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CNN Live Today
Final Farewell to Coretta Scott King; 'New You Resolution' Update; Fall Fashion Week in New York
Aired February 07, 2006 - 10:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's take a look at what's happening right "Now in the News."
Investigators in Alabama are looking into three more church fires. Arson is suspected is all three cases. The fires were in three separate counties in west Alabama. Authorities already are investigating five other church fires in rural areas south of Birmingham.
The battle against a fast-moving wildfire goes on in southern California. The blaze east of Los Angeles has scorched at least 3,500 acres, and more than 200 homes have been evacuated. The fire started yesterday in the Cleveland National Forest.
Mourners from around the world are gathering in suburban Atlanta for Coretta Scott King's funeral. That begins about an hour from now.
We just saw President Bush on Air Force One arrive at Hartsfield- Jackson International Airport. Also, his father and two other former presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, are scheduled to attend today.
A live report from just outside the church in Lithonia in just a few minutes.
For embattled automaker General Motors, another move to boost profits. GM is cutting its annual dividend by half and it's trimming the paycheck of its top executives. The dividend cut will reduce GM's yearly cash payout by a half-billion dollars. And in another money- saving move, GM's also making changes in its pension and health plans for non-union employees.
In London, a radical Muslim cleric is found guilty of nearly a dozen terror charges. They include soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred. The cleric, Abu Hamza al-Masri, also faces terror- related charges here in the U.S.
Good morning and welcome to the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY.
Checking some of the time around the world, just after 11:00 a.m. in Lithonia, Georgia; just after 5:00 p.m. in Copenhagen, Denmark.
From CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan.
Up fist, a final farewell to the first lady of the civil rights movement. Dignitaries, celebrities and ordinary citizens are gathering in suburban Atlanta for the funeral of Coretta Scott King.
Our Tony Harris joins us live from New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, just part of our day-long coverage of Mrs. King's funeral.
Tony, hello.
TONY HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And Daryn, good morning to you again.
As you mentioned, we are just outside New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. And I've got to tell you, what a morning it has been so far.
We want to give you a bit of a video sweep of all that is going on right now just outside of the church. People have been allowed to enter the church for about an hour now. But as you can see, there are still several buses, people walking down the long road to the church. A number of people still outside of the church, trying to get into the main sanctuary.
It is a sanctuary that holds 10,000 people. But we can tell you that there is also an overflow area in a gymnasium a short distance from our position right now that is being used. And we understand that overflow position is really starting to fill up.
Back to the main sanctuary now, as I mentioned, 10,000 can be seated there. We expect that each and every one of those seats will be filled.
You mentioned some of the dignitaries. President Bush will be here and three former presidents. Poet Maya Angelou will be here, Stevie Wonder is confirmed he will perform, Bebe and CeCe Winans will perform as well. And if you've ever seen them perform, they're just absolutely fantastic. Michael Bolton will sing as well.
And then there will be special tributes from Georgia's governor, Sonny Perdue. And in the last hour live right here on CNN LIVE TODAY, we heard from Bishop T.J. Jakes. We also heard from the Reverend Jesse Jackson and from the Reverend Al Sharpton, who talked about remaining committed to the movement started by Dr. King and Coretta Scott King.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REV. AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: To honor the first lady of the civil rights movement you must be committed to keep that movement going. To make mockery of the movement and honor the first lady of the movement is a contradiction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: And Daryn, I don't know if we have the picture that we can pull up right now, but a lot of the traffic is being directed to the Stonecrest Mall, a mall that I'm sure you're familiar with here in Lithonia. And the traffic in that area... KAGAN: Tony, I'm just going to jump in for just a moment because I don't know if you can see...
HARRIS: Sure.
KAGAN: ... but we do have live pictures of the President and Mrs. Bush as they do come down the steps of Air Force One at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
As you mentioned, President Bush is just one of four current or former presidents that will be here today. Also, his father we saw arrive earlier. President Clinton and former President Jimmy Carter as well expected to attend.
And Tony, I'll -- and it looks like Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice might be with them as well. And there's former President Clinton and his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton.
It looks like they're bumming a ride to the church. And that ride, indeed, from the airport to the church, if you had the benefit of a motorcade, Tony, I'd say, what, about 20 minutes?
HARRIS: Yes, I think you're right. For me this morning, coming out of Smyrna, it was about 40 minutes. But, you know, it's Highway 20, Interstate 20 all the way over to Lithonia. And yes, I think you're right, about 20 minutes with the benefit of a motorcade and a police escort.
KAGAN: Yes. Maybe next time you'll try that for your next assignment, get the Secret Service to get you there a little bit faster.
HARRIS: That's right.
KAGAN: So it looks like a veritable who's who on board Air Force One of the people that the Bushes gave a ride to from Washington, D.C., down to Atlanta today. And as we said, they'll head on Interstate 20 and head out to Lithonia.
Talk a little bit, Tony, about why the big church service, the big funeral is taking place at this church instead of downtown, which is a lot closer and, of course, has a huge historical tie to the King family, Ebenezer Baptist Church.
HARRIS: Well, this church has come to mean a lot to the King family, Daryn. It was just a couple of years ago that Bishop Eddie Long, who was the pastor of this church, spoke at a King Day event in Atlanta. And the family was so impressed by him, and, you know, a lot of the folks in the viewing audience will get to see him today and see just how impressive he is. The King family was so impressed by him that they started actually to attend -- members of the family -- to attend New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
And there's also another connection. Elder Bernice King, the youngest daughter of Coretta Scott King, is also a minister at this church. So there are a couple of deep and rich connections between this church, Bishop Eddie Long, and the King family.
KAGAN: As well as just the sheer practicality of it, how large, as we look inside the church, and we can see the flower-strewn casket of Coretta Scott King. But just in terms of being practical, the size of the church and the amount of people it can hold, Tony.
HARRIS: Well, you make a very good point. That may be the reason number one.
Think about it. This is a huge -- this is probably the megachurch of all megachurches. This is -- it seats 10,000 people, it has additional rooms and conference rooms and everything else that you can imagine.
It is a $50 million complex. It seats 10,000 in the main sanctuary. And yes, just as a practical matter, it makes all the sense in the world to hold it. I mean, I don't know how many other churches in the greater Atlanta area could host this kind of a crowd.
KAGAN: Or anywhere else around -- around the world.
Thank you, Tony. We'll be back with you with our day-long -- our day-long coverage.
CNN does have extensive coverage as the nation bids farewell to Coretta Scott King. We'll carry the funeral service live beginning next hour at noon Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific.
Meanwhile, let's get to some other news on this Tuesday morning.
Muslims venting more anger today over the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. More than 6,000 people took to the streets in the northern Pakistani city of Peshawar. The protest was led by several provincial ministers.
In New Delhi, riot police were sent in to disperse a demonstration by hundreds of university students. They chanted slogans and burned a Danish flag.
The political cartoons were originally published in a Danish newspaper. Last hour, that country's prime minister called for dialogue instead of violence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN, DANISH PRIME MINISTER: I'm happy to inform you that just a few minutes ago, President Bush called me. The president called to express support and solidarity with Denmark in light of the violence against Danish and other diplomatic nations. We agreed that the way ahead is through dialogue and tolerance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: The U.N. is pulling its staff out of Afghanistan after protests over the cartoons depicting Mohammed turned violent. At a NATO base in northwestern Afghanistan, officials say that demonstrators tossed grenades and fired small arms at peacekeepers. A reporter on the scene says the Norwegian peacekeepers fired tear gas at the protesters and fired shots in the air. A British rapid reaction force was deployed to assist the peacekeepers.
Iran announced today that it's spending suspending all trade and economic ties with Denmark over this cartoon controversy. The commerce minister told Iranian state radio that Danish products will be banned from entering the country and contracts with Danish companies will be suspended.
Also today, a prominent Iranian newspaper said it would hold a contest for cartoons on the Holocaust. The paper says the competition will put Western principles of freedom of expression to the test.
We're at nine minutes past the hour.
Still to come, the mechanics of the NSA wiretapping controversy. From the initial call to the intercept, we explain the anatomy of a wiretap. It doesn't really work exactly how you might think.
Plus, we'll check in on two of Washington's hardest workers because they're part of our "New You Resolution."
And later, can man's best friend diagnose cancer? We'll tell you about an amazing ability that scientists believe they have discovered in dogs.
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(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
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KAGAN: This just in to CNN. We're looking at live pictures. This is near Payson, Arizona, in the northeastern part of the state. They're calling this one the February Fire.
It's burned about 80 acres so far. And to give you a little historical perspective, this is along the Mogollon Rim, which is the same general area that Arizona suffered those devastating fires back in 2002.
The live pictures from our affiliate KTNX. More information as that is available.
Right now let's go ahead and check in on the progress of two of our "New You Resolution" participants. We're following three pairs who have resolved to lose weight and get in better shape this year.
Our medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has an update on a Washington lobbyist and his assistant.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONNA BRIGHTHAUPT, NEW YOU PARTICIPANT: This is not my resolution.
GUPTA (voice over): So why is Donna Brighthaupt trying to limit her smoking by taking a class at the University of the District of Columbia?
BRIGHTHAUPT: Because Sanjay Gupta asked me. And he's so cute.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At least six of my friends have died from lung cancer.
BRIGHTHAUPT: Why do you keep looking at me? Why aren't you talking to the class?
Her first lecture was scary. It scared me. But I'm not sure it has changed me yet.
GUPTA: What about Donna's boss Frank, who just turned 40?
CHRIS PURCELL, FRANK'S WIFE: But you know, with all this new exercising and everything, maybe he's got enough breath to blow out the candles now.
GUPTA: Frank's wife made sure the festivities remained healthy by serving a light carrot cake.
PURCELL: It's not a low calorie cake. It's 302 calories per serving.
GUPTA: Other "New You" partners are also monitoring their progress.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mark has been throwing down -- talking a lot of trash. And Stuart, likewise, has been talking a lot of trash. So, you know, whether they are talking and there's any action. I don't know. I see a lot of talk.
GUPTA: Frank has lost almost 25 pounds, and Donna is toning up. She has no new weight loss to report this week, but she is gaining muscle. And she's also keeping an eye on the competition.
BRIGHTHAUPT: I've got to reply to the other "New You" participants.
You can cut this and you can bleep it. They are both smart (EXPLETIVE DELETED). And they are on my list. Mark, Stuart...
GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, for the "New You Resolution."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Well, they have the competitive fire all right. You can keep track of our "New You" participants and their progress by logging on to our Web site. You can also share your opinions and join the discussion in our buddy blog. The address is CNN.com/newyou.
Well, you might be dreaming of flip-flops and bathing suits, but fashion designers have fast-forwarded to fall.
I like that coat and that outfit.
All right. We're going to take a little view with our Sibila Vargas watching all the action on the runway.
Plus, an Australian country singer may strike gold at the Grammys tomorrow night. Ahead, how Keith Urban is taking the music industry by storm.
LIVE TODAY is back after this.
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KAGAN: They are happy in Pittsburgh. Steel Town is party town this morning.
OK, Pittsburgh is honoring its NFL championship team. I think that's Jerome Bettis. I can't tell from the monitor I'm looking at.
All right. It is. Bad monitor, great player. Of course he was the toast of the town in Motown, Super Bowl XL, Super Bowl XL.
The Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Seattle Seahawks. And Jerome Bettis getting to win his Super Bowl championship ring in his hometown.
So they are happy as we look at live pictures. It is the parade for their championship Steelers there in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And it looks like kind of a nice day for a winter day, Jacqui, for Pittsburgh to have their celebration.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes.
KAGAN: And well deserved.
JERAS: It's not terrible. Yes, well deserved. I know you happen to be happy about it.
KAGAN: Yes. I was rooting for the Steelers. I know a lot of people think the Seahawks got robbed with some bad calls. Well, the Steelers had their share of bad calls throughout the playoffs as well.
JERAS: Yes, there were some missed field goals in there, though, too.
KAGAN: There was -- actually, we could talk all day if this was a sports program.
Give me the weather.
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KAGAN: Thank you for that.
Well, we head east. It is Fashion Week in New York City, and for some it's about more than just the clothes. Some big celebrities are putting their best foot forward on the catwalk as well. They're using star power to help raise awareness for a few good causes.
Our Sibila Vargas has highlights from the runway.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These aren't your usual models strutting their stuff on the catwalk. Sheryl Crow, Lindsay Lohan, Leann Rimes.
Leeann tells "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" they are all here for fashion and all here for a good cause.
LEANN RIMES, SINGER: Its for heart disease. And I think it's -- you know, it's really important we come out and raise awareness for heart disease and show women that they need to get out and really take care of themselves and really educate themselves on heart disease.
VARGAS: You heard her. All these women are here to raise awareness for heart disease, which kills more women than any other disease.
AMERIE, SINGER: I think we all kind of focus on breast cancer and other cancers, but it really kills more women than all the other cancers involved. And I think that's something that people should know because we kind of attribute that to a men's disease.
VARGAS: "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" was front row and center at the Red Dress Fashion Show, where red is a symbol of support. Some of the hottest women in the music biz decked out by red dresses made by top designers like Donna Karan and Kenneth Cole.
Kelly Rowland showed up with the mom of Beyonce Knowles. Beyonce and Kelly were part of the group Destiny's Child. Kelly gave "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" a sneak peek at Beyonce's much anticipated fashion line and tells us that, with her fame, comes the big responsibility to help others.
KELLY ROWLAND, SINGER: We have a huge influence. I think that its important to use that for good, and its important to basically bring women about -- aware about what's going on now with their health and how they can prevent heart disease and tell everybody about what's going on.
VARGAS: Designer Kenneth Cole tells "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" that Kelly is right on.
KENNETH COLE, FASHION DESIGNER: Celebrity is a very resource. It's very inspiring. It's very aspirational (sic).
VARGAS: Cole isn't just part of the Red Dress Campaign. He heads up amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. He tells us fighting AIDS is one of his top priorities.
COLE: The problem is that 95 percent of the people in the world, I have learned, that have HIV don't know they have it.
VARGAS (on camera): There's no doubt that Kenneth Cole's influence goes much deeper than the fashion world. And when it comes to fighting AIDS, he uses that influence and his celebrity friends to make his message clear.
(voice-over) He's behind this ad campaign called "We all have AIDS." He brought together some of the most famous powerful celebrities and icons in the world, from Nelson Mandela to Tom Hanks to Will Smith.
COLE: To the degree you can bring these role models and these heroes in many people's lives together and who they themselves can stand united behind a single message, its very, very powerful.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS: Very powerful, indeed. And I'll be here all week to bring you all the latest news and trends from the fashion world.
Daryn, back to you.
KAGAN: All right. And make a wish list of what you'd like to have for yourself, too, once it makes it to the stores.
Sibila Vargas live from New York City.
Thank you.
And this just in to CNN. More information on the string of church fires in Alabama.
Now an additional four fires have been attached to the story as well. On the phone with us right now is Raymond Zicarelli, an agent with the FBI in the Birmingham, Alabama, office.
Mr. Zicarelli, thank you for being with us.
RAYMOND ZICARELLI, FBI SPOKESMAN: Yes, ma'am.
KAGAN: What can you tell us as new information about these church fires?
ZICARELLI: Well, right now we have a number of agents on the scene and reporting to the scene of three new fires and one attempted fire.
KAGAN: Now, do you think those, plus the ones earlier, either this week or last week, that they are all related or perhaps some copycat fires?
ZICARELLI: We do not have any additional information right now. Like I said, we do have people reporting to the scene, gathering information. And later on, I think that determination will have to be made.
KAGAN: Any clues on a possible suspect?
ZICARELLI: No, ma'am, nothing new to report right now. I can tell you that we're gathering information, we're pursuing logical leads, tips are coming in.
We do take this matter seriously. The special agent in charge of the Birmingham office is on the scene out there. So she is heading up our investigation. We are working with ATF and ABI and the local sheriff's department and looking for also the community's assistance in helping provide information.
KAGAN: What about this dark SUV that there was talk of late last week that you were interested in seeing?
ZICARELLI: Other than that, we -- you know, we're not in a position to discuss current investigative leads that we are pursuing other than the fact that we are accepting new leads coming in and pursuing everything logical that's coming in to our command post.
KAGAN: And finally, as you've been able to look at these different fire scenes, any common cause of how they were started?
ZICARELLI: Other than that, we're going to hold back on that information right now. And that's really all that we have to report right now until we gather additional information.
KAGAN: Understandable. Well, we wish you well in finding whoever's doing this in targeting these churches in rural Alabama.
Raymond Zicarelli with the FBI in their Birmingham office.
Thank you for that.
And we'll take a break. We're back after this.
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