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CNN Saturday Morning News

Intense Fighting Reported in Strategically Important City of Ajdabiya; Buckingham Palace Preparing For the Royal Nuptials; Man Sacrifices Life for Rebels; Johnny Colt: Star iReporter; Fears Over Radiation and Food

Aired March 26, 2011 - 06:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.

Anti-government protests are growing louder across the Middle East today. More change could be on the way for the region.

Meanwhile, the international military forces are focusing right now on Libya.

Also, an apology in Japan, after more workers are exposed to potentially deadly levels of radiation. And what's being blamed for this overexposure? A communications error. All this while fears grow that one reactor at that plant could be leaking.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is your CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Hello to you all. Glad you could spend some part of your Saturday morning here with us. I'm T.J. Holmes.

I do want to start now, though, in Japan with the growing concern there over radiation levels in the ocean water that's around that damaged nuclear plant. Some positive news, still, coming out of the Fukushima plants. Radiation levels in the air at least seem to be decreasing.

Our Paula Hancock is live for us today in Tokyo.

Paula, hello to you. What are they saying about this possible leak of one of those reactor cores? That's a key concern right now.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. Well, T.J., this was said on Friday evening local time when they said that they were concerned there could have been a break or a rupture within the reactor core itself. And this is why that water was 10,000 times the radioactive level than it should have been.

But now they're saying that maybe it wasn't actually a break in the reactor core. Quite frankly, they don't know what is causing this leak at this point. They can't get close enough to the reactor core to see it.

Obviously already three workers have been injured by stepping in that water, and so they can't put anyone else in that kind of danger. And so at this point they really don't know what the cause of it is. And, of course, another thing that they're worried about is the fact that the sea water has been tested just off the coast of the Fukushima nuclear plant, and it's more than 1,200 times the level of radioactivity than it should be.

Now we've also just had another press conference with TEPCO, this is the group that runs the plant. They're carrying out a number of press conferences, and it was quite an interesting one. Journalists started getting angry with the officials, saying, why did you not plan for this worst-case scenario? One of the journalists going up to the official and standing right next to him and shouting, why did you not plan for this? T.J.

HOLMES: And, Paula, where will these journalists -- I assume they're -- I know a lot of international journalists are there as well, but are we talking about Japanese media are getting angry?

HANCOCKS: This was the Japanese media, yes. We had a CNN team down there as well that was at one of these many numerous press conferences that we have throughout the day.

And quite often when questions are asked, specific questions, the answer is often, we don't know, we're looking into it. And I think the frustration just boiled over, certainly for the Japanese media, asking why on earth they hadn't prepared for this worst-case scenario.

So it just shows that there is a lot of frustration, that there's not enough information out there, that TEPCO officials do not really seem to know exactly what is wrong with the plant at this point. They don't know the full extent of the damage.

Even the prime minister said that it's not known at this point exactly what will happen, we can't be too optimistic. And we also had a TEPCO apology, saying that those three workers on Thursday shouldn't actually have been injured because they knew there was water in one of these turbine buildings that they were working in, in a different reactor, six days earlier. So that was a lack of communication.

So really confidence in TEPCO at this point is taking a hit -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Our Paula Hancocks for us with the update in Tokyo, we appreciate you, thank you so much.

Want to turn now to Libya where NATO is getting ready to take over control of the proposed no-fly zone over that country. That's just one of the developments we wanted to get you caught up on. NATO preparing, like I mentioned, to take over the administration of that no-fly zone, but the U.S. still will play an important role as a NATO member nation.

Still unclear exactly what the U.S. role will be, and the extent of it. Still, you will expect to see American planes flying over Libya. Commanders emphasize that the aim here is to protect citizens from forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. CARTER HAM, U.S. AFRICA COMMAND: We expect that NATO will take over the no-fly zone this weekend. And then the next piece, the third and final piece, is the mission to protect civilians. NATO -- it is my understanding NATO has agreed to that in principle and will this weekend decide on the procedures and the timing of accepting that mission. But I think that will probably occur in the very near future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: So you heard there maybe this weekend NATO could be taking over, but still a lot needs to be decided.

In the meanwhile, opposition forces are battling government troops for control of Ajdabiya. That's a strategically located city in eastern Libya you see there on the map. Rebels now say that they have taken control of that city. Refugees trying to escape the fighting have moved into makeshift camps outside of the city.

Coalition planes have taken out some of the tanks being used by Gadhafi's forces in those battles. Libya claims those coalition airstrikes have killed more than 100 civilians.

Reporters, though, including our own Nic Robertson, were taken around Tripoli where they saw evidence of airstrikes but not any signs of civilian casualties.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(SOUNDS OF GUNFIRE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now that is gunfire you're hearing, and you see people running. Libya not the only hot spot in the region that we are watching, this is from Syria. These are anti-government protests that have been taking place there. Similar scenes playing out in Yemen, as well as Jordan.

CNN's Stan Grant watching it all for us live in Abu Dhabi for us this morning.

Stan, hello to you. Let's start in Syria.

STAN GRANT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Syria, you know, T.J., one description is calling this a barrel of gunpowder, they're saying it is that volatile. Others are looking at it and saying, is this the next domino to fall in this Arab spring of unrest that we've seen starting in Tunisia, sweeping through Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen.

Now what started in smaller protests in the southern part of the country have certainly gathered momentum over the past few days. There have been clashes, according to human rights activists there, between the Syrian state security and the protesters. The death toll seems to be rising by the day. The number of wounded as well.

Initially this was protests around local issues but it has really gathered now, it is broadening to a much wider condemnation of the government of President Bashar al-Assad. In fact, there have been photographs of him burned in these protests as well. They're calling for reform. They want more freedom. They want more democracy, more respect for human rights. Now the president himself has reached out, he has made concessions, saying that they would increase wages, for instance, look at lifting some of the restrictions on the media, and also take another look at a 48-year-old emergency law that has been used in the past to crush revolt.

However, it doesn't seem to be working. The momentum is building. The protests that began in the south are now popping up in other cities as well, and a lot of people are looking at this and wondering indeed if Syria is really going to develop into the next hot spot -- T.J.

HOLMES: Well, one hot spot that has been around for a while, it seems we've been watching for some what has been happening in Yemen.

GRANT: Yes, Yemen, exactly. And what we're seeing in Syria has been played out in Yemen so far. Yemen, we're looking at protests now over the past six to seven weeks, calling for the ouster of President Saleh.

These, again, have been gathering momentum. And if you look at the events in Syria, you look at the events in Egypt, in Tunisia, and in other countries, and Yemen is the same trend. It begins with a small protest. The protests gain momentum. Then you see a crackdown, concession from the leadership, and then a rejection of those concessions from the protesters.

President Saleh also saying he does not want to hold on to power, saying he will go, but he wants to serve out this term. He wants to have an orderly transition. He says, otherwise the country will descend into chaos and perhaps civil war.

Protesters are saying, no, they want him to go now, and the ground is shifting beneath the president's feet. Key generals, key military have split, they have left him to join the side of the protesters. Tribal chiefs also are defecting.

And again the protests in Yemen, as they are in Syria and other parts, feeling as though the momentum is with them. They are not going to listen to the concessions. They are saying they want the president to go. They want him to go now -- T.J.

HOLMES: All right. Stan Grant, watching things for us in the region, from Abu Dhabi today, we appreciate you. Thank you so much.

Also need to tell our viewers that there is concern this morning over the whereabouts of an American college student who is missing in Syria. The parents of Tik Root believe their son was picked up by authorities in Syria during an anti-government protest. The U.S. embassy investigating now. Root's parents say he was probably just watching and wouldn't have taken part in the protests. The 21-year- old student's father spoke with our Eliot Spitzer last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM ROOT, FATHER OF MISSING STUDENT: They have said it's "almost certain," in quotes, that we have him, which is their words for saying, yes, we have him. There has been absolutely no word about his condition, where he's at, how he is, anything about his condition whatsoever.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Well, Tik Root is a student at Middlebury College in Vermont. He has been studying Arabic through Damascus University, was last seen eight days ago.

Now, of course, many people have been calling on President Obama to talk directly to the American people about the American involvement in Libya, and to just spell out exactly what the U.S. position is. He's expected to do just that on Monday night.

You will be able to see the president's address from the National Defense University in Washington live right here on CNN. That is scheduled for 7:30 Eastern time Monday night. Again, you can see it right here, the president addressing the country.

Also, a man accused of killing a police officer in Athens, Georgia, is in custody this morning after a lengthy hostage standoff that played out on TV last night. Jamie Donnell (ph) Hood surrendered to police in Athens late last night. You're seeing him being carried away there.

He's accused of shooting two officers earlier in the week. One died. Hood took eight hostages last night. Police came to get him. Police negotiations used the media to get the message to Hood to surrender. They actually went on television last night and put out a plea to him to surrender, and he was in fact watching news coverage of the standoff at the time.

He didn't have much to say. But, hey, at least he's awake. That's the suspended air traffic controller in that car. You know, the one who fell asleep in the tower at Reagan National Airport this week.

In response to that incident now, the FAA administrator is ordering radar controllers. New rules here that the radar controllers, they are now going to be required to check in with towers during overnight hours.

That's essentially making sure that somebody is in that control tower, that air traffic control tower, make sure they're there, make sure maybe that they're awake. They're also calling for a nation-wide review of staffing and backup procedures at the nation's airports.

Also today, several potential Republican presidential candidates taking part in a conservative forum in Iowa. The speakers include Newt Gingrich and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. Appearances in Iowa especially critical of course because of the state that holds the presidential caucus in the 2012 campaign. We will have much more on this event a little later in our broadcasts.

And, of course, it's the weekend, you're wondering if that weather is going to cooperate. Spring has come to some places it looks, at least. Not that spot. They didn't get the message in, of all places, California. Heavy snow actually forced them to shut down some roads. Some are starting to reopen.

Bonnie Schneider, that doesn't look spring-like.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It doesn't, but spring skiing and snowboarding, I think a lot of people in California like that part of it, at least the snowboarder we just showed.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Thirteen minutes past the hour on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Take a look, that doesn't look too spring-like, does it? Springtime snow in California's Sierra Mountains. Caltrans out there, the California Department of Transportation, their officials said they had to reopen -- or they have been able to reopen Interstate 80, which was closed for a while due to all of that snow. Some area ski resorts saw snow totals as much as four feet.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HOLMES: And to our viewers out there, you remember a time back in the day when flying used to be enjoyable? Used to be fun. You get to go on a trip. That was before, you know, some of the baggage fees, food and beverage fees, headphone fees, flight cancellation fees.

The airlines have thought of just about every possible way to squeeze more money out of the traveler. Well, guess what? More fees could be on the way. The Web site airfarewatchdog.com put together a list of fees you may see go into effect this year.

This is my favorite. This is a doozy, an infant fee. That's a fee just to carry that child in your lap. They currently do this in Europe. One airline charges an additional $26 each way just for the pleasure of you carrying your own child.

Also, another one, credit card fees. British airlines already charge about $7 per booking. Soon, airlines here in the U.S. could be doing the same. Also, some more checked bag fees. This one would add money for heavier items and those being flown longer distances.

Those are just a few. What else could they start doing to travelers this year? You're not going to believe what else. I've got a couple more for you coming your way in 90 seconds.

Stick around on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: Well, 19 minutes past the hour on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Welcome back.

We're telling you about fees, airline fees. They are big money- makers for the airlines. In last year's third quarter alone, airlines collected some $2.1 billion in fees. Most of those came from fees from baggage and reservation change fees, so it's no wonder the airlines could be tempted to come up with more extra changes for the flyers.

Our friends at airfarewatchdog.com compiled a list of fees you may see go into effect this year. Those were the ones we showed you right before the break, but listen to a couple more here.

Carry-on bag fees. You heard me right. Your carry-on bag. Last year Spirit Airlines, whose CEO I sparred with here a couple of times on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, they became the first airline to charge passengers to use, yes, the overhead bins. Other airlines could soon follow suit.

And the most likely fee we may see this year, an in-person check- in fee. Of course you can print your boarding pass at home. That's very convenient. But if you need to actually go talk to a human being, there could actually be a fee for that. Looking forward to my next trip.

All right. Well, we've got a slew of business reports coming out in this coming week. They could give some kind of an indication of the strength of the recovery.

Also Apple, yes, the company, is turning 35. What in the world did we do 36 years ago without Apple?

Well, Poppy Harlow has the details on all of that, but we kick off the business week ahead with our Alison Kosik.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, T.J.

A final look at fourth-quarter GDP showed the U.S. economy grew at a 3.1 percent rate in the last three months of 2010. That's better than the government reported last month. Improved business spending and profits helped boost the figure.

And a Federal Reserve study of household wealth shows Americans took a big hit during the recession. Taking everything into account, the value of your home, your car, income, and debt, the average net worth of a household in 2007 before the recession began was $125,000. Fast forward two years to 2009, it fell to just $96,000 -- Stephanie.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Alison.

Toyota is warning all of its North American plants to prepare for a possible shutdown. The reason? A shortage of parts from earthquake-ravaged Japan. Most of Toyota's U.S. plants are in the South, including Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee.

Meantime, Ford is asking its dealers to limit orders of some of its vehicles in tuxedo black or red. The glittery substance in the paint also comes from a supplier in Japan. Ford says it's working to find a substitute.

Poppy Harlow has a look at what's coming up in business news. Hi, Poppy.

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Thanks a lot, Steph.

Well, it is a big week for the economic calendar with reports on housing, manufacturing, and also the auto sector coming out. And on Friday we'll get that all-important March jobs report. And Wall Street will certainly be watching for any sign of recovery.

February's reading showed the unemployment rate dropped below 9 percent for the first time in nearly two years, and about 200,000 jobs were added. So we'll see how that turns out.

And also coming up next week, Apple turns 35 years old. Originally known for its Mac computers, Apple is now the consumer electronics powerhouse behind the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad. We'll follow it all for you all week on CNNMoney.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: And thanks to our Poppy, Steph, and, of course, Alison, for that report.

Well, a word to the wise, if you have a debit card that offers rewards points, you might want to use those points as soon as possible. We'll explain, coming up.

Also we will show you how the royals roll. We're taking a look at the carriages, the limos, and that Rolls Royce that is going to be on display at the royal wedding of William and Kate. It's 23 minutes past the hour on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNO SERATO, "CHAMPIONING CHILDREN": I came to this country 30 years ago. I love to cook, but to be in the restaurant business, you must love the people.

How's your lunch, ladies?

In 2005 my mom was on vacation from Italy. I said, mom, let's go to the Boys & Girls Club. And this little boy, 5 years old, was eating potato chips for his dinner. He was a motel kid.

I find out a poor family who has nothing else, you live in a motel. The motel environment is extremely bad. Drugs, prostitution, alcoholics, it's horrible.

When they go back after school, there's no dinner. There's no money. Mom is like, Bruno, you must feed them pasta.

I'm Bruno Serato, I listen to my mama, now my mission is feeding hungry children.

We start feeding the kids. When the recession came, customers dropped and the children doubled.

Oh, mama mia.

I don't give the kids leftover. I prepare fresh pasta.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bruno brings a tray in and all the kids start getting excited.

SERATO: Are you hungry? Are you hungry?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's good to get a free dinner.

SERATO: Right now we are between 150 to 200 kids seven days a week.

Who likes the pasta?

GROUP OF CHILDREN: Me!

SERATO: My mom, she made me start. Now I could never stop.

I'll see you soon, huh?

They are customers. My favorite customers.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Getting a little refined here on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Getting close to the bottom of the hour here. Hope your Saturday is off to a good start.

Well, the royal wedding, of course, of Prince William and Kate Middleton just a little over a month away now. You know, the British, they know how to do pomp and circumstance, you'll see all of that on display. But you'll also see some carriages and limos on display as well.

And our Max Foster has an exclusive look at these carriages and limos that will be used in the royal procession.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you live in a palace, you need a garage to match. And this is what's known as the Royal Mews behind Buckingham Palace. It's where the queen keeps her carriages, horses, and cars.

All eight state limousines will be used on the wedding day. Kate will be traveling to the Abbey in one like this, but with a glass roof at the back.

ALEXANDER GARTY, TRANSPORT MANAGER: It's actually designed with visibility in mind so that you actually probably get a better view in the Rolls Royce she's using than a closed carriage.

FOSTER: This is the car. It was attacked by protesters when Charles and Camilla were using it in December. It has been undergoing repairs.

After the wedding, Kate and William will leave the Abbey in this carriage, the queen's favorite, and was also used by Charles and Diana on their wedding day. It is the 1902 State Landau.

If it's raining, though, the couple will revert to the glass coach, which has a hard roof.

Four other carriages like this one will be used to carry principal guests, including, of course, the queen.

(on camera): What's your biggest worry?

MARTIN OATES, SENIOR CARRIAGE RESTORER: The wheel falls off. Then obviously I will possibly lose my job. So that is a bit of a worry.

FOSTER: So you're constantly checking the wheels.

OATES: Wheels are a big problem.

FOSTER: On the big day you'll notice bay horses, these brown ones, and also grays. The Windsor Grays only ever normally pull the sovereign, the queen, but on the wedding day they'll also be pulling the bridal party.

(voice-over): Preeminent amongst the grays is Daniel.

JACK HARGREAVES, HEAD COACHMAN: Daniel is just a good steady horse. No horse is guaranteed 100 percent. But he's one of those that you do trust, you do have faith in.

He doesn't worry about big noises. He doesn't worry about sudden movements. And that's what we want from all of the horses really.

FOSTER: Which is why Daniel has a key role pulling the bride and bridegroom.

Kate isn't used to travelling by carriage, so she will need some practice in the art of getting in and out gracefully.

TOBY BROWNE, CROWN EQUERRY: I think she will wish to probably practice getting in and out of the carriages because, obviously, on the day she will be wearing a dress with a large train and it's quite a difficult event to get in the carriage and get settled. And so, it all looks perfect. But I think she's very excited about it.

FOSTER: And so are all of the staff behind the palace walls as they frantically prepare to make what is in all but name a full-state occasion.

Max Foster, CNN, Buckingham Palace, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: All right. And listen to this -- CNN.com is sending an iReporter to London to cover the royal wedding. Yes. One of our iReporters -- but that iReporter hasn't been pick the just yet. You can head over to the iReport page on CNN.com, send us a video telling us why it should actually be you.

And then a winner will be picked. You've got to get them in by April 10th and then by April 11th, we do expect to pick a winner and we're sending one of our iReporters over to cover that story.

And also this morning, we're keeping a close eye on what's happening in Libya, in particular the battle for Benghazi. Rebels were getting crushed by Gadhafi's army there -- were getting crushed.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)

HOLMES: But that was before one rebel fighter loaded up his car and drove right at them.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Thirty-four minutes past the hour on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

If you are just joining us, we want to get you caught up on the very latest we are watching out of Libya this morning, where coalition air power is still trying to protect civilians from Moammar Gadhafi's forces.

Intense fighting reported in the strategically important city of Ajdabiya, it appears the coalition-backed rebels are making the most of allied air support. A spokesman for the opposition claims it has taken control of that city after allied fighter jets bombed Colonel Gadhafi's forces.

Currently, rebels are trying to rid the city of any remaining Gadhafi loyalists. This as the coalition enforced no-fly zone over the country enters a second week and NATO is expected to take formal command of the military intervention of the Libyan state at some point this weekend.

Well, a story now of sacrifice out of Libya. Our Reza Sayah reports on how a man who was a husband and father helped rebels gain the upper hand in Benghazi.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Rebel fighters in street clothes going head to head with a Libyan army tank. The amateur video reportedly shot last week a dramatic glimpse of the war for Libya, pitting civilians against Gadhafi's heavily-armed forces.

Despite being severely outgunned, this is what rebel fighters did last month to the regime's military barracks in what is now the opposition capital of Benghazi -- the destruction of the compound, the turning point in the fight for this key city.

To many here, Ahmed Al Mehdi (ph) was the hero of the fight, a 49-year-old oil company worker, husband, father of two. The best way to help the opposition, he decided, was to sacrifice his life.

His two teenage daughters say they had no idea what their father had planned. His wife, too distraught to appear on camera.

"We're not able to express how much we miss him," says Sajeda. "We miss him a lot," says her sister Zuhur. "He was with us every moment of our lives."

(on camera): This is where Al Mehdi gave his life, it's the old military barracks here in Benghazi. It's pretty much demolished today. But on February 19th, rebel fighters were surrounding it and they were facing heavy firepower and they were trying to get inside these military barracks, they couldn't. They needed something to shift their momentum.

What Al Mehdi did was pack his car full of plastic car fuel containers and cooking gas cylinders. Witnesses say he parked his car right over there where the SUV is, prayed, read the Koran for about 30 minutes, and then he sped towards the main gate where he blew himself and his car up.

(voice-over): This is a picture of Al Mehdi's best friend, Abdul Farhoud carrying his remains after the blast.

ABDUL FARHOUD, AL MEHDI'S FRIEND: If I didn't saw his body in the car, I could not believe it.

SAYAH: He says Al Mehdi's suicide attack sent Gadhafi troops running, clearing the way for rebel fighters to overtake the barracks.

FARHOUD: He's a hero. He's a real hero.

SAYAH: For opposition forces, the taking of the barracks was a monumental victory, made possible they say by Al Mehdi, one of hundreds of civilians who've died in the war for Libya. For two daughters, this sudden loss of their father is heart-wrenching, but one, they say, they're honored to live with.

"He did something very important. We're definitely very proud of him."

(END VIDEOTAPE) HOLMES: And our Reza Sayah joins us from Benghazi.

Reza, hello to you. You're in that important city of Benghazi now. We appreciate you bringing us that story, that personal story that we don't often get to see.

So, let's now -- we do need to get back to the fighting and what we're seeing there. Ajdabiya, that important city, what do we know about what's happening there? And conflicting reports over who's actually in control of that city.

SAYAH: Well, this war, T.J., as these two sides fight over several towns, one of those key towns is Ajdabiya. And overnight, according to an opposition official, that key town switched control, now in the control of rebel fighters who moved in during the overnight hours. And according to the opposition officials, the airstrikes by the coalition forces were key in allowing these rebel fighters to move in this city.

This is a city rebel fighters try to move in on over the past week. They've been repelled by tank units and armor. The Gadhafi forces stationed out in the northern gates, but almost nightly attacks by the coalition forces, especially the British air force had apparently softened up those targets and officials here saying that was key in opening the door to the gates of the city -- the rebel fighters moving in.

Right now, they say they're combing the streets, making sure the city is secure, making sure there's no remnants of the Gadhafi forces, but a good day for opposition forces now in control of a key city, Ajdabiya.

HOLMES: All right. Our Reza Sayah, thank you for the update and the reports on two fronts today. Thanks so much.

Also, as we're watching protests spread across the Arab world, at times they have turned violent. Show you this video now we're getting from YouTube, these are protests in Syria. Witnesses tell us police fired on peaceful protesters again there. Dozens of people reported killed.

Also, let's turn to Yemen now, where demonstrators want constitutional reforms, parliamentary elections and they want the president out of there. The president said he's ready to hand over authority systematically but won't do so to gangs, and drug dealers or rebels.

(MUSIC)

HOLMES: Well, at 40 minutes past the hour. We'll give you a look at some other stories.

In Peru, a source closely following Joran Van Der Sloot's upcoming murder trial suggests he lied when he said he attacked Stephany Flores after she read an e-mail linking him to missing American teen Natalie Holloway. An analysis of Van Der Sloot's laptop concludes it was turned off during the time period in question. Van Der Sloot's attorney says the computer forensic study doesn't change his defense strategy.

Also, you folks out there had those debit card rewards programs with your bank, experts suggest you shouldn't get too attached to them. Several national banks are doing away with the incentive for customers as banks battle the Federal Reserve over proposed caps on those swipe fees. That's the cost passed on to retailers when customers pay by debit card.

Well, the beauty sometimes of our CNN iReport project. Anybody out there, you, yes, you, can go out there and be a reporter -- a reporter for us.

Take a look at this video I can show you now. This was shot not by one of our camera crews, not by one of our trained professionals, but one of our ambitious iReporters. You may know the name and face, Johnny Colt, is he live for us here in our studio coming up.

It's 41 minutes past the hour on this CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Forty-three minutes past the hour now.

We have iReporters here, and then we have iReporters. That latter category I think we could put Johnny Colt in. He is one of our iReporters who has done phenomenal stuff for us and he's also going to Japan to do some reporting. He's here with me now. We're going to talk to him in a second.

But just take a look at what he saw firsthand.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNNY COLT, IREPORTER: We're surrounded by debris of all kinds. There's everything out here. A pallet, a bamboo pole, what looks like fertilizer. There's a baseball. There's a trophy. There's part of a roof on the ground.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: This is not the first time, like I said. He's done some iReporting for us in the past. Last time, he was down in the Gulf during the Gulf oil spill, getting some up close and personal images there for us. That was the last time I talked to Johnny Colt.

He's back with me in studio. Good to see you once again, my man.

COLT: How are you, sir?

HOLMES: I'm doing all right. Where did you go in Japan? Where were you?

COLT: Landed in Tokyo, went north, eventually made it to Sendai and then to Ishinomaki. HOLMES: Now, why did you felt the need? You went almost immediately after the earthquake.

COLT: Well, you know, I travelled, obviously, in Kyrgyzstan for (INAUDIBLE) travelling for the news.

But Japan, specifically, I grew up in Japan. It's my first memories of life are Japan. My father was in the military, so I was in Okinawa.

And then later life, I returned to Japan as a member of the Black Crowes, played multiple sold out nights at the Sun Dome (ph). It's a big deal when you play in a rock band and you conquer Japan. You know, it's a big deal.

So, I felt a connection to the place. I have a lot of friends on Facebook and Twitter from Japan who follow my CNN news stories. So, I just sent a message out saying I'm coming and I need help. And two Japanese university students met me at the airport.

HOLMES: Wow.

COLT: I never met them before. They were my fixers for the whole run.

HOLMES: Now, we're taking a look at some of your video here. What were you struck by when you got there?

COLT: This is Sendai. I was struck by just the overwhelming devastation. And one of the things that struck me was what I was seeing on TV and what I was seeing reporters trying to do on the ground was not conveying what was happening there. Much more talented guys than I were having a really difficult time making this real. And I felt a real challenge.

I was overwhelmed by how I was going to tell the story. How am I going to do it when people who are great are having a hard time?

HOLMES: Now, were you able -- now, you were watching coverage before you took off. But did you see something in that that possibly was missing or wasn't being conveyed to the viewers? Something we maybe could have been doing better? You know, it's the big CNN. But still, is it just the nature of how we do it and that somebody like yourself can go out and bring the story to a viewer in a different way?

COLT: Yes, I don't think it's a negative comment about CNN. I think it's the aspect of you've got, some aerial shots, and then you got a couple on the ground shots. But you also have a team moving around. Remember, I'm alone. I shoot and edit this footage by myself.

HOLMES: What are we seeing here, by the way?

COLT: This is the bus leading Sendai. These are Americans fleeing Sendai. HOLMES: OK.

COLT: This is city hall in Sendai where I was working with the civil team that are trying to keep the city organized. They're out of food. There are long, long queues; 1,200 people per queue.

I've got a story of it where they're getting one bag of rice per person. They wait six and seven hours. The city was literally starving at that point.

HOLMES: Now, the other part and have been a big part of this story is the radiation. Now, was that a trick for you there in trying to maneuver around and trying to make sure you stayed out of certain areas?

COLT: Well, I had an interesting experience. Japan happened and then I needed to coach my daughter's soccer game. So, between the two, I went to a friend of mine and got training in hazmat, biochemical training real quick, a crash course.

HOLMES: OK.

COLT: He's a friend of me. He helped me when I went to the Gulf. His name is Jeff Gold (ph). He's a great guy.

He gave me a crash course and some equipment. So, I took some really high-end, Vikron PGM (ph), and I took air measurements everywhere I went to keep me and my guys safe, and also took, you know, the filtration mask and stuff just in case we got into trouble.

We ran into some radiation.

HOLMES: OK.

COLT: I can't say what levels they were or how harmful it was because I'm not that educated, but based on the readings I was taught, there were times we needed to turn around and leave, and that's what we did.

HOLMES: Now, have you come back here? Have you been checked out?

COLT: Well, I use the machine to check myself. But the good news is I have both my two kids and I'm not planning on any more. So, I think I'll be -- well, you know, listen, you've got to get the story, OK?

HOLMES: Well, you don't have to, you're not the trained professional, you're not working for some big -- you don't --

COLT: My journalistic heroes are all the guys like Peter Arnett of Vietnam and my style in journalism is you got to stand there and you got to see it with your own eyes. So, 60 kilometers away from Fushumaki (ph) and took the measurements myself, and they didn't look good, so I left. HOLMES: All right. Well, Johnny, we appreciate you as always. It's always good to talk to you. And again, I introduced you as our iReporter, that's how I introduced you.

COLT: That's what I am. That's what I am.

HOLMES: And, of course, a lot of people know him from the --

COLT: Listen, the iReport team are the only team here that will take ownership of me and I love them for it.

HOLMES: But still, the Black Crowes and train take ownership of you as well. It's good to talk to you as always. Thanks so much for that.

COLT: Thank you.

HOLMES: Well, as Japan is struggling now as we know in this nuclear crisis trying to contain it at least, radiation levels starting to spike in the ocean near the damaged Fukushima power plant. Could that radiation show up in fish shipped to the U.S.? A lot of people have concerns about that now. We'll try to get into this.

It's 10 minutes to the top of the hour.

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HOLMES: All right. Ten minutes to the top of the hour now.

We're talking snow, mudslides and spring time.

Bonnie Schneider here for us.

Bonnie, thank you for being here with us, filling in for Reynolds Wolf. But we've got a few problem areas in the country today.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: We do. And you're right. It's kind of a mixed bag of weather, and a lot of severe weather popping up in the form of heavy thunderstorms in the south. And you guessed it, snow. So, even though it's spring, we are not done with winter yet.

Right now, we are tracking severe weather. Heavy downpours of rain stretching across Memphis, across Little Rock, moving its way into northern Alabama at this hour. So, Huntsville, you're getting ready for some big downpours, they'll work their way through in the morning.

But in then to the North in the Plains States, it is snowing. And the snow will accumulate. You can see it working its way into Omaha, where the temperatures are teetering around the freezing mark, much colder in South Dakota, well into the 20s there.

And snow is not just for the Plains States. Head a little further to the South, and you'll see it in St. Louis later today. So, St. Louis, you're not done yet, one to two inches possible. A freeze watch for southwest Missouri, parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Temperatures will feel like they're in the 20s tonight.

T.J., winter is kind of hanging on to spring here.

HOLMES: We appreciate you -- Bonnie, being here this weekend. We're going to check in with Bonnie, so much more to be talked about this morning weather-wise. Thanks so much.

Meanwhile, that nuclear crisis taking place in Japan still sparking fears right here in the U.S. Those details are coming your way.

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HOLMES: Well, the nuclear disaster in Japan has sparked fear over the safety of food -- food in Japan, and food right here in the United States. CNN's Ted Rowlands checks in with some consumers who are ready to change their shopping habits because of the fear of radiation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Mei Lee says she's concerned about the possibility that radiation could get into the food she buys from this Japanese grocery store in Los Angeles.

MEI LEE, GROCERY SHOPPER: I really care about the food, actually, from Japan. I want to make sure -- for example, the fish, I'm not going to buy anything. Probably now is OK, but probably two or three months later, I'm not going to buy any fish from Japan.

ROWLANDS (on camera): These noodles are made in Tokyo and there are two concerns right now going on at this Japanese market in Los Angeles. One is the customers are worried they're not going to be able to get their hands on products like that, made in Japan. So, they're coming in and buying a lot of them.

The other concerns revolve around radiation fears -- obviously, fresh fish, vegetables, et cetera, about 30 percent of the fish at this market comes from Japan. And folks here at the store say a lot of customers are concerned about radiation.

GENE IKEDA, NIJIYA MARKET: A good amount of people come in and ask questions, you know, about -- regarding, you know, the products that have radiation or anything like that, but all of our products do come through, you know, the FDA. They're inspected very tightly. So, anything we get is safe.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): Despite official assurances that Japan's nuclear plant problems have not affected the U.S., people, especially on the West Coast, don't necessarily believe they're safe.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the experts aren't telling us everything.

ROWLANDS (on camera): Why?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They don't want to cause panic.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The government has a vested interest in saying no, and who knows? They're finding it in the food over there. They're finding it in the water. They're finding it in some people.

So, obviously, it has some -- there's some problem with it. But whether it's going to come here or not, who knows?

ROBERT DEMAYO, PSYCHOLOGIST, PEPPERDINE UNIV.: The fear touches a very basic part of our brain that fear is the unseen danger. The advisories touch that part of our brain, which is intellectual. The fear trumps that part of our brain that can intellectually process what the doctors are telling us.

LEE: And this one, soba noodles from Japan.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): Experts say Mei Lee and others who buy Japanese products in the U.S. don't need to worry right now. But that doesn't mean they won't.

Ted Rowlands, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Well, coming up, reports of a major win for rebels as NATO prepares to take control of the no-fly zone over Libya. We are live on the front lines.

Stay with us.

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