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South Korean President Released from Detention; Trump Threatens New Sanctions on Russia; U.S. and Ukraine Gear Up for Resumption of Talks Next Week; More than 225 Killed in Clashes in Syria; Official Says Gene Hackman and Wife Died of Natural Causes; Measles Outbreak in Texas Worsens to Nearly 200 Cases; International Women's Day Sees One in Four Nations Report Backlash on Women's Rights; Scammers Using AI Videos to Steal Personal Info; Alfred Whips Australia's Eastern Coast. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired March 08, 2025 - 04:00   ET

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

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LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hello and welcome to our viewers around the world. I'm Lynda Kinkade. This is CNN NEWSROOM.

Just ahead, more high stakes Ukraine peace talks are set as Russia ramps up its assault. We'll have the latest on the war and the mixed messages coming from the White House.

U.S. president Donald Trump makes a new tariff threat against Canada and warns his strategy won't be ending anytime soon.

And on this International Women's Day, the United Nations has a new report out on the growing backlash on women's rights.

But we begin with breaking news. South Korea's president has just been released from detention. Take a look at these pictures coming into us right now. You can see the president Yoon Suk-yeol in this video just moments ago, waving to supporters as he walked out of the detention center.

Yoon was impeached and indicted on criminal charges after declaring martial law in December. He was then detained in January. On Friday, a court ordered for him to be released. CNN's Mike Valerio is live for us in Seoul. He's joining us on the phone right now.

Mike, good to have you with us. So the indicted president, now released. Just explain why.

MIKE VALERIO, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Lynda, this matters, first of all, for everybody joining us around the world, because this was an effort to try to hold the president criminally responsible for declaring martial law on December 3rd, throwing the country into chaos.

So what just happened? A court here in the heart of Seoul said, you know, he should be released. There were some procedures that were erroneously followed from the court's point of view. And there were two main issues that they found.

They said, first of all, he was charged too late after he was put in jail. That's issue number one.

And issue number two, they said that the corruption investigators may not have had the authority to arrest him on the charge of insurrection. It's pretty vague in South Korean law and it's something that needs to be resolved.

And the court is trying to do this, to raise these issues and give Yoon Suk-yeol, the suspended president, the benefit of the doubt here and release him, because they don't want any issues down the road when this goes to trial. They don't want a verdict overturned on some sort of technicality or violation of the defendant's rights.

So that is why we see South Korea's embattled president released from jail. He's been in jail for about 52 days now. And make no mistake, this is a huge support, a huge boon, victory for the suspended president and his supporters.

This is not a situation, Lynda, where the suspended president has only a few people who are in his corner. This is a very divided country. There are conservative supporters throughout South Korea who may say that, you know what?

Martial law might have been too much but we're still standing behind our guy. And they think that it's wholly unfair that he was thrown into jail as he awaits criminal trial on martial law.

Meanwhile, Lynda, wrapping up here in the next few days, he's also under impeachment proceedings. So we're going to learn whether he stays or goes as president of this country. Lynda.

KINKADE: All right. Mike Valerio, joining us with that breaking news from Seoul, South Korea. Thanks very much.

VALERIO: Thanks, Lynda.

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KINKADE: Well, Ukraine is taking more deadly fire from Russia just as Kyiv prepares to talk peace with Washington. Officials say at least 23 people were killed, more than 50 others injured over the past day.

And in the latest barrage, Russian drones and missiles pummeled targets across eastern and southern Ukraine, including the city of Dobropillia. Authorities say 11 people were killed there and eight residential buildings damaged. Some people could still be trapped in the rubble.

Washington and Kyiv are set to resume talks in Saudi Arabia next week, following the recent clash between their leaders in the White House. On Friday, U.S. president Donald Trump threatened to slap more

sanctions on Russia because of continuing strikes on Ukraine. Russia making it clear that it's not having second thoughts. But Mr. Trump still appeared to offer Moscow a way out.

[04:05:00]

He said he may find it easier to work with Russia than Ukraine in his push for peace. He also had sympathetic words for Russian president Vladimir Putin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

QUESTION: Do you, Mr. President, think that Vladimir Putin is taking advantage of the U.S. pause right now on intelligence and military aid to Ukraine?

TRUMP: No, I actually think he's doing what anybody else would do. I think he's a -- I think he wants to get it stopped and settled. And I think he's hitting him harder than he's been hitting him. And I think probably anybody in that position would be doing that right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Well, for more, Nada Bashir joins us from London.

Good to see you. So Donald Trump certainly been frustrated that he hasn't been able to end the war on day one in office, as he promised. Not even close. He has, of course, suspended military and intelligence sharing and satellite images for Ukraine.

But for the first time, he is threatening some sanctions on Russia, although still speaking fondly of Putin. Just take us through what he said.

NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. There has been that threat from the U.S. president of potential sanctions on Russia if we don't see a cessation of hostilities, if we see the continuation of the targeting of Ukraine, as we've seen intensifying over recent days.

But simultaneously, president Trump has also been downplaying the importance and significance of security guarantees from the U.S. for Ukraine. And that is, of course, a crucial factor and a crucial focus point for President Zelenskyy as these talks and negotiations with U.S. officials continue.

We know, of course, that there have been ongoing discussions over recent days. President Trump has indicated that he believes Ukraine has little choice or perhaps little leverage when it comes to what sort of deal is on the table.

And as you mentioned, we have seen that shift from the Trump administration when it comes to the support being offered to Ukraine. We've seen pauses in military aid. We've seen a suspension in Ukraine's access to crucial satellite imagery that has assisted the Ukrainian military in monitoring and assessing Russian troop movements.

And, of course, we've also seen the scaling back of shared intelligence from the U.S. when it comes to information that could assist Ukraine in targeting Russia. So real concern as to what a deal brokered by the United States could look like and what that could mean for Ukraine's security future.

We know, of course, that both Ukrainian officials and U.S. officials will be meeting at the beginning of next week in Saudi Arabia to continue discussions. The U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will be -- is expected to be present at those discussions and negotiations.

And we've previously heard some positive indications from President Zelenskyy following discussions with European officials around the potential for a ceasefire with Russia in the air and in the sea. So bringing an end to those missile attacks, to those drone attacks and also halting military operations in the Black Sea.

But, of course, discussions are ongoing. That pressure is mounting, certainly on the Ukrainian side now, potentially on the Russian side as well.

We heard yesterday, following that call between the U.S. secretary of state, Marco Rubio and the Ukrainian foreign minister from the State Department, reiterating U.S. president Donald Trump's wish to see an immediate end to the war in Ukraine.

But also saying that both sides need to take steps to ensure that there is an end to the war and a sustainable peace deal between both Russia and Ukraine.

We later did hear from the Ukrainian foreign minister as well, again reiterating Ukraine's wish to see an end to the war but also saying that they believe Ukraine -- the U.S., rather -- continues to have an essential role in bringing an end to this war and securing that peace agreement.

KINKADE: And speaking of the war on the battlefield, we know that Russia has made advances in the last few days with the help of North Korean soldiers, as well as drones and missiles.

What's the latest?

BASHIR: Well, we have continued to see that advancement and continue to see deadly strikes across Ukraine. Just in the last day, at least 23 people killed; more than 50 are injured following Russian attacks in parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, including the Donetsk, Kherson and Kharkiv regions.

We've been hearing from Ukrainian officials, who have warned that there could be more people still trapped under the rubble of their homes. At least eight residential buildings were damaged just in the last day, Ukrainian officials saying that these regions were targeted by at least three missiles and a barrage of drone attacks.

Around 145 fired in the last day -- or launched in the last day, rather, by Russia. The vast majority, according to Ukrainian officials, were either shot down or did not reach their targets. But again, another deadly day for Ukraine. Lynda.

KINKADE: Nada Bashir for us in London, good to have you on this story. Thank you.

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Syria's transitional government is urging civilians to stay away from security operations following the worst unrest since the fall of the Assad regime.

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KINKADE (voice-over): The Syrian Network for Human Rights says more than 225 people have been killed since Thursday in clashes between government security forces and supporters of ousted president Bashar al Assad.

The group says the death toll includes at least 100 government personnel and 125 civilians.

In a televised speech Friday, Syria's transitional president vowed to pursue those responsible for killing security forces. He also urged security personnel against what he called excessive or unjustified responses. The violence has sparked pro- and anti-government demonstrations in several cities.

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KINKADE: President Trump is dismissing reports of conflict between Elon Musk and secretary of state Marco Rubio.

"The New York Times" is reporting that Musk and Rubio butted heads in a cabinet meeting Thursday. The headline reads, "Inside the Explosive Meeting Where Trump Officials Clashed with Elon Musk."

The subhead reads, "Simmering anger at the billionaire's unchecked power spilled out in a remarkable Cabinet Room meeting. The president quickly moved to rein in Mr. Musk.

And on Friday, Mr. Trump said there was nothing to see.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: No clash. I was there. You're just a troublemaker. And you're not supposed to be asking that question, because we're talking about the World Cup.

GABE GUTIERREZ, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, NBC NEWS: But--

TRUMP: Elon gets along great with Marco and they're both doing a fantastic job. There is no clash.

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KINKADE: The report says the U.S. Transportation Secretary also aired his differences with Musk during that meeting.

We get another twist in the bitter North American trade war that seems to shift on an hourly basis. U.S. president Donald Trump is now threatening Canada with tariffs on lumber and dairy products. He claims the U.S. and its northern neighbor is cheating American farmers.

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TRUMP: Canada has been ripping us off for years on tariffs, for lumber and for dairy products.

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KINKADE: Well, it comes just a day after Mr. Trump offered Ottawa a one month reprieve for products that complied with an existing trade agreement.

Earlier, the Canada bureau chief for "The New York Times" spoke with CNN about the Canadians, about how Canadians are handling that situation that seems to show no sign of abating.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATINA STEVIS-GRIDNEFF, CANADA BUREAU CHIEF, "THE NEW YORK TIMES": I think at this point Canadians and the Canadian government are sort of.

Beyond the point of frustration. I think they've moved into anger. That's kind of culminating in resolve.

Some of the things we're hearing across the political spectrum here -- and it is important and we're in an election year. And so it's really interesting to watch political parties in Canada coalesce around certain principles.

Those are, diversify our friends; you know, rely less on our southern partner, former partner and look to Europe and to other places for friends and for allies as well as, you know, bolster intra-Canadian trade.

Obviously, these are not going to replace the relationship with the United States, which is so vital. But I can tell you that there's a lot of resolve and actually societal level decision to change that relationship with the United States, which really seems to have been breached and injured in a really serious way.

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KINKADE: Well, addressing his chaotic tariff strategy on Friday, president Trump said changes and adjustments should be expected in the future.

U.S. stocks rose Friday after a late rally but, overall, it has been miserable for Wall Street as uncertainty around tariffs grips the market. All three major indices were down for the week and the benchmark S&P 500 posted its worst weekly performance since September. There is some good news, though. February was a solid month for job

gains. Figures released Friday show the U.S. economy added 151,000 jobs during Mr. Trump's first full month back in office. However, economists were expecting a 160,000 net gain.

Well, the unemployment rate hit 4.1 percent. That's up from 4 percent in the month before.

When we return, officials announced Gene Hackman's cause of death and the rare disease that killed his wife.

Plus, Pope Francis has now been in the hospital for more than three weeks. We'll have an update on the pontiff's condition next.

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KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade.

A developing story right now in Toronto, Canada. Police searching for three men who opened fire outside a pub in the city's Scarborough district; 12 people were injured, six of them shot. The victims range in age from their 20s to mid 50s.

Police say at this time no one has died of their injuries. Stay with CNN for updates on this story.

We're learning new details about the cause of death for Oscar winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife. Investigators are revealing that Hackman died of heart disease. They say his wife likely died days earlier from a rare virus linked to rodents. CNN's Veronica Miracle reports.

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VERONICA MIRACLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A mystery that captured the world's attention now appears to be a terrible tragedy.

Oscar winner Gene Hackman, in ailing health and suffering from Alzheimer's, was likely with his wife's body for days after she suddenly died of an infectious disease.

DR. HEATHER JARRELL, CHIEF MEDICAL INVESTIGATOR, NEW MEXICO OFFICE OF MEDICAL INVESTIGATOR: The cause of death for Ms. Betsy Hackman, aged 65 years, is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The manner of death is natural.

MIRACLE: Humans can get the rare hantavirus disease from contact with rodents and it's transmitted to people through their feces or urine. Investigators say she died suddenly, likely a week before her husband.

JARRELL: Was he aware that Ms. Hackman had died?

And I think that question is difficult to answer. But I can tell you that he was in an advanced state of Alzheimer's and it's quite possible that he was not aware that she was deceased.

The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman, aged 95 years, is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor.

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MIRACLE: Hackman's pacemaker data showed he likely died on February 18th. According to investigators, Betsy was last seen on surveillance video at a local CVS and grocery store on February 11th.

While they don't know her exact time of death, they believe she died that day. Officials say hantavirus is a serious disease but rare. The Santa Fe County fire chief isn't aware of the last case they've had in the county.

JARRELL: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare disease caused by hantaviruses but a small number of human infections are found every year in New Mexico, 42 percent of these infections here in New Mexico were fatal.

MIRACLE: On February 26th, the couple were discovered dead by maintenance workers. Officials did not find any signs of forced entry but considered the circumstances suspicious enough to warrant a thorough investigation.

The 95 year old actor was found on the ground in a mud room, according to a search warrant. Arakawa Hackman was found on the ground inside a bathroom next to an open prescription pill bottle with pills scattered.

One of the couple's three dogs was found dead in a locked crate near Arakawa's body. The dog had recently visited the vet before Betsy died.

SHERIFF ADAN MENDOZA, SANTA FE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: There was a procedure that was done with the with the dog, which may explain why the dog was in a crate at the residence.

MIRACLE: Officials are still waiting for the exact cause of death for the dog but they can say it didn't die of hantavirus as dogs can't get the disease. They believe the dog may have died from starvation.

Betsy was 30 years younger than Gene and appeared to be his caretaker. So when she died, it appears there was no one to care for him. The medical examiner said he had no food in his stomach when he died.

In terms of the investigation, authorities say this is still an open investigation. They're reviewing cell phone records. They're also going to review the results of the dogs' necropsy and they're going to be releasing body camera footage. But they are winding this investigation down -- Veronica Miracle, CNN, Santa Fe, New Mexico. (END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: The measles outbreak in West Texas is growing. Health officials report nearly 200 confirmed cases in the area. That's up from 159 on Tuesday. The majority of the cases are among children aged 17 and under. CNN's Nick Watt spoke with people in the midst of the outbreak for this report.

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NICK WATT, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The epicenter of the measles outbreak is rural Gaines County. Why here?

Why now?

WATT: Is this coming from the Mennonite community?

DR. LEILA MYRICK, FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN IN SEMINOLE, TEXAS: That's the biggest cohort of the population that is unvaccinated and so the predominant people that are -- we're seeing with it are in the Mennonite community but it's not only them.

WATT (voice-over): The Mennonites are Anabaptists who farmed around here since the 1970s. Tina Siemens runs a museum.

TINA SIEMENS, OWNER, WEST TEXAS LIVING HERITAGE MUSEUM: It literally goes back to the 1500s back in Germany.

WATT (voice-over): Charting her people's centuries-long flight from religious persecution and their time here in Texas.

SIEMENS: (Speaking in Foreign Language)

WATT (voice-over): She's now translating health department offers of vaccines.

SIEMENS: (Speaking in Foreign Language). No one will be turned away if they cannot meet the payment.

WATT (voice-over): But that's falling on some deaf ears. Older Mennonites like Tina had to get the vaccine to get American citizenship after immigrating here. But now?

WATT: The younger generation is choosing not to vaccinate.

SIEMENS: Because they have the capability of educating themselves.

WATT: So this is not a blind religious belief, this is an educated -- whether it's right or wrong, this is an educated choice?

SIEMENS: Absolutely.

WATT (voice-over): But is in line with centuries of Mennonite tradition self-sufficiency.

SIEMENS: They have been self-sustaining. They did not go to the local doctor for everything because they had a home remedy.

WATT (voice-over): Still she feels her people are being scapegoated while others around here also refuse the vaccine. Across Gaines County, more than 17 percent of kids in public schools have a so- called conscientious exemption so don't need to be vaccinated. That's according to the latest state figures and is among the highest in the state which is just one of 16 states that allows that. There are hesitance among the non-Mennonites.

MYRICK: I think COVID did bring a lot of distrust to the public and it certainly didn't help us with already people having distrust of the health care system.

WATT: There's a very friendly small town vibe around here. People very happy to chat over lunch about the weather and whatnot, even when they know we're from CNN.

But people we've spoken to, who are against the vaccine, they'll tell us over the phone that they think it's dangerous, that they value personal and medical liberty but they won't talk to us with a camera. They say that they fear that their message will be misconstrued, that they'll be judged and that people will just hate on them.

[04:25:04]

MYRICK: We are trying our best to communicate to the public.

WATT: Do you speak to them about why they're hesitant?

MYRICK: It can vary from their parents didn't vaccinate them or it could be that they read certain things from wherever on the internet association with autism or association with vaccine injury. A lot of different misbeliefs.

WATT: Do you see this getting much worse before it gets better here?

MYRICK: Honestly with the numbers that we're seeing now, I think it is going to just get worse from here. I think our chances of keeping it contained has gone out the window.

WATT (voice-over): Some not many among the vaccine skeptical Mennonites and others are now coming in to get the shots.

SIEMENS: You know, I heard of the family yesterday that really encouraged the vaccine. So there's --

WATT: There's a range?

SIEMENS: There's a range.

WATT: And it's personal choice.

SIEMENS: Got it. That's key.

WATT: OK. OK.

SIEMENS: Personal choice. And praise the Lord we have that freedom here in America.

WATT: What's happening in Texas is essentially a perfect storm: large vaccine-skeptical Mennonite community, growing vaccine skepticism across the broader community and laws in Texas that allow people to express that skepticism by not getting their kids vaccinated.

Skepticism is rising across the U.S. Vaccine rates are falling. So the potential for more outbreaks like this is on the rise -- Nick Watt, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, Pope Francis spent a peaceful night in hospital. The Vatican, saying in an update released a short time ago, that the pontiff had a quiet evening. The 88 year old continues to receive therapy to help his breathing as he battles pneumonia in both lungs.

A Vatican source said Friday that the pope's condition was stable but complex and his prognosis is still guarded. The pontiff's first audio broadcast since his admission was released late Thursday. The Vatican source says the pope wanted to record a message to express his gratitude to people for their prayers.

Well, today is International Women's Day but the U.N. is warning of a backlash and threat to the progress made on women's rights. Have the details next.

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KINKADE: Welcome back to our viewers around the world. I'm Lynda Kinkade. This is CNN NEWSROOM.

Officials say at least 23 people have been killed over the past day in Russian attacks on Ukraine, with more than 50 others wounded. Eight residential buildings were damaged in the city of Dobropillia. And there's concern that some victims may still be trapped under rubble.

On Friday, U.S. president Trump threatened to slap more sanctions on Russia because of its continuing strikes. He spoke ahead of the U.S.- Ukrainian talks in Saudi Arabia, which is set to take place next week.

But despite condemning Russia's attacks, Mr. Trump says anyone else in President Putin's shoes would do the same and that Kyiv will be likely to be the bigger impediment to the U.S. plan for peace.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I'm finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. And they don't have the cards, they don't have the cards. As you know, we're meeting in Saudi Arabia on some time next week early and we're talking.

What I find that in terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia, which is surprising because they have all the cards. I mean and they're bombing the hell out of them right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: The recent wave of Russian strikes has also taken an emotional toll on Ukrainians. As Ben Hunte reports, some of them now feel Russian strikes follow them wherever they go.

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BEN HUNTE, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Picking up the pieces after a Russian attack is all too familiar for this Ukrainian woman, 81 year old Valentyna. She says this is the second time she's lost a home in the war. Her house in the front line town of Kupyansk was previously destroyed. Now, she says, the war has followed her.

VALENTYNA LIDOVSKA, KUPYANSK RESIDENT (through translator): Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Here at my son's, now they've destroyed his place, too.

HUNTE (voice-over): Just days after the U.S. said it was suspending military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine, Russia unleashed a pounding attack on Ukraine.

Drones, cruise and ballistic missiles rained down on cities like Kharkiv, targeting power and gas facilities, strategic hits that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said were aimed at services that provide electricity, heat and water to Ukraine's civilians.

ZELENSKYY (through translator): Russia's strike on our energy system and civilian infrastructure happened as routinely for Russia as ever, just as vile and cynical as always, as if there were no efforts by Ukraine and the world to end this war.

HUNTE (voice-over): The port of Odessa also came under a mass drone attack, damaging energy infrastructure and triggering fires. It's been hit several times over the week.

And in Zelenskyy's home town, another frequent target of air assaults, a hotel was struck by a missile earlier in the week, Russia flexing its airpower as Ukraine stumbles to regain support from the U.S.

Zelenskyy is once again calling for silence in the skies, reiterating his desire for a partial ceasefire and says he's had many calls with Trump's representatives. He also thanked his European allies for the boost in their support, especially France, after Ukraine used French Mirage jets for the first time to help repel the Russian attacks -- Ben Hunte, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, today is International Women's Day, which calls attention to the challenges and inequities women face. There are marches and events planned around the world throughout the day.

The World Economic Forum says that, at the current rate of progress, the world will not achieve full gender parity until the year 2158, roughly five generations from now. The United Nations says one in four countries reported backlash on women's rights in 2024 and that women and girls' rights are facing unprecedented growing threats worldwide.

Let's bring in Sofia Calltorp with the U.N. Women. She's the chief of humanitarian action and director of the agency's Geneva office. She joins us this hour live from Geneva.

Happy International Women's Day to you. Thanks for joining us.

SOFIA CALLTORP, DIRECTOR OF UN WOMEN GENEVA AND CHIEF OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION: Thank you for having me.

Happy International Women's Day.

KINKADE: So this year marks the U.N.'s 50th International Women's Day. Let's start with the progress.

[04:35:00]

How far have we come?

CALLTORP: Thank you. Yes.

What we see in the report that we just released is that the world is more equal for women and girls than it has ever been before. And that shows, of course, that progress is possible when we take action.

And to share some numbers that we have in our report, we see that girls' access to education has increased significantly. And we also see that the rates of maternal mortality has dropped by one-third.

We also see more and more countries taking action in terms of legal reforms. And since Beijing, more than 1,500 legal reforms have been installed throughout the world in order to advance gender equality.

So this, of course, shows that, when we invest in women, when women thrive, we all as societies thrive. But then at the same time, progress is yet too slow. It's too fragile. And it's also very uneven.

KINKADE: And also --

(CROSSTALK)

CALLTORP: -- today. And as --

KINKADE: I was just going to say, the report also shows that you've realized that, in 2024, nearly a quarter of all governments worldwide reported a backlash on women's rights.

Which nations, what are the issues that are going backwards?

CALLTORP: I mean, that is quite a significant number, that one out of four countries are reporting a backlash against women's rights. And this is an issue that is systemic and that is being, you know, seen at many different levels in terms of increased hostility against women's rights.

We also see that gender stereotypes are being reproduced and gaining attraction in society. So, of course, that 25 percent of countries experience report on this backlash is significant.

KINKADE: And, of course, in the past decade, we've also seen a disturbing increase, a 50 percent increase in the number of women and girls living in conflicts.

What sort of impact does that have?

CALLTORP: That has a huge impact of women and girls. As you said, 50 percent increase in women and girls that lives in the proximity of conflict. That affects their rights, their possibilities to strive. But it also, of course, affects their communities, their children, their ability to cater for their families.

And it also affects the possibility to achieve peaceful solutions, because we know that, when women are involved, when women are at the table, societies become more peaceful and peace deals that are struck are more, more sustainable.

So to make sure that women are involved is really a game changer in order to reduce those numbers and make sure that we can all live in more peace and prosperity.

KINKADE: And so looking ahead, the report also outlined a roadmap for future progress.

What needs to happen?

CALLTORP: So at U.N. Women, we have identified six plus one areas of action that we know will change the course and make sure that gender equality is achieved within our lifetime.

And the first one is a digital revolution for all women and girls. We really need all governments and private sector to make sure that the digital gender divide is bridged and also that women and girls, all women and girls, are protected online.

We see an increase in gender based violence online and this is something that we really need to address.

Secondly, freedom from poverty for all women and girls. As you mentioned, you know, gender equality and increased extreme poverty will not be eradicated within our lifetimes unless we take concrete and bold action today.

And we also need, you know, to make sure that we have a zero tolerance against women -- against violence against all women and girls. Every 10 minutes a woman is killed by a family member or a close partner. So really, to fight gender based violence, in all its forms, it's key. We also, as we mentioned, need to look at the peace and security

sector, stop spending in military and start to increase investments and peace building with women at the center.

And we also need to work at climate justice. Women bear the brunt of the climate crisis, although they are very often part of the solutions.

And then last but very much least -- and this is our focus at U.N. Women, is to invest in young women and girls. It is the next generations that have the solutions and to bring them at the center of our action is really key.

[04:40:00]

In order to achieve the fantastic aspirations that we have all committed to in the Beijing Declaration and platform for action.

KINKADE: Well, we're glad to see some progress. And here is to much more. Sofia Calltorp in Geneva, thanks so much for your time. We appreciate it.

CALLTORP: Thank you very much. Thank you.

KINKADE: Well, AI scams are using celebrity faces to trick victims into revealing personal information. Just ahead, what entertainment Steve Harvey -- entertainer Steve Harvey is doing to combat the online deceit. Stay with us for more.

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KINKADE: Welcome back.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the crypto industry's elite to the White House on Friday. He held the first ever summit on digital assets, touting his pledge to make America the crypto capital of the world.

The president outlined future plans to legitimize the controversial digital currency. The summit coming one day after Mr. Trump established a strategic bitcoin reserve and a stockpile of other digital assets through an executive order. The reserve will be established with bitcoin forfeited to the government through legal proceedings.

President Trump made it clear at the summit that he doesn't want any cost to the taxpayers.

Two FOX News hosts have now been made board members of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo will complete the new board. Last month, Trump announced he would declare himself in charge of the

U.S. cultural center and its programming. He fired the previous board and its chairman and then filled the vacancies with loyalists.

The Trump takeover led the producer of the hit musical, "Hamilton," to cancel the show's performances at the center through next year.

Well, have you received an online solicitation featuring your favorite celebrity offering a free computer, a concert ticket or maybe a check?

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Well, scammers are increasingly using AI videos of stars to trick people out of their personal details. CNN media correspondent Hadas Gold sat down with one celebrity who wants the scams to stop.

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STEVE HARVEY, HOST, "FAMILY FEUD": And now it's time to play --

AUDIENCE: "Fast Money."

HADAS GOLD, CNN MEDIA CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Steve Harvey is best known as a man who runs game shows and awards money.

HARVEY: Well, that's $20,000, y'all.

GOLD (voice-over): But after decades in the spotlight, his likeness and voice are now being used by scam artists who are utilizing AI to trick his fans into giving their money away.

HARVEY: I've been telling you guys for months --

GOLD (voice-over): Like this Medicare scam viewed millions of times. With over 100 million T.V. viewers and social media followers, Harvey is among a growing number of celebrities speaking out, backing new legislation and technologies that aim to protect a celebrity's image.

GOLD: How does this affect you when your image is used in things like scams?

HARVEY: See, see that's hurtful because, you know, look, I prided myself on my brand being one of authenticity. I don't want fans of mine or people who aren't fans to be hurt by something because I said, go do it. And it wasn't even me.

GOLD (voice-over): Several new pieces of legislation aimed at combating Deepfake AI are now being considered by Congress.

MELANIA TRUMP, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm here with you today with a common goal.

GOLD (voice-over): First Lady Melania Trump has thrown her support behind the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which aims to criminalize non-consensual AI generated Deepfake and revenge porn. Another bill called the NO FAKES Act aims to hold creators and

platforms liable for unauthorized AI generated images, videos and sound. It's garnered the support of the Recording Academy, the Screen Actors Guild, the Motion Picture Association and major talent agencies.

HARVEY: It's freedom of speech. It's not freedom of make me speak the way you want me to speak. That's not freedom. That's abuse.

GOLD (voice-over): Harvey wants legislation to include harsh punishments, including financial penalties and even jail time.

HARVEY: If you make money off lying to people, scamming people, then I think that's -- that's worthy of a fine and some time.

GOLD (voice-over): Harvey now uses a new platform called Vermillio to help him track and request takedowns of the ever growing number of deepfakes of himself popping up every day.

DAN NEELY, CEO, VERMILLIO: So back in 2018, there were maybe 19,000 pieces of Deepfake content. Today, there are roughly a million created every minute. So trying to find and play this game of whack-a-mole is quite complex.

GOLD (voice-over): Vermillio CEO Dan Neely says deepfakes can run the gamut from AI chatbots acting as a famous person to AI generated phone calls that mimic a celebrity's voice.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's called Big Ol' Freak.

NEELY: We have his name, image and likeness. We've then taken that and turned it into something that we call fingerprints. So fingerprinting is a way in which we go and look at various things that are in a piece of content. So an image of you is made up of millions of pieces of data. We use those pieces of data to go and find where it exists across the Internet.

GOLD (voice-over): There are limited legal recourses for celebrities battling deepfakes of themselves. Vermillio automates the cumbersome process of sending platforms takedown requests. As the technology improves at a rapid pace, celebrities are now agitating for Washington to keep up.

HARVEY: I mean, why -- how many people we got to watch get hurt by this before somebody does something?

GOLD: And I'm told the senators behind the NO FAKES Act plan to reintroduce the bill sometime in the next few weeks. But one thing that they want to change is to get the endorsements of the online platforms as well. That may mean a change in some of the penalties they could face as a result of these violations.

But I'm told by a source familiar that they still hope that the bill will retain its teeth while being workable for these platforms -- Hadas Gold, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, still to come. Strong winds and heavy rain from the weakening tropical Cyclone Alfred lashing Australia's Gold Coast. We'll have a report in just a moment.

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KINKADE: Welcome back.

Australia's eastern coast has been spared the worst from what was a slow moving tropical cyclone but the danger is not over yet. Flooding from heavy rain is now the biggest challenge and forecasters predict heavy rainfall to come.

Alfred has now weakened to a tropical low weather system but not before lashing coastal suburbs with destructive winds and rain, knocking down trees and leaving many without power.

More rain fell in 24 hours Friday in some locations, more than the monthly normal record for the whole month of March. The storm caused severe erosion along some of Australia's most popular tourist beaches. Australia's 9network reporter Davina Smith has more from the Gold Coast.

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DAVINA SMITH, 9NETWORK: Well, so much for an ex-tropical cyclone. As we come to you right now, the Gold Coast is really feeling the punch of Alfred. It has been a long, weary 48 hours and this afternoon the sea is churning the seafoam. There's no beach out there.

But there is snow here on the Gold Coast because there is so much swell that's been whipped up as that king tide or the high tide hits the Gold Coast. The strongest wind gusts, can you believe, actually aren't now.

It was around 10 pm last night at Southport. We were staying in one of the high rises on level 29. It was really quite extraordinary. These are buildings that are built to withstand the force of a cyclone. They have to effectively bend to take that force.

And that's exactly what the building did. It felt like it was being shunted by that 100 kilometer an hour wind.

The wind is causing a lot of problems. That's the main problem right now on the Gold Coast. There's almost a quarter of a million people without power across southeast Queensland. Most of the people are here.

And if you talk to people on the street, every second person here has no power. They lost it as recently as overnight but as early as Thursday lunchtime. And it doesn't look like they're going to get power restored anytime soon when you have a look at these winds.

There have been significant rainfall totals as well, mostly to the south of the Gold Coast around Tallebudgera, around 250 millimeters of rain falling. That did cause some flash flooding and it cut evacuation routes out of that area.

Because so many children and families have been locked up for the last 24 hours waiting for Alfred to hit, they're coming out.

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They're having a look at these scenes. They tell us that they want to play in the snow but police are having to shut down car parks anywhere along the coast where people are gathering, because this wind is creating so much uncertainty.

And the next problem is the potential that trees will come down, because there's been enough water to wet their roots. So even though it's calm in other parts of the state, the Gold Coast copping the winds and copping the wrath of ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Our thanks to Davina Smith.

Well, following a SpaceX rocket explosion on Thursday, astronauts aboard the International Space Station shared these images on social media. They said they show the starship breaking apart in the upper atmosphere and it looked very different from the ground.

The falling debris forced the Federal Aviation Administration to stop air traffic in parts of Florida. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is calling the explosion a minor setback. The next test flight is expected sometime in April.

Well, a six year old boy set a record at one of the largest dog shows in the world. Freddie Osborne became the youngest entrant and ribbon winner at the U.K.'s annual Crufts competition.

His best friend, Penny, is a smooth fox terrier, a vulnerable breed. She won the first class veteran category. Freddie was allowed to skip school to attend the show.

Well worth it.

That wraps up this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Lynda Kinkade. I'll be back with much more news in just a moment. Stay with us. You're watching CNN.