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Isa Soares Tonight
Ukrainian Troops Make Gains In Luhansk Region; Young Women And Girls Fuel Protests In Iran; U.K. Prime Minister Defends Economic Policies; U.K. Prime Minister's Priority: "Growth, Growth And Growth"; Millions In U.K. Relying On Food Banks; Journey Matters, Maldives; "Rust" Movie Shooting Settlement; Chess Scandal. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired October 05, 2022 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, Ukrainian troops gain ground, breaking
into the Luhansk region as Putin signs into law measures that claim to annex that region and three others.
Then growing number of school girls in Iran are taking to the streets in protests against the regime as the West eye sanctions. We have all the
details for you. And the U.K. prime minister defends her economic policies that sent the value of the pound plunging.
But first, tonight, Ukrainian forces are gaining ground in Russian-occupied territory, showing Moscow that its so-called annexation has no teeth.
Ukrainian troops advanced into Luhansk today for the first time since the war began in the region. Ukrainian leaders saying the de-occupation of
Luhansk has begun.
It is a strategic as well as symbolic blow to Moscow. Happening the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law claiming ownership of
Luhansk in three other occupied territories. One pro-Russian correspondent says Russia's military lacks the manpower necessary to stop Ukraine's
progress east.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is praising his military's quick as well as decisive advances, particularly, its significant gains, we
have seen in Kherson region in the south. Russian Defense Ministry map shows the shifting territorial lines and their losses, and we'll get into
that in just a minute.
Clare Sebastian joins me here in the studio, Fred Pleitgen joins me now live from Kyiv. And Fred, you know, we have been looking very much at the
gains made by Ukrainian forces not just in the east, in particular Lyman, but now in Kherson in the south. Talk us through the significance of those
gains.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is a hugely significant, Isa. And I think one of the things that really surprised the
Ukrainians is how fast they've been able to make those gains, and how large those gains have been. One of the things that we've heard here from Kyiv
and also from the Ukrainian military, they say that they've made sweeping gains, and that some of the Russian defensive fronts in that area are
collapsing.
And you can see some of that on the map there. When you see that region of Kherson, large parts of it still obviously under Russian control, but you
see those yellow patches, and those are --
SOARES: Yes --
PLEITGEN: The Ukrainian advances. Most of those --
SOARES: Please go --
PLEITGEN: Coming from the north and then going down towards Kherson. And one of the big things that's going on there is that the city of Kherson
which is really the main prize now in that region, and really what the Ukrainians want to reach, that's backed up against a body of water.
And that means that the Russians really have no way out. At least, the forces that they have there to try and retreat. Because one of the things
that Ukrainians done -- have done is they've destroyed a lot of the bridges --
SOARES: Yes --
PLEITGEN: Across that body of water across the Dnieper River. So very difficult for the Russians to move forces in and out of there. And at the
same time now, you really have the Ukrainians making some significant gains. The Russians, Isa, are calling this a reconfiguration of their
forces, but clearly, they are falling back.
SOARES: Reconfiguration, Clare. I mean, it's very --
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN REPORTER: Yes --
SOARES: Rare that we hear any sort of admission from the Russians that they are losing here.
SEBASTIAN: Yes --
SOARES: I don't remember them ever admitting it from beginning of this war. So talk --
SEBASTIAN: Yes --
SOARES: Us through what they are saying.
SEBASTIAN: Yes, reconfiguration, regrouping is another euphemism in Russia for retreat. Particularly, look at these maps, Isa, because these come --
this one from October 3rd from a Ministry of Defense briefing in Russia. I'm just going to circle one area for you to look at here. Just take a look
--
SOARES: Yes --
SEBASTIAN: At that area. Here we have the Dnipro River coming up, Kherson, as you can see down there --
SOARES: Yes --
SEBASTIAN: So, that's October 3rd, and now this is October 4th. And you can see that, that orange shaded area up here is now white, back in
Ukrainian control, this is still Dnieper River, and Kherson down there. So, if I just switch back to October 3rd, again, you can see and then you can
see the difference there --
SOARES: How much it's shifted --
SEBASTIAN: That's the difference of one day, very significant. Even though the spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense didn't acknowledge these
losses in his briefing, you can still see it clearly on these maps. This is clearly a situation that the Kremlin cannot ignore.
SOARES: And is this being met by the rhetoric, the acknowledgment on state TV that they are really suffering on the battlefield?
SEBASTIAN: You know, it's breaking through for the first time. Up until now, Russians have really been fed a diet of this sort of violence
perpetrated --
SOARES: Yes --
SEBASTIAN: By Ukrainians and success of the Russian forces, but we're hearing prominently from one state TV correspondent, who said that they
lost 17 settlements in Kherson on Tuesday.
[14:05:00]
And I can show you some of those on a map here. This is one of our maps based on the Institute for the Study of War". Some of those that Ukraine
said it gained on Tuesday. He also said that he didn't think that it would -- that the Russian forces would be able to advance quickly. He said he
thought it would take two months for them to be able to muster any kind of significant advance.
SOARES: And Fred, you know, what we have seen at least in the last 24 hours or so is really the Kremlin declining to clarify kind of the borders
of the territories it claims to have annexed. And in the same kind of day, we are hearing that Putin is going further with the Zaporizhzhia nuclear
power plant. We have that on the map? Talk us through what we're hearing today regarding the power plant?
PLEITGEN: Yes, I mean, he's essentially -- well, he has. He signed a decree that essentially makes that power plant part of Russia's nuclear
infrastructure. So, just like those regions, the Russia are essentially declaring that those are theirs. That, that nuclear power plant is theirs
as well. Quite interesting because Rafael Grossi; the head of the IAEA is actually due to be here in Kyiv tomorrow for some, obviously very high-
level talks with the Ukrainian government.
And the IAEA for a very long time has been calling for that nuclear power plant to be made a demilitarized zone. In other words, to be a place where
there's no military, certainly, it doesn't seem as though the Russians are up for that at all. But you're absolutely right, Isa, and I think it's an
important thing to point out.
That the Russians have said that these four regions of Ukraine are now essentially Russian territory, even though they don't control most of the
areas that they now say are part of Russia. Because the parts of Donetsk that they control, the parts of Zaporizhzhia all bliss(ph), that they
control, the parts of Kherson that they control, are well -- are not at all what the administrative borders of those areas are.
So, essentially, what the Russians are saying is that the Ukrainian military is in large parts of what -- of what Russia now considers to be
its own territory. And that, of course, is something that really could lay the groundwork for some serious escalation. But again, the Ukrainians are
saying they're not backing down, they're going to keep moving forward --
SOARES: Yes --
PLEITGEN: And they say they want to take back all of those territories and Crimea as well.
SOARES: Finally, Clare, to you, Luhansk, we're seeing --
SEBASTIAN: Yes --
SOARES: A big push into Luhansk today, what can you tell us?
SEBASTIAN: Yes, I can tell you that we're seeing social media video that's just zooming on the eastern front here that shows an advance by Ukrainian
troops into Luhansk. Luhansk, very significant because Russia actually controls pretty much all of it. They claimed it at the beginning of July.
We think that this sort of fighting now is happening around here -- if I can make it -- when I can see -- no, coin --
SOARES: Unless up in Lyman --
SEBASTIAN: But sort of -- yes --
(CROSSTALK)
SOARES: Push them where we've seen --
SEBASTIAN: Just west of --
SOARES: Yes --
SEBASTIAN: Lyman just over here, there is a couple of towns in between which there is a road, and that seems to be -- that area seems to be where
the most of the fighting is concentrated. But again, Isa, admissions on state TV, this time actually from a newspaper journalist who is embedded
with Russian troops in Luhansk. He said and he's by the way very pro- Russian, that he doesn't think they have the manpower to stop this advance.
SOARES: I mean, that is quite significant --
SEBASTIAN: Yes --
SOARES: We're talking about the size and the scale of Luhansk. Clare Sebastian, Fred Pleitgen, great having you on the show, thank you very
much. Well, a Russian diplomat says U.S. military aid to Ukraine is increasing the possibility of a quote, "direct military clash between
Russia and NATO."
Well, that chilling warning can -- Tuesday, he just spoke to the U.N. General Assembly Committee, and as Finland is on the cusp of formerly of
course, entering NATO. Earlier, i spoke with the Finnish Foreign Minister, and I started by asking him for his response to Russia's proclaimed
annexation of parts of Ukraine.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PEKKA HAAVISTO, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, FINLAND: Well, of course, Finland strongly condemns what Russia has decided on annexation of these
four areas. It's definitely against the international law. It cannot be the way how and other countries occupying land and claiming it's for its own
land. So, we are condemning this and we hope that all countries in the world are condemning this as well.
SOARES: And as you're saying, Minister, this is a challenge to the international rule of law. But surely, it adds new risks to the West's
strategic calculation, does it not?
HAAVISTO: Well, it might include, of course, the risk that Russia keeps these areas as its own territory. And I think that for example, it can
threaten those who are supporting Ukraine with nuclear threats or any other threats. But I think we have to stay very firm. Those countries who are
supporting Ukraine and Ukraine itself against this threat.
SOARES: Let's talk about this threat. What we have been hearing is much tougher rhetoric and more nuclear saber-rattling by President Putin. As a
neighbor of Russia, Minister, how worried are you about what you've been hearing?
HAAVISTO: Well, of course, what we are hearing is concerning. But any of these kind of threats are even against Russian all nuclear strategy, I
think the nuclear strategy in Russia is limited to the situation when their own existence is threatened.
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And of course, if you occupy land, and then you claim that it has something to do with your existence, that's not real fact. I think the -- he should
call the bluff on this issue, and of course, continue supporting Ukraine and support Ukraine when it's claiming back its own territories.
SOARES: You're saying call the bluff. We heard in the last 24 hours or so, from the CIA Director Bill Burns, who said that Putin -- and I'm quoting
him here, "can be quite dangerous and reckless if he is cornered." Do you agree with that?
HAAVISTO: Well, that might, of course, be that the leader is in a situation when he has to take into issues. First of all, he failed to
changing the government in February in Kyiv. That was the first try. And secondly, he failed to occupy more territory from Ukraine in the east and
the south, now when Ukraine is fighting back. And I think that's a miscalculation of Russia. But of course, Russia has to accept that they
cannot claim territories from other countries.
SOARES: Let me move on, Minister, to the Nord Stream gas leaks. Various EU leaders and the West as well have called this sabotage. I know an
investigation is ongoing, is there any more clarity from what you're hearing as to who may be behind this?
HAAVISTO: Well, we are of course, interestingly talking to Sweden and Denmark. This is close to their areas what happened in the international
waters against the Nord Stream pipeline. But the investigations are ongoing. But when you look at the magnitude of the disaster, what has
happened.
It's very likely that the state or state-like organization is behind these activities. These are not -- these are not made by dilettantes or I think
it's very important that we try to get proof or who is really behind it. This is very serious crime against international connections.
SOARES: So, state-like organizations, are you putting the blame here on Russia, Minister?
HAAVISTO: Well, that's a big question mark. We have to, of course, find out the latest investigations going on about certainly Russia among those
suspects.
SOARES: And in the meantime, is Finland stepping up surveillance in the area, given what we have seen?
HAAVISTO: Well, under the sea, of course, there are many other issues as well like gas pipelines. We have internet connections, we have electrical
cables and electricity cables and so forth. So, I think currently, it's very important that Finland as well as other countries around the Baltic
sea are increasing their surveillance and control of these other connections in the undersea waters.
SOARES: Foreign Minister Haavisto, really appreciate you taking the time to speak to us, thank you sir.
HAAVISTO: Thank You.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Now, OPEC and its allies including Russia have just announced a slash in oil production by 2 million barrels a day. That is the largest cut
since the COVID pandemic began, and it comes despite the pleading of the Biden administration. The U.S. president has called the decision
shortsighted.
And here is how oil -- reduction in -- could push gasoline prices here. CNN's Anna Stewart is in London for us to make sense of all the math, the
numbers, the political aspects of it. Let's start on why they decided to cut and the impec(ph) this -- impact, this might have and in terms of
production and consumption around the world.
ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Well, slashing it by $2 million barrels per day is significant. It's about 2 percent of the global oil that's consumed
around the world. So, in that sense, it is significant, and that's why we're seeing some price movement even before this meeting actually, in the
anticipation of it.
It was at the upper end of expectations, and why it happened? Well, it kind of depends who you ask? If you ask OPEC-Plus, the big line today was to do
with the global economy in the uncertainty. The thought of a looming recession that could dampen oil demand, and that could drag down oil
prices, which isn't what OPEC member --
SOARES: Yes --
STEWART: Nations want to see. There's also though, of course, the political side of it. You can't forget that Russia is facing a December at
the G7, trying to impose a price cap on oil. So, in some ways, one would argue it could be them arresting control back in terms of the market. Lots
of questions have been asked whether this is the time to cut output --
SOARES: Yes --
STEWART: Given -- already, capacity is quite tight. And it was interesting, actually, the Secretary-General of OPEC was asked, are you
endangering energy markets with this move? And here is what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAITHAM AL GHAIS, SECRETARY-GENERAL, OPEC: We are not endangering the energy markets. We are providing security, stability, to the energy
markets.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm impressed.
AL GHAIS: Everything has a price. Energy security has a price as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: Everything has a price. And of course, we are seeing prices slightly higher right now. And that is --
SOARES: Yes --
STEWART: Not what many people around the world, as well as the U.S. want.
SOARES: Let's talk about the U.S. Because the response from the U.S. has been pretty stern, hasn't it? They of course have lobbied quite hard, given
that visit from President Biden to Saudi Arabia. What have they been saying?
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STEWART: They have lobbied hard, and everything they have said has clearly fallen on deaf ears, given, this wasn't just the output cut they didn't
want, it was a really sizable one as well. We've had all sorts of reactions.
We had White House officials saying in a statement the president is disappointed by what he calls the shortsighted decision by OPEC-Plus to cut
production quotas while the global economy is dealing with a continued negative impact of Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
And just to really underscore that, the White House Press Secretary later said, "it is clear that OPEC-Plus is aligning with Russia" with --
SOARES: Wow --
STEWART: Today's announcement, where I think is really quite clear, well, how they feel about this. This is a month or so before midterm elections.
This is the worst time for President Biden --
SOARES: Yes --
STEWART: Who wants to see gasoline prices falling. And we may see even dipping back into the SPR, this strategic petroleum reserve as a result of
this. On Tuesday, reporters were told by the White House, this wasn't really going to happen. Really a shift in tone today. We were told they
would continue to direct SPR releases as necessary.
SOARES: Anna Stewart making sense of all the political strands of this. Thanks very much, Anna. And still to come tonight, risking death to defy a
dictatorial regime, a brutal crackdown isn't stopping girls and women from protesting across Iran. We have a live report just ahead.
And a prime minister under pressure and an economy in trouble. Ahead, we'll look at how Liz Truss plans to get Britain through the cost of living
crisis. Where from --
STEWART: That's right, you got through everything.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Security forces in Iran have arrested eight people over the death of a 16-year-old teenager. Family members say they found the girl's body in
a Tehran morgue after she went missing for 10 days. They say she had told them that she was being followed by security agents after she posted a
social media story, showing her burning a head scarf.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CHANTING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Meanwhile, school girls and women have been protesting across the country, taking off their hijabs and chanting death to the dictator.
Despite a deadly crackdown, Iran's supreme leader blames what he calls agents of the West as well as treasonous Iranians abroad.
CNN's Jomana Karadsheh is following developments tonight for us from Istanbul. And Jomana, it's truly remarkable, isn't it? That these protests
are being led by women and young girls as we just saw there, and it's still going 3 weeks on.
[14:20:00]
You have been doing some fantastic work with your contacts in Iran. Do you get a sense, Jomana, that this battle cry, let's say, will continue despite
the crackdown?
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, Isa, that's what this young generation is saying. They're saying this is the -- you
know, it's a one-way road as they describe it. They're not going to stop. You hear so many young Iranians, these really courageous Iranians who are
taking to the streets with these remarkable acts of defiance.
Who are saying, look, the previous generation thought that they could reform the regime. That is not -- it hasn't worked, and they're just not
going to be the previous generations. They're saying that what they want now is regime change. And we're hearing this every single day, Isa, with
these videos that are coming out.
Just unthinkable in the past where you've got, as you mentioned, women who have been at the forefront of these protests, leading the protests. Saying
that they should have the right, the freedom to choose whether to wear or not to wear the veil. They want their liberties that they've been deprived
of for four decades under this repressive regime, under this Islamic Republic.
And we've seen these protests and these acts of defiance by these women spread like wildfire across the country. And some of the conservative,
traditionally religious parts of the country, you are also seeing the young women there and young men rising up, saying, enough is enough.
And what has been absolutely incredible in the past couple of days is seeing all these fearless young school girls right now emboldened by what
they have seen the young women on the streets. You've got now school girls out on the streets doing the same thing, these incredible acts of
defiance, removing their head scarves, saying -- you know, chanting death to the dictator.
Just spontaneous outbursts of defiance that we're seeing from these young women. And Isa, we don't really know how this is all going to end right
now. But one thing is for certain right now, is that barrier of fear in the Islamic Republic has been broken.
SOARES: Let me ask you this, because I know you've been speaking to various people, various voices inside Iran. Are they satisfied with the
support or lack thereof from the West here, Jomana?
KARADSHEH: Look, Isa, I mean, it depends on who you talk to. Some would say that the West, international community should do more. That, you know,
the United States and western power shouldn't be negotiating a new nuclear deal with Iran, they shouldn't be giving this regime a life-line.
Some will tell you that the international community shouldn't be sitting back and watching the regime yet again unleash brutal force against
protesters. That they should be doing more. That there should be some sort of an international accountability mechanism, where, you know, people will
be held accountable.
You're seeing a lot of sanctions announced by the United States. A lot of people would say that these are more, you know, targeting morality police
and Intelligence officers. That this is really more symbolic than anything right now. But some of those I've also spoken to, including Iranians
outside the country, Isa, they say that right now, it is up to the people who are inside the country.
It is up to those Iranians to rise up and you know, do what they're doing right now. And any sort of involvement by foreign powers just really backs
this narrative that we are hearing from the Iranian regime, saying that this is all a foreign conspiracy that aims to destabilize the country and
overthrow the regime.
SOARES: Yes, incredible acts of courage is what we've been seeing really from the beginning. Jomana Karadsheh for us in Istanbul. Thanks very much
Jomana, I appreciate it. Well, the image of courageous women removing their head scarves and cutting their hair has been the key symbol of these
protest. We've seen Jomana talking about there.
Now, we're seeing women around the world showing solidarity, including a Swedish member of European parliament. Have a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABIR AL-SAHLANI, SWEDISH MEMBER OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Until all women of Iran, are free, we are going to stand with you. (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN
LANGUAGE)women, life, freedom!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, that lawmaker, Abir Al-Sahlani joins me now live from Strasbourg in France. A big, great thank you -- thank you very much for
being here on the show. Just explain a bit to our viewers around the world why you thought it was important to cut your hair while addressing the
European parliament there.
AL-SAHLANI: I mean, Jomana just told you several times that the courage of the Iranian women has been unprecedented. And the world's leaders met a few
weeks ago in the General Assembly of the U.N., and not one of them had that courage to actually mention the fight for freedom of the Iranian women. And
we owe them that, at least. Let their voices echo in the beacons of democracy, the European parliament.
[14:25:00]
Let their voices echo here and show our support to the women of Iran. When the world leaders are failing in showing that kind of support.
SOARES: And the hair-cutting, of course, was a strong signal, as you're saying of solidarity with the women and the girls of Iran. But let's talk
about the politics if I could, Abir. Because you criticized other parliamentarians for doing little really to kind of meet the courage that
Iran's women have shown. Who in the EU, in particular, do you think needs to show more courage here?
AL-SAHLANI: To begin with, it is our high representatives for foreign affairs, Minister Josep Borrell, who actually, he just mumbled a press
release about the peaceful protesters. Not even mentioning that it is the young women and girls of Iran who are paying the ultimate price for
freedom, their lives.
Secondly, Ursula von der Leyen; the president of the Commission who has not shown an act of solidarity that is worth its name. I do expect more of the
president of the only union of democracies where the people and citizens of the European Union have been protesting, showing solidarity outside on the
streets every day now for 2 weeks time.
SOARES: Well, the EU's top diplomat that you just mentioned there, Josep Borrell, who you've attacked I think directly for not denouncing the
situation at the U.N. He had this to say, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSEP BORRELL, HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS & SECURITY POLICY: We will continue to follow what's happening in
the country and to use every opportunity to raise our position and our concerns on human rights in Iran. As I mentioned, we will continue to
consider all the options at our disposal including restrictive measures.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: So, what would be, in your view, a courageous move from the EU vis-a-vis Iran. What actions do you think you need to see, we need to see?
AL-SAHLANI: I mean, let me just mention one function that the U.N. has in its system. They are to be the responsibility to protect civilians from
their oppressors. Then we have one very concrete tool that you can use to protect the women of Iran from the bloodstained-hands of Mullah's regime.
That is one thing.
The second thing is, when Putin started his war in Ukraine, the 27 countries of the EU here, we came together, united to address the
aggression and war against Ukraine. Why can't we do that as well for the Iranian women? And this is what I am demanding. Unity in foreign policy.
Unity against the Mullahs in Iran. Unity in solidarity with the women of Iran.
SOARES: Yes, and I believe that the EU is considering imposing sanctions. I know that France has already backed sanctions. Do we know what is being
considered?
AL-SAHLANI: They are not giving us any information to be honest, because it's so much hush around it. But it is also very typical for these, a
little bit, you know, elderly people, men in politics who are not willing to take a stand. Who are not willing to show with clearness where we stand.
We are standing for the right thing, it is to be with the Iranian women and their fight for freedom. There is no other way of doing it.
SOARES: Yes, and like what Jomana said, some people being telling her that sanctions against the morality police and so forth, are mostly symbolic,
and that speaks volumes. Abir Al-Sahlani, really appreciate you taking the time to speak to us. Thank you very much --
AL-SAHLANI: Good to speak, thank you very much. Thank you.
SOARES: And still to come tonight, big promises. Controversial budgets and economic woes. Ahead, we'll look at how the British Prime Minister fared in
her speech at the Tory party conference. Plus, South Korea and the U.S. have now responded to North Korea's missile test as more details emerge
about the launch. You are watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:30:00]
(MUSIC PLAYING)
SOARES: Welcome back, everyone.
Today the British prime minister addressed the annual Tory Party conference for the first time in her premiership and in the thick of an economic
crisis. Far from defending her controversial tax cuts and promising to quote "get Britain moving," her speech was short of concrete policy idea.
And with climate protests threatening to overshadow the moment, it seems Liz Truss leadership and words and reassurance aren't convincing everyone
just yet. Bianca Nobilo joins us live from the conference in Birmingham, England.
Bianca, the PM has had three audiences she's had to address, the Tory Party, the country and the markets.
How does she fare?
Was she inspiring?
BIANCA NOBILO, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: That is a perfect way of putting it in terms of the audiences she was directing her speech toward.
Her supporters did say she was inspiring. It was often qualified with them admitting that she is at the moment a prime minister on notice.
Her MPs are giving her until Christmas to try to prove she is the right woman for the job. This is one of the rockiest starts a prime minister has
ever had. Many of the circumstances are not of her own making. They are ones she inherited from the previous government.
But the actions she has taken have not gone down well. This speech that she gave today was the moment to try and get her leadership back on track.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
NOBILO (voice-over): The prime minister put on a brave face for her keynote conference speech. Her premiership is under threat just one month
in. Party discipline is in tatters.
LIZ TRUSS, U.K. PRIME MINISTER: Whenever there is change, there is disruption. And not everybody will be in favor of change. But everyone will
benefit from the results. A growing economy and a better future.
NOBILO (voice-over): Truss promised boldness, which, so far, has come at great cost. A radical economic agenda, which included cutting taxes for
high earners, caused turmoil in the financial markets and sent Tory poll ratings plummeting, only to be scrapped in a humiliating new turn, which
she briefly addressed.
TRUSS: I get it and I have listened.
NOBILO (voice-over): Some of her lawmakers question whether she does get it or has what it takes to lead a government. Truss stood by her
libertarian economic principles but was shy on details.
TRUSS: I have three priorities for our economy: growth, growth and growth. That is why I am determined to take a new approach and break us out
of this high tax-low growth cycle.
NOBILO (voice-over): The at times personal speech cheered supporters.
[14:35:00]
NOBILO (voice-over): References to enduring sexism and being underestimated impressed as did how she handled the unexpected.
Cheering as protesters were escorted out. Though even her supporters recognize she is a prime minister on notice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Give her 3 to 6 months, at the moment there is a lot of ifs and buts. But I have every confidence that she will.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think she will improve.
NOBILO: Truss has been deeply damaged by party conference, politically weakened, her party divided. She is now at the mercy of her lawmakers,
having exchanged power for time, hoping her party doesn't desert her.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NOBILO: Her speech could be characterized as a qualified success in that it did inspire and please her supporters, who have been quite concerned by
the unraveling of the government policy of the last couple of. Days
But it did not break through that barrier of trying to win over waverers or convince anyone who is not yet convinced by Liz Truss that she is the right
person for the job and that she can confidently lead the Conservative Party in the next election and have any prospect of winning.
SOARES: They probably didn't convince many, because there was a lack of policy in that speech. But she did say that the status quo is not an
option. She said we must stay the course.
Does that suggest, Bianca, an acceptance on her part that there will be more disruption?
NOBILO: Yes, that was one of the themes of the speech. Something I don't think markets would've received enthusiastically, the fact she did accept
the disruption as part of change.
This divergence from the status quo that she has mentioned a few times in defense of her policies so far, she wants to set herself out as a different
kind of politician that does things differently.
It's also consciously a political move to separate herself from what is perceived by the electorate as mistakes of the Johnson government. The
Conservatives have been in power for over a decade. She is a Conservative.
Yes, this is a new government. But she also bears some responsibility for the decisions that were made collectively over those years. So by trying to
say I'm doing something radical and I'm doing something different, I am departing from the past. she is trying to set out a different stall.
That would be part of the calculus behind it. It was very shy on policy; there was no use lines in terms of any policies in the speech itself.
Conference speeches can tend to be platitudinous and speak in sweeping terms, because they just want to unite rather than say anything that could
be controversial. But I don't think she went very far on the unity front.
She did stand firm on her economic principles, it is low tax, high growth; she wants to continue doing that. Her supporters would have also understood
what she said as an example of her resilience.
She's had a very difficult couple of weeks. But she's going to stick with her guns, she still believes what she believes. And she is going full steam
ahead, whatever the disruption.
SOARES: PM on notice, like you said, let's see how she does in the months ahead-- Bianca Nobilo in Birmingham, thank you.
It's been a rather difficult first month in power for the prime minister. Nina dos Santos has a closer look at how her controversial mini budget is
impacting ordinary British people.
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NINA DOS SANTOS, CNNMONEY EUROPE EDITOR (voice-over): After a disastrous reaction to her government's budget, the pressure is on for Liz Truss to
balance Britain's books.
TRUSS: The political debate has been dominated by the argument about how we distribute a limited economic pie. Instead, we need to grow the pie, so
that everyone gets a bigger slice.
DOS SANTOS (voice-over): She has already detailed on tax cuts for the rich but with billions more to be saved, choosing where to trim is politically
tricky in a country already facing stark inequality.
At this food bank in south London, staff say they're seeing more and more people rely on their services just to meet their everyday needs. This in
one of the richest cities in one of the world's biggest economies.
And after years of pointing austerity, anemic wage growth and now rampant inflation, there is little tolerance here in places like this for further
government spending cuts.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is a lot more people coming in, a lot more people suffering. I never ever, ever in my life thought this would be me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am worried, yes. I'm really worried.
DOS SANTOS (voice-over): Mariana (ph) is among the millions of Britons reliant upon benefits, to top off their earnings, to cover housing costs or
to compensate for disabilities that keep them out of work. A welfare state under pressure from a new PM who won't say if such payments will keep pace
with soaring prices.
[14:40:00]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It will be difficult for me to manage the situation if I don't get help from the government.
DOS SANTOS (voice-over): Meanwhile, middle income families could been posted to poverty, too, thanks to rising mortgage costs since filing by the
budget itself.
JAMES SMITH, DIRECTOR, RESOLUTION FOUNDATION RESEARCH: We have seen interest rates of the short end rise by about a percentage point since Liz
Truss' mini budget. And all that will mean is that the impact of the cost of living crisis will hit those on middle incomes and not just those of
really low income.
DOS SANTOS (voice-over): The advocacy body Citizens Advice reckons 53 percent more people now need this type of help versus at the start of the
year. And at the food bank they're seeing that trend firsthand.
REBECCA DAY, LIVING WELL BROMLEY FOOD BANK: It's not your average homeless guy coming around to the food bank anymore. We are seeing working people
come to the food bank. We are seeing people who get to the end of the month and they can't manage to pay for their food.
We have families coming along which we never had before.
DOS SANTOS (voice-over): As bills increase, locals are also donating less. Food bank itself has half the number of bags that it gives to each family.
DOS SANTOS: Do you think that the U.K. government understands the predicaments that some of the people who use your services face?
DAY: No, it has just been shocking. I am appalled by the government and their reaction. I would really welcome to invite the prime minister and the
chancellor down here, because I don't think they get a true picture.
DOS SANTOS (voice-over): Nina dos Santos, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: The U.N. Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting after North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan without any warning.
The U.S. and South Korea conducted a missile and bombing exercise in response to North Korea's tests. Paula Hancocks is in Seoul with the very
latest.
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PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We've seen a coordinated effort by the United States and South Korea to send a message to North Korea, a show of
force by firing missiles off the east coast of Korea and carrying out a bombing drill with fighter jets off the west coast.
We have heard from the U.S. that this is to show Pyongyang that they are militarily capable of striking back when Pyongyang carries out this type of
launch, should they decide to. Here is John Kirby.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADM. JOHN KIRBY (RET.), COORDINATOR FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL: We have made it clear to Kim Jong-un, we
are willing to sit down with no preconditions. We want to see the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
He hasn't shown an inclination to move into that direction. And quite frankly, he's moving in the opposite direction. We have to make sure that
we have the capabilities and the readiness in place to meet our national security interests and our treaty commitments in the region. And we are
going to do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HANCOCKS: One of the missiles that was fired from the east coast did fail shortly after launch. We understand it crashed nearby. The South Korean
military says that there were no casualties.
On the diplomatic front, the U.S. president spoke with Japan's prime minister discussing North Korea. And President Biden said it was a danger
for the Japanese people, calling it, quote, "dangerous and reckless" that North Korea carried out that launch.
We do know that later on Wednesday there will be a United Nations Security Council public hearing to discuss North Korea. Many countries are expected
to condemn this missile launch. Of course, Russia and China are highly unlikely to denounce Pyongyang -- Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: We'll be right back after this break.
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SOARES: As a popular tourist destination, the Maldives has to ensure it protects its ocean as well as species. Christina Macfarlane takes a dive
into the islands' marine conservation efforts.
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CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We are starting our day south of Morley (ph) on Laamu Atoll, snorkeling around the house reef
with Aminath Angeela.
She is hoping to show us some of the rich biodiversity that travelers from all over the world come to see here in the Maldives. She is a sea turtle
biologist with the Olive Ridley Project, an NGO working to rescue turtles and their habitats.
AMINATH ANGEELA, SEA TURTLE BIOLOGIST (voice-over): So turtles are facing many threats in terms of habitat loss. There is corals being bleached and
sea grass being removed of four estating (ph) purpose and other different things. (INAUDIBLE) but their habitat is in the nesting beaches that are
being eroded.
And their food security is threatened as the coral reef and sea grass mills are being damaged.
MACFARLANE (voice-over): Around Laamu Atoll, the NGO has identified more than 730 green and hawksbill sea turtles, two of the most cited species in
Maldivan waters. Angeela monitors nesting activity and oversees the turtle population.
Today we have been alerted to a new green sea turtle nest, right by the beach villa at the luxury resort, Six Senses Laamu. where Angeela is based.
ANGEELA (voice-over): She found the perfect sand that she can lay her eggs. And this is the nest.
I think the best part is collecting data. And my data will contribute to something bigger. And it helps in conservation action.
MACFARLANE (voice-over): Her work is part of the resort's wider Maldives Underwater Initiative, MUI for short, focusing on research, education and
community outreach to better understand and protect marine resources around Laamu Atoll.
MUI's research coordinator Miriam Staiger is taking us out to see one of the ocean's more vulnerable species.
MIRIAM STAIGER, RESEARCH COORDINATOR, MALDIVES UNDERWATER INITIATIVE: Sea grass are plants. They produce oxygen. And when they produce oxygen, they
take up carbon dioxide from the environment. And they bury that into the sediment. And that is a very important factor if we look at climate change.
So we need the carbon to be stored.
MACFARLANE (voice-over): It's also an important habitat for young fish and for sea turtles.
STAIGER (voice-over): I know that a lot of people always come with the perception that sea grass is a bit dark or dirty or they confuse it with
algae. So since 2017, we leave it natural and wild to be because we know of all the important ecosystem benefits that sea grass provides.
MACFARLANE (voice-over): For these marine biologists in Maldives, it is about finding the balance between tourism and environmental protection.
Both Miriam and Angeela point to the importance of awareness and hope to create more opportunities to educate visitors from around the world about
our ocean environment.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Still to come tonight, the controversy that is shaking the chess world to its core. New details about a 19 year old who reportedly cheated
dozens of times, that is next.
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[14:50:00]
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SOARES: The family of the woman who was killed in the "Rust" movie set has now reached a settlement with actor Alex Baldwin. Its terms are undisclosed
and follows the wrongful death lawsuit Halyna Hutchins' family filed against those involved in the film.
A year ago, if you remember, in New Mexico, a prop gun Baldwin was holding discharged, killing Hutchins, the cinematographer of the film. "Rust" will
now continue filming and her husband, Matthew Hutchins, will be an executive producer and receive a portion of the profits.
The New Mexico district attorneys says that this settlement will have no impact on the ongoing criminal investigation into the incident.
A teenage chess Grand Master, Hans Niemann, has likely cheated not once, not twice but more than 100 times. That is according to an investigation by
chess.com. It released a report stating that, in 2020, the American privately confessed to cheating in online matches to the website's chief
chess officer.
He was then temporarily banned from the platform.
(SPORTS)
SOARES: That is it for today. I will see you tomorrow. "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is up next. Have a wonderful day.
END
