CNN Student News Transcript: August 19, 2008

(CNN Student News) -- August 19, 2008

Quick Guide

Grand Rescue - Learn about rescue efforts in the Grand Canyon following recent flooding.

Musharraf Steps Down - Examine the circumstances surrounding the Pakistani president's resignation.

Russia-Georgia Conflict - Trace the steps that have led to current tension between Russia and Georgia.

Transcript

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

CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: From the newsroom to the classroom, this is CNN Student News. We're glad to have you with us this Tuesday. From the CNN Center, I'm Carl Azuz.

First Up: Grand Rescue

AZUZ: First up, rescue workers are searching for missing visitors after water rushed through parts of the Grand Canyon over the weekend. Heavy rains caused a dam in the area to burst, leading to these floods. As the water and rocks tore through, one person said it sounded "kind of (like) a freight train." The Grand Canyon is located in a national park in northwestern Arizona, and about five million people visit there every year. About 270 campers, tourists and paddlers have been evacuated from the region, but a handful of others are still unaccounted for. Officials say anyone who hikes down into the canyon is required to register with authorities. A spokesperson for the sheriff's department says a few hundred people, most of them permanent residents, are still in areas of concern, but they're not in any immediate danger. Chris Lawrence examines the conditions that led to this flooding and talks with one of the campers who was rescued.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN REPORTER: This area down in the canyon is home to both an Indian nation and a major tourist area. It only gets about nine inches of rain a year, but a lot of it comes all at once in August. They had had heavy rains on Friday, heavy rains Saturday. You had a flash flood that was then followed by the Redland Dam bursting, sending another wall of water rushing into the canyon. At one point, the current was so strong it washed out about five rafts that a small group had been using on a boating trip. That left 16 people stranded on a ledge until the helicopters were able to make their way to them, at times, one-by-one, air lift them to the other side of the Colorado River.

CEDAR HENNINGS, RESCUED BOATER: We were in a really good spot. We had a nice little rock ledge, you know, pretty big, enough for 16 people to comfortably be under. And, you know, we just got the food and water we had together, collected some rain water. And we knew we had to wait the night out; we knew that some commercial ships would come by the next day. We could get food and water from them and figure out our plan from there. We figured that the boats would get washed down, somebody else would see them, call out on the sat phone, you know, at least that it would be common knowledge. We didn't think that it would be this big knowledge. So, by 7:30 the next morning, there was a helicopter there, you know, just checking on us and circling the whole area. But our group is fine. We're in great shape.

LAWRENCE: Chris Lawrence, CNN, Peach Springs, Arizona.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Is this legit?

ANDY ROSE, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Is this Legit? The Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Nope! Not legit. The world's largest gorge doesn't crack the list of ancient wonders, but it is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, along with the Northern Lights and the Great Barrier Reef.

Storm Hits Florida

AZUZ: On the other side of the country, Tropical Storm Fay is pounding across parts of Florida, and experts are advising residents to finish up their preparations fast. Fay hit Key West on Monday, and hurricane warnings have been issued in the southwestern part of the state as forecasters predict the storm to reach hurricane strength today. Fay already brought strong winds and heavy rains to the region. More rain, flash floods and mud slides are possible.

Jonas Brothers Visit White House

AZUZ: And heading up the coast, we'll arrive in our nation's capital, where a trio of famous teens wound up at the White House. The Jonas Brothers, you might have heard of those guys, dropped by the president's home yesterday, and they left their mark on the place literally, signing the walls of a swimming pool that used to be in the basement of the briefing room. But this wasn't totally a promotional appearance. The pop-star siblings attended a briefing on diabetes. You fans of the band probably know that one of the brothers, Nick, has that disease. They did spend part of their visit on publicity: for America's National Parks!

NICK JONAS, JONAS BROTHERS: We're going to be doing a PSA to encourage kids to get out there and go to the parks. You know, really, really enjoy the outdoors. I know that was really important to us when we were kids.

ID Me

ROSE: See if you can I.D. Me! I'm a federal republic that's home to more than 160 million people. I'm located in Southern Asia between India and Afghanistan. My capital city is Islamabad. I'm Pakistan, where Pervez Musharraf served as president from 2001 until this year.

Musharraf Steps Down

AZUZ: Yesterday, actually. Musharraf is stepping down as the head of Pakistan's government, just as the country's ruling party was taking steps to remove him. A committee spent all of last week putting together a list of charges against the former leader, including corruption, mismanaging the country's economy and violating the constitution. It could have led to Pakistan's first presidential impeachment. But before that could happen, Musharraf turned in his resignation, saying he's leaving his future up to the people. Reza Sayah has more on the announcement and what comes next for Pakistan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REZA SAYAH, CNN REPORTER: An historic day in Pakistan on Monday. President Pervez Musharraf announcing his resignation in a televised address to the nation, the president keeping the nation in suspense for the first 45 minutes of his one hour speech. During those 45 minutes he defended his administration, describing the possible charges against him as baseless. The president also questioning the wisdom of the coalition partners impeaching him. But 45 minutes into his speech, a distinct shift in tone. That's when the president says he loves Pakistan and for the sake of Pakistan, he has decided to step aside. At 5 p.m. local time Monday night, a ceremonial farewell for Mr. Musharraf at the president's house. That's when he received the honor guard and salutes from his military colleagues. All eyes now on the coalition partners who lead this young civilian government. They got their wish; President Musharraf has resigned. But will they grant him safe passage? That decision will be made in closed door meetings beginning Monday night. Reza Sayah, CNN, Islamabad.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Russia-Georgia Conflict

AZUZ: Shifting westward now to the country of Georgia, where Russia says its troops are withdrawing after a recent invasion. There's no immediate indication though that the pull out is actually under way. If you were with us yesterday, you know these countries signed a cease-fire agreement over the weekend. The current fighting broke out over two provinces that are officially part of Georgia but are supported by Russia. Both sides have agreed to end the hostilities, but they're still engaged in a war of words. Russia's president says Georgia was plotting a massacre in the provinces, and Georgian officials say Russia's invasion was planned for a long time. Rick Sanchez looks at the history between these countries and how they arrived at this current conflict.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN REPORTER: 1991: Georgia declares its independence from the Soviet Union after the empire collapses. South Ossetia and Abkhazia want no part of it though. They fight a war with Georgia to claim their own independence, but they fail. In 1992, the Georgians and Russians set up a joint peacekeeping force to mediate the violence in South Ossetia. 2004: Mikheil Saakashvili is democratically elected president of Georgia. The new president, educated at Columbia Law School and courting the West, including the U.S., tries to get into NATO, which angers the Russians. Saakashvili tries to bring South Ossetia and Abkhazia into the fold, but they'll have no part of it. Saakashvili offers them a partial autonomy, one where they have to remain part of Georgia. In April, NATO tells Georgia it eventually will be allowed into their organization. That infuriates Russia further. Weeks later, Russia steps up ties with the breakaway provinces and sends in more troops. Saakashvili accuses Russia of trying to start a war. NATO accuses Moscow of stoking tensions. That's where we are now: Georgia launches a surprise operation to seize control of South Ossetia. Russia responds by invading Georgia and dropping bombs. Rick Sanchez, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Promo

AZUZ: If you watched our show last year, you know we offer free maps to help you zoom in on where the news is. This year, we're taking it a step further, pinpointing places portrayed on our program. So today, you just might see Pakistan and Georgia all mapped out at CNNStudentNews.com! While you're there, comment on our blog: From A to Z with me! We're working on a story about the economy's effect on schools; we'd love to include your comments! It's all at CNNStudentNews.com.

Before We Go

AZUZ: Before we go, sometimes you just wanna break stuff. But before you throw something at your screen, consider Sara's Smash Shack in San Diego! She started this business out of anger, or just helping people deal with it. Let's say your date stands you up. For the price of that dinner you didn't eat, you can smash plates, glasses, framed pictures of him or her. The best part is, you won't get fined or arrested, and someone else cleans all this up!

Goodbye

AZUZ: That is, if you do it there. If you smash stuff somewhere else, you could wind up in a really bad break-up. We'll piece together another show tomorrow! I'm Carl Azuz.