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Over 600 Dead, More than 1000 Injured in a Major Earthquake in Afghanistan; Chinese President Hosts SCO Meeting with World Leaders; Pope Leo Offers Prayers for the Victims and Casualties of Minnesota School Mass Shooting. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired September 01, 2025 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:00]

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BEN HUNTE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, wherever you are in the world, you are now in the "CNN Newsroom" with me, Ben Hunte in Atlanta, and it is so good to have you here.

Coming up on the show, hundreds are dead and even more are injured after the earthquake rocks Afghanistan's eastern region. We'll have the latest in a live report.

China's Xi Jinping hosts world leaders for a major summit as he looks to position his country as a more reliable and stable partner than the West.

And the Israeli security cabinet meets to discuss plans for seizing control of Gaza City, despite growing opposition both internationally and domestically.

UNKNOWN (voice-over): This is CNN Breaking News.

HUNTE: Let's get straight to the breaking news out of Afghanistan, where state run media is reporting that hundreds of people are dead following a strong earthquake near the eastern border with Pakistan.

CNN's Hanako Montgomery joins us live with more. Thank you so much for being with me again. What is the latest?

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Ben. Yes, as you said, the death toll is now over 600 -- estimated to be over 600 and more than 1000 people are feared to be injured as a result of this very powerful earthquake. Now, this death toll is expected to rise in the coming hours as we get more information about the extent of devastation.

Now, in a statement on X, the Taliban spokesman said, quote, "Sadly, tonight's earthquake has had human casualties and financial damages in some of our eastern provinces, which again speaks to just how devastating the government fears that this earthquake actually was."

Now, we do know that rescue operations are currently underway, helicopters have been dispatched to eastern Afghanistan where this earthquake occurred to help with rescue efforts. Also, teams from the capital and nearby provinces are helping in these emergency efforts.

Now, Ben, there are several factors here which give us reason to believe that the death toll could be much higher in the coming hours, the first of which is the time of day that this earthquake occurred.

It happened at 11:47 p.m. local time, a time when most people are getting ready for bed or are already asleep, which means that it's more difficult for people to respond quickly to evacuate their homes quickly.

The second factor here is the location where this earthquake occurred. It happened in eastern Afghanistan, a rural part of the country and where many homes are made of mud bricks. Mud bricks are not earthquake proof, they're not earthquake resistant. So it could mean a lot more devastation, a lot more damage and people trapped underneath their homes.

Now, the third and final factor here is that Afghanistan is already facing several humanitarian crises, years of conflict, of political and economic turmoil means that Afghanistan does not have the sufficient resources in order to funnel into rescue efforts and in order to able to save people. So, again, these factors, Ben, are really at play here as to really why we fear that the death toll could rise in the coming hours. Ben.

HUNTE: Hanako Montgomery in Tokyo. Thank you for now, I appreciate it.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is touting his country and its partnerships as a stabilizing force in what he calls a, quote, "fluid and chaotic moment in history." That message comes on the final day of a landmark security summit in Tianjin, China.

Mr. Xi is hosting leaders and dignitaries of the Shanghai Corporation Organization, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Sunday, Mr. Xi praised the group as a, quote, "pivotal force in advancing a new type of international relations," as he positions China as a powerful counterweight to the United States and the West.

CNN's Steven Jiang has the latest for us from Tianjin.

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STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Putin have both spoken at a summit on Monday, hitting predictable notes on multiple fronts. But Putin did sound defiant when it comes to the war in Ukraine, although he mentioned he would brief other leaders in attendance about his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska a little while ago about efforts to end this war.

But the two men did try to present a shared vision, an alternative vision of the world, in which the international order is not dominated by the U.S. and its alliances, but rather, as they put it, it's going to be a fairer system where developing countries, smaller countries will have a bigger say in regional and international affairs.

[03:04:58]

This vision perhaps made more appealing in the past few weeks and months because of what Trump is doing as he continues to upend the global trade system, as well as America's traditional alliances and partnerships, including the relationship with India, which for years had been groomed by Washington to become a counterweight to a fast- rising China.

But now, because of unexpected negative turns in that relationship, India's Prime Minister Modi is here in Tianjin, his first visit to China in seven years after a years-long diplomatic deep freeze because of a border dispute. Now, Modi is all warm and fuzzy with Xi Jinping, talking about friendly neighborly relations resuming, bilateral ties on multiple fronts, with Xi Jinping praising him for making the right choice.

But in this kind of summits, what's often more telling does not come from formal settings or speeches, but rather, those candid photo moments. And just earlier on Monday, we saw at that moment where Putin, Xi, and Modi really having their huddle before the opening session. All seemed to be very friendly, a lot of laughter, a lot of big smiles, that personal rapport on full display, perhaps not purely coincidental.

Also on Sunday night, you saw Xi Jinping greeting Putin in such an animated fashion, which was quite unusual for the Chinese leader who tends to be more restrained and even stoic in this kind of settings, very much sticking to the script kind of leader.

But again, the kind of smiles and the gestures showing the level of closeness, the personal ties between the two men, which is why despite growing Western pressure on Putin to end the war in Ukraine and growing pressure on Beijing to do something about it, it's highly unlikely she would do or say much about this to his close partner Putin, despite what Putin is doing in Ukraine is really bringing the kind of chaos and uncertainty that Xi Jinping has very much publicly opposed to.

Steven Jiang, CNN, Tianjin, China.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: North Korean state media says the country has a new missile production line. It reports that Kim Jong-un inspected the line on Sunday, they did not say what kind of missiles Kim looked at or where the facility is located.

North Korea is under sanction for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Those sanctions may be losing effectiveness as North Korea gets more support from Russia and China. Kim will meet with the leaders of both of those countries on Wednesday in Beijing and he'll attend a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says Russian attacks on Ukraine will not stop until Kyiv shows real signs that it's ready for peace. He also blames Europe for getting in the way of U.S. efforts to end the war.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DMITRY PESKOV, KREMLIN SPOKESPERSON (through translator): The Europeans are hindering these efforts, the Europeans are putting spokes in the wheels, the Europeans are in every way condoning and probably encouraging the Kyiv regime to continue the absolutely absurd line of intransigence. This is a big mistake, it will not do any good to the Kyiv regime.

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HUNTE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Vladimir Putin's trip to China is just a distraction as Russia ignores calls for a ceasefire.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Now, during his visit to China, Putin will once again try to wriggle out of the situation. That's his favorite sport. Everyone in the world has said that the fighting must be seized, everyone insisted that the war must end, that was everyone's position.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Well, Russia launched a large-scale drone attack on Ukraine's southern Odessa region early on Sunday. The strikes targeted critical energy facilities, cutting power for more than 29,000 people.

President Zelenskyy says authorities have arrested a suspect in a deadly shooting of a prominent Ukrainian lawmaker. Police say the alleged killer shot Andriy Parubiy several times in a carefully planned attack on Saturday, he died on the scene in the western city of Lviv.

Zelenskyy says the suspect has given an initial testimony and an investigation is underway. Parubiy previously served as chair of Ukraine's parliament and as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

Israel appears ready to proceed with its military takeover of Gaza City, and that is despite mounting pressure both at home and abroad. On Sunday, the Israeli Security Cabinet reviewed the military plans.

Two Israeli officials tell CNN that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also considering a full annexation of the West Bank or partial annexation of selected settlements. Outside of the meeting, Israeli protesters called for the release of hostages and a ceasefire deal with Hamas. Israel hasn't responded to the latest proposal, which Hamas accepted two weeks ago.

Over the weekend, the Israeli military carried out intense strikes in and around Gaza City, killing at least 71 people. The International Committee of the Red Cross is one of the many groups condemning Israel's plan to take over the city. [03:10:08]

The Red Cross President says a mass evacuation of Gaza City is unfeasible and incomprehensible.

Earlier, we spoke with a spokesperson of the International Committee of the Red Cross and asked what the non-profits operating in Gaza realistically want to see happen on the ground. He says the key thing we need is a ceasefire. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE DORSEY, SPOKESPERSON, INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS: We need something that provides for a surge in humanitarian aid that meets the needs of civilians across Gaza. We need an end to the hostilities going on, an end to the fighting.

But we also, of course, need to see the release of these hostages still being held in Gaza and to see them reunited with their families. That's what Gaza, that's what the world really needs right now.

As humanitarian actors, the Red Cross, other humanitarian groups, we're not part of the negotiating team for a political solution here. That's up to the sides and the parties and the states involved in this conflict. We're here to implement the humanitarian relief and aid as part of that agreement and we can only call for that access, for that aid and to be there when it becomes reality.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: For the latest, we are going live to CNN's Paula Hancocks in Abu Dhabi. Thank you so much for being with me.

Israel's security cabinet has been discussing an offensive on Gaza City, but reports suggest a ceasefire deal hasn't even been on the agenda. What's the latest that you're hearing about plans there? And what could all of this mean for civilians on the ground?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So, Ben, what we understand is that this security cabinet meeting was to talk about the plan to take over Gaza City and the ceasefire hostage proposal, which is on the table, was not part of it. We understand that the security establishment in Israel is in opposition to this. They're in opposition to the fact that this Gaza City takeover will go ahead.

It is an opposition that appears to be led by the chief of staff in Israel, Eyal Zamir, and he has a number of reasons for not wanting this to go ahead, he believes that it will endanger hostages who are still being held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza, it will risk soldiers' lives and also make the humanitarian situation even worse.

Now, two Israeli sources tell CNN the main concern is hostages at this point and that he was intending to urge the cabinet on Sunday to discuss that proposal, which Hamas agreed to two weeks ago.

It's not clear, though, whether or not that would fall on deaf ears, as it has in the past. This is a very far right cabinet that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, has at this point.

And we have been hearing for months that the military and the security establishment was against continuing or intensifying the war in Gaza. They wanted to see a settlement, they wanted to see a ceasefire hostage deal, something which up until this point, it's been on the table and agreed to by Hamas for two weeks, Benjamin Netanyahu has not given a public response to. Ben.

HUNTE: We are hearing about Israeli officials weighing some drastic options on the West Bank. How seriously are those measures being considered and how might they reshape the conflict?

HANCOCKS: So this is Benjamin Netanyahu considering, again, with those far-right elements of his cabinet, either a full annexation of the West Bank, a partial annexation of some specific settlements or sanctioning of the Palestinian authority.

Now, if he were to go ahead with any annexation, it would cause a huge diplomatic backlash. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, there are countless U.N. Security Council resolutions against them, which Israel to this date has completely ignored. But what we understand is that this is a more drastic plan that the prime minister is considering as part of a response to many countries deciding to recognize a Palestinian state.

Now, we are expecting later this month at the United Nations General Assembly, a number of countries publicly saying that they support the creation of a Palestinian state. So this is one of the methods we have been hearing from the more extreme right elements of Netanyahu's cabinet, that this is how they would try and counter that, to try and change the situation on the ground so that it would be impossible for a Palestinian state to be created.

[03:15:01]

Netanyahu has been consistent in his denial and his refusal to consider a Palestinian state. So certainly this would cause a huge diplomatic backlash if, in fact, he did agree to go ahead with it. Ben.

HUNTE: O.K., we'll see what happens next. Paula Hancocks in Abu Dhabi, thank you.

Activists launched a new attempt to bring much needed aid to Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday. A flotilla of ships departed from Barcelona to Gaza with food, water and medicine on board is the largest attempt yet to break Israel's long blockade of the enclave by sea.

Perhaps one of the most recognizable faces on board is Greta Thunberg, the Swedish activist previously tried delivering aid to Gaza by sea, but was stopped by the Israeli military. Here's what she had to say ahead of that journey.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GRETA THUNBERG, ACTIVIST: The question here today is not why we are sailing, this story is not at all about the mission that we are about to embark, the story here is about Palestine. The story here is how people are being deliberately deprived of the very basic means to survive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: The flotilla launch comes as the Palestinian health ministry said another seven people died of malnutrition, bringing the total deaths from malnutrition to 339 people as of Sunday.

The Trump administration is taking new steps to prevent Palestinians from coming to the U.S. According to a cable reviewed by CNN, the U.S. State Department told its diplomats to stop approving most visas for Palestinian authority passport holders, regardless of if they live in territories or overseas.

The internal message told all embassies and consulates to refuse non- immigrant visas effective immediately. Non-immigrant visas include those for students, professors, tourists and individuals seeking medical treatment. The refusal policy does not apply to Palestinians applying for immigrant visas or those applying for non-immigrant visas using a non-Palestinian passport.

O.K., still to come, a U.S. judge blocks the Trump administration from deporting unaccompanied Guatemalan minors. We'll have the latest on the order as officials push for answers.

Plus, a Minnesota community copes with the tragedy of a deadly shooting and Pope Leo offers solace. Those stories and so much more after the break. See you in a bit.

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[03:20:00]

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HUNTE: Welcome back.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's attempt to deport unaccompanied minors from Guatemala back to their home country. Attorneys representing them argue the migrant children have special protections and can't be removed without due process or a chance to get relief from deportation.

CNN's Betsy Klein has more details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE PRODUCER: It was a remarkable scene on Sunday after the Trump administration in recent days had identified hundreds of Guatemalan children to be repatriated to Guatemala. And according to a federal judge overnight, Saturday into Sunday, some of those children were woken up in the middle of the night and put on planes set to return to Guatemala. Their providers were told to prepare them to be discharged within hours and to collect their belongings and prepare them a pair of sack lunches.

A federal judge says that she was woken up at 2:35 in the morning and notified that a complaint had been filed in this case trying to get in touch with the federal government. And those children loaded onto planes and essentially stuck on the tarmac while an emergency hearing played out on Sunday afternoon.

Now, the Trump administration had been fixated on this idea of unaccompanied minors in the United States, these are children who arrive here without a parent or legal guardian. They are then placed into U.S. Department of Health and Human Services care and then officials work to place them with U.S. based family members while they go through that immigration process. What's unprecedented here is that these children were identified to be returned to Guatemala before that process could play out.

Now, advocates for those children say that some of them are afraid to go back to Guatemala. Some of them have experienced abuse or neglect, while the U.S. government says that they have been requested to be returned to Guatemala by their parents or legal guardians. So a clear disconnect here, the judge in this case seeking more clarity and facts on the matter and stepping in with a temporary restraining order to stop those flights from taking off as they sort out some of these next steps.

She set a new Friday deadline for the federal government to send a formal response back. And one of that judge's main questions was what happens to those children in the meantime? She received assurances from the Trump administration that they would be taken off of those planes and returned to U.S. custody.

Betsy Klein, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: New drone video from Venezuela's government shows a buildup of U.S. naval forces near the entrance of the Panama Canal, seven warships and a nuclear powered fast attack submarine either in the region or expected to arrive soon with more than 45,000 sailors and Marines, U.S. officials say is part of the fight against drug cartels.

[03:25:06]

Venezuela's defense minister is asking for continued peace, but says he's ready to fight if the U.S. violates Venezuelan sovereignty.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PADRINO PEREZ, VENEZUELAN DEFENSE MINISTER (through translator): So we call on the international community to reflect a call to respect the people's sovereignty, a call to uphold international law, a call for mutual respect among nations and to observe closely this new aggression from the North American empire here in this very region, with no need to cross the Atlantic here in the same region that, as we've said, will not only impact Venezuela, but the whole Latin American region and the Caribbean. No to war. Let's work together for peace.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Still to come, U.S. lawmakers are back on Capitol Hill this week after an August recess with renewed energy to call for more details on the Epstein investigation. We will have the latest.

Plus, a massive deployment of federal troops and agents may be headed to Chicago. But the Illinois governor says no one has told him a single thing about it. More details just ahead.

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[03:30:00]

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HUNTE: Welcome back, I'm Ben Hunte. Let's take a look at today's top stories.

A spokesperson for the Afghan Interior Ministry tells CNN at least 610 people have been killed following a 6.0 magnitude earthquake. It struck Afghanistan's eastern region near the border with Pakistan on Sunday. More than 1000 people have been injured, landslides are said to be hampering the progress of relief teams working to reach more remote communities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a suspect is in custody after a prominent lawmaker was gunned down in Lviv. Andriy Parubiy previously served as chair of Ukraine's parliament, Zelenskyy says the suspect in his shooting has given an initial testimony and an investigation is underway.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is hosting the final day of a major security summit in Tianjin, China, he praises the Shanghai Corporation Organization as a group of, quote, "friends and partners" opposing some of the attitudes of the West. Earlier, Mr. Xi huddled with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Well, during the summit, China's leader showed unusual enthusiasm when greeting Russia's president. We also saw India's Prime Minister and Putin embracing figuratively and literally at a time of extraordinary tension with the United States and President Donald Trump.

Earlier, my colleague Polo Sandoval spoke with Richard McGregor, a senior fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute. He asked if there was a sign that Beijing is beginning to fill diplomatic voids left by the Trump administration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD MCGREGOR, SR. FELLOW FOR EAST ASIA, THE LOWY INSTITUTE: I think it was happening gradually for many years before Mr. Trump came along. It's being accelerated slightly now, but it's pretty difficult for China to become like America, if it were.

It's just a different country, a different sort of security philosophy. But absolutely, they are looking for opportunities.

It's two things. Number one, China can portray itself as a stable, predictable partner, the opposite of what it says the U.S. is.

And it's also what we might call narrative power. It's the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Later this week, China will host even more world leaders for the 80th anniversary at the end of what they call the World Anti-Fascist War.

And it's really creating an alternative institutions, alternative narratives, alternative power centers. And that is an alternative to the so-called U.S.-led world order.

And of course, the U.S. doesn't really want to lead it anymore. So in that respect, China is filling a void.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: And a reminder again of another global display of power coming up on Wednesday. China is set to hold a massive military parade marking 80 years since the end of World War II. Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are expected to attend.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are getting ready to head back to their offices after the August break. They rushed out of town amid the Jeffrey Epstein files saga going home to their districts to face voters after passing President Trump's signature tax bill.

Congress will have to deal with funding the government right away because the funding deadline is September 30th. Congress may also decide if it will impose new sanctions on Russia and how to address some of Trump's latest firings.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says no one in Washington has told him about plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. Sources tell CNN potentially thousands of troops and hundreds of federal agents as well as armored vehicles could be in the city as soon as Friday.

President Trump is looking to push these large-scale immigration and crime deterrent operations in major cities across the country during the ire of Democratic leaders like Pritzker.

He continues to push back against any potential moves, saying in part, quote, "No one in the administration - the President, or anybody under him - has called anyone in my administration or me. So it's clear that in secret they're planning this - it's an invasion with U.S. troops if they in fact do that."

[03:35:04]

Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security is offering the same potential federal presence to other cities too. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTI NOEM, U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: I'd encourage every single big city, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, whatever they are, if they want to help make their cities safer, more prosperous, allow people the opportunity to walk in freedom like the people of Washington, D.C. are now and enjoying going out to eat at night and not having to worry if they're going to be a victim of a carjacking or a robbery, they should call us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Joining us now is Savannah Behrmann, Senate Correspondent for "National Journal." Thank you so much for being with me. How are you doing?

SAVANNAH BEHRMANN, SENATE CORRESPONDENT, "NATIONAL JOURNAL": I'm great. Thank you for having me on.

HUNTE: You're so welcome, it's good to see you. You've been reporting on the ground in Chicago. How is President Trump's move to expand federal policing into Democratic-led cities actually playing out? And how is it impacting local politics as well?

BEHRMANN: Yes, absolutely. Just as you said, I was just in Chicago where I had a chance to interview some Chicago-based representatives who are running the Senate Democratic primary there, Representatives Robin Kelly and Representative Krishnamoorthi.

And they talk about how much this is already coming up on the campaign trail as they're talking to constituents, as they're getting out and talking to voters. And how much this is resonating with not only people in Chicago, but people downstate as well.

And you know, Krishnamoorthi told me in an interview that he thinks it's illegal, that he thinks it's going against the Posse-Cook-Morris Act. And Representative Robin Kelly as well said it was very hypocritical.

So it's not something that's only being addressed here at the federal level and it's not only something impacting people here in D.C., it's something that's really trickling downstate as well in Illinois.

HUNTE: We have heard Democrats call the policing move illegal and unconstitutional. How much legal weight does that argument actually carry? And could lawsuits potentially stop the deployments?

BEHRMANN: Absolutely, as we know that this is already being tied up in the courts. Trump's earlier sending of National Guard troops in Los Angeles is also facing its own kind of precipice in the court as we're awaiting some judge decisions there as well. So it has a lot of legal ramifications and a lot of questions here over exactly what his authority is.

Now, if President Trump decides to send National Guard troops to Chicago on the same premise as Los Angeles, there aren't riots happening in Chicago like there were in Los Angeles for him to declare that emergency for.

Now, could Republican governors send their National Guard troops to a blue state like Chicago and Illinois? And I think that's one of the legal questions that a lot of experts are asking. And if that's the route that Trump and Republican lawmakers will be taking here.

So there's a lot of legal questions happening in this case, and a lot of it is being tied up in the courts currently.

HUNTE: And while all of that is happening, President Trump is calling for requiring I.D. for every single vote cast. Given the elections are largely run at a state level, how much authority does a president really have here?

BEHRMANN: Not much. Just as you said, elections here in the United States are run at a state level.

Now, really, Congress has more authority here, and Congress has been trying to pass a piece of legislation called the SAVE Act that would basically legislate a lot of what Trump is wanting to do in these executive orders. And in particular, an executive order that he signed earlier this year demanding a lot of the I.D. requirement here.

But that piece of legislation after it passed the House has now been caught up in the Senate, where it's unlikely to get any Democratic support. So without congressional authority here and congressional approval, the president doesn't have a lot of leeway or a lot of rights here. But we'll see if that stops him and what he actually tries to pursue with some of these executive orders.

HUNTE: Maybe we can also talk about Missouri, because Missouri is getting ready for a special session on congressional redistricting. There's so much going on. How does that fight fit into the broader national battle over voting maps?

BEHRMANN: Oh, my goodness. There is so much going on. And we're going to have to see Wednesday exactly how that all plays out, that's when the Missouri state legislature is expected to go back in for that special session to kind of begin hashing a lot of this out.

But as we know, the House of Representatives is only controlled by a few seats. So as we saw Texas start to redraw some of their maps, that even lessens Democrats chances of retaking back any of the seats and the entire chamber come next year. So we've already seen Texas go after it on one side and California go after it on another side, and now Missouri, another red state, is trying to redraw their map.

So I think that this is something that we could really see continue to escalate leading into the midterms. Because this could control the who controls the lower chamber.

So it's very important. But I will have to see if again, any of this gets tied up in courts if any of this is stopped.

[03:40:08]

But it's going to be a battle that I think we can see could continue to see escalate.

HUNTE: Oh, yes. Well, there is so much happening. But you really just helped us break it all down and we appreciate that.

So Savannah Behrmann, thank you for now.

BEHRMANN: Thank you.

HUNTE: Well, as lawmakers return to Washington this week, many are ready to pick up the call to release more information on the Jeffrey Epstein files. CNN's Julia Benbrook brings us up to speed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is a topic that really dominated the conversation in Washington as lawmakers prepared to go back to their districts for August recess. And now as they're returning, some of them are pushing to make sure that it remains an area of focus.

Back in February, Attorney General Pam Bondi hyped up soon to be released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and even suggested she had a so-called client list sitting on her desk. Months later, though, the Department of Justice and the FBI released a memo saying it had not found a so-called client list incriminating associates of Epstein, and it would not be releasing more information.

That led to repeated calls for more transparency. And before leaving for break, a House Oversight Subcommittee voted to subpoena the Department of Justice for more documents related to Epstein. They have started receiving those and have promised to make some of the files public.

I will note that a few Democrats on the committee have been critical of the information they've received so far, saying that not a lot of new records have been sent over.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer confirmed over the weekend that members of his committee, both Democrats and Republicans, plan to meet with some of the victims, the survivors of Epstein's abuse, and some of their family members on Tuesday.

REP, JAMES COMER (R-KY): There are victims that are involved here, and we want to protect their futures and their reputations and their families. So we're going to have a good conversation to see how best then to turn around and present this information to the American people and hopefully put this issue to rest.

BENBROOK: Then on Wednesday, in a separate effort led by Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, and Representative Thomas Massey, a Republican from Kentucky, there will be a press conference focused on transparency when it comes to the Epstein investigation. They say that we will hear from several victims, some of them sharing their stories publicly for the first time. This comes as those two lawmakers are trying to force a vote on legislation calling for broad release of documents related to Epstein. They would need 218 signatures on their discharge petition in order to bypass GOP leaders and trigger a vote.

Julia Benbrook, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: All right, officials are hoping for calm after a deadly weekend of protests in Indonesia. Still ahead, why new measures have some people planning to skip Monday's planned demonstrations.

And France is working with London's British Museum to relocate the renowned Bayeux Tapestry. We explain why thousands fear the artwork could be irreversibly damaged. That's after the break, see you in a moment.

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[03:45:00]

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HUNTE: Welcome back.

Reuters reports that student and civil society groups have called off protests in Jakarta, Indonesia that were planned for today. That comes after heightened security measures were put in place in the wake of deadly riots over the weekend.

President Prabowo Subianto ordered the military and police to take stern action against violent protesters after homes of political party members and state buildings were ransacked or set on fire. At least five people have died. The protests began in Jakarta a week ago over lawmakers' pay and then spread nationwide.

Two people are dead after an explosion at a firecracker factory in India. It happened on Sunday in northern Lucknow City, The impact of the blast shattered the wall of a nearby house and scattered debris from collapsed houses could be seen on the ground, five people were injured. An investigation into the cause of the blast is underway.

This weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the first mass since a deadly school shooting. Two students were killed and 18 people injured when a shooter opened fire from outside Annunciation Catholic Church last Wednesday. As this community grieves the horrific loss, religious leaders including Pope Leo and many lawmakers are demanding action.

CNN's Jenn Sullivan has more on how this community is now coping.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENN SULLIVAN, CNN REPORTER AND PRODUCER (voice-over): Outside Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, the memorial grows for the victims of Wednesday's mass shooting. UNKNOWN: We are here as believers, Catholics, to support this

Christian community.

SULLIVAN (voice-over): Wednesday morning, a shooter opened fire outside this Catholic school aiming into the church, shattering windows as students gathered during mass. Ten-year-old Harper Moysky and eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel were killed, 18 other people were wounded.

FR. DENNIS ZEHREN, PARISH PRIEST, CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION: If I could have gotten between those bullets.

SULLIVAN (voice-over): Father Zehren opening up about the terrifying moments that he witnessed inside. These glass windows now boarded up following the horror of what happened.

[03:50:05]

Sunday mass packed with parishioners.

ZEHREN: We are in a very low place. It's a place that we could never have imagined, even in our worst nightmares.

SULLIVAN (voice-over): As this community grieves, the head of the Catholic world sending a stern message.

POPE LEO XIV, HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Our prayers for the victims of the tragic shooting during a school mass in the American state of Minnesota. Let us plead God to stop the pandemic of arms, large and small, which infects our world.

SULLIVAN (voice-over): Many Minnesota leaders now demanding action.

REP. ILAHN OMAR (D-MN): It is important for us to make sure that we are offering a slew of solutions. One is to make sure that we are getting rid of assault weapons in our community.

SULLIVAN (voice-over): Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is also reportedly considering holding a special session on gun legislation.

I'm Jenn Sullivan reporting.

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HUNTE: We'll be right back.

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HUNTE: Crowds flocked to view the priceless Bayer tapestry in France over the weekend before it moves to London's British Museum. While the loan is temporary, there's a growing concern that relocating the nearly 1000-year-old work of art could cause significant damage.

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HUNTE (voice-over): The story of a famous battle nearly 1000 years ago unfolds scene after scene on the famous Bayeux tapestry. Tales of a shipwreck, a broken oath, the death of a king and the victory of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, embroidered on a 70-meter-long linen cloth.

A piece of history that will soon go on loan to the British Museum in London, while the Bayeux Museum in France undergoes renovations. Over the weekend, visitors lined up to see the exhibit before it closes to the public.

NEIL KLOTZ, MUSEUM VISITOR: Well, we came specifically to see it in France because we knew it was going to England. We thought well, we could just wait a year and we'll see it there, but what the heck, let's see it where it's from.

HUNTE (voice-over): The Bayeux tapestry, which is technically an embroidery, will be viewable again next year in September at the British Museum until July of 2027 as part of a cultural exchange that was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

[03:55:04]

But critics say moving the 11th century artwork could seriously damage it and there is an online petition with more than 66,000 signatures to stop the loan, saying the tapestry is too precious and too fragile to risk such a transport.

DIDIER RYKNER, ART HISTORIAN (through translator): If we could loan it, we should do so, I have no problem with that. We just cannot, we can't just loan an object that will get damaged. That's unacceptable.

HUNTE (voice-over): Historians say the ancient artifact has rarely been moved from Bayeux, except for brief periods in Napoleon's rule and World War II, but the British Museum says it will take the greatest care with it, saying its conservation team is experienced with handling this type of material.

A French official in charge of the move says no decision has been made yet on how to transport the tapestry, but some museum goers in Bayeux, getting one last look at it before its hiatus, are so fascinated with it.

NICOLE LAWLER, MUSEUM VISITOR: They're worried that it won't survive, which would be horrendous, but I can also see why in the U.K. they would want to have it available there, because it is a significant part of that history.

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HUNTE: That was me, let's keep it going.

Liverpool remain undefeated with three wins out of three after an audacious strike defeats Arsenal at Anfield. CNN's Don Riddell has all of the details for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Once again, Liverpool are on top of the table. No question about the game of the weekend at Anfield between the reigning champions and the side that's finished second in each of the last three seasons.

Arsenal, it was a pretty tight affair, but this proved to be the decisive moment when the Reds' Hungarian star Dominic Szabozlai curled in a stunning free kick in the 83rd minute. It was an audacious strike that settled the game, giving Liverpool their third win out of three. The Reds are the only team now left in the league with a 100 percent record this season.

ARNE SLOT, LIVERPOOL MANAGER: If we play this game 10 times more in the same fashion then I think it's eight times a draw. We win it one time and Arsenal wins it one time because it was an uneventful game.

MIKEL ARTETA, ARSENAL MANAGER: I was very disappointed with the result, very proud of my players. Both teams elevated the game to a level that there were no margins between the two and very little happens, a lot of action in many areas, not that much in the boxes.

It was going to be decided in two possible actions, an individual error or a magic moment. And it was decided in a magic moment from the side.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: For the first time in five years, Lady Gaga plans to perform at MTV's Video Music Awards. MTV made the announcement on Saturday, Lady Gaga is also the leading nominee at the VMAs with 12 nominations, her last VMAs appearance was in 2020. The show is set for Sunday, September 7th.

Well, that's what I've got for you. I'm Ben Hunte in Atlanta, thank you so much for joining me and the team.

"The Amanpour Hour" is next, followed by "Early Start." I will see you at the weekend. See you in a bit.

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