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African Voices, Speed skater, Outdoor Sportsman, And A Multi- Sport Athlete; Hundreds of Lives Lost in the Mediterranean; Some Relief for Europe; North Korea Send Warning Shots to South Korea; No Surprising Act from Mueller; Flyboard Man Lands in Water. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired July 26, 2019 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN ANCHOR: Tragedy on the Mediterranean. Dozens survive but more than 100 migrants are feared drowned trying to make that harrowing crossing by boat from Libya.

Provocative moves. The North Korean leader personally organized the test launch of two short-range ballistic missiles as a way to send a warning to South Korea.

And later, relief is in sight. Much of Europe wakes up to cooler temperatures after record-breaking heat earlier this week.

Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Paula Newton, and this is CNN Newsroom.

More than 100 migrants hoping to reach Europe are feared drowned after their boat sank off the coast of Libya. Now women and children are among them. Survivors have been returned to Libya.

The UNCHR fears the death toll could be even higher. Our Jomana Karadsheh is covering the story from Istanbul. And you've following the developments. It is so heartbreaking to hear the stories over and over again. What happened in the situation?

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Paula, the details are not really clear at this point, organizations are still updating their information, a lot of it it's coming from the survivors of this deadly incidents.

According to the Libyan coast guard they say that about 250 migrants were crammed into a wooden boat. Now this figure could be higher up to 300, possibly and they say that they took off, they sailed off the coast of Homs. This is a city to the east of the capital Tripoli, and about five miles off of that coast that boat capsized.

And they say that fisherman in the area, fishing boats began to rescue these migrants until the coast guard came in and also took part in this rescue operation.

They say about a 134 people were rescued, at least one dead body was retrieved, and this is based on their update from a few hours ago and this could change during daylight hours.

Now according to testimony from survivors that they have spoken, to keeping in mind that a lot of these people would be in severe shock, really traumatized after an incident like this.

They believe that there are about a hundred to 115 people missing in the sea. Now they are presumed dead. And as you mentioned, Paula, this is just the latest in so many of these deadly incidents that we have seen in the Mediterranean.

Just a few weeks ago, you had another 80 or so migrants that lost their lives off the coast of Tunisia, but definitely the figures have dramatically dropped since 2017, when European countries started working with the Libyan coast guard, basically providing them with financial support so they intercept a lot of these migrants as they are leaving and they would have them take back to Libya.

But still, according to the United Nations, Paula, in 2019, for every six migrants who made it to European shores, one died during that journey. The Mediterranean remains a graveyard for these migrants.

NEWTON: Yes. And it doesn't seem that in any case that there are options for these migrants. I want to ask you, Jomana, you know, people would assume they're in Libya, they're in safe harbor. For many years now what kinds of problems have they encountered when they are returned to Libya?

KARADSHEH: Well, you know, Paula, if you look at it from the moment that they set foot in Libya, and a lot of these migrants come through the southern desert borders of Libya.

From the moment they get there their journey into Libya even they are exploited by smugglers and traffickers, and when they make it there, this is a lawless country where you have militias really pretty much in charge of much of the country, and they are, again, exploited and also abused by these militias.

They face death, they face torture, and then an arbitrary detention in a lot of these migrant detention facilities across the country.

And then you look at what happens after they try, they risked their lives, they're so desperately trying to reach Europe that they still risked their lives to get on these boats across the Mediterranean.

And those rescued are taken back by the Libyans and put into these detention facilities. Detention facilities that have been described by the United Nations as unfit for habitation.

These are overcrowded, they face torture in these facilities, malnourishment. There's not enough latrines for people who are really crammed into these facilities.

[03:05:01] Horrific conditions, really, Paula. And you look at the situation in Tripoli, the capital is a battle zone. There's been a battle that's been raging there since April, fighting for control of Tripoli, and a lot of the migrant detention facilities are close to the front line.

And for months we heard the United Nation and other organizations really saying something needs to be done, these migrants need to be moved because they are vulnerable, they are in real danger there until we saw what happened earlier this month when an air strike hit one of those detention facilities. More than 50 migrants were killed and 100 or so others were injured in that attack.

So, it's a very, very dire situation for migrants and there -- you know, it's not just the Mediterranean that is the biggest risk, what they face in Libya is real horror. And that is why the United Nations is saying some real steps need to be taken by European countries.

They can't keep turning a blind eye to what is happening. They can't keep expecting the Libyans to deal with this problem, that this problem needs to be tackled once and for all, Paula.

NEWTON: Yes. Libya so ill-equipped itself to deal with any of these problems.

Jomana, thanks so much for that update. I appreciate it.

Now Britain's new leader says his government needs to, in his words, turbocharge preparations for a no deal Brexit.

Now in his first parliamentary speech as prime minister, Boris Johnson told lawmakers that Britain will leave the E.U. on October 31st with or without a deal. And he says there is no way they will accept the one that's on the table right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Certain things need to be clear, the withdrawal agreement negotiated by my predecessor has been three times rejected by this house, its terms unacceptable to this parliament and to this country.

No country that values its independence and indeed its self-respect could agree to a treaty would sign away our economic independence and self-government as this backstop does.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: The Irish backstop would keep Northern Ireland in the E.U. Customs Union if no deal is reach. Now it will avoid a hard border with Ireland. But Johnson says separating Northern Ireland from Britain's custom union is absolutely a no go.

The E.U.'s chief Brexit negotiator meantime is pushing back, saying this is of course unacceptable and not within the mandate of the European Council.

To North Korea now, and it says it launched two short-range missiles as a warning to South Korea ahead of next month's military exercises with the United States. But American and South Korean military officials say, what was launched is a new type of missile for North Korea.

CNN's Steven Jiang joins us now from Beijing. There is some debate as to what kind of a step forward it was in technology. In terms of who's alarmed about this, it seems to be there's a difference message from the United States than there is from South Korea.

STEVEN JIANG, CNN PRODUCER: That's right, Paula. Because as you were just saying the North Korea's message was very clear. They said these launches were meant to be a very stern, very solemn warning to the South Korean military. Not only they said their leader Kim Jong-un personally organize these launches, but also the South Korean side should not ignore this warning.

But the U.S. and South Korea military command has said these launches were not directed at either country, and it would not impact their planned joint military drills or their defense posture. And that assessment or sentiment was reflected in President Trump's remarks when he was interviewed on U.S. television on Thursday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: And in the case of North Korea, I'm actually getting along very well with them, but we'll see what happens?

I mean, you now, the sanctions are on, the hostages are back, we're getting the remains back, they haven't done nuclear testing. They really haven't tested missiles other than, you know, smaller ones. The -- which is something that lots test.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIANG: So, President Trump doesn't seem to be very concerned about these latest launches. And experts say it was not entirely surprising either given the North Koreans have been voicing their frustrations with both Washington and Seoul in recent weeks over the lack of progress on the front of nuclear talks.

Remember when President Trump and Chairman Kim met last month in the DMZ, they agreed to resume working level talks on the nuclear issue, but a month has passed and nothing is happening.

So that's why another source is saying that North Korea's are really trying to voice their displeasure and impatience and they have done so in the past by launching missiles, as recently as in May before the Thursday launches.

So, you know, right now, if that's the case, then we are probably not seeing the end of these launches, given that the increasing uncertainty on the future of nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Paula?

[03:10:01] NEWTON: Yes. Good point, and as going forward it's obviously going to be interesting to see China's reaction to that as well. Thanks so much. I appreciate that.

Now Iran appears to be flexing its military muscle at a time of deepening tensions in the Persian Gulf.

According to a U.S. official Iran has test fired a ballistic missile within a range of about 1,000 kilometers. Now it was launched from Iran's southern coast and landed in fact in northern Iran.

Here in the United States, meantime, the White House is claiming victory after Robert Mueller's congressional testimony. Democrats had expected the special counsel's appearance would electrify the country and jump start an impeachment inquiry. Instead, his responses fell flat and left Democrats wondering where they go from here.

CNN's Pamela Brown has our report.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The White House is claiming victory after former special counsel Robert Mueller's high stakes testimony.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KELLYANNE CONWAY, COUNSELOR TO PRESIDENT TRUMP: I thought yesterday was supposed to be this unbelievable movie better than the book, and Bob Mueller was going to pave the golden road, the (Inaudible) road to an impeachment. Clearly, that didn't happen. It's not happening.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: The Trump campaign thrilled with the outcome and using the moment to urge surrogates on a conference call to underscore the president's message that Democrats will now suffer in 2020.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: The Democrats lost so big today. Their party is in shambles right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CONWAY: They can't get over the election, they haven't a clue how to beat him in 2020, that's pretty obvious.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: Democrats, for their part, now plotting their next move, and whether impeachment proceedings are still on the table.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JERROLD NADLER (D-NY): Today was a watershed day in telling the facts to the American people. With those facts, we can proceed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi threw cold water on the idea, at least for now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) NANCY PELOSI, UNITED STATES SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: The fact to why I'd

like you to be a strong case is because I don't -- it's based on the facts, the facts and the law. That's what matters, not politics, not partisanship, just patriotism.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: Pelosi privately told her caucus to do what's best for them. But pushback on the notion from some members that not pursuing impeachment is a violation of their constitutional duties.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PELOSI: But it's not about me. It's about our caucus, it's about our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: Another battle brewing over immigration after a California judge halted President Trump's third country asylum ban, just hours after another judge said it could go forward pending lawsuits.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham slammed the judge's ruling as, quote, "the tyranny of a dysfunctional system."

This, as CNN has learned an exclusive new document that hundreds of red flags were raised internally within the Trump administration about how families were being separated at the U.S.-Mexico border some months before the controversial zero tolerance policy was announced.

The question remains, will the president speak out and change his tune on Russian election interference in the wake of dire warnings from top officials.

Now Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, wouldn't answer questions about whether the White House would support legislation to boost election security. She did say though, that she would need to see the bill that would compel campaigns to report to the FBI the foreign country offers assistance.

She said she would need to see what was in that bill. This was a bill that Republicans blocked along with another bill that was supposed to boost election security.

Pamela Brown, CNN the, White House.

NEWTON: OK. Another intense heat wave hits much of Europe. But some relief could be on the way. Up next, we'll have that forecast.

And the U.S. president sounds off again about the ASAP Rocky assault case in Sweden.

[03:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON: Parts of Europe are waking up to cooler temperatures, thank goodness, that's one day after an historic heat wave shattered long- standing records. Now several countries set all-time highs Thursday, including the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Each of them reaching at least 40 degrees.

Now in Paris, temperatures soared past 42 degrees, breaking a record that was set back in 1947.

Meantime, the U.K. experience its hottest day ever in the month of July but it fell just short of an all-time high. Here's how some people in London were reacting to the heat.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What a great day. My brain is actually melted. But I'm having a great time. So that's all I can say about it today. It's beautiful.

RICHARD CATTELL, LONDON RESIDENT: Not that I necessarily have a massive interest in it, but I do think this climate change is happening. I do think it's getting a lot warmer, so I think you can clearly notice that you're on a year that places are getting warmer, it's getting harder we're having these days. We are breaking records here in Europe.

STEFAN MAIDMENT, LONDON RESIDENT: Yes. Well, like everyone needs to react now. I think everyone realizes now that it's serious, or should at least, so it's like, the responsibility of each one of us to start changing things. Even little things, like traveling less or like watching, what you eat, yes, or stuff like that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I'd say it's global warming, I don't know, I think it's just the weather changes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm enjoying it, but yes, I am worried about the impact of, you know, climate change. I'm very concerned and trying to do my best. It's very important that we are aware of this. Look, there's few drops of rain, so there could be thunder on the way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: They are ready for anything there. We are getting the latest now on the heat wave in Europe. Meteorologist Derek van Dam is with us. Derek, you know, the numbers do speak for themselves, right? I mean, these are long-standing records that were broken.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes. That's right, Paula. You know, the increase in intensity and the frequency of these heat waves is very consistent with what we would expect to see in a changing climate, in a changing planet.

Our climate crisis has strong and -- strong evidence attached to it that shows that we actually see man-made, man-driven global warning across the planet helping fuel our climate crisis.

Now when we talk about the peak heating days of the summer in the northern hemisphere, specifically, it's typically in the middle of August. When we get those warmest dog days of summer. But we've already had two heat waves across Europe this year. One was in June where we shattered records, and now this week in July we have shattered records once again.

And so, we are seeing these heat waves actually start earlier in the summer season. And what I thought was the astonishing about this particular heat wave, when we talk about the long-standing country wide records that were shattered on Wednesday, they were only around for 24 hours because they were set once again on Thursday.

So, this is incredible amounts of heat. Germany, Luxembourg, and into the Netherlands. if you need more proof just take a look at this snapshot. This photo in downtown Paris, 42.5 degrees, we know the official temperature there got to 42. 6. That eclipse to the previous records in 1947 of 40 degrees.

That is, again, breaking their all-time record temperature, in fact, it has never gotten that warm in Paris ever.

All right. Well, at least on modern record keeping, I should say. All- time July record heat broken in the U.K. as well. Cambridge saw a temperature of 38.1 degrees.

So, these are just examples of the multitude of cities that broke records across Western Europe. Now, there is a change in the horizon, a change in the weather pattern where we are already starting to experience it in some locations. London to Paris today, your weather is cooler, and it will actually feel more comfortable as we head into the weekend.

We like to see the oranges and the reds replaced with greens because that means cooler weather is starting to settle in, and that is indeed what's in the forecast.

[03:20:04] Check this out in Amsterdam. One more day of heat today, 37, but considerably cooler, as we head into the weekend and early parts of next week temperatures in the lower 20s.

So, Paula, we will take it, we need it, we deserve it in Europe. And if you don't have relief from the heat in places like Frankfurt and into Brussels. Just one more day because it is coming. We'll have a cooler weather forecasts heading this weekend.

NEWTON: And they do indeed need it. And Derek, point taken. Some of the hottest temperatures could still happen in August, right?

VAN DAM: That's true. Absolutely. Still --

(CROSSTALK)

NEWTON: All right. Derek, thanks. I appreciate it.

Now American rapper ASAP Rocky goes on trial Tuesday in Sweden on an assault charge. And President Donald Trump is tweeting about it after unsuccessfully lobbying the Swedish prime minister to help free the performer. This is the tweet. "Very disappointed in the prime minister for being unable to act. Sweden has let our African-American community down in the United States."

Now the Swedish P.M. says he told Mr. Trump, but his nation's courts are independent.

Here's the video of the incident, but a warning, the scenes here are graphic. The prosecutor says ASAP Rocky and two other men kicked and beat a man with a glass bottle. The rapper's lawyer says he was acting in self-defense.

Now protestors are converging on Hong Kong International Airport. Right at this moment they are holding signs chanting 'free Hong Kong,' and depending an independent investigation into police violence.

Now, they are gathered in the terminal to inform international travelers about the city's political crisis for nearly two months. Hundreds of thousands of people have rallied against a bill that would allow extradition to China.

Now, the bill has been shelved and Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam says it is effectively dead, but they want it to be formally revoked.

A woman in Indonesia who was jailed for documenting sexual harassment against her, has now been pardon. Now lawmakers there unanimously approved amnesty for the woman who recorded an explicit conversation on the phone with her employer.

After the recording was forwarded to the local department of education, she was the one who was fired from her job, and her boss sued her for defamation.

It is illegal in Indonesia to distribute electronic information or documents that, quote, "violate decency."

Next here on CNN Newsroom, up, up and away, the flyboard man goes from soaring to splashed down. We'll explain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON: OK. Humans have always dreamed of flying. And Franky Zapata has probably come closer than most to having what they call that Superman trill.

As our Amara Walker explains, Zapata's latest flight started hopefully in the skies, but it did come to a very abrupt and soggy end. Take a look.

AMARA WALKER, CNN ANCHOR: He wowed the crowds in Paris on Bastille Day, but the rough surf on the English Channel defeated him. Franky Zapata, now better known as flyboard man had wanted to bring history full circle, attempting to cross the channel on his jet powered flyboard. He ended up taking an early bat instead. Still, he says it was worth it. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[03:24:59] FRANKY ZAPATA, FLYBOARD AIR INVENTOR (through translator): It was simply fantastic. I was flying, really without any trouble. There in the middle of the sea at that distance is way more calm, more fluid than near the coast. So, I was flying. It was just like a dream, really. It was great.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALKER: Zapata was hoping to emulate fellow Frenchmen, Louis Bleriot who made the first cross channel flight in 1909. After he safely touched down in England, Bleriot decided to play it safe on the return journey, and took a ship back to France where the French gave him a hero's welcome.

On Thursday, flyboard man also came home by boat. He had to be rescued when he fell into the channel while refueling midway through his crossing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZAPATA (through translator): The flyboard is destroyed, literally, all of the electronics needs to be remade. The most are screwed. Everything is screwed. We built it, so we know we can build it again and very fast since it's not the first time. I hope it will be the last time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALKER: And flyboard man's fans are sticking by him. The mayor of the French town where Zapata took off says he was just unlucky this time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GUY ALLEMAND, MAYOR, SANGATTE, FRANCE (through translator): He was in his element flying. And his plan was good. He was about to land on the refueling boat, and unfortunately, he fell and missed the boat.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALKER: And this loyal fan was definitely looking at a glass half full.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): The way he sped off was really impressive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALKER: Though for now, it's back to the drawing board for Zapata until the next attempt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZAPATA (through translator): We will go to the workshop tomorrow and we'll try to cross again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALKER: Amara Walker, CNN, Atlanta.

NEWTON: And you can bet there will another attempt.

Now a soccer ball and green slime were among the items rocketed up to the International Space Station on Thursday. SpaceX dragon capsule brought about 2500 kilograms of experiment's, supplies, and food to the six people on the station. They'll shoot video of that green slime floating in zero gravity, it's part of a campaign to get students to pursue careers in science.

And finally, the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas says one of its most beloved animals unfortunately has died. It's believed to be 63. This is Trudy. She was the oldest known Western Lowland gorilla in captivity. She was also one of the last to be captured in the wild, a practice the United States no longer observes.

Now one of her former keepers described her as a, quote, "party gal that did what she wanted when she wanted." And wouldn't we all want a life like that?

Thanks for joining us. I'm Paula Newton. African Voices is up next. But first, I'll be back with a check of the headlines. You're watching CNN.

[03:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, I'm Paula Newton and this is CNN News Now. More than 100 migrants are feared dead after their boat sank off the coast of Libya, Thursday. It's believed some 300 people left on the dangerous sea crossing from a port east of Tripoli. The U.N. says more than 600 people have died on the Mediterranean so far this year.

Britain's new Prime Minister says his government is triple charging preparations for a no deal Brexit, in case the European Union won't renegotiated the divorce deal. Boris Johnson says the U.K. will leave by the October 31st deadline with or without a deal. But he once quote, we are not as ready as we should be.

North Korea says it launched two short range missiles as a warning to South Korea, ahead of next month's military exercise with the United States. American and South Korea military officials say the weapons appear to be of a new type of short range missile for North Korea.

Temperatures in Europe are expected to cool down after an intense heat wave broke record Thursday. Paris experiencing its hottest day ever recorded, while several countries also set all-time highs. Scientist say, the scorching temperatures are the result of a climate crisis.

That is your CNN News Now, African Voices is up next, you are watching CNN, the world's news leader.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A thrill seeking speed skater, an extreme outdoor sportsman, and a multi sports athlete who let nothing stop them from moving forward. Hear the stories of these unique competitors next.

On the move, changing perceptions, pushing limits, today's Africa is not framed by the past. A new generation is stepping up, embracing tradition while blazing a new path, giving voice to unique style connected in ways others before were not. This is where the urban pulse meets creativity and a new culture thrives, this is African Voices.

JOEL KOUADIO, SKATER: My name is Joel Kouadio, skater of (inaudible). My Africa is speed, speed, speed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Growing up in the suburb of (inaudible), west of Abidjan, Joe began skating with friends at 16 years old.

KOUADIO: I like the feeling that skating gives me, I'd like to speed and that is all, and then I love to have my friends to do it, they push me to practice this sport.

I'm someone who likes a thrills, so I also like the danger there in skating, and especially the speed, because often we are happy with fast pace to live on the edge. I like the feeling that it offers, I'd like the danger.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Speeding around Abidjan's busy streets, Joe has been fortunate to avoid any significant injuries, but except its part and parcel of the sport.

KOUADIO: Yes, yes, yes. The danger is part of the game, because as you see, it is a support that is practice on hard ground so often one can have very bad falls, but it very rarely happens. Skating allows me to discover more places, it is also thanks to skating that I know lots about Abidjan and that it also lets me go out of the country, participating in competitions in West Africa, and also abroad.

In skating, we need strong legs, so I use weights and boxing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: training five times a week has built Joe into a sprint and long distance national champion.

KOUADIO: At the national level, I have already done some competitions here in Abidjan and in other cities inside the country.

[03:35:03] At the international level, I had already been to Bennen, Togo, Duane, (ph) and my biggest experience was going to the world championship in China. Unfortunately, I did not receive medals because of a lack of training and lack of equipment.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: International skating requires specialist coaching and preparation.

KOUADIO: Here to do well in competition, we need professional training. You have to partner with a good coach, a coach that truly specializes in speed skating. One should spend at least three to four months in the gym for muscle building before competition, while me, I did it in only two weeks to get competitive, so it was not enough.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joe skating hero has eight years' experience competing in international competition.

KOUADIO: My hero in the sport is Bart Swings, a Belgian skater who was world champion 10 times. He is a skater who is very powerful, very technical, with big endurance. My objective in roller skating is to look like him one day, and to be part of his team. And then to one day become world champion too.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Speed skating has only recently started to find an audience in Ivory Coast.

KOUADIO: Here we, are in this center. There are a lot of clubs and (inaudible), come here, to do the competition. I'm competing in the 500 meter and 10,000 meter. I'm very happy, I can beat my record, this ways are very difficult, but I can win, I'm very happy. You see Abidjan, -- here in Abidjan, skating is being supported more and more. People are joining the support more and more. The standard of skating in Ivory Coast is higher and higher. I think that soon, we will be competitive at the big competitions in the continent.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Joe has now set his sights on the next major challenge.

KOUADIO: The next big international race is in Spain in 2019, I'll be ready.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MLHENGI GWALA, BIKER: If you train hard, you have better results to win the races. So, I have to work harder, to be better tomorrow, to win the race. My Africa is beautiful, fast full of Ubuntu, I'm Mlhengi Gwala. I'm a cyclist from Durban, South Africa.

[03:40:00] I always wake up in the morning, (inaudible), I start riding two hours (inaudible), then after that I ran to the house, and then I ran (inaudible), -- then ride. I do it again, and again, and again until I get stronger and stronger and stronger.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mlhengi journey into multi sports began in a small way in the countryside?

GWALA: I grew up in a place called Durban, I was a (inaudible), it was very nice. Running off the course, you ran with the cows. That is the culture. I started running, we used to run events here, as we can see how far, there is no distance, just ran, and look at your point and turn back. Yes, it was lovely. If you want to get stronger and stronger, I ran off the course, beautiful and natural as you can see here. (Inaudible), I moved to Chester Hill to study. I failed school. I fail the University. And then I decided to stop, I said to my mom, no I want to stop because I'll lose the money.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Then Mlhengi says he developed a drug and alcohol problem, he knew he had to make a change.

GWALA: I first got into support because I was trying to ran away from (inaudible). And then I went to the pool in Chester Hill. I meet a guy called (inaudible). Then I (inaudible) for two weeks. And then from there my life changed, and then I decided I had to start doing lifesaving as a job as a lifeguard.

So, then after that, I fell in love with lifesaving and then after that I wanted to won two races. So then, there is a guys doing triathlons, so after that I started triathlons, I stopped taking drugs, I stopped taking alcohol and I'm clear now. What I love most of my job is my job I can train anytime, any day. I've got more time to train when I'm working.

And then in triathlon you have some (inaudible), it's nice, you are in another world, so it's very nice. My first dream was to go to USA to represent South Africa for triathlon, my first trip in 2015.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A week before he was in a bike crash while training, but still had a good race.

GWALA: I came 44, that was my first everything. Then, I came back with a good mind and good experience in the race, in the race international and then they said there is a big accident for me and the people tried to stop my career.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In March 2018, while on an early morning ride, Mlhengi was attacked by three men who tried to saw off his legs. They cut through half of his right calf before the chainsaw miraculously stop working and the men fled.

GWALA: I forgive them, I don't know them, but I forgive them, because I can't forget. I will always remember every day, every hour. I would not remember it as a big thing.

They told me you can't run for three years. I can run now, I have been running like 6k's now.

[03:45:05] JARROD RUDOLPH, TRAINER, PRIME PH: I'm a bike assistant (inaudible). He always had a positive outlook on where you want to go. And the first time I got him running, it was a very emotional thing because the doctor said that he wasn't going to be able to run again. And so, for us to be able to achieve that in a six month period, after what happened with his injury was a remarkable thing. It really, really down -- boils down to his attitude and his determination to succeed. It's been a very long road to his recovery. He has qualified for (inaudible), as a para athlete. And so that's kind of really going to go and push him now towards the para Olympics. With an injury like he had, he's going to have a lot of compensations at second place. But the remarkable thing is he's doing everything that he did before.

GWALA: I'm here in Durban Marina Lifesaving club. I'm coming to races a swim and ran, swim 1k, and ran 5k. Conditions here is windy. Conditions are so bad they canceled the swim. But my race (inaudible). It is my first time for 5k right now. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mlhengi might not be at the front of the path

just yet, but he is still out there, every day putting in the work.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JAMES SAVAGE, ADVENTURER: Being in the outdoors teaches you to be dynamic, to think on your feet. To problem solve, because every day is a different challenges thrown at you.

My Africa is the rivers, the mountains, the wilderness, my name is James Savage and I'm an adventurer from Kenya!

A little bit of (inaudible), you would ride this, I like to be on a river in the middle of nowhere or in the mountains in the middle of nowhere. Whether it's a multi-day hike up of Mt. Kenya, whether I'm on my bicycle riding across the valley or down to South Africa, its being alive, I've been able to take people and show them what I love and enjoy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He works for Savage Wilderness, an outdoor adventure company in Kenya. It was founded by James' father, Mark Savage, in 1987.

[03:50:03] SAVAGE: My main clientele are school groups, corporate groups on a team building, and we also do a lot of work with the British military, their adventure training. We are looking to develop people's leadership skills, their communication, putting them an uncomfortable situation, where they've got to take a step back, and possibly think about what they are doing, so that when you put them back into their real life situation they've been challenge before in the past, so they can think a little bit more clearly, they can react differently, and generally it makes them a stronger person, a stronger leader.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James involvement with the family business started with a climb of African second highest mountain.

SAVAGE: When I was 5 year's old, my dad had the opportunity to take some clients up Mt. Kenya, they had an eight year old son, so my dad suggested that he would bring me a long, I summited point Nana and I've walked every inch of the way, knowing my dad. There was no way he was going to carry me.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A few years later, James' father was inspired to bring white water rafting to Kenya.

SAVAGE: My father started rafting in Kenya in 1990, he just happened to watch a documentary of rafting on the Grand Canyon and he went, hang on a second, we can do this in this country. He bought himself a raft, my mom made her life jacket, first aids, they wore climbing helmets and off they went. From there, he bought a few more rafts, and brought people over from the U.K. and from the states who had rafting experience to teach him what to do.

Since the age of nine, 10, when my dad first started rafting, I'd known that was what I wanted to do, I want to be a raft guider, a car constructor, a climbing instructor, mountaineer. I want to be involved in the outdoors.

My Kenya trip is coming up.

It's going to be a busy week with 150 people here, fantastic. We got about 50 clients here, paddles, helmets, (inaudible) aids, definitely come a long way in the last 30 years from her made (inaudible). I feel far safer in one of these. I used to always be about rafting and kayaking, and that is what I loved and that is what I did, but recently, kayaking I dislocated my shoulder a couple of times, so I've really start to getting into my mountain biking recently and my cycling. So, that's were a lot of my folks is going towards.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Never one for caution, James has pursued his new enthusiasm for cycling in typical Savage fashion.

SAVAGE: African spokes was an expedition I ran and led, and I also rode from Nairobi to Cape Town, cycling, 6520 kilometers, we did it over 60 days. So we had about 30 people in and out. I was mentally exhausted at the end, so riding and also doing the logistics and leading the trip was mentally exhausting.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Having recently completed that epic journey, James is now preparing to host the annual Tana River Festival, and event that combines his favorite pastimes.

SAVAGE: This year will be the fourth year of the Tana River Festival, this is a world class river, fantastic for rafting, for kayaking. So, a group of us just got together and said, let's try and put Kenya a little bit more on the map for kayaking. It has gathered quite of a momentum over the years. This year, we've invited some mountain bikers. This is a -- it's going to be fun, we have a big BMX ramp where we're going to launch ourselves into the river. It's more daunting than I thought it was going to be.

Can you please make sure that there are three bikes, BMX bikes ready for the big air jump this weekend?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will take the brakes off?

SAVAGE: Yes. Because we don't want anyone braking before they hit the big air. Once they're committed, they're committed and they have to go for it.

In the past, we've had the waterfall freestyle competitions, we also have the boat-o-cross. Groups of four or five, they will race each other down the river. We'll have a slalom course on a class three plus four section of white water.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Due to travel and injuries, James is a bit out of practice leading up to this year's festival.

SAVAGE: Fun enough, I hadn't been in an accident in a car this year. So, I was expecting all my staff to be here and laugh at me. It's is absolutely fun, because I just share (inaudible). It was fun.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The success of the festival and business year- round is highly dependent on water levels on the Tana, Kenya's longest river.

[03:55:05] SAVAGE: The river levels should be at this time of year of 170 to 200 up and sort of height, and it's almost a two or three feet lower. I did looked at a forecast this morning and there is rain predicted so fingers crossed that we will have this water level or more for the Tana River Festival.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: With preparations finalize for tomorrow, James closes out the day doing what he loves.

SAVAGE: Let's check your harnesses and make sure everything is looking tight.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Showing his guests the beauty of Kenya.

SAVAGE: When you are feeling good and ready, to go for it! Awesome. Nice and slowly.

If anyone is upside down or have any problems, first we should stop and help them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thankfully, the rain comes overnight and the river is running strong for the Tana River Festival.

SAVAGE: The water levels are looking good so let's go have some fun!

The more kayaking I have done, the better I have become. Things happen a lot slower, so you can react faster to it. If you capsize, you roll off, and you pushed up against the rock. Or just more challenging you end up sometimes swimming. But there's an old saying, if you're not swimming you're not trying hard enough.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As anticipated, James is not these Festival champion, but he is a gracious host.

SAVAGE: Congratulations, good job. Rafting here in the Tana River, it has to be one of the best single bay rafting trips in the world. The whitewater is fantastic, the scenery is great, from my experience is definitely up there as a world class river. It's absolutely amazing. And that is why I absolutely love it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END