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One World with Zain Asher

Europe Warns Of "Dangerous Spiral" After trump's Threats; E.U. Considers "Trade Bazooka" In Response To Trump's Threat; At Least 39 Dead After Two Trains Collide In Spain; Italian Fashion Designer Valentino Garavani Dead At 93; At Least 18 Dead In Central Chile Forest Fires; HRANA: At Least 3,685 Protesters Killed In Iran; China's Birth Rate Is At A Record Low; Senegal-Morocco Final Ends In Chaos And Drama; Aired 12-1p ET

Aired January 19, 2026 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[12:00:35]

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: No interest in picking a fight, but ready to hold their ground. Europe pushes back at Donald Trump's tariff threats on

the second hour of "One World," which begins right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He can put pressure on, yes, but I hope really he wouldn't succeed in it.

But we don't know. I mean, nobody knows.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: What happens next is anyone's guess. Europe mobilizes as Trump stands firm on America's demand to have Greenland.

Also ahead, uncontrolled blaze. Authorities in Chile declare a state of catastrophe as flames rip through dozens of homes. We're live in the

region.

Plus.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: Just a little excitement there. Congratulations (INAUDIBLE). Senegal walks away with the AFCON trophy, but controversy is sending

shockwaves through the world of sports.

Hello, everyone. Live from New York, I'm Bianna Golodryga. Zain is off today. You are watching "One World."

We begin with fractures in the world's most powerful military alliance. European leaders are set to hold an in-person emergency summit on Thursday,

as they grapple with how to respond to Donald Trump's tariff threats to America's closest allies.

Over the weekend, the U.S. President threatened to impose sanctions on any European country that doesn't back his plan to take over Greenland, the

reaction was swift and emphatic. While the E.U. says that it prefers to find consensus through negotiation. It warned that it's prepared to act

forcefully, if necessary.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OLOF GILL, DEPUTY CHIEF SPOKESPERSON, E.U. COMMISSION: Should the threatened tariffs be imposed, the European Union has tools at its disposal

and is prepared to respond, because we will do everything necessary to protect E.U. economic interests.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: Meanwhile, over the weekend, the U.S. treasury secretary implied that if Europe just goes along with the U.S. plans for Greenland, there

won't be a problem.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT BESSENT, U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY: Make it part of the United States, and there will not be a conflict, because the United States right now, we

are the hottest country in the world. We're the strongest country in the world. Europeans project weakness, the U.S. projects strength.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: Well, as thousands of leaders from the world of business, government, and beyond are gathering in Davos for the annual World Economic

Forum, this year is expected Greenland's topic to be high on the agenda. President Trump is set to hold meetings with some of those leaders on

Wednesday.

CNN's Anna Cooban joins me now live in London. And the reaction is unified there among European nations that while they do not want to escalate a

trade war with the United States, they are, for the most part, prepared to respond to the president's demands that the U.S. will indeed acquire

Greenland, one way or the other.

ANNA COOBAN, CNN BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS REPORTER: Yes. Well, Bianna, this really is the issue at this forum this year. It's going to take up all the

oxygen, which, you know, wasn't really anticipated. This forum was going to be dominated by conversations around A.I., whether or not we're in an A.I.

bubble, but now it's really all about geopolitics. And these new threats by Donald Trump to both annex a territory that's part of NATO, but also to

slap tariffs on allies who don't agree with it.

And the E.U. does not seem to be lying down with this. We have reports that they are considering whacking the U.S. with 93 billion euros worth of

retaliatory tariffs.

And that really puts us back into this or potentially back into this trade war, the thing that the European Union and United Kingdom tried so hard

last year to avoid. And we have these tentative trade deals with the E.U. and the U.K. with -- with the U.S., which, you know, could potentially be

thrown into doubt.

There's something called an anti-coercion instrument, which really is the last resort. This is the E.U.'s way of which would be blocking the -- the

United States from certain parts of its market.

And this is all part of that potential retaliation. And, of course, markets are not happy at all today with European markets down.

Gold is up. It hit record today because of all the attention and volatility. It's seen as a safe haven asset.

And investors, Bianna, really do have a lot of reasons to feel quite uneasy about the way the world and geopolitics is heading right now.

[12:05:03]

GOLODRYGA: Yes. And we should remind viewers that the markets here in the U.S. are closed in observation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

We'll see how they react tomorrow.

Anna Cooban, thank you so much.

Let's get some perspective on the issues that are being discussed in Davos. This week, we're joined by Rana Foroohar, CNN global economic analyst and

associate editor of the "Financial Times." Rana, it is good to see you.

So you've argued that this really isn't about Europe at all, but about the U.S. versus China and hemispheric control. And I can't help but think that

this is coming as Canada and its prime minister has just left China, the first time in a number of years that ahead of state from Canada has

traveled to China and solidified a trade deal there.

And I raised this because Canada and the United States had worked quite closely when it came to the Arctic. It seems like the U.S., through these

actions, is shooting itself in its foot by trying to distance itself from an alliance with China doesn't really have.

RANA FOROOHAR, CNN GLOBAL ECONOMIC ANALYST: You summed it up really well, Bianna. You know, oftentimes Donald Trump is the wrong answer to the right

question. And there is a question about hemispheric dominance. There is a question about Russia and China playing a more active role in the Arctic,

where there's a lot of rare earth minerals, a lot of natural resources. There's a lot of espionage, cable laying, things of this sort.

And so this is something that's been a bipartisan concern. The Biden administration actually raised Arctic security as an issue when they were

in charge.

But the way Donald Trump is going about this saying, we're going to annex Greenland, and we're going to blow up NATO to do it, isn't going to get us

to more Arctic security.

While I think it's understandable on both sides of the aisle that people are concerned about what's going on in the Arctic with Russia and China,

the U.S., I think, is making a mistake, very -- a big mistake, really, by - - by alienating Europe.

On the other hand, this is sort of classic Trump that if someone says, hey, I'm not OK with what you're doing, he responds in kind. He -- he elevates

and escalates, and that's what's happening now.

One big question, though, and this really is existential for Europe, what are they going to do? Because remember, when Europe and the U.S. negotiated

a new trade settlement during the beginning of Trump's second term, Europe walked away.

I mean, the U.S. raised tariffs, threatened 50 percent, then went down to 15 percent, but Europe didn't escalate. Now the big question is, is Europe

going to do something to respond and what will they do? And will this create a kind of a tri-polar world?

We know we're in a great power conflict between the U.S. and China, but where does Europe stand? What are they going to do? This is something

everyone is watching.

GOLODRYGA: Yes, whether or not Europe will actually implement its bazooka option, and that is leveling tariffs on goods and services that would

really impact the tech sector here in the United States as well.

But not all European countries are on board with that. We know the Britain, which isn't part of the -- the E.U., has said, for their part, that their

prime minister, after speaking with President Trump, that they're not quite ready to escalate to that level. But they are all in alliance, that the

U.S. is acting in a way that is damaging to that alliance and to global stability.

Let me ask you about the role of the Supreme Court, which as soon as tomorrow may be weighing in to see and rule on whether these tariffs are

actually legal. How much does that factor into all of it?

FOROOHAR: Well, it would be a hit for the Trump administration if the court comes out and says, no, this whole strategy, we're throwing it out. You

can't take this kind of unilateral action.

On the other hand, in the real world, there are still things that a president can do sector by step -- sector, certainly, you know, step by

step to re-implement that whole strategy.

So to be honest with you, Bianna, I don't think this would necessarily deter Trump from becoming more aggressive and certainly more vocal around

Greenland.

Ultimately, it may not even deter his tariff strategy. It could just inflame the situation and cause a lot of confusion, actually, because then

you'd have to be thinking about how to get money back to companies that have already paid tariffs, and that's going to be very complicated.

Now, I'm not saying that the Supreme Court, you know, shouldn't take that ruling. I actually think it's -- it's -- it's fair. I don't think that the

president should take this kind of unilateral action, but I don't think it's going to make the Arctic situation go away, Greenland go away, or

conflict between Europe and the U.S. go away.

GOLODRYGA: Now, two things can be right at the same time. You can have the argument that's being made by European countries that the U.S.'s approach

is the wrong approach here in in -- in firming up the alliance and control of the alliance over the Arctic region, while also saying that Russia and

China are increasingly playing a more aggressive hand here, as well, in investing a lot of money and resources in the Arctic, as well as climate

change has really made the ability to mine and to -- to sail through some of these previously frozen waters available.

[12:10:17]

Talk about, in your view, what the best options would be for the United States to once again gain the upper hand in, in part of the alliance.

FOROOHAR: Yes. I'm so glad you asked. I actually spent part of last year on an ice breaker with the Coast Guard exploring these very issues. And I

think that there's some real low-hanging fruit there.

Again, bipartisan work has been done with allies like Finland with Canada to rebuild the U.S. shipping industry to make more icebreakers. That ICE

Pact deal is something that Trump actually signed, but by the Biden administration worked on.

So, you know, there are ways to work more tightly with allies that have a vested interest in this area. That's not what we're doing. It's almost as

though we're doing the opposite.

And it's really concerning, Bianna, because, you know, this America First strategy, it might make for good politics. And to be honest, I'm not even

sure it does that anymore. But it does not make for good economics. You need a shared demand signal. You need industrial cooperation between the

U.S. and Europe, if you really are going to counter a China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, access. And that's what we should see more of. That's what the

last two administrations actually had been doing. And it's -- it's a shame that we've seen a departure from that.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. And it seems like you've got administration officials here in the United States talking past each other with the Treasury Secretary

going on television over the weekend saying this is because there's a national security risk at hand.

And the president basically stating today that he's increasing his rhetoric because he didn't win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Rana Foroohar, we'll continue to follow all of these lines. Thank you so much for joining us.

FOROOHAR: Thank you.

GOLODRYGA: Well, now to the controversial moves by the U.S.-led Board of Peace. The Trump-chaired Board is set to oversee reconstruction of Gaza,

which has been devastated after two years of war between Israel and Hamas.

Leaders from several nations have been asked to join. A U.S. official says members can buy a permanent seat if they pay $1 billion.

Well, the official also says all money raised will go toward rebuilding Gaza. While they are not required, members who choose not to make a $1

billion payment will have a three-year term.

It is worth noting that the Board has no representative of the Palestinian Authority. Here's what the British Prime Minister had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: On the question of the Board of Peace, look, we're supportive of the measures that have been taken across

the Middle East, particularly the ceasefire. I do think we need to press on to phase two.

We've indicated our willingness to play our part and we will. And on the Board of Peace, we're talking to allies about the terms of the Board of

Peace.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: Let's discuss more with Jeremy Diamond, who's joining us live from Jerusalem. Jeremy, it's good to see. It's been a while.

Also raising eyebrows in terms of those that have been invited to join the Board of Peace, and another than Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin saying that he

is, quote, studying all details of the offer and hopes for discussions with Washington to go over all of the nuances. Quite stunning that -- that he of

all people would be invited to any sort of peace board.

How is this being received in the region? How -- how is the Prime Minister of Israel responding to this?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Yes, without a doubt. I mean, there have been a lot of questions about some of the individuals that

President Trump is seeking to invite to join this Board of Peace, as well as questions about exactly what this Board of Peace's mandate will be,

whether it will be simply Gaza or perhaps resolving conflicts more broadly around the world, something that the president himself hinted at in an

interview with Reuters just last week.

Vladimir Putin, indeed, you know, responsible for this war of aggression on Ukraine for the last several years, now invited to join this Board of

Peace. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has overseen the war in Gaza, also invited to join this Board of Peace.

The Israeli Prime Minister for his part, you know, not clear if he's going to join this Board, but he has already been critical of some of the members

of the Gaza Executive Board that has been announced in just the last few days.

On Saturday night, the Israeli prime minister said that he was not supportive of the inclusion of Qatar and Turkey as executive members of

this Gaza Board of Peace, accusing them of supporting and funding Hamas.

He said that Israel had tried to prevent them from being included and that he would continue to raise this issue with the United States.

What does seem clear is that President Trump seems to be casting a pretty wide net in terms of the countries and the leaders of those countries, whom

he has invited to join this Board of Peace.

[12:15:03]

We don't know the exact number, but at least a dozen countries have already publicly confirmed that they've received invitations to join this Board of

Peace, which again, that $1 billion buy-in to be a permanent member, that funding set to go to -- towards Gaza's rebuilding.

But it seems that the response from so many of these countries, as you heard from the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has been, you know,

look, they -- they want to be supportive of something that President Trump is -- is pushing forward here with this Board of Peace, but they still have

a lot of questions.

Some of those questions center around the exact mandate of this Board of Peace with some diplomats raising concerns that President Trump may be

looking to try and kind of subsume and replace the role of the United Nations in terms of managing and -- and trying to resolve conflicts around

the world.

We know, of course, that President Trump has been a very fierce critic of the United Nations and kind of a multilateralism in general. And so that

seems to be one of the concerns by some of these countries that in joining this, they could potentially be undermining the United Nations.

But beyond that, I think there are simply questions about the kind of scope and the mission of this Board of Peace, how exactly it will function. A lot

of these details are still very much being worked out.

What is clear, though, is that the Gaza Civil Administration, this -- this new body that's going to be taking over from Hamas' government in Gaza, the

kind of day-to-day responsibilities of governing Gaza.

This is a technocratic -- a group of technocratic Palestinian officials. They have already begun to have some of their meetings, but they will

ultimately be overseen. Their work will be overseen by this Board of Peace, which, as of now, seems to be filled with mostly American officials and

other Western leaders as well.

Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. And this has -- as Hamas continues to wield power in Gaza and has not disarmed either.

Jeremy Diamond we'll continue to follow this story. Thank you.

Well, Spain's Prime Minister has declared three days of mourning for the victims of a high-speed collision between two trains. At least 39 people

were killed and dozens injured Sunday evening.

Officials say the rear carriages of a train derailed and were struck by a second train traveling in the opposite direction. Prime Minister Pedro

Sanchez has vowed to get to the truth of what caused the incident.

CNN's Pau Mosquera is live for us.

And, Pau, sadly, this isn't the first tragedy of this kind facing France in the last few decades. Just talk about what we know that led up to this

tragedy and what investigations are currently underway.

Well, Bianna right now, we know that at least 200 officers of the Guardia Civil are being deployed on the ground zero of this deadly train crash.

They are now moving, first of all, the debris, trying to find the remains on the bodies of those still missing, which is important to say that we

don't have an exact -- exact number of how many people are still missing since yesterday afternoon.

And also they are trying to clarify the reason the cause of this accident. And because of this investigation isn't going, the authorities, Bianna, are

asking the population not to speculate about and let the investigators get to the end of their work to try to clarify what exactly happened yesterday.

Right now, Bianna, let me tell you that we are in Adamuz. This is the small town located four kilometers away from where this train clash took place.

Let me show you what is happening here around. What you're going to see here an image behind of me is the checkpoint control of the Guardia Civil.

As you can see, they are stopping all the cars that are getting through that road because this is the road to -- that connects with the point where

the two trains derailed yesterday.

They are not allowing anyone to get through that point, just the emergency services. And that's why they are there because they want to keep it clear

for the police for any other kind of emergency service that needs to go through this road.

Pedro Sanchez, the Spain's prime minister, because of the magnitude of this accident announced that they are going to declare from today's midnight

local time three days of mourning. This means that the morning time will start at 6:00 P.M. Eastern Time until Thursday, 6:00 P.M. Eastern Time.

And during this time, all the cranes that they have deployed on the area will be working to move the carriages that derail. And as we said at the

very beginning, to try to find those that are still missing, Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. So tragic yesterday to hear about this train derailment and collision and then to hear about the death toll rising and rising and

continuing to rise in the hours that followed.

Pau Mosquera, thank you.

Well, breaking news into CNN just now. Iconic fashion designer Valentino Garavani has died. The Italian was simply known as Valentino. And he

dressed some of the world's most glamorous women, princesses, first ladies, and A-list actresses. Valentino was 93 years old. We are closely following

this breaking story and we'll bring you details as soon as we get them.

[12:20:16]

And still to come for us on "One World," deadly forest fires engulf parts of Chile, destroying homes as thousands flee. We'll have a live report from

Santiago up next.

Plus, a spate of shark attacks off Australian beaches, leaving a man and a boy fighting for their lives. We'll bring you those details as well.

And I'll speak with an Iranian activist for women's rights about where the protest movement goes next.

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GOLODRYGA: All right. Back to our breaking news out of Rome, iconic fashion designer Valentino has died. He dressed some of the most glamorous women in

the world, princesses, first ladies and A-list actresses. He even designed Jackie Onassis' wedding gown.

Barbie Nadeau joins me now. And icon is not enough to describe just the legacy that he leaves behind. What more can you tell him? I mean, we know

he was 93 years old. Was this a surprise? Was he sick?

BARBIE LATZA NADEAU, CNN REPORTER: Well, you know, there had been rumors of his ailing health starting from last year around the time that Giorgio

Armani died, so, you know, Italy's lost two incredibly important names in fashion in the course of just a few months.

But he'd been not directly involved in the design aspect of his business for quite some time, but remained very involved in the business side of it.

You know, there was a spring -- there is a spring fashion show in the works.

It was going to be held on the Spanish steps in Rome that people were really looking forward to. And he's -- he's been involved in the sense of

being sort of the face of the brand for a long time, even though he's not back there, you know, designing as much.

But it is going to be a big shock to the -- the -- the fashion world. You know, the great story that he met at Elizabeth Taylor when she was in Rome

filming Cleopatra. And that's really what launched him into this global fashion icon.

You know, the stories of some of these famous people, many who are, of course, no longer around, will just be part of his legacy.

But he was a much loved person, very much a personal person. People like to work with him. People loved his fashion. Of course, Valentino Red was the

color that came to define his style.

You know, it really is not a shock but, of course, you know, always sad when one of these great made in Italy designers leaves us because there

aren't a lot who are coming in their -- in their wake. So, you know, this will be -- this will be felt all across the country.

[12:25:08]

And even though it's spent much of the last few -- the last years of his life in New York, he had returned back to Italy.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. We talk about the global impact here and the -- the legacy left behind. No doubt, hardest felt there where you are in Italy. And as

you noted, two prominent names in a short period of time in the world of fashion having died.

Just tell us what the reaction is thus far in Italy.

NADEAU: Well, you know, I mean, the news just broke here about a half an hour ago, 45 minutes ago. And -- and, you know, one of the local newspapers

with whom he'd had done a lot of work in terms of exclusive the coverage of his fashion shows and things like that, la Repubblica was the first to

break it. And then his foundation announced it on their social media Instagram and various other social media.

So it's just starting to, you know, sort of make waves here, let's say. I - - I was watching on the Italian news. It is breaking news here. You know, despite everything else going on in the world and all the concerns right

now, the death of someone who's so symbolic and so tied to the made in Italy brand, it is big news here. And so it will be felt.

You know, there's no -- no word yet necessarily on what sort of funeral arrangements there would be it would be like. We saw with Giorgio Armani

last year. He was also from the Northern Italian region of Lombardi. He wasn't from Milan, but it's likely that that's where his flagship store is.

So it could be that we see something like that there.

But again, you know, he was -- they were planning for his label, for his line to do this big show on the Spanish steps here coming up in the spring.

And so it's -- it's hard to say just exactly what they'll do.

But, you know, there have been rumors for the last couple of months, especially after the death of Armani that he wasn't doing well. Of course,

being the age that he was, that is to be expected, but it's still a surprise across the fashion world.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. What an honor and privilege to have been dressed by a designer like Valentino. So many prominent names I would imagine will be

issuing statements of condolences in the hours to come.

Barbie Nadeau, thank you.

And we'll be right back with more.

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[12:30:20]

GOLODRYGA: Well, Chile has declared a state of catastrophe after forest fires in the central region killed at least 18 people over the weekend.

Officials say the death toll is expected to rise as flames reach urban areas, including the coastal city of Concepcion.

Response efforts are ongoing, but smoke is advancing into residential areas and the fire has destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands to flee

the area.

The country's fire season has intensified in recent years due to drought and commercial expansion of pine and eucalyptus plantations.

Joining us now on the phone live from Santiago is Christopher Ulloa. Christopher, what more do we know about the casualty figures? And any sense

on when this fire could be contained?

CHRISTOPHER ULLOA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bianna. Well, yes, it's a terrible situation that has affected like thousands of people in the south

of Chile. We're talking especially in the regions of (INAUDIBLE).

Unfortunately today, the government has already been saying now at least 19 people dead and just especially in the (INAUDIBLE) hundreds of homes

destroyed.

The number of affected people will very probably increase in the upcoming days and it's a very difficult job of just (INAUDIBLE) today in a public

conference from the Palace of La Montero in Santiago.

All of these were because of in favor of weather conditions that are expected for the next days. We are talking about, according to the

government's high heat (INAUDIBLE) and lack of humidity.

The (INAUDIBLE) also said that the government is using all of their resources, but it's a very complicated situation for the (INAUDIBLE).

He also said that the government will declare a national mourning day as soon as the number of total (INAUDIBLE) is complete and also had a special

meeting with the elected president Jose Antonio Kast, who said that both governments will work together and will share all the information for the

common reconstruction plan.

In the meantime, the (INAUDIBLE) office of Chilean police are (INAUDIBLE) the region of the fires that just as the president everybody said 99

percent of all of these fires are caused in the (INAUDIBLE) for this human action.

There's also international aid that is being talked by the government. We're talking about the Congress of Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, United

States (INAUDIBLE) Uruguay, among others that have also put in contact with the government to offer a special aid.

It's a very difficult situation, Bianna. But the government (INAUDIBLE) is going to be a difficult job for the upcoming days. Bianna.

GOLODRYGA: All right. Christopher Ulloa on the phone for us. Thank you.

We turn now to Iran, where the country's supreme leader is acknowledging for the first time that thousands of people have been killed in street

protest over recent weeks.

U.S.-based human rights group puts the death toll at more than 3,500. Now, CNN can't independently verify that figure, but we know that thousands more

have been detained and injured as well.

Earlier this month, the government shut off internet access to stifle the protest. Now, cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks says its data shows that

some online services have been partially restored.

On Sunday, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence called for the leadership change in Iran following the president's call for justice.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE PENCE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Iran is the leading state sponsor of terror in the world. It's a regime that's been in place

under the malice for the last 50 years. It's not only oppressed and tyrannized their people, but they've also exported terror across the

region, claimed American lives in the region and around the world. And we - - it is absolutely in the interest of the United States of America to see a change in Iran.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLODRYGA: A reminder, as I noted, this coming as the president of the United States on Saturday said that there needs to be new leadership in the

country as well.

This video of an Iranian woman in Canada lighting her cigarette on a burning picture of the Supreme Leader has gone viral and it's inspired

others in the diaspora to do the same. A symbol of their rejection of the regime in Tehran in solidarity with the protesters.

Women have been at the forefront of the anti-government protest movement, especially since the 2022 uprising under the banner of Women, Life,

Freedom.

And time now for "The Exchange." Joining me is Masih Alinejad, Iranian- American women's rights activist. She is the founder of My Stealthy Freedom, which campaigns against the law, which makes it mandatory for

women to wear the hijab. Thank you so much for joining us.

[12:35:05]

You have called this most recent uprising, our Berlin Wall. And you've said that the regime's violence has hardened and not broken the public resolve.

What tells you that this moment has reached the point of no return in terms of the survival of this regime?

MASIH ALINEJAD, FOUNDER, "MY STEALTHY FREEDOM": I think this is the tipping point. This is the Berlin Wall moment for millions of Iranians. It's --

it's the consequences of falling the wall of the dictatorship in Iran is going to be bigger than the Berlin Wall moment. Trust me, because the

Islamic Republic is the greatest sponsor of terrorism.

They are the root cause of mayhem and -- and war in the region. The Islamic Republic is one of the biggest threats against national security of

America, Europe, because they're using transnational repression against their opponents, non-Iranians, beyond their own borders.

That's why when I see that my people in Iran are taking to the streets, basically facing military weapons, facing massacre, they're not just

protecting Iran, they're protecting democracy everywhere.

Now, I kept receiving messages from Iranians saying that how the regime, the security forces going door by door, storming into hospital, finishing

off the injured ones. They're actually forcing the family members to pay money to get the dead bodies of their beloved one back.

This is massacre unfolding in Iran. It's -- it's -- it's just breaking my heart that I don't see appropriate reactions in -- in the West.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. And I want to ask you about what those reactions and the responses, specifically from the United States should be. You gave a

powerful speech at the United Nations last week where you sat just feet away from the Iranian representative to the United Nations.

You got quite emotional when you were speaking for some of those brave victims who were killed as they took to the streets to protest for their

rights and for the end of this regime.

And you warned, when the regime turns off the internet during mass killings, it is not about restoring order. It is about destroying the

evidence. So, what concrete steps should the United States take as the president has threatened to respond and more assets have been moved to the

region?

ALINEJAD: Yes. I said to the face of the Islamic Republic representative at the United Nations that they are the killers. They have tried to kill me.

They are ordering the massacre against my people in Iran. And this regime should no longer be legitimized by the Europeans, by the United Nations and

by -- by the free world.

Because the Islamic Republic treated its own people like ISIS. So they have to be treated like ISIS. So that's why the concrete decision that the U.S.

government and Europeans and the leaders of G7 can make.

It's is very clear. Stop legitimizing the Islamic Republic. Kick out the Islamic Republic officials and diplomats from your own soil. They should

not have the privilege of enjoying freedom, enjoying diplomacy while they're banning millions of people from using freedom of speech on the

internet.

They're killing people because of demanding freedom. So they should not have the privilege of enjoying diplomacy when their language of negotiating

with their own people is AK-47, military weapons, mass executions, mass arrests. So these are the concrete and immediate actions that can be taken

by Europeans by free world.

But at the same time, President Trump promised that -- he tweeted several times that he will rescue those who face guns and bullets. Here we are we

have more than 20,000 people have been killed.

The number is higher than this. When I hear from people now using Starlink sending message to me. They say more than 20,000 people have been

massacred.

So the time has come to target the killers, military actions, targeted military actions. Maybe your audience say that why you're asking the U.S.

government to attack your country. Iran is my country. Iran is my beloved homeland. The Islamic Republic is the one invaded my country, a country

that now women are getting raped in prison.

Women simply got killed in 2022 for showing their hair, for demanding freedom, saying woman, life, freedom. This uprising is the continuation of

Woman, Life, Freedom movement. And it is a revolution right now.

[12:40:08]

And I believe that the Islamic Republic is in its weakest point right now. They cannot risk -- retaliate against any kind of military action. So

terrorists should be removed. Otherwise, the terrorist regime Iran will take out the lives of more innocent people.

GOLODRYGA: Yes. And you noted regime officials, their family members living in Western countries, I believe that applies to the United States as well

here. And that is generating some headlines.

ALINEJAD: In the U.K., the United States.

GOLODRYGA: Yes.

ALINEJAD: Everywhere. Everywhere -- my sister. Everywhere. They're -- they're walking their relatives, their children, you know. They're walking

in -- in the West. They're mocking us because, for instance, Masoumeh Ebtekar, the spokesperson of the hostage takers right after the revolution

who took the -- the -- the American diplomats hostage. She is a -- she was the vice president. She's the one now saying death to America. Her children

lives in America.

Ali Larijani, the top advisor of Ali Khamenei, the national security advisor, who actually ordered massacre this week on Twitter.

GOLODRYGA: His daughters in the States. Yes.

ALINEJAD: His children lived in London. Yes.

GOLODRYGA: You told the U.N. last week that history will judge those, quote, who had the power to act but chose restraint.

If the U.S. does not do something meaningful, and that doesn't necessarily have to be because there are many options on the table, experts have said

it doesn't even have to be a kinetic strike.

But if the U.S. does not respond and live up to the president's pledge that -- that help was on the way, what will that mean for those Iranians that

took to the streets?

ALINEJAD: Absolutely abandoning Iranian -- I mean, to be honest, I -- I -- I want to be very honest with you. We should not just call on the United

States to protect unarmed and defenseless Iranians.

Where are the Europe? The European leaders. Where are the leaders of G7? Why don't they join President Trump and do something? Where are the Arab

leaders?

Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi leader. He was the one saying that Ali Khamenei is -- is the new Hitler of Middle East. Where is he now?

My people are being slaughtered in the streets. My heart is broken when I see that leaders of free world either busy to criticize Trump because he

said that he will take action or either busy to criticize President Trump for not taking immediate action.

If you all get united and make a decision to have a common strategy to end the terrorist regime, that will say something.

I'm not saying the European leaders, American leaders to do regime change for the people of Iran. Don't get me wrong. This is the people of Iran that

they're doing it. When they manage with empty hands to shake the regime, we want the European leaders stop shaking the hands of this regime.

GOLODRYGA: Yes.

ALINEJAD: Stop legitimizing this regime and standing with the people of Iran to get rid of one of the biggest sponsor of terrorism who send them

stolen money of our workers to Hamas, to Hezbollah, to Houthi in Yemen, to send the killers here in America, in the U.K. We need the Europeans to take

part and -- and -- and help Iranians and stop the massacre.

GOLODRYGA: Masih Alinejad, thank you so much. Thank you for your bravery. Thank you for your voice. Thank you for speaking for millions of Iranians

who do not have access to it right now.

ALINEJAD: Thank you for not giving up on Iranian and giving voice to the Iranians. Thank you.

GOLODRYGA: We appreciate the time. Thank you.

And we'll be right back.]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:45:36]

GOLODRYGA: As we noted, U.S. markets are closed today, an observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but European markets have all closed this time

as well, and indices were all down, as you can see there across the board. This is your business breakout.

Gold and silver prices surged to record highs on Monday as investors turned to safe haven assets after President Trump's latest threats of tariffs.

President vowed to step up tariffs on European allies until the U.S. is allowed to take over Greenland.

CBS finally aired its 60-minute special on the CECOT prison in El Salvador on Sunday. The story made headlines last month when the piece was pulled

hours before air by CBS editor-in-chief. Citing, the story wasn't ready. The move triggered backlash from inside the network with the correspondent

accusing the company of corporate censorship.

Prince Harry's court battle against the press is underway in London's High Court. He and A-list celebrities like Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley are

taking on the publisher of one of the U.K.'s most powerful tabloids "The Daily Mail." They allege -- they allege associated newspapers limited use

unlawful means to gather information about them.

And we have new data on the world's second-largest economy. China's birth rate dropped to a record low in 2025. Mike Valerio looks into the economic

headwinds and China's aging society.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE VALERIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're making headlines here in China. The country today posted its lowest birth rate on record. And that could give

us clues to what China looks like in the decades ahead.

And essentially, if you're having fewer babies today, that could mean slower growth, weaker consumer demand, and a shrinking workforce in the

years and decades ahead.

So, to get to the numbers, posted earlier on Monday, 7.92 million babies born in China last year, while 11.3 million people died. That has shrunk

the population for a fourth consecutive year in China.

The overall population in this country fell by about 3.4 million, even as China remains the world's second most populous country.

So, here are the potential implications of all of this. China's workforce is shrinking. Its population is aging rapidly. And officials now say nearly

one in four people in China is over the age of 60.

Taking that a step further, U.N. projections suggest that by the end of this century, as many as half of China's population could be over 60. Think

about what that means for the workforce.

This is happening, despite aggressive efforts by Beijing to persuade families to have more children, from cash bonuses, free public preschool,

simplify marriage registration, along with tax breaks, housing subsidies, extended maternity leave at the local level.

But many young people say the math still does not work. They point to job insecurity, high housing costs, and the unequal burden of childcare,

especially felt by women.

Now, all of this is unfolding as China reports on target economic growth of five percent. That is powered largely by exports. But fewer babies today

could mean weaker domestic demand tomorrow.

An expert we spoke to analogized it like this. He was saying that children are very much like super consumers. And with births continuing to fall,

that means that China's economy may become more export driven than it already is in the future.

[12:50:15]

Mike Valerio, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GOLODRYGA: Our thanks to Mike for that report.

Well, celebration mark. A look at the astounding and controversial final of the Africa Cup of Nations. That's just in a minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GOLODRYGA: Senegal's fans cheering after their team won the Africa Cup of Nations in a dramatic final against Morocco on Sunday.

But now the game is under investigation by African football's governing body following chaos on the pitch.

CNN's Ron Riddell -- Don Riddell tells us what happened.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes. What an extraordinary conclusion to the AFCON tournament in Morocco.

Sunday's match in Rabat should have been a dream final between the hosts and Senegal, the top two African teams in the world rankings right now.

Instead, it will be remembered for absolute chaos. The game was goalless, seemingly headed for a period of extra time when all of a sudden it burst

into life.

Senegal thought they won it in the 92nd minute when Ismaila Sarr headed the ball into the net, but it was disallowed because Pape Gueye had brought

down Achraf Hakimi in the build-up.

Senegal were livid, but not half as mad as they were a few minutes later when the ref awarded what seemed like a soft penalty to Morocco. Brahim

Diaz going to ground under a rather soft challenge from El Hadji Diouf.

And they were so incensed that many of the players ultimately left the field. Morocco essentially had a penalty kick to win the tournament, but

they couldn't take it.

Ultimately, Senegal's captain, Sadio Mane, went into the dressing room to retrieve his teammates, and so after waiting 60 minutes for one of the

biggest moments of the year, Diaz lined it up, and he blew it spectacularly.

The game now heading two extra time. More drama came quickly. Look at that. Four minutes into extra time, Pape Gueye with an audacious strike that flew

into the top corner.

Morocco had one hand on the trophy. Now, they were chasing the game, but they couldn't find a way back. And so the Atlas Lions, who had a great

tournament, were beaten by the Lions of Teranga.

That's Senegal's second AFCON title in the last three tournaments. Morocco players absolutely distraught.

This one will be remembered for more than just for the football. And for more reasons than one, it will be hard to forget.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[12:55:08]

GOLODRYGA: Certainly will. All right. Thank you.

Well, that does it for "One World" today. I'm Bianna Golodryga. Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back after a quick break with "Amanpour."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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