Transcripts For CNNW CNN Newsroom Live 20180318

Headquarters. Newsroom starts right here. Thank you again for joining you us. New develop nents washington. A day after the number two man in the fbi was fired, a man berated by president donald trump, we now learned that Andrew Mccabe kept notes on his meetings with the president. Though memos now in the hands of Robert Mueller. The Justice Department says mccabe was fired for a laundry list of reasons, but critics say its likely to be used to call his character into question if mueller uses him as a question. Cnn has laura muellers team and they told cnn that asked about the firing of comey. Those notes could be used used to corroborates comeys accounts of meetings with the president. Heres the break jon. Reporter not only did form e fbi Deputy Director mccabe keep notes on his meetings with the president , but we have confirmed that he turned those notes over to special counsel Robert Muellers team and sat down for an interview. One major topic covered during that interview, the firing of former fbi director james comey, a topic that muellers team has pursued while they investigate whether President Trump obstructed justice. Now, the mccabe memos could help bolster how comey describes some of his more past controversial interactions with the president that trump has said never happened rirp clugd requests for loiblt and go easy on former National Security adviser michael flynn, especially if mccabe documented those conversations contemporaneously with the events. But kabs knowledge, at least in mccabes view of what happened to comey also believes why hes been subjected to a pattern of attacks on his reputation and credibility. He told cnn during an interview that the president taunted him repeatedly about his wifes failed state Senate Campaign in twist and even asked who he voted for in the 2016 election. President trump did not, however, ask him to end the russia investigation. Laura jarrett, cnn, washington. The firing of Andrew Mccabe caused a he said situation. It seems the actions werent exactly cleared by his client. Has the president relishes in the firing of former fbi director Andrew Mccabe via twitter, his personal attorney john dowd smak something eyebrow raising statements in a statement provided to the daily beast early on saturday he said he was praying for the russia investigation to end and he apparently told them that he was speaking on behalf of the president as the president s personal attorney. He later walked that back to cnn. John dowd writing speaking for myself, not the president , i pray that acting attorney general rosenstein will follow the brilliant and courageous example of the fbi office of professional responsibility and attorney general Jeff Sessions and bring an end to alleged Russia Collusion Investigation manufactured by mccabes boss, james comey, based upon a fraudulent and corrupt dousier ju just ended on the merits in light of recent revelations. Now theyre saying he didnt make that statement. If you talk to them get the sense that theyre annoyed he went in this zriction direction fwaus contradicts what happened previously in the white house when it comes to the administration. Officials have told us theyre 100 willing to comply with the special counsel with any documents that he needs. We heard the president say he would not fire Robert Mueller. In fact, he was looking forward to sigtd dwoun him to prove there was no collusion between the Trump Campaign and russia. There have been rumblings prior to this so much so that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle crafted legislation that would instahl safeguards to protect him from being fired. That legislation didnt get anywhere but we should point out in the next week there will be a spending bill thats voted on in congress and there may be a push from some lawmakers to include some kind of language that would protect Robert Mueller from that kind of a move by either someone at the department of justice or here at the white house. Lets talk more about this with peter matthews. Hes a proffer of Political Science at cypress cowling. Thanks for being with us, peter. Good to be here, thank you natalie. President trumps lawyer calls for an end to the russia probe stlag was no collusion in the tweet saturday it reads the Mueller Probe should never have been started in that there was no collusion and no crime. He adds it was batsed on fraudulent activity, paid for my crooked hillary and dnc and used in court for slaps of my campaign. They have said over and over interfering or trying to stop the Mueller Investigation would be political suicide yet it sure seems like that effort or idea is still on the table for the trump administration. Your thoughts. It certainly is. Look at firing mccabe, the fbi director several months now because that man say central figure in the Mueller Investigation. He could corosh raroborate what said. Trump won the election with less than the majority of the votes, less votes than hig hillary, he feels that hes not quite legitimate as president , thats the problem, because he seems to attack anyone who considers whether or not the direction hes taking in policy. And he should just be president and stop acting defensively, but hes not doing that and think thats going to be a problem for him. That fold the firing of former fbi Deputy Director mccabe. Weve heard now from form e director james comey also fired by President Trump. He tweeted, mr. President , the American People will hear my story very soon and they can judge for themselves who is honorable and who is not. And then this searing condemnation from former cia john brennan. He tweeted this towards the president. When the full extent of your vernal litty, moral terp ought to and political corruption becomes known rurl take your rightful place as a demma going in history the you may scape coat mccabe, but you will not destroy america. America will triumph over you. My goodness, very harsh words there from mr. Brennan. Mr. Trump has tried to own twitter but the intelligence agencies are clearly firing back. Those are powerful words and they mean a lot because what theyre saying is that this president doesnt steam respect the ru seem to respect the rule of law that america stands for. Hes trying to get the law to be bent in his direction. Obstruction of justice is what nixon was ordered on in his impeachment and had to resign on that. Theyre very powerful words from these very immanent people, the two of them you just quoted. And you talked a moment ago about President Trump wanting to keep spinning this and spinning this. But hes not just alone here. Hes getting support from his legal team as well. It seems a concerted effort to discredit mueller over and over again. Yes. And he doesnt want to directly attack mueller because that would be political suicide for him in a sense, but he wants to attack people around mueller. He called the fbi disgraceful fbi back in december. Calling them disgraceful, thats completely out of control. And then going after mccabe andpeople around mueller without attacking mueller himself. The source of legitimacy is what were talking about here. The source the legitimacy, tradition, legality, charisma. He doesnt have tradition, and and he only cares about onethird the people and, this is very dangerous for democracy. Were heading down the wrong path here. But i think eventually the truth will come out. Lets look at what the fired director andy mccabe had to say. He said i am being singled out because of the events i witnessed in the aftermath of the firing of james comey. So even though he was found by investigators to not be forth come rearing fieshl offense, hes letting the country know he would have been abletosupport mr. Comey in the Mueller Investigation and thats the reason the president fired him. So certainly he is not going quietly into the night, just like comey is not. So youve got this continued duel with those that the president has said good riddance too. How significant is this . Extremely significant. He can appeal this to the public and be more legitimate in the eyes of the law by saying the reason that President Trumps going after me has nothing to do with what hes saying it is but its because im a person that could be very forthright and as a witness i can corroborate james comeys testimony and his facts and ive taken extensive notes as well and theyre in the hands of mr. Mueller already, you know that. But he tried discredit mccabe as much as he could by these inuwednesday doze for many months now. As always, we thank you and we will likely talk with you again as this saga pushes on. Thanks, peter. Thank you so much, natalie. Still ahead, police are investigating the poisoning of a former russian spy. Theyve turned thai their attention to the vehicle you stle see there, his bmw. Just ahead, russian president Vladimir Putin has been in power for 18 years. Hes expected to win reelection on sunday, but well tell you about a concern the kremlin has about this vote coming up here in a live report from moscow. You wont see these folks at the post office they have businesses to run they have passions to pursue how do they avoid trips to the post office . Stamps. Com mail letters ship packages all the Amazing Services of the post office right on your computer get a 4 week trial plus 100 in extras including postage and a digital scale go to stamps. Com tv and never go to the post office again welcome back to cnn newsroom. Theres a president ial election underway in russia. People there headed to the polls this hour put see this live image in moscow. People deciding on eight candidates who are vying for the top spot there, but the russian president Vladimir Putin is by far the lead contender. He is expected to easily win reelection after 18 years in power. He is already russias longest serving leader since soviet dictator joseph stalin. Were live there and jill dorty there to give context and perspective in our moscow bureau. Matthew, first to you at the polling station if the give us a sense of the mood of voters as they head to the polls. Reporter well, i think its upgeet because thats surprising because what we understand before this election took place there was a high degree of apathy because the choice in russia has been so limited for this president ial election. There are eight candidates that are contesting for the president ial election, but theres only one real contender and thats of course Vladimir Putin and the russians are aware of that democratic choice and the feel was that was going to have an impact on their enthusiasm to take show up to vote. Vladimir putin a couple days ago appeared on state television to encourage russians to make their voices heard, even though, of course, everybody understands that its only really Vladimir Putin that has any chance at all of winning this president ial vote. And you can see, the turnout in this one polling station in central moscow so far seems to be pretty buoyant. There are whole lines of point that have been bussed in from one particular company to allow their workers to vote. Thats taking place awes well across this city in the is where people are casting their ballots here. These are automatic vote counting machines. They put their cross on their preferred candidate and enter too it into this computer and its automatically registered as to which candidate they voted for. We thought it was going to be pretty april threat tick but it seems like its a buoyant move. But were bog to be look carefully what the a final turn wouldout i turnout is. Matthew, youre at that polling station. I want to show our viewers, if we can pull up this image of the russian president Vladimir Putin himself we understand reportedly voting at the Russian Academy of sn sciences. But we see him casting his vote, the question who do you think hes voting for there. Lets bring in jill following the story as well. Eight candidates to choose from but theres also opposition not allowed to run and their message to voters, stay away from the polls. Talk to us about why voter turnout will be such an important indicator in this election. Reporter well, you know, george, that really is the key thing, because after all, there really is no viable alternative realistically. And Everybody Knows that Vladimir Putin can win. So what do you if youre a voter and what do you do if youre the kremlin . You want a large turnout. Kremlin wants a large turnout which gives the stamp of approval by voters. Its very interesting to watch Vladimir Putin. You know, as he voted r , he ca over to reporters, they asked him a couple questions and said what do i want . Any results that would allow me to take office. Vladimir putin doesnt really describe, you know, a platform in great detail, thats not really what hes doing. Hes aperson w person who repree russian state. He represents what people read into him. From across many perspectives. So he, without defining himself, without even participating in these debates, he has not participated in debates, he is above the fray. And so ultimately if they get a good turnout, they will argue that the russian people are now on their side for this crucial vote. They are depicting it as defining, deciding the fate of the nation. Others would say its not really that much of a contest, its not much of a question. But for Vladimir Putin, he needs that stamp of approval from the people. All right, jill. And in the backdrop of all of this that nerve agent attack, this back and forth of punitive actions between russia and the United Kingdom, the uk first responded with the steps that its taking. Russias response went beyond that. Lets expand the conversation and bring in our colleague melissa bell. Melissa following the story for us live as well. Melissa, what are the risks for the United Kingdom given russias response . Well, the risk is that this tit for tat series of measures that weve seen from london moscow is likely to continue, this is likely to be just the beginning, george, of a longer war of words and of measures and sanctions between moscow and london that could bring other countries into it as well. I mean, that is certainly what theresa may is seeking. This is how she respond saturday on news of moscow retaliatory measures to the ones announced by the United Kingdom days before mirroring those measures of 23 diplomats to be expelled, but going slightly further. This was how she responded once moscow announced its measures. Today our ambassador in moscow was informed by the russian government of the action they are taking in response. In light of their previous behavior, we anticipated a response of this kind and we will consider our next steps in the coming days alongside our allies and partners. But russias response doesnt change the fact of the matter. The attempted assassination of two people on british soil for which there is no alternative cop collusion other than the russian state was culpable. Very much as you heard there she opened the door, leaving the door open to further measures. First International Level in the next knew days the council will meet to consider what further steps can it can take. But tomorrow eu diplomats will meet in brussels and theyre hoping for at the very least a statement from the block condemning russias actions. That hasnt happened yet. Two weeks after the skripals were found sick, poisoned on n that bench but the british will be hoping and putting pressure on their eu counterparts. Theyre hoping for measures will be taken. Certainly possible boycott of the russian boycott, football world cup will be considered. And what britain would like would be for the eu to go further than it has so far to impose further sanctions against russia. I would have to say thats very unlike lib at an eu level because theres very little appetite for a widening, broaden or extension of the sanctions that have already been in since fourch, the once introduced by the cry mean annexation. But britain looking to wind its moves against russia beyond British Border themselves. George. The question is how much further will this go, this back and forth of punitive actions. As we reported all year. Matthew, on top of all of this, russia is pointing the finger at other nations as the source of that nerve agent. Tell us more about that. Reporter well, thats right. I think that russia has pointed at various other nations as a possible sort for that nerve agent, its mentioned the british facility could be responsible for it. Its mentioned that the Czech Republic could be responsible for it. Its even mentioned that sweden could have been the nation which produced this agent. All of which has been categorically dismissed by each of the respective governments in the Czech Republic, sweden, and of course in britain. You know, russia has a record of trying to distract and confuse the situation when it comes to these very serious allegations that are made against it by the International Community if t. It did something very similar when the airliner was downed over the ukraine, refusing to accept any kind of responsibility despite what was uncovered by the dutch investigators to the contrary. When it annexed crimea, it refused to acknowledge that Russian Troops were on the ground in that peninsula only to confess later, admit later that Russian Troops were there with their badges stripped off sort in cognito. Russia has a record of not telling the complete truth about its engagement these international issues. And i think were seeing something similar now. And the question how will this play in the minds of the voters. This is the team to keep up with. Thank you all for the reporting and i sight today. And just ahead here, what we are learning from the new firing in the case of the porn actress versus the u. S. President. Plus, safe houses, families in hiding, and fears of being caught. It all sounds like history but its actually happening in the United States. More on that ahead. [narrator] introducing a breakthrough in hearing aid technology. Presenting the all new eargo plus. The worlds smallest, most comfortable rechargeable hearing aid designed with patented flexi fibers so theyre suspended completely inside the ear canal and so small that theyre virtually invisible. The kind of invisibility hearing aid wearers have been looking for if you could look for invisibility, that is. Which, you cant. Or, i guess you can, but you wont find it. Well, because its invisible. 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At t, not so much. We give you 75 mbps for 59. 95. Thats more speed than at ts comparable bundle, for less. Call today. It is coming up on 4 30 a. M. Eastern. Im natalie allen. Im George Howell with the headlines were following four this hour. Cnn has learned the former number two man at the fbi andrew mckaip kab kept notes from his meetings with the u. S. President donald trump. Just a day after he was fired, those notes are now said to be in the hands of the special counsel Robert Mueller. No word yet on whats in those notes. British Prime Minister theresa may says the uk is session its next move in a shoudown with ruch u russia after a former russian spy was found murdered. President she zing ging appointed him earlier after a vote by the parliament. Mr. Xi is also starting a new term after the parliament approved and he to president ial term limits. At least 15 people drowned, including five children when a my great boat capsized near greece. The u. N. Says so far at least 400 migrants have died trying to reach europe by sea. We have breaking news to report out of northern syria. According to reuters news agency, rebel fighters from the Turkish Backed Free Syria Army say had have regained afrin town. They say the flag has been raised and the up to snern is under control. This could be a major turning point in Turkeys Operation Olive Branch as its called, the offensive launched back in january. They consider the ypg terrorists but theyve been a key ally to the United States in the fight against isis. The afrin offensive isnt the only flash point in syria war. Its still hammering then clave of eastern gutta. Hair strikes have not let up. They say this is fighting terrorists but there are reports of heavy civilian casualties. An exodus of people is trying to leave the area. The World Food Program says 16,000 have escaped in just the past few days. Many are being housed in shelters across the capital. Back here to the United States, the United States legal team are now officially involved in the Stormy Daniels matter. They filed papers in federal court claiming the porn star could owe as much as 20 million for violating an agreement to keep quiet about her alleged affair with the u. S. President donald trump. Speaking with cnns anna ka brara earlier, Stormy Daniels lawyer says his team is ready to fight in court. Were not surprised at the effort to move it to federal court. Regardless whether its in state court or federal court, were prepared to fully litigate it. I had the good fortunate just april of last year of securing a 4 50 million jury verdict in that federal courthouse what they removed the case to. Were very familiar with the judges there and how smart they are and how deep the bench is, if you will, and were prepared to litigate it whether it be in state court or federal court. Sara sidner breaks down the latest developments for us. Reporter this is the first time attorneys for President Trump himself have publicly joined the legal battle involving Stormy Daniels. It lays out the strategy by the attorney in the case. Lawyers for donald trump and Michael Cohens company are now threatening to seek in excess of 20 million in damages for at least 20 violations of the confidentiality agreement she signed along with trumps Attorney Michael Cohen just before the election. He and his attorney, mr. Cohen and now others are seeking to gag and silence my client and keep the information from the American People. Reporter but as part of the nondespair agement agreement, it says she agreed toe pay to dd the sum of 1 million resulting from each breach of the agreement. Danielss attorney said dd are the initials for the sued nim david dennason, the fake name used for donald trump in the agreement. It was supposed to keep her from sbeek an alleged affair she had with mr. Trump in 2006. Trumps lawyers are also asking for something else. They want the case moved from state to federal court. And, theyre seeking arbitration to resolve the matter where it would stay behind closed doors keeping the messy details out of the public. They want to have this adjudicated or decided in a Conference Room in a locked, secure building outside the purview of the public so that the public cannot view the evidence and the facts and learn about what really happened here. Reporter but cohen has already admitted to paying daniels as parts of the agreement, though he has maintained that donald trump knew nothing about the confidentiality agreement or the payment. And, that he denies there ever was an affair. But daniels attorney claims that the fact that Donald Trumps real name is now being used in filings by his attorney proves that he did know something about the nondisparaging agreement and the hush money paid to daniels. If thats true and if he was involved, a Watchdog Group called common cause says thats a violation of Campaign Finance laws and they have filed a complaint already with the federal elections commission. Sara sidner, cnn, los angeles. In miami, florida, police say they recovered the last victims from bemeeth the pedestrian bridge that collapsed. Crews dug through 950 tons of rubble to remove some of the last vehicles that were crushed. For police, investigators, and victims families, that process, as you can imagine, has been harrowing. It is heart wrenching when you do so to lose a loved one like this. I cannot even express the empathy, the compassion that they have and the empathy that i have to have to face them. Its heart wrenching, its hard to hold back your tears when you listen to them, you listen to every individual story. But we finally got the last victim out. And it would not have happened if not for the work of the men and women from that Fire Department that is one of the greatest departments i guess to me is the greatest department in america, folks, because they did not stop. The only pause, the only pause from the rescuers was when we asked them to pause so we can pray over every victim and escort them out with our Motorcycle Unit to the mes office, that was the only pause in work. Five victims were found under the bridge. One died in the hospital. Police believe that final death toll will stand at six though they plan go through the wreckage once again as a precaution. Here in the United States, the story of some undocumented immigrants and their families, people who are scared and on the run. We became homeless for five months. We moved schools, we went somewhere else because we had to leave the city. We were sleeping from house to house, anywhere we could find. The real stories and real lives of people dealing with real situation. Ahead, how ordinary people of all religions and all backgrounds are coming together try to help them. Stay with us. I feel it every day. But at night its the last thing on my mind. For ten years my tempurpedic has adapted to my weight and shape. Relieving pressure points from head to toe. So i sleep deeply, but feel light. And wake up ready to perform. Even with the weight of history on my shoulders. Only exclusive retailers carry tempurpedic. Find yours at tempurpedic. Com. [narrator] whatever event youre planning, custom ink has customized apparel to make it extra special. bright music at custom ink, we make it easy for you to create custom tshirts and other apparel for all of lifes events. Get Free Shipping and on time delivery guaranteed. Go to customink. Com to get started today. Afrin af the story were following in the u. S. State of california there is concern among faith leaders there that the president of the United States will send federal agents into churches and places of worship to detain immigrants seeking sanctuary there. So theyre taking a different approach. In a cnn exclusive, our reporter takes us to a California Community thats putting itself as risk by creating underground safe houses. We cant show you where we are or who lives behind this door because the family in this apartment in california is open the run from immigration and customs enforcement. This is my mom. Status here isnt safe, we had to just pack everything up and just left everything behind. Reporter off the grid since last year, both citizens born in the u. S. , both in high school. Ice deport thard father for illegally crossing the border. Their mother overstayed a tourist visa and is also undocumented. Girls feared their mother was next. Whats happened since then when you to pack up and leave . We became homeless for five months. We moved schools. We went somewhere else because we had to leave the city. We were sleeping from house to house anywhere we could find. Reporter then they heard about an Interfaith Network of religious groups pledging to resist trumps immigration policy by hiding them in safe houses, even in spare rooms of congregates homes. The network estimates dozens are being hidden at any one time. It connected the family to this jewish woman. I grew up in a time when the holocaust was not so far behind me. Reporter she signed for the apartment, a cover for the family shes protecting. Do you hear the echoes of history here . 100 . I think theres a strong feeling in the Jewish Community we cannot let this happen. Its our responsibility. What was done to us cannot happ happen to other people. This is technicallied aing and aby thing someone who is here undocumented. I dont see it that way. I see it in helping a family in need of support. Reporter its just a big sigh of relief says the girls mother. What happens to me doesnt matter. Everything im doing here is for my girls. How would you describe the fear that you carry . I put a smile on my face every day, but im hurt and im still hurting. I want to say a couple of things. Reporter reverend zach hoover leads the network, 2000 congregations of various faith have been trained across the country, the great majority here in california where he says the network of sanctuary and safe houses remains most active. The federal government might listen to all of this and say youre violating the law. Yeah. Im not going to lie, that makes me very nervous and theres part of me that, you know, sitting here talking to you i think, gosh, should i be having this conversation. But the truth is, our folks are facing a much greater fear every day. You know, as we sit here in this church, i am just reminded, a god that i worship and that guides my life is one who does not always bless every human law. Im convicted that we are doing exactly what we should be doing. Reporter the girls have both been accepted to separate colleges in the fall. A family united for as long as they can be. Were going to do nefrg our pow everything in our power to convince congress not to rip them apart and theres a part of me that thinks a different sway possible. But most of the time im preparing for this to get worse. Reporter in a statement to cnn ice says, quote, knowingly harboring an ail jane crime. Current ice policy zrikts driktss Agency Personnel to avoid conducting activities at sensitive location tlars includes plaition places of worship. Doj guidelines do say that harboring is punishable by up to five years in prison. But were talking about a movement led by clergy and congra gantz and homes that ice needs a warrant in to enter. Protecting ant arc kas unique ecosystem. A new effort is under way to expand protections for this harsh piece of the world. Cnn heads to the about the tom of the earth coming up here. Plus, 15 people have died in flods that are sweeping through kenya. The very latest on the forecast as newsroom pushes on. Flods th kenya. The very latest on the forecast as newsroom pushes on. Lflods through kenya. The very latest on the forecast as newsroom pushes on. Oflods through kenya. The very latest on the forecast as newsroom pushes on. Oflods through kenya. The very latest on the forecast as newsroom pushes on. Dflods through kenya. The very latest on the forecast as newsroom pushes on. Sflods through kenya. The very latest on the forecast as newsroom pushes on. That ah kenya. The very latest on the forecast as newsroom pushes on. But im not standing still. And with godaddy, ive made my ideas real. I made my own way, now its time to make yours. Everything is working, working, just like it should they have businesses to run they have passions to pursue how do they avoid trips to the post office . Stamps. Com mail letters ship packages all the Amazing Services of the post office right on your computer get a 4 week trial plus 100 in extras including postage and a digital scale go to stamps. Com tv and never go to the post office again antarct were joined now by our meteorologist derek van dam to tell us about the flooding taking place across east africa. At least 15 people dead there and dozens more injured. Tell us more. Specifically coming out of the country of kenya. In fact, that area is in the midst of its rainy season, april being the peak. But the tlrain has been persistt for the last few days and unfortunately reuters reporting 15 people unfortunately dying from the flooding with several more injured. The rains have pound this east african nation over the past few days but it has been several weeks of on and off again rain and you can see how roadways have been turned to rivers quite literally within this cell phone video sent in to cnn. All right. So lets talk about kenya, what type of weather they would expect this time of year. I mentioned that they have the pique peak of their rainy season occurring basically now through the early parts of april theres a second rainy season called the short rain that occurs between october and december, but look at the satellite loop. Right on the board ef tanzania and into kenya its lighting up there. Weve had a considerable amount of activity in the upper levels of the atmosphere and theres more rain in the forecast. The kenya meter Logical Agency calling for wet conditions. You can see the floodwaters that continue to impact this region with more shower and thunderstorm activity as the convergence zone continues to light up. Lets talk about the northern portions of australia. We have had Tropical Cyclone markus thats caused quite a bit of destruction and heavy rainfall into the territory. They had wind gusts of 120 Miles Per Hour on saturday. This system is moving west quickly. It will impact the extreme northern sections of Western Australia ever aught next 12 hours, reintensify as it moves over the open ocean and not become a threat for any major land area after that. But look at the video coming out of darwin what some of the Storm Chasers experience pltd you have to see these trees just tumbling down this neighborhood road and large oak trees just falling right in front of these people as they tape this with their cameras. Incredible to see mother natures force and furry. Darwins airport was closed on saturday but its resumed its normal operations today. 120 kilometer winds youre looking at it. Were taking you to the bottom of the earth right now. While the antarctic may be changing, its playing an Important Role in combating climate change. We joined an kpa doition find out about the cash bon capturing power of the antarctic and saw some extraordinary scenes along the way of the journey. Its a world that we wake up to our first morning in the antarctic, that sort of harsh yet captivating miss tickal beauty with penguins swimming and jumping in the waters around our ship. Its almost so beautiful and quiet you dont want to speak above a whisper, and theres two whales right there. This is absolutely unbelievable. See them . Ands is arizona as if the m goe couldnt get more strike, were in the campaign to build a case for the larngest sanctuary in the antarctic which say vital carbon sink, and thats what weve come to learn more about, the antarctics potential to acts a buffer to climate change. We started off in chile before hitting the Drake Passage notorious for its huge swells and rough waters. Its day four and were crossing through the Drake Passage and were lucky because by the Drake Passages standards these are actually really calm waters. For many of the green peace team on board and us there are say first. Yeah, i think we can see you. Before we head to shore, you will equipment and clothing needs to be carefully cleaned. When you look at that time from the outside it feels like its this very harsh and robust environment and yet its incredibly sensitive. Its really sensitive, especially for the nonnative species. And we are off, heading towards yankee harbor. Oh, its so weird to be on land again. Look at the seal. This tiny island, like the rest of the massive land mass in the antarctic is designated for scientific exploration and protected under the antarctic treaty. But that treaty does not extend to the antarctics waters, hence, green peaces mission. Even this regions most humerus of animals have their role in nature equilibrium. What does that mean . I dont know what that means. Marine biologists in Green Peace Campaign has been looking at the intricate links these these waters, its wildlife and the fundamental role they play in earths carbon psych skbll if you look over there theyre trying to jump up on you the ice. Its hilarious. Yeah, theyre really cute, thats true. Yeah, its its the antarctic is a cooling temper that mitigates the effects of climate change. And what happens here is having an effect on the climate of the planet. The ocean currents are driven by the cold waters of the antarctic. And the wildlife is central to driving carbon rich biomass to the depths of the dense cold ocean waters where it is stored for millennia if its left undisturbed. There are still many unknowns and the more scientists uncover, the more questions arise. But there is no doubt about the harmony here, one whos preservation is potentially linked to our very existence. Lets keep temperature pristine. Absolutely. Thats our first hour, but please stay with us, weve got much more ahead. Our to stories coming up the im natalie allen. And im George Howell. Well be back after the break. If youd have told me three years ago that wed be downloading in seconds what used to take minutes. That guests would compliment our wifi. That we could Video Conference and do it like that snaps . If youd have told me that i could afford a gigspeed. A gigspeed network. Its like 20 times faster than what most people have. Id of said. Id of said youre dreaming. Dreaming definitely dreaming. Then again, dreaming is how i got this far. Now more businesses in more places can afford to dream gig. Comcast, building americas largest gigspeed network. Just one day after the firing of former fbi Deputy Director Andrew Mccabe, the u. S. President tweets there shouldnt have been a Mueller Probe in the first place. Plus, voting is under way in russia. And that man, the man you see here, Vladimir Putin goes for another term in power. And new this hour, what maybe major turning point in northern syria. 5 00 a. M. On the u. S. East coast and live from cnn world