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One World with Zain Asher
Texas Officials Give Update on Deadly Flooding; Focus on Mental Health for Children Affected by Tragedy; Ukraine Recovery Conference Underway in Rome; Rubio Meets with Lavrov Amid Strained Relations; Original Hermes Birkin Bag Brings $10 Million at Auction; Birthday Party as Cute Hippo Moo Deng Turns One. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired July 10, 2025 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: Hello everyone. Live from New York. I'm Bianna Golodryga. Zain is off today. You are watching "One World".
We're following two major developing stories this hour. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is accusing the Kremlin of an escalation of terror as Russia dramatically
intensifies its drone and missile attacks on Ukraine.
For the second straight night, Moscow unleashed a large-scale aerial bombardment on its democratic neighbor from all directions and at different
altitudes in what appears to be a new Russian tactic meant to overwhelm Kyiv's air defenses. Now it comes, the senior administration official says
the U.S. has resumed weapons deliveries to Ukraine after a pause by the Pentagon last week.
And as America's top diplomat had what's being described as a frank conversation with his Russian counterpart on the sidelines of the ASEAN
Summit in Malaysia. We're also following the aftermath of the catastrophic flooding in Central Texas, where at least 120 people are now confirmed
dead.
Any moment now, officials will give an update on search operations, and we'll bring that to you live. Meantime, we're getting new information about
bureaucratic obstacles that may have impacted FEMA's immediate response to the floods. Multiple officials inside FEMA tells CNN they were ready to
deploy assets to Texas immediately, but new protocols meant some deployments weren't approved until 72 hours after the flooding began.
A new internal policy requires DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's personal approval for expenses over $100,000. Disaster response costs often soar
into the billions. Secretary Noem defended the response in an interview with Fox News, today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTI NOEM, U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: Our Coast Guard, our border patrol, border teams, were there immediately. Every single thing I
was on -- they asked for we were there. The Governor and the Emergency Management Director, Nim Kidd, are fantastic.
And nobody there has said anything about that they didn't get everything that they wanted immediately or that they needed. And I'm proud of the work
that we've done to support that --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: All right, we're going to go now to Kerrville, Texas, where we're getting another update from officials on the search efforts.
JONATHAN LAMB, KERRVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT: -- specially trained teams to our community, and two more states are in route. As I know many of you have
reported, the governor, lieutenant governor and Speaker of the House are strongly committed to helping our community and we're grateful that they're
making our recovery a priority in the upcoming special legislative session.
Our City of Kerrville and Kerr County leadership are committed to a transparent and full review of processes and protocols. The special session
is going to be a starting point for that work, but our entire focus since day one has been on rescue and reunification, which leads me to our latest
report as of 08:00 a.m. this morning, there have been 96 confirmed deaths, 60 adults and 36 children.
The number of missing remains at 161 and there remain 5 campers and 1 counselor from Camp Mystic among the missing. If family members had
reported a loved one missing and they've returned safely, we ask that you notify us through kerrvillemissing@dps.texas.gov or call 830-258-1111.
Again, that's kerrvillemissing@dps.texas.gov or call 830-258-1111. Additionally, the State of Texas, FEMA, the Small Business Administration
have opened a Disaster Recovery Center here in Kerrville for those who have been affected by the storms. It's currently open at the First Baptist
Church here in Kerrville at 625 Washington Street.
It will be open from 08:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. every day. The Individual Assistance Program can provide financial support for things like medical
and dental assistance, vehicle damage, housing, child care and replacing essential items, even for non-residents who were impacted by the floods,
you can visit disasterassistance.gov use the FEMA app or call 1-800-621- 3362.
[11:05:00]
And again, that's disasterassistance.gov use the FEMA app or call 1-800- 621-3362. And in closing, I'd like to say one more time on behalf of our unified command here in Kerr County, how appreciative we are for the help
since this tragedy took place. People from all over Texas, all over the country, continue to show their support in so many ways, and we are
thankful. And with that, I'll take a few questions.
MORGAN CHESKY, NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Yes --
LAMB: Yes.
CHESKY: I'm Morgan Chesky NBC News, did the inability of police radios to communicate directly with county radios camper rescue or recovery efforts,
as does water drugs?
LAMB: I don't have any information to that point. Yes.
JASON ALLEN, CBS NEWS CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jason Allen, CBS News, given that you still have people who live in this area, what's different? What changes
have been made to ensure you get heavy rain again a week from now, a month from now, you don't wind up the same situation?
LAMB: I think that's an important question. And as we are aware, we've been very weather alert throughout the entirety of this, and that's something
that we're going to be looking at. Thank you. Yes ma'am.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- San Antonio. What can you tell us about the current search area, how large it is, how much of it has been searched, and how,
definitely, does the grid system work for something like this?
LAMB: So, the last part of your question, again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How much is that? Right, how does the grid system work for a disaster like this?
LAMB: OK, so the grid system. I'm not a search and rescue recovery expert, sorry, I don't want to speak out of turn, but it is a methodical search
which ensures that every area in an area to be searched is covered and searched, and that no stone is left unturned.
Unfortunately, I don't have an exact number of how many miles of river that we've searched or how many people who have been out there. I just don't
have that information for you, but I'm happy to follow up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This will be last question.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, are there messages that we as a collective media are not getting out there. For example, are you hindering some searches?
What can we tell people who want to come up with big equipment to help search or remove debris? Hasn't that been a problem?
LAMB: I don't want to say it's been a problem, because we're so grateful for the amount of people who want to come to this community to help, and
we've had people from all over the state and all over the country volunteer their services and say, I have a front-end loader, I have a boat.
I have these groups and individuals, but it's important that we have certified professional search teams out there right now. We have compiled a
database of volunteers who are who have made themselves available, and if and when that time comes that we are able to call upon them, we will be
calling upon them.
In the short term, I believe that all of our basic needs are being met, both through the federal and state response and the support that we've been
getting, as well as this community rising up in a really unprecedented way to show their support for all of us here. Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's the end of the press conference. If you are not receiving this email --
GOLODRYGA: All right, we've been listening to the press conference there, held by Jonathan Lamb of the Kerrville Police Department updating us that,
in Kerr County alone, there are 96 confirmed deaths now seven days following the tragic flooding of July 4th.
Among them, 60 adults, 36 children, 161 missing thus far, 5 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic among those missing. And we'll continue to bring
you any updates out of Kerr County as we hear them throughout the broadcast. But as search efforts continue in the Texas Hill Country, we are
hearing amazing stories of survival.
Courtney Garrison is the General Manager of the Hunt Store that is a local hangout where people buy groceries. Part of it is still standing despite
being heavily damaged in Friday's floods. The sign out front now reads Hunt Strong. The general manager lived in an apartment above the store with her
daughter.
They escaped to the roof, where they were able to ride out the worst of the flooding, but their home on the second floor was lost when the roof
collapsed. This is how she described the ordeal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COURTNEY GARRISON, SURVIVED TEXAS FLOODS: We actually were a little bit higher on the roof. We were sitting right where it had collapsed there for
a while, but I felt it start shifting. So, I had her move cell, and I moved over where I knew there was more support.
[11:10:00]
One of the local cops had come down and he was talking to us on his bullhorn. Couldn't really understand everything he was saying, but I knew
he was there. We knew, you know, he knew we were there. So that made me feel better. But even though he was there, nobody could still get to us for
a couple hours after that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Courtney Garrison became emotional when she spoke about rebuilding.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GARRISON: The store is going to be rebuilt, absolutely, we have one of the strongest communities I've ever seen come together -- I'm sorry. It's been
absolutely amazing, the support, and I know that it's going to be rebuilt and it's going to be better.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Well, rescue crews say searching for victims along the Guadalupe River could take days, if not weeks, but crews are already feeling the
mental toll of the disaster.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF DANA BACCUS, INGRAM FIRE DEPARTMENT: I saw RVs being slammed up against trees and literally exploding. I saw children floating in the water
begging for help that we could not reach, and that takes it out again.
TAMMY LANDIN, RETIRED FIREFIGHTER: At the time you deal with it later on, it's going to hit -- everybody. I was born and raised here. Pretty bad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Well, in Kerr County alone, 36 children are known to have died, many who had been attending a girl's summer camp, Camp Mystic. We want to
focus now on the mental health of those affected by the deadly flooding, particularly the children. Dr. Marni Axelrad is a Pediatric Psychologist at
Texas Children's Hospital, and joins us now from Houston.
Dr. Axelrad, thank you for taking the time today. You know we see these images, if we can even show the resilience of these children just hours
after these devastating floods, on a bus leaving the campgrounds singing camp songs. You know you're inspired by them, but you're also asking, how
are they doing inside?
How do they comprehend and grasp the magnitude of the loss that they just witnessed, of the emotional, catastrophic events that unfolded. How do you
talk to children at this age, Dr. Axelrad about what happened?
DR. MARNI AXELRAD, PEDIATRIC PSYCHOLOGIST AT TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: It's important to validate whatever children are feeling. So, as you said,
there's a lot of shock right now. Children don't necessarily know what to feel, and whatever feeling that they have is the most appropriate feeling,
and it's important to label the feeling.
It seems like you're feeling really sad, it seems like you're feeling really angry. And open the door for children to talk.
GOLODRYGA: How should parents approach these conversations with their children? What do they say, and is it based on the age of the child?
AXELRAD: It's absolutely based on the age of the child. So, when we're talking about young children, we're trying to shield them as much as
possible from images, from information. When we start talking about school age children and older, these children, sadly, were the same age, and so
they are perhaps identifying with those children, wondering if it could be them.
And so again, it's really important for parents to ask children how they're feeling. Let's try to -- let's not pretend that it isn't happening. Ask
children how they're feeling, validate how they're feeling, and be there to listen. But it's also important, not to push children to speak if they're
not interested in talking about their feelings in that moment.
It's also important that parents find a place for their own support. So many of us are shaken about this event, particularly people who have same
age children and send their children to camp. And it's really important to not say to your children how you're feeling in detail, find your support
within your support system, your friends, your family, your community, your religious institution.
GOLODRYGA: And we know the ages of children that go to sleep away camp and that are also at Camp Mystic range from 8 to 17 years old. There are a
number of camp counselors who are also teenagers. I'd like to play sound from one of those counselors about what they experienced.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAROLINE CUTRONA, COUNSELOR AT CAMP MYSTIC: I thought it was just lightning and thunderstorm. I had no idea the severity. I mean, I was awake
throughout the night because I -- it was loud and the cabins were shaking. But we've had thunderstorms and lightning at Camp Mystic multiple times,
and it's always been OK, and so I always thought it was going to be OK.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:15:00]
GOLODRYGA: Thankfully, she is physically OK, but emotionally, I would imagine that's not the case. What is advice for teenagers, especially who
have witnessed what they just did?
AXELRAD: I think talking with teenagers about what they've seen, for many of these teenagers live in Texas, perhaps this was their camp growing up,
and they are used to hearing storms all of the time, and really validating, of course, you thought that, that was normal because it was a storm in
Texas in the middle of the night, and validating how they're feeling while reassuring them that they are safe.
GOLODRYGA: I also would like to play sound that I thought was quite moving from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as she was speaking in Washington earlier
this week alongside the president at a cabinet meeting when she was relaying what she heard from another camp counselor who was trying to
rescue other younger campers, and couldn't get to everyone. Here's what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NOEM: The counselor was alive, but she was dealing with the fact that she had hung on to some of these girls and was trying to keep them out of the
flood waters, and had gotten hit by something, and had lost two of the girls and wasn't able to hang on to them, and was going to live the rest of
her life thinking about that moment when she wasn't able to hang on to these girls.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: I mean, I still get tears in my eyes just thinking about what that experience must have been like. And we heard from other eyewitnesses
there and residents seeing bodies of children float by screams, and it is that longer term impact that I'm wondering what advice is for those, for
family members, for those who witnessed all of this, survivors in order to cope with the longer-term impacts and scars from an event as traumatic as
this.
AXELRAD: I think in the immediate aftermath, validating talking about feelings, allowing children to talk about their experiences. And that goes
for adults as well. As time goes on, we're looking to get back into daily routines. So going back to the things that one was interested in and active
in before.
And while, of course, it will be normal to remember, to feel sad, to have all sorts of feelings about this, for children, adolescents and adults who
are re-experiencing the trauma, who are having nightmares about the trauma, if they're no longer interested in eating, sleeping, or are more interested
than they were before any exacerbation of existing mental health concerns or substance use. Those are all red flags that a child or adolescent or
adult could use some professional help.
GOLODRYGA: What are some of the resources, either through Texas Children's Hospital or other organizations that parents and loved ones can turn to if
having these conversations alone isn't enough to help their children.
AXELRAD: The Texas Children's website has some very good resources, including the Texas Children's Hope Fund, articles about how to talk with
children about disasters and about tragedies. The National Traumatic Child Stress Network is also a good resource with some handouts.
At Texas Children's we will also be reaching out to schools, camps, pediatricians offices, to talk about ways we can both directly support
people affected, and also how we can support the adults that are in charge of supporting these children.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, the adults and those first responders who, on the one hand, are trained for tragedies like this, but I can't imagine one would
ever be fully prepared for this type of circumstance where there are so many children involved. And as we know, every one of these catastrophes is
unique in their own tragedy.
So, it is important to be having these conversations, especially since the search, the rescue, the recovery is still ongoing. Dr. Marni Axelrad, thank
you so much for your time. Thank you for the work that you're doing. It's very important.
AXELRAD: Thank you.
GOLODRYGA: And if you'd like to help those affected by the flooding in Texas, go to cnn.com/impact. There you can find resources for donations.
You'll be connected to charities that are on the ground there now. We'll be right back with more.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:20:00]
GOLODRYGA: Well, in what may have been an awkward encounter, the top international diplomats of the U.S. and Russia sat down for a conversation
on Thursday. U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met during the ASEAN summit.
Now it comes only days after Donald Trump used an expletive when talking about Vladimir Putin. Rubio said he made it clear that the U.S. is
considering new sanctions against Russia if Moscow continues its attacks on Ukraine.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARCO RUBIO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: The president has said that that's an option that's available to him, both under existing authorities, but
primarily if the Senate in the House can pass legislation that gives them the opportunity to do that. Again, that's for the president's decision to
make. We are obviously -- he's frustrated by the fact that more progress has not been made.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: This is Rubio's first trip to Asia Secretary of State, and it comes as Trump is ratcheting up his trade war, announcing stiff tariffs on
several Asian nations. Well as the diplomacy over Ukraine drags on, Kyiv residents took shelter during a second straight night of ferocious Russian
attacks.
Hundreds of drones and more than a dozen missiles were fired at Ukraine. Authorities say at least two people were killed and several more were
wounded. Observers in Kyiv described what may be a terrifying new tactic by Moscow. They say drones attacked from different altitudes, and some even
changed direction, at first bypassing the city and then suddenly turning back around.
Those latest attacks on the Ukrainian capital are looming over two international summits. World leaders are trying to help Ukraine fight back
against Russian aggression, while also securing funding for the war-torn country's future recovery. In London, the British Prime Minister and the
French President are joining forces, hosting the coalition of the willing, a partnership of Western countries pledging support for Ukraine.
And there's plenty of attention on Rome, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders have been speaking on day
one of the Ukraine reconstruction conference.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE: We must stop Russian drones and missiles, and this means more air defense supplies and more investments in
interceptor drones, air defense systems, and, of course, missiles. And I urge all our partners increase your investments. When Russia increases its
attacks, we cannot have a shortage of funding for drone production.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Let's go to CNN's Ben Wedeman, who is live in Rome for us.
[11:25:00]
And obviously all of these conversations about reconstruction and the day after are very important, but even more important right now is how this war
can come to an end. What is the reaction been thus far from European leaders as to the change in tone, perhaps, and maybe even policy from
President Trump?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the reaction has been cautious, Bianna, because the feeling is that this is a president in
the White House that veers rather dramatically, blowing hot and cold on many issues, and certainly Ukraine has been one where the president has
really taken a break from traditional U.S. foreign policy.
So, people are not sort of popping champagne corks thinking that suddenly the United States has changed in terms of its attitude towards supporting
Ukraine. People are cautiously encouraged that perhaps President Trump may be seeing the light, but certainly the tone at this meeting is one of
really focusing, stressing on the importance of Europe's role in supporting Ukraine.
We heard Ursula Von Der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, basically saying that Europe is the largest single donor to Ukraine, even
though the United States is the largest single country donating to Ukraine, and that it will Europe will continue to increase its support for Ukraine
as the war goes on now 3.5 years into it at a time when Russia does seem to be gaining more ground.
And as we've seen over the last two nights in Ukraine, the Russians are launching these massive drone attacks. Now, so far, the Ukrainians have
been able to a certain extent to stop or rather intercept many of those drones, but without continued U.S. support. In addition to European
support, it's questionable how long they can keep it up.
And we did hear, for instance, Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, sort of making an appeal to President Trump, in which he said, today, stay with
us and stay with the Europeans. We're on the same page, and we are looking for a stable political order in the world.
Now, normally in the past, it would be taken for granted that the United States is walking in step with Europe, really seen eye to eye on important
issues like Ukraine, but certainly since January 20th, when Donald Trump became President of the United States, that confidence that the United
States is an ally of Europe has been severely shaken.
And that is sort of the subtext of this Ukraine recovery meeting in Rome that the Europeans really need to take the lead when it comes to supporting
Ukraine. Because the fact is, regardless of the latest gyrations of U.S. foreign policy, the feeling is the Americans just can't be trusted, Bianna.
GOLODRYGA: And maybe because of that, the Europeans have put their money where their mouth is and pledged to increase spending on their own defense
in light of some of these changes out of Washington. We -- in terms of the day after plan, post war, planning for the reconstruction and maintaining
the peace.
We did hear some proposals laid out from Europeans specifically as it relates to peacekeeping forces that perhaps would be on the Ukrainian
border. What more are we learning about that?
WEDEMAN: I'm sorry I'm having problems with communications. Can you repeat that question, please.
GOLODRYGA: Can you hear me, Ben? I'm sorry.
WEDEMAN: -- come and go.
GOLODRYGA: We'll just go ahead and say goodbye then. Apologies for the communication lapse. Sometimes technology doesn't give us the communication
that we were looking for. But thank you, Ben, you laid out a lot for us. Appreciate it. Still to come for us on "One World", President Trump is
showing increasing frustrations with Vladimir Putin, as we've noted. Up next, what's behind his shifting tone and what will it mean for the war in
Ukraine?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
GOLODRYGA: Welcome back to "One World". I'm Bianna Golodryga in New York. Here's some headlines we're watching today. Rescue crews say searching for
victims along the Guadalupe River could take days, if not weeks. Officials report at least 120 people have now died in the floods, and more than 160
people remain missing.
This amid growing questions about the local and federal official response to the crisis. Israel has agreed to expand humanitarian access to Gaza.
That's according to the EU's top diplomat, who says there will be a substantial increase in aid trucks allowed into the enclave, and she said
that aid routes and crossing points will be opened.
Israel's Foreign Minister confirms that the security cabinet has decided to improve the humanitarian situation after talks with the EU. Ukraine's
capital is trying to recover after one of the most ferocious aerial assaults by Moscow since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Ukraine's President calls it, quote, an obvious buildup of terror by Russia after hundreds of drones launched from all directions, hit Kyiv for a
second night. U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio says he had a frank conversation with Russia's Foreign Minister at the ASEAN Summit on
Thursday.
Rubio expressed disappointment and frustration at Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine, and he told Sergey Lavrov that the U.S. is considering
a new round of sanctions on Russia. We want to take a deeper look at the Russian war in Ukraine and how the U.S. seems to be shifting its
perspective on all of this.
Joining me now is Alexander Baunov, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Alexander, thank you so much for taking
the time, as we heard an expletive from the president this week, expressing his frustration with Vladimir Putin saying that he's providing the U.S.
with basically a bunch of -- as he's trying to talk his way out of justifying this war in Ukraine.
The President may be fed up to the point where he would actually consider, as he said, he is leveling new sanctions, secondary sanctions against
Russia and those countries that continue to buy Russian oil. What impact would that have on the Kremlin and the financing of this war? Would it
impact at all, perhaps the trajectory of this war?
[11:35:00]
ALEXANDER BAUNOV, SENIOR FELLOW AT THE CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE: Yeah, well, the real secondary sanctions, of course, will impact
this war, because it's the very first war in Russian and Soviet history that where the money are playing such an important role. The Russian
soldiers are, for the first time in the national history, are fighting for money.
They are not conscripts. They are not recruits. They are basically contractors. All of them are paid solid sums of money. And if you see the
recruiting posters around Russian cities, they are all about both heroic defending of the Maryland and considerable -- well considerable sums of
money, more than any of these young or not young men can err in years, not even months, in years, half of the whole of their lives.
GOLODRYGA: It was also interesting to hear the president express surprise when he was describing the number of soldiers that are dying weekly, both
Russian and Ukrainian. And when he was speaking about the Russians, he seemed surprised that Vladimir Putin doesn't even take this into
consideration, that these are his own soldiers dying, and yet the war continues.
And anyone who has studied or followed Vladimir Putin's rather cold approach to this war and the price of human life would not have been as
surprised. Yes, he at first was trying to recruit more of the indigenous, the minority populations there, outside of the large cities.
But what did you make of President Trump's comments that he at this point seem surprised that Vladimir Putin doesn't care at the cost of human life
of Russian troops.
BAUNOV: Actually, President Trump, to my opinion, really oversimplified the reasons of the war as they are seen from the Kremlin. It's not only about
NATO. My impression was that for President Trump, the main reason for Russia to invade Ukraine was the possible future accession to NATO.
But if you follow the Russian narratives and what Putin was saying in years and years about Russian, Ukrainian and Russian Western relations. It's much
more than that. It's about restoring historical justice. It's about reunification of the divided, the biggest divided nation in the world.
As he put it once, he meant Russian nation divided the territory between the republics of the of the former Soviet Union. It's about reversing,
basically, the outcomes of the Cold War, which were unjust and not in favor of Russia. This is very complex explanation of the invasion, and it's much
more than NATO.
And then, of course, the price of life. It's an important point, because Putin always insisted that Russia needs Ukraine more than the west, and
then Russia and means himself -- he himself not Russia as a country, because he's decided for Russia is going to sacrifice more lives for
Ukraine than the west is ready to do.
GOLODRYGA: As far as what will bring this war to an end with Vladimir Putin still in power, it is still overwhelmingly unpopular with the majority of
Russians, in the sense that if it ended tomorrow, I don't think many would be that upset. So, what is it ultimately that you think would take this war
to come to an end, or at least some sort of resolution while Vladimir Putin is still in office? Is it more sanctions?
BAUNOV: Well, whatever Putin became after 2022 a classical, old-school dictator with a lot of repressive flows, with thousands of political
prisoners with no sign of opposition or free media. It's not anymore, you know, smart dictatorship, or informational dictatorship, as it was put by
political scientists or observers.
It's a classical, old-style dictatorship we know from the 20th century. That means that when his power is being consolidated that much as it is
now, it's not easy to end it from inside. It's quite impossible to do it from outside because of the nuclear weapons. It cannot be done as it was
done by during the Second World War or maybe in Iraq in the beginning of the century.
[11:40:00]
The only hope is that the social mood, social attitudes will be pushing him, because, still depending on a sort of public opinion, pushing him
towards the peace. And you are absolutely right when saying that nobody will be unhappy in Russia if the war stops tomorrow, because we have
numbers quite reliable.
As far as they can be reliable, then 65 percent of Russians support the idea of immediate talks with peace talks with Ukraine. The problem is that
the same number of Russians, again, 60 to 70 percent of Russians think, alongside with the Kremlin's propaganda that you have before the ceasefire
to eliminate the so-called root causes of the war. And this root causes includes everything under the -- I mean, this is a problem.
GOLODRYGA: I mean, I guess it just comes down to without being so, you know, so crass that at the end of the day, what's best for Vladimir Putin
is not necessarily what's best for the Russian people as a whole, in terms of bringing this war to an end. And it is notable that there has been such
a repressive crackdown on information and how this war is being portrayed internally.
But it's also worth noting that most Russians want to see this war come to an end as well. Alexander Baunov, thank you so much for the time.
Appreciate it.
BAUNOV: Thank you for the invitation.
GOLODRYGA: And still to come for us. If diamonds are a girl's best friend, then the original Hermes Birkin bag is an auctioneer's best friend. We'll
tell you how the bidding went, after a break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GOLODRYGA: Going, going, gone for $10 million. One of the most famous bags in the world has just been auctioned off in Paris. It's more than just a
handbag, of course, as Sotheby says, it's a rare moment in the world of fashion when an object transcends trends and becomes a legend.
[11:45:00]
The idea for the coveted handbag happened after a chance encounter on a plane in 1984. The rest is history, as they say. Let's bring in our Anna
Stewart for more on this. So, Anna, sold for 10 million. What was the starting asking price for this bag? Not that we could have afforded that
either --
ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: But we had, like, estimates of about a million dollars upwards at one stage. No one really knew how much this
would go for. The last sort of most expensive Birkin bag that ever went an auction, sold for $450,000 that was the white diamond studded version the
diamond Himalaya Birkin.
I'm sure you all know it very well. But this, of course, isn't just a Birkin bag. This is the Birkin bag. This is the bag owned by Jane Birkin,
and it's got her initials on it. It's also got quite a few scratches, scuffers and stains. It looks like something that you would struggle to
sell on, Vinted, frankly, but of course, this one sold, and all those scuffs and stains are actually part of the story.
It's a part of history. It's a work of art. I'd love to be able to tell you who has bought it and what they're going to do with it. Will they wear it?
Will it be in a safe will we see it in a museum? Will it be on someone's wall? Who knows all of that being very top secret, but certainly it has
surprised everyone today by just how much this has gone for.
GOLODRYGA: I mean, we have talked about how this bag has transcended any other luxury item, in a sense that the name itself is so synonymous with
the brand, with the bag, with the story behind it, just from an investment standpoint, what is its value?
STEWART: Yeah, I've been doing some number crunching. I've done my very best. So, in 1981, a new Birkin cost $2,000. It now costs $13,000 but
that's only if you can get it new, which, of course, there's a very limited run. There's a very select client list. So actually, the bag is worth much
more on the secondary market.
Now, the best research I can find is from Baghunter, with a study between 1980 and 2015. During that time, the Birkin's value on the secondary market
average 14.2 percent a year. We have a chart view here. So, it's the past S&P 500 and gold. I'd love to give you something more up to date, and I
hope to work on this through the day.
But you know what? The big banks don't put out regular notes on the value of the Birkin even though clearly this is so much more than fashion. This
is quite clearly an investment.
GOLODRYGA: An investment and then Anna, maybe you should add the impact of tariffs on these as well.
STEWART: -- know my favorite stories.
GOLODRYGA: And we can really make it -- modern day story. Exactly, exactly. All right, well, this was a fun one to watch. Anna Stewart, thank you so
much. And still ahead for us, from one sweeping display of extravagance to another, this time in one of the world's poorest and most reclusive
nations. We'll take you to North Korea's tourist zone. That's next.
[11:50:00]
GOLODRYGA: Well, North Korea recently unveiled a grand seaside resort taking a page from the Trump playbook and beating the U.S. President to the
punch. Donald Trump first pitched the idea to North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un years ago. CNN's Will Ripley has our report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kim Jong- Un's yacht rides ashore on North Korea's Eastern Coast. The Wonsan Kalma coastal tourist zone, miles of white sand beaches, water sports, luxury
villas, 1500 hotel rooms. Wonsan was known as the ruling Kim family's favorite summer retreat and one of North Korea's most active military
testing grounds.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: But they have great beaches. You see that whenever they're exploding their cannons into
the ocean? And I explained, I said, you know, instead of doing that, you could have the best hotels in the world, right there.
RIPLEY (voice-over): President Donald Trump once pitched U.S. investment in Wonsan.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where the doors of opportunity are ready to be open, investment from around the world. One moment, one choice.
RIPLEY (voice-over): Today, seven years later, Kim beat Trump to the punch, building it on his own. The resort features Grand Hotels with luxurious
amenities, even international grade summit halls, a soft power backdrop, perhaps setting the stage for diplomacy. Kim did bring the Russian
Ambassador for the grand opening.
These days, Pyongyang reportedly won't even accept Trump's letters at the United Nations. Kim's wife Ri Sol-ju made her first state media appearance
in more than a year, often walking several steps behind her husband and their teenage daughter, believed to be Kim Ju Ae.
She often appears alongside her father at official events, fueling speculation she's being groomed as a possible successor. Kim personally
inspected the Wonsan project at least six times, including once when I was there reporting for CNN.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the ground here in North Korea. Now they're building a beachfront resort that North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un came here to
Wonsan to inspect just yesterday.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How have things improved under Kim Jong-Un?
RIPLEY (voice-over): Every day we see changes, he told me, like new construction. The new resort includes a massive water park and a surf
machine generating artificial waves, and this very real wipe out. Even grannies firing pistols on horseback. This retiree says she was moved to
tears thinking about how their leader has given them such amazing benefits, even as much of the country still struggles with food shortages, medical
care and electricity.
Now, North Korea celebrates a resort. Kim built it without Trump, without aid, without compromise, and with every single one of his nuclear weapons
still intact.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
RIPLEY (on camera): They built it, but who will come aside from locals, only Russian tour groups can visit the beach resort. Certainly, no
Westerners, not even Chinese tourists, at least for now. In fact, it may be quite some time before North Korea even comes close to being able to fill
those dozens of brand-new hotels designed to accommodate up to 20,000 people. Will Ripley, CNN, Taipei.
GOLODRYGA: Fascinating report from Will Ripley. Thank you so much. And finally, this hour, the world's most famous hippo is celebrating a
birthday. Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo, who has become a viral sensation, turned one today. She and her mother were given a huge tub of tropical
fruit as a birthday treat, as one gets, of course, on their first birthday.
Moo Deng's cute antics have been featured in memes and viral videos, turning her into an international celebrity and having many fans, including
our own producer, Catherine. Other fans flock to the zoo in Thailand to join in on the celebration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This will be part of their memories the kids because they've not seen her before, and they can go to school and tell their
friends that they've seen her now. It's their childhood memory.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: A charity auction was held as part of the birthday festivities, and a cast of Moo Deng's footprints sold for more than $21,000 almost as
much as a Birkin bag.
[11:55:00]
All right, Catherine, hope you were happy with that one that was for you. And stay with CNN. I'll have more "One World", after this break. You're
welcome, Catherine.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
