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Hala Gorani Tonight
United States Supreme Court Let's Transgender Military Ban Take Effect; New York Food Bank Giving Meals to Furloughed TSA Workers; Interview with Elizabeth Ford TSA Worker; Rising Populism Challenges Globalization; Singer's Arrest in Paris On Rape and Drug Charges; Football Star Emiliano Sala Missing After Plane Disappears over English Channel. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired January 22, 2019 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00] HALA GORANI, CNN HOST: Hello, everyone. Live from CNN London, I'm Hala Gorani. Tonight, President Trump's controversial transgender
military ban will go into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court allows it.
Also, tonight, R & B star Chris Brown is arrested on suspicion of rape in Paris. He's being held with two other people. We'll have all the details.
And a football star who just signed for an English Premiere League team is missing after plane disappeared over the English Channel.
We begin with a major development and a story we've been following. The U.S. Supreme Court decided to allow President Trump's transgender ban in
the military to go into effect. The justices did not rule on the merits of the case. They are only permitting the ban to go forward while the lower
courts work through the legality of it. This, of course, for LGBT groups, transgender groups is a significant blow. They have called the ban cruel
and irrational. Ariane joins me from Washington with more. Right now, the Supreme Court is upholding that ban pending what exactly?
ARIANE DE VOGUE, CNN SUPREME COURT REPORTER: So, here's what the Supreme Court said. It said the Trump administration asked them to take up the
case. Take up the appeal. And the Supreme Court said, no, we're not going to actually hear the case this term. But what we are going to do is allow
the administration's ban to go into effect while the case plays out below. And that was a 5-4 ruling. The liberals on the court, they didn't think
that that should happen. An indication of this newly solidified conservative majority that is going to allow the ban to go into effect
while it continues to play out below.
GORANI: Yes, and, of course, this is from the Trump administration overturning an initiative from the Obama administration. What does this
mean for transgender service men and women now?
DE VOGUE: Today they're saying this is such a huge blow because they point to the government's own numbers in 2016 that said that then, about 8,000
people identified as transgender. And they say that now the court has sent this signal today that those people cannot come forward, that they have to
serve, for the most part, in the sex they were assigned at birth. So, they feel like this is a real loss. They totally reject the Trump
administration's arguments that this was necessary for national security. So, it's for them, while they're glad the Supreme Court didn't take up the
appeal, the fact that it let it go into effect is a blow for LGBT rights activists.
GORANI: Sure. And the Supreme Court is taking no action on DACA. So, this is the Deferred Arrival Childhood Program that allows undocumented
immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors to find a pathway to citizenship. What does that mean exactly?
DE VOGUE: So, they took no action today. If the court was going to take this up and hear it this term, they probably would have agreed to do so by
then. They haven't. So, what we think that means is the court may still agree to hear DACA, but it could wait to hear it next term. And what that
would mean is in the coming months, all these nearly 700,000 immigrants who are taking advantage of that Obama-era program, they can continue to
receive those protections. So, it's the strong signal that the Supreme Court does not want to get involved in this for now. Maybe they will next
term. Maybe they won't, but they are not going to hear this case in the next couple of months.
GORANI: All right. Arian De Vogue, thanks so much.
[14:05:00] While the Supreme Court is making news, we can't say the same about Congress. The longest government shutdown in history is now in the
32nd day. It is guaranteed to stretch a few days longer. That means two missed paychecks probably for federal workers. The Senate is taking up
President Trump's latest budget proposal, but no vote is expected before Thursday. And for now, at least, it doesn't appear to have enough
Democratic party support to pass. And that is terrible news for the hundreds of thousands of federal employees who are set to miss that second
paycheck on Friday. Today a food bank in New York is handing out meals to furloughed workers. Vanessa Yurkevich is covering that part of the story
for us. What are they telling you about this shutdown? What state of mind are they in now that they are about to miss a second paycheck?
VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN DIGITAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, hi, Hala. Today is a tough day because they know that if the government doesn't come to some
sort of a deal by the end of business day here in the United States, they will not get paid on Friday. And that's what's brought a lot of them here.
We're at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn. It's actually a basketball arena, but today it's turned into a food pantry. Here are some of the things
people are going to be picking up. Protein. We have meat, hamburgers, hot dogs, dry goods, we're talking about pasta, and some perishable -- excuse
me, nonperishable items, green beans, corn, people can use in place of not going to the grocery store. I want to bring in one of these individuals.
This is a T.S.A. worker here, Elizabeth Ford, who picked up your groceries.
ELIZABETH FORD, TSA AGENT: Correct.
YURKEVICH: You just finished your shift at JFK. You're a T.S.A. agent. Did you ever think you would wind up here getting food for yourself?
FORD: No, this is my first time ever coming to a food bank. But since we are going on to day 32, I really appreciate picking up the groceries so I
can feed me and my son for the next few days.
YURKEVICH: As I just mentioned, if the paperwork for your paycheck is not processed by the end of the day, if the government does not come to some
sort of a deal, you're out that money on Friday. What is that going to mean to you?
FORD: This second paycheck that we probably won't get is going to probably affect my life in a big way because a lot of companies and creditors gave
two-week extensions. But it's like now what? How can I go back and get another two extensions? Because you know they also need to get their money
as well and then when it comes down to food, how am I going to buy groceries for the next few weeks because I don't know how long this is
going to last.
YURKEVICH: Can you afford to work at the T.S.A. for free? How much longer can you hold out?
FORD: Truthfully, because this is what -- I love my job, so I will try to hold out as long as I can. I did go apply for food stamps last week so I'm
trying to see if I can get that. Like, I do have the support of family and friends, but it's like you don't want to put a burden on other people. So,
I'm just going to hold on until I can.
YURKEVICH: Thank you, Elizabeth. Hala, a lot of people are trying to hold on as long as they can, but we're here in Brooklyn and a lot of people were
able to drive in to get here to pick up food. But some people couldn't. They can't even afford to pay for gas money to get here. So, what the food
bank for New York City is going to be doing is deploying some of this food to local pantries and soup kitchens 0s so target people in particular, who
can't spend the money to come here, they're going to go to them, Hala.
GORANI: You asked that T.S.A. worker, Elizabeth, how much longer she can hang on? For many people, one can only figure how difficult it is to miss
one. What are people there to collect the food saying they're going to give up on their job and find another way to make a living?
YURKEVICH: We're hearing mid-February, March. That's how long people are saying they can go for. A lot of people are dipping into savings. They're
relying on food banks just like this one. But, Hala, as you know, there's not really an end in sight right now and people are just trying to do their
best. But mid-February, March, it's going to get really dire for people and people might be making alternative plans at that point.
GORANI: Well, it is the longest shutdown now in American history. Thank you very much, Vanessa, at a food bank in New York with more on the dire
situation so many people find themselves in.
Let's go back to Washington now, though, because are we anywhere near, Ryan Nobles, finding a solution to the impasse and reopen the government?
[14:10:00] RYAN NOBLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We are really not, Hala. In fact, both sides House Democrats and Republicans in the Senate are going to
take to their respective chambers and pass legislation this week. If the House passes out their measure it has no chance of passing in the Senate.
In the Senate it's not likely to pass at all. The Senate will take up President Trump's proposal over the weekend. He is attempting to cut a
deal where he'll get some funding for his border wall in exchange for temporary protection for those Dreamers. Those are young people that were
brought into this country by their parents illegally. It's very clear at this point, Hala, this is very much an impasse. These sides have not
budged at all in their entrenched positions. I caught up with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this morning. She made it clear the
President's proposal from over the weekend is a non-starter for two main reasons. First, they're not going to trade temporary protection for these
Dreamers in exchange for what they describe as a temporary security. And secondly, they are not interested in having this conversation about border
security caught up in a conversation about opening the government. They believe these are two distinct issues that need to be solved here in
Washington. When you combine them that's where the problems become.
Hala, the speaker said something interesting to me to morning. If they allow the President to get a win on this, if they provide some funding for
his wall in exchange for reopening the government, then this is just a tactic he'll continue to use over and over and over again. And I think
that's why you see Democrats holding firm in this position. Let's get the government open and then we'll talk about border security and let's not tie
the two things together. Overall, though, what it means is this government is going to remain partially shutdown for the foreseeable future.
GORANI: But also, the fact to the Supreme Court has taken no action on DACA, it takes that off the table, right, for the President offering
temporary protection when this is still a program that's in effect? So, it's not really a bargaining chip for him any more at this stage.
NOBLES: That's exactly right. I had Democrats over the weekend before this decision by the Supreme Court not to take up the DACA case was in
place. They said at this point right now, the Dreamers are already protected by the courts. At some point there's going to be some sort of
legislative solution here. But this is not a real bargaining chip on the President's behalf. It shows he's giving a little but it's not really all
that much in the context of what Democrats would argue they are giving up by allowing funding for a wall on the southern border. You're absolutely
right. It dis-incentivizes Democrats to come to the table on this specific point. These two sides are as far apart as they'll ever be getting and
here, we are 32 days into the shutdown.
Lastly, the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wrote a letter to the President asking him to delay his state of the union address. It's
scheduled for January 29. She is saying we can't provide security, we're in the middle of if a shutdown it wouldn't be right to deliver your address
on January 29. The White House is saying something different.
GORANI: Tell us more.
NOBLES: The White House is going ahead with plans for the President to deliver a speech of some form or fashion this time next week. We don't
know where that speech is going to take place. They're talking about perhaps doing it somewhere else, in a rally setting. He may even attempt
to come here to the capital to deliver that speech. We need to make it clear that the only person that can allow the President to give that speech
on the House floor is the House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. She controls that chamber. At this point she is saying that she doesn't believe that it is
safe for the President to come here because of the government shutdown. More than anything, Hala, they squabble back and forth about this speech
which really, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't matter all that much in terms of the impact on these federal government workers. The fact
they're squabbling over whether the speech should take place a week from now shows you none of the sides believe the shutdown is going to be over
any time soon.
GORANI: All right. Ryan Nobles, thanks so much, reporting live from Capitol Hill.
We know that President Trump has described himself as a nationalist. He said essentially it shouldn't be a dirty word any more. Why is it so
frowned upon to use it? One of his closest allies is warning that ideal is, in fact, a threat to democracy and to Europe. I'm talking about the
French President Emmanuel Macron. Today he and German chancellor Angela Merkel signed an agreement to strengthen ties between their two countries.
Here are the images from Germany. Mr. Macron used the occasion to warn against the rise of nationalism, climate change and a harmful Brexit. As
Europe finds itself at that crossroads, international leaders are gathering at the world economic forum on how to address populism.
[14:15:00] Richard Quest is in Davos, Switzerland. Let's get to him. I wonder how the statement from the likes of Macron and Merkel, how they
resonate in a place like Davos, that globalism, you know, that international cooperation is the way to go, countering the rhetoric and the
message coming from President Trump, for instance.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR AT LARGE: Well, you've also got the President of Brazil who has just been elected and just taken office, and he
gave the opening address here at Davos. Here you have a populist who is absolutely going to put forward a message far more in line with President
Trump than with the other leaders here. But they received it well because the Brazilian President said that obviously he wanted to and would be
working with everybody, and crucially that Brazil was open for business. Those are the code words that they like to hear here in Davos. You know,
they sort of go against the populist agenda while at the same time, Hala, recognizing that is what has been voted upon and in any case, the sort of
globalization that they espouse here has been rejected, it seems, by those voters.
GORANI: I know absolutely. The inequality, increasing inequality between the top earners and the rest of the world. Some are blaming that as the
fuel of populism that provides the fuel to populist movement. The Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called in to Davos, by the way. Here's what
he said, Richard.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE: All around the world, voters have tuned out politician and political alliances that they felt weren't representing
their interests. In Ohio, Rio De Janeiro, Rome. People are asking questions that haven't been asked or at least haven't been taken seriously
in an awfully long time. Is economic globalization really good for me? Are political leaders adequately protecting us from threats like terrorism?
Are they working to secure our national interests abroad? The central question is this. Do they signal fair weather or foreshadow a storm? Is
this pattern of disruption a force for good or not? I'd argue this disruption is a positive development.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Uh-huh. So, he's saying all these, quote-unquote, nationalist, populist movements that question globalization that essentially this is a
positive movement. You have some in Davos that disagree. What are they agreeing on in terms of what the biggest threats are to the world economy
and, in fact, to sort of the health of the world economy going forward?
QUEST: Well, if you bear in mind when they talk here, they essentially are preaching to the choir. They all seem to think alike. They think the
largest and most economic serious facing at the moment, the slowdown in China. Coupled with that, the trade Trump tariff -- the Trump trade
tariffs, I should say. That is the worst. Look, Hala, they can live with Pompeo's populism. They can live with the Brazilian's views because at the
end of the day these are the bankers and these are the leaders and the CEOs of the companies that will make the whole thing work. You cannot ignore
them much as you'd like to.
GORANI: All right, Richard Quest, we'll see you at the top of the hour with "Quest Means Business" live from Davos.
Still to come, talented but very troubled. Singer Chris Brown arrested accused of his most serious crime yet in Paris.
Also, ahead, hopes diminishing sadly. Rescuers trying to find football star after it went missing over the English Channel. We'll bring you the
latest. Stay with us.
[14:20:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: U.S. singer Chris Brown is in trouble again. The R & B star has been arrested in Paris. CNN is learning he has been accused of aggravated
rape and drug violations. Two other people with brown have also been taken in custody. Brown has been arrested numerous times in the past, including
multiple charges of felony battery and felony assault. CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson joins me now. What happens when a U.S. citizen is arrested
abroad and charged with a crime such as rape, very serious crimes?
JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: A great question, Hala. Good to be with you. What happens is that the march for accountability ensues. What that
means is you are then, even though you're a U.S. citizen, subject to the laws of France. And under those laws, they have the ability to detain you
while they investigate for a 48-hour period. And after that time, they have the ability to either move forward with your charges or let you go.
In the event they do decide to move forward, the prosecutor lodges charges and it is up to a court to determine whether you'll be given bail. That
is, whether you'll be allowed to leave the country, be detained in the country, travel with restrictions of any sort. And so, of the short answer
is you're subject to the host country's laws where you are, and he'll have to answer to the charges and it depends what he's charged with.
GORANI: As you mention in France, it's 48 hours they either charge you or let you go. I imagine his American lawyers are now studying this very
carefully trying to figure out what to do here.
JACKSON: You know, there's no question about that. Of course, there are parallels between our system and the French system, of course. He has
certain rights. He has the right, obviously to have an attorney. Interestingly enough, though, that attorney need not be present during any
questioning. You don't have the right to remain silent. I think ultimately, lawyers from the United States will go there and associate with
local counsel who are more familiar with the rules, regulations and procedures of that course and, of course, would be in a position to assist
the locals there to do the job or he would end up with French counsel and, of course, his attorneys in the United States have a right to otherwise
help and assist there. Generally, the locals more familiar with the procedures could be more effective.
GORANI: He's had a long list of brushes with the law. In 2009, and people all remember this, the assault on Rihanna. Felony battery in 2018, felony
assault in 2013. He was put out of rehab in 2013. I mean this is a long history for this troubled singer, Chris Brown, and his brushes with the
legal system in the United States.
JACKSON: You know, the problem with that, Hala, if he were being prosecuted in the United States, a lot of those past and prior crimes may
not see the light of day. That is defense attorneys make motions to include and exclude evidence, make the trial be what it's about here on
this occasion, in France not so much. In France you can encounter where, for example, they allow the past history of a defendant to come up and that
could seep into whether he is deemed to be guilty of that offense. That's a pretty important distinction, keeping your past history separate versus
making it part and parcel to what you did in this particular crime. Past history does play an important role in French law.
[14:25:00] GORANI: This was actually reported by a tabloid magazine. So, this is something that I imagine the police acted on after getting
information, perhaps through them. I'm not sure how it came about. But it is different in France. The holding period, it's specific to the system.
JACKSON: It is specific to the system. You have to have to make a complaint to the authorities. After complaint is made to the authorities,
there is an investigation while you are detained. Acting on that evidence there, that's when it exposes you to a world of hurt because you're in a
different system. These things being that complaint the person head as to the aggravated rape, they hold you, detain you, charge you, the process
begins as to whether you're guilty or not. One other thing I should note, in that system, even at the trial you are found not guilty, you can appeal.
Once you're declared not guilty, you can run, do whatever you want you're still under their thumb because the prosecutor can appeal the decision.
Major distinctions between the two laws.
GORANI: Joey Jackson, thank you so much for joining us and talking us through this case. Chris brown arrested on aggravated rape and drug
charges along with two individuals. Thank you.
Hope is fading for a plane carrying the footballer. The plane went missing over the English Channel. If the plane went into the water, the chances of
survival are slim, the Argentinian had just joined Cardiff city. Let's bring in Don Riddell.
DON RIDDLE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: If you see photographs of it, it looks absolutely tiny. People are very concerned about the fact it only
had one engine. And if it experienced any difficulties, it would have been hard to recover from those. We do know the plane was flying at low
altitude at about pretty much this time 24 hours ago. And it disappeared from the radar and people are very, very worried about it. Of course, we
are in the middle of January. The temperatures are very cold and the police, as you say, you know, speculating that if the plane crashed or
dipped into the water, it would be very difficult to survive for very long in those conditions.
GORANI: They've been searching for hours then but they've had to suspend their search because it's dark?
RIDDELL: Absolutely. Last we heard they were able to cover 1500 square miles, which is a large area. They had a good sense on the location where
this plane had gone down. So far, they have turned up absolutely nothing. They were checking in with local airports in the Channel Islands just in
case the plane may have landed there. There is still the project they headed somewhere else. Clearly the plane is it did go down into the sea.
GORANI: Emilio Sala, how old is he? He just signed a big deal.
RIDDELL: It's such a tragic story, Hala. He's 28 years of age. He's actually one of the best argentine foot ballers playing in Europe in
season. That's high praise indeed. He'd been playing the last four years. He scored 12 goals. One of the top strikers in France this year. He
literally signed a contract with Cardiff which is big for any player. He met them, spent a little bit of time with them. He had returned back home
to France to say good-bye to his teammates. Everybody loved him. The players, the fans. One of the social media posts, the final good-bye.
That was one of the last things on his social media feeds. He was very excited about moving to the premiere league. It was going to be a
fantastic chapter for him in his life.
GORANI: I want to tell viewers we want to run video of people in France paying tribute to him. Obviously where he played, as you mention there.
People crying, you know, expecting the worst news because 24 hours without any news, I guess you have to prepare yourself.
[14:30:00] RIDDELL: That is a very long time. As I mentioned, so popular in France. These friends enjoyed seeing Emilio play. Although he had left
that team, those fans feel he is one of them and they are devastated as you can see.
GORANI: Don Riddell, thank you for the update.
Still to come, it could be a major shift for the U.K. labor party. Jeremy Corbyn is back on plans that could lead to a second referendum. We have
that story coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:30:17] GORAN: As the battle over Brexit continues, the leader of the opposition in this country seems to be moving toward supporting a second
referendum.
In a significant shift, the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, tabled an amendment in the House of Commons. The move could force parliament to
decide on whether to hold another Brexit vote. The very idea is divisive. Only the Labour Party and the ruling Conservative Party are at odds,
obviously, as to the way forward.
Bianca Nobilo joins me now here in the studio.
So, what is Jeremy Corbyn proposing and how could it lead to a second referendum?
BIANCA NOBILO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: So he's proposed a couple of amendments. Labour's own plans for Brexit which is a much softer
Brexit. And the most interesting one perhaps is the one which would pave the way for a second referendum.
So the Labour Party wants there to be a vote in the House of Commons. According to this amendment on a second referendum, and if there was a
majority for it, then they would legislate and the ball would start rolling on that. And it's not just the Labour Party. There's actually a separate
amendment table by a Conservative and a Labour M.P. that's coming which will also call for a second referendum.
GORANI: What are the chances this will get it through?
NOBILO: It's hard to say. I spoke to some M.P.s this week. They said they think we've reached peak people's vote. Meaning, that a lot of M.P.s
are starting to express concerns about, a, what the question would be because that could be an issue. It could potentially split the lead vote
and some people think that's undemocratic, but many people maintain this is the only way to break the impasse.
The original referendum campaign had so much misinformation in it. It's only fair that people get another chance to vote on it. Now they know what
Brexit looks like.
Some M.P.s are reticent to push these amendments now because they want to wait until they're sure that they can command a majority in the House of
Commons, because obviously, if they introduce one now, and let's say it doesn't get huge amounts of support, the idea of a second referendum, it
kind of kills the idea.
GORANI: So, are the M.P.s you're speaking with, when they -- when you say we've reached people's vote. In other words, they believe that we're the
closest we've ever been to that effort gaining enough momentum and support in the House of Commons?
NOBILO: Yes. There's a lot of M.P.s who have coalesce behind the people's vote campaign who believe it's important that the people get to have
another say. But there's also a lot of M.P.s who voted for remain that I've spoken to that are very concerned about the prospect of a second
referendum. They feel it could be closer to democracy, they don't think it's the right way to tackle the problem. That also worried that leave
could win again. Depending on who runs the remain campaign.
GORANI: Then it kind of settles it. The remainers who say the first referendum was -- especially, Brexit side, maybe wasn't entirely truthful
and used fig facts and figures that weren't entirely truthful to further and support their cause. In this case, everyone is aware of the facts. If
leave wins again, there's no more debate.
[14:35:09] NOBILO: There's also concerns which have been expressed from the head of the civil service as well as other members of parliament that
what it will do to social cohesion.
So I know that you remember in the last referendum campaign that there were some incidences of political disorder, but most memorably, the
assassination of the Labour M.P. Jo Cox. There's obviously concern because of what the protesters have been like in parliament. The majority of which
have all been very peaceful and cordial.
GORANI: And very loud, as we've --
NOBILO: Very loud and there have been one or two instances where M.P.s have been on the receiving end of a lot of abuse from them. So there
obviously concerns about if you reopen the wounds again, what will that mean further cohesion in Britain?
GORANI: In business news, Dyson, is moving its headquarters from the U.K. to Singapore. James Dyson, of course, has been a very vocal pro-Brexit
voice in this country and a billionaire, and a British success story, and their headquarters are moving to Singapore.
NOBILO: In fact, whenever you see the breakdown of businesses which support Brexit versus businesses, you don't. Obviously, the lion share
don't. James Dyson is invariably at the top of that Brexiteer business list.
The fact that he's moving the headquarters of his company to Singapore, the company says it's just to follow the direction of investment and to reflect
the fact that Asia is such an important market for them.
However, the reason it strikes a bit of a nerve in the British press, is because anything which looks like a reflection of a lack of business
confidence. In his time of uncertainty with no --
GORANI: Right. It's not a vote of confidence, yes.
NOBILO: Exactly.
GORANI: Symbolically, it doesn't -- it's not a good look, I guess, for the U.K. economy.
NOBILO: Yes, it's the optics because Dyson would argue that's a misconstruction and that's not why they're doing it, but it doesn't really
matter at this point in the debate. The optics of it aren't favorable for them.
GORANI: They're saying they're moving only two executives, that the facility, the manufacturing facilities stays in the U.K.
NOBILO: That will continue and there will be more investment in the U.K., as well no job losses according to their statement.
GORANI: But the electric vehicles facility will be in Asia.
NOBILO: Yes.
GORANI: And not in the U.K.
NOBILO: And their headquarters and they just said now is the right time to move because so much of their business is coming from the Asian market.
GORANI: All right. Bianca, thanks very much. Appreciate it. We'll be speaking soon.
There's a new twist in the story of Russian interference and U.S. elections. And the woman who says she's a sex coach with inside knowledge
of it all. Anastasia Vashukevich was released from Russian jail today, but her legal troubles are not over. Matthew Chance has our story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: At last, the sex coach claiming evidence of Russian collusion is celebrating a taste of
freedom.
"Nastya Rybka is at liberty," her lawyer says gleefully. "We're now going home," he adds.
The 28-year-old whose real name is Anastasia Vashukevich is likely to be relieved after police had her. Transiting through Moscow airport last
week, she was manhandled into a wheelchair by security personnel as she struggled to get away.
Later, in court on prostitution charges. She apologized for publishing images of Oleg Deripaska. A Russian billionaire close to the Kremlin who
has faced allegations of communication with the Trump campaign.
ANASTASIA VASHUKEVICH, SELF-PROCLAIMED "SEX COACH" (through translator): No old records about Oleg Deripaska will be published and I no longer will
be compromising him. Therefore, he needs to relax. Really, I've had enough.
CHANCE: These are the images that got the 28-year-old into such deep trouble. Pictures of her on a yacht off the Norwegian coast in 2016 with
Deripaska and a deputy Russian prime minister.
Russia's main opposition leader called it evidence of collusion suggesting the two men could be heard discussing U.S./Russian relations, links the
Kremlin and figures in the Trump campaign ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Both deny any wrongdoing.
The lawyer for Vashukevich says she's still a suspect in a prostitution case and that travel restrictions have been imposed on her. But for the
moment, this master of self-promotion who found herself in the crosshairs with some of Russia's most powerful figures is no longer behind bars.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: Matthew Chance joins me now live from Moscow. What happens now with this -- with this young lady?
CHANCE: Well, as I mentioned in that report, she's not free to leave the country yet. She's still on the travel restrictions and she's still a
suspect in a prostitution case that is ongoing in Russia, in the Russian courts. So she can call back -- could be called back into court at any
time.
But she has given this verbal commitment not to embark on any further disclosures about Oleg Deripaska. She seems to have gotten the message
that authorities do not want her to talk.
[14:40:04] Having said that already, her lawyer has scheduled a press conference for tomorrow for afternoon here in Moscow to discuss the ins and
outs of her case. And so I'll have more detail for you then, Hala.
GORANI: And the accused U.S. spy has made a court appearance in Russia today.
CHANCE: Yes, there's been these two high profile court appearances. The seductress was released. Whereas the accused American spy, Paul Whelan has
been kept in custody. His lawyer said, confirmed some of the details who already had which is that he received a flash drive with secret information
on it.
His family, within the past hour has released a statement saying they're disappointment -- disappointed with the ongoing detention. They lack any
details still from the Russian government about why Paul is thought to be a spy.
And they say that they think he's been entrapped and was not guilty of espionage. But have resigned himself to the facts now that he's still
going to be spending at least several more months behind bars. Possibly, of course, longer than that, Hala.
GORANI: All right. Matthew Chance, our senior international correspondent in Moscow.
And don't forget, check us out on Facebook, facebook.com/halagoranicnn or on Twitter, @HalaGorani.
More to come, including the nominations are in for Hollywood's biggest night. We'll share who's in contention for Oscars and a diverse lineup
that includes some awards show first. That's a little later this hour. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: In Kenya, a nationwide manhunt is underway for the suspects behind last week's horrifying terror attack on a hotel in Nairobi that killed 21
people.
The al-Shabaab terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack. And in a CNN exclusive report, Sam Kiley spoke to a former al-Shabaab
fighter who says Kenya will remain the main target for these militants, at least, until the country's military ends its operations in Somalia.
And a warning. Sam's report includes footage viewers may find disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTPE)
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: As he watched the coverage of a terrorist attack on Nairobi's Dusit hotel, a chilling
revelation. He knew one of the killers, Ali Gichunge. They'd met in Somalia. They'd even had lunch.
MUSA: I saw him in Baidoa.
KILEY: A former Shabaab fighter we'll call Musa met the terrorist in Central Somalia. He says Gichunge, who was one of the five jihadist killed
in the Dusit was an al-Shabaab security service, the Amniat.
MUSA: You know, that guys was a Christian. Then he joined -- he converted to Islam.
[14:45:01] KILEY: Musa was recruited at his mosque and now that he's home in Kenya, he's been given amnesty after a de-radicalization process. But
after surviving an attempt to kill him, he lives in hiding.
MUSA: I hate radicalization. I want to be an example. Someone who wants to go, I want to tell them not to go.
KILEY: His story gives some insight into the training and indoctrination by al-Shabaab which has shown brutal skill in the attacks on Kenya and into
the selection of suicide bombers seen here detonating outside the Dusit cafe.
MUSA: So at the beginning you are told, "Are you going to blow yourself?" If you say yes, they select you. You are like maybe 10 people who stay in
a house, maybe like one year or more. They try you with the patience. They train you the Korean, some Hadith.
I know there are so many. Everybody wants to come and do this like Dusit. If given a chance they will come.
KILEY: Training includes sharing in atrocities.
MUSA: Everybody wants to cut off the head off someone. Have a piece, small bit then you give another person. You cut off the head. Yes, they
told us it's part of the training. After that, you are told to surround the head, kick it like football to reduce fear.
KILEY: That for Musa, the fear remained. He says after two years of combat, he fled Somalia and the terror group.
MUSA: Yes, it was traumatizing. And until today, it's coming into my mind. It's difficult.
KILEY: Musa said he met large numbers of foreigners, many of them some British and American and some who wanted to return to their homeland as
suicide bombers.
MUSA: I remember one person told me that he wished to be taken to his country to blow himself up with the wife. He was here. He was in Somalia
with the wife and one boy, his child. He told me he wants to take his child to British to blow himself up.
KILEY: He is convinced Shabaab has agents in Nairobi who are planning another atrocity.
MUSA: I know they have people in Nairobi, but I know there is. Because I remember our sheikh told us that in every tragedy, there will be always
another tragedy. It won't stop.
KILEY: And with a steady stream of Kenyans volunteering for Jihad, he says there's no shortage of killers to take on their own country.
Sam Kiley, CNN, Nairobi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: Well, we want to bring you up to date on the case of two Canadians detained in China. Beijing has rejected an open letter signed by over a
hundred former diplomats, academics, and activists calling on President Xi Jinping to release the men.
Will Ripley tells us more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Here in Beijing, you can pretty much sum up the Chinese government's reaction to this open letter in
two words. Butt out. China is dismissing this letter as a product of Canada and its allies, even though it was written by 116 scholars, 27
former diplomats from 19 countries, asking for the release of former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor. Both have been
detained for six weeks since December 10th, charged with activities that endangers China's national security.
It is widely suspected, at least, outside of China that this is politically motivated retaliation for the arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer,
Meng Wanzhou. In arrest that has outraged people here in China who feel that this has to do with the trade war and an attempt by the United States
to put pressure on China by arresting the daughter of the founder of a company that is one of the pillars of this nation's economy and they are
calling for Meng Wanzhou's immediate released. Accusing the U.S. and Canada of abusing their extradition agreement and saying that Canada has
made a grave mistake.
In terms of the letter, they say that the people who wrote it are interfering with China's sovereignty and their justice system. And they
say they welcome normal and friendly activities as long as people obey Chinese law.
Officials here say they have nothing to worry.
Will Ripley, CNN, Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: All right. Thanks, will.
We'll be right back with some Oscar news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:50:19] GORANI: The Oscar nominations are out with "Roma" and "The Favourite" leading the pack with 10 nods each. They're among the eight
contenders for the top award for best picture. One of them is the first superhero movie to be nominated for best picture. "Black Panther" and
"Roma."
Now, "Roma" is the first movie from Netflix to get a best picture nomination. "Roma" gives an intimate look at 1970s Mexico. "The
Favourite" tackles the relationships of Queen Anne.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You really think you can meet the Russian delegation looking like that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I will manage it. Go back to your rooms.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you just look at me? Did you? Look at me. Look at me! How dare you close your eyes!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, that performance from Olivia Colman scored her a best actress nomination. She's in good company in the field that includes Glenn
Close for her role in "The Wife." And Lady Gaga as the talented star singer on the rise in "A Star is Born."
But there's another toe tapper that has Oscar buzz around the lead actor category.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to give the audience a song that they can perform.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's the lyric?
ALL: We will, we will rock you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ready, Freddie?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, that's Rami Malek as the late Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen in "Bohemian Rhapsody." He's up for best actor along with
performers like Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper.
And finally, two nominations that bring pride and some bragging rights here at CNN, the CNN film "RBG" scored a nomination for best documentary feature
as well as best original song for its theme song. The movie chronicles the life and career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Well
done to CNN.
Well, Netflix's best picture nod for "Roma" just the latest in a string of successes for the streaming giant. Brian Stelter joins me now from New
York. This is a first for Netflix, isn't it? An Oscar nomination?
BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Yes. An Oscar nomination in the best picture category for "Roma." And "Roma" also picked up a number
of other nominations. So that's a total of 15 nominations for Netflix this year.
You compare that to last year, eight nominations in smaller categories. Two years ago, just one nomination. So you can see the power of Netflix in
these nominations today.
But honestly, Hala, I think today's nominations are kind of an echo. Netflix's arrival in Tinseltown has been very clear for a year or two now.
What we're hearing is confirmation from the Oscars voters that they can't deny Netflix's power. Some have tried though, some have tried, right?
Because Netflix movies generally are not in theaters. They generally do not screen the old-fashioned way. So there is some animosities, some
resentment over the Netflix model.
But Netflix is willing to bend a little to get into the Oscars and the Oscars are clearly bending to let them in as well.
GORANI: And how was Netflix bending? I know they're in talks to join the Motion Picture Association of America.
STELTER: Yes, that's part of the news today, joining the big trade lobbying group for the motion picture industry.
Netflix also is willing to now start to screen some of these films in theaters for a couple of weeks just to qualify for Oscars. So they're
willing to give a little bit in order to get this recognition. And Ted Sarandos, the head of the content offerings, came out today thanking the
Academy for this historic best picture nomination.
[14:55:04] The truth is Netflix has been trying to get a best picture nomination for several years and they've not been able to do it until
today. They had picked up some smaller nominations in smaller categories, but this moment today really marks Netflix's arrival with the Academy
Awards.
GORANI: Right. It's been very well received by critics, this movie "Roma."
What I find interesting about Netflix, now, more and more they are releasing household viewership numbers or household streaming numbers, I
should say.
STELTER: Yes, yes.
GORANI: Almost like television ratings. So they did it for "Bird Box," that movie with Sandra bullock. And then what I found interesting is you,
that series that first aired on Lifetime Network. That really did quite poorly. It wasn't even renewed for a second season. It streamed on
Netflix and again, they're saying it got something like 40 or 45 million household streams.
Which I found really interesting. Why are they releasing numbers like that now?
STELTER: I think it's to impress Hollywood. It's to impress actors and directors and producers who are choosing whether to work with Netflix or
not. If you're an A-list star and you can work with anybody, you want to know you're going to reach a big audience. So Netflix is trying to
celebrate that around the world.
In the case of "You", really interesting that they put out data on "You." It goes to show that, you know, you got to have the right show in the right
place, on the right network at the right time. Maybe Lifetime was the wrong right place, but Netflix was the right place.
They have not given out data for "Roma," however. Roma is more of an indie film. It's not a huge hit like "Bird Box." But what I love about the
world these days is you can go and watch a lot of these films when they're nominated because they're streaming. Netflix is streaming "Roma." Hulu is
streaming one of the documentary nominees.
It's a good thing that people have more access to these shows and films now.
GORANI: And we only have a minute, but "Black Mirror." So there's something for everyone with Netflix now. They're trying out all sorts of
genres. This is on demand where you can choose your own ending and your own storyline going forward. Is that kind of -- did that do well for them?
STELTER: Yes, interactive television is an idea that's been parodied for a long time, you know. And there's been some cheesy attempts to do it. But
it actually worked for "Black Mirror," because you're able to choose your own adventure throughout the -- throughout the future.
This is the kind of thing that you don't know what it is. Is it a film? Is it a TV show?
GORANI: A video game.
STELTER: Well, it doesn't really matter as long as people like it. Exactly. A video game. It doesn't really matter as long as people like
it, as long as they keep paying for Netflix.
Obviously, Netflix has a big lead, but Disney and Warner Media and others are now all wanting their own streaming services as well in order to
capitalize on this amazing phenomenon.
GORANI: It's the way of the future. Thanks very much, Brian Stelter for joining us from New York, our chief media correspondent.
And thanks from all of us. I'm Hala Gorani. We're coming to you live from London. Do stay with us. After the break, "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is in
Davos.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
