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Connect the World
Six People Killed, Suspect In Custody; Ukraine's Allies Commit To Principles For Long-Term Recovery; Ukraine Shifting Defenses After Fall Of Luhansk Region; Sweden And Finland Move Closer To Official NATO Membership; Biden Holds Moments Of Silence Following Illinois Massacre; 50,000 Plus On Evacuation Alert In New South Wales; Scandinavian Airline SAS Files For Bankruptcy In U.S.; "Terrified" Brittney Griner Asks Pres. Biden For Help; Countdown To Kickoff For Marquee Tournament. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired July 05, 2022 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:00:55]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What I saw was just families lives forever changed because they were walking down with their kids and their scooters. And
somebody who shouldn't have had access to a high powered rifle, got up on a rough path, and decided to do what he wanted to do.
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Scenes of devastation near Chicago, yet another mass shooting brings grief and despair. Plus, fierce battles
rage for control of the Donbas in eastern Ukraine. Russian-backed separatists reporting a Ukrainian attack on a rail yard there. And --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is an historic day for Finland, for Sweden, for NATO, and for Euro-Atlantic security.
GIOKOS (voice-over): Finland and Sweden take one step closer to official NATO membership.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GIOKOS: I'm Eleni Giokos. Hello and welcome to Connect the World. A day of celebration turned into a day of horror and death and yet another mass
shooting in the United States. This one happening on July 4th, the country's Independence Day.
A gunman killed six people and injured dozens more during a holiday parade in Highland Park, Illinois, just north of Chicago. And I want to show you
how it looked and how it sounded. And a warning here, the video is disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(Gunshots & Screaming)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: So we know now the identity of one of the victims, Jacki Sundheim, a former preschool teacher and events coordinator at a synagogue. And we're
also learning more about the 22-year-old suspect to police apprehended after a car chase. Police say he appear to fire shots randomly from a
rooftop with what the city's mayor is calling, illegally obtained high- powered rifle.
Now some music videos he posted online depict animated scenes of gun violence. A one witness compared the parade route to a battle zone.
CNN's John Berman spoke to a man who was at the parade with his sons, one of them in a wheelchair. He says his other son knew immediately that the
loud bangs they started hearing were gunshots.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL TOBACK, WITNESSED HIGHLAND PARK SHOOTING: So we turned. I was with my girlfriend and my two sons and my one son's in a wheelchair. And we were
literally right over there. And for a second, everybody froze. Literally, like time stood still. And then we looked down the street right over there,
and we saw the crowd running toward us screaming. And it was like mass hysteria.
And people were just running in droves across the railroad tracks right behind you. And we turned and ran and I pushed my son's wheelchair and the
wheelchair collapsed on the pavement, and he toppled over and I fell and then it happened again. And then my young son picks up my older son and
they ran. It was like, we ran for our lives.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: You carried, your other son carried his brother?
TOBACK: Yes. He was a hero. I mean, there were a lot of heroes in this day, but he was one, you know, one of them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: Adrienne Broaddus has more on the victims, the witnesses and the suspects in what was the 308th mass shooting in the United States this year
alone, leaving parade goers in shock.
ADRIENNE BROADDUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And the reality of what unfolded along this parade route is beginning to settle. But as the reality settles,
there's another layer of grief, as members of this community learn more about the people who died.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROADDUS (voice-over): As Americans across the country celebrated the Fourth of July, shots rang out Monday from a rooftop in Highland Park, a
suburb north of Chicago.
[10:05:05]
ZOE PAWELCZAK, SHOOTING WITNESS: It was the loudest thing I've heard. That's not like natural. It was a loud pew, pew, pew, pew, pew. And it was
just endless.
BROADDUS (voice-over): On the ground, this video shows the chaos as people who attended the parade ran for their lives. At least six people were
killed, and more than two dozen sent to hospitals, some in serious condition. There were ages ranging from eight to 85 years old.
BRIGHAM TEMPLE, NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM: Of the 25 who came in with gunshot wounds, 19 of those individuals were able to be treated and
actually discharged home after they had had their full medical evaluation and treatment. Several others did arrive in more serious conditions, and
did have to be admitted.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Many witnesses, including a state senator, are describing the scene as frantic.
JULIE MORRISON, ILLINOIS STATE SENATOR: We saw were a couple of women who came running back through the parade screaming, crying, saying there was a
shooter. And it still just didn't ring true with me. Then there was a wave of people, hundreds of people, moms carrying kids and dads and all people
running, weaving between the cars, running back away from the parade. And then we knew it was real.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Zoe Pawelczak attended the parade with her father, and said she and others initially thought the pops were fireworks, but she
sensed something was wrong.
PAWELCZAK: I just grabbed my dad, and we ran. And suddenly everyone was running behind us. There was a girl just dead. Another man was shot in the
ear, blood all over his face. It was just so surreal. It's complete shock.
BROADDUS (voice-over): Danielle Pettibone said her daughter was at the Highland Park parade with a relative. She described the moment she learned
about what happened.
DANIELLE PETTIBONE, HIGHLAND PARK RESIDENT: I woke up to a text saying that we were just involved in the shooting at parade in Highland Park, but we're
all OK and Sofia's OK, and it really scared me. That could have been her and it really just tears me apart to think anyone, I don't know, who lost
their lives today.
BROADDUS (voice-over): A manhunt immediately ensued. And by Monday evening, police took into custody Robert E. Crimo III. This video, capturing the
moment the suspect was taken into custody. Crimo posted several online music videos on major streaming outlets and a personal website. At least
three of those music videos feature troubling lyrics and scenes depicting gun violence.
The videos appear to have been posted in 2021, just days after signing into law, the first major federal gun safety legislation in decades. President
Joe Biden responding to yet another mass shooting.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And we got a lot more work to do. We got to get this under control.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BROADDUS: And earlier, I spoke with the mayor of Highland Park, who told me she knew the suspect as a young child. She was his pack leader and Cub
Scout. But now she's struggling to come to terms with the fact that her former Cub Scout is now a suspect, accused of killing six people.
Adrienne Broaddus, CNN, Highland Park, Illinois.
GIOKOS: All right. And you can follow the latest developments on our websites. There are updates on the victims. We've also got interviews with
witnesses as well as doctors who are treating those shots. One doctor saying the dead suffered wartime injuries and that's at cnn.com on your
computer or you can check out our CNN app on your smartphone.
Now to the latest phase of Russia's war on Ukraine. After declaring victory in Luhansk, Russia is focusing on the neighboring Donetsk region and
finishing the job of capturing the tie Eastern Donbas. Heavy shelling is reported throughout Donetsk. Pro-Russian separatists say Ukrainian shells
caught a rail yard on fire. This unverified video is set to show a deserted market nearby.
Meanwhile, in Switzerland, Ukraine's allies committed to the long haul job of rebuilding Ukraine. Ukraine's President addressed the conference by
video about the work ahead.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translation): The reconstruction of Ukraine is not a local project. It's not a project of one
nation, but a common task of the entire democratic world. All countries who can say that they are civilized. To rebuild Ukraine means to restore the
principles of life, to restore the space for life and to restore what makes people human.
Of course, it means large scale construction. Of course, it means funding and colossal investment. Of course, it means a whole new level of security
for our country, which will continue to live alongside Russia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: Well CNN's Clare Sebastian has more on that recovery process as well as CNN's Phil Black is on the ground for us with more on the battle
for Donbas.
[10:10:03]
Clare, I'm going to start with you. And interesting to see some of the commentary from this conference. They're talking about reform, they're
talking about loans, and of course, post-war economy, what that would look like. But what is Zelenskyy actually want? What is he looking for?
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Eleni, I think there were really two key messages that President Zelenskyy brought to this conference. One,
as you heard him say that this is not a local issue. He wants the international community to see this as he wants them to see the war as sort
of a collective project, a fight for their sort of shared principles.
So, you know, he's sort of got that. The 40 countries that attended the Lugano conference in Switzerland have signed up to a set of principles to
support Ukraine for the long term. The Ukrainian Prime Minister actually put a price tag on it at about $750 billion. These set of principles don't
explain how they're going to pay for that long term. The Prime Minister wants that to come from frozen Russian assets and oligarchs assets. That's,
of course, immensely complicated to achieve.
But the second message that Zelenskyy brought was the war doesn't need to be over for reconstruction to start. He says that as Ukraine has liberated
settlements throughout the country, the scale of the destruction warrants the reconstruction to start now. He said infrastructure is needed, medical
facilities, social services, all of that needs to be restored. So he really wants this work to start straight away. And of course, he did get
significant backing from the international community on this at this two- day conference.
GIOKOS: Yes. Look, we've spoken about grain a lot because we're seeing so many countries that were reliant on Ukraine for that exports coming under
pressure, but Zelenskyy says 16 million tons of grain right now is blocked inside. Could you give me a sense of the efforts, the work that is being
done to try and get that grain out?
SEBASTIAN: Yes, it involves a lot of lateral thinking, Eleni, because right now, what we have is about 22 million tons of grain that are stuck in silos
in Ukraine that cannot be exported. July and August, the harvest months. As Zelenskyy is saying that that could add up to about 60 million tons after
that, once you add on the next harvest. That is a significant problem, because if you leave grain in silos for too long, it can rot.
So the efforts that are now underway to try to move the grain by road, by rail, even by river, the Danube is something that the U.K.'s Prime Minister
Boris Johnson has suggested might be an alternative route. But this is cumbersome. It's difficult.
Before this, Eleni, bear in mind, about 90 percent of Ukraine's grain and sunflower oil was exported through those black sea ports. Those ports are
blockaded by Russia. The Caesar (ph) mind talks sort of ongoing brokered by Turkey and the U.N. to try to resolve this, but there is no clear path
forward at this point. And it is the fastest and the most efficient way to export grain. So right now it seems that any progress in terms of getting
the grain out is going to be very slow indeed.
GIOKOS: All right, Clare Sebastian there taking us through those macro issues.
But Phil Black is standing by on the ground for us. Phil, good to see you. We have spoken about Putin's victory in Luhansk. I want you to tell me
about its significance.
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Eleni, the significance is really what it says about the direction of the fight, the realities on the ground, because
it says that Russia for the moment has this grinding momentum and appears to be unstoppable. And that is because of a key military advantage. Its
unmatched artillery and its willingness to use it on a scale that is pretty extraordinary, regardless of the damage that it causes, regardless of the
civilian casualties.
We got a sense of this when we visited Siversk, a small town now even closer to Russia's advancing lines, and one that is already within range of
its heavy weapons. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BLACK (voice-over): There's no easy, safe way to the most eastern front lines of the Donbas. Russia has cut the highways. So soldiers, weapons,
locals and aid deliveries must all take the back roads.
This Red Cross operation is to Siversk, the small town closest to the region's most intense fighting. The team unloads and very quickly the
families arrive to load up. The noise of war close and loud. No one reacts.
Natalia is collecting food for her husband and two children. She says they can't leave the town because they fear losing their house and the vegetable
garden they rely on to survive.
Only a fool isn't scared, she says, but there is no way out. We cannot leave our place.
[10:15:00]
Lyubov arrives with her young children. She says they've stayed as the Russians approach because she doesn't want to risk being separated from her
eldest daughter who lives in a nearby village.
She says, I called her once. She told me they're not leaving, then we lost connection. I don't even know if she's OK.
Lyubov agrees to show us the home where she hopes they can safely wait out the war. It's a walk to the other side of town. But we soon realize that
won't be possible.
The neighborhood is under fire. Incoming artillery from somewhere close. So close. You hear the artillery piece fire and the projectiles flight before
impact. The shells fall within the same tight area again and again.
We saw all of this while only a little further to the east, Russian forces were claiming an important win, taking the city of Lysychansk.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
BLACK (on-camera): Yes, come to us. Good to go?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
BLACK (on-camera): The battle for Lysychansk is only a relatively short distance from here. This is likely to be the front line very soon. But
already, Russia's heavy weapons are falling among these people's homes in this town.
(voice-over): It's not safe to stay.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was close, going on. Come on.
BLACK (voice-over): But all of these people remain scared, confused, hoping beyond reason the violence to come will pass them by.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLACK: And Eleni, what we saw in Siversk is really only a small sample, a very small sample of the firepower. Russia has focused on Ukraine's
defensive lines around that Donbas area. But it also gives a very powerful sense of why this is such an unequal fight and why Ukraine has few options
but to try and hang on as long as it can, slow down that advance in the hope that more modern powerful weapons from its Western allies make its way
to the battlefront.
It looks like the next city they will be desperately trying to hold on to is Sloviansk, a key city in the Donbas. And one where the Ukrainian
military says it is already seeing Russian forces positioning themselves for an assault, and where residential areas we've seen ourselves that
already under heavy rocket fire every day, Eleni.
GIOKOS: Yes. Phil, thank you so much for that reporting. Such important imagery and visuals you shared with us there.
All right, and just ahead, why NATO's chief is telling the world, in his words, this is a good day for Sweden and Finland. And could the icy
relations between the U.S. and China begin to fall soon. We'll look at the current state of affairs after the break.
And more on the parade shooting in the U.S. What state and local politicians in Illinois are saying must be done to stop the seemingly
endless cycle of gun violence in America.
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[10:21:02]
GIOKOS: Sweden and Finland have taken a step closer to becoming official NATO members. A short time ago, the military alliance signed what's known
as the accession protocols for both countries.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENS STOLTENBERG, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: This marks the start of the ratification process. Naples door remains open to European democracies, who
are ready to and willing to contribute to our shared security. This is a good day for Finland and Sweden and a good date for NATO.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: All right, so the next step in the ratification process involves gaining parliamentary approval in each NATO member nation. And the sense of
urgency is keen because of Russia's war against Ukraine. CNN's Nina dos Santos is covering this for us from London.
Nina, always good to see you. Look, Sweden and Finland were always NATO ready. And that basically means from the military perspective, you know,
and anything that had to do with the back end, there will always going to be easy to plug into NATO, but there's always a process and its
bureaucratic cannot be expedited.
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's the big question here because remember, it appeared as though these two countries when finally
they went through their own individual soul searching exercises earlier this year, and decided in a lightning speed, domestic political U-turn,
particularly for Sweden, but also for Finland. These are countries that prided themselves up until recently on a military non-alignment and
neutrality.
It appeared as though it was domestic resistance that was going to be the big problem for them. And then, of course, you'll remember that Turkey has
started to voice concerns about them joining the Alliance, saying that they could pose security risks to Turkey that was largely because of perceived
sympathies for separatist, Kurdish separatist groups, but also because of arms embargoes.
Now, all of that was overcome at the NATO Madrid summit last week, because these two countries agreed to a memorandum of understanding to help assuage
Turkey's concerns. Now the question is, now that this ratification process is on its way, Turkey and its Parliament may want more concrete guarantees
on those issues. If that's the case, well then things could get more protracted. But in theory, it should take somewhere between six months and
one-year. Eleni?
GIOKOS: Yes. So give me a sense of what changes for Finland and Sweden going forward. And we know that this is a historic cyclical tectonic shift
for them. But practically, in practical terms, what does this mean?
DOS SANTOS: Well, it depends on who you ask. So I remember filming in Sweden a few weeks ago and asked the head of the Swedish Armed Forces that
question, and his answer was more or less well, not that much changes because our country has been undertaking joint NATO exercises since the
mid-1990s. Ditto for Finland. So they're already used to using similar protocols, similar machinery, weaponry, and so on and so forth.
Finland, for instance, buys a lot of armaments from the United States, uses their fighter jets. But what will be different is having to police on
Finland side, and 830-mile long border with Russia. And also when it comes to Sweden, the Baltic Sea will now be a full NATO areas, just that tiny
little part of Russia in Kaliningrad, the Baltic outpost that Russia has essentially being encircled not just by NATO territory here, but by E.U.
territory as well.
So what will change is the whole security dynamics in this part of northern Europe and Eastern Europe. And in the meantime, the question is, as these
two countries are now in formal invitees, Eleni, to the block, they will be able to participate in meetings, but they won't be able to vote in any of
those meetings, and they won't technically yet be protected by the Article 5 security clause. Eleni?
GIOKOS: All right, Nina dos Santos, thank you so much for that.
Now, the economic tension between the U.S. and China may be easing. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen held virtual talks earlier with Chinese
Vice Premier Liu He.
[10:25:06]
China says tariffs and sanctions were among the issues discussed. The U.S. account boat, not mentioning tariffs or sanctions at all, only saying that
Yellen raised concerns about the impact of Russia's war in Ukraine on the global economy. The talks come as the U.S. is considering easing tariffs on
China to help tame inflation.
Selina Wang joins us now from Beijing with the latest on these virtual talks. I have to tell you that the differences in those two press releases
are perhaps very indicative of the domestic dialogue that is occurring in the U.S. about whether to lift those tariffs or not to live those tariffs.
But what did you read into the outcomes?
SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Eleni. Here, the timing of this talk is absolutely critical because it comes amid growing reports that as early
as this week, the Biden administration could roll back some of those Trump- era tariffs on Chinese goods in a bid to tame the sky high inflation in the U.S. But to your point, the readouts from the two sides were very
different. But the point of agreement was that both sides suggested it was the U.S. Senate initiated these talks. They both called these talks
substantive and candid.
The Chinese side had mentioned their concerns over tariffs on their goods. The U.S. side made no mention of that, but said that Janet Yellen had
brought up issues including concerns around the impact on the global economy of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as what they're calling
China's unfair trade practices.
Now, the Biden administration had reversed many of the Trump-era policies. But when it comes to tariffs, so far, they do remain in place, Trump had
put tariffs on some $350 billion worth of U.S. goods. And in return, China had put on some retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. And when 2020, they
reached a trade truce, but still trade tensions have remained exceptionally high.
And China, so far, has not lived up to its trade agreements. It's only bought about 57 percent of U.S. exports that it had committed to purchasing
by the end of 2021. And the challenge here really domestically is trying to deal with inflation, while also trying to keep China to its economic
promises. And there is disagreement in the U.S. administration about how to handle tariffs.
Janet Yellen has said before that she thinks tariffs are a drag on the economy. On the other hand, you've got U.S. Trade Representative Katherine
Tai who says these tariffs are critical in keeping leverage over China and that they should not be rolled back so easily.
And this is what Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said to CNN last month about tariffs. She said, "Steel and aluminum, we've decided to keep some of
those tariffs because we need to protect American workers, and we need to protect our steel industry. It's a matter of national security. There are
other products, household goods, bicycles, it may make sense."
And further complicating matters, Eleni, many analysts actually say that rolling back the tariffs would only have a very marginal impact on
inflation in the U.S.
GIOKOS: Very good point. Selina Wang, good to see you. Thank you so much.
Now ahead on the show, the U.S. suffers yet another gun massacre as it celebrated Independence Day. More of the cruel attack on a Chicago area
parade.
Plus, failed labor talks and employee walkouts, and now bankruptcy. More on the latest airline woes adding new snags to Europe's busy travel season.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:31:06]
GIOKOS: Welcome back, I'm Eleni Giokos in Abu Dhabi, and you're watching Connect the World. Now, on the day after yet another mass shooting in the
U.S., some people are asking themselves, will anything ever really be done about gun control? Terrifying witness accounts are emerging from families
who were gathered just outside Chicago for a parade celebrating American Independence Day.
They are describing hundreds of people ran for cover, as a gunman killed parade goers with a high-powered rifle from a rooftop. Six people died
including this woman, a former preschool teacher at a synagogue. More than two dozen people were sent to hospitals. Now, a 22-year-old male suspect is
in police custody.
In the hours that followed the shooting, Chicago White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks, called for change in the locker room just before game against the
Minnesota Twins Monday. Hendriks, who is from Australia said he doesn't understand American attitudes towards gun control.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIAM HENDRIKS, WHITE SOX PITCHER: Unfortunately, in this day and age, it's becoming all too commonplace. I think the access to the weaponry that is
being kind of used in these things is that something needs to change. Something needs to be done, something needs to happen because there's way
too many people losing their lives.
And it's baffling to me, obviously, coming over you. That's what America is known for. I can walk into stores and non-American buy a handgun in certain
states. And that baffles me because it takes longer -- I had to take a driving test when I was here. I didn't -- I won't have to take a test if I
want to get a gun. That's stupid. Whoever thought that was a great idea is an idiot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: All right. We have to get our head around this number. There have been at least 315 mass shootings in the United States in 2022. And the year
is barely half over. We heard from President Joe Biden earlier expressing shock at the shooting and vowing to fight what he calls an epidemic of gun
violence. Here's more from the President.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BIDEN: You know, they -- there was a shooter, as you well know, in Highland Park in Chicago. And they have -- I talked to the governor and to the
mayor. We're given all the help we can possibly give, including FBI and special service. Anyway, six people have passed and others are wounded. But
we got a lot more work to do. We got to get this under control. We got to get some under control. But having said that, I just want to keep this
slight moment of silence for all those families.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: That emotion expressed by the governor of the state of Illinois. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
J.B. PRITZKER, ILLINOIS GOVERNOR: If you're angry today, I'm here to tell you be angry. I'm furious. I'm furious that yet more innocent lives were
taken by gun violence. I'm furious that their loved ones are forever broken by what took place today. I'm furious that children and their families have
been traumatized.
While we celebrate the Fourth of July just once a year, mass shootings have become our weekly, yes, weekly American tradition.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: And an Illinois state representative at the parade with his family told our John Berman what has become a common refrain in the U.S. That more
can and must be done to prevent mass shootings like these from happening again. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB MORGAN, ILLINOIS STATE HOUSE: This was Fourth of July. This could have been anybody literally anybody in the entire country on the Fourth of July.
And to know that it happened here and to think that there's something we can do, of course, is the fallacy.
[10:35:00]
Of course, there's something we can do. Of course, we can make our streets safer. Of course, we can make our communities safer. Of course, we can
address gun violence. Of course, we can reduce the amount of guns getting to people who don't deserve them, who don't need them, who are going to use
them to hurt people. That's my message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: Hours after the massacre, another shooting took place during celebrations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two police officers were shot
while working security detail. They both survived. Police say they don't know if the bullets were intentional or whether they had ricocheted from
celebratory gunfire.
But the incident triggered panic. And the person who sent us this video says it was like a stampede. He heard lots of screaming and fear. Another
witness say the entire Parkway cleared out in seconds. And as this incident shows, Americans know there is no corner of the country safe from gun
violence.
All right, let's take a look at other stories making headlines that are on our radar right now. In Australia, more than 50,000 people across New
Wales, New South Wales are being told to evacuate their homes. More heavy rain is battering the region and raising the risk of flash flooding. The
Australian government has declared the floods a natural disaster to help free up emergency funds.
Unprecedented, torrential rain has also ravaged northeastern India and Bangladesh. Officials in northeastern India say at least 47 people were
killed when landslides hits the state of Manipur last week. Dozens are still missing.
A famous British painting is being put back on display after suffering minor damage from a climate protest. Two activists glued themselves to the
frame of John Constable's masterpiece, "The Hay Wain" on Monday. The incident at London's National Gallery is the latest in a string of protests
by the British group Just Stop Oil.
And in the next hour of Connect the World, I'll be talking live to the spokesperson for the group asking James Skeet why Just Stop Oil is
targeting the art world.
We're going to a short break. And after this, more travel nightmares for airline passengers in Europe after a pilot strike pushes a major airline
into bankruptcy. And then Novak Djokovic, fighting for his seven for Wimbledon trophy. We'll have the latest on that just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GIOKOS: Europe's travel woes this summer just got worse. Scandinavian airline SAS has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States, a day
after failed negotiations over wages trigger a pilot strike. SAS is the flag carrier for Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
[10:40:05]
Let's get more on this. We've got Anna Stewart who's in London for us live. Thank you so much, Anna. Look, this is, you know, very dramatic news. And I
guess the big fear is that we'll see a domino effect of more bankruptcies in the industry. Could you give me a sense of why SAS had to file for
bankruptcy and the fear of contagion?
ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Well, I think this big pilot strike possibly was just brought this forward. I mean, this airline has faced trouble
actually, even since before the pandemic or restructure was very much on the cards. And it isn't the first to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the
U.S., which will allow it to continue to operate while it tries to restructure.
Since the pandemic began, Aeromexico, LATAM Airlines and Avianca all fall for Chapter 11. Many other airlines have restructured elsewhere, and I
think we will have more to come. I think we have to remember that 2020 which really wasn't that long ago, was the worst year in aviation history.
That is what I afterward talking about at the AGM in Doha a couple of weeks ago. And they have emerged from this pandemic with huge levels of debt on
their balance sheet.
They cut thousands of members of staff, lay them off during the pandemic because they had to to keep afloat. And now they're struggling to hire all
of those staff back to cope with what is a huge resurgence in demand. Clearly, people want to travel again. They're also facing really high cost.
And this is really across the board for airlines. And it hasn't been helped by the war in Ukraine, pushing up the cost of jet fuel.
For an airline like SAS, they're also facing really big costs in terms of leased planes, and many of their planes are actually grounded as a result
of the closure of Russian airspace. So there's all this feeding into the mix. We've just had news from British Airways, they have now increased
their cancelations for the summer. Now 11 percent of their flights canceled between April and October.
The SAS pilot strike at the moment that's canceling at least 50 percent of flights each day impacting around 30,000 passengers a day. You're looking
at hundreds of thousands of people this summer, having their flights canceled as a result of strikes, staff shortages and high costs. Eleni?
GIOKOS: All right, Anna Stewart, thank you so very much. Good to see you.
Now the Wimbledon quarterfinals are underway at this hour. Novak Djokovic is taking on Jannik Sinner, in the hopes of winning his seventh Wimbledon
title. He may have to take on Maverick Australia Nick Kyrgios, who is advancing to the quarterfinals after Monday's victory over Brandon
Nakashima.
World Sports Alex Thomas joins me now with the details. Look, let's not get into all the drama that we've seen at Wimbledon. Let's try and focus on the
numbers, but it's been exciting, right?
ALEX THOMAS, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes, and we're now down to the last eight men and the last eight women, and those two respective singles
competitions, anything can happen. Lots of big names have dropped out either upset, victories, or some have withdrawn with COVID.
GIOKOS: Yes.
THOMAS: We had the ban on Russian and Belarusian players. I can tell you that Novak Djokovic is two sets the love down that's already a shock
although he's fighting back in the third. We'll have all the details in future editions of World Sport. I'll be back in just a moment.
GIOKOS: Yes, exciting times. Alex Thomas, we'll see you right after this short break. The second hour of Connect the World will start in about 15
minutes. We'll see you right after this. Stay with CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
THOMAS: Hello, welcome to CNN World Sport. I'm Alex Thomas. In London, Brittney Griner, the WNBA star detained in Russia since February has
written a heartbreaking letter appealing directly to U.S. President Joe Biden asking him to bring her home. It comes as Griner's family, friends
and teammates begin to question if enough is being done.
[10:45:19]
Meanwhile, a holiday of celebration in the U.S. was marred by yet another horrific incident of gun violence when a shooter opened fire on a July
Fourth parade near Chicago. That hideous tragedy hitting home for the city's many sports teams, and drawing sharp comments from an Australian
born White Sox pitcher. Our own Carolyn Manno has the details.
CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS: This is the first real insight that we've gotten into how scared she actually is. I mean, this letter seems to indicate that
she's been in the dark, that she's still in the dark about her future. It's been 138 days since she was detained by Russian authorities. And in that
time, she has written letters to her family. She's written letters to her friends, but this is the first letter that's been made public.
And the handwritten note to President Biden reads in part, "As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts, and without the protection of
my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I'll be here forever. I realize you're dealing with so much but
please don't forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I miss my wife. I miss my teammates. It kills
me to know that they are suffering so much right now."
And Griner's trial on drug smuggling charges began last Friday. It's scheduled to resume on Thursday. She is facing up to 10 years in prison and
her team here stateside, the Phoenix Mercury, played last night in L.A. Their coach Vanessa Nygaard does not feel that Griner story is getting the
attention it deserves.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VANESSA NYGAARD, PHOENIX MERCURY HEAD COACH: If it was a brawny be home, right? Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
NYGAARD: It does. It's a statement about the value of women. This is a statement about the value of the black person. This is a statement about
the value of the gay person, all of those. And we know it and so that's what hurts a little more.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MANNO: Her team, the Mercury are holding a bring B.G. home rally, Alex, in front of their arena on Thursday in Phoenix as well.
THOMAS: Carolyn on CNN new shows. We've been reporting on the tragic shooting near Chicago on Independence Day. It's affected the whole
community, including the sporting world.
MANNO: Yes, you know, this tragedy hits very close to home for the White Sox, in particular, Alex. And their ballpark is located just about 30 miles
from the Chicago suburb of Highland Park where the shooting took place. And their team's manager Tony La Russa said that there was a little bit of
discussion with Major League Baseball also with local authorities there about canceling Monday night's game altogether, but it did go on as
scheduled.
The postgame firework show was called off. They didn't feel that was appropriate. And a moment of silence was held before the first pitch. And
pitcher Liam Hendriks, who's an Australian player, and who's been very vocal on a number of political issues here called for increased gun control
when speaking with reporters before the game.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HENDRIKS: Unfortunately, in this day and age is becoming all too commonplace. I think the access to the weaponry that is being kind of used
in these things is that something needs to change. Something needs to be done, something needs to happen because there's way too many people losing
their lives.
It's baffling to me, obviously, coming over you that's what America is known for. I can walk into stores and non-American buy a handgun in certain
states. And that baffles me because it takes longer -- I had to take a driving test when I was over here. I didn't -- I won't have to take a test
if I want to get a gun. That's stupid. Whoever thought that was a great idea is an idiot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MANNO: The team issued a statement expressing its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of the horrific shooting and to all of
those who have been affected by it. And all of the city's pro-teams released statements, Alex, expressing their condolences for Highland Park,
many extending their message to all victims of gun violence.
Chicago's NFL team the Bears, called the shooting senseless and disgraceful. The other baseball team in the city, the Chicago Cubs who
played the Brewers in Milwaukee, just 66 miles from Highland Park said that they are heartbroken and grief stricken over the violence. And a moment of
silence was held before their game as well.
But Hendriks really verbalizing what's on the minds of so many here, Alex, as we continue to see this unfold particularly after what was supposed to
be a jovial holiday here in the United States.
THOMAS: Carolyn Manno speaking to me on an earlier World Sports show. Now on the eve of the women's European Football Championship, we've got a top
player to give us her view on how well she thinks the host nation will do. And England's cricketers produce another record breaking test win.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:51:22]
THOMAS: Welcome back. The Women's European Football Championship kicks off on Wednesday when hosts England face Austria in Manchester. Despite being
one of the top teams on the planet, the lionesses have never won a major trophy before. Our own Amanda Davies has been asking arsenal and Ireland
Captain Katie McCabe if this year will be any different.
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT: How do you think the pressure on the England women's team compares to the pressure put on England's men in the
run up to these major tournaments? Is it the same?
KATIE MCCABE, IRELAND CAPTAIN: I think it might be a little bit different. And I think what will be key for England will have a coach, they've got a
coach in Sarina Weigman, and that's kind of been there, done it and obviously with the Netherlands, Netherlands as a whole nation in the
previous euros, and she'll be used to that kind of home pressure, the fans, the kind of atmosphere that will be around the whole nation team, which is
obviously England in this case.
And I think she'll have a great experience in that sense to, obviously, calm. The girls maybe let them enjoy it, and seems it's kind of taking the
atmosphere in and because you only get home nations every now and again. And for them, I know the girls is yes, they're really looking forward to
it.
DAVIES: What have you made of the impact that Weigman has had since she's taking on and the changes she's made to the team?
MCCABE: It think she's come in clear slate. And I watched the Anna Claire (ph) cup at the start of the year and I've seen the girls obviously England
test themselves against some of the top nations in Europe which they might run into in the tournament if they progress on from the group stages. And
she's definitely, yes, clean the slate. I think she's given a lot of players' opportunity.
We talk about even Alessia Russo, so Alessia kind of coming in. And you've got great young talent and Lauren Hemp. You've also got the experience
there with Lucy bronze. And even the goalkeeping situation as well. I think (INAUDIBLE) is looking to have that number one spot this this summer. And
the big one is obviously the captaincy and switching that off.
Obviously Leah Williamson, my teammate here at arsenal and other leadership qualities to bring how cool and calm she is on the ball and off the pitch
as well. So I think yes, she's making it our own. And I think she's, yes, done a good job so far, but this will be the real test ring that now coming
into thy Gyros.
DAVIES: There has been some criticism there, has an error of some of the venues being used for the euros that, you know, the games aren't being
played at the likes of the Emirates Old Trafford, other than the first game there and the last game at Wembley, what's your response to that?
MCCABE: For me, I think you look at the decisions when were these decisions made, and whether it be two, three years ago, by the way for, which is now
obviously women's football is in a totally different position. And it's fantastic to be able to hold the final at Wembley, which I'm sure will be a
fantastic occasion.
But for me personally, I want to see obviously these games being played in those big stadiums in order to fill them out, in order to get more fans in
the door and seeing their, obviously, their support teams. And, you know, as you said, we've seen it in continuity. It's doable when done the right
way. So I think this will be the hopefully the last time you kind of see in those small stadiums and we'll push on now in the World Cup next year and
will be bigger stadiums hopefully getting them filled out.
DAVIES: I can't wait for the day that I can do an interview with a female footballer and now ask the equal pay question. I feel I'm getting closer to
it but I have to go there. You know, we've had the landmark decision by the United States. They are going to share the prize money from World Cups
equally between the men's and the women's team.
[10:55:11]
How big a decision, how big a move is that, that they've taken that step?
MCCABE: It's monumental. For them to get to that stage, the long fight. And then it's not been easy for the team and for the girls. They've had to
fight the whole way. But fair play to them, they've done it. And I think it'd be a real turning points going forward.
And for us as players, it's not about money or this and that, it's just about parity. We need to have equal opportunity. We need to have equal
playing conditions, training ground pitchers. I could go on, but the money doesn't kind of drive us. It's about parity.
And I think, obviously, with our equal pay deal as well, the Republic of Ireland, I don't know why I have something similar to. There's only a
select few nations around the world that kind of have equal pay. So hopefully, more nations will follow suit. And I just said we can start by
asking the question.
THOMAS: Republic of Ireland Captain Katie McCabe, we won't be there. Her team hasn't qualified but some valuable insights on the nations that are
contesting the women's European football championships. And England's cricketers have notched up another record breaking victory as they continue
to revolutionize the way they play the game under a new coach and captain.
In a rearrange test match against India held over from last year but as a COVID, England won by seven wickets with more devastating batting Joe Root
and Jonny Bairstow, both smashing centuries to help England achieve its highest ever successful run chase in 145 years of test cricket. They've
made it four wins from four tests under new coach Brendon McCullum and Captain Ben Stokes.
Stokes saying, "We're trying to rewrite how test cricket is being played in England. Inspiring the next generation is what we want to do. We want to
bring in new fans and want to leave a mark on test cricket." Absolutely sensational stuff. More analysis on that in later World Sports shows.
Before I get back to you, Eleni, just to let our viewers know that Novak Djokovic has pulled a setback in his Wimbledon quarterfinal against Jannik
Sinner who took the opening two sets surprisingly having never beaten Novak Djokovic in their only previous meeting, and never got past the first round
at Wimbledon before. So battle for the world number -- for the top seed and defending champion there.
GIOKOS: Exciting stuff. Alex Thomas, always good to see you. Thanks so much for that.
We're taking a short break. When we come back, we will return with Connect the World. Stay with CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
