Return to Transcripts main page
One World with Zain Asher
Palestinian Health Ministry: Thousand Plus People Killed Since May Trying to Get Food; Hundred Plus Aid Organizations Call on Israel to Open Flow of Aid; Third Round of Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Turkey Tonight; Sentencing for Man Who Killed 4 University of Idaho Students; World Court's Landmark Advisory Opinion on Climate Change; Hometown Fans Pay Tribute on "Black Sabbath Bridge". Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired July 23, 2025 - 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)
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: An increasing threat of mass starvation in Gaza, as pressure grows on Israel to let more aid in. "One
World" starts right now. Aid for Gaza, Russia has warned Ukraine and emergency food supplies being destroyed. The spokesperson for the U.S.
State Department joins us this hour to talk foreign policy under the Trump Administration.
Plus, a third round of Russia, Ukraine peace talks happening today in Ukraine. The Kremlin says it does not expect discussions to be easy. And
the U.N.'s highest court hands down an opinion on climate change that could set a benchmark for action on the climate crisis.
Hello everyone. Live from New York. I'm Bianna Golodryga. Zain is off today. You are watching "One World". More than 100 international aid
organizations are sounding the alarm for the world to hear, warning that mass starvation is spreading in Gaza, and famine is, quote, banging down
the door.
But perhaps it's the pictures that speak the loudest, revealing the vast scope of the devastation there. And we want to warn you, some of these
images are disturbing. In a joint statement, the coalition of humanitarian groups says Israel's blockade of aid into Gaza is not only threatening the
lives of millions of Palestinians, but also of doctors and aid workers.
And they're calling on the Israeli government to lift restrictions and agree to a ceasefire. Gaza's Health Ministry says 10 people have died from
starvation in the past 24 hours alone. The U.N. Chief describes the level of death as without parallel, and calling it an utter disgrace and
disregard for international law.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONIO GUTERRES, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL: We need look no further than the orders show in Gaza, with a level of death and destruction without parallel
in recent times, malnourishment is soaring. Starvation is knocking on every door, and now we are seeing the last gasp of a humanitarian system built on
humanitarian principles.
This system is being denied the conditions to function, denied the space to deliver, denied the safety to save lives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: On Tuesday, the EU's top diplomat said that Israeli military must stop killing people who are seeking aid. Israel denies claims that it
directly targets civilians and accuses Hamas of stealing aid shipments, something that Hamas has rejected. CNN's Jeremy Diamond joins us now live
in Tel Aviv.
Jeremy, what is the latest here, as we're seeing increased pressure on Israel to allow and to facilitate more aid distribution in the enclave?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Well Bianna, the number of people who are dying of starvation in Gaza is growing by the day, and
really it is reaching unprecedented proportions, even by the standards of the horrors that we have seen in Gaza unfolding for nearly two years now.
In just the last 24 hours, 10 people have died of malnutrition. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the day before that number was 15,
we simply haven't seen 25 people dying within 48 hours of starvation in Gaza since the beginning of this war.
And among those who are dying, the majority of them are children, as is so often the case in situations of starvation or famine, the most vulnerable
in society, whether those with preexisting conditions, children, infants, they are often the first ones to die. And of the 111 people who've died in
Gaza so far since the beginning of the year, since the beginning of the war, from starvation, 81 of those are children.
In addition to that, we are also witnessing the continued violence that is taking place near these Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites as well, and
increasingly around some of these U.N. convoys that are making their way into the Gaza Strip. In just the last 24 hours, 34 people were killed while
seeking aid. The majority of those were killed while trying to approach some of those convoys that were coming in.
They were struck down by Israeli gunfire, according to health officials and eyewitnesses. And this is part of why we are seeing this outrage from the
international community, which is talking not only about the kind of fundamental avoidable nature of this crisis that is happening in Gaza,
pointing to Israeli restrictions and the difficulty of getting that aid throughout the Gaza Strip because of the lack of coordination with Israeli
authorities.
[11:05:00]
But also, we are hearing them say that this U.N. led humanitarian system has not failed, but rather that it has been prevented from functioning.
Now, the Israeli military and Israeli authorities, they claim that they are not limiting the number of a trucks that can go into Gaza. They point to
recent measures to improve the situation in Gaza, including opening the Zikim crossing in the northern part of the strip.
And they also point to 950 aid trucks that are inside of Gaza waiting to be collected by the United Nations. But the United Nations and these other aid
groups say that it is a lack of coordination from the Israelis and the lack of safe routes to be able to pick up those trucks and then distribute them
inside of Gaza, which is the reason why they have been left there for the time being.
The bottom line is that we are reaching absolute crisis levels in Gaza. And the only thing that would really alleviate any of this is if a ceasefire
agreement could be reached that would bring in much needed humanitarian aid into Gaza would secure the release of 10 living Israeli hostages, about 18
deceased Israeli hostages.
We know that Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy to the region, he is on his way to Europe now to engage in discussions with some of the
parties involved in this to try and bring this thing home. Following that, he may head to Doha, Qatar to pursue these negotiations.
It is the best signal yet that we are getting closer to a deal, but it is still clear that there are disagreements and there is no deal yet, until
all the points in these ceasefire negotiations are agreed to, Bianna.
GOLODRYGA: All right, Jeremy Diamond, reporting for us. Thank you so much. As Jeremy just mentioned, as international condemnation grows over Gaza
spiraling humanitarian crisis, and as Israel faces increased pressure to end the war. The focus again turns to diplomacy and U.S. Special Envoy
Steve Witkoff traveling to Europe this week for meetings to discuss the ceasefire and then to Doha for further talks.
State Department spokesperson says the Trump Administration has a strong hope for a ceasefire and humanitarian corridor for aid to flow into Gaza.
And Tammy Bruce joins me now live from the U.S. State Department. Welcome back to the program. Tammy, it is good to see you.
So, as we have been reporting, as you've seen these images, the humanitarian crisis is only growing and becoming worse in Gaza. The W.H.O.
Chief says that, quote, large proportion of Gaza's people are starving. Does the U.S. believe that Israel is doing all that it can and enough to
protect civilians in Gaza?
TAMMY BRUCE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: Well, Bianna, great to be back with you. I appreciated the report before our segment here, but the
word that's being missed quite often is the word Hamas. There, yes, a ceasefire, absolutely would help the humanitarian efforts, to say the
least. That is what America is being committed to.
It's what the president has been committed to. But there is one group that could end this immediately, and that is Hamas by laying down their weapons
and by releasing all the hostages, versus as an element of a few of them, via a ceasefire agreement. Now we will obviously take what we can in order
to stop the suffering.
But my goodness, when we there's a lot of discussion about Israel, they continue to defend themselves. They're continuing, and they've made it
clear, as has President Trump, that Hamas cannot continue to exist. That has been a hallmark of Secretary Marco Rubio's rhetoric as well about how
we can actually get this region and the Gaza Strip out of this cycle of suffering and carnage.
It is clear the Gazan people have been the first victims of Hamas from the start, but it's remarkable to me. In the coverage, they're not even
mentioned essentially as being a factor in this. Now to the point about a ceasefire. Yes. Steve Witkoff, a remarkable envoy working on this from the
beginning.
The president has expressed hope that this is going to be moved. The Secretary of State said to me yesterday that certain things have already
been agreed to, including a humanitarian corridor, both parties have agreed to that, but we need to get to the point of Hamas deciding to cooperate.
We had a ceasefire, Bianna, before, as you will recall, and then Hamas decided it wasn't good enough for them, or they weren't interested anymore,
and they broke that ceasefire. We had a ceasefire on October 7th, when they attacked the music festival. So, we want to get -- and that's what we're
working on.
GOLODRYGA: Tammy, I am not disagreeing with you here. I have said since October 8th, this war, and all of this could come to an end.
BRUCE: Sure.
GOLODRYGA: The onus is on Hamas to release the hostages and lay down their arms.
BRUCE: Right.
GOLODRYGA: That having been said, we are nearly two years into this war. And my sources tell me that Hamas is now the sticking point here that they
are not the ones who want to agree to a deal right now, in part because they think these images they see on television benefit them.
They are not in it for protecting the Palestinians that are suffering in Gaza, either. Obviously, they view this as a weapon for them to use.
[11:10:00]
BRUCE: Correct.
GOLODRYGA: So that having been said to bring them to a deal and a ceasefire deal right now.
BRUCE: Yes.
GOLODRYGA: It would seem that more humanitarian aid getting in as soon as possible to address some of these concerns, would be the -- priority --
BRUCE: Well yes. Let me -- yes. Well, you would think so. We've been doing that, and again, some of the numbers that your reporter noted come from the
Gazan Health Ministry, which we also know is Hamas. Any loss of life, of course, is horrible. This is a horrible dynamic.
The food that goes in, in this environment of a war zone will never be enough, because the environment is abnormal and it's obscene. That's why we
want the ceasefire. That said the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has delivered over 80 million meals at this point, which is helpful, but again,
it's not about normalizing this dynamic.
We've got to have it stop. You're absolutely correct. And in the meantime, when it comes to what, you know, why Hamas might be feeling, and
apparently, with the -- what I've heard from our leadership is that they, you know, we've got a partial agreement. And of course, their main
benefactor, Iran, had a little bit of an experience a few weeks ago, that has changed their ability to support these death squads around the Middle
East.
The main world sponsor of terrorism, is on its heels, so we do have an opportunity. And as the president has said, Hamas had better take these
deals. Had better -- do what we ask of them, or it's going to be bad for them.
GOLODRYGA: Bad, how?
BRUCE: There is no other option for Hamas at this point.
GOLODRYGA: Bad, how? What can the president do to put more pressure on Hamas to agree to a ceasefire at this point, because it does appear that
the issue right now is that Hamas isn't willing to sign off on this deal?
BRUCE: Well, I would argue that, in fact, Envoy Witkoff is now moving to have additional discussions. Secretary Rubio's remarks to me, was that he
was very optimistic, and there was indeed a lot of hope based on facts on the ground that we could have something within a very short period of time.
So, Bianna, there is movement, and there's movement because already what President Trump has done, which has made it clear to Iran that they will
never have a nuclear weapon. We know that's clear, but in the damage to the country when it comes to sanctions, when it comes to the world opinion, we
know strongly worded letters don't stop wars like this.
It is action and leadership by people like Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff to make it clear to people on the ground that the change has
to come. We are at that point, as I've been communicated to me, and I'm very excited because of the work that these men are doing.
GOLODRYGA: You mentioned the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. I believe another $30 million have been allocated to them.
BRUCE: Correct.
GOLODRYGA: Is the U.S. satisfied with the work that the GHF has been doing thus far? Because, as we've heard from Jeremy's reporting, again, the onus
is on Hamas here, but Israel is also the one that's helping facilitate these trucks and these aid distribution sites. We are seeing the numbers.
BRUCE: Yeah.
GOLODRYGA: We are seeing the images of children, of starving families, of people being shot at the chaos.
BRUCE: Correct. I know.
GOLODRYGA: -- around these distribution sites. Is that something that the United States is satisfied with?
BRUCE: Well, I can tell you that there's been no violence, no mass event like that within the distribution sites, but you opened our segment by
noting that the Hamas is thinking maybe it's beneficial for them with all of these images. And that tells you something, if they believe that, of
course, that it makes it dangerous, and then people understandably become horrified.
It does benefit them, with the argument that we should just go back to what it was we were doing. The fact is, Israel and the U.N., your report noted
had a convoy move in within the last few days, which was also taken and where there was also violence, with 30 people being killed around a U.N.
convoy.
What the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has done when we say, if we're satisfied, 80 plus million meals distributed is a remarkable feat.
Something said no -- things, something that people said could not occur, and it has worked. Is it a horrible dynamic on the ground in Gaza.
Yes, it's a war zone that is run by and terrorized by a terrorist group, and that is what has to change, and that when you hear meantime getting
food in there.
GOLODRYGA: When you hear that there are 900 trucks waiting to go to distribute aid that is needed by so many of those in the enclave. How can
you say that things are going according to plan?
BRUCE: Right.
GOLODRYGA: Or talk about the amount of food that's being distributed by GHF?
BRUCE: Sure.
GOLODRYGA: Because clearly, it is not enough. 900 trucks could feed a lot of people.
[11:15:00]
BRUCE: Well, you know, as I've noted, it will never be enough, because the situation is abnormal. It's unnatural. It's carnage. It -- nothing we do in
a war zone is ever going to be enough. The only time that will happen is when there's peace and we can rebuild within the civilized framework.
But those trucks wait, and this is what I would recommend, is that there is a system that GHF has been able to establish to get the food in there. Of
course, it's dangerous, that's always been the issue. And the looting by Hamas has that they weaponize that food. They sell it.
They have money for weapons. The key was to keep it away from Hamas. Now, if the U.N. is holding nine -- what was it? 90 trucks with food. Maybe they
should talk with GHF instead of condemning them fight participating in the dynamic that has allowed trucks to get in safely. And that is what they've
offered and they've implemented, and that's the solution.
GOLODRYGA: Tammy, 28 countries have now signed on to a joint statement this week calling for the immediate end to the war in Gaza and accusing Israel
of not doing enough to allow sufficient aid in demanding that it must do so to comply with international humanitarian law.
These 28 countries are some of the United States closest allies. Does the United States disagree with this letter? And if so, why?
BRUCE: Well --
GOLODRYGA: Sure.
BRUCE: I would also have liked to have seen a letter by 28 or more countries putting the same points to Hamas. Israel is clearly a party in
the negotiations regarding a ceasefire. They are working diligently, along also with our partners, like Qatar and Egypt for the ceasefire.
Our approach, from the beginning of the Trump Administration, has been the hallmark of his approach to find peace in that region. He's spoken about it
regularly, talks about the suffering of the Gazan people, but let me tell you, conferences and strongly worded letters don't stop a war.
They don't stop terrorist groups from continuing to terrorize the people that they obviously disdain and hate. It takes action. We have been in
action since the beginning of the Trump Administration, and again, even right now, and part of the stories are the conversations and negotiations
and Envoy Witkoff continues to have.
So, it's nice to know that people want the war to stop. The world wants that. We know that it is horrible. We agree. And yet, let's start putting
some pressure with those 28 nations on what Hamas needs to do in a moment, in dropping their weapons, releasing the hostages. It seems as though that
is just not addressed.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah.
BRUCE: But in the meantime, letters are one thing. Action is another. We are taking action. President Trump takes action through the hands and the
vision, certainly of Secretary Rubio and our special envoys.
GOLODRYGA: So, what actions --
BRUCE: America has made this commitment, and we're keeping with it.
GOLODRYGA: What specific action is Envoy Witkoff and the Secretary of State? What are they prepared to do now to see that this ceasefire come
about?
BRUCE: Well, you've seen, of course, with what can be shared, because obviously we can't discuss what the negotiations are. You hear about
agreements or arrangements. What I can tell you, of course, some specific, one specific thing is, I think I've already mentioned that Secretary Rubio
mentioned to me yesterday was new aid routes, new supply routes, to get aid to the people without being the framework of the ceasefire.
But the details are meant to be private, so that they don't get discussed in public and then derailed by interests. And there are some, like Hamas,
of course, who have an interest in having peace not occur. So, we will see the results. And what are we willing to do? You've seen it from the
beginning.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah.
BRUCE: We've gotten the parties to the table. We've achieved a ceasefire already at one point, which was broken by Hamas. We have made it sent a
very strong signal to Iran that they will not proceed in the manner that they have in the past, and that we will have peace in the Gaza Strip.
And those people will have a future they can rely on. That's our commitment, and we've acted on that every day.
GOLODRYGA: Tammy, let me ask you about domestic news that was made yesterday by the president as well, accusing his predecessor, President
Obama, of treason. A bipartisan Senate Intel report led and signed by now, Secretary Rubio disputed that, found no evidence of wrongdoing. Does he now
support the president's treason claim? And if so, why?
BRUCE: Well, I'm not going to discuss, first of all, the comments or the position of President Trump. He does that very well for himself --
GOLODRYGA: No, but you represent the Secretary of State. Yes, that's why I'm asking,
BRUCE: I sure do. Yes, yes, you do. And also, what I don't discuss here, as you've seen before, in the past, and here is the discussion about the
position that Secretary Rubio has, the nature of the decisions, and how he comes to those decisions, either in the past or currently.
[11:20:00]
What I can tell you, of course, is the American people have seen is that Secretary Rubio and President Trump have the best interests of this nation
in mind. They work every day to make America safer, stronger and more prosperous. And that's what I speak to every day, but never about the
nature of how he comes to his decisions, what his positions are currently on a dynamic?
I don't represent Him in that fashion. What I will talk about, of course, is our policy, what we're doing to apply that policy, and how it's helping
America. Which Americans in the world I think are quite impressed by.
GOLODRYGA: Should we expect to hear from him directly on this issue, whether his positions have changed?
BRUCE: Well, I have nothing to preview for you on that. I'm not going to get ahead of my skis of speculating on what the Secretary of State may or
may not say. As you know, of course, he's a busy man. He's also the National Security Advisor. He's the acting advisor in that regard. And of
course, the Secretary of State, as you know, we have very busy world.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah.
BRUCE: It's a very exciting time to be involved at the State Department right now, and I look forward to more success the work that's hard to make
sure that Americans are safer, but also that we're safer when the world is safer. So, I'm looking forward to more work on that as well.
GOLODRYGA: Well, he definitely does wear multiple hats in this administration, that is for sure.
BRUCE: He does.
GOLODRYGA: Tammy Bruce, good to see you. Please come back again.
BRUCE: Thank you, Bianna.
GOLODRYGA: Thank you very much for the time.
BRUCE: I would love to. Thank you, dear.
GOLODRYGA: All right. Well, a third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is set to begin. Negotiators are set to meet in Istanbul in the
next few hours. What the Kremlin had to say ahead of today's meeting.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GOLODRYGA: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is promising to unveil a new plan to fight corruption, after facing mounting criticism at home and
abroad over a measure he signed into law on Tuesday. It would reduce the independence of anti-corruption agencies, placing them under the authority
of a prosecutor appointed by the president.
Here you see protesters gathered outside the presidential office in Kyiv to denounce the bill. Ukraine's European allies are criticizing it as well,
suggesting it could hurt the country's chances of getting into the EU. The move comes after Ukrainian authorities raided one of the bureaus, accusing
two of its employees of working for Russia.
And of course, this comes as Ukraine and Russia are expected to engage in another round of peace talks in the coming hours.
[11:25:00]
Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Turkey for a third round of peace talks with Russia, but the Kremlin says no one should expect any miraculous
breakthroughs. Zelenskyy says his country's goals are clear.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE: The release of our people from Russian captivity must continue, and it's exactly right now that the
necessary procedures for a new exchange have already begun. The task is to work towards a ceasefire. This is what the world is urging Russia to do.
The task is to work on organizing a leaders meeting. This is something that would bring us closer to peace. Ukraine has never wanted this war, and it
is Russia that must end this war that it started itself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Our Fred Pleitgen joins us with more. And Fred, when the Russians themselves are saying nothing miraculous should be expected out of
this summit really sets the bar rather low. What can we expect then, coming out of it, prisoner exchanges, perhaps?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. Yeah, I think prisoner exchanges, Bianna, is probably going to be the one thing
that is going to be agreed upon, and something that we've seen also in the past rounds of negotiations that have taken place between the Ukrainians
and the Russians, something that was agreed upon and then actually was also followed through.
And a lot of prisoners, of course, were exchanged after those two earlier rounds of talks between the Ukrainians and the Russians. This time,
however, it seems as though, as far as the strategic picture is concerned as far as what the Ukrainians want and the Russians want in the actual
conflict in Ukraine, that there really isn't very much headway to be expected.
We just heard some of the things that President Zelenskyy said there. He wants to work towards a ceasefire. He also wants to work towards a direct
face to face meeting with Vladimir Putin, obviously, with the aim of a direct and immediate ceasefire as well.
But the Russians certainly seem to have very different interests as far as that's concerned. We also know, by the way, that the Russian delegation has
been on the ground in Istanbul for an extended period of time, already arriving earlier today. The Russians have been saying what they want is a
larger peace agreement that takes into account what they call their national security interests.
Now the Ukrainians say a lot of that is nonstarters from the beginning, they essentially want the Ukrainians to cede the territory that the
Russians have already taken. But then also, on top of that, to cede further territory in those regions that the Russians want, where the Ukrainian
military actually still stands and where it still holds that ground.
They also de facto want the Russians, the demilitarization of Ukraine, to basically stand down most of its army, and also guarantees that Ukraine
will never join NATO. Now, all of those things the Ukrainians have in the past said are simply things that aren't going to be happening, and also
things where they feel it's very difficult to even start negotiations.
And if we look at the last round of talks that took place in Istanbul between the Ukrainians and the Russians, those talks lasted, I think, about
1.5 or maybe two hours, and then stopped, and there again, a prisoner release exchange was agreed upon, but really nothing on top of that.
And it seems as though, judging by the words of the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, saying a couple of days ago that he believes
the two sides are diametrically opposed to one and one another as far as what they feel should be happening next in the larger negotiations.
And of course, the Russians also today saying are essentially pouring cold water on the notion that there could be, in the not-too-distant future, a
meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russians are saying that, look, that's
something that, in general, they're not opposed to.
But at the same time, they still say that a lot of details would have to be worked out. A lot of this would need meticulous preparation, as they put
it. So, it certainly seems as though progress, or substantial progress, is not something that is necessarily in the card at this meeting that is going
to take place.
You're absolutely right. The expectations certainly are very low. But for the Ukrainians, of course, and for the Russians as well, those prisoner
exchanges are, of course, something that are extremely important to the families of the people who are in custody on either side, Bianna.
GOLODRYGA: When we know both sides see it in their interest to at least appear to be willing to come to the negotiating table in terms of what the
White House wants out of this as well. That's another factor. Fred Pleitgen, thank you so much. Reporting from Berlin. Appreciate it.
Up next on "One World", judgment day for a killer, will the man who admits to murdering four college students finally explain why he did it?
[11:30:00]
GOLODRYGA: Right. Welcome back to "One World". I'm Bianna Golodryga in New York. Here are some headlines we're watching today. Russia and Ukraine are
headed for another round of negotiations. The peace talks are due to convene in Istanbul in the coming hours.
The Kremlin prefaced the meeting by saying that it will be a very difficult discussion. Do not expect any miraculous breakthroughs. President Trump is
headlining an artificial intelligence summit in Washington later today with his AI Czar, David Sachs. Reuters reports that Trump is expected to unveil
a new plan aimed at helping the U.S. win the global AI race.
That plan is set to focus on relaxing regulations that govern AI. A top FEMA official is in the hot seat today at a House hearing on disaster
response. Comes after the catastrophic Texas floods and the voluntary resignation on Monday of the Chief of FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team.
Sources say he was frustrated by recent changes under the Trump Administration. The sentencing hearing for the man who has admitted to the
brutal murder of four University of Idaho students is happening right now. Bryan Kohberger is expected to get life in prison without the possibility
of parole.
The hearing could last all day. Starts with statements from the family's victim, from the victim's families. And the big question is whether we will
hear from Bryan Kohberger himself. He's not required to say anything. Joining us now is CNN's Veronica Miracle, and we are hearing some of the
family statements now. Veronica, what more can you tell us about what's happening in the courtroom?
VERONICA MIRACLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, the hearing just began, and they started right out of the gate with these victim impact statements, the
prosecution, bringing people forward and going through each of the crimes, the first one being burglary. And so, the surviving roommates, the victims
-- they were victims of burglary, as they did survive, and they each had an opportunity to speak.
It's the first time that we're hearing from them, including Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke. Now we've seen through court documents some of the
experiences that they went through, what their testimony that they gave, but today was the first time that they've really stepped forward to express
the emotional trauma that they've gone through over the last few years.
Both of them each talking about how they've had to sleep in their parents' bed. They couldn't leave the house for a year.
[11:35:00]
They're traumatized, and they still, to this day, are coping with the loss, not only of their friends, but the loss of their own freedom, their loss of
their own safety, and what that means one of the surviving roommates, Bethany Funke, she actually had a friend speak on her behalf in a written
letter. Here's what her friend read on her behalf. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EMILY ALANDT, FRIEND OF SURVIVING ROOMMATE: For a long time, I could barely get out of bed, but one day, I realized I have to live for them. They did
not get the chance to keep living, but I do, and I will not take that for granted. So now, every day, I remind myself to live for them, and
everything I do.
I do it with them in mind. I am still scared to go out in public, but I forced myself to do things because I know that they would want me to keep
living my life to the fullest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MIRACLE: It's already been a very emotional about half an hour, and this will be going on for the rest of the morning into the day. Madison Mogen,
one of the victims who was murdered, her stepfather, is right now speaking as I take a look at this live stream, he is speaking on behalf of his
family.
All of the families of those students who were murdered will get an opportunity to speak to Bryan Kohberger about how these crimes have
devastated their families. We also understand that neither party, the prosecution or the defense, they did not submit any pre-sentencing, and
they did not submit an investigation before the sentence.
And the state will also not present new evidence today, but they will lay out why they believe this plea agreement, this sentence is the best. Bryan
Kohberger will also have an opportunity to speak to the judge. Now, whether that happens remains to be seen, because this entire process, the last 2.5
years, he's hardly said any words.
He did admit to each of the crimes, the murders and the burglaries, in the plea agreement hearing a couple of weeks ago, but he has not said why he
committed these murders, and he doesn't have to, according to his plea agreement, he doesn't have to speak, but he will get the chance to so we're
going to be monitoring this. We'll bring it more to you as soon as we get it. Back to you.
GOLODRYGA: Can't begin to imagine how difficult this must be for the families of those victims. Veronica Miracle, thank you so much. The World
Court issues its opinion on how countries should deal with climate change. We'll have the details straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:40:00]
GOLODRYGA: The International Court of Justice has just issued a landmark, non-binding advisory opinion regarding states' obligations when it comes to
climate change. According to Reuters, the court says countries must address what it called the urgent and existential threat of climate change by
cooperating to curb emissions.
Climate change activists gathered outside of The Hague in the Netherlands before the hearing. Environmental groups welcomed the court's opinion,
which said that it is a breach of international law for countries to fail to comply with climate change treaties.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUDGE YUJI IWASAWA, INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE: The court considers that the standard due diligence attaching to the obligation to pursue
domestic mitigation measures is stringent. On account of the fact that the best available science indicates that the risks and projected adverse
impact and related loss and damage from climate change escalate with every increment of global warming.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: I want to bring in Erika Lennon, she is a Senior Attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law, and joins us from Pasadena,
California. Welcome to the program. Let's first talk about the fact that, yes, on the one hand, this could be a turning point in the climate change
accountability under international law. But in practical terms, what are the implications of this decision today?
ERIKA LENNON, SENIOR ATTORNEY AT THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW: So, I mean, really, this is a truly historic day for climate justice,
and I think this opinion exceeded expectations and is extraordinary and really clarified that states are under an obligation, not only under the
climate treaties, but under customary international law, under human rights law, to take measures and to take measures, litigation, et cetera.
Or legislation, to respond to the climate crisis and to really halt the climate crisis and repair the harm when they've breached that conduct. And
so, this can have wide ranging implications, whether it's in courts, whether it's in legislation, whether it's in international negotiations,
because it really clarified what the law is, that countries have to comply with related to the climate crisis.
GOLODRYGA: So how binding is this ruling, especially for countries that are not signatories of ICJ?
LENNON: So, what the ICJ does in its advisory opinion is that it interprets and distills binding law, including Custom International Law. And so, it's
the advisory opinion, in and of itself, offers an interpretation and really says it is what countries have they've committed to. They've committed to
this under custom.
It applies across the board. The court also specified that what it said today does not just apply to countries that are party to the climate
treaties, but applies to all countries. And so national and regional courts should really look to this to clarify obligations that states have to act
on climate change.
GOLODRYGA: So, this was brought to suit, and this case brought to the court's attention by an island nation of Vanuatu, which says that they
themselves are the victims of climate change and its impact. Could this door now open? Could this ruling, open the door to possibilities for
lawsuits against nations, against corporations, now?
LENNON: Absolutely, I think what the court really made clear was that states have obligations, and if they breach those obligations by not taking
the necessary measures, for example, to halt the use of fossil fuels and to curtail production of fossil fuels and use and consumption, then they can
be held accountable.
And that accountability can involve restitution, it can involve satisfaction, and it can involve cessation of the wrongful act, and states
could bring cases under international law, people could bring cases under domestic law and use this to really seek remedy and seek reparations for
the harm they're facing due to the climate crisis.
GOLODRYGA: So how does this affect major emitters, specifically the United States and China?
LENNON: So, this puts major emitters on notice. It puts all countries on notice that are continuing pollution, that that's not allowed, and that you
can't just hide your head in the sand. You can't pretend it doesn't exist, and it's there on notice that fossil fuels and the continued emissions,
production, consumption.
[11:45:00]
Subsidizing fossil fuels may be an internationally wrongful act, and that they have to take more ambitious action, and they have to take action in
line with the obligation to keep global temperature rise below 1.5, because science says that that's what we need in order to protect people and the
planet, and that it's not safe above 1.5.
And so, countries are now obliged, or countries were always obliged, but this clarifies that they are obliged to do that and to take measures to
stop the climate crisis. And so, it really puts big emitters on notice that they have to do something, and they can't just continue business as usual.
GOLODRYGA: So, I can't imagine this changes the Trump Administration's policies as it relates to climate change. President Trump took the United
Nations, took the United States out of the Paris Climate Accords in his first term. It did the same in his second. But who will even be enforcing
this ruling if, in case, this is something that the government does view as a threat?
LENNON: So, I think what's really important to know is that you know this ruling will not you know, just go into implementation on its own, but that
it is a tool that can be used by advocates, by campaigners, by other states, by lawyers, by judges, to hold those most responsible for the
climate crisis to account, and so it will be potentially enforced in litigation.
It will be enforced through legislation. It should bring to bear consequences on the international negotiations under the climate treaties.
And so, it can be enforced all over the world and consequences can be felt for not complying. And the court did make clear that even those countries
that are not a party to the climate treaty still have obligations under international law to prevent the climate crisis and protect people on the
planet.
GOLODRYGA: So, what does this mean, ultimately, for the small island nations that say they face existential threat because of climate change,
Vanuatu, obviously, is the party that brought this case forward. Can they get more reparations, financial support? What can they get out of this?
LENNON: Potentially, yes. I think it's a watershed moment for climate justice and for small island states who are suffering the most and have
done the least to cause the problem. And so, they can take this and go forward and seek reparations. They can seek compensation. They can seek
cessation of the wrongful conduct, so the release of greenhouse gas emissions.
And they can potentially get compensation it also acknowledged that, you know, even if there's sea level rise, if territories change, that doesn't
change statehood, which is really, really critical and important to small islands and those who may lose territory.
And so, this is just an extraordinary time for them to be able to take this and to say, we have the backing of the International Court. What we've been
saying for years was confirmed by the world's highest court today.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, holding a lot of countries and emitters accountable, really, for the first time in an unprecedented way. Erika Lennon, thank you
so much.
LENNON: Thank you.
GOLODRYGA: Well, the music world is in mourning today, after the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, we'll bring you some of the many tributes to the rock icon,
after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
GOLODRYGA: Some of the hits from rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 76. He died just 17 days after appearing in what he
acknowledged was his final concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England. He was suffering from Parkinson's disease and performed the show from a
throne.
His passing inspired tributes from across the music world. Bandmate Tony Iommi called Osborne's death, heartbreaking. Writing, there won't ever be
another like him. Our Salma Abdelaziz went to Birmingham to hear from Ozzy's hometown fans.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In Ozzy Osbourne's hometown of Birmingham, England, it is difficult not to feel his impact and his
presence everywhere. I'm standing in front of a memorial bench that was built for Black Sabbath right in the middle of Birmingham City Center.
This was, of course, set up way before his passing. And fans have been gathering here all day, coming to lay down flowers. It's been really
extraordinary to watch these heavy metal fans with piercings and tattoos and leather jackets coming to lay down these beautiful, colorful flowers
and light these candles.
And just take a look at some of the messages that have been left behind. You made Birmingham the Rock and Roll capital of the world. And you hear
that from so many fans that this is a band that started open a new genre that inspired generations of musicians.
Come follow me and take a take a closer look at some of these things here as well. The Aston Villa shirt, again, that is his local football team. It
is here in Birmingham that Ozzy Osbourne played his first gig and played his last gig just a few weeks ago at Villa Park Stadium.
And just take a look at all the people that have started to gather here again to say their goodbyes, to memorialize this band, to meet with members
of this community and some of those fans that I want to introduce you to here are Andy (ph) and his daughter, Bonnie (ph).
You guys are wearing the T shirts from the final concert. And Bonnie (ph), if I could start with you, because you were so emotional. You were in tears
when I walked up to you. What made you so sad to hear of his path.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wanted to be here to say thank you to Ozzy, because that day was the best day of my life. I got to experience something that
was life changing, and I'll never forget it.
ABDELAZIZ: And Andy (ph), I was just shocked at how young Bonnie (ph) is. You're only 14 years old, but dad has passed on the tradition, why?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's really matter music. It doesn't really matter what age you are, once the music gets inside your blood that's in it is your
senior forever. And I was privileged enough to spend that time at the Villa Park and back to the beginning concert with my daughter, my eldest daughter
and partner.
The tickets was a surprise birthday present for my birthday, and I couldn't believe that we'd actually got tickets to go and to spend it with my
youngest daughter and to see the icons that I grew up adoring and still do went meant --
ABDELAZIZ: And Bonnie (ph), what's the final thing that you want people to remember about Ozzy Osbourne?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Never forget his music, because he gave it to us for a reason. We get a feeling that is unexplainable from the same tracks and
gave Birmingham a meeting.
ABDELAZIZ: Thank you both so much. Thank you for your time. You really get a sense of just the impact of Ozzy Osbourne here, and just you can see that
fandom across generations. Ozzy Osbourne had said time and time again, he just wanted to perform one last time, and that's what he did in Birmingham.
[11:55:00]
And it's giving his fans here some sense of closure, some sense of farewell. Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, Birmingham.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLODRYGA: And Black Sabbath, posting simply two words, Ozzy forever. All right, stay with CNN. I'll have more "One World", after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
