make up about 41% of the population. It's a crucial group that the president wants to get aboard.

And then on to Phoenix, Arizona, his ninth visit to that state. In 2000, he won it, but again, it was very close. And he doesn't want that to happen. He wants it more this time.

WHITFIELD: Well, Jill, at least twice now we've seen the president, along with John McCain, stumping -- which kind of begs the question: When are we going to see the present and vice president together stumping?

DOUGHERTY: Well, they have seemed to have pretty separate schedules so far. And you'd have to say that they have different constituencies. The president taking a softer line, talking about the economy, et cetera. And you have the vice president with sort of a harder line. They have different functions to fulfill at this time. And McCain, of course, is a big help to the president with independent voters.

WHITFIELD: Jill Dougherty, at the White House, thanks very much -- Miles?

O'BRIEN: On the other side of the fence, John Kerry regards those five electoral votes in Nevada as rather critical. He's spending another day in Las Vegas, in the general area, campaigning at a senior citizens center. Live pictures of that event right now.

He's been talking about prescription drug benefits and Medicare. Let's listen for a moment.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: ... allow it to be in the marketplace without showing how you find $1 trillion to make up the difference to our seniors.

I will never privatize Social Security. I will not cut the benefits, and I will not raise the retirement age in this country, period.

(APPLAUSE)

And to those who say to me, well, the Social Security's system is going to be in trouble, you've got to do this, ladies and gentlemen, I've spent 20 years in the Congress, I've heard that several times before. and each time we hear it, we fix it. We fix it in a little, you know, tweak here, tweak there. The biggest fix for Social Security is to put America back to work and start creating jobs that pay more than the jobs that we're losing overseas. And that's what I intend to do. That's what I intend to do.

(APPLAUSE)

So I'm opening it up to questions. And I would love to answer any you have. But just before I do, one second.

I know everybody wants to hear from Teresa. I...

(APPLAUSE)

So I thought, before we answer any questions, let me just ask Teresa to share a couple thoughts with you quickly. How's that? Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

TERESA HEINZ KERRY, JOHN KERRY'S WIFE: Good morning. Good morning.

This particular subject of people my age and a little older and -- of course, I'm at that age now. They haven't sent me a card, though. I'm still waiting. But health is obviously -- well, it's not obvious, but it is a very important issue and throughout my life, because of my dad and the experience in Africa.

But coming from a third world country and a country that did not have either the resources or access to the kinds of things we have, and which is representative of most the world really, if you don't focus on prevention and wellness, you die, right?

(APPLAUSE)

And so most of the work that I have done through the foundations, including the prescription drug plan called -- I can't think of the name now. Anyway, it's something I worked on, which is now law in Massachusetts. It's called Prescription Advantage. And about 100,000 people now in Massachusetts use that. It has got (UNINTELLIGIBLE) cap for drugs as well, means tested. Anyways, it's a private thing, but the government passed it, and it was introduced on a Wednesday, or at least press conference. On Thursday, the speaker of the house and Senate president had...

O'BRIEN: All right, the campaign rolls on, and so do we. We're going to leave Henderson, Nevada. Teresa Heinz Kerry, along with her husband, John Kerry, talking to folks there at the Valley View Recreation Center about Medicare prescription drugs, health care and the like. We'll keep you posted, of course, on all developments for campaign 2004 -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, well, still ahead on LIVE FROM, no more smoochy kissing, air kisses only, please. We'll tell you why the president of the Philippines has made that request. And let the Games begin. We'll go live to Athens, where the Olympic competition is already under way.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: News "Around the World" now, starting in the Middle East where Palestinian militants claimed responsibility for a bombing near Jerusalem. A suspected suicide bomber killed one Palestinian, wounded eight others, and wounded seven Israelis. It's not known if the dead man was the bomber.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld appears at a news conference in Afghanistan with President Hamid Karzai. Rumsfeld saluted Afghanistan's success in the run-up to October election. More than nine million people are registered to vote there.

Now to the Philippines, none of that kissy-kissy stuff anymore in public for President Arroyo. The only man she wants kissing her from now on is her husband. She says unknown admirers have been kissing her on both cheeks, and she's just had enough.

O'BRIEN: Need to introduce them to the air kiss or something.

Well, if you're a woman soccer fan, you will not doubt be watching Olympics, as the U.S. team challenge the hometown Greece Goddesses.

Let's dial up our picture perfect live shot from Athens, the Acropolis looming over his shoulder, our own Socrates himself, Michael Holmes.

Hello, Michael.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Miles. Don't tell anyone we're actually in Atlanta in the studio next to you.

O'BRIEN: Don't start that. It's a green screen.

HOLMES: It's true, we could get into trouble. No, we are here. That is the Parthenon. It is gorgeous, especially at this time of night, an amazing setting. It does look unreal.

Now sport, you're right. The football already under way. The opening ceremony is not until Friday night, but there are some sports under way. Mia Hamm and the girls have been playing the locals. And last we heard, that match still going on, but the U.S. women's soccer team was 2-nil up. So a good start for them in these preliminary rounds that are under way.

Tomorrow, the Greek men are going to be playing South Africa. Sorry, that's also tonight. That's going to be in a little while from now.

And tomorrow, the Iraqi soccer team, which did very well, by the way, in recent Asian games, they're going to be playing Portugal. That's going to be a pretty tough start for them. So yes, sports already under way. We've got a taste of it actually today.

Miles, what's going to happen during the Olympics themselves, we're in the center of the city, and apparently the men cyclists were having a bit of a test of the road course for the cycling events and virtually the whole center of the city shut down. We got some good spectator views of them whizzing by, but the traffic was murder there for a while.

Ticket sales are going pretty well, 89,000 sold yesterday. There's still 2.5 million to go, however. So plenty of tickets for your favorite sport, Miles, the synchronized swimming, I'll get you a couple.

And also Greek officials are telling us they're not that worried about that, they're worried about the 4.5 billion television that's going to be audience out there, because that's where their future tourists are -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Michael Holmes, just quickly, I noted yesterday about that wonderful picture postcard live shot. I saw you afterward and you got a few good pictures. You going to share those with us, of you in front of the Parthenon?

HOLMES: I only just heard that you guys were still watching us there when -- after we did our live shot. We pulled out our little cameras.

O'BRIEN: Yes, we did.

HOLMES: We were playing tourists.

O'BRIEN: Next time I see you, send me a couple of those digitals, send me an e-mail, will you. And have fun. Enjoy the big show.

HOLMES: Will do. OK.

O'BRIEN: Michael Holmes. And we'll be checking with him all throughout.

(MARKET REPORT)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com