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CNN Live Today

Israel Rejects Palestinian Ultimatum; America's Scream Machines

Aired July 03, 2006 - 10:30   ET

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

(WEATHER REPORT)
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: But there is serious news to get to, as well, and that includes a subway train that has derailed in Spain, killing dozens of people. It happened in the coastal city of Valencia. It was around lunchtime when it happened. Local officials tell CNN that at least 30 people died and a dozen were injured. Authorities say it looks like it was an accident. One official reportedly blamed excess speed and a malfunction in a wheel.

It is a startling threat to the U.S. North Korea says a U.S. strike on its missile program would ignite a blistering response. The north says it will respond, quote, "an annihilating strike and a nuclear war." The saber rattling follows reports that North Korea may be preparing to test a long-range missile. The missile might be capable -- might be capable -- of reaching the U.S.

Then there's the ultimate ultimatum and a deadline. Palestinian militants holding an Israeli soldier suggesting that time is running out.

CNN's Paula Hancocks has more from Gaza City.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The three Palestinian militant groups that are holding the kidnapped Israeli soldier have issued an ultimatum to Israel Monday. They issued a fax saying that if Israel does not meet its demand by 3:00 a.m. GMT -- that's 6:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday -- then the case will be closed. They also said that it will be Israel's fault for further consequences. Now, they haven't specified what those consequences would be.

Israel has responded, as it has responded in the past few days, saying it will not negotiate, there will be no prisoner swap. And it wants an unconditional release of the Gilad Shalit, the 19-year-old soldier who was kidnapped a week on Monday.

Now, there were further air strikes in the early hours of Monday morning. The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade office here in Gaza City was hit. Also, an ammunitions warehouse in northern Gaza. The casualties are rising. The three Palestinian militants clashed with Israeli troops down in southern Gaza.

And we also know that Israeli forces say that two of those Palestinians were wearing suicide belts. Now, just in the past couple of hours, there has been another Palestinian killed in northern Gaza. And in the early hours of this morning, another militant was killed, as well. So the clashes between Israeli forces and militants starting to increase.

Now, some troops have moved into northern Gaza, but this is not the big military incursion that we have been warned of by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. They -- a military source saying that this -- troops and tanks are just in there to get rid of tunnels and explode explosive devices that have been left there.

And on the humanitarian front, for six hours on Sunday, the Carney (ph) Crossing was open, which allowed Israel to bring in emergency supplies, they say. It is closed again this Monday.

Paula Hancocks, CNN, Gaza City.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Once again, we are standing by to find out what they decide out of Florida about what to do about the space shuttle. They have found a small, five-inch crack in the foam insulation. And they have to decide do they go ahead with the launch tomorrow? Meeting taking place right now in Florida.

Still ahead, as well, bellying up for the red, white and blue. This American wants to take a bite out of the foreign competition at a Fourth of July tradition. This is CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: There are new threats from Osama bin Laden and a new target, as well. The al Qaeda leader now has Iraq Shiites in his crosshairs. It's all in an audiotape that was released Saturday on the Internet. And the CIA says it's really him on the tape. It's bin Laden's fifth message this year. The threat against Iraqi Shiites is significant. Until now, al Qaeda has been reluctant to criticize the new powerbrokers in Iraq.

Marine Corporal Michael Estrella. He was the 2,500th U.S. service member killed in Iraq, and he was also, though, so much more than just a number.

CNN's Kareen Wynter has his story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARIA ESTRELLA, LOST SON IN IRAQ: A part of us is gone.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Flipping through the pages of an old photo album ignites painful memories for this grief-stricken mom. You may catch a smile when Maria Estrella describes how her son, Marine Corporal Michael Estrella, so full of life ...

M. ESTRELLA: You can see, he's always laughing. WYNTER: And courage, paid the ultimate price for his country.

M. ESTRELLA: He told me - he said, don't worry. If God wants to take me, he'll take me. I'm coming to Iraq to be with my brothers and I have to be there.

WYNTER: Estrella was on his second deployment. His first took him to Afghanistan. This time, Iraq. The 20-year-old field radio operator was out on foot patrol in Haditha, June 14th when he was killed by a sniper's bullet.

M. ESTRELLA: When we heard he was shot. My imagination just -- imagined him just being on the floor by himself, me not being there to pick him up. But I was told that they came to him, they did not leave him by himself. They came to him and picked him up. This person did not -- he didn't care there was bullets flying. He went and got him and pulled him out.

WYNTER: That person, Lieutenant Rick Posselt, who in a daring move risked his own to save another. We spoke with him from Iraq.

1ST LT. RICK POSSELT, USMC: The first thing I thought of was, I have got to get him to safety. That's all that was going through my head.

WYNTER: Estrella died from his injury. Posselt described the eager marine they nicknamed "Scratchy" as a close friend.

POSSELT: I used to go to him for everything. Every time I screwed up a radio he would be there to fix. It's a shame that we have to lose the good ones. But he is a true hero out there.

WYNTER: Estrella became the 2,500th serviceman killed since the start of the war. Maria Estrella says that is a somber statistic. But she is grateful for one gift. Knowing her son didn't die alone.

M. ESTRELLA: That's one thing he told me, he goes, mom, don't worry, they are always going to be there to help me and stand by me. And sure enough, someone was there with him.

WYNTER: Kareen Wynter, CNN, Hemet, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Well, he is hungry to reclaim the nation's bragging rights. Can he shovel down more hot dogs than his global competitors? Joey Chestnut, later on LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

KAGAN: Let's get back on the driving topic here. Traffic accidents, the leading cause of death for American teenagers. But now there's a new study showing stricter state laws are saving lives. Researchers say that restrictions on teens are reducing fatal accidents among 16-year-olds by about 21 percent. Now, some of the new restrictions: limits on night driving, the number of passengers, and in some states a waiting period for a driver's license.

They came to watch a boat race, but a runaway car provided more drama than anyone wanted. The car plowed through fans before slamming into the Ohio River in Madison, Indiana. Eleven people were injured, four of them seriously. Among those hospitalized, the 18-year-old driver of the car. Police say charges could be filed.

It is casino crunch time on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wouldn't come if they shut the casinos down, no. I'm not going to -- I wouldn't come. It would be a waste of time. Everybody wants to come down and see if they can get lucky.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: New Jersey's budget battle threatens Atlantic City's lifeline. That story is ahead.

Also, a train derailment in Europe. Dozens are dead in Spain.

And NASA officials meeting at this hour, trying to decide what to you do with the Shuttle Discovery? A five-inch crack found in the foam insulation. We'll look at that story just ahead.

You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: If you're like much of America, you plan to pig out tomorrow. I know my guest does. He wants to inhale, say, 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes. That's because he wants to dethrone this Japanese man from an all-American competition. The hot dog eating contest is a Fourth of July tradition at Coney Island, and Joey Chestnut is considered the great American hope.

No pressure or anything, Joey.

JOEY CHESTNUT, HOT DOG COMPETITOR: Oh, it's OK.

KAGAN: Good morning. Can I call you Jaws? I hear your good friends call you Jaws.

CHESTNUT: Oh, yes, that's fine.

KAGAN: Well, Jaws, what does it feel like be the great American hope?

CHESTNUT: Well, there's little bit of pressure, but it's fun. I love to eat. That's what we all love to do.

KAGAN: You don't look like someone who loves to eat. Why are you not enormous?

CHESTNUT: Oh, no, I love it. I usually eat really healthy if I'm not competing.

KAGAN: How are you in training for this?

CHESTNUT: I've been training to drink a gallon and a half of water when I wake up. Right now, I'm eating really light to make sure my stomach -- and I'm ready, making sure I have a reason to eat this much food tomorrow.

KAGAN: Oh, so that you're actually hungry?

CHESTNUT: Yes, I'm actually hungry, actually feeling a little bit malnourished. I have a reason to eat 50 hot dogs.

KAGAN: What is the trick of doing this?

CHESTNUT: It's a mental sport.

KAGAN: I mean, is there a physical thing that happens back there?

CHESTNUT: It's physical, but it's mostly mental. Once we get started we all hit the feeling of getting full, but we just practice ignoring it. We just push past it. Same way a marathoner gets into a rhythm and they just keep pushing past any tiredness and soreness. We just push.

KAGAN: And this is the competition. Takeru Kobayashi.

CHESTNUT: Oh yes.

KAGAN: Now, he -- that's who you're aiming for, right?

CHESTNUT: Yes, he's never been beaten.

KAGAN: He's going to be there tomorrow.

CHESTNUT: Yes.

KAGAN: What do you think your odds are?

CHESTNUT: It's -- I'm not going to say I'm going to beat him because he's never been beaten, but I'm be giving him a good competition. And I'm going out there to win. It's my goal to break the current record.

KAGAN: I'm sure you hear this all the time, but why? Like you mentioned marathon running. That would be a nice little hobby.

CHESTNUT: Oh, eating, it's -- it's an awesome hobby. Everybody loves to eat. And getting paid to eat could be the greatest job there is.

KAGAN: Because we're a full service organization, I'm going to get a weather forecast for you here, and welcome in Chad Myers. Chad, how does the weather look for Joey Chestnut tomorrow to dethrone Takeru Kobayashi?

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I mean, there's a chance of a shower. But I'm not worried -- you know, Joey, I wanted to ask you, too. You ranked number three behind Sonya Thomas.

KAGAN: A woman!

MYERS: Right. And then Eric Booker (ph) and whatever the other -- what's his name, Cookie something, right? I mean, they're way down there. You are the great hope, right?

CHESTNUT: Yes, Sonya is an awesome eater, but I've been beating her recently. And I've put a lot of time and effort into this contest, and I'm going -- I hold the American record with 50 hot dogs. And it's going to be a good contest tomorrow.

MYERS: The American Federation of Competitive Eating, Daryn, IFOCE, you can find it on the Internet.

KAGAN: I bet you can. Do you eat hot dogs the rest of the year, Joey?

CHESTNUT: I eat hot dogs on a regular basis. I love a good barbecue.

KAGAN: A barbecue. Just curious, what do you put on your hot dog?

CHESTNUT: Oh, I love onions and relish and ketchup. Pretty much everything. I like the works.

KAGAN: But tomorrow it's just pure hot dog and bun.

CHESTNUT: Hot dog, buns. And dip the bun in water to make it fast.

KAGAN: Lots of water. We wish you well.

CHESTNUT: Oh, thank you very much.

KAGAN: We'll be watching very carefully. We'll have the results here.

CHESTNUT: OK.

KAGAN: Joey Chestnut, the great hot dog contest on Coney Island. Good luck, Joey.

(WEATHER REPORT)p

KAGAN: Don't do this after the big hot dog eating contest. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The feeling of your stomach dropping out is a great feeling. But one piece of advice, do not eat lunch or dinner just before you get on this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: In case you don't recognize him, that's our Gary Tuchman. We sent him on the roller coasters. You'll have a look, just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Scream machines. They are packing people in at amusement parks on this holiday. Our Gary Tuchman took his own roller coaster ride. He did it for "A.C. 360."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When you see the skull and cross bones, it's too late to turn back. There are more than 1,300 roller coasters in the United States. Bigger, better, faster, steeper. Coasters are more popular than ever. Three hundred and thirty-five million people went to U.S. amusement parks last year, most went on roller coasters.

BETH ROBERTSON, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION AMUSEMENT PARKS & ATTRACTIONS: Our technology continues to improve and the demand for more fun, for new things.

TUCHMAN (on camera): The drops and the loops are what you wait for, but it's the anticipation that sets it all up.

(voice-over): Grand openings of super coasters are the big thing in the industry now. Two hundred foot tall, 70 mile-per-hour Goliath just opened this year at Six Flags over Georgia. It follows in the tradition of the Great Cyclone at New York's Coney Island, 79 years old and going strong.

Other traditional coasters are The Racer at Pittsburgh's Kennywood Park, a wooden coaster where you race another car. But it's the ultimate thrill coasters with huge drops and loops that are dominating the industry now.

(on camera): I play a game with my kids when I take them on a roller coaster. I couldn't take them on this time, they're at summer camp right now. The game is keep a serious face as long as you can. When you go through the loop, you see if you can stay serious. But it's very hard to do for a long time.

(voice-over): These are not your parents' or grandparents' roller coasters. But the industry says greater thrills do not mean greater risks.

ROBERTSON: Roller coasters are absolutely safe. In our industry, in today's regulatory system, there is virtually no safer form of recreation. TUCHMAN: American amusement parks took in more than $11 billion last year.

(on camera): The feeling of your stomach dropping out is a great feeling but one piece of advice. Do not eat lunch or dinner just before you get on this.

(voice-over): The summer season is just hitting its stride. Roller coaster ridership is expected to be record-setting.

(on camera): So what did you think of that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Myself, I'm surprised you held on to the camera.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Gary Tuchman, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And you can take a ride with Anderson Cooper, weeknights. "A.C. 360" airs at 10:00 Eastern, 7:00 Pacific.

So they're getting ready for the Fourth in Washington, D.C. See that guy in the t-shirt and straw hat and beard? That's actually George, Jason Alexander from "Seinfeld" and he is the host this year for a Capitol Fourth. We're going to get him off the practice stage in just a moment, and he will be visiting with us in the next hour.

Also, this programming note. A CNN exclusive. President Bush and Mrs. Bush will be guests on "LARRY KING LIVE." You can catch that at 9:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday.

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