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North Korea Says It Test Fired New Hypersonic Missile; Residents Told to Shelter in Place As Lava Reaches Ocean; Timeline of Brian Laundries Movement Now Clearer; Messi Scores First Goal for PSG in Win Over Man City. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired September 29, 2021 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM, I'm Isa Soares. If you're just joining us let me bring you up to date with the top story this hour.

In the U.S. top military leaders will face a second round of questions on the chaotic exit from Afghanistan. On Tuesday, they admitted to Congress they did not plan for the Afghan government's quick reveal.

And Japan's ruling party is just days from Fumio Kishida as its new leader. He will eventually taking the role of Japan's new Prime Minister.

South Korea's says Pyongyang's newly tested hypersonic missile appears to be in the early stage of development and it can be detected and intercepted by South Korea and U.S. military assets. It was launched into the waters off the East Coast of the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday and marks North Korea's third missile test this month.

Let's get more on this. CNN's Will Ripley is in Taipei. And Will, explain to our viewers what exactly is the hypersonic missile and how worried -- if they're worried it all -- is the region to news that North Korea has this technology and is testing it?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Isa, both very good questions. Because a lot of us haven't really heard of hypersonic missiles because they're actually pretty rare. Only two countries right now are known to have them deployed, that would be China and Russia. The United States is also developing and testing hypersonic missile technology.

Hypersonic by definition is a missile that travels five times the speed of sound. That's 4,000 miles an hour -- around one mile per second. But it's not just the speed that makes hypersonic missiles so concerning. Because a lot of ballistic missiles can also travel at hypersonic speeds but ballistic missiles once they launch, they have a set trajectory. So, they travel from point A on a set course to point B.

A hypersonic missile, analyst say, can be launched at a very fast speed and then sort of zigzag on its way to target. That makes it very difficult to intercept and very potentially very difficult to trace. [04:35:00]

This is why South Korea has come out just so within the last several hours and said that at this stage of its hypersonic missile development, based on analysis of the flight path, the speed, the trajectory of this missile, which was launched from Chagang Province, which is a mountainous region that straddles the border with China. It went in the Korean Peninsula. Splashed down in the waters off Japan.

So, they've been looking at everything that they could measure from that missile trajectory. Along with the state media photo of this hypersonic missile -- purported hypersonic missile -- with North Korea calls the Hwasong-8. And they say that at least at this point this missile that North Korea tested yesterday could be intercepted by the missile defense systems that the United States has in place to protect South Korea. You know, because obviously, the missile defense systems can also protect Japan and all of its 120 million residents along with more than 50,000 U.S. troops stationed there. 30,000 or so U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.

There is real concern that a hypersonic missile could pose a huge threat if this was a really effectively developed advanced piece of equipment. North Korea says that this one has a gliding flight warhead. Which means that the warhead would actually detach from the missile base and then it could -- it basically acts like a hand glider and can travel sometimes very long distances before hitting its target.

There are other weapons on Kim Jong-un's wish list, Isa, that was announced back in January at North Korean Party Congress. This would include brand new types of solid fuel ballistic missile. Solid fuel is tough because you can roll it out and launch it and doesn't need to be filled up on a launch pad. North Korea is looking to develop an ICBM, an intercontinental ballistic missile that could travel 15,000 kilometers or more than 9,300 miles.

There're also developing new kinds of drones and even military reconnaissance satellites. All of them in development although we haven't seen a nuclear test in North Korea in several years, Isa, still a lot of developments in their weapons program.

SOARES: Indeed, it's a conversation for another time. Because I wish -- I would love to know where they're getting all of this technology but you know, you and I can chat offline afterwards.

RIPLEY: This is a good question. We don't know. We just don't know.

SOARES: There we go, you've answered it already. Thanks Very Much, Will. Great to see you.

Now, live from the volcano in Spain's Canary Islands has reached the Atlantic Ocean as eruptions continue for the tenth straight day. Emergency officials say residents on the island of La Palma should shelter in place until further notice as dangerous gases are released, of course, when the lava reacts with the ocean water. La Palma has now been designated a disaster zone. Meteorologist Pedram Javaheri has the details -- Pedram.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good Morning, Isa. We're following this very carefully because of course, the last 10 or so days we've heard of the lava flows. We've now seen images of what is happening there on the ground. Satellite images depicting where the lava flow has been headed and the concern now is that interaction with the sea water. Here's a perspective from a couple of days ago. That lava flow now ending up on the Atlantic Ocean in the past last 24 hours.

When this happens, it develops something known laze, and maybe doesn't sound all that serious. But when you look at laze, essentially, it's a combination of the word lava and haze. Put them together, once the lava is above 1,100 degrees Celsius which is exactly where we're at here across La Palma, that interacts with the salt water and that leads to flash boiling and of course, evaporation of salt water which releases hydrochloric acid. If you've heard that term, that's because that's the same acid that's present in your stomach that digests food and breaks it down very quickly.

Put this in gas form, be around it, it is as dangerous as it gets, especially given the volcanic conditions present across this region. And steam is released and these flash steams can not only be explosive but they can release volcanic gas, chards of small gas in the atmosphere. Of course, that is in part why we have so many evacuations in place across La Palma. And this particular set of islands has really been rattled in recent weeks. In fact, La Palma and the vicinity there have seen upwards of 600 earthquakes in the past 14 days, about 22 of them exceeding magnitude 3.0 or greater. So certainly, as active as it gets.

And of course, the Archipelago of eight Islands here, is all originated because of volcanos. About three to four million years ago. C-4 magma releases, once this happens of course, you've got yourself La Palma and this is where we stand now 30 to 40 years and most recently go back to 30 years ago. Most recently, go back 50 years ago to next month, Isa, and we had an eruption take place here that took with it a life. And of course, left behind millions of dollars and damages. The concern is this particular eruption could last at least several more weeks and of course, damages ensued as a result of all of this -- Isa.

SOARES: Thanks very much, Pedram.

Now activist Greta Thunberg laid into world leaders on Tuesday after what she calls a decade of empty promises on climate action. The comments came during a youth climate summit in Italy. Hundreds of young activists were there to meet with policymakers and really hammer out possible solutions ahead of the UN's COP-26 climate talks in Glasgow. But Thunberg remains skeptical saying time is running out to avoid catastrophe. And here is what she said.

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GRETA THUNBERG, CLIMATE ACTIVIST: There is no planet B. There is no planet blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. This is not about some expensive politically correct green act of bunny hugging or blah, blah, blah.

[04:40:00]

Build back better, blah, blah, blah. Green economy, blah, blah, blah. Net zero by 2050 blah, blah, blah. Net zero by 2050 blah, blah, blah. Net zero, blah, blah, blah. Climate Neutral, blah, blah, blah.

This is all we hear from our so-called leaders, words. Words that sound great, but so far has led to no action.

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SOARES: Well, strong words there. Well, a study published in the journal "Science" underscores really her concerns. They found that if global temperatures keep rising, today's children will see around three times as many climate disasters as their grandparents.

And still to come here on the show, authorities are revealing new details about Gabby Petito's fiancee's movement after he returned to Florida from his road trip. We have the details for you just ahead.

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SOARES: At least 37 people were injured after police and protesters clashed on International Safe Abortion Day in Mexico City there. Women marched and demanding reproductive rights and holding signs calling for legal as well as safe abortions. Earlier this month Mexico's Supreme Court ruled that penalizing abortion is unconstitutional.

And here are the scenes in Santiago, Chile, legislators there approved a plan to debate a bill to decriminalize abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. A big move of course for one of Latin America's most conservative countries.

[04:45:00]

In the United States, we have new details in the Gabby Petito case. Authorities are now painting a clearer picture of her fiancee Brian Laundrie's movements after he returned to Florida from his road trip. CNN's Leyla Santiago has the details for you.

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LEYLA SANTIAGO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): As the FBI leads the search for Brian Laundrie, Gabby Petito's family speaking out, still searching for answers and justice for their Gabby.

RICHARD STAFFORD, PETITO FAMILY ATTORNEY: The Laundries did not help us find Gabby. There sure is not going to help us find Brian. For Brian, we're asking you to turn yourself in to the FBI or the nearest law enforcement agency.

SANTIAGO (voice-over): Petito's fiancee, Brian Laundrie, was reportedly last seen two weeks ago today. Police say his parents claim he left the house with a backpack to go to a nearby nature reserve. They reported him missing three days later.

The Laundries releasing a statement through their attorney Monday night denying they helped their son get away, saying in part, Chris and Roberta Laundrie do not know where Brian is. They are concerned about Brian and hope the FBI can locate him. The speculation by the public and some in the press that the parents assisted Brian in leaving the family home or in avoiding arrest on a warrant that was issued after Brian had already been missing for several days is just wrong.

It comes as the family attorney tells CNN, Brian Laundrie went camping with his parents at the park Fort De Soto from September 6 to the 7th, shortly after Laundrie returned to Florida and just days before Gabby was reported missing. According to Petito's Instagram page, the couple visited the same park back in February, posting these images.

Local officials say they're not actively searching the park, and a former park ranger tells CNN it would be hard to stay hidden there.

JAMES WILSON, RETIRED SUPERVISOR, FORT DE SOTO PARK: With today's technology, it would probably be damn near impossible in that small little area.

SANTIAGO (voice-over): The search for Laundrie intensifying. The mystery, deepening. After more than a week of the authorities focusing their search in the 25,000-acre nature reserve near the Laundrie's home, law enforcement officials say the FBI operation is being scaled back and targeted based on intelligence. All while Gabby's family shares with the world their grief.

NICOLE SCHMIDT, GABBY PETITO'S MOTHER: I actually got behind a car yesterday and there was a Wyoming sticker. And the -- the letters were GBZ.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gabs.

SCHMIDT: Gabs, and she's with us.

SANTIAGO (voice-over): The parents and stepparents using tattoos, Gabby's own designs, to honor their daughter.

SCHMIDT: I wanted to have her with me all the time.

SANTIAGO: Leyla Santiago, CNN, Northport, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Now when CNN NEWSROOM returns, after long delays because of the pandemic, Bond is back. We will take you to a star-studded red carpet next.

[04:50:00]

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BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The politics that feeds anger and resentment towards those who aren't like us and starts turning away from democratic principles in favor of tribalism and might makes right.

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SOARES: Well, former U.S. President Barack Obama there with a warning about the threat to democracy as he broke ground on his presidential center in Chicago on Tuesday. He told supporters he hopes the center will strengthen democratic ideas at a time when Americans are seeing more division and increasingly bitter conflict.

Now LeBron James says he's received the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday. The NBA superstar confirmed he's gotten dose despite his initial hesitancy.

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LEBRON JAMES, LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Everyone has their own choice to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family and things of that nature. I know that I was very skeptical about it all but after doing my research and things of that nature, I felt like it was best suited for not only me but my family and for my friends. And you know, and that's why I decided to do it.

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SOARES: Well, the NBA requires referees and staff who interact closely with players to be vaccinated but not the players themselves. Still, ESPN reports that 90 percent of the league's players are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Now, four-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles is speaking openly about her mental health as well as abuse at the hands of her former team doctor and events leading up to the Tokyo Olympics. Saying in an interview with "New York Magazine" --and I'm quoting here.

If you looked at everything that I've gone through over the past seven years, I should have never made another Olympic team. I should have quit way before Tokyo when Larry Nassar was in the media for two years. It was too much.

But Biles said she pushed through because she refused to allow the doctor, who abused her, take away something she'd worked so hard, of course, to achieve. She's also talks about what led her to withdraw from several events during summer games before later coming back to win bronze in the final competition. Biles says one day she just broke off with a mental block known as the "twisties" and she just simply couldn't continue.

Superstar Lionel Messi has a big debut for Paris Saint-Germain. Football legend Pele is on the mend after surgery. CNN's Don Riddell has your minute in sports.

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DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Isa, the Champions League gave us some incredible drama on Tuesday night, and Lionel Messi was in the thick of it. The Argentine star scored a sensational goal for his new club Paris Saint-Germain helping PSG to a 2-0 win against their big group A rivals Manchester City. That was Messi's first goal for his new club and it keeps them on top of group A.

And meanwhile, we have just witnessed one of the biggest shocks in history of the competition as the 13-time European Champions Real Madrid were beaten at home by Sheriff's pair of goals. Who, may you ask? Well, they are the champions of Moldova, playing in the Champions League for the very first time. Their sport is worth just $40 million in their top of their group.

Meanwhile, some good news off the field. The Brazilian football icon Pele is continuing his recovery from surgery in hospital. The 80-year- old three-time World Cup winner posted a video on Instagram of him throwing a ball around. He wrote, quote, no matter the size of the challenge, the secret is to celebrate every little victory along the way.

[04:55:00]

Nice to see Pele doing a little bit better. Isa, back to you.

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SOARES: Indeed, thanks very much, Don.

Now, Amazon's quest to tap devices into as much as of our life as possible, now includes a home robot. On Tuesday, the company unveiled Astro. Take a look.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Astro, follow me.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Hi, grandma. I miss you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I miss you too. Hey, you got the toy I sent.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE CHILD: Yes, I love it.

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SOARES: Now, Astro has mapping technology so it can travel around your house on its own. It is loaded with cameras allowing to check on pets or loves ones. The device costs really roughly $999 and it will be available to the public later this year.

I was kind of hoping it would kind of feed my children and give them a bath but really, we're not there yet.

And finally, today, if you want to find the world's getting back to normal, have a look at what happened here in new London on Tuesday. There was a star-studded gala, including members of the royal family, for the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die." Was originally set to hit theaters, if you remember, in early 2020 but was delayed because of the pandemic. Star Daniel Craig says he's glad they're finally get to show the movie to the public. Take a listen.

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DANIEL CRAIG, BOND ACTOR: Oh, it's such a great relief. I mean it was so important to come and celebrate and all of the other cast and crew and actually get into the cinemas and we're here. And it is a year ago, I didn't think that was going to happen.

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SOARES: And "No Time To Die" will be Daniel Craig last time playing James Bond. The last time will stay him in that jacket.

And thanks for joining us. I'm Isa Soares. Join me tomorrow of course at the same time. "EARLY START" with Christine Romans and Laura Jarrett is up next. Do stay right here with CNN.

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