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American Morning
Cautious Optimism Regarding H1N1 Outbreak; Warren Buffett Says Economy Looking Better, Banks Appear More Stable; Jeb Bush Worried About Republican Party's Future; Mine That Bird Wows Kentucky & America With 50-1 Win at Derby; Advice on How Best to Change Careers in Today's Economy
Aired May 04, 2009 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: We're crossing the top of the hour. It's 8:00 Eastern.
Good morning. Thanks very much for being with us on the Most News in the Morning. Monday, the 4th of May. I'm John Roberts.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Kiran Chetry. Here's a look at the stories we're going to be covering for you. Breaking them down in the next 15 minutes.
We're entering a new phase it seems in the swine flu outbreak this morning. One of cautious optimism. U.S. health officials say they're seeing encouraging signs that the H1N1 flu virus is not as dangerous as once feared and in Mexico City authorities will decide today whether to reopen schools and many businesses.
There's developing news about your money and it's good news, actually. Markets overseas up right now. Hong Kong closing up more than 5.5 percent. Japan's Nikkei also higher and in Europe, where trading is under way, markets are also in positive territory.
Also this morning, America's still buzzing about Mine That Bird, a 50-1 shot that shocked the field at Kentucky derby. There's still no word on whether the horse will race in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness. We're going to try to get some answers when we talk to Mine That Bird's jockey and trainer coming up in just about 20 minutes.
We start the morning now with those encouraging signs we were talking about, about the swine flu outbreak. Despite new cases here in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 226 people have fallen ill in 30 states.
It's more than five times the number of cases from a year ago. I mean from a week ago. But the nation's top health officials have come out with a unified message, one of cautious optimism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. RICHARD BESSER, ACTING DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL: There are encouraging sign. We're not out of the woods yet, but what we've learned about the virus itself, it doesn't contain the factors that we know are seen in much more severe flu strains. Each strain that comes out may have other factors we weren't aware of. But the ones we know about, it's not there.
KATHLEEN SEBELIUS, U.S. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: There is some cautious optimism right now in terms of what is presenting itself in America, but it's early. We know that even if this doesn't present itself as a very virulent stream right now it could come back with greater force in the winter and fall when we get into full flu season. So this is no time for complacency. We want to stay out ahead of this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: And this morning it's back to business at one Catholic high school at the center of the outbreak in New York City. Classes have resumed for the first time in more than a week at St. Francis Prep in Queens. That's where our Deborah Feyerick is this morning.
What are they saying about heading back to school right now? Are they confident that the -- that this is not going to spread?
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For the most part they are. It's interesting because the number of students we talked to said they had more homework during the week they were off than they had in all the previous weeks. The teachers making sure to keep all the students busy.
But those students walked in today and they were surrounded by photographers and members of the press, taking pictures as they returned back to school. Remember, this is the cluster school where 45 of New York City's 53 confirmed cases actually occurred.
The students said they were embarrassed to be getting all this attention. A little bit nervous. They were excited to be back with their friends. (INAUDIBLE) has been purged 100 percent, according to the school, and the entire facility has been sanitized. Mixed reactions from the kids this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot better. Everything's clean.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a little nervous. I don't want to the lie. Scared. (INAUDIBLE) has developing but I'm still a little nervous.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm definitely confident that, you know, I don't think anyone's sick and I'm glad that we're back in school to see each other again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: Now, of course, there is concern that the flu will make a comeback, and that's why the principal is urging the same kind of caution as is being given to everyone around the country, to make sure that you cough into your sleeve, wash your hands, things like that.
And the kids said that they did get those similar kinds of warnings from their parents today when they returned to school. Just about an hour, a couple more kids coming. The late ones, I guess. A lot of other kids came within the last hour. However, the school did close simply to make sure to slow the spread of the illness.
A couple of people we spoke to said that they did have a flu-like symptoms, but they said that they weren't considered confirmed cases even though one girl did go to the hospital. She said she was sent home. Doctors said she wasn't sick enough. Kiran?
CHETRY: All right. Deb Feyerick for us this morning. Thanks.
ROBERTS: Also new this morning, right now there's a drive to create a European car giant. Fiat, which just agreed to buy a stake in Chrysler, is right now in talks to buy most of GM's European operations. If successful, the new company would become one of the largest carmakers in the world generating $100 billion a year.
In just about three hours' time, President Obama and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner will roll out a tax plan designed to crack down on big companies not paying their fair share to Uncle Sam. It closes loopholes that allow companies to legally avoid paying billions of dollars in taxes and eliminate incentives for creating jobs overseas.
And a vote of confidence for the economy from Warren Buffett. The Berkshire Hathaway CEO telling CNN we no longer have an economic Pearl Harbor on our hands.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WARREN BUFFETT, CEO, BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY: I give great credit to the people working on the problem. Getting in there and guaranteeing the commercial paper, the money market funds, and it brought stability to the system, and that has laid the framework for an improved economic situation.
But that's going to take time. So we are now in the more drawn out phase of fighting the battle of this war and, you know, they come along like Chrysler, whatever it may be, and you take them one at time. You don't win them all, but the crisis is passed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: And Buffett says most of the banks that the government is now evaluating with stress tests are not too big to fail.
So what's all of this going to mean as we go forward today? Particularly when the stock market opens, because when the oracle of Omaha speak, people listen?
Christine Romans here "Minding Your Business."
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: And you now, he avoided the same dotcom debacle, remember? So his esteem really grew. ROBERTS: Because he said, I don't invest in things I don't understand.
ROMANS: That's right.
ROBERTS: But now he's saying there are some things I don't understand that I am investing in.
ROMANS: That's true, and he also got really nailed in this crisis, too. So he had skirted the last big financial crisis we have and he got hit on this one. He uses that, you know, Pearl Harbor metaphor.
When he said that last fall, that this is an economic Pearl Harbor, it really was a good way to describe what was happening, was striking at the heart of American finance what we were going through. But the shock part this is over and now we've settled into the reality.
To mix the metaphors, he also talked about someone drowning in quicksand. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUFFETT: Our economy back in September was like finding a friend of yours in quicksand up to his chest and he's going down, and we threw a rope out, and he ties it around himself. You hook it to a car and you yank him out.
Now you probably are going to dislocate a couple of shoulders -- I mean you can't do it without some pain involved, but the important thing was to get out of the quicksand and we got out of the quicksand.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: OK.
ROMANS: OK.
ROBERTS: Through the upright. That is the metaphor of the century.
ROMANS: It's good, right? But now we're out of the quicksand, but we were cold, shivering and covered in mud, you know? I mean that's where we are right now. My shoulder, personally, does feel a little dislocated by everything that's happened. But leave it to Warren Buffett.
He defended the government's handling of the entire crisis, said they did all of the right things, but that we have to pay for this eventually, either in higher taxes or in inflation, you know, the lower -- pristine power of the United States dollar.
This is, of course, the Woodstock of capitalism, they say. 35,000 people in Omaha to hear what he had to say about the economy. And I think what he was saying is essentially, what we've been talking about it here, that we've turned the page on the shock and awe part of this and now we're -- you know, we're into a really painful time, but, look.
Stocks are up, John and Kiran, 30 percent over the past six or seven weeks. The S&P 500 has just done well and is supposed to do well again -- you laugh at me whenever I talk about stocks. Because they're up 30 percent but they're down so terribly to get up...
(LAUGHTER)
ROBERTS: Next week they could be back down again. We know that one.
ROMANS: No, it's been -- but it has been a decent rally. And I think what Wall Street is telling us is what Warren Buffett said as well. That the Pearl Harbor part is over and now we're moving into something that's a little more predictable.
ROBERTS: Just don't hold your breath. Keep breathing.
ROMANS: You know, I've been trying to breathe through all this, John, as well know but it's difficult some days.
ROBERTS: Thanks, Christine.
CHETRY: Well, also new this morning, a Dallas Cowboy scouting assistant is now paralyzed as a result of a horrific accident at the team's practice facility this weekend. The Cowboys announced that 34- year-old Rich Behm fractured his spine when the team's bubble tent structure collapsed during a severe storm. There are some pictures from the situation when it happened Saturday. The team's rookie practice suddenly became pandemonium. People are running for safety as the roof collapsed on them. Two other Cowboy staffers also suffered serious injuries but are expected to recover.
New this morning, Madonna is not giving up yet. A panel of three judges in Malawi hearing Madonna's appeal of a judge's decision to deny her adoption of a little girl and to add to the drama, a man claiming to be the girl's father is now coming forward to try to stop the proceedings. The child has been in an orphanage since birth. Madonna is not in Malawi for the appeal, but her lawyer is there.
And Hugh Jackman clawed his way to the top of the box office this weekend. "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" made an estimated $87 million in its opening weekend. It's the second best of the four "X-Men" movies. Jennifer Garner and Matthew McConaughey came at a distant second for their romantic comedy "Ghosts of Girlfriends' Past."
ROBERTS: It took a little more than 100 days, but President Obama finally getting to take the first lady out on a date in D.C. Saturday night the first couple hit up one of the most popular restaurants in Georgetown, Citronelle. After a two-hour dinner, it was back to the White House where they strolled hand in hand across the South Lawn.
You know it's difficult for the president and first lady to get out there and go on a date night. George Bush and Laura Bush tried it a couple of times, but sort of gave it up.
CHETRY: They say that, you know, it's very, very hard to find those private moments, unless you are inside...
ROBERTS: Yes.
CHETRY: ... the private quarters of the White House.
ROBERTS: Yes. And even when they're inside the restaurant, there are 200 people outside just waiting to catch a glimpse of them.
CHETRY: And even when they were trying to walk on the actual lawn, you know, it was...
ROBERTS: Going all (INAUDIBLE). Yes.
A three-ranking GOP leaders launched a campaign to add some shine to their party's tarnished image. With fewer Americans calling themselves Republican, what does the party need to do to bolster its numbers? And will Mine That Bird fly at Pimlico?
Two days winning the derby, still no word on whether the long- shot winner will run in the Preakness. But we'll try to get an answer and we'll be talking to the horse's jockey and trainer coming up.
It's 10 1/2 minutes after the hour.
ANNOUNCER: "Minding Your Business" brought to you by...
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROBERTS: Twelve and a half minutes after the hour and topping Monday's political ticker, two-time Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is being investigated for how he spent campaign funds. In question is more than $100,000 paid to the video production company of the woman with whom he admitted having an affair. Edwards released a statement saying no campaign funds were used improperly.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush says he's worried about the future of the Republican Party. He spoke at a Republican event this weekend meant to relaunch the party's image. The former governor says it's time for his party to look to the future.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEB BUSH (R), FORMER GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA: From the conservative side it's time for us to listen first, to learn a little bit, to upgrade our message a little bit, to not be nostalgic about the past. But what I've seen in the last few years is really troubling.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: In a funny moment at that Republican get-together this weekend, former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and House Republican Eric Cantor sat down with our John King, and Romney took a bit of a swipe at Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: As you launch this effort, anyone who picks up "TIME" magazine this week and sees "The 100 Most Influential People," will see two Republicans in that magazine. We'll see Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh. Is that helpful, hurtful? Indifferent?
MITT ROMNEY (R), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I feel like a lot more influential Republicans as I think there are a lot more influential Republicans than that would suggest. But was that the issue on the most beautiful or most influential people? I'm not sure. If it's the most beautiful, I understand. We're not real cute.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: Oh, slam.
CHETRY: It's funny, because people always said that about him, that he was very telegenic. I mean he's an attractive guy.
ROBERTS: Rush Limbaugh definitely one of America's most beautiful...
CHETRY: You know? That's why there's 10 horses in a race.
ROBERTS: Exactly.
CHETRY: Polls showed that the number of Republicans voters shrinking now and so are the party's numbers on Capitol Hill. At this weekend's Republican meeting, the National Council for a New America hosts Jeb Bush and, as you saw, Mitt Romney as well as Eric Cantor, who we just finished speaking to, tried to tackle the GOP's problems head-on.
So for more on that now I'm joined by Tara Wall, editor of "The Washington Times." And to get the Democrat perspective as well, Karen Finney, former communications director for the DNC.
Thanks to both of you for being with us this morning. Tara - sorry - let's start with you. Now, the GOP is shrinking. According to the latest "Washington Post" poll we have, only 21 percent of people identify themselves as Republicans. That's compared to 35 percent who identified themselves as Democrats. And maybe the bigger story here is that more -- both of them identified themselves as an independent.
But the challenge is coming up with these solutions to improve the lives of everyday people. At least that's what we heard from Eric Cantor as well as Mitt Romney. So how does the Republican Party do that, Tara?
TARA WALL, EDITOR, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES": Yes. Actually this trend, I think, has been growing a little bit. I mean it started even before - you know, throughout the presidential election and campaign, we saw the number of folks identifying as independents, not particular with a party. I think the challenge for Republicans will be to grasp and to zero-in on those independents and to hear from what independent-minded Americans are thinking. Not just Republicans, but conservative Democrats, independent-thinking Republicans, the broad swath, even Democrats in general.
And I think that that's -- that's part of what this new idea, I suppose, of these new leaders are going forward. That's part of what they have on their agenda but also looking at those issues that are going to matter to everyday Americans, as it relates to economics, health care and even immigration. I know that's a taboo for both parties right now, but I would even say immigration reform as well.
KAREN FINNEY, DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY, FIRST LADY HILLARY CLINTON: Yes. You know I have to say, Kiran, I agree with Tara. We've seen this trend sort of start even during -- leading into the 2006 election where you saw more folks starting to register as Democrats than Republicans.
But I think what's important about this sort of new campaign, I think it's great that Republicans are finally getting out there and listening, but the key will be, what do you do with that information. Because if they look and listen to what we saw in just this last election, we just held, what people want are solutions and ideas. And I think the way Republicans then sort of translate that behavior back in Washington, are they going to come to the table with concrete, you know, constructive ideas? Or are we going to continue to see this, you know, bickering?
I think the other key...
CHETRY: Well, Karen, let me ask you about this, because you said what do they do with these solutions and this is what Ed Gillespie thinks of the Democrats did, because they were in this position as well, Karen, after...
FINNEY: Sure.
CHETRY: ... President Bush won in 2000, Republicans expanded their majority in 2002. On and on, there was talk that this permanent Republican majority, right?
But Tara, I want to ask let me ask you what Ed Gillespie said. He said republicans ought to be looking at how dems got the majority. They recruited and supported candidates in rural districts who don't agree with their platform on gun control. Candidates who ran in predominantly Catholic districts that don't agree with them on abortion.
What lessons are there to be learned for the GOP when it comes to that? I mean, as we saw with Arlen Specter, he said there's no room for moderates in the party and that's why he left.
WALL: Well, I disagree with that. I think the party, number one, has not been focusing on personalities, I mean we're all -- you know, I think in the media atmosphere that we live in, we all kind of get caught up in personalities. The party can't be focused on personalities. They have to be focused on policies.
I think there's always been room in the Republican Party for a wide swath of ideals. But I think you can't be singular focused. I mean the social issues certainly have dominated to a large degree in the party but there are more than social conservatives. We -- the party needs to return back to its ideal of fiscal conservatism, particularly when you have in this instance a budget that has just passed, that is -- you know that's $1.6 trillion in spending and $1.4 trillion in deficits and debt.
I think that those are the types of things that do resonate with everyday Americans, because while the president is popular -- and they do support the president and his popularity, those policies still among independents are very unpopular in the way we are expanding the government.
(CROSSTALK)
WALL: Those are things that they're going to have to hone in on.
FINNEY: Look, I think it's more, though, than just telling people what you think they want to hear. If you look at -- and we in this situation about four years ago, and you know, what the party really did was to say, yes, we can be a big tent party. There are areas where we may disagree, but let's come together on the areas where we agree and try to get something done.
You know the other big piece. In this last election we had more voters under 35 than over 65. We spent a lot of time listening to the younger generation of voters...
WALL: I agree.
FINNEY: ... who are -- they are blacker, they are browner, they are more diverse, they are less polarized, they are less partisan.
CHETRY: Right.
WALL: Right.
FINNEY: And they really want people to come together and just get something done. That's what President Obama has really spoken to, and that's what the Democratic Party has really tried to do to say it's OK if we don't agree on everything, but we agree on our core values. So let's try to get something done around those values.
CHETRY: All right...
WALL: And to credit these new leaders, they're saying we don't want to just hear from Republicans. We also do want to hear from Democrats. So I think, you know, to give them some credit in the way that they are now saying we do want to listen, we do want to hear...
CHETRY: Right.
WALL: ... what others are thinking and help to see if we can bring some of that into the fold.
(CROSSTALK)
CHETRY: They recognize and they have a challenge ahead and are trying to do something about it. So it'll be interesting to see what comes of it.
Tara Wall, as well as Karen Finney, always great to hear from both of you. Thanks for being with us this morning.
WALL: You bet.
FINNEY: Good to talk to you.
ROBERTS: If you've been laid off during this recession, now is the perfect time to get a leg up on new career. Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis is here to show you how.
And he pulled off a shocking upset in the Kentucky derby. So what's next for Mine That Bird? Got to go for the Triple Crown, right? But we'll talk to the horse's jockey and trainer coming right up.
It's 20 minutes now after the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mine That Bird now is coming on a big lead as they come up to the finish. It is spectacular, spectacular upset. Mine That Bird has won the Kentucky derby, an impossible result here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: That was Mine That Bird rallying up the rail to capture the first jewel of the Triple Crown. A stunning upset by the 50-1 shot horse.
So what's next for the Kentucky derby winner? Joining me now to talk more about that and the race itself, jockey Calvin Borel and trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley from the racetrack at Church Hill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Gentlemen, congratulations. What an amazing race. Just one of those Cinderella stories that you love to see.
CALVIN BOREL, JOCKEY, MINE THAT BIRD: Thank you.
BENNIE "CHIP" WOOLLEY, TRAINER, MINE THAT BIRD: Thank you. I was pretty exciting.
ROBERTS: Chip, tell us -- you know, this was your first entry in the Kentucky derby. You've been training horses for a number of years. 50-1 long shot. You knew that this was the horse of the year in Canada last year as a 2-year-old. Won four out of five races, but whatever made you think that this horse could win the Kentucky derby and why did you want to enter him?
WOOLLEY: Well, I wasn't sure he could win the derby, but he earned his way here, and every time he's run, this horse has laid it on the line, and how do you pass up the chance to come to the derby, be a part of the history that's here, and just enjoy the moment. You know?
We knew the horse could be a part of the derby, that we thought we could get part of it, nobody else did, but, you know, we really probably never thought about actually winning until the moment happened.
ROBERTS: Well, it was an amazing race. And, you know, Calvin, watching you come around that last turn there and threading the needle between all those horses, you really lived up to your nickname of Borel. It's the shortest distance around the track to hug the rail there but takes some nerves of steel.
Why is that your favorite place on the racetrack?
BOREL: Well, my buddy always told me that was the shortest way around the racetrack. You know when I first started, you know, when I rode horses I'd go a little wide, you know, and I come back to barn and walk him and put cones around the shed row and he put them on the outside and I kept asking why he was doing that. He kept telling me, that's how much time you're losing, son.
ROBERTS: Really?
BOREL: So -- yes. Got farther and farther. I finally learned, you know -- get a little closer to the fence.
ROBERTS: You can certainly make up a lot of time if you hug the rail. But, you know, watching him come out of that final turn there, Chip, he had a gear that none of the other horses had. I mean he took off. Where did he find that gear?
WOOLLEY: Well, first of all, this is the first time he's been back far enough to save enough finish for him to show that gear, but if you watch any race he's run in, every time he's been asked to lay it down, he really has a huge gear and can swallow horses up in a hurry, and this is the first time that he's been back early in the race to save enough energy to lay that gear out and then moved at the right -- at the opportune time to be a winner.
ROBERTS: So question a lot of people have, you know, Calvin, you rode Street to Victory in 2007, you missed by a nose at the Preakness. Then the next race, and the question is, are you going to get another chance at it? You going to take Mine That Bird to the Preakness?
BOREL: Well, that's up to the owners and the trainer. I mean, you know, I don't know -- I assume we're going there, but, yes, sir, we're going to take it to them.
ROBERTS: Yes. And what about that, Chip? Will he be running at the Preakness? WOOLLEY: We jogged him this morning. The horse jogged really well, so our plan right now is we're aiming at the Preakness. We'll let the horse decide. But right now all plans are for the Preakness.
ROBERTS: So you will enter him at this point?
WOOLLEY: Yes, sir.
ROBERTS: All right. Well, I think you made some news this morning and some news that's going to make a lot of people happy. It's great to see you this morning.
Calvin, again, congratulations on the win.
BOREL: Thank you.
ROBERTS: Chip, you as well. I know that it was a hard-fought battle to get there and, boy, you all showed so much heart there on Saturday. It was just a real joy to watch.
WOOLLEY: I need to say thanks to the owners of this horse that gave us the opportunity to get here.
ROBERTS: All right, gentlemen, we hope to see you at Pimlico coming up. It's going to be great.
WOOLLEY: You bet.
ROBERTS: Appreciate it.
BOREL: Thank you.
ROBERTS: Thanks so much - Kiran.
CHETRY: Well, still ahead, a tone to exotic beaches, cigars, oil reserves and right now many of our biggest competitors are cashing in on Cuba. And why it may be hard for the U.S. to catch up even if relations change. We're live in Havana with more.
It's 26 1/2 minutes after the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: It's 29 minutes past the hour. We fast forward through the stories that will be making news later today.
At 10:00 a.m. Eastern, Arlen Specter will hold a town hall meeting in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This will be the first opportunity for the senator to talk face-to-face with constituents since he switch parties. Specter made the switch from Republican to Democrat last week.
There's a new book out by journalist Selena Roberts about New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez. It's hitting store shelves today and in it, Roberts is making the case that A-Rod likely used steroids as far back as high school and may have been taking human growth hormone while wearing pinstripes, meaning while he was as a Yankee.
A-Rod had admitted to using steroids while he was with the Texas Rangers from 2001 and 2003 but insisted that he stopped before he was traded to the Yankees in February 2004.
And right now our Rob Marciano tracking weather. A big Yankees fan. Are you going to get the book?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I don't know if I want to know all that much, you know? And who can you believe these days?
CHETRY: Right.
MARCIANO: You know, just, kids, stay off the juice at least until -- you know, just stay off the juice.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CHETRY: Right and stay off the juice.
MARCIANO: Stay off the juice.
CHETRY: All right. Rob, thanks.
MARCIANO: That's right. Just eat well.
ROBERTS: Words to live by this morning.
Thirty-one minutes after the hour. We're checking out top stories.
A French naval ship intercepted 11 suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia. Defense officials say the pirates mistook the French military vessel for a commercial ship and made a run at it in the Gulf of Aden - oops - they say the pirates were traveling in two assault vessels and a mother ship loaded with rifles and rocket launchers.
And the wife of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi confirms that she is seeking divorce, citing his report flirtations with young women. Italy's first couple had been married for 19 years and have three children together. Berlusconi issued a one-line statement saying, "it's a personal issue that pains me that is in the private sphere and which seems necessary not to speak about."
Mexico's health secretary says the outbreak of swine flu in his country is "now in the declining phase." Here in the United States, the tally stands at 226 cases across 30 states. But the World Health Organization is still urging caution.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GREGORY HARTL, SPOKESMAN, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: In 1918, that pandemic started out as a very mild case of disease in the spring of 1918. The virus almost completely, or cases of the disease almost completely disappeared over the summer only to re-appear in the autumn of 1918 with a vengeance which we all know. So even though we might be seeing only mild cases now, we cannot say what will happen in the future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: So when it comes to the swine flu outbreak, can we breathe a sigh of relief or should be still be on alert? Let's bring in CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen. Well, what do you think, Elizabeth? Have we really seen the peak of the swine flu outbreak here, and if we have, what does that mean going forward?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, according to the Centers for Disease Control, we have not seen the peak yet in this country. This is from the CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat. She said just yesterday, "I believe we are just on the upswing here."
Now, why would the epidemic or the outbreak be on the decline in Mexico and on the upswing in the U.S.? Well, John, the answer is very simple. The outbreak started in Mexico, and they're basically further along than we are. So there is a peak in our future, but the CDC says it is not here yet. John.
ROBERTS: So we heard the concerns of the World Health Organization and the director of the W.H.O. made the same pronouncement last week that there's a chance that this could go away for a while and then come back even stronger. We don't know if it will be exactly what happened in 1918, when anywhere between 20 and 100 million people were killed by it. But if we're on the fast track to try to develop a vaccine, if it does go dormant and then come back, might we have a vaccine in time for its return?
COHEN: Yes, it is possible that we would have a vaccine in time for the return. A vaccine takes four to six months, which brings us to the fall. It's interesting, John, over the weekend I was talking to experts and some of them feel that there is a very strong possibility that this will come back even stronger in the fall, while others feel, yes, it will come back, but really it's not going to be that big of a deal. The problem here, John, is that nobody has a crystal ball. That's really the issue here.
ROBERTS: All right. Elizabeth Cohen for us this morning. Elizabeth, thanks so much for that update.
CHETRY: America's biggest competitors are expanding their footprint in Cuba while Washington watches from the sidelines. Why there's a lot more than tourism dollars at stake.
It's 34 minutes after the hour.
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CHETRY: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning.
We've heard President Obama talk about a new beginning in relations with Cuba. But right now, while Washington is searching for ways to try to improve ties with the communist island, the rest the world is already cashing in.
CNN's Jim Acosta is live in Havana right now.
Hey, Jim.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kiran. Good morning.
You know, five days are just not enough time to cover all the promise and problems in the U.S. strained relationship with Cuba, but one thing we did see, are some stunning examples of how some of America's biggest competitors are investing heavily in Cuba and all the Americans can do is watch from the sidelines. 90 miles away.
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ACOSTA (voice-over): If Americans are wondering what it's like to travel to Cuba, just ask a Canadian.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a mystique about Cuba, let's be honest here.
ACOSTA: Or an Australian.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just great, beautiful country.
ACOSTA: Or South African pro golfer Ernie Els, the star attraction at a Cuban golf tournament aimed at turning the island into the sports next destination.
ERNIE ELS, PRO GOLFER: It's a great tourist destination. It's unbelievable, that those can open up. Maybe it's time for it to open up.
ACOSTA: Every year, foreign travelers escape to Cuba's exotic shores and Spanish colonial streets, pumping an estimated $2 billion into the island's economy. So it was no surprise when Cuba's deputy tourism minister told me the island is ready to welcome back its neighbor to the north.
ALEXIS TRUJILLIO, CUBA DEPUTY TOURISM MINISTER (through translator): Our country has always been open. They are the ones that haven't been able to come.
ACOSTA: Tell a Cuban, take me to the beach and they'll take you here, Varadero Beach. The sand belongs to the Cubans, the resort partially owned by a Spanish company. That's why a growing number of U.S. senators want to end the U.S. travel ban on Cuba and consider scrapping the 47-year embargo on the island.
SEN. BYRON DORGAN (D), NORTH DAKOTA: We don't limit the right to travel to China or Vietnam, communist countries.
ACOSTA: But there may be more than travel at stake. China is now a player in Cuba, selling the island these tourist buses. The Chinese are getting more than cigars out of Cuba, they're tapping into the country's oil reserves. When it comes to business, Cuba is changing its tune. Once known for its classic cars, the island is no longer just a time machine to the past, leaving the U.S. with a choice, shift a decades-old policy or let sleeping dogs lie.
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ACOSTA: The next phase is U.S.-Cuba relations won't be easy as a former ambassador from Canada to Cuba told me. It's complicated. As both sides start talking, old controversies are going to rise to the surface. Kiran, the White House is well aware of this. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, just the other day, specifically mentioned some of these Chinese investments on the island. Kiran.
CHETRY: On a personal note, this your first - you're Cuban. And this is your first time there. What's it been like for you?
ACOSTA: That's right.
CHETRY: That is - a sign that perhaps we don't have time. All right. Sorry about that, Jim. We're going to hear from him a little bit later.
He's been reporting from Cuba, all last week and this week - John.
ROBERTS: A conspiracy theorist might think it's something else.
CHETRY: Signal lost detected.
ROBERTS: All right. Well, it's great to have Jim down there.
Hear what the embattled parents of little missing little Madeleine McCann are telling Oprah and see her age-enhanced photo. What the little girl would look like now. We've got that all for you, coming up.
It's 41 minutes now after the hour.
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CHETRY: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning. Some of the most popular videos right now on cnn.com. It's the world's oldest profession, but Saudi officials are cracking down now. A new crackdown on prostitution "immoral entertainment." Even singing and dancing now being banned in the new crackdown, which some say is meant to appease Taliban hard-liners.
United Nations ambassadors traded their suits for soccer uniforms this weekend, playing a soccer match for charity that uses the game to promote peace in countries that have been ravaged by conflict. Even U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon suited up for the match.
And in Mexico City, the threat of swine flu didn't keep diehard soccer fans away. They are currently banned from attending games. But instead they gathered outside of the stadium. One woman saying "the virus doesn't matter. We'll die cheering on." John?
ROBERTS: Well, her disappearance stumped everyone. Madeleine McCann, the little girl who mysteriously vanished two years ago while vacationing with her family. Her parents were scrutinized, even labeled as potential suspects until they were finally cleared.
Now they're speaking out on "Oprah." Jason Carroll here now with a preview and they're providing a new photo of the child.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, releasing a new photo because they're not giving up on the investigation. Speaking to Oprah, of course, because of the global reach of her show. British investigators say the answer to Madeleine's disappearance still lies with someone at that Portuguese resort where she disappeared.
The parents have released a digitally enhanced picture showing what she might look like today if still alive at age six. Her mother told Oprah some days she is simply overwhelmed.
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OPRAH WINFREY, TV SHOW HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": You let yourself go to the worst sometimes?
KATE MCCANN, MOTHER: I mean, I do. I think it's natural, you know. Meanwhile, there are people they say don't let yourself go there. It's not going to help going there as a mom. At times I do, and there are times that I kind of dip down.
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CARROLL: And Madeleine's father went on to tell Oprah that despair over his daughter's disappearance has strained their marriage but says it has also made the family closer.
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GERRY MCCANN, FATHER: A child abduction I think could destroy any family, there's no doubt. One of the most devastating things and then if you look at what happened for -- subsequently, but we - we've been supported tremendously well and I think that's helped us stay strong and stay together, and obviously we're really united in our goal and our love of Madeleine.
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CARROLL: Portuguese authorities closed the case last July. Detectives found no reason to charge any of the three people previously named as suspects, Madeleine's parents and a local man. All had strongly denied any involvement and won libel awards from newspapers suggesting otherwise.
Madeleine's mother says she still visits her daughter's room twice a day.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) WINFREY: Do you talk to her?
K. MCCANN: I do. Usually. I mean, I tend to open and close the curtains, morning and evening. Say hello, really. Tell her we're still going. We're going to do everything to find her.
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CARROLL: And Madeleine's mother says it makes her sick to think someone may have been watching the family and planning her daughter's abduction. They're hoping someone will come forward and help them find her. I know you were saying, one of the previous hours, how difficult this must be for the family, you can just see their faces.
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ROBERTS: It's like ten tons weighing down on their shoulders every day and what's the little girl going through, too? Where is she? What is she doing?
CARROLL: A lot of unanswered questions, hoping someone will come forward to help them out. Maybe the picture will help, jog someone's memory.
ROBERTS: Well, it's a very highly publicized case. There are thousands of these cases across the country and around the world and so many children who don't have a voice like Madeleine McCann does. And you know what about them, too?
CARROLL: We wish you could give them all the attention they deserve.
ROBERTS: We sure do. Jason, thanks so much for that. Kiran.
CHETRY: Well, making the recession work for you. See why now is the time to get a head start on your career.
Also, hidden cameras handing out huge fees for drivers who break the rules, but are they really there in the name of safety?
It's 48 minutes after the hour.
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CHETRY: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning.
Can you guess what we're talking about? You know, cameras are everywhere and more and more of these hidden cameras are being used to snap photos of drivers breaking the law. But are they there for safety or are they there to make money for the local communities?
Carol Costello joins us now for more on these ticket cams. I've been busted. You know what happens to me? I'm always behind a truck or a bus, and they squeak on through, and next thing you know - busted. CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I know. There's no way to get out of these tickets. It's very, very difficult, and you know full disclosure, I've been busted, too.
Many cities are actually expanding the use of these cameras, not only to catch red light runners but to catch speeders, too. And critics are outraged saying safety isn't tops on the agenda here, money is. Especially now that so many cities are suffering because of the economy.
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COSTELLO (voice-over): Four, three, two, one - got you.
Red light cameras: Once law enforcement novelties, today they're common, and boy, do they punish red light runners.
We met Marion in Los Angeles, outside of traffic court, ready to fight what she got in the mail.
MARION, RECEIVED TICKET: A ticket for $436. I mean, nobody has no jobs. How you expect us to pay it?
COSTELLO: No wonder protests over what some call "Big Brother Justice" are all the rage online. Some drivers are trying to trick the cameras using photo blockers that claim cameras won't see their license plate numbers because they produce blurry photos.
Los Angeles police say all that angst is misplaced. Since installing red light cameras, the number of accidents have dropped significantly and there have been zero fatalities. And the cameras brought in $3.3 million in fines in 2007 alone.
It's that combination of big brother watching and big-time profit that really bothered Georgia lawmaker Barry Loudermilk, he's known as the red light man here.
REP. BARRY LOUDERMILK, GEORGIA STATE HOUSE: This light has been the largest money generated for the city of Atlanta and produces a lot of revenue, from the reports, about $1.3 million off this intersection last year.
COSTELLO (on camera): Just this intersection?
LOUDERMILK: Just this intersection.
COSTELLO (voice-over): He says some towns in Georgia who put up red light cameras, shorten the length of time a light stays yellow to catch more red light runners. So he pushed through a law that requires lights in Georgia to stay yellow for one second longer.
This yellow light, for example, went from 3.6 seconds to 4.6 seconds.
(on camera): So one second, just one second, makes all of that difference? LOUDERMILK: It does, because it gives the motorist adequate time to clear the intersection.
COSTELLO (voice-over): Since the law took effect in January, at least three Georgia communities will no longer use red light cameras, because they're not cost effective.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The objective is deterrence.
COSTELLO: Safety experts tell us they're all for extending the time a light stays yellow. They also says there's no doubt red light cameras have been effective.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our overall position on red light cameras is that they are effective, they are saving lives, by preventing people from disobeying the law.
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COSTELLO: Now, critics do say the cameras prevent people from running red lights at a cost, though, because they increase rear-end collisions, because people slam on their brakes to stop at the red light. So they don't get caught by the camera and other person, of course, runs into the back of them.
Well other safety experts say that's true, now they say the cameras do reduce more serious side impact crashes. Crashes that are often fatal. And, Kiran, by the way, you know Marion, who's standing in line in Los Angeles, to pay her ticket -
CHETRY: Yes.
COSTELLO: She paid it, $436.
CHETRY: That's awful.
COSTELLO: It's awful in California. But normally, nationwide, I would say the average ticket is about $75.
CHETRY: Yes, still isn't enough to make your blood boil but hey be more careful on the road. I know. Carol, thanks.
COSTELLO: Sure.
ROBERTS: Coming up, the recession made just may just be the perfect, perfect time to plan your next big career move. Our personal finance editor Gerri Willis shows us why.
It's 55 minutes now after the hour.
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ROBERTS: So you're thinking about a career change, but the rising unemployment rate has you too scared to even start looking? Well, our personal finance editor, Gerri Willis, is here with some tips to help you make headway on switching careers in these tough times and the best part of it all, getting hired as well.
Good morning.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Good morning. Good to see you, guys. Happy Monday.
Look, even though many companies out there are not hiring right now, they're actually putting on hiring freezes, the recession is a great time to focus on your career goals so that when the economy actually turns around you'll be in a perfect position to get a new job.
First thing, you need to do is self assess. Even if you want a new career, you might not be sure where you want to go. The web is full of great sites that can help you assess those personal skills and help you find the right job. Here they are -- online.netcenter.org, careeronestop.org.
They both have free online self-assessments test and up to date employment information on a range of industries. Careervoyages.gov is a great government-run website with tons of info about sectors that are expanding, not contracting.
Another great way to assess your skill set. Talk to people you know. They might surprise you with a list of talents you may not think you had. Another thing you want to do next is find a way to do the job before you commit.
Now the truth is you never know what a job is going to be like hour to hour until you've actually seen it up close. Careervoyages.gov, you can find videos of people working in specific locations. So if you wonder what it's like to be a geologist or a fashion designer, you can look at the website. See a video. What people do minute to minute.
Get a mentor in the area you wish to explore and ask if you could shadow them. Look for volunteer opportunities that might be able to fit into your regular work schedule. That's a great way to go.
And then there's a great website called vocationvacations.com. You can go to that and find somebody to shadow directly for a vacation period of two weeks. It can be expensive. It can cost you $1,500 to shadow a TV producer, for example, but it's an interesting idea if you really have sort of narrowed in on what you want to do and you really want to you know, experience it day to day, minute to minute.
ROBERTS: OK. Certainly there are some career changes that are going to require education. Like if I decide, hey, I really like what Sanjay Gupta is doing, I want to be a neurosurgeon. I may have to go back to school.
WILLIS: You need to go to school.
ROBERTS: But there are a lot of career changes that may or may not. What would you suggests?
WILLIS: Right. Exactly.
Well, you may not necessarily have to go back to school for four years, for example. To really make the most of this recession, spend your time developing the skills that most appeal to future employers. That doesn't mean you have to commit four years. Use your current position as a launching pad.
Some employers will put you back to school, will help you get some of that education and you can also train online. That's a great way to do it or a local community college. The local community colleges are now actually just really honing in on what jobs are available and going to be available, developing programming around that so you can really get some help.
CHETRY: You'll need a couple more credit hours, John, to be a neurosurgeon. Just a few.
ROBERTS: A cardiology is probably the field I go in.
WILLIS: Great idea.
ROBERTS: Plumber.
WILLIS: Well, like a human plumber, right?
ROBERTS: Exactly. Thanks so much for that, Gerri.
WILLIS: Pleasure.
ROBERTS: And thanks so much for joining us on this AMERICAN MORNING. We'll see you back here again tomorrow.
CHETRY: And right now, here is CNN NEWSROOM with Heidi Collins.
