CNN Student News Transcript: December 5, 2008

(CNN Student News) -- December 5, 2008

Quick Guide

Fending for Themselves - See how two Zimbabwean brothers are fending for themselves in South Africa.

Making Headlines - Learn about Canada's parliamentary crisis in our review of the headlines.

Pitching Prodigies - Meet the first Indian-born baseball players to sign with an American pro team.

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 most awesome day of the week, and we're glad you're spending it with CNN Student News. I'm Carl Azuz.

First Up: Fending for Themselves

AZUZ: We begin today in the African nation of Zimbabwe, where an outbreak of cholera has led the government to declare a national emergency. According to the United Nations, more than 560 people have been killed by the disease, and it's made more than 11,000 others sick. This health crisis adds to the ongoing economic and political trouble that's led many Zimbabweans to flee their home country. Nkepile Mabuse shows us how two young brothers are fending for themselves in a neighboring country.

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NKEPILE MABUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT:They push shoppers' trolleys for tips in the day, and at night, entertain destitute Zimbabweans just like them who have come to South Africa to seek a better life. Their short comic skits make fun of the daily hardships in their battered country.

TAPFUMA MALUNGA, ZIMBABWEAN REFUGEE: No job! No job!

MABUSE: The children act out how unemployment, food shortages and a collapsed economy have forced many to jump borders, often with the help of corrupt officials. At ages fifteen and fourteen, brothers Tapfuma and Mathias Malunga traveled to South Africa on their own in late October, and are living in an open field with close to a thousand other Zimbabwean refugees. They are not the youngest members of this destitute community.

MATHIAS MALUNGA, ZIMBABWEAN REFUGEE: I'm sleeping at the showground in the dust, in the dust. There is no house. I'm sleeping in the dust.

MABUSE: The boys' mother died from tuberculosis, they tell me, and their father is weak. It's now up to the children to provide for themselves. Mathias tells me that hunger led them to South Africa.

MATHIAS: It's better to look for food for ourselves here, because there are no means of earning money in Zimbabwe, and there is no one who can look for food for us.

MABUSE:The Malunga brothers say they want to make enough money to take food back home to their father in time for Christmas. They should be in school, but even education has become a luxury in Zimbabwe.

TAPFUMA: We used to go to school hungry. We could not afford the fees or the uniform, and in any event, teachers are no longer teaching in Zimbabwe. So, we thought it would be better to come here.

MABUSE: Robert Mugabe was once revered for providing Zimbabweans with the best education on the continent. Today, many of the country's children are forced to fend for themselves, facing a bleak and uncertain future.

TAPFUMA: There is nothing I can do, because to stay in Zimbabwe is difficult. I have no choice but to do what I'm doing now.

MABUSE: Their comedy and songs provide some escape from the harsh realities of being a Zimbabwean today, not only for them, but for their audience too. Nkepile Mabuse, CNN, on the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Pilgrims Prepare for Hajj

AZUZ: Moving from Africa to Saudi Arabia now, as Muslims from around the world gather in the city of Mecca to take part in the Hajj. Nearly three million people are expected to participate in the annual pilgrimage, which takes place over five days in the Muslim holy city and at nearby sites. Saudi Arabia has deployed about 100,000 security personnel to help manage the crowds and ensure everyone's safety. Taking part in the Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. The religion requires every Muslim who is physically and financially able to make the journey at least once in his or her life. It includes many rituals, including wearing special clothes and taking part in symbolic ceremonies.

National Christmas Tree Lit

AZUZ: And while we're on the subject of ceremonies, President Bush and his family were on hand for an annual Christmas tradition that lit up America's capital last night. The tree sits on the Ellipse, a spot south of the White House grounds, and it's been the country's national Christmas tree since 1978. The tradition itself dates back 85 years.

Shoutout

MICHELLE WRIGHT, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Today's first Shoutout goes out to Ms. Middleton's 8th grade Georgia Studies classes at Greenbrier Middle School in Evans, Georgia! What is the capital of Canada? Is it: A) Montreal, B) Ontario, C) Toronto or D) Ottawa? You've got three seconds -- GO! You'll find the Canadian capital in Ottawa! That's your answer and that's your Shoutout!

Making Headlines

AZUZ: Ottawa is playing host to a political face-off between the country's prime minister and its Parliament. Yesterday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked for and received approval to suspend Canada's legislative body. The Parliament has been at odds with Harper over Canada's economy. It was expected to hold a no-confidence vote on Monday that could have brought down the prime minister's government. Harper says Parliament will start up again in late January.

Iraq's presidential council has approved a deal that sets December 31 of 2011, three years from now, as the date for all U.S. troops to leave Iraq. That timeframe is more than double the 16 months that President-elect Barack Obama has been targeting to withdraw U.S. troops. He's planning to shift military personnel from Iraq to Afghanistan.

And the Big Three face an uphill battle on Capitol Hill. As we mentioned yesterday, the heads of Ford, GM and Chrysler have upped the amount of their bailout loan request. But some lawmakers and many Americans are strongly opposed to the idea, and a recent poll showed that 61 percent of Americans are against it.

Maps Promo

AZUZ: From Zimbabwe to South Africa, Saudi Arabia to Ottowa, you can pinpoint where the headlines happen with our downloadable maps! These free resources spotlight the location of some of the stories covered in our show. Plus, you can test your students' geographic genius by challenging them to label our maps of the continents. You'll find it all at CNNStudentNews.com!

Shoutout Extra Credit

WRIGHT: Time for a Shoutout Extra Credit! What U.S. city is home to Major League Baseball's "Pirates"? Is it: A) San Diego, B) Portland, C) Pittsburgh or D) Tampa Bay? Another three seconds on the clock -- GO! The Pirates play their home games in Pittsburgh! That's your answer and that's your Shoutout Extra Credit!

Pitching Prodigies

AZUZ: The Pirates didn't do so well last year. In fact, they finished last in their division, which kind of stinks. But the franchise is hoping to turn things around by expanding its talent search to everywhere. This spring, the team's giving a shot to a couple pitching prospects from a country without a single player in our major leagues. Chris Lawrence hits the field.

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CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN REPORTER: The way a baseball flies out of his hand, it's hard to believe Dinesh Patel never threw one before this year. He and Rinku Singh were living in small villages in India, their families earning, maybe, $25 a week.

DINESH PATEL, INDIAN PITCHER: First time in my life I picked up a baseball, in million-dollar contest in India.

LAWRENCE: A simple test to find raw talent. In a country with a billion people, who could throw strikes faster than 85 mph?

TOM HOUSE, USC PITCHING COACH: Velocity is mom, dad and God. So, that was the idea behind the "Million Dollar Arm." With all the Indian kids that are out there, some of them have to be able to throw 95 to 100.

LAWRENCE: They had never heard of baseball, let alone held one. But Rinku won that $100,000 prize, and Dinesh impressed scouts with his raw speed. No Indian-born player had ever signed a professional sports contract in America until last month, when the Pittsburgh Pirates signed both.

RINKU SINGH, INDIAN PITCHER: We are very happy. This is a very big opportunity. We are very excited.

LAWRENCE: And more than a little worried. From half a world away, they watched their country attacked by terrorists in Mumbai.

PATEL: When I heard this news, I was very sad. We are here, but I pray that the people, they are safe there.

LAWRENCE: Now, they're living in Los Angeles and learning to pitch in a real game. Making the big league ballclub is still a longshot, but both say they haven't come this far to strike out now. Next stop: spring training down in Florida early next year, where the two pitchers will be trying to not only make a minor league team, but to make history. Chris Lawrence, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Before We Go

AZUZ: And finally today, a dog that was almost history. Zeke, here, looks like he's in a horror movie. But this scary story has a happy ending. After days of digging around, rescue crews unearthened the missing dog on Wednesday. Zeke disappeared a week ago, and his owners had almost given up hope. But then a last ditch effort turned up the dog about 450 feet back inside that pipe!

Goodbye

AZUZ: Long time to be trapped in a "ruff" spot. You guys have a great weekend. We'll see you again on Monday.