Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Patchwork Response Across Latin America As Cases Surge; Weekly U.S. Jobless Claims Data Due Thursday; China, India Agree To Cool Down After Deadly Border Clash. Aired 2-3a ET
Aired June 18, 2020 - 02:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:00:18]
ANNA COREN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to all viewers joining us from all around the world. You're watching at CNN Newsroom. I'm Anna Coren live from Hong Kong.
Just a hint.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm very hurt. I didn't imagine being here because I don't know what I would've done if I wouldn't seen ever myself, but I felt everything that he felt just by hearing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COREN: Criminal charges are brought against the two officers in the killing of an African-American man in Atlanta. We'll hear the details of how he was treated by police.
Plus, coronavirus on the rise across the U.S. and in countries around the world, is it a second wave?
And bombshell allegations, the former U.S. National Security Adviser claiming President Trump personally asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help him in his upcoming election, that and more from John Bolton's explosive new book, coming up.
The last two weeks of nationwide demonstrations against police brutality, the fired Atlanta officer who fatally shot a black man last week is facing felony murder charges and he could potentially get the death penalty if convicted.
The Fulton County District Attorney announced 10 other charges against Garrett Rolfe, saying he didn't just killed Rayshard Brooks. He also failed to give him timely first aid. And that Rolfe even kicked Brooks as he struggled for life. Something Rolfe's lawyer denies.
Ryan Young picks up the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) PAUL HOWARD, FULTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: These are the 11 charges against Officer Rolfe. The first charge is felony murder. This is the death that is as a result of a underlying felony. And in this case the underlying felony is aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. And the possible sentences for a felony murder conviction would be life, life without parole or the death penalty.
RYAN YOUNG, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced charges against the two officers involved in Rayshard Brooks shooting.
HOWARD: At the time that the shot was fired, the utterance made by Officer Rolfe was, I got him. The City of Atlanta says you cannot even fire a taser at someone who's running away. So you certainly can't fire a gun, a hand gun at someone who is running away.
(voice-over): Brooks' widow was inside the courtroom as the district attorney's team displayed enlarge photographs showing the last moments of his life. It all started Friday night, the two officers responded to a call about a man sleeping in a car and blocking the Wendy's drive thru.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello? Hello? What's up my man?
(voice-over): For 20 minutes the officers talk to Brooks but after Brooks failed a breathalyzer test. He resisted arrest when officers tried to handcuff him for suspected drunk and driving. The three are seen here fighting on the ground. Brooks runs away taking one of the officer's taser. As the officers chased him, Brooks points the taser over his shoulder at Rolfe, who then opens fire. After Brooks was shot, the D.A. said, Rolfe kicked him.
HOWARD: The possible sentence for kicking Mr. Brooks is from one to 20 years.
(voice-over): The other officer Devin Brosnan also faces charges for aggravated assault and two counts of violation of oath.
HOWARD: At the time of the photograph, he is standing on the body of Mr. Brooks.
(voice-over): The D.A. says Brosnan has turned into a state witness.
HOWARD: He has decided to testify on behalf of the state.
(voice-over): Something Brosnan's attorney denies adding that Officer Brosnan has not agreed to testify nor plead guilty.
CNN obtained a statement from the law firm representing Rolfe saying his actions were justified and that he feared for his safety and the safety of the civilians around him.
Ryan Young, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE) COREN: Well, sources tell CNN some Atlanta police officers are not responding to calls tonight in protest of the charges. The department is also experiencing a higher number of sick outs. Atlanta's mayor says she expects police officers will keep their commitment to citizens and was surprised how quickly charges were brought in this case.
She told CNN watching the video the interaction between the officers and Rayshard Brooks was disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[02:04:58]
KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS, ATLANTA, GEORGIA MAYOR: Everything about this case is disturbing to me from watching more than 30 minute interaction between Mr. Brooks and the officers to see it in this way is I don't even have the words to describe how disturbing it was. Because what struck me is that he was not humanized in that moment. There was so many other things that could have happened. This could have turned out so differently.
And then I watched Anderson Cooper, just before coming on with you and to see Mr. Brooks tell his story about being incarcerated. My dad went to prison when I was eight. I counted each and every day, waiting for him to come home. And to think that he was simply trying to get to his daughter's eighth birthday celebration because he said that when he spoke of what he had planned and why he just wanted to walk to his sister's house, is just as tragic.
And the, you know, go between anger and frustrate and just sheer sadness because for everything that we're doing in Atlanta to try and get it right, when something like this happens shows that there is a deeper systemic problem that we have. And even if we get it right tomorrow, it still didn't bring Mr. Brooks back home to his family.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COREN: Well, since Brooks's death, the mayor has signed an administrative order on police reform with a focus on training and use of force.
Well, a witness who was in the parking lot when Rayshard Brooks was shot is speaking out. Melvin Brooks, along with his attorney told CNN's Chris Cuomo, he was in line at the Wendy's drive thru when he heard arguing and then a bullet hit his car.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: You were worried that if you tried to drive away, the officer may shoot at you?
MELVIN EVANS, WITNESS TO RAYSHARD BROOKS' SHOOTING: Yes. Yes.
CUOMO: Why? EVANS: I mean, because I was nervous. I mean, I probably -- I probably would have ran into him because they was right there by the truck. They was right there.
SHEAN WILLIAMS, MELVIN EVANS' ATTORNEY: But Chris?
CUOMO: Yes, Shean?
WILLIAMS: You think about everything Melvin has seen, and he's seen, over the last few weeks, and over the years of his life, he had a right to be fearful. As a Black man, our perspective is different when we are -- encounter a police officer.
You got to think Melvin and his friends just saw, in their view, a horrific murder of another black man, right in front of them. So, he had every right, and understanding, to be fearful, you know, it's just two different perspective.
Melvin wanted to just stay because he was scared. His friend, Michael, who was in the back seat, wanted to get out of there because he was scared, the common denominator is they were fearful for their life and it should have never been that way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COREN: Well, the district attorney says Evans and the other passengers that were in the car have been cooperating with investigators.
We'll turning our attention now to COVID-19. Officials in China are reporting 24 new cases of coronavirus in the country's north. Most are in Beijing, where a new cluster emerged last week. And since then, the city has been ramping up testing and imposing tight restrictions.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COREN (voice-over): There have now been more than 8 million coronavirus cases recorded around the world since images like these started coming out of China. But this video wasn't taken six months ago. It's happening now in the capital, Beijing. People try to remain calm as a group together for mass screenings.
Schools are closed again after only reopening earlier this month. Grocery store workers dress in full PPE. Over 130 new cases in less than a week, plunging half the city back into lockdown, as the people here were beginning to plan for life after coronavirus.
DR. SHOSHANA UNGERLEIDER, INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN, CROSSOVER HEALTH: The serious measures that Beijing is taking now to contact trace and shut down markets and residential areas are the right things to do in an effort to contain the spread.
(voice-over): The new outbreak is thought to stem from the city's major food market. Officials say they have tracked down and tested hundreds of thousands of people that had shopped the Sanyuanli market in the two weeks leading up to its forced closure. The dangerous possibility is that the people they met may have already traveled far and wide. Cases linked to the outbreak have being found as far away as Sichuan Province, about 2,000 kilometers southwest of Beijing.
One video allegedly shows lines of buses being moved in to take people from the Sanyuanli market off to get tested. China is calling this a soft lockdown, but the rules are strictly enforced.
State media reports over 1,200 flights out of Beijing have now been canceled. No risk taken by passengers that did get planes on Wednesday. Many here at the airport, fee getting caught at ground zero again.
[02:10:03]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translation): I'm leaving now because the outbreak is a bit serious and I'm afraid of being infected. So I want to escape back to home soon.
(voice-over): After almost two months without a case being registered, many in Beijing hopes they'd seen this for the last time. Now they're praying this is just a ripple and not a second wave.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COREN: Concern over climbing case counts is growing all across the world. And some countries see a big jump in infections in the past few weeks. Across Africa, the death toll from COVID-19 is also on the rise, including in South Africa, where in recent days, the number of new cases has risen rapidly.
Still, the President says the government will be further easing restrictions as it continues to reopen the economy.
Well, CNN's Eleni Giokos in Johannesburg and joins us now. People in South Africa obviously suffering severe financial hardship, you know, country where many people live hand to mouth and rely on that daily wage. Tell us about the tradeoff between reopening the economy, easing these restrictions versus public health and a resurgence in cases.
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I mean, it's really interesting. South Africa took such proactive measures at the beginning when we first had cases in the country. And it was one of the strictest lockdowns we saw globally. And then we took a risk adjusted approach, return to economic activity, five level alertness and we're currently under level three.
But the President changed the narrative yesterday. And it was really important that he made the distinction between the impacts on the vulnerable and the livelihoods versus the risk of the coronavirus.
And it's interesting when you look at the numbers, we've had a third of cases coming through in just the past couple of weeks. But the death rate, the death toll is sitting at around 1,600. And the last number on the coronavirus front is 80,000. We've also had around half of patients recovering.
So this again has been taken into consideration, resumption of sit down restaurants, some non-contacts sports cinemas, and then the personal care industry was quite important. I mean, really highlighted that. Economists saying, a half a million people are going to be heading back to work. So it's going to be an interesting return to some economic activity.
Remember, it's a national fight, still bad. We still have only some domestic travel on the go and the economy is in somewhat still very much a lockdown mode, things are going to change. The question is are these people going to have jobs to go back to unemployment and it has spiked to 29 percent, stimulus plan around 10 percent of GDP has put in place.
But South Africa is knocking on the door of the IMF. There's certainly not enough money to go around. And certainly, the stimulus package pales in comparison to trillions of dollars we've seen other economies to pump into the markets.
COREN: Eleni, the president said the country was facing two pandemics, COVID-19 and a rise in violent crime. I mean, sadly, violent crime is just part of life in South Africa, but the pandemic has made it even worse, tell us more.
GIOKOS: And it's so I mean, it's so interesting. Yes. There's been some kind of complacency through the years. But we've seen a resurgence in violent crime, gender based violence, and he correlated this to the return of economic activity.
But he also made the important correlation between the sale of alcohol and also gender based violence in particular. Remember, South Africa, had complete restrictions on the sale of alcohol production and export of alcohol until June the first. As soon as those restrictions were lifted, he says that there has been an increase in murder in South Africa in just one week and a 21 women and children were murdered in this country.
He said, this is the second pandemic that South Africa needs to contend with. And he says that they're going to be putting a lot more measures in place in terms of minimum sentences. It's really horrific to see some of the stories that have come through. And I can tell you that women do feel that they are targeted. And this lockdown is certainly highlighted it.
COREN: Yes, absolutely terrifying. Elena Giokos in Johannesburg, great to see you, thank you for the update.
One bombshell after another, still ahead the explosive new claims from President Trump's former National Security Adviser, John Bolton and why the White House and Justice Department are trying to stop him from publishing his new tell all.
[02:14:27]
And U.S. jobs report is due in a few hours, what economists think the numbers will suggest?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COREN: Welcome back. Another tailored book about the Trump White House is sending shockwaves through Washington.
Well, this one was written by a man who was a top aide for more than a year, former National Security Adviser John Bolton. In the forthcoming book, "The Room Where It Happened" Bolton claims among other things, that President Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help him win reelection and even told him to move ahead with detainment camps for China's weaker Muslims.
Bolton also says Democrats sort of broadened their impeachment investigation beyond Ukraine, suggesting President Trump committed similar offenses with China and Turkey. Well, some Democrats are ripping Bolton for refusing to tell any of this at last year's impeachment inquiry. And President Trump is calling Bolton a liar who's breaking the law.
More now from CNN's Jeremy Diamond.
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, just one day after the Justice Department sought to block John Bolton from publishing his forthcoming book, the former national security adviser is releasing several excerpts of his book, publishing an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal and also providing copies of the book to the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and the New York Times and, now CNN has also obtained a copy of the book.
And John Bolton is making a series of explosive allegations about how President Trump has conducted himself as president in office, particularly in the realm of foreign policy.
And amid those allegations that John Bolton is making, one in particular strikes at this issue of President Trump seeking the help of foreign advertisers in the U.S. elections. We know of course that that was the subject of President Trump's the impeachment that he faced with regards to seeking help from Ukraine, now John Bolton is also saying that the President appeared to have sought help from China as it relates to the 2020 election.
Let me read you a part of these experts that Ambassador Bolton wrote in the Wall Street Journal. It says, Trump said approvingly that there was great hostility to China among Democrats. Trump then stunningly, turned the conversation to the coming U.S. presidential election alluding to China's economic capability and pleading with Xi, that's Chinese President Xi Jinping, to ensure he'd win.
He stressed the importance of farmers and increase Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome. I would print Trump's exact words but the government's prepublication review process has decided otherwise.
Now what Ambassador Bolton is alluding to there is the fact that he did have to submit his manuscript to the White House's National Security Council for review to determine if there was any classified information. There were several edits that were made to this book to take out classified information but the Justice Department and the White House are claiming that there is still classified information in this book. And President Trump in fact is responding to Ambassador Bolton by alleging just that. Listen.
(BEGIN VOICE CLIP)
[02:20:08]
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: But he broke the law, very simple. I mean, as much as it's going to be broken, this is highly classified, that's the highest stage, it's highly classified information. And he did not have approval. That's come out now very loud and very strong.
(END VOICE CLIP)
DIAMOND: Now even as President Trump claims that there is classified information in this book that should not be release to the public, he is also saying that what Ambassador Bolton is writing in this book isn't untrue. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the President is also calling John Bolton a liar.
So, the President, it seems, would like to have it both ways here, both saying that there is sensitive classified information that shouldn't be out there, and also saying that what Ambassador Bolton is writing simply isn't true.
Jeremy Diamond, CNN, the White House.
COREN: Well, the U.S. Justice Department is trying to stop the book from being published in both Republicans and Democrats, so criticizing Bolton for different reasons.
CNN senior political analyst, Ron Brownstein, spoke earlier with my colleague, John Vause, about what the political fallout could be, and why this White House teller all could be especially damaging.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: I mean, you got a trifecta here of indefensible behavior. First, John Bolton himself who had firsthand knowledge of the offenses at the heart of the impeachment inquiry, and not only firsthand knowledge of those direct questions, but also evidence that they were part of a pattern of behavior by the President and chose not to share that with the country at that moment.
Second, the Senate Republicans who all but two voted not to hear from John Bolton, it increasingly, I think, in retrospect is even more clear that they did that precisely because they knew that this was something like this was the portrait that was awaiting them. And you have people like Martha McSally and Cory Gardner and Joni Ernst and Thom Tillis who we're going to be before the voters this November who chose affirmatively not to hear the kind of revelations in his book. And then finally of the President himself who behaves in this, you know, reading this kind of like the classic bully. I mean, he's extorting Ukraine, but he is exhorting Xi in China, you know, kind of almost pleading with him for help and reelection and, you know, in a kind of very craven way, giving the blessing to the creation of concentration camps.
You know, we say we can't be shocked anymore after three and a half years of Donald Trump but even so this is a pretty shocking day. Bolton, you know, blaming impeachment malpractice on the Democrats after refusing to come forward with it.
You know, the joke they tell, the lawyers joke about the kid who kills their parents and then asked for -- throws themselves on the mercy of the court because they're an orphan. I mean, that's sort of like the level that Bolton is acting here where he had information that was very powerful, and chose not -- and chose and forever be remembered for choosing not to share it with the country when it could have had the most impact.
No, it would not have changed many perhaps any votes in the House. Who knows if all of those Republican senators who voted to acquit the President would have felt comfortable doing so with firsthand direct corroborating testimony of the offenses of which he was accused. But, you know, every time something like this comes out, I go back to what I think will be one of the defining quotes of the Trump era from Susan Collins, Senator Susan Collins after the impeachment -- after he was acquitted, and she said he has learned a big lesson.
And in fact, he has learned a lesson as you see it here. He believes there is nothing he cannot do there. There is no boundary he can cross that would cause his party to break from him or constrain him in any way. And I think this is going to be a huge burden for those Senate Republicans to carry into November.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COREN: Well, the U.S. President is still planning to hold a massive rally in Tulsa in the middle of that pandemic. But there's one major detail. His administration is glossing over while spreading false claims that experts say could cost lives.
CNN's chief White House correspondent, Jim Acosta, tried to get some answers for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With President Trump expected to hold a rally this weekend in Oklahoma, White House officials are dismissing any questions that the administration might be responsible for exposing the thousands of supporters expected to attend to the coronavirus. In other words, rally at your own risk.
(on camera): Will the President or the White House take responsibility if people get sick and catch the coronavirus at this rally on Saturday?
KAYLEIGH MCENANY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: So the campaign has taken certain measures on, to make sure this is a safe rally, temperature checks, hand sanitizers, and masks, so we are taking precautions.
(on camera): But you're not requiring people to wear masks.
MCENANY: They will be given a mask. It's up to them whether to make that decision. CDC guidelines are recommended but not required.
(voice-over): The Trump campaign has already posted a disclaimer for the Tulsa rally, telling attendees that the President and other event organizers cannot be held liable for any illnesses.
[02:25:03]
White House Press Secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, tried to compare the potential for exposure at the rally to the dangers post by attending a baseball game. But hold on, pro sports events with crowds have been scrapped for weeks.
MCENANY: As if any event, you assume a personal risk on that, it's just what you do. When you go to a baseball game, you assume a risk. That's part of life. It's the personal decision of Americans as to whether to go to the rally or whether or not to go to the rally.
(voice-over): With COVID-19 cases on the rise in Tulsa, Oklahoma health officials are urging attendees to be tested for the virus before and after the event. Public health experts are warning the White House they could be putting lives at risk.
ARTHUR CAPLAN, DIRECTOR, NYU LANGONE'S DIVISION OF MEDICAL ETHICS: The people who come to the rally, they don't care about them except as a photo op because it's going to kill some of them and some of their family and friends.
TRUMP: The disinfectant there knocks it out.
(voice-over): Ever since the president suggested Americans could inject themselves with disinfectants to ward off COVID-19, Mr. Trump has sidelined his own coronavirus task force. An administration official tells CNN they just don't want to deal with the reality of it. They're in denial.
Former Vice President Joe Biden is blasting Mr. Trump's handling of the pandemic.
JOE BIDEN, PRESUMPTIVE U.S. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: We've lost lives. We've lost businesses. We've lost paychecks. And now thanks to Donald Trump's bungling, we may lose some of the progress we had begun to make, all because he's lost interest.
(voice-over): Asked whether he would attend the Tulsa rally, task force Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is 79 years old, told "The Daily Beast," I'm in a high-risk category. Personally, I would not. Of course not. On the administration's efforts to curb police brutality, White House officials said the President would support proposals being pushed by GOP Senator Tim Scott, aimed at cleaning up law enforcement practices.
SEN. TIM SCOTT (R-SC): We hear you. I think this package speaks very clearly to the young person who's concerned when he is stopped by the law enforcement officers. We see you.
(voice-over): Democrats insist the Republican bill doesn't go far enough.
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): We don't need a window dressing, toothless bill. We need to take action that is real.
(on camera): The press secretary was asked why so many White House officials are no longer wearing masks after a brief period when staffers were using them in response to an aide to Vic President Mike Pence who contracted the virus. McEnany said the masks are recommended but not required at the White House. Another reminder that President Trump and his team aren't really interested in being public health role models on the issue.
Jim Acosta, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COREN: Well, some countries in Latin America are moving to reopen despite thousands of new COVID-19 cases being recorded each day across the region. We'll break it down for you.
Plus, a desperate journey to escape the pandemic, the coronavirus is forcing some Peruvians to leave their homes and seek shelter hundreds of miles away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:30:00]
COREN: Brazil, Mexico, and Chile, all reporting thousands of new Coronavirus cases as the virus tightens its grip on Latin America. And already, some countries are moving to reopen. Matt Rivers is in Mexico City.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Here in Mexico, since June 1st, we've seen the number of newly confirmed cases of this virus rise by more than 70 percent. Newly confirmed deaths rise by nearly 90 percent. But despite that, Mexico's government is moving forward with plans to reopen parts of its economy, and we are seeing that here in Mexico City without question the hardest-hit part of this country.
Just this week, some 340,000 workers in the manufacturing industries here are allowed to go back to work. And the city government is also contemplating as soon as next week, allowing people to return to places like restaurants and malls under limited capacities. Meanwhile, in Brazil, another day, another very high newly confirmed case count. Roughly 32,000 additional cases confirmed by Brazil's health ministry on Wednesday. That pushes the overall total there to more than 950,000, which means that we could pass the one million case mark in that country as soon as the next few days. Also, consider that with these 32,000 additional cases reported today, that is the fifth time in the last nine days that Brazil has reported more than 30,000 newly confirmed cases in a single day.
And finally, in the country of Honduras. It was Tuesday night during a Presidential address that President Hernandez announced that he has tested positive for the Coronavirus after starting to feel ill over the weekend. He was diagnosed on Tuesday. He says that his symptoms are mild, that he is working still in his capacity as president from isolation. He also told his people that his wife and two aides tested positive as well. Matt Rivers CNN, Mexico City.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COREN: Well, Peru is also going through one of the worst outbreaks in Latin America, and situation there is only getting worse. With more than 240,000 cases now confirmed, the country has surpassed Italy for the seventh-highest total in the world. In the capital Lima, the crisis is for some families to leave their homes and seek shelter hundreds of miles away. Guillermo Galdos reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUILLERMO GALDOS, JOURNALIST: This bus terminal is overwhelmed with people desperate to get out of Lima. About 70 percent of Peruvians work in the informal economy and live hand to mouth. When President Martin Vizcarra imposed a strict lockdown for Coronavirus, it sparked an economic crisis.
Maria and her three daughters move to Lima for the sake of her oldest child's education. But now she's desperate to get back home, back to her husband, back to safety. With no planes, trains, or buses, she's starting the 350-mile journey on foot.
TEXT: I know the risk I am putting my children in, but I don't have a choice. Either I die trying to get out or starve to death in my room.
GALDOS: It's hot and food and water are scares. A passing truck driver throws the family something to eat.
TEXT: I am thinking, because I'm almost home.
GALDOS: After three days on the road, Maria is struggling to carry on. She's 4,500 meters high in the Andes. The air is thin, the journey relentless.
TEXT: It's a bit hard to breathe. He's stopping. I have walked a lot.
TEXT: I can imagine. There is a little food. If you want, you can eat this.
TEXT: Thank you. God bless you.
GALDOS: The truck driver takes them to the next town. From there, the family must continue on foot.
TEXT: You can't pass this checkpoint with minors.
TEXT: I have no one to leave them with. Where would I leave them? I am going to my farm.
GALDOS: That night, Maria and her daughter's set up camp in a clear in the rain forest.
TEXT: I want to apologize for putting you at risk. But we couldn't stay there any longer. Thankfully God has protected us. But I have to put you at risk.
GALDOS: After seven days and 300 miles traveled, Maria and her family have made it to their home province. The lands of the indigenous Ashaninka people. They are only about 50 miles from home, but there is a problem.
Maria and her daughters have just heard that the local indigenous communities have shut down completely the area and they're not allowing anybody in.
The indigenous people are right to be worried. Ucayali region is one of the most badly affected areas in the country for Coronavirus. After delicate negotiations, she's allowed to pass on the agreement that she self-isolate on her farm once she gets there.
[02:35:25]
TEXT: Just a little left before I see my animals, my husband. Thank you, dear Lord. Thank you. Thank you, God, for bringing me home.
GALDOS: After all the pain and suffering, the final torment, the family cannot hold one another in case someone transmits the virus.
TEXT: How was the journey?
TEXT: It was so difficult. We walked a lot. We have all suffered so much. I never want to go to Lima again. I thought I was going to die there with my girls.
GALDOS: Not everyone leaving Lima will return home safely. For some, the dangers found on the road will be greater than the poverty and disease they're fleeing from. But Maria and her family are some of the lucky ones who were united.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COREN: And our thanks to Guillermo Galdos for that very moving story, the first of a two-part report. You can watch the second one tomorrow right here on CNN. Well, Spain has opened its borders to the first wave of international tourists since it's locked down started in March. The program in popular Spanish islands in the Mediterranean comes two weeks before the rest of the country reopens for tourism. Atika Shubert reports from Mallorca.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is a test, a safety test because even if we take a holiday, Coronavirus does not. So to test virus safety precautions, the Balearic Islands in Spain have offered nearly 11,000 lucky German tourists the first summer holiday places here. Director of Tourism Rosana Morillo explains.
ROSANA MORILLO, DIRECTOR OF TOURISM, BALEARIC ISLANDS: We didn't know what was going to be their reaction of the German market to a pilot program that consists in opening everything earlier, you know. So we were really hoping that the German market was still trusting the Balearic Islands. And in fact, it has been like that because everything was almost sellout in the first days.
SHUBERT: There Riu Hotels are working overtime to assure the safety of their new guests with a plethora of disinfectant stations. A thermal camera checks temperatures at the door, and arrows on the floor remind guests to move in a single file two meters apart.
Now, if I'm going to have breakfast or dinner, means I've got to wear my gloves, masks, and have my temperature check, then I'm ready to eat. The hotel is operating at a maximum of half capacity. That's not ideal but necessary to ensure safety and still survive the economic impact of the pandemic, says hotel director Sergio Navarro.
SERGIO NAVARRO, DIRECTOR, RIU CONCORDIA HOTEL: There were going to see us as an example, a positive example. We feel very brave to show the world our product and people are doing fantastic effort so far. And guests are going -- are responding so well.
SHUBERT: COVID-19 vigilance has not put a damper on the sunny holiday vibes, no fighting over beach towels here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Normally, the beach is full, the shops are full, everything is full. And now, nobody is there.
SHUBERT: How do you feel about all of these new precautions?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a little bit complicated.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The mask and hand wash, I don't know, everything is OK. In Germany, we have all the same.
SHUBERT: After three long months of homebound Coronavirus restrictions, it seems like masks and disinfectant are a small price to pay for a proper beach holiday. Atika Schubert, CNN Mallorca, Spain.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COREN: There's been a huge Coronavirus outbreak at a slaughterhouse in northwestern Germany. Local media reports more than 650 workers of COVID-19 at one of the country's biggest meat processors. Well, that's about two-thirds of the 1,000 workers who were tested. As a result, the plant has been shut down, local Schools closed, and about 7,000 residents nearby are under quarantine. Authority say they hope they've contained the spread.
And Sweden has now registered more than 5,000 Coronavirus deaths. Authorities there kept most schools, shops, and restaurants open throughout the pandemic, but they've had a much higher rate of infections and deaths from the virus than other Nordic countries. According to Johns Hopkins University, Sweden has 54,000 cases of COVID compared to 8,600 in Norway and 7,100 in Finland.
The Coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on us jobs. The U.S. jobs report will be released in the next few hours. 1.3 million new unemployment claims are expected. Well, that would be down from 1.5 million last week. Economists believe the declining claims mean that job losses due to the pandemic are ending.
Well, CNN's John Defterios is in Abu Dhabi and joins us more on the downward trend. John, this is obviously an improvement but the number still remains very high.
[02:40:36]
JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNN BUSINESS EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: Historically high, in fact, Anna. If you look at 1.3, if that number actually comes to the fore today, it is about five to six times higher than we normally see with weekly claims of say two to 300,000. This is also a very important report because it'll take us above a threshold of 45 million and we have a full three months of weekly reports now to kind of look back.
If you bring up the chart here, we popped above three million at the end of March, and then we escalated to just under seven million, six million, five million. And then you have the staircase going down lower. But if you say to the 1.3 million Americans still filing claims, like, what's the recovery look like here?
And I remember at the start of this process, Anna, when the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis put out a report saying we could hit 50 million by the time this process is over by the end of June. That will likely happen in July, but it's a number we could never even think imaginable before COVID-19.
We had the central bank governor Jerome Powell, in his second day of testimony, saying that the next stimulus package has to have extended benefits. We can't think without that context, because this could carry into 2021 with double-digit unemployment. Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen who preceded him as the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, are supporting the same thing.
All we have on the table right now from Donald Trump is a $2.5 trillion package, but at the crux is a payroll tax cut to entice companies to come back to the United States and open up factories and shorten the production line and supply chains, if you will. But at the same time, we don't see the language about extending the unemployment benefits. And with the snapback of the COVID, it remains an absolute critical
that it ends up in a final package, as we see a House plan and the Senate plan, but what's going to be in there for the workers if this carries on?
COREN: Yes, for sure. That's the true test, isn't it really? Now, just changing tack slightly. In the wake of the national debate over racism in the U.S. backed by George Floyd's death, there's now a sense of reckoning going on with some major food companies with racial stereotyping. Brands like Aunt Jemima are being retired. I mean, this seems long overdue.
DEFTERIOS: Long overdue and I -- to be frank, Anna, I don't know when it's going to end because there's a number of brands that are still out there. And I always wondered, even as a child growing up in the 1960s and 70s, why is this still the case, that it's not just with the black community? So let's cover kind of the major things we've seen over the last 24 to 48 hours.
PepsiCo, which owns Quaker Oats, which had the Aunt Jemima brand, as you suggested being retired after 130 years. Now, this is quite extraordinary because PepsiCo in a statement said, we don't have the next brand to replace it yet. So that raises the question about what happens what's in stock, when it's sold out? What are they going to replace it with? So they're going to be a rush to create a new brand that is acceptable.
They pledged to spend $400 million over the next five years. That's one of the biggest commitments we've seen from companies yet. That's the pressure they're under. We have a privately held company called Mars which has the Uncle Ben's brand, again, depicting the working- class black in the servant class in the early 20th century, basically, and it's something that's survived ever since as a brand. They said that the brand will evolve. Evolve to what is a major question.
And the final one we have is Mrs. Butterworth which comes under the big brand ConAgra, which has about $8 billion of revenues. It's a big agricultural giant that bought that brand tried to diversify their portfolio. And they basically said we'll go through a complete review.
Again, there's going to be a lot of pressure from the groups here that have continued this campaign over the last decade. We'll see what comes forward. Land O'Lakes with butter, taking the Native American off the brand again as sensitive. Washington Redskins, the NFL franchise. I've known that debate for the last 20, 25 years. Do they finally cave under this pressure that has taken place?
And then you have to think about the cost. PepsiCo bought Quaker Oats back in 2001 for nearly $14 billion. And that brand that they had had a really high value. So these are billion dollar decisions that are coming from these companies, finally overdue, but because of the pressure groups, keeping the heat on over the last decade.
COREN: John, as always, we thank you for putting this on the context for us. John Defterios joining there from Abu Dhabi.
[02:45:03]
DEFTERIOS: Thanks, Anna.
COREN: Well, a deadly border clash between nuclear neighbors, more details emerge about the deadly skirmish India and China's disputed border in the Himalayas. How both countries are responding. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COREN: Welcome back. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi for nearly seven hours Wednesday in Hawaii. It was the pair's first face to face meeting since last year. And it comes amid rising tensions between the world's two top economies.
Among the thorny issues, China's handling of the Coronavirus. It's moved to impose new legislation regarding Hong Kong, treatment of Uighur Muslims, not to mention North Korea's nuclear program, and of course the trade war between the U.S. and China.
Well, Meantime, China and India have agreed to "cool down their tensions" after the first deadly clash between the country's border troops in more than four decades. Still, in a phone call Wednesday, China's Foreign Minister urged his Indian counterpart to stop all provocative actions. But India responded just hours ago cautioning China against making exaggerated and untenable claims. CNN's Vedika Sud joins us now from New Delhi. What's the latest information?
VEDIKA SUD, CNN PRODUCER: A lot of strong statements coming out from the Indian government. The latest being from the junior defense minister who claims that it was a pre-planned attack by China because of which the violent clashes took place. He's also gone on to say that he has faith in the Indian Army to give a befitting reply.
Now, this statement comes after a strong statement from the Prime Minister on Wednesday afternoon, when Narendra Modi had said that the lives of the 20 Indian soldiers will not go in vain. All eyes will be on what the implications of such strong statements will be on the ground and in the relationship between China and India.
Remember, violent clashes was seen on the 15th of June. A source within the Indian Armed Forces has also told CNN that the Chinese forces had actually built a tent in the buffer zone, and when the Indian troops protested and dismantle the tent, hours later, the Chinese troops came back with reinforcements, as well as sticks riddled with nails and stones and attacked the Indian troops.
So ever since then, the border tensions have been on the rise. There had been military and diplomatic talks and negotiations taking place. Of course, that will take a while. It cannot be resolved within 24 hours. Strong statements coming from the Chinese side as well.
[02:50:13]
You had the Indian foreign minister, like you mentioned, get on to a call with the Chinese Foreign Minister. And after which there was a statement from the foreign ministry in India where they said it's time for China to reassess and see what they really want. A lot of statements coming out also from the spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry where he has called shine and not to make exaggerated claims.
So as of now, the talks are on but we'll have to wait and watch and see if India is mulling over any economic decisions against China and also other measures that could be coming up in the next few weeks.
Also, just before I wrap up. I want to let you know that the Prime Minister is under pressure domestically to make clear what really happened at the line of actual control. He will be meeting with representatives of different political parties on Friday to let them know more about the situation. Anna?
COREN: Yes, a lot of unanswered questions for sure. Vedika Sud, we appreciate the update. Thank you. After more than three months, England's top Football League has returned to action with a slightly different look and a powerful statement about race and equality.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COREN: The English Premier League has officially resumed its season after it was suspended for more than three months over Coronavirus concerns. In the first few games, players not only honored victims of the pandemic, they also showed support for the global Black Lives Matter Movement. CNN's Alex Thomas reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALEX THOMAS, CNN INTERNATIONAL SPORT CORRESPONDENT: Suspended by Coronavirus and resuming with another major global issue front and center. Wearing Black Lives Matter on the backs of their shirts instead of their names, every player took a knee just after kickoff both of Wednesday's two English Premier League games.
Even the coaches and referees joined in the tributes to the movement for greater racial equality. An unprecedented gesture during unprecedented times and a very memorable way for this globally popular sporting competition to resume more than three months after COVID-19 brought a halt to the action.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PEP GUARDIOLA, MANAGER, MANCHESTER CITY: We should say that white people apologize, say sorry for the way we treat the black people in the last 400 years or four centuries. So I feel ashamed what we have done for these marvelous black people around the world. It's not a problem by the USA, United States of America, what happened to Mr. Floyd that, I think probably racism is everywhere.
THOMAS: Fittingly, it was Raheem Sterling, a vocal critic of racism in football who scored the opening goal as Manchester City, the reigning premier league champions, comfortably beat Arsenal, something for Sterling's many fans that cheer, although not in the stadium behind me, which had no fans in it because of the Coronavirus. Although no spectators did not mean no excitement as we found out in
Wednesday's opening fixture, a nil-nil draw between Aston Villa and Sheffield United. Interestingly, the goal-line technology system failed to spot the ball across the line at one stage. The company that runs it, Hawk-Eye apologizing and admitting it was an error saying that for the first time in more than 9,000 games, too many of its cameras didn't get a clear view.
Later City's win here over Arsenal means that Liverpool now have to wait until Wednesday at the earliest next week to clinch the title. Alex Thomas, CNN, Manchester.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[02:55:25]
COREN: Well, this Friday marks Juneteenth, the U.S. celebration of the end of slavery in 1865. Many Americans want it to be recognized as a national holiday. In sports, the National Football League has made it a league holiday and will close its offices.
The NFL's Chicago Bears will also close its offices to learn, celebrate, and participate in the fight for equality. And the Green Bay Packers say they will observe Juneteenth every year from now on to promote positive change. Basketballs Atlanta Hawks have also made the day a permanent paid holiday for its employees.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LLOYD PIERCE, HEAD COACH, ATLANTA HAWKS: I applaud our organization for doing so. But you know Juneteenth being a national holiday and being recognized by the Hawks as a testament to hopefully our commitment moving forward with regard to racial injustices and the education of history and the oppression of African Americans, and then we can start dealing with the solutions. You know, needing to reconcile with everything that has happened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COREN: Well, either U.S. pro football, basketball, and soccer teams will also take the day off. And before we go, federal investigators have released new information that the pilot of the helicopter carrying retired basketball star Kobe Bryant may have been disorientated in the thick fog before crashing.
The National Transportation Safety Board says the pilots hold air traffic controllers he was climbing to get above the clouds, when in fact they were descending into a hillside. The crash back in January killed Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others on board. The official cause of the crash has not been released.
Well, thanks so much for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Anna Coren in Hong Kong. CNN NEWSROOM continues with my colleague Rosemary Church after a short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [03:00:00]
