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CNN Sunday Morning
Commuter Plane Crashes In Kentucky; Ernesto Threatens U.S. Gulf Region By Next Week; Kidnapped FOX News Journalists Free
Aired August 27, 2006 - 7:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone.
We're following two big stories this morning. The storm called Ernesto is now a hurricane. And those two journalists kidnapped in Gaza are now free.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, boy, it has been a busy morning already. Some good news and, as you just heard, some bad news with the hurricane.
This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is August 27th.
Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HARRIS: And good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.
Thank you for being with us.
More on the release of those journalists coming up.
But first, we want to bring you up to speed on Ernesto.
NGUYEN: Well, from tropical storm to hurricane, Ernesto now reaching wind speeds of about 75 miles an hour, which is a bit earlier than expected.
Bonnie Schneider is in the CNN headquarters, hurricane headquarters this morning.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Well, New Orleans today is "The Big Uneasy" now that another hurricane is headed toward the Gulf. At issue is the integrity of the city's repaired levees, once considered almost infallible. Everyone now knows that's not true.
CNN's Sean Callebs is in New Orleans with an update.
Sean, good morning.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Tony.
Indeed, I think a lot of people in this city are going to be flipping on TVs early this morning to find out what that storm did overnight. And what Bonnie said is certainly going to be good news for people here. As you mentioned, "The Big Uneasy." We're standing basically near the 17th Street Canal. Behind me you so the floodgates, the pumps, perhaps the most visible sign of all of the work the Corps of Engineers has done trying to bolster the protection system in this are since Katrina hit last year. The big concern, how would the levees hold up? How would the pumping stations work? Would they have to use the floodgates if indeed Ernesto did move up this way?
Well, we heard the head of the Corps of Engineers say yesterday he didn't know if all the work that had been done on the levees, the 220 miles of levees, the only thing keeping the water out of this bowl of a city, if they would be able to hold up if a significant hurricane hit this area. And think about the timing.
For the past week or so, virtually everybody in this city has been focused on the horror that hit New Orleans last year, on August 29th. So they have been making plans to mark a memorial, the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, but they're also focusing on Ernesto. And the city was not going to get caught a second time.
They have had evacuation plans in place. Yesterday, the homeland security chief for the city came out and spoke. "Look, if it looks like this hurricane is going to hit the city within 50 hours, we're going to make plans to begin evacuating people and parishes to the south of New Orleans. Once the 40-hour mark moves in, then we're going to ask people from New Orleans to evacuate."
And we know that so many people in this area don't have cars, so there will be public transportation. There are 200 buses on standby right now.
Tony, there are also another 1,600 buses the city has access to very quickly, and there are some 47 train cars. The city has a deal with Amtrak now to get people out of the area as well.
So plans are in place, but the unknown is really what has everybody on edge. Will the levees hold up? Will the storm twist and move back over this way? Certainly, everyone here, Tony, hopes not.
HARRIS: Boy, OK. So Sean, let me ask you, so the Army Corps of Engineers not sure that the repairs could hold if there is another strong hurricane. Does the Army Corps believe it has done all it could in the year since Katrina to repair those levees?
CALLEBS: A couple of things. I don't know if the Army Corps of Engineers said it's the repairs that won't hold. Remember, the levee system took a beating last year, and where the areas had been repaired, we know they've put armor, those steel plates, much further into the ground. So those areas are probably going to be substantially stronger this year.
HARRIS: OK.
CALLEBS: But what about a few hundred yards either way? They have been beaten that way. They don't know if those waterlogged areas, if there was any -- if they are going to be hold up -- if they will hold up if there's a significant action toward there.
So there's a lot of concern.
The Corps was asked to do a tremendous amount of work in a short period of time. I think that everyone is giving the Corps pretty good marks for the short-term work. But the long-term work is now what's facing them, the billions of dollars to bring this area up to the kind of significant protection that it needs, and the Corps has a reputation of doing things very slowly. It's kind of like turning an aircraft carrier around in the middle of the Mississippi River, and so let's hope that things are going well -- Tony.
HARRIS: Yes, absolutely.
CNN's Sean Callebs for us in New Orleans.
Good to see you, Sean. Thank you.
Louisiana's governor will be on CNN today to talk about what still needs to be done to recover from Hurricane Katrina. Kathleen Blanco will talk with Wolf Blitzer later this morning on "LATE EDITION." That begins at 11:00 Eastern.
NGUYEN: And CNN has extensive special programming to mark the anniversary of Katrina. On Monday, the "Storm of a Lifetime." Our crews never left the Gulf region, and for the past year we have documented how lives have changed, the progress that's been made, and where the challenges still lie.
Also on Monday, beginning at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, "ANDERSON COOPER 360" returns to New Orleans to assess whether the city's political leaders have kept their promises to the city's residents.
That's "Keeping Them Honest," Monday, 10:00 p.m. Eastern on "ANDERSON COOPER 360."
Well, you are waking up this morning to some good news. Just over an hour ago in Gaza two FOX News journalists were released after being held hostage for nearly two weeks.
CNN's Paula Hancocks joins us live this morning from Jerusalem.
Boy, this is the best news that we could have heard in this instance.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It certainly is, Betty, yes. And it's very, very well welcomed by all journalists, by all media, and obviously by the families of those two men who were kidnapped almost two weeks ago now, August 14th. They were taken from the streets of Gaza City and kept in captivity for all that time.
Now, we have seen pictures of them going back to the hotel where they were staying before they were taken hostage in Gaza City, the beach hotel just on the seafront. This is where most of the journalists stay when they go into Gaza City. And you can see them looking very relieved. We have heard from a FOX News bureau chief that they were very happy and also very emotional, and they were in good condition. And also, just a moment ago we heard Steve Centanni talking on FOX News about how he felt.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
STEVE CENTANNI, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: I'm fine. I'm a little emotional because this is overwhelming, but I'm really fine, healthy, in good shape. And I'm so happy to be free and to have this -- a remarkable team here to monitor the situation and help in every way they could. And somebody did the right thing somewhere, because here I am.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HANCOCKS: Now, we're expecting a press conference from that hotel in just a while. We hear soon. Not with the two men themselves, but with the chief of police, with members from different factions as well. So hopefully we'll find out a little bit more about who took them.
Now, we understand the group itself is called the Holy Jihad Brigades. It's completely unheard of. No one knows who is involved in this particular group, but we have heard from the Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, saying that it is not linked to al Qaeda.
Now, this had been worried about certain parties over the past couple of weeks when they saw the videos, when they saw that very little was being given about these groups themselves. There were worries that there were people from the outside who had snuck into Gaza to take advantage of the lawlessness there, to try and bring their point home. And also the fact it was a different demand.
Usually in Gaza you have kidnappers asking for money, for jobs, or for Palestinian prisoners to be released. In this case, we saw that they were asking for all Muslim prisoners from the jails of America to be released. Now, that was something that the U.S. officials declined immediately -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Paula, what do you know about the details of this negotiated release? I mean, did anything -- was anything exchanged here?
HANCOCKS: This is something we don't know at this point. And to be honest, that's something that we may never know.
We did hear from the Palestinian Interior Ministry spokesman, saying that the Palestinian Authority was not in direct discussions with this particular group or with the men that were holding Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig. He said that they were different factions who were talking to different people, and through that probably quite complicated chain they were making contact with these kidnappers themselves.
Now, whether there was negotiations is uncertain at this point. We know that we did see a video earlier on this morning featuring both of the journalists separately saying that they did convert to Islam and condemning the West's -- what they called the West's attacks on Islam. But now we've heard from Steve Centanni they actually did that at gunpoint.
NGUYEN: Right.
HANCOCKS: So that was coerced. We saw them reading from notes as well -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Well, it looked very coerced at the time, too.
Paula Hancocks, thank you for that.
Again, good news out of Gaza today that the two FOX News journalists have been released -- Tony.
HARRIS: Well, a very busy Sunday morning, and we're just -- we're just getting started.
NGUYEN: It's only 7:11.
HARRIS: How about that?
We'll get back to an update on Ernesto in just a moment. The storm has reached hurricane strength a lot earlier than we first thought. And we'll show you where it's headed.
Also, this man could be a key witness in the JonBenet Ramsey murder investigation. We'll tell you what he saw and why it's critical to the case.
NGUYEN: And one year after Hurricane Katrina, keeping the faith on the Gulf Coast. That is coming up a little later in our "Faces of Faith."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: If you are just tuning in, Ernesto is officially a Category 1 hurricane. The designation came just about two hours ago, and forecasters say the storm could eventually reach Category 3.
HARRIS: Now to Bonnie Schneider in the CNN hurricane headquarters.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: And other headlines in the news this morning.
A hostage ordeal ends in Gaza. The two FOX journalists held captive for two weeks are freed. The two were released about two hours ago and they appear to be in good health.
NGUYEN: Iraqi officials say more than a dozen people were killed in attacks in and around Baghdad today. Five people were killed when a bomb in a minibus went off outside a hotel in the capital. At least two others died in a separate bombing outside Iraq's state-owned daily newspaper.
Australia's army isn't put off by recruits packing on a few extra pounds or struggling with mild asthma. They need people. The nation's top-ranking soldier says they'll relax the couple -- a couple of recruitment standards in an effort to boost their number of troops.
And nature's fireworks delays the space shuttle's launch. A lightning strike at the launch pad means the launch planned today, well, that's not going to happen until tomorrow, at the earliest. It was some of the most powerful lightning ever at the Kennedy Space Center launch pad. The lightning did not hit the shuttle itself.
We do run down the top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage all morning long. Your next check of the headlines coming up at 7:30 Eastern.
HARRIS: And stories "Across America" this morning.
A wildfire near the Los Angeles reservoir is now contained. The 60-acre fire had threatened hilltop homes in Encino, north of Los Angeles, but the winds shifted and pushed the blaze back toward the reservoir.
A man who saved hundreds during Katrina is being sued. Mark Morese (ph) commandeered a man's boat and rescued 200 people in New Orleans during the storm. The boat owner is suing Morese (ph). He claims he suffered grief, mental anguish and embarrassment.
It looks like a neo-Nazi rally in Madison, Wisconsin didn't win any converts. About 60 members of the National Socialist Movement staged the rally. They were far out numbered by 300 capital police and about 800 people who showed up to protest.
It was fairly peaceful. A roaring downpour put a damper on the event.
NGUYEN: Well, an update this morning on the case against the so- called Liberty 7. That is a reference to the Miami neighborhood where the men were arrested this summer. They are accused of plotting with al Qaeda.
Well, now federal prosecutors are asking a judge to review confidential information obtained by the media. They want the judge to determine whether a court order sealing documents and FBI surveillance tapes was violated.
We'll have more on this story shortly.
In the meantime, you're watching CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. Let's get back to that story we told you about right before the break, the case against the so-called Liberty 7, which is a reference to the Miami neighborhood where the men were arrested this summer. They're accused of plotting with al Qaeda. But now federal prosecutors want a judge to review confidential information obtained by the media.
CNN's Suzanne Malveaux reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): These FBI surveillance tapes obtained by CNN affiliate WFOR in Miami purportedly show the alleged ringleader of the so-called Liberty 7 discussing a terror plot with an FBI informant. WFOR describes this exchange as Narseal Batiste laying out the plan in February.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once the explosives take place, we're going to launch a full ground war.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going t have a full ground war. That means we're going to kill all the devils we can.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hundred thousand?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Close to a million.
MALVEAUX: The faces of these men are blurred because CNN cannot independently verify the identities of the people on the tape. But the tapes may tell us more about the scope of the alleged plot.
Arrested in June, six men from Miami's Liberty City neighborhood and one other are accused of plotting to blow up Chicago's Sears Tower and a handful of federal buildings in Miami. This tape reportedly shows the men casing potential targets.
A federal motion filed in June to deny bail says the defendants sought supplies such as boots, bullet-proof vests, and cash from the informant in the months leading up to the sting operation. This latest footage purportedly shows Batiste making one of those requests.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm exhausted financially in everything I'm trying to do. We have nothing. We don't have boots or uniforms.
MALVEAUX: The same motion also claimed the defendants swore an oath of loyalty to al Qaeda. WFOR reports that's what the men are doing in this footage.
The seven are charged with conspiring to provide material assistance to terrorists -- namely, al Qaeda members -- and conspiring to damage buildings with explosives. And the most serious charge, conspiring to wage war against the U.S.
FBI raids turned up no explosives. A weapons stockpile has not been found.
Batiste's attorney has not commented on this tape or any of the tapes obtained by WFOR. A judge has placed a gag order on all those associated with the case. The seven suspects are being held without bail. All of the men have pleaded not guilty.
Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
And you do want to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security and safety.
Well, Tropical Storm Ernesto is now a Category 1 hurricane. Is the Gulf Coast ready, though, for another major storm? We're going to discuss that in just a few minutes.
HARRIS: And NASA isn't risking it. A lightning strike at the launch pad. And before the shuttle goes anywhere, crews want to check it out thoroughly.
Plus, we asked for your thoughts on NASA, and responses are on the way.
NGUYEN: And down, but not out. Coming up in our "Faces of Faith," how the Gulf Coast is rebuilding its spiritual foundation inside-out.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: If you are pregnant and taking certain antidepressants, there is something that you need to know. Canadian researchers report babies born to women who took newer types of antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs during pregnancy appeared to be at risk, increased risk of having a low birth weight. And researchers say they may even develop respiratory distress.
The study was conducted to determine how treating pregnancy- related depression with these antidepressants can affect the baby.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: If you are just tuning in this morning, Ernesto is officially a Category 1 hurricane. That threshold was crossed just within the past couple of hours. It is moving slowly through the Caribbean, and forecasters predict it will grow to a Category 3, a very powerful storm. We have a live update from the CNN hurricane headquarters in just a minute.
In the meantime, freedom this morning for two FOX News journalists held in Gaza for two weeks. There's some video.
The release occurred within the last few hours. Both journalists appear to be in good health. They were grabbed off a Gaza street August 14th by a group calling itself the Holy Jihad Brigades.
HARRIS: In Baghdad, two car bombs today killed at least seven people. One attack was outside a newspaper office. The other was near a downtown hotel. Six other people died. And a pair of attacks in the city of Baquba.
A reminder that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will join CNN's Wolf Blitzer on "LATE EDITION" beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SUNDAY MORNING: Australia's army isn't put off by recruited packing on a extra pounds or even struggling with asthma. They need people and the nation's top-ranking soldier says they will relax a couple of recruitment standards in an effort to boost the number of troops.
HARRIS: Congressman Tom Lantos reportedly says he will block U.S. aid to Lebanon until they agrees to the deployment of international troops on the its border with Syria. The Associated Press says the Democratic lawmaker made his comments in Jerusalem.
Lantos says he wants to persuade the Lebanese government that closing its border to arms smuggling from Iran and Syria is in its national interests.
We run down the top stories every 15 minutes here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING with in-depth coverage all morning long. Your next check of the headlines is coming up at 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time.
NGUYEN: Take a look. Ernesto officially the first hurricane of the season with wind speeds of 75 miles per hour. We are tracking this storm, no doubt, from the CNN Center right here in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING, August 27th.
Welcome back. We're right in the midst of hurricane season. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HARRIS: And good morning, everyone, I'm Tony Harris. Thank you for being with us.
And straight to Bonnie Schneider now in the CNN Hurricane Headquarters for an update on Ernesto.
Bonnie, good morning.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST, CNN SUNDAY MORNING: Good morning, Tony, Betty.
A lot has happened overnight and in the early hours of this morning. Ernesto is now a hurricane with maximum winds at 75 miles per hour. And not only that, but the track of this hurricane has shifted dramatically since yesterday. I'll show you that in a moment.
Look at this, first, we'll take a look at Ernesto with maximum winds at 75. The storm right now is 120 miles to the south/southwest of Port-o-Prince in Haiti, that's where there is a hurricane warning in effect. And it is a very serious situation there because of mudslides likely to occur with the heavy rain that will drench that island.
It's also going to affect Cuba tremendously. Really all along the coastline as it crosses over. You can see the storm changes over from a Category 1 to eventually a major hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.
This is the forecast track, and this goes all the way to 2:00 a.m. on Thursday. Granted, this is several days away, so this track is likely to shift and change. But what's important to note -- the big change I think since yesterday -- is the track. Notice the curvature here further to the east. This is not good news for the Florida coastline because originally the cone of uncertainty was further to the west.
So I guess folks in Louisiana, back towards Texas, so far things are looking better for you. But remember, once the storm comes into the Gulf of Mexico, it is likely to intensify. And at that point, we're likely to see some changes with the track. That's why the cone of uncertainty, Tony, is so wide, when you start going further out into the future, because we could see this line change again in days to come.
HARRIS: Well, it changed because yesterday you were telling us -- this is a perfect example of what you're talking about -- yesterday it was moving more toward the Gulf states and now it looks like Florida.
SCHNEIDER: It has to do with the upper-level winds that steer these storms in the upper levels of the atmosphere. And the pattern emerging is an area of low pressure has going to help curve the storm back out to the east. But so much can happen between now and then. That's why you'll want to stay tuned to CNN, because we'll bring you the updates as soon as we get them.
HARRIS: Thanks, Bonnie.
Well, a lightning strike, and now the strengthening of a Hurricane Ernesto compounding NASA's plans to launch the shuttle. Technology Correspondent Daniel Sieberg is joins us live on the phone, with additional information.
Daniel, good morning.
DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT, CNN SUNDAY MORNING (via phone): Tony, good morning.
In the summer months here in Florida, the Kennedy Space Center, there are two major weather systems that NASA has to contend with, thunderstorms and hurricanes. And as you pointed out, they're now feeling the pinch from both.
Lightning struck the grounded wire system intended to protect Atlantis on the launch pad 39-B, Friday at about 2:00 in the afternoon, Eastern. They believe it was the most powerful strike here at Kennedy ever. Yesterday they announced they were seeing some bad readings on the part of the shuttle's electrical system, as well as a potential problem on a release arm on the launch structure itself. So they delayed the launch from today until at least Monday at 4:04 in the afternoon.
Today they may announce all systems are go for a launch on Monday. The weather, as far as thunderstorms here, look pretty good. All this is assessed by NASA managers, so they have likely added another name to the meeting agenda, that would be of course, being Hurricane Ernesto.
Initially there were concerns that Ernesto might only affect mission control in Houston. That is still a possibility, but these new tracking forecasts, including parts of Florida, so now NASA must decide whether to push forward tomorrow -- that would be assuming all these resulting lightning glitches have been cleared -- whether to leave the shuttle on the launch pad, if they need to delay the launch and do some further testing, or to move the shuttle back into its protective housing. That's the large vehicle assembly building.
That could take a few days. That would really complicate the launch. They've got a very small window of time to move. They need to get up to the International Space Station. There's some added pressure with all that.
Bottom line is, there are more questions than answers at this point; a lot of variables to contend with. And we hope to find more out in the next few hours or so, Tony.
HARRIS: And we know you'll be following it for us, Daniel Sieberg for us on the phone.
Daniel, thank you.
NGUYEN: Well, people who live or vacation along the Atlantic and Gulf Coast know that major storms are inevitable this time of year. CNN's John Zarella looks at whether people are now heeding the lessons of the recent past.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN SUNDAY MORNING (voice over): September, 2005, with Hurricane Rita bearing down on Houston, millions of people tried to get out of town all at the same time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's going to be stand-by only.
ZARELLA: The airport was a mad scramble. The interstates were a sea of vehicles not moving anywhere. Like Groundhog Day, this scene seems to repeat itself someplace nearly every year. And nearly every year, there's a new survey showing that people are no better prepared than in years past. Troubling and inexplicable to the Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield.
MAX MAYFIELD, DIRECTOR, NAT'L. HURRICAN CENTER: I'm deeply concerned about this lack of public preparedness.
ZARELLA: The most recent survey, sponsored by the National Hurricane Survival Initiative, was conducted by Mason-Dixon Research; 1100 residents in coastal communities from Maine to Texas were questioned. More than half, 56 percent, said they do not feel vulnerable to a hurricane or related flood or tornado. And 60 percent do not have a family disaster plan; 68 percent have no hurricane survival kit; 83 percent have not taken steps to reinforce their home. And 13 percent said they would not evacuate even if ordered to do so.
MAYFIELD: People who have been through hurricanes, I keep hearing the same message over and over -- people who had a hurricane plan did much better than people who did not have a plan.
ZARELLA: What makes these numbers even more troubling is that the survey was done since last hurricane season, since the staggering images of death and misery from Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi.
MAYFIELD: You can call this hurricane survival 101, if you'd like. Step number one -- know the dangers. That means know your vulnerabilities to the storm surge, the high winds, the heavy rainfall, and the tornadoes.
Step number two -- develop a plan. It's important to do this now if you have not already done so. Number three -- secure your home when the hurricane threatens your community. And step number four -- if you're told to evacuate, do so immediately.
ZARELLA: Hurricane forecasters and emergency managers understand that it's human nature. Not everyone is going to listen. There is a degree of the, quote, "it won't happen to me" mentality.
(On camera): For those of you watching this, we're hoping one of two things -- either you are prepared and have a plan, or if you don't have a plan, you realize now is the time, whether this hurricane affects you or not. John Zarella, CNN, Miami.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: CNN does have extensive special programming to mark the anniversary of Katrina. On Monday "The Storm of a Lifetime". Our crews never left the Gulf region. For the past year we have documented how lives were changed, the progress made, and where the greatest challenges still lie.
Also on Monday, beginning at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, "Anderson Cooper 360" returns to New Orleans to assess whether the city's political leaders have kept their promises to the city's residents. That's "Keeping Them Honest," Monday, 10:00 p.m. Eastern on "Anderson Cooper 360".
Well, we are going global now, when we turn things over to our International Desk.
HARRIS: Brenda Bernard has news just-in from Iran.
Brenda, good morning.
BRENDA BERNARD, NEWS ANCHOR, CNN INTERNATIONAL: Good morning, Tony.
News just coming in that Iran has test fired a sub-to-surface missile. Iranian state TV says today's missile tests took place during large-scale military exercises in the Persian Gulf. Iran's chief nuclear negotiator says his country will continue its uranium enrichment, that's despite a U.N. deadline to stop the sensitive atomic work by Thursday or face sanctions.
Just yesterday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad opened up a heavy water production plant. It is seen as another step toward a nuclear bomb, but Iran insists its nuclear program is just for peaceful purposes.
One day after receiving this hero's welcome to his ancestral homeland in Kenya, today Senator Barack Obama is visiting two of the country's most neglected areas. He's visiting Muslim herders, who have been suffering in a drought stricken region. And later he goes to one of Africa's biggest slums, in Nairobi. One in five people in the slum is said to be HIV positive. Obama is pushing AIDS awareness during his Kenya trip.
And near Jerusalem, an amazing ancient water system. Archeologists unearthed a network of reservoirs, drain pipes and underground tunnels. They say it dates back more than 2500 years and served one of the grandest palaces in the biblical kingdom of Judea. The ancient architects built it for beauty as well as a vital life source.
Tony, that's your Sunday school lesson for the day.
HARRIS: And you know what, we've got a pastor coming up in a couple minutes and we'll give me another lesson, I'm sure.
NGUYEN: Speaking of lessons -- thank you, Brenda -- a test of faith to tell you about.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed many churches and scattered congregations. We'll talk to a New Orleans minister, as Tony mentioned, about the challenges of rebuilding.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Well, he is on a mission to get to every ball park in this country. Coming up in our 8:00 hour we'll see how close he is to reaching his goal.
And Hurricane Katrina destroyed the structures where people worshipped, but it couldn't destroy their foundation of faith. We will hear from a church leader out of New Orleans. That's coming up in our "Faces of Faith" segment in about three minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: If you are just joining us, the first hurricane of the season is on the map. Ernesto, take a look at it, is churning through the Caribbean as a Category 1 storm and could grow significantly in the coming days. We'll keep a watch on it. Now to Bonnie Schneider in CNN's Hurricane Headquarters for an update. Speaking of keeping a watch on it, we've been watching it for a while, and we knew it was going to grow in strength.
Are you surprised how fast it's grown, Bonnie?
SCHNEIDER: To some degree, yes. We did get reports that it was intensifying yesterday, but early this morning, just after 5:00 a.m., right after the advisory came out, they put a notice, a special bulletin, saying that it is now at 75 mile-per-hour winds, and that means hurricane strength. So we did definitely see the intensification rather rapidly.
Looking at our satellite perspective now, you can see the storm, the center of circulation is 120 miles south/southwest of Port-o- Prince, Haiti and the track is now taking it a little further to the east. I'll have a complete report on that coming up.
NGUYEN: Thank you, bonnie.
In the meantime, a hostage ordeal ends in Gaza. The two FOX journalists, held captive for two weeks, well, they are free. Here is video of that. They are on their way to Israel after leaving Gaza after meeting with the new Palestinian prime minister. The two were released just over two hours ago, so this is new information if you're just waking up.
The journalists had been seized in Gaza City on August 14th by a previously unknown group calling itself the Holy Jihad Brigades.
Mobs burned buses, cars and shops, as violent protest erupted for a second day in Quetta, Pakistan. Rioting came after the Pakistani military killed a rebel tribal leader. Local political groups say the tribal chief's death has sparked a never-ending war. Pakistani police say hundreds of rioters were arrested in today's protests.
We run down the top stories every 15 minutes here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage all morning long. Your next check of the headlines coming up at the top of the hour.
HARRIS: Hurricane Katrina tested the faith and community bonds for tens of thousands of Gulf Coast residents. The storm destroyed or damaged roughly 1,000 places of worship and scattered countless parishioners across dozens of states. What was a church leader to do?
To answer that question in today's "Faces of Faith," Reverend John Raphael, Jr., of the New Hope Baptist Church in New Orleans, joining from us Houston.
Reverend, good to talk to you. Thank you for being here.
REV. JOHN RAPHAEL, JR., NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH: Thank you.
HARRIS: And explain to us why you're in Houston.
RAPHAEL: Well, actually, a portion of our congregation, which formally resided in New Orleans, was evacuated to the Houston area, and we've been holding service in Houston are, every Sunday, at one of the local churches.
HARRIS: How difficult has this time before, not just in terms of dealing with the many needs of your parishioners, but you know, for you personally, the back-and-forth of trying to keep your church family together in two locations?
RAPHAEL: Well, it's been a tremendous challenge, because no matter which location I'm in, I feel like I'm neglecting the other location. But many of the members have come to understand that it's a unique time, and it calls for some unique measures.
HARRIS: Reverend, were there any in your congregation who believed Katrina to be an act of God? And if there were people in your congregation who believed that, what did you say to them?
RAPHAEL: Well, I think most of us who believe in God believe that he is in total control of everything, and that whatever happens either happens because of his divine perfect will, or his permissive will. So for whatever reason, the Lord allowed it to happen, but our confidence is that God is still in charge and He will provide for us regardless of the situation or circumstances.
HARRIS: Reverend Raphael, let me have you stay right where you are for just a second. We have a bit of breaking news to bring to our viewers and then we'll continue our conversation.
RAPHAEL: All right.
NGUYEN: This just in to CNN: We are learning out of Lexington, Kentucky that, a medium-sized passenger plane has crashed. This is at the Bluegrass Airport. We're getting a Google Earth map of the exact area.
Here's what we don't know. We don't know how many passengers were on board. We don't know what carrier, or if there are any injuries. Police units are en route, but what we understand from authorities in Lexington, Kentucky, this morning, at the Bluegrass Airport, is that a medium-size passenger plane has crashed.
As soon as we get more information on this, we will bring it to you live right here on CNN -- Tony.
HARRIS: OK, and now we'll continue our conversation with Reverend John Raphael, Jr., of the New Hope Baptist church in New Orleans. He joins from us Houston this morning.
Reverend, let me ask the question again, for your parishioners who believe that Katrina was an act of God, what have you been able to share with them?
RAPHAEL: Well, we're not declaring that Katrina was definitely a punishment upon us, or New Orleans, from God, but we just acknowledge the Providence of God, that he is controlling, that it is his divine will that allows, or disallows events to happen. And our faith is in God that all things work together for good, and even out of catastrophe, God can work in a way that would bring about the best for us.
HARRIS: Reverend, were there people who said why me, why us, why this church family, why our city and community?
RAPHAEL: I think that's inevitable that we find our self asking the question why. And yet we were forced to accept the reality, to walk our faith and need to live our faith. All of us, I think at some point, asked that question, why now, why me, why here?
HARRIS: Just about a year since the storm did so much damage to your home city. What have you learned, personally? What have you learned?
RAPHAEL: Well, we learned that there are some things that we are not in control of, and as far as the faith community, it is imperative that we walk by faith and it is imperative that we work together as a community. We learned on every aspect, every economic level, every educational level, that all of us were affected and none of us could have made it by ourselves.
HARRIS: Can you see the day when your church family comes back together in New Orleans?
RAPHAEL: Well, the Lord has allowed many of our members to come back, but although now many are still stranded across the country. Some are coming to grips with the reality that they may not be able to return, but we are praying that if God's will is that they return, that he would provide the means, and a place to live, and an opportunity to come back.
HARRIS: Reverend John Raphael, Jr., joins us this morning.
Reverend, thank you for your time. We appreciate it.
RAPHAEL: Thank you very much, Tony.
NGUYEN: All right, more on that breaking news we just told you about. Just minutes ago in Lexington, Kentucky, at the Bluegrass Airport there, we understand a medium-size passenger plane has crashed this morning.
Keep in mind, we're giving you a shot of the area in which this has happened. This is a small, regional airport. We don't know the particular carrier involved here, or how many people were on that plane. If indeed there are injuries, how many of those injuries there are.
But what we do know is this occurred in Lexington, Kentucky this morning. What is being described to us by authorities, that a medium- size passenger plane has crashed. As soon as we get more information, we'll bring it to you.
But as you know, in the meantime, emergency crews and police and all the authorities are headed to that area. Again, at the Bluegrass Airport where a plane has crashed in Lexington, Kentucky. We'll stay on top of this and bring you the latest as soon as we get it.
Meantime, you're watching CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
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NGUYEN: We've got a lot to tell you about. Let's start first with Lexington, Kentucky. Breaking news this morning out of the Bluegrass Airport there; it's a small regional airport.
But here's what we know. A medium-size passenger plane has crashed there. We don't know the extent of the injuries or how many people were on board -- or even the carrier involved. But again, a medium-size passenger plane has crashed at the Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky. We'll bring you more just as soon as we get it.
HARRIS: And Betty, the best possible news for the families of two journalists who were held captive in Gaza; Olaf Wiig, the photographer working with FOX News Correspondent Steve Centanni.
Let's show the video from just a short time ago of the two journalists meeting with the Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh -- the prime minister, while saying he wasn't directly involved in the negotiations did mention that third parties were involved in the negotiations to free these two men, as you can see. There is the meeting that took place between the prime minister -- Palestinian prime minister and the two journalists just a short time ago.
We will update both of these stories in just a couple of minutes. We're approaching 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time here. Stay with us. Much more to come on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
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HARRIS: And good morning everyone. Breaking news within the past 15 minutes of an aviation accident in Lexington, Kentucky. Police are now confirming a Com-Air commuter flight crashed on takeoff at the Bluegrass Airport. We're told the plane was en route to Atlanta. Our local affiliate in Lexington, actually we have a couple of affiliates there in Lexington. They're on their way to the scene to gather as much information as possible. And of course we will bring you that latest information as soon as we get it.
Now in the news, two FOX NEWS journalists are free this morning, ending nearly two weeks of captivity in the Gaza Strip. Cameraman Olaf Wiig and correspondent Steve Centanni were released shortly before 6:00 eastern time this morning. They have already met with the new Palestinian prime minister and are on their way out of Gaza heading to Israel. We'll have a live report straight ahead here on CNN.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And on top of those two major stories, Ernesto now a hurricane. Let's go to Bonnie Schneider in CNN hurricane headquarters for an update on the storm that keeps gaining strength Bonnie.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: We do run down the top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING with in-depth coverage all morning long. So, your next check of the headlines coming up at 8:15 eastern.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just hope that one day with my help and with help from everyone else that it could eventually be eliminated.
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NGUYEN: His goal, help fight childhood cancers and he's doing it by using baseball's media power as he fights his own battle with cancer. We'll hear from him in 20 minutes. From the CNN CENTER this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Boy, a lot's been going on. If you're just waking up, let's tell you about all these developments. Today is August 27th, it's 8:00 a.m. at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, 3:00 p.m. in Jerusalem where a lot, like I said, is going on. Good morning everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HARRIS: And good morning everyone, I'm Tony Harris, thank you for being with us. IF you're just waking up to the news of the day, there's been a major development out of Gaza. Two "FOX" journalists held captive for two weeks have been freed just hours ago. CNN's Chris Lawrence has been following this developing story, he joins us live from the Israeli border with Gaza. And Chris good morning to you, quite an eventful morning.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's an understatement Tony. We're standing right now outside of the Erez crossing. This is one of the primary crossing points from Israel into Gaza, and we expect within the next few minutes or so, for Steve Centanni, the "FOX NEWS" correspondent and his cameraman Olaf Wiig to come through these doors behind me and there are cars waiting to take them away from the border crossing and we expect, to possibly Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, to finally start to put some of this ordeal behind them.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
STEVE CENTANNI, FREED JOURNALIST: We were driving down a narrow side street in Gaza City dropping off our picture and our sort of security guy when there was a car stopped in front of us and before we realized what kind of car had stopped in front of us we -- masked gunmen, four of them, had just run over to our car and yanked open the doors, grabbed us by the wrist with a pistol to our head and stuck us in the backseat of a tiny little Toyota (INAUDIBLE) twin cab and put a black hood over our heads and jammed us together in the middle and they piled in on either side and the four of us in the back of this tiny truck could hardly breathe. We were scrunched down toward the floor and they sped away.
(END OF AUDIO CLIP)
LAWRENCE: We're getting some firsthand account, really, a very harrowing account from Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig about how they were abducted when they were working in Gaza. And just to give you some perspective on the day that they were abducted, that was the day that the cease-fire went into effect in Israel's conflict with Hezbollah and Lebanon, but on that day they were in Gaza working a story in Gaza. Tony?
HARRIS: And Chris, thank you for that. We want to get you to Gaza right now where reporter Steve Centanni is actually involved in a news conference right now. Let's listen to Steve.
CENTANNI: -- the British and American governments who have come to help and the Palestinian officials who are here today to welcome us back, thank you very much. I just hope this never scares a single journalist away from coming to Gaza to cover this story because the Palestinian people are very beautiful, kind-hearted, loving people, who the world needs to know more about and so do not be discouraged. Come and tell the story. It's a wonderful story and I'm just happy to be here and thanks again for all of your support.
OLAF WIIG, FREED JOURNALIST: I just want to add something briefly. My biggest concern really is that as a result of what happened to us foreign journalists will be discouraged from coming here to tell the story and that would be a great tragedy for the people of Palestine and especially for the people of Gaza. Your story doesn't get very well told because it is difficult to work here and any little discouragement that something, an incident like this could give a network an excuse not to be here and that would be a great tragedy for the people of Gaza. You guys need us on the streets and you need people to be aware of your stories, and I can just add my thanks to everybody who worked tirelessly to get us out and especially (INAUDIBLE).
HARRIS: There you have it. A news conference concluding just moments ago as you saw with the two freed journalists now, Olaf Wiig, the photographer for "FOX NEWS" correspondent Steve Centanni. Let's take a moment and let's sort of recap this story as it developed this morning. Starting at about 5:30 a.m. eastern time we received the first indication that the two journalists had been freed after nearly two weeks in captivity, you're looking at pictures now of the meeting that occurred just a short time ago before the news conference, with on your left there is the new Palestinian Prime Minister Ishmael Hannia. Just to your right there on the screen is the "FOX NEWS" correspondent, Steve Centanni, next to him is Olaf Wiig, his photographer, and his wife is there. Olaf Wiig's wife is there too, Anita McNaught who is a reporter for the "BBC." So, again, this all began at about 5:30. We received word that the correspondents had been freed and then we saw those early pictures of the photographers being rushed in to a hotel, the Beach Hotel in Gaza and then these events that have unfolded in the last hour or so. The meeting with the prime minister and now we understand that they have crossed the border at the Erez Junction and are on their way into Israel right now.
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