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One World with Zain Asher
Heat Dome Over The U.S. East Coast Is Trapping Hot Air; Trump Heads To Mount Rushmore Ahead Of July 4th Celebrations; Multi-Day Funeral Ceremonies For Khamenei Begin Saturday; Rescuers Pull Man From Rubble Eight Days After Quakes; Ukrainian Woman Disguised As Man Is Named As Suspect; Multi-Day Wedding Celebration Thought To Be Underway; Mission To Save 3,200-Pound NASA Observatory; Aired 12-1p ET
Aired July 03, 2026 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[12:00:52]
CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR: America prepares to mark its 250th birthday. The second hour of "One World" starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's hot. It's hot. But, you know, it's -- it's a different heat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: How does America prepares to celebrate? A dangerous heat wave is disrupting holiday celebrations around the country.
Authorities say the main subject in a shocking bomb attack in Monaco is a woman who disguised herself as a man. New details, we're learning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All the Taylor Swift. All the Swifties out here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: And here comes the bride. It's the rumored big day for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. What we're learning about their plans.
The last-minute changes could jeopardize several America 250 celebrations. This as a brutal, multi-day heat wave grips parts of the country. It's not
clear how many people will venture out for fireworks on July 4th.
Many cities, including New York, Boston and Washington, are opening cooling centers and expanding public resources.
Philadelphia cancelled its Friday Independence Day Parade. Organizers blame the extreme heat for what would have been one of the nation's largest
weekend parades.
According to the National Weather Service, more than 160 million people are under major or extreme heat risks. Temperatures are expected to top 100
degrees Fahrenheit or nearly 38 degrees Celsius in parts of the northeast.
CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam is tracking this dangerous heat live from Washington.
Derek, tell us what you're seeing and expecting the next 24 to 48 hours.
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Christina, it is brutal here in the nation's capital, red, hot and blue. The sweltering sun really paying its
price on the thousands of people that have flocked here to the National Mall.
It is a beautiful sight, but this heat is extremely dangerous. We've already seen people that have been carted away by authorities and the D.C.
fire department. They had their shoes off. They were doing everything they could to keep themselves cool.
We've heard sirens going in the background, carting people away. That's how dangerous this heat is. Could go down as the hottest 4th of July on record
here in -- in the Washington, D.C. area.
So, we've been keeping track just of the temperature since we got on the ground here in D.C. this morning. We're using Fahrenheit, OK? So, we're in
the United States celebrating the 250th birthday.
But 8:00 A.M. when we get out here, it was roughly 87. But these red numbers, this is what it feels like on your skin.
And right now, it's noon. OK. So we're talking 12 P.M. local time. And the temperature is already 110 degrees. That is the feels like temperature. And
the air temperature right now, I've got this little nifty thermometer.
You know, it says about 95 here in the grass, but I can point it at different surfaces and get temperatures over 100 degrees quite easily. OK?
This just gives you an indication of how brutal this heat is and how people are really trying to do their best to beat the heat.
So, I'm going to show you around. We've got the nation's capital. We have had flyovers from various aircraft. We've had an air show that's shown the
B-52 bombers. Some of the fighter jets here. Here's one of the arches, the replicas of the arches that's going to be built.
But behind us here is the -- the Ferris wheel, a -- a permanent fixture here on the National Mall for the Freedom 250 celebration.
I want to show you this. This is an experiment that we're doing. Hey, right now you can actually hear one of those fighter jets, Christina, flying over
now.
I mean, that's -- that's the kind of excitement that's drawing the people here. The crowds are swelling in size regardless of the heat, regardless of
the dangers.
[12:05:02]
So, the idea that we're trying to express with this experiment is just that -- and here's one of the D.C. fire and EMS as well. You can see the sirens
and -- or -- or see the lights and hear the sirens in the background trying to transport people, keep them cool, take them to a secure area to cool
their internal body.
Because it doesn't take long for heat exhaustion and heat stroke to become a medical emergency in this type of heat. It's not just D.C., it's all
along the entire eastern seaboard of the U.S. under this heat dome.
But there's better colors to wear in sunshine like this, Christina, and -- and this is the representative of this.
The black kind of casing that we had to hold up our -- our experiment here melted because that's absorbing sun, so don't wear dark colors. Wear the
lighter colors like I have on here. That will, at least, give you the extra advantage to try and beat the heat.
Let me take you through the archway here. Look at how everybody's crowded in the little space that requires or gives shade to people.
Are you guys beating the heat, everybody OK?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, yes. We're great. Yes.
VAN DAM: You're -- you're sweltering. Can I move through here? Is that all right? Is that all right? I want to keep showing people around because this
is quite the spectacle.
But look, everybody's kind of congregating around the shaded areas. You get out into the sun, it is a whole different ballgame. That's when things
change very rapidly.
Hey, you know, we went over to get water bottles refilled here. They are temporarily out of water. That is a big concern. They're likely going to
get more water.
But the fact that we're temporarily out of water at refill stations in a busy area like this with more crowds coming in, that could spell a real
problem.
So, yes, you're looking at the National Mall. You've got the Washington Monument in the background, clear blue skies overhead. We will likely set
record temperatures today and into the 4th of July when everybody's coming down to this area to watch what could potentially be the world's largest
fireworks display in history.
It's hot, Christina. You must be cool in that air conditioned studio.
MACFARLANE: Very -- very cool compared to you, Derek. That is a great scene set. Thank you so much. With the practical advice there, the obvious
advice, right? Wear light colors, drink a lot of fluid -- fluid.
Derek, try and get yourself out of the sun for a little bit. We appreciate it. Thank you.
Well, the heat is already putting an end to American Independence Day festivities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Organizers have canceled a major
parade scheduled for today, quote, due to extreme heat.
The parade was expected to be one of the country's largest this weekend with participants from every U.S. state. Philadelphia is forecast to see
temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Well, the U.S. president is kicking off the July 4th celebrations by visiting a symbol of freedom and democracy.
Donald Trump is set to visit Mount Rushmore this evening where he'll deliver remarks and then watch fireworks. The president has openly mused
about adding his face to the legendary national monument. But despite a push from some of his allies, experts say there's just no room.
CNN's Alayna Treene is joining now live from the White House. I guess, Alayna, it's unclear as to whether that was a joke or something more
serious.
But what is serious is the heat and the fact that this is really raining on Donald Trump's parade here.
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: No, that's absolutely right. I mean, I can feel it here right now in Washington, just outside the White
House. It is remarkably hot, humid, all of the things. So, that's definitely going to add a bit of a damper, I think, on the big celebrations
planned for this weekend.
And that will start, as you mentioned, Christina, with the president traveling to South Dakota to visit Mount Rushmore.
It's going to be a symbolic visit. He actually had previously visited. It's a return for Trump, I should say. He previously visited Mount Rushmore back
in 2020, but this time, of course, is really going to be a lot of pomp and circumstance around the patriotism of this very seminal moment, which is
America's 250th birthday.
Now, we're told that the president is going to give remarks around 9:00 P.M. There's going to be fireworks. There's going to be flyovers. And his
speech is likely going to really talk about how wonderful America is.
This is what we heard from one White House aide talking about his trip to Mount Rushmore today. She said, standing before the iconic monument
honoring four of America's most consequential leaders, the president will deliver a major address making clear what the world already knows.
She said that is that the United States is the greatest, strongest, and most exceptional nation in history.
And I'm sure you can hear all of that sound around me, Christina. This gives me a good segue into what we are anticipating from the president
tomorrow on July 4th itself.
We're seeing, actually, a lot of, you know, the U.S. Navy, others being involved, fighter jets flying over the White House, flying over the
National Mall. We just saw Derek where that National -- or excuse me, where the state fair, they're calling it the Great American State Fair, is being
held.
[12:10:04]
There's a lot that is going into trying to make tomorrow the biggest type of celebration they've seen in the nation's capital for Independence Day.
We've heard the Trump administration touting what they argue will be the biggest fireworks display that the nation's capital has ever seen. So, a
lot going around that as well.
The president, for his part says, he will go to the National Mall to deliver remarks to mark the occasion.
Again, going back to the heat issue, Trump argues that he's going to try to give a very long speech despite the heat joking that perhaps it'll show how
great his stamina is.
We'll see. It's going to be very warm throughout the entire weekend here. So, hopefully, people staying safe and drinking all their fluids,
Christina.
MACFARLANE: Yes. Well, let's hope for -- for Donald Trump's sake that some people do turn out amidst all of this.
Alayna Treene, we'll be back with you for more updates. Thank you.
And a quick programming note. Be sure to join CNN for America's 250th birthday with the biggest fireworks and stars. Anderson Cooper hosts The
Fourth in America Celebrating 250, live this Saturday, July 4th. You can also stream it on the CNN app.
Now, Iran is at a virtual standstill. And negotiations with the U.S. are paused as the nation says goodbye to its slain supreme leader.
Foreign dignitaries and religious leaders have been paying their respects to Ali Khamenei at a mosque in Tehran today. This comes four months after
it was killed in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
His casket, as well as those of family members killed in the February strike are on display in Tehran. A funeral ceremonies begin Saturday and
end Thursday with his burial.
Iran's president is calling on his nation to turn out in large numbers to show a united front to the world.
CNN producer Leila Gharagozlou has more on the messaging and symbolism from Tehran.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEILA GHARAGOZLOU, CNN PRODUCER: Yes. So, the message that we're really seeing from the Iranian government around this funeral ceremony and six-day
kind of mourning processional is strength, resilience, and unity.
The emblem of the funeral, as released by organizers, is the fist of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with the words, "We will rise." So,
that really is the messaging.
You know, they had four months of a very difficult war against the U.S. and Israel. And before that, they also had these widespread protests aimed at
regime change internally.
So, they're saying very clearly, you know, we came out of a very difficult six months and we've come out stronger than ever. We were not toppled and
the Islamic Republic continues.
So, over the next six days, we're going to see that message over and over again portrayed through religious symbolism as well as political symbolism.
And this really is a hallmark of the Islamic Republic's key messaging that we've seen over the last 47 plus years.
Most importantly, though, what everyone's going to be watching besides that messaging is whether we see the Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He hasn't
been seen since he took over as a supreme leader. And it's going to be really important internally specifically that people get a view of him to
see the continuation of the Islamic Republic at a very key time.
Because we're very much closing the door on one era of the Islamic Republic and opening the door to a new era where we're already seeing a very
distinct difference from what came before.
So, a lot of messaging, a lot of symbolism, which again is a hallmark of this government. And we're going to be looking out for Mojtaba Khamenei.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: All right. Coming up, the hunt is underway as authorities identify their main suspect in the Monaco bombing. Details, next.
And Venezuela's earthquake death, the toll keeps climbing, amid growing concerns of the government's disaster response. Those details ahead and the
latest on the rescue efforts.
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MACFARLANE: Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, says the death toll from the twin earthquakes has climbed to nearly 2,600 people.
Venezuela's government is facing questions about its earthquake response and the official death toll. Rodriguez denies accusations that the
government's response was slow amid the tragedy. We saw a remarkable rescue yesterday.
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(CHEERING)
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MACFARLANE: Emergency crews pulling a survivor from the rubble eight days after the quake struck.
Isa Soares spoke with one of the rescuers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was really moving seeing Hernan Gil being pulled out of the rubble. A convoy of rescue workers were carrying him on
both sides of his stretchers, and then the rest created a pathway, of course, after looking after him for something like eight days.
And then the look on his face, he was dazed but alert. This was something out of a blockbuster movie, and everyone here could sense it, could feel
it.
(CHEERING)
Because with applause, and there was a lot, by the way, also came relief. After so many days, of course, of loss right here in Venezuela.
For a moment, just imagine being Hernan stuck under piles, tons of rubble, unable to move, and in pitch black for days.
I was really struck by the herculean effort from teams from all over the world, who for days taking turns were delicately cutting through the
cement, trying to get him out. And this was, by the way, an incredibly complex operation.
Hernan was the security guard at this parking lot here on level minus two, when the earthquake shook Venezuela. He was in his little cabin. I was told
by a rescue worker that he probably was sitting on his chair because they found him under the chair.
But that little cabin, imagine that, created an air pocket, and that kept him safe. They kept him alive by giving him fluids, by giving him
electrolytes, even baby food through a tube.
And while this was all happening outside, his wife waited, day and night, to be able to hug her husband.
I can't help but mention this little nugget that was shared with me by a Portuguese rescue worker, who, in the early days of the rescue, really
bonded with Hernan over football. Have a listen to this.
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ARMANDO MARIA, PORTUGUESE RESCUE WORKER (through text translation): We identified ourselves as a rescue team, as usual. And I told him that I'm
from Portugal. I told him my name is Armando Maria. And that I was there to help him, when almost immediately, he yelled, "Cristiano Ronaldo."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Personally, after days reporting on so much loss and misery here in Venezuela, Hernan's rescue really moved, not just me, in fact, but my
entire team.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: Such an incredible story there, Isa Soares.
And for more information about how you can help the earthquake victims, please go to cnn.com/impact.
[12:20:02]
Now, authorities in Monaco say the main suspect in Monday's bomb attack is a Ukrainian woman who disguised herself as a man. The attack injured a
Ukrainian born business woman, as well as a woman and a child.
The bombing has shaken the small city-state of Monaco, where violence is extremely rare, as Nick Paton Walsh explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: An extraordinary development in the bombing in Monaco that injured a Ukrainian
millionaire.
CCTV images had suggested the prime suspect for police was indeed a man, but they have ascertained. They are now, in fact, looking for a woman. She
was in disguise and they've named her as Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian national.
Now, the detail of this investigation is fascinating. They looked at CCTV images in the days ahead and spotted what looked like the prime suspect, a
man in a hat and a hoodie, around the area, looking at the door of the residence where the bomb was left and hit Vadym Iermolaiev, Ukrainian
millionaire, and a woman and child in his company.
The same person conducted two separate recce missions to look at that door. But on the third day, the day before the explosion, a woman conducted
exactly the same path, leading to police to believe that indeed, the man in disguise was, in fact, the -- the woman as well.
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MORGAN RAYMOND, DEPUTY MONACO PROSECUTOR (through translator): It was then noted that on June 28th, 2026, the only day for which no observations had
been made by the individual wearing the baseball cap, a woman followed the same route around the site of the explosion.
Her route was the same as that of the individual wearing the baseball cap, and her behavior was similar when she was near the site of the explosion.
This led to the conclusion that this woman, who had dark brown hair, was heavy set and had a prominent tattoo on her right arm, might be the same
person who had planted the explosive device.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALSH: Now, they've retraced her steps. They believe she's resident in Germany. That she took a hire car from Germany into Monaco. And, of course,
now, she's a subject of a Europe-wide manhunt, a Ukrainian national herself.
They consider the device to have been relatively sophisticated. And it was carried in a shopping bag, seen on the CCTV in the days ahead as well.
So, it was left there and then detonated by a remote. The police say it was a homemade device. And they are looking, perhaps, to see if there were any
other perpetrators that assisted Ms. Berezovska, and indeed, who ordered that particular attack.
Why? It's still unclear as to why Mr. Iermolaiev was the target. He -- he has no obvious links to the war in Ukraine, but this extraordinary attack
has rattled the otherwise tranquil and wealthy world of Monaco, but now a swift police investigation has led to this interpol Red Notice, seeking one
particular female suspect.
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: Oh, we're joined now by Philip Ingram, a journalist and former senior British intelligence and security officer. Philip, thank you so much
for joining us.
As Nick was saying there, I mean, the details of this case are genuinely fascinating. But I just want to begin, Philip, by sort of leading off from
what the prosecutors have said here in this case, which they say points to quite a sophisticated operation, you know, from the explosive device used
to the number of people potentially involved.
What does that indicate to you about who might be responsible for this attack?
PHILIP INGRAM, FORMER SENIOR BRITISH INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY OFFICER: Well, there's three -- potentially three people responsible, three
organizations responsible for this attack. One could be the Ukrainian government, because, you know, this millionaire was someone who had
renounced his Ukrainian citizenship and had fallen out with Zelenskyy.
He had sided with Vladimir Putin, but in recent weeks he had criticized Vladimir Putin. So Putin doesn't take criticism well at all. And it could
have been him that has ordered this, what seems on the surface of a professional assassination.
But then again, we've got the old scorned wife, because I understand from the reporting that he was in this apartment with his mistress and their
child. And, of course, his wife would have had the wherewithal to get organized crime gangs to come and carry out a similar sort of attack.
They'll all use the same sort of modus operandi.
MACFARLANE: Yes. And it was, of course, emerged later on that it was not, in fact, his wife that he was with at the time of the attack, as you point
out.
So an Interpol Red Notice --
INGRAM: Correct.
MACFARLANE: -- has now been issued for the suspect who is still at large.
Should we make anything of the fact that the idea of the attacker, the identification was determined this quickly? Is that unusual?
INGRAM: It shows a level of sophistication in the investigation. So, it's quite clear the authorities will put an awful lot of efforts into this. But
given the basic mistakes that the would-be assassin has made, and, you know, the ability to analyze, you know, not just facial recognition, but
also the way someone moves their body and all the rest of, it -- it's fairly straightforward to put this sort of thing together.
[12:25:19]
And I think the assassin who will have thought that she was a professional, those that hired her will have thought that she was a professional, was
clearly not as professional as they all thought she was.
MACFARLANE: Interesting. And so, as I mentioned this Red Notice being issued, how will police now go about tracking her, given it's believed she
picked up a hire car and is driven to Italy and then on to Germany from where she came?
INGRAM: Well, now that her identity is out, you know, there's almost certainly associated with that identity, her biometrics. And moving around
at some stage she's going to have to go through some form of passport control or somewhere else.
They've got her official identity, so that can be used against public space CCTV cameras in all of the countries that have signed up to Interpol.
And again, if she goes through, you know, any form of border control where she has to give any form of identity, that is scanned for your facial
recognition, often fingerprints and other biometric details. And therefore, she'll be easy to -- to pick up.
It's only a matter of time, I think, before she gets arrested.
MACFARLANE: All right. Well, Philip, it remains a fascinating case in a, you know, a very high-profile --
INGRAM: It is.
MACFARLANE: -- Monaco, sort of, you know, area -- area of Monaco. Appreciate your thoughts on this, Philip. Thank you.
INGRAM: My pleasure.
MACFARLANE: OK. Coming up, just three more spots for the Round of 16 are up for grabs. Those final matches are just hours away now. We have our
predictions, up next.
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[12:30:09]
MACFARLANE: Welcome back to "One World." I'm Christina Macfarlane.
And the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 wraps up today before attention turns to the last 16.
Switzerland made it through with a two-nil victory over Algeria in Vancouver. The Swiss will face the winner of today's Colombia-Ghana match.
And there was plenty of drama when Portugal clashed with Croatia. The match came alive in the second half when the Croats took the lead. But superstar
captain Cristiano Ronaldo equalized for Portugal from the penalty spot. And then in injury time came the winning goal for Portugal before Croatia
thought they'd equalized only for it to be ruled out by VAR.
And that then sets up a big match between Spain and Portugal on Monday. Christ, what a cracker. Spain lurking to look it easy as they cruise to a
three-nil win over Austria.
And today, we'll find out which of these six countries will complete the line-up the Round of 16 and who will be heading home. Cape Verde have
already made it much farther than anyone expected, but remain the ultimate underdogs facing the defending champions, Argentina.
Let's bring back Don with all the action. So, Don, what do you reckon? Cape Verde -- Cape Verde, can they stun Messi and Argentina?
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: My goodness. I mean, surely not, right? Surely not. But the way this competition has gone, I mean, I think you'd be
foolish to try and predict anything.
I mean, it's -- it's an absolute dream fixture. I mean, we all know about Argentina and Lionel Messi, defending champions. Messi playing in his sixth
World Cup tournament hoping to defend the title.
Cape Verde are just an extraordinary story. This tiny African nation of barely half a million people making their World Cup debut. I don't think
many people thought they'd make it out of their group but they did hugely well. Remember, they drew their first game against European champion Spain
and everybody was like, oh, hello. Something could be up here. And they've just kept this run going. It is just an extraordinary fairy tale.
And we will see what happens next against Argentina, but I mean, even the Argentina coach recognizes that we're at a point in the competition where
kind of anything's possible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIONEL SCALONI, ARGENTINA COACH (through translator): The margin for error is smaller now. This is a match where whoever loses, goes home. We're aware
of that, of course, but we're coming into it at a good moment. And this is football. We already know that we've been seeing very evenly matched games
with the exception of a few such as France's matches or even Mexico's, which I think they won very convincingly.
There have been others that were very tightly contested. And I think it's not going to be easy. That's the reality.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIDDELL: So, some really interesting games coming up later on as well. The next one up is in, well, about 90 minutes time, it's Egypt against
Australia. This is Egypt's first ever knockout game in the World Cup.
Question marks over the fitness and availability of their megastar, Mohamed Salah. He has been carrying an injury but hopefully he can play in that
game.
And everybody is still talking about this extraordinary match last night, Christina, that you referenced between Croatia and Portugal.
I'll do my best to try and explain why this didn't finish in a two-all draw and head into extra time because Croatia thought they had scored through
Josko Gvardiol. But we can show you a graphic that FIFA put up or rather an image. And this hopefully will explain why the goal was deemed to be
offside.
You can see that Mario Pasalic is standing in an offside position, but he's only in an offside position because Igor Matanovic, who you can see rising
to head the ball made contact.
And at the time, it seemed as though he hadn't made contact because it was so fleeting, it was so glancing. The ball didn't seem to change direction
at all, but the little bar at the bottom shows that spike. And that's because FIFA now has extraordinary technology. They have microchips in the
ball.
And that tech confirmed that some kind of contact had been made and that is why the player was in the offside position and that is why the goal was
disallowed.
But I mean the technology now that -- that FIFA are using is -- is quite extraordinary. You have to draw a line somewhere, but that line is getting
thinner and thinner and thinner to the point where it's almost microscopic. And that's the way it goes.
But, Christina, I can tell you, the -- the Portugal team and the Portugal coach, they -- they weren't too worried about it. They were celebrating.
Cristiano Ronaldo who scored earlier in that game going out onto the balcony to celebrate with hundreds and hundreds of Portugal fans in
Toronto.
Great scenes. They play Spain next.
[12:35:00]
MACFARLANE: Yes. And as you said, Don, earlier his first I think goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup --
RIDDELL: Ever.
MACFARLANE: -- are certainly a good moment for him, if -- you know, bad moment for Croatia. Always great to see the crowds turn out, isn't it?
Don Riddell, thank you. We'll look ahead to those matches in the next hour.
Now ,wedding bells are ringing or maybe that's just the sound of New York traffic. At Madison Square Garden, where sources say pop icon, Taylor
Swift, and NFL star, Travis Kelce, have kicked off their wedding celebrations.
Just moments ago, a large white tent went up outside the venue's entrance along with a privacy curtain large enough to accommodate SUVs.
Sources tell CNN, the highly anticipated event is set to be an extravagant affair with around a thousand guests expected to attend.
Brynn Gingras is outside Madison Square Garden now.
So, the white tent has gone up as we were just reporting there, Brynn. Are you seeing anything else at this stage?
BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No. You know, the whole morning, Christina, we actually saw a ton of vendors going into the area
that is closed off to pretty much everyone.
And then might be -- you might be able to see this tent behind me now. It's a little bit difficult to see because we're in pretty much gridlock here
around Madison Square Garden, as you can imagine, as streets are being closed off, as you get closer to the start of this event.
Now, what we have our eyes peeled for, well, that is the guess. We expect about 500 tinted windows SUVs to arrive for the festivities later today,
the expected wedding of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
And it's very likely that they're going to be traveling sort of in this direction on 34th Street where we're standing into that area where that
white tent is. And that tent was erected because we believe that's where guests will arrive, be able to drive into that tent. No one will be able to
get pictures of them and they'll be able to walk right into the festivities.
Now, the itinerary for today, we're hearing that the -- there'll be like a cocktail hour to start around 4:00, 4:30 and then there'll be some sort of
wedding taking place on the floor of Madison Square Garden Arena.
Of course, this doesn't look like what it did a few weeks ago when the Knicks were playing. This allegedly has been transformed into a glamorous
garden type party with chandeliers and drapings. We've seen branches and gazebos all being brought in throughout the last few days, so I am sure it
looks incredible.
And after that, any good party would have it, some dinner and dancing likely and expected to last into the early morning hours of July 4th.
So, quite an exciting event. We are getting closer. And you can feel it as people are walking by taking a lot of pictures.
But as I said, we have our eyes trained for all of those SUVs the likely guests that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce coming to celebrate with them.
MACFARLANE: Yes. And that rumored A-list, including Stevie Nicks and singer Tim McGraw. We'll wait to see if you get a glimpse of any of it, Brynn.
Appreciate the update though. Thank you.
And as we've reported, extreme heat is threatening to keep turnout low for the July 4th celebrations in Washington, D.C. But President Trump still
plans to speak and kick off a massive fireworks show.
CNN's Kaitlan Collins reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is what the president has deemed the Great American State Fair.
But for a president who often fixates on crowd size, so far, the fair on Washington's National Mall, hasn't exactly lived up to the hype.
COLLINS: I'm standing here on the National Mall, which is the site of President Trump's Great American State Fair. And as this is in place ahead
of America's 250th anniversary that is coming up on July 4th, maybe nowhere better exemplifies how politics have been injected into so many of the
events celebrating America's 250th.
COLLINS (voice-over): For America's 200th celebration, thousands of Americans flocked to the National Mall to celebrate in 1976.
Planning for the 250th got underway nearly a decade ago. But perhaps, no level of preparation could have predicted a president who would take the
celebration into his own hands.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When you had a rigged election, I was really angry about it. Then I realized if I win the next
time, I pick up the Olympics, the World Cup, and the 250. And I said, you know what, Pam? I said, "This is a good thing."
COLLINS (voice-over): In 2016, Congress created America250, a bipartisan commission that began working on what was supposed to be an apolitical
celebration.
REP. BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN (D-NJ): We were focused on what does America250 mean? What are we going to do? How are we going to recognize the greatness
of our country?
COLLINS (voice-over): But once Trump took office, in January 2025, he took over the programming.
TRUMP: We have created a new public-private partnership. It's called Freedom 250.
COLLINS (voice-over): Democratic Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who has served on the America250 campaign for seven years, says Trump upended
their plans.
[12:40:00]
WATSON COLEMAN: Freedom 250 is his vanity project, and the things that he is trying to implement, they're all about him. And it is because,
unfortunately, the president has an insatiable ego. And so, he has denigrated the essence of the celebration.
Well, it doesn't seem to be well-attended. It just looks very sedate to me.
COLLINS (voice-over): While the 250th may not be what the commission originally planned, it's also not turning out how Trump expected either.
After most of the original performers dropped out, due to politics, a concert featuring Vanilla Ice was also canceled due to bad weather.
Then, amid a heat wave in Washington, several of the indoor stalls at the fair had to shutter their doors to guests when their A.C.s stopped working.
COLLINS: You'll notice here, there are several booths per states; Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee.
Potato chips are good.
With each item representing what their state brings to the nation, but there are other states that actually haven't shown up at all.
Now, some have cited finances as a reason for not being here, but others, including Pennsylvania, where the state's governor said, he just simply
thought it was too political for his state to get involved, and blamed the Trump-aligned non-profit that has been battling it out with other groups to
organize all the events leading up to July 4th.
Now, President Trump told people that it would be the greatest show on earth at the National Mall on July 4th. He told his supporters, your
favorite president will be speaking, so please show up.
COLLINS: What they will find here on these grounds are not just the different stalls representing each state in the nation, or at least those
that decided to participate, but also, this replica of the arch that President Trump once built here in Washington.
It's been part of that major renovation project that he's done, not just to the White House, but also to the larger D.C. area, attempting to rename the
Kennedy Center after himself, and installing this arch, though I'm not sure exactly this is the replica that the president had in mind.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You want frozen one?
COLLINS: Now, amid reports that some states were declining to participate in the Great American State Fair, or that it was sparsely-populated,
President Trump seemed to defend the entire organization of it ahead of July 4th.
He wrote on Truth Social and said, "Do you think people appreciate what a fantastic job we did in building and operating the Great American State
Fair at the National Mall? Packed with happy people and everybody loving it?
The president told people to ask if Obama or Joe Biden could have done this, and he said, in all-caps, quote, "THE ANSWER IS NO."
COLLINS (voice-over): Now, Trump is planning a grand finale air show and enough fireworks to break a Guinness World Record.
But it remains to be seen if the heat, tightened security measures, and fireworks that won't start before 10:30 P.M. will produce the turnout the
president is hoping for.
TRUMP: On July 4th, it's going to be approximately 107 degrees out, and I'm going to go and I'm going to make a really long speech. Just to show that I
can do anything.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: Goodness me. Wow. Extreme heat, political divisions will keep our fingers crossed for this weekend.
And we'll be back with more after this quick break. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:45:44]
MACFARLANE: This week, we're meeting some of Africa's new storytellers shaping the continents' creative future.
Today, we're with Triggerfish, a world-leading animation company from Cape Town, opening doors for African talent, and taking African stories to
screens around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At one of Europe's biggest animation festivals, African storytellers are taking center stage.
STUART FORT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TRIGGERFISH ANIMATION: In this last 10 years, has really been focused on becoming a platform for African
creativity on the global stage.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Based in Cape Town, Triggerfish has worked with global partners, including Netflix, Disney, and the BBC.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm Stick Man. That's me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But alongside producing its own films and series, the company has also invested in developing talent across Africa.
CARINA LUECKE, DIRECTOR, TRIGGERFISH FOUNDATION: You can't work without talent, you know. And what we have seen, you know, there are so many
stories, but obviously, there's a lack of opportunities for the talent to tell their stories.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tshepo, come and join me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For writer and director, Tshepo Moche, one opportunity changed everything.
TSHEPO MOCHE, WRITER AND DIRECTOR: I started off in live action. And then kind of was looking for something a little bit more, and a callout from
Netflix who were doing their first African animation series.
They did a callout looking for an all-female African writers room. So, I applied and I got the job. And that kind of snowballed my animation career
in particular.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For others, representation came along before they entered the industry. It started with seeing someone who looked like them
on screen.
NADDYA ADHIAMBO, WRITER AND DIRECTOR: The first time I remember seeing myself reflected in animation was Disney's "Hercules."
The moment the music came on the screen, I remember my brain chemistry shifting. I was like, what? What is this?
There were these beautiful black women who were so powerful and they were carrying the story. That was their role in the film.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Now, creators like Naddya and Kenya's Voline Ogutu want the next generation to grow up seeing African stories created from
African perspectives.
VOLINE OGUTU, WRITER AND DIRECTOR: It's very important that we have African representation behind the camera. Because I feel like we understand our
stories more than anyone else can understand them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But one obstacle remains.
LUECKE: The biggest barrier is access to finance and investments, I would say. Because also, in order to study animation, the tuition fees are quite
high.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yet, optimism remains. Africa is the world's youngest continent with hundreds of millions of young people eager to see their own
lives reflected on screen.
MOCHE: This is that place where representation really does count. So, the more places we are, the more of us who are in those positions already
moving in those ways and creating more of that. I'm optimistic. I am very hopeful.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And as more African creators find global audiences, they're proving that the continent's creative future isn't just full of
potential, it's already taking shape.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:50:25]
MACFARLANE: A powerful space observatory that studies the most powerful explosions in the universe needs a boost of its own before it plunges into
Earth's atmosphere and burns up.
Ashley Strickland has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ASHLEY STRICKLAND, CNN SPACE AND SCIENCE WRITER (voice-over): An American startup has partnered with NASA in a race against time to save one of
NASA's oldest working spacecraft.
More than 20 years ago, NASA launched The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory containing multiple telescopes to study gamma ray bursts, the most powerful
explosions in the universe.
After decades circling the earth, providing invaluable research, the observatory is now rapidly dropping altitude and is expected to sink into
Earth's atmosphere later this year, unless it can be reversed.
GHONHEE LEE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, KATALYST SPACE TECHNOLOGIES: From a technological perspective, we've finally gotten to this point where we
don't just have to throw away a $500 million asset as it burns up.
We've gotten to the point where we have robotics, maneuverability, autonomy, to where we can actually make different decisions that were not
available even five years ago, say, hey, we would really like to keep this spacecraft, the Swift, alive for another few years. Let's see what we can
do.
STRICKLAND (voice-over): LINK is a robotic servicing satellite created by Katalyst Space Technologies.
In early July, a Stargazer jet flew over the Pacific Ocean and launched a Pegasus rocket carrying LINK to bring it close to Swift.
Over several months, the robotic spacecraft will grab Swift and bring it into a higher safer orbit. But without any recent data or photos of the
Swift spacecraft, the mission is extra tricky. Katalyst engineers have been using a testing area called "The Void" with a model of Swift and LINK,
along with a computer simulation of the mission to plan it out exactly.
CHANDLER CASEY, GUNS NAVIGATION CONTROL ENGINEER, KATALYST SPACE TECHNOLOGIES: The hardest part is just kind of that uncertainty there,
especially as you get close. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult technical operation to be able to grab something so far away just through
semi-autonomous cameras and robotic systems.
STRICKLAND (voice-over): NASA says they could have allowed Swift to burn up in the atmosphere, but saw this as an opportunity to demonstrate future
space exploration capabilities and save Swift.
LEE: Our goal is to have hundreds of robotic spacecraft, just like this one, up in orbit, that are constantly maneuvering between low earth orbit
and the moon, building things, moving things, and that's something that NASA, as well as other parts of the government, can take advantage of to
buy things as a service rather than having to re-invent the wheel each time.
STRICKLAND (voice-over): Ashley Strickland, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: Now, the lion sleeps tonight, according to a famous song. But on Sunday night, into Monday morning, fans of the three lions will be well
up past their bedtime.
Pubs in England and Wales have been given the green light to stay open until 5:00 A.M. local time. The match against Mexico starts at 1:00 A.M.
England supporters will be hoping to repeat scenes like these when the national team beat the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this week.
Mexico, though, will prove a tougher challenge. In the last time England were at the Azteca Stadium in the World Cup, Diego Maradona produced his
infamous Hand of God moment. But that England side, of course, didn't have a certain Harry Kane, so we shall see.
And the Fourth of July tradition will continue at Coney Island, New York tomorrow. The annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest will see Joey
Chestnut defend his title. Contestants try to eat as many hot dogs as they can in 10 minutes.
[12:55:07]
Chestnut has won 17, golly, of the past 20 Nathan's contest. Last year, he ate 70 and a half hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Yuck. That was enough to
capture the Mustard Belt. The prize for eating the most hot dogs.
So, how many can you eat? I certainly will never do that. I just don't get it, but then I am British.
And that does it for me. I'm Christina Macfarlane. Thank you so much for watching. Stay tuned for "Amanpour" up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
