you're watching cnn. thank you for joining us. i'm natalie allen. >> hey, everyone, i'm errol barnett. coming up this hour, french fighter jets join the air assault against isis just as the british parliament prepares to vote on its own military involvement. a closer look at the impact of the coalition strikes. plus -- >> we are not moving fast enough. we are not doing enough. >> at the u.n., president obama and world leaders focused on ebola and amid the dire warnings, one african doctor may have found a breakthrough treatment.

not everyone waiting in line to get the iphone 6. wait till you hear how much they're selling for on the black market. a lot to get to this hour. just hours from now, british lawmakers are expected to back the prime minister's push to join coalition air strikes against isis militants in iraq. >> that's right. meantime, u.s. and french fighter jets carried out the latest round of attacks in iraq. warplanes from the u.s., saudi arabia and the united arab emirates struck isis oil refineries. let's head to the region now to max foster who is watching all of these events unfold in abu dhabi. max, if we look at the overall strategy, these initial strikes at least have focused on the

financial lifeline for isis, as well as other operational targets. just bring us up to speed on the latest information on the strategy and the strikes. >> reporter: we're waiting for the latest detail on the latest strikes. of course, the uk fighters may be joining this in just a few hours' time. so it's going ing ting to ramp well. but the most interesting thing we've had in the last few hours have been these images from the pentagon showing the damage done by the latest strikes. it's interesting, because they are attacking these oil refineries, they're mobile units and isis use them to sell oil on the black market to fund their operations. they have had a relative amount of success there. measuring that is interesting, because they don't want to take them out all together. they just want to take them out of action for now. this is what the pentagon spokesman said earlier in

describing the mission in what they're doing there. >> we want to keep some infrastructure available in the hopes that it can be -- these refineries can be used again one day by the moderate opposition. >> was that where the real money comes from? the crude oil, the infrastructure, that's where the isis money comes from, so if you're really going to take out their financial capability -- >> they earl not going to be using these refineries for some time. >> reporter: some concern as well that the border with turkey is so loose and some of the oil is going over to turkey. so pressure on turk i to tighten up that border even more. i think the pentagon is satisfied that their strategy is working so far. >> max, if we look at the gains and losses you could say of isis the past 24, 48 hours, where they may have lost some of their financial income, they've also gained in places like iraq, most

recently overrunning an area near fallujah where there were some iraqi troops that were once again overrun by isis, some 300 at least iraqi forces killed in the most recent incident. yet another embarrassment you could say for the iraqi government. we are expected to hear the iraqi president speak at the u.n. today. what is the iraqi president likely to say? what is being said about the real shortcomings of the iraqi military? >> reporter: well, the pressure on the iraqi government is that they need to show that they are being inclusive largely. that's how they eastern getting the support from the international community. but also the iraqis are giving legitimacy to the international coalition by asking for help. that's very much the basis of debate today in the parliament in uk. this is a legal intervention because the iraqis have asked for it. but cracks perhaps starting to

appear when you hear from london and washington saying this operation could go on for years potentially. whereas the iraqis are very keen to protect their over sovereignty. so they are looking at it as a short-term operation and they want to control what's happening on the ground, as well. they don't want a situation that's developed in pakistan, for example, where ongoing drone operations by the u.s. are causing a lot of tensions in the country and a lot of people questioning the sovereignty of pakistan. it's going to be interesting to see how the president of iraq is going to couch that when he speaks to the u.n. he's showing that he's in power, but also trying to assert himself to the iraqi people. >> we'll be watching that closely here at cnn when that speech gets under way at the u.n. max foster live for us in abu dhabi. good to see you. thanks. the u.s. also targeted the

al qaeda-rinked khorasan group, but the director of the fbi says it's unclear whether air strikes disrupted their plans to attack western targets. and until the final assessment is done, he'll assume that threat remains. >> meanwhile, the u.s. is denying there's any known threat to its subway systems, after the iraqi prime minister haider al abadi said iraq uncovered an isis plot targeting subways in the u.s. and paris. however, that doesn't match what a state department spokesman says. >> he confirmed to me, and we're in close consultation with the iraqi government, there's no specific credible threat whatsoever that they have uncovered to the united states. he was discussing in general terms the threat particularly of foreign and isis fighters, and

there is routinely information uncovered of the aspirations of these foreign fighters to attack outside of their boarders, including the west and including here in the united states. >> while i was speaking to max foster, i mentioned the isis forces overrun some of the iraqi forces. i want to bring you more information on that. iraq's prime minister has ordered an investigation after up to 300 soldiers were killed when isis militants overran an iraqi military base. >> it happened sunday near fallujah, just west of baghdad. survivors say they were under heavy attack and running out of ammunition, while their pleas for air strikes went unanswered. we want you to hear one survivor's account posted online, but we must note that cnn cannot verify its authenticity. >> translator: an armored vehicle entered the brigade and blew up. then isis started firing from machine guns, then another

humvee entered and blew up, as well. myself and others escaped towards the orchards. less than 200 survived from four regiments. the rest were either killed or wounded. >> that really is just shock and raising more questions about the iraqi military's ability to really tackle this growing isis threat. >> here's our report. >> reporter: this base was in an area that had already been overrun by isis. it was essentially surrounded. now, the iraqi army was trying to get to the base to bring them desperately needed food and water. they weren't able to do that. according to a statement by isis, somehow they managed to drive into the middle of the camp, an armored vehicle with two tons of explosives in it. it may have just slipped in because it looked like an iraqi

army vehicle because it probably was one of those vehicles they managed to loot from the iraqi army when it fled from mosul back in june. so this really does underscore the continued weaknesses within the iraqi army. we understand that iraqi prime minister haider al abadi has called for an investigation into this and another incident in anbar province to find out what happened, why did their officers, for instance, essentially run away. it's important to keep in mind that this particular base was only 50 kilometers, or about 30 miles to the west of baghdad, the capital. >> ben wedeman there for us in irbil. more now on the debate in the british parliament concerning

air strikes in iraq. what kind of debate do we expect? is it going to be intense or is parliament expected to be on board? >> reporter: good morning, natalie. yes, the vote is expected to begin in about 3 1/2 hours from there when prime minister cameron will start to speak. he will make a speech, expected to be along the lines of somewhat we heard at the u.n. on wednesday. it was a very carefully worded speech. directed at not just diplomats but parliament here. we talked about the legal basis for this motion that he's putting through, an attack obviously against isis in iraq. but the vote is expected to happen in about 3 1/2 -- the motion rather expected to be debated in 3 1/2 hours, then 6 1/2 to 7 hours of intense

debate. i say intense. this is just a motion for attack against isis in iraq, not syria. many have been a bit reticent about this. many say they want to know what the end game is, what is a strategy, how long are we going to be there for. all these questions will pop up during the debate today. so it is, you know, it is coming through as it looks positive for prime minister david cameron that he won't face any upset we saw him facing last year here at the commons. but there will be some tough questions and many reservations about where this taking great britain. natalie? >> why just limited to iraq, why isn't syria on the table for parliament the>> reporter: various reasons. if you remember prime minister cameron this week, he spoke to the u.n. and talked about the legal basis saying what we're doing is legal. he was very careful.

in fact, the actual wording -- things have changed so much from the last year when, if you remember, prime minister cameron really faced a bruising defeat here, but things have changed. not only public opinion but also circumstances have changed. one, prime minister haider al abadi, recently elected in iraq, has officially asked for help in his country. so that's one. in syria, you had no request whatsoever. the second one is the threat from isis is real and it's happening and facing britain head on. so people are seeing beheadings or u.s. journalists and a british aid worker in syria. so all this is bringing the sense of isis -- the atrocities of isis to the forefront. many people here think that's really helped to gather momentum

in favor of this motion. a poll has said that 57% are in favor of air strikes against isis in iraq. 24% against it. and when asked about syria, which is not a motion just to clarify that is on the table right now, 51% said were in favor, 26% against. so a complete turn around from what we saw last year. although there will be a backing of this motion, it will face many, many tough questions later on. about 3 1/2 hours i would say. >> and a six-hour debate. it's going to be quote a day there in london. thank you. coming up next here on cnn, something she mentioned there, outrage over a series of gruesome killings is what put isis in the cross hairs of the

west. but one of the coalition partners is known to use some of its own barbaric forms of punishment. what human rights groups are saying about saudi arabia. enhance your eye color for a naturally beautiful look with consistent comfort. find your perfect color and get a free trial offer at airoptixcolors.com.

here is an interesting development in the search for the people behind some of these brutal killst by isis. the fbi says it knows the identity of that masked isis militant speaking in the

execution video of james foley. >> uk media have dubbed the man jihadi john. you see him speaking with a british accept and wielding a large knife. intelligence officials believe he's the same man in the videos of steven sotloff and david hanes. david hanes' daughter is speaking out for the first time. he was killed by isis militants earlier this month, despite pleas from his family for his release. the daughter bethany says they still don't have his body to give him a proper burial. she wants to see the terrorist group eradicated. >> i can tell you, you can't do this to people and get away with it. hundreds of civilians have been

killed by them, and they need to be stopped. whatever it takes, that's what it takes. >> well-spoken young woman. she's been through a lot lately, of course. the united states has welcomed the participation of saudi arabia in the air campaign against isis. >> however, human rights groups argue lethal punishment such as beheadings, they happen in saudi arabia, as well. brian todd brings us details. but some images in his report may disturb you. >> reporter: with the military campaign triggered by outrage over the brutal practices of isis, outrage fueled in large measure by the videotaped beheadings of westerners in isis captivity. striking back at isis for that, a powerful coalition, including five arab nations. >> we're joined by our friends and partners, saudi arabia.

>> reporter: human rights groups say the saudi group routinely beheads people. >> the numbers now from the befib beginning of the year to the month of september is 59 people executed, almost all by beheading. >> reporter: amnesty international and the u.n. say some crimes people are beheaded for in saudi arabia include adultery, witchcraft, drug related charges. >> four brothers were beheaded in saudi arabia because they were charged and found guilty of possession of drugs, although not guilty of drug trafficking. >> reporter: the sources of its information, accounts from suspects and others on the ground who provided document. amnesty has also gathered photos like this one and medical the saudis have a court system

based on islamic law. one analyst points out with america's own record of executions, the saudis may not be receptive to american moral indignation. >> they know we execute people. we have different forms of execution, but we occasionally botch it or what amounts to torture of frizzer ins. >> reporter: an official tells cnn in this military campaign, the u.s. has to make a concession. >> it needs the support of saudi arabia, qatar and other gulf and muslim states. so it's not seen as a crusader in the propaganda coming out of the islamic state. >> reporter: we tried to get response from the saudi officials here at the embassy to the accusations about inhumane practices with the beheadings and the treatment of people

accused of crimes. they didn't respond. brian todd, cnn, washington. still to come here, a doctor in liberia is experimenting with a drug to fight ebola. our correspondent is there. at humana, we believe the gap will close when healthcare gets simpler. when frustration and paperwork decrease. when grandparents get to live at home instead of in a home. so let's do it. let's simplify healthcare. let's close the gap between people and care.

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it's wiping out entire families. it's turned simple acts of love and comfort and kindness, like holding a sick friend's hand, or embracing a dying child, into a potentially fatal act. >> u.s. president barack obama there talking about the human cost of the ebola crisis. he and world leaders discuss the ebola outbreak at the u.n. general assembly thursday. >> health officials warned this week the number of cases could approach 1.4 million by january. with shortages of just about everything, elizabeth cohen and that one doctor experimenting with an hiv drug to treat ebola patients and it appears to be working. >> reporter: we're taking you inside an ebola isolation unit in rural africa. a worker carrying out camera.

going deeper, still more sick patients. children. >> i have to use every brain cell to save some people's lives. >> this is our central supply room. >> reporter: for this doctor, desperate times call for desperate measures. while the world waits for a proven ebola drug, he's experimenting with an hiv drug. >> in order for everyone in the unit not to die, i think i need to try this medication. >> reporter: this is as close as i can get to this ebola isolation unit. i want to introduce you to elizabeth, susan, fatu and massa. they came here with ebola, but they were given the hiv drug and now they're doing well. they're able to walk around and they'll be discharged soon. so ladies, tell me how do you feel now?

>> reporter: dr. logan has tried the drug on 15 patients so far, and remarkably, only two have died. across africa, patients are dying at a rate of 70%. but with this treatment, only 7%. is it possible that an effective treatment may have come from here in this rural area? >> yes, it's highly possible. >> reporter: we reached out to top scientists in the u.s. does his approach make sense? they say yes. ebola and hiv cells are lot alike. but they want a lot more proof. in the united states, some doctors would say no, don't use the drug until you have had a study. you node a study first. what would you say to that? >> our people are dying and you're talking about stuldy. it's a matter of doing all that i can do as a doctor to save some people's lives.

>> let's hear it for him. my goodness. >> that is amazing. elizabeth brought us the story of a young woman doing what she could to help, wrapping her hands and feet in plastic. it's the african response to things. when people are without and they don't have much, they come up with their own solutions. as he said, there's no time to wait. how inspiring to see what he tried and experimented is working. >> wonderful. again, that was elizabeth cohen, she is in west africa for us, filing stories. an american doctor who contracted ebola has been released from that hospital in nebraska. that was the third doctor. >> that's right. we're speaking of dr. rick sakra. he's been given a clean bill of health by the cdc. he was infected in liberia where he was an aid worker. he says that he's feeling good but still very weak. >> i would like to request a

continued outpouring of prayer and practical help for the people of west africa. though my crisis has reached a successful end here, unfortunately, the ebola crisis continues to spin out of control. >> another ebola survivor, dr. kent brantley, donated blood to help treat sakra. dr. believe brantley's plasma had antibodies that sakra needed. so there are some notes of optimism. africa is facing the worst ebola outbreak in history. there are many ways you can help. cnn.com has a list of organizations working to fight ebola. still to come, fighting on two fronts. syrian rebels put aside their differences to fight isis and bashar al assad. ef.

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thanks for staying with us here on cnn. i'm errol barnett. >> french warplanes join the u.s. in launching air strikes on isis targets in iraq. on thursday, they hit four isis warehouses suspected of housing military equipment. that was near fallujah. that's about 50 kilometers west of baghdad. and the west african ebola outbreak wals the focus of a u.. meeting on thursday. president obama urged world leaders to work together to stop the spread of the virus. u.s. president barack obama is looking for a replacement of

his attorney general eric holder who resign after nearly six years. he led the administration's push for civil rights but critics call him overtly political. and ukraine's president will be able to make a bid for eu membership by 2020. he outlined a series of social and economic reforms and says he'll meet with russian president vladamir putin in the next three weeks. >> the war on isis and a ground breaking new agreement that could help coalition forces defeat them. >> that's right. moderate rebel factions in syria say they will put their religious differences aside and work together now all to defeat isis and president bashar al assad. drew griffin has details. >> reporter: they gathered just across the border in turkey. at least 20 leaders of mostly moderate rebel groups, hammering out an agreement in writing, an

alliance that brings minority christians, kurds, muslims together for the first time in a unified front against isis and assad. >> translator: yes, there are good signs of unity, and all the factions that left today are unified to defeat isis and the regime. >> reporter: the deal finalized in a push by the illinois congressman. >> there's a perception in the united states that assad is this protector of christian minorities. he's not. it's created the situation of isis today. what you see today is this christian minority group saying we want an alliance with the free syrian army. >> reporter: congress has been skeptical about funding syrian rebelling for fear u.s.-made

weapons and aid could fall into the wrong hands, perhaps future terrorists. he admits with the ever-changing alliances, he's still not sure whom to trust. are these guys worthy of our trust, our money and our guns? >> that's a good question and what we need to find out. >> i think the question has been answered. >> reporter: the spokesman for the national coalition for syria says free syrian army brigades have already received some aid and have been successful at striking against isis and the assad regime. he complains the u.s. still doesn't understand what's happening in syria, that you'll never get rid of isis until you get rid of assad. and the u.s., he says, should get serious about arming and supporting rebels trying to do just that. >> in the end, it's a question why the limited efforts they're received, especially that they

are vetted and thrurusted. they just need to increase that flow. >> reporter: and getting that 12 months from now >> they may not be here, then the international community will have a largest crisis. >> reporter: u.s.-led strikes against isis, he says, are only half measures. they say there has been no coordination of strikes and in some cases bombs have come da dangerously close to friendly forces. drew grin, cnn, turkey. >> let's talk more about this and the overall fight against isis now and bring in our military analyst rick francona, a u.s. retired air force lieutenant colonel and joins us via webcam in new york.

we appreciate you logging these long hours on cnn these days. let's pick up where drew griffin left off. we have these 20 plus syrian commanders sign what they call an historic agreement. what do you make of'9", what does it change, and how does it impact the strategy to defeat isis going ahead? >> it's a good sign. any time you have these groups coming forward in a unity rather than competing with each other, that's a good thing. any time you can take the religious differences out of it, that's good. the problem is the vetting. we've talked about this over and over, how do you vet these guys? at some point, you have to decide that you're going to take the risk and arm these guys. if we can get the free syrian army to vouch for them, that probably is how it's going to happen. as far as -- they complain about the coordination of the air

strikes. that's just not going to happen. we are not going to be telling poem that we really don't have an idea where their loyalties lie when american strikes are going to happen. >> absolutely. so the u.s. at least seeming to go ahead with this faction of rebels. when you just cross the border into iraq and look at what years of training of the iraqi military has now provided, and you see that yet again the iraqi military seeming, you know, to be unable to go one on one with isis. it's not ready now and seems nowhere ready. these men, some who left the position near fallujah but called for backup. they were told it was on its way, this air support never arrived from the iraqi military. what needs to be done on the iraqi side of this isis equation in >> ideally, you have to shake up

the entire iraqi army. the whole command structure is broken. we thought initially it was the leadership of these small units and if we could replace the leaders with competent leaders, the leaders they had before. what happened after 2011 is many of the leaders were pushed aside in favor of the shia cronies of nouri al malaki, and we thought that was the issue. but now what we're seeing is the entire command structure is broken. when these guys called for backup, there was no one there. we were hoping the new iraqi government would address some of these problems. the issue, though, is the new iraqi government has not even filled its positions. there's no minister of defense and the prime minister is here in new york. so there's just a complete lack of control of what's going on. it's very frustrating for the people that are trying to fix this. the american advisers that are there are looking at this saying even if half the brigades are

capable of conducting operations, there's no command and control structure that works. you've got to get people on the ground to retake this territory. >> and the iraqi military shortcomings does have global implications. you have the kurdish peshmerga in the north who seem to be able to hold their own ground. but you have dutch and belgium assets being committed, the uk is about to vote on making that decision today. but isn't that more about picking up the slack left by the iraqi forces and is it possibly why we're seeing the u.s. lean on arab states to focus on syria separately? so western forces helping out in iraq, everyone else helping in syria? >> yeah, i just want to underscore that getting five arab nations to participate in this was a major political victory for the obama

administration. getting arab countries to drop bombs on other arab country in concert with the united states is huge. that sends a signal that the whole political structure in the middle east is watching this. but as far as the forces go, it will have some effect. but there's enough air power there to do what we need to do. the addition of the dutch and the belgians, it's always welcome and always better to have more. but there's enough american air power and arab air power to get done what we need to do. the problem is, we're pushing this out and we're hoping that some ground force is going to take over. air power is only one element of the operation. and we're seeing how it's not working out very well in iraq. it's going to be worse in syria, because we have nobody there on the ground. and it's going to take a long time get the fsa up to speed.

>> colonel francona joining us live from new york. we'll see you again next hour, then you can get your sleep and rest. >> thank you, errol. >> or not. you never know. thanks to him. >> he's such a resource and he does put this into perspective. he breaks down quite a complicated issue. >> we talked about the fact that we don't have forces on the ground, but we do have a perspective from the ground because of a young woman there in iraq or syria. >> and syria, one woman went undercover to show what life is like under the control of isis. jim clancy has her story. >> reporter: with a hidden camera recording as she walked, a syrian woman risked arrest or worse to document this scene inside raqqa, syria. the video was taken in march of this year.

walking through the heart of that north central syrian city completely under the control of isis, she showed how the city had changed. the isis flags, the sfra paint slogans and incidents were people were forced into public prayer. she went out of her way to interact with militant isis. >> reporter: what some might find astonishing is the enthusiasm some women have for life under isis. her visit to an internet center revealed how women interacted with concerned family members in their own countries.

>> translator: i don't want to come back. because i feel good here. it's not a question of coming back or not. if i want, i can come back. i just don't want to come back because i feel good here. >> reporter: clearly, this family member wasn't convinced and was pleading for this young woman to come home from syria. >> translator: stop it. it doesn't help me if you're scared or you cry. do you hear me? i'm telling you, there's no point to you crying or being scared. what you see on tv is wrong. do you understand? they exaggerate everything on tv. >> reporter: that was in march, fully six months ago. today, the situation has changed. in the wake of u.s. air strikes on raqqa, activists told cnn many isis leaders have fled the city. many civilians, including women and children, were also moving

out. others were keeping a low profile. many are in fear civilian also be caught in these intense air strikes. some isis fighters we were told moved into civilian areas effectively, making the local population human shields in what is expected to be a long fight for survival. jim clancy, cnn. >> that was one brave woman that shot that video. >> some days on this news cast you get depressed, but seeing what that woman decided to do, the man with the hiv treatment, you're inspired. a brave woman to show us the reality. still to come on cnn, nine terror arrests in the uk. and reports one is a cleric who says isis will be in america and europe within decades. defiance never grows old. citracal maximum. easily absorbed calcium plus d. beauty is bone deep.

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welcome back, everyone. nine men have been arrested in the uk on suspicion of terror offenses. >> according to british media, one of them is a former leader of a banned radical group. >> he's refused to condemn isis attacks around the world. >> cnn's nic robertson has more about him. >> reporter: a reputation as a

rebel rouser who refused to condemn al qaeda's attacks in the u.s., the uk and beyond. >> what took place on 9/11, 3/7 in madrid, i can see -- >> reporter: he did nothing to assuage his critics and everything to antagonize them. this is his vision for the uk. >> of course porn will be banned, gambling will be banned, there will be no monarchy. >> reporter: along with his leader, he ran the now outlawed al modaroon group. following the al qaeda attacks on the london underground bus

network, killing 52 people in 2005, he fled britain. chaudry did not, taking leadership for outspoken radical muslims here. he seemed to seek out controversy and wanted to spread his divisive message in america. >> when asked on cnn if he condemned the killing of the two american journalists in syria, he refused. >> it's pathetic for you to ask a muslim to condemn the killing of one individual when hundreds of thousands of muslims have been slaughtered. >> reporter: he's been arrested on suspicion of terror related offenses. few in the uk will mourn his silencing. however short it may be. nic robertson, cnn, london.

>> all right. we've got some other stories to bring to you here on cnn. the new iphone isn't available officially in china, but some underground sellers are more than happy to meet the command. stay with us for this story. what's your most favorite of all? hmm...the kind i have with you. me too. (phone ringing) what's up jake? that depends man, what are you doing? just cruising around in my new ride. oh, the one i'm not suppose to touch, right? you got it. guess what i'm touching it right now, craig. what you talkin about jake? with my voice. that doesn't make any sense. you let me in man, by answering and i like it in here. you're not touching it! touch is physical, your voice isn't physical. my sound waves are pouring out of your speakers, penetrating every cubic inch... stop disrespecting her! ooh and the dodge likes it. don't you dart? gets your filthy voice off her jake! that's keeping you from the healthcare you deserve.. at humana, we believe the gap will close

when healthcare gets simpler. when frustration and paperwork decrease. when grandparents get to live at home instead of in a home. so let's do it. let's simplify healthcare. let's close the gap between people and care. ugh. heartburn. did someone say burn? try alka seltzer reliefchews. they work just as fast and are proven to taste better than tums smoothies assorted fruit. mmm. amazing. yeah, i get that a lot. alka seltzer heartburn reliefchews. enjoy the relief. the iphone 6 has been a block buster for apple. the phone hasn't gone on sale in china yet, but they've got their hands on them, sort of kind of. >> are we surprised there?

folks there are willing to pay exorbitant prices on the black market. >> reporter: this is where china's black market for the iphone 6 begins. a line outside the apple store in pasadena, california. >> how many can you buy at a time? >> two. >> reporter: two per person, every time. carrying chinese passports, wads of wash, nearly every single person in this line is a mandarin speaker. it's not on sale in china yet. >> i bought an iphone and they sent it to china and the price is kind of crazy. >> reporter: kind of crazy? this hong kong, this man flipped his iphone 6 just minutes after he bought it at a $1,000 profit. this woman stocked her suitcase

with 30 iphone 6s to resell. in beijing, the black market is right outside the apple store. these men still offering the still unavailable iphone 6. the going price, $2600 to $3200 u.s. that's ten times the face value. you can see china's insatiable hunger for the iphone whenever the phones go on sale in choina. that frenzy extends to the u.s. back in california, most of the chinese shoppers don't want to explain why they're buying so many phones. it's not illegal to do this in america, but they are skirting import taxes. this man already carrying one iphone 6 -- >> no, no, no. >> reporter: he insists he's buying them for friends. but when we came back the next

day and walked down the line again, guess who we saw wearing the same shirt? good morning, didn't i see you yesterday? are you buying more today? >> yes, yes. >> reporter: for more friends? >> yes, yes. >> reporter: you must have a lot of friends in china. >> yes. >> reporter: he's got a lot of familiar company. waiting in line again, huh? a lot of company. people came back, seem people. >> some people i think 20 or 30 people. >> got to make money somehow. >> reporter: we called apple to see if they knew about these. the company said they were aware of it but did not want to comment about it. the only restriction that apple has as far as purchasing it, two phones per store per customer. kyung lah, pasadena, california.

>> he had no shame. showed up the next day, same shirt. a bit of good news for firefighters in california. rain has brought some relief. >> and it's near my sister, so i appreciate that. and we have with us -- i'm going to become you officially, derek. we love saying derek vandam. >> you'll be happy to know, natalie, that the fire is 55% contained. that's up from 43% earlier on thursday morning. as we all have this storm off the west coast of the united states to thank. like the desert needed the rain, california needed the rainfall very badly. it's thanks to a very deep trough in the jet stream, allowing for a low pressure to form and the rain scattered about that area. that's going to continue for the next 24 to 48 hours bringing

some relief. take a look at some of these officials. this is what i'm talking about, the rain has fallen and that has dramatically reduced the amount of threatened homes in the area, from several thousand to just hundreds. now the concern is mudslides and slippery road conditions for the firefighters. before the rain came to the area, the fire had burned 98,000 acres. that's larger than las vegas or atlanta. so this is a very significant fire to say the least. this is the latest radar. you can see some of the rainfall moving across the sacramento area, bringing the much needed relief. this photo was taken a couple days ago from space. you can see the extent of this particular wildfire over the past several days. going from an area that needs the rain to an area that sees

rain quite frequently, this is scotland. that is the place of the 40th tee off in about 15 minutes or so. we should stay dry. back to natalie and errol. >> and welcome again, derek. we've sprung him from cape town, south africa. >> that line, is that -- what song is that? >> isn't that -- >> "everything but the girl." >> we got it. you've been watching cnn's special coverage. >> please do stay with us. we are all new next hour. protests sparked up once again in ferguson, missouri, after the police chief publicly apologized for how his department handled the fallout in the shooting of michael brown. coming up next, hear him explain why he won't bow to pressure to resign. stay with us here on cnn. ♪ ♪

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