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FBI Searches Trump's Mar-a-Lago Residence In Florida; U.S. To Send Ukraine $5.5 Billion In New Fiscal, Military Aid; As Gaza Ceasefire Holds, Israel Lifts All Security Restrictions; Gangs Gain The Upper Hand In War With Haitian Police; China Announces More Military Drills Around Taiwan. Aired 1-2a ET
Aired August 09, 2022 - 01:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: This is CNN Newsroom. Ahead this hour. Stunning and unprecedented, FBI agents executed warrant to search the Florida home of former President Donald J. Trump.
Haiti's choice, stay at risk being killed by criminal gangs or hope for a better life and leave and risk drowning at sea.
And from the (INAUDIBLE) good girl Sandra Dee to getting physical to the 1980s, remembering the life of singer and actress Olivia Newton- John.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is from CNN Center. This is CNN Newsroom with John Vause.
VAUSE: In an unprecedented move, which also appears to be an escalation by the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI agents have executed a warrant to search Mar-a-Lago, the Florida home of former President Donald Trump. According to a number of sources, Donald Trump is under investigation for allegedly mishandling presidential documents, including classified information.
The former president, though, said the raid was politically motivated. He complained about FBI agents breaking into a safe. Other sources tell CNN federal agents left carrying boxes filled with items seized during the search. CNN political correspondent Sara Murray has details.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): An extraordinary day in politics is former President Donald Trump confirmed that the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago home. Now he was not there at the time. But the FBI did come they were there for several hours sources are telling us and this was related to the Presidential Records Act. It was related to those documents the former president took when he left the White House, some of which may have been classified. Now earlier this year, the National Archives said they had recovered 15 boxes of documents. But a source familiar with this says they were searching to see where those documents had been kept and if any had left -- been left behind.
The former president said the FBI even searched a safe of his. It seemed to take Trump and his allies off guard because lawyers on behalf of the former president had been engaging with investigators on this issue. Christina Bobb, who's one of the former president's lawyers said that Trump and his legal team had been cooperative with the FBI and with DOJ.
In a statement, the former president said these are dark times for our nation as my beautiful home Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided and occupied by a large group of FBI agents, nothing like this has ever happened to President of the United States before. And we've already seen Republicans rallying to the President's side declaring this some kind of political attack. Sara Murray, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
VAUSE: With us out from Los Angeles is law professor and host of the Passing Judgment podcast, Jessica Levinson. It's good to see you.
JESSICA LEVINSON, HOST, PASSING JUDGEMENT PODCAST: Good to be here.
VAUSE: OK, so Eric Trump, he was with his father, Donald when word came with a search by the FBI at Mar-a-Lago. Here's what he said happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERIC TRUMP, DONALD TRUMP'S SON: To have 30 FBI agents actually more than that, descend on Mar-a-Lago give absolutely, you know, no notice, go through the gate, start ransacking an office, ransacking a closet, you know, they broke into a safe. He didn't even have anything in the safe. I mean, give me a break. And this is coming from what the National Archives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: None of that sounds out of the ordinary. And as the National Archives what it actually does. This is from the website, in a democracy records belong to the people. Records help us claim our rights and entitlements, hold our elected officials accountable for their actions and document our history as a nation.
So why would the Department of Justice take this action? Potentially how serious is this? How far up with the authorization have been?
LEVINSON: Oh, to the very top. I think this is extremely serious. And let's be clear what's happening right now what we're seeing play out is a legal process, not a political process. So as much as their claims here that this is a witch hunt, let's talk about what's actually had to happen. A federal law enforcement officer has had to swear under oath in an affidavit that there's probable cause of two things a federal crime and evidence of that federal crime where they want to execute the search word, in this case, Mar-a-Lago, then a federal judge, a magistrate judge has to independently look at this and decide whether or not to give the go ahead.
All of this is extremely serious. And everybody understands that when it comes to this particular search warrant. Obviously, there will be many eyes scrutinizing this, I think everybody dots their I's, cross their T's.
[01:05:03]
So what are we specifically talking about? It's exactly what you said, John, these are the people's documents. These are not private documents. These don't belong to Donald Trump or even former President Trump. They belong to us. And to the extent that they're classified, that means their sensitive national security information. And so we may not be able to see that information in order to protect us, but it doesn't mean it belongs to somebody else.
VAUSE: One of the multiple White House press secretaries during Trump's time in office was Stephanie Grisham. She spoke to CNN a little earlier. Here she is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHANIE GRISHAM, FORMER TRUMP WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We were not a White House to follow the rules. And I will tell you that handling classified information was not something that was really pressed upon us on a daily basis, or weekly or monthly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: She also talked about Donald Trump carelessly flowing documents away, leaving in the Mideast pocket, not taking great care with this information. That seems careless, not criminal. So legally, does that matter? And it seems that the search at Mar-a-Lago would indicate this is about more than a few classified documents casually tossed away.
LEVINSON: I think the second part is the answer to the first part, which is this is about more than a few documents. So think about the average person who may be on their way out the door of a job takes, you know, a pen or a stapler. This is about taking client's secrets. This is about something much more serious.
And as you alluded to in the question, I think there's a chance and we don't know for sure this is really where we're making educated guesses. There's a chance that this is about more than even the Federal Records Act. This is about more than taking a classified information.
One of the things that we can be asking ourselves is what changed in the 18 to 20 months since basically we all became aware that these documents were not handled properly. Were they for instance, and this is a question. It's a real question. It's not an allegation where they, for instance, passed to a third party. There seems to me that there is more there than what we have already known about the mishandling, alleged mishandling of the documents.
VAUSE: Here's part of the reaction from the 45th President. What is the difference between this and Watergate, where operatives broke into the Democratic National Committee? Here, in reverse, Democrats broke into the home of the 45th President of the United States. So what's the difference here besides everything?
LEVINSON: Where to begin? Well, first of all, who executed the search warrant? The FBI who chose the head of the FBI, Donald Trump. What about the Department of Justice? Were they following President Biden? The Biden administration found out when we all did because the Department of Justice is an independent agency. It's an independent investigation that they're conducting.
What about the judge who had to sign off here? There's a federal judge. We don't know who that judge is, who nominated that judge to the bench. I mean, I don't really even know where to begin in terms of the differences Other than that, that was a crime, and this is an investigation into a potential crime.
VAUSE: Well put, Jessica, thank you. Thanks for being with us. We appreciate it.
LEVINSON: Thank you.
VAUSE: U.S. military and financial aid for Ukraine keeps coming with another $4.5 billion. That's Monday, earmarked to help Ukraine's government maintain essential functions. Separately, the Defense Department has announced a billion dollars of weapons and security package, the largest delivery from the Pentagon since Russia invaded.
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COLIN KAHL, U.S. UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFNESE OF POLICY: This is the largest single drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment utilizing this authority to date. The package provides a significant amount of additional ammunition, weapons and equipment, the types of which the Ukrainian people are using so effectively to defend their country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling on Western countries to ban all Russian citizens if Moscow annexes more Ukrainian territory, it comes with warning to the officials in occupied areas, maybe planning sham referendums on joining Russia.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Zelenskyy dismissed arguments so the ban would unfairly target Russians who left because they disagree with the Kremlin telling the paper, you're telling the whole world that it must live by your rules, then go and live there. That is the only way to influence Putin.
Ukraine is one of the few countries in the world which has experienced a nuclear meltdown. Now, officials there a warning of another nuclear disaster after weekend shelling and rocket fire came dangerously close to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe.
The UN Secretary General condemned fighting around Zaporizhzhia facility on Monday calling it suicidal, going into the state energy company once a demilitarized zone around the planet, which has been under Russian control since March.
While Ukrainian technicians continue working at the plant. On Monday, Ukraine's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency said workers are under enormous stress and warned a disaster at the plant could affect all of Europe.
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YEVHENII TSYMBALIUK, UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR TO INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY: The situation is looking like Ukrainian stuff is working under barrels of gun, of Russian barrels of gun.
[01:10:03]
If something happens, so there will be huge consequences not only for Ukraine, probably all Ukraine will be contaminated. But for Europe as well.
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VAUSE: New surveillance images show Russian military's -- military vehicles rather driving inside the complex. Moscow says the troops are there as protection. But Western and Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of using the plant as a nuclear shield for Russian forces.
The mayor of Kramatorsk in Ukraine warns danger is coming closer to the city is expected to become a major focus of Russian attacks as troops continue their adventures in the Donetsk region. Kramatorsk was hit by missile strikes over the weekend. At least three people were hurt. City's residents are now being urged to evacuate. CNN International diplomatic editor Nic Robertson sat down with the bear to talk about what's next for the city.
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OLEKSANDR HONCHARENKO, KRAMATORSK, UKRAINE MAYOR: You see the word danger is coming closer to Kramatorsk and to neighbor cities. The way we understand that the next target for Russians is Kramatorsk.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: The Russians are advancing you think?
HONCHARENKO: They're coming slowly, slowly. They are not so successful as they may be wanted. But however the danger is higher. And this is the first reason why the President Zelenskyy asked our people to leave.
ROBERTSON: Because you can't hold them back. Is that the message to the citizens? HONCHARENKO: Nobody can knows how successful will be Russian occupants and how quickly or how slowly as they come to our cities. The danger for the life of people is increasing. The Donetsk region we do not have gas at all. And it's not possible to repair gas lines.
ROBERTSON: Are people listening to you? Are they leaving Kramatorsk? Are they leaving the other towns around here?
HONCHARENKO: Look, as for now we have approximately 30 percent of the total population that are --
ROBERTSON: That remaining.
HONCHARENKO: Still remaining in the city. It's approximately 65,000, 150,000 left the city. You know, it's difficult to protect the cities by our army. If we have a lot of senior citizens because the Russians they're using the citizens. They bring them in danger. They target them.
ROBERTSON: What are you doing to persuade the people? This is the moment --
HONCHARENKO: We've given our people with our government with Chief of Donetsk region. We give our people the possibility to leave. They can use evacuation buses. They can use we bring them to safety railway station.
ROBERTSON: And what's the reason you hear from most people that they say they want to stay?
HONCHARENKO: Look, 70 percent of people which remains in the city are all people. I think that their house and their life has more higher price than their life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Amnesty International has been criticized for a recent report accusing Ukrainian forces of using tactics that endanger civilians. Now the organization says it regrets the distress and anger caused by the report but fully stands by the findings. CNN's Alex Marquardt has details.
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ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): This is a boarding school for visually impaired children in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Its windows blown out and two huge craters outside from Russia and missile strikes.
We visited in early July just a few hours after the attack and saw at the entrance to the school Ukrainian soldiers moving out, carrying boxes into a truck. The school in a residential neighborhood wasn't housing any students at the time. The soldiers told us they'd been staying there, but after the strike they decided to leave.
Now, a firestorm has erupted after Amnesty International reported on the Ukrainian forces use of civilian buildings like schools and hospitals as bases. The report says that has made those buildings targets for the Russians and endangers the Ukrainian population.
The head of Amnesty International said in the report, being in a defensive position does not exempt the Ukrainian military from respecting international humanitarian law. The backlash was immediate. President Zelenskyy and other top officials slammed the report.
Zelenskyy on Friday said it shifts the responsibility from the aggressor to the victim. He called it immoral so activity that amnesties Russia. The next day, we spoke with Amnesty International.
DONATELLA ROVERA, SENIOR CRISIS ADVISER, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: We understand military necessity. And we understand that, you know, military especially in the case of the Ukrainian military, they are in a defensive position. They have to make difficult decisions. But there are measures that they can mistake.
MARQUARDT: As anger grew, they apologized, saying while we fully stand by our findings, we regret the pain caused. Nothing we documented Ukrainian forces doing in any way justifies Russian violations.
Russian state TV has gloated pointing to the report as evidence Ukraine is violating international law. Amnesty International initially rejected the Ukrainian criticism that their report was feeding Russian propaganda.
ROVERA: Really takes away from the focus, which should be what can be done to increase the protection of civilians. That's really what this is about and what it should be about.
MARQUARDT: Amnesty has repeatedly criticized Russia for its conduct in Ukraine. Last month, another report from Human Rights Watch said both sides are unnecessarily endangering civilians. And however unjustified and brutal Russia's war is they say, Ukraine needs to do better.
BELKIS WILLE, SENIOR RESEARCHER, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: Just because the other side that you're fighting against is breaking the rules doesn't mean that you should break the rules. And in fact, if you do, you're going to kill more civilians. And that's exactly why these rules are in place to begin with.
MARQUARDT: Alex Marquardt, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
VAUSE: Much more head this hour. Coming up. This outgunned and outnumbered by criminal gangs the daily battle for control of Hades capital, CNN's Nick Paton Walsh takes a ride with the Haitian SWAT team, that's next.
And later, saving 10 trapped miners in Mexico, while the rescue isn't as simple as just going underground.
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VAUSE: With a ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Islamic Jihad in effect and apparently holding fuel and other supplies once again flowing into Gaza. Israel reopened a border crossing for fuel deliveries following the worst fighting in more than a year.
Over the weekend, Israel launched what it called a preemptive strike on Islamic Jihad targets. The UN's top official in the Middle East calls the escalation deeply worrying.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOR WENNESLAND, UN SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS: The ceasefire is fragile. Any resumption of hostilities will only have devastating consequences for Palestinians and Israelis and make any political progress on key issues elusive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: According to the UN, Israel Defense Forces launched 147 airstrikes targeting Gaza and Palestinian militants launched about 1,100 rockets and mortars into Israeli territory.
Haiti is firing deeper into crisis the country is facing skyrocketing inflation. Gas shortages as well as hunger as games take control of much of the capital. CNN's international security editor Nick Payton Walsh board along with the Haitian SWAT team in Port-au-Prince, they attempt to wrest control back from the gangs.
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NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR (voice-over): The descent into the abyss in Haiti is fastest here. The one certainty is when the police SWAT team we are with cross into gang territory, they will take fire. It is now a prolonged war for control of the Capitol. Police need to prove they can be here. The gangs, the police cannot.
[01:20:07]
And its ordinary citizens who were caught in between. Here, a passenger on a civilian bus that was hit in the street. The days before, police said they rescued six hostages in this same area and killed a leader of the 400 Mawozo gang. The police struggle to hold ground so the gangs whose currency is kidnapping and drugs are gaining far too much. Especially right here.
Rounds hit the armored vehicle. They think they see where the gunmen are. They run but not like it's their first time under fire. Perhaps even this day.
They slide back, perhaps the gang have fled down the alley.
(on camera): This kind of intense violence that so many sites when they talk about spiral towards collapse.
(voice-over): The firepower they bring doesn't in itself change who's in control. Gangs able to block main roads at will with trucks. And it requires a major operation to clear them.
Gangs now often match or outgun the police. They have a bulldozer too demolishing rivals houses in one area, Cite Soleil. Locals fled at night during 10 days of clashes in July that left over 470 dead, injured or missing said the UN as the G9 gang expanded control, burning and demolishing. Those who survived fled to nights here were a mix of flies and rain stopped them from even sleeping.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They burned my house in Cite Soleil and shot my husband seven times. I can't even afford to see him at the hospital. Down here the children are starving. I have four kids, but my first is missing and I can't find him. I looked for him everywhere but can't find him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My mother and my father have died. My aunt saved me. I want to go to school but it was torn down.
WALSH: To see where acute desperation can lead, we traveled to where what's left of the government rarely treads. Don't be fooled by the beauty. There is no paradise here. Only hunger, heat, trash and the business of leaving. Traffickers boats out to the Bahamas, Cuba, Florida if you're lucky. And while these places are sending Haitians back in record numbers, the U.S. Coast Guard is also stopping four times as many this year as last. These exits are what Johnny arranges.
JOHNNY, MIGRANT SMUGGLER (through translator): If we die, we die. If we make it, we make it. I'm the one who buys the boat. It can cost up to $15,000. We're hoping to get 250 people for the next trip because the boat is big.
WALSH: Not everyone made it on their last trip three months ago.
JOHNNY (through translator): The boat had an engine problem. While they got inside the boat we call for help. But it took too long. 29 people died on that trip.
WALSH: These aren't people who usually share their trade secrets. But maybe now they're relaxed to the authorities are busy. The boat is aging, scraps of net plugging holes, engines not fixed yet. But this is where Johnny hopes 250 people will huddle. Maybe as early as next week.
(on camera): I mean not really something you want to be in on dry land let alone out for days.
(voice-over): One man tells us why he saved for a year to get into here. I graduated and work as a teacher, he says, but it did not work out. Now I am driving a motorcycle every day in the sun and the dust. How will I be able to take care of my family when I have one? I'm not afraid. I will be eaten by a shark or make it to America.
[01:25:01]
I hope so remote it could only exist here, where they say the choice is between fire and water even if all day, every day already feels like drowning. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (END VIDEO TAPE)
VAUSE: Voters are heading to the polls now as Kenya decides on who will be the next president. Coming up here on CNN, the candidates and the stakes expect to be (INAUDIBLE) expected to be in this hotly contested election.
Plus, the Arctic ice melt has some famous billionaires eyeing some new opportunities. Why they're funding a massive treasure hunt in Greenland.
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VAUSE: Welcome back, everybody. I'm John Vause. You're watching CNN Newsroom. China's military show of force continues around Taiwan announcing war games focusing on a joint blockade. Taiwan is also holding live military drills.
Taiwan Defense Military says these drills are regular exercises that were not scheduled in response to Beijing's recent war games. Mainland China ramped up its war games and rhetoric after the U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went to Taipei last week. And the U.S. President Joe Biden was asked about that on Monday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, U.S. PRESIDENT: I'm not worried. But I'm concerned that they're moving as much as they are. But I don't think they're going to do anything wrong.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you think it was (INAUDIBLE) the Speaker to go to Taiwan?
BIDEN: That was her decision. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Live now to Hong Kong, CNN's Kristie Lu Stout is with us. So Joe Biden there making a prediction he believes that, you know, Beijing will not raise tensions any further over Taiwan. So are we done for now?
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you know, Joe Biden, he's trying to keep cool, keep calm. He's expressed confidence that China would not escalate any further attention. But the reality is this, this Tuesday, China is continuing to extend its military drills around Taiwan. We learned this just over an hour ago, on the way (INAUDIBLE) of China's Eastern Theater Command. They confirmed that they continue to extend these military drills in the airspace and waters around Taiwan today focusing on blockade and supply operations.
Originally, they were due to end these drills on Sunday. The drills have been extended the end date, that is still not clear.
Now, Taiwan has condemned the extension of these Chinese military drills. And we have fresh comment from the foreign minister of Taiwan. Let's bring it up for you, and Joseph Wu, he says this quote, we'll bring it up, he says in facing China's joint military exercises, Taiwan's people, society, military, government have displayed resilience and confidence, and remained calm. China's continued attempts to intimidate Taiwan will not panic us nor will they defeat us, unquote.
[01:30:05]
Now, Taiwan has condemned the extension of these Chinese military drills. And we have fresh comment from the foreign minister of Taiwan, let us bring it up for you.
Joseph Woo, he says this, quote -- we'll bring it up. He says "In facing China's joint military exercises, Taiwan's people, society, military government has displayed resilience and confidence, and remained calm.
China's continued attempts to intimidate Taiwan will not panic us, nor will they defeat us," unquote.
Now, I should add that Taiwan this day is holding live fire drills. These were preplanned drills. They were not in response to the Chinese military drills and exercises that are currently underway since U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made that controversial visit to Taiwan last Tuesday.
China has been ratcheting up the pressure on Taiwan on multiple fronts -- economic, diplomatic, especially military. At one point sending over ballistic missiles over this island of 23 million people for the first time, even canceling communications between U.S. And Chinese military leaders.
So just how long will China continue with these measures to confront and to intimidate Taiwan. When we talk to analysts, they say it's a matter of weeks, perhaps even months.
Here is Amanda Hsiao, she is the senior China analyst of the international crisis group based in Taiwan, listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AMANDA HSIAO, SENIOR CHINA ANALYST, CRISIS GROUP: Given history, we may see exercises continue for the next few months. In the 1995, 1966 Taiwan Strait crisis, military exercises took place at intervals over the span of nine months.
So that indicates that it is possible we might see continued exercises. China is using Pelosi's visit as a means, as an opportunity really to expand and regularize military presence in the Taiwan Straits.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: That last point from Amanda Hsiao, very significant there, John. After Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, China is using the opportunity to shift the military status quo on Taiwan. Back to you.
VAUSE: It's interesting, because there are a number of reasons why China is ramping up the pressure on Taiwan right now. Political reason, domestic reasons at home, mostly due to Xi Jinping. But here's guess the question, is it working? ?
STOUT: This is what's interesting, so why are they doing this. Xi Jinping, as you said, in many ways it's about him showing up, consolidating his power during this politically sensitive time. It's also to express anger at what China is seeing. This close relationship between Taiwan and the U.S. and the west. And also maneuver, that could be seen to bolster up the de facto sovereignty of Taiwan. That is why China is lashing out.
But, is it working? You still hear a lot of support being expressed from western leaders and politicians for Taiwan. And China's moves might also in fact backfire by hardening views in Washington D.C. and elsewhere. And dampening more moderate views of people who would prefer to maintain the status quo. Could be an own goal here, back to you.
VAUSE: Kristi, thank you -- guys, appreciate the insight. Kristie Lu Stout there live for us in Hong Kong.
America's most senior diplomat is pushing back against Chinese and Russian influence in Africa as he tours the continent. During a visit to Pretoria South Africa, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken presented a new strategy for sub-Saharan Africa, laid out threats to American interest in the region.
Washington is seeking support to isolate Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Blinken said though the U.S. will not try and force Africa's hand.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Too often, African nations have been treated as instruments of other nations' progress. Rather than the authors of their own.
Time and again, they have been told to pick a side in great power contests (ph). They feel far removed from the daily struggles of their people.
The United States will not dictate Africa's choices, neither should anyone else. The right to make these choices belongs to Africans and Africans alone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Voters in Kenya deciding on their country's future right now at this hour. Polls are open in a general election for a new president as well as members of the national assembly. There is much more at stake besides a (INAUDIBLE) and some voters say they are not really satisfied with their options set down for (INAUDIBLE)? CNN's LARRY MADOWO has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The presidential election in Kenya gets all the attention, because that is the big headline. But it's actually six elections in one from big national seats like senator and governor to more local seats.
Kenyans get to vote all across the spectrum and the big race is definitely between the current deputy president William Ruto. This area in (INAUDIBLE) is the core of his base. And Raila Odinga, the former opposition leader.
But young people I've been speaking to don't feel that either of these men, who have been in politics for more than 30 years, represent change.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't feel any change at all. They have been giving us different manifesto but if you read it and internalize well, it's all the same thing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of people are complaining. A lot of recurring problems like this street we are on, you see these are small businesses all this way down -- these are small businesses and they rely upon these businesses for their livelihood.
[01:34:56]
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, if we can get a government that has these people in mind, then this country will be headed to the higher heights.
MADOWO: There's been some voter apathy among younger Kenyans in this election. The voter registration numbers were below expectations. But it's still going to be a deeply contested vote.
In fact, some observers expect that the Kenyan general election and the presidential race might go into a runoff for the first time ever. The winner of the election for the presidential race has to win at least 50 percent of the vote, plus one.
Opinion polling, leading to this election, has shown that neither William Ruto nor Raila Odinga hit that mark. This might end up being completely off. And one of them could got and win it but we'll have to wait see when Kenyans go to the vote on Tuesday.
Larry Maduwo, CNN -- Eldoret.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Still ahead a vote by the U.S. House is set to approve a major investment to fight climate change. What is in that bill? How effective will it be? What does it actually mean for a warming climate?
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VAUSE: Welcome back.
Mexico's president says everything is being done to free ten miners who have been trapped in a flooded coal mine since last week. Trying to drain the tunnels is taking longer than expected leaving friends and families increasingly anxious with every passing hour.
Journalist Stefano Pozzebon has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNLAIST: In northeastern Mexico, the president surveys a wide scale rescue effort that for days has been unsuccessful. Above ground, teams scramble to pump water and mud from the ground.
Below, ten miners maybe fighting for their lives after nearly a week trapped underground. It has been six days since an excavation at this coal mine caused the tunnel to collapse, triggering flooding and shutting in some of those working underneath.
As rescue efforts drag into another day, loved ones grow more anxious, more desperate for answers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So authorities told us we do not know when we will go down the mine, because it depends on water levels and all that, so no one knows. But the rescuers, the ones who are out there as far as I understand agree that the water should reach above their knees.
POZZEBON: Relatives saying authorities informing them high water levels in mud inside the mine shafts make it too dangerous for rescue workers to go underground as of now.
On Monday, Mexico's civil defense coordinator said an aquatic drone will soon be sent into the collapsed mine with hopes images could show if conditions are safe enough for rescue drivers.
The president promised in the meantime, water is being extracted as quickly as possible. 300 liters per second, so that rescuers can go soon below.
ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR, MEXICAN PRESIDENT: everything, everything, everything is being done for the rescue. I have a lot of faith. Experts explain to us that when they work in these months, the miners minus themselves make holes or shelter.
[01:39:59]
POZZEBON: As rescue operations progress, fear and frustration grows among those praying that soon their loved ones will be free.
Stefano Pozzebon, CNN -- Bogota.
(END VIDEOTAPE) VAUSE: The severe drought across Europe is only getting worse. 60 percent of European land is currently under a drought warning or the more severe alert level. That is according to the European Drought Observatory. Dry conditions have been hurting energy production, also been damaging crops.
Too much rain in South Korea's capital (INAUDIBLE) is being blamed for at least eight deaths. Police say at least six people are still missing. Damaged and abandoned cars are littering the streets of Seoul. Hundreds have been forced to flee.
Local gyms and schools are now being used as temporary shelters. More than 747 shops at home seven iron 40 homes have reported flooding.
Joe Biden is promising federal support for Kentucky as it starts to recover from the devastating floods. The U.S. President surveyed the damage in Lost Creek on Monday. The flooding has killed more than 3 dozen people and caused catastrophic damage.
The president says recovery will take time, but the federal government will be there as long as it takes. And he talked about the impact of changing climate on natural disasters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Just in the year and a half I have been president, I have flown over thousands of acres of fire, of forest burning. More forest burned down in the west then the entire state of New Jersey, New York all the way down to the Del Marva Peninsula.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: The U.S. House is set to vote this week on a sweeping Inflation Reduction Act. It includes the biggest climate investment in U.S. history with tax credits for electric vehicles and energy efficient home improvement. Those clean energy investments and drought relief funding.
The climate package alone totals $369 billion dollars. But the bill also includes provisions to lower prescription drug prices and extend health insurance subsidies. Every Republican in the U.S. Senate voted against the bill.
Joining me now from London, Kaveh Guilanpour, is the president for the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. Thanks for being with us.
KAVEH GUILANPOUR, PRESIDENT, CENTER FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS: Thanks very much for inviting me.
VAUSE: Does it seem like the United States government has now joined the rest of humanity in the fight to save the planet?
You know, more than 30 years ago, NASA's science climate scientist (INAUDIBLE) testified before the saying warning us directly between our actions and a warming planet. So it's been 30 something years. So what would be the expect out for these hundreds of billions planes or dollars required for climate change. And what will be the global multiplier effect?
GUILANPOUR: Well, I think you are right in pointing out that it's been a rough ride to get to this point. But I think we do need to celebrate that this is really a historic that we are seeing go through the congress. It's really the largest single piece of climate legislation that has been passed in the U.S.
As you noted, it's almost $370 billion that will be invested. I think the impact will be twofold. First of all, on the international level, I think it will you build confidence in the international community that the U.S. Will follow through on the promises it has made it almost half of its global emissions house gases by 2030. But domestically, it would also be a massive boost in real economy to ward actually implementing that promise. And making a real difference on the ground, including through job creation and the transition to clean energy.
VAUSE: And this bill is unique in many ways, in the way it sort of targets consumers to buy green and think renewable.
I want you to listen to the White House climate advisor, Gina McCarthy, here she is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GINA MCCARTHY, WHITE HOUSE CLIMATE ADVISOR: this is an absolute historic investment in climate change, in clean energy, and growing drops. In saving communities money and consumers money.
It is just filled with investments that will also help disadvantaged communities get a leg up again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: It should be noted, the bill alone will not be enough to prevent a climate disaster right?
GUILANPOUR: Well no, you are right there. The target that the U.S. has submitted under the International Climate Negotiations commits the U.S. to 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2030.
And under some scenarios this bill will get the U.S. within touching distance about them there's still more that would need to be done but it has to be recognized as a very large step forward. All countries are facing difficulties in their transition towards net zero, so the U.S. is not unique in that.
But of course, that the U.S. has international when it falls through on a promise like that is really can't be underestimated really.
VAUSE: In the grand scheme of things, you know, I get it, $370 billion dollars is a lot of money. But when it comes to climate change, it's kind of a drop in the ocean.
Paul Krugman of the "New York Times" though writes that how the economics of this bill will actually pay big dividends.
[01:44:48]
VAUSE: He writes, "Right now, we are standing on a sort of cusp. Renewable energy technology has made revolutionary progress. Renewables are already cheaper in many areas than fossil fuels. A moderate push from public policy is all that it will take to direct us into a much greener economy."
And yet the argument here is that what -- this is the goldilocks amount? It's not too much, it's not too little, it's just right?
GUILANPOUR: Yes. Again, I think you really hit the nail on the head there. All the economics shows that public spending by governments will not be enough, but it will be important to trigger the investment from the private sector.
Just last, week C2ES, my organization, led calls from several blue chip companies, Dow Jones companies. That really we're calling for calm actions. Because they recognized and others recognized that their initial investment will really tip the balance in terms of really accelerating further action by the private sector.
I mean the independent analysis from congress has shown that the bill will cut federal spending by about $14.5 billion and it could reduce the government deficit by around $102 billion over the next ten years.
So not only will it trigger further investment by the private sector, but we need to really place this investment against the cost of doing nothing.
As you've seen, the impacts that we are seeing, the terrible flooding now in Kentucky. It is not again, business as usual that this investment has been measured, against the cost of also not doing anything which will far outweigh this initial investment.
VAUSE: And we've still come -- we're not full circle all right. But we have full circle this changing of roles. The Europeans were very much at the forefront, very much investing a lot of money into renewables.
And now they're backtracking because of Russian gas and a whole bunch of other reasons. They're going back to coal and the United States which has been dragging and doing nothing are not taking this leadership goal.
GUILANPOUR: Well, I think you are right to point out again that because of when fixing multiple crises at the moment, with the war on Ukraine, the pressure on energy in Europe, but I think it's wrong to say that Europe is backtracking. It has its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
It is putting its legislation in place to deliver that. It's accelerating its transition to wards renewable energy. And frankly it's had a head start over in the U.S. in terms of acting because of stronger domestic support for calmer action in Europe. so this is a blip along that road. But the trajectory in all of major economies is towards net zero.
What we now need to see is whether other, particularly G-20 countries, the emerging economies, will take that signal from the U.S. And raise their climate targets as was called for at cop26 in Glasgow.
VAUSE: At least they're in the game now. Makes a big difference, and will make a big difference.
Kaveh, thank so much for being with us. We appreciate it.
GUILANPOUR: Thank you.
VAUSE: Arctic ice is melting at an unprecedented -due to climate change. But in an ironic twist the ice mountain is also creating opportunities to mine the critical minerals to host green imagery. As CNN's Rene Marsh reports. Some of the world's richest men are scrambling to find these essential resources.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RENE MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On the southwest coast of Greenland, some of the world's richest men are funding a massive treasure hunt, involving a chopper and transmitter. In hopes of discovering a trove of critical materials capable of powering the green energy transmission.
A band of billionaires, from Jeff Bezos to Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates is all betting that below the surface of hills and valleys on Greenland's Disco Island, and new threats to - Peninsula: new there is enough nickel, cobalt and copper to power hundreds of millions of electric vehicles.
So we are looking for a deposit that will be the first or second largest, most significant nickel/cobalt deposit in the world.
MARSH: The billionaire club is financially back in California start-up Cobalt Metals. A mineral exploration company, partnered with UK Be, eBay Blue Jay Mining to find metals that power renewables and EVs.
Blue Jay Mining says Greenland's climate change is changing the game for sourcing these sought after metals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can see that we are dealing with more windows from sea ice. We have longer periods where we are been able to L transport or metals from Greenland to the global metal from Greenland to the global market.
MARSH: A camp of 30 geologist, geophysicist, cooks, pilots and mechanics are onsite. And CNN is the first media outlet to get video of the activity happening there.
They are taking soil samples, flying helicopters with transmitters, to measure the electromagnetic field of the subsurface and map the layers of map below.
Artificial intelligence is analyzing the data to pinpoint EXACTLY where to drill next summer. While the vanishing ice opens opportunity for unearthing and transporting these metals, it is also fueling sea level rise and extreme weather.
[01:49:56]
MARSH: A concern for scientists in eastern Greenland working below the surface of the ice sheet in ice tunnels, using heavy machinery to drill and retrieve ICE samples. Analysis of the 60,000 year old ice may yield clues about Greenland's past climate.
Concern is also high in northwest Greenland, where CNN joined a team of NASA scientists, measuring ice melt on the arctic ocean.
NATHAN KURTZ, PROJECT SCIENTIST: We are trying to understand how that melt is happening now. How that ice that used to survive several years in a row is now disappearing.
MARSH: The disappearing ice highlights a unique dichotomy. Greenland is ground zero for the impact of climate change. But it could also become ground zero for sourcing the metals needed to power the solution to the crisis.
Greenland's significant mineral deposits have the promise of meeting some of the world's growing demand for these materials also allowing the U.S. to diversify its mineral sourcing. Right now, China dominates the global supply of these materials.
Rene Marsh, CNN -- Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: When we come back, Olivia Newton-John, how friends and co-stars like John Travolta are now remembering this music legend in a moment.
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VAUSE: She found early fame as a country singer in Australia and became an international sensation as good girl Sandra Dee, went on to get "Physical" in the 80s and on this day around the world, many are remembering Olivia Newton-John as a pop, disco and folk singer, an entrepreneur and activist.
This is the scene Monday in Los Angeles, where several people left flowers on her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Newton-John's husband says the Grammy award winner died on Monday at her home in California. She battled cancer for years.
Her "Grease" co-star, John Travolta paid tribute on social media, saying quote, "My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.
Newton-John battled breast cancer for about 30 years. Went public in 1992, again in 2013. She established programs and facilities to further cancer research, including the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness And Research Center.
The CEO of the hospital where that facility is housed says Olivia Newton-John's contributions will not be forgotten.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADAM HORSBURGH, CEO, AUSTIN HEALTH: Our thoughts are very much with Olivia's close family and friends. But we also want to honor and recognize the enormous contribution that Olivia has made for thousands of patients who have received care here at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center.
It is through Olivia's time, effort and dedication that this center was established. And she really has touched the lives of many patients and also our staff over many years. We are very proud of the close special relationship that we've had with Olivia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: For more now on an incredible life well lived, here's CNN's Anna Cabrera.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANA CABRERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Olivia Newton-John shot to stardom opposite John Travolta in the musical blockbuster "Grease". It was 1978, she was 29 years old but played an innocent teen, in love with a boy from the other side of the tracks.
[01:54:50]
CABRERA: Newton-John first won over devoted fans as an award winning singer in the early 70s. "Let Me Be There" earned her a Grammy award for best country female vocal performance. And her 1974 chart-topping hit, "I Honestly Love You," won the Grammy for record of the year.
Over the course of her career, Newton-John sold than 100 million albums, scored multiple a number one hits. Including "Magic" from her box office dud "Xanadu" and one that showcased her sexier side.
Born in England, Newton-John moved to Australia at the age of five. By the time she was a teenager, she was already performing on Australian TV shows like Bandstand.
In addition to her singing, Newton-John was well known as a tireless advocate for breast cancer research and early detection. She was diagnosed with the disease in 1992, and her successful treatment inspired her to help other.
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN, SINGER/ACTRESS/ACTIVIST: I'm really thrilled that I can give back in some way, and try and help other women who have gone through that experience because it's very difficult thing for them to go through alone.
CABRERA: The Australian singer faced another crisis in 2005 when her boyfriend Patrick McDermott went missing during a fishing trip off the California coast. He was never found. NEWTON-JOHN: The pain will always be there. I'll always miss him. I
love him, I miss him. But you know, I can't do anything about it. We don't know what happened. And I don't know I ever will know what happened.
But I've tried to go forward and do something positive with it by creating music for myself and hopefully for others.
CABRERA: And she never stopped creating music performing into her 60s during a three year residency at Las Vegas' Flamingo Casino.
Newton-John's breast cancer returned in 2013. In 2017, she was diagnosed with spine cancer. Despite life challenges, she always remained grateful.
NEWTON-JOHN: I don't think I'd change anything because I've had such an amazingly interesting life. I've done so many things. Never planned on any of them really except singing, because that's all I could do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: We'll have more on Olivia Newton-John's life and legacy throughout the day right here on CNN.
Thank you for watching. I'm John Vause.
CNN NEWSROOM continues with my friend and colleague Rosemary Church after a very short break.
I'll see you right back here tomorrow.
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