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U.S. Official: Technical Talks with Iran Still 'On Track' Despite Weekend Exchange of Fire; Over 1,400 Dead, 13,000 Displaced as Rescue Efforts Continue in Venezuela; 11 Dead after Skydiving Plane Crashes in France; Deadly Heat Shatters Records in Germany; IDF Troops Encounter Deadly Hezbollah Drones in Lebanon; Ukrainian Tennis Player Refuses to Stay Silent on the War; How Britain Learned of America's Independence; The Wild Side of World Cup Predictions; Some Religious Events Now Feature Robots, A.I. Aired 12-1a ET
Aired June 29, 2026 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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 with me.
[00:00:41]
Coming up on the show, turning down the heat. We're hearing the U.S. and Iran are ready to resume talks after exchanging strikes over the weekend.
Also, incredible stories of survival in Venezuela as the race to find people in the rubble reaches a critical point.
And scrambling on the front lines. How a cheap, low-tech weapon is leaving one of the world's most advanced militaries exposed.
ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Ben Hunte.
HUNTE: Welcome. We begin in the Middle East, where a Trump administration official says the U.S. and Iran will, quote, "stand down for now" after both sides exchanged fresh strikes near the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend.
That official also saying the vessels can move freely in the strait. So far, though, there has been no word from Iran.
Tensions flared in recent days as Iran and the U.S. exchanged fire and renewed death threats, straining a fragile truce amid the latest escalation.
Iran says it targeted U.S. military sites in neighboring countries. That included Bahrain, where damage could be seen at a residential building.
A U.S. official says drones and missiles launched by Iran were, quote, "shot down, intercepted, or failed to reach their intended targets." CNN's Julia Benbrook reports from Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After days of escalation, the big question is how does this impact the ongoing talks between the United States and Iran?
A senior administration official tells me that those talks will continue as planned, going on to say this: "Nothing has been canceled. Technical talks regarding the implementation of the MOU" -- the memorandum of understanding -- "are on track for the coming days as planned, and de-confliction channels are up and running after the Lake Lucerne Summit."
BENBROOK (voice-over): It was just last weekend that Vice President J.D. Vance traveled to Switzerland to lead high-level, high-stakes talks.
And a reminder that the memorandum of understanding, what has been agreed to by the United States and Iran, is really just a starting point. It kicked off a 60-day time period to work through the details on some of the big issues regarding Iran's nuclear program --
BENBROOK: -- including the fate of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
As the back and forth has taken place in recent days, one of the major developments came Saturday evening, as U.S. Central Command --
BENBROOK (voice-over): -- said that it had carried out additional strikes at the direction of the president on multiple targets in response to Iran's continued aggression.
Now, Trump took to social media after that, saying that Iran may never learn, adding this: "If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist."
BENBROOK: The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, spoke with FOX News Sunday morning and reiterated that statement.
Take a listen.
MIKE WALTZ, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: If the Iranian regime thinks for a second that President Trump is going to sit -- sit by, stand by while Iran continues to attack international shipping without a response, or our bases without a response, they're sadly mistaken.
And they saw that loud and clear over the last few nights, where we'll continue to, militarily if needed, take down their infrastructure that they're trying to use to illegally control an international waterway.
BENBROOK: So, again, the administration tells CNN that talks will continue as planned on all sides of the MOU, adding that both sides will stand down for now and that vessels will continue to move freely.
Julia Benbrook, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: Joining us now is Cedric Leighton, CNN military analyst and retired U.S. Air Force colonel. It is good to see you, sir.
Technical talks between the U.S. and Iran appear to be back on track this week. That is, obviously, despite the recent exchange of attacks.
Does that suggest that both sides still want some sort of a solution?
COL. CEDRIC LEIGHTON (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: I think so, Ben, and it's great to be with you again.
There -- there are certain signals that each side is sending to each other, and I think the -- one of them being these technical talks scheduled for Doha. Those are going to, I think, be important for any progress that could potentially be achieved, whether it comes to the Strait of Hormuz or other issues, such as perhaps the nuclear deal.
[00:05:07]
But that's the kind of thing that has to happen in order for any type of ceasefire, at the very least, to basically stay in place.
HUNTE: The ceasefire is still holding, but it is clearly under strain. From a military perspective, how close are we to seeing it totally break down?
LEIGHTON: Well, it really depends on the way in which each side responds to the other.
And by that, what I mean is, you know, if the Iranians start hitting more targets in the Persian Gulf states, on the -- on the Arab side of the Gulf, that would indicate a -- definitely, perhaps, an irrevocable strain in the ceasefire.
It would certainly reach an irrevocable strain if the Iranians attacked military bases, the U.S. military bases in the Middle East. And that would be, you know, something where, if there's a lot of destruction of either properties or equipment or there's loss of life, that could definitely set things apart.
On the other side of the equation, if the Iranians are, you know, attacked and feel that they have lost an undue amount of weapons or munitions or personnel, perhaps that could also result in, you know, strain that way.
But it looks to me more like it would be really dependent on how the U.S. is impacted at this point.
HUNTE: Mm-hmm. Iran has continued to launch missiles and drones in recent days, targeting ships as well as U.S. positions in the Gulf. What does that tell you about the state of Iran's military capabilities? LEIGHTON: Well, one thing it does tell me is that they still have a
store of weapons that -- and launch facilities, and launch platforms that was not destroyed during the more active phase of this war.
So, what that really indicates is that the Iranians have good capabilities to hide systems, to reconstitute systems, and to put them in place where they can potentially strike ships in the Strait of Hormuz or military bases, or, of course, installations that belong to the Arab nations on the other side of the Gulf.
HUNTE: Well, speaking of the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. officials say that they have repeatedly struck Iranian missile and air defense sites around it. But how effective have those operations been in reducing the threat?
LEIGHTON: So, they've been somewhat effective in that they have an immediate result when they do strike launch facilities or missile emplacements or storage facilities. That does have an impact.
And it really means that the Iranians can't reload as quickly as they would like to. But they do have a reconstitution capability. And because of that reconstitution capability, the strikes have not been 100 percent effective in the sense that they've achieved some kind of a permanent cessation of Iranian capabilities.
And that has a significant impact, because it means the Iranians keep coming back to doing things such as disrupting the flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
HUNTE: OK. Potentially one final one. How surprised are you that we're still talking about this so many months later?
LEIGHTON: Not surprised at all, Ben. Because one of the things that is, I think, you know, indicative of the Iranian way of conducting warfare is that they have a degree of resilience that is not often appreciated by some of their adversaries.
And really, what that means is that the Iranians have a capability to withstand what would be considered, you know, pretty big shocks for some military forces. But they can lose a lot of conventional capabilities. But they have a lot of asymmetric capabilities that they keep using, and they're going to continue to use them. So, I'm not surprised at all.
HUNTE: Me neither. Well, Cedric, always good to see you. I'm sure we'll be speaking to you again very, very soon. Probably see you next week. Thank you for now.
LEIGHTON: You bet, Ben. Take care.
HUNTE: Thanks.
The search for survivors is becoming more desperate in Venezuela, four days after two powerful earthquakes devastated the country.
It is a scene of utter destruction in some areas, with hundreds of buildings collapsed and more heavily damaged. The death toll has risen to at least 1,450, and experts believe that thousands more deaths are still possible.
But there are some signs of hope, with videos of rescues like this, you're seeing there, being released as thousands of emergency workers from other countries have arrived to help.
This video here was shared online by El Salvador's president, who says crews rescued this woman, who had spent 86 hours trapped under rubble.
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Venezuela's acting president says there has been a lot of progress with restoring utilities in some of the hardest hit areas. But people digging through rubble say the country was never ready to deal with a disaster on this scale.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DELCY RODRIGUEZ, ACTING VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT (through translator): We have already restored about 75 percent of electricity service. Teams continue working towards full restoration of electrical services in the state, as well as water services, which is at 68 percent, and roadways, which are about 90 percent restored. And all the transit in circulation, which is very important for rescue operations.
HERNAN SANDOVAL, EARTHQUAKE SURVIVOR (through translator): Venezuela was not prepared for this. We were not even prepared for a flu, honestly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: CNN contributor Stefano Pozzebon has more on the rescue efforts.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR (voice-over): Rescue workers are digging their way through rubble and dust to locate survivors in la Guaira, trapped for days under a pile of collapsed homes.
The port city is ground zero for the Venezuelan earthquake search-and- rescue operation.
This elite rescue team from the U.S. believe they've heard a tap-tap from under the debris.
POZZEBON: They try to communicate with them with sound. And this is why this is truly a race against time. But it's a race against time that is happening in utter silence. Nobody dares to speak. Nobody dares to shout, because a sound could mean a life saved.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's an elevator too, right?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Next to the stairs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was it a true center core?
POZZEBON: For now, all of this is happening as the relatives of the people trapped inside and other survivors are staying here. They're waiting. They're watching. It's an excruciating wait for someone who has a seven-year-old son trapped beneath the rubble.
POZZEBON (voice-over): Ronald Pinua (ph) has not slept since Wednesday. He was out when the quakes hit. His son was with his grandmother at home.
POZZEBON: Amen.
RONALD PINUA (PH), SON TRAPPED BY EARTHQUAKE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
POZZEBON (voice-over): "I will find my son today," he says. "I know I will."
It's now or never for thousands of people who are still missing. Most earthquake survivors are rescued within 72 hours. These rescue workers say they will continue to dig until everyone is accounted for.
The Venezuelan government estimates more than 12,000 people have been displaced. They all need a place to sleep and eat.
We've just arrived to a fast food. It's a fried chicken restaurant, but they've been turned into a community kitchen, basically. All of these people are now working in a chain to bring out 1,500 ready meals.
It's fried chicken and fries, but that will fuel both displaced and volunteers that are trying to help.
POZZEBON (voice-over): At these restaurants, everyone lives in la Guaira. Everyone has lived through the double earthquake, but nobody wants to rest.
It's the strength of a community who refuses to give up, despite the reality.
By sunset, the search stopped. Ronald's son was found, along with his grandmother, under the rubble, the latest victim in a tragedy that's already taken more than 1,400 lives. It will still take days to recover their remains, but the pain will stay forever.
Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, La Guaira, Venezuela.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: Earlier, I spoke with Beatriz Ochoa, the regional head of advocacy at the Norwegian Refugee Council, about the aftermath of the disaster in Venezuela. I asked her how much hope remains to find survivors, four days since the initial quakes. Here's a part of our conversation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEATRIZ OCHOA, REGIONAL HEAD OF ADVOCACY, NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL: People are still hopeful that they will find their friends and family members. There's rescue teams from all over the world, trying to save as many lives as possible here in Caracas and in the coastal town of La Guaira. There's many, many people trying to help. And all efforts are doing their best so that more people can be found.
HUNTE: That is good to hear.
The death toll has now climbed above 1,400. Realistically, and based on what you're seeing on the ground, how much higher are you expecting that number to go?
OCHOA: I think this is something very difficult to assess. Rescue teams will try to do their best. And what we -- what I can tell you as the Norwegian Refugee Council is that we also need to focus on people that have lost their homes and that are going to shelters.
We have visited some places today, and we're seeing a lot of the needs, especially for -- for people finding safer places to sleep, to have access to water, to have access to food. So, this is also important to focus on.
[00:15:17]
HUNTE: Can you just tell us how the earthquake has made Venezuela's existing humanitarian situation worse?
OCHOA: Yes, this is a very good question. Before the earthquakes, already, more than 7 million people were in need of international support, of humanitarian assistance. And this has -- fell short in the last few years. So, we can only imagine that all this is getting worse.
There hasn't been estimates as such. This will take a little bit of time, but I can only tell you that the situation will -- will certainly worsen because of the earthquakes. So, we need more and more support from the -- from the international community.
HUNTE: Well, speaking of that support from the international community, rescue teams have started arriving from around the world. Do you think that assistance is getting to people who need it the most, or are there still major challenges there?
OCHOA: I think we're talking about two things here. The search-and- rescue operations are the most life-saving ones and what is needed right now to try to save as many lives as possible.
But we're also seeing the need for enough water, enough food, enough medical supplies, what we call non-food items such as mattresses and places where people can sleep. So, this is coming from the international community, but it also --
it's also being already received, in some instances from -- from the community.
The community themselves are the first that are organizing the neighbors. This is something that has surprised me in a very good way: the great support from the neighbors, from families, from friends that are bringing hot meals to a lot of people, medical supplies, bottles of water.
But the most important thing is that this needs to be sustained. There's a lot of efforts in the first week. This needs to be sustained in the weeks, months, years to come.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: Tragedy in France after a skydiving plane, even, crashed in the Northeast. The plane took off from a small airport in Nancy, France, then went down shortly afterwards, just missing a housing development in a nearby town.
CNN's Saskya Vandoorne has more for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SASKYA VANDOORNE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Eleven people have been killed after a skydiving plane crashed on Sunday in the Northeastern French town of Tomblaine --
VANDOORNE (voice-over): -- according to local authorities. The aircraft belonged to a skydiving club and was carrying a pilot and ten skydivers. Five students and five instructors. The five students appeared to be independent nurses, according to the president of the independent nurses' association.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but the regional prefect told BFMTV that the aircraft appeared to suffer damage before plunging almost vertically to the ground.
The crash occurred in a built-up area near a shopping center, and there were many witnesses at the scene --
VANDOORNE: -- including the relatives of the victims.
YVES SEGUY, PREFECT, DEPARTMENT OF MEURTHE-ET-MOSELLE (through translator): The plane, which was carrying 11 people, crashed suddenly in the immediate vicinity of the airfield. There are 11 victims at this time. There are no bystanders among the casualties.
Together with all stakeholders, emergency services and all the elected officials around me, our thoughts are with the victims and with their loved ones.
VANDOORNE: An investigation has been opened as officials work to determine exactly what caused the crash.
Saskya Vandoorne CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: Europe's heat wave isn't over yet. Rome is turning to technology to help keep elderly people safe in the heat, and Germany just set another record. More details ahead.
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[00:23:36]
HUNTE: Welcome back. The World Cup knockout stage is off to a dramatic start after Canada eliminated South Africa on Sunday, becoming the first team to secure their spot in the round of 16.
A last-ditch strike from Canada's Stephen Eustaquio delivered the one- nil win in the 92nd minute of play. This is Canada's first ever knockout stage victory in the World Cup.
Next up for Canada will be the winner of Monday's match between the Netherlands and Morocco. Brazil, Japan, Germany, and Paraguay will also be fighting to keep their World Cup dreams alive on Monday.
Record-breaking heat is moving Eastward across Europe. Dozens of deaths on the continent have been linked to the sweltering weather.
Temperatures in Rome have climbed to the upper 30s. Elderly people are especially at risk and Rome is now using smart bracelets to monitor residents who live alone.
The device allows a team of social workers to monitor heart rate and sleep patterns, and also allows them to call for help in an emergency.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PLERA POMENTE, ROME CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (through translator): They really suffer from the heat and the device is essential. We also noticed that it is helping them stay calm, despite the excessive heat and heavy sweating.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: Local authorities are describing the bracelet as a key health prevention tool during the ongoing heat wave. An 85-year-old Rome resident says the heat outside can make her blood pressure drop, so it's reassuring to have the bracelet to keep track of it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[00:25:10]
DINA GAZZELLA, 85-YEAR-OLD ROME RESIDENT (through translator): It gives me a sense of security, because I feel more at ease. I feel more at ease in case something happens to me. If I feel unwell, this is my lifeline. Or at least that's how I see it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: Germany broke its all-time heat record for a third consecutive day on Sunday. CNN's Fred Pleitgen is in Berlin with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The heat wave in much of Europe continues, as you can see here, in central Berlin. A lot of people making their way outdoors, for instance, on these tourist boats, obviously getting baked right now in the midday sun here in Berlin.
A lot of folks are coming out, trying to beat the heat, because one of the things about Europe here is that you're not going to beat the heat by staying inside. Very few homes have air conditioners here in Germany and, of course, in other European countries, as well.
And that really is making life difficult for folks as this heat wave has been going on for an extended period of time.
There were some thunderstorms over the Berlin area last night, but there was another big spike in the heat that happened on Sunday morning. And certainly, the folks here definitely doing anything that they can to try and stay cool.
All of this actually also affecting the infrastructure here in Germany. The German government says that several highways have seen the concrete of those highways crack in certain places. Some of the highways have been shut down. Others have additional speed limits.
Also, the German Railway Company is telling people, if you don't have to travel by rail, don't do it, because obviously, in this weather, if a train is delayed or if an air conditioner malfunctions, that could very quickly become a health emergency for some people, as well.
As far as the forecast is concerned, it seems as though there is some respite on the way. There's big heat here on Sunday.
However, in the night from Sunday into Monday, there is a temperature drop. At least that's what the forecast says. And then certainly, starting into this coming week, the Germans are hoping, as are many Europeans, that the temperatures are going to cool down.
Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: Israel and Hezbollah are still trading blows across Southern Lebanon. Still ahead, how the continued military action could impact the latest ceasefire agreement and the technology being used.
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[00:32:13]
HUNTE: Welcome back. I'm Ben Hunte. Let's take a look at today's top stories.
The death toll has risen to at least 1,450 in Venezuela after two earthquakes struck the country last week. Search-and-rescue efforts continue, with thousands of emergency workers from other countries helping the Venezuela crews.
Officials say nearly 13,000 people have been displaced by the disaster.
Eleven people are dead after a skydiving plane crashed in Northeast France.
The plane plunged almost vertically to the ground shortly after takeoff. It just missed a housing development, but no bystanders were injured.
A Trump administration official says the U.S. and Iran will, quote, "stand down for now" after exchanging fresh strikes over the weekend.
That escalation taking place near the Strait of Hormuz, where the official says vessels can now move freely. Iran, though, has not yet weighed in on that matter.
Continued clashes between Israel and Hezbollah fighters are threatening to unravel U.S.-Iran negotiations. This newly-released video from the Israeli military reportedly shows strikes on a 200- meter tunnel in Southern Lebanon.
Israel says the underground route was being used by Hezbollah to store hundreds of weapons and launchers, too.
Despite signing a 14-point ceasefire agreement just days prior, the Israeli Defense Forces insists it is still allowed to act against Hezbollah's attacks, threats, and hostile intent.
Hezbollah and Iran have rejected the latest agreement, demanding the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.
And as CNN's Jeremy Diamond reports, Hezbollah is modernizing its arsenal to pinpoint IDF targets.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A Hezbollah drone cruises undetected over Southern Lebanon, propellers whirring until its target comes into view. A group of six Israeli soldiers caught off-guard in front of a tank. The feed cuts at the moment of impact, which killed a 19-year-old sergeant.
He is the first Israeli soldier to be killed by this type of drone, but not the last.
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has deployed these cheap, explosive- strapped, first-person-view drones to deadly effect. Dozens of videos from Hezbollah show they've struck tanks, air defense systems, and unsuspecting troops in Southern Lebanon and Northern Israel.
The Israeli military says Hezbollah's drones have killed at least 12 soldiers since the current conflict erupted in March, one-third of all fatalities.
The key to their lethality: a spool carrying miles of thin fiber optic cable that keeps these drones tethered to their pilot, rather than emitting easy-to-detect radio signals.
[00:35:07]
Ukraine has been combating these fiber optic drones for two years, but Ukrainian officials say their Israeli counterparts didn't heed their warnings about the emerging threat.
The Israeli military, now scrambling to catch up, deploying mesh netting like this to protect troops operating in or near Lebanon, and providing them with shotguns and fragmenting rounds to take out approaching drones.
The military is also enlisting the private sector to help track this new threat, using acoustic, optical, and radar-based sensors.
SHAI KURIANSKY, CEO, AIRWAYZ: So, what we're seeing here is a scenario where we want to protect this area. When a drone is crossing the line, the protective line, according to the policy, then the controller will get an alert and will know that there is a threat, a threat coming.
DIAMOND (voice-over): Shai Kuriansky's company, Airwayz, is among those springing into action to give Israeli troops advance warning of incoming drone threats.
KURIANSKY: Something very small that you can hardly detect is coming toward you. It does not transmit anything. You must fuse the data from multiple sensors to map the sky accurately. This is what our system does.
DIAMOND: So, do you feel a real sense of urgency to solve this problem?
KURIANSKY: It's our children out there in Lebanon that are getting those -- those explosives and -- and we don't -- we will not wait with that. Of course, it's urgent.
DIAMOND (voice-over): Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Friendly coming in.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: Russian President Vladimir Putin is throwing cold water on Ukraine's latest offer to deescalate the ongoing hostilities. Kyiv has proposed a mutual halt to long range strikes. President Putin argues the Ukrainian campaign is meant to be a distraction from Moscow's main objectives along the front lines in Eastern Ukraine.
But on Sunday, he appeared to dismiss the proposal, saying Russia has no intention of salvaging the Kyiv regime.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): It is clear why this proposal is being made: because our retaliatory strikes deep into Ukrainian territory are far more powerful, more sensitive and, frankly, more destructive, leading to serious consequences for the Kyiv regime.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HUNTE: This summer's Wimbledon championship begins later today, bringing the best of tennis together on Britain's iconic grass courts in pursuit of one of sports most prestigious titles.
But one player is arriving with a different mission in mind. Ukraine's Oleksandr Oliynykova is using her Wimbledon platform to speak out, saying the sport can no longer stay silent about Russia's war in Ukraine.
CNN's Christina Macfarlane has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OLEKSANDRA OLIYNYKOVA, TENNIS PLAYER: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
GRAPHIC: I want to go somewhere, but I don't know where. I don't know where the shelter is.
CHRISTINE MACFARLANE, CNN WORLD SPORT (voiceover): Oleksandra Oliynykova is the only professional women's tennis player competing on tour who lives and trains full time in a war zone.
MACFARLANE: Why do you stay? Because other Ukrainian players on tour have chosen to base themselves in Europe.
OLIYNYKOVA: For me, not all the things are only about tennis. What I learned that the time is very important.
Maybe if I was thinking only about my career, then of course, I would choose to focus just only on practicing. But I -- I need to spend this time with someone I love and I need to -- yes, I need to be around my people and my country.
MACFARLANE (voice-over): Before the war. Her father was her coach, but now his regiment's flag is all that comes on court with her. They endured many years together on tour, sleeping in cars, airports, and train stations, to finance her career.
Last month, her father, Denis, was given a rare permission from his drone unit to leave Ukraine and see his daughter compete at the French Open for the first time in two years.
OLIYNYKOVA: It was so meaningful. And also, you know, when I started to play these big tournaments, always when I'm coming, I'm -- I'm thinking about, oh, my dad will love this tournament. If he would be here, he would be so happy. He would -- he would be so proud. And he did so much for me to -- to be here.
MACFARLANE (voice-over): Oleksandra is now ranked among the world's top 50 in women's tennis. She feels tennis has been too silent about the invasion of her country, and intends to change that.
OLIYNYKOVA: This war is very long, and I think people are losing their attention after so many years.
MACFARLANE (voice-over): Key to her claim is that prominent Russian and Belarusian players have showed support, liked the posts of key Putin propagandists on social media. After taking her concerns to the Women's Tennis Association, she says they have done nothing to investigate.
[00:40:01]
OLIYNYKOVA: They don't want me to say any names of the players. They don't want me to explain the connection of the propaganda and the sport, because this is something what, in their opinion, will affect their players.
MACFARLANE (voice-over): The WTA told CNN in a statement that it remains unequivocal in condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and have consistently supported Ukrainian players, and at the same time is committed to maintaining a professional and respectful environment for all athletes.
MACFARLANE: Is speaking up for Ukraine more important to you than your tennis career?
OLIYNYKOVA: Yes, absolutely. Because this is my country, because I see people are dying there, and my future and my dreams.
MACFARLANE (voice-over): Christina Macfarlane, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: OK. Some 250 years ago, America's founders were preparing to officially break from Great Britain. Still to come, how and when England found out about the Declaration of Independence, in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:45:49]
HUNTE: Welcome back. Around 200 protesters in Belgium vented their dislike of the United States on Sunday as a U.S. diplomatic mission celebrated America's 250th anniversary.
The protest happened outside a park in Brussels that was closed off to the public for the celebration. An environmental group said it was unacceptable to close the park to celebrate America.
A spokesperson accused President Trump of being, quote, "one of the largest enemies of climate action." Well, as the United States prepares to celebrate 250 years since its
break with Great Britain, here is a little-known fact about the birth of America.
While the founders were signing the Declaration of Independence, Britain was completely in the dark. In fact, the British didn't realize what had happened until several weeks later.
CNN's James Frater brings us the history lesson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RUTH MACLEOD, ARCHIVE AND LIBRARY, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM: When the Declaration of Independence was written, nobody knew how significant the language of it was going to be. Who writes a document knowing that we're going to be looking at it in 250 years' time?
JAMES FRATER, CNN PRODUCER: When the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on the afternoon of Thursday, the Fourth of July, 1776, it took a whole six weeks before Britain learned of what had happened.
Now that, according to historians, was a pretty quick turnaround.
FRATER (voice-over): So, how did events unfold? Overnight, on the 4th into the 5th of July, copies of the Declaration were printed at John Dunlap's print shop in Philadelphia. They were called the Dunlap Broadsides.
Within days, historians say, some of those copies had reached New York and into the hands of British informants.
On the evening of the 9th of July, the very same night New Yorkers were tearing down the statue of King George III, a copy had reached the British fleet, blockading New York Harbor, commanded by Vice Admiral Molyneaux Shuldham.
MACLEOD: They did know that this was significant. He knew that this was something that had to be reported back to London as soon as possible.
FRATER (voice-over): Vice Admiral Shuldham immediately wrote a brief letter, and a handwritten replica of the declaration was made, both dispatched on a mail ship, the Mercury Packet.
Traveling North via Canada, the Mercury made the Atlantic crossing in just a month, arriving in Falmouth on Thursday the 8th of August. The following day, the documents, by horse, had reached London.
FRATER: And this is Shuldham's letter. Just one surprisingly short paragraph for what you might think would be a seismic bit of news. And here is that handwritten version of the Declaration of Independence, starting with the words "A declaration by the representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled."
FRATER (voice-over): Curators here at the National Maritime Museum in London believe this is the first complete text of the declaration to have arrived in the U.K.
FRATER: When his letter arrived at the admiralty, what do you think the reaction was to this letter?
MACLEOD: The letter says, "this long expected," so I suspect that it was a kind of, Oh, right, right. It's happened. We were kind of prepping for this. Let's take our next steps. Let's respond.
FRATER (voice-over): Then on Saturday, the 10th of August, 37 days after it was first approved, the admiralty quietly released in the state newspaper, word of America's decision to split from Britain. It then took more than seven years and a revolutionary war for Britain to formally recognize America's independence.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: OK. A robot is stirring up controversy among religious leaders. Coming up, how one firm's use of artificial intelligence has some people rethinking religious ceremonies. See you in a moment.
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[00:51:28]
HUNTE: Who needs an expert when you can ask a goldfish? From fins to fur and feathers, animals around the world are making World Cup predictions, some of them touting decades of experience.
World Sport's Don Riddell looks at some of this year's viral animal moments. Enjoy.
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DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Meet, Swimbappe, a goldfish in Toronto who, quote, "predicts World Cup matches every morning.
The competing countries' flags are placed above the tank, and below in the water. Swimbappe swims either left or right to put in his prediction.
His owners say he has a good record. Of the decisive outcomes so far, the fish has correctly predicted around 75 percent of the time.
TIM GLENN, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ONEMETHOD: So, this is kind of our way of participating in this big cultural moment that's happening for our city here in Toronto, and also for our country here in Canada. But we'll see. We'll see what happens. We have to trust the fish.
RIDDELL (voice-over): A trio of lions at Dallas Zoo are also taking the pitch. Paper mache soccer balls filled with food are scattered around a goal with two flags on either side. Whichever side they go for first represents their pick.
However, their lead zoologist says the exercise is more than just being the best guesser. MAGGIE KLOZA, LEAD ZOOLOGIST, DALLAS ZOO: So, this is an enrichment
for them. And so, enrichment is very important and elicits certain, like, natural behaviors. So, we want them to scratch, to hunt, to search.
And this is our way of doing it. So, we do something like this every single day for them. So, they have the best lives and they're very enriched in their lives.
RIDDELL (voice-over): For some, this isn't their first World Cup. An orangutan from Germany has been participating in this tradition for over 20 years. Walter is faced with two sacks of competing countries, and the one he pulls down is his prediction.
MARCEL STAWINOGA, SPOKESPERSON, DORTMUND ZOO (through translator): There are so many World Cup oracles or football predictors these days, but Sumatran Orangutan Walter is definitely the most experienced one we have here in Germany. No one else comes close.
RIDDELL (voice-over): Ritinha the Shark, Tarak the Elephant, and Junior the Dog are also making their picks for the World Cup.
They're all following in the footsteps, or the tentacles, of Paul the Octopus. The late sea creature rose to fame during the 2010 World Cup when he correctly predicted eight games out of eight.
That's a hard act to follow, but if any of our furry, finned, or feathered friends can do something similar, they'll be guaranteed World Cup immortality.
Don Riddell, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: Several Latin American countries celebrated Pride this weekend.
Mexico City celebrated with a march. Fifty-three groups took part in the 48th annual demonstration.
Marches were also held in Chile and Peru.
India's LGBT community celebrated with a parade on Sunday. Participants cheered, marched, and danced with rainbow flags in Tamil Nadu's state capital.
India's Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality in 2018 but declined to legalize same-sex marriage in 2023.
And in the U.S., New York City held its annual Pride parade on Sunday. The parade commemorated the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which did begin the modern LGBT movement.
More than a million people participated, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Artificial intelligence is finding its way into many aspects of human life, including the various ways we worship all around the world.
[00:55:06]
Robots are taking part in religious events, and that is prompting debate about the role of technology in the spiritual realm.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE (voice-over): In the UAE, a humanoid robot made its debut last year. The robot is named Bu Sunaidah and wears traditional Emirati dress.
The human-like machine went viral on social media earlier this year after its creator company posted it appearing to pray at a mosque. The robot's social media comments filled up, with those saying robots cannot follow a religion.
The robot's creator agreed, saying it wasn't intended to be a believer.
YOUSIF LOOTAH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, S.S. LOOTAH GROUP: A robot is not -- cannot be Muslim or cannot be a religion. It's a robot. We take it. We take it to improve our life, to help the -- the elders, to educate our kids, to help people, you know, through hospitality.
HUNTE (voice-over): In South Korea, robots can even become official Buddhist monks. Last month, four humanoid monks led the procession at Seoul's annual Lotus Lantern Festival.
One of those robots, Gabi, became the country's first robot monk when it was ordained last month.
Like the other religious events with robots, the festival also came with mixed opinions. Some on social media said robots are not appropriate for the religious ceremony, while others praised the inclusion.
VENERABLE JIN-YONG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, YEON DEUNG HOE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE (through translator): I've been seeing robots and A.I. working alongside people all over society. Buddhism is about embracing and accepting everything, so I thought, why not include robots in our parade?
HUNTE (voice-over): Pope Leo XIV joined the debate last month. In an official letter, the pope said A.I. cannot be involved in religion the same way that humans can: "So-called artificial intelligences do not undergo experiences, do not possess a body, do not feel joy or pain, do not mature through relationships, and do not know from within what love, work, friendship, or responsibility mean."
As for the future of humanoids, production around the world is speeding up and so are the questions about their role in human life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HUNTE: OK, that's all I've got for you. Thanks for joining me and the team.
I'm Ben Hunte in Atlanta. More CNN NEWSROOM after this quick break. See you in a moment.
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