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Delta Airlines Resumes Limited Departures After System Outage Grounded Flights Worldwide; Trump Suggests Clinton Mentally Unfit To Be President; Russia's Paralympic Committee President Calls Ban Of Its Athletes A "Great Breach of Human Rights"; Suicide Bombing In Pakistan Leaves Dozens Dead, Over 100 Wounded; Iran Executes Nuclear Scientists Accused Of Spying. Aired 10-11a ET

Aired August 8, 2016 - 10:00:00   ET

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


[10:00:20] ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, and a very warm welcome. I'm Isa Soares.

We begin this hour with a massive disruption to global air traffic. Delta Airlines is resuming limited departures after a computer system outage

grounded flights worldwide. But cancellations and delays continue. Delta blames an overnight power outage at its Atlanta hub.

For the latest on this developing story, we go to our Martin Savidge, inside Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, as you can see there, Samuel

Burke outside London's Heathrow Airport.

I want to start with Martin at this stage. Martin, at this point, do we know exactly what, whether the computer outage, what led to that?

Presumably, they would have had some sort of backup generator.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's exactly what you would have assumed. We haven't had any more updates as far as what caused this rolling

kind of problem for Delta, other than it occurred very early in the morning and that it was a power outage. Whether that was weather-related, because

there were storms that were moving through the area, or whether it was something else, we don't know, and why there wasn't some sort of backup

power system, and presumably, there was one that did not kick in, and then why weren't there other sort of redundant systems in other cities that were

functioning to pick this all up? We don't know.

But here's the effect. And this is actually just a small example, as you take a look, the line of people. And these are people who have already been

told that, look, they went to the counter, they went to check in, and the kiosk clearly kicked them out and said, "Oh, we've got a problem." And yes,

they do have a problem.

Let me show you something else, that's rather deceptive, and that's the flight boards here. The hub of Atlanta. You look at those flights, and

there are delays and there are some pretty strong delays. But we've also been told there should be cancellations up there. There are hardly any

cancellations. So you're not really sure if the flight board is being totally honest with you. And the same problem was apparently with the app.

So that's why a lot of people still came to the airport, believing that they were going to go somewhere today. And that remains a big question at

this particular hour, Isa.

SOARES: Absolutely, people looking in that flight board, perhaps wanting, hoping that flights may take off but being slightly confused.

Martin, just stay with us because I want to go to Samuel Burke who is outside London heathrow. Samuel, what have you seen in terms of how

passengers there have been affected?

SAMUEL BURKE, CNNMONEY BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT: A very similar to what Martin is seeing in Atlanta, indeed the boards here are

showing that flights are on time. But just after 7:00 a.m. London time, people were waiting and waiting and the lines started to grow. And they

even describe them as chaotic lines because people didn't know what was happening.

One thing that's interesting to note, this is affecting airports all around Europe but not just Delta Airlines. Some people, of course, are with the

partner airlines. They have a ticket that says Virgin or says Air France, but in fact, the flight is actually Delta. And they're not able to get on

the flights now.

We do have word from Heathrow Airport that they expect flights to start taking off soon for Delta. The system is opening back up. But we do see

cancellations across Europe from places like Malaga, in Spain and Madrid, that the flights are canceled for today. So there is going to be a knock-on

effect as they try to get so many flights out.

One other thing to note, a lot of passengers have told us via Twitter that even though they're not on Delta, their flights haven't been able to get

out because the Delta flights that couldn't get out were stuck at the gate taking up the space that should have been for the other airlines, so

there's knock on effect throughout the day at the very least here in Europe.

SOARES: Samuel, just stay with us I want to go back to Martin. Martin if you heard it from Samuel. Really a crippling effect globally. How is Delta

responding today? I mean how long? I think -- can you give me any sense of how long they may take to clear this backlog?

SAVIDGE: Well, there was one indication that came from the airline, and it's an ominous one. They are allowing passengers to essentially rebook, if

you don't have to travel today, and they will waive your fee for doing that. They're doing that all the way through Friday, which gives you an

indication that the cascading impact of this particular power outage could be days and not necessarily just hours.

And also, there have been instances where they've actually had to feed passengers on planes that have been sitting in runways, for instance in the

Hawaii there was a flight where the crew wisely thought ahead and said we'd better order some pizzas, which they did. And at least it forestalled than

any kind of mutiny on board. But these are the problems that you're going to see. 5,000 departures everyday by this airline with a worldwide impact.

Even a short disruption to their computer system is going to have a massive impact as far as delays, placement of crews and placement of aircraft.

It's not an easy fix, but they say they're working as best they can.

[10:05:01] SOARES: And I'm sure for many people behind you, Martin, the most important thing is that they are getting to their destination. This is

August, a busy time for people right around the world, not just here in Europe, but also in the U.S.

Martin, what is the mood there where you are?

SAVIDGE: Well, the mood from most people is reasonable, although there was one guy I passed in the parking lot. Clearly, his app told him something,

because he just let out a stream of words, and they were all words I couldn't tell you.

And so, there are some passengers who right now feel like, "OK, it's a delay." The real question's what's going on at the departure gates? And we

can't get out there right now, because many people have already pushed through, and that's where they're really waiting and that's where the

frustration could really be building. We'll have to rely on the people out there to let us know. Isa?

SOARES: Well, as soon as you know Martin or get a sense of what's happening at the departure gates, Martin as well as Samuel, do come back with Martin

Savidge for us at Atlanta, Samuel Burke for us in London. Thank you to you both.

Now anger over changing economy has fueled the U.S. presidential election. In just a few hours, Donald Trump will speak to the hash of that anger in a

city that's seen those changes up close that's Detroit. And as Jason Carroll reports, in the shift and strategy after really a week spent

focused on his rival.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: She is a totally unhinged person. She's unbalanced and all you have to do is watch her.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Donald Trump stepping up his blistering attacks on Hillary Clinton, suggesting the former secretary of state is

mentally unfit to be president.

TRUMP: The people of this country don't want somebody that's going to short circuit up here.

CARROLL: Trump using Clinton's own words against her. She continues to repeat a debunk claim that the FBI director said she was truthful about her

use of a private e-mail server as secretary of state.

HILLARY CLINTON, U.S. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So, I may have short-circuited it, and for that, I, you know, will try to clarify.

CARROLL: Clinton's running mate, Senator Tim Kaine, coming to her defense.

TIM KAINE, U.S. DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: She said over and over again, I made a mistake, and I've learned from it and I'm going to fix

it, and we're going to be real transparent, absolutely.

CARROLL: Trump's ramped-up rhetoric against Clinton coming ahead of his speech on economic policy in Detroit, where he is expected to unveil his

agenda for revitalizing the American economy, all this as the Republican nominee is coming off one of the worst weeks of his campaign that saw Trump

repeatedly engaged in controversies instead of focusing on Clinton and battling slumping poll numbers in a number of key battle ground states.

JOHN KASICH, OHIO GOVERNOR, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He's going to win parts of Ohio where people are really hurting. But I still think it's

difficult if you are dividing to be able to win in Ohio. I think it's really, really difficult.

CARROLL: And this morning, a new CNN poll of polls shows Hillary Clinton with a 10 percentage point lead nationally, leaving some in the party to

say it's time for Trump to pivot his campaign.

JEFF FLAKE, U.S. SENATE REPUBLICAN: Yet to see Donald Trump change positions. He needs to change, and particularly change the tone and tenor

of the debate sufficient to win the election in November.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: That was Jason Carroll reporting.

Trump is set to speak in just a few hours. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton is in Florida. She's set to speak on her in plan to boost growth by creating

jobs. Well, of course will bring you that speech from Donald Trump in a few hours.

We take you now Rio de Janeiro, where day three of the summer Olympics is in full swing. The U.S., China and Australia now lead the race for gold

with three medals each, 14 more are up for grabs today. Amanda Davies joins now with the latest from Copacabana beach. I'm very jealous of that

background, Amanda.

And I was looking yesterday, what a busy day it was, a spectacular day, I should say of action. Michael Phelps winning the 19th gold. Surely soon,

Amanda, he will run out of space in his trophy cabinet.

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yeah, Isa there was pretty much a gold rush for team USA in the swimming pool yesterday.

And what was fantastic to see was Michael Phelps celebrating gold number 19, Olympic medal number 23, basically as if it was his first. He held the

U.S. 4 by 100 freestyle relay team to victory. He swam the second leg his 3-month-old son, Boomer, was there in the stands with his wife. And of

course, this is a Michael Phelps who after London had announced he was retiring from the sport four years ago. He decided to come back. He's had a

difficult couple of years. But you saw just what it meant to him.

And then his USA swimming teammates somewhat younger teammate 19-year-old Katie Ledecky put in a fantastic performance as well. She gave us a taste

of what she was capable of, breaking at the Olympic records in the 400 freestyle heat. And then smashed her own world record by nearly two seconds

when it came to the finals.

[10:10:04] So, a first gold of this game for Ledecky to add to the silver she won in the relay on Saturday night. But both Phelps and Ledecky back in

action today won somewhat more sour note to tell you about in the pool. There's been a lot of controversy about the Russian swimmer, Yulia Efimova.

She was one of those Russian swimmers who was banned after that explosive McLaren report into the doping, state-sponsored doping across Russian

sports.

She was banned straight away because she had previously been suspended for a doping offense. She served a 16 month ban, which ruled her out. She

fought that ban with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and has been allowed to compete. She was not only booed by the crowds at the Aquatic

Centre when she came out to compete in the heat of the 100 meters breast stroke. What is now emerging is one of her fellow competitors, the

America's Lilly King, actually was heard making comments, waving her finger at Efimova, say in saying, "You're shaking your finger, number one, and

you've been caught drugs cheating, I am just not a fan."

Both girls take to the pool a little bit later on today for the final of that 100 meters breast stroke. And it really is becoming something of a

theme which is continuing through the action here, Isa.

We had the Russian beach volleyball men's team booed as they walked out on to the court at the volleyball venue just further down Copacabana last

night because of the fallout from this report, which has been dragged out and dealt with, perhaps not in the best of manner manners.

SOARES: Amanda Davies there for us watching all the action from Copacabana beach. Thanks very much, Amanda.

Now Russia's Paralympic Committee president's calling a ban of its athletes from next month's games a great breach of human rights. The world anti-

doping agency supports the decision and now is raising questions about Brazil's team.

Nick Paton Walsh has the details now for us from Rio. And Nick, is the blanket ban, first of all, from the paralympic team by the International

Olympic Committee, how is it being received there in the country?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I mean obviously, the broader issue here is the double standards this ban appears

to expose between the stance that the International Olympic Committee took, which was well publicized to extensive Russian reaction predominantly

viewing the vast majority of the athletes who've gone through the complicated process of review that the IOC had suggested with subsequently

going to be allowed to compete in the games.

You hear from Amanda, day by day, increasingly one by one more in fact, 271 of the first count of 287, and number does appear to be growing, a contrast

that starkly with the IPC's blanket ban, the terminology the IPC used, talking about disgust at the Russian doping program, referring how they

valued medals over morals. And saying how the McLaren report into it was the darkest day in sporting history for quite some time.

Now, of course, the Russian reaction has been sort of referred to this as a breech of their human rights. Who have some of the para-athletes themselves

saying this is deeply unfair. And its holds part of a -- sort of broader picture you get from Russia politically, where they view this as a bit to

try to keep Russia out of the games more generally or sideline done for political reasons. But still, you're left with the fact that the

allegations made against the Russian team, Paraolympic and Olympic are the same, yet the IOC chooses this convoluted process that means about two

thirds to three quarters of the original hopefuls are now at the games and the IPC bans everyone, Isa?

SOARES: And meanwhile, and Nick the allegations of doping now seem to be circling another team, and that the home team, Brazil. Tell us what you've

uncovered?

WALSH: Well, it's basically a mystery, really, to some degree. Why is it that in -- mostly the crucial months ahead of the games in July, the

Brazilian team gave about a third of the number of samples that they would normally have expected to have been given.

Now, the Brazilian Ministry of Sport said any allegations of misconduct are ridiculous and absurd and point out the fact that they did give less

samples because the laboratory they were using here to process those samples had its accreditation suspended by the world anti-doping watchdog

briefly, but long enough for a delay in the testing. But still, that doesn't really seem to account for the fact that samples weren't taken at

the level you would normally expect during that period. That effectively leaves a hole to some degree in the Brazilian team's record during that

area of about two-thirds of the samples you would normally expect to be collected.

So, there could potentially be a hole in the cleanness of their record, unless these samples are taken somewhere else and in the world anti-doping

-- watchdog doesn't know about it, neither does the Ministry of Sport.

So, a bit of confusion here and it paints a large question mark over the host team here, who of course, want to avoid scandal at all particular

cost. As I say they deny any wrongdoing, but the world anti-doping watchdog has referred to this as an unacceptable practice.

[10:15:11] So, it is strange that we now -- whatever we do, don't appear to have enough samples in this period of time to satisfy the world anti-doping

watchdog, Isa?

SOARES: Yeah, dark cloud still hanging over these doping allegations.

Nick Paton Walsh there with that exclusive, thank you very much, Nick.

Coming up right here, a suicide attack on a hospital in Pakistan leaves dozens dead. Many of them were lawyers. We'll have a live report for you.

Plus, Japan's aging emperor speaks to his people in a rare televised address. His heartfelt message and fears about his health are next. Do stay

right here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOARES: Welcome back to The International Desk.

Now, a suicide bombing at a hospital in Pakistan has left dozens dead and more than a hundred wounded. It happened in the crowd of lawyers gathered

in an emergency ward in Qatar to condemn the killing of an activist colleague.

CNN Producer Sophia Saifi has details now for us from Islamabad. And Sophia, we have seen a number of targeted killings recently in Qatar. Was

it the same in this case here, and who do you think is behind it?

SOPHIA SAIFI, CNN PRODUCER: Well, Isa, we actually do have a claim of responsibility for this attack. It's just come in that Jamaat-ur-Ahrar is

the splinter group of the Taliban in Pakistan that claimed responsibility for it.

They said that they're going to continue to target lawyers. However, they haven't given any explanation for why they're going to do so.

Now, you have to know that Jamaat-ur-Ahrar is also the same group that is responsible for the very heinous attack that took place in Lahore earlier

this year at a school's amusement park, which left close to a hundred people dead. This attack in Quetta is the second deadliest attack in the

year so far, and it's the same group that's claimed responsibility. Isa?

SOARES: What do we know Sophia about the lawyer and the associates?

SAIFI: Well, we know that he was a former, you know, president of the Bar Association of Quetta. They were all young. We know he was killed this

morning.

Now, just to give you some context, we've getting information and reports that this killing of this lawyer this morning, which then led to the stage

seemingly planned attack at the hospital in Quetta actually was the fourth targeted killing that took place in Quetta in this week.

Now, there's been this attack, there was this killing in the morning of a young activist lawyer, he was shot dead, and they were taking his body --

his colleagues were taken his body out of the mortuary at the hospital in Lahore and will being covered by lots journalists, there were cameramen

there, and that is when this explosion, this suicide bomber went in and detonated his explosives, which is why, you know, there's been some

confusion about whether it happened at the emergency area, but it was actually such a large explosion that a large -- like most stiff -- then a

courtyard and the emergency area of the hospital was destroyed.

[10:20:10] I mean, the scenes that we're getting they grow a test, it was almost night in there, there been people sharing, you know, cellphone video

of what they saw there.

And the death toll is now up to 70 with over 100 people injured. So this has been quite a nightmarish day in Quetta today. Isa?

SOARES: Sophia Saifi there for us in Islamabad. Thank you very much, Sofia.

In Afghanistan, in American and Australia were abducted in Kabul Sunday evening. The two are lecturers at the American University of Afghanistan.

A police official tells CNN they were taken from their car by gunmen. A driver and bodyguard were unharmed. The U.S. Embassy said it's working

closely with an Afghan official on the investigation.

Government forces are striking back in the Syrian city of Aleppo as they try to reverse gains made by rebels. The government released this video of

some air strikes.

Rebels said they had broken through government lines over the weekend, a claim that was denied by Damascus. Government forces have been surrounding

rebel-held areas of the city where food as well as other supplies are running low.

Iran has executed one of its nuclear scientists who had been convicted of spying for the United States. The scientist once claimed he was kidnapped

by the CIA, an accusation the United States denied.

CNN's Global Affairs Correspondent Elise Labott joins us now for more.

And Elise, this has been a real-life spy drama of sorts, which has been the subject, if I can say quickly of much speculation. Give us the twists and

turns of this story, because there have been reports that he had defected to the United States.

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Isa. Well, basically, in 2009, he disappeared in Saudi Arabia while he was on a

pilgrimage to the Hajj. He ended up in the United States. And at first, he did this video that said he was abducted by the United States, kidnapped,

if you will.

Shortly thereafter, there was another video that the United States helped to make that said he was fine. And in fact, he was safe in the United

States.

Some time around 2010 he showed up at the Pakistani embassy, which does the intersection for the Iranians, and said he wanted to go home. And basically

the U.S. had nothing to do but allow him to go. And the question was, was he abducted or was he a defector?

After he left, he arrived home to hearts and flowers, a welcome home with his family in Iran and shortly disappeared after that. And the question

was, what happened to him? And now this is a very tragic end to what was a very dramatic spy story.

The United States says that he provided useful information to the U.S. about Iran's nuclear program. In fact, then he did try to defect.

And you saw Hillary Clinton kind of say that he was free to come and free to go in 2010 while she was secretary of state. Her e-mail scandal has kind

of touched upon Mr. Amiri, discussions about whether this gentleman wanted to go back home.

And so, it's kind of reignited everything surrounding the Iran deal, but it does seem that Mr. Amiri did provide information to the United States and

changed his mind and wanted to go home. He was warned against the risk, what would happen, disappeared in 2010, and now we see this very tragic end

to his story.

SOARES: And Elise, how damning were Hillary Clinton's e-mails to Mr. Amiri?

LABOTT: I don't think we can say. I mean, clearly, the Iranian's knew that something was up with this gentleman all along. He did go back to Iran. The

suspicion was that his family might have been arrested, and he had no choice but to go.

I don't think we can really say. Clearly, Republicans are trying to make the suggestion that Hillary Clinton, in terms of what they call her

recklessness in the use of her private server, might have put this gentleman at risk. But I don't think we can make a direct correlation in

terms of these e-mails and what happens.

Clearly, the Iranians had their eye on him for some time.

SOARES: Elise Labott making sense of it all for us. Thanks very much, Elise. Good to see you.

Japan's emperor made some strong hints about his future in a rare televised address. The 82-year-old monarch says, he fears he will not be able to

carry out his duty if his health worsens.

Our Will Ripley joins us now for more reaction from Tokyo.

Will, Emperor Akihito didn't say he wanted to abdicate, but hinted at that. How was his speech received in Japan?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, overwhelmingly, the Japanese public says that the emperor should be able to step down. And it was really

remarkable and gives you a lot of insight, not only into the emperor himself, but Japanese culture and the succession law as soon as right now

because the emperor couldn't actually say, "I want to abdicate," because that could be misconstrued as trying to exert his influence over

parliament.

[10:25:07] And ever since World War II, when the emperor was stripped of absolute power, went from a living god to essentially a ceremonial figure,

any influence over parliament would be against the imperial household law, so any changes to the law, which requires that the emperor serve in his

position until death, would have to be approved by lawmakers.

And so, what the emperor did in a very Japanese way was layout this case, saying, "Look, I'm 82, I'll be 83 in December. I've had two different

surgeries for a heart condition and for cancer. I'm getting more tired. I'm still in good health, but I don't know for how long longer, and I'd like to

be able to fully serve in the imperial capacity," and then allow somebody else, aka, his son, the crown prince Naruhitoto take over who has full

strength. Who can do the 250 meetings a year and 75 trips in and out of Japan.

And so this was a message to the Japanese people and to lawmakers and the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe without actually saying the words I want to

abdicate.

SOARES: What do we know, Will, at the stage about the health as well as the well-being of the emperor?

RIPLEY: Well, he -- for being 82-years-old, is still -- the fact that he is still keeping up. Last year it was 250 meetings. This year it's down to 150

meetings with a lot of them passed on to his son, the crown prince, along with dozens of official trips, some of them traveling outside of the

country. The fact that he has still maintained that is significant.

But it is no secret that the emperor's health has been in decline and that cancer scare, the prostate cancer and the heart condition certainly made

him realize and be more aware over the last couple of years of his own mortality.

In fact, he talked about it in his address today, saying that when he dies, he doesn't want Japan to spend a year mourning him, which is what the

current custom would be to do. That's how long it took when they mourned his father, who died back in 1989. And then he ascended to the throne in

1990.

But this is an emperor who was the first to marry a commoner. The royal couple, they were the first to raise their children together without just

passing it off to imperial household staff. He sat on the floor with the victims of the 3/11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown. And just that

simple act of getting down to the level of the people really has caused so many in this country to not only respect. But really have a love for him

and that compassion you know see in these overwhelming public opinion polls, 85 percent, 90 percent saying that the emperor should be allowed to

retire, which puts a lot of pressure on Japanese lawmakers.

One interesting thing we need to watch, though, the crown prince, who is next in line to the throne, his daughter, Princess Aiko, is not currently

allowed under Japanese succession law to become the next ruler of the Chrysanthemum Throne, the oldest monarchy in the world.

This debate about succession law could also bring up the debate should a woman be allowed to be in that top spot? So, we'll have to watch.

SOARES: Very interesting, indeed. Will Ripley for us there in Tokyo. Thanks very much, Will.

And still ahead, a poll shows about half of Americans think Russia's meddling in the presidential election. We'll see why Russian state media is

embracing Donald Trump, that story after a very short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:30:51] SOARES: Welcome to the "International Desk." I'm Isa Soares. We'll bring you up to date with the main news headlines we are following

for you.

Delta Air Lines is working to recover from a global computer system outage that grounded all flights. The carrier says they have to resume limited

departures but that delays and cancellations continues. Delta blames an overnight power outage in its Atlanta hub.

The Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Quetta that left at least 70 people dead and more than a 100 wounded. Many

of the victims were lawyers gathered at a hospital to protest the killing of an activist colleague.

In the race for the White House, the businessman candidate is unveiling his plan to boost the economy. Donald Trump will speak in just a few hours in

the City of Detroit. Trump is expected to call for slashing income taxes and reversing new environmental regulations.

While Trump's plans abroad have worried Democrats, they say he can upset fragile relations, especially when it comes to Moscow.

Our Matthew Chance reports on what Russia might really expect from a Trump White House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: (Inaudible), is he really the Kremlin's candidate? Certainly, Russian state television is

loaded with positive coverage of the Donald.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The eccentric Donald Trump .

CHANCE: This T.V. news anchor explains that Trump's just an eccentric billionaire who wants to make America great and normalize relations with

Russia. He's often painted here as a brave political maverick who shares Russian concerns over American foreign policy and is willing to find common

language with Russia's President Putin, whom he's praised.

VICTORIA ZHURAVLYOVA, POLITICAL ANALYST: Between Hillary and Trump, Trump is the only one who sounds friendly. So, maybe we can hope that he will be

more friendly and more positive for towards Russia.

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And by the way, wouldn't it be nice if we actually got along with Russia? Wouldn't that be

nice?

CHANCE: Much of what Trump says about Russia has left U.S. allies aghast but finds a welcoming audience in Moscow.

Donald Trump's own foreign policy pronouncements have won him plenty of friends here in Russia. His recent suggestion that he wouldn't necessarily

defend NATO allies in the event of a Russian attack raised eyebrows both in the U.S. and here. And he's vowed to look again at recognizing annexed

Crimea as part of Russia, which put a smile on the faces of many Kremlin supporters.

Of course, not everyone in Russia thinks Trump is their best bet. Some political analysts say his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, would benefit

the Kremlin even more. At least she's predictable, they say, in her tough Russian stance.

But it's the unpredictability of Trump that may have most endeared him to the Kremlin-controlled media.

CONSTANTIN VON EGGERT, POLITICAL ANALYST: He will either be more inclined to do a deal with the Kremlin, or he will mess up life in the White House

and on Capitol Hill so much by his erratic behavior that the American political class, the American system will be in common crisis. And that is

what actually Russia wants.

TRUMP: Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 e-mails that are missing.

CHANCE: He may not be the Kremlin's man, in other words, but he may prove a useful distraction from what the Kremlin does.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Matthew Chance there reporting.

Well, Russia's also warming up to Turkey. Their presidents will meet on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a massive crowd turned out in Istanbul on Sunday to hear Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rally supporters after last month's coup

attempt.

Mr. Erdogan said he's ready to reinstate the death penalty as soon as lawmakers make it happen.

CNN's Arwa Damon was at that rally and she joins me now. Arwa, President Erdogan's message was heard by millions, not only at the rally, but also at

home, because it was broadcast. How was his message received?

[10:35:13] ARWA DAMON, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, there's a number of key messages that come out of this, both from what the president

said, but then by just the support that we saw being exhibited there. Unofficial estimates at this stage are that around 5 million people

attended the rally in and of itself. Plus, you have all of the millions of others that would have followed it at home.

What is significant about this is that this wasn't just an Erdogan rally or an AKP, his party's rally. It also included two opposition parties, the CHP

and the MHP, and there are leaders coming out and speaking as well, all of them trying to underscore this message of unity.

And what you hear from people as well is that no matter how one feels about President Erdogan himself and he is and continues to be a very divisive and

polarizing figure. The country and its people can basically agree on the fact that no one wants to see a government brought down by a military coup.

No one wants to see Turkey's democracy come to an end.

The other thing that is causing headlines that we heard the president readdressing as well was this issue of the death penalty. There have been

calls by some elements of the public for the death penalty to be reinstated in Turkey. And President Erdogan is saying that if it goes to Parliament

and it passes in Parliament, he will also go on to approve it.

Look, this still remains a country that is reeling from that failed coup attempt and from the repercussions of it. It remains a country that is at

this stage still trying to a certain degree, define itself as it continues to try to move forward through these unchartered waters.

SOARES: And that failed coup attempt, Arwa, do you think this has strengthened his position? And if so, are you getting any sense as to

whether the Parliament would actually vote to reinstate the death penalty?

DAMON: You know, that's been quite the debate. And if we just look at it in terms of number of seats, technically, yes. Between the seats that the

president's party holds as well as some of the other seats and votes it would be able to get. Hypothetically speaking, yes, they probably would be

able to pass it.

But amongst some of the opposition to President Erdogan and amongst some of the other Turks we've been talking to, there's a lot of fear as to what

this would mean for the country. Some people that we're talking to don't necessarily want to see Turkey go back to an era where it was implementing

the death penalty. And then there's of course the potential repercussions for Turkey's relationship with Europe that is already quite sticky at this

stage.

So, there is a lot that remains to be seen, and a lot of people are still understandably very anxious about what the future's going to be holding.

SOARES: And meanwhile, Arwa, we know that President Erdogan is expected to meet face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin. What's on the

table?

DAMON: Well, bottom line is normalizing relations between Turkey and Russia, two vital partners on many fronts, not the least of which is the

economic front.

Remember, relations fell apart last year after Turkey shutdown a Russian fighter jet that they said violated their own air space. And since then,

their relationship has really only deteriorated.

What's going to be interesting, though, is what sort of comments both leaders make publicly when it comes to Syria.

Of course, they are at odds when it comes to resolving the Syrian War. The Russians firmly wanting to insure and backing the government fighters and

wanting to ensure that the regime stays in power, and Turkey still very much on the opposition side, saying if Syria's going to be resolved, they

can only be resolved if President Assad is removed.

So, that's potentially a very thorny issue that they're going to have to navigate. And one that they will openly say and Erdogan will openly say,

"Look, we disagree on Syria, but we're going to end up agreeing on the other key issues, such as the economy that are very important to both

nations."

SOARES: Arwa Damon for us there in Istanbul. Thanks very much, Arwa.

And when we come back, an extreme marathon have gone unexpected sight kick during a week-long race in the Gobi desert. A resilient, little stray dog

whose life is now about to change forever. We'll bring you that story next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:41:29] SOARES: Now, to a real-life friendship that could actually be fodder for a children's book, and it may be getting an even happier ending.

An extreme marathoner was racing against China's Gobi desert when a stray dog began to follow him, not for 1 or 2 kilometers, but for 125 kilometers.

Robyn Curnow has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Dion Leonard has run some of the most extreme races around the world, but the ulta-marathonist says he's never

seen anything like this. Earlier this summer, Leonard was competing in a grueling, week-long run across China's Gobi desert when a friendly little

dog started following him.

DION LEONARD, EXTREME RUNNER: She was looking up in my eyes, and she just kept staring at me, she's kept looking up at me. And I'm looking down at

her thinking this little dog's not going to stay with me all day, surely. But that's exactly what she did.

CURNOW: The stray, which Leonard named Gobi, stuck with him for days, over mountains, through scorching heat, 125 kilometers, all the way to the

finish and a second-place medal.

LEONARD: It was an amazing experience to run into the finish line with her. And my wife actually says to me, it's the only time I've ever seen you

smile at the end of a race.

CURNOW: After the race, Leonard knew he couldn't leave his furry friend behind. He started "Bring Gobi Home," a crowd funding effort to raise

enough money to bring the dog back with him to Scotland. It quickly became an international sensation.

LEONARD: It's awesome to see the support from all around the world and the notes and the e-mails and messages that we're getting for it has just been

incredible.

CURNOW: Leonard has raised thousands of dollars from backers all around the world and is now waiting to officially adopt Gobi. Before that can happen,

the dog must spend up to four months in quarantine, but Leonard's hoping they will be reunited in time for the holidays.

LEONARD: Wouldn't that be an amazing Christmas present, to actually have her here for them?

CURNOW: And there could be more racing ahead for Gobi.

LEONARD: She's going to definitely be out there wanting to compete, and she'll run every day if you allow her. That's the thing, she's got a big

heart.

CURNOW: Leonard says he's already looking forward to getting back on the trail with his new best friend.

Robyn Curnow, CNN.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: And that does it for us here in the "International Desk." I'm Isa Soares. "World Sport" live from Rio de Janeiro with Amanda Davies is coming

up next. Don't go anywhere.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:45:29] AMANDA DAVIES, CNN ANCHOR: Hi. Thanks for joining us. Welcome along to "World Sport" live from Rio, with me, Amanda Davies, on day three

of the 2016 Olympics.

The U.S. swimming stars Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky will be looking to pick up where they left off last night after a gold rush for team USA in

the pool.

Phelps left people in no doubt what it means to him to be at his fifth Olympic games, celebrating his 19th Olympic gold as if it was his first.

With his 4 by 100 freestyle relay teammates.

So here's a look at a dramatic night of action across Rio at the Aquatic Centre for you.

The 31-year-old swam the second leg with his young son, Boomer, watching on. The most decorated Olympian of all time now with medal number 23 to his

name with three more events left for him in Rio.

At the other end of the spectrum, 19-year-old Katie Ledecky smashed her own world record on the way to gold in the 400 freestyle after silver in the

relay with her USA teammates on Saturday. She went one better this time, though, breaking the 3.56 barrier that she's been aiming for, for the last

three years.

Her USA teammate, Missy Franklin, described Ledecky as once in a lifetime and this is why. At the age of just 19, that is the 12th world record that

she's set since bursting on to the scene as a 15-year-old at London 2012. She's the world record holder in the 400, 800 and 1500 meters freestyle,

but that was the record she hasn't been able to break for the last two years.

Well, Monday sees America's Lilly King go head to head with Russia's Yulia Efimova in the final of the 100 meters breast stroke and things have really

been heating up outside the pool with King questioning her rival's credibility after her previous failed drugs tests.

Efimova served a doping suspension, you may remember, in 2013. She's one of the Russian athletes who have fought and won her ban from these games

following the McLaren report. She was booed as she walked out for the heat and then appeared to mock her rival, King, by waving the number one finger.

King hit back with a finger wag of her own and said, "You're shaking your finger number one, and you've been caught for drug cheating. I am just not

a fan."

Well, the Russian Paralympics Committee has described the decision to ban its team from next month's Paralympics games here in Rio as a breach of

human rights.

Whilst about two-thirds of Russia's Olympic team have been cleared to compete at the games, despite those explosive allegations of state-

sponsored doping in sport made by the McLaren report.

The IPC on Sunday said that they had no option other than a blanket ban in order to maintain the integrity of their sport. Russia are set to appeal to

the courts of arbitration for sport with the Paralympics getting underway a month from now on September 7th.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR LUKIN, PRESIDENT, RUSSIAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The innocent sports people should have their legal human

rights respected and be able to realize their potential, their participation in the games, because otherwise, it will be a massive breach

of human rights.

It will be a situation in which a fair decision was made toward the Russian Olympic movement. And then with regards to Paralympians who committed a

significantly smaller number of violation. There's been a diametrically opposite decision.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAVIES: Well, Svetlana (inaudible), remember the Russian Paralympic rowing team has responded to the ban ahead of her first games saying "To say I'm

shocked is to say nothing. It's like a bolt to the blue. I think these Paralympics are my only games. I was thinking of leaving this sport after

these games and give birth to children. I just hope there will be an investigation and the common sense and justice will win."

And the world champion Natalia Gavruk said "We're training regardless of the decision. Of course, I'm really upset, but I hope they will review it

and the final decision will allow us to compete."

There is a little bit more time than the IOC has for their decision. Of course, the Paralympics still a month away.

For day three of action is well underway here in Rio, 14 medals to be won on Monday.

[10:50:05] Up next, catching up with the athletes who has made history with a first ever Olympic medal for her country. Not a bad one. It was gold.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DAVIES: Welcome back to Rio, where as we head into day three, this is how the medals table stands. The United States big night in the pool has helped

them to the top of the standings ahead of China and Australia, 14 medals up for grabs on Monday.

Well, Kosovo has made it on to the medals table for the first time with a first ever Olympic gold. Majlinda Kelmendi triumphed in the judo. The two-

time world champion represented Albania at the London games four years ago, but she switched to the Kosovo team after the country was recognized by the

International Olympic Committee just two years ago. And has told us how she always wanted to bring gold to her native Kosovo last month.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAIJLINDA KELMENDI, JUDOKA, KOSOVO: When I do judo, my opponents in my eyes just look pretty small and I feel like there's no way that I can lose.

I just have to win. I must win.

My name is Majlinda Kelmendi. I am a judoka and I am from Kosovo.

I am ranked to the number one of the world. I am two-time world champion. I will represent Kosovo for the first time in the Olympic Games.

During my career, I had many problems, because at the beginning, we couldn't represent Kosovo. Until 2009, it was like this. So now when we got

recognized from International Olympic Committee, it was the best thing that happened, because now the athletes can dream to be in Olympics and

represent Kosovo. And I have dreamed of this for a long time and finally, it's coming.

It's such an honor. It's such a pleasure for me. I can maybe for one day or two days make people from Kosovo less and maybe for one or two days forget

that we have so many problems here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[10:55:00] DAVIES: An extra special gold in the judo there.

Brazil, have won their only medal so far in the judo and there's been so much talk about whether or not Brazilians are actually buying into this

Olympics, isn't there?

But last night, I had the privilege of being there at the men's volleyball just down the beach from here to see the Brazilian pair of Pedro Solberg

and Junior Evandro in action against Cuba.

Sadly, they were beaten in a tight three sets, but that didn't stop an incredible atmosphere.

Flags flying, samba dancing, Mexican waves. That's what I saw here. Don, has been seeing what it's like at the Olympic park in Baja as well.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DON RIDDELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The sun is out, the medals are flowing, and the world records are tumbling. The Rio Olympics are well underway and from

what I can tell, the fans here are having a great time.

How would you describe the atmosphere around here that you've experienced so far?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been electric. It's very nice. It's hot. But today we happen to have a wonderful day. But everybody's so enthusiastic

about their country. So we're excited to be here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Having all these countries here, the opening events was also very beautiful. So seeing a lot of people from different countries,

different cultures here, it's something that we don't usually see.

RIDDELL: How does it feel to be a parent of an Olympian competing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just unbelievable. I mean, it's really, it's a dream come true for our son and for us to be able to live that dream with

him. It's been an amazing experience.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: USA.

(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

RIDDELL: Very nice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAVIES: Atmosphere is still cranking up here on Monday morning. But don't forget, you can keep right up to date with all the action throughout the

day, not just here on T.V., but also online. Have a look at our live Olympic blog for the latest results, athlete profiles and so much more at

cnn.com/olympics.

We've also got five things you need to know about Monday's action here in Rio. But from me and the team for now, for this edition of "World Sport".

Thanks for watching. I'm Amanda Davies in Rio. "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson live from Abu Dhabi is next. Good bye.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END