Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Saturday Morning News
False Alarm in London; Car Bombs Rock Egypt
Aired July 23, 2005 - 7:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Another sign of changing times in the post-9/11 world: Random bag searches on subways, buses and ferries.
From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It is July 23 and good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen.
Let's get right to those headlines which happened overnight. We want to bring us up to date.
Here are the new developments out of London right now. About an hour ago, police in Britain evacuated a subway station in London's East End. Witnesses had reported the smell of burning and police evacuated that station because of that smell. Now, less than 30 minutes ago, police gave the all clear. We're going to continue to update you on that and find out what caused that smell.
Meanwhile, police have arrested a second suspect in connection with this weekend's failed bombing attacks on city transit systems. We will go live to London with more on that in just a few minutes.
And Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is meeting with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank town of Ramallah. She will meet with Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas within the hour. She's pushing Palestinians to take further steps to reign in violence ahead of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza next month.
Now, a moderate earthquake shook Tokyo today. Look at these shaky pictures.
HARRIS: Wow!
NGUYEN: The 6.1 magnitude quake injured five people at a shopping center and caused little damage. But Japan's meteorological agency says the quake caused no tsunami risk. That is good news. Tokyo's airport and train services are now running after being shut down following that quake.
HARRIS: And here's what we have for you coming up this hour.
Deadly blasts at a tourist resort in Egypt. We have a live report from Sharm el-Sheikh coming up next.
The heat in the Southwest is setting records. We'll tell you how people are coping with the scorching desert sun.
And Rob Marciano has your forecast.
And later, we'll take you "Beyond The Game" to see how some athletes make the really and I mean really, really big bucks.
NGUYEN: Oh, yes, we're talking big money today.
All right, let's get to our top story right now, though.
Terrorists strike again. This time a wave of bombings in Egypt. The series of deadly explosions rocked the resort city of Sharm el- Sheikh. Authorities now say at least 74 people are dead and more than 100 wounded.
President Hosni Mubarak visited the scene this morning.
And CNN's John Vause is in Sharm el-Sheikh. He joins us by phone with an update. John, what have you learned so far?
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Betty.
Well, I'm standing in front of the Ghazala Gardens Hotel. This was one of the targets last night of a suicide car bomber, according to authorities. The force of the blast brought down a good section of the front of the hotel. Also, the roof of the hotel has collapsed, as well.
Right now, through the debris there are searches ongoing. Police have cordoned off this area as they try and look for bodies and what may possibly be survivors caught under that debris.
By all accounts, it looks like the suicide car bomber drove through the security checkpoint at the front of the hotel and then just a few hundred feet into what was the reception hall of this hotel. The damage here is extensive.
About two-and-a-half miles from this hotel, Egyptian authorities believe another car bomber blew up at the old market. At least 17 Egyptian workers were killed at a coffee shop there.
Around the same time, a third blast went off around what's known as a beachfront walk. Apparently explosives were left in a sack. Now there, at least six foreign tourists were killed.
We know so far, according to the Egyptian authorities, at least eight foreign tourists have been killed in this wave of bombings. That number, though, is expected to rise as the bodies are identified.
Right now, 74 people are confirmed dead and, once again, that is expected to rise.
Egyptian authorities now believe that this attack is linked in some way to a similar spate of bombings in October last year in the resort town of Taba. That's about 150 or so miles away from here. In October last year, more than 30 people were killed when suicide bombers exploded at a hotel and also at a camping ground in Taba -- Betty. NGUYEN: We'll see how all these links play out. John Vause in Egypt, thank you for that -- Tony.
HARRIS: And as we mentioned, we're feeling breaking news this morning out of London. Just about 20 minutes ago, traffic resumed at an East London subway station. Less than an hour ago, police evacuated the station due to a security incident.
Also, a new development in the terror probe. Police have arrested a second man in connection with Thursday's failed bombing attempts.
Let's go straight to the British capital now and CNN's Robyn Curnow. Hello, Robin.
ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Tony.
Well, you are correct. That security alert that saw many dozens of policemen run out of this building -- this is Scotland Yard behind me. We saw also a lot of police vehicles rush to the scene just over an hour ago. They've stood down now. That turned out to be a false alarm. We're seeing a lot of these false alarms and a lot of security alerts ever since July 7th and of course, after July 21st.
In terms of the investigation, I do want to bring you up to date on details about that. We do know that a second man has been arrested. He was arrested late last night. Both men who are under police custody are being -- are from Stockwell, were arrested in the Stockwell area in South London. And police say that they're going to be questioned today.
Now, that Stockwell area obviously a focus for police -- for the police investigation, because it was there at Stockwell tube station, at the subway station there, that police pursued and then shot and killed a suspect there.
So all in all, in terms of this investigation, moving forward. And the police commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, is very happy with the way things are going.
This is what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COMMISSIONER IAN BLAIR, METROPOLITAN POLICE: It's been another very busy night for the Metropolitan Police. The investigation is proceeding very satisfactorily. The response of the public has been really encouraging.
And I've been briefed this morning and I'm pleased with what I've heard so far. The messages to the public remain that we need people to be vigilant, of course, but we also need them to go on about their ordinary business. And if there's one small message I could give, it is would you please look after your bags, because there are too many security alerts from people who have left things around. And that's very difficult. But in a general sense, I think the Metropolitan Police is performing absolutely outstandingly and I'm very proud of them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURNOW: So, while the Metropolitan Police are continuing their investigations, the public being urged to stay alert. Also, a funeral for one of the victims of those first blasts on July the 7th. Anthony Fatayi-Williams, his funeral being held at Westminster Cathedral. He was 26 years old and he was an oil executive. He died in the bus explosion that ripped through the number 30 bus in Tavistock Square on July the 7th.
His mother has said she's going to dedicate a peace foundation to him. Now, Anthony Fatayi-Williams was from Nigeria. There were other Nigerians killed in those blasts. Also, Polish people, somebody from the U.S., someone from Sri Lanka, Israel, Australia.
The international and multicultural aspects of London very much evidenced in that list of victims. Fifty-two people, plus four bombers, killed in those attacks on July 7th -- back to you, Tony.
HARRIS: CNN's Robyn Curnow in London.
Robyn, thank you.
Now, earlier this week, CNN aired a photograph of a man Pakistani intelligence and immigration officials had confirmed was one of the suspected London bombers, Hasib Hussein. We obtained the photograph, which had been broadcast on Pakistani television, from our CNN affiliate in Pakistan and from the Reuters News Agency.
We now have information that passport photo may be of another man, also named Hasib Hussein, who is not a suspect and is not in any way connected to the bombings.
CNN truly regrets this error.
NGUYEN: "Stories Across America" now.
The man who killed 5-year-old Samantha Runnion is sentenced to death. A California judge upheld the jury's decision to send Alejandro Avila to death on Friday; to death row.
Speaking out in court, though, the girl's mother said she felt guilty for bringing the girl into the world only to be tortured and terrified.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIN RUNNION, SAMANTHA'S MOTHER: In choosing to destroy Samantha's life, you chose this. You chose to waste your life to satisfy a selfish and sick desire. You knew it was wrong and you chose not to think about it.
Well, now you have a lot of time to think about it. Don't waste it. Write it down so that the rest of us can figure out how to stop you people. You're a disgrace to the human race.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Avila had been acquitted in a child molestation case the year before Samantha Runnion's kidnapping and murder.
A manhunt is underway in Idaho for a convicted sex offender suspected of stabbing his own daughter. Authorities are searching for 37-year-old John Rollins Tuggle. Police say his 12-year-old daughter was found by the side of the road bound with stab wounds. She's now hospitalized in serious condition.
And a dangerous police chase in North Carolina was caught on tape. Look at this. The police cruiser's dashboard camera recorded a suspect's car traveling at speeds more than 100...
HARRIS: Oh!
NGUYEN: ... yes, miles an hour.
HARRIS: Wowee!
NGUYEN: That chase ended when the suspect lost control of the car and spun into the air. The teenaged driver...
HARRIS: Oh, man.
NGUYEN: ... just a teenager -- now in custody.
HARRIS: Dangerous chase -- I'll tell you what, if you want to talk about dangerous, just step outside. If you have over the last couple of days...
NGUYEN: That could be a real danger today, huh?
HARRIS: This extreme heat -- it is a heat wave that's all over the country right now and Rob Marciano, we're wondering if folks will get any kind of a break today.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, yes, some folks are going to get a bit of a break today. So, as far as seeing slightly drier air, you know?
NGUYEN: Good.
HARRIS: Oh.
MARCIANO: Yes, because if it's less humid that helps (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
NGUYEN: It's that dry heat that we like to talk about.
HARRIS: It does help, yes.
MARCIANO: That's right. At least slightly drier.
Hey, guys, good morning.
HARRIS: Good morning.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Whoo, it is the dog days of summer.
Stay inside.
MARCIANO: Or at least find some shade.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Very true.
Thank you.
HARRIS: Rob, thank you.
MARCIANO: OK.
HARRIS: New York City is not the first and it won't be the last, another, other mass transit systems across the country may have officers looking into your bags, too. Details in our "Security Watch" later this hour.
NGUYEN: Plus, Lance Armstrong's quest for a record seventh Tour de France title is the sports story across the globe this weekend, like no surprise. In this morning's "Beyond The Game," we look at the world's most bankable -- we're talking money, moula, Benjamins -- the most bankable athletes.
HARRIS: And with that in mind, here's a quiz for you.
Which athlete do you think is earning more endorsement dollars worldwide -- Lance Armstrong or tennis sensation Maria Sharapova? The answer after the break.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TIM ZAGAT: The three toughest golf courses in our golf survey were, number one, Bandon Dunes in Oregon; number two, Bull Rock in Baltimore; and, three, Bethpage Black in Long Island. These also correspond to the three toughest courses in the United States, as rated by the USGA.
Bandon Dunes is a gorgeous course right on the ocean, a tough, tough course, beautiful scenery. The course got the highest rating that we've ever given, or our surveyors have ever given, for anything. It got a perfect 30.
Bull Rock was chosen as the second toughest course overall. It has the great finish, a 600-yard par five hole that people think is one of the killers in golf.
Bethpage Black hosted the U.S. Open in 2002. It's also got some gorgeous long ribbon fairways. The greens are lightning fast and you're just forced to think constantly about your game.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MARCIANO: I'm Rob Marciano in the CNN Weather Center.
Here's a look at your "Allergy Forecast" for today.
A lot of the pollens have settled down across much of the East and Southeast. But out West, we still have a problem with the grasses, the sage brushes of the world. In California, the elements are still pollinating. And then more widespread problems with nettle.
But we certainly hope you're feeling good today and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Checking our top stories right now, a subway station in London's East End was reopened within the last half hour after police responded to a security incident there. Now, witnesses have reported that they smelled something burning. But the station was temporarily evacuated. We'll continue to follow this story and find out exactly what caused that smoke.
Meanwhile, authorities have arrested a second suspect in Thursday's failed bombing attempt on London's transit system.
In Egypt, at least 74 people are dead after explosions across the city of Sharm el-Sheikh. More than 110 are wounded. The three blasts happened within minutes of each other and targeted areas that were packed the tourists.
And tropical storm Franklin is bringing rain to the Bahamas, but it isn't likely to cause much more trouble, at least not here in the U.S. The storm's top winds are at about 15 miles an hour.
While Franklin is moving out, that summer heat moving in. I don't have to tell you about it, you're probably already feeling it. But there is much more to staying cool than just drinking lots of water and we're going to show you those important steps. Ways to beat the heat. That's later this hour.
HARRIS: Now your thoughts, please. Sorry to put you to work so early in the morning, but we've got a question for you. Filling the vacancy on the Supreme Court. It will affect all of us. President Bush's nominee, John Roberts, is getting good reviews. But that doesn't mean senators won't have some tough questions for him when confirmation hearings begin.
A new poll shows most Americans have some questions, too. Seventy-six percent of those surveyed for a CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll say they need to know more about Mr. Roberts. OK, that brings us to our E-Mail Question of the Morning. If you could be at those hearings, in the room, what would you ask John Roberts? E-mail us your thoughts at Weekends@CNN.com and we'll share some of your responses throughout the morning program.
NGUYEN: I can only imagine what we're going to get today.
HARRIS: It should be good.
NGUYEN: That's a good question.
HARRIS: This is going to be good.
NGUYEN: I know you've got some good answers out there.
So looking forward to that.
All right, you've had a few minutes to think about it. We asked you which athlete do you think earns the most endorsements worldwide? Was it Lance Armstrong or tennis sensation Maria Sharapova?
HARRIS: Well, here's the thing, if you said Lance Armstrong, you're wrong.
NGUYEN: What?
HARRIS: Maria Sharapova...
NGUYEN: Really.
HARRIS: ... banks $23 million a year in endorsements. Lance Armstrong had $15.5 million. Which athlete is considered the best at getting you to spend your money? That name, when Rick Horrow takes a look at the most bankable.
NGUYEN: What is that?
HARRIS: Good morning, sir.
NGUYEN: Is that a boxing glove?
RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Well, I'll tell you. I'll tell you. Good morning.
HARRIS: It looks like a lobster.
Rick Horrow after the break, as we go "Beyond The Game."
HORROW: That's not bad.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
HARRIS (voice-over): It is a made dash to what's expected to be a historic finish at the Tour de France. Lance Armstrong attempting to conquer one of Europe's toughest sports tests for a seventh and final time. And last week, it was golf's main man, Tiger Woods, grabbing the headlines in Europe at the British Open. Both stars shining brightly on stages outside the U.S. It's not just paychecks at stake. So are millions in advertising dollars. That has us asking who's the most bankable athlete on the planet, the topic this morning as we take you "Beyond The Game."
(END VIDEO TAPE)
HARRIS: Well, a lot of people will say you can thank the media for making the world seem a little smaller. Good news, certainly, if you're a sports agent looking to expand your client's fan base.
This morning, we once again turn to the author of "When the Game Is On the Line" and take a look at athletes taking advantage of their international appeal.
Rick Horrow is back from the British Open with those five pound notes for me, Betty.
NGUYEN: Yes, where are those notes?
HARRIS: And he joins -- yes, exactly.
He joins us live from West Palm Beach, Florida -- good morning, Rick.
RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Hey, I got them for you, pal.
HARRIS: Good deal.
HORROW: And I appreciate it. Wonderful. It was a great trip and my trip across the pond taught me two things.
HARRIS: What's that?
HORROW: First of all, 252 holes, 14 rounds of golf.
HARRIS: Oh, my.
HORROW: You can't play very well in these. It's 40 miles an hour and it's 50 degrees and it's hard to do that, OK?
HARRIS: Got you.
HORROW: Second, it's a $350 billion business and it was key internationally. You got London's bid. You got the tragic bombings. You got Tiger's win.
HARRIS: Yes.
HORROW: Now you've got the Senior British Open. You've got Lance pedaling to victory. And the one thing you've got to remember is for the bankability of athletes, they've got to have four things. They've got to have a sport that people really like. They've got to be darned good at it. They've got to be pretty good looking.
HARRIS: Yes.
HORROW: And they've got to do the right thing. They've got to have some character. So when you look at that top ten list, Tony, who's number one? Michael Schumacher. Not a big hero here. We've had a flap in Formula One with the Indy race. But he makes $81 million or so a year.
HARRIS: $81 million?
NGUYEN: Wow!
HORROW: Because he is the man worldwide.
HARRIS: OK, so that's Michael Schumacher.
HORROW: Right.
HARRIS: And we've got a side panel up with number two and number three. Why don't you rifle through the top five or as far as you want to go here?
HORROW: Yes, let's go pretty quick on that, because number two is the man. Who is that? Well, this man's partner.
HARRIS: That's Deldrick (ph).
HORROW: This is Frank. Frank is Tiger Woods' head cover.
HARRIS: Yes.
HORROW: Tiger won the Major last weekend, his tenth British Open -- or his tenth Major. He's making $79 million a year because everybody likes golf and he's transcended the industry.
Number three is Andre Agassi, by the way, $44 million, Genworth Financial his big deal, with he and his wife, Steffi Graf.
Number four is David Beckham, the real Madrid soccer star, promoting Europe and abroad and here, a major deal he signed with Gillette.
Fifth is Valentino Rossi. Now, he's the man in Europe and internationally, $25 million. We don't know too much about him because he's Italian Motorcross, but he sure is known around the world. But who do we know here, as far as racing is concerned? Dale Earnhardt, Jr., $20 million. Serena Williams, we know her, she's transcending tennis, $20 million. And Lance Armstrong is at $17.5 million, a major cancer beating dramatic life story, an awesome girlfriend in Sheryl Crow and tomorrow he's probably winning his seventh Tour de France.
HARRIS: That's right.
All right, now, you know, it's one thing to make a lot of money, and then it's a whole another thing to give it away to charitable good causes around the world. Who gives the most of the riches?
HORROW: Well, it's interesting, because you've got to have it, you've got to do the right thing. And Andre Agassi seems to be the guy at $11 million annually for his Agassi Kids Foundation for underprivileged in Vegas. Number two is Lance. He's at $5 million on the strength of that million dollar or $5 million sale dollar "live strong" bracelet that he's got.
HARRIS: Oh, that's right. That's right.
HORROW: And then number three, you've got, you know, other guys in the top group, Tiger at $1.5 million for underprivileged kids and golfers in California. Number four is a major commitment from Mario Lemiuex, an NHL player with Pittsburgh Anti-Cancer Research; fifth, Derek Jeter, 750K annually for kids in Michigan and New York.
The real key is you've got to have it, clearly.
HARRIS: Right.
HORROW: But you've got to be able to give some away to charity. That's very big in the endorsement business.
HARRIS: OK, Rick, before we lose time here, Fair Ball/Foul Ball.
You want to start with your fair ball?
HORROW: Yes, fair ball real quick.
HARRIS: OK.
HORROW: Labor issues resolved. Hockey players coming back, basketball coming back. The only ones maybe not is fish. The Bass Angler Sportsman's Society, $35 million with ESPN, their deal. Now the anglers want to unionize and the fishermen say -- the fisher management say un-nnh. So the only ones that may be locked out, by the way, are not the basketball players or the football players, but the fish.
HARRIS: And your foul ball?
HORROW: Well, this one is great. My alma mater, Northwestern University, the national women's lacrosse champions. They won. They had their normal visit to the White House. They saw President Bush, some of them in flip-flops. Now, the motive was pretty pure. They auctioned those flip-flops off to pay for a brain tumor operation or some treatment for a 10-year-old kid. But it's now known as the great flip-flop flap.
HARRIS: Ah, got you. Flip-flop. No one wants to be known as a flip-flopper.
Rick Horrow, good to see you, sir.
HORROW: All right, man, good to be back in the country. HARRIS: Take care of yourself.
HORROW: I'll talk to you next week.
HARRIS: See you next week.
NGUYEN: But that flip-flop was for a good cause.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: It all worked out.
All right, one elected official calls it a new level of vigilance on mass transit. Susan Lisovicz has that story. She joins us now -- hi, Susan.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.
Well, it's also something that's being called unprecedented for one of the world's biggest transit systems -- the random searches of bags at New York City subway stops. I'll have details coming up -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, and water is one of the bare necessities during this weekend's heat wave. We will check some hot spots all around the country.
That's ahead on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: The U.S. sends in its first string quarterback to try and rescue a truce in the Middle East. Can Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice deliver?
Welcome back.
I'm Betty Nguyen.
You didn't know she played football, did you?
HARRIS: I did not know that. No, no.
NGUYEN: Me either.
HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris.
Welcome back, everyone, to CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
That story in a moment.
But first, the morning headlines.
Now in the news, Egyptian authorities now say at least 74 people are dead and more than 100 wounded after a series of explosions in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. President Hosni Mubarak visited the site this morning. Meantime, Egypt's interior minister says the blast may be linked to a string of explosions in another resort town in October.
New developments out of London this morning. Police evacuated the subway station due to a security scare, but later stood down and let passengers back in. Witnesses have reported a burning smell. Meantime, police have arrested a second man in connection with Thursday's failed bombing attempts. Somebody out there is about to find out if money can buy happiness, Betty.
NGUYEN: Yes, that's a whole lot of happiness if it can.
HARRIS: Lottery officials say just one measly ticket has matched all six winning numbers in the Mega Millions lottery game. How much is that ticket worth? A whopping $170 million.
NGUYEN: Oh, let me sit down for a second. Hold on. Whoo, that's...
HARRIS: The winning ticket was sold, Betty, in Ohio.
NGUYEN: Now to "Security Watch" this morning, where we update you on the weekend's major developments in the war on terror every Saturday morning.
Thursday, the U.S. House voted indefinitely to renew key provisions of the Patriot Act that are set to expire at the end of the year. Now, the bill puts 10-year limits on two highly debated items, the use of roving wiretaps and searches of library and medical records. A Senate version of the bill wants those two provisions reviewed after four years.
Further clarifying who does what in homeland security emergency. There is a draft agreement on the table that would give the U.S. military sole authority to shoot down civilian aircraft that would violate restricted U.S. air space. The agreement stems from the May 11 incursion that forced the evacuation of the White House and other government buildings.
Plus, police and transit cops in New York City are conducting random searches of bags belonging to people who ride the public transit system. That decision was made after the transit bombings in London, which happened on Thursday.
HARRIS: Let's talk about that a little more.
The stepped up searches on New York City's subways, buses, trains and ferries, have riled some civil libertarians. But the mayor says it is necessary.
CNN's Susan Lisovicz is in New York with more on how riders are reacting -- Susan, good morning.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Tony.
You know, the Atlantic Avenue stop, where I'm standing right now, is normally one of the busiest in the New York City transit system because this is one of the places where the New York City subways and the Long Island Railroad intersect. But right now, predictably, a Saturday morning in the middle of summer, things are quiet. Just the MTA likes it -- just as the MTA likes it.
What's not normal, perhaps, is the appearance this morning of a dozen heavily armed National Guardsmen, one of whom told us that their presence here is to assist the Long Island Railroad in keeping commuters safe.
Interestingly enough, even in the immediate days following 9/11, there were no random searches along the New York City subway system. As of last night, MTA spokesman Tom Kelly told me several thousand searches had been conducted with no major disruptions.
So far, New York City strap-hangers seem to be taking things in stride.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If they're randomly checking everybody, I have no problem with that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whether that actually will stop some of these people, it's to be seen. But at least it's better than doing nothing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Every minute counts in this city. To be -- I mean everybody is just so, to be stopped in front of like with train delays and people are in the way. So, yes, I would be a little upset, a little bothered.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LISOVICZ: The MTA says the random searches will take place indefinitely, but concedes at best this is only a deterrent in the war against terrorism. MTA Spokesman Tom Kelly says that it's a weapon and only that. It puts everyone on alert that we're doing it -- Tony.
HARRIS: Susan Lisovicz in New York.
Susan, thank you.
New Jersey's acting governor says his state will follow New York's lead. Beginning Monday, backpacks, luggage, bags, containers and other packages will be subject to random searches. Those who refuse will not be allowed to ride. Much of New Jersey's transit system actually feeds into New York City.
And stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
It's that time of the morning to check out some of the other stories making news around the world.
NGUYEN: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on a major diplomatic push in the Middle East. And Anand Naidoo is at the CNN international Desk with more on just what's at stake here -- Anand.
ANAND NAIDOO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, thanks, and good morning from me.
Here's what we're watching at the International Desk this morning.
First up, the United States diplomatic effort in the Middle East. As you mentioned, Betty, not the easiest of jobs for the U.S. secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice. She's been holding talks with Palestinian leaders to try to maintain a truce. That truce was shattered by violence only last weekend. Rice is urging the Palestinian leadership to reign in militant groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
She held talks with the Israeli leader, Ariel Sharon, yesterday. That's after that flying and unannounced visit to Lebanon -- Tony.
HARRIS: Anand, news of an earthquake in southern Japan. Now, when we hear news of earthquakes in that region, we start to think about tsunamis.
What do you know about that?
NAIDOO: That's right, Tony.
An earthquake hit southern Japan, but it is being described as moderate. And thankfully, Japanese officials say there is no tsunami danger from the quake. It's classified as 6.1 and was centered on an area in the south of the country near the capital of Tokyo. At this stage, no reports of injuries or damage, but authorities are still checking.
We'll bring you the latest as we get it.
OK, let's move on to Europe, Paris, to be more specific. We know the French capital is noted for its museums, its gourmet restaurants and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. But have you heard of the Paris beach or the Paris Plage, as they call it there? Well, it's back and it's along the Seine with a decidedly Brazilian flavor this year. That's all to commemorate a huge cultural event known as the Year of Brazil.
So you see, Betty, you can go to Paris, do your shopping...
NGUYEN: Yes?
NAIDOO: And you can go to the beach, as well.
NGUYEN: But where's the water?
NAIDOO: The water is the Seine River.
NGUYEN: Oh, oh. HARRIS: Right on the banks.
NGUYEN: Oh, that's not really a beach.
Come on.
NAIDOO: OK, OK. There are no big waves, but...
NGUYEN: Yes. Come on.
NAIDOO: ... still.
NGUYEN: That's not a real beach.
All right, thanks, Anand.
NAIDOO: Thank you.
NGUYEN: We do have a killer story coming up. It's a cold- blooded catch of a monster shark. Whoo, look at that thing. Huge.
HARRIS: Yikes.
NGUYEN: In this case, size definitely mattered.
HARRIS: Well, OK.
And Rob Marciano...
MARCIANO: Hi.
HARRIS: I've got a question for you. And you're...
MARCIANO: You totally settled down there.
HARRIS: Yes. Yes.
MARCIANO: I mean Saturday morning, I mean...
HARRIS: Saturday morning. Rob?
MARCIANO: Just waking up here.
What have you got, Tony? What's your question?
NGUYEN: Be very afraid, Rob. He has a question for you.
HARRIS: Thank you.
How hot is it, doctor?
MARCIANO: It's so hot...
NGUYEN: I knew it.
HARRIS: Fascinating (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Good morning to you, sir.
MARCIANO: How are you doing? I'm sure the Statue of Liberty may even be sweating or (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
NGUYEN: OK.
MARCIANO: Here you go.
(WEATHER REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: We are following a developing story in Egypt, where multiple car bombs explode in a resort town. We'll take you live in the next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Fahrenheit, Celsius, no matter how you measure it, the bottom line is it is hot as blazes out there, dangerously so in some places.
CNN's Catherine Callaway is right outside the CNN Center in Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park.
Boy, you've got a great job today, standing out in the heat.
Poor thing.
How is it so far?
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: You know, it's actually not bad right now. They don't even have the fountain on yet, so you can bet when that fountain is turned on behind me here at Centennial Park that people will be pouring in.
You know, here in Georgia, we are expecting the hottest weekend so far this year. Temperatures around 90 degrees, but with the heat index, it's going to feel like it's close to 100 degrees. The Weather Service debating whether or not they should issue a heat advisory. But there is no debating this weekend where the deadliest weather has been, and that has been in Phoenix, Arizona -- 110 degrees for the last two weeks there. The death toll in Phoenix has reached 21. Fourteen of those were homeless.
Now, it's a desert city so it's not unusual this time of year to see temperatures around 105. But it's those last 10 degrees and the number of days of temperatures up at 110 that are causing the problems there.
And even in sunny California, a weekend of triple digit temperatures causing problems there. It's straining the power supplies in southern California. In fact, the power company has issued a stage two emergency alert. They're urging people to conserve in that state. And in Chicago, which is usually beautiful this time of year, much of that state under a National Weather Service heat warning. Temperatures there over 100 degrees. It's not going to stop the fun, though, in Chicago. The Lollapalooza going on there. People still having fun. I'm sure they are being urged to drink lots of water and take it easy. But here at Centennial Park in Atlanta, you can bet that the park's going to start filling up here as the temperature starts to rise this morning. And as you know driving by this every day, when that water fountain is turned on and the kids and the people are running through it, it's a nice relief from this heat, which just will not let up across the country.
NGUYEN: It is a nice relief. Fun to see. But you know what's the best relief? Stay indoors in the air conditioning, where you need to go, Catherine.
Thank you.
CALLAWAY: All right.
Bye-bye.
HARRIS: In case you're just waking up with us, let us run down some of the top stories for you.
We're following new developments out of London this morning. Police are letting passengers back into a subway station after a security scare. Police had evacuated the station after people reported a burning smell. Meantime, a second man has been arrested in connection with Thursday's failed bombing attempts on the transit system. Thursday's attacks have sparked tighter security here in the U.S.
On Monday, New Jersey police will start randomly searching bags and packages carried by bus and train riders. The searches started in New York City just yesterday.
And finally, a California man is sentenced to death for molesting and killing a 5-year-old girl. Alejandro Avila abducted Samantha Runnion outside her house in 2002.
And don't forget our E-Mail Question this morning. And judging by the responses, you haven't. President Bush's Supreme Court nominee, John Roberts, is getting good reviews. But that doesn't mean senators won't have some tough questions for him when confirmation hearings begin. If you could be in the room at those hearings and ask a question of John Roberts, what would it be?
E-mail us your thoughts to that question at Weekends@CNN.com, and we'll read some of your replies in just a couple of minutes.
NGUYEN: First, though, a "CNN Extra" for you this morning.
If you feel sleepy behind the wheel, well, just sing. New research finds music to be more effective than silence, conversation or even talk radio in keeping a drowsy driver alert. And if you need to stay awake for a long road trip, "Road and Travel" magazine suggests taking frequent breaks, drinking caffeine or water and avoiding alcohol the night before you leave.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Time to "Rewind" right now.
The London terror attacks dominated much of CNN's coverage this weekend. So let's run through some of the other stories that you may have missed.
Monday, Eric Robert Rudolph was sentenced to life in prison for the 1998 bombing of a woman's clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. That blast killed an off duty police officer. Rudolph is scheduled for sentencing August 22 for three attacks in Atlanta, including one during the 1996 Olympics.
Also Monday, federal authorities in California charged 40 pilots, 40 of them, with lying about their health or criminal histories to get a pilots' license. Some of the defendants had serious medical and psychological conditions that would have barred them from receiving a license. None of the 40 pilots is currently employed as a commercial pilot.
Wednesday, the Justice Department announced the new national sex offender registry Web site is up and running. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia are linked to that site so far. The remaining states and territories should be connected by the end of the year.
And tomorrow, we will "Fast Forward" the weekend to tell you what's coming up ahead. We'll give you an update on that tomorrow.
HARRIS: OK, we understand that there are some days when it's hard to keep up with all the news. That's where the CNN.com desk comes in handy.
Veronica De La Cruz joins us now with one of the big stories out of Washington, D.C. this weekend -- good morning, Miss. Veronica.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A big story.
Good morning.
How are you doing?
HARRIS: Good to see you.
DE LA CRUZ: I haven't seen you forever.
HARRIS: Good to see you. Yes, it has been a while.
DE LA CRUZ: Forever. It's been a while.
HARRIS: Good to see you, lady.
DE LA CRUZ: Well, Tuesday the Supreme Court nomination was announced. Bush, of course, announcing his pick for U.S. Supreme Court justice Judge John Roberts. And now the confirmation process begins.
If you're a little confused on what that process is exactly, you can always log onto CNN.com.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
DE LA CRUZ (voice-over): The process starts with a formal nomination being sent to the Senate for consideration. The Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearings where the nominee can be asked questions on everything from personal and legal views to hot button issues like abortion and affirmative action.
Five of the last six Supreme Court nominees spent less than a week being quizzed by the panel, the exception being Clarence Thomas, whose nomination was nearly derailed by allegations of sexual harassment. The highest court in the land hasn't seen a new justice since Stephen Breyer was appointed 11 years ago.
Here's a look at Supreme Court justices nominated by the president since 1971. And you can also read profiles of current Supreme Court justices by clicking through this gallery.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
DE LA CRUZ: And, of course, it is all available to you with a simple point and click of your mouse at CNN.com/SupremeCourt. And you can also find out a lot about Roberts. We have a gallery on the site. And I found this picture.
HARRIS: Wow! Back in the day, as the kids say.
DE LA CRUZ: Back in the day.
HARRIS: Yes, yes.
DE LA CRUZ: He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.
HARRIS: OK.
DE LA CRUZ: And apparently he was also a member of the Beach Boys, from this picture.
HARRIS: Yes, yes, exactly. And that's on the Web site? Can we find that?
DE LA CRUZ: Yes. This is all on the Web site. So you have to check that out.
HARRIS: All right, Veronica, thank you.
DE LA CRUZ: All right.
HARRIS: We should get to our e-mail...
NGUYEN: He had some nice hair back then. Yes, OK.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes.
NGUYEN: Let's get to that e-mail question today.
President Bush's Supreme Court nominee, as we've been talking about, John Roberts, is getting good reviews. But that doesn't mean senators won't have some tough questions for him when confirmation hearings begin.
So, if you could be in those hearings, what would you ask nominee John Roberts?
Well, James in Las Vegas, Nevada says: "Mr. Roberts, is there any end to the erosion of Americans' civil rights in the name of the war on terror?"
HARRIS: All right, and this from Eliot. Boy, I bet a lot of folks have this question: "What, if anything, would you do to undo the recent Supreme Court decision that allows the "stealing"" -- in quotes here from Eliot -- "of hardworking Americans' properties for commercial gain?"
That's the whole eminent domain decision a few weeks back from the court.
Thank you for the e-mails.
Once again, there is the question. If you were in the room during the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearings, coming up soon, what question would you have for nominee John Roberts? Send us your thoughts, your questions, at Weekends@CNN.com.
NGUYEN: In the meantime, though, the three weekend ride toward a chance at racing immortality is almost complete. With two days left, reigning champ Lance Armstrong is still the overall leader in the grueling Tour de France. Tomorrow comes the climax of his quest for a seventh straight championship.
Join us in the morning for a live report from the Tour de France at that finish line, we will be there. That's tomorrow on "CNN SUNDAY MORNING."
HARRIS: But first, how hot is it where you are? One man knows the answers for sure, our good friend -- well, he is -- Rob Marciano joins us with your hot weekend weather. I had to think about it for a second.
NGUYEN: Which part?
HARRIS: Yes, right.
Next on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
We'll be right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Hey, time for some recent stories that made us all say wow!
Quick, someone call Steven Spielberg. Jaws is back. No, not really.
NGUYEN: This is really...
HARRIS: Well, look at this, though. Actually, it's another man eating shark. Feisty fishermen recently reeled in this 1,100-pound tiger shark near Massachusetts.
NGUYEN: Oh, my.
HARRIS: It's part of the Monster Shark Tournament on Martha's Vineyard. Yikes. And you can see more of the tournament on ESPN2. That's beginning on September 12. And try being married for 74 years. The first 70 years, a breeze. The last four, oh my goodness. That's how long Magda and Herbert Brown of Philadelphia have been together. She's 100 years old, he's 105. The "Guinness Book of World Records" says they're the oldest living married couple in the world. As for the secret to marital bliss, Magda says her husband always tells her yes...
NGUYEN: Of course he does.
HARRIS: ... even though she often tells him no.
NGUYEN: See, that's the secret, Tony. Once you learn that, you'll be just like them.
HARRIS: Like I don't know the secret?
NGUYEN: Always say yes.
Isn't that right, Rob?
MARCIANO: Yes, Tony has known that a while.
HARRIS: Com on.
MARCIANO: You know, he isn't no dummy. He's been around enough to know that.
HARRIS: Good morning, Mr. Marciano.
MARCIANO: How are you doing, Tony?
NGUYEN: For sanity, just say yes.
MARCIANO: Hi, Betty.
NGUYEN: Hi.
MARCIANO: It's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) -- men are lazy. I mean so that's just the easiest thing to do.
NGUYEN: You said it, I didn't.
MARCIANO: All right. Well, listen, I'll be -- I'll fill you in right there.
HARRIS: It's basically true.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: So you're done. No more for you. We'll check in with you later.
MARCIANO: Betty, be nice to whoever you marry.
HARRIS: Here's a...
NGUYEN: Oh, the poor guy, right?
MARCIANO: Just be nice.
NGUYEN: If he only knew.
OK, thank you, Rob.
HARRIS: Thanks, Rob.
MARCIANO: Yes.
HARRIS: The next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING begins right now.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Tony, always say yes and I'm wrong. We always say no. You're done. No more for you.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Betty, be nice (INAUDIBLE).
NGUYEN: (INAUDIBLE).
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: (INAUDIBLE).
NGUYEN: The poor guy. Right?
MARCIANO: (INAUDIBLE).
NGUYEN: If he only knew. OK.
HARRIS: Thanks, Rob.
NGUYEN: Thank you, Rob.
MARCIANO: See you.
HARRIS: The next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING" begins right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIN RUNNION, SAMANTHA'S MOTHER: I have written and rewritten, and I would say to the man who killed Samantha, and you better pay attention, because I never want to address you again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: A mother's passionate outburst as the man convicted of killing her 5-year-old daughter finds out his fate.
Hello, everybody, I'm Betty Nguyen. The CNN -- this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING, and it's July 23. We want to welcome you to the show.
HARRIS: And good morning, everyone, I'm Tony Harris.
That story in a few moments.
First, headlines now in the news.
It's Egypt's deadliest bombing in years. A series of explosions rocked the Red Sea resort city of Sharm al-Sheikh this morning. At least 74 people are dead, and more than 100 others wounded.
We'll bring you a live report from Egypt in just a minute.
New developments out of London this morning. Police evacuated a subway station after passengers reported a burning smell. But they later let people back in.
Meantime, police have released pictures of the four men suspected in Thursday's failed bombings attacks. Two men are in custody, but there's no word of whether they're among the bombings suspects.
More details straight ahead.
And authorities in Aruba are letting the FBI take a stronger role in the search for American teen Natalee Holloway, but the agents still won't be able to take part in the interviews of suspects or witnesses. Previously, Aruban officials had virtually shut the FBI out of the investigation.
And it's been a shaky morning in southern Japan. A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck near Tokyo. Japanese officials say there's no danger of tsunamis from the quake, and there are also no reports of major injuries or damage.
NGUYEN: Want to get back to our top story right now. A deadly wave of explosions rocks northern Egypt, and the death toll is still rising. The blast happened in Sharm al-Sheikh, which is a resort city on the Red Sea.
CNN's John Vause is there, and he joins us by phone with the latest on what investigators have determined. John, what do you know? JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on phone): Well, hi, hi, Betty.
The investigators are still on the scene here at the Ghazala Gardens Hotel. This appears to be where the most damage was done. Just looking at the hotel, the roof of the hotel has come down, a large section of the front of the hotel has also been brought down by the force of this explosion.
What we're being told by Egyptian authorities is that a suicide bomber drove a car past the security checkpoint at the entrance to this hotel, and then a few hundred feet into the main reception hall of the Ghazala Gardens Hotel.
It's still not known how many died here. In fact, across Sharm al-Sheikh they are still counting the number of casualties.
Not far from here, about two and a half miles away, around the same time as this blast, there was another explosion at the old marketplace. Now, that tore through what -- a coffee shop which was frequented by Egyptian workers. It is known that 17 Egyptian workers were killed in that blast.
There was also a third explosion, apparently a bomb left in a sack beside a beachfront walk. Now, in that blast, at least six foreign tourists were killed. All up so far, it's known eight foreign tourists have been killed. But they're still waiting to confirm the identity of many of the dead. At least 74 so far confirmed to have died in this series of attacks.
The Egyptian authorities now believe that this attack is linked to a similar attack which was carried out in October last year at the Taba resort town. That's a third -- more than 30 people were killed in October last year, Betty.
NGUYEN: John, if these attacks may be linked, anyone claiming responsibility at this moment?
VAUSE: There has been a claim of responsibility issued by a previously unheard-of group. We haven't been able to confirm that the authenticity of that claim. It was put out on an Islamic Web site. And we're still waiting to confirm it. But so, though -- apparently they're called the Abdullah Azzam Brigades of Syria and Egypt. We never heard of them before. That doesn't mean they're not responsible for it. But we're still checking into that, Betty.
NGUYEN: Lot of developments still taking place. John Vause in Sharm al-Sheikh. Thank you, John.
HARRIS: And turning to London now, police activity over the past 24 hours appears to have been focused on the neighborhood around the Stockwell Station. That's where a man was shot and killed yesterday after being chased by police.
Since then, two arrests have been made in that area. Police have not said whether the two men arrested are among the four being sought in Thursday's failed bombings. But police do say they've received good public responses to the surveillance photos released yesterday of the suspects.
They have also provided new details on the man who was shot to death. Police say they followed him from a home that had been under surveillance. They say he refused to obey police orders, then ran into the Stockwell Station, where he was tackled and shot. It's still not known if he was among Thursday's bombing suspects.
And now to security watch, where we update you on the week's major developments in the war on terror every Saturday morning.
Thursday, the U.S. House voted to renew indefinitely key provisions of the PATRIOT Act that are set to expire at the end of the year. The bill puts 10-year limits on two highly debated items, the use of roving wiretaps and searches of library and medical records. A Senate version of the bill wants those two provisions reviewed after four years.
Further clarifying who does what in a homeland security emergency, there's a draft agreement on the table that would give the U.S. military sole authority to shoot down civilian aircraft that violate restricted U.S. airspace. The agreement stems from the May 11 incursion that forced the evacuation of the White House and other government buildings.
Police and transit police in New York City are conducting random searches of bags and backpacks belonging to people who ride public transit. The decision was made after the transit bombings in London on Thursday.
NGUYEN: A convicted killer now knows his fate in the kidnapping and murder of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion. At the sentencing, Samantha's mother addressed him directly.
Donna Tetrault has the details now from Los Angeles.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERIN RUNNION, SAMANTHA'S MOTHER: I have written and rewritten what I would say to the man who killed Samantha, and you better pay attention, because I never want to address you again. You don't deserve a place in my family's history, and so I want you to live.
DONNA TETRAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): But Alejandro Avila is on his way to death row.
JUDGE WILLIAM FROEBERG, ORANGE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT: You shall suffer the death penalty. Said penalty shall be inflicted within the walls of the state prison at San Quentin, California...
TETRAULT: Sentenced to death for the abduction, brutal rape, and murder of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion in the summer of 2002. Samantha was outside playing with her friend Sarah Ahn when Avila nabbed her.
SARAH AHN, SAMANTHA'S FRIEND: She said, Help, tell me grandma, and I did.
TETRAULT: Kicking and screaming, she disappeared. The next day, Samantha's body was found in a remote area 50 miles from home.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP, 911 CALL)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my God. I found a dead body. Please hurry. I'm so scared. Yes, it was a little kid.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
RUNNION: And she fought. And I know she fought you. I know she looked at you with those amazing brown eyes, and you still wanted to kill her.
TETRAULT: Samantha's fight sealed Avila's fate. His DNA under her fingernails and DNA likely from Samantha's tear drops inside his car.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tragedy brings us together, yes.
TETRAULT: More than 4,000 people attended Samantha's funeral.
RUNNION: She wanted to be a dancer and a teacher and a mother. She loved so many things. She had so much passion for life. I'll never know what she would have become.
TETRAULT: What Erin Runnion has become isn't anything she could have ever fathomed. Now she dedicates her life to saving other children from sexual predators, from people like Alejandro Avila.
RUNNION: You knew it was wrong and you chose not to think about it. Well, now you have a lot of time to think about it. Don't waste it. Write it down, so that the rest of us can figure out how to stop you people.
TETRAULT: Donna Tetreault for CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: We will have much more on this heartbreaking case, plus Erin Runnion's complete statement to her daughter's killer. That's tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
Also, there is a new tool for parents to keep tabs on sex offenders. It's a Web site, www.nsopr.gov. It's on your screen right now. The Justice Department announced the new national sex offender registry site is up and running. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia are linked to this site so far. The remaining states and territories should be connected by the end of year.
HARRIS: And in other news across America now, in Idaho the search continues for a registered sex offender suspected of repeatedly stabbing his 12-year-old daughter. Police say John Rollins Tuggle is the only suspect in the case. The girl is hospitalized in serious condition. Thirty-seven-year-old Tuggle served time for rape and was released from an Idaho prison last year. He is considered armed and dangerous. In North Carolina, a hot pursuit of a suspected cold criminal, all caught on tape. This police chase reached up to 102 miles per hour at times. In the video, you can see the suspect's car lose control.
NGUYEN: Whoa.
HARRIS: Look at this. A woman and her 5-year-old daughter were in the back seat and were unhurt, if you can believe that. The suspect was taken into custody on several charges.
In Arizona, where there's smoke, certainly there's fire. This Edge Complex fire continues to burn over 70,000 acres near Sunflower. About 15 families have evacuated their homes. More than 800 firefighters are battling the blaze, which has closed one state road in both directions.
And in Boston, a man puts a hole in a suspected doughnut robber's plans. Thursday, police say, a man robbed this Dunkin' Donuts store. But construction worker Jason Merry (ph), stopped him, chasing after the suspected thief after he ran from the store. Merry caught up with the man and demanded the money back, which the alleged thief promptly turned over.
NGUYEN: Really?
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: All right, let's get to our e-mail question today. And here's some background. We're asking you your thoughts filling the vacancy on the Supreme Court. This is something that affects all of us. President Bush's nominee, John Roberts, is getting good reviews, but that doesn't mean senators won't have some tough questions for him when confirmation hearings begin. A new poll shows most Americans have some questions too, 76 percent of those surveyed for a CNN-"USA Today"-Gallup poll said they need to know more about Mr. Roberts.
And that brings us to our e-mail question of the morning. If you could be at those hearings in the room, what would you ask John Roberts?
E-mail us your thoughts at Weekends@CNN.com. And we'll share some of those throughout the morning.
In fact, we have some of them right now. Are we sharing them now...
HARRIS: Now? You're going to...
NGUYEN: ... or are we going to wait?
HARRIS: ... do it, now, do it a little later?
NGUYEN: It's going to be just a little bit later...
HARRIS: OK. NGUYEN: ... so you have some more time to send them in.
HARRIS: Yes.
In a word, folks, hot outside. Much of the country is scrambling to keep cool. It's the case here in Atlanta.
You don't believe me? Just ask Catherine Callaway. Good morning, Catherine.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
Yes, we are expecting the hottest weekend so far this year in Georgia. But we're not the hottest spot in the country. A deadly heat wave out West. I'll have all the details on that. Rob Marciano, though, keeping an eye on those temperatures, Rob.
MARCIANO: Catherine, it is going to be warming up quite rapidly, like you mentioned, especially across the nation's midsection. Already, 78 in St. Louis, could be hitting the dreaded triple digits. The sun glistens off the Gateway Arch. It's going to be hot. All strategies to help you stay cool are in effect today.
Full forecast is coming up. Betty, back to you.
NGUYEN: All right, let's talk about that heat. And check some of the record highs around the nations. Look at these numbers. It hit 106 in Birmingham, 112 in Los Angeles, and even 85 in Alaska. Hey, speaking of Los Angeles, at 112, all-time record high.
Here's one guy, though, who decided to beat the heat in Denver, where highs hit 104. Is that going to be a belly flop? Kind of looks like it?
HARRIS: Oh.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, in case you haven't felt it, we are having a heat wave. You're looking at some historic highs in a few major cities all across the country. The big question, will some of these records be broken this weekend? One hundred ten in Oklahoma City.
This guy wants to beat the heat.
HARRIS: What is that?
NGUYEN: That is a polar bear taking a little dip in the water.
Hey, speaking of polar bears and Alaska, 85 degrees in Alaska. We'll have the full details on all this heat coming up.
And just in case you are waking up with us this morning, let's check our top stories right now.
Three bombings rocked the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Sheikh. At least 74 people are dead and more than 100 wounded. Two of the blasts were suicide attacks. The third involved a bomb that was left in a sack.
New developments out of London now. Police have arrested a second man in connection with Thursday's failed transit bombings. Meanwhile, police evacuated a subway station this morning after passengers reported a burning smell. About two hours ago, they let people back in.
And finally, Condoleezza Rice is meeting with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank this morning. The secretary of state is trying to make sure Israel's upcoming pullout from Gaza goes smoothly.
HARRIS: OK, back here in the United States, Phoenix is rising, and tanning in the Las Vegas sun is surely a gamble. In much of the country, it is just plain hot. In Vegas, the heat is unbearable and unavoidable, cracking car dashboards and making steering wheels too hot to handle. People there are running from air-conditioned homes, Betty, to air-conditioned cars, to air-conditioned offices. Tuesday, the temperature hit 117 degrees.
NGUYEN: Yikes.
HARRIS: In parts of California, the power supply may be in jeopardy as temperatures and the demand for air-conditioning remain high. Triple-digit heat is expected to continue through the weekend. Even in Illinois, they're not jumping for joy, just trying to stay cool. Look at little kids running around in their underwear, trying to stay cool. (INAUDIBLE)...
NGUYEN: Those are swimsuits...
HARRIS: (INAUDIBLE)...
NGUYEN: ... not their underwear.
(LAUGHTER)
HARRIS: All right, OK.
The National Weather Service warns that Illinois will be dangerously hot all weekend. Hard to tell the difference these days (INAUDIBLE)...
NGUYEN: Well, I mean, you might as well, because it's so hot...
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: ... outside.
Rob, is anyone going to get any relief sometime soon?
MARCIANO: Some folks are starting to get a little bit of relief today...
NGUYEN: Yes. MARCIANO: ... in the way of less humid, but there's no big change in the weather pattern probably till next week.
Seventy-five right now in Atlanta. You know, they like to call it Hotlanta. It's typically over 90 this time of year, or can be.
And Catherine Callaway is, she's a fan of the hot weather, so we sent her around to Centennial (INAUDIBLE) Park, where at least right now, it's not too bad. But I bet you now the sun's coming out, Catherine, it's starting to, starting to get a little toasty out there.
CALLAWAY: Yes, Rob, it is starting to get a little warm out here, you know. But they're thinking this is going to be the hottest weekend so far this year. But Rob, we were hearing the weather service was debating whether or not to issue a heat advisory. Is there an update on that, Rob?
MARCIANO: Yes, not here, not in the Georgia area. Most of the heat advisories have been across the Midwest, just south of Chicago to Arkansas. So that's where the core of the hot, hot weather's going to be. But it'll get easily into the mid- to upper, possibly upper 90s here where you are, at least, tomorrow.
CALLAWAY: Right. But, you know, with the humidity here, the heat index is going to feel like it's over 100 degrees...
MARCIANO: Yes, that's, that, that's...
CALLAWAY: ... out here in the park.
MARCIANO: ... the key, that's the key, is the humidity.
CALLAWAY: Yes.
MARCIANO: Feels over 100. And that's when you sweat, that sweat can't evaporate. That's how you cool down, and that's where the problem is.
CALLAWAY: In just a few hours, we're going to see this park fill up behind me. There's a big water fountain they'll turn on in just a little bit, and everyone will jump in that water to cool off. Lots of water for sale here. Things will, it'll be a lovely sight here in Georgia. It won't be as bad, as you said, Rob, out West, where we are seeing some deadly heat out there.
We're going to take you to Phoenix now, where they have seen 110 degrees for almost two weeks now. There have been 21 heat-related deaths, 14 of those have been homeless.
Now, it is a desert city. It's not unusual to see temperatures of 105. But, you know, two weeks of 110 is a lot for anyone to try to get through, living out there in the elements.
And in California, a week of triple-digit temperatures is causing problems to the power supply there in Southern California. The power company is issuing a stage two emergency alert. They are urging people to please conserve energy there in the state of California.
And in Chicago, beautiful city of Chicago, much of Illinois under a National Weather Service heat warning there, temperatures over 100 degrees again. Not stopping all of the fun, though, Lollapalooza going on there. Lot of people will be out there this weekend having a good time, just as they will be here in Centennial Park.
And Rob, you know, we were talking about Phoenix, and the temperature being 105. It has to be those last 10 degrees, it'll reaching over 110 and staying that way, with no relief for two weeks, that is causing so many heat-related deaths out there.
MARCIANO: I think that's the key point, Catherine, is that it just stays there. For instance, it didn't get below 95 degrees in Las Vegas a couple days ago, at night. That was the low, 95. So, I mean, how do you cool off there?
CALLAWAY: Yes.
MARCIANO: So they're going to get a little bit...
CALLAWAY: It's even hot in Canada]
MARCIANO: ... of relief -- Exactly. All right, thanks, Catherine Callaway, live for us in Centennial Park. We'll be checking in with you throughout the morning, as temperatures begin to crank up.
She mentioned Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, yesterday was the 39th day in a row they've seen 100-degree-plus temperatures. That high's an all-time a record. It will cool down somewhat across this area, because now the monsoon's kicking in some moisture from the last hurricane that rolled through Mexico, take it into Los Angeles as well. So showers and thunderstorms expected there, and overnight lows tonight, 82 degrees in St. Louis. So that's where the bigger problem is. One-oh-two St. Louis tomorrow.
Chicago, 100, lots of water. Not alcoholic beverages there at Lollapalooza. That'll keep you, you know, from getting hurt, because (INAUDIBLE)...
NGUYEN: You're going to tell the folks at Lollapalooza no alcoholic beverages. OK, Rob.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: ... you can't do it, it's, it's...
MARCIANO: (INAUDIBLE)...
HARRIS: ... you can't do it.
MARCIANO: ... (INAUDIBLE).
NGUYEN: You shouldn't do it.
HARRIS: You really can't do it in all of this heat. And when you stop sweating, (INAUDIBLE)...
NGUYEN: That's when the problem comes in, yes.
MARCIANO: (INAUDIBLE), yes.
NGUYEN: So if you see yourself out in the heat...
HARRIS: (INAUDIBLE).
NGUYEN: ... and you're not sweating any more, get that water in.
MARCIANO: And it's a good excuse not to do yard work, not to exercise.
HARRIS: Oh, yes.
MARCIANO: (INAUDIBLE)...
NGUYEN: You're always looking for excuses, right, Rob?
MARCIANO: That's right.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: You're good at that.
MARCIANO: Yes, (INAUDIBLE).
NGUYEN: Talk to you soon.
President Bush's Supreme Court nominee is getting some pretty good reviews so far. Now it's time for your two cents.
HARRIS: OK, the e-mail question this morning, If you could be at one of the upcoming Senate confirmation hearings, what would you ask John Roberts? E-mail us your thoughts, Weekends@CNN.com. Some of your responses coming up in just a couple of minutes.
NGUYEN: But first, though, we have a CNN extra for you.
If you own an Acura Integra, keep a close eye on your car. The 1999 Integra coupe was a most stolen vehicle in 2004. And other Integras from other model years aren't too far behind. As for the most stolen brand, Acura is followed by Hummer, Land Rover, Daewoo, and Honda.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Here's e-mail question this morning. If you were in on the confirmation hearings, actually in the room, what would you ask nominee John Roberts?
Well, what, I will tell you what, the e-mail box loaded. We don't even need to read this question again, we're getting so many responses.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: Yes, everyone knows it now, it appears.
HARRIS: This one from Tom from Shoreham, New York, who writes, "What is your position on overturning, overturning Roe v. Wade, i.e., irrespective of your own views on abortion, can you envision yourself seeking or agreeing to overturn Roe?"
NGUYEN: And Carol from Florida writes, "To what extent do you think the Constitution allows religious beliefs to influence the laws of the land?" Now, this is a very important question. "To what extent did, do you think the Constitution allows religious beliefs to influence the laws of the land?"
And we are going to be taking this topic to hand tomorrow on CNN's "Faces of Faith" segment. That's at 8:00 a.m. Sunday, 8:00 a.m. Eastern, so you want to stay tuned for that.
HARRIS: We can ask our guest that very question, then..
NGUYEN: We sure can.
HARRIS: OK.
Ongoing terrorist attacks in Europe and the Middle East send a warning to authorities here in the United States.
NGUYEN: And we are taking heat. Coming up live next hour, increased security in New York subways and on buses. Subway security, live, 9:00 a.m. Eastern.
And next, want to look like a star without a hefty price tag -- Tony?
HARRIS: Ah, sure. Fitness on a budget from Dr. Sanjay Gupta on "HOUSE CALL."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
