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Macedonia Declares State of Emergency Over Migrant Crisis; Marshall Islands Disappearing; North Koreans Claim South Is Putting Peninsula on Brink of War; Banksy's Dismaland. Aired 8:00a-9:00a ET

Aired August 21, 2015 - 8:00   ET

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

[08:00:16] KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. And welcome to News Stream.

Now, North Korea blames the South for pushing the peninsula to what it calls the brink of war. We examine the rising rhetoric from Pyongyang and

Seoul.

Plus, riot police in Macedonia appear to fire tear gas on people trying to cross the border from Greece.

And, two degrees: why that tiny number could have a huge impact on the future of our planet.

North Korea is ramping up its rhetoric as tensions mount on the Korean peninsula. In an emergency news conference a short time ago, the country's

ambassador to China said the situation is, quote, inching closer to the brink of war. And he blamed the south.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JI JAE RYONG, NORTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR TO CHINA: The situation of the country is now inching closer to the brink of war due to the continued

anti-DPRK political and military provocations by the U.S imperialists and the South Korean puppet forces.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Now tensions between North and South have been escalating following an artillery exchange along their heavily fortified border on

Thursday.

Now Kathy Novak has more from near the DMZ.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHY NOVAK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: South Korea's Defense Ministry says it will strongly retaliate if there is further provocation

from North Korea and the state run News Agency KCNA says North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un called an emergency meeting of his central military

commission and ordered his army to be prepared to launch surprise attacks.

There's a deadline looming. Pyongyang has told South Korea that it must stop its campaign of psychological warfare by 5:00 pm tomorrow or it

will take military action. It's angry because South Korea has been using propaganda speakers set up along the border to broadcast anti North Korean

messages into North Korea.

On the weekend Pyongyang threatened to blow up those speakers and threatened indiscriminate attacks against South Korea.

But South Korea is refusing to stop the broadcast. It says they are in retaliation for landmine attacks that injured two of its soldiers that it

is blaming on North Korea. And because it is refusing to stop the broadcast it is preparing for further provocation tomorrow. The military here is on

high alert.

This is all happening while the United States and South Korea hold joint military exercises those always anger the regime of Kim Jong-un and

cause further tensions here on the Korean peninsula. The United States Defense Department says it is monitoring the situation closely.

Kathy Novak, CNN Paju, South Korea.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: So, what sort of psychological warfare is being used?

Well, a South Korean defense ministry spokesman tells CNN they've been blaring things like music, weather updates and, as you'd expect, anti-North

Korean messages.

Now, a former North Korean army officer recalls hearing the South's loud speaker propaganda back in the 1990s.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHOI JEUNG-HEOKI, FRM. NORTH KOREAN ARMY OFFICER (through translator): They said that when we defect they will provide us a house, car and

guarantee all living expenses after getting married.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Says that he was so inspired by the South's messages that he defected and started his own radio station to secretly broadcast into

North Korea. And he calls the loudspeaker campaign one of the most powerful weapons for helping sway the North Korean people.

Now a South Korean official says that they will continue blasting propaganda across the border from 11 areas along the DMZ. And we're

covering the latest with our Kathy Novak stationed there.

And we also will have Will Ripley in Beijing. And they join us now.

Believe it can go to Will Ripley first. Will, that press conference that happened a couple of hours ago by the North Korean embassy there in

Beijing, what was said? And it seems to be only adding to the tension.

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, essentially what was said, Kristie, by Ji Jae Ryong, the North Korean ambassador here in China is

basically a continuation of what we heard from Kim Jong-un, that North Korean troops are now stationed along the entire length of the

demilitarized zone, the DMZ, and if that deadline of 5:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, less than 24 hours from now, is not met, if South Korea

doesn't stop blaring propaganda messages on those large loudspeakers over the border, the ambassador saying that North Korean troops are on standby

and ready to launch surprise attacks at any time.

One thing the ambassador said, and I'm reading this quote, he says our army never says empty words, meaning that the North Koreans are very

serious about this.

Now we do know that in the past words like war have been used even as recently as February of this year and the situation has defused. But what

makes this different, Kristie, as you know, has been the tension that has been building between the North and the South in recent weeks, all of it

surrounding North Korean fury over the joint military exercises that started on Monday and go until next Friday between the U.S. and South

Korea. 30,000 U.S. troops working with 50,000 South Korean troops. One of the things that they're doing are simulations of a possible North Korean

invasion. North Korea on August 4 as a result of their anger, the south claims they planted landmines in the DMZ, that's a claim, by the way, that

North Korea denies.

But two South Korean soldiers were almost killed as a result of hitting those landmines.

Then on August 10, this propaganda started. Those speakers that haven't been used in about a decade, it (inaudible) North Korean side.

North Korea then set up their own speakers, started broadcasting their own message, the promise indiscriminate strikes. On Thursday there was a

warning letter sent to South Korea and then we know on Thursday also both sides exchanged fire, the most serious exchange of fire in some five years

and you'll remember back in October of 2010, Kristie, that's when 50 South Korean troops died as the result of two different incidents. Everybody, of

course, hoping that things in this case do not escalate to that point where there would be a loss of life or an escalating conflict, Kristie.

LU STOUT: Yeah. And now we have fresh exchange of fire involving artillery shells. Will Ripley joining us live from Beijing.

Now, let's go to our Kathy Novak in Seoul. And Kathy, meanwhile there in South Korea we were just airing some video of it, scenes from the

streets of South Korea, hundreds of people protesting against North Korea. It seems that tempers are flaring on a street level there in the South

Korean capital.

NOVAK: Absolutely. And these protests were occurring as well when South Korea resumed its propaganda broadcasts across the DMZ in retaliation

for what it says (inaudible) landmines that badly injured two of its soldiers.

South Korea is under a bit of pressure to show that it will not put up with North Korean provocation. So what it is saying now is it not going to

be stopping its propaganda broadcasts, and it is prepared for the high probability that North Korea will attack those speakers when the deadline

hits tomorrow.

We know that Pyongyang has issued an ultimatum saying to South Korea it must stop this psychological warfare by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, or it

will take military action.

As far as the defense ministry is concern, it says that South Korea will strong retaliate if there is any additional provocation from North

Korea -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: Yeah, South Korea has indeed vowed to hit back with overwhelming strength. Kathy Novak joining us live from Seoul. Earlier,

we had our Will Ripley in Beijing. A big thank you to you both.

Now turning now to the bombing investigation in Bangkok. And the main focus remains on the man in the CCTV video. He is described in an arrest

warrant as an unidentified foreigner. Now police say that they're not sure if he's still even inside Thailand.

Now the reward for information leading to his arrest is now tripled to 84,000. Monday's attack left 20 people dead.

And police are also looking for a woman described as wearing a black shirt. And she can be part of a much wider network. Andrew Stevens has

the latest from Bangkok.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREW STEVENS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Police in Bangkok now say they think at least ten people were involved, and what they say was a

well-organized team that executed the attack on Erawan Shrine on Monday evening. They say they've obtained evidence to suggest that several people

were involved in plotting the attack and also acquiring the materials as well as building the bomb, all done under the radar, of course. They

haven't shared what that evidence is at the moment.

At this stage they're also pulling back on making any link with international terrorism. They say they have been talking to Interpol and

sharing information with security agencies in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia, and the consensus opinion is that it is not an international

conspiracy which brings the focus at least somewhat back onto domestic issues. And they say they're not ruling anything out at this stage.

They've, meanwhile, increased the reward for any information leading to the arrest of the man in the yellow shirt, the man they say they're now

very sure is the bomber. Apart from the early breakthrough when they identified the man they think is the bomber, there's been very little else

solid and concrete.

They've actually ruled out two other suspects they thought were initially accomplices, and they're now saying that the network that was

used may be more than ten people. Very frustrating for the police, but also very frustrating and also very worrying for the people of Bangkok.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: That was Andrew Stevens reporting.

Now, the 20 people killed in the attack came from eight countries and all walks of life. And in Bangkok today, religious leaders from different

faiths gathered at the Erawan shrine to honor them. Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Hindu and Sikhs, they all prayed together and performed rites

together.

Now the shrine houses the statue of a Thai representation of a Hindu god, but the site is open to people from all faiths.

You're watching News Stream. And still ahead on the program, Macedonia declares a state of emergency and deploys police to protect its

borders.

Also ahead, snap elections for Greece. What is next for the nation after the prime minister's resignation.

And climate change, it is threatening to wipe the Marshall Islands off the map. Find out how residents are trying to fight it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Coming to you live from Hong Kong, you're back watching News Stream.

Now in the wake of last week's deadly chemical explosions in Tianjin, China is tightening safety checks on companies working with chemicals,

that's according to state media. Citing the Beijing work safety bureau, at least 116 people were killed in Tianjin, many of them firefighters.

And earlier today, four new fires broke out at the blast site.

And some newly released satellite images are revealing the extent of the destruction in Tianjin, this one was taken on June 15, that's nearly

two months before the blasts.

Now, look at this satellite image. This one was taken on August 17, that is five days after the explosions. And buildings that used to line

several streets, they're just gone.

And a worrying scene that has stoked fears in Tianjin, this thousands of dead fish lining the shores of a local river.

Now a state news agency, Xinhua, says no toxic levels of cyanide were detected in water taken there, and that it is not uncommon for fish to die

en masse like this in the summertime.

But that has not stopped Chinese web users from asking questions. In fact, one Weibo blogger says this, quote, "they say these fish were not

poisoned. Do officials dare to eat them?"

Another blogger says that he has never seen so many dead fish. He asks this, quote, "should the mayor of Tianjin resign?"

Now a new report claims that hackers from China may have carried out cyber attacks on organizations in India. Now according to the security

company FireEye, the hackers they tried to access information about border disputes.

In the upcoming episode of On China, I spoke to FireEye's senior director and other panelists about cyber espionage. Here's a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WIAS ISSA, SENIOR DIRECTOR ASIA PACIFIC JAPAN, FIREEYE: Organizations around the world, governments around the world, are vulnerable. And they

are more and more vulnerable

Here in Asia, we see a higher level of vulnerability because you're being targeted more frequently.

You mentioned the South China Sea, that's a geopolitical issues that play into interests by specific groups to gather information. There is a

specific group that we refer to as APT30. We believe they're based in China, supported by government within China, and they've, you know,

launched a decade long cyber espionage campaign targeting diplomats, political figures, private organizations as well as journalists. They want

information about the (inaudible). They want information about human rights issues, about technology, about things that are relevant to what's

going on in the South China Sea.

And I think politically, as you see an uptick in things that cause friction amongst nations in this region, then you'll see higher increased

levels of cyber, and that typically will lead to more distrust. And the U.S.'s, you know, point of view is typically been stop and then we can come

to the table and have the conversation, but you must stop first.

[08:15:44] LU STOUT: It's interesting, when there is a real world flashpoint, it becomes a cyber flashpoint and then just aggravates the real

world relationship even more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: All right. And that was Wias Issa of FireEye speaking to me earlier.

You can catch the full episode in the next week On China. It will be airing Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Hong Kong time -- not this weekend, but the

following weekend, also 8:30 p.m. Tokyo time. So, keep an eye out for it. It will be happening later this week on CNN.

Now, we want to update you on the criminal case surrounding last year's stabbing of the Hong Kong journalist Kevin Lau (ph). The two men

convicted of attacking the former newspaper editor have both been sentenced to 19 years in prison. Now Lau was critically injured in that attack,

which happened just weeks after he was suddenly sacked from his post as the chief editor of Ming Pao, a newspaper that was known for its hard hitting

reporting on China.

Now it triggered demonstrations about (inaudible) clamp down on press freedom in Hong Kong.

You're watching News Stream. And coming up next, just two degrees, well they might seem like an insignificant and small number, experts say

just a mere two degrees rise in global temperatures could wipe out entire nations. We'll have more, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Welcome back. Now, two degrees Celsius, experts say that tiny number means the difference between stabilizing global warming and

total runaway climate change.

And Saturday marks 100 days until world leaders come together in Paris for a conference considered the last chance to avoid a catastrophe.

It's called COP-21. And it's hoped to produced the first ever legally binding universally applicable plan to combat global warming.

Now the agreement would essentially be a more comprehensive and legally enforced successor to the Kyoto Protocol. That expires in 2020 and

excludes top greenhouse gas emitting countries.

In 2009, attempts to reach a similar agreement at the climate conference in Copenhagen failed.

Now countries all over the world experience extreme heat waves in the past few months, but for the tiny Marshall Islands, climate change brings

more than just rising temperatures and extreme weather, it threatens their lives and their culture.

John Sutter takes a look at the dangers the island nation is facing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN SUTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is Marshall Islands, a country way out in the Pacific. It's already super tiny and it's about to get

smaller. Why is that? The ocean is rising.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I look out the window, wow, I was so scared.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was water on the bed that I sleep on. It was kind of like a dream, but it was real.

SUTTER; Way out here, there's no room for debate climate change is real and people see it happening now.

The islands just barely peek out above seal level. If seas rise, even just a meter or two, scientists say this country will vanish.

Where would you go if climate change wiped your country off the map? If you're Marshallese, there's a surprising answer -- Arkansas, Springdale

to be exact.

CARMEN CHONG GUM, CONSUL GENERAL, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS: Northwest Arkansas has the largest number of Marshallese in the continental United

States.

SUTTER: Since the 1980s, the Marshallese have been coming to Springdale in search of jobs and education. The consulate tells me 10,000

Marshallese already live in this area, and with climate change more people are probably on the way.

GUM: A person called me and said ever thought about climate change refugees?

CYNTHIA RIKLON, ARKANSAS RESIDENT: When they saw big waves come in, you can hear it all night long.

SUTTER: Cynthia grew up in Rita (ph), a neighborhood on the water. She moved to Arkansas last year in part because of terrifying floods.

RIKLON: I feel safe here, because I don't hear the scary sound of the ocean. I don't have to sleep and think about the wave coming in.

SUTTER: Cynthia's nephew Mark arrived in February, leaving his girlfriend and two children behind on the Islands.

MARK RIKLON, ARKANSAS RESIDENT: They would have to come here to live here because if global warming, the islands will disappear.

SUTTER: Cynthia and Mark live in a three bedroom apartment with eight other family members. It sounds cramped, but that's kind of like home.

C. RIKLON: I'm used to sleeping with my children and my nieces, my nephews, that how we usually sleep. That's how we get close to one

another.

SUTTER: For now, moving to Springdale is a choice for more Marshallese, but within our lifetimes flooding associated with climate

change could start forcing people out. In other words, Springdale, Arkansas could become the new Marshall Islands.

But here's the thing, if nothing changes, Marshallese kids won't have any choice about whether to move back to their home. Those islands, their

country, won't exist. It's up to us to cut carbon emissions and fast, otherwise what now is a climate migration, will likely become a refugee

crisis.

C. RIKLON: You know, thinking about my father whose body is there. Even though they passed away, but their bodies are there. If the island

sink, then it's like losing them forever.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Wow, beautiful portrait of the people directly affected by climate change.

Now, CNN's John Sutter joins us now live from CNN Center. And John, as sea levels rise, the Marshall Islands could disappear. What can we do

to help save the islands?

SUTTER: So, I think it's pretty clear we know what we need to do to help save these islands and it's to cut carbon pollution and to do it fast.

And, you know, as you mentioned there are climate talks coming up in Paris at the end of the year, and this is seen by many as one of the best chances

to focus the world's attention on this topic and to get serious emission reductions.

You know, there are a bunch of pledges on the table right now from the U.S. from China, from the EU, about how much, you know, they want to cut

emissions. And right now it -- they're not enough to stop warming at two degrees. Two degrees is the international goal for climate negotiations.

We don't want to warm more than that. And scientists say that there's some level of catastrophe that follows a two degree world.

So, you know, the negotiators that I've talked and the experts who are following these talks say that more needs to be done and there needs to be

sort of mechanisms put in place to tighten restrictions on carbon pollution going forward. At the Paris talks and then even beyond that to make sure

that countries like the Marshall Islands can survive.

They're at such -- it's such a threatening position, it's so bizarre to be in a place like that where you are just completely surrounded by

water almost at sea level, and feeling incredibly vulnerable. People out there know about climate change and they feel that vulnerability in a very

serious way.

LU STOUT: Yeah, they're so exposed, so vulnerable and in your article on CNN.com, you also say on an individual level we could help by saving

electricity, by supporting clean power, even by eating less meat. I encourage everyone to check out your articles.

Despite the information out there, John, on climate change, it's a fact, it's happening, we're involved. There is still a lot of

misconceptions about climate change, and among those misconceptions what have surprised you the most?

SUTTER: Yeah, I think there's tons of misinformation and a lack of information on this topic. There is a study that came out earlier this

year that said 40 percent of adults around the world have never heard of climate change. And many of these people -- the percentage is even higher

in places like Bangladesh which like the Marshall Islands could see a lot of its land disappear because of rising seas. The estimates for Bangladesh

were something like 10 to 15 percent of the land gone if temperatures rise two degrees.

So, I think a lack of information is a lot of it. I hear misconceptions about what's causing climate change. The main driver is

burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and generate heat.

You mentioned meat production, like our readers actually voted for that to be the next story that we'll tackle in this series looking at

agriculture and its impact. It's about 14.5 percent, livestock production its total contribution to greenhouse gases. So there are other things

playing in here, but it's fairly simple. It's pollution from burning coal natural gas, fossil fuels to power our industrial lifestyles. And what

experts are saying is we need to, on a personal level, and on a global level shift away from that and towards cleaning technologies like solar and

wind.

LU STOUT: Your report form the Marshall Islands, your upcoming report on meat production, it's all part of what's called two degrees, this

initiative. And you're not just reporting on climate change, but you're also trying to get CNN's global audience to have a conversation, a fact-

based conversation about it. So, how can we take part?

SUTTER: Yeah, absolutely. Like, now and up until the Paris talks, which are 100 days from tomorrow, we're trying to get people involved.

Readers are actually commissioning the stories that we do in the series, so you have a lot of power to shape our coverage. If you go to the homepage

CNN.com/twodegrees, you can sign up for an email newsletter that will keep you updated on what we're doing and let you know when there are new polls

out there. You can literally vote to select the stories that we'll cover.

And then we're going to have a Facebook chat at noon eastern time tomorrow on CNN International's Facebook page. And I'll be there answering

questions about climate change in general, about the two degree targets, what's happening with Paris, anything you'd like to know.

You know, I really think it's important to talk about these issues with each other and build momentum for some real action on this.

LU STOUT: Yeah, it's a great initiative. And thank you so much for leading it.

John Sutter joining us live from CNN Center. Thank you, John.

Now, 70 percent of the world's greenhouse gases can be linked to the following countries: China emits the highest amount of greenhouse gases

with the United States following close behind. The European Union comes in third followed by India, Russia and Indonesia. Now Brazil, Japan, Canada

and Mexico complete the list.

And while China's carbon emissions are high, a new study suggests they may not be quite as bad as initially thought. It's an interesting report.

It was published in nature. And it says international environmental agencies may have over-estimated China's emissions by as much as 14

percent.

Now that is because China tends to burn a lower quality coal like brown coal, which has smaller carbon content than the coal that's burned in

the U.S. and in Europe.

Now, Macedonia is the latest front in the migrant crisis gripping Europe. And after the break, we got a look at how the government is

cracking down.

Also ahead, Greeks will soon have to head back to the polls now that the prime minister has resigned. A live report from Greece is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:31:26] LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong, you're watching News Stream and these are your world headlines.

Now, the North Korean ambassador to China says that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is, quote, inching closer to the brink of war. North

Korea's state news agency says leader Kim Jong-un has ordered his front line troops to move to a wartime footing. Now the government in Seoul says

it will retaliate if there is additional provocation from the north.

As Thai authorities search for the main suspect in Monday's deadly bombing, they are tripling the reward money in the case. It has been

raised to $84,000. Now police are also looking for a woman described as wearing a black shirt.

Police in Macedonia push back thousands of migrants today as they tried to enter the country from Greece. The crackdown comes a day after

Macedonia declared a state of emergency on its borders to cut off the overwhelming flood of migrants.

Macedonia has mobilized its army and deployed riot police. More than 40,000 migrants from the Middle East in Africa have arrived in Macedonia in

the last two months. Now senior international correspondent Arwa Damon spoke to us from Istanbul a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This really is a heartbreaking, untenable situation, the vast majority of these individuals

are refugees of the war in Syria, having already left their homes. Everything that they possess behind and were hoping that Europe could

perhaps offer them a semblance of a life.

Tens of thousands of them have made this perilous journey, or at least attempted to starting here in Turkey crossing the Mediterranean and then

landing in Greece. But the Macedonian minister of interior spokesman saying that his country could no longer handle the influx from Greece.

These individuals go through Macedonia. The spokesman saying that 1,400, 2,000 of them were crossing on a near daily basis. Now the

Macedonian authorities have shut down that border with force.

Video showing how tear gas and other uses of force were employed to try to keep the migrants back inside Greece.

This is what one migrant had to say.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't tell you. I see it. We walk in front of the police. Obviously (inaudible) officer people, they shoot the people.

DAMON: Shutting down the border may create a short-term solution for Macedonia at best, but it most certainly is not a solution to this growing

crisis. It is only going to be creating a bottleneck in Greece, a country that most certainly cannot afford the migrants, the influx of migrants,

that has already been taking place, nor will they be able to afford to feed a growing migrant and refugee population.

Across Europe, we are seeing other similar measures taking place as with Hungary, for example, also building a wall. It really is up to the

international community at this stage to various different countries to really try to shoulder the burden of responsibility here so that the world,

the globe, does not continue to fell those that are most in need.

Arwa Damon, CNN, Istanbul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Now hundreds of people arriving every day on the Greek island of Kos, but the photo of one man and his family has really struck a

cord with people around the world.

Now photographer Daniel Etter explains what led up to this moment.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANIEL ETTER (PH), PHOTOGRAPHER: The family came on a very small inflatable rubber raft, not even like a professional boat. And they were

on that boat with 12 people in total. It was probably good for four, maximum six people.

I just looked at the photos again and the boat was about to sink. It would have taken probably like half an hour or more.

So, they finally reached the shore and finally reached safety. And everybody there was just overwhelmed and relieved and especially this

father who when he went out the boat could barely walk. He was like struggling to get out of the boat and was helped by the -- by his oldest

sons.

And then the family was just overwhelmed and tears of joy and sadness and relief and you know love for the family and all of them together in

that one moment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Wow, and extraordinary moment, and such a stirring image.

Now the International Organization for Migration says that most of the people crossing the Mediterranean to Europe have come from Syria just like

that family in the photograph.

Now the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has resigned triggering early parliamentary elections. The Syriza leader says that he plans to run

again.

And Elinda Labropoulou is tracking developments from Parga in Greece. She joins us now. And Elinda, as the Greek prime minister resigns, we've

also learned that rebel members of his party say they're joining a new party. What does all of this mean for the people and the nation of Greece?

ELINDA LABROPOULOU, JOURNALIST: Well, it seems that the hard left of the Syriza Party, the government, effectively have decided to break away

from the party once the prime minister announced that he will be stepping down and calling snap election, triggering a snap election, if you like.

So, basically we're seeing this rift that has been going on for a long time in the government now finally taking shape.

It seems that the Greek prime minister could no longer go on with a party that he has. He has a lot of resistance from his own

parliamentarians once the third bailout for Greece was decided. He lost the majority of his own parliamentarians in the Greek parliament. And that

put him in a corner. Effectively it meant that all the reforms he would have to implement would only have the support of the opposition.

So, he decided to call a snap election at this point once the bailout had just been voted in, before the reforms are really kicking in, before

the impact is there.

This has been interpreted mainly as a way of him trying to sort of tidy up his own party in order to be able to implement these very, very

difficult reforms that the Greeks will have to face. And it seems that the timing of this election is very significant, which is the bailout was just

voted in last week when a lot of people were away on holiday so, before we really see the impact of the new measures kicking in and at a time that the

Greek prime minister still enjoys great popularity.

Now, many say that his popularity may actually start dropping once people really start feeling that impact and so the timing for this election

seems to be right for the prime minister right now.

LU STOUT; Yeah, this is certainly been a dramatic chapter for Greece and its ongoing economic crisis. Elinda Labropoulou reporting live for us.

Thank you, Elinda.

You're watching News Stream. And still to come, it is filled with rides and beloved cartoon characters, but Banksy's new Dismaland is not the

kind of amusement park you're used to. We'll take you there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:40:21] LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now the elusive street artist Banksy is behind Britain's newest theme park, but Dismaland is likely to leave you more bemused than amused. Robyn

Kriel takes us inside. And yes, her report contains flashing images.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBYN KRIEL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Europe's horse meat scandal, the migrant boat crisis, life in a police state.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome to Dismaland.

KRIEL: This is no ordinary art show.

Well, after months of anticipation Banksy's biggest exhibition to date, a play on Walt Disney's Disneyland.

Inside, Cinderella's crashed carriage, the princess surrounded by paparazzi. The piece speaks of shattered dreams of one wannabe princesses

and today's hungry celebrity pop culture.

Social issues of corruption, injustice and politics at the forefront challenging our ideas, provoking discussion and arguments.

Featuring artists such as Banksy himself as elusive and anonymous as ever, cementing his status as a key player on the global art stage right

next to big names like Damien Hirst.

California Jeff Gillette says he's never met Banksy and was contacted by the guerrilla artist's people via Facebook and invited to particpate.

JEFF GILLETTE, ARTIST: It's more you've got to go in there and experience and think and wonder and maybe get mad or maybe laugh and it's

all here. That's a deeper entertainment than I think any other theme park would have.

KRIEL: The bemusement park is also meant to be interactive and experiential.

What we think is that we're going to be turned upside down in some weird and wonderful way.

With rides, carnival competitions...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, first winner of the day.

KRIEL: And the controversial migrant boat crisis turned into a bumper game.

There is nothing lighthearted or simple here. Dismaland is the tragic end of a fairy tale rather than its beginning.

Robyn Kriel, CNN, Weston-super-Mare England.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: An intriguing place.

And that is News Stream. I'm Kristie Lu Stout, but don't go anywhere. World Sport with Alex Thomas is next.

END