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Secretary Rice En Route to Asia to Lobby Support for Sanctions; Efforts to Get Weapons in Iraq Out of Circulation; Deadly Accident at Subway in Rome; More on Malawi; U.S. Population Hits 300 Million

Aired October 17, 2006 - 14:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: North Korea may be heading closer to another new nuclear test and falling further from the world's graces.
White House Correspondent Elaine Quijano joins us with the latest -- Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Kyra.

That's right, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is on her way to Asia. Her first stop is actually going to be Japan. She'll be flying from Tokyo, Japan, moving on to a critical ally, South Korea. And then from there, moving on to Beijing, China, and then the final stop will be in Russia.

Now, she will have a strong message from the Bush administration for her counterparts in each of those countries, but particularly China and South Korea. She will reiterate that it is in their best interest to enforce tough sanctions against their neighbor, North Korea.

Already Chinese officials have made clear that they'll inspect cargo at their border with North Korea, but they don't necessarily want to intercept it. That will certainly be part of the discussions.

Now, all of this is taking place amid fears that North Korea is preparing for a second nuclear test. And just a few minutes ago here in the briefing room, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow responded to that possibility.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY SNOW, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I think the consequences of a second North Korean nuclear test would be the further isolation of North Korea. What you've seen already in the case of the first test is that the United States and the Chinese are working more closely together than ever before, and I dare say that they would become even closer as strategic partners in trying to guarantee safety in the Korean Peninsula.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, a U.S. official with access to intelligence says that there has been some activity at a second nuclear site. In addition, they are noticing some activity at the site of that first confirmed nuclear test. But it's not clear exactly what that is, Kyra. We can tell that you as the United States continues to monitor North Korea's activities, earlier today Tony Snow said that it would not be unreasonable that North Korea would want to try something again. He noted that there was a low yield on that first test, and he said that North Korea -- the North Koreans have made no secret of their desire to be provocative -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Elaine Quijano, thanks.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: A developing story in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

T.J. Holmes in the newsroom with details -- T.J.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, Don, we're working a story here about a chemical spill that's happened in Oklahoma. This is at the Port of Muskogee. This is about 50 miles south-southeast of Tulsa, to give you an idea, a better idea of where this is.

But what's happened, according to officials there, is that sodium chloride has mixed with fluoride, and they don't know how it happened with these chemicals. Now, you don't have to be a chemist exactly to know that that ain't good.

But these two have gotten together some kind of way, created a huge plume of smoke, and there has been an evacuation at the port. At least 250 workers and residents have had to leave this area after this chemical spill. Even a part -- a section of road of the Muskogee turnpike has had to be shut down. But we are keeping our eyes on this, just getting this in, working on possibly getting you some pictures and some more details about it.

But just want to give you an idea of what's happening there and let you know that we are keeping an eye on it -- Don.

LEMON: All right, T.J. Thank you very much for that.

Adios, Guatemala, or will Hugo go? After more than a dozen rounds of voting, neither Guatemala nor Venezuela has enough votes to win a house on -- to win a seat, rather, on the U.N. Security Council.

Joining us now, our senior U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth.

Hi, Richard.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's a split house inside the U.N. General Assembly. There have been 16 votes now so far, 16 rounds. Guatemala continues to maintain a sizeable lead for the prestigious Security Council seat, a two-year term, no veto power. But the U.S. says if Venezuela, an outlaw nation, gets on, it will be more than just a nuisance. The whole credibility of the U.N., the Security Council will be at stake.

Critics of the United States say it's using its considerable weight here to support Guatemala. Neither country wants to drop out.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton, after the last vote, left Venezuela 32 votes behind Guatemala.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BOLTON, U.S. AMB. TO U.N.: Well, six -- six more votes, six more defeats for Venezuela, still a clear preponderance. We've essentially been in a steady state since yesterday afternoon.

Normally what happens in these circumstances is the country that's so far behind withdraws. We'll see whether that's what happens here. But this is only 16 ballots. The record's 154. We're prepared to continue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: Venezuela's ambassador says, "We have a proud country, a dignified country. We're not just being stubborn. If U.S. Ambassador Bolton wants to release all the countries that the U.S. is putting its foot down on" -- that's what he's saying -- then we'd consider..." -- you know, "we'll see what happens after vote then." Of course, he'd like to think that all those extra countries could then be free to vote for Venezuela.

The Arab League is just one of the areas, regional groups inside the General Assembly that are saying we don't want this stalemate to go on too long.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

YAHYA MAHMASSANI, Arab LEAGUE AMB. TO U.N.: It's not in the interest of the United Nations to have two members competing and fight it out the way it's been done. It's obvious that none of them seem at the moment or in the near future able to get a solid majority. There are two blocs, there are two (INAUDIBLE).

And the way out of this is to find a compromise. And after all, this is what the United Nations is about, finding compromises.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: Guatemala says it resents being compared to being a U.S. lackey, in effect. It's not going to drop out anytime soon. But they need to get a required number of votes, and neither country has been able to do that.

We did have a vote in 1979 that went for three months, 154 rounds, before Mexico was selected. There are a lot of countries in the Central American, Caribbean region who might be willing to join this race, but only probably after these two go at it for a few more rounds, at least, and maybe they indicate they're both going to give up at the same time and save face.

Back to you.

LEMON: All right. Richard Roth, thank you very much for your report.

PHILLIPS: Guns -- guns, bombs, improvised devices. Iraq is chockfull of weapons that Iraqis use on one another and insurgents use on Americans and other coalition troops. So there's a major effort to get those weapons out of circulation.

CNN's Arwa Damon joins us via broadband. She's been embedded with soldiers, tracking down weapons as part of Operation Commando Hunter, just outside of Baghdad there in Yusufiya.

Bring us up to date, Arwa.

ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, as you just mentioned, it's been called Operation Commando Hunter, and it is taking place in an area that has been coined because of its violent nature the "Triangle of Death".

Now, the area that U.S. forces have gone into -- these are troops with the 10th Mountain Division -- is just outside of Yusufiya. This area, these fields and farmlands, have not seen a permanent U.S. presence for the better part of the last three years. And what they are uncovering there and what they have discovered is that the insurgency there has quite literally dug itself in.

So far, they've only gone into an area that's about six kilometers wide, and they have found over 100 weapons caches. They are estimating enough material to make at least 1,000 improvised explosive devices, 1,000 roadside bombs.

Plus, they are finding some state-of-the-art machinery. For example, machine guns that are used to shoot down helicopters. They are finding sniper rifles with scopes. They are finding, in fact, countless different types of weapons that the insurgency likes to use out here.

The area, I cannot emphasize, is littered with this. They are finding it, though, dug underneath the ground, about three to six inches underneath. And this is an area that is filled with intertwining canals, high (INAUDIBLE). There are plenty of places for the insurgents to shoot at them.

The roads are filled with potholes of IEDs that have already detonated in the past. The are IEDs but still lie underground. In fact, U.S. forces here rarely travel on the roads, often venturing into the fields and farmlands in this area. Just a very, very volatile part of the country, Kyra.

In the two weeks since this operation began, four U.S. soldiers have died here, another 20 have been wounded. But they all are saying that it is worth it. Every single weapons cache that they find, they say, is a step in the right direction, and they are also seeing families slowly starting to trickle back into this area -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: So, Arwa, what do we -- what do they do with these weapons once they get them? And does it lead them to any significant areas, command and control centers where insurgents operate out of?

DAMON: Well, Kyra, this entire area, these fields and farmlands that are just out of Yusufiya -- and this is not far from the capital, Baghdad; it's about 20 kilometers south of it -- is believed to have become an insurgent stronghold safe haven, at least a place where they can find sanctuary. They believe that it is an area where the insurgents move to to receive their orders. It is also an area where, as we had seen being out with these troops as they are digging up these weapons, it's an area that the insurgents have been able to store their weapons in at least over the last few years.

And what they are telling us is that a lot of this traffic moves towards Baghdad. What they are seeing here are targets of opportunity that the insurgents to use to attack U.S. troops. But they're not seeing many of the spectacular attacks against Iraqi civilians.

They believe that the insurgents get their orders down here, at times move these weapons to the capital, Baghdad. And they do say a large part of controlling Baghdad is going to be bringing this entire area under control. When they do find these weapons caches, if it's safe enough they'll destroy them on-site. If not, they'll consolidate them, call in the explosives ordnance teams and destroy them that way -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Arwa Damon, embedded with U.S. troops.

Thank you.

LEMON: Something's got to give. With no end in sight to the bloody anarchy in Iraq, more and more Republicans are demanding a plan B. That's "B," for "between," staying the course in what the White House calls cutting and running.

Here's CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Days before the midterm election, the war strategy for Iraq is under review by the Bush administration for one reason.

GEN. GEORGE CASEY, COMMANDER, U.S. FORCES IN IRAQ: We should try to sugarcoat this. The levels of violence over the last few weeks are as high as they have been.

STARR: The stay-the-course president has this message for General George Casey...

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If you're going to devise a new strategy, we're with you...

STARR: Republicans are new leading much of the call for change.

SEN. CHUCK HAGEL (R), NEBRASKA: We clearly need a new strategy. Obviously by any measurement, we're in a lot of trouble in Iraq. Our options are limited on how much influence we now have.

STARR: Senator John Warner put down this declaration...

SEN. JOHN WARNER (R), VIRGINIA: In two or three months, if this thing hasn't come to fruition, and if this level of violence is not under control and this government able to function, I think it's a responsibility of our government internally to determine, is there a change of course that we should take?

STARR: The White House isn't arguing the point.

TONY SNOW, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: You may recall the president told all of you that he agrees with Senator Warner that you do have to adjust.

STARR: One Pentagon option, force Iraqis to set target dates for taking over security province by province.

A commission co-chard by former secretary of state James Baker is also expected to report its ideas on Iraq after the U.S. elections. But sources say the only consensus so far is the need for a change in strategy.

(on camera): The bottom line, the pressure is on the Bush administration to do exactly what the president said he didn't want to do, set a timetable for troop withdrawal. Think of it as turning "cut and run" into a phased withdrawal.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: And we've been telling you about a developing story in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a chemical spill.

What's the latest, T.J.?

HOLMES: Well, the latest, we -- I believe we do have some pictures here we can show you we've gotten in of this chemical spill which has happened at the Port of Muskogee, which is about 50 miles southeast, actually, of Tulsa, there in Oklahoma.

You can't make out much -- too much from the pictures we are seeing here. But this area, what has happened, according to officials there, is that a sodium chloride spill, along with fluoride, have some kind of way gotten together. They don't know how, but those two things got together, and that's not a good thing.

This sent apparently a big old plume of smoke up into the air, and that caused -- of course can cause some problems for the folks around there. So they have had to evacuate some 250 workers and residents of this area.

Again, we are taking a peek at these pictures here. We are not seeing much from them that goes along with the story we're telling you here, that goes along with what is exactly happening. But again, this area has been cleared out of some 250 workers and residents.

Also, the section of turnpike there, the Muskogee Turnpike, has been shut down. But again, this is something we're keeping an eye on. Just got those live pictures. Going to try to really get more of an idea of what's happening there.

But just want to keep you up to date about that chemical spill. So we're going to work some more -- some more answers here, and we'll get those to you as well -- Don and Kyra.

LEMON: All right. Thank you very much, T.J.

Does a mass murder in Florida have roots in Texas?

PHILLIPS: The latest on the case and the Brownsville connection. That's straight ahead from the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: So who would kill a family of four on the side of Florida's turnpike? Well, since Friday, when the bodies were found, the family's SUV has turned up, as have some of the facts.

We now know, for instance, the victims had recently moved to south Florida from south Texas -- Brownsville, to be exact.

Allyson Bird is a reporter with the "Palm Beach Post," who followed the story to Brownsville.

Allyson, thanks for being with us.

You've been there since Saturday, I understand. What have you learned from friends and relatives about this case?

ALLYSON BIRD, "PALM BEACH POST" REPORTER: Well, we've learned mostly just about the family itself. It's a very close-knit group.

We spoke mostly with Yessica's family. They actually pronounce her name Yessica, though it's spelled with a "Y". And they've just told us, you know, a little bit about her, a little bit about her husband, and just that, you know, they were very close to their families.

PHILLIPS: Now, we haven't been able to confirm this, but you have said that some of their friends have mentioned problems with drugs. Can you elaborate on that?

BIRD: Yes. It's really -- it's kind of been spoke in whispers.

We spoke with one couple who said that they had heard that Jose had -- had some sort of a drug connection. They couldn't really elaborate. It was just sort of a rumor. And just in speaking with the local Brownsville police, they are not actually working the case, but they did say that just from their experience, it does seem like probably a drug hit to them.

PHILLIPS: So it could be a drug hit? That's definitely out there?

BIRD: It's out there. It hasn't been confirmed by the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, which is actually conducting the investigation. But just, you know, word on the street around here is that's what it look like. PHILLIPS: Now, do we know what kind of job Jose had? Did he have a well-paying job? They lived in a very nice house. They seemed to be doing fine financially.

BIRD: They did live in a very nice house, and that is one of the things that kind of (INAUDIBLE) to this angle to pursue what the story is. But his one relative who another reporter spoke with could not confirm what -- what Jose actually did for a living and make such good money, and, you know, have a very nice home in south Florida. It's pretty expensive down there.

PHILLIPS: What about the wife? Was she working?

BIRD: She was actually newer to south Florida than he was. And I don't know that she had started working anywhere yet. She worked at JC Penney here in Brownsville before moving there, and she worked part time at the jewelry counter.

PHILLIPS: Now, do you know if either the mom or dad had a rap sheet, any past convictions, or any sort of history of crime?

BIRD: The library at "The Post" has run checks on both and neither has a criminal report. The Brownsville police confirmed for us that they also don't have records here.

PHILLIPS: What are Florida state officials telling you so far? Do they believe the gunman was someone that the family knew, or just a hitchhiker that they picked up?

BIRD: They have said that it's definitely not a hitchhiker. It was not a carjacking.

They're saying that it's likely that the Escobedos did know the person that was in the car. They were all traveling in their -- the family car, in the Jeep Cherokee that they recovered yesterday. So they're guessing that essentially it was someone that they did know.

PHILLIPS: Tell me if -- what the next step is in the investigation. Is there just a massive hunt for the shooter? Are there any leads to who might have done this?

BIRD: Well, like I said, St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office is pretty tight-lipped about this right now. I know that they're actually conducting a press briefing pretty soon, and hopefully they'll release some more information on what they've got.

I know that they did just arrive in Brownsville today. So I guess they're actually going to be working it down here as well.

PHILLIPS: Allyson Bird, reporter for "The Palm Beach Post".

Allyson, thanks.

BIRD: Thank you.

LEMON: North Korea calls it a declaration of war. Washington says it's a pact toward peace. U.N. actions, North Korea's reaction in the NEWSROOM.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel that politics is really not for the people anymore. It's really for themselves.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we're going through a major constituential period. We have major immigration issues.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't believe in either parties. I -- it's kind of hard to say I'm outside (ph) the political process.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And hopefully the people will force the politicians to change for the sake of us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The party that really embraces all these demographic changes is the party that is going to gain.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: New York City's Times Square, the crossroads of America. No better symbol of the American melting pot than this place. But as our population morphs with the flow of immigrants to our country, our political system may soon be at a crossroads as well.

(voice over): Laura Olson is a professional of political science at Clemson University. She tracks trends in voting behavior.

LAURA OLSON, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY: The Census Bureau found that between 1990 and 2000 the percentage of people living in the United States who were born outside of the United States increased by 57 percent.

O'BRIEN: And a substantial portion of them are clustered in the border states with Mexico. If and when they or their children become citizens, the political equation there will change.

OLSON: A lot of the states aren't necessarily sort of battleground states like we normally would think of them, but it's important to note that immigrant groups, if they choose to get politically motivated, can have probably a little bit more impact in those states than in others.

O'BRIEN: So what do politicians need to do in these changing times?

OLSON: Figure out if there is something that unifies that constituency and promise to deliver that.

O'BRIEN: But that can be a challenge. Immigrants are, after all, a diverse constituency.

OLSON: There's people with all sorts of different perspectives. And those perspectives need to be heard, I think, by the political system.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Yesterday the Dow got close, but no cigar. Today the 12,000 mark looks like it may be out of reach for now.

Susan Lisovicz joins us from the New York Stock Exchange. She's back on her perch.

Off the floor and back in your perch, air-conditioning comfort, right?

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh my goodness. Yes, I can hear you clearly, and, you know, we can speak like adults. I'm not, like, in a locker room mentality -- Don.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Deadly accident in the Eternal City. Rush hour in Rome came to a crashing halt this morning for some commuters. A subway wreck sent bloodied passengers into the street. Here's our Rome bureau chief, Alessio Vinci.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: According to eyewitnesses, the impact was extremely violent as one of the trains was traveling at high speed and those witnesses report that they did not hear the sound of a train breaking.

Police officials confirm one 30-year-old woman has been killed, and they say five people are currently being treated for serious injuries at hospitals across town. And as many as 110 have been treated throughout the day as a result of the crash.

The causes of the accident are still being investigated. Initial reports suggest that one train arriving at the station crashed into the back of another one that was still discharging passengers. There were a lot of people on board of both trains. This is only one of only two lines serving the Rome underground system.

And as a result of the crash, an electrical panel exploded, plunging the entire area into darkness. Another eyewitness account, another eyewitness quoted by the Italian media said that the train that was entering the train station did not respect a red light. And this would suggest human error could be the cause of the accident, although authorities are still investigating, but they are ruling out foul play or terrorism.

The Rome subway system is quite new. It is only 25 years old, far smaller than the ones, say, in London and New York or even Moscow and officials here are telling us that the trains that collided are new. Alessio Vinci, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: AIDS in China, an epidemic now being compared to that in Africa. The Chinese government reports 190 new HIV infections every day, infections often arising from heterosexual sex. One percent of pregnant women in China are said to be infected. Beijing says 60,000 people in China are living with HIV/AIDS and some are now developing a resistance to HIV-fighting drugs. Africa has the highest number of HIV/AIDS sufferers on the planet.

LEMON: Speaking of Africa, bending the rules to give a child a home. Pop diva Madonna takes a big step towards adopting a one-year- old boy from Malawi. His mother is dead and his father has been unable to care for him. Today, Banda arrived in Britain accompanied by one of Madonna's bodyguards and her personal assistant.

Although laws bar non-resident adoptions, the Malawian government is granting an exemption in this case. A statement released by Madonna's publicist says "The interim adoption grants David's new parents temporary custody for 18 months during which time they will be evaluated by the courts of Malawi per the tribal customs of the country."

Don't know much about Malawi? Well, that's what we thought. Here are some facts. Malawi is in Africa, it is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania and has about 13 million people, though AIDS has had a major, major impact on the population there.

The disease now affects about 14 percent of Malawi's adults. The economy is among the world's poorest and droughts over the past two years have severely affected agriculture.

PHILLIPS: Now, when you look at the numbers of orphans, you're talking anywhere between 900,000 maybe to two million. Why so many?

LEMON: Nobody knows, 900,000 to two million. I mean, imagine that. Why so many? Well, a lot of them have died of AIDS. We were there, as you can see, June of 2005, on a mission for AIDS where we did this documentary. I was just handing out Mardi Gras beads, but I had no sleep for about two weeks. But they don't have anything, obviously. They're very poor. And for one reason, the scourge of AIDS and HIV has been so, so destructive not only on the country, but on the entire continent.

PHILLIPS: So the parents are dying of AIDS. The kids have AIDS, and they go into these orphanages?

LEMON: Well, their parents are dying. Not all of the children have AIDS. A lot of them are affected by it, but their parents obviously came up in the age of sexual relations and what have you, when AIDS was rampant. So a lot of them are affected by it. They either have one parent or no parents and their grandparents are taking care of them.

And the ones -- you see this kid, this little girl we met here who is cooking on this makeshift stove outside. Her mother was severely -- I guess had AIDS, HIV, and was on her way to dying. And she was taking care of her mother. And she's nine-years-old. She's cooking for her mom and her grandmother who is in her 80s or 90s. So the kids become their own parents and then become their parents' parents.

PHILLIPS: It makes me think of the movie, the documentary "Beat The Drum" that focused on this. It showed the parents actually -- or the kids caring for their parents.

LEMON: Right.

PHILLIPS: Not only do they have to become the adults and sort of take charge of the household, but also they face a lot of dangers.

LEMON: They do face a lot of dangers.

PHILLIPS: Right?

LEMON: And one, it was just bizarre while we were there -- the same day that we were there, the first day we got there, we woke up to the newspaper saying, you know, nine children killed in Dedza. Beast kills nine in Dedza, which is a province very close to where we were, and most them were children.

And then we happened to be going to the same hospital where these children were, and they let us in. There were pictures of these little boys, little girls in the hospital into their village in the middle of the night came a rabid hyena and attacked their entire village. So they not only deal with disease and poverty, but they deal with things like this.

We got unbelievable access because we did this trip on our own. It was me and a college student. We bought our own cameras and did it. They said if you're going to come over here and you want to show people what's really going on, we're going to let you in and we're going to let you talk to people.

PHILLIPS: And that's what's so wonderful, is that you've had a chance to do that and expose what's going on there. Then you look at somebody like Madonna who is doing the same thing, but at the same time, critics are saying there's all these kids that could be adopted. Why does Madonna get to do it? Because she's famous? Because she's paying millions of dollars, she gets to beat the system and pick a child and not only is this child that she's adopting -- the child has parents.

LEMON: Right.

PHILLIPS: So what about all the kids without parents? If you're going to adopt?

LEMON: I can't speak for Madonna, but there's no doubt that the average person would not be given this sort of treatment, yes.

PHILLIPS: There's a star factor. If you've got the money, you can get what you want.

LEMON: Yes, she is getting preferential treatment because you have to be there at least 18 months and establish some sort of citizenship and some sort of relationship with the child that you're planning to adopt, right?

And that's not happening for her. And also, she's giving $3 million, at least is promising $3 million for these people. So most people would not be giving this. But, if you want to look at the bright side, not a lot of people are running over to Africa to adopt kids.

As I said last night on the Paula Zahn show, it's the same problem we face in the U.S. with African-American kids, you know. They don't get many people. It's just not the want for those types of kids. But also, it's the stringent adoption rules in those countries. So who can afford to go there for 18 months and spend time and become a citizen.

PHILLIPS: It's a shame. It's like they don't want to let the kids go and there are people that want to adopt.

LEMON: In all of this, I'm saying maybe Madonna can do some good. It's a Madonna, the Oprah factor, the Angelina Jolie factor. Maybe something good will come out of all of this.

PHILLIPS: And change the government's thinking.

LEMON: And change the government's thinking and change people's thinking not only in this country, but the rest of the world. There are African-American kids who deserve to be adopted.

PHILLIPS: Right here in the U.S, absolutely. Don, great stuff, thanks.

LEMON: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Well, straight ahead, we're going to be talking, could be a newborn, it could be an immigrant, actually.

LEMON: Whoever it is, his or her arrival in the U.S. marked a milestone that made the country a little more crowded. Details coming up

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Does it feel more crowded where you are today? More so than usual? Well this morning the U.S. population officially hit 300 million. We're the only -- well, we're only the third country in human history to reach that milestone, by the way. And the Census Bureau is celebrating with, what else, punch and cake. And no wonder, the nation has come a long way.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS (voice-over): Back when George Washington was inaugurated in 1789, he was the father of a much smaller country, only four million people lived in the United States.

How did we get from four million to 300 million? It wasn't easy at the beginning, despite expanding from 13 states to 48. Despite waves of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, it took us 125 years, more than half of U.S. history, just to reach the 100 million mark.

Woodrow Wilson was president when that finally happened in 1915, a year still within the living memory of today's oldest Americans. Even by 1950 when Harry Truman was president, there were still only 150 million U.S. residents, just half as many as there are today.

But those years immediately after World War II marked a turning point. By 1950, the population was growing like never before. It was called the baby boom. Just 17 years later, when Lyndon Johnson was president, the U.S. population hit 200 million. "Life" magazine declared Robert Woo, a fourth-generation Chinese American born in Atlanta on November 20th, 1967, to be the 200 millionth American.

In the 39 years since then, Robert Woo grew up, went to Harvard, and became a successful attorney. And the U.S. has added another 100 million people. It's an increase attributed to births -- 4.1 million this year versus 3.5 million in 1967.

To longer life expectancies, 77 years, versus 70 years, and to a sharp increase in immigration. The Census Bureau says 34 million foreign-born people live here today, up from 10 million 39 years ago.

The bottom line, 300 million people now call the U.S. home. And there's no sign the growth is letting up. So when do we hit 400 million? Probably around the time today's college graduates start thinking about retirement. Census Bureau's estimate is 2043, just 37 years from now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Now, about 40 percent of the country's population growth comes from immigration. The rest comes from births outnumbering deaths.

LEMON: Yes, cleaning up in and around Houston after terrible weather that left at least four people dead. The biggest problem was flooding after relentless downpours. At least three people were found dead in submerged vehicles. Yesterday's storms also spawned tornadoes that destroyed several homes, but apparently didn't hurt anyone.

Still a bad scene in Buffalo. Thousands of homes and businesses are still without power after last week's storm -- or snowstorm, rather, I should say. And many may not get to get back until Sunday. At least five deaths are blamed on the storm, and most schools are still closed, about 150 members of the national guard are helping to get the region moving again and ready for winter.

Well, feels like winter, looks like winter in some parts of the U.S., but wow, what about all these storms we're watching, Jacqui Jeras?

(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS: Is this where I throw in how much I love to ski? Do I do that again?

LEMON: Yes, go ahead. She loves to ski.

PHILLIPS: Never get enough. All right, thank you. Like anybody cares.

But anyway, straight ahead, entertainment news with A.J. Hammer of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." I bet A.J.'s a skier.

LEMON: A.J. cares.

A.J. HAMMER, CNN ANCHOR: I do, Kyra, because I love to ski. I've been skiing my whole life. I'm right there with you, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, good. We'll take a trip.

HAMMER: Well here's what's coming up. Both Wesley Snipes and Lindsay Lohan not tangling with the snow, they're tangling with the law. I'll have that and more just ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Well, no one likes to pay taxes, but even movie stars have to. Isn't that right? "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT's" A.J. Hammer joins us with the story. You know what? Don't mess with taxes.

HAMMER: No. You want to make sure you pay your taxes, Don. And the guy we're talking about today, we've seen him he's gone head to head with terrorists, vampires, even drag queens, but now actor Wesley Snipes is going to going to be going head to head with the tax man. That's something that nobody wants to have to deal with in life.

The 44 year-old star was indicted today on eight counts of tax fraud. According to the IRS, Snipes owes nearly $12 million in back taxes, failing to file returns at all for a six-year period between 1999 and 2004.

Now federal prosecutors in Tampa, Florida, say the star also fraudulently claimed refunds in 1996 and in 1997 on taxes that were already paid. So far Snipes' camp has not returned CNN's calls for comment.

Meanwhile, having her own run-in with the U.S. legal system is jet setting minor Lindsay Lohan. The 20 year-old starlet was an event honoring George Clooney when a legal processor used what I consider to be a unique and rather clever method to serve the actress with a subpoena. The processor waited outside the event, posing as a fan, and when she spotted the actress leaving, ran up as if to ask for an autograph. Well, when Lohan took the woman's papers, the processor announced loudly, and I'm sure a bit proudly, you've been served.

According to lawyers representing the plaintiffs, the subpoena was to compel the star to give a deposition in a fraud lawsuit against her mother, Deana, in which Lindsay would be a witness. Lindsay's camp has also not returned CNN's calls for comment.

Well, we move now from legal sharks to crocodile hunters. The daughter of the late Steve Irwin has stepped right into her dad's animal-loving shoes. Eight year-old Bindi Irwin is going to be starring in the New Discovery Kids Wildlife series "Bindi the Jungle Girl". Now according to the networks's publicist, the program was initially going to be a father/daughter collaboration, and Irwin will appear with his daughter in some of the scenes that were filmed before his death. Bindi's famous dad, of course, died on September 4th, when a stingray's barb punctured his heart.

Don and Kyra, we saw how poised she was when she appeared at her father's memorial service last month. And it's interesting because there are actually some people high up in government in Australia speaking out saying, you know, she's not going to get to have a normal childhood. She's eight years old and she's hosting this television show.

LEMON: Yes, she was very poised, and I read some things about her, and you know, they call her -- it's a good thing, a pistol, that she's got a lot of spunk, a lot of energy and is smart, smart kid.

HAMMER: Yes, and let's just hope she has lots of good people looking after her.

LEMON: Absolutely. Absolutely.

What do you have coming up tonight, A.J.?

HAMMER: Well, coming up tonight we're going be talking with an Oscar-nominated actress, and she's going to reveal her startling revelations of sexual abuse and why she's now saying that she wouldn't wish fame on her worst enemy. It's going to be very chilling, and you'll hear her story tonight on the interview you'll see only on T.V.'s most provocative entertainment news show, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT", 11:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN headline prime.

Kind of a case of be careful what you wish for, because it could actually happen.

LEMON: Absolutely.

A.J. Hammer in New York. Thank you so much, sir.

HAMMER: Thanks, Don.

PHILLIPS: John Mark Karr cleared in the JonBenet Ramsey case, off the hook, too, for unrelated child porn charges, dropped after police in California lost the evidence. Now Karr's out of jail and getting on with his life. Last night he talked with our Larry King about reports of a possible sex change.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY KING, CNN ANCHOR: John, are the reports you seek a sex change in Thailand true?

JOHN MARK KARR: Well, you know what? If it was true, it's my choice. And that's what's another great thing about being an American is that you're free. And anyone who would undergo a surgery like that, I have nothing but respect for those people.

KING: Me, too. We've had many of them on. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it. It's a choice. It's a life development. Have you thought of it?

KARR: You know, if it was, it would be my own private business. And that's another great thing about being a free American, is that I have a private life. And so I do have a private life, but, you know, if I made a choice like that or considered a choice like that, I'd be proud of it. It wouldn't be something I wouldn't be proud of.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, Karr says now he'll move to Atlanta, spend time with his 85 year-old father.

Now CNN received hundreds of e-mails about the John Mark Karr interview. And a lot of you had very strong feelings about it. Jane in Grant, Alabama had this to say about Karr:

"I'm astounded by this so-called intelligent man. What I perceive is a very deceitful drama queen. I still believe there is a motive to gain financially from all of the publicity."

Wilma in California says: "I can't watch Karr anymore! He's talking garbage! After stating he was in JonBenet's presence at the time of her death, how does he dare say what I'm hearing him say now. Devil incarnate!"

Arin in Frederick, Maryland writes: "Is John Mark Karr a NUTSO? Does he listen to how he contradicts his own words? I've enjoyed watching this program but tonight I'm even more convinced he's crazy."

Teresa in Overland Park, Kansas says, "I'm disappointed and disgusted with your decision to have Mr. Karr on your program. You've given a very sick individual exactly what he is seeking -- attention. You should be ashamed."

LEMON: Testing the world's patience and maybe a whole lot more. Suspicious signs out of North Korea today as Pyongyang celebrates a Communist milestone. We'll tell you more straight ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.

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