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Multimillionaire Facing Sex Trafficking Charges; House Speaker Calls on Labor Secretary to Resign over Epstein Case; France Sends Top Envoy to Try to Diffuse Iran Crisis; EU Calls on around to Stop and Reverse Moves Expert Deal; Trump Escalates Attack on U.K. Headmaster to Washington; U.S. and Taliban Trying to Reach Agreement; Saudi Princess on Trial in France over Alleged Beating; Serena Williams Outlasts Alison Riske in Three Sets; Coco Gauff Talks Fairytale Run. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired July 09, 2019 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOEFFREY S. BERMAN, U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK: While the charge, conduct is from a number of years ago, it is still
profoundly important to the many alleged victims now young women.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Wealthy multimillionaire, past friend of presidents and registered sex offender, now Jeffrey Epstein is facing
charges of sex trafficking minors and the allegations keep coming.
Plus, disinvited. President Trump holds a dinner with the Emir of Qatar. Calling it a who's who of people in business. The British ambassador, Kim
Darroch off the list. The latest for you.
Hello and welcome, you're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I am Becky Anderson live for you from our Middle Eastern broadcasting hub here in Abu Dhabi.
While the newest case against U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein charged Monday with operating a sex trafficking ring. Could take down others around him.
U.S. President Donald Trump's Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta facing calls to resign. He cut a plea deal with Epstein back in 2008 when he was facing
similar allegations involving 36 underage victims. Critics say that deal was far too lenient. Well as U.S. prosecutors build their case against
Epstein, they say even more alleged victims have come forward in just the last few days.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: While the charge conduct is from a number of years ago, it is still profoundly important to many alleged victims, now young women. They
deserve their day in court. We are proud to be standing up for them by bringing this indictment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Epstein has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. CNN's Brynn Gingras takes a closer look at a scandal swirling around U.S.
politics in the top levels.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Growing calls this morning for President Trump's Labor Secretary, Alexander Acosta to step
down over his handling of sex abuse allegations against multimillionaire, Jeffrey Epstein, when Acosta was U.S. attorney for Florida's southern
district a decade ago. A newly unsealed indictment charges the hedge fund manager with operating a sex trafficking ring where he is accused of
sexually abusing dozens of underage girls in his New York City home. Epstein pled not guilty to all charges Monday.
BERMAN: As alleged, Epstein was well aware that many of his victims were minors and not surprisingly, many of the underage girls that Epstein
allegedly victimized were particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
GINGRAS: According to the New York indictment, Epstein ran a trafficking enterprise between 2002 and 2005. The 66-year-old allegedly paid hundreds
of dollars in cash to girls as young as 14 years old to have sex with him at his homes in New York and Palm Beach, Florida. Prosecutors say a search
warrant executed on his Manhattan townhouse uncovered a vast trove of lewd photographs of young-looking women or girls.
The indictment a direct rebuke of a secret non-prosecution agreement Acosta negotiated with Epstein's high-power attorneys in 2008 which suspended a
federal grand jury investigation into allegations against him. In exchange, Epstein pleaded guilty to two state prostitution charges. "The
Miami Herald" called it a deal of a lifetime, considering it was a federal investigation identifying 36 underage victims. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
is now calling now Acosta's resignation saying that deal was unconscionable. Attorney General Barr recused himself from that
investigation. But now the Justice Department is looking at whether he needs to recuse himself from any other investigation into the case.
WILLIAM BARR, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: I am recused from that matter because one of the law firms that represented Epstein long ago was a firm that I
subsequently joined a period of time.
GINGRAS: Prosecutors calling for other women to step forward.
BERMAN: The alleged behavior shocks the conscience. They deserve their day in court. We are proud to be standing up for them by bringing this
indictment.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Brynn Gingras reporting there. There are quite a few strands to tie together here on this. Let's dive further into this with attorney and
CNN legal analyst , Areva Martin. Who is live for you tonight from Los Angeles. Jeffrey Epstein, multimillionaire, money manager, friend to many
very well-known politicians, lawyers, celebrities, royals, accused of paying underage girls for massages that became sex acts and of paying some
of the same girls to recruit new victims.
[11:05:05] If this all sounds very familiar to our viewers, it is. He pled guilty to similar charges and did time back in 2007. What is going on
here?
AREVA MARTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, it's really important to know, Becky, that what he pled guilty to back in 2008 were really minor
prostitution charges under state law. He did not plead guilty to the federal sex trafficking claim made against him in this new indictment. And
this is the New York prosecutors, federal prosecutors saying we are not bound by that agreement that was reached between those Florida federal
prosecutors in 2008 and Epstein and his attorneys. That agreement according to these federal prosecutors in New York has no relevance to the
case they now are bringing against Epstein.
And federal law with respect to sex trafficking eliminated any statute of limitations. So the federal prosecutors in New York are able to go back
and look at those women, those victims that came forward and made allegations from that time period 2002 to 2005 and now bring those federal
sex trafficking charges against Epstein in a New York federal court that's different from those that were pled guilty to back in Florida in 2008.
ANDERSON: He pleads not guilty to these current charges. Prosecutors revealed that more potential victims have come forward since Epstein's
arrest. Just how significant is that?
MARTIN: Incredibly significant. What we already know is that the sex trafficking charges that that have already been brought against Epstein,
they carry very serious penalties. Up to 45 years in prison, and given someone of his age, obviously, that would be life in prison if he is
convicted and gets a harsher sentence. But this new evidence that was taken from his Manhattan apartment can lead to additional charges. And
also the prosecutors in the press conference yesterday made it very clear that they want additional victims -- if there are additional victims -- to
come forward and to tell their story. So this investigation is ongoing and it would not be unlikely if there are additional charges brought against
Epstein.
ANDERSON: He has a bevy of well-known friends. In an interview with "New York" magazine back in 2002, the now President, Donald Trump, spoke about
his relationship with Epstein. And I quote, I've known Jeff 15 years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes
beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it -- Jeffrey enjoys his social life.
Choice turn of a phrase that the President may now regret.
MARTIN: Oh, absolutely. And I think the important point that you hit on, Becky, is his bevy of wealthy friends. And for those of us that have been
watching this case, it is because of his relationships, his relationships with very important people, very rich people in the United States that we
believe resulted in him getting this sweetheart deal.
An average defendant who was accused of sex trafficking, of luring young girls into his home under the guise of a massage and then engaging in sex
acts with him, those kinds of serious charges. We can't imagine anyone that isn't wealthy, that isn't politically connected walking away from
those very serious federal crimes without serving substantial jail time.
ANDERSON: Alex Acosta is the U.S. Labor Secretary and part of his duties to fight sex trafficking as Brynn's report outlined. He was involved back
in the day in the original proceedings against Epstein. Can he survive this?
MARTIN: I don't think so and I hope he doesn't survive it. It's unimaginable that someone who would cut a deal with a predator like Epstein
would be the person actually in charge of ensuring that young girls and young boys are not sex trafficked in this country. He has an incredible
responsibility to seek out predators like Epstein and to bring them to justice, to prosecute them to full extent of the law. And knowing that he
was involved, was at the head of the department that negotiated and entered into this sweetheart deal with Epstein is very unsettling for women and
should be unsettling for anyone. And that's why we have seen the Speaker of the House call for his resignation. We've seen other high-profile
members of the Congress calling for him to resign, and hopefully he does not survive this. He should not be in charge of an agency that governs sex
trafficking in the United States.
[11:10:00] ANDERSON: Areva Martin, a pleasure to have you on. Thank you.
MARTIN: Thank you, Becky.
ANDERSON: France now stepping up its efforts to try to defuse this escalating crisis with Iran. President Emmanuel Macron has sent his man --
this man -- to Tehran, diplomatic adviser, Emmanuel Bonne. Presidents Macron and Trump spoke on the phone about the meeting. That comes as a
U.N. watchdog confirms Iran is now enriching uranium beyond the levels allowed in the 2015 International Nuclear Treaty.
Well as the French work to de-escalate tensions, Europe appears to be on the back foot, caught between its commitments to the Iran Nuclear Deal and
a Trump administration ratcheting up pressure on Tehran. Let's bring in Nathalie Tocci. She's a special adviser to the EU's high representative
for foreign affairs. Joining us live from Rome. Europe caught between a rock and hard place in this, aren't they?
NATHALIE TOCCI, SPECIAL ADVISOR TO EU'S FEDERICA MOGHERINI: Well absolutely. Because of course as we know, the United States violated the
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action already a year and three months ago. And basically what we have is a situation whereby one party has not been
complying with the agreement and this has obviously created incentive on the other side, meaning the Iranian side, to do likewise.
Now what we have seen so far have basically been two sets basically of announcements by the Iranians. The first saying that they would increase
the amount -- the amounts basically of stockpile stored in Iran beyond the allowed 300 kilos. And now what we have seen is a second announcement
saying that they would increase level of enrichment from 3.67 percent, allowed in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Now both these sets of
inconsistencies so far do not amount to a breach of JCPOA, but they do certainly amount to an inconsistency with what the JCPOA had set out for
Iran to do.
ANDERSON: Right. And Iran have given Europe 60 days to get their act together on easing the sort of economic pressure the country is under or
they will breach for a third time. They would certainly increase the levels for a third time. Iran's Foreign Minister taking to Twitter, saying
it was Bolton and Netanyahu that killed the deal between the E3 and Iran in 2005 on zero enrichment, and now they're at it again. Trying to kill the
Iran Nuclear Deal. He says, killing deals will only lead to more enrichment. And warns the world should learn its lesson.
The problem here is as much as the U.S., the Europeans say are to blame in all this, having pulled out of the deal, those statements certainly from
Germany, from the U.K. and France are adamant that the Iranians must stop these threats at this point. One of France's top diplomats is in Iran
talking to the leaders there, to the leadership. What do you expect or hope can be achieved at this point?
TOCCI: I think what can be achieved is basically -- obviously ideally for the Iranians to move back to full a compliance with the agreement. But I
think the most important achievement is that of ensuring that there is not breach which basically signals that the Iranians are no longer committed to
the JCPOA. Now so far, an enrichment to 4.5 percent and an increase by a few tens of kilos more does not amount to that significant breach of an
agreement.
If for instance in 60 days' time the Iranians were to say we go up to 20 percent enrichment. That would basically mean that the Iranians would no
longer be committed to the JCPOA. So I think that the challenge now is that of persuading the Iranians to basically stick with the agreement. But
obviously, what the Iranians want to see from Europeans -- and mind you not only from Europeans -- I mean also from Russian and Chinese because let's
not forget that they are also signatories to the JCPOA. Therefore compliance with the agreement and economic benefits that were promised to
them under the agreement.
ANDERSON: Well at some point as you rightly point out, this all gets more than just symbolic. So the question is, what does happen next. I recently
spoke with a senior Emirati official about the situation. He told me the country's priority is to de-escalate tensions in the Gulf. When I asked
him about Mr. Zarif's call recently for a regional conference on all of this. He said, well we're a bit a ways away from that given the current
situation.
[11:15:00] But he said that the Europeans do need to be part of finding a solution. So I put it to you again. Just how difficult a position is
Europe in at this point?
TOCCI: Well it's obviously in a crucial and difficult position. Because on the one hand, as you know, the Europeans were basically, I mean, not
only the three European countries that signed the JCPOA but the European Union as such that essentially mediated the agreement, has seen and
continues to see in this agreement a key pillar. Not only for nonproliferation and security but basically for the international multi-
lateral system as a whole.
So basically at the moment, really what the priority for Europeans is, is that of ensuring that what they have proposed and formally agreed upon --
meaning a special purpose to allow for financial transactions between Iran, lawful financial transactions between Iran and the European Union to take
place. To actually deliver the first transactions between the European Union and Iran.
ANDERSON: Right. It would be such a low levels at this point. We're talking a few million dollars. We're not talking tens or hundreds of
millions of dollars --
TOCCI: You're absolutely right.
ANDERSON: That's just not good enough for the Iranians, is it?
TOCCI: Well, I would say that if actually there were to be concrete signals, small as they are, it would probably win us if not some more time.
I mean, this is, let's face it, a bit of a race against time. It's crystal clear. But if President Trump were to re-win the election in 2020 and if
his current policy toward Iran were to remain unchanged, it's very difficult to imagine that the current architecture of the Iran Deal could
actually be kept in place.
But the question really is can we do enough basically to ensure that there is not that significant breach on the Iranian side in response to a
significant breach on the U.S. side. So can we do enough to basically allow the JCPOA to survive. We're not talking about years. We're
basically talking months really. And that is the challenge, which is obviously a difficult challenge to meet, but it's certainly not an
impossible one.
ANDERSON: Nathalie, a pleasure having you on. Thank you.
Still ahead, there's no contingency clause that we know of in the special relationship between the U.S. and Britain. But for Donald Trump it appears
to depend on the people in power. We look at his escalating attacks on the U.K. Ambassador and on the Prime Minister. That's ahead. What's really
behind those diplomatic niceties. We'll get an inside look at the shadowy world behind the smiles from a veteran of the British diplomatic core.
That's all coming up. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:20:00] ANDERSON: You're watching CNN. This is CONNECT THE WORLD with me Becky Anderson. Welcome back. If you're just joining us, as ever you
are more than welcome.
It is one of the most enduring alliances in recent history. A special relationship forged between the closest of friends. But U.S. President
Donald Trump now appears to be attempting to tell Britain whose boss when it comes to bilateral diplomacy. He says he will no longer deal with the
U.K. Ambassador to Washington after leaked cables showed Kim Darroch called Mr. Trump inept and his White House chaotic.
In fact, Mr. Trump disinvited Darroch from a dinner with the Emir of Qatar last night -- who is currently in Washington. Today, new attacks.
President Trump slammed the ambassador -- U.K. Ambassador as wacky and very stupid. Even calling the British Prime Minister Theresa May foolish for
ignoring his advice on Brexit negotiations. And now we know Ambassador Darroch has decided not to attend a scheduled meeting today with Donald
Trump's daughter Ivanka.
Well let's go live to the White House where Mr. Trump is due to hold a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar next hour. And they will have an
awful lot to discuss, Abby, not the least roiling U.S., Iran relations and Qatar relations with and administration which hasn't been particularly
supportive of the tiny kingdom's ongoing feud with its neighbors. So lots of sort of diplomatic niceties we assume. That is very different to what's
going on with Donald Trump and the U.K. Ambassador in Washington at present. How do you explain or just describe exactly what the atmosphere
is here?
ABBY PHILLIP, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well it's clearly very tense. President Trump is taking this very, very personally, and he is lashing out
on social media against what he views as personal insults against him by the U.K. Ambassador.
Now this is a real change because for the last year or two, the White House has largely worked cooperatively with the U.S. representatives here in
Washington, with Theresa May's government, despite the President's well- known criticism of how she's handled Brexit. But in spite of that, you know, White House aides are typical guests at the U.K. Ambassador's
residence and U.K. Ambassador's home here in Washington. So it's a very common thing to see White House aides there.
But things have changed now that the President has made it clear he doesn't want to deal with Kim Darroch at all as a result of this. He's sending a
message not just to Theresa May about Darroch remaining in Washington but to her successor. That he thinks it is unacceptable that someone who has
said these types of things, even in private, should continue in a role here in Washington. So he's really putting pressure on whoever replaces Theresa
May to deal with this problem. And as you've seen, the White House is in a public fashion icing Kim Darroch out of events here in Washington. How
long that will go on we don't really know. But this is coming straight from the top. White House officials have made it clear this is President
Trump's true view of the situation. He is upset about it. He thinks it is unacceptable and he's not going to stop talking about it anytime soon.
ANDERSON: Abby, thank you for that. Tom Fletcher is a former British Ambassador to Lebanon. He served in numerous posts during his diplomatic
career and he's done a review of British diplomacy for the U.K. foreign office in 2016. He joins us now from London. What do you make of all of
this, Tom?
TOM FLETCHER, FORMER BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON: I mean, look, it's unpleasant and it's awkward. No one would have wanted this. There has
been a considerable escalation. I think a lot of people are working hard in the last 24, 48 hours to calm things down, to try to ride out the storm.
And unfortunately, didn't anticipate the tweets coming out of the White House.
ANDERSON: Let's just bring up that tweet again from Mr. Trump. And Abby pointing out, this is coming right from the top. This is coming from Mr.
Trump. Calling the U.K. ambassador wacky and a very stupid guy. And bringing up Brexit, saying he told Theresa May how to do that deal, but she
went her own foolish way. A disaster, he says.
Look, at this point we understand that President Trump is asserting that the United States won't deal with Ambassador Darroch again. That tweet
suggesting that the ambassador could be declared persona non grata and barred from the United States. Tom, do you think that could happen? And
if so, how would the U.K. respond?
FLETCHER: Well we're clearly breaking new ground here. You know, you got to remember that at the end of the day, Kim Darroch, who's a very
experienced, very professional, much admired diplomat.
[11:25:05] As your correspondent was saying, you know, who has great relationships through the U.S. system, has just delivered a fantastic state
visit for Donald Trump, despite the controversy around that invitation. You know, everyone had an interest in playing this down. He was doing his
job. This is what ambassadors do, they report back to their capital in a very candid, frank, honest way to the situation as they see it. And that's
why it's so unfortunate that President Trump -- who I guess has a thinner skin than most -- has chosen to escalate it in this way and create a
certain amount of pantomime and reality TV around a situation that should be handled much more diplomatically.
ANDERSON: Look, we're going to have a new Prime Minister because we will have a new leader of the Conservative Party in a couple weeks' time.
Likely -- there is a likelihood that that new Prime Minister is somebody that Donald Trump is likely to enjoy more than Theresa May. We know how he
feels about her. Will there be a change in the ambassador in Washington? I mean, is the U.K. going to bend to the whim of Donald Trump at this
point? How much damage is being done here?
FLETCHER: Well, I think the reaction of the President over the last 24 hours -- particularly the most recent tweets -- have actually put this in a
different category. We were in a situation where everybody wanted to just kind of right through it. And there were many people suggesting just keep
our heads down, stay calm, don't rise to the bait. But now there's become much more personal in this way. It crosses a number of serious lines, I
think. It undermines the special relationship with matter so much to the U.S. and the U.K. It's damaging also to wider diplomatic conventions to
have a president -- certainly of a very close ally -- reacting in this very personal, direct way.
And so I think it's is now about more than just the leaked emails. It's also about the dignity of the U.K. And I think that's why we've seen the
Prime Minister come out very firmly. Expressing twice over now, her spokesman and ministers in Parliament. They have full confidence in Kim
and his ability to do this job.
ANDERSON: I know you tend to get an inside track. You're pretty good behind the scenes. I mean, how are people feeling behind the scenes in the
U.K.?
FLETCHER: So I have been in London the last 24, 48 hours, and I've caught up with lots of people of course on this. And I think what you find at
very high levels, across the political divide, is a sense of frustration and exasperation actually. That this has escalated in this way. And real
genuine support for Kim Darroch, a guy doing his job. Doing it very effectively. And a hope that we can move beyond this period that the
relationship is resilient enough to withstand this kind of soap opera. But it's hard and people are frustrated.
ANDERSON: What of the leak? We don't know who leak this. We do know where it was leaked to. Again, how damaging behind the scenes is a leak of
this nature, given what you've said about how damaging, potentially damaging this could be. Look, if there was no Donald Trump at the end of
2020, you know, perhaps it's going to be all cleaned up. But there could be another four years of this administration, another five and a half years
of looking after this special relationship.
FLETCHER: So in normal circumstances, and with a different character, let's say a different personality type in the White House, it's much more
manageable. We've been in these situations before. Let's not forget, of course, there was a huge leak of American cables saying all sorts of
disadvantaging things about world leaders not long ago, which we all rode through. Because we recognized the nature of this communication.
More recently you had a leak of a telegram from Sir Kim's predecessor that said some very direct things about Barack Obama being an aloof personality.
Again, we were in a more sensible, rational period and all rode through it.
This is harder because of the nature of the President's response, and it does present another challenge, I think, which is about confidentiality of
communication between a capital and its ambassadors.
[11:30:00] And it's absolutely essential for ambassadors, whatever country they're from, to have the means to speak very candidly and confidentially
to the ministers and be confident that that won't leak. That is their job. And it's worrying for them if they have to somehow soften their language,
have to put all into familiar terms because of risk of leaking. And that is why people are so worried about this particular leak, and so determined
to find out who was responsible.
ANDERSON: Tom, always a pleasure, thank you, sir. Tom Fletcher in the U.K. for you today.
FLETCHER: Thank you, Becky.
ANDERSON: Coming up, an historic meeting. The Taliban sit down with people they call Western puppets. We'll tell you how that went after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: A quick reminder that the U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting the Emir of Qatar again at the White House next hour. Sheikh Tamim bin
Hamad Al Thani was a guest of honor at a special dinner last night. The White House says he and Mr. Trump will hold talks today, and then attend a
working lunch. While the U.S. is hosting the Emir of Qatar, Qatar itself is hosting peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban. Earlier, the
militant group held historic talks with representatives of Afghanistan including some government officials.
Now it is the first time the two sides have talked in the same room. CNN's Nick Payton Walsh watching those talks, joining us live from London. After
two days, Nick, their talks have concluded we are told with an agreement to keep talking and a pledge to minimize civilian casualties in the conflict
which means what exactly?
NICK PATON WALSH, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what's kind of new here is there have been talks in the past, what's new is that we have
after weeks of the Americans and Taliban talking separately, without necessarily pro-government Afghan officials in the room, talking about a
troop withdrawal, now we have pro-government Afghans and the Taliban sitting down together, in that kind of environment and agreeing a road map
for kind of a peace deal.
How that would go forwards, and as you say agreeing to take soft targets, civilian targets, scores of women and children off the table in terms of
conflict going forward. That's a key moment. Because if the two sides have always been jousting with each other as the U.S. continued to
prosecute this war. Now it's very obvious that the United States has its eyes on a slow draw down and some kind of deal with the Taliban.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he'd like to see it potentially in place by September 1st, and clearly those American-Taliban talks have gone
well enough about a timetable and more importantly the assurances the Taliban will give about not harboring terrorists in Afghanistan. Remember,
it was Al Qaeda that brought the U.S. there in the first place, that they decided to go to the next stage, and bring the pro-government Afghans into
the room with the Taliban.
[11:35:05] One important caveat here, the Taliban have been setting a lot of rules. And one of the key things was these pro-government Afghans
weren't going to attend officially but unofficially in a personal capacity. Nonetheless they got on well enough, that we think maybe there could be
maybe more talks in the weeks ahead. And certainly the Americans have gone back now to talk more details with the Taliban, Becky.
ANDERSON: Nick Payton Walsh on the story for you. He's in London, I'm in Abu Dhabi. This is CONNECT THE WORLD. I am Becky Anderson. Coming up,
the sister of the Saudi Crown Prince faces trial in Paris, what she's accused of is just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We take you to Paris where a Saudi princess goes on trial today with the alleged beating of a workman who was renovating her luxury
apartment. I'm talking about the sister of the Crown Prince, Mohammad Bin Salman. She is accused of ordering her bodyguard to carry out the attack
and she denies any wrongdoing and will not be in court. CNN's Melissa Bell with the details. She's live for you in Paris this evening -- Melissa.
MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT: Becky, that court audience is ongoing. The judge has been outlining precisely what Hassa bint Salman is
accused of by the plumber who had come to do work. And at the heart of the case, Becky, two very different versions of what went on. The plumber for
his part says that when he tried to take pictures of the room that he was meant to do his work on, he was attacked, tied up, made to kiss the
princess's feet, called a dog. Threatened with both rape and death and held for several hours, as well as beaten.
On the other hand, what we hear from the lawyers of the princess, is that in fact the plumber has been caught trying to capture on tape, he caught a
video of her, including one where she was wearing clothes that allowed her silhouette to be seen. That video was then captured. The mobile phone on
which it had been recorded destroyed, and the plumber was thrown out.
[11:40:00] In fact, a suit for defamation was filed on the very same day as the plumber's case was brought. So at the heart of this verdict, of
course, exactly what was on the phone and whether the plumber was -- as the princess' lawyer alleged -- trying to capture pictures of her that might
then have sold to the press, or indeed whether he was simply an unfortunate plumber who happened to by trying very innocently, Becky, to take pictures
of the work that he was planning to do, the room that he was planning to work on, and then got caught in this extraordinarily frightening scenario
that he describes where he was threatened.
We're waiting for that verdict. But of course, this is a trial that's taking place without presence of the princess. She has stayed away ever
since an arrest warrant was issued for her last year -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Melissa Bell is in Paris for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Time for PARTING SHOTS this evening. You may remember this guy, Snowball, the sulfur-crested cockatoo who flew to internet fame a decade
ago when he first revealed his dancing to the world. Now this bird is the word once again. A new study says Snowball may not be instinctively
tapping to the tempo but actually choreographing his own dances anticipating the beat and choosing the next move to make. Experts say the
discovery could show a lot more about cognitive ability of cockatoos than they imagined. Also perhaps, dancing ability. Snowball dances better than
a lot of people I know.
Tennis sensation Coco Gauff's first run at Wimbledon is of course over. But at the age of 15, she's likely to have many more Wimbledons in her
future, isn't she? Gauff captured the world's imagination with underdog wins over much more, much experienced players. And Monday's loss has
little to dim the spotlight. She had this message for fans earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COCO GAUFF, YOUNG TENNIS SENSATION: Honestly, biggest piece of advice I have, is just to always dream big, and don't let anyone limit your dreams
because the possibilities are endless. If you want to do it, if you can think it, then you can do it. You can dream it and you can do it. So
honestly, just keep working hard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: A lot more from that fantastic young lady and from Wimbledon as a whole on "WORLD SPORT." And the other side of what is a very short
break. From us though it is a very good evening from Abu Dhabi. "WORLD SPORT" after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHRISTINE MACFARLANE: Hi there. Welcome to CNN WORLD SPORT with me, Christina Macfarlane live from London.
[11:45:00] It's women's quarterfinal day at Wimbledon. And once again there is a familiar favorite leading the charge, Serena Williams, the
former Wimbledon champion is chasing her eighth title this week. And let's not forget a record equaling 24th grand slam as well, in the past few
hours, she has survived an incredibly tough test against the USA's Alison Riske. Who pushed her all the way on center court, the seven-time champion
losing the second set to her compatriot before, digging deep in the third to fight back and eventually win it, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
It means Williams is through to her 12th Wimbledon semifinal. And so too is former world number one Simona Halep who defeated China's Zhang Shuai in
straight sets earlier on court one. Halep, you'll remember, defeated Coco Gauff in round four on Monday, is now back in the final four at Wimbledon
for the first time since 2014. And as things stand Halep stand could be facing number eight seat Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.
Who is currently ahead 5-4 in the second set, you can see there, against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic. And after a strong start Britain's
Jo Konta has lost momentum, she's currently 6-5 against Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic. Well, the eventual winner of that game will Serena in
the semi-finals
Now it was a beautiful thing while it lasted. But in the end, these quarterfinals at Wimbledon were a step too far for 15-year-old Coco Gauff
who lost in straight sets Monday to Simona Halep. She looked so crest fallen after being unable to fight back and force a third set. But she
really shouldn't be too hard on herself. Gauff has captivated the tennis world the past ten days, proven she's a star of the future. And before she
headed back on the plane home to Florida, this morning CNN's "NEW DAY" spoke to Coco from Wimbledon to find out how she's feeling after that fairy
tale run and crucially what comes next for the phenomenal 15-year-old?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GAUFF: Definitely the best moment for me was winning the match against Venus. I mean you always dream of something and then when it actually
happens, you kind of don't believe it.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN, NEW DAY: Were you surprised?
GAUFF: Yes. I was surprised that I even got to play her, and definitely surprised when I won the match.
BERMAN: I want to play sound of what Venus' sister Serena has said about you, listen this.
SERENA WILLIAMS, 23 TIME MAJOR WINNER: I think there's some 15-year-olds like me who wouldn't know what to do at Wimbledon. And then you have a 15-
year-old like Coco who knows what to do. I think she's definitely on a different level.
BERMAN: A different level. Serena Williams says you're at a different level. How does that make you feel?
GAUFF: Oh, my goodness, that's really surprising and shocking when your idol says something -- even though that you exist, that's pretty crazy.
And Serena's so nice. I met her a couple times. And both of the Williams sisters have been very sweet to me and my family.
BERMAN: What do you think she means, a different level?
GAUFF: Honestly, I don't know, I guess maybe she means when she was 15, we weren't quite the same, but honestly, I really don't know. Serena is at
the highest level, she's always at top of her game. So from her saying that I'm at a different level is really surreal.
BERMAN: Are you pulling for Serena to win Wimbledon this time now that you're out?
GAUFF: Yes. Of course. If it is not me, I definitely 100 percent want it to be her.
BERMAN: So what's it been like for you over the last week and a half? You went from someone who may not have been well known outside the tennis
world, to now all of a sudden, a lot of people know who you are. What's that like?
GAUFF: It's been really crazy. I'm getting recognized in restaurants and on the street, and I never thought this would happen. I mean I kind of
dreamed of always playing Wimbledon and all the Grand Slams, but I never dreamed of people actually recognizing me across the world. It's just been
crazy.
BERMAN: So I have a couple of 12-year-olds, my co-anchors have got some teenagers as well. Do you have advice for our kids?
GAUFF: Honestly, biggest piece of advice I have, is just to always dream big and don't let anyone limit your dreams because the possibilities are
endless. If you want to do it, if you can think it, then you can do it. You can dream it. Then you can do it. So honestly, just keep working
hard. It won't come easy. And I know it will seem like impossible, but if you keep working hard, it will definitely happen.
BERMAN: You are one part of a sports phenomenon happening around the world over the last few days. The other thing that's happened, is U.S. World Cup
team just won. And this group of women has fought for more than just success on the field, they're fighting for equal pay. Have you had a
chance to see them play, or listen to what they're saying?
[11:50:00] GAUFF: Yes. Unfortunately in their final game, I didn't see whole the game, because I was practicing the same time as them. But I saw
the last couple minutes. And I was so happy for them. I mean those ladies have really fought their way. I hope that one day they can achieve equal
pay. Because as playing tennis, especially on the women's side, we're very deserving of equal pay. We get to be paid the same as men, I believe it
should be like that in every sport, not just tennis. So I hope that one day they can definitely achieve that and they absolutely deserve it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE; The inspirational Coco Gauff there. All right. Next, the slug fest to end all slugfests, why this year's Home Run Derby knocked it out of
the park.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: Welcome back. If you're missing the women's football action from France, don't worry because there is another World Cup approaching its
finale. It was end of May when ten teams started their quest to win one of cricket's biggest prizes. Only four countries still have a chance of
lifting the sport's World Cup. Thursday the host England will play Australia at Edgbaston. But bad weather in Manchester has halted the first
semifinal between former champions India and 2015 finalist New Zealand. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor both hit half centuries for New Zealand.
Black caps were 211 for 5 after 46.1 overs before the rain came down. And our Alex Thomas was there at Old Trafford.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALEX THOMAS, CNN WORLD SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Franky when the rain came it saved New Zealand from further embarrassment. Having won the coin toss,
they went at a snail's pace. Which is why they barely got over 200 runs when the weather intervened with only 23 balls of their inning still to go.
And surely that will not enough against India's mighty batting lineup led by opener Rohit Sharma who's enjoying a record-breaking tournament.
He has scored five centuries already in this World Cup alone. No one has done that before. In fact, three in a row for Rohit, and he'll desperate
to get on there and power his team to World Cup final. India will be very laid back by the rain delay. We can go on until 9:00 tonight local time
here in Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. There's even a reserve day set aside on Wednesday for the action to finish. But even if India
doesn't get through at least 20 opus and this match is called off, they will go through to the World Cup final not New Zealand, because they
finished above the Kiwis at the round robin stage. Alex Thomas, CNN, Old Trafford.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: Right, well, let's move on to some football news. In Paris St. Germain
sporting team director Leonardo says he is prepared to sell Neymar after the Brazilian star failed to show for pre-training on Monday. His absence
has reignited speculation about a possible move back to Barcelona after he joined the Parisians on a five-year deal for a record transfer fee of $247
million in 2017.
[11:55:06] PSG insists the 27-year-old is free to leave the club, but so far there have been no concrete offers on the table. Speaking on the
potential move, Leonardo said, Neymar can leave PSG if there's an offer that suits everyone. But to date we do not know if anyone wants to buy him
or at what price. All this is not done in a day, for sure. We have not received any offers but we have -- it's true -- very superficial contacts
with Barcelona.
Now baseball's biggest facts were on display Monday night. As the league held its annual Home Run Derby and this year's contest was quite the show.
Here's our Andy Scholes with more about how a player who hit the most home runs didn't win.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDY SHOLES, CNN SPORTS HOST: Back in 2015 they changed that Home Run Derby to bracket format. After each round, if you beat your opponent, you
are starting over the next round with zero home runs. And certainly was unfortunate for the Vlad Guerrero Junior. He's the 20-year-old son of Hall
of Famer, Vlad Guerrero who won the Derby in 2007, and Junior putting on an epic performance, he had 29 home runs in his first round match up to
advance. Then went up against the Dodger's Josh Peterson.
These two went to triple overtime to decide the matchup. Vlad Junior ended up winning 40-39. He ended up hitting 91 home runs but still lost. Vlad
Junior just running out of gas in the finals and Pete Alonso outlasting him 23-22 to take home the million-dollar prize.
PETE ALONSO, HOME RUN DERBY WINNER: I'm happy I didn't face him in earlier rounds, he probably would have knocked me out. I got to tip my cap. He is
a hell of a hitter, and he's going to have a really long career. It is unbelievable.
That was a blast. Oh my god. That was a blast. I am going to remember that for the rest of my life.
SHOLES: Alonso donating 10 percent of his winnings to the Wounded Warrior Project and to the 9/11 First Responders. And since Alonso won, the Mets
are now offering 80 percent off tickets in select sections for the rest of the season. That means, Christina, some tickets that were $57 before, the
Home Run Derby are now just 12 bucks. That's not doing so hot, see if that helps gets some fans in the seats.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: I am sure it will. Tickets for everyone. Our Andy Scholes there. That's it for this edition of WORLD SPORT. Thanks for joining us.
I'm Christina Macfarlane in London. The news is coming up next.
[12:00:00]
END