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Global Scramble Underway to Contain New Ebola Outbreak; Trump Warns Iran the Clock is Ticking as He Weighs Next Steps; Tornadoes, Hail and Damaging Winds Expected Across Central U.S.; Investigation Underway After Two Navy Jets Collide at Idaho Air Show. Aired 8-8:30a ET

Aired May 18, 2026 - 08:00   ET

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

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KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: And also new video coming in and showing a dramatic rescue off the coast of California. A Monterey Bay whale watching crew saved two fishermen after their boat capsized six miles off the coast. The men spent 40 minutes in the water after losing their GPS signal, Captain says they reached the scene just in time, warning that if they had arrived, they believe some 20 minutes later because the conditions in the water were getting worse, these men would have likely been swept away.

And two Americans have now been detained in Japan after a bizarre stunt at a Tokyo area zoo. Just take a look at this. Police say that one of the men was dressed in a full body costume and then climbed into the monkey enclosure that housed, including it house Punch that baby monkey that went viral like was a global sensation for his the comfort stuffed animal that he was seen carrying around. Well, regardless, the arrests, of course, come after a surge of interest because of Punch's fame in that zoo.

The animals, when this all went down, the animals scrambled away. The zoo then went into lockdown and the men are now facing charges.

A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Severe storms leave a path of destruction. This morning, a new threat of tornadoes, hail and extreme weather that could reach a dangerous peak in just hours.

A terrifying midair collision in an air show. Miraculously, all four crew members survived. This morning, a new update on the investigation.

And the scramble to contain a deadly Ebola outbreak, the World Health Organization declaring it a public health emergency of international concern.

I'm John Berman with Kate Bolduan and Sara Sinder. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: A public health emergency of international concern, that alarming statement from the World Health Organization this morning as a new Ebola outbreak in Central Africa has health officials scrambling to try to contain it. Right now, it is centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Twelve cases have been confirmed so far, with more than 300 suspected.

Eighty eight people have died. The CDC director general in Africa is warning that this strain is more violent than previous outbreaks. This particular strain has no approved vaccine or treatment.

Additional CDC teams are being deployed to the region to help with contact tracing and testing. A small number of Americans were reportedly exposed to the virus. The U.S. government is working to relocate them.

With me now is infectious disease specialist Dr. Celine Gounder. She has firsthand experience with Ebola as she deployed to West Africa during the 2014 to 2016 epidemic. Thank you so much for being here. First of all, remind us what this virus does to the body, the symptoms and the nature, the deadly nature of this virus.

DR. CELINE GOUNDER, INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AND EPIDEMIOLOGIST: Sara, I think a lot of people think Ebola is like what you see in the movies, that your organs liquefy, you're bleeding out, and that is actually not what it looks like. Most patients manifest with a fever, perhaps nausea, vomiting. Diarrhea is an important symptom.

And what bleeding we see tends to be more along the lines of oozing around an IV if they have an IV or traces of blood in vomit or diarrhea.

SIDNER: All right, so the WHO has now declared this Ebola outbreak a global health emergency. What makes this outbreak different or more concerning -- if it is -- than previous Ebola outbreaks, including the one that you were there to try and deal with?

GOUNDER: Well, so first of all, this has clearly been going on for a couple of months now, the fact that we're picking it up where there have been so many cases. But in addition to that, you have all of the factors involved in the West African epidemic, which is the worst we've ever had. So urban areas, migrant workers who are moving around a lot, cross border.

But in this case, we have additional factors. So you're dealing with armed militants in the area. There's a fight over access to mining.

So many of the minerals that are used in smartphones and EVs we obtain from this part of the world. In addition, you have the pull out of defunding of USAID. So USAID would normally have been paying for funding the workers who do things like contact tracing and safe burials.

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The logistics for pharmaceuticals, PPE, so your personal protective equipment, gowns, gloves, masks, etc. There's also a massive shortage as a result. And the U.S. has pulled out of the World Health Organization. So we have a lot of different factors that are conspiring to make this even worse.

SIDNER: I do want to ask you about how concerned we should all be about this. A lot of people were worrying about the Hantavirus because of what happened on the cruise ship and people being deployed from there.

What about Ebola and folks who are in other countries, including here in America?

GOUNDER: Yes, so I think a lot of people think virus, novel virus, deadly virus, it's all the same, and they're not. For example, when I heard about COVID late 2019, early 2020, when we started to hear the first reports, that had me terrified. Hantavirus does not have me big picture that worried. I'm concerned for the people who've been exposed on the cruise ship, but I do not think that's going to be a widespread outbreak.

This outbreak of Ebola has me very worried because we're not responding quickly enough. You know, you're talking about, again, massive urban areas in the area, in the region. Kampala, where there have been some cases, that's Uganda. So it's already spread over the border. Kampala is one of the biggest travel hubs in southern Africa.

So there are a lot of factors here that are very concerning, not to mention that we have a huge multinational event coming up in the United States, the World Cup. You're going to have millions of people, many different cities in the United States. And I'm very concerned that we're not prepared.

It's not that the risk is very high for this to create an outbreak in the United States. But I am very worried we could have a similar replay of what we saw in 2014 with a case, for example, at Dallas Presbyterian Hospital that resulted in infections of other health care workers.

SIDNER: I remember those times. Dr. Celine Gounder, thank you so much for walking us through all of that -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: So President Trump has a new warning to Iran. He is now trying to turn up the pressure once again to get Tehran to make a deal to end the war and open up the Strait of Hormuz.

He posted this, "For Iran, the clock is ticking and they better get moving fast or there won't be anything left of them." And he says, "Time is of the essence." Iran's foreign ministry responding to his criticisms of their latest proposal this morning.

And also this morning, the New York Times has a new poll out today finding 64 percent of American voters believe that his decision to go to war with Iran was the wrong one. CNN's Kevin Liptak back with us live from the White House. What's the very latest you're picking up from there, Kevin?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, and this response from the Iranian foreign ministry, I think, gives you a sense that, yes, the gears of diplomacy continue to grind here. What they said this morning is that they responded with what they called corrective points to the U.S. 14 point proposal. Remember, President Trump had just last week said that Iran's response to that had been unacceptable.

They seem to be trying to find areas where they can compromise, where they can come up with some sort of agreement for both of the sides to sign off on. But I think it's also an indication that this is a very slow process as the two sides continue to pass papers back and forth. And that has been a source of impatience for President Trump.

You know, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, as there are questions remaining about the Iranian leadership and divisions inside Tehran, the president clearly growing frustrated that this is not sort of resolving itself quicker. And that is why I think you hear him and see him staring down another critical decision point. You know, does he resume a military campaign inside Iran?

It's been a point of discussion between the president and senior national security officials just over the weekend. He met with them at his golf course in Virginia. We understand that he will convene that group again early this week to sort of plot how this is all going to resolve itself going forward.

He also spoke yesterday with the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. And you do get the sense that there are these intensive discussions underway about potentially resuming the military campaign inside Iran.

And that message that the president sent over the weekend warning Iran that, quote, the clock is ticking, that they better get moving, I think gives you a sense that the president is nearing a decision potentially about going back into Iran, about breaking the ceasefire that has been in place since last month.

You know, inside the White House, I think you do hear rising urgency about getting this situation resolved as gas prices continue to rise, as the midterm elections grow nearer and nearer. It's clearly a very sticky challenge for the president to try and sort out.

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If the president does decide to go back into Iran, there could be, you know, a more aggressive bombing run against military sites, against certain infrastructure facilities. You also have the option that has not yet been taken off the table of potentially sending special operators inside of Iran to try and retrieve some of that highly enriched uranium that's believed to be buried very deep underground -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: Yes, well, it could be another dangerous operation if that's the one that is chosen. Kevin, thank you very much. Let's see what else the president has to say in response to Iran today -- John.

BERMAN: Extreme weather in the forecast, millions under a threat all day after a tornado already left a trail of destruction. Hundreds of thousands scrambling this morning to try to figure out

their morning commute as a strike brings the busiest commuter rail system to a halt.

And the epic punt that secured the 108th PGA Championship.

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BERMAN: So this morning, we have new threats of tornadoes, powerful winds, large hail across the Midwest. A confirmed tornado slammed central Nebraska. At least two men and a dog were pulled out of the basement of a collapsed home. Today, that same area could be hit again.

Let's get right to CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam for the latest on what you are seeing in the forecast -- Derek.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, John, after this destructive weekend of wildfires and tornadoes, we're peeking at that threat again today of this multi-day stretch of very difficult weather. I want to talk about the fire situation that is still ongoing. This is parts of southwest Colorado.

Look at the large air tankers dropping the fire retardant on the front lines of this fire, trying to get some containment on it. And then, of course, the severe weather. You saw the damage a moment ago on John's screen.

This is coming out of Palmer, Nebraska. Very intense tornadoes. Unfortunately, the Storm Prediction Center using similar wording for today.

We have the potential for strong to intense tornadoes across the central plains again. The setup is, once again, right where that cold and warm air mass collide. We get the severe storms right through the nation's midsection.

So this morning, this is just an appetizer. A curtain raiser, we'll call it. A line of thunderstorms.

There is actually a severe thunderstorm with a potential tornado across southwest Illinois with this bowing line of storms moving east. That's not even the main threat because once the sun starts to come out, warms the surface, and we start to see those storms bubble up this afternoon and evening, it's this area we are mostly concerned about with strong tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds. But we can't sleep on the severe weather threat extending to the north and east.

So Chicago all the way to Grand Rapids. Let's time it out for you. Here's that initial batch I showed you on the radar a moment ago.

But look what happens later this afternoon across that level four of five from the Storm Prediction Center. These individual cells, that's what we get nervous about. They kind of go rogue.

Those supercells have the potential to drop a tornado at any time, and they could be powerful. EF3 or greater, that's winds at a minimum of 136 miles per hour, and they could be on the ground for several miles. So we're going to highlight this area.

We've got a significant risk. Wichita to Omaha, even Des Moines. You need to be weather aware, have multiple ways to receive your emergency alerts today.

The other side of the story is the intense winds that are fueling a severe weather threat, or rather a fire threat. This area here is known as an extremely critical fire threat across the panhandle of Texas and Oklahoma.

Watch this, John. This is critical. A cold front will sweep through this area and change the direction of the wind, making it very challenging for firefighters on the ground trying to contain those fires.

BERMAN: All right. As we said, a lot to watch for today. Some extreme threats in multiple locations. Derek Van Dam, thank you very much -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: It was a terrifying moment, a midair collision between two fighter jets. The crews ejected. They're in stable condition. The latest on what may have led to this crash at an air show.

And also, who won big in country music last night?

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SIDNER: This morning, we're standing by to hear from the crew members involved in a stunning midair collision in Idaho. Take a look. Two Navy fighter jets flying directly into each other during an air show at Mountain Home Air Base.

All four crew members. Watch this. You'll see them eject safely.

There they are using their parachutes. Officials say they are in stable condition and they're being evaluated by medical teams.

CNN transportation analyst Mary Schiavo is joining me now. She is the former inspector general at the Department of Transportation. First of all, give us a sense of what you saw here and what you think may have happened when what looks like the jets almost attached to each other at one point. What did you see when you watch this video?

MARY SCHIAVO, CNN TRANSPORTATION ANALYST: Well, yes, I saw the technical part and then just the old fashioned risks of flying. So the technical part, this is a plane called the Growler. It's an EA-18.

And what it does is it flies with attack missions. It's carrier based, except in training in the state of Washington. And it jams any enemy communications, electronics, et cetera. Its nickname is the plane that blinds everything. So our attack planes can fly without others getting a good signal or communication. That's the technical part.

Did anything go wrong with the technical equipment on this aircraft? But as the two craft were coming together, you can see on the upper aircraft, it's descending onto the other aircraft. Every aircraft has blind spots.

And then this one in particular, it's below it. And especially if it's turning at all, that's a blind spot that is just, you know, exists in all planes. High wingers have different blind spots.

This is, you know, a different kind of plane than that has a blind spot. And so in this maneuver, was this other plane not visible to him or did the equipment on this plane -- Remember, it's called the plane that blinds everything -- do something?

And then finally, what was the planning for the show?

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By federal aviation regulations, which don't exactly apply to the military, you have to have your air shows planned out completely and you don't change it at the last minute. So were these pilots used to flying in air shows or is there real training for incredibly good training and hugely important carrier based other missions? And so that's probably what the Navy investigation, the militaries in charge of this investigation will be looking at.

SIDNER: I do want to ask you what you make of these air shows using these kinds of planes that this doesn't look like the Blue Angels. These are different than that group of folks that we see quite often. But just the idea of using these aircraft that are so expensive and so specialized still a good idea.

Is there any good that comes out of these air shows other than obviously the public getting to see how they operate?

SCHIAVO: Well, you know, many, many years ago, decades ago, I actually worked at air shows. And the thing is that the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds and the Canadians have a team called the Snowbirds. And all summer that summer, these planes, these demonstration groups were flying all over North America doing these demonstrations.

And the military says it was a great recruiting tool. It shows the abilities of the flying forces of the United States. Of course, Canada often performs with them.

And it was used as a tremendous recruiting tool. And that probably is still true to today. But what's important to note is the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds and other teams like them literally live this every day. They practice every day.

This is their job. Their job is performing at air shows, not, you know, landing on carriers and blocking out enemy aircraft communications.

And so when you're an air show performer you -- by the way, the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds practice at each venue literally a day or two before they run through the show many times. And they have to have constant communications with the show director. And so it's different when you're just doing it occasionally as, you know, very important pilots, but not your everyday job.

SIDNER: Mary Schiavo, it is always a pleasure. Thank you so much for walking us through that, John.

BERMAN: Right, the dangerous underwater mission to recover the bodies of four divers lost really in paradise.

And what is Q day? When is it coming? Why do you need to be so worried about it? Kind of all your passwords and cyber defenses could suddenly be useless.

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