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Dhaka Attackers all Bangladeshi; Car Bombs Kill 80 in Baghdad; Erdogan Visits Makeshift Memorial for Victims; FBI Interviews Clinton, Charges Unlikely; Thousands Say No to Brexit in Protest; Remembering Elie Wiesel; Germany Qualify for Euro 2016 Semifinals; Tourist's Performance of Anthem Goes Viral. Aired 4-5a ET
Aired July 03, 2016 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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GEORGE HOWELL, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): In Bangladesh, two days of mourning begin as we're learning new information about the attackers who killed 20 people during a standoff in Dhaka.
An exit from Brexit: that's the hope of thousands, protesting the U.K.'s decision to leave the E.U., saying they've been cheated by deceptive campaigning.
Plus: words of remembrance for Elie Wiesel; tributes pour in for the author and Holocaust survivor, who pushed for a better world.
Live from CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta, welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm George Howell. CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.
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HOWELL: There are new details coming in, coming to surface now about the gunmen behind the Bangladesh terror attack. A police official tells CNN the men who stormed that cafe in Dhaka on Friday, that they were all Bangladeshi citizens. They killed 20 hostages and two police officers during that standoff.
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HOWELL (voice-over): Troops ended the siege on Saturday; 13 hostages were rescued. A new video is believed to show commandos moving in to end that terror attack, though CNN cannot independently confirm its authenticity. But it appears to be recorded from a building that is adjacent to the restaurant.
HOWELL (voice-over): You get a sense of what was happening there. You get to hear it there.
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HOWELL: For more on the Bangladesh terror attack we're joined now by CNN's Alexandra Field, on the line with us from Dhaka. Alexandra, it's good to have you with us.
So what more do we know about these attackers at this point?
ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, George, the official mourning period has begun here in Dhaka now. The two days of mourning while investigators work to learn more about these attackers, who have been identified as Bangladeshis by authorities here.
Some of them known militants, who police are looking to arrest; the rest of the nation's mourning those who died, 20 people killed inside that restaurant. (INAUDIBLE) and stabbed to death, according to investigators, also two police officers killed (INAUDIBLE) hours, ending in this commandos rushed in to free those 13 hostages.
Right now I'm scene from a blocked off (ph), investigators are still inside. People have gathered out here. We're watching (INAUDIBLE) to the crime scene at this very moment.
These victims of this attack come from Bangladesh, India, the U.S., Italy and Japan. We've seen earlier today one Japanese government official who has already arrived (INAUDIBLE) counterterrorism experts to help with the investigation and families of the Japanese victims are being flown in.
Meanwhile, family members have already arrived in Dhaka and are doing the horrific work of having to identify the remains of their loved ones. They're waiting for the remains to be turned over as they wait for investigators to come up with more answers.
Frankly, George, ISIS is claiming responsibility for this attack shortly afterwards, almost in the immediate aftermath. U.S. officials are now focusing on ISIS as well. That development after a media site affiliated with Al Qaeda posted pictures of men who they purport to be the attackers.
That same site also posted very graphic photos, which we cannot show, of the people who they claim are the victims, (INAUDIBLE) inside what appears to be a (INAUDIBLE).
But, George, the eerie part about this effort, pictures (INAUDIBLE) 90 minutes before commandos stormed in, certainly suggesting that many of the victims may have been killed before the confrontation with police (INAUDIBLE) for many of the hostages -- George.
HOWELL: Alexandra Field, live for us by phone in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Alexandra, thank you.
It was a little tough to hear on that line. But we got the gist of that reporting. We'll stay in touch with you and hear from you again next hour.
The majority of Dhaka victims were from Italy. Nine Italians in total are confirmed dead. The country's football team paid tribute on Saturday. Players wore black armbands during their Euro 2016 match against Germany. And Italy is now in mourning. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATTEO RENZI, ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER (through translator): Facing yet another tragedy of --
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RENZI (through translator): -- radical Islam that continues to drown innocence and blood in many parts of the world, I think it is time for Italy to be united, to give a message of sorrow and compassion.
Today we can cry; we can cry in solidarity and with compassion. But also we give a sense of great determination, great strength and great courage, that Italy will not backtrack in the face of the madness of those who want to destroy the life we live every day. Italy has been hit. But it is not on its knees.
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HOWELL: CNN contributor Barbie Nadeau joins us now live from Rome.
Barbie, you just heard a moment ago, Italy will not backtrack. A very strong reaction there.
BARBIE NADEAU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. The country really is in mourning, though. Matteo Renzi yesterday addressing the press, talking about how this is really the second time Italians have been attacked.
The first of course, 2015 in Bardo, Tunisia, six Italians died then. Nine Italians died in this attack.
And Italians woke up this morning to newspapers filled with stories of these people, ordinary people, whose lives were cut short: a 33-year- old woman who was pregnant, ready to come home tomorrow, left a Facebook notice, saying, "I'll see you all tomorrow," you know, see you on Monday at the airport. She was killed.
A 47-year-old man who had 3-year-old twins, he's dead. These stories really add to the tragedy of the situation and really the sense of shock here in Italy -- George.
HOWELL: And are we hearing anything, Barbie, just from family members?
I understand that Italy is in mourning.
But how are people coming together?
NADEAU: Well, you know, these Italians were from all over the country and we're expecting to have a candlelight vigil tonight in Rome, where people will gather and pray for the victims.
We're expecting Pope Francis, when he makes his noon address, to call people together the to pray for the victims. But people are really, in the little towns and the bigger cities where these people were from, are holding their own sorts of vigils and paying homage to the people.
We don't know yet when the bodies will be returned to Italy or what sort of ceremony the state will put into place. So we can expect some sort of honor to be given to these people, who lost their lives for senseless reasons -- George.
HOWELL: CNN contributor Barbie Nadeau, live for us in Rome this hour, Barbie, thank you so much for the reporting here today.
Islamist extremists have been carrying out violence in Bangladesh with alarming frequency. While this most recent attack targeted an area that is popular with foreigners, others have focused on secular and minority groups.
There have been at least 35 hacking attacks, people hacked to death. These carried out in the country just in the last 14 months. This according to the U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh.
Of those, 23 attacks have been claimed by Islamic terror groups. Reports of hacking deaths go back to 2013, with most targeting bloggers and those considered to be going against Islam.
Let's get some context now on what's been happening there in Bangladesh with Shahab Enam Khan (ph). He is an international security expert and an associate professor of international relations in Dhaka and joins us via Skype.
It's good to have you with us, sir. So let's first talk about what's been happening in that country. We've seen so many of these targeted attacks on individuals, on secular bloggers, for instance.
Now we're seeing this -- and we heard from the prime minister just the other day that terrorism must be rooted out. But this is, in fact, coming from a government that has, in the past, to some extent, denied that terrorism was even an issue.
SHAHAB ENAM KHAN (PH), INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EXPERT: Yes, thank you. I think this is becoming one of the major national security concerns in Bangladesh over the past 14 months. We have seen heinous attack on the secularists, as well as to the general public.
Now the situation has come -- has hit the ceiling at the moment. As you have seen day before yesterday, the killing of 20 nationals, foreign nationals, is ultimately the manifestation of that continued attack at the highest level.
Now, of course, what we have seen over the past few months is the rise of extremism in this country. And this extremism has two components. It has homegrown components and it has transnational components, too.
Now, given that, I think the situation has come to quite an extreme position. But I would like to mention here that the country that you're talking about, Bangladesh, is heavily condemning. And if you walk around the towns and the cities, people are extremely annoyed with this and people are extremely, extremely condemning any kind of Islamist or any kind of right-wing extremism to rise in this country. So in general, the situation --
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KHAN: -- maybe is not good. But on the other hand, the people are absolutely aware of the fact that this is not something that goes with our society or culture or perhaps the government has taken a strong action not to comply with the -- with any kind of extremist demands or extremist exploitation at large.
HOWELL: So as you point out -- and rightly point out given this terrible attack that happened in Dhaka at this cafe -- that people are rattled. We have heard from government officials that they do recognize, they are seeing terrorism as a problem there.
But the question that many will be asking, will be, you know, what sort of steps will be put in place?
How will the government take this problem on, head-on?
KHAN: I think there are three things that you will see coming up. One is obviously now we need to revamp and restructure our law enforcement framework. And I would like to give the credit to the armed forces, particularly, who carried out a 13-minute operation and then they rescued 13 people.
But, that also gives us a kind of like arming the (ph) situation, whether the law enforcement agencies are actually able to (INAUDIBLE) and then prevent. So this is a big lesson since this is the first time that has happened, something like that, in this country.
I think one task will be to revamp and then, obviously, we need some sort of political leadership, which the prime minister is well able to do. But, perhaps, the government should reach out to the communities, reach out to the youth society and integrate them.
And there should be some sort of inclusive solution to this particular problem. So we cannot actually afford to marginalize anybody or exclude any particular political entity or political or social entity in this regard.
So this has to be hosting (ph).
And third is obviously we need to have more international cooperation. I think, as I was pointing out, I mean, we do have intelligence capacity. But the problem is how do we use this intelligence capacity.
So for that, I think the government, as well as international community, rather than seeing it as an individual problem or an -- or a problem of a specific country, where you have to see it from a global perspective, too.
So the communication with the international agencies, as well as international community, is a must. So, therefore, rather than seeing one of it as growing country that exposes the (INAUDIBLE) threat, we are still in a position which can be curtailed, which can be dealt with, without much fault.
HOWELL: Shahab Enam Khan (ph), we appreciate your insights today. Thank you for being with us. And of course, we're all together in mourning as that country is in mourning.
We move on now to Baghdad. The number of deaths in twin car bombings in the Iraqi capital has now risen to 80 people. More than 130 people are wounded.
The blasts happened Saturday in two mostly Shiite neighborhoods in Central and Southeastern Baghdad. ISIS has claimed responsibility for one of the attacks. The group said on social media that it was targeting Shiites.
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HOWELL: Terror in Turkey: that nation honoring the lives now of 44 people killed in last week's terror attacks, as authorities continue their investigation.
On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited a makeshift shrine for the people who lost their lives at the Ataturk Airport. Three suicide bombers attacked that airport on Tuesday. Officials believe a well-known Russian jihadist and ISIS lieutenant coordinated the assault. They don't know where he is presently.
Our senior international correspondent, Ivan Watson, is live in Istanbul, following this story.
Ivan, first let's talk about the fact, you know, very important to see the Turkish president visiting that airport.
How significant was it for people there?
IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know, I wasn't present on the scene but he has been coming out now consistently for the past several days, speaking out, trying to honor the victims, the 44 victims.
And on Saturday, there was a 44th victim, a 3-year-old Palestinian Jordanian boy who succumbed to his injuries and, of course, we have dozens of additional people that are still fighting for their lives in hospitals here.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, has also come out and vowed vengeance --
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WATSON: -- against ISIS, saying that for every one of us that they kill, we'll kill 10 of them.
As far as the investigation goes, George, we really haven't gotten any update in some 48 hours now from the Turkish authorities, beyond two names of the three bombers and the possible nationalities, that one comes from Russia, that another comes from the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan; another comes from Uzbekistan.
We're not quite sure why that is. Either the Turkish authorities are keeping their cards quite close to their chest because they don't want to reveal anything or they're simply trying to very much control the message.
It's not very clear right now; the Turkish authorities have detained close to 2 dozen people in raids here in Istanbul and in the port city of Izmir. But I think the realization that this is probably going to be part of a much broader struggle against ISIS, not just across the border in Syria but very much here at home, in cities like the commercial capital of Istanbul. That is something that is very clear.
And all you got to do is look around the city and realize how much emptier it is than it would normally be and just talk to people. And you realize that there is really a sense of dread that many Turks have right now, after the many bombings that they've seen and this most recent heinous attack at Ataturk Airport.
HOWELL: Ivan Watson live for us in Istanbul, thank you so much for the reporting. We'll stay in touch with you.
This is CNN NEWSROOM.
And still ahead, Hillary Clinton spent her Saturday talking to the FBI about her e-mails. Why the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee says she was eager to answer their questions. Stay with us.
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HOWELL: America's choice 2016; and the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee for president met with the FBI for several hours on Saturday to talk about the investigation that is casting a shadow over her campaign. Sources say the whole thing could be wrapped up soon. Chris Frates has details.
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CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hillary Clinton came to FBI headquarters behind me on Saturday to sit for a 3.5 hour interview with federal officials, who are investigating the use of her private e-mail server.
The Clinton campaign putting out a statement that read, quote, "Secretary Clinton gave a voluntary interview this morning about her e-mail arrangements while she was secretary. "She's pleased to have had the opportunity to assist the Department of Justice in bringing this review to a conclusion out of respect for the investigative process. She will not comment further on her interview."
That was from spokesman Nick Merrill. But what we do know is that this is a routine part of the investigation. Hillary Clinton's aides have been brought in and have talked to the FBI and this is part of what happens at the end of an investigation, when the FBI brings in the subject for an interview.
In fact, sources telling CNN that, right now, there's not enough evidence to charge Hillary Clinton with any crimes. And barring any big game-changers in this interview today, they don't expect that there will be any charges brought against Hillary Clinton. And they may announce that in the next few weeks.
That would be welcome news for the Clinton campaign and Democrats, who want to put this issue off the table before the Democratic convention in three weeks.
Now Republicans, though, continue to hit Hillary Clinton on this issue. In fact, Donald Trump tweeted this on Saturday.
He said, quote, "It is impossible for the FBI not to recommend criminal charges against Hillary Clinton. What she did was wrong. What Bill did was stupid."
Donald Trump there talking about Bill Clinton, earlier this week meeting with Loretta Lynch on the tarmac of Phoenix International Airport. He popped over when their planes were sharing a tarmac to have a social call with Loretta Lynch. Came under huge criticism for that because, of course, as the attorney general, Loretta Lynch is overseeing this investigation.
But certainly Republicans are going to continue to hit Hillary Clinton on this, no matter what the outcome of this FBI investigation is -- Chris Frates, CNN, Washington.
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HOWELL: Chris, thank you.
And as we heard there in Chris' report from Donald Trump, we're hearing again from the presumptive Republican nominee, who later wrote on Twitter, quote, "It was just announced by sources that no charges will be brought against Crooked Hillary Clinton. Like I said, the system is totally rigged."
Now on to Australia: federal elections remain too close to call there. Saturday's voting shows the opposition Labor Party and the Liberal/National Coalition in a dead heat so far. Final results are expected no sooner than Tuesday. Despite the uncertainty, Australia's prime minister remains optimistic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MALCOLM TURNBULL, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: Tonight, my friends I can report that, based on the advice I have from the party officials, we can have every confidence that we will form a coalition majority government in the new parliament. It is -- it is a very, very close count. It is a very close count, as you know.
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HOWELL: The prime minister is leading the caretaker government for now.
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HOWELL: About 50,000 protesters marched through the streets of London on Saturday, angered by the U.K.'s vote to leave the European Union. Organizers say Millennials made up most of the crowd. CNN's John Vause reports voters say they feel cheated by campaign lies.
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JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The call went out on social media just days ago and thousands answered, flooding into the heart of the capital.
VAUSE: This is the start of the pro-E.U. rally, the anti-Brexit rally here. This column of people stretches back for maybe a kilometer in that direction.
As you can hear, they're now chanting, "What do we want?"
"The E.U."
And they want it now. They plan on marching towards Parliament.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do we want?
E.U.!
When do we want it?
Now!
What do we want?
E.U.!
When do we want it?
Now!
VAUSE (voice-over): There's anger here for the leader of the independence party, Nigel Farage, who many blame for a surge of racism and hate crimes after the vote.
VAUSE: Are you worried about racism on the rise in Britain after this vote? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Unfortunately, yes; I have experienced it as I am Bulgarian. I have already experienced several unfortunate incidents, one of which was telling me to pack my bags and leave, on social media, which wasn't great.
VAUSE: Right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I'm definitely worried.
VAUSE (voice-over): And anger for former London mayor, Boris Johnson; many believe he led a Leave campaign which was based on lies.
VAUSE: Simon (ph), you're holding a sign, "Democracy based on lies is not democracy."
You feel that you were lied to obviously.
SIMON (PH), PROTESTER: Oh, I feel that the public was lied to very comprehensively and very directly, yes.
VAUSE: By the Leave campaign?
SIMON (PH): By the Leave campaign.
VAUSE: By the Remains or --
SIMON (PH): Predominantly by the Leave campaign. I can't say I spotted any obvious lies in the Remain campaign but there might have been some mistruths.
VAUSE (voice-over): And while there are demands for a second referendum -- a petition demanding one has more than 4 million signatures -- most now want Parliament to ignore the result, arguing it was nonbinding.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think we are going to leave Europe.
VAUSE: Oh, good.
So how are you going to stop leaving Europe?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, basically the referendum is an advisory thing. It still has to be voted in government, OK, by parliamentarians. I don't believe -- I think events like this today is about showing the support of the people, of the actual majority -- you know, some people didn't vote -- ensuring we do still stay in Europe. It's not over.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Give me a cheer if you are from Europe!
VAUSE (voice-over): And they took that message directly to Parliament.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I stand with you. Decent British values are the values of the European Union. Thank you. VAUSE: Keep in mind, London voted overwhelmingly to remain within the E.U. The rest of England voted to leave. And while the referendum was meant to settle the euro question once and for all, it seems to have only exposed deeper divisions -- John Vause, CNN, London.
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HOWELL: John Vause, thank you.
The world is mourning the death of renowned Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel. We look back at his life and the impact of his work -- still ahead.
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HOWELL: Welcome back to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. It is good to have you with us. I'm George Howell with the headlines we're following for you this hour.
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HOWELL: The renowned Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace laureate, Elie Wiesel, has died at the age of 87 years old. Wiesel was imprisoned in the Nazi concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald during World War II. His experiences were chronicled in his memoir, "Night."
Funeral services will be private but a public memorial will be announced at a later date. CNN's Richard Roth has more now on Wiesel's extraordinary life and the legacy that he leaves behind.
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RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He would become the most famous survivor of the Holocaust. But at the age of 15, Elie Wiesel had no fears when his family was rounded up in Hungary by the Nazis.
ELIE WIESEL, NOBEL PRIZE WINNER AND HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR: At the very last minute I wasn't worried. We have no idea that Auschwitz existed.
ROTH (voice-over): That changed when he was transported by cattle car with hundreds of others.
WIESEL: I knew something terrible, it was something terrifying that was in store for us.
ROTH (voice-over): Arrival at Auschwitz, the extermination camp; an older inmate advises them, "Tell the Germans you're 18 years old, a candidate for work."
It saved his life or what would pass as life in the death camps.
Trapped in a nightmare, Wiesel sustained himself by keeping his father alive. Father and son were later taken to Buchenwald camp. Wiesel's father, Shlomo, died just weeks before the U.S. Army arrived.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All along the Allied advance, the gates swing open from German concentration camps.
ROTH (voice-over): This picture was taken after liberation. Wiesel is in the second level of the bunk next to the beam. He would later say he didn't recognize himself.
Wiesel lamented there was no grave of his father to visit when he toured Buchenwald in 2009 with German Chancellor Merkel and President Obama.
WIESEL: What can I tell him?
That the world has learned?
I am not so sure.
ROTH (voice-over): Wiesel started asking questions after the war, becoming a journalist. It took years before he talked about the horrors he experienced, in his book called "Night" an eventual bestseller.
In 1985 as he received the Congressional gold medal, he implored President Reagan -- unsuccessfully -- not to visit a German cemetery filled with members of the SS. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. The humanitarian would later speak out against other atrocities.
On Saddam Hussein...
WIESEL: It's not a method of war. It's a method of intervention.
ROTH (voice-over): -- Darfur, Sudan...
WIESEL: It's a scandal that we didn't stop the bloodshed.
ROTH (voice-over): -- and on Iranian President Ahmadinejad.
WIESEL: I will tell you, frankly, this man is a disgrace.
ROTH (voice-over): He was named a messenger of peace by the United Nations, the organization founded as a result of World War II. He would ask the U.N. --
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ROTH (voice-over): -- Security Council...
WIESEL: Why am I involved in tragic events that occurred to people I have never met on the other side of oceans and continents? It is because I belong to a traumatized generation, haunted by the
world's indifference.
ROTH (voice-over): The Elie Wiesel Foundation was set up to fight indifference and intolerance. In 2008, Wiesel and his foundation learned they were among the victims of financial schemer Bernard Madoff.
Wiesel always said he was a writer and a teacher. He said he never spoke for all the Holocaust victims but serves to remind nations to not let it happen again.
WIESEL: As a teacher, I always believe in questions.
The question is, will the world ever learn?
Thank you.
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HOWELL: "Will the world ever learn?"
Elie Wiesel died at the age of 87 years old.
For more on his life and legacy, we bring in CNN's Oren Liebermann, live in Jerusalem, following the reaction, quite frankly, one that's coming in from so many leaders around the world, from President Barack Obama to Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And President Obama put out a very powerful message, quite a long message, calling Elie Wiesel one of the great moral voices of our time and the conscience of the world. Let me read you a part of this to convey how powerful this message is from President Obama.
He says, "As a writer, a speaker, an activist and a thinker, he was one of those people who changed the world more as a citizen of the world than those who hold office or traditional positions of power.
"His life and the power of his example urges us to be better; in the face of evil we must summon our capacity for good. In the face of hate we must love. In the face of cruelty, we must live with empathy and compassion.
"We must never be bystanders to injustice or indifferent to suffering. Just imagine the peace and justice that would be possible in our world if we all lived a little more like Elie Wiesel."
And it is that message I think that resonated so powerfully from those who read Elie Wiesel's work, whether it was "Night" or one of the other books he published or those who heard him speak, that, no matter what he had been through, his message was still, at its heart, inherently positive, that he believed, even after going through the Nazi concentration camps, he believed in the goodness of humanity. And that is something, that part of his message is something we've seen reflected in all the statements, all of the condolences that have been coming. And they've been coming not only from here in Israel but from all around the world, because his passing is not simply an Israeli story or a Jewish story; it is a story that has resonated with the millions who have listened to or read his works.
Let me read you a portion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement.
He says, "The state of Israel and the Jewish people deeply mourn the death of Elie Wiesel. Elie, a master of words, gave expression through his exceptional personality and fascinating books about the victory of the human spirit over cruelty and evil."
It is messages like this, George, that we've seen pouring in. Let me read you just one more bit; this is from the Nobel Committee in 1986.
They said that he is one of the most important spiritual leaders and guides in an age when violence, repression and racism continue to characterize the world.
So many powerful messages, George, and I expect so many more over the course of the day and later in this week.
HOWELL: Oren, what of his legacy, how he is remembered in Israel?
LIEBERMANN: I think part of what will be remembered is what we're already seeing, that the fact that no matter what he went through and no matter what he saw, especially as a human rights activist, not only an activist for Holocaust survivors, is his positive message, is that message of believing that, in the face of evil, you can be good.
And there is good. And he believed in the goodness of humanity. That, I think, that honesty, that personal belief in the positive nature of people, is something that will be remembered in statements and speeches and ceremonies that will be held today and throughout this week, his family saying about his passing that he passed quietly, peacefully, after a long battle with illness, surrounded by friends and family.
But we know, just from these statements, just from his writings, that his memory and his message will certainly live on.
HOWELL: I'm struck by the last comment that -- from Mr. Wiesel in that report that came before our report here.
But, "Will the world ever learn?"
Oren Liebermann, live for us in Jerusalem, thank you for your reporting.
This is CNN NEWSROOM. We'll be right back after a short break.
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HOWELL: Well, some good news to share about the ozone layer which shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays. It's showing encouraging signs that it is beginning to heal. Our meteorologist, Derek Van Dam, here to explain the science.
DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Scientists are finally figuring out that the ozone, which is a protective shield of gases around the Earth's atmosphere, is starting to replenish itself.
This is good news because, without these ozone gases, high up in the stratosphere, well, we have the potential for lower crop yields. We have the potential for disrupting oceans' foods chains and also higher risk of skin cancer.
George, let me explain a little bit what the ozone is and what it isn't.
First of all, where is it located?
Well, we've got to look in the atmosphere. We've got the troposphere, that's where we live, right at the surface of the Earth. We've got the stratosphere just above that. That's roughly about, well, roughly 50 kilometers in the sky or 30 miles. And we've got the mesosphere just a little bit higher than that.
But the ozone layer resides really about 30 miles into the atmosphere. It's a bunches of gases. There's good ozone and there's bad ozone. Let me explain.
Ozone comprises of (sic) oxides, nitrogen, volatile organic compounds and there is atmospheric ozone that is good. That's the one that protects us from the ultraviolet rays from the sun.
But when we have ground level ozone coming from industrial plants, lawn mowers, for instance, our vehicles and our trucks that we drive on the roadways, that can get trapped very easily. That's when we start to breathe in very harmful ozone. And that can be very detrimental to the human body, as I explained just a moment ago.
So what scientists are starting to find out is, in the Antarctic, that the hole that they started to discover back in 1985, was starting to get larger, meaning that we were reducing our protective shield, our ozone layer.
So they implemented the 1987 Montreal Protocol that reduced chlorofluorocarbons and various other gases that helped deplete the ozone, which was a good measure. You can see the little uptick in 1988, with the ozone --
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VAN DAM: -- starting to heal itself. But then it gradually started to get worse.
So what we're finding now is it's finally starting to pay off, this Montreal Protocol, 30 years later, nearly three decades. So we're starting to see that first signs of an increase in the ozone.
Maybe the Montreal Protocol was very successful in helping heal that crucial, crucial ozone layer above us.
In the United States I want to just make you aware of a flood potential that we have around the Kansas City area. Flood warnings from Wichita into Kansas City. Heavy rain moving across this region and you know what?
It is set to continue for the next several hours. So we'll be monitoring that very closely here.
HOWELL: It's always good to get the weather for you -- from you, of course, but also the science that's breaking down exactly how --
VAN DAM: I think it's important that people understand it.
HOWELL: -- and the simple fact that the protocol that was put in place, actually did, you know, make a difference.
VAN DAM: It did.
HOWELL: Derek, thank you.
VAN DAM: Thanks, George.
HOWELL: Let's talk Euro 2016 now. Germany is headed to the semifinals after an epic win on Saturday.
For the first time, Germany beat Italy in a major quarterfinals match- up. The teams ended regular time 1-1. But in true fashion, Germany pulled it off with a 6-5 win on penalties. That victory led to this massive celebration that you see there in Berlin.
Germany's next match, it is July 7th against Iceland or France. CNN's Amanda Davies and Owen Hargreaves have more from Paris.
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AMANDA DAVIES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Another major tournament, another German victory on penalties. But, boy, it was tight, 18 penalties it took to see them go through to the Euro 2016 semifinal at the expense of Italy after it finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time.
The CNN football analyst, Owen Hargreaves, is with me, as he has been throughout the tournament.
Owen, we knew it was going to be a tight match. It didn't disappoint. But a whole lot of entertainment in that penalty shoot-out.
OWEN HARGREAVES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we did. We expected a close game. Two of the best defenses in the tournament so far. And there wasn't a ton of chances for (INAUDIBLE). I think Germany probably just shaded it in terms of possession and opportunity to create it.
But Italy were very, very dangerous on the counterattacks for their goal. And a mistake from Jerome Boateng giving away a penalty. But once it goes into penalties, it's a lottery and anything can happen. I think Germany were fortunate to have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Manuel Neuer made some stunning saves.
And I think for Italy, missing two really crucial penalties, Simone Zaza was two of the worst penalties you'll see in the Euros so far, had a massive impact. And I think Germany just did enough to get into a semifinal. And this is what we expect from the Germans, always finding a way to get to the semifinals.
DAVIES: Absolutely. It's the sixth major tournament semifinal in a row for the Germans. Of course, they're looking to follow up that success at the World Cup in Brazil from two years ago.
But the big question now is, who will they be facing for a place in the decider?
Will it be host France?
Or the surprise package, Iceland?
That is what we will discover on Sunday. From Owen Hargreaves and myself, Amanda Davies, here in Paris, it's back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOWELL: Amanda, Owen, thank you.
In Argentina, hundreds of fans turned out to call on football icon, Lionel Messi, to unretire from the national team.
They rallied under pouring rain. Lionel Messi announced he would no longer play for Argentina after the team lost the Copa America final to Chile in penalty kicks. Messi himself missed the opening kick but some fans say they've been lucky just to see him play.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): There's a saying that says there will be a Messi every 500 million years and we are currently enjoying him. So we must be grateful that we are living in this time.
And to all of those who criticize him, I say, look at the problems in your own life, because you can't criticize a person like that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOWELL: A lot of people behind Lionel Messi. He plays club football in Spain with Barcelona.
A patriotic moment is causing a bit of buzz online. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
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HOWELL (voice-over): This mom can now add Internet sensation to her resume, a voice that will give you goosebumps -- still ahead.
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[04:50:00]
HOWELL: Welcome back. So an impromptu moment at Washington's Lincoln memorial has millions of people talking. A tourist stunned a crowd with her version of the U.S. national anthem, singing it to many people. Jeanne Moos shows us why that performance is now going viral.
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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): No one expected to hear this at the Lincoln Memorial, not even the woman singing.
STAR SWAIN, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL (singing): Oh, say does that star- spangled banner yet wave --
MOOS: Thirty-four-year-old Star Swain was just a regular tourist, coaxed by her friends to do an impromptu performance.
SWAIN: We could hear the acoustics and we're just like, man, it sounds amazing in here.
MOOS: At first, no one noticed. Then people started to gawk. By the time she got to the ramparts, Star was turning heads.
SWAIN: -- over the ramparts we watched --
MOOS: She's been singing since she was a kid, performs mostly in church, so she was shaking with nervousness.
SWAIN: Lord, please let this note come out.
(singing): For the land of the free and the home of the brave --
MOOS: The video went viral, commenters gushed about getting chills and goosebumps.
You mean, they haven't called you for the Super Bowl, yet?
SWAIN: No, and I am waiting.
[04:55:00]
MOOS: Star, an assistant principal at a Florida school, was so thrilled with the response, she sang her gratitude.
SWAIN (singing): Over 10 million views, I thank God for you.
MOOS: That's one of her two kids, popping up behind her.
There was one guy in the audience who didn't react to Star's performance, who remained stone faced.
Was it weird to sing with Lincoln sitting over there in a chair?
SWAIN: He would have gotten up and applauded, that was a bit weird.
MOOS: But how can he just sit there like a statue, listening to this?
SWAIN (singing): -- and the home of the brave --
MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOWELL: Just beautiful.
Marriages are now put to the test in the 21st annual wife carrying competition -- you heard me right -- wife carrying competition in Finland. Let's look at that.
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HOWELL (voice-over): So that's how it works there. OK, 50 couples from 20 countries took part in this year's race. The Russian pair took home the first place prize, beating Finland's five-time world champions by five seconds.
Some participants compete just for fun but others, they are serious about it. And they want the race to be taken seriously. The winning couple took home the coveted liquid trophy -- and get this -- it is the weight of the winning wife in beer.
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HOWELL: That wraps this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm George Howell at the CNN Center in Atlanta. I'll be back after the break with more news from around the world. Thank you for watching CNN -- and the wife carrying competition there -- the world's news leader.
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