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Ukraine: Heaviest Of Battles "Ahead For Kherson"; Putin: Ukraine Is Instrument Of U.S. Foreign Policy; U.S. Military Racing To Develop Hypersonic Weapons; Uganda Battles Deadly Ebola Outbreak; U.S. Embassy Warns Possible Terrorist Attack in South Africa; Brazil President Election; WAPO: Black Coaches Used by NFL Teams to Clean Up After Their Mistakes; Axios: Extremist Groups Are Going Local to Disrupt the Midterms. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired October 27, 2022 - 02:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:00:32]

ANNA COREN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello and welcome to our viewers all around the world. I'm Anna Coren live from Hong Kong. Ahead on CNN NEWSROOM.

With Ukrainian forces closing in, poorly-trained Russian troops are preparing for the battle over the occupied city of Kherson.

Plus, ISIS now says it's responsible for the Wednesday attack on a Shia holy site in Iran. The latest on the blast just ahead.

And later, how Uganda is working to slow the deadly Ebola outbreak throughout the country. We'll have a live report from Africa.

Ukrainian forces are gearing up for a crucial fight against Russian troops eight months into Vladimir Putin's war of choice. Well, first Ukraine reports a number of Russian strikes in the Kyiv region early Thursday but so far, no casualties.

Meanwhile, an advisor to Ukraine's president says the heaviest of battles lie ahead in the southern port city of Kherson. A Ukrainian counter offensive has forced Russia into a defensive posture there. It's sending in its newest recruits, which Kyiv's military intelligence describes as cannon fodder. Kherson was the first Ukrainian city to falter Putin's troops and it's the largest still under Russian control. More now from CNN's Fred Pleitgen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Ukrainian forces trying to hit the Russians on all fronts. This motor unit firing in the north of the country. While in the south, Kyiv is continuing a counteroffensive trying to capture the Russian occupied city of Harrison.

We met up with an artillery unit on the battlefield. PLEITGEN (on camera): The soldiers tell us there's firing going on here pretty much every day several times a day. The frontline is not very far from where we are at all. It's a couple of kilometers in that direction. And right now, there's not very much movement on that front line. But still, the situation is very dangerous.

PLEITGEN (voice over): Ukraine's defense minister says Kyiv's counter offensive here is complicated by wet weather in the area.

But the commander says he believes in the end they will oust the Russians.

BANDERAS, UKRAINIAN ARTILLERY COMMANDER (through translator): I know one thing for sure. We will never step back from here. We have no other choice only forward. Ukraine has to get back all its territory and borders.

PLEITGEN: While Russia continues to mobilize hundreds of thousands for the war here. The Ukrainian say they found the Wagner private military company founded by Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin is sending Russian prisoners with diseases to the front line. The chief of Ukraine's military intelligence told CNN's Nic Robertson.

KYRYLO BUDANOV, HEAD OF UKRAINE'S DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (through translator): They put on them certain risk bands in blue, white or red color. Every color signifies tuberculosis, hepatitis or HIV. It's happening on a mass scale. Most of them who are taken prisoners or their dead bodies, which were found in the battlefield had those wristbands.

PLEITGEN: CNN can't independently verify those claims. As Russian forces continue to lose ground in Ukraine the Kremlin conducting massive annual nuclear drills involving submarine launched ballistic missiles and others launched from Russia's fleet of strategic bombers. While the Russians notified the U.S. about the drills well in advance Russian President Vladimir Putin with a clear warning to Washington.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): What they are trying to achieve, we see on the example of Ukraine which has become an instrument of American foreign policy. The country has practically lost sovereignty and is directly controlled from the United States.

PLEITGEN: But the Ukrainians on the front line say they are fighting for their own freedom not for anybody else.

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Mykolaiv, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COREN: And CNN reached out to the Wagner group for comment.

Well, NATO secretary general says Russia is launching more indiscriminate attacks on civilians because its forces are failing on the battlefield. Jens Stoltenberg rejected Moscow's claims that Ukraine plans to detonate a dirty bomb and its own territory then blame Russia. And he said he Stronger Ukraine on the battlefield increases the prospect for a diplomatic solution.

[02:05:06]

JENS STOLTENBERG, SECRETARY GENERAL OF NATO: NATO will not be intimidated or deterred from supporting Ukraine's right to self defense, for as long as it takes. Every week, Ukraine's forces are getting stronger and better equipped.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: U.S. President Joe Biden met with his top military advisors, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and top General Mark Milley to discuss the war in Ukraine.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BIDEN: We're going to continue to support Ukraine, together with our allies and partners around the world has to defend itself against Russia's brutal aggression. We have to keep NATO strong and unite as we meet the threats of the day and threats of tomorrow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: Sources tell CNN. CIA director William Burns traveled to Ukraine earlier this month to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials. The trip comes as the U.S. has grown more concerned that Russia could use a nuclear weapon on the battlefield. So far Burns and other U.S. officials say they have not seen any signs Moscow is preparing such a move. But the Russian president is still keeping the west worried.

According to the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin oversaw military drills on Wednesday that involved practice launches of ballistic and cruise missiles. Were told the exercise was aimed at delivering, "a massive nuclear strike in response to an enemy nuclear attack." But the Russian ambassador to the U.K. just missed any talk of Russia using nukes during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREY KELIN, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.K.: Russia is not going to use nukes. So it is out of the question.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: And your president has said that too?

KELIN: She never mentioned the possibility of using it. There are speculations --

(CROSSTALK)

AMANOUR: And has worried everybody.

KELIN: No. There are speculations and allegations that are trying to be -- which he has not announced, I think.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: Well, meanwhile, the top U.S. diplomat says the Russian president has been warned about the consequences of using a nuclear weapon against Ukraine. Antony Blinken says that message has been communicated directly and clearly to Vladimir Putin. Blinken adds that Washington is tracking the Kremlin's nuclear saber rattling very carefully, but hasn't seen any reason to change the United States nuclear posture.

Well, hypersonic weapons have been on the drawing board for decades, but the U.S. military got really serious about it after China tested its own version in 2021. And when Russia unleashed its hypersonic missiles against targets in Ukraine this year, the Pentagon program kicked into high gear. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VICE ADM. JOHNNY WOLFE, DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC SYSTEMS PROGRAMS: Yes, they deployed weapons that we haven't. Up until just recently, there hasn't been a real driver for us to take that technology and put it into a weapons system that we can deliver to our warfighter. The need was not there. The need is now there, which is why we've got a sense of urgency to get after this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: The Pentagon says Wednesday's rocket launch in Virginia carried nearly a dozen experiments critical to its hypersonic weapon development. A second test with another dozen experiments is said for later today.

Well, Chinese-state media is reporting a conciliatory gesture from leader Xi Jinping to the United States. In sharp contrast to the anti West rhetoric of last week's Communist Party Congress. Mr. Xi reportedly is offering to cooperate with the U.S. in the new era. In his message to the National Committee on U.S.-China relations, Mr. Xi said China was willing to work with the U.S. to promote more stability and certainty in the world.

Well, now to Iran where ISIS is claiming responsibility for a deadly attack in the city of Shiraz as on Wednesday. At least 15 people were killed and more than 14 injured when an attacker charged into a holy shrine and opened fire on worshippers. State media reports two children were among the victims. Official say the suspects were foreign nationals. Two people have already been arrested, while a man hunt is on for a third suspect. The attack took place during one of the busiest hours for worshippers.

Well, meantime, protesters in Iran chanted women life freedom on Wednesday, 14 days after 22 year old at Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the country's morality police. Thousands of people gathered at her grave despite tight security. There were clashes across the country including Tehran, where security forces fired tear gas and pellet guns at demonstrators. At a near total internet blackout was reported in Iran's Kurdistan province where Amini was from.

[02:10:00]

In an exclusive investigation CNN looks at the final hours of Iranian a teenager Nika Shakarami who was among the many protesters on the streets days after Amini's death. After analyzing more than 50 videos obtained by CNN and speaking to six eyewitnesses, there is evidence she was chased and then detained by police just a few hours before going missing.

Well, CNN's Katie Polglase has this report.

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KATIE POLGLASE, CNN INVESTIGATIVE PRODUCER: Nika Shakarami, the 16- year-old has become one of the most known faces in Iran. On September 20, Nika was a high-profile figure at the protests and known personality on social media. She stood on bins chanting for the crowds. Official say that within 24 hours, she would be dead. Nika, joined a growing list of young women who have lost their lives in recent weeks, as protests have swept Iran.

And authorities have waged a violent crackdown in response. The Iranian government has made a series of shifting claims first saying that her death had "no connection to the protests, but that she was thrown from a roof. And then on Wednesday, a new claim from the judiciary that it was suicide. On the basis of our investigation using over 50 videos from that night. And speaking to those with her that evening, CNN can reveal that some of Nika's final hours was spent at the protests including evidence that suggests she was chased and detained by security just a few hours before the state says she died.

The first videos we found of Nika on the 20th are here at 7:00 p.m. As protest heats up, Nika can be seen right at the front, throwing rocks at a formation of uniformed officers easily recognized she was brave, not even frightened eyewitnesses said. At this stage in the evening Nika is here by Laleh Park. Then as more officers arrive, witnesses say Nika starts to move away from them.

First along Keshavarz Boulevard and then down Vesal Shirazi Street, where she's seen making a phone call just before 8:00 p.m. As it gets dark the police crackdown intensifies. Moving into Nika's new location. Evidence of injuries start emerging and protesters are seen being detained apparently by plainclothes officers.

One person told CNN they saw security forces hitting women and putting them in police vans. In the midst of this heightened violence scene and found a video of Nika still at the center of the protests. It's 8:37 p.m. and the last known video of her.

Don't move, don't move. She shouts as she crouches between cars to hide from authorities. The person filming from the car told CNN that shortly afterwards Nika was taken by several large-bodied security forces and bundled into a van.

POLGLASE (on camera): By this point in the evening, police were everywhere. Videos we've geo located to the scene show police to the south and also to the north of Nika. It means when she was crouching in traffic, she was completely surrounded.

POLGLASE (voice over): By the next morning she would be dead according to this death certificate, first obtained by BBC Persian and verified by CNN, which shows she died from multiple injuries caused by being hit with a hard object and as dated September 21st.

But Nika's family would not learn of her death for another 10 days. Meanwhile, both Nika's mother and aunt have said in interviews that credible sources told them that for days during that window, Nika was in state custody. The Iranian authorities released this CCTV footage, claiming Nika died after being thrown from this building later the same night. In an incident they say was unconnected to the protests.

They made no claim about who allegedly threw her. And CNN cannot verify the person is Nika, nor the day it was filmed.

Nika's mother has publicly disputed this footage saying it's not her daughter. And it's hard to square this calm walk with the evidence we have of Nika being chased by police and detained just a few hours earlier.

Iranian officials have not responded to CNN's inquiry as to whether she was ever in custody in the hours leading up to her death. What is certain though is that Nika was a prominent activist at the center of a police crackdown on the protests that night.

Katie Polglase, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COREN: I'm now joined by Skylar Thompson, an advocate who works to defend human rights in Iran. Welcome, Skylar. First tell us about the activists that you're speaking to in Iran. How are they holding up? How do they feel about the state of the protests and do they get a sense that momentum is growing?

SKYLAR THOMPSON, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST IN IRAN: Thank you, Anna. So, yes, you know, as -- I'm sure you're aware these protests are not slowing down. In fact, they're moving into the universities and the universities are aware that Generation Gen Z is housed.

[02:15:03]

So we are hearing, you know, really grateful please that we are continuing to see solidarity across the globe, and also from world leaders. I think it's really important that we continue to amplify these sorts of calls and that we continue to lift up the voices that we are hearing directly from the streets in Tehran and across Iran also.

COREN: Do they feel like they're on the cusp of bringing about change?

THOMPSON: You know, I think that we all feel that there already is change, I think we can feel that when we see women walking through these streets, you know, with no hijab, walking up to the security forces, looking them in the eye and almost daring them to do something about it. The bravery that we're seeing is unlike anything that I can tell you I've seen before, and it really is inspiring.

I can tell you that if we don't see change tomorrow, we are surely going to see it soon in some way or another. And we've definitely already seen it in one way.

COREN: But these protests have certainly been, you know, with a -- with a violent and bloody crackdown by the regime. More than 200 people have been killed, thousands have been arrested. Do you believe that these are conservative numbers?

THOMPSON: Absolutely. Unfortunately, because it's so difficult to document in this sort of securitized situation, I have to say that these numbers are conservative, we have documented as you said, over 200 deaths. In fact, it's 252 total deaths and 36 of those are children, you know, children as young as 11. When you're killing children as young as 11, I think it's pretty safe to assume that our number of death is conservative as well. The brutality is quite heinous.

We saw videos from yesterday to mark the 40 days since the death of Mahsa Amini and it showed security forces opening fire using pellets, paint and live bullets. I mean, this is alarming. They simply don't care that the international community is reporting that they are firing live ammunition on the crowds.

THOMPSON: Right. Like you say there's absolutely no regard for human life. It's appalling, you know, shooting in the face with paintball guns with kinetic weapons like shotguns. It's a complete disregard for human life. And in fact, it's in -- it's a violation of the right to life in the strongest terms. And like you say, it seems that they don't care. But I think you know, if we continue to come together as an international community and speak concrete steps towards accountability for these actions, continue to document it with care credibly and preserve this documentation, there will come a day when they will care and they'll be forced to care.

COREN: Skylar, we know that the Iranian diaspora has been extremely vocal and very strong. We saw that on the weekend with the protests that were held or around the world, particularly in Germany where something like 80,000 people turned out calling for the fall of the regime. You speak about this solidarity. What about the, you know, the governments of the world, the international community, are they doing enough to support the Iranians on the ground?

THOMPSON: I think that we are seeing a united international community like we haven't seen before, I think it took time. But, you know, yesterday, we saw the third round of targeted human rights sanctions released by the United States. We've seen this sort of action by the E.U., by Canada, by the UK. In fact, in 40 days, we've seen over 90 of these types of individual targeted human rights sanctions imposed across these four jurisdictions.

This is, you know, quite impressive. And these are really strong tools. They're effective tools. And we really advocate for the use of them, you know, they're separate from their sectoral counterparts that have collective punishment, ramifications, they are really targeted and they --they're meant to strike at those that violate the human rights of the Iranian people. And in addition, you know, we have these calls now and support for a U.N.-led independent investigative mechanism for violations that are going on in Iran now.

And for those that have started in 2017 and have led up to now. And I think that it's showing that we have support for, you know, seeking concrete accountability to the violations that are going on in Iran.

COREN: Let's just hope the member states get behind that mechanism. Skylar Thompson, great to speak to you and many thanks for giving us this context.

THOMPSON: Thank you.

[02:20:05]

COREN: Israel's president says Iran's crackdown on its own people is part of what makes it a danger to world order and stability. Isaac Herzog made the remarks in an exclusive interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. He's also calling Iran out for providing Russia with drones for its war in Ukraine. But Mr. Herzog still defends Israel's refusal to deliver a missile defense system to Kyiv.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Am I right and hearing you say your strategic limitations will prevent Israel from providing these air defense systems that the Ukrainians are --

(CROSSTALK)

ISAAC HERZOG, PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL: It depends which air defense system.

BLITZER: Well, which ones are you prepared to provide?

HERZOG: I'm not going to negotiate with you. Let's first put things in perspective. There are weapons that the American installation is not supplying to Ukraine. There are weapons that Europe is not supplying to Ukraine. On the other hand, there's a lot of issues and things that can be supplied to Ukraine. We identify with the suffering of the Ukrainian people. We want this havoc to end. We want to find solutions to in this conflict.

And definitely we support the territorial integrity of Ukraine. So, as far as we can go, in many non-lethal products we can do. As far as dealing with Ukraine, Iranian drones, we have definitely analyzing the situation.

BLITZER: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently said this. He asked Israel to choose the side. And he asked if Israel is "with the democratic world or with those who turn a blind eye to Russian terror."

HERZOG: It's an unfair judgment. We have respect for President Zelenskyy. I, myself, have met President Zelenskyy a year ago and we have a dialogue with President Zelenskyy. And we understand the enormous plight and pain of the Ukrainian people. We are treating hospitalized Ukrainians in Israeli hospitals. We have absorbed many refugees in our country, including, personally, me and my wife, we've absorbed and are assisting a family of refugees in Israel.

So, we are definitely there. And I think rhetoric of that nature does not help.

BLITZER: As you know, there's also been some serious criticism of Israel coming from both Democrats and Republicans, members of Congress, who would like Israel to be more assertive in helping Ukraine right now.

HERZOG: It's very easy to come to Israel with questions and comments on this issue. After all, and there are many, many solutions and products that can be supplied to Ukraine. There are things that we can't even do it technically, for example, there are weapons that we don't even have an export version for. There are things that we don't want them to fall in the hands of our enemies. There are secrets that we can't deliver. But wherever we can help, we're trying to help. And we set it out right.

BLITZER: I know it came up during your meeting with President Biden at the White House, an increase of anti-semitism here in the United States. And we saw that just, you know, in recent days with Kanye West and now known as Ye. How did that discussion with the President go? And I know you're very much concerned about what's going on in this country.

HERZOG: We are all concerned by anti-semitism all over the world and, of course, anti-semitism here and everywhere. And the President was clear -- crystal clear was -- to the -- on target in fighting anti- semitism with all tools possible. It's anti-semitism is racist, it's racism, xenophobia. These are the challenges of the era. But unfortunately, history teaches us that usually it starts with hating Jews, with blaming Jews, with terrible rhetoric that people say, you know, OK, he said it.

And that's why I'm extremely pleased objectively as an Israeli, as a Jew, as a human being. I'm extremely pleased to see this overwhelming reaction against the comments by Kanye West.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COREN: Wolf Blitzer there speaking to the Israeli president. Well, up next, Britain's new prime minister in the hot seat. Rishi Sunak answers questions in Parliament and gets grilled by the Leader of the Opposition. These details from London next.

Plus, healthcare workers in Uganda are urged to take precautions as the country battles a deadly Ebola outbreak.

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[02:26:47] COREN: And new trading day is set to begin in about half an hour from now in London where the Footsie 100 ended Wednesday's trading session in positive territory. Investors are watching closely for the next moves from newly appointed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his government.

Well, Sunak is warning that difficult decisions must be made as his government works to tackle the country's economic crisis. That acknowledgment coming during his first Prime Minister's questions where he faced a grilling from the opposition Labor Party leader. The British government is delaying its budget by more than two weeks allowing for more time on how best to proceed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RISHI SUNAK, PRIME MINISTER OF BRITAIN: Mr. Speaker, I have been honest we will have to take difficult decisions to restore economic stability and confidence. And my honorable friend, the chancellor will set that out in an autumn statement in just a few weeks. But what I can say as we did during COVID we will always protect the most vulnerable. We will do this in a fair way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: CNN's Bianca Nobilo is in London with more details on Mr. Sunak's Parliament appearance.

BIANCA NOBILO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Rishi Sunak delivered for the Conservative Party at his first prime minister's questions. His first since becoming a leader of the Conservative Party and Britain's prime minister on Tuesday. He had a mere 24 hours to prepare to face the House of Commons and the conservative benches behind him were full of cheers and support for the new prime minister.

As energetic and boisterous as I've seen them in a number of yours. Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labor Party and Ian Blackford, the leader of the Scottish National Party both sincerely celebrated the fact that Britain's new prime minister is of Asian heritage. Starmer didn't waste too much time on celebration and pleasantries though before he started asking hard questions. To begin with, revolving around Sunak's reappointment of Suella Braverman as home secretary.

So far his most controversial appointment since becoming prime minister. That's because Braverman was fired as home secretary six days before her reappointment. She was sacked by Liz Truss for a security breach. So there have been questions raised and eyebrows by the Labor Party and other opposition parties as to whether or not there was some kind of deal made behind the scenes between Sunak and Braverman.

But in terms of giving his party more confidence and more enthusiasm for the prime minister and the direction of the party, Sunak seems to have delivered. It was interesting to see him go up against Keir Starmer as both politicians have some similarities in terms of their communication style, known for being serious, having a good grasp of the brief and detail watching them go toe to toe. It seems that Sunak may be able to get his wish which he said at the beginning of this prime minister's questions which was to have serious grown up exchanges with the leader of the opposition.

Bianca Nobilo, CNN, London.

COREN: Well, Europe's rush to store away enough fuel to last through the winter has resulted in a supply so great. Prices dipped into the negative this week. The initial move was sparked by fears of shortages due to reliance on Russian oil and the war in Ukraine. But the great prices may not be around for long. CNN's Anna Stewart has this report.

[02:30:03]

STEWART: European benchmark gas prices have fallen by more than 70 percent since their recent high in August. Now, at just $100 per megawatt hour. Given Europe is the middle of an energy crisis, that may seem surprising. In some senses, it just shows how hard Europe has worked to bolster its gas supplies before winter, secured more LNG to make up for the shortfall from Russia, who it used to rely on for around 40 percent of its natural gas.

Demand is also lower than years passed right now due to milder temperatures. But there's no doubt that the E.U. has smashed its target for gas storage. It wanted facilities to be 80 percent full by November 1st, they're well 90 percent full now.

Unfortunately, this may be where the good news ends. This chart shows you how prices have a fallen, but in many ways, it also reflects Europe's limitations. Europe simply has more gas right now than it knows what to do with. Limited LNG terminals and infrastructure, and storage facilities, which means, it's actually struggling to accept more LNG right now.

And according to data firm, Dotexa (ph), as many as 35 LNG vessels are either floating or slowly sailing towards parts in northwestern Europe and Iberian Peninsula because there's simply nowhere for them to off- load in Europe. And while slower prices and high levels of shortage are a reason to celebrate right now, we're looking towards the start of next year, prices start to rise again. Anna Stewart, CNN, London.

COREN: Well, coming up on CNN Newsroom, Uganda's deadly Ebola outbreak has spread to a number of healthcare workers. The latest on the efforts to contain the virus, straight ahead.

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COREN: Welcome back to CNN Newsroom. I'm Anna Coren live from Hong Kong.

Officials in Uganda are urging calm as these cases over Ebola continue to rise. The health minister says there have been 109 cases of the rare but deadly disease, and at least 30 deaths since the Ebola outbreak began in late September. 15 healthcare workers are among those affected, six of whom have died. Ugandan authorities say they are ramping up efforts to contain the virus, setting up treatment centers across the region.

CNN's David McKenzie joins us now live from Johannesburg. And, David, how are authorities tracking the known cases and working to stop the spread of this virus?

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is a very critical time in Uganda. Uganda has faced Ebola scares and outbreaks before, Anna, but I think this is on a different kind of scale, because it's also from the Sudan strain of the virus, which is relatively rare and doesn't have a known vaccine.

[02:35:00]

So, at this stage, what they're doing, is very much the old school methods of stopping an outbreak, which is possible certainly in Ebola to is very difficult with COVID-19. But people are being quarantined if they are found to be contacts of confirmed cases. They are doing lockdowns or at least lockdowns of areas in terms of people coming in and out of them -- in the initial outbreak zones.

The numbers are quite high and their worry is of communities spread within the capital, Kampala, I think that's what everyone is watching. I mentioned vaccines, in about two weeks, they're hoping for three different experimental vaccines to come into the country. And they'll be doing ring vaccinations of about of about 3,000 people contacts of positive cases.

I think the next 10 days to two weeks will be critical to see if they can start at least to bend that curve of this infection in Uganda, or whether they're facing a very complex outbreak within the capital. Anna.

COREN: David, moving from Ebola to a potential break where you are. The U.S. embassy in South Africa warned of a possible terror attack this weekend. What more do we know?

MCKENZIE: These U.S. government warnings are relatively common. But what is unusual about this one is its specificity. Now, the U.S. embassy releasing a notice to its U.S. citizens and others, that they say there's a potential threat of a terror attack this weekend within the Sandton area, now, that is the large commercial district close to where I'm sitting here in Johannesburg.

They say in that notice that they could be planning to conduct an attack on large gatherings of people. Now, because of the specificity of that warning, it is certainly raising nerves here in South Africa. There has been a quick response for the South African office of the presidency, saying that they'll continue to monitor any threats to citizens, and they will be the first to know -- to let citizens know if there is an imminent threat. Anna.

COREN: David McKenzie joining us from Johannesburg, we appreciate the update. Thank you.

Round two of Brazil's presidential election happens this weekend. It's a close race but both candidates are desperately counting on votes from those who can't count on their next meal, that's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COREN: Brazil's presidential runoff is now just three days away. And it's still a tight and polarizing race between the former leftist president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and far-right incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro. But most polls show Lula just a slight -- with a slight lead. The runoff was needed after neither candidate received more than 50 percent in the first round of voting earlier this month.

Well, a key demographic, both candidates are trying to win over, is the millions of Brazilians living in poverty. CNN's Paula Newton explains why they could become king makers.

[02:40:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): Nova Vitoria Speranza (ph), this pandemic-era village on the outskirts of Soa Paulo is fertile ground for votes, but not food. The irony, not lost on anyone here. Food is the issue this mother of four will be voting on. Evanilda's (ph) partner works 16 hours a day, and still she tells us, there isn't much in her refrigerator.

I just don't want my kids to go hungry, she says.

She feels they may if President Jair Bolsonaro is reelected, even though he raised welfare payments ahead of the election.

In my view, she says, Bolsonaro didn't fulfill his promises and has only given us a subsidy to see if he can get more votes.

People here know better than to expect too much from either candidate. But from former President Lula da Silva, they expect something.

I intend to vote for Lula, she tells us, because Bolsonaro has been there for four years and in four years, he's not been able to do much.

NEWTON (on camera): From Brazil's impoverished suburbs, to the streets of its commercial capital, inflation is biting here. Access to food has become a central election issue and a convenient campaign promise as tens of millions continue to live in poverty.

NEWTON (voiceover): A Bolsonaro rally, supporters ridicule Lula.

CROWD: (Speaking in a foreign language).

NEWTON (voiceover): Calling him a thief who belongs in jail. Hardly a savior of the poor. Evanilda (ph) sees past corruption scandals differently.

Every single one that is in there steal something, she says. Even just a little, they are talking about Lula, and saying he sold, maybe he did. But at least he takes care of us. Takes care of the poor. Bolsonaro has spent billions on welfare subsidies in the lead up to this election. Trying to prove he can save Brazilians from hunger. Robson Mendonca has been feeding the hungry for decades. He says hundreds more have been lining up at his soup kitchen in recent months. And he's troubled that the desperate plight of so many is being exploited for votes.

ROBSON MENDONCA, SAO PAULO COMMUNITY LEADER (through translator): Bolsonaro was even capable of lying on national radios saying there is no hunger in Brazil. They don't see anyone asking for bread at the bakery. He doesn't know reality. There are millions asking for a plate of food, because they can't feed themselves.

NEWTON (voiceover): To win, both presidential candidates need to count on votes from those can't count on their next meal. A stark snapshot of what is at stake of Brazil's hungry. Paula Newton, CNN, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COREN: Well, thanks so much for your company and for watching CNN Newsroom. I'm Anna Coren. I'll be back in about 15 minutes for more of today's top stories. World Sport is next.

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[02:45:00]

COATES: And instead, the stats are, you know, of the -- white interim coaches who had -- they had promotions with a .361 winning record. As compared to the black coaches, over 500 or more. And so, you got this idea here building about the Rooney Rule, which is essentially you got to give somebody a chance and actually have --

CAMEROTA: Do diverse.

COATES: -- diverse hirings.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

COATES: And you've got the glass cliff. And it's why we have this panel here today because the glass cliff including a former NFLer who will be much more well-versed than all this -- than all of us here.

CAMEROTA: So, let's bring in Ana Navarro again. We also have former NFL player Donte Stallworth, who we love having here. And Scott Jennings is also back with us.

OK. Donte, the glass cliff that Laura was just referring to, is basically cleanup on aisle nine is needed. Let's get the black coach in here to do it. I mean, am I -- is that -- am I explaining it right?

DONTE STALLWORTH, FORMER NFL PLAYER: Yes, it seems that way. And when you look at the way that the NFL has had its hiring practices over the last couple of decades, they've tried -- at least I should say the lead officers try to make these amendments to the Rooney Rule that where you have to interview more black coaches, more minority coaches. But we've seen time and time again where when you are doing a pick up on aisle nine, you know, it is not the coaches that have had these teams, right? It's -- they're picking up from the other -- from their head coach's job.

And I think that when we kind of get lost into the weeds of how this happens where, you know, the coaches that are coming on interim coaching, they are not able to instill their philosophy. They're not able to, you know, bring in the players that they wanted through drafts and through free agency. So, they're essentially picking up someone else's mess and told here, hold this together for us while we figure out what we're going to do the future.

COATES: And they're set up for failure, right. I mean, the idea -- and that's the part of the frustration that so many have had. There's a class action suit, that as we know, involving two black coaches. One in Florida, you know, and Steve Wilks as well.

And you -- if you think about the -- how this is going -- I mean, the whole premise of the glass cliff is you never had a chance. We brought you in because everything was problematic and to give the illusory chance that you could fill the role, we will put you there. But primary coaches, forget about it. And this is league which is the pun (ph) of the issue, they've got, what, 70 percent of the players are black. 13 percent of the coaches, in all categories, black, overtime. This is -- is it a coincidence?

STALLWORTH: You know, what? You can't argue with the data right? I think there are well-meaning people that are making these decisions in the NFL at times where they don't necessarily know that this is what's happening. But when you look at the data, you can't refute that empirical evidence.

So, I think that is why the league office has really tried to push the owners. Ultimately, it's the owners' decision who they hire and fire. So, the NFL can, you know, put the Rooney Rule in, they can make all the amendments they want, but at the end of the day, it's the owners that have the hiring power in the NFL.

CAMEROTA: What's wrong, Scott? Why are you --

SCOTT JENNINGS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR AND FORMER SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT GEROGE W. BUSH: No, I have a question. In some of these difficult situations, is it possible that some of the interim coaches that are brought in, like, when you're brought in to handle a crisis or a huge mess and you do a terrific job. Is this -- is there a potential silver lining to be hired into one of those situations because you -- it turns out you're a masterful leader and you're able to handle a crisis and run a team at the same time? I don't know of any situations where that panned out for somebody. But it -- in your experience, has that ever been the possibility where someone got dropped into a mess and turned out to be a total genius?

STALLWORTH: It has happened. I can't speak to exactly which coaches, but it's happened a few times but it's very rare. And I -- and again, I think it's rare because you're -- whenever the coach is fired -- I mean, it's been total dysfunctional.

So, you just look at what happened with the Carolina Panthers. They traded away one of the best players their franchise has ever had. So, that signals to the rest of the team that we are playing for the future. We're not trying to win anymore, or we're not looking towards winning the Super Bowl this year. We are planning for the future. So, they've brought in Steve Wilks.

The only thing I can say about that is that sometimes when they do hire these interim coaches, the head coach has the option to have an assistant head coach, and sometimes that assistant, again, which is the head coach's decision, it's his decision to hire that assistant head coach to come in and sometimes it is. But sometimes the owner will step in and make the final decision of who they want the interim head coach to be.

CAMEROTA: That's an important question.

ANA NAVARRO, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Don't even look at me.

CAMEROTA: OK.

NAVARRO: This entire conversation has my palms sweating. I'm -- I have like Anderson Cooper level of sports knowledge and particularly -- but, I mean, I do -- you know, I did hear about the Brian Flores issue because it was talked about in my house. But that is all I know, that his name is Brian Flores.

COATES: Are you throwing Anderson under the bus? I'm enjoying this. You're throwing Anderson --

NAVARRO: Have you ever seen Anderson -- I mean, Anderson talks about this. He's -- he confesses it, so.

CAMEROTA: I thought that I held the record at CNN for knowing the least about sports, but maybe it is Anderson.

NAVARRO: No, it's me.

CAMEROTA: I'm going to find out.

NAVARRO: It's me.

CAMEROTA: Great.

COATES: Well, I will tell you is, I'm so glad, Donte, you brought this in this discussion as well and have contributed because we keep talking about coaches but it's also offensive coordinators, defensive coordinators.

STALLWORTH: Right.

COATES: It's not just the head coach, the 32-close universe of facts. And this is just such a relatable issue outside of the world of football, in corporate America, and other instances to women, people of color, in particular as well, on this glass cliff. [02:50:00]

So, if you didn't know about it, well, now you know. And we want to know what you think out there as well. Is the NFL using black coaches to clean up teams' messes? Have you heard about the glass cliff? Do you have your own experience as well? Tweet us @alisyncamerota and @thelauracoates, use the #CNNSoundOff.

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COATES: There's stunning new video out of Iran, thousands of protesters ignoring government road closures, and walking to the grave site of Mahsa Amini. They are marking 40 days since of the 22-year-old Iranian woman died after being detained by so-called Morality Police for allegedly failing to observe the country's strict dress code.

[02:55:00]

Her death sparked a wave of protests throughout the country. And today, the U.S. announced new sanctions against Iranian officials for their brutal crackdown on these protesters.

CAMEROTA: I'm just watching the video there because it has been astounding 40 days and the outrage has not died down.

COATES: No.

CAMEROTA: The protests have not died down. And today, apparently, the security forces told her family not to mark the 40-day, you know, commemorative of her death by marching --

COATES: Which is an important moment for Iranian and Islamic faith, the idea of thinking about the 40-day that means it's been very significant as to why this.

CAMEROTA: And they wouldn't let her family march with them. They threatened her brother with arrest. So, it is -- the attention is not getting better. And obviously, people are not going back to their homes as the security forces are threatening them.

COATES: You know, the laws there, they don't have a ban for the government to be able to shut down engagement and ceremonies, even under a pretextual reason of safety and security concern. So, the idea of what is really happening, did the family plan not to celebrate? It's a lie. And we're still thinking of her and the protests and Iran.

CAMEROTA: Yes, we'll keep staying on this story, of course.

All right. Back here, if all politics are local, does that mean the extremism is now local also? We're going to look at the local threats to disrupt elections. And we have some incredible examples to show you.

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