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CENTCOM Says U.S. Completes Latest Round Of Strikes On Iran; Crowds Set Building And Vehicles On Fire In Belfast; Pope Inaugurates Tower At Sagrada Familia Basilica; Inflation Rises To 4.2 Percent In May, Driven By Iran War Energy Costs; FIFA World Cup Officially Begins Later Today; Mexico Getting Ready to Host Tournament's Opening Match; Mounting Criticism of Tournament's Sky-High Ticket Costs; Bill Gates Testifies on Capitol Hill in Epstein Probe; Swarovski Family Trust is Selling Private Island Near Venice. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired June 11, 2026 - 02:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:00:39]

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

Just ahead on CNN NEWSROOM, the U.S. and Iran added again a second day in a row of retaliatory strikes, with Donald Trump promising more could come if a deal is not reached soon.

Violence and unrest in Belfast. Police step up security amid anti- immigration violence.

Plus, the wait is over. Here is a live look the stadium in Mexico City, just hours away from the start of the World Cup, but many who hope to attend a match may just have to watch from home.

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

CHURCH: Good to have you with us. And we begin in the Middle East, where Iran says it has launched retaliatory attacks on American military targets across the region, after the latest round of U.S. strikes on Iran. U.S. Central Command says those attacks targeted Iranian military sites and came in response to, "Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression." The U.S. military says those strikes are complete.

Meantime, Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is now closed to all vessels. The U.S., though, has pushed back on that claim, saying commercial ships are continuing to transit in and out of the critical waterway.

All this as President Donald Trump is reportedly warning that the bombing would continue for another night if memorandum of understanding is not reached with Iran.

CNN's Paula Hancocks joins me now live from Abu Dhabi. Good to see you, Paula. So, what more can you tell us about this second round of U.S. strikes on Iran, and of course, the retaliation from Iran?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Rosemary, when we were speaking 24 hours ago, we were talking about U.S. strikes because Iran had downed an Apache helicopter. This time around we've heard from the U.S. president saying that he is ordering these strikes because he is frustrated at the slow pace of the diplomacy, saying that he wants to see this memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, which would extend the ceasefire and would open the Strait of Hormuz.

So, what we've seen from U.S. Central Command is that they say they have targeted military assets, they say communication systems, air defense sites, military surveillance capabilities, and it appears from reports we're having from inside Iran as well about where these explosions have taken place that many of them are along the Strait of Hormuz.

So, Bandar Abbas, for example, a second night that we have seen that being targeted, Qeshm Island, Kharg Island, both in the Strait of Hormuz, where we're seeing the attacks in the past that Iran has been carrying out.

So, this is what Central Command is saying that it is doing at this point. Tehran has responded for a second night in a row. In fact, early morning local time, we saw three countries once again with emergency alerts intercepting missiles and drones, that was Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Tehran saying that it is targeting military bases in those three countries.

We heard in Jordan that the U.S. embassy in Amman telling Americans to take cover as it was coming under attack. We know in Bahrain that Iran has consistently been trying to target the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters there, and Kuwait, the airspace had to be closed, flights had to be diverted as that country came under attack.

So, at this point, what we're hearing from President Trump. He has spoken to a Fox News correspondent who has reported that he has threatened to do this again tomorrow to have the U.S. military strikes against Iran once again if Tehran does not sign this memorandum of understanding.

Now, we've seen consistently in the past that Tehran has not buckled under military pressure and has not been pushed to speed up the diplomatic process, which President Trump says is frustratingly slow at this point.

[02:05:11]

So, the next 24 hours will obviously be key. What we have seen from the Revolutionary Guard, and I'll quote part of the statement here, a senior Iranian military official saying, "You make the sacred Strait of Hormuz insecure? We will turn the region into hell for you from across Iran."

Now, Iran claiming that they have closed the Strait of Hormuz because of these latest strikes, something that Central Command says is simply not true. They claim there are still commercial ships transiting this crucial waterway.

Now, we know there is nothing like the amount of ships that are usually transiting the Strait of Hormuz that are able to do so at this point, but Tehran claiming they are closing the Strait of Hormuz completely. They have been allowing some vessels through, we understand with some significant price tags attached to it, but we'll have to see in the coming hours as to whether or not that is the case, that it is closed once again, Rosemary.

CHURCH: All right, Paula Hancocks brings that live report from Abu Dhabi. Many thanks.

Hal Kempfer is a retired U.S. Marine intelligence officer and founder of Global Risk Intelligence and Planning. He joins me now from Los Angeles. Appreciate you being with us.

LT. COL. HAL KEMPFER (RET.), INTELLIGENCE OFFICER, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Well, thanks, Rosemary.

CHURCH: So, the U.S. has completed a second night of strikes on Iran, focusing on military targets. President Trump initially said these were retaliatory strikes for the downing of the Apache helicopter, but now we learn it's because Iran has not yet signed a memorandum of understanding.

However, a Qatari delegation is currently in Tehran, trying to push diplomacy forward. So, what do you make of Trump's explanation for these latest military strikes to force Iran to sign a deal?

KEMPFER: Well, initially, after the Apache helicopter went down, it was seen as a kind of a response, I don't know, retaliation response is probably a better way to put it. It was -- it was very much scoped in, it was strictly going after military -- very military targets, not going after leadership targets near to Iran, or anything like that.

So, it was hitting in and around the Strait, and a little bit south on the Jasper Port as well.

And then, there did seem to be this shift, the shift, of course, now is that it seems to be part of a negotiation strategy, which is sign the MOU or we'll hitch again tomorrow night, and hitting a variety of targets, still military targets, although some are getting in and around some populated areas, so there is a bit of a psychological dimension to what's going on there.

But it looks like this is going to continue until the Iranians sign. I think the Iranians just kind of said, hey, look, President Trump will never go back to kinetics. They were probably reading too much into what he was saying, and he kind of turned things around and went back to kinetics.

CHURCH: So, what will Iran likely do next, militarily, given President Trump is determined to continue striking Iran until the country signs a deal, and it's, of course, U.S. military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan that are being targeted by Iran in this latest round of strikes? KEMPFER: Well, they're already doing it, which is, you know, they're hitting Kuwait, they're hitting Bahrain, they're hitting Jordan. We have bases in Jordan, the bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, I know quite well, and they're hitting those bases, or trying to hit those bases.

Apparently, our air defense system is working pretty well, and I say ours is jointly with the host nations as well.

So, none of these -- none of these drones or missiles seem to be really getting through, which is good, and hopefully it'll stay that way, but I would anticipate they'll keep doing that.

Now, if we were to up the ante, if we were to do what President Trump had talked about, going after bridges and going after power plants, critical infrastructure, the concern would be that Iran would respond by hitting critical infrastructure in the Gulf states, and there is some very delicate critical infrastructure desalination plants, LNG facilities, some other things I could think of, which would be what should put those Gulf states in a very, very difficult situation.

CHURCH: And Hal, I did want to ask you, what you made of President Trump's announcement of a month long secret program involving the U.S. Navy assisting ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and moving 100 million barrels of oil.

KEMPFER: Well, I kind of thought that's what was happening. I have to tell you, there was -- you know, there -- all the ships are turning their AIS off, that's the transponder, it says where the ship is, they turned off because it's a high risk area, so you don't see the AIS speed, so when you look at the map, the electronic map, saying look at the ships, they're not going through the Strait, yes, well, they're not broadcasting, they're going through the Strait, and they're going through this lane that's really close to Oman, interestingly very close to where that Apache went down, and they're moving.

[02:10:06]

Now, not the -- not the volume, but I had had indicators that there was a lot more activity, not AIS feeds, obviously. Other indicators, there was a lot more activity, a lot more movement going through the straight, so I wasn't really surprised.

And they said it's a secret program. I think for a lot -- lot of people out there, it wasn't as secret as they probably thought it was, but there's a lot of movement going through the Strait.

But again, not bringing enough oil to replicate what was lost. On the other hand, I think this is part of the what's kept the Brent crude price a little bit lower is that there is quite a bit coming through.

CHURCH: Right. And, of course, not a secret now. So, Hal, what President Trump insists and keeps insisting, that Iran's military is defeated, but they're still launching missiles, drones, and, of course, small boats at various targets. So, what is the actual status of Iran's military? KEMPFER: Well, their military has been really decimated. I mean, their Navy, the regular Navy's gone, the regular air force is gone. Tremendous amount of attrition on missiles. I know that goes kind of back and forth as to how many were taken out, as long as launcher systems, drones, command and control.

In fact, some of the strikes that you see, some of the response from Iranian forces from the IRGC is somewhat attributed to the fact that they don't have good command and control, so a lot of times these local commanders will launch something or fire something simply because they can't get higher headquarters confirmation, should I do this or not do this, so they just go ahead and attack.

So, in that regard, it's been very successful. Now we're not -- we don't have a ground campaign, so when you -- when you take out all these systems without a ground campaign actually moving forces across Iran, it is kind of difficult, and they do have some capabilities that they're using.

So, you know, basically the hope is that eventually the regime collapses of its own accord, but that could take a while.

CHURCH: Hal Kempfer, thank you so much for joining us and sharing your perspective and analysis. Appreciate it.

KEMPFER: All right, thank you, Rosemary.

CHURCH: Of course, well, it is just after 7:00 a.m. in Northern Ireland, where police are preparing for another day of violent anti- immigration protests.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice over): At its dangerous peak Tuesday night, police rescuing Belfast residents as their

homes torched in a night of anti-immigrant rioting gripping Northern Ireland.

A neighborhood bus set on fire amid scenes of some of the worst violence across the U.K.'s troubled province in years. At times, angry mobs of

masked men roamed streets unchecked, smashing houses, apparently searching for migrants.

The violence smoldering through the night as riot police clashed with rock- throwing youths in multiple towns. At least two policemen injured, several people arrested.

Northern Ireland's Police Chief ramping up his forces in readiness for worse.

CHIEF CONSTABLE JON BOUTCHER, NORTHERN IRELAND POLICE: We will be on the streets tonight in numbers even more than we were last night, and we have

got arrangements in hand to get mutual aid that will be arriving here tomorrow and we are looking to get a further some 200 officers to get on

the streets to deal with this.

ROBERTSON (voice over): The rioting triggered by a knife attack Monday night where the victim, Stephen Ogilvie, was saved by neighbors, but lost an eye, according to authorities, and remains in hospital in critical condition with head and neck injuries.

The suspect, named in a Belfast court Wednesday as Hadi Alodid, a 30- year-old Sudanese refugee who authorities say was legally in the U.K. and was charged with attempted murder. Other immigrants in Belfast now concerned for their safety.

ANSELME SHIMA, BELFAST RESIDENT ORIGINALLY FROM D.R. CONGO: I am afraid maybe I might be the next to be attacked on the street, so I don't know where to take my family, my children, who is nine years old, who is asking me every question that crosses his mind and I don't know how to answer him.

I don't know, maybe I am the next.

ROBERTSON (voice over): The British Prime Minister calling for calm at a time when the U.K. is being tested by divisions over immigration.

[02:15:01]

KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: But let me be clear, Mr. Speaker, the acts of violence and arson that followed are totally unjustified.

We are united in calling for calm and determined to restore order.

ROBERTSON (voice over): Last year, anti-immigrant riots lasted five days. In Northern Ireland, tensions are easily combustible. The legacy of grievances from 30 years of sectarian bloodletting, a generation ago has left easy kindling and a knowhow for fiery rioting.

Adding to concerns violence could escalate further, some anti- immigrant Mainland U.K. campaigners have already come to Belfast. Others posting on social media.

BOUTCHER: It is very easy these days, especially to look online and be persuaded by people who know nothing about Northern Ireland.

Stop listening to these idiots. We will be going after them for the incitement that they've been doing.

ROBERTSON (voice over): But by late afternoon Wednesday, fears of more violence realized. Police using water cannon to keep protesters at bay. A second night of rioting erupting. Young men pitted against police again.

Nic Robertson, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Pope Leo draws huge crowds in Barcelona as he marks a major milestone in the long running construction of one of the world's most famous churches, we're back with that and more in just a moment. Stay with us.

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[02:21:07]

CHURCH: A spectacular sight in Barcelona, Spain. Pope Leo inaugurated the new tower of the iconic Sagrada Familia 144 years after construction began. Thousands attended Pope Leo's mass at the Basilica on the final day of his visit to mainland Spain. During his homily, he praised the building's architect as a man inspired by faith. Well, more now from CNN's Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb in Barcelona.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: The tallest church in the world here is the Sagrada Familia. Pope Leo here during his trip to Spain to celebrate a mass and to bless the tower on top of this building, the Tower of Jesus Christ, which makes it the tallest anywhere.

This basilica was designed by Antoni Gaudi. He died exactly 100 years ago. He never saw his vision turned into reality, and Pope Leo made mention of that. He said the fact that this basilica is a work in progress is not something that lessens its impact, but actually it reflects the Christian journey and life in general.

This moment for Pope Leo, an extraordinary one for him, his pontificate taking place during his trip to Spain. Leo taking part in an extraordinary and historic moment in this 144-year journey of building what is a truly unique and iconic monument to faith.

Christopher Lamb, CNN, Barcelona.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Some grim news for the U.S. economy. Inflation rose last month to the highest level in three years. New data from the Labor Department shows inflation surged to 4.2 percent in May, driven by higher energy costs due to the war with Iran. Here's President Trump's response when asked about the new numbers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you concerned, Mr. president about the latest inflation number, which came out this morning? Could that be a --

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: No, I love it, the numbers were great. You know what I really love? I love the inflation. (END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: CNN Business Senior Reporter David Goldman is in New York with more on these numbers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID GOLDMAN, CNN BUSINESS SENIOR REPORTER: All right, inflation topping four percent that is the first time that we've seen that in three years. Actually, it was 4.2 percent in the past year alone, and we had a 0.5 percent increase just in the last month.

Now, this is a big problem, because remember, what this was just a month ago, it was 3.8 percent and that means that we are going in the wrong direction. Inflation continues to rise, we are nowhere near the 9.1 percent that we had when we were in 2022 during the inflation crisis, but this is still much, much higher than anyone is comfortable with, especially because people have those cost of living concerns.

Now, what did the president say about all of this? Well, Trump said, I love the inflation. Well, OK, I don't know exactly why he said this, or what the political ramifications of this are, but let's just for the moment, just take him at his word. Is there anything to love about this report?

Well, actually, maybe. OK, let's take a look at energy, because clearly that is what's causing most of this. Gas prices up seven percent in the month of May alone, but what do we know? We know that gas prices have fallen, actually fallen for 20 straight days.

Well, that's pretty good. Oil over that period, oil has fallen 15 percent. So, if this is contributing 60 percent to the monthly increase in prices, well, if those things are falling, we might see a cap on inflation, and that is exactly what economists think is going to happen, that this kind of levels out, maybe around 4.5 percent or five percent before it starts to fall a little bit.

[02:25:27]

But let's take a look at some other things, including food, right, because no one can avoid food, and actually your prices at the grocery store not terrible, 2.7 percent.

Now, no one wants food prices to rise, but 2.7 percent over the over the past year, that's not bad. Certainly, much, much lower than overall inflation.

Now, if you go out to eat, you're going to pay a lot more. That's always the case. Restaurants are up 3.5 percent but there are some problems at the grocery store, lettuce, tomatoes, up close to 30 percent over the last year.

Now, some of that has to do with the Iran war, because you got to put those things on a truck, they don't grow here, you got to ship them to the United States. But bad crops, climate change tariffs, all of that is a factor, as well. You can't just blame the Iran war. Now, what does this mean for the Fed, right? Because this is going to

be a pivotal, pivotal meeting for Kevin Warsh, the new Fed chair. There's a 68 percent chance that the market is pricing in for a rate hike this year, not a rate cut, a rate hike, and that is not what he was hired to do by President Trump. He was hired to bring rates lower.

So, why a 68 percent chance that we raise rates that would raise your rates on credit cards, raise your rates on auto loans raise your rates for mortgage loans and home loans. Well, that's because to combat inflation, which is persistent, you have to hike rates, especially as jobs continue to rise. It allows the Fed to do this.

So, all of this means higher prices for longer, and I don't see much to love, but there's some stuff not necessarily to hate about this report. Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Well, eight years after FIFA chose Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. as the future World Cup host, the tournament is finally here, and this is where the magic will happen in just a matter of hours. We will have the details after short breaks, please.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:32:17]

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWSROOM": We are now just hours away from the opening ceremony of the World Cup. It's happening here at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Pop star Shakira is among the headliners.

And right after the festivities, we will see host Mexico face off against South Africa. Both sides doing some last-minute training before appearing front and center on the world stage. The South African team is known as Bafana Bafana, which means the boys. And the Mexicans are known as El Tri, referring to the three colors on their jerseys.

Well, the soaring cost of World Cup tickets has triggered widespread complaints from fans all over the world. Some of FIFA's group stage tickets have been going for more than $600. And some tickets for the final have shot up to $2 million on the resale market. But FIFA's president is defending the pricing tactics. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GIANNI INFANTINO, FIFA PRESIDENT: As FIFA president, I have the statutory responsibility to generate the income which allows FIFA to invest in all of these countries where otherwise nobody would invest. And I know that, you know, some people from some parts of the world, maybe they don't care about that. But at some stage, you need to think as well of them.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CHURCH: There's another issue besides high ticket prices that's threatening to spoil the World Cup final in Mexico City. CNN's Valeria Leon explains.

VALERIA LEON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Mexico is about to make history as the first country to host the World Cup for a third time. And that milestone will be reached when the opening match kicks off in Mexico City. But many fans here say that getting a ticket to see a match in person is simply too expensive. And that's why, as an alternative, the World Cup Fan Fest is being set up just a few blocks from here in Mexico City's main plaza, the Zocalo.

This is one of the main entrances to the Zocalo. And as you can see here, police have been deployed. There are 3,000 police elements surrounding this area, the Zocalo. And as you can see here, metal barriers have been installed by authorities. To access to the Zocalo, we need to get through this door. And that's because on the other side of these metal barriers, there are thousands of striking teachers that have set up camp.

[02:35:00]

For more than a week now, they've been occupying the streets and also blocking major intersections around the Zocalo. Mexico's President, Claudia Sheinbaum has accused some of these protesters of timing their demonstrations around the international event to gain some leverage over the government. Mexico's president also has ruled out to use police force to remove them.

But as you can see here, there are thousands of tents and making just a small space for people to walk through.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANIEL PADUAN, LOCAL VENDOR (through translator): It's complicated. For those of us who work here, it's been very difficult because we have to go way out of our way to get around.

SYLVAIN GASANCON, FRENCH TOURIST: It's very impressive because I see that people are very, very, you know, strong in the protest and everything. So I think it's very impressive for me. And but, you know, I'm French, so it's absolutely something I don't know why. I don't know what happened.

LEON (voice-over): This is part of a national strike, and teachers are demanding higher salaries and also changes to the pension system.

JESUS ROJAS, STRIKING TEACHER (through translator): There is a need to protest the rights that are being violated, particularly regarding retirement benefits and pension funds.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEON: Mexico City officials say that the fan fest can accommodate up to 50,000 people to watch the matches. But protesters are complicating those plans because, as you can see here, tourists, residents and Mexico City fans, they have to wait in line here and get through this small door.

[Foreign Language]

LEON: So, as you can see, this can be a bit chaotic. And this is the main access to the fan fest. Over there, you can see the Zocalo, where this fan fest will open for the opening match in Mexico City.

CHURCH: Christine Brennan is a CNN Sports Analyst. She's also a Sports Columnist for USA Today. Great to have you with us.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: Rosemary, it's great to be with you. Thank you.

CHURCH: Of course. So with the World Cup set to kick off in just a matter of hours from now, what are the games to be looking out for? And which ones are must-sees, do you think?

(LAUGH)

BRENNAN: Well, there's so many. This is by far the biggest men's World Cup ever, of course, 48 teams and over 100 games. It's far- flung. I mean, you know, just the vast reaches of the United States and then, of course, Canada and Mexico. You know, I'm going to be keeping an eye, first and foremost, on that U.S. team playing its first game against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

And, you know, can they even sell out the arena? I mean, that's a conversation a lot of people are having. I know we'll talk more about that, ticket prices and whatever. Right now, that game's not sold out. Can you imagine the United States hosting and they haven't sold out that game in Los Angeles? You know, there's so many stars and there's so many great teams.

I know everyone is kind of looking at England and Spain and France, you know, just kind of that European triumvirate. And of course, coming to North America, I think it's a curiosity for many Americans. I also think, of course, those fans that have traveled here.

In fact, there's a couple of Twitter accounts now that everyone is following, a German tourist who's going to the South and having a great time as he's going to games. You know, these are the kind of fun stories that I think we're keeping an eye on as well. But, you know, certainly in Iran, you know, playing on the West Coast, the United States at war with Iran. They couldn't even train in the U.S. They have to train in Tijuana, Mexico.

So many the geopolitical aspect, as you know, Rosemary, combined with the sports aspect is this is obviously what the World Cup is all about.

CHURCH: Yeah. And you mentioned those tickets. I mean, with the price of tickets to the World Cup becoming so expensive and quite honestly, out of the reach of most people, how likely is it the closer to each game, those prices will drop significantly to fill the stadiums? I mean, because that's going to be a problem and that will create a whole lot of other problems, won't it? If they suddenly at the last minute release these cheaper tickets.

BRENNAN: Oh, for sure. In fact, there were some that have been released, $60. And that's, of course, a price that is much better for any number of people, certainly average fans and people that are on a budget and dealing with inflation and everything else that's going on.

But what Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President, said is that the ticket prices are in line with the ticket prices for playoff sports in the United States. Well, he was talking about the face value of his tickets, about a little bit less than $500 average.

[02:40:00]

And he was comparing it to what would be more the resale market of the American tickets, in other words, higher prices. So I'm not even sure that they've been entirely forthcoming on how expensive it is and trying to rationalize that to the American audience and obviously, those who've traveled to come to the United States and Canada and Mexico. But it's a big, big problem.

I looked at the prices from Qatar four years ago, and the lowest-tier prices were 10 times lower than the lowest-tier prices this time. So that's where we are. And I think I've heard a lot of anecdotal stories from friends or people you meet who want to go to games in Philadelphia or Miami or Atlanta or Boston. And they're trying to figure out how they can do that and price that out.

And these are people who love soccer, love football. And yet they're trying to figure out if they can even afford going to even just one game.

CHURCH: Yeah. I mean, I was going to ask you why FIFA is making it so tough for fans to enjoy this moment. You pretty much explained it there. But for most people, for most fans, they will have to just watch from home, won't they, if they can't have access to these tickets? Because it's not just the tickets, it's also getting to these places, because the cost of getting on a train is going to increase significantly as well, isn't it?

BRENNAN: Well, that's true. And in fact, the Governor of New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill, has been talking all about that. She has been, and others too, have been very concerned about not only those going to games, but then the average commuter, you know, the person, the man or woman who's going to work, and can they also get on the train, and what this is going to look like, this logjam of activities, certainly in New York and New Jersey and potentially other places as well.

And so it is a very pricey event. And the idea of the World Cup, the world's game, soccer, football, and having it be so unreachable, or so difficult, you know, for a lot of people. These are the stories right now. What FIFA is hoping for is that they will melt away some of these headlines, and that the action on the field will take over and draw everyone's attention. We'll see.

If it doesn't, then they have a big problem on their hands if these kinds of stories continue now, moving into the actual time when the games began.

CHURCH: Yeah, people are certainly getting a sense that these events are becoming events for the wealthy. Christine Brennan, thank you so much for joining us. Appreciate it.

BRENNAN: Thank you, Rosemary.

CHURCH: Still to come, a model scout who sent young model to Jeffrey Epstein is speaking out. When we return, CNN investigates the convicted sex offender's access to these young models. Back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:47:40]

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Microsoft Co-Founder, Bill Gates is revealing new details about his ties to the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. The billionaire testified behind closed doors before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday. It comes after he was mentioned several hundred times in the Epstein files.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL GATES, CO-FOUNDER, MICROSOFT: Glad to be here voluntarily to testify to help with the committee's work. I hope my testimony is helpful to the important work of the committee to find justice for the victims.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Gates told lawmakers that Epstein tried to use information about his extramarital affairs against him. Gates also said he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes, vowing that he has "never victimized anyone."

A CNN review of the Epstein files shows how some fashion industry insiders helped Jeffrey Epstein access young models. They deny being aware of his abuse. Now, one of these insiders, a model scout who sent models to Epstein, has agreed to speak.

CNN's Katie Polglase reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATIE POLGLASE, CNN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER (voice-over): Paris, for years, young models were recruited here for Jeffrey Epstein. Digging through the Epstein files, CNN found Epstein received dozens of photos of young models sent by model scouts and agents.

We identified at least six individuals, not just sending him images of models, but discussing arrangements for him to meet them, even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution, including with a minor. Now, one of these model scouts has agreed to meet with us here in Paris.

POLGLASE: OK, we're here.

POLGLASE (voice-over): Daniel Siad dealt with Epstein for more than a decade, arranging to send him models.

POLGLASE: You didn't think in that time that sending young women, young models to the U.S. to meet Epstein after he had a conviction for child sex offenses, that there may be any risk in that at all?

DANIEL SIAD, MODEL SCOUT: My work with him has been strictly professional. I never doubt that because I never heard anything from anyone introduced to him who came back to me that they had a bad situation with him.

[02:50:00]

POLGLASE (voice-over): The files show Epstein paid tens of thousands of dollars to Siad. In reviewing their correspondence, we found messages like cute French girl in Marrakesh, Siad wrote. She said that she would be happy to meet you. In another, he says a woman is very polite and has potential as a model or assistant. Siad then sends a photo. Too old, Epstein replied.

POLGLASE: So Epstein wasn't a model agent. Why was he paying you?

SIAD: No, he was, because they opened an agency, MC2.

POLGLASE: He was not the model agent leading that model agency.

SIAD: He was the financier for it, but was acting as a casting director for Victoria's Secret.

POLGLASE: You believe Epstein was a casting director?

SIAD: That's how he had been introduced and how he introduced to myself also.

POLGLASE (voice-over): In fact, we found no evidence Epstein had an official recruiting role at either company, MC2 or Victoria's Secret.

POLGLASE: You sent an email in 2018 that said you were looking for a good looking young assistant. If you're looking for models --

SIAD: Yes.

POLGLASE: -- why are you then looking for an assistant for Jeffrey Epstein?

SIAD: He asked me for an assistant. Maybe it was not on the phone, but when I met him --

POLGLASE: Was that your job?

SIAD: Sorry? No, but because I trusted him, I believed this guy is a professional person.

POLGLASE (voice-over): Siad himself is also facing accusations of abuse. Ebba Karlson has accused him of rape when she was a model in France in 1990. Siad denies her allegation.

SIAD: To be honest with you, I don't remember at all this person. And plus, I have never abused any model in my life.

POLGLASE: She remembers you.

SIAD: Listen, I would be very happy to confront her in the court. I don't remember.

POLGLASE: Do you have any regret about meeting Jeffrey Epstein?

SIAD: Yes, yes. It's like a nightmare. I can't believe that this person had another -- I am --

POLGLASE: But you were aware.

SIAD: Sorry?

POLGLASE: You were aware.

SIAD: Of what?

POLGLASE: His conviction for child sex offenses.

SIAD: You're repeating the same question multiple times.

POLGLASE: You are saying -- you're telling me that you don't read the press? That you --

SIAD: No, listen, I didn't know a lot about him until when he comes to Paris. And I told you again, he said he pays his due to the to the government. So for me, he's free, man, he's clean. He was such a powerful person. And how can I not trust him?

POLGLASE (voice-over): After Epstein's 2008 conviction, Siad wasn't the only one who continued giving Epstein access to the modeling industry. Faith Kates, the Co-Founder of model agency Next Management, is another.

In 2010, two years after his conviction, Epstein asked Kates for a great girl to take to an event. Kates replied, let me think who is around, XOXO. Kates reportedly left Next Management last year, and her spokesperson told CNN she was grossly misled by Epstein.

Then there is modeling scout, Ramsey Elkholy. In 2009, he describes to Epstein a model as a gift that I had been planning on giving you. And then there is Jean-Luc Brunel, who ran multiple model agencies and was accused in civil court in 2014 of bringing girls to the U.S. to farm them out to his friends, especially Epstein.

Brunel was himself charged in France with underage sex crimes, but died in prison in 2022 while awaiting trial. He denied all charges. There is now an ongoing investigation in France into Epstein and his connections there.

Siad is under investigation, according to the Paris prosecutor's office, but he says police have not spoken to him. For victims of Epstein around the world, they await justice from the courts.

Katie Polglase, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: MC2 and Ramsey Elkholy did not respond to CNN's request for comment. Elkholy told the Washington Post, quote, "Of the models that I've introduced to him, they have never come back to me and said they had any problems."

Well, just ahead here on "CNN Newsroom," a private island in the Venice Lagoon is on the market. We will tell you how much it will cost to own this luxury property. Back with that in just a moment.

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CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Well, if you've ever dreamed of owning your own private island and have about $28 million to spare, this may be your chance. The island of Santa Cristina in the Venice Lagoon is now on the market. It was previously owned by the great- grandson of the Swarovski crystal founder Daniel Swarovski. The island features a nine-bedroom villa, a heated saltwater pool, vast gardens and terraces. It also includes a private vineyard, an olive grove, and even a helicopter pad. A real estate listing says the island is for sale for the first time in more than four decades. So there you go.

Berlin Zoo's newest pygmy hippo finally has a name. Meet "Broetchen," German for a small round bread roll which is sort of what she looks like. Pygmy hippos are rare. She joins 2,500 others in the world. The mammals are native to West Africa but their habitat is threatened by forest clearance.

Bread roll was born last month, weighing about six kilos. She now tips the scales at about 20 kilos. She joins other pygmy hippos around the world named after food such as Jelly Bean, Lollipop and even Haggis.

Thank you so much for your company this hour. I'm Rosemary Church. "CNN Newsroom" with Polo Sandoval is next, after a short break. Stay with us.

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