China Denies Theft Of U.S. F-35 Stealth Fighter Plans; `American Sniper' Opens With Box Office Success, Controversy
LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching News Stream and these are your world headlines. Now Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says that the international community needs to deal with terrorists without giving in to them. He is demanding the immediate release of two Japanese hostages ISIS is threatening to kill if Japan does not pay $200 million in ransom in the next three days. Now four of nine people detained last week in connection with the Paris terror attacks are to appear in court to hear any charges against them. Now five other suspects have been released without charge. German police conducted a series of anti-terror raids overnight. Now 200 officers hit 13 properties in three different states. And we are told it is part of an investigation into two arrested suspects who were accused of providing support to ISIS. Now China rejects the accusation it stole designs for the next generation of U.S. fighter jets. Now the Germany newspaper Der Speigel says details of the theft is contained in top secret U.S. government files that came from the NSA leaker Edward Snowden. Now one document says the U.S. believes China hacked terabytes of data related to the F-35 stealth fighter, including detailed engine schematics and radar design. Now the jet-maker Lockheed Martin declined to comment. In 2009, CNN reported that hackers had stolen thousands of files related to the F-35. At the time, Lockheed Martin said no classified information had been breached. Now China wants to know if the accusers can produce any real evidence.</s>HONG LEI, CHINSE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN (through translator): Cyber attacks are hard to trace back and are usually committed across borders. This complexity means that it's extremely difficult to identify the source of the attacks.</s>LU STOUT: China showed off its new stealth fighter, the FC-31 at an air show last year. Experts say is bears a resemblance to the F-35, but may not match its technological capability. Now with U.S. allies planning to fly the F-35, including Australia, Britain, Japan, and Israel, China is trying to close the gap and create jets that it can export. Now the movie American Sniper has box office records, Oscar nominations and controversy. As George Howell now reports, the film about the Iraq war has triggered an intense debate.</s>GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Americans are packing into theaters to see "American Sniper," the real life story of the man known as America's deadliest sniper, Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, played by actor Bradley Cooper. The film is breaking box office records this debut weekend, earning 105 million in weekend ticket sales and six Academy Award nominations.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I loved it. I loved it.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was a very emotionally stressful movie, I thought.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was pretty good. It's very compelling.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very good. Excellent.</s>HOWELL: Not so excellent, however, in the minds of some in Hollywood. Actor Seth Rogin tweeting, quote, "American Sniper" kind of reminds me of the movie that's showing in the third act of "Inglorious Bastards." And filmmaker Michael Moore igniting a firestorm on Twitter. Quote, "my uncle, killed by a sniper in World War II. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot you in the back. Snipers aren't heroes and invaders are worse." Then, five hours later, quote, "but if you're on the roof of your home defending it from invaders who have come 7,000 miles, you are not a sniper, you are brave, you are a neighbor." Moore's comment about cowards definitely getting some pushback.</s>CADE COURTLEY, FORMER NAVY SEAL: For somebody who has spent their entire career on freedom of speech and freedom of expression, to be criticizing an individual like Chris Kyle, who exemplifies the very best, well, it's like -- that's really biting the hand that feeds you.</s>HOWELL: And the moviegoers we spoke to also took issue with the perceived criticism.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he was fighting for this country, was doing what he thought was right.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: None of us who don't serve or can't serve have no idea what our soldiers are going through.</s>HOWELL: Whether Moore was actually talking about the film "American Sniper" is now sort of a gray area, tweeting, quote, "Hmm, I never tweeted one word about "American Sniper," Chris Kyle. I said my uncle, killed by sniper in World War II. Only cowards would do that to him and others." He goes on to say, quote, "so people want me to tweet something about "American Sniper." Great acting. Powerful message. Sad ending. There." Then sending people to his Facebook page for further clarification. Regardless, one thing seems crystal clear on the streets among the masses who saw "American Sniper."</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not a coward. It's a matter of taking -- you know, doing what he was told to do and what he was trained to do.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE,: I'm ready.</s>HOWELL: George Howell, CNN, Chicago.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God!</s>LU STOUT: We want to pay tribute to a man who created an important part of television.</s>LU STOUT: We want to pay tribute to a man who created an important part of television.</s>LU STOUT: Instant replay. Now, Tony Verna passed away on Sunday. He created instant replay in 1963, using it for the first time during the Army-Navy football game. Now Verna's invention was so surprising that the commentator has to explain to the audience that the replay was not live. And now it's a common part of virtually every sporting event. Now some sports even allow referees to check replays to make sure they made the correct decision all thanks to Verna's invention. Tony Verna was 81. We'll have more News Stream after this short break.