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U.S. Slams North Korean Weapons Programs at U.N. Ukrainian Units Crossing into Luhansk from Donetsk Region; U.S. President Concerned by OPEC Production Cuts; Mysterious Death of Teenage Girl in Iran Raising Alarm; Sanibel Residents See Homes for First Time Since Storm; U.K. PM's Job in Jeopardy; Military Leader Ibrahim Traore Appointed President of Burkina Faso; Angelina Jolie Details Abuse Allegations. Aired 1-2a ET
Aired October 06, 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: Coming up here on CNN, a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group, now heading to the waters of the Korean Peninsula as Pyongyang fires unprecedented barrage of ballistic missiles and other two launches just hours ago.
As Vladimir Putin makes his illegal annexation official, Ukrainian forces are retaking more and more of the very territory he claims for Russia.
And the never-ending legal battle between Mr. And Mrs. Smith. New court documents contain allegations Brad Pitt physically abused Angelina Jolie on a private jet, flying back to Los Angeles.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is CNN Newsroom with John Vause.
VAUSE: An aircraft carrier strike group, the USS Ronald Reagan now heading for the waters of the Korean Peninsula, according to officials in Seoul, in response to a flurry of missile launches by North Korea.
The most recent came just a few hours ago. Two short range ballistic missiles are believed to launch an area called Samsok, not far from the North Korean capital, had a flight path towards the East Sea also known as the Sea of Japan. One missile traveled 350 kilometers, the other about 800 kilometers. North Korea has launched a record number of 41 missiles this year, according to the U.S. ambassador at the United Nations. The previous record was 25.
The latest launch comes just hours after the U.N. Security Council met to discuss North Korea's weapons program. U.S. Ambassador Thomas- Greenfield also accused Russia and China without naming them of enabling Pyongyang's behavior. Here she is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Kim Jong-un has called for, in his words, the highest rapidity in advancing the DPR case WMD program, and he appears to be getting his way. But there is no question the DPR case, hostile pursuit of unlawful weapons has been unprovoked. The United States remains committed to dialogue in diplomacy. The United States, however, will not stand by as the DPRK directly threatens the United States, our allies and the entire world. None of us should.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: CNN's Paula Hancocks standing by live in South Korea. Yeah, in and of itself, each one of these individual incidents, I guess, if you like or not unusual, put them all together, they become unprecedented, which then gets to the question of why and what comes next?
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, John, just in the last 12 days, there have been six launches from North Korea. So there certainly has been a significant escalation in the amount that they are firing and of course, we've seen the responses as well from the U.S. and South Korea.
Now, from Pyongyang's point of view, they have said through state run media KCNA that they are reacting to the United States and South Korean joint drills that have been going on, these work last week, they were naval drills between the two countries, and also trilateral drills with the U.S. South Korea and Japan. And this is the reason that Pyongyang is giving, it's not something that's been accepted as you can imagine from others in the region, though, and also, from the U.S. point of view. We did hear from the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as he was traveling and Chile, condemning the latest launch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We believe that North Korea would be much better served by not only refraining from these actions, but actually engaging in in dialogue. I think what we're seeing is that if they continue down this road, it will only increase the condemnation, increase the isolation, increase the steps that are taken in response to their actions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HANCOCKS: Now, at the same time that the Secretary Blinken speaks of increased isolation, you also see what was happening at the United Nations Security Council. The lines being drawn in the sand getting more pronounced the fact that you do have the U.S. condemning these launchers on the one side with their allies, and then Russia and China, on the other side.
Now, to that accusation by the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., that it is Russia and China who is enabling North Korea, China and Russia said that it is America's fault that this is happening that the increased militarization in the region is what has increased the escalation at this point. China's saying that the U.S. is poisoning regional security environment.
[01:05:04]
So, from Pyongyang's point of view, we are hearing from many experts this time now is an opportune time to be testing, to be more emboldened, as they know, for a start, there will be no more sanctions against them in the Security Council, because Russia and China simply won't support them. John.
VAUSE: Also very quickly, missile tests are banned by the U.N. when it comes to North Korea, so to a nuclear test, and there's talk that that could be next on the agenda that that's what's coming?
HANCOCKS: That's right, the seventh underground nuclear test is widely expected. Although it has been since about March of this year. Intelligence agencies in the U.S. and South Korea say they're prepared, they are ready. What they're waiting for now, it appears is the political will of Kim Jong-un to decide that this is the time to do it.
VAUSE: Paula, as always, thanks so much. Paula Hancocks, live for us, as always.
New developments in south of southern Ukraine with officials saying the city of Zaporizhzhia has been hit by a number of Russian missiles. Smoke has been seen rising from rubble. One official says residential buildings have been destroyed. Rescue teams now working to determine if there are casualties. This comes as a rapid Ukrainian phase is underway in the neighborhood Kherson region and to the east Luhansk, social media images show Ukrainian forces in at least one village, one official says, several settlements have been liberated.
A correspondent embedded with the Russian military says Russia lacks the manpower to stop and advance. Ukrainian troops are entering Luhansk from Donetsk region where the key city of Lyman has been reclaimed just days ago. And images of what Russian troops have left behind as residents expressed relief. Ukrainians have returned.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VALENTYNA SAVYTSKA, LYMAN RESIDENT (through translator): It was bad. I couldn't stand the Russian fascists anymore. They brought their flags and everything but we don't need it. They kept driving down my street and tanks and fuel tankers. I hated it. Thank God Ukraine came back. Bless our soldiers. Glory to Ukraine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: We have more details now from CNN's Fred Pleitgen reporting in from Kyiv.
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FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Ukrainian forces on the move. Kyiv says, this video shows its soldiers advancing in the east of the country under heavy fire.
Since taking the strategically important town of Lyman, Ukraine's army says its forces have managed to enter the Luhansk region, one of the few areas that had been under Russian control almost completely. Residents greeting the troops as they sweep small towns and villages.
Ukraine's military says it's not only beating Russian troops back in the east, but in the South as well, where Kyiv claims Russia's defensive front is collapsing in some areas.
The Ukrainian military released this video purporting to show its forces in a major firefight in the Kherson region. Dozens of settlements have already been liberated since the Russian pseudo referendum this week alone, Ukraine's President said.
All this as Russia's President Vladimir Putin this morning moved quickly to sign off on the annexation of four Ukrainian regions. Even as his forces are increasingly losing ground there. Putin spokesman brushing off concerns about the Russian military retreat.
DMITRY PESKOV, KREMLIN PRESS SECRETARY (through translator): Certain territories will be taken back. We will continue to confer with the population there that wishes to live together with Russia.
PLEITGEN: Certain territories will be taken back, he said. We will continue to confer with a population there that wishes to live together with Russia. And Russia continues to unleash havoc in many regions of Ukraine. This is the sound of kamikaze drones hitting buildings about 50 miles south of Ukraine's capitol.
Ukraine says several Iranian supplied drones like these shown in an Iranian military video hit the town of Bila Tserkva in the early morning hours, causing massive damage to several buildings and wounding at least one person.
There was a roaring noise, a piercing sound, this man says. I heard the first strike. The second, I saw and heard. There was a roar and then boom, followed by an explosion.
Drone and missile strike so far have shown no signs of halting Ukraine's recent advances, though, and Kyiv says, it will continue to press forward in its quest to expel Russian troops from all of its territories. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Kyiv.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Prices at the pump is set to rise after OPEC plus agreed to cut oil production by two million barrels a day starting next month. No surprise oil markets were higher on the news, brent crude there, just touching so to WTI crude as well.
[01:10:08]
Now, the Russian cut is a slap in the face to the White House. President Joe Biden says he's concerned and the cut is unnecessary. More details now from CNN's Anna Stewart.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Well, an output cut was expected but this was at the upper end and it is sizable, representing around 2% of global oil consumption. A key reason for the decision is the prospect of a global economic downturn dragging down oil demand and prices in the process. Something the producers of OPEC and its allies certainly don't want. That said some in the sector believe this concern is actually overblown. On Friday at an oil and gas forum in London, the CEO of Saudi Aramco voiced concern that spare capacity is too low to be a buffer in the case that oil demand actually grows. And when asked in the press conference, whether this move from OPEC could endanger energy markets, the Secretary General said this.
HAITHAM AL-GHAIS, OPEC SECRETARY GENERAL: We are not endangering the energy markets. We are providing security, stability, to the energy markets.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Has a price?
AL-GHAIS: Everything has a price. Energy security has a price as well.
STEWART: Everything has a price and this news so oil prices continue to move higher, a direction they've taken all week as speculation mounted for this output cut. And that is not what the U.S. government wants to see a month out from midterm elections, as it could see prices rising at the pump.
Clearly, the lobbying effort by the U.S. administration to prevent this output cut happening failed, and President Biden isn't happy. According to White House officials who released this statement Wednesday saying the President is disappointed by the short-sighted decision by OPEC plus to cut production quotas, while the global economy is dealing with the continued negative impacts of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
This decision was made with Russia, which is a key partner in the OPEC plus alliance and will no doubt be pleased with the decision to exert some control of the oil market given G7 nations plan to impose a price cap on Russian oil in December.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak attended the meeting in-person in Vienna. He was sanctioned by the U.S. last week. While its output cut by OPEC has made headlines, moved oil prices and sparked a strong reaction from the White House, in real terms, it may not have as big an impact on global supply as the headline figures suggests, OPEC and its allies have struggled to meet output targets in recent months. As you can see here, the blue line showing production is undershooting the quota in red. In fact, in August, the shortfall was believed to be more than three and a half million barrels a day. However, what this move has made clear is that OPEC and its allies including Russia, control the world's oil market. Anna Stewart, CNN, London.
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VAUSE: Earlier, our CNN's Economic and Political Commentator Catherine Ron Powell, if we know what the cut in production will mean in real world dollars and cents.
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CATHERINE RAMPELL, CNN ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Not with that much precision, what I would say is to bear in mind that even though they announced a huge cut in their quotas for OPEC plus members, the countries that are members of OPEC plus were already producing below their quotas. So, the headline number was, you know, 2 million barrels per day fewer going forward, but they were all -- they weren't even close to their quota before. So probably it'll be more like 600,000 fewer barrels per day going forward. So, you'll see some increase in oil prices, some increase in gas prices, but maybe not quite as much as the headlines suggest. And they'll probably be somewhat of a lag in any event, before consumers see a big increase in prices at the pump.
VAUSE: Overall, higher oil prices going to hold a good for a fragile war economy, it seems kind of short-sighted?
RAMPELL: Well, there's a reason why oil prices have been falling. And that's largely because demand is down and there are concerns that it will fall further as a result of the risk of recession. This is normally what happens when there is a recession, particularly a global recession, there's much less demand for oil, and that gets priced into the cost of purchasing oil. So, part of the reason oil has gotten cheaper gas prices have gotten cheaper, it's sort of a good news bad news story is that there's a lot of pessimism about the state of the global economy. And if gas -- excuse me, if oil gets more expensive, that's only going to put more pressure on the prices that businesses face, that consumers face, which will make those economic challenges even worse going forward.
VAUSE: Here's a statement from the Biden administration, the President is disappointed by the short-sighted decision by OPEC plus to cut production quotas, while the global economy is dealing with the continued negative impact of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
No doubt Biden was disappointed that all the criticism and blowback as well for his trip to Saudi and that fist bump greeting the Mohammed bin Salman who Biden called a pariah for ordering the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was actually at the end of the day all for nothing. You know, sometimes leaders have to do unpleasant things but usually for a greater good. So, did MBS just totally screw Biden in this instance?
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RAMPELL: I mean, it's hard to -- it's hard to look back on that moment, favorably. I mean, at the time, I thought it was pretty gross that that Biden went through with this fist bump with MBS, in part because it was my former colleague, Jamal Khashoggi, whom MBS is responsible for the death of and that was part of the reason why Biden was calling him a pariah. Now, he's cozying up to him, ostensibly with an eye towards bringing down oil prices and helping American consumers and helping Biden's own party in the midterms. Of course, what was the point? You know, he debased himself, you debased the reputation, I think of the United States for not, as you put it, given that MBS turned around, the Saudis turned around and said, actually, we care more about helping Russia and propping oil prices up. I mean, certainly, it's in the interests of the other OPEC plus members, including Saudi Arabia, to push oil prices up. But let there be no doubt the big winner here right now is Russia. Because it is the higher price of oil that helps sustain Russia's war against Ukraine. It is the higher price of oil that is helping keep Putin in power. And part of the reason why this cartel decided to do what it could to try to push up prices a little bit more, in part is in response to a decision made by the G7 countries led by the United States to try to form a buyer's cartel to push down oil prices for Russia. So yes, the Saudis and others certainly have a fair amount of self-interest here. They're going to do what's best for their own country. But the big winner, you know, in a really regrettable way, is Putin is Russia.
VAUSE: And the big losers, obviously now, on the receiving end, are the Ukrainians you now have the prospect of a well-financed, well- revenue supplied Russia because of the increase in the cost of oil and gas?
RAMPELL: Yes, yes, certainly. Russians are the winner. American consumer is not going to be happy. Obviously, lots of consumers around the world who purchase gasoline and other petroleum products not going to be happy. But by far the biggest victims are the Ukrainians, upon whom this onslaught from Russia will be able to continue because higher oil prices will help sustain that war effort.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Our thanks to CNN's Economic and Political Commentator Catherine Rampell.
Anti-government protests continue spreading across Iran. The city of Shiraz, female demonstrators dressed in black shattered, besieged get lost to a man at a podium. Not clear who he is but proceed refers to the volunteer militia, which acts as the country's morality police. They've been blamed for the recent death of a young woman Mahsa Amini. She was arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly. Authorities denied any wrongdoing but her death has triggered demonstrations against the hardline religious regime in Tehran.
And already a teenage girl who posted video on social media burning her headscarf has been found dead 10 days after she disappeared after protesting in Tehran. But Iranian authorities say eight people have been arrested over death. This now appears to be yet another focal point of even more anger. CNN's Jomana Karadsheh has this story.
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JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is Nika Shahkarami, one of the 1000s of young Iranians who took to the streets on September 20. But Nika never made it back home. She disappeared, 10 days later, her parents found her lifeless body at the morgue of a detention center in Teheran. Nika's aunt's spoke out in a BBC Persia interview.
ATASH SHAHKARAMI, NIKA SHAHKARAMI'S AUNT (through translator): I was in contact with her until 7 p.m. on September 20th, her friend said Nika put a story on Instagram to show she had burned her headscarf and she said to her friend, she was running away because security agents were after her. That was the last contact from her.
KARADSHEH: According to her aunt Nika's phone was switched off and her social media accounts deactivated.
SHAHKARAMI (through translator): At the morgue, they showed the body. They only allowed her mother and her brother to identify the face. They were not allowed to unzip the cover to see the torso.
KARADSHEH: While the circumstances of her death remain unclear, human rights groups have documented the brutal force used against protesters. Iranian security forces have dragged on veiled women by their hair, with some also reportedly sexually assaulted, according to Amnesty International, Iranian state media released the CCTV video that investigators say shows Nika going into a building possibly falling from it later. They say, they've arrested eight workers who are there.
[01:20:07]
Authorities say there is no evidence the teenager was killed by police. Prosecutors say, they've launched an investigation into her death. That comes just weeks after Mahsa Amini collapsed and died in morality police custody. Amini's family say doctors told them she had had trauma and believe she was beaten to death. Police said the 22- year-old died of a heart attack. They deny any wrongdoing. And it's been nearly three weeks since that investigation was announced.
At Nika's funeral this mourner cries, today was your birthday, congratulations on your martyrdom. Nika Shahkarami was buried on what would have been her 17th birthday. Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, Istanbul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: And while the E.U. considers new sanctions against Iran, one Member of the European Parliament has made a dramatic gesture during an impassioned speech on Wednesday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABIR AL-SAHLANI, SWEDISH MEMBER OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: With the peoples and the citizens of the E.U., demand the unconditional and immediate stop of all the violence against the women and men in Iran until Iran is free, our fury will be bigger than the oppressors, until the women of Iran are free, we are going to stand with you. (Foreign language), women life, freedom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Live to London now, CNN's Nada Bashir. Now, thanks for being with us at this early hour, Nada. Because I'm curious about this. When we look at what's happening right now in Iran and the reaction from the rest of the world, E.U. thinking about sanctions? So, to the United States? Is there any indication within Iran that this time these protests will be different, this time, they will have an effect on that leadership in Tehran?
NADA BASHIR, CNN REPORTER: Well, John, what's interesting, what's different, perhaps about the protests that we're seeing is that these are widely being driven by women. And we are seeing these brave and defiant shows of protest against the Iranian regime, the hotline and repressive Iranian regime which has long enforced these restrictive measures targeting the rights of women, and in particular, the way women dress, the way they choose, to express themselves. And it has been quite remarkable to see these videos and images of women and, of course, young girls as well, school children taking a stand despite the very heavy risks that they may face at the hands of the Iranian regime, and in particular, at the hands of the morality police.
And as you've seen there, we've seen video circulating on social media, women in Iran not only removing their hijabs, in defiance of the morality police in protest of those restrictions, but also now, cutting their hair is symbolic show of defiance against the restrictions imposed on them by the hardline Iranian regime. And this is something which has really been driven by women in Iran.
And you heard there in that speech by the E.U. lawmaker, Abir Al- Sahlani, speaking there impassioned and emotional address to the European assembly also cutting her hair in a show of defiance. She criticized the E.U.'s leaders, the chief diplomat morale as well as the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for in her words, not taking adequate solidarity with the Iranian women. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL-SAHLANI: Our High Representative for Foreign Affairs Mr. Joseph Patel t, who actually just mumbled a press release about the peaceful protesters, not even mentioning that it is the young women and girls of Iran who are paying the ultimate price for freedom, their lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASHIR: Now, look, John, this is a movement which has gone in support across the globe. We've seen videos and images of people taking part in protests across the globe, started massive protests here in London a little while ago, as well, in support of. We've seen videos now of many high-profile women in France, as well as a number of French actresses also cutting their hair in solidarity with the women of Iran. And there has been a general sense a call for greater action to be taken on the part of the international community.
And we have seen the U.S. take a firm stance on this, expanding sanctions on the Iranian authorities in response to that hardline crackdown that we've seen on peaceful protesters. And later today, we are expecting the European Parliament to vote on a resolution which has been debated earlier this week. Looking at the E.U.'s response to that violent crackdown. What is expected to be voted on is the potential expansion of E.U. sanctions on Iranian authorities, including individuals involved and associated with the notorious morality police, as well as calling for an investigation into the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, she was of course apprehended by the morality police and died while in custody for, according to the Iranian authorities, not wearing a hijab correctly. So, that is expected to be have voted on later today at the European Parliament. John.
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VAUSE: Nada, thanks for being with us. It's interesting. This is an Islamic regime facing a secular uprising everywhere else, it's a secular regime dealing with an Islamic insurgency, so we'll see what happens. Thanks for being with us.
Many state media have been voted on pro-government demonstrations in Tehran, including many women waving flags and holding signs to support the government and the Supreme Leader. One pro-government demonstrated blame the United States and Israel for provoking internal problems within Iran. Another set that people live together without a problem until Iran's enemies uses the job to destroy the nation's unity.
Still to come, residents returned to Sanibel Island, Florida to see the damage caused by Hurricane Ian, their reactions to the destruction in a moment.
Plus, the U.S. president and First Lady visit storm ravaged parts of the state. But amid the inspiring messages a slip up from the President being reported.
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VAUSE: Homes left shattered, trees uprooted, cars overturned, boats displaced, many parts nothing, nothing can be salvaged. So, for residents of Sanibel, Florida returning home on Wednesday, this was the confronting site when they were allowed back to their house. The city's Vice Mayor tells CNN every single home on the island is damaged.
Not just homes in bad shape, hospitals are seeing a surge in new patients. Sarasota County has set up tents in the parking lot to help with the overflow. But it will take more than medical care to fix the hurricane's damage. CNN Leyla Santiago has more now reporting in from Sanibel Island.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TONI TABOR, SANIBEL, FLORIDA RESIDENT: We just thought everything would be lost.
LEYLA SANTIAGO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: An emotional return for the residents of Sanibel Island allowed back on the island for the first time to check on their homes and businesses a week after Hurricane Ian ravaged the area. Toni and Dan Tabor shed tears of relief after finding their homes still standing.
TABOR: We've come home and we thought those windows were broken and we thought we'd find water and we thought we would come back and find everything gone.
SANTIAGO: But so many of their neighbors and friends didn't fare as well.
TABOR: I mean, house over here. We know all these people. I mean, it's like family back here.
SANTIAGO: So, this is West Gulf drive, it's one of the main streets here on Sanibel Island. And also, one of the parts where residents telling me was the worst hit areas and you can tell, look behind me, this is now a street that is aligned with debris. You can see straight into homes and see personal belongings everywhere. I mean look over here you also have part of a roof that is sitting on the side of the street. But to make the point of exactly how powerful this storm was. Take a look at this home. Residents tell me that this was actually across the street. Now, you can see straight in what was once a family room, a kitchen no longer here, with equipment and refrigerator now partially out the door and not much left to be salvaged.
ANDY GARCIA, OWNER, SANIBEL HOME CONCIERGE: There's already mildew growing.
SANTIAGO: Andy Garcia is a property manager on the island. He's had to deliver bad news to families who couldn't be here to check on their own homes.
[01:29:48]
GARCIA: I mean it's totally devastating. To hear them on the other end of the, phone and just gasping for air. You're telling them their home is destroyed. It's totally heart-wrenching for me
SANTIAGO: And heart-wrenching for the owners who lost everything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They had (INAUDIBLE) with the storm surge, everything is pretty much ruined inside.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everything including dressers, beds, everything, ruins. It's all in our front yard.
SANTIAGO: Steve and Laurie Scholz are leaving the island for the first time since Ian hit.
LAURIE SCHOLZ, SANIBEL RESIDENT: Hopefully we're coming back to our house.
Everybody works together, everybody cares about each other. We'll be back.
SANTIAGO: And you know, a lot of the people we talk to are waiting for some sort of temporary fix to the Sanibel causeway. Something Governor Ron DeSantis has said that the government is working on. And that's so important to them because they need to be able to move people, to move supplies in order to salvage anything they can from these homes before it's too late and anyone is forced to tear down the homes completely.
Leyla Santiago, CNN -- Sanibel Island, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: As the U.S. President and first lady tour the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, Joe Biden set aside a frosty relationship with Florida governor and likely Republican presidential nominee Ron DeSantis. The Democrat president, the Republican governor, focused instead on the state's recovery and those worst affected by the storm.
DeSantis has praised the president's cooperation and response. Biden has promised continued federal presence in the recovery effort.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want the people of Florida to know, you have my commitment and America's commitment that we're not going to leave.
Later after the television cameras have moved on, we are still going to be here with you. We're still going to be moving. We're still going to be doing everything we can to try to put your lives back together again.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: During a conversation with a local mayor, President Biden (INAUDIBLE) at a hot mic moment with some off-color language.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks for coming down. We appreciate it.
BIDEN: (INAUDIBLE). No one (EXPLETIVE DELETED) with a Biden.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Goddamn right.
BIDEN: You can't argue with your brother outside the house.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's exactly right.
BIDEN: Right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's exactly right.
All right. Good to see you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Wednesday marks the second truce between the president, and government of Florida, the last came together to mourn. (INAUDIBLE) he was killed in a condominium (INAUDIBLE) in Florida last year.
The U.K.'s new prime minister telling fellow Tories that her bold agenda is the best way to turn around a staggering British economy. 0
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIZ TRUSS, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We gather at a vital time for the United Kingdom. These are stormy days.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: If this was the speech to rally the party around her, didn't work out that way. Details in a moment.
[01:32:46]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: Welcome back. I'm John Vause. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM.
Oh what a month it's been for Liz Truss. Some in the party fear her prime-ministership is doomed. Fellow conservatives in a half-packed auditorium listened politely on Wednesday as she addressed her party for the first time as prime minister. A lackluster reaction hints at some very difficult times to come.
CNN's Bianca Nobilo has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BIANCA NOBILO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The prime minister put on a brave face for her keynote conference speech. Her premiership under threat just one month in. Party discipline, in tatters.
LIZ TRUSS, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Whenever there is change, there is disruption. And not everybody will be in favor of change. But everyone will benefit from the results. A growing economy and a better future.
NOBILO: Truss promised boldness which so far has come at great cost. A radical economic agenda which included cutting taxes for high earners, caused turmoil in the financial markets and sent Tory poll ratings plummeting, only to be scrapped in a humiliating U-turn, which she briefly addressed.
TRUSS: I get it. And I have listened.
NOBILO: Some of her lawmakers now question whether she does get it. Or has what it takes to lead a government. Truss stood by her libertarian economic principles, but was shy on details.
TRUSS: I have three priorities for our economy. Growth, growth, and growth.
That is why I'm determined to take a new approach, to break us out of this high tax law growth cycle.
NOBILO: The at times, personal speech, cheered supporters. References to enduring sexism and being underestimated impressed, as did how she handled the unexpected. Cheering as protesters were escorted out. Though even her supporters recognize, she's a prime minister on notice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Give her 3 to 6 months, at the moment, there is a lot of ifs and buts. But I have every confidence that she will.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think she will --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She will improve.
NOBILO: Truss has been deeply damaged by party conference. Politically weakened, her party divided. She is now at the mercy of her lawmakers, having exchanged power for time. Hoping her party doesn't desert her.
Bianca Nobilo, CNN -- Birmingham, England.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Standing by live in Los Angeles, CNN European affairs commentator Dominic Thomas. Welcome back.
DOMINIC THOMAS, CNN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR: Well, thank you John. Thanks for having me on.
VAUSE: Sure thing. Now this was meant to be a make-or-break speech for Liz Truss, her moment to unify and energize the party. Instead CNN's Luke McGee put it this way. "Most prime ministers could expect to play to a standing room only crowd of what would ordinarily be the biggest of the big ticket events at their own party's annual jamboree.
The atmosphere of gloom that has shrouded the International Conference Center in Birmingham, since Sunday suggest that the party has given up the political will to live."
So, how much of that is the result of a malaise after a dozen (ph) abuse in power? How much has to do with this terrible first month in office for Liz Truss? And how much of it was not helped by her woeful speech?
THOMAS: All of the above, John. I think when I read Luke's assessment of the conference, and of the speech earlier today. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.
I think you're absolutely right to connect the way in which the irreparable damage has been done to the conservative party to her predecessor, Boris Johnson. And then to sort of put her in the kind of continuity in that.
But it's absolutely clear that her performance has been absolutely appalling and at the time when the country needed a shepherd. It needed someone to guide them out of the Boris Johnson era and to provide security and comforts. And she has failed woefully to do that.
And I think in the bigger context here John, we've moved well away now from the emotional debates around Brexit. And they needed somebody at the helm whose policies were really going to sort of help with the crisis facing people right now. And I think that a growing portion of the population is no longer convinced that either Liz Truss or that the conservative party should really be at the helm, John.
VAUSE: Yes, the disastrous reaction to her economic plans, to that tax cut for the wealthiest.
And at this conference, she laid out her determination to turbocharge the economy, boost economic growth, also at the same time saying she gets it, but here she is.
[01:39:50]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUSS: Low growth means lower wages, fewer opportunities, less money to spend on the things that make life better. It means our country's falling behind other the countries, including those who threaten our way of life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Liz Truss just described the last 12 years under conservative party rule. And nowhere does she seems to talk about ways to fix the national health service, no way to improve law and order, or about rising poverty, schools that can't afford to heat their classes in winter. I mean the list goes on. It was all cliche and discredits an economic policy.
THOMAS: Absolutely, John. And it was built around, you know, these three pillars. Unfortunately, all three pillars were the same. Growth, growth, and growth, right? and this came after her campaign for the leadership, in which she outlined a whole range of fiscal measures that ultimately brought her to the successful win of this contest.
And from that moment on, it was seen that those policies exacerbated the crisis.
And I think that one of the really interesting point is that the speech was interrupted by protesters. Now they happen to be Greenpeace climate protesters, but I think they could have come from a whole range of walks of life. People concerned about mortgages, cost of living, and so on.
And instead of addressing those concerns and grievances, she went about I think further polarizing the political landscape by calling them the kind of anti growth lobby and so on.
The problem is that that opposition and those concerns being aired, represent a growing number of the U.K. population. And much like her predecessor, Boris Johnson, her lack of empathy is this sort of -- it's bringing her further and further away from the concerns of the U.K. population today, John.
VAUSE: Quite possibly, the most insightful remark about Truss' speech came from a rank and file member of the party, his name is Dylan Moody. Here he is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DYLAN MOODY, CONSERVATIVE PARTY: So we've seen, but I think it was a disaster that good news of the conservative party.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Dylan Moody (INAUDIBLE) but essentially the legacy of Boris Johnson, the former prime minister downgrading good news to be anything that is not a disaster.
THOMAS: I mean it's a matter of perspective, John. But I mean if the barometer ultimately you used to measure anything, your leader speech, the quality of whatever it happens to be in life is that it's not a disaster, then I think you've got, you know, you have major problems. And I think that when it comes to the situation of the conservative party right now.
And Liz Truss is positioned as it was when we previously talked about Theresa May and then Boris Johnson. There is now scenario in which Liz Truss leads the conservative party to a successful general election or I think once again, it's not a matter of if she will be ousted, that when this will happen be in life. That when this will happen and it's.
And I think that this is the unfolding story of the party, whether they ousted themselves or whether they run for an election and lose, unfortunately those 12 year are going to come through soon, John I think.
VAUSE: And so, any with a winter in order to bank the U.S. Dominic, thank you. thanks for being with us.
THOMAS: Thank you.
POMPEO: Still to come here on CNN -- keeping the peace in Burkina Faso, the country's (INAUDIBLE) leader promising reform after the second coup in less than a year.
Also Uganda's president fires his son from a top military job. The reason, some tweets.
We'll explain when we come back.
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VAUSE: Well, fighting is spreading again in northern Ethiopia, where an air strike has reportedly killed more than 65 people. According to Tigrayan forces the strike killed many who have been forced to leave their homes because of the conflict, the so-called internally displaced. At least 70 others were wounded.
Thousands of people have been killed in the past two years of fighting. The Ethiopian government and Tigrayan forces had agreed to a cease-fire in March. But that ended in August. The U.N. once again pleading for peace.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHANE DUJARRIC, SPOKESPERSON FOR THE U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: And the kinds of numbers that we keep talking about every week are frankly saddening and shocking for what is at the end, a man made humanitarian crisis.
It is important that we see a cessation of hostilities. The Secretary General's has called for them and we continue to call for them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Ethiopia's government and Tigrayan leaders say they will take part in peace talks scheduled for this weekend in South Africa led by the African Union.
The West African country of Burkina Faso has a new president after a military coup forced the previous government from power. The new leader will have to deal with a deadly Islamic insurgency and will need to decide on closer ties with Moscow.
CNN's Larry Madowo has our report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The new leader of the military junta in Burkina Faso is just 34 years old, Captain Ibrahim Traore. And that is drawing some parallel with another historic figure, a revolutionary much loved across the continent. Thomas Sankara was only 34 as well when he became leader of Burkina Faso back in 1983. And they did a public support to try and bring back this country and deal with insurgency that's been battling since 2015.
Burkina Faso means the land of upright people and it's got a lot of work to rebuild.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MADOWO: Large crowds, (INAUDIBLE) excitement as a new face of the ruling junta rolled into Burkina Faso's capital on Sunday.
And marching through the turrets of an armored vehicle was a 34-year- old self-appointed leader Ibrahim Traore, waving to joyous crowds.
This military takeover is Burkina Faso's second and nine months. After an Islamic insurgency continued to roll the country under the previous ruler, President Paul-Henri Damiba. Shortly after taking power, Traore spoke with cabinet officials, urging them to move faster.
IBRAHIM TRAORE, BURKINA FASO LEADER: In Burkina everything is urgent, Security defense, health, social action infrastructure. Everything is urgent. We will have to go quickly.
MADOWO: Speaking to CNN and in Ghana professor and author (INAUDIBLE) said, the latest coup hurt the people the most.
TAKYIWAA MANUN, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA INSTITUTE OF AFRICAN STUDIES: Very great indicators of social economic progress and this instability is likely to worsen. Already full indicators and light the future.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When Traore was welcomed into the capital by supporters they were waving Russian flights and chanting pro-Russia, pro-gun: rejecting any ties to France.
"We call on Russia, whoever is the president that comes to power, he cannot invoke France. We don't want France anymore.
MADOWO: Policy experts calls (INAUDIBLE) told CNN, what matters most is dealing with Burkina Faso's fragile government.
DR. COMFORT ERO, PRESIDENT AND CEO, CRISIS GORUP: The fragile situation of the country, the collapse of governance, the collapse of social fabric and the country. No external force is going to be in a position to wrestle the situation.
MADOWO: The Sahara region has suffered from the threat of jihadist violence in recent years. -- many who thinks, management of its former colonies has laid the foundations for other alternatives to enter.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The French neo-colonialism has been -- long been a problem in the sub-region and the current attitude toward France in (INAUDIBLE) really forever dominated (INAUDIBLE). For us it is not Russia for us it's Africa, it's West Africa.
MADOWO: Despite the seeming inevitability of foreign influence over local affairs, Ero says the next for citizens on the region is to support, domestic, political reform.
[01:49:51]
ERO: In the Sahara we've seen 7 years of military intervention, hasn't met a reversal. Rather seeing Jihadi forces become more agile, become more robust because there isn't a clear political strategy in place.
MADOWO: Some commentators say Captain Traore has to watch his back, or he too could be overthrown.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MADOWO: Traore but he also needs to win he confidence of a gone military. He's on "Mad Men" who might not like the idea of being led by young captains, Some senior military leaders might be uncomfortable with that. We'll have to wait and see.
But so far, it's been so sad on the right putting. Media says from the original block echoist (ph) who met with him on Tuesday that they were satisfied after the discussions with him and they hope that has fixed about greed deadline to a return to Democratic rule in Burkina Faso by first live 2024.
Larry Madowo, CNN -- across Ghana.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: It's never easy to work with family. Uganda's president is facing a diplomatic crisis and possibly some very uncomfortable moments at home.
On Wednesday, President Yoweri Museveni apologized to neighboring Kenya because his son has threatened to invade. In a Museveni Jr. said he and his army could take control of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi in two weeks.
He's 48 years old. He's commander of Uganda's land forces. He was widely considered a de facto leader of the military and the president, heir apparent -- not now -- but he was (INAUDIBLE) four star general.
The president's son, said a tweet, it's just a joke. Come on.
Hollywood actor Brad Pitt under fire after his ex-wife Angelina Jolie makes new abuse allegations. The very latest in a moment.
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VAUSE: Welcome back. The family of the crew member who was killed on the set of the movie "Rust" has reached a settlement with actor Alec Baldwin. Terms were not disclosed. This follows a wrongful death suit, Helena Hutchins family filed against those involved in it.
A year ago in New Mexico, a prop gun Baldwin was holding discharged, Killing Hutchins who was (INAUDIBLE). The movie will continue filming. A statement from Baldwin's lawyer says Hutchins' the, husband Matthew will be an executive producer of the movie, and receive some of the profits.
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie is detailing abuse claims against ex husband Brad Pitt in a new countersuit. She alleges that he physically abused her and their children on a private flight in 2016.
CNN's Chloe Melast has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHLOE MELAST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brad Pitt denying new allegations about an alleged 2016 physical altercation with his then wife Angelina Jolie.
After Jolie's legal team made disturbing claims of violence and a counter suit filed Tuesday. In a statement to CNN a representative for Pitt responded quote, "Jolie's story continues to evolve each time she tells it. With no unsubstantiated claims.
Brad has accepted responsibility for what he did but will not for the things he didn't do. These new allegations are completely untrue.
The new allegations of violence are the latest in the bitter legal battel involving the couple's French estate and winery, Chateau Mobile.
In the counter suit, while trying to latest why Jolie separated from Pitt. Jolie claims the marriage came to an end while flying to their Los Angeles home from Chateau Merville (ph) in 2016.
[01:54:55]
MELAST: Jolie claims Pitt was quote, "physically and emotionally abusive to Jolie and their children during the flight and that at one point, quote, "Pitt grabbed Jolie by the head and shook her and then grabbed her shoulders and shook her again."
The document continues quote, "Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face. Some of the children pleaded with Pitt to stop, they were all frightened. Many were crying.
The countersued also claims that the children quote "rushed in", and all bravely tried to protect each other. For this reason, the legal documents state Jolie and her six children have not been able to return to Chateau Merville due to the quote, "pain Pitt inflicted on the family that day."
CNN previously reported some of these details from a heavily redacted FBI reports in August. Pitt was not arrested or charged in connection with the incident after the FBI's investigation.
Pitt filed a lawsuit in February against Jolie, after Jolie sold her stake in the winery. Pitt claims he and Jolie had an agreement, neither would sell without the other's consent.
In her countersuit, Jolie claims there was no such agreement.
The Oscar winning couple who starred in two movies together, split after that flight in September 2016. And Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt five days later. A dissolution of their marriage was granted in 2019. But their legal battles over property and custody of their the children continue.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Even if you've never seen a James Bond movie, chances are you know the music.
(MUSIC)
VAUSE: Music of the Goldfinger -- "Goldfinger", that's Shirley Bassey. Other musical showcase at a gala event on Tuesday celebrating the memorable hit songs of 007 on the 50th anniversary of the first film.
Actor Sean Connery defined the role of a 1963 "Dr. No" that launched one of the most successful action franchises in movie history.
There have been 26 movies based on the Ian Flemings' debonair British spy and heartthrob, no fewer than seven actors in the leading role with the search now on for a new James Bond after Daniel Craig quit the best job Hollywood because he was bored.
Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm John Vause. Please stay with us.
CNN NEWSROOM continues with my friend and colleague, Rosemary Church after a very short. I'll see your right back here next week.
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