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North Korea Says Military Drill A Push to War; Early Birds Chase the Bargains; Black Friday Sales Off to Good Start; How to Avoid Holiday Season Debt; CNN's Hero of the Year; S. Korea Names New Defense Minister; Stores Have Ways Of Making You Spend; Threats to Attack Mexico School; Soyuz Spacecraft Lands; Thanksgiving and Football
Aired November 26, 2010 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: That's right. Happy Black Friday. Hey, good to see you, guys. Well, have fun today as you pound the pavement.
JOE JOHNS, CNN ANCHOR: You, too.
WHITFIELD: Shopping for those deals.
JOHNS: Absolutely.
WHITFIELD: 9:00 a.m. on the East Coast.
JOHNS: You need anything?
WHITFIELD: Yes, yes. Pick me up a few things. You know, I'll send you a list.
JOHNS: All right. You got it.
(LAUGHTER)
WHITFIELD: All right. You all have a great one.
Good morning, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Kyra Phillips. Here's what we're talking about. And you're talking about, too.
FedEx facilities are on alert. A package containing radioactive materials is missing. The company says the package may be somewhere in Tennessee.
The Australian media dubbed Gabe Watson the honeymoon killer. Now after serving time for his bride's scuba diving death, the American faces new charges here in the U.S.
And the Black Friday madness is already under way. Forget the recession, 138 million Americans are hitting the stores hunting for deals.
First, we turn our attention to overseas. North Korea is beating the war drums with a new warning today. The North says a planned U.S./South Korean military drill for this weekend is putting the region on the brink of war.
North Korea shelled a South Korean island Tuesday killing four people and causing widespread damage. The North said it was responding after South Korean shells landed in its waters.
CNN's Stan Grant has been following the story. He joins us now from Incheon, South Korea.
What's the latest?
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you're right there, Fredricka. The rhetoric has certainly been building in recent days. You know, the USS George Washington is on its way to the Yellow Sea for this joint military exercises with South Korea. And North Korea is seeing that most definitely as a provocation.
As you say there, North Korea pointing the finger at South Korea for sparking that confrontation the other day on Yeonpyeong Island. What has made this so different to past flash points is that civilians were directly targeted.
I had a chance to visit that island and much of it has been destroyed. Most of the people have now fled and of course these military exercises about to be carried out in North Korea now saying that as far as they're concerned this is pushing the region to the brink of war.
They've been releasing these statements calling South Korea the puppet group, a puppet of the United States, and saying that the U.S. and South Korea are deliberately whipping up this provocation.
A lot of speculation as to why this is arising right now and most of it seems to stem around the future of the leadership in North Korea. As we know Kim Jong-Il has been unwell for some time and planning a succession to his son Kim John-Un, who's only 27. A lot of people who watch North Korea very, very closely saying this is an attempt by him to establish his leadership credentials as someone who will stand up to the United States and South Korea -- Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: So, Stan, interesting, too, South Korea says these exercises really would show solidarity, particularly with the U.S. being involved in the exercises. What will be entailed in these exercises this weekend?
GRANT: Yes, the exercises this weekend are going to be carried out from Sunday through to about Wednesday so that'll be four days of exercises.
And you're right there. It is designed to show solidarity. We heard from President Barack Obama in the United States saying that the U.S. will stand shoulder to shoulder with its ally South Korea. And these exercises had been planned for some time. They were organized as defensive exercises, but of course the intent, the meaning of these exercises changed with the events of recent days. North Korea seeing it as deliberately provocative and no doubt South Korea and the United States seeing this as a show of strength. It also, of course, involves China and President Obama saying he wants to speak with China's president to see if China can step in and try to bring in some calm to the situation.
China, of course, being a close ally -- the closes ally to North Korea, but China at this stage not committing to that and not coming down as hard on North Korea as the United States and others are -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Stan Grant, thanks so much. Appreciate that update.
Meantime, it's an amazing story of survival. Three cousins adrift at sea for 50 days. Now all are celebrating their amazing rescue. Samuel Pelesa and Filo Filo, both 15, along with 14-year-old Edward Nasau, set foot on dry land for the first time since early October.
That's when the boys headed out on their boat to a nearby island but somehow lost sight of land. The boys survived off rain water, some fish that they had -- fish out of the sea and a sea bird.
The cousins drifted 800 miles across a remote part of the Pacific Ocean. A tuna boat from New Zealand spotted them 240 miles between western Somao and Fiji. Crew members alerted First Mate Tai Fredericsen who spoke on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TAI FREDERICSEN, FIRST MATE: First impression of them, physically they're just -- your -- your heart really (INAUDIBLE) there. The fact they were in physically. But the upside, their willpower was just incredible. They had smiles when they -- we did get them on board. So we're taking a route that we never actually would take. It's just pure by chance. Miracle. You know you can get a chance of -- yes, of course. After two days of us as just leaving toward New Zealand, these boys are (INAUDIBLE).
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Unbelievably lucky. Early Thursday morning, the teens transferred to a Fiji coast -- Fiji coast guard vessel and then off to a hospital.
How about a white Thanksgiving? In parts of Pennsylvania where snow fell in Salisbury Township near Allentown covering fields, trees, leaving behind slippery roadways, of course, as well.
There were also reports of snow in Philadelphia and in the Pocono Mountains. What a beautiful sight.
Meteorologist Karen Maginnis here the day after Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving.
KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Happy Thanksgiving.
WHITFIELD: It was frosty in a lot of places.
MAGINNIS: It was. But across the Deep South, near record setting temperatures. So we had these big contrasts.
WHITFIELD: Of warmth.
MAGINNIS: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: Just in time to make that return travel a mess once again.
MAGINNIS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Karen. Appreciate that.
MAGINNIS: OK.
WHITFIELD: All right. This information we're getting out of Saudi Arabia. That country now reporting the arrests of 149 people alleged to be members of al Qaeda, 124 of which are Saudi nationals according to sources.
And we understand that these arrests took place over an eight- month period. This information just coming to our attention from Saudi sources there about these arrests involving what they believe to be members of al Qaeda.
Back in this country now, the shopping season has begun. Here we go. Bargain hunters are on the prowl. Coming up, we'll show you what's hot. We'll also talk about ways to keep you from digging yourself deeper into debt during this holiday season.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Check out what happened in front of a Best Buy in Phoenix yesterday. Things got ugly when one early bird allegedly cut in line. A big old no-no.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a store, right? To get something --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I put my chairs. I went --
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not a liar. Why I lie to you? This is a car -- this is our car.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Please come help me. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These people in front of me, they were the only two people that are going to be in front of me. Anybody who wants to get in front of me, there's going to be an issue. You have to go back there.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh, even with the cameras rolling, this went on? Yes. That young lady, she called 911. Police and mall security came, tried to straighten things out. Hopefully everybody is a happy camper now.
So everyone at that Best Buy store in Atlanta, we understand, might be on their best behavior today. It has been opened for just over four hours now.
And CNN's Marty Savidge has been with the crowd there this Black Friday.
Maybe you've been keeping folks in line so that, you know, folks are on their best behavior as they try and sweep up those deals.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fred.
Well, actually people have been on good behavior. But we made that comment. We were sort of talking about that because the weather was miserable to be lined up outside this morning and if you thought tempers would flare, it would be then perfectly orderly.
Get used to this sign. This is basically a sign of the times here. This, by the way, the line starts here and it goes on down there. And it shows you that there are a lot of people out and about shopping.
Say hello to Mary Stoddart. You are with Best Buy, what, the district manager?
MARY STODDART, VP, BEST BUY: Vice president for the Southeast.
SAVIDGE: Sorry, I gave you a demotion there.
STODDART: No worries.
(LAUGHTER)
SAVIDGE: Let's talk about business so far. We see a lot of people in the door. Do you think it means that people are actually buying?
STODDART: They are actually buying. We had some really hot items this morning. Computers went immediately. We had great TV and gaming packages. And our little Nook reader sold like crazy.
SAVIDGE: Now we were talking about gadgets. And we were talking about electronics. How do you think they're positioned to do this year? STODDART: Consumer electronics are changing so rapidly. The way people consume music. They way they watch TV. The way they use their mobile devices that it's so updated. People are in, they're trying to connect their productivity of their life with connecting with loved ones. And so it's a good place for us to be because we can help on all accounts.
SAVIDGE: And doing record sales, I understand.
STODDART: Fantastic day, yes.
SAVIDGE: OK.
STODDART: So far so good.
SAVIDGE: All right, Mary. Thanks. We're going to move along.
Abby over here. Abby is one customer who -- excuse my back, I'm going to turn this way. You've had one heck of a morning already.
ABBY, CUSTOMER: I have. It really started about 2:30, and it's been a long day so far.
SAVIDGE: Abby's had a vacuum cleaner fall on her?
ABBY: Yes, yes. I was in line just about an hour or so ago, and a vacuum cleaner actually fell and hit me in my head. So, it's been a rough morning. We started out standing in the rain. Had a vacuum cleaner fall on me, but --
SAVIDGE: But you got what you came for.
ABBY: I did.
SAVIDGE: Now, what was it?
ABBY: I got a Sony laptop that I had my eye on. So, I had to wait total about two and a half hours, but I finally got it.
SAVIDGE: Let's talk about your shopping this year. Going to spend more, spend less, where are you?
ABBY: I think I've spent about the same that I did last year. Spent about the same every year, try to keep it pretty consistent.
SAVIDGE: Cash, credit, how did we buy?
ABBY: I pay with cash.
SAVIDGE: Really?
ABBY: Yes.
SAVIDGE: This is, what? Something you always have done?
ABBY: Yes. I've always paid every Black Friday completely with cash.
SAVIDGE: Wow, Abby, great to hear. All right, thanks very much. We're going to move on down the line a bit here. Let me find Walter. Hello, Walter. Walter's joining us. Walter's in line, here, because this line is actually for those who didn't get the deals at the 5:00 AM opening, they're coming back for the deals now. What are you looking for?
WALTER, CUSTOMER: Netbook.
SAVIDGE: Netbook, computer.
WALTER: Yes.
SAVIDGE: OK. What -- do you think the deal's good?
WALTER: Yes. Very good.
SAVIDGE: How are you going to pay for it?
WALTER: Cash.
SAVIDGE: Cash. See, the second person we've heard cash. So, cash is clearly the way people are spending. And they feel like they're going to spend a little bit more this year. That's good news for retailers. Back to you, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Well, then, Marty Savidge with some very decisive shoppers, there, this Black Friday. Thanks so much. Hopefully, you can pick up a bargain or two, as well.
So, even bargains, by the way, can put you deeper in debt. Maybe you don't want to be a Scrooge this holiday season, but you don't want to rack up a bunch of new charges on your credit cards, either. Let's talk about how to deal with that with Michelle Singletary. She has written books on how to manage your money. She also writes a column for "The Washington Post." So Michelle, good to see you.
MICHELLE SINGLETARY, AUTHOR, COLUMNIST: Good morning.
WHITFIELD: There's a lot of pressure this year to spend money because all the retailers are offering unbelievable deals on this Black Friday. Even some of them started yesterday on Thanksgiving Day. How does one go about responding to this pressure?
SINGLETARY: Well, you know, the most important thing is to shop with a plan. So you've got to budget first, and then have a plan or a list, just like when you go to the grocery store. Otherwise, just like going to the grocery store, you're going to be jumping down and taking things on the shelves.
And I call it -- you have to, you know, manage yourself so that you don't overspend your budget. Because it's very easy to do. You know? All the reports this morning, people lose their minds when it comes to this holiday season. WHITFIELD: They do. And, of course, when they see something's slashed 40 percent, it may not be on the list, but they have a tendency to want to buy it simply because it's a good deal and figure, you know what? Somebody on my list is going to get this. Is that --
SINGLETARY: That's right.
WHITFIELD: Smart to take advantage of the bargains?
SINGLETARY: I call it the "Ooh Factor." Go, "Ooh, ooh, ooh!" And next thing you know, you've busted your budget.
WHITFIELD: Right.
SINGLETARY: So you have to get rid of the "Ooh Factor." You almost have to train yourself to not do that. And one of the ways I suggest for people, especially if this is your problem.
Take a copy of your last year's credit card statements when you overspent, take a copy of your savings account statement that doesn't have enough savings in it, or take your retirement account savings that went down, or the fact that you don't have a college fund for your kids. Put it on a little card, put it on your credit card, put it in your wallet, so every time you get tempted to give into that "Ooh Factor," you're going to see it right there.
WHITFIELD: A little reminder. OK. So, for those who feel like, "All right, I don't have debt. But I don't want to create debt this holiday season," is the right way to go to pay cash only? We heard from, you know, Abby as well as Walter there in Martin Savidge's live shot. They're paying with cash. You like that idea?
SINGLETARY: I love that idea. Cash is definitely king. And if -- now, I heard that she had been doing some research, she had her eye on it, she knew exactly what she wanted. Those are definitely the times to use cash.
Now, if you're ordering online or some merchant that you're not particularly familiar with, in some cases it might be good to use your credit card, because the credit card companies kind of fight for you if something's not right, and they'll take it off your statement until they fix it.
But overall, for most people, because most of us don't have that -- we're not good about not overspending, cash is definitely the way to go.
WHITFIELD: Discipline? OK. Michelle Singletary, thanks so much. Happy Black Friday. Something tells me you will not be in the store shopping today.
SINGLETARY: Oh, please, child. I was in the bed five minutes ago.
WHITFIELD: OK. Well, get back to bed then. At least have a good holiday weekend. SINGLETARY: I sure will.
WHITFIELD: Good to see you, Michelle. Appreciate that.
SINGLETARY: You, too. Happy holidays.
WHITFIELD: Happy holidays.
All right. Last night, a star-studded celebration to honor CNN's Top Ten Heroes. Canadian recording artist Melanie Fiona was among the performers.
(MUSIC - "Wake Up")
WHITFIELD: ahead, our Anderson Cooper sits down with the Hero of the Year.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Bon Jovi was among the headliners at a star-studded celebration last night to pay tribute to CNN's Top Ten Heroes.
(MUSIC - "What Do You Got?")
WHITFIELD: And the CNN Hero of the Year is Anuradha Koirala of Nepal. Our CNN viewers honored her for her work of rescuing more than 12,000 women and girls from sex slavery. CNN's Anderson Cooper sat down with her following last night's all-star tribute.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, "CNN HEROES": You've been named 2010's CNN Hero of the Year. How are you feeling?
ANURADHA KOIRALA, 2010 CNN HERO OF THE YEAR: Well, I feel that there are more responsibilities, now, on me.
COOPER: You feel more people are now looking at you, more people are -- know of you?
KOIRALA: Yes, of course. Now I feel that they will be not only looking at me, but they will know the issue, more issue, the issue which we have taken up, that's sex trafficking.
COOPER: You seem like such a quiet lady. But I know your nickname is "The Terminator." Why do they call you The Terminator?
KOIRALA: If your daughter or my -- it doesn't make whose daughter. Everybody's daughter was trafficked. And if you catch hold of a trafficker, do you think that you're going to -- "Oh, how sweet you are? You did such a nice job. You took my daughter." Or will you start giving him blows? If I have to confront a trafficker, then I can really hit hard.
COOPER: When your children see you winning this award tonight, what do you think they will think? KOIRALA: I've already sent a message, and they're all crying. And I know they will be very happy about it, and I know will be very happy.
COOPER: This award comes with $100,000, in total $125,000. What will that money mean to your work, to your mission?
KOIRALA: There is only one woman's hospital in whole of Nepal. That's in the capital. But what about the other parts of the country, where there is poverty, poverty, poverty? So, I'm thinking that I'll develop a women and children's hospital with this.
COOPER: Have you ever thought about giving up? Have there been days when you thought, "I'm going to stop this?"
KOIRALA: Never.
COOPER: Never?
KOIRALA: Never. Never.
COOPER: Congratulations.
KOIRALA: Thank you, sir.
COOPER: It's such an honor to meet you.
KOIRALA: Thank you.
COOPER: Thank you.
KOIRALA: Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Congratulations, CNN's Hero of the Year.
All right. Meantime, 138 million people are on the prowl, and no bargain is safe. Black Friday is in full swing coast to coast. Live pictures, right now, outside Macy's in New York City. Coming up, find out what the stores are doing to get you to spend more money.
(MUSIC - "Shop Around")
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Wall Street is getting ready to begin a shortened trading session. Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange. So, Alison, are investors shopping for the deals just like everybody else shopping for those retail deals?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know what, Fredericka, I think you're seeing the buying on Main Street today, but here on Wall Street, we're seeing more of the selling. You know, while we were enjoying our Thanksgiving dinner and the wine, Europe was worrying about a third helping of debt problems. This time, the big headache is Portugal. Ireland's also not out of the woods yet either. Plus, we've got the worries over tensions between North and South Korea, so that has the markets dropping now at the opening bell.
We're expecting very low trading volume today tends to make for more exaggerated swings on the major averages. Something that we're already starting to see. Hopefully, though, it's not going to sour the mood going on here today. Let's take a quick look at the numbers, though. The Dow right now down about 96 points. The Nasdaq off about 19, and the reason I say, hopefully, is not going to sour the mood is because it's Kids' Day here at the New York Stock Exchange.
I'll tell you what, there are more kids than traders here on the floor. Usually, the tradition is that traders bring in their kids and their family to see how all the action works here on the floor, and a lot action going on behind the scenes. There's a kids' buffet, face painting, a viewing of the movie "Despicable Me." It's all about the kids today. Although, we are watching the numbers drop. So, the numbers are going to be a big factor today. Fredricka, back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right. Why not? With school out today. This is a nice and attractive (ph), smart thing to do for the kids.
KOSIK: No better way to spend the day.
WHITFIELD: I like it. All right. Thanks so much, Alison.
KOSIK: Sure.
WHITFIELD: All right. It is 9:30 a.m. on the East Coast, 6:30 out west. Here's what we're talking about.
The Australian media dubbed Gape Watson, the honeymoon killer. Now, after serving time for his bride's scuba diving death, the American faces new charges here in the U.S.
South Korea named a new defense minister today. The appointment comes as tensions mount over Tuesday's attack on Yeonpyeong Island. South Korea and U.S. forces plan military drills in the yellow sea. The exercises were planned months ago, but North Korea officials warned the Korean peninsula is closer to the brink of war.
And the Black Friday checkout lines are growing across the country. Take a look at that. Toys 'R' Us got a head start and opened its doors for the first time at 10 p.m. Thanksgiving evening. Other retailers say they're seeing very long lines for hot ticket items like gaming consoles, toys and clothing.
So, Black Friday is well under way, and retailers are optimistic about sales this year. The National Retail Federation predicts a 2.3 percent increase over last year to more than $447 billion. That's better than 2009 when sales were up .4 percent and a whole lot better than 2008 when sales were down nearly 4 percent that year.
So, let's go to one of those retailers, a big, very famous one, Macy's in New York City, and where we also find our Poppy Harlow of CNNMoney.com. You've been there all morning long. You've checked it out inside and outside. How are the lines, thus far?
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: I just want to show you, Fred, this video from people that lined up starting at midnight. The doors opened at 4:00 a.m. to give you an indication of how things are going so far. Take a look at the 7,000 people here in New York outside Macy's waiting to get in the doors. They count them down. Take a quick listen to that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE: Three, two, one.
(CLAPPING AND CHEERING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: And you know, I just also want to give you a sense of the fact that not everyone that's coming in the doors here at Macy's is shopping. The economy, Fred, as you know, is still very weak. A lot of people that we spoke with are coming for the novelty. Sure, some are picking up deals, but we want to tell people, especially if your budget is tight, there are some things that you need to pay attention to, and we'll show you what we're talking about because you may be enticed by the deals to go in the stores.
First of all, what you want to think is make a list. Make a list of everything you're spending. Don't be fooled, also, by coupons. You're going to get a lot of coupons for Black Friday and going forward. These deals are going to continue, Fred, as you know into the holidays. Remember, starting today is the beginning of that critical shopping season for retailers. It goes until December 27th. If they're not selling as much as they want to, they're going to be increasing the deals time and time and time again.
Also, what we know is that stores, some stores actually pump in scents to try to get people to stay in them longer. They play certain music. So, be aware of all this. Have fun on Black Friday, but be aware, because digging into debt, racking up that bill, it's not going to be pretty even for one fun day of shopping, Fred.
WHITFIELD: And so, Poppy, can you tell whether people are committed to spending cash or are they going to be putting some of these bargains on credit cards? What are they telling you?
HARLOW: That's a great question. We have talked to a lot of shoppers. Kim and Brooke came in just for Brooke's 16th birthday to shop. You've been saving a long time. And what do you think, Kim? Are you putting this on your credit card waiting for the bill, spending a little more than you might have or you being more conscious this year spending in cash?
KIM GARLAND, SHOPPER: I'm spending mostly in cash. I've saved throughout the year for Christmas. I don't do much for birthdays, and we don't spend a lot throughout the year. Christmas is my favorite time, and I go all out at Christmas. But the economy is tight. I was working part time. I went after the first of the year to full-time. So, I'm just spending not putting anything on credit cards.
HARLOW: Nothing on credit cards. Most Americans should listen to her on that. What about you, Brooke? I know you've been saving for a while.
BROOKE GARLAND, SHOPPER: Well, I'm buying, like, my Christmas presents right now, and then I'm going to buy for me.
HARLOW: You're going to buy for you.
GARLAND: Yes.
HARLOW: But no more than you have, right?
GARLAND: Yes. No more than I have.
HARLOW: All right. Guys, have fun shopping. Thanks for being here. But Fred, I think that's really the key here. You know, 138 million Americans expected to hit the stores. A lot of them browsing. Don't be fooled by the deals. They're going to be here. And bottom line, don't spend more than you have. The retailers have all sorts of tactics. Buy two, get one free. What you want to think about is, do I really need that second thing, right?
WHITFIELD: Right. Well, it seems like all the shoppers that we've been talking to this morning on CNN are very smart. Everyone seems to be very committed to cash only this holiday season.
HARLOW: Yes. And that's a great thing. What a lot of people are doing that we talked to, they're using their mobile phones, and they're looking for alternative deals. If something is X price at Macy's, what is it cost elsewhere? Also, if you're into social media, what you can do is you can check in when you get into any store on Facebook places, on the walls (ph), on these social media locating sites, and they're going to send you extra discounts, extra deals.
So, it's worth it to do the legwork and not spend more than you have to. To be honest, I would have liked to see some more deals out there. It seems like the deals are going to get better as we progress into the holiday season.
WHITFIELD: All right. You said, they're coming. They're coming. So, don't be so anxious right now. Better deals around the corner. Poppy Harlow, thanks so much outside Macy's in New York City.
A turning point this week for businesses and individuals suffering a loss of income due to the BP Gulf oil spill. Tuesday was the deadline to file claims for emergency payments. Kenneth Feinberg, the man in charge of BP's $20 billion compensation fund says for three months he has been in charge, there have been 450,000 claims filed, and he's already paid out more than $2 billion in claims.
Earlier on "American Morning," Feinberg said anyone who accepts a final payment gives up their right to actually sue BP.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) KENNETH FEINBERG, ADMINISTRATOR, GULF COAST CLAIMS FACILITY: Every claimant who's eligible and document damage now has two choices. Choice number one, take a final, lump sum payment and wave your right to sue BP or anybody else arising out of the rig explosion. That's one choice. If you feel that you're not ready to give up that right, that you don't know about the future in the Gulf, fishing is uncertain, or whatever, and you want to not wave your right yet, you can take quarterly interim payments for documented damage and not release any rights to sue.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: So, the process of handing out final payments is right now under way this morning.
All right. Six pies for the president? The first family and their guests also had turkey. Of course, I will tell you what else was on their Thanksgiving menu.
And a human skull covered in diamonds. That look beautiful to you? It is billed at the most expensive piece of art by a living artist. We'll tell you where it's going on public display.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONAN O'BRIEN, HOST: The turkey that President Obama pardoned is, you know, that ceremony where he pardons a turkey, that turkey is being sent to live at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. How is that doing? Isn't that nice? Yes. In fact, as we speak, the turkey's at the airport getting an invasive pat down.
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: But it's -- nice. It's -- but, it's says it's a turkey, it's with butter. Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: Likes it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: President Barack Obama had a Thanksgiving message for all Americans and another message for members of Congress. Our senior White House correspondent, Ed Henry, has this hour's Political Ticker. So, what did the president have to say?
ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Happy Thanksgiving, Fred. The president gave the traditional Thanksgiving message. Interesting, because he was calling for some bipartisanship in working together with the Republicans. let's not forget that while everyone is sort of taking a break right now, there are some big issues they have to hash out in that lame duck session of Congress that will be coming back next week. President is also going to be hosting Democratic and Republican leaders here. One of the top issues, of course, is going to be what to do about those Bush tax cuts. They're going to be expiring at the end of the year. The president has sort of marked out his ground that he wants to make sure that the middle class tax cuts are extended for at least a few years, maybe even permanently.
Republicans have been saying they also want to see the tax cuts for the rich extended. White House has said, maybe, they don't want to do that permanently, but maybe, extend the tax cuts for the rich for one or two years. So, they're trying to work out a compromise, but so far, they've made very little progress. That's on the agenda.
The other big issue, though, of course, is what's happening on the Korean peninsula. You remember, a couple of days ago, the president called the South Korean president, President Lee, in order to try to calm things down. President Lee has been saying that there could be a sort of a dramatic retaliation from South Korea to defend itself to make sure North Korea doesn't launch another strike.
Now, we're being told by administration officials the president is expected in the next couple of days to call the Chinese president, Hu Jintao, in order to try and get China. A lot of administration officials believe China is the key here to try to reach out to the secretive regime in North Korea. Try to break through because of their economic ties, another ties, and try to convince them just sort of calm all this down. Now President Lee has been saying that there could be a sort of a dramatic retaliation from South Korea to defend itself to make sure North Korea doesn't launch another strike.
Now we are being told by administrative officials the President is expected in the next couple of days to call the Chinese President Hu Jintao in order to try and get China, a lot of administration officials believe China is the key here to try to reach out to the secretive regime in North Korea to try to break through because of their economic ties and other ties and try to convince them to sort of calm all this down.
If you remember President Obama just met in Seoul, South Korea in the sidelines of the G-20, with President Hu. They've had seven face- to-face meetings during President Obama's time in office. So they believe here at the White House they've got some chemistry there and we expect this phone call will be happening in the next couple of days -- Fred.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Ed, all of this taking place on Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Hopefully you had a nice festive and, you know, belly-filling Thanksgiving yesterday.
HENRY: Absolutely.
WHITFIELD: What do you know about the first family and what was on their menu?
HENRY: Well, -- well, they had turkey and ham and they had greens and sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes. All the things you would expect that any American family to have. But what I thought was interesting and there must have been some sort of a security breach here at the White House because if you look at dessert, there was six different pies: apple, pumpkin, sweet potato, banana cream, huckleberry and cherry.
WHITFIELD: Oh my.
HENRY: No less than six pies. I say a breach because the first lady has got that anti-obesity initiative.
WHITFIELD: Oh yes that's right.
HENRY: And make sure people out there, you know, let's move, let's eat well but also let's move but I think, look. In fairness, I think the President we're -- we're told just a few minutes ago he's heading to Fort McNair. He usually goes there to work out and play some basketball.
WHITFIELD: There you go.
HENRY: So he's setting a good example for the country. You can eat, you can have some pie and maybe even taste six different pies on Thursday but on Friday get back to the gym.
WHITFIELD: That's right. And get working out. I -- I love a Thanksgiving feast with a whole lot of desserts. I've got to have a little sliver of everything.
HENRY: It's a must have.
WHITFIELD: You know, you don't have to choose one dessert, you know. That would be boring. All right, Ed. Thanks so much.
HENRY: Well, happy Thanksgiving -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: Happy jogging. I'll try and get a little jog in today, too.
All right. Artwork -- let's talk about that now. So valuable, that it has been tucked away in a high-security vault. And take a look at that, what do you think? This human diamond-encrusted skull is going on public display. We'll tell you where in our "Morning Passport" next.
But first, let's "Flashback" to November 26th, 1942.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HUMPHREY BOGART, ACTOR: Here's looking at you, kid.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Oh, the movie "Casablanca," starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. It premiered in New York City on this date. The World War II-era drama featured Bogart as a former freedom fighter and the owner of a slinky nightclub in North Africa. Bergman played Bogart's love interest (INAUDIBLE). "Casablanca" earned three Oscars for best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Scanning our "Morning Passport", we begin in a violent city of Juarez, Mexico, it's just across the from Texas, where a school is being threatened if teachers don't hand over their Christmas bonuses.
CNN's Zain Verjee is following this story and more from London. Zain, tell me all about this.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there Fredricka.
It's pretty scary, right? I mean, there's graffiti that's popping up on school walls all over the city of Ciudad Juarez, saying essentially, "Teachers, hand over your Christmas bonuses." Parents are understandably totally freaked out. Many of them have just pulled their kids out of class. Some schools have been evacuated, securities have been stepped up.
People are really nervous but some of the authorities are saying, look, we don't know if it's a prank or they're really serious about it, but because Ciudad Juarez is one of the most violent cities in Mexico, because of the drug wars and gang related wars too. No one's taking any risks -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And so they -- they're saying hand over those bonuses to drug cartels?
VERJEE: Yes, that's what's anticipated. Nobody really knows, but the -- the likely suspect would be the drug cartels because they've been terrorizing so many people. But you can't be too careful, it could be a prank.
WHITFIELD: Right, OK. Well let's -- now, let's go out of this world. We'll talk about a bull's eye landing for the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
VERJEE: Yes, you got three astronauts came down on the Soyuz. They landed safely in Kazakhstan. They were at -- the International Space Station for about five months doing -- sort of scientific research as well as a little bit of maintenance work. And as they were landing or right before they did, they ate some Thanksgiving dinner, a rehydrated turkey though.
WHITFIELD: I don't know how that tasted.
VERJEE: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: I'll pass on that.
Let's talk about a skull never being so artfully done before.
It's pretty amazing, isn't it? So cool to look at, Fredricka. It is the most expensive piece of art in the world made by a living artist. It is a diamond-encrusted human skull -- look at that. It kind of makes your jaw drop a little, right Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: Yes.
VERJEE: This is by Damian Hurst and it's actually going to be displayed in Florence, Italy. So if you're going there anytime soon, go and check it out OK. It's going to cost 10 Euros -- that's about $12 or so. The piece is called "For the Love of God" and Fredricka, there are 8,601 diamonds on it and guess how much it is? It is 80 -- never mind -- it's $80 million.
WHITFIELD: Oh, I was about to low-ball it -- 80.
VERJEE: No, that's pretty substantial. I'm sure you can afford it though.
WHITFIELD: Oh, yeas. That's right. Sign me up for that one. That's pretty incredible.
Is there a back story to whose skull that might be? Or that's just not even important.
VERJEE: It's not important. It's an anonymous skull.
WHITFIELD: Isn't that shameful. OK. Zain Verjee, thanks so much. Those rocks just, you know, are dazzling.
All right. Appreciate it. Have a great day.
OK. We're following lots of developments in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM. Let's check in with Stan Grant.
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes and tensions are building here in the Korean Peninsula ahead of these planned military exercises between the United States and South Korea due to begin on Sunday. North Korea saying that will take the region to the brink of war -- at the top of the hour.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Martin Savidge at a best buy in Atlanta where we are checking out those at the check-out. The question of the day, how will you pay? Will it be cash or charge? I'll have that at the top of the hour.
WHITFIELD: And, of course, if you're afraid this holiday shopping season just might put you even deeper in debt, you don't want to miss Christine Romans' story. She'll show us one way to dig yourself out of the red.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TONY HARRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Fred, we got some trickiness today.
WHITFIELD: Yes. That's Tony Harris.
HARRIS: How are you? I dropped my notes. Did you see that? I am just a bundle of mess.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: You got some interesting sports for us.
HARRIS: A terrific game. One terrific game; a couple of blowouts, but one terrific game. It was the Cowboys and the Saints. It was the middle game yesterday right. Turkey day, after the meal, after the blessing, it's all about turkey and football. That's the day.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: So, here it is. Here is the play. This is Roy Williams going in for what is going to be the winning score, right, for the Cowboys, the ball is stripped by Malcolm Jenkins. Take a look at it in replay, slow motion. And the Saints take this possession. They're trailing at this point and they go marching in -- there you go. I said it. The Saints go marching in 89 yards for what is ultimately the game-winning score. Last attempt here for the Cowboys from the field over 59 yards, plenty of lag -- as you can see, wide left. What a ball game.
WHITFIELD: That was a great game.
HARRIS: Terrific ball game.
So we go from one terrific defensive play to one not so good defensive play. We're going to take you to the first game yesterday.
WHITFIELD: OK. We have to compare and contrast. Why not?
HARRIS: Yes, yes. This is New England. This is the New England game and Detroit. All right? We've got a really good game going on here, right? For a while.
What I want to show you is Tom Brady throwing a deep ball to Dion Branch, right? Terrific play. Then watch what happens. Alfonso Smith, number 27, trying to play defense; he is being literally toyed with.
WHITFIELD: This is like old schoolyard stuff.
HARRIS: It's school yard. Do we have it again? So to add insult to injury, he gets beat again by Dion Branch for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Turned around the entire game and for Alfonso Smith, it's a home game, it's in Detroit. He's got his family there. It's on national television.
WHITFIELD: And only to be replayed right here.
HARRIS: And what's the tag line to commercial? Want to get away? This is it. Once again, for everyone at home. He's looking for his mommy at this point. Mommy. Mommy. Blanky, please. And there you go.
WHITFIELD: You're crazy.
HARRIS: All right. I am worn out.
WHITFIELD: Tony Harris, you ought to be -- good job. Love that sports.
HARRIS: Oh.
WHITFIELD: OK, bye.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Later Tony.
HARRIS: All right Freddie.
WHITFIELD: I think it's time we look at the clock.
