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Isa Soares Tonight

Anger And Disbelief Over FIFA's Decision To Reverse Team USA's Star Striker's Suspension; Hundreds Of Thousands Of Mourners Line The Streets Of Tehran As The Coffin Of Iran's Late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Makes Its Way Through Tehran; Russia Lashes Out With Another Deadly Attack On Kyiv On The Eve Of A Critical NATO Summit In Turkey; Heat Wave and Wildfires in Europe; Death Toll Rises to 3,300 in Venezuela After Destructive Quakes; Cuba's Electrical Grid Collapses. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired July 06, 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 everyone, I'm Paula Newton in for Isa Soares. Tonight, anger and disbelief

over FIFA's decision as it emerges that President Trump personally asked the FIFA President to review the suspension of team USA's star striker.

Then hundreds of thousands of mourners line the streets of Tehran as the coffin of Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei makes it -- makes its way

through that city. Plus, on the eve of a critical NATO Summit in Turkey, Russia lashes out with another deadly attack on Kyiv. And progress at these

talks really be made? That and much more ahead.

First, though, a World Cup that has been celebrated for brilliant play, thrilling games and joyous fan interactions that has now been sidetracked

by allegations of corruption involving U.S. President Donald Trump.

Now, at issue is the one game suspension top U.S. goal scorer Folarin Balogun has -- supposedly was going to have to serve for getting a red card

last week. Now, many who saw the USA versus Bosnia-Herzegovina match said the red card was not earned, but such are the rules of the beautiful game.

It meant an automatic suspension, sidelining the star striker for the match against Belgium later today. FIFA adding at the time, there are no appeals

that would be allowed. Then, word came that President Trump had reached out to FIFA, asking if the suspension could be reviewed.

And when FIFA took the extraordinary step of lifting Balogun's suspension, citing a rarely used article, the sporting world and fans everywhere, quite

frankly, erupted, many in anger. Belgium asked FIFA for an explanation which FIFA treated as an appeal.

Just a short time ago, FIFA said that appeal was denied. In fact, we can now report that that's it. The star striker makes it to the pitch. UEFA,

meantime, Europe's governing body for football, says the integrity of the game is at stake. It called FIFA's decision unprecedented, incomprehensible

and unjustified. As for the U.S. President, he says he did nothing wrong.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: All I did, I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul. And, you know, again, I'm good

at this stuff. I didn't think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes that crashed into each other and got entangled.

That was not a -- that was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that, you know, would be different.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: FIFA's President Gianni Infantino says there is nothing unusual about getting a phone call from President Trump since world leaders call

him all the time. He adds the decision to allow Balogun to play was made by an independent FIFA committee without any interference.

OK, you are all caught up and now we are going to dive in. "WORLD SPORTS'" Amanda Davies and Stephen Collinson joins us from Washington. All right,

we're going to try and reset here so we understand what's happened and what may happen going forward.

Amanda, to start with. Infantino went out of his way to stress that FIFA's judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously. So, how did

this reversal of the red card come about? And I'm really leaning on your experience here, because I know you know a lot about how this goes down,

even in another context.

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORTS: Paula, I mean, it has been an extraordinary 48 hours. Let's start there, and you have to say

unprecedented. That very much is the word. But let me just highlight the irony of what is happening here.

You mentioned Belgium's appeal that took place, that has been dismissed for this reason, the request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the

RBFA; that's the Belgian Football Association, is not a party to the proceedings, and as such has no standing to appeal the decision.

[14:05:00]

So, the question I ask you is how exactly is the President of the United States a party to these proceedings, who has standing to appeal the

decision of his national football team? Because it is absolutely explicitly written in FIFA world football's governing body, their statutes, that there

must be no political interference in football proceedings.

We have seen national federations, associations, suspended the likes of Kenya, the likes of Pakistan for doing just that. And how has this come

about? Well, you have to. Whatever Gianni Infantino says, his attempts to distance himself from the proceedings.

You have to say that this has come about because of the relationship, the personal relationship that has developed between Infantino and President

Trump over the years. Balogun is one of 13 players who have been sent off up to this point at this World Cup.

As far as we're aware, there has been no review of the other 12 red cards that have taken place --

NEWTON: Oh --

DAVIES: Up to this point. And, yes, President Trump has the ability to pick up the phone to Gianni Infantino, but it is raising serious questions about

their relationship. And as UEFA, European football's governing body put it, the crossing of that red line, there is a big difference, isn't there?

Between a relationship that relates to the logistical, organizational points of staging one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, and

then that relationship interfering on the footballing field of play at the biggest --

NEWTON: Yes --

DAVIES: Competition in the world. And that is what we're talking about.

NEWTON: Yes, and that personal relationship between Infantino and the President has been well documented. Stephen, to you now in Washington, the

President did have a lot to say in the Oval Office.

He likely didn't do the USA or himself any favors. I do want you to listen first, though, to Belgium's Foreign Minister, because to Amanda's point,

who has standing, if not Belgium, if Donald Trump has standing. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAXIME PREVOT, FOREIGN MINISTER, BELGIUM: Well, as a former football referee myself, I've always been committed to upholding the rules and

ensuring fair decisions. And this decision, let's be frank, raises a lot of questions.

If it is really one phone call that led to such an incomprehensible decision, that would be a flagrant breach of the most basic rules of

football and sports, and that would be very serious. Or for instance, could FIFA continue to advocate for fair play with any credibility?

So, let's hope that the Belgium team will give the best answer on the ground in the coming hours.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: Stephen, all eyes on the pitch, but not before they were in the Oval Office. The President didn't do anything to settle this down. He

basically admitted that he initiated the appeal.

STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN POLITICS SENIOR REPORTER: Yes, I mean, that was what was so amazing about this. You had the President come out and said, yes, I

did it. I didn't think it was a foul after watching it on TV, I called up FIFA and asked them to change it.

And then we all know what happened next. Sometimes you get that kind of candor from Trump. I think it's very reflective of the way that he does

business and he wields power. You might argue that Donald Trump has been working the refs for the entirety of --

NEWTON: Yes --

COLLINSON: His political career, and even before that, he doesn't really see rules and conventions that are in place as any impediment to him

wielding whatever power that he has. And he sees relationships that he's established as ways of leveraging that power.

Now, you know, the problem is if Donald Trump can just phone up FIFA and get a decision changed, why does not any other head of state from any of

the other -- what is it? Forty-eight countries in this World Cup, how come they don't have that opportunity?

So, you can see you get into a position where either FIFA is accused of hypocrisy, or it could quickly lose control of this entire tournament. So,

it does make you wonder when you see the furious reaction outside the United States about this.

You know, for all Gianni Infantino's strength and power inside his organization, you know, is he going to face a backlash for this --

NEWTON: Right --

COLLINSON: Himself?

NEWTON: And a shame, given that I know firsthand, I know that this World Cup has been going seamlessly in terms of what the fans are concerned, and

again, devoid of most politics until now. Amanda Davies, good to have you stateside as we continue to watch the rest of the World Cup.

Stephen Collinson, as always for us from Washington, appreciate you both. Now, this USA-Belgium match is happening in just a few hours from now. But

in about 50 minutes from now, Portugal led by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, take on Spain, and that teen sensation Lamine Yamal.

[14:10:00]

Gaizka Mendieta is a former midfielder who played for Spain in the men's national team. He joins us now and we will get to that epic preview between

Portugal and Spain in a moment. But first, give us your take on the red card controversy. And again, I have to go back to what UEFA said, right?

They said it crossed a red line and they basically said they were in disbelief about what happened.

GAIZKA MENDIETA, FORMER SPANISH SOCCER PLAYER: Hello, yes, it's a pleasure to be here with you. Obviously, I think it kind of did, because what

happens on the pitch, what the referee states on the -- on the report, what it does after the game, it stays.

Anyone can call anyone, whatever friend you have, and you might try and express your disagreement, but people should just stay to that -- to that

decision, and obviously, whatever consequence might have.

And I also see why Belgium is obviously not happy with the decision because it's kind of changing things done in the past, I mean, only once happened

in 1962, but it's never done before. And I think it kind of changes what the competition and football is about.

NEWTON: How much do you think it damages though, the reputation of FIFA itself?

MENDIETA: Well, I think it's one more in this. I mean, in every -- in every World Cup, to be honest, there's always things that happens, things that

question marks about the integrity of how FIFA manages these competitions.

But obviously, I think that this will be one more like it happened in 1962, not many people will remember that. So, I think this will go in time as one

thing that it will get forgotten. But certainly, yes, for us and for everyone that loves football, it's not a good decision in terms of how we

want to or we'd like to keep football integrity and values preserved.

NEWTON: As you said, for everyone who loves the game and wants it devoid of politics, I do want to now go to Spain and Portugal, and you know, beyond

the pedigree and the rivalry, you've got Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, with his -- what we assume is his World Cup encore, likely his last. And then you've

got this teenager, 18, Lamine Yamal. How do you stack up the two teams and the two stars?

MENDIETA: Well, obviously, Ronaldo is unbelievable. What he's doing, I think like Messi, they don't want to say it's the last one because with

these two, you never know, there might be another one. But certainly, it looks like they're coming to an end.

And I think the fact that he gave the press conference yesterday is indicative that, you know, it might be the last game, obviously, also, the

rival, Spain, they know each other very well. They play many times against each other, and on our side.

Luckily, we have Lamine Yamal, which a very young player, very talented, kind of gifted. Let's hope he -- I think he got a lot of the boost and a

lot of confidence in the last game. It was not his best, but I think he's picking up and getting to the levels that hopefully Spain will pass today

and in the coming games will be always and as well decisive.

Again, it's not going to be in the numbers of goals that we're seeing. Some goal scorers in this competition, Messi and Mbappe, Haaland. But it's

certainly -- he's a player that he changed games for, for Spain, that he changed games for Barca. And we want him as fit and as better form as

possible.

NEWTON: Gaizka, before I let you go, and we are all -- we're getting ready for that game which is set to start within the hour. Let's go back to write

about last night or if you were in Europe, it was about the early morning hours.

Did you watch the England game in Mexico at that iconic stadium? I've not recovered. I don't think English fans have recovered. I mean, many had said

that this was an English game that captivated a generation. What do you think?

MENDIETA: I agree, and I think it was -- I was surprised as many English people were in the way England played because there was no showing anything

like that until yesterday. And they arrived the day before, they had, you know, people around the hotel making them uncomfortable.

And I think they turn around all these situations to make it in a -- in a motivational way, in a positive note, and that's what we saw from the very

first minute. We were expecting Mexico, where they were, the fans, the stadium attitude, all the things against England and all the things in

favor of Mexico.

England managed to turn them around and making motivation. Bellingham, what an unbelievable game he did. So, yes, I'm still also assimilating and

seeing what happened. And this puts England certainly against the favorites.

NEWTON: Gaizka Mendieta, thank you so much. There's nothing shy about you being a Spanish supporter. We will all be watching in the next hour or so,

and really get down to this epic match. It has not disappointed so far this World Cup, that is for sure. Thanks again for being with us.

[14:15:00]

MENDIETA: Thank you for having me. Thank you.

NEWTON: Now, hundreds of thousands of mourners are lining the streets of Tehran as the coffin of Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei makes its

way through that city. The funeral procession route, packed to capacity in a sea of flags and portraits.

The Ayatollah was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike early in the war in Iran. His son, Mojtaba, the current supreme leader has not yet made a

public appearance. Our Fred Pleitgen is in Tehran for the funeral, a reminder CNN operates in Iran with the permission of the government, but we

maintain full editorial control. Here's his report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Millions of Iranians taking to the streets as the procession commemorating

the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made its way through Tehran for hours. The crowds surrounding the trailer transformed into a giant

hearse.

(On camera): This is as close as we're going to get to the casket of the supreme leader and his family members who were killed in the U.S.

airstrike. As you can see, the people here are extremely angry, what they're chanting right now is death to America.

And there is now revenge of (INAUDIBLE) --

(CROWD CHANTING)

PLEITGEN (voice-over): While some Iranians oppose their government, the leadership says it's managed to mobilize an unprecedented number of people,

many carrying posters bearing the likeness of the late supreme leader along with a simple message Iran has a score to settle with America and with

Israel.

"We've come here for the revenge of the blood of our leader, and we will not put this aside for one second", this woman says. And he says, "the

objective for being here is to take revenge against Trump and Netanyahu."

Absent from the funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his son and successor, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who so far has not appeared in

public, communicating only via written statements since taking the reins.

But the people on Tehran streets insist their new leader is in charge, their country stronger than before and ready for another military

confrontation with the U.S. should negotiations fail. "Our message to Trump is do not repeat your mistake", this man says.

As Iran lays its long-time supreme leader to rest, his message of confrontation with the U.S. endures even as Washington and Tehran attempt

to negotiate an agreement for a lasting peace. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Tehran.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Now, as Iranians bury their supreme leader, Israel is issuing new threats. Defense Minister Israel Katz says any Iranian leader who attempts

to advance plans to destroy Israel will be thwarted. He says Ali Khamenei was killed because he, quote, "led the plan to destroy Israel and Iran and

cross the region."

Now, meantime, Hamas says it is complying with a key requirement of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, announcing it will dissolve its government. So, a

U.S.-backed group of Palestinian technocrats can take charge. It's meant to pressure Israel to move forward with its own commitments under the truce.

But for the people of Gaza, the announcement, this is the truth. It changes very little on the ground. There is no peace for them. And continuing

Israeli airstrikes, unimaginable living conditions, and you're looking at just some of the pictures from late last month.

Two million people are squeezed into about a third of the tiny strip, while Israeli forces now occupy the rest. Families are living amid piles of

rubble and garbage, some intense, others in destroyed buildings as infections and disease spread, rats, mosquitoes, cockroaches are infesting

these makeshift homes, the ones you see there, and raw sewage flows through streets amid the stifling heat.

The charity medical aid for Palestinians says Gaza has become, quote, "a place where no creation can live." CNN's Jeremy Diamond has been following

developments for us from Jerusalem. I do want to get to the signing of this and this transfer and what it means.

Some say it's entirely symbolic. I guess I want to ask you, do you think it will move things forward, especially when so many need progress on the

ground in Gaza?

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's certainly not going to change anything on the ground in Gaza in the immediate term. You know,

whether or not it can kind of unlock some additional progress in the behind-the-scenes negotiations that have been happening with the Board of

Peace and Israel on the other side remains to be seen.

But it seems that Hamas' primary aim with this move today to dissolve its government in Gaza, is to highlight its compliance with at least one part

of the ceasefire agreement, and to try and shift the onus back on Israel.

[14:20:00]

And that's because of what Hamas is not saying today. Hamas is not saying that they are prepared or taking steps to disarm and to demilitarize the

entirety of the Gaza Strip, which is exactly what President Trump's 20- point plan says Hamas must do.

That has been the primary focus of so many of the back-and-forth negotiations, many of which have taken place in the Egyptian capital of

Cairo over the course of the last several months. Hamas has said that it will not disarm until Israel begins to first comply with its obligations in

the first phase of the ceasefire agreement that includes the entry of some 600 trucks of humanitarian aid and commercial trucks per day as well as

ceasing fire in Gaza.

And indeed, what we have seen in the Gaza Strip has been near-daily Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as well as entry of aid that hasn't hit that 600 mark on

most days in Gaza, according to the most recent day that we've seen over the course of the last few months.

The Israelis dispute that, insisting that they have allowed for 600 trucks up per day into Gaza, but have declined to provide their data on those

numbers. And so, ultimately here, what's clear is that we are still in this kind of state of political inertia between Israel and Hamas.

Israel continuing to kind of tighten its leverage inside the Gaza Strip, whether through these strikes, whether through aid restrictions or through

the kind of advancement of the yellow line inside of Gaza that we have seen.

And Hamas, on its end, is refusing to disarm until Israel does all of those aforementioned steps. And so, today's announcement doesn't necessarily move

the ball forward on that. We'll see whether or not the kind of narrative shift that it may bring about actually unlocks further progress.

And again, we do know that behind the scenes, those efforts to try and get Hamas to agree to disarm, as well as to try and see if the international

stabilization force can finally deploy to the Gaza Strip, whether or not we see any of those things agreed to in the coming weeks.

NEWTON: Yes, progress is desperately needed at this point in time, especially for the people in Gaza. Jeremy Diamond, thanks for the update,

appreciate it. Now, a U.N. Human Rights body is calling on Israel to immediately release Palestinian doctor, Hussam Abu Safiya and pay him

reparations.

Accusing Israel of arbitrarily detaining him against principles of the universal declaration of human rights. This comes after a dire warning from

the doctor's lawyer as Jomana Karadsheh reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Prominent Palestinian pediatrician, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya is in imminent risk of

death in Israeli custody, according to his lawyer who met with him on Thursday.

Lawyer Nasser Odeh told CNN that he barely was able to recognize Dr. Abu Safiya that his physical and psychological condition has seriously

deteriorated over the past few weeks.

NASSER ODEH, LAWYER FOR HUSSAM ABU SAFIYA: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

KARADSHEH: Israel's accused him of being a Hamas operative, but has never charged him. Dr. Abu Safiya told his lawyer that shortly after hearing on

an appeal to his detention before Israel's supreme court last month, which the court denied while he was being held in solitary confinement.

Four or five prison guards entered his cell and beat him all over his body using a hammer after being transferred to the underground Rakevet(ph)

prison facility, his lawyer says he told him he suffered daily beatings and that he lost consciousness several times.

The Israeli prison service that has repeatedly denied abusing prisoners and insists that it abides by international humanitarian law, did not respond

to CNN's request for comment. Dr. Abu Safiya was the director of Gaza's Kamal Adwan hospital.

He was detained by Israeli forces in December 2024. We profiled Dr. Abu Safiya that year before his detention. He shared with us his diaries from

inside his hospital that was under siege. Despite the risks and despite his immense loss after his son was killed in an Israeli strike, he refused to

leave, insisting he would not abandon his patients.

The rights group Physicians for Human Rights Israel and his lawyer are urgently calling for a judge to visit him for an independent medical

examination, and for his immediate transfer to a different facility before it's too late, they say.

His lawyer says Dr. Abu Safiya told him, quote, "this is the last time you will see me. They brought me here to kill me. I don't see myself surviving.

This is the end."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Our thanks to Jomana for that report. Still to come for us tonight, the U.S. President says a resolution to the war in Ukraine is closer than

people realize just hours after Moscow pummeled Kyiv in a deadly attack. And as Ukraine launched one of its longest-range strikes yet into Russia.

We'll have more on that in a moment.

[14:25:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON: Ukraine's capital is still reeling from a deadly Russian attack on the eve of a critical NATO Summit in Turkey. Now, missiles and drones

hammered the city and surrounding areas today, damaging residential buildings and killing at least 19 people.

For its part, Ukraine says it struck Russia's largest oil refinery far from the Ukrainian border. The deep strike into Siberia comes as Russia faces a

major fuel crisis. U.S. President Donald Trump plans to attend the NATO Summit in Ankara.

He says he intends to refocus on the conflict now that there's a ceasefire with Iran. CNN's Nic Robertson has more now from the Turkish capital where

Mr. Trump plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (on camera): President Zelenskyy really wants to be able to produce and get license for making

Patriot missiles, defensive missiles inside of Ukraine. It's not clear that it's going to get that.

But there is a defense investment fund forum meeting here tomorrow where there's expected to be a financial, significant billions and billions, tens

of billion dollars financial commitment to Ukraine to support them this year, next year in the war against Russia.

So, that's what President Zelenskyy will be looking for. President Trump is going to be coming in here looking for something else. He's going to be

looking to make sure that his NATO, European partners that he's been leaning on for a long time to up their defense spending, 5 percent of GDP

is what is required by agreement.

Last year at The Hague declaration from The Hague Leaders' Summit of 5 percent GDP by 2035. So, President Trump is going to be looking to see who

is doing that, who isn't doing it. And I think it will be very interesting to see how he deals with countries like Spain that aren't stepping up and

haven't so far made a commitment to getting to that level of spending over the next nine years.

And I think there's anxiety here. When President Trump walks into a NATO Summit these days, there's worry. It was only a few months ago that he

wanted to take -- annex Greenland, which is part of Denmark, which is a NATO ally's country.

And then on top of that, President Trump's been frustrated with the way his NATO allies have not, in his opinion, stepped up sufficiently during Epic

Fury, the U.S.-Iran war. He wanted more support. So, all of that is in the mix here. President Zelenskyy will be very focused on what he needs.

President Trump undoubtedly very clear and determined to get what he wants out of it as well.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[14:30:07]

NEWTON: For more on what's happening with Ukraine and NATO, I want to bring in Kurt Volker. He's the former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and has also served

as the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations. Welcome to the program once again. It's good to see you.

I am wondering what is the best you believe President Zelenskyy can get from this NATO alliance. It is still incredibly dependent, not just on the

United States, but to make a fine point of it, on President Trump himself.

KURT VOLKER, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO NATO AND FORMER U.S. SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR UKRAINE NEGOTIATIONS: Right. So, several things here.

First off, Ukraine is producing about 70 to 80 percent of what it needs for its military itself already. And this is largely drone, electronic warfare

capability and so forth. But there are some areas that it is not capable of doing. And I think I've frozen.

NEWTON: I can hear you. Go ahead. Keep going. We can still hear you.

VOLKER: Yes, I'm sorry. My screen froze for a second. I apologize. In some areas, Ukraine is self-sufficient. They're producing the drones, counter

drone, electronic warfare and so forth for themselves. That's probably 70 to -- yes, I've got you. Thank you.

NEWTON: Go ahead.

VOLKER: Hello?

NEWTON: We can still hear -- Ambassador Volker, we can still hear you. Keep going.

VOLKER: Yes. OK. Thank you. So, they're doing a lot of what they need by themselves. But there are some things that they cannot produce at this

stage, such as air defense systems against missiles. This is where the Patriot system is particularly important. And the U.S. is simply not

building enough of these for U.S. needs, for allies around the world, like the Gulf states and Israel, or for sale to Ukraine.

So, this is something where Ukraine could manufacture these under license fairly quickly and could help supply some of those global needs together

with the United States, as well as their own air defense needs. So, that's something that would be very important.

They also need finances, which they are getting from the European Union. We shouldn't underestimate the amount of money going there. It's about 90

billion euros in the coming year or two. And in addition to that, they are getting a lot of technical support, intelligence support from other allies

as well. So, it's a very combined NATO effort at this stage, and something that I think President Trump wants to use to see if he can get President

Putin to end the war.

NEWTON: I recall coming out of the G7 meeting and the European leaders and Canada and Japan very determined to try and get Iran off the table so they

could get President Trump specifically to focus on this conflict. I ask you, to what end? I mean, there are so many contentious issues at that NATO

table right now. Do you think this could come off as being a very good summit for Ukraine?

VOLKER: Yes, I think it's going to be positive. Very good is a high bar, but I think, you know, it's going to be positive for Ukraine. You're going

to see more unity among NATO than we have seen for some time. You're going to see continued commitment to NATO defense spending, which will make Trump

happy, which helps with NATO unity overall.

I think NATO countries will offer to provide some support for future security in the Persian Gulf once there's a settlement there. That'll make

Trump happy. And then I think Trump is going to continue to participate in allowing American arms and ammunition to be transferred to Ukraine,

possibly licensing of patriots, and then certainly calling on Putin to end the aggression and working with Zelenskyy on the idea of a ceasefire.

NEWTON: Getting to the conflict itself, you know, I had never imagined that Crimea could be in play in any way. Do you believe it is in play? And when

do we imagine that Ukraine may be destabilizing Russia's hold on it?

VOLKER: So, yes, Crimea is very much in play. If you go back in history, Crimea has only ever been successful when it is connected to the Ukrainian

mainland. It's a peninsula that juts out into the Black Sea, very difficult to access only by sea or by this Kerch Strait bridge that Russia built and

Ukraine is slowly chipping away at.

If Ukraine is successful in cutting out the logistical supplies and support that connect Crimea to Russia, which is across southern Ukraine in those

areas around Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, where the Russians have their logistics, if they can do that, Crimea becomes quite vulnerable. And in the

last several months, Ukraine has had more and more success in going after those supply lines.

NEWTON: Ambassador, I only have about 30 seconds left. I want to point out that Russia and Ukraine have actually been at war since 2014. And I know

I'm asking you to speak quickly. Do you think we're going into another winter of war here?

VOLKER: I think that that is more likely than not. Putin, I think, wants one more shot at trying to crush Ukraine this winter. He will fail.

[14:35:00]

But soon, whether it's now or whether it's in the spring, Putin is going to need to cease fire because he is losing his ability to finance the war and

keep his soldiers in the battlefield.

NEWTON: Ambassador Volker, I was afraid that you might say that. But I know, as I said, this is a very clear-eyed view of what we have to come in

the next few months, unfortunately, for the Ukrainian people. Good to see you again. Thanks so much. Appreciate it.

VOLKER: Thank you.

NEWTON: Still to come for us, Europe's blistering heat wave may be entering a new, more destructive phase as wildfires ignite across the continent,

fueled by extreme heat and tinder dry conditions.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON: Wildfires have erupted in Spain and France as a dangerous heat wave grinds on in southern Europe. 10,000 people in southwest France have had to

leave their homes as fires spread in the Pyrenees. And to the south, crews are racing to contain the flames near Valencia in Spain.

We want to bring in CNN's Pau Mosquera. He is in Madrid for us. And Paula, I checked your forecast, more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees

Celsius. Today, 40 degrees, not out of the question in the next few days. How is Spain preparing for these dangerous days ahead?

PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we could say, Paula, that most Spaniards are getting used to this situation, but this is not a normal one.

Right now, we're getting close to 9:00 p.m. local time, and the mercury is already reaching 36 degrees Celsius, around 97 degrees Fahrenheit. This is

not a common situation, even for a summer period.

And the responsible for this is the second heat wave that is impacting most of Western Europe. More specifically, large parts of Portugal, Spain and

France that during this Monday have been under heat warnings because the thermometers could easily reach the 40 degrees Celsius, around 104 degrees

Fahrenheit.

[14:40:00]

And this is why many, at least here in the Spanish capital, have decided to seek for climate shelters. This is places where to cool off from this heat.

Most of these climate shelters are spread all around the city inside of public buildings, but some others are outside. That's the one that you can

see here behind me.

This is the Park of Arganzuela, as you can see here, the young ones and even some adults are having fun under the water jets to cool themselves a

little bit off, because as we were saying, even when we're getting close to 9:00 p.m., it is really hot here in the Spanish capital.

Also, there is some air moving around, but the wind is so warm that it does not provide any relief. And the worst part, Paula, is that we're going to

get to tropical nights, meaning that during the night, the thermometers are not going to drop from the 20 degrees Celsius, around 68 degrees

Fahrenheit.

And what worries the most to the authorities is that periods of extreme heat like this one are going to be more frequent, more intense, and long-

lasting. And so, as to give you an idea of what the consequences are going to be, Spanish authorities are estimating that since the summer period

began a few days ago, here in the country have died around 1,200 people because of heat-related causes, Paula.

NEWTON: Yes. And it is such a good point you make, and people don't realize that the heat is incredibly dangerous and can be a killer. I'm glad to see

those people behind you having fun, but also bringing down their core body temperature, which is the key here to keep in mind. Pau Mosquera, we'll

continue to keep an eye on the heat wave, appreciate it.

Now, the death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes now stands at more than 3,300 people. Many believe the true death toll is actually much

higher. The U.S. Geological Survey says there's a high chance that it could exceed 10,000 people.

While search efforts continue, acting President Delcy Rodriguez is ordering the deployment of more troops to help with recovery efforts. Stefano

Pozzebon spoke to some of those who've been displaced by this tragedy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR (voice-over): Zo Santander (ph) has not seen her son in 10 days. They were separated in the twin quakes that shook

Venezuela on June 24th, but her nine-year-old, Xavier, was trapped under the rubble. Four days later, she saw a video of a child being rescued at

night. She believes it was her son. But in the chaos that followed, she hasn't been able to find him. She's not going to rest. But from here there

is little she can do.

POZZEBON: These used to be a golf course. La Guaira was a tourist hot spot by the Caribbean Sea. And so here is where tourists will come and play golf

and relax. Now, of course, it's a tent city for hundreds of displaced, many of whom actually used to live there in those blocks. And every day they

wake up and they see their homes and flats broken down by the brutality of the earthquakes.

POZZEBON (voice-over): Sheyna Ceballos is also looking for a loved one. She's lost hope of finding her mother alive, but will not leave the golf

course until she recovers her remains.

SHEYNA CEBALLOS, EARTHQUAKE SURVIVOR (through translator): If I had the money, I'd dig her out, but I have none.

POZZEBON: This is what's left of Sheyna's home. An entire life shattered in an instant. Now, like her, thousands of Venezuelans are only beginning to

grasp the magnitude of this catastrophe.

POZZEBON (voice-over): Before this tragedy, Venezuela was already in a deep humanitarian crisis, facing chronic shortages of food and medicines. World

Central Kitchen has been operating here since 2019. In response to the earthquake, they have stepped up with free meals for survivors and

volunteers.

POZZEBON: Can you describe a moment that Venezuela is right now, when it's been 10 days since the earthquake?

MIGUEL TORTOSA, COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSE MANAGER, WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN: The numbers keep increasing and we are still in the first phase of the

operation. I would say this is still the emergency phase, and our teams are still like finding the exact numbers so we can get the amount of meals

needed to cover all the needs.

POZZEBON (voice-over): Survivors and relatives of the victims have criticized the government's response as inadequate and delayed. Many point

to the armed forces, who they say showed up too late or didn't do enough.

DELCY RODRIGUEZ, VENEZUELA'S ACTING PRESIDENT (through translator): Our officials were deployed immediately. You can count the hours between the

quakes and when we signed the emergency decree. There were 4,000 officials out in the first 24 hours. 10,000 officials the following day.

POZZEBON (voice-over): The government also laying out credit agreements with the International Monetary Fund and plans to begin the reconstruction,

but at the golf course in La Guaira the present is too dark to look ahead.

[14:45:00]

CEBALLOS (through translator): Now I just want to find her remains. To think about the future makes no sense.

POZZEBON (voice-over): Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, La Guaira, Venezuela.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: We turn now to some developing news out of Cuba. According to the government's energy ministry, the island's electrical grid has collapsed

again, triggering the latest nationwide blackout. The U.S. blockade on fuel shipments has triggered an energy crisis in Cuba, and it has experienced

several nationwide blackouts in recent years, including at least two in March.

Now, the cause of today's collapse is being investigated. We will bring you much more on this story from our Patrick Oppmann, who is based in Cuba.

And we're going to take a short break right now. I'll be back with more news in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON: CNN's "Seasons" is a series that explores the shifting trends shaping global culture. Season's host, "Laura Jackson," sits down with

Sarah Jessica Parker, whose character Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex and the City" made luxury fashion a cultural obsession for an entire generation. Yes,

that would be my generation. She talks to Laura about her involvement in a lab-grown diamond brand that emphasizes a more conscious approach to

luxury.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAURA JACKSON, HOST, "SEASONS" (voice-over): New York City, a place that has inspired some of the most memorable characters in pop culture. None

more so than Carrie Bradshaw, the iconic "Sex and the City" protagonist, who famously chose Vogue over dinner because it fed her more.

SARAH JESSICA PARKER, ACTOR AND PRODUCER: I spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live?

The writing room was extraordinary. I feel hugely lucky to be part of any work that connected with so many people and a whole new generation now.

It's so crazy. It's so crazy.

JACKSON: Yes.

PARKER: You know.

JACKSON (voice-over): Today, Parker is bringing her creative spark to Astrea, London, the lab-grown diamond brand founded by her friend Nathalie

Morrison.

NATHALIE MORRISON, FOUNDER AND CEO, ASTREA: We don't need water. We use much less electricity. There is no human damages, as I call it, or no

deforestation, no explosive use.

[14:50:00]

So, I think we can now wear modern luxury without hurting the planet.

PARKER: I really understood the virtues of lab-grown diamonds versus mine diamonds, the ways in which potentially we can invent the way stones look

and feel in terms of color and cut. The innovation around it is pretty thrilling.

JACKSON (voice-over): Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to mine stones, but they are created in a laboratory

using the same carbon structure found in nature.

JACKSON: Creatively, what did you want to bring to the brand?

PARKER: I think a lot of the jewelry that I have worn thus far are vintage pieces. So, what could I do that was to try to recreate some of these

pieces that I've had forever that don't exist in the world really anymore.

JACKSON (voice-over): It's a world away from "Sex and the City." Whilst Carrie bought on impulse, Parker takes a more enduring view of luxury.

PARKER: When I think of luxury, I tend not to think of possessions so much. I'm not a shopper. If I buy one thing, it's with the idea that it will last

me for the next 20, 30, 40, 50 years of my life.

JACKSON: I have always loved how you've talked about beauty standards, and especially for women. And I just love how you talk to the fact it's a

luxury. And I think that it's really compelling in a world where not everyone thinks that.

PARKER: The passage of time is sincerely nothing you can do anything about. I have my creams. Not complicated. One or two or three steps at most. It's

all I can take. Other than that, what are you going to do?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: OK. And we'll be right back with more after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NEWTON: Prince Harry has been told he cannot stay at Buckingham Palace this week after he failed to accept an invitation in time. That was according to

a royal source. And they underline, it underlines that the relationship is still fraught between King Charles and his son. Harry had been planning to

bring his wife Meghan and their two children for their first visit to Britain in four years. But a spokesperson said on Saturday that they would

not be coming to London.

It's expected Prince Harry will find out tomorrow whether he has won a U.K. court case against the publisher of the Daily Mail over allegations of

unlawful behavior, including phone hacking.

[14:55:00]

The scenes are spectacular. But Europe's most active volcano is also causing some major travel headaches by forcing flight cancellations in

Sicily. Catania Airport announced that it has suspended all incoming flights and departures until further notice. The suspension for incoming

flights began on Sunday morning, but initially some outbound flights were allowed to take off. Mount Etna has now been erupting for some 10 days.

Over in Spain, a sea of red as more than 10,000 people packed Poblano's town square with red handkerchiefs raised. Celebrations kicked off for the

nine-day San Fermin Festival. The annual event honors the city's patron saint, with many attendees dressed in traditional white, the streets

covered in wine. They also host the festival's most famous tradition, of course, the running of the bulls. Beautiful scenes there.

And finally, stunning pictures from space. This video of an aurora shimmering in the Earth's atmosphere was taken by the European Space Agency

astronaut Sophie Adenot while on board the International Space Station. She said it is the most amazing one she has seen on her mission. And boy, do we

agree with her. Look at that. Imagine seeing that with the naked eye.

I want to thank you for watching tonight. Stay with CNN. "What We Know" with Christina Macfarlane, she is in for Max Foster. That is up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END