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Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Faces Tests; Reopening the Strait of Hormuz; Artemis II Reflects on Historic Mission; Hegseth To Iran: "Choose Wisely" Or Face Continued Blockade; Trump Falsely Claims Pope Said Iran Can Have Nuclear Weapon; Huge Crowds Turn Out To See Pope In Cameroon Conflict Zone. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired April 17, 2026 - 02:00   ET

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

[02:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN HOST: Welcome to all of you watching us around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is "CNN Newsroom."

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is in effect, but there are serious tests to the strength of that agreement. The U.S. says it's successfully enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports as European leaders are looking at ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. And a war of words between two world leaders. U.S. President Donald Trump extends his spat with Pope Leo.

UNKNOWN (voice-over): Live from Atlanta, this is "CNN Newsroom with Kim Brunhuber."

BRUNHUBER: It has been in effect for only about nine hours, but Lebanon's army is already accusing Israel of violating their ceasefire. Still, the sounds of fireworks and celebratory gunfire filled the streets of Beirut and other cities after the 10-day truce went into effect. Hezbollah says it will abide by the agreement as long as Israel stops its attacks. The hours before the ceasefire were marked by Israeli strikes on nearly 400 targets, including ambulance crews and a key bridge in Southern Lebanon. Israel says it will not withdraw its forces from Lebanon during the pause in fighting.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANNY DANON, ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N.: We got to this point as a result of the IDF's heroic actions in pushing back Hezbollah and many operations, including the pager attacks and the elimination of Nasrallah.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: I want to bring in CNN's Eleni Giokos live from Dubai. So, Eleni, I mean, is this ceasefire holding?

ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. It's a really good question. And, as you say, we're just a few hours in the Lebanese army already saying that they've witnessed and seen a breach of the ceasefire agreement. But, again, this is just temporary. This is a 10-day window and it's still very much historic in terms of what we're seeing.

So, Israel and Lebanon agreeing to this 10-day pause. This was after a lot of pressure from President Trump for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to come to the table. And it's really important to see how the Israelis are framing this. And Benjamin Netanyahu says it is temporary. He's really pointing that out. He's saying it's contingent to further negotiations. And then importantly, that the Israeli army is not going to leave Lebanese territory and they based in Southern Lebanon.

And, as you say in the lead-up to the ceasefire coming into effect, we saw a barrage of attacks in Lebanon. Importantly from the Iranian perspective, and we heard from the parliamentary speaker, Ghalibaf, who says that the axis of resistance is one in the same, whether in war or in ceasefire, and for Iran, including Lebanon, in the ceasefire agreement was absolutely important. And this is just one extra thing that President Trump has taken off the table in terms of what could be a second round of negotiations with Iran. Now, I want you to listen to what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL (through translator): I answered that call, and I agreed to a timeout, or more accurately, a temporary 10-day ceasefire to try and advance the agreement we began discussing during the meeting of ambassadors in Washington. We have two fundamental demands for peace talks. First, the disarmament of Hezbollah. Second, a sustainable peace agreement, peace through strength.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIOKOS: So, this could potentially open the door for wider negotiations when Prime Minister Netanyahu is talking about lasting peace, but the caveat there is to completely disarm Hezbollah. It is also important to note that in these historic negotiations and talks between Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah was not at the table. But, again, as I mentioned, Iran responding positively to this.

You know, in terms of what we've seen on the ground and Lebanese army talking about a breach in the ceasefire, you know, when I look at the overall numbers, Kim, one million people have been displaced in Lebanon. Over 2,000 people have lost their lives.

[02:05:00]

And for so many people on the ground, this is a sigh of relief. We've got some of the images of jubilation as well as, you know, elation as the ceasefire came into effect. This is a sigh of relief. But, again, a lot of hinges on what happens next.

The White House has invited both Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to visit and, hopefully, that's going to expand on what we're seeing right now in this 10-day pause, the ceasefire. And, again, President Trump was saying that Hezbollah needs to commit to this ceasefire agreement as we are still hearing a lot of words being exchanged from the two sides.

BRUNHUBER: All right. Eleni, despite that ceasefire and the U.S.- Iranian ceasefire, still plenty of uncertainty. I know you've been monitoring the Strait of Hormuz and the oil markets for weeks. So, give us an update on the latest there.

GIOKOS: You know, one person that says it perfectly is the International Energy Agency executive director, and that's Fatih Birol. He says this is the largest energy crisis to ever hit the globe. And I think we should really take a lot of consideration when he says that because he came up with other numbers. He says Europe is around six weeks away of completely running out of jet fuel. He's talking about this taking months to unwind.

When I look at what Brent crude and WTI are doing right now, still below a hundred dollars a barrel. Just taking a wider view of this, they're both up around 50 percent since the start of the war. So, we're looking at a very different scenario.

And then we had Sultan Al Jaber, who is the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. He said this, and it really just struck a chord with me, he said, energy security cannot be underestimated or taken for granted.

And if there's one thing we take away from the, you know, Iran's effective control of the Strait of Hormuz where we have seen barely any tankers moving through to international markets, well, now, the U.S. naval blockade stopping any kind of traffic moving through if they are linked to Iran or any Iranian ports, this is further adding pressure to the global economy.

And the big takeaway here is that the world is still very much reliant on liquefied natural gas, on fossil fuels as a whole, on fertilizer inputs, all of which comes from this region. Around 20 percent of all of what I've spoken about comes from this region.

So, I think this is just a moment for everyone to know that energy security is absolutely vital for the global economy as we're starting to see effects take hold everywhere, right? It's not only in Asia, not only in Africa, but where you are, where gas prices are rising and, of course, hitting European countries as well.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. Absolutely. Eleni Giokos in Dubai, thanks so much. U.S. officials say the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal came together on Tuesday when Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met in Washington. Kristen Holmes describes the diplomatic work that led to the truce.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, President Trump spent much of Thursday afternoon touting this new ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. And I did speak to a White House official who kind of walked me through the timeline of how the ceasefire came to be. And just a reminder, the ceasefire is really critical for a number of reasons, including that the United States was having a hard time negotiating with Iran because Iran kept saying that Lebanon should be part of the ceasefire. Now, of course, we see a ceasefire in Lebanon.

So, according to this official, when it came down to the timeline, this all started last Tuesday when the secretary of state held a meeting at the State Department with leaders from Lebanon and Israel. Lebanon agreed that Hezbollah was a mutual problem for both Israel and Lebanon. And that really got the door open and the ball rolling.

From there, there was a flurry of phone calls, President Trump to Prime Minister Netanyahu, who agreed to certain terms of a ceasefire that resulted in Marco Rubio making a late-night phone call to the president of Lebanon. Essentially, all of these culminating on Thursday when there were multiple calls between the leaders and President Trump announced it on Truth Social.

Now, President Trump says he has invited these leaders to the White House for peace talks and past that ceasefire, long lasting peace talks. And this is what he said about those potential talks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNKNOWN (voice-over): Israel and Lebanon have tried to make peace before. What is going to be the difference this time?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Me. I'm the difference, big difference. Me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now, President Trump also talked about those Iranian U.S. negotiations, alluding to potential negotiations at second round this weekend, and even at one point saying that he would go to Pakistan, although I know a lot of security experts who would say that's probably not a good idea.

Kristen Holmes, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: The U.S. Central Command has released new video taken near the Strait of Hormuz. It says the video shows an American warship enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports. Iran is denying reports that the blockade is causing shortages of essential goods for its citizens.

[02:10:01]

The U.S. blockade came in response to Iran's own restrictions on ships' ability to use the Strait of Hormuz. Britain and France are set to host a virtual meeting of 40 countries today to discuss efforts to reopen the waterway.

Joining me now from London is Gregoire Roos, who's the director for Europe, Russia, and Eurasia at Chatham House. Thanks so much for being here with us. Really appreciate it. So, just to start with the big picture, are you expecting an actual concrete plan to come out of this summit or is this really just a general agreement, do you think, on principles?

GREGOIRE ROOS, DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE, RUSSIA AND EURASIA, CHATHAM HOUSE: Well, I think the truth lies in the middle, obviously. Interestingly enough, there has been a European initiative to secure the Strait of Hormuz for nearly six years now.

French led. The French have a military base in Abu Dhabi. And from that base, they've been leading the European maritime awareness in the Strait of Hormuz. Since then, eight other European countries have joined, but it has never encompassed so many countries. Obviously, 40 countries will go way beyond the European Union.

And the objectives are a bit larger. So, the French-led initiative had a military pillar and a diplomatic pillar, and so does the Franco- British initiative with the French leading on the military and the British on the diplomatic.

But basically, and that's where it becomes very interesting, the initiative of today is meant to remain strictly defensive, focusing actually on four pillars. The first is championing freedom of navigation in maritime security in the strait. In this regard, nothing original.

More interestingly, it actually will have a working group on economic sanctions against Iran should the strait remain closed. This is not something that was covered in the previous initiative.

The third one, which has mattered increasingly because you still have so many vessels trapped in the strait, is to secure the release of seafarers and trapped ships in the strait, which in itself would be quite of a victory. And the last working group will focus on industry support, mostly the ship-owning industry and insurers, to reopen the strait.

So, that in itself is interesting. There are rumors, actually not just rumors, because a French official confirmed it, that they might try to call the U.S. president during the meeting today. That remains to be seen. But in itself, I think it is mostly a way for Europeans to weigh on the ceasefire.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. Let me ask you about the U.S. role here because I think that's important. I mean, you know, we have 40 countries at the summit, but the U.S. isn't one of them and they're busy running their own blockade on Iranian ports. So, how does Europe expect to pull this off when the region's biggest naval power is doing something completely different? Presumably, that will be the chief topic of that call that you were talking about.

ROOS: Quite so. And it's interesting you point this out because Germany has been -- I would not said odds with the French and the British, but has said repeatedly that they would rather have the U.S. join the initiative, which the French have thus far refused because they really wanted to have no belligerent as part of the solution. So, for now, the U.S. has said, look, you're either with us or you're not against us, but you're definitely not with us, so please join the blockade of the strait, which the British and the French have repeatedly refused because they saw it as a risk to be entrapped in the war and become de facto belligerents.

So, it's a kind of balancing act, trying to be constructive and support the U.S. on the diplomatic side to ensure that the ceasefire remains. And in the end, within the next few months, you get to see a reopening of the strait. And that is the plan of this joint initiative.

It will be interesting to see whether they manage to call the president during the meeting, in which case we would see some kind of a bit of what you saw with the coalition of the willing in Ukraine where they managed to synchronize their agenda with that of Washington or rather the other way around, have Washington somehow align on their own agenda. Again, that remains to be seen. But what will matter is that you don't get to see a split between European countries. And in Germany, there was that kind of risk.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. So, extending that ceasefire, obviously, a critical component here because -- I mean, the statement said that they will deploy as soon as conditions allow. So, how quickly could something like this go from a conference call to, you know, actual ships escorting tankers through the strait? Because, obviously, there's a ticking clock here. The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran expires, right, in less than a week.

ROOS: Yes. Absolutely. I mean, that's why they actually brought so many countries together on such short notice.

[02:15:00]

Look, you won't get to see a result overnight. I strongly hope for that. But I don't expect something to happen tonight or tomorrow. I think you need three conditions. They're not impossible to get together. But it will still require a lot of diplomatic efforts.

First, Iran has to -- must not contest the mission directly. So, if Iran were to say, sorry, but this won't happen, it won't happen simply because they've showed that they managed to keep the U.S. at bay and block the strait, which is actually quite small. It's not the biggest strait in the world. They managed to re-block it. So, Europeans alone, even with more countries, will not -- will not force the Iranians to change course.

The second is that the U.S., and that's why having the U.S. president on the line might actually matter more than we think, should if not de-conflict, at least more or less quietly support the mission, and that will be important. So, both the current belligerence should be supporting even indirectly the mission.

And third, which is equally important, is that the commercial shipping, ship-owning industry, insurers and, obviously, the Gulf states, the regional countries that have been hit so severely by the war, must buy into the arrangement.

So, you really have three -- I'd say three groups of stakeholders here that you need to get on board.

BRUNHUBER: And given that, you can see how people might be skeptical that something concrete could come out of this, certainly with all those timelines unfolding right now. Gregoire Roos, we'll have to leave it there. Thank you so much. Really appreciate it.

ROOS: Thank you very much indeed.

BRUNHUBER: All right. We'll be right back here on "CNN Newsroom." Stay with us.

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[02:20:00]

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BRUNHUBER: The Artemis II crew has held their first news conference and interviews since their historic journey captivated the globe. CNN's Ed Lavandera has the latest from Houston on the astronauts' discussion of the importance of their mission.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: For an hour, the four astronauts of the Artemis II crew answered reporters' questions. Christina Koch talked about still feeling, a week since coming back to Earth, still feeling like she was floating in space. Victor Glover talked about how the reentry felt like falling backwards off of a skyscraper and rapidly falling toward the Pacific Ocean. Jeremy Hansen talked about looking out into the abyss of space and the profound experience that that was. And Reid Wiseman, the commander of this mission, says he hopes that the Artemis II mission around the moon inspires people around the world to keep doing hard things.

This was just a sampling of the thoughts that this Artemis II crew shared with journalists as they answered questions almost a week after coming back from their trip to the moon.

Aside from the profound experience that this 10-day journey to the moon was for the Artemis II crew, this is also a test flight that is about future missions of eventually putting astronauts on the moon.

The astronauts did say that there are some technical issues with the Orion capsule that did cause some tense moments, but that they were able to walk through them and fix them and correct them in real time. But they do say that there is still work that needs to be done on the Orion capsule. But despite all of that, all of them feel that this Artemis system and this capsule is ready to take astronauts to the moon in the future.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CHRISTINA KOCH, MISSION SPECIALIST, ARTEMIS II: We were very much lifted up by the notion that we would get to contribute to astronauts doing this all over again much sooner than we thought, that we were going to be focused on the moon based on surface operations. And I would say, if nothing else, we are feeling even more excited and just ready to take that on as an agency.

REID WISEMAN, COMMANDER, ARTEMIS II: It's going to be extremely technically challenging. But this team needs to show up every day knowing it is absolutely doable, and it's doable soon.

JEREMY HANSEN, CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY ASTRONAUT, ARTEMIS II FLIGHT MISSION SPECIALIST: We have to be willing to accept a little more risk than we were willing to accept in the past and to just trust that we will figure it out in real time.

KOCH: The thing that might be hardest to convey, no matter what the platform, would be how much it meant to us to bring everyone along with us and how much it meant to us to hear that the mission had an impact.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: You've got a sense from listening to the astronauts today that they are still kind of coming to terms with the profound experience that they witnessed with their own eyes, seeing parts of the moon that no other human eyes had ever seen. But we will get to hear a lot more from this crew in the weeks ahead. They did say that they are participating in a series of public events and doing more interviews in the days and weeks ahead. So, this is a crew oh that seems very willing and very ready to engage with the public that has been adored by their actions for the last month.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Dallas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: President Trump insists he's not fighting with the pope, but he is slaying more barbs his way and making another false claim. We'll the details coming up. Please stay with us.

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[02:25:00]

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BRUNHUBER: All right, let's get you up-to-date on our top story. Lebanon's army is already accusing Israel of violating their brand-new 10-day ceasefire. The sounds of fireworks and celebratory gunfire fill the streets of Beirut after the truce went into effect. Hezbollah says it will abide by the agreement as long as Israel stops its attacks.

Meanwhile, President Trump is claiming progress in ending the war with Iran. He says a second round of talks could happen this weekend, and he might even travel to Pakistan to sign any deal. In the meantime, the U.S. Military says it's using the time during the ceasefire with Iran to make adjustments and rearm. CNN's Natasha Bertrand reports from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NATASHA BERTRAND, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: The head of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Bradley Cooper, said during a press briefing on Thursday that troops in the Middle East are -- quote -- "rearming amid the ceasefire," which is set to expire in just a few days.

[02:30:03]

And Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Dan Caine, added that the U.S. Military -- quote -- "remains postured and ready to resume major combat should the ceasefire not be renewed next week."

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also warned Iranian leaders during the press conference that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and economic pressure, which is being enforced by more than 10,000 U.S. troops, would continue unless, they, quote, "choose wisely" and strike a deal with the Trump administration.

The U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz began earlier this week, and so far, more than a dozen ships that have been suspected of entering or leaving Iranian ports in the strait have been turned around by the U.S. military. That's according to U.S. Central Command.

General Caine also told reporters that the U.S. military is going even further than that key waterway and will actually use its forces around the world to interdict ships suspected of ferrying weapons, oil and other supplies to and from Iran. It's another pressure point aimed at getting Iran to agree to the U.S.'s terms for a negotiated deal, which are still being hammered out ahead of a possible second round of talks in the coming days.

Notably, President Trump said on Thursday that another round of those in-person negotiations with the Iranians could actually occur as soon as this coming weekend. And he added that he would even consider traveling to Pakistan to sign a deal if the U.S. and Iran reach an agreement.

Natasha Bertrand, CNN, in Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: President Trump is still taking swipes at the pope. On Thursday, he falsely claimed that Pope Leo said Iran can have a nuclear weapon. The pope never said that and has repeatedly called on the world's nuclear powers to abandon their weapons.

Now watch this exchange between CNN's Kaitlan Collins and the president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Why are you fighting with the pope, and are you worried it's upsetting your evangelical supporters?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I have to do what's right. The pope has to understand that. Very simple. I have nothing against the pope. His brother is MAGA all the way. I like his brother.

COLLINS: Why are you fighting with him?

TRUMP: I'm not fighting with him. The pope made a statement. He says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And if the pope looked at the 42,000 people that were killed over the last two or three months as a protester with no weapons, no nothing. I mean, you take a look at that.

So, I can disagree with the pope. I have a right to -- I have a right to disagree with the pope.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Meanwhile, Pope Leo is moving forward with his visit to Africa and issuing some forceful remarks. The pope told crowds in Bamenda, Cameroon, that the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, and he rebuked world leaders who use religious language to justify war.

CNN's Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb is traveling with the pope and has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, thousands have turned out to see Pope Leo here in Bamenda in Cameroon. Leo coming to this part of the country where there has been so much conflict between English-speaking separatists and the francophone government, and people giving him a joyous welcome.

And Leo himself seeming to be in his element in this part of the world. Of course, Leo, a former missionary in the Global South, spending years in Latin America here feeling very much at home in Africa.

Now, Leo had a very strong message at a peace meeting in Bamenda. This is what he had to say.

POPE LEO XIV, CATHOLIC CHURCH: Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic or political gain. Dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.

The masters of war pretended not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild. They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation. Yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration nowhere to be found. LAMB: Leo, concluding his day in Bamenda with a mass here at the

airport, with thousands here waiting to see him and to take part in this very special celebration. Leo here in Africa, in Cameroon, as part of a long four-country visit to the continent.

Christopher Lamb, CNN, Bamenda.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: You see the huge interest there in the pope in Africa. And earlier, our Elex Michaelson spoke with CNN's Larry Madow about the pope's trip. And he has this report.

All right. We'll bring you that report. Oh, we have it here. Let's -- let's play.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The fact that the pope made this trip not just to Yaounde in the capital, but to the northwest and Bamenda, where he had this meeting and mass. This place has been ravaged by war for nearly 10 years. But for the pope's visit, they declared a three-day ceasefire for the first time ever to allow Christians to go and see the pope and to participate in this mass.

[02:35:05]

That is a big deal. These separatists in the northwest, in the English-speaking parts of essentially francophone Cameroon have been fighting government forces for nearly ten years. They're trying to secede from the country. They feel excluded from economic, political life, and they want their own country. But only the pope can get them to lay their arms and go and pray together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Much more to come here on CNN NEWSROOM, including a look at how Cuba is marking the 65th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion. Got a report from Havana.

Stay with us.

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[02:40:18]

BRUNHUBER: Alt pop singer David has been arrested on suspicion of killing a 14 year old girl whose body was found in his car last year. Los Angeles police have confirmed that the artist, whose legal name is David Burke, is being held without bail as investigations into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez continue. The teenager's body was discovered in an abandoned Tesla registered to Burke in the Hollywood hills after being towed by authorities.

CNN has obtained a new video showing the police response after the suspected murder suicide involving the former lieutenant governor of Virginia. The footage shows officers outside Justin Fairfax home early on Thursday. That's where investigators say Fairfax shot and killed his wife before taking his own life.

CNN's Brian Todd has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A massive police response to a horrific crime scene.

Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, a once high- profile politician, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot after killing his wife, Cirena, in the basement of their northern Virginia home.

CHIEF KEVIN DAVIS, FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT: It all kind of culminated last night when Justin Fairfax shot and killed -- shot several times and killed his wife, ran to a different part of the home and then killed himself with the same firearm.

TODD (voice-over): Police described the shootings as part of an ongoing domestic dispute, noting the couple was in the middle of a, quote, "complicated and messy divorce."

Fairfax was recently served with paperwork associated with an upcoming court proceeding.

DAVIS: That may have been a spark, and detectives will figure that out, that led to this tragedy here.

TODD (voice-over): The couple had separated but lived in the home together in separate bedrooms.

In court documents obtained by CNN issued on March 30th, a judge ordered Justin Fairfax to leave their home by the end of April and described his deteriorating emotional and mental state in recent years, withdrawing from his family and abusing alcohol.

Police say the couple's two teenage children were at home when the shooting took place. Their son was the first to call 911 around midnight after finding his mom on the ground bleeding.

DISPATCHER: Caller stating that his dad might have stabbed his mom, saying that she's laying on the ground bleeding, can see holes in her shirt.

TODD (voice-over): Police say cameras set up throughout the home as part of the couples ongoing divorce proceedings were used to clear assault accusations Justin Fairfax made against his wife earlier this year.

DAVIS: We were able to go to those cameras and determined that that never occurred.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, help me God.

JUSTIN FAIRFAX, FORMER VIRGINIA LT. GOVERNOR: So help me God. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Congratulations.

TODD (voice-over): Fairfax served as Virginia's lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022, and was once considered an up-and-coming politician, often speaking out on the issue of gun violence.

FAIRFAX: I've lost a lot of friends to gun violence, to the prison system, to drugs, to gangs. And so, I have myself also lived that reality.

REPORTER: Anything to say to your accusers, sir?

TODD (voice-over): In 2019, explosive sexual assault allegations against Fairfax surfaced that led many to call for his resignation. Fairfax denied all the accusations.

FAIRFAX: I cannot begin to tell you the pain that these false allegations have caused me and my family.

First of all --

TODD (voice-over): And when he ran for Virginia governor in 2021, he finished fourth in the Democratic primary. After his loss, Fairfax returned home to practice law.

Now, neighbors are in shock and left wondering why this all happened.

PETER DEMEO, NEIGHBOR: I think a lot about the children. Both parents are gone now. What does that do for them and their futures?

KASH ALI, NEIGHBOR: That's the worst. I was talking to my wife about that. So, we have two kids that are younger. That's scary. Yeah. I mean, did they see it? I hope not.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: According to Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis, Justin and Cerina Fairfax's two teenage children are now being cared for by their grandparents and other family members with support from the Fairfax police department's victim services division.

Brian Todd, CNN, Annandale, Virginia.

BRUNHUBER: Cuba is marking 65 years since the start of the Bay of Pigs invasion, the failed U.S.-backed attempt to oust then leader Fidel Castro. This year's commemorations come at a time of renewed tension with the U.S.

CNN's Patrick Oppmann has more from Havana.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In the middle of one of the worst economic crises in Cuban history, increasing scarcity, they are putting on a show of public support for the Cuban government. This is the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the U.S.'s Bay of Pigs failed invasion of Cuba. Also, when Fidel Castro, for the first time declared that his revolution was socialist, setting up for the alliance that he had for decades with the Soviet Union.

So this is an incredibly symbolic moment for the Cuban government at an incredibly precarious time, because, of course, there is an oil blockade of this island that has been going on for months, with the exception of one Russian ship that has come in, the government feels increasingly the Trump administration's push for them to open up economically and politically could lead to an invasion.

[02:45:08]

We've heard President Donald Trump say that Cuba could be next, that U.S. forces could attack this island. So, people are very much on edge right now, and the government wants to show that they are not bending. They are not backing down, that while they're willing to talk to the United States, they are not willing to make major concessions, not willing to change the leadership of this island. So as each day goes by, you feel more and more tension. And also amongst government supporters, more resistance to new U.S. threats to this island.

Patrick Oppmann, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Donors at an international conference have pledged nearly $1.8 billion in humanitarian aid for Sudan. The meeting in Germany brought together officials from dozens of states, along with Sudanese and international aid groups, but there were no representatives from the Sudanese army or the paramilitary rapid support forces. Those two sides have been fighting a brutal civil war since April of 2023, creating what aid groups call the world's worst humanitarian crisis and disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could make the situation even worse.

Mohamed Ahmed is the head of mission in Sudan, with Medecins Sans Frontieres and joins us now live from Port Sudan.

Thanks so much for being on with us. Really appreciate it.

So, with all the fighting and famine and some 14 million people forced from their homes, a U.N. official recently called Sudan an atrocities laboratory, I was struck by that phrase.

Since you're actually there on the ground -- I mean, what did he mean by that? How does that look to you

MOHAMED AHMED, HEAD OF MISSION IN SUDAN, MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES: I mean, yes, it's -- it is what it is. And for lack of better word, yes, it's a catastrophe. I mean, Sudan has entered now a fourth year of war, and what we are seeing is not only an active conflict, we are seeing a collapse of systems that civilians need to survive. We are witnessing healthcare facilities, markets, as well as schools that are coming under attack, displacement remains massive. I mean, the numbers you've clearly mentioned to your viewers, 14 million people, it extends beyond the Sudan border today. And in very deplorable conditions. And, we are witnessing diseases that are largely vaccine preventable, that are spreading.

And unfortunately, aid is still not moving at a scale that we really need. And this is the situation that we are facing as we approach the lean season as well.

BRUNHUBER: You talked about attacks on health care. I mean, we're hearing about -- we're hearing about drones hitting hospitals, medics being attacked, supplies, as you say, getting blocked. I mean, if both sides are basically, you know, treating healthcare like targets, how difficult is it for you to operate there right now?

AHMED: I mean, it is difficult to operate when, uh, clearly healthcare facilities that are marked as. So, and key civilian areas are targeted. So, it basically translates to our teams not being able to move facilities that we are supporting are not able to operate and functional. And I should just mention clearly that 37 percent of facilities in this active conflict areas are nonfunctional.

And so, this adds to an already existing burden, where systems are not functional enough to offer basic social services. And then what we are observing is the Sudanese population going through a double tragedy. That is, if you're not dying by bullets, then you know, you end up dying by disease.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah. And then making it all worse. I mean, earlier I mentioned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the potential for it to exacerbate the problems that you've just talked about, I mean, what are you seeing? What effect is it having there?

AHMED: I mean, there is an increase in prices, especially operational costs related to bring in supplies, especially along international corridors. What we're witnessing as well is significant increases in prices such as fuel, food, commodities as well. And it's a global world. I mean, what is happening is largely translating into immediate impacts, especially in an existing situation where we have the largest humanitarian displacement in the world.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah. And we know that donor conference raised some 1.8 billion. But even with that new money, you're still way short of the $3 billion goal. Is there any real hope of that cash reaching your teams in time to make a difference for so many people?

[02:50:07]

AHMED: We remain hopeful. I think, I mean, just to clarify, these are pledges. We've seen these in the Paris conference as well. We've seen these in the London one. And, it needs to be, let's say, translated into action. It's -- we cannot continue to be silent to the plight of the Sudanese population. They need us.

And these needs to translate now into tangible actions. We do welcome, let's say, the outcome of the berlin conference. But, you know, statements are not enough.

They need to be accompanied, especially with tangible actions along protection of civilians, protection of humanitarian aid workers, access to humanitarian aid to the civilian populations who are in need, and as well as the protection of hospitals and the sanctity of life as per the international humanitarian law.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah, very important to note that about the fact that these are pledges and there's been such a shortfall between the amount pledged and the amount actually received. And this conflict continues to be forgotten by so many. Unfortunately, with the context of the -- all the other conflicts that are going on in the world, but important to highlight this one.

I appreciate you coming on to talk to us about it. Mohamed Ahmed in Port Sudan, thank you so much.

AHMED: Thank you for having me. Thank you.

BRUNHUBER: All right. We'll be right back with more here on CNN NEWSROOM.

Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: All right. Let's go to women's tennis for the quarterfinals of the Stuttgart Open in Germany are set to begin later today. World number two Elena Rybakina advanced on a straight sets victory against Diana Schnyder. The Australian Open champion Rybakina scored nine aces and never faced a break point on her own serve.

Meanwhile, American Coco Gauff is also moving on to the next round. She came back from behind to win the first set and then notched five games straight in the second set to earn the win. She'll now take on Czech star Karolina Muchova in the coming hours for a shot at the semifinals.

Football legend Lionel Messi is facing a lawsuit for skipping an exhibition match. The Vid Music Group, a Miami based event promoter, has filed claims of fraud and breach of contract against Messi and the Argentine Football Association. The promoter says under the deal, Messi was supposed to compete in two international friendlies last year unless he was injured. But he set out one of the friendlies and yet played the very next day with his club, Inter Miami. It's not clear how much the promoter is seeking in damages.

[02:55:03]

Host cities like Miami are gearing up to welcome soccer fans from around the world, but the demand for World Cup tickets has left some turning to unofficial resellers to secure a seat to watch their country on soccer's biggest stage.

CNN's Carolina Peguero has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAROLINA PEGUERO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not everyone has been lucky enough to secure tickets to the World Cup, a process that usually relies on lotteries. But that hasn't stopped fans from continuing their quest for these coveted tickets.

ERICK SOLMS, SOCCER FAN: I apply for the lottery. I did not get them, so I had to go through third party reseller tickets.

PEGUERO (voice-over): Erick, an Ecuadorian fan from Florida, is crystal clear on one thing. He cannot let this opportunity slip away.

SOLMS: Just looking for the right moment, the right time, and looking at the supply and demand.

PEGUERO (voice-over): But how much does it cost to watch your national team at the World Cup?

SOLMS: One game, $400. The second game was going to be around $800, and the third game, which is against Germany, which has the most demand, it's going to be about $1,200.

PEGUERO (voice-over): And that's not counting the other expenses like flights, food and hotels. Miami is preparing to welcome millions of visitors in areas like Wynwood. The streets, murals and urban art are beginning to reflect pure football.

SORAYA ROBERTS, WYNWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: We are ready to host them. We have a variety of different activations. We have a lot of our members from the Wynwood Chamber of Commerce hosting fan zones here locally.

PEGUERO (voice-over): Something that small businesses also appreciate. Those anticipating a significant increase in customers and sales.

SEBASTIAN GALLEGOS, MARKETING MANAGER, CLASSIC FOOTBALL SHIRTS: Even on any given day. Nowadays, we could already see something like 350 people walk into a store on a random Tuesday. So, I imagine with all of the -- all the supporters from like, for example, you know, the Netherlands, Scotland, all these people that come in in extreme waves.

PEGUERO: Are you going to come to the any of the experiences that they have? The fan base experience.

LIAM AND KIMBERLY MCDANAGH, SOCCER FANS: Love to. They cost an arm and a leg.

PEGUERO (voice-over): Begs the question, is it worth it?

SOLMS: Is it financially worth it? I don't know, but is it worth it? It's like a personal goal of mine to get off my bucket list. Absolutely.

PEGUERO (voice-over): Carolina Peguero, CNN, Miami.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: On a rare appearance on the French art market, two Claude Monet landscape paintings brought in millions at auction. The first, "Vetheuil Morning Effect" that's painted in 1901. It sold for just over $9.8 million. The second one, "The Islands of Port-Villez", painted in 1883, sold for $6.12 million.

Until Sotheby's displayed them before auction, both paintings had been out of the public eye for decades, in private French collections.

All right. Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Kim Brunhuber. I'll be back with more news after this break.

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