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American Morning

Winter Storm Cutting Swathe Across Country; World AIDS Day

Aired December 01, 2006 - 07:00   ET

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

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: The first major snowstorm of the season causing havoc all throughout the Midwest. Much more on that in a moment.
But also this morning, another important story it is World AIDS Day -- Soledad.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: We kickoff CNN's coverage -- it's day-long coverage; 25 years after AIDS was identified, there are treatments, of course, but there's no vaccine and there's still no cure. Every eight seconds a person is infected with HIV.

This morning we're on the front lines of the fight, we're following the money, following the medicine, talking to lots of powerful people who are involved. We'll also take a look later this morning about how you can make a difference. We have worldwide coverage with AMERICAN MORNING's Alina Cho, who is here in New York, at Harlem Hospital's Family HIV ward. Alphonso Van Marsh is in South Africa for us this morning. Jim Boulden is in London.

Plus we have exclusive interviews with Senator Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton, who is in India. All that, on this special edition of AMERICAN MORNING-- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: First up, though, the snow day in the Midwest, that winter storm cutting a swathe across the country, bringing snow, ice and bitter cold to millions. We have you covered on that all throughout the storm region. CNN's Keith Oppenheim getting the brunt of things right now, as it happens in Chicago. Chad Myers will have the forecast in just a moment. Let's got to Keith, right now, and find out the latest.

Keith, do you think things are safe there to do this live shot, first of all?

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: That's true. We had some drama in the last hour, Miles, when we were hearing some thunder. It was a thunder storm, while it was snowing.

But mostly the concern for commuters is this awful slushy mix that you can see on the side of Michigan Avenue here. This is what folks are going to have to walk and drive in this morning. For sure, Chicago is not the only place that's experiencing that kind of trouble this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is horrible.

OPPENHEIM (voice over): Severe winter weather is slamming the Midwest. Snow and ice are creating a travel nightmare across eight states. In Wichita, Kansas, heavy snow slowed traffic on a highways to a crawl. That is, if you could even get on the highway.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I sort of didn't get on the highway. I kind of went astray.

OPPENHEIM: On Interstate 44, in Missouri, a tractor trailer jackknifed on the slick road and slammed into a car, killing the car's driver. In Chicago, ice is blamed for a seven-car pileup overnight along Interstate 55.

But it's at the airports where traffic is really snarled. United Air Lines canceled over 385 flights at O'Hare, America's second busiest, before the storm even hit, to give passengers time to make other plans. For some travelers, that meant staying right where they were.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm just going with my gut, and staying in Wichita for a night.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM: A couple of inches on the ground already right now, Miles. We're expecting somewhere between five and 10 inches in and around the city of Chicago. Back to you.

M. O'BRIEN: Keith Oppenheim in Chicago. So what's next? Where is the storm headed? Chad Myers has the answers for us.

(WEATHER REPORT)

M. O'BRIEN: Overseas a super typhoon taking a huge toll in the Philippines; 400 dead, at least 75 missing after typhoon Durian swept across the island nation. The storm leaving many without power or phone lines. So reliable information is a bit scarce this morning. Rescue teams having a tough time getting to some areas because of washed-out roads. Durian has generated winds of 125 miles an hour, gusts up to 139. The fourth super typhoon to hit the Philippines in as many months -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Let's talk about HIV and AIDS this morning. Despite some major medical breakthroughs, and all that we know about AIDS , 25 years since the very first case, it remains a pandemic. Nearly 40 million people worldwide are living with HIV. Senior Medical Correspondent Doctor Sanjay Gupta is with us this morning.

Good morning, Sanjay.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning, Soledad.

And the demographics of this disease has changed so much. It was thought to be primarily a gay white man's disease, and around the world, located primarily in Africa. But as we've seen the demographics have changed a lot over the last 25 years.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA (voice over): Around the world, the HIV epidemic shows no signs of loosening its hold. This year, 4.3 million people were infected, and two-thirds of those infected are in Sub-Saharan Africa. They're in places like Nairobi, Kenya. Were we visited last year with the Clinton Foundation.

BILL CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's 100 percent preventable. And, yet, it's sweeping the world like a firestorm, killing people of all ages in its path.

GUPTA: And it's not just Africa. The economic powerhouse, India, now has 5 million people infected, that's more than any other country. Experts are also concerned about Eastern Europe as the disease skyrockets among IV drug users there. Even in the United States, the epidemic has not been contained.

DR. JOHN BARTLETT, JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY: There's about 1 million or 1.2 million people in the United States that are living with HIV infection, about 25 percent of them don't know it.

GUPTA: Once seen most frequently among white gay men, the disease is spreading across the population.

DR. KEVIN FENTON, CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL: We are beginning to see the face of the epidemic changing. AIDS is increasingly becoming a black disease in the United States.

GUPTA: In fact, African-Americans who make up only 13 percent of the population, account for half of all new infections. Amidst all the bad news, there is some good. Powerful treatments that have prolonged the life of HIV, are more available than ever.

DR. MICHAEL SAAG, UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA: If we were to get every person into care and on treatment with a lower amount of virus in their bloodstream, there's no question, that transmission, even without safer sexual practices, would be reduced substantially.

GUPTA: But it comes at a price. Treatment runs about $20,000 a year. Those who need it don't always have health insurance.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA: One thing that's for sure, those places where prevention programs have been put into place, you have seen a decline in HIV rates, and where they're not in place, you continue to see an increase. But the demographics really changing over the last 25 years, Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Yes, in a really shocking way. Sanjay, thanks for the update for us.

Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: The continent hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic, without question, is Africa. There are nearly 25 million people living with HIV in Africa. CNN's Alphonso Van Marsh live in Johannesburg, South Africa with more -- Alphonso.

ALPHONSO VAN MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: That's right, as you mentioned, some 25 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa infected with HIV , the virus that causes AIDS. That's 60 percent of all the cases on the planet. According to U.N. figures, more than 3 million people contracted HIV last year. And so far, in this part of the country, in this part of continent, more than 2 million Africans have died.

But there is some good news, Miles, in some countries, HIV prevalence (ph) rates are down, in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Alphonso Van Marsh, in South Africa. Thank you very much.

High-risk behavior is the reason for high numbers in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Nearly 2.5 million people are infected with the AIDS virus in all of Europe and Central Asia. CNN's Jim Boulden in London with more -- Jim.

JIM BOULDEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: Miles, let's start in here in Western Europe, where the HIV diagnosis -- people with HIV -- has actually doubled from 1998 to 2005. We have in this year, 22,000 new cases of HIV infections. In fact, we've had estimated 12,000 deaths from AIDS. That's in Western and Central Europe.

The numbers in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, even more alarming; 1.7 million people affected by the disease. And 270,000 new infections in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; and some 84,000 deaths in that region this year -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Why is there such a large rate of infection in the United Kingdom, Jim?

BOULDEN: Yes, the United Kingdom has the fastest growing; a number of reasons. One, is the immigrant population. This country has had a lot of immigrants lately, from Eastern Europe, also from India as we heard from that earlier report, and from Africa. The rate of people coming in here with HIV is increasing.

Also awareness is falling amongst the young people. They say here that HIV infections are rising because awareness continues to decline, Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Jim Boulden, thank you very much.

A lot has changed in 25 years. Used to be an issue only for the highest-risk groups, gay men or IV drug users. Now we know every person who has unprotected sex, gay or straight, is at risk. In North America 1.4 million people are now infected with HIV. CNN's Alina Chow in New York City with more on that part of the story -- Alina. ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: Hey there, Miles. Good morning.

We're here at Harlem Hospital at the Family Care Center. This is where they treat HIV and AIDS patients, including many children. What's interesting is that 100 percent of the patients here that are treated for HIV and AIDS are either African-American or Latino. That's important. We'll get to why in just a minute.

First, the raw numbers. Currently in the United States there are more than 1 million Americans living with HIV. There are 40,000 new cases each year. Of those, 50 percent of all new infections are among African-Americans, even though they make up just 13 percent of the population.

Now, AIDS experts say the numbers are staggering. And they say that we, here in this country, and around the world, for that matter, suffer from what they call "prevention fatigue".

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, NAT'L. INST. ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES: They just look around and say, gee, we don't see this as a big deal anymore. That is a big mistake, and, unfortunately, that kind of mindset leads people, who may or may not be practicing risk behavior, to be a little bit less aware of what they need to do -- or being aware of it, but not practicing what they need to do.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHO: Here's another startling number: 25 percent of all cases in the U.S., that's 250,000 people, do not know that they are HIV positive. Don't know that they're infected. The CDC currently wants HIV testing to be part of routine medical care. To that end here at Harlem Hospital, they offer something called rapid HIV testing. What that means is you can walk in here, take an HIV test, and you can have your results, Miles, in just 20 minutes.

M. O'BRIEN: Alina Cho in New York City, thank you.

Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, in just a few minutes, my exclusive interview with Senator Barack Obama. Plus, we talk to former President Bill Clinton, who is in India on this World AIDS Day. Those stories just ahead.

Plus, you want to keep it tuned to CNN all day long for our continued coverage of World AIDS Day, "Stopping a Killer".

M. O'BRIEN: Also ahead, more on that major winter storm that we're tracking across the Midwest. You're weekend forecast is ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M. O'BRIEN: Top stories on our radar, the Iraq study group poised to recommend bringing nearly all U.S. combat troops home from Iraq in 2008, according to "The Washington Post."

Pope Benedict XVI on his way home from Turkey. The trip meant to mend fences with Muslims and it appears the pope succeeded. His conciliatory gestures, capped with a trip to Istanbul's famous Blue Mosque.

A quarter past the hour now, travelers may have a nightmare, depending on where they are in this country. Chad Myers has that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

S. O'BRIEN: Also, all day long, we're taking a closer look at the fight against HIV and AIDS on this World AIDS Day. Hearing from people who are living with the disease and from leaders who are doing what they can to help with treatment and a search for the cure. One leader, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, he's in California for a global AIDS conference.

We spoke earlier in the week about the government's role and whether President Bush's emergency plan for AIDS relief, which is called PEPFAR, goes far enough with its $15 billion commitment.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D-IL): First of all, I want to commend the Bush administration, because I think this is an area where they have really stepped up to the plate. The program that they've initiated, the PEPFAR program, I've seen the effects of in Africa. They're doing a lot of positive work.

I would like to see some increased funding. I think that if we can increase it by a billion dollars a year, we can apply that to some programs that we know work, not only anti-retroviral drugs, which are having a good impact on those who are already infected, but doing more on the prevention side.

S. O'BRIEN (on camera): But, of course, the big question is, OK, who is going to pay for it? Where do you see that $1 billion coming from?

OBAMA: If you look at the impact that $1 billion can have in AIDS, it's extraordinarily significant, compared to our overall budget. Look, it's important to remember that we're losing probably 3 million people a year to HIV/AIDS. And it's just a staggering number. There are 12 million AIDS orphans in Africa. And those children end up growing up, potentially, because without parents, in all sorts of difficult situations that may over time have a significant impact on our national security.

S. O'BRIEN: You were tested for HIV last year in a very public way, in front of 10,000 people when you were in Africa. Why did you feel the need to do it so publicly? Is it something you do here in the United States to send the same message, sort of more locally?

OBAMA: The reason I took a test, along with my wife, in Africa, it turned out that the Center for Disease Control had a program there, and one of the problems they were having was that there was still a stigma about finding out what your HIV status was.

They came to us, and said, you know, if you get tested publicly, potentially half a million people will also get tested. And that could save tens of thousands of lives. So that was probably the best 15- minutes' investment that I've made since I've been a U.S. senator.

S. O'BRIEN: I'm always curious to know why of all the kajillion causes that you, as a U.S. senator could pick to focus on, to give your name to, why AIDS?

OBAMA: Well, because it's having such a devastating effect. And it's eroding, I think, the social fabric, particularly in Africa, where my father is from. When you go out to villages in Kenya, you're seeing a complete deterioration, because there's no adults. They've all been devastated by AIDS.

These are areas where we can do something that is positive, that is cost effective. It makes an enormous difference. And I think to the extent that we are able to strengthen the public health infrastructure in Africa, over time, that will have a positive impact on our own economy, on our own well-being. You know, a lot of the diseases that develop in Third World countries, in impoverished nations, end up -- because of jet travel and immigration -- end up having an impact here.

S. O'BRIEN: Senator Barack Obama, nice to see you, sir. Thanks for talking with us.

OBAMA: Great to talk to you, Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Senator Obama is scheduled for another AIDS test today. Conservative Republican Senator Sam Brownback is going to get an HIV test, too. It's going to happen at Pastor Rick Warren's mega- church, which is outside of San Diego. Senator Obama is addressing evangelical church leaders at that international AIDS summit.

And one evangelical pastor has been protesting the senator's appearance, Senator Obama's appearance, because of his pro-choice views. Rick Warren was asked about it and he say, "Hey, it's a conference where not everybody is going to agree." Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Coming up in "Minding Your Business", a big win for the CEO of General Motors. We'll tell you why one of his big adversaries is throwing in the towel. Ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M. O'BRIEN: It's 7:25 on the East Coast. Do you know where your billionaire is? Ali Velshi is watching them for us this morning.

Good morning, Ali.

ALI VELSHI, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning, Miles.

This is your rich guy update at 7:25 Eastern. Kirk Kerkorian, a name we've all heard about, he's a billionaire investor who buys up big chunks of companies to influence change, and theoretically, make a little money doing it.

He spent the last couple of years buying up GM stock. He had 9.9 percent of the stock and he was pushing the idea of a merger between GM and Renault and Nissan. That merger fell apart, that wasn't going to happen. Now Kirk Kerkorian has taken his marbles and running away. That's 28 million shares' worth of marbles.

It's a big of a victory for GM CEO Rick Wagoner who now gets to go ahead with his plans to put that company back on track. Don't doubt that Kirk Kerkorian will show up some where else.

Rich guy update number two: Dick Grasso used to run the New York Stock Exchange, you'll remember him? He got a big fat pay package. He's been asked to give back $112 million of that pay package. But now, a New York State appeals court -- a New York State court has halted the repayment, pending an appeal by another court. This one is not going to be settled for a little while.

And William McGuire, the outgoing CEO of UnitedHealth, the nation's second largest health insurer. Central player in "optionsgate", which can best be described as betting on a horse race after the race has happened. McGuire has not been charged with any crime, but at the end of 2005 had stock options worth almost $1.8 billion. But all this nasty news about the stock options has cut about 25 percent off the value of that. He is now going to have to hold off on those -- those assets have been frozen until this investigation goes further. New York attorney general for the United States, in New York, is investigating this. We'll keep you updated on all of those cases -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Another story that keeps on giving. All right, Ali. Thanks.

Coming up, more on that nasty winter storm, on the move right now, across the Midwest. Severe Weather Expert Chad Myers is going to stop by with the forecast.

Plus, on this World AIDS Day, our exclusive interview with former President Bill Clinton, making a major announcement today. Going to also talk about why he sees hope for ending this crisis in our lifetime. Straight ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

S. O'BRIEN: Wintry blast: Take a look at some live pictures from St. Louis where they are dealing with a mess of a major snowstorm this morning. It's stalling traffic, grounding flights, in other parts of the country, too. Got the latest forecast straight ahead.

M. O'BRIEN: Timetable after all? New information from the Iraq study group about exactly when U.S. troops should come home.

S. O'BRIEN: It's World AIDS Day 2006. We have an exclusive conversation with former President Bill Clinton about his work to help find a cure, and why we should feel hopeful, on this special edition of AMERICAN MORNING.

Welcome back, everybody, Friday, December 1st. I'm Soledad O'Brien.

M. O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien. Thanks for being with us.

Happening this morning: The White House wants at least $100 billion to keep the war in Iraq going. And in Afghanistan total war spending next year could reach $200 billion, $80 billion more than this year. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the leadership Democrats have no plans to limit funds. But other Democrats say they're looking to pull in the reins when the dems take control of Congress. Stay tuned for that.

Overseas travelers beware, big brother is watching. The government rating those who cross the borders to see who might be a security risk. The software generates a risk rating for travelers, it's based on things like how they pay for their tickets, their motor vehicle records, seating preference and what kind of meal they order. Travelers are not allowed to see their score, its secret, or challenge it for that matter. The government says it's a critical tool for security. Civil liberties groups say it's alarmingly invasive.

The FBI now in the case of fatal poisoning of a former Russian spy. The bureau assisting British authorities providing some of its experts in weapons of mass destruction. Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with a radioactive element called polonium. An autopsy is slated for today. Investigators now finding traces of polonium across London and on three passenger planes. Upwards of 400 dead and at least 75 missing after a typhoon Durian swept across the Philippines. The storm leaving many people without power. Rescue teams having a tough time getting to some areas because of washed out roads. Durian generating winds of 121 miles an hour, gusts up to 139. The fourth super typhoon to hit the Philippines in as many months.

S. O'BRIEN: And of course, the big story we're watching for you this morning, a major winter storm that's slamming the Midwest with snow and ice and bitter cold as well. We've got it covered with Keith Oppenheim who's in Chicago for us, Jonathan Freed is in Kansas City and Chad Myers is going to have the forecast straight ahead. Let's get right to Keith Oppenheim who's in Chicago. Worst of the storm just beginning there, Keith, isn't it, flight's looking bad, people bracing for it?

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello Soledad, that's right. It's just beginning and the weather has been awful. You might also notice, Soledad, that it's kind of dark where I'm standing and that's because a bank of streetlights went out because of the storm just a few minutes ago. They shorted out. Take a look at the side of Michigan Avenue as I stand in this sort of yucky cul de sac down here. This is what folks have to walk through and drive through, a real mix of rain and snow and slush that's covering the road. It's obviously an awful day for driving. Also a very bad day for flying.

We have some video from O'Hare Airport where passengers have been stranded. That, in part, is because the major airlines have canceled hundreds of flights. So folks are really camped out at O'Hare and may have to wait until this afternoon before planes get back into the sky. One exception, possibly, is Southwest Airlines, which may be flying this morning. Obviously, if you are flying to or through Chicago, you'll have to call ahead of time and see what's going on. But the good news for Chicago, I suppose, is that the city is well prepared. There are 270 salt-spreading trucks that sort of go across the city to cover the freeways, as well as the side streets. But, you know, in Chicago, mayors have been deposed because of basically voters were very unhappy as to how the city prepared for storms in the past. This time the city is prepared, but that doesn't mean that things will be fast going, not at all. It's going to be slow going if you're driving here and if you're flying, you're going to have to wait. Soledad, back to you.

S. O'BRIEN: It is quite a mess. Thank you very much, Keith, in Chicago this morning. Miles?

M. O'BRIEN: All right you see what's happening in Chicago right now, Kansas City got a taste of that yesterday. Snow and ice, nightmare on the highways, big mess there still today. Jonathan Freed live from Kansas City with more. Jonathan?

JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles. Allow us to show you now what is quite possibly one of the hardest-working snow removal crews in the Midwest. They're right over here and it is possible, Miles, that this pile of snow may be one of the last to go in Kansas City. We got as much as a foot of snow in the general Kansas City area here overnight. This part of town didn't get that much, but, still, these crews have been out all morning. We've been seeing salt trucks and sand trucks and we're in the heart of a rather upscale commercial district here. A sort of an open air mall. And this is an area where yesterday stores were generally closed. We're sure that people had probably planned to keep their staff at home today, because of what was going through here, but these guys have done such a good job, the roads are largely clear now and wondering exactly what kind of activity we're going to see here today. It was a very intense storm, Miles. At one point it was snowing at three inches an hour. One inch an hour would be a lot. Usually a good snowfall is an inch an hour or less. Three inches, a lot of energy in that storm. Miles?

M. O'BRIEN: Jonathan Freed in Kansas City, thank you.

(WEATHER REPORT)

S. O'BRIEN: Let's talk about Iraq now. The Iraq Study Group is apparently poised to recommend withdrawing virtually all U.S. combat troops out of Iraq by 2008. "The Washington Post" is reporting that the blue ribbon panel is going to suggest leaving behind only enough troops to train the Iraqis. CNN's Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre live at the Pentagon for us this morning. Jamie, the actual report's not out yet, so why is there so much variation on what's being predicted at this point?

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well I'm told that there's a lot more in the report than we've actually seen. The report is about 50 pages long, almost 100 if you count all the appendices. But we are learning a little bit more about what some of the key recommendations are and this one is pretty significant. When you talk about all the combat troops in Iraq, you're talking about half the force there, about 70,000 of the 140,000, the recommendation would call for significantly reducing the number of U.S. troops in Iraq by early 2008. As those troops shift from a combat role to more of a support role, again, could cut the force in half. But here's the key point. It's a conditional goal, not a firm timetable. It's based on what's happening on the ground. And the real question here as to what extend the United States would go ahead and make those troop reductions to put the Iraqi government on notice that they've got to do the things they need to do or would we be in a situation like we're in now where the U.S. cannot make hoped-for troop withdrawals because things on the ground aren't improving fast enough? That's really the key question. But again, one Pentagon official looking at this, this morning said, you know, goals for big troop cuts based on conditions on the ground, sounds a lot like what we're doing now. Soledad?

S. O'BRIEN: Interesting. Now, is there any indication at this point that troops being withdrawn would mean, well, troops coming home or is that troops being withdrawn to other nearby countries.

MCINTYRE: Yeah, it's pull out or pull back, I think, is what they're looking at there. It's not clear whether they would just reduce the profile of troops. Sources told CNN that one of the recommendations is to essentially move U.S. troops out of the bull's- eye. So does that mean they would just go back to some more secure bases, put the Iraqis out front or would they actually leave the country? Obviously the ultimate goal is to withdraw troops and bring them home, not just move them around inside Iraq.

S. O'BRIEN: Jamie McIntyre is at the Pentagon for us this morning. Thanks Jamie. Miles?

M. O'BRIEN: Straight ahead, an update on the condition of that trainer attacked by a killer whale during a Shamu show in San Diego. We'll also going to tell you what's happened with the whale.

Plus, a freight train, off the tracks, smashing into cars along the way. We'll show you the incredible aftermath.

And then there's this --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The dog started barking and barking and I said what are you barking for? So I get up and he ran in here.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

M. O'BRIEN: A little dog named Josie does her best impression of Lassie and saves a life in the process. You won't want to miss this "tail". Now, we will "paws."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) S. O'BRIEN: I'm not sure the folks in Chicago are saying that, "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" this morning. That's some live pictures there of what looks like the midsection of our nation. Happening in America this morning, the trainer that was attacked by the killer whale during that Seaworld show in San Diego, well he's expected to be released from the hospital today. He's 39 years old, his name is Ken Peters and he underwent surgery on his broken foot. Meanwhile, the whale is back performing again. Trainers though aren't getting in the pool while the whale is doing the act.

In Ohio, one person is hospitalized this morning after a freight train jumped off the tracks, hit three cars. The cars were waiting at a rail crossing in north Baltimore, which is near Toledo. Two other people were hurt in that accident.

California, investigators trying to find out why a marine F-18 fighter crashed near the Miramar marine base airfield. The pilot was able to eject safely before the crash. And the crash sparked a small brush fire, burned about five acres.

In Braintree, Massachusetts, Josie the dog is a big hero this morning, Josie started barking when smoke began to billow from a malfunctioning oil burner in Rose Cupello's home. All the noise wakes up Rose, Rose able to get out with her dog and Josie, the big hero today. Cute story. Like Lassie, it's Josie.

M. O'BRIEN: Such a smart animal.

S. O'BRIEN: Yeah, dogs are smart animals.

Record-setting November to tell you about in Seattle, more than 15.5 inches of rain has been recorded at the Seattle Tacoma Airport last month. The National Weather Service says it's the most rain in November in Seattle since they started keeping records back in 1891.

And one of Norman Rockwell's most famous paintings has been auctioned off at Sotheby's in New York for 15.4 million bucks. That's a record for a Rockwell painting. "Breaking Home Ties" is the name of that painting right there, I love that one. Was found earlier this year, it was behind a fake wall in a home in Vermont. It was purchased back in 1960 for 900 bucks. Chad, do the math for me on how much of an increase that is. How much of a percentage increase is that, 900 bucks to $15 million?

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know even if you round up to 1,000 and then try to put some zeros on the end, you've got to be looking at 10,000, right?

S. O'BRIEN: I think you're about right on that one.

MYERS: I'm telling you, that's the kind of stock I would like some day, but I'm just not a good picker. I picked WebVan, so don't ever listen to my stock picks.

(WEATHER REPORT)

M. O'BRIEN: Coming up in the program, new developments in that poisoning death of a former Russian spy. Extreme measures are in place for today's autopsy. A lot of concern it would be safe at all. We'll go live to London for more on that.

Plus, more of our exclusive interview with former President Clinton and what he thinks it would take to find a cure for HIV. Part of our special edition of AMERICAN MORNING on "World AIDS Day". Stay with us.

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S. O'BRIEN: New developments this morning in the mysterious death of that former Russian spy. An autopsy begins today on the body of Alexander Litvinenko. This, as the discovery of radioactive material grounds airplanes in both London and Moscow now. CNN's Robin Oakley is in London for us this morning. Good morning, Robin.

ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad. The autopsy is going on at this royal London hospital here behind me. The latest intriguing element in the saga of Alexander Litvinenko, who died on November 23rd, and polonium 210, radioactive polonium 210 had been found in his urine before he died. The autopsy is being conducted by three different pathologists, one of them approved by the British government. A second one will be doing a separate report, which will be made available to the defense, if it leads eventually to a murder case and people are charged with Mr. Litvinenko's death. The third pathologist is representative of Mr. Litvinenko's family. And all of them are having to take extreme precautions in this autopsy. They'll be wearing spaceman-type helmets, very protective clothing because of course any little bit of bone dust, any little splash of blood as they take samples of all the vital organs and the bone and bone marrow could be of danger to them, particularly because Britain's homeland security minister, John Reid, has said they've been checking 12 sites across London for radioactive contamination. In 12 of them they have found some contamination. Soledad?

S. O'BRIEN: Let's talk about these planes as well, some of them have been grounded. Are any of them flying again?

OAKLEY: Well basically four planes were grounded, three of them in London, two of those operated by British Airway, one by Trans Air, a Russian airline. Another British Airways plane was grounded in Moscow. That is going to be on its way back to London sometime today but without passengers for further tests. One of the British Airways planes has been cleared, so has the Russian plane been cleared to resume flying. But in the meantime of course, British Airways contacted 33,000 passengers who had been on 221 different flights involving these aircraft since the time that Mr. Litvinenko was taken ill about a month ago. And there have been many calls to a National Health Service hotline here in Britain among people who felt that they might have symptoms that they wanted to check out. But the home secretary did say that the risk to public health is actually very low, Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Robin Oakley in London for us this morning. Thanks, Robin.

Coming up on this "World AIDS Day," more of our exclusive interview with former President Bill Clinton. We'll talk about why he thinks the world could beat HIV within our lifetime. Straight ahead on AMERICAN MORNING, stay with us.

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S. O'BRIEN: More now on our coverage of "World AIDS Day 2006." Former President Bill Clinton is helping lead the fight against AIDS with a special focus today on India. Had a chance to speak with him exclusively on Thursday.

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S. O'BRIEN: Do you think that, in fact, you will live to see AIDS as a major problem across the globe resolved?

BILL CLINTON: There's an enormous amount of research going on now funded also by other governments around the world on trying to find a vaccine, trying to find a cure. It's a particularly difficult virus that reconfigures the inner structure of the cell and it's a devilishly difficult thing. But I think eventually we'll find, first, a vaccine, and probably a cure. Because of the work that we announced today, which has been made possible, I should say, by the French government working with the British, the Brazilians, the Chileans, the Norwegians. They've put together a fund called Unitaid and they've asked us to help organize their distribution of children's medicine. It's a big thing to celebrate on "World AIDS Day" because it means we'll go from having just 15,000 kids a year ago, getting this AIDS medicine to about 30,000 today to over 100,000 next year and over 200,000 the year after. And I hope the year after that we'll be able to get medicine to every child in the world who needs it to stay alive. And that's a big, big thing to celebrate.

S. O'BRIEN: President Bush has committed $15 billion over five years to the fight against HIV/AIDS globally. Under your administration, the Congress was much less willing to pony up big money. Do you look back now and say if only we put the cash in early, we could have made a big difference.

CLINTON: Keep in mind, when I became president, the United States thought we had the biggest AIDS problem in the world. So we had a huge increase in spending in America and we cut the death rate by more than three quarters and basically turned the epidemic around. Then by my second term, we began to try to put money into the global AIDS fight and we organized what became the global fund on AIDS, TB and Malaria. We couldn't get any more money then but I think there were a confluence of forces that made it possible for President Bush to do that. One of which was the enormously positive impact of having the Christian evangelical community, which were a big part of the Republican base at the time. Although I hope they won't be forever. They were and they came in and supported this big expenditure in AIDS. President Bush and the Congress deserve credit for putting that money out. And even though I have some differences around the edges with how the Pepfar(ph) money, as the president's program is called has been spent, on balance they've saved an enormous number of lives and we've worked with them very closely in many countries. So I think that the whole world is awakened to this challenge.

S. O'BRIEN: Twenty five years since AIDS was discovered, why should people in this country around the globe feel hopeful about the progress that's been made?

CLINTON: We've proved that this can be done. If you look at Europe, if you look at Canada, if you look at other countries that have high levels of income, well developed health systems, they've been able to turn it around. We now have strategies and dramatically cheaper medicine which enable us to do the same thing in lower income countries. So there's no reason this can't be done, you just have to focus on it. It becomes an important problem to everybody and we make a commitment to it, and we follow proven strategies, we'll have predictable results. And that will be good and a lot of people will live as a result of it. Not just a few people, tens of millions of people will live, who, otherwise, would have died way before their time. But we can do this.

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S. O'BRIEN: Former President Bill Clinton talking with us. He's in New Delhi, India.

In our next hour we're going to hear from a long term survivor of HIV. He went from thinking he had a certain death sentence to living with HIV for the last 19 years. Truly a story of hope and courage and you'll of course want to keep it tuned to CNN all day long for our continuing coverage on this "World AIDS Day, Stopping a Killer."

M. O'BRIEN: The next hour of AMERICAN MORNING begins right now.

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