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American Morning
North Korea Threat; Violence in Iraq; Hawaii Recovers; America Votes 2006
Aired October 17, 2006 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Tuesday, October 17. I'm Miles O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Soledad O'Brien.
We begin at the news wall where we are tracking this morning's top story, the North Korea nuclear crisis. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice heading to the region this morning and the U.S. says new activity has been detected at several nuclear sites.
M. O'BRIEN: Also this morning, a new poll showing -- CNN poll shows the Mark Foley scandal is not all that important to voters. They're apparently more concerned about the Iraq war, the war on terror and the North Korean nuclear threat.
America marks a population milestone today. The nation's census headcount will pass the 300 million mark for the first time less than two hours from now.
S. O'BRIEN: There is a delay getting flu shots to young children. The vaccine makers say they're going to be ready by the height of the flu season, but doctors want children age 3 and under to get their shots as soon as possible.
Weather-wise, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are in southeast Texas. Drivers trapped on flooded roads, homes ripped apart. Four people were killed in the storms.
M. O'BRIEN: How does the weather look for your day ahead? Chad Myers has that for you.
Good morning, -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Miles.
Good morning, Soledad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
Miles, back to you.
M. O'BRIEN: Chad, thank you very much, back with you in just a little bit.
North Korea lashing out in the face of those United Nations sanctions. The Kim Jong-Il regime saying the U.N. punishment is no less than a declaration of war and vowing merciless blows to any nation that violates its sovereignty. The tough talk comes amid reports the North may be prepping to explode yet another nuclear bomb.
We have two reports from Asia, Jaime FlorCruz in Beijing, and Sohn Jie-Ae in Seoul.
Jie-Ae, let's begin with you.
SOHN JIE-AE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miles, we have been sort of used to such bellicose statements from North Korea, but this is the first one that North Korea has made since the United Nations Security Council passed this resolution against North Korea and it is a little harsher than most.
The North Korea's official Korea Central News Agency issued a statement that was carried on North Korean TV. It quoted a foreign ministry spokesman saying that "The U.N. Security Council resolution cannot be construed otherwise than a declaration of war against North Korea because it is based on the scenario that the U.S. is keen to destroy the socialist system of North Korea." So it is a quite harsh remark.
And it comes in the backdrop of some media reports that North Korea may be getting ready to test another nuclear weapon. Some media reports say there have been suspicious activity target unconfirmed reports near the site of the first nuclear test. Now a high-level South Korean government official did confirm to us that South Korea is tracking some suspicious activity in North Korea, but it is not activity that can be definitely considered preparation for another nuclear test.
And amidst of all of this, a flurry of diplomatic activity is centering around South Korea. The Russian prime minister is in town and is talking to his counterparts here. He was quoted as saying, emphasizing that North Korea should not conduct another nuclear test. And three of the six-party talks, the United States, the South Korea and Russia, have their lead negotiators here to try to convene, to try to coordinate their efforts to get North Korea to give up some nuclear ambitions.
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Christopher Hill, was quoted as saying that "Washington would try to coordinate efforts with its allies to get North Korea to try to implement the U.N. resolution against North Korea." And of course his boss, the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, is here Thursday -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Sohn Jie-Ae in Seoul, South Korea, thank you very much.
China, of course, is a key player in this crisis, and there is confusion this morning about how far it is going to enforce those sanctions. There are reports the Chinese are boarding some trucks along their 850-mile border with North Korea, but the Chinese are making it clear they do not plan to board North Korean ships.
Let's go now to Beijing and our bureau chief there, Jaime FlorCruz, -- Jaime.
JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Miles.
Well Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be traveling to Beijing later this week. Her agenda packed with meetings with Chinese officials. Her mission is to form a united front with the Chinese, the South Koreans and the Japanese against North Korea. That, in principle, is doable.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman today saying again that the Chinese are opposed to the North Korean nuclear test. They oppose a nuclear North Korea. And that they are calling on North Korea to refrain from any action that could only further exacerbate the already tense situation. He also called in our -- on all parties to show restraint and calm.
This is what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIU JIANCHAO, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN (through translator): Nobody wants to see the situation on the Korean peninsula get worse. This does not serve the common interests of the countries concerned, so we should continue to resolve the current issue peacefully through dialog and consultation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FLORCRUZ: So, Miles, in accordance with the U.N. resolution, the Chinese have started to inspect convoys, vehicles, trucks, for example, in their main gateway into North Korea. They didn't used to do that until last week, now they are. But the Chinese are saying that they still are not ready to interdict militarily. For example, intercept and board you know Korean cargo in the high seas for fear of creating any bloody confrontation with the North Koreans -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Jaime FlorCruz in Beijing, thank you very much -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice leaves this morning for Asia where she's going to push U.S. allies to turn up the pressure on North Korea.
CNN's Suzanne Malveaux at the White House with more for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well with North Korea now officially a nuclear power, the stakes got even that much higher for the Bush administration.
Today, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be traveling to Asia, meeting with her counterparts in Japan, South Korea and China. The goal of this trip of course is to make sure that those members of the U.N. Security Council that voted for tough sanctions ultimately follow through. That is the critical test. And of course what is even the bigger question here is whether or not those sanctions are ultimately going to fulfill the U.S. and its ally's goals, that is to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.
Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: Turning to Iraq now where the violence seems to grow worse by the day. More than a hundred people were killed and wounded since the weekend.
CNN's Cal Perry is in Baghdad for us.
Cal, good morning.
CAL PERRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Soledad.
Iraq has seen itself thrust into a very violent period in what is supposed to normally be a very peaceful period. That is Ramadan. We are about in week four now of Ramadan, and, as you mentioned, we have seen an uptick of violence that continued through the weekend into yesterday.
Yesterday, a very bad day across the country. The capital bearing the brunt of insurgent attacks, six explosions killing at least 25 people, wounding some dozens others, across the capital and Iraq finding itself once again fighting really a two-front war, one against the insurgency and this second battle to stop sectarian fighting. We saw very disturbing signs over the weekend in this town of Balad. U.S. military saying 19 Shias were killed on Friday. In retaliation, 38 Sunnis killed on Saturday -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Cal, there's also word of a discovery of lots and lots of weapons in Yusifiya. What do you know about that?
PERRY: Well Yusifiya is on the tip of what the U.S. military calls really the Triangle of Death, which is just south of Baghdad. This is an area which insurgents use frequently. They attack U.S. troops in this area.
Now CNN's correspondent Arwa Damon is embedded with U.S. troops down there. They have found hundreds of weapons caches over the weekend and into yesterday. Some of the weapons very interesting, Soledad, sniper rifles with night vision on it and explosives material, the U.S. military says, to make over 1,000 roadside bombs.
Now the insurgency making the U.S. military pay a heavy price for this offensive. In her battalion, it is the battalion that Arwa Damon is embedded with, in the past two weeks, 4 U.S. soldiers killed and at least 20 others wounded down there in Yusifiya.
S. O'BRIEN: Cal Perry is in Baghdad for us.
Cal, thanks -- Miles. M. O'BRIEN: More on our top stories ahead.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice heading to Asia to build support for U.N. sanctions against North Korea.
Plus, the U.S. population closing in on the 300 million mark less than two hours from now.
Back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: Rapper Fabolous is in stable condition after being shot in a New York City parking garage early this morning. He was shot once in the thigh before he hopped in a vehicle and then got away with three other guys, apparently. That attracted police. Authorities say two guns were found in the vehicle when they were pulled over. All four men, including Fabolous, whose real name is John Jackson, his mother did not name him Fabolous, were all placed under arrest. There are charges pending. There he is right there in one of his videos -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: In Hawaii, they are well on the road to recovery after that earthquake over the weekend. Emergency crews quickly restoring electricity to most of the islands, crews clearing away debris from Sunday's earthquake. There were no deaths or serious injuries.
We get more from AMERICAN MORNING's Chris Lawrence.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was the biggest jolt to the big island in more than 20 years.
ALEX LAGO (ph), RESIDENT: Yikes!
LAWRENCE: Alex Lago couldn't believe what the quake did to his school. Falling ceilings forced the principal to keep it closed on Wednesday.
OLAF JORGENSON, PRINCIPAL: It's definitely literally and figuratively shaken us up, but we're coming through.
LAWRENCE: Students are still dealing with the emotional aftershock of the quake, which hit Sunday morning when most were home.
MICHAEL SPETICH, STUDENT: And then I was kind of scared that the roof would fall on us, because it was kind of starting to crack.
LAWRENCE: No one was hurt or killed. No major buildings collapsed. The quake measured 6.7 magnitude, but it hit 24 miles below the surface. Compare that to 1994's Northridge, California earthquake which was less than 12 miles down.
(on camera): You can see where this road splintered, buckled and then just gave way. A few feet more at say a busier time of day and it literally could have collapsed this entire lane of traffic.
VITA FLEMING, RESIDENT: Everything in our home came crashing down.
LAWRENCE (voice-over): The home next to Vita Fleming survived the shaking, but a power line snapped and set the house on fire. Fleming screamed at her neighbor to get out.
FLEMING: And then she come running out right through the fire, ran, fell flat on her face. It was amazing.
LAWRENCE: Crews are still inspecting roads and bridges for structural damage. But folks who live here realize it's those violent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that actually created the beauty of the big island.
Chris Lawrence, CNN, Kona.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
M. O'BRIEN: And the governor there did make a point of telling tourists they don't have to cancel travel plans to Hawaii. She said we are open for business -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Thirteen minutes past the hour. If you're heading out the door, let's get right to Chad Myers. He's at the CNN Weather Center for a look at the traveler's forecast for us.
Good morning to you, -- Chad.
MYERS: Good morning, Soledad.
Good morning, everyone.
(WEATHER REPORT)
S. O'BRIEN: All right, a little good news there.
Thank you, -- Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
S. O'BRIEN: Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid has paid back his campaign for gifts to a holiday employee fund. In his building in Washington, Senator Reid said the holiday gifts were for building and security workers. The senator also says he revised his financial disclosure forms to clear up questions about a 2004 land deal reported to have netted him more than $1 million.
Federal agents searched the home of the daughter of Pennsylvania Congressman Curt Weldon, and other sites as well, as part of the investigation into whether Weldon used his position to steer contracts to his daughter's lobbying firm. The senator says that neither he, nor his daughter, did anything wrong. He says that the investigation is politically motivated. Weldon is in a close re-election race -- Miles. M. O'BRIEN: Three weeks now to the midterm elections, both parties trying to figure out what's on voters' minds. The big question, how will the Mark Foley scandal play out on Election Day? And it apparently is not your biggest concern.
Bill Schneider has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (on camera): Some opinions have shifted on the Mark Foley scandal, some have not. Most Americans continue to believe that former Congressman Foley's actions were illegal, not just immoral.
Last week, 52 percent of Americans thought Dennis Hastert should resign as Speaker of the House because of the way he handled the Foley matter. Fifty percent still feel that way. But there's been a noticeable increase in the number who feel Hastert should remain as speaker, 31 percent last week, 39 percent now. Why? Because his fellow Republicans, led by President Bush, have rallied to Hastert's support.
On the other hand, growing numbers of Americans believe Republican leaders in Congress were involved in a deliberate cover-up of the Foley matter, 52 percent last week, 57 percent now. That's coming mostly from independents, swing voters. The more they read and hear about the Foley matter, the more they suspect a political snow job.
How important is the Foley scandal to voters nationwide? Not as important as terrorism, Iraq, the economy and North Korea. But the Foley scandal is emerging as a serious issue in specific races involving Republican congressional leaders and it fuels a larger concern about ethics in government and corruption. My god, many voters are saying, what's going on in Washington? Time for a change.
Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
M. O'BRIEN: Here are some of the stories we're working on this morning for you.
NASA could be pushing back some of its shuttle launches. We'll tell you what that's all about.
Plus, the U.S. population set to hit the 300 million mark in less than two hours.
We'll have more just ahead. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: In the news this morning, a big milestone for the U.S. population expected at 6:40 -- excuse me -- 7:46 Eastern Time. It's when the Census Bureau estimates we will pass the 300 million mark.
And this morning, "USA Today" reports hit-and-run accidents that killed pedestrians are up 20 percent since 2000 -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Happening in America this morning.
In California, a man charged with stealing a Ferrari, then wrecking it, says he wants no part of a plea deal. Bo Stefan Ericksson is his name. You might remember some of these pictures here. He's accused of stealing the $1.5 million car, then wrecking it when he hit a utility pole. He was going 162 miles an hour. Well Ericksson was able to walk away with a cut lip. The plea deal would have sent him to prison for 28 months. Now he could get 11 years.
In Louisiana, river traffic is back to normal on the Mississippi after a cargo ship crashed near New Orleans. An anchored freighter suffered a huge gash in its side after it was hit by another freighter. Nobody was injured.
Former President Gerald Ford back home this morning after a short stay in a California hospital. The 93-year-old Ford, who was seen here last year presenting an award to his wife, Betty, was in the hospital for a series of tests.
And the case of a missing University of Vermont student is now a murder investigation. The body of Michelle Gardner-Quinn was found on Friday in a gorge about 80 miles from the campus. She'd been missing for six days. Autopsy results show that the young woman was murdered. The prime suspect is a man who's held in another sex case. He hasn't been charged with Gardner-Quinn's murder.
In Florida, more punishment for that brawl in Saturday's Miami- Florida International game. Miami's Anthony Reddick, he's the guy, he's number 20, oops, yes, that would be the guy whomping the other guy with the helmet. Well he's now been suspended indefinitely for doing that. Two Florida International players have been kicked off the team, 16 others are also suspended indefinitely. In all, 31 players face punishment for the brawl.
In Florida, NASA engineers want to push back launch dates for some of next year's shuttle missions. If the boss OK's the plans, the first launch would be March 16. That's nearly a month behind schedule. NASA needs the extra time partly because of Hurricane Katrina. The storm damaged a New Orleans factory where shuttle fuel tanks are built -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Well, Wal-Mart is looking at China. Why not? A billion Chinese in those stores, that's a good thing.
Andy Serwer, good morning to you.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Miles.
It's kind of surprising, though, because Wal-Mart has pulled back from other markets. But this morning, "The Wall Street Journal" is reporting that Wal-Mart will pay $1 billion to buy a chain of so- called Hypermarkets in China. Hypermarket is a grocery store, plus a department store. This is a big Taiwanese chain with 100 stores. Wal-Mart has 66 of its own stores. And, as I mentioned, it's pulled out of Germany and South Korea recently.
Let's talk gasoline prices. The price continues to drop, $2.23 now the national average for a gallon of unleaded. That's down 3.5 cents from the previous week. That's down 50 cents from last year at this time. That's down 80 cents from this summer.
M. O'BRIEN: So what's going on?
SERWER: What's going on? The price of oil is down.
M. O'BRIEN: There you have it.
SERWER: And there you have it. And there are some states, like Missouri, where you can get gas for lower than $2. Isn't that great to see $1.98, $1.97, $1.99 again?
M. O'BRIEN: It's a big threshold.
SERWER: It is a big threshold.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes. Yes.
SERWER: Now, that's the good news. The bad news is it may not last, that's because the price of oil has ticked back towards $60.
M. O'BRIEN: Wait a minute, you said it was down.
SERWER: Well it was down.
M. O'BRIEN: It's going back...
SERWER: It has been down. This is why I'm busy full time here every day. The price of oil ticking up a little bit. This is because OPEC seems to be getting its act together perhaps to cut back on production.
Now, the headline yesterday from Wall Street was halfway. We needed 40 points to get to Dow 12,000. Yesterday we got 20 points. Here's what we got. And you can see only 20 points away now today from Dow 12,000. So we're edging closer, continued optimism on Wall Street, at least up to this point. But this morning, futures are down. We see a theme here? And that's because of tensions in Iraq and North Korea and because of those higher oil prices.
M. O'BRIEN: How long before the Dow gets to the 300 million mark like the census?
SERWER: Well there's no...
M. O'BRIEN: It's going to take a little while, right?
SERWER: It will take a very long while.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
All right, Andy, what's next?
SERWER: Next we're going to be talking about William McGuire, that CEO who had to step down, and what his severance package is. And guess what, it's big.
M. O'BRIEN: I'm guessing it's big numbers.
SERWER: It's big.
M. O'BRIEN: All right, thank you, -- Andy.
SERWER: Thanks, Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Probably a good guess.
Well the former suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey murder says he never confessed to anything. John Mark Karr, who was recently cleared of child pornography charges, sat down with CNN's Larry King for an exclusive interview in which he denied harming JonBenet or any other child.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY KING, HOST: Wouldn't you wonder if someone came on television tonight and confessed to an outstanding crime that has never been solved, and said I did it, and was all the photographers came and took him and then they found out they didn't do it,...
JOHN MARK KARR, CLEARED IN RAMSEY CASE: You know what, Larry,...
KING: ... wouldn't you wonder?
KARR: ... I don't recall ever saying that I did anything. So that's where I'm confused as to the question, as well. I never said...
KING: You never said...
KARR: I never gave a definitive overt yes or no to anything. I never said I did anything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
S. O'BRIEN: Karr says he's looking forward to moving back to Atlanta and spending more time with his 85-year-old father.
You can catch "LARRY KING LIVE" every night 9:00 Eastern right here on CNN.
A quick look now at what we're following for you this morning.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice heading to Asia to shore up support of U.N. sanctions in North Korea.
The U.S. population is closing in on the 300 million mark.
And officials report a delay in the flu shots supply for young children.
Those stories straight ahead. AMERICAN MORNING is back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel that politics really is not for the people anymore, it's really for themselves.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we're going through a major transitional period. We have major immigration issues.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't believe in either parties. I kind of have to say I'm outside 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 a party that's going to gain.
M. O'BRIEN (on camera): 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 Professor of Political Science at Clemson University. She tracks trends in voting behavior.
LAURA OLSON, POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY: The Census Bureau found that between 1990 and 2000 the percentage of people living in the United States were born outside of the United States increased by 57 percent.
M. 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 those 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.
M. 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.
M. O'BRIEN: But that can be a challenge. Immigrants are, after all, a diverse constituency.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: Good morning. Welcome back, everybody. It's Tuesday, October 17th.
I'm Soledad O'Brien.
M. O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien.
A look at the news wall now for some of the stories we're following this morning.
A new CNN poll showing the Mark Foley scandal is not all that important to voters. You're apparently more concerned about the Iraq war, the war on terror, and the North Korean nuclear threat.
America marking a population milestone today. The nation's census headcount will pass the 300 million mark for the first time less than two hours from now.
S. O'BRIEN: There's a delay in getting flu shots to young children. The vaccine maker says they're going to be ready by the height of flu season, but doctors want children who are 3 and under to get their flu shots as soon as possible.
Overnight, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes hit southeast Texas. Drivers were trapped on flooded roads. Homes were ripped apart. Four people were killed in the storms.
M. O'BRIEN: Which brings us to Chad Myers with a look at what's happening there and elsewhere this morning.
Good morning, Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Miles.
Good morning, Soledad.
Rain, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, soon into New York City. And this will slow down all of the airports across the east. Atlanta, right on back down to New Orleans, expecting some rain showers and thunderstorms this morning.
If you're waking up in Raleigh or Winston-Salem or Hickory, North Carolina, about an hour and a half to go. Did you feel an earthquake? Here it is -- 2.6, though. Called a little mini earthquake. A micro, if you will.
USGS.gov will show you that if you want to go look at it -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: All right, Chad. Hey, Chad, guess what happens in about one hour and 15 minutes?
MYERS: Someone is born or comes across the border and we get 300 million people.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, you're exactly right. The people who count these things expect that in fact...
MYERS: See, I'm a great forecaster. See?
S. O'BRIEN: You are brilliant. Brilliant.
The U.S. population is going to hit the 300 million mark -- 300 million people in the U.S.
CNN's Kyung Lah is live for us in Washington, D.C., with a look at just who is expanding our nation.
KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
Back in 1967 is the last time we had such a threshold back -- with 200 million people. Well, this morning, as you said, we're about to cross into the 300 million territory, and now it's our neighbors to the south and the east who are really changing the way America looks.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAH (voice over): Gaithersburg, Maryland, prides itself on its past, its history and its charm. A walk through Old Town and you'll see and hear what's new. It's demographic shifts.
TONY CROWLEY, MINUTEMAN PRESS: (INAUDIBLE) has changed. I have to have bilingual employees now.
LAH: Tony Crowley has run his printing company in Gaithersburg for 25 years and seen his once run-down neighborhood revitalized. More than half of the businesses on his street are now run by and for Latino immigrants.
CROWLEY: I feel that it's a safer area. Much more pleasant to be in.
LAH: Gaithersburg is like many cities across the U.S. The immigrant much more likely to be Latino or Asian. Demographic experts expect the 300 millionth person to join the U.S. population will be a Hispanic baby boy born in the Southwest.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is a different ethnic mix, but it's nothing new in terms of America being an ethnically and racially diverse country.
LAH: The U.S. Census says the percentage of foreign-born people was actually higher in 1915.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And the Poles and the Italians and the Russian Jews, and somehow they all managed to be absorbed and assimilated. And I think the same thing's going on today.
LAH: There are the widely debated problems: illegal immigration, strains on public systems, and overcrowding. But Gaithersburg calls it growing pains that they've chosen to accept and adapt.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAH: Now it is possible that we may have already crossed that 300 million threshold. That person crossing the border to the south illegally -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Kyung Lah reporting for us this morning from Washington, D.C.
Thanks, Kyung -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Some tough talk and ominous signs from North Korea this morning. The Kim Jong-il regime saying those United Nations sanctions are nothing more than a declaration of war. And there are signs the North may be prepping to explode yet another nuclear bomb. Into this fray, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on her way to the region this morning.
CNN's Aneesh Raman in Tokyo with more -- Aneesh.
ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, good morning.
As they prepare here in Tokyo for the arrival of Secretary Rice in Pyongyang, as you mentioned, Kim Jong-il raising the stakes. In a statement read on North Korean television this morning, the North Korean government said the U.N. resolution passed unanimously over the weekend was tantamount to a declaration of war.
Now, this statement comes as both U.S. and Japanese officials are saying they see signs that North Korea could be -- and we stress the "could" -- preparing for a second nuclear test. Now, you combine the bellicose statements out of Pyongyang, you combine that with the fact that North Korea could test another nuclear weapon, and all of that gives Secretary Rice increased leverage to rally this region and tow the line against North Korea.
She spoke of the threat at a press conference yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: North Korea cannot endanger the world and then expect other nations to conduct business as usual in arms or missile parts. It cannot destabilize the international system and then expect to exploit elaborate financial networks built for peaceful commerce.
Resolution 1718 points the way. We expect every member of the international community to fully implement all aspects of this resolution. And we expect the Security Council to aggressively monitor the process.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RAMAN: Now, her first stop is a friendly one. Japan has been ahead of the curve, if you will, issuing its own sanctions, banning all ships from North Korea even before the U.N. resolution. But from here, Miles, is the diplomatic test for Secretary Rice.
She goes to South Korea, then to China. China specifically a country that has been wary of taking too harsh a stance against North Korea. Its officials not saying they will stop and check all ships from North Korea. That is required in this U.N. resolution.
So that is where she will be trying to use the leverage of this increased threat to get everyone on board and send a clear and unified message to North Korea -- Miles.
S. O'BRIEN: So, Aneesh, you make an interesting point. The North Korean statement, the rumors of a second test, actually might make it easier for the secretary of state to do her job.
RAMAN: It will. She has timing on her side, if you will.
It is tough for China, it is tough for South Korea, countries that are afraid of destabilizing that regime, to be too complacent, though, when you have North Korea saying that this U.N. resolution is a declaration of war, when perhaps you have North Korea preparing for a second test. If they do actually carry out a second test while the secretary is here, that is all the fodder she needs to say to Beijing, to say to Seoul, look, your concerns aside, this is a huge threat, not just to the region but to the world. This is a moment that we have to be unified, and with Japan show North Korea that this time we as a region mean business and that this nuclear program must be stopped -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Aneesh Raman in Tokyo.
Thank you -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Well, the African child that Madonna is hoping to adopt is now in London. The infant from Malawi, covered in a gray coat -- we'll show you some of the pictures there. There you go.
That's the baby right there. They put a gray coat over him just to try to shield him from photographers.
Brought through Heathrow, past photographers, who were all hoping to get a clear shot. No sign of Madonna at the airport.
Paula Hancocks has a report for us this morning from London.
Good morning, Paula.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
Well, it is thought that Madonna and child are currently inside her luxury central London home behind me. As you say, the child, 13- month-old David Banda, was taken from the poverty-stricken orphanage in Malawi on Monday evening and is now here in the height of wealth, luxury and fame in central London. It will be a huge adjustment for him if, in fact, this adoption process is successful for Madonna and her husband, Guy Ritchie.
And I guess with everything Madonna does there's always controversy, and there is with his particular adoption, as well. There are many human rights organizations that are trying to stop Madonna adopting this particular child in the way that she is doing it.
Basically, they think that this process has been fast-tracked, it is illegal because she is a superstar and because she is rich. Now usually, non-residents of Malawi are not allowed to adopt children from there. They have to stay in Malawi for 18 months, they have to go through very rigorous checks.
But in actual fact, it took Madonna less than a week and they allowed the Malawi boy to come over here to London to undergo those checks. So that's something that's going to be going on over the next couple of weeks, according to some of the human rights organizations I've spoken to. But at this point we do believe that child is with Madonna in her home.
Now, we know that Madonna does have a charity raising awareness in Malawi. She appears to have pledged about $3 million for orphanages in Malawi itself. So she certainly does have a great interest in the country -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Paula Hancocks for us this morning following this story.
I think you're right, sure to be controversial. Thanks, Paula.
Some of the other stories we're following for you this morning.
Israeli police recommending rape charges against Israel's president.
Plus, Disney pledges to remove trans fats from foods at its U.S. theme parks by the end of next year.
Those stories and much more straight ahead in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: Here's a look at what CNN correspondents all around the world are covering today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAL PERRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Cal Perry in Baghdad, where Iraq has entered its fourth and final week of Ramadan. Now, what is supposed to be a normally quiet and often festive period has been anything but here in Iraq, where insurgent attacks have only increased over this very holy period.
Yesterday was no exception. At least 40 Iraqis killed across the country, upwards of 70 others wounded.
It has prompted one of the most senior spokesmen here on the ground for the U.S. military to say he expects things to get worse before they get better. Perhaps a very stark reminder for the coalition troops that here on the ground, yesterday a very grim milestone -- 3,000 coalition troops killed so far in this war.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SOHN JIE-AE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Sohn Jie-ae in Seoul.
A flurry of diplomatic activities center around South Korea as countries try to coordinate their efforts to get North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions. The Russian prime minister was in South Korea to meet with his South Korean counterpart and emphasize that North Korea should not conduct another nuclear test.
In separate talks, three of the lead negotiators in the six-party talks to get North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions, South Korea, the United States, and Russia, convened in Seoul. The top U.S. negotiator, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, said that Washington would work with its allies to try to implement the U.N. resolution against North Korea, and in his words, to make sure that North Korea realizes that it will pay a very, very high price for its reckless behavior.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm John Vause in Jerusalem.
There are reports today that prosecutors are preparing to indict the Israeli president two days after police recommended a raft (ph) of charges, including rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment of several women who once worked at his official residence. Monday, President Katsav was a no-show for the opening of the winter session of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, after several lawmakers threatened to boycott.
Katsav continues to protest his innocence, but his attorney says if charged, the president will resign.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: I'm Alessio Vinci in Rome.
A morning rush hour crash between two trains killed at least one person and wounded several. Some of them seriously.
Authorities here ruled out immediately terrorism, and the initial investigation suggests that one train slammed into another one while it was still discharging passengers. The rescue operation is now complete.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
M. O'BRIEN: For more on these or any of our top stories, log on to our Web site, CNN.com.
S. O'BRIEN: Forty-four minutes past the hour. If you're about to head out the door, let's get right to Chad Myers. He's got a look at the traveler' forecast for us this morning.
Good morning, Chad.
MYERS: Good morning, Soledad.
The most difficult day to travel of the week, that will be today. From Detroit right on down into Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, all the airports will be slow today. Low ceilings, a lot of rain, low visibility.
You're going to be traveling slowly to get to the airport, and then the airports are going to be delayed when you get there anyway. So either try to get on an earlier flight or just maybe get those plans until tomorrow.
There's the rain across Atlanta. Everywhere that you see yellow or red, that's an inch or two. And a few spots were white. That's three inches or more.
Not too much in the way of three-inch rainfall with this next system. But as it moves to New York, at least an inch of rain for you. Toronto, Detroit the same, and severe weather possible all the way from Ohio down into the Atlanta metro suburbs and down into New Orleans, as well -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: All right, Chad. Thank you.
We've got some new pictures to show you from the scene of a shooting of the rapper Fabolous. We were reporting on this a little bit earlier today.
He's hospitalized now in stable condition. He's also under arrest.
He was shot in a New York City parking garage. It happened early this morning. His name is actually John Jackson, not Fabolous. But he was shot once in the thigh.
Apparently hopped in a car then. That car was pulled over when police say it ran a red light. Authorities found two guns, they say, in the car, as well.
All four men in the car, including Fabolous, were all placed under arrest. Charges are pending and police are looking for the shooter -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: All in all, not such a fabulous night, you might say.
S. O'BRIEN: No, not at all.
M. O'BRIEN: All right. Thank you.
A look now at the stories we're following for you.
A county in New York State comes up with a new ad campaign to try to get deadbeat dads to pay up.
Plus, the U.S. population is set to hit the 300 million mark in just about an hour. It's just like I'm so excited. We're going to tell you all about it in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: Happening "In America," former Food and Drug Administration chief Lester Crawford will be in a Washington federal court today where he is expected to plead guilty to conflict of interest charges. Crawford is charged with lying about the stock he and his wife owned in companies regulated by the FDA.
Just outside New York City, one county getting tough with deadbeat dads. Westchester County hoping to force them to pay up by publishing their pictures in the paper. Photos of four men who owe almost $200,000 in child support appear in an ad in today's "New York Post". The hope, they'll be shamed into paying.
That fluke fall snowstorm in Buffalo claiming two more lives. The death toll now five. This time, two elderly people dying of carbon monoxide poisoning from a poorly-ventilated generator. The storm dropped 22 inches of snow, knocked out power to more than 300,000 residents.
It's a healthier world after all. Or so the Walt Disney company hopes. The company is starting to serve nutritionally balanced meals at all its theme parks soon. Disney also pledging to eliminate trans fats by the end of next year. Disney also curtailing the use of its characters as endorsements for junk food.
In California, this really takes the cake. You're looking at a dessert worth -- get this -- it can't be right -- $20 million -- $20 million. Now, it's not the frosting that's expensive. It's apparently laced with diamond rings, earrings, necklaces.
The cake is the centerpieces of a bridal show in Beverly Hills.
Don't give that cake to the kids, though, Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes -- no.
M. O'BRIEN: They'll choke.
S. O'BRIEN: That would be bad to chew on a ring...
M. O'BRIEN: Yes. S. O'BRIEN: ... studded with diamonds. Bad and expensive.
Thanks, Miles.
Well, the Census Bureau says the population of the United States is going to officially hit 300 million people today. Part of the population equation is that folks are living longer.
More on that from AMERICAN MORNING'S Dan Lothian.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LOTTIE STERN, 105 YEARS OLD: I walk very slowly now.
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): When Lottie Stern was born near Boston, the U.S. population was just 77 million people. That was 105 years ago.
STERN: I think everything is crowded.
LOTHIAN: And everyone took time to say hello.
STERN: It was more of a friendly world before, I think.
LOTHIAN: Life, she says, was very different.
STERN: We had a carriage that we -- my brother used to hitch up the horse, and we'd go to the beach. In the afternoon, you'd go out and never think of locking your door. I'd always come back, everything was fine. Not today. And not 10 years ago.
LOTHIAN (on camera): Few of us will ever live to see 100. But as the population clock hits the 300 million mark, experts say more and more Americans will be living longer and healthier.
DR. THOMAS PERLS, BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL: And we're doing a lot better job of taking care of older people in their -- in their 60s and 70s in terms of prevention and screening of problems that killed a lot of people in the past, like high blood pressure and infectious diseases.
LOTHIAN (voice over): At this 300 million population milestone, seniors worry about the future of health care, Social Security, and transportation issues.
PERLS: Some people may cast some picture of doom and gloom if we have a lot more older people around the corner. And, in fact, we really are at the point where we have as many people over the age of 60 as we have people under the age of 20.
LOTHIAN: Lottie Stern, who did volunteer work all her life...
STERN: Harold, who was with me...
LOTHIAN: ... was married for 74 years to a businessman who died when he was 98. The mother of two daughters hopes the population explosion will not leave America's seniors and society's needy behind.
STERN: There are an awful lot of people right here in our own country who could be treated better.
LOTHIAN: As for her longevity, Stern credits a strees-free, positive lifestyle -- 105 years old, and counting.
STERN: I don't think about it. I go to bed at night, and I thank God for everything that happened. And I just hope that I wake up in the morning, and wake up in the morning, and I'm here.
Thank you, dear God, I've got another day.
LOTHIAN: Dan Lothian, CNN, Boston.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: Take a look at the live picture of the Census Bureau Web site. It looks like we're just about 282 people away from hitting the 300...
M. O'BRIEN: Two hundred and eight-one -- no, 280 now.
S. O'BRIEN: Oh, look at that.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: Just like that. Two more people were born, or came into the country, or made naturalized citizen. One or the other.
Anyway, we're going to continue to follow this milestone. We're supposed to reach the actual 300 million milestone at 7:46 a.m. Eastern Time this morning.
We're back in just a moment. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: All right. So what color is your parachute? Do you have a golden parachute? Mine's made of tinfoil.
Andy Serwer is going to tell us about William McGuire.
I don't know what's beyond platinum, but he's got one.
ANDY SERWER, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "FORTUNE": He keeps on reaping, doesn't he?
M. O'BRIEN: Reaping.
SERWER: Not weeping, but reaping. And this guy, William McGuire, the soon-to-be ex-CEO of United Health Group, the poster child of the stock option scandal problem in the United States, we're sort of breaking down how much money this guy's going to walk away with. And it turns out to be $1.1 billion.
This for messing up. This for messing up.
M. O'BRIEN: With a "B".
SERWER: Yes, with a "B".
About a billion of that is going to be stock options, which is where this whole problem began.
M. O'BRIEN: Think of the irony there.
SERWER: You had a problem -- yes. And about $100 million of it is going to be goodies, including a lump sum of $6.4 million for retiring -- thank you very much. And then an additional $5 million a year.
Now, this is on top of -- we keep saying this -- on top of the $530 million he made in salary and bonus since 1992.
Memo to William: Please, give all, every penny, all of this money to charity. I mean, come on. You have to do the right thing.
You're fabulously wealthy. Your great grandchildren will be fabulously wealthy.
M. O'BRIEN: You know, what happens when an executive does well? What do they get?
SERWER: Yes, right. Exactly.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes. All right.
SERWER: Another company, KLA-Tencor, a technology company caught up in this mess, as well. Problems with stock options. Between 1997 and 2002 this company made $710 million in profits.
No they didn't. They should have booked about $400 million in stock option expenses. So they only made $300 million. And they're going to take back the stock options from the former CEO.
I mean, this thing just keeps on getting bigger.
M. O'BRIEN: A little do-over. A little do-over.
SERWER: Yes, a do-over. I mean, imagine if you were an investor or an employee. It's just...
M. O'BRIEN: You would be a little upset.
SERWER: ... insane.
M. O'BRIEN: What do you got next?
SERWER: Next, we're going to be talking about the head of the FDA, the Food and Drug Administration, and his problems with stock options.
So it keeps on going.
M. O'BRIEN: It keeps going.
SERWER: Yes.
M. O'BRIEN: Andy Serwer, thank you very much.
SERWER: Thanks, Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Here's a look at some of the stories on CNN.com.
Denise Grier, a nurse from Athens, Georgia, has filed a federal lawsuit against the state. Grier is doing it after getting slapped with a $100 ticket for sporting an obscene anti-Bush bumper sticker on her car.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DENISE GRIER, SLAPPED WITH TICKET FOR SPORTING OBSCENE ANTI-BUSH: BUMPER STICKER: I never thought anybody would think of it as anything other than funny.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
S. O'BRIEN: The ticket was thrown out, the ACLU filed suit, seeking damages for emotional distress.
This story comes from a world of its own. Scientists in Kansas use new ground-penetrating radar to find this rare meteorite. It weighs 154 pounds. They believe it slammed into the Earth about 10,000 years ago.
And classes have resumed at Gallaudet University in Washington, the nation's premier school for the deaf.
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