"inside story". >> this is aljazeera america, live from new york city. i'm david schuster. just ahead, h bomb claims. north korea claims that it conducted a successful thermonuclear test. the white house doesn't believe that it was that powerful and the distinction matters. congress trying to end president obama's healthcare law. show of support. the professor who expresses solidarity with muslims gets a

boost to fire her. and volkswagen is shifting gears from the emissions scandal to a car of the future. we begin this hour in washington d.c., where the white house is casting serious doubts on north korea's claim to have tested a hydrogen bomb. the administration officials indicated that the explosion was not strong enough to be an h bomb, which is often thousands more times powerful than a traditional nuclear blast. still whatever test north korea conducted, it's the country's fourth in nearly a decade and it has sparked worldwide condemnation. jamie mcintyre has more at the pentagon. >> reporter: david, the u.s.

is still gathering evidence before a declaration of what north korea detonated in the underground explosion. but the verdict is n while the blast was powerful enough to reg as an earthquake, it was way too small to be an h bomb. the boastful announcement on north korean television claimed an ominous technological achievement. a successful test of not just a nuclear device, but a thermo nuclear device. a miniaturized hydrogen bomb, more powerful than any of north korea's three previous nuclear tests. it didn't take long for the official stopping from washington to begin. >> the test is not consistent north korean claims of a successful hydrogen bomb test. there's nothing that has occurred in the last 24 hours that has caused the united states government to change our assessment of north korea's

technical and military capabilities. >> reporter: while seismic sensors picked up a manmade explosion at north korea's test site that registered as a 5.2 earthquake, the size is estimated as only 6,000 tons of tnt. a tiny fraction of the yield of even a small h bomb. >> in less than a minute, you'll see the most powerful explosion ever witnessed by human eyes. >> reporter: by contrast, when the united states detonated it's first hydrogen bomb in 1952, as documented by this period news reel. it was 10 mega tons, more than 1,000 times greater than the north korean test. >> the size of the bomb is comparable with the energy released by the sun itself. >> reporter: but there's another part that can't be disproved, mainly if the nuclear device was

miniaturized. in theory, small enough to put atop a land based or submarine missile to threaten the u.s. it's claimed that the four star admiral admitted last year that he has to take seriously. >> the strategic command, it's a threat that we cannot ignore as a country. >> reporter: shortly after the admiral's comment, north korea released imagery, reportedly showing kim jong un watching it from a sub. anyplaced as a hoax, saying that the rocket appeared only to travel a relatively short distance. north korea has in the words of its tv announcers taken it's nuclear might to the next level, or if it's just another exercise in bellicose bluster, it doesn't change of. the tiny arsenal of the most rudimentary arms can still keep a super power at bay.

>> even a few nuclear weapons, or the threat of using it on attacker's soil, is enough to deter a foe. you don't need thousands to do that. >> >> reporter: u.s. officials say that it does appear that north korea detonated a atomic bomb, not the more powerful and complex hydrogen bomb. so what did north korea accomplish with the claim? universal condemnation, talk of tougher sanctions. >> the united nations security council held an emergency meeting today about north korea's hydrogen bomb claim. and james bays has that story. >> reporter: in a typically staged announcement, it was said it be a proud achieve: the announcer seemed almost

gleeful as she detailed the country's fourth nuclear test. this time she said a more powerful and advanced hydrogen bomb is being test. experts have cast doubt on that, but either way, it's a clear breach of international law. >> north korea's nuclear test is a serious threat to our international community and it absolutely can not be tolerated >> reporter: north korea at this time carrying out or at least attempting the nuclear test. it's a country where one man has all of authority. and kim jong un signed off on the test. it's to be for his birthday. it's believed that he will turn 32 on friday. in new york, the u.n. security council was hastily convened. the ambassadors condemned north korea. >> the members of the security council will begin to work immediately on such measures in

a new for security council resolution. >> reporter: japan, which rejoined the security council a few days ago and is most fearful of north korea, said that the measures must be tough. otherwise the credibility of the united nations would be at stake. so what else can the u.s. security council do? there's already a strict sanctions regime in place, and what else is there in north korea to sanction? beyond that, everyone on the council knows that they need to tread carefully. a leader who makes unpredictable and some would say rash decisions, and has nuclear weapons. aljazeera, united nations. >> it comes less than four weeks before voting begins in the u.s. presidential campaigns. and they demonstrated their policy chops. the republicans seized the

opportunity to label the test as an example of failed leadership by president obama and hilliary clinton. ted cruz, republican candidate, accused the last two administrations of looking the other way with kim jong un and the north korean regime. >> north korea has a nuclear weapon today because of the clinton administration. he led the world in relaxing sanctions against north korea. they used the billion dollars of dollars that knowles into north korea to develop the weapons. and now we're facing a megalamaniacal maniac with the potential for a hydrogen bomb. >> carly fiorina duesed them of establishing a dangerous precedent. "of course north korea would conduct a nuclear test after watching iran test one without

any consequence by this administration. america cannot lead from behind. florida senator, marco rubio issued a written statement. statement..., this morning on fox news, republican frontrunner, donald trump said: >> china has total control, they say they don't, but they have total control of north korea, and china should solve that problem, and if they don't solve it, we should make trade very difficult with china. >> on the democratic side, vermont senator, bernie sanders offered a similar assessment about china's role. and he spoke today on "good morning, america." >> we have to lead on china,

and they're the closest ally, and they have to push north korea. >> how do we lean on china? >> well, we have a relationship, and china is equally concerned about what north korea is doing. >> democratic frontrunner, hilliary clinton, did not appear on camera today to talk about north korea or face questions about her policies about secretary of state. but instead issued a written statement: clinton added that her unmistakable message would be economic sanctions. clinton was quick to note today that the united states already has sanctions on north korea. on capitol hill today, house republicans voted to repeal okeechobee and defund planned parenthood. the bill's legislation has

already cleared the u.s. senate. but president obama has enough democratic votes to sustain his veto. and as a result, democrats called it pure political theater. theater is often a big component of politics, and a 2016 agenda for voters. libby casey has more from washington. >> reporter: david, this evening's vote broke down as expected. this is a battle with the outcome already known. a presidential veto. republicans are waiting, and they believe the act forces them to push back at planned parenthood and affordable affore act. one thing that both sides agree on, the ultimate outcome will be decided by the presidential race. >> yeas, 240, the nays, 181, and the motion is adopted.

>> reporter: more than 60 republican attempts to roll back the president's signature healthcare law, but this one is different. >> this is the first time in five years, that we'll finally put a bill on the president's desk that defunds obamacare. for years, the senate democrats have been blocking the bills. >> reporter: they have been using reconciliation, a process that only needed a simple majority to pass. despite a veto threat from the white house, republicans are still declaring a win, focusing on gop priorities in 2006. >> we are standing for life, we are confronting the president with a hard honest truth. okeechobee doesn't work. >> reporter: but democrats say that the fight over planned parenthood and health insurance is one they can win both in congress and in public opinion.

>> everyone in america should just think of herself, of her own decisions, and how they want to put themselves between that woman, her family, that doctor, her faith, her god in decisions about planned parenthood. this is a very personal assault. >> reporter: the battle over planned parenthood has been brewing for months, after the center for medical progress claims to show officials talking about profiting from selling fetal tissue, which planned parenthood denies. no taxpayer dollars paid for abortions, but in october, republicans threatened to shut down funding, and the fight of planned parenthood has heat under the presidential race. >> i don't support giving planned parenthood $500 million of federal government money. >> i will defend the affordable care act, which the republicans are trying to repeal, but they never tell you what they would put in its

place. >> reporter: both sides say that the fight is far from over, but it will help to determine who wins the white house in november. and republicans plan to schedule a vote for later this month when an annual pro-life rally takes place here in washington d.c. the march for life. and they won't have the votes to overcome another presidential veto, but they see this as another opportunity for symbolism, and you can bet that the democrats will be right there, pushing back, and saying that this is an attack on working families and women's health. >> libby casey in washington, thank you. in oregon, a standoff between armed protesters, who have taken over a federal building and law enforcement officers who have entered the facility, has come to day five. the show of support for two local ranchers, sent to prison for sitting fires on federal land. and right now, the local sheriffs' office is holding a

town hall for residents concerned about the stand off. aljazeera joins us with the latest. allen some >> reporter: this is a town hall bursting at the seams. we're at the hashed incounty fairgrounds, and the people are packeds into the building. when we arrived 25 minutes ago, the line was as far as i could see. and they're still coming. getting answers about how the armed occupation of the wildlife refuge affected public safety. but it's about broader issues of land use and management in the wide open spaces. most people in the country don't understand what exactly the problem is, because they don't have to deal with these kinds of issues, but those issues are not important in much of this part of the country. here's a look through the eyes of one hardy county rancher. oregon's hardy county is one big place. bigger than maryland and eight other states, and the biggest

property owner is the federal government. >> this is a large geographic country. >> al all of it is private land, which makes it easier for him than most. >> so to support one cow, you better have about 30 acres to support the requirements for that animal there. so it takes a lot of land. >> to make the math work, many ranchers are to lease federal land and face government restrictions on where the wildlife can graze, and where fences and gates are built, and fire suppression and more. rules designed to protect water quality and wildlife and the viper. in general. >> well, it sometimes feels as though we are being squeezed out, because of the issues in new regulatory measures that are imposed upon us. >> to survive, the ranchers and

farmers have to learn to deal with all of that. and sharp says most do. but those restrictions are at the core of the case with the occupied federal property. and a source of friction between the hammond family, steven hammond being sent back to prison on terrorism and arson charges, which sparked protests. >> we would very much like to see the hammonds released from the federal prison system as soon as possible. and i think that that would go long way in appeasing the concerns of this community and ranchers nationwide. >> reporter: it's a particularly western type of friction. the fight over water and grazing and glass lands. east of the mississippi, the federal government owns 4% of all land. but in the western states, it's 47%, and in harden county, it's 73%. >> the landmass on this planet

is limited and we have what we have. and we're not making more land, but the population is growing, and the multiple uses of our lands, whether they be private or public, continue to expand also. >> reporter: many issues, and many more stakeholders, comparable to ahead. >> sometimes we forget that food doesn't just come off the shelves of the convenience store, but it's actually being produced upon the land. >> complex issues in the wide open spaces of the west. and meanwhile, i guess 500 or so here at this community meeting, and a lot of people looking for answers as the situation at the wildlife refuge rolls on. >> allen schauffler, thank you. a professor at an evangelical college could soon be losing her job for declaring that muslims and christians

pray to the same god. and plus, el nino has begun to hit california. and this is only the beginning.

when you're on hold, your business is on hold. that's why comcast business doesn't leave you there. when you call, a small business expert will answer you in about 30 seconds.

no annoying hold music. just a real person, real fast. whenever you need them. so your business can get back to business. sounds like my ride's ready. don't get stuck on hold. reach an expert fast. comcast business. built for business. >> in california, there are new fears tonight that the state may be on the brink of its worst natural disaster in years. after record droughts, heavy rains are hitting much of the west coast, and there of been three strong storms in three days. jacob ward joins us from france, and you said it before,

dried out land can cause mudslides and even worse, and is this what it's all about? >> that's the issue here, there's this tension, and we're all incredibly grateful for the rain that has begun to pound california this week. we need that rain, and at the same time, it's a system that we're not prepared for it when it comes to our infrastructure, and there's a question, why weren't we better prepared for these rains? you can't say we didn't see it coming. at the end of 2015, just 5 inches of rain turned this drought baked california hillside into a disaster. and now that el nino's rains seemed to have arrived, the risk to california is clear. >> take those small events, and have it rain longer over a large area, and it will give you an image of how things could go badly. >> reporter: geologist, jeff mount is an expert on california's river supply.

>> we're not ready as a state for large floods. >> reporter: to keep it under control, california has 13,000 miles of levees, which are a mess, katrina type disaster. >> there are levees that have failed and those that will fail. and eventually, the levee system will be overwhelmed. so the question we always have every year, is this the year that the levee system is overwhelmed? >> reporter: the california delta just outside of sacramento encompasses 1,000 miles of waterways, and it's home to thousands of people. mike is an engineer with the department of resources. he spots a major levee repair going on here, and he shows it to us. it's a fix that costs 5 to $10 million per mile. it's a rehab that rarely

happens. repairs are crucial. for decades, warning of possible be levee breaks in the dealt a there's one area that mike is particularly worried about. >> we're working our way up to see level here, and a portion of the island is sea level. >> you're talking about this being ground zero, and why is that. >> this is one of the lowest points of the system. and i would not be a bit surprised if we had waves crashing over the levees taller than you. >> wow, that seems unimaginable. >> given the strong storm, it may be a reality with catastrophic results. mother nature may be giving california a 1-2 punch. first a record drought and them a catastrophic el nino. but it's not just mother nature to blame, but it's decades of neglect for california's infrastructure. >> we stopped paying for this

stuff a long time ago. so why should we be shocked that they're falling down around our ears and our bridges and roadways are failing. we chose not to pay for t. >> the truth is that california and the nation will pay one way or the other. and the question is whether the bill has just arrived in the state. >> reporter: david, it's a point of tension right now. obviously california is terribly grateful for the water, but at the same time, we're worried that people will lose property and lives if the levees break. at the same time, they need 70 trillion gallons to put back what has been lost in the drought. it needs to rain this hard every day through the middle of march to get back what we need. so it's an impossible situation. >> thank you very much. and meteorologist, kevin corriveau is here now, and as far as the immediate next couple of days much of a break? >> we're going to see the rain

off and on, but 2s not going to stop until we have the next storm out of the pacific. here's the storm that's affecting them right now, and then of course out here in the pacific, this is going to be the next storm. so all the way through probably saturday morning, that's when we'll see the heaviest rain. i want to show you what's happening in the last 12 hours. the rain began in san francisco this morning, and it became a problem this afternoon in parts of los angeles and san francisco. i want to show you what happened on i-5, and if you knowing los angeles traffic, you know how bad it could be, but if you start making the roads impassible, the traffic is impossible down there. and now in san diego, there we have san diego showing what some of the neighborhoods are dealing with. in this area, we're talking about 3 inches of rain approximately yesterday.

and another 3 inches in some locations today. and that makes 6 inches across that region in just the last 48 hours. coming back, a look at what we have seen in terms of damage. the green dots indicate damage, and we had one tornado in the county, as well as into san diego county. a little bit of damage reported with that. we still have flood warnings in effect for most of the southern part of california, as well as flood warnings. but as far as the winter storm warnings, in nevada, another two feet of snow. that's a good part of the storm because that will be arrives for rain as we come into the summertime. and that's thursday and friday, and final on saturday. >> those images are astounding. we appreciate it. northwest of los angeles, in porter ranch, where an

ongoing natural gas leak has prompted thousands of people to get the governor to declare a state of emergency. jerry brown said that the state will coordinate the response to the leak. and several officials have repeatedly expressed concerns about the health of thousands of porter ranch residents. still ahead, going nuclear, fears in south korea about the latest tests by the north. and we'll get an update and talk about the political reaction, just ahead. and back in the united states, a controversy is growing with efforts by one of its professionals. they don't like her contention that christians and muslims share some things in common.

>> in the wake of north korea's claim that it just successfully testified a hydrogen bomb, world leaders reacted today with skepticism and criticism. south korea'southban ki-moon ca. >> this seriously undermines international non-proliferation. i condemn it. >> the bomb was detonated in the same side that north korea

has used for tests before. it was powerful enough for an earthquake, and it has sparked anger and fear in south korea. scott is live in seoul with the latest. >> reporter: david, the very latest is that the defense minister said that he spoke with his counterpart in the united states, ashe carter, and he said this the two discussed, reassuring each other that they remain committed to their alliance and to combat anything that comes down from the northern border here. they both agreed that this was a provocation from north korea, and that it is a destabilizing action for the entire region, for asia pacific, and they will continue with the planned large military exercises planned with the united states and south korea in march. so they're going forward with that, and they said that obviously, anything that

happens before that, any other provocations, they will are to have further discussions, but right now, they remain committed allies. >> scott, in the united states, where the presidential campaigns are full throtting now. and having china do more, is there a reaction between the people of south korea and china in their need for them to take a more active role? >> absolutely, and it is definitely coming from nations in the region who are very concerned about what is happening in north korea. but we're seeing more of a concern from within china, trying to quell the north korean regime. that is because normally, when they have carried out the last three tests before this one just on wednesday, china, it's only large ally, north korea, they gave beijing a warning

that they're going to do this. and this time, david, they did not. so there's growing concern that there's separation between the north korean regime and what's going on in china. so that's very concerning, how china is going to deal with that. obviously they supported the u.n. resolution, putting more sanctions on north korea, but there's also thought that they might start to put more restrictions on bilateral arrangements between north korea and china. so that will be something that they have not done before. but clearly, with this last test, it really showed that north korea is not talking, and not working with allied china as much as before. and it will be interesting, and it will be closely watched by the west, by the united states and by japan how china reacts to that, david. >> and scott, behind you on the streets of seoul, what's the mood today? >> well, the mood, this has happened four times now.

the mood is obviously very concerned by over what transpired. and also, there he goes again. and it will be interesting, the rhetoric coming out from the administration, from the defense minister, is also very similar to what has happened over the last three tests. so it will be interesting to see if there's any further provocation from north korea. most of the time they will test and won't do anything immediately. so that's something that they're looking at right now, and the military said that they have stepped up tense, and on north korea right now. that's something to be very focused on, but a lot of the people here, unfortunately, they're very used to this type of provocation. >> scott, thank you. and as always, we appreciate it. in california, a man accused of buying the rifles used in the attack last month in san bernardino has now formally denied the charges. enrique marquez appeared in

riverside with his hands and feet shackled, pleading to the five-count indictment, he answered not guilty. mark es was a friend of the attackers who opened fire at the social services center and killed 14 people. marquez's trial is next month, and if convicted, he could be sentenced to 50 years in prison. in illinois, wheaton college is taking steps to fire a science professor for a facebook post she wrote on muslims and christians. wearing a headscarf in solidarity with muslims last year, we have the story. >> i won't ever be put in a corner again. >> surrounded by reporters, including jesse jackson, she said that she was not intimidated by her suspension and possible firing by wheaton college. >> wheaton college can not

intimidate me with the bigots and fundamentalists. >> hawkins is a christian, and the only black female tenured professor at the liberal arts school. last month, she posted on facebook that she stands in religious solidarity with muslims, and as pope francis stated, we worship the same god. hawkins, an associate professor of science, began wearing a hijab to support muslims. they began questioning her beliefs, and school be doctrine and the nature of faith. and then they said that they were not suspended her for wearing the hinge ab, but for the facebook post. in a statement, they said that hawkins did not represent the college's representation of faith. and in saying that they have

one god, there are fundamental differences in the nature of that god. and they declined to participate in hurt dialogue about the emications of her statements. hawkins disputed that. she said that the school kept changing the goalposts on what they wanted to hear from her. >> i said that i have dignity and i stand. >> the speakers, including alumni, defended her. >> today is a sad day to be a student and an alumni of wheaton college. >> online in the last few weeks, there have been demonstrations in support of hawkins, but her critics have spoken out, saying that she broke the rules. aljazeera, chicago. >> professor alicia hawkins joins us from chicago, and dr. hawkins, good to have you on the program. first of all, regardless of

whether wheaton college had the power to fire you, what about the argument that when it comes to the evangelical statement of faith that your views do not represent the university's views? >> well, i've worked in the institution for 8 and a half years, and my statement for the faith was clear enough for me thired in the first place. and recently, when my commitment to the statement of faith was cast under suspicion, i responded with a two-page theological statement that was vetted by two wheaton college theologians, both of whom are close friends, and esteemed members of theology and the department. and somehow that doesn't seem to be enough, and it's as perplexing to me as anyone else. >> the university has indicated that when you say that christianity and muslims

worship the same god and that's not consistent with the university, is that your belief as stated on facebook? >> no, the idea that christians and muslims worship the same god is no way inconsistent with the university's statement of faith as it's currently written. >> how so? >> it's a declaration of affirmation al beliefs that christians throughout the centuries have upheld. from the believe about how salvation is through jesus christ alone, that we stand on scripture alone, and those are the things that i affirm in the statement of faith, as well as the other elements of the statement of faith. and i've never waivered from that. so there's no inconsistency from my current view, which is affirmed by many evangelicals, including those at my current college. and so why is it different for me than others in the university, it's quite perplexing. >> though there are some

evangelicals who agree with you, why not just leave the university? you have a ph.d and you've published a lot in political science, and were not go somewhere elsewhere they welcome a perhaps more had diversified set of views like yours? >> well, the issue here is what does tenure actually mean. i have worked at the institution for 8 and a half years, and this is ninth year at the college. i have won teaching awards at the institution, and my life has been surrounding the con influence of race, religion and politics, and my work has been accepted at the american political science association, and there's no reason to revoke my tenure on a basis of a baseless suspicion. >> i want to address the criticism that came your way when you wore the headscarf, and when you wanted to show solidarity with christian women, the last thing that you

should do is wear a headscarf, where some women in countries like saudi arabia cannot choose, they are forced to do that. and what do you say to the criticism that your solidarity was misplaced. >> well, what i have received from muslim women has been 99.9 positive, actually. i received one email from someone who was dissatisfied with my wearing of it. it's not a fashion statement, i take seriously women's rights, and i celebrate every year. women's rights are very clearly part of god's justice. in a time where others didn't. >> in this day, how do you show solidarity with muslim women around the world? >> i was trying to finish, in

response to your question, women who wear the hijab around the world wear it as choice, and for those who don't, we grieve for them and continue to fight for their rights, but many of my muslim sisters that i know see the hijab as part and parcel of their religious worship, not forced upon them. it's their way to show their worship toalla, in a time when it's very dangerous. so most muslim country who wear the hijab have indeed chosen that, given our religious freedom, and those who have not to, mostly out of fear in the united states at this point. and i stand with women who don't have that choice. >> dr. hawkins, what's next?

if they try to fire you, will you sue them? >> that is a matter for my legal team to it decide. and it's never been my desire. it's not my desire now, and my desire is still reconciliation. as i said, tenure is for life, and this is not just about me, but my colleagues across academia. because if tenure means nothing, we're all in danger, and also academic freedom, and even religious freedom and voice within the confines of the college's right to faith. if my religion is squelched, so is my college. >> dr. hawkins, thank you for joining us, we appreciate it. >> thank you for having me. a texas state trooper has been charged with perjury with the arrest of sandra bland. a grand jury indicted him today about lying how he removed

bland from her vehicle. the dash cam said that it was confrontational, with him holding a stun gun, yelling, i will light you up. she died in her jail cell days later. it was ruled a suicide. and he was on desk duty until now, and he will be fired, and he will have to appear in court and formally respond to the criminal charge. and florida attorneys representing a woman who died after being discharged from the hospital have a police dash cam video of her final moments. she died from a blood clot of her lungs when she refused to leave the hospital. she was treated fo abdominal problems, and begging to not leave the hospital. according to the family, the officers made a critical and single mistake. >> when the officers reported

to the captain, i thought she was just being non-compliant. and he used the word that he made that assumption. and we now know that that assumption caused dawson her life. >> naacp is calling on governor rick scott to appoint a special prosecutor to the case, and law enforcement and the agency for healthcare administration have launched their own investigations. still ahead, in germany, dozens of women say that groups of foreign men sexually assaulted them on new year's eve.

>> police in germany have identified three suspects in connection with attacks on dozens of women on new year's eve. 90 women reported being robbed or sexually molested outside of a theater in cologne, and today some of the victims spoke out. >> all of a sudden, these men around us began groping us. they touched on our behinds and our legs, they touched us everywhere x. i didn't think that i would leave the crowd alive. >> they are described as north african, and they are blaming the government on its stance toward refugees. >> this is where merkel's irresponsible immigration policy will lead us. there will be battles for resources and confrontations

far worse than we experienced on new year's. the germans have the patience of a saint but won't put with it on the long run. >> they said that it's poisoning german society. for a look at what's coming up at the top of the hour, john seigenthaler is here. >> north korea's hydrogen bomb claim has the world's attention, we're going to look at the concerns around the world and the leadership inside of north korea. plus, allegations of sexual abuse. former students saying an elite rhode island prep school covered it up for decades, what the students are now telling investigators and reaction from the school. second amendment rights, fears over a law that supporters say probst potential victims, and others say that it allows the police to seize their guns. and my interview with john ridley. talking about his hit show,

american crime, and diversity in hollywood. >> when we're saying to people, we want you to watch these shows, and we want you to be involved in the enjoyment. but there's a line that's often drawn, and that needs to change. >> those stories and more coming up in about 9 minutes. >> up next, the big reveal, volkswagen just lifted the curtain on its new electronic cars. can they boost the company's tattered image?

>> the international consumer electronics show is now open in las vegas, and volkswagen, the german car maker, one of the big stories. rob reynolds reports. >> reporter: volkswagen rolled out a new electronic car called the e golf touch. compared to a smart phone on wheels. >> these new technologies would provide customers with entirely new levels of convenience, comfort and freedom. >> reporter: vw's consumer vehicle chief, herbert dice, demonstrated what he called the car's intuitively designed dashboard. >> there's no need to keep switching back and forth different menus, that's my idea of simple, safe and fun. >> the company also presented a futuristic take on the old vw bus. called the vw bud e.

with a host of interactive features like voice recognition. >> open the passenger door. >> okay, the passenger door is opening. >> there was no ignoring the elephant in the room. the vw cheating scandal last year, which had vehicles cheating testing. >> we disappointed our customers and the american people, for which i'm truly sorry. we're doing everything that we can to make things right. >> reporter: the unveiling came just days after the u.s. justice department announced that it was suing the german car maker in court. the government alleges that more than 600,000vw vehicles sold in the u.s. violated u.s. environmental laws, and it is seeking damages of up to $37,000 per car. vw is fighting to regain

consumer trust. and that won't happen overnight. >> if you look at how corporate crises are resolved, it takes billions of dollars, years of time, and it takes eventually introducing new products that people are excited about. so you can't judge a patient mid surgery. >> dice told aljazeera that the company will try hard to win back confidence. >> how do you convince consumers once again that volkswagen is really a trustworthy company? how do you do that? >> this would be a lengthy process. we have to stick to what we say, and we have to deliver. >> the eagle will be in vw show rooms later this year. the bud e probably won't be for sale until the end of the decade. and until then, they will have repaired credibility with governments and consumers.

aljazeera, los angeles. >> joining us from the consumer electronics show, jim, first of all, how much of a buzz has been created at the show by gadgets and even automobiles related to electronics? >> well, i have to say that cars are really the star of the show here. everybody is talking about automobiles, and we heard about the volkswagen announce many, and general motors, people are speculating with ford. and it's interesting to see how the automakers are lining up with the big technology companies like apple and microsoft, and it's an interesting intersection. >> anything jumping ought yu out at you that you thought wow, that's interesting? >> yeah, the driverless cars, the autonomous cars are the most interesting thing going on. everybody is talking about a variety of components, how do

we make cars safer, and more convenient for users, but the driverless cars, and what the companies are planning, and the implications on the volume, and traffic and energy assumption are really phenomenal. and its surprising to see just how much has taken off here. we have quite a few electronics devices, all of standard wearable devices and all of gadgets and devices that we're used to thinking. but for automobiles to take center stage in an electronics show is interesting. >> what about the presidential campaign. anything there that caught your interest? >> no gadgets, but talk in the hallway, and donald trump dominates every conversation in the presidential campaign. we're not far down street from the trump tower here in las vegas, and i haven't seen any gadgets but there's 2 million

square feet of floor, and i you can see some of it behind me, 170,000 people. and i haven't covered it all. i get my best information about what's going on from the social channels, facebook and twitter and seeing what people are talking about, and honestly, compared to where we were before the holidays, the amount of coverage on the presidential election, it's far, far less than it was before the holidays.

>> john siegenthaler has more of today's news starting right now. john. >> david thank you. we begin with alarm condemnation and doubt after north korea claimed it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. fourth nuclear test in ten years. the u.n. security council condemned test, promised new sanctions against north korea and the u.s. has doubts that the test actually involved a hydrogen bomb. north korea made the announcement after seismic activity was detected in the northeastern part of that country. adrian brown reports. >> in pyongyang people stood to watch what they were told would be an important announcement. on cue they cheered. the country's latest military success. state media showed north