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NEWS STREAM
Hosni Mubarak: Vote On Health Care Bill ; Former Egyptian President Freed; Khalid Masood: What We Know About The London Attacker; 4 Killed, 40 Wounded in London Terror Attack; Afghan Troops Withdraw From Key Area In Taliban Fight; Ukraine Seeks Clues In Killing Of Kremlin Critic; Hong Kong Faces Selection Not Election Of China's Favored Candidate; Londoners pay tribute to Westminster victims
Aired September 24, 2017 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[00:22:06] IVAN WATSON, CNN BREAKING NEWS HOST: Welcome to CNN. I'm Ivan Watson.
We have some breaking news just in right now, news that Hosni Mubarak has been released from detention in Egypt. And we're going to go with that
breaking news right now to Ian Lee, our reporter who is live now in Cairo.
Ian, it's good to see you here right now. It's hard to imagine that Hosni Mubarak that he could be a free man right now, when you think back to six
years ago to the revolutionary fervor and the protest in Tahrir Square.
What more can you tell us about the details of this release, Ian? And how -- is there any significant response in the streets of Cairo right now?
IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Ivan, we heard from his lawyer, Farid al-Deeb, that this morning Mubarak was moved from the Maadi Military Hospital, which
is in the suburbs of Cairo to his house in the upscale neighborhood of Heliopolis. And not many more details have been given.
But for sometime, we were expecting Mubarak to be released after a court order that with all the charges that he has faced, that he could walk free.
You're right though, this has for many who followed this case, a lot of people surprised. Well, maybe not surprised, but it does have a lot of
people's question there.
Hence, when you look back at what has happened over the past six years right after the revolution, Mubarak was arrested. He was charged for
killing over 200 protesters. And he received a life in prison sentence.
But as we saw this case and this trial which was dubbed in Egypt, the trial of the century, play out with the different appeals courts. It looked like
he was going to be able to dodge a lot of these charges. And it really was one of the only charges that stuck to him was that of embezzling money to
furnish his private residences and the residences of his sons. But the judge said that he had served enough time in prison and that he would be
able to walk free.
Looking at the streets though, there hasn't been much reaction. Even in the local press, this isn't that the banner headline. It is down further
in the stories, and mainly, because Egyptians are fatigued from the past, the six years. They have gone through two uprisings. They have seen what
has done to the country and what it's done to the economy.
When you talk to a lot of Egyptians, they say, they just want to work. They want to provide for their families. And they've really lost a lot of
that appetite for politics for that revolutionary spirit.
But also, when you look at the current state of the country, with the President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the government has cracked down hard on
protests as well, a lot of those people who took to the streets in 2011, a lot of them now in jail, Ivan.
WATSON: A very important point to bring out there. That's Ian Lee live from Cairo and breaking news of the release of the former Egyptian
president, Hosni Mubarak.
Now, to the U.S. where the countdown is on to a high stakes vote in Washington. Just hours from now, the U.S. House will weigh in on the bill
some called, Trumpcare, though the White House has rejected that label.
Right now, the House Rules Committee is meeting to discuss the bill before it goes to the full house.
The bill to replace Obamacare was supposed to go to the floor on Thursday for a vote. But after intense arm twisting, the president still couldn't
seal the deal with opponents in his own party. So he has turned up the heat. Late Thursday, the White House told lawmakers, enough with
negotiations, it's time for a vote, either support this bill or be "Stuck with Obamacare."
Suzanne Malveaux reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Do you have the votes? Do you have the votes?
After seven years of talking about it, Republicans are facing a major test today on whether they have the vote to dismantle Obamacare.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have been promising the American people that we will repeal and replace this broken law because it's collapsing and it's failing
families for proceeding.
MALVEAUX: Republicans remain deeply divided, duking it out into the night behind closed doors. A GOP source saying some 30 members spoke out in
favor of the bill, trying to unite the party and rally support before today's vote.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This was a very intense family discussion. And it was principled. It was emotional. It was robust.
MALVEAUX: Only one Republican in that meeting speaking out against the bill. But many have previously indicated their no votes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Somebody have to get it right, not get it done fast. And I thought the bill misses the mark.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am a no vote. And I'm concerned that this legislation does not lower premiums.
MALVEAUX: Sources say, the chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, who's been staunchly against the bill despite receiving multiple concessions from
the White House, is telling his members to vote their conscience.
[22:05:10] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are trying to get another 30 to 40 votes that are currently in the no category to yes. Once we do that, I think we
can move forward with passing it on the House.
MALVEAUX: Those concessions announced earlier this week, mainly focused on repealing essential health benefits from Obamacare. A move they say will
lower premiums. A weeks worth of wrangling, providing more bad news for the bill.
The congressional budget offices' most updated estimates of the GOP plan will cut deficit savings in half to $150 billion over 10 years, and result
in 24 million more uninsured Americans in 2026.
That estimate does not include the most recent changes to the bill. Changes that would give more power to states to determine what they
consider to be essential benefits and provide $15 billion to states to use for mental health, substance abuse, and infant and maternity care.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Today, the legislation goes before a House committee. There, they'll consider several amendments. And from there, they can push
it to a final vote or delay, or if the legislation looks doomed, drop it all together.
MALVEAUX: Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WATSON: Let's go now to CNN Politics reporter Eugene Scott. He is joining us who in -- from New York where it's morning now.
Now, Eugene, Republican spent years vilifying the Affordable Care Act. Now that the Republicans control both the White House and both Houses of
Congress, can you breakdown for us, what is it that the factions disagree upon when it comes to this healthcare legislation?
EUGENE SCOTT, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Certainly. One of the things that the more conservative lawmakers in Congress have a big problem with is the
fact that they believe that the plan does not do enough to repeal essential health benefits.
There are all of these mandates that lawmakers, I'm sorry, not lawmakers, but voters would have to pay if they had this plan that conservative
lawmakers actually think are unnecessary, such as people who, perhaps, do not have kids paying for healthcare for mothers, or other young people
having to pay for the health needs of older, more unhealthy Americans.
And there is this push back against this, because the belief among some more conservative lawmakers is that if voters want to buy a least expensive
plan that has less coverage, they should have the choice and right to do that.
But Democratic lawmakers are saying actually they should not do that because it's in the best interest of all Americans to live with other
healthy Americans.
WATSON: OK. So, if we put the politics aside, Eugene, and if this bill passes in the form that it's in right now, and I know that there would
still be a lot of wrangling to do. We would still have to go through the Senate after the House.
But if it goes to in its form now, what impact could it have on millions of Americans and their healthcare?
SCOTT: Well, according to some lobbyist organizations, this could be very harmful for older Americans, for low-income Americans, and for disabled
Americans. And put an additional tax on them that they cannot pay to have the healthcare that they need to cover the illnesses and challenges that
they have.
The reality that other more moderate Republicans are saying is that, look, you have a choice to buy healthcare or no with -- under this new plan,
which they believe is not something that voters had under Obamacare.
And so, at the end of the day, they will be able to make a decision that is in the best interest of their needs health wise. But Democrats say that's
not actually what would be happening. People would be put in a position where they may not get the coverage they need.
WATSON: All right, a lot of suspense about this major political moment. And we'll be following that in the hours to come.
Eugene Scott, CNN Politics reporter, live from New York. Thank you.
Now, let's go to London now. A new information about this week's terror attack. Hannah Vaughan Jones us live now with more. Hannah?
HANNAH VAUGHAN JONES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Ivan, thanks very much. Indeed, you join from a rather overcast Westminster here in the
heart of London this Friday, lunch time, almost 48 hours, of course, since that terror atrocity rocks this capital city and the spectacular Parliament
building that you can see just behind me.
Let's bring you up to speed with the latest we do have on this unfolding investigation. Police have made what they have called two significant
arrests overnight. It brings the total number of people now in custody to nine plus one person who hasn't been released and bailed.
But we've also learned that the attacker, Khalid Masood, was born here in the UK but under the name, Adrian Russell Ajao. He had a number of
convictions for violence -- violent attacks. But until now, crucially, he hadn't been linked to any terror related offenses.
[22:10:01] Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this stage, (INAUDIBLE) I think it'd be wrong more than the Prime Minister said in Parliament yesterday. We are looking at
his history. He had, in several years ago, been a peripheral figure. He's never been part of the mainstream intelligent -- intelligence picture about
terrorism.
We know from many of our past investigations, from the 13 plus that we followed over the last three years, that there are people who in hindsights
knew things that they felt too cautious to come forward or reluctant to.
What we're appealing to today is for the public to say if even in hindsight, now you realize something about Khalid Masood, something about
his associates, something about his movements, something about his planning, now is the time to come forward and speak to our officers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: Well, that was the appeal from this morning from the head of count terror acts of the Metropolitan Police.
Let's now go to New Scotland Yard where our Europe Edit, Nina dos Santos is standing by for us.
Nina, this investigation, very fast moving, lots of locations across the UK also being looked at. Tell us what you know.
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, Hannah. Well, you mentioned there's two significant arrests that took place over night adding
to the arrest that we saw yesterday. One of those arrests was yet again in the West Midlands, which really is part of the focus of this investigation,
because it seems as though this individual had been living there for some time.
One of the other arrests was actually in the northwest of England. So, as you said, it's wide ranging. It's taking in various parts of the country.
And, of course, the main crime scene, which is just about a 100 yards or so away from where I am broadcasting to from New Scotland yard, is quite close
to Westminster Bridge and very close to the Houses of Parliament, which is one of the reasons why the police response was so swift and so sharp. And
some people said, managed to contain this situation.
So, the big question is how did a 52-year-old man, a father who had a wife and children decides to come here from another city to carry out this
attack, an attack that we now know has claimed four victims. Because a 75- year-old man from South London passed away sadly overnight, thanks to the injuries that he sustained throughout the course of this attack.
The radicalization of this individual, you mentioned his birth name before there, Hannah, Adrian Russel Ajoa, born in Kent in the southeast of
England, a convert to Islam. How did he become radicalized?
We heard from officers here earlier today when they gave that press conference, you just played a little snippet of it, that the radicalization
process will be key to what's going on, to try and figure out what went on inside his head that turned him from somebody who we know had a violent
past, let's face it, but wasn't necessarily on an immediate terror watch list.
Even though MI5 had -- at one point, had him under surveillance for, as Theresa May described this time yesterday in Parliament, a violent
extremist activities. But he had seemingly fallen off the radar.
Now, when it comes to those raids, there have been five raids that was still ongoing as per this morning. No updates on whether they finished.
Sixteen other searches were conducted. And what they did is they recovered 2700 items. A lot of that is also computer, computer data, presumably
tablets, laptops and so on and so forth.
We've heard from investigators here that it's going to take time for them to go through that. Again, no word as to whether this individual had a
significant social media footprint with anybody who is engaged in ISIS activity.
We know that is an Islamist-inspired attack. And that ISIS said that they were -- that he was one of their soldiers. But as yet, still then that is
working upon the assumption that he was acting alone despite the fact that there are all these arrests at the moment, Hannah.
JONES: Nina, thanks very much. Indeed, Nina dos Santos live there from New Scotland yard.
Well, things have largely returned to normal here in London. You can still hear a lot of police activity around me though, of course, with helicopters
above as extra security. No doubts in place even though people are, as they say, going back to work and things are very much back to normal. The
area where the attack actually took place as well back to normal as well.
Tributes are being left, of course, for those who lost their lives. This is at Westminster Bridge.
And Nick Paton Walsh, he's on that bridge for us right now. Nick, back to normal, but no doubts, some somber reflections where you are right now.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, because a strange mix of the normal tourists seems you would expect to find
here, the heart of British (INAUDIBLE) beneath Big Ben, a cultural landmark here. But also, now, attribute this predominantly to Police Officer Keith
Palmer who lost his life trying to stop Khalid Masood, a man also known as Adrian Russell Ajoa, as he went down this way around the corner and tried
to get into the Houses of Parliament.
Below me here, a lot of flowers, many tourists taking pictures of this, also a Charlton athletic football supporter scarf. He was a season ticket-
holder, we understand, of that British football club.
[22:15:03] And people really paying tribute to the life of a man who's one of the four victims who lost his life trying to defend others.
Now, this is Westminster Bridge where the rampage of Khalid Masood begun. On the far end is where he mounted the curb with his own SUV. And then
during that drive, it appears three lives of simple passers-by were taken.
Kurt Cochran, an American here, can you believe it, on his 25th wedding anniversary as a holiday maker. Aysha Frade's, a Spanish school college
administrator, who in fact, was simply walking across the bridge here are also to take in the sites. And also, Lesli Rhodes, a 75-year-old who
yesterday died of his injuries. He was from Streatham in South London.
Many people still in hospital recovering from what some reflected as being live changing injuries, about 40 in total suffering some kind of injury as
well.
And this, a sight in London, great cultural touristic imports, ss I say, many people coming here seems oblivious is carrying on 44 or 45 hours after
this terrifying acts. But also, this is a way into work for so many in this busy part of the political scene in the United Kingdom. And their
memories in this spot will be forever changed by what happened on 22nd of March.
JONES: Nick, thank you very much indeed. Nick Paton Walsh, live for us there in Westminster Brdige where of course this attack unfolding nearly 48
hours ago. You can see around Nick there, all of the teams of tourists and workers as well, ordinary Londoners going about their business, but also
paying respects to those four people who did lose their life -- lives in this atrocity.
And that's the latest from me here in London in Westminster with the Parliament just behind me. I'll hand it now back to you, Ivan, and we'll
have more from London later on in the show.
WATSON: All right, thank you Hannah and to the rest of the team in London in their coverage of the aftermath of this terrible attack.
We are following other world news for you. Coming up next, a shocking killing in broad daylight, Ukraine pointing the finger at the Russian
government. That's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WATSON: Welcome back to CNN. In Afghanistan, a blow to the government's fight against the Taliban. Afghan forces have withdrawn from the center of
Sangin in Helmand province. The NATO-led support mission says it was just a planned maneuver. While the Taliban say, they have taken over the entire
district.
U.S. and British forces had struggled for years to hold on to this strategic area before it was handed back to the Afghans in 2014.
A war of words is going on between Russia and Ukraine over the killing of a prominent Kremlin critic. Former Russian lawmaker, Denis Voronenkov, was
shot dead in broad daylight at China (ph) Hotel in Kiev.
[22:20:01] The Ukrainian president calls it a, "Russian state terrorist act". But Moscow is pushing back strongly.
So, let's bring in Fred Pleitgen from Moscow. Fred, the accusations and denials they're flying furiously between the two capitals. But one thing
is certainly clear, Russians who criticized Vladimir Putin, they seem to keep dying. What more can you tell us about this victim?
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that certainly is the case, Ivan. And it also is the case that the Russians and the
Ukrainians really are trading barbs over that. You just mentioned with the Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko said, well today, a Russian senior
lawmaker here in Moscow accused Ukraine of being quote -- or turning into a terrorist state that's unable to protect its own citizens.
But yes, this was a Kremlin critic who was killed there in broad daylight. Someone who actually defected from Russian to Ukraine, took on Ukrainian
citizenship, and then met a very violent demise.
Here's what we know.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PLEITGEN (voice-over): Denis Voronenkov's wife, devastated after her husband, a Kremlin critic, was killed right in the heart of Ukraine's
capital. Police say the assassin waited for Voronenkov and his bodyguard in front of the hotel and opened fire once they arrived.
As a result of the shootout, one man was killed. Kiev police chief says, his bodyguard was wounded and the killer was also wounded. Both are in
hospitals and being given medical assistance. The killer later died in hospital. Ukrainian authorities saying he never regained consciousness.
Denis Voronenkov was a former member of Russia's communist party. He fled to Ukraine in 2016 and adopted Ukrainian citizenship. Though he denied it,
Voronenkov was charged in absentia by Russian authorities for alleged fraud in a real estate deal in February. Highly critical of Vladimir Putin and
Russia's annexation of Crimea, Voronenkov vowed never to be silent.
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko quickly pointing the finger at the Kremlin, saying on his official website, "The insidious murder of Denis
Voronenkov in the city center of Kiev is an act of state terrorism by Russia, which he had to flee for political reasons."
Denis Voronenkov is not the first Kremlin critic mysteriously killed. In 2015, opposition leader, Boris Nemtsov, was gunned down in central Moscow.
Or the former agent, Alexander Litvinenko, who British authorities believed was poisoned with a radioactive substance in 2006. London, pointing the
finger at Moscow as well.
For its part, Russia points to recent political murders in Ukraine and calls the allegations against Moscow absurd. "It seems like Ukraine will
make everything so that no one will ever know the truth about what really happened today on March 23rd in Kiev," the spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign
Ministry said.
Ukrainian authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the murder of Denis Voronenkov, another Kremlin critic dead, leaving behind a
grieving wife expecting their second child.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PLEITGEN (on camera): And Ivan, the Ukranian authorities apparently are also trying to link this or at the Ukrainian president is to another major
event that took place in Ukraine on the same day, which was a major fire and several explosions inside a massive ammunition dump in the east of the
county, near the town of Kharkiv.
That's about 100 kilometers or 80 miles away from the frontline there in the Ukraine conflicts, away from places like Donetsk and Luhansk.
Ukrainians, again, are saying they believe that this could be an act of sabotage by the Russians. The Russians are saying they have absolutely
nothing to do with this.
But 20,000 people have already been evacuated from that area. And now, the Ukrainians have even asked NATO for help in dealing with this major
incident in that ammunition dump, Ivan.
WATSON: Fred, there's a massive explosion there. And just as you were speaking, we're just now getting word that the French far-right
presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, that she has met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow according to the Russian state-run news agency,
TASS.
All right, let's move to Hong Kong now. Here in Hong Kong, a local story, the city is choosing its new leader on Sunday. And the way that the chief
executive election works has long been a major point of contention here.
Joshua Wong was one of the student leaders who sparked the 2014 Umbrella Movement, thousands occupied the streets for weeks calling for a true
democracy. He explained to our own Kristie Lu Stout why he calls the current vote a selection and not an election.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSHUA WONG, ACTIVIST: The Hong Kong leader is just chosen by 1200 election committee members, and most of the members are coming from the pro
Beijing side, just red capital tycoons or the elite stand in the Beijing side.
I would say that the fundamental problem of Hong Kong is most of the Hong Kong people can't get the change to vote in the election.
[22:25:06] We hope to choose the leader of our city. However, Beijing said that it's not the time for you to get the chance to involve in this
election. It's just a selection.
I would say that no matter who become the chief executive, I mean the leader of Hong Kong under the rule of President Xi Jinping, I don't think
that democratization process will move forward and the human right condition will just move backward.
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Two candidates for Hong Kong's next leader, Carrie Lam, John Tsang. Do you have a preference?
WONG: I don't have a preference because two of the candidates, of course, John Tsang who have better PR skill, Carrie Lam seems to get more
endorsement from the pro China captain. But the fundamental problem is no matter who become the chief executive, who become the Hong Kong leader, and
were just loyal to Beijing government rather than loyal to Hong Kong people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATSON: Joshua Wong also gave us his take on what he thinks about the candidates. You can see the rest of that interview at CNN.com.
Coming up, more from Washington as the House prepares to vote on Republican healthcare bill. Just ahead, we'll explain why this piece of legislation
is critical for the White House and why it's facing steep hurdles from within the president's own party.
And strength and solidarity at a time of terror and uncertainty, Londoners come together with one united message, they will not bow. More on that
next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WATSON: Welcome back. I'm Ivan Watson in Hong Kong. We're following important developments on the terror investigation in London. But first,
let's go to Washington. That's where President Donald Trump's negotiation skills are being put to the test.
House Republicans are planning to vote in the coming hours on a bill that is meant to replace Obamacare. But there are deep divides among
Republicans and passage is not assured.
CNN's Jeff Zeleny is outside the White House and joins us now. Good to see you, Jeff. Help explain to our international viewers why the passage of
this piece of healthcare legislation, which some have called Trumpcare, why is it so important for the Trump administration?
JEFF ZELENY, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good day, Ivan. I mean we have heard here in the United States, Republicans for seven or eight years,
nearly a decade said that they wanted to repeal and replace and get rid of the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.
They've campaigned on it. They've won majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate as well.
[22:30:03]And indeed, that's one of the reasons that the president was elected on that promise.
Well now, this is all coming to fruition here and it is proven to be much more difficult to pass than simply talking about it.
So, this is the first test of this new president's ability to govern, to get Republicans, people in his own party on the same page here.
And Ivan, this is very unusual in Washington, to not really know the outcome of something before it begins. But that is absolutely where things
stand here on a Friday morning in Washington.
The White House has delivered an ultimatum saying, you know, there will be a vote on this, but there is no certainly for how that vote will
necessarily come out. So, it's definitely a test of this president's ability to persuade and sell things.
We'll see if they can pull it across the line. But again, this is the first step in a long process here. It just shows that governing is more
difficult than campaigning, no question.
WATSON: And it's leading to this, I guess, congressional cliffhanger here.
ZELENY: Right.
WATSON: Jeff, you're as deeply sourced as anybody reporting from that city. What are the chances according to your sources that the bill can
pass today?
ZELENY: Ivan, it really is an open question here. I mean at the end of the day, I believe once it comes up for a vote, there are, of course,
Republican's control. You know, the whole government here, for the first time in about a decade, the House, the Senate and the White House. So, I
do believe it is more likely to pass the House. But again, it's just the beginning of this process.
And the difficulty here is healthcare is something that affects obviously every single American individually here. So, there are a lot of
conservative groups here who are opposed to this. They say, look, it's simply too expensive. Others say, look, you'll be taking healthcare away
from people. So, again, so much more difficult to govern than a campaign.
And this president did not build a lot of consensus for this. Totally, unlike eight years ago, of course, Obamacare was controversial but they
worked on it for about a year or so. This has all been done in just a few weeks time, a month or so time here. That's one of the reasons it's
problematic. But it is a cliffhanger indeed, what this vote will become later this afternoon, Ivan.
Well, just one of those things we'll have to stay tuned and keep doing our reporting on. But the president is trying to get this passed.
WATSON: And he's trying to do that by trying to ram it through with an ultimatum. If it works, will this be quite an accomplishment, a victory
for the president who bills himself as a master negotiator and dealmaker?
ZELENY: I think he certainly will accept it as a victory. The question is if it doesn't, will he accept any blame for that? And that is something we
have not seen this president do at all except when he blame.
We've already seen a lot of finger pointing. And, you know, the White House is not necessarily thrilled with how this has all been rolled out.
They are placing some blame on other people. But the reality is the box stops with him whether he accepts that or not.
But the reason that this is so important, it does tie on to everything else that he'll do down the road. This, you know, is going to show if he has
the ability to govern, to do tax reform, to do a regulatory reform. So, and this is one of those moments.
And his credibility also on the line here, Ivan. We've heard so much talk over the last couple of weeks about his unfounded claims on surveillance
and other things. His political capital is not nearly as high and strong as it was, you know, nine weeks or so ago when he took office.
This, I think, is his 64th day in office and that the credibly in capitol has declined probably by the day here. So, that's another complicating
factor in all of this, Ivan.
WATSON: Well, it's really coming down to the wire there. Jeff Zeleny at the White House, I'm sure you'll be very, very busy today. Thank you very
much.
ZELENY: Ivan, thanks.
WATSON: And let's move to the investigation into the London terror attack. Hannah Vaughan Jones is on the ground in London. Hannah?
JONES: Ivan, thank you. It's just gone half past midday local time this Friday, lunch time here in Westminster in London. A very fast moving
investigation, let's bring you up to speed with the latest that we know so far.
Authorities have been working around the clock for nearly 48 hours now trying to piece together all the details that they can.
So, what do we know about the attacker? And his name is Khalid Masood. He used a number of aliases though, and was born under the name Adrian Russell
Ajao.
Now, in the days before the attack, we've learned he stayed in a hotel in Brighton. That's in the south of London from where I am now.
Police also say, they have made two significant arrests that happened overnight, and that brings the total number of people in custody to nine.
Well, ceremonies in London will continue. We are expecting to, perhaps, hear from the Archbishop of Canterbury showing today, and other religious
faith leaders as well.
[22:35:01] Now, following -- this, of course, follows the deadly terror attack at the Parliament buildings.
And right now, the mayor London is laying a reef at New Scotland Yard. This is, of course, a ceremony in remembrance of the police office, Keith
Palmer, who was killed in the Parliament vicinity on Wednesday's terror attack.
Sadiq Khan there, you can see him live there laying a reef, talking to other officers as well. Of course, Metropolitan police here in London
there, who focused on counterterrorism and lead counter terror throughout the UK. But they are the London force as well.
They have lost one of their own, Keith Palmer, who had had 15 years service with the Metropolitan police force. And so, the authorities here in London
mourning, not just those who lost their lives on the bridge, but also of course their fallen PC comrade as well, Keith Palmer.
Well, the crowds gathered in central London overnight as well to honor all of the victims. They stood silently and respectfully with one very
powerful message, they are not afraid and will not be cowered by terrorism.
CNN's Erin Mclaughlin was there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the heart of the capital, thousands gathered at a symbol of the city's freedom
and democracy for a moment of silence. And to light candles in remembrance.
SADIQ KHAN, MAYOR, LONDON: Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.
MCLAUGHLIN (on camera): It's powerful to see Londoners, people from all over the world, gathered in one place to express messages of sympathy and
solidarity.
(Voice-over): People of all ages and faiths offered comfort and hope.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We feel it's really important for us to be here and we particularly wanted to bring our kids so that, you know, over time, we
can talk to them and share with them about, you know, the importance of love and tolerance and acceptance.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As a Muslim, this is my duty to come here, because what's happened yesterday, as a Muslim, we never support it and we want to
show our support to the British community.
MCLAUGHLIN: On Thursday, the attack claimed a fourth victim, a 75- year- old man pulled from life support. And the world learned the identity of Aysha Frade, reportedly killed on her way to pick up her kids from school.
"She was highly regarded and loved by our students and by her colleagues," said a school statement. "She will be deeply missed."
American Kirk Cochran was in London to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary. His wife, Melissa, badly injured in the attack. On social
media, Cochran's brother-in-law wrote, "Our hearts are broken this day as we say good-bye."
U.S. president, Donald Trump, tweeted out his prayers and condolences. And there was a parliamentary tribute to Police Officer Keith Palmer.
THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: He was every inch, a hero, and his actions will never be forgotten.
MCLAUGHLIN: The injured hail from 11 nations. An attack on London is an attack on the world, a point made by the British foreign secretary and
former London mayor who's on a visit to the United States.
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: The world is uniting to defeat the people who launched this attack, and to defeat their bankrupt and
odious ideology. And I say that with confidence because our values are superior. Our view of the world is better and more generous. And our will
is stronger.
MARK ROWLEY, ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, METROPOLITAN POLICE: This cannot be undone.
MCLAUGHLIN: At the vigil, London's acting police commissioner said, "While we can't change what happened the capital can control its response." A day
after the brutal attack, London stood united and defiant.
Erin McLaughlin, CNN London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JONES: So, tributes and condolences continuing to pour in from around the world. And in the last few minutes, we, of course, saw London mayor, Sadiq
Khan, laying a reef as well at Scotland Yard and for the fallen PC, Keith Palmer as well.
Tributes for all the victims still here in Westminster and on Westminster Bridge as well where we've seen a huge pour, outpouring of grief and
solidarity from Londoners, from tourists alike all remembering those who lost their lives from 48 hours ago here in London.
That's the latest from me here in the heart of the British political scene. I'll have more in the next hour. But in the meantime, I'll hand it back to
Ivan.
WATSON: Thank you, Hannah.
Still ahead on news stream, meet one of our heroes whose name is Jaijia. As an orphan in china, the odds were stacked against him, but he never
stopped caring for those around him. See what he's doing today. That's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[22:41:35] WATSON: We first introduced you to JiaJia in 2015. He's the Chinese boy abandoned by his parents when he was an infant and paralyzed
from the waist down after a botch surgery. JiaJia lived in an orphanage for years until a U.S. family adopted him.
Will Ripley tells us why JiaJia is his hero.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I've interviewed a lot of people, but nobody has ever inspired me like JiaJia, the Chinese orphan
that I met while on assignment in Beijing.
I was doing a story about Chinese abandoned children and I met JiaJia at this orphanage. He was nine years old. He'd been waiting for a family to
adopt him. He watched all of his friends go to homes and nobody came for him.
What really touched me about him was that he was a big brother to the other kids. He would take care of them even though he needed to be taken care of
as well. And his dream was to have a family.
When we met him, we found out that there was a family in the United States that wanted to adopt him, but they didn't have the money. I did a story
about JiaJia and eight hours later, the family had raised enough money from our viewers to adopt him.
I knew that JiaJia was my hero because he has endured things that I could never imagine, most people could never imagine. His first parents
abandoned him. He had botched spina bifida surgery, has no used of his lower legs, but he doesn't let the disability slow him down. He doesn't
let his circumstances keep him down. He kept smiling. He stayed optimistic. And now, he has a family in the United States and he is
inspiring all of them too.
So to see somebody with that much strength at such a young age, it's one of the most incredible things I've ever seen.
And recently, I was able to visit to him in his new home in Kansas City, Missouri. To see him in his classroom learning English, out on the
playground during recess --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How can you do that?
RIPLEY: -- with his family, with his friends, smiling and laughing, and to see where he came from was one of the most powerful moments of my life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WATSON: Very touching. And that is News Stream, I'm Ivan Watson. World Sports with Christina MacFarlane is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[22:46:13] CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: Hello and welcome along to CNN World Sports with me, Christina Macfarlane live from Atlanta.
Two of the biggest teams in football cups, their World Cup qualification hopes a live on Thursday night.
Argentina, surviving a stern test in a do or die match against Chile, while Brazil destroyed Eurogliders (ph) that secure their spot on the road to
Russia.
An early penalty by Cavani gave Chiche (ph) his first deficit as Brazil manager. But the five-time World Cup winners recovered quick, thanks to
the exploits of Polino (ph) with a stunning hat (ph) trick, his second goal, putting Brazil back in the lead after half time. Neymar made it 3-1
in the 74th minutes. And then Polinio again just then home across when Dani Alves to leave Brazil coasting towards qualification, 4-1.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I'm happy for several reason. First, the performance over the 90 minutes. Our ability to absorb a goal
come from behind and continue playing on a proposal, an idea which sometimes doesn't work. Other teams who dominate and produce results, but
the team has an idea about playing.
MACFARLANE: Well, it was all on the line for Argentina, the World Cup and their reputation after a poor qualifying campaign. But as we've seen so
often before, there was one man who stepped up to the plate, Lionel Messi, scoring the game's only goal, a penalty in the 16th minute after
(INAUDIBLE) was pushed from behind in the first quarter, the goal, putting them back in the frame for automatic qualifying spots.
The next year's finals in Russia, lifting them now to third in the South American table. Well, that bringing them just a point now behind Uruguay.
But look at that, Brazil way out ahead, topping the table by seven points clear, 2015 Copa America champions, Chile, slipping now back to sixth
position.
And the fun continues this Friday with some key qualifying fixtures to come. It will be a big occasion for Italian goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon,
will make his 1000th appearance of his professional career when Italy step out against Albania in Palomo. The match set to make Buffon the most kept
player in Europe.
While over in Island, Graffeo (ph) will be hoping to reach master (INAUDIBLE) striker is just two goals shy of matching in Russia's
international goal scoring record of 28. That place Wales as still unbeaten in group D, although three draws in a row leaves their World Cup
qualification far from sown up.
And over in California, the United States will resume their final round of qualifying in a crucial clash against Honduras. The U.S. needing a win
after picking out zero points from their opening to fixtures.
All right, up next, the first Formula One testing of the season has been underway in Melbourne and we have some early indicators of how the growing
pre-weekend and, perhaps, the season could play out.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[22:51:08] MACFARLANE: Welcome back. The Formula One season started in a familiar fashion on Friday after Mercedes top the time sheets in day one of
qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix.
Three-time champion, Lewis Hamilton, finishing on top in both first and second practice ahead of new teammate, Valtteri Bottas. And after much
talk of Ferrari and the build up to this season, the Italian outfit could only muster a fifth finish from Fin, Kimi Raikkonen early on, the second
practice for their number one drivers, Sebastian Vettel race back up the table finishing second to Hamilton by just under a second.
Regardless of the result, however, it seems all drivers are really enjoying the injection of speed the new Formula One changes have brought this
season.
And of course, one driver who has more than most approved this season is Mercedes man, Valtteri Bottas, who has of course stepped into the driving
seat of defending champion, Nico Rosberg, who announced his shocking retirement from the spot at the end of least season.
The Fin says he feels no pressure in the position and has in fact been coveting it for quite some time as he told Amanda Davies.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VALTTERI BOTTAS, RACING DRIVER, MERCEDES: I have to say, it wasn't that long until I called (INAUDIBLE) after the announcement, so yes.
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What did you say? Did you have your sales ready?
BOTTAS: No sales talking, just telling the fact that I'm doing this sport only because I want to -- want to win races and I want to win titles. And
I just made that very fairly clear to him.
DAVIES: Do you realize the size of the challenge that you are taking on joining Mercedes?
BOTTAS: I do realize completely the situation I am in. And I am very excited and I can't wait for this season. You know, this is also my
opportunity. I feel like I haven't proved yet anything in Formula One.
Obviously, I had some points but no wins, nothing like that. And I'm ready for the challenge. And I am not worried at all about the mental battles
and so on. For me, the best will be is to keep doing my own thing, work very hard with the team, and also with Lewis together and go from there.
DAVIES: Do you slightly feel the pressure because you still haven't got that race win?
I know we were talking about this time last year, you were saying this has to be the season I get my race win.
BOTTAS: Yes, it wasn't. And I'm glad there's a new opportunity again. You know, and not because of the race win, I'm not taking any extra
pressure. I know I can do it. We didn't have the opportunity, especially last year with Williams. Unfortunately, we couldn't win the race together,
which would have been nice because I spent four seasons as a race driver. So, I think we kind of deserved it. But shame, we couldn't make it.
But now, it's a new era in my career and hopefully it's going to be possible very soon.
DAVIES: Have you spoken to Nico about what it's like?
BOTTAS: No, I haven't, no, probably hopefully at some point. We obviously spent long time in the team and he knows each and every one very well. He
won the title with the team, so for sure, I tried to look everywhere where I could find help.
DAVIES: A lot has been said about maybe the challenges of being a teammate of Lewis Hamilton. What are you like as a teammate?
BOTTAS: Well, yes, it's --
DAVIES: Should he be fearful of you?
BOTTAS: Well, I wouldn't want to beat my own teammate, that's for sure. You know, it's I'm very excited being Lewis' teammate and I always want my
teammate to be as good as possible.
I think it's good for you. It's good for both of the drivers. So, I'm really looking forward to this season.
[22:55:00] He's a three-time world champion. I haven't won the race. So, I feel like I have plenty to prove. Not much to lose, I think more to win.
I definitely want to go for the goal, you know, that's once we have the chance, of course you need to go for it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: We really do have a fascinating season ahead in Formula One. But that's it for this edition of World Sports. I'm Christina Macfarlane
in Atlanta. Stay with us though, CNN Money with Maggie Lake in New York is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
