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CNN Sunday Morning
Firestorm Over WikiLeaks Founder; Politics This Week; Breaking Down The GOP Medicare Plan; Swim Club Racial Suit Settled; Syrian VP Not Seen At Prayers
Aired August 19, 2012 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: From CNN world headquarters in Atlanta, this is EARLY START WEEKEND.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My understanding is that the British would arrest him and extradite him to Sweden.
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KAYE: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Wait till you hear how he may try to escape. We'll have a report from the scene.
Plus, international outrage over the death of a pregnant teen. We'll explain why a government decision may have cost two lives and read some of your feedback.
And later, an unlikely police chief, a swimmer who won't give up, and the woman on the arm of the VP hopeful. We'll bring you the week's most intriguing people.
It is Sunday, August 19th. Good morning, everyone, I'm Randi Kaye. So glad you're with us this morning.
His release of classified U.S. cables labeled him a hero to supporters of free speech and a villain to nations across the globe who struggle to repair diplomatic ties in the aftermath. Today, Julian Assange find himself at the center of another international incident as Ecuador and Great Britain battle over the WikiLeaks founder's future. Let's bring in Atika Shubert. She's outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London for us this morning. That is where Assange has been staying after being granted asylum by the South American country.
Atika, good morning.
Ecuador's decision sparked a fight with Britain which wants to extradite Assange to Sweden on these allegations of sexual assault. Now other countries are getting involved. What are officials saying?
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, basically Britain is saying they feel they have a duty and obligation to arrest him, extradite him to Sweden. That's why you can see all the British police lined up in front of the Ecuadorian behind me. If Julian Assange were to step outside, British authorities say they would arrest him. We are expecting him, however, to make a statement at some point today. And they do seem to be preparing that balcony on my right there for some sort of a statement later on.
In the meantime, the group of South American nations is actually meeting to discuss this diplomatic standoff. And as you can imagine, Ecuador has been particularly vocal. Take a listen it how President Rafael Correa opened up the conference yesterday.
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PRESIDENT RAFAEL CORREA, ECUADOR (through translator): This unheard of threat of the United Kingdom is a threat to all of us. And I'm sure that we will conclude at the ABLA meeting with a resounding declaration that rejects all vestiges of colonialism as unacceptable in the 21st century and above all unacceptable to a dignified great country, free and sovereign. Thank you very much, and welcome.
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SHUBERT: Now that threat that he is talking about is basically an implicit threat by the British authorities to strip the embassy of its diplomatic status if it is being misused and then go in and arrest Assange. Now, that would be a very long and involved legal process. It doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon. They're certainly not going to storm into the embassy and arrest him. But Britain says it wants to resolve the situation diplomatically through negotiations. But so far it looks like a standoff, and Julian Assange could be in there indefinitely.
Randi.
KAYE: Yes, a lot of us have been wondering -- a lot of folks talking about why Ecuador. What's at stake for Ecuador here? Why do they have something in the race here to try and help Julian Assange?
SHUBERT: Well, you remember when he released all of those diplomatic cables, he made a lot of enemies, but he also made a few friends. Some of them in Latin America. And President Rafael Correa was one of those who came out in support of Julian Assange and he even came out and did an interview with Assange on his talk show. And during that interview, Correa said that if Assange ever need asylum, he was welcome in Ecuador. He may not have expected Julian Assange to take him up on his offer, but that's exactly what happened. He walked into the embassy and claimed asylum. And now he's been granted asylum. It's just that he can't actually get to Ecuador without traveling through British territory first and facing arrest.
KAYE: So they became fast friends it sounds like. Atika Shubert, thank you very much. Appreciate that.
To Syria now where U.N. observers will leave the country four months after they arrived as part of a mandate to monitor a cease- fire. That mandate expires today, even as the deal between the government and rebels to stop fighting never happened. The U.N. says it will maintain a presence after the observers leave.
Separately, amid conflicting reports about his defection, the exact location of Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa is still unknown. But a video of prayers marking the end of Ramadan fasting could be telling. It shows senior Syrian leadership in attendance, including President Bashar al Assad. Al-Sharaa, however, is absent.
The president of South Africa is now facing a call for his resignation after a shoot-out between striking miners and police left 34 people dead. Politician Julius Malema, whose bodyguard is shown here shoving our CNN reporter out of the way as she tried to question him, says the president did not tell police to use restraint and that as a result he must step down. Police say they were acting in self- defense after trying to disperse worker demanding a pay increase. For his part, President Jacob Zuma has call for South Africans to come together to mourn and start healing, saying now is not the time to point fingers.
Now to the campaign trail. We have 79 days left until the election, and less than two weeks before the Republican and Democratic national conventions. GOP Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan pumped up a crowd of seniors in Florida yesterday. There he is with his mom, Betty, who lives there part time. Ryan turned his attention to Medicare, fighting Democrats' claims that his proposal would have turned Medicare into a complete voucher system. Listen to what he told Fox News about his Medicare plan.
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PAUL RYAN (R), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As we got into looking at this issue, talking with Democrats, it evolved to be a plan that is now bipartisan. This Medicare reform plan originated in the Clinton bipartisan commission to save Medicare. It's a bill with bipartisan support -- a proposal with bipartisan support in Congress today. And what Mitt Romney is talking about is making sure that we keep the Medicare program intact for people who are in or near retirement and preventing this raid that President Obama has put on the program to pay for Obamacare. By repealing Obamacare, we can restore Medicare. And also, we are offering a bipartisan solution to make sure it's there for future retirees when they retire.
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KAYE: Non-partisan fact-checker politifact.org found Ryan and Romney's claims that Obama robbed Medicare to pay for Obamacare as, quote, "mostly false." President Obama campaigned in New Hampshire yesterday and defended his record.
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BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Since I've been in office, I have strengthened Medicare. I have made reforms that have extended the life of the program that have saved millions of seniors with Medicare hundred of dollars on their prescription drugs. The only changes to your benefits that I've made on Medicare is that Medicare now covers new preventive services, like cancer screenings and wellness visits, for free.
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KAYE: Now let's see what's on tap for the week ahead in politics. Here's CNN's political editor Paul Steinhauser.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Hey, good morning, Randi.
I guess you could say they're getting the band back together. You know, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have been campaigning separately since last weekend. But tomorrow in New Hampshire, they will reunite again, the first time in a week, at a town hall which the campaign says will be Mitt Romney's 100th since he started running for the White House a year ago.
Later in the week, both men do a lot of fundraising in that important week leading up to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
Also this week, President Obama back on the campaign trail in two very important states -- Ohio and then Nevada. And Vice President Biden also campaigning, as well, in Minnesota and in Michigan.
A busy campaign week. The last week before the two political conventions.
Randi.
KAYE: Paul Steinhauser, thank you very much.
Now to the world of late night TV but no punch lines here. A source tells CNN that NBC has purged its payroll by laying off 20 to 25 employees from the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. The comedian is also said to be taking a substantial pay cut to keep more workers from losing their jobs. Apparently the network is trying to clamp down on production costs.
Off the coast of Cuba this morning, American Diana Nyad is trying to swim her way to Key West, Florida, and right into the record books. To do so, the 62-year-old will have to make the 60-hour, 103-mile journey without a protective shark cage. Earlier she spoke to CNN about getting in the water one more time after failing the last three times.
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DIANA NYAD, ENDURANCE SWIMMER: On the one hand I'm feeling some pressure. As you mentioned, it's not the first time. We can dig back -- way back to 1978 when I was very young, in my 20s, coming up to, you know, the last couple of years and a number of failures at this. So I'm feeling tremendous, you know, inner pressure, that this has got to be it. This has got to be the last time. And on the other hand, I have to tell you, I am sky high excited. My adrenaline is just pumping out of my skin. I'm ready for this.
(END VIDEO CLIP) KAYE: Amazing. Nyad started the swim late last night. And so far, so good. Her team is posting her progress on Twitter. They say that she is doing well, except for a couple of jellyfish stings.
People on Lake Michigan may get another chance today to see a fascinating, yet frightening force of nature. Take a look here. It is a water spout. In fact, nine of them formed on the lake yesterday. And forecasters say conditions could trigger more today. That is quite a sight. The weather service says boaters should be on the alert. Winds around water spouts can reach up to 60 miles an hour.
There is so much confusion over Medicare and which political party really has the best plan for seniors. That's why Dr. Sanjay Gupta is diving into the Republican plan, sifting through the politics to tell you what it really does and doesn't do.
Plus, we'll tell you the story behind this dramatic rescue as this man is pulled to safety from below ground.
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KAYE: Ever since Paul Ryan joined the Republican presidential ticket, Medicare has emerged as the dominant issue facing the public. Both sides say it is going to help them win in November. Our chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, filters through the politics to examine the GOP plan.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Randi, for almost half a century, Medicare has been the safety net for Americans over the age of 65. And as a result, it provides health insurance for around 47 million Americans. But the selection of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney's running mate, it's put the program back in the spotlight.
Now, there's a lot of spin out there, but we wanted to try and boil down what the Republicans want to do.
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MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The truth is, we simply cannot continue to pretend like a Medicare on track to become bankrupt at some point is acceptable.
GUPTA (voice-over): Mitt Romney says his changes would not affect current seniors or anyone nearing retirement. But down the road, Medicare would be mostly privatized. You'd get a government voucher to buy your own insurance. You could pick the Medicare program, like we have it now, or you could buy private insurance. And here's a key point. In the budget drawn up by Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan, the size of the voucher would not grow as fast as health care costs have grown in recent years.
TERESA WALKER, MEDICARE RECIPIENT: Great. Will do.
GUPTA: And even if that point doesn't affect seniors now, it does make some of them nervous.
WALKER: Is that voucher going to be enough to take care of your medical needs with the costs going up, up and up?
GUPTA: Teresa Walker is 67. In March 2011, she discovered she had cancer. Medicare covered most of her chemo and radiation therapy. And today, she's back to her active self.
WALKER: If I did not have Medicare, I don't know if I could survive. And when you're on a fixed income, you know, there's other things that you have to pay for. And I wouldn't be able to live.
GUPTA: Democrat think this is a winning campaign issue. But so do Republicans.
PAUL RYAN (R), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We want this debate.
GUPTA: And Romney and Ryan say competition, consumer choice, is the only way to push down costs so that Medicare can survive.
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GUPTA: Now there is one thing to keep in mind, and that is that if Mitt Romney wins, he wants to roll back Obamacare, which does allow seniors to pay less for prescription drugs. Hundreds of dollars in certain cases. So if the law goes away, those seniors may start paying more. That might be one immediate change.
Randi.
KAYE: Thank you very much, Sanjay.
It has been three years since a group of kids were denied access to a Philly area pool because of their race.
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MARCUS ALLEN, SWIM CLUB VISITOR: A lot of these black kids here. And then they were saying, oh, I'm afraid they might do something to my children because I don't know if they might steal -- it's just kind of like sad that like people who are still thinking like -- thinking like this, when I felt like these days was over.
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KAYE: Now the swim club that discriminated must pay up. We'll have details on the settlement in the case.
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KAYE: Welcome back, everyone. Seventeen minutes past the hour. Let's check stories cross country.
Rescuers pulled a man from a rural well near Little Rock, California, last night. Some horseback riders heard his calls for help. He'd been in the well apparently for 24 hours in the desert heat. The man was wedged tight and firefighters had to chip away concrete to get him free. He apparently dropped something in the well and fell in trying to recover it. What a story. In Mesquite, Texas, a 12-year-old has been told that he can't play on his pee wee football team because he's just too darn big. In fact, Elijah Earnhardt (ph) is 6'1" and 297 pounds. At a recent weigh- in, the league told the seventh grader he can't play even though he has practiced with the team for weeks. Elijah's mom is protesting saying football is his dream. She says it breaks her heart to see her son cry and says that he's giving up.
And, from New York, there's a new get-tough policy for rowdy NFL fans. It takes effect this season. From now on, fans who are ejected for bad behavior will have to take a four-hour online course on anger management and alcohol abuse. If they don't, they won't be allowed back for future football games. They'll also have to pay for it as well, up to $100. About 7,000 fans were kicked out of games last season. Isn't it supposed to be fun? Yes.
You may remember this story. Three years ago, a Philadelphia area swim club was sued for denying black and Hispanic children from swimming in a local pool. Now that case has been settled. Our national correspondent, Susan Candiotti, has been following this story from the beginning and she went back to speak with one of the children.
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SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Marcus Allen will never forget what happened just before we met in 2009. He was 12 years old and visibly shaken after he and his friends arrived at a predominantly white private Philadelphia swim club. He said they heard this --
MARCUS ALLEN, SWIM CLUB VISITOR: A lot of these black kids here, and then they were saying, oh, I'm afraid they might do something to my children, because I don't know if they might steal -- might try to steal some of my stuff or might try to like harm my children. And I'm like -- I was like amazed that they would think something like this because we're like just like you. Like we're just like your kids.
CANDIOTTI: His mom had a signed, paid contract to use the pool for her summer camp. But after that first day, the club's director pulled the plug, telling local media the kids' changed the, quote, "atmosphere and complexion" of the club. I replayed for Marcus his unforgettable reaction back in 2009.
CANDIOTTI (on camera): I see tears coming down your face. Why does this make you cry?
ALLEN: Because it's just kind of like sad that like people are still thinking alike -- thinking like this when I felt like these days was over.
CANDIOTTI: You know, you touched a lot of people when they saw you that day and they saw your reaction.
ALLEN: Well, yes, I'm glad that people saw -- like felt what I felt. CANDIOTTI (voice-over): When it happened, Marcus' mom swung into action. Civil rights complaints were filed with the state of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Justice Department got involved. The Valley Club was sued, went bankrupt, and the property was sold for over $1 million. On Thursday the Justice Department settled the case. Proceeds from the sale will be divided among the children, camp, and counselors.
CANDIOTTI (on camera): What does this mean it you? And what should it mean for all of us?
ALETHEA WRIGHT, MARCUS' MOTHER: It should mean, never judge a book by its cover. Meaning, don't judge someone by the color of their skin.
GABRIEL LEVIN, PLAINTIFF'S LAWYER: I think it's a great life lesson for these kids. They experienced something terrible and justice prevailed.
CANDIOTTI (voice-over): Marcus is now about to turn 15. A running back hopeful for his high school football team, with big dreams for his future.
ALLEN: I think now everyone can see like thing differently and realize, yes, there is still some wrong in the world, but like together we can make a difference and actually make a change.
CANDIOTTI: A change Marcus concedes that isn't guaranteed.
Susan Candiotti, CNN, Philadelphia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Even Syrian President Bashar al Assad was seen celebrating the end of Ramadan today. But his right-hand man was nowhere to be found. We'll get the latest on talk of Syria's vice president leaving the regime.
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KAYE: Today, Muslims everywhere are celebrating the end of Ramadan, Islam's holiest month, with feasts and prayers. But in Syria, violence rages on. Syrian state TV showed President Bashar al Assad attending prayers in the capital. His vice president, rumored yesterday to have defected, was not at the prayer service. If VP Farouk al-Sharaa did indeed defected yesterday, it would be the latest in a disappointing act of al Assad's a-list. Earlier this month, the prime minister, Riyad Hijab, defected. He later said the Syrian government is collapsing. And in early July, a high-profile general left the regime. Some even say he could lead Syria when Assad is gone.
So now the question is, who might be next to go. CNN's senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, is following this all from Abu Dhabi.
Nic, good morning. So what is the latest on the vice president? Any word on his whereabouts?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the latest is, clearly he's not in his role as the government says supporting the regime, otherwise he would have been there at the (INAUDIBLE) prayers sitting next to the president. Equally, the Free Syrian Army says they're still in contact with their commanders who are trying to help him escape across the border to Jordan. So it's still an open question as to where he really is.
But what we're seeing here, Bashar al Assad, a rare appearance, first time we've seen him in a month. His world is shrinking. This isn't the normal mosque he would go to for these prayers in the center of Damascus. He went it a mosque just around the corner from his presidential palace. It's an indication that he doesn't feel safe traveling the streets of Damascus the way that he used to.
And clearly we're seeing his political leadership erode here. The vice president not in attendance. Clearly not under government control. And yesterday three government ministers replaced. It's not looking good for Bashar al Assad. But the whereabouts of the vice president, it's an open question and it's worrying those people in the Free Syrian Army right now.
Randi.
KAYE: Yes, I'm sure it is. I also want to ask you about the United Nations observer mission. It ended today. Did it accomplish anything?
ROBERTSON: You know, what they said they did, they went into observe a cease-fire, which never really came into effect. If we remember back in the early April, that cease-fire almost came into play. The death toll sort of went down to single digits for a couple of days and then escalated back up where it is today, over 100 a day people killed.
By the time of the middle of that observer mission in June, the observers really switched from being observers, they said, to just trying to organize periods of a decrease in the fighting, localized in sort of certain areas so they could help humanitarian supplies get in. That's what they were reduced to. That's why they're pulling out now because they couldn't fulfill their original mission.
So they did play a role. They say they're not leaving entirely. There is going to be a new U.N. representative to Syria, like (INAUDIBLE), an Algerian diplomat. A lot of experience. Well respected in the region. But what they've achieved on the ground definitely isn't what they set out to achieve.
Randi.
KAYE: Yes, certainly a frustrating mission for them. Nic Robertson, thank you very much. Julian Assange will be back in the spotlight today as his lawyer speaks publicly from the embassy where Assange is holed up. We'll take you to London for a preview of what might be said.
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KAYE: U.S. stocks ended higher Friday capping a sixth straight week of gains. Mortgage rates have inched up just a bit. Take a look.
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KAYE: Welcome back, everyone. Thanks for starting your morning with us. I'm Randi Kaye. It is just about half past the hour now.
Here's a look at some headlines that we're watching this morning. The West Nile virus has claimed another victim. This time the longest serving village President in Lombard, Illinois, William Muller. He was 76 and already weakened by lead cancer. Texas, the hardest hit state now, reports 17 killed by West Nile. And in Dallas County, the epicenter of the outbreak, aerial spraying is still halted because of some bad weather.
A scary moment for 173 passengers and crew aboard this United Airlines flight. It was heading from Newark to Germany when a tire blew on takeoff and debris actually flew into the engine causing what eyewitnesses describe as fireballs, spewing flames near the left wing. The pilot was able to safely return the plane to New Jersey.
And check out this infrared video from the California Department of forestry and fire protection. The cameras can actually see fire through the clouds. It is the same technology the military uses to map strategies on the battlefield.
Firefighters in California and Washington State are also glad to see some slightly cooler temperatures this weekend, helping them get an upper hand on a long line of wildfires that have been scorching that area.
People in New York City neighborhoods are fed up with gun violence. So, they're starting something new. They're occupying the most dangerous street corners in each borough to see now more killings. The Reverend Al Sharpton is one of the organizers of the "Occupy the Corner" movement, they calls it a symbol of the community's outrage over bloodshed.
And Julian Assange, a man who is no stranger to the media after his Wikileaks organization released sensitive U.S. cables. But Assange has kept a low profile in recent months after seeking asylum to avoid extradition to Sweden on charges of sexual assault. That is until today when he is expected to make his first public appearance since March. We'll have a live report in just moments.
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KAYE: We've been telling you this morning that Wikileaks' Founder Julian Assange may actually speak today. His lawyer is getting ready to speak in just moments outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
And that's where we find Atika Shubert, she is in London outside that embassy where Assange has sought refuge for a couple of months now. So, Atika, what is the very latest from there? Any ideas on what Julian Assange might actually say today?
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we are expecting him to make a public statement. It would be his first in months since he was last seen in March of this year. Now, we're not exactly sure how that's going to happen. Because of course, if he steps out the door here, then he risk arrest by British authorities. And you can see all the different police officers lined up here. And Britain has said that they feel it's their duty to arrest and extradite him to Sweden for questioning.
So, the other option is, he may make a public statement from that balcony right over there where you can see the Ecuador flag. That they seem to be setting it up for something, but we're not 100 percent sure if that is in fact where he's going to be making a statement.
In the meantime, his lawyer Baltasar Garzon is due to make a statement in the next hour or so. Garzon, of course, is renowned human rights lawyer and he is representing Assange. And we do expect him to come out the street and talk to the press any time now.
KAYE: Is there any chance that police would try and storm that embassy?
SHUBERT: No. There's no sense of that at all. I mean, obviously there is a heavy police presence. They're lined up in front of the embassy largely I think because of the Assange supporters that have come out here on the street to hear him today. No sense that they're going to storm the embassy. But it has to be said, the British foreign office did essentially tell the Ecuadorian foreign ministry that there was a law that allowed Britain to strip the diplomatic status of the embassy if it was being misused. It was an implicit threat.
However, that process would take many months of legal wrangling, would obviously be contested much as by Ecuador but other countries, as well. In fact, there's a meeting of South American nations now to protest against this veiled threat. And so it seems very unlikely that they would storm in and grab Assange and arrest him. But clearly, it's something that Ecuador and other countries have not taken time to do.
KAYE: Atika Shubert in London for us. Atika, thank you.
A grieving mother in the Dominican Republic says, her pregnant teenager daughter died because doctors failed to put her health first. She says that they waited too long to give the 16-year-old leukemia patient chemotherapy because of the country's stringent anti-abortion laws.
CNN's senior Latin American affairs editor Rafael Romo is following the story for us. Rafael.
RAFAEL ROMO, SENIOR LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS EDITOR: Randi, the teenage girl died from complications of leukemia according to authorities at the hospital in Santo Domingo where she was being treated. Doctors were hesitant to give her chemotherapy because such treatment could terminate the pregnancy, a violation of the Dominican constitution which bans abortion.
She was originally admitted to the Sema (ph) Hospital in the Dominican Capital in early July. But 20 days passed before she finally began receiving the chemotherapy that could have saved her life. A hospital official told CNN that her condition worsened Thursday evening. She suffered a miscarriage Friday morning followed by cardiac arrest. Her body rejected a blood transfusion and she died a few hours later.
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ROSA HERNANDEZ, GIRL'S MOTHER: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMO: The girl's mother reacted with great sadness saying that she feels as if she's died, as well, and that her daughter was the reason of her existence. She also said they have killed her. Doctors who treated the patient said that the chances of survival for the teenager were slim when she was admitted at the hospital, even without taking into account the fact that she was ten weeks pregnant.
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UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN (via a translator): When we first publicly spoke about her case, we said that she was a patient with a really bad prognosis. Not so much because she was pregnant but because of the characteristics of her kind of leukemia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMO: The case of this teenage girl stirred debate in her country. The question many are asking is whether she would have been able to survive had she been treated with chemotherapy right after she was admitted to the hospital. According to article 37 of the Dominican constitution, "The right to life is inviolable from the moment of conception and until death." Dominican courts have interpreted this as a strict mandate against abortion. Article 37 passed in 2009, also abolished the death penalty.
Rafael Romo, CNN, Atlanta.
KAYE: We've been getting so much feedback about this story. A lot of you some very strong feelings. So, I wanted to share what some of you have had to say.
David wrote, "Who are you to take away her hope or her chance at the slim odds? This is certainly not a silly partisan issue, this is an of health and justice versus religious dogma." Lawrence tweeted me, "Who was responsible for that decision? I want a name."
Another message simply said, "What a sad, sad outcome."
So, what do you think about this story? You can find me on twitter @RandiKayeCNN. Be sure to tweet me and I'll try to share some of your responses later on.
Her husband is number two on the republican ticket. And now she no longer has the luxury of keeping a low profile. I'm talking about Paul Ryan's wife Janna, she makes this week most intriguing people list. We'll tell you why.
Then a plane makes an emergency landing in the middle of a war zone. If that is not bad enough, the crew then asked the passengers to chip in for gas money.
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KAYE: A police chief caught in controversy. A 62-year-old swimmer have to break her own record. And the democratic ties of the GOP vice presidential candidate's wife.
Nadia Bilchik, is joining me now to discuss this week's most intriguing people. Hello, nice to have you back.
NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: Thank you so much.
KAYE: Missed you the last couple of weeks.
BILCHIK: Yes, I was in South Africa. And interestingly enough, our first intriguing person comes from South Africa. Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega is the police commissioner, she only became the police commissioner in June of this year. And there was huge controversy over her appointment because she has no experience in policing at all, she comes from a corporate background. She is a social worker and she has a diploma from a Scottish University.
KAYE: And so now, she has to deal with one of the biggest events that's occurred in South Africa in years, right, the shooting and the killing of all these miners and police officers.
BILCHIK: Thirty four dead, 78 injured. So, it is a public relations nightmare. A human tragedy. And we will be hearing a lot from her, from Commissioner Phiyega in the next week on how this all -- and to defend the police.
KAYE: Yes. On a brighter note, you also have a very inspirational swimmer making your list. We're talking about the 62- year-old who was trying to swim from Cuba to Florida. It's not the first time.
BILCHIK: No, this is her fourth attempt. And she will be doing it -- she has to be in the water for around 60 hours nonstop, if she makes it. KAYE: Wow.
BILCHIK: The last time her jellyfish sting actually thwarted the entire thing. Now, I heard you say earlier she had a couple of jellyfish stings.
KAYE: Yes, she did. We're talking about Diana Nyad, of course. But she does. But I read that she's actually wearing this protective suit this time. Because we know she doesn't have the shark cage and all that. But this is a protective swimsuit because she can't wear a wet suit in order to make the record. But she is covered head to toe with some sort of mask on her face, as well, because of those jellyfish.
BILCHIK: So, let's hope she makes it. Because she turns 63 in a couple of days.
KAYE: Wow.
BILCHIK: And then of course, we go to politics and Janna Ryan. So, Janna Ryan who is Paul Ryan's wife. And interestingly enough, has ties to the Democratic Party.
KAYE: Really?
BILCHIK: Yes.
KAYE: How so?
BILCHIK: Because her cousin is a democrat with the House of Representatives. Her uncle is the former democratic governor of Oklahoma. And she went to George Washington University, so she has a law degree.
KAYE: Uh-huh.
BILCHIK: She also went to Wellesley college where Hillary Clinton went, where Madeleine Albright went. But Randi, you'll appreciate this. When it was announced that her husband was the vice presidential candidate, she wore a dress from Kohl's.
KAYE: Nice.
BILCHIK: And here's a woman --
KAYE: A la Michelle Obama there.
BILCHIK: Exactly. A Kohl's dress that was $70 but $35 on sale. Now, she did inherit a couple of million dollars when her mother died from cancer in 2010. So, it will be interesting to see how it all transpires. But I do have to tell you that a young Ohio student took the domain jannaryan.com.
KAYE: Really?
BILCHIK: And he is a Romney and Ryan fan. And he says all he wants if Romney is elected is an invite to the inauguration, and he will give them the domain back.
KAYE: Wow. That is an aggressive kid right there. All right. Nadia, thank you very much for the list today. I appreciate it.
All right. Listen to this -- not only did the Air France make an emergency landing in Syria's war-torn capital, but the crew asked passengers for money for fuel. The plane was headed from Paris to Beirut but couldn't land at Beirut's airport because of security concerns. The crew decided instead to land in Damascus. Keep in mind that Air France quit flying to Damascus earlier this year because of tensions in Syria.
An Air France spokeswoman confirmed that passengers were asked if they had some cash since it's the only form of payment accepted for fuel there. But ultimately, Air France paid the bill itself. The flight made it to Beirut the next day.
The U.S. Justice Department wants to know why police in Michigan fired dozens of shots at a homeless man holding a knife. You may wonder why, too, after you see video of the controversial shooting.
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KAYE: The U.S. Justice Department is launching an investigation into the police shooting of a homeless man in Saginaw, Michigan. This comes after video was released showing police shooting and killing Milton Hall after he stepped forward toward them with a knife. He must -- we really have to warn you here, that you may find the video disturbing. But we're showing it because it sheds some light on how police handled the case.
Here's CNN's national correspondent, Jason Carroll.
JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A joint investigation is underway into this shooting. Amateur video details what happened during the final moments. I do have to warn you, the video is graphic.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) This amateur video purchased by CNN and not made public until now captured the confrontation between six Saginaw police officers and Milton Hall, a 49-year-old man who his family says suffered from serious mental health issues.
Hall, seen in the middle of your screen, police say, had just had a run-in with a convenience store clerk. He was in a standoff with police and holding some sort of knife. A female officer is heard shouting.
FEMALE OFFICER: Put the knife down!
MILTON HALL, HOMELESS MAN: (INAUDIBLE) I ain't putting it down.
FEMALE OFFICER: Put the knife down!
CARROLL: If you listen carefully, Hall is then heard continuing to yell at police.
HALL: My name is Milton Hall. I just called 911. My name is Milton Hall and I am pissed off!
CARROLL: Hall seems agitated but not intimidated by a police dog.
HALL: Let him go. Let him go. Let the mother (bleep) king dog go.
CARROLL: Heard on the tape a witness describes what he sees.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: (INAUDIBLE) Probably go ham on him.
CARROLL: Then, as Hall appears to take a few steps, everything comes to a head.
(GUNSHOTS)
CARROLL: Local media report 46 shots were fired. CNN counted the sounds of at least 30 shots on the videotape. Anthony Baber witnessed the shooting.
ANTHONY BABER, SHOOTING WITNESS: All of a sudden, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow and he drops, you know. Pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, and he drops.
I was about where that blue van is. I was parked in my van.
CARROLL: Tabitha Perry saw it, too.
TABITHA PERRY, SHOOTING WITNESS: I heard that one of the officers say something to the fact where put the knife down or I'll let the dog go.
CARROLL: Do you believe the officers were justified in what they did?
PERRY: No, I don't. No, I don't. Because what they did -- there was a better way to do it. I think their judgment was off.
CARROLL: Perry is not alone. Hall's mother says, Saginaw police overreacted.
JEWEL HALL, MOTHER OF MILTON HALL: Emotionally I have a lot of pain, and I'm stunned that six human beings were standing in front of one human being and fired 46 shots. I just don't understand that.
CARROLL: On the day of the shooting, July 1st, the Saginaw police chief defended his officer's actions.
CHIEF GERALD CLIFF, SAGINAW MICHIGAN POLICE: This is someone that from our understanding has a long history. Not only with police from our department but with the county, known to be an assaultive person. CARROLL: Over the last month, members of the community have voiced outrage about the whole shooting, not satisfied with the police investigation into the officer's response.
We showed the video of the shooting to Security Council Norman Braddock.
NORMAN BRADDOCK, SAGINAW CITY COUNCIL: I can see why people are traumatized at looking at something like that. And we need answers.
CARROLL: Braddock has been critical of what he calls the slow pace of the shooting investigation.
(on camera) Could it be that investigators are just trying to make sure they're doing a thorough job and that's why the investigation is --
BRADDOCK: I'm sure that has something to do with it, but at the same time, it should be a top priority.
CARROLL: Where you are in terms of the investigation?
(voice-over) The Michigan State Police lead investigator would not discuss the case, instead referring us to the Saginaw County prosecutor, who told us, "I can't tell you when the case is going to be completed. The matter is being thoroughly investigated by in independent police agency, the Michigan State Police along with the Michigan Attorney General's office."
Hall's mother already feels she knows the answer to the question of whether police used too much force.
JEWEL HALL: It appeared to be a firing squad dressed in police uniform and it, there was another way. They did not have to kill him.
CARROLL: Jason Carroll, CNN, Saginaw, Michigan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: In a written statement to CNN, Michigan state police said, quote, "Our focus is on conducting a complete and thorough investigation rather than a hasty one." Meanwhile, a group of Michigan pastors and other community members rallied to support Milton Hall yesterday. People called for justice, sang songs, and prayed for peace.
There is no place like home. And for Julian Assange, home is now the Ecuadorian embassy in London. A look at what life is like in asylum for the Wikileaks founder.
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KAYE: Welcome back. It is Sunday. So, let's look at some of the big stories that we will be following in the week ahead. On Monday, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will be campaigning in New Hampshire. We'll have more on that, of course, in just a couple of minutes.
And on Wednesday, we have the 9/11 Gitmo hearing, accused 9/11 terrorist Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-defendants will have a hearing at Guantanamo Bay. Moved from earlier in the month to accommodate the Ramadan prayers.
On Thursday, we'll be focusing on James Holmes. Stay tuned to CNN for a live coverage outside his hearing in Colorado. The 24-year- old is accused of killing 12 and injuring 58 at that Batman movie screening last month.
And on Friday, we're going to be talking about Anders Breivik, all eyes on Norway where a verdict is expected in his mass murder trial. Breivik's admitted killing 77 people, wounding hundreds more when he bombed central Oslo and then opened fire at a camp for children.
And on Sunday, the attorney for accused Wikileaks whistleblower Bradley Manning promises an exclusive presentation about his client at Georgetown University.
Thanks for starting your morning with us. We've got much more ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING which starts right now.
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KAYE: From CNN world headquarters in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN NEGROPONTE, CHAIRMAN, THE COUNCIL OF THE AMERICA: My understanding is that the British would arrest him and extradite him to Sweden.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Wait until you hear how he may try to escape. We'll have a report from the scene.
Plus, an exclusive look at Romney's economic team. Just who are the people that he expects to help him turn the economy around if he's elected?
And later, an unlikely police chief, a swimmer who won't give up, and the woman on the arm of the V.P. hopeful.
We'll bring you this week's most intriguing people.
Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye. It is 7:00 on the East Coast, 4:00 a.m. on the West. Thanks for starting your morning with us.
In about 30 minutes, we expected to hear from Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, who sparked international outrage with the release of classified U.S. cables, but who has been out of the spotlight in recent months. You're looking now at the Ecuador embassy in London where Assange has sought refuge while he fights Britain's attempt to extradite him to Sweden for charge of sexual assault.
For his part, Assange has denied those allegations saying they are in retribution for disclosure of American secrets.
And if Assange thinks that he will be leaving that Ecuadorian embassy any time soon, he is in for a tough challenge. Between a line of British police outside and few options for escape inside, it might be a very long wait.
Our Brian Todd has that part of the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Randi, Julian Assange might want to find some good books to read, maybe subscribe to a great cable TV package. His chances for using some sleight of hand to escape the vaunted British police are slim and dwindling.
TODD (voice-over): He's reported to be tense and going a bit stir crazy.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange holed up inside the Ecuador in embassy in London. He's been there for about two months. Now that Ecuador's granted him asylum and Britain's refused to honor it, a classic standoff is underway if Assange takes one step outside the embassy.
JOHN NEGROPONTE, CHAIRMAN, THE COUNCIL OF THE AMERICA: My understanding is that the British would arrest him and extradite him to Sweden.
That's where Assange is wanted for questioning over sexual assault claims. With the fugitive inside in what's at the moment considered Ecuadoran territory and with British police outside ready to pounce, scenarios are being debated over a possible escape.
(on camera): Is this an option getting smuggled out in the trunk of a diplomatic car? A former British diplomat says the car would be considered Ecuadoran domain. British police he says could stop it, but not search it, couldn't necessarily pull Assange out. But there's a hitch in that plan.
The hitch, apparently there's no garage available to the Ecuadoran embassy. We are told there's only one entrance to the embassy right here and obviously, that is not an option. The building is completely surrounded by British police. They're in the streets, the alleys, the side streets, if anyone was going to try to take Assange from the building to a waiting car, the police would get him.
The police are also reported to be monitoring the so-called communal areas of the building, the hallways and elevators preventing Assange from taking an elevator up to the roof where a helicopter could pick him up. (voice-over): Police could monitor the hallways and elevators because the Ecuadorian embassy occupies only one floor, the first floor and not even all of that. It's here right where this window is. And Assange can barely step into a hallway without risking apprehension.
If he did somehow get to a car, there are airports large and small in every direction. But experts say once he got to one of those, he could easily be captured. He could, actually, be smuggled out in a crate or large bag. If it's labeled a diplomatic parcel, the British police can't open it. But --
OLIVER MILES, FORMER BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO LIBYA (voice-over): I think they could delay it, I think they can hold it, I think they can keep it in a -- in a very cold or very hot place or something like that.
TODD (on camera): But former British Ambassador Oliver Miles doesn't see that happening. One thing that could happen, he says, Assange could simply take refuge inside the embassy as he has been, but he could do it indefinitely. It's happened before. In 1956 when the Soviet Union invaded Hungary, Cardinal Joseph Mensenti, a top Catholic official there, took refuge inside the American embassy in Budapest. He was granted asylum and lived in the American embassy for 15 years.
Randi, I'd love to see the look on Assange's face when someone tells him he may have to live in the embassy for 15 years.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: No kidding. Thank you very much, Brian.
Now to the campaign trail. We have 79 days left until the election and less than two weeks before the Republican and Democratic national conventions. GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan pumped up a crowd of seniors in Florida yesterday. There he is with his mom, Betty, who lives there part time. Ryan turned his attention to Medicare, fighting Democrats' claims that his proposal would have turned Medicare into a complete voucher system.
Listen to what he told FOX News about his Medicare plan.
(BEGIJN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. PAUL RYAN (R-WI), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As we got into looking at this issue, talking with Democrats, it evolved to be a plan that is now bipartisan. This -- Medicare reform plan originated in the Clinton bipartisan commission to save Medicare. It's a bill with bipartisan support, a proposal with bipartisan support in Congress today.
By repealing Obamacare, we can restore Medicare. And also, we are offering a bipartisan solution to make sure it's there for future retirees when they retire.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Nonpartisan fact checker PolitiFact.org found Ryan and Romney's claims that Obama robbed Medicare to pay for Obamacare as mostly false.
President Obama campaigned in New Hampshire yesterday and defended his record.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Since I've been in office, I have strengthened Medicare.
(APPLAUSE)
OBAMA: I've made reforms that have extended the life of the program, that have saved millions of seniors with Medicare, hundreds of dollars on their prescription drugs.
(APPLAUSE)
OBAMA: The only changes to your benefits that I've made on Medicare is that Medicare now covers new preventive services like cancer screenings and wellness visits for free.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Now, let's see what's on tap for the week ahead in politics. Here's CNN's political editor Paul Steinhauser.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Hey, good morning, Randi.
I guess you could say they're getting the band back together. You know, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have been campaigning separately since last weekend. But tomorrow in New Hampshire, they will reunite again for the first time in a week, at a town hall which the campaign says will be Mitt Romney's 100th since he started running for the White House a year ago.
Later in the week, both men do a lot of fund-raising in that important week leading up to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
Also this week, President Obama back on the campaign trail until two very important states -- Ohio and then Nevada. And Vice President Biden also campaigning, as well, in Minnesota and in Michigan.
A busy campaign week, the last week before the two political conventions -- Randi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Paul Steinhauser, thank you. Now to the world of late night TV, but no punch lines here this morning. A source tells CNN that NBC has purged its payroll by laying off 20 to 25 employees of the "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." The comedian is also said to be taking a major pay cut to keep more workers from losing their jobs. Apparently the network is trying to reduce production costs.
Off the coast of Cuba this morning, American Diana Nyad is trying to swim her way to Key West, Florida, and right to the record books.
To do so, the 62-year-old will have to make the 60-hour, 103-mile journey without a protective shark cage. Earlier, she spoke about getting in the water one more time after failing the last three times.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DIANA NYAD, ENDURANCE SWIMMER: On the one hand, I'm feeling some pressure. As you mentioned, it's not the first time. We can dig way back to 1978 when I was very young, in my 20s, coming up to the last couple of years and a number of failures at this. So, I'm feeling tremendous inner pressure that this has got to be it. This has got to be the last time.
And on the other hand, I have to tell you, I am sky high excited. My adrenaline is just pumping out of my skin. I'm ready for this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Nyad started the swim last night. And so far, so good. Her team is posting her progress on Twitter, and they say she's doing really well except for a few jellyfish stings.
People in Michigan may get another chance to see a fascinating yet frightening force of nature. Take a look at a water spout. In fact, nine of them formed on the lake yesterday. And forecasters say conditions could trigger more today. The weather service says boaters should be on alert. Winds around water spouts can reach up to 60 miles an hour.
It is likely the deciding issue of the November election, the economy. And Mitt Romney is calling in a team of all stars to help him devise a plan to get things, he says, back on track.
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KAYE: Welcome back. Twelve minutes past the hour. Glad you're with us.
The date, July 6th. The place, Boston. The occasion: a meeting so top secret none of the participant will even confirm it took place. Nineteen people with one single mission -- to help Mitt Romney should be elected president get the U.S. economy going again.
The group known as Romney's economic policy steering group is the focus of an article in the latest issue of "Fortune" magazine.
And "Fortune" editor at large David Whitford joins us from Watertown, Massachusetts, this morning.
David, good morning to you.
DAVID WHITFORD, FORTUNE: Good morning.
KAYE: So you found that Romney's economic team includes some pretty heavy hitters from business and academia, including Ivy League professors, hedge fund managers. There's a former president of the World Bank and former Merrill Lynch CEO.
Tell us more about how they made it into Romney's economic inner circle.
WHITFORD: Well, one of the big questions that we've all had about Romney's campaign almost from the beginning is what specifically are his plans to fix the economy? He's been accused by his critics of being big on grand gestures and short on details.
And so, what we found out about this economic policy steering group, we felt that it might give us some clues into what his -- what his policies actually will be. This is a -- if you look at the group as a whole, there's 19 members, five former chairs of the president's council of economic advisers. As you mentioned, a former president of the World Bank, a couple hedge fund managers, a lot of professors.
I mean, all in all, I think the way -- think about the group as a whole is that this is a group of establishment -- Republican establishment figures. And my sense was that if -- if these are the people who are advising Romney, then maybe what we can look forward to in a potential Romney administration is something that is more mainstream than Paul Ryan might suggest. Paul Ryan, of course, being his vice presidential nominee.
KAYE: Let's talk about Romney. He's outlined this five-point plan on the economy in this interview. Here are some of the points that he makes. He says he wants to aggressively promote domestic energy development. He is also looking abroad to expand the market for U.S. goods.
Back here at home, Romney is working on improving work force skills in two areas. On the issue of the deficit, Romney wants to focus on budget cuts, not tax increases. And finally, he wants to help small business by revamping regulations.
Now let's look at Paul Ryan. He's known as the ideas guy certainly, and the leader of the Republicans when it comes to fiscal and budgetary matters. What would you say -- what does his selection say about Romney's ideas on the economy?
WHITFORD: Well, I think that -- Paul Ryan's presence on the ticket maybe suggests that we're going to get away a little bit from simple -- simply criticism of President Obama and more toward, you know, Ryan's -- I think it's fair to call it draconian plan to balance the budget. I think that it sort of sharpens the question -- the terms of the question that voters will be facing in the fall. We're looking at I think a clear choice between a Republican administration, potential Republican administration that would push us toward a smaller role for government and drastic cuts in well-established government programs in an attempt to balance the budget.
It doesn't seem to be a tax increase. It doesn't seem to be any part of -- of Romney's plan. We're not talking with Romney, you know, in terms of balancing tax increases with budget cuts. And I think that Ryan's selection sharpens the debate.
KAYE: What are you hearing from his advisers, Romney's advisers, if anything about Ryan? What do they think of the pick?
WHITFORD: Well, I was able to speak to one member of the economic policy steering group. And my question for him was -- doesn't Paul Ryan -- Paul Ryan's selection push things a little bit more to the right. And I mean, if you look at the composition of this group, the economic policy steering group, I don't see any obvious hard-core allies of the Tea Party in that group, as I would characterize Paul Ryan.
He cautioned me against drawing too sharp the distinction between, the members, you know, Romney's economic advisers and Paul Ryan. He said, look, we're all for smaller government, we're for lower taxes.
But again, I -- I would take issue with that. I think what this group tells us, this group of economic advisers, is that there may be a willingness as I think we would expect if Romney were to be elected -- a willingness to deal with budget issues and fiscal issues in the way they have to be dealt with in Washington. And that involves a compromise and go-slow approach rather than an overnight change.
KAYE: David Whitford, editor at large of "Fortune" magazine -- David, thank you.
WHITFORD: Thank you.
KAYE: We hear so much about the devastating effect the drought is having on farmers. Wineries are one exception. We'll tell you why grape growers prefer dry weather for the wines that they'll produce.
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KAYE: Twenty-two minutes past the hour on this Sunday morning.
If any of are you drinking a cup of Joe to wake up this morning, guess what -- you're in luck, according to new evidence. Coffee is, well, good for you. It may prevent type two diabetes and Parkinson's. Plus, it might have anti-cancer and anti-depressive effects.
The drought is having a devastating effect on crops across America, with one possible exception -- grapes. The dry weather could be a boon for wine producers.
Here's CNN's Athena Jones.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Months with little or no rain, and July the hottest month on record, means struggling corn and soy crops across much of the United States. But one sector that could benefit from the dry weather -- the wine industry. While California still grows most U.S. wine, there are vineyards in all 50 states, according to trade group Wine America.
JENNIFER MONTGOMERY, WINE AMERICA: Particularly in the Midwest, the hardest hit areas in terms of the drought, this are folks that are thinking that the grapes are going to be a better quality this year because the berries are smaller, and the sugar is more concentrated.
JONES: The folks at Grove Vineyards in Loudon County, Virginia, are optimistic about the wine these 105 acres will produce.
CHRIS BLOSSER, BREAUX VINEYARDS: It's been dry for the most part, haven't had the typical long periods of rain that we would expect to see here and there. July was very dry.
Overall, the grapes are really happy. We're looking forward to what will hopefully be a really good harvest this year.
JONES: Blosser shows us what will happen as this young cluster develops and the sugar content rises.
BLOSSER: What's going to happen is they're going to start to blow up like a balloon. But we don't want it to blow up too much because of rain then it will fill up with water. We want a nice balance with the fruit and juice inside -- the skins on the juice inside that grape.
JONES: Too much rain can dilute the flavor and lead to problems with mildew and disease.
(on camera): You said some can get to be the size of a newborn baby?
BLOSSER: Yes, yes. Small newborn baby, but -- a baby nonetheless.
JONES (voice-over): There is a down side, however, to hot, dry conditions. Like potential long-term damage to young vines and smaller harvest.
BLOSSER: We continue with this dry weather, you're going to end up with less water inside that berry. So, you know, in terms of the wine output, you're going to have, you know, less quantity, higher quality.
JONES: So while farmers brace for more bad news, vintners like Breaux are hoping to reap mostly benefit from this dryer than normal growing season.
Athena Jones, CNN, Purcellville, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE) KAYE: A scary moment for 173 passengers and crew aboard this United Airlines flight. I'll tell you why they saw fireballs and spewing flames coming from a wing in the middle of their flight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: The West Nile virus has claimed another victim. William Mueller is the longest-serving village president in Lombard, Illinois. He was 76 and already weakened by blood cancer. Texas, the hardest hit state, now reports 17 killed by West Nile.
And in Dallas County, the epicenter of the outbreak, aerial spraying is still halted because of some bad weather.
A scary moment for 173 passengers and crew aboard this United Airlines flight. It was heading from Newark to Germany when a tire blew on takeoff and debris flew right into an engine, causing what eyewitnesses describe as fireballs and spewing flames near the left wing. The pilot was able to return safely, though, to New Jersey.
And people in New York City neighborhoods are fed up with gun violence. They're starting something new. They are occupying the most dangerous street corners in each borough to see no more killing. The Reverend Al Sharpton is one of the organizers of the Occupy the Corner movement. He calls it a symbol of the community's outrage over the bloodshed.
I'm Randi Kaye. I'll be back with you at the top of the hour.
"SANJAY GUPTA, M.D." begins right now.
