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U.S. Assessing Impact After Leak Of Classified Information; Doctors Committee: At Least 56 Dead Amid Fighting In Sudan; Footage Shows Police Shooting Man Dead At Wrong Address. Aired 5-6a ET

Aired April 16, 2023 - 05:00   ET

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

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[05:00:32]

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, and welcome to all you watching us here in the United States, Canada and all around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber.

Ahead on CNN NEWSROOM, the fallout continues from the historic intel leak. We'll look at what was in those classified documents and what the nation's allies and adversaries are now saying.

Plus, a deadly standoff in Sudan, fighting erupts between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group live in Nairobi with the global condemnation coming in.

And the NBA playoffs are here and we've already seen some blockbuster clashes in the first-round matchups. CNN's sports Coy Wire joins me live to break down the latest.

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Kim Brunhuber. After a huge leak of U.S. intelligence information, U.S. officials are engaging in damage control and grappling with fallout both at home and abroad. 21-year-old Jack Teixeira, a member of the Massachusetts National Guardsmen is in custody ahead of a hearing next week. He's charged under the Espionage Act.

Now according to court documents, Teixeira worked as an I.T. for an intelligence unit and needed top secret clearance to work on the systems involved. Prosecutors say he began posting classified materials online in December. Inquiries are underway at the Pentagon and the Justice Department. CNN White House Correspondent Jeremy Diamond has more.

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JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The Pentagon is working to assess now the potential damage to U.S. national security. That's because we're talking about dozens of highly classified documents that were leaked online allegedly by this 21-year-old airman Jack Teixeira.

This intelligence spans the gamut really, we're talking about looks into how deep the U.S. has been able to get into the Russian Ministry of Defense as well as the Russian mercenary group, the Wagner group, we're also talking about what the U.S. does in terms of intelligence gathering with key U.S. allies eavesdropping on allies like South Korea, Israel, and Ukraine and also now some new information about Taiwan and their vulnerability to a potential Chinese air attack.

So now the Pentagon in partnership with these intelligence agencies is working to assess what the potential damage could be to U.S. national security and also to those U.S. allies. We did get a statement from President Biden yesterday about what he would like to see and he says in the statement, quote, that he commends the rapid action taken by law enforcement to investigate and respond to the recent dissemination of classified U.S. government documents. While we are still determining the validity of those documents. I've directed our military and intelligence community to take steps to further secure and limit distribution of sensitive information. And our national security team is closely coordinating with our partners and allies.

Now, we do know that the Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has already been working to assess the potential access and security of classified information going forward, reviewing some of the protocols about who has access to this information, as one of the central questions here is really why Jack Teixeira had access to this information and whether other people like him should potentially not have access to it going forward.

Now, in terms of this damage assessment that the Pentagon is conducting. That is separate from the investigation being led by the Justice Department that led to these charges in the arrest of Jack Teixeira on Thursday. But that damage assessment could ultimately be used as evidence in a potential eventual trial.

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BRUNHUBER: All right, we have more details now on Teixeira. At this hour the 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guardsmen remains in custody. He's charged under the Espionage Act with unauthorized retention and transmission of National Defense Information and unauthorized removal of classified information and defense materials. He will remain jailed at least until Wednesday when a detention hearing is set.

And the leaked classified materials include information about both friends and foes. The U.S. is reaching out to allies in connection with the leak. Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren, who's a member of the House Judiciary Committee, discussed the situation with CNN earlier and she said new safeguards have to be balanced with respect for individual rights. Here she is.

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ZOE LOFGREN, U.S. HOUSE DEMOCRAT: Obviously, the leak is very damaging to Ukraine and to the United States. And we do need to get to the bottom of it. That he was posting some of this material online and it was not promptly discovered is of concern.

[05:05:06] On the other hand, the World Wide Web is a big place. And this was an obscure part of the web. So we do need to take a look at how we might better become alert to such items while maintaining a free society. I don't know obviously, there's a presumption of innocence for anyone who's accused of a crime. But it looks like this young man did some very severe damage to our country really. Anyone who would do this is engaged in traitorous activity.

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BRUNHUBER: The most important abortion related dispute to reach the U.S. Supreme Court since the justices overturn Roe v. Wade could come to a head in the coming days.

Abortion rights supporters rallied in front of the Supreme Court over the weekend. They were protesting a lower court ruling that would restrict access to a widely used abortion medication. The restriction was supposed to take effect yesterday, but the High Court put a hold on the ruling until Wednesday when it will consider an appeal. CNN's Ariane de Vogue has more on the story.

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ARIANE DE VOGUE, CNN U.S. SUPREME COURT REPORTER: As things stand, restrictions to access to this key medication abortion drugs are on hold for now. Justice Samuel Alito stepping into freeze a lower court opinion basically just to give the justices more time to get ready. And he set a new deadline saying the court will act by Wednesday at midnight. This stuff and that all forecasts how the court will eventually rule, it's just meant to freeze things for now to give the justices a chance to get ready. And the Biden administration and manufacturers here, they said that the lower courts have gotten this wrong. And if those opinions are allowed to stand, it'll mean changes, for instance, label changes.

Now, the labels will have to reflect the drug can only be used up to seven weeks of pregnancy instead of 10 weeks. Women would have to come in in-person to get it administered. They can no longer receive it by mail. This the Department of Justice said it's going to make abortion medication abortion more difficult to access. So they're asking the Supreme Court to either freeze the lower court opinion while this case plays out below, or they want the justices to step in and bypass the lower courts altogether and hear the case themselves and render a decision by June.

Abortion medication is used in the majority of abortions across the country today. So the supreme court will consider whether or not the doctors who oppose abortion who are behind this challenge have the legal right to be in court, though consider the scope of the FDA's authority in regulating this drug. It all comes a year after the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. Now, they're considering a case that could further restrict access to abortion in states that allow it. This come as millions of women have used this drug since it was approved more than 20 years ago. Ariane de Vogue, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE) BRUNHUBER: In the day ahead, and Congress will return to Capitol Hill after a two-week recess as well as other issues that kept some members out much longer. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected back for the first time since March 8 after he fell and suffered a concussion. Pennsylvania's Democratic Senator John Fetterman also returns for the first time since mid-February when he checked himself into the hospital for depression. But Senator Dianne Feinstein is still a question mark out since early March with a case of shingles. She was asked to be temporarily replaced on the Judiciary Committee.

Fox News is apologizing to the judge overseeing the defamation case against it, saying Fox never meant to mislead about Rupert Murdoch's role at the network. Fox repeatedly denied that Murdoch has an official role until last week when it admitted that actually he is an executive officer.

In a letter, a Fox attorney said, "We should have provided to the court a complete and prompt response to the courts questions concerning the identities of all of Fox News officers. We apologize, never intended to avoid responding to a question from the court."

Now, the admission that Murdoch is a Fox officer made the judge so livid, he's launched an independent investigation. It also angered Dominion voting systems, which makes voting machines, Dominion says it might have requested more documents about Murdoch in preparing the case. Companies suing Fox for $1.6 billion for falsely claiming its software flipped votes in the 2020 election away from Donald Trump. Opening statements in the trial are expected Monday.

The flames are out at a plastic resin plant in Brunswick, Georgia. The fire was started yesterday morning triggered a Shelter in Place order at the South Georgia city but it has since been lifted, all evacuation orders have also been lifted. Although the city has set up a shelter for residents who fled their homes. It's not what has caused the fire. There are no reports of injuries.

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Meanwhile, in Indiana fire crews have contained nearly all of the fire to plastics recycling plant. The fire chief says 99 percent of the blaze has now been extinguished. This team is planning to remain on site throughout the weekend to assess the situation since there are still a few hotspots that need to be put out. He also says that additional meetings and data analysis have to take place before the evacuation order can be lifted. Around 2000 residents have been under mandatory evacuation orders since the fire broke out on Tuesday night.

All right still to come, gunfire and explosions ring out across Sudan for a second day, while the latest on the fighting between rival forces. Plus, Russian strikes on the Ukrainian city of Sloviansk. The death toll climbs as rescue crews search for survivors. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: In Sudan, heavy fighting is raging for a second day between the army and a paramilitary force. The Central Committee of Sudan doctors says at least 56 people have been killed since the clashes erupted on Saturday.

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In the capital, Khartoum explosions were heard throughout the night and witnesses say fighting intensified after Sunday morning prayers. Both sides are claiming control over strategic sites including military bases and the national TV headquarters. But CNN can't confirm those claims. CNN's Larry Madowo joins us now with more. So Larry, what's the latest?

LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kim, we're working to confirm the number of casualties and the wounded in Sudan because what we have, that 56 number is just for the capital Khartoum, but there is reported fighting in different parts of the country. We've just been reporting on, for instance, in the eastern city of Port Sudan. There is some intense fighting there, that is the main seaport for the country, a lot of international trade passes through Port Sudan, and that is currently being battled for.

There are reports all across the nation of especially around military bases that are either shared -- either owned by the rapid support forces or the Sudanese military because it speaks to how militarized the entire society and politics of Sudan is that there's so many military bases across the country, and strategic installations that are now being fought between those who are on the team of General al- Burhan, who leads the country and his deputy, General Hemeti.

Right now, I want to show you two videos that speaks to how far this has gone. The first is members of the rapid support forces using anti- aircraft artillery to try and take down the air power that the army is using against them. They are outnumbered and out powered in the air. And that's one of the ways they're trying to attack that.

The second is from last night. This is -- this was posed to the Sudanese armed forces who claimed to have taken back control of the state television and radio authority. This one is an important one strategically, because whoever has control over the state broadcaster can talk to the nation. It's a dangerous escalation in tensions that I've been building over the past couple of weeks and especially this week, and this is how we got here.

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MADOWO: Sudan's hopes for democracy once again shattered by the sounds of gunfire in Khartoum. Civilians have been told to take cover was two of the country's main military factions the army and a powerful paramilitary group called the rapid support forces or RSF fight for supremacy. Fighter jets launched by the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan fly low over the Sudanese capital, with fighting reported in key sites like the presidential palace and Khartoum International Airport.

This video shows the chaos inside a terminal with some people fearing for their lives as the battles fled outside.

The gunshots in some parts of Khartoum so loud, they could be heard during the live television broadcast. Clashes also erupting in other parts of the country, with RSF fighters in the northern city of Merowe claiming to control a military airbase there. It's unclear which side started the fighting. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo better known as Hemeti heads the RSF, which analysts say is 100,000 strong and grew out of the country's bloody conflict and therefore.

Hemeti says the army instigated the battle, calling al-Burhan, a criminal. The army accused the RSF of traitorous plotting and says there will be no dialogue until the group is dissolved. Tensions between the two factions have been festering since negotiation restarted to return Sudan's civilian rule. Part of the deal requires the RSF to merge with the army. But there were strong disagreements over how long they should take and who would ultimately have more power.

Both al-Burhan and Hemeti have worked together in the past when their interests aligned. The army and the RSF taking part in a coup four years ago to overthrow a longtime Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir. And both were involved in another coup two years later, when the military seizes control over transitional power sharing government, which is meant to lead to civilian rule. The country's former Prime Minister now appealing for both sides to stop the fighting.

ABDALLA HAMDOK, FORMER SUDANESE PRIME MINISTER (through translation): The exchange of fire must stop immediately in the voice of reason must rule everyone will lose and there is no victory when it is atop the bodies of our people.

MADOWO: There have been widespread calls for come by the United Nations, the African Union and the United States. But it's the infighting once again in Sudan that is threatening its chances of a democratic future.

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MADOWO: The rift between these two generals appears to have widened over the past 24, 30 hours or so because they've taken such hardline positions, that it's almost difficult to imagine how they will come back together. But there's a flurry of diplomatic activity to try and get them back to the negotiating table and stick to that agreed framework on a return to civilian rule in Sudan.

One sticking point like I mentioned is who will be ultimately in charge of a combined army both obviously want to lead that but you see regional leaders from here in South Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya talking to General al-Burhan, General Hemeti and hoping that they can kind of shepherd them along the way to a return to those negotiations and an end to these tensions, Kim.

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BRUNHUBER: Yeah, let's hope so. Larry Madowo in Nairobi, thanks so much.

Moscow says mercenary fighters of Russia's Wagner Group captured two more areas of Bakhmut on Saturday. The Institute for the Study of war think tank in Washington D.C. appeared to back up the Russian claims based on geolocated video. Ukraine is yet to comment.

The battle for Bakhmut is seen some of the fiercest fighting since the start of Russia's invasion. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials say a mother and daughter were killed by Russian shelling in Kherson on Saturday. And that comes after at least 11 people were killed including a two-year-old boy. Russian striker on Friday on residential buildings in the Ukrainian city of Sloviansk.

Meanwhile, China's defense minister is expected in Moscow Sunday for talks with his Russian counterpart. For more on that CNN's Clare Sebastian joins us live from London. So Clare, first, take us through the importance of that visit?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, Kim, coming just three weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Moscow, this will be extremely closely watched. Li Shangfu, the Chinese Defense Minister only in the job for just over a month. This according to the Russian Defense Ministry will be his first foreign visit. So I think it underscores the level of engagement between Russia and China and the shared desire of the two countries to sort of foster their alliances as a counterpoint to U.S. influence and the U.S. led Alliance and its support for Ukraine.

It will be of course closely watched given that these are the defense minister Li Shangfu set to meet with Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu, given the U.S. concerns that China could be planning or considering to provide military aid to Russia, and its war in Ukraine. That of course raising significant concerns.

The official line from the Russian Defense Ministry they're pretty vague at the moment say they'll discuss the state and outlook for bilateral cooperation in the defense sector and current questions of global and regional security. But on the eve of this visit, Russia has launched snap drills of its Pacific Fleet, multiple videos coming out of the Defense Ministry this morning, including nuclear capable bombers conducting as support and controls there. So certainly very closely scrutinized, particularly as Chinese relations with the U.S. continue to deteriorate. Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah. And then Clare, further on the diplomatic front separate but sort of related in a way. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy speaking to French President Emmanuel Macron. Again, China top of mind there?

SEBASTIAN: Yeah, this comes after Macron's much criticized visit to China. He went with the sort of stated aim along with the E.U. Chief, Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, of trying to talk, China out of its support for Russia, or to tuck it into trying to bring Russia to the negotiating table in some way. There's no sign of progress on that front. And meanwhile, he made comments after the trip about European --Europe -- about European sort of independence, autonomy, strategic autonomy, but over the issue of Taiwan and not being followers of the U.S. that of course, raising significant concern that those comments could undermine NATO unity at a critical point.

President Zelenskyy, though, clearly wanting to keep this relationship going. He, of course, critically reliant on European support in this conversation that lasted almost an hour and a half. He said he was thankful for the clear support of those principles that unite our entire anti-war coalition, and I think significantly went on to discuss preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in July. Kim?

BRUNHUBER: All right. Thanks so much, Clare Sebastian in London.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has denounced the attack that took place on Saturday as he was speaking at a campaign event. The Prime Minister told reporters on Sunday that violence during elections can never be tolerated. He said Japan must strive to provide maximum security during the G7 scheduled for next month in Hiroshima, and he apologized for the disruption caused by the attack. Here he is.

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FUMIO KISHIDA, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER (through translator): Before I came here, there was a loud explosion at the speech venue and say sag police are currently investigating the details. But in any case, I want to apologize for causing many people to be concerned and the trouble calls. But we are in the middle of a very important election for our country. And we need to carry this on together until the end.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: The U.S. targets illegal fentanyl production with new charges against more than two dozen people in China and Mexico, including members of the Sinaloa Cartel. We have that story after the break.

Plus, newly released video shows new Mexico police going to the wrong address and shooting man dead. What the police chief said about the incident. Plus, forecasters predict more than dozen named storms this hurricane season. How many will turn into major hurricanes, we'll answer that question ahead. Please stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: Welcome back to all you watching us here in the United States, Canada and all around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN NEWSROOM.

The U.S. is taking aim at the production and distribution of illegal fentanyl. On Friday, the Justice Department announced new charges against more than two dozen people in China and Mexico. High ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel are among those charged, including three sons of the infamous drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, CNN Correspondent Polo Sandoval has more.

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POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Newly unsealed indictments filed in the state of Illinois, Washington D.C. and here in New York paint a very dark and disturbing picture of what the U.S. Department of Justice considers to be the most prolific fentanyl trafficking organization that they've ever investigated. And right in the middle of it all, are the so-called Chapitos or little Chapos. They are the sons of notorious Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. You see, when he was sentenced to prison for the rest of his life in 2019, they basically inherited part of this massive drug empire, only that they expanded it to include fentanyl and also made that business even more violent.

And it's one that has very far reaches when you look at some of these images that have been shared by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and they show how it all worked, according to federal investigators. Cartel brokers would purchase precursor chemicals which are basically the ingredients used to make fentanyl. And they would ship them to secret labs in Mexico, that is where, according to officials, they would turn these precursors into powder or pills in some cases from the labs, the substance was then smuggled either over or even in some cases under the border through tunnels.

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And in the U.S. is where criminal organizations would mix the fentanyl into drugs like cocaine, heroin, and in some cases, according to officials, will even sell the fentanyl pills as counterfeit prescription pain medications leading to many overdose incidents. All that money, all their profits would then end up going back into Mexico continue into the cartels pockets and continuing to fuel this massive operation. Authorities over a course of several indictments, charging well over two dozen individuals. Some according to the head of the DEA are already in custody while the search is on for several others. I want you to hear directly from the U.S. Attorney General as he describes why this case that was officially unveiled a few days ago is still significant.

MERRICK GARLAND, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: The thing that makes this case particularly important is that we're going after the entire network, from precursors to importation into Mexico, to the manufacturer, to the weapons, to the money launderers, through the distribution in the United States, but we -- this is just one of the most important cases we brought.

SANDOVAL: That's U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland also going into some extremely disturbing details about the inner workings of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Chapitos, saying that some of the defendants named in these indictments would even test the potency of their fentanyl on individuals who were tied down. And also the cartel would often feed their rivals to Tiger's dead or alive. Very disturbing detail that certainly underscores just the violent nature of this organization. Prosecutors say an organization that they say is responsible for a majority of the fentanyl ending up in the United States, killing at least close to 200 people a day. Polo Sandoval, CNN, New York.

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BRUNHUBER: Police in New Mexico have released new footage showing officers shooting a man dead after responding to the wrong address. The police calling an unbelievably tragic. CNN's Camila Bernal has the story.

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CAMILA BERNAL, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This new video shows just how quickly everything happens. It all started on April 6 that around 11:30 at night when three officers respond to a domestic violence incident. It is dark, it is difficult to see in that video. But these three officers approach the front door and they are at the wrong house. They knock on the door. No one seems to be coming out.

They then begin to back away from the house and moments later, is when you see Robert Dotson opening his front door he does have a handgun. And in one of these videos after this entire incident, one of the officers is heard saying that he specifically heard a gun that was wracked so that seems to be that officers explanation as to why these shots are fired. The chief of police essentially saying you do have to slow down this video to see what happens. Here is how he is describing the incident.

STEVE HEBBE, FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO POLICE CHIEF: When you show the sword on version, you see him opening the door with his left hand in his right hand is the gun and as he pushes the door open then he comes together and both hands appear to grip the weapon and they're pointed at one of the officers.

BERNAL: And Dotson's wife also opens fire at the officers. She is not injured. It was also difficult to hear the 911 call because it is their teenage daughter who calls dispatch and is talking to this dispatch operator saying that she doesn't know exactly what's going on with her father. It is her mom who tells her to call the police. She is with her younger brother, of course, she is terrified. She is crying in this phone call. It is very difficult to listen to. This as a family that is grieving and really trying to get answers from authorities. But as of now it is all in the hands of the New Mexico State Police and the chief of police in Farmington saying that this was an accident. Camila Bernal, CNN, Los Angeles.

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BRUNHUBER: It's going to be slightly below average hurricane season in the U.S. this year. That's according to a new forecast by Colorado State University released this week. It's predicting 13 named storms, six of which are expected to become hurricanes. CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar has details.

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ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: The first glimpse into the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is in and one of the big factors leading into the season is actually going to be El Nino. On Thursday, an El Nino watch was issued by the Climate Prediction Center. And that's likely to have some big implications on the upcoming tropical season. Here's why. Traditionally speaking when you have El Nino that Jetstream begins to shift farther south in doing so it can kind of increases the wind shear across this particular region, effectively inhibiting tropical storm development in that same region. [05:35:09]

But also at the same time, we tend to have fewer storms forming just off the coast of Africa. So overall, you tend to have a slightly below normal season. And that is exactly what Colorado State University, the first entity to make their predictions for the tropical upcoming season has decided to go with. They are forecasting 13 total named storms, six of which are expected to become hurricanes, two of them major hurricanes, which is essentially category three, four or five.

Now for some perspective, an average season has 14 total names, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. But to also put this in perspective, take a look at last year, for example, we were relatively average in terms of the overall season. With that said, we still ended up with two storms that ended up becoming retired, Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian. So at the end of the day, whether it's a below average season or not, it only takes one storm to be impactful.

Now, as well as El Nino there is also another component going into the upcoming season, and that's warm ocean temperatures, because already so far, we're seeing sea surface temperatures across the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and even the Atlantic Ocean above average already even in April.

Now, the question becomes how does that correlate into the upcoming summer regardless of what happens this upcoming season. Here is the list of names that will likely be used and fingers crossed, we don't have any of these names to get retired at the end of the season.

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BRUNHUBER: All right, still to come much more on the deadly fighting in Sudan. We'll speak to a guest about how the conflict erupted and where it could go from here. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: That was gunfire from an armored vehicle in Sudan as paramilitary fighters tried to shoot down a Sudanese army playing. For two days now the two sides have been fighting for control of the country, the Central Committee of Sudan. Doctors says at least 56 people have been killed in Khartoum since the power struggle erupted on Saturday. The fighting has also been raging elsewhere in the country, including the main seaport some 800 kilometers or 500 miles northeast of the Capitol.

[05:40:24]

I want to bring in Alan Boswell. He's the Project Director for the Horn of Africa at the International Crisis Group. Thanks so much for being here with us. So obviously, tensions have been building recently, but was this armed clash inevitable?

ALAN BOSWELL, HORN OF AFRICA DIRECTOR, CRISIS GROUP: I hate to say it was inevitable, but it has been something that we and, you know, Sudanese and diplomats have been very concerned about for a number of years. These are essentially the two most powerful armed groupings within the country.

Omar al-Bashir ruled Sudan for three decades. And he was overthrown in 2019 in the Sudanese revolution, but essentially, near the end of his rule, he didn't really trust the army. So he allowed other security forces and the biggest being this rapid support forces, this paramilitary to grow quite large, partly so that no one could really challenge him for rule.

And basically, what we've seen since he was overthrown without this military rule by committee could never really get on the same page, there have been dangerous tensions both want to be the top dog. And there was a lot of concerns leading into this that if fighting did occur, and clashes started, it would essentially be an unwinnable civil war, because it's not really clear who is the strongest in the inside of the country?

BRUNHUBER: Well, it's a -- you described them as a double headed monster. And now the two heads are fighting each other. I mean, the animus between the two is so high with insults flying back and forth. I mean, do you do you see any path for diplomacy here? Or will this just have to play out on the battlefield?

BOSWELL: Well, unfortunately, we haven't seen signs of the escalation yet. One positive thing is that for the most part, it seems most Sudanese, other parties and there are many other political and armed groups. They've so far oppose this and have called for the two sides to back down the major sort of outside diplomatic players, the most prominent who have been the what's called the quad, which is the U.S., the U.K., Saudi Arabia and the UAE, they so far have been on the same page calling for a de-escalation and ceasefire. We've seen the same call from U.N. Security Council, the African Union, et cetera.

So a positive dynamic thus far as at least external actors, and pretty much all Sudanese who are not these two sides, want them to back down. However, like you said, the two main actors themselves antagonists have not yet shown any sign that the tension had obviously been building for a while, and they've been pre-positioning and rating themselves. For if this conflict happened, if there's any silver lining, it's the hope that they realized this is an unwinnable war once a bit more of the dust settles and the smoke clears. And that they'll listen to some calls for reason to stop this from slipping further out of control.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah, absolutely. Let's hope -- let's hope so. I want to go back to what you're saying about the diplomatic efforts. I mean, the U.S. has been the lead and do any of those. They spent so much money and millions, billions of dollars in terms of pressure they exert so far, they've sort of relied more on incentives. Is it time to get more aggressive sanctions, for instance?

BOSWELL: Well, I don't think at the moment, the actors would respond all that much one way or another to sanctions. This is basically a very existential fight right now, for power in Sudan, and to control Sudan. So I think I think the main focus needs to be to get, especially some of the Arab countries who have the most influence over these military actors, especially Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt and really get them to really burn up the phone lines at very senior levels to try to get a de-escalation.

And then from there, try to get hopefully back on track towards what was a political path back to civilian rule. But that political path looks very uncertain right now, given this outbreak. There's a real risk right now of a very prolonged, very nasty, destabilizing Civil War, unfortunately.

BRUNHUBER: Well, what about -- I mean, he listed a bunch of countries there, what about Russia? I mean, the RSF and its leader are supported by Russia. Do they have any incentive to help bring about a peaceful solution here?

BOSWELL: We haven't seen really much diplomatic activity from Russia yet. They haven't been main actors in this -- in the kind of national politics like you said, they have been connected to General Hemeti and this paramilitary force. But they haven't been main actors and sort of helping broker between the military and the paramilitary leading up to this. So I think they're a country to watch to see if they weighed in, but we haven't seen any of that yet.

[05:45:12]

BRUNHUBER: All right, well, we'll have to leave it there. We really appreciate your analysis on this. Alan Boswell, thanks so much.

BOSWELL: Thank you.

BRUNHUBER: At least seven people are dead after gunman opened fire on people at a public pool in central Mexico. Local officials say it happened Saturday afternoon. One of those killed is a young child. One injured survivor was taken to hospital. So far, a motive isn't clear, no suspects have been apprehended.

The U.S. Coast Guard is helping Mexican Navy crews in the search for three American sailors who had been heard from since leaving Mazatlan, Mexico on April 4. The three men were described as experienced sailors in a joint statement issued by their families. They were on a 44-foot vessel that was sailing from Mazatlan to San Diego, California. They were supposed to stop in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on April 6, but there's no record of them ever arriving. Coastguard official involved with search operation spoke with CNN on Saturday.

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CMDR. GREG HIGGINS, SEARCH MISSION COORDINATOR, U.S. COAST GUARD: When they began their voyage, we know that the conditions were not optimal for that type of trip. Though certainly there were sailing vessels out there during that time. Winds potentially over 30 knots and seas 15 to 20 maybe more feet at the time of their voyage. It's a long trip for even in good conditions from Mazatlan to Cabo that's two days and certainly on to San Diego was their eventual destination.

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BRUNHUBER: All right, up next playoff season is underway in the NBA and Coy Wire. Well, he's standing just to my right here ready to come here with the highlights. Stay with us.

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[05:50:48]

BRUNHUBER: Well, the NBA playoffs are officially underway. 16 teams will be competing for a professional basketballs biggest prize and most eyes will be on the Golden State Warriors as they tried to repeat as NBA champions and on Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid who won his second consecutive NBA scoring title and is widely thought to be on the league MVP shortlist.

With me now is CNN Sports Corey Wire. Let's start with the -- with the Warriors game. I mean against the Kings, I mean, what a finish and now, you know, they're going to have to come from behind to repeat.

COY WIRE, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yeah, I mean Golden State Warriors, they are the defending champs but this season they had been anything but road warriors, losing 30 of their 41 games away from the bay this season. And that didn't change Saturday night. Thousands of fans check this out, outside the arena, Kim, in Sacramento and electric atmosphere, why? The Kings they're in the playoffs for the first time since 2006. That was a longest postseason drought in major American sports.

De'Aaron Fox put on a show. Check him out hitting this big three from deep with about three minutes ago given Sacramento the lead 29 of his 38 points came in the second half. Steph Curry finished with 30 he had a step back three to cut the lead to two of the Warriors though. They took 53-point shots, Kim. They only made 16 and a look at Andrew Wiggins missing a wide open one that would have tied it there with just seconds to go.

Sactown winning 126, 123 and maybe the coolest postgame celebration in the league. They liked the beam. They shoot a beam of light into the sky, check it out.

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DE'AARON FOX, SACRAMENTO KINGS GUARD: We know what this fan base is about and what they want to do. And like I said we -- obviously we want to win for ourselves and for each other and for everybody in this organization. But doing this for the fans just knowing the way that they support this team, you know, through thick and thin like really thin. I think it's just -- it's just a testament to the way they are. And it was definitely a great atmosphere tonight.

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WIRE: Now, Cleveland they hadn't made the playoffs without LeBron James there in 25 years but Donovan Mitchell on the Calves are back. Donovan draining the three from deep letting out of Primal Scream against the next. He scored 38 including 10 straight down the stretch. And he was all out on defense to. Check out the hustle stealing the ball that pushing it forward to steady Iseman taking it in for the lay in Cleveland who actually took the lead with two minutes ago but New York kept scrap and Jalen Brunson was in his bag scoring 21 of his 27 after the break New York getting the first win in this series 101/197.

The Celtics, my goodness, steamrolled our Atlanta Hawks here after falling in the finals last year Boston looking like they're ready to finish the deal. If they win and 18th title it would break a tie with the Lakers for most all time. The Celtics scoring 74 points in the first half alone. They lead by 30 at the half. That tied their largest postseason halftime leave in franchise history. Jaylen Brown led Boston and points and rebounds scoring 29 as Boston beats Atlanta 112/99.

Philadelphia you mentioned Joel Embiid they're facing the nets. They're looking every bit like a challenger to Boston in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers had eight players combined to hit a franchise playoff record 21 three pointers James Harden hit seven of them as the notch is a double, double but it was there seven-foot star Joel Embiid scoring a team high 26 points as Philly pulls away late to win by 20. There are four more games Sunday starting with Lebron James in the seventh seeded Lakers taking on Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, a lot of fresh blood new teams in the playoffs this season making things exciting.

BRUNHUBER: It'll be interesting to see so I -- you know, I always like to end the show by asking you, you know, for your prediction just so I can talk to you at the end when you're -- whenever you're on. So what do you think?

WIRE: I'm from Pennsylvania. So I'm going to go with my home state, Philadelphia 76ers. I feel like they're just playing some good ball right now, Joel Embiid.

BRUNHUBER: Wow. He's unstoppable. I mean they were throwing double, double teams at a mall game and didn't seem to matter, beast.

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WIRE: Beast.

BRUNHUBER: All right thanks so much.

WIRE: All right, good to see you, Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Coy Wire, I appreciate it.

All right, well, you have to go to great heights to do something like this. Check this out. British BMX rider Kriss Kyle went sky high for some death-defying feats in the world's first floating skate park. Kyle worked with Oracle Red Bull Racing their Red Bull advanced technologies division and with Cameron balloons to get his vision off the ground.

It took almost three years but the final product was a carbon fiber BMX bike bowl. Have a look, this is just insane. It was suspended 2000 feet overhead by one of the world's largest hot air balloons, calm performed bike tricks while wearing a heavy parachute. You fought against the bouncing rocking balloon and he was cheered on by his close friends in the basket. It's insane. Kyle wrote, but my dream became a reality. Yeah, insane. One way to say that.

All right. Finally, this hour if you're stressed out from planning your wedding, relax, I'm a hot dog. Seriously. The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is being offered up to select couples for their nuptials this weekend in Las Vegas. I've never seen this before. So I'm just seeing it for the first time but, you know, before you work yourselves into our relish, boo.

Be warned the couples who are going to tie the knots at the button have already been selected a spokesperson for Oscar Mayer says thousands of requests from couples who want to integrate the Wienermobile of love into their wedding plans. Not a phrase I thought I was going to say on this newscast.

That wraps this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Kim Brunhuber. You can follow me on Twitter @kimbrunhuber. For viewers in North America's "CNN THIS MORNING" is next, for the rest of the world, it is Food for Thought.

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