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CNN Sunday Morning
Tornado Devastates Iowa Town; Massive Cuts Proposed
Aired April 10, 2011 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. And from the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is your CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes.
It's 6:00 a.m. here in Atlanta, Georgia, where I am. It's 5:00 a.m. in Mapleton, Iowa, and that is where a tornado tore through last night -- and yes, it was caught on video, as you see here. We'll have more of this video in a moment and tell you more about the homes and the buildings that were destroyed there. And a lot of people right now are waking up without power.
Also in Washington, D.C., what a surprise. Can you imagine visiting the Lincoln Memorial? You're looking at President Lincoln, you look over your shoulder and you see President Obama running up the steps. We'll tell you why he decided to just drop in.
Also, we want to say a special good morning to our service men and women watching us on the Armed Forces Network this morning. We are going to introduce you to a woman who is waiting to see you after your tour of duty is done.
But we do need to start with strong storms that are hammering parts of the country -- we're talking about tornadoes, flooding in some areas, baseball-sized hail in other areas.
Here are some of the major developments we are watching right now: flooding along the Red River has forced evacuations in North Dakota. Rain this weekend could send that river even higher. We've seen people out there laying out their sandbags, trying to fend off the flooding. Right now, the river sits several feet below the top of the levees in places like Fargo.
Also, snowplows out in force in Arizona. Yes, you heard me right, snowplows in Arizona, the Grand Canyon got about a foot of snow. Snowstorms forced the closure of several major highways through the area around Flagstaff as well.
And hail as large as baseballs. Check some of this stuff out -- that's what people in Charlotte, North Carolina, saw last night. You're just seeing the small stuff, if you will, thunderstorms swept through that area causing quite a bit of damage. Nine people were damaged when they were hit by lightning at a dog show.
But, again, let me get you back to that video I showed you last a moment ago and certainly where it appears we saw the worst of it last night. That was in Iowa. At least one tornado touched down there.
Take a look and listen as the storm chasers chased the storm.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Big tornado, real damage. Holy (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- that town.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, yes, Mapleton. Mapleton is in big trouble.
(EXPLETIVE DELETED)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: You might have been able to hear the person say there, "Mapleton is in big trouble," and that would appear is the case. Mapleton, Iowa, is the town we're talking about -- a massive twister tearing through there.
Let's look now -- you see the video of it actually happening.
Now, let's show you some video of what it left behind again in Mapleton. That's about 40 miles east of Omaha, Nebraska. There's no word yet on the exact extent of damage or injuries. But as, of course, the sun comes up today, we will certainly get a better idea.
But on the line with me right now to try to get an idea is Bruce Spence. He's a government liaison for the American Red Cross.
And, Bruce, you are there. Tell me -- give me an idea. You walked around and you looked around. Just how bad is it?
BRUCE SPENCE, RED CROSS (via telephone): It's pretty bad. The whole town is without power and we rolled into town about 9:00 tonight, and Main Street is a disaster. We drove by a carwash -- a block building structure, one wall had collapsed on top of a new pickup. Main Street is a mess. They've shut down the town.
As we speak, I'm looking down one of the residential streets. There's debris all over. Trees are down, extensive damage throughout the town. I visited with some urban search and rescue folks. And the good news is -- at least to this point, to the best of my knowledge -- we have no injuries, no deaths.
HOLMES: That's certainly good to hear this morning. It sounds like people may have gotten the warning they needed and did get to safety. But at the same time, sir, we know a lot of people, it appears, may have lost homes, a lot of buildings damaged. How many families will be in need of some type of shelter or other assistance certainly in the days and maybe even weeks ahead? SPENCE: Yes, that's a good point, weeks ahead. This is not going to get fixed soon. Our shelter right now, we have -- only have eight residents signed in, and four slept with us.
That's not real uncommon in rural Iowa. Most of the folks are staying with family and friends. We're going to start feeding tomorrow. We'll be feeding probably the whole town and most of the responders. So, we're looking at cranking out substantial number of meals tomorrow, and we'll keep the shelter open. We're running on generators, and that's about the extent of it.
HOLMES: All right. Well, Mr. Spence, I know it's been a long night for you and certainly for the folks in Mapleton -- but we appreciate you hopping on the line and giving us an update. And we'll stay in close contact with you as well. We'll see more when the light starts to come out. Thank you so much for your time, sir.
SPENCE: You bet. Thank you.
HOLMES: All right. I want to turn right to our Bonnie Schneider, now keeping an eye on weather.
You were talking about this yesterday. And we knew we'd have kind of a volatile weather situation. It happens in springtime. But are they at least for now done in that area? And is this whole system starting to move and threaten other areas as well?
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It's definitely threatening other areas, T.J., and unfortunately, some severe storms are happening right now even at this early hour.
Take a look at the storm reports that we're seeing across much of the country. What we're looking at, a lot of activity across much of Iowa, but when we're looking at the radar picture, what we're seeing is a lot of rain working its way through much of this region. In fact, you can see on our radar map what we're looking at is definitely some heavy downpours and precipitation across Green Bay, on into Wisconsin and on to northern Minnesota. So, this is going to be a big problem as we go through a good portion of much of the afternoon today.
In fact, let's zoom into this area here -- this is where we're tracking severe storms, parts of -- into Missouri, certainly into Iowa, to areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin. But as this storm system pushes further to the east, let's open up the map now, you'll see that we're looking at a threat for severe weather across much of this region. The problem is, T.J., is that as we go through the afternoon today, we're looking at a stronger threat for large and more damaging tornadoes.
And here's -- you can see the temperature difference here, where you have the colder air mixing with the warmer air. So, it's right through this region, the Upper Midwest, even as far south as Texas that we run the risk for severe weather and a severe weather threat for today. This is going to be a very tough day to get through, particularly this afternoon. I have to advise everyone across the Midwest, please make sure your NOAA weather radio is turned on and ready to hear any advisory that may come in. Some of the severe weather may be coming in later tonight and you could already be asleep when it comes in. So, make sure that you are prepared and ready just in case -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Bonnie, we appreciate you.
And again, folks, it's -- like we said -- it's a volatile kind of weather situation. We will not be far away from weather at any point. Bonnie is here with us throughout the morning.
We're going to turn now to politics -- well, that budget. You know, we have a deal now on 2011, that kept us from having a government shutdown. But you can't take a breather just yet. We need to look ahead to the next big fight and that is going to be over the 2012 budget. President Obama released his earlier this year. House Republicans rolled theirs out last week and this thing is massive, calling for a total of $6.2 trillion in cuts. While many critical programs would be impacted, the GOP budget plans pretty much leaves defense spending and Social Security alone.
One of the cornerstones, though, of the Republican proposal is repealing the president's health care law. It would also end corporate bailouts and ensure that the government won't be get involved in bailouts in the future.
The plan takes aims at some high profile and what many would call politically risky targets, including an overhaul of Medicare. The government would provide vouchers to seniors instead of Medicare to get government-approved private health care plans. Also, Medicaid -- and this is for lower income families. And the government would supply block grants instead to states to cover health care costs.
We're going to turn overseas in the troubled country of Ivory Coast right now. U.N. troops stopped an attack on a hotel in Abidjan by forces loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo. The country's president is staying at that hotel. French forces planned to evacuate diplomatic forces from Abidjan yesterday but aborted those plans after clashing with Gbagbo troops.
(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)
HOLMES: And, an emergency aid worker wounded in southern Syria, and today, the government announced it will crack down on demonstrations it claims are being provoked by outside elements. That announcement comes a day after protests led to the deaths of 37 demonstrators. Anti-government demonstrations have been held in several Syrian cities.
We turn now to Libya, where rebels appear to be barely holding on to the city of Ajdabiya. Rebel leaders, though, say they are outgunned by troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. Yesterday, Libyan state television showed a fist-pumping Gadhafi visiting a school in Tripoli. It was his first public appearance that we've seen in days. Meanwhile, witnesses tell CNN that three of Gadhafi's fighters were killed -- killed were carrying ID cars from Syria, Algeria, as well as Chad.
Also, in Egypt's famed Tahrir Square, the aftermath of demonstrations against the ruling military council. About 1,000 protesters were in the square early yesterday when military forces pushed them out. Protesters set fire to this bus you saw there that was carrying security forces. So far, the square is quiet today.
And in Japan, they are looking for victims. No one really sure how many are buried in the rubble from last month's earthquake and tsunami. Now, a new search is underway.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Eleven minutes past the hour now.
Tomorrow, the one month anniversary of Japan's deadly earthquake and tsunami and the nuclear disaster that came afterwards. We have a sad new milestone we have to share with you now -- the latest casualty account issued by the Japan's national police agency: just under 13,000 killed, more than 14,000 still missing. Also, 4,600 were injured and a little more than 150,000 people have to be evacuated. And we'll probably see the death toll continue to rise.
The search for victims intensifying as well today. Twenty-two thousand Japanese troops have begun a new effort to find those still missing in the areas most hit or the areas most hit by that disaster, about 100 American troops also will join in this search mission.
Also, the immediate area surrounding that Fukushima nuclear plant is an exclusion zone due to that radiation. But one reporter armed with a little more than a camera and a counter, gauge there, was ventured in to give the world a firsthand look. Check this out.
(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)
HOLMES: That journalist there is trying to check things out. He shot this video about a week ago Saturday. You could see the difficulty in trying to reach the plant, just trying to do some reporting there. But look at what this reporter ran into along the way. Also found a few stray dogs and unbelievable damage -- only things he really saw, and he did see high levels of radiation. You hear the meter going off as he gets closer and closer.
Last night, our Don Lemon spoke to this reporter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TETSOUO JIMBO, VIDEONEWSNOW.COM: No one has gone in there and, you know, we hear a lot of strange rumors about the place. So, just as a journalist, I just need to go in there and find out in person what's actually happening in there.
There's no policeman and no electricity. And basically, it is a ghost town. But at the same time, you know, those Geiger counters, radioactivity meter is going up.
But, you know, you don't feel a thing, and that's actually the most scary thing, you know? Radioactivity particles hitting your body, but you don't smell anything, you don't feel no heat. You just don't feel a thing, and that's actually the most scary part of the whole trip.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: The reporter there calculates he was exposed to a year's worth of radiation in the two hours he was inside that exclusion zone.
We'll turn back to news happening in the U.S. now -- maybe you are one of those who have got a lead foot. Well, head on over to Texas. You know, you hear they do things big in Texas, and yes, now maybe a big speed limit.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Well, about 15 minutes past the hour now. Welcome back to this CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Give you a look at some of the stories that are making news across the country, including in Texas, where drivers there could soon be able to put the pedal to the metal.
Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill to raise the speed limit to 85 miles an hour. If the state Senate goes along, Texas would have the highest speed limit in the country. They already have the speed limit of 80 miles an hour. So, this would not be going up that much. But still, 85?
Also in Utah yesterday, appraisers couldn't believe what they saw at an antique road show-style fundraiser. A man brought something in he inherited. It turned out to be one of the world's oldest printing books.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEN SANDERS, ANTIQUARIAN BOOK DEALER: A gentleman walked in and said, "I've got a really important old book here," and I'm sitting there rolling my eyes thinking, "Yes, sure you do." And then he opens it up and it's a Nuremberg chronicles from 1494.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: The book was appraised at $100,000. The owner says he wants to sell it to a museum or library so that the public can see it.
Also in San Diego, a woman is taking her homeowners' association -- is taking on that homeowners' association for hanging out and talking with friends. Over the years, this lady, 70-year-old Marilyn Webber (ph), her garage has become kind of a community center, where neighbors stop by, they chat, they have a little something to eat and drink. The homeowners' association has slapped her with a $120 fine for using her garage as a living space. You know, some of the homeowners' associations have specific rules about what you can and can't do. What kind of fence you can put up, what kind of trees you can plant, blah, blah, blah. She is refusing to pay that fine. We'll see what happens here.
Also, the British royal family has weathered a string of failed marriage. In fact, three of Queen Elizabeth's four children have been divorced. So, will there be a royal prenup for Prince William and Kate Middleton?
Also this morning, the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton has sparked a royal wedding souvenir frenzy. A lot of businesses are trying to cash in on this. Here's a look at some of the items being sold.
Would you believe seven British fashion designers and stylists teamed up to create a Princess Catherine engagement doll? This one will cost about 57 bucks.
If you can't get enough of the royal love story, you can buy a graphic novel as well, or toast the happy couple, Castle Rock Brewery has created a Kiss Me Kate beer.
So, which one might be the craziest of all? You ain't heard nothing yet. Just wait until after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Twenty-one past the hour now.
Before the break, we were talking about the crazy royal wedding souvenir frenzy that's growing more intense as the April 29th date approaches. So, what are some of the craziest souvenirs we've seen?
Well, maybe you're sick of hearing about the upcoming nuptials. Maybe this one's for you. Somebody actually made a royal wedding barf bag.
And the one souvenir that seems to outdo the others, condoms -- royal condoms. A company called Crown Jewels is selling a box of royal wedding condoms in a box imprinted with a picture of the happy couple. Also on that box, it does have a disclaimer that these are just supposed to be novelty items. They're not actually supposed to be used.
Well, Prince William and Kate Middleton will be married in about 20 days from now and people around the world are sending their best wishes. But some British attorneys are sending another message, that not all fairytales have a happy ending. Case in point, Prince Charles and Diana; Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson; Princess Anne and Mark Phillips -- three royal weddings, three royal divorces.
I spoke with CNN.com's entertainment editor Katie Caperton to see if a prenup is in the works this time.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATIE CAPERTON, ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, CNN.COM: It's a much bigger deal in America and it's not as common to have to get married and have a prenup in England. And all People talk about are they or aren't they going to get a prenup?
Let me tell you this, we're not going to know what dress she's wearing until she hops out of the car that first day. There's no way they're going to tell us whether or not they're going to sign a prenup. But --
HOLMES: Historically, have they done it, royals?
CAPERTON: Yes. It's not a very royal thing to do. But it's probably not going to happen. But even if it does happen, we're never going to hear about it.
HOLMES: Kate, what does he stand to lose? Because again, he has significant wealth.
CAPERTON: Yes. Estimates in the range of $45 million.
HOLMES: Wow.
CAPERTON: Yes. So, o he's got a lot of money, and, you know, with this comes a title. She is HRH, her royal highness. So, if they were to separate she would lose that title. And there's all the jewels.
The things we really care about, all the jewels -- because, you know, a lot of Princess Diana's jewels, the rings and everything. There's a lot to be lost in this. But, again, I just can't imagine that they're going to sign a prenup. And if they do, it's never going to be public.
HOLMES: And he came out and made a statement to this as well. He says this is not -- I'm not getting married to get divorced. It sounds like he came out and said some things that, no, I'm not going to go that direction anyway.
CAPERTON: Yes. This is a couple -- they haven't -- they didn't just meet. They've been together for a long time. And they're very much in love and they've taken things slowly and really handled themselves well in the press. So, she's had a lot of time to get used to this.
So, we wish them the best.
HOLMES: What have we seen in other royal divorces, sounds so tacky to say, but they call them commoners sometimes.
CAPERTON: Yes.
HOLMES: What have we seen in royal divorces, particularly in England there, when they are -- what does the commoner end up getting? Do they end up getting a significant amount from the royal family once they split?
CAPERTON: Yes. Again, there are reports that Princess Diana walked away with $20 million some odd. She had a different title. Again, it's -- the royal family is very quiet about these things. But you can -- and a lot of it ends up in the press and, you know, you can't escape it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: CNN, of course, will be covering that royal wedding and we're even sending you possibly -- yes, you, talking to you. An iReporter out there CNN will send.
If you happen to be in London on the happy day, please grab a camera, send us your thoughts. But we're also having a competition here at CNN, in which one of our iReporters will get a chance to go over to the royal wedding. We'll have an announcement on that coming up soon.
Well, two major lapses in security at two different major U.S. airports. There aren't supposed to be knives and a dead dog on the plane, right?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We're at the bottom of the hour here on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Welcome back, everybody. I'm T.J. Holmes.
You know, we have a deal now on that 2011 budget. Can't kick back and relax, though, time for the next big fight -- the 2012 budget. President Obama released his earlier this year. House Republicans released theirs last week, calls for a total of $6.2 trillion in cuts.
While many critical programs would be impacted, the GOP budget plan pretty much leaves defense spending and Social Security alone. One of the cornerstones, however, of the Republican proposal is repealing the president's health care law. And it would also incorporate bailouts and ensure that the government won't get involved in bailouts in the future.
The plan takes aim at high-profile and politically risky targets as well, including Medicare, the government would provide vouchers to seniors to get government-approved private health care plans that would be part of the overhaul. And then there's Medicaid -- that is for low income families. The government would supply block grants to states to help cover health care costs.
Well, President Obama hailed that new budget plan. How did he do it? He made a quick stop that wasn't too far from home. Look at this picture here -- that is the president of the United States and the Secret Service around, running up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. That is one of the tourist stops that would have closed if there's been a government shutdown.
Can you imagine being one of those folks just there hanging out, looking at President Lincoln, and here comes President Obama running up the steps? You can see people pretty excited there. Take a listen.
OBAMA: Real quick, that because Congress was able to settle its differences that's why this place is open today and everybody's able to enjoy their visit. And that's the kind of future cooperation I hope we have going forward because this is what America is all about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: How cool is that for some of them.
A lot of military families, they were closely watching the argument over the federal budget as well. Among them Erica Roach, her husband is Ryan Roach. He's an aviation mechanic in the Navy. I've talked to her on the phone about this last-minute deal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERICA ROACH, MILITARY WIFE (via telephone): I'm very much relieved there's no shutdown that we're going to get our paychecks, but in the same aspect, is it going to be OK on Thursday? I mean, are we going to have to go through this again?
HOLMES: So you feel like you're still on edge. You don't trust them until it's done, if you will.
ROACH: Exactly. Like, I mean, I, you know, have two kids that I need to take care of this with paycheck and you know, I work a part- time job, but it's not enough.
It doesn't compensate for what my husband makes and to know that that's at risk is, you know, Congress can't agree on everything, that's scary.
HOLMES: Ma'am, what was your reaction or what is it to hear, frankly, that the back and forth and some of the things that are being argued about and you know people, so much of this is politics, but you're a real person with a real family and we can hear your real children in the background as we talk to you here.
ROACH: Yes.
HOLMES: What's that like for you to be -- to listen to your situation almost and your family and your husband being used as some kind of political pawn almost and what is quite frankly a political game?
ROACH: It hurts. I mean, to know that the military members in general and their families, we sacrifice so much. Our husbands and wives go on deployments. They don't get to see their significant other. They don't get to see their kids.
I have friends, you know, who have missed the birth of their children and to know that we can just be, you know, a pawn to see who is going to fold their cards faster, it's just unfair.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: She's still on edge right now, waiting for them to sign and to sign off on that major budget deal, the 2011 budget. You know there is an extension in place right now that lasts until next Friday, but we're told that is just put in place to give them time to finish the paperwork on the major budget.
But for all intents and purposes they believe it will get done next month. Members of Congress, according to Ms. Roach, she said they need to do what's best for Americans and not what's best for their own political parties.
I want to give a look at some of the other stories making headlines right now, despite tight security across Nigeria Saturday the first of three rounds of voting was marked by a violence.
Bomb blasts at a polling station. At a counting center called the number of casualties in the northeast part of that country, at least eight people were killed in a similar incident on Friday.
Still turnout was reportedly high across the country as voters chose candidates for parliament. Next Saturday is the presidential vote.
And we may really never know why a 24-year-old Dutch national went on a deadly shooting rampage yesterday at a shopping mall in the Netherlands. The unidentified gunman killed seven people, wounded 16 more before turning the gun on himself.
Police say they have yet to find any explosives. The suspect claimed to have planted throughout the city in a farewell note found at his mother's house.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Mapleton. Mapleton's in big trouble.
HOLMES (voice-over): You heard that person say there "Mapleton is in big trouble." A reference to Mapleton, Iowa, that was hit last night. It was just one of a wave of tornadoes you're seeing there that swept over several Iowa counties, and again, this one is in Mapleton, about 40 miles east of Omaha, Nebraska.
Just minutes ago, I spoke with a Red Cross official in Mapleton who called Main Street a disaster. He says fortunately there have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries.
The National Weather Service says tornadoes were spotted in as many in 11 towns and cities in northern and west central Iowa.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!
HOLMES: You know that line, you know it well, the classic from the classic film "Network." Well, the director of that film, Sidney Lumet died Saturday of lymphoma in New York City. He was 86 years old.
He has more than 40 films to his credit, among them some classics including "12 Angry Men" that was his first film he did with Henry Fonda, also "Serpico" "Dog Day Afternoon" both of those had Al Pacino starring. Also you saw there "Network" as I mentioned, but also "Verdict," "The Wiz" are just some of the classics to his credit. He was often called an actor's director. He has a number of Oscar nominations and nods to his credit.
Also received a lifetime achievement Oscar in 2005 and directed 17 different acting performances that were nominated for Oscars. Sidney Lumet dead at the age of 86 years old.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: We want to turn to airport security now and one airport with some serious security lapses that are so bad, get this, even the top TSA brass are worried about its ability to provide adequate security for passengers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice-over): Now the airport in question right now is Newark Liberty International, the same airport that United Airlines flight 93 departed from on 9/11. The plane that later crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Well, there's been a newly discovered internal memo that revealed some stunning security breaches.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Those breaches discussed at a secret meeting on Thursday, and in one of those incidents a dead dog was loaded onto a Continental jet unchecked and cleared to fly. Also that memo also cites incidents of unchecked passengers boarding the planes with knives.
A reporter from New Jersey's "Star Ledger" broke this story. He spoke to our Don Lemon last night.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Tell us about some of those more egregious lapses.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I guess the big one was when the Chinese graduate student at Rutger's snuck passed a vacated checkpoint to get a last good-bye kiss from his girlfriend who was flying back to China. That was back in January of 2010.
There have been others since, particularly a spate of half a dozen starting in early this year, one of those involved a dead dog that a passenger brought to the gate or to the security checkpoint with him.
And the dog was sent down to cargo to be screened and loaded onto the plane and they found out after the plane had taken off it hadn't been screened after all.
LEMON: So Ann Davis who is a spokesperson for the TSA Agency released a statement saying TSA managers have basically learned from this report and that lapses like this won't happen again. Are people buying it? Do you buy it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I won't be say whether or I buy it or not. I don't know exactly how they can be sure that they'll never be security lapses again.
There was some skepticism among some of the supervisors who were at these meetings about whether or not the recommendations that are set down by managers in this document we got a hold of whether they would actually be implemented.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg issued a statement and in it he says "frequent breaches at Newark Liberty Airport are unacceptable and demand immediate attention. The federal government is doing an investigation at my request and I am hopeful that now we might finally be moving forward to crack down on Newark Liberty's security problems."
Also, police in New York City are complaining about possible security lapses at JFK. They're pointing to an unmanned railway system that ferries passengers to and from the terminals.
They say it could be used as, quote, "a weapon delivery system." A major police organization is calling for a larger presence for law enforcement on that rail line, but the port authority, which is in charge of security says there is no danger.
Well, running for president these days is getting awfully expensive. Does it really cost $1 billion to get elected? Why?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's 41 minutes past the hour now. One billion dollars, that is the fund-raising goal for President Obama as he tries for a second term. CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser tells us the race starts right now.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Good morning, T.J. President Barack Obama helps to bring in the big bucks for his re-election campaign this week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER (voice-over): We expect Mr. Obama to be the main attraction at a fund-raiser at his hometown of Chicago on Thursday. It's the first of a bunch of big dollar, high profile events the president will headline for his re-election bid at the White House.
You know, it was just six days ago that the president announced his re-election bid in an e-mail and video to supporters and while Mr. Obama may rely on larger donations a bit more this time around, his campaign was quick to point out. That just about all of the contributions they brought in, in the first 24 hours after his re-election announcement were donations of $200 or less from average Americans they say, not from fat cats.
Now the president shattered all records in 2008 when he raised nearly $750 million. This time around, their goal is to raise up to $1 billion. Why does he need to worry about so much money especially since he probably won't have to worry about a primary challenge?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER: Well, one reason, expect conservative independent groups to be running ads against the president as soon as a few weeks from now. The president will have to combat those with his own ads. Remember, you know, it's been kind of quiet so far in the race for the White House, but it starting to heat up right around now. T.J.
HOLMES: All right, thanks to our Paul Steinhauser there. Despite rumors to the contrary, Oprah Winfrey plans to stand behind President Obama in the 2012 race.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Entertainment site reports that Winfrey was possibly staying out of it because she had some ratings worries for her new network, but her camp fired back telling the "New York Daily News" that her support for President Obama is unwavering.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Well, the Lazarus effect, are you familiar with that? It was a miracle in the Bible and today those who fight AIDS in Africa are reminding churches that a similar miracle may still be possible today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADAM PHILLIPS, ONE CAMPAIGN: Lazarus effect is this phenomenon that happens when people are dying from AIDS and literally resurrected off their death beds.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: And when we come back, I will ask that man you just heard from how a group that was co-founded by singer and activist Bono is helping make those miracles happen.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We're a quarter at the top of the hour now and today, in thousands of churches across America, people will be hearing the story of Lazarus. He's the man the Bible tells us was raised from the death in a miracle performed by Jesus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice-over): On this so-called Lazarus Sunday, 1,500 of those churches will be showing clips from the documentary "The Lazarus Effect." It shows how the availability of AIDS drugs can transform lives in Africa.
The group organizing Lazarus Sunday is the ONE campaign co- founded by U2 singer Bono and faith relations manager is Adam Phillips.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: And he joins me now from Washington. Mr. Phillips, good to see you this morning, sir. For those who may not familiar, give us a quick history lesson here. Exactly what was biblically speaking the Lazarus effect?
PHILLIPS: That's right. The Lazarus Effect is a story in the gospel of John, Chapter 11, where Jesus raises one of his closest friends, Lazarus of Bethany from the dead.
There's this great line in the text where word gets out that Jesus' friend Lazarus is sick and dying, and Jesus cries out this disease will not lead to death. Your brother will rise again.
HOLMES: OK, and people are now and I say people, relief agencies as well as doctors are applying that same idea and theme in a real world way in Africa. How?
PHILLIPS: That's right. Lazarus Effect is this term that's used throughout civil society in Africa. Church leaders, doctors, nurses, politicians use it to describe what happens when people get access to these life-saving anti-retroviral therapies, these AIDS medicines that literally resurrect lives.
People for 40 cents a day within 40 days their lives are transformed and they bounce up off their death beds, going back to school and going to work. We see entire communities transformed.
HOLMES: We want people to see exactly what you're talking about. We have some before and after pictures. So you set this up for me well, but you see the before and after for our viewers there --
PHILLIPS: That's right.
HOLMES: Someone before they got this medicine and after. You see the woman on the left, and then afterwards, after she gets the drugs. And like you just mentioned, it could only take some 40 days.
I believe we have another picture as well. But as we continue to show our viewers this, I'll continue to ask you we're talking about 40 cents a day. We hear that every once in a while, but it's amazing how inexpensive this stuff is. So why is it so difficult to get it to the folks who need it?
PHILLIPS: Well, it's difficult because sometimes the funding is just not there. Forty cents a day changed the lives of an individual African, our neighbors across the world. We begin to see a life transformed. We begin to see communities transformed. The challenge is right now especially in the funding. These programs are programs invested in by American people, our taxpayer dollars for less than 1 percent of the federal budget. Millions of lives are being saved in Africa.
HOLMES: Adam, how important is it for churches to be involved in this? Because historically, churches weren't always so keen on pushing and being involved in helping in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
PHILLIPS: Yes, I think, you know, growing up, the church -- my experience with the church they weren't active. There's a certain stigma around HIV/AIDS. We've really seen I think in the last 10 to 15 years see change.
It started I think around 2000, 2001, 2002, President Bush's emergency plan for AIDS relief, Pepfar, the monumental piece of legislation that the church got behind.
And yet people like Kaye and Rick Warren World Vision, catholic relief services, Episcopal Church, all organized to speak out and advocate for these policies and truly care for the least of these.
HOLMES: Before I let you go here, just let everybody know if they want to help out or read more about it, where can they get some information?
PHILLIPS: You could still get involved in Lazarus Sunday, just go to one.org/faith. Everything's there for free to download. We're not looking for your money. We're looking for your voice.
HOLMES: All right, Adam Phillips, we really appreciate you being here. An important topic that certain a lot of viewers were very interested in once I put it out this morning on social media. It's good to have you here this morning. You enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
PHILLIPS: Thank you, you too.
HOLMES: For our viewers, you can read more about Lazarus Sunday on ONE campaigns fight against AIDS in Africa on cnn.com's believe blog as well, that's cnn.com/belief.
HOLMES: Also I want to you take a look at something here. This picture, it's a bunch of trash and slime and debris that's floating around after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Would you believe that stuff is headed right for the west coast of the United States.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's about 8 minutes to the top of the hour now. Tomorrow the one-month anniversary of Japan's natural disaster and now nuclear disaster and with it comes now a sad new milestone.
The latest casualty count issued by Japan's national police agency just under 13,000 killed, more than 14,500 still missing, more than 4,600 injured and a little more than 150,000 people in all had to be evacuated.
The search for victims is intensifying today, with 22,000 Japanese troops beginning a new effort to find those still missing. Hundred American troops are also joining in on that search in a number of particular prefectures that were affected.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice-over): Also powerful evidence of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan headed right towards us. The massive debris field inches across the pacific. The tsunami swept entire villages out to sea, more than 200,000 buildings in all.
Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider is here with an interesting look at all this debris and where it's headed and when it's expected to be here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: One of my first question is all this stuff stay together in a clump and head away or does it kind of dissipate a little bit?
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It actually stays together and that's what's fascinating, whether it's a small particle like tree bench or a larger particle like a home or a building, the material does tend to gather together. It's steered by the winds and the currents in the Pacific Ocean.
Now researchers at the University of Hawaii, Nicolai Maximenco and John Heffner have been tracking computer models to kind of project over the next five years where this big massive pile of debris will go.
And as you can see it works its way across the Pacific and it's estimated to hit the Hawaiian islands within a year and then within three years hit the Pacific West Coast of the U.S. and Canada as far south as the Baja Peninsula and then loop back around, become even more concentrated and hit Hawaii for a second time, and that will occur in five years.
Now there are 15,000 buoys across the open waters of the Pacific, that's some of the data used in order to track this computer model. Take a look at some of the debris in the ocean and you'll see the magnitude of it and how large it is, we're talking about homes, boats, tires, trees and entire buildings.
So a massive amount of debris is floating right now in the Pacific Ocean and within a year it will be hitting the coastline of Hawaii, breaking up as it works across the Pacific. Now some of that natural degradation will occur just in the ocean, but a lot of it actually occurs because the debris bangs into each other.
And just by that effect alone breaks up, but it's going to take a long time for it to completely dissipate in the Pacific because the winds swirl it around in a clock wide fashion. It's fascinating computer model and excellent research out of the University of Hawaii. HOLMES: That is remarkable to think that we might be waiting on this for years to make it over here and then it might loop back around. That is fascinating still and one of the after effects of the tsunami disaster.
Bonnie, we appreciate you. Thank you so much. Bonnie is here with us this morning, again, a lot of weather going on around the country. So we'll have the updates throughout the morning as well.
Everybody out there, of course, you just need a hug sometimes. Our military men and women watching us right now actually on the Armed Forces Network, hello to you al once again.
You got a lot of people waiting on you to get home, a lot of people want to give you a hug, but one lady in particular is a good chance she might be right there at the airport.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right, a couple minutes to the top of the hour here. And once again, to our military men and women watching us right now, sometimes you just need a hug.
And certainly some of you men and women do and you'll get that from friends and family, but at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, you'll get a hug from somebody you have no idea who she is, an Army grandmother who greets the returning service members and today she is our veteran in focus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BETTE ROSE BOWERS, "THE HUG LADY": My name is Bette Rose Bowers and I'm at the Atlanta Airport. God bless you. Welcome home. We welcome the troops as they are coming in for their two weeks of R&R. Where are you coming from?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Afghanistan.
BOWERS: They're coming in from Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq. Welcome home. Where is home?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Huntsville, Alabama.
BOWERS: I've been told that I'm affectionately called "The Hug Lady." God bless you, thank you. I'm a sucker for men in uniform and I hug them because I want them all to know that they're appreciated.
Seeing a service person, see his child, his baby for the first time, probably just a matter of weeks old, a little baby and he got to see her for the first time, that doesn't bring tears to your eyes then you're pretty heartless.
That's worth all the pictures in the world, isn't it? Having that father see his baby, that was great. It's unbelievable the feeling that it gives you or seeing a little girl. See their mother or daddy and just run. I mean, just running to their arms. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm waiting on my son, he's coming home from Kabul. Welcome home, Slate. Love you. Love you, love you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Parents seeing their sons or daughters that they haven't seen for several months.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. Here we go.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can't tell you how many times I have shed tears.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good tears, happy tears.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm happy he's here in one piece and safe and sound.
BETTE ROSE BOWERS, "THE HUG LADY": I have a grandson who is in the Army. I can't help but want to put my arms around these young people and I want them to know that they're cared about and that we're proud of them, and what they're doing. They're putting their lives out for us.
You're welcoming them home. They deserve a hug.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC)
HOLMES: Hello, there, everybody. From the CNN Center, this is your CNN SUNDAY MORNING. I'm T.J. Holmes. It's 7:00 a.m. here in Atlanta, Georgia, and our world headquarters. It's 6:00 a.m. in Mapleton, Iowa, where they had a heck of a night -- a tornado tore through there last night.
Do you see that in this video? And we've got more video to show you as well. Homes and buildings destroyed, just about nobody has power there right now and the Red Cross telling us that the Main Street is a disaster. We'll tell you what's happening as folks wake up this morning.
Also, what a treat and what a surprise. That is your commander- in-chief running up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Can you imagine being there on your vacation? And here comes the president. We'll tell you why he decided to just drop in yesterday.
Also, living life on the tracks. You have got to see this to believe it. People scramble to get out of the way as a train runs through their market. Unusual ways people are making a living around the world. That is coming up.
Let's start right now by going across this country. I want to show you more of that severe weather video. Check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Big tornado, real damage. Holy (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- that town.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, yes, Mapleton. Mapleton is in big trouble.
(EXPLETIVE DELETED)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: That is the line this morning, and, boy, it really told a story, "Mapleton is in trouble" -- Mapleton, Iowa, specifically. This was one of a number of tornadoes that tore across Iowa. This is just one of this, and yes, this one hit the small town of Mapleton. These are storm chasers out there. You're hearing their voices and you're seeing their video right now.
The National Weather Service is telling us at least three tornadoes caused significant damage in parts of that state yesterday, and the governor has issued a disaster declaration for at least one county.
I was able to talk to a Red Cross official last hour who has made his way to Mapleton. Take a listen to him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRUCE SPENCE, AMERICAN RED CROSS GOV'T. LIAISON (via telephone): Main Street is a mess. They've shut down the town. As we speak, I'm looking down one of the residential streets. There's debris all over, trees are down, extensive damage throughout the town.
I visited with some urban search and rescue folks, and the good news is -- at least to this point, to the best of my knowledge -- we have no injuries.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Also in Texas, this is what they're dealing with, massive wildfires across parts of that state, now burned more than 60,000 acres and the fight is on to try to contain those fires. They have some wild winds there that are whipping up these flames. The Forestry Service says today could be one of the hardest ever in the state's history for the fire crews there. About 70 firefighters are on the front lines of this fight.
Also in North Carolina last night, hail the size of baseballs some describe it as, came raining down across parts of the state. You're looking at some of the smaller ones right now in this video. Thunderstorms swept through that area yesterday causing damage. Nine people injured when they were hit by lightning at a dog show.
And we're just getting in some new weather video throughout Iowa, probably get some more throughout the morning, right, Bonnie?
Bonnie is here for Reynolds Wolf, and just another -- this is springtime. This is what we get sometimes.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: This is just the beginning, T.J. Actually, I think today is going to be a lot worse than yesterday was.
In fact, we're just getting video in of the active data from yesterday -- 272 reports of hail, as you saw, in North Carolina, and then 27 reports of tornadoes in Iowa.
You're looking at night vision -- this video was taken overnight and you can see the flashes of lightning. There's the tornado, look in the distance you can see the funnel cloud and look at it when it flashes, the lightning illuminates that tornado as it comes down. This is Pocahontas County in Iowa. Incredible night vision video brought to us by a stringer out there, really some scary pictures, because a lot of the tornado warnings that were coming in, in Iowa last night were happening while people were sleeping.
So, unless, you had your NOAA weather radio turned on, you may not have been aware a tornado warning was issued. And usually, you have moments to prepare, moments to take cover, and it's important to do that in the most interior room of your home, like a bathroom or if you're in a bedroom you want to grab the mattress and take it to you to the bathroom and get in the bathtub because the plumbing that insulates your bathroom actually can help and protect you. It's maybe something you wouldn't think of. But that is one of the safest places to be.
Right now, we're looking at severe weather working its way across Wisconsin and Minnesota. And this part of the country, the Upper Midwest -- well, this is where we're watching for a big threat for severe weather today -- once again, a larger and more widespread threat today than even yesterday. Severe storms will erupt this afternoon all the way from Wisconsin, Minnesota, down through Texas. It's going to be a wild one unfortunately today.
Please make sure you have your NOAA weather radio turned on into the overnight hours, because once again, T.J., the tornado warning can only sometimes give you 10 minutes to take cover and those minutes could save your life.
HOLMES: All right. Important information this morning, but again, another volatile day here. Bonnie, we appreciate you as always.
We turn to politics now. Since we finally have a deal on the 2011 budget, time now to kick back and take it easy for awhile. Oh, no. Time for the next big fight: the 2012 budget. President Obama released his earlier this year, House Republicans rolled out theirs last week. It calls for a total of $6.2 trillion in cuts.
While many critical programs would be impacted, the GOP budget plan leaves defense spending and Social Security alone. One of the cornerstones of the Republican proposal, however, is repealing the president's health care law. It would also end corporate bailouts and ensure that the government won't get involved in bailouts in the future.
The plan takes aim at some pretty high profile and what some would say politically risky targets, including Medicare and Medicaid. Now, the government would provide vouchers to seniors instead of doing the Medicare program, and this would allow them to get government- approved private health care plans.
And then there's Medicaid. This one is for lower income families. The government would supply block grants to states instead to help cover health care costs.
Well, President Obama is apparently happy with the new budget deal on the 2012 budget that was reached over the weekend that kept the U.S. government from shutting down. So he was so excited he went out for a trip, just up the street, however.
Take a look at the president. That is President Obama running up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It's one of the tourist stops that possibility would have closed if there had been a government shutdown. So, people were there -- again, can you imagine this, there on trips, kids on spring break right now, people just hanging out there and here comes the president?
Take a listen to the message he had for them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I just want to say real quick that because Congress was able to settle its differences, that's why this place is open today and everybody's able to enjoy their visit. And that's the kind of future cooperation I hope we have going forward, because this is what America is all about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: And also an update on the tradition like no other. Right now, a 21-year-old is leading all others. We're talking about the Masters here. Rory McIlroy, he is hoping to get his first green jacket. Now, if f he plays today like he has played the first three days of this tournament, he will win this thing hands down.
Today is the final round. He is a few shots ahead of the rest, a four-shot lead. But this is a 21-year-old kid here, folks.
Now, Tiger Woods -- he was in contention, having a pretty good first and second day, not the best Saturday. He shot two over par. He's now seven shots back from the lead.
Also, Jay-z, he has been hit with a pretty big fine by the NBA. Yes, you know the mogul I'm talking about there. He's also part owner of the NBA's New Jersey Nets.
The team now, the Nets, is being fined because Jay-z went to the University of Kentucky's locker room after one of their wins in the NCAA tournament, the one that put them into the Final Four.
He was there simply to congratulate the team. You see this every once in a while, celebrities go in and whatnot. But as an owner of an NBA team, he is not allowed to have contact with college players who still have eligibility left.
Well, in Boston, the mayor there is taking a stand against obesity. How? He is banning the sale of sugary drinks on city property. That means about 100 vending machines plus concession stands at city hall will have to change what it they're serving. Boston banned soda sales in city schools in 2004. This ban would take effect in six months.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. WALTER WILLETT, HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH: It's the right step to be taking. We're not punishing those individuals. They're going to be punished enough for directly for the health consequences down the road.
MAYOR THOMAS MENINO, BOSTON: As contracts I renegotiated, the new bids issued, vendor also have to comply with the standards.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Also coming up this morning, it is a once prosperous African country. It was a country that many thought was on the upswing, after getting past a deadly civil war. Now, a lot of people are wondering if the country is once again headed for another civil war.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Fourteen minutes past the hour now.
People in Poland taking a moment to remember their former president and 95 others killed in a plane crash in Russia. Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria were among the victims of that crash in Russia one year ago today. Church bells ring out to mark the exact minutes of that crash.
The president was part of a delegation of public and military figures who are commemorating an event, a World War II event, when their plane went down. A large crowd gathered in front of Poland's presidential palace in Warsaw to remember President Kaczynski.
I want to turn now to Ivory Coast, where a long, simmering standoff over presidential succession has exploded into some new violence. French troops were sent in to help calm the situation. They've now been drawn into the fight. We'll get the latest developments there in just a moment.
But, first, CNN's Dan Rivers has more into what's turning into a humanitarian disaster.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DAN RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is what it's come in to Ivory Coast. They used to call this place an economic miracle, now, bodies litter the boulevards.
The French don't want this fight, but they are slowly being sucked into it. This is how they're moving about Abidjan now. What was once a political standoff a week ago is now looking like Africa's latest civil war in a former French colony that was once so prosperous.
The French army is struggling to support Alassane Ouattara, the man who won amid escalating violence.
This French commander explains that after mortar shells fell on his ambassador's residence, his troops, supported by helicopters, had no choice but to strike back. The French blame Gbagbo's side who in turn deny they're the aggressor.
Next door to the French embassy, Laurent Gbagbo remained hold up in a bunker underneath the presidential palace, refusing to concede defeat in November's election.
Ivory Coast's border has been sealed to visitors since Tuesday. Although some locals are being allowed in, many more are coming out.
We tried approaching the Frontier at Elubo, in Ghana, crossing the river at the Noe. We weren't allowed to film as Gbagbo militia aggressively told us to leave.
(on camera): This is as far as we're being allowed toward the Ivory Coast, it's pretty what looks like fairly lawless on the other side, uniformed gunmen who we understand with Laurent Gbagbo.
(voice-over): Those without guns later agreed to talk.
These men are defiant, angry and insistent that Gbagbo remains and always will be president. And this is where some of those fleeing the fighting have ended up. At Ampem camp in Ghana already has nearly 3,000 people, mostly women and children.
Lou Lena (ph) fled here from Abidjan with her family. She says people were killed, people's heads were cut off. She says there were massacres, rapes and everything. So, it's better to leave so they can't kill you.
Here, childhood is a luxury in short supply. As even the very youngest Ivory Coast refugees struggle to make a new home.
They've already been here weeks. Who knows how long they'll stay.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And Dan Rivers is joining me now. He is in Ghana, along the border there with the Ivory Coast. Dan, it sounded like -- certainly, the international community has recognized Ouattara as the president. Gbagbo, they say, should not be the president anymore. He's holding on to power. It sounds like he still has many supporters and every time he gets close to being squeezed, it seems like his supporters come out even more so.
What is the latest with him and the possibility that they could, like we say, squeeze him out?
RIVERS: It seems at the moment that his forces are on the offensive again. When we first arrived in this region, it seemed like this was an end game, that he was hold up in a bunker surrounded by forces loyal to his rival, Alassane Ouattara.
Now, we're being told that Gbagbo's forces have retaken key areas of the main city, Abidjan. There was a big firefight last night at the Gulf Hotel where Alassane Ouattara has been holed up for months. That was attacked, and the U.N. fired back as part of their mandate to protect Ouattara, who, as you say, is the internationally recognized winner of the election.
But the French as well have troops on the ground there, they've been trying to evacuate diplomats and have been beaten back, forced back by troops we think loyal to Gbagbo as well.
So, this isn't over at all. If anything it seems like the power is shifting a little bit in favor of Gbagbo, who is -- although he is hold up underneath the presidential palace in a bunker -- his supporters are certainly not giving up and going home at the moment.
All right. Our Dan Rivers, again, in Ghana there on the border with Ivory Coast -- an important story, Dan. We appreciate you being there and bringing that to us. Thank you so much.
(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)
HOLMES: We turn to Syria now, and an emergency aide worker has been wounded therein southern Syria. Meanwhile, today, the government announcing it will crack down on demonstrations it claims are being provoked by outside elements, the announcement comes a day after protests led to the deaths of 37 demonstrators. Anti-government demonstrations have been held in several Syrian cities.
Also in Libya, rebels there appear to be barely holding on to the all important city of Ajdabiya. Rebel leaders, though, say they are outgunned by troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi. Yesterday, Libyan state television showed a fist-pumping Gadhafi visiting a school in Tripoli. It was his first public we've seen in days. Meanwhile, witnesses tell CNN that three of Gadhafi's fighters who were killed were carrying ID cards from Syria, Algeria, as well as Chad.
Also, we want to show you video you just won't believe. Are you seeing this? A train running straight through a market. It sounds dangerous. It sounds like a problem, but it's the norm and it's really no big deal to the vendors who have their businesses set up there. We'll explain. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right. Twenty-three minutes past the hour. Nadia Bilchik is joining us here with this morning's "Morning Passport."
And when you all sent this one out for possibilities of what you're going to talk about, we had to see the video because I'm like, wait, what is she talking about? She's talking about a market where you can linger and hang out and shop but when you hear that siren, you need to get to stepping --
NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: Quite right.
HOLMES: -- is what you're saying. So, we're talking about -- this is outside of Bangkok, right?
BILCHIK: Exactly. In Thailand, about an hour outside of Bangkok, is the world's most fascinating market. Now, what happens is you have people on either side of the track selling their wares.
HOLMES: Right here, there's the market.
BILCHIK: Right. And as the train goes through, they will have to dismantle everything you're seeing so that the train can go through, as you're watching right now, and once the train has gone through, then they will take and resurrect and start from the very beginning, and this happens eight times a day.
HOLMES: Look how close they are.
BILCHIK: Look how close. And they're so used to it. What's so extraordinary is that there are never any accidents.
HOLMES: There's never been an accident, not one little something here or there?
BILCHIK: Well, can I quantify? But, certainly, they're used to it and people say what's so incredible is the leisurely way the people, the minute they know the train is coming, just dismantle and start again.
HOLMES: Now, it goes at a pretty slow clip there. So, I assume the people on the train or the train conductor, they cooperate. They know where they're going, and, hey, everybody -- give everybody a heads up.
BILCHIK: One would hope so. But, apparently, it's not that slow, it's quite speedy.
HOLMES: OK.
BILCHIK: But I'm going now to take you to India, T.J. I'm going to take you to the largest outdoor laundry in the world.
HOLMES: OK. BILCHIK: And this is in Mumbai, and they call them Dhobi Gats. And this is areas where you see concrete basins and the washer men or the Dhobi are washing the clothes against the stone that is inside of these concrete basins. And this is an age-old tradition in India.
HOLMES: Wow.
BILCHIK: And for about $2 or $3 a day, if you're living in a hotel, you can get your entire suitcase of clothes washed for around, as I said $3. But so extraordinary is none of the clothes get mixed up.
HOLMES: How is that possible?
BILCHIK: And they end up being pristine and clean because of this age-old method. Well, what's happening, of course, in India now, is there are going to be increasing amounts of dry cleaners and people are getting washing machines. So, unfortunately, this age-old tradition may just become a tourist attraction.
HOLMES: Might fade away.
Oh. Great video this morning, what do you have for us next hour?
BILCHIK: Well, we are going to be going into more detail about these two extraordinary things.
HOLMES: OK, I want to see more about the outdoor washing. OK?
BILCHIK: Let's go there.
HOLMES: You've got that for us. Good. All right, Nadia Bilchik with our "Passport." We'll see here again in the next hour.
To a lot of folks this morning, I know you might be headed to church. How much are you going to put in that offering plate? Next hour, a fascinating conversation about tithing. And while a new survey says that a majority of some ministers say tithing is not required by the Bible. That's in our "Faces of Faith."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We may never know why a 24-year-old Dutch national went on a deadly shooting rampage yesterday at a shopping mall in the Netherlands. This gunman killed seven people, wounded 16 more before turning the gun on himself. Police say they have yet to find any explosive the suspect claimed to have planted throughout the city.
Also, several Iowa counties are cleaning up this morning after a wave of tornadoes spotted as many as 11 towns and cities. Right now, we do not have any word of serious injuries or deaths.
I'll be back with you at the top of the hour with more live news. Right now, the good doctor, Sanjay Gupta.
