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Israel And Hamas Appear To Move Forward On Trump's Peace Plan; Israel Intercepts Last Boat From Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla; Closure Poised To Enter Second Week Amid Stalemate; Japan Could Soon Have Its First Female Prime Minister; Judge Sentences Combs To 4 Plus Years & $500,000 Fine; Judge To Decide If National Guard Can Deploy To Oregon; Illinois Governor Warns Of Constitutional Crisis; Fired U.S. Prosecutor Warns DOJ More Focused On Trump's Enemies Than On National Security; Vladimir Putin Jokes About Drone Sightings Over Europe; WNBA Stars Criticize Leadership Ahead Of Finals; Taylor Swift Releases 12th Studio Album. Aired 5-6a ET

Aired October 04, 2025 - 05:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:00:33]

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN HOST: Hello and welcome to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN Newsroom.

The first steps towards an end to the war in Gaza. Details on the negotiations and how the White House is reacting. And new concerns within Trump's inner circle about the impact of the government shutdown. We'll have the latest on the standoff across the aisle.

Plus, Japan's ruling party selects a new leader. How she could make history in the next election.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Live from Atlanta, this is CNN Newsroom with Kim Brunhuber.

BRUNHUBER: After nearly two years of war, Israel and Hamas may be closer than ever to ending their fighting. Israel's government and military say they're preparing for the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan. They say the Israeli defense forces will now halt efforts to occupy Gaza City and, quote, "shift to defensive operations only."

On Friday, Hamas agreed to enter negotiations for the release of all hostages as called for in the 20-point peace plan. Israel is preparing a negotiating team for talks to finalize the proposal according to an Israeli official. It also said to be preparing maps for a partial withdrawal of troops from Gaza.

For the latest, I'm joined now by CNN's Eleni Giokos from Dubai. So, Eleni, potentially a huge step forward here. Take us through the latest developments. ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the good news is that Hamas has responded with a statement that seems that they are willing to move ahead with this 20-point plan. But, of course, stopping short of unconditionally committing to all the issues. They're saying they're willing to hand over power to a technocratic Palestinian government and, of course, release all captives, which is one of the most important points for the Israelis.

They stopped short of talking about disarmament, which could be the big sticking point. And for the U.S. and for Donald Trump, disarmament is non-negotiable. I mean, very important here that Israel also said in a statement, and they're talking about getting ready for the first phase of this point plan, 20-point plan, and also ensuring that they are committed to what we're seeing on paper.

However, President Trump also demanded on a social media post saying that Israel needs to stop immediately bombing Gaza. We've heard from residents in Gaza this morning, and this is what they tell us, that there is still bombing in northern Gaza, but they also say with much less intensity and frequency.

I also want to show you this. The Israeli military posted this on saying, "The area north of Wadi Gaza is still considered a dangerous combat zone. Remaining in this area poses a significant risk. For your own safety, avoid returning north or approaching IDF operations, areas anywhere in the strip, even in the south."

Very important development here. This is after President Trump's statement on the stopping of bombing in Gaza. Now, what impact that is going to have as Hamas says that it's willing to get into negotiations remains to be seen. Israel has also said that they want to, you know, move forward with the first phase.

Again, the first phase would include a 72-hour window after both parties agree to release the hostages. That is one important element. Also, Israel's left-wing Democrats Party leader on X this morning saying that the task now and the important priority is to ensure that U.S. President Donald Trump's plan is not sabotaged by either Hamas or the current Israeli government.

Again, a lot of warnings that we're seeing here, Kim, because for President Trump, he's seeing this as a win. Hamas response that the way that he's characterizing this is a win for a piece forward. I want you to take a look at what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is a big day. We'll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down and concrete. Very importantly, I look forward to having the hostages come home to their parents.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

GIOKOS: You know, for the last few years, it'd been -- there's been a lot of questions in terms of what the day after in Gaza would look like. And now with this 20-point plan, there's a little bit of clarity because it includes that Israel will not annex or occupy Gaza.

There's also a plan to rebuild, you know, for the tens of thousands of people that lost their lives in Gaza. But also importantly, for the hostage families, there's going to be some kind of closure if this is a start towards the end of the war.

[05:05:06]

Many people are seeing this as an unprecedented moment and also perhaps a breakthrough moment, Kim. Again, it's all in the details and whether both sides can commit to what is set up in the framework.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, so lots of unknowns, but plenty of hope now.

Eleni Giokos reporting live in Dubai. Thanks so much.

And for more on this, I want to bring in Alon Pinkas, who's the former Israeli consul general in New York, and he joins us now from Tel Aviv. Thanks so much for joining us here again.

So, you and I have been here before when deals have seemed imminent only for them to collapse. But what's your sense this time? Do you have more optimism?

ALON PINKAS, FMR. CONSUL GENERAL OF ISRAEL IN NEW YORK CITY: That's a good question, Kim, because I was going to start with the pessimistic view or the cautionary introduction. But you sort of want me to sound optimistic, I sense. So, yes, this has a better chance than previous plans. True.

However, this is a very tenuous plan. This is a very fragile plan. And there are three elements, two of which are conspicuously absent, and one is under a cloud of question. And that is, first, it requires goodwill. And there's no goodwill between the two sides. I'm talking about the entire plan.

Second, it requires trust, trust between the sides and trust between the sides and the respective mediators. That does not exist. And the third, which we don't know about, but, you know, based on precedents that -- it's not looking good, that is how engaged and committed President Trump is going to stay in terms of the duration.

Because, and this leads me to your question, it is noteworthy that Hamas didn't say yes to the plan but said yes to negotiations, which is exactly what Mr. Netanyahu wanted to hear because now he's going to open it up for negotiations.

So the first obstacle, you know, we're all enthusiastic about the first phase, 72 hours, a lull in the fighting, maybe even a temporary ceasefire that would evolve into a permanent ceasefire, that's all good and true. But after those 72 hours -- well, getting to the 72 hours requires negotiations, and after the 72 hours, there are negotiations about redeployment and Hamas giving up its arms and leaving Gaza peacefully.

I don't see that happening. I -- you know, it's too good to be true. Maybe, Kim, maybe this plan, which looks great on paper, maybe it was designed to be somewhat ambiguous, somewhat open to interpretation, because if you're too strict and too rigid, neither side is going to adhere to it.

But, I -- you know, I'm -- you and I have, like you said, we've had this discussion in the past two years, and I look back beyond those two back, beyond those two years. You always have to be wary of agreements that are immediately heralded and branded as game-changing and transformational and inflection points and what have you.

BRUNHUBER: Yes.

PINKAS: Always be cautious with these agreements.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, I certainly hear your skepticism, and it's wise to be cautious. Plenty of distance still to travel here. But you mentioned President Trump and his engagement. We're reporting --

PINKAS: Yes.

BRUNHUBER: -- that Prime Minister Netanyahu was surprised that President Trump ordered Israel to stop bombing immediately. I mean, what's your take on that? It seems as if the American President is getting a bit tougher on Netanyahu?

PINKAS: Oh, absolutely. I think the point of inflection here, you know, if we use our favorite word of the day here, is the attack, the Israeli attack, which ultimately failed on Qatar on September 9th. That apparently angered Trump, not just because of his family's and his immediate orbits, business and financial dealings with Qatar, but it angered him to the point that he did two things.

The first is that he signed this defense pact, which is non-binding because it's not -- was not confirmed by, approved by Congress, but a defense pact with Qatar. Second -- three things, actually. Second, he forced Mr. Netanyahu publicly, and we all saw the pictures, to apologize in a phone call to the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed Al Thani. That's something Mr. Netanyahu was surprised to do.

And in that room, in the White House, in the Oval Office, there was a Qatari representative. So this just demonstrates the level of disillusionment that Mr. Trump felt. And lastly, your point, he not only announced that Hamas wants peace, but that Israel should immediately stop bombing.

[05:10:08]

If it caught Netanyahu by surprise, it's just further proof that Mr. Netanyahu is constantly misreading Trump's erratic, unpredictable behavior. You know, he's unpredictable, Kim, to the point that it's predictable. You know that he has always two, three options. You have to prepare for all of them.

It appears, not just in this context, but in a broader context that we don't have time to go into, that Mr. Netanyahu, again, repeatedly misreads Mr. Trump. BRUNHUBER: Yes. Well, we'll have to leave it there. But I always appreciate getting your analysis on this. Alon Pinkas in Tel Aviv. Thank you so much.

PINKAS: Thank you, Kim. Good morning.

BRUNHUBER: Israeli forces say they've intercepted the last aid boat from a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza. Over the past two days, Israel boarded 42 boats in all, carrying hundreds of activists trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. Most of them, including Greta Thunberg, are now in custody in southern Israel. Israeli officials say the flotilla was a provocation and insist aid could have been delivered through approved routes.

The U.S. government shutdown seems likely to enter a second week after separate measures to end the funding stalemate failed in the Senate on Friday. There are no plans for the Senate to be in session over the weekend, and the House isn't set to return to Washington at all next week.

Now, sources tell CNN that concerns are growing in Donald Trump's orbit that fallout from the shutdown may be greater than originally believed. The President thought Democrats would fold immediately, giving Republicans a quick political victory, but Democrats are still largely unified in their demands.

CNN's Arlette Saenz has details.

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The government shutdown will now extend until at least Monday as Republicans and Democrats remain at a standstill over how to end this impasse. The Senate failed to advance bills that could have reopened the government on Friday afternoon as both sides are digging in on their positions.

Republicans still want Democrats to get on board with that seven-week stopgap funding bill, while Democrats want Republicans to enter negotiations about extending Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year. There is an informal talks playing out among a group of bipartisan senators, Republicans and Democrats, on possible ways out of this shutdown.

But so far, that has not neared anywhere close to a formal negotiation stage involving leadership or President Donald Trump. For now, what we have heard from Republican and Democratic leaders in the Senate is real -- a real messaging war over who is to blame for this shutdown. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

JOHN THUNE, U.S. SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER: We can't make commitments or promises on the COVID subsidies because that's not something that we can guarantee that they're the votes there to do. But what I've said is I'm open to having conversations with our Democrat colleagues about how to address that issue. And I think that the -- but that can't happen while the government is shut down. CHUCK SCHUMER. U.S. SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER: We saw the Republicans run the same play and they got the same result. The question is, will they change course? The votes aren't there. They thought they could bludgeon us and threaten us and scare us. It ain't working because my caucus and Democrats are adamant that we must protect the health care of the American people.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

SAENZ: And House Speaker Mike Johnson added another interesting dynamic to this political fight. He has now decided to keep House lawmakers back in their home districts next week after initially saying he would bring them back to Washington, D.C. What Republicans are hoping is that they can jam the Senate Democrats into accepting this seven-week stopgap funding bill.

Johnson has said that he does not want to entertain any changes to that bill. He'll keep his Republican lawmakers back in their home districts for the week to try to drag this out a bit longer. But this is all coming as it's really having major consequences on the federal workforce as the White House continues to threaten mass layoffs and is cutting funding for Democratic programs in various Democratic cities and states.

So all of these dynamics are at play as people are trying to determine when exactly this shutdown will end. Right now, both parties are trying to wait until the other blinks first.

Arlette Saenz, CNN, Washington.

BRUNHUBER: Japan's Liberal Democratic Party has elected a new leader and she could now become the country's first female prime minister. CNN's Hanako Montgomery joins us live from Tokyo. Hanako, potentially historic here. What more can you tell us about this new party leader?

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Kim, Sanae Takaichi previously served as the economic security minister under the Ishiba administration. She's quite well known in Japan to be a defense hawk, a nationalist, and also a conservative.

[05:15:05]

Now, in her victory speech earlier on Saturday, she recognized the amount of work that lies ahead for her and also for her party. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

SANAE TAKAICHI, NEWLY ELECTED LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER (through translation): You will work like draft horses. I myself will threw away the very phrase work-life balance. I will work and work and work and work and keep on working.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

MONTGOMERY: Now, a pretty tough message there, Kim. But just in terms of the work that does lie ahead for her and for the Liberal Democratic Party, first on the agenda, of course, is record high inflation. Households are really feeling the pressure of this inflation, spending a lot more when it comes to daily household items.

Now, Takaichi has floated the idea of cutting consumption tax to 0 percent for food in order to help alleviate households. Another solution that she has touted is continuing some of the fiscal policies from her predecessor, the former Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, especially when it comes to stimulus spending.

Now, in terms of foreign policy, Takaichi has signaled the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance. But she has also emphasized a Japan-first way of thinking, which means that she could potentially revisit some of those trade deals that we saw between Washington and Tokyo earlier this year.

Now, as I mentioned, she is a defense hawk and has also suggested potentially revising the Japanese constitution to allow the self- defense forces to be a more fully-fledged military. And she hopes that will help Japan deal with some of the more rising tensions we're seeing in the Asia-Pacific region.

Now, some of the experts I've spoken to, Kim, say that, of course, her win is extremely significant because she is the first female to lead this party. But also, it does signal that Japan's politics is shifting more towards the right. And really, we're seeing that as a result of the general elections we had earlier this year, where we saw the Liberal Democratic Party lose a lot of votes to a far-right populist party.

Now, of course, this party is still a minority party, but, again, it shows the Liberal Democratic Party is not as popular among the general public, and her election could signal that the party is trying to regain the trust of those more conservative voters.

So, again, Kim, lots of problems facing Takaichi. But if she is elected to be the country's next prime minister, she, of course, will try to tackle those head-on as we heard just earlier. Kim?

BRUNHUBER: All right, I appreciate that. Hanako Montgomery in Tokyo. Thanks so much.

American hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs spoke out for the first time in court in his criminal trial. We'll look at what Combs said to the judge before learning his fate in a report from New York.

Plus, Combs' lawyers tell CNN the sentence sends the wrong message. We'll hear more of their reaction after the break.

And how Oregon is fighting the Trump administration's plan to deploy National Guard troops to Portland. Stay with us.

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[05:21:46] BRUNHUBER: Lawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs say they plan to appeal his prison sentence. A judge gave the music mogul 50 months in prison and ordered him to pay the maximum $500,000 fine. CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister was in court for the sentencing.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hip-hop icon Sean "Diddy" Combs sentenced to more than four years in prison after his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The judge telling Combs he would serve hard time away from his family.

In a pivotal day for the 55-year-old rap mogul, he spoke in court for the first time at length, apologizing to Cassie Ventura for any physical and emotional harm he caused. Adding, "I lost my self- respect. I've been humbled and broken to my core. I hate myself right now. I got stripped down to nothing."

He then begged the judge for mercy, saying, "I don't have nobody to blame but myself. I know I'll never put hands on another person again. I know that I've learned my lesson. I'm willing to comply with any conditions the court puts upon me."

His children also spoke on behalf of their dad. Adopted son Quincy Brown, surrounded by his siblings, told the judge his father has learned a lesson, and "week after week we've seen him evolve, something we haven't seen in 15 years. He's completely transformed."

Daughter Jessie addressed the court as well, breaking down into tears, saying, "He has made many mistakes and we aren't here to excuse any of those mistakes. But, Your Honor, he is still our dad, and we still need him present in our lives."

Before the hearing began, Combs' attorneys submitted a campaign-style video showing his charity work, along with images of him caring for his kids after the death of his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter, which was played in court, bringing Combs to tears.

But prosecutors began the hearing by telling the court that a former employee of Diddy's who testified in his trial under the pseudonym Mia would no longer be speaking as originally planned, citing a, quote, "bullying letter submitted by the defense."

The judge also failed to buy the defense's attempt to characterize the so-called freak-offs or drug-fueled sex parties as intimate, consensual experiences. Prosecutors called Combs' respect for the law lip service, and said this is a case with "real victims who have suffered real harms at the hands of the defendant and who, because of the defendant, have questioned their own self-worth and desire to live."

And before issuing the sentence, the judge scolded Combs, saying, "A history of good works cannot erase the power and control you had over the women you professed to love dearly. You abused them physically, emotionally, and psychologically, and you used that to get your way." (END VIDEO TAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Combs' defense attorneys say the judge's sentence was un- American. They claim that Combs was sentenced for conduct for which the jury didn't find him guilty.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

NICOLE WESTMORELAND, COMBS' DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It's absolutely wrong. The jury verdict was disregarded, and it's not supposed to happen. You shouldn't do that. Going to trial is already hard enough. When the jury speaks, you need to listen.

[05:25:02]

BRIAN STEEL, COMBS' DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I think they sent the wrong message to people. This is wrong. We have to change the way we look at it. We are incarcerating way too many people. So two years is an eternity in custody.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

BRUNHUBER: CNN's Legal Analyst Joey Jackson has a different take. He explains why he thinks the sentencing turned out in Diddy's favor. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: He is a big winner today. Let me explain why. When we started out this trial with regard to the racketeering charges, he's running a criminal enterprise, he was facing life in jail. In addition to life in jail, which his liberty interests would have been gone, he was facing the forfeiture of all of his assets.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

JACKSON: Now, right, he beats the charges, three of them at least, and he gets sentenced now on the other two, transportation for prostitution. You have the United States Department of Probation, they also issue a recommendation. Their recommendation, Kaitlan, was anywhere from, what, five to seven years.

Judge went below that and said, I'm not going to give you the 14 months, but I'm going to add on more time, which was four years. So if you look at it on balance from what he came into this case with, facing his life, the destruction of his life, to now doing four years and a half a million dollars in payment -- oh, a half a million dollars. He was facing $1 billion in loss because of the forfeiture.

So call it what you want. This is a tremendous win. To be clear, when I say win, there are no winners. There are victims here who are reeling. We get that. Certainly his family is in a problem place. They want him home.

But at the end of the day, from what the prosecutors started to where they got, this is a tremendous victory for his team, even if his defense lawyers are really unhappy, and so is he.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

BRUNHUBER: A fired federal prosecutor has a message about the Trump administration. His warning to his former colleagues and the rest of the country just ahead here on CNN Newsroom. Stay with us.

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[05:30:08]

BRUNHUBER: Welcome back, I'm Kim Brunhuber, let's check some of today's top stories. After nearly two years of war, Israel and Hamas may be closer than ever to ending their fighting. On Friday, Hamas agreed to enter negotiations for the release of all hostages as called for in President Trump's peace plan, and now Israel will reportedly halt efforts to occupy Gaza City and, quote, "shift to defensive operations only."

With the government shutdown now in its fourth day, the White House indicates President Trump isn't talking with Democrats about signing on to a spending package that would end the standoff. Senators went home for the weekend after two competing funding proposals failed in chambers. They aren't expected to return until Monday.

Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense team plans to appeal his prison sentence which they call un-American. Combs has been sentenced to four years and two months and fined $500,000. He was convicted in July on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

The White House is waiting to learn if it can send National Guard troops into Oregon. A federal judge is deciding whether to grant a temporary restraining order to prevent the move. Oregon and Portland officials sued after President Donald Trump announced he would send the National Guard to Portland. Trump cited weeks long anti-ICE demonstrations.

The state says the order is illegal. Oregon officials also say the protests were small until the President's announcement drew attention to them. The judge could issue a decision on Saturday.

And the U.S. Supreme Court says President Trump can strip the temporary deportation protections that the Biden administration gave to 300,000 Venezuelans. That's comes after ICE agents raided an apartment building in Chicago Tuesday. The Department of Homeland Security says 37 undocumented immigrants were arrested. Many were from Venezuela.

Also in the Chicago area, the head of Homeland Security watched as at least five people were arrested during protests outside an ICE facility. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stood on the rooftop surrounded by armed agents and a camera crew. The protesters faced charges including aggravated battery to a police officer, resisting and obstruction.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker reacted to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in his state Friday. He said in part, "The constitutional crisis is not on its way, it is here and we all better start acting like it."

A fired federal prosecutor says the Justice Department is more focused on targeting President Trump's enemies than protecting the country. CNN's Evan Perez has the story.

EVAN PEREZ, CNN SENIOR JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: The former top national security prosecutor in Virginia's Eastern District is now responding to his firing by the Trump administration after being targeted with a false accusation on conservative social media.

Michael Ben'Ary returned to work briefly to collect his belongings and he taped a farewell letter to his colleagues outside his former office saying that top justice department leadership, quote, "is more concerned with punishing President Donald Trump's perceived enemies than they are with protecting our national security."

But the prosecutor was fired on Wednesday after a pro-Trump activist and writer targeted him by name on the ex-social media platform saying, quote, "One can only assume that he was part of the internal resistance to the James Comey indictment."

But Ben'Ary wasn't involved in the case against the former FBI Director James Comey who was indicted last week. Ben'Ary denounced his firing as without cause and based on a little more than a social media post containing false information. In his letter Friday -- dated on Friday, Ben'Ary said that as a prosecutor he took an oath that requires you to follow the facts and the law wherever they lead free from fear or favor and unhindered by political interference.

He said that in recent months the political leadership of the department have violated those principles jeopardizing our national security and making American citizens less safe. Ben'Ary was leading the prosecution of a man accused in the planning of the Abbey Gate bombing in which U.S. military members were killed in a terrorist attack in -- during the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Ben'Ary's letter adds to a list of Justice Department prosecutors and FBI agents who've been fired for being -- for having perceived partisan's reasons. Now we've seen a number of cases where MAGA influencers on social media falsely accused someone of being involved in matters related to President Trump and then the administration then firing them.

That happened recently with a military veteran and former FBI pilot who was accused by a prominent pro-Trump social media account of being part of the Mar-a-Lago search. It turns out he wasn't involved at all but he was still fired. And his boss was also fired after trying to save his job.

Evan Perez, CNN Washington.

BRUNHUBER: Munich's airport is slowly returning to normal after possible drone sightings forced a second day of flight cancelations. Dozens of flights were delayed or suspended on both Thursday and Friday nights affecting thousands of passengers.

[05:35:07]

Similar to drone-related incidents have hit several other European countries including Norway and Denmark. They're on high alert after recent Russian drone incursions in Poland and Romania. Now while those drone sightings have leaders in several, European countries worried Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to be making fun of their concerns.

CNN Senior International Correspondent Melissa Bell has details from Paris.

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The Russian president's been denying that Moscow was behind recent drone incursions in Denmark mocking in fact European fears and the growing concerns on the European continent. After a series of Russian drones landing in Poland, Russian fighter jets coming into Estonian airspace and then the most recent the drones in Denmark but also at Munich airport.

No direct link has been shown with Moscow but the finger of suspicion decidedly points there. This is what Vladimir Putin had to say about European fears.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): Vladimir Vladimirovich, why are you sending so many drones to Denmark?

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translation): I won't anymore. Not to France, not to Denmark, not to Copenhagen. Where else are they flying to. To Lisbon, you know, they're the people that are amusing themselves are the ones that used to get amused by UFOs. There's so many weirdos out there.

But if we speak seriously, we do not have drones that can reach Lisbon. We do have some long range drones but we do not have any targets there.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

BELL: A tone that will do nothing to quell those European fears that have been growing. There have been the words of Donald Tusk, the Polish Prime Minister warning that this is war. And the invoking of Article 4 of NATO which launches a consultation process.

So these incidents have been taken extremely seriously in Europe with a lot of European leaders sounding the alarm bells. Vladimir Putin's words will do nothing to calm their fears not only because of the mocking tone but because of the threat behind them.

What the Russian president went on to say in front of that gathering in Sochi was that these fears were being propagated in order to militarize Europe further something that would draw a response from Russia at some point.

Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris. BRUNHUBER: Three more people have been arrested in connection with the deadly attack on a synagogue in northern England. Six people are now in custody in connection with the violence in Manchester on Yom Kippur, the most holy holiday in Judaism. The attack left two members of the congregation dead.

Police now say one of the victims was likely shot by officers who rushed to the scene. Despite that, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the police response. Here is.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I've been to the scene to pay my respects and to get a sense of what you were confronted with. I've also seen the body worn cameras and the footage out of that. And I am absolutely clear in my mind as to the professionalism of the response, the speed of the response and also an absolutely awful incident would have been even worse if it hadn't been for your response.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Investigators said the main suspect may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology. He was killed by officers at the scene.

We'll be right back with more here on CNN Newsroom. Please do stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:41:37]

BRUNHUBER: The leadership of the Women's National Basketball Association is coming under fire from some of the game's biggest stars and it's happening as the WNBA tips off its championship final series. Cathy Engelbert came to the league as a business woman not an athlete and some players say her lack of knowledge about the game is hurting the sport.

Several star players are speaking out about their concerns and the commissioner is promising to make changes. Here she is.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

NAPHEESA COLLIER, MINNESOTA LYNX POWER FORWARD: We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world. But right now, we have the worst leadership in the world.

SOPHIA CUNNINGHAM, INDIANA FEVER GUARD: There are a lot of people in the position of powers in the WNBA who they might be really great business people but they don't know about basketball and that's got to change.

CATHY ENGELBERT, WNBA COMMISSIONER: I was disheartened to hear that some players feel the league and me personally do not care about them or listen to them. And if the players in the W don't feel appreciated and valued by the league, then we have to do better and I have to do better.

We are establishing a multi-stakeholder task force call it like a state of the game committee inviting player voices and other stakeholders to that table to ensure that our officiated platform evolves in step with the growth of the league.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

BRUNHUBER: And joining us now to talk about this controversy is CNN Sports Analyst Christine Brennan. She is the author of "On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports" and she joins us now from Washington.

Great to get your expertise on this issue. So the Las Vegas Phoenix in game one of the championship series but much of the focus seems to be off the court. Players openly calling out the commissioner saying it's the worst leadership in the world. I mean, take us through what's driving this rebellion right now.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: Well, Kim, you're absolutely right. I mean at the moment that they should be celebrating basketball, the athletes, the incredible achievements of these young women instead the WNBA is mired in this chaos, controversy, acrimony basically pitting the commissioner against players and that's just terrible. It's absolutely a terrible situation for the WNBA.

For me how it has begun is you have the most popular women's basketball player ever. Caitlin Clark showing up a year and a half ago in April of 2024. And the league has had real trouble. Players, others, owners, coaches, et cetera has had real trouble giving her due. Understandably, 74 percent black league.

I've covered it the length of the league since 1997. So many of these great players most -- many of them, most of them black who never got the attention they deserve from the male dominated mainstream sports media. And now a white woman Caitlin Clark comes into that situation and she's the superstar.

I think everyone can understand how that could be an issue especially set against this very fraught polarized time in the United States. Anyway, that's where we are. If you don't level with the players, if you don't have a sense here of honesty, instead they're sniping and people are trying to minimize Caitlin Clark, that then you can have something where there's a void and filling that void can be chaos and controversy. And I think that is exactly what we're watching happen here today.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. Are the players' criticisms of the commissioner legitimate do you think? I mean, has she not done the right thing? Give us some examples of sort of exactly what they're complaining about.

[05:45:14]

BRENNAN: Look, it's an interesting situation because Cathy Engelbert comes from a financial background, incredibly successful woman in a man's world. She has fought all of those battles to achieve great things at Deloitte and then come over the WNBA.

And there are six new franchises. The TV rights deal has gone up three times. These are some very good times in the WNBA. Again those incredible attendance records TV viewership way up mostly attributed to Caitlin Clark. Nonetheless, all that spotlight is shining on her is now giving attention to all kinds of athletes, all these other players, who didn't get it, deserved it but never got it. Now that spotlight is shining on them too.

OK, so that's that's the positive. The negative is that the players are basically in mutiny. And what they're concerned about is the salary for Caitlin Clark and the rookies last year, $76,000. Just as a comparison. The NBA first round draft pick made $57 million. $57 million for the men, 76,000 for the women. First year players, the top player.

That's just -- you know, that's awful. But the reality is that the WNBA has not been financially successful. It is a relatively new league. It hasn't been around anywhere near as long as the WNBA or other men's leagues. So those are some of the issues mostly financial. And now of course respect for the players.

Can you trust the commissioner? Can you believe the commissioner? Because we have Napheesa Collier saying one thing. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert saying the other. A great player and a commissioner completely at odds and basically calling the other a liar. That is obviously a terrible situation.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. And complicating all of this, the collective bargaining agreement expires in less than a month. I mean you've called this the most -- the most important moment in WNBA history. I mean, why is that?

BRENNAN: Because of the popularity, the new fans, and again controversy involving everything. But because you're bringing people into the fold for the first time and these are dads and moms and daughters and sons that have never watched the WNBA. So if you can -- if the league can keep them, and this is Caitlin Clark's point too, if this is the moment and if you can keep these fans and you don't alienate them, then you've got something.

You've got a league that's really rolling and doing what we would have all hoped it could have done say 10, 15, 20 years ago. The time is now. This is the moment. That's the situation.

But if there is a lockout, October 31st is the collective bargaining agreement deadline. They could extend it but there also could be a lockout a strike or they could have a deal. You know, Kim, if there's a lockout, if there's a strike, this is such a precarious moment for the WNBA. With all the other sports out there, people will just move on.

You don't want -- the league does not want to lose the very fans it has just attracted through Caitlin Clark and some of the other rookies who are in first now second year players who are absolutely delighting and fascinating fans. BRUNHUBER: Yes. Lots at stake for a sport at a sensitive time as you say, but a sport that certainly deserves a lot more exposure. And we appreciate your take on it.

CNN Sports Analyst Christine Brennan, thanks again.

BRENNAN: Thank you very much.

BRUNHUBER: All right. Much more to come here on CNN. Taylor Swift's highly anticipated new album is out. We'll hear how fans are reacting. That's coming up after the break. Stay with us.

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[05:52:38]

BRUNHUBER: Taylor Swift's new album, "The Life of a Showgirl", was only out for about 11 hours Friday when it became this year's most streamed album in a single day on Spotify. CNN's Jason Carroll spoke with fans in New York to find out how Swifties are reacting to the star's latest music release.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

(MUSIC)

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A small sample from a song called "Opalite," it's one of 12 new tracks on Taylor Swift's just-released album titled, "The Life of a Showgirl," and it already has her fans wanting to hear more.

CARROLL: Favorite song on the album so far?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "Opalite."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's Taylor Swift!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my God!

TAYLOR SWIFT, POP STAR: Hi.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Whooh!

TAYLOR: The album is out, and I have such uncomplicated feelings of joy about it.

CARROLL (voice-over): The pop star is all about the art of reinvention, and she has reset the stage once again with her latest album.

CROWD: Two, one, whooh!

CARROLL (voice-over): Unlike her last album, a two-hour poetic anthology about heartbreak, "The Life of a Showgirl" is more concise and upbeat, at times tackling issues with fame and the music industry. There's a track that incorporates music from the George Michael hit, "Father Figure."

At 35, Swifties say their pop idol is taking a more sensual tone this time around, and it's reflected not only on her album art, but in the lyrics. This version of Swift is just fine with dedicated fans who have grown up with her over the years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The same way I was crying to the outside when I was a left-out 12-year-old kid, I'm like crying to eldest daughter last night. Like, it just goes across like my whole life.

CARROLL (voice-over): 12 tracks on her 12th studio album, fans across the country waited in line to be among the first to buy it at midnight, others showed up to late-night listening parties. The album is a coda to her biggest year yet. She finished her record-shattering Eras Tour. She announced in an Instagram post that she owns her masters, and of course, she's now engaged to NFL star Travis Kelce.

TAYLOR: I used to kind of have this dark fear that if I ever were truly, like, happy and free being myself and nurtured by a relationship, that like, what happens if the writing just dries up? And it turns out that's not the case at all, and we just were catching lightning in a bottle with this record.

[05:55:08]

CARROLL (voice-over): It's not just music, it's also a movie event. Fans on Friday flocked to theaters to see Taylor Swift, the official release party of a showgirl, to celebrate the new album.

CROWD: It was so good.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I really haven't felt this specific joy since the Eras Tour.

CARROLL (voice-over): It's a rollout designed to make "The Life of a Showgirl" not just an album, but a spectacle.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

CARROLL (on-camera): Well, as is often the case, music can be open to interpretation, and this go around. Some fans are already saying that one of the songs on this new album that takes aim at another pop star, Charli XCX. Well, what we can tell you for sure is that Swift is working with some of the very same producers that she worked with in the past, who made some of her biggest hits, and some of her fans are already saying that this new album is another big hit.

Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.

BRUNHUBER: Well, evidence is mounting for the existence of Planet Y, a body thought to be smaller than Earth but larger than Mercury orbiting in our solar system's Kuiper belt beyond Neptune. The catch is that astronomers haven't seen it directly. A Princeton University study has inferred it from the strange tilts of icy objects in that distant region. But some of the challenges involved with observing it could soon be resolved. An observatory in Chile is set to begin a 10-year survey of the night sky with the world's largest digital camera. Its observations could finally confirm whether Planet Y exists.

All right, that wraps this hour of CNN Newsroom. I'm Kim Brunhuber. For viewers in North America, CNN This Morning is next. For the rest of the world, it's African Voices Changemakers.

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