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One World with Zain Asher
Israel Launches Strikes on Lebanon Despite Iran's Warnings; Israel and Iran Halt Strikes After Escalation in Hostilities; Maine Voters Weigh Platner's Controversies in Senate Race; Crowd Loudly Boos Trump at NBA Finals Game in New York; House Committee Interviews Longtime Epstein Aide Lesley Groff; Somali Referee Denied Entry to U.S. For Tournament. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired June 09, 2026 - 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)
LYNDA KINKADE, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: U.S. President Trump is once again striking an optimistic tone about ending the war with Iran. "One World"
starts right now. Despite a pause in direct strikes between Israel and Iran, fighting continues in Lebanon, where Israel has launched fresh
attacks.
We're live in Tel Aviv with the latest. Plus, it's another primary day across America, but one race is dominating the headlines. We'll look at why
Maine's Senate race is taking center stage. And the World Cup starts this week, but will the extreme weather and intense heat overshadow the big
game.
We'll discuss with an expert on heat in elite sports. Live from Atlanta, I'm Lynda Kinkade. This is "One World". Good to have you with us. The U.S.
President says a powerful deal to end the war with Iran is very close, as Israel launches fresh air strikes on southern Lebanon.
Here's what's happening. Donald Trump is again sounding an optimistic note about extending the uneasy truce.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: They were going back and forth, and now they both agreed through me to stop, and we're in
the final throws of what will be a very, very good deal that will not allow in any way, shape, or form nuclear weapons, et cetera.
And the strait will open up right away. It will open up immediately upon signing, which could be in two or three days.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Earlier Tuesday, smoke was seen over southern Lebanon, as Israel struck the historic Port City of Tyre, Iran had earlier warned of a severe
and crushing response to any strikes on Lebanon. It comes after Israel and Iran agreed to put a stop to attacks on each other amid intense U.S.
pressure, and after the worst escalation in violence since April.
Our Kevin Liptak is at the White House, but let's begin our coverage with Jeremy Diamond, who joins us live from Tel Aviv. Great to have you both
with us. So, Jeremy, first to you, we saw these deadly strikes in southern Lebanon today. The Christian quarter evacuated. How is that affecting
efforts to de-escalate the wider regional conflict?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Well, listen, it will all depend on whether or not Iran makes good on the threat that it made
yesterday. We heard yesterday from a spokesperson for Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps saying that should Israel continue its attacks, either on Iran
or on southern Lebanon, then that would result in additional Iranian strikes, a resumption of what we saw over about a 12-hour period, from
Sunday night into early Monday morning.
And Israel has continued with those strikes undeterred. We have seen multiple Israeli strikes, both in the first hour after that statement was
issued by Iran yesterday, killing five people in Lebanon, and then again today, at least nine people were killed and dozens more wounded in Israeli
strikes on that Lebanese Port City of Tyre and in other areas of southern Lebanon as well.
The Israeli military and top Israeli officials are insisting that they will not only continue but intensify their strikes against Hezbollah targets in
southern Lebanon. They are determined not to allow Iran to kind of determine the reality of this region with this new equation whereby Israel
can't strike in Lebanon without inviting strikes from Iran.
And so, this will be the first major test of that new equation as Iran has drawn this new red line where any strikes in southern Lebanon would result
in Iranian strikes against Israel. We will see whether or not that ends up being the case, but it seems that both sides are committed to maintaining
their positions, especially with Israel continuing those strikes in southern Lebanon.
KINKADE: Thanks to you, Jeremy. I want to bring in White House Reporter Kevin Liptak for more on this, because President Trump has urged both sides
to stop shooting and says negotiations are moving quickly, all this as a U.S. army attack helicopter crashed. What can you tell us about that?
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Right, and the crash, I think, just underscores the risks that are in place for the American troops
who are in this region, even as this ceasefire remains in place. You see the challenges that the U.S. army continues to face as they work to enforce
the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, but also challenge Iran's effective closure of that waterway.
[11:05:00]
Now this occurs around three in the morning yesterday, as this Apache helicopter was patrolling the waters around Oman. The helicopter went down
for reasons that remain unclear at this point. The U.S. military says that those mitigating factors are under investigation.
But the two people who were inside of the helicopter were effectively lost at sea for a number of hours before being rescued, including by U.S.
military assets that included a naval drone, which would be a first in terms of these water rescues. President Trump addressed the situation
yesterday as he was returning back to the White House. Here's what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's a report that an army helicopter went down on the street. Can you give us an update on that? Are the soldiers OK?
TRUMP: The pilots are fine. Yeah, nobody injured.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LIPTAK: Now so far in this conflict, Iran has shut down a number of military -- American military drones, more than two dozen of them. This is
the first Apache helicopter that has been lost as part of this conflict. But what you've seen this particular asset doing is try to challenge Iran's
control over the strait.
Of course, the strait is sort of the central facet of this memorandum of understanding that the two sides continue to go back and forth on to try
and get it reopened to get this memorandum of understanding in place in order for the hostilities to end. But I think this is all just evidence of
the fact that it's not in place yet, that the two sides continue to go back and forth.
That there are these dangers of lost equipment and potentially lost lives if this had turned out differently, as even the ceasefire, in theory,
remains in place, despite the firing that's going back and forth between the two sides. Now, President Trump sounds optimistic that this deal will
be in place relatively soon.
He has sounded optimistic for the last three weeks, and we counted it up. It's been more than 30 times that the president has suggested publicly that
a deal is imminent, only to have one not quite materialized. And so, whether his words this time are accurate, I think, remains to be seen.
What is true is that the tensions seem to be escalating by the day, and every day that goes past that a deal isn't in place, I think, is an
opportunity for something to come in and upend the negotiations completely. And so, the urgency, I think, is there to get this deal completed, but it
doesn't seem as if it is quite there just yet, Lynda.
KINKADE: Yeah, certainly every time the president sounds optimistic about a deal, Iran seems to pour cold water on it. We'll see if this time is
different. Kevin Liptak, outside the White House, our Jeremy Diamond in Tel Aviv. Thanks to you both. Well, without an end in sight to the war,
Iranians are struggling to hold on to hope. More now from CNN's Leila Gharagozlou.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEILA GHARAGOZLOU, CN PRODUCER: It is just over 100 days of war with Iran, and we're seeing a renewed exchange of hostilities amid a fragile
ceasefire, once again leaving ordinary Iranians hanging in the balance. CNN spoke to ordinary Iranians about how they're feeling, we aren't disclosing
their identities for their safety.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Honestly, the only thing I can think about is how unfortunate we are to have been born here, and how everything we have here
is going to waste.
GHARAGOZLOU: Speaking to some Iranians, they say they no longer feel the sadness that they felt at the start of the conflict, but rather have become
numb to the pain.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not worried, I'm past worrying. At first, these scenes were shocking and terrifying, but over time a kind of emotional
numbness developed. Viktor Frankl wrote in his book that man gets used to everything, but don't ask how. It feels a lot like now.
It's a way to survive and maintain mental strength. I've been thinking about this a lot these days.
GHARAGOZLOU: For many Iranians, they were holding on to hope for peace, but the renewed tensions between Iran and Israel have shattered those hopes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Today, I'm very depressed. I was holding on to hope for peace for this to end, but this is a new era, and we can't predict the
future, and history no longer seems to help us.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Our thanks to Leila Garragosulu for that report. Two Democrats will face off to be the next Mayor of Los Angeles. CNN is projecting that
City Councilwoman Nithya Raman will face current Mayor Karen Bass in November. Raman is polling in the second spot as more votes are counted
from the primary election held a week ago.
[11:10:00]
Earlier vote tallies showed her trailing the Republican Spencer Pratt, a Former Reality TV Star. California takes days to count votes because it
accepts mail-in ballots postmarked on or before election day and received after the election. Raman's lead over the Pratt has President Trump
claiming without evidence that election fraud is happening.
He wrote on Truth Social, quote, not possible for Spencer Pratt to have lost the LA run-offs after the big lead he had, third world nation rigged
elections. And another raft of primary elections is happening across the U.S. today. Polls are open in Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina, and
Maine.
The key race today is the Democratic Senate primary in Maine. The expected winner, Graham Platner, would go forward to face long-serving Republican
Senator Susan Collins. A victory for Democrats in Maine could help them take control of the Senate, but Plattner has been dogged by scandals in the
run-up to the primary, including a tattoo that's been linked to a Nazi symbol.
And reports he sent sexually explicit messages to women who weren't his wife. CNN Senior Political Commentator and Former U.S. Congressman Adam
Kinzinger, joins us now live. Great to see you, Adam. Good to have you with us.
ADAM KINZINGER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yeah, you too. Good --
KINKADE: So, Congressman, tonight's primaries are being watched as another test of President Trump's influence inside the Republican Party. You know,
you're considered one of, I guess, the most prominent anti-Trump Republicans. Just looking at the primary races, what evidence are you
seeing that Trump's grip on the party is weakening, or is it perhaps still the defining force here?
KINZINGER: Yeah, I mean, look, it's clearly the defining force. Here's how I would imagine having, like, a big thing of Play-Doh in your hand and just
squeezing it right. Eventually, you're going to have some Play-Doh that comes out kind of between your fingers, and I think that's kind of where
the GOP is now.
There's a little bit of kind of escape of people maybe calling themselves a Republican or identifying as MAGA, but those that are still in Trump's grip
are just even under tighter control. I mean, there is no ability right now, if you're a sitting Republican member, to really oppose Donald Trump on
anything.
So, I think he is the defining force in the GOP, but I don't think people, particularly an international audience, should let that confuse them that
he is the defining force in the United States of America, because I think a good two thirds of the country right now would not identify as Trump
supporters, and so it's a shrinking base for Trump that he has tighter control over.
KINKADE: I've never heard the Republican Party described as Play-Doh, but I like the analogy. Congressman, I want to turn to Maine, because this is a
Senate battleground state. Democrats believe flipping it could you know give them control of the Senate, yet it appears poised to nominate Graham
Platner, who is mild in controversy.
Are both parties at a point now where they're willing to potentially overlook character concerns if they believe that that candidate can win?
KINZINGER: Yes, it's a concern to me, a little bit, because you know, look, I think the Republican party has lost its sort of moral values, or its
ability to declare any kind of goodness, to be honest with you, and the Democrats, even though I don't agree with all of the Democratic platform.
They're still in the defense of democracy, they still kind of have a level of decency. And my concern is that you end up seeing a Democratic party
that can follow in the way of the Republican party. And look, I think there's some things in Graham Platner that you have to look at and say,
look, the guy's a veteran.
And this isn't that, as a veteran myself, I mean, veterans are great people, but we have a dark sense of humor, and I think the average American
shouldn't hear the things that we joke about, you know, some of that is excusable, but it's just with Graham Platner, it's like layer after layer
of kind of surprise.
And the big question is, do are the Republicans holding back on some opposition research on them, because if the Democrats want to take the
Senate, and they very much do want to take the Senate, Maine is a must-win. I don't see even if they win like Texas, I don't see any way that they can
take the majority of the Senate without Maine.
So, the big question is, you know, what is there still? Now again, it's one thing to say, look, people are not perfect, we all have flaws, we all have
mistakes, we have to accept the level of that, but there's a certain -- there's kind of an art form to what is too bad, and I kind of feel like
we're flirting with that line a little bit.
KINKADE: Yeah, exactly. I want to turn to California, because it seems that we're once again going to see California take days, if not weeks, to count
ballots. You know, election officials say this is just the way the system operates, their large population, and of course, the mail-in voting system
that's in place.
I'm just wondering, what your concerns are as to, you know, the way the process happens in California. Can California rethink that process,
especially given, you know, the fact that we keep hearing elements of questions of distrust in the system?
[11:15:00]
KINZINGER: Yeah, California has to rethink this. I mean, so after the 2000 election, remember all that attention was on Florida between Bush and Gore.
Florida was kind of the laughing stock of our elections here, and they actually, to their credit, they very much improved, and you have election
results on election night, as almost every country in the world, by the way, you have results on election night.
California has this thing where, during COVID, they started mailing everybody the ballot. And they actually have to go through when the ballot
comes in the mail, they go through, they check that the person hasn't voted already, they take them off the list, so that they don't vote again, they
check their signatures.
So, there's, they're actually doing what they need to do to prevent fraud in the system. The problem is we are used to results on election night, and
Democrats tend to vote by mail in later, and so you always have this issue with the red mirage, where there's a Republican that's doing well.
And as these mail-in votes come in, they typically slip down, you know, in numbers, as we've seen in this case. The problem is for California is
they're feeding into the conspiracy theories. I can push back all I want with facts about why this really isn't a conspiracy, and Democrats aren't
stealing the election, but it spreads with like wildfire on the internet.
So, I think California needs to back those dates up a little bit, if you want the same mail-in voting time, great, but you actually have to mail the
ballot prior to election day. They should be able to start counting those ballots prior to election day and clearing them, so that they get faster
results, because they're just feeding into these conspiracies that are really dangerous in a democracy.
KINKADE: And congressman just finally, Trump has long pointed to crowded reactions and public enthusiasm as measures for support. Last night we saw
him at the next game being booed, largely being booed. Republicans -- some Republicans say that's just New York, others point to the fact that it's
just suggests how polarizing the president is. What's your read?
KINZINGER: Yeah, I mean, look, if you don't live in the United States and you don't get to kind of feel it, I'll let people in on a little secret,
which is Donald Trump is the most polarizing figure we've had in at least in my lifetime, and he is very disliked by the vast majority of this
country.
And so had he not been booed, I would have been surprised. The other thing, though, that's really catching on from what last night was, was the fact
that he was sleeping through a very loud game in an indoor facility.
KINKADE: Yeah.
KINZINGER: That is actually getting a lot of attention, even more than the boos, because Donald Trump has been trying to push back against this idea
that he's falling asleep. I don't know if he did himself any favor, maybe just wanted to go see the game, but if he expected a happy reception, which
I bet he did, because he gets him at like UFC and stuff.
He didn't get it, and I'm sure he wasn't too happy about that. But guess what, when you're a very divisive person, you're going to have people with
pretty strong opinions about you.
KINKADE: Adam Kinzinger, as always, appreciate your time. Thanks for joining us.
KINZINGER: You bet. Take care.
KINKADE: Well, still to come, the congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein continues with one of his closest assistants called in to answer
questions. What we can expect to hear from that next. Plus, what Albania's Prime Minister said about the massive protests in his country.
And why those demonstrations over Jared Kushner's backed resort project are causing so much grief.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:20:00]
KINKADE: Happening now on Capitol Hill, one of Jeffrey Epstein's longtime employees is being interviewed behind closed doors. Lesley Groff served as
Epstein's executive assistant for years. She's been questioned as part of the House Oversight Committee's ongoing investigation.
Sources say she told the committee she didn't know about Epstein's crimes, and she described him as a master manipulator. Well, CNN's Annie Grayer
joins us now from Washington with more on this. Great to see you, Annie. So, what was publicly known about Lesley Groff's responsibilities working
for Epstein, and why is her name surfacing now?
ANNIE GRAYER, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, lawmakers have a lot of questions for Groff, who was really Epstein's conduit to the outside world. She
booked all of his appointments, all of his travel, and women have told the FBI that she was the one they would call to schedule massages with Epstein,
which is where we know Epstein committed a lot of his crimes.
But she said in her closed-door interview today, according to sources, that she had no knowledge of Epstein's crime. She thought that the massages, in
fact, were part of just massage therapists. She didn't think anything of it. Groff was listed as a potential co-conspirator back in 2008 but she's
never been charged with any crime.
She said that she has no knowledge of any crimes, and she said in a 2021 interview, similar to her testimony today, in a 2021 interview with FBI,
she said she thought that these massages that she was booking for women was just part of the routine that was part of Epstein's day, given how
frequently that had happened.
But today's interview, which is happening behind closed doors, where Groff is being questioned by both Democrat and Republican lawmakers, is going to
give members of Congress a chance to understand what Lesley Groff knew about Epstein and his inner workings, and when she knew them, because as
Groff continues to maintain, she knew nothing of Epstein's crimes.
And she's just the latest person in Epstein's orbit to be interviewed as part of this ongoing investigation. They've interviewed another former
assistant of Epstein's, who alleged not only that -- not only misconduct by Epstein, but also allegations against other men that the Oversight
Committee has referred to the Department of Justice for further investigation.
So, a lot going on in the investigation, but we expect this closed-door interview with Lesley Groff to go for hours today.
KINKADE: All right, certainly intriguing. Annie Grayer, good to have you there on Capitol Hill for us. Thanks so much.
GRAYER: Thank you.
KINKADE: Still to come, ruled out the Somali referee denied entry to the U.S. for the World Cup. What U.S. officials are saying about the
controversy. Plus, the heat is on as temperatures soar across parts of North America. We look at the challenges athletes are facing.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:25:00]
KINKADE: Welcome back to "One World". I'm Lynda Kinkade in Atlanta. Great to have your company. Here are some of the headlines we're watching today.
Israel launched attacks on southern Lebanon, including the City of Tyre, despite threats of retaliation from Iran.
So far, Israel and Iran are holding off from strikes on each other's territory days after a sharp escalation in violence. The U.S. President
says there could be a deal with Iran in a day to two or three days. Two crew members were rescued after a U.S. Apache helicopter went down off the
Coast of Oman.
U.S. military says it crashed while on patrol over the sea, reporting that the crew are in a stable condition. It's the first Apache to be lost since
the conflict with Iran began. Chinese Leader Xi Jinping has wrapped up his first visit to North Korea in seven years. State media report that he and
North Korea's Kim Jong Un pledged to maintain closer ties and forge a new chapter of relations.
Reports do not say whether nuclear weapons or relations with the U.S. were discussed. 70,000 Catholics greeted Pope Leo as he held mass in Madrid on
Monday. The pontiff is now in Barcelona on the next leg of his visit in Spain. He'll host a prayer vigil in the city's Olympic stadium in the
coming hours.
Well, there are just two days until the FIFA World Cup kicks off, and fans from around the world are descending on the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, but
even before a single game has begun, there's controversy. FIFA confirms that a Somali referee has been denied entry to the U.S. and won't take part
in the tournament.
U.S. Customs and Border Protections says that Omar Artan went through additional inspection at the U.S. Customs in Miami, and was turned away
over vetting concerns. Somalia is one of 39 nations affected by the Trump Administration travel ban. Our Larry Madowo is following the story and
joins us now live from Nairobi.
Good to see you, Larry. So, this is quite a storm, because this is an award-winning referee. Just what happened when he turned up in Miami. Why
was he turned away?
LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Lynda, many Somalis, many Africans see racism in what happened to Omar Abdulkadir Artan. He is an award-winning
referee, maybe the best referee in Africa. The Confederation of African Football named him Male Referee of the Year 2025.
That is the highest honor in his field. And yet when he showed up traveling a diplomatic passport at the Miami International Airport, he was called in
for further questioning. And then U.S. Customs and Border Protection says that he was found inadmissible due to vetting concerns.
But as Somali embassy here in Nairobi tells us that he was vetted here in Nairobi by the U.S. Embassy and granted a three-month multiple entry visa,
that's he could travel between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, three host nations, so they don't understand what happened here, and U.S. authorities
are not saying anymore.
[11:30:00]
The Somali government said they tried to unsuccessfully negotiate with both FIFA, the world governing body for soccer, and with the U.S. government to
allow him to come in, and ultimately that didn't work out. Here's FIFA's explanation why he's getting dropped completely from the World Cup
officiating, which should have been a crowning moment for his achievement after being a referee since 2018.
FIFA says FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr.
Artan's status will not be changed at present. In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and
who's admitted into their country, which is technically right.
But FIFA also did promise Gianni Infantino last year that everybody would be welcome at these World Cup events in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, but
75 percent of these games are in the U.S., and many Africans have already been complaining about getting denied visas, how expensive they are, et
cetera. And now this on top of it, Lynda.
KINKADE: Yeah, and of course I'm wondering, what are the reactions you're seeing in the region and Somalia to this, and what can be done to appeal?
MADOWO: There doesn't seem to be much that can be done to appeal. It's a little late in the game, so he will be missing out on the World Cup, but in
Somalia, people see this in context of what President Trump has said about Somalia is called Somalia's garbage. He has suggested that they are
criminals, that they are low IQ.
Somalia is part of the 39 nations under President Trump's sweeping travel ban, so that needs to be taken into that, but technically the referee would
have qualified for an exemption because it's participating in a sporting event. But the wider question for many Africans is that, does the U.S.
really want African fans?
Does the U.S. want any African participation? If it's making it so hard for Africans to participate in this manner, they consider it humiliating. They
consider it almost racist that the most significant hurdles are being faced by African fans, African teams, African participants coming to this World
Cup, which is supposed to be a uniting force for the entire world, Lynda.
KINKADE: Yeah, such a shame. Well, thank you so much for the update, Larry Madowo. We appreciate it. Well, some of the cities hosting the World Cup
matches are bracing for a major heat wave. The eastern two thirds of the U.S. will be affected most, with tens of millions of people at risk,
according to the Weather Prediction Center.
High temperatures are also expected in Mexico. Our Derek Van Dam has more.
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, Lynda, bring on the excitement, looking forward to all of the football games starting across the 16 host
cities. There are 104 matches that will be played over the course of the World Cup, and you know what, 11 of the stadiums that you see represented
on this map across North America are outdoor stadiums.
The remaining five venues are actually indoors, but of course you still have fans, spectators that walk to and from the out, the venues, and of
course the impacts of the weather and the heat for the players is a major concern as well. So, the first two games we've got coming up this Thursday,
we obviously have two matches, Mexico City and in Guadalajara, and it's going to be hot.
We've got the majority of these games being played in the afternoon and evenings, so this is really peak heating of the day. It just depends on
where the individual match will be played and what type of weather, they will receive. But hot weather to start off the World Cup, that is certainly
in the forecast for Mexico and Guadalajara.
And the heat is building across North America, even into the central parts of the U.S., we already have heat alerts. This shade of orange is
representative of dangerous heat conditions. That is when you factor in not only the temperature in the air but also the humidity levels, and that has
impacts not only on spectators but also the fans, or rather the players playing on the pitch.
So, look what's going to happen, because the heat and humidity, when we factor that together, it's stifling hot outside. We're talking about triple
digit daytime highs in places like Kansas City. Here's a look at the Celsius representative of that temperature, 38, 32 in Indianapolis.
Yeah, that's hot, but guess what, the heat is going to shift eastward as we head into some of the first U.S. games that will be played on U.S. soil
this weekend into the East Coast. Of course, we've got the Los Angeles game as well. But here's a look at Saturday's forecast, because remember, we do
have games here along the eastern seaboard.
We do have heat risks associated with the heat and humidity that will be in place, this is a map from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
That shading of orange says that there's potentially moderate risks from the heat if you're going to be outdoors for any excessive amount of time.
But let's head into Mexico, where our first two matches of the World Cup are being held. Mexico City to Guadalajara, temperatures in the middle and
upper 20s, scattered showers and thunderstorms will also be facing some of these venues, so that will impact the spectators walking to and from.
[11:35:00]
But look at the heat building along the eastern seaboard, it continues as we head into the early parts of the weekend. Lynda, back to you.
KINKADE: Our thanks to Derek Van Dam. Well, from growing heat to growing concern, an analysis by the climate research group World Weather
Attribution found that roughly a quarter of matches at the tournament are likely to be played in conditions exceeding safety limits recommended by 20
international experts.
You're looking at England's squad training there in Florida last week as they try to get used to the conditions there, and things were only going to
heat up. Well, our next guest understands the challenges World Cup players will face due to the heat. Chris Tyler is an expert on heat stress in elite
sports and an academic and Environmental Physiology at the University of Roehampton. Great to have you with us.
CHRIS TYLER, READER IN ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ROEHAMPTON: Go ahead.
KINKADE: So, Chris, some 13 of the 16 World Cup stadiums are effectively open air with limited shade, limited climate control. How does stadium
design itself amplify the heat stress some of these players, officials, and even visitors are going to experience?
TYLER: Yeah, well, we're in stadium, obviously, going to create a micro climate. There's likely to be limited air flow, which is one of our main
cooling mechanisms, which means the players, officials, and spectators will be in hot, still air. Much the stadia, depending on where the sun is at
that time of day, it might be in direct sunlight.
So that will further exacerbate the heat stress that the players and the fans and spectators will be experiencing.
KINKADE: And at what point does the heat and the humidity affect the players' performance in terms of, you know, endurance sprinting decision
making?
TYLER: Yeah, well, I mean, sprint performance typically is not impaired by the heat. Warmth is good for muscles. However, in a soccer context, where
the players will be taking prolonged bouts, repeated activity, lots of high intensity sprints, recovery runs, and those sorts of things.
Performance will be impaired quite quickly in those sorts of conditions, so sort of above 20 degrees Celsius, you'll start to see potential impairment.
What you're more likely to see, though, is a change in how the players play the game itself. So fortunately, they can regulate much of the heat buildup
by working less, sprinting less, running less.
But unfortunately for the spectators, therefore we might see slower, more tedious, more possession-based games.
KINKADE: I have been reading the reports about the British players. Team England reportedly set to use these high-tech palm cooling devices, along
with the FIFA measures that are already being announced, like extra hydration and cooling breaks. From a physiological standpoint, how
effective are these interventions in actually reducing the heat strain on players?
TYLER: Yeah, well, things like the palm cooling or cooling the neck, they're more likely to be a perceptual benefit. It's quite difficult to
actually lower deep body temperature, but we can certainly make the skin cooler. We can make players feel cooler, and we know that generally, if you
feel a bit better, you might do a bit better.
Where we stand to have more of an impact are things that we do before the game, so the players might be undertaking some cold water immersion or some
cooling interventions, so they start games cooler, and then really trying to maximize those breaks in play that the FIFA have now installed in each
half in games in Vancouver, that might not be required so much because the temperatures.
But if you're playing in Miami, you know now you're going to have three minutes where you can get fluid into the players, cold fluid, hopefully
cold towels, cold collars, those sorts of things. And although three minutes isn't really long enough to have huge, meaningful change, it
certainly will put the players in a better state for the next quarter, be that in the first or the second half.
KINKADE: And Chris, scientists are warning that heat is becoming a growing constraint on elite sport scheduling. Is this World Cup just an example of
the fact that, that shift is becoming unavoidable?
TYLER: Yeah, I mean, certainly with increasing conditions and temperatures, and this -- the obvious desire to schedule competitions in warm, sunny
environments, because it looks good. We know this problem is going to keep increasing. I mean, America, this upcoming World Cup in the three countries
is an interesting case, because it covers a larger geographical region than many.
And so, we have large differences within one single tournament, but this competition is not standalone. We had the club World Cup last year. We have
regular Olympic Games scheduled for hot conditions.
[11:40:00]
So certainly, going forward, organizers are going to have to think about the temperatures when not only scheduling the competition, but maybe
scheduling events or fixtures within that competition.
KINKADE: All right, Chris Tyler, we appreciate your time. Thanks for joining us.
TYLER: Thank you very much.
KINKADE: Major new blow for Iran at the World Cup. The country's football federation says its ticket allocation has been withdrawn. That means fans
won't be able to get tickets for Iran's three group games from their federation, like fans from other countries. Under FIFA rules, around 8
percent of tickets are reserved for each team, so that national federations can sell them to their own fans.
CNN has contacted FIFA for comment. And complaints are soaring over the astronomical cost of World Cup tickets and what's being called an
unprecedented money grab by FIFA. In Mexico, it means many fans who thought they'd be watching in the stadium will instead be turning on their TVs.
CNN's Valeria Leon reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VALERIA LEON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For a country that leaps and breathes soccer, this World Cup remains out of reach for many. Sky-high
ticket prices and just a handful of matches on hump turf, leaving many Mexican fans feeling left out. Francisco Ferreira compares access to
Mexico's past World Cups to this one.
FRANCISCO JAVIER FERREIRA, SOCCER FAN: It doesn't feel the same. Back then it felt like Mexico's World Cup, now it feels like it belongs to the United
States, and the ticket prices, they're impossible.
LEON (voice-over): The opening match in Mexico City, with some tickets now selling for as much as $16,000 on official FIFA sites, and on resale sites
even higher, a staggering amount that puts this tournament far out of reach for all but the ultra-wealthy.
LEON: In Mexico City, the average family earns just over $2,000 a month, roughly the cost of a single ticket, and in a city where many local fans
were able to attend World Cups hosted here in 1970 and 86 many feel they've been priced out.
LEON (voice-over): But the frustration started months ago. FIFA lottery style sales system designed to manage global demand left thousands without
access, even at base prices.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I haven't been able to get tickets, but if I do, I'll be there.
MONICA, SOCCER FAN: I hope Mexico wins, but either way, I just want it to be exciting. A good show, of course.
LEON (voice-over): At this rate, the cheers of Mexican fans will mostly be heard outside the stadium. Valeria Leon, CNN, Mexico City.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Still to come in "One World", massive protests in Albania over a luxury resort backed by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Why so many
Albanians are furious about the project, that's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
KINKADE: Luxury resort project has sparked a growing political firestorm in Albania. Thousands of people took to the streets in Tirana this week in
protest. The project is backed by President Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner. It includes development of an area near
protected wetlands and wildlife.
CNN's Randi Kaye takes a closer look at why the project is facing so much pushback.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
IVANKA TRUMP, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S DAUGHTER: I'm working on an incredible project with my husband in the Mediterranean. It's massive in
scale.
RANDI KAYE, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ivanka Trump dishing about a bold new business deal she's planning with her husband,
Jared Kushner. She described to Podcaster David Senra how it all started.
I. TRUMP: We were on a friend's boat, and we stopped for a swim, effectively that's how we found it. We swam to the islands, we went on a
hike barefoot all the way up to the top, and we were just captivated, and it stayed with us ever since.
KAYE (voice-over): According to the interview, the island has no power, and the project will be built from scratch.
I. TRUMP: It's an unbelievable, beautiful 1400-hectare private island in the middle of the Mediterranean. The land is so beautiful that, really, the
architecture has to be fully integrated into it, almost rise from it.
KAYE (voice-over): Developing this is on island is just part of the plan.
I. TRUMP: Not only the island, but we have five miles of beach front directly across from the island. This beautiful peninsula with a lagoon on
one side, the ocean on the other, beautiful white sand beaches.
KAYE (voice-over): Not everyone in Albania is OK with this. The project has sparked protests in Albania's capital.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Of course, I'm totally against it. Why would I want somebody, a foreigner, to come and buy my island, the land we've been here
2500 years. So, how can somebody you know claim that she found an island, all of a sudden.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that investments are a good thing in Albania, but they should be thoughtful about the nature.
KAYE (voice-over): The area is home to several endangered species, including flamingos and pelicans, monk seals, and nesting sea turtles.
Demonstrators say their habitat is threatened.
KAYE: A change to Albania's nature laws in 2024 is helping pave the way for this. It permits construction of luxury resorts within environmentally
protected areas.
KAYE (voice-over): In March 2024, Jared Kushner posted this on social media, noting he was excited about a development project in Albania. His
involvement only amplifies concerns about whether Kushner's private business dealings present a conflict of interest, given that he serves as a
special envoy for the Trump Administration.
Despite bulldozers seen at the site, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told CNN there is not a project yet, and the environmental impact is being
worked on.
EDI RAMA, ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER: There is not such a thing like the family of the American President taking over protected areas where
flamingos will be killed.
I. TRUMP: You can't just like impose yourself upon a country or culture. You have to understand it first to do it in a beautiful and delicate and
meaningful way. Randi Kaye, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well, CNN reached out to Jared Kushner's private equity fund for reaction of Randi's story, but we were redirected to the development
company for the project, which released a statement in part saying, we respect the ongoing public and institutional processes, and we stand ready
to move forward as they unfold.
We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
KINKADE: Well, if you're planning to fly in the coming months, brace yourself for high fares. This year's big increase in the cost of jet fuel
is prompting airlines to raise prices. Some people are reacting by staying closer to home. CNN's Jenn Sullivan has tips on how to score the best deal
for summer.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENN SULLIVAN, CNN REPORTER (voice-over): Soaring airfare costs are shaking up summer travel prices for domestic and international trips are way up.
MELANIE FISH, EXPEDIA TRAVEL EXPERT: People are not giving up their summer vacations, but they are choosing places a little closer to home.
SULLIVAN (voice-over): Melanie Fish is a Travel Expert at Expedia. Their data shows 63 percent of U.S. travelers are planning a domestic trip this
summer. She says part of the push to stay closer to home is hype around the FIFA World Cup games and the America 250 celebrations.
FISH: We're seeing is really the perfect summer for domestic travel demand.
SULLIVAN (voice-over): Fish says one of the other reasons people are staying closer to home, the high cost to fly internationally. Since the war
with Iran began, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has essentially halted, cutting off 20 percent of the world's oil supply from
global markets.
The disruption in oil supply has caused jet fuel prices to surge. Travel site KAYAK compared last year's airfare prices for economy round trip
tickets to some popular destinations this year, and found airfare to London ease up more than 45 percent. Last year, average ticket prices were $786
and this year, tickets to London are more than $1,100.
Flights to Paris are up more than 30 percent from last year. Some airlines have announced they're cutting routes this summer to save on jet fuel
costs.
FISH: Fewer routes mean fewer options means higher prices, and it's just kind of a vicious circle.
SULLIVAN (voice-over): Prices for domestic travel are also up, according to KAYAK data. Average airfare is $388 compared to $307 last year. If you're
looking to get away and save, flights to Key West, Florida, the Bahamas, and Mexico City are down, according to KAYAK.
But keep in mind, we are in hurricane season. For Consumer Watch, I'm Jenn Sullivan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well Italian fashion house, Prada, unveiling its first foray into space by designing high-tech long johns for NASA. The company says these
body-hugging suits with ventilation tubes knitted in will be worn by astronauts under their spacesuits.
They were created in collaboration with space infrastructure developer Axiom and plan for NASA's Artemis four crew, which is set to land on the
moon in 2028. We can see auroras from Earth, but not like this. NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir shared this video of Aurora Australis, or Southern
Lights, as it's known, as seen from the SpaceX Dragon craft on Sunday.
Maya said she was in awe of how the aurora danced and snaked its way directly below them. Finally, before we go, take a look at this assault and
battery by a dancing robot at a Chinese theme park. A humanoid robot kicked a child directly in the stomach during a martial arts performance.
Ouch. According to state-linked media outlets, the child was OK, but the amusement park paused the robot's dancing duties following that incident.
There it is again. Ouch. Stay with CNN. I'm Lynda Kinkade.
[11:55:00]
There's much more "One World" with my colleague Bianna Golodryga, in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
