grants clemency to a grandmother serving a life sentence after a plea from reality tv star kim kardashian westbritain's grenfell tower inquiry hears from the man who lived in the flat where the fire started. and, the salamander, the conservationists and some mexican nuns. we'll tell you about the unlikely alliance to save the axolotl. with 99 people now confirmed dead around the erupting fuego volcano in guatemala, opposition politicians are calling for the head of the emergency response agency to be sacked. they believe the agency failed to respond to advance warnings. dozens of people are still unaccounted for. volcanologists, monitoring increased activity from fuego, say they warned officials to evacuate the area, but it didn't happen. will grant reports from one of the worst affected areas, los lotes. the tiny community of los lotes stood no chance. flimsy shacks of tin and corrugated iron offered residents no protection when the awesome power of volcan de fuego thundered through their village. everything was buried under the river of lava and ash. homes, livelihoods, loved ones. some are

when they all came on, then i oiced kim kardashian's v and she's the one who told me that i was free. that i was going to rejoin my family. amy: kim kardashian west met with trump at the white house last week to advocate for a dust for johnson's freedom. kardashian west became an advocate for johnson after seeing this video o produced by mic.com >> after my jury trial am a i was sentenced to life in prison. life. i st my jo i struled financially. i nnot fina job ttake car of mfamily. amy: while alice buried johnson has been released, thousands are still serving life without parole for nonviolent drug offenses. well, for more, we're joined by jennifer turner, who was part of the legal team representing johnson in her application for clemency. she is a human rights researcher with the american civil liberties union and author of the aclu report titled "a living death: life without parole for nonviolent offenses." welcome to democracy now! so talk about alice's case. talked about how she ended up in jail and now what has happened. great grandmother, mother of five. because of circumstances, a -- she had lost her into foreclosure, got laid off from h

a validation of the amount of work kim kardashian west had done. >> reporter: kardashian after her meetingi really strongly believe that she is someone that has completely rehabilitated herself. >> reporter: and then on wednesday, the announcement comes. >> i mean, it came as a surprise to all of us. >> reporter: kardashian herself delivering the news to johnson, describing the moment to cnn's van jones. >> we cried maybe on the phone for like three minutes straight. like everyone was just crying. >> reporter: the president chiming in this morning. good luck to alice johnson, have a wonderful life. but even in the worlds of hollywood and politics, the response time to alice's case is an enigma. >> normally pardons take years to work through the system. for president trump to take the meeting, die jest the information, issue the pardon, for her to be released within a couple of weeks, it has no precedent in modern times. >> reporter: it's not the first time president trump has flexed his presidential clemency muscle. last year trump pardoned controversial sheriff joe arpaio, convicted of cr

you know, you can't just dangle kim kardashian and kanye west in our face and say, look, i have a heart, and i deserve a pass. >> we heard from kim kardashian a bit ago. the fact that there's been a celebrity component to some of these pardons, whether it's with her or sylvester stallone and jack johnson, does that matter in your mind? ov or at the end of the day, if a commutation or pardon happens, that's what matters most? >> i think that it does matter. in our case, you know, you had ken burns who did his research and seeked the truth and seeked justice. and he knew that we were innocent, so he stepped up and decided to do something for it. and i think that that weighs a lot. our celebrities, this is what they're supposed to do. they have this major influence. they have a duty to the public, those people who support them. they're supposed to champion for a cause like this. >> i just want to read a portion of the full-page ad that then donald trump took out this the "daily news," this was back in 1989, about you and the your co-defendants. he wrote, quote, criminals must be told that

it got the backing of kim kardashian in west, the reality tv star, who found herself able to get intoke the case directly to donald trump himself. it means kim kardashian in west simply became interested in this story after watching a video on social media. is it does seem like her influence has had an effect on the president, and within days of that meeting, he has looked at the sentence. very publicly today, he did not get the backing of another senior republican. there is a lot of people talking about the use of pardons and the use of clemency by donald trump, and that is because of his comments earlier this week on twitter when he talked about whether oi’ twitter when he talked about whether or not he would have the power to pardon himself. he said he would and that has been backed up by his lawyer, who has been doing the rounds on a number of television interviews. this question about whether or not donald trump could pardon himself is one that has caught a lot of attention here, particularly with the american media focused on his ongoing investigation. allegations of russian med

also for the first time, we're going to air my full exclusive interview with kim kardashian west. tonight. on the van jones show. this week, kim got a chance to meet face-to-face for the very first time with the newly freed alic alic alice johnson. a great grandmother who was serving a life sentence for a first time drug offense. life sentence, first time offense. now, kim appealed personally to president trump and he commuted her sentence, to hats off to donald trump for doing that. now after 21 years, miss johnson is finally free. and such an important story about redenlgs, embracing second chances. both for alice johnson and kim kardashian west. to be fair, miss johnson did mess up pretty bad in '93. she lost herb job, her husband through a divorce then her son in a motorcycle accident. she fell in with the wrong crowd. got involved with drugs. no excuses, just facts. but behind bars, she was a model of good behavior. never got in trouble. which is almost impossible in prison not to get in any trouble in prison. took places, became an or daned minister, hospice worker, personal

just a little while ago, kim kardashian west sat down with our very own van jones to talk about the cause that brought them together. ant her husband can yes west and about what happened when she broke the news to alice johnson. >> first of all, congratulations on the big when, but also just thank you, thank you, thank you. >> thank you. >> second of all, how did it feel to make the phone call to let ms. alice johnson know that it was over, she was coming home? >> well, i was on set of a photo shoot in new york. and once i got the call from the president on my cell phone and i knew it was happening and it was 100% happening and a press release was written and it was about to go out. so i called her and i let her know, it's 100% happening. the paperwork is signed. >> the ink is on the paper. >> let's get alice on the phone. and you had assumed that the attorneys had already told her. and then alice gets on the phone. we call her, she was paged. to come to the phone. >> ion side the prison. >> inside the prison. she gets on the phone and i think she thought it was a routine phone call with

. >> reporter: it was this video that caught the attention of kim kardashian-west. last week the reality star lobbied president trump for johnson's clemency. >> never in my wildest dreams did i think it would be kim kardashian who would take my cause on. >> reporter: in prison she got a call. it was kardashian-west. >> when she said home, i could go home now, i started screaming and jumping and crying. >> reporter: the president had commuted her sentence. what do you say to people who say you committed a crime and you should serve the sentence? >> i don't believe there should be a nonviolent offender like myself sentenced to life. >> reporter: she's thankful to the man who gave her a second chance. >> i just knew him from "the apprentice" and he was always funny to me. i love hearing him say you're fired. he just told me, you're free. >> reporter: going forward she has to have regular check-ins with her parole officer and is making plans to meet with kim kardashian-west soon. >> johnson was released days after kim kardashian-west pleaded her case to mr. trump. kardas

grants clemency to a grandmother serving a life sentence, after a plea from reality tv star, kim kardashian west. britain's grenfell tower inquiry hears from the man who lived in the flat where the fire started. and the salamander, the conservationists and some mexican nuns. we'll tell you about the unlikely alliance to save the axolotl. with 99 people now confirmed dead around the erupting fuego volcano in guatemala, opposition politicians are calling for the head of the emergency response agency to be sacked. they believe the agency failed to respond to advance warnings. dozens of people are

but kim kardashian-west needs to be given credit. she was vilified in the press and may made fun of her, but she had a victory in the age of trump and she needs to be acknowledged. >> what you're hearing, van, john kelly opposed this decision? >> well, my understanding is that this was strong opposition inside the building from all quarters, and that jared kushner was willing to stand his ground to get this thing done and to get it pushed all the way through. and you have seen reporting out there that kelly was not a fan of this, didn't like this. and i think that, again, jared kushner's father went to prison, and he has been an advocate. this prison reform bill has made it through the house with 360 votes to 56, a big bipartisan prison reform bill. kushner was pushing that. we have to acknowledge jared kushner on 99 issues, liberals and progressives disagree with him. but on prison reform, he's opinion an effective advocate, and we need to keep pushing. this is a particular case that was outrageous. but there ather outrageous cases

. >> after helping secure her freedom, kim kardashian west ane this lad for the first time. e>> it becam a mission that i just didt want to give up. hose stories plus border battle. a look inside the place where families are being split amid the growing fight over immigration. >>> breaking silence. five women speak out about the abuse at the h from a doctor at uc. >>> all aboard. overnightma megharkle takes a hist qic trip with theueen on her private train. their very big plans together, 2018.day, june 14th, >> from nbc ne, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb on studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >>> i was in the room when kim kardashian west and alice johnson saw each other for the first time, and it was a cool moment. >> they talked on the phone and this wasst their f meeting. >> she had no idea who kim kardashian was. >> we will look forward to that in a little bit. >> we will get to that top story. owerful storms in the northeast. kristin doll gra kristin dahlgren has the latest on that. >> they are just beginning to get a sense of how ba wthose stormse. >>

at> in a today show exclusive hoda kotb down with kim kardashian west and alice johnsonor their first joint interview since president trump commuted johnson's life sentence on a non-violent drug offense. kardashian was involved in the effort to free johnson. she met with president trump to discusshe case just days before johnson was released. she was the first to tell johnson that she was headed home. >> well, she said that i wen into full-fledged pentecostal dance. i started screaming and jumping. people were listening. i'm telling you, i was dancg. i was dancing. i was jumping. i was screaming. i was doing everything. >> and you can see more o that interview later this morning on the "today" show right here onn 4. >>> 4:17 right now. it looks leak your credit card bill could soon be going up. the federal reserve has raised interestates again, and that means you'll be forking over money, in interest payments everyyear. the average rate is 15.32%. the hike will bring that rate closer to 16%. you will likely see the increase within two billing cycles. >>> filming for the upcoming wonde

this morning, "today's" hoda kotb was there to witness the first face-to-face meeting between kim kardashian westnson, the woman that she helped free from prison last week. johnson's life sentence was commuted after kim kardashian west managed to persuade president trump to hear her case. today, kim k. recalled just how she got the president to listen to her and how she broke the news about johnson's release. >> so was the president there yet or were you waiting? >> yes, he was at his desk. >> did you try to break the ice with anything? >> yeah, well, i first said that i am here because i really want to know why you kick eed khloe f "the apprentice." he laughed and it broke the ice and then we got focused. we spoke about alice. and i explained to him where i found her. why i believe in her. how people deserve second chances. and immediately, i mean, the president had compassion for her right away. >> i believe she said you can go home. that you can go home. >> you can go home? >> you can go home now. are you ready to go home? when she said that, i went into full-fledged pentecostal holy dance. i

but her supporters including reality star kim kardashian west continued pushing for her release. rdashian west met with the president and here she is right after the oval office meeting. >> it was really special. ieel like, you know, i went in, me and shawna come to really talk to the president about alice johnson, and really explained to him why she would e such a good person to grant clemency to. >> but win or lose, alice marie johnson said she was grateful for the help, even writing her a thank you note saying quote i was drowning and you have thrown me a life jacket and give me hope that this life jacket i'm serving me one day be taken off. kardashian tweeted again, so grateful for donald trump, jared kushner and everyone who shown compassion and contributed countless hours to this important moment. her commutation is inspirational and gives hopes to so many others who are also deserving of a second chance. the white house also released a statement today that reads in part quote while this administration walways be very tough on crime, it believes that those who have paid thei

it just caught fire and kim kardashian-west shared the story on social media. she got very moved to act and very involved behind the scenes since november and it been months now to get this woman released and it's been incredible. >> let me play this quick clip from kim after she learned about alice. >>i lost my job, i struggled financially, i couldn't find a job to take care of my family. failure. i went into a complete panic and out of desperation, i made one of the worst decisions of my life to make quick money. i became involved in a drug conspiracy. >> i just really strongly believe that she is someone that has completely rehabilitated herself and will continue to do so outside of prison. you know, she's done her time. i mean, she's done almost 22 years. you know, i think in life everyone makes mistakes and she really deserves a second chance. >> tell me about what she shared with you. because we saw the pictures from the oval office ofim kardashian-west and the president and he really listened obviously. >> yeah. i think what she shared is that she felt l

it came after kim kardashian west lobbied her release. her sentencing or the real joy that she and her family are obviously now feeling. so in a moment, we will talk about that about how this president is exercising his power to grant pardons. my conversation with alice marie johnson and her daughter. how do you feel? you just got out. >> it is so overwhelming. >> when did you first learn and how did you learn that you were going to get out? >> my case manager called me back. when the attorneys came on, i heard kim kardashian west. and kim gave me the news and i started screaming. it was just too much. >> did you know she was going to go to the white house and plead your case? >> yes, i knew she was going on my birthday. >> true tessa, this must be an incredible day for you. did you ever think after 21 years you would see your mom released from prison. >> i always had hope. but i didn't know when i woke up this morning that today was the day for sure. >> alice, did it feel strange to be out? >> yes. i have not been out in a car without ha

. >> after helping secure her freedom, kim kardashian west and alice johnson meet for the very first time. this morning the reality star reveals why she went to the oval office to fight for a complete stranger. >> it became this mission that i just didn't want to give up. >> those stories plus border battle. an exclusive look inside the place where families are being split amid the growing fight over immigration. breaking their silence, five women speak out about the alleged abuse they claim they suffered at the hands of a doctor. >> it's time to shine the light. >> and all aboard, overnight meghan markle takes a historic ride with the queen on her private train. their very big plans together, today, thursday, june 14th, 2018. guthrie and hoda kotb. live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. . >>> and welcome to "today." thank you for joining us on this thursday morning. i got to say i just flew back from memphis where i got to be in the room when kim kardashian west and alice johnson saw each other for the very first time. it was a very cool moment to be there for that and to watch k

it came after kim kardashian west lobbied her release. the very real joy she and her family are obviously now feeling. in a moment we'll talk more about that, hows president is exercising his power to gran. but first my conversation a short time ago with alice marie johnson on thend her herer. how do you feel? you just got out a short time ago. >> oh, my goodness, i'm so happy but it's so overwhelming just to hug my family. >> alice, y fir lear did you learn that you were going to get out? >> my case manager called me back. i knew i had an attorneycall, but when the attorney came on i heard kim kardashian west on, and kim gave me the news. and i started screaming. it was just too much. >> did you know she was going to go to the white house and plead your case? >> yes, i knew she was going on my birthday. >> this must be one of the most incredible days for you. i wonder did you ever think after 21 years you'd see your mom released from prison. >> i always had hope she'd be released, but i didn'tnow when iok up this that to was the day for

today is family and friends today. >> tell us what it was like to get that phone call from kim kardashian westhat let you know you'd be getting out. >> it was the most incredible day of my life. the most incredible, amazing, overwhelming day, moment of my life. when kim told me i could go home, i started screaming and jumping up. i know people that were looking in the window probably thought i was having some kind of fit. >> what do you want to say to her? >> i wanted to tell my war angel that i thank you for never giving up, that you did it, you never gave up on me, you fought and you fought until i was free, and that was one thing she told me is she would not give up on me. i just like to thank her and hug her. >> alice, in the video that first caught kim kardashian west's attention, you said the real miss alice is a woman who has made a mistake. tell us how you came to that conclusion and how you turned your life around when you were in prison. >> for me, i know that this is something that i can't even imagine that i did what i did in the beginning. but i turn might life all the way around

she has been granted clemency by president trump, responding to a plea from reality tv star, kim kardashian weste met him at the white house last week to lobby for alicejohnson's release. britain's grenfell tower inquiry has heard that the man who lived in the flat where the fire started was not responsible for the tragedy. behailu kebede's lawyer said his client alerted his flatmates and neighbours as soon as he saw smoke and that claims he left the building to burn were a nasty lie. now on bbc news, click. this week: it's hey from hay. a walkabout in washington. jiggly monsters. and that shouty game again. a bit of rain, a bit of sun and a lot of books — that's the world—renowned hay festival. once a year, the small town of books, hay—on—wye, on the england—wales border, hosts thousands of visitors ready to fill their boots with fact, fiction, opinion and debate. growls hay is a great place to hear from authors and scientists and big thinkers. and, when you've done all that, you can come and see us too. for the third year in a row, we've been invited to show off some cool tech before a live au

i want to thank kim kardashian west. kim, thank you.nk you, kim. >> future voters for kanye trump ticket because they are so happy about this. and you can argue that a life sentence was too much. for a first-time offender and president obama had considered, i guess, commuting it. but the department of justice had recommended he not do that because it was connected to a drug cartel. >> i think this is one of the cases where i think it is right to commute her sentence and others like her. our sentencing practices in the united states, we are incredibly harsh. we have seen a 200% increase on three things. number one is the war on drugs. the problem here is how he is picking and choosing. he has completely circumventing the longstanding process of how you do this. and you have to have standards when you do it. should you only commute her sentence when there are countless others like hers? the answer has to be no. >> you came on with a quote here. >> boykin this is programs the up side of white privilege. imagine if president obama commuted

her case was highlighted by reality tv star, kim kardashian west, who met mr trump last week to lobbyor her release. britain's grenfell inquiry has heard that the man who lived in the flat where the fire started was not responsible for the tragedy. a lawyer for behailu kebede said his client alerted his flatmates and neighbours as soon as he saw smoke and claims that he left the building to burn were a nasty lie. now on bbc news: wednesday in parliament. hello and welcome to the programme. coming up: theresa may refuses to say when she'll publish the government's detailed brexit plan. it's not the opposition that are conducting the negotiations. but very sadly, mr speaker, it's not the government either. but the prime minister hits back. labour voted for a referendum. they've voted to trigger article 50. and since then, they have tried to frustrate the brexit process at every stage. hear, hear! and: tsb bosses face a grilling over the bank's it meltdown. you pay yourself massive amounts of money, defining yourselves as leaders. can we be certain that some heads are going to roll? loom

. >> reporter: it was this video s the news site mic that caught the attention of kim kardashian west, and last week the reality star lobbied president trump for johnson's clemency. ev never in my wildest dreams did i think that it would be kim thrdashian who would take my cause on. ca reporter: in prison >>sterday, she got a call. it was kardashian west. >> when she said "home," just that word, i could go home now, i started screaming and jumping and crying. >> reporter: the president had commuted her sentence. what do you say to people who u y you committed a crime and theshould serve the sentence? >> i don't believe that there should be a nonviolent offender like myself sentenced to life. >> reporter: and she's thankful to the man who gave her a second chance. >> i just knew him from "the apprentice" and other things, s d he was always funny to me. i love hearing him say, "you're fired." he just told me, "you're free." ( laughter ) >> reporter: as for johnson's hext step, she plans to get a cell phone as early as tonight. she's really excited about that, but says her family will ha

her case was highlighted by kim kardashian west, who met mr trump last week to lobby for her release.ou. thank you, kim. there are so many people to thank. i just want to... you, kim. there are so many people to thank. ijust want to... i'm so thankful. i feel like my life to thank. ijust want to... i'm so thankful. ifeel like my life is starting over again. the first of britain's new f—35 lightning stealth jets have landed at raf marham in norfolk, where they will be based. four of the jets, which cost 92 million pounds each, made the journey from the us, and landed yesterday evening. five more of the supersonic planes are expected by the beginning of august. the defence secretary called them the most advanced jets in british history, and said they would keep the country safe from the "gravest of dangers". if you enjoyed hearing the dawn chorus this morning, spare a thought for the residents of burnopfield, near newcastle, where the bird—song is being drowned out by a love—sick peacock. trevor the peacock used to live in the grounds of a care home but he's now roaming the village hedg

kim kardashian west said on twitter it was "the best news ever." cbs news channel in the us alice johnson joins alice johnsonjoins us alice johnson joins us from alice johnsonjoins us from memphis along with her daughter, good morning to both of you. i noticed it was your first night home in 21 years, how are you doing? i'm doing great. i walk up without a bunk bed over my head. it's great. that's right, what's it like having your mother home? the excitement and the happiness and knowing she is sitting right here next to me, there is no guard anywhere. it's wonderful. you notice there is no bunk bed over you, what else have you noticed since you've been out? the city has changed a lot. i kept asking where am i? there are so many new buildings. i noticed, i noticed people on the phone a lot. what is your plan, the first day of freedom, we know you are doing some television of course but what are you going to do with your time, your family? we are just connecting. you going to do with your time, your family? we arejust connecting. last night we had s

. >> reporter: it was this video on the new site mic that caught the attention of kim kardashian west, and last week the reality star lobbied president trump for johnson's clemency. >> never in my wildest dreams do i think it would be kim kardashian who would take my cause on. >> reporter: in prison yesterday, she got a call. it was kardashian west. >> when she said home, just that word, i could go home now, i started screaming and jumping and crying. >> reporter: the president had commuted her sentence. what do you say to people who say you committed a crime and you should serve the sentence? >> i don't believe there should be a nonviolent offender like myself sentenced to life. >> reporter: and she is thankful to the man who gave her a second chance. >> i just knew him from "the apprentice" and other things, and he was always funny to me. i love hearing him say "you're fired." he just told me "you're free." >> reporter: as for johnson's next step, she plans to get a cell phone as early as tonight. she is really excited about y will have to teach her how to use at gosaing hforward,er

once kim kardashian-west was here at the white house last week and the photo of her meeting with the president was disseminated i had withly it's hard to imagine that he would not have taken this action. we have seen when the president raises an issue of a specific name it tends to.that. we have heard that the president is considering a possible pardon for martha stewart or commuting the sentence for former illinois governor rob blagojevich. in addition to that we have learned there are a couple of dozen cases that are in the president's purview, brought to his attention, but we don't know names and specifics. that gives ate bit of mystery as to how will he act? when will he act? and will a certain percentage of those be granted some form of relief? pardon, which weeps out a conviction or commutation which keeps the conviction but end the prison sentence it seems to be a power the president enjoys using. it's one he can do on his own. and we have seen how he has been frustrated by the workings of washington. he has been using this. and often to positive effect, in stories like alice

i'm just happy that it has come to an end. >> kim kardashian west took your story to the president, whyu think that your story stuck so much with her and made her go to the president and ask for your release? >> from the very first when kim heard about my story and we connected, we truly had a heart connection with this and she -- she knew that -- she told me that she knew this was meant to be. at the time when she saw it -- when i just popped up on her phone, she says it was a moment that she knew, this is the moment. this is the person that she needs to do something. >> you thanked president trump after you were released. have you heard directly from the white house and what would you like to say to him this morning? >> i'd like to tell the president -- i have not heard directly from the white house yet, but i would like to tell president trump that i am so grateful for everything that you've done for me and my family. this moment right now is happening because president trump had mercy on me and i'd like to tell him that please, please remember us, the others who have been left behin

kim kardashian west said on twitter it was "the best news ever."edible day of my life. the most incredible, amazing overwhelming day, moment of my life. when kim told me i could go home, i started screaming and jumping up and i know people that were looking in the window probably thought i was having some kind of fit. what do you want to say to her? i want to tell my warrior angel that i thank you for never giving up. that you did it, you never gave up on me. you fought and you fought until i was free and that was one thing that she told me — that she would not give up on me and i would like to thank her and hug her. alice, in the video that first caught kim kardashian west's attention you said the real miss alice is a woman who has made a mistake. tell us how you came to that conclusion and how you turned your life around when you're in prison? for me, i know that this something that i can't even imagine i did, what i did in the beginning. but i turned my life all the way around in prison and decided that i am not going to just do time or let time

obama said no to her request for clemency but her supporters including kim kardashian west continued g for her release and last week kardashian west met with donald trump at the white house asking him to grant clemency. here's kardashian right after the oval office meeting. >> she has done her time, almost 22 years. everyone makes mistakes and she deserves a second chance. >> reporter: kim kardashian west thanked the president for the commune analysis and kardashian and the pres. the white house released a statement that reads in part quoting his administration will always be very tough on crime, it believes those who have paid their debt to society and worked hard to better themselves in prison deserve a second chance. alice johnson is the seventh pardon or commutation granted by donald trump so far in his 16 months including a posthumous pardon of the first black heavyweight boxing champion jack johnson, conservative commentator dennis desousa who pleaded guilty to campaign-finance violations and for the bush administration official scooter libby convicted in the 2003 leaked that re

grants clemency to a grandmother serving a life sentence after a plea from reality tv star kim kardashian west the flat where the fire started. and the salamander, the conservationists and some mexican nuns — we'll tell you about the unlikely alliance to save the axolotl.

her life sentence for a nonviolent drug conviction, thanks in part to a white house visit by kim kardashian west

coming up kim kardashian west speaks out.hat she's saying about helping to free a great grandmother from prison and why she did it. also, she'll talk about her oval office meeting with president trump. >>> words of wisdom to the class of 2018. >> we need young people with the courage to say this is our world now and there are going to be some changes. >> some good motivation for people of all ages. some of the best commencement addresses out there. first this is today on nbc. mtif all ages. good cmencement addresses oomut maybe you could save energy by weaving your own shoes... out of flax. or simply adjust your thermostat. do your thing, with energy upgrade california. >>> we could not be more excited about our concert. kelly clarkson is here after your local news. e excited for our concert. kelly clarkson is here. that's all after your local news. a hilton getaway means you get more because... you get another day in paradise. get a sunset on a sunday. get more stories to share. get more from your summer getaway with exclusi

>> reporter: and reality tv star kim kardashian west, who took johnson's case directly to the white houseews. >> i heard kim kardashian's voice, she was the one that told me that i was free, that i was able to join my family. >> reporter: kardashian west tweeted best news ever. >> i think in life, everyone makes mistakes. she really deserves a second cancel. >> reporter: johnson a great grandmother, served stwun years in an alabama prison for a life sentence rung a drug cartel. they said alice worked hard to rehabilitate herself in prison. is there a pattern to the president's pardons? so far most of his choices have rewarded political allies, like arizona controversial sheriff joe arpaio. >> i stand by my partner sheriff joe. >> reporter: or a celebrity friend. >> it's my honor to do it. it's about time. >> reporter: overnight the senate minority leader questioning the president's motives. >> it should be based on the merits, not on who you know. >> reporter: but there may be more pardons on the horizon a white house official tells nbc news, the president is considering dozenss more with

. >>> kim kardashian-west has finally met the woman she helped get out of prison. >> she traveled to memphis to visit with alice johnson who is beginning her life as a free woman. she described to abc news the moment she told johnson she would be leaving prison. >> and i said wait, you don't know? and she was like know what? and i was like, you're going home, and screams and cries, and we all just cried on the phone. >> johnson had been in prison since 1996, serving a life sentence for cocaine trafficking until west convinced president trump to commute her sentence. it was her first offense. >> and apparently, kim kardashian showed her how to use snapchat. >> she's out of prison now, she's got to get out there. check her out. she's even got the filter game going. the little bunny ear going. frank is a big fan of that filter by the way. >>> coming up, duchess meghan's solo trip with the queen. >> and it's not just people who enjoy some ed sheeran. "the skinny" is next. him for college. in 24 hours, you'll send him off thinking you've done everything for his well-being. but meningitis

her release c one week after kim kardashian west met with the president of the united states and askede her sentence and west was the one who told johnson she was getting out of prison and this morning president tweeted good luck to al johnson, have a wonderful life. alice marie johnson with me now. alice, welcome home. welcome home, welcome home. >> thank you, brooke. happy to . you can't imagine how it feels to be back with my family. >> when you went in, your daughter was pregnant and the nowrughter's daughter was pregnant. after 21 years, doe freedom feel like? >> it is an amazing feeling. when i think about where i would be out today in this moment in time, it makes me all dayong i have been whispering lord. thank you for touching hearts and giving me another chance. this is a very humbling experience for me because i know that it is all grace. i know that it is all grace. it's a miracle for me. >> what would you be doing this time yesterday, two days ago or the last 21 years,d you be doing? >> a this time yesterday, i locked up but i was in rd ready to be released soon yesterday.

his intervention came after he was lobbied last week by the reality tv star kim kardashian west.o is trending on bbc.com. a luxury hotel in london's exclusive knightsbridge neighbourhood had to be evacuated after a fire broke out. the mandarin oriential hyde park had just undergone a huge refurbishment. no—one was injured. that's all from me for now. stay with bbc news. and the top story here in the uk — the editor of the daily mail, paul dacre, is to step down after more than 25 years in the role. he is to become chairman and editor—in—chief of associated newspapers. now on bbc news, all the latest business news live from singapore. five days to go before president trump pinching jongleur media in singapore. what role economics will play in brokering a deal. holiday plans are drying up as a water shortage hits the popular indian resort destination. good morning, a shower. hello, world. it is thursday. that you could join us for another action packed addition of asian business report. president trump and kim jong—un will have many issues to iron out in here in here in singapore i

so why did kim kardashian west get involved in the case? was it through you highlighting it? t spoke to herasa human involved in the case. it spoke to her as a human being because it is such a heart—wrenching story. in the months after that, she began paying alice johnson's legal months after that, she began paying alicejohnson's legal fees, corresponding with her directly from prison, and ultimately speaking with jared kushner, and then ultimately with president trump about securing her release. she was potentially going to be pardoned at the end of president 0bama's timing of this because he pardoned many people and there was some sort alice's name was on the list but it did not happen. no it didn't and she was at the top of many of the lists, lots of activists had flagged her case as the quintessential case, someone who deserved clemency. her case has been reviewed twice before this. there we re reviewed twice before this. there were a series of technicalities that each of these cases needs to go through in order to be approved and at various stages, through the department

. >>> coming up, what is next for kim kardashian west after helping secure alice johnson's freedom. what she had to say about that to us in our exclusive interview. >>> also cracking the loch ness code. the new search for proof that could solve one of the world's greatest mysteries. keir simmons is there with a firsthand look. first, this is "toy" on nbc.da >>> just ahead, we're saying cheers to dads for father's day. al, craig and carson get real. al, craig and carson get real. >>> look and the wolf huffed and puffed... like you do sometimes, grandpa? well, when you have copd, it can be hard to breathe. so my doctor said... symbicort can help you breathe better. starting within 5 minutes. it doesn't replace a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. doctor: symbicort helps provide significant improvement of your lung function. symbicort is for copd, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. it should not be taken more than twice a day. it may increase your risk of lung infections, osteoporosis, and some eye problems. tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressur

of course, no one can compete with the queen of social media, kim kardashian west. g tonight's know and tell, kim unblocked. >> it's khloe's birthday. do you think i should ask this guy to unblock me? >> that is kim putting the pressure on khloe's man, tristan thompson to bury the hatchet. >> was that a yes? >> si. >> i'm unblocked, guys! do it gh >> their digital drama started in april after kim addressed the cheating scandal on "ellen." >> then khloe decided to give him a second chance. mama kris was also and having the time of her life, fully clothed in the pool on a flamingo. up next, celine dion's new do. the 50-year old looks nearly unrecognizable with blonde locks and bangs. she posted the pic ahead of her concert in tokyo, but when she hit that stage that night, no fringe in sight, so we we're thinking she's rocking a wig. ♪ that's the way it is and finally, tom and gisele's soccer star in the making. that's gisele cheering on 5-year-old daughter vivian, who seems to have caught the world cup fever from her brazilian-born mama. >> brazil! >> tom's told us bef

. >>> coming up, meeting for the first time, kim kardashian meets -- kim kardashian west i should say meets alice johnson, the woman she helped set free. her reaction coming up next. >>> denver, colorado, apparently has no coal rans for electric scooters, the kinds plaguing san francisco streets. the city sees more than 250 of those scooters and it's fining the companies which own them. >>> also right now more than 500-year-old letter is back at the vatican. christopher columbus wrote it and someone stole it, but the u.s. homeland security department helped find it. you can find more news right after the break. whether to spli. tomorrow - scott mcgrew shares part of his conversation with the man pu >>> this fall we get to know whether to split up the state. san mateo shares his plan for a man fighting for three cals. is. . . californs. is. as. flag day? nbc )s scott budman tweeted this >>> well, welcome back. did you know today was flag day? nbc's scott budman tweeted out this photo of a flag at his home. you can follow him @scottbudman and don't forget to join our conversation on soc

prison, alice johnson appeared on the "today" show with the woman who lobbied for her release, kim kardashian west. this is the tweet that started it all. heard about her life sentence for attempted possession of cocaine. her first offense but linked to a drug trafficking ring. kardashian west contacted her attorney then ivanka trump and finally the president who commuted her sentence. johnson in prison for 20 years had no idea who the reality star was. >> i didn't know her name. i didn't know kim. as soon as i found out who she was, i started getting every magazine i could find. i started reading everything that i could about her. everyone was >> a lot of reading. a lot of stories on her. johnson and kardashian west say they plan to team up to advocate for the release of other nonviolent drug offenders. >>> we are getting a first look at how north korean state tv is portraying president trump and kim jong-un's statement. 42-minute visit is the first images the north koreans have seen of the trip. footage we haven't seen yet of president trump saluting and shinorth korean general. music is played

johnson after kim kardashian west interven intervened, on the basis of that, why wouldn't that logic carry over for many more like you and three of your colleagues that helped write that? it's the same logic. you can't say it's enough for one person and not enough for everyone that is similarly incarcerated under the same exact circumstances. >> it is the same logic, but it's a lot easier to do something kind for an individual than to address a larger problem. again, it is important that we look at individuals. i know right now that the president's staff and his administration is looking at thousands of people who should be eligible for pardon or clemency, and that's vitally important. but he could also use his pardoning power, he could use his power to lead congress and to lead them into criminal justice reform, which is something he said he would be dedicated to, especially after what happened with kim kardashian, the way she was able to bring miss alice's situation to the forefront is great. but everybody doesn't have a celebrity that is willing to tout their name. not everybody h

she's worthy of a second chance. >> how did kim kardashian west get involved in your campaign, and after she met with the president, did s with you what he told her about your mom's case? >> yes. she got involved with the case. she saw the mike video and decided to reach out to my mom through her attorney. but the family, we didn't know who it was at first. shawn just told us i a female celebrity, a wealthy female celebrity who wanto advocate for he i had no idea. no idea it was kim be oprah. kardashian. when we found out, it was definitely a pleasant surprise. she has really been an advocate for my mom in a major way. she's really done a lot, and where she could have saw the video and said that's a shame and gone on with her life -- i wasn't privy of the meeting. wasn't there. all i heard was it was a po meeting, but i don't know exactly what was discussed. the exact language. >> we'll keep an eye on the story closely. we hope for the best for you and your family and mother. >> thank you so much. i'm -- thanks. >> good luck to you. she has twins at home that haven't met her mom >> that

>>>let move on to talk about kim kardashian west. her empire is expanding the. d time with her. >> i did. kim celebrating her makeup line with a new popup store. he has another reason to celebrate. sister khloe's homecoming. how excited are you? >> i'm so excited. they came back on sunday. i just piled the kids in the car and took them over the go meet their cousin, true. and it was a love fest. i feel like stormi and chicago have so many photo shoots together. and we just text the pictures to khloe of them sitting on the couch. we're like, where you at, true? we're waiting for you. now that she can be in the mix is so excitinexciting. >> the family is back together. the kardashians have chosen to forgive and forget the cheating scandal. what happened when north did this? >> stop it. hey. that's not how -- that's not how you put on eye shadow. i look over and she's destroying the palette. and has, just, blue eye shadow all over her entire face. >> for her birthday, you put the long hair on. >> everybody was thinking she had extepgss. i don't let her straighten he