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Police Have Now Identified The London Attack Suspect Named Khalid Masood And His Background; Donald Trump Repeal And Replace Obamacare. Aired 4-5pm ET
Aired March 23, 2017 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[17:00:06] HALA GORANI, CNN ANCHOR: Hello everyone. I'm Hala Gorani here in London. We're following two major breaking news stories this hour in
the British capital. We're learning more about the man behind Wednesday's deadly attack on Parliament.
PAULA NEWTON, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Paula Newton in New York. In the past few hours Donald Trump has suffered a major set back with a crucial vote on
health care suddenly scrapped on Capitol Hill. We will get to that.
But right now we go to Hala in London.
GORANI: Thanks, Paula. The investigation is fast-paced and it is developing. We have major developments to bring you just over the last few
hours. Some of these important details have emerged. British police have identified the person they say carried out the attack in Westminster that
left three people dead and dozens more injured.
The assailant has been named Khalid Masood. He was born in the United Kingdom in 1964. Police had no prior intelligence about his intent to
launch a terrorist attack, but he was known to authorities.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THRESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Some years ago, he was once investigated by MI5, in relation to concerns about violent extremism. He
was a peripheral figure. The case is historic. He was not part of the current intelligence picture.
There was no prior intelligence of his intent or the plot. Intensive investigations continued. And as acting Deputy Commissioner Rowley
confirmed last night, our working assumption is that the attacker was inspired by Islamist ideology.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Also today ISIS issued a statement. They claim the responsibility for the murderous rampage.
Let's bring in our reporters Phil Black is at New Scotland Yard. Nic Robertson joins us from Birmingham
Phil, first to you, what more do we know about this attacker?
PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hala, as touching on there. This was a man who was known to authorities here, firstly the police
because he had a long violence criminal record, one that stretch from 1983 to 2003, and included convictions through a range of offenses including
assault and causing grievous bodily harm, possession of offensive weapons.
He's most recent conviction was back in 2003 that was his possession of a knife, so not recent contact but extended contact between the police and
Masood. In addition to that you heard the Prime Minister they're talking about MI5 investigation into this man. This is the domestic security and
an intelligence service because of suspicion about possible extremism.
Again, it seems that came to nothing. The Prime Minister wasn't very -- specific there in terms of the timeframe. She said some years ago. But he
was a peripheral figured. You heard her say, not part of the current intelligence picture.
So all of this points to the fact that this is a man who and was known to authorities because he was convicted violent criminal known to intelligence
sources because of suspected extremism, but none of these was recent and so that's why no one saw this attack coming, Hala.
GORANI: Right. And he's so much older than the typical profile we see involve in this type of attack. Nic Robertson is in Birmingham.
Authorities made some arrest. They search the home of this suspect as well.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They did. The property behind me was the one that overnight police raided -- armed police
raided use a battering ram to get in through the door. We're told by witnesses four people were arrested here, two not far away, a man and a
woman with a couple that arrest a young man and woman.
And here it was three men and one woman that were arrested. There were two other people arrested. One somewhere else in Birmingham and one in London
but it's the four here and the young couple nearby that were arrested.
But right now police say that they're holding on suspension of preparation of a terrorist act. Now that doesn't necessarily mean they were mixing
chemicals to make a bomb. But it does mean in the lose sense of the word that they could be associated with activities that could be conceive in
supporting their preparation of a terrorist act.
We also know that the garage and the -- the car rental agency that the vehicle was rented from, that was used in the attack is just a mile from
here. So it was beginning to emerge is a picture of other sort of center of gravity for the police interest and potentially the attackers
involvement in this area of Birmingham.
The police say that he lived in the West Midland -- which could mean this area of Birmingham. However, the police aren't saying what ties the
attacker, how it pursued to the four people arrested here. Well, the other two, the young couple not far away.
So at the moment it's not clear if they were potentially supporting him or just caught up because they knew him. And we do see in cases like this
people arrested in the early days, will be taken in for question, ask thorough questioning, police recognize that they didn't have a role to
play. And they are later release, Hala.
[17:05:14] GORANI: But Phil Black at New Scotland Yard. I mean we're talking about this arrest. But lets be clear police are saying they
believe only one person was involved, right?
BLACK: Yes, right. One person involve in terms of carrying out the violence that we saw here yesterday. But what they're looking to determine
is to what degree Masood may have had supporter encouragement in the preparation, and just what led him to do this.
Part of that is working at whose associates were. Another thing that we're looking at, I know we've been talking about this is, just want inspired him
to do this. The police here have talked about international terrorism being his inspiration. But what groups specifically the police here
haven't said.
ISIS has claimed him is one of their own. But the authorities here I think say it's a bit too soon heard to be saying that definitively just yet,
Hala.
GORANI: And to Nic Robertson, we mentioned the authorities searching the home, making all those arrest, not exactly sure what connection it might
have. But what would they be at this stage of the investigation looking into, in terms of what they retrieved from the residence?
ROBERTSON: Well, we know that retrieved several boxes for the residence. It's not clear what was in there. But also the premises behind me here a
number of police up to 10, at one time we were told in the day we saw at least or close the half a dozen of the police who were inside the building
behind me come out towards the end of the day, that been in there all day.
Potentially going through a forensic examination of the building, it's not again clear precisely what this suspicion of preparation to commit a
terrorist act means in the case of the people here. But it had a lot, a lot of people scrutiny today and we don't know the scoop and scale of the
extent inside the building behind me that they were searching.
The seized itself may indicate that or they maybe looking for specific things and it take a long time to do that. It isn't clear. But we have
seen items in plastic boxes taken from premises here that the police had been searching today, Hala.
GOLANI: All right, Nic Robertson in Birmingham and Phil Black at New Scotland Yard. Thanks very much. As Londoners come together this evening,
I want to bring in someone familiar to our regular viewers.
Fawas Gerges, is a professor at London School of Economics and Author of ISIS a History. Now, amazingly I learn coming here you were at Parliament
when this all happened. You witness some of it?
FAWAS GERGES, PROFESSOR, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: Really by accident and I was passing by going to an interview. And suddenly I head two shots.
I did not think very seriously, I thought maybe there were. But in a two minutes screaming, shouting, I saw dozens of French students, teenagers
crying.
The entire -- it turned into a war zone. I mean armed police officers, helicopters that really going by take out of it even though I work on such
things that it can happen anytime, anywhere. This is criminal activities just one killer who basically visited horror (ph) on the city yesterday.
GOLANI: Well, I find it unbelievable that you were there. In fact I was there as well.
GERGES: Yes.
GOLANI: I was sitting in on Prime Mister's questions and we walk out, a minute or two before the attack began and just turn right instead of left
and both of our stories I think illustrate just a randomness of these events. And four unfortunately people who were -- in the wrong place at
the wrong time.
GERGES: Literally (ph), it can happen anywhere.
GOLANI: Yes.
GERGES: Even here.
GOLANI: Yes.
GERGES: Because you're talking about what we call lone wolf. You're talking about people how willing to kill. I mean imagine, he attack the
police officer with a knife. He knew exactly that he was going to be killed. But yet he was willing to kill and get killed in the process.
GOLANI: Yes.
GERGES: What can you do about it? People keep saying, you know, how do get rid of this, I mean lone wolf phenomenon? It's almost impossible.
Because when a person is determined to, I mean died for whatever he believes and it's very difficult to get rid of this particular phenomenon.
GOLANI: Yes. It this kind of murder suicide rampage inspired by loosely I guess by an ideology they have to understand anyway. But I found
interesting the age of this man 52. We've never -- I have not in my experience and we've been covering these attacks for years.
GERGES: The most important distinctive feature about, I mean part of Masood is his age, 52 years old.
GOLANI: Yes.
GERGES: Most of the previous attack is in their 20s. They're diluted, it could easily be brainwashed. This man was older, more mature. He knew
what he was doing. He was on the mission. And in this particular sense, this is really changes the dynamics that dozen, not just the 20s and 30s
but even the 50s.
[17:10:00] GOLANI: But there's something very strange about this. I don't quite get to be honest with you, because someone in their 50s we were
talking with one of the specialist Steve Hewlett (ph) who's in Manchester right now, is that obviously when you're in you're 50s your set in a
certain kind of way, a lifestyle et cetera. You don't have that kind of passion of being brainwashed and seduced by these types of murderous death
calls as much, right?
GERGES: I see it differently.
GOLANI: Yes, how?
GERGES: Yes, I see differently because he knew exactly what he was doing. He really believed in his mission. He had criminal background, a violent
background.
GOLANI: But from 15 years ago.
GERGES: Absolutely. But the man obviously he believe in he was doing.
GOLANI: Yes.
GERGES: Because I mean think about it, that the second thing about really Khalid Masood who did not have, I mean obviously firearms, explosions,
imagine Hala, if had firearms like the (INAUDIBLE) in Brussels and other places. This tells me it was very primitive.
GOLANI: Yes.
GERGES: Of course using a rented car and a knife. But this is a lone wolf as of cells (ph). And in a way even though it was very bloody, we should
basically celebrate the fact that there are no hardcore cell, organized cells.
GOLANI: Yes.
GERGES: This major weapons and firearms.
GOLANI: Yes. And I mean, you mentioned the fact that it was unsophisticated. I wonder based on the claim of responsibility that we got
from the ISIS linked to information websites. Was this do you think -- directly from Syria, or was it inspired? Was it some sort of kind of lame
copy cat attack?
GERGES: Hala, anyone who carries out any attack in the world today and particularly in Western Countries, ISIS or the so-called the Islamic state
will take responsibility.
GOLANI: Yes.
GERGES: What did ISIS in every single case Khalid Masood has become a foot soldier of ISIS. My reading, my understanding base on may case, is that
basically there was no operation relationship between ISIS and Khalid Masood. It's more motivation and inspiration.
GOLANI: But it's a different. I mean you have others who get money send to them. They have the plane ticket like that Egyptian who tried to stab
the soldier in (INAUDIBLE). Someone paid for his plane ticket.
GERGES: Yes, or even in Paris and Brussels. In Paris and Brussels you had Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, the second man in command of ISIS sending one of
his lieutenants organize the attacks in Paris and in Brussels. What it tells me there are no major cells (ph) in Britain, even though Britain has
been embracing himself for major attacks.
You were talking a minute earlier to your correspondents about the arrest. The arrest of the British government have been the last, the eight are
basically to prevent any potential attackers.
GOLANI: Yes.
GERGES: It also to find out about the background and if there are any other perpetrators. So, that the fact is the British government has been
very proactive and preventive and in a way it has so far succeeded in preventing major attacks even though the message was sent yesterday.
GOLANI: That's right. Well, hopefully we won't see anymore of those any time soon. Fawas Gerges, as always, thanks so much for joining us. And
Parliament today lawmakers held a minute silence as mark of respect to the victims of Wednesday's attack.
Members of Parliament and government officials return to work in Westminster, less than 24 hours after the rampage. Prime Minister Theresa
May struck a deviant tone in her speech, saying the best way to defeat terrorism is to just keep living our lives as normal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAY: But the greatest response lies not in the words of politicians, but in the everyday actions of ordinary people. For beyond this walls today,
in scenes repeated in towns and cities across the country millions of people are going about their days and getting on with lives. The streets
are as busy as ever, the offices full, the coffee shops and cafes bustling.
As I speak millions will be boarding trains and airplanes to travel to London, and to see for themselves the greatest city on Earth. It is in
these actions, millions of acts of normality that we find the best response to terrorism. A response that denies our enemies their victory, that
refuses to let them win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLANI: Well, Londoners are indeed carrying on as usual. They got on busses and bikes and headed back to work this morning. You see at there
and Westminster Bridge is reopened as well.
Londoners also stood shoulder to shoulder in a vigil at Trafalgar Square but observing a minute in silence, lighting candles for the victims of the
attack. The U.K. Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the crowd, terrorist will not win.
The London Mayor Sadiq Khan, the first Muslim mayor of this city that evil twisted individuals try to destroy our shared way of life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR SADIQ KHAN, LONDON: We come together as Londoners tonight, to remember those who have lost their lives. And all those affected by the
yesterday but also to send a clear message. Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[17:15:18] GOLANI: Well, earlier the Mayor told Christiane Amanpour why he believes terrorist will never win. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KHAN: With reminding ourselves why the terrorist hate us so much. They hate the fact that here in London across our country Christian, Jews,
Muslims, Siks, Hindu, Buddhist that told each other. We respect each other. We celebrate each other. We embrace each other. We have vibrant
democracy. We have civil liberty and human rights.
And that's what they hate. We pleased by consent though and that means working with the communities, being eyes on this, valid (ph) with
intelligence to give us information, to help keep us safe. And the police are acting on the intelligence they've got.
They had raid across the country, not just in Birmingham but in London and other cities across the Arab Country. Some arrest subpoena made. But
members of the public, one of the faith they are recognize that police have a very important job to do to investigate this matter but to keep us safe.
As the police we ring when we fear for our personal safety, as the police we ring and give information to, if we are suspicious of people within our
community.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN ANCHOR: Mayor, you have said that this was precisely the nightmare scenario that you were dreading like many mayors in
many parts of the world in the current environment. I wonder, I know you don't want to talk politics today but whether you have reaction to the sort
of major tweet that came out of the United States from the President's son Donald Trump Jr. referencing an interview you've done months ago and saying
you've got to be kidding me regarding the frequency or the likelihood of terrorism in big cities today.
KHAN: Well, I'm not going to respond to a Tweet from Donald Trump Jr. been doing far important things over the last 24 hours. What I do know is that
the threat level in London and across the country severe. That means an attack is highly likely.
I was in New York last year when there was an attack in New York and terrorist hate the fact that whether it's New York, whether it's London,
whether it's Paris, whether it's Brussels, whether it's Istanbur, whether it's Madrid.
We have diverse communities living together peacefully. We've got a situation where Parliament is returning to normal and today. City Hall is
returning to normal today. Tourists are returning to London today. Businesses are returning to normal today. Just the thing that terrorist
hate.
And I'm not going to allow terrorist to divide London, to destroy our way of life. We remain united and we are the greatest thing in the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLANI: All right. Just as they've reopened the road here behind me and life is getting back to normal. We're getting some sad news from Central
London. Met police says that another person has died as result of the attack here on Wednesday.
That means that the dead toll now stands at four. The attacker was also killed. Paula, back to you.
NEWTON: Yes, it's a sad news, Hala. I know we're continuo to follow the investigation throughout. But for now we're going to take you here
stateside and the Washington, apparently no plan B, and now no vote. The repeal of Obamacare as President Trump first major legislative test, with
the vote stock against it success. It's been off.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[17:20:39] GOLANI: Welcome back. Some unfortunate news to bring you from Central London here, met police say another person has died as the result
of the attack here on Wednesday, that murderous attack that involved an SUV and the stabbing.
Now that means that the death toll stands at four. The man had been receiving medical treatment in hospital following the attack and life
support was withdrawn this evening unfortunately. So obviously another family devastated for ever change and another innocent person killed by a
murderous terrorist in an act of senseless violence.
There you have it. That's the sad update from London. We'll see you in a bit with more. Paula, go back to you now in New York.
NEWTON: Indeed Hala, as London tries to get back to normal behind you. We are following up on developments, this side of the ocean. It's a major
blow from President Trump in his first major legislative test. Tonight's plan vote on the repeal of Obamacare has been put off at least until
tomorrow.
The chairman of the conservative so-called Freedom Caucus said the votes simply weren't there after a frenzy of meeting failed to produce a deal.
Now, it's a difficult balancing act for the President of using (ph) conservatives without alienating moderates.
When we talk about this though, we're all talking about in the family within that Republican family. The bill needs 216 votes to pass. No,
Democrats are expected to support it. That means no more than 21 Republicans can vote against it.
Joining me now John Avalon is a CNN Political Analyst and Editor-in-Chief at the Daily Beast, you know stop saying I told you so, I can hear you.
You saying I told you so, but if you look at it. Look, the President has put a lot of his credibility on this. They say he's continuing to talk to
people. You know he loves this kind of thing.
I mean, there is still hope, right?
JOHN AVLON, CNN POLITICAL ANAYST: Sure, look. I mean, you know, I think the difficulty is that this is a President who prides himself on perfecting
the art of deal. But horse trading in Congress is sometimes a great deal more difficult than real estate.
And what you've got right now is chaos on Capitol Hill. The administration and the House leadership and the promising of vote tonight, they've just
postponed it. After a long meeting the President did with Freedom Caucus.
And as you pointed out, the difficulty is, in hurting the cats even within his owned caucus. He's got folks on the far-right who don't want to
support the bill. He's got to run a dozen centrist Republican at dwindling (ph) breed who is meeting with later this after to try to convince.
But that's a very difficult balancing act. And they're making changes to the bill up until the very last moment, a momentous bill impacting millions
of American, try to undo a central part of Barack Obama legacy. But Donald Trump and his crew having a hard time getting the deal done tonight.
NEWTON: Answer, good reason, you know, we talk about the art of the deal all the time. No, this is the art of war. When you get down to brass
tacks (ph) in terms of what has to be done on this deal. And you and I both know.
You know, when it comes down to it. If you're a congressman at this point in time, you're trying to deal with what you will face. When you go back
home and you face those voters. What that stake here. I mean what's the crack (ph) of it that even Donald Trump can't get them to say to this deal?
AVLON: Well, look, I mean. Health care is enormously, you know, a passionate and personal issue for people. The difficulty is that the
opposition to Obamacare has really united the Republican caucus, but the focus beneath the bumper stickers or repeal and replace.
The emphasis has been entirely on the repeal, not so much the actual replace. And so, you've an issues from cost to coverage, to folks on the
far-right wanting to sort of cut cost further as much as humanly possible. And the fact that they're 23 house districts that Hillary Clinton want in
where Republicans managed to maintain.
And the bill is not particularly popular to the extent that its contents are known and can be known. Add all those factors together and getting a
unified front in the 11th hour is incredibly difficult, even if you are the alleged art of the deal.
NEWTON: Yes. And when you get down to it, how does Obamacare in and of itself been a game changer even for Republicans. Things that we saw in
Obamacare, you know, like preexisting conditions, keeping your kids on until they're 26.
I mean even Republican voters. Is it becoming hard for them to let go of those provisions?
AVLON: Well, the President himself both during the campaign and in state of the union address said that any plan would maintain those very broad
popular previsions.
[17:25:00] Those have I think been treated and embraced by the American people outside the politicization and polarization that surrounds, the
name, the brand Obamacare. So you're right. That's a major factor. I think the other factor that people are confronting is the difference
between grandstanding and governing.
And the reality is so much of our political associations today are driven by negative association rather than positive proposals. And once you try
to make that leap, you find yourself in a tick of difficulties that are proving very hard to navigate even with unified Republican controlled of
Washington right now.
NEWTON: Yes, I mean, Trump himself, you know, came up like neophyte a few weeks ago when he said. You know, who knew health care can so complicated,
no actually we all knew the health care could be that complicated.
Now, having said that though to give the guy some credit, I mean John tell me what do you think because I'm not so sure that he will wear the blame
for this, if they don't get to a vote and if they don't get it through the House at lease on this round?
AVLON: Well, look, he's got get a some legislative wins on his scorecard for the first 100 days. If this falls through, you're looking at a big
goose egg. And he can try to pass a buck and pass the blame. I think it's been notable that for men who loves laughing (ph) his name on everything.
He's been going extra inning trying to have it not be called Trump care.
It doesn't' seemed to want to own it in that regard. His hard course supporters will support him no matter what. I'm vary confident in that.
But at some point, you know, the rhetoric got to met reality. And if the President, you know, looks towards the end of this first 100 days.
And doesn't have the major legislative achievement, on an objective apples to apples scorecard, that doesn't look good for a President trying to
coalesce popularity. And what is support to be his maximum moment of leverage.
NEWTON: Absolutely. He has put a lot on the line. John Avlon, thank so much. Joining us with these late breaking developments here, appreciate
it.
AVLON: Thank you.
NEWTON: Now, the delay of the vote pushed U.S. stocks to losses. The Dow tipped just slightly into the red as the news was announced, it closed off
about five points extending it's week long losing streak. Now the Dow is off 1.4 percent this month after a string of records of course.
Investors worry the fight over health care will distract the Trump administration from its promises of tax cuts and regulation rollbacks.
Ted Weisberg is the President of Seaport Securities and you are the man who's going to tell me. Is that truth, Ted tell me? Is it true that look,
if it's debacle with health care then that means tax agenda and infrastructure, regulation off the table?
TED WEISBERG, PRESIDENT, SEAPORT SECURITIES: Well, I think we're sort of throwing the baby out with a bath water.
NEWTON: OK.
WEISBERG: And I think that's probably a bit of stretch. And first of all, personally, I think it will get done. Number one, because this is like
having petulant children, you know. Quite frankly, I don't understand why the Democrats will only embrace some of these changes, because the good
news is, health care is still going to be in place and this is design to make it better or to take care with some of the problems.
But that's, you know, another issue and necessarily deal with the stock market. I think two days ago, we got a kind of shot across the Dow (ph).
What we might expect because of the uncertainty created by the inability to get this done.
But I think it will get done in form or another. And, you know, listen. Nothing is easy in Washington. It's kind of like making sausage, right?
This is the process. And, you know, we spoil because we didn't see a lot of that for the last eight years. So it all kind of behind -- whatever is
going on that wasn't very visible. This is quite visible.
And we have a little family fight going on. And I think at the end of the day, it will get resolved and we'll get this health care bill. When we get
it tomorrow, I mean through the House. Doesn't happen tomorrow or just it happen next week? I don't think that's really the issue.
I think the main thing is that it my view it will happen and I think the market yesterday and today even though they solo off a little today, you
know, they didn't really bang him hard today and they certainly didn't bang him hard yesterday. I don't think it's that much a problem.
NEWTON: Does that mean that the Trump rally though if I hear you correctly still a ways to go you think, it's not baked in already.
WEISBERG: Well, we've come a long way in a very short period of time. I think we would have a positive market no matter won the election. I think
the market in that respect was pretty agnostic. The fact that it turn out the way it did was kind of putting fuel on that fire.
Market don't go straight up, trees don't grow the sky. Unfortunately they don't give us a bell (ph) and they're not going to tell us when, you know,
when we're going to go the other way. So, you know, giving a little back here is really standard operating procedure.
But beyond that, I think the election was an absolute game changer as far as the stock markets.
NEWTON: And still is.
WEISBERG: And still is and I think the lines less resistant are up, not down. And in fact, I think there's a lot of sold out bulls, nothing more
vary in a sold out bull. I think there's a lot money on the side lines or, you know, waiting, waiting. You know they're all waiting for the market to
come in so they can take advantage of it.
The fact is wishing is not a good strategy.
NEWTON: Got to make it happen.
WEISBERG: And I think any some office actually buying opportunity not a selling opportunity.
[17:30:05] NEWTON: OK, spoken like true go (ph) just came of (INAUDIBLE) floor, I understand that. Ted, quickly though. One more thing, what can
change that and my opinion is any whisper of trade war or any kind of those border taxes can change it?
WEISBERG: Well, there's a lot of things can change it. But I think you've really have to look at the big picture. Six months, 12 months, 18 months,
two years and I think the change at the market is looking at. And the markets like is not what I would call near term day to day business stuff
because all those things are possible.
But I think the prospect of real fiscal change. You know Fed said a couple years ago that they were doing all they could do with monitory policy and
they needed some help in fiscal policy and they've never got it.
NEWTON: And they're happy to see that.
WEISBERG: Well, I don't know if they're happy in that. But not they're going to get it.
NEWTON: Yes.
WEISBERG: In some form, they're going to get it. This is a very positive thing.
NEWTON: Have to leave at there. Ted, thanks so much for coming to see us up here. After break, we'll return to London with more in our breaking
news as the death toll unfortunately from Wednesday's attack rises to four.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GOLANI: Hello, I'm Hala Golani in London.
NEWTON: And I'm Paula Newton in New York. These are the top news headline we're following for you this hour.
The terror attack at British Parliament has claimed another life. London police say a 75-year-old man that had been receiving medical treatment in
hospital for his injuries has been taken off life support tonight. The death toll now stands at four.
British police has made eight arrests as they investigate Wednesday's deadly attack. Detective swarm location in Birmingham and other cities
overnight and Thursday morning, we've also identify the attacker is 52- year-old Khalid Masood a British native with a history to violent crime.
In end toward Belgium, authorities say they thought (ph) an attempted terrorist attack. Now they intercepted a French man driving toward a busy
pedestrian area a very high speed in the red car, you see being towed in the distance there. Authority says inside were weapons and a canister with
an unknown substance.
Official say the U.S. won't be voting on a republican health care plans Thursday as expected. Party leaders and President Donald Trump have been
holding meetings to try and get the votes to pass the measure as Republicans are set to go behind close doors in the coming hours to discuss
that situation.
Israeli police say a teenager has been arrested in connection with bomb threats again Jewish institution and community centers across the U.S. and
in several other countries. Now, a police spoke person said the 19-year- old used advanced camouflage technologies to cover this tracks, a motive is still unknown.
[17:35:07] The president of Ukraine is calling the killing of a Kremlin critic "Russian State Terrorist Act" Denis Voronenkov, a former Russian
lawmaker who fled to Ukraine last year was shot and killed outside the Kiev Hotel in broad daylight. Official say a suspect is not in custody. The
Kremlin spokesman says any claims that Russia is tied to killing are "absurd".
GOLANI: All right, Paula. We'll get back to you in a moment. But to recap a four fatality in the London attack has just been announced. Police
say he was a 75-year-old man. Earlier today we learn more about the other three victims they were, the police officer Keith Palmer along with an
American tourist and British teacher. These flags represent the nationalities of the victims in casualties in Central London on Wednesday.
There were three children from France, two people from Romania, four from South Korea, one from Poland, one from Ireland, one from China, one person
as well from Germany, Italy, America, two from Greece and 12 people from right here in Britain. They all required treatment.
The American who lost his life was Kurt Cochran. He was celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with wife Melissa she survived. Another victim
was Aysha Frade, she was 43 years old, a teacher of Spanish decent partly. The mayor of her hometown said she'd live here for several years.
At United Nation and New York the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson who was also a mayor of London said than an attack on London is an attack on the
world. Listen to Johnson.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BORIS JOHNSON, U.K. FOREIGN SECRETARY: You may know that today there are victims in London from 11 nations, which goes to show than an attack on
London is an attack on the world. And I can tell you from my talks here in United States with the U.S. government and with partners from around the
world, that the world is united to defeat the people who launched this attack and to defeat their bankrupt and odious ideology.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLANI: Well, that was Boris Johnson. He's in New York today. He was visiting with the Trump White House couple of days ago in Washington.
Nick Paton Walsh joins me from Westminster with more about the victims, what we know about them. Nick.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. And as the days gone on, we have learn more about the live tragically lost in
the violent acts that began pretty much where I'm standing here on Westminster Bridge.
Now I don't know vast amounts of details about how people were injured in sequence but the Hyundai 4x4 vehicle rows up on the pavement where I'm
standing here. And the vicinity where I am moving down here it was Kurt Cochran here on its 25th Anniversary with his wife Melissa. He was killed
by that car moving quickly.
Amateur video showing people actually flung into oncoming traffic. One woman in fact, it seems he thrown over or jumping off this bridge it sort
of attempt to escape further injury and also as well as you said. Aysha Frade 43-year-old Spanish teacher, resident for quite sometime here in
London kills two.
The car then continued further across this bridge down to the other side. Now, pass what earlier south (ph) police line, it crashed into the railing
there. Interesting enough we saw this bridge teaming with people obviously as less and eyes in fact behind me, it appears there are police and medical
staff have pulled over a car on this bridge now and having quite impassion discussion with one of occupants.
But that goes to show how the city is still very much on some sense of alert here because it was Khalid Masood who drove that Hyundai further
across the bridge. It crash into the railings, got out and then charge, it seems to get into the parliament courtyard with that knife. He was then
shot dead, but not before he took the life of his third of the forth victims during that afternoon and PC Keith Palmer killed to seem by that
knife wounded by Khalid Masood.
And you said as well now 75-year-old man has in fact died in his injuries in hospital, Hala. But that death toll having grown tragically in the last
hour or so about 40 people injured, possible sort about 10 of those in a pretty serious condition as far as we understand now, Hala.
GOLANI: Right, thanks very much. Nick Paton Walsh, not far from our position here there on Westminster Bridge. Thanks very much. Nick
reiterating there the breaking news in the last just half hour or so we learn from authorities that a forth person has died as the result of this
attack, a 75-year-old man who was taken off life support, who was fighting for his life and unfortunately died as the result of the car attack on the
bridge.
[17:40:07] Now in a sign of solidarity in Germany a Union flag was projected on to this side of the famous Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. There
you have it just showing, you know, unity and we saw it with the French flag and the Belgium flag and it just goes to show you that just over the
last several years Paula in New York.
We've had so many of these attacks and we've covered so many of them including one in fact in Germany quite similar to this one except it was
with the truck on that Christmas market in Berlin, this one causing the death, of the death of four people.
Paula, back to you in New York.
NEWTON: Yes. And it is obviously a heartening just to see all of those tributes. As you said we've had to go through this kind of thing before.
I mean Hala, so struck me. You were talking Fawas earlier and, you know, he made it clear. The good news is that they haven't found this kind of
hardcore cell there that was part of this terrorist attack according to police.
In the same time Hala, I mean you were there. You were in Parliament when this happen. It must strike you that one person can cause just so much
devastation.
GOLANI: Yes. And the issue too is that these are very common items. I mean everyone has access to a weapon like knife, everyone pretty much can
rent a car as long as you have a drivers license. So if you have cost mayhem and damage like on this type of scale you can. If you have the
intent, especially if in the end you accept the fact that you're probably going to get killed.
Just a pretty typically murder suicide scenario of someone probably according to official who is inspired this radical ideology, this twisted
ideology, whether it was inspired of a copycat attack or directed form ISIS controlled territory about, you know, In the end the question is does it
really matter, is this ideology is finding a home in a twisted minds of some people, but it takes just one person to bring complete chaos to a very
busy are a like Westminster.
How do you stop it? Every, you know, expert you talk to is basically, I hate to say it. It's very, very difficult especially if it's a lone wolf
type person, especially if it's someone who's not part of network, because how do you monitor someone who is sort of a solo operative. There's no
real chatter, they're not really exchanging ideas with anyone.
So, you know, ultimately either you can have to sort of figure out a way to make sure that people who have any kind of potential to slide into this
type of activity are monitored or, you know, fight the ideology at the base, try to figure out a way of broad to make ISIS less of an attractive
option for some of these people, or in the communities.
We were speaking by the way with Lord Admiral Alan West. He was saying in some of these communities to make -- those communities perhaps more of part
the wider community as well in some instances would probably held combat this.
So, it's a multipronged approach, but a very, very difficult problem to address especially when it just one individual Paula.
NEWTON: Well, if any country has been looking at how to do that multipronged approach. It is Britain as they will continue to do. Our
Hala Golani remains there at the scene for us. We'll get o you just a little bit later on.
And from us, now the future of President Trump's pledge to repeal and replace Obamacare is in jeopardy. The bill doesn't have the support it
needs. The vote for tonight is off.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[17:45:37] NEWTON: Mr. President's first major legislative test and he doesn't have the vote. The Press Secretary says there's no plan B to their
repeal of Obamacare despite all that, the House majority leader says, don't panic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEVIN MCHARTHY, HOUSE MJORITY LEADER: Don't judge on every other certain time when a bill has to be done by, getting it done.
And always during the final part, everybody wants to negotiate as much as possible. We've been listening into all sides that we have a very diverse
conference. We want to make sure that everybody has had a voice. We've been studying this for six years, more than 113 hearings on moving new
legislation. And I think we're at the right point right now and just getting the final deadline done.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEWTON: Now, in the past few minutes I've just been watching this break over the wires here. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has just
released its report card on the revise health care bill. The CBO estimates the revised bill will cut deficits by $150 billion over the next decade.
It isn't sound like much does it?
That's less than half the savings on the first draft of the bill 24 million Americans are projected to lose their health insurance, that's unchanged
from the first bill.
Thank goodness, Mark Perston here again CNN's Senior Political Analyst. OK, so give to us Mark. That just came in from the CBO.
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Right.
NEWTON: You know, how does that even that change what is already a very complicated equation among Republicans?
PRESTON: Among Republicans, we just talk about where we are in moment. You have the President meeting with House Republicans who are on the fence,
who are either undecided about whether vote for this or not vote this bill or flat out no. And then you have this chief of staff and staff advisers.
At the same time right now we're on Capitol Hill with the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan trying to figure out how to make this work, to the point of
this new score and for our viewers around the world.
Basically this is the projection, if this legislation passes, what we would actually see in saving from these mechanism put in place. That's not going
to play well with conservatives who want to see more savings.
NEWTON: And that's the reason they kind of put the bill on place. You know for everyone internally looking at this and saying I don't know why I
have to care about health care bill in the United State because we know it's a mess.
OK, putting that aside, what is that mean for Donald Trump and a lot of what has been on those legislative agenda, things like taxes.
PRESTON: Right.
NEWTON: Things like infrastructure, even things that some people don't want to see like changes to the trade deals.
PRESTON: Well, into your point too. To begin with, when people around the world are saying, why do I care with the health care system in United
States? You should care because the bottom line is the more money that is spent to try to take care of the health care system and the time that is
put into it.
Meaning, these members of Congress and President Trump are devoting their time to it. It less time away from and potentially less money away from
foreign aid perhaps, you know, that may go overseas or these members focusing us some issues such as, you know, a very unstable North Korea or
the turmoil in the Middle East.
You know, when you think about this bill. This is Donald Trump right now learning that it is very hard to legislate in the United States. It's very
difficult to get things done. He's first two months, he's been successful in the sense that he's been able to use specific powers that he has to just
by fiats say we're not going to have this environment regulation anymore. We're pulling it back.
We're not going to have these particular labor issues in place or we're going to pull this back. Well, now he has a legislation and he can't just
by fiats say I want this done. And he's learning it very, very hard way.
NEWTON: What do you think thought with the fact that he has been putting a lot of credibility on line? I know the Democrats say hey, look rookie
move. He's putting way too much on the line to soon. But a lot of people want to give him credit for that because he's known as the deal maker.
PRESTON: Right. And what I think he's finding so humbling and although I don't know he could be ever humbled, right.
NEWTON: Humble Trump.
PRESTON: Where humble or right, is that he's realizing that there's 535 voting members of the United States Congress. Meaning, in order to get a
deal, you need to get a simple majority and sometimes just a little bit more than. It's not just Donald Trump cutting a deal anymore.
He is putting his credibility on the line in some ways. But the question really remain is, will he go too far. I think what's going to be telling
you in the next couple of days, certainly in the next 24 hours. If dealt a defeat, will he turn around and then have indicative (ph) against those who
wouldn't given their votes.
And the reason why I say that is, he has other legislative goals and accomplishments, is that he wants to reach. And if starts by going after
people personally, they may never be with him.
[17:50:05] NEWTON: Let's face the facts. Even though Donald Trump doesn't believe the polls, he's had historically low --
PRESTON: Thirty-nine percent right now.
NEWTON: So what are congressmen and senators thinking when they see this?
PRESTON: Well, you know, he -- every president has honeymoon period. And Donald Trump certainly has had his honeymoon period in some ways.
NEWTON: Such as it was.
PRESTON: Well, such as it was. Specially, you know, when some of the policies that he had said and he got away with. I think that they
realizing that either have to stick by their convictions. And then for the House of Representatives, 435 people that are running for reelection, you
know, in another 18 months or so. They're realizing that Donald Trump isn't going to be one there, that's going to be on the ballot, it just
going to be them.
NEWTON: Now, I won't ask you for prediction, if you don't want to give one --
PRESTON: Well, sure.
NEWTON: -- on health care, what do you think? Because -- and I just want to say one thing, remember this in the House, an escort of Senate.
PRESTON: Right.
NEWTON: We could go back to the House.
PRESTON: Right so.
NEWTON: We're just started.
PRESTON: Right. So, you know, couple things. One is, I think the biggest some one block right now for health care to be fixed and fixed and the
right way is three simple words repeal and replace. And the reason why is that Republican and Donald Trump are so hang up on that instead of saying
we're going to go in and just fixed health care, take out the bad parts, put in the good parts and basically redo Obamacare as we know it.
Their dead fast from this -- many of them are dead fast on saying we got to totally are repeal and replace because it sounds good. And by the way,
that's what they run on. Predictions, I don't think it gets down the next 24 hours.
NEWTON: Yes.
PRESTON: But I do think in some ways you will see the House Representatives actually by slim majority. Get the bill past but to your
point is going to the Senate. The Senate is going to do their thing. And then they both have to come back together. And that's going to be a very
messy process.
NEWTON: And in the meantime, a lot of blood on the floor.
PRESTON: Lot's of blood.
NEWTON: Republicans.
PRESTON: Right.
NEWTON: Not even --
PRESTON: Not even Democrats.
NEWTON: Mark, thanks again. Appreciate it.
PRESTON: Thanks.
NEWTON: Now the electronic span on flight out of the Middle East airports could hurt not helps safety. Now let us explain, that's the view from
Richard Branson who calls it disturbing. Our interview with him up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEWTON: I want to update you now on our breaking news from London. Met police say a 75-year-old man has died as result of the attack here on
Wednesday. Now that means the dead toll not stands at four. The man had been receiving medical treatment in hospital following the attack and life
support was withdrawn this evening.
Richard Branson says the carry on electronic ban from the U.S. and U.K. at many Middle Eastern airports is part of what he called a disturbing trend.
Now the founder of Virgin Atlantic believes devices might even be safer in the cabin and not checked as cargo.
Now last year the FAA issued a safety alert highlighting the risk of fire from batteries checked in the cargo hold. Branson spoke to Richard Quest
in Kuala Lumpur.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD BRANSON, FOUNDER, VIRGIN ATLANTIC: If they've got a real worry about big devices, you know, putting them in the hold, there's not
necessarily any safer than, you know, keeping them in the cabin.
[17:55:06] And in some ways I would have image and thought it was better if people have them in the cabin and they would, you know, properly checked as
they get on the cabin. And the second thing I just though find it slightly discriminatory that they've only chosen airports where American carriers
don't actually fly to.
And therefore other the affects carrier is like the Emirates and other local carriers, North American carriers. And, you know, I don't whether
that's a coincidence but it's quite a strange coincidence if that's the case.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN ANCHOR: But do you have confidence in the security of places like Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai?
BRANSON: Yes, because firstly who runs the airport use to be, you know, who's excellent person that use to run virgin atlantic and have every
confidence in Yemen (ph). And, you know, I mean Dubai is incredibly well run country and I would say as secure as any country in the world.
QUEST: But from where I came from here. Let's call spade a shovel. Do you think there's an element of politics in this?
BRANSON: I've been very disturbed by a lot of things that have come out from America recently. And this adds to that disturbance.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: And that's it for this hour. I'm Paula Newton in New York. We will have much more on breaking news in both Washington and London when CNN
returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
