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Peter Magyar Vows to Restore Media Freedom in Hungary; Measure to Limit Trump's War Powers Fails in Fourth Attempt; L.A. County D.A.'s Office Investigating Swalwell Allegations; Ethics Investigations Reverberate Across Capitol Hill; Cocaine Hippos to Be Culled in Colombia; Jury Says Live Nation, Ticketmaster Operated as a Monopoly. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired April 16, 2026 - 02:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:00:36]

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church.

Just ahead, a rare meeting between the leaders of Israel and Lebanon is set in the shadows of the Iran war. We're live in the region with the latest.

Plus, China's first quarter economic data is in, how the world's second largest economy is doing despite the war.

And a contentious decision about the fate of Pablo Escobar's infamous hippos. CNN gets a firsthand look at the wild animals.

ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta. This is CNN NEWSROOM with Rosemary Church.

CHURCH: Good to have you with us, and we begin with new developments in the Middle East. President Trump announcing direct talks in the day ahead between the leaders of Israel and Lebanon. He posted on Truth Social, "Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice."

Well, meanwhile, the U.S. is striking an optimistic tone about the possibility of ending the war with Iran. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says the White House feels good about the prospects of a deal, and President Trump telling Fox News that he sees the war as very close to over.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIA BARTIROMO, FOX BUSINESS NETWORK HOST: Is this war over?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think it's close to over. I mean, I view it as very close to over. You know what? If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: A delegation from Pakistan is in Tehran, where they are expected to resume talks in the coming hours, about a second round of negotiations with the U.S. Iran's foreign minister welcomed the visit, saying Tehran is committed to peace and stability in the region. The White House says, despite the exchange of messages between the U.S. and Iran, reports of a cease fire extension are not true.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: These conversations are productive and ongoing, and that's where we are right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: The U.S. military claims its blockade of Iranian ports has completely halted Iran's sea trade, but Iranian state media report four vessels travel to and from Iran on Wednesday, and the U.S. Treasury Department has announced new sanctions targeting Iranian oil and natural gas exports.

So, let's bring in CNN's Eleni Giokos, she joins us live from Dubai. Good to see you, Eleni. So, what more are you learning about these direct talks between the leaders of Israel and Lebanon set to take place today?

ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So, there's a lot of movement on the diplomatic front. And keeping in mind, the very first direct talks between Israel and Lebanon happened in Washington, D.C. this week, and you mentioned President Trump posting on social media something that could move the conversation more. And he says this, trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. He's talking about Thursday today.

And we don't know how this will happen. We don't know where they would speak, but no other details given. But this, of course, is showing a movement in the right direction. Could we be talking about a potential cease fire between Lebanon and Israel?

But this is happening while strikes are still occurring between the two sides and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, really focusing on trying to take out Hezbollah's strongholds as he says, that this is one of the big objectives of what they're looking at in Lebanon.

And I want to give you a sense of what he says. I'm not sure if we've got the actual sound bites, Rosemary, but I'll read it to you. He says, in parallel, our forces continue to strike Hezbollah. The fighting is centered in Bint Jbeil. We are about to overwhelm Bint Jbeil. We're about to essentially eliminate this great stronghold of Hezbollah.

Whether this is going to derail potential talks between Lebanon and Israel remains to be seen. I also have to remind you that when the Iran-U.S. cease fire was announced, there was confusion around whether Lebanon was indeed included.

For Pakistan, which is the key mediator, they say Lebanon was included. Israel and the United States says it was miscommunication. Iran says that it absolutely must be.

[02:05:03]

And the parliamentary speaker of Iran, Ghalibaf says, that the United States must commit to the agreement the resistance and Iran are one in the same entity, whether in war or in a cease fire agreement, so America must back down from the stake of Israel first.

So, the timing of these messages that have been, you know, on social media have been really interesting, because it also comes in a moment where there's a lot of conversation about the second round of talks between Iran and Israel. It becomes a question around, what are the going to be the key objectives from either side, and whether the issue of Lebanon is going to continuously come up for the Iranian side, they want to maintain the access of resistance.

So, we're talking about the proxies that operate around the region, and Hezbollah is one of those in Lebanon.

We're also speaking to experts, and they saying there is momentum building, but this cease fire could be conditional, but there is anticipation that some agreement, Rosemary, could be made in the next few days. We wait to see what happens, because we saw one of the most extensive Israeli strikes last week, where Israel struck the heart of Beirut, hitting over 100 sites in the span of 10 minutes, resulting in hundreds of deaths and many more injured.

CHURCH: And Eleni, the U.S. just placed another round of sanctions on Iranian oil despite ongoing talks. What impact will this likely have?

GIOKOS: Well, the United States is trying to just tighten the screws of any revenue that Iran is able to get during this time. What was interesting, and it was very paradoxical, to see the United States lifting sanctions on Iranian oil a few weeks ago. That expires on the 19th of April. So, we're talking in just a few days.

The United States says they're not going to be renewing the extension of the lifting of those sanctions. But it did bring 140 million barrels of oil into the international market. When we look at this double blockade that's happening in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. naval blockade says that they've been able to deter ships from passing through their blockade over the past few days, when the enforcement came into effect on Monday, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

For Iran, this means that the money and the revenue that they were able to get from Iranian oil that was put on vessels mostly sanctioned getting to international markets has come to a screeching halt.

So, the question is, is this going to be the negotiation tactic that's going to bring Iran to its knees, to the table? Remains to be seen Iran, of course, digging in its heel, saying that it has control over the Strait of Hormuz which it had has since the beginning of the war. And of course, there's also a lot of talk about charging a toll fee for some of the vessels that wanted to pass through the Strait up to $2 million worth.

So, it's interesting to see how this is not only a military front, but also an economic front that is going to be sort of hashed out between the two sides in what is expected to be a second round of talks between the two countries, still waiting for details on that, but it is anticipated it will happen as we head closer to the end of the cease fire. It expires on the 21st of April, Rosemary.

CHURCH: Eleni Giokos in Dubai bringing us that live report. Many thanks.

Joining me now is Sina Azodi, director of the Middle East Studies Program at George Washington University, and author of Iran And The Bomb: The United States, Iran and the Nuclear Question. Appreciate you joining us.

SINA AZODI, DIRECTOR OF THE MIDDLE EAST STUDIES PROGRAM, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY: Good to be with you, Rosemary. Thank you for having me.

CHURCH: Of course. So, just days away from the cease fire ending, the White House is sounding cautiously optimistic about restarting peace talks with Iran, even as the U.S. naval blockade and the Strait of Hormuz continues and as Iran threatens shipping in the Red Sea now, so why do you think they're feeling so good about the prospects of a deal?

AZODI: Well, I think that the fact that the Pakistani delegation, the commander in chief of the Pakistani army is now in Tehran. He's visiting with the Iranian foreign minister, and the Iranians have warmly welcomed him. I think that that is one good sign of a potential deal.

We are also hearing some reports that the Iranian side and American side had agreed on a general framework for a nuclear agreement under which Iran would agree to suspend enrichment uranium enrichment, for a period of -- a period that they're both agree on it.

Now, the Iranian side had apparently offered a five year moratorium or suspension. The American side, Vice President Vance had said 20 years. If this is the case, I think that you can negotiate the exact number of years that works for the Iranian side or the American side. This will be a much stronger deal than President Obama had signed with Iranians. And I think this could be a political victory for President Trump.

[02:10:22]

CHURCH: Yes. I mean, if they can reach that compromise, as you say, when you've got the U.S. saying 20 years, and you've got Iran saying five, there's still quite a gap there for them to reach a compromise. We'll see if they can achieve that.

So, how likely is it that the cease fire will need to be extended to allow for more time to make a deal?

AZODI: It is quite likely, I think that if both sides see that the talks are going positively and there is a need for it, I think both the Iranian side and the American side would mutually agree to extend the cease fire. What is interesting is that both sides are now claiming that they don't need to extend the cease fire, and it is the other side that is asking to extend it.

Again, I think all of this is a good sign. We can be cautiously optimistic that the fragile cease fire will hold until there is a deal between the Iranian side and the American side.

CHURCH: Right. Of course, both sides want to come out of this being able to say that they were victorious, but Vice President J.D. Vance has been saying that they're not going to solve the issues with Iran overnight, while President Trump says the war is very close to being over. Two very different views. What is going on here do you think?

AZODI: I think that -- I mean, they don't have to be mutually exclusive. I think both can be true. And what I mean by that is that the general framework or mutual understanding can be reached between the two sides, and then you can negotiate the exact details of it.

For example, if there's an agreement for the suspension of uranium enrichment, and then there has to be verification of the Iranian compliance, and, of course, the American size compliance.

Now, who will do the Iranian size verification, that will be the job of the IAEA. So, all of this is this needs to be negotiated. And I think President -- Vice President Vance is correct that you cannot solve everything, all the mistrust that the both sides have in only a few days, or at least in the 21 hours that they had with each other. It will take time, but I think it requires patience and focus, because I think there are a lot of spoiler actors that are trying to undermine -- both domestically and externally, that are trying to undermine potential progress.

CHURCH: It sounds like you're fairly confident this can be done. This deal can be reached within the next few days.

AZODI: I can never be confident of anything, because in international politics, anything can happen. But I think the fact that there's a discussion of number of years. And then we also put it next to the fact that both sides have a vested interest in ceasing hostilities, because the Iranian side has been hurt badly. The U.S. economy has also been hurt. So, both sides, I believe, have a vested interest in ending hostilities and finally reaching a mutually acceptable agreement for both sides.

CHURCH: Sina Azodi, thank you so much for talking with us. Appreciate it.

AZODI: Thank you for having me. Good to be with you.

CHURCH: Israel is still striking Gaza as the U.S. tries to advance a fragile cease fire agreement, Palestinian health officials say five people were killed in a strike on Gaza City on Tuesday. The strike happened hours before a U.S. delegation met with Hamas negotiators in Cairo according to Hamas sources.

The talks reportedly focused on the next phase of the agreement, which includes a Hamas disarmament and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Palestinian officials say Israeli strikes have killed more than 765 people in Gaza since the cease fire took effect in October.

Germany says the aid conference it hosted for Sudan has generated pledges of more than $1.5 billion in humanitarian relief. Sudan's civil war has now entered its fourth year. The German Foreign Minister says both warring sides must allow humanitarian aid to reach those who need it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[02:10:13]

JOHANN WADEPHUL, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): The parties to the conflict, above all, the RSF have a duty to ensure that aid organizations are granted full, safe and unhindered access to the people, only in this way can people in need be reliably provided with the aid essential for their survival.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Sudan's government says it was not consulted about the conference and called it a surprising and unacceptable interference in its domestic affairs. The fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitary rapid support forces began in April of 2023. The U.N. warns the conflict has left 14 million people displaced, with 70 percent of the population now living in poverty.

Right now, the Pope is visiting Cameroon, the second stop on his four- country tour of Africa, and he brought a message of peace and unity.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO XIV, HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace.

And so, I think that to promote that kind of image is something which the world needs to hear today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: There was a welcome ceremony for him in the capital where people lined the streets. CNN Vatican Correspondent Christopher Lamb has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Pope Leo is saying that his visit to Africa is about sending a message of peace and unity, that, "The world needs to hear." He was speaking on board the papal plane from Algeria to Cameroon, talking to journalists about his trip to Algeria, stressing the importance of Christian-Muslim relations.

Leo, of course, facing huge criticism from President Trump and J.D. Vance for his stance on the war, but showing that he wants to continue to talk about peace. He won't be, as he said, afraid of the Trump administration.

Now, Leo is in Cameroon for a very important trip focused on reconciliation. This is a country where there's been conflict between the Francophone government and the English-speaking separatist groups. Leo will be flying to Bamenda, which is at the center of this conflict, on Thursday.

Leo, though, in the capital, Yaounde, addressing political authorities alongside a president, Paul Biya, the oldest in the world at 93 years old, hosting what is his fourth papal visit.

Christopher Lamb, CNN, Yaounde.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: The contentious relationship between President Trump and the Federal Reserve Chair could come to a head next month. Coming up, new details on Trump's latest threat to fire Jerome Powell.

And while the war with Iran is raising concerns for the global economy, new figures Show China is not missing a beat. We'll explain why.

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[02:22:29]

CHURCH: Welcome back everyone. Well, despite fears that the war with Iran could endanger the global economy, it seems China's economy is chugging along. Beijing just reported five percent GDP growth for the first quarter of the year, beating expectations and putting China on track to meet its annual growth target. Our Kristie Lu Stout has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR: China had a strong start to the year. Its economy grew five percent in the first quarter from a year ago on the back of strong exports. But the war in the Middle East is creating uncertainties for the world's second largest economy.

Look, China may be the world's largest importer of energy, but it's been able to weather the Iran energy shock far better than its Asian neighbors, because China was prepared. It has an estimated 1.3 billion barrel strategic reserve of crude oil. That's more than four months worth of imports, and it's diversified its power generation to include solar and wind.

China also doesn't mind getting dirty. It still uses coal for energy and fertilizer, and as soon as the war broke out, China curbed exports of energy like diesel, gas and jet fuel. China may be shielded, but it is still vulnerable to rising prices and slowing demand for its exports.

According to Xinquan Chen, he's a China economist at Goldman Sachs, says this, "China's exports remain a key growth engine in 2026 but the recent energy shock has shifted the focus toward the sustainability of external demand."

And there are already signs of strain, in March, China's factory gate prices rose for the first time in more than three years.

Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: The rally on Wall Street keeps on going with the NASDAQ and S&P 500 closing at new record highs on Wednesday. It capped a remarkable two-week recovery that has seen the indexes erase all of their losses tied to the war with Iran.

And the NASDAQ has now officially exited the correction it entered a few weeks ago. Investors are leaning into optimism that the war might be nearing its end, and a pullback in oil prices, while still high, has also helped fuel the rally.

President Trump is threatening to fire U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell if he doesn't step aside when his term ends next month, that term is set to expire on May 15th, and Powell has promised to stay on the job until a successor is confirmed. But it's not clear whether Trump can fire Powell without cause. Here's CNN's David Goldman.

[02:25:14]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID GOLDMAN, CNN SENIOR BUSINESS REPORTER: So, President Trump has announced that he will fire Jerome Powell, the Fed Chair cause. Here's CNN David Goldman, so President Trump has announced that he will fire Jerome Powell, the Fed chair, and that could happen on May 15. Now this is something that we know President Trump has wanted to do for quite some time, but now we have the date.

And what's ironic about all of this is that it could actually have the opposite effect of two things that President Trump has wanted to do. The first is to remove Powell from office, and the second is to lower interest rates. So why would it have the opposite effect for Powell? Well, that's because Powell is going to fight this. He said as much. He said that if he were removed, he would fight it legally. So, that means it will be held up in courts for quite some time, and Powell said he won't leave until that's settled.

Also, he said he wouldn't leave until the probe, the criminal probe that the Trump administration has initiated is settled. It also could have an effect of keeping interest rates higher. There is no effort from the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates

right now, and that's Powell led. Now, Kevin Warsh, who would be coming in as Trump's pick has pledged to lower rates, but the longer he stays out, the less likely that's going to happen.

And one other key thing is that President Trump has started a war with Iran that has lifted gas prices and has pledged to raise tariffs. Both of those will raise prices, making the Fed's job of lowering interest rates much more difficult.

So, where does this leave us? It means that President Trump is going to fire Jerome Powell on May 15th. But the resolution to all of this that's not coming for quite some time. Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Still to come, the investigation into former Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell expands in California, and now calls are growing for swift action against other lawmakers in Washington accused of wrongdoing.

Plus, Hungary's incoming prime minister announces next steps after a landslide victory at the polls, back in just a moment.

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[02:32:05]

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Hungary's election winner is laying out his priorities following his landslide electoral victory on Sunday. Peter Magyar beat outgoing Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, who had become a poster child for right-wing populism. As Melissa Bell reports, the new leader wants changes in the Hungarian presidency and state media.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Out with state propaganda, Hungary's incoming PRIME MINISTER has vowed to suspend public news broadcasters and restore media freedom.

Peter Magyar coming right out of the gate after his historic win on Sunday, that put an end to Viktor Orban's 16-year iron grip rule on Hungary.

Here is Magyar taking to the airwaves on Wednesday.

PETER MAGYAR, HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER-ELECT (through translator): This factory of lies will end after the formation of the Tisza government. We will suspend immediately. We will create the conditions for independent, objective, impartial media.

BELL (voice-over): Certainly not mincing his words in that interview with M1 TV. While Orban who positioned himself as a defender of traditional values against the perceived encroachment of the E.U. was a near constant fixture on public pro-government outlets during the campaign, Magyar was shunned and not allowed a single appearance on public TV or radio where he also spoke this morning.

And he didn't stop there. The newly-elected leader then called on the country's president whom he described as a "puppet of the mafia" to stand down early.

MAGYAR (through translator): Tamas Sulyok must leave his office after the formation of the new government. Tamas Sulyok is unsuitable to embody the unity of the Hungarian nation.

BELL (voice-over): And Magyar added that he expects to form a new government by mid-May.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: A measure aimed at restricting President Trump's war powers has failed for the fourth time this year. The measure would have required Congress to approve any future military action in Iran. It failed to advance in the Senate by just five votes. Some Republicans have indicated they'd be open to the idea if it was limited to specific periods of time.

Senate Democrats remain determined to get the measure passed even if they have to repeat themselves.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CHRIS MURPHY, (D-CT): We will be down on this floor week after week, every single week, to force at least a short debate, to force a vote. And my hope is, that at some point, our Republican colleagues, besides one, choose to join us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Once a major Trump supporter and now a thorn in his side, former U.S. House Republican, Marjorie Taylor Greene, says the president is guilty of blasphemy. She told our Christiane Amanpour that it's time to truly question what the president is thinking.

[02:35:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, FORMER U.S. HOUSE REPUBLICAN: I really think that his mental capacity needs to be examined. His rhetoric has been shocking to many Americans and people around the world. This is a war that many Americans, especially younger generations, who I side with most of the time, do not support.

We made campaign promises in 2024 to the American people, no more foreign wars, no more foreign regime change. And to put America as our focus, that means the American people and our economy and our future, really. And however, we've seen a drastic change here.

I call this war an unprovoked war. And President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu engaged this war against Iran. There's not been a single bomb fall on America, and yet here we are spending nearly $2 billion a day.

Yes, I do think that it should be discussed, although it's very unlikely the 25th Amendment will be used.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: And are you concerned, like, you know, many people were immediately very offended and concerned, particularly many Christians around the world when, first of all, President Trump essentially attacked the Pope, calling him weak on just about everything, and then somehow presented himself in a Christ-like image as the great healer with the halo and all sorts of, you know, depictions in light. And you know, to those who understand Christian imagery, it definitely looked like a deliberate image.

How did you read it?

TAYLOR GREENE: I read it as blasphemy. That's exactly how I read it. It was President Trump presenting himself to be Jesus, presenting himself to replace God.

And that was extremely offensive to Christians and Catholics all over the world. And it is completely wrong. And then, even further, he tried to sweep it away, saying that he thought he was representing himself as a doctor, which is lying.

And he didn't apologize, which he should have apologized. And it's just -- it is ridiculous, really, absolutely ridiculous. And so it is blasphemy and it's wrong. And President Trump owes Christians an apology.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: The Los Angeles County District Attorney says their office is working with law enforcement on an investigation into former Democratic Congressman, Eric Swalwell. He resigned from a 13-year congressional career on Tuesday amid multiple sexual assault and misconduct allegations.

Swalwell also ended his campaign for California governor over the weekend. He denies all the allegations. Meanwhile, other lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been facing their own ethics investigations with their political careers and the Republicans' narrow House majority hanging in the balance.

CNN's Lauren Fox has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REP. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ, (D-NY): I'm glad that Eric Swalwell is leaving. I'm glad that Tony Gonzales is leaving.

LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): More showdowns over who should be expelled from Congress in the wake of two major resignations, especially contentious in a body where every vote counts. Next week, the House Ethics Committee expected to make a recommendation on Democratic Representative, Sheila Cherfilus- McCormick, who was indicted in November and accused by federal prosecutors of taking millions in FEMA funds and rerouting some of it to her campaign. The Ethics Committee found her guilty last month of violating campaign finance laws.

She pleaded not guilty and says she doesn't plan to resign. The allegations I'm addressing are not the same as those facing some of my colleagues. Lumping them together, particularly with cases involving sexual assault and rape, is inaccurate and irresponsible.

Also under fire, Republican Representative, Cory Mills, who's under investigation by House Ethics for campaign finance infractions and sexual misconduct. Mills' ex-girlfriend accused the Congressman last year of threatening to release sexually explicit images and videos after her relationship ended with Mills. Mills has denied the accusations.

REP. CORY MILLS, (R-FL): Here's the distinguishing difference. One, I'm not married, so I'm not committing an affair with (ph) my wife. Two, I've never had any inappropriate actions or any type of illegal behavior in a full-fledged neighborhood with a staffer or intern of any type.

I have absolutely no investigations that are criminal that are open. I have no pending anything, and I don't really find it to be warranted that I'm even tethered to the individuals that are on there.

FOX (voice-over): Even some Republicans have said Ethics needs to move swiftly on Mills.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not Cory Mills' spokesperson, but I'm sure it's not going to run cover for someone when I think that they're wrong.

FOX: You also have Democrats calling for Cory Mills to step aside or be expelled. Would you be supportive of that measure?

[02:40:00]

REP. MIKE JOHNSON, (R-LA) HOUSE SPEAKER: What I'm supportive of is due process. There is a due process investigation that is going on for that individual member. It's about halfway through the process.

FOX (voice-over): And the prospects of further expulsions could impact Johnson's already narrow majority, a reality that members say no one can deny, especially as the speaker stares down several must- pass bills just months before the election.

REP. JARED MOSKOWITZ, (D-FL): Obviously, there's a voting reality that gets put into this, not because it should when it comes to moral issues, but that's just the nature of this place.

FOX (voice-over): Lauren Fox, Capitol Hill, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: "Lord of the Rings" fans have a new film to look forward to, still to come. Details on "The Hunt for Gollum" and the big names tied to this latest installment in the franchise.

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[02:45:30]

CHURCH: Raising awareness about modern-day slavery is what CNN's "My Freedom Day" is all about. This year, thousands of students in more than 140 countries got involved in projects to spread the message about slavery, sex trafficking, and other forms of oppression.

Here in Atlanta, CNN's Lynda Kinkade spent the day talking to students, capping off an impressive 24 hours of action from all around the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CROWD: My Freedom Day.

CROWD: My Freedom Day.

CROWD: My Freedom Day.

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: So great to be with you on this very special anniversary of My Freedom Day.

As you can see behind me, students have put together a 10-year picture gallery of all the incredible work they've done over the past decade. This is an initiative, as you know, happening in more than 100 countries around the world, and Atlanta International School has been at the forefront from the very beginning.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being free means having choices.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Freedom means the right to live without fear or exploitation. On My Freedom Day, I stand with the children who are still denied that basic right.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Freedom is the ability to choose my own path instead of the one the world tries to force upon me.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It means my future is a choice I get to make.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Freedom means I'm empowered even more.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're at the King George V School in Hong Kong, and right now, what you're seeing is a simulation of what it looks like to work in a sweatshop. Kids here, volunteers, are getting an experience of what it's like to work in these terrible conditions.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No child should suffer in the name of survival or convenience. Protecting children is not optional. It is a moral duty we all share. A protected child is a free child. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If we truly want freedom to mean something for every child, then we must act with urgency, courage, and unity until trafficking and exploitation are not just reduced, but completely ended.

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: These students are celebrating and acknowledging Freedom Day, a very important occasion for them to recognize the victims and survivors of modern-day slavery, of which there are millions around the world. All day we've seen these students putting on these very beautiful and engaging and meaningful and moving performances from dance, poetry, to singing.

ZAIN ASHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For nearly 10 years, volunteers and students at the Slum Art Foundation in the Ijora Badia neighborhood of Lagos have quietly been working on their craft. To celebrate My Freedom Day, the students and staff set forth an audacious goal, to create a portrait of every on-air journalist at CNN.

ASHER: And this is the collage that Adele (ph) did of me at CNN, which he mailed to me from Lagos. I was so touched by this.

CHURCH: From that talented group of children, which is an incredible piece of artwork, I feel really quite honored to receive that. Thank you so very much.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When we are aware, we stop being silenced.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Exploitation is not always visible.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It often begins with emotional manipulation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Prevention is based on reliable information.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: An informed community can detect risks.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: And follow the hashtag #MyFreedomDay on social media and check out CNN.com/MyFreedomDay to learn more about worldwide efforts to raise awareness of modern-day slavery.

Dozens of cocaine hippos linked to the late drug lord Pablo Escobar are said to be culled. Just ahead, we will show you why Colombian officials feel they have no other choice.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:51:51]

CHURCH: We have this Breaking News this hour. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu will speak with Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun today. That is according to an Israeli official. Israel and Lebanon held their first direct talks in 40 years on Tuesday in Washington.

But fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has continued despite the negotiations. President Trump had announced the meeting in a post to Truth Social late on Wednesday.

A jury in New York has found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally operated as a monopoly that gouged customers on ticket prices. Several states sued the entertainment giant for stifling competition and driving up fees for concert and sports fans. CNN's Kara Scannell has more.

KARA SCANNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is a huge win for the states that continue to bring their case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster to trial after the Justice Department settlement. Lawyers I've talked to say that this will be an earthquake in the industry. It is validation for fans and rivals who say that Live Nation and Ticketmaster's control of the market has been anti-competitive and has driven up ticket prices and the fees attached to those tickets.

Now, Live Nation just issued a statement saying that they still have several legal challenges that they are bringing to the judge and that they will ultimately appeal any adverse rulings. This though is the first stage, this jury verdict. There will be a second trial and the judge will oversee that trial where he will decide what damages states will be awarded, if any, and any other kinds of remedies.

Those could be structural remedies whether forcing Live Nation to sell certain of its businesses, certain say amphitheaters or venues that are a part of this litigation, steps that could hopefully be used to invite more competition into the market. And that is where lawyers say, ultimately, fans could see the benefits of that through lower prices, through lower fees on tickets. That though is a bit down the road.

There's still quite a ways to go here before the results of this verdict, while certainly historic, makes its way to your or my wallet.

CHURCH: Notorious drug lord, Pablo Escobar not only established a cartel in Colombia but he also brought four hippos to the country in the 1980s. Those hippos now have dozens of descendants roaming free and that is causing problems. CNN's Stefano Pozzebon has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They may look chubby and almost cute, but Pablo Escobar's famous hippos have become a plague in Colombia.

POZZEBON: More than 30 years after the narco leader was killed in a shootout with police, some of his animals and their descendants are now being culled.

POZZEBON (voice-over): In 2021, CNN traveled to film with the hippos who were roaming wild in lockdown.

POZZEBON: We're getting close to the hippos with an expert finally. So this should give us special protection because we have Regina (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

(LAUGH)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If I say run, you run, OK?

POZZEBON: If you say run, run.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: With wild animals, you cannot forget that they're wild animals.

[02:55:00]

They're not domestic. They have not passed all the domestic things. They're wild and at some point, they'll get this wild gene and attack you.

POZZEBON (voice-over): Before long, we ended up running.

POZZEBON (through translator): It went back into the water. It went back into the water. It went back into the water.

POZZEBON (voice-over): Our encounter with the hippos was just a scare, but these animals can cause real damage.

Luis Diaz (ph) was severely mauled when a hippo attacked him in 2020. His leg and several ribs were broken as the hippo jumped out of the water while he was fishing.

Because of similar attacks, the Colombian government has authorized the plan to cull up to 80 hippopotamuses, despite protests from environmental groups.

A small number will remain at Hacienda Napoles, Escobar's own ranch, which is now a theme park, with the hippos the main attraction.

Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, Bogota.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: The first-ever "Game of Thrones" movie now has a working title, "Aegon's Conquest."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON SNOW, PLAYED BY KIT HARINGTON, GAME OF THRONES: I don't know how to ride a dragon.

DAENERYS TARGARYEN, PLAYED BY EMILIA CLARKE, GAME OF THRONES: Nobody does. Until they ride a dragon.

SNOW: What if he doesn't want me to?

TARGARYEN: Then I've enjoyed your company, Jon Snow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Variety reports the first big screen adventure set in the mystical world of Westeros will reportedly follow the original conqueror from the Targaryen dynasty. The film is the latest spin-off from George R.R. Martin's popular book series, "A Song of Ice and Fire," which has expanded with the HBO shows "Game of Thrones" and the prequel series "House of the Dragon" and "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

HBO, like CNN, is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The new movie in the franchise is part of Warner Bros.' later films set for 2027 and beyond.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARWEN, PLAYED BY LIV TYLER, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: You will face the same evil, and you will defeat it.

GALADRIEL, PLAYED BY CATE BLANCHETT, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And something to look forward to if you're a ringer, that is a fan of "Lord of the Rings," a new film set between the events of "The Hobbit" and "The Fellowship of the Ring" tells the story of Aragorn's quest to capture Gollum. "Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" is being directed by Andy Serkis, who plays Gollum for the fifth time.

The star of "Fifty Shades of Grey," Jamie Dornan, is among the new faces taking on the role of Aragorn. Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen return from the original trilogy. The film is being produced by a division of Warner Bros., part of CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. And it is set for release in December 2027.

I want to thank you so much for your company this hour. I'm Rosemary Church. I will be back with more "CNN Newsroom" after a very short break. Do stay with us.

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