Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Colorado Blizzard Grounds Travelers; Bush and Sharon Discuss Israeli Pullout; Gas Prices Expected to Decrease
Aired April 11, 2005 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Here's our friend Daryn at the CNN Center.
How are you, Daryn? Good morning.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Good morning. Good to have you back here in the states, Bill. Good to see you Soledad. You guys have a great day in New York City.
We want to show you some breaking news that we're watching right now in New York City. This is New York's Central Park, a building on fire. The fire department is on the scene, as we understand it. This is a building near 61 Street and Central Park South. Fire spokesman says the building either has offices or storage space for the park's workers. It was evacuated. No cause being reported right now. And no injuries reported as well. We'll keep our eye on that.
Also, let's look at what's happening now in the news.
Travel will be slow in the West today, after a Colorado blizzard left as much as two feet of snow in some areas. Parts of two interstates are closed and more delays and cancellations out of Denver's airport are likely. We'll have a live update on the conditions in a couple of minutes.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in Texas today. He'll be meeting with President Bush. The president is expected to stress U.S. objections to a planned Jewish settlement expansion. The Israeli government wants to build 3,500 new housing units in the West Bank. The plans have angered Palestinians.
A Senate panel is right now holding a hearing on John Bolton's nomination to be U.N. ambassador. Democrats promise to fight the nomination and some former intelligence officers are expected to testify Bolton tried to intimidate them to skew intelligence.
A Florida congresswoman says sex offenders should be tattooed on their foreheads. Representative Jeannine Brown Waite is holding a news conference this morning. The father and grandmother of Jessica Lunsford are joining her. Police say a registered sex offender confessed to abducting and killing the 9-year-old girl.
Good morning to you on this Monday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.
We're going to start with severe spring weather, twisters in the Plains, a snowstorm in the Rockies, a familiar springtime sight in that region. But one that has also disrupted the nation's air travel. The blizzard has dumped up to two feet of snow in parts of Colorado. Whiteout conditions made travel treacherous on Sunday. Interstate 25 has reopened but a section of I-70 is still shut down.
How about the Denver International Airport? It has been virtually shut down since Saturday night. Flights have also been canceled out of the Colorado Springs Airport. Hundreds of travelers were stranded, many stretched out on couches or on the floor. So the snowstorm in Colorado is actually having a domino effect on travelers all across the country.
Our Sean Callebs is in Denver with the latest on the snow. We have Jacqui Jeras here tracking our storm from the weather center.
Sean, you look colder, we'll start with you.
(LAUGHTER)
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's not that bad, believe it or not. It could be much worse out here. But look at the snow here in Denver. It's about a foot deep in Denver. Up in the more elevated areas, significantly worse. They expect about 30 inches of snow in some areas. And this isn't file tape. I mean this is three weeks into spring. So it's something.
Now, the secondary roads, this is pretty much the condition. A lot of slush. The temperature just around freezing. And here in Denver they don't put salt on the roads. They put some kind of mix of sand and whatnot to give drivers some traction. Daryn, you talked about the driving conditions out there. I-25 is now reopened. Yesterday a huge chunk from the town of Pueblo, that's about two hours south of Denver all the way to the Mexico border shut down.
But the bigger problem, I-70, that's still shut down. However, they expect it is going to open this morning, that's out in the Plains area. The big problem, winds are whipping across there and causing some snowdrifts and also some very bad icy patches in that region as well. The Denver Airport, all flights yesterday, virtually shut down. There were some international flights that were allowed to land yesterday, but no flights going out.
The good news is the airport says it hopes for normal flight pattern today. But with all the delays yesterday, it's going to be a big day of playing catch-up. So it's simply a mess out there.
Now, Daryn, anybody who spends some time out here, you know usually there's no humidity here. So usually you get this light, fluffy snow. Well, not this time. And spring when the snow comes down, it comes down very thick, so it's heavy. Brought down some power lines yesterday, about 11,000 homes without power. But for the most part it has been restored -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Sean Callebs, got to get work on aim there, my friend. I think you missed our camera, unless you meaning to do that on purpose.
CALLEBS: Well, I didn't want to hit the guy. KAGAN: OK. We'll check with you the next hour. Thank you.
Well, it's not just Colorado. Also Kansas, extreme weather took an all too familiar form there. A storm chaser captured not one, but five tornadoes touching down around the town of Russell. Remarkably, there are no reports of injuries or damage because the twisters tore through open areas. So a lot of folks watching what's happening in the Midwest, across the Plains, in the West.
Jacqui Jeras is here to look at Monday.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: Right now, though, we want to tell you about breaking news coming in from the Associated Press. An Amber Alert has been issued in the state of New Jersey. It's for a 4-month-old girl. Police saying that the father -- potentially the father of the 4- month-old girl shot another man and then fled with the baby and her mother. They believe that the man is a man named Almutah Saunders. He along with the baby's mother, Erica Turner in a 2001 gray silver Honda accord, New Jersey plates.
Once again, they could possibly be headed to the George Washington Bridge. And believe the man might be carrying a weapon. An Amber Alert issued in the state of New Jersey for a 4-month-old girl. We'll continue to track that.
Meanwhile, we head to Texas. Later this hour, President Bush welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to his Texas ranch. Mr. Bush expected to show strong report for Israel's vow to remove from Jewish settlers from Gaza and parts of the West Bank this summer. That plan has outraged many Israelis.
Our John Vause has the view from Jerusalem and our Elaine Quijano is near the Bush ranch in Crawford.
Elaine, we're going to start with you. It's not just Israelis that are enraged. Palestinians are enraged by some Mr. Sharon's plans as well. Good morning.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Good morning to you, Daryn. President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon may not agree on every issue, specifically the issue of expanding Jewish settlements. But today, we're expecting the two leaders to focus largely on what they can agree on. As you mentioned, Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza.
Now, the plan itself is a plan that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is taking a lot of political heat for. There are opposition groups firmly entrenched against the idea. So Mr. Sharon today is going to be seeking some very public assurances from the U.S. Assurances that he has received in the past from President Bush, that the United States stands behind the idea.
Now, the plan itself calls for removing troops and thousands of Jewish settlers from Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip. Twenty- one in that area and four in the West Bank, that is said to take place about three months from now. But complicating the picture is Israel's recent call to develop land just east of Jerusalem that the Palestinians claim is theirs.
Now, the United States has made clear that those plans are at odds with American policy, specifically the Roadmap for Peace, as outlined by President Bush a few years ago. But while the president says he does intend to take up the issue of Jewish settlers today with Mr. Sharon, Mr. Bush also wants to give the prime minister the latitude that he needs and the leeway that he needs in order to carry out the Gaza withdrawal successfully.
Now, at the same time, President Bush will also urge Prime Minister Sharon to work closely with the Palestinian government, the new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. But Israelis have complained that Abbas has not been effective enough in dismantling and disarming terrorist groups. Nevertheless, some see this as a prime opportunity, a chance to move the peace process forward -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Elaine Quijano in Texas, thank you.
Prime Minister Sharon is likely to face his toughest opposition from within. Jewish extremists are vowing to sabotage a pullout in any way possible. At the center is the holy site claimed by both Jews and Muslims. Israeli demonstrators tried to enter Jerusalem's Temple Mount yesterday. They were turned back, but more protests are all but certain.
Let's go now to Jerusalem and our John Vause. John, hello.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. Ariel Sharon will use that demonstration as an example to the president of the kind of pressure that he's facing at home over the disengagement plan. Over the last few weeks, there have been protests across Israel, demonstrators blocking traffic on major highways. There have even been death threats against the prime minister and other government officials.
Now, while the number of Israelis oppose this Gaza withdrawal are, in fact, in the minority, they have said that they will increase their protests as the disengagement day draws here, scheduled to start in July this year.
And the Israeli military says it will soon begin collecting government-issued weapons from settlers. Now, these are mostly automatic weapons that were given out to protect settlers from Palestinian militants. However, a number of settlers, in particular in the West Bank, have said they'll not give up those weapons. They say they still need those weapons from protection from the Palestinians.
Now, Israeli intelligence believes the most troubled, the most confrontation between the army and the settlers, and their supporters could well be in the West Bank. Although settler leaders have promised that their demonstrations and their resistance will be nonviolent. In the meantime, Palestinians will be watching closely what happens at Crawford. They want the U.S. to pressure Israel about that planned expansion of the Maale Adummim settlement just outside of Jerusalem. As we heard from Elaine, the Israeli government planning an extra 3,500 housing unit there.
Now, the Palestinians are saying that if that construction goes ahead, it will effectively cut off the predominately Arab east Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank, ending their hopes to make east Jerusalem the capitol of the future Palestinian state. Palestinian are saying if that goes ahead, then the two-state solution will no longer be viable -- Daryn.
KAGAN: John Vause from Jerusalem. John, thank you.
And now the fight for Iraq. That country's newly elected president says he expects U.S. troops will be withdrawn within two years. Jalal al Talabani tells CNN that two years should be long enough for Iraqi forces to assume control from the 140,000 troops now trying to secure the country. Over the weekend, thousands of Iraqi protesters gathered to urge that withdrawal.
Today, hundreds of U.S. and Iraqi forces combine for the biggest Baghdad raid in weeks. The sweep led to the detention of at least 65 suspected insurgents in the Baghdad neighborhood. One Iraqi soldier was injured, but no American casualties have been reported.
Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, an SUV slams into a car on the Ohio turnpike and the match up sends one man literally over the edge.
Plus, did you see this yesterday? An amazing stroke by Tiger Woods earns him another coveted green jacket. Hear what he has to say about playing without his dad there by his side on the greens.
But first, people across the U.S. are shelling out big bucks for gas. Others say stop your whining! We'll tell you who they are, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: All right, buckle up. We're continuing to focus on the effects of high gasoline prices. The latest Lundberg survey shows pump prices have hit a new record. Yes, it's true. The nationwide average is $2.29 a gallon. You won't find a lot of sympathy overseas, however.
CNN's Chris Huntington has that story from New York.
The Europeans are like, "Get over yourselves, Americans!"
CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You're not kidding. Any of us who have been to Europe or spoken to European friends or relatives recently know that we don't get a whole lot of sympathy when we moan about our high gasoline prices.
Let's take look at some of the prices that folks on the continent are paying right now. Now, this is computed by the U.S. Department of Energy in U.S. dollars per gallon of unleaded premium, which is closer to the standard in Europe. But take a look at the prices there. Across Europe, well into the high fives, in the Netherlands, nearly $6.50 a gallon. And of course, here in the United States you're lucky if you can find unleaded premium for $2.40.
Now, most of you probably already knew this. One thing that's interesting though, is taking a look at the prices if you exclude taxes, if you exclude taxes and you're talking about just the underlying cost of the fuel, we actually pay near the high end of the range.
In fact, the only countries that pay more for the underlying cost of the basic fuel are Italy and the Netherlands. The United Kingdom, of course, Great Britain paying considerably less.
The weaker dollar does play a factor in all of this, Daryn. Oil, crude oil in particular is denominated in dollars around the world. And so if you are in a country that is dominated by another currency, that is strong against the dollar, chance are you can do a little bit better in what it costs for basic fuel.
Now, Back to the United States and some of the effects that higher prices are having, it's interesting. The Department of Energy is not seeing any pullback in the demand for gasoline. But already, the automobile makers are starting to report a change in demand on the car lots. Ford, very significantly on Friday, dramatically reducing its earnings forecast for the entire year by close to 30 percent, and citing the fact that it's big SUV sales are tanking.
The big classic truck-based SUVs are not selling well at all. And that is a huge factor for Ford, because there's a huge, huge markup on those big vehicles. General Motors, same situation. In fact, GM is expected to report a loss for the first quarter. On the other side of the equation, there is anecdotal evidence that folks are getting a premium for hybrid cars. In fact, even used hybrid cars.
We just took a look at ebaymotors.com and saw a list for a 2004 Prius hatchback for 25.5. The car actually lists for considerably less than that. So far the best bid on that car, at least that we can see, was a little more than $18,000. But the point is, Daryn, while people may not be changing their driving habits, there does seem to be at least incremental evidence that people are beginning to think differently about that next car.
KAGAN: Yes. And you know, gas prices are one of those things that you might go ahead and blow that same amount of money someplace else. But because it's something you have to face almost every day, it ticks you off. It's a reminder of things getting more expensive.
HUNTINGTON: Now, it could get cheaper in the next, oh, about three weeks from now. Look for it to get cheaper, because crude oil prices came down very sharply last week. There's about a two-week lag between the prices in crude oil trading pits and what you see at the retail gas pumps. But crude oil prices down nearly $5 last week. So you should see a drop in gasoline prices about two weeks out from now. KAGAN: Just in time for them to say hey, it's summer season. We have to raise them because everybody's on the roads.
Chris Huntington, thank you.
Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, a serious crash on the Ohio turnpike sends a person literally over the edge. Details on this video just ahead.
Plus, Gerri Willis is here.
We're talking about saving some money. Aren't we, Ger?
GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: We are. If prices are sending you over the edge, we're going to have some tips for saving money when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Right now, we're going to talk about saving you some money. Are you missing bargains because you're not on the ball? Timing is everything when you're looking for the best deals on vacations or major purchases, or even filling up your car.
Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis is here with today's "Top Five Tips."
Gerri, good morning.
WILLIS: Good morning, Daryn. Good to see you. Tip No. 1, avoid the computer crunch. If junior's going to college this fall, you're probably thinking where am I going to buy the laptop? And how much am I going to have to pay? If you watch prices on laptops at all you know that in July, some of the big computer makers put on big sales for students. Typically, for example, companies like Dell put on a $700 sale for laptops in July. But you can get them cheaper right now.
Six hundred and fifty dollars will buy you a Dell laptop and a free printer right now. Six ninety-nine at Gateway gets you a free wireless router, in addition to the laptop. So it pays to pay attention to when you're buying.
Also, check out these two websites, fatwallet.com, techbargains.com can help you figure this all out. And Daryn, you know another good time to buy is when a company puts out new models, the old models go on sale.
KAGAN: Ah, good tip. Now, we were just talking with Chris Huntington about gas prices. Is there a best time of day or best time of the week to fill up your car?
WILLIS: Well, this is really interesting. Apparently, about 10:00 a.m. East Coast Times, all the major oil producers start changing prices on gas. So gas prices are rising, so about mid morning, you see the change start to take effect. So get up early, fill up your tank first thing and maybe you can avoid those price increases.
Also, keep in mind, and you probably already know this, Daryn, weekends, prices are very high. You're best off buying -- filling her up Tuesday and Wednesday during the week.
KAGAN: Very good tip. Well, what about the car itself? Is there a good time to buy a car?
WILLIS: Well, you may have heard this, too. I think this is interesting. You've got to watch out when the dealers want to get the cars off the lot. Fall say great time to buy. When they bring in those new models they want to get rid of the old. Nobody buys in December. That's a great time to buy because you can really negotiate for the best price. And of course, at the end of the month, because dealers are trying to meet their sales targets.
Another tip here that I think is important, everybody is all about the rebates. They are so excited about the rebates. but don't make your decision solely based on that. Take this clue. Take any rebate worth $2,000 as a clue that you can really negotiate on price. So rebates tell you more than just the money you can save on face value.
KAGAN: What if you need the new, big appliance and you're not going on a game show?
(LAUGHTER)
WILLIS: Well, you could shop around particularly in the winter, because that's when the big sales are on for things like refrigerators, for example. And that's when you can get the best deal. So make sure you shop seasonally. Most people are buying in the spring, when they buy the new house.
KAGAN: And then finally, hitting -- you just came back from vacation, didn't you?
WILLIS: No. Not...
KAGAN: No? OK.
WILLIS: Looking forward to that, but it hasn't happened yet, Daryn.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: But anyhow, if you're looking forward to vacation, even better.
WILLIS: Yes.
KAGAN: Timing, again, can help you get some bargains.
WILLIS: Well, we always talk about vacationing out of season. It's always a good idea to travel when others are not. And right now, that means that Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico, are on sale because people are just coming back from there.
Europe always great to travel there in the early spring and late fall, because the summer months are so expensive and really crowded. It's pleasant ant to go to Europe in the fall or in the spring. Keep an eye out on prices, travel when people don't. And you know, put that gas in your tank in the morning, early, so you can get the very best price.
KAGAN: I've got a lot of adjustments to make here. Gerri Willis, thank you for your tips.
WILLIS: You're welcome.
KAGAN: Cardinal Bernard Law is taking center stage at a special Mass today. But his role is sparking serious controversy among some Catholics. We'll tell you why.
Plus, they have now exchanged their vows and said, "I do." Now, new photos from the royal wedding.
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 April 11, 2005 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Here's our friend Daryn at the CNN Center.
How are you, Daryn? Good morning.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Good morning. Good to have you back here in the states, Bill. Good to see you Soledad. You guys have a great day in New York City.
We want to show you some breaking news that we're watching right now in New York City. This is New York's Central Park, a building on fire. The fire department is on the scene, as we understand it. This is a building near 61 Street and Central Park South. Fire spokesman says the building either has offices or storage space for the park's workers. It was evacuated. No cause being reported right now. And no injuries reported as well. We'll keep our eye on that.
Also, let's look at what's happening now in the news.
Travel will be slow in the West today, after a Colorado blizzard left as much as two feet of snow in some areas. Parts of two interstates are closed and more delays and cancellations out of Denver's airport are likely. We'll have a live update on the conditions in a couple of minutes.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in Texas today. He'll be meeting with President Bush. The president is expected to stress U.S. objections to a planned Jewish settlement expansion. The Israeli government wants to build 3,500 new housing units in the West Bank. The plans have angered Palestinians.
A Senate panel is right now holding a hearing on John Bolton's nomination to be U.N. ambassador. Democrats promise to fight the nomination and some former intelligence officers are expected to testify Bolton tried to intimidate them to skew intelligence.
A Florida congresswoman says sex offenders should be tattooed on their foreheads. Representative Jeannine Brown Waite is holding a news conference this morning. The father and grandmother of Jessica Lunsford are joining her. Police say a registered sex offender confessed to abducting and killing the 9-year-old girl.
Good morning to you on this Monday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.
We're going to start with severe spring weather, twisters in the Plains, a snowstorm in the Rockies, a familiar springtime sight in that region. But one that has also disrupted the nation's air travel. The blizzard has dumped up to two feet of snow in parts of Colorado. Whiteout conditions made travel treacherous on Sunday. Interstate 25 has reopened but a section of I-70 is still shut down.
How about the Denver International Airport? It has been virtually shut down since Saturday night. Flights have also been canceled out of the Colorado Springs Airport. Hundreds of travelers were stranded, many stretched out on couches or on the floor. So the snowstorm in Colorado is actually having a domino effect on travelers all across the country.
Our Sean Callebs is in Denver with the latest on the snow. We have Jacqui Jeras here tracking our storm from the weather center.
Sean, you look colder, we'll start with you.
(LAUGHTER)
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's not that bad, believe it or not. It could be much worse out here. But look at the snow here in Denver. It's about a foot deep in Denver. Up in the more elevated areas, significantly worse. They expect about 30 inches of snow in some areas. And this isn't file tape. I mean this is three weeks into spring. So it's something.
Now, the secondary roads, this is pretty much the condition. A lot of slush. The temperature just around freezing. And here in Denver they don't put salt on the roads. They put some kind of mix of sand and whatnot to give drivers some traction. Daryn, you talked about the driving conditions out there. I-25 is now reopened. Yesterday a huge chunk from the town of Pueblo, that's about two hours south of Denver all the way to the Mexico border shut down.
But the bigger problem, I-70, that's still shut down. However, they expect it is going to open this morning, that's out in the Plains area. The big problem, winds are whipping across there and causing some snowdrifts and also some very bad icy patches in that region as well. The Denver Airport, all flights yesterday, virtually shut down. There were some international flights that were allowed to land yesterday, but no flights going out.
The good news is the airport says it hopes for normal flight pattern today. But with all the delays yesterday, it's going to be a big day of playing catch-up. So it's simply a mess out there.
Now, Daryn, anybody who spends some time out here, you know usually there's no humidity here. So usually you get this light, fluffy snow. Well, not this time. And spring when the snow comes down, it comes down very thick, so it's heavy. Brought down some power lines yesterday, about 11,000 homes without power. But for the most part it has been restored -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Sean Callebs, got to get work on aim there, my friend. I think you missed our camera, unless you meaning to do that on purpose.
CALLEBS: Well, I didn't want to hit the guy. KAGAN: OK. We'll check with you the next hour. Thank you.
Well, it's not just Colorado. Also Kansas, extreme weather took an all too familiar form there. A storm chaser captured not one, but five tornadoes touching down around the town of Russell. Remarkably, there are no reports of injuries or damage because the twisters tore through open areas. So a lot of folks watching what's happening in the Midwest, across the Plains, in the West.
Jacqui Jeras is here to look at Monday.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: Right now, though, we want to tell you about breaking news coming in from the Associated Press. An Amber Alert has been issued in the state of New Jersey. It's for a 4-month-old girl. Police saying that the father -- potentially the father of the 4- month-old girl shot another man and then fled with the baby and her mother. They believe that the man is a man named Almutah Saunders. He along with the baby's mother, Erica Turner in a 2001 gray silver Honda accord, New Jersey plates.
Once again, they could possibly be headed to the George Washington Bridge. And believe the man might be carrying a weapon. An Amber Alert issued in the state of New Jersey for a 4-month-old girl. We'll continue to track that.
Meanwhile, we head to Texas. Later this hour, President Bush welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to his Texas ranch. Mr. Bush expected to show strong report for Israel's vow to remove from Jewish settlers from Gaza and parts of the West Bank this summer. That plan has outraged many Israelis.
Our John Vause has the view from Jerusalem and our Elaine Quijano is near the Bush ranch in Crawford.
Elaine, we're going to start with you. It's not just Israelis that are enraged. Palestinians are enraged by some Mr. Sharon's plans as well. Good morning.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. Good morning to you, Daryn. President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon may not agree on every issue, specifically the issue of expanding Jewish settlements. But today, we're expecting the two leaders to focus largely on what they can agree on. As you mentioned, Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza.
Now, the plan itself is a plan that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is taking a lot of political heat for. There are opposition groups firmly entrenched against the idea. So Mr. Sharon today is going to be seeking some very public assurances from the U.S. Assurances that he has received in the past from President Bush, that the United States stands behind the idea.
Now, the plan itself calls for removing troops and thousands of Jewish settlers from Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip. Twenty- one in that area and four in the West Bank, that is said to take place about three months from now. But complicating the picture is Israel's recent call to develop land just east of Jerusalem that the Palestinians claim is theirs.
Now, the United States has made clear that those plans are at odds with American policy, specifically the Roadmap for Peace, as outlined by President Bush a few years ago. But while the president says he does intend to take up the issue of Jewish settlers today with Mr. Sharon, Mr. Bush also wants to give the prime minister the latitude that he needs and the leeway that he needs in order to carry out the Gaza withdrawal successfully.
Now, at the same time, President Bush will also urge Prime Minister Sharon to work closely with the Palestinian government, the new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. But Israelis have complained that Abbas has not been effective enough in dismantling and disarming terrorist groups. Nevertheless, some see this as a prime opportunity, a chance to move the peace process forward -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Elaine Quijano in Texas, thank you.
Prime Minister Sharon is likely to face his toughest opposition from within. Jewish extremists are vowing to sabotage a pullout in any way possible. At the center is the holy site claimed by both Jews and Muslims. Israeli demonstrators tried to enter Jerusalem's Temple Mount yesterday. They were turned back, but more protests are all but certain.
Let's go now to Jerusalem and our John Vause. John, hello.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. Ariel Sharon will use that demonstration as an example to the president of the kind of pressure that he's facing at home over the disengagement plan. Over the last few weeks, there have been protests across Israel, demonstrators blocking traffic on major highways. There have even been death threats against the prime minister and other government officials.
Now, while the number of Israelis oppose this Gaza withdrawal are, in fact, in the minority, they have said that they will increase their protests as the disengagement day draws here, scheduled to start in July this year.
And the Israeli military says it will soon begin collecting government-issued weapons from settlers. Now, these are mostly automatic weapons that were given out to protect settlers from Palestinian militants. However, a number of settlers, in particular in the West Bank, have said they'll not give up those weapons. They say they still need those weapons from protection from the Palestinians.
Now, Israeli intelligence believes the most troubled, the most confrontation between the army and the settlers, and their supporters could well be in the West Bank. Although settler leaders have promised that their demonstrations and their resistance will be nonviolent. In the meantime, Palestinians will be watching closely what happens at Crawford. They want the U.S. to pressure Israel about that planned expansion of the Maale Adummim settlement just outside of Jerusalem. As we heard from Elaine, the Israeli government planning an extra 3,500 housing unit there.
Now, the Palestinians are saying that if that construction goes ahead, it will effectively cut off the predominately Arab east Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank, ending their hopes to make east Jerusalem the capitol of the future Palestinian state. Palestinian are saying if that goes ahead, then the two-state solution will no longer be viable -- Daryn.
KAGAN: John Vause from Jerusalem. John, thank you.
And now the fight for Iraq. That country's newly elected president says he expects U.S. troops will be withdrawn within two years. Jalal al Talabani tells CNN that two years should be long enough for Iraqi forces to assume control from the 140,000 troops now trying to secure the country. Over the weekend, thousands of Iraqi protesters gathered to urge that withdrawal.
Today, hundreds of U.S. and Iraqi forces combine for the biggest Baghdad raid in weeks. The sweep led to the detention of at least 65 suspected insurgents in the Baghdad neighborhood. One Iraqi soldier was injured, but no American casualties have been reported.
Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, an SUV slams into a car on the Ohio turnpike and the match up sends one man literally over the edge.
Plus, did you see this yesterday? An amazing stroke by Tiger Woods earns him another coveted green jacket. Hear what he has to say about playing without his dad there by his side on the greens.
But first, people across the U.S. are shelling out big bucks for gas. Others say stop your whining! We'll tell you who they are, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: All right, buckle up. We're continuing to focus on the effects of high gasoline prices. The latest Lundberg survey shows pump prices have hit a new record. Yes, it's true. The nationwide average is $2.29 a gallon. You won't find a lot of sympathy overseas, however.
CNN's Chris Huntington has that story from New York.
The Europeans are like, "Get over yourselves, Americans!"
CHRIS HUNTINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You're not kidding. Any of us who have been to Europe or spoken to European friends or relatives recently know that we don't get a whole lot of sympathy when we moan about our high gasoline prices.
Let's take look at some of the prices that folks on the continent are paying right now. Now, this is computed by the U.S. Department of Energy in U.S. dollars per gallon of unleaded premium, which is closer to the standard in Europe. But take a look at the prices there. Across Europe, well into the high fives, in the Netherlands, nearly $6.50 a gallon. And of course, here in the United States you're lucky if you can find unleaded premium for $2.40.
Now, most of you probably already knew this. One thing that's interesting though, is taking a look at the prices if you exclude taxes, if you exclude taxes and you're talking about just the underlying cost of the fuel, we actually pay near the high end of the range.
In fact, the only countries that pay more for the underlying cost of the basic fuel are Italy and the Netherlands. The United Kingdom, of course, Great Britain paying considerably less.
The weaker dollar does play a factor in all of this, Daryn. Oil, crude oil in particular is denominated in dollars around the world. And so if you are in a country that is dominated by another currency, that is strong against the dollar, chance are you can do a little bit better in what it costs for basic fuel.
Now, Back to the United States and some of the effects that higher prices are having, it's interesting. The Department of Energy is not seeing any pullback in the demand for gasoline. But already, the automobile makers are starting to report a change in demand on the car lots. Ford, very significantly on Friday, dramatically reducing its earnings forecast for the entire year by close to 30 percent, and citing the fact that it's big SUV sales are tanking.
The big classic truck-based SUVs are not selling well at all. And that is a huge factor for Ford, because there's a huge, huge markup on those big vehicles. General Motors, same situation. In fact, GM is expected to report a loss for the first quarter. On the other side of the equation, there is anecdotal evidence that folks are getting a premium for hybrid cars. In fact, even used hybrid cars.
We just took a look at ebaymotors.com and saw a list for a 2004 Prius hatchback for 25.5. The car actually lists for considerably less than that. So far the best bid on that car, at least that we can see, was a little more than $18,000. But the point is, Daryn, while people may not be changing their driving habits, there does seem to be at least incremental evidence that people are beginning to think differently about that next car.
KAGAN: Yes. And you know, gas prices are one of those things that you might go ahead and blow that same amount of money someplace else. But because it's something you have to face almost every day, it ticks you off. It's a reminder of things getting more expensive.
HUNTINGTON: Now, it could get cheaper in the next, oh, about three weeks from now. Look for it to get cheaper, because crude oil prices came down very sharply last week. There's about a two-week lag between the prices in crude oil trading pits and what you see at the retail gas pumps. But crude oil prices down nearly $5 last week. So you should see a drop in gasoline prices about two weeks out from now. KAGAN: Just in time for them to say hey, it's summer season. We have to raise them because everybody's on the roads.
Chris Huntington, thank you.
Still to come on CNN LIVE TODAY, a serious crash on the Ohio turnpike sends a person literally over the edge. Details on this video just ahead.
Plus, Gerri Willis is here.
We're talking about saving some money. Aren't we, Ger?
GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: We are. If prices are sending you over the edge, we're going to have some tips for saving money when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Right now, we're going to talk about saving you some money. Are you missing bargains because you're not on the ball? Timing is everything when you're looking for the best deals on vacations or major purchases, or even filling up your car.
Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis is here with today's "Top Five Tips."
Gerri, good morning.
WILLIS: Good morning, Daryn. Good to see you. Tip No. 1, avoid the computer crunch. If junior's going to college this fall, you're probably thinking where am I going to buy the laptop? And how much am I going to have to pay? If you watch prices on laptops at all you know that in July, some of the big computer makers put on big sales for students. Typically, for example, companies like Dell put on a $700 sale for laptops in July. But you can get them cheaper right now.
Six hundred and fifty dollars will buy you a Dell laptop and a free printer right now. Six ninety-nine at Gateway gets you a free wireless router, in addition to the laptop. So it pays to pay attention to when you're buying.
Also, check out these two websites, fatwallet.com, techbargains.com can help you figure this all out. And Daryn, you know another good time to buy is when a company puts out new models, the old models go on sale.
KAGAN: Ah, good tip. Now, we were just talking with Chris Huntington about gas prices. Is there a best time of day or best time of the week to fill up your car?
WILLIS: Well, this is really interesting. Apparently, about 10:00 a.m. East Coast Times, all the major oil producers start changing prices on gas. So gas prices are rising, so about mid morning, you see the change start to take effect. So get up early, fill up your tank first thing and maybe you can avoid those price increases.
Also, keep in mind, and you probably already know this, Daryn, weekends, prices are very high. You're best off buying -- filling her up Tuesday and Wednesday during the week.
KAGAN: Very good tip. Well, what about the car itself? Is there a good time to buy a car?
WILLIS: Well, you may have heard this, too. I think this is interesting. You've got to watch out when the dealers want to get the cars off the lot. Fall say great time to buy. When they bring in those new models they want to get rid of the old. Nobody buys in December. That's a great time to buy because you can really negotiate for the best price. And of course, at the end of the month, because dealers are trying to meet their sales targets.
Another tip here that I think is important, everybody is all about the rebates. They are so excited about the rebates. but don't make your decision solely based on that. Take this clue. Take any rebate worth $2,000 as a clue that you can really negotiate on price. So rebates tell you more than just the money you can save on face value.
KAGAN: What if you need the new, big appliance and you're not going on a game show?
(LAUGHTER)
WILLIS: Well, you could shop around particularly in the winter, because that's when the big sales are on for things like refrigerators, for example. And that's when you can get the best deal. So make sure you shop seasonally. Most people are buying in the spring, when they buy the new house.
KAGAN: And then finally, hitting -- you just came back from vacation, didn't you?
WILLIS: No. Not...
KAGAN: No? OK.
WILLIS: Looking forward to that, but it hasn't happened yet, Daryn.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: But anyhow, if you're looking forward to vacation, even better.
WILLIS: Yes.
KAGAN: Timing, again, can help you get some bargains.
WILLIS: Well, we always talk about vacationing out of season. It's always a good idea to travel when others are not. And right now, that means that Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico, are on sale because people are just coming back from there.
Europe always great to travel there in the early spring and late fall, because the summer months are so expensive and really crowded. It's pleasant ant to go to Europe in the fall or in the spring. Keep an eye out on prices, travel when people don't. And you know, put that gas in your tank in the morning, early, so you can get the very best price.
KAGAN: I've got a lot of adjustments to make here. Gerri Willis, thank you for your tips.
WILLIS: You're welcome.
KAGAN: Cardinal Bernard Law is taking center stage at a special Mass today. But his role is sparking serious controversy among some Catholics. We'll tell you why.
Plus, they have now exchanged their vows and said, "I do." Now, new photos from the royal wedding.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
