South korean ferry disaster. Divers pulling more bodies from the sunken ship, this as the investigation into what went wrong turns to the ferrys billionaire owner. Were live with the very latest. And breaking news overnight. President obama revealing what the u. S. May do if north korea continues its nuclear program. Well take you live to tokyo with what he said overnight. Were taking you live everywhere. Everywhere this morning. We are, indeed. Good morning, everyone. Welcome to early start. Im poppy harlow. And im john berman. It is thursday, april 24th. Its 4 00 a. M. In the east, and we do begin with the latest on the search for flight 370 and the somewhat disappointing news to officials overnight, that the latest lead, that piece of metal that washed ashore on the australian coast, this piece of metal was not from the jet, which, of course, has now been missing for more than six weeks. This news comes as an unmanned sub is now very close to finishing its scan of the ocean floor, and so far, it, too, has found nothing. So, lets quiget the latest fro Erin Mclaughlin live in perth. Erin, what can you tell us this morning . Reporter hi, john. Well, officials are disappointed, but not exactly surprised that that object of interest that washed up on shore on the coast of western australia, about 190 miles from here, did not turn out to be connected to mh370. That determination made after a thorough analysis by the australian transportation and Safety Bureau photographs of the object. Theyre not exactly saying what it is, though it would seem to be just another piece of sea one kind of sea junk that really has muddied the waters, so to speak, for this ongoing visual search. Every day, around a dozen planes and a dozen vessels go out on to those waters searching for any signs of mh370, and so far, found nothing but garbage. Australian officials even saying that at this point, it looks very, very unlikely that they will find any sign of mh370 from that visual search. So, the focus really now on the bluefin21. As of this morning, we understand the joint Agency Coordination center, that it was on its 12th mission, having scoured about 90 of that narrowed search area, so far finding no signs of the missing plane, but authorities still looking. No timetable as of yet as to when it will finish that up, no concrete timetable. In fact, were hearing conflicting things, some australian officials saying it could be wrapped up in a matter of days. The Australian Defense minister yesterday saying it could be a matter of weeks. John . What about that conflicting time frame right there, erin . Because youve been reporting this, you know, for days now. There are those who are saying it could be today, tomorrow when its done, its 90 complete with the search, then just yesterday telling us that it could be two more weeks. Whats the basis of this conflict . Reporter well, weve reached out to the department of defense here in australia. No comment so far on those quotes. David johnston telling the Associated Press that it could be as much as two weeks, that they want to be very thorough in their search efforts. But if you look at it, they were finished with about 80 of the search area yesterday, finished with 90 today, so they managed to cover about 10 of that more narrowed search area in just a matter of a day, so seems like theyre on track to finish in the next few days, but still awaiting confirmation. And this is the area of greatest depth in this search, erin . Reporter well, thats what some analysts have been saying, but so far, authorities not exactly clear on why it could take them longer, potentially, to search the last remaining portion of that more narrowed search area, which, again, is the most likely place, they say based on the information they have, that theyre going to find that black box. So, the defense minister quoted yesterday as saying they want to treat it very carefully. Its very important that they either rule in or rule out that particular search area. John . Erin mclaughlin live in perth, australia, where the bluefin21 now in its 12th search under water. Thanks, erin. Meanwhile, there are new demands this morning that malaysian authorities make clear exactly what they know about why flight 370 disappeared. The transport minister says a preliminary report on that has been completed. Families are calling on authorities to release it now and let the world see everything that is known. Sumnima udas is live in kuala lumpur with that part of the story. It is interesting, because they got an extension beyond that typical 30 days that one is given to write up a report on a tragedy like this. They got an extension, but still, theyre not releasing it to the public. Reporter thats right. They got an extension because of the complexity of this particular incident. Now, they are required to submit a written report within 30 days, according to the National Civil aviation organization, but theyre also allowed to mark that report as confidential, according to eku, and that is a bit unusual, given past incidents, for example, air france, which crashed a few years ago. They didnt keep that report confidential, but malaysia has opted to do that. Why is still a bit unclear, but for the families of those passengers on board mh370, this is just another example of how malaysia is perhaps not being transparent enough. They keep saying they feel like authorities keep hiding something from them, and this for them is yet another example of that. Poppy . Have they said, sumnima, if theyre going to eventually make it public . Is this just temporary . Reporter that question was asked at a press conference here sterday, and they said they havent decided on that yet. According to eku rules, the preliminary report can be made confidential, but the final report has to be made public. There is an internal Investigation Team that has now been set up, separate from the malaysian authorities Investigation Team, but an interesting, important caveat here, is that they, this new internal Investigation Team, cannot do or isnt doing any criminal investigation. So, what is their goal . What is their purpose . Reporter the main purpose of this international Investigation Team is really to evaluate and investigate what exactly happened with mh370 so Something Like this doesnt happen again. And authorities keep saying the purpose is not really to portion blame, but to really make sure they know everything so this kind of incident doesnt happen again. The criminal aspects of the investigation will still be handled by the police in malaysia. Now, this team will be made up of international and national experts. Theyll be recruiting those experts according to international standards. They say theyll be looking into the flight recorder data, the structural aspects of the plane and also the psychology of those on board, particularly the pilots and the crew members. So, this is a longterm investigation. But the main purpose really, and the significance, is to show that malaysia is being transparent so that nobody questions the credibility of this investigation. All right, appreciate the reporting for us this morning. Thank you, sumnima. Now to our other major story in south korea, where divers are making slow progress working their way through the capsized ferry, looking for victims and any possible survivors, though hope is fading at this point. This morning, more than 130 people remain missing. Divers have retrieved nearly 170 bodies from aboard. So many of them high school students. And today classes resume at their school south of seoul. That has to be so difficult. This as investigators are now digging into the history of the owner of the vessel, reportedly, reclusive billionaire with a complicated past. Our Nic Robertson is live in jindo in south korea with the latest on this. Good morning, nic. Reporter good morning, john. Well, the ships the companys owner, if you will, has had his home premises and offices searched, along with, we understand, about 20 other senior officials within the company. The police have investigated their properties as well. He hasnt been charged yet. Certainly, he is a character seen here as something of a recluse, a faceless millionaire is how some people refer to him here. He hasnt been charged. 11 members of the ships crew have. That search that the divers are making focusing on the fourth floor today. Also today were hearing anger from some of the families. Theyre frustrated. They dont think that the authorities are doing quite enough. Theyre not able to answer quite enough of the families questions. The government is putting up a minister today to try to placate, if you will, and answer the families outstanding questions. The question for many people, is this still a rescue or is it just a Recovery Mission at the moment, because there were no air pockets found on the ship . And for the divers, as well we seem to have lost Nic Robertson in jindo in south korea. Nic reporting on the fact that at this point, no air pockets have been found in the search of this vessel, meaning its almost impossible at this point, more than a week after this disaster, that there are any survivors, which makes this painful for the families, as the classmates of those students who died head back to school in seoul. Well be following that all day. Still treating it as a rescue operation, the government not calling it a recovery operation at the this point. They want to do everything certainly they can. Well get back to nic when we can. Meantime, breaking news, president obama revealing what the United States plans to do if the country keeps building its nuclear program, talking about north korea there. Well bring you comments from the president overnight. Then, really interesting news. New this morning, a major blow for electronic cigarettes. The fda issuing a ban for some smokers. Thats coming up next. He thought it was the endn for his dof the conversation. D. She didnt tell him that her College Expenses were going up. Or that she maxed out her card during spring break. When the satellite provider checked his credit, he found out his daughter didnt pay her bills. But hes not worried. Now he checks his Credit Report and score at experian. Com, allowing him to keep track of his credit and take a break of his own. Experian. Live credit confident. Happening right now in japan, president obama preparing for an event really like no other, a formal state dinner with the emperor. This comes after meetings focused on the issues facing that region in asia, including the newest provocation from north korea, possibly planning for another nuclear test. White house correspondent Michelle Kosinski also preparing for the state dinner live in tokyo. So, michelle, what did the president have to say about north korea today . Reporter he used words like provocative, irresponsible and dangerous, calling it the most isolated country in the world, in part because of u. S. Actions to isolate it. And in fact, president obama urged china to participate in that, to put on more pressure to try to do something about the near constant provocation coming from north korea. Heres part of what he said. We can continue to apply more and more pressure on north korea so that at some juncture, they end up taking a different course. In the meantime, theyre dangerous, and we have to make sure that we are guarding against any provocations getting out of hand. We are not surprised when they engage in irresponsible behavior. Thats been their pattern for the last couple of decades. And what we have to do is to continue to try to contain and mitigate the potential damage that this behavior has, as we continue to put pressure on them so that we can see a shift. Reporter thats the biggest security issue facing south korea, which is the next stop on this trip for the president , but its interesting hearing him use very similar language in describing the situation with north korea as he uses in describing the situation with russia in ukraine, the use of sanctions and putting constant pressure, looking for a diplomatic solution but still considering that country to be dangerous. And in both cases, not really seeing this method work. What the administration has constantly said is that its a longterm goal, that over time, these nations become more and more and isolated and it hurts their own people. But whether well see progress any time soon on either of these frightening situations, we dont know. That remains to be seen, john. It requires patience. It is a hard sell for the president , but it is the case he makes repeatedly. Michelle kosinski in tokyo. Thanks so much. New details this morning about the teen who stowed away in a plane as wheel well on a flight from california to hawaii. The 15yearold is somali and had only recently moved with his father and stepmother to santa clarita, california. His father tells voice of america his son was having trouble in school and talked constantly about returning to africa. Authorities say getting back to somalia was the teens goal when he scaled a fence and then hid inside that wheel well. He is still in the hospital this morning being treated for injuries that he suffered at 38,000 feet. Doctors say it is just a miracle that he survived. Some nonviolent felons could receive clemency, this under a new Justice Department proposal aimed at reducing the high costs and overcrowding in prisons. Those who have served at least ten years in a federal jail and have clean jail records are eligible to apply for early release. Officials say they expect many of the applicants will be drug offenders sentenced under tough guidelines. The mandatory sentencing guidelines that are no longer in effect. Meantime, two penn state alumni are planning to bring joe paterno back to state college, in a sense, now that the town has approved their proposal to put a 300,000 lifesized sculpture of the former football coach right downtown. In a move that divided the school and residents, a statue of paterno was removed from campus two years ago following the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. Georgia gun owners are handling a new bill signed into law that greatly expands where you can carry licensed concealed firearms, including some bars and school zones, and in some cases, churches. Critics nicknamed it the Guns Everywhere bill, calling it extremism in action. Supporters say it provides important constitutional protections for the states lawabiding gun owners. Now on hold, the decision in Washington State to Ban Construction in landslideprone areas. The Snohomish County council, which is considering that ban after a devastating slide in the town of oso that left at least 41 people dead, but there are concerns the policy might stop families from rebuilding homes that were damaged by the slide. The Council Plans to take up that proposal once again next week. Breaking overnight. For the first time ever, the fda today will impose new rules on electronic cigarettes. This is a big deal with a growing trend. This will control how theyre sold and to whom. The rules will require that makers seek fda approval for their products and would ban their sale to anyone under 18 years old. Manufacturers will still be able to market products online, and they will be able to sell flavored versions. These are two very controversial things they do. Sales of ecigarettes in the u. S. Are expected to top 2 billion this year. It is really interesting, because theres the argument that they are a gateway, some say, to getting people to smoke, and then there are other people i know that smoke them say this helped me quit. But up until today, its been the wild west in terms of regulation. Absolutely, now theyre regulating. Weve been waiting to hear from the fda on that. Meantime, all Internet Data is not created equal. The fcc is announcing a proposal to allow companies to pay internet providers for faster lanes to distribute content. Now, this could be a major blow for this Net Neutrality. What is that . That is an idea that users should all have equal access to any legal content on the web. Consumer groups warn of rising prices and diminished competition. The rules will likely be voted on by the end of the year. Its really interesting. The Net Neutrality and the ecigarette thing, these are two things that will have a direct effect on your life, so pay attention, folks. 20 minutes after the hour. Crisis in ukraine is escalating as the United States and russia blame each other for violent protests that have left the country really on the brink of conflict. So, is there any solution in sight . Were live in kiev with the latest. New developments this morning in ukraine, where the government says a group of prorussian militants attacked a military unit overnight, apparently looking for weapons, that as the government is claiming success in its efforts to oust prorussian separatists in the eastern part of the country. The reality on the ground may be very different, though. This is a very sticky, dicey situation with an american journalist now being held hostage. And new accusations from russia that the u. S. Is orchestrating the regime change in ukraine, calling it a color revolution, that coming from Sergey Lavrov overnight. I want to go straight to frederik pleitgen, live in kiev this morning. What is the latest you can tell us on this situation . It is becoming increasingly confusing, complex, and fingerpointing between the United States, russia and ukraine somewhere in the middle. Reporter yeah, good morning, poppy. Youre absolutely right, the situation is very murky. I remember, one of the things we can certainly say is that things have become more violent and there certainly is escalation, rather than deescalation. We had that incident in the town of mariupol, where Ukrainian Forces say city hall was taken over by russian forces. However, we reached one of the russian separatists in that building, who says its still being held by the prorussian separ