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NEWS STREAM
Uncertainty in Burundi after Coup Claim; At Least 72 People Killed in Fire in Philippines; New Tension over China Building Islands; Search Continues for U.S. Military Helicopter; Seven Dead, 200+ Injured in U.S. Train Derailment; Forced Labor in Corporate Supply Chains; Thailand Refuses Migrant Boat Entry; Refugees Flooding into Malaysia and Indonesia; Farmers Embracing Technology; Highlights of CNN "WORLD SPORT". Aired 8-9p ET
Aired May 14, 2015 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN HOST (voice-over): I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong and welcome to NEWS STREAM.
Tensions run high in Burundi and it's not known who is in charge as there are reports of fresh clashes in the capital. We'll bring you the very
latest.
Plus a top Malaysian official says a surge of migrants seeking asylum is not welcome. Find out what's being done to help the spread of refugees.
And we'll tell you about a project to bring computers to people around the world.
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STOUT: Fear and uncertainty are taking hold in the East African nation of Burundi as one resident put it, no one knows what's going on and whether or
not there has been a coup. Now that resident was speaking from the capital, where there has been more gunfire.
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STOUT (voice-over): You see people there on the streets. They're ducking as the sound of gunfire echoes nearby. That resident we mentioned says
many people are staying indoors.
On Wednesday, an army general went on the radio to announce the president is no longer in charge. And in a tweet, the president dismissed that and
urged his people to stay calm.
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STOUT: Let's get more now on this tense and uncertain situation in Burundi as CNN's Robyn Kriel is watching developments from nearby Kenya and she
join us now.
Robyn, what is the status of the government there in Burundi right now?
ROBYN KRIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, a few moments ago I just got off the phone with the president's spokesperson, the government's spokesperson,
Willie Nyamitwe, who told me that the situation was now under control, that there was still some fighting but it was not in the major parts of the
city. He claimed that the airport was under loyalists, those who are loyal to the president, troops control and that all major key institutions such
as the presidential palace were also under control of loyalist troops.
When I asked him about the whereabouts of President Pierre Nkurunziza, he did not return from the East African community summit which he attended in
Dar es Salaam yesterday and it was a mystery, almost, as to where the president was. Some said that he was in Dar es Salaam. Others said that
he could even been here in Kenya. It was a complete mystery.
He said he could not comment on that for security reasons. Also what we've heard, Kristie, is that in the last few hours, a broadcast on some radio
stations, a local journalist told me that he'd heard a radio message from Pierre Nkurunziza, stating he was at the international airport, he was back
in the country and that everything was under control.
However, there has been some speculation as to whether he did that over the phone and whether indeed he is back in Burundi.
STOUT: OK. We don't know where the president of Burundi is, his whereabouts still unknown, claims from your source there on the ground in
Burundi that the situation is under control, we know that there has been a lot of violence, fierce clashes on the streets, this happening for days
leading up to this moment. And we know that many people have fled the country.
What has been the humanitarian cost of the political instability there in Burundi?
KRIEL: Huge humanitarian cost, Kristie, 70,000. It was 50,000 refugees and then yesterday the United Nations Office of Humanitarian Support issued
a statement saying that it was now up to 70,000 and of course those numbers are only going to be swelling as this fighting continues, fierce
fighting, when the army gets involved, Kristie, it is taking it up to a very different level. This is almost an insurgency from the middle of the
elite government. So it's really going to cut the country in half almost whether it -- depending on who supports this General Niyombare and who is
loyal to the president.
It's really going to be quite telling in the next few days. However, you can only expect that the people streaming across the border into
neighboring DRC, Tanzania, and Rwanda will increase. I might just also add, Kristie, that while the government spokesperson said that everything
was under control, we're hearing very, very different reports from people on the ground.
In fact I want to read quite a strong quote from one person, a female that we spoke to on the ground, she said, "One thing is known: there is a war.
And it's not going away today or tomorrow," residents reporting fierce gun battles, even now, Kristie, just moments ago we heard that there was fierce
fighting. No one really knows what's going on, is this a coup or isn't a coup. It could just lead end into all-out chaos or we could see a peaceful
solution where the president of Burundi is returned back and mgs to stabilize the country, or where the General Niyombare, the man contesting
him, in fact, dismissing him, in his words, takes over as the new leader in the transitional government.
STOUT: Yes, so much up in the air, so much uncertain, Robyn Kriel reporting on the political instability and the humanitarian crisis that has
gripped Burundi, thank you, Robyn.
Now to Afghanistan, where at least 14 people have been killed in an attack at a popular hotel in Kabul. An American and four Indian nationals are
among the dead. Six people were wounded. Afghan police say one gunman was killed. The Taliban have claimed responsibility.
Rescuers have pulled more bodies from a shoe factory in the Philippines after a fire swept through the building. At least 72 people were killed.
Many of the victims were found on the second floor, suggesting people had become trapped. Five were rescued alive. It is thought the blaze began
when sparks from a welding torch set some chemicals on fire.
For more, CNN Philippines correspondent Gerg Cahiles joins me on the line from Valenzuela, just inside Manila.
And, Gerg, thank you for joining us. This is a terrible story, this factory fire has killed at least 72 people.
What made this fire so deadly?
GERG CAHILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: OK, Kristie, having two factory workers, most of them breadwinners of their families, die in the fire (INAUDIBLE)
Valenzuela and most of the charred remains were already retrieved and brought to their village (INAUDIBLE) processing. Now based on the initial
investigation, fire officials are now certain the footwear factory fire began from welding sparks (INAUDIBLE) on the row up gate at the ground
floor. Now the sparks flew into chemicals that are using in making rubber slippers. The local government believes that most of the victims died of
suffocation and were found on the second floor of the factory. And, Kristie, investigators say that some victims may have gone up to the second
floor near the windows to get some fresh air. But the fire officials say the building has sufficient fire exits. But you know, the question is how
come any workers were trapped on the second floor? Now investigators say they are looking into possibility that one of the fire exits was locked and
that one of the survivors can talk to earlier heard that it actually -- or the fire exit was actually locked at that time. And they said that they
used a tool to break the lock and five of them managed to jump off the building. That's why they managed to survive. And now families continue
to arrive here to check if their loved ones are among the victims and the relatives are allowed to identify the bodies based on recovered personal
items. But they are but charred bodies right now, Kristie. The police say getting DNA samples is now necessary and needs to be matched (INAUDIBLE)
family members -- Kristie.
STOUT: There's 72 lives have been taken.
What will be done to make sure that this will never happen again?
Coverage of this factory fire is on CNN International. It's all over national television there in the Philippines.
Will this bring about change, better health and safety standards?
CAHILES: What (INAUDIBLE) fire protection here in the (INAUDIBLE) saying is that they have a very, very strong law with regard to this fire
incident, (INAUDIBLE) buildings, every year it just for them, seeing if these companies are actually complying with the regulations of the country
with regard to the fire code.
But you know what, they're saying that whenever they come to these buildings, everything if fine. But after that, things will be changing
again. So the problem is with the companies who are actually implementing or actually operating here in the country. But in the coming days, we will
see if there will be changes in the regulations of the country right now. But at the moment, what we're seeing (INAUDIBLE) investigation is still
ongoing according to their fire officers here. They do not see any violations with regard to the fire code (INAUDIBLE) in relation to the
building where the fire occurred. But the investigation is still not done. So we'll look in the coming days if things will change by then -- Kristie.
STOUT: Yes, more investigation is definitely needed. Thank you for your reporting, Gerg Cahiles of CNN Philippines joining me live, thank you very
much indeed for that.
The Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has just kicked off a three-day visit to China in the ancient city of Xi'an, now home to the famous
sculptures of the terra cotta warrior army, but also the home province of the Chinese president, Xi Jinping. Mr. Modi, the most followed Asian
leader on social media, took to Twitter this day to say that he'd landed to a warm welcome.
And the leaders are to push ahead with trade agreements as part of a new effort of economic collaboration between the two Asian giants.
Meanwhile a U.S. Navy commander calls it the great wall of sand, the large number of islands that China is creating in the South China Sea. Some of
the artificial islands are being built in territory that other countries also claim and that is doing nothing to ease tensions in the region.
David McKenzie reports.
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DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The aviation museum near Beijing honors past battles of the People's Liberation Army, like
celebrated MiG victories over U.S. fighter jets in the Korean War. This self-guided tour moves at a steady pace but lately China's military
maneuvers are far more rapid.
And top U.S. lawmakers say that America and its allies' interests in the region are at considerable risk.
Over a buildup of Chinese assets in the South China Sea. The satellite images show extraordinary transformations. It's what a U.S. commander
calls the great wall of sand.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Since the last probably 14-18 months we've really seen China go from zero to absolutely a large number of islands which previously
didn't exist on reefs and sand banks that it occupies and controls in the South China Sea.
MCKENZIE (voice-over): The South China Sea is a commercially vital stretch of water, sprinkled with hundreds of islands and reefs. Nine countries and
territories claim at least some of those islands but China says it has a historic claim over it all.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Winning China's sovereignty in territorial waters China has the right and undisputed right to do whatever it wants to do.
MCKENZIE (voice-over): But the U.S. says China is stoking tension. Take Fiery Cross Reef, claimed by China and the Philippines. This is in August
last year and this is in March. China says the islands are for mostly civilian use with some military protection. But analysts say you can
clearly see a military grade runway being built.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Previously China was seen as a continental power. It was very much interested in what happened on the ground, on the land. Now
it's much more interesting what's happening at sea.
MCKENZIE (voice-over): As it builds islands in the South China Sea, he says there could be no easy way to curtail China's future military
ambitions in the region, whatever they may be -- David McKenzie, CNN, Beijing.
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STOUT: You're watching NEWS STREAM. And up next, investigators in Philadelphia still have a lot to work out but it looks like speed played a
role in that horrible train wreck. We've got details on how fast the train was going and how the crash will impact Amtrak's busiest route in the U.S.
Also ahead, getting aid to earthquake survivors in Nepal, we'll have the latest on the relief effort after two powerful quakes in less than three
weeks.
Plus a closer look at the Asia Pacific migrant crisis. We'll follow the trail many desperate people are taking from their countries of origin.
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STOUT (voice-over): Welcome back.
A rising death toll in Nepal after Tuesday's powerful earthquake and across the region some 128 people are now confirmed dead. More than 2,500 people
are injured. Meanwhile the search continues for a U.S. military helicopter that's been missing since Tuesday. Six U.S. Marines and two Nepalese
service members are on board. The search is now focused on the Dolakha district. It's near the epicenter of Tuesday's earthquake.
A senior source in the Nepali army tells CNN the mission will not have to rely on ground troops because an aerial search is not possible through the
district's rough terrain.
Will Ripley was with the team flying over the search site and he filed this report.
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WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Right now three different countries are involved in the aerial search for this missing U.S. Marine
helicopter carrying eight people, six U.S. Marines, two Nepalis. Americans are leading the charge but Nepal and India are also involved. And all
those countries have had helicopters up in the air, scouring three different sectors, looking to find any indication of where this helicopter
may be located.
But the focus is now shifting to the ground search. There are 400 Nepali soldiers hiking through very difficult terrain right now. And as the
visual search from above continues to come up empty the ground search is continuing around the clock, 24/7. And the hope is is that these soldiers,
hundreds of them, who are working so hard right now, will be able to find answers about the disappearance of this helicopter. They're also in boats
scouring rivers, which in some areas have very deep water, still no radio communication or any indication of what has happened to the helicopter.
Meanwhile the push to get humanitarian aid to people in the hardest-hit areas continues in forests but as supplies and as volunteers continue to
stream into this country, there is growing concern that government red tape, bureaucracy, is preventing those supplies from getting to the people
who need them most in a speedy manner. Some NGOs have complained the Nepal government looking at ways to try to get aid faster, to get it distributed
more efficiently because there are tens of thousands of people who remain homeless right now as a result of two very large, very powerful earthquakes
and endless aftershocks, more than 140 aftershocks that have left some 20,000 people injured and have killed more than 8,200 people -- Will
Ripley, CNN, Kathmandu, Nepal.
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STOUT: In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, investigators are focusing on speed as a main factor in Tuesday's deadly train derailment. The crash
killed seven people and injured more than 200. Officials say the train was going more than twice the speed limit when it rounded a curve and jumped
the rails. They say that the engineer, Brandon Bostian, hit the emergency brakes just moments before the crash.
It's worth nothing that there were some differences between the U.S. railway system and the rest of the world. Americans on average take trains
a lot less than people in many other countries. In 2012, it's estimated around 30 million passengers rode Amtrak trains. That year, nearly 9
billion passengers rose Japan's JR trains. That number is even more surprising given that the U.S. population is more than twice the size of
Japan's.
Amtrak's busiest corridor is in the northeast, travel in the region has been thrown into turmoil following that crash in Philadelphia. And with
the very latest, CNN's Brian Stelter joins me live from Penn Station in New York City.
Brian, good to see you. Just tell us how is the disruption of service in Philadelphia just rippling throughout the entire region.
BRIAN STELTER, CNN HOST: It sure has. To your point, this is usually a very crowded train station with this morning rush hour. Not very crowded
today and that's partly because of the cancellations and delays that we see on this board. Some local trains are moving but it's very hard to get from
New York to Washington or from Washington, New York, and that affects politicians, business executives, media types and many others that rely on
these rails.
You were describing there in the United States and other countries. And you're absolutely right that most Americans don't rely on mass transits, on
rail systems in the way that many others, many other countries do. But New York to Washington is really the exception. Many people do rely on this
transit hub and the ones in Philadelphia and Washington.
And right now I'd say there's a giant hole punched in the middle of the system because it's very difficult to get from New York to Washington and
vice versa because of the shutdown in Philadelphia. There's been no indication from Amtrak about when the rails might reopen of the
investigation is ongoing and we know that as data recorders and other parts of the investigation, other tools really have been recovered from the crash
site, investigators have been trying to piece together what happened on that curve, that curve where the recommended speed was 50 mph but where the
train was apparently traveling over 100 mph. It may take weeks or even months to reach a full conclusion about what happened and why it happened.
And in the meantime, many people here and in Philadelphia and Washington very inconvenienced by these delays, by these shutdowns, the announcement
overhead here reminding people that train service is suspended until further notice and there really is no backup on this rail line. There's
been a lot of talk about infrastructure, about investment and infrastructure. And we are reminded by the fact there isn't really a
alternative rail system. There isn't another way to get trains from New York to Washington and vice versa. This is the only way and right now it's
not operating.
STOUT: All right. Brian Stelter reporting live from Penn Station for us, thank you very much indeed for that.
The U.S. House of Representatives have voted to curb the surveillance program of the National Security Agency but not to end it. The House
passed an act that introduces a more target system. Intelligence agencies can still access data but on after receiving authorization from the courts.
Rights groups say it does not go far enough to stop violations of privacy. It's not known if it will pass the Senate. Presidential candidate and
Senator Marco Rubio favors keeping the current system. He wrote in "USA Today" this, that "There is not a single documented case of abuse," and he
says, "now is not the time to end this program, which remains essential to U.S. security," unquote.
All this week, CNN's "Freedom Project" has been highlighting efforts to end modern-day slavery in the fishing industry here in Asia. And straight
ahead, hear what you can do to help put an end to human trafficking.
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STOUT (voice-over) Coming to you live from Hong Kong, you're back watching NEWS STREAM.
All this week, CNN's "Freedom Project" has been focusing on reports of slave labor in the Asia Pacific fishing industry. You've heard from former
slaves, just a handful of the thousands of migrant workers who've been victimized in this illicit trade. Thai government figures say that there
are 145,000 people working in the fishing industry but the activist group Raks Thai Foundation suggests there are more than 200,000 trafficked
unregistered workers. The so-called "ghost ships" with undocumented crews are partly to blame for the disparity in numbers. These unregistered
vessels can stay at sea for years on end, restock with fuel and food by supply boats.
The Thai government is making moves to crack down. It's more than doubled its budget to $15.5 million to help prevent slavery and to prosecute those
responsible but today you're going to learn about your role as a consumer.
Thailand's multibillion-dollar seafood industry is feeding tens of millions of people in Europe and the U.S. and that means the choices you make about
where you dine and where you shop can have a big impact on the global supply chain.
This is not unique to Thailand. The aid organization, World Vision, says the 18 countries you see here are also home to those who exploit workers in
the fishing industry. I spoke to Justin Dillon, founder of Made in a Free World, an organization dedicated to ending forced labor.
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JUSTIN DILLON, MADE IN A FREE WORLD: Well, I think that not only in the fishing industry but in every industry, we need to start looking --
companies need to start looking beyond their first-tier supplier. So the company that they do business with directly. These questions of who do the
people that we do business with, who are they doing business with, is where we need to get to.
The crazy thing is we live in a world now where a fishing company who has 90 trawlers in Indonesia can also have a cage in its headquarters on an
island to house slaves. That seems fictional and yet those are the same people that are catching the fish that we consume on a daily basis.
STOUT: And Justin, do you envision a world where consumers can say I not only want but I can buy and I want to buy in the same way that I want
dolphin-safe tuna, slave-free seafood?
I not only believe that in that world, but we're committed to make that happen. We believe that protecting not only the planet but people is the
future. And if we can't figure out ways in which we can protect the people that are working the hardest to substantiate our lives, then we're not
trying hard enough. And so part of what our organization is doing with Made in a Free World, is giving not only consumers a voice through our
application cyber use flip phone (ph), which you guys have been so kind to help us promote, but also through our tools on Made in a Free World for
business. We think the time is now for businesses to actually step up and be the heroes in this story, not the villains, where they can look at their
own purchasing power and look at ways that they can protect people through their own supply chains. No one company can do it by themselves. But
companies working together can.
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STOUT: Now a moment ago, just to mention, Slavery Footprint is an application he launched in 2011 and it tracks how forced labor factors into
the supply chain of products you buy. It shows you the number of slaves who indirectly work for you based on everything from the clothing you buy
to the chocolate you eat.
If you want to help, Made in a Free World is getting users to enlist companies in the movement. More than 1 million letters have been sent,
inviting companies to join. All you have to do is head to their website and fill our this form letter.
You could also ask your friends to discover their slavery footprint.
Still to come right here on NEWS STREAM, migrants struggling to find refuge in Asia. We'll look into emerging reports of boats being turned away,
leaving hundreds and possibly thousands of people stranded at sea. But for the migrants who do make it safely to land, it is still a harrowing
process. We'll speak to an UNHCR representative who is helping provide relief to refugees in Indonesia.
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STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching NEWS STREAM, and these are your world headlines.
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STOUT (voice-over): Gunshots overhead: this was the scene in the capital of Burundi earlier in the day. Multiple reports say that more gunfire has
broken out around the headquarters of Burundi state broadcaster. At least two news outlets say that broadcaster is now off the air and this comes
amid conflicting reports over whether there has been a coup. A presidential spokesman told CNN key locations are still under government
control.
Rescuers found more bodies in a shoe factory in the Philippines after fire swept through the building. At least 72 people were killed. Many of
the victims were found on the second floor, suggesting that the people had become trapped. It's felt the blaze was started when sparks from a welding
torch set some chemicals on fire.
Australian officials have issued film star Johnny Depp an ultimatum, get his dogs out of the country or they'll be killed. The actor flew his
Yorkshire terriers in on a private jet without declaring them and now Australia's agriculture minister says Depp has until Saturday to get them
out.
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STOUT: Thailand has just refused a boat carrying more than 300 people to land. They say the migrants did not want to stop there but wanted to go to
Malaysia or Indonesia. So they were given food and water and then they were sent back to sea. Malaysia and Indonesia have had a similar response
to other migrants trying to reach their shores. Ivan Watson has more.
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IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Kristie, this developing crisis at sea originates in the Bay of Bengal, specifically
between these two countries, Bangladesh and Myanmar. And it's from here on the coast that migrants have been embarking on rickety wooden fishing
vessels. I've seen some of these constructed in Myanmar. They have no business traveling great distances at sea.
In the past, the way the smuggling networks worked was they would travel eventually to Thailand, where the migrants would end up in a network of
jungle camps here. Earlier this month, Thai authorities discovered the bodies of at least 26 people at one of these camps and they've since
cracked down on the smuggling networks. And what that has created is a new trend where overcrowded boats have started entering into the Strait of
Malacca and started landing on the shores of both Indonesia and Malaysia. We know that more than 500 migrants arrived in Indonesia's North Aceh
district. And there, Indonesian authorities have helped some of them, but we also know that the Indonesian authorities have towed at least one vessel
back out to sea after providing it with food and fuel and water purportedly because the passengers did not want to land in Indonesia.
We also know that more than 1,000 migrants washed ashore here in the Malaysian tourist resort island of Langkawi. The Malaysian government says
these migrants are not welcome there and they have vowed to repatriate the people back to their countries or origin.
There are conflicting reports about whether or not the Malaysian authorities towed at least one vessel crammed with more than 350 people on
board, including women and children, back out to sea after providing them with supplies. And this gets to what the International Organization for
Migration has been warning about.
Every additional day that people are adrift at sea and the IOM fears there could be up to 8,000 more somewhere here in the entrance to the Strait of
Malacca, every day that goes by, these passengers become more and more vulnerable to dehydration, to hunger and to disease. And there are calls
for search and rescue missions to help these increasingly desperate people -- Kristie.
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STOUT: Ivan Watson there, mapping out the migrant crisis here in Asia.
Jeffery Savage is with the U.N. refugee agency and he joins me on the phone from Indonesia's Northern Aceh province. He is there helping the
government process roughly 500 migrants who arrived by boat last weekend. And he joins me now.
Jeffery, thank you for joining us here on CNN.
Could you tell us more about the migrants you're helping there in Aceh? Please paint a human picture for us, who they are.
JEFFERY SAVAGE, UNHCR: OK. Thanks, Kristie. Right now the number of people that are here is 584; 376 are Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, but a
large number, 208, are migrants from Bangladesh. The government of Indonesia has done a remarkable job of setting up a facility to accommodate
these people, providing shelter, food, clothing, sanitation facilities and, most importantly, health care. There's a clinic that has been set up;
they've been receiving very good medical care. I was at the clinic today. There are a number of people there in the clinic. They also had to
transport a number of them to a local hospital.
But the government is leading the efforts, together with the International Organization for Migration, the local police, Indonesian Red Cross, the
social affairs department, the health department. Everybody is working together alongside UNHCR to do the best we can to make sure that these
people are in a better situation.
STOUT: It's good to hear that they're receiving care there in Aceh. But please share with us just what they had to endure, the horrific conditions
on these smugglers' boats, even though, yes, they're now on shore, they're getting help from Indonesian officials and from the UNHCR, but what were
they forced to go through and what is their condition like after such a harrowing journey?
SAVAGE: Well, remarkably most of them are in quite good shape. As I said, many of them are suffering from dehydration, some other health issues and
their health needs are being addressed. Most of them are saying that they've been out at sea for at least two months and that was reported
earlier in your segment. A number of them are being held out on ships at sea and this group has come from those ships onto smaller ships and then
landed in the northern part of Aceh in Indonesia.
So they have gone through some very difficult times, many of them are reporting abuse and lack of food, lack of proper health care on these
ships. So it's -- they're very lucky to be here.
STOUT: And what's the solution here to the overall migrant crisis in Asia? We know that the Rohingya are persecuted in Myanmar. That's why they're
leaving. That's why they're risking their lives. Bangladeshis who make the journey, they are desperately poor. They're looking for a better
future. They have been turned away in Malaysia. They've been turned away by Indonesia and Thailand as well.
So what ultimately is the solution to save more lives?
SAVAGE: Well, UNHCR has called on and we're very much concerned at the moment about these thousands of people that are reported to be out on ships
in the Straits of Malacca and in that area. We're very concerned; UNHCR's called on international community to organize a mass search and rescue
mission to bring these people from these ships to safe territory and to assist them in the same way that the Indonesian government is allowing
these people to be assisted here in North Aceh.
So we're calling on the international community to band together to solve this problem, to identify the emergent needs of these people as a first
response, to get them off those ships, get them onto land. But it's a wider crisis. It's been going on for quite some time and through the Bali
(ph) process and other regional mechanisms, UNHCR is hopeful that the international community can help address not only the current situation but
also try and address the root problems, the root causes of the problem in Myanmar in particular.
STOUT: Yes, and here's hoping that it will be meaningfully addressed by the international community; otherwise, we're going to have a major
humanitarian disaster. Jeffery Savage of the UNHCR joining me on the line from Aceh, thank you.
You're watching NEWS STREAM. We'll be right back after this.
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STOUT: Welcome back.
Now data may become more valuable to tomorrow's farmers than any tool in their shed. And this week's "Tomorrow Transformed," Richard Quest shows us
how technology can provide information to help farmers save time, resources and energy.
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RICHARD QUEST, CNN HOST (voice-over): From the time man first tilled the Earth, farming has been associated with long days and backbreaking work.
Today achieving that bountiful harvest is not just about working harder; no, it's more about working smarter. And now technology's arming farmers
with the information and the ability to do just that.
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JOE HOSSLE, FARMER (voice-over): Years ago, I worked all fall. Now we're doing what I did all fall in about two days.
QUEST: Farmers like Joe Hossle are taking full advantage of the technology available.
HOSSLE: Our yields are getting color-coded in right here on this page here.
QUEST (voice-over): Today, sensor technology is used all over the farm. It provides real-time information about everything from fuel levels to the
soil for timothy.
HOSSLE: We're much more aware of what we have in the fields. This information that we've received from all of our technology has basically
put money in our bank accounts.
QUEST (voice-over): In the future, technology will give farmers better data by giving them a better view from drones like this precision hawk.
Its ability to map the terrain will provide farmers more valuable information than ever before. So tomorrow's farmers will need to work the
data even harder than they work the fields.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STOUT: And that is NEWS STREAM. I'm Kristie Lu Stout. But don't go anywhere because "WORLD SPORT" with Christina Macfarlane is next.
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CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there and welcome along to WORLD SPORT, live from London. Let's take you straight to our top story
today, where it's been confirmed in the past few hours that Barcelona will get (INAUDIBLE) Spain's La Liga title on Sunday. A Spanish court has ruled
against the country's players' union, which was threatening a strike set for May 16th that would have shut down the country's top league, spelling
serious disruption for the finale of the La Liga season and the Copa del Rey final. The fallout was due to a long-running dispute over the
distribution of television revenue.
Let's bring in our CNN Espanol contributor, Enrique Marques, who's coverage the events for us from Madrid.
Enrique, will there be any other twists to this tale?
Or will Sunday's matches definitely go ahead with referees appointed for those matches?
ENRIQUE MARQUES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Christina. There's -- it is not likely that we have anymore twists and we will have football. Finally
this week and next, with to put and good to La Liga and the Spanish cap final that will take place at the end the month.
The high court ruled that the strike is a political strike and therefore -- and they forbid it cautionary and La Liga bosses had to pay $5 million -- 5
million euros; sorry -- as a guarantee fee and the union will have five days to appeal.
But it is not likely that that happens because they are now holding a meeting and so a small amount of money what is separating both parties.
They -- one key matter was the appointing of the referees by the federation, which was a main worry, but finally CNN has understood that
referees has been appointed. Therefore will take place the matches with normally, with a normal activity Saturday and Sunday.
MACFARLANE: Yes, that was a sticking point wasn't it, Enrique, because the referees fell under the Spanish F.A.'s jurisdiction and they were not part
of those negotiations. So you touched on the TV rights issue there.
So will this be an end to the negotiations that have been ongoing over the TV rights distribution row?
Or will La Liga bosses still sweeten the deal for the players' union, do you think?
MARQUES: Well, that's what everybody's hoping, including the government because it's a small amount of money that separating both parties right
now. We're talking about $3 million-$4 million at most. And it should be an agreement today and finish this thing for once and all.
And some bosses don't want to pay at all to the players because the bill that the government passed have in a week ago, only rules how to split the
money about the television revenues. And this has all been set. But the players and the federation want a small part. And this amount is the key
matter right now. But I don't think those should be any problem.
MACFARLANE: Well, relief I'm sure for fans all over Spain that this issue looks set to be resolved very quickly today. Thanks very much for joining
us, Enrique, and giving us your insight on what you know on the ground in Madrid.
So both Barcelona and Real Madrid will end this season without disruption but that will be of little comfort to the Champions League title defenders
whose inconsistent season ended in a crashing defeat, the Juventus in the semifinals last night. The Old Lady rolled back the years to level the
score and go through to their first Champions League final in 12 years. But it was an early foul on James Rodriguez in the box that look set to put
Real back into contention. Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, the man stepping up, making no mistakes to put his team 1-0 up over the head of Buffon. But
it one of their own, former Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who scored the priceless equalizer in the 57th minutes, putting Juventus through 3-2 on
the aggregate.
So no El Clasico, but nevertheless a tantalizing Champions League final in store on the 6th because head-to-head you may be surprised to hear it's
Juventus who come out on top of the past eight meetings the club have won four, drawn two and lost two against the Spanish giant. But Barca manager
Luis Enrique will be hoping to fox that trend.
Meanwhile, his La Liga rival, Carlo Ancelotti, is left to contemplate his future after a dismal season that looks set to win without silverware. The
Real Madrid boss admitted he didn't know if he'll be around much longer.
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CARLO ANCELOTTI, REAL MADRID COACH (through translator): I don't have to talk. If the club is happy with the work that I've done in the last two
years, I will continue. If they are not happy, they have a decision to make. I don't have to talk with the club. I have already decided my
future. I would like to stay here but I know very well how soccer works. The club has the right to change a coach if they're not happy.
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MACFARLANE: So we won't be seeing Messi and Ronaldo going head-to-head in the Champions League final. But the game two biggest stars are still on
the minds of the game's greats.
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BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Messi or Ronaldo?
MACFARLANE (voice-over): Watch Diego Maradona's take. Find out next.
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MACFARLANE: Welcome back. It's the debate that defined a football decade: who's better, Messi or Ronaldo? The Executioner or the Conductor? Both
now have 77 Champions League's goals each and it's a contest that echoes that of another era, Pele versus Maradona, two legends voted by FIFA as the
greatest players of the last century.
But as Becky Anderson discovered, Maradona also thinks his achievements exceed that of his Argentinian compatriot, Lionel Messi.
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ANDERSON: Messi or Ronaldo?
One word.
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DIEGO MARIDONA, SOCCER GREAT: Messi.
ANDERSON: Many people say it's his style, not just the goals but the style that makes him one of the greatest players, like yourself.
What matters more, style or goals?
MARIDONA (through translator): I think the goals come with the style. I think Messi's finding his own style, but he's killing it with the goals.
This makes you accelerate the pace. Most likely he will find it very soon. I think that I had my own style from the very beginning. That is the point
in which I could be better than Messi.
But Messi scored 300 goals. Me, I think I scored 200 or maybe a little bit more in my whole career. But the thing is, my goals were more difficult.
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MACFARLANE: Well, at least he's honest. That was just a sneak peek at Becky's conversation with Diego Maradona. But there was plenty more eye-
poking opinions to be had. Don't miss the full interview coming up later today on "CONNECT THE WORLD," in just over two hours' time, well worth a
watch.
To the NBA now, where they were down and out just a few days ago, but the Golden State Warriors now stand one win away from the Western Conference
finals after closing out a game five win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Meantime, John Wall returned to the Washington Wizards' lineup as they
faced Atlanta Hawks in their crucial game five, Hawks with a 2-point lead in the closing seconds, but Paul Pierce knocks down the corner 3, Wizards
up by 1. Last chance for the Hawks then and it was Dennis Schroder who missed it, but Al Horford gets the rebound with the pushback. What a play.
Atlanta wins 82-81 to take a 3-2 lead in the series.
Meantime, top seed in the NHL Eastern Conference, the New York Rangers face off against the Washington Capitols in game seven of their playoff series
and they needed overtime to decide things with minutes to go in the extra period. New York's Dan Girardi gets the shot which was stopped by Derek
Stepan right there, to put the rebound home for the game and series clincher. The Rangers rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to advance to the
Eastern Conference finals, where they'll face the Tampa Bay Lightning.
And one more just before we go, Andy Murray has pulled out of the Rome Masters, citing fatigue following his unbeaten start to clay court season.
More on that in the next WORLD SPORT in just over two hours' time. But right now "WORLD BUSINESS TODAY" with Maggie Lake is up next.
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