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CNN Live Today
Presidential Poll; The Aftermath of Hurricane Jeanne; Crude Oil Hits $50 a Barrel; Prisoner Abuse Update
Aired September 28, 2004 - 10:59 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.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, good morning. It's 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 8:00 a.m. in the West. From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen, in for Daryn Kagan.
Let's begin with politics, shall we? The candidates are practicing and polishing ahead of this week's presidential debate. And a fresh survey shows John Kerry has a lot to prove to the American people Thursday night.
The CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll gives President Bush an eight- point advantage among likely voters. Perhaps more telling, the survey gives Bush higher marks on the economy, Iraq and terrorism.
National correspondent Frank Buckley is with the Kerry campaign in the battleground state of Wisconsin this morning and joins us with the latest.
Hi there.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Betty.
These are tough new poll numbers for Senator Kerry, and really emphasize how important this upcoming debate is on Thursday for Senator Kerry. You mentioned some of the so-called horse race numbers, but if you look deeper within the poll, there are some other troubling numbers for Senator Kerry as well. One of them is the job approval rating.
Any challenger wants the incumbent's job approval rating to be below 50 percent. In this case, President Bush's job approval rating is 54 percent. And even with a margin of error, plus or minus three, that's troubling news for Senator Kerry.
On some of the issues that Senator Kerry believes should be winners for him, you mentioned Iraq, you mentioned the economy. There's some troubling new there as well.
On the question of who can better handle relations with other countries, this is something that Senator Kerry has talked about a great deal. Bush is ahead 52 percent to Kerry's 44 percent.
Still, Senator Kerry believes as he continues to campaign that a majority of voters do want a change in the direction of the country. Here's what he's saying about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When I got here to Wisconsin yesterday, at Madison, a guy said to me, "You know, I want to vote for you, but a lot of people are asking this question: 'Can we change horses in midstream?'" And I said to him, "You know, when your horse is headed down towards the water falls or when your horse is drowning, it's a good time to change horses in midstream, folks."
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: So that got a good applause -- a good applause line at that town hall meeting yesterday here in Wisconsin. But here again on this question, some troubling news for Senator Kerry in the new CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll. To the question, "Would the candidate move the country in the right direction?" Fifty-four percent President Bush would move the candidate in the right direction, and only 44 percent said Senator Kerry would.
The Kerry campaign dismisses this poll. It says this poll is out of sync with other polls -- other recent polls. And they believe that the debate this Thursday will help to crystallize the issues and will help them as they continue to make the argument against President Bush and for Senator Kerry -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Frank, despite the Kerry camp's dismissal of some of the poll numbers, are they indeed, though, affecting his practice as it leads up to the debates on Thursday?
BUCKLEY: Could you repeat the question, Betty? I'm sorry.
NGUYEN: That's all right. I was asking that, despite the dismissal by the Kerry camp on some of these polls that are out, do you think, indeed, though, that they are having some kind of effect on Kerry as he practices for the upcoming debate on Thursday?
BUCKLEY: Well, certainly they are aware of the numbers. They, again, believe that this polling isn't necessarily consistent with other polling. However, you look at "The Washington Post" today, they had some similar numbers.
So clearly they are -- are going to be tweaking their arguments somewhat. But they believe that the last two weeks they have made some inroads.
They have started to chip away at President Bush's post- convention bounce. And their view is that by the time we get close to Election Day, it is going to be a very close race. In fact, the Republican side would concede this, that by the time you get close to Election Day, it is going to be a very close election, and they believe at the end of the day that their arguments will win over the American voters.
NGUYEN: And we'll see more of those arguments on Thursday at those debates. Frank Buckley, thank you for that. President Bush plans a low-key day at his Texas ranch. He spent two days practicing in a mock debate, and even broke away for campaign events in Ohio.
Aides say Bush will spend today crystallizing his thoughts for the debate and sharpening his zingers, like this one.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's been a little tough to prepare for the debates because he keeps changing his positions.
(LAUGHTER)
BUSH: Especially on the war. I mean, after all, he voted for the use of force but against funding the troops. He said that we're not spending enough money to reconstruct Iraq, yet now says we're spending too much.
He said it was the right decision to go into Iraq. Yet now he calls it the wrong war. I think he can spend 90 minutes debating himself.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: At the half hour, we will talk with "INSIDE POLITICS" host Judy Woodruff about the presidential debates. And a reminder. You can see the first debate live on CNN Thursday night.
In other news, President Bush has requested another $7 billion in emergency aid to help in the recovery from Hurricane Jeanne. The remnants of Jeanne are expected to move into the mid Atlantic states today, and the storm is leaving behind a trail of misery, especially in Florida.
CNN's Ed Lavandera joins us from Melbourne, Florida, with the latest on Jeanne's aftermath.
Good morning, Ed.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you can bet there are thousands of Florida residents who will be counting on that aid money to help them rebuild here in the state of Florida after two hurricanes hit this particular area of Florida in less than a month. You know, many people here were not even done cleaning up after Hurricane Frances. In fact, in many of the neighborhoods you see mounds of debris stacked up because of that storm, and now there's more to clean up.
You know, but here people are just getting back to the basics, trying to find the water and ice that they desperately need. There have been FEMA crews and Salvation Army crews around the area here in Melbourne, passing out ice and water to the residents that still need it.
We understand there's a little less than a million people without power in the state of Florida still. And we're told that even though that number was closer to two million yesterday, they have been restoring a lot of power. For the people that don't have power at this point, it could take up to three weeks to make sure that -- until everyone is back on line with electricity.
So with the sun out, the temperature blazing again, tempers are short and people are desperately trying to get their lives back in order as quickly as they can. You know, many of these -- of these residents, we've heard time and time again over the last couple of days, that there's this weariness and depression setting in because of the beating these people feel that they have taken over the last -- over the last month. And they're just hoping that all of this wears out as soon as possible.
But you know, the ice and water is definitely something that helps get them through these situations -- get them through this situation as best they can -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Now, you mentioned that emotional side of these storms. Are there crews there available to help with that, the anguish from having to deal with four hurricanes?
LAVANDERA: You know, I think there are. You know, we talked to one guy yesterday who was working an overnight shift at a hospital. He's a FEMA guy who had come up from Miami to help out. And he says that, you know, in the days after, not in the immediate time right after the hurricane strikes, but several days after, they start seeing kind of a surge of people checking into the hospital.
And a lot of it is stress related, he was telling me. And you know, again, it goes back to this point. It's the heat, the temperature, they don't know what they're going to do next. You know, the aid money also takes while to get back into, so there's just a lot of pressures.
NGUYEN: Yes, emotional stress. CNN's Ed Lavandera, thank you so much, from Melbourne, Florida, this morning.
The remnants of Jeanne caused flooding in Georgia and spawned tornadoes in South Carolina. We want to get an update on what's left of this storm. Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras joins us from the weather center with all of that.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: The Saudis are pledging to pump up production today after oil prices passed the $50 mark a barrel. CNN financial correspondent Mary Snow checks in now from New York this with the latest on this.
MARY SNOW, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Betty.
And you know, the news out of Saudi Arabia, say traders, helped ease the market a bit. But right now, crude futures are trading just a few pennies below that all-important psychological mark of $50 a barrel.
Overnight, prices had hit $50.47 a barrel. We have seen a bit of easing, not that much. And traders are saying that they expect volatility.
There are a number of concerns about supplies. The latest one being threats out of Nigeria, with rebel leaders threatening to attack oil facilities and oil employees, oil company employees. And Nigeria's the fifth largest supplier of oil to the United States.
That comes on top of other concerns that have already been out there, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and also the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. This, as really the Gulf of Mexico still feeling the effects in terms of refineries and oil drillers because the government says about 29 percent of oil production is still not back up to full speed.
So that has also squeezed supplies. That has been driving the price of oil higher.
Now, what traders say you can expect tomorrow, the next potential catalyst, when the government releases its statistics on inventory levels. And what they are saying, though, is that -- no one I've talked to, at least, really expects any kind of dramatic decline in the price of oil any time soon. The big question is, how high will it go -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Hopefully not too much higher. All right. Mary Snow, thank you.
More insurgent battles in Iraq today as the U.S. military targets a suspected terrorist hideout. We have those details straight ahead.
Also, re-opening an old chapter in the Iraqi prison abuse scandal. CNN's Barbara Starr joins us with the latest in just a moment.
And defense attorneys for Scott Peterson suggests his wife's murder may have been a case of mistaken identity. We're live from the courthouse with the latest.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: In today's report from Iraq, two British soldiers are dead after suspected insurgents ambushed the convoy in Basra. The British military says the convoy came under small arms fire on the southwestern outskirts of the city. So far, 68 British have died in Iraq since the war began.
U.S. jets dropped bombs again overnight outside Fallujah. The pair of 500-pound laser-guided bombs were aimed at targets where the terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is suspected of operating. Fallujah police say there are three dead and nine hurt. American planes have been pounding Zarqawi forces in Fallujah for several weeks now.
As the family of British hostage Kenneth Bigley begs for help, British Prime Minister Tony Blair is said to be doing all he can to help free him. But Blair still insists his government will not negotiate with Bigley's kidnappers. The 62-year-old engineer was abducted 12 days ago, along with two Americans, both beheaded last week.
And a top U.S. military official says there is a general lack of understanding in the U.S. on how the war is going. General John Abizaid of the U.S. Central Command visited troops near Baquba today. In an interview, he told CNN that TV images out of Iraq are "almost always negative images, as opposed to the significant and positive steps that are taken."
Well, there have been several disturbing stories recently about prisoner abuse in Afghanistan. Charges have been filed and several investigations are ongoing. Now more on the alleged abuses are coming to light. More information on those abuses.
For that, we go to CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.
Hi there, Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Betty. Well, indeed, Army officials say this time it was the news media that brought them new evidence of a possible murder in Afghanistan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STARR (voice-over): In March 2003, at a checkpoint near Gardez, U.S. troops arrest eight Afghan soldiers. They are taken to a Special Forces compound. It is alleged that within days, 18-year-old Jamal Naseer is dead and seven others beaten and tortured.
The Army closed its investigation into those allegations for lack of evidence. But suddenly, it has been re-opened because of two reporters working for the "Los Angeles Times." "The Times" took new information to the Army after seeing this Afghan investigator's report.
MARK MAZZETTI, "LOS ANGELES TIMES": Their accounts were that they essentially were tortured, that they had electric shocks put to their feet and they were hung from the ceiling. And that they, over 17 days, underwent some pretty severe beatings.
STARR: Army investigators are asking Special Forces soldiers who were in Gardez why, according to sources, they didn't seem to know anything about it the first time around. Military abuse investigations continue to grow.
Three Navy SEALS are now charged in connection with a detainee's death in Mosul, Iraq, in April 2004. And four First Calvary Division soldiers are charged with murder of four Iraqi civilians in two separate incidents in Baghdad.
MAZZETTI: Maybe after maybe five months since Abu Ghraib broke the Pentagon still needs to get to the very bottom of it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STARR (on camera): And Betty, according to military statistics, more than 50 detainees have died in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan. And about 19 of those death cases are still pending -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Very interesting. CNN's Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Thank you for that.
Here is what's making news overseas in this morning's "World Wrap."
Moscow police reportedly have solved the murder of a prominent journalist. A Russian news agency says police are holding two Chechens in connection with the murder of Paul Klebnikov, the editor of "Forbes" Russia magazine. He is a critic of organized crime and was gunned down near his Moscow office in July.
In Thailand, health officials confirm another death due to bird flu. Recently, the country has seen a new outbreak of the disease. Officials say the victim could have caught the disease from her daughter. The World Health Organization is downplaying fears that the disease could be transmitted person to person.
Well, new testimony emerging in court about Scott Peterson's past.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Ted Rowlands, live in Redwood City, California. Peterson had more girlfriends than just Amber Frey. And the defense thinks that helps prove his innocence. We'll have that story coming up.
NGUYEN: Also, growing concern over supply and demand are driving up oil prices. Is there relief in sight? We will have the latest just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: This just in to CNN. There has been a home day care center shooting in Detroit. According to affiliate WDIV in Detroit, a man walked into a home licensed day care center on Detroit's west side this morning and started shooting. That man is still on the loose. He's being sought by police.
According to reports, the man asked if the home was a day care center, and then he started firing shots. One person is dead, according to police. Two wounded.
One of the wounded is a child. The condition of that child is not known. But again, a man has walked into a day care center on Detroit's west side, opened fire, killing one person. Two people are injured, including a child.
We of course will have the latest on this when it becomes available to us.
The lead detective is back for a third day of cross-examination today in Scott Peterson's double murder trial. CNN correspondent Ted Rowlands is at the courthouse in Redwood City, California, with the latest.
Hi there, Ted.
ROWLANDS: Hi, Betty.
When court resumes here in about 45 minutes, detective Craig Grogan will be back on the stand, enduring more questioning from defense attorney Mark Geragos. Yesterday, when Grogan was on the stand, Geragos told the jury that Amber Frey was not the first girlfriend that Scott Peterson had while he was married to Laci Peterson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS (voice-over): Jurors were riveted as they learned that Scott Peterson had been cheating on his wife Laci since the first year of their marriage. With lead detective Craig Grogan on the stand, defense attorney Mark Geragos decided to provide jurors with new details of Peterson's infidelity, including a story about one girlfriend who didn't know Peterson was married and caused a scene when she walked in on Scott and Laci in bed.
Peterson told another woman he was separated, according to testimony. And she didn't find out the real story until meeting Laci at Scott's college graduation.
One of Laci's friends told investigators that the Petersons were not having sex because of her pregnancy. The defense theory is that Scott Peterson did not kill his wife because of the now well-known affair with Amber Frey.
DEAN JOHNSON, LEGAL ANALYST: Now they want to point out that, look, this has happened over and over and over again. It's never been a motive for murder before. Why should it be a motive for murder now?
ROWLANDS: Earlier, Geragos disputed the suggestion that a reference to Laci in the past tense by Peterson was incriminating. Laci's mother, brother and sister, according to Geragos, did the same thing in media interviews less than a week after Laci disappeared.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS (on camera): The two other women were not identified in court, and it is unclear whether or not they will be called as witnesses for either side. Detective Grogan is expected to be back on the stand for a sixth day when court resumes here in about 40 minutes -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right. CNN's Ted Rowlands, thank you.
We are going to take a short break. We'll be right back with more of CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: I'm Betty Nyugen in Atlanta. Let's check what's happening now in the news for Tuesday, September 28.
The remnants of Hurricane Jeanne are bringing heavy rain to the mid Atlantic states this hour. More than 1.5 million customers remain without power in Florida, where Jeanne struck Saturday night with 120 mile-an-hour winds.
The new $50 bill is in circulation today. The updated currency features pastel tones to compliment the green and black color scheme. The changes are designed to make counterfeiting more difficult.
And a legal dustup over Barry Bonds' 700-homerun ball. The fan who has possession of it is being sued by another man who claims the ball was snatched from his grasp during a mad scramble. The ball could be worth thousands of dollars in auction.
And Paul Hamm says he got a good hearing. A sports court in Switzerland will decide whether he keeps the gymnastics all-around Olympic gold medal. Officials say a scoring mistake cost the South Korean competitor the gold.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
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Aired September 28, 2004 - 10:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, good morning. It's 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 8:00 a.m. in the West. From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen, in for Daryn Kagan.
Let's begin with politics, shall we? The candidates are practicing and polishing ahead of this week's presidential debate. And a fresh survey shows John Kerry has a lot to prove to the American people Thursday night.
The CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll gives President Bush an eight- point advantage among likely voters. Perhaps more telling, the survey gives Bush higher marks on the economy, Iraq and terrorism.
National correspondent Frank Buckley is with the Kerry campaign in the battleground state of Wisconsin this morning and joins us with the latest.
Hi there.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Betty.
These are tough new poll numbers for Senator Kerry, and really emphasize how important this upcoming debate is on Thursday for Senator Kerry. You mentioned some of the so-called horse race numbers, but if you look deeper within the poll, there are some other troubling numbers for Senator Kerry as well. One of them is the job approval rating.
Any challenger wants the incumbent's job approval rating to be below 50 percent. In this case, President Bush's job approval rating is 54 percent. And even with a margin of error, plus or minus three, that's troubling news for Senator Kerry.
On some of the issues that Senator Kerry believes should be winners for him, you mentioned Iraq, you mentioned the economy. There's some troubling new there as well.
On the question of who can better handle relations with other countries, this is something that Senator Kerry has talked about a great deal. Bush is ahead 52 percent to Kerry's 44 percent.
Still, Senator Kerry believes as he continues to campaign that a majority of voters do want a change in the direction of the country. Here's what he's saying about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When I got here to Wisconsin yesterday, at Madison, a guy said to me, "You know, I want to vote for you, but a lot of people are asking this question: 'Can we change horses in midstream?'" And I said to him, "You know, when your horse is headed down towards the water falls or when your horse is drowning, it's a good time to change horses in midstream, folks."
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: So that got a good applause -- a good applause line at that town hall meeting yesterday here in Wisconsin. But here again on this question, some troubling news for Senator Kerry in the new CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll. To the question, "Would the candidate move the country in the right direction?" Fifty-four percent President Bush would move the candidate in the right direction, and only 44 percent said Senator Kerry would.
The Kerry campaign dismisses this poll. It says this poll is out of sync with other polls -- other recent polls. And they believe that the debate this Thursday will help to crystallize the issues and will help them as they continue to make the argument against President Bush and for Senator Kerry -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Frank, despite the Kerry camp's dismissal of some of the poll numbers, are they indeed, though, affecting his practice as it leads up to the debates on Thursday?
BUCKLEY: Could you repeat the question, Betty? I'm sorry.
NGUYEN: That's all right. I was asking that, despite the dismissal by the Kerry camp on some of these polls that are out, do you think, indeed, though, that they are having some kind of effect on Kerry as he practices for the upcoming debate on Thursday?
BUCKLEY: Well, certainly they are aware of the numbers. They, again, believe that this polling isn't necessarily consistent with other polling. However, you look at "The Washington Post" today, they had some similar numbers.
So clearly they are -- are going to be tweaking their arguments somewhat. But they believe that the last two weeks they have made some inroads.
They have started to chip away at President Bush's post- convention bounce. And their view is that by the time we get close to Election Day, it is going to be a very close race. In fact, the Republican side would concede this, that by the time you get close to Election Day, it is going to be a very close election, and they believe at the end of the day that their arguments will win over the American voters.
NGUYEN: And we'll see more of those arguments on Thursday at those debates. Frank Buckley, thank you for that. President Bush plans a low-key day at his Texas ranch. He spent two days practicing in a mock debate, and even broke away for campaign events in Ohio.
Aides say Bush will spend today crystallizing his thoughts for the debate and sharpening his zingers, like this one.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's been a little tough to prepare for the debates because he keeps changing his positions.
(LAUGHTER)
BUSH: Especially on the war. I mean, after all, he voted for the use of force but against funding the troops. He said that we're not spending enough money to reconstruct Iraq, yet now says we're spending too much.
He said it was the right decision to go into Iraq. Yet now he calls it the wrong war. I think he can spend 90 minutes debating himself.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: At the half hour, we will talk with "INSIDE POLITICS" host Judy Woodruff about the presidential debates. And a reminder. You can see the first debate live on CNN Thursday night.
In other news, President Bush has requested another $7 billion in emergency aid to help in the recovery from Hurricane Jeanne. The remnants of Jeanne are expected to move into the mid Atlantic states today, and the storm is leaving behind a trail of misery, especially in Florida.
CNN's Ed Lavandera joins us from Melbourne, Florida, with the latest on Jeanne's aftermath.
Good morning, Ed.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you can bet there are thousands of Florida residents who will be counting on that aid money to help them rebuild here in the state of Florida after two hurricanes hit this particular area of Florida in less than a month. You know, many people here were not even done cleaning up after Hurricane Frances. In fact, in many of the neighborhoods you see mounds of debris stacked up because of that storm, and now there's more to clean up.
You know, but here people are just getting back to the basics, trying to find the water and ice that they desperately need. There have been FEMA crews and Salvation Army crews around the area here in Melbourne, passing out ice and water to the residents that still need it.
We understand there's a little less than a million people without power in the state of Florida still. And we're told that even though that number was closer to two million yesterday, they have been restoring a lot of power. For the people that don't have power at this point, it could take up to three weeks to make sure that -- until everyone is back on line with electricity.
So with the sun out, the temperature blazing again, tempers are short and people are desperately trying to get their lives back in order as quickly as they can. You know, many of these -- of these residents, we've heard time and time again over the last couple of days, that there's this weariness and depression setting in because of the beating these people feel that they have taken over the last -- over the last month. And they're just hoping that all of this wears out as soon as possible.
But you know, the ice and water is definitely something that helps get them through these situations -- get them through this situation as best they can -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Now, you mentioned that emotional side of these storms. Are there crews there available to help with that, the anguish from having to deal with four hurricanes?
LAVANDERA: You know, I think there are. You know, we talked to one guy yesterday who was working an overnight shift at a hospital. He's a FEMA guy who had come up from Miami to help out. And he says that, you know, in the days after, not in the immediate time right after the hurricane strikes, but several days after, they start seeing kind of a surge of people checking into the hospital.
And a lot of it is stress related, he was telling me. And you know, again, it goes back to this point. It's the heat, the temperature, they don't know what they're going to do next. You know, the aid money also takes while to get back into, so there's just a lot of pressures.
NGUYEN: Yes, emotional stress. CNN's Ed Lavandera, thank you so much, from Melbourne, Florida, this morning.
The remnants of Jeanne caused flooding in Georgia and spawned tornadoes in South Carolina. We want to get an update on what's left of this storm. Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras joins us from the weather center with all of that.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: The Saudis are pledging to pump up production today after oil prices passed the $50 mark a barrel. CNN financial correspondent Mary Snow checks in now from New York this with the latest on this.
MARY SNOW, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Betty.
And you know, the news out of Saudi Arabia, say traders, helped ease the market a bit. But right now, crude futures are trading just a few pennies below that all-important psychological mark of $50 a barrel.
Overnight, prices had hit $50.47 a barrel. We have seen a bit of easing, not that much. And traders are saying that they expect volatility.
There are a number of concerns about supplies. The latest one being threats out of Nigeria, with rebel leaders threatening to attack oil facilities and oil employees, oil company employees. And Nigeria's the fifth largest supplier of oil to the United States.
That comes on top of other concerns that have already been out there, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and also the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. This, as really the Gulf of Mexico still feeling the effects in terms of refineries and oil drillers because the government says about 29 percent of oil production is still not back up to full speed.
So that has also squeezed supplies. That has been driving the price of oil higher.
Now, what traders say you can expect tomorrow, the next potential catalyst, when the government releases its statistics on inventory levels. And what they are saying, though, is that -- no one I've talked to, at least, really expects any kind of dramatic decline in the price of oil any time soon. The big question is, how high will it go -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Hopefully not too much higher. All right. Mary Snow, thank you.
More insurgent battles in Iraq today as the U.S. military targets a suspected terrorist hideout. We have those details straight ahead.
Also, re-opening an old chapter in the Iraqi prison abuse scandal. CNN's Barbara Starr joins us with the latest in just a moment.
And defense attorneys for Scott Peterson suggests his wife's murder may have been a case of mistaken identity. We're live from the courthouse with the latest.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: In today's report from Iraq, two British soldiers are dead after suspected insurgents ambushed the convoy in Basra. The British military says the convoy came under small arms fire on the southwestern outskirts of the city. So far, 68 British have died in Iraq since the war began.
U.S. jets dropped bombs again overnight outside Fallujah. The pair of 500-pound laser-guided bombs were aimed at targets where the terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is suspected of operating. Fallujah police say there are three dead and nine hurt. American planes have been pounding Zarqawi forces in Fallujah for several weeks now.
As the family of British hostage Kenneth Bigley begs for help, British Prime Minister Tony Blair is said to be doing all he can to help free him. But Blair still insists his government will not negotiate with Bigley's kidnappers. The 62-year-old engineer was abducted 12 days ago, along with two Americans, both beheaded last week.
And a top U.S. military official says there is a general lack of understanding in the U.S. on how the war is going. General John Abizaid of the U.S. Central Command visited troops near Baquba today. In an interview, he told CNN that TV images out of Iraq are "almost always negative images, as opposed to the significant and positive steps that are taken."
Well, there have been several disturbing stories recently about prisoner abuse in Afghanistan. Charges have been filed and several investigations are ongoing. Now more on the alleged abuses are coming to light. More information on those abuses.
For that, we go to CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.
Hi there, Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Betty. Well, indeed, Army officials say this time it was the news media that brought them new evidence of a possible murder in Afghanistan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STARR (voice-over): In March 2003, at a checkpoint near Gardez, U.S. troops arrest eight Afghan soldiers. They are taken to a Special Forces compound. It is alleged that within days, 18-year-old Jamal Naseer is dead and seven others beaten and tortured.
The Army closed its investigation into those allegations for lack of evidence. But suddenly, it has been re-opened because of two reporters working for the "Los Angeles Times." "The Times" took new information to the Army after seeing this Afghan investigator's report.
MARK MAZZETTI, "LOS ANGELES TIMES": Their accounts were that they essentially were tortured, that they had electric shocks put to their feet and they were hung from the ceiling. And that they, over 17 days, underwent some pretty severe beatings.
STARR: Army investigators are asking Special Forces soldiers who were in Gardez why, according to sources, they didn't seem to know anything about it the first time around. Military abuse investigations continue to grow.
Three Navy SEALS are now charged in connection with a detainee's death in Mosul, Iraq, in April 2004. And four First Calvary Division soldiers are charged with murder of four Iraqi civilians in two separate incidents in Baghdad.
MAZZETTI: Maybe after maybe five months since Abu Ghraib broke the Pentagon still needs to get to the very bottom of it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STARR (on camera): And Betty, according to military statistics, more than 50 detainees have died in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan. And about 19 of those death cases are still pending -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Very interesting. CNN's Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Thank you for that.
Here is what's making news overseas in this morning's "World Wrap."
Moscow police reportedly have solved the murder of a prominent journalist. A Russian news agency says police are holding two Chechens in connection with the murder of Paul Klebnikov, the editor of "Forbes" Russia magazine. He is a critic of organized crime and was gunned down near his Moscow office in July.
In Thailand, health officials confirm another death due to bird flu. Recently, the country has seen a new outbreak of the disease. Officials say the victim could have caught the disease from her daughter. The World Health Organization is downplaying fears that the disease could be transmitted person to person.
Well, new testimony emerging in court about Scott Peterson's past.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Ted Rowlands, live in Redwood City, California. Peterson had more girlfriends than just Amber Frey. And the defense thinks that helps prove his innocence. We'll have that story coming up.
NGUYEN: Also, growing concern over supply and demand are driving up oil prices. Is there relief in sight? We will have the latest just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: This just in to CNN. There has been a home day care center shooting in Detroit. According to affiliate WDIV in Detroit, a man walked into a home licensed day care center on Detroit's west side this morning and started shooting. That man is still on the loose. He's being sought by police.
According to reports, the man asked if the home was a day care center, and then he started firing shots. One person is dead, according to police. Two wounded.
One of the wounded is a child. The condition of that child is not known. But again, a man has walked into a day care center on Detroit's west side, opened fire, killing one person. Two people are injured, including a child.
We of course will have the latest on this when it becomes available to us.
The lead detective is back for a third day of cross-examination today in Scott Peterson's double murder trial. CNN correspondent Ted Rowlands is at the courthouse in Redwood City, California, with the latest.
Hi there, Ted.
ROWLANDS: Hi, Betty.
When court resumes here in about 45 minutes, detective Craig Grogan will be back on the stand, enduring more questioning from defense attorney Mark Geragos. Yesterday, when Grogan was on the stand, Geragos told the jury that Amber Frey was not the first girlfriend that Scott Peterson had while he was married to Laci Peterson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS (voice-over): Jurors were riveted as they learned that Scott Peterson had been cheating on his wife Laci since the first year of their marriage. With lead detective Craig Grogan on the stand, defense attorney Mark Geragos decided to provide jurors with new details of Peterson's infidelity, including a story about one girlfriend who didn't know Peterson was married and caused a scene when she walked in on Scott and Laci in bed.
Peterson told another woman he was separated, according to testimony. And she didn't find out the real story until meeting Laci at Scott's college graduation.
One of Laci's friends told investigators that the Petersons were not having sex because of her pregnancy. The defense theory is that Scott Peterson did not kill his wife because of the now well-known affair with Amber Frey.
DEAN JOHNSON, LEGAL ANALYST: Now they want to point out that, look, this has happened over and over and over again. It's never been a motive for murder before. Why should it be a motive for murder now?
ROWLANDS: Earlier, Geragos disputed the suggestion that a reference to Laci in the past tense by Peterson was incriminating. Laci's mother, brother and sister, according to Geragos, did the same thing in media interviews less than a week after Laci disappeared.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS (on camera): The two other women were not identified in court, and it is unclear whether or not they will be called as witnesses for either side. Detective Grogan is expected to be back on the stand for a sixth day when court resumes here in about 40 minutes -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right. CNN's Ted Rowlands, thank you.
We are going to take a short break. We'll be right back with more of CNN LIVE TODAY.
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NGUYEN: I'm Betty Nyugen in Atlanta. Let's check what's happening now in the news for Tuesday, September 28.
The remnants of Hurricane Jeanne are bringing heavy rain to the mid Atlantic states this hour. More than 1.5 million customers remain without power in Florida, where Jeanne struck Saturday night with 120 mile-an-hour winds.
The new $50 bill is in circulation today. The updated currency features pastel tones to compliment the green and black color scheme. The changes are designed to make counterfeiting more difficult.
And a legal dustup over Barry Bonds' 700-homerun ball. The fan who has possession of it is being sued by another man who claims the ball was snatched from his grasp during a mad scramble. The ball could be worth thousands of dollars in auction.
And Paul Hamm says he got a good hearing. A sports court in Switzerland will decide whether he keeps the gymnastics all-around Olympic gold medal. Officials say a scoring mistake cost the South Korean competitor the gold.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
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