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The Brief with Jim Sciutto
Ukraine: Russian Attacks On Kyiv Kill Seven People; President Xi Jinping Wraps Up U.S. Visit; Powerful Storm Getting Closer To U.S. Northeast; Aid Worker Shares Experiences Living In North Korea; Hungarian Foreign Minister On Russian Threat. Aired 6-7p ET
Aired September 25, 2026 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[18:00:00]
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR, "THE BRIEF": Joining me now is Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Ukrainian
parliament. Oleksandr, good to have you back.
OLEKSANDR MEREZHKO, CHAIR, UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Thank you for having me.
SCIUTTO: So, as you know, there's been a lot of back and forth on this particular issue, licensing those Patriot interceptors. How significant is
it that the president now says, Ukraine, you can build them yourselves?
MEREZHKO: Well, it's definitely great news for Ukraine, for our people. And we are very hopeful that finally we will get the licenses and the
necessary documents and permissions which will allow us to manufacture missiles which are crucial for our air defense. Because in the last days,
we had casualties among civilian population caused because we don't have enough interceptor missiles. That's why we're very hopeful. And we do hope
that it's a truly final decision by President Trump and that there will be no backtracking.
SCIUTTO: If this begins, let's say it begins tomorrow, I mean, how quickly could Ukraine manufacture these interceptors? Because as I understand it,
getting all the components involved takes some time.
MEREZHKO: Well, if we're talking about manufacturing from scratch, according to our president, it might take, for example, one or one and a
half years, which is a very long period of time because we need it right now. But there can be different kinds of mechanisms and the technical
details allowing to produce it even faster.
SCIUTTO: OK. In the meantime, then, what does Ukraine do? I know that Europe has been adding the missile interceptors that it can from its own
stockpiles as well as some financial assistance to Ukraine. I mean, will Ukraine have enough to survive the winter?
MEREZHKO: To survive the winter, to go through the winter, we need at least 300 interceptor missiles. For each Russian ballistic missile, we need
two interceptor missiles. And of course, we don't have right now in this quantity, but we rely on our friends, on our allies. And as our foreign
minister has put it, we actually literally have to fight for each interceptor missile because it's crucial for saving lives of our civilian
population.
[18:05:00]
SCIUTTO: No question. Going to Russia now, of course, they had an election, let's say an election in quotes, because of the enormous
restrictions under which candidates were chosen, etc. All the parties that won are pro-war parties. The single anti-war party was barred from the
election. Do you see President Putin using that claimed victory to further expand the war?
MEREZHKO: These so-called elections, which was nothing but a sham elections, they absolutely illegal. They were held in violation of
international law because they were held in the occupied illegally territories of Ukraine. Putin needs these so-called elections for only one
purpose, propagandistic person, to justify attempts at illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory and to create sort of illusion that there is a
support agreement of his war against Ukraine.
SCIUTTO: Do you think he might order another mobilization?
MEREZHKO: It's possible, but the thing is that it might be politically costly for Putin. He's afraid to have a full mobilization, but he might
find other possibilities to avoid full-scale mobilization. It's hard to say what choice he will make, but definitely he's bent on escalation.
SCIUTTO: Let's talk now about ongoing efforts for peace talks. As you know, one thing that came out of the U.N. General Assembly was this
discussion of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. The location they're discussing is in the United Arab Emirates. Do you see that it will
be different this time, that the Russian side of these negotiations will be serious in any way about ending the war?
MEREZHKO: Putin doesn't want to end the war. He hopes to weaponize winter, which is ahead of us. He believes that he can win the war, even though he
hasn't made any progress on the battlefield. On the contrary, we managed to take back some of our territories.
Nevertheless, he's desperate, and I don't believe that he will agree to ceasefire, unconditional ceasefire, because he's afraid to lose his power,
and for him to stop the war creates political risks for his staying power. That's why I don't believe in any fruitful or tangible results of any
negotiations. And besides, Putin proved many times that he's not reliable, that he has violated all possible agreements.
SCIUTTO: Yes, the record certainly shows. Oleksandr Merezhko, thanks so much for joining the program again.
MEREZHKO: Thank you.
SCIUTTO: Well, to China now. China's leader Xi Jinping, his visit to the U.S. ended with no major breakthroughs. We now have pictures of the two
leaders through the television pool. U.S. networks had suspended pool coverage, shared coverage, in a show of solidarity after the White House
barred CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. A federal judge has now temporarily blocked that ban for further legal proceedings.
The Chinese leader had tea at the White House, visited the National Archives before his departure. President Trump said this summit will
benefit both nations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I think our farmers are going to be very happy. A lot of very positive things happened. But America is very happy
about this visit, and I'm sure China is very happy also. Great things for both countries, and it's been just very, very productive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCIUTTO: Alayna Treene is at the White House. President Trump, as you heard him say there, they discussed a lot of positive things. What are
White House officials saying were the deliverables of this summit?
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: We haven't gotten any, Jim, to be quite frank. Really, I think this meeting, the state visit, I should
say, was a lot more about symbolism. I know that the president and his team had wanted this to really be similar in some of the pomp and circumstance
and ceremony that the president got when he was visiting Beijing for his visit back in May.
And so, it was a lot of shaking hands, a lot of these two leaders heaping praise on one another. You could see Trump last night in some of the images
that came out of it, praising Xi while he walked around the room, the East Room in that building behind me for the state dinner, but not many
deliverables.
Now, as for topics we were told that came up, we were told they discussed artificial intelligence, but no specifics on that beyond what the president
said on social media, was that he believes President Xi agrees that it should be renamed to superintelligence, a term that Trump has argued is
less threatening than artificial intelligence.
[18:10:00]
We know they discussed the war with Iran. Again, not many specifics out of that, even though we know that China has been providing Iran with
intelligence and satellite imagery throughout the course of the war. We know that they discussed Taiwan. What we heard about that was from Chinese
state media. They said that the Chinese president had told Trump that he hopes he would not get behind Taiwan's independence.
And then as for trade, it was kind of that vague comment that you mentioned that President Trump gave today where he said farmers would be happy with
this summit. So, really no real specific agreements, nothing, no deliverables really for them to talk about.
And one thing that I should point out, Jim, that is different from this state visit than we've seen with other state visits to the White House was
kind of the lack of media coverage. Typically, these events, particularly when it comes to a Chinese president coming to the White House, which
hasn't happened in many years, would get wall-to-wall coverage. But that didn't happen because of that media ban on three organizations, CNN,
Politico and MS NOW.
I should note the ban was not enforced on Friday. But for the other days of this state visit, you didn't have that coverage, that full television
coverage of all of their movements. And it's something we were told that upset both U.S. officials and the president, but also the Chinese. I was
told by one Trump adviser that it was a really inopportune time because they were expecting robust coverage of this on both sides.
The Chinese wanted this as well. And the Chinese, actually, their embassy had been calling up some networks asking what the coverage plan would look
like before Xi came to the White House. So, a lot of different moving parts, I think, about all of this. But as for direct deliverables, we
haven't seen any big agreements announced just yet.
SCIUTTO: It's remarkable to have the Chinese diplomats calling up the networks to say, hey, who's going to be covering this? Alayna Treene at the
White House, thanks so much.
Joining me now is Jeff Moon. He was an assistant U.S. trade representative for China Affairs in the Obama administration, also founder of consulting
firm China Moons Strategies. Jeff, good to have you. Thanks so much for joining.
JEFF MOON, FORMER ASSISTANT U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHINA AFFAIRS: Thank you.
SCIUTTO: So, I don't want to dismiss the value of having the leaders of the two most powerful countries in the world arguably sitting down. But
what was the point of the summit itself? If you if you had the pomp and circumstance, you extended a truce. I mean, did you did you need to have a
state visit to get what they got out of this?
MOON: No, you didn't need to have a state visit. They initially started the truce about a year ago at a meeting on the margins of APEC. So, there
was no reason for there to be a state visit for them to extend it.
I see this visit really as a vanity project for Trump again. All of the activities highlighted the superpower leader status of Trump and Xi Jinping
and national interests were in the background. The national interest in a state visit is to highlight a great friendship, perhaps with an allied
country or when you're on the cusp of some real diplomatic breakthrough.
But this was a routine visit. There was nothing like that on the cards here. So, there was no need for it actually. I think it's a little early,
though, to make a final assessment about this visit, because the U.S. trade representative said today that the deliverables on the trade front will be
announced on Monday. So, we need to wait to see what's going to happen there.
I mean, bottom line, the good news is that relations are stable. The bad news is, is that we're experiencing what I would call deliverables deja vu.
Anything that's possible in terms of deliverables is they're all things that were promised back in May at the Beijing summit or even before then
and have yet to be fulfilled.
SCIUTTO: President Trump, going back to the first administration, has tended to like big numbers from those deliverables. Chinese promises to buy
a lot of stuff, whether it be soybeans or Boeing aircraft, et cetera. Is that the most likely announcement we should expect on Monday?
MOON: Well, yes, those are the items that were mentioned back in Beijing. There was a declaration that there would be purchases of 200 Boeing
airplanes that have not been finalized. There are going to be billions of dollars of agricultural products. And I see in the news that actually grain
prices are falling because there hasn't been news that those sales have been finalized as well. There are supposed to be tariff reductions of $30
billion on both sides. That's about one-tenth of the amount of goods that China sends to the United States.
And, you know, in the meantime, President Trump is telling Xi Jinping that relations have never been better, that they're great friends, that Xi
Jinping is a great leader. So, if I'm Xi Jinping, I would say to myself, perhaps, well, if the status quo is that good, why do I need to deliver
anything? Either things that I promised in the past or things that I might be required to promise in the future. Maybe I just sit tight if Trump is
that happy.
[18:15:00]
SCIUTTO: A major question going into this summit, as frankly going into the last summit in Beijing in May, was what is the status of this latest
arms package to Taiwan? We heard barely a blip about it this time around. Is it clear to you where the president's head is on this?
MOON: Absolutely unclear. The deal was on the table and was delayed. And the rumors are that it's going to be delayed again. Before the summit, it
was going to be delayed again. And now, there are rumors out there that it will be delayed beyond the two other meetings that Trump will have this
year at both APEC and the G20. So, it's not very clear.
And this is because Trump decided to compromise on the longstanding principle that the U.S. has had that we will not discuss arms sales with
Taiwan with the Chinese People's Republic of China. So, by doing that, Trump has put himself down on a slippery slope. Where -- you know, where
will be the end of these requests in terms of arms sales or where will be the ends of the requests on Taiwan policy? The Chinese are also pressing
Trump to declare that he opposes independence for Taiwan as opposed to the current policy of saying that we do not support.
And I know that most viewers think this is just a word game. But these are policies that have been in place for 50 years. And any change really
endangers Asia-Pacific security.
SCIUTTO: And if we say we oppose, then that puts us very much in line with China's position.
MOON: Right.
SCIUTTO: Jeff Moon, thanks so much for joining.
MOON: Thank you.
SCIUTTO: Coming up after the break, three major weather events threaten millions of people. Hurricanes Nolo, Polo and Nor'easter could cause
massive disruption. That's coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SCIUTTO: Welcome back in today's Business Breakout. Strong end to the trading week on Wall Street. All the major averages posted solid gains and
finished higher for the week overall. Stocks getting a boost from some pullback in oil prices. Borrowing costs, however, continue to push higher.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year treasury hit fresh. 19-year highs Friday. Government yields are rising across the globe, too. Japanese 10-
year treasury yields just touched their highest level since 1996.
[18:20:00]
Checking some of today's other business headlines, dire new economic data for President Trump's Republic Party ahead of the midterm elections. A new
report shows U.S. consumer sentiment hitting its second lowest level on record this month due largely to rising energy costs. Sentiment fell 7
percent from the month before. The data shows Americans are deeply unhappy with the state of their finances and the broader economy.
A U.S. appeals court ruled against prediction markets firm Kalshi in a closely watched case Friday. The court said states can regulate Kalshi's
sporting events contracts under their gambling laws. Kalshi argued the contracts are swaps that should be regulated only at the federal level. CNN
has a partnership with Kalshi, uses its data to cover major events.
YouTube CEO tells CNN his company has no plans to implement the sweeping safety measures Meta agreed to in its historic child safety settlement this
summer. Neal Mohan says YouTube already has internal measures in place to protect young users. Meta agreed to pay $18 billion to settle claims it was
contributing to a mental health crisis among young people. It has been trying to persuade rivals such as YouTube and TikTok to make similar
changes to its platforms.
Powerful storm getting closer to the Northeast U.S., expected to bring strong wind, heavy rains and coastal flooding. State of emergency has been
declared for New York City and the New Jersey coast. While in the Pacific Hurricane Nolo is now approaching Hawaii. It is the latest storm
supercharged by this year's Super El Nino. And Hurricane Polo remains a major storm off of Mexico's Pacific coast. Valeria Leon has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VALERIA LEON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hurricane Polo reaping along Mexico's Pacific coast. Huge waves, intense rain and damage to businesses
along the shore, including this small beachfront restaurant in Tecoman, Colima. Even as the powerful storm remained well offshore.
ENRIQUETA SANCHEZ, RESTAURANT OWNER (through translator): We left the restaurant behind. Whatever happens to it happens. We're leaving to save
our lives. That's what matters.
LEON (voice-over): The storm exploded from a tropical depression into a category 5 hurricane in just 42 hours. One of the most extreme examples of
rapid intensification on record. Its intensity later oscillated between category 4 and 5 and its path began moving away from Mexico's southwestern
coast.
ARTURO ADALID SANCHEZ, DIRECTOR OF CIVIL PROTECTION, LAZARO CARDENAS, MICHOACAN (through translator): We're assessing all the damage. So, far,
we have reports of approximately 23 beachfront businesses that have suffered structural damage.
LEON (voice-over): Heavy rain also pounded several communities along the Pacific coast.
MARIA CONCEPCION GOMEZ, DIRECTOR OF MUNICIPAL CIVIL PROTECTION, ARMERIA (through translator): It's moving along the coast of Colima, bringing very
strong wind gusts, high waves and rain.
LEON (voice-over): Classes were canceled in some coastal communities, ports were closed and residents were warned to stay away from the water.
For those living near the beach, the power of the storm could be heard from inside their homes.
JENNIFER VARGAS, RESIDENT OF JALISCO (through translator): You can hear it very loudly from inside the house and you can hear the waves crashing hard.
LEON (voice-over): Polo, one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the eastern Pacific, is moving away from Mexico's southwestern coast. But
forecasters warn the storm could still impact the Baja California peninsula.
Valeria Leon, CNN, Mexico City.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCIUTTO: Lots of weather to watch this weekend. We'll be right back after a short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:25:00]
SCIUTTO: Welcome back to "The Brief." I'm Jim Sciutto and here are the international headlines we're watching today.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says U.S. President Donald Trump has made a final decision to allow Kyiv to manufacture Patriot missile
interceptors. Patriot interceptors vital for Ukraine to fight off expanding missile attacks by Russia. Trump has given contradictory answers over the
past several months on whether he would allow Ukraine to build them.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S. is wrapped up without any major announcements or achievements. Xi and his wife left for Beijing after
having tea with the U.S. president and first lady at the White House. The Chinese leader told Mr. Trump the prospects for the relationship will get
brighter. This was Xi's second summit with the U.S. president this year, his first visit to the U.S. in more than a decade.
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided to allow states to use a controversial database to audit the citizenship status of voters. The federal database
was redesigned by the Trump administration to allow users to search multiple records at a time. Past searches have mistakenly flagged eligible
voters as non-citizens, raising fears of disenfranchisement. The Supreme Court's unsigned opinion comes just weeks before midterm elections.
Turning now to North Korea, where we are getting a rare look at what life is actually like for everyday citizens under the Kim regime. An aid worker
who spent decades helping North Koreans is sharing her experiences and never-before-seen video with CNN. We should warn you some of the images in
this story are disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These are images the North Korean government does not want you to see.
Far away from the showpiece capital, Pyongyang, inside the homes of everyday people struggling to survive during the darkest days of the North
Korean famine in the 1990s.
KATHI ZELLWEGER, SWISS AID WORKER (voice-over): And this child have the same old face than her grandfather. That struck me.
RIPLEY (voice-over): Kathi Zellweger is a Swiss aid worker who spent nearly 25 years running humanitarian programs in North Korea. 75 trips,
five years living there. Foreign journalists have never been granted this kind of access. Not even me, on my 19 trips.
RIPLEY: We're looking at them, but they're looking at us as well. Every time I try to take a picture of those girls, they run away.
What is it like to be born and to grow up in North Korea?
ZELLWEGER: I think, you know, parents try their best to look after children well, but it's challenging, especially in the countryside, to
provide.
UNKNOWN: 32,000 tons of rice arrived several days ago. RIPLEY (voice- over): Kathi brought in massive shipments of food, but she still had to verify where it was going. Following the food took her deeper and deeper
into North Korea.
[18:30:00]
MIKE CHINOY, FORMER CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: There are thousands, if not tens of thousands of North Koreans who are alive today who would be dead if
it wasn't for the work that Kathi Zellweger did.
RIPLEY (voice-over): In later years, she could feel the government tightening its grip, especially after diplomacy with the U.S. fell apart
and North Korea was no longer interested in engaging with the West.
ZELLWEGER: The word control was used much more widely than before.
RIPLEY: So, you thought it was getting more restrictive and more controlling in more recent years.
RIPLEY (voice-over): Then suddenly the door slammed shut. Kathi often thinks about all the people she met, the people she may never see or hear
from again.
Will Ripley, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCIUTTO: Still ahead on "The Brief," my conversation with the foreign minister of Hungary at the U.N., her thoughts on Russia, Putin, and the
possibility of Ukraine joining the E.U.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SCIUTTO: Earlier this year, Hungarian voters ousted Prime Minister Viktor Orban. With him went 16 years of near autocratic rule. I spoke with
Hungary's foreign minister, Anita Orban, no relation, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. And I asked her about the changes brought by the
new government.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANITA ORBAN, HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: It brought quite many changes. And first of all, that Hungary is returning as a constructive and
trustworthy ally into the transatlantic community, to E.U. and NATO to start with. And we are also positioning our foreign policy on
multilateralism, on international law, on sovereignty as the key pillars of Hungary's foreign policy, like a middle-sized country. These are the
foundations which can bring peace and prosperity for our country.
SCIUTTO: Your country vetoed Ukraine's membership, although of course has shown other support for Ukraine. Why that distinction?
ORBAN: Let me make this clear, right? Ukraine is aiming to join the European Union, and we have a process to join. We are strongly
recommending, we are commending the E.U. methodology. We would like every country to join based on the existing methodology. Based on the
methodology, we joined.
[18:35:00]
So, I wouldn't call it veto. Our position is unchanged. We want to see progress, merit-based progress. Then we can proceed with further clusters.
SCIUTTO: So, you're not saying never, you're just saying not yet
ORBAN: Exactly.
SCIUTTO: Where do you see European support for Ukraine now? And is it sufficient, given how Russia is expanding its attacks on Ukraine,
particularly Ukrainian cities?
ORBAN: We as Hungary are standing firmly for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. And
the European Union, as well as Hungary, is providing a lot of support from humanitarian, via the sanctions regime, which is squeezing Russian economy
and trying to push Russia towards stopping the aggression and stopping the war.
And I would like also to commend the Trump administration's effort lately, in the last few weeks, when there have been these visits to the two
capitals, Moscow and Kyiv, to try to mediate and bring an end to the conflict. This conflict, Ukraine is a direct neighbor of Hungary, and this
conflict directly impacts us, directly impacts Europe, and also has a global impact if we talk about food security, for example, and food
shortage. So, it is our interest and everyone's interest to bring this war to an end and come to a just and lasting peace.
SCIUTTO: It seems that the Trump administration is repeating the same strategy over and over with Russia, constantly offering more discussion,
inviting Putin now to the G20, much like Trump invited him to Anchorage last year, but not applying the pressure that Europe and other allies want
to see. Should the U.S. be applying more pressure to force Putin to the table?
ORBAN: I think it's always a combination of pressure, as well as mediation, the right carrots and sticks. One thing is certain, we all need
and we want to end this war, and Hungary definitely wants to end this war. Whether it's via pressure, or being able to bring the two sides to the
negotiating table, and negotiating a peace which both sides can respect, that's to be seen, but we are commending every effort which goes into that
direction.
SCIUTTO: OK. Looking forward to how Europe responds to Russia's expanding attack on European countries, and as you mentioned, Hungary's right next to
Ukraine, and you're on the front lines of this. Has Europe's response been sufficient to deter this hybrid war, this expanding hybrid war?
ORBAN: We see an increasing hybrid war, that's factual. We see more drone attacks or drone falling, we see more sabotage, we saw more hybrid attacks,
we see also in the digital sphere a lot of interference or misinformation campaign, and disinformation spreading all across Europe.
So, we definitely need to step up as Europe, in terms of our unity, to create a clear deterrence of non-interference into the European Union, and
also the NATO countries' domestic affairs, physically, but also in the virtual sphere.
SCIUTTO: But do you think there's been enough, right? Because in theory, if it was enough, then Russia would be stopping, not expanding, but they're
expanding the attacks.
ORBAN: I think you're answering your own question, right?
SCIUTTO: Yes, yes.
ORBAN: So, of course, we need to step up. We need to step up deterrence, and that's why I think European unity is so important, that we stand
strongly and firmly with each other.
SCIUTTO: In terms of your view and Hungary's view of the relationship with the U.S., I've been asking a series of European officials and officials in
Asia who are with, you know, these are U.S. allies, they represent U.S. allies, whether they still trust the U.S. to come to their defense. Do you
still trust the U.S. to come to Europe's defense?
ORBAN: Yes. We have NATO, which is the foundation of our security, which is the foundation alliance of Hungary's security, and U.S. is the key
strategic partner within NATO. We have seen within NATO so-called burden shifting, which means that Europe is taking a bigger share of its defense,
and it's happening. Hungary also pledged to commit to the 5 percent of GDP spending by 2035. We are working towards that.
But yes, U.S. is and remains a trustworthy ally within NATO. We stand together in this transatlantic alliance within NATO, Article 5, which is
the cornerstone of our security.
SCIUTTO: The thing is Article 5, it's a piece of paper, unless there's action, right? And you trust that there would be action if there was a
genuine threat?
ORBAN: You talked about deterrence. NATO is a defense alliance, right? It has worked for how many decades? Over 75 years. And it has worked really
well during the Cold War, during the 90s, and it has proved itself again as the strongest military and political alliance in the world. So, I do trust
it.
SCIUTTO: Thank you very much.
ORBAN: Thank you.
SCIUTTO: Appreciate you joining.
ORBAN: Thank you so much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[18:40:00]
SCIUTTO: My conversation there with Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban.
Let's turn now to that powerful storm now approaching the U.S. East Coast, Danny Freeman. He is on the coast of New Jersey. Danny, I see a rainbow
behind you there, but I know that might just be a calm before the storm.
DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jim, it is not only the calm before the storm, it's also the beauty before what is sure to be an intense storm that
is coming in the next couple of hours here, not only in New Jersey, but also across all of the U.S. East Coast.
This is one of the stranger weather moments I've ever seen. There's this beautiful rainbow right here, a double rainbow, if you will, Jim, right
there. You can see the sun shining off of these waves. The rain only just started here where I am in Atlantic City, New Jersey. But again, if you
look at these waves, they're getting more ferocious by the moment and the wind is picking up much of the time here as we've been out here for the
past hour or so. So, don't let the beauty of the rainbow deceive you. There is a storm coming and it is sure to be intense.
Here in New Jersey, the governor issued a state of emergency for all of the coastal counties because of fear of dangerous flooding and damaging winds
as well. They're expecting between two and four inches of rain, Jim, over the next several hours. And it was really interesting. We actually went to
the Emergency Operations Center here in Atlantic City.
And they told me that initially they were looking a little hopeful that the flooding wouldn't be too, too bad, or at least something that they hadn't
seen before already. But now, Jim, it seems like tomorrow morning they got a new forecast and the flood waters are going to be even more intense. So,
it's a very, very strange scene out here, Jim.
The way that the emergency officials here in Atlantic City, the way that they framed it to me was, listen, there is going to be flooding. There is
going to be water on the streets. But the main thing in order to keep safe is to stay in your house. And the main message over and over and over again
that public officials say is do not try to drive through the flood waters because that is how you get stuck. That's how your cars break down. Boston
and the area of the coast of Massachusetts, Jim, in New York, they're expected to get hit as well.
But again, the weather is already putting on a show because of this incredible autumn nor'easter. But it's going to get a lot worse, I think
you can imagine, as we get through the night. This is, don't be deceived by the beauty of this moment, Jim.
SCIUTTO: Do you have a sense from speaking to not just emergency management but also the meteorologists, when is the peak and when is it
expected to take her off?
FREEMAN: Well, so like I said, Jim, the rain has just started here in Atlantic City. The storm is expected to really peak and continue to get
strong throughout the evening. And then, like I said, here in Atlantic City. So, the high tide we're going to see here at around 8:00 p.m., then
8:00 a.m. we're going to see another high tide. So, that's the time frame on Saturday that folks in this part of New Jersey are really paying close
attention to. I think the hope from a lot of public officials is by the time we get to later on on Saturday, the storm will have tapered off.
But again, it's the residual effects of the flooding that may come after that, that have so many public officials again up and down the coast
worried. So, I think a lot of people are going to be watching the impacts of this storm into Sunday for sure.
SCIUTTO: Danny Freeman, thanks so much. Still ahead on "The Brief," Manchester City's future in the Premier League now called into question
amid new reports. It's been found guilty of multiple counts of financial misconduct. We're going to have the details after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:45:00]
SCIUTTO: Turning now to a bombshell development in the world of English Premier League football, reports say that an independent panel has found
Manchester City guilty of financial misconduct. The team expected to appeal the verdict, but if those charges hold up, Man City could ultimately be
ejected from the Premier League.
Patrick Snell joins me now. And Patrick, I wonder, I've got a lot of questions for you, but how is one very high-profile former Man City star
reacting to the news?
PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes. Hi there, Jim. Yes, this is a huge story from the world of football, no question about it. The world of
football and beyond. And you mentioned one of the possible repercussions of this.
City, I do expect them to appeal, there's no question about that. But others include not just potential expulsion from the world's most popular
league, the Premier League, but also a big point deduction as well, possibly even being stripped of those three Premier League titles they won
during that nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
I will point this out, Jim, that City do consistently deny any wrongdoing. That's really important to put out. These are still per multiple reports,
so we're still waiting for plenty more to come on this. You mentioned that high-profile player, and I do want to get to him now, because he's a former
Manchester City player. Rodri, the Spanish international, now plays his club football in Spain with Barcelona. He's currently playing in England.
They're going to play the English national team, Spain, this weekend in the UEFA Nations League.
But let's hear now from Rodri on this very topic. Rodri saying he still believes in the innocence of his former club. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RODRI, FORMER MANCHESTER CITY MIDFIELDER: When you live daily in that club, and the things -- all the people that had work all these years to
have all the success we have, you know, not only Pep and the players, all the structure from the owners to the guys that work daily. What we did,
they cannot take out of us. I mean, it's something that is not paid by money. You know, it's paid with effort, with partnership, with, you know,
being shoulder to shoulder every day. And yes, we had a lot of success the years and here in Wembley. So, I can only tell you that everything was
deserved. I'm glad that I could live one of the best eras of the English football.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SNELL: Rodri speaking on Friday. Let's get to just a recap now of what these charges are because they were first brought in 2023. So, this has
been bubbling under the surface for some three years now. In a nutshell, the Premier League alleging that Manchester City failed to provide accurate
financial information between 2009 and 2018, that nine-year period, and also failing to comply with UEFA's financial fair play regulations during a
five-year period.
Why is this so significant, Jim? Because there was a glittering period for the club. They won eight trophies during that time, including those three
Premier League titles I referenced. They also won three League Cups and an FA Cup. That 2011 FA Cup triumph was massively important in reshaping the
club's history because it was their first major trophy in 35 years as well. I want to get to a statement now from Manchester City that crossed on
Friday.
In that statement, Manchester City saying the Premier League process remains ongoing with significant elements to be completed and subject to
strict confidentiality. As such, Manchester City FC's position remains consistent with the club's statement of February 2023. The club has
diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent,
impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.
Again, to recap, Jim, City consistently denying any wrongdoing. I do expect them to appeal, no question about that. The teams I mentioned, the clubs,
the Premier League clubs, they're all on the international break at the moment. It's a three-week international break.
[18:50:00]
So, City won't be back in Premier League action until the 11th of October when they take on bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield. That's a blockbuster
clash in the Premier League. Listen, this is massive story. The ramifications could keep on coming. These are the other things that were
crossing my mind today.
SCIUTTO: OK. Just a quick question.
SNELL: Yes, let me bring you in. Yes. Why now.
SCIUTTO: What is financial fair play? For folks who don't know, what are they actually accused of doing or violating here?
SNELL: Basically, you can't spend more than you earn, in a nutshell, but this is basically a specific reference to City's alleged failure, Jim, as I
mentioned earlier, to provide accurate financial information during that nine-year period, with reference to payments made to players and managers
as well.
City, again, to be absolutely clear, denying any wrongdoing, and this is a story that's just going to keep evolving. You can be sure of that.
SCIUTTO: No question. Patrick Snell, thanks so much.
Well, Pope Leo, who's in France on a four-day trip, met with the French President Emmanuel Macron, visited Notre Dame and held a massive prayer
service today. Earlier, he warned that the U.N. and other multilateral groups are facing a crisis. He also, we should note, endorsed press
freedom. CNN's Christopher Lamb reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On board the papal plane to Paris, Pope Leo greeting reporters, and the first American
Pope weighing in on President Trump's White House ban, signaling his support for the media.
LAMB: Thank you for having us on the plane. I just wondered if you had a word for some of our colleagues at CNN having difficulties at the White
House. I mean, as you spoke of freedom of the press.
POPE LEO XIV: I'm very happy that here you are all welcome. And good coverage I think is very important, and we have it all the way around for
everybody. Thank you.
LAMB (voice-over): It is expected to be one of many strong messages the Pope will deliver on his four-day visit to France. On Friday, the Pope
visited Notre Dame, which shocked the world when it went up in flames nearly seven and a half years ago. It caused immense damage and led to
years of closure. On Friday, Pope Leo paid a visit, the first time a pontiff has set foot inside the cathedral since it rose from the ashes and
reopened its doors.
Leo XIV leading a prayer service in Notre Dame on the first day of his visit to France. The iconic 12th century cathedral represents the spiritual
heart of France and one of the most visited cathedrals in the world. The Pope praying in front of its precious crown of thorns relic, believed to
have been placed on Jesus' head at the crucifixion and miraculously saved during the fire. Pope Leo is on the first official papal visit to France
for almost 20 years, meeting the president and addressing the topic of AI.
POPE LEO XIV: While intelligence is attributed to computational systems, we struggle to recognize the inalienable dignity of human persons whose
lives are judged according to the criterion of efficiency. And when deemed no longer productive, they're rejected and discarded.
LAMB (voice-over): His trip also comes as France is seeing a surprising rise in young people joining the Catholic Church, a departure from the
trend of recent years, where attendance at mass has long been in decline.
PERE GASPARD GRAPLET, PRIEST INFLUENCER (through translator): There's a kind of revival that was unexpected, meaning we don't really know. Parishes
don't know what to do with all these young people who wanted to be baptized.
LAMB: Well, hundreds of thousands are expected to turn out for a mass with Pope Leo on Saturday in central Paris. There's a huge amount of interest in
an American pope with French roots. One of Pope Leo's grandmothers was born in Normandy in France and another grandmother born in New Orleans.
LAMB (voice-over): While in France, Leo will face up to the legacy of abuse. A 2021 report into abuse by clergy sent shockwaves through the
country. The pope is meeting survivors while in Lourdes, a major Catholic pilgrimage site. France, traditionally one of Europe's most Catholic
countries, but with the strict separation of church and state, Leo's jam- packed visit covering the pastoral and political, which he believes will send a message of hope and renewal.
Christopher Lamb, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCIUTTO: Before we go tonight, today is Dolly Day, honoring, of course, the late Dolly Parton. California and Ohio made official declarations to
honor Parton. Similar declarations considered in New York and Pennsylvania. And in Dolly's home city of Nashville, Tennessee, they are celebrating her
at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the zoo, and even the Dolly-inspired karaoke at the Nashville airport. The day was chosen in a nod to her hit
song, "9 to 5," today being the 25th day of the ninth month. Dolly Parton died on August 25th at the age of 80.
[18:55:00]
Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Jim Sciutto in Washington. You've been watching "The Brief." Hope you have a nice weekend. Please do stay with
CNN.
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