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CNN Saturday Morning News
Live Earth Concerts Around the World; Lucky Day to Get Married; Muslim Doctors in U.S. Denounce U.K. Bomb Plotters
Aired July 07, 2007 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, every, from the CNN Center right here in Atlanta, I'm Betty Nguyen. It's Saturday, July 7th, supposedly the luckiest day on the calendar, not just the year but the entire century.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Supposedly. 07/7/07, apparently a good day to get married.
NGUYEN: Not up here.
HOLMES: We'll giggle. T.J. Holmes. Glad to you could be here. Up first though, got a few things to tell you.
License to practice medicine or is it a license to kill? Doctors are implicated the U.K terror plot. Will that make it tougher for foreign doctors to come to the U.S.?
NGUYEN: Rockers, they are rolling all around the world; 11 Live Earth concerts happening today. We'll look at the mission behind the music. That's a look at the concert in Antarctica of all places -- all seven continents, folks. We have a lot to tell you about today.
HOLMES: We'll start with the West, sizzling, here in the U.S. Triple-digit temperatures suffocating at least seven states. And it is expected to stay that way into next week. This kind of heat is dangerous. Authorities say two toddlers died after being left in cars in Idaho and Iowa. Because of the extreme heat, people are, of course, cranking up the A/C and that is, of course, straining electrical grids.
NGUYEN: Well, in Texas, it is the opposite problem. Flooding is still just pounding that area. Authorities are warning people not to drive through drenched roads saying most deaths occur in automobiles. Two more weather-related deaths have been confirmed. And that brings the total to 15 in less than three weeks.
So, from heat to flooding to Reynolds Wolf, who has been watching it all.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HOLMES: We'll turn now to Pakistan, where an explosion in the intense 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 a police checkpoint close to that mosque. Since then more than two dozen people have died. The latest casualties, two students tried to surrender yesterday. Pakistani intelligence sources say they were shot by other students.
NGUYEN: A court appearance this morning for the first man charged in the last week's British terror plot. Iraqi Doctor Bilal Abdullah is charged with conspiring to cause explosions. Now, he is the only one of eight suspects charged so far. And in court Abdullah only spoke to give his name and address. He didn't apply for bail. Abdullah was in the Jeep Cherokee that crashed into a terminal building at the Glasgow International Airport.
And Abdullah is a doctor, as we mentioned. Like most of the other suspects in the British plot, many of them are doctors.
HOLMES: The U.S. just one of many places, actually with a shortage of medical personnel; opening the door to not only foreign- trained doctors, but opening the door to possible security questions now. CNN's Jill Dougherty has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): According to the FBI, two suspects in the British car bombing looked into the possibility of working as doctors in the United States; contacting the Philadelphia-based Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. Apparently, however, they did not take the test for med school graduates and never came to the U.S. Muslim physicians in the United States, meanwhile, are condemning the U.K. attacks.
DR. ASMA MOBIN-UDDIN, COUN. ON AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATION: I actually was shocked to hear about the plot. I was angry. I really felt a sick feeling inside that physicians, people from my own profession could be guilty -- suspected of being guilty of such heinous acts. I really couldn't believe it.
DOUGHERTY: The number of foreign-born doctors in the U.S. is growing because the country needs them.
(on camera): The United States has a shortage of medical personnel. And about a quarter of all physicians working in the United States are international medical graduates according to the American Medical Association.
(Voice over): In order to work in the U.S. foreign medical professionals much have an H1B visa, which is meant for highly skilled professionals. The Department of Homeland Security says doctors get the same kind of screening that a computer specialist or lawyer would, including fingerprinting, and face-to-face interview at the U.S. embassy in their home country.
Their names are run through what's called Interagency Border Inspection System. Cross checking a number of law enforcement and security databases. If they get a visa, they're checked by Customs and Border Protection and fingerprinted again, as they enter the U.S.
Homeland Security says it is not planning any changes to H1B visa regulations at this time.
Doctor Khalique Zahir of the Islamic Medical Association of North America agrees the checks are thorough.
DR. KHALIQUE ZAHIR, ISLAMIC MEDICAL ASSOC. OF NO. AMERICA: It's very difficult already for many foreign medical doctors to immigrate to this country and get the training they need. It's become significantly different since 9/11. Other than basic backgrounds that they do, I don't know what more needs to be done.
DOUGHERTY: Doctor Zahir says the U.K. attack should not reflect on Muslim physicians in the U.S. Terrorism is contrary to Islam, he says. And contrary to Islamic medical ethics. Jill Dougherty, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Let's take you to Iraq, now and U.S. military announcing the deaths of nine more American service members. Six soldiers died yesterday. Five of them in and around Baghdad; 12 serviceman have died in Iraq in the last 48 hours, 3602 since the start of the war.
HOLMES: Global climate change, the focus for millions of people today. They are all taking part in one way or another in the Live Earth Concerts. About 150 acts appearing in 11 venues, on all seven continents. The shows in Sydney, Australia and Tokyo that are already wrapping up. London and Hamburg, Germany shows underway right now with major acts like Madonna, Genesis, and Snoop Dogg.
NGUYEN: Snoop Dogg in the house. Well, some critics, T.J., are dismissing tomorrow's Live Earth concert as an empty gesture, more wind than earth. I don't know why it said tomorrow because in fact, it's happening today. CNN National Correspondent Jason Carroll takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(SINGERS) Just like a dream ...
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Live Earth, a 24- hour concert, 100 acts in cities across the globe.
AL GORE, FOUNDER, LIVE EARTH: That's global warming.
CARROLL: Former Vice President Al Gore developed the idea to help protect the planet. Over the past few decades there have been several global concerts with different causes, all with the same basic goal -- raise money -- not this time.
GORE: It's actually not designed to raise money. It's designed to raise awareness and to spread word about the solution.
CARROLL: Organizers won't put a dollar amount on expected money raised. Profit will go to Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection, a nonprofit he founded to help reduce global warming. Gore hopes the music will inspire people to go to the Live Earth Web site and follow the seven-point pledge, which includes fighting pollution, and planting new trees. Critics say Live Earth's goals are too vague.
EVAN SERPICK, "ROLLING STONE": I think it is pretty ambiguous. They could have done a much better job, much earlier on, being very clear about hard goals.
CARROLL: Bob Geldof, the man behind two global concerts for poverty is quoted as calling Live Earth, "a hollow spectacle". But even with profits, getting the money to those in need can be challenging. In 2005, Live Aid hoped to influence world leaders to commit more money to poverty. Those leaders committed $50 billion by 2010. But at least one watchdog group says they're not on track.
On the other hand, Concert for Bangladesh, in 1971, to date, has raised $15 million. According to UNICEF, 87 cents of every dollar went to children in Bangladesh.
CARYL STERN, PRES., U.S. FUND FOR UNICEF: Concerts really do make a difference.
CARROLL (on camera): Performers such as Alicia Keyes, Kelly Clarkson, The Police, and Bon Jovi will all here at Giants Stadium to perform. We're told that all of the performers are lending their talents free of charge. Jason Carroll, CNN, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Well, the talented Brooke Anderson will join us live from Live Earth, that concert there in Rutherford, New Jersey. That's ahead in our 10:00 hour.
And you can also get more of Live Earth on CNN.com. CNN Pipeline also having extra footage of the concert. So, it's all here on CNN.
HOLMES: We want to hear from you on this issue. Do you believe there's is a climate crises? You can e-mail us at weekends@cnn.com.
NGUYEN: We do want to tell you now about a kidnapping in Nigeria. It's becoming a booming trade in the oil-rich, dirt-poor country. But people are shocked to hear about this latest victim.
LISA GODDARD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): That's right. 7/7/7, a lucky day. So, why not test your luck and the power of metaphor by getting married on a rollercoaster. We'll have that report live coming up.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Rise and shine all you robots. That's right, get up. It's Saturday morning. I'm meteorologist Bonnie Schneider. We're here at the 2007 Robo Cup Competition to check out robots like this one. Looking for the soccer ball. I'll have a full report here at Georgia Tech, coming up on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's a frustrating reality and a common one in Africa's most oil-rich country, kidnapping for ransom in the increasingly lawless Niger Delta. It happens all the time and it happened again Thursday. But there's a shocking difference, here, the age and innocence of the victim. CNN's Isha Sesay has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ISHA SESAY, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A three-year- old British girl kidnapped in the Nigeria's restive Niger Delta. According to local police, Margaret Hill was snatched by gunmen who smashed the windows of her car carrying her to school, in Port Harcourt, on Thursday.
The little girl is the first foreign child to be seized in the oil-rich region where it seems kidnapping has become common place. Her family is in shock.
CATHY DUFFY, KIDNAPPED GIRL'S AUNT: Absolutely dreadful, dreadful.
QUESTION: When did you hear what happened?
DUFFY: Yesterday morning, we go the word (ph) from Nigeria, to let us know what had happened to Margaret on the way to school. I just couldn't believe it at all.
SESAY: Margaret's father Mike Hill is a British national and long-time resident of Nigeria. The child's mother, Lucci (ph), is a Nigerian national. Right now it's unclear who is responsible for the kidnapping. There are reports the hostage takers are giving Margaret bread and water, but threatening to kill the three-year-old unless her father agrees to take her place. The British government is said to be working to secure Margaret's freedom, while the foreign office has called for her immediate, safe release. A call echoed by other Port Harcourt residents.
HAJARA OTARU, STUDENT: Very sad that a little girl has been kidnapped from this country of ours. I want her to be released (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Her parents (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
SESAY: Margaret's kidnapping follows that of five oil workers on Wednesday. The Niger Delta has become increasingly lawless since 2005. While the region sits atop the nation's oil wells, there is widespread poverty. Armed gangs and militant groups are known to operate in the area.
Groups such as MEND, the Movement for Emancipation for the Niger Delta, have launched attacks and kidnappings, calling for a more equitable distribution of the region's oil wealth. MEND have recently ended a month-long crease-fire, but deny any involvement in the kidnapping of Margaret.
A spokesman for the group says, they will, quote, "Join in the hunt for the monsters who carried out this abduction."
Scores of foreign workers have been taken since the beginning of this year. But the abduction of children is rare. Hostages are generally released unharmed after a ransom has been paid. Leaving Margaret Hill's parents waiting and hoping that their little girl will return home safely soon.
Isha Sesay, CNN, Johannesburg.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: In other news, there is an announcement from the Vatican this morning that is making it official. The sound of Latin is welcome back in the Catholic Mass. Use of Latin has been abandoned after Vatican reforms in the 1960s. The pope's decree is seen as a bid to end the decades old split between traditionalists, who support Latin, and those reformers.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN DOT.COM DESK: Lucky in love on the world wide web. As you know, Today is 7/7/07. But can you get married online? A virtual wedding, next, that's from the Dot.com Desk.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR, OPEN HOUSE: Coming up at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, the best cities to be looking for a good deal on the house.
Plus why certain light bulbs in your home pose a health risk to yourself and your family.
And remodeling tips that will keep your relationship from going bust.
That's "Open House", the show that saves you money, 9:30 a.m. Eastern, right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. Some people plan to take the big plunge today hoping the luck of the 7s will rub off on their union. We do mean plunge. So, let's go to Six Flags in Largo, Maryland, where our Lisa Goddard is this morning.
I understand taking the plunge, getting married, but on a rollercoaster, Lisa?
LISA GODDARD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I know the cliches and metaphors abound here. But these people are having a great time. Behind me, you see the new Lewis family. These two were just married minutes ago.
How are you feeling?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm feeling wonderful.
(LAUGHTER)
GODDARD: She had tears in her eyes as she went up this rollercoaster. Now, we're going to show you some other couples, that also were married here. This is the fifth couple. Let's look at some others before them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GODDARD (voice over): And you can see a very big splash for one of those couples. They did not mind getting wet. That's why you did not see the traditional bridal wear on that woman. They were renewing their vows. Some people doing that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GODDARD: And if you come back here and look at the rollercoaster. No lines here. That's the benefit of getting married in the amusement park. You don't see anyone in line. All of these folks and their wedding parties got free rides with no lines.
What's interesting here, a lot of different stories. We saw earlier this morning, guys, a touching story of the military couple. She's in the Navy, he's in the Air Force. They wanted to get married in 2005, but he was deployed to Iraq. So they had just days to plan their wedding without their family and friends. Now listen to what they said today about getting married on a rollercoaster.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GODDARD (on camera): Why the amusement park?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love roller coasters, my happiest place ever. I dragged him with me.
GODDARD: And you're OK with roller coasters?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not really. Not much of a fan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GODDARD: Ah, but you know what they say, guys, marriage is the art of compromise. That's how that couple wanted to renew their vows. We have two more weddings to go and there are seven weddings, on 7/7/07. The truth is, there's almost 40,000 at least weddings around the country. And that, the rest of the world, 7/7/07. I don't know about the numbers, but a lot of couples love it.
NGUYEN: Oh, yes, this is the lucky day. We'll be talking to you as more of those weddings kick off there at an amusement park. What a way to do it. Thank you, Lisa.
HOLMES: And Veronica De La Cruz, who you will not catch getting married on a rollercoaster, I'm pretty sure. Just not that kind of lady.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN DOT.COM DESK: Uh-uh. Not me, nope, nope, nope.
HOLMES: She's at the Dot.com Desk, and you're rolling the dice, though, this morning.
DE LA CRUZ: I am.
HOLMES: Let's hear what you've been coming up with the lucky No. 7, do tell?
DE LA CRUZ: Right, well, weddings, as you know, are off the chain, T.J. Did I get that right, off the chain?
HOLMES: Oh, very nice, Veronica. Very nice.
DE LA CRUZ: They're off the chain because of this lucky date. All morning we've been showing you some of the marriage ceremonies taking place in places like Six Flags. You saw just Lisa there.
This phenomenon, though, it's really been overtaking the web in the past couple of weeks. This first, is from News.777.com. And it's an article, probably the most famous wedding to take place on this lucky day. "Desperate Housewives" actress, Eva Longoria, basketball super star Tony Parker, as you know, they're officially tying the knot today. This is the article right here.
Also online, a way to remember that big day. Cabiapress.com (ph) is selling these T-shirts. I'm going to show them to you in just a second.
This is the Eva Longoria, Tony Parker wedding. There she is, she's just so lovely. Such a pretty girl.
Just in case Tony and Eva want to remember their big day. Just go to Cabiapress.com, because you can buy these T-shirts, "Just Married 7/7/7" or you can also get one that says "Lucky Groom" or "Lucky Bride".
And now just to prove that this really is a worldwide phenomenon. I want to show you this, an article from "The Middle East Times", the headline reads "Lucky 77 Wedding Fever Sweeps Beirut." And it chronicles a wedding, it's the wedding planning of Roz (ph) and Karma (ph), who despite the fact that their wedding is going to cost them 10 times more than it would on any other date, they're making like thousands of others around the world and they are tying the knot on 7/7/07.
Finally, if you can't make it to the altar today. You can still have a 7/7/07/ wedding at Bored.com. They've got this great Web site. It lets you hold a virtual wedding, and get a marriage certificate with today's date.
You know, Betty and T.J., you said we couldn't go to Las Vegas, right?
HOLMES: Yeah?
DE LA CRUZ: So, I've taken you there, by marrying the two of you.
NGUYEN: What! Wait, hold on.
HOLMES: What?
NGUYEN: No, no, no, no. You did not! DE LA CRUZ: Bored.com. You can go ahead, and logon, sign in.
HOLMES: Yeah, you were bored.
NGUYEN: Extremely bored.
DE LA CRUZ: So, today Betty Nguyen and T.J. Holmes. You guys can look at each other and say "I do."
NGUYEN: No!
DE LA CRUZ: There you go. Betty Nguyen and T.J. Holmes have been joined in holy matrimony on 7/7/07. I've done this for you my friends. Because we couldn't be there in Vegas.
NGUYEN: Gotta get this girl some more work in the morning!
HOLMES: Can you go to the other Web site for the virtual divorce?
NGUYEN: Yeah! Quickly. Actually, before we do that, I'm going to need half.
HOLMES: Oh!
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: All right, Veronica, hold off on the divorce just yet. We have to work this out.
We'll come back to you on that. In the meantime, T.J., you're having a good time down at the Essence Festival.
HOLMES: I was.
NGUYEN: Back in the Big Easy after Katrina.
HOLMES: Yes, and you know, the party continued, but I came back to be here with you, Betty.
NGUYEN: On our big day, apparently.
HOLMES: We'll be taking a look at some of the festival highlights coming up on CNN SATURDAY. That's coming up at 10 o'clock. But first, we've got Bonnie.
SCHNEIDER: Well, Betty, if it doesn't work out with the marriage to T.J., this robot is single.
We're are here at the Robo Cup Competition, here, at Georgia Tech. The robots competing for the soccer championship. We're going to have a complete report coming up on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right. We know hockey has Stanley Cup. Soccer, we have the World Cup. Well, what do science and techno wizards have? They have the Robo Cup. They're battling it out right now. They may be the brains for the robots, certainly the stars. And one of our biggest stars, here at CNN, our Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider is covering the competition at Georgia Tech campus.
Hello, there.
SCHNEIDER: Hello, T.J. What you see behind me, look at all the wires and the technology that's happening. They're kind of in the middle of a robot huddle, at least getting ready for the next round. We have this game being played between Germany and Thailand. It's really going to be an exciting event.
We have had over 300 teams here representing 37 countries. And joining me now, is Pasan (ph), from Thailand, and Jeeb (ph), the robot.
What is Jeeb (ph) doing right now, Pasan (ph)?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's trying to find the ball right now, but without any success, because the color is different.
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