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Crown Prince Still Acting Innocent of Jamal Khashoggi's Death; Bomb Threats Sent to Politicians Set an Alarm to Everyone; Domino Effect in Markets from U.S. to Europe to Asia; Saudi Crown Prince, Jamal Khashoggi Death Heinous Crime; U.S. Stock Plunge Amid Economic And Political Fears; Weapons Are Being Removed From Joint Security Area; Russia And Saudi Arabia Cultivate Closer Ties; New Migrant Caravans Forming; Exclusive Interview With Apple CEO, Tim Cook. Aired 3-4a ET
Aired October 25, 2018 - 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] KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN HOST: A manhunt in the U.S. to find out who was responsible for sending the suspicious packages to former president and CNN's New York headquarters.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman makes his first comment about the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
And a wild ride for global stocks. Fears in Wall Street aspects and other stocks here in Asia downward. Will European markets follow.
Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Kristie Lu Stout. And this is CNN Newsroom.
U.S. authorities have launched a massive manhunt for a serial bomber. A wave of pipe bombs was intercepted on Wednesday intended for prominent Democrats, including high-ranking U.S. officials and CNN.
The targets include former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former US Attorney General Eric Holder, former CIA director John Brennan, and Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
A device was found at the home of the billionaire Democratic donor George Soros on Monday. All of those people have been frequently vilified by U.S. President Donald Trump. Authorities are also hunting for some suspicious package sent to former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden but returned to an unknown address.
Officials fear more such devices could be out there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL DE BLASIO, MAYOR, NEW YORK CITY: What we saw here today was effort to terrorize. It's clearly is an act of terror.
ANDREW CUOMO, GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK: We wouldn't be at all surprise if more devices show up. MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We condemn these attempted acts of violence in the strongest possible terms.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: The intercepted pipe bombs there are striking similarities including packaging, postage, address and return labels. An FBI special agent says devices were crude but functional. The New York police commissioners says the package sent to the CNN bureau in New York and addressed to former CIA director John Brennan with a live explosive device.
After news broke with the pipe bombs President trump condemned the failed attacks and promise a full and aggressive investigation. But later in the day at a rally with supporters, Mr. Trump attempted to shift the blame to the news media. Take a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Any acts or threats of political violence or an attack on our democracy itself. No nation can succeed that tolerates violence or the threat of violence as a method of political intimidation, coercion or control. We all know that.
Such conduct must be fiercely opposed and firmly prosecuted.
The media also has a responsibility to set a civil tone and to stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories. Have to do it. Have to do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: One of the intended targets of the failed pipe bomb attacks was John Brennan, he served as CIA director under President Obama. Later in the day, an event in Austin, Texas Brennan said that President Trump's incendiary rhetoric is not helping to encourage civility.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN BRENNAN, FORMER UNITED STATES CIA DIRECTOR: Unfortunately, I think, you know, Donald Trump has not helped to encourage the type of civil discourse and engagement, public engagement and his rhetoric too frequently I think fuels these feelings and sentiments that now are bleeding over into potentially acts of violence.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: The FBI is asking for the public's help to find the person or persons responsible for what is being called an act of terror.
Brian Todd reports.
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Former FBI and U.S. Marshals agents told CNN the manhunt for the person who delivered five pipe bombs to CNN and others is now one of the most intense searches in recent memory.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ART RODERICK, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: This is number one this is all hands-on deck, not just in New York are, not just here in D.C., but across the country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TODD: Experts say the perpetrator left important clues. The packages didn't explode, which means fingerprints, DNA could be retrievable. A law enforcement official tells CNN all the devices appeared to be constructed similarly, pipe bombs, at least one containing projectiles.
At least two of the packages addressed to Democratic donor George Soros and a former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's Time Warner Center had stamps on them that had not been canceled. Instead, they are believed to of been delivered by hand.
[03:05:09] The one sent to CNN was delivered by a courier so surveillance footage can be used to track that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TODD: Could it be a network of people more than one person doing this.
RODERICK: It could be, I mean, they're not eliminating anything at this point in time. But conspiracy is a very difficult to keep under wraps, and generally when you have more people that somebody is going to say something or somebody is going to know something.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TODD: Experts say this is a multi-track investigation tonight. One crucial component a profile of the suspect, Mary Ellen O'Toole profiled the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski for the FBI. He mailed several bombs over 17 years, killing three people.
O'Toole says investigators are looking closely at the connection between the targets. Brennan who the bomber mistakenly thought work for CNN as well as prominent people in politics who evolved in harshly criticized by the president or his right-wing allies. She says law enforcement will be looking for specific characteristics in the suspect.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARY ELLEN O'TOOLE, FORMER SENIOR FBI PROFILER: Someone that is very angry about the politics in the country, and specifically these individuals. The reason that that's important is because there may have been some effort prior to mailing and placing these bombs to contact these people either through a letter or through posting something on Facebook.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TODD: O'Toole says the suspect could plan on mailing more bombs, could have active devices or other weapons on them with would law enforcement approaches and likely has a desperate outlook.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O'TOOLE: This is someone who now cannot go back. He cannot change things and blend back into a common, ordinary life so he has turned all caution to the wind, so he has nothing to lose to hurt or kill law enforcement as they approached him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TODD: Experts say the next big break in this case could come from the person or people who did this, they might seize on all the attention it's generated and possibly try to take credit for it. Maybe set up some kind of clue.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
STOUT: Jonathan Wackrow is a former Secret Service agent for President Obama. He is now a CNN law enforcement analyst and joins us from Johannesburg. Jonathan, thank you for joining us. I want to get first your reaction. As you know, as we've been reporting a serial bomber has targeted CNN and prominent Democrats, including former U.S. presidents. Is this close to anything that you have seen or dealt with in your career with the Secret Service?
JONATHAN WACKROW, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: No, absolutely not. You know, during my time at the Secret Service, you know, having -- you know, things sent to you are protectees. I don't want to say it's commonplace, but it does happen. That is why the Secret Service has a very robust mail screening protocol for our protectees. And we saw yesterday that that protocol worked.
You know, intercepting mail off-site locations, screening them for chemical, biological, and radiological and explosive pieces so they do not get to our protectees residents. That process worked very successful yesterday and it mitigated a potential disaster down the road.
To that point the same thing happened at CNN. The policies and procedures put forth by CNN security in terms of mail handling and screening whether it's, you know, mail coming from U.S. Mail or from a courier worked. That device was stopped. It was litigated and rendered by the New York Police Department.
So, you know, in my time with the Secret Service these things, you know, do occur, but they are not a commonplace.
STOUT: Yes. And thankfully, you know, the protocols worked, you know, as you pointed out no one was hurt. This bombing campaign was now successful. The FBI, though, you know, investigators are taking this very seriously.
Let's talk about the investigation. We know we had a number of bombs that were sent undetonated. Does this provide a cash of valuable clues? Your thoughts on that.
WACKROW: Absolutely. From an investigative standpoint, but in fact that these devices did not explode there is a treasure trove of investigative leads law enforcement will leverage to go make attribution to who, you know, perpetrated this act.
Everything from the packages themselves how the -- how the, you know, postage stamp was put on, how the letters were, you know, written to the addressee to the device itself. How was it made? What was the, you know, what were the components of it, similarities.
And they are going to go out and they are going to put a wide net out to the law enforcement community to aggregate, you know, investigative leads and go back and try to figure out who did this. Is there any other imminent danger to the public?
STOUT: Yes.
WACKROW: Remember, these things these devices as they were intended to go to the former presidents and to CNN and others, they passed through many other people who were unwilling participants in this act.
[03:10:03] Meaning, the courier, the mail carriers. Everybody else. So, the threat to the general public is significant here. Law enforcement is acting really quickly to run down every single investigative lead to solve for this matter.
STOUT: A number of devices were sent in a very short period of time. Do you believe that there could be more packages, more devices out there?
WACKROW: Listen, just the frequency of the attacks over the last, you know, 48 hours it's not outside the realm of possibility that there's more in the ecosystem, there's more that -- than are currently out there.
I know that the U.S. postal Service is working very diligently with the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to go through and mitigate that risk from the postal service.
But again, you know, we saw that some of these were hand-delivered. So, you know, I think it speaks to the fact that everyone in this time has to have a heightened sense of, you know, situational awareness just be mindful of the current environment that we're operating at.
STOUT: Absolutely vigilance is earned -- urge right now. And we are in this extremely heated political environment right now and leads to the question about motivation. You know, looking at the environment and the tension and the targets. Do you believe that this bombing campaign was politically motivated?
WACKROW: Listen, there's a lot of indication that it was. However, we're still in the infancy of the investigation. However, you know, taking a step back broadly the political rhetoric, you know, of our political environment right now has transcended from, you know, verbal attack. We've now, you know, send bombs through the mail.
So this is something that, you know, there's a threshold here. We've transcended the verbal rhetoric into physical attacks. That is something that, you know, as a society we absolutely cannot stand for regardless of your political views.
STOUT: Do you fear that this could be an act of political terrorism, that's what this is.
WACKROW: I mean, there's a lot of indications that it is, again, really in the infancy of the investigation. But you know, today you look at who the addressees, you know, these packages were being sent to. There's a clear indication that that's potentially where we're going to end in terms of motive and intent at the end of day.
STOUT: We have a number of packages undetonated. FBI investigators are pouring over them in the lab right now. You call it a treasure trove, a cash of information. A massive manhunt is underway. Are you optimistic that we will find out soon who was behind this?
WACKROW: Absolutely. I mean, I think that with just the amount of evidence that law enforcement was, you know, given within the last 48 hours from the physical devices, the delivery methodology. I think that there's enough there that they will make attribution to who perpetrated this, you know, very quickly.
I mean, the FBI has, you know, made this their number one priority, the Secret Service their number one priority. Law enforcement around the country. This isn't just localized in New York and Washington, around the country are in a heightened sense of, you know, alert to working through this investigation to solve for.
STOUT: Yes. We will continue to monitor and report on this investigation very closely. Johnson Wackrow, a former Secret Service and CNN analyst, thank you so much for joining us, sir. And take care.
WACKROW: Thank you.
STOUT: Now Saudi Arabia's conference is promising to bring the people responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi to justice. But this (Inaudible) implicated in the journalist killing, Mohammed bin Salman made his first public remarks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN, CROWN PRINCE OF SAUDI ARABIA (through translator): This was a very, very painful incident for all Saudis and also for everybody on the planet. It was unnecessary. Saudi Arabia will go and implement all necessary rules and investigate this carefully (Ph) in order to achieve results, and to bring justice to those responsible for this heinous crime. And will be put before the court.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: Now let's bring up for you live pictures from Riyadh. This is day three of Bin Salman's investment conference.
For the latest on Turkey's investigation let's go to Nic Robertson in Istanbul. And Nic, we heard from the crown prince, he said that Saudi Arabia is cooperating with Turkey. Is that true? Is that happening on the ground?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, we heard from President Erdogan here speaking just two days ago now and calling for that better corporation, calling for answers about where Jamal Khashoggi's body is, calling for information about what Saudi officials have leak saying that the body of Jamal Khashoggi was handed off to a collaborator here in Turkey. Turkey's president saying well, who was that person.
[03:15:01] I mean, what we've also heard from the Turkish president is that since he had a personal conversation with King Salman in Saudi Arabia, cooperation has improved.
But I think the reality and the facts on the ground point to that cooperation is falling way short of what Turkish investigators really need.
Now, President Erdogan is putting a diplomatic face on it is, it appears, but what's happening here, for example, the consul general's residence when Turkish investigators went in there a week ago, Saudi officials in there stop them going into the basement to search a well.
And it's been over a week obviously since those Turkish investigators came in here. And what's in that well that's believed to be quite deep would be seem very potentially significant to investigators looking for where a body might be hidden.
So, that's a question not only what is in that well, but why is it taken over week if this corporation is so good for the Turkish investigators be allowed to get in there.
There's a lot of speculation of Turkish media today that those investigators will finally get inside the consulate. But this morning, there still no evidence that's happening, which again speaks to a lack of genuine forthright transparent cooperation from the Saudi side. That's how it appears.
So not for the first time ever here there appears to be gaps in the Saudi rhetoric and reality.
STOUT: Yes. There seems to be gaps in the rhetoric and the reality. You know, and let's gp back to what the crown prince said yesterday, you know, insisting that he was not involved. You know, should the crown prince be confident about his credibility and the Saudi narrative about what happened to Khashoggi?
ROBERTSON: Well, the evidence is mounting up the capitals around the world is, you know, you have President Emmanuel Macron talking with the Saudi king yesterday as well, and the evidence mounting is that appeals are now being made more towards the king then the crown prince.
President Erdogan for one here in Turkey made a very clear point of that, although we did talk to the crown prince yesterday by telephone. You have visas being rescinded for Saudi officials and by Washington and London.
The skill level of skepticism that's being raised in western capitals about the narrative coming from Saudi Arabia. The Canadians calling it, for example, you know, not credible. And that's something that's echoed in these other capitals.
I think the evidence that's amounting around the world is that whatever they're hearing if they're hearing on private back channels from Saudi officials is not adding up for them and it does cast a lot of doubt over Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Power in the country does run through his hands is inconceivable for many analysts, that something that his close territory of operatives could be involved in without him having more knowledge of it.
Of course, the pushback from Saudi Arabia is that it's easy to say that from 6,000 miles away, but that's not the way things were operating in Saudi. So, there's a strong push back on that. But the credibility at the moment of the crown prince in Saudi is distinctly undermined and absent a full frank analysis that probes all the dark corners that remain is going -- it seems very difficult that he can shake this off easily.
STOUT: Nic Robertson, live in Istanbul. Thank you.
CNN's John Defterios is at the investors conference in Riyadh known as the Davos in the desert. He joins us now live from the event now in day three. John, the crown prince made finally his first public comments since the murder of Khashoggi. How is that received there?
JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: Well, I think this is clearly an effort, just as Nic was reporting from Istanbul, to put some distance between the crimes that took place there and the crown prince. And he used a friendly, if you will, Kristie, to do so. And he had a lot of regional support.
The prime minister of the UAE who is also the ruler of Dubai, the crown prince of Bahrain actually was on power along with the prime minister of Lebanon. They had African leaders here from Ethiopia and Senegal and the prime minister of Pakistan.
So, it was a cozy environment in which he could speak for the first time. But I think as we were reiterating in our coverage from Turkey it's also true here on the ground in Saudi Arabia there is a gap, a huge support for the crown prince in the audience. In fact, he had three major standing ovations during this presentation of a 45-minute roundtable.
But the gap how Saudi Arabia is perceive outside in what happened to Jamal Khashoggi and what they think here on the ground very, very wide still.
I talked to the very respected cabinet minister, Minister of Energy and Industry, Khalid Al-Falih and asked him about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and how they can move forward from this point onwards.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[03:19:59] KHALID AL-FALIH, SAUDI ARABIA'S MINISTER OF ENERGY, INDUSTRY AND MINERAL RESOURCES: It's not a death, it's a murder. We admit we're dealing with it. As such, we will be transparent and I'm sure our allies and friends and the United States will understand that the kingdom is unhappy about what has happened as anybody else.
In fact, we are more unhappy because it has tarnish the name of the kingdom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DEFTERIOS: Khalid Al-Falih once again talking about the erosion of support for Saudi Arabia but they made a clear point here, Kristie, to have $50 billion of MOU or memorandums of understanding for contracts. The minister reiterated during that exclusive interview that $20 billion or concrete they're not just hopes of contractors.
So, the investment is still coming in. Most of it coming into the energy sector here. But it was a signal that could go ahead with the investment summit, the so-called 'Davos in the desert' have support even though many global CEOs at least 30 decided to stay away during this cloudy period for the kingdom.
STOUT: It's business as usual, apparently, at 'Davos in the desert.' John Defterios reporting live, thank you.
Now despite all the criticism that Saudi Arabia has face over the killing of Kamal Khashoggi one notable country has remain silent. Russia. Why Moscow is downplaying the case.
Plus, fear is ripping investors as a global sell-off hits stock markets around the world.
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STOUT: All right. Global, political, and economic fears sent Wall Street into a tailspin on Wednesday. The Dow and the S&P 500 saw their gains for the year completely wiped out. The NASDAQ has its biggest one-day percentage drop since 2011, disappointing tech earnings, fears of higher interest rate and the upcoming midterm elections all weighing on investors.
Asia's markets have largely followed Wall Street sell-off in Thursday's trading. Now the European markets they opened about 20 minutes ago.
CNN's Anna Stewart is watching the numbers in London. She joins us now. And Anna, we're seeing some volatility here in Asia. What's the story there in Europe? ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. The sell-off continued into Europe this morning, Kristie. Markets open 20 minutes now. And we'll you those.
Now the Zurich SMI leading the losses there down over 1 percent to FTSE 100, down eighth-tenth of a percent. Xetra DAX down over half a percent and muted losses today on the Paris CAC 40.
Now interestingly, some of these indexes have already big losses. In fact, the FTSE 100 and the DAX already entered correction territory early this month which means they've fallen down 10 percent from recent highs.
[03:25:10] In terms of Asia, we did see quite steep losses particularly on Japan's Nikkei. That was down over 3 percent and we had losses as well on the Hong Kong index down at 1.6. The Shanghai actually end up slightly flat.
Now some of the stocks in Asia that were hit particularly hard were tech stocks, which takes the lead from the Wall Street as well. We saw tech stocks battered yesterday. In fact, some of the Asia ones Tencent down 3 percent, Shenzhen down 4 percent.
A lot of this was triggered by earnings tech earning in the United States. And while the earnings themselves weren't particularly worrying I think it's the outlook. A lot of the investors are very worried about revenue growth, about regulation coming up for these stocks.
But the wider broader macro story involves all sorts of issues. We have the rate rises in the United States as the economy strengthens. That's essentially making it's bringing an end era of cheap money. We've also got concerns about economic growth globally, but particularly of course in China.
And here in Europe we got a lot of political concerns. We have concerns over the Italian populist government which is trying to push through a fairly unpopular budget with the E.U. And we also of course have Brexit.
So, there's plenty weighing on the equity markets today. And Europe, of course, today we got the ECB meeting, that's the European Central bank. They will have their rate set meeting. We're not expecting obviously rise yet, but guidance on rate raises for next year.
Similar stories in the United States. Everyone watching cheap money come off the table, Kristie.
STOUT: Yes. A number of factors spooking stocks right now. Especially tech stocks. You mentioned tech stocks in Asia following this follows a major drop in the NASDAQ up to tech shares fell. Even Netflix, you know. Despite its stellar subscriber growth that sink 9 percent overnight. Is the tech stock boom over?
STEWART: That's the million-dollar question. of course, tech stocks are typically sort of have more values so they've got more to lose that often hit more in the sort of sell-off. But there are a number of issues that threaten tech stocks in terms of regulation. And also some companies are semiconductor companies that are actually more at risk of U.S.-China trade tensions, so we're seeing some losses in those as well, Kristie.
STOUT: Anna Stewart, live for us in London. Thank you so much and take care.
Now later on Thursday, join Richard Quest for a special edition of Quest Means Business live from the Kenyan capital. He will be speaking the President Uhuru Kenyatta that this country at a crossroads hoarding investment from east and west. That's happening live 8 in the evening, London time, 10 p.m. in Nairobi only on CNN.
The killing acts of terror. Multiple pipe bombs sent to prominent Democratic figures in the U.S. as well as CNN. When we return the investigation and how President Trump and others are reacting to the crime.
Plus, no more arm guards at the DMC. Why North and South Korea are getting rid of guns in the truce village.
And in a year of big storms, it is one of the biggest and it is tearing through the Pacific. We got the latest on super typhoon Yutu, still to come.
[03:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Welcome back. I'm Kristie Lu Stout, here is an update on out top stories this hour. A wave of pipe bomb in intercepted on Wednesday intended for prominent Democrats including former U.S. president Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. That is triggered in a massive manhunt for the person or persons responsible. One device was sent to CNN although crew and its construction of the New York police commissioner says it was a live explosive device.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, called the killing of Jamal Khashoggi a heinous crime and promises responsible would be held accountable. There had been someone's first public comments since some of his hobbies were indicated in the journalist desk.
Europe's market are falling after a rough day of trading in Asia and the U.S., you can see the (inaudible) 100 down to 1 percent. (Inaudible) losing 6/10 of 1 percent. (Inaudible) losing more than 1 percent in Paris attack all down about 2/10 of 1 percent. (Inaudible) Asia has followed Wall Street's plunged on Wednesday, the Dow and the S&P 500 erased their gains for the year. The NASDAQ dropped more than 4 percent putting it in the complete collection territory. Back to our top story now.
Pipe bombs, sent to top U.S. political figures and CNN. Jim Sciutto has more.
(BEGIN VIDEO) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will turnover every rock, we will turn every
corner and we will talk to everybody that we have to in order to mitigate this threat.
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The FBI is actively investigating the explosive device sent to CNN's New York offices. This after a string of devices were sent to the homes and offices of prominent public figures, including two former Presidents. Authorities are now calling these attempted attacks, acts of terror.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will take every precaution we can, but we will not let terrorism win. Not today, not ever.
SCIUTTO: The device sent to CNN, which was address to former CIA Director John Brennan contained a suspicious white powder as well. It was removed from CNN's offices and taken to an NYPD facility in the Bronx to be analyzed. This is according to a law-enforcement official.
This is a moment of fire alarm went off in our New York offices at 10:09 a.m. Eastern Time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Most of devices and have projectile that -- excuse me, that sounds like a fire alarm here, we will keep you posted on that.
SCIUTTO: The package delivered to CNN was among a series of bomb sent this week to distinguish Democratic leaders, including the D.C. home of former President Barack Obama and in New York, a former President Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: We are fine thanks to the men and women of the secret service who intercepted the package address to us long before it made its way to our home.
SCIUTTO: Another suspicious package intercepted in the mail sorting facility for Capitol Hill, addressed Democratic congresswoman Maxine Waters, a frequent target of President Trump.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes. She is a low I.Q. individual, Maxine Waters.
SCIUTTO: Earlier this week on Monday, a bomb was sent to the upstate New York home of wealthy Democratic donor George Soros, another favorite target Trump and right-wing conspiracy theorist. Today President Trump spoke out against the threats.
TRUMP: In these times we have to unify, we have to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.
SCIUTTO: However, the President has often inflame the political rhetoric. He's crowd in Houston on Monday broke into a CNN (inaudible).
TRUMP: I don't like them either.
SCIUTTO: Dire officials are urging members of the public and politicians to stop the hateful rhetoric for the sake of safety.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It will be wrong for this moment to start pointing fingers and calling names, but it is right to say on creating a peaceful, respectful approach at a peaceful, respectful society starts at the top.
(END VIDEO)
LU STOUT: And that was CNN's Jim Sciutto reporting. Now there is a sign that North and South Korea are getting along better these days. They are getting rid of border post and weapons at the Troost village inside the DMZ and removing 800,000 landmines along the border. Paula Hancocks is following this from Seoul, she joins us now. Paula this is a deeply symbolic development, tell us more.
[03:35:21] PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kristie, this is all part of that military agreement that the leaders of North and South Korea agree to back in Pyongyang last month. They said they were going to try and lower tensions, they are going to demine the demilitarized zone and they will also going to make this joint security area, this is area when North and South Korean soldiers had been facing off against each other for decades.
They are going to make this particular area. The Troost village into an area that has no firearms. The guard post are going to be taken down. Buildings were firearms was told will be sealed up. So that should all happen by today. This is a deal not just between North and South Korea, but also the United Nations command led by the U.S. military which is in charge of the DMZ.
So this is happening today. We understand in the next couple of days that the North and South Korean officials will be verifying that the other side is keeping their word. But it is as you say, a every symbolic move. This is really the year that the resulting image of the division of the Korean peninsula. This DMZC that cuts between North and South Korea and also when it comes to demining that trying to get rid of all of the landmines within the DMZ.
We heard from the South Korean defense ministry that have actually find the remains of what they believe to be either one or two South Korean soldiers dating back from the Korean war set back in the 1950s they believe that they could also find it to 200 South Korean soldiers remains in the area, a hundred U.S. and French remains and an unknown number of North Korean and Chinese soldiers could be in that area as well. So, this is really another sign of the cooperation that was seen between North and South Korea.
LU STOUT: Yes, this is a deeply symbolic moment and is it also a painstaking process as well as involves as you just described a delicate task of identifying remains that would be dug up, you know just trying to remove firearms, mines, guard post and everything has to be verified on both sides as well. HANCOCKS: Absolutely. And it a trilateral effort as I say not just
the North and South Koreans, but the U.N. command has to be a part of this as well and everybody has to make sure that are verifying the other party. But it is symbolic, the fact that there will be no firearms at the DMZ, but it also is a move forward when you consider just a year ago that was North Korean soldier who defected from North to South Korea, across that MDL, the military demarcation line. He was shot a number of times by his -- by the North Korea soldiers trying to prevent him defecting. He did survive the defection itself. But it just shows that having firearms in a particularly intense area, when North and South Korean soldiers are very close, in close proximity has been problematic in the past, many of those bullets from the North Korean soldiers did land in the South Korean side the JSA.
So this is really just showing that what Kim Jong-un, what the South Korea president Moon Jae-in agreed in Pyongyang last month that they wanted to demilitarize this part of the demilitarized zone, is going ahead as planned, Kristie.
LU STOUT: Yes. Disarming the DMZ, a big development in terms of the relationship between North and South Korea. Paula Hancocks reporting live from Seoul. Thank you.
Super typhoon Yutu, it is one of the most powerful tropical cyclones on the planet this year. It has hit the Northern Mariana Islands. Meteorologist Derek Van Dam, joins us now in the International Weather Center, he has got the details and Derek the Marianas, they were hit hard by the super typhoon.
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: This was a monster for this island chain. This is the satellite presentation of super typhoon Yutu, we like to refer to this (inaudible) a typhoon and we say that because it almost resembles a saucer, you can see the very ragged edges on the outside, but it just kind of spin across these area.
There is a Mariana Islands and if we get in a little bit closer. You can see the moment when the eye of this powerful category five equivalent typhoon passed and enveloped the entire island of tenure and much of Saipan and this is an area the entire island of (inaudible) and much of Saipan. This is an area that has got struck very hard. We are starting to see some of the first images, coming out of Saipan
This is assenting to CNN and you can sees some of the initial destruction and trust me, I've been in enough hurricanes to know that this is exactly what would expect to see, our house is completely removed from their foundations, trees and powerlines completely snapped extensive coastal storm surge and flooding from this area, roofs blown off buildings.
[03:40:11] This is being materialized as they are starting to now see the full extent of the damage that has been brought on by super typhoon Yatu or Yutu. It has been an extremely difficult 24 hours for the Mariana Islands chains, particularly Taipan, the Saipan region. Now there have been three typhoons that have actually made landfall in Saipan over at least since 1950. When accurate readings have been realized now this was actually the strongest typhoon to reach that particular island nation and to put it even in the further perspective, were talking about the second strongest cycle to the U.S., including its mainland, its territories and all the common walls of the United States are called home and in just a second to be labeled Labor Day hurricane that struck back in 1935 in the Florida keys.
So where's the storm headed, well it got a long way to go until it reaches another island or another mainland, another 5 to 6 days before he really start to talk about potential impacts to Taiwan or even Japan, but nonetheless that is where it's headed. It is expected to slowly start the weaken, but Kristie, this form is incredible to see that it went from a category one hurricane equivalent to a category five in just 24 hours. That is called rapid intensification and that is something that were seeing more and more of as the ocean gets warmer.
LU STOUT: Yes. It is trend that seems to be happening more and more in reporting a lot a lot a lot on the ground as well. As (inaudible) hurricane just toward the Mariana Islands, the pictures and devastation, they were just heartbreaking. Derek Van Dam, thank you so much for you reporting and take care. You are watching CNN Newsroom. And still to come, why Russia refuses to criticized Saudi Arabia in the wake of the killing of a Saudi journalist who is based in the U.S. Plus, new migrant caravans are forming in Central America hoping to make it to the U.S.
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LU STOUT: Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has secured $6 billion in financial support from Saudi Arabia just as Riyadh reels from international outrage over the killing of a journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The deal was struck at that Saudi investment conference. The one called Dollars in the Desert.
[03:45:00] A long list of business leaders skip the event to protest the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, Pakistan faces tough economic times. Mr. Khan's and his country was desperate to shore up its heeling economy.
Russia is downplaying the death of Khashoggi and its distance itself from the wave of international criticism against Saudi Arabia. Moscow has good representation at the Saudi investment conference. Matthew Chance joins us now from Moscow with more. Matthew, could we be surprise that Russia is withholding judgment on Saudi Arabia?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kristie. I guess no, given the kind of relationship. That Russia is trying to forge with Saudi Arabia in the future that other countries are talking about stopping arm sales, downgrading diplomatic relations, halting business deals, but Moscow has made it clear that it sees Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner.
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CHANCE: I have been overshadowed by the killing of a dissident journalist. But that is not stopping Russia sending a high-level delegation for the Saudi investment, led by the head of its multi billion dollars sovereign wealth fund.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course, the tragedy that happen is very tragic event and responsible step to be punish, but we believe that Saudi Arabia transformation needs to be supported. We are here to invest jointly in many different things and I will be waiting for the results of the investigation.
CHANCE: the word Moscow really waiting for say critics is any chance of exploiting divisions over the Khashoggi killing between Saudi Arabia and its western backers, particularly the United States. President Trump himself expressed concern that canceling the lucrative arms contracts with Riyadh would be too costly.
TRUMP: They are going to say hey, America wants out on the missiles, we are buying from China or we are buying from Russia.
CHANCE: It certainly true that Russia and Saudi Arabia traditional rivals cultivating closer political and economic ties in recent years. And the Kremlin is being super careful not to throw any future Saudi deals in to date. Refusing to be drawn to any criticism of the kingdom.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (TRANSLATOR): First of all, we should wait for the results of the investigation. How can we -- Russia start supporting our relationship with Saudi Arabia without knowing what in fact happen.
CHANCE: Russia of course has its own recent experience of butchering assassinations abroad. Moscow was accused of ordering the poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer surrogates Skripal in the English City of Salisbury early this year. It also has a dismal record on protecting its journalist's dozens of human rights groups say have been killed in Russia for their work. Small wonder its withholding judgment now.
(END VIDEO)
CHANCE: Kristie, that policy of restraint from the parts of Russia is already starting to yield results, because Moscow is next to the Saudi Arabia is ready to invest at least $5 billion in a very important major natural gas project in the Russian arctic, Russian officials hopes it is the first of what might be many more similar deals like it's in the future. Back to you.
LU STOUT: So the international community pulls back from Saudi Arabia, Russia moving in, striking to deals. Matthew Chance, reporting live from Moscow. Thank you Matthew.
A caravan of migrants trekking to Mexico is still 1600 km away from the U.S. border, but other groups are already following in their footsteps. U.S. officials had been tracking a caravan forming in El Salvador and a migrant caravan of around 2000 people has reach Guatemala from Honduras as for the original caravan discussions are underway between Washington and Mexico on how to deal with the migrants if they reach the U.S. border.
The grueling journey would not be undertaken if these migrants were facing difficult conditions back in their home countries. Patrick Oppmann is with them and discover why so many are willing to endure so much to escape.
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PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Another group of the migrant caravan heading United States. Another night sleeping on concrete with thousands of people. Some get ready for the day. Children play games as if they were still home. Others decide to sleep a little longer. Maria Antonia, and her two-month-old daughter Estrella on the pavement when they spent the night.
Maria Antonia says, she was leaving Honduras to live in Australia in the future. There is no work here, she says. She has nothing to live on. On the same block, Kevin ask people for coins, he is traveling alone to join an older brother in U.S. hoping to send money back home.
[03:50:00] He says he is 14 but looks much younger, we are strong in phase to keep him safe.
Akimery tells me where to work and eat and have my family over the town plaza, Brian is figuring out how to get back to U.S. We will walk as long as it takes to reunite with his three year-old daughter an American citizen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She is the one who actually need me most now, so, and I don't want her to grow without me.
OPPMANN: They were a thousand miles to go to the U.S. Mexico border, were they will not be welcome. The government is pressuring the Mexican government to support 7,000 members of this migrant caravan back home, because they say there are terrorist or dangerous gang members in their midst. Everyone that we had talked to here says the exact opposite. We are not gang members, these are victims. Out of control gangs (inaudible) everyone. Sometime to produce a few dollars.
That is why she came she tells me, they charge more tax there. You don't pay -- she says she hopes her baby daughter is too young to remember the hell they are fleeing from and hell they are living now. Patrick Oppmann, CNN, Mexico.
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LU STOUT: You are watching CNN Newsroom and coming up next. Our exclusive interview with Tim Cooks. Found out what Apple CEO now thinks about the matriculation for the tech industry.
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LU STOUT: Welcome back. Now, Apple CEO Tim Cook is calling for tougher privacy laws. He was speaking with our Christiane Amanpour in an exclusive CNN interview, take a listen. (BEGIN VIDEO)
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: When you see the parameters of regulation you call for federal regulation right?
TIM COOK, CEO, APPLE: Yes, you know, usually I'm not a big pro- regulation kind of person. I believe in free markets, but I think we have to admit when a free market doesn't work and take an action and in this case, it's clear that the amount of things that can be collected about you without your knowledge. Maybe with your concern. Although it's a 70 page legal piece of paper just is his reasonable, and these things can be used for such nefarious things. We have seen examples of this over the last several years and we think it's time now to take this thing in put it under control because if we don't the problem gets so large that it may be impossible to fix.
AMANPOUR: What you actually quite blunt in your speech today just on this issue. You are talking about profiles people's profiles. The profile is run through algorithms that conserve up increasingly extreme content pounding on harmless preferences in the hardened convictions and then you say we should sugarcoat the consequences. This is surveillance that is pretty controversial.
COOK: Well, it is the truth and I always get back to that is what is the truth and I do see this as a crisis. I see -- I see privacy is one of the top issues in the top few issues of the century. And it is to that level and because of the number of nefarious things that can happen -- I advocates to put the user in control, completely in control of their data in a very transparent manner and you know, there is a lot more behind that now, but that is the spirit of it. Your data is yours, it is not mine.
[03:55:15] AMANPOUR: And you said if we don't get a grip and you are saying like industry, it doesn't get a grip, if the market doesn't get a grip then either can get out of control or others can impose regulations at some points.
COOK: Try to be clear though I'm sorry to interrupt, I'm not saying this to the tech industry. This is broader than the tech industry, because many firms out there collecting data and so in the there's a whole data industry called the data broker kind of industry, right. That sole objective is to gather data on people and so I made a broad speech about a very key policy on and I think is critical that every country in the world.
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LU STOUT: Apple Tim Cook there. You could watch the rest of Christiane interview with Tim Cook today 6:00 p.m. London on Amanpour.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are keeping up a vigorous phase on their 16 day tour of Australian nations. British Prince Harry and his pregnant wife, Meghan Markle, they arrive in Tonga on Thursday after visits to Australia and Fiji, they met Tonga's King and Queen and attended their official reception and dinner featuring traditional entertainment. Well couple return later this week to Australia for the close of the Invictus game, for concluding their visit with the tour of New Zealand.
A tree prince by the elusive British artist Banksy has sold at auction, but this time they are all in one piece. No shredder no prankster, organizers of Wednesday's auction in Paris. They were not taking any chances. They check it up beforehand to make sure there wouldn't be any surprises like last time when growth balloon shredded itself after sold. That once still went for $1.4 million.
This tree prince sold for $137,000. Thank you for your company. I'm Kristie Lu Stout. You can connect with me anytime on twitter if you like. The news continues with Hannah Vaughan Jones in London. You are watching CNN.
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