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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Addresses UNGA; Europe Trying to Get Rid of Russian Oil; Trump Speech at UNGA Full of Holes; Israel Closes Main Crossing between West Bank and Jordan; Assessing U.S. Influence in the Middle East; Dallas Police Say Suspect in ICE Facility Shooting Is Dead; Call to Earth: Photos from Tanzania; Typhoon Ragasa Makes Landfall in Guangdong Province, China. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired September 24, 2025 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): Well, welcome to what is the second hour of the show from our Middle East programming headquarters here in Abu
Dhabi. I'm Becky Anderson. Time here is just after 6 in the evening, just after 10 in the morning in New York.
And Ukraine's president took to the podium last hour at the United Nations General Assembly. There, Volodymyr Zelenskyy making a global appeal to
other leaders to help in getting Russia to end its war on his country.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: Stopping Russia now is cheaper than wondering who will be the first to create a simple drone carrying a
nuclear warhead.
So we must use everything we have together, to force the aggressor to stop. And only then do we have a real chance that this arms race will not end in
catastrophe for all of us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, President Zelenskyy's speech, coming a day after he appeared, bolstered by Donald Trump's latest pivot on the war.
The U.S. president, posting on his social media site that he thinks that Ukraine, with E.U. support, can win back all its territory from Russia.
That is a flip flop from his repeated assertions that Ukraine will have to cede territory to end the war.
President Zelenskyy calling this a game changer on any prospect of ending the war.
Well, we've got Nic Robertson back with us this hour. We're also joined by Jackie Kucinich, CNN political analyst and Washington bureau chief at "The
Boston Globe."
Jackie, it's good to have you.
Nic, thanks for joining us again. Let's start with you, Nic, in London. Key takeouts from Zelenskyy's speech, if you will.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes. It doesn't matter how big your friends are, unless you have weapons you can't stand up against an
aggressor because the rule of international law, the writ of international law, has fallen apart.
The global institutions that are there to uphold those international laws are not doing their job. That was a very simple message from President
Zelenskyy.
He talked about this destructive, most destructive of arms races we're in, where potentially you have currently or potentially drone on drone and then
AI coming into that mix.
And that clip you ran from him there, talking about the drone that can carry the nuclear weapon or, he also said, you know, underground building,
underground bunkers for our schools.
Much cheaper, he said, pointing the finger again at the person he calls the aggressor, Vladimir Putin. Russia stopping him in his war against Ukraine,
stops part of this arms race. And he referenced all those leaders in the room, saying, some of you will be in war, some of you will have just come
out of war.
Some of you may be building up for wars in the future. But far better, he said, to sort out the conflict that I'm in by pressuring Vladimir Putin.
But his view of a really quite an apocalyptic future without toughening up and reinforcing global institutions like the U.N., without making
international law more resilient, more, more implementable, there will be more of this in the future, he said.
ANDERSON: Yes, it's fascinating, isn't it?
Nic, thank you.
Coming back to you, Jackie, let me bring you in.
After what seemed like a successful meeting then with President Zelenskyy, Donald Trump posted in the past 24 hours on Truth Social, quote, "Ukraine,
with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form."
I've just been speaking to a guest from Ukraine who formerly held the Economics and Trade file for the government there. And he did say that that
had landed pretty well back home in Ukraine. People have been surprised by Donald Trump's pivot.
But when asked, you know, what confidence that this will actually make anything different on the ground in this conflict?
I think that's where the questions are still outstanding.
[10:05:00]
What did you make of Donald Trump's post?
JACKIE KUCINICH, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: It is remarkable, considering how this president came into his second term, which was vowing to make not only
make peace in this conflict but also to have a good relationship with Vladimir Putin.
Now he's certainly not the only U.S. president to find out how difficult that truly is. And it seems that, through his conversations with Zelenskyy
-- and if you look at that Truth Social post, it does seem like he's describing Russia as -- I mean, to put it just bluntly -- "losers," who
are -- you know, their economy has taking a hit.
Their military has taken a hit. And he cast Ukraine in this very positive light, saying they could win back their territory.
Now does this amount to a full policy change?
We'll have to wait and see, because. as you mentioned, he has been on both sides of this issue. But right now it does seem like, according to that
post, they're going to keep -- the U.S. is going to keep supplying weapons to NATO, and therefore, you know, through them, help Ukraine.
ANDERSON: Yes. This post, of course, coming after Donald Trump's speech, his long speech at the United Nations, that Nic and I were listening in to
yesterday.
Nic, let me bring you back in on that point. European nations depend very heavily on Russian oil and Donald Trump calling them out, dressing them
down yesterday, suggesting that that has to change if the U.S. is, in a quid pro quo fashion, prepared to sanction Moscow.
Which is something that the Ukrainians and the Europeans have been pushing heavily for. This is what the European Commission president, Ursula von der
Leyen, said when asked about this. Nic, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
URSULA VON DER LEYEN, PRESIDENT, EUROPEAN COMMISSION: We have reduced already massively the gas supply from Russia, completely gotten out of
Russian coal and massively also reduced the oil supply.
But there's still some coming to the European continent. So what we do now, we put sanctions out to those ports where, for example, LNG is coming from
Russia.
And we want to put tariffs on oil supplies that are still coming to the European Union. So we are really getting after the last bits of oil and gas
coming from Russia to the European Union. We want to get rid of it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It's interesting she didn't actually say they would draw down on their reliance on oil necessarily but said that they would they would
ensure that there were tariffs on it.
Is this -- I guess the question is, is Donald Trump's position on all of this realistic and, ultimately, would this make a difference?
What impact might this have on Russia?
ROBERTSON: There have been moments during the conflict in Ukraine, where countries amalgamated from the European Union have been spending more on
buying in energy supplies, oil, gas from Russia than they have been on spending militarily supporting Ukraine.
I think that Rubicon, if you will, has been crossed. Most European countries have really been significantly drawing down, a lot of finger-
pointing within the European Union and certainly from the Ukrainians, is pointed at Viktor Orban and Hungary, a close friend of Vladimir Putin, if
you will, still importing a lot of oil.
So imports on oil, coming in through ports or pipelines, tariffs on that but perhaps would have a persuasive effect on Viktor Orban. You know, the
way that the European Union normally deals with Hungary is through economic incentives and disincentives. So they may have some sway there.
I don't think anyone's expecting the European Union to actually reduce all energy imports from Russia to absolute zero. But the reality is, they know
that the money they're spending that goes to Russia for that energy is funding the war. And that's a very simple equation. And I think there's a
huge incentive.
And we've seen some of that take effect. You know, Ursula von der Leyen desperately wants president Trump to weigh in with secondary sanctions. You
were speaking with the Ukrainian guest earlier, who said, hey, it's not just -- it's not just the primary products, energy products that Europe's
importing, like oil, like gas, like coal.
It is the refined product that is being shipped through shadow fleets to -- or in other means -- to India. India's refining that product from Russia
and that's ending up back in Europe again.
So you know -- and this is where the European Union wants president Trump's pressure to weigh in. Secondary sanctions has already played. Some talked
about applying some to India. It's a big, holistic problem.
And I think the message from the European Union is they hear Donald Trump. They've been trying to do this already. But you'll know, Becky, as our
audience will, particularly those who live in Europe.
[10:10:00]
One of the big political conundrums here for leaders here is the cost of energy going up. This has helped fuel inflation. This is a sensitive issue
at a time in Europe. So bringing down energy imports from Russia is not an easy thing. But there's energy to do it and it's being done.
ANDERSON: Jackie, Vladimir Putin seems to be getting somewhat bolder with his or Russia's incursions into European airspace. Donald Trump did say
that he would support NATO countries in striking down any of these drones or aircraft that might -- that might be drifting into European airspace.
So to coin a phrase, I guess, is this a test for Russia if NATO does shoot down one of these aircraft or drones?
And do you believe that the U.S. would support NATO?
KUCINICH: It's an excellent question. And this isn't something else that you've heard the president really take a couple of different positions on.
I mean, you have to go back to the fact that he has really pitched himself, particularly during the campaign, as a noninterventionist, someone who just
wants to focus purely inside the United States shores.
And yet there are other conflicts that he's been very willing to get into. He's been -- he's been critical of NATO. But as you point out, he said he
would support them. I think it's one of those things; a lot of different factors would go into it.
And it would just depend on what -- how he was feeling that day. And I don't want to be that simplistic about it. But it really is. I think we've
all learned we don't -- we don't try to predict what president Trump is going to do before he does it.
ANDERSON: Well said. And good to have you, Jackie. Thank you for joining us here on CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson.
And Nic, always a pleasure. Thank you.
Well, President Zelenskyy's speech earlier today comes less than 24 hours after Donald Trump took to the podium at the General Assembly at the U.N.
during his nearly hour-long address that contained numerous falsehoods. The U.S. president criticized the United Nations for what he says are its empty
words on solving global conflicts.
I want to bring in Daniel Dale, who fact-checked president Trump's speech.
And he made a lot of strong statements -- some off the teleprompter, some off the cuff -- during his speech, telling world leaders their countries
are going to hell -- his words, not mine. So let's start with immigration, because he took that on at length.
How true were his statements on that issue?
DANIEL DALE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He made a number of statements about immigration abroad, for example, in Europe, that I'd call highly debatable
but subjective claims that migration is destroying European countries.
For example, I wouldn't offer a definitive fact check. But when he turned to immigration in the United States, there were a number of claims that
were just flat false.
For example, he claimed that former President Biden allowed in 25 million people during his four years in the White House. Not even close to true.
President Trump used to say 21 million. That also wasn't even close to true.
The actual number of people allowed in, pending asylum hearings is something like a fifth to a quarter of the president's figure, so not even
close.
He also claimed that President Biden lost 300,000 children and he said more than 300,000 children and that they're now missing, being trafficked or
even dead.
That's not what happened. What happened is basically an administrative issue, where some migrant children were not appearing in court or not even
receiving notice from the government that they needed to appear in court.
Now inspector general in the U.S. government reported that this left them vulnerable to potential trafficking. But did not say they were missing, did
not say they were being exploited or certainly not that they were dead.
ANDERSON: He also spoke a lot about what he called the, quote, "the global warming hoax" and said that climate change was, quote, "the greatest con
job ever perpetrated on the world."
Can you fact-check some of his climate claims for us?
DALE: There were so many false climate claims from president Trump. This claim that global warming is a hoax is, of course, a massive false claim.
Global warming is a demonstrated fact. The world is warming.
He also claimed that scientists don't even use the phrase "global warming" anymore, merely refer to climate change because they don't want to be
accused of being wrong if and when the world ends up cooling.
Both terms global warming and climate change are in widespread use by scientists: global warming to refer to the long-term warming trend;
climate change to refer to the broader impacts of that warming.
He said also that China is a major exporter of wind power, wind turbine technology, but refuses to use it itself. So the suggestion is it -- China
knows that this is a bad source of power but is foisting it upon other people.
In fact, China is the world's leading consumer or the world's leading user of wind energy and is rapidly building more domestic capacity.
[10:15:06]
So I'd say that claim is not only false but it's a reversal of reality.
ANDERSON: The president claimed he had ended seven "unendable (sic) wars" as he described them and, in all cases, they were raging, with countless
thousands of people being killed, he said.
What's the reality check on that?
DALE: There are issues with a number of those claims. So one of the supposed wars he claimed to have ended was a war between Egypt and
Ethiopia. He said this was among the raging wars. Big problem here.
Those two countries were not at war. They are in an ongoing argument over a major Ethiopian dam project on a tributary of the Nile River. But they're
not in an act of war.
Similarly, on Serbia and Kosovo, he said he'd ended a raging war between those two. Well, those entities are not at war either. They have tense,
fraught relations; President Trump has previously claimed to have prevented the eruption of a new war. We don't have many details about that, either,
but certainly not an existing war.
And then on the matter of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, claimed to have ended that that war as well. Well, he did help broker a
peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda. But that war continues despite the peace agreement, which did not, crucially, involve the main rebel
coalition involved in the fighting.
So on at least three of those seven supposedly ended wars, there are major factual issues with the assertion.
ANDERSON: Right. Thank you for that.
You are watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson. Coming up, Iran's president has just wrapped up his speech at the United Nations General
Assembly. What he said about the war in Gaza and U.S. attacks on his country back in June, amongst other things, coming up.
Plus, Israel cuts off a vital passageway into the West Bank. We're live in Jerusalem.
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ANDERSON: Welcome back. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD.
Israel has now closed off the main crossing going between Jordan and the occupied West Bank. Israeli officials gave no reason for the closing of the
Allenby Crossing, only saying that it would remain closed until further notice.
The passageway reopened on Monday, days after two Israeli soldiers were killed there by a Jordanian truck driver. This crossing is the main entry
and exit point for Palestinians living in the West Bank, traveling abroad by land or CNN.
Jerusalem chief Oren Liebermann joining us now.
What do we know at this point about the why on this?
And what are the implications?
Is this part of annexation plans, for example, as some suggest?
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF AND CORRESPONDENT: Good questions in terms of the why, why has Israel chosen to close the Allenby
Crossing?
[10:20:00]
That is the main land crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan. There really wasn't a reason, given they simply said it would remain fully
closed, quote, "until further notice.
They do say it comes at the directive of the political echelon. So, at least from the statements we see from the Israel airports authority that
runs the Allenby Crossing, this is a political decision, not necessarily a military decision.
After the attack from a Jordanian truck driver, transporting humanitarian aid, that killed two Israeli soldiers last week, the Israeli military chief
said there would be an investigation into what happened here.
It's unclear if that investigation is ongoing or if it's even part of the reason that the political level has decided to fully close the crossing. It
had partially reopened to foot traffic some days after that attack.
It is now the Jewish New Year, so that may also be a reason it's closed but it should reopen, at least normally, in several hours. However, the
political echelon here has made it clear that it will remain closed. That could have a tremendous impact.
First, it was where Jordanian humanitarian aid crossed into the West Bank and then into Israel headed for Gaza. So at least that will be cut off for
now.
Second, it's where millions of Palestinians in the West Bank would travel into Jordan to travel abroad. And that now, too, is cut off, frankly, for
as long as Israel keeps the border crossing closed.
On your latter question, is this related to discussions or plans for Israel's annexation?
It is theoretically possible, though unlikely.
The first key question there is what is prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu going to do?
And that relies on his upcoming meeting with president Donald Trump. That meeting set for Monday. And then we'll have a clearer picture and perhaps
we'll have a better sense of the decision-making behind closing the Allenby Crossing. Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes. To, quote or at least paraphrase Benjamin Netanyahu, "Wait and see what I do when I get back from the United States."
All right. Thank you for that.
The president of Iran has just spoken at the U.N. General Assembly, telling world leaders there that Iran has never sought or will seek to build a
nuclear bomb.
He has also criticized the state of the world, including Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iranian facilities, calling the attacks a, quote, "grave
betrayal of diplomacy."
Well, Rob Malley is the former U.S. special envoy on Iran. Knows a thing or two about diplomacy, having served as advisors under the Clinton and Obama
administrations. He's also the coauthor of "Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine." Rob Malley, joining us
now from Washington, D.C.
Rob, it's good to have you. Thanks for joining us. The Iranian president just spoke at the United Nations. Iran will never seek to build a bomb. He
said words echoing those of the supreme leader, of course, in the past 24 hours. Let's just hear from him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MASOUD PEZESHKIAN, IRANIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): -- that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Right.
What do you make of his comments?
I'm sure you listened in to the wider speech but let's start there.
ROB MALLEY, FORMER U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY ON IRAN: Yes. I mean, so, first, thanks for having me. But you know, there was nothing new. This is
something that the Iranians have said for a very long time, even, you know, despite considerable evidence that, at least at some point, they were
seeking nuclear weapons.
So I think this was more of what we've come to expect in Iranians. Iranian leaders used to say, which is, I mean, what's significant is that there was
no hint of a potential deal with the Europeans to try to avert the reimposition of U.N. sanctions.
That was what was at stake this week. And given his speech, it's hard to see how that could come about.
ANDERSON: Yes. This past summer, of course, we saw Israel attack Iran as Iran and the U.S. were negotiating a nuclear deal. Now you rightly refer to
the fact that there is a real squeeze going on between Iran and the E.U. when it comes to whether sanctions will be snapped back on the country.
Israel, meantime, quite some talk that Israel is gearing up for another attack. That's the chatter certainly around this region and in the hallowed
halls of many capitals.
Netanyahu recently declaring again, quote, "We need to destroy the Iranian axis."
So given what is going on at present, given what you've just heard from the Iranians, given that we haven't yet seen Iran back into talks indirectly
with the U.S., where do you see the land lie at this point?
MALLEY: I mean, it's good. You laid it out well.
I mean, I think we're in a very unstable equilibrium at this point. It's hard to see either side really moving. You know, one thing to take from
president Trump's -- I don't know how to describe it; sort of a meandering, zigzagging victory lap -- was that he didn't speak about any next steps
with Iran.
[10:25:04]
He said that, you know, basically they'd won or they'd ended that war. And the war, meaning that the U.S. and Israel had basically achieved their
goals with Iran.
So what more does he want from them?
It's hard to see. And from the Iranian perspective, the one thing they would have to give now to try to reach a deal and avert a crisis would be
to give away the one card they have remaining, which is unclarity, uncertainty about the state of their nuclear program. Once they give that
away, they have very little left.
So right now there seems to be very little to negotiate. Each side is kind of comfortable, not -- comfortable is not the word -- but they are -- they
could live with the status quo until they can't.
And as you say, it is possible that, at some point, Israel decides, well, let's go for the kill again and see what more we can destroy. That's
possible.
It's possible that Iran decides to take a next step toward trying to reconstitute its nuclear program, although that would be very risky, given
how deeply penetrated they are. So for now, as I said, I think one could expect this unstable equilibrium to last until it doesn't anymore.
ANDERSON: Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, the U.N.'s nuclear body, spoke to reporters yesterday about Iran. I just want our viewers to have a
listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAFAEL MARIANO GROSSI, DIRECTOR GENERAL, IAEA: We are in the maybe final hours before the activation of the reinstatement of sanctions, the so-
called snapback, as you say.
And quite clearly, this is a matter of concern for Iran in the context of our consultations and negotiations with them. This issue features quite
prominently, of course.
I saw the foreign minister yesterday. I will see him again today. Like other, you know, important participants in this process, starting, of
course, with the E3. I mean, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and, of course, the United States.
So I would say there is an intense process of consultations and conversations at the moment, trying to assess whether there is a
possibility to find a solution which could prevent that from happening.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And you were intrinsically involved in the Iran nuclear deal, of course, back in 2015. You know, the issue of snapback that was written into
that deal, you know, like the back of your hand, I'm sure.
I mean, I just wonder where you now believe things stand. We've got Iranians reacting, of course, to possible snapbacks at present. We've also
heard from the supreme leader in recent public comments, suggesting that negotiating with the U.S. is severely detrimental.
Do you -- I know you said it's, you know, it's very complicated and quite unclear what's going on.
But if you had to sort of, you know, if you had to, you know, hazard a guess at what happens next, do you see the U.S. getting back into talks
anytime soon?
Do you see these sanctions being reimposed by the E.U.?
MALLEY: So again, I mean, you could -- always with president Trump, who knows; maybe sanctions negotiations could be resumed. I think in some ways
it really is an Iranian decision.
Do they want to resume negotiations?
As you just quoted, the supreme leader expressed deep skepticism that negotiations with the U.S. ever lead to anything positive. He sees it as a
trap. He saw the whole process of the war as a trap that the U.S. laid because they load them into these talks and then gave a green light to
Israel to attack them.
So I think it is hard to see serious negotiations at this point resuming. And I think the most likely outcome is that the U.N. sanctions will be
snapped back, which is a huge -- obviously a huge slap in the face.
I mean, this was -- they did -- they did -- they sought the deal in order to get the removal of sanctions. Now they're going to come back. How Iran
responds is a big question. They threaten at one point they would withdraw from the nonproliferation treaty, which would be a very provocative move.
It doesn't seem like that they'll be doing but they will respond in some way. And so, as I said, we're in a semi equilibrium. But a lot could happen
to make it go in a very -- in a more dangerous direction.
ANDERSON: Yes. I think the next couple of weeks -- I mean everybody agrees -- is going to be, you know, a really important period as we -- as we
observe what is going on.
Look, in a recent foreign affairs piece adapted from your new book, you and your coauthor, Hossein Agha, write this of American foreign policy. I want
to close this interview with this,
"As the falsehoods have become more apparent and harder to ignore, U.S. influence has dwindled. Israelis, Palestinians and other local actors
ignore the charade.
[10:30:00]
"Leaving behind the bromides about the two-state solution, peace, democracy and American mediation and revert to more visceral, unembellished attitudes
that sprout from their pasts."
Beautifully scripted.
How do you see U.S. influence in the region where I am in the Gulf and Middle East at this point, Rob?
MALLEY: Well, I mean, as you just quoted, it's hard to see the U.S. at this point exerting the kind of influence that one would have liked to see
if they -- if the goal is really to end wars, bring peace, what president Trump has spoken about.
The book really does refer to prior administrations, where, you know, they had those -- they claimed they had those objectives. And yet look at what
happened between Israel and Gaza and Israel and Lebanon, Israel and Iran, all events that the U.S. said it did not want to see happen.
And yet, to a large extent, it was a bystander, a bystander that claimed that it had an interest, that claimed that it had a role and ended up
watching the debris.
Good to have you, Rob. Thank you very much indeed. Always a pleasure, sir.
Rob Malley in the house. And we will be back after this quick break. Stay with us.
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ANDERSON: Welcome back. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. Here are your headlines this hour.
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ANDERSON (voice-over): And Ukraine's president has taken to the podium at the U.N. General Assembly. That was a short time ago. Volodymyr Zelenskyy
called for global rules on AI use in drones and other weapons and said he believes we are living through the most destructive arms race in human
history.
Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel is calling on Americans to stand up against government threats to free speech. He made the appeal during his return to
U.S. television on Tuesday after ABC temporarily suspended Kimmel's show last week over remarks that he made surrounding the death of political
activist Charlie Kirk.
The suspension sparked widespread protests and heated debate in the U.S. over free speech.
Powerful typhoon Ragasa made landfall in southern China in the last few hours, packing winds of 195 kilometers an hour. That's the equivalent of a
category 3 hurricane. The storm is expected to lose strength as it tracks west and eventually dissipates over northern Vietnam on Friday.
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ANDERSON: We're following breaking news for you out of Texas. Police say one person was killed and two others are in hospital after a shooting at an
ICE facility in Dallas on Wednesday morning. They say the suspect is also dead.
Earlier, two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the incident said at least two detainees at the facility were shot.
[10:35:05]
Well, a highway camera captured these images of a heavy police presence outside the building. The FBI is assisting with the investigation and ICE's
acting director Todd Lyons told CNN earlier, preliminary information suggests a possible sniper is responsible. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TODD LYONS, ACTING DIRECTOR, U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT: there were shots fired at our Dallas field office. Right now, preliminary
information is a possible sniper. We have three individuals that are down at this time. We're not sure on their condition. They've been taken to the
hospital.
We're hearing some reports that the shooter may be down from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The scene is secure. You know, obviously right now my hearts and prayers are going out to my officers and agents. That's my biggest concern. And as
well as everyone in that area. But this just shows the violence that's being increased against ICE officers and agents.
This is the second time now we've had a shooting at one of our facilities in the Dallas area. And really it's just a sad time that we have to worry
about violence against law enforcement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, CNN's Priscilla Alvarez is in Washington for us.
What more do we know at this point about this shooting and the facility where it happened?
PRISCILLA ALVAREZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, we are still waiting for that press conference where we expect to learn a lot more
details.
But the Dallas police did put out a post on X a little earlier, where they described what unfolded this morning, saying that, around 6:40 am, Dallas
police had responded to an assist officer call.
And that the preliminary investigation is at -- you mentioned determined that a suspect opened fire at a government building from an adjacent
building. Two people were transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds. One victim died at the scene and the suspect is deceased.
The acting ICE director, Todd Lyons, saying on our air earlier today that the shooter had died of a self-inflicted wound.
Now in talking to my sources, what they tell me is that at least two of those shot were detainees. I was also -- heard moments ago from a Homeland
Security official, who told me that the shooter or the person shot from an elevated position. So again, we are still gathering details here.
But a picture is starting to come together as to what unfolded in Dallas this morning. Now to give you context as to what this facility is, ICE has
multiple facilities across the country. In this particular case, this is a facility that is often used to process detainees.
That means that they may have been arrested, that they are taken to this facility. They are held in around three or four holding cells onsite. They
are processed and then transferred to another detention center.
And typically, according to a former senior ICE official, there are about a couple dozen people there at any given time.
Now the acting ICE director acknowledged this morning that there are multiple people that could have been affected by this, both ICE agents,
civilians who may be visiting detainees there and the detainees themselves.
Now what the Homeland Security Department has said is that no ICE agents were shot or hurt in this incident, though they also note that there has
been an increase in attacks, assaults and threats toward ICE facilities.
In fact, this particular facility was the target of a bomb threat in late August. So, again, we do not have a motive for this shooter. We're hoping
to learn more about that in the minutes to come during this press conference in Dallas. But there have been injuries and, according to Dallas
police, fatalities as well.
ANDERSON: Good to have you, Priscilla. Thank you.
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ANDERSON: Well, last week, Donald Trump signed an executive order introducing a $100,000 fee for what are known as H-1B visas, making it
significantly harder for workers seeking to go to the United States legally. Well, American officials have also mounted obstacles for the tens
of millions of immigrants already in the country legally.
Well, my next guest is a venture capitalist and partner at Menlo Ventures and a former H-1B visa holder himself.
He says, quote, "One of the advantages America has is the ability to attract global talent. If you stifle even that, it just makes it that much
harder to compete on a global level."
And Deedy Das joining me now.
It's good to have you, sir. So let's just get our viewers a sense of your story.
How will this decision by the Trump administration affect your company and your ability to hire talent, can you explain?
DEEDY DAS, PARTNER, MENLO VENTURES: Yes. Of course. You know, so at Menlo, we fund startups of various stages from all the way to a pre-seed or
inception stage to, you Series C and D and later-growth stage companies.
And I think the effect on these companies really varies by the stage that they're at. For the later companies that are well capitalized and doing
pretty well, I think, you know, they'll be fine.
[10:40:00]
I mean, they are -- a lot of them are willing to pay the fee. A lot of them are perfectly happy hiring, whatever, 5 percent to 10 percent of their
workforce that is on H-1B. They will pay the extra fee and not change their order of business.
When it comes to some of the earlier companies, immigrant founders, pre- seed and seed companies, those are the ones which really struggle because 100 K fee on some new people on a company that's sub 10, sub 15 people, can
meaningfully change your runway.
And your -- the amount of duration that you have to live as a startup before you have to raise your new round. So that's how I would mostly
separate the impact of the outcome.
ANDERSON: So the point the administration is trying to make here -- and I heard Howard Lutnick speaking very specifically to this -- is to increase
the incentive to hire American workers.
So what is the path forward to that?
Is this the way to do that, to your mind?
DAS: I mean, I don't think it's like a completely bad step. I think the issue with a lot of these immigration policies is you have to be quite
careful when you're applying wage-based selection mechanisms.
There's another rule going on when it comes to actual wage based H-1B lottery, in addition to the 100 K fee. And I think the real two concerns
are there are valuable jobs that have a lower wage, where you don't capture the entire value purely on the basis of how much people paid.
Explicitly, it is early-stage startups and innovation where a lot of the income is, in potential, equity, not in the actual amount you get paid.
And then the second and third classes are really like the cap exempt -- H- 1Bs is what they call them -- which is universities that have to hire researchers or physicians who are in, doing their residency. So they're not
getting paid more than more than 100 K.
But it's an onramp to a really important job. And I think those are the holes in policies like this. There are ostensibly a lot of benefits. I
think these are some of the cons. And, of course, it was communicated extremely poorly.
ANDERSON: I guess the wider question here then is, will potential employees, potential H-1B visa applicants, look beyond the U.S. as an
opportunity?
I mean, we know significant numbers of young Indians, for example, are those who have, to date, been H-1B visa holders.
So you know, is there that sense of, as the United States tries to ensure that it is and will retain its position as, you know, a superpower when it
comes to AI and advanced tech, will those who help it do that from abroad just look beyond the United States going forward?
Does that worry you?
DAS: I mean, look, I think America is still in a great position and on a pedestal where it really has to try very hard to not be the place where
global talent wants to go. They have a lot of inertia and historical value going for it.
But yes, this is a headwind. I mean, right, like today I saw the -- Germany went out and said a message going like, hey, if you're a very talented
person of Indian origin, Germany would love to have you here.
And I think this is an opportunity for countries like Canada, like the U.K., like Germany, like in Australia, to absorb some of that talent.
We're not saying the H-1B is perfect. There's a lot of issues and a lot of issues with the H-1B where they're not talented people come in but some of
the best talent, all of the immigrants that start, go on to start really great companies. A lot of them start off on the H-1B.
So I do think it is a misstep on America's part to have such a heavy hammer to prevent the onramp from people early in their career to joining this
program.
ANDERSON: Yes, it's fascinating, isn't it?
And you're right to suggest that some of those running the leading tech companies came in on H-1B visas into the United States.
You're also right to point out that Germany, I know the U.K. is doing the same thing, reaching out and saying, listen, the door is open here. Global
talent, come here. Let's be a magnet outside of the States.
Good to have you, sir, and good luck with the work that you're doing.
There is a lot more ahead. Coming up next, we learn the story behind some of wildlife photographer Chris Fallows' most meaningful images.
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[10:45:00]
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ANDERSON: All this week on "Call to Earth," we go on an epic trek across Africa with renowned photographer Chris Fallows.
Today, our journey begins in Tanzania, where Fallows gives an up-and-coming creator an intimate look at some of his most meaningful images. Have a look
at this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): Cape Town is home for South African photographer Chris Fallows.
CHRIS FALLOWS, SOUTH AFRICAN PHOTOGRAPHER (voice-over): I got a beautiful piece of dolphins coming toward us here. It's actually a lovely long shot.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): With the seas surrounding the southern tip of Africa as his backyard. It's where he cut his teeth, working with
the ocean's most infamous predator.
FALLOWS: This location was unprecedented on the planet. If you wanted to see great white sharks hunting, you came here to Seal Island.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): In 1996, he and a colleague were the first to discover and document the now-famous breaching great white sharks
in False Bay.
He was also the first to capture an image of the previously unknown behavior. He called it "Air Jaws."
FALLOWS: You know, when I took this photograph in 2001, it was life- changing for me. It was kind of what set my career on its way and it was a photograph that appeared on more than 500 covers around the world.
DULLA FARDY, LOCAL GUIDE AND PHOTOGRAPHER: This is so beautiful.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): But Chris' work isn't confined to the sea or South Africa. He's now in Tarangire National Park in Tanzania for
the first time and is joined by local guide and budding photographer, Dulla Fardy.
FARDY (voice-over): Tarangire itself has a river that crosses along just right in the middle of the park, which attracts most of the wildlife
adjusting to the area during dry seasons, like times like now. And that makes it really special.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): Before heading out on a photo safari, Chris sits down with Dulla to show him the type of shot he's looking to
capture.
FALLOWS (voice-over): And I call this image, "After the Fall, the Rise," and it talks about the rebound of the whales from almost becoming extinct
to now the populations are recovering.
FARDY: One thing I've noticed is you name your photographs, like you give them titles.
FALLOWS: Yes.
FARDY: Does that come before the picture itself or comes after the picture?
FALLOWS: It comes after the picture. So I look at an image and I think, what does that best represent?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): Chris' aim, he says, is to give his audience the desire to connect with the natural world and conserve what
remains.
FARDY (voice-over): I mean, wait, this is just so nice.
(LAUGHTER)
FARDY (voice-over): This is just amazing.
FALLOWS: What I love about this is the elements from the cracked earth to the really moody sky. And this image is actually called "Defiance," because
this incredible female with these scimitar-like tusks has defied the poachers' snare, the hunter's gun; drought, climate change and has still
managed to keep her herd intact.
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FALLOWS (voice-over): The reason why I'm here is to try and get something similar to this.
This is one of my favorite images of all time and it's called "The Fig and Elephant." And so I'm here for now a baobab.
FARDY (voice-over): Now. Now I see, now I know. So that is inspired from this one.
FALLOWS (voice-over): And I've left this image in color.
FARDY (voice-over): OK.
FALLOWS (voice-over): All my other images, sadly, as you actually picked up, any of those famous photographs of animals or behavior that no longer
exist.
But we still do have elephants and we still do have foxes and we still do have baobabs and we still do have so much to save.
[10:50:00]
I believe imagery is incredibly powerful. An image forces you to think. It instantly shifts gears for us to say, wow, look at those animals.
How could you possibly want to kill them?
Or look at that incredible space.
Why would you ever want to cut those trees down?
But most importantly, transports us to that particular environment and lets us make a conscious decision as to what's going on and, hopefully, to lead
us in a direction of change.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Oh, just remarkable images from "Call to Earth." Tomorrow you can watch the full documentary, "Beyond the Lens," this weekend only on
CNN. We'll have more this week. And I will be back with more news today in just a moment.
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ANDERSON: Well, nearly 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes as powerful typhoon Ragasa slams into China's Guangdong province, one
of the world's most densely populated coasts, before bringing parts of southern China to a standstill.
This storm barreled through Taiwan, leaving at least 17 people dead. Rescuers are scrambling to locate 17 others, still missing after a natural
dam holding back a lake collapsed on Tuesday, unleashing 68 million tons of water.
(WEATHER REPORT)
[10:55:00]
ANDERSON: Right.
I'm going to close out tonight with the American talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel, who made an emotional return to television after a sudden
suspension, drawing praise from his fans and a new threat from U.S. president Donald Trump.
Now executives at Disney and ABC temporarily suspended Kimmel's show last week over remarks that he made surrounding the death of political activist
Charlie Kirk.
In a Truth Social post, President Trump slammed ABC for putting Kimmel back on the air, threatening legal action against the network.
Kimmel, meantime, is defending his actions and addressed the controversy surrounding him with this emotional response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY KIMMEL, ABC HOST: But I do want to make something clear because it's important to me as a human and that is, you understand that it was never my
intention to make light of the murder of a young man.
I don't --
(APPLAUSE)
KIMMEL: I don't think there's anything funny about it. I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed, sending love to his family and
asking for compassion. And I meant it. And I still do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Kimmel's suspension from his show sparked protests and it even attracted attention from other countries. Have a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIMMEL: I heard from late night hosts in other countries, from Ireland and from Germany -- the guy in Germany offered me a job.
Can you imagine?
(LAUGHTER)
KIMMEL: This country has become so authoritarian, the Germans are like, come here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that's it for CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. Stay with CNN. "ONE WORLD" is up next.
END
