making news this morning, rebound. >> a big boost for stock markets overnight. good news for investors riding the rollercoaster that world leaders meeting today are trying to control. the doctor's fate in the jury's hands today. we could soon have the answer. who is responsible for the death of michael jackson? and the close encounter that is almost unreal, when two whales come out of nowhere.

good morning, everybody. i'm rob nelson. >> i'm cecilia vega. stock markets in asia soared overnight, showing their first gains in a week. >> with any luck, u.s. markets are be lifted, putting those 401(k) accounts sp back into the black. yesterday, a new twist. the greek prime minister called off the referendum on europe's bailout plan that has sent markets around the globe into a tailspin. a confidence vote is expected today. the government could fall. >> pressure from greece has been coming from here, the leaders of the world meeting in france. it made it clear that a no-vote by the greek people would have sunk the global economy. we'll have an update live from france later today on "good morning america." new details, now, on the herman cain controversy. we could hear later today from one of the women who accused cain back in the '90s.

and there's a new, potentially explosive ad, which says those charges were racially motivated. abc's tahman bradley is joining us from washington with more. tahman? >> reporter: good morning, cecilia. supporters of herman cane are firing back, refusing to abandon their candidate, as the controversy over sexual harassment allegations continues to swirl. herman cain supporters are rallying around their man. the controversy other the decade-old sexual harassment allegations continues. a new web video by a pro-cain group portrays the sexual harassment story as racially motivated. >> we're getting the high-tech lynches of a beautiful man, herman cain. >> reporter: the ad closes with a racially-charged moment from clarence thomas' supreme court confirmation from 1991. since politico broke the story on sunday, the cain campaign claims it raised $1.2 million.

almost half of what it did in august, september combined. >> what we're seeing this week, is people are doubling their commitment. they're getting more involved because they're so angry at the national press. >> reporter: political analysts say the allegations haven't derailed cain's run for the white house. but he has been tarnished. >> basically, he's a cat with nine lives. and in a very quick period of time, he's used up at least seven of those lives. >> reporter: in iowa, cain supporters stood up for their candidate when faced with questions from voters about the harassment controversy. >> that came up with every phone call. and i think there's a concern about it. but i really would think that he's above much of this. >> reporter: the lawyer for one of cain's accusers has asked the national restaurant association for permission to release a statement, giving her side of the story. a decision about that could be announced today. rob and cecilicecilia? >> okay. tahman bradley, reporting from

washington. thank you. the third time was not the charm for the president's job creation efforts. republicans in the senate blocked a $60 billion stimulus package that was aimed at fixing the nation's roads and bridges. they oppose taxing wealthy americans to pay for it all. this is the third defeat for the president's jobs proposal. and former president bill clinton is criticizing mr. obama and the democrats were not doing more to stabilize the nation's economy. in a new book, mr. clinton says last summer's fight over the debt ceiling made the country look weak and confused. he says president obama should solve a hike in the debt limit when democrats controlled the congress. well, occupy wall street protesters in oakland, california, are apologizing after their demonstration wednesday night. a sprinter group turned violent. the riot police moved in. and now, there may be a public backlash, too. abc's neal karlinsky is there. >> reporter: the streets of oakland are filled with cleaning crews, taking on a fresh barrage

of graffiti. and citizens, like this woman. >> you're going to break the windows where i work? >> reporter: fed up with a movement she used to support. >> i don't see any positive message. i'm just hoping that they'll go home. >> reporter: violent run-ins between protesters and police led to fires, tear gas, 100 arrests and frustration that the movement is being hijacked by a destructive minority. >> i don't like the fires. i don't like the graffiti. but most of us are not doing those things. >> reporter: it's not just oakland. in new york, there are allegations of sexual assaults at the occupy wall street site and fresh calls to evict protesters. the costs of the protests is mounting, too. already $5 million for the city of new york. $500,000 in atlanta. and $1 million in cash-strapped oakland, which doesn't even include the $4 million officials say was lost when protesters temporarily closed down the nation's fifth-largest port overnight. >> i am in favor of the movement.

but not in support of the people who do vandalism. >> reporter: so, is this movement aimed at corporate greed and corruption -- which gained so much popular traction so quickly -- in danger of snuffing itself out? >> even if they're a very, very small segment of what's happening, a very small amount of violence can be enough, ultimately, to stop a movement. in other news, now, nba players and owners are set to meet again tomorrow. all part of efforts to salvage part of this basketball season. according to this morning's "new york times," about 50 players may try to dissolve their union if there are major concessions that are made. dissolving the union could allow the players to suze the nba. don't count on an empty seat next to you if you're flying somewhere for thanksgiving. the airline industry expects 23.2 million air travelers this year. that's more than 2% less from last year. but your chances of an empty seat next to you are still pretty slim because airlines have reduced their capacity. schoolkids in the northeast may have been enjoying snow days

this week. but they're going to end up paying for it later. the lingering power outages are keeping some schools closed. and districts are likely to cut their winter and spring break vacations to make up those days. >> kids will not be happy about that. >> not at all. now, let's take a look at your morning weather from around the country. it will be a pleasant, mild day here in the northeast and the country's midsection, as well. there will be showers in virginia and the carolinas. but clearing up in the afternoon. the deep south warms up today. also, sunny in the southern plains states. but raining pretty much in the west, including one end of california to the other. >> and new york will hit 55. boston, 51. and baltimore, 57. miami is headed for 82. 53 in detroit. 54 in. 65 in albuquerque. 58 in sacramento. and 48 in both seattle and portland. and coming up after the break, the money man who made nearly $1 billion just yesterday. then, wall street's been waiting for today.

the newest internet sensation to go public. but how much is groupon really worth? also this morning, stranded more than 100 feet up in the air.

and we are waiting for the all-important october jobs report, which is expected to show employers adding about 90,000 jobs last month. that's just enough to keep the unemployment rate at 9.1% for the fourth-straight month. businesses are reluctant to bring on new employees until

they see steadier spending by consumers. and the morning's other big business story, that much-anticipated initial public offering of groupon stock. the popular web coupon site has about 20 bucks a share. that puts the company's value at roughly $13 billion. this has been a pretty controversial ipo process. there were no demand than supply for that stock. and a sign that employer confidence is getting stronger, a new report finds that three out of four employers are back to matching 401(k)s. many employers had suspended the benefit program during the nation's financial crisis. as we mentioned, overseas stock markets are soaring today. tokyo's nikkei average closed higher today. hong kong's hang seng is up 66. in london, the ftse opened higher. on wall street, the dow was up 208 points yesterday. the nasdaq index gained 58 points. and talk about a good day

with oracle stock up 2.6%, ceo and founder larry ellison was the biggest winner yesterday. making nearly $1 billion with the company's move in stock price in just one day. >> ever feel like we're in the wrong business? >> seriously. in today's "usa today" tech review, we have a new tablet. the thick pad tablet involves the latest an troy software. and some of the most popular notebook features. "usa today's" ed baig, think it's a nice addition for professionals. >> if you want to take advantage of the pen and a keyboard, with accessories, this is a pretty nice way to go. >> and the think pad tablet has several wi-fi-only models, starting at about $500. not bad. coming up next on this friday morning. the fate of dr. conrad murray.

in a few hours, he'll be in the hands of the jury. and we have the video that so many people are talking about out there. a family law judge beating his daughter. so, what will happen to him now? so i took my heartburn pill and some antacids. we're having mexican tonight, so another pill then? unless we eat later, then pill later? if i get a snack now, pill now? skip the snack, pill later... late dinner, pill now? aghh i've got heartburn in my head. [ male announcer ] stop the madness of treating frequent heartburn. it's simple with prilosec otc. one pill a day. twenty-four hours. zero heartburn. no heartburn in the first place. great.

two new jersey construction workers working on a church steeple are safely back on the ground this morning, after their prayers were answered by the fire department. their cherry picker tipped over, stranding them eight stories up. after two hours, a drain hoisted a cage to them. >> very lucky guys. that was the first day of the restoration project. not the smoothest of starts. now, let's take a look at you morning road conditions on this friday, most of which are actually out in the west. there's snow on interstate 80 in california's pass. but it is open. all the major highways are wet right now. i-15, is wet from l.a. to idaho,

where it gets icy in the higher elevations. >> and if you're flying, airport delays are possible in los angeles, san francisco, and las vegas. and speaking of l.a., there this morning, the jurors have listened to six weeks of testimony about the death of michael jackson, finally begin to decide whether, in fact, his doctor is the one to blame. >> in closing arguments yesterday, the prosecution and the defense had very different opinions. abc's jim avila was there. >> reporter: michael jackson's life was such a drug-ed aaddleds when he died. enter prince, paris and blanket, jackson's innocent children. >> for michael's children, this case will go on forever because they do not have a father. >> they do not have a father was a of dr. conrad murray. >> reporter: jackson wanted to

clean up his life. but in june 2009, a hired hand, dr. conrad murray, killed jackson in his dreams. >> michael jackson trusted conrad murray. he trusted him with his life. he paid with his life. >> reporter: dr. murray's, quote, bizarre behavior, mistakes and me glet, delaying the 911 call for help, district attorney attorney walgren said caused his death. for his defense, ed chernoff went to the heart of their case. yes, conrad murray made mistakes, he said. but it was not him that killed michael jackson. >> they want you to convict dr. murray for the jacksactions michael jackson. >> reporter: the defense telling the jury dr. murray could be in trouble in front of the state's medical board or in civil court. but he did not commit a crime. >> if it were anybody else but

michael jackson, anybody else, would in doctor be here today? >> reporter: the defense ending its closing argument, reminding the jurors of while this is los angeles, this is not a reality tv show. lives hang in the balance. asking the jury to, quote, do the right thing and find conrad murray not guilty. jim avila, abc news, los angeles. the texas judge shown on videotape beating his disabled daughter with a belt will not face criminal charges. police say simply too muff time has gone by to go forward with the case. william adams, who actually presides over child abuse cases, is being investigated by the state judicial conduct commission and the family protective services. he told a texas tv station that the video, quote, looks worse than it actually is. the 20-year-old woman who is suing teen idol, justin bieber, for child support, could be in hot water herself. she says he fathered the son two

years ago. but bieber was 16 then. the two issues are totally separate and that bieber has a duty to provide for his son. >> wow. time, now, for your sports news. here's the gang at espn news. and mr. will selva. >> good morning. and with one win, florida state would become bowl-eligible. but standing in their way was boston college. florida state came out pumped up. b.c., oh, boy. this isn't good. calvin smith all over it, as florida state takes possession. then, they take full advantage. e.j. manuel, to reed. later in the second, same score now. manuel. nick o'leary. o'leary has it. and he goes 56 yards. the ball pops loose. it's on the floor. but o'leary's ruled down. evidence inconclusive.

so, the 'noles end up keeping the ball. next play. devoevonte freeman, rushed for yards and 2 touchdowns. here's one of them. he scored there. first game with multile the touchdowns. florida state, now bowl-eligible. to the ice. henrik sedin over 800 career games for him. the canucks taking on the wild. max cullen, one of his two gulls here. the wild is up 4-1. then, things get a little interesting as maxim lapierre, and kyle clutterbuck along the boards. you see the refs trying to be a peacemaker. the ref, oh, right in the kisser. and then, gets an even harder punch. oh, clutterbuck connects. the ref would be okay. the wild end up winning 5-1. the wild have won their last three games. that will do it for this update. i'm will selva.

>> refs have a tough job. >> ouch. coming up next, "the pulse," and some amazing animals caught on tape. >> including the humpback whales that nearly swallowed a surfer.

starts saturday at 9 am. get over 10% off all whirlpool washers and dryers and 60% of coats for the whole family. shop early on preview friday. real deals. real savings. sears well, it's the time to check "the pulse," beginning with some

incredible animal stories this morning. >> this surfer and the two kayakers seem to be enjoying a beautiful, normal, lazy day in santa krudz harbor. when all of a sudden, two humpback whales lunge out of the water. look at that. and plunge back down. >> it was just for whale-watching. authorities say they and other spectators are getting a little too close for safety. >> some questions whether this video is real or not. you know. one of our producers noticed the water didn't ripple enough for it to be real. animal stories also produce some amazing images just like this one. a two-run rhino being hoitsed high above the african hills. look at that. the animals are being flown to a remote area away from poachers. >> the animals are put to sleep before their 15-mile journey to safety. the airborne trip puts much less

stress on the rhinos than a ride in a truck would. upside down. >> get out of harm's way. that's cool. for some of you, your local news is coming up next. >> for everyone else, your week in comedy. capital one's new cash rewards card gives you a 50 percent annual bonus. so you earn 50 percent more cash. if you're not satisfied with 50% more cash, send it back! i'll be right here, waiting for it. who wouldn't want more cash? [ insects chirping ] i'll take it. i'll make it rain up in here. [ male announcer ] the new capital one cash rewards card. the card for people who want 50% more cash. what's in your wallet? sorry i'll clean this up. shouldn't have made it rain.

are hidden in the contours of your teeth & tongue. introducing a breakthrough for aquafresh. new extreme clean pure breath action. its micro active foam

penetrates those hard to reach places. and it now contains a mineral compound that captures and neutralizes bad breath odors giving you 80% cleaner, purer breath. for all the confidence of pure breath try new extreme clean pure breath action from aquafresh.

well, finally from us, this week has been a late-night comic's dream. >> that's for sure. from the lawsuit against justin bieber to kim kardashian's divorce, they've had no shortage of material. >> this is great. i love this story. this is what show business is supposed to be about. married for 72 days, today, kim kardashian apologized to her fans. fans? fans of what? fans? lasted 72 days. i want to tell you something. i've had viagra side-effects that lasted longer than this. >> kim kardashian's husband, kris humphries, apparently found out on the gossip website, tmz, that kim filed for divorce. kim was like, i'm sorry. i didn't have a chance to tell you the normal way.

through "in touch" magazine. i couldn't do it. >> a 20-year-old woman, named mariah yeater, claims that justin bieber is the father of her son. the news media has been creative in making this a story. see if you see a theme. >> justin bieber might be singing more than just baby, baby, baby. he could be having one. >> is it really his baby, baby, baby? >> justin bieber may not be singing baby, baby anymore. >> baby, baby, baby. >> baby, baby, oh. >> it's the new 9-9-9. it's sweeping the nation. let's do the math. if they's three months old. it took nine months to bake. that means it was conceived a year ago, around halloween. maybe she just thinks she had sex with justin bieber. and instead, she had sex with this guy.