CNN Student News Transcript: April 11, 2008

(CNN Student News) -- April 11, 2008

Quick Guide

Iraq Troop Levels - Hear some of President Bush's views about troop levels in the Iraq war.

Paying For College - Take a look inside an industry that helps some students pay for college.

Maasai Marathon - Discover why a group of African warriors is running the London Marathon.

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: The end of the school week's just around the corner. But before you take off for the weekend, check out this Friday edition of CNN Student News. Hi, everyone. I'm Carl Azuz.

First Up: Iraq Troop Levels

AZUZ: First up, President Bush weighs in on the war in Iraq and talks about how long some troops will be serving there. After meeting with Gen. David Petraeus yesterday, Mr. Bush agreed with the commander's recommendation to hold off on some troop withdrawals starting later this year. The president promised Americans serving overseas that "while the war is difficult, it's not endless." Nicole Collins has more on yesterday's address from the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICOLE COLLINS, CNN REPORTER: As extra troops sent to Iraq for the "Surge" continue drawing down, the president's top war advisor has told the commander in chief that withdrawals should stop indefinitely after July to allow time to reassess the situation on the ground.

U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: Some have suggested this period of evaluation will be a pause. That's misleading, because none of our operations in Iraq will be on hold.

COLLINS: Congressional Democrats responded swiftly, saying the president has no intention of bringing the troops home on his watch.

SEN. HARRY REID, (D) SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: He's leaving all the tough decisions to the only person that is going to have to make those tough decisions: the next president of the United States.

COLLINS: Meanwhile, Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker are also drawing attention to Iran, saying the country is undermining peace in Iraq by supporting Shiite militias.

GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS, CMDR. MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE IN IRAQ: They are killing our soldiers. They are shooting rockets at the Iraqi seat of government.

COLLINS: After three sessions of talks regarding Iraqi security between the United States, Iraq and Iran deadlocked last year, Crocker says the U.S. is open to more meetings.

RYAN CROCKER, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ: We have told the Iraqis that we're prepared to move to another round of direct security talks if the Iraqis think that's a step they want to take.

COLLINS: President Bush also announced combat tours will be shortened from 15 months to 12 months, effective for troops deploying after August 1st. In Washington, Nicole Collins, for CNN Student News.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Shoutout

GEORGE RAMSAY, CNN STUDENT NEWS: This Friday's Shoutout goes out to Mrs. Garrett's second block U.S. History class from Greer High School in Greer, South Carolina! How many rooms are in the White House? If you think you know it, shout it out. Is it: A) 168, B) 35, C) 132 or D) 300? You have three seconds -- GO! President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush are living in the White House with 132 rooms. That includes 16 family/guest rooms, 3 kitchens and 35 bathrooms. That's your answer and that's your Shoutout!

Midwest Weather

AZUZ: Moving west now, some central U.S. states are recovering from severe weather. Heavy rain, hail and tornadoes swept across parts of Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma yesterday. The storms flooded roads across the region, damaged hundreds of buildings and left tens of thousands of residents without power. In Oklahoma, two people were killed in rain-related traffic accidents. Arkansas was already struggling through three straight weeks of flooding and the aftermath of ten tornadoes that hit the state last week.

American Passengers

AZUZ: The waiting is the hardest part, and it's gonna go on a little longer for some travelers. American Airlines canceled another 900 flights on Thursday to run more safety inspections. That's more than 2,000 flights canceled in three days for the carrier. The company is working to make it up to stranded passengers, but says all of its planes won't be ready until Saturday.

Paying For College

AZUZ: Around this time every year, high school seniors are searching for acceptance in the mail box. We're talking about college. After you get in, the next big question is: How are you gonna pay for it? You could earn a scholarship or maybe get a job and work your way through school. But a lot of students take out loans. Kitty Pilgrim gives us a look at the college lending industry.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KITTY PILGRIM, CNN REPORTER: Cindy Printemps, a senior in high school, is learning about federal loans for college. Because she doesn't qualify for private loans, she will need to rely exclusively on government loans. Federal loans, which top out at $23,000 for four years, don't cover tuition at many public colleges. And private college tuitions are simply out of the question for most students who have to rely exclusively on federal loans.

RICHARD VEDDER, THE CENTER FOR COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY: College costs have been going up 7, 8% a year. And student loans payments from the federal government haven't been going up quite so fast. So, kids are having to resort more and more to private lending.

PILGRIM: But private lending is drying up, partly because of a tightening credit market, partly because the once secure student customer has become a delinquency risk. Lenders like C.I.T. group have recently stopped offering student loans. And TERI, a non-profit that guarantees private student loans, has filed for bankruptcy. The CEO says students are facing tighter credit standards.

WILLIS HULINGS, THE EDUCATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE (TERI): A lot of the borrowing that is going to be approved is for people who have very high levels of credit. There may be some people who are not going to get approved this year who would have been approved before. Additionally, there's going to be some people who don't get enough money, or the rates that they do pay are going to be higher.

PILGRIM: Student loans have a default rate of 4-5% within the first two years after graduation. But that default rate often doubles a few years after that time as students fail to find and keep jobs. Kitty Pilgrim, CNN.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Shoutout Extra Credit

RAMSAY: Time for a Shoutout Extra Credit! The term "marathon" comes from a story about a Greek soldier's run from the Battle of Marathon to what city? You know what to do. Is it: A) Sparta, B) Olympia, C) Thebes or D) Athens? Another three seconds on the clock -- GO! The fabled runner supposedly journeyed from Marathon to Athens to deliver the news of a Greek victory. That's your answer and that's your Shoutout Extra Credit!

Maasai Marathon

AZUZ: The distance between those two cities is about 25 miles. But when London hosted the 1908 Olympics, the marathon race was changed to 26.2 miles because of where organizers wanted the event to start and finish. The British capital is getting ready to host its annual marathon this weekend, and one group of runners is drawing a lot of attention. David McKenzie explains why these African warriors are roaming the streets of London.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN REPORTER: A traditional Maasai dance in the center of London. These six Maasai warriors are competing in the London Marathon. Their goal is to raise money for a water well in their East African village, where two out of three babies die because of unclean water. And the warriors have become the toast of London, sitting for countless interviews, trying out new machines, taking in new sights and training in their sandals made from car tires. These Maasai warriors aren't exactly wearing traditional western running kit. In fact, they have to use this Elongo, a heavy buffalo shield, because this race is more than just a sightseeing trip to London. The warriors are determined to bring clean water to their village. This is how they have been preparing for months, wearing their native dress. Not out of the ordinary for them, but a stark contrast for Londoners.

ISAYA OLEPORUO, MASAAI WARRIOR: I'm not worried. They told me it is just running. And running, for me, is just nothing. So, I am not scared about running.

MCKENZIE: But what they really want to do here?

OLEPORUO: I would like to see, if it's possible, the Queen of England.

MCKENZIE: And the way things are going in London, perhaps these warriors will. David McKenzie, CNN, London.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Promo

AZUZ: In "Identity Theft - How To Rob A Bank," CNN examines how criminals are able to steal a person's identity. Our curriculum guide lets students research ways for consumers to minimize their risk of falling victim to this crime. The program airs this Monday on CNN, and you can find our corresponding materials online at CNNStudentNews.com.

Off The Beaten Path

AZUZ: And finally, we're heading back to Great Britain for today's trip Off the Beaten Path. It's an assault on the senses, specifically sight and taste.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AZUZ: Check out the size of this cigarette butt! It's similar to stuff seen stubbed out in ashtrays or sidewalks. And that's why it's on display in Trafalgar Square. A local environmental group says cigarette litter is out of hand, so it put this behemoth butt out there to encourage cleanliness. While we're in London, this has gotta be the most exclusive coffee in the world, with an even more exclusive market.

GIOVANNI TOFTANO, DELONGHI: I think it's something that you would never try again. I think the taste is really great.

AZUZ: Wait, if it tastes great, why wouldn't you want it again? Here's one reason: It came through this. A civet cat; a cat that eats coffee, then digests coffee, then passes coffee, which is then cleaned up and cupped for your drinking enjoyment! Now, before you say no one could pay you to drink this, look at what you'd be paying: 50 pounds, which is about a hundred bucks! Part of that money goes back to charity, kinda like how the cat-consumed coffee goes back to the cup.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Goodbye

AZUZ: Mmm, sounds disgusting! That's gonna round out this week of CNN Student News. Have a great weekend. I'm Carl Azuz. E-mail to a friend