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England Players Targeted By Hate Speech; New Arrest In Haiti Assassination; Billionaire Branson Rocket Into Space. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired July 12, 2021 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:00:59]
LYNDA KINKADE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: The ugly fallout to the monumental Euro 2020 final between England and Italy. Racism targeting three of the
England's youngest players. We're going to live to London and Rome.
Also chaos grips Haiti in the wake of Wednesday's presidential assassination. Police say they've arrested a key suspect in that attack.
And to the edge of space and beyond. Richard Branson becoming the first billionaire to ride into space on his own rocket.
It is 10:00 a.m. here in Atlanta, 6:00 p.m. in Abu Dhabi. I'm Lynda Kincaid in for Becky Anderson. Good to have you with us and welcome to CONNECT THE
WORLD.
Well, competitions and sports can bring out the best and sadly the worst in us. In the case of the Italy celebrations with England, we are seeing
scenes of joy and national pride from Italian fans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE (voice-over): But England is hanging its head in shame not because it lost the championship on penalty -- on a penalty shootout but because of
the conduct of some English fans. In the wake of the game, thousands of racist and offensive social media messages have attached three English
players who missed their penalty kicks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the U.K. and Prince William have been among those who've loudly condemned the racist attacks. And even before the game
started, they were ugly scenes at Wembley Stadium as English fans who do not have tickets tried to break the gates and get into the stadium. When a
police reported that 50 arrests were carried out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: We are covering both sides of the story. Our Barbie Nadeau is with us from Rome and CNN World Sport Contributor Darren Lewis is at Wembley
Stadium in London. Good to have you both with us. I'll start with you, Darren. Because after all the excitement that came from England, finally
making it to this -- to this final, the disappointment in losing quickly -- anger to hatred and largely targeted at three young gifted black players.
DARREN LEWIS, CNN WORLD SPORT CONTRIBUTOR: Absolutely. The funny thing is, Lynda, their ability and is almost immaterial. If you are black and you
exist in this society, you are a target. We are a divided nation here in Britain. And if you're black, or you're brown, if you're doing well, you're
English, if you're doing badly, you're black, you're another. And what we've seen over the last, what, 18 hours or so is almost a crystallization
if you like of the racism that is well documented.
Lots of examples, lots of statistical evidence to suggest it exists. The now you're seeing it in black and white. It's repulsive, it's vile, but
it's necessary for the world to see the scale of the problem that exists in this country.
KINKADE: It really is discussing and we obviously are seeing it not only online, we've also seen murals depicting at one of -- one of the key
players that was completely deface there, that of course in Manchester. Just explain for us what the broader problem is. You touched on it just
briefly, Darren, this isn't just an issue regarding three players in this final. This is a bigger problem. And even the Prime Minister has come under
attack for not stamping this out.
LEWIS: Yes. Well on a very basic level the Prime Minister has come out today and he's issued what could be only described not with his
condemnation as such but a bit of a finger wagging at the people who have issued these racist remarks if you'd like or want of a better term.
[10:05:02]
LEWIS: Here's the thing, the Prime Minister of this country himself has made racially offensive gifts if you like, he's come out with the kind of
thing that you were I would find repulsive in our viewers as well. And his home secretary is in the middle of a hostile environment, targeting black
and brown people making life difficult for black and brown people. So, it kind of sticks in the craw when the Prime Minister tries to rebuke people
when they are making racist remarks.
And here's another thing as well. At the start of this tournament, Lynda, the players took the knee as they are doing on the other side of the
Atlantic because they are trying to highlight racial injustice in this country. They were booed by their own fans. When comment was sought by --
from the Prime Minister on the issue, he refused to condemn them. His language was very much in the Donald Trump a very bad people on both sides.
It doesn't help the situation.
What it does instead is empower the people who want to target young black men. So, when the government come out with the kind of language that
emboldens or racism, how can we be surprised when there is racism? Over in Italy it's a source of national pride the events of the last 24 hours over
here in the U.K. it's a source of national shame.
KINKADE: Yes, it's certainly -- I want to go to Barbie because obviously, this is overshadowed the outcome. Something that is a huge success story of
Italy. This is the first time they've won the European Championship since 1968.
BARBIE NADEAU, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: That's absolutely right. And, you know, the energy and enthusiasm and passion that Italian people last night was just
incredible. It was contagious. That City of Rome erupted every city, every small Hamlet erupted with national pride. Now, we talked to -- of fans,
they were dissecting not just what got them to this point but what they're going to do in the years to come when it comes to playing this beautiful
game. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Joy, it reminds us of 2006 when we beat France, and in the penalty shootout.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): After 15 years, the penalty shootout is always more beautiful, magnificent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NADEAU: You know, and that sort of enthusiasm. And, you know, soccer football here is just so much part of the DNA. And we really saw that,
especially after these last 18 months when Italy has suffered so much with the pandemic. You know, this tournament kicked off here, people were
wondering if it was a good idea to do it in front of a live audience or not, but it was a success and they brought it all full circle home.
And you feel for the first time in such a long time here, Lynda, a sense of pride, a sense of optimism, looking towards the future. And that goes far,
far beyond just the game.
KINKADE: Certainly does. Those scenes of jubilation always wonderful to see. We will speak to both of you again. Our Barbie Nadeau for us in Rome
down those -- outside Wembley Stadium. Thank you both very much.
Well, Haitian officials say they've arrested one of the men who organized the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Police say the 63-year-old
Haitian-born suspect into the country by private jet last month with what they call political intentions. That announcement comes as both the U.S.
and Colombia send their own teams to Haiti to help in the investigation, which so far has netted 20 additional arrests.
CNN Matt Rivers is connecting us from the Haitian capital, Port-Au-Prince today and joins us now live. Matt, so talk to us about the arrest of this -
- a man who arrived on a private jet. What are you hearing?
MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is the first real update we've had on this investigation in the better part of two days when
these Haitian authorities gave this press conference on Sunday evening. And in part of that, you know, the main headline of that presser was this this
arrest of this 63-year-old Haitian-born man named Christian Emmanuel Sanon. As you say he came here with, "political intentions" according to
authorities.
They did not really say exactly what those were. But the key takeaway was that working with a Venezuelan security firm based out of Florida, so known
allegedly, according to authorities, helped recruit and then organize here in Haiti these 26 Colombian mercenaries and two Haitian Americans that the
Haitian authorities here believe actually carried out this assassination early -- right around 1:00 a.m. or so on Wednesday morning here.
They believe that he was a central figure in what happened here organizing all of this on the ground. It's not when they managed to raid Sanon's home
here in Haiti they say they found lots of boxes of ammunition, they found pistol and rifle holsters, they found shooting targets. So that some of the
evidence they're suggesting backs up their case.
[10:10:09]
RIVERS: But what's unclear is OK, is he the mastermind of all of this? Is he a Haitian citizen? What were his intentions moving forward, there still
remains a lot of doubt, including in the Haitian government itself. Yesterday morning, before this press conference, I had a conversation with
the elections minister here in Haiti who believes that this is an inside job of sorts that it's obvious that this isn't just some foreign plot.
Here's what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATHIAS PIERRE, HAITIAN ELECTION MINISTER: I don't take mercenaries, Colombians, former Colombians military who just get in the country. It's
obvious. I mean, just getting the content killed the president. Why do they get the cars that they're driving? How do they get in the country? There's
a lot of things that doesn't make sense for foreigners to just do by themselves. So I think and we believe the mastermind behind that crime.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIVERS: Now is synonymous mastermind. We simply don't know. However, this investigation is going to go on. And I think if you ask the elections
minister, he would probably tell you that he wouldn't believe that it's just one solitary person born in Haiti that helped this group of nearly 30
foreign nationals kill this president. Yes, this was a big update in this investigation, Lynda, but is it over? It is nowhere close to over.
KINKADE: No. Far from over. Certainly plenty of questions we need answers to. Matt Rivers forests in Port-Au-France, Haiti. Thank you. You can read
much more on Haiti if you go to our Web site. Just go to cnn.com for news and analysis, including a close look at the unrest there. And why some
people say they don't trust anything that government is saying about the President's assassination. You can find it on any computer or through your
seen an app on your smartphone.
An important symbol of the U.S. pull out from Afghanistan having a short time ago is the general who has been leading U.S. forces there relinquishes
his post. General Austin Miller said violence would never provide a solution to Afghanistan struggles. U.S. troops are leaving as Taliban
forces continue to grain -- gain ground in their offensive. And as a video has emerged that purportedly shows Taliban soldiers executing Afghan
special forces who had surrendered.
Our correspondent Anna Coren is following the developments there for us and joins us now live from Kabul. Anna, so the top U.S. General there standing
down today and leaving with a sobering assessment of the security situation in Afghanistan.
ANNA COREN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Lynda, it was only a matter of time before General Austin Scott Miller would stand down. Obviously, a U.S.
operations are pretty much now wrapped up here in Afghanistan ever since U.S. and NATO troops pulled out of Bagram Air Base over a week ago. But
yes, General Miller handed over the reins today to general Kenneth McKenzie, the leader of U.S. Central Command.
General Miller said that serving in Afghanistan has been the highlight of his military career. He spent almost three years in country. He is the
longest serving U.S. commander of America's 20-year war here in Afghanistan. But you talk about the violence here on the ground. And he
said that that is not the answer. He said to the Taliban in a message that they too, are responsible, and that violence against Afghan people needs to
stop.
And we've heard from General Miller over the last few weeks. He's been very candid in some interviews saying that he has serious concerns about the
advances that the Taliban has made, particularly since the announcement of the U.S. withdrawal and that the threat of civil war in his country is
real. And Lynda, we have been discussing now for some weeks about what is taking place in this country.
The Taliban certainly, you know, accelerated their moves certainly in the north of the country. And we've seen mass casualties as well from the
Afghan National Security Forces leaving people in this country wondering whether the security forces of Afghanistan can in fact stand up to the
Taliban and protect the people.
KINKADE: And I want to ask you about this video that has emerged that purportedly shows Taliban fighters executing Afghan Special Forces. What
can you tell us?
COREN: Yes, Lynda. It is incredibly distressing. We've been doing our due diligence on this video that has only recently emerged. It shows a group of
commandos in five provinces in the Faryab province.
[10:15:06]
COREN: This is in the far north, coming out of ash of a -- of a market. They been in a -- in a battle with the Taliban for some two hours and had
spent all their ammunition. They walk out of this market with their arms in the air and these Taliban fighters execute them. It is horrific to think
that this has taken place with soldiers surrendering, and the Taliban executing them in cold blood.
And we reached out to the Taliban, they say that this is a lie that is mere propaganda, a fabrication from the government. However, Lynda, we can
confirm that we've spoken to at least five eyewitnesses who witnessed what took place in Faryab province last month. And it all sets up. It -- I guess
big belief to think that the Taliban are trying to spin that the narrative. They're trying to portray themselves at this alternate governing body when
in fact their fighters are executing commandos.
Afghan's elite soldiers in cold blood. And Lynda in the last few days, we've been hearing from local journalists in provinces that have been taken
over by the Taliban of what women are now having to endure. Remember, this is the same Taliban that said that women will now be allowed to work, will
now be allowed to go to school that as an organization, as a movement, we have evolved.
But in fact, we are hearing that women are being kept in their houses, notices are being put up saying they're not allowed to go to the market,
they're not allowed to work. So this is a Taliban has not evolved in the last 20 years. It is still the same violent, primeval movements that is
threatening the way that people live in Afghanistan.
KINKADE: Yes, certainly a reversal to the Dark Ages indeed. Anna Coren for us in Kabul, thanks so much. Well, still to come here on CONNECT THE WORLD.
A rare scene unfolding in Cuba ahead on the show why thousands of demonstrators fed up with the government taking to the streets. We're going
to go live there by an hour.
Plus, our CNN crew on the scene as deadly violence unfolds in South Africa over the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma. We're going to go live to
Johannesburg. Stay with us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
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KINKADE: Welcome back. Turning to South Africa where unrest is spreading days after former President Jacob Zuma began serving a 15-month prison
sentence. Have a look at the shots we're just getting in right now. CNN capturing dramatic footage of some of the looting taking place right now.
The South African army has been deployed to try to crow the violence. Police say at least six people have been killed.
[10:20:03]
KINKADE: More than 200 others arrested in relation to these protests. And they of course, begin in Zuma's hometown. They've now reached Johannesburg.
We find our correspondent David McKenzie. And David, you're right there on the streets. You're seeing looting unfold right now. Take us through what's
happening.
DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I'm hearing Alexandra and I'm going to follow this police officer. Throughout today throughout
the country in South Africa there's been looting in Gauteng province, in KZN province. This is a reservist, as the police reservist. Earlier, they
were shooting rubber bullets at people. They just had to come to session. This is private security and South African police trying to figure out what
they're going to do now.
Down the street, you see a large amount of people who are earlier looting this clothing store. That noisy here behind me is the firefighters trying
to gain access to a hardware store that is now busy burning. I can feel the heat on my face. Scenes of chaos throughout South Africa today. We were
earlier at a mall when there was a great deal of action in terms of trying to stop people from looting.
But basically, police like this apt man today, they've been holding back at times, we've seen at least one person killed earlier today. The reason
unexplained but part of this violence. And just down there you can see a large group of people gathering. The President is due to speak later today
but it really is scenes of chaos. The worst -- the worst unrest I've seen in this country for many years. Let's just walk down this way a little bit.
That's flashbangs right now. Now, much of the violence has been focused in the KZN province. This is all initially related to the imprisonment of
former President Jacob Zuma. And he -- his supporters are saying they need to release him. There has been a court case today. But I think it's
unfolded beyond that now. And just general unrest in terms of people going into malls, shopping malls all across the city.
They hoot rubber bullets. All across this city and the police have done little or can't really stop it. There's also been the military that has
been put on the streets. And they were here briefly hours ago. But again, scenes of chaos that I haven't seen in South Africa for many years, many
parts. Juts hold on for one second.
KINKADE: David, as you were alluding to these protesters began in response to the sentencing, the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma, sentenced to
15 months over that contempt of court charge. He's trying to fight that charged right now to get that sentence overturned. What's the likelihood of
you'll have any success with that? And if it fails, could the situation they get worse?
MCKENZIE: Well, sadly, it's unclear at this stage whether they will succeed in that, Anna. And that court hearing has been going on all day. You've had
these strange scenes of the constitutional court or the judges in their robes deciding on the fate of President Zuma while there's been chaos on
the streets. Later, as I said, President Ramaphosa will address the nation that they are calling for calm. They said the police will be out in force.
We've had seen many reservists, people with just normal jobs getting out on the street here in South Africa. And if we just look over there -- they're
trying to get looters out of that store right now. You get a sense that, Anna, that it was an initial political unrest. And it's gone beyond that in
terms of just the anger in this country, huge unemployment. And people also taking advantage of the chaos.
We've seen grandmothers, young kids and adults trying to pull stuff out of stores. And yes, one hope is that the situation doesn't get any worse than
it does back to you.
KINKADE: All right, David McKenzie for us in Johannesburg. We'll chat soon. Thank you.
Well, the Delta variant of COVID-19 is fueling a surge in infections around the globe. Health officials are racing to get vaccines into the arms of as
many people as possible. Pfizer confirming to CNN that it is going to brief, the American government on a potential need for a booster shot for
its COVID-19 vaccine. That meeting is going to happen later Monday.
Australia is offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to everyone over 40. Previously, it was only available to ages 60 and over. It comes as Sydney's
has recorded its worst day of the outbreak this year. 116 new cases which were reported Sunday. Well, the Delta variant is also ripping through Asia.
[10:25:10]
KINKADE: South Korea recorded 1100 new cases in a single day. The vast majority of which will locally transmitted. Well, the pandemic is only
worsening the dire economic situation in Cuba.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Over the weekend, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to protest the government's handling of COVID-19 as well as a lack of food,
medicine and the recent power outages. Our correspondent Patrick Oppman has the details.
PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Calling for liberty, protesters take to the streets in Havana. In front of police the
crowd yells fatherland in life. A new opposition slogan that has gotten people who saved in public arrested in Cuba. But Cuba on Sunday seemed a
very different place, as thousands of people in cities across the island took to the streets and took the government by surprise.
These are the largest mass protests in years. Perhaps decades. Usually any anti-government activity leads to immediate arrest. Protests criticizing
the state are simply not allowed here. But on Sunday though thousands of people voiced their anger openly. And many people told us they simply had
lost their fear. Police surrounded the protesters and arrested some of them, but for the most part, they did not or could not stop the
demonstrations.
The protests are only the latest sign of the unprecedented crisis facing the communist (INAUDIBLE) even as Cuba produces its own homegrown vaccines,
the number of COVID cases has skyrocketed. On Sunday, health officials announced the highest single day increase in new cases and deaths. For
months, the Cuban economy has spiraled further and further downwards. The island has been hard hit by increased U.S. sanctions under the Trump
administration which have continued under President Biden.
The pandemic has cut off tourism and the ability to receive help from relatives abroad for many Cubans. Lines for food now stretch around the
block and can last for hours. For many in Cuba waiting for scarce food and medicines has become their life.
Everyday there are people out here for whatever there is. Some days you don't even know what products they're going to be selling. Rachel says. You
have to be out here if you want to have food. The economic misery is already leading to desperation as Cubans are now taking to the sea unwraps
the greatest numbers since 2017. When then President Obama ended the wet foot dry foot policy that allowed Cubans reaching the U.S. to stay.
Cuba is confronting the worst crisis in decades without a Castro at the helm. As Raul Castro stepped down from his last leadership role in April.
On Sunday, Cuba's new leader Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the island's economic troubles on the U.S. and vowed to crack down on the protesters.
The order to combat has been given, he said. Revolutionaries need to be in the streets.
As Cuba edges closer to the edge, neither side appears they're backing down.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Patrick Oppman joins us now on the phone from the capital, Havana. And Patrick, the Cuban government is again blaming the U.S. given it is
under serious sanctions. Oh, what -- what's going on? What's being said?
OPPMAN (via telephone): Well, I should add, there's widespread internet outage this morning. And we don't know exactly why. But to -- in previous
times of civil unrest here, though the government has disclosed on the internet which is one of the way that people find out about the protests
yesterday and led to this wave, really, of unprecedented protests taking place across the country.
Now the president of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel has gone (INAUDIBLE) again this morning. He took a somewhat softer tone, no calls to arms, no order to
combat but he was very clear that he feels that people don't have a legitimate right to protest, that this is all a plot picked up by the
government of the United States. And he talked a lot about U.S. sanctions which are called the blockade here.
But of course, many Cubans will tell you that they feel there are two blockades. The one that the U.S. puts on them and the one that their own
government puts on them that keeps them from receiving help directly during the time of the pandemic and really stifle the economy here which is part
of the problem. Of course (INAUDIBLE) long before the pandemic, but now it is much, much worse with the new U.S. sanctions under the Trump
administration.
Of course, all the economic disaster that has been inflicted by the pandemic many people are just telling us they've lost their fear and they
feel they have nothing more to lose.
[10:30:03]
KINKADE: Yes. Certainly extraordinary scenes, highly unusual scenes there in Havana, Cuba. Patrick Oppman, our thanks to you. We will speak to you
next hour.
Well, still to come, Royal-run court in Jordan. A public falling out in the royal family has turned into a long prison sentence for one of its members
and a former Royal aide.
Plus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: The drumbeat of new tensions in Northern Ireland. Brexit trade barriers stoking division in an already volatile region. A live report from
Belfast next hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Welcome back. Well, a member of Jordan's royal family and a former chief of the
Royal court have both been sentenced to 15 years in prison. They were found guilty a short time of a goal of attempting to destabilize the monarchy. A
military judge announced the verdict following a closed-door trial that consisted of just six hearings. Here's part of his announcement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. COL. MUWAFAQ AL-MASAEED, MILITARY JUDGE (through translator): The court has unanimously decided the following. First in reference to the first
criminal Bassem Ibrahim Awadallah. According to Article 149 of the Penal Code of the year 1960 is sentenced to 15 years in prison with labor.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Awadallah's family says he's been tortured and denied due process. A defense lawyer in the case says they're going to appeal. Our Jomana
Karadsheh takes a look at the alleged plot.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Behind the walls of Jordan State Security court, a trial like no other this kingdom has ever
seen unfolded over the past three weeks. Some dubbing it, Jordan's trial of the century. The trial centers on the so-called sedition case a royal and
political intrigue that sent shockwaves across the region and beyond.
HAMZAH BIN HUSSEIN, FORMER CROWN PRINCE OF JORDAN: I try to explain what happened.
KARADSHEH: Jordan's former Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein, King Abdullah's half-brother released a dramatic video message telling the world he was
effectively under house arrest.
HUSSEIN: And now being cut off.
KARADSHEH: And lashed out at the country's leadership.
HUSSEIN: I am not the person responsible for the breakdown in governance, for the corruption and for the incompetence that has been prevalent in our
governing structure for the last 15 to 20 years. And has been getting worse by the year. I am not responsible for the lack of faith that people have in
their institutions.
[10:35:01]
KARADSHEH: More than a dozen people including a former Royal Court Chief and finance minister Bassem Awadallah, once a close confidant of King
Abdullah were rounded up. In a letter to his nation, King Abdullah described the crisis as the most painful he's ever faced. Telling them,
"The sedition has been nipped in the bud. Sedition came from within and from outside our home and nothing compares to my shock, pain and anger as a
brother and as a head of the Hashemite family."
The government accused Prince Hamzah of conspiring with foreign entities to destabilize the country. A claim the prince denied. Jordanians have been
told very little about this alleged plot left to speculate amid rumors and leaks. Following royal family mediation, Prince Hamzah pledged allegiance
to the king in April and was spared prosecution. And most of those detained were released by the king, leaving Awadallah in a junior royal to face
trial.
Like the case this close trial has been shrouded in mystery. The men have pleaded not guilty to charges including incitement against the state and
plotting to destabilize Jordan. They're accused of conspiring with the former Crown Prince to exploit rising economic and social discontent in the
country to present Prince Hamzah as an alternative to the king. Many have questioned the fairness of a speedy trial where the man at the heart of the
case has been absent and the judge rejected the defense's request for witnesses.
As the trial draws too close Jordan's leadership hopes this brings an end to an unprecedented chapter in Jordan's history. One that shattered the
image of a stable country and its united royal family. Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Istanbul.
KINKADE: You are watching CONNECT THE WORLD. Still ahead, something for the dreamers. It took decades but Richard Branson went from a child with a
dream to an adult in a spaceship. Certainly celebrating there like a happy little kid. We're going to take you live to New Mexico. For more on this
space history, he and his team made this weekend.
And Novak Djokovic got another trophy for his collection when it comes to the Olympic gold, he may not show up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: Welcome back. Billionaire Richard Branson and his team took a giant leap forward this weekend towards becoming the world's first
commercial spaceflight. The Virgin Galactic crew took off Sunday in a supersonic space plane. They have spent nearly 20 years developing.
Spaceship to soon detached from its mothership and blasted upward. At about 80 kilometers high the explorers experienced weightlessness and some truly
dazzling views for a few breathtaking minutes.
And after this success, Virgin Galactic plans to conduct just one more test flight before it will begin in a new and quite pricey era of space tourism.
[10:40:02]
KINKADE: Well, our space correspondent Rachel Crane witnessed the daredevils' dream come true above the New Mexico desert. She joins us now.
And Rachel, I was watching this amazing moment with my young daughters. Truly history in the making. And you got to speak to Sir Richard Branson
after he got his astronaut wings. Talk to us about what he said.
RACHEL CRANE, CNN SPACE AND SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Lynda, I love that you watch with your children. Children all around the world are watching
this. That was something that Branson and Virgin Galactic was hoping was happening because they're hoping to inspire the next generation of
astronauts and dreamers here. And, you know, this really was a lifelong dream of Richard Branson.
This flight was 17 years in the making and delay after delay including a 2014 fatal crash. You know, a lot of skeptics out there thought that this
would never happen. But luckily for Branson and space enthusiasts all around the world this flight was described as flawless. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CRANE (voice-over): A historic flight nearly two decades in the making. Billionaire Richard Branson becoming the first person to take a trip on a
self-funded spacecraft.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Release, release, release.
CRANE: The entire journey captured and broadcast on the live stream. All taking place in about an hour.
RICHARD BRANSON, FOUNDER, VIRGIN GALACTIC: It's the complete experience of a lifetime.
CRANE: Virgin Galactic ship rocketing more than 50 miles above Earth. High enough to even experience weightlessness.
BRANSON: For the next generation of dreamers if we can do this just imagine what you can do.
CRANE: Branson and his crew safely returning to Earth. Celebrating their mission accomplished.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, this here is Sir Richard Branson astronaut.
CRANE: I spoke to the 70-year-old after the successful landing.
(on camera): But you've now been back on Earth for a couple of hours. So, tell us what was this experience like for you?
BRANSON: Look, I've dreamt of going to space since I was a kid. I've always pictured what it would be like and it was just far more extraordinary than
I could ever, ever imagine.
SIRISHA BANDLA, VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, VIRGIN GALACTIC: Everything from the blackness contrast with the earth is just deafening,
it's incredible.
CRANE: In the billionaire race to space, Branson beating his competitors, launching his first flight before Jeff Bezos on Blue Origin and Elon Musk
via SpaceX. Bezos is sending his congratulations on social media adding, can't wait to join the club. Branson offering this advice to the Amazon
founder in return.
BRANSON: I hope you can have a wonderful voyage as we had. And just do your training. You know, I mean, it's important to get that sort of, you know,
seven days of training before you go.
CRANE: Virgin Galactic plans to launch at least one more test flight before allowing paying customers to fly. The price tag for a seat up to a quarter
million dollars. And while they wait, Branson says he's taking some time for himself to rest before planning any future feats.
(on camera): Are you eager to go back up?
BRANSON: I would go back tomorrow if I didn't feel I was taking a seat away from the many hundreds of people who've already signed to go up and the
many hundreds of people who will want to sign up.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CRANE: Lynda, in just eight days Jeff Bezos intends to make his historic flight on the first crewed mission of Blue Origin's New Shepherd system.
And today, only about 500 people have ever traveled to space. So, these two companies, these suborbital flights, they're really hoping to democratize
space to open up space travel in the heavens for the rest of us out there. But of course, as you pointed out, these tickets are pricey at this point.
They're around $200,000 a seat at this point. So, you know, it's going to cost us a lot if we want to fly at this point, Lynda.
KINKADE: at this point, we can only hope that things progress pretty quickly in our lifetime. Rachel Crane, good to have you with us. Thanks so
much. A very exciting story.
Well, the roller coaster of emotions on full display after the Euro 2020 final.
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KINKADE: Italy returning home to heroes' welcome after defeating England on a penalty shootout to win the championship in London. Amanda Davies
following all angles of the story for us. Joining us now live. Certainly a lot to cover.
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes, Lynda. Very much the feeling of the day after night before here at Wembley Stadium. The grey
sky, the street cleaners are out, the guys soaring concrete behind us definitely not the party atmosphere that the home fans here in England were
hoping for. But as you can see the party has very much started and well underway in Rome after Italy claims their second European Championship. And
what a night of football it was. We're going to be reflecting on all the action in "WOLRD SPORT" in just a moment.
KINKADE: Yes. Definitely a nail bite out. Amanda Davies, good to have you with us. We'll see you in the other side of the break with "WORLD SPORT".
Thank you. We'll have much more news at the top of the hour.
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