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CNN INTERNATIONAL: Ukraine Says Russian Missile-Strikes In The Port City Of Odessa Have Killed At Least 20 People; U.S. Basketball Star Brittney Griner Begins Her Trial In Russia For Drug Smuggling Charges; China's President Swears In Hong Kong's New Chief Executive; Putin: Russia And Belarus "Speeding Up Integration"; COVID-19 Case Surge In The U.K.; Women Worldwide Speak Out Against U.S. Abortion Ruling. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired July 01, 2022 - 14:00   ET

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

[14:00:00]

ELENI GIOKOS, CNN HOST: Hello, everyone, I am Eleni Giokos, and you're watching CNN NEWSROOM, I'm live from Dubai. Tonight, the battle for control of the Black Sea may be intensifying. Ukraine says Russian missile-strikes in the port city of Odessa have killed at least 20 people.

Then U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner begins her trial in Russia for drug smuggling charges. And China's president swears in Hong Kong's new chief executive, a hard-line police officer appointed by Beijing.

We begin with devastating scenes in the southern region of Odessa, where civilians are paying the price for Russia's war yet again. This is what's left of a housing block that was destroyed in a missile strike while people were sleeping inside. A nearby community center was his as well, and officials say at least 20 people were killed in the attacks, including a child.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian lawmakers held a moment of silence in the Kyiv parliament today to commemorate the victims. And the government is accusing Russia of terrorism. CNN's Scott McLean is following developments tonight from Kyiv for us. Scott, looking at this attack in Odessa, firstly, geographically, Odessa is an important support city economically, it is quite important. But how significant is it going to be for Russians at this moment in time?

Because when I look at the map and I see where it's placed, and I think of the experience in Mariupol, many are worried about the potential risks here.

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, the Odessa region is one that has been pounded by missile strikes over the last couple of months. It is also a region that Russia, well, hasn't really been able to reach by land. There is a natural barrier that is preventing the Russians from getting there in the form of a river right near Mykolaiv, the -- that southern city. The Ukrainians have also been successful in repelling the Russians from that area. They haven't really made any significant in-roads at all there. And

so, Odessa is the part of the southern Black Sea coast which really seems out of reach for the Russians. You mentioned that there is a lot of importance in that region, not just militarily, but also economically, because of course, this section of the Black Sea, controlling, it allows the Ukrainians to get their grains out, get their other goods out to the wider economy and to the wider world.

It has been a real struggle for Ukraine to use land routes in part, because the gauge on the trains which would normally carry goods, carry grains, things like that, outside of the country are different with a different gauge than they are in the rest of Europe. And so it's very difficult for Ukrainians to get goods to market by land.

In this particular missile strike, there were three strikes. You mentioned, one of them hitting a housing complex, one of them a recreation center, and then another one landed in a field. They were actually in a village called Sierragivkat(ph), not far from Odessa city, maybe 50 miles or so away. The local officials there say that there were no military targets at all in that area.

And so what the target was? Who knows. What we do know or what the Ukrainians say is that the missiles that were used were an older variety of missile, one that is not quite as accurate as the more newer models. In response, the Ukrainian foreign minister, he tweeted in part that Russia was a terrorist state, continuing to wage its war against civilians. But the Russians say, they're not targeting civilians.

The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov said that I would like to remind you once again of the words of the president, that the armed forces do not target civilian infrastructure during the special military operation.

It was earlier this week that President Putin that the Russians don't need to target civilian infrastructure, because they have the technology, and they have the intelligence to know exactly what they're aiming at. So, you have to wonder in cases like this, what were they aiming at? Eleni.

GIOKOS: Yes, exactly. Lots of indiscriminate targets that we've seen this week. And this week also is important for diplomacy. You've seen the G7 wrapping up, we saw very consequential NATO Summit as well. And then we have images of Ukrainians bringing in the EU flag into parliament and to a standing ovation.

[14:05:00]

Ukraine is now an EU candidate, right? So, this is pretty significant. But they are steps away of getting what they need and want. It is saying what it needs, Ukraine is saying -- Zelenskyy saying what it needs. It needs it fast. While all these conversations are happening, and while Russia is becoming a lot more aggressive on the ground. Scott.

MCLEAN: Yes, you're absolutely right. The Ukrainians continue to say after every single attack, that, you know, western partners, international partners should not be hesitant, should not be wary of sending ammunition, sending heavy weapons to the Ukrainians because they are badly needed. Now, they are, of course, getting a lot of support from Europe, from the United States, and other NATO allies as well.

But the Ukrainians say that it's not getting to where it needs to be quickly enough. And so, that's one of the areas that they would like to see some improvement on. Of course, they'd also like to sometime in the future, become a member of the European Union. But despite the fact that they have candidate status, now actual admission to the bloc could take years.

There have been countries who have been waiting more than a decade now to get into the bloc. And some, frankly, may never join at all. Of course, they would also like to be part of NATO. The summit earlier this week, the president tried to strike a diplomatic tone, balancing the fact that, of course, he is enormously grateful for the support that his country has gotten already, but also, seeming to complain about the pretty dim prospects of actually joining NATO.

Comparing it to the old entry gates on the subway system or the metro system in Kyiv, that were open most of the time, until you approach them and then, they close and ask you to pay. And so, Zelenskyy's point is, what more does Ukraine need to do? They are fighting not only for their own survival, but also they're holding off the Russians, really, one of the only things standing in the way between Russia and the rest of the western world. Eleni.

GIOKOS: Yes, Scott McLean, always good to see you. Thank you. Now, U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner is on trial in Russia on charges of drug smuggling. The two-time Olympic gold medalist appeared in a court near Moscow on Friday for the trials first hearing. Russian prosecutors say they found less than a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage, and she could face up to 10 years in prison.

Griner's supporters and U.S. officials say that she's been wrongfully detained, and is being used as a political pawn, which the Kremlin denies. Fred Pleitgen is following the story for us from Moscow. Fred, good to see you. We've just seen images of Brittney in handcuffs entering the courtroom. Tell me what happened today and what happens next?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so the hearing today, Eleni, took about two and a half hours I would say. And you know, you're absolutely right. This is about less than a gram of cannabis oil that was apparently found in two cartridges in her check-in luggage and in her hand luggage that she took with her when she arrived at Sheremetyevo Airport in February.

The Russians obviously saying this is a crime that could bring with it about a 10-year prison sentence. Brittney Griner was read the charges today, and she was able to say whether or not she understood the charges. She said yes, she did understand the charges, however, she did not want to comment on them. This is all according to her lawyer. She will get the chance apparently to do that at a later date. Now, it was quite interesting because there was actually a

representative of the U.S. Embassy inside the courtroom today as well. The charge d'affaires of the embassy here in Moscow. And she says she was able to speak to Brittney Griner on the sidelines of the trial and Brittney Griner said she was still in good spirits. Let's listen in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELIZABETH ROOD, CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, U.S. EMBASSY, MOSCOW: The U.S. Embassy, the American government cares very deeply about this case, and about Miss Griner's welfare, as do millions of Americans, as well as we care about the welfare of all U.S. citizens in prison overseas. I did have the opportunity to speak with Miss Griner in the courtroom. She is doing as well as can be expected in these difficult circumstances.

And she asked me to convey that she's in good spirits, and is keeping up the faith.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PLEITGEN: Now, Eleni, I was also able to speak to one of Brittney Griner's lawyers after this hearing took place, and he said, of course, Brittney Griner is somewhat concerned obviously with that jail sentence dangling there and a real possibility. However, he also said that she is in good spirits, that she's also keeping fit, that she also feels mentally fit for this trial and keeping her spirit up. He would not comment on whether or not he thinks he can get an acquittal for her. Of course, we do know that the next trial date is set for July 7th. Eleni.

GIOKOS: Fred Pleitgen, thank you so much. Now, Brittney Griner's family and supporters have been pushing for the U.S. to make an exchange deal with Russian authorities and they want her home as quickly as possible.

[14:10:00]

But some say they don't think the Biden administration is doing enough to make that happen. Griner's wife told CNN's Abby Phillip what she's hoping for. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHERELLE GRINER, WIFE OF BRITTNEY GRINER: It's really difficult. It's really difficult. You know, this is not a situation where, you know, the rhetoric is matching the action. And so, I can't just take the fact that this is somebody's job to bring home my wife, and go off great and focus at that degree. I can't do that.

You know, I do have to, you know, unfortunately, also push people to make sure that these things that they're telling me is also matching their actions. And so, it has been the hardest thing to balance because I can't let up, because it's a 100 -- it's over 130 days, and BG is still not back.

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN REPORTER: Do you trust that the maximum amount of effort is being put forward to bring BG home?

GRINER: No, I don't, and I hate to say that, because I do trust that the persons working on this are very genuine people. That I do believe. But I don't think the maximum amount of effort is being done because again, the rhetoric and the actions don't match. You know, when you have a situation where BG can call our government, the embassy 11 times, and that phone call doesn't get answered, you don't have much trust at that point.

Until I see actions that are in BG's best interest. It would have been in her best interest for her phone call to have been answered. It would be in her best interest for her to be back on U.S. soil. So until I see things like that, no.

PHILLIP: I know that you've had some conversations with the Secretary of State and with other officials. But you want to talk to President Biden, right?

GRINER: Absolutely. And the reason why is because -- I'm new to this, you know, so I don't -- I'm no politician, I just graduated law school, so I can only, you know -- I can only do those things that are being told are beneficial for my wife. And the most beneficial thing that I've been told is that, you know, you meet with President Biden. You know, he has that power, he is a person, you know, that ultimately will make that decision for BG to come home.

And so while everybody else wants to tell me they care, I would love for him to tell me he cares.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIOKOS: Tamryn Spruill is a sports journalist and an advocate for Brittney Griner's release. And she started a petition earlier this year, to bring Brittney home. She joins me now from Boston. Tamryn, really good to see you. Thank you so very much for joining us. We saw the images of Brittney in handcuffs entering the courtroom.

We've heard from the Charge D'affaires, we've heard as well from her lawyer that she's in good spirits despite her circumstance. What did you make of the news flow today that her detention has been extended by six months? And we just don't really know what her fate is at this point.

TAMRYN SPRUILL, SPORTS JOURNALIST & AUTHOR: It's obviously a dire situation. All of those who have any kind of platform or means to advocate for her release are doing everything we can. It's the reason I started the Change.org petition back in March to get the public energized on her behalf. Other former hostages have said of their experiences, that activism, outrage, speaking out, challenging officials --

GIOKOS: Right --

SPRUILL: Into action is what works in these situations. So it's obviously a very dire situation, but I am very hopeful because of the support and activism that we have from the public, you know, from the ground up.

GIOKOS: Yes, and I mean, to be honest, you've been one of the loudest voices through your petition as you've just said. You know, Brittney's wife has said that she doesn't feel that enough of an effort or aggressive enough effort is being put into securing Brittney's release. Do you believe that as well? What are you gauging from lawmakers at this stage?

SPRUILL: It's -- we never know what's actually going on behind the scenes and what efforts are being made. They obviously keep those quiet and secure, as they should. But I can definitely feel for --

GIOKOS: Yes --

SPRUILL: What Cherelle was saying, that she feels that the actions so far have not matched the words that are being said. And that it was reflected in that phone call, that she was not able to have. That Brittney Griner tried to call her wife 11 times --

GIOKOS: Yes --

SPRUILL: And was unable to speak with her because of basically a scheduling conflict.

[14:15:00]

And you know, improper staffing of the phone where the call was going. None of that inspires hope. None of that inspires blind faith and --

GIOKOS: Yes --

SPRUILL: Assurance that everybody is doing everything that they can on her behalf. And I hope that, that is the message that those in the rooms with the power to complete whatever negotiations are necessary to get Brittney home are taken to heart. You want your elected -- your electorate to have faith in you and your ability, you don't want them to not have faith. Right now, there's actually --

GIOKOS: Tamryn --

SPRUILL: You know, a good reason why she's feeling --

GIOKOS: Tamryn, I read your op-ed, and you said, you know, Americans are going to be celebrating the 4th of July independence while Brittney is in detention in Russia. One of the reasons she was playing basketball, you know, on the other side of the world was because of pay. What is your message to Americans to help amplify the voice and the effort for her release?

SPRUILL: Everyone can go to wearebg.org, and a pop-up is right there where you can sign the petition and add your name to get the petition over 300,000 signatures. As representatives of our country, that we care that she is a citizen like us, and we want her to have her freedom and be reunited with her family as soon as possible.

GIOKOS: Tamryn Spruill, thank you very much for your insight, great to have you on the show. Much appreciated. All right, we're going to a very short break, and when we come back, a rough second quarter report card for U.S. stocks and record-high inflation coming out of the eurozone. We'll be getting into all those details right after the break. The economy -- global economy is under pressure. We'll find out why?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GIOKOS: Welcome back. Now investors around the world have began a new quarter on the heels of a really brutal first half of 2022. U.S. stocks suffered the biggest first half drop in more than 50 years. The S&P and the Dow is losing more than 20 percent and 15 percent respectively in the past six months. Meantime, across the Atlantic, eurozone inflation hits a new record high of 8.6 percent in June.

[14:20:00]

That was driven by food inflation that we're seeing coming through, and energy prices as well. CNN business correspondent Rahel Solomon joins us now from New York. Wow, what an incredible first half of the year. I just have to look at that again. The worst performance, the biggest drop in more than 50 years. Rahel, is this as bad as it's going to get? I think people need to know, how much of the bad news is being priced in and can we look forward to something different?

RAHEL SOLOMON, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Well, I would love to be able to deliver a message, Eleni, that we can look forward to a better half of the year, it's just so hard to say right now because there are so much uncertainty in the market in terms of when we start to see inflation ease. We're still not seeing those signs yet.

If we'll start to see maybe an end to the war in Ukraine, of course, we're not getting optimistic signs on that front. And the fed's path, in central bankers path as they try to get a hold of inflation. And so, there's so much uncertainty. There's so much negative pessimism, there are so much negative sentiments out there. Hard to say what the catalyst of growth are.

I can tell you that in the U.S., the consumer in the labor market has been a silver-lining. The consumer still spending. We're starting to see some signs, however, of a pullback, of a curbing in demand. We're seeing it in sort of gas prices, we're seeing demand destruction there as gas prices are proving to be too difficult for Americans.

So, there is a real concern, Eleni. You hear it nonstop here in the U.S., about, are we -- or are we already in a recession or are we heading towards a recession? When you look at the market in the S&P 500, which of course is the broadest measure of U.S. stocks, you can really get a sense of what investors are thinking in terms of which sectors and which groups of companies are doing the best relatively and the worse they're off, you know, really having a tough year, but the best relatively.

And those stocks are consumer staples, utilities and healthcare companies. Of course, companies and industries that we still continue to spend, even in a slowing environment, even in a recession. And on the other hand, the group that's doing the worst is consumer discretionary, this idea that when we're in a recession, when we're starting to pull back or spending, we go to restaurants less, we go to hotels less.

And so, investors are clearly starting to feel like or have been feeling like in trying to get ahead of the fact that, we could be in a recessionary environment. And also, I got some really interesting research yesterday, Eleni, that said Deutsche Bank pulled its investors and 90 percent of their monthly survey saw us heading towards a recession by the end of 2023, and December, that was 35 percent.

GIOKOS: Yes, it's been such a roller-coaster ride, the impacts of the pandemic. We thought we were coming out of it, and of course, new exogenous shocks. Rahel Solomon, you and I are going to have so many conversations about --

SOLOMON: Yes, right --

GIOKOS: Economic issues --

SOLOMON: I wish it was on better news --

GIOKOS: Going forward, it's going to be interesting. Thank you so --

SOLOMON: Yes --

GIOKOS: Very much -- yes, hopefully soon, at some point. Look, we remain hopeful. So economies around the world are currently feeling the crunch as well. Sri Lanka continues to battle a severe financial crisis, struggling to pay for essential imports of food, fuel and medicine. And the country's inflation rose to nearly 55 percent in June with food inflation up a staggering 80 percent from last year. All this making life increasingly difficult for residents.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): There's no business now. I came in the morning, but just hung around until afternoon. I didn't even have lunch. Earlier, we would eat well and have a drink. Now we can't. Things are very difficult. We have to stay weeks in acute to get kerosene oil. These people who come here cry. They say they have no money and that they have pond their jewelry. Living has become very difficult.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIOKOS: And then the Czech Republic, many traditional village pubs are now fighting for survival. Pub incomes are plunging as keepers face soaring costs. And customers are cutting back on leisure spending, it comes after Czech inflation in May has hit almost 30-year high at 16 percent. One mayor says she fears many villages may end up losing the special piece of Czech culture.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MAYOR HELENA CHYTRA, SEC, CZECH REPUBLIC (through translator):

Aleses(ph) or keepers can't survive the price rise of energy, beer and other goods. And this stops people from visiting the pub. That's why I think that in many villages and maybe even ours, the pub will cease to exist.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIOKOS: All right, then in Japan, in the meantime, the business mood among top manufacturers has declined for a second straight quarter according to a new central bank survey. And that's because of rising input costs and supply disruptions resulting from China's strict COVID-19 lockdown. So companies are expected to boost capital expenditures, and pass on those costs to consumers, indicating a moderate economic recovery, hopefully will be within reach at some point.

[14:25:00]

All right, so Japan isn't the only economy feeling the pain from China's strict zero COVID strategy. China is as well. Chinese state media reporting President Xi Jinping and his wife are now back in mainland China, and that's after a visit to Hong Kong. He was there to mark 25 years since the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule. He also -- he also swore in Hong Kong's new Chief Executive John Lee; a hard-line police officer appointed by Beijing.

President Xi said the one country, two systems policy must be followed. But for many people living in Hong Kong, the promise to preserve the city's freedom now hollow. CNN's Ivan Watson reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Flag- waving children greet China's president on his first trip outside mainland China since the start of the pandemic. Xi Jinping arriving by train to celebrate the 25th anniversary Hong Kong's handover from British to Chinese rule.

XI JINPING, PRESIDENT, CHINA (through translator): Over the past few years, Hong Kong has withstood one severe test after another, and overcome one risk and challenge after another. After weathering the storms, Hong Kong has emerged from the ashes with vigorous vitality.

WATSON: Xi's stormy metaphor matched by the typhoon roiling Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor. The Chinese authorities are declaring a new era for this former British colony, end-in-end to what they describe as the chaos of the past. This city has certainly changed since the last time the Chinese leader visited. Five years ago, tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators marched peacefully through the streets.

(on camera): You can't see anything like this in any other city in China. You have a diversity of opinion, for instance, people dressed up as zombies here, protesting about long working hours. (voice-over): But this year, there was no annual pro-democracy march.

In fact, Hong Kong's once ubiquitous street demonstrations have been banned for two years. Part of a crackdown on dissent that's left most of the city's political opposition leaders in jail or in exile, with independent news outlets targeted by police and closed.

Western governments accused Beijing of breaking its promise to ensure 50 years of freedoms in Hong Kong.

BORIS JOHNSON, PRIME MINISTER, UNITED KINGDOM: On the 25th anniversary of the handover, we simply cannot avoid the fact that for some time now, Beijing has been failing to comply with its obligations. It's a state of affairs that threatens both the rights and freedoms of Hongkongers and the continued progress and prosperity of their home.

WATSON: But in the Chinese president's view, order has been restored. Xi congratulated John Lee; the former police officer who's now been inaugurated as Beijing's handpicked leader here. But no handshakes between these socially-distancing officials. The Chinese president firmly committed to his zero COVID policy. Beijing may have crushed Hong Kong's independent spirit, but authorities are having less luck stopping a fresh COVID outbreak.

Maybe that's why on his first visit in five years, the Chinese president didn't spend the night in Hong Kong, and instead commuted back and forth from mainland China. Ivan Watson, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GIOKOS: All right, and still to come tonight, a rare ally in the former Soviet Union. Russia says it's speeding integration with Belarus, blaming the pressure of western sanctions. And later, more countries are now reporting outbreaks of monkeypox. What we know so far about this rare viral disease.

[14:30:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GIOKOS: Welcome back. Now Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, says Western sanctions are pushing his country to "speed up integration" with Belarus. Longtime Belarusian autocrats Alexander Lukashenko is one of Putin's only allies in the region. And, of course, Russia has used Belarus as a staging ground for its troops, as well as a launching pad for strikes on neighboring Ukraine during the war. Russia and Belarus signed a union treaty in 1997, and have been working on and off ever since towards restoring closer ties after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Let's bring in Russian expert Jill Dougherty. She's a former CNN Moscow Bureau Chief, who is now an adjunct professor at Georgetown University in Washington. Really good to see you, Jill. I'm sure you're watching all of this playing out with -- yes, I mean, it's incredible to see all of this. NATO, G7, you know, coming together really condemning what Russia is doing right now. And I can only wonder what Putin is thinking. But the latest lines from Russia it seems, that they want to become closer with their friends, Belarus, something perhaps that has been in the pipeline.

But what do you make of what you've heard from Russia and Putin specifically this week as diplomacy has been the name of the game for the West?

JILL DOUGHERTY, FORMER CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Well, you know, in the beginning, let's go back maybe a year or so, Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, was kind of playing both sides against the middle, and, you know, the West and Russia -- and he kind of skillfully or maybe less skillfully, as time went on, tried to navigate between both of those sides. But obviously, as the war in Ukraine began, Belarus is all part of this. It is definitely on the side of Russia. And as you just mentioned, there have been these, you know, overtures to creating more -- a closer tie. And there's no question that they've been working on this for years.

But I think you have to look at this in the broader sense. I mean, look at where Belarus is located. It's right in the middle of that area where you have Ukraine, you have Kaliningrad, the Russian enclave, that is right in the middle of Europe, you have NATO expanding. So that entire area, if you look at it, is becoming more, let's call it Western NATO alike. So Putin is looking for friends, and he's looking for them in Belarus. And then also he's looking forward to, in terms of other countries, he's been traveling a little bit.

He's talking about working with countries, the BRICS in Russia -- Brazil, India, and China. So I think as he feels that there is more unity in the West, which he criticizes enormously, of course, he is looking for allies, that -- with whom he can work to show that he can kind of balance that that change geopolitically.

[14:35:05]

GIOKOS: And it seems that he's getting, you know, a lot of interest. Of course, China seems to be on his side. We know that the emerging market space, especially when you look at what the Africans are doing, but I was looking at the Caspian Summit, and I think that it sort of got lost in the matrix as we're discussing sort of these enormous issues. Putin's first trip since the war started, his friends in the region, showing quite a lot of support. How important are these allies sort of in the greater scheme of things?

DOUGHERTY: Well, I mean, Iran certainly is very important. But that's not a surprise, because Iran has been supporting Russia to a certain extent, quite -- for quite a long time. Look at the other countries here, Azerbaijan, important energy, of course, Turkmenistan, again, energy, and then Kazakhstan, important in many different ways. But these are -- those are all former republics of the Soviet Union. And Russia already has long existing ties.

So, again, I believe that this is more of Putin reaching out to all the friends that he can find at this point, and trying to at least get them on board to, if not, let's say, completely support what he is doing to at least not criticize it. And that -- that's important to Putin right now. Because even China, you mentioned China, that they are -- they're on Russia side, but they're not really totally on Russia's side. I think China has played it pretty skillfully in terms of doing rhetorically, saying rhetorically, that they support Russia, et cetera, but being very careful in their actions not to overplay that. They know that they have, you know, huge economic interests with Europe and the United States.

GIOKOS: You know, Jill, we've been looking and covering so much of the new strikes and attacks in Ukraine. You know, Russia seems to be a lot more aggressive in terms of what we're seeing on the ground, the mall attack in Kremenchuk, we -- we've heard the story overnight where apartment buildings were attacked just outside of Odessa. What is the narrative that Putin is spinning in Russia, as he tries to explain why civilian buildings have been targeted?

DOUGHERTY: Well, I mean, if you look at Kremenchuk, they changed their message, you know, in the beginning, it was we had nothing to do with it. And then they said, well, yes, we did. But actually, we were trying to -- we were skillfully attacking a building that was near a [00:02:38](INAUDIBLE). But if you look at most of the reports analyzing exactly that video, where it comes from, where the missile was coming from, it seems quite obvious that the Russians did hit that center, there's no question.

So, I think what they're trying to do, and President Putin, in a very blanket statement yesterday said, we don't hit civilian targets. Well, maybe theoretically they don't, but in reality, it would appear that they definitely do. And that leads you, I think, Eleni, to the question of what they're trying to do in Ukraine. I mean, if they continue to attack civilian targets, then is the purpose to destroy Ukraine? To, you know, let's say, undermine any faith that the people have that this will ever be over? It just raises very serious questions about the end game, you know, what is the purpose here?

GIOKOS: Yes, exactly. It's such a good point, Jill, and it's always good to speak to you to get that perspective, because it's really important to focus on the narrative that is coming out of Russia because it does frame what people think. They -- Jill Dougherty always good to see you. Thank you.

DOUGHERTY: Thank you very much.

GIOKOS: Now, medics in Sudan say the military has fatally shot nine protesters in the capital Khartoum. They say the civilians were killed during an anti-coup protest on Thursday and videos on social media are showing military forces opening fire on crowds several times, that medics added that more than 100 civilians have been killed in the protests since October when the country's government dissolved. Cnn International Correspondent Larry Madowo has more from Nairobi.

LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Eleni, even after at least nine protesters were killed reportedly by security forces on Thursday, Sudanese protesters were back stubbornly on the streets on Friday in confrontation with security forces. Videos from Khartoum showed protesters fleeing plumes of smoke on their way to the Presidential Palace. This is a new round of demonstrations led by Sudanese pro- democracy groups that say they will continue to do this until they reverse the military takeover.

Back in October last year, October 25, The Sudanese military dissolved the power sharing agreement with the civilians and the civil society and to cover. These protesters considered that illegitimate. They call it a coup.

[14:40:01]

And that is why they were protesting on Thursday partly because that was the third anniversary of the popular protests that ousted long- term Sudanese dictator, Omar al-Bashir. But more to the point, they really want a reversal of this military takeover and return to civilian rule, which they don't think the military is committed to, even though they say so. The military points are, for instance, that 96 police officers and 129 soldiers were also injured in these protests and they arrested some protesters.

But the big picture here, we've seen videos on social media showing security forces appearing to open fire on protesters. I have to point out here, Eleni, that CNN has not independently verified these videos, but it's really a growing escalation in this fight for democracy in Sudan. And the Sudan's Central Doctors Committee says so far, since October 25, at least 113 civilians have been killed in these kinds of protests, Eleni.

GIOKOS: All right. That was Larry Madowo for us. And still to come tonight, the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.K. is surging with Omicron sub-variant spreading fast. Does that mean restrictions are coming back? We'll take a closer look. And the world's first do-it- yourself cervical cancer test, how one small test is making a big impact.

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GIOKOS: Welcome back. Now the World Health Organization is calling for urgent action as monkey pox spreads across Europe. It says cases there have tripled in the past two weeks alone and the number of countries reporting outbreaks is on the rise. Up until the current outbreak, the viral disease has mostly occurred in West and Central Africa.

Now the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.K. is on the rise again. Infection shot up by 32 percent during the week as well. We'll get into that story in just a short while. I want to talk about the monkeypox outbreak and this is a vital story. We've got Elizabeth Cohen joining us now. Elizabeth, really good to see you. I think that there's this new sense of fear of what monkeypox would do or spread and whether this is going to become a global issue, one that we could perhaps correlate to what we've experienced with COVID-19. What are you seeing right now and are you concerned with the numbers growing that rapidly in Europe?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: This is not going to become COVID, Eleni. I think it's very clear that that's the case.

[14:45:00] COVID, you could catch if you were, you know, just sort of in the same room as someone with COVID. With monkeypox, there needs to be either some sort of physical contact, or contact through, let's say, sheets or towels. So, I'm not worried that this is going to become like COVID. But still, having said that, it is not good that the numbers are rising.

So, let's take a look at monkeypox numbers globally and in Europe. So if we take a look since mid-May, which is when the current outbreak started, what we're seeing is that 90 percent of laboratory confirmed cases globally have been in Europe. That's about 4,500 cases reported in Europe, the three countries with the highest levels of cases are the U.K., Germany, and Spain. Now let's take a look at who is getting monkeypox or diagnosed with monkeypox. 99 percent of the cases have been reported in men, in males, and that is mostly in gay men, because as I said, it's the physical contact that makes the difference here.

Most of these men are between 21 and 40 years old. However, there have been some cases, just among household members, because I said you can get it say from sheets or from towels, it has happened between people who are not having sexual contact, sometimes it's just rubbing up against each other. It doesn't actually have to be sexual intercourse. And there have been cases among children, Eleni.

GIOKOS: Yes. Elizabeth Cohen, thank you so very much for breaking that down for us.

COHEN: Thanks.

GIOKOS: Right. So we mentioned that the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.K. are rising once again. Infections shooting up by 32 percent during the past week. When looking at official data right now, Scotland is reporting the highest rates in the U.K., and we've got Bianca Nobilo, standing by for us in London. Bianca is seeing this dramatic rise, the first question is just how severe the illnesses are, are we seeing pressure on hospitals? Is there a fear? That could be the scenario and would that then result in restrictions in place to avert that probability.

BIANCA NOBILO, CNN ANCHOR, THE GLOBAL BRIEF: The rise is dramatic, Eleni. 2.3 million COVID cases in the United Kingdom at the moment, that is a 32 percent rise, as you mentioned, meaning that around one in thirty people have COVID in England at the moment. Now, what's driving that, according to scientists, are the sub-variants of Omicron, BA.4 and BA.5. They're thought to have much better immunoScape, even though the government is emphasizing that vaccines still remain a very robust way to counter those variants.

Now, in terms of what that translates to with serious illness, we know that 9,000 beds are currently taken up in the U.K. with COVID patients at the moment. That's doubling from the beginning of last month. But around two thirds of those cases are people who are testing positive for COVID but who aren't in hospital primarily because of their COVID symptoms. Roughly 211 beds in England are taken up with hospital, patients requiring intensive care for COVID, that is creeping up to, again, doubling the 111 people who are in hospital for COVID For those reasons about a month ago.

Now, in terms of where that leaves us, the context is important here. Elizabeth was just explaining the rise of monkeypox cases in Europe. They're rising in England, too. They're -- in fact, there are about 100 -- 1,076 monkeypox cases reported in the United Kingdom at the moment. Add to that in terms of NHS pressure, the fact that scientists are predicting from the U.K. Health Security Agency that there will be an early flu season this year. And they're also very worried about immunity to flu because there hasn't been a big flu season since the pandemic began.

So, they're expecting that to hit several months earlier than normal. And now we're seeing this huge rise in COVID cases, also driven by some summer events, Eleni, like Glastonbury, which we've seen the big festival that takes place in England that over -- or around 200,000 people attend. All of these factors are combining to create a picture that could potentially put a lot more pressure on the NHS.

When the Prime Minister was asked if those circumstances mean that more restrictions are likely, he said not at the moment, but he didn't definitively rule out their reintroduction. So, that is something to keep an eye on over here, ELeni.

GIOKOS: Bianca Nobilo, always good to see you. Thank you so very much. All right. And still to come one week on from the reversal of Roe vs. Wade in the U.S., we take a look at the realities of abortion bans, how strict laws in Poland are protecting the unborn at the expense of the living.

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GIOKOS: Welcome back. Now it's been one week since America's Supreme Court removed a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion. The overturning of Roe vs. Wade has triggered disbelief and worry among many American woman and abortion rights supporters worldwide. Meanwhile, in Europe, Poland recently tightened its already strict abortion laws, sometimes with devastating consequences. CNN's Melissa Bell has the story.

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MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A grave in southern Poland that should serve as a warning, says Barbara Scrubble, that in trying to protect the unborn, Poland is now sacrificing the living. Barbara's sister-in-law, Izabela, desperately wanted a sibling for her 9-year- old daughter, but at 18 weeks, prenatal tests showed the fetus had severe abnormalities and would live no longer than a year.

"They went to the doctors and asked if they could terminate the pregnancy," says Izabela's sister-in-law. They said no. Then, as she was looking to travel abroad, her waters broke. Abortions in Poland have been illegal for nearly 30 years with just three exceptions, cases involving rape or incest, those involving a woman's life being in danger or fetal abnormalities. That third exception, which had accounted for 98 percent of all known abortions, was struck down in 2020 by the country's highest courts. There were massive protests with polls showing just one in ten people supported the move.

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BELL: There's also concern within the medical profession here in Warsaw, abortions are now only possible in Poland in cases of rape, incest, or where the life and health of a woman is clearly in danger. And that is open to interpretation. It also places a great deal of power in the hands of doctors.

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BELL: and some are too scared now to help even those women who are in danger.

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MAGDALENA DUTSCH, WARSAW WOMEN INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH: I talk with my friends and they tell me, listen, I had this patient yesterday who should have an abortion due to legally allowed reasons, but I was afraid to give her information where she can get it because I was afraid that someone might consider this as a breach of law.

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BELL: The last Izabela Sabiok's mother heard from her was a series of texts she sent from hospital when her waters broke at 22 weeks. The doctors can't help as long as the fetus is alive, thanks to the anti- abortion law. Worrying that her fever was rising and hoping that she wouldn't get sepsis because then she wrote, "I won't leave this place." She died about 12 hours later. Thousands took to the streets under the banner "Not a single woman more."

[14:55:02]

Her family's attorney says she died of a heart attack on her way to surgery after the baby died, but an official cause of death has not been released. It is now part of a criminal investigation, say prosecutors. The hospital denies malpractice saying in a statement, "All medical decisions were made taking into account the legal provisions and standards of conduct enforced in Poland." The hospital also says the two doctors on duty at the time have been suspended.

It's unclear why Izabela's doctors did not perform an abortion. In response to questions from CNN about the tightened ban, the government said that the termination of a pregnancy remain legal in Poland, where a woman's life is at risk. But Izabela's family believes her fetus's faint heartbeat prevented her doctors from acting in time. The two now share their final resting place beneath the gravestone that bears the slogan, "Not a single woman more." Melissa Bell, CNN, Warsaw.

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GIOKOS: All right. A lot of worrying time for women's health. Australia is bringing a little bit of relief. It's about to introduce a home do-it-yourself cervical cancer screening. The new test could be a game-changer. It's hoped they'll dramatically improve women's access to this lifesaving exam and keep Australia on track to eliminate cervical cancer before the end of the decade.

And thanks so very much for watching tonight. "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is up next. From me, Eleni Giokos, here in Dubai, have a fantastic weekend and take care.

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