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Abu Ayyub al-Masri Steps Up as Most Wanted in Iraq; Vatican Wants to Reword Parts of Mass; First Zambian Golfer Competes in U.S. Open

Aired June 15, 2006 - 14:30   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. military believes this is the face of the heir apparent to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. He's a senior al Qaeda leader in Iraq, a wanted man in his own right.
Our busy Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is back with the other story that's happening from the Pentagon today. She's got some insight.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Kyra. We are still, of course, outside here, where the ceremony has just concluded, dedicating the groundbreaking of the 9/11 memorial here at the Pentagon. A very moving ceremony. We showed you it all a little bit earlier, and we will come back to that a little later in the afternoon. '

But, there's been plenty of news in the war on terror today. Earlier today in Baghdad, as you say, the U.S. military unveiled what they say is the next most wanted face in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, an Egyptian man that they firmly believe now is controlling al Qaeda in Iraq, the successor to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

This man, more information coming out about him. He is an Egyptian. He met Zarqawi in 2001 in Afghanistan's terrorist training camps, where he trained in explosives and weapons and other expertise, then went to Iraq and began al Qaeda in Iraq. There, they believe, he now is, in their words, the senior operational commander for al Qaeda in Iraq; that he is controlling operations, especially in southern Iraq. But they are still very cautious about this assessment, because they say there well -- may well be a power struggle going on in inside that organization, following Zarqawi's death.

There are other people, certainly, they're keeping an eye on. But they put this picture out today. They say he's now the man they want. And, of course, they want the world to know what he looks like, so if the troops or the Iraqis see him, they'll know who they have -- Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Barbara Starr, just outside the Pentagon today for us. Thank you.

Well, it's been a rough spring for al Qaeda in Iraq. Its leader is killed by American bombs and now word of confiscated documents that could potentially shut down the terror network for good. That's the hope of the Iraqi government, anyway. U.S. generals are a bit more reserved about the papers and computers picked up in a raid some weeks ago. They do say the new information led them to Abu Musab al- Zarqawi.

Well, it's been more than 30 years since American Catholics switched from the Latin mass to English. Now the Vatican says the U.S. translation isn't quite up to snuff, and it wants to correct the wording. But some U.S. bishops are not too happy about these new orders from headquarters.

CNN's faith and values correspondent Delia Gallagher joins me now from New York. Well, what -- why is the concern about changing the words?

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN FAITH AND VALUES CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think the concern is twofold, Kyra. I mean, these are words, as you said, that Catholics have been saying for the last 30 years, every Sunday at Mass. They're ingrained on the minds of any Catholic grade schoolchild. They're automatic responses. And some of the bishops have said this is going to cause confusion amongst average Catholics and cause headaches for us who have to sort of retrain them in some of the responses.

The greater question, I think, here is the fact that this is something that the Vatican wants and that the bishops are saying, we have this translation, we believe it works, some of them, and we want to stick by it. So it's really a question more of the independence of the American Catholic Church and the American bishops as against the Vatican.

This is the debate that's be been going on for a long time in Vatican circles. And there are some who have never been happy with the original translation. They think that going back to a translation which is a little bit closer to the Latin is preferable. And then there are those who say, no, we have an American culture, we have our language, and we should be allowed to express it in our way. So, this is the tug-of-war that's been going on, that's going to culminate in this vote tonight with the bishops.

PHILLIPS: So if you look at the wording, the first part, OK, right now, it says, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you." And it would become, "Lord, I'm not worthy that you should enter under my roof."

GALLAGHER: Yes, exactly. This is a prime example. I mean, Lord, I am not worthy to receive you is said before Communion. Every Catholic knows it. And so this is something that the Vatican would like to see reflect more the Latin, "entering under my roof."

The other one that I think you have there is the standard, "peace be with you," and the response is, "and also with you." But the Latin, actually, talks about spirit and with your spirit. And, therefore, the Vatican says, we want you to go back to using "and with your spirit."

So, these are changes that would be -- would be amends, on the one hand, and on the other hand, would be a sort of going back to what the original Mass was in the Latin. And that's where the problem is, for some people. PHILLIPS: Have there been major changes to Mass before?

GALLAGHER: No. Since the original translation in about 1973, that's been the standard missal. I mean, some people would say there are changes every week, because priests put in sometimes words that they would like to use, rather than the words that are in the -- in the missal. And that's something that the Vatican also pointed out. Said, you know, it's not just a question of the translation, according to the Latin, it's a question of adding in things and not remaining sort of what they would call faithful to the text. And this is something that's very important to Pope Benedict. And you're seeing it coming out now, coming to a head in this bishops' meeting.

PHILLIPS: Delia Gallagher, peace be with you.

GALLAGHER: And with your spirit.

PHILLIPS: Thank you.

Well, live pictures from the White House. President Bush creating the world's largest marine sanctuary. It will protect the northwestern Hawaiian islands, covering almost 140,000 square miles of largely uninhabited islands, atolls, Pacific waters and coral reef colonies. The ecosystem supports 7,000 species, including endangered monk seals and nesting green sea turtles.

Well, it's safe to say that when sports fans think of Zambia, well, they don't really think of golf. But one man wants to change that. He's the first player from Zambia ever to play in the U.S. Open. We're going to hear his pretty amazing story when LIVE FROM returns.

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PHILLIPS: Well, he's not expected to win the U.S. Open, but he's made history just by showing up. No, not Larry Smith, but a golfer that he wants to tell us about. He joins us live from New York.

Oh you like that one? OK, I'll credit our writer for that, Larry. Now, listen, when we heard Zambia, OK, we thought, oh OK, World Cup soccer. No.

LARRY SMITH, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Right, right. It's a country that is, I mean, known for soccer, so it's kind of surprising that he would be a golfer. So many great stories here at the U.S. Open, golfers from different backgrounds, different countries, all vying for a major championship, and now the story of Madalitso Muthiya.

He is the first golfer from Zambia ever to compete in the U.S. Open, Zambia an African nation of 11 million people, only 17 golf courses in the entire country, and a per capita income of $9,000.

Now, Muthiya says his family was middle class by Zambian standards, but they received that level of status due to his father's sacrifice. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MADALITSO MUTHIYA, ZAMBIAN GOLFER: My father, I guess, he always sacrificed a lot just to have -- to provide for his kids, and so that he made sure that his kids are the best of everything, you know, because his father was a gardener, you know, in the colonial era, and so he grew up out of that. And he was, you know -- out of eight children, he was the only educated one.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SMITH: Well, it's wonderful to watch the excitement on his face on the first tee this morning about 9:00 Eastern time. He learned his golf swing first from his father, and later from watching veteran champions on satellite TV, guys like Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, and as for his tools of the trade ...

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MUTHIYA: I got my first set of clubs when I was 9. It was just something my dad had gathered from different people. They were actually almost like -- they were junior's clubs, almost like ladies' clubs. They were really. They had, like, pink grips.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SMITH: Well, Muthiya's father passed away when the 23-year-old was attending college in New Mexico, and so as we talked to him about Father's Day and Tiger Woods, and what that would mean to him this week, certainly just being here, is special for him.

Not a great day today, but then again, very few golfers are doing very well. Only one golfer in the clubhouse right now under par. That is Colin Montgomerie. Phil Mickelson vying for his third straight major victory, he is even par in the clubhouse. Vijay Singh one over par. He is also done for the day.

Tiger Woods, talking about him, not a very good start. He bogeyed his first three holes so he is three over par after three holes and, again, trying to comeback after a nine-week layoff that he took time off due to his father's death. Let's go back to you.

PHILLIPS: Well, Larry, it sounds like Muthiya, just like Tiger Woods, inspired by his father, father really gave everything to help him get to where he is. I'm curious, does he still have those clubs with the pink grips?

SMITH: You know, that's one thing that he did not talk about. We were curious about that, if he did, but it was funny talking about it and how he related it, and said that he was such a big soccer fan growing up, of course, because Zambia is such a big soccer nation.

And his father had his own set of golf clubs in the corner and that is what got him intrigued. He really got into golf though when he took his father's club, hit a ball, and broke a window, and he was hooked from that point on. A typical boy, all boy. PHILLIPS: Yes, exactly. Hey, I guess he hit the target. We'll follow him, Larry.

SMITH: All right.

PHILLIPS: Thanks so much.

SMITH: OK.

PHILLIPS: Well, hot, dry and windy -- a triple threat for firefighters out West. A forest fire has come close to five subdivisions near Flagstaff, Arizona. About 200 people cleared out overnight and will likely be out of their homes another day as crews work to keep that fire contained.

More people are getting out ahead of those flames in Colorado, and just south of Denver, a wildfire doubled in size overnight. Another near Dinosaur National Monument has grown to 3,700 acres.

Severe drought has forced one New Mexico city to ban fireworks another 30 days. That means the Fourth of July spectacular, well, in Santa Fe, will be changed.

Well, what the West needs the Atlantic seaboard has gotten in abundance. Rain from what's left in Alberto or from Alberto, rather. This was Virginia Beach last evening before the storm moved out to sea. Flood warnings are still out in some of those areas.

Anymore hot spots? Well, our meteorologist Reynolds Wolf is watching the weather for us. Hey, Reynolds.

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PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, entertain news with A.J. Hammer of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." A.J., what's on tap?

A.J. HAMMER, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Well, Kyra, the issue doesn't land in any stores until tomorrow, but I have it right here, the new "People" magazine with their hottest bachelor list. I'll reveal who is at the top of that list.

Also the American Film Institute has its most inspirational films list, and a funny man clicks into the red carpet channel.

I'll have all the details when LIVE FROM continues.

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PHILLIPS: Well, who among us can say that we've never stuck our foot in our mouth. Still, not many of us have kicked our tonsils with network cameras rolling.

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GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Peter, are you going to ask that question with shades on?

PETER WALLSTEN, "LOS ANGELES TIMES" REPORTER: I can take them off.

BUSH: No, I'm interested in the shade look, seriously here.

WALLSTEN: All right. I'll keep it then.

BUSH: For the viewers, there's no sun.

WALLSTEN: I guess that depends on your perspective.

BUSH: OK. Touche.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, Mr. Bush later learned that that reporter, Peter Wallsten of the "Los Angeles Times," is legally blind. He called to apologize, but Wallsten says that he didn't think that was necessary. But he did have one complaint: the president never answered his question.

Well, off the hook and on the runway, Kate Moss, informed by Britain's crown prosecutors that he won't be charged with using illegal drugs. Moss was questioned after British tabloids ran photos of her allegedly snorting cocaine in London last year, but authorities say they have no forensic evidence to back that up. Moss reportedly checked into a U.S. rehab clinic after those pictures appeared.

Who is the hottest bachelor right now, and what's the most inspiring movie? A.J. Hammer has the answers to both of those questions in today's entertainment report. I know that you's on the cover of that "People" magazine, A.J.

HAMMER: Not a chance. I'm not prematurely gray yet. That another guy on CNN.

PHILLIPS: We can fix that.

HAMMER: Yes, that's a different CNN guy.

Yes, well, six months ago, Taylor Hicks, just some young guy with gray hair. And today he happens to be the newest "American Idol" champ. And he is also "People" magazine's number one hottest bachelor. And that must mean being prematurely gray is in. He's only 29 years old and he told "People" magazine that one day he would love to settle down, but in the meantime, you can hear the soul patrol's brand new single, "Do I Make You Proud?" The hot "People" issue will be on newsstands tomorrow.

Well, comedian and new father Adam Sandler got off the couch last night to attend the premiere of the new comedy "Click," which he stars in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ADAM SANDLER, ACTOR: I love a lot of the issues in the movie. A guy is just working and working and working and not -- unable to enjoy his life and unable to enjoy, you know, his wife and his kids and his parents.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: It was probably from too much channel surfing. And Michael Newman's remote control breaks. Well, when he brings home the new clicker, he can magically fast-forward, pause and rewind his personal life. Wouldn't that be nice? "Click" opens nationwide on June 23rd.

And if you can't make it into the theater this coming weekend, here's some great uplifting films that you can rent. The American Film Institute has released its list of the most inspirational films of all time. And number one on their list, Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life." The classic came out in 1946. "To Kill a Mockingbird," starring Gregory Peck from 1962, their second Oscar- winning selection.

And Oscar winner -- Oscar-winning director, rather, Steven Spielberg, three pictures in the top ten on this list. His Holocaust drama "Schindler's List" in the third spot, the heartwarming flick "E.T.: The Extraterrestrial," a movie everybody loves, in at number six. And the World War II drama "Saving Private Ryan" rounds out the top ten.

And I have to say, Kyra, I took a look at the list. "Ishtar" and "Gigli" nowhere to be found.

PHILLIPS: Yes, so -- "Gigli." That was like one of the best movies ever made, right?

HAMMER: Who knew?

PHILLIPS: Don't think so. All right, what else is coming?

HAMMER: Well, wait, do you have a pick for most inspirational film?

PHILLIPS: Ooh, boy.

HAMMER: I know, I'm putting you on the spot here.

PHILLIPS: Well, "Steel Magnolias." Actually, we were just talking about that movie the other day. That's the first one that came to my mind. But all those that you mentioned are all fantastic.

HAMMER: Yes. And we can feel inspired from that. And you can -- feel inspired from what's coming up on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," because we have some inspirational stars to talk about tonight, in the line of fire. From climbing up the tree to getting soldiers better helmets, we're going to be talking about why the big stars are really going over the top for a cause. But the question is, are they really having an impact? We'll get into it all on TV's most provocative entertainment news hour tonight. It's "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," 11:00 p.m. on CNN Headline Prime.

I always loved "Fried Green Tomatoes."

PHILLIPS: Oh, that's a good -- hey, I own that one. That's a good -- you know, I'm going way, way, way, back now. "Brian's Song." Remember that?

HAMMER: I do remember that. Very good choice.

PHILLIPS: There you go.

HAMMER: I'm writing my letter to AFI right now to suggest it for next year.

PHILLIPS: All right, A.J. We'll see you later.

HAMMER: Thanks, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, she's only been back for four days. Now actress Angelina Jolie sits down with our Anderson Cooper for her first U.S. interview. In this "A.C. 360" exclusive, she talks about her passions for helping refugees, her role as a U.N. special ambassador and, of course, her new baby. Next Tuesday night, as part of CNN's World Refugee Day coverage, you can see the whole conversation on a special edition of "ANDERSON COOPER 360" beginning at 10:00 Eastern.

A celebrity, a protest and a walnut tree. It's an odd combination. So Tuesday when CNN's Tony Harris reported that actress Daryl Hannah had been arrested in Los Angeles, Comedy Central's Jon Stewart took notice.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON STEWART, HOST, "THE DAILY SHOW": I'm at my desk, you know what I mean, and I'm doing the crossword puzzle on the computer. And I do one of these: huh? Apparently actress Daryl Hannah tied herself to a tree to protest the destruction of a 14-acre public garden in Los Angeles. Here's what happened next...

TONY HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They are going to forcibly remove actress Daryl Hannah from the walnut tree.

STEWART: They are going to forcibly remove actress Daryl Hannah from the walnut tree. It's not a sentence you hear a lot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, Jon can laugh all he wants, but Hannah believes that she was making a serious point. Come on, Jon. So back on terra firma, she made a call to CNN's Larry King and talked about the protest.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR: Did you have any trepidation?

DARYL HANNAH, ACTRESS: Did I have any trepidation?

KING: Yes.

HANNAH: You know, it's interesting. I thought that it would be a lot more nerve-racking than it was. I mean, there were definitely -- it was definitely a rollercoaster ride. But, in fact, when you're taking a principled stand, there's a sort of calm that comes over you. And that sort of overrides any kind of, you know, trepidation or fear.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: And you can see "LARRY KING LIVE" every weeknight on CNN, beginning at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. Pacific.

She's known for outrageous outfits. Well, now Cher is focused on what soldier's wear. That story ahead on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's an absolutely priceless feeling. It's extremely rewarding. So we're excited. The girls are doing exceptionally well. They have tolerated the operation without any problem.

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PHILLIPS: Well, doctors in L.A. are optimistic about Regina and Renata, 10-month-old twin sisters. They were born connected from their lower chest to their pelvis. Get this. A team of 80 doctors worked overnight to separate them. And optimism aside, it could be months before they're given the all clear. We do expect to get a live update this hour. We'll bring it to you when it happens.

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