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Death of a Hero; President Trump Coming Back from Paris; New Style of Terrorism. Aired 8-9a ET
Aired July 14, 2017 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:00:00] ANDREW STEVENS, CNN HOST: I'm Andrew Stevens in Hong Kong. Welcome to News Stream.
China faces global criticism after its most prominent dissident dies in state custody. We'll have all the reaction to the death of the Nobel Peace
Prize winner Liu Xiaobo.
President trump is on his way back to the U.S. after he's visit the France where he returns to a deepening scandals over his campaign's ties to
Russia.
And winter is here. "Game of Thrones" returns for its penultimate season.
It was China's most prominent dissident, now the death of Liu Xiaobo under Chinese custody has drawn condemnation far and wide. The child activist
died after a battle with liver cancer, less than three weeks after he was granted medical parole.
He is the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate to die in state custody since Carl von Ossietzky died in Nazi, Germany in 1938. Well, Liu Xiaobo was
awarded the peace prize while in prison. You may remember during the ceremony in Oslo, a medal was placed on an empty chair to signify his
absence.
An infuriated Beijing boycotted that award and put his wife under house arrest. Well, the name Liu Xiaobo remained tabooed in China. If you try
searching for his name on social media on the platform Weiboo, this message pops up, saying these words, his name is banned under law.
Until his death, Liu had been serving 11 years in prison. His crime, inciting subversion of state power by co-writing a manifesto calling for
political reform in China. Well, Liu has been in and out of prison ever since the Tiananmen Square of 1989. One of his former students tells us how
Liu has worked for peace.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ILARIA MARIA SALA, FORMER STUDENT OF LIU XIAOBO: During the `89 protests, Liu Xiaobo was one of the people who stayed in the square until the very
last minute and was negotiating with the army to allow the remaining students to leave the square and go back to their dorms, which did happen.
So he also had a very positive role at the time as the, you know, as a professor who was trying to protect his students and managed to protect
some of the people who were in the square. So he's never advocated violence, he's never advocated anything but dialogue and being able to
solve conflicts through peaceful means.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEVENS: Well, let's go now to Beijing. Matt Rivers joins us from there. Matt, there has been very widespread reaction that we've been talking
about. What's China been saying?
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it depends on who you ask. If you go out on to the street, Andrew, really most people have no idea who Liu
Xiaobo is, and if they do, it's just kind of a general understanding of someone that the government paints as a criminal.
And when you talk to the government, they say that he's just a simple criminal who didn't follow the law and unfortunately died under tragic
circumstances but was serving a punishment that China believes was befitting of his crime.
But you know, the fact is that this is a man who was one of the titans of the push for human rights across the world. He was one of the most renowned
political dissidents in the world and that's something that he fought for up until his death that many are calling premature.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RIVERS: Near universal condemnation from the global community Friday after the tragic death of Liu Xiaobo, the long-time political activist suffered
and died in a northeast China hospital with his wife Liu Xia by his side. Liu imprisoned since 2009 for inciting subversion of state power had been
granted medical parole, but for someone who spent his life fighting for freedom, he didn't die a free man.
Liu won the Noble Peace Prize while in prison in 2010. On Thursday, the Nobel committee argued Liu should have received medical treatment much
earlier saying in a statement that quote, "The Chinese government bears a heavy responsibility for his premature death."
Activists around the world echoed a similar sentiment grieving for the Lie while arguing he never should have been in prison in the first place.
[08:04:58] Predictably, China's communist government rejected any and all criticism.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Remarks made by relevant government interfered in China's judicial sovereignty and internal affairs.
We've expressed our strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the relevant countries.
RIVERS: A few domestic media outlets only briefly mentioned Liu stressing to readers that Liu was a criminal influenced by foreign powers. The Global
Times, a state-run tabloid said, quote, "He attempted to confront Chinese mainstream society under western support. This has determined his tragic
life."
Despite arguing that they did nothing wrong in treating Lie, the government clearly does not want its citizens discussing what happened here. China's
massive online censorship operation is out in full force.
Social media posts mentioning Liu's name were deleted, online searches with his name were blocked, even simple candle emojis were deemed illegal on
some sites, this, after vanishing his name in any of his literary work from the public discourse for years.
CNN's own signal in China has been cut by government sensors each time we mention his name.
With Liu's death, the focus will now turn to those he leaves behind, specifically his wife, photographer and poet Liu Xia. She has been under
house arrest since 2010, activist for merely choosing to marry who she did. She has never been accused of any crime.
Statements from across the world, including from U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned her name. Many have urged the Chinese government to release
her and allow her live abroad. According to Liu Xiaobo's dying wish, there is no indication thus far that the Chinese government will let that happen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
RIVERS: And, Andrew, just talking a little bit more about that censorship, we're watching the signal here of CNN in mainland China. It's been blocked
out during that entire piece except for the part where the government called said other countries should essentially mind their own business. So,
very selective censorship here and our screen is blacked out as we speak.
STEVENS: As we speak, selective not surprising there. I just want to come back, Matt, to talking about his wife Liu Xia. What do we know about her?
What sort of condition is she in? Because she is an innocent in all this.
RIVERS: Yes. Well, sources tell CNN that she's in understandably a state of severe depression. And don't forget, she's been under house arrest since
2010, illegal house arrest, because she's never been accused of anything. If anything, her crime is who she chose to marry, and yet the government
has not allowed her to leave her house for seven-plus years.
And whether that will continue moving forward, most observers think they will, even though Liu Xiaobo wanted his wife to leave and go live somewhere
out of China. If she does that, then she'll have an open forum, that there won't be anyone controlling what she says, and perhaps she could carry that
message of human rights abroad.
So I think the government here will be scared to allow her to leave the country. And so she might be facing more hardship to come.
STEVENS: Yes, interesting. The government is not actually commenting on her plight at all. And just before you go, Matt, I just want to come back
to how the authorities have been closing down your related conversations online, social media in particular. You've had your own sort of personal
experience of that.
RIVERS: Yes, it was earlier today that I was using the popular messaging app WeChat here in China, some 800 million people use that app, it's a very
popular app and I was texting back and forth with a colleague and he wasn't replying with the messages and I was wondering why and turns out I had
typed in Liu Xiaobo's name. And because of that WeChat is censored by the Chinese government and so that message was not even allowed to go through
to my colleague. He didn't even see the message pop up.
So that's the level of security and censorship that's going on here. One more thing, Andrew, that I thought was very interesting it's not just
censorship here in the mainland China.
A member of the Nobel Prize committee, who was trying to come here to China to see Liu Xiaobo's family went to drop off her visa application in Norway
and it was actually denied by the Chinese consulate. They wouldn't accept that application and they said that she would need to get a letter from Liu
Xia, but Liu Xia, the wife of Liu Xiaobo is currently under Chinese control, that she is under house arrest.
And so, how a visa application or invitation letter would get to the Nobel Prize committee, they didn't say. There is both control happening here in
China but there is also Chinese control being exerted elsewhere around the world.
STEVENS: And only adding to the outrage internationally.
Matt, thanks so much for that. Matt Rivers, joining us live from Beijing.
Interesting Matt is saying how the crackdown on censorship is underway in China. There is a place in China where you can still talk about Liu Xiaobo.
I'm talking about here in Hong Kong. One of the very few places. Macau is another. People here can freely mourn the death of Liu Xiaobo.
[08:10:01] Now, supporters actually gathered for a vigil outside the Beijing's office here in Macau. They've been sitting there for days
demanding his release. Mourners are sending flowers and sign of condolences book following his death.
Now, in a blow to the pro-democracy movement here in Hong Kong, meanwhile, four lawmakers who took part in the 2014 Umbrella protests have been
removed from their post. A court has ordered they failed to take their oaths properly after they were elected last year.
All used the swearing-in ceremony to protest moves by Beijing. The pro- democracy camp has now lost its veto power over some legislation in this city. Well, Congress the ousted lawmakers say that they will appeal that
ruling.
Pageantry and patriotism on full display in Paris a little earlier as a military parade commemorated a very special Bastille Day. The U.S
President, Donald Trump and his wife Melania were guest of honor there to commemorate 100 years since America entered World War I.
France's President Emmanuel Macron now has a more somber duty. He will be visiting Nice to honor 86 people who died in last years' terror attack
there.
And President Trump is on his way home and headed straight into the storm looming over the White House and yes, it's still about Russia.
Let's go to senior White House correspondent now, Jeff Zeleny. Jeff is in Paris, he has been with the president. What is Donald Trump flying into
exactly, Jeff?
JEFF ZELENY, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well, Andrew, President Trump did wrap up a 30-hour whirlwind trip here to Paris, some
five or six hours or so spent essentially one-on-one in time with the new French President Emmanuel Macron and they definitely are developing and
forging that new relationship on this Bastille Day here in Paris.
But certainly President Trump could not escape the Russia cloud that's deepening back home in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZELENY: New questions about who knew what and when about the meeting between Trump campaign associates and a Russian lawyer and the e-mails that
proved Donald Trump, Jr. thought he'd be getting dirt on Hillary Clinton from the Kremlin.
A source familiar with the process tell CNN that Jared Kushner and his legal team discovered the e-mails in mid-June. A person close to Kushner
says they discussed whether or not too immediately go public.
That source adding that Kushner told his lawyers he planned a sit down with the president to discuss the June 2016 meeting, an interaction the New York
Times reports took place. All this raising doubt about the president's insistence that he only learned about the e-mails in the past few days.
JAY SEKULOW, MEMBER, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LEGAL TEAM: The president, by the way, never saw an e-mail, did not see it until it was seen today.
DONALD TRUMP, JR., DONALD TRUMP'S SON: It was such a nothing, there was nothing to tell. I wouldn't have even remembered it until you start
scouring through the stuff.
ZELENY: Yahoo News also reporting that sources tell them that two members of President Trump's personal legal team were informed about the e-mails
three weeks ago. Despite this knowledge the president's son only publicly acknowledge with the Russian lawyer after he was approach by the New York
Times last weekend leaving the White House scrambling to crap the response.
And further drawing the president's closest aides into a crisis deepening by the day.
SEN. MARK WARNER, (D) VIRGINIA: We feel it's very important that we have all the appropriate information so we can ask the right questions.
ZELENY: The top democrat on the Senate intelligence committee tells CNN the panel will request additional documents from both Trump Jr. and
Kushner.
WARNER: It seems strange to me those meetings were at least conveniently forgotten, at least by Mr. Kushner.
ZELENY: And republicans and democrats leading the Senate judiciary committee confirmed they will request Trump Jr.'s testimony.
SEN. CHUCK GRASSLEY, (R) IOWA We're sending a letter to request his presence.
ZELENY: The president appearing to support that idea in a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One flying to Paris before issuing this
staunch defense of his eldest son.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As far as my son is concerned. My son is a wonderful young man. Most people would have taken
that meeting. It's called opposition research.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZELENY: Well, that of course is something that simply does not bear with the facts that most people would have taken that meeting. That is what
President Trump said here in Paris. But the reality is that republicans, democrats and even the president's own nominee to be the FBI director,
Christopher Wray, has said this week in his testimony that they would not have taken that meeting, that that meeting in June of 2016 with the Russian
government lawyer should have raised red flags.
It didn't for whatever reason.
So now this white house is again consumed by what seems to be a widening Russia investigation. Andrew?
STEVENS: Yes. People whatever reasons they did take that. So where does the investigation now go from here, Jeff?
[08:14:57] ZELENY: Well, look, it clearly is going to Capitol Hill. That is where the thrust of the investigation is going on. It's important to
point out there are in fact three separate investigations going on, one being led by the House committee, one being led by the Senate intelligence
committee, as well as of course the special prosecutor's investigation by the Justice Department.
So they are on a three sort of prong system here. But next week we are likely to see Donald Trump Jr., the president's oldest son, one of the key
figures in his campaign, you know, a very close member of his inner circle being called to testify before Congress. That would be the first time that
someone in the president's blood, someone in the president's inner circle has been called to testify.
But also keep an eye on Jared Kushner. That is the president's son-in-law. He's a senior adviser to the president. He was in that meeting as well for
perhaps maybe just 10 minutes or so during that, but Jared Kushner is the only one of these people now who actually works in the government. So he
has ethics obligations and guidelines.
And that's all of this became known in the first place is when Jared Kushner was filling out his security clearance information, re-filling it
out, adding some new details, he had to add this meeting to it as the intelligence community decide whether to give him security clearance.
That's how this old meeting all came out. So Jared Kushner as well is a big target, it appears, of this investigation. Andrew?
STEVENS: Jeff, thanks so much for that. Jeff Zeleny joining us from Paris.
Well, President Macron of France thanking President Trump for attending that Bastille Day telling him nothing will ever separate France from the
U.S.
Nic Robertson was also in Paris and has been covering that trip. Certainly, Nic, the optics of the two presidents were vastly different to what many
would have assumed. They had been on either side of the ideological divide, particularly on climate change, yet they've come across as a budding
`bromance.'
NIC ROBERTSON, INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR, CNN: They really have. I mean, everyone was talking about the handshake or the handshakes that they
had prior to this meeting, an intense grappling almost. Yet, here now we're talking about the handshakes because there were so many, they lasted so
long, they seemed so friendly, the pats on the back as well.
So yes, that was clearly the image, the sort of media message, that both knew that they could get across by striking this friendly nature between
the pair of them. But it did seem to have some depth to it, you know, President Trump and President Macron on the platform today chatting in
between, you know, as they watched the Bastille Day parade and the flyovers go by.
But that idea of having something together that important bond was written into this the 100th anniversary since U.S. forces came in to support the
French forces in the First World War, and what President Macron said in his press conference yesterday that we live in an era of 24-hour news, yet we
also live in countries that have bonds far deeper than ourselves.
He was speaking about unity that the countries have, that they need to have, if they have differences that they can deal with that. So his message
today, again, one of unity. This is how he put it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EMMANUEL MACRON, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (through translator): We have found within ourselves this love of the homeland which has saved us, this energy
to unite us around those ideals. We have also found reliable allies, friends who have come to our assistance. The United States of America are
among them. And that is why nothing will ever separate us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON: So, he, President Macron came into this knowing that they had differences, being comfortable with the fact that they had differences.
He's had to give nothing up. And if you listen to the language of both of them speaking at that press conference, it was actually President Trump.
They did speak about climate change.
And it was actually President Trump who essentially hinted that something may change, i could change in the U.S. position. He didn't say it
definitely would. But he was the one that almost -- almost on the climate change deal who conceded ground. Macron gave up nothing and got a lot here,
Andrew.
STEVENS: It's interesting, isn't it. Because I mean, ii this is sort of the deepest strategy of Emmanuel Macron, getting inside the tent, of Donald
Trump's tent to try to change him and to try to bring him around. Is this what this is all about for Macron or was it just a way of underlining the
historical ties between the two countries?
[08:19:55] ROBERTSON: Timing, opportunity, style. You know, he dealt with this adversity with President Putin, inviting him here to the Versailles
Palace. You know, they talked. He didn't hold back what he wanted to sort of, interrupt, correct him, if you will, at the joint press conference
following.
So in a way, it's his style to engage with others with whom he knows he has disagreements. There was perhaps in his mind the need to overcome the
potential for antagonism between himself and President Trump personally, you know, that would damage the relationship of the two countries.
That came out of the, you know, the G7, the meeting -- the brief meeting that they had in NATO a month or so ago where that handshake became the
talk. And there was the opportunism that saw, you know, United States special relationship with Britain and sort of parked at the moment, if you
will, Britain and Theresa May, the Prime Minister there is having a difficult time.
The reality is that while President Trump has talked about doing a fast trade deal with Britain once he gets out of Brexit, the United States does
far more trade with the European Union than it does or will do potentially with Britain.
And the realization that Angela Merkel, the other potential big partner in Europe somebody again President Trump has had and does have difficulties
with right now in contentious issue in an election cycle. And it's unlikely to, you know, to engage in.
So for Macron, this was an opportunity to sort of move forward and be that leader of Europe, the one that could engage in the Transatlantic Alliance
across the United States and be that figure on the European stage and on the world stage and we've talked about it here. Think of the imagery, the
imagery of the Bastille Day celebrations, being played out across the world in the United States. How often does that happen?
STEVENS: Yes, absolutely. I mean, for a newbie, Emmanuel Macron certainly is showing a lot of political savvy there. Nic, thanks so much for that.
Nic Robertson, joining us live with his analysis from Paris.
Now just ahead, gunshots ring out in Jerusalem. The latest on a terror attack assaults where two police killed. And in London, police are looking
for more suspects after a string of acid attacks, which authorities say are on the rise. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
STEVENS: You're watching News Stream live from Hong Kong. Welcome back.
Now two Israeli police officers have been shot and killed in the old city of Jerusalem. Israel has closed off the area, meaning Muslims can't hold
Friday prayers at the Al Aqsa mosque. Authorities say the three assailants were Israeli Arabs. All three were killed by police.
Well, our Ian Lee is in Jerusalem with the latest. Ian.
IAN LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Andrew, we are hearing that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu to spoke.
[08:25:02] And during the Palestinian president condemned this incident and he condemned incidents like this in all places of worship but he also urged
the Israeli prime minister to reopen the mosque so people can go there and pray. The area has been shut down since earlier this morning, just after 7
o'clock. That's when the incident took place.
Three men attacked a group of Israeli police officers, ultimately killing two of them, injuring another one. They fled to the Temple Mount also
called the noble sanctuary to Muslims, the police chase them and killed them there.
And we're starting to learn more about the three men who carried out this attack which police are calling a terrorist attack.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICKY ROSENFELD, ISRAELI POLICE SPOKESMAN: At the moment we understand that all three of them were working together. What we understand is they
arrived in the area together. We're going to have to understand how they arrived in Jerusalem and where they came in from. That's part of the
ongoing investigation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEE: Now we have learned since then that these three men came from an area of the northern part of Israel called Umm el-Fahm. These are Arab Israelis
who carried out this attack. According to Israel's intelligence service the Shin Bet they didn't have any previous criminal record.
Right now, though, the area around that -- around the mosque, around the Temple Mount has been shut down. Police say they're looking for any other
weapons that could have been there, thrown to the side after the attack. They said it will be closed until they feel it's safe to reopen. Andrew?
STEVENS: All right. Ian, thank you very much. Ian Lee, joining us from Jerusalem.
Now a London police say a teenage boy is under arrest for a series of acid attacks. In just over one hour there were five attacks. And authorities two
men on a moped would pull up beside another rider and throw acid in their face.
Now the attackers would then split up with one stealing the victim's vehicle. One injury to a victim is being described as life changing. Police
say they are concerned by the growing number of attacks using acid.
Let's get more now from Phil Black, he joins us from London. Phil, does London see these sort of attacks before using acid for what is a case of
theft?
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, acid attacks happen here, Andrew. That's one of the concerns, But what is so concerning about what happened
last night is that there were so many victims. Within a relatively tight geographical area, all within such a tight space of time. Where I'm
standing now is where one of these incidents took place where a man was most seriously harmed of all the victims.
As you say, the police describe his injuries as life changing. He was just one of five people to seemingly being attacked randomly in this way with
robbery at least part of the motivation because at least on a couple of those occasions as you touched on there, these two suspects on a moped
stole the mopeds of their victims.
Now in and of themselves, these terribly callous attacks. But the reason people here are concerned, the reason authorities are so concerned, is that
they are simply the latest in a trend that has seen a spike in acid used in this way, so violently in recent years.
Take a listen now to the London metropolitan police commissioner talking about this on a local radio station this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CRESSIDA DICK, COMMISSIONER, LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE: Obviously the acid can cause horrendous injuries. The ones last night involved robberies,
we believe a linked series of robberies. I'm glad to say we have arrested somebody. And it's not -- I don't want people to think that this is
happening all over London all the time, it's really not, but we are concerned because the numbers appear to be going up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACK: So the numbers that she touched on there at least put it in some perspective. In 2015 there were 261 recorded crimes in London involving
someone throwing acid. In 2016, that spiked enormously to 454, and that trend is said to be continuing into 2017 as well.
A sign of just how concerned people were about this even before the events of last night is the fact that there is a campaign among some citizens and
some politicians to change the laws regarding these sorts of events, essentially to try and stop them.
Firstly, to restrict access to this sort stuff, to make it harder to get your hands on it, perhaps through a licensing system. And there's also a
push to change punishments for people who use it in this way and also specifically for people caught carrying it on the streets, as there is
already laws regarding knives and guns at this point already.
So, but to put it in context as the commissioner was saying there, these crimes do happen but they've always been very rare up until quite recently.
They're not happening all the time but they're just not quite as rare as they used to be, Andrew.
[08:30:00] STEVENS: Yes. And as you point out, they're spiking as well. Thank you very much for that, Phil. Still ahead on the show, winter may be
coming but so is the end. The second to last season of Game of Thrones is just around the corner. We'll have more in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
STEVENS: I'm Andrew Stevens in Hong Kong. You're watching "News Stream." these are your world headlines. The U.S. President was guest of honor at
Bastille Day festivities in Paris. Donald Trump and his wife Melania was there to commemorate the 100 anniversary of U.S. entering World War I.
American service members joined French troops for both the ground parade and aero displays like this one.
The Nobel peace committee says China is recusing application by the organizations chief for a travel visa. The head of the Nobel committee has
criticized China's treatment of the dissident Liu Xiaobo. The Nobel laureate died in Chinese custody after a battle with liver cancer.
Israel say two police officers wounded in an attack in Jerusalem. Three men armed with automatic weapons targeted the police officers, he told the
assailants terrorist, and all three were shot and killed.
In a couple of days, a television phenomenon will return to our screens.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was born to rule the seven kingdoms. And I will.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEVENS: Yup. This a taste of what the seventh season of "Game of Thrones" has in store. Its first episode will be shown around the world at
the same time. It won't just be millions watching on HBO, the network owned by CNN parent company Time Warner, the Thrones is also reportedly the
most pirated TV show of all time. Expect millions to clear their schedules to catch the show -- series as it airs. And in the era of binge viewing,
that sort of loyalty is remarkable. Frank Pallotta has more on why fans treat Game of Thrones like again.
FRANK PALLOTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Last summer millions of people tuned in to watch hometown hero reclaim victory in a winner-take-all battle that in
a year knew nothing but brutal losses. Wait, wait, wait, I'm not talking about Lebron James. I'm talking about the king of the north, not the king
of the NBA East, John Snow. It's understandable that you would get the two mixed up because Game of Thrones is exactly that -- a game. And in this
game -- in professional sports, there's no trial by combat. But up get the idea. "Game of Thrones" unfolds just like sports, pitting your favorite
teams against your enemies. You wear their color, you know their team mottos.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[08:35:20] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We always pay our debts.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: With fire and blood.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Winter is coming.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PALLOTA: Tension ramps up as you get closer to the big battle at the end of the season that acts kind of like the show's championship bout.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's definitely the set pieces you remember from big battles, like battle of Blackwater. Those are almost like championship
games, especially when the season winds on and it feels like you're watching a final four game or Stanley Cup match or watching a super bowl.
PALLOTA: That is Chris Ryan along with his colleague, Andy Greenwald. They host "Talk the thrones" now on twitter. It's almost like a postgame
show. Think inside the NBA but with less Shaq and more dragons.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where are all my dragons!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "Game of Thrones" is one of the last shows that seem to have a central discussion around it where everybody wants to participate as
soon as possible after the end of the episode. So it's there to be the clubhouse.
PALLOTA: "Talk the thrones" isn't the only post show. For example the Walking Dead, where anything can also happen in time, and has its own talk
show as well.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The service that we provide is that we help the casual fan and the more serious fan alike.
PALLOTA: And "Game of Thrones" dominates online chatters, which means spoilers are coming if you don't tune in when the game is happening.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Otherwise you can't exist as a modern person in the world because someone on twitter is going to ruin it for you and tell you
exactly who died.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you're watching the show late, you're going to miss out on a lot.
PALLOTA: I can't go online and mention John Snow gets --
I get it, you want to know nothing. And there are also ways to watch the show like, well, sports bars.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel certain shows really lend themselves to group watching environments and wanting to get to talk about the show and there
are a lot of emotions in the show and it's not the type of show you really want to watch by yourself.
PALLOTA: The professor isn't the on bar that does this. Other bars post customer reactions that go viral online. The clips do look awfully
familiar.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're emotional, they're very passionate, enthusiastic at times, get very depressed at times. It's a very similar
level of passion that goes up and down throughout an episode of Game of Thrones, versus a major sporting event.
PALLOTA: You can watch the show any time but like the Lebron buzzer beater, it will be gone faster.
STEVENS: Who knew? Donald Trump says he has a go-to guy in Paris and his name is Jim. Now that the U.S. President was actually in Paris, where was
Jim? We'll take a look when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:40:00] STEVENS: Welcome back now. Taiwan has a real legislative battle on its hands, fighting actually did break out to this parliament for
a second straight day, take a look at this, the brawl started when members of one party refuse to let the premier to deliver a bunch of report, chairs
became weapons and the premier had to be escorted out by security, passions indeed running high in Taipei.
Now, President Trump enjoyed the hospitality of Paris but there was no sign of his friend Jim, the U.S. president has said that he knows someone by
that name who lives in the City of lights. Jeanne Moos investigated.
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: President Trump got the royal treatment, whether he was wringing the hand of the first lady of France or
complimenting her physique or getting chummy with her husband, the President, somebody was missing -- Jim.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: A friend of mine. He is a very, very substantial guy. He loves the City of lights. He is told me for years, Paris. Jim, let me ask you a
question, how is Paris doing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Paris, I don't go to Paris, Paris is no longer Paris.
TRUMP: France is no longer France.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: He talked about Jim so often, trying to make a point France had succumbed to terrorism, but the New Yorker's started hunting for Jim in
vain. Thus was born Jim, the President's imagery friend. With his own twitter account insisting "I exist," "the view" dedicated a photo album
with Jim. A reporter brought him up at a press conference.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You mentioned a friend Jim. We told you that Paris is no longer Paris.
TRUMP: That is a beauty. It's going to be just fine because you have a great President.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: It wouldn't be the first time an invisible character has entered the political fray, would it?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: What do you mean shut up?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Clint Eastwood wowed the American public riffing with an imaginary Barrack Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: What do you want me to tell Romney?
I can't tell him to do that to himself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Donald Trump's imaginary friend didn't get between the two Presidents.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm coming back.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're always welcome.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: What about Jim? They're making him jealous. Jeanne Moos CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: France is no longer France. They won't like me for saying that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEVENS: That is "News Stream." don't go anywhere. "World Sport" with Alex Thomas is just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:45:00] ALEX THOMAS, CNN WORLD SPORTS: Hello, welcome to CNN "World Sport." I'm Alex Thomas in London. The action is under way at Wimbledon on
gentlemen's semi finals day. Neither Sam Querrey have ever got this far before and you can see just edging it 6-5 in the first set so far. The
second semi on second court sees Roger Federer face tomorrow as Thomas Berdych. Let us join our man in Wimbledon, Ravi Agrawal, Ravi, we thought
the last four would be the so-called big four but only the Federer is still standing. Must be must be under huge pressure now that he is the
overwhelming favorite.
RAVI AGRAWAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: he has huge pressure on his shoulder, no doubt about that. I go back to French open 2009 and Rafael and Nadal was
the favorite. Federer had to play the next day knowing he was the huge favorite and what happened? He lost the first two sets. I think he felt
that pressure and he was almost broken later in the third but was able to turn it around, relax and ended up winning the title. He is in the same
situation now. You're using the word big to talk about the big four. He is up against some big, big players. We look at Querrey and (inaudible).
Federer is 6'1", look at the guys like him Nadal 6'1", Djokovic 6'2". They have variety on the court, able to do little things differently. I think
in the second semifinal what Federer will try to do is bring that shorthand slice to bring Berdych in. I think we are going to see the entire Federer
arsenal today.
THOMAS: And the women's draw has one outstanding legendary veteran who catches the eye. Venus Williams attempting to make history this weekend
and surely Ravi, the ladies final will be more competitive than the semis were.
AGRAWAL: We hope, can only hope that is going to be the case. We want a big, big final. It is interesting, Venus is 37, (inaudible) is 23, she has
more experience, has won more titles but Mugurgza won a French open last year, she made it to final Wimbledon in 2015 and she is playing great. But
if you're Venus and you've lost eight grand slam finals, seven of them have been to remember -- Serena, you're thinking this is going to be a major
opportunity to break that grand slam drought.
THOMAS: Thanks Ravi. This is now ten years ago, a decade anniversary since they last won the respective men's and women's singles titles in the
same year. That was back in 2007.
Official practice is under way at formula one's British grand prix. We're back live for the buildup to this historic race.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:50:34] THOMAS: Hello again. "World Sport" is back with formula one's British grand prix. It's been an eventful buildup, question marks over the
future of Silverstone and Hamilton's defending his decision, the only driver to miss this week's publicity event in London.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEWIS HAMILTON, 4-TIME BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNER: Everyone had the right to make the decision for themselves, for me I thought that it's been a
pretty intense season so far and I felt for me I needed to prepare the best way I could for this weekend. The season is the most important thing for
me and, you know, that was really it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
THOMAS: Let's get out to Amanda Davies, who is live at Silverstone, among those f-1 movers and shakers. Is the Hamilton controversy old news now
that the cars are actually on the track?
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Alex, I think maybe not as far as the media are concerned, but in terms of the teams and the drivers, now the
cars are back on the track, the practice session is under way, lunch is over here at the red bull motor home. It's about getting points and places
this weekend. It's pretty difficult to read too much into what happens in the practice sessions and what it means in terms of the race weekend. The
teams use it to test a few strategies maybe with the bigger picture in mind. But it was his teammate who posted the fastest time. It was in fact
red bull who posted the fastest time. Ahead of this second session that started about 45 minutes in a and I talked to Christian Homer and he said
this weekend it's all about getting their other driver, Max Stafford, to join him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTIAN HOMER, RED BULL TEAM PRINCIPAL: That is our number one objective is to make sure Matt sees the checkered flag. If he does, hopefully he'll
be somewhere near the podium. He is been driving so well and hasn't had much luck. Daniel has had a bit of luck, five podiums in a row, great race
victory.
DAVIES: You have a history of having masterminded a few successes. What is the key?
HOMER: Having a good balance, a good chassis aerodynamically and good drivers.
DAVIES: How important is the British grand prix here at Silverstone in your opinion?
HOMER: This track is one of the best in the world. Hopefully the long- term future can be safeguarded. The guys from liberty, this is the first time they've come to the British grand prix and it's a shame the first time
they've come, they've announced they've triggered their exit clause.
DAVIES: Do you think the future can survive without the grand prix?
HOMER: I think it's unimaginable. You can see the support we've had. It's unimaginable for there not to be a British grand prix.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAVIES: Christian and his team busy working away just through that gap there. There is the back of the garage with the cars still out on track,
about another 40 minutes left of practice. But, Alex, there is no doubt that Silverstone has a very, very special place in terms of the history of
formula one. This is the place where the first ever world championship Formula One Race was held in 1950. The fans are spectacular and there will
be a lot of them hoping their home favorite, Louis Hamilton, will be able to produce his fifth victory here, fourth in a row. He is certainly hopes
so, too. He is described this as "must win." there's approximately 20 points between him and the leader Sebastian battle.
THOMAS: Amanda this is unique for CNN World Sports, briefly, are you enjoying yourself there?
[08:55:00] DAVIES: Alex, there's only one answer to that. How could you not enjoy yourself? This is a really, really special sporting weekend.
And to be up this close and really in the thick of things in the paddock at one of British sports' greatest weekend and this year every race this
season things have gotten bigger and better in terms of the race weekend's experience, not just what you see here in the paddock but in terms of the
fans and what they get to experience as well, an estimated 350,000 fans who are going to be here. So much for them to experience and we hopefully will
bring you a little bit more of it throughout the next couple of days here on wells court.
THOMAS: You will, including a special show on Sunday. Thanks to Amanda. Much more from her on the race day itself just an hour before the action
gets under way, 12 p.m. London time. That is it for the edition of CNN World Sport. Thanks for watching, I'll be back after CNN money with Maggie
Lake, live from New York next. Bye-bye.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
