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Controversial Rape Documentary Banned In India; U.S. Authorities Crack Down On Maternity Hotels; Tech Titan Battle For Virtual Reality Dominance; Could Edward Snowden Be Looking To Come Home?

Aired March 4, 2015 - 8:00   ET

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


MANISHA TANK, HOST: Hi, I'm Manisha Tank in Hong Kong. A warm welcome to News Stream where news and technology meet.

A controversial documentary about rape has been banned in India. We'll tell you why and discuss concerns about violence again women in the

country.

U.S. authorities crack down on so-called maternity hotels where foreign women can allegedly go to give birth to U.S. citizens.

And tech titans prepare to do battle in virtual reality.

Uproar has erupted in India over a documentary about the fatal gang rape of a 23 year old woman. A court has issued a restraining order that

prevents the film from being seen because of offensive comments about women made by one of the men convicted in the 2012 rape. Indian authorities say

the comments could create public unrest. The case has drawn international attention to India's ongoing struggle to prevent sexual violence against

women.

Well, CNN's Sumnima Udas has been following this story for us from our New Delhi bureau and she joins us now. Sumnima, there were very passionate

exchanges in parliament today over this issue.

SUMNIMA UDAS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Manisha, this has essentially become a debate about ethics, about free speech versus

promoting hate speech. So in parliament today, basically after this convicted -- one of the convicted rapists viewers were aired in a BBC

documentary, some of them so outrageous, it's really sparked this debate that's been going on all day in the lower house and the upper house of

parliament.

Many wondering whether this promotes what a rapist thinks, perhaps justifies what a rapist thinks, whereas the government on the other hand

saying that this documentary does need to be banned, because it could incite violence in this country and make it more difficult for women in

terms of women's safety in this country.

I just want to read out some of the comments that the parliamentarians made today, one of the female parliamentarians saying that banning the

documentary certainly not the solution, saying, quote, what the rapist said is the view of many men in India, let us not pretend all is well.

And that is the crux, relally that a lot of people are talking about as well, is this something that you know the majority of men or a lot of

men in India think, or is this something that just a few people here think?

And so in social media as well, people are saying why are we ashamed of talking about this if this is such a major issue. And this is not the

first time that these comments have been made. We've seen parliamentarians, we've seen police officers saying, you know, women should

not be stepping out at night, women should not be wearing such clothes.

So we have seen similar comments in the past, but this is the first time we're seeing this kind of uproar over these kinds of comments --

Manisha.

TANK: Sumnima, you mentioned social media. And this is the thing, isn't it, the fact that they've banned this has got a lot of people

talking. It's got people asking, well, why have they banned it? What is so controversial? People who otherwise may not have even spotted the story

in the first place and everyone is talking about it. It has brought this issue back to the fore.

Tell me a bit more about that.

UDAS: That's right.

The government really saying that, you know, what the rapist said -- and again, some of those clips were aired before that ban was put into

place last night -- so a lot of people did get the see what the rapist actually said, and of course that complete outrage on social media and the

mainstream media.

The government saying that this has to be banned, because it could incite violence, it could incite rioting. I just want to read out again

some of the comments from normal people here saying, you know, again, why are people afraid of talking about this? And this is an issue that people

had been talking about since that bus-gang rape in 2012 and then Freida Pinto, who of course, the actress from Slumdog Millionaire if airing the

truth a crime? It's a wakeup call. The documentary doesn't shame the nation, what shames the nation is actually rape.

So, a huge debate in parliament, outside parliament on social media and as it stands right now, the documentary is banned still.

TANK: OK. Sumnima, thank you very much for that. Sumnima Udas there live from our Delhi bureau.

Let's turn now to Ukraine where a rescue operation is underway after an early morning explosion trapped dozens of coal miners underground.

Their condition is unknown at this time.

A local news agency reports that emergency workers suspect a methane explosion caused the blast and not shelling.

Some disturbing images of those who were injured have now just come into us. The video shows some of the minors who survived.

The city of Donetsk says 157 people were evacuated from the mine after the blast. The mine is in the rebel-held region of Donetsk where a shaky

ceasefire is in place.

Russian authorities say they've identified several potential suspects in the murder of Boris Nemtsov, that's according to Reuters, which is

citing Russia media reports. No names, yet, though, have been released.

Nemtsov, the popular Russia opposition activist, was laid to rest at a cemetery in Moscow on Tuesday.

Diplomats and business leaders were among those who attended that funeral. And hundreds of others paid their respects at a memorial service

held earlier in the day.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin is weighing in on Nemtsov's murder. According to Reuters, he says the killing has a political subtext

and that Russia should be freed of such killings. The murder has sparked a flood of conspiracy theories. And senior international correspondent

Matthew Chance reports Nemtsov isn't the first well known critic of President Putin to turn up dead.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: As his grieving family looked on, mourners patiently filed past the open casket. The

brutal killing of Boris Nemtsov has unsettled Russia, not for the first time a high profile critic of the Kremlin has been ruthlessly cut down.

GRIGORY YAVLINSKY, OPPOSITION ACTIVIST: This is a terrible crime, this is a political terroristic attack, which have no mixed relations and

have no excuse. This is the attempt to destroy all the people who think differently from Kremlin.

CHANCE: Do you believe the killers will be brought to Justice?

YAVLINSKY: No, I don't.

CHANCE: Boris Nemtsov has become just the latest victim of the political killings that have beset Russia. This time the Kremlin has vowed

it will get to the bottom of this and bring those responsible to justice. But here at this funeral, there's a great deal of skepticism that this will

happen.

And there's good reason. Back in 2006, Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist and fierce Putin critic was gunned down outside her Moscow

apartment in an alleged contract killing. There have been convictions, but critics say the evidence is dubious, clearing the Kremlin and leaving

whoever ordered the hit to walk free.

Then, seemingly straight out of a spy novel, the saga of Alexander Litvinenko. The former Russian agent turned Kremlin critic was poisoned in

London, a radioactive isotope polonium 210 was put in his tea to leave him dying a horrifying, drawn out death. The Russian government still refuses

to extradite the prime suspects, themselves both former Russian agents.

EDWARD LUCAS, CENTER FOR EUROPEAN POLICY ANALYSIS: Ever since Mr. Putin came to power with political killings, politicians, of human rights

activists, of journalists, and now of Boris Nemtsov, and the key thing that all these have in common is that the killings are not cleared up. There's

bluster and condolences from the Kremlin, but the killers and the people who order the killing do not get found out.

CHANCE: And as Russia bids farewell to Boris Nemtsov, the overwhelming suspicion is that the same thing may happen again this time.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TANK: The controversial execution is still on track in Indonesia. Australians Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan have been moved to a maximum

security island where they are to be put to death by firing squad.

The members of the so-called Bali Nine drug ring were convicted of trying to smuggle 8 kilos of heroin back in 2005.

The execution comes despite numerous pleas for clemency by the Australian government. Indonesia executed five foreigners back in December

that was also condemned by other governments.

Still to come here on News Stream, the growing debate over a potential nuclear deal with Iran. Israel's prime minister is defending his remarks

before the U.S. Congress. We'll have his latest statement on the negotiations with Iran and the strong reaction from the White House.

And a close call for passengers aboard a Turkish Airlines plane that skidded off the runway at an airport in Nepal. Why crews say they're

having a tough time getting the aircraft back on the right track.

Plus, the man who leaked U.S. surveillance secrets is missing home. What Edward Snowden's lawyer says about the possibility his client may

return to the U.S. from Russia.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TANK: Now the U.S. Secretary of State and the Iranian foreign minister have wrapped up their third straight day of talks on Iran's

nuclear program. A source tells CNN the two sides have made little progress.

Iran is looking for a full removal of sanctions, but is reluctant to give up on its more advanced nuclear technology. But the U.S. and its

partners are only willing to lift some sanctions. Both sides have until the end of the month to work out a framework for a deal.

Well, in front of the U.S. Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the proposed nuclear agreement a bad deal. For the latest

reaction from Washington, senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta joins us.

And, you know, Benjamin Netanyahu's trip through Washington, it was like a whirlwind. It came. It went, but what has it left in its wake?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the White House knows President Obama may have a tougher sales job now after that fiery

speech from the Israeli prime minister. The president still has to convince lawmakers up on Capitol Hill to loosen some of the sanctions that

would come with any nuclear agreement with Iran, which is why the president presented his own 11 minute rebuttal to Netanyahu's speech from the Oval

Office talking to reporters.

The president dismissed the prime minister's speech as nothing new, saying that Netanyahu offered no viable alternatives to the talks that are

underway right now that you just mentioned.

And we should mention there is a potential new complication for the Iran nuclear talks. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell here in

Washington, he may fast track legislation that would give the Senate the ability to sign off on the nuclear deal, that is something that is

something that is not required right now.

But a senior administration official told me last night the president would veto that legislation.

And getting back to the personal sort of rift that is now very apparent between President Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House

showed what the president was up to during Netanyahu's speech yesterday. They showed a picture they emailed out a picture of the president holding a

video conference with other European leaders talking about the situation in Ukraine just to prove that the president had something else on his plate

besides watching the prime minister's speech.

When the president offered that rebuttal in the Oval Office, he even mentioned that he read the prime minister's speech in the transcript. He

didn't bother to actually watch it, Manisha.

TANK: Of course all of this has many pondering what has happened to the U.S.-Israeli relationship. Where does it look from where you're

standing?

ACOSTA: Well, the White House insists that the U.S.-Israeli relationship is just fine. They do recognize that it was a little rocky

this week with the prime minister's visit here in Washington. But, you know, the thing that the White House will go back to is what is Benjamin

Netanyahu's alternative, where is his plan.

They say that -- they like to say over here at the White House that no plan or no deal is better than a bad deal. And the president -- if the

Iranians don't come to the table with something serious, he will walk away.

But at the same time, what they're saying is that if there is no deal, if this doesn't work out, and the Iranians go right back to potentially

developing nuclear weapons, that puts U.S. security and it puts Israeli security in a bad place.

And so that is why all along they were very, very concerned about Benjamin Netanyahu coming to Washington. And if it was the prime

minister's goal to gum up the works up on Capitol Hill after this speech, it may be mission accomplished. The fact that Senate leaders were talking

about fast tracking this legislation right after Netanyahu's speech is, and in a very clear indication that Netanyahu got what he wanted out of this.

The question is whether or not the president can persuade congress once things cool off a couple of weeks from now, that he's got the right

plan in place. But all of that, of course, rests on whether or not they can actually come to some sort of framework agreement when this clock ticks

midnight coming up on March 24 when that deal is supposed to be due. And that, I think, is all very much up in the air at this point.

TANK: Certainly, that important development, and as you say one the prime minister probably hope for. Jim, thanks for bringing it to us and

giving us your view from Capitol Hill. As always, Jim Acosta, thanks so much.

Now some new developments surrounding Edward Snowden. He's the former U.S. national security contractor living in Russia after leaking thousands

of classified documents.

Well, his lawyer says his client is ready to come home.

The attorney is quoted by Agence France Presse as saying Snowden is thinking about it, has a desire to return, and they are doing everything

they can to make it happen.

Well, a major condition, the attorney says, is that his client gets a fair trial on the charges he faces.

CNN's Ivan Watson joins us now from Moscow with a bit more about this.

Ivan, perhaps you can give us a bit more detail on what his Russian lawyer had to say.

IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right.

Well, I spoke with a lawyer last night. His name is Antoni Kucherena. And he's been representing Edward Snowden really since Snowden first got

here to Russia more than a year ago.

And he repeated what has actually been a long-standing position of Edward Snowden's that he would like to go back to the country of his birth,

the country where his relatives are, where he grew up. He considers himself a patriot, but that he wants to be ensured that he would get a just

trial when he returns home. And that would be a precondition. The lawyer went on further to say that Snowden has also has a team of lawyers in the

U.S. that are looking out for his interests trying to make some kind of a deal.

The U.S. State Department has responded to this latest comment. Take a listen to what a U.S. State Department spokesperson had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIE HARF, DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY, U.S. STATE DEPT.: We are certainly happy for him to return to the United State to face a court and

the very serious charges he has been charged with. So he absolutely can and should return to the United States to face the justice system that will

be fair in its judgment of him, but he is accused of very serious crimes and should return home to face them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: Now, Manisha, it's important to note that Snowden would likely, if he returned back to the U.S., face charges of treason, which

range in penalty if he was convicted from at least five years in prison all the way up to the death sentence.

Now, since there was nothing really new -- and I asked his lawyer, is Snowden any closer to going back to the U.S. And the lawyer really said

no, at this point, he's working here in Russia for a Russian company in an IT position. He's traveling freely. He's going to the movie theater.

He's going to the theater. He traveled recently to St. Petersburg just to look at it. He's studying Russian so that it's more comfortable for him to

live here.

So, I said -- so where are these statements coming from if there's nothing really new here. Basically it's because the lawyer, the defense

attorney, is publishing a new book. It just came out yesterday. It's called The Time of the Octopus. It's based on Edward Snowden's story. So

it seems he's trying to promote the book right now, which he also says is part of the inspiration of an Oliver Stone movie about Snowden that's

supposed to be in production soon and that is expected to star the Hollywood star Joseph Gordon Levitt -- Manisha.

TANK: Always interesting, Ivan, to get the back story sometimes, isn't it? The context certainly very important here. Ivan Watson, as

always thank you so much for that.

An all-tech dream is new again as Sony and HTC show off new virtual reality headsets. We'll speak to an expert about all of that after the

break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TANK: So, virtual reality has been a science fiction dream for decades, but now it's the focus of key tech shows. Major players at both

the Mobile World Congress and game developers conference showed off their latest gadgets. In San Francisco, Sony said Project Morpheus would be out

in 2016 and teased the crowd with a VR game demo.

Meanwhile, smartphone maker HTC unveiled the Vive or Vive -- we're not entirely sure yet -- headset in Barcelon. It's a VR headset they developed

with Valve. They say the device lets users walk around to explore their surroundings in virtual space.

Well, Sony is the latest to join major players like Facebook and Samsung in the push for virtual reality.

So let's get more on this from Keith Stuart. He's the video game editor for The Guardian.

Now, Keith, I'm really interested. We -- I'm really interested in this, because we talked at length in our editorial meeting ahead of the

show about how -- you know, how we make it clear to viewers what virtual reality is like. And it's very difficult to do that. The best is to have

someone explain -- and I know that you've played around with this technology. So, in your best, most creative descriptive language, what is

it like?

KEITH STUART, VIDEO GAME EDITOR, THE GUARDIAN: Well, virtual reality, the best way to think of it, is like it was almost walking into a virtual

world. So with most of the technologies that we see today, you have a headset that you put on. And it has goggles in front of your eyes, which

has a high definition screen and you essentially perceive the virtual world which is inputted into these screens as your surroundings.

So it's kind of like instead of playing a game on 2D screen, you're suddenly in the world. Everything is around you. Everything kind of looks

real, but it's computer generated graphics. So it's kind of the ultimate immersive video game experience, really.

TANK: OK. So the obvious application is with video games, but let's think around this. If we extend that, what could we be looking at say five,

maybe 10 years down the line?

STUART: Well, I think, yeah, video games is kind of a natural early adopter place for this sort of technology really. But yeah, you're right,

I think things are going to change quite a lot. And one of the things that the virtual reality industry is really toying with and tackling at the

moment is the idea of well, what are people going to want to do. And I think in five year's time -- and obviously Facebook spent $2 billion last

year on Oculus Rift, which is one of the earliest companies that came into the virtual headset space in this generation. And Facebook is obviously

thinking of the future of social networking.

So imagine a version of Facebook where you could put on a virtual reality headset, get together with some of your friends in a virtual world.

So instead of posting on someone's wall on a computer screen, you could perhaps arrange to meet your friends in, like, a Paris cafe or on the

surface of Mars, put your headset on and there you are with your friends around you displayed as virtual reality characters in that cafe, in that

Parisian cafe.

So, that's I think something that maybe Facebook is looking at.

But also, lots of film and TV companies are very interested in virtual technology. You can get 3D surround cameras now, which film in three

dimensions. So there's a company in Britain called Immersively. And they did a 3D filming of the Hong Kong democracy protests. So, you can actually

put on a virtual reality headset and be immersed in this kind of -- in this kind of virtual riot that actually happens.

So, you know, the potential for journalism in Virtual Reality is Amazing. You imagine taking a 3D camera to any news event in the world and

then being able to beam that footage to your viewers wearing virtual reality headsets. And they can be there in the midst of the action. It's

kind of exciting, but also you know terrifying and has lots of really interesting philosophical and social elements to it.

TANK: Yeah, and ethical debates as well that could surround this sort of thing. In fact, as you were talking about it, and you know, obviously

the journalism element of that seems fascinating to me, and many other elements of it. I wondered would people actually adopt it, because you

still have one major barrier to entry is you need the technology, you need the equipment, you need to be able to afford that equipment.

So, how do you see sort of the process panning out the cost of this kind of thing?

STUART: Well, I think -- it's going to be an evolution. And we see this with all technologies. If you think 30 years ago, for example, with

smartphones. Smartphones were these ridiculous brick like objects that only kind of yuppies in Wall Street and in the city of London owned or

wanted to own. And we looked at those things kind of suspiciously and wondered what they were. 30 years later we all have a smartphone, which is

effectively a computer in our pockets.

So at the moment, yes, virtual reality headsets are reasonable, expensive and quite niche. It's going to be early adopters. It's going to

be gamers, it's going to be tech fans that get involved.

But as those technologies -- you know, there's so many rival technologies now that's going to bring down the price. That's going to

really kind of boost research and development. So we're going to see these things getting smaller and cheaper. And we've already seen, for example,

Samsung has its gear VR headset, which you can slot your smartphone into and it becomes a, you know, a VR experience. And that's reasonably cheap

product.

So, yeah, I think it's going to be a case of evolution and the price going down as more people get involved.

TANK: Yeah, well, I have to say, Keith, you've got me thinking. I'm now thinking maybe 50 years from now news anchors will be standing in a

virtual room with all of their viewers, or participants and their guests such as yourself, you know, in that space.

Really fascinating stuff. Thank you so much.

Still to come, here on News Stream, breaking up a foreign baby ring. U.S. federal agents raid homes in California catering to wealthy pregnant

Chinese women.

And forget PhotoShop, the incredible capture is apparently the real deal. We'll look at the buzz at this weasel and woodpecker have created

online.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TANK: Hi, again. I'm Manisha Tank in Hong Kong. You're watching News Stream. And these are your world headlines.

Rescuers in eastern Ukraine are trying to reach dozens of coal miners believed to be trapped after an explosion. There were reports 230 people

were at the mine when the early morning blast occurred.

Two members of the so-called Bali Nine drug smuggling ring faced execution in Indonesia. Australians Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan have

been moved now to a maximum security facility where they are to be put to death by firing squad despite appeals for clemency by the Australian

government.

Iraqi security forces are stepping up efforts to put ISIS out of Tikrit. They are in day three of an offensive to recapture that city, a

force of some 30,000, including Sunni and Shiite militia, is taking on ISIS in and around the city. ISIS has been in control of Tikrit since last

June.

People in Egypt and Libya are also facing the threat of a growing ISIS presence. Many in the Arab World agree that it needs to be defeated. But

when asked who they think is to blame, some surprising views emerge. As Ian Lee found out.]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IAN LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Egypt battles ISIS on two fronts: in the Sinai peninsula and more recently in Libya. And at a huge

cost. ISIS has killed hundreds of security personnel in Egypt.

But it might surprise you to hear who many Egyptians believe is behind the terror group.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): America. It's made by America.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I can see America. Maybe Egyptian intelligence with American cooperation. But what is happening has

nothing to do with Islam.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (inaudible) they were planted to become terrorists so that countries with upper hand can fight terrorists who for sure we know

that it's USA and Israel.

LEE: Egyptian newspapers don't shy away from blaming the United States either, from the state-run El Ahraram (ph) newspaper showing Uncle

Sam and ISIS hacking away at the Middle East.

And again here, Uncle Sam inflating the terror group to this leading independent newspaper DAESH, the Arabic acronym for ISIS with, well, you

get the picture.

Then there is Egyptian TV who hosts revel in the accusation, including Tamer Amin of Rotana Masriyeh (ph).

TAMER AMIN, TV HOST: I'm confident that if the United States of America didn't make ISIS, they are happy that ISIS exists and they are

using them to the purposes that we discussed before in order not -- in order to weaken this region, this area, for the sake of Israel.

TIMOTHY KALDAS, PROFESSOR OF POLITICS, NILE UNIVERSITY: A lot of Egyptians have this impression that the United States is a very powerful

country that controls the events across the region. And it's difficult for them to believe, really, that an organization could emerge so quickly, so

effectively on its own without the U.S. having any sort of role. They really overestimate the capabilities of U.S. intelligence and the U.S.

government.

LEE: The Egyptian government does support the U.S. alliance to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria, but ISIS in Libya isn't on that list. Egyptians

have their own theories.

AMIN: ISIS in Libya, not that strong. ISIS in Libya is like a little baby, still needs cover, still needs oxygen to breathe and to grow and to

be a monster. And the United States wants this baby to have its own time to be a monster and then we think about weakening it.

LEE: Egypt doesn't want that baby monster to grow up, but the conspiracy theories are well into adulthood.

Ian Lee, CNN, Cairo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TANK: Pakistani authorities are taking more aggressive measures to try and wipe out polio. Police arrested more than 500 parents in Peshawar

for refusing to vaccinate their children against the disease. Parents are only released on bail if they sign an affidavit agreeing to let their

children get the immunization.

U.S. authorities, meanwhile, are cracking down on certain kinds of trips to California. They say travelers aren't looking to see Disneyland

or Hollywood, instead the vacation is designed for women who want to give birth in America.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TANK: Federal agents raiding more than 30 so-called maternity hotels in southern California that officials say cater largely to pregnant women

mainly from China.

CLAUDE ARNOLD, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT: It's not illegal to have your baby born in the United States, but it's illegal to

lie about your reasons for traveling.

TANK: Court papers show authorities are looking for evidence of a slew of offenses, including the bringing in and harboring of undocumented

visitors, conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion. People in this neighborhood say they've noticed an unusually large pregnant women.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We thought maybe it was something in the water. Mostly Asian descent. And they pretty much kept to themselves.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Big, like nine months pregnant, which, you know, is what I noticed. And then I thought it was weird that there were so many

of them.

TANK: Authorities say companies posing as tourism businesses promoted themselves to Chinese customers on the internet. One firm in Rancho

Cucamonga, California advertised in Chinese and branded itself as you win USA vacation resort. The firm could not be reached for comment.

Charging as much as $50,000 for them to come to the U.S. and give birth, a hefty price, but many wealthy Chinese think it's worth it.

With worsening pollution, food safety scares and a crackdown on corruption back at home, they want their children to have a U.S. passport.

U.S. citizenship gives children the right to education and other social services. And legal experts say it's a ticket for the family to

eventually get out of China, because children can act as a sponsor for their parents once they turn 21.

Chinese state media reports about 10,000 Chinese women gave birth in the U.S. in 2012, more than double the number in 2008.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TANK: And of course there's something else to consider, getting an American passport for a baby means the child will eventually be responsible

for U.S. taxes.

Authorities say any women they encounter during Tuesday's raids will be interviewed. And those identified as potential material witnesses will

be told when and where to report for further questioning.

Still to come here on News Stream, the internet has moved on from the dress to a new sensation: a photo of a weasel riding on a bird. We'll

bring you the incredible story behind this picture. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TANK: OK. Well, you may have already seen it, an image of a weasel riding a woodpecker. Yes, it's true, it's spreading like wildfire across

social media. The best part is even if you thought that this was all made up apparently it really, really is real. Jeanne Moos has the amazing

picture.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A weasel riding a woodpecker as if it a flying steed. It's the photo that had the whole world laughing. Bird

expert were blown away.

JAMIE WYVER, ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS: I was actually stunned. I couldn't believe it was real.

MOOS: But Jamie Wyver became a believe when he saw the blurry photos that the company (inaudible) famous one. Martin LeMay a photographer by

hobby was with his wife in a London park when they heard a woodpecker squawking. And saw a weasel attacking the bird as it took off. This was no

fantasy kiddie movie like Epic.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This whole bird riding thing new to me.

MOOS: This was life and death struggle. The photographer told various media that the woodpecker landed are presence momentarily distracted the

weasel. The woodpecker sees the opportunity and flew up and away, both survived.

WYVER: It's a photographers dream isn't, to capture behavior than no one's ever seen before.

MOOS: Soon everyone was seeing it photoshopped with the weasel wearing a cape with Madonna in her cape and shirtless Vladimir Putin, was later

combine with Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, left sharp climb the aboard. The weasel was deck out in the blue or is it gold dress. Miley Cyrus was half

dressed.

Even the two runaway (inaudible) showed up.

Is it really feasible for a bird to fly with a weasel on top of it?

WYVER: It's a tricky one isn't. But actually weasels are very, very light. It said that the head of a weasel could actually fit to a wedding

ring.

MOOS: Wildlife experts tell us that a small weasel might weigh about as much a candy bar. So imagine a woodpecker flying around with this on its

back. Soon the photo landed at the top of Reddit animal riding animals along with butterflies and on alligator, dog on a donkey, and dog rides

dog. The image now known as #weaselpecker took off like the space shuttle.

Jeanne Moos, CNN New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TANK: Aw, it's all too much breaking the internet for one week isn't it?

That's it from News Stream. I'm Manisha Tank. But don't go anywhere, World Sport with Don Riddell is up next.

END