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Fauci Says Trump Campaign Twisted His Words; Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing in the Senate on Monday; Second Wave of Coronavirus in Europe; Europe Struggles With Surging Infections; U.K. PM Expected To Announce New Restrictions For England; India Surpasses 7 Million COVID-19 Cases; Nigeria Dissolves Police Unit Accused Of Brutality; Iran Tops 500,000 Cases, Reports Highest Daily Death Toll; Latin America And Caribbean Top 10 Million Cases; Jordan Imposes Lockdown For First Time In Months; L.A. Lakers Beat Miami Heat To Claim Championship; Rafael Nadal Claims 20th Major Title; Lewis Hamilton Wins Record-Equaling 91st Race; Sei Young Kim Claims Her First Major Title. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired October 12, 2020 - 02:00   ET

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

[02:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN HOST: Welcome to reviewers here in the United States and around the world. Thanks for joining me. I'm Robyn Curnow. You are watching CNN.

Coming up on the show, America's top infectious disease expert calls out the Trump campaign. Dr. Anthony Fauci says a new ad for the president takes his words out of context.

And we are also just hours away from the confirmation hearings of the Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett. We will preview her opening statement. Also, with much of Europe battling a second wave of coronavirus infections, could the U.K. be facing another lockdown?

Ten days after telling the world he tested positive for the coronavirus, the U.S. president is now claiming he has tested totally negative, without offering any evidence. The White House won't say whether we'll get an update from his doctor who vaguely told us earlier that President Trump is no longer considered a transmission risk. But now, the president is taking it a step further and actually claiming to have immunity.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (through telephone): I have to tell, you I feel fantastically. I really feel good. And I even feel good by the fact that, you know, the word immunity means something, having really a protective glow means something. I think it's very important to have that.

(END AUDIO CLIP) CURNOW: President Trump, also touted his alleged immunity on twitter, claiming he can't get the virus or give it. And twitter than slapped a warning on his tweet, saying it violated rules about spreading potentially harmful information.

To be clear, they have been documented cases of coronavirus reinfection. Now, this is all happening hours before President Trump launches his next round of campaign rallies. Here is Jeremy Diamond. Jeremy?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: President Trump is heading back to the campaign trail, hitting a trio of battleground states, beginning today in Florida. Tomorrow, the president is going to the battleground state of Pennsylvania before heading to Iowa on Wednesday.

Now, President Trump heading back on the campaign trail after the president's physician says that he has recovered from the coronavirus, also saying, that he president is no longer infectious. Now, the president himself claimed that he had gotten a negative test for coronavirus, but the president's physician, Dr. Sean Conley, didn't exactly say that.

Instead, he said simply that the president's latest molecular test for coronavirus showed that he is no longer infectious that he can't infect other people, but that he did not say that the president had tested negative for the virus.

But nonetheless, the president and his campaign are ceasing on that letter from Dr. Sean Conley to say that that second debate that had been canceled by the Commission on Presidential Debates after President Trump withdrew from that second debate, the president's campaign are calling for that debate to be reinstated saying the president should be able to participate after he's been cleared by his doctor to resume public activity.

But another controversy is hitting the president and his team. On Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, putting out a statement to CNN after the Trump campaign aired this misleading ad.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: President Trump is recovering from the coronavirus, and so is America. Together, we rose to meet the challenge. President Trump tackled the virus head on, as leaders should.

ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: I can't imagine that anybody could be doing more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DIAMOND: Now, Dr. Fauci saying in a statement to CNN, "In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate. The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials."

Now, it is clear from looking at that interview, which was taped all the way back in March in the early months of this pandemic, that Dr. Fauci was indeed referring to the members of the Coronavirus Task Force and other public health officials.

But nonetheless, the president and his campaign standing by the ad. The president noting that these are Dr. Fauci's own words. Of course, what is notable here is that the president and his re-election campaign seem to realize that the president is getting bad marks on his handling of the coronavirus.

Nearly 6 in 10 Americans have said in recent polls that they disapprove of the president's handling of the virus. And what's also clear is that campaign is using Dr. Fauci's image and his words here because Fauci is far more trusted by the public on this issue of coronavirus than the president is himself.

CURNOW: Thanks Jeremy. Jeremy Diamond live from the White House. So now the president's claims come as COVID infections are once again rising in the U.S.

[02:05:01]

For the first time since August, the country has reported more than 50,000 new cases for four consecutive days. Now, take a look at this map, this infection. This pushes the infection total closer to 7.8 million, while the death toll is now far above 200,000 people. And CNN's Evan McMorris-Santoro reports, the outbreak is still expected to worsen.

EVAN MCMORRIS-SANTORO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fears of a new coronavirus peaking the United States are growing in some corners. New cases are now on the rise in 30 states. And this country has reported 50,000 new cases for four consecutive days. That's the first time that's happened since August.

But former CDC director, Tom Frieden, told CNN over the weekend that a second wave is not inevitable. But he added that new cases mean a lot of tragedy is coming to this country in the coming weeks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM FRIEDEN, FORMER U.S. CDC DIRECTOR: The only thing that's really inevitable is what's going to happen in the next couple of weeks, and from the infections that have already occurred, we will see something like 20,000 deaths by the end of the month, additional deaths.

Anytime we ignore, minimize, or underestimate this virus, we do so at our peril and the peril of people whose lives depend on us. We still have, within ourselves, within our communities, within our society, the ability to turn this around.

And if you look around the world, the parts of the world, and even the parts of the U.S. that have been guided by public health and have supported public health, have done better. (END VIDEO CLIP)

MCMORRIS-SANTORO: Frieden's words about the urgent need to follow infection mitigation guidelines were especially true here in New York City. This was once the hardest hit place in America when it came to the pandemic. But those numbers have dramatically improved in recent months.

That is, until recent weeks, when a few New York City neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens have seen their infection rates go back up. They are now six times the overall infection rate in the state. Those numbers, are very concerning. Evan McMorris-Santoro, CNN, New York.

CURNOW: Well, earlier, I spoke with Dr. Darragh O'Carroll, an emergency physician in Hawaii, and I asked of his take on the President Trump's claim of immunity.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DARRAGH O'CARROLL, EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN: That's difficult one for most physicians to swallow. It's not in context of anything we have dealt with before as, you know, the medication that I think he's using, Regeneron, that he hangs most of the statement on, has not been used in very many people, you know, less than 200. And what his physician statement said -- it didn't say that he tested negative, just that he was not transmittable.

But when you put it in the context of all of the data that we do know, something as (inaudible) illness the CDC guidelines are to say, hey, you're no longer transmissible as long as you spent 10 days from the start of symptoms, your symptoms are improving and you're not taking fever reducing medicines and you're not having fever for the last 24 hours.

Now, if somebody has moderate illness and I would absolutely argue that our president had moderate illness. He required hospitalization. He required oxygen. He required dexamethasone, which we only give to people who do require oxygen. That number bumps from 10 days to 20. And so, they are plowing (ph) against most of the recommendations, if not all of the recommendations that physicians across the country are using. So for me, I don't think that statement holds weight and I think he's putting all those (inaudible) contact with at risk.

CURNOW: Yes. The three rallies coming up in the coming days. I want to talk also about the cases that we are seeing rising in the U.S., in Europe, in the U.K. Is this the second wave and how concerned are you about all of these soaring new infection rates?

O'CARROLL: Well, it is tough to say is it the second wave. It definitely could be the start if we had a, you know, magic ball where we could take a look. It absolutely could be that the start of the second wave. And this is what happens with upper respiratory illness that is similar to flu and how it's transmitted, however, this is much more transmissible and also much more deadly. We know those things.

So, flu does increase in the fall and winter months, and the reason why that happens is that I think it's colder out. People are inside more. People are spending more time closer together. And the more that we are doing that, the less that we're wearing mask. The more that we're gathering, the more opportunities, which is one of the main variables that this virus uses.

Is the more opportunity we have, the more we're going to transfer to others. So this absolutely could be the start of a secondary wave and we're seeing that, you know, in the United States here. It's getting a bit colder out because our weather is changing and cases are increasing.

CURNOW: I don't know if you heard, just before we came to you, we played a few clips, sound clips from folks in the U.K. and London who are marching and they are frustrated about all the lockdowns that's being particularly tough in the U.K. areas like Liverpool are about to also face more tough restrictions.

[02:10:00]

Pubs, you know, pubs and life have changed. Do you, as a doctor, understand that people are rejecting a lot of these harsh crackdowns and feeling extremely frustrated about having these limits on their lives? And what do you say to them when they express that?

O'CARROLL: Sure, I absolutely do understand because on one hand, we are seeing the consequences of prolonged lockdowns and that, you know, our economic health is now tied to our public health and that these people are enabled to have a proper gainful employment that they used to have. That is harmful in itself.

We do understand that, but the more that we are gathering, the more that our cases are going to increase, the more restrictions are going to be opposed. And that's just -- we need to think long term rather than short term.

And Hawaii is going through the same thing here. And that, you know, our state has been closed for the last six months or more because of our mandatory 14-day quarantine. So how do we institute the necessary protective measures to keep our residents safe, yet also continue to make a gainful employment for them as well.

So, I understand, but we need to think long term and we need to think ahead rather than just in the next week. And if we do protest and we do go against the public health guidelines, so that's really what needs to guide us, is these public health guidelines and I'm really happy to hear the United Kingdom government has now had, a little bit of change in their having three different (inaudible).

Follow those and make sure that you listen to science because we do know that when you don't, it will transfer to other to other people.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CURNOW: So that was Dr. Darragh O'Carroll there, an emergency physician in Hawaii. Now, the latest polls show Democrat Joe Biden expanding his lead over

Donald Trump in the presidential race. But Democrats are urging voters not to be complacent. A "Washington Post/ABC News poll of likely voters shows Biden with 54 percent to President Trump's 42 percent.

It's the third major poll in the last week that has Biden up by at least 10 points and above 50 percent. The pandemic is certainly a key issue with the clear majority of people believing Mr. Biden would handle it better.

And the U.S. Senate will begin confirmation hearings for President Trump's Supreme Court nominee in the coming hours. But with Joe Biden's big lead in the polls, many are wondering about his plans for the court if elected. Well, here's Arlette Saenz with that. Arlette.

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Joe Biden and his campaign continue to deflect on the question of whether the former vice president supports adding more justices to the Supreme Court. This comes as Republicans are seeking to turn this into a campaign issue as hearings are about to begin for President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett.

Now, the Biden campaign on Sunday, again called this a distraction from the president and his allies. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KATE BEDINGFIELD, BIDEN DEPUTY CAMPAIGN MANAGER: This is a distraction that they want to throw out. This is a hypothetical that they want to throw out right now to distract from the fact that they are trying to ram through a nominee who, as I said, is going to change the make-up of the court against the will of the American people.

They don't want to talk about that so they are trying to create a distraction and, you know, send folks down on a rabbit hole, talking about this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAENZ: Now, during the Democratic primary, Joe Biden said he opposed packing the Supreme Court and there had been no public indications yet that he has changed his position on that, but he has said that he will not answer that question until after Election Day.

Now, on Monday, Joe Biden is heading to the battleground state of Ohio where his polls have recently shown that President Trump and Joe Biden are locked in a tight race just four years after President Trump won Ohio back in 2016. And Joe Biden hoping to make the state more competitive heading into that November election. Arlette Saenz, CNN, Washington.

CURNOW: So coming up on CNN, confirmation hearings are about to begin for the Supreme Court nominee. We'll look at where the Republicans can seal the deal before Election Day.

Plus, Iran reaches a new milestone in the coronavirus pandemic and now officials are imposing new restrictions on the nation's capital. We have details and a live report on that as well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:15:00]

CURNOW: The stage is set for a Supreme Court showdown in the coming hours. Both sides will make their case for why Amy Coney Barrett should or should not sit on America's highest court.

The decision could affect some of the biggest issues of our time. Barrett is expected to say the court should not make policy, nevertheless, the top Democrat in the Senate says if she is confirmed, Barrett should sit out certain cases.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): Given Judge Barrett's conflicts of interest, she should recuse herself from any decision involving the Affordable Care Act and its protections, and any decisions related to the election that we will have on November 3rd.

The process is already illegitimate, dangerous, and unpopular. All the more reason she should be recused. She is being rushed through to decide decisions that she has already seems to have made up her mind on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CURNOW: The nomination has been controversial, of course, since day one. Lauren Fox tells us about the latest (inaudible).

LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Those critical hearings beginning on Capitol Hill on Monday. And the first day of hearing is going to be lawmakers getting to make their opening statements as well as Amy Coney Barrett, the nominee, making her opening statement, which CNN has obtained.

We expect that she will say, "There is a tendency in our profession to treat the practice of law as all consuming, while losing sight of everything else, but that makes for a shallow and unfulfilling life. I worked hard as a lawyer and as a professor. I owed that to my clients, my students, and myself, but I never let the law define my identity or crowd out the rest of my life."

Now, also looming over this hearing is going to be the fact that coronavirus is still very much a factor in these proceedings.

[02:19:59]

Remember, two lawmakers, both Republicans on the Judiciary Committee, tested positive for coronavirus just more than a week ago. Those individuals, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, as well as Senator Mike Lee of Utah, both tested positive.

And while we know that Tillis is expected to attend the hearings in person later this week, we still don't know whether or not Senator Mike Lee will attend the hearings in person. It's critical whether or not they show up.

That's because the top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, told reporters on Sunday that if those two members, and it has to be both of them being absent, are not there on Thursday, the day of a critical vote in the Judiciary Committee, he will not provide the critical number of Democrats necessary to get a quorum.

That essentially could slow down this entire nomination process. So, while the first order of business is going to be what lawmakers say in their opening statements tomorrow what Amy Coney Barrett says in her opening statement on Monday, it's also important to remember that the health of the individual members on this committee is going to be closely watched over the upcoming days. For CNN, in Washington, I am Lauren Fox.

CURNOW: Joan Biskupic is a CNN Supreme Court analyst and joins me from Washington. Good to see you. So, what do you expect on Monday, in particular?

JOAN BISKUPIC, CNN SUPREME COURT ANALYST: Thanks, Robyn. Good to be with you. Monday is the day for all sides to lay down markers. The senators will give opening statements. We've got some 22 senators who will introduce their lines of inquiry just in terms of pure statements. And then the nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, will give her statement too.

There won't be any questioning or answers on Monday. That will start on Tuesday. But everyone will sort of lay down, plant a flag so to speak, to alert people to where they are going to come from.

And the nominee herself, Judge Barrett, will try to introduce herself in a warm way, talk about her family, talk about her idea of the court and judging just to preliminarily introduce herself to America.

Meanwhile, the Republican senators who want this to be a swift, easy hearing will try to portray her and themselves in the most positive light. And then Democrats, who have the hardest chore here.

They know that Senate Republicans have the votes to confirm this woman, they will want to put an emphasis on Donald Trump, what Donald Trump has done to the Supreme Court, what he will continue to do to the Supreme Court, and in particular, the risk to what is known as the Affordable Care Act, and that's the 2010 health insurance overhaul that has brought medical coverage to more than 20 million Americans.

CURNOW: So, is that the main issue that's going to be at stake here? I mean, let's bear in mind, the Democrats say this shouldn't even be happening a few weeks before the election. The Republicans say, you know, we can do this. This is, you know, this is within the timeframe of the presidency and President Trump can do it. Besides the Affordable Care Act, what are the other main issues that are going to be homed in on?

BISKUPIC: That's an excellent question because the Affordable Care Act is going to be argued before the Supreme Court right away on November 10th so that's why it's completely in focus here. Also because it means so much to Americans.

But right before that, on November 3rd we have a presidential election, and President Trump has, in fact, said that he thinks that ballot controversies could easily get to the U.S. Supreme Court and the election could be decided there.

And he has said out loud, he wants his appointee there to decide any kind of case. He wants nine justices there. So that's in the very immediate world, Robyn, but then going forward after that, you know, abortion rights are at stake, LGBTQ worker rights are at stake. All sorts of issues will be coming down the road, but most immediately in focus will be the election and the Affordable Care Act.

CURNOW: How much of a tightrope will Democrats have to walk here particularly as suppose when it comes to the issues around religion?

BISKUPIC: Amy Coney Barrett is a devout Catholic. She has devoted some of her academic scholarship to writing about faith in the law, but the last time the Democrats tried to bring up religion in 2017, when she was up for U.S. Appeals Court seat, they kind of bungled it.

They suggested by some questions that maybe they thought it was a bad thing that she was so religious. Senator Feinstein, the senior Democrat on the committee famously said, I think the dogma lives loudly within you.

[02:25:00]

And she received a lot of criticism for perhaps being anti-Catholic. But yet -- so Democrats are going to steer away from it, but we have an unusual nominee here. She has actually written a lot about faith and the law, but I think they're going to avoid it this time or if they do touch it, walk very gingerly around it.

CURNOW: Yes. Either way, this is going to be politicized and may or may not influence voter's choices. Joan, thanks so much. Really appreciate you joining us.

BISKUPIC: Thank you Robyn.

CURNOW: Be sure to tune in to CNN for the latest from the confirmation hearing. It all gets underway at 9:00 a.m. eastern time. That's 2:00 p.m. for all of you folks in London.

So, coming up on CNN. India has recorded more than 7 million coronavirus cases, the second highest total in world after America. We'll go live to New Delhi.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CURNOW: Welcome back to "CNN Newsroom." I'm Robyn Curnow live from CNN's world news headquarters here in Atlanta. Thanks for joining me. It is 29 minutes past the hour.

So Europe is struggling to respond to surging coronavirus infections. We know Italy has just marked its highest increase of patients entering intensive care since the end of March. Back then, the country was dealing with one of the world's biggest outbreaks. We know that 30 people were admitted on Sunday.

For the fourth straight day, Portugal reported more than 1,000 cases, and with more than 1,300 new cases on Sunday, Russia just set a record for new coronavirus infections for the third day in a row. The country now has nearly 1.3 million cases overall.

And we're standing by to hear from the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson just hours from now, he said to announce a new system of Coronavirus alert levels for England, which is seeing a record setting increase in cases. England is at a tipping point in the pandemic, according to the deputy chief medical officer, and it looks inevitable that more restrictions are certainly coming. But the U.K. housing Secretary says the government wants to avoid "a blanket national lockdown."

[02:30:00]

And India topped 7 million cases on Sunday according to the health ministry. It's fast approaching the level we're seeing here in the United States, the highest number in the world. Vedika Sud joins me now from New Delhi with more on that. Hi, what can you tell us?

VEDIKA SUD, CNN REPORTER: Well, Robyn, it is a worrying situation, and it will continue to be so for the simple reason that there are a lot of festivals now that are going to be coming up in India in the month of October as well as November. Hindu festivals like Navratra, which is a celebration of nine days, as well as Diwali, the season of lights, and the festival of lights as it's known, is very big in the Hindu calendar here in India.

And that's the reason why you have India's Health Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan coming out on Sunday and appealing to 1.36 billion people of India to stay indoors and not venture out to celebrate those festivals. That's going to be a concern given that even winters is approaching now here in India, and the health minister went on to say that you cannot rule out an increase in COVID-19 cases, once winter sets in, as well as pollution levels.

Now, remember closer to November, that's when you know the cutting of - the burning of crops takes place in many areas around the national capital region, as well as pollution levels go up, that's another worry that medical experts could feel could have an impact on COVID-19 levels here in India. The caseload stands at over 7.1 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, and there's no ruling out that in the near future, there could be a possibility that India surpasses America's numbers as well.

Now one of the reasons and one of the main points of concern is also that people are now facing a COVID-19 fatigue, like in other nations as well. You still see people across India not wearing masks, not adhering to social distancing norms. And repeated appeals by the Indian government is actually unfortunately falling on deaf ears for many who feel that for some odd reason, they weigh above any kind of fears of COVID-19 being and them infecting - being infected by it. So that's one main concern along with the festivals that are coming up. You also have Christmas in December, so two and a half months of festivals coming up and that remains the biggest challenge for the Indian government, at this point in time, appealing over and over again to people not to venture out when these festivals are on Robyn.

CURNOW: OK, thank you for that. Vedika Sud there in New Delhi.

SUD: Thank you.

CURNOW: So Nigeria has disbanded a controversial police unit, following nationwide protests. The special anti-robbery squad known as SARS has been accused of torture methods, including hanging, mock execution and sexual violence, according to Amnesty International.

The Group says it's documented 82 cases of police brutality in Nigeria over the past three years. The protests were a culmination of weeks of anger and outcry online by the country's youth.

You're watching CNN. Still ahead, mandatory new rules go into effect in Iran as the pandemic surges there. How the government is responding to that crisis.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:35:00]

CURNOW: Iran has now confirmed more than half a million cases of COVID, becoming the 13th country in the world to reach that number. Health officials there have also recorded more than 250 new deaths, setting a new daily record for the country. So for more on all of this, I'm joined by Sam Kiley, Sam's in Dubai. But you've been monitoring what's been happening in Iran, what can you tell us about these numbers? Hi, Sam.

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they've been causing anxiety both for the Iranians and indeed for the region now for some time, as it was several weeks ago now that Iran effectively announced that it was having or enduring a second wave.

You'll recall Robyn that it was Iran, very soon after China that saw the worst rate of infections at the very beginning of this pandemic, just at the same time really as it was taking roots in Europe in Italy, in particular.

Now, in a similar parallel situation, now Iran has passed the half million mark in terms of numbers of infections. They've also hit record death tolls going over 250 a day just recently, and a large number of cities and provinces have had to be - seen a reimposition of lockdown. This will coming amidst the further sanctions being imposed bilaterally on Iran by the Trump administration last week.

Heavy financial sanctions or sanctions on financial services and individuals were imposed on a country whose economy has already been very badly crippled by those American sanctions with the President Rouhani saying that it was in danger, these sanctions of undermining the capacity to actually provide humanitarian support, and above all, medical help to the citizens there. Both of those issues, of course, supposed to be excluded by sanctions in Iran.

But the pattern, Robyn, is similar across the Middle East in the nearby or neighboring Iraq, they're close to 400,000 infections and a similar death toll. Also peaking has been Jordan, which over the weekend at a 48 hour lockdown imposed. That's going to go on indefinitely on Fridays and Saturdays, trying and reduce the mixing on traditional days off in that country.

Lebanon's Health Service has said that it's in danger of being overwhelmed by a spike. And indeed, in Tunisia, we've also seen a concern from the government there that they're seeing unprecedented levels of infections, Robyn. So a very similar pattern emerging across the Middle East and North Africa, as has been seen in Europe and the United States. Robyn.

CURNOW: So, Sam, what is causing these surges? Why - what's behind them? What do we know?

KILEY: Well, I mean, the people have been struggling to figure that out. But I think in every case, it's slightly different. I mean, there is obviously a factor of poverty particularly - and insecurity in countries like Iraq, the Lebanon has been suffering, as we know, economic catastrophe. It then had that gigantic explosion in the center of the city. It is has a political system that is in a state - moribund state with no functioning government of any significant kind.

And at the same time, countries such as Jordan, which are very interesting, had a very severe lockdown indeed with one international recognition for the severity and success of its ability to keep the pandemic under control. But in every country where things have been relaxed, we have seen a surge in infections. That, of course, the pattern has been seen also in Europe and United States.

[02:40:00]

CURNOW: OK, thanks for that update there. Sam Kiley appreciated.

So coronavirus cases in Latin America and the Caribbean topped 10 million on Saturday, the same day the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whose nation is third in global infections took a motorbike ride around the beach resort, even stopped to take selfies without wearing a mask.

Meanwhile, as Sam was saying, Jordan imposed a 48 hour lockdown, the first one there in months, as the country battles what officials call an exponential rise in COVID cases.

So if you're an international watcher, if you're somewhere in the world besides America and Canada, WORLD SPORT is coming up for you, that's next, but if you're joining us from here in the U.S., I will be right back after the break with a little bit more news for you. Stick around.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NOBERT ROTTGEN, CHAIRMAN, GERMAN BUNDESTAG FOR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: We are worried, of course, because we have always been oriented to reality and to the facts and we see have to face the rise of injections and we know what is going to happen that autumn and winter is coming, that we will see flu and fever diseases, so we have to prepare.

The virus is the source of all the damages and consequences and not the lockdown. The lockdown was the rationale measure and tool to get a grip on the development of the pandemic. So what our overarching goal is to avoid a second lockdown and if the communication remains honest, clear and rational, I think, we will achieve the most important goal that is the discipline - the general discipline of the people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PATRICK SNELL, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, there. Thanks for joining us. Star power and record equaling history makers all the way on this Monday edition of CNN WORLD SPORT. Just look at these global icons Lewis Hamilton, Rafa Nadal and basketball mega star LeBron James, whose L.A. Lakers are celebrating a first NBA championship in a decade.

[02:45:00]

On Sunday night, in the Orlando Bubble, King James and his Lakers teammates getting the job done in style of overcoming worthy opponents the Miami Heat in game six of the finals, 106 points to 93, closing out the best of seven series 4-2.

Fair to say a COVID-19 impacted season like no other, prevailing through it all although, look at these images, the Lakers, their first title since 2010, and their 17th overall, which now ties them with a famous Boston Celtics for the most all time in league history. Look at their raw emotion too. Amid the ongoing global pandemic we have seen widespread protests over racial injustice across the United States, with James himself a huge presence on and off the court, and afterwards have to say in typically forthright mood.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COMMENTATOR: L.A. Lakers conquer the bubble.

LEBRON JAMES, NBA FINALS MVP: We just want our respect, Rob wants his respect, Coach Vogel wants his respect, organization what their respect, Lakers Nation what their respect, and I want my damn respect too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNELL: You have it. Well, this, now the fourth championship for James who will turn 36 just after Christmas, in fact, later this year in his 10th NBA Finals too. He previously won two titles with the Heat and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron named NBA Finals MVP. The fourth time he's received this honor. Only the great Michael Jordan has more.

Well, players, this season, have been front and center when it comes to taking a stance against social injustice. The words Black Lives Matter printed on the courts there in Florida. And when the campaign did resume, we saw almost all players with many coaches and referees as well joining them kneeling as well during the U.S. National Anthem. Take a listen now to the powerful words of the NBA's Commissioner.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADAM SILVER, NBA COMMISSIONER: This season restart was always about something bigger than basketball. It was about resilience and ingenuity. But it was also about racial equality, and social justice. Working together, teams and players, we found a way to play through a pandemic, keep everyone safe, and put a spotlight on these critically important issues. For that, every team deserves to be celebrated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNELL: Obviously, Lakers as well have been playing through this season with collectively heavy hearts. This was the franchise's first NBA Finals appearance since 2010 when the late great Kobe Bryant won his fifth and final NBA crown. Now Bryant, along with his daughter, Gianna and seven other people passed away in a helicopter crash at the start of this year.

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ANTHONY DAVIS, L.A. LAKERS ALL-STAR: Since that tragedy, all we want to do is do it for him and we didn't let him down. It would have been great to do it in the late game in his jerseys, but it made us come out even more aggressive, even more powerful on both ends on the floor to make sure we close it out tonight. And I know he's looking down on us, proud of us. I know Vanessa is proud of us, the organization is proud of us. It means a lot to us.

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SNELL: Strong, poignant words indeed. Well, as I mentioned off the top, the Lakers now tied with their great rivals Boston for the most all-time NBA championships, 17. Those two franchises - look at that, by far the most dominant, as you can see the gap between themselves and the best of the rest is really quite substantial.

All right, much more to focus on now. A different time of year for the 2020 French Open in Paris, but the same old story when it comes to the winner at the famed Roland Garros, the day after Poland's Iga Swiatek won the women's crown, Spanish Maestro, Rafa Nadal winning it for a record extending 13th time. His 20th Grand Slam crowd overall and he's now tied Swiss great Roger Federer his all-time mark

There's a reason they call a man from Mallorca, the "King of Play, or 13 reasons, we should now say to be precise, Rafa, just ruthless Sunday. Thrashing the world #1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets, Nadal swept through the tournament without even dropping a set and he was relentless, Sunday, dismantling the Serbian player very comfortably indeed. The Spaniard is a class act, you know, on and off the court as witnessed by his reflective post match words.

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RAFAEL NADAL, 13-TIME FRENCH OPEN WINNER: Very tough here. But win here means everything to me, so I - it's not the moment for - honestly, not for me. I don't think today about the 20th of equal Roger on this great number. For me today is just a Roland Garros victory. Now, that Roland Garros means everything to me--

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SNELL: That was indeed a truly devastating performance that we witnessed from Rafa Sunday. With her reflections on it all now, here is our own Chrissy Macfarlane.

[02:50:00]

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CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR: It's a rivalry that has spanned 14 years and 56 games, but with history on the line today, Rafa Nadal, slammed the door shut on Novak Djokovic to take his 13th French Open title and a record equaling 20th Grand Slam.

Something perhaps his best ever performance at Roland Garros, Nadal was relentless from the start, ripping forehand winners, running down every point to race to a six love opening set before closing out in straight sets, as he has done on four previous occasions.

It means the Spaniard has now scored a century of wins in Paris, having only lost twice on the red clay before once to Novak Djokovic. The Serb had not lost a match all year, but this was a surprisingly lopsided result as Nadal scored 31 winners and just 14 unforced errors to seal the match.

But now the gap between the big three has widened. Djokovic moves to three behind Nadal and Federer at the top of the all-time standings. Federer hasn't played since February when he had knee surgery and tweeted his congratulations to Rafa after the game saying, "As my greatest rival for many years, I believe we've pushed each other to become better players. Well done. Rafa. You deserve it."

With Federer at the age of 38, and coming off knee surgery, there's now a chance for Nadal to end his career on top, especially if he's able to add more titles in Paris. In a tennis season that has looked and felt like no other due to the coronavirus pandemic, it at least ends with a familiar sight, Rafa Nadal holding the French Open trophy once again.

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SNELL: Thank you Chrissy. Now, we're going to switch the focus on to yet another global superstar. Britain's Lewis Hamilton has just made his own very special piece of F1 history, a record equaling win, yes, but there was so much more to it all in Germany, on a weekend, he will likely never, ever forget.

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MEGAN RAPINOE: TWO-TIME WORLD CUP CHAMPION: I believe that we all have a responsibility to make the world a better place. Do what you can with what you have and do as much of it as you can. I clearly am very lucky to have a platform to get to play for the United States, to be able to take on some of these issues. So I've personally just find it interesting, and this is the stuff that I like to do and talk about.

I think that we can live in a more fair and equitable society. I think that we can have a better life and I think we don't have to live, particularly with what's happening right now. I don't think we have to live in this world. I think it can be better. And so for me, I try to use all of the resources or platform or microphone if it's given to me to do what I can to make the world a better place.

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SNELL: Welcome back to this Monday Reflections now on a truly historic weekend. The British Formula One superstar Lewis Hamilton on Sunday, he won the Eifel Grand Prix in Germany, a victory that ensured he's now tied the legendary Michael Schumacher for the all-time record of 91 Formula One race wins.

This was the day, this was the moment, his seventh win of this COVID- 19 delayed season. And there is but one man who is rewriting the history books in his own unique fashion. Hamilton, the Englishman has staggering 69 points, clearing (ph) Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas to the top the drivers' standings right now. There's only 156 points more up for grabs. Surely, just a matter of time now before he's tied Schumacher for another record seven Drivers' titles. The F1 Circuit heads to Portugal next up.

Well, Germany's Sebastian Vettel has won four world titles and he's third on the list of race wins, but he only has 53, that's 38 behind Hamilton, who will surely have the record all to himself Pretty soon, I would predict.

Well unfortunately Michael Schumacher could not be there to see it. He suffered a traumatic brain injury while skiing accident there in 2013. But it was a really touching moment after the race when his 21 year old son, Mick, the current Formula 2 points leader presenting Hamilton with one of his famous father's helmets. Mick tweeting later, "Records are there to be broken. Well, Don Lewis."

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LEWIS HAMILTON, 6-TIME WORLD CHAMPION: When you grow up watching someone and you generally idolize really just in terms of the quality of the driver they are, but what they're able to continuously do year- on-year, on race-on-race and week-on-week with that team. [02:55:00]

I remember playing Michael on the game on Grand Prix 2, I think it was. Just seeing his dominance for so long, I don't think anyone would - and especially me, imagine I would be anywhere near Michael in terms of the records. So, it's an incredible honor.

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SNELL: Really special weekend. All right. Well, like so many other sports, golf has certainly been impacted by the ongoing pandemic.

On Sunday, the third major of the season on the women's circuit, the rescheduled PGA Championship playing out in Philadelphia, culminating in a career breakthrough victory for South Korea's Sei Young Kim.

Kim, a winner of 10 LPGA Tour events, beginning the day with a two stroke lead. And if anyone wanted to catch her, they would need the fast start and it would come from the Japanese player Nasa Hataoka on the very first hole indeed. The chip in for Eagle there is really impressive from the 21 year old.

But nothing was going to keep Kim from her first major title. She played superb golf Sunday. Seven birdies with no bogeys for a resounding five stroke victory. The delight on her face all too apparent. Congrats to her.

Her compatriot, by the way, Inbee Park, finishing second with around a 65. But just for perspective here, this is how dominant Kim actually was at a major tournament. Only eight players finishing under par at all. Kim, look at that, finishing 14 under par.

The L.A. Lakers are basketball's NBA champs, while at the French Open a weekend to savor for Rafa Nadal and Poland's Iga Swiatek. Just to season, you know, both Swiatek and Nadal mean Christmas in Polish and Catalan respectively is our latest Rolex Minute for you.

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