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Isa Soares Tonight

Balogun Receives Red Card for Foul on Bosnian Defender; Punishing Heat Wave Affects More Than 160M People in U.S.; Trump Puts Himself at Center of America 250 Celebrations; U.S. Lifts Export Controls on Anthropic's Advanced A.I. Models. Man Pulled Alive from Under a Collapsed Mall in Venezuela Eight Days After Double Earthquakes Rocked Venezuela; Russia Hits Kyiv with Ballistic Missiles in Overnight Strike; Smallest Nation to Advance to the World Cup Knockouts, Cape Verde, has High Hopes for Their Match Against Argentina Friday.

Aired July 02, 2026 - 14:00   ET

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

[14:00:00]

PAULA NEWTON, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: And a very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Paula Newton in for Isa Soares. Tonight, a miraculous

rescue. This man was pulled alive from under a collapsed mall in Venezuela eight days after double earthquakes rocked that country.

Then a night of horror. That's how the mayor of Kyiv is describing Russia's deadly overnight attacks. We ask a former Russian Energy Minister what this

says about who is winning this war. And a tale of David and Goliath, the smallest nation to advance to the World Cup knockouts, Cape Verde, has high

hopes for their match against Argentina Friday.

We will speak to one of the family members of one of the players. First for us, thousands of families in Venezuela are still waiting in anguish for any

news of their loved ones. But today, in a powerful symbol of hope, eight days after two devastating earthquakes hit, a man was pulled out of a

crushed building alive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(CHEERS)

(APPLAUSE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: And you see the cheers and the applause there, and for such good reason after an international team of rescuers finally reached a security

guard trapped in the ruins of that shopping mall, 70 hours after they first located him. That's how complicated this rescue was. Venezuela's Red Cross

calls it a miracle.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LUIS RODRIGUEZ, VENEZUELAN RED CROSS (through translator): Fortunately, once we received Mr. Hernan(ph) in the ambulance, he was stable in stable

conditions. His vital signs were stable, and during the whole ride, he was conscious, focused and collaborating.

And all of his vital signs within normal. Incredible. Yes, this is a total miracle. The works of the rescuers kept his spirits up, feeding him water

and helping him, that was completely decisive for him to be in these conditions.

It was so gratifying to see that he is well. We never lose hope that someone else might come up alive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: Now, despite that ray of hope, so many other families are still enduring the unthinkable. Officially, the death toll stands at about 2,300.

But that number is, of course, certain to rise as more bodies are uncovered.

Now, Isa Soares is in Venezuela on the ground right now, she spoke with a forensic pathologist, who says the situation at morgues is indescribable

with many families bringing in bodies of loved ones they were forced to dig from the rubble themselves. Isa was also at the scene of that miraculous

rescue earlier today, and she filed this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR & CORRESPONDENT (on camera): After so many days of loss and sadness, a moment of celebration here in Playa Grande in La

Guaira, when rescue workers from all over the world were able to rescue 44- year-old Hernan Gil(ph), he was a security guard on the -- in the shopping center just behind me.

He was on level minus two. For days they have been talking to him, keeping him alive. They have been passing him water. They have been giving him baby

food, giving him medicine, communicating with him. I spoke to one rescue worker who had that task of keeping his spirits up. Have a listen.

ARMANDO MARIA, PORTUGUESE RESCUE TEAM FEPC: He was a very cooperative victim. There were times when we had to keep talking to him continuously.

At other moments, we had to stop talking in order to work, partially because of the noise, we ourselves were making.

Following medical guidance, we constantly provided hydration, including isotonic drinks and water, as well as all the food he needed to maintain

the minimum conditions necessary to survive and endure the entire rescue operation.

SOARES: Football. That's how they connected, and it was a miracle rescue, something this country so desperately needs after so many deaths here.

Rescue workers have been celebrating. They've been hugging. They've even been exchanging country patches because this was a huge global effort from

teams all over the world.

[14:05:00]

His wife, meanwhile, had been waiting every day here, waiting to hug him. We're told by the Red Cross, he's making his way to Caracas, and besides, a

bruise in his eye, and maybe a lesion on his arms, he's doing incredibly well. Isa Soares, CNN, Playa Grande, Venezuela.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Now, has -- Isa has been finding out, many families are still searching for their loved ones, and in so many cases, there is not the

miraculous ending that we just saw there. Now, Isa was at the scene, as you saw from that rescue. But earlier, she also filed this report about the

growing toll that she is seeing on the ground.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES (voice-over): Venezuelans are still looking, desperately searching for their loved ones a week since back-to-back earthquakes rocked this

country. At the main morgue in Caracas, I meet a shell-shocked Karelis D'Wuentt.

KARELIS D'WUENTT, RELATIVES MISSING AFTER EARTHQUAKE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

SOARES: Her 22-year-old brother was pulled out alive from the ruins by his own friend, but he succumbed to his injuries last night. And there's more.

D'WUENTT: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

SOARES: She tells me, a dozen family members are missing. Three confirmed dead.

(On camera): The magnitude of loss has yet to be fully felt here in Venezuela, as families drift from hopeful to disbelief. There's a real

sense of bewilderment, and now face the very painful task of having to track down their bodies.

I make my way to see a forensic pathologist who has just returned from the makeshift morgue in the hard-hit area of La Guaira. We meet in the car and

protect her identity for fear of retaliation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

SOARES: So, the containers are all full now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

SOARES (voice-over): Shocking, but hardly surprising. Despite thousands missing, the official death toll is sitting at just over 2,000.

(On camera): Other numbers that we are getting from the government. Do you -- are they trustworthy?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

SOARES: A blunt take from a frontline worker seeing death up close. Isa Soares, CNN, Caracas, Venezuela.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: To Ukraine now, as that country gains momentum on the battlefield and escalates its aerial campaign with repeated strikes deep inside Russia,

Moscow is now fiercely retaliating.

Rescue workers in Kyiv are desperately searching through the rubble in the wake of a massive Russian attack on the capital. The overnight bombardment

included nearly 500 drones and more than 70 missiles.

It lasted 11 hours and killed 21 people. The attacks came amid a stunning new estimate from this war. Now in its fifth year I remind you. Now, the

Center for Strategic and International Studies says Russia has suffered a staggering 1.4 million casualties from this conflict, including close to

a half million dead soldiers.

And while the Ukrainian losses are much lower, the numbers are still horrific, with up to 600,000 casualties, including at least 125,000

casualties. We get more now on this latest attack in Kyiv from Nada Bashir.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BOMB EXPLOSION)

NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The moment of impact in yet another round of deadly Russian strikes. The night sky over Kyiv,

illuminated as fires tear through the city into the early hours of the morning.

Hundreds of Russian missiles and drones are said to have been intercepted, but officials say at least, 33 made impact, killing more than a dozen

people and wounding at least 86 others.

IRYNA MOSKAEVA, KYIV RESIDENT (through translator): My kids and I wanted to get out of the room. We jumped out of the bed and started running, but

there was nowhere left to run. All the windows in the room were shattered and the door was jammed. I couldn't open it.

BASHIR: This latest attack came with some warning. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling on civilians to heed the sirens and take

shelter in anticipation of an extensive Russian attack.

More than 50,000 Kyiv residents are said to have packed into metro stations across the city Wednesday evening, preparing for a long night. Russia's

Defense Ministry claims precision weapons were used to target Ukraine's military and energy infrastructure.

But local officials in the capital have condemned what they've described as significant direct hits on residential buildings across the city.

[14:10:00]

In this Kyiv neighborhood, families wait anxiously for news of their loved ones. As emergency services searched through the rubble of destroyed homes

for casualties

IHOR KLYMENKO, MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS, UKRAINE (through translator): A miracle happened here today, thanks primarily to the work of the rescue

teams. This is the first time in Ukraine that seven people have been rescued from under the rubble.

BASHIR: A miracle moment for some, but for others, only grief. Nada Bashir, CNN, in London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Joining us for more now on these attacks and on the status of this conflict is Vladimir Milov; he was once deputy Energy Minister of Russia

before his reform proposals were completely undone by Vladimir Putin.

He is a leading voice opposing Putin's continued rule over Russia. And he joins us now. Good to see you, and thanks for being with here -- with us

here. I do want to start with the military and strategic point here.

Putin's response to Ukraine is fairly predictable, right? If you poke the bear, the bear will attempt to bite your head off. But do you believe at

this point in time, there is any kind of backstop for Putin himself right now, or do you fear that he will just continue to escalate?

VLADIMIR MILOV, RUSSIAN OPPOSITION POLITICIAN: Oh, hello, great to be with you again. Definitely Putin is getting into more and more desperate

situation because his resources that enable him to continue this war are dwindling. He has a lot of economic troubles at home. There's another round

of mass mobilization --

NEWTON: Right --

MILOV: That is being mulled because he's short of people at the frontlines. And if this mobilization happens, this will have a profoundly

negative effect on Russian economy and society. So, that's no easy choice.

And you see that he's not being advancing at the battlefield for quite some time. Already, the combat is very much stalled and Russia is not advancing.

Plus, we see new developments like successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory taken out also some critical energy infrastructure.

There are motives. If Putin continues to wage this war against Ukraine, which seems to be the case, the only traditional pattern that he uses to

escalate. So, this is what he's trying to do by striking more Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, inflicting horror and pain and hoping to break the

resistance of the Ukrainian nation.

But we saw this before. It doesn't work. I don't think there are any reasons to believe that this time it will be successful. However, the

horrors, unfortunately continue.

NEWTON: Yes, the picture you're painting is quite bleak. I do want to deal with two different factors in Russia, but let's start with the economy.

Some assume that there is a cliff over which that Russian economy can go, or will it continue to stumble along?

I know you look into this quite closely. So, we've got a depleted budget. We have worsening inflation. And of course, we have all of these attacks on

the energy, especially the refineries in Russia. Is that having a real effect on the economy and Putin's ability to continue to prosecute this

war?

MILOV: It is. All of this is having a very significant effect. And particularly, if you look in dynamics, just a year ago, Russia did not

envisage the scenario that is happening today, which is economic contraction, even despite the -- some of the windfall from increased

commodities prices from the war in the Middle East.

Russia's economy is still contracting. We just received the data from May, and it shows continued contraction. We have ballooning budget deficit in a

full-blown budget crisis, and we have second highest inflation in G20 after Turkey.

And the government was not able to calm it down with three years of high interest rates and tight monetary policy. That doesn't mean that Putin does

not have resources to continue the war, but his room for maneuver is significantly shrinking.

For once, you know, talks about mobilization are being contained with the shortage of labor at the Russian labor market. And that's one of the

biggest economic issues which prevents him from mobilizing more men to fight in Ukraine.

So, economy is now a very significant constraining factor. Putin might still continue to wage war for some time. But if you listen to a Russian

public debate that happens even in official corridors of power, people begin questioning ministers, top businessmen begin questioning what they

are doing and openly saying that we need to end the war as soon as possible.

NEWTON: You know, those elites are clearly the people that matter, perhaps in having influence at -- on the Kremlin. But I do wonder going back to

your original point, what is the risk of Putin really escalating further here?

Because the war is now hitting home for Russians, he may actually gain more support for this war, right?

[14:15:00]

Do you believe it could prompt a certain level of defiance that might convince him? You know what? I'm going to hit back even harder.

MILOV: Well, you can look at the objective indicators, one of which is recruitment, drafting of people to fight on the battlefield against

Ukraine. This drafting has been dramatically shrinking in numbers. Recently, there are not many men left who are willing to go and fight, even

for, you know, a pay, which is many times higher than the median salary in Russian regions.

But still, this stream of new recruits is shrinking. That's one thing. Another thing, if you -- if you really look at many signs of discontent,

some prominent pro-Putin public figures openly speaking against the war, against his policies, that has been increasing lately.

I wouldn't go into details, but many numbers. Just ahead of Russia's biggest bank saying the day before yesterday at the annual shareholders

meeting that everybody in the country is waiting for a military operation to end.

So, you know, difficulties are mounting and there is a cost of war. So, if we're speaking about Putin going all out, fully mobilizing the country, the

big question is, will there be people who will be willing to join him in this fight, because the country is extremely exhausted?

NEWTON: Right, you doubt whether or not he could pull it off. You know, I've been following very closely what's been going on in Russia in terms of

just the lineups at the gas stations. Now, this is impacting everyday Russians.

I know you have seen the lines the way I have seen the lines. There are many gas stations that you and I would have been in front of, to try and

get gas into our cars. You and I both know it's Summer. It is duchess season.

This is going to start to rile people in Moscow and beyond. How are Russians feeling about this? Because I know that we have the elites. I

know that we have what we see on state television. But in terms of what you know from everyday Russians, even if they're afraid to speak out, is

this what's going to do it, the lineups at the gas station?

MILOV: Everybody is worried about this. This is what all the countries been talking about and buzzing about lately, because we haven't seen that

crisis for decades, for a long time since maybe late '80s or early '90s. But there is a distance.

Russia is a full totalitarian country. If you look at -- I don't know, Freedom House ranking, we're in top 20 of worst of the worst in the range

of Eritrea and Iran probably. It's not very easy for societies in the countries like that to transform their discontent into protest.

Takes time, takes multiple factors, not just gasoline, but probably something else, and a combination of different things. But things are

brewing. And one of the issues that we recently saw are pro-Putin public figures openly saying that Putin is to blame and we need to end the war.

Just in the recent few weeks and months, something unthinkable before. So, something is brewing here. We saw that in the previous century, several

times in Russia. How all of a sudden, discontent transforms into political action.

We're clearly going there, but just -- I mean, don't expect a fast journey from point A to point B, but the process is heating up.

NEWTON: Yes, as you said, history is instructive here. And we would be well, wise to really listen to that history and how complicated it actually

is in Russia. Vladimir Milov, we will leave it there for now, but good to have you on the program. Appreciate it.

MILOV: Thank you.

NEWTON: Still to come for us tonight, Iran is pausing discussions with the U.S. for the funeral of its late supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali

Khamenei. We will have more on that when we return.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:20:00]

NEWTON: Talks with the U.S. are on pause as Iran prepares to bury its former supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Preparations are

underway for his multi-day funeral due to begin on Friday. The Ayatollah was killed in February during the first day of airstrikes by the U.S. and

Israel.

Authorities in Tehran are calling on all Iranians to try and attend. Events are also planned for Iraq, which has a number of major Shia religious

sites. Jeremy Diamond now with the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, after several days of negotiations in the Qatari capital, we now see a break, it

appears in these negotiations between the United States and Iran in order to allow for what are going to be very grand funeral processions for the

late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

It is indeed rare in Islamic tradition for a funeral to have -- to be delayed by so long. And it speaks, of course, to the extraordinary

circumstances that were taking place in Iran, a war-time Iran, and also, of course, the kind of position of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the reverence

that his followers have held for him, of course, for so long and the role he has played in the wider Middle East.

We saw that Qatar said that there was, quote, "positive progress" over the course of these negotiations the last few days. It's still unclear exactly

what was discussed in Doha. Iranian officials said that they were focused on unfreezing Iranian assets.

U.S. officials appear to have been focused on securing free passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz. And of course, we know that

the ongoing negotiations and discussions about the continued conflict in Lebanon also factored into those discussions.

But now, the attention, at least, inside of Iran, is very much shifting to this funeral procession, which is going to take place over the course of

several days in Iran next week. The Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, calling on Iranians to turn out in, quote, "large numbers" to portray a

united front inside of Iran to the world.

There are going to be some 100 countries represented at this funeral, according to Iran's Foreign Ministry, with senior officials from China,

Iran, India and Pakistan expected to attend. One big question mark here is whether or not the current supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei; the son of the

late supreme leader who is going to be buried next week, whether or not he will attend.

And of course, that question still looms because of the fact that we still have yet to see him in public, since his father was killed and he was

injured, and ultimately, since he ascended to become Iran's third supreme leader.

Now, another question is whether or not there could be any strikes during this funeral procession. Certainly, seems very unlikely from the U.S.'

point of view, also relatively unlikely from Israel's point of view.

But a senior Iranian military official is warning both the United States and Israel against carrying out any military action against Iran during

this funeral, vowing a, quote, "regret-inducing response should any strikes take place".

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Now in the Albanian capital, Tirana, protesters and police clashed again today amid calls for early elections and the resignation of Prime

Minister Edi Rama.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(ALBANIANS PROTESTING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[14:25:00]

NEWTON: So, you'll remember the protests have been dubbed the Flamingo Revolution. They oppose plans to develop a luxury resort near protected

wetlands, and the politicians who backed that project. Now the resort plans are linked to the Qatar-based firm and U.S. President Donald Trump's son-

in-law, Jared Kushner.

The proposed site for the project is known for its flamingos and a turtle nesting area. So, a big decision from the Vatican. Certain members of the

ultra-traditionalist group known as the Society of Saint Pius X, are now excommunicated.

This comes after the breakaway group ordained four new bishops without receiving papal approval. A new decree from the Vatican's doctral(ph)

office -- doctrinal office, pardon me, says the excommunication applies to those four bishops, along with other bishops who took part in the

ordination ceremony.

It also warns all clerics and lay Catholics not to be part of the society, as they will automatically incur the same penalty. For weeks now, there

have been growing tensions between the pontiff and the SSPX, as Pope Leo pushes for unity throughout the church.

Still to come for us tonight, the USA are through to the round of 16 after a controversial refereeing decision. We'll have a look at that in today's

upcoming games. The smallest nation to have made it to the knockouts, I'll remind you, is Cape Verde.

Not too long ago, their star defender was working in a bank. We need to tell you this story because he plays against Argentina and football legend

Lionel Messi. We speak to his wife.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON: Wednesday at the men's World Cup saw more drama in the round of 32. The USA did indeed beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 to advance to the round

of 16. And remember here, this was drama. Team USA actually had to go down to ten players.

Now, today's matches kick off in the next half hour with one of the tournaments favorites, Spain facing Austria, and later, Portugal are facing

off against Croatia, that is in Toronto. It will be like a home game for both of those teams, I will remind you. Then we go to Switzerland and they

will take on Algeria.

CNN World Sports, Coy Wire, has more for us from Stanford, California. Coy, listen, I watched the USA game, you were there, let us know how this went

down because the red card came out and it was drama full on right after that.

COY WIRE, CNN WORLD SPORT: Drama, pure cinema. Oh, my goodness, the last time, Paula, that the World Cup was hosted in America in '94, the U.S. lost

a famous knockout round match against eventual champs Brazil right here in Stanford Stadium, but this time in the Bay Area.

In this World Cup knockout, the U.S. got the job done, but despite that controversial red card, the U.S., they came out breathing fire with their

breakout star, Flo Balogun. He lit the fuse early with an opening goal. Fans in there went bonkers, but then came that plot twist. Balogun, given a

red card later on after a collision, he's booted from the game. The U.S. would go on to win 2-nil, it's just their second knockout win ever, but

Balogun will now be suspended for their next match.

No appeal, FIFA pointed us to article 66.4 of their disciplinary code, automatic one-match suspension for red cards, decisions by the referee on

the field, our final fans floating on cloud nine over the wind, but they made it very clear to us afterwards that they are livid about that red

card. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The refs were probably being paid off. It was absolutely ridiculous. That red card was horrendous.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll miss Balogun. I mean, his energy is just like peak. I mean, you saw it today. We heard it today when he's out on the

pitch and he's just -- he's got the ball. People are just electric. So, yes, we're going to miss him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very disappointed about the red card that happened. Number 20 is a great player we're going to be missing out on, but we're

ready for you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: All right. That mountain to climb, that next one just got a little bit steeper at Belgium in Seattle on Monday. Now, plenty more action coming

your way today. Paula mentioned a bit of that. Some European powerhouses hoping to avoid the drama we saw on Wednesday. European champs Spain and

Lamina Mall taking on Austria. Portugal will be hoping to find their best form as they take on veteran Croatia side. 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo,

40-year-old Luka Modric going head-to-head, having played a combined 47 World Cup matches in their career. Who will extend that streak? And the

late kickoff today sees Switzerland taking on Algeria.

Sports are an emotional roller coaster. These knockout round games are skipping the brakes, taking fans through joy, panic, relief, anger, all the

euphoria.

I know there's another match you have your eye on, Paula, on Saturday. Round of 16, Morocco and, oh, yes, Canada. I think you -- I would love to

have a camera on you during that match.

NEWTON: So, listen, all the host countries made it, right? Coy, you, USA, me, Canada, Mexico, our friends in Mexico. Yay for us. All of us were there

and that we got the job done so far. So, now, we can all look on --

WIRE: It's a party. Let's keep it going.

NEWTON: It is an absolute party. Well, one of us -- one of the host nations should keep it going, if not all three. Fingers crossed on all

levels. Coy Wire, I am glad you're there. Glad for the summary. And we will continue loving this World Cup. Appreciate it.

Now, the smallest nation to advance to the knockouts is Cape Verde. Friday, they are going to play against reigning champions, Argentina. Now, one of

the stars of Cape Verde is defender, Pico Lopes.

Not too long ago, he was working in a bank before being recruited to play football in the League of Ireland Premier's Division. Now, Lopes nearly

missed his opportunity to play for Cape Verde after ignoring a recruitment message. Can you believe this? He ignored a recruitment message from

LinkedIn. You really can't blame him. It was in Portuguese and he thought it was spam.

Now, following Pico Lopes around the U.S. are his wife, Leah O'Shaughnessy and -- O'Shaughnessy, pardon me, and his son. Leah joins us now from Miami.

Leah, thank you so much for being with us. Congratulations to you, the family and the entire team.

Your family story has actually been breathtaking. Just how he got on the team is fascinating. And you're going to remind us, right, this was not

exactly an overnight success. It was a big sacrifice for your entire family to take on this dream of his.

LEAH O'SHAUGHNESSY, WIFE OF CAPE VERDE DEFENDER ROBERTO LOPES: Yes, yes. I mean, it's incredible to look at him now, you know, and it didn't come out

of nowhere. It didn't happen overnight. And he's put in years of blood, sweat and tears, sacrifices, commitment.

[14:35:00]

And yes, it's been really surreal. Actually, to see him now here at this moment on the biggest board stage of football, I'm just so, so happy and

proud of him. And he's dedicated his whole life to this and has waited for this moment.

NEWTON: What does this mean to the team as a whole? Again, we keep repeating it, right? This is quite the Cinderella story. And it is what

some of us love about the World Cup, that you can get a story like your husband's and the team from Cape Verde that kind of takes us on a ride.

O'SHAUGHNESSY: Yes. I mean, it's unbelievable. Cape Verde is such a tiny nation, you know -- and, you know, I'm Irish. And so, I come from a small

nation myself. And we know what it's like when, you know, you make it to the big stage in the world, and you get to showcase your talents and

showcase what you're made of.

And it's the same for the Cape Verdean people, for this team, for the country, you know, to have such a tiny population and to make it to the

knockout stages of the World Cup. It's pretty unbelievable. Yes, it's a Cinderella story that everybody loves, isn't it? And, you know, they've

walked their entire lives for this moment.

Pico himself, you know, to be caught up on LinkedIn and to ignore a message for so long, thinking it was spam. And, you know, it just goes to show that

anything can happen.

NEWTON: Not only did he think it was spam, he needed Google Translate, right, to just figure out what the message was.

O'SHAUGHNESSY: Yes. Well, he ignored it for nine months and then decided to Google Translate. So, I don't know what that delay was. But --

NEWTON: The thing is about this, though, is this has been his dream, right? And now, he gets to be on a stage with arguably the greatest

footballer ever, Lionel Messi. I mean, how is he feeling in the lead up to the match?

O'SHAUGHNESSY: You know, Pico himself, he's a very laid-back person and he's really cool, calm and collected. If it was me, I'd be a bundle of

nerves and I wouldn't be able to then -- it's just -- it's actually something I really admire about him. He takes everything in his stride and,

you know, he takes one day at a time and stays in the moment.

So, I think in the lead up to it, you know, he'll just do everything that he can to prepare, get ready. And I think he'll worry about it. He'll worry

about Messi when he's on the pitch.

NEWTON: And not before or wise. You know, as you're speaking, we're showing pictures of you and your lovely baby. He's not a baby anymore. How

has it been to just travel around the United States and share this experience as a family?

O'SHAUGHNESSY: Yes, it's been it's been incredible. You know, I was really nervous before we came here because, you know, he's eight months old. So,

and bringing eight months old around America in an RV is probably just something a crazy person would do. But we did it anyway.

And we traveled to all of the games in the RV and baby Diego, me, my mom, my dad, my brother and my two best friends. And it's just been the

experience of a lifetime. It really has. There's been ups and downs. And, you know, we just laughed through it all. It's just been really just a once

in a lifetime, unforgettable journey.

And I have to say, as well, everywhere we've been, people have been so kind and so generous and so helpful. And so, yes, we've just really, really

enjoyed it.

NEWTON: Well, we've been captivated by the story. Your family is beautiful. You're sharing some great memories and great memories for this

team. And as you said, this tiny island nation, all their hopes are on this match coming up. We'll be watching with interest. Leah, thanks so much and

good luck.

O'SHAUGHNESSY: Thank you. Thanks.

NEWTON: Now, nearly half of all Americans are facing heat alerts going into that 4th of July holiday. We'll have more on that heat dome, coming

up.

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[14:40:00]

NEWTON: So, America's capital is on track to have its hottest Independence Day, let me say that again, its hottest Independence Day ever, as this

blistering heat wave settles in across the eastern United States.

Now, more than 160 million people face some sort of heat alert headed into the Fourth of July holiday. Dozens of longstanding heat records are set to

be broken across the next several days. Many cities, including Philadelphia, are set for days of weather at or above 100 degrees

Fahrenheit. That's around 38 degrees Celsius.

Now, things were cooler when America declared its independence, we'll remind you, some 250 years ago. According to records from Princeton and the

National Archives, future President Thomas Jefferson logged the midday temperature on July 4th in 1776 at a mere 76 degrees. It could be 30

degrees hotter in Philadelphia on the weekend.

I want to bring in CNN meteorologist, Allison Chinchar, for more on this heat wave. Allison, you are in Atlanta right now. I checked the

temperature. It is quite a bit hotter here in New York than in the south where you are. What is the eastern half of the United States in for?

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, they are in for much of the same, really. I feel like a boiling vessel that is vastly unprepared for

this heat outside.

Again, it's hot. It's the summer. We get that. But this is abnormally hot for a lot of these regions, not just where I am, but the Northeast, the

Mid-Atlantic. So, many areas are going to be experiencing this heat. One out of every two Americans is actually under some type of extreme heat

alert across the country over the next several days. People are seeking refuge by either staying indoors in the air conditioning or perhaps going

to visit places like this where you've got these splash parks.

Now, the one here where we are located in Centennial Olympic Park is actually closed. Even though the splash park is up and moving around,

they've got music blasting, this entire park is actually shut down. So, it is not a place for people to seek refuge on a very hot day like today.

They're having to go elsewhere.

The key thing is going to be all of the celebrations that are taking place over the next few days in preparation for the July 4th holiday. Many of

these areas that we are talking about here are actually going to be dealing with some of these extreme temperatures, too.

One thing to note is that it's a lot of records. We're not just talking a few degrees above average, but record-breaking. We've got this device here.

This is called a wet bulb globe thermometer. This doesn't just measure temperature, this actually measures humidity, wind, sun angle, because that

is just it. We are out in direct sunlight. So, this takes it into account.

This is going to be very important. It's used a lot of times in high school and college athletics, but it's also going to be used for a lot of the

events coming up in the next few days. Atlanta is home to a very famous July 4th race, but they're not the only city. Many other cities in the

eastern half of the country are doing races, whether that's a 5K, 10K, half marathon, anything for the July 4th holiday.

[14:45:00]

And a lot of the organizers are taking extra precautions, either having more water stations or having more frequent water breaks, things like that

to help combat the heat. So, for anyone who decides to come out into one of these hot days over the next few days, they are certainly going to have to

keep an eye on the heat.

NEWTON: Yes. And that's the issue. Some people don't realize exactly how dangerous it can be. And so, Allison, we are glad that you are reminding

them to take caution, precautions in the heat. And if you can, get somewhere cool instead. Allison Chinchar, for us tracking that heat, don't

appreciate it.

Now, this is a view from the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in the U.S. Capitol, where you see it there, sparse crowds were seen ahead

of the July 4th holiday. It's just one of several events the U.S. president has planned to mark America's 250th anniversary. As Jeff Zeleny reports,

President Donald Trump is making sure he remains at the center of these celebrations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT (voice over): He flew on his new plane and for the first time as president, he rode on a

train.

Donald Trump is making a splash heading into Independence Day, a celebration of America's 250th anniversary and himself.

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: On July 4th, it is going to be approximately 107 degrees out, and I am going to go and I am going to make a really long

speech just to show that I can do anything.

ZELENY (voice over): He visited the Badlands of North Dakota today. His motorcade, escorted by Rough Riders on horseback. He toured the new

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, seeing tributes to the 26th President and offering himself one.

TRUMP: It is a part of the country that I love, and I think they love me because I have the all-time record in presidential voting.

ZELENY (voice over): This year long grand celebration of America has often felt like more of a presidential vanity project, placing the Trump imprint

far beyond the normal trappings of the office.

While the president has long wrapped himself in the flag quite literally during this memorable moment at a conservative gathering in his first term,

America 250 has taken things to a new Trumpian high. He commandeered planning for the celebrations, bypassing the bipartisan America 250

organization enacted by Congress a decade ago in favor of Freedom 250, a separate group he and his allies control.

His renovation projects have sprouted up across Washington, and his face now adorns many government buildings. At this moment of American history,

Trump is placing himself at the center of it all, to the delight of his admirers like Tiffany Polgreen (ph), who came from Fargo to see him today.

TIFFANY POLGREEN, TRUMP SUPPORTER (PH): Best president in the world of our time. And what he stood up for and what he has done for this country and

what he has been up against. I mean, the man is incredible.

ZELENY (voice over): From a UFC fight on the South Lawn of The White House to a visit Friday to Mount Rushmore, reprising a stop he made in 2020.

TRUMP: There could be no better place to celebrate America's independence.

ZELENY (voice over): Trump's handling of the semi-quincentennial is a far cry from the nation's bicentennial in 1976, when President Gerald Ford took

pains to remove partisan politics from an American celebration.

In his autobiography, "A Time to Heal," Ford wrote, rarely in the history of the world had so many people turned out so spontaneously to express the

love they felt for their country. Trump has taken the opposite approach, making himself the star of the show.

Yet as the weekend finale approaches, the modest attendance at the Great American State Fair is sparking anxiety inside The White House.

TRUMP: Then, on July 4th, we will have the greatest show of all on the National Mall. Your favorite president will be speaking, so please show up.

ZELENY (voice over): The President's words offered a telling window into one of his biggest fears, a small crowd.

TRUMP: Because if we have two empty seats, you know what's going to happen? The fake news is going to say he didn't fill out the arena.

ZELENY (voice over): Jeff Zeleny, Medora, North Dakota.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: So, the daredevil couple who scaled the Empire State Building in New York have now been arraigned. The couple faced charges including

burglary, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. They were released under court supervision after the arraignment.

On Wednesday, the duo, I remember seeing this, climbed to the top of the iconic building, unfurled a banner about the power of love and appeared to

get engaged. They posted all of it on social media. Now, officials believe they entered the buildings the day before as visitors, but then hid after

it was closed. Quite a feat there.

And we'll be right back with more news in a moment.

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[14:50:00]

NEWTON: Tech company, Anthropic, says it can now restore access to its most advanced A.I. models. In June, the U.S. government imposed an export

ban over concerns about the program's vulnerabilities. But now that's changed. CNN A.I. correspondent, Hadas Gold, has our details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HADAS GOLD, CNN A.I. CORRESPONDENT: For more than two weeks, Anthropic's most advanced A.I. models were completely off the market after the U.S.

government issued an export control ban on these new models because of what they said was a jailbreak or a way to get around the model's guardrails.

Now, Anthropic has what is largely considered one of the most advanced models, especially when it comes to cybersecurity abilities. It's called

Mythos. And a few weeks ago, Anthropic released a public version of Mythos called Fable for All to Use. Because Mythos was so advanced, Anthropic said

that it was only released to a select group of partners.

But Fable is a version that anybody can use. But just a few days after Fable was released, the U.S. government got in touch with Anthropic and

told them that some researchers, which CNN has learned were from Amazon, actually notified the government of a jailbreak or a way to get around some

of those guardrails around Fable.

Now, while Anthropic disagreed with the severity of this jailbreak, and they say that many public models out there can have the same

vulnerabilities, the U.S. government issued an export control ban on Anthropic's latest model, saying no foreign national, even Anthropic's own

employees, can touch these models.

And so, in order to comply, Anthropic pulled both of these models off the shelf, meaning that they were not available for anybody to use. That led to

a few frenzied weeks of constant talks between Anthropic and the White House over these security concerns. Last week, we heard from the Commerce

Department that Anthropic was allowed to release Mythos, its highest level, to a very small select group of partners once again. And then this week on

Tuesday, we got word that finally the U.S. government had worked with Anthropic to address their security concerns.

And Fable is now back on the market for all to all to be able to use. But these last few weeks of really chaos for Anthropic opening, I also

experienced something similar where the U.S. government limited their latest model to a select group of approved partners that were approved by

the government.

It's only highlighted the sort of very chaotic regulatory environment these A.I. companies are working in. It's really a Wild West when it comes to

what the government is doing and how they're regulating A.I. President Trump has signed an executive order that wants to have A.I. companies but

very clearly voluntarily give the government time to review their latest models.

But there's still not a very clear framework around what and how and what's the process for when the government has the security concerns and what they

will do to potentially stop these A.I. models for coming out because of those security concerns.

[14:55:00]

And all of the A.I. companies and all of the experts out there tell me that we are desperate for some sort of very clear regulatory framework or else

the U.S. risks falling behind adversaries like China because we are still being all caught up in figuring out how exactly do we regulate this

industry in a way that makes sure that the A.I. is safe but also gets the best tech out there as soon as possible.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Our thanks to Hadas Gold there. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, remember them, have donated $26 million to charities this week including

many in New York City where they are expected to get married. Now, sources tell CNN a rehearsal event for about 100 guests, that sounds kind of

intimate in comparison, will happen just a few hours from now, just a few blocks from here at Madison Square Garden.

Now, the wedding is expected to take place on Friday with a reception to follow. According to the Associated Press the application for a special

event at Madison Square Garden was approved on Wednesday. Now, crews, you see some of the video there, have been seen setting up security barriers

outside that venue. I am told that no matter what you say to these guys they are unwilling to give up the goods on this wedding. We will stay on

top of it. As I said it's happening not too far from here.

I want to thank you for watching. Stay with CNN. "What We Know" with Max Foster is next.

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