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CNN Saturday Morning News

Luciano Pavarotti's Funeral Today; Bush's Remarks on New Osama Bin Laden Tape; How to Get the Joy Back at Your Job; Hot Pursuit in Texas

Aired September 08, 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: From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, Georgia. Good morning everybody, I'm Betty Nguyen. This is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, you are Betty Nguyen. And we are happy to have you back. You've been gone a month, month and a half.

NGUYEN: It wasn't that long.

HOLMES: Betty was in Africa. We'll hear a lot more about her travels all morning really we'll be hearing about them. I'm still looking forward to that.

I'm T.J. Holmes, thank you all for being here.

We have some live pictures first up to show you this morning from Modena, Italy, where opera great Luciano Pavarotti will be laid to rest today. We will be going live to Italy straight ahead.

NGUYEN: Those fireworks over Sydney at the APEC Summit. You'll hear what President Bush had to say about that new tape from Osama Bin Laden.

Plus ...

HOLMES: High winds, a threat along the Carolina coast this morning. We have the latest on the developing storm Gabrielle.

NGUYEN: But, first, remembering a legendary singer. The funeral for tenor Luciano Pavarotti beginning this hour. Friends and family paid tribute to the man and his magical voice.

CNN's Jennifer Eccleston joins us on the phone from Italy with the latest on the service today. Good morning, Jennifer.

VOICE OF JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. As you can see from the live pictures here in Modena, this is the inside of the 12th Century Cathedral here. The mass for Luciano Pavarotti has just begun. There are literally tens of thousands of people who are standing in and around this cathedral. There are places for about 700 people inside. I'm just going to break off now.

You have the beginning of the funeral. This is a native of Bulgaria but she has been a resident of Modena for many years and a very good friend of Luciano Pavarotti. Right now she is singing the Ave Maria.

Let's listen in.

(SINGING)

ECCLESTON: A few moments ago, Betty, I don't know if you could hear it, but outside the cathedral where I'm standing there was applause as the funeral mass begun and as they welcomed the soprano here for the funeral mass. It is a custom here in Italy and we saw that also Thursday night when the body of Luciano Pavarotti was brought into the cathedral for public viewing. It went silent and then there was an eruption of applause. Everyone here is milling around. They're standing and they are staring at the large screen, the television placed in here and around the cathedral.

Because not all of them of course can fit inside the 12th Century Cathedral that holds about 700 people. About 100 dignitaries and upwards of 40 members of Luciano Pavarotti's family. His body is lying in front of the main altar in the cathedral. The opera star is dress in a tuxedo. One of the same tuxedos he wore in his last performance. His hands are folded he is holding one of his favorite handkerchiefs. Those are members of his family. The song is just about going to wrap up and then the funeral mass will begin.

NGUYEN: What a beautiful celebration of his life. Jennifer Eccleston joining us live from Italy today as the Pavarotti funeral is under way. Thank you, Jennifer.

HOLMES: Pope Benedict XVI is criticizing Europeans for being selfish and not having enough children. On the second day of a three- day visit to Austria the People to the famous shrine of the Virgin Mary in Mariazell. During mass, the Pope blasted Europe for becoming child poor and he called on the Europeans to embrace faith.

NGUYEN: Well, a new message from Osama Bin Laden the al Qaeda leader seen speaking for the first time in three years. But the new tape does not include a warning. Just for more of the anger aimed at the United States. That's what we're hearing. And the military's involvement in Iraq.

Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OSAMA BIN LADEN, (through translator): The subject of Mujahids has become an inseparable part of the speech of your leader and the affects and signs of that are not hitting.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: We are going to get some more analysis that is being done on this tape. Some video experts say it's definitely Bin Laden. But look at the difference in his appearance. Take a look at 2007 to 2004. Looking much younger in this latest videotape.

HOLMES: President Bush calls the Bin Laden tape a reminder of a dangerous world. The president commenting from the Asia Pacific Summit in Austria, he left just minutes ago heading back to the U.S. The video here of the president and Air Force One, getting on there and leaving Sydney. He will stop in Hawaii before heading back to the main land here. CNN's John Vause joins us now live from Sydney with more on what was happening at the APEC Summit.

Hello to you, John.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, T.J.

Well, President Bush is heading back home now. He needs to be back in Washington before a crucial progress report is delivered on Iraq. But before he left here there was a spectacular send-off. There were fireworks over Sydney Harbor a show especially put on for the 21 world leaders here in Sydney for the APEC Summit. Now earlier today President Bush did talk about that new video put out by Osama Bin Laden, he said it just shows the need for world leaders to work together to, quote, protect their people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Take it as a reminder about the dangerous world in which we live and a reminder that we must work together to protect our peoples against these extremists who murder the innocent in order to achieve their political objectives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Now, security here has been unprecedented. It's been extraordinarily tight all day, especially today. Those thousands protesting in downtown Sydney. There were some minor scuffles today, 17 people were arrested, and two policemen were hurt. Protesting not just against the war but also against the U.S. policy on climate change. And a new plan backed by Mr. Bush and being put forward by Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Now, today the Asia-Pacific leaders signed off on the Sydney Declaration. That calls for non-binding, inspirational targets in trying to reduce greenhouse gases. This is important because what happened here at APEC in Sydney may influence a U.N. Environment Summit at the end of the year where a decision is likely to be made on just what will replace the Kyoto agreement which imposes mandatory cut in CO2 emissions.

With President Bush leaving a day early, organizers brought forth the traditional APEC plus photo it is also known as the silly shirt photo. In the past, they have worn ponchos and silk tunics. Today they're wearing Australia overcoats. They're normally worn by stockmen or by farmers. A slight improvement some say on previous attempts. But still APEC maintaining its reputation as the place where fashion goes to die, T.J.

HOLMES: You're managing to still look pretty good there. John Vause for us in Australia. Thanks so much, good to see you. NGUYEN: In other news, surgery is scheduled for first lady Laura Bush today. The White House says she will undergo a minor procedure to relieve pressure on pinched nerves in her neck. Pain from that problem kept the first lady from accompanying the president to the Asia- Pacific Summit in Australia this week.

HOLMES: Take a look at this happening now, flash flood in parts of Oklahoma this morning, remnants of hurricane Henriette. In Tulsa, streets temporarily turned to rivers in some neighborhood. The National Weather Service has issued flash flood watches for about 30 Oklahoma counties. Thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected across the state until tomorrow.

NGUYEN: And on top of that, there is a subtropical storm off the East Coast. And weather watchers, very close eye on that one.

HOLMES: And one of those weather watchers that we have working for us here, Reynolds Wolf, our meteorologist. And we are not going to put you on the stop here, but at some point you're going to have to explain to us the difference between a tropical storm and a subtropical storm.

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I promise you, I promise you you're going to get to that. We'll have a couple minutes to give you a good explanation of that. What we are dealing with, I can tell you what it is going to mean for people in the Carolinas. They are going to be dealing with this heavy surf.

Not only that, the chance of anywhere from two to four inches of rainfall, some spots in the Outer banks may get as much as six inches of rainfall. Right now it is a horribly organized storm. Not a great deal of symmetry with it but it is expected to march its way to the west and when it does, it is going to bring heavy surf.

Right now, we got a tropical watch that is in effect from the Edistro Beach northward to Oregon Inlet and the latest path we have from the National Hurricane Center does shows the storm is expected to strengthen. Right now maximum sustained winds 45 miles per hour, some gusts at 60. But as it makes its way closer to the Carolina coast by Sunday morning, winds will be at 60, maxing out according to this forecast at 65 by 2:00 a.m. Monday and then veering off to the north and northeast, back into the deep Atlantic. That is an area we are going to watch.

There is a chance it could come on shore a little bit earlier. There is that cone of uncertainty. Could move farther to the south maybe into Wilmington or Maine. There is a lot that can happen between now into Sunday morning and Monday as well. But we're going to monitor this very, very carefully.

Flooding in parts of Oklahoma, we can expect that to continue it looks like through the afternoon and evening hours as well. Let's send it back to you at the news desk.

NGUYEN: All right. Thank you, Reynolds. We'll be watching for that and the explanation coming up in a little bit. Thanks. HOLMES: Meanwhile, let's explain what you see here. This hour Mike Nifong will be released from a North Carolina jail. Mike Nifong the former D.A. who falsely accused three Duke Lacrosse players of rape. He reported to jail yesterday. This is the scene I believe you're seeing there. He was there to spend 24 hours behind bars for a contempt conviction. Last week the judge ruled Nifong lied about the evidence he gave to the player's defense and as you remember Nifong resigned, he was also disbarred earlier this year. Charges against the Duke Lacrosse players were dropped, the players declared innocent.

NGUYEN: Well, a convicted sex offender is the newest edition to the FBI ten most wanted fugitives list. Take a look: 35-year-old Jon Savarino Schillaci is wanted for allegedly assaulting a 5-year-old New Hampshire boy. This coming soon after the mans release from a Texas prison in 1999. The FBI says Schillaci is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds; he has brown eyes, brown hair. Schillaci is known as allies include Jon Willis, Christopher Keegan and Cody Keegan.

HOLMES: Well stick around here, folks we have a wild ride to show you in Texas.

NGUYEN: You have to see this police chase from Houston and the extraordinary measures to catch a suspect.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So I turned to get the zip code out of my pocket book. And my pocket book was gone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: First the keys, then the car. An accused purse snatcher leaves an elderly woman stranded.

NGUYEN: Also, jobs with amazing perks. What some companies are willing to do to get you and keep those good workers that they have.

HOLMES: Wow.

NGUYEN: That's right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: The mortgage industry meltdown is hitting hard at one of the nation's largest home lenders. Countrywide Financial a California based lender says it is cutting as many as 12,000 more jobs. That's 20 percent of its workforce. Earlier Countrywide announced it was cutting 1,400 employees. The company is also tightening its lending stance.

NGUYEN: All right. If you're waking up this morning, Saturday mind you, and already dreading Monday, you may have job burnout. A serious condition that is hitting more and more people. On "Open House" this morning Gerri Willis has ways to get the joy back at your job. Here's a preview. GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Betty, there is a new study out there this week says over half of U.S. workers didn't want to return to work after Labor Day. The reason, they're burn out. So whether you're an employer or an employee, here are some tips to recharging those batteries.

First off, start by setting limits at work. Set your priorities. Remember, your company is no charity. Say no to work loads you don't think you can handle. Delegate and prioritize tasks when you can. Make sure to leave your job on time and set aside time to take part in something that is rewarding, whether it's having dinner with the family or working out.

Next change your routine. Sometimes the best way to get off the hamster wheel is to change the scenery. Ask your boss to focus on tasks in other areas for a while. If that's not possible, then try to focus on the areas of your job that you do like.

Finally, develop your own goals. Set small goals for yourself. This will help keep you moving toward that destination and make sure to keep your plans simple. These goals should outline where you're going and how to get there. Make sure you plan some rewards throughout the journey, focusing on the bigger picture will make the daily frustration seem less important.

That is coming up on "OPEN HOUSE" at 9:30, we'll continue to talk about the mortgage crisis and what the government is trying to do to help you.

And it's back to school time, and that means one thing, shopping. We'll show you some of the must-haves this year. And the best part, they're all under 20 bucks. That's all coming up on "Open House" -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Looking forward to it.

Well, the full half hour of "OPEN HOUSE" begins at the bottom of the hour.

HOLMES: Well, if you don't think Gerri's tips are going to help you work through your burn out, let's just check out some amazing perks being offered by some companies both big and small. New attitude at IBM. Nobody is keeping track of your vacation time. Nobody is watching the clock or the calendar. Are you feeling sick? Stay home. You don't even need to call in to the boss.

NGUYEN: They don't want to know what's wrong with you.

HOLMES: You don't have to fake that excuse. IBM's says it's no big deal as long as you get your work done. It's essentially what's happening at IBM. Workers are entitled to three or more weeks of vacation a year.

NGUYEN: I love it. Listen to this one. Sulfer maker Motek is much smaller but their ideas are just as big. Motek says its 22 employees get five weeks off plus ten paid holidays, they get a catered lunch every single day.

HOLMES: What?

NGUYEN: Yeah. Plus a leased Mercedes or a BMW or other luxury car after ten years. What am I doing? Even after all that, employees are prohibited from punching the clock after 5:00. Are they hiring?

HOLMES: Are you kidding me?

NGUYEN: The problem with that is in order to do our jobs we actually have to be here. It's not like ...

HOLMES: We have to be here.

NGUYEN: We could phone it in.

HOLMES: We could. My goodness, I hope the Turner folks are watching and they see that we have better options out there. No, just kidding. Just kidding. We are happy to be where we are.

NGUYEN: Your boss is calling. You may not see him tomorrow folks.

HOLMES: Folks, let's talk about traffic issues. Stopping traffic in Texas, your home state.

NGUYEN: Yeah. Always on Texas. Unfortunately, it takes a chase but they do get their man.

Good morning, Veronica.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Betty, nice to see you.

We're taking a look at the most popular videos this morning at CNN.com. Take a look at this. Why this outfit? Simply too hot to fly. Well, a 23-year-old student and Hooters waitress gets checked off a plane. Was the outfit too risky? Well Southwest Airlines thinks so. What do you think? Send us an e-mail to WEEKENDS@CNN.com. We are going to be reading some of those when CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DE LA CRUZ: All right. I think it's time for some new music. I'm over that.

NGUYEN: Something with a little bass to it, you think?

DE LA CRUZ: That sounds good.

NGUYEN: Let's just say this, we don't want you to stop watching, but we're going to let you in on a little secret. Because almost any news story that you're interested in can be found just a click away at CNN.com.

HOLMES: Veronica will share them with you here. And there is one story that I can't wait to hear about.

DE LA CRUZ: We're going to get to that one in a second. We're going to talk about people who suddenly strike it rich. There's always a fascination with these people who suddenly strike it rich. Of course we are talking about lottery winners. There must be something in the water. A couple who won the lottery before, Betty and T.J., they're coming back for more. John and Sandra Belawsky of southern New Jersey came forward Friday with one of the four winning lucky lottery tickets in the $330 million mega million lottery. Is this fair?

NGUYEN: They should be disqualified from any other lottery. But you have to win big.

DE LA CRUZ: They won a couple thousand dollars but this time they're taking home $48.6 million.

NGUYEN: Ah, that's beautiful, isn't it?

DE LA CRUZ: I think I might have one of those winning tickets.

Something you don't see too often. A 10-year-old Chihuahua has adopted a litter of squirrels. These homeowners found the abandoned nest of squirrels outside and brought them in doors to mother them. And when their pet Chihuahua caught wind of what was going on, she wanted to mother the squirrels as well and her owner is actually saying that she is better mothering this time around than she was four years ago to her own pups.

And Carol Costello reports on a 23-year-old college student who was thrown off a Southwest flight for what she was wearing. Take a look, apparently the Hooters waitress was wearing this mini skirt and a top that they found a little too revealing. Here's the outfit and what do you think. Was it just too hot to fly? What do you think?

NGUYEN: Here's my question. Was it worn exactly like that?

DE LA CRUZ: Well, no. No. She pulled down her shirt, adjusted her top, pulled down the top, and was able to get back to the plane.

HOLMES: We want to get the story right.

NGUYEN: Yeah. It's all about accuracy.

DE LA CRUZ: She wants an apology from the airline. She didn't get that. She has been threatening a lawsuit. A lot of people weighing in on this. Right now it thinks that airline passengers should not have a dress code. We want to know your thoughts. E-mail us to WEEKENDS@CNN.com. Was that outfit to skimpy to fly?

NGUYEN: No dress code at all. That's what people are saying.

DE LA CRUZ: Well, airlines shouldn't have a dress code.

NGUYEN: So you could walk out completely nude if you wanted?

HOLMES: Come on, Betty. NGUYEN: Some kind of code.

HOLMES: Did I mention it's good to have you back.

NGUYEN: Just a little clarification here, that's all. All right, Veronica.

DE LA CRUZ: WEEKENDS@CNN.com. Send us your thoughts.

NGUYEN: We'll do a little more investigating into that.

HOLMES: I'll get right on it.

NGUYEN: Speaking of hot things, how about a hot pursuit in Texas. Have you seen this before? Wait until you see how police got their suspect.

HOLMES: Also, Obama nabbed Oprah's support. Will her golden touch rub off on politics? That's in our 10:00 Eastern hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: A wild scene along a Texas highway. You've got to check this out. A pickup truck chased by police swerves on and off the road. The truck's tires then get blown out and police apprehend the driver. I don't know why they take off.

HOLMES: Do we ever do one of these stories and the guy gets away?

NGUYEN: Always.

HOLMES: The chase was 25 minutes. According to reports it started when the driver of the truck tried to buy drugs. So he's not doing well all the way around.

Meanwhile, we will turn to police near Albany, New York, looking for a man who stole an 87-year-old woman's purse. You know what, stole the car after that.

NGUYEN: All right.

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