Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

At Least 16 Dead after Earthquake in Japan; Pope Francis Visiting a Migrant Camp in Greece; China Criticizing North Korea for Failed Missile Launch; Bernie Sanders Visits the Vatican; Royals to Tour Taj Mahal. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired April 16, 2016 - 04:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[04:00:00] I'm Arwa Damon at the Mosul dam in Iraq and this is CNN.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hello everyone. I'm Michael Holmes. This is CNN news now.

At least 16 people are confirmed dead after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Japan's Kyushu Island early Saturday. Rescue crews, trying to find those missing. Many feared trapped under fallen buildings. The nation was already scrambling to recover from trauma that killed nine people on Thursday.

Earlier, we spoke to a U.S. citizen currently living in Japan who felt the earthquake.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I returned to my apartment by about 9:00 p.m on Friday evening and I had begun to clean up my apartment. And just as I had finished cleaning up my apartment, I kind of settled in to bed. It is 1:00 a.m. or where about 1:00 a.m. And then, just this extremely intense shaking began, and where the first earthquake was more of an up and down type of shaking. This was more of a side to side shaking. And I can't comment on why that is seismology. But I can tell you, it was very, very intense and that I feared for my life.

So, my first reaction was to get out of bed, prop up my furniture from falling again because after all, I just cleaned up my room. And then, as soon as that stopped, I ran outside to convene with all of other evacuees. It was eight stories and I was on the sixth, so it's fairly high up. And, you know, as you can imagine, the higher up you are, the more violently you feel the shaking. So, it was really terrifying. And frankly, I was still terrified even after I got out of the building. It was some combination of hoping that others were all right, whether they'd escaped the buildings.

And even after I had gotten out on to the parking lot outside of my apartment building, I was still concerned that other apartment buildings might actually collapse and fall on to the parking lot area. Because I looked up at, you know, several swaying high rise apartment buildings that looked as if they might come and collapse into the parking lot. As of yet, I still haven't checked in on my apartment to see whether it's standing or not. I imagine it is, but it's suffered some pretty significant damage. There were cracks in the, you know, some of the central columns and the -- my entire apartment building appeared to be leaning about five degrees to the right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: The latest quake is reportedly 30 times stronger than the one that struck on Thursday.

Within the past hour, Pope Francis landing in Greece for a quick visit, he's on the Island of Lesbos, heading soon to a migrant camp with some orthodox leaders. More than 2,000 migrants are living in Limbo at that camp according to -- are hoping to reach Northern Europe.

Nigeria's senate, demanding answers from security chief over the missing Chibok girls, this, coming in response to a so-called proof- of-life video obtained by CNN.

Boko Haram kidnapped the 276 school girls two years ago. Nigeria's Finance Minister, explaining how they are trying to find them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEMI ADEOSUN, NIGERIAN FINANCE MINISTER: I think the first thing to say is that it's sad. You know, two years is a very long time. And I'm speaking as a mother as well as a member of the administration. It's extremely sad at two years on, these girls are still estranged from their families.

The answer to what is being done is everything. Everything possible is being done at the highest level. And that I'm not one of the -- part of security teams, so I obviously I don't have the details. But I would tell you that in terms of financial releases, in terms of cooperation with countries and in the borders, in terms of just having all the surveillance equipment and things that we need, everything is being done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: North Korea's main ally, China, now criticizing the regime for its failed missile test. The UN and the US threatening to isolate Pyongyang even more.

Brazil's lower house of Congress set to vote on Sunday on whether to impeach President Dilma Rousseff. Polls of lawmakers by Brazil's major newspapers indicate a two-thirds majority will vote for impeachment. The President and her party involved in a corruption scandal and economic crisis.

And that is your CNN "News Now." Stay with us for much more on the Japan earthquake as CNN NEWSROOM gets under way.

[04:05:03] And welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Michael Holmes with you today.

Now, our top story, rescue efforts ramping up in Japan after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Kyushu Island early on Saturday, killing at least 16 people. That's according to officials in Kumamoto Prefecture. The same region was hit by a powerful tremendous -- two days earlier.

Crews, scrambling to reach people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Japan's government says 20,000 self-defense forces have been deployed to help in the rescue efforts.

Disaster officials say, more than 7200 people are in shelters across the area, widespread power outages being reported.

For the latest on the impact, let's bring in our CNN Asia-Pacific Editor, Andrew Steven who joins us now live from Tokyo. Obviously, devastating for people in the region, bring us up to date on the latest with casualties and what's being done.

ANDREW STEVEN, CNN ASIA-FACIFIC EDITOR: Well, it is, Michael. As the prime minister said just a few hours ago, a race against time for those buried, who were trapped under these collapsed building. In Kumamoto Prefecture, two or three towns and cities, look like they've been the hardest hit.

As you said, the Japanese authorities really have been ramping up the rescue efforts. Those 20,000 self-defense force employees are expected to be in the hardest hit area by tomorrow.

Now, it's getting hard numbers at this stage is proving difficult, Michael. The death toll remains at 16. But it is expected to go higher as rescues are clear and start to probe into some of those building that have collapsed. But certainly, it's not made easier by the fact that there are many, many aftershocks occurring regularly there.

These are not small after shock either. These could have a magnitude of up to six. I remember this second quake was a magnitude 7, a much, much more intense seismic event than the earthquake on Thursday.

I remember, that earthquake on Thursday had damaged structurally many, many buildings in the same area. So, when the second more powerful quake hit, that triggered many more buildings to collapse. And particularly, reports we're hearing, Michael, bigger buildings, taller buildings, haven't been able to withstand this as well.

And if you look at the local television pictures, you can see buildings which have collapsed, roads which are being split, bridges collapsed, and also landslides, big landslides too. This is quite a mountainous region, Kyushu Island, which is in the South of Japan, the southernmost Island. It is a mountainous region. There are big landslides there. There are also villages out there which may not have been, as said, got any aid to them at all at the moment. So, we are expecting the toll to rise as the rescuers continue to look for signs of life in the rubble. It's always such a difficult time now and time really is of the essence, Michael. HOLMES: And Andrew, as we've been looking at pictures too, there are many images of, you know, people obviously running outside to try to feel a little a little bit safer. Now, you may have a lot of homeless people, a lot of people too afraid to go back inside at the moment. What is being done for them?

STEVEN: Yeah. The fear can't be under estimated by the people who are living there. They've been through not one but two earthquakes in the last three days. Their buildings may have been damaged, some quite seriously, as we heard earlier from an interview with an eyewitness. He said, he hasn't been back to his building, but he'd been told it was leaning at a five degree angle. These people escaped. They're now homeless.

The authorities and Japan, obviously, has a lot of experience in dealing with tragedies like this. They have set-up shelters across the Prefecture. 15,000 people were made homeless from the first earthquake on Thursday. Add to that, thousands more from this latest earthquake. They're being fed. They're being sheltered. But the actual fear remains of these aftershocks, severe after shocks, as I said.

And also, Michael, the weather is deteriorating over that zone. Heavy rain is forecast in the coming hours, which is going to make the job of the rescuers much more difficult and the plight of those who have survived so much more miserable.

Remember, too, that many of these people will have families, loved ones, friends, who are still missing. So, add to their own misery, they've got that incredible worry, concern about what has happened to, perhaps, other members of their family or their friends, a very, very difficult situation. Like I said, 20,000 people are going to be on site tomorrow, going -- coming through the rubble and looking after the people who have survived.

HOLMES: I mean this devastating hour, Asia-Pacific Editor, Andrew Stevens out there in Tokyo. Thanks Andrew. We'll check in with you a little bit later as well.

[04:10:03] Meanwhile, Meteorologist Derek Van Dam, joining us now for the International Weather Center, a closer look at the conditions there.

And Andrew there, talking about those aftershocks and then from what people, they tell us, they've been endless.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: They are. Every 10 to 15 minutes.

HOLMES: Yeah.

VAN DAM: That is what the USGS is reporting. This is very dynamic and fluid situation. Even though that major earthquake has already taken place, there is rain in the forecast is going to complicate rescue efforts. And these aftershocks which are occurring quite regularly, that is going to be a major concern. In total, we've had roughly about 80 aftershocks since the 7.0 that occurred early Saturday morning local time. But remember, this is on the heels of a very strong 6.2 that occurred on Thursday evening local time, which by the way, the difference between the two, the 7.0 expelled 15 times more energy than the 6.2 magnitude that occurred on Thursday. This is significant because that is going to complicate matters for many, many people which we will show you with this particular graph.

This is a USGS map, the U.S. Geological Survey map. We're looking at Southern Island region, Kyushu. And we're going to zoom in a little closer to Kumamoto. Just so you can see, the spread of all the latest aftershocks, the dots shaded in orange happened within the past 24 hours. There's the epicenter of the 7.0. The dots shaded in yellow, that's from Thursday's aftershocks, occurring after the original 6.2.

Now, as we zoom in to this region, we're going to put on more of a three-dimensional prospective and give you an idea of what type of population density this Kumamoto region actually has.

This is going back to Thursday's original earthquake of 6.2. We're going to add on this almost cone-shaped item that's going to give you an indication of the population density and what kind of shaking they actually felt. The taller you see those cones, that is the higher population density. Think of this as like a skyscraper. The higher the skyscraper or the higher the building, the more people can you fit in the building, the higher the density is within that particular square kilometer cone. This, on Thursday, there was severe shaking. And that means that even some of the more resilient structures were threatening.

But as we put on the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that occurred on Saturday, look at the difference. First of all, just in expanse, the shaking was felt in Tokyo, nearly a thousand kilometer away but its spread across much of this extreme Southern Island. And you now see that that total spherical structure, that's actually in red. And that's the USGS' way of establishing that violent to extreme shaking was felt across this region. And that could mean that at least widespread too if not catastrophic damage should be anticipated by the time we assess the complete effects of this particular earthquake.

One more thing I want to show you. As we zoom in to the mountainside of this particular location, notice how the city is built up across some extreme mountainous terrain. There's rain in the forecast. That is going to make these sides of the hills very susceptible to landslide and mudslides. And we have the earthquakes or the aftershocks, I should say, that have already loosened the soils across this region. So, landslides are major concern.

I'm going to get to my graphics quickly because I want to talk about the weather that's coming. It's currently 21, partly cloudy skies, but look at what's happening on the cloud cover in our latest radar across this region. Bands of rain now starting to enter the Southern Island region, and that is all ahead of an approaching low pressure system that's moving off the East Coast of China. That's going to bring maybe 15 to upwards of 30 millimeters of rain. And worst, yes, that's going to drop those temperatures as well. So, hypothermia is a potential risk.

Look at this video coming out of the region. We'll be able to see some of the landslides that they are contending with. Remember, Michael, rain will only continue to loosen the soil. Any further aftershocks will make this a very precarious position. You can already see that, wow, people have been put in some seriously dangerous positions here. Look at that car just dangling off the side of a parking structure, unbelievable.

HOLMES: Yeah, the geography, buying a big role in this.

VAN DAM: Huge role.

HOLMES: It's mountainous. And also, the risk of landslides, it's a very sandy soil.

VAN DAM: It's a very sandy soil, so this allows for what is called liquefaction to -- can actually take place, and that can make the area very susceptible to extreme shaking, like they've seen.

HOLMES: Right, right. Derek, thank you so much. We'll check in with you a little bit later. Derek Van Dam joining us there.

Meanwhile, we're going to take a short break here on the program. And when we come back, Pope Francis, about to meet with migrants on the Greek Island in Lesbos, that small island, right now, the heart of the migrant crisis.

Also, the North Korean leader doesn't have a fresh missile test to brag about. Why the failed launch came at a crucial moment for Kim Jong-un.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:16:30]: RICHARD QUEST, "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" HOST: I'm Richard Quest, and these are the top headlines.

The British Finance Minister, George Osborne, says a Brexit would have global repercussions. Speaking to me on "Quest Means Business" is that the impact of leaving the European Union would be me immediate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE OSBORNE, BRITISH FINANCE MINISTER: The very clear message we are getting from the Central Bank, governors here, international organizations all behind that is that first of all, there would be a short term and severe economic shock. And the second thing is that there will be long term economic constants are not to grow in the long term.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUEST: Spain's industry minister resigned over revelations from the "Panama Papers" who said Manuel Soria was named in the papers over alleged links to actual dealings. Speaking to me on "Quest Means Business", the country's finance minister said, the decision to leave was an act of responsibility.

Nigeria's finance minister told me, her government is doing all that it can to find the Chibok school girls two years after they were abducted by Boka Haram. Nigerian Senate has summoned security chiefs, the CNN showed a proof-of-life video of some of the girls.

Wall Street fished the finished the day slightly lower, with Algerians closed off 29 points. Oil price has stumbled, hitting energy shares ahead of an important meeting in Doha over the weekends.

Those are the headlines. I'm Richard Quest in Washington.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: And welcome back everyone. Right now in Greece, Pope Francis about to visit a migrant camp. This is very controversial camp too. The Pope landed on the Island of Lesbos, so a little more than an hour ago, for what's going to be very quick trip. The Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, and Greek Orthodox leaders greeting him at the airport.

I'm joined now by our own, Hala Gorani, and Senior International Correspondent, Atika Shubert. Both of them are on the Island of Lesbos.

Let's start with you, Atika. You are where the Pope is headed at the moment. What's he likely to see there?

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we are expecting him to arrive any moment. In fact, the advanced team of the motorcade is here. And this is really the main refugee and detention center on the island. And he comes at the very controversial time because as you remember, that Turkey-EU agreement is basically to deport asylum seekers who have their applications rejected.

[04:20:0] This is where they are detained. No one can come in and out of this facility without special permission. So, having the Pope come here today to meet with refugees inside is going to have significant impact. He'll be meeting with refugee representatives, discussing with them their issues.

And we've already seen pictures inside of children. There are families detained inside and children holding up signs saying, "We are Yazidi people. We need help." And so, this is something that the people inside are really anticipating at this point. They really want to be able to communicate to the Pope, why they need -- they say, they need to seek asylum here in Europe and that they don't want to go back to Turkey.

Now, the facility is capable of holding about 2,000 people. But in fact, there are many more people than that inside. And there has been heavy criticism by aids groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, saying it's overcrowded. It doesn't have enough food and supplies. So, it'll be very interesting to see what kind of an impact the Pope has visiting with refugees today, Michael.

HOLMES: Yeah, and then just to point out to the viewers, we are looking at live pictures now of the pontiff. He has arrived at the refugee camp.

You know, this was a refugee reacceptance and that it has really become, in the eyes of those who are there, a detaintive (ph) facility. And a lot of protest and a lot fear among those there that they're not going to get to Europe. They're going to be sent back. I mean, what is the climate there among these people? What is really a detention facility?

SHUBERT: There is a lot of anger and a lot of fear inside. I mean, we say this with the fact that reporters actually cannot go inside the facility. This was the closest we're being allowed to get to it. But we hear from people inside, from aid workers who are inside, that there is this anguish, this anger that they are in Europe, so close to where they want to seek asylum, and yet they can't seem to reach their goal.

For many of them, their greatest fear is that they're applying for asylum and that process could take months. It could take longer. And then they have the opportunity to appeal. But if that also gets rejected, then according to this agreement, they will to be deported back to Turkey. And this is exactly what so many of the refugees inside do not want. And this is likely to be what they expressed to Pope Francis while he's there talking about the conditions inside.

You know, it's interesting to note, one of the things he will be doing is actually sitting down and having lunch with refugees inside. We actually know the menu, mushrooms with rice, a very simple meal. But it really shows that the Pope takes this issue of refugees very seriously and he wants to make a personal connection with people inside.

HOLMES: Yeah, a quite emotional scene that we're watching there as he's shaking hands with refugees as he walks along that line.

Atika, we'll let you report on what this -- how this unfolds.

Let's go to Hala now, Hala Gorani, who's also on the island. And Hala, you've been covering this. It really is a rather historic trip. A lot of firsts here, isn't it?

HALA GORANI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. Well, a lot of firsts. Well, this is the first time that any pope visits the Greek island. It is the first time that Pope Francis has visited Greece at all.

And as we've been reporting as well and as we heard from Atika, this is something very close to the heart of Pope Francis. You'll remember his first major trip outside of the Vatican in 2013 was to Lampedusa, highlighting as well the refugee crisis there. That is, of course, where many migrants and refugees crossing the Mediterranean from the North African coast and up. And we're seeing, by the way, a pickup in the traffic there just as the numbers here to the Greek coast, Lesbos and coast and other Greek island. That traffic has fallen. You mentioned as well that the Pope is, right now, has arrived at the Moria camp. We're seeing him get a warm reception. We, as journalists, have not been allowed inside that camp. It's been extremely controversial. Amnesty has reported, Amnesty International, that conditions there are poor. That it's over crowded. And by the way, we were there a couple days ago where we saw people paint the grey receded walls white. We understand as well that some of the sewage system has been fixed. That people have been transferred out.

All that being said, the Pope is there. He's due to meet with minors. There are unaccompanied children who've made the trip across this stretch of water from Turkey. And that is one of the things that concerns NGOs most, unaccompanied minors, who've seen a lot, who are fleeing war-zone atrocities, and are now detained essentially in that camp.

The Pope is going to have lunch with his Orthodox counterparts, as well as with about eight refugee, we understand, a simple mushroom risotto meal. And after that, they will be making statements and speeches, highlighting the very important and very still ongoing issues related to this refugee crisis, Michael.

HOLMES: And it's interesting too. I don't know how they worked out who gets to greet upon him.

[04:25:03] But it was all what looked like young, teenage males who got to meet him certainly initially. And it seemed to be nonpolitical. The Vatican, making it clear of going -- making the point that this is a humanitarian and religious visit.

But it was interesting that the Pope tweeted earlier, refugees are not numbers. They are people who have faces, names, stories and need to be treated as such. A nonpolitical trip but it does put pressure on it, has been, doesn't it?

GORANI: Sure. It sends a spotlight. I mean, obviously, the Vatican has not, you know, overtly come out and say this is a political trip. But inevitably, by making such a visit, such a high profile and historic visit to this island, it is a way to send a message to leaders, especially European leaders in this case, perhaps even countries that have closed their borders. And to highlight also, it has to be said, the welcome that the Greeks themselves have extended to these migrants. If you put it in context, half a million Syrians, Iraqis, Afghans, Pakistanis, others, have crossed from Turkey to this small island in the Mediterranean just over the last, a little more than a year.

So, and here, when you speak to ordinary Greeks on the island, you really don't hear that much animosity toward the refugees. So, it is something as well, not just the negative, not just the fact that European leaders could do more, but also highlighting the fact that many Greeks here have done quite a lot. And I think that's also a part of the Pope's, perhaps, the Pope's humanitarian, if you will, trip here is to highlight that aspect of the story.

All of that is going to end, by the way, where we are at the port here, Michael, just so I let our viewers know in terms of the geography of it all. We -- he will be giving a statement as well behind me here, Michael, and we'll be bringing that to you live as well.

HOLMES: Yeah. And yeah, it is fascinating. He seems to know what the locals there are saying. I heard you on your show where, "The World Right Now," actually saying that historically, the people of Lesbos are refugees themselves from ottoman times.

And Hala, we're going to leave it there, but great to have you there. Hala Gorani, we'll be talking with her a little bit later on. Also, I think a shoot there after refugee camp. We'll check in with you later as well. Thanks to you both.

We're going to take a short break. More on our top story coming up, that devastating earthquake in Japan, known to have killed more than a dozen people at least so far, rescuers trying to find survivors as we speak.

Also, North Korea, widely criticized for its nuclear ambitions. And now, the main ally of leader Kim Jong-un telling him to stop, that story coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:31:13] HOLMES: Welcome back everyone. You are watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Michael Holmes. Thanks for your company. Let's update you on the headlines this hour.

Pope Francis, on the Greek Island of Lesbos to meet with migrants there, more than 2,000 of them living in limbo in a camp hoping to reach Northern Europe. Many of them will not. The pope has called the migrant crisis the worst of its kind since the Second World War.

Two Taiwan citizens, caught up in the China-Kenya deportation dust up. Apparently say, they're sorry. Chinese state, media say they were pleading for mercy. Kenya deporting 45 Taiwan citizens to Mainland China after a court acquitted them in a telecom scam. Taiwan says China abducted them.

Nigeria security chief will appear before the country's senate next week to give updates on efforts to rescue the missing Chibok girls. CNN obtained the so-called proof-of-life video you're watching there, showing 15 of the girls. Boko Haram kidnapped 276 school girls from their dorms two years ago.

Rescue efforts are under way if Japan after a second earthquake hit the Kyushu Island in just two days. The 7.0 magnitude quake struck early on Saturday. At least 16 people died. A Kumamoto city official tells CNN, some 800 people were injured.

And Saturday's earthquake struck about 13 kilometers from the epicenter of Thursday's tremor, which the U.S. Geological Survey called a foreshock.

There's some new video there from Thursday's, at 6.2 magnitude quake. It was followed by dozens of smaller aftershocks. At least nine people killed then, 800 injured as we said, and more than 45,000 people forced to leave their homes. The government sent about 3,000 emergency workers to the quake zone who has since been joined by thousands more.

Let's get more now from Meteorologist Derek Van Dam for the latest on the conditions in Japan. One of the problems that they are dealing with there is weather.

VAN DAM: Weather, there is rain coming in. That's going to make the potential for landslides even worse. And the other thing, Michael, that I'm learning here, according to the USGS, when they compare this to similar earthquakes with similar deaths, with similar population densities, this has the potential to have destruction equivalent to upwards of 1 percent of the GDP of Japan.

So, this is significant even though that area is very resilient to earthquakes. They're highly prone nation to earthquakes. They know how to handle them very, very well. And you can imagine that if you put the same magnitude earthquake in an area that doesn't have the infrastructure that Japan has, that number would be higher.

HOLMES: Yeah, like building codes and the like?

VAN DAM: That's correct. Let me help you by explaining this graphic to you. You'll be able to see exactly what I'm talking about. This is from the U.S. Geological Survey. And what you are looking at is the percentage or the likelihood that of the economic impact from this particular earthquake. This is in U.S. dollars by the millions and we're roughly between at least the highest likelihood between $10 billion and $100 billion U.S. dollars according to the USGS. And that is roughly about 1 percent on the high end there for the GDP of Japan. So, this is a significant earthquake. And they will be dealing with these ramifications for several, several weeks, if not years to come.

This is the other story. We have rain in the forecast and heavy rain at that. This is the latest radar. We have a band that just moved east of the Kumamoto region, but there is more rain in store because an area of low pressure continues to deepen just off the eastern China coastline.

[04:35:09] That is going to send a rain band through the area right about 4:00 a.m. local time this morning. That would be Sunday morning, I should say. And the other fact to this is that behind it, it is going to drop temperatures significantly. So, temperatures could drop into the single digits and that is going to make hypothermia, a potential problem for the search and rescue operations for anyone that could potentially be stuck in the rubble or in collapsed building.

All right, Michael, there's a look at the latest weather forecast for this area. You know, we can't help but not think about the people that could potentially still be trapped in the weather and the ramifications of aftershocks still to come.

HOLMES: Yeah, exactly. And as we were saying before to you, that earthquake on Thursday where you had buildings damaged there and then followed on with the stronger one.

VAN DAM: That's right.

HOLMES: Already, weakened buildings.

VAN DAM: Compromised buildings and more aftershocks means the potential for more damage.

HOLMES: Thank Derek. Derek Van Dam there, we will check in with you a bit later as well. Thanks, Derek.

Well, North Korea's main ally, China, now criticizing the regime for its failed missile launch. Beijing says its neighbor should stop the provocations. South Korea media reporting that the attempted launch on Friday involved a missile that could reach the Island of Guam where, of course, the U.S. has military bases.

And CNN's Will Ripley joins us now live from North Korea's capital, Pyongyang. Great to have you there. Yes, this did not go according to plan, did it?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I t didn't, although there is still no official confirmation from the North Korean government of that fact, Michael. But according to U.S. and South Korea, this launch happened at 5:00 a.m. Pyongyang time on Friday. Friday, a very significant holiday, the birthday of North Korea's founder and president, Kim Il-sung. It would have been a major, a major announcement for the party to be able to say that this technology successfully worked on that special day, the most important holiday on the North Korean calendar. But instead, a big disappointment and silence from the regime.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RIPLEY: You won't find any mention of a failed missile launch here in Pyongyang. You will find tributes to a man, North Koreans call their great leader.

More than 20 years after his death, North Koreans founder is a fix through of daily life. President Kim Il-sung's portrait hangs in every home. The flower bearing his name has its own encyclopedia.

State T.V. would have counted as successful mobile missile launch as a grand triumph. But the U.S. and South Korea say, the early morning launch failed.

Most North Koreans will never know what happened. Even those with smartphones don't have access to outside internet.

Pyongyang often chooses public holidays for high profile shows of force. In January, Supreme leader Kim Jong-un ordered an H bomb test just days before his birthday. Observers say Kim is trying to project strength ahead of the crucial workers party Congress next month when the young leader could gain even more power.

In February, he ordered a satellite launch using a long-range rocket. Models of that rocket, the Kwangmyongsong-4, are on display in the North Korean Capital.

Whenever I see these rockets, I feel very proud. We are all happy, says, Munun Chul (ph).

Kim Sung Hee (ph) says this is a symbol of our national dignity.

And the regime says the only way to protect North Korea from a looming threat in the south. 17,000 American service members engaged in military exercises with 300,000 South Korean troops. North Korea's own military response has included firing projectiles, claims of miniaturizing nuclear warheads, promises of more nuclear and missile tests.

We don't get the full picture of life in North Korea. Just like the people here, our view is limited to what the government allows us to see. On this day of the sun, the symbolism is clear. International pressure, even if disappointing a parent failure won't stop the regime from developing the most powerful weapons it can to guard against its number one enemy, the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RIPLEY: And I just spoke a short time ago, Michael, with a North Korean government official will basically re-affirm that point, the point also being made in a brand new editorial from North Korean State Media, KCNA. Even though they're not talking at all about this failed missile launch, this apparent failed launch, they are saying, quote "The DPRK's access to nuclear weapons is not a threat but an inevitable self-defensive option for protecting the country and nation from the nuclear disaster to be brought from the U.S.". The bottom line message, the nuclear tests, the missile tests, and the development of this weapons technology will continue. Michael.

[04:40:00] HOLMES: You know, we talked a lot about the sanctions that have been applied and have been applied for some time. And yet, still, the North seemed to do what it wants to do. Is there a sense there that you detected that it's almost a matter of pride to defy these sanctions and carry on as it were?

RIPLEY: I think that's exactly what it is. In fact, the same officials who I interviewed will have portions of that interview airing in the coming days said exactly that. That as the sanctions get harsher, he says, it actually inspires the people of North Korea to work that much harder.

Now, of course, a lot of the economic growth, and there has been economic growth that we have observed here in the Capital of Pyongyang, that can be attributed to the very important trade relationship that North Korea has with China.

China is essentially this country's economic lifeline. Its only major super power ally, and also, it's by far, number one trading partner. If China enforces these new U.N. sanctions, as China says it will, Chinese state media saying the impact could really be felt within the next six to 12 months. But I can just tell you, driving around Pyongyang and walking around the city, there are a number of construction projects. I've had at least six, as we were driving in. People have smartphones. There are more cars. More traffic on the streets. And so, at least for now, it does not appear that the sanctions are affecting daily life. At least here in the capital, the areas we're allowed to see, and also it's not affecting the military program development as well, Michael.

HOLMES: Yeah, yeah. An important point that you make there, that you are allowed to see, because there are restrictions, of course, on where you can go and what you can see, and who you can talk to.

Will, great to talk to you there. Will Ripley back in Pyongyang for us today.

Now, Prince William will soon be back where his mother, Princess Diana, took this iconic photo, the royal's latest travels just ahead

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:45:05] HOLMES: And turning now to the race for the White House. The U.S. Democratic Presidential Candidate, Bernie Sanders, is at the Vatican where he did meet with Pope Francis.

Sanders and the Pope were not scheduled to see each other as the Pope was, of course, preparing for his trip to Greece to meet with the migrants as we have been reporting.

Meanwhile, Sanders has released his 2014 tax returns, showing he and his wife earned nearly $206,000 in 2014. They also paid $28,000 in federal taxes. They released, upholding a pledge, Sanders made Thursday night at the CNN Democratic Debate to release the documents.

Meanwhile, former President Bill Clinton, with some tough word for Bernie Sanders at a rally in New York on Friday. Mr. Clinton, attacking his plan to break up big banks. He later said he was making a joke about Sanders' unilateral explanation for what is wrong with America.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL CLINTON, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: Plus, few things I really haven't enjoyed about this primary. I think it's fine that all these young students have been so enthusiastic for her opponent and sound so good. Just shoot every third person on Wall Street and everything will be fine. But the truth is, there are 25,000, I mean 50,000 fewer people there today, the Dodd-Frank Act is working.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RIPLEY: US Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump says, meanwhile, that the system is rigged against him. He wrote an opinion based for the "Wall Street Journal", condemning the delegate process. Trump, particularly angry about Colorado, which isn't holding a Republican primary because of costs. Party members will select delegates at the state convention instead. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The system is rigged, folks. And the top Republicans called up, they said, "Donald, please, could you stop saying that?" I said, but look, I'm telling the truth. I don't care. I'm telling the truth.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: The Republican National Committee came in firing back at Donald Trump on Friday on CNN. He said, the rules have been known for months and the RNC has been using the same system for years.

In fact, we're going to take a break here on the program. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

RHIANNON JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Rhiannon Jones with your CNN World Sport Headlines.

The prospect to the second Madrid Darby in three years, and the Champions League final has been raised by the draw for the semifinals on Friday.

The two Spanish custody rivals have been kept apart in the final four.

Ten-time winner's Real Madrid have been paired with Manchester City. While Atletico Madrid wrapped against to Bayern Munich. The 3rd league will be spread over two nights in a week and a half's time, and the return matches on May the 3rd and May the 4th.

For one last time, a public memorial has been held at Anfield for the 96 Liverpool fans killed 27 years ago in the Hillsborough disaster. The annual event has been held at the stadium since the tragedy in Sheffield's on April the 15th, when a cup game was abandoned following a devastating terrorist crash.

This will be the last public memorial after the victims' families decided to continue remembering in private. This year's tributes are particularly poignant. They come as the verdict into the official inquiry into the tragedy is expected any day.

To tennis now, Roger Federer's hopes of winning the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time was shattered on Friday. Federer was brushed aside by local favorite's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals.

[04:50:00] The former world number one lost 3-6, 6-2, 7-5.That's a look at your Sport Headlines. I'm Rhiannon Jones.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Welcome back. London royals on the move again, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left Bhutan today and will tour the Taj Mahal in the coming hours. The Indian monument to love, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. The royal family already has some personal history there. Today, Prince William and wife Katherine hope to create some new memories there.

Here's Sumnima Udas.

SUMNIMA UDAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's been an incredibly colorful and ambitious trip so far. No doubt, the whirlwind tour of India and, of course, Bhutan. But this is going to be the defining moment of the tour. The Duke and Duchess visiting the Taj Mahal behind me, not only because this is the ultimate symbol of love but also because of the history associate with the Taj Mahal and Prince William's mother, Princess Diana.

Now, Princess Diana and Prince Charles were in India back in 1992. They were meant to visit the Taj Mahal together. But Prince Charles ended up staying in Delhi to meet with industrialists instead, so Princess Diana came here by herself. She took a tour of the Taj Mahal. At that time, she told the tour guide she wished her husband has been there. Then she sat down for photos on the bench which is now called Lady Diana's Chair.

It was about a five-minute moment. She was looking very lonely, very wishful, almost sad, a princess without her prince, and then that became an iconic image. Because at that time, not many people were aware that the two were not really getting along, and ten months after that photograph was splashed all over the media, the world came to know that the couple, Prince Charles and Princess Diana were separating.

Now, Prince William and the Duchess will be following in the footsteps of Princess Diana. They will be taking photos in front of that chair. We don't know if they will be sitting or standing. But here, clearly, they will be sending a very desperate message and the attempt here is to try to create new memories. That's according to the royal palace. Sumnima Udas, CNN, Agra.

HOLMES: Well, Martin Keene was one of the photographers who captured that iconic image of Princess Diana back in 1972. He joins us now on the line. And thanks for doing so. I'm curious. Just describe how that day unfolded.

MARTIN KEENE, GROUP PICTURE EDITOR, PRESS ASSOCIATION: Well, it was the second day of the visits to India. And in the plan of the visit, we knew that there was a visit to the Taj Mahal plan. It was only on the media briefing, either right at the start of it, so -- that we knew that they weren't both are going to there together. The prince, in fact, was going to be attending another engagement elsewhere.

World that fast and furious, and so we made our way to the Taj that day, I think, on a bus. And when you looked there, at that particular photograph, if you were a lucky one and you got there in really good time, we're one of the first to that particular spot. We got them dead in line. I got the princess absolutely symmetrical in the middle of the picture.

My picture, in fact, you can see, she is sitting slightly to one side, because although some people thing that I was the only person who took that picture, in fact, there were about 30 photographers heaving to take that particular frame.

HOLMES: Did you have any sense at the time, of course, this has been long described as, you know, a historic photograph in many ways. You know, I've seen it described as a poignant photograph that captured a princess without her prince.

[04:55:00] And of course, we all know what happened months later, the marriage fell apart. Did you have any sense at the time of what this picture really meant or what its come to mean?

KEENE: At the time, we were all concentrating on taking that particular photograph. We knew it was a great picture. It's a stunning back drop. Everybody who goes to India wants to have that photograph taken in front of the Taj Mahal. So, we knew it was a great photograph. We thought it might be a particularly good photograph. But we didn't actually realize that it was ever going to have the iconic status that it since acquired.

HOLMES: You've covered a lot of royal trip. You've photographed a lot of royals. I mean, was this the highlight for you? I'm curious, if you have had a lot of highlights when it comes to your career?

KEENE: I think that was a very, very special moment. It's a great setting. It was a picture which, let's say, got better and better. And it was actually, you know, a privilege to be there. Because many people go to the Taj Mahal, it's crowded. It's bustling. And there, we were, you know, just able to look at it by ourselves and this wonderful picture, to take this wonderful picture too. It was a fantastic day.

HOLMES: Yeah. And we've got like 30 seconds. What's it like traveling with the royals?

KEENE: It's great fun. You always go and see the best parts of the world at the nicest times. It's fast. It's furious. The long nights, long days, later evenings, early starts. And of course in those days, we have to go and develop our film. There was no transmitting the picture instantly as you can do now.

HOLMES: Yeah. Yeah. You are talking to an old newspaper man here. I know the old grand machines. I'm an old timer like you.

Martin, thanks for that, Group Picture Editor at the Press Association, showing our age, how we used the send pictures back in the old days of newspapers. Thank you sir. Good to speak with you. Thanks, mate.

And thank you for being with us. I'm Michael Holmes. I will be back from the break with another hour of news from all around the world.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)