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Trucker-Inspired Protests Spreading Beyond Ottawa; French Truckers Staging Their Own Freedom Convoy; London's First Female Police Chief Resigns; Saving The Rhinos In South Africa; IOC Wants to Suspend Russian Skater; Russian Forces Positioning in Eastern Ukraine; Europe Excited to a Pre-COVID Life; Omicron Hits Asia-Pacific Region. Aired 3-3:45a ET

Aired February 11, 2022 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:00]

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KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): Hello and welcome to all of you watching us around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber, live at the CNN center in Atlanta.

Just ahead here on CNN Newsroom, a growing Olympic scandal, we'll share what we are learning about Russian skating sensation Kamila Valieva's failed drug test.

Demonstrations in Canada causing mass disruptions and protesters blocks several busy border crossings. Now a Canadian mayor is heading to court seeking an injunction.

Plummeting at an alarming rate. South African's rhino populations being lost to poachers after their valuable horns.

UNKNOWN: Live from CNN center, this is CNN Newsroom with Kim Brunhuber.

BRUNHUBER: All right, we begin with new developments in the alleged doping scandal surrounding a Russian figure skater at the Olympics. Results from a December drug test came back positive after 15-year-old Kamila Valieva had already competed in Beijing. She was put on provisional suspension that was later lifted, and now the IOC is appealing to the Court of Arbitration for support.

Valieva helped her team take the gold in Monday's figure skating team event and she's slated to compete next week as well.

So, we have all of the angles covered here. World Sports Don Riddell joins me here in Atlanta with here up to the minute results. But let's go to CNN sports analyst Christine Brennan in Beijing with the latest in the alleged doping scandal.

So, Christine, you've been at the center of the reporting on the story. We're learning more about this, the timeline is crucial here, so walk us through it. CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: Absolutely, Kim. Yes, it was

Christmas Day December 25th when Kamila Valieva tested positive at the Russian championships. But the result wasn't known and reported until February 8th, which is stunning. It doesn't make no sense that it would take that long, and as you mentioned that's when the Olympic games are already going on.

She's already skated and been part of the team competition so this issue then is not an Olympic issue, it goes right to the Russian anti- doping agency which of course, has been the bad guys over the last 10 years or so in terms of all the shenanigans and cheating and doping. And they decided, as you alluded to, that she was disbanded, now she's not suspended that's why she's practicing, people have seen pictures of her.

But the big deal, and the real news here is the International Olympic Committee has finally entered the fray and they've given their opinion and they want her out of the Olympics. And so, they would like her to be suspended again, and that is the appeal that has gone to the Court of Arbitration for sport, even though it's headquartered in Switzerland, Kim, they set up shop at every Olympic Games to deal with just these issues.

They've got to hurry, they've only got a couple of days and we would expect if the Russians lose in that situation, the IOC wins, the Russians could have one more shot at an appeal. And it really could be an 11th hour decision going all the way to Tuesday, the women's short program begins Tuesday at 6 p.m., Beijing time.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, not a lot of time. So, I mean, you've covered innumerable Olympics, how unusual is the situation?

BRENNAN: This is really different. I mean, figure skating, of course has had a lot of scandals, and they've got a lot of doping scandals. I remember going back to the 90s and in the U.S. where there was a runner who actually needed the Supreme court, a Supreme Court justice to wake up in the middle of the night, to be able to allow him, Butch Reynolds, to compete in the Olympic trials of the United States and track and field.

So, there are these moments, it goes to the bitter end. But it's rare that it's actually a high-profile sports like figure skating, everyone is watching the gold meter favorite, already won the gold medal in the team competition. It really couldn't be a bigger headline. And I think that's what distinguishes this one, and then of course the story of Russia.

Russian doping which has been a big part of the Olympic conversation as you well know for the close to 10 years. And what is the story about? Rushing doping. And so, I think it really has all the elements to make it a story that is riveting, not just for sports fans, and people who love the Olympics, but I think around the world. I think people are wondering.

And then you throw in she's 15 years old. And did she, as a minor, did she make this decision or is it more likely that her coaches or her team the adults around her made this decision. How reprehensible that is, and the sympathy then that you can understand, you can muster for this young woman who is trying to win another gold medal after the team competition. And yet, now test positive, did she even know what she was doing. All of these questions are out there, and I hope we get a few answers over the next few days.

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BRUNHUBER: Yes, we'll have to. I mean, so much still up in the air. But looking at the events involved here for the competitors. I mean, what happens to them, what's next for them?

BRENNAN: Yes. Well, right now, it's uncertainty. I mean, if you are in the women short program, obviously, those athletes are going, they're trying to do their best and get ready. And, as is Valieva. I mean, right now she is practicing. But I can only imagine, I can only imagine what her life has been like over the last couple of days. I'm sure Russian detractors would say, well, that's the way it should be. Because if you -- if you do take a banned substance.

But it's certainly the up and down that you're in, you're out, you know, that kind of question I think has got to be weighing heavily on her. And there's also the issue, of course, of the team medal. I know a lot of people were wondering, Kim, what happens with that, does Russia keep the gold, or does the United States move up and get the gold, Japan to silver, and then Canada to bronze?

We will get that answer when we have the final answer on Valieva in terms of the short program. Because if she is kicked out the short program, which very likely could be the case, she is then suspended from the Olympic Games. If that happens, then one would presume that the United States would move up to the gold medal in the team competition.

BRUNHUBER: All right, we'll stay tuned to this developing story. Christine, stay with us. I want to bring in World Sports Don Riddell. So, Don, you know, she is an extraordinary athlete, tell us more about her and her achievements.

DON RIDDELL, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Well, she was expected to be one of the poster girls of these Olympics, and so it proved very, very quickly with her immediate performance bursting onto the Olympic stage, and doing something that no female figure skater had ever done before, landing a quad. That's a jump with four turns. Never been seen before, and straight out of the gate she was nailing them.

This is her first senior international season, and it was already going absolutely brilliantly, which is why there was so much hype and excitement when she arrived in Beijing. Already, nine world records, already the European champion.

Just recently, she won the Russian championships, and she didn't just win them, she won by a record margin. And some would say, it's harder to win the Russian championships right now than it is the Olympics given that the top six figure skaters in the world are all Russian. So, this isn't just any athlete that has kind of fallen foul of the

situation broken the rules, knowingly or unwittingly. This is a star athlete in the making, and she is now at the center of just an absolute nightmare for herself and the International Olympic Committee.

BRUNHUBER: So, a shadow over these games, for sure, but the games go on. What have you had your eye on so far?

RIDDELL: Some great events, some great results, some emotional farewells. Big win for Ayumu Hirano. Terrific story. This Japanese snowboarder in the men's halfpipe. His name means to walk a dream. And he is living in dreamland right now. Finally landing a gold medal in this event.

I say finally because he's had silver in the last two Olympic men's halfpipes. And he absolutely crushed it by doing something that no person has ever done before. A triple cork 1440, he did not just once or twice, but in all three of his runs.

And this man is an Olympian through and through. He's been on board since the age of four, snowboards and skateboards, and he actually was on a skateboard in his home Olympics, the summer games in Tokyo competing there just last summer.

This event also marks the farewell of the American legend Shaun White who has absolutely dominated this event, this sport, but this sport on the event. Winning three gold medals. He'd already said at the age of 35 that these were going to be his last games. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't quite get on the podium, he was close though, he finished fourth.

Really important event with the women's Super-G just a few hours ago. Because all eyes here on Mikaela Shiffrin. Kim, I'm sure you know she had a rough few days skiing out or crashing out in her two previous events. Shiffrin is a skier who is fast on her way to becoming the greatest of all time. But a very difficult couple of days for her. She thanked her fans for all their support and encouragement in the Super- G. She managed to get to the bottom of the mountain in one piece.

Unfortunately for her, not amongst the medals, she finished ninth. But I think she was just pleased and relieved to have gotten a full run under her belt. This even was won by Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami, her first Olympic gold and her first gold medal for Switzerland in the Super-G, either the men's or women's event.

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BRUNHUBER: All right, we thank Christine Brenna and Don Riddell. I really appreciate both of you coming on. Thanks so much.

Now to the growing Russian military exercises surrounding Ukraine fueling fears of a possible invasion. In addition to the war games underway in Belarus, Russia has now five days of naval drills in the Black Sea to the south of Ukraine. A U.S. diplomat calls them provocative and an escalation. New satellite images appear to show Russia building up its military on

three sides of Ukraine. Now these pictures show more than 500 troops, tens and hundreds of vehicles at a former air field in Crimea. And in Belarus images show a new deployment of troops. Military vehicles, and for the first-time, helicopters.

U.S. President Joe Biden is once again warning Americans it's not safe for them to stay in Ukraine. Here he is.

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JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: American citizens should leave, they should leave now. We're dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. This is a very different situation, and things can go crazy quickly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER (on camera): Let's head live to Kyiv and CNN's Melissa Bell. Melissa, Russia encircling Ukraine, still no diplomatic breakthrough, and doesn't sound like one is even close.

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And those dire warnings from the American president, that tone came after what had begun as a week with a little bit of hope, at least. The French president had been in Moscow and Kyiv with the idea that maybe there was the possibility that some room with -- of maneuver could be found with the Russian president.

That appears now to have led to very little, in fact, as you say, those satellite images showing on the contrary that the Russian military buildup continues. Yesterday in Berlin, the Normandy format talks that were revived by the French president to the end of January. In the hope that if some kind of solution could be found for eastern Ukraine, then it might help defuse all of the tensions that were borne of that Russian military buildup.

Very little came out of those talks yesterday. They appear now to have stalled as well. So, the diplomatic channels, the diplomatic hopes that we began -- began the week on seem to be fading fast. And instead, you're quite right, those satellite images that show that the military buildup continues and uncomfortably close to Ukraine's border.

We know that the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the top American general spoke yesterday with his Belarussian counterpart, because one of the worries even as those military exercises continue in Belarus, is the possibility of an accident, that something could go wrong.

So, even that we've got 10 days ahead of us, we have NATO troops now heading to that Polish border as well, the military exercises continuing the buildup of Russian troops also even beyond those military exercises, very close to the Ukrainian border. On that front, it is a very worrying picture. The satellite images speak also shown of a buildup in Crimea, of men

and weaponry, even as warships stock in the main port there. So extremely worrying picture to the south as well.

The American intelligence assessment is that there are now 100 or so battalion tactical groups, those Russian military units comprised of 800 to a thousand soldiers and that involve weaponry, engineers, reconnaissance that were so useful to Russia in the 2014 events. They now lined the Ukrainian border, a very worrying picture all around the country.

BRUNHUBER: All right, thank you so much, Melissa Bell in Kyiv.

Let's head to Moscow now. Andrei Kolesnikov is a senior fellow and chair of Russian domestic politics at the Carnegie Moscow Center. Thank you so much for joining us.

You wrote recently the Kremlin is saying that it wants to avoid a conflict, but seems to be doing everything it can to provoke one. This all seems very familiar, how do you read what's going on here?

ANDREI KOLESNIKOV, SENIOR FELLOW, CARNEGIE MOSCOW CENTER: Right now, this is at the point when Putin achieves to his intermediary goals. He was forcing negotiations and he has been able to achieve his goal, and he was selling this to his domestic audience, and another to inspire support.

To some extent, it's still successful, but not to the extent when Putin could be supported totally and he can't provoke, let's say, (Inaudible) have fled because of these military preparations. Because --

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BRUNHUBER: So, you think his goal is just these negotiations, and not an actual invasion, is that right?

KOLESNIKOV: It's a good question, because we can't interfere into the head of one man, in the autocratic system like Russia, we have to follow his own emotions, his thoughts, his intention. And maybe invasion was one of the possible options.

[03:15:01]

But for the moment it seems to me that we are inside a post (Ph) when Putin is trying to understand what to do further. The problem is that, in my opinion he doesn't have a strategic goal in this gamble. He has only kind of a tactical step and he wants to spoil the party to the west at least.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. You talked about his support, I mean, in the past Putin's foreign policy has been, you know, largely popular, but a war with Ukraine, at least right now, it seems very unpopular according to the latest polls. And I think it comes down to the cost, the human cost and the economic cost. You summed it up with a Russian expression, bombing Voronezh. Explain this concept. KOLESNIKOV: You know, it's kind of a proverb, a modern proverb in

Russia. When you spoil your own population trying to spoil the party to the, west for instance. When you invade, when you on knots (Ph) with the west, for instance, you are tightening the political regime inside of your country. You have some economic costs in terms of higher inflation, less real disposable income for the population.

In that sense, you hurt yourself. And it means bombing Voronezh. Voronezh is a middle size typical Russian city. So, in that sense, this new military campaign, a real war, it could be unpopular. Until now, military operations were quite popular and the approval rating of Putin was based on the support after the military operation is successful.

In short, (Inaudible). Just like Crimea, we should provoke the way from patriotism. But right now, we are talking about bloody war which will not be short, which will not be without victims, just like it was when Putin took Crimea. This is another story for us in public opinion. So --

(CROSSTALK)

BRUNHUBER: But let me jump in, because those polls indicate --

KOLESNIKOV: Yes.

BRUNHUBER: -- by a wide margin that Russians blame NATO, the U.S., the west, even Ukraine for all of these tensions but not Russia. So, if they were to enter a conflict and they see the west and not Putin to blame, why would he be the focus of their anger?

KOLESNIKOV: There is a focus of another anger in the proper sense of the word, but people do not want to go to war, themselves. They are ready to watch TV's, they're ready for so, let's say, sofa wars, sitting only and watching sounds and (Inaudible) and without victims.

And when you think about your boys who could be sent to the real war with Ukrainian boys, it's absolutely another situation. Russian society is modernized and urbanized and it looks like any other western -- western-like society. And because of that these people are not ready to go to war themselves, or to send their boys. Not to mention the sanctions which are not so significant for Russians right now.

But in case of switching off swift or something like that, it could be very painful for the everyday life of Russians because of that. I think that economic consequences must be, and could be very, very serious. It could hurt the ratings of Putin.

BRUNHUBER: So, we have 30 seconds left, but I want to ask, what difference would that make? I mean, you know, he does not allow any real opposition. So, would, you know, cut in his popularity, would those calculations affect his decision-making here?

KOLESNIKOV: You know, again, this is an autocracy and Putin make the final decisions about anything. And we are -- when we are following the steps of diplomats, we can't understand what Putin thinks following these signs. So, here are the rational arguments against war, and emotional, maybe arguments for the war, for Putin. And we are between these two, two dimensions of his own thinking. And we can only hope that rational part of Putin will win in this -- his internal war with himself.

BRUNHUBER: All right. Well, listen, we have to leave it there. But I really appreciate all pf your insights. Andrew Kolesnikov in Moscow, thank you so much.

KOLESNIKOV: Thanks.

BRUNHUBER: European countries are loosening COVID restrictions left and right despite a stunning number of new infections. We'll look at why countries feel it's safe to bring back big events. Coming up. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER (on camera): Britain's new travel rules just kicked in, making international trips cheaper and easier than ever during the pandemic. Arriving travelers who are fully vaccinated are no longer subject to any COVID testing requirements before and after they reach the U.K.

And the Netherlands plans to drop most of its coronavirus measures by months end. Bars will be able to stay open later and entertainment venues will once again operate at full capacity.

Elsewhere in Europe, many countries are easing up on restrictions, removing mask mandates and bringing back major events despite record breaking case counts in some corners of the continent.

CNN's Isa Soares has the details.

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ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In the German capital Berlin's international film festival begins. And in-person event this year for the first time in the pandemic.

UNKNOWN: It is phenomenal to actually be at a big public film festival again.

SOARES: In Ireland's capital, Dublin has welcomed the return of their own flagship event next month.

UNKNOWN: We are ecstatic for the return of St. Patrick's Day.

UNKNOWN: It's good to see our culture back after so long. Definitely I look forward to few points anyway.

SOARES: Dublin's famous St. Patrick's Day parade will return after a two-year absence after the Irish government drop many COVID-19 restrictions last month. Residents they are eager to return to some semblance of pre-pandemic life as much of Europe appears to be learning to live with COVID-19.

In Spain, outdoor mask requirements reimpose in late December are ending Thursday. So, too, in France where residents are allowed mask- free outside since February the 2nd after the French government lifted a series of COVID restrictions.

"By March 1st there will be very few coronavirus measures in place," the Czech prime minister said Wednesday, as he promised to start easing restrictions and increasing numbers of people allowed at public events.

The Czech Republic now joining Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, the U.K., and several other European nations loosening COVID rules despite staggering COVID case numbers across the region.

Many countries have seen rising infections in recent weeks. Some reaching record levels. But health officials say in Europe there is a plausible pandemic end in sight for three key reasons.

HANS KLUGE, REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: First, a large capital of vaccine drive and natural immunity by Omicron. Second, a favorable, seasonal pause as we move out of the winter, and third, a low severity of the Omicron variant now well- established.

[03:24:57]

SOARES: The outlook appearing to reassure European committees like Nice in France where its iconic carnival is set to begin Friday following last year's cancellation. There like elsewhere in Europe preparing for the return of beloved events, and the possibility of life post pandemic.

Isa Soares, CNN, London.

BRUNHUBER: Prince Charles is in isolation after testing positive with COVID for a second time. Officials say the 73-year-old heir to the British throne is fully vaccinated but received a positive test just hours after being at an event at the British museum with dozens of other people. A royal source also tells CNN, Charles met with the queen recently, but didn't elaborate on when. The source says her majesty isn't displaying any COVID symptoms.

For the second straight day New Zealand has recorded its highest number of COVID infections. Its health ministry says that's due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which is also driving up cases in South Korea. Health authorities there reported nearly 54,000 new infections on Thursday. The weekly average of daily confirmed cases in South Korea nearly doubled from late January to February.

Meanwhile, China is imposing new lock down in the northeastern corner of the country, that after dozens of locally transmitted infections were reported. CNN's Kristie Lu Stout is covering this live from Hong Kong. And

Kristie, Hong Kong is seeing a bit of surge of its own. So, let's start there.

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Sure. And as we enter this third year of pandemic and we are seeing record levels of COVID-19 infection take place across the Asia-Pacific region, including here in Hong Kong. This week, Hong Kong posted its highest daily rise in COVID-19 infection ever since the pandemic began.

It also reported its first COVID-link deaths in five months. Already tough measures in place here in the territory have been tightened even further. There is a ban on social gatherings of more than two people outside, there's also a ban on more than two families interacting or mixing indoors.

In addition to the situation here in Hong Kong we're seeing new records being broken in terms of COVID-19 infection in South Korea. Where there in South Korea they surpassed 50,000 new cases of the virus for the first time. Again, since the start of the pandemic.

In Japan, new records broken there. A grim one. The highest number of daily COVID-19 deaths posted in Japan for the first time this week. This as the Omicron variant tears the country. That prompted Japan on Thursday to approve to extend its quasi state of emergency measures.

New Zealand, also reporting a record high number of COVID-19 cases. This at a time in the country is planning to gradually reopen in phases starting from later this month. And it's not New Zealand. You have Australia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines joining other countries all around the world finally in reopening their borders.

But China and Hong Kong remain sealed shut despite the advice from health experts out there who say that these measures will not be able to prevent the transmissibility of especially the Omicron variant.

I want you to listen to this from the technical lead of COVID-19 of the World Health Organization.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIA VAN KERKHOVE, COVID-19 TECHNICAL LEAD, WHO HEALTH EMERGENCIES PROGRAM: Unfortunately, this virus is not done with us. So, we have to really remain vigilant. That doesn't mean locked down. It doesn't mean shutting down societies. We will not be able to prevent all transmissions. That's not the goal. To prevent all infection and all transmission that's not attainable at this point.

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LU STOUT (on camera): Despite that advice from the World Health Organization, Hong Kong and China are not letting go of its zero COVID tough approach to pandemic control. Late on Thursday, Beijing authorities through the Hong Kong and Macao affairs office issued a statement saying that it was highly concerned about the outbreak here in Hong Kong, and saying that a meeting will take place between senior officials in the mainland and in Hong Kong on Saturday in Shenzhen.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macao affairs office writes, as long as Hong Kong asked for something, the motherland will answer it within the last 30 minutes or so. We have heard from the Hong Kong government they have confirmed meeting will take place in Shenzhen tomorrow. Back to you.

BRUNHUBER: All right. Some worrying trend across the continent there. Kristie Lu Stout, thank you so much.

The heart of the Canadian capital has been at a standstill for two weeks. And Canadian truckers show no signs of abandoning their protests over COVID restrictions. We'll have the latest from Ottawa, just ahead. Stay with us.

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[03:30:00]

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KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): Two weeks of protests by a small but determined groups of Canadian truckers is causing problems to the south. Three border crossings to the U.S. are now blocked to vital traffic, and it's not likely to get better. Downtown Ottawa remains paralyzed by hundreds of idle trucks.

CNN's Paula Newton is there with the latest.

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PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over)4: Two weeks now in the so-called Freedom Convoy, the truckers protest is still going strong here in Canada. And in fact, spreading to other places in Canada. Most significantly, those border blockades that now really a threat to harm not just the Canadian economy, but the U.S. one as well.

I want you to take a look at what you see behind me, though, these are truckers and some of their supporters that have been here now. Some of them for nearly two weeks, they say they have all the food, the fuel and the enthusiasm they need to keep this up.

For its part, Ottawa police have tried to do what they can to avoid confrontation, to avoid violence. They say that they need reinforcements, those reinforcements are coming, but many are beginning to wonder exactly how many reinforcements it will take. And how long this will go on.

A reminder that this city, in the Downtown Core remains a gridlocked, some residents here say that they really can take no more. That they feel as if their city has been hijacked. And we see that replicating in other cities across the country.

We are going into the weekend, there hasn't at a time when the numbers here usually swell, and protesters do promise that they will be out in force again, in the coming days. Paula Newton, CNN, Ottawa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: And a protest of solidarity with Canadian truckers has begun to take shape in France.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER (voice over): Truckers and their supporters are now heading to Paris and could arrive today. Paris police say they intend to stop the so=called Freedom Convoy from entering the city.

And the Brussels mayor says the convoy will be turned away, if it crosses from France into Belgium. Brussels is especially sensitive because it's the political heart of the European Union and the headquarters of NATO.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER (on camera): London's first female police commissioner is stepping down on the heels of a damning report over the city's police culture. Cressida Dick announced her resignation on Thursday, days after the independent report slammed the metropolitan police service for what they called culture misogyny and racism.

Alright, for more on this, let's bring in Salma Abdelaziz in London. So Salma, take us through what was behind her decision.

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN PRODUCER (on camera): Well, let's start with this report, because this is important. This is a report from the independent office for police corruption. And what it revealed is that it was highly offensive language used on WhatsApp and in Facebook by officers at a police station in central London.

This report also revealed issues of misogyny, discrimination, harassment, bullying, all at the Met police force. Now the London Mayor Sadiq Khan took that report and challenged Cressida Dick, of course, the Met police commissioner as to what she would do to root out these issues.

The London mayor says publicly in a statement he was not satisfied with her response, with her plans. And that's when Cressida Dick said, she was left with no choice, because she no longer have the support of the London mayor. She was left with no choice but to resign.

[03:35:05]

Let me tell you why this matters, the no (inaudible) contacts. The Met police now has been mired in controversy for years, I would say. Over the handling of several cases. Several issues, including among them, the issue of racism, systemic racism in the Met police force. Something that was highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement in this country.

Things got even worse last year when a very tragic and horrific shocking incident happened in this country, Sarah (Inaudible) was murdered by a Met police officer, who is off-duty. But still an officer with the Met. That sent shockwaves through the city, that many women like myself felt afraid to walk the streets at night, felt less safe with the police officers in the city.

So, the tenure of Cressida Dick has been one of great controversy. But the question now for many of this activists, who are going to applaud this resignation is what happens next, Kim. How will systemic issues within this police force actually be rooted out. Who will replace Cressida, and how will they tackle this larger I'm discussing here.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah, so many unanswered there. Salma Abdelaziz, thank you so much. Illegal poaching is threatening South Africa's rhino population, but people are coming together to nurture and protect these creatures. We'll go live to South Africa, after the break, stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: South Africa's rhino population has dropped dramatically in recent years. They're falling numbers have been driven in part by poachers, who are seeking the animals horn to make bogus medicines. South Africa's government says 450 rhinos were poach last year.

CNN correspondent, David McKenzie is in South Africa Kruger National Park and joins us live. David I was lucky enough to go to Kruger and get really close to these amazing creatures. But you've had some great access with authorities who are trying to save the rhinos, what did you find?

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well you're right, it's extraordinary to be close with these iconic beasts. And this is itself an iconic national park here in South Africa, a stronghold for rhinos over the years. But disturbing numbers show that they have lost their population of around 70 percent in the last 10 years.

The rangers here are trying everything they can to stop the killing. We were on an operation where they actually de-hoarding these rhinos, stopping the incentive for poachers to come into this park and to kill them. And you listen to the passion of the head ranger here, he really represents the efforts that they're making.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CATHY DREYER, HEAD OF RANGERS, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK: So I think no matter how many times you go, it always hits you the brutality. It's really hard to think that another person can actually be that evil and that brutal. You know, a lot of people say we should stop calling it poaching of rhinos, it's murder of rhinos, they are you literally killing a rhino murdering a rhino. So, it's always an emotional thing, it's harder when there are orphans involved.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[03:40:13] MCKENZIE: And when you see what they are up against, one ranger is on

an area of the park that is, say, 12 size the times the size of Manhattan, and he has 15 rangers for that area. So they have to work efficiently and smartly and to stop the killing to save the species, Kim?

BRUNHUBER: David, when we look at what's behind this, I'm wondering whether COVID played a role, with so many people forced out of work, struggling economically, it might give people, you know, more incentive to take that risk and poach these creatures.

MCKENZIE: They're trying to figure that out, and certainly it is leading to an increase in poaching on the borders of the park where I'm standing for bush meat. In terms of rhino, the main impact of COVID is the lack of funds, there is just not the amount of tourists they need here to fund the park.

An 80 percent drop off at some time of the foreign tourists that normally flock to Kruger. When Omicron was announced, they just had a raft of cancellations. And that money normally filters directly into the conservation.

So, they need help, they need assistance to fight this fight that they are fighting. But because, you know, this park, with all its big five animals and the draw for tourist around the world, it's really the front lines in trying to figure out how to save these iconic species for generations to come. Kim?

BRUNHUBER: It's interesting, I didn't think that link between COVID and support for conservation. Listen, thank you so much, David McKenzie in South Africa's Kruger National Park. I really appreciate it.

Koalas into Australian states and one territory have been listed as endangered. The country has lost about 30 percent of its koalas in just the past three years. Officials blame a rapid decline in their habitat as the cause of long drought, bush fires, and land clearing by developers.

Experts have been warning that the iconic Australian mammal could become extinct, unless the government immediately intervene to protect them and their habitat.

A single tooth from a cave in France is upending what we know about our own ancestors. A new study published in the journal "Science Advances" say a child's molar was found with hundreds of stone tools at around 54,000 years old. (Inaudible) suggests it's against modern humans could have been in Europe 10,000 years earlier than previously thought. And the tooth was sandwiched between layers of Neanderthal remains, suggesting the species coexisted for thousands of years.

Well, thank you very much for joining us, I'm Kim Brunhuber. "WorldSport" is next. You are watching CNN.

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