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North Korea Claims Another Nuke Test; French Alps Rescue; Russian Jet Makes Unsafe Intercept of US Aircraft; Three Women Arrested Near Paris, Accused of Planning Terror Attack; FAA Issues Warning over Some Samsung Phones. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired September 09, 2016 - 03:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[03:00:00] NATALIE ALLEN, CNN NEWSROOM SHOW HOST: We are live at CNN Center, Atlanta. I'm Natalie Allen. We're following breaking news this hour.

North Korea says it has tested a nuclear warhead that can be mounted on a ballistic rocket. I carried out the test Friday morning, the second this year and the fifth overall.

South Korea says the test release a 10-kiloton explosion double the yield from the January test. Just to put this into some context, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II was 15 kilotons.

The U.S. Air Force is planning to take air samples. World leaders say this test violates United Nations resolutions.

CNN has teams in the region covering this breaking news. Steven Jang is standing by for us live in Beijing. But let's start with Paula Hancocks in Seoul. The government there are confirming this was a nuclear test and now we have heard from North Korea, as well. Paula.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, yes, Natalie. Just a couple of hours ago, we had a triumphant announcement from North Korea on North Korean statement television saying that they have successfully tested a nuclear warhead. And they say what this now means is that they can mount it on to any ballistic missile.

Now certainly this is of great concern to officials all around the world. We have spoken to some nuclear experts here in Seoul and they say, obviously you have to take this at face value. You cannot confirm it independently. You have to believe what North Korea says and if it is correct, then it is a successful test.

The fact that the magnitude of this explosion was almost doubled just after eight months after the previous nuclear test back in January. One nuclear expert saying to me that their nuclear program has effectively been completed. This is what they have been trying to do for some time.

So, as you can imagine, the condemnation is coming in swiftly. South Korea's president, Japan also condemning this, America. We know that U.S. President Barack Obama spoke to the South Korean President earlier today, a 15-minute phone conversation as the U.S. President was on Air Force One leaving Asia just a matter of hours ago.

And certainly we can expect far more condemnation throughout the day and potentially U.N. Security Council resolutions once again.

ALLEN: Right. Which haven't seemed to quell the ambitions of North Korea, so far. And what is the significance of the date that they did this test, Paula?

HANCOCKS: Well, today is an important day in the North Korean calendar. It marks the anniversary of foundation day, so the 68th anniversary of the creation of North Korea. So, certainly it is a significant day for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, for his people. And to be able for him to be able to announce the success on this day would obviously be very successful.

Now, we've had a warning of this just a couple of days ago, Kim Jong- un said that he would continue to on progress with his nuclear and missile program. Clearly, it seems the sanctions international condemnation please from the main trading partner and ally China have fallen on deaf ears.

Kim Jong-un saying that he has no intention of heeding any of that. He is determined to continue with that -- with this program. And certainly we have seen an intense pace of testing, whether it's nuclear, whether it's missile for this year. Of course, that first -- that fourth nuclear test came January just eight months later they have now called that a fifth. Natalie.

Paula Hancocks, monitoring the events from Seoul, thank you.

China's Foreign Ministry released a statement to its state-run media saying it strongly opposes North Korea's nuclear test.

For more let's go live now to our Steven Jang, he's in Beijing. Hello, Steven.

STEVEN JANG, CNN PRODUCER: Natalie, there is foreign ministry regular press briefing going on right now as we speak. We expect the spokeswoman Hua say a bit more but probably along the line of what you just mentioned. That statement from the ministry a little earlier voicing its strong opposition and urging North Korea to abide by its international commitment and to stop any actions that would further worsen the situation.

It reiterates China's long held position that it wants to see a nuclear free Korean Peninsula and saying the only way to achieve this is to dialogues and talks in the framework of the city's six-party talks.

[03:04:58] So, these are not surprising points, Natalie, but what's more interesting is a commentary published by the state-run Xinhua News Agency a little earlier.

That article did point out the latest test was in clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. But it also put the whole thing in the context of the South Korean government's decision to deploy the THAAD Missile Defense System, saying that decision has thrown off the region's strategic balance and has led to the escalation of tensions in the region.

So, it points out to this latest test as an example, as well as more recent missile tests to drive home the point China has been making that the THAAD deployment would trigger an arms race in this region.

And, of course, Washington and Seoul would disagree saying their deployment was purely defensive in response to North Korea's increasing number of weapons tests.

But still, Natalie, it seems China is trying to addressing several audiences here not only to Pyongyang but also to Seoul and Washington, as well. Natalie.

ALLEN: Right. And there have been tensions between the U.S. and China in its relationship of late. I'm wondering if that could hinder any cohesiveness in this very important matter, and has China indicated anything else that it would consider doing to try to convince North Korea to stand down in its nuclear mission, China, of course, being North Korea's closest ally and neighbor.

JANG: That's right. In more recent years and months, Natalie, China has been more grudgingly going along with the tougher U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea because Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, since he took power three years ago, had also been frustrated and angered by Kim Jong-un's repeated defiance and violation of international sanctions and rules.

But in recent months, the bilateral relationship had been thawing because in part of the decision by South Korea to deploy the THAAD missile system. So, Xi, Mr. Xi actually received the senior North Korean delegation just back in June.

How this latest test would affect the relationship between Pyongyang and Beijing remains to be seen. But that's definitely something China does not want to see happen. Natalie.

ALLEN: All right. Steven Jang for us there in Beijing. Thank you, Steven.

Japanese officials say North Korea's test is a grave threat to their nation's national security. And high ballistic missiles you see here are also ready in case North Korea attacks. And Japanese citizens say Pyongyang is staging a provocation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (TRANSLATED): It's just terrifying. As a Japanese citizen, I'd appreciate if the government would take necessary measures against North Korea.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (TRANSLATED): After consecutive provocations I feel a risk of life as a Japanese national. I hope the Japanese government will deal with it resolutely. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (TRANSLATED): I don't think North Korea has

succeeded in perfecting their nuclear program. So, it's scary if there would be an accident in the effects then harm Japan.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Japan's Prime Minister calls the test absolutely inadmissible. Tokyo has sent four military jets to test for radiation. We'll have more on this story coming up later in this hour.

In another story we're following in the French Alps, helicopters are rescuing people trapped overnight in cable cars. They got stuck when two cables crossed. But technicians fixed the problem and the 33 trapped passengers are now free, we are told.

Earlier, 77 others were rescued before efforts were called off for the night. They described a long night in the mountains.

They came for the stunning views. A high altitude ride above the French Alps. But a day of sightseeing turned into hours of tense waiting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

"All ended well. We stayed up from five hours."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you scared?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. Just tired and wanting to get out of there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: More than 100 people stuck at around 4,000 meters after the cables holding them up got tangled.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATHIEU DECHAVANNE, COMPAGNIE DU MONT-BLANC PRESIDENT & MANAGING DIRECTOR (TRANSLATED): The tow cable went over, crossed over the support cable in three difference places. It's a dynamic effect which can happen in operating season.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: The journey to see Western Europe's highest peak up close should have taken 30 minutes. Instead, hours went by with people on dangling in cable cars waiting for help.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (TRANSLATED): What happens in your head during that time?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (TRANSLATED): You try to clear your mind as much as you can, but it's very difficult. Very difficult. I had to close my eyes during a good amount of time to try to think about something else.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Rescuers raced against nightfall in the Alps using helicopters to evacuate as many as possible. When fog rolled in rescuers used rope to lower riders to the ground.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[03:10:00] UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (TRANSLATED): And it was just before midnight when they finally release (Ph) out of its gondolas which is really quite an experience.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Again, they are all safe now. If you have ridden on the cable car, as I did many years ago, then you know that it holds the world record for the highest vertical ascent rising 2,800 meters up to 3,842 meters or 12,604 feet. Not for the light hearted there.

In the coming hours, the U.S. and Russia will try once again to get a cease-fire deal for Syria. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Geneva short time ago for talks. He'll meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin now pushing their top diplomats to reach agreement on a cease-fire to allow humanitarian aid to reach besieged areas.

Phil Black joins us now. Russia and the U.S., Phil, could not come to agreement just a few days ago at this summit in China. What are the issues preventing an agreement?

PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Natalie, it appears to be highly technical and in the detail. That's the feeling we get from comments by U.S. officials, and it still appears the to be significant enough, the differences, if you like, significant enough to prevent anyone saying that this is anything close to being a done deal.

That's certainly the message we're getting from the U.S. side and the fact that the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry really delayed his departure yesterday until as late as possible.

The feeling from the U.S. yesterday was that it may not be worth the journey to Geneva to try and do this just yet such the differences. Because it is something of an ambitious planning total. The issues as we know than what we know they're trying to achieve certainly from the U.S. side is something of a nationwide cease-fire.

It would start really focusing around the besieged city of Aleppo. That would then allow something of breathing space to get in some humanitarian aid to the people there who need it so desperately. Sides would be push back.

The Syrian air force, in theory, would be grounded. That's a real test of Russia's willingness to lean on Syria and make that a reality and, indeed, it's a test of the Syrian regime's willingness to listen to Russia. That's quite a big ask of Syria. It's not something that you would expect that they would give into easily.

And once all of that happens, then I think what Russia wants ought of this so badly is a joint cooperative effort with the United States coordinating their forces, their intelligence, their targeting to hit terrorist targets, what they describe as terrorist targets in Syria.

So ISIS, obviously, would also the group that was until recently known as Al Nusra and until very recently identified itself as Al Qaeda's affiliate in the region.

Now, that's a difficult issue because those Al Nusra forces are on the ground fighting side by side, sometimes together working very closely with the opposition groups that the American government supports and helps.

So, there is a lot to deal with here. A lot of detail, highly technical. And as we heard from President Obama during the week, the big issue is a shortage of trust. But I think the rare thing about this event so far is that going into these talks, it appears to be the Russians that are somewhat more optimistic of achieving a deal here today. Natalie.

ALLEN: That's interesting certainly. Phil Black for us there in Moscw. Thank you, Phil.

Donald Trump is answering questions about Russian President Vladimir Putin's role in the U.S. presidential race. Ahead, we'll tell you what he told Russian television.

[03:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT REPORTER: Hi, there. I'm Patrick Snell with your World Sport headlines from CNN.

Day one of the Paralympics underway, competition starting in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. The very first medal of these games won by the Kenyan, Samuel Muchai Kimani. This was in the 5,000 meter T11 competition. It's Kimani's second Paralympic gold.

To the two of the biggest football clubs in Spain have been dealt rather a sizable blow severely impacting their activity in the next two transfer windows. The two Madrid rivals, Atletico and Real have lost appeals against FIFA banned.

This on registering new players over that period of time. Both clubs who have also been fined had disputed a ruling by world football's governing body which led to punishment for breaching rules over the transfer of foreign players under the age of 18. Now real and Atletico say they will now appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

And we can tell you the U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte has been banned from the sport for 10 months after those less than accurate claims he made alleging robbery at gunpoint during the recent Rio Summer Games. The 32-year-old initially claiming he and three teammates were held up

in a petrol station in the Brazilian city. The police disputed his version of events after a video surveillance footage appeared to show damage to the station in question. His three teammates have each been suspended for four months.

That is a look at your CNN World Sport headlines. I'm Patrick Snell.

ALLEN: Recapping our top story, the breaking news out of North Korea. Pyongyang confirms it has tested a nuclear warhead. It's the country's fifth nuclear test and its most powerful one yet, 10 kilotons.

North Korean state-run TV said the warhead has been standardized to be mounted on ballistic rockets. South Korea has condemned the tests and its president called North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's regime fanatically reckless.

Now to the race for the White House. Donald Trump is going to bat for Vladimir Putin, yet again. On Wednesday, he heaped new praise on the Russian President calling him more of a leader than Barack Obama. On Thursday, he told the Russian funded TV network R.T., he does not think Mr. Putin is meddling in the U.S. election.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't know -- I mean, I've been hearing about it, I've been reading about it. I think it's probably unlikely. I think maybe the democrats are putting that out. Who knows? But I think that it's pretty unlikely.

But, you know, who knows? I hope that if they are doing something, I hope that somebody is going to be able to find out so they can -- they can end it because that would not be appropriate at all.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Hillary Clinton led up on the personal attacks during a speech to a Baptist convention in Kansas City, Missouri. She talked with the mostly African-American audience about her faith.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, (D) U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Humility is not something you hear much about in politics, is it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

CLINTON: But we should. None of us is perfect. It isn't easy, but I've learned not to be grateful not just for my blessings, but also for my faults, and there are plenty.

I've made my share of mistakes. I don't know anyone who hasn't.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's right. CLINTON: Everyone here today has stumbled on their own stony paths.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes.

CLINTON: It's grace that lift us up and grace that leads us home.

(APPLAUSE)

ALLEN: Joining me now from Washington is Daniel Lippman. He is the co-author of "Politico's Playbook," and the reporter for Politico. Daniel, thanks for being with us.

DANIEL LIPPMAN, POLITICO REPORTER: Thanks for having me.

[03:20:01] ALLEN: Well, let's start with some new polls from swing states by Quinnipiac University. Clinton is ahead in Pennsylvania, 44 percent to Trump's 39 percent. And ahead in North Carolina by a slimmer margin, 42 percent to 38 percent. And Libertarian Gary Johnson at 15 percent.

But, Trump is ahead in Ohio, 41 percent to 37 percent with Johnson at 14 percent, and they are tied in Florida, 43 percent each. That's Clinton and Trump. Florida, of course, the biggest electoral prize. What does a tightening race mean to you? Could this be a nail biter in November?

LIPPMAN: I think that's probably what we all want as the media, but I think it's kind of this time is expected because, you know, I think republicans are starting to coalesce around Trump. And he's really starting to listen to his new campaign advisers and managers who have told him in the last couple of weeks to tone down the angry rhetoric and really, you know, stick to a message about Hillary and not get in, you know, fights with Gold Star families.

And I think you're beginning to show that. And so, I think this is not a huge surprise. And republicans who had been on the fence seem to have gone into Trump's corner now.

ALLEN: That's something that's important to him and it's showing up, as well. And he's sticking to the script, it seems.

Well, Hillary Clinton told Israeli TV that ISIS is rooting for Trump to win. Meantime, Trump says Clinton's policies have produced ruin and death in the Middle East. And Trump repeated his claim that he didn't support the war in Iraq in which he's on tape saying he did before the war. Does any of this matter to their supporters?

LIPPMAN: I think their hard core supporters are going to support them no matter what. But I think it does matter to swing voters because they're assessing how ready a person is to be commander-in-chief.

And, you know, if you're on record as praising Vladimir Putin, in the case of Donald Trump who is not exactly a huge friends of the United States or if you're Hillary Clinton who had -- did not know how to use proper classification procedures when she was sending work e-mail on her personal device. That sends -- both of those things send signals to voters as to how ready you are to be, you know, leading the country and in charge of national security.

And so I think it does matter in terms of politics is not just about the atmospherics. It's about actually who is best equipped and who is qualified and, you know, how best they can lead the country forward.

ALLEN: Well, President Obama was asked about Donald Trump today. And here is what the president said. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PRESIDENT: I don't think the guy is qualified to be president of the United States. And every time he speaks, that opinion is confirmed. And I think the most important thing for the public and the press is to just listen to what he says and follow up and ask questions about what appeared to be either contradictory or uninformed or outright wacky ideas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: But as you say, he speak -- he is sticking more the script these days, and perhaps tamping down the whacky just a bit. The president, though, pushing the news media to go after Trump and this comes after harsh criticism for both parties of the NBC moderator Matt Lauer. How can the news media to a better job to keep Trump and Clinton honest?

LIPPMAN: I think comparing what they say to the actual facts of the matter and following up when candidates basically lie. And, you know, Trump has repeatedly said that he was against the Iraq war from the beginning, but that does not reflect the fact that, you know, he has said himself in an interview that he was -- he supported the war a little bit.

And so, I think this matters in terms of do we want candidates who are kind of lying to the American people and, you know, shading the truth or that's kind of an indication of character.

And so, I think Americans do look at whether candidates are, you know, speaking truth to power or just, you know, speaking the facts. And so, I think people want to, you know, have a president that does not -- that does tell the truth, you know, 100 percent of the time or as close to that as possible.

[03:24:59] ALLEN: Yes. And fact checking is probably one of the most important jobs of the news media, especially these days. Well, last thing I want to ask you about third party candidate Gary Johnson, polling as high as 15 percent in some states, but now he had a major gaffe Thursday. Here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE BARNICLE. MSNBC'S MORNING JOE CO-HOST: What would you do if you were elected about Aleppo?

GARY JOHNSON, U.S. LIBERTARIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: About?

BARNICLE: Aleppo.

JOHNSON: And what is Aleppo?

BARNICLE: You're kidding.

JOHNSON: No.

BARNICLE: Aleppo is in Syria. It's the -- it's the epicenter of the refugee crisis...

(CROSSTALK)

JOHNSON: OK. Got it. Got it.

BARNICLE: OK.

JOHNSON: Well, with regard to Syria, I do think that it's a mess.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: So, Johnson, yes, lit up the Twitter world with that. Meantime, there's a warrant out for the arrest of Green Party candidate Jill Stein seen here after she spray painted a bulldozer during a protest. Will we see their support diminish?

Because right now, they are chipping support away from Trump and Clinton. She's making a stand there against something she is against as far as oil goes. So, what do you think?

LIPPMAN: I think, you know, I'm reminded of in high school you sometimes flirt with someone and then don't actually take them to the prom. And so, I think a lot of Americans, they end up going to their corner.

And so that, you know, that 15 percent that Gary Johnson might get in some polls, it probably is not going to be as high in November, because I think people realize that the elections is down to two main candidates, Trump and Hillary, and they're not going to waste a vote on someone who has universally no chance of winning.

And, you know, I think he -- that was just a very damaging gaffe because it showed that he was out of his depth. You know, if you'd been paying attention to the news at all, you know that Aleppo has been, you know, the focus of so much, you know, suffering and violence and that it's a critical city in Syria.

And I don't think Americans will judge a candidate who kind of pleads ignorance on such an important issue because ISIS is there. I don't think that they will appreciate that. And so, that's kind of where I stand on with what we're talking to experts.

You know, even Trump probably could understand where Aleppo is and he is not always singing as the most experienced foreign policy wise.

ALLEN: Daniel Lippman, we appreciate you joining us, the co-author of "Politico's Playbook" and reporter for Politico. Thanks, Daniel. LIPPMAN: Thank you.

ALLEN: And ahead here more on our breaking news, North Korea's powerful nuclear tests.

[03:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ALLEN: And welcome back. You're watching CNN Newsroom live from are Atlanta. I'm Natalie Allen.

Here are our top stories. Breaking news from North Korea, the country says it has tested a nuclear warhead that can be mounted on a ballistic rocket. It set off a 10 kiloton explosion. South Korea says it was quite as powerful as Pyongyang's last test in January.

World leaders say this poses a serious threat.

Thirty three people stranded overnight in the French Alps are being rescued. They got stuck in cable cars near Mont Blanc Thursday when two cables became crossed. Seventy seven other passengers were rescued earlier.

Technicians uncrossed the cables this morning and the remaining passengers are getting back on the ground. Bet they're happy about that.

Three women have been arrested near Paris, accused of planning an imminent and violent attack. The Interior Minister says they are connected to gas cylinders found earlier this week inside a car near Notre Dame Cathedral.

Back to our breaking news, the nuclear test in North Korea. Lassina Zerbo joins me live via Skype from Vienna. He is executive secretary of the CTBTO, that's the watchdog group that keeps track of nuclear testing.

Thanks for joining us, Mr. Zerbo. And what's your reaction to this very strong nuclear testing by the North?

LASSINA ZERBO, CTBTO EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Natalie, thank you. I think it is 00.30 in the morning, our global monitoring system detected a suspicious signal in the Korean Peninsula. And since then, analysts have been on track to analyze and then give the best they could to states.

And as we sum today, that we can only say that (Inaudible) than what we detected in January 16, and then all indications are that this is much bigger event than that shows the importance of North Korea progressing and becoming a nuclear power country.

ALLEN: Right. Five nuclear tests now. That is a significant step to it becoming nuclear powered. Isn't it?

ZERBO: Indeed, it confirmed the fifth tests, sending some signal to the international community. And an important step for North Korea in itself to become a nuclear power country. I think it's about time that we find a different solution that just sanction and then see how we can get them to a deal -- to nuclear testing as soon as possible.

ALLEN: What can we do? What does your group advocate that the world body do beyond the sanctions that unfortunately haven't been seemed to quell the motivation of Kim Jong-un?

ZERBO: Look, I think we've talked about sanctions for some time, but the sanction haven't been able to stop what North Korea has been doing for so far -- for so long. I mean, it started in 2006. I mean, the international committee probably took it as a joke. And then it went 2009, 2013, and 2016, this is the first time they did two tests and they announce two test in the same year.

And that means that they are basically mastering the technology and then beyond the assumption, I think there's a time to open the dialogue with them firmly and get them to sit and on to discussion, a table discussion and then a moratorium amidst the testing as soon as possible.

[03:35:03] ALLEN: And what countries do you think should lead that?

ZERBO: I think those who are directly involved with the Koreans, I think I would say those who have a relationship with Russia, with China, and then I think they've been looking into finding a way to dialogue with the United States. I think those are the three countries that can get together and then find a way to move on this issue of nuclear testing.

And what I want to ask, I think we're still waiting, we're waiting for the ratification of China and the United States of the comprehensive test on treaties. I think it's important to open the dialogue to adhere to get North Korea to adhere to moratorium on nuclear testing and then get this treaty to force as soon as possible.

ALLEN: Why haven't these countries adhered to zero tolerance on nuclear testing?

ZERBO: I think that's basically what the comprehensive test on treaty organization in Vienna is working for. I think we have today 183 countries that have signed the treaty, 164 that have ratified. We have 8 remaining countries which ratification is necessary for each country to force.

And among them, the United States, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Egypt and Iran. And then those are the countries that we're awaiting the ratification for us to enforce the treaty which will make nuclear testing mutually binding.

ALLEN: Well, certainly something more has to happen because North Korea does not seem swayed whatsoever so far.

We thank you so much for joining us, Lassina Zerbo. Thank you, sir.

ZERBO: Thank you, Natalie.

ALLEN: North Korea is not the only country saber rattling with the U.S. and its allies this week. Washington says a Russian jet made an unsafe intercept of the U.S place over the Black Sea on Wednesday.

Our Barbara Starr has more on this and other U.S. challenges from U.S. adversaries.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: First reason for concern following the close encounter of a Russian jet and a U.S. Reconnaissance plane. The Russians coming within 10 feet of the U.S. aircraft.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the deck, below the bridge length.

STARR: Just the latest in a series of Russian provocations directed in the U.S. Military in the air and at sea this year. Defense Secretary Ash Carter warning the Russian government this week that the U.S. is watching and is ready to act.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASH CARTER, U.S. DENFENSE SECRETARY: Make no mistake. We will defense our allies, the principal international order and the positive future it affords us. We were counter attempts to undermine our collective security.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: And with Russian aggression not decreasing, some see a deliberate strategy at work.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CEDRIC LEIGHTON, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: The fact that they are engaging the U.S. in such a dramatic fashion indicates that they are willing to challenge the U.S. at every step of the way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bridge to bridge, we're connected, no response.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: And Russia is hardly the only country attempting to provoke the U.S. military.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It appears to be unsafe, unprofessional.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: Iran continues to have harassed U.S. ships with dangerous approaches like this that U.S. military officials have deemed unsafe. Some coming within 100 yards of U.S. navy vessels.

In the most recent, an Iranian boat came to a dead stop in front of a U.S. navy ship risking collision. The Pentagon points out there have been 31 such encounters this year so far. Up from 23 incidents, all of last year.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LEIGHTON: They are telegraphing the way that they will counter U.S.

Vessels. That shows that they want to challenge U.S. vessels and they are willing to do so not only in wartime, but also in peace time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: Each incident carries with it the risk of miscalculation. And the United States being drawn into an unintended conflict. And the stakes even higher in the Pacific where North Korea continues to test ballistic missiles often with little warning and the potential for dire consequences, weapons that maybe be able one day to reach the United States.

ALLEN: Barbara Starr reporting from the Pentagon.

In the U.S. election campaign, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says her challenger's obsession with Russian leader Vladimir Putin is scary and unpatriotic.

Some intelligence analysts are also concerned about the Donald Trump/Putin political love affair as Brian Todd explains.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Donald Trump is gushing again over Vladimir Putin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If he say great things about me I'm going to say great things about him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: Trump believes Putin called him brilliant a few months ago. Putin later said he only called Trump bright. But now, it's Trump's comment about the Russian president leadership made to NBC News which have brought serious fallout.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I mean, the man has very strong control over the country, now it's a very different system and I don't happen to like the system. But certainly in that system, he's been a leader far more than our president has been a leader.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[03:40:05] TODD: Putin, the man who invaded Ukraine and its Crimea backs the brutal Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Crushes those who oppose him inside Russia and may well be responsible for the hack of the Democratic national Committee's computers.

That Vladimir Putin, Trump says, outshines President Obama. Fresh meat for Hillary Clinton.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) HILLARY CLINTON, (D) U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is scary because

it suggests he will let Putin do whatever Putin wants to do. And then make excuses for him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: But Trump's embrace of Putin isn't just scaring Trump's rival.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHILIP MUDD, FORMER CIA ANALYST: I'm uncomfortable comparing the president of the United States to someone who has turned out to be a dictator.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: Philip Mudd, a career intelligence analyst and executive at the CIA, FBI, and the White House National Security Council is also Trump's declaration that he'd have a very good relationship with Putin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MUDD: In places like Europe, in places like Syria, And Iran, where America as critical policy interest, Putin has the interest that are at variance. For example, in Syria, he supports the continuation of the Assad regime. The Americans obviously do not.

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TODD: By contrast, experts say, Putin believes Hillary Clinton will be more formidable.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Vladimir Putin would obviously prefer that Trump became president than Hillary Clinton mostly because he really dislikes Hillary Clinton.

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TODD: Some believe Putin, the former KGB officer is manipulating Trump by stroking his ego.

Former CIA director Michael Morell said this to ABC News.

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MICHAEL MORELL, FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: Donald Trump didn't even understand, right, that Putin was playing him. So, in Putin's mind, I have no doubt that Putin thinks that he's an unwitting agent of the Russian federation although Putin would never say that.

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TODD: How might Putin manipulate Trump if Trump is elected?

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MASHA GESSES, "THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE" AUTHOR: I can imagine, at least in the early stages, Putin sort of getting Trump to believe everything that he says by flattery, by taking Trump seriously, by complimenting him on his leadership ability and then being a best negotiator which he always is.

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TODD: But analyst Masha Gessen believes that if Trump wins the presidency, a dangerous confrontation between Trump and Putin is more likely. She calls it two mentally unstable aggressive men with nuclear buttons.

We reached out to the Trump campaign, they wouldn't respond directly to that or to the other criticisms of Trump's compliments of Putim. Trump himself have said that Putin's compliments of him would have, quote, "zero impact on their relationship."

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

ALLEN: Next here on CNN Newsroom, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration gives a stern warning about some Samsung phones. We'll explain why.

[03:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ALLEN: If you are just joining us here is our braking news out of North Korea and its latest nuclear test. South Korea says it is the North's most powerful to date creating a 10-kiloton explosion.

Pyongyang said it tested a nuclear warhead that can be mounted on to a ballistic rocket. This is North Korea's fifth nuclear test, the second this year. World leaders have been steadily condemning the test, calling North Korea a great and growing threat.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is warning travelers don't use the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on airplanes. Samsung has recalled the devices over complaints that their batteries can catch fire.

International carriers, Singapore Airlines, Qanta, and Virgin Australia, and Delta are telling passengers not to turn on or charge the phones during flight.

American football player Brandon Marshall is defending his position to join a controversial protest. The Denver Bronco linebacker knelt during the U.S. national anthem before a game on Thursday. Marshall says on Instagram, quote, "I'm not against the military. I'm not against the police or America. I'm against social injustice."

Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers was the first to refuse to stand during the anthem. His team now has pledge to donate $1 million to fight inequality. And the Green Bay Packers say they'll donate $200,000 to improve relationships between communities and police.

Some people think Air China needs its wings clipped over an article in an in-flight magazine. It suggested some neighborhoods in London might be dangerous for tourists because of Indian, Pakistani and black people.

Isa Soares reports on the fallout and Air China's response.

ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: London is well known for its rich multicultural society. But for Air China, this diversity requires a warning.

In this month's in-flight magazine, Wings of China, travelers are advised to take precautions when they visit London. The article reads, "London is generally a safe place to travel, however, precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people. We advise tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when traveling."

Those comments have been interpreted by some as racist setting off a firestorm on social media. But here in south London, in Brixton, one of the most diverse communities of the capital, the reaction has been somewhat mixed.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If I was Chinese I was going to a country, I would read this and I would say, OK, it's good to know. I'd be on my guard. I would be careful. I wouldn't call it offensive.

SOARES: You're laughing. What do you think of it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think, yes, it depends. Because of a new area, you don't know what's going on here. So, I think it should have somebody with you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I think that's wrong, you know? It's not true. So, the Chinese people need to come to Brixton and see how we live here, you know?

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SOARES: The dismay and furor goes all the way of the Houses of the Parliament where Virenda Sharma, an M.P. for the ethnic diverse of Ealing Southall is calling for action.

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VIRENDA SHARMA, BRITISH PARLIAMENT MEMBER: I come from India myself. I'm a member of parliament. I live in my constituency, if somebody is telling me that in my constituency that is a (Inaudible) area, I will take it as an insult.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SOARES: In a statement to CNN, Air China media apologized for its

inappropriate expressions and promised to remove the magazines from its plane. The Chinese Foreign Minister meanwhile went further.

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HUA CHUNYING, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY INFORMATION DEPARTMENT DEPUTY DIRECTOR (TRANSLATED): The Chinese government position is very clear. We consistently advocate for and support the equality of all ethnicities without exception and oppose all forms of racial discrimination.

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[03:50:00] SOARES: It's not the first time that China has come under fire for racism. Earlier this year, a Chinese company provokes outrage when it depicted a black man being thrown into a washing machine emerging afterwards as a light skinned Chinese man.

In this instance the message is less murky and less open to interpretation which explains why this has offended some in the streets of multi-cultural London.

Isa Soares, CNN, London.

ALLEN: Next on CNN Newsroom, if you'd like to know who hold the world record of say the youngest woman to grow a full beard. Guinness World Record has the answer. We have a peek at the 2017 edition coming right up.

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ALLEN: Well, after months of research and searching around the world for the best of the best in all sorts of categories as you know, Guinness World Records has announced the release of their latest book for 2017.

And our Zain Asher has a sneak peek at some of the record holders.

ZAIN ASHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Prepare to be terrified. To erupt in fits of laughter, and to shake your head in disbelief.

[03:55:02] The 2017 Guinness Book of World Records features cameos from humans, animals and objects alike. From the youngest woman to grow a full beard to the longest domestic feline and an American town with a series of bizarre super-sized objects.

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CRAIG GLENDAY, GUINESS WORLD RECORD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: We've got everything from the daring and all-inspiring to the downright quirky and fun.

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ASHER: But something you've likely never seen before, one of the world's fastest runners. Nope, we're not talking about him. But him.

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GLENDAY: We also welcomed to the U.K. from the other side of the world, Sang Schwang (Ph) of China. He's turned athletics on its heads by running 50 meters on his hands while carrying a football between his legs.

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ASHER: And he's not the only fast mover, check out this ridiculously long monster of a truck.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: By adding the length on this, it gives you a more extreme ride, especially if you sit towards the back just because when you're spinning around, you know, that's more motion that you're getting in the rear. It's way more exciting.

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ASHER: And so, buckle up as the book and the stories within transport you to a world far beyond the bounds of your imagination.

Zain Asher, CNN, Atlanta.

ALLEN: Always a fun read there or just a flip through. Thanks for joining us. I'm Natalie Allen. Our breaking news coverage of North Korea continues in a moment with Isa Soares in London.

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