Biggest sports rival are set to meet at the cricket world cup. And we all know there are cricket fanatics. Hello, our viewers, welcome in the u. S. And around the world. Im Natalie Allen. Cnn newsroom starts right now. And we begin with breaking news. Hong kong suspending the controversial extradition bill that sparked mass protests this week. Activists claimed the bill would give china too much control over hong kong and erode the citys basic freedoms. Speaking just hours ago, chief executive kerry lam defending the bill, but said the government could do more to explain it to people who were afraid of losing their civil rights. I have to admit that our communication work has not been sufficient or effective. The government has decided to suspend the exercise. With all sectors of society, do more explanation work and listen to different views of society. I want to stress that the government is adopting an open mind to heed comprehensively different throughs in view towards the bill. Our anna coren, she has lived in hong kong for ten years. And she joins us now covering the story. Anna, lets first talk about what carrie lam said and the likely response that the people of hong kong to it. Reporter yeah, it was quite remarkable. We had got word earlier today that carrie lam would be making the announcement of suspending the highly controversial bill. And as weve seen over the weeks, this growing pressure for her to back down. Obviously, those protests last sunday, that massive march attracting up to 1 Million People to go straight to hong kong. And then on wednesday, tens of thousands of people that ended up in a violent clash with police. Dozens injured. But this goes to, i guess, the very doerr of what these people are fighting for which is their freedom. And they feel that is being eroded by china. And certainly will be eroded through the extradition bill. What is the extradition bill, it means anybody here in hong kong, these are not just citizens. These could be business people, journalists could then be charged with an offense, criminal offense. And enthen extradited to the mainland and face court there. People here are seriously concerned that would involve political activists who would then be charged on trumped up charges, and then taken to the mainland. Yeah, we saw the book sellers, selling gossipy books on the communist party, as they were quite literally just snatched from hong kong, taken to the mainland, forced to admit to certain charges. And they are now in jail. So, this is a major concern for the people here. Carrie lam obviously saying we need to press forward. We need to think. We need to listen to the people. That we havent explained this properly. And thats quite interesting. Because all along, they have said the people dont get it. The people do not understand. We are trying to protect hong kong. Well, the protesters, theyre not buying it. And they certainly are not buying the suspension of the bill. They are taking to the streets tomorrow, in this planned protest. Theres talks of folks coming in the same sort of numbers that we saw last sunday. So, obviously, the policy is that it will be a peaceful demonstration. But they want to maintain the pressure. Because, natalie, as far as they are concerned, at the end of the day, china, this is not going to change its result. It still wants greater control of hong kong. So, in their eyes, china, i should say, is trying to play the long game. Right. And there were some 1 Million People on the streets last week, anna. I mean, this is something that people there are taking there lightly at all. Is it you just said it, but theres very little chance that carrie lam will remove this, is she just trying to bide time . Reporter yeah, i think that is definitely the feeling. Carrie lam saying that this is not her withdrawing this highly controversial bill, this is her suspending it, postponing it. There is no time frame. She said that it wont be this year. But we spoke to a protest organizer in the last hour, and he said what is she playing at, we dont guy it. Because the people of hong kong, certainly those people who took to the streets, they dont trust the Hong Kong Government. And they certainly do not trust beijing. And its interesting, natalie, weve heard these arguments from the hong kong argument, from carrie lam, the chief executive saying there are laws in place to protect citizens. To protect human rights. To protect people. But as i said, the folks here, taking to the streets, they are not buying it. Now, i now want to bring in kevin yan, hes a partner of Kennedys Law Firm here in hong kong. Kevin, what do you make of the suspension of this bill . Specifically i speak on behalf of myself, but i think in relation to the concession that is now even in relation to the failed government has yet to convince of people of hong kong theyre sincere about wanting to get the process started all over again. Reporter and what do you make of their argument, and we heard from probeijing lawmakers also in the last few hours that the framework is in place . There is an independent judiciary here in hong kong that will protect the basic rights of hong kong citizens. What do you make of that . The ultimate problem with any traditional process set to trial, and its so long that youve got basic evidence available to suggest that there might be an issue, essentially, in that case, a judge as independent as he or she may be has little option but to go ahead and extradite. Reporter yeah, it obviously is a major concern here. And that is why protesters say, natalie, that they need to continue this. Kevin yam, again, we thank you for your insight there. But, natalie, we are expecting up to 1 Million People, possibly, to take to the streets, tomorrow to obviously voice their concerns. They say they will continue fighting for hong kongs freedom. Until that controversial bill is withdrawn. And until carrie lam resigns. Natalie. We hope it will be a peaceful protest. That is a lot of people on the streets. Anna cornyn for us. Anna, thanks so much. We turn now to the other major story we continue to follow out of the middle east. Cnn has learned new details about the attack on those two tankers in the gulf of oman. A u. S. Official says shortly before those ships were hit with explosives, iran tried to shoot down a u. S. Drone with a missile. This comes after the u. S. Military believe this video, u. S. Officials saying, it shows the iranians were moving an unexploded mine from the side of one of tankers several hours after the initial attack. President trump says he is convinced tehran was behind the ship attack. Tehran strenuously denying being involved. Mr. Trump would not say what, if anything, the u. S. And its allies might do to protect the strategic waterways. Theyre a nation of terrorists. And theyve changed a lot since ive been president , i can tell you. They were unstop only and now theyve in deep, deep trouble. You cant, you cant they dont have anything. How do you stop the outrageous acts with 30 of the worlds oil comes there . Were going to see. Lets get more from cnns Michelle Kosinski in washington. Reporter a tanker still smolders in the gulf of oman when it was attacked yesterday. While officials tell barbara starr, iran is trying to prevent from being towed. When they attacked boats prior to the attack on two ships, iran then fired a surfacetoair missile on it. It missed. And it did not capture the iranian boats conducting the actual attack. A string of incidents now that the u. S. Squarely blames on iran. Iran did do it. You know they did it because you saw the boat. Reporter the president referring to this extraordinary video shot from a u. S. Aircraft and released by the pentagon, showing what u. S. Officials say is a boat from irans elite revolutionary guard. Coming up to the hull of the japanese tanker hours after it was rocked by the explosion and removing what u. S. Officials say was an unexploded mine. To hide the evidence, iran was behind it. In photos you also see the damage to the hull from the first explosion. One diplomatic source telling cnn it is now virtually certain iran did this. That same source pointing out, though, there seems to be what they called a Straight Line from u. S. Actions, leaving the iran nuclear deal, sanctioning iran, increasing the military posture in the region to what is happening now. Iran is feeling the pressure and lashing out, but not changing its behavior. Not coming back to the negotiating table. At least not yet. The president today insisting his policy is working. Theyve changed a lot since ive been president , i can tell you. Now, all of a sudden, theyre pulling back, theyre pulling back from everywhere. Reporter sources tell cnn there is evidence iran feels the financial pinch, as oil sales marchered by sanctions. But it is tougher now for iran to fund its many proxy operations overseas. We have an snashl situation there in the middle east. Its not a u. S. Situation. Reporter yet, a attacks like these continue to send a message to the u. S. In threat and fire. That iran wont be deterred for now. So iran is denying any involvement and saying the u. S. Doesnt have a shred of evidence. Of course, the u. S. Feels its evidence is crystal clear. But what is not clear is what does the u. S. Do next . The acting secretary of defense says the immediate goal is to build International Consensus that iran is behind this. What were hearing from u. S. Allies is an agreement with the u. S. Assessment. But not the blatant blaming of iran that the u. S. Is doing at least not yet. The europeans, of course, want to hold on to whats left of the iran nuclear deal. Remember, even in the investigation that came out of the last tanker attack that happened only weeks ago, those countries that were involved determined at the u. N. , that a state actor was to blame, but they did not name iran. Michelle kosinski, cnn, washington. Lets take you to the region now for more reaction. Cnn skornts are there for us. Fred pleitgen in tehran and fred, lets begin with you. Many allegations for iran. The u. S. Blaming them for the attack and that drone attack. Iran pushing back. What is their reaction . Reporter yeah, iran very much pushing back. And iran also not answering to some of these specific allegations out there. Certainly, firing a missile at a u. S. Drone is is not something that the iranians have mentioned at all. Even that video that we just saw in michelles report seems to show the iranians taking something off the side of one of those stricken tanker which is the u. S. Believes could be an unexploded mine. The iranians havent commented yet. Theres some suggestion that video is out there but there hasnt been any comment on it. And at the same time accusing the u. S. Of trying to fan the flames in the greater middle east and more specifically in the persian gulf region. One of the things the iranians are highlighting in all of this, they say that the company that owns the tanker itself says the sailors on board the tanker do not believe the tanker was struck by a mine. In fact, some of those sailors apparently saying they believe the tanker was struck by projectiles. Of course, we always have to mention, its unclear how much Situational Awareness those sailors would had in the runup to the explosions and of course, while the explosions were taking place as well. That is the word from the tanker company. Thats something certainly playing down big here in iran as well. At the same time, the iranians, natalie, saying theyre not backing down on this situation. Its quite interesting because yesterday during friday prayers, its leader of the friday prayers said he believes the extreme leader of iran has essentially humiliated President Trump by not talking and said president trurn is not worthy of further tox. And iranians are saying if the u. S. Wants negotiations and talks they need to get back to the Nuclear Agreement first, natalie. Well see about is that, wont we . Unlikely. Fred pleitgen with a view from iran. Lets go to sam. First of all, u. S. Officials say iran is preventing that tanker from being towed . What do you know about that . And what are you hearing from the region about this situation and what could happen as a result . Reporter well, the owners of the front line elter, one of the two ships allegedly attacked, they say that was an iranian attack. And further to that, as you point out, natalie, the americans are saying there is interference going on with the salvage rescue operation. Weve been in touch with the front line company spokesman. He says they have absolutely no information about that. They have the full crew on board. The captain of the ship is there, he is in communication with his headquarters. And as far as theyre concerned there have been no talk whatsoever of harassment coming from the irgc navy. They say it is now attached and two are on its way, and they will decide where to make it for repair. Possibly crossload the goods that are on board, the oil shipment that it was carrying. So, once again, were seeing picking away at the american narrative. And this coming at a time, for example, the emrates are very anxious about the proxies. Nonetheless, at this stage, very anxious to stay out entirely of this growing rhetorical confrontation between the u. S. And tehran, not least because they look straight across the persian gulf on to iranian territory. Theyre very close neighbors. And that they are very anxious that this could ex scalate to something that spins entirely out of control, natalie. Sam kiley, Fred Pleitgen for us, well talk to you gentlemen, thanks. The u. S. President trump did something on friday we rare with hear him do, dial back on an incendiary comment. Well look at what he said and how he tried to undo the damage. Thats next. Acqua di gio. Absolu. The new sensuality. Giorgio armani. Hey allergy muddlers. Achoo . Do your sneezes turn heads . Try zyrtec. Zyrtec starts working hard at hour one. And works twice as hard when you take it again the next day. Zyrtec muddle no more. And try childrens zyrtec for consistently powerful relief of your kids allergies. Yesss, im doing it all. The water. The exercise. The fiber. Month after month, and i still have belly pain and recurring constipation. So i asked my doctor what else i could do, and i said yesss to linzess. Linzess treats adults with ibs with constipation or chronic constipation. Linzess is not a laxative, it works differently. It helps relieve belly pain and lets you have more frequent and complete bowel movements. Do not give linzess to children less than 6, and it should not be given to children 6 to less than 18, it may harm them. Do not take linzess if you have a bowel blockage. Get immediate help if you develop unusual or severe stomach pain, especially with bloody or black stools. The most common side effect is diarrhea, sometimes severe. If its severe, stop taking linzess and call your doctor right away. Other side effects include gas, stomach area pain, and swelling. Im still doing it all. The water. The exercise. The fiber. And i said yesss to linzess for help with belly pain and recurring constipation. Ask your doctor. Welcome back. Sources close to the white house tell cnn the last few days have been tough. Thats a quote. Inside the white house, after the president s recent interview with abc news. In that interview, mr. Trump said he would be open to taking dirt from foreign governments on political opponents in the 2020 election. Well, now the president is trying to clarify and justify those remarks. Heres Cnns Jim Acosta at the white house. Reporter President Trump has caused some collusion confusion now saying he would inform the fbi if a foreign operative tried to offer dirt on an opponent. Hes all over the place appearing to say he was procollusion after months saying there was no collusion. President trump is doing collusion cleanup inconsisting he would go to the fbi if a foreign power handed him damaging information about a political rival. But the president has wiggle room conceding he might look at it first. Of course, you give it to the fbi or report it to the attorney general or somebody like that. Of course, you do that. You couldnt have that happen with our country. Everybody understands that. I thought it was made clear, in fact i actually said at the beginning, i think id do both. But how are you going if you dont hear what it is, you dont know what it is. Reporter still, its an attempt at damage control after sounding curious about collusion. I think you might want to listen. Its not an interference. They have information. If i thought there was something wrong, id go maybe to the fbi. Reporter one sees it as a directive. The president s directive, a ca casebycase basis but report it also to the fbi. Reporter but disappears to dismiss the president s remarks. Cant just let it go. I said the other day, case closed. We got the mueller report. Reporter some republicans are taking issue with the idea of accepting foreign dirt. Nobody should ever, ever take any foreign intelligence or any information from any foreign government. If thats not the law, and i think it is, if thats not the law, we need to make that expressed. Reporter the president also got testing with the notion that eevaded questions on russia during the investigation. I answered a lot of questions. They gave me questions, i answered them in writing. Not an obstruction. George, youre being a wise guy which is typical for you. Just so you understand, its very simple, there was no crime, no collusion. Reporter and President Trump rejected the claim of don mcgahn that he was asked to fire robert mueller. I dont care what anyone says. That was should show what a good Council Counsel he was. Why would he lie under oath . To make himself sound like a good lawyer. Reporter with Kellyanne Conway for accusations evading the hack act. It looks to me like theyre trying to take away her right of free speech and thats just not fair. Reporter but thats not exactly true, as the law does limit political advocacy for federal employees. The president also talked up Vice President mike pence, but not enough to guarantee hed support him in 2024. I love mike. Were running again, you know, youre talking about a long time. You cant put me in that position. But i certainly would give it very strong consideration. Reporter the president s Reelection Campaign is now announcing they show polling numbers that show former Vice President joe biden leading President Trump. In the states with the campaign, aides a lot has changed sin