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Connect the World

Russia Making Small Gains in Key Eastern City of Lysychansk; U.S. Delegation in Venezuela Fails to Secure Release; CNN Speaks to Kosovo's President about Bid to Join NATO; China Declares an end to "Chaos" of the Past; Answer the Call to Protect the Earth; Violence Against Women in the Arab World. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired July 01, 2022 - 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)

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN, Abu Dhabi. This is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, this hour after weeks of diplomatic activity all eyes now focus back on the battlefield in Russia's

war on Ukraine. I'm Becky Anderson. Hello and welcome back to "Connect the World".

Just a day after abandoning its Snake Island outpost in the Black Sea Russia is making its presence felt nearby. Ukrainian officials say Russian

missiles slammed into a town in the coastal Odessa region overnight they struck an apartment building and recreation center killing at least 20

people. And this is all happening far from the Donbas where Russia has concentrated most of its efforts.

A local military official there says Russia now controls part of an important oil refinery in Lysychansk that's a key city in that Luhansk

region. You can see there on the map. CNN's Scott McLean, following all of this for us from Kyiv and let's start with these strikes on Odessa. Just

explain for our viewers, if you will where Odessa is and why it is so important, seemingly to Russia.

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Becky, yes, so the Odessa region is on the southern coast of Ukraine, it's the last remaining bit of coastline

that the Russians don't control that would connect Russia with Transnistria, which is something that the Russians have talked about doing

that breakaway region of Moldova.

These particular strikes hit a village or a small town called - the significance of that space in particular, is not abundantly clear,

especially considering that local officials insist that there were no military targets in that area. Instead, they hit a nine storey apartment

building a recreation center and then a third missile struck in a field.

Whether those were the intended targets? We don't know what we do know is that the missile was an older model from the Soviet era not quite as

accurate as the newer varieties but still reasonably accurate. So again, not clear what the actual targets are.

If Russia wanted to really control Ukraine's economy are really choke off Ukraine's economy taking the Odessa region would be a pretty good way to do

that. That's because of course, there's an enormously important port there.

Ukrainians you mentioned, just managed to retake Snake Island, which allows them to have better control over the civilian shipping lanes in that area.

So the Russians don't have that at their disposal anymore. And so far, they haven't been able to reach Odessa by land, due partly to the fact that the

Ukrainians have been putting up one heck of a resistance around Mykolaiv.

They also have some natural barriers that are helping them as well, some rivers some inlets in that area that have really made it difficult for the

Russians to get anywhere close to Odessa. So instead, as we've seen, they have resorted to lobbing missiles in that direction instead, Becky?

ANDERSON: Yes. Scott, these developments in Odessa of course, as you rightly pointed out, come after Russian troops evacuated from that small

but strategic Black Sea Island of Snake Island. Just explain, if you will, what the significance of that move is?

MCLEAN: Yes, so it's a win for Ukraine as one of the biggest things. It is certainly a morale boost. The Ukrainians have really struggled to hold the

line in the eastern part of the country in Lysychansk but now they've managed to take back Snake Island.

It is a seemingly insignificant chunk of land, but it's obviously militarily significant because it allows Russia to have a launch pad

directly less than 100 miles from Odessa. It's economically important as I mentioned, because it allows the Ukrainians now to control the civilian

shipping lanes in that area, but more than anything for the Ukrainians, it is symbolically important.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MCLEAN (voice over): In the battle for Ukraine's Eastern Donbas region, the Ukrainians are losing ground slowly; the Russians continued to bombard the

city of Lysychansk, making escape for those who remain extremely difficult or even impossible.

[11:05:00]

MCLEAN (voice over): Farther west, the search for bodies that have bombed out shopping mall in Kremenchuk seems equally hopeless, as people lay

flowers for those found dead, and those who may never be found at all.

But Ukraine can claim one victory on Snake Island, the rocky outcrop in the Black Sea near Odessa, now back in Ukrainian control, thanks to an

overnight artillery assault that forced the Russian occupiers to flee.

NATALIA HUMENYUK, SPOKESPERSON, UKRAINIAN MILITARY'S SOUTHERN COMMAND: The Russians truly understood that they had to do the right thing, gathered

their things and got out as soon as they could.

MCLEAN (voice over): The Ukrainian military released this video showing recent strikes in its weeks' long campaign to take back the island. New

satellite images show the scars of war left behind, but no Russians. Russia claims it withdrew from the outpost as a goodwill gesture to Ukraine.

IGOR KONASHENKOV, RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON: This solution will prevent Kyiv from speculating on an impending food crisis, citing the

inability to export grain due to Russia's total control of the northwestern part of the Black Sea.

MCLEAN (voice over): In response, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister tweeted that the Russians always downplay their defeats this way; partner should

not be weary of providing Ukraine with more heavy weapons so that we liberate more of our lands.

Snake Island has played an outsized role in the war, from the very first day when a Russian warship ordered Ukrainian troops stationed there to

surrender and got this response. Since then, that defiant response has been immortalized in a postage stamp, reprinted on every kind of souvenir, and

is still a source of national pride.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We will never give up you know, like never ever like you know, they think the people from like Snake Island they knew this is

like a fight. They cannot win, right? But they were still like you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It would be great if the next Russian goodwill gesture would be Putin shooting himself in his bunker.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCLEAN: Becky, I just wanted to briefly explain where exactly I am. So this bridge used to span the Irpin River which divides the City of Kyiv on that

side to its northwestern suburbs on the other side, this bridge isn't going to get rebuilt anytime soon. It's one of many up and down this river that

were destroyed as the Russians were approaching.

But if you look over here, they've got a temporary span that's in place and there was a heck of a lot of traffic that's moving along it. We came out

here to the suburb of - to see how life was getting on. And it is surprisingly lively.

It looks exactly like you'd imagine it too it looks like a natural disaster came through here it looks like you'd expect a warzone too. Many of the

houses are still very much destroyed barely anything is untouched at all. And yet people are coming back. And they're living in living there

regardless of the state of their apartment.

Obviously, some areas, houses apartments are completely unlivable. But others, broken windows, you know, busted out walls, holes in the ceiling,

people are patching them, people are using the resources at their disposal to patch things up and to get back in there.

And many of the people say, look, I could have gone to Poland. I could have gone to Germany, but I chose to come back here because at the end of the

day, this piece of land. This is home, Becky.

ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely the reality of living through what is the legacy at this point of this Russian aggression? Scott, thank you and more

@cnn.com or on your CNN app. Well in Moscow, the American pro basketball player detained since February had her first trial hearing earlier today.

Brittney Griner appeared in court as the prosecutor announced the charges she is accused of smuggling cannabis oil in her luggage. Russian

authorities have extended her detention for six months while the trial proceeds.

U.S. officials say Griner is being wrongfully detained and are calling for her release. The Kremlin says her case is not politically motivated. Well,

Brittney Griner's wife is urging U.S. President Joe Biden to make an exchange deal with Moscow.

Right now Cherelle Griner doesn't think U.S. officials are doing enough to bring BG as she calls her home. She also spoke with CNN's Abby Phillip and

what is an exclusive interview here is some of that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Do you trust that the maximum amount of effort is being put forward to bring BG home?

CHERELLE GRINER, WIFE OF DETAINED WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER: No, I don't and. I hate to say that because I do trust that they are - the persons

working on this are very genuine people that I do believe. But I don't think the maximum amount of effort is being done because again the rhetoric

and the actions don't match.

[11:10:00]

GRINER: You know when you have a situation where BG can call our government, the Embassy 11 Dons. And that phone call don't get answered,

you don't have my address at that point until I see actions that are in BG's best interest. It would have been in her best interest for her phone

calls have been answered, it would be in her best interest for her to be back on U.S. soil. So until I see things like that, no.

PHILLIP: I know that you've had some conversations with the Secretary of State and with other officials, but you want to talk to President Biden,

right?

GRINER: Absolutely. And the reason why is because I'm new to this, you know, so I don't, I'm no politician, I just graduated law school. So I can

only, you know, I can only do those things that are being told are beneficial for my life.

And the most beneficial thing that I've been told is that, you know, you meet with President Biden, you know, he has that power, he is the person

you know, that ultimately will make that decision for BG to come home.

And so while everybody else wants to tell me they care, I would love for him to tell me he cares.

PHILLIP: What do you want to tell him? If you were to sit in front of him, what would you say, speaking directly to her?

GRINER: Well, the first thing is, I want to humanize my life to him, you know, BG she's no politician, she honestly, you know, didn't really get

into this type of stuff. When it comes to voting, and all of that until, you know, we got married, and obviously, I'm very, very, very big on, you

know, voting and all of, you know, the legal processes and stuff in our system.

And so, this was our first year of voting, you know, so his ballot was my wife's first time.

PHILLIP: She voted for President Barack.

GRINER: She did, you know, she made that conscious decision to trust in him and his administration.

PHILLIP: There's talk of prisoner swaps being the thing that needs to happen is that what do you think should be done? Do you think that the

administration should say we will swap who you want for Brittany, bring her home?

GRINER: To be very honest with you, I don't really listen too much of the talk about the how and measures of you know what is necessary to get her

home, but if that's what's necessary, then yes do it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Cherelle Griner speaking to Abby Phillip, while today Griner's lawyers said they are unaware of any plans to exchange her for a Russian

prisoner held in the U.S.

Griner's next court appearance is scheduled for July the seventh. Well, she isn't the only American detained abroad. There are many others holding

places far from home like Venezuela, for example. The U.S. State Department says it is pressing for the immediate release of at least eight Americans

currently known to be wrongfully detained there.

U.S. delegation visiting the capital Caracas this week couldn't get them released. Keep in mind, the U.S. does not recognize Nicolas Maduro as

Venezuela's legitimate leader. Well, let's get you to the State Department where CNN's U.S. Security Correspondent Kylie Atwood is standing by. And

what do we know about those detained in Venezuela at this point?

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, well, there are eight Americans who are wrongfully detained in Venezuela right now. And as you

said, this trip by U.S. officials to Venezuela this week wasn't able to secure the release of any of those Americans.

But U.S. officials did say there was some progress on the trip, they were able to meet with those Americans, they were also able to meet with Maduro

officials to discuss the matter.

But it's very clear as these officials described this trip that Venezuela and the United States just aren't there yet on securing some sort of deal,

some sort of plan to get these Americans home.

But we should note that just last month, one of those Americans, Matthew Keith, who's been detained in Venezuela for about two years now committed

suicide. So the pressure on these Americans who are detained who don't know when they're going to get out of the country is tremendous.

And that situation just demonstrates it. But we should also note that it's not just Venezuela. It's not just Russia. It's not just Iran, but all

around the world. There are Americans who are wrongfully detained according to the James Foley foundation. There are 62 American hostages and Americans

wrongfully detained and that's just the number that we know in the public space. There are also families who haven't come out and talked about their

cases.

But we are watching right now as an increasing number of these families are trying to get public attention on their cases as we have seen, of course,

with Brittney Griner with Cherelle Griner doing that interview with Abby Phillip, because they do believe that putting pressure, putting a fire to

the feet of the Biden Administration could be something that urges them to really act even more swiftly to get these Americans home.

[11:15:00]

ANDERSON: Whether we, whether or not we, whether officials are prepared to admit it or not, what we're talking about here is the politics of hostage

taking, isn't it? Again, you were reporting there that it's other places, including Iran, for example, what do we know about those held in Tehran?

ATWOOD: Well, just this week, an American Iranian, who has been held there, wrote an Op-ed in the New York Times Becky. And he discussed just what

great lengths he was going to what challenging situation he was putting himself in; by writing in The New York Times and telling his story that he

has been detained in Iran.

He is concerned about when he's going to get out. He has been left there; his name is Siamak Namazi for a number of years, while other Americans have

come out of the country.

And you're right that this does get kind of involved in the U.S. relations with that country. And right now, when the Biden Administration is in talks

to revive the Iran nuclear deal, and those talks are going nowhere, Siamak Namazi and his family are concerned that his detention is also going to go

nowhere.

And so it is a really messy, complicated situation for these families who are told, listen, your situation is separate from any other dealings that

we have with X, Y or Z country.

But they recognize that the two are inherently tied together. And so that is where it gets really challenging for them as they try to stay out of the

politics, but they realize that their family, their loved one situation is really tied up in the politics of the U.S. relation with whatever country

is holding them.

ANDERSON: So it was a pleasure, Kylie, thank you. We've covered the plight of the Americans held in Iran at length on this show, particularly the case

of Siamak Namazi and his father, Baquer.

Siamak has been jailed for nearly seven years from the infamous Evin Prison. As Kylie reported he penned an Op-ed for the New York Times

appealing for the U.S. president to secure their release.

In part he said Mr. Biden, I implore you to put the lives of innocent American detainees above Washington politics, and make the tough decisions

necessary to free all of us immediately.

While political backlash is inevitable, the prolonged suffering and potential deaths of hostages are not. It is hard to imagine my now 85 year

old father surviving the wait for another opportunity.

Well, Journalist Jason Rezaian is another dual citizen who was of course held in Iran for nearly a year and a half. He believes both Griner and

American detainees, Paul Whelan in Russia have spent a considerable amount of time in solitary confinement, have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JASON REZAIAN, WASHINGTON POST JOURNALIST: Their mental health is definitely suffering as is the mental health of all of these other

Americans who are being held against their will simply because their citizens, the United States of America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: As I said, we have covered this story extensively. And we will continue to do so. Recently, I took a closer look at the United States

response and in some cases, lack thereof in trying to get these people back home.

Do have a look at the blog and that's at cnn.com/connects to check that reporting out and speaking of closer looks, three women, three different

countries all suffering the same fate just days apart.

I'll be diving into the topic of femicide late in the south, particularly in this region of the Middle East. Do stay with me for that. Plus Europe's

youngest democracy is aspiring to join both NATO and the EU as Russia's war in Ukraine rages.

We'll speak to the President of Kosovo about where things stand on both fronts. And to have crucial stories from across this region delivered

straight to your inbox you can sign up for.

Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter@cnn.com today's edition tells you what you need to know for example, about the new Israeli caretaker Prime

Minister Yair Lipid. We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:20:00]

ANDERSON: NATO held its most important summit in decades this week. If you're a regular viewer of this show, you will have seen our reporting of

it. This of course in the shadow of Russia's war on Ukraine, the leaders in Madrid making decisions that will in NATO's words, transform and strengthen

the alliance and that includes expansion with Sweden and Finland set to join the bloc.

The two countries are ending decades of neutrality, NATO sending a clear signal to Russia that it is growing and it is united in its efforts to back

Ukraine. The NATO Secretary General spoke to CNN about what came out of this summit. Have a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JENS STOLTENBERG, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: They are ready to stand by Ukraine to provide support to Ukraine for as long as it takes. I think

these meetings are important just to convey that message to reinforce the message and to support each other knowing that this of course also have

consequences and for us and that we are paying a price for this war.

But the price we are paying is something you can measure in money. The price the Ukrainians are paying is something you measure in lives; they're

paying with their lives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Well, Kosovo knows the high price of war. Thousands of people died in the late 1990s in the war between Serb forces and Kosovo, Albanian

rebels. Just three days after Russia invaded Ukraine, Kosovo requested accelerated membership in NATO.

The horrors of war in very recent memory the country's president can relate closely to Ukraine's situation. And the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani

joins us now live from Kosovo's capital Pristina; it's good to have you.

Thank you for joining us. Kosovo has been waiting for NATO membership for some years now. Why? Why is it so important for your country?

VJOSA OSMANI, KOSOVAN PRESIDENT: It is not just important for my country. I believe that in the wake of the events unfolding after the Russian invasion

of Ukraine, everyone understands that to be in NATO means to be safe.

So practically the main reason that the people of Kosovo and our vision as institutional leaders of Kosovo are moving towards making Kosovo a member

of NATO is because of safety and security, but also because we don't see NATO simply as a military machine.

But we see NATO as a value based system. Back in 1999 NATO nations NATO Allies did not stand still, while the people of Kosovo were being oppressed

and were at the same time being victims of genocide by the militia rich forces.

And of course, 1999 is an example of how when the world stands together, and when democracy stand together, you can actually lead a people towards

freedom and independence.

So NATO represents the values which are so fundamental that are at the very fabric of our society. And as I said, it also means safety and security for

this part of the world that has suffered so much because of dictatorships and - regimes that were led by Serbia.

[11:25:00]

ANDERSON: Earlier this year, you wrote to U.S. President Joe Biden, as I understand it to ask for his support in Kosovo's bid to join NATO. What was

his response? And how optimistic are you that Washington has Kosovo's back.

OSMANI: We are absolutely optimistic that Washington has Kosovo's back because Washington has always had Kosovo's back. In early 90s, in 1999,

during the war, right after the war in our very resilient path towards building freedom and independence and even nowadays, when Kosovo is

strengthening its statehood, and its bids for international memberships.

We have already heard public statements by U.S. officials that they will be supporting our bid to initially join Partnership for Peace, which is kind

of an initial step towards NATO, and at the same time work with us to strengthen our army based on NATO standards.

Obviously, we do understand that decisions within NATO are taking with unanimity and four countries out of the 30 allies in NATO have not

recognized our independence yet. But we are working.

And so, is the U.S. helping us out in this regard to make sure that we convince all partners that NATO will only be stronger with countries like

Kosovo, who believe in the same values and who want to contribute.

Now 23 years after the war, we want to give back to the world which is why we have adopted sanctions against Russia immediately after the invasion of

Ukraine. We have opened up for Ukrainian refugees so that we can help out to those who need we are sheltering Ukrainian journalists.

We are, you know, deploying forces together with the United States all around the world, so that we can give back and we can contribute not just

the peace, security and stability in the Balkans, but also beyond.

ANDERSON: Its Spain, Greece, Romania, and Slovakia, all NATO members who do not recognize Kosovo, and of course, Kosovo, not a member of the EU either,

but you have said that it plans to formally apply to join the EU by the end of this year.

Now German Chancellor Olaf Schultz a few weeks ago said that both Kosovo and Serbia could only become EU members, if they recognize each other as

independent states. Is that likely from your perspective?

OSMANI: Obviously, mutual recognition is the centerpiece of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. And the sooner Serbia comes to its senses and

understands that Kosovo's independence and serenity is an irreversible reality, the better for them, and the better for our bilateral relations,

as well as for peace and stability, long term peace and stability for the entire region.

So I do hope that Serbia will break away and deal with its past but most importantly, break away from the Milosevic legacy. And understand that we

can only move together as a region towards the European Union, once mutual recognition with Kosovo happens, obviously, we're doing everything.

And we're giving our best to make sure that this happens as soon as possible. But we do understand that as a merit based process the EU

enlargement process can take, can take years, but as Kosovo, we have never looked elsewhere.

Our Euro Atlantic integration is the only path that we have chosen and never looked elsewhere. And we don't believe in the notion that Serbia

moves kind of forward with where they try to walk both on the Moscow path as well as the EU path, you obviously can't walk on two paths at once.

So when it comes to NATO, obviously four members have not recognized this yet. But I believe that right now, in the wake of what's going on with

Ukraine and understanding what is Russia's aim towards Europe as a whole, but especially towards the Western Balkans, which Putin talk so much about,

we need to look at the enlargement perspective for Kosovo and Bosnia Herzegovina, also from a security lens from a security point of view.

ANDERSON: Understand.

OSMANI: Whereas for the European Union, now that they've invited Ukraine and Moldova, this is a great message also for the Western Balkans, that

they're looking at enlargement as the geostrategic initiative as well.

ANDERSON: And I want to get to that point, and I need you to be quite brief on the answer if you don't mind. This is absolutely fascinating.

OSMANI: Absolutely.

ANDERSON: Look, there have been questions raised about just how difficult this application for EU membership process is. Do you, I mean, these

countries have been involved in this since it was in Balkans countries have been involved since the early 2000s in trying to get this membership.

Do you believe in EU lodgment needs to be redefined? Or certainly the approach needs to be reorganized at this point?

OSMANI: Yes, and I believe the EU is already doing that, because with a decision on Ukraine and Moldova, they've put the geostrategic decision

making process as the priority. So while the bureaucratic path is important the merit based process is important. The criteria are important.

[11:30:00]

OSMANI: We should never forget that it's the values the fundamental values of the European Union that should give direction to everything.

We have proven years ago, Ukraine is proving nowadays, that we were ready and Ukraine is now ready to put our lives on the front line in order to

defend the values for which the EU stands, which is why, do we belong there, and I hope the EU will let us in.

ANDERSON: Alright, with that, we have to leave it there. It's been good having you and your perspective is really important, and we really

appreciate it. Thank you.

OSMANI: Thank you, Becky.

ANDERSON: Ahead on the show, the Chinese president makes Beijing's ambitions heard as Hong Kong marks 25 years since its handover. We'll tell

you what he said at the inauguration of the city's new handpicked leader and why it's significant.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well as Hong Kong marks 25 years since its handover from Britain to China, Beijing declares that this is a new era an end to what it calls

chaos in the city.

To mark the occasion Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the city and spoke at the inauguration of its new chief executive a man handpicked by

Beijing by the name of John Lee.

Mr. Xi emphasized the importance of the One Country Two Systems policy, but declared that Hong Kong cannot afford to be destabilized. Well, after the

ceremony, state media reports Mr. Xi and his wife departed from Mainland of China. Ivan Watson has more on the visit.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Flag waving children greet China's President on his first trip outside Mainland

China since the start of the pandemic. Xi Jinping arriving by train to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from British to

Chinese rule.

Over the past few years Hong Kong has withstood one severe test after another and overcome one risk and challenge after another. After weathering

the storms Hong Kong has emerged from the ashes with vigorous vitality.

Xi's storming metaphor matched by the typhoon roiling Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor. The Chinese authorities are declaring a new era for this former

British colony and an end to what they describe as the chaos of the past.

The city has certainly changed since the last time the Chinese leader visiting. Five years ago tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators

marched peacefully through the streets.

[11:35:00]

WATSON (on camera): You can't see anything like this in any other city. In China, you have a diversity of opinion. For instance, people dressed up as

zombies here, protesting about long working hours.

WATSON (voice over): But this year, there was no annual pro-democracy March. In fact, Hong Kong's once ubiquitous street demonstrations have been

banned for two years. Part of a crackdown on dissent that's left most of the city's political opposition leaders in jail or in exile with

independent news outlets targeted by police and closed.

Western governments accused Beijing of breaking its promise to ensure 50 years of freedoms in Hong Kong.

BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: On the 25th anniversary of the handover, we simply cannot avoid the fact that for some time now, Beijing

has been failing to comply with its obligations. It's a state of affairs that threatens both the rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers and the

continued progress and prosperity of their home.

WATSON (voice over): But in the Chinese President's view order has been restored. Xi congratulated John Lee, the former police officer, who's now

been inaugurated as Beijing's handpicked leader here. But no handshakes between these socially distance officials.

The Chinese President is firmly committed to his zero COVID policy. Beijing may have crushed Hong Kong's independent spirit, but authorities are having

less luck stopping a fresh COVID outbreak.

Maybe that's why on his first visit in five years, the Chinese president didn't spend the night in Hong Kong, and instead commuted back and forth

from Mainland China. Ivan Watson, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Well staying in the region for the fourth day power shortage warnings have been issued for parts of Tokyo. Officials urged households

and businesses to go dark on Thursday to conserve electricity.

Amid a surge of demand because of a heat wave, which is causing strain on the power grid and unexpected power plant shutdown has also affected

millions it's Tokyo's hottest June since records began.

Temperatures topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit or around 38 degrees Celsius. Before ending its current term, the Supreme Court in the U.S. delivered a

ruling which limits the administration's power to regulate carbon emissions from existing U.S. power plants and a clear blow to the fight against

climate change and a defeat for the Biden Administration's efforts to slash emissions and amid growing concerns about global warming.

Sources tell CNN the agency will still take steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in spite of the ruling. Gavin Newsom, Governor

of the country's most populous state weighed in on the decision.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GAVIN NEWSOM, CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR: You don't believe in climate change. You got to believe your own eyes come to California the extremes extreme

weather, extreme heat, extreme drought and of course the ravages of the wildfires.

The idea that the U.S. Supreme Court moved to take away one of the most significant and historically powerful tools to address the ravages of

climate change is incomprehensible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Gavin Newsom, there in LA or in California, certainly. Coming up, animal Crossings in Banff National Park are preventing 80 percent of

collisions between wildlife and cars. That report is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:40:00]

ANDERSON: Here's a pop quiz for you. How do you help wildlife cross one of the world's longest roads? This is our "Call to Earth" series well we've

been looking at how to protect migration pathways for animals. Here's what happens if one of nature's highways runs into a major man made one, have a

look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice over): This is Canada's oldest national park visited by more than 4 million people every year for its amazing mountains

and breathtaking natural beauty. But there is a scar running through it. Trans-Canada Highway.

JODI HILTY, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF SCIENTIST, Y2Y: It's the biggest highway in Canada and it goes from coast to coast. And here in this valley, it happens

to cut a national park and half.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice over): This and other roads in the region make it almost impossible for animals trying to move through their territory. But

despite the risks, they will keep trying.

HILTY: It represents a real barrier for all sorts of different wildlife from big wildlife like grizzly bears and wolves to smaller wildlife that

really over the long term need to be connected across this valley in order to sustain their genetics, find the resources they need and maintain

healthy populations.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice over): Jody Hilty is President and Chief Scientists of Y2Y, a conservation initiative out to expand habitat from

Yellowstone to the Yukon.

HILTY: The vision is about connecting and protecting this region from Wyoming all the way up to the Arctic Circle in the Yukon, so that both

people and nature can thrive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice over): Preventing road collisions is a number one priority maintaining wildlife connectivity.

HILTY: The Trans-Canada Highway today has about 22,000 cars per day. And so for wildlife that are looking to get across this highway, they either

approach or turn around because it's just too scary with all those cars, or they approach and often get hit on that Friday.

So and for humans, it can be a disaster who wants to have an elk land in your lap when you're going 110 kilometers an hour.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice over): But disaster can be averted in the form of wildlife crossing bridges like this one. And underpasses too, can offer a

lifeline.

HILTY: Today there are 117 crossing structures. This new overpass outside of Can more will be the 118th structure.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice over): Fencing along the side of the road follows animals towards the crossing.

HILTY: It's not something that we put it up tomorrow and the next day wildlife are using them but it's something that takes a little bit of time.

You actually see for some animals like grizzly bears, they're teaching their young where these structures are.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice over): A few miles away a wildlife ecologist for parks Canada's making sure animals are finding their way to the safety of

the crossings. Jessie Whittington is checking footage from a camera trap.

JESSIE WHITTINGTON, WILDLIFE ECOLOGIST, BANFF NATIONAL PARK: There's never know what you're going to find. Wolf that would just detect it on his

camera can easily be at our nearest underpass in 20 minutes and I'll be curious to see if this animal shows up there. We've been monitoring

wildlife use of these wildlife crossing structures since 1996. So in that time we've documented over 187,000 wildlife crossings, that's a sign that

means crossing structures were.

[11:45:00]

WHITTINGTON: It has reduced wildlife mortality by 96 percent for elk and deer and over 80 percent for carnivores like wolves and grizzly bears. So,

not only did these animals live the increased conductivity throughout the landscape.

HILTY: We need to get to a point where when roads become busier, it becomes part of normal societal practice that we create safe passage for wildlife

across roads.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Look out for our half hour show on protecting nature's highways. That's this weekend and it includes the story of those Animal Crossings in

Canada and many more.

Let us know what you are doing to answer the call with the #calltoearth, we'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: A statistic for you. One in three women experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. That is according to the

latest data from the World Health Organization.

Depressing isn't it and gets this; most women will have been victim to this before the age of 24. In this region of the Middle East where I am, nearly

one in five women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner within the last 12

months according to the WTO's latest data.

It's an epidemic of gender based violence that often remains a secret. But every so often a series of tragedies bring this into public view tragedies

like three separate incidents that have captured recent headlines here.

And I must warn you what you are about to hear and what I am about to share with you may be distressing for some. Let's take a closer look. This is

Naira Ashraf; she was a 21 year old Egyptian woman studying at Egypt's Mansoura University.

She wants to be a flight attendant on June the 20th. This viral video surfaced the faces are blurred out of respect for the families and because

it's too graphic. What it shows is Naira being stabbed to death outside her university in broad daylight with several people nearby.

Her family's lawyer confirmed those details to CNN. Her father told CNN the suspect had asked to marry his daughter several times, but was refused.

Naira's father had to file for a restraining audio in April.

And despite her clear lack of interest, he said the man continued to stalk her allegedly creating fake accounts to follow her on social media. Naira

did not want to get married; her father told us she was focused on following her career that was a choice.

She is a woman, as a human should be free to make of course. But she was denied that choice. A week later the suspect was sentenced to death by an

Egyptian court, her Egyptian law, the verdict can still be appealed.

[11:50:00]

ANDERSON: This is Iman Rasheed. She was a Jordanian woman studying at Jordan's Applied Science Private University. Just three days after Naira

was killed outside her university, Imam was shot and killed inside hers according to Jordan's public security Directorate.

Authorities announced the identity of the person who killed her but have yet to announce an alleged motive. This video published by Jordan state

media shows the moment he ran away from the crime scene.

A few days later, security forces identified him as a day - managed to track him down. But before they could take him in, he killed himself. This

is her father the day he found out his daughter was murdered.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IMAN RASHEED'S FATHER: What's in my heart is why did he kill her? She hasn't done anything. I take her to and from the university every day. This

is cruelty. This is injustice on me and her. What has she done? For what reason was the girl murdered?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: You can see the confusion, the despair, the hopelessness so visible on his face. And to round out what was a week from hell, another

tragedy took place. This is Lubna Mansur, a Jordanian woman in her 20s living in the emirate of Sharjah not too far from where I am in Abu Dhabi.

A day after Iman Rasheed was killed, Lubna was found stabbed to death in her car. After reviewing CCTV footage, Sharjah Police say she was attacked

by a man inside her vehicle, which then fled the scene with her in the car? The accused killer was found and arrested at a nearby beach two hours later

where police say he confessed to committing the crime.

Police say the suspect described having personal differences with the victim. But in an interview with CNN, Lubna's sister said that the man was

in fact Lubna's husband who killed her days before she was set to win a divorce case that she had filed against him.

Police have not confirmed that account to CNN saying they cannot share further details at this stage of the investigation. They did however

confirm that the suspect and Lubna knew each other.

So there you have it, three ghastly killings that have shocked the Arab world. And they are not likely to be the only ones. Photos of the three

women have been shared widely on social media with hash tags of their names trending across Arab countries.

And while most people pay tribute to their losses, there are those who were happy to lay the blame on the victims. Here's what a former TV host in

Egypt said, after Naira's killing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MABROUK ATTEYA, FORMER TV HOST: Women and Girls should cover up to stop men from killing them and dress loosely to stop the temptation. If you feel

like your life is precious, leave the house completely covered up to stop those wanting you from slaughtering you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Wow, a troubling sense of entitlement reflecting some of society's narrow minded views on women and the choices they choose to make

in life. Now these crimes are in no way unique to the Middle East.

They happen all over the world all the time. But they also should not be treated as isolated incidents. The killing of these three women represents

a dangerous cultural narrative that not only discriminates against women, but further normalizes gender based violence as a whole.

It exposes the injustice that women are subjected to in the absence of proper legal framework or even social awareness that could confront

misogynistic mindsets. Naira's family says they had alerted Egyptian authorities to the risks posed by her killer months before her death and

yet the system had failed her. Listen to one of the Heads of the university in Jordan where Iman Rasheed was killed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AHMAD AL-AJILOUNI, VICE PRESIDENT, DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED CHEMICAL SCIENCES: Let me tell you something. I think the issue that happened at the Applied

Sciences University is a very simple issue. Because in America, every day somebody enters a high school and slaughters 20 people. So I think it's a

simple issue. We tend to make problems seem bigger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Of course, these men do not represent all of society, but they do represent a prevailing endemic in society that needs to be addressed. Dubai

based illustrator - created these portraits of Naira, Iman and Lubna after their killings.

[11:55:00]

ANDERSON: And she told CNN she wanted to pay tribute to them and ensure that they were "Remembered for the beautiful strong souls that they were

not just nameless victims of violence against women".

Folks, I warned you at the beginning of this segment that it might be distressing, but it is so important. These are not statistics. These are

human beings. A very good evening from the team working with me here in Abu Dhabi and those working with me around the world, wherever you are

watching, I hope you have a good night.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END