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CNN Saturday Morning News
Israel Pushes Deep Into Lebanon To Root Out Hezbollah Fighters; Israel's Firepower Concentrated on Tyre; No Letup in Hezbollah's Ability to Fire Rockets into Israel; Second Doping Test for Tour de France Champ Floyd Landis Positive; Shooting Spree At Seattle Jewish Charity Reminder of Politics of Hate; Lebanon's Last Link With Syria Severed
Aired August 05, 2006 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Now in the news, crisis in the Middle East on Day 25.
Israel launches an aerial assault on the Lebanese city of Tyre. Israeli jets and gunships converge on that city as the offensive escalates. Israel says at least eight of its commandos were wounded while trying to disarm the Hezbollah stronghold.
Well, protesters, they echo from the heart of the Middle East to the streets of London. Later today, thousands of people are expected to march through the British capital to denounce the war.
The group sponsoring the march is calling on Prime Minister Tony Blair to reverse his position and support an unconditional cease-fire.
Well, Israel ratchets up its drive into Gaza. The Associated Press quotes Palestinian officials saying air strikes killed at least five people, including two children and their mother.
Israeli tanks and troops are on the move in Southern Gaza. And A.P. reports that they took over an abandoned Palestinian security training camp today in Rafah.
We do have live reports from our correspondents all across the Mideast.
That is straight ahead.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Title on the line for Floyd Landis. We learned just two hours ago that a second doping test on the Tour de France winner was positive. Landis could lose his championship and be banned from cycling for two years. The cyclist says he's innocent and is confident he will be vindicated. Much more on this throughout the morning. We'll hear from the man known as the voice of the Tour de France just 10 minutes from now.
Arizona police have arrested two suspected serial killers blamed for a string of shootings that terrified Phoenix. A police report says the two men referred to the shootings as R.V. -- random recreational violence.
NGUYEN: Really? Oh, goodness.
HARRIS: Yes.
Details and a full report about 15 minutes from now.
Rain, rain and more rain in Texas. Folks living in El Paso are under a second evacuation order.
NGUYEN: Wow!
HARRIS: You see these pictures? It was just that bad earlier this week, too.
There are concerns a rain swollen dam in Mexico-could spillover.
Reynolds Wolf has a complete weather report coming up.
For complete coverage of breaking news and today's top stories, stay with CNN, the most trusted name in news.
NGUYEN: Well, from the CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
It is August 5th, 7:00 a.m. in Atlanta, 2:00 p.m. in Beirut and Haifa.
Good morning, everybody.
I'm Betty Nguyen.
HARRIS: And good morning.
I'm Tony Harris.
Thank you for being with us.
NGUYEN: The crisis in the Middle East -- I know you've heard it before, but here is what we know right now.
Hezbollah fires at least a half dozen rockets into the Israeli port city of Haifa. Israeli police say two houses were hit and nine people died.
Israel pounds the Southern Lebanese city of Tyre. Israeli jets and helicopters swoop in and commandos sweep across the city. Israeli Defense Forces report several casualties and fierce fighting against Hezbollah militants.
Well, here is the latest death toll from both sides of the border. Israel says 75 people have been killed in that nation and in Lebanon, officials report 683 fatalities in more than three weeks of fighting. Hezbollah has not released official casualty figures. But Israel's military says that it has killed more than 300 Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah denies that figure.
HARRIS: Three-and-a-half weeks into the conflict, rockets crisscross the border and Israeli forces plow deeper into Lebanon. There's been a lot of fighting and a lot of bloodshed since you went to bed last night.
Let's get the latest from the region.
CNN's John Roberts is embedded with Israeli troops.
He joins us by phone from the Israeli-Lebanese border -- John, good morning.
JOHN ROBERTS, SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Tony.
Actually, we're far north of the border. We walked in last night at about 10:00. I'm with a reserve unit made up of civilian soldiers who used to be with the elite Golani and Nachal Brigades. They really know this territory. Some of them served in Lebanon before and they're back for another tour of duty.
And it's the death toll in places like Haifa today that is really driving these troops forward. They're going into towns and villages deep into Lebanon to try to root out Hezbollah fighters, to try to get those Katyusha rockets and to try to stop them from attacking those towns in northern Israel.
Our unit has not seen any action just yet today. But very close by to where we are, we hear other units engaged in machine gun-fire. It obviously sounds like close quarters fighting. There are artillery shells and bombs falling all around us. Quite a hot day here in Southern Lebanon.
We walked in last night at about 10:00. We walked for about seven hours. So, if you, you know, calculate how quickly people can walk, we're fairly deep into Lebanese territory. And this really is the hot zone.
It's been very dangerous in this area, you know, all the way from Bint Jbeil, which was the scene of such intense fighting last week, all the way almost over to the Mediterranean. A number of Israeli soldiers have died here.
So the unit that I'm with taking great care. They want to make sure that everybody comes back alive. As I said, these are civilian soldiers. They are accountants, they are attorneys, they are, some of them, commercial real estate brokers, very smart people who know how to stay safe. And they're just waiting for a little bit of resupply and then they're going to get into the fight here.
So very intense fighting going on in Southern Lebanon, all to try to root out those Hezbollah fighters and get those Katyusha rockets. Very difficult operations, as well, because those Katyusha rockets can be hidden just about anywhere. And when I look out at the terrain around here, it's very hilly, lots of valleys, lots of cover, lots of buildings, lots of places, Tony, for them to hide those rockets.
HARRIS: Boy. And, John, as the soldiers walk into Lebanon, they understand that theoretically this is territory that Hezbollah knows even better than they do.
ROBERTS: Yes. You know, as I said, some of the soldiers that I'm with served during the Israeli occupation of Lebanon. So they are very familiar with the territory, as well.
But let's not forget that since Israel pulled out six years ago, Hezbollah has had an awful lot of time to build its infrastructure here, to get deeply rooted into the landscape. And when you're traveling on patrol -- and we're traveling on foot. We did not come in on armed personnel carriers. We hoofed it all the way in here. There are plenty of places that Hezbollah could launch ambushes from.
So that's why these troops are really keeping their head on the swivel, operating very, very carefully and getting prepared to go after those fighters.
HARRIS: Well, and, John, you do the same.
CNN's John Roberts, embedded with Israeli troops inside Lebanon.
John, thank you.
NGUYEN: Well, much of the Israeli firepower from both air and on the ground have been concentrated on the Lebanese coastal city of Tyre.
CNN's Ben Wedeman is there and joins us this morning -- Ben, what kind of developments have you seen lately?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, we've seen basically, since the sun-came up, a fairly steady thud of artillery coming to the south of here, and also air strikes.
But, really, our day began much earlier than that. I was woken by the sound of cannon fire coming from helicopters flying above Tyre, as well as low flying jets. Our hotel was shaking. The Israelis, from about 2:30 in the morning, unleashed a lot of firepower on Tyre. Apparently what they want to do was conduct a commando raid to the north of this city.
There, we're told, two Israeli helicopters landed in the citrus groves outside Tyre and made their way to a five story building. Their target apparently an office there. There was a lot of gunfire, a lot of, as I said, bombing in and around this city.
Now, we're told in the city of Tyre operation, according to the Israeli Defense Forces, eight of their naval commandos were wounded, two of them seriously.
Now, Manar Television, which is the television station affiliated with Hezbollah, says one Israeli was killed, three wounded. As far as Hezbollah casualties, the Israel say they killed seven Hezbollah fighters. Still no idea whether that is the case or not. Also involved in the action, significantly, was the Lebanese Army, which also fired at this Israeli commando unit. One Israeli soldier was killed when -- or, rather, Lebanese soldier was killed when his armored personnel carrier was hit by an Israeli rocket.
So a lot of action in the very early morning. In the hours since then, it's just been the usual, steady artillery and air bombardment of the area around this city.
Now, the Israelis believe that the rockets that hit Hadera, which is the furthest hit within Israel, came from the Tyre area. And that may well be why they concentrated so much of their firepower in this area -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Ben Wedeman catching us up on all the developments -- and many of them -- this morning.
Thank you, Ben.
HARRIS: Well, Betty, so far there's been no letup in Hezbollah's ability to fire rockets into Israel. Police in Haifa say nine people were hurt today when rockets hit two homes in the city.
CNN's Paula Hancocks joins us live from Haifa with an update -- Paula, good morning.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Tony.
Well, that's right, there have been rockets this Saturday morning. And they started a little earlier than we usually see these Hezbollah rockets coming into northern Israel.
Just in the north suburbs of this port city of Haifa, as you say, more than six, or at least six rockets hit. We know that two houses took a direct hit from the rockets and at least nine people were injured in that particular barrage.
Now, we know that the past three or four days have been very intense for the amount of rockets that have come over and hit northern Israel.
On Friday, three people were killed and more than 200 rockets sent. On Thursday, eight people were killed. And on Wednesday, we saw a record amount of rockets coming into northern Israel, more than 260.
So Hezbollah really proving, just a couple of days after Israeli politicians said that they had been dealt a heavy blow, that this possibly is not the case, and they are still more than capable of hurting Israel and sending these rockets with deadly results, we have seen this week.
Also, on Friday evening, we saw the rocket that went and hit Hadera. There were a couple of rockets heading for that area. This is an area in between Haifa and Tel Aviv. It's just about 25 kilometers north of Tel Aviv. And it is the furthest that any of these rockets have hit at this point.
Now, we heard from an Israeli government spokesman saying clearly Hezbollah is still on the offensive. Hezbollah still wants to hurt Israel and make sure the rockets reach even further, obviously suggesting Tel Aviv, the commercial center of Israel, which is what Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah chief, has threatened in the past few days -- Tony.
HARRIS: OK, CNN's Paula Hancocks for us with the latest from Haifa in Israel.
Paula, thank you.
NGUYEN: Well, in other news, just about two hours ago, we got the results of the backup doping test on Floyd Landis. And, like the initial test on the Tour de France champion, the backup also showed an elevated level of testosterone.
Now, on his Web site, Landis emphatically denies he used testosterone to beef up his ride.
So what happens now?
Well, Phil Liggett, premier cycling journalist, known as the voice of the Tour de France, joins us live from London.
Thanks for being with us today.
PHIL LIGGETT, CYCLING JOURNALIST: it's a pleasure.
Nice to be with you.
NGUYEN: Well, first of all, let's get to this second test.
How definitive is it and can a person naturally just have high levels of testosterone in their system?
LIGGETT: Well, apparently they can. I mean the experts themselves are in disagreement here. But it is possible to have the sort of readings, apparently, that Landis has come up with.
The first test was leaked to reveal the presence of synthetic testosterone. As far as I know, this hasn't been confirmed in the second test. But if there is any trace of synthetic testosterone, then, of course, he is positive and that's the end of the matter.
But at the moment, it does look as though this will go on for quite a while, although I think the sanctions will happen because the second test has proved the first test. But he is now going to fight it, as he says, all of the way, yes.
NGUYEN: Now, you say the sanctions will happen.
Does this mean that he's going to be stripped of that title?
LIGGETT: Yes. What happens now is that the world body, the Unicyclist International, based in Switzerland, now notify the American Cycling Federation. They will call a disciplinary hearing. But, of course, they'll base the hearing on the facts of these two tests, which means that as they're both positive that he will be sanctioned, a two year suspension, life from the Olympic Games.
He will be sacked by his international team, which is Phonak. And there's a new rule now, a code of ethics amongst the riders themselves, and the teams, which means that he can't join a pro-tour team for four years. So, in effect, it's a four year suspension and that, at 30 years of age, I'm afraid, is the end of Floyd's career.
NGUYEN: Yes, this is pretty serious business. And let's put this in perspective. This has never been done before. A Tour de France winner has never been stripped of his title, correct?
LIGGETT: That is absolutely correct. There were very strong rumors back in the mid-'70s, but I don't know the result of those tests. But they were so hot, the journalists stayed on an extra day in the Tour de France just in case it was so. But one has a feeling in those days it might have gone under the carpet.
But those days are a long way behind us now. Drugs in sports is big business for those that get away with it. And for those that are innocent, I feel very sorry for.
But, no, the Tour de France now is very, very strict. There is a new code of ethics amongst professional cyclists and they're applying those ethics. So if they get caught, the suspensions apply. And this is the, as you say, the first time that they've caught the winner of the Tour de France; if, indeed, time shows he is positive.
NGUYEN: Well, let me ask you, you know, in the grand scheme of things, what does this do to cycling as a sport, the image of cycling and its riders? Because all the rumors surrounded Lance Armstrong. Now we have the latest winner who could be stripped of his title.
What does this do to cycling?
LIGGETT: Well, you know, one has to say that the sport of cycling for years has been -- the media themselves have set themselves up as the judge and jury and the sentencing of guilty cyclists. There were 22 riders stopped from starting the Tour de France this year because they were surrounded by controversy with this Operation Puerto in Spain, which involves a doctor and the changing of blood.
But what's never been reported is that 18 of those riders have been completely admonished and that there's no suspicion surrounding them at all. There's just a couple remaining under investigation.
NGUYEN: So it's almost like you're guilty...
LIGGETT: There's no charges yet laid.
NGUYEN: ... before proven innocent.
LIGGETT: This is exactly the phrase now which is being used within the sport. Cyclists are, in fact, guilty and they have to prove themselves innocent. And that's what's happening now with Floyd Landis, because he's going to have to fight this all the way.
NGUYEN: Yes.
LIGGETT: He's employed lawyers, specialists in athletes and drugs. And it'll take a few weeks before the final answer.
But while we're waiting for the final answer, I think Landis will have to start his sentence and he will be disqualified from the Tour de France.
NGUYEN: All right, well, you're the man who would know.
Phil Liggett, cycling commentator and -- who knows the sport very, very well.
Thank you for your time today.
LIGGETT: Thank you very much.
NGUYEN: And all of this does bring us to our e-mail question.
Do doping scandals affect your interest in sports? It doesn't have to be just cycling, but that's what we're talking about right now with Landis. But, on the whole, do doping scandals affect your interest in sports? Does it really matter to you?
E-mail us, WEEKENDS@CNN.com.
HARRIS: Yes, it matters.
NGUYEN: I would assume that most people would say it matters.
But if a person is proven...
HARRIS: Well, cheating -- don't cheat.
NGUYEN: But, only if a person is proven to have cheated. There are a lot of rumors, you know, all the rumors around Lance Armstrong. But that was never proven. So did that matter? Did it change anything?
HARRIS: But he never tested positive.
NGUYEN: Exactly.
But there were the rumors.
HARRIS: A sample positive, B sample.
NGUYEN: Exactly.
HARRIS: All right, Reynolds Wolf is here now.
And Reynolds is following a situation -- Reynolds, it seems like we've been talking about flooding in El Paso for just about a week now.
(WEATHER REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, stories of survival and a return to that hearth- wrenching day. Is the U.S. really ready for Oliver Stone's long- awaited World Trade Center movie?
Well, tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. Eastern, a look between heaven and ground zero. One woman shares her struggle for faith and survival after escaping the World Trade Center on that fateful day.
HARRIS: Let's get to weather now.
NGUYEN: OK.
HARRIS: Reynolds Wolf in the Weather Center following all things and keeping a particularly close eye on the situation in West Texas -- Reynolds, good morning.
NGUYEN: Bloody.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Still ahead, do you remember the fatal shooting at the Jewish Center in Seattle just about a week ago?
NGUYEN: Just a week ago.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Yes, even before then, Jewish organizations were stepping up security. Well, the Middle East crisis and its impact right here in the U.S. We have a report in just four minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Crisis in the Middle East.
Here's what we know right now.
Hezbollah fires at least a half dozen rockets into the Israeli port city of Haifa. Israeli police say two houses were hit and nine people wounded. Israel pounds the southern city of Tyre. Israeli jets and helicopters swoop in and commandos sweep across the city. Israeli Defense Forces report several casualties in fierce fighting against Hezbollah militants.
Here's the latest death toll from both sides of the border. Israel says 75 people have been killed in that nation. And in Lebanon, officials report 683 fatalities in more than three weeks of fighting.
Hezbollah has not released official casualty figures.
Israel's military says it has killed more than 300 Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah denies that figure.
NGUYEN: Well, violence in the Middle East far from our shores, right?
Well, this shooting spree at a Seattle Jewish charity may be a reminder that the politics of hate can't always be contained by borders.
The attack came after FBI warnings that the Mideast fighting could trigger violence here.
CNN justice correspondent Kelli Arena explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Paul Goldenberg has been on the phone all week with frightened members of the Jewish community, concerned they will be targeted for an attack. Goldenberg's group works with law enforcement and Jewish groups, sharing intelligence and security advice.
PAUL GOLDENBERG, SECURITY COMMUNITY NETWORK: The best advice we can give to institutions, to Jewish institutions and faith-based institutions, is to educate your staff, understand your vulnerabilities, understand your risks.
ARENA: Even before the shooting rampage at a Jewish center in Seattle last week, the FBI warned Jewish leaders the fighting in the Middle East could spur violence back home. Security plans are being reviewed across the country, with the FBI and local law enforcement briefing Jewish leaders.
This meeting took place in Cincinnati.
ROBERT FEINSTEIN, CINCINNATI JEWISH FEDERATION: We want every single institution -- synagogue, temple, office -- to have some type of security plan in place that is unique to their facility.
ARENA: Authorities got no warning before the Seattle attack and acknowledged there probably won't be any prior intelligence if another lone individual chooses to act out.
Mark Mershon heads the FBI's New York Field office.
MARK MERSHON, FBI ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: It isn't what we know. It isn't individuals we have a focus on that, frankly, is our concern. It's what we may not know.
ARENA: As a result, agents are reaching out to Arab-American leaders for help.
MERSHON: Part of our message is, you may recognize or see those dangerous types, where we may not. Or you certainly may see them much sooner than we would.
ARENA: But the approach has backfired. Arab-Americans feel as though they are constantly under suspicion.
RAMI NUSEIR, ARAB-AMERICAN ACTIVIST: The burden of proof is shifting on the community. We have to be the proactive community or proactive member to go to the law enforcement and convince law enforcement that there is nothing on our end.
ARENA: Especially under scrutiny, Hezbollah sympathizers. FBI officials say they are carefully monitoring individuals in the United States with known connections to the group. The State Department classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, but many Arab- Americans disagree.
UNIDENTIFIED ARAB-AMERICAN: Certainly a lot of people look at Hezbollah as a social service agency, that they provide a lot of help for the Lebanese people. And that's where the sympathy comes from.
ARENA: So despite all the efforts to increase security, both Arab and Jewish-Americans are feeling targeted. And that only intensifies the potential for violence.
Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.
HARRIS: OK, and once again, let's sort of set the scene and show you some new pictures out of the Middle East crisis. As you know, our International Desk has been following a number of Arab language television stations bringing us the latest developments and the latest pictures to CNN.
Let's show you now the latest that we have.
This is a shot, you're looking into northern Israel at this time. And we have been watching a number of Katyusha rockets falling into the city of Metulla. You're looking from Lebanon into northern Israel and into the city of Metulla, where we have watched a number of Katyusha rockets land. Obviously, from this vantage point, we can't tell if anyone is injured.
What do you see -- Betty?
NGUYEN: I'm seeing -- if you look at the bottom right-hand corner of this shot, you can see some smoke billowing into the air.
HARRIS: yes, yes, yes, I see it. I see it.
NGUYEN: That kind of looks where this Katyusha may have fallen. Again, we don't know exactly what kind of a building that it hit, if, indeed, it hit any building at all.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: But this is the latest word, that it has fallen into Metulla in northern Israel. HARRIS: And the significance of this, just to put it in a bit of context, is that this particular area of northern Israel has been seeing a lot of Katyusha fire.
Oh, great, we can put a spotlight on it for you.
That area right here is the area that Betty was referring to just a moment ago. And this area, Metulla, has been getting a lot of activity from Katyusha rockets and the latest volley just a few minutes ago. And you can see a bit of the remnants of the latest round of fire into Metulla.
Again, this is in northern Israel.
We will keep an eye on this situation and bring you the latest pictures and details as we get them.
Still ahead, what's the fallout from several Syrians being killed in an Israeli air strike? we will take you live to Damascus for reaction in about five minutes.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Heavy Israeli shelling and bombing throughout the night and morning into Southern Lebanon, as Hezbollah missiles hit Haifa again.
We've got a lot to talk about this morning.
HARRIS: We do.
NGUYEN: We want to welcome you back to CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
I'm Betty Nguyen.
HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris.
We will take you live to Damascus in just a minute.
But first, we've got some breaking news we want to get you an update on.
NGUYEN: Yes, take a look at these pictures that are coming in, live pictures this morning. If you look at the right-hand side of the scene, you can see that smoke billowing into the air.
This is Metulla in northern Israel. And this is the latest in the strikes back and forth between Hezbollah and the Israeli forces. In fact, we understand a Katyusha rocket has fallen into Metulla, which is causing the smoke that you're seeing there.
But, at this point, we don't know if there are any deaths or injuries as a result of this. All we can see is what you're seeing right now in these live pictures. We do have people working the scene and we'll bring you that information.
But as you know, the crisis does continue to escalate. And here is just another example of that, in Metulla, northern Israel.
Well, the fighting does continue in the Mideast. Overnight, Israel launched an aerial assault on the Lebanese city of Tyre. Israel says at least eight of its commandos were wounded while trying to disarm the Hezbollah stronghold. Lebanese international security forces -- Israel say some Hezbollah militants were killed, as well.
Later today, thousands are expected to march through the British capital to denounce the Middle East war. Now the group sponsoring the march is calling for an immediate cease-fire.
HARRIS: We learned a couple of hours ago that a second doping test on Tour de France winner Floyd Landis was positive. He was immediately dismissed from his cycling team. It's still undecided whether Landis will lose his championship. If that happens, the Tour de France title goes to Spaniard, Oscar Pereiro. Landis is appealing. He says he is innocent.
Guns, a map showing attack locations and news clippings about Arizona's serial killings. These are among the evidence police say they gathered in the arrest of two suspects. Phoenix police say the two are responsible for a string of last night killings since May of last year. Six people have been killed, 18 wounded. Police say they believe another serial killer is still on the loose in a second killing spree.
The latest on Fidel Castro this morning. Cuba's health minister says Castro is recuperating and will return to his position as president.
Also this morning, Reuters News Service is reporting that Cuba quickly dismissed another U.S. call for Cuban democracy.
NGUYEN: Well, here is the latest death toll from both sides of the border.
Israel says 75 people have been killed in that nation. And in Lebanon, officials report 683 fatalities in more than three weeks of fighting. Hezbollah has not released official casualty figures, but Israel's military says it has killed more than 300 Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah, of course, denies that figure.
HARRIS: Israeli bombing raids severed Lebanon's last major supply link with Syria. One of the raids hit the town of Qaa in the nation Bekaa Valley near the border. Many Syrians work in the area.
CNN's Aneesh Raman joins us live from Damascus, Syria -- Aneesh, good morning.
ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, good morning. The action has been, perhaps surprisingly, muted here in Damascus to that incident, that last. Those reports suggest 20 Syrian workers dead within Lebanon. It has been reported as any other news story on Syrian television. That is, of course, essentially government controlled. There has been no government reaction officially.
A big reason why is that Syria is not eager to be forcibly dragged into this conflict militarily, to have the fight come to Syrian soil. Right now, they are having an essentially wait and see attitude. They gain a lot by this situation as it is, because Syria is gaining in clout within the region, strengthening its alliance with Iran because of its relationship with Hezbollah.
But the Syrians have, from the start, denied that any arms are coming through the country, despite sustained international claims that that is exactly what is taking place. They say they only morally support Hezbollah.
But at the same time, it is their relationship with Hezbollah that has to be close enough that the Syrians feel they should be at the table brokering peace. They have their own issues that they want resolved, their own disputed territories with Israel that they want back.
So the Syrians in a very precarious situation right now -- Tony.
HARRIS: OK, CNN's Aneesh Raman reporting for us from Damascus, Syria.
Aneesh, thank you.
Well, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah -- it's bringing about an unexpected show of solidarity. From where, by whom and why may surprise you.
CNN's Brian Todd has that story.
OK, we will get back to that report from Brian Todd in just a moment.
Right now, let's send you over to the Dot-Com Desk and Veronica de la Cruz -- Veronica, good morning.
No Brian Todd. No Veronica de la Cruz.
NGUYEN: Well, you know what we do have?
HARRIS: what do we have?
NGUYEN: We have a commercial back that we could go to. And we're going to do that right now. We'll come back and get these little kinks worked out and bring you more news right after this.
HARRIS: Just in the knick of time.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) NGUYEN: Here's the story we were trying to bring you. It's about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Well, it is bringing about an unexpected show of solidarity. From where, by whom and why, well, that is going to surprise you.
CNN's Brian Todd has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): By the thousands they flood the streets -- carrying certain flags, burning others, shouting their adoration for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah -- not in Beirut, but in Baghdad.
They were called to the streets by their own Shiite leader, the cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who has proven to be a lethal foe to coalition forces in Iraq and now denounces Israel, a show of solidarity that brings a warning from experts. Israel's cross-border war with Hezbollah may be crossing another.
COL. PATRICK LANG, MILITARY INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: The more excited the Shia are about the fate of their brothers in Lebanon, the more they are to become aggressive on the ground in Baghdad. So this can only make the situation worse.
TODD: Worse in a city that, according to top military chiefs in the Pentagon, is becoming more chaotic and violent every day. But asked about the possibility that this rally supporting Hezbollah could lead to more destabilization in Iraq, an American combat commander plays down the threat.
COL. BRIAN JONES, U.S. ARMY: There are some who would try to whip the normal man into a frenzy to have him attack the Americans. But most people understand that our role here is not one of aggression at this point.
TODD: Still, many remember the way al-Sadr led his militias against the Americans just two years ago -- vicious, costly street battles in Shia controlled areas of Iraq that put a price on al-Sadr's head before he backed down.
THOMAS RICKS, AUTHOR, "FIASCO": I think in the eyes of a lot of Iraqis he successfully attacked U.S. forces. He never paid a price for that. Many U.S. soldiers died at the hands of his militia, yet here he is.
TODD (on camera): Here he is very publicly throwing his support behind Hezbollah, support that analysts believe may lead him to send some of his militia to join Hezbollah in Lebanon and for Hezbollah to possibly one day return the favor, all with the blessing and possible support of Iran.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: So, are you pretty handy with a camera? Can you tell a good story?
Well, CNN is inviting you to become a member of our news team. Oh, yes.
Veronica de la Cruz joins us now to tell you how this works.
Exactly how does this work?
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes, and we all have those friends, members of our family, who think they're so funny or they're great with their camera...
NGUYEN: Right. Well, I could tell that story better than they did.
DE LA CRUZ: Right. Well, now we can put them to work, Betty.
NGUYEN: OK.
DE LA CRUZ: Because CNN.com and CNN has launched a new service. It's called CNN Exchange. We're inviting all of you out there to share your pictures, your stories, your video and your opinions.
Here's how it works. Just look for the I Report logo at CNN.com. Go ahead and click. And that is where you will find the Assignment Board with your first assignment.
Remember your first assignment?
NGUYEN: Oh, that was so long ago.
DE LA CRUZ: Happy to go out in the field and you capture cool images, you write up a story, you find breaking news. Fill out the form and upload your material.
All this week, we've been asking for images of how you might be coping with the heat wave that boiled parts of the country. We've spotlighted a few images in this gallery that you're looking at.
So you can see how I reporters and their animals were trying to beat the heat, from the kids baking at home.
NGUYEN: What is that?
DE LA CRUZ: Playing in the water to the dogs and even the adults.
NGUYEN: Look at that!
DE LA CRUZ: You can log onto CNN.com to get a feel for what other people have been sending us.
Too cute.
Look at that.
NGUYEN: I know. These are great.
Look at those four.
DE LA CRUZ: I know.
We have so many squirrel pictures, I swear to you. People -- 500, I think, are in our in box right now.
NGUYEN: They're just fascinated by squirrels.
DE LA CRUZ: They really are.
And, Betty, if you think it's hot here at home in the U.S. check this out. This is Staff Sergeant Miguel Fernandez.
NGUYEN: Oh, my.
DE LA CRUZ: He's trying to keep it cool in Balad, Iraq. Standing next to this temperature gauge.
What does that read?
NGUYEN: It's 120.
DE LA CRUZ: A hundred and twenty degrees. Yes, so...
NGUYEN: I can't even imagine what that feels like.
DE LA CRUZ: And he's smiling. He's got a big old smile on his face. Those are just a few examples of the pictures we've been receiving, Betty.
And here's some video. We want to show you this video, as well. This clip was sent into us by Lionel in El Paso.
NGUYEN: Wow!
DE LA CRUZ: Now, talk about spot news coverage. He was able to grab this shot of this truck falling into a hole after a mud slide.
NGUYEN: Oh my goodness.
DE LA CRUZ: Look at that.
NGUYEN: Look at that!
DE LA CRUZ: That guy has got some skills...
NGUYEN: Definitely.
DE LA CRUZ: ... when it comes to capturing video. I can't believe he got that.
NGUYEN: I mean, and what kind of -- was it just a camcorder or was it a camera phone?
DE LA CRUZ: I believe it was a camera phone, but I'm going to have to check in on that.
NGUYEN: It's amazing what those phones -- I mean you can just be out and about and capture something like this.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes, well, that's technology these days.
Now, Betty, if you are worried that you don't have those kinds of skills when it comes to shooting video or photography, check this out.
Go to the Tool Box on the Web. We even listed the best of the best here at CNN to teach you how to take a good picture, shoot great video, even record some good audio. So we've got some great tips there.
NGUYEN: And not only do we want your information, your video, your pictures, but we're going to show you how to do it. I mean, full service.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes, cubit?
NGUYEN: Yes, actually, it's a great plan. It really is.
DE LA CRUZ: And now you can get in the field and you can actually say, hey, I report for CNN.
NGUYEN: That's right. And my video was on CNN.
Good deal.
I like that.
Thank you, Veronica.
DE LA CRUZ: Of course.
NGUYEN: So, Tony, juiced or not?
That's what we're going to be talking about.
HARRIS: Yes. It seems that Giants' fans just love that Barry Bonds. The slugger didn't like the called second strike there last night and took the issue up with the umpire. And apparently, as you're going to see here, he -- yes, he lost the argument, kicked out of the game, all right?
And once Barry left the field, check this out. San Francisco- fans pelted the field with a hail of trash, beer bottles, everything else. The Colorado players, well, they made a beeline to the dugout. Fans also threw things at the umpires after the game.
So, just about two hours ago, we heard the results of the backup doping test on Floyd Landis. Like the first test on the Tour de France champ, the backup showed an elevated level of testosterone. That first test also showed that some of the testosterone in his system was synthetic.
Landis insists it's his body's natural metabolism.
There is a lot at stake here.
And for more on this, we turn to sports business analyst Rick Horrow.
Rick is the author of "When the Game Is On the Line."
And he joins us live from West Palm Beach, Florida, as he does each and every Saturday morning -- Rick, good to see you, Doctor.
RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Hey, man, you know what?
I missed you for the last couple of weeks. So the last time I saw you, we saw that miserable golf swing of yours together.
HARRIS: Look, I was good for about six holes and then I just hit the wall.
HORROW: Yes. Unfortunately they still play 18 in that game, OK?
HARRIS: That's right.
Speaking of hitting the wall, I don't know if there is anything left here for Floyd Landis. The second test comes back positive. I mean he's going to be stripped of the title. Boy, what does he stand to lose in all of this?
HORROW: Well, first of all, there's $61 billion of sports spending worldwide now in every context, and 40 percent of it is European related. We just came off of five big events -- the World Cup, Wimbledon, for example, the French Open and the Tour de France. And now we thought we were ready for some football. But Floyd Landis puts us in the headlines again.
And I'm not an endocrinologist.
How's that?
HARRIS: Yes.
HORROW: But they're talking about the synthetic ingestion of testosterone and so you may not be able to do that even if your natural metabolism is high.
Phonak, his sponsor for the race itself, took him off the Web site even last week. So they didn't care about the B Test.
But I Shares, a Barclay subsidiary, did. They took this test, saw it. They are not going to be involved with him, we don't think. Now it's a $30 million, three year commitment for his team. And he may not be around to enjoy it.
HARRIS: I've got to ask you, does this set of tests force people to maybe take another look at Lance Armstrong and perhaps the sport of cycling overall?
HORROW: Well, not directly, because Lance Armstrong has transcended the sport. You know, he now made sports sponsorship in cycling cool again. He hung around with rocker Sheryl Crow for a while.
HARRIS: Yes.
HORROW: He did some bad joke lines on the ESPYs. So he's become a celebrity -- $17.5 million a year, Tony. That isn't bad. And the demographics for cycling, 20 million fans in the U.S. and the demos are better than golf, they're saying.
HARRIS: Right.
HORROW: However, you've got companies like T-Mobile who are now taking their sponsorship away from the Tour de France. You've got companies like Liberty Mutual, some -- or Spanish subsidiary pulling out. You've got Amgen of California, who sponsored a whole tour, a $35 million commitment over five years that may be at risk.
So the sport of cycling is in for some rocky roads, maybe, because of this situation.
HARRIS: And you know what?
As we go to the fair ball/foul ball, it's all about baseball, isn't it?
HORROW: Yes, it is.
Fair first, foul first?
What do you want to do?
HARRIS: Let's go -- let's go foul ball. Foul ball first.
HORROW: Foul ball first. Well, it's a poll. "USA Today" did a poll and said of current active players, 75 percent think that some performance enhancing drugs like HDS or amphetamines, HDH or amphetamines, are being used. And 69 percent said steroids still, by current major league players.
So what we're seeing is that the controversy seems to have died down, raised up, died down. But it isn't over.
HARRIS: Yes, it's not over.
And how about your fair ball this week?
HORROW: Well, it's business. It's good. It's all about the Benjamins.
HARRIS: Yes, there you go.
HORROW: Major league baseball, $5 billion this year in revenues, 80 million fans, and the average franchise value is at $332 million, except if you're the Yankees. Then it's over $1 billion, a 14 percent increase in franchise values.
So as we leave the All Star Game and the Hall of Fame ceremony, the trade deadline, ready for a couple of months of really good pennant races and see who else the Yankees can buy.
HARRIS: There he is.
There he is. Rick Horrow taking us beyond the game.
I need to get you up here on my turf. I owe you a -- I owe you a whooping.
HORROW: I'm going to come and kiss the ring on Friday. I'm going to handshake.
HARRIS: That's the ...
(CROSSTALK)
HORROW: I need an autograph from a celebrity. I couldn't find another one, so I'm seeing you Friday.
HARRIS: See you next week, man.
NGUYEN: He is just so rough, I tell you.
HARRIS: That's raw. He's rough.
NGUYEN: Don't mess with Rick. He'll bite you back.
And you at home, don't move a muscle, because the "Water Cooler" is coming up and you don't want to miss -- and you may not even believe what Madonna has been up to lately. Her upcoming concert in Rome has the Vatican very upset. That story and more when we come back.
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NGUYEN: Cubit? It's back. Yes, I know, the Middle East dominates the news. But there have been many other unusual stories, shall we say?
HARRIS: No, really? In our world? Really? OK.
NGUYEN: Believe it or not, that you may have missed.
So we want to take a moment for this, the "Water Cooler."
HARRIS: Yes, yes, yes.
All right, first up, a guy apparently went out of his way to get paid without doing any work. OK...
NGUYEN: Huh, that's a pretty good plan, I guess.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Unless it's illegal.
HARRIS: Well, probably.
NGUYEN: Well, yes.
HARRIS: He lives near Rochester, New York and recently took a job as a regional sales rep for his company here in Atlanta. Now, according to the company, as soon as he got the job, he allegedly informed his boss that his son had leukemia. He later said the boy had died.
NGUYEN: Oh, my.
HARRIS: Now, apparently none of that was true.
NGUYEN: None of it was true?
HARRIS: Not a word.
NGUYEN: Huh.
HARRIS: The company is now suing him to recover the $40,000 in salary it paid him during the time he allegedly was taking care of his dying son and dealing with other alleged medical problems.
NGUYEN: Oh, that is just ruthless what he did.
OK, well, take a look at this. At Zoo Atlanta, the panda population is about to increase...
HARRIS: Hey.
NGUYEN: ... or maybe not, because, OK, here's the catch here. Local psychics claim the female is pregnant but there is no medical confirmation. Now that, I would think, is key. But the psychics have been known to be wrong.
Uh, you think?
HARRIS: It's in the stars.
Speaking of which, pop star Madonna is causing quite a stir on her Confessions tour with this prop of a large crucifix. And she has a show tomorrow in Rome. The Vatican not amused. One cardinal says Madonna's use of a cross in her performance is a hostile statement about the church.
NGUYEN: Hey, and speaking of material girls, diamonds, well, they're a girl's best friend, right?
HARRIS: OK.
NGUYEN: Well, maybe not. Tony, you may be happy to hear this story.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Believe it or not, a new survey -- now they didn't ask me -- but a new survey has detected a seismic shift among tastes in women.
HARRIS: Well, it turns out that that given the choice of a diamond ring or a plasma TV, three out of four women these days say they would prefer...
NGUYEN: The television?
HARRIS: The high def television.
NGUYEN: Oh my goodness, let me just say, you buy a big enough diamond, I can sell that thing. Keep some diamonds and get a TV. You've got to work it like that.
HARRIS: Stop working your angles, Betty.
NGUYEN: You've got to be smart about it, ladies.
HARRIS: Oh...
NGUYEN: Go for the diamonds.
HARRIS: We still control the remote.
NGUYEN: TVs can burn out.
HARRIS: Yes. OK.
NGUYEN: All right, remember our e-mail question of the day. Do doping scandals affect your interest in sports?
Well, e-mail us what you think about this. This obviously has to do with the Landis situation today. We got the second of two tests back showing that he had a large level of testosterone in his system.
So what do you think? Do doping scandals really affect your interest in sports? Does it turn you off.
E-mail us, WEEKENDS@CNN.com.
We'll read those responses throughout the morning.
HARRIS: More live reports out of the Middle East in the next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING in just a few moments.
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