Return to Transcripts main page

CNN NEWSROOM

Putin Busy with His Counterpart Meeting; Hillary Clinton Pointing Finger for her Loss; Copycat Speech; Not So Friendly Skies; Reviving Healthcare Bill. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired May 3, 2017 - 03:00   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[03:00:00] ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN HOST: Turning on the charm, Vladimir Putin speaks to Donald Trump as part of his busy week of meetings with world leaders.

Hillary Clinton opens up about her failed presidential campaign, taking responsibility for the loss but she says she's not the only one to blame.

And another skirmish in the skies. A fistfight breaks out on a flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles.

Hello and welcome to our viewers all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church, and this is CNN Newsroom.

Russia's president is on a concentrated diplomatic offensive. Vladimir Putin held talks with Germany's chancellor and the U.S. president Tuesday as ties with both countries are strained, and he will meet with Turkey's leader on Wednesday.

Brian Todd has more on how Mr. Putin is trying to steer the conversation.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For Vladimir Putin, the backdrop is ideal. Sochi, the Black Sea Resort where Russia hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics. With German Chancellor Merkel at his side Putin dismissed allegations that his hacking teams interfered in the American election.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): We would never interfere in the political process of other countries. You dwelled upon the example of the U.S. which hasn't been confirmed by anything or anyone. It's just rumors utilized by the American media industry.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: A senior Trump administration official tells CNN that's false, saying there was evidence of Russian meddling in the election. Analysts say don't expect Putin's hackers to stop now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN JUDAH, "FRAGILE EMPIRE" AUTHOR: People talk about it and it makes Russia seem more powerful than it is. And, secondly, because it does appear to be shifting the conversation online and Russian propaganda does appear to be able to sway the online discussion, support to a certain degree populists and extremist candidates who are better suited for working with the Kremlin.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: Putin's denial of interference comes on the same day of his phone call with President Trump. It's the first call between the two leaders since the U.S. launched a missile strike in Syria, an operation which sparked real tension between Putin and Trump. The strike prompted by intelligence that the Syrian regime killed its own citizens with chemical weapons, a consensus that Putin still seems to refuse to accept.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PUTIN (through translator): Those guilty must be found and punished, but this can only be done after an impartial investigation.

JAMES GOLDGEIER, DEAN, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICE: You know, he is just trying to throw a smoke screen around this. He is not interested at all in some kind of resolution to the situation, some kind of real understanding of what occurred.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: The U.S. intelligence community is confident the Syrian regime conducted the chemical attack and that Russia played a role in trying to, quote, "distract the international community."

As Putin faces for scrutiny abroad, an extraordinary scene at home. People on the streets risking their lives in a show of defiance. One protest in Moscow had a title, "we're sick of it."

Despite the unrest, analysts say don't expect much change when Putin runs for reelection next year.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOLDGEIER: He controls enough of the levers of power and controls the media enough and has sufficient support outside the major cities that he should be able to manage this election campaign.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: Even if Putin wins by a large margin next year, his popularity could decline after that. If the economy doesn't improve and Russian standard of living continues to stagnate, then experts say expert Vladimir Putin to pull one of his signature moves, deflecting attention from his problems at home by telling Russians that America is out to get them.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

CHURCH: And Mr. Putin's meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to focus on Syria. Ankara is concerned the Kurdish fighters battling ISIS will try to establish an autonomous region along the Turkish-Syrian border. Turkey considers the Kurds terrorists.

Well, CNN's Diana Magnay is live in Moscow. She joins us now. So Diana, Vladimir Putin appears to be on a mission here meeting with Germany's leader Tuesday talking with the U.S. president on the same day, and then meeting in just a few hours (TECHNICAL PROBLEM)

[03:05:00] (TECHNICAL PROBLEM)

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Hillary Clinton today taking more responsibility for her election loss than she ever has before.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, (D) FORMER UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I take absolute personal responsibility. I was the candidate. I was the person who was on the ballot. I can't be anything other than who I am, and I spent decades learning about what it would take to move our country forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Clinton promised more in a book she is publishing in the fall.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: I am writing a book, and it's a painful process, reliving the campaign. So did we make mistakes? Of course we did. Did I make mistakes? My gosh, yes. You know, you will read my confession and my requests for absolution. But the reasons why I believe we lost were the intervening events in the last 10 days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: That would be the FBI director's decision to send a letter to Congress, stating he was reexamining the investigation into Clinton's use of a private e-mail and server while secretary of state. Director Jim Comey's letter went out October 28th.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: If the election had been on October 27th I would be your president and it wasn't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: And she blamed Russia for its role in hacking into the e-mail account of her campaign chairman, refusing to speak Russian President Vladimir Putin's name. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: He certainly interfered in our election, and it was clear he interfered to hurt me and to help my opponent. And if you chart my opponent and his campaign's statements, they quite coordinated with the goals that that leader who shall remain nameless had.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Nearly six months since the end of the campaign, Clinton is emerging as a leading antagonist to President Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: I'm now back to being an activist citizen, and part of the resistance.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Clinton criticized the president's recent strike on a Syrian air base used by both Syrian and Russian forces.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: We later learned that the Russians and the Syrians moved jets off the runway, that the Russians may have been given a head as up even before our own Congress was.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: And while she didn't denounce Trump for saying he would sit down with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, she did question the president's larger foreign policy goal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: Negotiations are critical, but they have to be part of a broader strategy, not just thrown out on a tweet some morning that, hey, let's get together and, you know, see if we can't get along.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[03:10:02] KEILAR: At times she downright trolled Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: I remember I did win more than three million votes than my opponent.

(APPLAUSE)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I feel a tweet coming. CLINTON: Well, fine. You know, better that than interfering in

foreign affairs, if he wants to tweet about me I'm happy to be the diversion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Brianna Keilar, CNN, Washington.

CHURCH: And President Trump did, in fact, tweet about Clinton Tuesday night. He wrote, "FBI Director Comey was the best thing that ever happened to Hillary Clinton in that he gave her a free pass for many bad deeds. The phony Trump Russia story was an excuse used by the democrats as justification for losing the election. Perhaps Trump just ran a great campaign."

Well, British Prime Minister Theresa May says she will be a bloody difficult woman in Brexit talks. We will head to London to see how she's doing in the polls for the upcoming snap election.

Plus, the French presidential election is days away and Marine Le Pen is fighting accusations that she stole a former rival's words. Her explanation coming your way in just a moment.

Plus, another day, another fistfight on a plane. The passenger who shot this video talks to CNN about what happened. We're back in a moment with that and a whole lot more. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: Hey, I'm Don Riddell with your CNN World Sport headlines.

Only one place to start today, that the Champions League semifinals where Real Madrid have beaten their cross time rival Atletico. In the last three seasons Real had knocked them out every time. Twice the heartbreakers come in the final. The same narrative continued today with a completely dominant performance at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Real Madrid bossed the game cruising to a 3-nil win. And all three goals came from Madrid superstar Cristiano Reynaldo. Madrid have won three of the last two titles and it is very hard to see how they won't be in the final again this year.

Now when Petra Kvitova was attacked at home back in December, it could have been the end of her tennis career. The two time Wimbledon champion was stabbed in her hand suffering of tendon damage. So what a beautiful sight this. Petra has just posted this on her Instagram page saying she is back on court and hitting tennis balls. No certain return date yet but this is certainly really good to see.

And finally, it's the Kentucky Derby at Churchill downs this weekend. And you might want to think about backing a long shot who is also a real feel good story. He is called patch and his one-eyed horse. His left eye was removed when he was two year old because it became swollen. He is a 40 to 1 outsider in Saturday's annual race.

[03:15:00] And that is a quick look at your sports headlines. I'm Don Riddell.

CHURCH: Well, British lawmakers are in full campaign mode and parliament is officially dissolve to head of June's snap election. Prime Minister Theresa May sounds confident with a sizeable lead in early polls but opposition leaders are fighting back, criticizing her plans for the coming Brexit talks.

Our Max Foster is live in London outside the parliament. he joins me now. So Max, how easy is this going to be for Theresa May?

MAX FOSTER, CNN HOST: Well, it is going to be a big test, really, to see how she can keep that lead if it will be like that. Ms. May's closest competition really the labor party leader Jeremy Corbyn, but she has held him off by drawing a very simple distinction. She is strong. He is weak. And May promised she'll be the toughest and therefore the best negotiator for Brexit.

Take a listen, Rosemary.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I think what we've seen recently is that at times these negotiations are going to be tough. Now, during the conservative party leadership campaign, I was described by one of my colleagues as a bloody difficult woman, and I said at the time, the next person to find that out will be Jean-Claude Juncker.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, May called the vote knowing she had a comfortable lead over everyone else. But as our Nic Robertson reports she still have to work quite hard for the mandate that she is seeking.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, how are you?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: The battle for votes while underway, opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, fighting to boost his flagging support. Targeting the government on healthcare, education, the economy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY CORBYN, LABOUR PARTY LEADER: They are a government that is very strong against the weakest. And very weak against the strongest, the wealthiest and the richest. That is the difference between them and us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, campaigning on her party's successful 2015 election slogan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAY: A vote for me in the local conservative candidate is the vote for strong and stable leadership. (END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: Strong and stable. A mantra we will hear plenty on.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAY: Every vet for me is a vote for me is a vote for strong and stable leadership.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: May wants to make the election a binary choice, her or Corbyn, the pitch only she can get the country out of Europe successfully.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAY: Every vote for him is a vote for a chaotic Brexit, every vote for me is a vote to strengthen our hand in negotiating the best deal for Britain.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: In truth, other options than Corbyn are on the table. Liberal democrats for a gentler Brexit, the Scottish national party pushing for Scottish independence, weaken May. But between the P.M. and the main opposition, the battle lines are clear.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CORBYN: Mr. Speaker the election on the 8th of June is a choice between a...

(CROWD CHEERING)

Yes, between a conservative government for the few and a labour government that will stand up for all of our people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: Not everyone is taking kindly to that idea.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is again, without really a good chance of a significant difference, I think, it's not helpful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: Without doubt, the election is another big ask of the British people. A Brexit referendum last year, a general election two years ago, for May's election gamble to pay off with a bigger majority, she needs as many people as possible to go out and vote.

MAY: And a gain at the weekend... ROBERTSON: This election, still a long way from the slam dunk May

hopes it will be.

Nic Robertson, CNN, London.

FOSTER: With me now is the U.K. political analyst, Carole Walker. If you look at the figures, she is going to walk it. But there are things that she could get wrong here, right? And Jeremy Corbyn could potentially make some catch up.

CAROLE WALKER, U.K. POLITICAL ANALYST: Well the elections are always unpredictable things. As we know the polls have got it wrong in the past, but certainly at the moment, Theresa May does appear to be heading towards getting the bigger mandate, the bigger backing of M.P.'s that she is expecting.

It looks as though she will be able to emerge with a strong over-all majority. The parliament that was dissolved at midnight last night, she had a majority of just 17 over her rivals and that made it very, very difficult indeed for her to get to any kind of contentious proposals.

But we're already seeing that when it comes to dealing with the rest of the E.U., this idea that if she gets a strong mandate, it's going to be easier to get a sort of bBexit deal if she won.

[03:20:01] FOSTER: She doesn't make any difference at all, does it, really, from the European point of view?

WALKER: They are out there to try to get the best deal for what's left of the E.U. once we leave and we have these accounts of that dinner last week in Downing Street, when it appears they didn't agree on how the talks should even be conducted, Theresa May saying, look, we want to talk about a future trade deal alongside the brexit terms.

Jean-Calude Juncker saying, well, hang on a second, you got to settle the bill for your departure first, the U.K. side saying, hang on, we are not paying a deal, a bill.

(CROSSTALK)

FOSTER: What bill?

WALKER: Jean-Claude Juncker saying, in that case, you are not getting a trade deal. And they don't even agree on the outcome. Theresa May saying we are going to make a success of Brexit and the E.U. saying, hold on a second, Brexit is not going to be a success.

And when it comes to that, it's going to be very, very tough indeed. We are going to be hearing from Michel Barnier, one of the key E.U. negotiators today setting out in black and white terms their guidelines for this whole negotiating process.

And I think that's just going to underline the huge gap that there is, between the U.K. and the E.U. as these negotiations just begin to get underway. FOSTER: We talked a bit last night about the impact as well on labor

the opposition party, you mentioned it briefly. But actually it looks like they are going to collapse and Theresa May won't have a strong opposition and actually this place relies on that, isn't it for the, you know, the smooth operating of an effective government.

WALKER: I think everyone in parliament thinks that it's important to have a strong opposition. The labour party, the man opposition are in real difficulties. Even many labour M.P.'s don't think that their leader Jeremy Corbyn is the best person to become prime minister.

They passed a vote of no confidence in him in the last parliament. But he has survived two attempts to unseat him. Yesterday, one of their key policy launches when they talked about getting an extra 10,000 police officers the shadow home secretary couldn't get the figures right.

There was a car crash of an interview which I think further hit their reputation with the voters. When it comes to these Brexit negotiations which of course is the biggest concerns for voters in this election, I think those difficulties that there are in the talks, the two are always going to play it to their own advantage.

They are going to be saying, this is why we need the bloody difficult woman who Theresa May is now proud to describe herself as. They think that that plays in to their mantra of strong and stable leadership, they are going to try to reinforce and that is the main message, and however much the labour party try to come up proposals today that they've got on the health service and so on, they believe that that Trump the labour message and could help them to get the bigger mandate, the bigger majority that Theresa May is seeking in this election.

FOSTER: Carole Walker, thank you. We will be speaking to you a lot over the next five weeks or so, Rosemary. Not long now, these snap elections happen pretty quickly.

CHURCH: Yes, it's going to be interesting to watch, thank you so much, Max, I appreciate it.

France's far right presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen is fighting accusations that she plagiarized ex rival Francois Fillon. Listen to them both.

(FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

CHURCH: As you see, word for word Le Pen said this was a deliberate nod to Fillon. She faces centrist Emmanuel Macron in the day ahead for their final debate before Sunday's election.

And CNN's Jim Bittermann joins me now from Paris. So Jim, what's being said about marine Le Pen's explanation for her plagiarizing her former rival Francois Fillon, are people buying it, and of course what's expected to come out at this final debate tonight. Is the race appears to be tightening? JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well,

Rosemary. I think her supporters are buying her explanation that she was making a play for Fillon voters by quoting him, although she didn't mention the fact that she was quoting him and that clip was really telling, because it's just amazing how closely she kept right to the timing even of Fillon when he delivered the remarks several weeks before.

In any case, I think her supporters buy it and those who oppose her are not buying it. So it's coming down to this debate tonight, this is going to be I think the crucial moment during the campaign as these two face off against each other.

Emmanuel Macron viewed as under there ahead of Marine Le Pen in the polls, but in fact in a debate situation may not be able to fair as well.

[03:24:59] He sometimes tends to be a little bit too loquacious, a little bit too long winded about things, whereas Marine Le Pen can get in those zingers that people remember.

So, it's going to be a real interesting debate tonight. Two hours and 20 minutes of debate as these two face off. With two journalists and no audience, basically head to head amongst the two of them. Rosemary?

CHURCH: Yes. It is critical and of course the election is on Sunday. So, how are the candidates trying to woo over that rather large number of undecided voters there?

BITTERMANN: Well, these undecided voters are really something else in this election. Eighteen percent according to the poll that came out yesterday of French voters are not yet decided. These are people who are going to go to the polls to vote.

In fact, about 30 percent, according to the same poll are going to stay away from the polls. So that in fact is going to be a deciding factor. Generally speaking the undecided people and if people stay away from the polls that plays into the hands of Marine Le Pen, just because her voters are not afraid to admit they are voting for her and also are committed to going to the polls on election day on Sunday. Rosemary?

CHURCH: All right. We will be watching very closely, as you will be. Jim Bittermann, reporting there live from Paris, where it is nearly 9.30 in the morning. Many thanks as always, Jim.

Well, an emotional plea on healthcare coverage. American TV host Jimmy Kimmel, fought back tears as he opened up about his newborn son's heart surgery.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIMMY KIMMEL, TV HOST: I saw a lot of families there, and no parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child's life. It just shouldn't happen. Not here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: We will look at that, plus, President Trump is considering a controversial move to relocate the U.S. embassy in Israel, this as he prepares to meet with the Palestinian president. We will go live to Jerusalem, that is coming away in just a moment.

[03:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: And a warm (AUDIO GAP) all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church. I want to update (AUDIO GAP) main stories that we've been following this hour.

At least eight people have been killed in a suicide attack near the U.S. embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Twenty five others were wounded. Now officials say the car bomb was targeting a convoy of foreign troops. No word yet on who is responsible.

Sources say the former acting U.S. attorney general will contradict the White House about events leading up to National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's firing. They say Sally Yates will testify that she gave a forceful warning about Flynn's conversation with Russia's ambassador.

After Flynn was fired the White House said Yates simply gave a heads up about some of his comments.

Campaigning is underway for the upcoming British election. Prime Minister Theresa May called for the vote seeking a stronger mandate for Brexit talks. Early polls suggest that she will win easily but opposition leaders including labour's (AUDIO GAP) are putting up a fierce fight.

Well, we are getting reports there may have been new activity at a North Korea nuclear site. A monitoring group says it is not clear whether the new movement means Pyongyang is preparing for another nuclear test.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a phone call to work together on the North Korean nuclear crisis. Pyongyang is accusing the U.S. of a military provocation after two American bombers flew over the Korean Peninsula.

The U.S. is relying on China to pressure leader Kim Jong-un, but now the Chinese government is furious the U.S. deployed an anti-missile system in South Korea.

Well, CNN's Paula Hancocks is in Seoul, and Matt Rivers joins us now from Beijing. Good to see you both.

Paula, I want to start with you. And of course, we're just getting word that the professor who was arrested by Pyongyang is being detained there. He is being accused we understand of inciting the government. What is the wording that you are getting from the government there what he is being accused of exactly?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Rosemary, this is just coming out on KCNA the state run media and they have said that Kim Sang-Duk who is also known as Tony Kim, was arrested and accused of committing criminal acts of hostility aimed at overturning the regime.

Now this is a crime that we have heard before for previous Americans that have been detained in North Korea. Hostile acts aimed at overturning the regime. They're not specifying exactly what those acts are at this point though. They do say that he was arrested 8 a.m. on April 22nd, at Pyongyang international airport.

And he had been coming in to the country to teach at the PUST, the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology. Now one thing that they do say in this article is that they talk about something that he has done not only in the past but also during his last stay before interception.

So suggesting that this is a man that they have believed had been -- had been doing something wrong for some time. But of course, they don't specify any allegations. There's no accusations in this, right at this point. We just know that he has been detained and the investigation is ongoing.

Of course the U.S. State Department says that they are doing all they can at this point. Rosemary?

CHURCH: Yes, this is certainly serious accusations there. So let's go back to what we were reporting before. I do want to get what you've been learning about this reported new activity and a North Korean nuclear site.

HANCOCKS: Yes, this is information from 38 North the monitoring group, the tracking group of satellite imagery in the United States and they say that effectively, it is continued activity at Pyungge-ri site, this is where the underground nuclear tests have been carried out in the past by North Korea.

They say there's activity there's movement of vehicles, they believe that there has been more water pumped out of one of the tunnels. They don't specify, though, whether or not they think this means that North Korea is closer to a nuclear test, the number six, or whether it means that they are still preparing for it.

In the past, they said that they thought they were primed and ready, all they were waiting for was the green light from the North Korean leader.

[03:34:59] So it just goes to show in every case really as we're waiting for a potential nuclear test with North Korea, you simply don't know exactly when it's going to come. Rosemary?

CHURCH: Indeed, you don't. And Matt Rivers, let's go to you if we can in Beijing, and now, of course, the U.S. wants China to pressure North Korea to pull back on its nuclear ambitions. But what impact will the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile defense system in South Korea have on that plan, given China's not very happy about it at all?

MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sure, well it's really just too early to tell what impact, if any, this deployment of the THAAD anti-missile defense system and now the fact that it's operational in some limited capacity, it's unclear what affect that will have on the relationship between the United States and China.

It really is in Beijing's ballpark in a sense, because the United States has gone forward. It's showed its card and said, we are going to deploy this system and they have done as they said they would and China has maintained a very consistent position on this particular subject.

Saying that they view this missile defense system as nothing more than thinly veiled attempt by the United States to cement their strategic and (AUDIO GAP) part of the world and China has not been happy about it. (AUDIO GAP)

But at the same time that China has expressed its anger on over this. You do see signs that the United States and China are willing to work together at least so far during the Trump administration on trying reign in the ongoing crisis in North Korea.

So, really it just remains to be seen if this continued deployment of the missile defense system will have an impact, negative impact on this relationship. I think one thing Beijing certainly going to be looking at moving forward is the outcome of the elections that are scheduled to take place in South Korea on May 9th.

That is something that Beijing is going to kind of take a wait and see approach on. Perhaps if there's a new administration, the opposition party takes over and perhaps, the deployment could even be walked back.

Now, whether that happens or not, certainly, just speculative at this point, but I think Beijing is going to and see what the outcome of that election is before deciding how to respond is they are going to respond at all.

CHURCH: Yes, and as you were (AUDIO GAP) seeing that the United States and China work together, but the U.S. is saying now that it's open to applying sanctions on China, if it doesn't appear to apply sufficient pressure on North Korea, how is China likely to respond to that?

RIVERS: Well, China is not going to be happy about that and China generally speaking when it comes to sanctions, I mean, on the one hand they are not going to be happy if their own companies are sanctioned. But on the other hand, you know, the sanctions that are currently being considered in the United States Congress and the House of Representatives those are unilateral sanctions that will be issued by the United States.

And China are generally is already opposed to that. They think any sanctions, if any, are going to applied should be done through international mechanism at the U.N. Security Council. So they're not going to be happy about those sanctions.

But also keep in mind, that's not a new threat. It's something that previous administration have looked at doing before, it's something that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson signaled on the first trip to this part of the world some weeks ago.

And so, yet, you still see this kind of burgeoning cooperation between the United States and China. So, how China will respond, they are not going to be happy it, but I think they will also recognize that there's a joint problem between these two countries and the only way they really going to solve it more than likely is by working together in some capacity.

CHURCH: yes. The whole world watching this very closely. Matt Rivers joining us there from Beijing. Paula Hancocks in Seoul, South Korea. Many thanks to both of you.

Well, President Trump is still considering a pledge he made on the campaign trail to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

On Tuesday, Vice President told (AUDIO GAP) that his boss is (AUDIO GAP) about it. It's a highly controversial ideas since it would effectively recognize Jerusalem and as the capital of Israel.

Palestinian leaders say it could have a disastrous effect on the peace process. Well, Palestinian authority President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to bring out this very issue when he meets with President Trump in the coming hours in Washington.

Our Ian Lee joins us now from Ramallah with more on this. Ian, this has been a topic that was raised by other presidential candidates in the past, but once they got into office, they back pedaled on the issue realizing the ramifications. Can we expect to see this happen with Mr. Trump when he meets with Mahmoud Abbas?

IAN LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Rosemary, most presidents when they look at the facts on the ground and how difficult this one would actually be when it comes to regional politics as well find that (AUDIO GAP) embassy in Tel Aviv.

[03:39:53] But we heard from Vice President Mike Pence yesterday saying that there's still serious considerations about moving that embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

But again, what really stands in their way is not only the Palestinians who are completely against it, but you also have key regional allies like Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia who say that this would be detrimental to the peace process. And that really has been that main roadblock from previous presidents of moving the embassy.

CHURCH: And Ian, what about talks of peace in the coming hours? What, if any, progress could be made or is this just a chat between Mahmoud Abbas and Mr. Trump just an opportunity for the -- for two men to get to know each other?

LEE: Definitely is that, but Rosemary, talking to people around the President Abbas, that they say that he is eager, he is hopeful that something can come of the President Trump's administration. The one thing they say that is very different from previous

administrations is that there's direct communication between the Palestinians and the White House. Previous administrations used the State Department, ham voice from the State Department.

They say they have the president's ear. And nice to that that is key for them they believe. But there are huge roadblocks that stumbled previous presidents. You have the issue of settlements. Where the borders of a Palestinian state would be, what would be the status of Jerusalem.

And before you get to that you still have the split between Fattah and Hamas. So president Abbas speaks with President Trump, the question is will he speak for all Palestinians?

Now, President Abbas believes he does but there is still that split, there needs to be reconciliation there first before really a peace process get underway. So they have a lot to talk about, but President Trump has called this the ultimate deal. Rosemary?

CHURCH: All right. Ian Lee, joining us there from Ramallah. Many thanks to you.

Well, a former South Carolina police officer has pleaded guilty in the 2015 shooting death of Walter Scott. Michael Slager shot Scott, an unarmed black man in the back as Scott was running away from a traffic stop.

Up until now, Slager says the shooting was in self-defense. But he admitted his use of force was unreasonable as part of a plea deal for reduced charges. Slager could still face up to 25 years in prison.

The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly closing its investigation into the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling without charging anyone. The Washington Post and New York Times report multiple sources told them the department wouldn't be bringing charges against the officers involved.

Sterling was killed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana last year. By-stander video of the incident prompted protest across the city and beyond.

We'll take a very short break here, but still to come, a fistfight breaks out on a plane before it leaves the ground. You will hear from the passenger who got on - who got this video.

Well, plus, the debate over healthcare hits very close to home for TV host Jimmy Kimmel. What he is begging Washington to do on healthcare, after a close call for his son. We'll take a look at that. Stay with us.

[03:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, in just a few hours, U.S. republican leaders will try again to get more support on the House of Representatives for a healthcare bill. But the house speaker suggests there are not enough votes. If the bill does not pass, it will be the second time Paul Ryan is not able to rally enough votes for a healthcare overhaul.

That would be a political nightmare for President Donald Trump. One of his main (AUDIO GAP) was to repeal and replace Obamacare. Republicans are divided on keeping protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

Experts say the legislation allows insurers to charge people more to cover certain conditions.

Well, the healthcare debate is as contentious as it is emotional. And for American TV host Jimmy Kimmel the issue is very personal. He fought back tears as he open up about his newborn son heart surgery.

Just listen to the passionate plea he made for health coverage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIMMEL: Before 2014, if you were born with congenital heart disease like my son was, there is a good chance you'd never be able to get health insurance because you had a pre-existing condition.

You were born with a pre-existing condition. And if your parents didn't have medical insurance, you might not live long enough to even get denied because of a pre-existing condition.

If your baby is going to die and it doesn't have to, it shouldn't matter how much money you make. I think that's something now whether you're a republican or democrat or something else, we all agree on that, right?

This poor kid this one he looked like on Monday. But this is what he looked like -- yes.

(APPLAUSE)

Poor kid. Not only he got a bad heart, he got my face.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Powerful words there. And former U.S. President Barack Obama responded on Twitter writing and I'm quoting here. "Well said, Jimmy. And that's exactly what we fought so hard for the Affordable Care Act and why we need to protect it for kids like Billy. And congratulations."

Well, a high ranking member of the Mexican cartel once led by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has been arrested. Damaso Lopez Nunez was taken into custody by Mexican authorities on Tuesday.

The U.S plans to formally ask for extradition. Lopez Nunez is expected to face distribution of cocaine and money laundering charges. The Sinaloa cartel controls an estimated 40 to 60 percent of the marijuana cocaine and heroin sold in the United States.

We'll take a break right here, but still to come the head of United Airlines is apologizing again over passenger being violently dragged off of plane. But this time he had to answer to Congress. We're back in a moment with that.

[03:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Quickly march along into the month of May here and watching another storm system come here.

Disturbance here that could spark off some severe weather initially coming off across portions of the Panhandle of Texas. But the flood threat really the initial concern when it comes to the rainfall coming down in the next couple of days.

We notice the areas are already been really hampered with storms, and notice the storms are very slowly push out of areas with the Midwestern and eventually south central states before they move out of the area.

So the flood watches remain in place from St. Louis point south towards from Jackson, Mississippi into parts of the State of Louisiana as well. So that is an area of concern. And you notice about 14 now out of Denver. Dallas, a few thunder storms at 25. Atlanta heating up to almost 30 degrees while New York City remains mild as well.

But look at the cooler air come and look at set up shop here, this actually could be a pattern, it could live into early next week, maybe even the middle of next week as getting temps well below normal for this time of year after what was July-like heat just a couple of days ago around the northeastern U.S.

Nassau, looking at about 29 degrees, while in Kingston, lower 30's, San Juan, upper 20's, Caracas around 30 degrees with a few showers expected.

While onto South America we go around De Lima at 31, Brasilia comes in at 26. You want dry and comfortable get up into the higher elevations of La Paz, 14 degrees and sunny skies.

Share your weather photos and put the hash tag CNN weather.

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, the CEO of United Airlines is apologizing once again, this time to Congress.

Oscar Munoz was called to a hearing of the U.S. House transportation committee Tuesday over the violent removal of the passenger on an overbooked flight last month. Munoz called the incident a horrible failure and vowed to do better.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)