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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Netanyahu Fighting To Stay In Power; House Democrats Plot Next Move After GOP Derails January 6 Probe; China Raising Limit On Families From Two Children To Three. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired May 31, 2021 - 05:30   ET

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

[05:30:00]

HADAS GOLD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Israelis from having to go towards an unprecedented fifth election in two years.

Now, the prime minister, in his own speech, blasted Bennett, calling -- saying that he was doing the fraud of the century. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): I heard Naftali Bennett. Unfortunately, he's again misleading the public -- same lies, same empty slogans on hate and division from someone who gives a hand to hatred and division. And also, someone who is perpetrating, I must say, the fraud of the century.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GOLD: Now, Netanyahu -- of course, if he is no longer in power could be in some trouble because he is still facing a trial -- charges of bribery and breach of trust. And by not being in power he could lose any sort of leverage he might have affecting his trial.

Now, this is far from a done deal. We are still a few days away from this new government being sworn in and the numbers are thin. If they lose two seats -- if they lose two people, then this coalition could potentially fall apart. And as we know, things in Israeli politics can change on a dime, but as it stands right now we may be in those final days of having Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

LAURA JARRETT, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, certainly, it would be incredible news. We know you will be watching it all very close, Hadas. Thank you.

Back here in the U.S., House Democrats still looking for ways to investigate the January six Capitol insurrection. They're considering a congressional select committee after the GOP voted down an independent probe last week.

A select committee would have the power to subpoena witnesses and hold hearings. It would be a partisan effort but Democrats say obstruction by the GOP leaves them little choice to get to the truth of what happened. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JASON CROW (D-CO): I am sick of playing the game of whack-a-mole with GOP members in the Congress. You know, every time we address one of their concerns another one pops it. It's like playing whack-a-mole --

CHUCK TODD, MODERATOR, "MEET THE PRESS": Yes.

CROW: -- at Chuck E. Cheese growing up.

We just can't continue to do that forever. We need to get answers. There's an urgency to this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: On the Senate side, meanwhile, three committees have their own investigation about the lack of Capitol preparedness and will issue a report next week.

Belarus expanding its crackdown on journalists now. Police there arresting the editor of a popular Belarusian news site, according to the A.P. This comes a week after dictator Alexander Lukashenko grounded a commercial flight to arrest a dissident journalist. All of these moves drawing international fury, with the U.S. moving to sanction the country last week.

CNN's Fred Pleitgen is live in Berlin. Fred, good morning.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Laura -- and you're absolutely right. That crackdown on media continues in Belarus.

Now, this particular local Web site -- the editor-in-chief was taken into custody for alleging spreading, as the Belarusian authorities put it, extremist content. Of course, extremism laws in Belarus are often used to go after the media.

And meanwhile, Roman Protasevich, who they took off that Ryanair flight -- he remains in custody, as does his companion Sofia Sapega.

But as you've noted, the international community obviously condemning Alexander Lukashenko, condemning the Belarusian regime. But there is one person that he can still rely on -- one leader -- and that is Vladimir Putin.

Lukashenko paid a visit to Vladimir Putin in the south of Russia. The two of them also looking quite chummy, actually, on a boat trip in the Black Sea. And during that, allegedly, Alexander Lukashenko briefed Vladimir Putin on the Roman Protasevich case and also on Sophia Sapega who is, of course, a Russian national. Vladimir Putin then okaying a $500 million loan to Belarus, which obviously brings that country further into the orbit of Russia.

And you're also absolutely right. There are new sanctions that the Biden administration is in the process, they say, of putting back in place. Some of those were sanctions that were -- that were stopped for a while but that will go back into force.

And then there's others that the Biden administration is saying they want to work together with European partners to make sure that there's a united front as far as new sanctions are concerned against Belarusian entities, but against Belarusian persons as well, Laura.

JARRETT: All right, Fred. Thank you so much for that report -- appreciate it.

South Africa increasing coronavirus restrictions as a third wave looms large. And overnight, curfew and other limits on gatherings there being imposed as hospital admissions rise in almost all provinces.

The WHO says African urgently needs 20 million second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to make sure people get fully vaccinated on a continent where the rollout has been quite a struggle. So why has it been such a struggle? We will check this story out after the break, with CNN's David McKenzie.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:38:54]

JARRETT: All right, some big news out of China overnight as it tries to boost its declining birth rate.

CNN's David Culver is live in Beijing for us. David, China's longstanding two-child policy has left the country with an aging population now and, of course, the economy in danger of slowing. So what are leaders doing about this?

DAVID CULVER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Right, this is really significant, Laura. And you mention the decline in birth rate. Combine that with an increase in life expectancy and China has been facing what social scientists and researchers have been warning about for decades now, and that is a decline in population that could hurt the economy.

This is not, though, just about money. What you have to remember here in China is you've got economic stability. That translates into prosperity, which in turn translates into social stability. So when you start to mess with the potential with prosperity weakening, that could impact how the social stability structure is here in Mainland China, in particular.

So what has just come out of the party leadership, including President Xi Jinping himself, is a change from this two-child permission for families to now three children per family.

[05:40:01]

Now we saw a similar change when the one-child policy ended officially back in 2016, and the thought from the central government was as soon as they ended the one-child policy that would lead to a baby boom. Well, they saw a brief increase in birth rate but then it declined and it has continued to decline.

The reason behind that is you've got families who are looking at the realities of their situation being finances, in particular. This has become an increasingly advanced society. You've got moms and dads looking at the housing cost, at education, at the general cost of living going up, and they're saying well, perhaps we can't afford to have multiple children. So they have backed off that increasingly.

Now China looking at his as a really serious problem, Laura that they're trying to combat with this new policy change.

JARRETT: Yes, great news for people who want siblings -- kids who want siblings, but maybe not so much for the parents who aren't sure they can afford it.

CULVER: Yes.

JARRETT: All right, David, thanks so much -- appreciate it.

All right, 92 earthquakes and tremors in a 24-hour period around the Congo volcano that just erupted. People who haven't been able to flee left with devastation there. These two women pointing to where their homes used to be. Around 400,000 people have fled. Those left behind now facing the possibility of another eruption.

CNN's Larry Madowo is live in the DRC with more. Larry, when we found you on Friday there you said the situation was tenuous. Bring us up to speed.

LARRY MADOWO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And that's exactly the same place that we are today, Laura. The situation is still tenuous. People are being asked to be vigilant because the danger is far from over, still.

This -- the volcano erupted two Saturdays ago and the authorities and scientists have not cleared for people to return to their homes. Eighty thousand different households were told to leave in 10 neighborhoods here.

What we're standing behind me used to be people's homes. This is somebody's house. It was completely flattened.

We flew over the mountain to take a look at what's happening at Mount Nyiragongo, this active volcano -- the most dangerous on the continent and one of the most dangerous in the world.

And one scientist is telling us that even though there doesn't seem to be imminent danger and the city can rest easy, that does not mean it is safe for people to come back home because there's still the possibility of a sudden eruption from the mountain, from under the ground, or from the lake. So there is danger essentially stalking the people that live here from every corner and authorities just are not very confident yet that they can say it's safe for them to go home.

This is the volcanologist who has been studying this mountain since 1995. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DARIO TEDESCO, VOLCANOLOGIST: The peak has been reached and now we are going down, and we are going even very quickly down. But sometimes there is another peak again.

So let's wait. Let's be patient. This is the most important thing. We don't need to rush.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MADOWO: In simple terms, he cannot rule out the possibility of another eruption with little or no warning.

But, too, the people who are displaced have ended up in stranger's homes who opened their doors and the front porches to them, and they're all packed in there, sometimes on top of each other. This is the middle of a pandemic so they might get COVID.

But even worse, this area has had outbreaks of cholera, and with poor sanitation that's still a real danger. But also, many, many children -- hundreds of thousands of children who risk getting displaced if there is a second eruption.

JARRETT: All right, Larry. Thank you so much for all of your reporting and thank you for being there -- appreciate it.

To South Africa now. Here is CNN's David McKenzie reporting on the struggle to roll out the coronavirus vaccine.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's been a year since Peggy Kgogong started to dread her phone ringing, afraid the calls would bring terrible news again.

PEGGY KGOGONG: We are already afraid that they're going to tell you that so and so is no longer living and it's so painful because we know it's (INAUDIBLE).

MCKENZIE (voice-over): Painful because many of her friends and neighbors didn't make it to this lifesaving moment.

She's one of the very first South Africans in line for a COVID-19 shot in a much-delayed vaccine rollout.

MCKENZIE (on camera): Are you worried about a third wave in South Africa?

KGOGONG: Yes, I'm a little worried. I'm a little worried.

PROFESSOR SHABIR MACHI, DEAN, FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, WITS UNIVERSITY: If you were to provide some sort of scoring as to how well South Africa performed when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines you probably be working it down about two out of 10. So it's been a dismal failure. MCKENZIE (voice-over): For a country once praised for its initial COVID-19 response, its swift lockdowns, and innovative treatment techniques, that's a bitter pill. Many scientists believe that it's too late for vaccines to lessen a third wave.

MACHI: It caused people to die and that is a reality.

PROF. BARRY SCHOUB, CHAIRMAN, VACCINE MINISTERIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE: We are left behind by the vaccine rush of the 2020s when the high- income countries rushed to kind of get a supply of vaccine.

MCKENZIE (voice-over): The South African president blames what he calls a vaccine apartheid for the shortfall, where rich countries hoarded vaccines and undercut the global vaccine alliance COVAX. As a result, many low- and middle-income countries started direct early negotiations with vaccine manufacturers, but not South Africa.

[05:45:15]

MCKENZIE (on camera): So why the many months delay in this?

SCHOUB: I think if you look at many of those, if not most of those middle-income countries, they did settle for vaccines, which don't have international approval.

MCKENZIE (voice-over): But a CNN review of vaccine tracking data compiled by Duke University shows that more than 20 low- and middle- income countries placed orders for vaccines, now WHO-approved, before South Africa.

When South Africa's first batch of AstraZeneca finally arrived in February, scientists discovered it wasn't effective a COVID-19 strain dominating here, so authorities quickly switched to Johnson & Johnson.

Vaccinating health workers first was part of a largescale trial. And ordering Pfizer vaccines, now arriving in the hundreds of thousands of doses each week.

MCKENZIE (on camera): Millions of people have to be vaccinated. Is it a daunting prospect logistically?

ANTHONY DIACK, MANAGING DIRECTOR, DSV HEALTHCARE: It is a daunting prospect. I mean, so whilst we have the capabilities, we have the infrastructure, it's just the nature of what we're trying to do here for South Africa does make it daunting.

MCKENZIE (on camera): So, 30 seconds is all they have. They use a kitchen timer because the fridge will drop in temperature and that minus-70 is critical.

MCKENZIE (voice-over): The vaccines so precious each member of the team is vetted by the police. The temperature constantly checked. More than 500 vaccine vials in this shipment given an armed escort. It's South Africa's best chance of ending its COVID-19 crisis.

MCKENZIE (on camera): It looks like you got dressed up today. KGOGONG: (Laughing, cheering). I'm excited so that because I want this pandemic maybe to be under control. We don't know where we are going or coming, but as long as it can be under control or get finished because we are really tired.

MCKENZIE (voice-over): Tired like all of us, waiting for the nightmare to end. Waiting for the past failures to turn into hope.

David McKenzie, CNN, outside Johannesburg, South Africa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JARRETT: David, thank you. Such an important report there.

Well, if you're planning on flying anytime soon do not expect any booze in-flight. American Airlines joining Southwest in delaying the return of alcohol sales on flights. This comes after a Southwest flight attendant was attacked last week by a passenger midair flight.

American halted alcohol sales at the start of the pandemic and had planned to restart tomorrow. Now the airline says in an internal memo it will not restart alcohol sales until September 13th, the same date that the federal mask mandate is set to end.

Well, that's in the skies. But on the road, pain at the pump. Millions of Americans hit the road over the weekend and saw the highest gas prices in seven years, but some drivers are feeling the pinch in their pocketbook more than others.

Drivers in California are paying an average of $4.20 a gallon, while in Hawaii it's $3.91. Other states on the west coast, like Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, averaging about $3.40 a gallon or higher. Meanwhile, southern states have some of the cheapest gas. Drivers in Louisiana and Mississippi paying about $2.70 a gallon.

More demand means higher prices and gas shortages are expected this summer because there aren't enough tanker truck drivers to deliver the fuel.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCENE FROM PARAMOUNT PICTURES "A QUIET PLACE PART II."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JARRETT: "A Quiet Place Part II" kicking off the summer movie season with a major opening. The highly anticipated sequel brought in $48 million over the weekend, the biggest domestic opening of the pandemic so far. It's good news for an industry that desperately needed a winner right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCENE FROM DISNEY'S "CRUELLA."

(END VIDEO CLIP) JARRETT: Disney's live-action "Cruella" also brought people back to the movies, making $21 million over the weekend.

The film industry still has a long road to recovery ahead but the weekend numbers show people are ready to get back to the movies.

All right, listen to this. One woman in North Carolina is $1.4 million richer after buying a lottery ticket for the wrong drawing.

The woman rushed to get her $3.00 ticket for the Wednesday Powerball drawing but she missed the cut-off by one minute. Her ticket was good for the drawing three days later and it matched all five numbers. The odds of matching all five numbers, one in 11 million. That is some good luck.

Well, the largest crowd for a sporting event since the pandemic began and a record-tying win at the Indy 500. Carolyn Manno has this morning's Bleacher Report. Hey, Carolyn.

[05:50:07]

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Laura.

It's kind of like the movies -- sports showing signs of a return to normalcy and fans who were there got their money's worth. It was a beautiful day in Indianapolis. One hundred thirty-five thousand turning out for the greatest spectacle in racing, which is actually only 40 percent of the track's capacity.

Beloved Brazilian veteran Helio Castroneves took the lead with two laps to go on his way to the finish line and to the record book. It's his fourth win at the Brickyard. The 46-year-old now tied for most- ever at the track in wins.

And in traditional fashion, he clung to the Brickyard fence after the race, celebrating with the crowd before heading to victory lane to chug the jug of milk. Two percent was his choice but he even swapped in some strawberry milk to punctuate a sweet, sweet victory.

Afterwards, the winner speaking with our Coy Wire.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HELIO CASTRONEVES, 2021 INDIANAPOLIS 500 WINNER: Well, last year was so difficult. We raced here. There was no fans. This place was kind of like not alive.

So for me, having them paying back the respect, screaming at me -- and I just want to hug everyone. I just want to like -- I draw this positive attitude from them and I guess it paid off today. So, incredible. I was very touched by it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MANNO: A far different fan interaction in Boston. Former Celtics- turned-Nets star Kyrie Irving facing his old team. And after his 39- point performance helped lift the Nets to a 3-1 series lead, a Boston fan was caught throwing a water bottle at Irving as he was leaving the floor.

According to a statement released from the TD Garden, the man was arrested by Boston police. He is now subject to a lifetime ban from the arena.

This, the latest in a number of recent incidents involving fans crossing a physical line with players.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KYRIE IRVING, BROOKLYN NETS GUARD: It's been that way in history, in terms of entertainment, performers, and sports for a long period of time of just underlying racism and just treating people like they're in a human zoo. You know, throwing stuff at people, saying things. There's a certain point where it gets to be too much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MANNO: Meantime, the Lakers with a pair of losses on Sunday in their series with the Suns. Already dealing with a left knee sprain, Lakers star Anthony Davis landing gingerly in the final minute of the second quarter and did not return after halftime, and was ruled out with a groin strain.

Phoenix went on a 14-4 run to start the third quarter and went to an 8-point win. So the series now even at two games apiece with the Lakers unsure when Davis will return.

The Sixers can complete a sweep of the Wizards with a win tonight. And the Grizzlies look to even their series. You can watch them both starting at 7:00 eastern on our sister network TNT.

And, Naomi Osaka is responding to the $15,000 fine that she's received for refusing to speak to the media at the French Open. Osaka cited mental health concerns as her reason for skipping the mandatory first match press conference following her first-round win on Sunday.

In a joint statement with tennis' other grand slams, the tournament said the consequences for breaking the rules will increase and could potentially lead to a suspension from the tournaments.

Osaka keeping her response brief to that on Twitter, writing, "Anger is a lack of understanding. Change makes people uncomfortable." Her response suggesting that she's not backing down, Laura.

But we know the grand slams take rules very seriously so this story is sure to continue to develop.

JARRETT: Yes. I wonder whether she will do it for other matches or whether other players will do it, too. Obviously, they have their own concerns about what happens sometimes during those press conferences.

All right, Carolyn, thank you -- appreciate it. Finally this morning, while many of us are simply enjoying our first big holiday with a newfound vaccinated freedom, we hope you'll remember why today is a holiday in the first place. It gives us a chance to honor all the Americans who died to try to keep us safe in wars past and present.

This is also the final Memorial Day before troops come home from Afghanistan. Please keep U.S. soldiers in mind today.

We will see you tomorrow.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We must remember the price that was paid for our liberties. We must remember the debt we owe those who have paid it, and the families left behind.

And on my first Memorial Day as commander-in-chief, I want to reaffirm my longstanding belief: We may have many obligations as a nation, but we only have one truly sacred obligation, and that's to equip those we send into harm's way with all they need and care for them and their families when they -- when they return home, and when they don't.

(Playing of "Taps")

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:59:59]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm John Berman alongside Brianne Keilar on this new day.

Breaking news, Democrats in Texas staging a walkout overnight to block a bill that would make voting harder.