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Hala Gorani Tonight

Boris Johnson as Unmarried Prime Minister; Deadliest Migrant Accident in Mediterranean This Year; Sixteen U.S. Marines Accused of Human Trafficking; Pelosi, Ocasio-Corte Meet Privately After Public Rift; Growing Number Of Democrats Calling For Impeachment; Triads Suspected In Sunday's Mob Attack At Train Station; Hail And Mudslide Bring Tour De France To A Stop; Fake Presidential Seal Appears Behind Trump. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired July 26, 2019 - 14:00   ET

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

[14:00:23] CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR, HALA GORANI TONIGHT: Hello, everyone. Live from CNN London, I'm Christina Macfarlane, in for Hala

Gorani.

Tonight, the new prime minister gets down to business. But the world seems more focused on Boris Johnson's personal life than on his policies.

Then, terrified but back on dry land, survivors tell their stories after a boat full of desperate people capsizes. Details on the deadliest day for

migrants in the Mediterranean this year.

And, later, two professional football players, attacked. The dramatic moment, caught on camera.

Well, right here in the U.K., Prime Minister Boris Johnson is settling into his new role as he insists Brexit will happen with or without a deal. He's

getting a big welcome from Europe's leaders, and invitations to hold talks are pouring in.

Earlier, he spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said she would welcome him to Berlin. And French president, Emmanuel Macron, is greeting

Mr. Johnson with open arms, asking him to come to Paris to talk Brexit. Mr. Johnson is due to hold calls with more E.U. leaders in the coming

weeks, stressing his desire for a Brexit deal.

Let's delve a little deeper into all of this with Anna Stewart, who joins me here in London.

And, Anna, as we know, Boris Johnson: a man on a mission, a man in a hurry. Bring us up to date on the calls that took place today with these

European leaders and, you know, what's on his plate this weekend, his first weekend in office?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: And the first weekend that the rest of Westminster's not on holiday, of course. But no let-up for Boris Johnson.

He has 97 days, four hours and 58 minutes until that Brexit deadline. And you know what? He needs every minute of it, and possibly a miracle, given

that he wants a new Brexit deal that the E.U. are currently refusing. They will not reopen the withdrawal agreement.

He said he spoke to Macron, he spoke to Merkel. He can visit them soon. We actually know that he spoke, also, to the leaders of Scotland, Wales and

Northern Ireland, all today. And I expect he may do a visit around the U.K. before he goes to Europe.

Firstly, because that was one of the key tenets of his campaign. It was the "U" in DUDE, unity, his strategy, of course, after delivering Brexit.

And also, if one were to be cynical, the chances of a general election are climbing. And it could be a very good campaign strategy. And with a no-

deal Brexit, it also risks the sort of breakup of the union, Scottish independence.

MACFARLANE: It's all pleasantries right now, isn't it, with the European leaders? So that could be set to change very quickly indeed.

Now, some would say it highlights some of our worst instincts as human beings, to focus on this next issue I'm going to talk about. Because it's

to do with the prime minister's relationship status. But in this case, it is unusual. Just talk us why his relationship status actually breaks the

mold for a prime minister in Britain.

STEWART: Yes. It is kind of surprising that we are already focused on the prime minister's relationship status. But I feel more comfortable, in a

way, talking about it since Carrie Symonds, his girlfriend, over 20 years his younger, actually made a very public appearance on Downing Street for

his very first day. So there is plenty of interest about her. Let me give you a little look as to what we know so far.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEWART (voice-over): Just as Boris Johnson made a statement of defiance in his debut address as Britain's new prime minister --

BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Never mind the backstop. The buck stops here.

STEWART (voice-over): -- he also made a statement about his personal life, walking through the famous black door of Number 10 Downing Street alone, an

iconic moment usually shared with a prime minister's partner or children.

But he wasn't completely alone. Boris Johnson's girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, watched from the sidelines. Now, speculation grows as to whether

she will move in, making Boris Johnson the first prime minister to live, unmarried with a partner.

CAROLINE WHEELER, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR, SUNDAY TIMES: They are going to make history by being a boyfriend and girlfriend couple, moving into that

power base in Number 10 Downing Street.

STEWART (voice-over): The British media is also fascinated by this relationship, given the new prime minister's reputation for a colorful

personal life. Boris Johnson is going through a divorce after a marriage of 25 years and four children.

The relationship with Symonds, more than 20 years his junior, began last year. And, despite the couple often living together in Symonds' London

home, they succeeded in keeping their romance out of the limelight.

Then, the leadership contest began. Police were called to their address by neighbors, who complained about a loud argument. Questions then swirled in

the media about Boris Johnson's fitness to become the next prime minister.

IAIN DALE, LBC PRESENTER: You're not going to make any comment at all on what happened last night?

JOHNSON: I think that's pretty -- that's pretty obvious, from the foregoing.

(LAUGHTER)

STEWART (voice-over): Symonds, though, is no stranger to the world of politics or the media, formerly working as a communications officer for

Boris Johnson's Conservative Party, and as an advocate for environmental causes. And as a couple, she's even credited with giving Boris Johnson a

makeover.

[14:05:14] WHEELER: Ever since she came on the scene, he's become a much trimmer figure, he's lost weight, he's had his hair cut so he doesn't look

quite disheveled. He's definitely smartened up his appearance. So it's been a much more disciplined Boris Johnson that we've come to see.

STEWART (voice-over): It will be uncharted territory for the couple and the country, as Britain's new prime minister carries out some duties that

would normally include a spouse. Although Symonds' presence on his first day suggests he's not alone, and he may need that support, given the

daunting challenges he faces, not least, Brexit.

DALE: Yes (ph), it can be a very solitary existence. And I think all prime ministers need to have a partner that they cannot just rely on, but

maybe consult on some things. And I think she will be a real rock for him, in many ways.

STEWART (voice-over): Johnson may also now be relying on Carrie Symonds to be his rock for turbulent times.

And if the prime minister and his girlfriend choose to take their relationship further, well, the world may witness the first wedding of a

sitting prime minister in over 200 years. If that happens, of course, it's likely to be after Brexit, for better or for worse.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MACFARLANE: The first wedding at 10 Downing Street in over a hundred years. So that would certainly be popular. And my kind of take on this is

that, you know, the first nonmarried couple in 10 Downing Street, this might actually be more reflective of modern Britain than what we've seen

previously.

STEWART: Well, you know, I think you're right. In fact, if you look at the stats, marriage rate's at its absolute lowest, the lowest record ever.

Of course, maybe Boris Johnson doesn't actually fit that because he actually has been married twice.

But then you can look at the whole -- you know, the unmarried but cohabiting couples, that kind of situation have over-doubled since 1996.

You are obviously going to get some people out there who may not approve for moral reasons, for religious reasons. But I think you'll also get lots

of people that applaud this, and you'll get lots of people who frankly just don't care.

And I do wonder whether perhaps the only people in the world that really should have a real interest in Boris Johnson and who he's in a relationship

with and who decides to live with him, are perhaps his children.

MACFARLANE: That's a very valid point. And I think on that, we shall leave it there. Anna Stewart, thank you so much.

All right. Let's turn now to the humanitarian crisis on the Mediterranean Sea. As many as 150 people are missing, with many of them feared drowned,

after a boat wreck off Libya. That's according to Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders

About 135 survivors were pulled from the water, some by fishermen. The U.N. says this shipwreck is the deadliest incident on the Mediterranean for

migrants this year. Jomana Karadsheh is monitoring this situation from our bureau in Istanbul, and joins us now.

Jomana, the U.N. are calling this the worst migrant shipwreck in two years. Just tell us a bit about how this crisis unfolded, and what the authorities

are saying about it.

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Christina, we're still trying to piece together what happened, the details of this incident,

how many people were involved in this tragedy.

And as you can imagine, it's very difficult for authorities on the ground, for the different aid agencies that are dealing with this, to piece it

together when you're relying on information and accounts that are coming from those traumatized survivors.

But what we understand so far is that anywhere between 250 to 300 people, perhaps even more, left on boats, perhaps three boats, that were tied

together. Left Libya on Wednesday evening. And as they departed from the city of Khoms -- this is to the east of the capital, Tripoli, one of those

boats was damaged. And water was leaking into the boat.

And as the water levels started rising, they tried to return to shore and that is when the boat began to sink. And we understand from the Libyan

coast guard, that it was fishermen in the area who began this rescue operation. The majority of those migrants on those boats were from African

countries and Arabs, but the majority from Eritrea, many women and children.

A total of 134 were rescued. And, as you mentioned, anywhere between 100 to 150 are believed to have perished in this incident. And we're hearing

these horrific accounts that are coming from survivors, talking about, you know, one Sudanese man describing how he watched his own wife and children

drown in front of him.

So now the concern is, Christina, what happens to those survivors. Those who are rescued and who are returned to Libya, they are basically held in

detention facilities, overcrowded facilities where we've heard about horrific conditions.

Some aid organizations, human rights organizations have warned, saying that, you know these facilities are no place for any human beings to be

living.

[14:10:08] And of course, they're caught in the middle of a conflict there. If you look at Tripoli, this is a battle zone. And a lot of these

detention facilities are close to the front lines. And we saw what happened earlier this month, when one of those migrant detention facilities

was hit in a strike, where more than 50 migrants were killed, more than 100 others were injured.

So the message from the United Nations and other organizations is simple. Do not send these migrants back to Libya -- Christina.

MACFARLANE: Yes. I mean, this is a serious ongoing situation, and a crisis that is recurrent, Jomana. I mean, we've talked about this again

and again. They are saying, as you said, do not send these migrants back. But what can be done to safeguard them on both sides? You know, on the

Libyan side but also on the European side?

KARADSHEH: Well, I think the thing is, there's so much that can be done on the European side, and that is what international organizations are saying.

They say that Europe needs to stop turning a blind eye, that that policy that we saw begin to be implemented back in 2017, where the Italian

government signed a deal with Libya, where they have this deal basically delegating the issue of these migrants at sea, to the Libyan coast guard,

where they are doing more and more of these interceptions and stopping them from getting to Europe.

And at times, it's been criticized, basically saying that they are harassing a lot of the rescue NGO ships in the Mediterranean, stopping them

from carrying out these rescue operations, and taking these migrants back to Libya. So I think the message is clear, is that there needs to be a

solution, once and for all, for this situation.

And of course, a lot of concern because Libya is a lawless state, and these migrants are very vulnerable when they're in Libya. From the moment they

enter that country until they try to cross that Mediterranean in that really dangerous journey, until they're returned back, they face death

almost on a daily basis -- Christina.

MACFARLANE: Yes. Jomana, we really appreciate your reporting on this. Thank you for giving us your perspective on this latest crisis.

I want to go to our next guest now, who has actually participated in rescue operations on the Mediterranean. Sam Turner is the head of Mission for

Libya, and the Mediterranean search and rescue for Medecins Sans Frontieres. He joins me now live via Skype from Tunis, Tunisia.

Sam, thank you for your time. You actually took part in a rescue operation in the Mediterranean in 2018. We're actually seeing a few pictures of that

now. For someone who has been in that scenario, who has confronted it, what is it like? And when you arrive on a scene like that, what is your

immediate priority?

SAM TURNER, SEARCH AND RESCUE, MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES: Our teams on the central Mediterranean, when conducting search-and-rescue operations -- and

we're very glad to be able to return to that life-saving operation in the coming weeks -- their first priority is to ensure the stabilization of the

boats on the water.

So that involves providing life jackets to those on board. And then performing an initial assessment, to see whether there are any urgent

medical cases that require to be taken off first, to get them back onto the main ship and be able to provide immediate emergency medical assistance to

them.

MACFARLANE: Sam, as we heard from Jomana just then, the reality is that for a lot of these survivors, it's -- the detention camps that they return

to, that are just as bad as some of the scenarios they face at sea. I think we have some images we can show of you as (ph) MSF, of what it is

like inside some of these detention camps.

But for you yourself, have you had firsthand -- a firsthand look at some of these detention centers? What are they like on the inside?

TURNER: Absolutely. I've visited many of these detention centers in Libya. They are places that -- I mean, to describe them as camps, it

doesn't quite do them justice. They are warehouses or other industrial buildings that were developed mostly for storage of goods, only that now

they are being used to store human beings. They're completely unfit for human habitation.

The services provided are usually extremely poor. We're talking about people sleeping on thin mattresses on the floor, laid one next to the other

with no space to walk across the room. With extremely poor water sanitation, provision of food.

And this is why MSF has been working in these detention centers, to provide medical assistance to this population who are forgotten about, for most of

the time, by the rest of the world, as the human cost of the policies of the European Union, to prevent migrants from reaching European shores.

[14:15:00] MACFARLANE: But what are the options, then, for authorities who are -- you know, who should be tackling this more head-on? We heard from

Jomana then, that it was actually a fishing boat this week that went to the aid of those migrants in the water, and that, you know, NGOs have been

harassed out there, attempting to rescue some of these migrants.

These detention centers are really the only option for them, aren't they, right now?

TURNER: Not at all. I mean, detention centers in Libya, there are currently 6,500 or so people who are held in these detention centers.

They're like prisons. They're unable to leave.

On the other hand, 99 percent of the population of refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers in Libya are outside of detention. For many years, migrants

have been a core contributor to the Libyan economy. And so there is really, simply put, no justification for the arbitrary and indefinite

detention of this population in such inhumane conditions.

MACFARLANE: So we know there's been a lot of criticism of E.U. governments for their inactivity over this issue, but I wanted to get your take on what

happened this week, Sam. We saw that eight E.U. nations actually agreed to a migrants' deal to resettle migrants rescued in the Mediterranean. Is

this the sort of measure that you believe is going to make a difference?

TURNER: This is one piece of a much wider and more complicated puzzle. It is a promising step, to see this level of commitment to providing safe and

reliable disembarkation for survivors of rescues at sea. But much more needs to be done. The E.U. needs to provide its own rescue capacity, as it

has done in previous years but was withdrawn earlier this year.

Also, the punitive measures that have been taken to prevent NGOs from stepping in when governments won't, to save lives, those punitive measures

must be lifted immediately.

On the shores of Libya, there's been talk now, in the fallout after the Tajoura detention center airstrike that killed 60 people and injured

another 70, there's been talk about ending detention, taking positive steps towards putting this to an end.

And we really hope that these are no longer just fancy words, but represent a real commitment by leaders in Libya and the European Union, to change the

situation and end the loss of life and suffering in Libya and on the central (INAUDIBLE).

MACFARLANE: Yes. Well, we certainly hope so too. Sam Turner, thank you so much for joining us and giving us your time and perspective on this

important story.

TURNER: Thank you.

MACFARLANE: Appreciate it.

Now, the war in Syria is one of the situations that forces people to flee their homes. We have an image from that war to show you now. It shows a

5-year-old girl holding her infant sister by her shirt, and preventing her from falling off their bombed out home in Syria. Above them, their father,

watching on in horror.

The photo was taken after Wednesday's airstrike in Idlib Province. Unfortunately media reports say the 5-year-old later died from injuries

sustained in the attack, her infant sister is still in intensive care.

All right. Still to come, dramatic video of a foiled carjacking. The attackers picked the wrong victim when they went after Premier League

football star. That story when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:20:28] MACFARLANE: Well, some London carjackers got more than they bargained for when a hulking Premier League football star jumped out of the

car and chased them away. The whole thing was captured on dramatic surveillance video. Our Farai Sevenzo has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FARAI SEVENZO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Arsenal stars and longtime friends Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac were attacked in this part of North

London, Golders Green, by two men wielding knives and chasing after them on mopeds.

It is then, Mr. Kolasinac, known as The Tank (ph), then fought their attackers off, very bravely trying to stop them from getting to Mr. Ozil.

But the attack didn't stop there. They then chased the two Arsenal players for over a mile in this leafy part of Golders Green. And Mr. Ozil decided

to come to this restaurant, Likya, where the owners tell us he is a regular here. And she told us what happened.

YASMIN TAHSIANER, RESTAURANT OWNER, LIKYA: We know him. You know when you know someone?

SEVENZO: Yes.

TAHSIANER: You -- like your family.

SEVENZO: Yes, of course.

TAHSIANER: And then we are. And everyone come out, (INAUDIBLE), they (ph) leave (ph), what (ph) they do. And come out here, sit there (ph),

(INAUDIBLE), look (ph) here (ph), full of crowded people.

SEVENZO: Yes.

Of course, this turns (ph) up regular (ph) questions about the rise of knife crime, which has become a plague in today's London. And the new

prime minister has promised to put more police onto the streets. And we do know now that the two stars from Arsenal are fine, after they tweeted, "I

think we're fine."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MACFARLANE: Well, that was CNN's Farai Sevenzo, and he joins me here, now, in the London studio.

Farai, what was most striking for me about this is how bold the attack was, in the middle of broad daylight, in the middle of the day. And then they

were pursued to this restaurant, where you spoke to the restaurant owner earlier.

SEVENZO: Well, absolutely. I mean, it is -- it's like the fearlessness of these young people. And remember, yesterday was the hottest day of July.

And there they were, in long-sleeved shirts and balaclavas, clearly not wanting to be seen.

Then of course, they -- they chased Mesut Ozil and Sead for nearly a mile. Clearly, everyone is saying, "What were they targeted?" Of course, you

know, primarily (ph) class (ph), they -- there are hundreds of thousands of pounds a week.

But it points as well to the problem of knife crime in London, you know, where men can, in the middle of Golders Green, can have knives and chase

after somebody in this way. Yes, the prime minister is saying he wants to put more police on the streets. But this is a problem that London has to

nip in the bud really, really quickly. Because of course, these are big stars but we know that knife crime is affecting everybody across the board.

MACFARLANE: Yes. It's a shame it has to be big stars that bring it into proper focus, doesn't it?

SEVENZO: Absolutely.

MACFARLANE: Farai, thank you very much for bringing us up to date on that. Two stars, back in action this weekend.

Now, in the U.S., 16 people are behind bars for suspected human smuggling and drug crimes. But what's unusual about this case is that they are all

U.S. Marines. At least two of them have been awarded medals for their military service. Our Barbara Starr is live at the Pentagon with more.

And, Barbara, what are the military saying about this incident?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christina, what we do know, this occurred at a Marine base, Camp Pendleton, which is on the West

Coast in California, just north of San Diego.

The Marines were standing at morning roll call, morning formation when agents moved in and arrested 16 of them for these allegations of smuggling,

human smuggling. So that would be undocumented migrants and possible drug offenses. Another eight Marines were also pulled out of line, they are

being questioned for alleged drug offenses.

TEXT: 16 U.S. Marines Arrested: Arrests at Camp Pendleton, California; Alleged crimes include human smuggling, drug-related offenses; Connected to

incident earlier this month, two Marines were arrested and charged with transporting undocumented immigrants for financial gain

STARR: This all grew out of a previous investigation when, earlier this month, two Marines were arrested for human smuggling allegations.

This is not related to the U.S. military participating in the border control mission between the United States and Mexico, even though this base

is just several hours north of the Mexican border. They are not part of that effort. This is a very separate part of the Marine Corps.

And so now, this will all move through the U.S. military justice system. A lot of concern, how something so large might have happened without military

leaders knowing about it.

MACFARLANE: Yes. And on that point, Barbara, this is supposed to be an elite branch of the military. How damaging is this going to be for the

reputation of the U.S. Marines?

STARR: Well, you know, things always come in groups of bad news, it seems. And for the U.S. military, that's the case. They have -- they have a

problem, that the public is very much noticing this and wanting to know what's going on.

[14:25:07] And it's not the only recent case. We have seen a team of Navy SEALs sent home from Iraq for allegations of sexual assault and drinking

alcohol, which is not permitted, of course, in a war zone. We saw another Navy SEAL team undergo disciplinary action for using cocaine while at home

in the United States.

So these incidents come up, and it's leading to questions about whether there is something systemic. Military leaders don't believe that there is,

but it constantly raises questions. They want to ensure that all of these things, quite appropriately, move through the military justice system, and

that people are held accountable if they're found guilty.

MACFARLANE: Absolutely. Barbara Starr, appreciate your time on this. Thank you.

STARR: Sure.

MACFARLANE: Well, we're about to show graphic images that may disturb some viewers. Police are trying to identify these teenagers, seen beating two

men outside Washington, D.C., outside of a hotel. It's not clear why the men were attacked. And there are suggestions, it may have been a case of

mistaken identity.

The victim survived, but Washington's mayor, Muriel Bowser, says the attackers need to realize, quote, "This is not just some game."

Rene Marsh has been looking into this story and she joins us now, live. I mean, Rene, this video is horrific in so many ways. I can't take my eyes

off it. Please tell us, first, that the poor victim is OK.

RENE MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I would have to agree. I mean, anyone watching this, it is just really disturbing and horrifying, really,

to watch. Yes, I can tell you that both of the victims who were beaten, they did survive. However, not without any injuries.

So the man that you're looking at on the ground there, that victim, we are told that he has head injuries and an injury to his left eye socket.

And then there is a second individual, who you may not see in this video here, but that second victim suffered a swollen left eye. So they do have

injuries. They're not considered life threatening, but certainly in a lot of pain.

But the big thing today is that local police here in Washington, D.C., they continue to be on the hunt for all of these teenagers that you see in the

video. They say that these teenagers are between 13 and 15 years old.

You can see there, there were females and there were males who essentially one -- this started with one of the teenagers punching the man. He fell to

the ground, and then you see all of them swarm him. They're kicking, they're stomping him and you even see, towards the end, a female run back,

after all that this guy had been through on the ground, and it appears as if she spit on him.

So needless to say, authorities want to find these individuals to hold them accountable.

MACFARLANE: Yes. Let's hope they can bring these attacker to justice. Rene Marsh, thank you for that.

[14:28:08] All right. Still to come, a private conversation after a very public feud. We'll tell you about a meeting between the most powerful U.S.

House Democrat and one of the most outspoken freshman members of the party.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:30:45] CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Welcome back. Even as they battle Republicans over everything from immigration to

health care, to the meaning of the Mueller report, Democrats on Capitol Hill are also trying to heal their own internal divisions.

U.S. House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, met today with one of the most freshman members of the party, progressive Congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

And they've had some pretty big public clashes. But Pelosi told reporters they had a very positive conversation behind closed doors. She also talked

about her reluctance to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): No, I'm not trying to run out the clock. Let's get sophisticated about this. OK? OK?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But how long (INAUDIBLE) will take?

PELOSI: We will proceed when we have what we need to proceed. Not one day sooner. Their advocacy for impeachment only gives me leverage. I have no

complaints with what that they are doing.

I'm willing to take whatever heat there is there to say when we -- when the decision will be made in a timely fashion. This isn't endless.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCFARLANE: Well, let's get the very latest now from Capitol Hill, Jason Carroll joins us live. Jason, a very positive conversation between AOC and

Pelosi today. Do we know though if they managed settle their differences at all?

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, let's put it this way, Speaker Pelosi was asked, hey, were you able to sort of bury the hatchet

when it comes between the two of you? And Speaker Pelosi said, well, there was no hatchet to bury here.

But what is clear hearing from Ocasio-Cortez and hearing from the speaker, both of them are saying that the meeting went well. I can tell you,

Christina, that Ocasio-Cortez, for her part, before this meeting, even got underway, she had two goals, one was to make sure there was an open line of

communication between her office and the speaker's office, and also to make sure that the two were on the same page when it comes to the issues.

And just after -- just after the meeting took place, our camera's caught up with Ocasio-Cortez to get her take on how the meeting went down.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ (D-NY): As always, I think the speaker respects, you know, the fact that we're coming together as a party and that

unity. I'm looking to getting back in September.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: And Pelosi also put it this way. She sort of sums things up by saying, look, family -- the caucus is like a family. Families, obviously,

have differences, we respect the differences whether it'd be through diversity or whether it'd be through a difference of opinion. She says

that's what's happening with the caucus now. That's what they expect to happen going forward.

The question is, Christina, how will they publicly handle those differences going forward? And that's still very much a question mark. Christina.

MCFARLANE: Yes. Certainly, seems to be that way. Because as we know, Jason, President Trump is making "The Squad," the sort of face of the

Democratic Party. This is a strategy he's employing, isn't it?

CARROLL: Right. And you'll remember, it wasn't just too long ago when the president went after the freshman "Squad," telling them very publicly to go

back to where the places where they came from. He has very much made "The Squad" the face of the Democratic Party. And after there was so much

publicity about this sort of private meeting taking place between the speaker and Ocasio-Cortez. His folks came out, the Trump campaign came out

with a video showing the four members of "The Squad."

The hope from the Trump campaign is they can use this to capitalize this pitting "The Squad" closer with Pelosi. Making "The Squad" the face of the

Democratic Party. Only time will tell if that strategy will work in their behalf. Christina.

MCFARLANE: All right. Jason Carroll, for now, thank you from Capitol Hill.

Let's head to our next guest, who is running to become the first female senator U.S. from the State of New Mexico. One of her defining issues is

calling for impeachment proceedings against President Trump. But Democrat Maggie Toulouse Oliver says the Mueller report is an impeachment referral

to Congress.

And she believes that it's so important for Americans to know what's in that report that she's been reading it out loud on social media from her

kitchen table, we believe earlier this week. And Maggie Toulouse Oliver joins us now live from Washington. Maggie, good to see you.

[14:35:09] So we know you are for impeachment very strongly, and it's followed the campaign that you're running on for the Senate. But the

prospects for this and now far more remote off the Mueller's testimony this week. So why continue to pursue it?

MAGGIE TOULOUSE OLIVER, U.S. DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE: Well, I spent the better part of Monday and Tuesday this week, actually, reading volume

two of the Mueller report, light on social media. And I felt that that was important because, I think what Mueller actually reiterated in his

testimony before Congress on Wednesday, was that everything that we need to know is contained within the report.

And so I don't necessarily think that his testimony had to be mind-blowing, per se, or to shift perceptions. The information is already there, and he

reiterated that over and over again in his testimony.

MCFARLANE: But in many ways it's the public who will have the decision as to, whether or not, you know, they want to see impeachment. You know, that

was what it was all about, to try and get public opinion back on the side of the Democrats so you could move towards impeachment. Nancy Pelosi is

opposed to this because she said it could politically damage the Democrat's chances in the run-in to the elections, and she's kind of got a point,

hasn't she?

OLIVER: Well, I think the reality is that the people of this country are looking to our leaders and Congress to be leaders, and sort of expecting

the American public to be the ones to come to the collusion before our leaders in Congress is a bit of wagging -- the tail wagging the dog. We

need our congressional leaders to lead on this issue.

And I think the more that they dig in to the evidence contained in the Mueller report, particularly if they do it in the context of impeachment

hearings, the more the American people will understand that there is substantial evidence contained in that report and that can be elaborated

upon through the impeachment hearing process.

MCFARLANE: I see your point, but I suppose whether the American people are concerned. The argument again, is that there is a certain fatigue now with

this issue. And as we look ahead to the elections next year, there is concern you will alienate independent voters ahead of those election. I

mean, is that a concern to you?

OLIVER: You know, I personally believe that if you're electively -- an elected leader, which I am in my state of New Mexico that, again, it is our

job to do our constitutional duty, it is our job to lead. And, of course, we always should be concerned with politics. But politics should not drive

our decisions at the end of the day.

If we have a constitutional obligation to do something, if the Congress has a constitutional obligation to conduct impeachment, they are indeed the

only body -- the House of Representatives is the only body that can come to that conclusion and send it to the Senate for further consideration, then

that is their duty.

And so, at the end of the day, it's about what's right, what is the constitutional obligation. And if you're doing the right thing. My belief

is always that the politics will fall into place.

MCFARLANE: It's not all about impeachment, however. Do you think can some ways through agenda might be too progressive for moderate voters right now?

OLIVER: I'm so sorry. I'm having trouble hearing you. Could you ask me that question again?

MCFARLANE: Yes, that's OK. I was just saying that at this point in time, it's not all about impeachments. Do you have any concerns that your agenda

might be too progressive for moderate voters?

OLIVER: You know, I think the reality is that the progressive agenda is the everyday American agenda. I'm an everyday American. I was a -- I had

a baby at the age of 21. I was a single mom by the age of 24. I took on a mountain of debt to put myself through college and I had to use government

services to get healthcare for my son. And if elected, I would be probably the only senator, single mom who's still paying, making a car loan and

student debt payment.

These are everyday American issues. And the progressive agenda is not every day American agenda. And I think, you know, we get too focused on

talking points and phraseology and issues. And when you dig down to the meat of these -- the substance of these issues, I think every day Americans

can all relate.

MCFARLANE: So given that then, who would you like to see lead your party in the 2020 election?

OLIVER: I have my eye on a lot of different candidates, like most Democrats. I'm still undecided in the race. I really love what Elizabeth

Warren is saying and her plans. And, of course, she takes a more progressive attack in her positions on issues. I was also extremely

impressed what Kamala Harris, in her performance in the first debate. I also really resonate with the things that Mayor Pete Buttigieg is saying on

the campaign trail.

So, I haven't made a decision yet. And I don't necessarily know what I personally am looking for, in a presidential candidate, is what the

Democratic Party will be looking for. I do know that personally, I will be supporting whichever Democrat is nominated.

[14:40:00] MCFARLANE: All right. Maggie Toulouse Oliver, we wish you well in your quest. Thank you so much for speaking to us here on CNN this

evening.

OLIVER: Thank you.

MCFARLANE: All right. So protesters in Hong Kong, taking their message to a place where it will be hard to miss. The city's international airport.

This was the scene in the airport arrival earlier haul earlier. Organizers say thousands of people took part in the city in there.

They chanted anti-government slogans throughout the day. The rally is the latest in a series of protests to push the government to completely

withdraw a controversial extradition bill that's currently just suspended. The protests are also being fueled by anger over the slow police response

to an attack on demonstrators last Sunday. Forty-five people were hospitalized after a mob attacked at a train station that was carried out

by a group of men with suspected links to organized crime groups known as "Triads." Anna Coren has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNA COREN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Cool, calm, and well-dressed, as they control Hong Kong vice with ultimate discretion.

These are the mafia like triads of movies like "Internal Affairs," the Cantonese blockbuster that inspired Leonardo DiCaprio's 2006 film "The

Departed." Hong Kong triads are known for being impossible to recognize on the streets. Almost always operating in their own criminal underworld.

Until now.

"I explain to them that I just got off work. I'm still wearing my work shoes." I'm not your target. I asked them not to beat me but they didn't

listen.

Calvin So is a restaurant worker who says he doesn't take part in political protests. But the scars on his back tell of the savage beating he took as

the poll wielding men targeted a train station last weekend.

He was one of the 45 people hospitalized as prodemocracy activists and passersby were caught up in the violence. Hong Kong police have arrested

11 men and link some to triad gangs.

LO T. WING, PROFESSOR, CITY UNIVERSITY HONG KONG: They only raffle money. So wherever the money, they will go. And whoever paid them, they will take

the job.

COREN: In Hong Kong's new territories, home to rural and working-class communities on the fringe of the city, experts say triad crime is made

possible through links with local government.

WING: Hong Kong cannot -- Hong Kong cannot get meet with the triad.

COREN: The violence last weekend stoked rumors that pro-Beijing officials maybe using their connections with triads to intimidate demonstrators.

EDDIE CHU, HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: I think it is rule of dark tactic deployed by the central government, the Beijing government to

threaten Hong Kong people.

COREN: That's hard to prove. Hong Kong's police and government had denied any collusion with criminals. What's more likely, according to a CNN

source with direct knowledge of how triads operate, is that strong men in the new territories support the status quo and hired low-level thugs to

scare protesters away from the business interests.

But that's all called comfort to protest organizer and lawmaker, Eddie Chu.

CHU: There are more person who's threatened me, against me, that if I do not stop provoking citizens to take to the streets, then I will be

murdered.

COREN: This week, China's military said that if asked by Hong Kong, it could deploy troops to the streets. Chu says the Chinese soldiers are not

as frightening as triads.

CHU: If BOA is deployed on the street, then we can go back home and still be safe. But if Beijing and the Hong Kong government allowed that rules in

Hong Kong to replace the position of police, then we cannot have our normal lives be back.

COREN: As the city of seven million, braces for even more protests, many are just wanting their normal lives back.

Anna Coren, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCFARLANE: Now, police in Brazil are investigating a huge gold heist at South America's biggest airport. Reports say, armed men arrived at the Sao

Paulo airport's cargo terminal, driving trucks that looked a lot like police vehicles. Police think they may have had inside information. The

thieves got away with 750 kilograms of gold and other metals worth, at least, worth of $30 million. Must be big.

All right. Still to come tonight, Europe's crazy weather week takes a surprising turn and brings the world's biggest cycling race to a sudden

halt. The story, when we come back.

Plus, a presidential hopes has played out right behind Donald Trump's back. CNN's Jeanne Moos gives us all the details ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[14:45:57] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four, three, two, one, zero, ignition and lift off. The Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon Spacecraft on the hills of

the 50th anniversary --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCFARLANE: A SpaceX capsule is in orbit right now, carrying an eclectic batch of supplies for the international space station. The cargo includes

an Adidas football, a pouch full of green slime, and the space station's first bio printer, which could use a person's cell to create new organs.

Astronauts will get to play with -- and study how the slime and football move in microgravity. The slime is part of a mission, thanks to children's

television channel which hopes to encourage young people to pursue careers in math and science. Educators will use the experiments with slime to

develop a curriculum for young students that could roll out as soon as September. Well, it's got me interested.

Now, the heatwave that has scorched much of Europe this week is moving north. But climate scientists are still very worried about it. The U.N.

says the pockets of hot air will cause Greenland's ice sheet to melt faster. U.N. says Greenland's ice cover has been rapidly melting in recent

weeks because of the impact of the June heatwave.

And speaking of crazy weather, look what happens to the Tour de France today. A freak hailstorm in the Alps through race organizers for a loop.

And when that storm also caused a mudslide across the tall route, the race had to be halted about 25 kilometers from the end of today's stage.

Goodness me.

CNN's World Sport's Don Riddell joins us now, live with the latest.

And, Don, Tour de France riders bearing the brunt of the weather this week. First, the extreme heat, now, the hail and this really comes at a critical

moment in the final few days of the race, doesn't it?

DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. It ends on Sunday. There was only two days of racing left, today, Friday, and

Saturday. Because as this tradition of Tour de France, they don't race on the final coast into Paris. So this was a crucial day.

And those were just extraordinary scenes, all coming towards the end of the race in the last 20, 30 kilometers. The riders had actually just scaled

the highest peak in the whole of the Tour de France this year. So they were making their way back down the mountain, which is, of course, when

they pick up the greatest speed.

And you can see from the footages, especially of that kind of rocking mud slide. The panic around the people that were there, watching it, because

they knew that they only had a matter of minutes to get this message back up the mountains to the organizers to try and get their races to stop.

And, of course, the guys on the bikes really did not want to stop, they were in race mode, they were gathering speed. And, of course, they had to

be persuaded to stop.

There was then a great deal of confusion. But, of course, none of them, at that point, had seen the video footage that we were all seeing, and

clearly, it was the right decision, because there's no way they could have raced through that. It would have been very, very dangerous.

MCFARLANE: Yes, unbelievable. I'm glad I wasn't in the organizers too who was trying to stop a stampede of cyclists coming down the mountain.

[14:50:00] Don, we've been talking about the Tour of France this week as it gearing up to be the most competitive finish in years. And also, you know,

France could be on the brink of their first homegrown champion in 34 years. Is that still in the cards right now?

RIDDELL: It doesn't look like it. I mean, they had two guys who were with the chance. And mainly, the yellow jersey wear Julian Alaphilippe, who'd

actually been wearing a (INAUDIBLE) for 14 days. All the hopes were that he could see it through and become the first man since Bernard Hinault in

1985 to do it.

He actually was having a terrible day. And arguably, the weather conditions might have actually done him a favor because he was losing a lot

of time. Sure. He was gaining time on the decent. But it wasn't a good day for him. He lost to the lead.

Also another French, when he was in contention, Thibaut Pinot had earlier pulled out of the race with a thigh injury. He had to pull out on the side

of the road in tears. So it was a disastrous day for the French.

But this is all meant that the man now wearing the yellow jersey is the Colombian, Egan Bernal, he was overcome with emotion when he realized he

was going to be wearing the yellow jersey. The organizers had to figure out what to do with the stage. Obviously, it never got finished, so they

had to decide at what point should they effectively put -- draw a line under the times that had already been achieved. And so they went back to

the height of the last peak that had been scaled and said we'll call a halt to the race there retroactively. And that is how Egan Bernal is now on the

lead. And looking -- he's got a very good chance to win it on Sunday.

MCFARLANE: Yes. This finish to this year's Tour de France, even more dramatic than it was before. Don Riddell there, live from Atlanta. Thanks

very much, Don.

RIDDELL: Sure.

MCFARLANE: All right. More to come soon. Including -- you haven't seen cute until you've seen a birthday party for 18 panda cubs. We'll bring you

to China next to meet the fuzzing 1-year-olds.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MACFARLANE: Well, more notes on our top story tonight. Number 10 Downing Street is one of the most famous residences in the world, second only to

the White House. Over the years, it's been witnessed to many momentous times in history and the lives of its occupants.

Now, as we've mentioned earlier, there's been much speculations that Boris Johnson will move into the famous address with his girlfriend. But he's

not the only prime minister to attract focus on his personal life while at number 10.

Now, all the way back in 1969, the Duke of Grafton, Augustus Henry FitzRoy calls the scandal by divorcing and remarrying while in office. The only

prime minister to do so, incidentally. Edward Heath was the last bachelor to live at Number 10 in the 1970s.

And, of course, there's been lots of momentous family moments since then. David Cameron with his wife Samantha welcomed their new baby into the

family while living at Downing Street. As their prime minister, Tony Blair, and his wife Cherie. So Number 10 has really seen it all,

bachelors, babies, and now Boris.

[14:55:03] All right. So U.S. president, Donald Trump, certainly won't be giving his seal of approval for an embarrassing mix up that occurred right

behind his back. Our Jeanne Moos has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Little did president Trump know his fate was sealed that the presidential seal behind him wasn't

as presidential as it should be. And someone would get fired over it.

Wow, it's right. Look at that two-headed seal, the real seal has one eagle. It's the Russian Federation Coat of Arms that features two birds

and the eagle in the real seal clutches arrows. But the fake was holding golf clubs.

The impostor seal proclaims of America's 45th president, 45 is a puppet in Spanish.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: No puppet. No puppet.

HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER U.S. STATE SECRETARY: It's pretty clear.

TRUMP: You're the puppet.

MOOS: The parodied presidential seal was briefly projected at the recent Turning Point U.S.A. Teen Summit for conservative youth.

MOOS (on-camera): Right away, you think pranksters, somebody's trolling President Trump behind his back.

MOOS (voice-over): Trump critics tweeted "Give them a medal." Someone posted Putin clapping.

But Turning Point U.S.A. says "We're sorry for the mix-up and meant no disrespect." Just a couple of hours before the event the Turning Point

folks were asked to project the Presidential seal. A source says an audio visual aid did a Google image search to find the seal. Lots came up

including the parody.

The source says the AV person didn't notice that it was a doctored seal. A seal that's sold on tank tops and throw pillows by a graphic designer known

as One Term Donnie who told CNN he has a hard time believing someone used his design by accident.

There have been other seal snafus.

BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We cannot sustain -- oops. Was that my --

MOOS: Yes, your presidential seal.

OBAMA: They're sweating bullets back there right now.

MOOS: And someone back there at the Trump event must have been sweating bullets. The audio visual person got fired. Even if the President claps

like a seal, there's no excuse for showing a bogus seal with an eagle holding golf clubs like he's going to shoot a birdie.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCFARLANE: Jeanne Moos there.

OK. And before we go, because it's Friday. A look at a special first birthday celebration for 18 panda cubs in China. They're all still

teething, but appeared to have a very healthy appetite. And, of course, it's not a party without a cake. And they shared one made entirely of

fruit. So sweet.

All right. Thanks for watching tonight. I'm with -- stay with CNN, because we, of course, have "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS," coming up right after

this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END