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President Xi Jinping Visits Hong Kong; New Chief Replaces Carrie Lam; China Deprive Hong Kong of Freedom; Israel with New Prime Minister; NATO Added Two More Members; President Zelenskyy Want More Sanctions for Russia; Snake Island Back to Ukrainians; Griner Family Disappointed by Slow Action; Taiwan Disagree with China Policy; Activist Now in His Third Month of Hunger Strike; Supreme Court Approves Ending Trump Era Policy; Tokyo Experience Warmest June; Hard Work Plus Patience Means Success for Fernando Alonso. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired July 01, 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]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to all of you watching around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber live in CNN center in Atlanta.

Ahead here on CNN Newsroom, China's president visits Hong Kong for the first time since the pandemic to mark the 25th anniversary of the handover from Great Britain. We'll bring you what he said about Hong Kong's one-country two-systems formula.

Plus, Russia is ramping up its assault on Ukraine, hitting yet another residential building. We are live in Kyiv with the latest.

And Israel has a new prime minister, at least for now, following the Knesset vote to dissolve parliament.

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

BRUNHUBER: Hong Kong is celebrating 25 years since the former British colony was handed back to China, with a day of ceremonies and speeches. On his first trip outside the mainland since the beginning of the pandemic, Xi Jinping traveled to Hong Kong for the festivities.

The Chinese president praised the city's controversial national security law, and talk about the importance of the one-country two- systems policy. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

XI JINPING, PRESIDENT OF CHINA (through translator): After going through a period of turbulence, we all deeply feel that Hong Kong cannot afford to be destabilized and Hong Kong's development cannot be further delayed. We must eliminate all interference and focus on our development.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Now earlier the new chief executive John Lee took the oath of office, replacing Carrie Lam. Lee is a former police officer and security official credited with the harsh crackdown on anti-government protests in 2019.

That's how the historic day began with a flag raising ceremony at the city's convention center, the flags of Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China simultaneously raised side by side.

Now we have coverage from throughout the region, Ivan Watson joins us from Hong Kong, Will Ripley is live in Taipei and Steven Jiang is standing by with the view from Beijing. But first we go live to Ivan Watson in Hong Kong.

So, Ivan, President Xi celebrated what he called a new epic in the city's history, as new leader John Lee promised a new chapter. So how different will things be?

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There was all of this talk of a new start, a rebirth as if what had existed here for the first 25 years after the handover wasn't quite good enough. One of the big changes of now versus the last time that Xi Jinping was here five years ago, is that organized dissent. Any public disagreement with the establishment, with the authorities, it's basically banned now, you can't have street protests, which were once ubiquitous here.

The people who were lawmakers, elected from the opposition in the legislature five years ago, most of them are behind bars, or they have fled into exile, independent newspapers have been targeted by the police and shut down. Labor unions, student unions, human rights organizations, they have closed their offices here, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

And the Chinese president has described the new status quo, if you will, in Hong Kong as order, as stability. And that's even printed on signs by the government all over the city, celebrating the 25th handover, saying that this is a new era of stability, prosperity and opportunity. Take a listen to more Xi Jinping had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

XI JINPING (through translator): After going through a period of turbulence, we all deeply feel that Hong Kong cannot afford to be destabilized, and Hong Kong's development cannot be further delayed. We must eliminate all interference, and focus on our development.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: Of course, the changes here, the squelching of any political opposition and freedoms of speech and expression in the press, have been criticized by western governments, the U.S., Canada, and by the British prime minister and of course, it was the British who signed the 1984 Sino-British declaration that was supposed to enshrine freedoms in this city for a period of 50 years.

[03:05:04]

Listen to Boris Johnson here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: On the 25th anniversary of the, handover we simply cannot avoid the fact that for some time now, Beijing has been failing to comply with its obligations.

It's a state of affairs that threatens both the rights and freedoms of Hongkongers and the continued progress and prosperity of their home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: In Xi Jinping's words, he wants Hong Kong to have a different system from China, as was originally agreed upon, one-country, two- systems, the systems are closer together than they were five years ago. But now he says that it is being governed by patriots and that it is firmly under Beijing's rule, it can go forward being an international financial hub and hopefully an asset to China's economic developed nationally going forward. Back to you, Kim.

BRUNHUBER: All right. Thank you so much, Ivan Watson in Hong Kong. Let's turn now to Steven Jiang in Beijing. And let's build on what we've just heard there from Ivan. President Xi said that he had four hopes for Hong Kong. Now two of those hopes the greater governance and overall harmony, as China would see if they can do that with more security, more crackdowns and so on.

But the other two hopes, the stronger development and the improved lives for ordinary people. How do they go about doing that?

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Well, that's a good question. But what struck me from his speech is near the top that he mentions how Hong Kong under British rule was one example of a century of humiliation, only the Chinese Communist Party was able to change all of that.

And not surprisingly, one thing just adding to what Ivan was saying, now textbooks in Hong Kong were not allowed to even mention Hong Kong, or describe Hong Kong as a former British colony because in the orthodox Chinese communist view, China has never formally seen the sovereignty of Hong Kong to the Great -- to Great Britain, so the U.K. was merely illegally occupying the territory for over a century.

So, that's just another proof of Xi Jinping's vision for Hong Kong. That is really very much a reflection of his governing ideology of reasserting the communist party's absolute control over every aspect of society and over every corner of the country. And that has now very much extended to Hong Kong.

So even though many people in Hong Kong or around the world are mourning the loss of Hong Kong's freedoms and civil liberties, many people in China, not just officials, but millions of ordinary Chinese citizens on the mainland who are falling to his brand of patriotism and the nationalism, are applauding this hardline approach to Hong Kong, because they say that only this method has restored stability, and order in the territory and putting it back on track to long term prosperity.

That's why increasingly we are hearing this term of Hong Kong's second return, meaning back in 1997, China may have regained sovereignty, but not a power to govern, because of the opposition, not to mention, quote, unquote, "hostile and subversive forces." But now with all of them wiped out, Hong Kong has finally become a truly Chinese city, and that is a good thing.

That's why even though Xi Jinping did not overnight in the city paid two very brief visits over two days, he would very much feel at home in Hong Kong because that city is now increasingly in lockstep with Beijing politically, economically, ideologically, not to mention when it comes to security and COVID rules. Kim?

BRUNHUBER: All right. Thanks so much, Steven Jiang in Beijing.

Yair Lapid is spending his first day as Israel's new prime minister following the Knesset vote to dissolve parliament. After the dissolution, he symbolically switched seats with his predecessor, Naftali Bennet, his stint as a prime minister was one of the shortest in Israel's history. Now he will lead the nation as a caretaker until the elections on November 1st.

As Hadas Gold reports, the new prime minister is used to taking the center stage and not just in politics.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HADAS GOLD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yair Lapid knows what it's like to be in the spotlight. Born into a prominent Israeli family, he has doubled and acting and screenwriting. Even amateur boxing, and music before becoming best known as a journalist and anchor, a regular presence in Israeli's living rooms for nearly 20 years.

In 2012, he made the jump to politics, founding a party called Yesh Atid. There is a future. Sticking himself out as the leader of Israel's secular center-left, promising to lower housing cost, and military draft exemption for the ultra-orthodox, a supporter of gay rights. He also supports an independent Palestinian state, but doesn't go as far as his left-wing colleagues.

[03:10:01]

YAIR LAPID, FOUNDER, YESH ATID PARTY: The Palestine as we understand, it if they want the dream of a sovereign state, Jerusalem is the price they will have to pay.

GOLD: In 2013, he shocked the political establishment in his first election on the ballot, picking up 19 seats, second only to then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party.

ANSHEL PFEFFER, JOURNALIST: Yair Lapid is the quintessential product of Tel Aviv, of Israel's main secular city, its main business and culture centers of night life. And so, when Yair Lapid was for many years, really a pillar of the Israeli media community, of Israel entertainment, in television business.

GOLD: After s stint as finance minister, it was Lapid who ultimately cobbled together the coalition that would finally oust Netanyahu after 12 years in power. But it came at a price.

Naftali Bennett would serve as prime minister first, and Lapid became foreign minister. In the end, the diverse coalition made up of right leaning and left-leaning parties. And the first Arab party to sit in a coalition only managed to last a year.

LAPIF: What we need to do today is go back to the concept of Israeli unity, not to let dark forces tear us apart from within, to remind ourselves that we love one another, we love our country, and that only together will we prevail.

GOLD: Now appointed caretaker Prime Minister Lapid will have four months until election day to convince the Israeli public he should keep the job.

Hadas Gold, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: A small rocky outpost in the Black Sea once again back under Ukrainian control. We'll explain why recapturing Snake Island was so important to Ukraine.

Plus, NATO is moving to add two more countries to its membership. But Turkey says it will have to stick to their side of the bargain. We'll explain after the break. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: NATO has wrapped up a summit in Madrid that will likely lead to expanding its membership. The alliance has invited Finland and Sweden to join after Turkey dropped its objections. Turkey claimed the two countries harbor members of a Kurdish group the U.S. and the E.U. consider terrorist. But Sweden and Finland then signed an agreement with Ankara promising to consider Turkey's extradition request in accordance with European rules.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, PRESIDENT OF TURKEY (through translator): Previously, they have pledged to the extradition of 60 terrorists. They were negotiating, let's say not pledging but negotiating. But now that number has gone up to 73 during these negotiations, they have pledged to the extradition of 72 terrorists. And we will see if they will keep their promises.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: The alliance also pledged more support for Ukraine and said that plans to wrap up its military presence in Europe to keep the pressure on Russia.

[03:15:06]

U.S. President Joe Biden that's Russia's leader is paying the price for ignoring his warning. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Before the war started, I told Putin that if he invaded Ukraine, NATO would not only get stronger but would get more united. And we would see -- we'd see democracies in the world stand up and oppose his aggression and defend the rules-based order. That's exactly what we are seeing today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the war was a huge mistake for Russia. He says President Vladimir Putin wanted less NATO before the invasion but now that two new countries are likely to join the alliance there'll be more of it. Stoltenberg also told CNN's Christiane Amanpour at the Madrid summit was a win for NATO.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STOLTENBERG: It is a victory for NATO that we once again have demonstrated our unity and our ability to change and adapt when the world of changing. Now we live in a more dangerous world and therefore, we need a stronger and more, even more united NATO and that's exactly what this summit has delivered.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Do you believe, because you know, up until now it's been a threat and a promise that if one square inch of NATO territory was challenged by Putin or anybody else that there would be a swift reaction? Do you believe that NATO countries are much safer now than they were before the summit?

STOLTENBERG: They are safer in the more dangerous world because we live in a world where we see brutal use of force against close neighbor of NATO and a close partner of NATO, Ukraine.

That's the reason why we have significantly stepped up and further will step up our presence in the eastern part of the alliance to remove any room for miscalculation or misunderstanding in Moscow about our readiness to protect and defend all allies.

This is deterrence. And the purpose of deterrence is to prevent conflict. And that's exactly what NATO has done for more than 70 years to prevent conflict and preserve peace.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Ukraine is now facing one of the most crucial and difficult periods of the four-month-old war. Russia continues to fire missiles, rockets, and artillery at civilian targets across the country. At least 18 people were reported killed early Friday when missiles slammed into residential building and recreation center in Odessa. And just down the coast from there, Russian forces have now been

driven from Snake Island after weeks of Ukrainian attacks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the significance of retaking the island. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE (through translator): Snake Island is a strategic point. It significantly changes the situation in the Black Sea. It does not guarantee security. It does not yet ensure that the enemy will not come back. But they significantly limit the action of the occupiers, step by step, we will push them back from our sea, our land, and our sky.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: The outcome of this conflict may ultimately depend on the level of western support and how long it continues. The U.K. on Thursday pledge another $1.2 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine including air defense systems, drones, and quote, "innovative new electronic warfare equipment." And that brings the total British commitment to $2.8 billion dollars, second only to the U.S.

And we have correspondents covering all the angles of this conflict. Salma Abdelaziz is in the Ukrainian capital and Clare Sebastian is standing by in London. Let's go to Salma in Kyiv first.

So, talk to us about that horrific strike on Odessa. I understand there were two. What more can you tell us about that?

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: So, understand that this was another Russian missile strike on a residential building. Eighteen people killed, as you mentioned, several others wounded, and among those victims are three children. Now there's concerns that number could rise because rescue operations are still ongoing.

But it is a continuation of something we've seen over the last few days as these two summits have taken place, really Russia intensifying its attack, hitting this country with a barrage of missiles across different cities and towns, some hitting residential areas by air, land, and sea.

President Zelenskyy believes that the strategy an intentional targeting of innocents by Moscow. Take a listen to what he said in his nightly address.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZELENSKYY (through translator): I called on NATO countries to speed up the supply of missile defense systems to Ukraine and significantly increase the pressure on the terrorist state. The Russian strike alone at the city of Mykolaiv, 10 missiles at once, and all of them were aimed at civilian targets proves for absolutely everyone in the world that the pressure on Russia is not enough.

[03:20:00] ABDELAZIZ: So, you hear there, again, President Zelenskyy appealing to allies. Highlighting what's important here, which is the protection of course of civilians. And among these aid packages that are being promised are going to be new air defense systems to try and protect neighborhoods again that President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government believe are intentionally being targeted by Russian weaponry.

And this happened of course as Ukraine is on the backfoot largely all across those eastern fronts having to seize territory in that all- important Donbas region. But I'm going to mention here of course, the big win, the big victory, the morale boost, if you will, for Ukraine is that Snake Island victory.

Now this is an island of legendary status. It's essentially here in Ukraine. Because one of the opening salvos of the war a Russian warship exchanged over radio a call for those Ukrainian forces to surrender, again this was at the very beginning of the conflict. And they responded by saying Russian warship go, expletive yourself, essentially telling them where to stick it.

That radio exchange went viral, Kim. I mean, it became a sort of a call for resistance across the country. It was printed on t-shirts and mugs and posters. And so, the fact that Ukraine is claiming this back and they say this happened after an air land and sea operation, a military operation, a huge one to drive those Russian forces that had occupied that island for months to.

Now that they're claiming this victory it's a much-needed win at a time when Ukraine is really desperate for one. Now Russia has a different narrative. They say that they left the island as a gesture of goodwill. They indicated that it might possibly ease the grain blockade.

There's tons of grain that is being blockaded in Ukrainian ports right now by Russia, according to Ukrainian officials. But regardless of what happened next this is something that's really symbolically massively huge for Ukraine. Kim?

BRUNHUBER: Yes, absolutely. Salma Abdelaziz in Kyiv, thank you so much.

American basketball star Brittney Griner's criminal trial is scheduled to begin in Moscow just a few hours from now. Griner was detained in Moscow in February after officials said they found cannabis oil in her luggage. And she's been held in a Russian prison ever since.

Now back in the U.S., Griner's wife told CNN she's been getting advice from families of other wrongfully detained Americans. She also says she doesn't think the government is doing all it can to bring Griner home. She spoke exclusively with CNN's Abby Philip.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHERELLE GRINER, BRITTNEY GRINER'S WIFE: They definitely said don't be quiet. That was probably the most consensus thing I kept hearing. And I met so many just amazing, you know, family members of wrongfully detained Americans.

And the first thing they said was, you know, do not be quiet about this. Do not let them forget about your loved one. They will forget about your loved one. We are three years in. We are four years in. And my heart was breaking hearing about it. Because I pray to God, you know, three years there's not passed by and B.G. is still wrongfully detained in Russia.

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Do you trust that the maximum amount of effort is being put forward to bring B.G. home?

GRINER: No, I don't, and I hate to say that because I do trust that they -- that the persons working on this are very genuine on people. That I do believe. But I don't think the maximum amount of effort is being done because, again, the rhetoric and the actions don't match.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Clare Sebastian joins me now from London. So Clare, how much hope should Griner's loved ones have that she'll get a fair trial there?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, Kim precedent does not look very kindly on that question, the two recent examples obviously that we have of this are Trevor Reed, who is now being released from detention in Moscow and Paul Whelan and other American detainee who is still there. They were both subjected to trial.

In the case of Trevor Reed, the then U.S. ambassador called it a theater of the absurd. In Paul Whelan's case the U.S. authorities accuse Russia of using what they called, secret evidence, that he wasn't allowed to choose his own counsel, that he wasn't able to call his own witnesses.

The justice system in Russia is notoriously opaque and certainly when it comes to these cases it has not been transparent how they have arrived at a conviction. So, in terms of a fair trial, I think the chances are fairly slim.

But the other thing to note about this is that that doesn't preclude a deal being made for her eventual release. Certainly, Trevor Reed who is released had already been through trial and convicted.

I think the complicated factor here is that the detainee, that Russian America who the talks are, the rumors are that it could be exchange for Brittney Griner is Viktor Bout who is a convicted arm smuggler. He was known as the merchant of death.

He's been in prison in the United States for about a decade now. I think the severity of his crimes versus hers, which are fairly severe, she's accused of large-scale drug transportation and the Russian authorities said they found vials of hashish oil, a form of cannabis, in her luggage in the airport in Moscow in April.

[03:25:05] But there is still a disparity between those crimes. And that will complicate matters for the U.S. administration if they are to come to any agreement. But certainly, for her loved ones, they are now at a point where they feel like making more noise is a better policy. They are trying to get a meeting with President himself, that they've been told, as you heard from that interview, is the best way to try to secure a deal here. Kim?

BRUNHUBER: Yes. I'm just wondering, I mean, we heard her wife saying that the administration isn't doing enough. You know, how much activity is going on behind the scenes there to perhaps broker a deal as you say? Maybe that represents her best hopes here.

SEBASTIAN: You know, it's hard to know exactly how much. I think one sign of hope for the family of Brittney Griner is that she was classified by the U.S. State Department as wrongfully detained back in May. That means that her case is now the focus of the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs. That that signal they are willing to do something here.

I think Trevor Reed, perhaps, another sign of hope for them, the fact that he was released. Although in his case there was an emergency. His health was failing. He was -- he was -- his family said that he possibly had tuberculosis and that's why they moved quickly to try to get him out.

Jake Tapper interviewed Antony Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state about a week ago and asked him about the potential for a prisoner swap here, and he simply said he sort of sidestepped the question. He said that he has no higher priority than trying to bring home American detainees who are held abroad.

But of course, we're in a situation where the war in Ukraine and the public U.S. support for Ukraine this complicates matters in terms of how the U.S. could potentially engineer some kind of a swap or some kind of deal here, Kim.

BRUNHUBER: All right. Well, the trial supposed to start shortly. So, we'll keep our eyes on that. Clare Sebastian in London, I really appreciate it. Thanks so much.

All right. Still to come, Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Hong Kong for the 25th handover anniversary. We'll have live reports on developments next.

And the Supreme Court strikes a blow against a Trump era emigration policy. Why remain in Mexico is so controversial and why it may be so hard to actually reverse. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: Welcome back to all of you watching us around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN Newsroom.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of the one- country two-systems policy as Hong Kong marks 25 years since the city's British handover to China.

[03:30:00]

His remarks came during a visit to Hong Kong, his first trip outside mainland China since the pandemic began. It's also his first visit to the city since the introduction of a national security law which critics say has been used to crush the city's opposition movement.

Xi was also on hand for the swearing in of Hong Kong's new chief executive John Lee, a former security chief and hardline police officer.

CNN's Will Ripley is in Taipei with more on how these events are playing in Taiwan. Will, given how Hong Kong's one-country two-system rule to Taiwan, what's the reaction there?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the current leaders, you know, led by President Tsai Ing-wen say no. They are not going to accept one-country two-systems here on this island, which has its own government, its own military. They have for more than 70 years since the end of China's Civil War when the losing side came here and set up camp.

And they claimed, you know, they claimed jurisdiction over the mainland. The communist rulers in Beijing claimed jurisdiction over this island. And yet both have had their own governments, their own militaries for more than 70 years. But Taiwan is now allowed to kind of declare itself as an independent country because Beijing has essentially iced them out on the global stage diplomatically, in terms of their participation at United Nations and other global, you know, the World Health Organization.

And so, Taiwan, really, doesn't have that many formal diplomatic allies. And they rely on their friendships with powerful countries like the United States which supplies weapons to this island to defend itself in the event that China, you know, fulfills its vow to eventually retake this island by force if necessary.

And in fact, President Xi Jinping just a couple of weeks ago signed an order looking into non-war military operations which sounds a lot like the special military operation, a terminology that Vladimir Putin is using for Ukraine.

So, certainly, people here are nervous. They watched what happened in Hong Kong back in 2019, it's scared a lot of people. It brought them out to the polls and win Tsai Ing-wen win reelection by a landslide. She had been really struggling in the polls.

So, for a large part of the population here, they do not want to see here what we saw and what we've seen in Hong Kong here at year 25. But there are people here who do believe that Taiwan needs to get closer to the mainland. And they need to have a better relationship with Beijing.

Do they necessarily want all of the things that come with being part of mainland China? The censorship, the repression, no. They say that they don't, but that they do want is the economic opportunity.

They want the chance, you know, to make a lot of money which is why people do business with China even if it means sacrificing certain things that they might feel uncomfortable because of the heavy-handed authoritarian government, people still do it because of the -- because of the lucrative opportunities that await.

But at least the current administration, President Tsai Ing-wen's administration here, they say no amount of money would make it worthwhile to strike that kind of a deal. That they don't believe China would actually adhere to. They don't think that China would do really one-country two-systems. That would just be the beginning.

And as we've now seen in Hong Kong, essentially Hong Kong is believed to be despite what President Xi Jinping said, like any other mainland city and they certainly don't want that to happen. A lot of people don't want that to happen here on the island of Taiwan.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. All right. Thank you so much, Will Ripley, live in Taipei. I appreciate it.

Eleven years after the Egyptian uprising, some are still paying a steep price. Alaa Abd El-Fattah is one of the country's best-known activists who spent years behind bars and has since drawn attention to the country's brutal prison conditions.

CNN's Nada Bashir has the story.

NADA BASHIR, CNN REPORTER: Almost eight years behind bars and now nearly 100 days on hunger strike. British Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah is still languishing in a Cairo prison. The pro-democracy blogger became a leading opposition voice during protests in Cairo's Tel Aviv Square in 2011. His sister Mona tells me his detention is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Egypt.

MONA SEIF, EGYPTIAN ACTIVIST & SISTER OF ALAA ABD EL-FATTAH: Ever since Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came to power, he has been very keen on setting an example of a few profiles of activists and journalist and certain lawyers and human rights defenders.

BASHIR: Since President El-Sisi came to power in 2014, Alaa has spent most of his days in prison. And in 2019, he was re-arrested and later sentenced to a further five years behind bars for allegedly spreading false news after he shared a Facebook post highlighting human rights abuses in Egypt's jails. It's a charge laid against many political prisoners in Egypt and one which would see Alaa placed in Cairo's notorious Tora prison for two and a half years.

SEIF: They have stripped him of his clothes. They left him in his underwear. They blindfolded him. And he was beaten as he entered prison several times. And he was told that he would never make it out here.

[03:35:07]

BASHIR: According to Human Rights Watch Egypt is facing one of its human rights crises in many decades. With tens of thousands of government critics currently in detention. In a recent appeal to E.U. leaders, the organization warned that torture and extra judicial killings in custody have become endemic. With detainees allegedly facing routine beatings, electric shocks, and even rape.

Despite well-documented human rights abuses, the British government has continued to strengthen its ties with Egypt. From a multibillion- dollar trade deal, to cooperation on defense and security. But after weeks of campaigning by Alaa's family and supporters, British foreign secretary says she will finally raise Alaa's case with her Egyptian counterpart.

LIZ TRUSS, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: We are working very hard to secure his release. Lord Ahmed has met with the family, and I am seeking a meeting with the Egyptian foreign minister.

BASHIR: But Alaa's sister who is also now on hunger strike, fears that government action may come too late.

SEIF: The Egyptian authorities, they've managed to push Alaa to a dark place that we've -- that he has never been to before. Last visit he was kind of shouting out at us that we should snap out of the notion that we'll be able to save him. What we can do is make the political price of his death higher.

BASHIR: As weeks go by, there is a growing sense of despair, one that is all too familiar to Richard Ratcliffe. He campaigned for the freedom of his wife Nazanin for nearly six years before the British government was finally able to negotiate her release from detention in Iran earlier this year.

RICHARD RATCLIFFE, NAZANIN ZAGHARI'S HUSBAND: There is a kind of desperation, it's not as if there is a clear plan of what you want the government to do, you just want the government to use its power and to get your loved one home.

BASHIR: CNN has reached out to Egypt's foreign ministry for comment on Alaa's case, but has yet to receive a response. Alaa's hunger strike meanwhile edges closer and closer into life-threatening territory. And pressure is mounting on the British government, not only to secure his freedom, but to take tougher action against El- Sisi's regime.

Nada Bashir, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: An American woman accused of killing an elite cyclist in Texas has been arrested in Costa Rica. Authorities say Kaitlin Marie Armstrong entered the country using someone else's passport, she is expected to be deported and returned to the U.S. Armstrong is suspected of fatally shooting 25-year-old Anna Mo Wilson back in May. Investigators say Wilson had previously dated Armstrong's boyfriend, and the shooting was a violent act of romantic jealousy.

Texas is grappling with an uptick in migrant smuggling cases and deaths. Officials say there were at least three separate smuggling attempts within a 24-hour period leaving at least six dead. Two of the cases involve fatal vehicle crashes. Official say another smuggling attempt was foiled when authorities found more than 10 people inside a tractor trailer.

And it all comes days after more than 50 migrants lost their lives inside a different tractor trailer in what officials say is the worst human smuggling event in the U.S. Family members of some of the victims have been speaking out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADELA AGUILAR, GRANDMOTHER OF ADELA RAMIREZ (through translator): I told her don't leave. You will live well here. It's easy to find a place to live here working, you can live anywhere. But one says, I'm going to go and look for a better life and you end up finding death. You are not looking for something else but death. Because what else did she want, but one wants something different, that's life. She sought death because there is nothing else.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: The alleged driver of that semi-truck made his first court appearance before a federal judge on Thursday. He is charged with human smuggling resulting in death and could face life in prison or death.

Now those tragedies have prompted many to once again call for an overhaul in U.S. immigration policy. And the Biden administration took a small step forward on Thursday after the Supreme Court ruled that the White House can end the so-called remain-in-Mexico policy, but it will -- but people are asking will it stop the growing migrant crisis at the southern border.

CNN's Priscilla Alvarez has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PRISCILLA ALVAREZ, CNN REPORTER: A major victory for the Biden administration. The Supreme Court ruling

that President Biden can end the controversial Trump era remain-in- Mexico policy.

JENNIFER SCARBOROUGH, IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY: It's a relief. It's a program that should have never been started.

ALVAREZ: The unprecedented program forced non-Mexican asylum seekers to return to Mexico and wait there until their immigration proceedings in the United States. It's just one piece of a complicated set of border policies that have contributed to confusion and desperation among migrants.

[03:39:57]

Jennifer Scarborough, an immigration attorney in Texas, has been working with migrants for 12 years. SCARBOROUGH: When people feel like they have no other option, when

everything mean so confusing and so difficult, they just end up taking riskier and riskier and riskier routes to try and get here.

ALVAREZ: Those dangers came into sharp focus this week when at least 53 people died after being transported in a semi-truck in the sweltering Texas heat. In what is being called the deadliest human smuggling incident in U.S. history.

"There are people who left wanting to achieve the American dream. And wanting to be better people" says Joe Luis Castellanos who lives in Honduras.

The Justice Department says that four people have been charged in connection to the incident, but human smuggling remains a top concern for officials this summer, with temperatures in the triple digits. And as border crossings continue to rise.

In May, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stop more than 239,000 migrants at the U.S. southern border. According to the latest available data. That's up nearly 60,000 from last May.

There is deep disagreement over how to handle the influx, even some Democrats were not unanimous in their agreement with the Supreme Court ruling on remain-in-Mexico. Texas Democratic Congressman Vicente Gonzalez represents the 15th district, part of which borders Mexico. He says the administration needs to implement policies that work to address migration further south.

REP. VICENTE GONZALEZ (D-TX): It concerns me greatly, especially at this moment in time, because we do not have a policy in place that will prevent mass migration to our southern border.

ALVAREZ: But immigration attorneys and advocates say remain-in-Mexico is not the answer.

SCARBOROUGH: The things that we saw that were happening to people and the way that they were having to leave is incredibly disturbing to see. It's just not how we treat -- how we should treat human beings.

ALVAREZ: In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said that it welcomes the Supreme Court's decision, and would work to terminate the program, quote, "as soon as legally permissible."

Priscilla Alvarez, CNN, Hidalgo, Mexico.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to fighting climate change by curbing the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants. It's a defeat for the Biden administration's efforts to slash emissions amid growing concerns about global warming. A source tells CNN the agency will still take steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in spite of the ruling.

Gavin Newsom, governor of country's most populist state, California, weighed in on the decision. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM (D-CA): You don't believe in climate change you've got to put believe your own eyes. Come to California, the extremes. Extreme weather, extreme heat, extreme drought, and of course the ravages of the wildfires. The idea that the U.S. Supreme Court moved to take away one of the most significant and historically powerful tools to address the ravages of climate change is incomprehensible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: New evidence is emerging about attempts to influence the testimony of the January 6th committee's recent star witness, former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson. Sources tell CNN that Hutchinson told the committee that someone in Trump's world tried to influence what she would say. Vice chair Liz Cheney says that the committee is considering a criminal referral to the Justice Department.

The committee is also trying to compel Trump's former White House counsel Pat Cipollone to testify. According to Hutchinson, Cipollone warned of serious legal consequences if Trump join the protesters at the capitol. And one of the people that Hutchinson highlighted during her testimony was former White House deputy chief of staff Tony Ornato. Ornato has spoken with the select committee twice but some members say they'd like to get clarification from him on the shocking events that Hutchinson told the committee.

Tokyo is sweltering through a record heat wave. We'll go to the CNN weather center for the latest details and we'll bring you what to expect in the days ahead.

And later, a number of big names are advancing to the next round of Wimbledon and among them were women's world number one. Our details ahead, stay with us.

[03:45:00]

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BRUNHUBER: Cleanup is underway in Austria after heavy rains caused a major mudslide killing at least one person. As you can see residents are pitching in to clear their church sweeping out mud and water. Have a look at it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNKNOWN (through translator): We were hit last night by the floods. And all we could hear was the roaring sound. The electricity was gone and we obviously feared what would come next. This morning, we saw the extent of the damage. Our property was submerged in water. Still no electricity. And waves as far as the eye reaches.

UNKNOWN (through translator): It is one of the worst catastrophes we've ever seen in our state. It shows the force of nature in a unique way. As terrible as it is, the loss of one life, and I am deeply sorry about that. It is almost a miracle that few people were hurt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Several buildings were devastated in the Austrian village in Treffen and some roads in the area are still buried in mud and debris. Authorities are also saying they are trying to restore power as quickly as possible.

For the fourth day, power shortage warnings have been issued for parts of Tokyo. Officials urge households and businesses to go dark on Thursday to conserve electricity. A record heat wave is causing a surge of demand that's draining the power grid.

CNN meteorologist Derek van Dam has the details.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: That's right, Kim, not only is this the warmest June on record for Tokyo, Japan. But as of yesterday, being Thursday there were six consecutive days of 35 degrees Celsius or above. We had a temperature of 36.4 degrees which is the warmest ever recorded in Tokyo for June.

And of course, if temperatures spike above that today. We have the potential to shatter that record once again. Having seven consecutive days above 35 degrees Celsius which would be yet another record.

So, our official forecast for the afternoon calls for about 34 degrees, temperatures need to be verified through the course of the afternoon and evening. But the heat won't really break until Monday for Tokyo. But behind the cold front, cloud cover and chances of rain. So that's when the slightly cooler air starts to settle in.

You can see lots of reds, lots of oranges encompassing Japan and all of northeast Asia. It's really thanks to this high-pressure system that is just pumping in the heat from the western Pacific. Lots of humidity associated with this as well.

So, temperatures not only hot the ambient temperature outside but it's also very warm as you step outdoors on the surface of your skin. The heat indices values significantly higher than what the mercury and the thermometer would tell you.

Here a look at temperatures for your Saturday across this area. Middle 30s for most locations. And, wow, we have an active western Pacific tropical season starting to pick up. Now we have two tropical storms. Tropical Storm Chaba and Tropical Storm Aere.

Let's talk about Chaba. The more immediate threat to extreme southwestern China. Hainan Island. That area in the cone of uncertainty where this particular tropical storm will travel. Ninety- five kilometer per hour sustained winds, it is forecast to become a typhoon before making landfall, it should stay just west of Hong Kong. But some of the outer bands of rain and strong gusty winds could impact that region.

But that is one of the most populous provinces in China. So, we're going to monitor that very closely for very heavy rain and strong winds right through the weekend. Kim, back to you.

BRUNHUBER: All right. Still to come, with the British Grand Prix happening this weekend, CNN goes one-on-one with a two-time winner Fernando Alonso. Stay with us.

[03:50:00]

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BRUNHUBER: Well, in just a few hours play is set to resume at Wimbledon after another thrilling day of action at the all-England club. On Thursday, second seed Rafael Nadal advance the third round after beating Ricardas Berankis in four sets. Nadal is looking for his third win at Wimbledon in a record extending 23rd Grand Slam title.

Now on women's side, top seed Iga Swiatek, fresh off for French Open win advance the next round after beating her dash opponent in three sets. And this was the Polish star's 37th win in a row.

And American Coco Gauff cruised through to the third round after winning straight sets over Romania's Mihaela Buzarnescu.

All right. Looking ahead to this weekend's British Grand Prix CNN's World Sports Amanda Davies caught up with the two-time champion Fernando Alonso. And it was a wide-ranging interview covering everything from his new mindset after a two-year break from Formula 1. And the controversial comments by retired Formula 1 driver, Nelson Piquet. Here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FERNANDO ALONSO, TWO-TIME FORMULA 1 CHAMPION: For me, personally it was a very special moment because after you come back to Formula 1 it's not that you need to prove things but it is -- it is a lot of dedication and sacrifices that you do in order to come back and to be in shape for Formula 1 again at 40. And when you deliver a good result it's somehow, you know, a relief and a proof that, you know, you are working very hard to get those results.

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORTS PRESENTER: If I think back over the years and speaking to you. You certainly have that period of winning is everything. It's all about winning. And then you went to -- I don't like losing.

ALONSO: Yes.

DAVIES: And then when you -- when you are talking about coming back you are talking about actually there is now an awareness. It's more about the enjoyment and putting on a show.

ALONSO: Yes.

DAVIES: Is that -- is that still the case?

ALONSO: Yes. It feels -- it feels that way. I think, with time you are realizing for one, that you need to have the package to win, it's not only that one day you have a strange inspiration and you are delivering something magic. In Formula 1 magic doesn't exist too much. You need the right car, and the right day to perform.

DAVIES: Having been a world champion to then get to that point where it's not clicking, you're not on the top of the podium, how difficult is that as a mind reset?

ALONSO: It is difficult, but at the same time you still feel very privileged that you at least experience, you know, once in your life to have the best car and to be on top of the podium and winning championships.

DAVIES: Did you realize that at the time. Did you allow yourself to appreciate enough of the time?

ALONSO: Of course not, you know, at the time when you arrive into Formula 1 it's a dream come true. When you get your first victory, you know, you are in a constant dream. But then everything comes very fast and eventually one day you have the fastest car you win a championship; you win another championship and you think that that's the normality and that will keep forever. And not many people have that luck.

DAVIES: I must ask you. We've had the topic of racism in Formula 1 back in the agenda this week.

ALONSO: Yes.

[03:54:58]

DAVIES: How damaging is it for the sport, particularly when we are talking about somebody who is a three-time Formula 1 world champion?

ALONSO: It is. It is damaging. There is no place in the sport for those comments. And we stand with Lewis and together with (Inaudible) as well that, you know, for the last few years it has been a big change in the team. Inclusive and trying to be as diverse as possible. You know, because I think the sport should be an example for our society.

DAVIES: Do you think there should be actions have been talked -- that's been talked about a project ban or a lifetime ban from Formula 1?

ALONSO: Obviously it's difficult and I think we will agree with whatever FIA or FOM will do. But I do believe that there is the need to have some action if it's just, you know, another episode that there is no action I think it's not enough. I think we need to move from these people. And this is a perfect example.

DAVIES: But are you expecting from this weekend?

ALONSO: I'm looking forward. The weather is going to be England. So, anything can happen in any of the three days. I saw the forecast. Sunny, cloudy, and rain can happen in the same day. And that will add some stress for sure to the teams and the drivers but good fun for the fans.

DAVIES: Are do something of a rain dance after the events in Canada?

ALONSO: Not really, but let's say that we are much more confident now. It seems that our courage is quite strong on wet conditions. So this -- it change from year to year and this year we seem to be competitive. So it's OK to come here.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: And our thanks to CNN's Amanda Davies for that interview with Fernando Alonso.

LIV Golf has made its debut on U.S. soil. The controversial tournament kicked off in Oregon Thursday with Carlos Ortiz taking the lead after the first. The second round picks up later today. The Portland invitational is one of eight tournaments set to play under the LIV Golf umbrella. But the venture is financed by Saudi Arabia which had been criticized over its human practices. Some golfers playing in the tournament have been hit with a backlash for taking part.

All right. Thank so much for joining me. I'm Kim Brunhuber. CNN Newsroom continues with Max Foster next. This is CNN.

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