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Hong Kong Suspends Extradition Bill; Video Shows Iran Retrieving Unexploded Mine From Ship; Trump Calls Fox News To Clarify Foreign Dirt Comments; Amanda Knox Speaking At Conference Next Hour; Michigan A.G. Dismisses Flint Water Cases; Cricket World Cup. Aired 5- 6a ET
Aired June 15, 2019 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:00:00]
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CARRIE LAM, HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE: The council will halt its work in relation to the bill until our work in communication, explanation and listening to opinions is completed.
NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Hong Kong's chief executive delays passage of a controversial extradition bill. But critics say they'll continue to protest until the entire thing is sacked.
Also this hour, the U.S. points fingers at Iran. Why American officials believe Tehran was behind this attack on this tanker in the Gulf.
Later, India versus Pakistan, two of the world's biggest sports rivals are set to meet at the cricket World Cup. And we all know they are cricket fanatics.
Hello, everyone, welcome to our viewers in the U.S. and around the world. I'm Natalie Allen. CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.
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ALLEN: And we begin with breaking news. Hong Kong suspending the controversial extradition bill that sparked mass protests this week. Activists claimed the bill would give China too much control over Hong Kong and erode the city's basic freedoms.
Speaking just hours ago, Chief Executive Carrie Lam defended the bill but said the government could have done more to explain it to people who were afraid of losing their civil rights.
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LAM: I have to admit that our explanation and communication work has not been sufficient or effective. The government has decided to suspend the legislative amendment exercise. We start our communication with all sectors of society, do more explanation work and listen to different views of society.
I want to stress that the government is adopting an open mind to heed comprehensively different views in society towards the bill.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ALLEN: Our Anna Coren, she has lived in Hong Kong for 10 years. And she joins us now covering the story.
Anna, let's first talk about what Carrie Lam said and the likely response from the people of Hong Kong to it.
ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it was quite remarkable. We had got word earlier today that Carrie Lam would be making this announcement of suspending this highly controversial bill. And as we've seen over the weeks, this growing pressure for her to back down.
Obviously, those protests last Sunday, that massive march, attracting up to 1 million people in Hong Kong. And then on Wednesday, tens of thousands of people in what ended up in a violent clash with police, dozens injured.
But this goes to, I guess, the very core of what these people are fighting for which is their freedom. And they feel that is being eroded by China. And certainly would be eroded through the extradition bill.
What is the extradition bill, it means anybody here in Hong Kong, these are not just citizens. These could be business people, journalists, could then be charged with an offense, a criminal offense. And then extradited to the mainland and face court there.
People here are seriously concerned that would involve political activists who would then be charged on trumped-up charges and then taken to the mainland.
Yes, we saw the book sellers, selling gossipy books on the Communist Party, they were quite literally just snatched from Hong Kong, taken to the mainland, forced to admit to certain charges. And they are now in jail.
So this is a major concern for the people here. Carrie Lam obviously saying we need to press pause. We need to think. We need to listen to the people. That we haven't explained this properly. And that's quite interesting. Because all along, they have said the people don't get it. The people do not understand. We are trying to protect Hong Kong.
Well, the protesters, they're not buying it. And they certainly are not buying the suspension of the bill. They are taking to the streets tomorrow, in this planned protest. There's talks of folks coming in the same sort of numbers that we saw last Sunday.
So obviously, the hope is that it will be a peaceful demonstration. But they want to maintain the pressure. Because, Natalie, as far as they are concerned --
[05:05:00] COREN: -- this is, at the end of the day, China, this is not going to change its result. It still wants greater control of Hong Kong. So, in their eyes, China, I should say, is trying to play the long game.
ALLEN: Right. And there were some 1 million people on the streets last week, Anna. I mean, this is not something that people there are taking there lightly at all.
Is it -- you just said it but there's very little chance that Carrie Lam will remove this, is she just trying to bide time?
COREN: Yes, I think that is definitely the feeling. Carrie Lam saying that this is not her withdrawing this highly controversial bill, this is her suspending it, postponing it. There is no timeframe. She said that it won't be this year.
But we spoke to a protest organizer in the last hour and he said, what trick is she playing at, we don't buy it. Because the people of Hong Kong, certainly those people who took to the streets, they don't trust the Hong Kong government. And they certainly do not trust Beijing.
And it's interesting, Natalie, we've heard these arguments from the Hong Kong government, from Carrie Lam, the chief executive, saying there are laws in place to protect citizens. To protect human rights. To protect people.
But as I said, the folks here, taking to the streets, they are not buying it.
Now I now want to bring in Kevin Yam, he's a partner of Kennedys law firm here in Hong Kong.
Kevin, what do you make of the suspension of this bill?
KEVIN YAM, PARTNER, KENNEDYS: First of all, I speak on behalf of myself and not (INAUDIBLE). But I think in relation to the concession that is now being given in relation to the bill, the government has yet to convince of people of Hong Kong that they're sincere about wanting to get the process started all over again.
COREN: And what do you make of their argument -- and we heard from pro-Beijing lawmakers also in the last few hours -- that the framework is in place?
There is an independent judiciary here in Hong Kong that will protect the basic rights of Hong Kong citizens.
What do you make of that?
YAM: The ultimate problem with any extradition process is that it's (INAUDIBLE) trial and that so long as you've got basic evidence available to suggest that there might be a tryable (ph) issue, essentially, in that case, a judge as independent as he or she may be, has little option but to go ahead and extradite.
COREN: Yes, it obviously is a major concern here. And that is why protesters say, Natalie, that they need to continue
this momentum.
Kevin Yam, again, we thank you for your insight there.
But, Natalie, we are expecting up to 1 million people, possibly, to take to the streets, tomorrow to obviously voice their concerns. They say they will continue fighting for Hong Kong's freedom. Until that controversial bill is withdrawn. And until Carrie Lam resigns -- Natalie.
ALLEN: We hope it will be a peaceful protest. That is a lot of people on the streets. Anna Coren for us.
Anna, thanks so much.
We turn now to the other major story we continue to follow out of the Middle East. CNN has learned new details about the attacks on those two tankers in the Gulf of Oman.
A U.S. official says shortly before those ships were hit with explosives, Iran tried to shoot down a U.S. drone with a missile. This comes after the U.S. military released this video, U.S. officials saying it shows the Iranians were moving an unexploded mine from the side of one of tankers several hours after the initial attack.
President Trump says he is convinced Tehran was behind the ship attacks. Tehran strenuously denying being involved. Mr. Trump would not say what, if anything, the U.S. and its allies might do to protect the strategic waterways.
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DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They are a nation of terror. And they have changed a lot since I've been president. I can tell you they were unstoppable and now they're in deep, deep trouble. You can't --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How do you stop these outrageous acts?
With 30 percent of the world's oil --
TRUMP: Well, we're going to see.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ALLEN: Let's get more from CNN's Michelle Kosinski in Washington.
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MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN SENIOR DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A tanker still smolders in the Gulf of Oman after it was attacked Thursday. While a U.S. official tells CNN's Barbara Starr, Iran is trying to prevent it from being towed, another official saying --
[05:10:00] KOSINSKI (voice-over): -- when an American drone tracked Iranian boats prior to these attacks on two ships, Iran then fired a surface- to-air missile on it. It missed. Sources did not say the drone captured the Iranian boats conducting an actual attack. A string of incidents now that the U.S. squarely blames on Iran.
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TRUMP: Iran did do it. And you know they did it because you saw the boat.
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KOSINSKI (voice-over): The president referring to this extraordinary video, shot from a U.S. aircraft and released by the Pentagon, showing what U.S. officials say is a boat from Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard coming up to the hull of the Japanese tanker hours after it was rocked by an explosion and removing what a U.S. official says was an unexploded mine to hide the evidence, Iran was behind it.
In photos you also see the damage to the hull from the first explosion. One senior diplomatic source from a U.S. ally telling CNN it is now virtually certain Iran did this.
That same source pointing out, though, there seems to be what they called a straight line from U.S. actions, leaving the Iran nuclear deal, sanctioning Iran, increasing the military posture in the region to what is happening now.
Iran is feeling the pressure and lashing out but not changing its behavior, not coming back to the negotiating table, at least not yet. The president today insisting his policy is working.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
TRUMP: They've changed a lot since I've been president, I can tell you. Now all of a sudden, they're pulling back, they're pulling back from everywhere.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
KOSINSKI (voice-over): Sources tell CNN there is evidence Iran feels the financial pinch, as oil sales hampered by sanctions, that it is tougher now for Iran to fund its many proxy operations overseas.
PATRICK SHANAHAN, ACTING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: We have an international situation there in the Middle East. It's not a U.S. situation.
KOSINSKI (voice-over): Yet attacks like these continue to send a message to the U.S. in threat and fire that Iran won't be deterred for now.
KOSINSKI: So Iran is denying any involvement and saying the U.S. doesn't have a shred of evidence. Of course, the U.S. feels its evidence is crystal clear. But what is not clear is, what does the U.S. do next?
The acting Secretary of Defense says the immediate goal is to build international consensus that Iran is behind this. What we're hearing from U.S. allies is an agreement with the U.S. assessment but not the blatant blaming of Iran that the U.S. is doing, at least not yet.
The Europeans, of course, want to hold on to what's left of the Iran nuclear deal. Remember, even in the investigation that came out of the last tanker attacks that happened only weeks ago, those countries that were involved determined, at the U.N., that a state actor was to blame but they did not name Iran -- Michelle Kosinski, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: Let's take you to the region now for more reaction. CNN correspondents are there for us. CNN's Fred Pleitgen in Tehran and Sam Kiley is in the port of Khor Fakkan in the UAE.
And Fred, let's begin with you. Many allegations for Iran. The U.S. blaming them for the attacks and that drone attack. Iran pushing back.
What is their reaction?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Iran very much pushing back. And Iran also not answering to some of these specific allegations out there. Certainly, firing a missile at a U.S. drone is not something that the Iranians have mentioned at all.
Even that video that we just saw in Michelle's report, that the U.S. says seems to show the Iranians taking something off the side of one of those stricken tankers, which the U.S. believes could be an unexploded mine. The Iranians haven't commented on that either.
There's some news agencies that have mentioned that that video is out there but there hasn't been any comment on it specifically. And at the same time, the Iranians remain adamant that they were not behind these attacks and accusing the U.S. of trying to fan the flames in the greater Middle East and more specifically in the Persian Gulf region.
One of the things the Iranians are highlighting in all of this, they say that the company that owns the tanker itself says the sailors on board the tanker do not believe the tanker was struck by a mine.
In fact, some of those sailors apparently saying they believe the tanker was struck by projectiles. Of course, we always have to mention, it's unclear how much situational awareness those sailors would had in the run-up to the explosions and of course, while the explosions were taking place as well. That is the word from the tanker company.
That's something certainly playing down big here in Iran as well. At the same time, the Iranians, Natalie, saying they're not backing down on this situation. It's quite interesting because yesterday during Friday prayers, the leader of the Friday prayers said he believes the supreme leader of Iran has essentially humiliated President Trump by rebuffing President Trump's offer to talk with the Iranians.
The Supreme Leader at that point saying he believes President Trump is not worthy of further talks.
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PLEITGEN: And the Iranians persistently have been saying if the U.S. wants new negotiations and talks they need to get back to the nuclear agreement first -- Natalie.
ALLEN: We'll see about that, won't we?
Unlikely. Fred Pleitgen with a view from Iran. Let's go to Sam.
First of all, U.S. officials say Iran is preventing that tanker from being towed?
What do you know about that?
And what are you hearing from the region about this situation and what could happen as a result?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the owners of the Frontline Altair, one of the two ships allegedly attacked with these limpet mines, the U.S. and the U.K. say that was an Iranian attack. And further to that, as you point out, Natalie, the Americans are saying there is interference going on with the salvage rescue operation.
We've been in touch with the Frontline company spokesman. He says they have absolutely no information about that. They have the full crew on board. The captain of the ship is there, he is in communication with his headquarters. And as far as they're concerned, there has been no talk whatsoever of harassment coming from the IRGC Navy. They say it is now attached to two tugs and the third is on its way and they will decide where to take it for repair. Possibly cross- loading the goods that are on board, the oil shipment that it was carrying.
So once again, we're seeing picking away at the American narrative. And this coming at a time, for example, the Emiratis, who are very anxious about the growing power an and influence, particularly through proxies in the wider Middle East of the Iranians, nonetheless, at this stage, very anxious to stay out entirely of this growing rhetorical confrontation between the U.S. and Tehran, not least because they look straight across the Persian Gulf onto Iranian territory. They're very close neighbors.
And that they are very anxious that this could escalate into something that spins entirely out of control -- Natalie.
ALLEN: That's not something anyone wants to see for sure. Sam Kiley, Fred Pleitgen for us, we'll talk to you again, gentlemen, thanks. The U.S. president Trump did something on Friday we rarely hear him do, dial back on an incendiary comment. We'll look at what he said and how he tried to undo the damage. That's next.
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ALLEN: Welcome back.
Sources close to the White House tell CNN the last few days have been "tough." That's a quote.
Inside the White House, after the president's recent interview with ABC News. In that interview, Mr. Trump said he would be open to taking dirt from foreign governments on political opponents in the 2020 election. Well, now the president is trying to clarify and justify those remarks. Here's CNN's Jim Acosta at the White House.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: President Trump has caused some collusion confusion, now saying he would inform the FBI if a foreign operative tried to offer him political dirt on an opponent. The president has been all over the place on this issue, appearing to say he was pro-collusion after claiming for months there was no collusion.
ACOSTA (voice-over): President Trump is doing some collusion cleanup, insisting he would go to the FBI if a foreign power handed him damaging information about a political rival, though the president seemed to leave some wiggle room, conceding he might look at it first.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Of course, you give it to the FBI or report it to the attorney general or somebody like that. But, of course, you do that. You couldn't have that happen with our country, everybody understands that and I thought it was made clear, in fact I actually said at the beginning, I think I said I'd do both, but how are you going to -- if you don't hear what it is, you're not going to know what it is.
ACOSTA: Still it's an attempt at damage control after sounding curious about collusion.
TRUMP: I think you might want to listen. There's nothing wrong with listening.
It's not an interference. They have information. I think I would take it. If I thought there was something wrong, I'd go maybe to FBI. If I thought there was something wrong.
ACOSTA: One Trump campaign aide sees the president's comment as a directive.
KAYLEIGH MCENANY, TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN SPOKESWOMAN: The president's directive, as he said, a case by case basis. He said he would likely do both. Listen to what they have to say but also report it to the FBI.
ACOSTA: As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to dismiss Mr. Trump's remarks.
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): They just can't let it go. I said weeks ago, case closed. We got the Mueller report, the only objective evaluation that will be conducted.
ACOSTA: But some Republicans are taking issue with the idea of accepting foreign dirt.
REP. ADAM KINZINGER (R-IL): Nobody should ever, ever take any foreign intelligence or any information from any foreign government. If that's not the law and I think it is, if that's not the law, we need to make that clear.
ACOSTA: The president also got testy with the notion that he evaded questions on obstruction during the Russia investigation.
TRUMP: I answered a lot of questions. They gave me questions. I answered them in writing.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, ABC NEWS HOST: Not on obstruction.
TRUMP: Look, George, you're being a little wise guy, OK, which is you know typical for you. Just so you understand. Very simple. It's very simple. There was no crime. There was no collusion.
ACOSTA: And Mr. Trump rejected former White House Counsel Don McGahn's claim that he was asked to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I don't care what he says. It doesn't matter. That was to show everyone what a good counsel he was.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Why would he lie under oath?
(CROSSTALK)
TRUMP: Because he wanted to make himself look like a good lawyer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ACOSTA: The president is standing by White House Counsel Kellyanne Conway after a government watchdog recommended that she be removed from her position for accusations of violating the Hatch Act by engaging in political activity in her official capacity.
TRUMP: It looks to me like they are trying to take away her right of free speech. And that's just not fair. ACOSTA: But that's not exactly true as the law does limit political advocacy for federal employees. The president also talked up Vice President Mike Pence but not enough to guarantee he would support him in 2024.
TRUMP: I love Mike, we're running again but you know you're talking about a long time. You can't put me in that position. But I certainly would give it very strong consideration.
ACOSTA: The president's re-election campaign is now acknowledging that it's seen polling numbers from back in March that showed former Vice President Joe Biden leading Mr. Trump in some key states. In a statement from the campaign, aides argue a lot has changed since March, adding, quote, "these leaked numbers are ancient in campaign terms" -- Jim Acosta, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: Let's talk more about this with Natasha Lindstaedt, professor of government at the University of Essex in England.
Thank you, Natasha.
NATASHA LINDSTAEDT, PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX: Thanks for having me.
ALLEN: I want to begin right there, do you think that damage control cleared up what the president means by accepting dirt from foreign adversaries or is this still collusion confusion, as we heard from Jim Acosta?
LINDSTAEDT: I don't think he really cleared it up. He did do something that he rarely does in that he makes sort of a backtrack. He tends to not do that. He doesn't ever want to apologize. But he appeared to be very confused on a lot of things. I think the big problem was that --
[05:25:00]
LINDSTAEDT: -- when he was asked by the interviewer, George Stephanopoulos, about whether his son should have contacted the FBI about getting this email about a meeting with the Russians about getting dirt on Hillary Clinton, instead of just saying, no, he shouldn't have done that or we should have handled it differently, he wanted to defend his son. He didn't want to apologize. He didn't want to back down.
And instead he acted very nonchalant, he acted as if everybody does this and then he tried to completely delegitimize the FBI. He seemed very confused in the interview about the difference between opposition research and electoral interference.
Opposition research is when a political campaign tries to dig up dirt on a political opponent. Whenever a foreign entity or government is involved, that becomes electoral interference. And so he seems to misunderstand the law. Actually the chair of the Federal Election Commission stated very
clearly that it is against the law for a U.S. person to accept anything of value, whether it be information or financial support, from a foreign entity or a foreign government in connection with an election.
So at the end of this, he appears to be confused. He seems to be backtracking a little bit. But I don't think he cleared this up particularly well.
ALLEN: Nancy Pelosi said he seemed not to know right from wrong. One of the analysts I interviewed yesterday said he doesn't care right from wrong. So we'll see about that.
However, we are headed into the 2020 election. There are a lot of Democratic candidates out there ready to talk about this president.
Is this going to hurt him?
LINDSTAEDT: I think it is going to hurt him somewhat. And the issue is, though, I don't think it's going to move his base much one way or the other.
ALLEN: Right.
LINDSTAEDT: His base seems to think that the Democrats are a bigger enemy of the U.S. government than the Russians. And that is a real problem. So he seems to be able to contain them.
But the problem is he can't win 2020 with just his base. And if even a few people here and there start to have doubts about him, it's going to be a problem. He needs to increase his base. He needs to be adding numbers. He needs to be attracting people.
And this kind of nonsense doesn't help with this, where he seems to be saying, well, collusion is not really that big of a deal, I could talk to a foreign government, tries to backtrack about it, appears to be muddled, confused and not particularly credible.
So in 2020, I think the issue is, he's got to be increasing numbers. And in a head-to-head contest between him and Joe Biden, who we know, there's a long time before the Democratic nominee takes place. But in these head-to-head elections or polling, we've seen that Joe Biden is winning by large margins.
ALLEN: I want to ask you about Sarah Sanders. She oversaw that interview when he made that remark; she's leaving the White House. It was expected for her to leave. But she has always stood by and defends this president, some say has lied for this president. And she certainly had a hostile relationship with the news media, in the news briefings.
What will be her legacy?
And who might replace her?
And will they be the same person that we saw Sarah Sanders be for this president, what do you think?
LINDSTAEDT: Her biggest legacy is she got rid of the White House briefings, which were a really important symbol of U.S. democracy. It's all about transparency, accountability, communicating with the press and to others in the administration about what the goals are day to day.
She decided to completely get rid of this. I don't know if it was because of her or her decision or because of Trump's. She didn't have much credibility. She was known for lying repeatedly and willing to do whatever she needed to say in order to defend the president. In terms of what's next for her I don't really see her having a career in politics. Most likely she'll end up on FOX News.
And who's going to replace her?
I mean, it may not be anybody. He sort of wants to talk directly to the media. He doesn't really want a press secretary. He wants to have direct contact himself and that's what he was doing.
ALLEN: And that has worked for him with his supporters. Thank you so much, we always appreciate your insights, Natasha Lindstaedt for us, thanks.
LINDSTAEDT: Thanks for having me.
ALLEN: Next here, Amanda Knox speaking out in Italy. Italian courts convicted her twice of murder before she was finally cleared. Now she's returned to talk to about her trial by media.
Plus more on the breaking news from Hong Kong, including our interview with a top supporter of the controversial bill that the government has just suspended.
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ALLEN: Welcome to our viewers in the U.S. and all around the world. This is CNN NEWSROOM live from Atlanta. I'm Natalie Allen with the headlines.
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ALLEN: Earlier, CNN's Anna Coren spoke with a pro-Beijing politician who has supported this very controversial bill. She began by asking him why Carrie Lam decided to suspend it.
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RONNY TONG, HONG KONG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: She gave basically two reasons. The first is that obviously the communication between the government and the people of Hong Kong had not been all that successful.
The second reason that she gave was that Wednesday we saw a lot of street violence and it really broke everybody's heart to see the police and the young people being injured as a result of the clashes just outside the legislative council.
So those were the two reasons given by the chief executive.
[05:35:00]
TONG: I heard what you said just now but I must say that it is a travesty of the facts to suggest that the bill would erode the liberties and core values of the people of Hong Kong.
We must understand that we are talking about an extradition bill. Extradition by definition means that it applies only to somebody committing a crime -- and a serious crime which doesn't have political overtone, for that matter, outside Hong Kong.
And if that person were to come to Hong Kong, what are we going to do about him?
So by the very definition of extradition, it doesn't concern any of the Hong Kong residents who took part in the march on Sunday.
Now having said that, obviously there, were a lot of people, we have to accept that and those people --
(CROSSTALK)
COREN: -- tens of thousands who took part on Sunday and Wednesday that they got it wrong, is that what you're saying, that these people misunderstand the extradition bill?
TONG: No, I think that they probably want to air their view, which is entirely their right and the government respect that. And that is the whole reason why the legislative exercise is now being paused to allow people to communicate more with the government and the government vice versa and see if we can reach a consensus as respects this bill.
But to simply characterize the bill as something which would harm the people's rights under the basic law or the core values, which are being protected under the basic law, is simply not right.
COREN: So, Ronny, you are of the belief that Hong Kong's semi- autonomous rule, that its democracy that it has enjoyed since the handover in 1997, that that is still intact, that is still in place, that mainland China, Beijing, hasn't eroded any of that?
TONG: No, I think by and large, in fact, that you can see a lot of people came out in the streets and opposed the government and the government had to back down and to give pause to the legislative exercise.
It is very good proof that the one country, two systems is alive and well. Doesn't that show that we have freedom of speech, freedom of the
press, freedom of expression and, most importantly, a responsible government?
Isn't that right?
COREN: Ronny, if the protests continue, if the protests continue, will the Hong Kong government withdraw this bill?
TONG: Well, we certainly don't wish to see further escalation of the clash between the people of Hong Kong and the government.
And I'm sure most of us here are rational and reasonable now that the government has said that the government will stop and listen and communicate with everybody who wishes to put forward their view.
I'm sure that the people of Hong Kong will deal with it in a rational and reasonable way.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: We shall see. We expect more protests on Sunday. Again, last week, 1 million people took to the streets.
We'll have more news right after this.
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ALLEN: The last time Amanda Knox was in Italy, she was trying to leave as fast as possible. She had endured an unbelievable ordeal, accused of murdering her roommate; twice convicted, spending years in prison before being exonerated and all the while pounded by sensational headlines that exploited every morsel of her existence.
Now she's returned. And that's her right there, making a statement at a conference. And she is there to confront her terrible past and her trial by media, as she calls it.
Joining me from Modena, Italy, is CNN's Melissa Bell. She's covering the story.
And what has Amanda had to say, Melissa?
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's been fascinating listening, Natalie, because she's been speaking now for about 35 minutes. And ever since she arrived in Milan just a couple days ago, the press, of course, have been following her around. And really trying to figure out why exactly she's chosen to come back eight years after being let out of jail and why she's has chosen to come back now. Clearly hoping to use the spotlight to raise awareness about her case,
the injustice she believed she was the victim of, but also the broader question of trial by media. Even after she's come back that media spotlight to highlight the issues.
We sensed a woman who was extremely uncomfortable with the cameras around her. She seemed almost to have a physical reaction to them ever since we've seen her arrive in Italy.
She addressed that question, first of all, in a very emotional beginning. She cried her way through the first few minutes of the speech then managed to collect herself and in remarkably in fluent Italian, had this to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMANDA KNOX, EXONERATED IN MURDER CASE (through translator): Italy is now part of me. Its language and its culture shaped me and I have come back this third time because I had to come back, because I was invited by Italy Innocence Project and because once this beautiful country felt like home. And I hope one day I will still feel like home here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BELL: She then went on to address the specifics of the case against her and of her case against the media, as it portrayed her at the time. If you remember, if you cast your mind back, you can remember, Natalie, all of that press attention she received in the run-up to her trial.
She spoke about the fact the way she had been portrayed had simply not allowed for a fair trial to take place. She was painted as Foxy Knoxy. You remember the lurid headlines, all about her character and the sexual nature of the crime, the death and sexual assault of Meredith Kercher, who was found dead in that house in 2007.
She also went on to talk about the man who is currently serving 16 years in jail for the crime, Rudy Guede, an Ivorian national, saying, look, he's been found guilty of the crime, he's currently serving time in jail and, yet, so many people don't even know his name.
[05:45:00]
BELL: So it really is about the treatment she feels she received that was unfair and about how that played into her trial. Instead of painting that portrait of her, she said, the media should have been much more responsibly asking Italian prosecutors, what evidence do you have against the American girl -- Natalie.
ALLEN: Right. Obviously, this is painful for her to be there and talking about this but perhaps it will help her in the long run. Fascinating, isn't it?
Thanks so much, Melissa Bell, we appreciate it. The suspect in the David Ortiz shooting claims the former baseball star was not the target. He told reporters from his jail cell in the Dominican Republic he meant to shoot someone else but got confused.
The prosecutor's office said the suspect is making up the story to avoid being lynched in jail by inmates who may be fans of Ortiz. Prosecutors hope to reveal a possible motive for the attack next week.
Meantime, the wife of Ortiz says the former all-star is in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Boston and is making progress.
Well, two years after Grenfell Tower burned in London, experts say there are still buildings across Britain in danger of the same fate. Friday marked the second anniversary of the fire.
Early in the morning, the building's burnt-out husk was lit bright green to commemorate the 72 people who died. A police investigation and public inquiry into the fire is still ongoing. But activists warn there are buildings wrapped in the same faulty cladding that could turn them into infernos still today.
In the United States, the Flint, Michigan, water scandal has taken a dramatic turn. Prosecutors say they're starting over after questioning the investigation. It all stems from the state of emergency declared nearly four years ago, when residents were sickened by water coming out of their taps. For more about it, here's CNN's Jean Casarez.
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JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The attorney general for the State of Michigan, Dana Nessel, has actually dismissed all of the remaining cases in the Flint water crisis. All of those officials or former officials allegedly responsible for what happened in the tainting of the water for the residents of Flint, Michigan.
The attorney general, in doing this, is saying that the investigative approach under the former office of special counsel appointed by the former attorney general was flawed. The legal theories were wrong and the cases were built on flawed foundations.
Here is where the investigation stood before those cases were dropped: 15 state and local officials were originally accused of crimes as serious as involuntary manslaughter. Seven officials took plea deals and eight officials, including some of the highest ranking for the State of Michigan, they were awaiting trial.
And it is those eight cases which were dismissed. But here's the caveat. The attorney general tells me they have found 20 million more pages of documents and official papers that they want to go through, that were never looked at before.
She said that, because of this, she can refile charges against these officials and even more people. Listen to what she said.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP) DANA NESSEL, MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL: And what I expect to see the
criminals can do is, after they've done a comprehensive review of all these new documents, they will make a decision as to whether or not there are -- you know, whether these same cases need to be refiled or whether or not there are perhaps additional defendants (ph) that need to be charged and never have been before.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
CASAREZ: The State of Michigan will have to work fast because Attorney General Nessel tells me the statute of limitations will actually run out next year on these alleged crimes. And it was yesterday that a circuit court judge out of Flint was set to rule on a defense motion to quash all the cases, dismiss them outright.
Nessel told me that entered into the decision to do this on their own, because, based on the principle of double jeopardy, they would never be able to bring the cases again.
Now the former attorney general for Michigan, Bill Schuette, issued a response to all of this, saying, "During my tenure as attorney general, the department initiated three major investigations, Nassar, the Catholic Church and the Flint water crisis.
"All three were staffed and conducted with the highest level of professionalism and expertise."
Residents of Flint, Michigan, tell CNN, they are horrified. They cannot believe that these criminal cases, at least for the short term, have been out and out dismissed -- Jean Casarez, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ALLEN: Next here, the Women's World Cup is underway in France. We'll have the latest there.
But another huge sporting event is about to begin, too. It's India versus Pakistan at the --
[05:50:00]
ALLEN: -- cricket World Cup. And we've got a preview, next.
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ALLEN: At the Women's World Cup Friday, England secured a place in the round of 16 knockout phase. After winning 1-0 against Argentina. Japan and Scotland also faced off with Japan winning 2-1, leaving Scotland on the brink an early World Cup exit. And Italy made history by reaching the knockout phase for the first time in 30 years; Cristiana Girelli scored a hat trick in the 5-0 victory against Jamaica.
Coming up on Saturday, the Netherlands looking for their second win, playing against Cameroon. And Canada faces off against New Zealand.
OK. Enough of that. Let's talk about another World Cup. We're just 24 hours away from one of the most anticipated games in all sports, longtime cricket foes India and Pakistan will renew their storied rivalry this Sunday at the cricket World Cup. For more about it, here's Alex Thomas.
[05:55:00]
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ALEX THOMAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Whatever happens in Manchester this weekend, India versus Pakistan certainly won't be short of interest. Not only are there sizable communities from both countries living in that part of northwest England, hundreds of millions could tune in on television.
I was in Mumbai in 2011 when eventual World Cup winners India beat Pakistan in the semifinals. Cricket fever was off the charts. It's claimed that a global TV audience of almost 500 million people tuned in for that game.
Even in an age of inflated viewing figures, it's not hard to believe. We've already seen the passion that Pakistan and India cricket fans have brought to their teams' games at this World Cup and that will be cranked up several notches at Old Trafford.
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SARFRAZ AHMED, PAKISTAN CRICKETER: If you see whatever Pakistan didn't come to England to (INAUDIBLE) always with support (INAUDIBLE) just come to the round and they have good support. So obviously, thanks for the crowd, their support. All the time, when Pakistan came here, hopefully there will be support for India as well.
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THOMAS: While both Pakistan and India are former champions, their World Cup matches against each other have been completely one-sided. They've faced each other six times. And on every occasion, India has come out on top.
It's an unwelcome streak that Pakistan will be desperate to win this weekend. Looking at the latest round robin standings, they can't afford not to if they still want to qualify for the semifinals.
With India's captain Virat Kohli, top of the world one-day batting rankings, just ahead of teammate Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, number one bowler, India look favorites on paper. But for a match like this, the form book goes out the window -- Alex Thomas, CNN.
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ALLEN: That is CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Natalie Allen. Thanks for watching.
