COLLINS: Good morning once again, everybody. 9:50 Eastern Time now. Gustav growing stronger and on track for a potential U.S. hit. The tropical storm has almost regained its earlier hurricane status and is expected to get much stronger. Our Rob Marciano is in the weather center now with the storm's latest location and projection. This is not an easy job, Rob.</s>COLLINS: In the meantime, a desperate situation in Northeast India now looking even worse. An area the size of Delaware is under water after a monsoon-swollen river burst its banks. More than 2.5 million people are affected. Just look at those pictures. Thousands of those people stuck on tiny strips of dry land or their rooftops. At least 47 people are now dead. More rain for that area is expected. Russia fails to get support from China and other Asian nations for its military action in Georgia. Russia's president made the appeal today at the summit of an Asian Security Alliance. He, again, defended Russia's actions in breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and blamed Georgia for the conflict.</s>PRES. DMITRY MEDVEDEV, RUSSIA (through translator): Unfortunately, the picture which has been portrayed in the western information has been wrong. And very substantial ways from the actual facts which was aggression which has -- this is why I said what was and what happened I said -- I spoke about what the motives were of our government, and the positions we're taking regarding the operation for bringing about peace in Georgia.</s>COLLINS: A little bit later we're going to be hearing from CNN's Matthew Chance who had an exclusive interview today with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. High gas prices making the world thirsty for ethanol. That may leave you thirsty for tequila. Yes, there's a good explanation.
Desperate Situation in Northeast India Now Looking Even Worse; Russia Fails to Get Support from China and Other Asian Nations