Return to Transcripts main page
Isa Soares Tonight
Aftershocks Rock Venezuela As Rescuers Race To Pull People From Rubble After The Fifth Day Of Quake; U.S. Supreme Court OKs President Trump's Power To Fire Independent Regulators, But Makes One Exception With The Fed; Mass Shooting At A Youth Center In Germany Leaves At Least Six People Dead; Search Efforts Continue In Venezuela As Death Toll Mounts; Thousands Of Migrants Flee South Africa Amid Threats To Life; Three Firefighters Killed Near Colorado-Utah Border; Heat Wave To Scorch Millions Around Fourth Of July Holiday. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired June 29, 2026 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
MAX FOSTER, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Max Foster in for Isa Soares. Tonight, aftershocks rock
Venezuela as rescuers race to pull people from the rubble more than 100 hours after deadly earthquake struck the country.
We'll speak to one of the aid organizations working there about the challenges that they're facing right now. Then the U.S. Supreme Court OKs
President Trump's power to fire independent regulators, but makes one notable exception. We'll break down the ruling.
Plus, a mass shooting at a youth center in Germany leaves at least six people dead. The police are giving an update right now, and we'll bring you
those details as we get them. Starting though with glimmers of hope, pandering the mood of a nation in mourning.
We begin tonight in Venezuela, where rescue teams are desperately searching for survivors five days on from the double earthquakes that rocked the
north of the country. This is the incredible moment a mother and her 18- day-old baby were rescued from a collapsed building on Friday, some 30 hours after the first earthquakes.
The streets of Venezuela shook again today, reigniting a palpable fear as residents wait for answers amid the uncertainty. Wednesday's double quakes
have already claimed the lives of more than 1,400 people, many remain in temporary shelters, wondering where they'll live next. Stefano Pozzebon is
in Caracas. Stefano.
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, Max, yes, you're coming up from the center of Caracas where the search and rescue operations are still
continuing despite the fact that we're already, you know, the fifth day since that terrible earthquake.
Right here from behind my back, you can see that there are at least three excavators trying to remove as many debris and rebels as possible from this
location, which, by the way, Max, here is where I used to live five years ago.
Like this is central Caracas, it's a place where you would go out to get a coffee, meet friends, it is surreal in a way to find a place that is close
to you, and that has just gone through so much tragedy and so much rupture from that earthquake.
We spoke with a member of the Mexican rescue team that is operating in this area. They told us that they're still considering this, a search and rescue
operation despite that those five days since the earthquake, and that they believe that there is still someone trapped inside under that pile of
debris.
Clearly, this is Caracas, which has been hit, but nothing close to what is going on in La Guaira. La Guaira is the state where the -- where the
majority of the damage has been confined, is really where the disaster zone is located. We spent a day there yesterday, and this is our dispatch from
La Guaira.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
POZZEBON (voice-over): Rescue workers are digging their way through rubble and dust to locate survivors in La Guaira trapped for days under a pile of
collapsed homes. The port city is ground zero for the Venezuelan earthquake search and rescue operation. This elite rescue team from the U.S. believe
they've heard a tap-tap from under the debris.
(On camera): They try to communicate with them with sound. And this is why this is truly a race against time. But it's a race against time that is
happening in utter silence. Nobody dares to speak. Nobody dares to shout because a sound could mean a life saved.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure, there's an elevator too, right?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Next to the stairs?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Was it?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In front of the stairs --
POZZEBON: Now, all of this is happening as the relatives of the people trapped inside, and other survivors are staying here. They're waiting,
they're watching. It's an excruciating wait for someone who has a seven- year-old son trapped beneath the rubble.
Ronald Penurwa(ph) has not slept since Wednesday. He was out when the quakes hit. His son was with his grandmother at home.
[14:05:00]
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
POZZEBON: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) I will find my son today, he says. I know I will.
(Voice-over): It's now or never for thousands of people who are still missing. Most earthquake survivors are rescued within 72 hours. These
rescue workers say they will continue to dig until everyone is accounted for. The Venezuelan government estimates more than 12,000 people have been
displaced. They all need a place to sleep and eat.
(On camera): We've just arrived to a fast-food. It's a fried chicken restaurant, but they've been turned into a community kitchen, basically.
All of these people are now working in a chain to bring out 1,500 ready meals. It's fried chicken and fries, but that will fuel both displaced and
volunteers that are trying to help.
(Voice-over): At these restaurants, everyone lives in La Guaira. Everyone has lived through the double earthquake, but nobody wants to rest. It's the
strength of a community who refuses to give up, despite the reality. By sunset, the search stopped.
Ronald's(ph) son was found along with his grandmother under the rubble, the latest victim in a tragedy that's already taken more than 1,400 lives. It
will still take days to recover their remains, but the pain will stay forever.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Well, thanks to Stefano for that report. We're going to get more on the humanitarian situation now in Venezuela. Beatriz Ochoa is the Regional
Head of Advocacy at the Norwegian Refugee Camp -- Council. What sort of needs are you facing right now, Beatriz?
BEATRIZ OCHOA, REGIONAL HEAD OF ADVOCACY, NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL: Thank you for having me. We're seeing a lot of needs. There's a lot of people
that have been displaced. They have -- they are finding temporary accommodation in parks and in schools.
And of course, this is better than sleeping on the streets, but these conditions are not ideal. These places are very crowded and don't have the
conditions to host many people for a long time. We're also seeing that while they have access to water, clean water for drinking, showers have not
yet been habilitated.
And of course, this is understandable. We're on day five, but as the day passes, this will be very important that people have a safe place to sleep.
Water for keeping good hygiene, including for menstrual products and food, which the community is already providing. But I mean, more in the -- in the
medium and long terms.
FOSTER: As I understand it, a quarter of the country's population needed help from organizations like yours before this earthquake. So, you're
stretched.
OCHOA: Yes, already 7 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance. And the response for the international community has fallen
short in the last years. Of course, this is not ideal because we are starting a new crisis with the deadly earthquakes, and we are not in a --
in a well-placed to start.
And so, we are -- we're stretching what we have. But we are also asking for further support from the international community, and some of the support
is already on its way. And we're very thankful for that. What is important is that this support is maintained in the medium and the long term, because
this is going to require a sustained effort from everyone.
FOSTER: I'm looking at one scene here. There's one building up, four have collapsed. I know you're still in the rescue effort stage, but this is
going to take so much reconstruction as well, isn't it, eventually, and clearance?
OCHOA: Yes, of course, we're at the early stages. We're trying to save as many lives as possible. The window of opportunity for this is closing and
for reconstruction. And that's why we're going to need efforts in the medium and the long term. The people of Venezuela have already suffered a
lot. This needs to stop.
FOSTER: We've just heard that the death tolls, been raised to 1,719 people. I mean, it's a frightening number, isn't it? But presumably, you think that
number is going to go up because we still don't know. You know, there are still thousands missing, right?
OCHOA: Unfortunately, yes. The window of opportunity for finding people alive under the rubble is closing. We're on day five, but we're still
hopeful that some of -- some people can be found alive.
[14:10:00]
And yes, it is unfortunate that some people will not make it through, and that more people is going to be added to this number of fatalities, very
sad situation on the ground.
FOSTER: Beatriz Ochoa, thank you for joining us when you're so busy, appreciate bringing us awareness to the struggle that everyone is facing,
including the aid agencies. Now, the U.S. Supreme Court has dealt another blow, both a big and big win and a big loss really, actually to Donald
Trump today.
The court ruled on two cases involving the President's efforts to fire federal officials. In the case of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, the
justices ruled that the President cannot fire her without cause. The court stressed that the Fed must remain independent of political pressures.
But it said, the President can dismiss a member of the Federal Trade Commission whenever he wants. A precedent setting ruling that greatly
expands presidential power over many government agencies. And in a separate case, the court waded into election law, saying that cases are allowed to
count -- states are allowed to count mail-in ballots that arrive after election day.
President Trump often speaks out against mail-in ballots -- mail-in ballots, even though he frequently votes by mail himself. Most recently in
Florida's special elections just a few months ago. To help us wade through all of this, we are joined by CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig.
Elie, well, there's a lot here, isn't there? But first of all, you know, I think the markets will obviously see it as positive that the Fed has
asserted its independence. But at the same time, we're finding out that all the other government agencies aren't as independent as they thought they
were.
ELIE HONIG, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST: Right, Max. So, we have about two dozen of what we call these quasi-independent federal agencies here in the
United States. And basically, the Supreme Court has now given us two different rules, one for the Fed and one for all the others.
So, the rule for all the others, the rule for the federal trade commission and the National Labor Relations Board on down the line is now that the
President can remove those individuals for any reason he wants, or for no reason at all.
Up until today, the President can only remove those people if he had cause, if they had performed poorly or engaged in misconduct. Now, however, the
President and the presidency have been given expanded powers, can remove those people for any reason they want.
Separately, now onto the Fed, the Supreme Court said, well, not so fast with the Fed. First of all, there's a higher standard. You have to be able
to show cause if you want to remove someone from the Fed, and with respect to this one Federal Board Governor Lisa Cook, that has not yet been shown.
Essentially, the Supreme Court said Lisa Cook is entitled to some process. She's been given really no process other than basically a tweet at this
point. And therefore, the case gets sent back down to the trial level court to give her that process to decide whether she actually can or cannot be
fired. But it does insulate the Fed to some extent from the President's whims.
FOSTER: And the election case, just take us through that because, a mail-in ballot obviously can tip elections when they close. So -- and this is a
significant moment in terms of democracy, right?
HONIG: Yes, about 30 states here in the United States have laws that say that mail-in ballots can be counted so long as they're postmarked by
election day even if they're received a certain number of days after election day.
So, for example, this case came out in Mississippi, which allows mail-in ballots to be counted as long as they're received within five days after
election day. Now, those laws were challenged by the Republican National Committee and others basically saying, well, no election day.
The Tuesday after the first Monday in November, that's supposed to be an end point. Today, the Supreme Court said, no, that is not necessarily an
end point. And yes, if states want to allow grace periods for a certain number of days after election day to count mail-in ballots, they can do
that.
They may do that. So, those laws survive. And that does enable people to vote by mail, and it allows their ballots to be counted even if they arrive
depending on the state, however, many days after election day.
FOSTER: Has Trump explained his issue with mail-in ballots when he uses them himself? I mean, how does it affect him?
HONIG: I'm not sure I can resolve that one for you, Max, but I will tell you, the argument made against these laws is that when Congress passed the
law creating election day as a national holiday, what they meant there was everything has to be over. That's election day. It's all got to be done on
election day.
And the Supreme Court disagreed. They basically said, no, that's a day when votes can be cast, when voters make their choice and all ballots do have to
be postmarked by then. But that doesn't mean the counting must conclude by the end of the day on election day.
[14:15:00]
Yes, so Trump has voted remotely by mail-in ballots. He seems to be drawing a distinction between people who are out of their state for work or for the
military, versus people who just don't feel like voting. But it's really not much of a distinction.
FOSTER: OK, Elie, appreciate it as ever for bringing --
HONIG: Thanks, Max --
FOSTER: Some light to some complex legal cases there.
HONIG: Appreciate it --
FOSTER: Now, still to come tonight after an escalation of U.S. and Iranian strikes, the U.S. says new negotiations could begin as early as tomorrow,
but Iran is already pushing back. We're live in Washington with the details.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: There's confusion again over the on again, off again talks on a lasting peace agreement with Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran
has requested a meeting, and it will take place in Doha tomorrow. Iran denies that.
A spokesperson just announced there are no meetings with the U.S. at any level in the coming days. Mr. Trump's Secretary of State Marco Rubio is
expected to brief lawmakers about the Iran negotiations, that's happening in less than two hours from now.
Let's bring in a senior White House correspondent Kristen Holmes. I mean, unfortunately, you're getting a lot of practice at trying to figure out
what's going on here. But obviously, there are -- there's messaging from both sides. Do we just wait and see?
KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I mean, honestly, Max, yes. Because this is what we have seen and heard from both sides
really since the beginning of this conflict. You are hearing conflicting narration on what exactly is happening here.
Now, I do want to note one thing about what you just mentioned about the Secretary of State briefing lawmakers on the wind-down of the war. This is
the first time that many of these lawmakers are going to hear from anyone in the Trump administration directly about their efforts to try and get out
of Iran, for them to try and wind down the war.
So, that's going to be very significant to see how these lawmakers come out of this briefing, what they're told and how they relay that information. As
we know, they are often very willing to come out and talk to the press after these kinds of briefings to say what they have heard.
So, we'll definitely be keeping an ear out for that. Now, as you noted, it's actually not just these technical talks. We did hear Karoline Leavitt
saying that she had just talked to the President. She did an interview after he had posted saying that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were going
to be flying to Doha for these high-level talks.
As you know, the Iranians are saying that's not true. It's also what's happening with those frozen funds. We heard from the President of Iran
saying that half of the funds that have been frozen in Qatar are being released to Iran.
[14:20:00]
That's roughly $6 billion. On the other side, the U.S. has said that nothing is being released, and that anything that is eventually released is
going to be used for the Iranians to purchase food or agriculture from the United States to then go back to their people with.
Which still raises a lot of questions for anyone watching this closely, that if you're freeing up assets for Iran, even if this is specifically
earmarked, it does free up other assets to potentially give money to proxies -- that terrorism proxies, of course, that Iran has, which has been
part of what the U.S. has said it's trying to combat.
So, a lot of questions still around this. But again, this really goes back to the whole narrative from each side that we have seen. And this is not
the first time specifically on talks. I mean, I'll just remind you of Vice President J.D. Vance saying he was going to Islamabad for this first round
of peace talks before the ceasefire.
And then the plane sat on the tarmac for several hours before it was canceled. At that time, Iran was also saying that they were not going to
show up for those peace talks. So, really, what we can only bank on is what we see with our own eyes at this point.
And when the two sides touch down in Doha, when they actually meet to have these conversations. You know, I'm talking to people behind the scenes, and
there is an enormous amount of frustration among Republicans as a whole who just want this to be over with.
And they still don't feel like they have all the facts in terms of what's actually going on, and what is happening with the administration's role in
this, and the conversations they're having, and why can't they get the Iranians out there, saying anything similar to what the U.S. officials are
saying.
FOSTER: Kristen Holmes, thank you so much. We'll get updates on that, I'm sure, tomorrow. Now, renewed fighting in Lebanon is only fueling deep
concerns about the latest ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government.
Now, Israel's military says it hit three Hezbollah command centers over the weekend. Hezbollah says Israel hit residential buildings, calling it a
blatant ceasefire violation. Iran is demanding a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon as a condition of the broader peace deal with
the U.S. More now from CNN's Jeremy Diamond.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The story this weekend has been, you know, repeated Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon,
even some close quarters combat, it would seem, between Israeli troops and at least one Hezbollah militant that resulted in an Israeli soldier being
killed as a result of some of that combat.
We've seen multiple Israeli strikes in two southern Lebanese towns of Nabatiyeh and Mayfadoun where in one case, a residential building appears
to have been struck. The Israeli military in those cases said it was going after either Hezbollah command centers or going after armed Hezbollah
militants who were near what Israel is calling its security zone in southern Lebanon, where it has troops that are positioned.
That is the same security zone where Israel is meant to begin carrying out two separate withdrawals, one that is north of the Litani River, one from a
section that is south of that Litani River that are meant to kind of test out these pilot programs whereby the Israeli military would withdraw.
The Lebanese military would then come in and take control of those territories and have them remain free of Hezbollah militants. But Hezbollah
has rejected this latest Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement altogether, and is vowing to continue to carry out attacks against Israeli forces in
southern Lebanon so long as they remain there.
Israel, for its part, is maintaining that it has the freedom to operate against any Hezbollah attacks, but also any Hezbollah intent to attack,
which is obviously open to Israel's own interpretation. And so, all of this is going to factor in to the broader negotiations set to take place
tomorrow in Doha, as American and Iranian negotiators will talk not only about the broader ceasefire agreement between those two countries.
The recent attacks that we've seen back-and-forth around the Strait of Hormuz, but also, of course, Lebanon, as always, factoring very closely
into those negotiations, as Iran has demanded a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: All right, Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a rare confession. He said this weekend, the country is facing a fuel shortage as
Ukraine intensifies its attacks. Russian drivers are facing long queues at filling stations in many parts of the country. CNN's Zahra Ullah has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHRA ULLAH, CNN MOSCOW (on camera): Fuel shortages are spreading across Russia because Ukrainian drone attacks on refineries mean Russia is
increasingly facing supply bottlenecks. And with lines like this forming in the capital city, Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin could no longer
ignore it.
VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): You are well aware that problems persist for both drivers and businesses. Queues at gas
stations unfortunately also remain.
[14:25:00]
ULLAH: Many here tell us they're fed up. They're frustrated. They've been driving around from gas station to gas station just looking to buy fuel.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I've been driving around for over half an hour now, and I've been waiting about 20 minutes. Anyway, I don't
have much hope that this will end quickly, but I have no choice. I'm running out of gas.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I was driving around last night too, but I didn't find anything.
ULLAH: In some places, sales of fuel are being limited or rationed. People waiting here have told us they spent much of the day looking for gas at
various stations, before finally joining this queue, with no guarantee of when they'll be able to fill up.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Our Zahra Ullah there reporting from Moscow. Now, police say six people are dead and three people are under arrest after a mass shooting in
Germany. The attack happened near Hamburg in what's been described as a youth facility and a shelter for mothers and children.
Authorities have identified the main suspect in custody as a 45-year-old German citizen with Turkish roots. Also updated this hour, all six victims
of the shooting were employees at the center. They weren't residents. Now, Britain's Prime Minister in waiting, Andy Burnham has vowed to deliver
radical change and rebalance political power in the -- to the north of England.
He said he would create a Number 10 North to share some of the Downing Street operations with a team in Manchester, specifically on housing,
reforming utility bills and reindustrialization. Burnham was mayor of Greater Manchester up until he won the Makerfield byelection earlier this
month.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY BURNHAM, U.K. PRIME-MINISTER-ELECT: We will bring about the biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen. It is time for Whitehall to
accept that growth cannot be ordered from the top-down. Instead, it can only be nurtured from the bottom-up.
It comes from having the power at ground level to make a real difference from a clear shared vision that everyone can understand and investors can
back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Still to come, aid pouring into Venezuela following last week's quakes. But much more is needed. We'll go inside a distribution center in
Spain.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:30:26]
FOSTER: Back to the search efforts in Venezuela. A top Venezuelan lawmaker says the death toll has now topped 1,700 from last week's quakes. An untold
number, though, remain missing. The window to find survivors is quickly closing. And the effort is complicated by aftershocks that continue to
rattle the region.
Aid and supplies, including medicine and search dogs, are flowing in from around the world. But the scale of the task is monumental. And families are
pleading for more machinery to help them find their loved ones.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We want support. We want heavy machinery. We want to take our family members with us. I'm not the only one
in this situation. They're almost not going to let us in here anymore. They haven't helped us clear the rubble.
In block 22 apartment building, there are about 300 people. And we've managed to recover about 80, both the living and the dead. We have no
choice. We don't have help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Well, volunteers all over the world are working to get much-needed supplies to the quake region as quickly as possible. CNN Pau Mosquera
reports from an aid distribution center in Spain.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Boxes, thousands of them containing some hope, hope that takes the form of humanitarian aid. What you're seeing here
all around me is the help that dozens and dozens of anonymous citizens have been giving to volunteers all over this weekend.
This is Manuel Cadenas Sports Center, a 2,000 square meter space that is located southwest of Madrid. And here, volunteers since Saturday have been
piling up all the boxes that have received all over this time. Here, as you can see inside the boxes, you get, for example, baby diapers, non-
perishable foods, even elements to help remove the debris from the streets of Caracas and La Guaira, the places most affected by this powerful double
quake.
Their intention is to send a first package of humanitarian aid this very Tuesday, so it gets to the right hands as soon as possible. But they also
tell me that they will keep working in here as long as it's needed, as long as any citizen comes and gets some humanitarian aid for those most
affected.
Pau Mosquera, CNN, Leganes, Spain.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Thousands of migrants fearing for their lives are rushing to flee South Africa by Tuesday. That's the arbitrary deadline set by anti-
immigrant groups who are calling for undocumented foreigners to leave the country and threatening violence if they don't. It follows months of
growing anti-immigrant sentiment and protests that have sparked brutal attacks on foreign nationals. Larry Madowo has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Marches like these have driven some migrants from their homes in South Africa. Thousands of them have been
seeking refuge at their embassies. Places like Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana are now repatriating their citizens from South
Africa because they fear for their lives.
We're in Soweto in South Africa, where a few hundred people have been marching, asking undocumented, illegal migrants to leave the country by
Tuesday, June 30th. That is the deadline that's been set by anti-migrant groups like these.
You can hear that. They've been singing some songs celebrating Zulu pride. One of them says, who can touch a lion when a Zulu man is there. A lot of
them tell us they're just asking people to come to South Africa legally. They don't want them to come here and abuse the system. And they feel that
many of these undocumented migrants, many Africans, are taking advantage of South Africa's generosity and its draining resources here, leading to high
unemployment. The South African government says that they have a right to protest, but not to violence and intimidation.
KAGISO MVULA, PROTESTER: We are not against any foreigner, but we are saying you must come here legally. Yes, that's all I'm saying.
MADOWO: So, you don't think that South Africa is xenophobic?
MVULA: It's not xenophobic. It's not xenophobic. If I come to your house, I need to abide by your rules. I need to make sure that I follow each and
every rule that is regulating the country.
MADOWO: These protesters say they are not xenophobic or afrophobic, as some African nations have claimed. They just want South African law, immigration
law, to be respected. But the big day is June 30th, when many migrants fear it will not be safe for them to continue living here.
Larry Madowo, CNN, Soweto, Johannesburg.
[14:35:00]
FOSTER: Larry Madowo there. Now, still to come tonight, a heat wave is spreading across much of the U.S. now, just ahead of the 4th of July
holiday. We'll have a live report on what people can expect there.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: Dozens of fires are raging in the western part of the U.S. Three firefighters were killed whilst battling the Snyder fire along the
Colorado-Utah border. The size of the fires, along with dry weather, has led officials in Utah to restrict Fourth of July fireworks as a precaution.
One county in Colorado has issued mandatory evacuation orders because of another fast-moving wildfire, the Gold Mountain Fire, east of now a likely
record-setting heat wave, is ramping up through the Midwest and northeastern part of the U.S. as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th
Independence Day.
CNN Meteorologist Derek Van Dam joins me now. Derek, we're going to have to prepare for this.
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: This is a real serious heat wave situation. I know Europe's coming off of their heat wave, their long-
duration heat wave over the past week. Now, it appears that it's the eastern half of the U.S.'s time, right?
Similar temperatures, but very different impacts, meaning that the eastern U.S. has a lot more homes with air conditioning and the ability to cool
themselves. But so many people will be celebrating the upcoming Fourth of July, 250th anniversary of the United States, coming up this weekend. And
with this coinciding with an extreme heat wave like this, that could spell trouble. Look at the heat wave alerts.
We've got millions of Americans, nearly one in three Americans impacted by the heat alerts as it stands. And these have been upgraded just in the past
hour. Now, the heat -- extreme heat warning, inclusive of Chicago and Detroit, these are starting to expand along the largest population corridor
of the U.S., the I-95 corridor, places like Boston, southward into New York, eventually into D.C.
Now, this is a weather forecast, and I want to kind of put an asterisk here, because what you're looking at is a forecast into this upcoming
weekend. This is when the heat wave will peak Thursday, Friday into Saturday. That's the Fourth of July Independence Day in the U.S. When you
start seeing triple-digit heat waves, that's our heat index values. That's what it feels like on your skin as you step outside. The impacts to your
body has to work so much harder to cool itself down. This could likely be an extreme heat wave.
[14:40:00]
In fact, we've got another way to represent that, the National Weather Service really has this great heat risk map, and any time you see those
shades of purple, that is a level 4 of 4, meaning that all populations will be vulnerable to this heat wave if they don't have the adequate cooling we
talked about at the beginning of this hit.
So, what is this? This graphic may be very familiar with you if you're watching from overseas in Europe. We've been talking about the heat dome
that has settled in across Europe. Well, now it's the United States' turn. This is going to trap the excessive heat, not allowing it to escape back
into the atmosphere, and it's going to scorch the surface of the air where you and I happen to live and reside. So, all of these black dots along this
heavily populated area of the East Coast, those are locations that could have record-setting or tying daytime highs going forward this week.
Now, we know the difference in the heat here is the fact that the humidity levels, the dew point levels will be so hot, and that is going to make it
feel absolutely miserable as you step outside. National Weather Service has been very consistent in its messaging, saying that this heat wave will be
different. This could be the most significant heat wave since July of 2012 when over 30 people perished because of the heat wave during that
particular year across four different states.
So, we need to take this seriously. We need to allow extra time if you're spending any time outdoors. Have plenty of ways to hydrate and, of course,
find shade whenever possible because these temperatures will be well above average in the nation's capital, celebrating the 250th anniversary of our
country and then even into places like New York City. We're talking about triple-digit actual air temperature.
But again, Max, when you factor in the humidity, that's when it becomes dangerous.
FOSTER: Yes, that's what's happening here as well. Derek, thank you so much. More temperature records breaking across here in Europe as this
deadly heat wave shifts east. The Czech Republic, Poland and Denmark logged their hottest days on record over the weekend. They all breached 40 degrees
Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
The WHO says more than 1,300 heat-related deaths have been recorded in Europe since June the 21st. European homes, workplaces and schools weren't
built for these sorts of temperatures. Scientists say man-made climate change is making much higher temperatures more likely all the time. Olga
Mildyn of TVN24 has more now on this record heat wave and how it's impacting Poland.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLGA MILDYN, TVN25 CORRESPONDENT: In Poland, we are fighting with extreme weather conditions right now. Thermometers in Wroclaw show around 40
degrees Celsius, which is around 104 degrees Fahrenheit. But this is measured in the shadow how hot actually is in the city. We asked firemen to
find out.
They use a drone equipped with a thermal camera. It can precisely measure the temperature of objects and areas. The results were striking.
Let's move the camera and check the rooftops next to this street. The result is 74 Fahrenheit. And we can also check the temperature of cars,
which are parked here next to, on the sun. The temperature is -- the temperature of the car body climbed up to 172 Fahrenheit degrees.
You could say it's as hot as in the oven, but is it just a figure of speech or is it reality? We wanted to put it on the test, so we of course asked
the firemen for help. We put the frying pan on our car. How hot our car is right now?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We can check the temperature on our IR camera and it shows that it's over 170 Fahrenheit degrees.
MILDYN: We can now share some eggs with the firemen and show you, of course, how hot is in Poland right now. And the -- show how the current
heat wave affects the weather in Poland. A record will definitely be broken.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Still to come tonight, the first full week of men's World Cup knockout rounds. As multiple African teams take history, I will talk with a
former Nigeria team about a particular statistic.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:45:00]
FOSTER: The knockout stage underway at the World's, well, the Men's World Cup right now in Houston Stadium. Brazil are 1-1 against Japan. Believe it
or not, Japan were 1-up for much of the game. Later today, Germany play Paraguay in the Boston area, whilst Netherlands take on Morocco at
Monterrey Stadium in Mexico. Fans are glued to a big screen in the Japanese capital, as you can see, as well as in Rio. I mean, imagine if Brazil go
out. Imagine if Japan are the ones to send them out. I'm not predicting anything, but anything can happen in this World Cup.
Morocco is one team that's part of a historic moment in the World Cup. For the first time, Africa had 10 nations to qualify. If that wasn't impressive
enough, after almost three weeks of competition, nine are still in, heading to the knockout stage. The list, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory
Coast, Ghana, and, of course, Cape Verde.
Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Algeria. The previous record was two, back when the tournament only had 32 teams.
William Troost-Ekong is a professional footballer. He's a former Nigeria men's team captain. I mean, it's incredible to see, isn't it? What do you
reckon Africa did right this year?
WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG, PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER AND FORMER NIGERIAN MEN'S FOOTBALL TEAM CAPTAIN: It's been great. I think, first and foremost, the
format of the tournament changing, in the sense that we had 10 teams qualifying, was great for the continent. To see eight teams progress last
night, South Africa unfortunately lost, which was a shame, because they did so well after the opening game of the tournament, which was a heavy defeat
for them against Mexico.
Now, to see the progression of the football on the continent has been amazing, and I'm really hopeful to see one of the teams doing better than
Morocco did in 2022 in Qatar.
FOSTER: Which ones are going to be?
TROOST-EKONG: From what I've seen, I think Morocco probably look like the most consistent team. They've got very refreshed young squads, a great
coach who's been there on the 20s as well, and I think that they've got a great chance.
But tonight, obviously, the game against the Netherlands will be a tough test, but they started off the group stage very well, drawing against
Brazil, and I think that they look like a team that can go far or maybe further than what they did in 2022.
FOSTER: Do you think all of Africa is supporting all of these teams? So, if Morocco is the one to go through, then it's going to become an African
moment as much as a Moroccan moment?
TROOST-EKONG: Yes, 100 percent. I think football on the continent has been underrepresented at the World Cup.
[14:50:00]
Of course, we've seen a lot of South American teams, European teams doing so well over the years historically, but I think Morocco really allowed
everyone to dream from what they did in 2022. And yes, it would be a great success for everyone. Of course, us as Nigeria not being there is painful,
but at the same time, we're supporting more African teams.
FOSTER: It's interesting what you're saying, though, because what you're saying is this expansion to 48 teams has been good for Africa because they
got in at the entry level. But actually, once they're in the tournament, they've been allowed to go further. So, you're not saying there's been any
massive change in African football, but this system sort of works perhaps for the African mentality, if I can sort of talk generically across the
continent.
TROOST-EKONG: Yes, of course, there was some discussion around that. We had the coach, Gattuso, from Italy, who's now resigned, saying that he wasn't
happy that there were so many slots for African teams. But I think the one thing that they've done, especially in this tournament now, that they've
answered the question, showing that they compete against all the big teams.
So, even from Congo to Cape Verde, who obviously have an amazing story of going so far as they did on their first time in the tournament. It's
really, I think, great to see that those teams can compete because most of the players that you see on the continent are the same players that are
coloring all the best leagues in the world. And now, for them to be able to also challenge the historical teams from Europe and South America for the
tournament, it's amazing.
FOSTER: All right. We've got to talk about Cape Verde, haven't we? Because I think, you know, it's the one African team that's -- the whole world has
taken to their hearts because, you know, it hasn't been in the tournament before. It's a tiny country, isn't it? It's got -- but somehow, they've
really captured, I guess, the underdog spirit. How would you describe it?
TRUMP: Yes, exactly that. There's some interesting stories in that team. One of the central defenders, Lopez, he got approached, I think, via
LinkedIn to play for Cape Verde some years ago. And of course, their goalkeeper, Vozinha, who turned 40, who was the hero for the opening game
to get a clean sheet. Now, he's had a meteoric rise on social media and the story of his mother not being allowed to be there for the first game due to
visa issues that has now been resolved. It's those kind of things that we love to see.
I think football is the kind of game that connects the world and brings people together. And I think it's also a great way for them to showcase
their culture and their talent because there's abundance of talent in Africa. But now, as the structure is all for a favorite African team to
compete and the organization is getting better on the continent for the teams, even for the small teams who are there making their debut, it's
great to see. And like you said, everybody loves the underdog story.
FOSTER: Yes, totally. Cape Verde, I think so many people behind them. William Troost-Ekong, thank you so much for joining us and good luck with
the rest of the tournament.
I want to get more now on that very tense match currently underway between Japan and Brazil. We're going to go to Don Riddell because, Don, for a
while, Japan were up and, you know, it really does say everything about this World Cup, doesn't it?
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes, this has turned into a real nail-biter for Brazil, who, of course, are five-time world champions. At the moment,
possibly they've met their match in Japan. This is the second round of 32 knockout games being played in Houston.
Japan took the lead in this one through Kaishu Sano with a shot from outside the area. Brazil equalized with a header from Casemiro. And this
game is now fast approaching a period of extra time. We're into stoppage time at the end of the second half, just a couple of minutes more to play.
And if there are no more goals, then we'll be playing 30 minutes of extra time. And then this one could come down to penalties.
Japan are having a really good World Cup. They are a very ambitious team. They have targeted a World Cup triumph by the year 2050. Their coach has
said, you know what, why can't we win it this year? So, that's their story. They are very disciplined, very organized. They've really kind of proposed
that Brazil come at them in this game. And so, far, they're by and large kind of holding firm.
Can the Brazilians find a way through to get themselves into the next round? Brazil haven't gone out this early in a World Cup tournament since
1966. That's a long time. I mentioned their five-time world champions. They haven't won it, though, since 2002. That's now approaching a quarter of a
century. That is a lifetime for Brazilian football fans. But as we speak, they've kind of met their match for now. Let's see how it plays out.
FOSTER: Yes, just tell us about Japan. Obviously, avid football fans will know that they've been gradually climbing the rankings, haven't they, over
the years. Perhaps we're not aware of how high they are.
[14:55:00]
But then this is an example, isn't it? We're just talking about African football. We're also learning about how Japanese football has really come
on.
RIDDELL: Yes, and if you look at many of the stars of the Japanese team, a lot of them now play in Europe. So, they're very well known to fans around
Europe. I mean, the goal scorer plays in Germany. A lot of these guys play in the Premier League as well. So, yes, they're exporting great talent
around the world. They're a very, very strong Asian team.
It's interesting contrasting this with what you've just been speaking about with your guests, your audience about the success of the African teams at
this tournament. For Asia, it's been really disappointing. Only two of the Asian teams actually made it out of the group this time around, Japan being
one of them. And they're a country, as I say, with big ambitions.
They actually played Brazil in a friendly last autumn. And they came from behind in that game. They were two down. They came back to win 3-2. Only a
friendly. But that's the kind of performance and result that will have given them a lot of hope going into this one.
FOSTER: Don, thank you very much. The two sets of fans gripped to the screens currently. We have three minutes of extra time. And then we're
going to go into that extra time for the match generally. So, there could be penalties between Brazil and Japan. This World Cup is pretty amazing.
Do so with CNN. I'll be back with "What We Know" after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
