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U.S.-Israel War with Iran; FIFA World Cup Immigration Challenges; Four U.S. States Hold Primary Elections; OpenAI Files for IPO; Football Fan Sells House to Fund World Cup Trip; New York Knicks Chant Goes Viral. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired June 09, 2026 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): And welcome to what is the second hour of the show from our Middle East programming headquarters here in Abu
Dhabi. I'm Becky Anderson. Time here just after 6:00 in the evening. Wherever you are watching, you are more than welcome.
Israel has launched new strikes on Lebanon just a day after Israel and Iran pulled back from direct fire, though one of Iran's conditions is for the
bombardment in Lebanon to stop. U.S. President Donald Trump still confident of a deal.
From the Iran war to immigration, Mr. Trump making his mark on the FIFA World Cup with just two days to go. We'll take you through the politics and
the football.
Plus OpenAI laying its path to go public. We will break down how that fits into the mega happenings already expected in the AI space this year.
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ANDERSON: Well, Israel, it seems, is repeatedly testing the limits of Iran's restraint. It launched new strikes on southern Lebanon today, even
after Tehran warned that any further attacks on Lebanon would be met with, quote, "severe and crushing measures."
It's only been about 24 hours since Iran and Israel climbed down from the brink of what felt like all-out war. But the threat and the anxiety in this
region remain very high after the recent outbreak of fighting.
Well, inside Iran, the war has made a difficult economic situation worse. CNN's Fred Pleitgen has been talking to people there about their hardships.
We have this report for you now.
And as always, we must note, CNN operates in Iran only with the permission of the government. But we do maintain full editorial control of our
reports. Here's Fred.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: As the conflict between Iran and the United. States drag on, the U.S. blockade continues,
sanctions continue., of course, it makes things very difficult economically for a lot of folks here in Iran.
I just spoke to a business owner, he sells and produces shoes and he also told me that business has been difficult for quite some time now.
FARZAD MASHMOOL, SHOE MANUFACTURER: Purchases have decreased and so have our sales. Shoes have become more expensive and premium materials have
gone up as well. But it's not like sales have completely stopped. The war had its own effect but it has not brought our sales down to zero. We are
still selling and we are still trying to increase sales.
PLEITGEN: A war is always devastating for any economy and as you can imagine, a lot of folks here in Iran have lost their jobs. Inflation is
also a big problem as well.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The markets really collapsed now. Previously, I could buy more easily but now everything has become so expensive.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Inflation has made prices increase 100 times more.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely, it's difficult because it's after war, we have such a problem, like and after sanctions we have problems here but
it's the consequences of war. We cannot do anything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I personally do not have much hope. What we see on the surface is that neither side will step back from their positions at least
for the next couple of years and the situation has been like this for 30 or 40 years.
PLEITGEN: For one of the other things that the shop owner told me has been a real issue was the fact that the internet here was shut down for an
extended period of time, because he also has an online shop where he not only sells his shoes but he also buys some of the material as well.
MASHMOOL: For about a month or 40 days, we were really struggling and right now, as you've witnessed yourselves, it's difficult to move from one
page to another. I hope this matter could be resolved soon, so that our business can flourish again. We will welcome anything that puts an end to
the war.
PLEITGEN: And, of course, that's something a lot of folks here in Iran think about, is the U.S. and the Iranian side try to come to some end to
this armed conflict. A lot of people here are just hoping for sanctions relief and for the economy to improve.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, that's Fred. I want to bring in Dina Esfandiary. She's an expert on war studies and on the Middle East geoeconomics.
[10:05:00]
She's lead for Bloomberg Economics, a regular on this show.
And Dina, once again, thank you for joining us. And I do want to start with Fred's report there. We've gotten some data about how much the U.S.
blockade is crimping Iran's economy.
Kpler, for example, found Iranian exports fell to their lowest level in six years in May, coming, as we've just learned, U.S. exports of oil rose 2.6
percent in April as the war, of course, boosted oil and petroleum product exports from the States.
At the same time, the Iranian regime, it seems, you know, perfectly willing to weather these economic storms at its people's expense.
What is your understanding of where Iran's economy is at right now?
DINA ESFANDIARY, MIDDLE EAST LEAD, BLOOMBERG GEOECONOMICS: I think I would I would mimic what one of your Iranian interviewees said, which is that war
is difficult and war has an impact. And it's certainly having an impact on the Iranian economy.
As Fred outlined, inflation is skyrocketing. Unemployment is really high. One of the things that isn't spoken about much is the cost of the
destruction. Reconstruction is going to be really costly.
And that's exactly why the Iranian government is focusing so much of its efforts on ensuring that it receives sanctions relief or the release of its
frozen assets as part of these negotiations with the U.S. president.
ANDERSON: All of this, of course, as Donald Trump once again raises hopes for a deal, an agreement on his way back, by the way, from the Knicks game.
That was the last time that he said it. And this is it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: They've gone back and forth and now they both agreed through me to stop. And we're in the final throes of what will
be a very, very good deal that will not allow, in any way, shape or form, nuclear weapons, et cetera.
It's -- and the strait will open up right away. It'll open up immediately upon signing, which could be in two or three days.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, CNN assesses that Donald Trump has said a deal is close 37 times throughout the war. So needless to say, we can take his words with a
heavy pinch of salt at this stage, although experts do say, you know, we may be close at this point.
He also said this overnight at a fundraiser for the Iran hawk, Senator Lindsey Graham.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
TRUMP: You're really going to win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory, it will be a total victory. It will happen very soon
and oil prices will come tumbling down.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: We've seen oil prices fall since, Dina.
I just wonder at this point, how much do you assess Donald Trump's pronouncements -- 37 in counting -- to be influencing these markets with no
substantive agreement as of yet?
ESFANDIARY: Well, they certainly do seem to be influencing markets. I think markets are naturally a little bit more optimistic because, from
their perspective, if they're not, then there's no point in investing. There's no point in trading. And we might as well go back home.
So I think there is an inherent optimism in the way that the market looks at this. And, of course, every time president Trump comes out and makes a
statement, then it feeds that optimism further. And in some respects they are -- he is slightly right.
They are closer to a deal than they were a few weeks ago. It's just that sticking points remain. And even if we do get a deal now, it will be very
much a temporary deal. That will buy the two sides some time to continue negotiating. And that's really when all the hard work only begins.
ANDERSON: Brent at $91 and change WTI crude at $87.77 as we speak.
What do you make of those prices?
ESFANDIARY: Again, I think they're just the prices reacting to president Trump's statement, to this optimism, to the idea that some progress has
been made on the deal. The two sides have moved slightly closer together.
Also, the markets are reacting to the fact that both Iran and Israel, after 24 hours, that really looked like we were going to see a major escalation
spiral after those 24 hours. Both sides came out and really stepped back from the brink.
Both sides turned around and said, we'll stop now.
The question, that needs to then be posed is how long is this going to last?
As you've very clearly outlined, Iran this time said, we will step back. We won't target Israel anymore. We'll stop our missiles only if Israel stops
attacking Lebanon. And as you've just reported, they've just resumed their attacks on Lebanon.
So the question is, what's Iran going to do now?
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ANDERSON: We know that this is pretty much a nonstarter for Israel. This condition that they must, stand down from bombing Lebanon. So at this point
-- and we've seen that return of IDF action in Lebanon, as you rightly point out.
So how willing do you think Iran would be at this point, given that we seem to be approaching a framework for a deal?
How willing do you think Iran would be, given what's happening in Lebanon, to blow up any opportunity for an agreement and return to hostilities?
ESFANDIARY: Well, my answer today is going to be very different to had you asked me to the answer I would have given you a few weeks ago, had you
asked me this. I think a few weeks ago, Iran would have been a bit more careful about setting Lebanon as a red line.
Today, this is a confident Iran, an emboldened Iran. Yes, the war has had an impact on it. Yes, it's suffering economically. But it's also learned
how much leverage it has. It's learned that actually strength works with president Trump.
So this is an Iran that I don't think will stand down so easily, even though this is a condition that Israel is unlikely to give in to. So I
think, at the moment, it really is down to U.S. president Trump.
Will he be able to restrain Israel?
Will he want to restrain Israel in Lebanon?
That's going to be the key question and that is what's going to determine whether we're able to see this MOU come to fruition between the U.S. and
Iran.
ANDERSON: Yes. Always good to have you, Dina. Thank you very much indeed. It does feel as if we're in somewhat of a limbo stage today. It didn't feel
like that yesterday, of course, when we did hours worth of reporting on what felt like, you know, a very worrying escalation.
Now we wait to see what happens in the next couple of days as Donald Trump promises a deal within two or three days. Good to have you. Thank you.
Well, tensions between Iran and the U.S. spilling onto the World Cup stage. Iran's football federation says its World Cup ticket allocation has been
withdrawn just one week before its opening match in the United States.
Under FIFA rules, some tickets to each match are reserved for competing teams. Iran, though, says it can no longer provide any tickets to fans,
many of whom had already made travel plans. Iran is set to play all three group matches in the U.S. later this month. CNN has contacted FIFA for
comment.
Well, this comes as FIFA confirms a Somali referee has been denied entry into the United States and won't get to take part in the tournament. Omar
Abdulkadir Artan made it all the way to Miami before U.S. Customs and Border Protection deemed him inadmissible due to failing (ph) concerns,
they said.
Border Patrol didn't provide any details on why Artan was refused entry. Somalia one of 39 countries affected by president Trump's travel ban. Well,
just last year, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had this to say about accessibility to the World Cup.
Quote, "There's a lot of misconception out there," he said.
"Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year. Obviously," he said, "there is a process to go
through to get visas and so on. This process will be smooth," he said.
"It will ensure that those that qualify will be able to come with their fans."
Well, last hour, I spoke with CNN's Larry Madowo about growing frustrations surrounding World Cup accessibility. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Africans are outraged, Becky and for good reason. Gianni Infantino told us this would not happen, that everybody
would be welcome at this World Cup in the U.S.-Mexico and Canada and to be fair, two thirds of these games are happening in the U.S.
So this is really about the U.S. and if Africa's most awarded referee, the top referee in the country, cannot be allowed into the United States, then
who can?
Many African fans have been reporting high rates of visa denials. Some of them have to put up deposits of up to $15,000 to be allowed to come
into the country, even though that was waived for anybody who had accreditation by April.
But here's the point. Let's focus on Omar Abdulkadir Artan. He's 34 years old and he was named the male referee of the year 2025 by CAF, that is,
the Confederation of African Football. This is the highest honor in his field. And the U.S. says he failed vetting questions and therefore was not
allowed to come into the U.S.
Was sent back to Istanbul on his flight and Turkey, to his credit, allowed him to come in. It's not clear exactly what vetting questions he failed,
but a lot of Africans are asking if he is not admissible to come into the U.S. will any other fan qualify?
This man has refereed matches for all around the world. And this is what FIFA said in its response, confirming that he will not be participating in
this World Cup.
[10:15:00]
"FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications and has been informed by authorities that Mr.
Artan's status will not be changed at present.
In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who's admitted into their country."
So they are
right. But FIFA has so much sway that other host countries have been made to change their laws and make certain exceptions, so that people, fans,
players, match officials, et cetera can come in and even if so, that's why so many people are outraged about this case, Becky.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, let's do more on this. I want to bring in attorney and legal affairs commentator Areva Martin.
It's good to have you, Areva. Thank you. Let's start with the referee's case here. Here's what U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson told
CNN.
Quote, "During processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP's inspection process when officers need to verify
information or determine admissibility.
"Following inspection," the statement said, "the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting
concerns and was denied entry."
Does that sound standard for the U.S.
And should border protection be treating this World Cup situation as something other than standard?
AREVA MARTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, there's a question of what they should be doing, Becky, and what they are doing. And listening to that
correspondent talk about what the FIFA president has said is inconsistent with the reality of the U.S.
They are hosting the games -- 78 games, two-thirds of the FIFA World Cup games -- in the United States, at a time when the U.S. has the most
restrictive immigration policies ever.
So even though the FIFA president has made this pronouncement that everyone will be welcome, fans, athletes, coaches, everyone, but the reality is very
different in the U.S. The immigration restrictions, the processing that's happening for immigrants, people trying to enter this country at this time,
are incredibly difficult.
And unfortunately, due process doesn't apply at the border when you're being questioned, when you're being vetted. So even though we are hearing
about these games being for all in the U.S. being welcoming, the reality is quite different.
ANDERSON: And a reminder for our viewers, this tournament being played across Canada, Mexico and the U.S. As you rightly point out, the majority
of these games being played in the United States.
So you know, whether or not people can get in is really important here. I just want to play a good summary of the wider situation. This is described
by an English football legend, Ian Wright. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
IAN WRIGHT, ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEGEND: Every few hours, it's another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied,
journalists denied. Now refs.
You know something?
I'm laughing. But it's not funny. It's actually not funny. Something has to be said. It's expensive tickets. The most expensive tickets ever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes. And he goes on, to be honest. I mean, his point is that there are more and more of these problematic cases. I mean, football to its
fans -- and I am one of them -- is considered the beautiful game. That's what we call it. This is all just really ugly.
What recourse do the affected players, staff, fans, journalists have if they run up against border enforcement?
Can you be clear about that?
MARTIN: That's the problem, Becky. The recourse is pretty limited. Of course, they can contact immigration attorneys. But the reality is the U.S.
holds all the cards. It has the absolute ability to restrict entry into the country.
Now we do know that the FIFA president, as the correspondent said, can use their leverage, can use their position of power to put pressure on the
United States. But seemingly, that hasn't happened.
Seemingly what we've seen is the FIFA president trying to cozy up to Donald Trump, in particular, giving him actually a peace award.
So there's no evidence that the FIFA president is trying to use leverage for his authority to get the president to issue some kind of moratorium or
to make it easier for players, for fans, to journalists to enter the country.
ANDERSON: Look, the International Sports Press Association has called on FIFA to intervene, at least in the cases of journalists not given access.
The open letter they sent is relevant to all those being denied access.
It reads in part, "We believe it is important to allow colleagues to attend the event and work.
[10:20:00]
"Because their presence will be crucial to the image of sport and what it represents."
I think it was Nelson Mandela who once said football has the power to change the world.
Isn't that the crux of the argument here, that this tournament should be about sport?
MARTIN: Absolutely, Becky, that's the irony. The headlines coming out of these games, even before the games start, aren't about the unifying nature
of the sport. It's about the immigration issues.
Right here in Los Angeles, California, a union has authorized a strike at one of the major stadiums where games are set to be played for fear that
there will be immigration raids that could impact not just the fans attending the game but also the workers that work at this stadium.
So around the United States, there is fear, a fear that the fans have in terms of even attending, not to mention the high prices of the games but
even just those who have the luxury of having tickets are afraid to show up at stadiums out of fear of immigration raids.
ANDERSON: So for people from Africa, from the Middle East where I am, Latin America, for example, who have booked flights to the United States
and tickets, hotel tickets and bought tickets for the games. And they're worried.
For those who are worried about the process of entering the country, what practical advice would you give them?
MARTIN: Well, definitely, they are traveling at their own risk.
You are taking a risk and I know it's expensive. I know, as you said, people have been planning for months, if not years. People have made huge
investments in terms of tickets, in terms of housing. And the reality is that no one is guaranteed entrance into this country.
I would advise folks to definitely contact immigration attorneys, contact your local councilors in your countries, because the reality is, as I've
said, the U.S. has the most restrictive immigration policies in place.
And particularly what we're seeing folks coming from Muslim countries, folks coming from African nations are facing some of the most
discrimination as they try to enter the country.
And again, the irony is that FIFA built into its processes this human rights creed, this effort to ensure that these kinds of restrictions, these
kinds of policies would not be in place as the games were being hosted in the U.S.
And yet here we are. And they seemingly are wiping their hands, saying that they have nothing that they can do, no control over this process when it's
very clear that we should see more from them. We should hear more from them.
We see them speaking up on behalf of these fans, these athletes, journalists, coaches, referees and others who are trying to enter the U.S.
for these games.
ANDERSON: Areva, it's good to have you. Thank you very much indeed.
At least in New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani trying to set a welcoming tone ahead of the World Cup. He is promising the city will fling open its doors
to players and fans from around the world as it prepares to host matches. Here's a look at a video that he posted on social media.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Doors open.
MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D-NY), NYC: Welcome to the greatest city in the world. New York is home to more than 8 million people, 800 languages and
300 neighborhoods, from Little Senegal in Manhattan to Little Sri Lanka on the North Shore of Staten Island. You're never far from home in New York
City.
We're so excited to have you here. Whether it's for a brief visit or a longer stay. On behalf of everyone across the Big Apple, welcome home, my
friends.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And we're going to focus on football later this hour when a World Cup superfan joins us to discuss why he is selling his second house
in England to pay for his time in North America. You're not going to want to miss that passionate fan. So stay with us for that.
Also ahead, this hour, politics and sports colliding and an end with a home court heartbreak. The Knicks drop game three of the NBA finals in New York.
And some fans pointing the finger squarely at the U.S. president.
Plus, it's another primary day in America. And in Maine, a Senate race shaped by controversy takes center stage. Voters are now weighing in on
Democrat Graham Platner after weeks of campaign turbulence.
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ANDERSON: American voters are headed to the polls again for primary elections in four states today. But one race is absolutely dominating the
headlines. It is a U.S. Senate showdown in Maine. It is a must win for Democrats if they want to flip the chamber and serve as a check on
president Trump's power come November.
It's also a first test for Graham Platner, who is the Marine veteran and oysterman hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Susan Collins. He has
become the de facto Democratic primary nominee after his opponent suspended her campaign because of his commanding lead.
Well, he has been mired in controversy and Arlette Saenz joins us now to unpack all of that.
And let's just start with getting our viewers, our international viewers, up to speed on who Graham Platner is and what these controversies are.
ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner is favored to win the Democratic primary here in Maine later
today. But the big test will be what happens in November.
Platner really rose to prominence here within Democratic politics just in the last year. He was relatively unknown but he has campaigned on this very
populist pitch, trying to push back against the wealthy in America, saying that there needs to be a greater way to account for this disparity in
income inequality.
Also talking about the need to have greater affordability for health care and other issues. But he has also been surrounded by controversies in this
campaign. There have been a number of controversies that have come up over the past months, even dating back to the fall.
One of those being around a tattoo that he had gotten when he was younger that resembled Nazi imagery, something that he said he was not aware of at
the time that he got that tattoo but has since covered up.
Then most recently, there have been two controversies that have emerged in the within the past 10 days, one of those being him exchanging sexually
explicit messages with women outside of his marriage, an issue that he said he and his wife have been working through.
And another was a "The New York Times" report that spoke to several of his ex-girlfriends, who said that he engaged in toxic and unsettling behavior
in those relationships, including one instance of an allegation of physical intimidation. That is something that Platner very strongly has pushed back
on.
And he has argued that a lot of these controversies that have been come up have been being raised are simply being politically weaponized against him.
But here is how Platner in recent days presented his candidacy to voters here in Maine, as he argued that they have a chance to show a message that
change is needed in Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRAHAM PLATNER (D-ME), U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE: I am very much just some random guy from Sullivan, Maine.
If we can show that a regular person from the regular world who simply comes out with a message saying that we all have to work together to push
back against all of the structures of power that have been exploiting and oppressing us for generations.
[10:30:00]
If we show that that works, we get to show this country the way forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAENZ: Now Republicans believe that there is a lot in Platner's past that will not sit well with voters in Maine. We already saw some of these
controversies be featured in campaign ads by one of his former Democratic opponents earlier in the primary.
But the Republican onslaught of ads is expected to pick up over the course of the next five months, really presenting a major challenge to Platner,
whether he is able to convince voters to look past some of these controversies, to support him, to defeat Susan Collins in November.
ANDERSON: So what are you now hearing from voters in Maine?
SAENZ: Well, many of the Democratic primary voters that we spoke with this morning said that they are sticking with Graham Platner despite the
controversies. They said, yes, we are uneasy with some of these scandals that have emerged.
But they are willing to look past that because they want to keep their eye on defeating the Republican senator, Susan Collins, in that general
election matchup.
But there are others who have said that these past controversies are simply too problematic for them. They wouldn't be able to vote for Platner. Here
are two voters that we spoke with earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUESTION: Heard about those challenges, the controversies.
What were your first thoughts?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, no. Unfortunate. But it was, you know, I think his apologies are heartfelt and sincere from what I've seen. So that
matters to Maine voters, I think.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can't believe that the Democrats are going to support someone who had a Nazi tattoo and who -- he's just -- he's just a real
extremist to me. I just -- I'm not interested in him at all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAENZ: So if Platner emerges out of the Democratic primary tonight, which he is expected to do, the real test will be in November, as he will face
this criticism from many Republicans regarding these past posts in his campaign against senator Susan Collins.
ANDERSON: Good to have you, Arlette. Thank you so much.
Well, that is in Maine. In Washington, all eyes on Capitol Hill as lawmakers there set to interview Jeffrey Epstein's former assistant this
hour. Lesley Groff is expected on the Hill for what will be a closed door transcribed interview.
It's part of the House Oversight Committee's Epstein probe. Groff was a longtime executive assistant to the convicted child sex offender. CNN's
Annie Grayer live on Capitol Hill for us.
And what are they hoping to learn from Lesley Groff today?
ANNIE GRAYER, CNN CAPITOL HILL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Groff was the conduit for Epstein in the outside world. She was his longtime assistant of more
than 20 years. She booked all of his appointments, all of his travel.
And women told the FBI that she was the person they would contact to schedule massages with Epstein, which is where we know Epstein conducted a
lot of his abuse.
Now Groff was listed as a coconspirator in the 2008 non-prosecution agreement but she has never been charged with a crime and says that she
never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein's crimes.
But lawmakers will have the chance today behind closed doors to ask Groff every question that they have. Republicans and Democrats will alternate
hours about asking her questions.
And this is an opportunity for lawmakers to really probe what Groff knew and when. She said that massages that she would book for Epstein, she
thought was part of the job and totally routine, never thought anything of it.
And she is just the latest person in Epstein's orbit that this committee has interviewed. Just a few weeks ago, they interviewed one of Epstein's
other longtime assistants, Sarah Kellen, who alleged not only abuse by Epstein but other men who -- that the Oversight Committee ultimately
referred to the Department of Justice for further investigation.
And this committee is going full steam ahead. They also have interviewed former attorney general Pam Bondi for her role in overseeing the release of
the Epstein files. They're expected to hear from Bill Gates tomorrow.
They've also interviewed Epstein's longtime accountant and lawyer and they are trying to understand not only the extent of Epstein's crimes and who
knew what when but also what the Department of Justice, through multiple administrations, has done to address those crimes.
The House Oversight Committee chair, James Comer, has said multiple times that he believes that this investigation has been mishandled from top to
bottom and that there's still a lot to uncover about Epstein and his orbit.
ANDERSON: Thank you.
That's the story on Capitol Hill, where the time is just after 10:30 in the morning. More on that as we get it.
Ahead on CONNECT THE WORLD, an AI pioneer getting in on the IPO boom. Why we could see investor frenzy after this.
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ANDERSON (voice-over): Welcome back. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson. These are your headlines this hour.
Israel has launched multiple attacks today on parts of southern Lebanon. The targets, including the city of Tyre, where earlier the Israeli military
warned residents to evacuate, strikes on that area killed at least five people on Monday. The attacks continued despite Iran's warning that it
could retaliate.
Well, lawmakers in Washington are set to speak to Jeffrey Epstein's former assistant this hour. Lesley Groff expected on Capitol Hill for a closed
door interview, which is part of the House Oversight Committee's Epstein probe. Groff was a long time EA, executive assistant to Epstein.
The maker of ChatGPT has filed the paperwork to go public. OpenAI joining rival Anthropic and a push toward Wall Street listing. Elon Musk's SpaceX
also gearing up for a stock market debut.
Musk, you'll recall, recently lost his court case against OpenAI when a jury rejected his claim that the company had abandoned its public interest
mission. Well, CNN's business tech editor Lisa Eadicicco is back with us.
Lisa, you and I talked last hour. I mean, OpenAI last valued at $820 billion -- $850 billion in March.
What do we know about this IPO?
And how is it going to stack up against the other two giants going public this year, Anthropic, of course and SpaceX?
LISA EADICICCO, CNN BUSINESS TECH EDITOR: Yes. Becky, we don't have a ton of details about OpenAI's IPO yet. We don't know the timing. We don't know
how many shares it's going to sell. We don't know what price those shares are going to be.
But I think you know what we're looking at here is a potentially historic market debut. And you look at all three of these companies. So as you
mentioned OpenAI was recently valued at $852 billion. Anthropic was valued slightly higher at around $965 billion.
And then when you -- we recently got to see SpaceX's S-1 filing, where it revealed a valuation that it's looking to value itself with this offering
at about $1.8 trillion. So like we're really looking here at a bunch of potentially, you know, these companies could be approaching $1 trillion,
depending on how much they're looking to raise here.
So -- and I think what this offering will show us is -- give us a really clear picture for the first time of what the AI market is really like,
what's actually happening, what the demand for products made by Anthropic and OpenAI, the two biggest names in frontier models and AI products, what
they're actually seeing there.
[10:40:02]
And these companies have shared some growth metrics. Publicly OpenAI did say a couple of months ago, for example, that it's generating $2 billion in
revenue per month. And it's outlined how that's grown a bit over the past year and the year prior.
So it is providing a bit of a window. But once these companies go public, they'll have to answer to Wall Street every three months. And we're really
going to have to, you know, see a more -- they're really going to have to show a more comprehensive overview of what their business looks like.
And I think that's something that Wall Street's been waiting for for a long time. Because right now we really don't have that level of insight for the
frontier model makers. We do have that for a lot of the players in AI infrastructure, like the cloud providers and the companies that make chips
and memory that power the AI data centers.
But now we're really going to get a peek into what these AI services, what kind of demand there is for them.
ANDERSON: Yes. They are raising capital in the public markets. To date, of course, they've been -- they've been raising money from investors in the
private market. And much of what we have seen today has felt very circular in funding.
We often see this circularity going on with many of these companies which can potentially be very problematic if things don't go the way that they
hope they will as far as growth and revenue is concerned. So it will be -- it will be really interesting to see their book exposed when they list.
Another tech giant, Apple, revealing new features at its annual conference, including a new Siri AI. They've been criticized, haven't they, for being
too slow to adopt AI.
Do you see this as enough to put those concerns at bay?
EADICICCO: I think it certainly helps. So what we saw yesterday was, like you mentioned, a new version of Siri. That kind of should hopefully bridge
the gap between Siri and, you know, ChatGPT and Google Gemini.
Of course, we won't know for sure until it launches. This is just based on what Apple showed yesterday, with the idea being that Siri could
potentially be able to, you know, do things for you across apps and give you answers that are more personal by inferring context from your Apple
devices. So that should, in theory, help.
But again, we have to really see how that plays out. But for Apple, I think, as you mentioned, since there was so much of a focus on them being
somewhat behind and some of these features that we saw yesterday were announced two years ago and still, you know, aren't available. So I think
this is satisfying some of those concerns.
It shows that Apple is making progress and that it really has a vision and a strategy for how it plans to incorporate AI into its most important
products. And that is something that Wall Street has been grilling Apple about over the past several months.
In particular, you know, despite really impressive iPhone growth, there's still a lot of curiosity about its AI strategy. So I do think this begins
to answer that question. But it still remains to be seen how it's going to perform.
ANDERSON: Always good to have you. Thank you.
And, folks, we are taking a break. Back after this.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:45:00]
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ANDERSON: Right. We're counting down to the opening game of the 2026 World Cup. Thursday marks the launch of the tournament and some fans are prepared
to sacrifice a lot to be there in person.
Andy Milne, better known to many as that World Cup guy, is heading to the U.S. this week for what will be his 10th World Cup and to help pay for it
he has put his second home on the market.
Yes, the house you see here in Northwich, Cheshire, in England is listed for 350,000 pounds. Now Andy making headlines, this time for the house. But
many of you may already know the face is viral.
Fame peaked during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. I was there covering that tournament as well and thankfully no meme came from that for me. Andy Milne
is also the author of this book called, "That World Cup Guy," and he joins me now live from Miami.
World Cup Guy, welcome to the show.
How are you?
How are you feeling leading up to Thursday?
ANDY MILNE, WORLD CUP FAN: Hi, Becky. Thanks for having me on. Really, really looking forward to it.
It's beginning to get real now, isn't it?
With just a couple of days away from the World Cup proper. We've got England's next warmup match tomorrow in Orlando against Costa Rica. So all
the England fans will be getting together for that one.
ANDERSON: That's right.
What did you think of the first game, first warmup game against New Zealand?
MILNE: OK, so it wasn't a great footballing match but actually really enjoyed it. It was great to meet up with everybody again. When your England
fans and you're traveling abroad, it's great to meet up with, all of, you know, all of your England buddies.
We played OK. I thought we dominated that match. Most importantly, nobody got injured and we had a good run out in what for us is very warm weather.
Used to playing in cold and rain back in England. So yes, the lads would have acclimatized and I thought that it was job done.
ANDERSON: Yes. Well, I have to say, you're the only person I've heard who said it was a good match and job well done. But that's OK. Listen, you
know, every football fan has got his or her opinion. Ten World Cups is extraordinary; '82, I think, was your first.
What are the moments that have stayed with you the most?
What are your best memories, mate?
MILNE: So 1982, I was a 19-year old. And it was the first time England had qualified for a World Cup for 12 years. So it was overwhelmingly exciting
coming in. I'd gone my entire childhood really without watching England at World Cups.
So I made a spur of the moment decision and took myself off to Spain. I hitchhiked over. I had a big rucksack with all of my, you know, all of my
travel stuff in it but that was stolen within a couple of hours of arriving in Spain.
So I had a month ahead of me and had to rough it. So but, that -- so yes, I must admit, like after, after a few hours, I was wondering whether I'd made
the right decision. But then the following day we went to see England against France.
England, like France, were a great team at the time. And we're playing against them and they, you know, the national anthem plays up and I'm
actually there on the terraces.
And then after just 27 seconds, Bryan Robson scored the quickest World Cup goal of all time at the time it was. And so I think from 27 seconds into
the tournament, I was hooked. You know, a fan for life.
ANDERSON: Good for you. Yes, absolutely. Well, look, it's been a real run for you. I mean, I can tell you, I think we're probably around the same
age; '78 was the first that I remember. And, of course, England weren't playing.
My dad's Scottish, so I was supporting the Scots. And the first I actually covered as a journalist wasn't until 2006. So you've had a really good run.
[10:50:00]
Look, World Cup tickets are expensive at any host country. You know that. And we are showing some of your tickets from over the years. CNN reporting
that tickets for this World Cup final reselling for as much as $2 million each.
Can I ask you, what is this World Cup costing you there or thereabouts?
MILNE: Well, the ticket prices are -- they're a huge frustration. Its not just the resale price because I guess resale tickets are always going to go
for a high amount. It's the face value, which we were told that the most expensive ticket was going to be $1,100.
And it's, I think it was, nearly $9,000 for face value when the tickets first went on sale. So a massive increase before any hiking up the prices.
The other thing that's really got to the, well, not just the England fans, fans around the world, is just how few tickets we, the traveling fans, have
actually been allocated in our first match in Dallas.
The stadium holds 94,000. That's huge, 94,000 capacity. And England and Croatia have each been given just 4,000 tickets, like just about around
about a 4 percent allocation of the ground. Never have we had such a low allocation in the history of the World Cup.
So it's not just the price, it's the -- and those seats as well. Normally, the core fans, the main traveling fans would be based right behind the goal
altogether, creating a fantastic atmosphere, which is what the television program show broadcast around the world.
But this time we're spread out. We're in a string going up and then in a band going across and we're far from each other. So it's -- yes, ticket
allocation and the location.
ANDERSON: All right. But you listen, you'll make the noise. I know.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: You'll make the noise. You will make the noise.
MILNE: Of course.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: I've got to ask you this is it. Finally coming home for England after 60 years exactly.
Is it finally coming home for England 60 years since 1966 when they won on home soil, of course?
The passage looks very tough, to say the least.
Are you ever the eternal optimist?
MILNE: We really need to top the group. If we top the group, then things are on paper a little bit easier for us. And also I get to go to Mexico,
which I'm looking forward to. Look, we've been reckless with our emotions for the last 60 years. I really hope it's coming home. We've got a great
team. And I'll be right behind them. So, yes, fingers crossed.
ANDERSON: Good.
Who's right behind you?
I've got to ask before I go very briefly, who is that bloke behind you, behind your left shoulder?
(CROSSTALK)
MILNE: That's Harry Kane, that's Captain Harry Kane.
ANDERSON: OK, I thought it was. I just didn't want to. I just -- ah, King Kane bringing it home.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: All right. You obviously --
(LAUGHTER)
ANDERSON: -- he brought it all from England with him. Oh, my goodness, mate. Good luck. Thank you.
He's putting his house up --
(CROSSTALK)
MILNE: Thanks, Becky. Thanks for having --
ANDERSON: -- on this trip. Amazing.
We'll be right back.
Cheers.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My mayor Muslim, my bagel's Jewish, my Christian Dior, Knicks in four.
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ANDERSON (voice-over): Well, it won't be the Knicks in four after their loss to the Spurs last night.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That chant has gone viral for capturing the unity and excitement in New York over the team's historic run. MD Hossain, a Bengali American
from Queens, explains why he created it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MD HOSSAIN, BENGALI AMERICAN KNICKS FAN: You know, Mr. Zohran Mamdani, he's our mayor right now and he's doing a great job. Bagels are one of the
most iconic foods of New York City. My Christian is Dior, my Christian Dior, was just a great line from the former king of New York, Pop Smoke.
May he rest in peace.
There's a lot of hate going around. And the message that I sent is really just uniting, you know, some of the biggest religions in the world. And
it's uniting a lot of people in a time of hate.
ANDERSON: So I guess that they are now taking bids for a new slogan, now that the Knicks winning streak, of course, is broken, after losing to the
Spurs last night, what we saw online.
[10:55:00]
"My mayor Muslim, my bagel Jewish, my cream cheese chive, Knicks in five."
Maybe they need to workshop that a little bit, a little bit more. Game four Wednesday night in New York, 4:30 am Thursday here in the UAE, well, let's
see what happens next.
That's it for CONNECT THE WORLD. Stay with CNN. "ONE WORLD" is up next.
END
