CNN Student News Transcript: October 12, 2007

(CNN Student News) -- October 12, 2007

Quick Guide

SUV Crash Tests - Discover how some different SUVs performed in a recent crash test.

Singapore's Trash Island - Visit an island in Singapore that serves as the country's landfill.

Off the Beaten Path - Meet the man who's grown what might be the world's longest leg hair.

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: It's the end of the week here on CNN Student News, and we're glad to have you along. I'm Carl Azuz.

First Up: SUV Crash Tests

AZUZ: First up today, we've got test results from an organization dedicated to making America's highways safer. Now, we're not talking about buckling up, although that is always a good idea when you're in the car. This test is all about crashes, and how different vehicles are rated. Now you might be thinking SUVs, they're big, they're heavy, they did the best, right? Well, Greg Hunter tells us that big doesn't always translate to safe.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GREG HUNTER, CONSUMER REPORTER: The side crash test simulates the impact of another SUV or pickup at 31-miles an hour. This Nissan Xterra on the left, without airbags. On the right, with them, the dummy fared much better.

ADRIAN LUND, PRESIDENT, IIHS: Having a side airbag to protect your head from whatever's coming in or to protect your chest and abdomen can mean the difference between surviving and dying in a crash.

HUNTER: Nissan told us: "While airbag systems have been shown to help mitigate risk of injury, Nissan believes that seat belts and vehicle structure help provide the primary protection in crashes." -- Jeannine Ginivan, Nissan North America

HUNTER: But even with side airbags...(crash). The Institute says two SUV models rated worse than many cars in the side test. This Jeep Grand Cherokee was rated marginal because its airbag only protected the head.

LUND: You can see how the driver's seat is smashed.

HUNTER: Folded like a sandwich.

LUND: Folded like a sandwich. And, you know, the driver still has to fit in there. There's nothing, no side airbag there to protect that chest and abdomen area.

HUNTER: Chrysler, Jeep's manufacturer, told CNN: "The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee has performed well in a variety of internal and external test conditions, and meets or exceeds all Federal Motor Safety Standards." -- Max Gates, Safety and Regulatory Communications, Chrysler LLC

HUNTER: The Chevrolet TrailBlazer rated marginal due to a similar problem.

LUND: Too much intrusion, and the side of the vehicle's been pushed in, and then the driver's chest and abdomen weren't adequately padded.

HUNTER: In contrast, a smaller sedan, the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta, seen here on the right, protects the driver better than the TrailBlazer on the left; that's because it has side airbags for both head and torso, not just the head. In a statement, the manufacturer, General Motors said: "The Chevrolet TrailBlazer meets or exceeds all federal motor vehicle safety standards." -- Alan Adler, Manager, Product Safety Communications

HUNTER: But there is some encouraging news: the Institute says all six models performed well in the 40-mile an hour frontal crash tests. One of the vehicles that did well in the frontal crash test: the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's a 40-mile an hour strike into a solid object, and look at the compartment: the door frame is square. And that's a telltale sign of this vehicle doing well; it got top marks. That allows the air bag to protect the occupant. Greg Hunter, CNN, Ruckersville, Virginia.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Ohio Shooting Update

AZUZ: All right now, we have some new information on Wednesday's school shooting in Cleveland, Ohio, where a 14-year-old student at the city's SuccessTech Academy fired on classmates and teachers before taking his own life. Authorities say that the gunman had a history of violent confrontations. And other students say he had made threats at the school previously, although they didn't think the threats were serious. Four people were shot and one person was hurt trying to run away. Three have been treated and released, and the other two are in fair condition.

Shoutout

AZUZ: Today's first Shoutout goes out to Ms. Mason's Journalism students at Snellville Middle School in Snellville, Georgia! Which of these places is an island nation? You know what to do! Is it: A) Panama, B) Ivory Coast, C) Singapore or D) Sicily? You've got three seconds -- GO! Panama and Ivory Coast are not islands; Sicily is an island, but it's part of Italy. That leaves Singapore. And that's your answer and that's your Shoutout!

Singapore's Trash Island

AZUZ: The government of that island nation says it's found an environmentally friendly way to get rid of its garbage. Taking out the trash; probably a familiar chore to you, it is for me. Of course, Singapore's dealing with a little bit more than what you drop off at the curb. We're talking tons of trash every day. Andrew Stevens fills us in on the disposal details.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREW STEVENS, CNN REPORTER: From the sky, the azure waters give nothing away about this island's secret. Only the jagged geometry hints at its man-made architecture. This is Pulau Semakau, an artificial island that houses all the trash from Singapore's 4 million residents. A dirty operation, in full swing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 2,000 tons of trash arrive on the island daily. This landfill tries to live hand-in-hand with nature. The trucks arrive here to dump the trash, which is then buried and sealed within protective membranes. When the cells are full, the engineers try to make it appear as if they were never there at all. This is the completed cell; the healthy blades of grass act as a living guarantee that the trash is being properly contained.

STEVENS: Ong Chong Peng runs the 350-hectare garbage island. He believes this innovative landfill is the perfect compromise for today's society.

ONG CHONG PENG, GENERAL MANAGER OF SEMAKAU LANDFILL: We've turned it into a piece of grassland, and it's so beautiful. Ok, so even though we are getting rid of our waste, at the same time, we are still creating a piece of new land.

STEVENS: For some, the notion of an environmentally friendly landfill is clearly a contradiction in terms. Critics say despite efforts to limit the harm, the trash leaves an indelible mark no matter how deeply buried. But on the other end of the island, it seems nature's delicate balance remains intact for now. At dawn, low tide reveals a colorful spectrum of wildlife. The unique bio diversity attracts the likes of Ron Yeo, who leads regular nature walks here. Along the shores, all indications point to a healthy ecosystem on garbage island. For Ron, this unique place is a happy medium between development and environmental sustainability.

RON YEO, NATURE LOVER: Even though, true enough, part of nature has to go, it doesn't mean 100 percent has to go. It can go hand-in-hand, and it doesn't mean when you want development, nature will have to go totally.

STEVENS: The landfill is expected to fill up by 2040, at which point Ron hopes the government will prove its commitment to the environment by turning the island over to mother nature.

YEO: Let's take a look a the octopus.

STEVENS: Andrew Stevens, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Promo

AZUZ: Looking to test your knowledge of the news? Then you'll want to check out our Newsquiz! Every Friday, we put together 10 questions about some of the stories we've covered during the week on our show. You can find the free resource at CNNStudentNews.com. We'll even give you a head start on this week's quiz right now!

Shoutout Extra Credit

AZUZ: Time for a Shoutout Extra Credit! This candidate made his presidential debate debut during Tuesday's Republican forum. Here we go! Is it: A) Fred Thompson, B) Rudy Giuliani, C) Mike Gravel or D) Joe Biden? You've got three seconds -- GO! Gravel and Biden are Democrats. So the word "debut" was key to this one: Giuliani has debated before, but not Fred Thompson. That's your answer and that's your Shoutout!

Promo

AZUZ: Where does happiness come from? Do we need it in our lives? And where can we get it? Those are some of the questions Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at in Happiness and Your Health. The program airs this Monday on CNN, and you can access the free curriculum guide for the show at CNNStudentNews.com.

Off the Beaten Path

AZUZ: Alright, it's time for our occasional look at the lighter side of news. This week's trip Off the Beaten Path contains a couple of hairy encounters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AZUZ: Aah, racing. The sensation of speed. The essence of exhaust. The rush of... roo? A misplaced marsupial almost made his last hop during a recent racing event in Australia. Fortunately for him, the competitors' driving was better than his hopping, and he lived to tell the tale.

Now you remember that kid who always asked you, "Hey, wanna see something gross?" This is him all grown up. Wes Pemberton has what he believes is the world's longest leg hair!

WES PEMBERTON, LONGEST LEG HAIR: I thought it was the neatest thing in the world.

AZUZ: So Wes had this harebrained idea to look up the current leg hair record -- yes, there apparently is one -- and found that it was 4.88 inches. Wes's stringy strand stretches five inches, which some would find impressive, and others, just freaky.

PEMBERTON: No, I'm not this monkey man with all these long leg hairs all over my body.

AZUZ: Well, that's a relief; it'd be even weirder to have a leg hair on your face.

PEMBERTON: No, it was just one strand.

AZUZ: And that one strand on one of his legs may be enough to win him one world record.

PEMBERTON: Once that's done, I think I might pluck it out and hang it there next to the certificate.

AZUZ: Making it a long, legendary leg lock.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Goodbye

AZUZ: Oh, and here's something kinda funny: He conditions it, putting new meaning to the term "hair care." For CNN Student News, I'm Carl Azuz. Have a great weekend. E-mail to a friend