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Trump White House; Koreas Tensions; A Dangerous Precedent; Concerns on Repatriation; Myanmar Violence; Rohingya Crisis Plan; Congo Enters Uncharted Territory As It Faces Gravest Ebola Challenge to Date; Payet Left Out Of France's Squad; Lightning Ties Series With Win Over Capitals; World's Top Surfers Creating New Waves. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired May 18, 2018 - 02:00   ET

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


[02:00:32] JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: You're watching CNN Newsroom. I am live in Los Angeles. Ahead this hour, President Trump reassures North Korea the U.S. is not seeking a regime change, and then tells Kim Jong-Un he'll be really happy. He'll continue to rule and his country will be rich.

ISHA SESAY, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Isha Sesay in Windsor, England. The royal I do's just a day away as the world counts down to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Well, hello everyone. I'm here in historic Windsor, England, and excitement is in the air, which is one day away from the wedding of the year between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Besides the hundreds of invited guests, the entire country -- and let's face it, much of the world are celebrating the couple, including the bride's mother. She is set to meet Queen Elizabeth in the coming hours at Windsor Castle. (Inaudible) other members of the royal family earlier this week, but one person are not in town, the bride's father.

Thomas Markle has confirmed that he won't be at the wedding, as he's still recovering from heart surgery. Well, CNN's Anna Stewart joins me now from Windsor Castle with the latest. Not quite sure how she snuck in there. But she's got all the details of what is sure to be a very, very busy day. Ana, what's happening?

ANA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. I am in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Isha. And it's a little chilly here, but the sun is finally coming out just behind me. Now, today, we're expecting probably more preparations, but behind the scenes, we're unlikely to see quite as much as we did yesterday. Yesterday of course, we had that fantastic military rehearsal (Inaudible) carriage that Harry and Meghan will ride in after their married tomorrow.

But today, we will expect (Inaudible) Meghan's mom to come to Windsor. She'll be meeting the Queen at some stage today. Yesterday, she got to meet Prince Charles, the Dutch of Cornwall and of course Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge. And I am told Prince George and Princess Charlotte. I'm they had had the lovely tea.

Being British tea, I suspect, they had (Inaudible) with jam and (Inaudible) cream, maybe some cucumber sandwiches.

SESAY: (Inaudible) cucumber sandwiches, maybe (Inaudible) who knows. Ana Stewart, do we expect to see the couple today? There was a brief sighting of them on Thursday. Do we expect to see them on this eve of the big day?

STEWART: Well, you know, Isha, actually they came right past me yesterday. We weren't expecting them at all. We were on the long walk where the procession will go past after the wedding, and they came past the car. No one was expecting them, but they kind of gave us a wry smile out the window. They will of course, be doing the same against (Inaudible) with (Inaudible) Meghan's mom to meet the Queen. But no one knows what time or when. But I will be looking out for this time. I will keep my eyes peeled for you and let you know if I see them.

SESAY: You bet. We should get you on a balcony somewhere with binoculars out. Ana Stewart out there in Windsor searching for the royal couple, we look forward to it. We'll check you later. Thank you. I'm joined now by Richard Fitzwilliams. He is the Public Relations Consultant, and most importantly today, an expert on all things royal, Richard, good morning.

RICHARD FITZWILLIAMS, PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT: Good morning, a very historic day.

SESAY: A very historic day. Tell me, as we prepare for this meeting between (Inaudible) and the Queen, what's going through your mind?

FITZWILLIAMS: Well, (Inaudible) what is going through my mind is we are going to see a historic wedding tomorrow. It will also be very unconventional because it is very possible that Doria Ragland, descendant of slaves, an African-American will be walking her daughter down the aisle in a historic (Inaudible) chapel. (Inaudible) a member of the royal family might step in.

Unfortunately, Meghan's father, Thomas is unable to be with us. But there's no question that this is going to be one of those unconventional moments. It'll also be historic. St. George's Chapel is hallowed ground to the royal family. Ten (Inaudible) are buried there. And indeed as they walk down the aisle, they will actually be walking over the tomb of Henry VIII and Charles I, a rather (Inaudible) together, I have to say.

(CROSSTALK)

[02:05:05] Under Henry VIII, the chapel was finished. It's the order of the (Inaudible) chapel, and this is the premier order of chivalry. (Inaudible) a truly traumatic period, and also, the Queen has a habit of getting on with people of all backgrounds. And I think that she's absolutely thrilled that her grandson is so happy.

SESAY: You talk about the wedding itself being rather unconventional, historic but still unconventional. The meeting between Doria Ragland and the Queen, will it be the same (Inaudible) or will it still -- you kind of basically be conducted according to the royal protocol, and so be quite rigid and formulaic, according to you know the way you're supposed to engage with the Queen and the rest of them.

FITZWILLIAMS: There are always protocols when you are introduced to the Queen. And unquestionably, they will be (Inaudible).

(CROSSTALK)

FITZWILLIAMS: There are ways that you address the Queen, your majesty or majesty, and then subsequently ma'am (Inaudible). But the point here is that I am sure that they will establish a rapport. And what will be so significant given tomorrow's historic wedding, this meeting is something that the world will be fascinated by, because as we move from somewhat negative emphasis this week and also the very genuine concerns that Meghan's had over her father's health and naturally she wanted him to walk her down the aisle.

Alas, it hasn't proved possible. But nonetheless, we're going to have an absolutely thrilling day tomorrow. It will be so colorful. There will ceremonial, which was rehearsed yesterday. And also, the historic aspect of it too, and what it means for so many persons of color, for example, in Britain and the Commonwealth and then the wider world, as Meghan and Harry embark on charitable activities, which they will be doing almost immediately.

SESAY: And on this issue of what this means for people of color. We've talked about it with a number of people that have joined us here over the week. When you look at the introduction of a biracial Meghan Markle to this royal family, I mean how much change can she affect? How much of a difference can she make when it comes to the issue of race relations here in this country?

FITZWILLIAMS: Quite a lot. Because she's caught herself when she was trying to get some work as an actress, an ethnic comedian, where she wasn't white enough for the white roles or black enough for the black roles. She will be able to identify and others with her, with a large number of people, who previously perhaps that the royal family will rather remote. And it will be one of the things (Inaudible) with empowerment with the hashtag, MeToo, and (Inaudible), rights. (Inaudible) and the need in a diverse society, she will be somewhat of a royal model. I think that this is going to be very significant.

SESAY: Almost out of time, but I want to ask you. What are you most looking forward to on the big day?

FITZWILLIAMS: Well, I cannot avoid mentioning that dress. I don't know its (Inaudible). But that's the (Inaudible) could be and will be, I am sure, something that will be, not dramatic, they'll be a touch of show business, but also will show Meghan at her best because she's so stylish on the Red Carpet where she is of course at ease. And there no doubt it will be a heart stopping moment when we first see it.

SESAY: I like a man that gets excited about a good dress, Richard Fitzwilliams we appreciate so much. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Let's get back to my colleague, John Vause in L.A., who is trying to sum up the excitement or drum up the excitement for that dress, John. VAUSE: (Inaudible) what you're doing (Inaudible), OK. Thank you. We

will take a short break. When we come back, President Trump has some reassuring words to Kim Jong-Un, but also a dire warning, the details in a moment. Also ahead, Special Counsel Robert Mueller has been on the job now for a year, with apparently no (Inaudible) in sight with his investigation. The U.S. President not happy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:10:10] VAUSE: Welcome back, everybody. The U.S. President Donald Trump says the summit with North Korea may not happen after all, or maybe it will. The President did say the U.S. is not seeking a regime change, and if the summit happened, Kim Jong-Un would be, in his words very, very happy and his country will be rich.

He also said his administration is not looking to the so called Libya model, which involves (Inaudible) disarmament before sanctions are lifted, undercutting the message from his national security advisor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: The Libyan model was a much different model. We decimated that country. We never said to Gaddafi, oh, we're going to give you protection. We're going to give you military strength. We're going to give you all of these things. We went in and decimated him, and we did the same thing with Iraq. But the model, if you look at that model with Gaddafi, that was a total decimation. We went in there to beat him. Now, that model would take place if we don't make a deal, most likely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: CNN's Paula Hancocks is in the South Korean capital of Seoul. She joins us now live. So Pula, it seems the U.S. President is a little confused here about the Libyan model for disarmament, which happened in the early 2000s, and then overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, which happened during the Arab spring in 2011, two totally different events. But ultimately, what will the North Koreans make of all of this?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You're right, John. They are completely different events. But to be honest, in North Korea's eyes they aren't that different. When they hear the national security advisor saying I think we can use the Libyan model when it comes to North Korea. That would strike fear into the North Korean's hearts.

We have seen a number of articles, of speeches from North Korea, saying that they will not be another Libya. They will not be another Iraq. And the way they're looking at is not just the deal that was done with the United States, but the fact that the leaders of both of those countries lost their lives, by either at the hands of the United States or through rebels backed by Washington.

So in North Korea's eyes, they are not separate issues, and they've used this as an excuse consistently as why they need this nuclear and missile program. Certainly, we are getting more indications from North Korea as to what they are looking for from this deal, and it's certainly not a unilateral nuclear abandonment, which is exactly what Washington wants.

They have said on Wednesday that if that Washington wants, then maybe the summit shouldn't happen. We haven't any response at this point from North Korea to those comments from Trump. We have had though a response to these military drills that are still ongoing, another response from North Korea to (Inaudible) the airforce drill between the U.S. and South Korea, saying that effectively the South Koreans should take this very seriously.

They're concerned about these drills. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to see how the two leaders could meet in the future.

[02:14:58] So another threat for the South Koreans there, effectively saying that if these drills go on, then the meeting simply can't happen, John.

VAUSE: You know, Paula, what's very interesting about what we're hearing from North Korea, (Inaudible) language that we're used to, it's not the extreme threats of you know saying the United States on fire with a nuclear bomb, that kind of stuff. They seem to be measuring their words and their sentiments very, very carefully.

HANCOCKS: That' right. The threats of not having this summit were conditional. It was if the United States pushes us and forces us into a corner, then potentially these are not talks that we want. It is a completely different North Korea that we're seeing through KCNA. They are still slamming the U.S. and South Korea on occasion, but it's very rare.

In fact, we had a KCNA article talking about Kim Jong-Un's meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and it spoke about him in very warm terms. A KCNA consistently using the word trust when it comes to the U.S. and South Korea, that is something that simply didn't happen a matter of months ago. So we're seeing a very different response. And certainly, from most experts they expected this kind of bump, this kind of hurdle. But it was a little earlier than some expected, John.

VAUSE: Words matter, actions matter more, Paula, thank you for being with us. Appreciate it. President Trump is marking the first anniversary of the appointment of Robert Mueller as Special Counsel with some quality Twitter time. Congratulations, America. We are now into the second year of the greatest witch hunt in American history, (Inaudible) and there is still no collusion and no obstruction.

Trump's choice to lead the FBI says it is not a witch hunt, but that doesn't mean a lot to this White House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This morning, the President marked the one year anniversary of the Mueller investigation, saying it's disgusting, illegal, and a witch hunt. But this (Inaudible) FBI director yesterday said it was not a witch hunt. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They found no evidence and collusion and still

strongly that it's a witch hunt. I'm not sure how we could be anymore clear. And certainly, not sure the President could be anymore clear about his beliefs and his opinion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: OK. Back with us now are Moe and Joe. So OK, so on this (Inaudible) this first anniversary Robert Mueller's appointment, the President says one year, it's time for the investigation to end.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe the time has come to bring that investigation and the other investigations of this matter to an end. One year of Watergate is enough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Sorry, sorry wrong clip. That was Richard Nixon back in 1974 at the State of the Union, talking about the one year anniversary of Watergate investigation, and we all know how that ended. But Joe, what's the rush here in trying to wrap this up? Here are some numbers. The Clinton white water investigation took seven years. Iran (Inaudible) under Reagan, four years to find out who out of the (Inaudible). So why the rush?

JOE MESSINA, CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR: I think it's to the point where as was stated during Hillary's investigation. I mean what do you have? What is really coming to light right now? (Inaudible) 13 indictments, 1 company that actually didn't exist but we indicted them anyway. We've got some that were indicted on a charge with lying. Do you want me to go through the list of Hillary's lies? Why don't we indict her? I mean it's not fair.

MO KELLY, RADIO AND TELEVISION COMMENTATOR: Maybe because she was innocent.

VAUSE: Do you want to what we've got, because...

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: In that alternative universe where Hillary Clinton is President, maybe they are, but she's not.

MESSINA: But morality is morality, whether you're President or not. I hear that a lot.

VAUSE: OK. One year into the Mueller probe, this is what we've got, 22 people and companies are facing 75 criminal charges. There have been five guilty pleas. One person has already been sentenced. So Mo, as far as a legal investigation goes, that's moving on at quite a clip.

KELLY: That wasn't moving on at quite a clip. Going back to Sarah Huckabee Sanders, when they said there's been no evidence of collusion. There has been no presentation, specifically for the public to see of evidence. We haven't been to any of the classified briefings. But there is obviously, there is evidence of crimes being committed.

And the Mueller investigation wasn't about just collusion, quote- unquote. It was about unearthing any crimes, which may arise in the investigation of the relationship of the Trump -- administration's campaign and also the Russians. So let's see this to this conclusion. The President's remarks, I always say a person of innocent mind acts accordingly. And this sounds like a President whose trying to convince and us.

VAUSE: And Joe, you said what's the evidence of collusion? There's lots of evidence of collusion. We just don't know whether if it's been criminal or not.

MESSINA: Then show it. You have a judge that actually came out and said, look, it's you're looking for something. You're going out of way to try to find something and you're going to make stick.

(CROSSTALK)

MESSINA: But what I am saying is that is nobody has tied anybody in this case back to Trump's campaign back to Trump himself.

(CROSSTALK)

KELLY: Padopoulos?

MESSINA: George Papadopoulos was thrown back some (Inaudible) at a club.

[02:19:56] KELLY: And you know this how?

(CROSSTALK)

KELLY: If you look in the indictments, they've directly connected him to Russia.

(CROSSTALK)

KELLY: But this is the Trump campaign.

(CROSSTALK)

KELLY: It's to investigate Trump, the Trump campaign.

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: If there wasn't obstruction of justice, then maybe it would be easier to find to what happened. But anyway, the latest line of attack by the President against the Russia investigation is his delegation to the Trump campaign was spied on by the FBI. Here's the tweet. Wow, word seems to be coming out that the Obama/FBI spying campaign with an embedded informant. Andrew McCarthy, there probably no doubt that they had at least confidential informant in the campaign, if so, this is bigger than Watergate.

Let's circle back here because McCarthy's story came out last Saturday. There was lots of speculation, no evidence. Then came this -- on line story on Wednesday, the New York Times saying the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign, at least one government informant met several times with Mr. Page and Mr. Papadopoulos, referring to Trump campaign aides, Carter page and George Papadopoulos, which was then picked by the altright website Breitbart, which twisted it to its own unique, (Inaudible) to the New York Times confirmed ran spy operation against Trump campaign, which is totally incorrect.

And then the piece de resistance, it all comes down to the world's greatest lawyer, Rudy Giuliani on Fox News.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about placing a spy in the Trump campaign.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you believe that happened?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. How do I?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Does the President believe that happened?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think we want to believe it or not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Joe, this is house of mirrors filled with smoke viewed from the wrong end of binoculars.

MESSINA: I said earlier. So he wave an -- it's alleged we had somebody on the inside from the FBI, and we're making a big deal on this. But yet, it's only been alleged that Trump is connected directly with Russia and he's guilty.

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: No one's (Inaudible) heard a spy. No one's saying about the FBI actively placed somebody within the campaign. There was an informant. Also could be known as a whistle blower, and now there is this (Inaudible) campaign to out this guy from the FBI. They saw us within the Trump campaign by Trump and his allies.

MESSINA: We've now given this broad term the whistle blower so anything they say, anything they do from within it makes them honorable when you give them the term whistle blowers. They're not all whistle blowers. I'm sorry. I don't buy it. If you had this kind of leakage when President Obama was in, you'd be up in arms. It would be 24/7 about these criminals.

(CROSSTALK)

KELLY: -- the people who are working in the government who feel this administration should not be trusted and this information should be bought to light.

MESSINA: It's ideology. It's nothing but ideology. Just because you don't like something, a President or your boss does, you don't go running around telling everybody what it is.

(CROSSTALK)

KELLY: Maybe if he hired the best people, he wouldn't have to worry about it.

VAUSE: You know what you and I are on the same page because when he got in office, I said to (Inaudible) stand on a desk because you're all done (Inaudible). Give me two months (Inaudible) you're out of here.

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: OK. You know in the big picture of the Trump presidency, this next story is kind of small. But here's a report about a White House adviser and Presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner. The headline in the Times, Kushner's near deal with Qatar linked company for troubled tower. Part of the report says the deal with Brookfield is likely to raise further concerns about Jared Kushner's dual role as a White House point person on the Middle East and a continuing stakeholder in the family's company.

Mr. Kushner earlier this year lost his top secret security clearance (Inaudible) concerns that foreign governments could attempt to gain influence with the White House by doing business with Kushner companies. Joe, I was wondering, you know let's say this story wasn't about Kushner and Trump and wasn't President. Let's say this story read this.

(Inaudible) near deal with Qatar linked company (Inaudible) tower, the deal of Brookfield is likely to raise further concerns about President Hillary Clinton's youngest brother, Tony (Inaudible) and his dual role as White House point person on the Middle East and continuing stakeholder in the family's company. Mr. (Inaudible) earlier lost his (Inaudible) you get the idea.

So if this was a Democrat administration, Hillary Clinton was President, and one of her relatives was doing business with Qatar, Republican's heads would explode, wouldn't it?

MESSINA: Listen, and that makes for lousy TV, but I agree with you. I think we should look into anything that doesn't smell right.

(CROSSTALK)

KELLY: But this is hypothetical. It didn't actually happen.

(CROSSTALK)

MESSINA: I don't care what their names are. If it doesn't look right, if it isn't right, if it isn't (Inaudible) look into it.

(CROSSTALK)

KELLY: That's the whole point of the Mueller investigation. They are looking into everything.

MESSINA: Well, when you start, as the judge said, when it seems like you're going down the track to go out of your way to try to find something, that's a whole different story.

KELLY: You know as well as I do, you can find anything.

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: It's got to be there to find it in the first place. You can't just make it up. And (Inaudible) prosecutors, this particular judge in the Manafort case, this is not atypical. This is what he has done before, challenging prosecutors on their charges and their investigations.

[02:25:03] KELLY: And ultimately what happened? They did nothing. In other words, they did not (Inaudible) any of the charges and they proceeded. He was heard, but now it's going be heard on the merits as opposed to just personal beliefs

MESSINA: So are we good too with the dossier being funded the way it was and what we found as false information there?

(CROSSTALK)

MESSINA: Was not the moving forward.

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: The investigation started George Papadopoulos, blowing his you know -- laying off steam in a pub in Britain to an Australian diplomat, with Papadopoulos boasting that he had Hillary Clinton's emails before anybody knew that Hillary Clinton had been hacked. That's why the FBI went to London to interview the Australian diplomat in the first place.

(CROSSTALK)

KELLY: That actually did happen, where they were trying to get information and dirt on Hillary Clinton with foreign nationals connected directly to the Russian government. That sounds like, if anything, the Logan Act at best, criminal conspiracy at worst.

VAUSE: Last word to Joe.

MESSINA: I love how (Inaudible) as you said earlier, when a Republican does (Inaudible) like Republican is doing it, it's bad or what have you. So what Jim Carey, John Kerry just did in going on trying to work the Iran deal, there was nothing wrong with that, right. That was OK.

KELLY: Complain to Jeff Sessions.

(CROSSTALK)

KELLY: If the Trump Administration...

(CROSSTALK)

MESSINA: No, it won't go anywhere because he doesn't move on things quickly or quickly enough. People are feeling left, but people are feeling left out just like they did in the Obama administration, when Holder wouldn't go after certain people, Lynch wouldn't go after certain people. The American people have lost their trust in this government, period.

KELLY: And the President trying to undermine the credibility of the DOJ doesn't impact that?

MESSINA: Not the whole DOJ. You've got one.

KELLY: There is only one DOJ.

MESSINA: No, but there are plenty of people the DOJ -- you know as well as I do, like with the FBI, you have corrupt people to talk, even the members of the FBI. The guys that are out there working hard have lost trust in their bosses.

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: OK, we'll leave it at that. Thank you, both. You know this is -- the problem with this it is so complicated and there are so many strands, and you've got to continue to try and pull it all together. And I guess that's what we were trying to, so thank you. Appreciate it. OK, after the break, we'll head back to Windsor for more on the royal wedding.

Keep in mind, any royal wedding is like catnip to the paparazzi, but then there are the official photographers, the ones with the responsibility and all the pressure to capture history as it happens.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VAUSE: Welcome back, everybody. You're watching CNN Newsroom live from Los Angeles. I am John Vause with the headlines this hour. The U.S. President says plans are still moving forward for the June 12 summit with Kim Jong-Un, even though North Korea has threatened to pull out. U.S. officials believe Kim is posturing in that meeting, at least for now it's not in jeopardy.

Pressure is building on Sudan's government to spare the life of a teenager who killed her husband, a man she says she was forced to marry and she says he raped her while his relatives held her down.

[02:30:00]

The U.N. Secretary General and Amnesty International are among those demanding clemency for Noura Hussein. And a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has entered a new base. It has spread from rural areas to a city of more than a million people where one case is being confirmed. Officials are scrambling to rule out an experimental vaccine. Four thousand doses are now on the way for the epicenter of the outbreak.

SESAY: Well, an American is preparing to marry into the British Royal Family in just one day and the final preparations in Windsor now underway for the much, much anticipated wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday. After weeks of speculation, the bride to be confirmed her father cannot attend the service which is recovering from heart surgery and it's unclear who if anyone will walk her down the aisle. In a statement, Markle says, I've always cared for my father and I hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health. The royal photographer, Hugo Burnand, has captured some of the biggest real moments including the wedding of Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and I'm pleased to say he joins us now. Hugo, welcome.

HUGO BURNAND, ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Thank you.

SESAY: First of all, what is it like to get that commission to be given the job of capturing a royal wedding as you were with --

(CROSSTALK)

BURNAND: It's a big number. There's no doubt about it. The first time I got it was for Prince Charles when he married Camilla Parker Bowles and that was great. I only knew Camilla at that stage, so it's a big deal to get that. And luckily, I did OK. So then when Prince William was engaged to Catherine, I knew I might be in the shakeup. And there were a lot of discussions and everything, and then slowly it dawned on me that it was going to be me.

SESAY: In the case of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, it will be Alexi Lubomirski who will be taking the shots with the engagement shots.

BURNAND: So that's really -- that's really covered because he already has a working relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan. And it's important when you're taking photographs that there's good collaboration on both sides of the lens. So I'm really looking forward to seeing what the pictures are like. I mean he takes beautiful pictures, Alexi, really beautiful.

SESAY: I mean I want to talk about it because you talked about there being a lot of collaboration and a lot of conversations beforehand. I mean is that -- is that key to capturing, you know, those perfect shots? I mean, well, let's put some of your pictures up from the wedding of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. I mean they are just spectacular,

but you get their personalities coming through.

BURNAND: Well, thank you. There was a lot of preparation. I can proudly say that the throne room at Buckingham Palace became my home for three days.

SESAY: Oh, lovely.

BURNAND: And we did dress rehearsals.

SESAY: Oh, you did?

BURNAND: Yes. Somewhat dress rehearsals and we knew how much time we had to take the photographs. I want to request 32 minutes. I was only allowed 30 and then so many well-wishers actually delayed me coming in, so we had 27 minutes. But it's all organized for you. The thing was I wanted to take one specific picture which was not on the official list which was of William and Catherine sitting on the steps with all their bridesmaids and pages with them. And I'm really proud that the team I had with me, we achieved that picture in three minutes flat, and it's a great picture. But the good thing that is because it's such a short time. There was a lot of adrenaline going and the expressions and movements weren't directed. There wasn't time for directions. Everything you see is completely spontaneous and natural.

SESAY: Do you think -- I mean, obviously, you have this relationship shooting Prince William and his wife, Catherine. Do you think it's different capturing the shot of Prince Harry and Meghan who have quite different personalities since a bigger personalities?

BURNAND: Well, going back to watch Alexi is going to shot, he already knows them and has worked with them. So I think that will naturally come out in the pictures. I'm hoping it will. I'm sure it will.

SESAY: And in terms of the shots, I mean you've given a list by the palace that you must capture this, this, and this.

BURNAND: Yes, yes. But I mean, again, lots of discussion, and preparation, and what possible within the timeframe. And some of them have to be historic documents and some of them will be more personal. But knowing those two, I reckon there'll be a few surprises in there, maybe heartwarming surprises, maybe cheeky surprises. Who knows? But I reckon they'll stamp those photographs with their characters.

SESAY: And, you know, being that they are royals and being that, you know, they're going to become historical documents, I mean for you, I mean is -- do you just shot wildly or, you know, talk to me about what's going on in your mind or what was going on in your mind at that point? Because we're trying to get into Alexi's mind but we don't have him here, so we're going to go through yours.

[02:35:07] BURNAND: Yes. Well, you -- I had six to seven photographs in those thirty minutes. So I have a team of seven assistants with me and they were all very carefully picked. My mother was a photographer. I grew up knowing how to take pictures. So she was brought in as one of the assistants and her job was to make sure that the bridesmaids and pages were all happy and content on that day. And so it really is a (INAUDIBLE) planning and you just keep an eye on the time. When you say shot, wildly, not really on that occasion. But the picture I refer as my favorite picture that was only if we had time, so that was my wild moment.

SESAY: Is there one shot you want to see or firm Harry and Meghan, if you have something in your mind that you hope. BURNAND: I'm happy for the surprise to come out, you know, I just

can't wait until they're released. I mean who knows -- who knows? What do you think it will be? The picture that will steal everyone's hearts?

SESAY: Oh, I have no idea, but I think they're going to be special. They're going to look -- they're going to be beautiful as are yours.

BURNAND: She is so beautiful. I mean she really is. I mean it'll be difficult not to get wonderful pictures.

SESAY: Yes, absolutely. Well, congratulations on all you have achieved.

BURNAND: Well, thank you very much.

SESAY: Those are beautiful pictures and they are historical documents.

BURNAND: Absolutely. Thank you for having me.

SESAY: Thank you, Hugo.

BURNAND: Thank you.

SESAY: Let's bring meteorologist Derek Van Dam to break down the all- important wedding day forecast. As we talk about capturing pictures. We're going to need that weather to play ball. Derek, how is it looking?

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Isha, here's a picture for you. The wedding frenzy already starting along the procession route and, you know, the Brits are pretty hardy when it comes to the weather regardless if it was going to be torrential downpours and gusty winds. They still come out in the hundreds of thousands to watch this monumental historic event taking place in Windsor. Well, fortunately, Mother Nature is really taking the guide here and the lead, and saying, hey, you know what, I'm going to bring these two newlyweds the best weather possible. Well, looking back at previous royal weddings, Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip back in 1947, they had dry weather, so did Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Look at those temperatures, 24 and sunny, and more the same, similar conditions, dry weather for Prince William and Catherine. And, you know what, this forecast is going to be picture perfect with turquoise blue skies overhead. If you are going to witness the procession route which is by the way about two miles long, the conditions will be exquisite. We're ranging anywhere from about 15 degrees in the early morning hours right through about 20 by in the afternoon. So the forecast will stay dry on Saturday. In fact, dry through the entire weekend, Isha.

SESAY: That is very good news indeed. A hundred thousand people expected here in Windsor to take in that procession. Derek Van Dam, we appreciate it. Especially as it was good news. Thank you very much. Well, hello. We're going to take a very quick break here. And somebody is begging for Meghan Markle's attention and he isn't named Harry. Meet the other guy who's stolen her heart.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:40:19] SESAY: Hello everyone. Well, Prince Harry isn't the only guy in Meghan Markle's world. The other one is adopted and pretty fetching. CNN's Paula Newton has the scoop on the soon to be royal beagle.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You may not have heard yet but Megan Markle has a guy and it's not the prince. Kensington Palace was even forced to issue a statement, and yes, royal tongues are wagging. And that's not all that's wagging. Oh, so much to fill you in on. This is the guy, Guy, Meghan's much beloved adopted pet beagle. And Dolores Doherty is the matchmaker the couple begun.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can't believe that I have a dog that's royalty. Your first baby I gave you.

NEWTON: Dory says Markle told her she really wanted a beagle and it had to be a rescue dog. The rest apparently is now canine history.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She took it the leash for me. She held onto him and it -- I honestly don't that she didn't let go the rest of the day like that was --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, like the dog was already hers.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, yes. And he really bonded with her.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why do you think you had that feeling instinctively that you knew she'd be a dog lover and will take good care of Guy?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, I also read the dog, you know, that's very important to me that I listen to the dog and see if he likes that person. And if he goes up to them and wants affection and shows which she did with her and she was very cuddly and she would go with him.

NEWTON: Markle adopted Guy in the Toronto area where she lived for seven years while filming the TV series, "SUITS." And along with Markle's other pooch, Guy, became a featured star on her now deleted Instagram account and likely he helped her fit into the royal household. Face it, it kind of have to be a dog person to make it into this royal family, from Kate and Will's pooch, to the Queen's famed corgi's, Meghan and Guy, they seem a perfect fit.

MEGHAN MARKLE, AMERICAN ACTRESS: Well, I have two dogs that I've had for quite a long time. Both my rescue pups, and one is now staying with very close friends and my other little guy is, yes, he's in the U.K. He's been here for a while.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: So Guy's royal life has already been so much more eventful than his life here in this quiet Toronto Park taking long walks with his beloved Meghan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: Not long after arriving at his new royal home at Kensington Palace, Guy broke both his legs that stirred tabloid speculation, what happened? The palace won't say, but Guy appears to be on the mend. The mystery lingers though and Dolores had a suggestion and how they could put people's mind at ease.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I'm hoping to see him dressed up with a tuxedo going down the aisle. I do expect that, I do. Yes.

NEWTON: Easy there, Dolores. Even for a guy loving gal like Meghan that might be a bit far-fetched. Yes, I couldn't resist. Paula, CNN Toronto.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: We'll keep our eye out and see if we do see him. CNN is giving you front row seat to Harry and Meghan's big day. Be sure to watch out special coverage of the royal wedding that kicks off Saturday right here on CNN. And, John, maybe we can make you the royal dog watcher. That's all we have time for this hour. I'm Isha Sesay and live in Windsor, England.

VAUSE: I'm John Vause in Los Angeles. I like the fact that he's a rescue dog. People should rescue dogs. Don't buy them. Rescue dogs. Stay tuned now for "WORLD SPORT." Good on you Meghan. You're watching CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:45:34] PATRICK SNELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ANCHOR: Hi there. Thanks for joining us. Welcome to CNN WORLD SPORT. We begin with football news and that not the kind we were perhaps expecting. At least, it wasn't the retirement news we were led to believe we might get concerning legendary Italian goalkeeper Gigi Buffon. But he has confirmed he is leaving Serie A champs Juve at the end of this current season.

Buffon is actually kind of left his (INAUDIBLE) to some degree. Will he in fact though play elsewhere in next season? Buffon, who has also apologized to English referee Michael Oliver, for reaction to being sent off in the recent Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid. Has been the bianconeri's keeper for the last 17 years. He has been part of nine championship team. He's also won an Italian league in cup double in each to the last four years. And the scudetto for the last seven.

Gigi, who's also World Cup winner, as well. He's 40 years of age now, and not been giving too much away on his next career move.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GIANLUIGI BUFFON, GOALKEEPER, SERIE A CLUB JUVENTUS (through translator): Like I said a long time ago, I'm not willing nor do I think it would be right to finish my career in a third or fourth (INAUDIBLE) team because I couldn't leave in such a context. I wouldn't feel comfortable.

Juventus is a club that prepares for the future. If future is like its presents and its past, it is a winning future. So, if one day, and to be considered an element they would count on because I can bring something to the cause, it is clear, but for me, Juventus has priority on everything else for me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNELL: Intriguing, Buffon, of course, as I said a World Cup winner at the expense of France to Germany, 2006. And speaking of the French national team national (INAUDIBLE) have revealed their squad for the World Cup in Russia next month. A squad in which has no room and it seem for Marseille forward Dimitri Payet, who suffered a hamstring injury in Wednesday night's Europa League final loss at -- against Atletico Madrid.

Also missing out the Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and Man United, Anthony Martial who only on the standby list to deliver the goal. Head coach Didier Deschamps is putting his faith to Antoine Griezmann, who scored twice for Atletico in that final in Lyon.

Chelsea's Olivier Giroud and the Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, as well. The 1998 World Champs a group with Australia, Peru a Denmark.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DIDIER DESCHAMPS, MANAGER, FRANCE NATIONAL TEAM (through translator): There are players who deserve to be there because of the season they've had with their club who are not. There's a sporting criteria, obviously. And that's what they do with their club, and the sporting criteria, there is also what they took with me, and the French team. And at times there's a gap between what they can do with the club, and what they do in French team.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNELL: Meantime, the Iranian national team preparing for its 5th World Cup. And they have every reason to be quietly confident under their Portuguese head coach Carlos Queiroz, heading to Russia not having him seated a single goal during the final round of qualifying until their very last game.

In fact, they were also unbeaten as well, winning six of their 10 games. It won't be easy though. Their group is going to be tough. Iran must play the reigning European Champions, Portugal, the 2010 World Champion, Spain, and Morocco.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KARIM ANSARIFARD, FORWARD, IRANIAN NATIONAL TEAM: So, this is our dream, for sure, this is our dream. We cannot before the game to say, OK, we're going to lose or something like that. For sure, we do believe in our dream, and what I said before is we have to work harder than another team to be stronger in this -- in this competition, the biggest in the world. This World Cup is the biggest competition for us. So, everybody is excited, and everybody is ready for this competition for sure.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNELL: Now, when it comes to the port of surfing. Is there really such a thing as the perfect wave? And if there is, how come it's miles away from the Californian coast? Standby, all is about to be revealed.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:51:43] SNELL: Welcome back to WORLD SPORT. Now, when it comes to goal scoring exploits, Russia's NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin is rightly considered the greatest of his generation.

The 32 year old Washington Capitals' captain has enjoyed nine 40 goal seasons over historic career. And he also scored at least 50 goals, seven times, but the fact does remain. In otherwise, glittering regime still has one glaring omission. But he and the captain yet to win the sports' biggest prize, the Stanley Cup.

Just look at the focus and the intensity therein Ovechkin side. Now, even before Thursday night's Game Four of the Eastern Conference finals with the Tamba Bay Lightning got going. Is assist (INAUDIBLE) Evgeny Kuznetsov that made it to apiece. And that one a shocking score throw for the home fans there in D.C. as Alex Killorn put the visitors ahead. A frantic finish will be trigger by that, and the host almost living but the Swedish Nicklas Backstrom, will be left very frustrated indeed. Lightning win it 4-2 in frustration on the round for the Capital's nowhere. Look at that, is it more evidence until the Ovechkin answer.

And we now know, Ovechkin's powered by his favorite pre-game meal chicken parmesan for the record. But in his team will be hungry to get going and you get back to winning always up to show the series now all tied up at two apiece between these two teams.

Game five on Saturday, by the way, while in the west, the Vegas Golden Knights playing the franchises very first season remember? And have a 2-1 series advantage ahead of getting fall with their Canadian opponents, the Winnipeg Jets, later on, Friday.

Now, to something that really could be the future of surfing, the way you likely never even considered possible left before, and that just a context. 11 time World Champion Kelly Slater is the most successful man in the story of the sport, and it seems the 46 year old American has even found a new approach of making just a kind of waves that has everyone is talking right now. And WORLD SPORT is being to take a much closer look. Here is Don Riddell.

DON RIDDELL, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Surfers like their early starts, but here it makes no difference because these waves represent the dawn of a brand new era. The nearest beach is 100 miles away, but the world's top surfers have come inland to Lemoore in California because this surf ranch could represent the future of their sport

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAKEY PETERSON, 2ND RANKED, WORLD SURF LEAGUE: The wave itself is totally on par with those breaks which is just unbelievable that they've been able to create. A wave -- a man-made wave that is as good as the waves we get to go to all over the world that are the best in the world.

SOPHIE GOLDSCHMIDT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WORLD SURF LEAGUE: I think this is moment in history for surfing, and it'll never be the same after this weekend.

RIDDELL: It took 12 years to design and to the build. It's a $30 million project that somehow, the developers were able to keep a secret. 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater is the brains behind this massive facility, which extends the length of 7 1/2 football fields.

KELLY SLATER, 11-TIME CHAMPION, WORLD SURF LEAGUE: I think it touched something in people, you know? I think it planted a seed or dream in people's minds and it's so captured -- it's captured a lot of people's imaginations in a lot of way.

STEPHANIE GILMORE, SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION, WOMEN'S ASP WORLD TOUR: You know, when the highlights in my career was probably having Kelly Slater, call me up to say, "He, do you want to come surf my wave pool?" And honestly, it's like "Oh my gosh, yes." I dropped everything to an entire left of the globe to make it tell him more, to have a go.

RIDDELL: Built close dry land, between farm country and the dessert. The surf ranch has to be seen to be the believed. It's a grand vision, and cutting-edge technology enables design as to perfectly re- create some of the best breaks from some of the most iconic beaches around the world. This is as close as they were prepare in some ways the science behind it all was very simple.

[02:55:22] HUNTER AINSLIE, MANAGER, WAVE DEVELOPMENT GROUP: The easiest way to explain it is you got a big machine, we call that the vehicle that's pulled through the water. And basically, it works like a boat, and off to the boat comes a wave. We just made it a good wave to surf. So, here we got Joan (INAUDIBLE), coming through, so, there's three sections of the wave. She's on the first section that's the performance section that's better for terms. And then, he goes into the middle section which is a barrel section for that two riding. And then, the third section is the performance section again, and that's t best section there.

RIDDELL: It has its critics, but the benefits are obvious. Facilities like this will make surfing more accessible, and the growing sport will benefit with a reliable show for broadcasters. An artificial pool is not at the mercy of the weather, and it's perfectly fair. Everyone competing gets to surf the same wave.

GILMORE: The wave pool is -- you know, it's a whole new world. JORDY SMITH, PROFESSIONAL SURFER, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR: Its consistent men, and then, its equal opportunity. So everybody gets the same ride, everybody gets the same chance.

JOHN JOHN FLORENCE, PROFESSIONAL SURFER, WORLD SURF LEAGUE: The pool here you have this consistent -- you know, the wave is knowing to be exactly the same every time.

CARISSA MOORE, THREE-TIME CHAMPION, WORLD SURFING: You know, surfing the wave pool is definitely different. It's a man-made wave, but there's still a lot of power behind it, a lot of speed which is very similar to ocean.

SLATER: Nothing will replace the ocean. That's where -- that's where we made all of our dreams, and ideas and imaginations have grown from -- for being in the ocean and learning from there. And this is just kind of a culmination of all those things coming together for me. But this will never replace that. This just supplements that -- I think, is -- you know, this -- the intention of this, to make this broader.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RIDDELL: 2020 is the next big date for this sport when surfing makes its debut, the Olympic Games in Tokyo is certainly is not the end of with the ocean. So, if this will always want to compete in a natural environment. But now, there is another option, there's led Hamilton, ones said, "We are all equal before a wave, and now, the waves can be equal before us. Don Riddell, CNN.

SNELL: Really impressive to see that. Thank you so much for joining us, by the way. Make sure you're around for late of Friday editions of WORLD SPORT. For the team here in Atlanta, thanks for watching. Stay with CNN.