Transcripts For KQED PBS NewsHour 20240622 : vimarsana.com

More than 400 years old. All that and more on tonights pbs newshour. Major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by moving our economy for 160 years. Bnsf, the engine that connects us. Supported by the john d. And catherine t. Macarthur foundation. Committed to building a more just, verdant and peaceful world. More information at macfound. Org and with the ongoing support of these institutions this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Ifill a white Police Officer was indicted today for killing a black motorist during a traffic stop in cincinnati. Ray tensing is accused of murdering the driver, samuel dubose, when he was pulled over near the university of cincinnati campus on july 19th, for not having a front license plate. Tensing said he was dragged by the car and forced to shoot dubose. But footage from the body camera he was wearing revealed a different sequence of events as the car rolled away only after dubose was shot. Were not showing the moment the gun fired. After reviewing the video Hamilton County prosecutor joe deters said there was no doubt in his mind it was murder. Could you imagine the outrage you would have if this was your kid or brother . Over a stop like this . And he didnt do anything violent towards the officer. He wasnt dragging him. And he pulled out his gun and intentionally shot him in the head. Ifill the victims family pushed authorities to release the body camera footage today. Duboses sister, terina allen, said it was crucial to show what really happened. He didnt have a gun. He didnt do anything to that officer. No one deserves this. So im angry, but im as pleased as i can be that were actually going to get some kind of justice for sam, but i dont think we would be getting it, to get back to that, without the camera. Ifill tensing turned himself in this afternoon and was processed on charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter. He has a Court Appearance scheduled tomorrow morning. For more on this, i spoke a short time ago to Sharon Coolidge of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Test Sharon Coolidge, thanks for joining us. Tell us what new details emerged today after the announcement by the prosecutor . Well we havent i think the Biggest Surprise came when the prosecutor actually had his press conference today. Judging from what we heard from the police chief and the city manager this week we were expecting an indictment. But nobody was expecting the prosecutor to say the word murder so that really has kept i mean put people we were propelled out from there today. Ifill so it was the video that changed the course of what you saw happen today, the actual showing of that video . Oh definitely. We had all really been clamouring to see the video. And the enquirerer we still have a lawsuit last week, we believe it was Public Record all along. The prosecutor finally released it today. And seeing the video really made things a lot more clear in this case, i think for the american public. Ifill now how did what we saw on the video differ from we had known or what the officer had said had happened before . Im working through that right now and i have had the opportunity to see a second video this afternoon. You know the officer and weve not spoken sdrekly to that officer only to his attorney Stuart Mathews is insisting that the officer was dragged. And knocked down during what during the incident. And we just have not seen that on video yet. Definitely the video released by the prosecutor today does not show that. The second video which was attached to the body camera from another officer arriving at the scene does show officer tensing on the ground am but it doesnt show what lead up to the officer being on the ground. Ifill so all we know right now is that that gun was discharged. The carrolled away and the question is what happened between those two moments. That is correct. The prosecutor is insisting that Nothing Happened between those two moments. And the video really, it just doesnt show something happening. It shows a peaceful you know conversation where you know where dubose asked a couple of questions about why he is being pulled over but is very civil is very respectful. And its just a couple of questions. And we dont see a reason on any of the video for a shooting. And i think thats what lead to the murder charge. Ifill joe deters talked pretty toughed today the prosecutor. Was that unusual for him so or is that what you have come to expect covering him . Joe deters does talk he has tough talk for criminals in this town. And hes known for that. But in Police Officer cases hes typically been more reserved. And weve never, of course seen Something Like this. This really i think is the first if the country. But in other cases where there is an officerinvolved shooting he doesnt talk like this. Those cases are reserved really for what he can see in videos and different kinds of cases not in officer cases. So to hear him talk today like he did in a case involving a Police Officer was really toning to stunning to me. Ifill was there a distinction with the fact that this was a university Police Officer and not a city of cincinnati Police Officer . Well there definitely is a distinction. The city police have been reminding of that all week because they are completely Different Police forces. And i think thats been made clear. But they are still Police Officers. They are trained you know theyre part. Union. These are Police Officers protecting our citizens. Our students. So in this there is no difference. This was a Police Officer. Ifill and so far what do we know about community reaction, especially in the wake of the family statements today . Community relations in cincinnati, i would say are its tense. People wanted to see the video. No within is quite sure what to expect tonight because it was handled so well with this wasnt a case where people think oh this officer was undercharged. So im expecting there to be a peaceful march where people will make their voices heard but do it in a respectful manner. And certainly the family is calling for that. Ifill Sharon Coolidge of the Cincinnati Enquirer thank you for taking time on this breaking story today to talk to us. Thank you very much. Ifill we have more on the story online, including the communitys response from a member of the enquirers editorial board, byron mccauly. Thats at pbs. Org newshour. Woodruff in other news, the Turkish Military unleashed a powerful new barrage of airstrikes on kurdish rebel targets in Northern Iraq overnight. They pounded Kurdistan Workers Party or p. K. K. Sites in six areas. The prokurdish opposition demanded an end to the violence today, charging a political motive by president erdogan. But in ankara, turkeys Prime Minister warned peace will only be achieved if rebel fighters stop all their attacks. translated our might is enough to simultaneously fight not just three terror organizations, but 33. And we will show that might. Within this framework, we will continue to take our precautions and this process will continue until terrorism elements lay down their arms and until they get out of turkey and until public order is absolutely restored. Woodruff also today turkeys cabinet officially approved an agreement to allow the u. S. Led coalition to use its Incirlik Air Base to launch strikes on the Islamic State. Ifill in washington, the militarys top brass joined the secretary of state on capitol hill to defend the obama administrations nuclear deal with iran. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman republican john mccain insisted he cant make an informed decision without all the facts, and that includes documents iran negotiated with International Nuclear inspectors. We agree, all of us i believe, that we should see those instruments of verification, otherwise how can we make a judgment as to this agreement can be enforced and verified with a country that has a long record of cheating . Ifill the Nuclear Deals lead negotiator secretary of state john kerry again played down any talk of secret agreements between iran and the International Atomic energy agency. We have relied on the i. A. E. A. For years and years and historically the i. A. E. A. Always creates whats called a comprehensive safeguards agreement a c. S. A. Which they negotiate with the country. We dont get that exact, its not shared with the world. Their reasons that its confidential have to do with what you can get out of that country but we do get briefed on it. Ifill after a 60day review period, the house and senate will vote on the Iran Nuclear Agreement in september. Woodruff the house of representatives late today approved a threemonth funding extension of the federal highway trust fund. The fund which funnels federal money towards bridge, road and transit projects is due to run out of money at midnight on friday. The senate plans on taking up the 8 billion bill later this week. Ifill democratic congressman chaka fattah was indicted today on federal racketeering and bribery charges. The longtime philadelphia congressman allegedly paid off a Campaign Loan with charitable donations and used Campaign Money to pay down his sons student loan debt. Charges ranged from bribery, to bank and mail fraud, to money laundering. In a statement, fattah said hes never participated in any illegal activity or misused taxpayer dollars. Woodruff the Federal Reserve board opted today to keep Interest Rates unchanged, for now. In its latest statement, the central bank said its still waiting to see further economic recovery and higher inflation before it will raise them. Todays fed statement caused stocks to close higher on wall street. The Dow Jones Industrial average gained 121 points to close at 17,751. The nasdaq rose 22 points and the s p 500 added 15. Ifill outrage grew around the world today over the death of a famous lion in africa. Minnesota dentist walter j. Palmer paid Zimbabwe Hunter Theo Bronkorst to go on the trophy hunting trip that ultimately led to the lions killing. Bronkhorst left a courtroom in zimbabwe with his lawyer today charged with failing to prevent an american from unlawfully killing cecil, the countrys most wellknown lion. How do you feel . Terrible. Ifill earlier this month, the beloved cecil was allegedly lured out of his sanctuary at a National Park into unprotected territory where he was shot with a bow and arrow. The man behind the bow and arrow was american walter j. Palmer who has killed wild animals before like this lion in 2008. He admits he killed cecil, but said he thought the hunt was legal. Cecil, one of the parks oldest lions, didnt die right away, but had to be shot days later, when he was also beheaded. If we had not been having strong conservation efforts in terms of protecting the animals from poachers, it wouldnt have gone to that age of 13 years. Ifill amid a social media backlash, palmer is now being sought on poaching charges, and the public has turned his dental practice in minnesota into a makeshift memorial to the dead lion. For now, the Office Remains clos the u. S. Fish and Wildlife Service pledged today to assist officials in zimbabwe in whatever manner is requested. Woodruff new England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady vowed to fight his fourgame suspension by the n. F. L. For his involvement in deflating footballs during last years playoff run. In a statement, brady also denied allegations made by the n. F. L. That he destroyed his cell phone to hide information. The n. F. L. Players association filed a motion in federal court in minnesota today challenging the leagues decision to uphold bradys suspension. Ifill still to come on the newshour what the death of a taliban leader means for peace in afghanistan, the supreme allied commander of nato on the growing russian threat and much more. Woodruff now to the future of afghanistan after a longtime enemy of the United States is reportedly dead. Earlier today, a spokesman for afghanistans Intelligence Agency confirmed the death of taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Mohammad omar. According to the agency, the reclusive figure died two years ago at a hospital in pakistan. So far, the taliban has not publicly commented on the claim. But as recently as two weeks ago, the group was issuing statements in his name. He had not been seen publicly since 2001. Jessica donati is covering the story for the Reuters News Agency in kabul. I spoke to her a short time ago. Jessica donati welcome. So tell us more about what these reports say and how solid are they. Well were not getting alot out of the reports other than that the afghan Intelligence Agency has said that they confirmed that mullah omar is dead and we have the Afghan Government saying that they have reason to believe that the reports are credible. But from the taliban side we dont have anything. Woodruff and in terms of he died two years ago in a hospital in pakistan any more information than that about why he died how he died . There isnt a lot of details. Weve been speaking to some commanders who suggest that he might have died of tuberculosis. There are different rumors about different illnesses that he may have had. And its not clear where he died or what he died of. I think the question really is why is it coming out now about two days before there was supposed to be another round of peace talks scheduled to take place somewhere on friday. So the question is why are the reports now because its possible that they would make the taliban appear more weak. So there are a lot of questions being asked as to who is behind these reports. Woodruff is there a theory about who is behind them. And youre saying the taliban would be weakened because their leader would be gone. Yes and that would suggest that there is more of a split that would put them in a more difficult position if they were going to be bargaining with the Afghan Government. On the one side there seems to be a group of commander was are in favor of going ahead with the peace talks and on the other side the commanders are saying well look, the enforcers have less an were making progress. It is not a good time for us to be negotiating. So it is not really a good position for them to be in without leadership. And that could be why they arent commenting either way. Woodruff so how strong is the taliban seen to be right now in afghanistan . At the moment they have theyre coming out stronger this year than last year. First of all the Afghan Security forces are on their own. Most for enforces have left and there is only a limited amount of air sport along with the training missions. So the casualty rates are higher. They have taken over tons of villages in the north. Theyve captured a couple of centers which are quite symbolic. They threatened a major city in the north although they havent really come close to capturing it. So they are making progress. On the other hand they also have to face the fact that there is an Islamic State threat that is rising and getting the attention competing for young fighters sork this might not be such a bad time for them to negotiate. Woodruff and how far along with are the talks between the taliban and the Afghanistan Government seem to be . At the moment we arent even entirely clear how official these talks are. There were talks taking place in early july between the Afghan Government the pakistani government. There were american and chinese officials and several taliban. But it is not clear who these taliban leaders were representing and whether they had authority from the leadership. So we have statements from the afghan and the pakistani side saying that these were the first round of official peace talks and that the next time they would be talking about an agenda and possible ceasefire. But the taliban never said anything about whether these talks were official or not. So you could say that theyre not very far ahead at all. Woodruff well, one more twist in i guess an endless set of twists and turns Jessica Donati in kabul thank you. Thank you. Ifill the role of the u. S. Military in europe has shifted since the start of the ukraine conflict. Along with other nato countries American Forces now have a sizeable presence in the region. I spoke today with the man leading the effort a few hours before russia and the u. S. Were again on opposite sides at the united nations. Just over a year ago, Malaysian Airlines flight m