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Trump Campaigns In Key State Of Pennsylvania; WHO's Margaret Harris: At Every Level, Look At What You Can Do To Slow Infections; CNN Speaks To WHO About Dire State Of COVID-19 Crisis; Two Weeks Of Protests Over Police Brutality; Sanwo-Olu: SARS Unit Ill-Treated, Not Fully Equipped; Kal Penn: Majority Of Americans Are Progressive On Policy. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired October 26, 2020 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Three million people are waking up to what is called a fire break. Melbourne, the city that was the epicenter of Australia's
coronavirus outbreak will move out of lockdown this week after recording no new cases for the first time since June.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's people dying at the end of day, you know. We've just got to stay in and just respect that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here in France another record-setting Sunday more than 52,000 new cases.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Italian hospitals aren't able to deal with the number of patients in intensive care. However, that could change.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Officials in China's western region of Xinjiang say they are in the process of testing 4.7 million people for COVID this after a
single asymptomatic case was reported.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're not going to control the pandemic.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: You heard that right at the end there, the White House putting it bluntly saying it cannot control the
Coronavirus. That is the state of America at this hour as we're just eight days out from one of its most consequential elections ever, and we make no
mistake this is a pandemic election which makes that claim from the White House Chief of Staff that they can't control the virus all the more
stunning.
The United States falling into what seems to be yet more Coronavirus calamity last hour I took you around the world looking how various
countries are learning lessons about how to handle this?
But in America not so much, the average number of daily cases there now at its highest point since the pandemic began. That doesn't seem to be
bothering the president himself. He's hitting a very busy campaign trail this hour kicking off a rally in Pennsylvania in the next few minutes.
And take a closer look; there is not a lot of social distancing going on there. Some masks scattered amongst the crowd but far from everyone. We'll
keep a close eye on that event for you. For now CNN's Diane Gallagher has all the latest stateside for you.
DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A new Coronavirus outbreak inside the White House, this time spreading among Vice President Mike Pence's inner
circle. Among those testing positive the vice president's chief of staff Marc Short. Still, the vice president headlined a rally in North Carolina
avoiding any discussion of the cluster.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE PENCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: We're going to keep opening up America again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GALLAGHER: According to the White House Pence tested negative Sunday and the VP who leads the White House Coronavirus Task Force is scheduled to
continue campaigning despite the exposure his office calling him an essential worker.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK MEADOWS, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: I can tell you that what he's doing is wearing a mask, social distancing and when he goes up to speak he
will take the mask off, put it back on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GALLAGHER: Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris calling out Pence for staying on the trail after she paused travels herself earlier
when two campaign staffers tested positive for COVID-19.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA), VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: He should be following the guidelines. We're doing it. I think we have modeled the right
and good behavior and they should take our lead.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GALLAGHER: The new White House cluster comes as reported Coronavirus cases in the U.S. reach record levels. The president's chief of staff admitting
the White House is moving on from efforts to control the virus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEADOWS: Here's what we have to do. We're not going to control the pandemic. We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines,
therapeutics and other mitigation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why aren't we going to control the pandemic?
MEADOWS: Because it's a contagious virus, just like the flu.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GALLAGHER: Former Vice President Joe Biden saying this is evidence that the Trump Administration has given up on controlling the pandemic writing in a
statement this wasn't a slip by meadows. It was a candid acknowledgement of what President Trump's strategy has clearly been from the beginning of this
crisis, to wave the white flag of defeat and hope that by ignoring it the virus would simply go away.
It hasn't, and it won't, the president spending Sunday in New England, mingling with supporters without wearing a mask and brushing off a
reporter's question about Pence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did the vice president come off the campaign trail?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GALLAGHER: As Trump downplays the pandemic and holds rallies without social distancing, Biden says the Coronavirus is the most important domestic
issue.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Right now the biggest domestic issue is our health. Right now COVID, COVID the way he's handling COVID is just
absolutely totally irresponsible. He's telling people that we've turned the bend in one of his recent rallies. Well, as my grand pop would say he's
gone around the bend.
[11:05:00]
BIDEN: We're in real trouble.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right. Well, the White House disregarding responsibility for the extremely concerning Coronavirus numbers in the U.S., and these are the
numbers. Let's compare those with Europe where cases are also trending in the wrong direction, but unlike in America leaders are taking action or at
least moving towards it to varying degrees. Our team of international reporters has the very latest for you on that.
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Melissa Bell in Paris. Here in France another record set on Sunday. More than 52,000 new cases announced a
positivity rate nationwide of 17 percent and fears that this week could see such strain on local health systems here in the Greater Paris region that
more restrictions could be necessary.
Across the border in Spain where there have been more than a million cases already, fresh restrictions announced by the prime minister there, a state
of emergency that will last until May and that involves things like curfews and travel restrictions between the regions.
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Nina Dos Santos in Wales where as of this Monday morning 3 million people across this part of the UK with its
own government and own rules on things like lockdown are waking up to what is called a fire break, a short sharp lockdown for two weeks to come where
people have to stay home and can only go out to do essential things like buy food and medicine to try and control the spread of the virus.
Will it work? It will take many more weeks than just these two weeks to know whether that was the case.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Ben Wedeman in Milan in Northern Italy where the health secretary is bracing for what
could be new Coronavirus cases. This is the part of the country that was hit the hardest by the first wave of the pandemic earlier this year.
The fear now is that with the second wave upon us, the worst is yet to come. We went to an intensive care unit in one hospital where every member
of the staff we spoke with said they are very worried about what to expect in the coming months.
ANDERSON: Let me start again. Let's discuss the problems in Europe and the apparent surrender to the virus by the United States. So the Spokeswoman
for the World Health Organization Margaret Harris who has been, I hate to say this, a regular guest on this show.
It's good to have you. I wish we haven't had to speak to you as often as we have in the last nine months, but it is very good to have you, and I'm
really honored that you've made yourself available once again in what is such an important time. Margaret, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows
has said that the U.S. will not be able to control this virus until it gets a vaccine, your response?
MARGARET HARRIS, SPOKESPERSON, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: Hello, Becky, and despite the reason it's always a pleasure to be with you and your viewers
as well.
ANDERSON: Thank you.
HARRIS: Our response to every country and it is a very frightening time, but our response to every country is it's never too late. We have seen even
with countries that had enormous outbreaks, had intensive care units overflowing, things looking dreadful.
They were able to turn it around when they kept at the things that work and that's the testing, the tracking, the tracing, bringing the community
together to understand what they need to do to genuinely self-isolate when they have been a contact, to genuinely avoid close contact, avoid crowds,
avoid the - and wear the mask.
ANDERSON: I know you guys at the W.H.O. don't do politics, hate getting involved in politics, but let's be quite frank. This pandemic has been
politicized not least in the United States where we are eight day disease away from an election.
Mark Meadows' comments sounded like surrender. Do you - are you prepared to concede tonight here that - that you genuinely don't believe that the U.S.
has done enough?
HARRIS: You're right. We never play politics, but you're also right that politics often come into terrifying things, things that terrify humanity,
but what we are saying to everyone, every country, and it is a frightening time. We are seeing the numbers going up.
We saw almost 3 million new cases last week. We're setting the kind of records that the world doesn't want to be setting, and we're losing far too
many people. Not to say our health care workers who have put in such an effort year-round are now being asked to do more when they are already
exhausted.
[11:10:00]
HARRIS: So it is a frightening time, but that's why we say don't give up. Put the pressure on this virus for the people who are doing the best to
save our lives.
ANDERSON: So you are specifically saying don't give up which - which suggests that the U.S. should also keep at it, right? I mean, that's the
bottom line here.
HARRIS: Every country, every community at every level, so it's not just about a country, it's about where you are in your community. Look at what
you can do.
ANDERSON: Yes.
HARRIS: Now the advice is clear and it sounds simple, but it's a lot harder to do. So if you've been in contact with somebody you know that has
Coronavirus, even if it doesn't seem that anybody cares, self-isolate. Take those 14 days, take yourself out of society, and take it seriously because
everybody who does that is saving other lives, maybe their own.
ANDERSON: That is not what the vice president is doing this week. He is out and about despite the fact that five of his staff has tested positive.
Look, let's talk vaccines. There's a whole bunch of things I want to talk about. Let's talk vaccines first.
Reports suggest Oxford's AstraZeneca vaccine appears to boost immunity during the elderly with suggestions that it could be ready by Christmas.
Now Dr. Anthony Fauci who our viewers will know very has also said we'll know by December if a vaccine is effective. I want a reality check from
you, if you will. Is it clear yet when a vaccine will be available and how long it will take to reach the everyday person?
HARRIS: So there are several elements there. First thing, let's look at the vaccines for the elderly. Now a number of the research groups are actually
doing some of the testing on people who are older so that's good news.
In fact, in the past generally such things were tested on young healthy often white males so you didn't actually get the understanding of whether
it worked in all the populations you need to test it in so that's good news.
Second good news is, yes, we expect to see the data. We expect to be able to do some kind of interim analysis and have a look at the data by the end
of the year. Now in scientific terms that's amazing. We all started doing this work less than ten months ago.
Didn't even know what this virus was, and we expect to be looking at the data of past and here's the reality check. From data to knowing what is
effective, and we want to see it, and we want to see at least 50 percent efficacy that means protecting at least 50 percent, half the people that
get the vaccine and the safety profile is absolutely critical.
That's really got to be reviewed thoroughly, looked at properly by independent groups, and if that all goes well, got the data at the end of
the year, we should see if there's a candidate emerging or a couple of candidates in the early months of next year.
But from there to the arm still will be quite a few months, and it must go to the highest risk groups, and that's the health workers, the frontline
workers, the people who are out there protecting us all right now and the most vulnerable people.
ANDERSON: So it sounds to me as if you're saying three to six months before you really believe that it should get to, you know, those who need it most,
IE the frontline workers, et cetera. What do you make of Emergency Use Authorization of some of those vaccines that are actually out there still
in phase III clinical trials out of interest?
HARRIS: So, we at W.H.O. do something called emergency use the listing, but we won't be doing that until we're seeing the data on the phase III trials.
The emergency use listing - we need to look at whether all the right things have been done? But that's something we'll be doing at central level after
it's been reviewed by independent expert committees.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. A vaccine seen as a long-term solution, of course right now countries have to come up with temporary solutions to curb this
spread. Take Europe, for example, restrictions are getting tighter and tighter over the past few weeks as cases surge.
I want to play some reporting from my colleague, for example, Ben Wedeman, who is in Italy who checked in with frontline workers in what is this
second wave, Margaret. Have a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIEO CLIP)
WEDEMAN: Dr. Matteo (ph) anticipates another nightmare. It's like the second jump for a paratrooper, he tells me. The first time you don't know
what to expect. The second jump is more problematic because you know what's coming.
[11:15:00]
WEDEMAN: At the moment Italian hospitals aren't able to deal with the number of patients in intensive care. However, that could change as the
numbers continue to skyrocket.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Leaders around the world, not least those in Europe, are desperately trying to work out what lessons were learned during the first
wave and how to optimize those lessons now? And which metrics specifically they should be looking at to base their new policies, be that temporary
lockdowns, partial lockdowns or full on lockdowns? What's your advice from the W.H.O. at this point?
HARRIS: So, one of the most crucial things to look at is where is your transmission and how is it spreading? So if you're going to go through
restricting movements, it's best to the do it around where you've got very, very intense transmission because you need the buy-in of the people around.
If - and it's difficult if you just put the whole of the country into some kind of quarantine, but you may have to do it in local areas because that's
where you've got intense transmission. So you really want to be testing. You really want to be tracing back all the people who could be infected.
Now, if you do get to a stage where you're tracking and tracing, and it's still overwhelmed, you may have to put that entire community into
quarantine for a while because that's how you'll bring your numbers down and then you will be able go back in and hone in on where the virus is?
But that's why you do that, to give yourself time, bring the numbers down so that you can get back to what you need to be doing and doing it well.
ANDERSON: So it's from testing and tracing that you identify an "R" number and work out whether that "R" number is going higher or lower and I've seen
it's been clear that policy is being based on "R" numbers. It's also based it seems on positivity numbers countries also looking at their ICU
capacity.
You know - I know that the W.H.O. has talked about a dashboard of information now for some time that countries should use to equip themselves
with the right information. Is anyone metric or statistic more important than others at this point?
HARRIS: No I think you actually listed all the very important things that had the governments, local authorities need to be thinking about. So the
mistake would be to just go with the one thing. Now the "R" number is useful, it's a calculation a form of modeling based on what is - the
numbers you are seeing and how many people you see in hospital to give you a sense of how rapidly the thing is transmitting?
But it's not the only thing and the difficulty with this virus is so many people are not particularly ill with it, but knows those who are ill are
really ill and unless you care for them in hospital with a high level of care, intensive care, they will die.
And sadly we have lost so many people. In the last week we lost close on 40,000 people and this is a horrific thing to be asking of our health care
workers as well. The worst thing for any doctor or nurse is to fight for someone's life and lose that fight.
ANDERSON: Very briefly do you see second nationwide lockdowns as a failure of leadership?
HARRIS: Second round lockdowns are really - you're seeing them in countries where they are reaching for a solution because in terms of transmission
they do work. They work because you put everyone in quarantine and you bring your numbers down.
Ideally if you really got your tracking and tracing working and you've really got the buy-in of your community and that's one of the secrets and
one of the toughest nuts to crack. You will have everybody isolating.
It's basically - it sounds so basic when had you say it but you know in reality, self-isolating for 14 days if people don't take it seriously or
don't think it's important isn't that easy. But essentially if I'm infectious, I came in contact with you, you've got the virus, you self-
isolate you come in contact with nobody else, virus has got nowhere to go so that's why we need to do it.
ANDERSON: If you travel outside of Abu Dhabi and you return whether you're a visitor or a resident you have to quarantine at present for 14 days. A
number of staff here at CNN have done that when they've travelled outside. It's not easy to self-isolate or quarantine and we have all either
experienced it or know people who have had.
[11:20:00]
ANDERSON: But us a rightly point out it has become a necessity in some places in order to try and keep the number of cases down. It is tough.
Nobody watching this will think anything but this, but your advice, of course, is always important to us, your analysis extremely important at
this point. Margaret, always a pleasure, thank you very much indeed.
And wherever you are watching in the world, do stay safe and stay well. Nothing is easy at present, and this is reflected by the DOW Jones
Industrial average. Look at this down 2.5 percent today, off some 700 odd points at 27,600 and change at this point.
Investors are concerned about the surge in Coronavirus cases and in the U.S., at least, a standstill in talks for new stimulus measures. Do
remember this market reflects what happens elsewhere on the opening and indeed in Europe we've seen this real dilemma about how to deal with COVID
cases and indeed in Asia.
And so this market always reflects what's happening elsewhere and then specifically what's happening stateside. And there are some very specific
issues when it comes to the pandemic in the U.S., not least the message from the White House Chief of Staff who over the weekend spoke to my
colleague Jake Tapper and basically said we can't control this pandemic.
Well, this is the opening of the DOW Jones Industrial average. I'm sure investors are keeping one eye on these images. These are live pictures of
the American President arriving at a rally in Pennsylvania. He is about to start speaking.
We will monitor that for you, and we are going to take a very short break though at this point we'll be back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: A U.S. brokered cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region is now in effect, but it already seems
to be unraveling both sides accusing each other of violating it. Now the Azerbaijani Presidential Adviser says Armenia began shelling the region
while Armenia says Azerbaijani forces opened artillery fire.
This is the third attempt at a cease-fire between the two since fighting began again last month. Let's bring in CNN's International Security Editor
Nick Paton Walsh who has been monitoring what's been going on in this region. What violations are both sides accusing each other of, Nick?
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Essentially an escalating list since this morning local time where the guns should have fallen silent.
It's important to remember, Becky, this is the third time in which the same cease-fire has been requested and agreed to by both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
As you said yourself Armenia accused of shelling parts of Azerbaijan, deny it at the same time. Armenia accused Azerbaijan of firing back. It's been
exceptionally hard, frankly, to assess who is occupying the moral high ground at this point.
[11:25:00]
WALSH: I should point out that even after the cease-fire came into effect and possibly in a reaction to thinking Armenia thinking Armenia wasn't
holding up its end of the barring. The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev tweeted the further areas of parts of the disputed territory which were
previously held by Armenia were now in Azerbaijani hands.
Now it's not clear if that exchange of territory took place after the cease-fire or before it, but it certainly wasn't sending out a message of
peace. So importantly, Becky, now, we have the third time, the first introduced by Russia, the second introduced and agreed to under the
auspices of the France and now a very belated entry to try and exercise diplomacy here by the United States and again we're seeing this essentially
fall apart. Becky?
ANDERSON: So what chance of a viable and long-term solution at this point, if at all?
WALSH: Well, I think the key - the key thing here is it's quite obvious that the Azerbaijanis are winning in terms ever their perception of this.
The Armenians are on the defensive and the Azerbaijanis have executed a well-resourced quite functional campaign here and seem to be according to
hair narrative here taking back some territory.
They appear to be pushing around to the south of Nagorno-Karabakh, possibly heading towards another part of the sort of very complicated patchwork map
which is controlled by Azerbaijan to perhaps link it up to Mainland Azerbaijan or maybe they are trying to look to isolate the disputed
territory of Nagorno-Karabakh by cutting off a highway.
But it's quite feed from the Twitter feed of Azerbaijan's President they're continuing to take back more territory. They certainly want the world to
think that that's the case. They have the very open backing of Turkey; flexing its muscles in the region possibly some accused them of providing
military assistance as well.
And on Armenia's side well they keep looking to Russia to step in to try and be part of the security pact that which Armenia has with them, which
doesn't include Nagorno-Karabakh, this area which is run by ethnic Armenian's but internationally recognized as being part of Azerbaijan
looking for Moscow to intervene.
Moscow has done that diplomatically. It quite frankly has not worked, and we heard in the last few days, Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, say
how the death toll could be as high as 5,000 now.
Moscow making it quite clear they are deeply troubled by all this but at the same time to not intervening with the military force that perhaps I
think some might have anticipated them to exercise in this, their former sphere of influence.
So you have to ask where do we go from now? Well, it appears at this point external leaders are not working. The Azerbaijanis are pursuing what they
want. They seem to be moving territorially in the direction which appears to perhaps some sort of strategy behind it whether it's hard to work out
what the end game is?
And continually civilians are caught in the middle here, dying in the hundreds it appears at this stage according to some counts. Various human
rights groups are suggesting that - munitions, surface-to-surface missiles may be being used on a ballistic capacity in certain areas too.
It's getting very bloody. The world attention frankly is elsewhere with the pandemic and the U.S. election. This so low it seemed on diplomatic
priorities at this point. And the third time in which key regional powers have tried to intervene simply has not, it seems, stopped the violence very
troubling days ahead Becky.
ANDERSON: Nick Paton Walsh on the story. Well, a diplomatic dispute between Turkey and France is heating up. The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
joining others in calling for a boycott on French good saying European leaders must stop French President Emmanuel Macron and his "Campaign of
hatred".
Well, this follows Mr. Macron's pledge to intensify the French fight against radical Islamism after the beheading of a teacher in a suburb of
Paris. France has condemned the boycott and comments from Mr. Erdogan who on Saturday questioned the mental health of his French counterpart.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, TURKISH PRESIDENT: Macron needs some sort of mental treatment. What else is there to say about a Head of State who doesn't
believe in the freedom of religion and behaves this way against millions of people of different faiths living in his own country?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And the Turkish President speaking about his French counterpart there. Still ahead--
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU, LAGOS GOVERNOR: --drives a flashy car, maybe they think they can - from their very unfortunately and it is very condemnable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, a - picture the situation in Nigeria where there have been ongoing protests calling for police reform. Find out what the governor of
Lagos State told me. That's up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Well, enough is enough. That is the message from Nigeria's Chief of Police who has ordered the deployment of the country's entire police
force to target what he calls wanton violence and looting.
The police force tweeted reclaimed the public space and restore normalcy. This will could mean further tension in Nigeria after two weeks of protests
now against police brutality. Eleni Giokos is in Johannesburg. What's the reaction been on the streets to the deployment of let's be quite clear here
the entire police corps?
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, exactly. I mean, this is what we heard over the weekend to try and take back the streets so to speak. We've
seen widespread violence and looting occurring in many parts of the country, and we've seen curfews instated as well. And this just shows the
discontent on the ground here Becky because this disgruntled youth, we're seeing disenfranchised youths as well going into the streets.
And we've seen key infrastructure that has been targeted, not only public but private as wall so from malls to strategic infrastructure opened by the
government. We've actually seen widespread discontent, and it's manifested in this violence and destruction.
Now, what we've seen in Lagos in particular, because this was the epicenter. This was basically ground zero of the end size campaign and
particularly in Lekki. Now during the Lekki tollgate shooting which occurred last Tuesday that was a turning point for the protest action in
the country and while we had seen pockets of violence playing out around the country that was the big game-changer that basically propelled the
country into chaos.
Now since then, we've seen a lot of voices coming to the fore calling for calm. You've heard religious leaders coming out as well and speaking,
business leaders but one voice Nigerians Becky wanted to hear from was President Muhammadu Buhari who addressed the nation on Friday but he failed
to sympathize and empathize with the victims of the Lekki tollgate shooting.
And importantly, he also didn't take any accountability. Now remember, the military allegedly opened fire, live ammunition to peaceful protesters,
and, of course, that resulted in death. That has been the big issue since last week Tuesday.
But the important thing that's playing out is this underlying problem in Nigeria of lack of governance, of continued police brutality. So the very
thing that Nigerians have been fighting against, they have not experienced head on in the last seven days.
ANDERSON: Eleni Giokos on the story for you. Eleni, thank you for that report. As Eleni said Nigeria's President finally speaking out saying,
"Many lives have been lost in the protests in the country", but the Governor of Lagos State spoke to me just before the weekend and appeared to
paint a different picture.
He said those responsible for violence must be held accountable but says he himself has not seen evidence of major bloodshed. Have a listen to the
conversation that we had.
[11:35:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SANWO-OLU: Two dead bodies that what we've seen from all the mobs that's what we're seeing going to the hospital that's what we see as records. What
has happened there's been so many footages that we've seen that people have shoot while we've not seen bodies, we've not seen relatives, we've not see
anybody really coming up to say indeed X, Y, Z, I'm a father, I'm a mother to someone and I cannot find that person. Nobody has turn up. I've been to
the ground there's no scratch of blood anywhere there.
ANDERSON: Who are the people would be shot and which branch of security services carried out the shootings?
SANWO-OLU: Well, I mean from the footage that we could see because there are cameras at that facility - it seems to me that there will be many
military uniforms, Nigerian Army or something.
ANDERSON: So you're saying that it was military officers who ordered peaceful protesters be shot?
SANWO-OLU: Yes. They were there. That's what the footage shows.
ANDERSON: Well that CCTV footage at the tollgate be part of the investigation that you've now called for?
SANWO-OLU: It will be. Certainly it will be, and it's starting on Monday. They are going to be - they are all available for the judicial panel to
review. It will be.
ANDERSON: Do you commit to a full investigation of what happened on the ground?
SANWO-OLU: Absolutely. I do.
ANDERSON: And will people be held accountable.
SANWO-OLU: They certainly would, and it will do everything to ensure that they - that we'll do everything.
ANDERSON: It's a very simple question. Will they be held accountable?
SANWO-OLU: Well, I mean, to the extent that I'm not a Commander in Chief of the armed forces, I'm the Governor of the state. We'll report to all the -
we'll try and report to all the relevant authorities in the state to ensure that is found culpable is accountable for their acts.
FALZ, RAPPER: 2017, they have been announcing that the SARS unit has been disbanded, and they announced it in 2017 and announced it in 2018 announced
in 2019 and now in 2020 they announced again. They just think we're stupid because you're literally just renaming this unit and expecting us to say
oh, yes, wow, that's great.
ANDERSON: The SARS or Special Anti-Robbery Squad has been described as nothing but a money-making terror squad with no accountability, random.
I've heard it described as vicious. I've heard it described as wholly set on extortion. This criticism will not be new to you, and in the past the
government has promised to scrap the group on a number of occasions. Why should anyone believe the government this time around?
SANWO-OLU: The president made a pronouncement and says it's been disbanded. The Inspector General of Police made a pronouncement that it's been
disbanded. Then the protesters they went forward and said we want five for five meaning we have five other things that we want the government to do
ASAP.
Some, yes, we could deal with within days. Some will take fairly longer time, you know, a month, two months, three months.
ANDERSON: What about the disappeared over year?
SANWO-OLU: The what, ma'am?
ANDERSON: The people who have disappeared at the hands of the Special Anti- Robbery Squad?
SANWO-OLU: Yes, so that's what it is. People have claimed that their friends or their family members, you know, have been killed, so this
judicial panel of inquiry is meant to bring, you know, all of those stories to accountability, you know, where we can make restitution and where the
families can come and prove you know and identify the officers that are responsible for this.
ANDERSON: Do you concede to the allegations that SARS is or was a money- making terror squad with no accountability?
SANWO-OLU: Well, I mean, those are very strong words, and I think it would be very unfair to just generalize, you know, everyone like that. I think
everybody agrees that there's a reform that needs to take place. There's a change that needs to take place. There's some truth, you know, that needs
to come on board, so, I mean, have one of the advocates indeed, they should, you know, be scrubbed.
Let us have genuine reforms, you know, let us have better conversation around how we police our citizens and how we police the state so that we
can have a more - citizen and police relationship.
ANDERSON: If you do not concede to the descriptions that I have seen and heard of the group, then how would you describe the Special Anti-Robbery
Squad?
[11:40:00]
SANWO-OLU: I think it's a group that have been ill treat, they've been ill motivated. They have not been fully, you know, equipped with, you know, a
standard operating template, you know for them to know and appreciate the level, you know, of their responsibility in our society.
And that's why, you know, it seems that they just went off the cut completely and probably also because they're not been well compensated and
remunerated. Everybody that dries a flashy car maybe they think it mean, they can - from their very unfortunately and it's very condemnable.
ANDERSON: Is it international pressure that has persuaded you as the Governor, the government, the president to finally speak out about what is
going on and what protesters have been demonstrating for so long in Lagos and in Nigeria?
SANWO-OLU: There are no international pressures whatsoever. These are genuine protesters that we all believe, we all acknowledge. I was the only
first governor, you know, and with due respect to all my other colleagues who came out to me then.
I was the first I lead from the front. I carried the - flags with them, you know, I met with them twice. And we all had the rally together. We all
walked together.
ANDERSON: Do you genuinely believe that there will be change as a result of what has happened over the past couple of weeks? There seems no genuine--
SANWO-OLU: Of course, I generally - Becky, I genuinely believe there will be change, for two reasons, one. You know what had happened especially in
Lagos is extremely unimaginable that's number one.
Number two, it was a clarion call, you know, for all of us in government, you know, especially, you know, understanding and realizing, you know, what
the youth or what they truly want us to be doing, so it hit all of us like a - and it was just like a wake-up call.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A clarion call to all of us in government, the Lagos State Governor told me. Reactions to the unrest in Nigeria have been widespread.
It isn't true to say there hasn't been international condemnation of this because there really has.
On Sunday Pope Francis called on his faithful to pray for Nigerians and said he's deeply concerned about the violence between police and young
protesters. And Formula One Driver Lewis Hamilton called police brutality in Nigeria a human rights crisis posting a photo of himself in a #endsars
t-shirt.
Let's get you up to speed on some of the other stories that are on our radar right now. And Chilean President calls a weekend referendum to draft
a new constitution a triumph for democracy; it would replace the constitution drafted four decades ago during a military dictatorship. The
new one will be drawn up by a new assembly elected next April and voted on the following year.
British Special Forces brought in an oil tanker and detained seven people after reports of a suspected hijacking. They were thought to be stowaways
but may have threatened the crew and even taken control of the vessel off the isle of white which is off the South Coast of Britain. The ship began
its voyage in Nigeria.
Australia's government says it's disturbed by reports of a group of women who endured inappropriate treatment at - in airport in Doha. CNN Affiliate
Seven News reports women were removed from a Qatar Airways flight and forced to undergo inspections inside an ambulance after an abandoned baby
was found at airport. Airport authorities say they were looking for the baby's mother.
Well, coming up, more young voters are heading to the polls in this election than 2016. We're talking about the election in the U.S., of
course. See how they are already shaping the race?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've had an incredible luxury of serving my country and then going back to make stoner movies again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Next Actor Kal Penn speaks about his time serving under Barack Obama and what voters are looking for this U.S. election?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: At this hour U.S. President Donald Trump speaking to a crowd in the State of Pennsylvania which could be instrumental in deciding the
presidential election. Now this, of course, is the final week of campaigning before Election Day which is next Tuesday although some 50
million or more have already voted.
That being the U.S. President slammed his challenger Joe Biden's energy plans saying that they will drive up prices and lead to layoffs and
blackouts and he's also while he has been talking taking a swipe at Biden's running mate mispronouncing Kamala Harris's name.
Well, let's take a look at the big board on Wall Street. The DOW well it's down. It's down significantly today, but it's been down more than this
actually. It's been down more than 2.5 percent, down 2.37 670 odd points, just shy of 27,500 on the index they look.
This market reflects sentiment not just in the United States but around the world. Why will this index is full of companies who make money both in
America and elsewhere. These are - these are global companies, and this is a very global pandemic, and this hour at least investors do seem to be
concerned about the surge in Coronavirus cases.
And indeed the lack of movement in talks for economic stimulus in the United States so does keep one eye on that. Clearly investors both short
term and long term will be looking at this market, will be looking at these economies around the world, not least out of the U.S. is saying what is a
Trump Administration for the next four years mean for me and my company, and what does a Biden Administration mean?
And this market an indication, not the only indication of what's going on in the U.S. economy and around the world but an indication of what is going
on in the minds of investors in stock markets?
Well, more than 60 million people indeed have voted in the U.S., a record well beyond the number, total number of pre-election votes in 2016. That is
total pre-election votes. The State of Maryland will begin its early voting today and while many states are wrapping up theirs this week in preparation
for Election Day just eight days away.
Young people in particular shattering early voting numbers, setting new records. They have been heading to the polls in droves in what are these
key battleground states. Here on the screen, Texas more than 750,000 people between the ages of 18 and 29 have voted this year. That is compared to
133,000 back in 2016.
You see the numbers are also up in Minnesota. They are up in Florida and they are up in Georgia. Well Actor Kal Penn is known for his role in the
"Harold & Kumar" movies and for working of course in the Obama White House.
He started a new political show talking about the election and I asked him earlier about how he is - how he's been using that to reach young voters?
Have a listen to the conversation that we had.
[11:50:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAL PENN, FORMER ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON: We wanted to focus on things that they have done tremendous work around.
The episode that just aired this week is about climate change and we generally think of young progressives when it comes to climate change.
But we did a whole segment with young evangelical conservative Christians who are obviously very conservative on the vast majority of issues
including climate but they have partnered with a ton of other folks on combating climate change.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Climate change is often regarded by Christians as solely a political issue when in fact it's actually biblical.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everyone should support climate change but for me personally my religion is a reason for me to support it.
PENN: And that's not a conversation that people often hear about or have, and we wanted to shine a light on it because in this world of crazy
polarization here's one of many examples of people working together on something that's based in fact, that they actually care and that they are
hoping to see results in.
ANDERSON: There are those who will say with all due respect do we really need another political show? You clearly think we do.
PENN: Thank you for asking that. So look, after I had a chance to work the White House I got approached to host a lot of political shows and many of
them even aligned with my own politics but they seemed a little vitriolic. That's not really how I like to talk to people. It's not what I like about
comedy or politics. The girl depicted in this famous Norman Rockwell painting is a real person, her name is Ruby Bridges. She was one of the
first students to desegregate an all white school in Louisiana.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She is only 66 years old today!
ANDERSON: How do you compare the energy levels around you know 2008, '12 and 16 and now particularly when it comes to the youngsters out there?
PENN: You have young people who have taken to the streets a lot in the last few years. You have young people who are really active and you will see
that translate into what's happening because they are realizing it's - it's not just about which old gentleman is going to be our president?
There are things happening in local communities, even - even something as passionate as racial justice protests and the movement for criminal justice
reform in the United States. It really comes out to how our communities are going to operate?
ANDERSON: Do you like Joe Biden's political platform or do you mostly like that he isn't Donald Trump?
PENN: I obviously worked for the Obama/Biden Administration so certainly my politics do align far more with him than with President Trump.
BARACK OBAMA, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: Hey, this is Barack. Listen, I need to know if you're on board. OK, good because I'm counting on you. Everybody is
we have to get this right. So there's a lot at stake here. Just remember that I'm trusting you on this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who was that sounded intense?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The president.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look, we live in a space where people are saying oh, we just want this guy out, but I do think in terms of the numbers and this is
reflected in the popular vote in 2016 as well, the majority of Americans are forward thinking in terms of their policy platform as well. I think
most people are looking at it as more than just a lesser of two evils conversation but really conversation about the direction we want to take
the country in.
OBAMA: I get that this president wants full credit for the economy he inherited and zero blame for the pandemic that he ignored. But you know
what; the job doesn't work that way. Tweeting at the television doesn't fix things.
ANDERSON: Your old boss has hit the campaign trail. He's got a video out speaking directly to youngsters across America, a good thing? Is he late to
the party at this point? Do you wish he had got out earlier?
PENN: He has had a book coming out next month that he was probably busy writing. But, no, I think - look, the Obamas both remain phenomenally
popular so in terms of that I don't think that's a bad idea, but I have to say I don't think it's a bad idea for anybody who has been in previous
elected office to encourage anybody to get out there and remind them what the stakes are?
We have one party that believes that climate change is real and wants to do something about it. We have another party that doesn't believe in the
science behind it, so I don't think it's a bad idea for anybody who has had those achievements to make their voice heard and remind what the stakes
are.
ANDERSON: What's next with you Kal Penn, a role with the Joe Biden Administration if he wins this?
PENN: Look, I like to joke that I feel like I've had an incredible luxury of serving my country and then going back to make stoner movies again.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's do this together.
PENN: So if I can kind of keep that up, I'm a happy man, but I hope we get to extend our show beyond just the election also because I think there's
plenty of issues that we can talk about in a way that's hopefully more inclusive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:55:00]
ANDERSON: Kal Penn speaking to me earlier. Well, coming up, tiny, terrifying and now terminated. Scientists' attempts to remove the first
nest of murder hornets, yep you heard me right, murder hornets in the United States. You have to - you have to stick around for this. We're
taking a very short break back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Remember these terrifying invaders, appropriately called murder hornets making their new home in the United States. Yes, 2020 really is
throwing everything at us. Originally from Asia, they are the world's biggest or net, and last week scientists finally found their nest in a tree
in Washington State.
Look at that. The nest was found after tagging of the hornets with trackers and the owner of the property gave authorities permission to remove the
nest saying they could take the whole tree if they needed to. Rest assured the nest was successfully terminated with scientists actually vacuum will
several of the hornets out of it.
OK. Look, that's just legitimately straight up terrifying, isn't it? Stay safe from everything, including murder hornets, folks. Good Night.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
