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Arrests In Hong Kong On First Day Of New Security Law; National Security Law Tightens China's Grip On Hong Kong; California Governor Gavin Newsom To Announce Further COVID-19 Restrictions; City Of Leicester Shut Down Again, As Rest Of England Reopens; Messi Into The Elite Group With 700th Career Goal. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired July 01, 2020 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: Hello and welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Kim Brunhuber in Atlanta. Hon Kong's new reality China's central
government imposed a sweeping national security law, leaving a city on edge. Right now Russians are voting in a referendum that could keep
Vladimir Putin in power until 2036.
And coronavirus infections just keep rising in much of the United States as Dr. Anthony Fauci warns of 100,000 cases a day. Hong Kong's new security
law is in full force. Police have detained at least 300 people since the law took effect.
Nine were arrested for violating the law. Now, these pictures of detained protesters warning a bust were shot by our CNN crew in Hong Kong a few
hours ago. Ivan Watson has details of the new reality facing Hong Kong and the stock penalties facing those prosecutors for dissent.
IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: July 1st, 2020 maybe the day Hong Kong's autonomous bubble finally busts. A controversial new
law dramatically expanding the Chinese central government's powers in Hong Kong was imposed under cover of darkness as riot police began fanning out
across the city center.
A National Security Law written behind closed doors in Beijing was only made public at 11:00 pm on Tuesday, the moment the law went into force. The
timing hardly a coincidence, because hours later, officials began celebrating the 23rd Anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from British to
Chinese rule.
According to international treaties, Hong Kong was supposed to enjoy relative autonomy from communist-ruled China until the year 2047. But the
new law threatens critics of the Chinese government with possible life imprisonment.
At a press conference Wednesday, Hong Kong's top officials argued the law would be good for the city's long-term stability.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have repeatedly said that it would be a tiny minority of people who could be prosecuted and targeted by this law. Are
you anticipating dozens of people being prosecuted hundreds, thousands?
CARRIE LAM, HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE: I would rather not to be able to - not to arrest or prosecute anybody if everybody abides by the law. The
purpose of this piece of legislation is not just to punish, it is also to deter, to deter people from committing such serious offenses as cessation,
subverting the state power, terrorist activities.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATSON: For years Hong Kong offered a split screen commemoration of the July 1st handover anniversary. Government displays of patriotism while not
far away a prodemocracy protest march often critical of Beijing.
But after a million-man March last year, some protesters broke into the city's legislative council building, trashing it. The city then descended
into months of increasingly violent confrontations. This year police banned the annual protest march before it even began, and immediately arresting
demonstrators.
This new national security law arguably formalizes changes that have already been taking place in Hong Kong over the last year. I mean, look at
the fortifications around the governments headquarters, the riot police presence, the wire mesh defending the pedestrian overpasses.
All of these are new measures responding to a portion of the population that's deeply unhappy with its own government.
The Chinese government's power play has had an immediate chilling effect with some opposition activists disbanding their political party offices
this week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AVERY NG, HONG KONG ACTIVIST: Probably in the future we may never see a million people on the street again, not because we are satisfied with the
government, but just because we are now living in fear.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATSON: Beijing's message is unmistakable. Hong Kong's culture of protest will no longer be tolerated.
BRUNHUBER: Alright. Ivan Watson joins us now from Hong Kong. So, already we've seen a crackdown, arrests. Your piece showed some of the ways the new
security law has changed the dynamic on the ground. And we're hearing from Hong Kong residence now there's no doubt they're living in a police state.
Is that what you're seeing and hearing?
WATSON: Look, we've been seeing that some of the freedoms that people have enjoyed in Hong Kong amid the turmoil and the confrontations of 2019 before
the Coronavirus pandemic set in that, increasingly, police were much less tolerant of different kinds of displays of dissent.
[11:05:00]
WATSON: If you try to sing an opposition anthem, you can be arrested. So already we had seen these changes taking place. And certainly today,
according to the police, at least 370 people have been arrested and now 10 people are being accused of breaking the brand new national security law
barely 24 hours after the contents of that law were introduced.
There have been activists who have been telling CNN that they've been trying to wipe their social media history, worried that could get them in
some kind of trouble. Of course, opposition activists who have closed their political party offices here.
There is clearly a chill here and the Hong Kong authorities made it very clear they want to send a message of deterrence. They want to frighten
people, and they said, do not test this new law because you could face up to life in prison if you break it. Kim?
BRUNHUBER: The UK has just announced it will extend the path to citizenship for those holding a British National Overseas Passport and their families.
Would you expect there will be a huge mass exodus out of the country to the UK or to other countries?
WATSON: CNN has already been reporting on an increase in people who are eligible for these British National Overseas Passports applying for them
and people interested in the possibility of emigration. Taiwan has announced that it's creating an office to help facilitate the escape of
Hong Kongers who are trying to get out.
The Chinese government does not like this. It accuses Britain and basically any foreign government that accuses it of being in breach of treaties that
were supposed to enshrine Hong Kong autonomously until the year 2047, it's accusing those governments of medaling in China's internal affairs.
Clearly Beijing did not ever want to see another Hong Kong independence or separatist flag ever on Hong Kong's streets again, and that's been the real
target of the police throughout the day's activities today.
And the Hong Kong authorities have made it clear they wanted to nip this, I would argue, fledgling independence movement in the bud to prevent it from
growing any further. And that appears to be what they're in the process of doing.
Real question will come down the road. What will this mean down the road for opposition media for critical independent voices for Hong Kong's once
really respected university system, educational system? What could it mean down the road, Kim, for freedom of religion here in Hong Kong which is not
allowed in mainland China?
Those are questions that Hong Kongers are clearly going to be asking themselves. And I suspect some of the Hong Kong officials who are embracing
this new law and celebrating it, something that they're going to be questioning five, ten years down the road the way things are going right
now.
BRUNHUBER: Many issues there for us to explore in the days to come. Thanks so much, Ivan Watson, in Hong Kong. Now international reaction is pouring
in. As you heard, Britain is promising to extend visa rights for British nationals overseas passport holders. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab spoke
before the House of Commons earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOMINIC RAAB, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: I can't now confirm we will proceed to honor our commitment to change the arrangements for those
holding BNO status. And I can update all our members that we worked with Ministers right across - and we have now developed proposals for a -
integration route for BNO's and their dependence.
We will BNO's five years limitedly to remain with the right to work or study. After these five years, they will be able to apply for settled
status. And after a further twelve months with settled status, they will be able to apply for citizenship. This is a special - set of arrangements
developed for the unique circumstances we faced and in light of our historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: The European Council released this statement. The European Union is concerned that the law risks seriously undermining the high degree of
autonomy of Hong Kong and having a detrimental effect on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
Now the U.S. Secretary of State in law calls today a sad day for Hong Kong and for freedom loving people across China. He also says the law destroys
the territories autonomy and one of China's greatest achievements. Now there is no doubt about the pro-democracy opposition to the new law, it's
even impacting business decisions.
[11:10:00]
BRUNHUBER: Western companies are starting to consider moving businesses elsewhere, while some Chinese companies are looking to return to Hong Kong.
Many local businesses are hopeful the law will promote stability. Will Ripley spoke with some of them?
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: July 1st is a public holiday in Hong Kong.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now Hong Kong people are to run Hong Kong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIPLEY: The Anniversary of the 1997 handover from British to Chinese rule. Last year the day descended into chaos protestors storming and occupying
Hong Kong's legislative complex. Beijing promised Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy for 50 years under one country, two systems.
Pro-democracy protesters accused China of going back on that deal, taking away their freedoms. Beijing's response to months of unrest, a sweeping
national security law drafted and imposed by China's ruling body, bypassing Hong Kong's government.
Beijing says the law is necessary to contain the protests, part of what it calls a foreign plot to destabilize the mainland by turning Hong Kong into
chess piece external powers can use to contain China.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMON LEE, SENIOR LECTURER OF BUSINESS, CHINESE UNIV. OF HONG KONG: We need to move out of game and in the society with the - of law.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So who is winning this game of Chinese chess right now?
LEE: Still ongoing. Now the national security will cause a high degree of uncertainty.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIPLEY: The Trump Administration is already making moves in response to the law, planning to strip away the special trade relationship between the U.S.
and Hong Kong. This week the U.S. announced restrictions on defense and dual use technology exports.
The EU has also warned of negative consequences for the global financial hub. Trillions of dollars flow through the Hong Kong stock exchange, among
the largest in the world. Analysts say any disruption could rattle an already shaky global economy.
But growing list of corporations has voiced support for the new law, along with some prominent Hong Kong business owners.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the - system, we have our own system, okay? Let's work together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIPLEY: Pro-Beijing Lawmaker and Clothing Chain Founder Michael Tien say the law could revive Hong Kong's struggling retail and hospitality sectors.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL TIEN, CLOTHING CHAIN FOUNDER: When you see big companies saying that there is - that they support the law, actually they just - you think
they're just trying to - because I--
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIPLEY: Pro-democracy restaurant owner Gordon Lam says it's about more in money. Hong Kong's core business value is freedom of expression and freedom
to conduct business. He says, if you don't have this, Hong Kong is no longer Hong Kong.
Last year's graffiti replaced by this year's bill boards, ads all over the city promising the new law will restore stability the question at what
cost. Will Ripley, CNN, Hong Kong.
BRUNHUBER: Russian election officials say early results from a referendum today show overwhelming support for a set of reforms including one
controversial change to the constitution. It's an amendment that would allow President Vladimir Putin to run for two more terms, essentially
paving the way for Mr. Putin to lead Russia until 2036.
Now, there has been a strong push by the Kremlin to get people out to vote. Critics are calling the ballot a constitutional coup. So, Matthew Chance is
following the story from London and joins us live. I take it the outcome of the vote isn't in doubt. The question is by how much? But isn't this
actually a referendum on Putin's popularity?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I think it can certainly be interpreted in that way and the Kremlin has gone to some
considerable ends to make sure there are other issues, as you just mentioned, in this whole raft of constitutional amendments. They're
encouraging people to vote for, things like getting extra support for families with children.
Things like extra rights for people in the workplace, a very controversial issue enshrining the idea of marriage as being strictly between a man and a
woman. It's been slammed by critics as homophobic. But it does in fact close to remind a very conservative electorate inside Russia that if they
vote for these amendments, then that is something that would also be included in those measures.
Well, the Kremlin has been staying away from as much as possible is any mention at all of that issue of the fact that Vladimir Putin would be able
to qualify for two additional presidential terms, potentially taking his period of office in Russia up to 2036. They've been trying to sort of put
that to one side.
[11:15:00]
CHANCE: But of course for most of the rest of us, watching this from the outside. That's of course the main issue being voted on today and over the
course of the past several days. If this vote goes through, as it looks like it will with overwhelming majority, as you say, then we could see
Vladimir Putin there until he's 83 years old.
BRUNHUBER: Alright, Matthew Chance, in London. Thank you very much for that. Coming up next, the top infectious disease doctor in the U.S. is
sounding the alarm as Coronavirus cases again explode across the U.S. Plus, the Trump Administration make some drastic move in the fight against
Coronavirus, buying nearly the entire world supply of a drug to treat sick patients.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRUNHUBER: New Coronavirus cases are surging to peak levels across much of the United States. 37 states are experiencing a significant jump in cases
and the nation's top infectious disease Dr. Anthony Fauci warns that U.S. could see 100,000 new cases a day if nothing changes. CNN's Randi Kaye has
more.
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On Capitol Hill, the nation's top infectious disease expert giving this disturbing prediction.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, U.S. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: We are now having 40 plus 1,000 new cases a day. I
would not be surprised if we go up to 100,000 a day if this does not turn around. And so, I am very concerned
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Dr. Antony Fauci telling his Senate Health Committee that no section of the country is safe from the Coronavirus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FAUCI: We're going the wrong direction. If you look at the curves of the new cases, clearly we are not in total control right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: And with new weekly confirmed cases increasing in at least 37 states this morning, Fauci says--
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FAUCI: I am very concerned about what's going on right now, particularly in the four states that are accounting for about 50% of the new infections.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Two of them are Florida and California, where the Governors are taking different approaches on handling the drastic rise in cases within
their borders. Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis is still resisting taking more aggressive measures statewide to help slow the spread. As the sunshine
state added nearly 6100 new reported cases to its tally on Tuesday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RON DESANTIS (R), FLORIDA GOVERNOR: We're not going back closing things. I don't think that really is what's driving it. We're hoping we know who we
need to protect.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Meantime, in California, nearly 6,400 new infections reported. Governor Gavin Newsom sending this morning saying tighter restrictions may
be on the table as soon as today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GAVIN NEWSOM (D), CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR: The framework for us is this. If you're not going to stay home and you're not going to wear masks in public,
we have to enforce, and we will.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Masks are mandatory in all of California. And Newsom says it's up to local leaders to make sure residents are wearing them.
[11:20:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEWSOM: We'll be doing more to focus on enforcement in the state primarily local enforcement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: But in Florida, facial covering rules are up to cities and counties.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARLOS GIMENEZ (R), MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA MAYOR: All leader have set the example, I set the example here in Miami-Dade. I wore the mask because
I want to protect you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: The CDC Director telling lawmakers this very same message, asking young people to take the lead.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. ROBERT REDFIELD, U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASES CONTROL AND PREVENTION, DIRECTOR: It is critical that we all take the personal responsibility to
slow the transmission of COVID-19 and embrace the universal use of face coverings.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: And despite repeated warnings against large gatherings, President Trump will attend an early Independence Day event in South Dakota Friday.
Masks will not be required.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTI NOEM (R), SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR: Those who want to come and join us, we'll be giving out free face masks if they choose to wear one, but we
won't be social distancing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: Randi Kaye with that report. Now CNN's Lucy Kafanov is in Houston, Texas where the Governor has put a pause on statewide opening
efforts. So another records increase in cases, the growing move by Republican lawmakers and maybe more importantly, Fox News personalities who
wore masks averse now changing course, encouraging mask wearing. Will that make a difference, do you think?
LUCY KAFANOV, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Masks do make a difference. That's what we've heard over and over again from top health officials. There is still
no statewide mandate here in Texas to wear them, but all this coming as Texas continues to shatter records. Nearly 7,000 new cases yesterday, that
brings the total to nearly 160,000, and that's just the state of Texas alone.
Now we have to remember that Texas was on the first states to push for this aggressive economic opening of the economy. The Governor had to back-pedal
on that, for example, closing down bars, lashing restaurant capacity limiting restricting gatherings of 100 people or more, in order to try to
stem this growing tide of cases and hospitalizations.
Hospitals are strange. We're in front of a testing facility where Kim, folks are being lining up since midnight, the night before to try to get
their space in line order to get tested. But even as these numbers continue to go up, we're not seeing any new major statewide initiatives.
And in fact, there is just agreement at the top of leadership here in Texas about what kinds of steps need to be taken. We heard from the lieutenant
governor on Fox News yesterday saying, he doesn't need the advice of the nation's top infectious disease expert. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAN PATRICK, TEXAS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Locking down doesn't work. If it did, those two states would be doing better than Texas. Fauci said today
that he's concerned about states like Texas that skipped over certain things. He doesn't know what he's talking about. We haven't skipped over
anything. The only thing I'm skipping over is listening to him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAFANOV: Locking down does work. We've seen that in states that have managed to successfully do so. But again, this highlights the troubling
trend in the United States where you are dealing with a very real public health catastrophe, a crisis, and even the approaches on how to get that
under control are now politicized, Kim?
BRUNHUBER: No, and you're kidding. Alright, thanks so much, Lucy Kafanov in Houston. Alright, let's go to California now where CNN's Dan Simon is
reporting from Los Angeles. So, I was there in California when the Navy Ship Mercy arrived to help a surge of patients that never arrived, so left.
They'll need it to come back again.
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it remains to be seen. Right now the hospital system throughout the state can accommodate the patients that
they're getting. They have seen an increase, the state has seen an increase in the number of hospitalizations, up about 43 percent in the past two
weeks, but at this point, there do seem to be enough beds available.
I should tell you today we are expecting an announcement from Governor Gavin Newsom where he has likened things to a toggle switch where he can
basically control things up and down if he needs to dial back the economy, he said that he will.
But what is expected to now, we do not know. But there is a sense Kim that it needs to be dramatic because, we have seen the surge of cases in recent
days, 63,000 cases yesterday, the single - the second highest tally that we've seen since the pandemic began.
Over the weekend, the 4th of July weekend of course coming up, L.A. Beaches are going to be closed, no fireworks. Perhaps he'll make that statewide. We
just don't know yet. Kim?
BRUNHUBER: Yes, that's what I'm wondering, what can be rolled back and you know some people are fearing that California could descend into the same
situation we saw in New York?
SIMON: Right. I mean, there is a growing sense that things are out of control.
[11:25:00]
SIMON: One of the leading doctors in the state, Dr. Robert Wachter, Chairperson of the UCSF Department of Medicine, says the California miracle
is over. Keep in mind California got wide praise for getting a handle on the Coronavirus. It flattened the curve, because it was the first state in
the country to issue the stay-at-home order.
After Memorial Day, we did see things begin to loosen up, people weren't wearing masks as frequently and we've seen more community spread. So, today
all eyes on what the Governor plans to do. Will it be the beaches or could it be something more dramatic?
BRUNHUBER: Alright. We'll be watching, thanks so much, Dan Simon, in Los Angeles. Unless Coronavirus cases surge around the U.S., the Trump
Administration has announced a deal to acquire nearly the entire world supply of Remdesivir. The anti-viral drug is the only known treatment to
speed the recovery of some COVID-19 patients.
Now the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says the President has secured all of the drug maker in Gilead's July production and 90 percent of
both the august and September production. Earlier this week Gilead shipped the last portion of its Remdesivir donation to the U.S. government.
Well, just ahead on "Connect the World," Europe's borders are back open for tourism, but there is not an American in sight. Will people from the U.S.
be allowed into the EU any time soon? Plus, police say, they've made the world's biggest drug bust in Italy. We'll tell you about the alleged link
to ISIS.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRUNHUBER: The European Union is now officially reopened for a limited number of travelers, but it excludes people who live in the United States.
It has been deemed too risky of a country as virus cases there continue to spike. That means businesses could lose billions of dollars in American
tourism revenue. CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports.
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Emptiness and fear on the streets of Rome, one of Europe's most beautiful cities, while the EU is
opening up for travel after most states have contained the Coronavirus pandemic. American tourists won't be back any time soon.
Restaurant owner - says that's another significant dent in his already meager earnings. We are very concerned, he says, we live off of this. I
wouldn't know if it's right or wrong, but I would have preferred for the borders to be opened because we're on the ropes. It's not just Italy.
France is one of the most popular destinations for American tourists in Europe. According to the country's tourism authority, around 4.5 million
Americans came here in 2018, spending almost $4 billion in France, much of it in Paris, the Head of the City's Tourism Authority tells CNN.
[11:30:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CORINNE MENEGAUX, GENERAL DIRECTOR, PARIS TOURISM BOARD: The American - U.S. is very important for Paris in terms of tourism. American people spend
about $2 billion actually so that's a huge loss for Paris for the moment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN: But the EU has decided to continue to banned U. S. citizens from coming to the European Union excluding the United States from a list of
nations from which that EU will allow travelers back in.
As the Trump Administration struggles with skyrocketing cases of Coronavirus in parts of the United States while the President rejects
public health measures like wearing a mask. Well the EU is keen to jumpstart its ailing tourism sector officials both here in Brussels and in
the member states say the continent needs to be careful when opening up.
The last thing Europe needs is another spike in Coronavirus infections and possibly another lockdown. European Union officials have long been saying
they will place public health above economic motivations when bringing their economies back up to speed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
YLVA JOHANSSON, HOME AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER, EUROPEAN COMMISSION: The most important thing is to protect - the protection of public health in the over
- it is the most important priority for the EU and its member states.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN: And that means as Rome streets start filling with travelers once again restaurant managers like - will have to wait until the U. S. gets the
pandemic under control for Americans to return. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Brussels.
BRUNHUBER: And joining me now from Brussels European commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson. So the worry is that you know could these efforts
to rescue the economy undermine the push to keep the pandemic under control?
JOHANSSON: Well, of course public health is the most important issue. And 3 or 4 months ago European Union was really the hub where we had a lot of
infections on a lot of all the problems with the pandemic.
But we have worked to get together and the situation has improved significantly and of course we would like to keep it that way and that's
why the recommendations said that we will open up to other countries when they reach the same level of new infections at the EU average or below our
average of the new infection rates.
BRUNHUBER: We saw on a piece earlier just how important the U. S. is to the EU economy? Was there a lot of pressure from some of the countries to
making economic case to include the U. S. in the list?
JOHANSSON: No, of course everybody would like to welcome Americans here as soon as possible. But they had been quite good discussion between member
states on their criteria that we should use. Everybody agrees that health situation is the important one and agreed on the recommendation that we
should first look at their rate of new infections.
And that has to be at the same or lower than the EU average and also that the infection rate has to be decreasing or at least stable otherwise the
country con to come up on the list.
BRUNHUBER: We are seeing some localized outbreaks in some EU countries. So what happens say if the EU members themselves cross the threshold?
JOHANSSON: Well, of course there are some differences between the member states but we have reached on the situation now inside the European Union.
Well the situation is improving or stable in all member states so that's been quite an impressive improvement in the European Union since we have a
huge problem in March, April.
So we have worked together very effectively I should say. And a lot of containment measures and a lot of different measures from different member
states and that have worked quite well. And I should say that now could the changes of course but right now - if citizens are actually practicing
social distancing and companies are having a special measures to protect people from being exposed to new infections.
BRUNHUBER: I mean you speaking of companies the airlines you know cutting thousands of jobs. So how will that impact re opening in Europe?
JOHANSSON: Well, of course there is - the economy is of course extremely important. And we are in a situation in European Union with the huge
economic crisis as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
[11:35:00]
JOHANSSON: But it's also important to keep the situation so that we do not risk another wave or another peak in infection because that could actually
extremely much destroy the economy. So it's a balance and for us it's important that we put safety first.
And of course we would like to open as soon as possible to Americans and all other countries. But that depends on how the epidemiological situation
develops? And hopefully it will improve also in U. S.
BRUNHUBER: Yes, certainly it's not going in that direction right now. But so you know I want to take advantage of this opportunity to ask you a
question about a different issue here. As the details of Hong Kong's new security law become clear we're seeing you know strong reaction from
countries like the UK, the U. S.
What about the EU? So early in the program we read part of the statements by the European Council but beyond expressing concern? Will be there be any
concrete measures from Europe to sanction for sanction China?
JOHANSSON: Yes. I think that being quite strong messages bowls from the President and the high representative when it comes to these decisions from
China on the security laws in Hong Kong because it's really problematic. And this really is a seriously undermining the autonomy and the dependence
of judiciary.
So I think that we are now assessing this and we have said before that that could be consequences out of this. So this is something that it could not
be excluded.
BRUNHUBER: What would you be able to elaborate on what some of those consequences might be?
JOHANSSON: That does assist us a little bit further before we come to that kind of answers. But we have said before that if they do this the decision
that they have now taken. We will consider the consequences for China.
BRUNHUBER: All right. Well listen, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate it. Ylva Johansson, thank you very much for joining us.
As England opens back up after months of lock down the City of Leicester is being forced to shut down again. 10 percent of the country's positive
Coronavirus cases stem from Leicester and its infection rate is 3 times higher than the next highest city. CNN's Phil Black reports.
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Only a few days ago centralist it was buzzing. People lined up patiently to get inside the shops they desperately
messed through lockdown. Now suddenly they're locked out again. Once more the mood here can be eerie quiet and yet so familiar.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel sad and I think I've spoken to are a bit confused--
BLACK: They have lockdown fatigue?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, most definitely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: The government says it didn't want to carve list a route from the UK's steadily opening economy but it had no choice. It's now Britain's
first individually lockdown city because COVID-19 is still advancing through the population.
The government says 10 percent of all England's recent positive test results were recorded in Leicester. In the city's golden mile we meet--
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not surprised that it's come back to this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: He's been running a general store in the heart of Leicester South Asian Community for 50 years. Just weeks ago he and many other shop owners
on this normally vibrant strip re opened determined to recover. Now we only find locked doors closed shutters and delayed hubs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: How long do you think you can hold out now that you've been told to close our doors again?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As long as it takes. I think safety and the measures that the government have put more important.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: Down the road in Bobby's Restaurant - is angry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel this is definitely a reaction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: Like restaurant owners across the UK he was planning a big return this weekend after shutting down more than 3 months ago.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is devastating for us devastating for our colleagues. And really a sad day and the way it has happened have been very sad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: Leicester was famously diverse and many are worried about rising infections here because of COVI-19's devastating impacts on ethnic
minorities. There is evidence everywhere people are taking the threat seriously in everything they do even as they grieve.
The virus didn't killed us but it's restricting those left to normal. Masks hide their emotions they can only stand on a street safely apart and watch
as the person they love is driven away. We meet a few people in this city who question the need for rolling back deep into lockdown.
[11:40:00]
BLACK: But many have theories on what went wrong? How this could have been avoided?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLAUDIA WEBBE, BRITISH LABOUR MP FOR LEICESTER EAST: The lack of testing equipment, the lack of support, the mixed messaging all provided the
conditions that crates that I was to continue aimless though.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: A whole city and its surrounding area more than 350,000 people are now isolated from their own country part of a giant involuntary experiment
that will hopefully increase understanding of local outbreaks and how to find them? Phil Black, CNN, Leicester, Central England.
BRUNHUBER: Experts say a vaccine is the real answer to the Coronavirus pandemic and the U. S. has issued new guidance for teams working to find
one. The Food and Drug Administration says any COVID-19 vaccine will have to be at least 50 percent effective and testing should include a follow up
to check for adverse events. CNN's Elizabeth Cohen looks at the timeline for when the vaccine may actually be available?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Half a year into the Coronavirus outbreak and the best bet to stop it a vaccine. 17 teams around
the world now testing COVID-19 vaccines in humans according to the World Health Organization 3 supported with U.S. funding. Yet there's no published
data on how well these 3 vaccines are working in human studies so far? Dr. Anthony Fauci says data is coming out any day now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. FAUCI: What I've seen thus far looks good.
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COHEN: Final trials are expected to start this summer with the goal to deliver 300 million doses by January but the Army General in charge of the
government's vaccine effort Dubbed Operation Warp Speed offering no assurances.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Those numbers of doses are a possibility and hope but you can't make any promises or commitments as to the number or when they'll
be actually available?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am working on a goal to achieve as you articulated but I cannot promise and stay right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COHEN: And there's a potential problem. Dr. Fauci tells CNN it's possible that a COVID-19 vaccine will only be 70 to 75 percent effective, that might
not be enough to stop the outbreak given that a CNN poll shows that about a third of Americans don't intend to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. FAUCI: There is a general anti science, anti authority, anti vaccine feeling among some people in this country an alarmingly large percentage of
people relatively speaking.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COHEN: Six months into the outbreak we do have new treatments. There's Remdesivir an IV drug that a large study shows cuts down on hospital stays
by about 4 days. Supply has been limited and the U. S. government plans to continue managing shipments of the drug to hospitals until the end of
September.
The company that makes Remdesivir is also working to make a version that can be used outside of hospitals. The steroids also showing success with
the study showing they reduce the risk of death by a third for the sickest patients.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEX AZAR, U.S. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: We now promise therapeutics that is benefiting tens of thousands of American patients and
in all likelihood of already saved thousands of lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COHEN: Doctors are studying several other treatments blood transfusions from recovered patients, antibody cocktails, a drug for heartburn another
for get out to see if any of them will work to help people with COVID-19? Elizabeth Cohen, CNN reporting.
BRUNHUBER: Still ahead the fighting to remove Confederate statues reaches Capitol Hill where some of these relics remain front and center. We'll take
you to Washington next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
BRUNHUBER: Turning now to a massive drug bust in Italy. Police have seized 14 tons of Amphetamines which they say was made by ISIS in Syria. Officials
opened these industrial paper cylinders and found pills worth $1 billion inside. Police believe the drugs were meant to be distributed by criminal
groups outside across Europe.
CNN International Correspond Sam Kiley joins us live from Abu Dhabi. So sensational bust even more so because of that link between organized crime
and terrorism?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's a very sinister link. Kim, it's not a new link after all back to the days of the
IRA in Northern Ireland struggling there between organized crime and terrorist activity.
But in the case of the so called Islamic state having lost so much territory that got a small rump area in Syria and remain influential and
dangerous in Syria and Iraq. In the view of the Italian police though this was a major money making operation.
As you say they're over $1 billion worth of street values all of this Amphetamines which is very widely used indeed across the Middle East
particularly in Syria during the Civil War. It is a powerful and highly addictive Amphetamine that's consumed in gigantic quantities particularly
by fighters in the Civil War.
It's often used to explain how the atrocities so is associated with the so called Islamic state could have been committed in the past. Most the
Captagon manufacture in the Middle East has been alleged to have come from Hezbollah, the Iranian backed militia group in South Lebanon and from
territory at least under the control of the Syrian regime.
Two major seizures here in the Emirates and one in Saudi Arabia both tracked back to Syria but to government controlled territory. So from the
aspect of European policing this is extremely worrying because if one estimated that even a third of the profits from this off the distribution
through criminal gangs in Europe could have ended up in the hands of terrorists groups.
That would represent a massive boost to their recently very badly destroyed fortunes. One of the aspects of this the Italians are investigating is the
extent obviously of the international criminal connection and the extent to which ISIS.
And their criminal connections wanted to exploit the paucity the lack of supply in Europe after 3 months of lock down across Western Europe and the
United Kingdom which is meant that frankly drug users have struggled to get a hold of that fix.
Now Captagon can be cheaply produced in countries that have collapsed. Areas such as Syria, the ungoverned spaces are very easily exploited by
criminal groups and all terrorist organizations and generate a very, very large amount of money.
And this will be the first time there is such a bust it's been done in Europe. But police right across the continent will be very concerned that
Captagon could end up the drug of choice after so many people there.
BRUNHUBER: All right. Thanks so much Sam Kiley in Abu Dhabi. The last U. S. state flag to feature the Confederate Battle Emblem is about to lose it.
Mississippi's Republican Governor signed a bill on Tuesday to remove the symbol calls for racial justice to force the removal of a number of
controversial symbols across the country so why Confederate statues are still up on Capitol Hill? Here's Sunlen Serfaty.
SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: With symbols of the nation's painful past coming down across the country under the dome of one of the most
revered buildings in the nation still sit nearly two dozen tributes to Confederate soldiers officials and known racists.
Throughout the Capitol Complex of the 100 statues sent by the states 12 percent of them glorify the confederacy honoring the likes of Robert E. Lee
and Jefferson Davis many wearing their Confederate uniforms.
The belt buckle of this general marked with CSA for Confederate States of America his statue stands right next to the office for house whip Jim
Clyburn who participated in the civil rights movement as a young man.
[11:50:00]
SERFATY: But it's not only the statues two rooms on Capitol Hill are named in honor of Former Senator Strom Thurmond and Robert Byrd both the former
segregationists. And there's a whole Senate office building named for Former Senator Richard Russell whose legislative legacy is marked with
white supremacy.
In the old Senate Chamber there's a bust of Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney the man who wrote the majority opinion in the Dred Scott case which
declared that African-Americans could not be citizens of the U. S.
There have been efforts to address these questionable relics before some have been rearranged moved to less prominent places on Capitol Hill.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): I could move things around I couldn't actually take them out that requires something else.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SERFATY: But there is a renewed focus in the wake of the national uprising against systemic racism pushing to get them out all together.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ): We cannot separate the Confederate statues from this history and legacy of white supremacy in this country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SERFATY: Speaker Pelosi this month had paintings of four former Speakers of the House who served in the confederacy taken down but when it comes to
removing the statues her hands are nearly tied. It's up to the states to choose which two statues they want to send to Capitol Hill.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PELOSI: Can you imagine Jefferson Davis, Alexander Stevens, treason - have had a treason against the United States and their statues are still here
because their states put them here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SERFATY: Several states had already been making plans to swap out their statues before this moment like Arkansas pulling their controversial
statues swapping them out soon for country singer Johnny Cash and Civil Rights Leader Daisy Bates replacing. The rest of the statues not to mention
the other questionable displays would take a hefty legislative effort.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): The states may--
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SERFATY: But with many Republicans choosing to look the other way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCCONNELL: What I do thank is clearly a bridge too far. Is this nonsense that we need to airbrush the Capitol and scrub out everybody from years ago
who had any connection to slavery.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SERFATY: There is little chance that these relics could be a thing of history on Capitol Hill. Sunlen Serfaty, CNN, Washington.
BRUNHUBER: Lionel Messi reaches another major career milestone. We'll tell you which elite group the football superstar entered on Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRUNHUBER: It's hard to talk football without mentioning Lionel Messi and the star reminded us why he's considered one of the all time greats? The
all time greats Don Riddell you're going to argue with me?
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: Certainly not. Absolutely no way but he certainly made another compelling case for why he is so fantastic Kim?
Thanks very much. Mixed emotions for Lionel Messi though on Tuesday one of the greatest players of all time reached an extraordinary personal
milestone but it came in a game that was disappointing for both he and his Barcelona team.
This was the moment that Messi scored his 700th career goal by kicking penalty - which is known as - Athletico Madrid that gave Barcelona the lead
in the game but they ended up drawing the match and likely losing ground in the title race.
None the less Barcelona coach was thrilled for Messi--
[11:55:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUIQUE SETIEN, BARCELONA MANAGER: I don't know if he'll score another 700 but I'm sure he'll score many more goals. But there is no age limit for
football players like this. He never ceases to amaze us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIDDELL: Messi becomes only the seventh player to score 700 career goals. His great rival Cristiano Ronaldo is already in that club and he is still
banging them in with aplomb. Juventus are looking for a 9th consecutive fifth title in Italy and - second off goal against Genoa on Tuesday has
kept them in the hunt.
It was a decent finish but the next 2 goals in this game will really take your breath away. In the 56th minute Ronaldo got side of goal and he made
the most of it. Smashing the ball into the far corner a quite brilliant strike from 25 yards for the 24th goal of his season but it wasn't the only
great goal of the game.
Douglas Costa sensed an opportunity from the edge of the area that was superb too. Juventus won 3-1 they remain 4 points clear at the top. In the
English Premier League it is turning into a really good year for Manchester United. A 3-0 win against Brighton means they've now gone 15 games unbeaten
and closing in on a top 4 finish which would mean Champions League football next season.
United got in front early thanks to a 13th strike of the season from their teenager Mason Greenwood and they have never looked back from there.
United's recent form is much improved from the start of the season and Bruno Fernandes is a really big reason for that.
His arrival in January has helped transform the confidence of the team fittingly Fernandes who make sure of the points for the - off leading
United to a comfortable. And since his arrival United has won 8 games and drawn 4.
Now of course it is wonderful to have these games being played again. But we simply cannot escape the reality of the era these matches are all being
played in echoing empty stadiums because of the Coronavirus.
Just 7 years ago - were playing Premier League football and they won the FA cup too that season but now - have slipped into administration and they say
that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on their financial fortunes.
According to their most recent annual accounts in 2019 Vegan lost more than $11 million. A spokesman for the government's Digital Culture Media and
Sport Committee says that between 10 and 15 clubs in England could find themselves in a similar position.
It is a reminder Kim, that sport is a business and all businesses right now are really struggling with the Coronavirus.
BRUNHUBER: Absolutely, a lot of history - scoring history could be lost there. Thanks so much Don. Well, that is "Connect the World" for this hour.
I'm Kim Brunhuber in Atlanta. Thanks so much for watching and please stay with CNN.
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