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Escalating Tensions On The Korean Peninsula; S. Korea: U.S. Aircraft Carrier Heading To Korean Peninsula; Russian Forces Fire Several Missiles On Zaporizhzhia; Higher Gas Prices on the Horizon?; G7 Countries Planning Price Cap on Russian Oil; U.S. Offering High- Tech Help to Investigate Nord Stream Gas Pipeline Damage; Deaths from Hurricane Ian Rises to at Least 125; Biden Visits Florida; 18 Killed in Southern Mexico Attack; NASA's Successful Launch, Send 3 Astronauts and 1 Cosmonaut to ISS; Black Parents Demanding Justice Over Police Killings. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired October 06, 2022 - 02:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:00:29]

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello, and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church. Just ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM. Escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula as Pyongyang fires off a new round of missiles and the U.S. sends an aircraft carrier strike group to the region.

Developments in the car bombing that killed the daughter of a prominent Russian political figure. We're learning intelligence points towards who authorized the assassination.

And after a disastrous reaction to her government's budget, the U.K.'s prime minister addresses anxious Tories as more and more Britons are being pushed towards poverty.

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center. This is CNN NEWSROOM with Rosemary Church.

CHURCH: Thanks for joining us. So, we begin with growing tensions around the Korean peninsula. Right now a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier is reportedly moving into waters off the Korean peninsula after North Korea fired two more missiles Thursday. Seoul says North Korea conducted six missile tests in less than two weeks. The latest launch came shortly after the U.N. Security Council held a meeting on Pyongyang's weapons program.

The U.S. indirectly accused both Russia and China of enabling North Korea.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: As we all know, the DPRK has enjoyed blanket protection from two members of this council. These two members have gone out of their way to justify the DPRK's repeated provocations and block every attempt to update the sanctions regime. In short, two permanent members of the Security Council have enabled Kim Jong-un.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And for more on these developments, Paula Hancocks is standing by in Seoul, South Korea. She joins us now. Paula, North Korea escalating tensions with its missile launches. Now of course, the situation is moving into dangerous territory. What is the latest on all of it?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rosemary, we really have seen the escalation when it comes to the sheer number of missile launches that North Korea has carried out recently. And of course, as you say, six in 12 days is unprecedented from this country. So what we're seeing at this point is really a two-track approach. We're seeing from the military point of view.

According to the National Security Council here in South Korea, they say that the USS Ronald Reagan's moving back into Korean waters. Now when it comes to a U.S. Navy spokesman they say that they're currently operating in the sea of Japan. And we do not comment on future operations. And what we're seeing from the diplomatic point of view is further condemnation, criticism from those in the region and also from secretary of state of the United States, Secretary Blinken.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONY BLINKEN, UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE: We believe that North Korea would be much better served by not only refraining from his actions but actually engaging in dialog. 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, we heard the secretary of state mention isolation, but what we saw in the United Nations Security Council hearing was something different. We did hear the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. blaming Russia and China without naming them for enabling North Korea but we also then heard Russia and China in return blaming the United States for what they say is increasing the tensions in the region because of these joint drills with South Korea saying that the U.S. is poisoning regional security environment, that comment from China.

North Korea itself has also commented on this through state-run media KCNA saying the reason that they are carrying out these missile launches is because of these joint drills between the U.S. and South Korea.

[02:05:00]

Now there were naval drills last week. Japan also involved in those at one point. So trilateral drills, which always do irritate Pyongyang. And what we're hearing from many experts is at this point, they're expecting these missile launches to continue. Pyongyang is in -- a in an emboldened situation where it knows there will be no sanctions against it in the U.N. Security Council because of Russia and China blaming the United States for what is happening.

And so they are continuing this trend. They are expecting this trend to continue, Rosemary?

CHURCH: All right. Paula Hancocks joining us live from Seoul. Many thanks.

We are following developments out of southern Ukraine where officials there say Russian forces have fired several missiles on the city of Zaporizhzhia. Video shows smoke rising from the rubble and one official says residential buildings have been destroyed. Rescue teams are now working to determine if there are any casualties. And this comes as a rapid Ukrainian advances underway in the neighboring Kherson region.

And to the eastern Luhansk. Social media images show Ukrainian forces in at least one village and one official says several settlements have been liberated. A correspondent embedded with the Russian military says Russia lacks the manpower to stop and advance there. Ukrainian troops are entering Luhansk from the Donetsk region where the key city of Lyman was reclaimed just days ago.

We're getting images of what Russian troops left behind there as residents expressed relief that the 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)

CHURCH: Ukraine says Russian forces are trying to move wounded troops and damaged equipment as they suffer losses in the south. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh traveled to two liberated villages to see what's been left behind. We want to warn you viewers may find the images in his report disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR (voice over): We don't leave our own behind, a Russian war slogan you hear less these days. Especially along the road south by the Dnieper River where the Russians seem to be collapsing since the weekend on yet a third front.

WALSH (on camera): The pace of Ukraine's advance you can feel on the road here. And it's hour by hour that they move forwards this road lines with Russian bodies, abandoned Russian positions. It's clear people left here in a hurry. WALSH (voice over): In just the last three days, they've swept along the west bank of the river through Russian positions, the shallow shabby foxholes of an army with almost nothing at hand. Even what little they had was abandoned, especially this tank, a model that first came into service 60 years ago, when Vladimir Putin was nine.

Here, the village of Mykolaivka right on the river is getting cell phone service for the first time in six months and aid. Shell slammed into here 90 minutes ago from the Russians still across the water. It's the price of their freedom.

The Russians would check on us she says, tried to make us vote in the referendum. But we didn't. Still we survived. We old people always have food supplies.

Outside the village and more of the short-lived occupation, left in the tree line with a sleeping mat and shells. In nearby Lyubimovka, there was heavy fighting Saturday and then Sunday the Russians just vanished. Gratitude for aid and liberation going spare to almost anyone.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (text): I cry because two of mine are fighting too. I am crying as I am happy you are here.

WALSH: Smiles at it is over and shock of how fast. It was very scary. We were afraid, she says, hiding. They were bombing, robbing. We survived. They ran, the rain came and they ran. Signs all around of how their unwanted guests just did not know what to do when they got here or have food or beds. So they filled that gap with cruelty. Andrei had a generator and would charge locals' phones.

So the Russians decided he was Ukrainian informer and beat him.

[02:10:05]

They brought me from here and they put a hood on my head and taped it up, he says. Then we walked a few steps up and down. They beat him so badly. His arms turned blue from defending his head. Still there months later.

Stalemate had torn these huge expanses up for months. Now it's broken, as has the fear of the Kremlin's army here. Bereft, abandoned, filthy and vanishing down the road.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN along the Dnieper River, Kherson region, Ukraine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Sources tell CNN the U.S. intelligence community believes elements within Ukraine's government authorize the car bombing that killed the daughter of a prominent Russian political figure. Daria Dugina was killed in that blast on August 20th. But one source says intelligence officials believe she was driving her father's car and he was the actual target. Alexander Dugin has been a fierce proponent of Russia's war in Ukraine. Sources say the U.S. was not aware of the plan beforehand and it's unclear who exactly the U.S. believes signed off on the car bombing.

Well, CNN's Scott McLean is following developments for us. He joins us now live from London. Good morning to you, Scott. So the U.S. intelligence community says someone inside the Ukrainian government is responsible for Dugina's assassination in Russia. What message should the Kremlin take from this?

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rosemary, look, this is what the Kremlin has been saying all along. You'll remember that Daria Dugina was driving a vehicle about 50 kilometers or so west of Moscow driving back toward the city from a festival. There was a bomb that had been planted underneath the driver side seat that detonated just as she was turning on to the main road.

As you mentioned, many people figured that because she was driving her father's car that it was her father, a prominent Russian -- pro- Russian expansionist, proponent of Russian expansionism, that he was in fact a real target. In fact, video from the aftermath shows that Alexander Dugin was on the scene watching that vehicle burn in the immediate aftermath. So, as you mentioned, it's important to keep in mind that this is not proven fact that we're talking about.

We're talking about the U.S. intelligence community's assessment of what happened based on sources who've been briefed on that intelligence who spoke with CNN. They say that it's elements within the Ukrainian government who orchestrated this bombing. But it's not clear exactly who the potential awareness or the potential that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy would have signed off on this.

This is also a huge question mark, though those sources say that the United States did not know in advance of this. So if this is true, corroborate what the Kremlin has been saying, because you'll remember back in August when this happened. A spokesperson for the foreign ministry said this. If Ukrainian traces confirmed and this version was voiced by the head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin, and it must be verified by the competent authorities.

And we should talk about the policy of state terrorism implemented by the Kyiv regime. At the time a presidential adviser to President Zelenskyy for his part said this, Ukraine definitely has nothing to do with this because we are not a criminal state which the Russian Federation is and even more so we are not a terrorist state. Should also point out, Rosemary, that none of the U.S. intelligence agencies nor the state department would comment on this directly. Neither would the Ukrainian government when they were reached for comment either.

CHURCH: And Scott, we are now seeing an increased amount of concern on Russian-state media over the fate of the country soldiers on the battlefield. What might this escalation in concern signal?

MCLEAN: Yes. So, look, Russian media commentators, reporters, hosts, they are still definitely clearly rooting for a Russian victory in this war, but it is becoming increasingly difficult not to acknowledge the fact that things are not going well for them on the battlefield. In fact, just on Russian state T.V. yesterday, there was a pretty telling exchange and I'll show it to you now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We are still learning. I know this is hard to hear in our eighth months of the special operation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Is Kherson in danger? How should we feel about what is happening? Why isn't anything protected there? When will reinforcements arrive?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCLEAN: So, that a correspondent there went on to say that look, he believes that the Russian troops that are in place right now are adequate to hold the line but not to make any kind of substantial advances there. He also said that it is important that the reservists who are being called up or adequately trained before they're actually sent to the front line.

[02:15:06]

And that appears to be part of the delay in the Russians actually making any headway moving the opposite direction of how things are going right now. There was another Russian correspondent as well yesterday who said that look, the Ukrainians are in high spirits, they don't have issues with intelligence gathering. They are using heavy weapons, long-range precision weapons very effectively right now.

It is just a matter of time though before those reservists can get trained up and make their way to the frontline. And that may start to make a difference, Rosemary.

CHURCH: All right. Scott McLean, many thanks. Joining us live from London with that.

Well, after more than two weeks of anti regime protests across Iran, a large demonstration in support of the government was held in the Capitol on Wednesday. Iranian-state media aired images of demonstrators, many of the women chanting and waving flags, while condemning the "rioters who created the recent unrest." Now this is not the first rally of its kind, other pro-government demonstrations were held about 10 days ago.

Earlier, a crowd of female protesters in black chanted Basij get lost to a man at a podium in the city of Shiraz. Now it's not clear who he is, but Basij refers to the volunteer militia that acts as the country's morality police. They have been blamed for the recent death of a young woman Mahsa Amini after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly. Authorities deny any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, European lawmakers are getting ready to vote on a resolution on the death of a Amini and the Iranian government's violent crackdown on women's rights protesters. Earlier a member of the European Parliament delivered an impassioned speech about helping these activists that included a bold move.

(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 woman and men in Iran. Until Iran is free our theory will be bigger than the oppressors. Until the women of Iran are free we are going to stand with you. Jin, Jiyan, Azadi, woman, life, freedom.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And CNN's Nada Bashir is covering this for us. She joins us live from London. As we saw there but these calls are getting louder, aren't they? From the international community to the international community to do more. What is the latest on this?

NADA BASHIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL REPORTER: Yes, absolutely. This is a movement which is garnering support across the globe. Many now taking action to stand with the women of Iran who are taking that brave and defiant stance against the Iranian regime. As you saw the European parliamentarian cutting her hair, Abir Al-Sahlani, a Swedish politician cutting her hair before the European assembly.

And that's a move we've seen taking place in social media video in Iran. It is a symbolic and defiant show of protests against the strict regulations that women are forced to live under in Iran. And it's important to note of course, across the world, across the Islamic world, at least, the wearing of the hijab, wearing modest dress is widely perceived to be a choice that women make for themselves.

But in Iran, women do not have that choice. It is mandated on them to wear the hijab and of course this protest was sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was detained and died while in detention by Iran's notorious morality police for allegedly wearing a hijab incorrectly according to the Iranian authorities. Now you saw there, the cutting of the hair has become a symbolic show of defiance against those regimes regulations.

And that's something that we've seen being mirrored across the globe. Many people taking social media share videos and images of themselves cutting their hair. We've seen video being shot of winning women, a high-profile women in France, including a number of French actresses sharing a video of them cutting their hair in solidarity with the women of Iran. But that was quite a impassioned speech we heard there yesterday at the European assembly by Abir Al-Sahlani in support of the women of Iran.

But she was also highly critical of the European Union's leaders, particularly of the E.U.'s chief diplomat Josep Borrell as well as the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who she said haven't shown adequate solidarity with the women of Iran. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AL-SAHLANI: Our high representative for Foreign Affairs Mr. Josep Borrell 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)

[02:20:01]

BASHIR: Now later today the European Parliament is set to vote on a resolution which has been debated earlier this week on the E.U.'s response to not only the death of Mahsa Amini and the process we've seen, but also the violent crackdown by the Iranian authorities on peaceful demonstrators. We've already seen the U.S. outlining its plans to toughen its penalties on the Iranian regime.

Now the European Parliament looks like it's set to expand its sanctions on Iranian authorities connected with or directly involved in the violent crackdown on protesters as well as connected with the morality police, will also be calls for an urgent investigation both into the death of Mahsa Amini as well as violent crackdown in Iran. Rosemary?

CHURCH: Nada Bashir bringing us the very latest on that very important story from her vantage point there in London. Many thanks.

Well, the U.K.'s new prime minister tries to rally fellow Tories to her bold economic agenda but the muted response was probably not what she was hoping for. Those details just ahead.

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CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Liz Truss' keynote address to fellow Tories on Wednesday, was supposed to be her moment to shine as the newly minted prime minister of the United Kingdom. But the tepid response suggests all is not well in the fractured party. Climate activists with Greenpeace briefly disrupted the speech with a banner reading, who voted for this before being escorted out of the hall to a chorus of boos?

Truss did manage to tease out some applause as she promoted an aggressive economic agenda of just days after an embarrassing about face on a key part of that plan. Here she is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LIZ TRUSS, PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM: I have three priorities for our economy, growth, growth and growth.

The fact is that the abolition of the 45p tax rate became a distraction from the major parts of our growth plan. That is why we're no longer proceeding with it. I get it. And I have listened.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Joining us live from Scotland to talk more about this is Devi Sridhar, chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh. Thank you so much for being with us.

DEVI SRIDHAR, CHAIR OF GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH: Thank you.

CHURCH: So Prime Minister Liz Truss made her debut Conservative Party speeches we heard unlike her economic plan, it wasn't well received. You've written about what you call Britain's disastrous mini budget and you ask who's paying for it. What is the answer to that question?

SRIDHAR: Well, I think what we're seeing is going to be in people's health, though we've heard a lot of talk about growth. There's not much discussion of what does that mean for normal people's lives. Hope you're seeing our Britain is first mortgages becoming more expensive with interest rates rising, we're seeing food becoming more expensive, we import about 50 percent of food here and with the pound going down compared to the dollar in other currencies, that becomes more expensive.

[02:25:12]

And we already know the energy crisis and how expensive fuel has become not only in Britain but around the world. And so what we're seeing is a lot of big talk about growth. But actually, if you look at where that, you know, plan is really targeting, it's trying to release tax cuts for the very rich, those making over 150,000 pounds a year. And there's not much being done for people under that salary cap who are trying to struggle with daily life getting more expensive.

CHURCH: Yes. Let's talk about that, because Prime Minister Truss that eventually had to do a U-turn on that plan. She wasn't going to tax the wealthiest in Britain. But after much pressure from the public, her own party and the opposition, she had to drop that. The big question has to be, how was she so tone deaf not to realize that was an objectionable plan when so many people across the U.K. are hurting right now? What is she thinking? And what might it signal about her future policy, particularly her economic plan?

SRIDHAR: Well, I think this is one of the dangers of, you know, elections here where it was not a general election for those around the world and how she was elected. This was among Tory party members. And within that certain members having certain interest to protect wealth of the -- of the super wealthy. And so in a way, this is not the will of the British people, there's a party in power in that party has chosen a particular leader.

And even within that party, there was a revolt against that saying, real wages have been falling over the past decade, the NHS here is very much struggling where it might go into the first strike in history for nurses given conditions within the health services. And so in a way, you're right that the,, you know, policies are taking don't reflect actually daily life here becoming harder and indicators like child poverty actually going up.

Even when you compare it against a place like the United States, child poverty has been falling in the United States over the past 10, 15 years. That has generally been progress and seen across the world. But here in Britain that is going up. And it gives you that increased inequality, which we have seen the rich becoming richer and the poor becoming poor. And unfortunately, these kinds of policies just exacerbate that issue.

CHURCH: Yes. And you have written that the British economy has spiraled into chaos. So how bad do you expect things to get given the appalling start to Truss' new leadership?

SRIDHAR: Well, I think right now, there is consternation over having some kind of stable leadership and also not even clarity on what is the full plan. They said they would bring that up earlier to try to stabilize the markets, because that's what caused the pound tumble, the uncertainty of where would this borrowing come from to fund the tax cuts and the rest of the plan. But now they've said it's been pushed back to November.

So part of it has also been mixed messages coming out, and a lack of trust, and actually the soundness of those economic policies. And so I think right now, hopefully, you know, there can be, you know, talk with the very senior civil servants and the treasury, those who understand the markets to talks about what needs to stabilize them. And how does that growth actually translate to everyone across Britain, especially that bottom quintile who are struggling with daily life?

And I talked about the article also about the stress of financial precarity. And I think that was what I also worry about as a public health scientist. What does this mean for people's mental health? Who are worrying can I afford my home next month? What does this mean if my mortgage payments go up by 800 or 1000 pounds on what I thought was a stable rate for the next five or 10 years?

That's the kind of stress which leads to heart attacks, strokes, cancer, that kind of chronic daily stress of how am I going to live life in the next few months as we head into a very cold winter, with everything becoming harder.

CHURCH: Yes. And of course, people have already been feeling this as a result of that pandemic. And it just is getting worse and worse. It is relentless for so many people. Devi Sridhar, thank you so much for talking with us. We appreciate it.

SRIDHAR: Thank you very much.

CHURCH: And as I was discussing with our guest, rampant inflation is outpacing living costs with low and middle income earners in Britain being hit hardest. CNN's Nina dos Santos has this snapshot.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): After a disastrous reaction to her government's budget, the pressure is on for Liz Truss to balance Britain's books.

TRUSS: The political debate has been dominated by the argument about how we distribute a limited economic pie. Instead, we need to grow the pie so that everyone gets a bigger slice.

DOS SANTOS: She's already U-turned on tax cuts for the rich, but with billions more to be saved. Choosing where to trim is politically tricky. In a country already facing stark inequality.

DOS SANTOS (on camera): At this food bank in South London staff say that they're seeing more and more people rely on their services just to meet their everyday needs. This is one of the richest cities in one of the world's biggest economies. And after years of biting austerity, anemic wage growth and now rampant inflation there's little tolerance here in places like this with further government spending cuts.

[02:30:00]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a lot more people coming here, a lot more people suffering. But I never, ever, ever, in my, life thought this should be me.

MARY AMER (PH): I'm worried. Yes, I'm really.

DOS SANTOS (voiceover): Mary Amer (ph) is among of millions of Britons reliant upon benefits, to top up their earnings, to cover housing costs, or to compensate for disabilities that keep them out of work. A welfare state under pressure from a new P.M., who won't say if such payments will keep pace with soaring prices.

AMER (PH): It will be difficult for me to manage this situation if I don't get help from the government.

DOS SANTOS (voiceover): Meanwhile, middle-income families could be pushed into poverty too thanks to rising mortgage costs since spiraling by the budget to solve.

JAMES SMITH, RESEARCH DIRECTOR, RESOLUTION FOUNDATION: We've seen interest rates of the short end rise by about a percentage point since a Liz Truss' many budgets. And all of that will mean is that the impact of the cost-of-living crisis will hit those of middle incomes and not just those of really low incomes.

DOS SANTOS (voiceover): The advocacy body, Citizens Advice, reckons 53 percent more people now need this type of help versus at the start of the year. And at the food bank, they are seeing that trend firsthand.

REBECCA DAY, LIVING WELL BROMLEY: It's not your average homeless guy coming along to a food bank anymore. We are seeing working people come to the food bank. We are seeing people who get into the end of the month and they can't manage to pay for their food. We have families coming along which we never had before,

DOS SANTOS (voiceover): As bills increase, locals are also donating less. Food bank itself has halved the number of bags that a gift to each family.

DOS SANTOS (on camera): Do you think that the U.K. government really understands the predicament that some of the people who use your services face now?

DAY: I mean, it's just been shocking. I'm appalled by the governments and their reaction. I would really welcome to invite maybe the prime minister and the chancellor down here because I don't think they get a true picture.

DOS SANTOS (voiceover): Nina dos Santos, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: OPEC is worried about a global recession. So, it's cutting back on oil production. How that could impact fuel prices around the world just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Get ready for gasoline prices to go up again. OPEC and its allies have agreed to cut oil production by 2 million barrels a day starting November. Here is where all oil prices stand, as you can see in negative territory there, the production cut come despite strong pleas from the U.S. government. President Joe Biden says he's concerned and calls the move unnecessary. More now from CNN's Anna Stewart.

[02:35:00]

ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, an output cut was expected, but this was at the upper end and it is sizable. Representing around 2 percent 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 oil producers of OPEC and its allies certainly don't want. That's said, some in the sector believe this concern is actually overblown.

On Friday, at an oil and gas forum in London, the CO 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.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAITHAM AL GHAIS, OPEC SECRETARY GENERAL; We are not endangering the energy markets. We are providing security, stability, to the energy markets.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At a price?

AL GHAIS: Everything has a price. Energy security has a price as well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEWART: Everything has a price. And this news saw 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 for 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, he released this statement Wednesday, saying, the president is disappointed by the shortsighted decision by OPEC+ to cut production quotas while the global economy is dealing with its continued negative impacts of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

This decision was made with Russia, which is a key part in OPEC+ alliance and will no doubt be pleased for the decision to exert some control of the oil market, given G7 nations plan to imposed 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 this 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 of an impact on global supply as the headline figures suggests.

OPEC and its allies have struggle to meet output targets in recent months, as you can see here. The blue line showing production is under shooting the quota in red. In fact, in August, the short fall was believed to be more than 3.5 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.

CHURCH: Anna Stewart mentioned that G7 countries, along with the European Union are planning price caps on Russian oil. The Kremlin is not taking the move lightly. Russia's deputy prime minister says, Moscow will not supply oil to any country that takes part. The G7 plan calls for members to deny insurance, finance and other assistance to Russian oil cargos above a certain price. Moscow says its budget is based on $70 a barrel, but the G7 has yet to settles on a price.

The U.S. is offering high-tech help to investigate what damage the Nord Stream Gas Pipeline in the Baltic Sea. Sources tells CNN the navy could provide its most advanced underwater sound reading capabilities to analyze audio recordings of the incidents. Three of the four pipelines were damaged by what Russia and the West call sabotage. Russian president, Vladimir Putin, is demanding the Moscow take part in the investigation.

At least 125 deaths have been reported from Hurricane Ian in Florida and North Carolina is -- as recovery efforts continue. U.S. President Joe Biden set aside his frosty relationship with Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, on Wednesday, touring areas hammered by the storm with the first lady. He promised local residents there would a continued federal presence to help fix the damage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, U.S. PRESIDENT: 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're 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)

CHURCH: Residents of Fort Myers place flowers and photos on a memorial wall for those who died in the storm. Florida artist Leonard Soto started the project. He also created the memorial wall in Surfside, Florida, the site of a tragic condominium collapse last year.

[02:40:00]

Authorities in Southern Mexico say at least 18 people killed in an attack on a town hall, including the local mayor, two others were wounded. It happened Wednesday after a group of people armed with guns entered the building and opened fire. It's not clear yet who's responsible for the attack. Officials have called for a swift investigation.

Another successful launch for SpaceX, sending NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut hurtling towards the International Space Station. More on their journey straight ahead.

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CHURCH: Welcome back everyone. A SpaceX capsule is closing in on the International Space Station right now after a successful launch from Florida on Wednesday. The four-member crew is expected to reach the orbiter later Thursday. Those on board include Nicole Mann, the first native American woman to go into space, alongside her is the Russian cosmonaut to ride on an American spacecraft in 20 years. A rare example of American and Russian teamwork as the war in Ukraine rages on. Another American as well as an astronaut from Japan are joining them. They will be staying at the Space Station for five months.

And thank you so much for joining us. I'm Rosemary Church. World Sport is next. Then, I'll be back in 15 minutes with more "CNN Newsroom." Do stay with us.

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MARTIN: -- unapologetic in her statements about, you know, race and this country and the framing of the constitution and these amendments. So, I could not be more weighed as a black woman, as a black lawyer to have, you know, Justice Jackson on the court at this critical moment in our history.

LEMON: Yes. Thank you, Areva. I appreciate it. We'll see you soon.

MARTIN: Thanks, Don.

LEMON: A group of black parents in Georgia demanding justice and accountability for their children who were killed by police officers, what they want to see happen next.

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LEMON: In Georgia, a group of black parents gathered to protest every week, demanding justice and accountability for their children who were killed by police officers. The parents claim that prosecutors are ignoring their calls to take action and believe that race is a factor. We get that story tonight from CNN's Nick Valencia.

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JIMMY HILL, FATHER OF MAN KILLED BY POLICE: Hey, you want any flyer? It's about my son. He was murdered by police. Three and a half years ago right here in Atlanta.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): For more than three years, this has been what Jimmy Hill does every week.

HILL: Hey, you want --

VALENCIA (voiceover): walking the same downtown Atlanta Street, spreading the word about his son's death. In 2019, Hill's Jimmy Atchison was shot and killed by an Atlanta police officer.

VALENCIA (on camera): That's some dedication to be there on the corner every week. Sometimes multiple times per week.

HILL: I know they want to distribute it on the road (ph).

VALENCIA (voiceover): He is talking about Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, who Hill believes is chasing notoriety over addressing cases like his son's death.

HILL: But what about police brutality? What about -- wrong is wrong. Murder is murder. Crime is crime. Wrong is wrong no matter who said it and who does it.

VALENCIA (on camera): Is that why you stand on the corner right there in front of her office?

HILL: I stand on the corner. One is right there and I stand right here to make sure she sees me every day.

VALENCIA (voiceover): The D.A.'s office, under Willis's predecessor, conducted an investigation into the deadly shooting and recommended the officer be charged with felony murder. CNN reached out to Willis's office for an interview four times, but we never heard back.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do we want?

CROWD: Justice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When do we want it?

CROWD: Now. VALENCIA (voiceover): Hill's pursuit of justice may not be getting the attention he wants from the D.A. but it has inspired others. In the last two years, Hill has been joined in his weekly demonstrations by other black families who also lost their children at the hands of police. Parents like Anthony Boykins, his 12-year-old was killed in a crash, following a pit maneuver by a Georgia State Trooper. This year, the trooper involved returned to work, and the incident is pending litigation.

ANTHONY BOYKINS, FATHER OF BOY KILLED IN TROOPER-INVOLVED CRASH: It's heart aching to have to even come out here and ask for justice, you know what I mean? Because I if I would have flipped a car with that officer's kids in it, I'd be under the jail right now.

VALENCIA (voiceover): Vanithia Cook shows up every week too. Her 17- year-old son, Vincent Truitt, was shot twice in the back by Cobb County police officer in 2020. That officer was cleared of wrongdoing.

VANITHIA COOK, MOTHUER OF TEENAGER KILLED BY POLICE: They may have cleared the officer for now, but justice for Vincent Truitt.

HILL: Somebody found out I (INAUDIBLE) better holding on to their sanity. See, people don't understand what police brutality does to the family and the community, you know, it challenges your mental health.

VALENCIA (on camera): Yes. And you have told me that you don't think that people like Fani Willis or others are taking this issue seriously enough.

HILL: No, they're not taking it seriously, because it's people in Atlanta become so selfish to the point that when it comes to lower income black people, they just don't give a damn.

VALENCIA (voiceover): Reading the findings from the previous Fulton County D.A.'s investigation of Hill's son shooting, which was found to be unjustified. NAACP Georgia president Gerald Griggs says, there should be no reason Hill should be waiting this long to see the officer who shot and killed his son indicted.

GERALD GRIGGS, NAACP GEORGIA PRESIDENT: Our concern is if you're going to prosecute without fear or favor, you need to go after law enforcement who violate the public trust with the same ferocity that you are going after artists, rappers and potentially a former president of the United States.

VALENCIA (voiceover): In an April letter to Griggs, Willis indicated there was a backlog of 11,000 cases when she took office, with an additional 50,000 cases she claim that were not properly closed by the previous administration. Griggs says there are dozens of black families in Atlanta just like Hill who have not yet had their cases addressed by the D.A.'s office.

HILL: It's about my son.

VALENCIA (voiceover): As his son's case continues to languish, Hill says, he will keep showing up here outside the Fulton County Court House every week, hoping today will be the day Willis cares enough to help.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: And Nick Valencia joins me now. Nick, thanks for joining us. These families rightfully demanding answers are heartbreaking to hear from and their anger is understandable. But how much can they really blame Fani Willis with that kind of case backlog?

VALENCIA (on camera): Yes, it's not just the backlog, Don, it's also the resources. She's asked for funding, to hire more attorneys to be able to go through these thousands of cases that she says that she's inherited from her previous administration. But for the families, it's how she's spending her energy. They see their case, in the case of Jimmy Atchison, who we profile in the piece, you know, the previous administration has already ruled that the officer was unjustified in his use of force. So, they see it as a no-brainer to take this to the grand jury.

Meanwhile, they see her investigating the former president, Donald Trump. They see her going after what they believe is rappers for rap lyrics while their case is more than three years old at this point and they still don't have answers.

[02:55:00]

LEMON: They are framing this is D.A. Willis is willing to go after black young men who commit crimes, but not the police. And these families are wanting -- you know, waiting for justice now. But is it fair to frame it that way?

VALENCIA: I don't think so. You know, I think the D.A.'s office would think that shortsighted. They think that they're going after violent criminals. And they would also probably point to the investigation of the former president and those in his orbit, those that have gotten target criminal letters are white and white color.

But for the family, their point is, you know, look, go after the police with the same energy that you're using to go after others and other communities. Don.

LEMON: Nick Valencia, thank you very much. I appreciate that you that.

VALENCIA: You bet. Thanks.

LEMON: And thank you for watching everyone. Our coverage continues.

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