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Russia Announces Ceasefire in Ukraine for Orthodox Christmas; Benedict XVI Buried Following Funeral Mass; House to Return Next Hour amid Battle over Leadership; Afghanistan's Taliban: Eight Islamic Fighters Killed; U.S. Soccer Star's Mom says she Made Allegation against Men's Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter; Temperature Records Smashed Throughout Europe. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired January 05, 2023 - 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)

ELENI GIOKOS, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: I'm Eleni Giokos. Hello and welcome to "Connect the World". We're live in Dubai and we start with

breaking news of Russia's President ordering a temporary ceasefire to the war in Ukraine for Orthodox Christmas.

The Kremlin announcing the ceasefire last hour, it follows an appeal for a 36 hour truce by Patriarch Kirill the Head of the Orthodox Church in Moscow

to allow Orthodox Christians to attend services Friday and Saturday.

It is notable that Kirill has been a vocal supporter of Russia's war and is feuding over that starts with Pope Francis who calls it Russian

expansionism and imperialism. Scott McLean is back with us this hour from Kyiv.

And we've also got International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson, in London for us. Scott, I want to start with you. Patriarch Kirill spoke about this

ceasefire earlier for Orthodox Christmas. Putin the Kremlin now agreeing to it, we still haven't heard from the Ukrainians.

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Actually, Eleni I'm literally reading this for the first time it's literally come in Ukrainian response to this appeal

to have a ceasefire. The Kremlin agreeing to what Patriarch Kirill the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow had called for which is the

ceasefire beginning noon, tomorrow Christmas Eve in the Orthodox faith through the rest of Christmas day as well.

The Russians put out a statement essentially saying look the ball is in your court Ukraine and we're just getting the first response here. This is

from an Advisor to President Zelenskyy. His name is Mykhailo Podolyak he is commonly outspoken on many issues. And he said the Russian Orthodox Church

is not an authority for global orthodoxy and acts as a war propagandist.

The Russian Orthodox Church called for the genocide of Ukrainians incited mass murder and insists on even greater militarization of the Russian

Federation. So not exactly a direct response, not exactly a confirmation that the Ukrainians plan to go along with this but clearly, a lot of

cynicism coming from the Ukrainian side on this.

You can imagine how Ukrainian troops are feeling out there on the front lines having been told things that the Russians were going to do in the

past, and then the Russians not keeping their word. The Russians even before this war began, said they had no plans to invade Ukraine and look

where we are right now.

And so I think the Ukrainians are probably feeling pretty cynical about this offer, and that it's not a genuine offer, or that it won't be a

genuine ceasefire. So it's hard to imagine that the Ukrainians won't be on guard, even if they're not necessarily launching missiles across the other

side of the front line. But again, we're waiting to hear something a little bit more direct, a little bit more firm Eleni.

GIOKOS: Yes. We're waiting for more lines to come in. I want to bring in Nic Robertson, and clearly as Scott was explaining, there's mistrust,

because we've seen things fall apart in the past. What are you making of what the Russian Orthodox Church is saying Kremlin agreeing to the

ceasefire and the lines out of Ukraine?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, President Putin is the one that pulls all the strings in Russia. So there should be no

misapprehension that what the patriarchy is saying is what President Putin wants him to say it's Putin, who is under pressure at home. But this is an

unpopular war.

So anything that he can do to make it look like he really cares about the lives of his troops who are being sacrificed in huge numbers on his orders,

is something that is going to perhaps slightly alleviate some of the pressure on him back home.

So this looks good for President Putin. But let's not forget as well, Putin has huge form on calling for ceasefires, freezing conflicts in places he

did this, most notably in Syria, and then he will just fire up the conflict again, when he wants when the moment is right for him.

Now, this is being talked about as only a limited 36 hour ceasefire. But Ukrainians are right to be skeptical because there is zero trust of the

Russian position. And President Putin's actions have taken care of taken care of and made that what made that relationship as damaged as it is.

And what the Ukrainians are saying in essence is if you want a lasting peace, if you want a truce, then pull your troops out? Ukraine is defending

its territories. This was an illegal unprovoked invasion by Russian forces. And that is still the position and that's Ukraine's negotiating position

that's part of President Zelenskyy's 10 point peace plan.

[11:05:00]

ROBERTSON: And we heard only today from President Putin saying that the only peace plan that he's considering this was in his conversation with

President Erdogan of Turkey was one that where Ukraine seeds all the territory that the rest of the world is telling President Putin to pull out

of.

This is a move by President Putin; it seems to improve his own standing at home and certainly does not look like it's going to bring a longer peace

solution in the short term.

GIOKOS: We do have some lines from a Ukrainian official; Scott that Russia must leave occupied territories in Ukraine before any temporary truce. I

want you to take me through that because as we've just ascertained the Russians saying that Putin has agreed to the ceasefire between the

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 6th and 7th of Jan.

This is going to be fundamental, as you say; we need something more concrete from the Ukrainians. But this is also very telling that they want

Russia to leave what they call the occupied territories?

MCLEAN: Yes, that's right. So that statement that you just read from Mykhailo Podolyak saying that Russia must leave the occupied territories

before any kind of temporary truce. First Ukraine doesn't attack foreign territory and doesn't kill civilians, as Russian Federation does.

Ukraine destroyed only members of the occupation army on its territory. Second Russian Federation must leave the occupied territories, only then

will it have a temporary truce, excuse me keep hypocrisy to you.

So, Mykhailo Podolyak, I should point out has been involved in the early peace talks in the early days of the war between the Russians and the

Ukrainians, the ones that were held, just inside the Belarus border. And so this is a very high ranking official.

He also commonly comments on some of the explosions inside of Russia, the ones that Ukraine has not taken official responsibility for. And so we'll

see what President Zelenskyy says, but it seems like this is the most official thing that we've heard.

And that seems that the Ukrainians have no interest in going along with this ceasefire, because they simply do not trust the Russians. I should

also point out that, you know, Ukraine is also trying to or since its independence has really tried to distance itself from the Russian Orthodox

Church.

And even there have been plenty of questions about Patriarch Kirill since this war began since he's been openly supportive of the Russian invasion of

Ukraine, even in a recent sermon; he said that military service will wash away all sins. So gives you a little bit of a picture about the type of

leader we're talking about.

GIOKOS: Yes, it does indeed. Scott McLean and Nic Robertson, thank you very much for that update! A funeral watch around the world and the legacy

clouded by controversy; Former Pope Benedict XVI was laid to rest earlier following a funeral mass attended by tens of thousands of mourners in St

Peter's Square.

The service marked the first occasion in modern times that sort of Pope presiding over the funeral of his predecessor. Those who attended the

funeral included Italy's Prime Minister, the German Chancellor and Queen Sofia of Spain and before he became Pope Benedict XVI Joseph Ratzinger was

born in Germany in 1927. He resigned from his role as Pope in 2013, citing what he called his lack of strength of body and mind. CNN's Delia Gallagher

was in St. Peter's Square for the service.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DELIA GALLAGHER, AMERICAN JOURNALIST (voice over): Veiled by fog, the sun rose on St. Peter's Square, just as it set on the life of the Pope Emeritus

Benedict XVI. Hours before the ceremony began a dash by the faithful for Prime placement.

After nearly 200,000 saw the Former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger lying in state over three days this morning, he was brought out one final time.

50,000 filled St Peter's Square to honor the first Pope to resign his position in more than half a millennium.

[11:10:00]

GALLAGHER (voice over): A muted crowd, a smaller ceremony following Benedict's own wishes, attended by just a handful of dignitaries. Modest

compared to the sum 1.1 million who turned out for the last people funeral of John Paul II over which Cardinal Ratzinger himself presided in 2005.

Thursday's funeral marked an extraordinary moment unique in Catholic history, a Pope presiding over the funeral of a predecessor who resigned

the post. It was a far cry from the last time a Pope live to see his successor Pope Celestin V was thrown in jail by his successor when he

resigned in 1294. Pope Francis far more liberal to Benedict's conservatism showed enduring respect for his fellow Catholic and delivered the homily.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Benedict, faithful friend of the bridegroom there your joy is complete as you hear his voice, now and forever.

GALLAGHER (voice over): In so many ways a ceremony utterly familiar to any Catholic which pays tribute to the global faithful whom Pope Francis the

first Pope from the Americas has come to represent. And as Pope Francis pleaded with the Virgin Mary to show Benedict comfort, the ceremony was

brought to a close.

Santa Subito, the crowd urged makes him a saint now, just as they chanted for John Paul II before. Benedict blessed by Francis and carried by the

people gentleman brought to St. Peter's Basilica. His coffin sealed in Zinc and the second wood coffin, buried in the Vatican grades alongside scores

of his forebears. Delia Gallagher, CNN, Vatican City.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GIOKOS: CNN's Fred Pleitgen joins us now live from Vatican City. A final farewell, Fred, to Pope Benedict and as we've said, this is remarkable in

that sitting Pope is presiding over another Pope's funeral. Tell me what you've seen today?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there Eleni. Well, first of all, you're absolutely right. That is certainly remarkable

that Pope Francis was here presiding over the funeral of his of his predecessor. And one of the things about the mass that took place is that

while Pope Francis was presiding over it.

He was sitting for most of the time; most of the service was actually carried out by the Dean of the College of Cardinals. However, Pope Francis

did get up at various times we saw it there in Delia's report. And he praised a Pope Benedict XVI, obviously, for his life's work but also, of

course, for all the things and the importance that he had in the Catholic Church.

And I think it's something I really can't say often enough is that Pope Benedict XVI won his papacy was not very long. It was a little under eight

years. He certainly was a towering figure here in the Vatican, really, over the past four decades really important in setting the course of the Vatican

setting course of the Catholic Church, in his capacity there and so definitely an era coming to an end here in the Vatican in the Catholic

Church with a major thinker and theologian being laid to rest today.

And you know Delia was talking about the mood here on the St. Peter's Square. And it's true; there really weren't very many dignitaries here.

That's exactly what Pope Francis would have wanted. That's what Pope Benedict would have wanted. I'm sorry.

He said that he wanted his funeral to be more of a humble affair. But I do think that many people showed supports that were very important to Pope

Benedict XVI. Obviously, a very large German delegation was here. I think that's something was very attached to his homeland. And then also a very

large Bavarian delegation was here as well.

And you could see those chants of Santo Subito that Delia was talking about in her report; those very much seem to us to be coming from that faction

coming from Bavaria, obviously a towering figure there. And I think that the folks in that part of Germany have always seen Pope Benedict, Cardinal

Ratzinger, as he was before as being one of their own and someone who they always felt remained true to the roots of where he came from, Eleni.

GIOKOS: Frederik Pleitgen, and thank you so very much! Archbishop Vincent Nichols is the Archbishop of Westminster and he attended the funeral and he

joins me now live from Rome. Cardinal, thank you so much for joining us and condolences.

I want you to describe the atmosphere of the service and the importance of it being the very first occasion in modern times that a Pope has presided

over his predecessor's funeral.

ARCHBISHOP VINCENT NICHOLS, ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINISTER: Well, I think to be three words, which would describe the atmosphere one it was simple. In

fact, you know, the ceremony of the funeral mass was exactly the same as it would have been for any Catholic anywhere in the world.

[11:15:00]

NICHOLS: Secondly, it was a moment of real sadness. I certainly felt that the loss of the physical presence of Pope Benedict, while it will fly, I'm

sure in a resurgence of interest in his writing do leave that marks the end of an era.

And then thirdly, I think it was the ceremony that was quite remarkable in its robust faith. It's robust trust in the promise of Jesus. And there were

beautiful prayers that may Pope Ratzinger now see the face of Jesus face to face and that may we be encouraged as we continue our journey on

pilgrimage.

GIOKOS: Thank you, Cardinal for that. I want you to describe the person he was and what he meant to you in particular, you've described him as one of

the great theologians of the 20th century? You've also described his visits and seeing his gentleness his courtesy. Could you take us through some of

those memories?

NICHOLS: Well, certainly, for me, probably the most vivid memories when he came to London in 2010. Were effectively in his visit to London, I was his

host. And some of those memories are very vivid indeed. One, for example, was with him in the Pope mobile, as he proceeded up the mile on what was

effectively a state visit of the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, to the United Kingdom.

And I never ever dreamt that I would see the day when the people flag and the Union Jack, were there side by side right up the whole of the mound as

it approaches Buckingham Palace. And that was a very remarkable occasion. And that actually was on journey to Hyde Park in the center of London,

where there was a vigil of prior to the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman.

And as we went up the mile, I said to Pope Benedict, we're now going to Hyde Park. And we're going to use the stage that the BBC has kindly left

there for our use this weekend. Because last weekend, it was used for proms in the park, I said last weekend it was the music this weekend is the

prayer.

And he turned to smile to me and he said, oh, don't forget that music is always prayer, too. And so he has this kind of breath of sensitivity that

was ready to see the influence in the presence of God and everything that was good and beautiful.

GIOKOS: That being said, I wanted to talk about his legacy as well. You know, we've ascertained one of the great theologians of our time, historic

resignation that we saw. And also under his watch, there were allegations of sexual abuse, as well. What impact has all of this had do you think on

his legacy? How will he be remembered?

NICHOLS: Well, you know, drawing up a balance sheet of a legacy and of a person's life is God's business. And the judgment that Pope Benedict faces

is the one that really mattered to him. And that is the judgment of Almighty God and that's why we pray for mercy.

Now, when we do our task of drawing a judgment or a balance sheet, it is important that we pay attention to the facts and not just to impressions.

So it is a fact that, during his time in charge of the Doctrinal Commission.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Pope Benedict laicized, over 400 priests. He changed the laws of the church. He urged them to be

changed when he was Pope did make those changes so that the scandal in the terrible actions of the abuse of children could be tackled more head on.

If there is anybody who created and put into practice what we now like to talk of as a policy of zero tolerance, then it was Pope Benedict. So these

facts we have to have in mind when we draw upon balance sheet, but as I say, the balance sheet that really matters is the one that is made in the

presence of God.

GIOKOS: That's a really good way to look at it. It's made me reflect on drawing up my own balance sheet. Cardinal, I have to ask you, you know next

steps for Pope Francis, because, you know, many have asked the question, did Pope Benedict's resignation, have an influence or set a different type

of precedent to now reconsider the rule for future Popes?

[11:20:00]

NICHOLS: Sorry, his resignation 10 years ago? Is that what you're referring to?

GIOKOS: Yes, Pope Benedict's resignation? Yes. Correct. 10 years ago, it was unprecedented. We hadn't seen something like that in 600 years.

NICHOLS: That's true. And my thought about this is that we human beings are living longer. And we, you know, support human life now, interfaces are

great, considerable burden and incapacity, whether that's a physical incapacity or a mental incapacity. And we are now accustomed to elderly

people living considerable years, when, you know, their physical or mental capacity is much reduced, as indeed it has been for Pope Benedict of quite

a number of years now.

So I'm quite sure that if that trend of the longevity of the human person continues, then there will be moments when a pope realizes that he can't

sustain the burden either physically or mentally. And, and that this alternative now is established. But I don't think that's neither quickly or

often. And I certainly am not kind of sitting waiting for an announcement that from Pope Francis that tomorrow he will say, well, I'm off.

I think he's got a very determined spirit. And he's got a very clear agenda. And he's got the capacity immense capacity to carry on with his

leadership with the Catholic Church.

GIOKOS: Yes. Cardinal Nichols, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us today. It was good to speak to you, much appreciate it for your

time. Yes.

NICHOLS: Thank you very much.

GIOKOS: Well, still ahead tonight on "Connect the World" drama and disarray in DC, we're live from Capitol Hill as turmoil over House Speaker leaves a

major parts of the U.S. government unable to work.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GIOKOS: I think we're making progress source says U.S. Republican Representative Kevin McCarthy today after scrambling to gain support for

his bid. As house speaker in less than an hour, in fact, in half an hour, the house will reconvene. We could find out if it's enough progress to win

over for her right opponents and succeed after failing six times before the speaker plays a critical role.

He or she presides over the house and without one in place. That part of the government is effectively paralyzed. So what can we expect in the

minutes and hours ahead. CNN Chief Correspondent, a Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju is in Capitol Hill for us. What are we expecting in

the next 30 minutes?

[11:25:00]

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's really uncertain what's going to happen here. Kevin McCarthy has been wheeling and

dealing for weeks and especially over the night, providing concessions to far right members of his conference who have denied him his assent to the

speakership. The question is whether or not he can peel back any of the 20 members who have so far denied him the 218 votes, he needs to be elected

speaker.

And until there is a speaker, this body is paralyzed that can't even swear in members that can't legislate, that cant's organize committees and must

elect a speaker. And right now, Kevin McCarthy does not have the votes to become the speaker. Even if some of these members do accept these

concessions, which essentially would give them more power over the speakership more power to dictate the terms of the legislation on the

floor.

Even if some of those members accept those terms, that is not enough to win over enough Republicans who are asking for other issues as McCarthy goes

behind closed doors and tries to alleviate concerns member my member in order to get the magic number of 2018. Another concern, there are four

members who are almost certain he will never get to vote for him, and he can only afford to lose, four votes for Republican votes.

That means he cannot lose any additional votes in order to get there. Now, McCarthy still believes he will get there, they believe they can find some

sort of deal. And he came in this morning expressing some level of optimism that they will get there. But when that will happen and whether and if that

will happen today remains deeply uncertain at this moment, Eleni.

GIOKOS: Yes, absolutely. I mean, you know, it's the seventh rather voting. Are we going to see congress joining again today? But then the question

becomes, are they going to be new nominees? If you're seeing members just blatantly refusing to vote for Kevin McCarthy, what does that then mean?

Because a further delay, as you've just ascertained, holds so much back and the optics are not good.

RAJU: Yes, as of this is not there's no magic nominee who could emerge, no consensus. Now many this is not like a situation we saw in 2015 when Paul

Ryan, who is, who came in and ultimately became the house speaker, that was after McCarthy at the time stepped aside when he realized he didn't have

the votes.

Paul Ryan was seen as a consensus that person does not exist in this Republican conference. So even if they find a plan B, who is even

potentially Steve Scalise often, mentioned he's the number two Republican right now, could he just emerge as a speaker nominee?

That would be difficult because there are some members who won't vote for him, there are some members who want similar demands from him that there

are making of Kevin McCarthy. So there is no real answer here which is why Republicans were pushing from McCarthy said this is the only option only

person who can get the 218 votes but he's just not there yet.

GIOKOS: Well, good luck in 30 minutes, we'll hopefully know a little bit more. Manu Raju, good to see you. Thank you so much.

RAJU: Thank you.

GIOKOS: We're going to a short break. More news after this, stay with CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:30:00]

GIOKOS: Let's get the latest news out of Russia with breaking news for you and Ukraine. Ukraine is rejecting Russia's ceasefire order and advisor to

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office says Moscow must leave territory that it occupies before any temporary truce.

The Kremlin says President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to hold fire for 36 hours beginning at noon tomorrow. The ceasefire was recommended

by the head of Russia's Orthodox Church to let Ukrainians go to church for Orthodox Christmas.

Hong Kong residents are rushing to get vaccinated after China said it will reopen its border with Hong Kong starting Sunday, nearly three years after

it was largely closed. Beijing made a U-turn on zero COVID policy last month after nationwide protests.

Meanwhile, Beijing insists that it is openly sharing its COVID data with international community despite the World Health Organization criticizing

China for the lack of transparency. Ivan Watson has the latest from Hong Kong.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Hospital hallways crowded with sick people, patients treated on sidewalks and lines

of vans waiting for entry to busy funeral homes. A huge COVID 19 outbreak is battering China. The surge coming more than three years after the virus

was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Chinese state television says medical workers are stepping up to meet the challenge.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have expanded the ward, added more beds, we've brought an experienced doctors to work with the young ones to get them up

to speed quicker.

WATSON (voice over): But social media footage shows hospitals and China's wealthiest cities clearly inundated with patients. And a recent Chinese

study projects, infections won't surge in less developed rural parts of the country until later this month. Officially, as of Thursday, only 24 people

in all of China died from COVID 19 since December 7, according to China's CDC with only six COVID victims in Beijing.

ZHANG, BEIJING RESIDENT: That is totally ridiculous and not credible. You know, as far as I know, my close relatives, among them, there are four died

already that is from one family. So I hope the government will honestly and credibly tell its people and people in the world, what's really happened

here.

WATSON (voice over): Last month, CNN journalists filmed bodies stored in containers awaiting cremation at one Beijing funeral home. The World Health

Organization criticizing China for under representing the severity of its outbreak and not sharing enough real data on this scale of the outbreak.

DR. MIKE RYAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR HEALTH EMERGENCIES, W.H.O: We believe that the current numbers being published from China under represents the

true impact of the disease in terms of hospital admissions, in terms of ICU admissions, and particularly in terms of death. And we would like to see

more data on a more geographic basis across China.

WATSON (voice over): Beijing's decision to allow citizens to travel internationally ending years of self-imposed isolation, just as the virus

spreads out of control has triggered a global debate. A growing number of governments imposing travel restrictions ranging from the U.S. which

requires pre-flight COVID tests to Morocco which temporarily banned all travel from China. Beijing is now threatening reciprocal measures.

The growing international disputes of little concern to Chinese families that are struggling with the sudden loss of loved ones some statistical

models predict China could lose more than a million people due to COVID 19. Ivan Watson CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GIOKOS: Well, let's get you up to speed on some other stories that are on our radar right now. Iran has summoned the French ambassador to Tehran to

protest cartoons, published by satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. That's according to Iranian state media. More than 30 cartoons making fun of

Iran's Supreme Leader were published by the French magazine on Wednesday in a show of support for those protesting Iran's government.

The Taliban now claimed to have killed eight Islamic state fighters and arrested seven more in a series of raids. A Taliban spokesman says the

fighters played a main role in deadly attacks on Kabul airport. The Pakistani embassy and this hotel he also said they help transfer foreign

recruits to Afghanistan.

[11:35:00]

GIOKOS: In a dramatic shift, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he may meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to establish peace. It would

be the highest level meeting since both countries' defense ministers met last week. Turkey has been supporting Syrian opposition forces in the

decade long civil war.

And explosive new accusation from Prince Harry he alleges that his brother Prince William has assaulted him. That's according to the Guardian

newspaper, which says it has seen a copy of Harry's much anticipated new memoir called spare. In the book Harry writes that William knocked him to

the floor during an argument of a Harry's wife Megan back in 2019.

Max foster joins us now from London. Max, could you give us the details of Harry's account of this altercation with William and importantly what

impact this is going to have on the palace and the monarchy?

MAX FOSTER, CNN LONDON CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so Harry and William started arguing at Kensington Palace. It started when William was criticizing Megan

saying she was difficult and abrasive and rude. The argument went indoors and ended up in a situation where William grabbed Harry's collar, broke his

necklace pushed him to the ground, Harry injured himself in a dog bowl.

And then William later on apologized. These are the sorts of insights we just don't get into royal life. Of course, brothers argue and of course,

they sometimes have fights, but we don't normally hear about them. And this is a big expose from Harry and it does damage the monarchy to some extent,

I think because it gives a side of William that he doesn't project to the public.

And he's not answering back either. Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace is refusing to comment on this, also the Sussex spokesperson refusing to

comment on this. So we assume it is all true. And I have to tell you Eleni, the revelations are coming thick and fast because two other newspapers, the

Sun and the Mail have managed to get hold of this book as well.

And we're seeing reports in there of other parts of the book, talking about Camila how Harry and William, according to Harry said to Prince Charles, as

he was at the time that they were happy to welcome Camilla into the family. They just didn't want Charles to marry her.

The other revelation is that Harry admits taking cocaine when he was 17, initially at a shootout in the countryside. And then he did it a few more

times. He said, it made me feel different and he wanted to feel different, so all sorts of different stories are coming out. I think more will come

Eleni as more journalists get to read the book.

GIOKOS: Yes. Max, in terms of the impact that this is going to have on the monarchy, right, because we've had the Docu series, we've had interviews

that have been very insightful. And of course, we've had another interview coming up in the next few days as well.

FOSTER: Yes, so well, the palace strategy is not to respond. We don't even know why that is. It's either that they feel that responding words provoke

caring Meghan more and the argument would continue, or that they are rising above it. And feeling that an alternative strategy is not to do as Harry &

Meghan is doing are doing by talking about all the detail of the family and just keeping the mystique as it were, to some extent and allowing the

public to make up their own minds.

And people are divided. There are people who feel that Harry and Megan shouldn't be exposing any family like this, let alone their own family. You

know, this isn't something that families do. But there are others that do totally understand that Harry's point of view is that he always felt second

to William and he felt undervalued in the family and he wasn't respected in the family.

And he never managed to get his story out. So he's doing it in his own way. So it really falls depends on whose camp you fall under here. They are

becoming more and more divisive over time as we find out more about how they think.

GIOKOS: A lot of people are divided on this Max, that's for sure. Max Foster in London, thank you. The investigation into the U.S. men's soccer

team coach seems to be turning into a family feud and we'll explain why right after this, stay with CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:40:00]

GIOKOS: We've been reporting this week on a U.S. Soccer investigation that was recently launched into allegations against the head coach of the men's

national team. We're now learning that a player's mother is the one who reported Gregg Berhalter for kicking his then girlfriend who is now his

wife during an argument in 1991.

Berhalter has said he regrets the incident. Brynn Gingras is following the story for us. Multiple angles playing out here, what is the latest?

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes Eleni, you know at first it was like why is this coming up this soccer this incident with the

coach was back in 1991 why is it coming to light now? Well it does seem like this all generates from the classic you know habit in sports. That's

the worst habit and that's about parents being annoyed about how much playing time their kids get.

And it's all playing out very publicly between two soccer family dynasties who also happen to be friends at least they were.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GINGRAS (voice over): After leading the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

CINDY PARLOW CONE, PRESIDENT, U.S. SOCCER: On December 11 we initiated an investigation into an allegation of past misconduct against Gregg

Berhalter.

GINGRAS (voice over): U.S. Soccer is investigating men's national team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter over a 1991 domestic violence altercation between him

and his wife, Rosalynn, while they were in college.

CONE: We hired a top notch team of high integrity experience outside investigators to gather the facts about the allegation against Gregg and to

follow the facts wherever they may need.

GINGRAS (voice over): The incident was reported to the United States Soccer Federation Sporting Director Ernie Stewart by Danielle Raina. She's the

mother of 20 year old Gio Reyna and accomplished young player on the U.S. Men's National Team who played a limited role in Qatar. And that's where

things started to get heated.

ESPN is reporting that Claudio Reyna, father of Gio sent messages to U.S. soccer executives threatening to reveal Berhalter's past due to his son's

limited playing time. Claudio refutes this saying in a statement, at no time did I ever threaten anyone nor would I ever do so.

According to multiple reports, Berhalter was disappointed in Reyna's efforts ahead of the tournament and contemplated sending him home mid

tournament during the World Cup run. And in an Instagram post not long after the U.S. World Cup run came to an end, Gio Reyna did mention his bad

behavior during the tournament.

In a statement obtained by ESPN and Fox Sports, Danielle Reyna stated I told Ernie that I thought it was especially unfair that Gio who had

apologized for acting immaturely about his playing time was still being dragged through the mud when Greg had asked for and received forgiveness

for doing something so much worse at the same age.

On Tuesday speaking about the revelations for the first time, Berhalter along with his wife posted a lengthy account of the matter on Twitter. In

it he shares his account of the 1991 incident where he kicked his now wife, Rosalynn, who was his girlfriend at the time, saying the statement there

are zero excuses for my actions that night.

And it was a shameful moment that he regrets to this day. The Berhalters and the Reynas are soccer families that have known each other for decades.

Berhalter and Gio Reyna's father Claudio played together on St. Benedict's prep soccer team in New Jersey and on the U.S. team.

[11:45:00]

GINGRAS (voice over): And even before they married their husbands, Danielle and Rosalynn were roommates and collegiate soccer players at the University

of North Carolina Chapel Hill. CONE: Obviously, this is not a positive time for soccer in this country and for our men's national team. And it's a tough time for the families

involved.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GINGRAS: And it's such a shame, especially as they did quite well at the World Cup to have all this sort of laundry being aired up publicly. Now,

again, there is an investigation that is still going on. And it's important to note when U.S. Soccer released information about the investigation.

They did say that there was other potential inappropriate behavior toward members of staff and organization that are also being investigated, not

just this incident with the head coach. So we'll wait to see how that wraps up what we learn more, but in the meantime, that head coach is going

through contract negotiations. And for now the assistant coach Anthony Hudson is going to be leading the team for its next steps in the meantime,

Eleni?

GIOKOS: Yes, because that's the question, right? What is the next step? And as you allude to, you know, how many more incidents of this nature

blackmail of all things happening behind closed doors that we know about? Is there a sense that this could be an endemic issue at U.S. Soccer?

GINGRAS: It's very unclear at this point. Again, everyone was sort of, you know, taken aback when they learned about this incident; of course, it's a

terrible thing that happened back in 1991. It just seemed very strange, who was blackmailing and the fact that it's, you know, the family of one of the

own players.

Certainly more has to come out about this because you almost feel bad for the 20 year old who's the center of this and then his parents are feuding

with the coach. I mean, it's, it's just really sad on all levels, but certainly we're waiting to see what more comes out once that investigation

wraps up.

GIOKOS: Brynn Gingras, thank you very much.

GINGRAS: All right.

GIOKOS: For that analysis. Well, this is just in to CNN. Mexican authorities have arrested Ovidio Guzman. He is the son of notorious drug

lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. It happened in the state of Sinaloa, a video Guzman had been arrested by federal authorities back in 2019.

It was later released my president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He said he authorized the release to avoid further bloodshed in the drug cartel

violence. Right now in parts of Europe, ski resorts are not seeing much action as warmer than usual weather rolls in, why experts are concerned

this could be part of an alarming new trend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GIOKOS: Some very good news just in the past hour about the condition of NFL player Damar Hamlin. Hamlin's agent tells CNN that his client is awake

and has helped, held the hand of people visiting him. His team, the Buffalo Bills says Hamlin has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours.

Hamlin remains in intensive care, more than two days after he suffered cardiac arrest on the field. The Bills say the doctors treating him report

that "While still critically ill Damar has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact, his lungs continue to heal and he is making

steady progress".

[11:50:00]

GIOKOS: I want to bring in CNN's Adrienne Broaddus. She is outside the hospital where Hamlin is being treated. This is fantastic news at the

moment we've been waiting for, tell me more.

ADRIENNE BROADDUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is the news everyone has been waiting for. It's what they wanted to wake up to. It's the tweet that

people wanted to see and the reactions are already pouring in. I want to share some of them with you. One of Damar Hamlin's teammates tweeted

shortly after that update from the Buffalo Bills or excuse me, before the Buffalo Bills issued their update.

His teammate says our boy is doing better, awake and showing signs of improvement. And his agent is also telling CNN that he is awake and he has

been holding the hands of his family members inside of the hospital, all of this after what the world witnessed on Monday night during that football

game.

Following a tackle Damar Hamlin stood up briefly for about two seconds and then he fell down backward, he collapse. We learned from doctors that he

suffered a cardiac arrest. And within seconds medics were at his side, performing CPR for nearly nine minutes before transporting him here to this

hospital where he has been ever since in the intensive care unit fighting for his life.

That fight still continues as the doctors treating him say he is still critically ill. But this is progress. And it is a sign of hope. It is the

hope his family, his teammates and friends have been holding on to, back to you.

GIOKOS: Look, we know it's so a long road. But he's awake. He held people around him he held his people's hands. He still is in intensive care. So

we're waiting to hear more good news. Adrienne Broaddus, thank you so much for that good news.

Tributes and honors continue to pour in for the late football superstar Pele. On Wednesday, Rio de Janeiro renamed the street that leads to the

city's famous Maracana Stadium King Pele Avenue; it was originally going to just be Pele Avenue. But fans flooded the Rio met his Twitter feed with

demands that the word King be added. In 2021, there was a push to rename Maracana Stadium off to Pele, but it was met with some opposition and was

abandoned.

Pele played most of his career in other stadiums, though he did score some memorable goals at the Maracana. A rare winter heat wave is spreading

throughout Europe while many are welcoming the unusually warm temperatures. Some climatologist say there's reason for concern. Here is CNN Isa Soares

with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The New Year may have only just begun, but temperatures are already heating up across much of Europe. At

least eight countries smashed their winter weather record having recorded their warmest day ever in January.

As the world rang in New Year celebrations this week, climatologists were busy tracking extreme temperatures and found countries including Poland,

Denmark, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein and Belarus all reached alarmingly warm temperatures on January the first.

Meteorologists say it's too early to attribute the extreme heat to climate change. But do say the driving force is a warm air mass from Africa's west

coast, moving across Europe. It may look warm in the Spanish city of Bilbao, but locals are noticeably wearing winter coats basking in the

winter sun.

EUSEBIO FOLGEIRA, BILBAO, SPAIN RESIDENT: It's not normal for Bilbao to have such good weather. It always rains a lot here is very cold and it's

January and it feels like summer.

SOARES (voice over): And what would normally be covered in snow. This ski resort in France is now staff of it forcing businesses to shut their doors

to customers until conditions improve.

GREGORY ROMANO, RESTAURANT MANAGER: Sure we are of course a little bit sad about having to close, we had a good Christmas holiday season which

matters.

SOARES (voice over): Over in war torn Ukraine when much of the country's energy infrastructure damaged or destroyed, millions of Ukrainians were

without power over Christmas. The cities across the country including Kyiv broke weather records in January, which may have helped reduce energy

consumption.

As Ukrainian Advisor Anton Gerashchenko put it even the weather is on our side. Just before the year came to an end, the UK's Met Office said last

year sweltering heat which ran rivers dry. And called the drought in parts of England was the country's hottest on record.

[11:55:00]

SOARES (voice over): Though January's mild temperatures might provide some relief to the cold, meteorologists warn it could offer a glimpse of a

concerning and possibly even warmer future. Isa Soares, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GIOKOS: Thanks so very much for joining us. That was "Connect the World". "One World" starts after the short break. I'm Eleni Giokos in Dubai.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END