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CNN NEWSROOM

Turkish Media: Airstrikes Targeting ISIS, Kurdish Forces; Trump Announces "Major" Immigration Speech; Pence Defends Trump on Immigration; Brazil's Rousseff to Speak at Impeachment Trial; Some Italian Villages to Decide Whether to Rebuild after Earthquake; Mother Gunned Down on Chicago Street; Spike in Heroin Overdoses Hitting U.S. Midwest. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired August 29, 2016 - 02:00   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

[02:00:33] ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, and welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I am Rosemary Church. This is CNN NEWSROOM.

The Turkish military is conducting air strikes in Syria. For the first time, they're admitting that ISIS is not their only

target. State media reports one strike near Jarablus killed 25 members of a Kurdish militia, the YPG, which Turkey considers a terror group. In the same area, Turkish-backed units of the Free Syrian Army are trying to clear villages of Kurdish forces. State media says 13 approaches were, quote, "cleansed."

Our Nick Paton Walsh is near the border.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: President Erdogan clear in his speech in his fight, they will fight both ISIS and the Syrian Kurds. There is been a confrontation openly with, quote, "the same determination" as they hunt out ISIS cells in this city. But it appears the focus of the speech was to mourn those lives lost in a recent wedding bombing here that killed over 50. ISIS took responsibility for that, and at the same time, to thank the city for the support it gave him during the recent failed coup attempt.

The question now is where is the Turkish military and Syrian rebels are working alongside it moving inside of northern Syria. Fast movement today. We heard from the deputy prime minister of the desire for them to move along the border, that could have a lot of the border in control of Turkey and those Syria rebels who are getting backing from them. At the same time, too, they appear to be moving southeast toward a city called Manbij. That's important because Syria Kurds moved into it recently to flash out ISIS with American support, and now to mostly have left. Yet, those near it appear to be in clashes with the advancing Syrian rebel force and Turkish military, too. Those clashes claimed one Turkish life the previous night. Today, we're hearing from Turkish state media that an airstrike may have killed 25 militants in that area, although activists were saying those people were, in fact, civilians. It is unclear what happened there.

What is clear is that the Turkish military and those rebels working alongside them report to be taking more and more villages hour by hour. They are clearly in confrontation with Syrian Kurds but also receive American backing. And this puts U.S. policy in a great dilemma here. They've been backing the Syrian Kurds for some time in their fight against ISIS. At the same time, they have being supportive of the same Syrian rebels that the Turkish are backing as well.

It's a very confusing dilemma in this war and it does suggest that this potential Turkish intervention here is not over in a matter of weeks but months. They seem to be wanting to stake out a large amount of territory here. They have two adversaries. Many hoped they would focus on ISIS, but at the same time it does look like their broader threat that they see are the Syrian Kurds, who they consider terrorists, may take up a lot of their manpower.

Complicated and potentially dangerous time ahead here for Turkey. And President Erdogan's trip here very much a sign of how important this military reaction is.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: To the southwest, mourners in the city of Aleppo were the target barrel bombing on Saturday. Activists say as many as 24 people were killed and 30 were wounded. They were attending a wake for several children killed in another bombing in the same area on Thursday.

Libyan forces say they are close to recapturing the coastal city of Sirte from ISIS.

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(GUNFIRE)

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CHURCH: The militants had been pushed back to the small residential area. At least 34 Libyans fight were killed Sunday and more than 150 wounded. ISIS used multiple suicide bombs to try to stop Libyan troops from advancing.

In the race for the White House, Donald Trump says he's finally going to make his big immigration speech. It will happen Wednesday, according to a Trump's tweet, and taking place in the border state of Arizona. Trump has faced criticism this past week at what some see as he's shifting tone on immigration. On Tuesday, he suggested to FOX News he would allow some undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S. Two days later, he walked back those comments with CNN's Anderson Cooper. And then at an appearance in Iowa over the week, he had this to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[02:05:16] DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: On day one, I am going to begin swiftly removing criminal illegal immigrants from this country.

(CHEERING)

TRUMP: Including removing the hundreds of thousands of criminal illegal immigrants that have been released into the United States and United States' communities under the incompetent Obama/Clinton administration

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Trump's pick for vice president are those defending his immigration position. Mike Pence told CNN's Jape Tapper that Trump's position had been consistent all along.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE PENCE, (R), INDIANA GOVERNOR & VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Donald Trump will articulate a policy about how we deal with that population. I promise you he's going to remain completely focused on American citizens and people who are here legally and how we get this --

(CROSSTALK)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: I don't understand why --

(CROSSTALK)

PENCE: -- play by the rules.

TAPPER: I don't understand why it is the fault of the media for focusing on an issue that you're crediting --

(CROSSTALK)

TAPPER: -- Donald Trump for bringing to the fore.

PENCE: Yeah.

TAPPER: The idea is Mr. Trump won the primaries in no small way because he had this very forceful position, saying all 11 or 12 million undocumented immigrants will be forced to leave the country. Now, you, right this minute, are not saying that that's the policy.

(CROSSTALK)

TAPPER: You are saying he will be unveiling it the next few weeks. It is 72 days until the election.

PENCE: Well, the way you characterize his position is one thing. I think he's been --

(CROSSTALK)

PENCE: Jake, he's consistent in the principles he articulated. Nobody was talking a bout illegal immigration when Donald Trump entered this campaign. He was attacked from day one for putting the whole issue of the violence that is derived from certain individuals that's come into the country illegal on the table. He's made it clear that we are going to secure our borders, we're going to build a wall, we're going to enforce the laws in this country, stand up and uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.

But, what you see going on right now and I think at a certain level it is refreshing, because it is the Donald Trump that I see everyday, is you see a CEO at work. You see someone who's engaging the American people and listening to the American people. He's hearing from all sides.

But I promise you, he is a decisive leader. He will stand on the principles that have underpinned his commitment to end illegal immigration in this country. And that's what people will learn more about in the days of ahead.

But let's be clear, Hillary Clinton supports open border and amnesty and wants to in crease Syrian refugees in the country by 550 percent. You could not have a clear choice

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Mike Pence speaking to CNN's Jake Tapper. And despite Pence's claim that Trump is remaining consistent on immigration, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus says Trump is reflecting on his position.

Turning now to another big story we're watching, the revolutionary armed forces of Colombia, FARC, has announced a permanent sea spot beginning on Monday. The group agreed to a peace deal with Colombian officials in Havana last week. The agreement would end FARC's 52-year conflict with the government. It still must be approved by a majority of the government of referendum.

Brazil's embattled President Dilma Rousseff takes the floor Monday to present her defense to the country's Senate against impeachment charges. Ms. Rousseff was suspended in May on allegations of corruption and mismanagement of Brazil's finances. She says she had done nothing wrong. A barrier has been constructed outside Congress to prevent clash between pro and anti-impeachment protesters.

CNN's Shasta Darlington has the latest now from Brazil.

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SHASTA DARLINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Suspended President Dilma Rousseff about to take her last stand in the long-running impeachment battle. On Monday, she appears here in the Senate to defend herself that she doctored the budget to hide a short fall. She said that she did not do anything illegal and points out that some of the lawmakers spearheading the impeachment effort are being investigated for corruption.

The impeachment proceedings have been dragging on for months. And Rousseff was suspended in May, temporarily replaced by her vice president, one of the people she accuses of trying to orchestrate her being ouster. The final vote will begin on Tuesday. Two-thirds of the 81 Senators have to vote in favor of the impeachment for her to be removed from office. That is expected to happen.

Remember, Rousseff was re-elected by a narrow margin in 2014 and, after that, her popularity went down as the country went in to a deep recession, and a corruption investigation engulfed several parties. If they confirm the impeachment, the vice president will take over until the term ends in 2018, inheriting an economy in at that taters and a country divided.

Shasta Darlington, CNN, Brasilia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[02:10:34] CHURCH: CNN affiliate RTL is reporting an explosion just outside Brussels at the National Institute of Criminology and Forensics. They say no one was there at the time of the blast. It appears to have been caused by a vehicle which ran over three fences before ramming in to the site. But investigators are not sure who was driving or what was behind it. We will continue to follow it and bring you more details as we get them.

Five days after the earthquake in central Italy, the hard-hit town of Amatrice is turning into a demolition zone. There's little hope left of finding anyone alive in the debris. The critical 72-hour window for survival has long passed. Emergency crews are now focusing on recovering bodies. They are also knocking down half-standing buildings to make sure they don't topple during aftershocks. The disaster has claimed nearly 300 lives.

Well, as workers clear away the debris, the task of rebuilding is ahead.

But Fred Pleitgen reports, some of the affected villages are deciding whether to rebuild at all.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The grueling work continues for Italian search crews still pulling bodies from the rubbles. Whole communities have been shattered by the loss of life and infrastructure.

Massimo Paratzi (ph) was in the hardest-hit town of Amatrice when the earth began to shake.

"It was my daughter's birthday, the day of the quake," he says. "We organized a party. Five of the girls who were invited were killed in the quake. She had played with some of them the night before the disaster." More than 200 people died in Amatrice alone. Italy's prime minister

has vowed to rebuild this ancient town, but some of the smaller villages in this mountainous area may not be so lucky.

This is Capricia (ph), just down the road.

(on camera): Like so many villages in this area, this one had been evacuated after the earthquake. But the residents here are facing a fundamental question, and that is whether they'll be able to return to their homes, whether this village is viable in the future.

(voice-over): Rosella Santarelli is one of only 12 residents of Capricia (ph). She's been staying in this camper van since the quake struck, afraid to enter any buildings because of frequent aftershocks.

"I don't think there will be a future," she says. "Our villages are poor and there are no people and jobs. Amatrice is five miles away but there's nothing left of that."

As Rosella and the others surveyed the damage to their houses, Italy has some tough decisions to make. Should villages like this one, with a tiny population, in an area prone to earthquakes, be fixed or is it better and safer to abandon them?

"There are villages were already empty before the quake," Rosella says. "There are almost no young people anywhere. The towns are old. I think now they will really depopulate."

For more sources, villages like Capricia (ph) epitomize the beauty of the Italian countryside.

On top of the horrible human toll this earthquake has caused, in the long run, it may have accelerated the demise a piece of this country's rich ancient heritage, as well

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Capricia (ph), Italy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Police searched Los Angeles International Airport just a short time ago after receiving a report of an active shooter. It was a false alarm, later to be determined as "loud noises." But the FAA issued a ground stop that lifted about an hour ago and delayed a number of flights. Traffic came to a standstill around the airport. And earlier this month, reports of a possible active shooter at New York's JFK sent panicked travelers running for cover. Those reports were also false.

Despite the destruction and loss in Italy, one couple in the earthquake zone is looking ahead to their lives together. Their story still to come.

And gun violence on Chicago's streets takes the life of a young woman and mother of four. After the break, you will hear from her grieving family.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[02:14:51] DIANE ALDRIDGE, MOTHER OF NYKEA ALDRIDGE: It just hurts to hear. Kids want their mom and their mom won't be in their lives anymore.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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CHURCH: Chicago police arrested two brothers in the shooting death of NBA star Dwyane Wade's cousin, Nykea Aldridge. Authorities say the pair are each charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. Aldridge was caught on the fire while she was pushing her infant child in a stroller near a school on Friday. She was shot in the head and the arm. The police superintendent says the suspects are gang members who were on parole for gun violations at the time of the shootings.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EDDIE JOHNSON, CHICAGO POLICE SUPERINTENDENT: Darren Sorrells was involved in a murder not only while he was on parole but while he was wearing a home monitoring bracelet. I want all of you to think about what I just said and ask and what that tells you.

It should tell you it is time to stop talking and get serious and take actions when it comes to how we sentence our repeat gun offenders. I am frustrated. You should be frustrated. All Chicago should be frustrated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: The family of Nykea Aldridge held a vigil to celebrate her life. Aldridge had four children. Her mother spoke to CNN about how they are coping with her death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[02:20:11] ALDRIDGE: They missed their mom. They want their mom. It just hurts to hear. Kids want their mom and their mom won't be in their lives anymore. Only through spirit and through pictures, that's the only way they'll know their mom for the rest of their lives and what they had. It is heart breaking. It is really -- oh god. Heartbreaking. And I am truly from the bottom of my heart -- I forgive them, I forgive them. I cannot bring her back but I forgive them. And I just pray to God that they pray to God to ask for forgiveness for what they have done. They have taken a person's life senselessly and I just love them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: A mother's pain there. And authorities in the U.S. state Ohio issue a warning of a new additive heroine. They say drug dealers are using this to stretch their supply and the impact has been lethal.

Our Rachel Crane has a very sad story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LORI ERION, MOTHER OF APRIL: I'm terrified. It terrifies me.

(SIREN)

RACHEL CRANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A recent spike in heroin overdoses, nearly 100 in the last week alone, have Lori Erion fearing for her daughter's life.

APRIL ERION, FORMER HEROIN ADDICT: I would love to get high. I would. I am a drug addict. That's what I do best.

CRANE: April is 22 years old and she has been using heroin for the last six years. Those years, she says, she has lost about a dozen friends.

APRIL ERION: I just had one of my friends died I think yesterday morning. And she left four kids behind.

CRANE: Officials suspect a batch of heroin laced with elephant tranquillizers is to blame for the latest string of overdoses.

But April says that's not enough to scare away regular users.

(on camera): When you are addicted to heroin, when you are using, you don't care about dying. You are just chasing the next high. And for a lot of people, hearing that there is a souped-up strain of dope on the streets, that's actually appealing.

ERION: Yeah, definitely. Absolutely. Because you -- you stop getting high. That's why they call it chasing it. Because you can't stop getting high. You just -- you are staying well, you are staying not sick. So when you hear that somebody has overdosed or you hear about these crazy new drugs, you know, you are thinking, like, well, all right, it's about time. I'm trying to get high. I mean that's all you have been trying to do.

CRANE: That means that with this new strain of heroin that's cut with an elephant tranquillizer --

ERION: I'm sure there are heroin addicts who are actively looking for it and thinking that the people that are dying are doing it wrong. They are doing too much. They are not -- you know what I mean? They are just thinking that they are going to find a way to get really high and not die. Or if they die, they don't really care. But they are definitely looking for it. I would be.

(BEGIN AUDIO FEED)

CALLER: My son's on drugs. And I think he is overdosing. I think he has overdosed.

911 DISPATCHER: Is he awake?

CALLER: No, he is awake, but barely.

CALLER: He is not breathing.

911 DISPATCHER: OK, what he is O.D.'ing on?

CALLER: Heroin. Ahh. I think it's Fentanyl.

(END AUDIO FEED)

CRANE (voice-over): This firehouse in Cincinnati responded to nearly two dozen overdoses in a single day last week, more than 10 times their daily average, and they don't know when the calls will stop coming in.

But April's mom is worried about a different type of call.

LORI ERION: You know, we hear an ambulance, and we always wonder if it's someone that we know or for our child. And that's something that we live with every day. You know, we go to bed at night wondering if we are going to get that phone call.

CRANE: April and her mom know better than anyone how difficult the struggle with heroin addiction is.

APRIL ERION: I'll do any drug you put in front of me. So it's definitely a struggle. It's really hard.

LORI ERION: It's difficult because we can't, like, love them out of it. You know? So we love them so much. And it doesn't -- there is nothing that we can really do for them.

CRANE: April says getting sober is a daily struggle. But in her eyes, not using heroin is progress, even if other drugs are taking its place.

LORI ERION: I'm definitely to the -- I wouldn't say I'm using, but I've used twice since I have been out, and I've been out for a month.

CRANE (on camera): How has heroin changed your life?

APRIL ERION: Well, I'm 22. I just did 11 months incarcerated. I'm back on probation with more time on the shelf. When in reality, I mean, I probably should have been applying for med school this summer. You know? That was what I wanted to do. That's where I should have been.

CRANE (voice-over): Rachel Crane, CNN, Cincinnati.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[02:25:21] CHURCH: 22-years-old. Well, the music world is mourning, Mexico's super star musician Juan

Gabriel. He died Sunday from natural causes in Santa Monica, California. He had performed in Los Angeles on Friday night. He sold more than 100 million records in his 45-year career. Mexico's president tweeted, "His music is a legacy to the world." Juan Gabriel was 66-year-old.

One Italian couple faced a devastating turn in their wedding plans. Coming up, the choice they made for themselves and their village.

Plus, a sex scandal forces a U.S. general from his post. How his actions could have endangered the country he pledged to protect. We'll be back with that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: A warm welcome back to our viewers here in the United States and all around the world. I am Rosemary Church.

I want to update you now on the stories we have been watching.

(HEADLINES)

[02:30:09] CHURCH: In central Italy, family members said good-bye to loved ones they lost in the earthquakein state funerals on the weekend. But in another part of the quake zone, one couple took a major step into their future together.

Atika Shubert has their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ramon is nervous. He's getting married today and his wedding suit has just ripped. He's trying on a backup but he's not happy. And he's also worried about aftershocks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can know (INAUDIBLE). And there is no water to describe. You can do nothing

I remember that day when the earthquake, I called my friend and lose her house.

SHUBERT: Ramon was supposed to get married here in the village church right in the heart of Italy's quake zone

Father Giovanni told him, no, absolutely not. The altar is covered in ruble. There are cracks running up the wall and its 16th century fresco is now torn open and tumbling.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When Father Giovanni told me the church is unsafe, I talked with my wife and saying that I want to celebrate my wedding over that. Because they need to -- a moment to think of the other team, you know?

SHUBERT: Instead, the wedding will happen here, in the open air of the village piazza with the mountain standing witness.

All good and well, Martina, his bride, was not so sure getting married in the village damaged by the earthquake is such a good idea, especially with heavy after shocks continuing to this day.

"We have been organizing this for more than a year. Of course, I was worried and nervous. I didn't want to create more problems for the village but everyone has been so wonderful and welcoming," she says.

Soon it is time. Martinez's father carefully escorts her to the village where Ramon is waiting, beaming, his wedding suit freshly repaired.

(MUSIC)

SHUBERT: The band begins to play the wedding march and the bride walks down the isle as the village cheers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love to sea, I love the people. I love the people. Everybody beautiful people and everybody loves me. So why would I take my wedding in other city.

SHUBERT: The sun shines and the earth stands still. Today, at least, this mountain village guards by disaster can enjoy a final moment of peace and joy.

(APPLAUSE)

SHUBERT: Atika Shubert, CNN, Italy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Well, in the U.S. presidential race, Hillary Clinton faces new criticism over e-mails. The newly released messages had renewed allegations she gave access to top officials as secretary of state in return for donations to her husband's foundation.

CNN's Diane Gallagher has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIANE GALLAGHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Conservatives are calling this latest batch of e-mails yet another example of the blurred lines between the State Department under Hillary Clinton and the Clinton Foundation. One particular exchange between Clinton's top aid, Huma Abedin, and then Clinton Foundation executive, Doug Band, included a list of names that Band seemed to suggested invitees to a State Department lunch with Chinese President Hu Jintao back in January 2011. Western Union CEO, who's representative says never got an invite, then UBS CEO of Walt Management (ph), Bob McCann (ph), and Rockefeller Foundation president, Judith Rhoden (ph). Each of those executives headed up companies that have made large donations to the Clinton Foundation. Band asked Abedin in a subsequent e-mail about Rhoden (ph), quote, "Can we get her at Biden's table," to which Abedin responded, "I'll ask." State Department spokeswoman, Elizabeth Trudeau, tells CNN, quote,

"The State Department does not believe it is inappropriate for the administration to consider individuals suggested by outside organizations when deciding who to invite to an official function.

Still, close contact like this has remained a point of criticism from Clinton's opponent, Donald Trump.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is impossible to figure out with where the Clinton Foundation ends and the State Department begins.

GALLAGHER: Clinton had said the foundation donors had no influence on her decision at the State Department.

HILLARY CLINTON, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (voice-over): I know there is a lot of smoke and there's no fire.

In Washington, Diane Gallagher.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[02:45:03] CHURCH: A U.S. Army general has been removed from a top post in Europe following a sex scandal. He's accused of leading a double life that included a decade-long affair and visits to sex clubs.

Our Elise Labott has more.

But first, I want to warn you, this report contains details that may be inappropriate for some viewers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Army inspector general's report reads like a salacious novel, including allegations of group sex, an illicit affair, and tawdry talk over government e-mail, all involving this man, Major General David Hayes.

Experts questioned why does it take 10 years for the government to uncover his double life, and only after someone filed multiple complaints him.

MAJ. GEN. JAMES "SPIDER" MARKS, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: When you talk to a guy who knew him in combat in very tough circumstances, he was calm, he delivered and he was a great commander. So it truly was a conscious decision on his part to create this other existence.

LABOTT: According to the inspector general, Hayes' double life began in 2005 while serving in Iraq. That's where he allegedly met this woman, Jennifer Armstrong, whose name was redacted from the government report but confirmed her identity to "USA Today."

Armstrong told "USA Today" that she and Hayes carried on an extramarital affair that lasted of over 10 years, backed up by e- mails, photographs and other documents. Affairs are against the Army's code of conduct and especially frowned

upon when they involve officers, but sources tell CNN it was not just the relationship that drew the interest of the Pentagon. According to the inspector general, "Hayes and his girlfriend exchanged explicit e- mails over Hayes' government account. At times, discussing types of sexual activity and making quote, "naughty movies." Hayes is also accused of using his government cell phone 84 times to call her, racking up 1400 minutes at the Pentagon's expense during just one six- month period. But the most damming allegations revolve around the couple's, quote, "swinger lifestyle," which the report goes as far to define as "engaging in group sex." It says the couple's photographs were posted on this website for swingers. That same photo was later found in Hayes' e-mail. And the government report said the couple visited swingers clubs as far back as 2012 when Hayes was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Experts say Hayes' allege behavior could have put U.S. national security at risk. Because he held several important to serious condition in the military, including running America's response to Russia in eastern Europe, sources say that if the affair and the swinging had been discovered by another country, it would have left him vulnerable to blackmail and espionage.

MARKS: Russia, as we know, has incredible intelligence collection mechanism and would exploit behavior like this in a heartbeat. Number one, he should have been smart enough to realize that. Number two, he should have realized that even if he is going to have this double life, he becomes extremely vulnerable.

LABOTT: Elise Labott, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: The Army pulled David Hayes from his post of European Command for failing to exhibit exemplary conduct and Army values. He is set to retire but could be forced to do so at a lower rank. Hayes refused to answer questions from the Army inspector general. But in a statement to "USA Today," he says, "I am truly story for the pain I have caused my wife and my family." CNN tried to reach both Hayes and Jennifer Armstrong but were unable to reach any of them.

An NFL quarterback making headlines, well outside the world of football. Why some fans are burning his jersey, just ahead.

Plus, Beyonce wins big at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards. Some of the major highlights of the night coming your way.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[02:42:20] COLIN KAEPENICK, NFL FOOTBALL PLAYER: I'm going to continue to stand with the people and this is something that has to change. And when there is significant change and I feel the flag represents what it is supposed to represent and this country is representing people the way it is supposed to, I will stand. (END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: NFL player Colin Kaepernick is defending his decision to protest the U.S. national anthem. Like more and more athletes, he's joining a national conversation on race.

Polo Sandoval looks at the controversy surrounding his statement.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): San Francisco quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, is behind a controversial moment in a football season that has not kicked off yet. The 28-year-old chose not to participate in the national anthem at the start of the pre- season game on Friday. This photo captured players and staffs standing as jersey number seven sat silently on the sidelines. Kaepernick says he was protesting systematic racism. He later told NFL.com, "I'm not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There's bodies on the streets and people getting away with murder."

Kaepernick's silent demonstration is setting off a firestorm of criticism.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My salute to you.

SANDOVAL: Furious fans are posting video online burning all things of Kaepernick

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kaepernick should never play another game in the NFL again.

Kaepernick does have support though. Political commentator, Marc Lamont Hill, defended the pre-game protest during a conversation with CNN's Jim Sciutto.

MARC LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: We are making an ethical or political argument. I would say it is justified. I go to games all the time. I never stand for it, the flag bearing or the Pledge of Allegiance.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: You don't stand?

LAMONT HILL: No. No, it is an act of political resistance and critique.

SANDOVAL: One fan took to Twitter calling Kaepernick his next pick for president.

The 49ers organization says it respects their player's decision. A part of the team's statement reads, "We recognize the rights of an individual to choose to participate or not in the celebration of the national anthem."

The team is preparing for the next pre-season kickoff.

Polo Sandoval, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: All right, we turn to the weather now. The tropics near the U.S. are starting to come alive with multiple storms.

Our Meteorologist Pedram Javaheri is joining us now with all the details.

Pedram, what's going on?

[02:45:03] PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: The time has come. This is the time, late August and early September. If you find to a great deal of tropical location, this is why. A lot of activities are going on. Rosie, look at this t we are talking about tropical depression eight and nine. The hurricane is sitting there as a major category. The initial concern is as you get closer to land there.

Notice the graph right here, September 10th, a peak of the hurricane season. You begin to see it climbs there where you see the active pattern across the tropics. The water temperature is conducive as they come. 90 degrees Fahrenheit on the immediate coastline. That's tropical depression 9. Later in the week, impact of the big Bend of Florida and a lot of rainfall. The water temperatures are pointing warm and there is a lot of dry air and a lot of wind sheer above the storm. Fortunately, it will be mainly just a rain event.

Here is what's going on across parts of the Florida, the Carolina coast side. We do have tropical depression eight, it would be Ian, and the eye storm is forming and Ian will brush by the Hatteras region of the Carolina. There it is in the corner of the screen. This is Hurricane Gaston. It will make a right turn and work its way out before it gets there as a tropical storm.

A lot of uncertainty at this point, the vast majority of these storms look like it will not be directly impacting land, at least not a major wind maker.

That's the latest on our weather.

More news with Rosemary Church, coming up soon.

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[02:51:08] CHURCH: The biggest names on music descended for the 2016 MTV Music Video Awards. Beyonce took home the most awards of the night and video of the year for her "Formation." The pop super star stole the show with a jaw-dropping 16 minutes performance.

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CHURCH: Kanye West hit the stage with a rambling speech. The rap star introduced the video for his new single, "Fade." He calls this "A piece of my art."

It was a big night for Rihanna.

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CHURCH: She was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. She performed a total of four times.

Kim Serafin is joining me now. She's the editor for "In Touch Weekly" magazine.

Great to see you.

At the MTV Video Music Awards, the big prize belongs to Beyonce. Everyone loves to talk about the big spectacles. What topped everything?

KIM SERAFIN, EDITOR, IN TOUCH WEEKLY MAGAZINE: She had that performance and it was leaked that she may be performing. This was like a mini concert that she did. She took over the entire stage and she did have a couple of songs ending with formation. She looked amazing and dominated the stage. She stood out. Rihanna also who performed every five minutes, she did four performances and one of the comedians who were kind of doing commentary during the show. Making a joke saying it was a Rihanna show featuring the VMA's but it was really Rihanna and Beyonce featuring each other. It was about these amazing women all night long.

CHURCH: It looked that.

And Kanye West got four minutes of the awards to do whatever he wanted to use his time wisely. What's being said about that?

SERAFIN: We did not know what's Kanye going to do but he always makes a scene. He's been in the feud with Taylor Swift so a few were waiting to see what they would say to him. He's been making a joke, like saying take Taylor down. He said, no, I love you all. That's why I called Taylor. So got in a dig with Taylor and he introduced his own video. He talked about people being shot in Chicago and people he idolizes like Disney and Steve Jobs and himself. Kanye, you know something is going to happen when you have Kanye speaks and giving him the stage. I thought he did a nice job and he's contained than he normally is.

CHURCH: And of course, it has been 10 years since Britney Spears performed at the VMAs. And they put her right after Beyonce, how did that go?

SERAFIN: She's been kind of a staple for the VMA's for so long. We remember it was her with the python and her kissing Madonna. He had so many memorable moments. She's been doing her show in Las Vegas. Even she said she was a little nervous. Everyone was watching to see how it goes. She looked incredible. She looked like the same girl we saw 10 years ago. There is always question whether Britney is singing or lip syncing. It is fine because she did a good job and there was so much build up to this. It is hard to perform after Beyonce. I think she did a good job and it is great to see her. And if you think of the Britney who we remember from 2008 or 2009, she turned her life around and she looks great.

[02:55:44] CHURCH: Yes, the critics have always been tough on her.

Kim Serafin, always a pleasure to chat with you. Thanks so much.

SERAFIN: Thanks so much.

CHURCH: I am Rosemary Church. I will be back after this short break with more of the biggest stories from all around the world. Do stick around.

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CHURCH: Mixed messages on his deportation policy. After days of questions about his immigration policy, Donald Trump says he will deliver a major speech on immigration this week.

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