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CNN Live Today
'Getaways'
Aired June 20, 2005 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're just a few minutes past the half hour. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.
Here's what's happening now in the news.
U.S. Marines level what they say was a major car bomb factory in Karibila, Iraq, near the Syrian border. Operation Spear is in its fourth day, targeting an area where foreign fighters and insurgents are believed to be hiding.
Meanwhile, the country's offering a $10 million reward for the capture of the highest ranking former Iraqi official still on the run. Izzat Ibrahim Al-Duri was a deputy commander of armed forces under Saddam Hussein. He is number six on the U.S. military's list of 55 most wanted Iraqi officials.
And here in the U.S., in the case of a massive breach of credit card information, the head of the credit card processor that was hacked says the compromised records should never have been kept in his company's database. Some 40 million credit cards may have been compromised after hackers got into company computers.
Now there's a whole new way to get your news on the Web with free video at CNN.com. Just log on to our Web site, click on "watch" to check out the most popular stories. It's free video under your command now at CNN.com.
At the White House, President Bush meets with leaders of the European Union. Among the items on their agenda, trade and Mideast peace. The White House says the meeting is an opportunity to discuss how the U.S. and Europe can work together, closely together, on key issues. We're expecting to learn more details when the leaders meet with reporters at 1:00 this afternoon.
The 2008 election is more than three years away, but already one senator has put his hat in the ring. Democratic Senator Joe Biden says he is gauging public reaction. On the Sunday morning talk show circuit, Biden says he's trying to figure out if he can raise enough money to attract enough support.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOE BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: I'm acting now in terms of finding that out as if I'm running. My intention now is to seek the nomination.
(END VIDEO CLIP) KAGAN: Meanwhile, the fate of John Bolton's nomination for U.N. ambassador will again take center stage in the Senate. Later today, Senate Republicans will try to break the filibuster blocking his nomination. Democrats have been asking for information from the White House before allowing any up-or-down vote. But the White House is not ruling out sidestepping the Senate by possibly installing Bolton in a recess appointment when Congress goes on vacation for Fourth of July.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on the road. She's in the Middle East. She is pressing the administration's message of democracy. She is in Egypt today, where she met with President Hosni Mubarak, and asked Egypt to take a lead role in Democratic reform. Later at American University in Cairo, Rice had some strong words for Syria.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECY. OF STATE: The case of Syria is especially serious, because as its neighbors embrace democracy and political reform, Syria continues to harbor or directly support groups committed to violence. In Lebanon, and in Israel and Iraq, and in the Palestinian territories. It is time for Syria to make a strategic choice to join the progress that is going on all around it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Rice continues her Mideast trip with a stop in Saudi Arabia. She then heads to Brussels for an international meeting of foreign ministers.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, an alliance of Lebanese opposed to Syrian domination are pledging change. After unofficial results have them winning a key election, a coalition led by the son of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was killed by a car bomb in February, is expected to capture a majority of the parliamentary seats. Official results of Sunday's elections are expected later today.
And a Northwest Airlines plane is flying again after an emergency landing in Iran on Sunday. The pilot of the DC-10 saw what looked like a mechanical problem and landed at the nearest airport, which happened to be Tehran. The problem turned out to be a false alarm. After seven hours on ground, the plane resumed its flight between Moombai (ph) and Amsterdam. The U.S. bans American-based airlines from commercial flights to the Islamic republic.
And here are other stories making news overseas this morning: The world's top tennis stars are on the lawn at Wimbledon. The two week tournament is under way at the all-England Lawn and Tennis and Croquet Club. Top seeds are Switzerland's Roger Federer and America's Lindsay Davenport. They headline the opening day.
Take a look at this. This is the Vatican on Sunday. Forty-five blinging Ferraris pulled into St. Peter's Square to receive the papal blessing. Pope Benedict XVI took note of the revving sports cars says, saying, "We see them, soon we will hear them." And look at this, it's the Berlin Zoo, welcoming a new baby girl to the fold. The day's old Asian elephant weighs in at a hefty 320 pounds. The new attraction draws her share of human visitors, as well a crowd of other elephants, eager to get a peak at the newcomer. She's very cute.
Now if you think ski resorts shut down in the summer, think again. Ski resorts are actually some of the summer's best getaways in the West. We'll you where to go and what you can do there, after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Let's talk summer getaways. A ski resort might not be the first place you think of when you're planning your summer vacation, but resorts offer actually lots of activity, even when there's no snow. "Budget Travel" magazine David Lahuta joins us from New York with today's "Getaways" segment.
Good morning
DAVID LAHUTA, "BUDGET TRAVEL" MAGAZINE: Good morning.
KAGAN: I think these are great vacations. Let's pick some of them that your magazine features. First, Telluride, Colorado likes to feature nothing.
LAHUTA: Well, with the greatest concentration of 14,000-foot peaks in North America, Telluride offer tons of great hiking opportunities, but my favorite is a hike to Bridal Veil Falls. At 365 feet, it's actually Colorado's tallest waterfall, and it's absolutely beautiful. But you know, you'll hike on a low-elevation trail through the northeast portion of Rocky Mountain Park, through the forest, past bighorn sheep, and you'll head to a place called Cal Creek Valley (ph), which is an area known for its beautiful summertime wild flowers.
KAGAN: Don't they have a thing called the Nothing Festival, or something like that?
LAHUTA: Yes, and just nothing goes on, which is just bizarre.
KAGAN: Perfect.
LAHUTA: But moreover, these vacations are great low-cost outdoor alternatives to your typical low-impact vacation. And for the outdoor enthusiast, they're just a must-see. You'll be hiking, whitewater rafting, horse back riding. Also I just want to let people know that for a glimpse at any more of these wonderful vacations, be sure to check out our Web site, budgettravelonline.com.
KAGAN: OK, we'll remind them at the end of the segment.
LAHUTA: Thank you.
KAGAN: Squaw Valley, let's head to Lake Tahoe for some good bargains.
LAHUTA: Well, Squaw, just like Telluride, there's plenty to do at squaw, but my favorite is river rafting down the Trucky (ph) River. You could pick up an innertube at just about any gas station for about 15 bucks, or you could go with a guide from the folks at Trucky River Rafting for about $15 more. Also, if you're in town, a great thing to do is to check out the open-air movie screenings, every Thursday in July and August. And it's great, they're all 'PG' films. So you want to bring the whole family. And the best part is they're totally free.
KAGAN: That sounds fun. Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I think summer's a great time to go there, because it's warm, not freezing.
LAHUTA: Well, it is. I love Jackson Hole. And fortunately, getting there is easy, considering there are direct flights from seven major hubs across the country. You know, the place is great. The temperatures are mild. You're close to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. And the town really comes alive with its Old West feel. Actually jacksonhole.com offers its "Cowboy Up" package, where you'll get three nights in a two-bedroom condo, an aerial tram ride, a horseback ride, all for $159 per person. Now if you do the match, that costs you less than $55 per person, per night. So it's just an incredible value.
KAGAN: Sounds fun. Big Mountain, Montana, they're celebrating a big anniversary there this summer.
LAHUTA: They sure are. Big Mountain is located in the town of Whitefish, which is a three-hour drive from Mezula (ph) and about 15 miles from Glacier International Airport. And this is a place that just really celebrates its natural beauty. You know, the trees are still the tallest things in town. The wildlife outnumbers its residents. But by far, the most fun and exciting activity to do in Whitefish is to walk on the treetops, basically you'll be on a thousand-foot boardwalk, suspended 70 feet in the air. And along the hefty outing, you'll be treated to great views of plants and animals, learn about the fantastic northern Rockies ecosystem, and you'll have a great story to tell your friends at home, because it's actually the only walk of its kind in the United States.
KAGAN: All right, tell us the Web site again.
LAHUTA: Again, yes, it's budgettravelonline.com.
KAGAN: We will look for it. David Lahuta from "Budget Travel" magazine. Thank you.
LAHUTA: Thank you so much. It's been my pleasure.
KAGAN: Happy trails.
LAHUTA: To you as well.
KAGAN: Thank you.
LAHUTA: There's still a lot more to come this hour, but first here's a preview of what's coming up in the noon hour on "YOUR WORLD TODAY."
JIM CLANCY, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. I'm Jim Clancy.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Zain Verjee. Coming up at the top of the hour...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECY. OF STATE: We should look forward to a future where every government respects the will of its citizens because the ideal of democracy is universal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VERJEE: The U.S. secretary of state challenges Egyptians to lead and define a democratic future for the Middle East.
CLANCY: A new political era for Lebanon. The final round of elections has apparently swept away Syria's decades-long grip on parliament.
VERJEE: And a parliament in uproar as a Kuwaiti woman breaks down the gender barrier and takes an oath of office. All that and more just ahead on CNN International.
CLANCY: Do join us.
KAGAN: First we're going to get some medical news in. There's new findings about Alzheimer's, the focus of our "Daily Dose" of health news. Swedish researchers say education and a healthy childhood may override genetics in determining who gets the disease. They studied more than 100 identical twins, one with Alzheimer's, the other without. Those with less education had a higher risk of dementia. And twins with early periodontal disease also had an increased risk.
Painless brain scans and blood tests are among the latest methods of predicting Alzheimer's. The scan showed changes in the memory- making region of the brain. They might signal who is likely to get the disease years before any symptoms appear.
Another predictor, a test that measures levels of sticky protein in the blood.
And two experimental therapies show promise for preventing a buildup of that sticky substance that clogs the brains of Alzheimer's patients. One drug is in late-stage testing. Many researchers believe the disease can be slowed if that substance can be neutralized.
To get your daily dose of health news online, just go on to our Web site. You will find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.
Tom cruise gets a wet reception at the "War of the Worlds" premier in London. The sloppy details and his angry reaction coming up next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Let's show you these pictures we're getting in from outside of Phoenix, from KTVK, one of our affiliates there. This probably you don't want to try at home or outside of Phoenix. A base jumper, 700-foot cliff, didn't really go like they planned, or like he or she planned. So didn't quite make it. There's a live picture for you now. And rescuers have made their way to this base jumper. No word on how extensive the injures are at this point.
For location right now, we're just hearing outside of Phoenix. When the photographer pulls out, I see a river. From my years in Phoenix, I'm going to make an educated guest. I'm going to say east of Phoenix, the salt river, about a half hour outside the city lines. We'll see how I do on that, and our thanks to KTVK, my old affiliate where I used to work in Phoenix. Thank you.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
KAGAN: Well, it might have seemed funny at the time. It was a stunt for a new TV comedy show. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: You know what. You're a jerk.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Here's what happened. A fake television reporter using a fake microphone squirted water on Tom Cruise. It was the London premiere of his new movie war of the worlds. Not so funny now, since the fake news crew might be charged with assault.
Now to the movie premiere, and Mallika Kapur with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MALLIKA KAPUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a movie premier where no one talked about the movie. The fans and the press were far more interested in something else, the star of Steven Spielberg's latest film "War of the Worlds." We're talking about Tom Cruise. More specifically, about his whirlwind romance with Katie Holmes.
CRUISE: We haven't decided yet, you know. You take the one step and then you go from there. To tell you, I'm really excited.
KAPUR: The 42-year-old Hollywood star asked the 26-year-old actress to marry him on Friday on top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. That's before announcing it to the world at a press conference for his new film.
CRUISE: Yes, I proposed to Kate last night.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow!
KAPUR: Their romance has given tabloids and talk shows plenty to talk about and divided loyal fans into two camps.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's true love. I've seen them both on TV recently and both of them just seemed like they're so caught up in love.
KAPUR (on camera): As Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes work their way down the red carpet behind me, fans have a lot of things to say about their romance. Some call it true love, others say it's a publicity stunt.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It seems a bit coincidental, really, that it's so soon, kind of so close to the premier.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's just a big publicity stunt, but that's just me. I don't know.
KAPUR (voice-over): Cruise is in the middle of a tour to promote "War of the Worlds," while Holmes has just finished promoting her summer blockbuster "Batman Begins."
Mallika Kapur, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: And that's going to do it for me. I'm Daryn Kagan. International news up next. Stay tuned for "YOUR WORLD TODAY." I'll see you tomorrow morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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