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Italy Win Championship After Beating England on Penalties; billionaire Richard Branson Successfully Rockets into Space; Audio Statement Posted at First Lady's Twitter Account; Italian Team Returns Home after Winning Euro 2020 Title; Tokyo Enters New COVID Emergency with Olympics in 11 Days; Rare Displays of Anger over COVID Response, Economic Woes in Cuba. Aired 1-2a ET
Aired July 12, 2021 - 01:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[01:00:17]
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: The trophy going to Rome as Italy is crowned European champion, breaking English hearts.
Also --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD BRANSO, VIRGIN GALACTIC FOUNDER: Welcome to the dawn of the new space age.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: To the age of space and beyond, Richard Branson becomes the first billionaire to ride into space on the rocket he founded.
And taking it to the streets in Cuba, what's fueling the biggest anti- government protest in decades.
Hello and welcome to our viewers, joining us all around the world. I'm Michael Holmes. This is CNN NEWSROOM.
(MUSIC)
HOLMES: Italy's football team is expected to return home soon after their dramatic win over England for the European championship. The teams drew when all before Sunday's match went into extra time, and ultimately to a penalty shootout. Italy's goalkeeper blocking the final England attempt here, and the Azzurri winning 3-2 on spot kicks.
This is Italy's first major title in 15 years, its first European championship in more than 50 years. And that sparked celebrations on the streets of Rome as you might imagine, celebrations that stretch well into the night.
After the match, England's coach spoke of the heartbreaking defeat while Italy's coach said his team's win as for all the Italians.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ROBERTO MANCINI, ITALY COACH (through translator): It was quite unpleasant to have to go to all the way to the penalty shootout. I think we would have deserved to finish the game earlier than that, but we are very happy for Italians, Italians living abroad. There were many at the stadium today. Italians all over the world and especially Italians across Italy, because I think we really have given them a wonderful run of success and joy and we are very happy about that.
GARETH SOUTHGATE, ENGLAND COACH: They've got a walk away from her hands held high. They've done more than any other team in the last 50 or so years. So in terms of the players, they should be incredibly proud of what they've done.
Tonight, it's hard, of course, because to get so close, you know, there's opportunities in light that are incredibly rare. But credit to Italy, I think they have been outstanding the whole tournament, and the way they used the ball tonight was a little bit better than us, and I think they were strong enough in defense to anything consistently on their goal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Now, we are also receiving reaction from Italy's top leaders in the celebratory tweet. Italy's President Sergio Mattarella writes, quote: Great gratitude to Roberto Mancini and our players. They have well represented our country and honored the sport.
And Italy's prime minister will greet the team in a ceremony at his official residence later today.
CNN World Sport was there in London, of course, as the match unfolded. Alex Thomas along with Amanda Davies and contributor Darren Lewis walked us through some of the highlights.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALEX THOMAS, CNN WORLD SPORT: Let's show you we'll show you what happened after one no 90 minutes, and the additional 30 minutes of penalty shootout. It was 2-all when Bonucci steps up to take his kick and scored. And just before that, disaster for England when Marcus Rashford who come on as a late substitute hit the post, and is one of three successive missed spot kicks by England, Jadon Sancho followed and he also couldn't beat Donnarumma in the Italian goal and neither could young teenager, Bukayo Saka.
Darren Lewis and Amanda Davies, both inside, the cruelest way down to end any match, but it's got to finish somehow.
DARREN LEWIS, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Absolutely, nerve shredding tension inside the stadium, and that familiar feeling, when those penalties were missed. I don't have many concerns. As I said before, you know, I look this young boy now, hugely talented, massive future ahead of him. I like those scenes, the guys all around him, looking after him, making sure he hasn't left on his own.
I don't have any complaints about the missed penalties. You back the players when they do well. You back them when they lose. I'm heartbroken, I can't lie. I've been talking all the way through the tournament how well they've done, and how well Southgate has done as well.
I know that tomorrow's newspapers had a sneak peek, and I know that their support of the players as well.
[01:05:03]
There's a feeling that they've done the English nation being proud. I would echo those feelings as well.
THOMAS: I would say this coming from an English press, that in the past, for those of you that don't live in this country or haven't seen the press, how England has managed with turnips, and that sort of thing. So, they can stick the put in.
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: They can absolutely. But we shouldn't take anything away from that Italy, because it is an incredible achievement. It is now 34 games unbeaten, facing all the way back --
THOMAS: Best record in the history.
DAVIES: -- to September 2018, for Roberto Mancini led side, that is such a mix, isn't of kind of youth and an experience. And there weren't talked about one of the top favorites heading into this competition, but they have consistently impressed. They scored goals.
They have not conceded many. They went behind in front of the stadium that without doubt has a very partisan crowd, but dug deep, showed their mettle, and deservedly you would have to say --
THOMAS: When the trophy is lifted, we couldn't hear it outside here. Whereas, I could hear everything that happened around England team because of the numbers of fans that have been here throughout the day.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All right. And the some of England's most prominent fans, tweeting about the crushing loss at Wembley. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson writing, quote: That was a heartbreaking result to end. But Gareth Southgate and his England squad played like heroes. They have done the nation proud, and deserve great credit.
And Prince William, who is at the game, told the football players to be proud of themselves and, quote, hold their heads high.
CNN's Cyril Vanier following more of fan reaction for us from London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CYRIL VANIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There is no such thing is an easy loss when your team makes it to a final of the major tournament, like the European championship. But, this one will live in particularly heartbreaking for England fans, who really did believe for most of the game, that they were going to get it done this time. That they were going to bring home the trophy of a major football tournament, for the first time in more than half a century.
It was not to be Italians equalized in the 67th minute, took the game into a penalty shootout, and then managing to head out to England. And, you know, being a fan of the England football team, over the last half century, has come with its fair share of disappointments, and frustrations that, unfortunately, today, will have to be added to that list.
There was such a compelling narrative around this team, not only was it a supremely talented group, but they are also very likable players. They have a very likable manager, Gareth Southgate, who is on something of a redemption tour, because, of course, he was part of the 1999 England team, that lost to Germany in the semifinals at the European championships, on penalty shootouts. And there was a real desire by the fans of we spoke to ahead of the game to believe in this compelling sports narrative, that they were destined to win this time, that they had the momentum, because they were playing at home.
But that did not happen. And they are heartbroken. Had things had gone the other way, they were looking way, they were looking at a parade, a celebration, a possible knighthood for the England manager Gareth Southgate, and a bank holiday. All of those things will not happen.
The positive spin that can be put on this this evening is that the England men's football team remains a very talented young group, full of talent, and they will now have the hunger and the maturity going into this next year's World Cup, less than 18 months for now.
Cyril Vanier, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Meanwhile, London's metropolitan police say they made 49 arrests from what they, say were a variety of offenses will policing the euro 2020 final. Here is a look at some fans breaking through barricades at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
Some clashing with police in the streets. Police say 19 officers were actually injured, while confronting these volatile crowds. Police also report they are investigating, quote, a number of offensive, and racist social media comments, being directed towards footballers, unquote.
England's Football Association releasing a statement saying, it is appalled at the racist abuse, and that it condemns all forms of discrimination.
Now, billionaire Richard Branson is calling his flight into space the dawn of a new space age. Early on Sunday, the Virgin Galactic founder, and five other crew members flew around 80 kilometers, or 50 miles, up to the edge of space, experiencing weightlessness for a few minutes before returning safely back to Earth.
It is a landmark moment for the space tourism industry. Branson is now the first billionaire to travel to space aboard his own company spacecraft, beating Amazon's Jeff Bezos to the punch by nine days.
Now this one of a kind journey made for some exciting and memorable moments here on CNN.
[01:10:05]
Let's take a look at a few of them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RACHEL CRANE, CNN INNOVATION AND SPACE CORRESPONDENT: A rocket engine has ignited. This is the moment that Branson, and his team, have been waiting for.
RICHARD BRANSON, FOUNDER, VIRGIN GALACTIC: I was once a kid with a dream, looking up to the stars. Now, I am an adult, in a spaceship, looking back at our beautiful earth.
For the next generation of dreamers, if we can do this, just imagine what you can do.
As you go into space, it just -- the views are breathtaking. I mean, there is no question, we are so lucky to have this planet, that we all live on. We've got to all be doing everything we can to help this incredible planet we live on. I will devote the rest of my life doing that.
REPORTER: You exude such confidence. Is there even just a small part of you, feeling, perhaps, an intense relief at all want to plan?
BRANSON: The only thing I was worried about was a tiny little something, that would get in the way.
UNIDENTIFIED BOY: What did you see from space?
BRANSON: We would do you see from space is this wonderful, dark sky. And then, there is this incredible blue. We've got these incredible windows, and Dave and Sooch, they turn the spaceship upside down, so when you were floating, you were looking out of these giant windows, back at this beautiful, beautiful sky. This beautiful earth, back down here.
And, it is indescribable. Whoo! We've been to space, everybody!
I'm definitely still up there. We're going to come down with a big thump soon. Anyway, it is so, so, so thrilling when, I said, a lifetime dream comes true.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, this, here, is Sir Richard Branson, astronaut.
(CHEERS)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you guys see any planets in space?
BRANSON: We saw a number of different aliens out there. One of them, hitching a lift on the top of the spaceship. I think you managed to throw them, often your day of?
DAVE MACKAY, PILOT: I did, yes.
BRANSON: So, we have left the aliens up there. But, maybe next time, we will open the door, and bring them back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, CNN's Rachel Crane was on hand for the launch, and got a chance to speak, one-on-one, with the billionaire space traveler about this groundbreaking voyage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CRANE: Richard, you just fulfilled a lifelong dream. And I know you said, earlier, that you couldn't find the words to describe it, but you've now come back on earth for a couple of hours.
So, tell us, what was this experience like for you?
BRANSON: Look, I've dreamt of going to space since I was a kid. I have always pictured what it would be like. It was just far more extraordinary than I could ever imagine. The from going north to 3,000 miles an hour, in 7 or 8 seconds, being pressed into the seat, the roar of the rocket, to arriving in space, and the silence. And, you know, to looking out at the window, to seeing our glorious, glorious colors of the sky, to unbuckling, and floating, just, literally, lifting, going off into the ceiling, and floating.
Looking back down at these big windows, and other the spaceships upside down, facing back at the earth. Seeing these three float around, underneath me, like giant fish. Get out of my way, I want to see the earth.
CRANE: You have long spoken about the overview effect. Anyone who has gone to space, often, you are referring to the overview effect out fundamentally changes them, and they become a steward of earth. Did you experience that?
BRANSON: It sort of capped it off for me. Now, I will spend, and I promise, I will now spend the next -- I'm an optimist, the next 30 years of my life doing everything I can to protect the species on this beautiful earth, to work on climate change issues, to work on trying to stop the degradation of our rainforests, just all of the things that are going a wrong way to, just do everything we can to make them right.
[01:15:01]
I think the same applies to everybody else on the flight.
CRANE: You know, social media was a flutter with, let's say, let's describe it to, as a competitive spirit between you and Jeff Bezos, and Blue Origin. Jeff Bezos, though, just posting congratulatory note saying that he can't wait to join you, and experience it as well.
Do you have any advice for him, and the blue origin crew?
BRANSON: Well, look, obviously, wish him -- wish him the most wonderful voyage. I hope he can his wonderful voyage as we had. And just -- do your training. It's important to get that seven days of training before you go. And, you know, if you -- if you know what to expect you can just sit back and have a ride of a lifetime. I am sure that all of them who are on that spaceship will do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: And let's bring in Greg Autry, who's joining us from Cape Canaveral in Florida. He's a space policy expert and a professor at Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Great to see you.
Your thoughts on the flight, first of all, what it means? What it achieved?
GREG AUTRY, SPACE POLICY EXPERT: Well, for me, personally, I was on the runway and California in 2004 when Sir Richard announced Virgin Galactic, and I have engaged and followed with the effort ever since. So this is important for me, too. I'm so happy to see the success and tenacity persistent that he has applied and it paid off for him, for the team, the company.
But this is going to be a seminal moment in human history. This is a tipping point where we are not just sleeping on the planet with a government program and a few quasi-military people, this is a moment that humanity really begins. Our expansion out into the atmosphere.
HOLMES: Yeah, that's uninteresting way of putting it. And, yeah, just to let's get the sort of negativity out of the way. People are saying things like, there's a couple of rich guys playing with toys no one else can afford. But you have an argument against that.
AUTRY: Certainly, first of all every great invention we've had in the pass was originally something that only the wealthy could afford. I remember paying $1,200 for my CD player. That's not the point. The point is they are putting their money into something that is going to make the world better for all of us.
And, secondly, by giving a lot of people up there and scene -- I've had the opportunity to be friends with a number of astronauts. And when they come back, they're changed. They see the world with no borders. They see that thin atmosphere and realize how precious our biosphere is.
Getting a bunch of wealthy and powerful people to experience that transformative awareness is hugely valuable.
HOLMES: And space does have implications for climate change in a good way. We are hearing a lot about climate change from space.
AUTRY: Absolutely. We wouldn't know about climate change without space data from NASA and NOAA. Solar power was developed in great extent by NASA and DOD for satellites. GPS makes every transportation system on earth more efficient, saves more CO2 emissions and other emissions than any technology that's ever been developed. To pretend that investing in space is not the right thing to do for our environment is incredibly shortsighted.
HOLMES: I wanted to ask you if you thought that this is a sustainable business in terms of profitability, and that eventual accessibility for ordinary people. Also, what are the implications for future commercial flights?
AUTRY: Yeah. So, a lot of people have said this only lasts, only people who are rich will go. And there will be an accident and they'll stop. I say, look at what's happening on Mount Everest. Every year, hundreds of people are going. They've had to put ladders up to get them there faster. And when you do that, you actually march apparently by the frozen dead bodies of people that went before. It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to mount this campaign.
So, I don't think you will see anything different here except that space tourism is much more pleasant and safer than not.
HOLMES: Wow. Yeah. It was interesting to see Branson had kids there as part of the media briefing. And it struck me, it's been important to him the whole way through, inspiring kids to take an interest in space and its potential.
AUTRY: I do have to say I've had the opportunity to all three of the billionaires involved here at one time or another, Sir Richard has been by far the most sincere and passionate about what this means for the future of our planet and our people. That just shines through every time you see him.
[01:20:02]
HOLMES: Greg Autry at the Kennedy Space Center, really great to speak with you. Certainly a momentous day, as you say. Really appreciate it. Thanks.
AUTRY: Thank you.
HOLMES: Still to come here on CNN NEWSROOM, Haitian police say they have arrested one of the masterminds behind Wednesday's presidential assassination. What we know about the suspect coming up.
Also, a relative of one of the man accused of being involved in the assassination plot is speaking out in his defense. What they are saying really happened, that's when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Haiti's first lady appears to have broken her silence following the assassination of her husband, President Jovenel Moise. Martine Moise was also shot during Wednesday's attack on the couple's Port-au-Prince home.
In a voice message, posted to her Twitter account, she encouraged Haitians to persevere through chaos now gripping the country. CNN has not independently confirmed the authenticity of the audio, several Haitian officials say, it is the first lady speaking.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
MARTINE MOISE, HAITI FIRST LADY (translated): Tears will never dry up in my yes, my heart will still bleed, but we cannot allow the president to die a second time. It's true, my crying, but we can't let the country go astray.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HOLMES: Now, the audio message also suggests Moise was killed for political reasons. And now, Haitian police appear to have confirmed as much, with a significant arrest.
CNN's Matt Rivers explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we got an update on Sunday evening from Haitian authorities, after they held a press conference, giving some updates into the investigation, of the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Authorities holding that Sunday evening press conference, in part to announce the arrest of a 63-year-old man, they say, was born here and Haiti. They allege that that man actually helped to recruit, and then organize, here, in Haiti. This group of Colombian mercenaries that the Haitian government says we're the ones who, actually, carried out this assassination.
Upon raiding this 63-year-old man's home, authorities say they found multiple boxes of ammunition. They found shooting targets, they also found pistol, and rifle holsters.
Meanwhile, the political situation here, in Haiti remains tenuous at best. The couple of different leaders, and different political factions here, in Haiti, tweeting, or saying publicly, on Sunday, that they actually met with the U.S. delegation, here, in Port-au-Prince, to talk about the political situation, to talk about who is running the country right now, and to talk about elections that should be happening, at some point, in the future. Not only to elect a new president, but also to elect new members of parliament here in Haiti.
But based on those public statements, it is clear no consensus was reached at that meeting.
[01:25:05]
And when there is disagreement, political disagreement, in Haiti, that can often lead to protests that, sometimes, turns violent. That is what we're going to be looking out for, over the next few days, and even the next few weeks, as Haiti tries to grapple with the assassination of its president.
Matt Rivers, CNN, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Now, CNN did speak with the sister of one of the men accused in this assassination plot. She says, the narrative surrounding her brother is wrong, and that he is a victim too.
Stefano Pozzebon reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST: The relatives of a group of Colombian men accused of murdering the Haitian President Jovenel Moise are speaking out, claiming their loved ones are, in fact, innocent, and the victims of a conspiracy.
CNN spoke with Jenny Capador, the sister of a retired sergeant of the Colombian army, who was killed by the Haitian police, and says, her brother was hired to work as a private security, to protect an important person in Haiti. Capador said that she spoke with her brother on Wednesday afternoon., more than 15 hours after Moise was killed.
JENNY CAPADOR, SISTER OF COLOMBIAN ACCUSED IN PLOT: He told me, sadly, they got there to protect someone important, but they arrived late. He told me, they were in a house, under siege, and under fire, fighting.
POZZEBON: Capador said she learned from the news that her brother had been killed. He was accused of the president's assassination. She told CNN, she does not know who hired her brother for the job, nor who her brother was sent to protect to in Haiti.
The Haitian police has arrested 20 people in connection with the assassination of President Moise, 18 of them are Colombians. While the Colombian national police chief has said that 13 retired members of the Colombian Army who travelled to Haiti, between May and June are believed to have been involved with the assassination.
And, on Saturday, the chief of the Colombian intelligence agency traveled to Haiti to follow investigations on location.
For CNN, this is Stefano Pozzebon, Bogota.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: In Northern Ireland, bonfires were lit across the country over the weekend to kick off the annual 12th of July festivities. But, the celebrations by Protestants are being viewed as provocative by some members of the Catholic nationalist community.
Here's CNN's Nic Robertson who's been following this year's event in Belfast.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice-over): A narrow escape. A metaphor for a weekend of pro-British, Northern Ireland tradition, historically, primed for potential violence. Irish Protestants celebrating a 331-year-old victory over Irish Catholics.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's just what we do. And I guess just, you see it every year. So --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a good family event. It gets a lot of bad press, but there's family, and kids here. It's just part of our culture, and will continue to celebrate every year.
ROBERTSON: Mostly families, having fun. Teenagers, getting a little drunk. But, underlying the festivities, frustrations. There are losers and Northern Ireland's piece, compounded by Brexit, and new customs regulations called protocols. They fear threatened their constitutional ties to the U.K.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The protocol caused a lot of anger in our community. That's all I will say, the peace process is all overstated. Enough is enough. There's nothing else to give.
ROBERTSON: We have 250 bonfires being lit over the weekend. Police say, only two, or three, are contentious. In recent years, tensions around this annual a vent have been subsiding. But this year, frustrations are underlying everything at high.
At peaceful parade through Protestant neighborhoods, all part of the same, annual, loyalist commemorations, families lined the road, bonding in their shared heritage, haunted by a common perception. Pro- Irish Catholics, making games at their expense.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just don't know if it's always going to be resolved. Hopefully it can. Certainly, I like my kids to grow up in a friendly country for the main part. But in the meantime, you wouldn't want them forgetting our heartaches.
ROBERTSON: Brexit and the protocols are straining Northern Ireland's piece, that the parades and bonfires went half largely without incident this weekend is significant. But it's not by chance.
Behind the scenes, organizers have been working hard to defuse tensions.
MERVYN GIBSON, GARND SECRETARY OF THE ORANGE ORDRE: We do say that the due of the protocol after the 12th of July. We want our members and supporters to have a good day.
ROBERTSON: The concern, now, until the protocol issue is resolved, another flash point is just around the corner.
[01:29:47]
WINSTON IRVINE, COMMUNITY WORKER: We saw very serious violence and spill onto the streets here in the (INAUDIBLE) this year. And yes, there is every towns that those types of scenes could return again.
ROBERTSON: A bullet has, quite literally been dodged this weekend. A source told CNN, guns were being readied to stop police moving this contentious bonfire. Local organizers deny the claim. But the worry now the guns could come out again.
Nic Robertson, CNN -- Belfast, Northern Ireland.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Still to come on CNN NEWSROOM, Italy grabs the European football crown at Wembley while Novak Djokovic makes history at Wimbledon.
CNN's Patrick Snell is right here. He's going to break it all down for us coming up.
Also Tokyo tries to balance the upcoming Summer Olympic Games with a new coronavirus state of emergency. We'll have a live report from the city when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Have a look at this. This is pretty exciting. The Italian football team has just returned home after their huge win in the Euro 2020 title. They look pretty happy, don't they?
(INAUDIBLE)
Their penalty shootout victory over England gave them their first major international title in 15 years, their first European championship since 1968.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi is expected to greet the new champs at Italy's government palace in the coming hours.
Now Italy's win set off some pretty wild celebrations as you might have expected.
The street party stretched well into the night after fans gathered to watch the Azzurri (ph) hand England a heartbreaking defeat.
As we just said this is Italy's first major title in 15 years and first Euro championship in half a century.
England fans, well, they've been hoping their team would finally end their long quest for a major international title. Prince William was there at the match. He told the football players to be proud of themselves and hold their heads high.
Another thrilling match took place in England on Sunday, this time center court for the Wimbledon men's singles final where number 1 Novak Djokovic toppled his Italian opponent to claim the title for a 6th time.
[01:34:59]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Major title number 20.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: And with that win against Matteo Berrettini, Djokovic grabbed his 20th grand slam title tying Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the men's record for the most grand slams singles title.
Joining me now is CNN World Sport's Patrick Snell to talk about all of this. Good to have you here, Patrick.
Let's start with the football. Unbridled joy for Italy. Heartbreak for England. But they are young, they have (INAUDIBLE) from them. What was your summation here?
PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: You know, heartbreak for the English. We've seen that before, especially in the penalty shootout scenario, Michael. That was painful to watch for many English fans, no question about that.
But look, Italy were the winners. No question about that either. They were excellent. They've been fantastic all tournament. by the way, that video, I think that was the Italian team still in their jerseys.
HOLMES: I was kidding. I was kidding -- but only half kidding. They look like they were still in the field (ph).
SNELL: Actually Senor Mancini looked as dapper as ever. He's been fantastic. But look, look, England have much to be proud of.
HOLMES: Yes.
SNELL: Let me just say that. They have much to be proud of. They are a young team. Gareth Southgate is an excellent head coach.
He took England to the semifinals of the World Cup in 2018 in Russia. He has built on that. He's taking them to the finals.
So logic dictates Michael that at next year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar maybe just maybe they go one better. We shall see. But they have much to be proud of. But look, I do feel the English missed out on an opportunity. There's no question about that.
This was theirs for the taking, I believe. They've been a little more aggressive at 1-0 up. Who knows?
But listen, it's not easy to take on that Italian team. They were fantastic throughout the tournament.
HOLMES: Great defense.
SNELL: And look, yes, rock solid in defense. I mean Leonardo Bonucci at 34 years and 71 days, the oldest player ever to score in a European championship final. How cool is that for him?
It's the Italian's second European title. It's been over 50 years since their last, I'll tell you what. And they too will head to Qatar next year with a real spring in their step, no question.
HOLMES: Yes. Yes, Mancini has such done a great job with that team, hasn't he.
SNELL: But when you consider as well, you know, for the last World Cup in Russia that I mentioned, Italy did not even qualify.
HOLMES: Yes, exactly.
SNELL: And this is a nation that almost takes it for granted -- qualification. They're four-time champions of the world as well.
HOLMES: And then he comes, takes over. They haven't been beaten in 34 straight games.
SNELL: 34 -- straight.
HOLMES: Which is incredible.
SNELL: It is absolutely incredible.
HOLMES: I wanted to get your thoughts too, big day in the world of tennis. Italy was in the final but did not -- not victorious this time. But what a moment for Djokovic.
SNELL: What a moment for Djokovic. Yes, beating Matteo Berrettini who himself can be really proud of what he has achieved there. There's no disgrace at all in losing to the top-ranked men's player in the world, the best player in the world right now. there's no question about that.
It is a sixth Wimbledon crown for Djokovic. He's up to 20 majors now. That gets him level with a fellow great's Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
I do want to hear a little bit from Djokovic and get his take on just what he achieved over the weekend. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NOVAK DJOKOVIC, 6TH TIME WIMBLEDON CHAMPION: They are I think the reason that I am where I am today. They've helped me realize what I need to do in order to improve to get stronger mentally, physically, tactically.
When I broke into the top 10 for the first time, I lost for three or four years most of the big matches that I played against these two guys. And you know, something shifted end of 2010, beginning of 2011. And the last 10 years has been an incredible journey that is not stopping here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNELL: Two things very quickly. Not stopping here. That tells me he is not done at 20. He wants to get way past 20 and be the undisputed all- time great.
And also what I like -- he said also there Michael, how the other two, the other two greats, Nadal and Federer just have brought out the best in him over the last decade. He's won 19 slam titles over the last decade. Extraordinary.
HOLMES: And real quick, because we were saying this last time. It is something you have to get your head around. We're living through an age where all three of those have 20 titles are still playing.
SNELL: Yes. They are all still active.
HOLMES: At the same time.
SNELL: I said earlier on "WORLD SPORT". Three of the all-time greats at the same time. How privileged are we to be watching them. 60 grand slam titles between them and they are all still very much going --
HOLMES: They're still playing.
SNELL: It's incredible.
HOLMES: I could chat for ages. Just by the way, Patrick Snell, probably something that I'm not going to keep to myself. Novak Djokovic follows him on Twitter.
SNELL: And I'm very privileged, but still waiting for a retweet, mind you.
HOLMES: Exactly. I'm gob smacked. I'm very proud of you, Patrick Snell.
SNELL: Yes. Thanks, mate.
HOLMES: All right. We'll talk again. Thanks for that, mate.
[01:39:58]
HOLMES: All right. Now, Argentina's soccer team returned to a heroes welcome in Buenos Aires on Sunday. Fans waving flags, greeting the team, fresh off their victory over rivals Brazil at the Copa America championship.
Argentina's first major title win in 28 years. Superstar Lionel Messi's first medal in the blue and white team shirt, hard to believe but true. There you go.
Now, there is truly no place like home for the Milwaukee Bucks after they won Game 3 of the NBA finals in dominant fashion, back to back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo -- Patrick Snell gives me the thumbs up. Not bad on that. Dazzled the home fans with a 41-point performance on route to the 20-point win.
I just call him Giannis. It was the first finals game in Milwaukee since 1974, Game 4 tips off Wednesday night.
All right. Now, Tokyo is under a new state of emergency due to a rising number of COVID-19 infections. And this outbreak comes as the Olympic host is set to open the summer games in just over 11 days.
The torch relay is being kept off public streets. This is no ordinary Olympics, is it? It was a game limited to a small ceremony on the stage on Sunday. Olympic security officials expected to meet them coming out as part of final preparations.
The IOC president Thomas Bach is scheduled to welcome arriving delegations with in-person and remote meetings.
CNN's Blake Essig is in Tokyo, joins me now live. Yes. I mean it is an Olympics like no other. How is the state of emergency going to work and how is it going to play into how these Olympics is going to look?
BLAKE ESSIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know Michael, there's no question that the state of emergency has impacted any potential buzz and excitement that would typically be associated with the games at this point. It just doesn't seem to exist.
And with the games 11 days away as you mentioned, I don't see that happening, you know, even once the games get underway. Now, instead, Tokyo right now is filled with the sense of uncertainty as COVID-19 cases continue to rise and the capitol enters its fourth state of emergency. The latest order will last until August 22nd and be in effect throughout the Olympic games.
Now, the current state of emergency mainly impacts bars, restaurants and department stores. They are asked to limit their hours of operation, and in the case of bars and restaurants not serve alcohol.
Now, for 22 days straight, Tokyo has seen an increase in the number of infections compared to the previous week largely driven by the Delta variant and a scaled back state of emergency order.
It clearly did not work as you go out, you know, around Tokyo right now. People are just out and about going about their daily lives as if the pandemic did not exist. And that is likely, you know, cause for the cases to continue to rise.
Now, cases reached their highest total over the weekend since mid May. At this point, the vaccination rollout in Japan continues to move at a snail's pace, only about 17 percent of Japan's population is fully vaccinated.
And perhaps that is a big reason why Olympic organizers recently announced that in Tokyo in a majority of the prefectures where events will be held, they will do so without fans.
Now, over the weekend, Hokkaido and Fukushima also joined the list of prefectures that will ban fans, currently 97 percent of Olympic events will be held inside empty venues.
Now at this time, only a total of 26 sessions being held in three prefectures not under a state of emergency will allow venues to be filled to 50 percent capacity or a maximum of 10,000 fans.
Now, despite a majority of spectators being banned, there's still a lot of frustration amongst the people here in Japan regarding the Olympics. For months businesses have been closed, events canceled and people have been asked to make sacrifices to prevent the spread of infections and those sacrifices, of course, will continue for at least another roughly six weeks.
At the same time, the Olympics are set to begin in just about 11 days, Michael.
HOLMES: It's amazing how quickly they are coming up isn't it? Blake, good to have you there. Thanks for that. Blake Essig in Tokyo.
Parts of South Korea are coming under the strictest level of coronavirus restrictions. The prime minister says for the next two weeks, people in Seoul and neighboring regions are advised to stay home as much as possible.
Bars and nightclubs will be closed. Restaurants and cafes limited, and most public events will be just banned.
Infections have been surging in the area, the country reporting 1,100 new cases on Sunday. More than half coming from the greater Seoul area. Officials say only about 11 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated.
[01:44:50]
HOLMES: Now, South Africa's COVID lockdown will last at least another two weeks. President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country's health system is under pressure due to a surge of delta infections, the variant.
Now this is the country's strictest lockdown since the pandemic began. Alcohol sales are banned. There was a nationwide overnight curfew, and leisure travel between provinces is prohibited.
We have been seeing some outpourings of rage in Cuba. Thousands of protesters marching in the streets of several cities, angry over economic conditions and the way the government is handling the coronavirus pandemic.
On Sunday the country reporting a record number of new cases and deaths.
Patrick Oppmann tells us about the protests and how the government is responding.
Thousands of protesters took the streets here in Havana and across Cuba on Sunday demanding change. This is something that almost never happens here. The people engage in anti-government protests. The government does not permit it. Usually they are shut down very, very quickly. Many people are just too afraid to openly criticize the government, but on Sunday it was a very different picture, as thousands of people did just that. They said they were sick of energy shortages, empty store shelves. Many complained about the government's coronavirus response, the economy here has been deeply deeply damaged. The economy was already ailed before the pandemic, but now with more than a year with no tourism or little tourism to this island, people are hurting.
Many of the people who took the streets said they simply were not afraid anymore. They had nothing left to lose in front of the could be -- Cuban police officers as they criticize the government at a call for a change, but so far those calls have fallen on deaf ears, because we saw several arrests, people being taken away violently by the police. You saw the government sending in their own counter protesters that said they supported the revolution trying to drown out the anti government protesters, and Cuba's President Miguel now successor to Castro said that the supporters of the revolution needed to take to the streets, needed to -- know he was giving them an order to flood the streets to defend their government, so far at least, despite these calls for change, the unprecedented calls for change, the Cuban government does not appear to be giving an inch. Patrick Oppmann, CNN, Nevada.
The U.S. Is voicing support for the demonstrations. The white house national security adviser tweeting quote, the U.S. Supports freedom of expression and assembly across Cuba, and would strongly condemn any violence or targeting of these peaceful protesters who are exercising their universal rights. In the united kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce new criteria for the country to enter step 4 of its reopening plan. A statement says 4 different conditions must be met to roll back restrictions further including proof that vaccines are reducing hospitalization and COVID related deaths. Data must also show undue pressure when put on the NHS, or quote fundamentally change risks caused by new variants. Intrigue, brother versus brother.
A former minister on trial. It's not a game of thrones. It's Jordan, right now. A major verdict could be just hours away. We will have the details when we come back. This was the world's first stainless steel luxurious watch. He drew inspiration from a deep sea divers helmet, which had an octagonal shape as well as riveted screws around the design. It sold for around $3,000. It was first released in 1972. This was considered I watched by the industry as a piece of -- it just did not charge that for stainless deal watches. Not only did they not go out of business, it has gone on to become the single most important watch commercially, and aesthetically. They are avidly collected. And they are icons of modern watch design. It's become one of the most successful watches of all time.
[01:50:00]
The Taliban offensive is forcing some countries to make tough choices in Afghanistan. India says it is pulling out some consulate staff as fighting near Kandahar intensifies. He say the move is temporary until the situation stabilizes. But the Taliban are not just gaining ground I, video you see their shows videos and security forces fighting the militants in this province. According to the long war journal, most of that region is already fallen to the Taliban. Diana and new chapter in a scandal that has brought the Jordan's royal family, the kings half brother, the prince was detained back in April along with several other people. He is not on trial, the former head of the royal court is. That verdict could be just hours away. CNN has a look.
Behind the walls of Jordan's state security court, a trial like no other his kingdom has ever seen unfolded over the past 3 weeks. Some dubbing it Jordan's child of the century. The trial centers on the so- called sedition case, a royal and political intrigue that sent shockwaves across the region and beyond. They are making this recording today.
It all started in April with this.
I try to explain what has happened.
Jordan's former crown prince -- King Abdullah's half brother released a dramatic video message telling the world he was effectively under house arrest.
I am now being cut off. Lashed out of the country's leadership.
I'm not the person responsible for the breakdown in governance for the corruption, and for the incompetence that has been prevalent in our governing structure for the last 15 to 20 years. And has been getting worse by the year. Are not responsible for the lack of faith that people have in their institutions.
More than a dozen people, including a former royal court chief and finance minister once a close confidant of the king rounded up -- King Abdullah ii described the crisis as the most painful he has ever faced, telling them quote, the sedition has been nipped in the bud, sedition came from within and outside our home, and nothing compares to the shock, pain and anger. As a brother and the head of the family. The government accused the prince of conspiring with foreign and it used to destabilize the country. A claim the prince tonight. Jordanians have been told very little about this alleged plot. Left to speculate amid rumors and leaks, following royal family mediation -- pledged allegiance and whispered prosecution. Those detained were released by the king. Leaving him in a junior royal to face trial like the case, his close trial has been shrouded as mystery.
The men who have pleaded not guilty to charges including incitement against the state and plotting to destabilize Jordan. They are accused of conspiring with the former crown prince to exploit rising economic and social discontent in the country, to present the princes an alternative to the king. Many have questioned the fairness of the speedy trial where the man at the heart of the case has been absent and the judge rejected the defenses requests for witnesses. As the trial draws to a close, Jordan's leadership hopes this will bring an end to an unprecedented chapter in Jordan's history, one that shattered the image of a stable country and it's united royal family. CNN, Istanbul.
Pope Francis has made his first public appearance since having surgery. The prayers he offered and when he might be leaving hospital. We will have a report from home coming up.
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Welcome back. Pope Francis made his first public appearance after undergoing colon surgery last week. The Vatican says he's gradually getting back to work and that is blip tests are quote satisfactory. CNN's Delia Gallagher reports.
We saw Pope Francis for the first time since his colon surgery on Sunday, the pope appeared at the balcony of the job valley hospital with 3 young patients, he thanked people for their prayers. He also talked about the importance of health care being accessible for all people. He made a special appeal for -- Haiti following the assassination of their president. The Vatican has been keeping us up today throughout the week on the pope's progress. They say he is up, walking around, eating, even managed to have dinner with some of the doctors and nurses from the hospital. The initial prognosis last Monday was for a 7 day stay for the pope in the hospital, so the expectation is that he will be released on Monday. Delia Gallagher, CNN, Rome.
Thanks for spending part of your day with me. I'm Michael Holmes. You could follow me on twitter and Instagram, at home CNN, stay with us. We'll be back with more news and just a moment.
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