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Record High Temps Across Much of U.S.; Trump Racketeering Case May Hinge On Judge's Ruling; Ukrainian Forces Said To Penetrate Russian Defenses; Vivek Ramaswamy Gains Traction With "New Right" Of GOP Politics; Gabon Coup; Pope Francis' Historic Visit To Mongolia; Musician Jimmy Buffett Dies At 76; India Launches Mission To Study Sun. Aired 5-6a ET
Aired September 02, 2023 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hello and welcome to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber.
Crowded airports are not expected to deter millions of Americans from traveling this Labor Day weekend.
A look at how flash floods could impact some travelers this holiday.
Plus --
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QUESTION: Are you meeting with Governor DeSantis tomorrow?
JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes.
BRUNHUBER (voice-over): Confusion ahead of President Biden's trip to Florida later today as governor DeSantis says the two won't meet. We'll look at how the hurricane recovery efforts are going beyond presidential politics.
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BRUNHUBER (voice-over): Plus Coco Gauff moves up in the U.S. Open. Carolyn Manno will join me to break down the match.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Kim Brunhuber.
BRUNHUBER: We begin this hour in the U.S., where millions of Americans are traveling this weekend for the Labor Day holiday. This year, drivers hitting the road to celebrate will have to deal with the highest gas prices in years. The previous record for gas during the week leading up to Labor Day
was set in 2012 at $3.84 a gallon, according to a CNN review of data going back to 1990. Curb prices are just shy of that at $3.83 as of Thursday, according to AAA.
Meanwhile we're also seeing record numbers in air travel. The TSA expects 14 million people will travel through its airports this holiday. CNN's Pete Muntean looks at the millions of Americans hitting the road and the skies this holiday weekend.
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PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is a climatic end to a record breaking summer of travel with a new survey saying more than half of all Americans expect to travel for Labor Day.
At Chicago O'Hare, officials are bracing for a 7 percent increase in passengers compared to the holiday weekend last year. The TSA says after this weekend, the summer will set a new air travel record with more than 227 million people screened at airports since Memorial Day.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says flight cancelations are going down. But the latest numbers from FlightAware show it is delays that have increased. This summer, more than 25 percent of flights arrived late by an average of 57 minutes.
PETE BUTTIGIEG, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: This year, we have seen significant improvement. That doesn't mean that the system was immune from some tough travel days this year and this summer.
MUNTEAN: AAA says, even still, travelers remain undaunted, booking 4 percent more domestic trips compared to last Labor Day weekend and 44 percent more international trips with destinations like Vancouver, Rome and London topping the list.
SCOTT KEYES, AIR TRAVEL EXPERT: You are seeing flights and trips over to Europe and down to Latin America booming right now, with numbers that are significantly higher than what we saw pre-pandemic.
MUNTEAN: The crowds also stretched to the roads. AAA forecasts that popular routes like Palm Springs to San Diego and the Jersey Shore to Manhattan will hit peak congestion on Monday. Before this weekend, the average price for a gallon of regular gas flirted with a seasonal record set back in 2012.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Like everything else, it just keeps going up and that's why I'm meeting my family half way. I would have driven all the way down to Baltimore and back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We knew they were going to go up. We knew it. So we filled up before we left Jersey.
MUNTEAN: The TSA says Friday will go down as the busiest day for travel. The agency will screen a total of 14 million people through Wednesday -- Pete Muntean, CNN, Reagan National Airport.
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BRUNHUBER: Some parts of the U.S. will be unusually hot while others can expect some heavy rainfall.
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BRUNHUBER: In the coming hours, President Biden will travel to Florida where he'll tour some of the hardest hit areas from Hurricane Idalia. But there's confusion over whether he'll meet with Florida governor Ron DeSantis and also a Republican presidential candidate.
Earlier in the day, President Biden told CNN, yes, he did plan to meet with DeSantis. The governor's people are saying the opposite. CNN's Kayla Tausche has the latest.
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KAYLA TAUSCHE, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: When President Biden touches down in Florida to survey the damage from Hurricane Idalia, he'll be doing so without the company of the state's top leader and a potential Biden opponent, governor Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis' spokesperson telling CNN, we don't have any plans for the governor to meet with the president tomorrow. In these rural communities and so soon after the impact, the security preparations alone that would go into such a meeting would shut down ongoing recovery efforts.
But that goes directly against what President Biden said Friday, telling CNN when asked whether he would be meeting directly with governor DeSantis, in no uncertain terms, yes. And when I asked the Homeland Security adviser whether such a meeting was in the works, she said, it's customary.
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ELIZABETH SHERWOOD-RANDALL, HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISER: We're just planning a visit. I will say every time I've been to Florida with the president, he has met with governor DeSantis and traveled the disaster zone, whether it's from last year's hurricane or when the Surfside condominium building collapsed.
Often they'll meet, have a briefing from the emergency responders. It can be in the open or in a briefing room. They're very collegial when we have the work to do together of helping Americans in need.
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TAUSCHE: A White House official tells CNN that President Biden informed governor DeSantis of his potential meeting days ago. And at that time the governor raised no concerns.
The White House saying the meeting is planned in close conjunction with state, local and federal emergency officials and suggesting that the change of plans or change of heart was governor DeSantis' alone. President Biden is expected to visit the hardest hit communities that the hurricane swept through just days ago -- at the White House, Kayla Tausche, CNN.
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BRUNHUBER: Turning now to former president Trump's legal troubles here in the state of Georgia, where he and 18 codefendants are facing charges for trying to overturn the state's election results.
About a dozen defendants in the case have now pleaded not guilty and waived their appearances in next week's arraignments. Trump's former attorney Rudy Giuliani is reportedly facing mounting legal bills.
His plea came one day after his former boss pleaded not guilty. A federal judge will soon rule on Mark Meadows' request to have his case moved to federal court. Meadows helped orchestrate the plot to overturn election results. Meadows claims he was just caring out his governmental duties. Sara Murray has our report.
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SARA MURRAY, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: We're following a flurry of developments in that Georgia election interference case. Of the 19 defendants charged in the sprawling racketeering case, we now know a dozen have entered pleas of not guilty and chosen to waive their arraignments.
Those include people like former president Donald Trump and his former personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani. Now we're still waiting for the others to decide what they're going to do, if they're going to plead on paper or show up in person next week.
We're also waiting on a major ruling from a federal judge, who is still considering whether Mark Meadows, the former White House chief of staff, should be able to move his case from state court in Georgia to federal court.
We know that Donald Trump's team is watching that decision closely because Trump may try to do the same thing, which is move to federal court. If that's the case we lose this ability we would have in state court to have cameras on these proceedings, to see a Trump trial on camera.
That doesn't exist in federal court. No cameras allowed.
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MURRAY: So again, there are a number of steps in this case that could move forward next week -- Sara Murray, CNN, Washington.
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BRUNHUBER: There are new calls for Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell to step down and the calls are coming from inside the party.
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NIKKI HALEY (R-SC), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's sad. What I will say is, right now the Senate is the most privileged nursing home in the country. I mean, you know Mitch McConnell has done some great things and he deserves credit but you have to know when to leave.
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BRUNHUBER: Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's comments come after Mitch McConnell froze up on camera for the second time in weeks. The U.S. Capitol attending physician said occasional light- headedness could be linked to the senator's concussion last spring.
Earlier I spoke with Nancy Jecker, an adjunct professor of bioethics and humanities at the University of Washington School of Medicine. And we discussed whether there should be any age limits for politicians. Here's what she has to say.
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NANCY JECKER, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: The president has the ability to launch an atomic weapon, nuclear weapon. Members of Congress have the ability, the power to wage war, to, you know, vote on spending.
And so I do think that we need to consider what's relevant to their ability to do that job. And I would argue, going back to the case of McConnell, that senator McConnell, the concern there is that he might be impaired in his ability to do the job. It's not that he's 81.
The other problem with age cut-offs is that they feed ageism, negative stereotypes against all older people. So and it's really a problem in this society. We know that there's lots of evidence.
So in 2014 there was a poll of recent retirees. Over half felt forced out of their job or mostly so. In 2020, they surveyed individuals who were 50 to 80 and 82 percent of them faced ageism in daily life.
So if we start to point to age, which is really a marker of something else, then there will be negative effects in terms of impacts on attitudes toward older adults. It really puts older adults down unfairly.
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BRUNHUBER: Two more members of the Proud Boys have been sentenced for their roles in the riot on Capitol Hill.
Ethan Nordean received 18 years in prison. He claimed he went to the Capitol to be a leader and keep people out of trouble.
Video shows Dominic Pezzola smashing through a Capitol window with a police riot shield. Once inside, he lit a celebratory cigar. He was sentenced to 10 years.
Still ahead, a critical bridge for Russian forces comes under attack. The reported sea drones could be part of Ukraine's growing domestic arsenal.
Plus fresh from talks in the E.U., the Ukrainian foreign minister speaks with CNN's Christiane Amanpour. We'll have more after a short break. Stay with us.
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BRUNHUBER: Now to Crimea, where Russia says it's foiled three attacks on a vital bridge in the past few hours. The ministry of defense says it destroyed three Ukrainian sea drones loaded with explosives launched at the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge.
It's just the latest attempt at an attack on the bridge, which is a critical lifeline for Russian forces. Meanwhile, Ukraine's security service has identified a Russian commander that's been accused of participating in the atrocities in Bucha last year.
The SBU says Vadym Ovchinnikov ordered his subordinates to open fire on two cars carrying civilians. A man, his wife and their 15-year-old daughter were killed instantly. Only the youngest daughter, who was 9 at the time, survived.
CNN's Katie Polglase joins me now.
What more are we learning?
KATIE POLGLASE, CNN INVESTIGATIVE RESEARCHER: It's worth pointing out that Crimea has been a focus throughout this conflict and has been occupied by Russia from before this conflict, back in 2014.
Ukrainian leadership have always maintained it should be Ukrainian, it should be Ukrainian controlled. And that clearly, from these attacks we're seeing, is still a key message of part of this offensive. Have a listen to what Ukrainian President Zelenskyy had to say about the importance of Crimea.
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VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Without Crimea, without Donbas, without occupied territories, there can be no real, sustainable peace in Ukraine and Europe.
Please have a look at what has happened to Crimea when it is under the control of the Russian Federation.
Does civilization exist there?
No.
Does tourism exist there? No.
Did they increase the number of workplaces?
No.
Did entrepreneurs open their businesses there?
No.
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POLGLASE: Now these drone attacks that happened overnight connect the Kerch Bridge to occupied Crimea. That's why the attacks have been focused in this area. It is a key strategic route for Russia to access Crimea.
And these sea drones come in a week of many drone attacks we've been talking about all week really. There's been quite serious drone assaults on Russian territory. This time sea ones are cross targeting the bridge.
They're really unmanned boats with explosives on board. Ukraine has been clear not to mention that they take any responsibility but they have talked about their use of sea drones in the past.
We spoke to the head of Ukraine's security service, who said these sea drones are a unique invention by Ukrainians and they do not have private companies that make them. Ukraine explains they have this capacity. They are making these drones themselves and showing Russia they can use them on a variety of targets.
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POLGLASE: Whether that's by sea or by air at an increasingly far distance.
BRUNHUBER: Yes. We're also hearing warnings from Russia about a nuclear capable ICBM system that can deter its enemies.
What can you tell us?
POLGLASE: Clearly this is Russia's reminder to the world that it has a very capable nuclear arsenal. It was due to go out in September 2022. It is now ready to go on duty now, according to the Russian government.
And it's a clear reminder, let's not forget, that President Putin warned back in April, they're capable of reaching the United States and anyone threatening Russia should be very careful.
It's very strong rhetoric, rhetoric we've heard many times before and it comes at a time when Russia itself has been under attack. We've been talking about attacks on Russian territory throughout this week, presumably from Ukrainian drones.
So this rhetoric around Russia having these powerful weapons is coming alongside potential threat to the Russian territory itself.
BRUNHUBER: Katie Polglase from London, thank you, appreciate it.
Ukraine's foreign minister attended a roundtable meeting with foreign ministers from the E.U. on Thursday. Upon his return to Kyiv, Dmytro Kuleba spoke with CNN's Christiane Amanpour about promised weapons from Ukraine's allies. Here's part of the interview.
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DMYTRO KULEBA, UKRAINIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: I wish some things happened and arrived in Ukraine some time ago. But things happen as they happen. Countries need time to go through their reflection process, decision-making process.
And we're not criticizing anyone for being too slow in providing weapons because we understand that there's a certainly reality. So, please, again, governments, do not criticize our counteroffensive for being slow.
But then I ask experts and commentators also to respect that we are fighting with what we have against an enemy who is strong.
But the most important, of course, decision of recent months is the agreement reached between President Zelenskyy, President Biden, prime minister of Netherlands, Denmark and Norway on providing Ukraine with F-16s and we are deeply grateful to the United States for giving green light for these deliveries.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm just going to read what you said in Paris.
"The number of minefields and fortifications is unprecedented. Russian drones, helicopters and planes dominate the air."
So we talked a little bit about that and what you need.
But can we talk about then what actually your forces seem to be doing?
And that is really deploying drones. And we saw an attack inside Russia, very far inside Russia this week, the first such attack; took out their troop-carrying planes and damaged an airfield.
And attacks on Moscow and the like, now I know you never normally talk about this stuff but, actually, one of your generals did and did confirm it and did confirm that those planes were deliberately targeted. I don't know what you can say about that.
But what are your allies saying about you attacking inside Russia?
First of all, can you confirm that for us?
KULEBA: Well, when I'm asked this question, my answer is always the same. I -- as foreign minister, I do commend what happens in other countries. But in the case of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, I do not
commend what happened -- on what happens in Russia. This is their business. I think it's President Putin who --
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AMANPOUR: No, no; meant to the Ukrainians attacking inside Russia.
KULEBA: Yes. But I don't know who exactly is and what is doing that and why it is happening. I think the question should be different. And it's the question that the people of Russia should ask President Putin.
Why, instead of protecting us and our lives, you are sending our men to the war in Ukraine, making them die in thousands?
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BRUNHUBER: North Korea fired more missiles early Saturday. South Korea's joint chiefs of staff says it detected several cruise missiles, adding that the missiles were fired into the Yellow Sea. Military officials say they're analyzing details. The U.S. and South Korea just wrapped up joint military exercises on Thursday.
Still ahead, the candidate of the New Right. How Vivek Ramaswamy is gaining traction among a rising force in the Republican Party.
Plus storm warnings in Asia. After one typhoon barrels past Hong Kong, another one threatens Taiwan with even more wind and rain. Stay with us.
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BRUNHUBER: And welcome back to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN NEWSROOM.
He has a record of blatant contradictions on policies and wild conspiracies on January 6th and 9/11. Vivek Ramaswamy has come under scrutiny but has also generated support from some Republicans. The 38 -year old represents a generational shift for the Grand Old Party.
As Kyung Lah reports, the so-called candidate of the New Right says he is here to say.
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VIVEK RAMASWAMY (R-OH), 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I started at not 0 percent but 0.0 percent in March.
Hey everyone, how are you?
KYUNG LAH, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From obscurity to caucus curiosity.
RAMASWAMY: We fight for the truth. We stand up for the truth. That is what won us the American Revolution. That is what will win us the revolution of 2024.
LAH (voice-over): Standing before a sign with one word, "Truth," Vivek Ramaswamy, 38-year-old former biotech exact and first time candidate is hitting multiple corners of Iowa, seeking to capitalize on a political moment--
RAMASWAMY: Nice to meet you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good to see you.
LAH (voice-over): Fueled by a Trump-like populism.
RAMASWAMY: I think what we have a lot of in this country are like conspiracy realists. And so as I am one of them.
LAH (voice-over): That some supporters prefer to the Republican frontrunner.
LAH: Do you think he can beat Trump?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, without a doubt. I am -- we are tired of losing. Trump lost.
LAH: It doesn't seem to make sense. How are you going to beat Trump when you have a Trump base and he is running?
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RAMASWAMY: I think the way I'm going to do it is by speaking in an uninhibited way. I think I'm the only candidate in this race at this point that is speaking my mind truly without running it through preordained filters.
That's proving to be a competitive advantage. You know, it does draw some backlash at times but I think that's what people in this country are hungry for.
LAH (voice-over): Ramaswamy brushes off criticism that he plays loose with the truth even on the debate stage.
CHRIS CHRISTIE (R-NJ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: In your book, you had much different things to say about Donald Trump than you're saying here tonight.
RAMASWAMY: That's not true.
LAH (voice-over): But it is true. In his 2022 book, Ramaswamy did praise parts of Trump's record while also offering sharp criticism of how Trump handled his 2020 election defeat. RAMASWAMY: We might as well embrace it as our last best chance.
LAH (voice-over): Ramaswamy takes Trump's style even further on the issues, pledging to fire 75 percent of federal workers, eliminate all affirmative action in America and use US drones to attack Mexican drug cartels, all while bucking the very party whose nomination he wants.
RAMASWAMY: Using the Republican Party as a vehicle for advancing in America First agenda.
LAH: Your fellow Republicans have called you --
RAMASWAMY: I just want to stop you there for one second. I kind of cringe when someone says fellow Republicans. I'm not a party man.
LAH: But this is still a caucus system.
RAMASWAMY: Yes, absolutely.
LAH: A party system.
RAMASWAMY: Well, I think many people who will be caucusing in the Republican Party are like me, people who are disgusted with the establishment.
LAH: So you don't need the party structure.
RAMASWAMY: I don't need the party structure. No, we need -- we need the patriots who represent the people of this country. That's what we need.
And the Russia-China military alliance --
LAH (voice-over): But the more some Iowans hear from Ramaswamy, the more you hear questions about his foreign policy ideas.
RAMASWAMY: Just do the math in your head.
LAH (voice-over): Like giving parts of eastern Ukraine to Russia.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was the one that asked the question about Ukraine. I think he's wrong about the Ukraine.
LAH (voice-over): And whether this Ramaswamy moment is just that, a moment.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's the new flavor of the month. I mean, we've seen this in previous presidential races, too. Someone catches on for a little bit then they fade.
LAH: So some of the words that have been used to describe you, political performance artist, absurd excuse for a presidential candidate, obnoxious, annoying, conspiratorial, little regard to truth, ideology or the practicalities of American government. How do you respond to people who say, this guy is an opportunist, he's an interloper? RAMASWAMY: I guess I'm never going to debunk somebody else's preconceived notion and nor am I going to try to. My job in this race is to tell everybody who I am and what I stand for.
LAH: Ramaswamy will spend his Labor Day weekend in New Hampshire. After that, he'll be back in Iowa for another jam-packed schedule. He says, as far as field strategy and ground game, energy, he's in it to matter -- Kyung Lah, CNN, Des Moines.
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BRUNHUBER: In Pennsylvania, authorities are still looking for a convicted murderer who escaped from prison near Philadelphia Thursday morning. He may be heading for Mexico before the Brazilian national goes back to his home country.
On Friday the DA's office said they were increasing the reward to $10,000 for information leading to his capture. He was convicted for the brutal stabbing death of his former girlfriend in front of her two children. He's also wanted in Brazil for a murder there.
Well, Pope Francis is on the road again, this time traveling to a faraway place, where there are very few Catholics.
And days after a military junta seized control in Gabon, a coup's leader is promising an eventual return to democracy. We'll have a live report coming up. Stay with us.
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BRUNHUBER (voice-over): The sounds of blowing conch shells rang out over the sunrise over Maui on Friday, part of a day-long vigil honoring the victims of the wildfire. People gathered to sing and pray in ceremonies lasting from sunrise to sunset.
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BRUNHUBER: U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will be in Maui later today, touring the area with congressional lawmakers. They want to see firsthand what happened on the island and plan to meet with officials involved in the recovery efforts.
Typhoon Saola began losing strength after lashing Hong Kong with high wind and rain. Officials say gale force winds are affecting many places, so much so the international airport has rescheduled around 480 flights for today. There have also been reports of flooding and fallen trees but so far no casualties or massive damage.
Meanwhile to the east, Typhoon Haikui is churning toward Taiwan and is expected to gain more strength as it edges closer to the island.
France's president is making no apologies for banning certain types of Muslim dress during the upcoming school year. The latest ban targets abayas, a long, robelike garment.
Despite sharp criticism over the decision, President Emmanuel Macron Friday reaffirmed that abayas and other religious symbols would not be allowed in France's schools. And he said teachers would have additional help to enforce the new rules.
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EMMANUEL MACRON, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (through translator): In the most difficult high schools, special staff will be seconded to work alongside head teachers and teachers to support them and to engage in the necessary dialogue with families and pupils.
But we won't let anything get past us. At the start of the new school year, I'm going to be frank with you, we know that there will be cases, because we know that there will be, some through negligence, perhaps, but many to try to defy the republican system. We must be uncompromising.
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BRUNHUBER: Critics have in fact denounced the latest ban as a new Islamophobic campaign. But Macron said displaying religious symbols in schools is contrary to France's secular education policies.
Days after a coup in Gabon swept the president from power, the new military leader promised an eventual return to democracy.
In a televised address, Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema said he does not want to rush into new elections that make, quote, "the same mistakes as the previous regime."
A recent vote that gave President Ali Bongo a third term was marked by irregularities and an internet shutdown. In his remarks, Nguema said the break with democratic norms would not be permanent. For more on all this, CNN international correspondent Jim Bittermann joins us now.
Take us through the latest.
JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SR. INTL. CORRESPONDENT: I think for one thing, this break will not be a permanent part.
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BITTERMANN: General Nguema's speech is what everybody is looking at.
What does that mean exactly?
The history of coups around the world is that the military, once it takes power, is very reluctant to give it back up. So while the opposition cheered the overthrow of the Bongo dynasty, which has been going on for more than 50 years, now they're a little dubious after hearing this televised address.
Here's the way the televised address went as General Nguema went to the public.
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GEN. BRICE OLIGUI NGUEMA (through translator): The dissolution of the institutions of the republic is temporary. The aim is to reorganize them, to make them more democratic tools, more in line with international standards in terms of the respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law.
But also in the fight against corruption, which has become commonplace in our country, money laundering and above all, the preservation of the environment, which is a battle dear to our country.
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BITTERMANN: France is watching very carefully and seeing what kind of substance is behind General Nguema's words. In any case, the French have a great deal of vested interest in Gabon. They do about 3 billion euros of business every year with them.
At the moment no one is saying anything about evacuating those French citizens but there are also 400 French soldiers who might aid in an evacuation if it becomes necessary. But at the moment, it's not happening.
BRUNHUBER: Jim Bittermann, thank you so much.
For the 43rd time since becoming head of the Catholic Church, 86-year- old Pope Francis is again traveling to far-off places, this time making a first-ever visit to Mongolia. It's a curious choice since Mongolia is mostly Buddhist and has very few Catholics.
Two dozen Catholics from neighboring China were there to greet him. Pope Francis is in Mongolia until Monday. Joining us is senior Vatican analyst John Allen.
John, there seems to be a lot more to the pope's agenda than just Mongolia itself.
Why would he travel some 5,000 miles to visit fewer than 1,500 Catholics?
JOHN ALLEN, CNN SR. VATICAN ANALYST: This trip is probably going to set a new record for the country with the fewest Catholics than any pope has ever visited. The conventional estimate is about 1,450. He can actually shake every Catholic's hand in the country before he is done.
Why Mongolia?
Because in part this is simply the apotheosis of one of the hallmarks of the Francis papacy, which is the outreach to the peripheries. This is a pope who generally bypasses the established centers of power and wants to reach out to those forgotten, neglected and marginalized places on the globe and try to give them a moment in the sun.
But that said, Kim, we also should not forget that, although Mongolia is a tremendously sparsely populated place of around 3 million people, it nevertheless is nestled cheek by jowl with two superpowers, China and Russia.
Given particularly the conflict in Ukraine, obviously this trip gives him the opportunity to address those two giants.
BRUNHUBER: Absolutely. So one of those giants, China, explain how the Catholic Church functions there.
It sort of has two parallel tracks, one official and one underground, right?
ALLEN: Yes. Since the Communists took over in 1929, the Catholic community has been split broadly speaking between an official church that is recognized by the government and an unofficial or underground church, sometimes called a catacombs church.
The Vatican's long-term project has been to try to heal that rift, try to put the two churches back together. They don't want a schism, where the church does not have any relationship with authorities in Rome.
They signed a deal in 2018 to try to regularize the appointment of bishops. Critics will tell you that the Vatican kind of threw out the baby with the bathwater on the deal and gave up too much and China is repeatedly violating it.
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ALLEN: But the Vatican is hoping over time all of this will work out and will lead to full diplomatic relations between Rome and Beijing. I think they see this trip to Mongolia in the presence of a small but nevertheless resolute number of Catholics as a down payment on that ultimate goal.
BRUNHUBER: Fascinating trip, since the pope's health has been in question over the past couple of months. But we'll continue following. John Allen in Rome, thank you so much. Appreciate it.
Still to coming Spain's sports court opens a case against Luis Rubiales over that kiss. Carolyn Manno joins me next. Please stay with us.
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BRUNHUBER: Breaking news: longtime entrepreneur and musician Jimmy Buffett has died. He was 76 years old. His music will forever be associated with warm beaches and easygoing lifestyle, and outlaw shaker of salt.
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BRUNHUBER: He began his career in country music but found himself singing about a mythical tropical place called Margaritaville.
The singer was hospitalized and had to postpone a show in May. He didn't say what was ailing him but would perform as soon as he was able to. He passed away peacefully on Friday, surrounded by his family, friends and dogs, living, quote, "like a song until the very last breath."
We'll have more coverage in the hours ahead.
All right, we're now approaching two weeks since the Spanish soccer team won the Women's World Cup and the scandalous turmoil of the aftermath shows no signs of abating. CNN's Carolyn Manno joins us now from New York with the latest developments.
Luis Rubiales had quite an admission. Take us through it.
CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has really been under fire ever since that famous kiss now when he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips.
On Friday, he released this statement, saying he will continue defending himself, to, quote, "prove the truth."
Now, he did write, "I made some obvious mistakes which I regret sincerely from the heart. It is true that for such errors I have asked for forgiveness."
He went on to say, "I have learned that no matter how great the joy and deep the emotion, even when a World Cup is won, sports leaders must be required to exhibit exemplary behavior and mine wasn't."
This is after Spain's sports tribunal opened a misconduct case against him. Last week FIFA said it was suspending him from all football- related activities for 90 days. That's the latest there.
In the meantime, Novak Djokovic is still on track to win a record 24th grand slam title at the U.S. Open but he had to do it the hard way on Friday night. He dropped the first two sets to fellow player Laslo Djere and battled all the way back to win in a match that did not end until 1:30 in the morning.
A lot of people were looking at the match like one that might trip Novak up. Afterwards, the 36-year old admitted even he had to pump himself up after being pushed to the brink.
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NOVAK DJOKOVIC, TENNIS STAR: I did a little pep talk in the mirror. I kind of laughed at myself because I was so pissed off and agitated and annoyed with the result and the game. But you know, I had to kind of force myself to lift myself up. So (INAUDIBLE) a little bit I've done it two times before in my career; it worked two times.
I didn't work but tonight it did and I'm grateful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MANNO: There's no player mentally tougher in the game.
In the meantime on the women's side, number 6 seed Coco Gauff also got off to a rough start. The 19-year-old American made error after error in the first set against Elise Mertens and then turned it around, winning the last 10 games in a row to advance to the round of 16.
She will face former world number one Caroline Wozniacki on Sunday. That might be the most watched and anticipated match so far. Wozniacki is back after being away for three years and having children.
Finally football college season will get underway with more than 70 games this weekend. It didn't look like that was going to be the case. The Cardinals were down by 15 points at half. Quarterback Jack Plumber rallying his troops for three touchdown passes to score 27 unanswered as Louisville pulls off their first ever victory in the state of Georgia.
Back to you.
BRUNHUBER: And that game just taking place a few feet from where I'm standing. But of course, the big question, will that other Georgia team, the Bulldogs, repeat their national championship from last year. We will see. Carolyn Manno in New York. Thank you so much. Really appreciate it.
India has just launched its first observation mission to the sun. Have a look.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four, three, two, one, zero; plus five seconds. Liftoff normal.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are ready. (INAUDIBLE) ready. Magnificent liftoff of the Aditya 57 (ph) with --
BRUNHUBER (voice-over): India's space agency is sending the probe to a region about 900,000 miles from our planet. The mission is carrying scientific instruments to observe the sun's outermost layers in a four-month journey.
It was just over a week ago that India became the first nation to land a spacecraft near the moon's south pole.
[05:55:00]
BRUNHUBER: You may recall Russia's spacecraft crashed into the moon about two weeks ago and seems to have literally left its mark. Take a look.
A new crater appears on the lunar surface. NASA officials say it was likely created when Russia's unscrewed Luna 25 spacecraft collided on August 1st. NASA released these photos days after that crash. Russia's space agency says its first lunar mission in 50 years went wrong because of an engine failure.
Taylor Swift is at it again. The pop star's "Eras Tour" film is already smashing presale records just hours after sharing the film's trailer on social media, inviting people to check it out in theaters in North America come October.
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TAYLOR SWIFT, MUSIC ARTIST (voice-over): People come up to me and they're going to me like, just do a show with all the albums in it.
And I was like, "Yes, it's going to be called the Eras Tour. See you there."
BRUNHUBER (voice-over): AMC Theaters says it pulled in a whopping $26 million in one day. The big day easily beat the previous record holder, "Spider-Man: No Way Home," that came in at just under $17 million in 2021. And AMC says Swift smashed the record within three hours of tickets going on sale.
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BRUNHUBER: I'm Kim Brunhuber. You can follow me on X, formerly known as Twitter, @KimBrunhuber. For the rest of the world it's "AFRICAN VOICES: CHANGEMAKERS"
