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Minnesota Shooting Involving A Police Officer And A Civilian; Tensions Between China And Taiwan Are Discussed. Aired 4-4:10a ET

Aired April 14, 2021 - 04:00   ET

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


CARL AZUZ, CNN 10 ANCHOR: Thanks for taking 10 for a new edition of our show. I`m Carl Azuz. The U.S. state of Minnesota is the site of our first

report today. Nights of demonstrations and violence has followed the shooting of a black man by a police officer. Here`s what happened.

On Sunday afternoon in a suburb of Minneapolis, police say officers stopped 20-year-old Daunte Wright because his car license tag had expired. During

the traffic stop, officers learned there was an outstanding warrant for Wright`s arrest. According to "The New York Times," police say he was

facing two misdemeanor charges for carrying a pistol without a permit and running from police last summer.

Officers asked Wright to get out of the car, which he did but afterward there was a scuffle and police say it looked like Wright was trying to get

back into the car to flee. An officer then yelled taser, in reference to an electroshock weapon.

But she pulled her gun instead and fired the shot that killed Wright. Police say this was an accident that resulted in Wright`s tragic death. An

attorney for Wright`s family says the shooting was preventable and inhumane. Protests have followed with demonstrators calling for police to

be held responsible.

Officers used tear gas and stun guns to break up crowds that defied a curfew. Demonstrators have thrown bottles, bricks and fireworks at police.

There`ve been multiple reports of stores being damaged in the community.

The officer involved in the Wright`s death and the Brooklyn Center Police Chief have resigned and an investigation is being conducted. All this is

happening 10 miles away from the trial of a police officer accused of killing another black man last May and demonstrations against Wright`s

death have been held in other cities with a riot being declared Monday in Portland, Oregon.

Next today, American health officials are recommending what they call a pause in the use of a certain coronavirus vaccine. Johnson & Johnson was

the third company to get authorization for emergency use of its vaccine. That happened in February. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control says

more than six million doses have been given but there`ve been at least six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot reported afterward.

Health officials say one person has died and another is in critical condition. They also say that the vaccine requires a different treatment

for potential blood clots that doctors usually give. So they`ve recommended that medical officials hold off on the Johnson and Johnson vaccine until

these issues are addressed.

10 Second Trivia. Which of these islands would you find about 100 miles off China`s eastern coast? Taiwan, Okinawa, Hong Kong or Hainan. Across the

Taiwan Strait from the Chinese mainland lies the island of Taiwan.

Next story involves both the island of Taiwan and the mainland of China. They each have their own government. Taiwan is a semi-presidential

republic. China is a communist state. And each of these governments says it`s the only legitimate ruler of all China, so that`s one source of

tension between them. The other is that the U.S. is an ally of Taiwan and a rival of China.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: China is flexing its military might releasing through state media a flood of dramatic video clips like these.

They show Chinese naval exercises that U.S. officials say our aimed to intimidate the people of Taiwan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And what is of real concern to us is in -- increasingly aggressive actions by the government in Beijing directed at Taiwan.

CULVER: Under the one China policy, the Peoples Republic of China and it`s ruling communist party consider Taiwan to be part of its sovereign

territory. President Xi Jingping has vowed to never allow the self-governed democracy to become formally independent and he will not rule out the use

of force if necessary to take the island back.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He`s also signaling to the United States, we can prevent you from helping Taiwan.

CULVER: In recent months, the People`s Liberation Army-Navy showcasing its capabilities just off Taiwan`s eastern coast. Military experts say that is

a pointed effort to demonstrate that China can cut the island off from U.S. military support.

From above, near daily occurrences of multiple PLA aircraft entering Taiwan`s air defense zone from the west. A coordinated move that is

alarming to some experts. It has sparked strong words from Taiwan`s foreign minister.

JOSEPH WU, TAIWAN FOREIGN MINISTETER: We are waiting to defend ourselves and it`s without any question and we will fight a war if we need to fight a

war.

CULVER: Taiwan`s military is no comparison to Chinas where the PLA boasts more than a million soldiers. Taiwan only has 140,000 troops. China`s got

roughly 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles and more than 200 nuclear warheads. Taiwan has neither and that is why the island is so heavily

reliant on allies most especially the U.S.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we have a commitment to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act to make sure that Taiwan has the ability to defend itself.

CULVER: But Biden Administration officials stop short of guaranteeing U.S. military intervention should Beijing make a move on Taiwan. Instead, the

U.S. has been using its Pacific fleet to showcase its own strength. This photo from last week showing a Navy guided missile destroyer`s commanding

officer sitting feet propped up as one of China`s two aircraft carriers sailed by.

And while the PLA has focused its exercises to Taiwan`s east, the USS John McCain cruised to the west of the island last week. The guided missile

destroyer passing through the Taiwan Strait right between the mainland and Taiwan. In response, Chinese officials said that the U.S. was stirring up

trouble.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: U.S. military leaders believe a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be just years away.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I think the threat is man festering this decade, in fact in the next six years.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My opinion is this problem is much closer to us than most think.

CULVER: The Biden Administration facing mounting pressure on the matter as tensions at sea rise. But some analysts believe much of what we`re seeing

is unnecessary hype.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The near-term goal is to deter independence and China has largely achieved that goal. And I don`t believe that the Chinese are

likely to use force within the next few years. I think they do not want to pay the price.

CULVER: Whatever the intention, former Navy Captain and U.S. Intelligence Officer Carl Shuster says, China`s messaging is clearly directed to a

specific audience.

CARL SHUSTER: They want the American people and the American -- and the American government to see the cost of helping Taiwan as exceeding the

benefits.

CULVER: You well know Captain, you`re going to have Americans who will look at this and they`ll say, why should Americans be involved in anything over

there. Why should they care what`s happening with Taiwan? To that you would say?

SHUSTER: If you really won`t defend a 70-year partner from violent aggression, then other countries will look at it and believe we either are

not capable or not willing to sacrifice anything for them.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

AZUZ: Many Chihuahuas are a one-family dogs. They love their one family and not much else. I had one growing up that was so sweet unless this dude

named Troy tried to pet her while I was holding her and she tried to remove his finger. Anyway, there`s one up for adoption that`s far worse.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When you`re trying to get someone to adopt a dog --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Fancy. Hello.

MOOS: You usually don`t use phrases like neurotic, man-hating, animal hating, children hating. A 13-pound rage machine, Tiffany Fortuna (ph) is

passionate about rescuing pets until a permanent home can be found. She says with a Chihuahua named "Prancer", she tried to make him sound

palatable but the problem is he`s just not.

Ladies, if you have a husband, Tiffany (ph) says don`t bother applying unless you hate him. He bonds with women only. New Jersey based Second

Chance Pet Adoption League specializes in hard to place animals. They even made a movie trailer dedicated to "Prancer".

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (inaudible).

MOOS: But instead of scaring folks off, "Prancer`s" getting hundreds of inquiries. He sounds perfect for me. When can I pick up?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So this is how we meet new people and make friends.

MOOS: Who needs friends? "Prancer" does have good points. Extremely loyal, understands basic commands.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "Prancer".

MOOS: And oh, also he`s only two years old and will probably live to be 21 through pure spite. What kind of devil dog lets you pet him? And when you

stop, noses you for more. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

AZUZ: Like any Chihuahua, "Prancer" will "chiwowwya". They`re the smallest breed of dog but you "chu wow wouldn`t" want to say that to their face

unless you have "canine" lives. Some say they`re yappy but the truth is they`re scrappy. The miniature "chuwonders" of the dog world who

"chuwowill" "chu" you up if you don`t think they "ruv" it.

I`m Carl Azuz. We`re going to Mexico today as in Mexico High School. It`s in Mexico, Missouri. Thanks to you and everyone else for watching CNN.

END