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Balloon Crash in Texas Kills 16; Trump Facing New Backlash; Syrian Families Flee Aleppo; Separate Shootings in Austin, Texas; Hundreds of Soldiers Freed in Turkey. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired July 31, 2016 - 04:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[04:00:09] GEORGE HOWELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Disaster in the sky. A hot air balloon plunges to the ground in Texas, killing everyone on board.

A political uproar. Donald Trump facing new criticism after his comments of the father and mother of a fallen Muslim U.S. soldier.

And escaping Aleppo. Dozens of families leave the devastated city as the Syrian and Russian military announce more humanitarian corridors.

From CNN world headquarters in Atlanta, welcome to our viewers here in the United States, and around the world. I'm George Howell.

CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.

(MUSIC)

HOWELL: Good day to you.

In the U.S. state of Texas, an accident involving a hot air balloon appears to have taken 16 lives. Federal authorities say there are no survivors, and if investigators confirm those deaths, it will be the worst hot air balloon disaster in the United States history. The balloon went down on Saturday in Caldwell County. That is between the cities of Austin, Texas, and San Antonio, as you see on the map.

Our Ed Lavandera tells us what may have been a major factor in that crash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It appears that investigators will be taking a very close look at the role that power lines in the area of where this hot air balloon went down might have played in this tragedy. Two sources tell us, one a law enforcement source, another a county official, tell us they believe the hot air balloon collided with these power lines igniting the fire and the flames on board inside that basket that essentially killed the 16 people believed to be on board that hot air balloon. The exact cause is not clear. So it's not clear what caused the hot air balloon to perhaps collide in to these power lines and what exactly was going on on board when all of this happened.

So, that is something that investigators as they begin arriving on the scene and piecing together will be taking a very close look at. It could be sometime before the National Transportation Safety Board, which is the government agency here in the United States that examines these types of accidents, and it usually takes them weeks, if not months, to come out with an official ruling as to what caused the accident.

But a witness on the ground described what she saw as that hot air balloon went down to the ground.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think any of them even realized what was going on. Because we heard the popping sounds, and I didn't look in time to see the balloon go down. But, the way it went up, I don't think any of them even had any idea what was going on.

LAVANDERA: One other interesting note, a debate that has been going on between the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States, the NTSB several years ago was calling for more regulation governing these hot air balloon companies that operate these types of rides.

The FAA pushed back on all of that. It's not exactly clear if these regulations might have made a difference in this tragedy that unfolded in Texas. But it is interesting to note that these debates about the regulations and how these companies are controlled and governed has been a topic of debate between these two government agencies here in the United States.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Dallas, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: America's Choice 2016: Donald Trump being slammed for his remarks against the father of a fallen Muslim U.S. soldier who spoke at the Democratic National Convention. Khizr Khan gave a powerful speech on the last night of that convention. He denounced the Republican candidate for proposing a ban on Muslims, after his own son died defending the United States.

Khan said Trump had no idea of what sacrifice means.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KHIZR KHAN, FATHER OF MUSLIM U.S. SOLDIER: Have you ever been to Arlington Cemetery? Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending United States of America. You'll see all faiths, genders, and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Saying that Trump had sacrificed nothing and no one. Trump responding to the searing criticism by saying, "I'd like to hear his wife say something", suggesting that she wasn't allowed.

He also defended himself to ABC News by listing the sacrifices that he has made.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABC NEWS HOST: How would you answer that father? What sacrifice have you made for your country?

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I think I made a lot of sacrifices. I work very, very hard.

[04:05:00] I've created thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs. I think --

ABC NEWS HOST: Those are sacrifices?

TRUMP: Oh, sure, I think they're sacrifices. I think when I can employ thousands and thousands of people, take care of their education, take care of so many things -- even in the military, I was very responsible, along with a lot of people, for getting the Vietnam Memorial built in downtown Manhattan, which to this day people thank me for. I raised and I have raised millions of dollars for the vets. I'm helping the vets a lot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Trump also released this statement, and I read, quote, "While I feel deeply for the loss of his son, Mr. Khan, who has never met me, has no right to stand in front of millions of people and claim that I have never read the Constitution, which is false, and say many other inaccurate things."

Trump's criticism has sparked widespread defense of the Khan family. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton called Khizr Khan's wife a Gold Star mother, while Ohio Governor John Kasich said the parents should be treated with honor and respect.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also slammed Donald Trump's remarks, saying the Republican has, quote, "something missing".

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, U.S. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Donald Trump is not a normal presidential candidate. Somebody who attacks everybody has something missing. He attacked the distinguished father of a soldier who sacrificed himself for his unit, Captain Khan. He's attacked immigrants, and women. He's attacked people with disabilities. It's a long list, my friends.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Speaking to "The Washington Post", Khizr Khan said Trump's words were, quote, "typical of a person without a soul." You can hear much more of Khan on the next "STATE OF THE UNION." You can tune in for a live interview right here on CNN. That is at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, 2:00 p.m. London, only here on CNN.

On now to Iraq, four people were killed after gunmen targeted a gas facility north of the City of Kirkuk. They planted several bombs near the station before Iraqi security forces took control. The attackers then fled. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but ISIS has attacked oil facilities in Kirkuk before.

Tunisia's prime minister has overwhelmingly lost a vote of no confidence. One hundred eighteen members of parliament voted to unseat him. Only three voted in his favor, 27 lawmakers boycotted the vote. He's faced growing economic and security problems during his less than two years as prime minister there.

We are watching the pope's final mass in Poland. He's been spending the week in the European nation meeting with children who came from all around the globe for world youth day. A live report is straight ahead here on NEWSROOM.

Plus, reflections, and prayers after a tragic event. We will take you to France where church services are resuming after last week's deadly terror attack on a priest.

You are watching CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PATRICK SNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there. I'm Patrick Snell with your CNN "World Sport" headlines.

At the 2016 PGA championship, you know, it was supposed to be moving Saturday at the season's final major. Instead, it was a rather soggy Saturday with a total of four hours more or less lost to the rain before play was finally suspended for the day.

[04:10:03] And they're going to resume at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

So how does that impact those atop the leader board? Well, I can tell you, the 86 to make the cut, only ten that were unable to start right at the top. They're the ones that could have real ramifications moving forward. Round three resumes Sunday, as I say, bright and early weather permitting, of course. Round four is set to start at 8:40 a.m. with players staying in the same pairings as round three, with golfers teeing off a nine-minute intervals, as well.

Player reaction, including Jordan Spieth, saying that he just wishes he could sleep in, not going to get to sleep in, he said, likely a 4:00 a.m. wake-up time. Just under a week or so then from the start of the Rio Olympics.

Many high profile athletes have already pulled out of the games. On Saturday, the tennis defending champions in the men's doubles the Bryan twins deciding to withdraw. Bob and Mike not specifically naming the Zika virus but they did say, "We'd love to compete again. As husbands and fathers, our family's health is now our top priority." They won a bronze, of course, in Beijing and a gold in London.

That's CNN World Sport headlines, I'm Patrick Snell.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOWELL: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. This just in here to the NEWSROOM.

We're following a situation in Austin, Texas. Police say that there is an active shooter situation that is happening at this hour in the city's downtown area. There are reports of multiple people wounded, one person dead, a female in her 30s. Authorities are urging people to stay away from downtown Austin. To repeat that, if you're watching this broadcast, to stay away from downtown Austin. We will bring you the very latest in information as we get word from police and investigators there, here on CNN.

Moving now on to Russia. It says that it will open four additional humanitarian corridors outside of Aleppo. Moscow says 169 civilians have used this existing corridor to leave the city, that is under the government siege. But many others say they don't trust Syrian officials to protect them if they leave. And the opposition says the Syrian government is using the corridors as a military strategy to empty that city.

CNN is live following this story. Ian Lee joining us now from Beirut, Lebanon.

Ian, good to have you with us.

So, there are talks of more humanitarian corridors. What will that look like?

IAN LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that would mean a total of seven humanitarian corridors, George, coming out of Aleppo for civilians to leave, and any fighter who wants to be granted amnesty, according to the Syrian government, they have a three-month window to lay down their arms and surrender to the Syrian government. And as you said, 169 civilians have left according to Russian state media, as well as 69 fighters.

Russia also saying that they will have 14 tons of humanitarian cargo waiting there to assist them. While we can't independently verify the status of these humanitarian corridors, and how many people are leaving, I say this because talking to sources inside of Aleppo, they contradict this saying that these humanitarian corridors haven't been opened and saying they haven't seen evidence of them ever being open. So, you really have two conflicting narratives although we have seen on Syrian state media, people supposedly leaving from Aleppo.

HOWELL: And the situation there, this humanitarian situation, how bad is it inside Aleppo at this point?

LEE: George, it grows more dire by the day. Talking to sources inside the city, the first they say, that you just can't get any food. You go to the market, there's not any fruits, vegetables or really products to buy. There also isn't any gasoline.

[04:15:02] One source says that that ran out about five days ago. And what makes this so crucial, too, is ambulances don't have any fuel to ferry people to hospitals.

Also, hearing of a shortage of medical supplies, and medicines, some one-use items are being reused, sterilized and then reused because they basically don't have it. And there's a fear, also, these hospitals run on generators. And the diesel fuel that runs those generators is also critically low.

And during the best of times, it was difficult to get supplies in to the city. But now, since it's completely besieged, they say that those supplies are dwindling, and they're not getting anything new.

Now, the U.N. has called for a 48-hour cease-fire so that they can get humanitarian assistance inside the city, as well as people who want to leave, get them out although we haven't heard any word on that.

HOWELL: Ian Lee following this story live for us in Beirut. Ian, thank you for your reporting. We'll stay in touch with you.

A live look now at southern Poland. This is where the pope is holding mass in celebration of world youth day. This will wrap up his five- day visit there in Poland, largely centered around the international gathering of young Catholics, which happens every couple of years.

And following this story our Vatican correspondent Delia Gallagher live in Krakow.

Delia, always good to have you with us. So what would you say has been the highlight of this trip?

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, George, this has been a five-day visit packed with events, as the pope does an all of his trips. And one of the highlights, I think, certainly has to be the pope's message. It's been a message that despite evil, despite the fear of terrorism, there is good in man, and, in fact, it is precisely in time of difficulties, times of conflict, that that good is called out of us.

And that was exemplified, George, when he was in Birkenau, in the concentration camp there, and he met with 25 Polish citizens who risked their lives to save Jewish people. It was also exemplified by the fact that 1.6 million kids from all around the world scraped together their money, put on their back packs, and chose to come here to Poland to pray with the pope, to celebrate the world, to do simple acts of kindness, and he has encouraged them from the moment he touched the ground that they can change the world, that this bringing out of the good, even simple good, or even great acts of moral courage, such as we saw in Auschwitz and Birkenau is something that is necessary in today's world.

So, that certainly that message has been the main one, and the one that these kids are going home with, George.

HOWELL: (AUDIO GAP) just really struck me, and I spoke with you about this, as well, the other day, but just that image of the pope walking through the gate there at Auschwitz, just a very sobering image when you consider all the things that are happening around the world.

Just how was that received? GALLAGHER: Well, George, it was an interesting choice on the part of

Pope Francis to go to the former Nazi German concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau and not speak. He said he wanted to go in silence and pray. Of course, prayer for the pope being even more important than speaking, sitting in an act of listening, in an act of humility in the face of one of the great evils of our history.

And that was something that he specifically said he wanted to do, to place himself there in prayer, in silence, you know. There's a lot of talk in the world today. And I think the pope's gesture was to say sometimes, there are moments when silence is the most appropriate response.

Of course, afterwards, George, he did speak about the cruelty that occurred in Auschwitz and Birkenau, the cruelty of the holocaust and he said it continues even today in torture and in war. But he said it won't have the last word. He told the kids last night at the beautiful prayer vigil that evil will not have the last word, that their response to a world at war is brotherhood. He asked them to join hands to raise their hands like a bridge and said that the great powers of the world might learn from them.

So, a rousing kind of speech from Pope Francis for, as I say, 1.6 million kids the organizers are telling us, who've come here to Poland -- George.

HOWELL: Thank you so much for the reporting. Delia Gallagher live for us. Delia, thank you.

Church services will be held across France Sunday for the first time since a terror attack on a Catholic Church Tuesday in the city of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

Let's go live now to CNN's Alexandra Field who joins us live in Paris to tell us about the situation.

Alexandra, so, Muslims and Muslim leaders, they're all encouraged to attend the Catholic mass. Talk about what happened just to be part of it? How significant is that?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: George, this is a tremendously significant moment, and morning here in France, because this is a country that has been the repeated target of terror attacks, back to January 2015 when you saw this rash of attacks begin. The latest attack happening just this week at a Catholic Church in Normandy where an 86-year-old priest Jacques Hamel was killed after two militants stormed his church. Officials say he was killed in the name of ISIS.

So, while you have investigators who are working to understand the people who are carrying out these attacks, while you have government leaders trying to beef up security and counterterrorism efforts, what you're seeing on the ground here really across France this morning is an effort from the people and from religious-based community leaders to show another side of France, to bring people together, to make a demonstration of unity. There have been these unity marches that we've seen in France this

past week since the death of that Catholic priest. They are intended to unite Christians and Muslims, to show the world the solidarity, the brotherhood that does still exist in this country between people. So, you have a call from Muslim leaders across the country urging Muslims to go to Catholic masses this morning, to sit with their Christian brothers and sisters, to join in these religious services together and conversely you've also heard from Catholic leaders who said they will welcome Muslim worshippers in their doors this morning.

And that's something we'll see in the next hour. And Notre Dame, it is, of course, an iconic cathedral in this country and leaders from both faith groups are hoping that the masses will turn out, that they will come together, that they will share in a service this morning and help to strengthen ties between the two communities as this country continues to struggle and grapple, and reel from this recent spate of attacks, George.

HOWELL: What a show of solidarity that will be there, right in the heart of the city there at Notre Dame.

Alexandra, what more can you also tell us about the investigation into the alleged terror plot that was uncovered that was targeting Brussels?

FIELD: Right, this is a problem that countries across Europe are confronting right now. We know that Brussels has been the target of an attack back in March. That Belgian authorities have been doing this ongoing counterterrorism operations, actually since the attacks here in Paris of November 13th when they connected some of the Paris attackers with a cell that was operating out of Brussels.

Just over the weekend now, we've had continued counterterrorism operations in Brussels. Authorities there saying that they raided eight different homes in two different locations. No explosives were recovered. No weapons were recovered.

But initially police arrested two brothers, taking both into custody. A judge has released one of the brothers. Another man is still being held, and the judge has charged him with attempted terrorist murder and links to a terrorist organization.

It is not clear what this man is suspected of having plotted. But at this point authorities say there's no suggestion that whatever plans were in the works were connected in any way to those attacks at the airport and the metro station that happened back in March in Brussels -- George.

HOWELL: CNN's Alexandra Field live for us in the French capital -- Alexandra, thank you so much for your reporting there.

British health officials are urging pregnant women to postpone trips to the state of Florida. They are concerned about four newly reported cases of the Zika virus in that state, a popular holiday destination for many people. They are the first known cases of likely local transmission of the virus in the United States. Health officials think the four people were infected by mosquito bites. They say these new cases originated within a one square mile area just north of downtown Miami.

New mothers in Brazil are dealing with an unexpected consequence of the Zika virus. They're being shunned by family and friends for giving birth to babies affected by the virus.

CNN's Arwa Damon has this report for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Every day, Maria Luisa plays her little princess this song, of God's love for his children. And every day, she cries.

MARIA LUISA FERREIRA DE MACEDO, MOTHER OF BABY WITH MICROCEPHALY (through translator): I get sad because of everything that has happened. I'm not sad because of her. She makes me happy. She's wonderful.

DAMON: Maria Luisa's husband left her a month after baby Zaylah Nayara (ph) was born with microcephaly. One relative even asked why she didn't abort.

Faye Nayara's (ph) older sister, too young to really understand, sometimes calls her crazy.

FERREIRA DE MACEDO (through translator): I say your sister's not mad. She's a normal child like you.

DAMON: Largely abandoned, Maria Luisa says her neighbor is now like a second parent to the girls.

[04:25:02] Support groups like this bring mothers together. In the epicenter of Brazil's Zika outbreak, the mothers of the so-called Zika babies lean on each other.

ROSICLAUDIA DE ARAGAO SOUSA, MOTHER OF BABY WITH MICROCEPHALY: When I had my child and knew she had microcephaly, I was like every other mother. I thought I was the only one going through this.

DAMON: Rosiclaudia's daughter, Clara, turned nine months today. And like most days, it's spent going from one appointment to another.

The sheer commitment of raising a child with microcephaly bonds these mothers into an extended family. Rosiclaudia says she feels her isolation most in public under the piercing stares of strangers.

DE ARAGAO SOUSA (through translator): People ask, ah, she was born with that disease. They keep looking, whispering. Look, that girl with the little head.

DAMON: She is constantly arguing back that her baby isn't diseased, she's special. Most have experienced that same stigma. Their love for their little ones is unwavering. But they can only hope and pray that society evolves to accept their children, not reject them. Arwa Damon, CNN, Recife, Brazil.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: Arwa, thank you.

For the first time, a team made up of refugees will compete for Olympic glory. We'll show you how they are spending their time in Rio de Janeiro, ahead of the games.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOWELL: Welcome back to our viewers here in the United States, and around the world.

[04:30:00] You are watching CNN NEWSROOM. It is good to have you with us. I'm George Howell with the headlines we're following this hour.

In Austin, Texas, police say that there is no longer an active situation unfolding in that city's downtown area. Though we did understand there are reports of multiple people wounded from a shooting. One person dead, a female in her 30s.

Again, this is not an active situation. Earlier police were saying to avoid downtown Austin, Texas. Keep in mind that may still be a good idea but investigators are on the scene and say that both scenes, the shooting that happened in the same area, both scenes are now secure. This according to Austin police.

We'll bring you the very latest as we learn more here on CNN.

Also, in the U.S. state of Texas, a hot air balloon is believed to have crashed carrying 16 people, killing them Saturday according to federal and local authorities. Two sources tell CNN that that balloon may have hit power lines and caught fire before coming down near Austin, Texas.

Donald Trump's criticism of the parents of a fallen soldier have sparked widespread outrage. Khizr Khan spoke at the Democratic Convention and denounced the Republican candidate for proposing a ban on Muslims after his own son died defending the United States. Trump responded to the searing criticism by saying, I'd like to hear his wife say something, suggesting that she wasn't allowed to be there onstage.

Turkish officials have released 758 soldiers. They were detained after a failed military coup. About 231 soldiers are still in custody. More than 15,000 people have been detained since the coup attempt earlier this month.

As many as 30,000 people are set to take part in a rally in Cologne, Germany, soon. Some of the country's largest -- large Turkish population is gathering to support the Turkish president, Mr. Erdogan, after this recent coup attempt that happened in that country. And Kurdish groups are expected to hold counter protests. CNN's Fred Pleitgen joins us now following this story. Fred, it's good to have you with us this hour. So, what message are

these protesters trying to convey?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're trying to show their support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, obviously, in the wake of this coup. And right now, what we have here is the crowd is still gathering. This demonstration is set to be one that's very long, set to go on for about 12 hours here.

If you look at the stage that's already been set up behind me, George, you'll see that the message that they're trying to convey is yes to democracy, no to the coup. They obviously want to show their support for Erdogan. Not just for having fought off the coup itself, but also for some of the measures that were taken after that. Some of the purges that took place which of course have received international criticism.

And some of that criticism also comes from Germany. I can tell you from speaking to people here in Cologne, the Turkish community here, a lot of them feel that Turkey isn't getting the support that they expect from the Germans. Of course, the German government has criticized some of the things that have been going on in Turkey after the coup, and they feel that the Germans should be less critical of the Turkish government.

So, in part, this is simply a show of support for the Turkish government, for Recep Tayyip Erdogan. But it's also in some ways a criticism not just of Germany but also of the European Union, and also of NATO, where the Turks here are saying that they would have expected more support.

One of the things that we always need to point out is that Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish government have massive support here in Germany. There's about 3 million people here who either have Turkish citizenship, or who are of Turkish descent, and about 60 percent of those by recent polls are in the corner of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. So, he has massive support here around certainly they say they're going to bring that support out on the streets here to have this massive demonstration which, again, is going to take the better part of the day, and the German authorities say they are somewhat concerned about the safety and security here at this demonstration.

So, there certainly is a big police presence going on here as well, George.

HOWELL: Talk about that, Fred. You mention that authorities are concerned, but can you explain to our viewers around the world why they have those concerns?

PLEITGEN: Well, I mean, the reason is basically that Erdogan, just like at home, here is also quite a controversial figure as well. So, what you have here is this very large demonstration going on. But at the same time, you also have a lot of counterdemonstrations.

One of the things about Cologne is that it has a sizable Turkish population. Also has a sizable Kurdish population as well. And there have been some issues between these two groups of people here in the past. It's not clear actually whether or not the Kurds are going to come out with their own demonstration. The most recent we've heard is they might call it off.

However, there are four other counterdemonstrations going on here as well. One of them by a right-wing group which is one that has also protested against the building of construction of mosques here in Germany, as well. And then there's some groups that are also set to come out as well. There's a big police presence on the street, about 3,000 cops and water cannon trucks so the German authorities say they're not going to allow this to get out of hand, George.

[04:35:01] HOWELL: Fred Pleitgen live for us in Cologne, Germany. Fred, thank you so much for your reporting. We'll stay in touch as you continue to monitor those demonstrations.

The Rio Olympics start Friday. And many Russian athletes have already arrived in Rio. Though still not sure if they will be allowed to compete this due to doping allegations. A three-person panel from the International Olympic Committee will have the final say on that. One IOC spokesman explained how the decision will be made.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK ADAMS, SPOKESMAN, INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE: This review board, this review panel, will look at every single decision of every single athlete to make sure that the IOC is happy with the decision that's been taken, that they've made all of these different levels of steps, and that the decision by the -- by the ICAS arbitrator is also putting that forward and it's up to the panel to decide if they accept or not for each individual athlete in each case.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: While the IOC says it will have full faith that Brazil will host successful Olympics, there has been no shortage of problems in the lead-up to the games.

A recent "New York Times" article has a warning for aquatic athletes. It points to the dangers of competing in some of Brazil's contaminated waters, saying, quote, "Health experts in Brazil have a word of advice for the Olympic marathon swimmers, sailors and wind surfers, competing in Rio de Janeiro's picture postcard water. The next month, keep your mouth closed," it says.

But one American rower, who's hoping for gold in Rio, wants to move past that advice. She told "The Guardian" newspaper, "At this point, it is known that there are issues with the water quality. It is known that athletes are going to be at risk for illness. It is known that we are going to have to be smart, hygienic, and take precautions. Great. Let's move on."

The first-ever Olympic refugee team enjoyed one of the many sights in Rio on Saturday. They visited the world famous Christ the Redeemer statue that overlooks that city. A team of ten people made up of athletes from Syria, from South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo will repeat in the name of refugees everywhere.

One of them says he is doing this for his family.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPOLE MISENGA, CONGOLESE JUDOKA (through translator): It's been many years since I have seen my family, my two brothers. I wouldn't even know what my younger brother would look like if I saw him here today. I wouldn't recognize his face. But the older one I would recognize. I send many hugs and kisses to him, and all of them.

I am here in Brazil, I'm participating in the Olympics and I thank God for that. If my brother can see me on TV, to know your brother is here in Brazil, striving to maybe see him, to be together, one day.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Brazilian officials have worked to make the games safe and secure. Authorities are preparing for different emergency situations that could happen on the ground, but also in the water.

CNN's Rosa Flores has more on that from Rio.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're heading out with Brazilian military firefighters for a drill ahead of the Olympic Games, and here is the scenario. There is an athlete in the water, and an accident has occurred.

(voice-over): A helicopter with several first responders is dispatched by air. And lifeguards on jet skis are launched by water.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The games time we are going to provide these services 24/7.

FLORES: A fire brigade colonel is in charge of aquatic fire search and rescue efforts during the Olympic Games and says he has 1,000 lifeguards on the ready.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: During the games we're going to run five helicopters, and also 37 boats.

FLORES: From the air, he says, pilots monitor the water below looking for people in distress. Their eyes in the water, lifeguards on jet skis. This time, I'm riding along.

The first days of the drill, a person is drowning and needs to be airlifted. Two lifeguards drop from a helicopter near the victim. A net is dropped and the victim is scooped into the net, lifted, and transported to nearby medics who begin first aid immediately.

Once the patient is out of the water, first responders say that the first thing they want to do is make sure that the patient is breathing and that the heart is stabilized.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have not good condition. The tides are very high.

FLORES: For part two of this drill, a person is drowning and first responders in jet skis take action. A lifeguard jumps into the water and pulls the victim up, and onto the rescue board that's on the back of the jet ski.

[04:40:09] Just like Olympians train for the games, these firefighters train to save lives.

Rosa Flores, CNN, Rio de Janeiro.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: Rosa, thank you.

With both nominees officially set, many Americans are beginning to decide who they will vote for. We will hear from some undecided voters in critical swing states, as CNN NEWSROOM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOWELL: America's Choice 2016, the U.S. state of Florida is a crucial prize for any presidential hopeful. It has historically been a good indicator of who will win the White House.

But as our Randi Kaye shows us, many voters there are still undecided.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: The choice is clear, my friends.

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For some voters, that may be true. But in the swing state of Florida, the choice is anything but clear for this group of undecided voters.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm like disgusted with everyone.

KAYE: Watching Hillary Clinton's convention speech, nearly all of these voters agreed Clinton came off softer around the edges.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thought it humanized her. In Q&A's and debates and everything else, she seemed robotic.

KAYE (on camera): Who after watching this speech found Hillary Clinton more approachable?

Who found her more likable after this speech?

(voice-over): The biggest hang up for these voters? Trust.

Most find Clinton dishonest and calculating. And her speech didn't change that. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was looking for what a lot of the pundits were

saying was show us why we should trust you. And that's what I was looking for. And nothing she said --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was nothing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nothing she said makes me want to trust her and believe in her.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why is she still lying or avoiding when we know that she lied about so many issues?

KAYE: They were hoping the former secretary of state would address the mixed messages about the attack in Benghazi and her various explanations about her private e-mail server.

[04:45:09] KIMBERLY KELLY, UNDECIDED VOTER: She has said nothing and she's had ample opportunity to present that to us. And I think that that's holding me back.

KAYE: This voter needs to know more before deciding though he did like hearing about Clinton's formative years.

JASON WOODSIDE, UNDECIDED VOTER: How her mother struggled as a child and how her mother taught her to be a voter.

KAYE (on camera): But you are still not ready to vote for her?

WOODSIDE: Well, it's a long way to November.

KAYE (voice-over): Clinton's attempt to convey a sense of unit and hope fell flat.

CANDY LOWE, UNDECIDED VOTER: I did not buy into that whole --

KAYE (on camera): So you didn't believe her?

LOWE: I didn't -- no.

KAYE (voice-over): So did her laundry list of experience.

JAMES KELTLER, UNDECIDED VOTER: When you talk about experience, she's got a lot of it, but it's not been very successful.

KAYE: Still, statements like this held traction with some.

CLINTON: We'll fix it together.

MELANIE ALVIN, UNDECIDED VOTER: I was drawn over to her because she says "our". And she always mentioned "our", it wasn't "I am", or "I'm going to". It was "our".

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We.

ALVIN: We, making it inclusive.

KAYE (on camera): Can she do that? Can she bring America together?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are 13 million Bernie supporters that don't trust her. So, that's Democrats.

KAYE (voice-over): In the end, Clinton did make some headway.

(on camera): How many of you after watching the speech decided to vote for Hillary Clinton? Three.

(voice-over): Though one of her new supporters told us his vote for her is really just a vote against Donald Trump.

DARIN BAHL, DECIDED TO VOTE FOR CLINTON: She won my vote tonight. And it's more not what she said, but it's what Trump said yesterday.

KAYE: This voter decided after the speech to support Trump after giving Clinton one last chance.

GABRIELA RYAN, DECIDED TO VOTE FOR TRUMP: I really wanted her to admit her wrongdoings and she would have my vote from that, because she has the experience over Trump. She has the self-control over Trump.

KAYE: Three months to go until Election Day, and here's the tally: two for Trump, three for Clinton, with eight in our group still undecided and unhappy about their options.

Randi Kaye, CNN, Tampa, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: Nida may be a tropical storm, tropical storm strength over the Philippines, but next week it will threaten Hong Kong as a typhoon.

Our meteorologist Karen Maginnis joins us now at the international weather center following this storm -- Karen.

(WEATHER REPORT)

[04:50:05] HOWELL: Karen, thank you so much.

A new invention is causing quite a buzz online and it's not even widely available yet. How a new carry-on will actually carry you that looks so cool.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DON RIDDELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Don Riddell with your CNN World Sport headlines.

We are just under a week away now from the start of the Olympics in Rio and more athletes are pulling out. On Saturday, the tennis defending champion team in men's doubles, the Bryan brothers, decided to withdraw. Bob and Mike didn't specifically name the Zika virus, but they definitely hinted at it saying, "Though we'd love to compete again, as husbands and fathers our families' health is now our top priority." This would have been the American twins' fourth Olympics and their swan song. They won bronze in Beijing and took gold in London.

To Formula One's German Grand Prix where Nico Rosberg will start from pole position as he tries to reclaim the top of the driver standings from his Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton. Rosberg came out on top in a dramatic qualifying session. He was briefly troubled by an electronic error. But his on the final run, he posted his best time of the weekend. Hamilton got his time afterwards, but the three-time world champion slipped up and ended up just over 0.1 of a second back.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his Manchester United debut on Saturday and he did it in style, just four minutes in to the game he scored an acrobatic scissor kick against Galatasaray in front of a home crowd in Gothenburg. United strolling to a convincing win with Zlatan's help, 5-2 the score.

That is a quick look at your sports headlines. I'm Don Riddell.

(MUSIC)

HOWELL: So if you travel a lot, you're really going to like this. There's a new invention scheduled for sale next January that could test your driving skills at the airport. It's a motorized suitcase that you can sit on and ride just like that. I mean that's so cool, instead of lugging your baggage behind you.

CNN's Jeanne Moos gave it a test drive. It looks so cool.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's not every day you learn to drive a suitcase. Maybe you've seen the Modobag, the motorized suitcase you can ride recently went viral.

So, when Modobag's creator Kevin O'Donnell offered to let us test drive it --

KEVIN O'DONNELL, MODOBAG CREATOR: Sit right in the middle of it.

MOOS: We decided to carry on.

O'DONNELL: Lift your handle bars up, place your feet on the pegs.

MOOS: There's a thumb throttle for the electric motor.

[04:55:00] O'DONNELL: It's very responsive. Just take your time to get used to it.

MOOS: Hand brakes like on a bike.

How fast am I going right now?

O'DONNELL: Probably going six miles an hour.

MOOS: Top speed eight. Its state-of-the-art lithium battery can go eight miles. Takes an hour to fully charge it and you can charge your phone or tablet on it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love it. I'm speechless. I'm telling you I love it. I've never seen anything like it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You got to be kidding me?

O'DONNELL: So this is what James bond looks like when he's walking into the airport without any trouble.

MOOS: Uh-huh.

O'DONNELL: And as soon as the bad guys show up and he's off.

MOOS: Goodbye, 007.

Kevin created the Modobag with a friend who is a motorcycle engineer. You know those old suitcase commercials?

UIDENTIFIED MALE: Have we got a suitcase for you.

MOOS: Kevin joke-tested his motorized bag, wearing a gorilla suit. You're going ape to have one, prepare to pay 1,500 bucks when they start shipping in January. Though early birds buying now pay $995.

The ride was a little bumpy on New York's cracked sidewalks. But --

O'DONNELL: The airport is just like you're floating on air.

MOOS: Kevin says the Modobag is FAA and TSA compliant. But it remains to be seen if airports would allow them were they to become popular.

O'DONNELL: Can you imagine showing up in court? Your honor, I was on a suitcase, I did an illegal left turn.

MOOS: Why just lug around your carry-on, when it can carry you.

See you later!

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: That makes being at the airport so much easier.

And that wraps this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm George Howell at the CNN Center in Atlanta. I'll have more news from around the world after the break. Thank you for watching CNN, the world's news leader.

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