Independence. Some want to join russia, but is that what the majority of the people really want . Were live on the ground with the very latest there. Good morning. Good to have you with us. Welcome to early start. Im victor blackwell. And im deborah feyerick. Its 4 00 a. M. In the east. We begin with Donald Sterling and his shocking comments to Anderson Cooper. He is apologizing for his remarks but also is blasting nba legend Magic Johnson, the very person he was talking about when he told v. Stiviano she shouldnt be seen with black people. Listen to part of what sterling said. I embarrassed the league. I humiliated them. I dont know how why i did it. I mean, its so terrible. So, you dont believe, though, that the owners would vote to have you removed as owner . I dont think so. The players dont hate me. The sponsors dont hate me. You dont believe the fans dont hate me. The media hates. Its the media. Its all the media pushing it. Honestly, you really believe that this is just the media . I believe it 100 . I believe it 100 . People call me by the thousands and give me support. Magic johnson, you know, has made a public comment. Do you have something to say to him . What can i say to him . He it doesnt matter. Here is a man who i dont know if i say this. He acts so holy. I mean, he made love to every girl in every city in america and he had aids, and when he had those aids, i went to my synagogue and i prayed for him. I hoped he could live and be well. I didnt criticize him. I could have. Is he an example for children . What has he done . Can you tell me . Big Magic Johnson, what has he done . Well, hes a business person, hes hes got aids. Did he do any business . Did he help anybody in south l. A. . Well, i think he has hiv, he doesnt have fullblown aids. Well, what guy goes to every city, has sex with every girl and then catches hiv . Is that somebody we want to respect and tell our kids about . I think he should be ashamed of himself. I think he should go into the background. But what does he do for the black people . He doesnt do anything. Well, nba commissioner silver reacting to the interview overnight, writing in a at the same time i just read a transcript of Donald Sterlings interview with Anderson Cooper, and while Magic Johnson doesnt need to, i feel compelled on behalf of the nba family to apologize to him that he continues to be dragged into this situation and be degraded by such a malicious and personal attack. The nba board of governors is continuing with its process to remove mr. Sterling as expeditiously as possible. Magic johnson tweeted overnight that he would rather be talking about the nba playoffs than Donald Sterlings interview, but we will hear Magic Johnson in his own words on ac360 tonight, sitting down with Anderson Cooper for an exclusive interview, 8 00 p. M. Eastern time here on cnn. Lets go to nigeria, where this morning u. S. Planes are helping in hunt for more than 200 girls abducted by terrorists. The u. S. Is searching from the sky and sharing satellite images, of course, in hopes of figuring out just where the girls are being hidden and whether these girls in this video are the girls who have been abducted, pu eed purported. This video is put out by boko haram, who wants prisoners set free. Vladimir duthiers is joining us on the phone. Vlad, are searchers any closer to finding the girls . Are they even sharing that information . Reporter hey, victor. Well, a couple of things. If this video is legit, its going to be the first time that these parents have had some sign of life, some sign of hope as they desperately wait for any news of their missing children. A couple of interesting things. We chased down the Nigerian Government when we saw this video to get their response. A couple of blockbuster moments that came out of a press conference we attended. First of all, the director of the state Security Service telling us that the man in that video with those girls he doesnt appear with the girls, but he is in that video she said that is not the leader of boko haram. She tells us that man was killed. When we pressed her for details on the circumstances of his death, she refused to reveal that, she said because of National Security reasons. The other thing thats interesting is we talked to the military yesterday and they said in response to abu bakar saying he wants to trade them for members of boko haram in prison, theyd be willing to negotiate with them. So, a couple interesting things. As far as the search, theyve shown us video of aerial searches theyre doing, but quite frankly, victor, even the president admitted he doesnt know where these girls are. Yesterday, new york congressman peter king told our erin burnett that if the president decided to send special forces to nigeria to help in the search, that would be something he would not oppose. Do we know that, although the Nigerian Government has asked for assistance, that they will ask for those special forces . Reporter thats a tough question. I think that the Nigerian Government has welcomed the assistance of the international community, but putting boots on the ground would be a very, very difficult situation, not only for the united states, but also for the nigerians. It would really prove to the world that they, as Hillary Clinton said, have been derelict in their responsibility to protect their people, their citizens, and to now call in military troops to conduct this search would really be an admittance of failure on their end as they try to put themselves on to the world stage. They want to be members of the u. N. Security council. They are the largest economy now, but it would really be a black eye for them. Vladimir duthiers from abuja, thanks. This morning, ukraines interim Prime Minister is in brussels holding talks with european officials over whats next now that separatists say two provinces have voted to leave ukraine and annex their region with russia. But it comes as a new poll conducted for cnn finds that most ukrainians feel more loyal to europe than they do russia and actually approve of sanctions against Vladimir Putins allies. Atika shupeert is live in donetsk, ukraine right now. And atika, you think about this, the u. S. , nato, European Union have all condemned this referendum as illegitimate. What is the mood of the people there . Reporter well, i think that doesnt matter to the donetsk peoples republic, the prorussian group thats taken over the Regional Administration here. They, frankly, dont care what the rest of the world thinks. Theyre looking to moscow for answers. And we saw that yesterday when the official referendum results came in. Just within hours, they had officially declared independence from ukraine and appealed to russia to become part of the russian federation. But perhaps whats most revealing about this is the fact that moscow hasnt answered their appeal yet. Theres been deafening silence from the kremlin, so its not clear exactly whats going to happen next. Atika, russia annexed crimea. Now theyre saying, look, were not interested in other parts, we dont want donetsk. They want a constitution with more policymaking decision for these sort of prorussian regions. Is that a possibility . Its still a united country, allegedly. Reporter well, from kievs view, its still a united country, and this is why they want to have a general election that sorts out these issues. And as far as kievs concerned, thats the only way to resolve this crisis. But the prorussian groups who are in control of the government buildings here now say thats not the case, and they feel that they are independent. And heres the problem, kiev cannot seem to gain control, full control over eastern ukraine. Now, russia, it has got obviously a pivotal role in this and has indicated that the Eastern Region needs to sit down with kiev and come to some sort of solution, but theres been no indication so far that anybody is willing to sit down at the negotiating table. Instead, you have men lined up protecting the region. A lot of armed people. Thank you, atika. Happening today, International Officials are scheduled to vote on setting a new standard for tracking flights using satellites and other methods to keep a closer eye on jets. Now, this, of course, is happening in the wake of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight 370. Officials from around the world are expected to endorse the move but stopped short of requiring those changes. And this morning theres word yet another va hospital is being investigated for possible improper scheduling practices. Two employees at the durham, North Carolina, va hospital have now been put on leave, making it the fourth va facility facing allegations that lists were manipulated to make it seem like veterans werent waiting months for appointments. Va policy states no vet is supposed to wait more than 14 days to see a doctor or other medical professional. The nsa is allegedly installing spyware on back doors of servers and hard wears, then repacking the equipment before its shipped overseas in order to conduct international surveillance. That claim is coming from documents provided by edward snowden. The u. S. Admits that using u. S. Made hardware to protect american interests but will not comment specifically on the allegations. Political bickering is preventing a senate vote on the k Keystone Energy pipeline project. The bill was voted down by senators, meaning the pipeline project is likely to not get further consideration until after midtermed in november. Senate majority leader harry reid promised a separate vote on keystone if an unrelated Energy Efficiency bill supported by both parties passed. Well, it failed over republican attempts to add on amendments. Clay aiken is suspending all Campaign Activities after the sudden death of his opponent in a North Carolina congressional race. Did you hear about this . Authorities say 71yearold keith crisco died monday at his home. The democratic primary race in North Carolinas 2nd Congressional District had been too close to call with aiken ahead by just 369 votes. Well, after the results are certified today, its expected the state Democratic Party will choose aiken as its official nominee. Severe storms tearing through the middle of the country, tornadoes, flooding and even snow. Were tracking what you can expect for today coming up next. 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If you or someone you love would like information about philips lifeline with autoalert, call now for your free information kit and ask about free activation when you order. The weather today could be dangerous and stormy for millions. Heavy rain expected from texas to the great lakes after days of intense severe storms. And look at this. Look at these pictures. These are from wisconsin. Heavy rains, winds, just knocked over the trees here, even taking off parts of buildings. This one in watertown had to be demolished because of the storm damage. Much of the same story in illinois, this where strong winds took the roof off this motel in joliet. Officials say its not salvageable, so crews now will have to tear that building down. Same story in iowa. Strong winds dropping a tree right on this car and pulling a roof right off a home in the town of penora, about 40 miles west of des moines. Oh, boy okay, that is probably why they say you should not be out driving during a possible tornado. Storm chasers got hit by a piece of Farm Equipment on a nebraska road while they were out tracking a twister. No one was hurt, but the man behind the wheel says it is the closest call hes had in 16 years chasing storms. Severe thunderstorms to blame for flash flooding near cleveland. Look here. The roads overtaken by water. Parts of a major interstate had to be shut down for hours. Police are urging people to stay at home. While the calendar says may, some parts of colorado are digging out from several feet of snow. Skiing, everybody. Upwards of 29 inches fell in the northcentral part of the state. Thats the bright side of it, skiing. Exactly, one more run. But snow in may . Lets look at what we can expect today. Jennifer gray is keeping an eye on the forecast. Deborah and victor, well see the focus move more towards the Mississippi River valley. Weve had a lot of Severe Weather in the plains. Now well see spotty showers and storms move a little farther to the east. Well even see some scattered activity on the east coast. Still a very high fire threat in the southwest, southern california. We are going to see High Pressure stay in control in the pacific northwest. Huge contrast in temperatures, though. 82 degrees in memphis, 87 in atlanta, 91 degrees in d. C. Staying warm in los angeles, but it is only going to get warmer as we go forward in time. The fire threat will remain very high again tomorrow with very hot temperatures. Well also see severe storms start to pick back up again right around the Mississippi River valley, anywhere from mississippi, alabama, all the way up to kentucky with scattered showers across the eastern seaboard. Look at the temperatures, though, tomorrow in l. A. As we go through tomorrow afternoon, 94 degrees. That fire threat will remain very high. Well see temperatures a little cooler across the countrys midsection, and then warm in the southeast, 86 degrees in atlanta. Victor and deborah . Thanks, jennifer. And this morning, fire crews north of amarillo are battling a huge blast thats now destroyed more than 90 homes. Efforts to contain it are moving slowly. Its up to 65 , but there are cautions that the flames could shift again. Right now, more than 400 people remain evacuated, but a cold front is raising humidity, and it is hoped containment may grow today. Turn and look at your screen. Heres the story. Authorities in New Hampshire investigating the shooting death of a Police Officer after he responded to a domestic dispute at a home that caught fire. And then look, exploded. The brentwood, New Hampshire, officer is identified as steven arkell. Police say the suspected shooter is michael nolan, the son of the homeowner. Its believed he died in that fire. That video, unbelievable. Dramatic. And porsche is now being sued over the crash that left Actor Paul Walker dead. The widow of driver roger rodas says the 2004 porsche cera gt lacked some safety features that would have saved both mens lives. Christine rodas also says her husband was driving 55, not the 90 Miles Per Hour that investigators say. Shes seeking unspecified damages. Its all over social media, an alleged family feud going viral this morning after the release of a Surveillance Video reportedly showing rapper jay z being attacked by beyonces sister, solange. Cnn cannot independently confirm the video, but according to tmz, it happened in an elevator at new York Standard Hotel and a woman who resembled beyonce is just standing there as the conflict lasts for more than three minutes. The hotel says they are investigating the leak of the video. And last night, the first couple of pop, they were picture perfect, once again taking in a nets game. A new twist in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. The olympic hero now claiming an anxiety disorder led him to shoot and kill his model girlfriend. Was he so terrified of intruders that he shot through a closed bathroom door fearing an intruder, or was it outright murder . We are live in