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NEWS STREAM
U.K. Parliament To Vote On Parliament Of May's Brexit Deal; Preliminary Findings On The Ethiopian Airlines Crash; Gaza Is Planning A Million Man March On Saturday Aired: 8-9a ET
Aired March 30, 2019 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACINDA ARDERN, PRIME MINISTER, NEW ZEALAND: Violence and extremism is not welcome here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST, NEWS STREAM (voice over): A survivor of the Christchurch terror attack says he wants his heart to be full of love and
full of mercy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't support his wrong action, but at the same time, he is my human brother.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT (voice over): And gearing up for protests.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL HOMES, ANCHOR, CNN: Hamas is calling for a Million Man March.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT (voice over): Gaza prepares for the one-year anniversary of the Great March of Return as Israel makes preparations of its own.
LU STOUT: Welcome to "News Stream." I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong.
JULIA CHATTERLEY, ANCHOR, CNN: And I'm Julia Chatterley outside the British Houses of Parliament in London. Today was supposed to be the day
that Britain left the European Union, indeed. The British Government had insisted that Brexit on 29th of March, 2019, was such a certainty that
commemorative coins were being organized. But very little has gone to plan.
Since the U.K. formally started this process exactly two years ago today -- indecision, exasperation and political chaos reign in Westminster behind me
where lawmakers are debating a Frankenstein version of Theresa May's deal with the E.U. It's a crucial few hours. Win the vote and the U.K. wins
that extension to still try and leave the E.U. on May 22nd. Lose that vote and there's no deal in place and a shorter deadline to simply try and
figure it all out.
If, like many Brits, you are struggling to go keep up with the developments, don't worry. Our diplomatic editor, Nic Robertson, joins us
from outside Number 10 Downing Street. Nic, a third attempt to the truncated deal here. The question, as always, with the works going on
behind the scenes, has she got the vote to past this shortened version dealing with the current and not the future?
NIC ROBERTSON, INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR, CNN: Well, she can certainly feel that she's won some people over, remembering the last go-
around of this vote was 149 votes down and a lot of those were hard line conservative MPs. Some of those had definitely been won over -- Ian
Duncan Smith, Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg, to name but a few really appear now to have said, "Look, as much as we don't like this, we believe
that the alternative that could come would be worse.
It could be a softer Brexit and they don't want that, so it does appear that she can count on them. The Labour Party though indicating so far, at
least, we're still a few hours out from the vote of course, that caveat has to be said. They are saying that they will oppose this deal, but we are
still hearing from the Democratic Unionist Party, there's 10 MPs in Westminster from Northern Ireland who prop up Theresa May's slender
majority key bloc from her, not just for the 10 because they do influence some of sort of hard line conservative Brexiteers, if you will.
Their leader, Arlene Foster has written an op-ed today the Belfast newspaper, "The Belfast Telegraph," and I'll read you part of that because
it comes quite and directly to the crux of why they are saying they won't support this vote and here is why Arlene Foster says. Let me read it to
you here.
"We cannot in all conscience support a withdrawal agreement which does not safeguard the union, but rather acts as a threat to the economic and
constitutional integrity of the U.K." Meaning, they are worried that Northern Ireland might become slightly separated by a customs barrier or
something from mainland U.K. and that potentially, in their minds, could be a slippery slope to a united island, an anathema for them.
These are very clear red lines and that is what Arlene Foster has laid out here, Julia.
CHATTERLEY: Yes, they've been the kingmaker in support of this government and also, a kingmaker in terms of trying to get this deal done. We shall
see. Nic Robertson there, outside Number 10 Downing Street.
Now, one British MP who will be voting in favor of Theresa May's deal is Albert Costa and he joins me now, an MP of course, for the Conservative
Party. Great to have you here, once again.
ALBERT COSTA, BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, CONSERVATIVE PARTY: Thank you, Julia.
CHATTERLEY: Can Theresa May get the votes? You're on side, but can she convince others?
COSTA: Well, look, I will be voting for the withdrawal agreement for the third time. And I would encourage colleagues in the House of Commons to
vote for this deal because it does three things. It solves also the issue on citizens' rights that are over one million British citizens watching
your program that live in the E.U. and over 3.6 million E.U. nationals here in the United Kingdom.
What the withdrawal agreement will do, it will guarantee those rights in a treaty backed by international law. If we come out of the E.U. without a
deal, over five million innocent people's rights will be extinguished overnight. This is how serious it is.
CHATTERLEY: I mean, Parliament -- really, the only thing Parliament can agree on is what you've just threatened there, which is the no deal exit.
[08:05:10]
CHATTERLEY: That the big risk here -- but the problem is, all of these achieves, even if she does get the votes today, pushing back and
withdrawing the idea a no deal exit to May 22nd, a political deal over quite frankly what the future looks like between the U.K. and had E.U. is
still here. And right now, people are saying they can't even agree on what the future of the E.U. and the U.K.'s relationship will look like.
COSTA: Well, there's been no doubt, Julia, if the withdrawal agreement is passed today, we've gone over one of the tallest summits in political
history. If we get the withdrawal agreement through and we come out on the 22nd of May as planned, what we will have done is be able to separate from
the E.U. in an amicable way. This is the divorce agreement, if you want to see.
In so as far as a future relationship is concerned, it will be for this country and for the E.U. to decide over the next two years what sort of
future trading association relationship we want but we need that divorce agreement first in order to separate.
CHATTERLEY: And everyone appreciates that. The problem is Theresa May simply doesn't have the votes for it. If she does lose tonight or today by
a lower degree than what we've seen for the vote number one and vote number two, do you think she'll try and bring it back next week? Do you think
we're done after today or there will still be a further vote if it gets defeated by a lesser margin?
COSTA: So one of the great things about the British Constitution is that it is fluid. We don't have a codified written Constitution and really,
it's up to the Speaker to permit another motion to come before the House. That I think was the plan a couple of weeks ago. If she weren't to get her
agreement through today, I think it would be extremely difficult for her to do it a fourth time.
However, if she doesn't get it through today, on Monday, MPs are going to have a series of indicative votes, and if MPs choose something that they
can add to the withdrawal agreement in terms of a future, for example, an AFTA-like agreement or access to the Customs Union, some form of Customs
arrangement.
CHATTERLEY: Or a second referendum?
COSTA: Well, I am not in support of that, but I think certainly, if on Monday night, the MPs come up with something that can be added on to the
withdrawal agreement, an answer to your question, she could possibly go for a fourth time.
CHATTERLEY: Wow, I mean, you're smiling about that, there are people here who are angry.
COSTA: There are -- there are Julia.
CHATTERLEY: A few here, they are saying, delaying is a betrayal here.
COSTA: These people behind us, there's only about 50 of them. These people don't represent anyone other than themselves. There are over 60
million people in the United Kingdom. That's a tiny fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a fraction. So let's not be frustrated by some loud,
noisy people that they represent anyone but themselves.
CHATTERLEY: Who should -- very quickly, who should lead the Conservative Party after Theresa May? Who would your vote be? Would it be Boris? Who?
Michael Gove?
COSTA: I think the Conservative Party is very lucky to have a great number of candidates in place, but what I would see is this. Whoever is going to
lead the Conservative Party must be a unifying figure, somebody that can unite the party and most importantly, unite our country in a positive way
with a positive message with policies that chime with modern Britain.
CHATTERLEY: Well, that would be a change, quite frankly.
COSTA: It would indeed.
CHATTERLEY: Sir, thank you so much for that.
COSTA: Thank you.
CHATTERLEY: And we continue to cover Brexit beyond the confines here of Westminster. Anna Stewart is in Doncaster in the north of England, a town
that voted leave back in 2016, and we have Nina dos Santos at the other end of the country in North East Somerset.
Anna, I am going to come you because you've been jumping around different areas that voted leave, some of them will share the sentiments of those as
you can hear behind me. What are they saying? And what do they continue to tell you about the situation and, of course, the vote today?
ANNA STEWART, REPORTER, CNN: Yes, so we are now in Doncaster where seven out of ten people voted to leave the E.U., an overwhelming result. And
it's markets today, so it has been very busy and everybody is very willing to talk about Brexit. There is definitely a sense of frustration.
Nobody I have spoken to so far want the Prime Minister's deal to go through. Most of them would rather have a no deal Brexit. It's hard to
find anyone who would like to remain here in Doncaster, take a listen to one lady I spoke to because some of the frustration is actually beginning
to turn into anger with Westminster.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No deal Brexit. No deal Brexit. Get out.
STEWART: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Especially for -- just get out. That's what we need to do. I mean, it's not about rules. I would be more than dare -- I am
would be more than willing to organize a mass rally. I would revolt me, totally revolt as old as I am. I think that's what we need. The older
generation want to leave.
STEWART: If they were elected -- if there was an election today, how many people would lose their seats?
[08:10:10]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If it doesn't go through, people will be screaming from constituents to say, "Look, we don't want you any moment. We don't
care. We don't want you. You've not -- these people have voted to leave, go out, and if their MP has stood and said in Parliament, "No, but I am
like, I am like that." That means they are there for them. And it's not about them, it's about the constituents.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: This is also the first place in all the leave areas I've been to this week where I've heard about UKIP. One man told me he's voted for
Labour every single time, every election, all his life, he is in his 70s, but he would vote UKIP this time around. So the vote today is crucial for
the Brexit process. We'll see where it goes.
But you know what, this Brexit process itself over the last two years may make a very lasting change on British politics. Because a lot of people
feel like they're just not being heard -- Julia.
CHATTERLEY: Yes, there's a lot of people behind me, I can tell you, Anna, that are doing their best to make themselves heard. Let's go across now to
Nina dos Santos because obviously, Nina, you're the other half of this equation in a predominantly remain region, what do they make of the fact
that today was supposed to be the day that the U.K. left the E.U. and, of course, it's simply not happening.
NINA DOS SANTOS, CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well, as of all with Brexit, the story isn't entirely as clear cut as it originally seems when that
referendum was proposed by the Conservative Party's former Prime Minister, David Cameron all of those years ago.
I am in this part of the country that you quite rightfully say, Julia, is very much pro remain. The Northeast Somerset constituency, alongside Bath
as one big amalgamation voted, broadly speaking nearly 58% in favor of staying inside the E.U. when that referendum happened. However, there are
significant pockets of leave support within a place like rural Somerset.
We've got various economic factors to consider, lots of pensioners coming here to retire. They're more predominantly in favor of leave rather than
remain, whereas the younger people of Bath are more in favor of remain. You've also got former industrial towns like in North Somerset, where there
was a big coal mining history. That again is a lot pocket of leave and this village of Keynsham where I am is, too, is as well.
And one of the reasons why I've come here is because this is the local seat of the MP, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Chair of that Eurosceptic part of the
Conservative Party that has been so vocal, the European Research Group. His constituency office is actually just over my left shoulder on the other
side of the street and local people are getting increasingly disaffected with the fact that he was once a very strong voice from the leave side and
now may well back Theresa May's deal.
I've been speaking to people who both support remain and also leave. Here is what one of them had to say about their local MP at this crucial hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am just sick to death of the whole thing now because we had our vote three years ago, the majority voted to leave and most of
the MPs are doing? They are doing everything they can to stop it.
DOS SANTOS: Did you vote to leave?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I did vote to leave. I've got no regrets on voting to leave.
DOS SANTOS: Jacob Rees-Mogg is your MP here in this constituency, is he popular?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he is. Yes, he always gets in. So, I know some people who don't like him. He's sort of just look at him as being a
bit of a tough -- but, no.
DOS SANTOS: He's obviously very pro-leave, but now he may back the deal.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He may back the deal just to get something through, isn't it? Because we have to get something done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DOS SANTOS: Well, I've also spoken to large business leaders who have moved out to this part of the country. One of them I was just speaking to
yesterday who has 30 employees and property developments. Multimillion dollar hotels he is building up and down the country. He is pro-remain and
he says, "Look, I'm just really upset at how this country is being torn apart. If there were a second referendum, I think it would be a good idea
because then we'd have a second chance to remain even this local part of Somerset, actually recent polling suggested might flip-flop and go back
towards remain if there were another vote on the subject -- Julia.
CHATTERLEY: Yes, and that is interesting, Nina, because actually the polls of the country-wide seem to suggest that we have seen a bit of a -- more of
a tilt towards remain, but I think the message from both of you there, both Anna and Nina there was as you can see, views are so polarized in terms of
people being entrenched in their positions whether it is leave or whether it is remain.
Anna Stewart, thank you so much for that, and of course, Nina dos Santos. Kristie, I am going hand back to you, here, but I think the key point is,
all we are voting on today in Parliament behind me is the divorce deal. All -- a win today for Theresa May would achieve is pushing back the
deadline to May 22nd, rather than risking a possible no deal exit as of April 12th. So still a lot at stake. Handing it over to you.
LU STOUT: Yes, a lot at stake and we can hear quite clearly the frustration being expressed behind you and little wonder, this was supposed
to be Brexit day and yet, here we go again. Julia, thank you. We'll talk again soon.
[08:15:10]
LU STOUT: Now, preliminary findings on the Ethiopian Airlines crash that took place earlier this month suggest that the automated flight software
factored into bringing down the Boeing jet. That's according to a new report from the "Wall Street Journal." If true, that would confirm a
suspected link to another Boeing crash in Indonesia six months ago.
Journalist Robyn Kriel joins us now live from the Ethiopian capital. Robyn, good to see you, and just walk us through the report and what it
means for Boeing.
ROBYN KRIEL, JOURNALIST: Well, it certainly sounds like bad news for Boeing, Kristie, but a double edge sword of sorts because while this MCAS
system, this anti-stall system that was supposed to help an aircraft if it got into a stall, while this does indicate to have failed and have been the
cause of both of these crashes, it is bad news for Boeing because the questions will be asked why didn't they take care of this after the initial
crash in Indonesia.
The other side of the sword is that, it's good news because at least it's not a problem with the Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts, and of course, good news
for the families, as well, because they will finally will understand what brought down Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 on the 10th of March killing
157 people.
It also -- if this report -- and it is a preliminary report, we'll told a full report would take up to a year to assemble, if it does end up being
true, it could also vindicate the Ethiopian Airlines pilots because that would discount pilot error because as this MCAS system was pushing the nose
down, the pilots would be fighting to keep the nose up and they would be fighting essentially a losing battle -- Kristie.
LU STOUT: Yes, and I am happy that you mentioned the families because they have all along demanded answers and accountability and with this initial
report, they are starting to get just that. Robyn Kriel, reporting live, thank you.
The grief was palpable on Friday during a national memorial service for the victims of New Zealand's terror attacks at the two mosques. The ceremony
started with a Maori lament.
Religious leaders, community members and survivors spoke to a massive crowd who gathered to remember 50 people killed during the massacre in
Christchurch two weeks ago.
One survivor, seated in a wheelchair on stage spoke about his wife who was killed in the attack and about forgiveness. He said this, quote, "I don't
want a heart that is boiling like a volcano. It does not have peace. I want a heart that will full of love and care and full of mercy."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern got a standing ovation during her speech about fighting racism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARDERN: Racism exists, but it is not welcome here. An assault on the freedom of any one of us who practices their faith or religion is not
welcome here. Violence and extremism in all its form is not welcome here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ardern's call for a ban on military style weapons is getting pushback from one of New Zealand's largest gun
store. Now, Gun City is urging firearms owners to sign a petition against what it calls ill-advised gun law reforms. Among other things the petition
calls for, in-depth public consultation to make new legislation doesn't punish law-abiding gun owners. The new gun reforms are expected to become
law by April 11th.
As Middle East tensions simmer, Gaza is planning what it calls a million man march on Saturday and Israel says it will get tough if it has to.
We'll take you inside Gaza and see how its young people search for hope.
Also ahead, the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan dodges questions about the controversial Chinese detention camps that are possibly holding
millions of Muslims.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
IMRAN KHAN, PRIME MINISTER, PAKISTAN: Frankly, I don't know much about that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:20:00]
LU STOUT: Huawei has topped $100 billion in revenue for the first time. That despite intense political challenges. The U.S. says, the Chinese tech
giant is a security risk, still it made bumper profits in 2018, up some 25% in sales. They were up almost 20%.
Now, Huawei is under rising international pressure from the U.S. and other countries concerned that its equipment could be used for spying by the
Chinese government.
Now, Imran Khan, the President of Muslim-majority Pakistan refused to comment on the reported detention of as many as two million Muslims in
Chinese camps. Pakistan is a long-time friend and trading partner of Beijing. These mass detention camps in Western China's Xinjiang region
have been described as prisons.
Former detainees have said that they were physically and mentally abused while being forced to learn Communist Party propaganda.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHANIE FINDLAY, JOURNALIST, FINANCIAL TIMES: What is your stance on China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims?
KHAN: Frankly, I don't know about much about that.
FINDLAY: Turkey has said add it was a great shame on humanity and you have spoken up in defense of Muslims around the world.
KHAN: It's true. I mean, Muslim world is probably going through its worst phrase right now.
FINDLAY: But you won't speak out against what's happening in China?
KHAN: If I had enough knowledge, I would speak about it. I actually - it is not so much in the papers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: A puzzling exchange there. Now, sources in the U.S. State Department, they say that it's not just Chinese Muslims being detained.
They claim a handful of American residents, either citizens or people with legal status in the U.S. are also being held in these secretive camps.
In a briefing on Thursday, a State Department official said that China's crackdown on religion is escalating.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAM BROWNBACK, U.S. AMBASSADOR AT LARGE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: China is at war with faith, but it is a war they will not win.
It's not just Uyghurs, it's Kazaks -- ethnic Kazaks and Kyrgyz as well that we know in numbers in these camps.
And it's not just the camps any more, entire villages are being encased and people limited on their movement in and out of the villages in that region.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: China has repeatedly denied reports of torture and brainwashing inside the Xinjiang facilities, describing them as voluntary, quote,
"vocational training centers designed to fight extremism."
Now, Israel says it is prepared to wage a broad military campaign in Gaza if needed. After a two-day flare up of cross border fighting that has put
the spotlight on security policies two weeks before an election.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement on a visit to the Israel-Gaza border where he toured infantry and army units.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER, ISRAEL (Through a translator): We are tightening the security ring around the Gaza Strip. I recently ordered
that's units be reinforced, that tools be added in preparation for an extensive campaign. All Israelis should know that if a comprehensive
campaign is required, we will enter it strong and safe and after we have exhausted all of the other possibilities.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: Gaza is bracing for demonstrations on Saturday. Hamas has called for a Million Man March.
Now, CNN's Michael Holmes is standing by in Gaza. He joins us live. After what we saw earlier this week, that outbreak of hostilities between these
two sides, and before tomorrow's anniversary, what is happening today? What is the scene out there?
[08:25:10]
HOLMES: Yes, we are down near the fence. This is really the area where this massive protest will take place on Saturday. There's been a small
group who came down here basically just having a looksy, I think. Some kids, preteens, teenagers wandered out into the field behind us there, just
past that Palestinian flag was where we were standing ourselves.
And Israeli forces on the other side of the fence started firing teargas. One of those canisters bounced about a hundred meters in front of us and
flew over our heads. Probably about two or three dozen canisters in all. A bit of teargas walking around, we moved back to this position. But it
gives you an indication of the tension there with perhaps 30 or 40 kids wandering around in that field, what it will be like tomorrow, who knows?
There has been no shortage of Gazans willing to turn out for this protest, which have been weekly. Tomorrow is the year anniversary of what is called
the Great March of Return. There is great concern that there could be more violence on Saturday, of course.
But while we talk about that, there are those in Gaza trying to find an alternative to those desperate Palestinians looking for something else to
do. We went to a place called Gaza Sky Geeks to find some of them. Have a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
HOLMES (voice over): In downtown Gaza City, a refuge from the grinding poverty and more than 50% unemployment. Gaza Sky Geeks is a high tech hub
to give hope and opportunity in a place with little of either.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WAFA ULLIYAN, PROGRAM DIRETOR, GAZA SKY GEEKS: I think, I mean, if Gaza Sky Geeks is not here, I think the majority of those youths would be either
like losing hope and engaging in violence or simply they are like the lost generation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice over): It's run by the NGO Mercy Corps and supported by local and international companies fostering young talent.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For example, just imagine that I push you some food.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice over): Talent like this 23-year-old, Isra Sulimon (ph).
HOLMES (on camera): So, Isra has actually developed an app that helps people track their expenses day-to-day and it's people in the UAE are using
it?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
HOLMES: And the United Arab Emirates are using her app to track their expenses and manage their budgets. Developed in here.
HOLMES (voice over): That island of normality and opportunity a short distance, but at the same time, a million miles from the Gaza border fence,
where every week for a year now, Palestinians have taken part in demonstrations which are both a demand to return to family homes lost in
the war that accompanied Israel's founding and also, a call for an end to the Israeli economic blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Nearly 200 have died during these protests according to Palestinian medial authorities and 6,000 wounded; many have life changing injuries. One of
them is Rafeeq Al Saadi shot in the leg protesting last April. He wants to be there saturday, but his wounds prevent him.
RAFEEQ AL SAADI, WOUNDED PROTESTER: If there was any way I could participate, I would. But I can't now. It's almost been a year and I've
had three operations.
HOLMES (voice over): On the other side of the fence, the Israeli Military is prepared for the anniversary protest, Infantry Brigades and an artillery
unit dispatched to bolster forces already in the area.
The Great March of Return began as a people's protest, but Hamas was quick to adopt it. Gaza's disaffected and disillusioned youth with nothing else
to do, ripe for recruitment to take part.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
HOLMES: Yes, and Kristie, I can tell you that Hamas has actually called for the protest tomorrow to be peaceful. They're calling it, as we said,
the Million Man March. They're not going to get anywhere near that number, of course, but even tens of thousands turning out here, and the emotion
that's are in play, whether it stays peaceful as Hamas wants, well, that is something very much in doubt -- Kristie.
LU STOUT: Yes, a lot of concerns about what will happen tomorrow, hope in short supply there in Gaza and yet fascinating to see those scenes of that
incubator you visited. Scenes of creation, entrepreneurship and innovation inside Gaza. Michael Holmes, we thank you so much for your reporting.
Take care.
You're watching "News Stream" and still to come right here on the program, back to Brexit on the day Britain was supposed to leave the European Union
with or without a deal.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:30:00]
CHATTERLEY: Welcome back to do show. I'm Julia Chatterley, outside the British Houses of Parliament in London. Today was meant to be Brexit day
in Britain, instead, Parliament is debating behind me before voting on a deconstructed version of Theresa May's twice defeated Brexit deal. In the
last few hours, the European Union has said it expects the deal to fail once again, while one of the most high profile Brexiteers, Boris Johnson
says he will now back it at the third time of asking, a change of hard he called, quote, "very painful."
But that is after the U.K. Prime Minister told Johnson and other Members of their Conservative Party earlier this week that she will step aside if the
deal gets passed. To break it down for us, Carole Walker joins me now.
Carole, great to have you here. Let's just play out the scenarios here. Let's say she gets the deal through Parliament today. Then what?
CAROLE WALKER, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, Julia, this is a really crucial vote looming in just a couple of hours from now and I know we've
had a lot of big votes over the last few weeks, but this really is what appears to be the last throw of the dice for the Prime Minister who as you
have said has offered to resign if she can get this withdrawal deal through.
What she has said is that issued the terms of the agreement reached with the E.U. last week, she can operate out the withdrawal agreement, the terms
of the U.K.'s departure from the E.U. from the future declaration which looks at the future trading relationships and so on.
If she gets this through, she has until May 22nd when she will have to get further quite difficult steps in the legislative process through, but it
means that Brexit remains on course and she will have until May 22nd, at that stage, what she hopes is the U.K. can leave with a deal. If she
loses, though, Brexit date because April the 12th. She will be faced with a stark choice -- either to leave with no deal or to ask for a longer
extension which would mean the U.K. fighting the European Union elections.
CHATTERLEY: There is also another potential option, of course, and that is that she try to come back next week and hold some further vote, of course.
But I think, let's focus on what's going to happen in the next couple of hours. What is the likelihood here in light of what we just said, arch
Brexiteers like Jacob Rees-Mogg, Boris Johnson now coming on side, can she swing it? Can she get enough votes when the Party that backs hers, the DUP
of course that we talk about, still seems like they're not on board at this moment?
WALKER: It is just possible she could get it through, but at the moment, it doesn't look as though she's got the numbers. As you have said, there
are a number of very senior Brexiteers who have now said that they will vote for the Prime Minister's deal this afternoon.
Boris Johnson has said he will; Ian Duncan Smith, the former leader of the Conservative Party has said he will and we are hearing suggestions that
Dominic Raab, a former Brexit Secretary who resigned from her government over the handling of the whole process, there are suggestions that he ...
[08:35:10]
WALKER: ... may now come on board, but in the last few minutes, we've heard from Sammy Wilson, a leading number of that small Norther Ireland
party, the Democratic Unionist Party saying their position has not changed.
So that means the only way she can win is if there are significant numbers of labor MPs, those MPs who have very strongly leave supporting
constituencies who might be inclined to back her in order to ensure that Brexit happens.
At the moment, it doesn't look as though there are sufficient numbers. But look, things are moving very fluid throughout the day. This is a critical
moment, two hours to go and this has been such an unpredictable process. It looks as though it could be very tight.
CHATTERLEY: Yes, watch this space. Kristie, you heard it there. All options at this moment on the table and that vote set to take place within
the next couple of hours. Over to you.
LU STOUT: Julia, thank you. We'll see you again at the top of the hour. Now a senior executive at YouTube says that the company is trying to work
out how the E.U.'s newly passed copyright rules will be implemented.
The European Parliament approved sweeping overhauls of copyright rules this week despite protests across Europe. Companies like YouTube and Google
could now be responsible for copyright infringement committed by their users.
Earlier, I spoke with YouTube's Global Head of Music, Lyor Cohen. I asked him if the company is pushing back against the copyright reform.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
LYOR COHEN, GLOBAL HEAD OF MUSIC, YOUTUBE: Well, I have to tell you that I think it's a mischaracterization to say that we push back because there are
certain points of the copyright directive that we actually are supportive of. We actually are concerned about some of the unintended consequences.
We believe that copyright reform is important, but we want to make sure it's great for the artists, great for the consumers and something that we
could actually do. So I think that there is going to be a lot of effort dealing with the details and trying to make it work for everybody.
LU STOUT: You've been launching YouTube music and YouTube Music Premium in various markets all around the world, including India, a massive potential
market there. We know Spotify is also there. What is your vision on how to get more people to especially pay for music with YouTube in that market?
COHEN: Indian music industry is vital and the consumers, they just love YouTube, so the fact that we're going there to launch this subscription is
just incredibly exciting for us.
LU STOUT: Yes, and I think it's interesting as you enter different markets all around the world, you're inviting more consumers to direct the future
of music. You are currently the head of music at Google and YouTube, you are also the music industry legend who signed Slick Rick and Jay-Z. You
helped usher in and bring about the rise of hip hop to the top of the charts. Do you think in your current role you could see the rise of a new
form of a global music genre?
COHEN: I have the best job in the world. It is incredible because when I describe my job, it's simply that I get to help more artists and
songwriters make a living making music. So, for example, I just came from Seoul and I was blown away by the global expansion of K-pop. I see it
happening in China. I see that the world is getting smaller and people are -- creators and artists and record companies have global aspirations that
they never had before.
And it's because of platforms like YouTube, and so when I go to India and see that Indian artists are now appearing on the global charts, it's
amazing. It's fascinating and it's amazing. It just makes life so much more interesting. We get to experience music like we've never experienced
music before and it's just, like I said, making the world smaller.
LU STOUT: Absolutely. Lyor Cohen, thank you can so much for joining me.
COHEN: Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:40:00]
LU STOUT: You're looking at live pictures from outside the International Space Station, NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Dick Hague are right now
working to install more powerful lithium ion batteries on one of the station's solar arrays. Oh, a little bit of a glitch there in the feed.
Well, there it is back, this was supposed to be the first ever all female spacewalk as you recall, Ann McClain was supposed to be there with Koch,
but only one space suit was on board that was available in the women's size.
Now, in dance clubs across Asia, DJs rule the night drawing huge audiences, laying down the perfect party vibe. Now, wrapping up our "Iconic
Singapore" series, we get a personal tour of the city's eclectic music scene with one of its veteran DJs.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice over): A lot of Singapore's swagger in the club scene starts with this man, Dj Koflow. One of the country's hip hop
pioneers, he's a master on the turntables who has been serving up beats for over two decades. The headliner with gigs around the world, he is still
pushing his music in new directions here at home.
DJ KOFLOW, SINGAPORE: Before the show, they gave me a bunch of scores and notes. I'm like, "Hmmm, I don't know how to read scores. I don't know how
to read notes." And then I go onstage and I look at everyone and I was like, "Everyone knows how to read this." I am like, "Am I the only guy who
doesn't know how to read the score, right?" So, yes, there you go, you know? It really tells the story of everything is possible.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're heading to Blue Jazz.
DJ KOFLOW: One of my favorite spots in Singapore for you know, like we started a lot of underground DJ nights there and also a lot of legendary,
like, Singaporean jazz musicians like jam there, so I love the whole vibe about the place.
This is place is so iconic in Singapore. If you want to look for good jazz music, you come here.
This is Anson and this is Rock, we don't know what we're going to do, but this is jazz.
A lot of musicians like us, we go to that place for inspiration. There's not a lot of place where you can just sit out and jam and just free form
and just free style and not, like, worry about the crowd that much.
In Singapore, we can afford to experiment with our music.
Thank you for that -- we need you to dance for this one song. Thank you.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
LU STOUT: And that is "News Stream," "World Sport" with Christina Macfarlane is next.
(SPORTS)
[09:00:00]
END
