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Greeks Desperate with No Deal in Sight; Iranian Nuclear Talks Extended to Friday; London Marks 10th Anniversary of 7/7 Attacks; Attack Targets Government Building in Nigeria; Cosby Admitted Plan to Use Drugs to Get Sex; Pope Francis to Hold Mass in Ecuador's Capital; Online Japanese Cat Game Becomes Big Hit. Aired 10-11 ET
Aired July 07, 2015 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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ROBYN CURNOW, CNN HOST: Hello there and welcome to the INTERNATIONAL DESK. I'm Robyn Curnow at the CNN Center.
We're following a number of live events this hour, including those make-or-break talks for Greece and the Eurozone; in Ecuador, a massive
crowd of worshippers gathering to celebrate mass with Pope Francis and, in London, tributes to the victims of the July 7th terror bombings on the
tragedy's 10th anniversary.
But first, let's go to Greece, where the economy is frozen and the ATMs are almost out of cash. Banks will remain closed until Thursday and
Greeks are getting increasingly desperate with no deal for a new loan in sight.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has one last chance to present a credible proposal to his European creditors before Greek banks run out of
money. Emergency meetings are happening now in Brussels.
We're tracking all the angles on this story. Our Richard Quest is in Athens and Jim Bittermann is reporting on the meetings between Greece and
its creditors from Paris.
Richard, I want to start with you. Hi, there. The front cover of this week's "Economist" newspaper has the headline that says, "The future
of Europe is in Greece's hands."
So much at stake here.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN HOST: Robyn, I just want to take you back -- we'll address that in one second. But you just talked about the meeting taking
place in Brussels and the word we are hearing now from Brussels, from some of the newspaper journalists, from the Greek journalists who are there, is
that the Greek prime minister did not turn up with a new proposal, apparently having said, having won the referendum and having told Angela
Merkel that he was coming along with a new proposal for them to discuss, they showed up and there is no new proposal.
We now believe that Prime Minister Tsipras is due to address the European parliament on Wednesday when they're saying that maybe now is the
time for a new proposal.
If this is right, Robyn, if it's correct, then this is grist to the mill, of all those European finance ministers, who say the Greek government
doesn't know what it's doing, that it says it'll have proposals and it doesn't and when it does turn up with them, they're half-baked or not fully
thought through and that even when they do turn up with them, that they do not address the fundamental issues that the Northern Europeans want to hear
about, which is reform.
So if it's true these reports that we are hearing, then it's a very, very grave move tonight.
CURNOW: Grave? I mean, this entire process, the stakes so high, as I was referring to, I mean, these repeated emergency summits, these last-
minute demands and now non-proposals after a non-referendum, I mean, many people say this is becoming a farce.
QUEST: Oh, with respect, Robyn, it became that a long time ago and it's not me -- that's not my comment. That's the comment of people you'll
hear. Finance ministers for the rest of Europe are pulling their hair out, trying to work out not only what is it to do with Greece, what can they
give Greece, but what is it -- what is the key that will unlock this? Because nothing is following the protocols.
Now from Greece's point of view, they would be saying, well, hang on a second, Europe. We've just had this referendum. We're formulating the
proposals. We've got a new finance minister. We need aid now, which means opening the banks. And that takes us straight back to the ECB, which has
actually made life a lot more difficult in the last 24 hours.
I have to tell you, the more one talks to the people here, the more one realizes the state of the economy -- it's not for me to say it's
collapsing. It's the people here who tell me the state of the economy is collapsing if it hasn't already, if it's not already on the verge of
collapse.
CURNOW: Richard, stay with us. Let's go to Jim Bittermann in Paris.
The rest of Europe, no doubt getting exhausted by this.
JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SR. INTL. CORRESPONDENT: Exasperating, Robyn, I think -- and we're hearing the same thing here that Richard's hearing. The
fact is that the Greeks may have turned up today. The finance minister may have turned up with no proposal at all --
[10:05:00]
BITTERMANN: -- and asked, apparently, according to reports out of Brussels, asked apparently for another day to present it tomorrow, and
probably time to -- Tsipras' appearance before the European parliament tomorrow.
If that's all the case, then I can tell you that the finance ministers and the leaders of Europe are going to be extremely exasperated. They're
going to do -- react, I think, very angrily. They spent their entire day today -- we heard from Prime Minister Valls this morning here in Paris --
saying things like they had to act responsibly. They had to come to the table with something that is credible.
We heard other leaders throughout the day say the same thing, make-or- break meetings and that sort of thing. Now if it looks like once again the behavior of the Greeks is erratic, as some people have called it before, if
it's even more erratic again today, I think the patience is going to wear very, very thin indeed -- Robyn.
CURNOW: Wearing thin, I mean, based on what both of you are reporting, is it now even more likely that Greece is going to be kicked out
-- well, not kicked out but at least eased out of the Eurozone?
BITTERMANN: Well, you're hearing a lot of people saying that, more people saying it than, say, three days ago. I think it's a growing sort of
volume that you're hearing from various leaders, some of them not necessarily in power, some of them out of power but a number of people
suggested that it may be time for the Greeks to leave the euro. And coming up with suggestions that it may not be as tragic if they leave for the rest
of Europe as one might think, since the Greek economy represents such a small part of the Eurozone economy -- Robyn.
CURNOW: Jim Bittermann , thanks. I know, Richard Quest, you always like to get the last word in.
(LAUGHTER)
CURNOW: Richard, I mean, just give us a sense --
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CURNOW: Just what does this mean?
Do you think this is now just another chip in that facade of Greece belonging to the Eurozone?
Is it inevitable?
Are they going to be out?
QUEST: If all -- if all these finance ministers and leaders turned up for some proposal that never materialized, they will be spitting feathers.
There is no question about it. Let's not dress this up with any niceties. The Greeks had time to put together a proposal on the assumption that they
would be winning the referendum.
So there's really very little room or ground for them, saying, well, you know, "Waiting for Godot;" it'll arrive tomorrow.
On the question of the Greeks leaving the euro, the reality -- this is the harsh reality. It is not an inevitability yet. But it's heading
rapidly in that direction, Robyn. The real economy in Greece is in such a powerless state, it is so close to collapse, the banking system is in such
desperate need, the banks -- look, the government hasn't been paying building contractors since January. Pensions and salaries have to be paid
next week. The banking system's probably got about 250 million euros at best sloshing around within it. The banking system, it will have been
closed for nearly -- for 10 days.
Put this all together and you're now heading to a Graccident. The accident, well, the inevitability arrives of a Greek exiting the euro, that
is the way this could happen.
CURNOW: And Europe really hasn't seen things like this -- I mean, this is uncharted territory here. You kind of lose the words, spitting
feathers, I don't know if that's the right description, but we're going to use and maybe throw it at some of those finance ministers a bit later on.
But both of you, Jim Bittermann , Richard Quest, thanks for keeping an eye on things and we'll come back to you if we do get anymore developments
or comments from those meetings that are happening now. Thanks, guys.
Now the U.S. State Department says the Iranian nuclear talks have been extended through Friday. The announcement notes substantial progress has
been made but that more work needs to be done.
Tuesday had been a self-imposed deadline for a final deal. Well, our Atika Shubert joins us now from Vienna with the latest.
Hi, there, Atika. This extension, an indication of progress, isn't it? I mean, it's good news.
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think it's clear that what they're essentially saying is that we are getting closer. We're taking
those incremental steps. But before we make that final decision, basically a few foreign ministers need to fly back to their respective capitals to
get the go-ahead.
We know that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is flying back to Moscow. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is headed back to Paris. Secretary
of State John Kerry will stay here, along with his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif.
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SHUBERT: Negotiations will continue. But we probably won't get any real further progress until those other foreign ministers get back late
Wednesday night and into Thursday. But, yes, it's possible progress has been made. But frankly, we don't know at this stage what that progress
might be because they don't have many details coming out.
We do know from Russia news, from Russian press, that Sergey Lavrov briefed a few reporters there, saying there are still eight outstanding
issues, which seems like quite a lot but what they could be doing is simply haggling over the exact wording of the various appendices and documents
that will be bundled into this agreement -- Robyn.
CURNOW: OK. Atika, thank you so much for that. Appreciate your analysis as always.
Well, we're looking now -- let's go to live pictures from Hyde Park, where a ceremony is being held for those 52 people who died in the 7/7
terror attacks. Prince William is in attendance; earlier, Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson laid wreaths at the July 7th
Memorial in Hyde Park.
We'll have much more on this anniversary throughout the hour and throughout the day. But let's listen in to what's being said now.
-- this afternoon is very grateful to you for your attendance and delighted that you've been able to join us today.
Lord Leftenant, thank you for being with us as well today.
I want to thank in particular all those who stood up and read and spoke this afternoon, sharing their experiences, Sidesh, Emma, Tracy, Paul
and Esther and Tim for reading the names out just now.
I'd like to thank David Gould and John Macdonald for the "Song of the Doves" that we heard earlier. I'd like also to thank the staff at the
Foundation for Peace and Besick, Terrio, Hara and Donna Craig who are here this afternoon.
I'd like to thank Paulo Pimentel and his colleagues at BBS, who provided counseling support over the years.
I'd like to thank the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and his staff at city hall, who've done so much of the organization for today, in particular
Emma Scrane, Dara Basyra, John Paul Grahame, David Holly, John Edwards, Norah Blake and many, many others who volunteered their times today to help
out.
We're indebted as well to the Royal Parks Agency here at Hyde Park for their support and in particular to the Rock Choir for singing so
beautifully again this afternoon. We'll hear from them again in a few minutes.
The final part of this afternoon's event is the laying of flowers. And as the Rock Choir perform their final songs this afternoon, I'm going
to invite the families first and then the survivors to come and lay a single yellow Gerbera wherever they choose at the memorial. There'll be
staff around to help out if necessary.
So I'd like to ask people to come up from the families first to lay their flowers. After that's been done and the survivors have laid their
flowers, I'll ask His Royal Highness to lay a floral tribute at the memorial stone.
So please would representatives of the families like to come forward and lay their flowers?
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CURNOW: OK. You're listening and watching there, emotional moments in London today. This is the second memorial to those who were killed in
the 7/7 bombings, 52 people killed, murdered in coordinated attacks, suicide bombings that targeted commuters during the morning rush hour, 700
injured and throughout London, throughout the U.K., commemorations in their honor.
OK. We're going to move on here at CNN to Africa, where another bombing has killed at least 25 people in Nigeria's Northern Kaduna state.
Blame is falling on the Islamic --
[10:15:00]
CURNOW: -- extremist group Boko Haram, which has been stepping up attacks as it battles the military.
Christian Purefoy is there in Lagos with more.
What can you tell us, Christian?
CHRISTIAN PUREFOY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Robyn. It's another attack by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria, 32
people killed, 25 people killed and 32 people injured at least. Some of the witnesses we've spoken to indicate that that figure may rise
considerably.
It happened at a local government secretariat while civil servants were queueing to sign up; amongst the dead apparently is a 2-year-old
child. So the -- I'm sorry -- this is the latest in a string of attacks by Boko Haram, Robyn, across this region. We've had attacks in the north in
Borno state, where fighters went into a village and killed maybe 150 people and they attacked a church with a grenade. And they've attacked a mosque
yesterday, a 13-year-old girl went in and explosives strapped to her chest and exploded. No one else was injured.
It's -- they hit basically every major target in the last week in Northern Nigeria -- Robyn.
CURNOW: OK. Christian Purefoy, thank you so much for that update, Christian coming to us there from Lagos.
Meanwhile in Kenya, the Al-Shabaab terror group says it was behind an attack in that country's northeast. Authorities say militants stormed a
compound housing quarry workers, blowing open the gate and then opening fire. At least 14 people were killed and 11 wounded. It happened just
across the border from Somalia, where Kenyan troops are helping to battle Al-Shabaab.
This is the IDESK. Ahead a stunning decade-old admission from comedian Bill Cosby that has his accusers speaking out. We'll hear from
them next.
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CURNOW: Welcome back.
Now one of comedian Bill Cosby's accusers says the truth has come out. Newly released court documents show Cosby admitted that he got prescription
Quaaludes, prescription sedatives, essentially, to give to women he wanted to have sex with. The admission came under oath during a deposition in a
2005 civil suit.
The Associated Press went to court to get the records released. More than 2 dozen women say Cosby raped or sexually assaulted them over the
decades. One of them, former model Beverly Johnson, spoke to CNN earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEVERLY JOHNSON, COSBY ACCUSER: I think it's a time for feeling that the healing can begin and also forgiveness. But also a message of women
using their voice when it's necessary.
[10:20:00]
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CURNOW: Well, let's get more on this story. Our Sara Ganim joins me now from our New York bureau.
I mean, this whole story is just shocking.
What happens now?
SARA GANIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is really fascinating and here's why. These women who have come forward, many of them, not only did they
allege sexual abuse, sexual assault, but they also said that they believed that they were drugged. They said that from the beginning, that they
remember Cosby that night, that they were with him, fixing them a drink and giving it to them and shortly thereafter they felt incapacitated and that's
when they alleged that the sexual assault happened.
Now in this, these court documents that were released -- and the partial deposition that was released -- Bill Cosby is very specific with
his words. But this is the first time that he is admitting to anything after years and years of denying everything.
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GANIM (voice-over): A bombshell in the ongoing Cosby sexual assault controversy, shockingly revealed in his own words. The admission surfacing
in newly-unsealed court documents. The embattled comedian testifying under oath that, in 2005, he had obtained seven prescriptions of Quaaludes, a
powerful hypnotic sedative, admitting his intent: to drug young women he wanted to have sex with.
His confession, testimony from a civil lawsuit filed by Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, that was settled in 2006.
In the deposition, obtained and made public by the Associated Press, the plaintiff's attorney questioning the now 77-year-old Cosby.
Question: "When you got the Quaaludes, was it in your mind that you were going to use these Quaaludes for young women that you wanted to have
sex with?"
Cosby answering, "Yes."
"You gave them to other people?"
"Yes."
When the attorney goes on to ask him, "Did you ever give any of those women Quaaludes without their knowledge?" Cosby's lawyer objects, telling
him not to answer the question.
The woman in that case, accusing Cosby of drugging and molesting her, giving her three blue pills.
The documents also include Cosby's recollection of a 1970s encounter with a woman in Las Vegas.
"She meets me backstage," he says. "I give her Quaaludes. We then have sex."
According to the newly-released court documents, Cosby's lawyers insisting that two of the accusers were aware that they were taking
Quaaludes from the comedian.
Over the past 40 years, more than 25 women have publicly alleged that Cosby raped or assaulted them.
JOHNSON: It was very powerful. It came on very quickly. The room started to spin. At that point, I knew he had drugged me.
GANIM (voice-over): But Cosby, who starred as the lovable Dr. Cliff Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," has long denied drugging and sexually
molesting these women and has never been criminally charged.
Barbara Bowman, one of Cosby's accusers, who many credit for paving the way for others to come forward, calls the revelations a game changer.
BARBARA BOWMAN, COSBY ACCUSER: I think we're going to be heard now. And I think this is just the beginning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GANIM: Now Cosby fought the release of these documents. They were sealed for 10 years. He didn't want them to be released. He said that
they were embarrassing -- that's what his lawyer is again reiterating this morning to ABC News.
You know, another thing that's interesting, the judge released these because he felt that Cosby was defending himself by going after these women
and you asked earlier, what's next? Well, several of them, even though the statute of limitations has expired -- they can't go after him for sexual
assault criminally or civilly -- they are now trying to go after him for defamation for denying that any of this ever happened.
CURNOW: OK, Sara Ganim, thank you so much for that update.
A moment of silence across London. Coming up, the city marks the 10th anniversary of the July 7th bombing attacks. We'll take you to those
ceremonies.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Neetu Jain.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Emily Jenkins.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Adrian Johnson.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Helen Catherine Jones.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Susan Levy.
CURNOW (voice-over): A moment of remembrance at St. Paul's Cathedral in London as the names of those who died in the July 7th attacks are read
aloud. Today marks the 10th anniversary of the four coordinated bombings that targeted the city's transit system; 52 people were killed and hundreds
were wounded.
Well, Erin McLaughlin is in London. She joins us now.
I was there in London and that sense of fear and devastation, I mean, clearly by these memorials, you can really see still very much felt, the
wounds still very much there.
ERIC MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Robyn. And happening now is yet another powerful ceremony of remembrance and reflection. It's
happening in a very special place called the Hyde Park 7/7 Memorial. It was actually designed with the help of the victims' families, the 52 steel
pillars there, one for each of the 52 victims that were killed in the 7/7 terror attacks, those pillars are nameless to reflect the indiscriminate
nature of the day's attacks.
There is a plaque to the side with all the names earlier today we saw British Prime Minister David Cameron as well as London Mayor Boris Johnson
as well as other first responders lay wreaths at that plaque. But in particular, ceremony happening now. We're hearing from survivors of that
day.
We're also hearing from the family members of the victims, including Esther Hyman (ph), her sister, Miriam died that day in the bus bombing.
And she's basically calling in her testimony for forgiveness, peace, tolerance, in her words, " a good revolution."
Now prior to the Hyde Park ceremony, there was a ceremony here at St. Paul's Cathedral, really bringing together a cross-section of British
society that felt the impact of the blasts that day, including dignitaries, the former prime minister, Tony Blair -- he was prime minister at the time
of the attacks -- was there; Prince Andrew as well as survivors, family members, first responders.
Let's take a listen to some of the highlights from that ceremony.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): We're gathered here in this cathedral church as representatives of this city and of this nation together with
friends from around the world to recall a moment in time when lives were destroyed and the world was changed.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): All through the day, police file, ambulance crews worked past exhaustion point, London is proud of you and
grateful.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Neetu Jain.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Emily Jenkins.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Adrian Johnson.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Helen Catherine Jones.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Susan Levy.
Shelley Marie Mather.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael Matsushita.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: James Mayes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Behnaz Mozakka.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Colin Morley.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCLAUGHLIN: So as you can see there, a really moving day of remembrance. It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years since those
attacks -- Robyn.
CURNOW: Indeed. And those victims ranging in age from 20 to 60. And because there'd been train delays that day, a lot of them took a bus or a
train they wouldn't normally have taken.
Erin McLaughlin, thank you so much for your reporting.
Well, this is the INTERNATIONAL DESK. Ahead, Pope Francis is set to give his second mass in Ecuador. There you can see live pictures. We're
going to go live to the capital, Quito, where huge crowds are gathering; preparations readying for that mass.
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CURNOW: Welcome back to the INTERNATIONAL DESK. I'm Robyn Curnow. Here are the headlines.
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CURNOW (voice-over): Greek journalists reporting on emergency meetings in Brussels, say Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras doesn't have a new
proposal to present to his creditors. The prime minister is now expected to speak to the European parliament on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Greek economy is on the verge of collapse.
The U.S. State Department say the Iranian nuclear talks have been extended through Friday. A spokeswoman says that, quote, "substantial
progress has been made," but admits more work remains. This is the second time the deadline for a final agreement has been extended.
Britons are marking the 10th anniversary of the July 7th attacks in London. Prince William is attending a ceremony in Hyde Park at the
memorial honoring those 52 people who were killed. Hundreds of people were wounded when four suicide bombers targeted three London Underground trains
and a bus.
Pope Francis will celebrate mass today in Ecuador's capital, Quito. He'll also visit Bolivia and Paraguay on his week-long trip to some of the
poorest nations in South America.
CNN's Rosa Flores joins me now.
Hi, there, Rosa. There's extraordinary crowds again amassing for this pope. We're looking at live pictures here as the pope makes his way
towards the stadium, where he's going to give a second mass in as many days.
Give us a sense of the mood where you are.
ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, about a million people are expected to celebrate mass with him today. And if you look right behind
me, you'll see the altar where he will be celebrating mass.
But just to give you a little tidbit, until a little while ago, that altar was covered with a tarp because it rained overnight. It rained this
morning. But hear this: hundreds of thousands of people slept in this park, waiting for the 78-year-old pontiff.
Now as far as my eyes can see, there are people here. Now this is a very large park because it used to be the airport of Quito. The airport is
actually right behind the altar that you're taking a look at. So if you can imagine, the entire tarmac, the entire runway of an airport, that is
the size of the crowd here in Quito.
Now everyone is very curious about Pope Francis. Sometimes he says things off the cuff. We're expecting him to say things off the cuff today
because he's going to be speaking in Spanish. So people wonder, hmm, we already know a lot about Pope Francis.
[10:35:00]
FLORES: Are there things out there that we don't know about? Let me tell you, there are. I talked to one of his friends and here is what he
revealed.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FLORES (voice-over): A personalized message from a dear friend is always a good gesture.
FATHER HERNAN PAREDES, FRIEND OF POPE FRANCIS: I ask you to keep praying for me and may God, Jesus and the Blessed Mother take care of you.
FLORES (voice-over): But when that friend emails you a month after being elected pope, it's practically a blessing sent from God.
FLORES: He was a busy man at the time.
PAREDES: Yes, he was. Can you imagine?
(LAUGHTER)
PAREDES: With all the shop and all the situation, I mean, the (INAUDIBLE). But he had the time for friends.
FLORES (voice-over): Father Paredes has known Pope Francis for three decades. Their first meeting, back in the '80s when Pope Francis was
Rector Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the head of 100 seminarian Jesuits, including now Father Paredes.
FLORES: What do you call Pope Francis?
PAREDES: I call him Padre.
(LAUGHTER)
FLORES (voice-over): They stay in touch by writing letters and emailing, all in Spanish. That's because Paredes says...
PAREDES: Forgive me, Pope Francis, but you failed twice to (INAUDIBLE). You went twice to and (INAUDIBLE). I have no confidence
anymore.
FLORES (voice-over): This picture, a memento from their visit in Argentina, a few months before Francis became pope.
PAREDES: He gave me his blessing but at the same time, I asked him to have a picture. So actually he told, oh, Hernan, I don't have -- I am not
a man of pictures. I -- you can see it's very serious.
FLORES (voice-over): Now with his rock star status, the 78-year-old pontiff, who loved listening to opera, is probably one of the most
photographed faces on the Earth and one of the most quoted as well.
His message during his three-country visit to South America, one of inclusiveness, service and democracy. Next on his agenda: Cuba and the
U.S. in September.
Father Paredes says he doesn't know if Pope Francis, famous for his, "who am I to judge" quote about homosexuality, will comment about the
recent Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage.
PAREDES: (INAUDIBLE) the tradition of the church doesn't change overnight. And at the same time, he's -- he had noticed that there are
other ways of living.
FLORES (voice-over): Father Paredes, who now lives in New York, recently visited with the pope in the Vatican. His first time seeing his
dear friend since being elected. It was an emotional reunion.
PAREDES: I know that he said that I am too American now.
(LAUGHTER)
FLORES: What does that mean?
PAREDES: Well, probably, I put weight on.
FLORES (voice-over): Like two old friends, they poked at each other, one of them just happens to be pope.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FLORES: And here is another little tidbit. Father Paredes tells me that Pope Francis also cooked for those 100 Jesuits and also washed their
clothes sometimes -- Robyn.
CURNOW: A pope who's still called Padre. Thank you so much for your report, Rosa Flores, there in Ecuador.
Well, coming up here at CNN, they're cute pictures and will take over your mobile device. We'll tell you about this Japanese game, about cats,
why its creators think it's become such a hit.
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[10:40:06]
CURNOW: Welcome back.
Now a simple online game about cats is quickly becoming a big hit. It's been downloaded more than 5.5 million times to the surprise of the
game's Japanese developers. Here's Manisha Tank with that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
MANISHA TANK, CNN HOST (voice-over): From the land that gave us Hello Kitty, Doraemon and YouTube sensation Maru, comes some new cats that are
trending in Japan and beyond.
People like Yuka and Takanori are addicted to Neko Atsume.
When you open the app and you see all these kitties, you know, and their little movements, and their expressions, it's just -- there's just a
sense of comfort.
TANK (voice-over): They've been playing the game on his iPhone for the past few months. Neko Atsume literally translates into "cat
collecting," which is the whole point of the game.
Since it launched last October, its developers say the game has been downloaded more than 5.5 million times.
YUTAKA TAKAZAKI, GAME CREATOR (through translator): The game is very easy to maneuver. It's designed to be easy to understand. I think even
people who don't play video games regularly are enjoying it.
TANK (voice-over): All you do is leave out cat food and toys then just wait for the cats -- 45 in total to come.
There are your standard white cats, striped cats and spotted cats. But then there are the special ones, like this cat that looks like "Vogue"
editor Anna Wintour.
Yutaka Takazaki developed the game with cat lovers in mind but says he has no idea it would be such a hit.
TAKAZAKI (through translator): I believe that with social media that helped it grow. But the app is a camera. You can take photos of your cat
and you can upload them on social media so others become interested.
TANK (voice-over): Takazaki says up to 40 percent of downloads are now from overseas. Other famous Japanese felines have made fortunes for
their makers. Last year Hello Kitty was revealed not to actually be a cat but a girl. But she still reportedly rakes in $7 billion a year.
Japan certainly seems like a cat-crazed nation. Tama, a cat turned station master, died recently. Thousands attended her funeral as she was
elevated to the status of goddess. There's even a Japanese island where feral cats outnumber the people.
But if the real thing is just too much, Neko Atsume allows you to collect strays without having to touch them. And for Yuka and Takanori and
millions of others, that's just fine -- Manisha Tank, CNN, Hong Kong.
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CURNOW: Slightly bonkers, isn't it?
Well, that does it for us here at the INTERNATIONAL DESK. Up next, "WORLD SPORT" with Alex Thomas, who'll have the latest from Wimbledon and
Novak Djokovic's hard-won victory over Kevin Anderson. Stay around for that. Thanks for watching. I'm Robyn Curnow.
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