Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
President Biden Hosts State Dinner for President Macron; There is Backlash Over China's COVID Policies; CNN Reports More Surprises at the World Cup; Ukraine Fights for Bakhmut; Anti-Government Protester Killed After Iran-U.S. World Cup Match; Concerns Over Air Quality As Muana Loa, Kilauea Erupt; UK Royals' U.S. Trip Overshadowed By Racism Row. Aired 2-2:45a ET
Aired December 02, 2022 - 02:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[02:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to all of you watching us around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. Ahead on "CNN Newsroom" --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: Honoring a historic partnership. U.S. President Joe Biden hosts French President Emmanuel Macron in his first state dinner as they toast their common values.
Plus, new backlash over China's zero-COVID policy as Chinese residents tear down barriers meant to keep them in lockdown.
And another day of surprises at the World Cup as Belgium and Germany go home early. We have that, plus what's on top for today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNKNOWN (voice-over): Live from CNN Center, this is "CNN Newsroom" with Kim Brunhuber.
BRUNHUBER: French President Emmanuel Macron heads to New Orleans on Friday and then back to Paris, wrapping up his first visit to the U.S. since President Joe Biden took office.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: On Thursday, Macron and his wife became the first foreign visitors to be honored at the Biden White House with a lavish state dinner. A-list celebrities and some of Washington's biggest influencers were among the hundreds of guests. In delivering their toasts, the two leaders celebrated the long alliance between the U.S. and France dating back to America's war for independence.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Today, we are still united by the greatest of causes, democracy, liberty, equality, opportunity and freedom. We stand together against oppression and injustice. We stick up for one another in our democratic values.
EMMANUEL MACRON, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE: We come from the same values. (INAUDIBLE) Constitution of the United States. We, the people. We, the people.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: That before the champagne and entertainment. The two leaders spent several intense hours together in the Oval Office hashing out their views on critical global issues, and dominating their discussions was Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
CNN's Phil Mattingly has those details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN U.S. CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On a day carefully calibrated to elevate a critical alliance --
BIDEN: Mr. Putin is -- I will choose my words very carefully --
MATTINGLY (voice-over): President Biden signaling a willingness to open a line of communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
BIDEN: I'm prepared to speak with Mr. Putin if, in fact, there is an interest in him deciding he is looking for a way to end the war.
MATTINGLY: With clear preconditions.
BIDEN: He hasn't done that yet. If that's the case, in consultation with my French and our NATO friends, I will be happy to sit down with Putin to see what he wants and has in mind. He has not done that yet.
(EXPLOSION)
MATTINGLY: The brutal war in Ukraine now in its ninth month at the center of a three-hour sit down with French President Emmanuel Macron, after which Macron was explicit in his commitment not to circumvent Ukraine in any peace talks.
MACRON: We will never urge the Ukrainians to make a compromise which would not be acceptable for them.
MATTINGLY (voice-over): Biden's first state visit underscored the value and durability White House officials see in the relationship with America's longest-running ally, with two leaders going to great lengths to demonstrate their unity and iron out clear-cut differences.
BIDEN: And I make no apologies --
MATTINGLY (voice-over): Biden moving to clearly address French concerns with sweeping subsidies included in his cornerstone economic and climate legislation. BIDEN: But there are cases when you write a massive piece of legislation and that has almost $368 billion for the largest investment in climate change on all -- of all of history. And so, there is obviously going to be glitches in it.
MATTINGLY (voice-over): And providing assurances that issue would be addressed.
BIDEN: I am confident.
(LAUGHTER)
BIDEN: That is my answer.
(LAUGHTER)
MATTINGLY (voice-over): For Macron, a day and a dinner underscoring a White House view of a relationship that has only grown in its importance in Biden's first two years, one driven, officials say, by a genuine personal connection.
BIDEN: I began to refer to him privately as my "closer."
MATTINGLY (voice-over): A connection that has become critical in a moment when geopolitical threats have rattled alliances worldwide.
[02:05:00]
BIDEN: France is one of our strongest partners. And historically -- but one of our strongest partners and our most capable allies. And Emmanuel has also become a friend, in addition to being president of that great country.
MATTINGLY (on camera): While there's no question the three-hour sit down between the two presidents and their top advisers was packed with substance, extraordinarily consequential, given everything that's going on in the world. The real capstone (ph) of any state visit, certainly this state visit, is the glitz and glamour of the dinner.
President Biden holding that first state visit, the first state dinner, rolling out a quite literal red carpet for French President Macron and his wife Brigitte, welcoming a couple hundred guests to the south lawn in heated tents, really underscoring a relationship that has developed and only gotten stronger over the course of the last two years and something that has been on display for the entirety of President Macron's time at the White House over the course of the day.
One thing White House officials made clear, they are very happy in the wake of COVID, the pandemic, all the issues they dealt with in the first two years, to finally be able to entertain and, of course, no bigger way to entertain than a state visit.
Phil Mattingly, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE) BRUNHUBER: Now to China where a state-run Xinhua news agency reports at least six cities, including Beijing, are making changes to their COVID containment policies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: It follows days of protests and clashes with police across the country. People have been fed up for months now with strict lockdowns and daily testing. CNN has verified 28 COVID-related protests across 19 cities. Most have been put down by authorities.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this week that China's harsh crackdown is not a sign of strength. It's a sign of weakness. And now China's foreign ministry is responding. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZHAO LIJAN, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON (through translator): The U.S. has a lot of domestic problems. It has adopted a policy of (INAUDIBLE) regarding COVID-19. The U.S. leads the world in both COVID-19 infections and deaths. The U.S. is in no position to criticize China's epidemic prevention and control efforts. Vax (ph) have proved that China's epidemic prevention and control is scientifically correct and effective.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: The latest video from social media shows residents in cities across China tearing down those big metal barricades used by police to enforce COVID lockdowns.
CNN's Selina Wang spoke with one protester and asked him what he hope to accomplish. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNKNOWN: Silence will not protect you.
SELINA WANG, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This person, one of thousands across China willing to put their lives on the line to speak out. Years of pent-up anger over China's draconian COVID lockdowns boiling over into protests.
UNKNOWN: I feel like I lost control of my life because of this COVID policy. Nobody is telling when this is going to end. We are limited physically. And now, we are limited mentally. We are forbidden to express our ideas.
WANG (voice-over): For some, that cathartic emotional release spilled into cause for political changes. Some even chanted for Xi Jinping to step down.
UNKNOWN: He is the one who is responsible for this whole policy thing. But, for me, first thing first, I want to the zero-COVID policy gone. And if we have more freedom of speech and freedom of price, of course, that would be great. WANG (voice-over): What do you think you guys achieved by participating in that protest?
UNKNOWN: If you don't demonstrate, if you don't show them your voice, your idea, they will never know.
WANG (voice-over): This is what happened next. Chinese security apparatus swiftly smothered the protests. CNN is shielding the protester's identity because of fears of retribution, even conducting the interview in a car to avoid tracking from authorities.
Police are calling and visiting the homes of some protesters, and in Shanghai, randomly stopping people to check their phones on streets and what appears to be in subways. Protesters say they are looking for VPNs needed to use banned apps like Twitter or Telegram, which some protesters use to communicate.
Another protester told CNN, I'm afraid we cannot hold protests like this again in the future. There are always undercover agents in our Telegram group. Every few meters on the street, there are police and police dogs. The whole atmosphere is chilling.
(On camera): We are at the center of a protest in Beijing right now. They are chanting that they don't want COVID tests, they want freedom.
(Voice-over): Less than 24 hours after this, we drove back to that spot, police cars as far as the eye could see. Then, a few days later --
(On camera): It is pretty much back to normal, like nothing ever happened, and that is precisely the goal of a communist party.
[02:09:58]
(Voice-over): In Guangzhou, residents destroyed COVID testing booths. Police in riot gear immediately swarmed in, they marched through a market, shouting at people to leave, firing tear gear to disperse protesters, pushing through with shields and making arrests. Authorities have gone into overdrive to censor all evidence of unrest online.
UNKNOWN: The white piece of paper actually represents the censorship and all the deleted contents, and cannot arrest us for just holding a white paper. I still have that white paper I protested. I put it in my diary as souvenir to show my future generation that you should always fight for your rights and never let your voice be silenced.
WANG (on camera): How does it make you feel, though, that the government even censored pictures of people holding white paper?
UNKNOWN: By doing this, they're just going to make them proud (ph), even angrier. Instead of trying to silence us, they should really (INAUDIBLE) and try to think why this happened.
WANG (voice-over): Authorities are silencing them, but it seems they aren't listening. Right after the riots in Guangzhou, the city started lifting some lockdowns, removing COVID roadblocks.
UNKNOWN (voice-over): (SPEAKING IN CHINESE).
WANG (voice-over): Unsealed. We are unsealed. A man screams with excitement as he bikes through streets being opened up. But so many others are still counting down their days in lockdowns and quarantine, wondering when zero-COVID would really end.
Selina Wang, CNN, Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BRUNHUBER: All right, let's bring in CNN's Beijing bureau chief Steven Jiang. So, Steven, have those protests prompted the authorities to make any changes in their COVID policy?
STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Yeah, Kim, you know, the authorities have actually never acknowledged that protests even took place. There has been some coded language in state media about recent events that were instigated by hostile forces. So, they would really never admit that the protests prompted changes or adjustments in their COVID enforcement in recent days. That would obviously shake the very foundation of the infallibility of the party and its top leader.
So, I think what is likely to happen here is a so-called two-pronged approach in terms of their reaction to the protest. On one hand, they're intensifying, they're continuing their clamp down on open dissent. As you heard in Selina's piece, she mentioned how police are now checking people on the streets and even on subway cars in terms of their phones and its contents.
We have also talked to some other protesters, say they were visited or called on by police who geolocated their phones at protest sites. So, on the other hand, though, you know, you have seen these measures, you mentioned some of them, including the tweaking of policies of different locations, lifting of lockdowns, and the removal or at least reducing testing requirements for a lot of people in the population, not to mention some cities, including here in Beijing.
For the first time, positive cases are being allowed to quarantine at home instead of being sent to those mass facilities often in horrific conditions. So, there is some noticeable change on the ground. But the problem here is a lack of consistency or lack of clarity. Nobody knows how long they are going to last if the surge of cases continues, which is very much expected.
So, the underlying challenges facing the government very much remain in terms of the low vaccination rate among the elderly as well as the lack of preparation, medical preparation, to deal with a potential surge of severe cases.
But one change we did notice that we really hadn't seen before, Kim, is for the first time in a long time, state media start to print and publish articles about how much milder and weaker the Omicron variant is, so it is causing so much less deaths and severe cases. So, really setting the stage for an eventual end of zero-COVID. Kim?
BRUNHUBER: Interesting. Appreciate the update. Thank you so much, Steven Jiang, live in Beijing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: Those are Japanese fans overjoyed, as you can see, as they celebrate a second major upset in the World Cup. That was after the Blue Samurai's surprise win over former champion, Spain.
And elsewhere, devastation after Belgium ranks number two. They kissed their World Cup campaign goodbye.
CNN's Patrick Snell has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATRICK SNELL, CNN SPORT ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: I'm Patrick Snell. We do start with an absolutely frenetic World Cup Group A, Thursday's two remaining (INAUDIBLE) producing unparalleled drama and excitement every step of the way.
Fourth-time world champion Germany, out of the tournament in the group stages. Again, the Germans knew that they have to win, but despite taking the lead, (INAUDIBLE) finding themselves 2-1 down when their opponent, Costa Rita, scored on 17 minutes, ultimately awarded as a (INAUDIBLE).
[02:15:03]
SNELL: Germany did hit back to go on to win the match, 4-2 (INAUDIBLE) couple of the nights. So, the Germans doing their parts, but ultimately, it was not enough given the amazing outcome of what went down in the group's other match. More soul-searching now to be done for Germany's national football team (INAUDIBLE) defending champs in Russia 2018 as well in the group stages.
Now, Japan, who shocked Germany earlier in the tournament, looking to do the same (INAUDIBLE) Spain (INAUDIBLE) putting the Spanish ahead. But Japan will level early in the second half (INAUDIBLE) finding the back of the net in spectacular style with a really stunning strike.
And then just over two minutes later, they get their second in a hugely controversial fashion as (INAUDIBLE) sliding the ball home despite the ball appearing to fully cross the line when it was played again. Initially, from the left, it got checked, and the goal is indeed allowed to stand after a lengthy check. Japan with a really impressive come from behind victory by two goals to one. The Samurai Blue celebrating a momentous win tonight, just reached the last 16, but as group winners, too.
Group B with a sensational outcome there, and what a proud moment indeed for Japanese footballers. The 2002 co-host advanced as they did four years ago in Russia. Japan win the group. Spain advancing as well in second but on goal difference ahead of Germany, who are eliminated in the group stages for a second straight World Cup. Now, to Morocco's drive, they are celebrating their own special piece of history. The Moroccans move to the last 16 for the first time in 36 years after beating already eliminated Canada. (INAUDIBLE) with a stylish finish for the opener. And just past the 20-minute mark, it's (INAUDIBLE) making no mistake to double his country's lead, 2-1 Morocco, the final. What an achievement for Moroccan football.
That is heaping the pressure on second rank Belgium, who knew they had to win to reach the next phase, and this would be massively disappointing for the 2018 semifinalists and their highly multi- generation of stars against Croatia, who are finalists four years in Russia. Remember, (INAUDIBLE) hitting the woodwork from close range there.
(INAUDIBLE) recently back from injury, very late, on to a great chance to win it, but the ball coming off his chest, and then away from goal. (INAUDIBLE) to come by a whole range of emotions at the full-time whistle.
Belgium who are ranked the top side in the world earlier this year, they are out once again as a jam-packed squad full of talents and stars falling short. Well after, tearful Belgium head coach is announcing that was his last night as manager of (INAUDIBLE). A terrific achievement, as I said, for Morocco who reached the last 16 for the second time, and then now becoming the first North African nation to advance as group winners.
So, four more matches on tap for Friday, including a real grudge rematch from 2010 between Ghana and Uruguay. With that, it is right back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BRUNHUBER: All right. also, in Group H, we will see Portugal taking on South Korea. In Group G, Serbia will face Switzerland. And Cameroon are up against Brazil.
Russia is apparently taking heavy casualties fighting for the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. How it is leading many to question why Moscow seems determined to capture it no matter the cost, coming up. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:20:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRUNHUBER: Russia seems to be paying a heavy price for small gains in Eastern Ukraine. Russian troops have apparently gained some ground near the city of Bakhmut where Ukraine is evacuating some civilians. A recent social media video suggests Russians are also taking major losses. One video shows dead Russian troops littering the countryside in the area. Some independent military analysts say Russian gains are relatively small compared to the price they are paying. And down south, Ukraine says that Russian troops have pulled out of at least three settlements near Zaporizhzhia. Some pro-Russian civilian governments are reportedly preparing to follow suit. That is happening after Ukrainian strikes on Russian supply lines and ammunition warehouses in the region.
For more, Salma Abdelazis joins us from London. So, Salma, let's start with the latest on that battle near Bakhmut. What more can you tell us?
SALMA ABDELAZIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. This has been a flash point, really, Kim, for about six months now. We actually had a CNN crew that was in Bakhmut recently, and they experienced and witnessed firsthand the near constant artillery that families still there have to survive through every single day.
But there are indications that Russian forces are making small advances, small gains in the area of Bakhmut, but to great cost. They are spending a great deal of resources, great loss of life to try to make these very tiny gains on small settlements in Bakhmut. Ukrainian forces, of course, also trying to counter them there.
But again, it is an indication from experts who have been looking at this battlefield that Russia has learned very little from its losses on the Ukrainian battlefield. Some experts saying that Russia simply spending too much energy on Bakhmut, which has very little strategic value.
I also want to just take you further south to the Zaporizhzhia region as well, Kim. That is a very important flashpoint as well, home to Europe's largest nuclear power plant that is currently Russian- occupied. There, as well, Ukrainian forces appear to be pushing back Russian troops. Ukrainian officials saying Russian forces are withdrawing from some areas in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Ukrainian troops are pushing the same methods that we have seen in the past, trying to cut off supply lines to Moscow's forces, cutting off bridges as well, hitting Russian positions behind the frontlines, and it does appear to be working.
Also, there is monitoring of the battlefield. We will tell you, Kim, that that very much is likely to be Ukraine's next focus, the southern region towards, if you will, that eastern bank, that major gain of the Kherson capital -- the provincial capital of Kherson, which happened just a few weeks ago.
So, Ukrainian forces are really preparing to move towards that eastern bank, it appears, and fortifying their positions all along that southern region in anticipation of that. But you do have to remember, this is the winter period, Kim. That is often when fighting slows down. So, do not expect things to change too quickly.
BRUNHUBER: All right, appreciate the update. Salma Abdelazis live for us in London.
Millions of Ukrainians are headed into the first winter of the war without a permanent place to live. According to latest figures from the United Nations, well over seven million Ukrainians have been forced to flee to other European countries, while more than six and a half million others are eternally displaced within Ukraine. That means about one out of three Ukrainians has been driven away from their homes. United Nations Refugee Agency calls it one of the largest human displacement crises in the world today.
But, as the winter approaches, there are signs that support for Ukrainian refugees maybe cooling in Europe. For more on that, we are joined by Charles Lawley, the senior advisor for advocacy at World Vision International. Thank you so much for being here with us. So, support for Ukraine and for Ukrainian refugees, generally speaking, is still fairly high, but that seems to be changing. Why is that?
CHARLES LAWLEY, SENIOR ADVISOR FOR ADVOCACY, WORLD VISION INTERNATIONAL: Yeah, thank you for having me. So, obviously, we are responding to refugee crisis for over 70 years. What we have been predicting -- the start of the conflict is that the refugee response in Ukraine is going to follow similar patterns to places -- to the refugee responses in Syria, Bangladesh, Venezuela.
[02:25:11]
LAWLEY: And it is largely doing that. The initial response -- displacement --
BRUNHUBER: All right, we seem to be having some trouble with his audio there. I apologize for that. That was Charles Lawley.
The children's choir from Kyiv is in New York this week to celebrate the music of their country, including one of the most famous Christmas songs of all time. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CHOIR SINGING)
BRUNHUBER: The choir is singing "Carol of the Bells" there for passersby at New York's Grand Central station. Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych wrote the song in 1914, basing it on traditional Ukrainian folk music. "Carol of the Bells" had its North American premier at New York's Carnegie Hall more than 100 years ago. On Sunday, the choir is set to perform the song on the world-famous stage.
Anti-government protesters cheered when Iran crashed out of the World Cup and rights groups say that those very public celebrations cost this man his life. Please stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRUNHUBER: As winter approaches, there are signs that the support for Ukrainian refugees may be cooling in Europe. We are going to bring back Charles Lawley, the senior advisor for advocacy at World Vision International. Hopefully our audio problems have been solved. Thank you so much for sticking with us there. You were explaining that when we have these large migrations, there tends to be a familiar pattern, that there is a lot of support initially and then kind of wanes, and we seem to be seeing that now with refugees from Ukraine. Is that right?
LAWLEY: Absolutely. When there is competition over economic resources, homes, places in schools, health care, and where the entire globe with the cost of living crisis, it is going to have further economic pressures to host communities to refugees which then further exacerbates the tensions towards Ukrainian refugees.
[02:29:55]
So, what we have seen, as we saw warn at the start of it, this crisis is that without intervention from the international community, local governments, and local authorities, then you are going to see tensions develop between host communities and Ukrainian refugees without sufficient economic support.
KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: Is that sort of loss of support widespread, or is it kind of concentrated in certain countries?
LAWLEY: So, it varies. One of the countries where we have seen one of the rises of tensions is Moldova, for example, or Romania, whereby in European terms, there's relatively less economic prosperity. But as they are neighboring countries to Ukraine have seen many refugees either settle or pass through their borders. And you are seeing, you know, anti-refugee sentiment spread on social media. You are even seeing small-scale protests in places like Moldova currently, as well. And it's -- but I mean, further, afield that you are -- you are seeing it in other places. I believe Time Magazine has an article which featured a report which demonstrated tensions towards it refugees in places like the Republic of Ireland.
BRUNHUBER: And they don't have a huge number of refugees, but I guess it just depends on sort of the housing crisis that different countries are experiencing domestically. And it's not just the loss of popular support, how is this manifesting itself in actual policy errors? Are some countries starting to scale back their refugee services and forcing, you know, Ukrainians to pay for things like housing?
LAWLEY: You know, I think one of the examples we have response to the Ukrainian refugee situation has been good -- has been a policy with the EU mandated -- protective -- directorates. You do see refugees who can come into countries and can work straight away, which is a very positive sign and means that refugees are, you know, up -- bring a huge economic benefit with them. So, that is something we definitely like to see continued and replicated over refugee situations.
You know, when you have places like Syria, refugees in Lebanon, for example, you know, we're better ability for them to be able to work and contribute to the economy. You would say, that would be one factor, which would contribute to reducing tensions there, for example.
BRUNHUBER: But in terms of the Ukrainian refugees, I mean, you explain sort of how there are these social media campaigns and so on. Explain how this is being -- the refugee presence is being politicized. And whether that translates into a sort of hardening of hearts against Ukraine, against the cause itself, sort of pushing more -- putting more political pressure on European governments to then put more pressure on Ukraine to negotiate.
LAWLEY: Sadly -- I mean, refugees are very easy targets for politicization, especially during the economic times we're now you know, and such disinformation on social media helps add fuel to a fire. We've seen it in countries which are taking a significant number of Ukraine refugees. But you know we got -- we've seen it in the (AUDIO GAP) refugees, we've seen it in Lebanon, we've seen that (AUDIO GAP). Very, very common, and I think national community -- national governments have a -- (AUDIO GAP).
BRUNHUBER: All right, I think we're going to have to leave it there just because we're having audio problems again, but really appreciate your insight, Sir Charles Lawley. Thank you so much for joining us.
Well, earlier this week, anti-government protesters in Iran were out celebrating the defeat of their football team in the World Cup and hoping it will be a metaphor for the eventual defeat of the Iranian regime. But during those demonstrations, a young man was killed. Mehran Samak was reportedly honking his horn celebrating -- in celebration when he was shot in the head. Human rights groups say security forces are responsible, but authorities deny any wrongdoing and announced the arrest of several suspects according to Iran's state-aligned media.
All right, let's bring in CNN's Nada Bashir. So, Nada, what more are we learning about the young man who was supposedly shot to death by authorities?
NADA BASHIR, CNN REPORTER: Look, this is another tragic loss of life reportedly at the hands of the Iranian security forces. As you laid out there, Mehran Samak had been taking part in what we saw in those remarkable videos of many taking to the streets celebrating the Iran national team's loss at the World Cup against the United States. Of course, all in the sentiment of the ongoing protest movement against the regime.
[02:35:05]
Now according to Iran HR, a Norway-based human rights organization, Mehran Samak died after being shot by the security forces. His body was found, of course, and recovered amid those celebrations on the streets of Iran. But the Iranian authorities have from the outset, denied any such responsibility. According to the state line, Tasnim News agency, Mehran Samak was -- in fact, his body was found. They've denied any responsibility by the security forces, but rather say that they have identified several suspects and arrested several suspects as part of an investigation into his death.
Now, of course, this stands contrary to the reports we are hearing from the Iranian human rights organization, Iran HR. And this would not be, of course, the first time that the Iranian authorities have denied responsibility for the killing of Iranian protesters.
According to Iran HR earlier, we heard -- they had actually held Mehran Samak's body. We're not -- wanting to return it to his family members. We even saw a video emerging showing people standing outside the forensic medical organization building demanding that Mehran Samak's body be returned.
But we've also say -- seen a video now emerging from the pro-reform news outlet, Iran Wire, showing people gathered at what appears to be Mehran Samak's funeral, many chanting death to the dictator. This is, of course, another protester who has died at the hands, according to human rights organizations, of the security forces of the Iranian regime, another symbol of this ongoing protest movement. And, of course, that death toll is rising every single day. Iran HR has pegged that death toll at more than 400. Although it is difficult for CNN to independently verify those death toll figures, Kim.
BRUNHUBER: All right, thanks so much, Nada Bashir, in London.
Coming up. Why twin volcanic eruptions in Hawaii are raising concerns for children and the elderly? We'll explain on the other side of the break. Please stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: Oh, amazing pictures there. Hawaii's Mauna Loa volcano is, well, it's putting on quite a show this week with its first eruption since 1984. But these eruptions and another on Hawaii's Mount Kilauea are raising concerns over air quality, especially for children and the elderly, and people with respiratory problems. So, for more, I'm joined by CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam. Derek, those pictures of the flowing lava are extraordinary. And the lava poses a threat but so too, does the air. So, explain to us why volcanic ash is so dangerous for people.
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, Kim, well, it all has to do with the composition of volcanic ash. Think about it. It's actually pulverized rock and glass from the initial eruption, which by the way, occurred about five days ago.
[02:40:04]
That spews into the atmosphere and then disperses across the island or any of the landmasses that surround this particular volcano. It's generally about two millimeters in diameter or smaller, so we can inhale it. Obviously, that's an irritant for lungs, makes it more vulnerable for the elderly and the extremely young, but it also can be an eye irritant, as well. So, a couple of different concerns there.
Now, fortunately, with this eruption, the concerns here are more or less just more -- a matter of inconvenience, really. And I'm going to explain why in just one moment, but just get again, these images coming out of the Big Island. Now, this is Mauna Loa. It encompasses that about 50 percent or slightly more than the entire island of Hawaii.
But really, what's happening here is astounding because the fissures in the volcano are allowing for that lava to slowly spew and in general, North to the northeasterly direction and that is going to threaten a major thoroughfare that allows people to travel from east to west across the Big Island. In fact, it's only about 3.2 miles away from intersecting that roadway. So, authorities are warning people who live on the island that they may have to close this particular roadway. And, of course, that will cut off or make it significantly more challenging for people to get to those destinations on the opposite side of the island. They'll have to go completely south or completely north.
But don't worry. It's not going to happen anytime soon because this lava is literally moving at 40 meters per hour. I mean, it feels like a snail's pace. Not quite literally. But what's happening there is extremely slow. They think maybe a week's time when that lava will reach the highway, Kim.
BRUNHUBER: All right, we'll keep following that story. Thanks so much, Derek Van Dam. Appreciate it.
Britain's Prince and Princess of Wales are in Boston, Massachusetts just hours away from presenting the second annual Earthshot Environmental Award. Prince William and Catherine spent Thursday visiting environmental startups as well as at-risk youth groups. Also today, the royal couple will meet U.S. President Joe Biden.
But their first overseas trip since the death of Queen Elizabeth II has been overshadowed by allegations of racism at Buckingham Palace. A member of the inner circle, Lady Susan Hussey has resigned from her honorary role at the palace after being accused of interrogating a black British charity founder about her heritage.
And we're also getting our first look at what may be a very revealing documentary about the British Royal Family. Netflix debuted the first teaser for Harry and Meghan, a six-part look at the story of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their decision to step back from formal roles inside the monarchy. Have a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE HARRY, DUKE OF SUSSEX (voiceover): No one sees what's happening behind closed doors. I have to do everything I could to protect my family.
MEGHAN MARKLE, DUCHESS OF SUSSEX: When the stakes are this high, doesn't it make more sense to hear our story from us?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: But Netflix hasn't announced when the documentary will air, only saying it is coming soon. And speaking of coming soon, "WORLD SPORT" is coming up after the break. And I'll be back in about 15 minutes with more CNN NEWSROOM. Please do stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:45:27]
(WORLD SPORT)
