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CNN Saturday Morning News
U.S. Suffering from Extreme Heat in Many Areas; Live Earth Concerts Around the World; Lucky Day to Get Married
Aired July 07, 2007 - 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, SATURDAY MORNING: Good morning everybody from the CNN center here in Atlanta. It's Saturday lucky day. What is it T.J.?
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR, SATURDAY MORNING: It's 7/7/07 and I'm told if I want to get married, this is the day to do it.
NGUYEN: ... day to do it, (INAUDIBLE). Good morning everybody, I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And I'm T.J. Holmes hoping you're having a good day so far, hoping this day will bring you some good luck and maybe some relief a lot of you from the heat, triple digit temperatures scorching the west, extreme heat now moving to the east today. Several cities concerned about their power grids this morning.
NGUYEN: That's the way to wake up to a little Jack Johnson in the morning performing at Australia's Live Earth concert, 11 concerts around the world. Are you ready for this? In this hour, we're going to take you to Sydney, Tokyo and London.
HOLMES: And of course, today is all about the lucky number seven today and it's turning out to be the biggest wedding day in decades. Some folks getting hitched live. Not us, on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
NGUYEN: Although my mom would love it. Get married and have kids. That's a whole other story. First up though, let's get you to that scorching heat. It is easing a little bit in the west, which is good news. But it may be hard to notice. Still very hot, in fact, dangerously hot in some places.
HOLMES: (INAUDIBLE) baking in triple digit temperatures in at least seven western states and because of the extreme heat, people of course cranking up that A/C and that's causing the transformers to over heat and taxing the electrical grids. Some places have issued excessive heat warnings, urging people outdoors to watch out for symptoms of heat exhaustion. In Iowa and Idaho, authorities say two toddlers died after being left in stifling cars for hours. Still in Texas, heavy rains and flooding still following major problems there.
NGUYEN: Reynolds Wolf joins us now. If it's not the heat, it's the rain, Reynolds. People are just not getting what they need in some areas. Some would love that rain just to cool things down.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: No question about that. It really is going to make the big difference in many places. Unfortunately, we're not going to get much of a break in terms of the heat. Take a look at this. These are current temperatures that we have and right now it's not even 6:00 in the morning in parts of Las Vegas and/or Phoenix. It's 96 degrees, 96 degrees on the strip in Las Vegas. That is ridiculous, but that is what they have this morning, Phoenix at 92. Normally we tell you to go and restrict your outdoor activities until later in the evening or early in the morning, 96 in Vegas, that's crazy.
Take a look at what we can expect in Las Vegas for the next couple days. The heat is going to stay pretty extreme, around 113 or so not just for Saturday but also into Sunday. We cool down a little bit to about 109 into Monday and Tuesday but still pretty brutal to say the least. Same story in Phoenix. We're going to stay in the 100s all the way through the nighttime lows mainly to the 80s. That's going to last. You do the weekend into early half of next week and then what we're going to see is much of that heat begin to push its way off towards the east. In fact, for today, Denver a little bit warmer with a high of 93, some low 90s from Minneapolis, Kansas City and Dallas.
One tremendous difference that we have through the central and northern plains that we don't have in parts of the desert southwest is in the central plains you've got all the humidity. The humidity is going to make a tremendous difference. So even though it may feel like 93 degrees in parts of Kansas City, it's going to feel much, much warmer like it's into the 100s if not warmer. We are getting a break though in some places in terms of the rainfall. In fact, take a look at this video that we have for you. We have some video or a live camera at this time from Oklahoma City -- or rather, Houston. KTRK, the showers are going to be ending for you fairly soon. However, much of that rain will be driving more to the east and when it does, it's going to bring some beneficial rainfall to Mississippi, Alabama, even into parts of Georgia where they are desperate for it. But they are done, absolutely done with the rainfall in Oklahoma. That's not to say they're not going to see some scattered showers today. That may be a possibility but they don't need anymore, they don't want anymore. And hopefully they'll get a break for much of the next work week. That's the latest we have for you. We're going to give you more updates on this potential for flooding but also the extreme heat. Just crazy, isn't it?
NGUYEN: It is. What a mess. And when you show the other map with all that red, I don't think I've ever seen a map with so much red on it before.
WOLF: It's pretty crazy. One side note to mention is, you know how we talked about how we've had some issues with kids being left in cars in all this extreme heat. Let's forget about that extreme heat. Just on an average day where you have temperatures maybe around 90 degrees you still need to be careful and not leave your kids in the car. It's just as much of a fatal possibility as what we've had today. But again, there's the map. You're talking about that extreme heat, no doubt about it. We're going to see temperatures near 100 degrees in Washington, D.C. by Monday and Tuesday this next week.
NGUYEN: It's not just kids, but pets, too. People need to keep that in mind.
WOLF: No question about it.
NGUYEN: Thank you Reynolds.
WOLF: Any time.
NGUYEN: I want to take you to Pakistan now. An explosion and a tense stand off at a mosque. Look at that. Intelligence sources tell CNN that Pakistani forces targeted a fuel tank inside a mosque and triggered an explosion heard across Islamabad. The standoff began on Tuesday when about 150 militant students attacked the police checkpoint which is close to the mosque. Since then, more than two dozen people have died. The latest casualties, two students who tried to surrender yesterday. Pakistani intelligence sources say they were shot to death by other students.
Go to Iraq now and the U.S. military announcing the deaths of seven more American servicemen. Four soldiers died yesterday, three of them in Baghdad, 10 servicemen have died in Iraq in the last 48 hours, 3600 since the start of the war. And north of Baghdad, at least 25 Iraqis were killed in a suicide car bomb. This morning that blast injured as many as 50 others at a busy outdoor market.
HOLMES: A somber anniversary in London today, on this day two years ago more than 50 people were killed in a series of terror attacks. Today the first court appearance now for the only man charged so far in last week's attempted attacks in London and Glasgow. CNN's Karl Penhaul is live in London for us this morning. What can you tell us happened in court today Karl?
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: T.J., that man was 27-year-old Iraqi Dr. Bilal (ph) Abdullah. As you say the first court appearance by the first of the suspects that have been arrested in connection with those attempted car bombs both in London and Glasgow a week ago. Now, the court has charged Bilal Abdullah for conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life. The court also heard that the plot was allegedly started, to be hatched in January and obviously came to its conclusion a week ago now.
The court also heard that the bombs were made up of a mixture of gasoline, cooking gas and nails. The two obviously in London failed to go off, but what the court alleges is that Bilal Abdullah together with a colleague were the two men who ran the Jeep Cherokee into the airport terminal at Glasgow airport a week ago. That car we saw in those dramatic TV pictures caught fire. Abdullah was only in court to respond to his name and address. We are told that security was tight there. What the court decided to do was to remand him in custody and ordered him to reappear before the Old Bailey criminal court and that on the 27th of July. T.J.?
HOLMES: Karl, we are talking about that attack we just saw but of course it was two years ago today, the July 7th attacks, those transit bombings that killed 52, I believe it was. What's happening there to remember those victims of this anniversary? PENHAUL: Exactly, this is the second anniversary of those London subway bombings in which, as you say, 52 people were killed, along with the four suicide bombers. The events there, the commemoration has been low key, that at the wish of the relatives of those who were killed. But a number of government ministers including Prime Minister Gordon Brown did go to Kings Cross Station here in central London and they laid some wreaths in memory of those who died. Gordon Brown's message was very simple. We understand on the wreath the message that said, with deepest respect and sympathy. T.J.?
HOLMES: All right, Karl Penhaul for us there in London. Karl, thank you so much.
And you can get a closer look at the British terror investigation on CNN "This Week at War." Host Tom Foreman also has an in-depth comparison between the war in Iraq and Vietnam. "This Week at War" is coming your way tonight at 7:00 Eastern.
NGUYEN: On to a lighter note now, you are waking up as to what is being billed as the luckiest day of the century, no, not the year but the entire century. It is seventh day of the seventh month of the century's seventh year. The hype surrounding the day has some people doing some pretty strange things and one of the stranger things, can be found right now at Six Flags of all places in Largo, Maryland where our Lisa Goddard is this morning. Take a look behind you, Lisa. There are some interesting ceremonies taking place.
LISA GODDARD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is not enough to get married on 07/07/07 anyway. These folks over here just got married with Batman and Robin standing next to them. How does it feel, guys? You're good? Yeah? Obviously beautiful bride. These two met 12 years ago. They are season ticket holders here at Six Flags. Have a great first wedding ride as you guys go off.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
GODDARD: Just talk more about what's going on at the park today. We're going speak to park President Terry Prather. He's the one who helped organize this. There they go with Batman and Robin as brides maids? I'm not sure. Terry, what did you think of this idea when Six Flags told you that they were doing this nationwide?
TERRY PRATHER, SIX FLAGS AMERICA: This was one exciting day and it's a special day across the world. Millions of people are thinking about what can we do to celebrate 7/07/07 and we decided to have seven weddings on seven rides. It's great day. We're excited about it, to be able to start these couples off on an exciting part of their live.
GODDARD: I've got to ask you. Are you superstitious? What do you think about the 7/07/07?
PRATHER: I think it's a great way to start. (INAUDIBLE) start off on a good foot, you're going to have a long prosperous marriage.
GODDARD: You've been married nine years?
PRATHER: Been married nine years, nine wonderful years.
Reporter: Yeah, the wife may be watching at home.
PRATHER: Definitely. This is a special way to start it. At Six Flags, it's all about family fun and fond memories and that's what this is all about.
GODDARD: So I've got to ask you, though, there's another time coming up, 7/7/2077. Will you be here again?
PRATHER: I sure hope so.
GODDARD: All right, we're going to send it back to you T.J. and Betty.
NGUYEN: Well as T.J. said Lisa, you got Batman there, how could your marriage fail. This is going to be great.
HOLMES: Batman and Robin, how can you go wrong?
NGUYEN: No problems there. Although interesting witnesses to your wedding.
HOLMES: Congratulations to all you folks getting married.
NGUYEN: We're going to show you much more of those ceremonies throughout the day. In the meantime, though, the language of Mass.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: (INAUDIBLE) going retro. Some Catholics say this latest Vatican move is turning back the clock.
NGUYEN: All right. The concert heard around the world. "Live Earth" our Monita Rajpal is in London.
MONITA RAJPAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The gates are open here at London's Wembley stadium. In under 90 minutes the show will begin where 90,000 fans will be entertained by some of music's biggest names all with a message. We'll have more here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
HOLMES: And we got a new warning about tainted toothpaste. One U.S. state wants you to look before you brush. Stay here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Twenty four hours of music with a message. Covering "Live Earth" here, dozens of major recording artists climbing onto stages across the world to highlight the problem of mobile -global?
NGUYEN: Easy for you to say.
HOLMES: Not a speech problem across the world. A global climate change issue.
NGUYEN: Look at the outfits. HOLMES: Shows in Sydney and Tokyo already kicked off. Taped messages at those from Al Gore who is the man behind the event. That Shanghai show started just a few minutes ago. Concerts happening all over the place from Hamburg to Rio to New York and, yes, even Antarctica is getting in the mix.
NGUYEN: Can you believe it? Scientist there's at an isolated (INAUDIBLE) research station
HOLMES: (INAUDIBLE)
NGUYEN: Exactly, I go there all the time on vacation, have their own band actually but this time they're playing to people instead of penguins.
HOLMES: CNN Monita Rajpal is live not in Antarctica, lucky her. She's actually in London's Wembley stadium this morning, concert there less than 90 minutes away. Hello there.
RAJPAL: Hi there, T.J., Betty, it's not Antarctica, but it is a little bit chilly here in London. We're live here in London's Wembley stadium where in just under 90 minutes, the show will begin with names like Madonna, the Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers all here to entertain the 90,000 plus fans who are here to listen to the message of the U.S., of the former U.S. Vice President Al Gore who is saying that this is all part of the beginning of a campaign, a worldwide campaign, a two-year campaign to change the way people live and change the way people really think about the environment to make it their top priorities in their life.
Of course, it has not come -- has not escaped any sort of criticism. None other than the man behind other major events like this, like "Live Aid." Bob Geldoff says this is not really -- this event doesn't really carry any sort of real concrete measures to take home. In fact, he's saying this is just another concert. Al Gore, however, is saying this is about solutions, introducing solutions to people, everyday solutions that people can take home with them when it comes to reducing the amount of energy that they consume.
The venues themselves have also gone through some green inspection if you will. "Live Earth" green team has gone through the various venues here at Wembley stadium. The energy, from everything from the light bulbs as well have been used, have been changed so that they will not be consuming as much energy as one would assume at such live events. T.J., Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, Monita, we appreciate that, of course, we will be checking in with you throughout the morning as the concerts get under way. A lot of people taking to the stage today, not only there but on all seven continents. It's going to be quite a show. We do want to hear from you on the issue that is being highlighted by these concerts. Do you believe that there is a climate crisis? E-mail us, weekends@cnn.com.
HOLMES: The Catholic mass may soon sound different for millions of people. What's old may be coming back in style at church. NGUYEN: And lucky number seven, it is the seventh day of the seventh month of 2007. What better day to tie the knot.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: The president of Nigeria is vowing that kidnappers will free a three-year-old British girl. Her crying mother says the toddler is under threat of death and living on bread and water. She says she's received phone calls from the kidnappers. Gunmen snatched the little girl on her way to school on Thursday. There have been more than 200 kidnappings in Nigeria's southern oil region.
(INAUDIBLE) potentially tainted toothpaste from China spreads to Massachusetts. State health officials have issued warnings about any toothpaste labeled, made in China. Any toothpaste labeled Colgate that's made in South Africa and toothpaste without English language labeling. This after suspicious products were found in stores in nearly a dozen communities. Since last month the FDA said toothpaste from China and counterfeit Colgate toothpaste may contain a chemical used in anti-freeze. Meanwhile, in Panama, a prosecutor says 83 deaths have been linked to the chemical in tainted toothpaste made in Panama.
NGUYEN: Goodness. Well, what is old is new again. A major announcement from the Vatican just this past hour put Latin back in the Catholic mass. But as CNN's Delia Gallagher reports, Catholics are split over this morning's papal announcement.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is what the Catholic mass used to look and sound like until the 1960s. It was called the Tridentine (ph) mass. The priest had his back to the people and the words were all in Latin. But in 1965 Vatican II decided to update the ancient ritual. The changes were meant to make the mass more accessible to the people. The priest would face the congregation and say mass in the local language. But 40 years later, some, including the pope, believe the modern mass may have strayed too far from its traditional roots.
REV. RICHARD ADAMS, ST. AGNES CHURCH: For some, it is certainly a very wrong things done. Rather than using let's say wine and water and I'm talking about the '60s. Using wine and water we could use Coke and pretzels.
GALLAGHER: Ever since, there's been a tug of war between the new and the old.
SUSAN MICHELLE, MODERN MASS CONGREGANT: I think the church needs to go forward into its millennium and not backward into the second. And that's what the Tridentine mass says to me.
MAY CONLON, LATIN MASS CONGREGANT: The Latin mass is that the mass have all the same down through the years. And Vatican II destroyed the mass. PETER CLEMENTE, LATIN MASS CONGREGANT: I'm 26. I've only been coming to this mass for maybe a year or two. And I just feel like you get so much more out of it, a lot more.
GALLAGHER: Pope Benedict is encouraging a return to the Latin mass as a way to restore tradition to the church's central celebration. But finding priests who can actually say Mass in Latin may prove difficult.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have to go hunting for priests to say the Tridentine mass because they don't know Latin.
GALLAGHER: While some are concerned that the pope's decree may deepen divisions between traditionalists and progressives in the Catholic Church, others welcome what they see as a choice to worship in the old or new style. Delia Gallagher, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Eleven locations, seven continents.
NGUYEN: It's going to be good. "Live Earth" concerts all for mother earth. Our Josh Levs has a reality check for us today. Hey, Josh.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, good morning Betty, T.J.. Good morning to everybody. Do you all remember this? Oh, yeah, takes me back to my youth. I love it. With "Live Earth aid" taking off, we are looking back and we're asking this question. Do these kinds of musical events ever make any difference in the end? That is coming up in the CNN reality check. T.J.?
HOLMES: Glad we could take it back to you this morning, Josh. We are looking forward (INAUDIBLE)
Meanwhile, I took a visit to New Orleans. This is my first trip there. Talk about my impressions and talk to some leaders there about what they are up against trying to get people back into that city and also (INAUDIBLE) making it homecoming. We're going to talk about that. Stick around here on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Renovating your home to raise your selling price is serious business. Obtain bids from at least three licensed contractors. Ask for references or better yet, ask to see some of the contractor's previous work. Make sure your contract has all the details, including start and end dates, material specs and payment schedules. Put just 10 percent down. Pay 25 percent when plumbing and electrical worker are done, 25 percent after cabinets and windows and 25 percent for flooring and painting. Don't hand over the last 15 percent on the final day. It's called retainage and you should keep it for month, just to make sure everything is in good working order. Most importantly, make sure your contractor is properly insured. Others wise, you could be held accountable. I'm Gerri Willis and that's your "tip of the day." For more ideas, strategies and tips to save you money and protect your house, watch "Open House" today, 9:30 a.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
WOLF: In Las Vegas the sun isn't even up yet and we're six degrees shy of the century mark. Coming up, we're going to let you know how warm it's going to be in parts of the valley of the sun as well as along the strip and how warm it's going to be in other spots. All that's coming up in a few moments right here on CNN Saturday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Rocking for a cause. "Live Earth" concerts going on around the world. But do these big musical events really make a difference?
NGUYEN: Yeah, and where does all that money go? We're going to have a reality check on that. In the meantime though we do want to welcome you back on this lucky seven of a day, 7/7/2007, lots of folks getting married. Not any of those up here.
HOLMES: Nobody around these parts.
NGUYEN: No, not that we know of.
HOLMES: Hello to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes alongside Betty Nguyen here. So glad you could be here with us this morning.
Another scorcher in the West we need to tell you about first this morning.
NGUYEN: Yes. Temperatures, they are expected to reach the triple digits in at least seven states.
Reynolds Wolf has been watching all of this. It's just been a really relentless heat wave, Reynolds.
WOLF: It's been pretty brutal. I mean, there are a lot of people out there -- I mean, you hear about these temperatures of 100 degrees, triple digits in both Las Vegas and Phoenix.
It does happen. I mean, it does get hot like this. But we have had some record-breaking temperatures in both places, a little bit earlier than what we'd see for this time of year.
Again, we're just in July. And to see this extreme heat is just nuts.
Right now in Las Vegas in 94 degrees. In Phoenix it is 92. It's going to get much warmer as we make our way into the afternoon hours.
Record-breaking day? Probably not, but still extreme heat, Las Vegas climbing to 113, not just for today, but also for tomorrow. And we stay in the century mark all the way through Wednesday.
Same story in Phoenix. Again, in the valley of the sun, scorching heat. But look at other points as we go westward. We're going to be seeing much of that bubble, that big heat wave -- actually, almost like a wave, not just literally, but almost -- just check it out.
Going from 93 degrees in Denver. Wouldn't be surprised if places like Boulder actually get to 100 for today, or at least tomorrow. And just proof positive of that heat really moving to the east.
Look what we're going to be seeing in Washington, D.C. Saturday, Sunday some 90s, but then three degrees shy of the century mark on Monday. Tuesday, partly cloudy skies, very close to 100. Again, I wouldn't be surprised, if down in Fairfax County you do get to the century mark. By Wednesday we cool down a little bit, but just to 91 degrees.
Also, in New York, you're going to see temperatures warm up, maybe not to the 100 degree mark, but still some mid-90s. And with the high humidity that you have in Manhattan this time of year, as well as Brooklyn, Yonkers, White Plains, we will have heat indexes that will be approaching the century mark.
So, warm times, no doubt about it.
We're going to talk more about this, plus, we're going to talk about the potential for some flooding in parts of the southeast United States. Back to you.
NGUYEN: You know, it's the same song and dance, Reynolds.
WOLF: It is.
NGUYEN: If it's not the heat, it's the rain that just won't stop.
WOLF: You know, we've had some big extremes. We are going to see some things improve, though, in parts of the Southeast. They've been so dry. A good chance of rain today from Mississippi, back through Alabama and Georgia. So, that's certainly one thing we've got going for us.
NGUYEN: All right. Thanks, Reynolds.
HOLMES: Yes. Thanks, Reynolds.
WOLF: Got to look at the silver lining.
NGUYEN: That's true. Stay positive, right?
WOLF: Absolutely.
NGUYEN: That positive energy, it'll change your life.
WOLF: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HOLMES: What was that?
NGUYEN: Well, let's talk about something else. I don't know. We're going to try to move on from that, because that was a bit frightening. Something else that is positive, concerts with a conscience. The Live Earth show is going on around the world today.
Yes, we all love everybody. Just a taste of the show in Sydney, Australia. The concerts in Sydney and Tokyo kicked off long before you woke up this morning.
But this Shanghai show just started about 30 minutes ago. And there are eight more still to go.
Al Gore playing virtual host for the 24-hour, seven continent, all-star concerts. The events are meant to highlight the dangers of global climate change.
And raising money is also raising awareness, which is the goal of all of this.
HOLMES: It's always the goal. Live Earth getting underway now.
Josh Levs got to wondering, well, just how effective, how much of a difference do some of these huge events really make? OK. You've got the "Reality Check."
We all assume -- they sound great when they're happening. So, we assume they do their job.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN CENTER, ATLANTA: I know. And you know something? I'm going to tell you right now, I'm not a cynic. OK, I'm not a cynic.
HOLMES: Right.
LEVS: No, I'm really not. But the fact is ...
NGUYEN: But the numbers?
LEVS: ... there are very few things that stars like more than to stand around in a group telling everybody else to go save the world. OK, it's just true. It's just true.
So, what we wanted to do today was to take a look at the reality of this. And this is a very ambitious undertaking. You've got multiple venues. You've got all these different people around the world, all getting together saying, let's get to changing the world.
So, to see whether this can have a real impact, what we decided to do was to look back at the international musical extravaganza that started it all.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
UNIDENTIFIED ENSEMBLE (singing): We are the world, we are the children.
LEVS (voice-over): First, it was the single. And then ...
UNIDENTIFIED ENSEMBLE (singing): We are the world, we are the children.
LEVS: The Live Aid concerts in 1985 drew millions of people, and raised more than $200 million meant to help end Ethiopia's famine.
Some of the food made it, and helped. But critics say much of the aid never made it to those in need.
NILE RODGERS, LIVE AID PERFORMER: We didn't understand the business and the politics of that particular country and that war. We didn't understand the infrastructure.
LEVS: Twenty years after Live Aid, Bob Geldof, the man who organized it, took a new tactic.
The Live 8 concerts of 2005 were designed to draw attention to global poverty, not to raise money.
BONO, MUSICIAN-ACTIVIST: This is not about charity. This is about justice.
LEVS: World leaders appeared with Live 8 leaders. The G8 and other world powers increased aid and alleviated Africa's debt, though we'll never know how much credit goes to Live 8.
Now, Live Earth is taking on climate change. Organizers hope the concert will have lasting effects, by educating people about the environment.
But back in 1985, many people credited Live Aid with educating the world about famine in Africa. And in the following years, the region faced more famine. Its population remains one of the most undernourished in the world. There's no evidence Live Aid made a long-term difference.
Still, organizers of Live Earth say this event will lead to change, by inspiring people to make some environmentally friendly changes in their own lives.
AL GORE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If we can get a small fraction of the people watching this concert to sign up to those measures, then you're going to see the beginnings of major change.
(END VIDEO)
LEVS (on camera): But can they? I mean, right now, that's the real question, is can they get that?
If they do, if they manage to actually get people all over the world to create those changes, then, guys, this Live Earth will indeed be one of the most influential musical events in the entire history of the world.
NGUYEN: Right. But, you know, you talk about not being a critic. But when you look at something like this, where it's about awareness, a lot of people will say, that's great. But unless you allow me to contribute, how is it truly going to make a difference?
But there are other instances, examples, where they were creating large funds to make a difference.
LEVS: On a smaller scale, right.
For example, back in the 1980s, you may remember there was something called Farm Aid in the 1980s. It was not this huge -and there's a clip -- it was not this huge international event, but it was structured inside the United States and it helped raise some money for farmers who were dealing with drought at the time.
So, there is a very limited structural way of helping people.
But what you're saying, Betty, is exactly right. I mean, the fact is, if you don't give people things that they can do, you're not going to get anywhere.
So, if you look at what the lesson is, it looks like the organizers learned that lesson. What they're doing now with Live Earth is they're saying, let's not worry about fund raising. They're not fund raising.
What they're doing is, we're going to get everybody watching these concerts to decide to take on the following steps in their own lives. And that might help bring about change.
NGUYEN: Well, and here's the good news. Because at 11 o'clock this morning, we're going to be talking to a guy who really is releasing the handbook that goes along with Live Earth.
And it's going to show you what you can actually do -- some tangible things that you can do at home -- to really make a difference, along with the awareness ...
LEVS: You've got it.
NGUYEN: ... that we're watching throughout the concerts.
All right. Thank you, Josh, for that "Reality Check."
LEVS: Thanks.
NGUYEN: And in the meantime, there is another sign of recovery nearly two years after Hurricane Katrina.
Today is the grand opening for the Hard Rock hotel and casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. The resort's original grand opening was ruined by the deadly hurricane. And Katrina, as you know, destroyed the casino floor, along with much of the rock memorabilia on display.
Well, the resort has quietly been open a while. But today is all of the ceremony and the celebration. That's when it starts.
HOLMES: Well, speaking of celebration, the Essence Music Festival wraps up in New Orleans today. This year's festival was certainly a homecoming, a return to the Big Easy for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.
It had to move to Houston last year. And I was there, Betty, to work a little and play a bit, as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
T.J. HOLMES (voice-over): They call it a party with a purpose. And this year, the party has come back home to New Orleans.
HILL HARPER, ACTOR: What the main thing is that folks are just happy to be getting together, you know. And that's what the Essence Festival really looks like, because it's partying with a purpose. It's music and fun with a purpose. And so, that's why I'm here.
HOLMES: Every year since 1995, New Orleans has rolled out the red carpet for this event, except for last year, when Katrina sent the party to Houston.
Festival faithful followed it to Houston, but are happy to have it back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, we went to Houston, and Houston was gracious. They were wonderful. But it wasn't New Orleans.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: True, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is New Orleans, man. The festival belongs here. And this is why we're back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Enjoy the concert.
HOLMES: An estimated 200,000 people will come here for the three-day festival, making an economic impact to the tune of $150 million.
The essence of the festival is a series of self-help seminars during the day. That's the purpose.
At night, the party, with thousands filing into the Superdome -- once a refuge, now a symbol of resurgence in this city.
The crowd is treated to some of the biggest names in music.
Gospel, hip-hop and R&B opened the show.
Politics was the final act, starring Senator Barack Obama.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA, D-ILLINOIS, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If all of you are ready to not just rebuild New Orleans, but rebuild the New Orleans all across America -- on the South Side of Chicago, and in New York City, and in Los Angeles, and in Houston -- all across America, I am absolutely convinced that we will not just win an election this time out, but more importantly, we are going to transform a country.
(END VIDEO) HOLMES: There's a lot about that festival. How many places can you go where you can see Ludacris on the stage followed by Barack Obama?
NGUYEN: That's true. You know, it looked like a really good time. But I have to ask you, did you feel like New Orleans was coming back? Did it re-energize the city?
HOLMES: You know, it's weird for me. That was my first trip to New Orleans -- the first trip I've ever made to New Orleans. And I very much got the experience that New Orleans officials want people to have.
You come in and you visit downtown, you visit the visitor's area -- the Bourbon Street, the French Quarter, the downtown area -- and you can have a great time. And you kind of get isolated from what's going on on the outlying areas around New Orleans.
NGUYEN: Did you get a chance to see any of the outlying area?
HOLMES: We did not go to some of the worst areas. We went to some areas that were still pretty bad off, but did not go to some of those worst areas.
And that really is -- I got the experience that the officials want you to have, which is -- and which is fine. They want the visitors to come in and enjoy yourself, and you can be safe here in New Orleans or downtown and have a good time.
But they still -- you can't forget about what's going on outside. There's another reality outside of that downtown. It's very important to have the downtown back, but there's a lot going on in New Orleans that does not need to be forgotten about. But the Essence Festival certainly helps ...
NGUYEN: Yes. That is a harsh reality around it.
HOLMES: Yes.
NGUYEN: But, yes. It's good to see the festival coming back. And you see the money coming into the city. And I'm sure -- and staying there. They've already made a commitment for the next several years.
HOLMES: The next three, till 2009. And it is a party. I have signed up here at CNN for the next ...
NGUYEN: He's on the list, folks.
HOLMES: I signed up, as well. So, I'm there.
No, it's a good party. It's a good time. It's certainly going to help with the recovery of that city.
NGUYEN: And did you get any sleep?
HOLMES: Last night, finally, when I got back here.
NGUYEN: Here.
HOLMES: Not in New Orleans, so when I got back to Atlanta.
NGUYEN: But you were "working."
HOLMES: Yes, I was working.
NGUYEN: Of course you were. You're a hardworking man, T.J.
HOLMES: Didn't you see that piece? I was working.
NGUYEN: I saw that. Exactly.
HOLMES: OK.
NGUYEN: All right. Well, a lot of people are working to get very lucky today. Yes, so many sevens, so little time.
On this day of sevens, what better day to announce a new Seven Wonders of the World. We're going to show you the contenders at about 10 to the hour.
HOLMES: Also, they are lining up to take the plunge, betting seven is the lucky day to get married.
Never mind working on the relationship. We're going to go for the numbers game, OK?
NGUYEN: Just get married.
HOLMES: That's coming up here in less than seven minutes.
NGUYEN: Good luck.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: White wedding. And you know what is happening. A lot of those going on. You're waking up to what is being billed as the luckiest day of the century.
HOLMES: All right.
NGUYEN: The seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year.
HOLMES: And some people are going to take advantage of that. They plan to take the big plunge today, hoping that the luck of the sevens will rub off on their union.
And we do mean they are taking the plunge literally.
We're going to go to Six Flags in Largo, Maryland, where our Lisa Goddard is. Good morning to you, ma'am.
LISA GODDARD, CNN CORRESPONDENT, LARGO, MARYLAND: Hey. Good morning, T.J.
They are having seven weddings here. This one right now is very special. Look at the Superman roller coaster, for goodness sakes, they're getting married on.
Courtney and Michael Keerly (ph).
Now, these two actually have been married since 2005, but they're both active members of the military. Michael was going to deploy to Iraq, and they had to cancel their wedding in 2005, and get married very quickly. So, this is their ceremony.
How does it feel, guys?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, it's great.
GODDARD: You're great? Excellent.
And you see, T.J., Betty, their whole wedding party here.
This is the beginning of a long day at every Six Flags park. And, of course, as you two know, all around the country 7/7/07, everybody is getting married. In fact, I think three times as many people tying (ph) the knot this year -- Betty.
NGUYEN: That is fantastic. I've got to ask you, though. Why is Batman and Robin still hanging around? What's going on with that?
GODDARD: I don't know. You know, every wedding has some crashers. I think that Batman and Robin are really just milking the opportunity here. They don't really look like they're having fun, do they.
So, back to you, Betty. We'll keep you all up to date on what's going on here.
NGUYEN: They're working as a security force there ...
HOLMES: Yes, the security detail.
NGUYEN: ... around that wedding. OK. Thank you.
HOLMES: Lisa, thank you.
NGUYEN: We do want to talk about another seven, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Can you name all of them?
HOLMES: Well, the Taj Mahal is not on the list, but it could be one of the new Seven Wonders, if Internet voters get their way.
Our Veronica De La Cruz following this contest. Hello.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN DOT-COM CORRESPONDENT: Well, what do you guys think about this one? NGUYEN: The Eiffel Tower?
DE LA CRUZ: Yes, as one of the new Seven Wonders?
NGUYEN: I'm not so hot on it as being a wonder. I love it. I've been there.
DE LA CRUZ: It's the only one I've been to.
NGUYEN: It's beautiful.
DE LA CRUZ: So, maybe that's my ...
NGUYEN: That's why you have the little souvenir. Nice.
DE LA CRUZ: Well, I'm going to tell you how millions of people around the world are deciding what wonders will make that list. That's straight on the dot-com desk, when CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Just rehearsing those Seven Wonders?
HOLMES: You know, I'm trying to -- yes, I'm trying to make sure. I don't know all of these, Betty.
NGUYEN: Well, you'd better know them, because you're about to tell the folks at home what they are.
HOLMES: OK. Yes. I'll be ready.
NGUYEN: So, here we go.
HOLMES: Read slow, though.
NGUYEN: On a day of sevens, what better day to announce a new Seven Wonders of the World. So, T.J., we're going to put you to the test, because we want to know if you can name the seven current wonders of the world.
HOLMES: OK. The Great Pyramids of Giza. That's one. OK. We can do with that one. But the rest here, now, I would not have been able to name, I don't think any others.
NGUYEN: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
HOLMES: The Lighthouse of Alexandria, the temple for the goddess Artemis, ancient mausoleum, the statue of Zeus and the Colossus of Rhodes.
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: How many of those did you know, honestly?
NGUYEN: Probably just the Pyramids, to tell you the truth. HOLMES: OK.
NGUYEN: So, now that you've got those, and we've laid them out for you, get ready, because a modern list is being unveiled a little bit later today. And CNN's Michael Holmes reports that these wonders, they never seem to cease, they just get updated.
(BEGIN VIDEO)
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Are the ancient wonders of the world too ancient?
More than 2,000 years after the Greeks named the Seven Wonders, seven new ones are set to be revealed.
Twenty finalists, ranging from India's 17th century monument to love, the Taj Mahal, to Paris' 19th century Eiffel Tower have drawn more than 90 million Internet votes in one of the largest polls ever conducted.
July 7 -- or 7/7/07 -- will conclude the multi-year media campaign instigated by Swiss businessman, Bernard Weber.
BERNARD WEBER, FOUNDER, NEW 7 WONDERS: This is the first time we have the opportunity to have a global vote, and, by the way, also to invite children. This is the first time children can vote. And they vote out of passion, not out of nationalism.
So, this is the first-time opportunity. And I think we should seize that opportunity, so that everybody can decide what the new Seven Wonders should be, and not some government, not some individuals and not some institutions.
HOLMES: The star-studded even, called the "New Seven Wonders of the World," will feature performances by Jennifer Lopez and Chaka Khan, and will be hosted by Hollywood's Hilary Swank and Ben Kingsley.
Contenders include well-known greats like the Colosseum in Rome, Machu Picchu in Peru, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, the Great Wall of China and the giant stone statues on Chile's Easter Island.
Even national figures like Brazil's president, Lula da Silva, and Jordan's Queen Rania, are promoting their countries' hopefuls.
But the New Wonders campaign is not universally recognized. The U.N. Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, identifies world heritage sites, but claims there is no link whatsoever with the New Seven Wonders of the World campaign.
Egypt has also taken exception. According to Zahi Hawas, head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, the Great Pyramids of Giza should be above a competition and remain the world's only surviving ancient wonder.
ZAHI HAWAS, EGYPT'S COUNCIL OF ANTIQUITIES: The Pyramids has to be away from this list completely. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Every list.
HAWAS: The Pyramids still exist until today as the symbol -- the symbol -- of the genius of the ancient people. And we should not put them in any modern lists.
HOLMES: Following the Egyptian protest, organizers assured the Pyramids' honorary status, in addition to the Seven New Wonders.
For the remaining contenders, there's no way to prevent online voters from casting multiple ballots. The new list will capture opinions of those with access to the Internet, and those who vote often.
Michael Holmes, CNN.
(END VIDEO)
T.J. HOLMES: I was about to move on, Betty, but I'm going to give you a chance here, because you have an issue with the voting.
NGUYEN: I'm just having a hard time with these, because some of them I feel like truly are wonders. Others are man-made objects, and I know a lot of these are. But that just seems like, yes, that was something that could very easily have been built.
HOLMES: Well, thank goodness that the voting ended yesterday, and you can't influence people with your comments.
NGUYEN: I'm done, yes.
HOLMES: And, of course, as you heard there, adults and children could all vote online.
NGUYEN: And Veronica De La Cruz is at the dot-com desk here with more on today's pending announcement of the New Seven Wonders.
I mean, did you struggle with this, too, Veronica?
DE LA CRUZ: Oh, like I said before, I've only been to the Eiffel Tower. So, if I was going to cast a vote, no -- you know. No, I -- no.
NGUYEN: But was that a wonder?
DE LA CRUZ: You're right. I wouldn't vote for that.
(CROSSTALK)
DE LA CRUZ: Maybe I would give my vote to the Taj Mahal.
NGUYEN: It's beautiful, no doubt. But yes, or like the Pyramids or ...
DE LA CRUZ: I like the story behind the Taj Mahal, so I think that that probably would have my vote. But I want to tell you about the Web site. So many people logged on to pick their choice, Betty and T.J., it crashed the site several times yesterday.
Like you heard Michael Holmes say, more than 90 million votes came in from adults and from children, choosing from these 21 candidates. There were 77. They narrowed it down to 21.
And now, take a look at these pictures. These are these pictures, streaming behind me, they're on cnn.com right now. There's a gallery there of all the candidates that you can click through, all 21 of them.
And here's what's interesting about the voting. Organizers say that it was important to have those children voting, because kids vote with passion, not nationality. They don't vote like I do. They don't say, hey, I've been to the Eiffel Tower. So, they really vote with their heart.
Let's show you the Web site now where all of this is taking place. It's called new7wonders.com, if we can bring it up right here.
Tonight they're going to be unveiling the top seven from Lisbon, Portugal, in a live Webcast.
Now, here's the bad news. If you didn't vote, you can't watch that Webcast tonight. It's just really -- it's not fair. But we're going to tell you about it after.
Preliminary voting back in June indicated that the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal and the Colosseum were all top favorites. One of the oldest candidates, Stonehenge, and some of the newer candidates included the Sydney Opera House, the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. Again, that announcement happened this evening at 5:30 Eastern, and that live Webcast happens live from Lisbon at new7wonders.com.
Betty and T.J., your favorites? I know that our executive producer has voted for Machu Picchu.
NGUYEN: Yes, that one's really cool.
My favorite is the Colosseum. I've been there and I've seen it, and it's just so awe-inspiring how it was built.
DE LA CRUZ: I think T.J.'s is the Statue of Liberty, because he's been there.
NGUYEN: He changed it, though.
HOLMES: But the Statue, I mean, it's ...
NGUYEN: So, you're with me.
HOLMES: ... the home turf. No, it's the home turf.
(CROSSTALK)
HOLMES: Just got to vote for the home team.
DE LA CRUZ: Vote for the home team. I'm with you. I'm with you.
HOLMES: But I've been to the Acropolis, and you're right. If you've been there ...
NGUYEN: It's pretty fascinating, isn't it? Yes.
HOLMES: ... it's kind of got your vote.
DE LA CRUZ: I also wanted to remind viewers that if you have photos or videos of any of these sites, please send them to us at cnn.com/ireport.
Also, if you're at a wedding today, it is 7/7/07, send your photos and videos, as well.
Why aren't we in Las Vegas?
NGUYEN: That was my very question this morning.
HOLMES: Been asking all morning, yes.
NGUYEN: And I think it's going to be a little too late by the time we get off the air to head there. So, no weddings for any of us.
Talk to you later, Veronica.
HOLMES: Well, if you don't have a wedding, you're looking for excitement of another kind possibly, here's a suggestion.
NGUYEN: Are we going to show the video? We've got to have the video. We're talking about that right there -- running with the bulls.
Yes, it is that time of the year again. And this latest Spanish spectacle just minutes away, right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Hello there, everybody. Welcome to the CNN center here in Atlanta, Georgia. This is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Good morning to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Good morning everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for starting your day with us. It's another scorcher outside. We want to begin this morning with the searing heat wave that is in the west. Temperatures should reach the century mark again in at least seven states today. That means people need to take it easy and watch out for the signs of heat exhaustion. Authorities say two toddlers died this week after being left in stifling cars in Iowa and Idaho and one cattle rancher in Montana said if they don't get relief soon, the hay will turn to dust. So is there any relief in sight? That's the big question today.
HOLMES: And the one we have to ask our CNN meteorologist Reynolds Wolf. Good morning to you sir. So what's the dealio (ph)?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: The dealio is it's going to remain very warm - dealio? What's the dealio?
HOLMES: What's going on?
WOLF: Here's what's going on. (INAUDIBLE) mercury continues to rise in parts of Las Vegas and Phoenix, the sun not even up yet. We're already just a few degrees shy of the century mark in both locations. What we're going to be seeing is this big massive heat remain in parts of the southwest but a good part of it also moving into the central plains, eventually the eastern seaboard by the beginning of the next work week. Las Vegas will remain in the triple digits through Wednesday, getting close to where we should be for this time of year, but still, warm is warm and heat is heat and they're going to get plenty of it in places like Las Vegas and Phoenix, where we're going to go from just a nice 109, but by the time you get to Monday, but still at the century mark in those spots as well.
As I mentioned, that heat is really going to start building into the central plains, Kansas City, 93 degrees and that doesn't factor in the high humidity. When you bring in that humidity, it's going to feel like it's beyond the century mark, 93 in Chicago, 88 in Detroit, 86 in Atlanta and 91 in Washington, D.C. D.C., by the time we get into Monday and Tuesday, it's going to be getting very close to the century mark, would not be surprised if we see it break the 100 degree mark as we get to Tuesday afternoon.
We have had quite a bit of rainfall moving into parts of the southeast. We have some video though that shows what happened in Oklahoma and parts of Texas. Take a look at this. We had quite a bit of flooding. Do we have the video? Video up? There we go. There's the video for you. And then that is finally going to recede, floodwaters going to start going down which is great news for Oklahoma. But still what a mess they've got to clean up with and keep this in mind. Many of those places are without power, then you have all of that heat that's going to be moving into the central plains. Those folks are going to be sweltering in parts of the central and southern plains, no break for them. But thankfully we are going to be seeing some rainfall in the southeast where we desperately need it in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. That's the latest in the forecast. Let's get back to you in the news desk. That is the dealio.
HOLMES: All right Reynolds. I will tailor my dialect for (INAUDIBLE) this morning.
WOLF: Please (INAUDIBLE) See you guys.
HOLMES: Meanwhile, in flood weary Texas, two more deaths reported this morning.
NGUYEN: The weather is now blamed for 15 deaths in Texas just in the past three weeks and high water continues to be a threat. Connie Swinney of our Texas affiliate KXAN reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CONNIE SWINNEY, KXAN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you live in Canyon Ridge Spring, taking a trip into town takes no less than four- wheel-drive.
BETH WILLIAMSON, BURNET COUNTY RESIDENT: If you have pickups, then you're able to get across. However, our daughter's car is at our house, has been there since the water started.
SWINNEY: There was a time when anyone in this county was forced to stay or chose not to risk getting to the other side.
MARGARETTE GIRGENTI, BURNET COUNTY RESIDENT: Fifty foot trees were just toppled over. Rocks were strewn everywhere.
SWINNEY: Ripping its way through creeks after repeated storms in just days, destroying bridges, crossings and roadways.
JUDGE DONNA KLAEGER, BURNET COUNTY TEXAS: Bring them up for people to come through and it rains again and takes them out.
SWINNEY: FEMA teams have taken notice now, gathering aid estimates for damages which could top $140 million.
KLAEGER: Low water crossings, they're gone. To imagine that the county does not have the resources. If we spent every penny that we have in the county, we don't have the resources to replace those right now.
SWINNEY: Meantime residents adjust as travel and basic services start flowing again, while recovery comes at a trickle.
GIRGENTI: I saw the trash truck. He didn't wash down the creek. So I guess he's up at my house emptying my trash right now hopefully. The can is getting pretty full.
WILLIAMSON: Mother nature, the destruction of water. Wow, the power of it. It's amazing how it's torn things up. And it will be a long time before it's back to its natural beauty.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: All the major river basins in Texas are at flood stage. It is the first time that has happened since 1957.
HOLMES: We want to return to Iraq now and U.S. military announcing the combat death of seven more American servicemen. Four soldiers died yesterday, three of them in a pair of attacks in Baghdad. Ten servicemen have died in Iraq in the last 48 hours, 3600 since now the start of the war. Meanwhile, north of Baghdad at least 25 Iraqis were killed by a suicide car bomb this morning. The blast injured as many as 50 others in a busy outdoor market.
NGUYEN: Militant fighting also left dozens dead in Afghanistan. Fighting erupted in three separate regions of the country. More than 100 militants are reported dead. But a local governor says dozens of civilians are among those fatalities as well. NATO says a roadside blast hit one of its convoys today in southern Afghanistan. Four alliance soldiers were wounded in the attack.
HOLMES: And in Pakistan, an explosion and a tense standoff at a mosque. Intelligence sources tell CNN that Pakistani forces targeted a fuel tank inside the mosque and triggered an explosion heard across Islamabad. The standoff began Tuesday when about 150 militant students attacked the police checkpoint close to that mosque. Since then, more than two dozen people have died. The latest casualties two students who tried to surrender yesterday. Pakistani intelligence sources say they were shot to death by other students.
NGUYEN: A court appearance this morning for the first man charged in last week's British terror plot. Iraqi Dr. Balil (ph) Abdullah is charged with conspiring to cause explosions. He is the only one of eight suspects charged so far. Abdullah was in the Jeep Cherokee that crashed into a terminal building at the Glasgow international airport. His court appearance comes as Londoners mark the second anniversary of the July 7th attacks that killed more than 50 people.
HOLMES: And we want to turn now to concerns over global climate changes. New Jersey now becoming the third state to put a law in place to curb greenhouse gases.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. JON CORZINE (D) NEW JERSEY: We want to send a message to Washington. Wake up, get with the program and start doing something about climate change, greenhouse gases. It's time to work.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: California and Hawaii are the other states with so-called anti-global warming laws on their books. We want to hear from you now on this issue. Do you believe there is a climate crisis? E-mail us with your thoughts at weekend@cnn.com.
NGUYEN: Awareness of global climate change is the point behind today's mega-concert, 11 shows, seven continents, 24 hours, it is called "Live Earth," About 150 acts taking part from Sydney to Rio to New York, even Antarctica is on the list. There is also a show scheduled to start in London in just a few minutes and that's where our Monita Rajpal is standing by. Tell us who is in the lineup today Monita?
MONITA RAJPAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, in just about 25 minutes, names like Madonna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys, Snow Patrol (ph) and Genesis to name a few of the star-studded line up here at the London Wembley stadium event. It's the sixth leg in this eight-nation tour as you mentioned Antarctica as well.
And of course the idea being to raise awareness, but of course, as Al Gore was saying, the former U.S. vice president, the man behind this event says this is the beginning of a global action, the call to action if you will, for people to change their lives in a way they look at the environment and actually really think that the environment is in crisis. He's saying -- he's asking everyone who's attending all these events around the world to sign a seven-point pledge, some including making personal promises to change the way they live but also calling for their politicians to really take the environment crisis seriously to make concrete changes. One of the main concrete changes he wants is to see an international treaty ratified in two years that would call for reduction in carbon emissions by about 90 percent by 2050. It's a very ambitious plan. Of course there's a lot of criticism surrounding this event, many calling it as just another pop concert. Even Bob Geldoff, the man behind Live Aid and Live Eight say that there's no real concrete measures to call for it. Al Gore however, saying there are solutions that he's providing and he's calling for people to really start changing the way they live their lives. Betty.
NGUYEN: We know that people will turn out. The question now is if they will truly take the message to heart and change their lives. So we'll be watching for that. Monita, thank you. We'll let our viewers know that you can get more of the Live Earth concert on cnn.com and you can also check out CNN pipeline for extra footage of all the acts today.
HOLMES: There is a category four storm inside the National Hurricane Center, the director in the eye of the storm. Up next forecasters in a storm surge of anger.
NGUYEN: We also want to show you stomach turning truth about food from China. Yes, health standards are so low, that the risk to U.S. consumers may be too high.
HOLMES: Also couples everywhere betting on lucky number seven and not everybody is saying "I do" in the traditional way. There's a Batman best man we've seen this morning already. Stay here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING:
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: When hurricanes are bearing down on the United States, there may be no person more important than Bill Proenza. He's the director of the National Hurricane Center and right now, he's weathering a storm of his own. CNN's John Zarrella explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A day after half his staff called for his resignation, the director of the National Hurricane Center Bill Proenza said he was leaving that door open.
BILL PROENZA, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER DIRECTOR: I work for the American people.
ZARRELLA: You're not resigning?
PROENZA: Whatever is in their best interests, I will do. If it involves me moving on, I will do so when the time comes. I will do it smoothly and I will do it genuinely.
ZARRELLA: Like a gathering storm, the conditions inside the National Hurricane Center have deteriorated rapidly. Twenty three staff members including four senior hurricane forecasters signed the petition Thursday saying the center needs a new director as quickly as possible. They charge Proenza has lobbied for the wrong priorities. He doesn't ask for their input. And to do their jobs effectively, they need team work and a sense of family.
JAMES FRANKLIN, SENIOR HURRICANE FORECASTER: He's destroying that. He's destroying that. He's divided the staff and it's hard to know how we're going to be able to come together with him here.
ZARRELLA: The problems began for Proenza when he publicly criticized his Washington bosses at NOAA, the parent agency, for spending money on NOAA's 200th anniversary and taking away money for hurricane research. Then he said little was being done to replace an aging satellite critical he claims to forecasting. Proenza makes no apologies.
PROENZA: When I'm asked, I've got to answer honestly and sincerely and I feel that it is part of my responsibilities. I work for the American people.
ZARRELLA: This past Monday, investigators came from Washington to evaluate what was going on at the center and what needed to be done.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Proenza has led the hurricane center just since January. He spent the last 40 years specializing in weather for the government. Betty
NGUYEN: A space flight more than 20 years in the making, Barbara Morgan was the backup for Krista McAulliffe's (ph) teacher in space mission aboard the doomed space shuttle Challenger. As you probably remember, that flight ended in a tragic explosion. Now Morgan has another date to launch. The Idaho teacher is slated for next month's shuttle mission. She spent the last 10 years training as an astronaut.
HOLMES: Products made in China, manufactures cutting costs and raising your risk of getting sick or even dying.
NGUYEN: And later on "House Call," health and politics. CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta talk with some powerful people about important issues affecting us and others cross the world. You're watching CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It has been called one of the hottest workouts. But you have to take your exercise sitting down. Creator Josh Crosby says indo-row is all about team work.
JOSH CROSBY, INDO-ROW.COM: Train with a group and you're going to get better. You're going to (INAUDIBLE). But there is no impact. You burn tons of calories. You build muscle. You can build long lean muscles which seems to be the trend, not bulky anymore and it's just a lot of fun.
COSTELLO: Crosby is passionate about rowing. He's on the U.S. national rowing team and a third generation rower. (INAUDIBLE) sports club L.A. with a little competitive racing.
KEELEY WILLIAMS: And the fact he puts you in teams, as you're rowing like you're really rowing in a boat, that's just an extra added motivation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My favorite part is when he makes us go all out, when he builds it up to 50 percent strength, 75 percent, then 100 percent while you're doing it, giving everything you've got.
AUDREY ADLER, INDO-ROW PARTICIPANT: I'm endurance athlete, a competitive athlete and this has just taken me to a whole new level.
COSTELLO: Crosby says besides working every major muscle group in your body, rowers can burn 400 to 900 calories in a 50 minute class. Carol Costello, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paris Hilton's late night phone calls. We have that story plus more making the most popular list this morning. Who's been calling her? We're going to tell you next from the dot come desk.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Worries about potentially tainted toothpaste from China that is spreading to Massachusetts. State health officials have issued warnings about any toothpaste labeled "made in China." Any toothpaste labeled Colgate that's made in South Africa and toothpaste without English language labeling. It comes after suspicious toothpaste was found in Massachusetts stores. And last month, the FDA said toothpaste from China and counterfeit Colgate toothpaste may contain a chemical used in antifreeze. Now listen to this. In Panama, prosecutors said 83 deaths have been linked to the chemical in tainted toothpaste made in Panama.
HOLMES: Pet food, fish, toys, diets, toothpaste now. Since March we've heard a constant stream of alerts regarding items made in China and sold here in the U.S. As CNN's John Vause reports, there may be a lot more to come.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): So could you eat pork from pigs force fed waste water, drink milk from cows given so many antibiotics it's impossible to make yogurt from their milk. How about a serving of lard made from sewage because all of that and much more has been on China's menu in recent months. Zhou Qin is a dissident writer who has researched this country's appalling food standards.
ZHOU QIN, CHINESE DISSIDENT: The threat is so much more serious than people could ever imagine he told me. He says many farmers and producers are continually finding new and dangerous ways to cut costs. China has low labor costs but you can work out how low the price should be. Businessmen should know something is wrong if the product is cheaper than it should be. Last week, the U.S. banned four types the fish and shrimp from China because inspectors found traces of cancer-causing chemicals and antibiotics, including malachite green, which helps fish survive in polluted, overcrowded fisheries. It's still being used despite being banned here five years ago, while in the U.S., it was banned 24 years ago.
SALLY GREENBERG, CONSUMERS UNION: We have no real sense of the regulatory infrastructure in China which is probably about 100 years behind where we are in the United States.
VAUSE: And World Health Organization says time has run out for China to act.
DR. ROGER SKINNER, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: China is at a crossroads. I feel they have to make a decision as to what they're going to do. The decision cannot be put off.
VAUSE: It's not just food. Consumer alerts have been issues from products from toxic toothpaste to lead-painted toys. So far this year, 60 percent of all recalled consumer products in the U.S. have come from china. The government here blames media hype.
QIN GANG, FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN: Consumers shouldn't be scared of Chinese products he says. They should have a reputation of being good quality, cheap and safe.
VAUSE: Well, one out of three isn't bad. No one ever said Chinese goods were cheap. John Vause, CNN, Beijing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: All right, take a look at this, hanging on. That's a bear up a pole. Way up a pole. The question is, how is he going to get down?
Ad 7/7/07. Why get married in a chapel when you can get married with a bunch of cartoon characters wearing sequins. We'll have that story coming up live from Maryland.
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HOLMES: We got a whole bunch of Internet traffic on cnn.com this morning as always.
NGUYEN: You got a busy day.
DE LA CRUZ: It really is and lots of very strange stories out there.
NGUYEN: 7/07/07. That's why.
DE LA CRUZ: Maybe, maybe. But first, you guys better stand back because she might have an umbrella. Who are we talking about? Everybody's favorite party girl, Britney Spears is back on that most popular list again and this time for a weird apology posted on her Web site. She said when she clobbered a photographer's car with an umbrella several months ago, she was just practicing for a movie audition. Anyway, she didn't get the part.
HOLMES: She should have practiced on some more cars.
DE LA CRUZ: Also on that popular list this morning, TB patient Andrew Speaker speaking out again. He told the Associated Press he was, quote, tricked into isolation. There's some question about the original diagnosis, but the CDC says it stands Speaker as you know is now in isolation in a Colorado hospital.
This little guy is truly out of left field. A bookie in Ireland must pay out more that $13,000 because of Al Gore III's arrest the other day.
NGUYEN: How is that?
DE LA CRUZ: The bookie had given odds that Al Gore, Al Gore, would be the next high profile American arrested. He meant the former vice president but he didn't specify which Al Gore, so he has to pay up, $13,000.
NGUYEN: That's what you get for betting.
DE LA CRUZ: Exactly. Finally, Paris Hilton getting a lot of phone calls in the wee hours of the morning and how do we know? Because a college student has been walking around with Paris Hilton's recycled cell phone number. She says the late night calls are off the hook, all from people thinking that they are calling her cell phone. And the calls tapered off when Paris was in jail. They suddenly spiked again and you think they would get annoying. But this woman, she plans to keep the number and keep taking Paris' phone calls.
NGUYEN: Well of course. She's going to get all the parties. She's going to get to all the hook ups.
DE LA CRUZ: 7/7/07 for her.
HOLMES: Sorry about the calls.
NGUYEN: Well, (INAUDIBLE) Paris' cell phone.
HOLMES: Sorry about that.
NGUYEN: And the text messages too. Feeling lucky today? Well, are you? Some people are feeling so lucky on this day of 7s. They are taking the plunge literally. So let's head to Six Flags in Largo, Maryland where we find CNN's Lisa Goddard this morning. What an assignment. They chance you're getting married today there Lisa at Six Flags?
LISA GODDARD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is definitely different than covering the immigration bill. I want to show you the (INAUDIBLE) family is getting married. These folks are actually renewing their vows. Say hi, everybody. These are the (INAUDIBLE) family. This is their four children. This is Damonte (ph) and then his wife is just about to walk up to get their vows renewed. The kids picked the tea cup ride here at Six Flags and it's (INAUDIBLE) . Just a few minutes ago we saw a bride get doused with water on one of those huge canyon water rides. So people coming are here in all types. They're more refined I think that we have here at the tea cup and others obviously, as you said Betty, 7/07/07 is a huge wedding day around the world. In fact, (INAUDIBLE) anyone who's ever got married knows about the knot.
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