Return to Transcripts main page
Isa Soares Tonight
Gates Testifies Epstein Tried to Use Information About His Infidelities to Pressure Him; Racial Tensions in Northern Ireland; Protests Over Kushner-Backed Resort in Albanian Capital; Somali Referee Denied Entry to U.S. Returns Home. Northern Ireland on Edge as Police Brace for the Possibility of More Anti-Immigration Violence; U.S. President Donald Trump Warns Iran of Imminent strikes Today. FIFA 2026 World Cup Begins Tomorrow. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired June 10, 2026 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:00]
ISA SOARES, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Isa Soares. Tonight, Northern Ireland on edge as police brace
for the possibility of more anti-immigration violence. I'll be joined by a member of parliament from Belfast this hour.
Then a fresh warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that there will be new strikes on Iran today. We'll have the very latest for you on the war in
the Middle East. Plus, we are officially one day away from the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
We'll have the latest on that, much more this hour. I do want to start tonight in Northern Ireland where Belfast is a city on edge. Violence
directed at immigrants and ethnic minorities has exploded, and it follows the arrest of a Sudanese man who's been charged with attempted murder after
a man was repeatedly stabbed.
We brought you this story, if you remember yesterday on the show. The victims' families say they do not want the tragedy to be used to divide
people. Speaking to CNN, Northern Ireland's Justice Minister says Elon Musk and other right-wing figures are exploiting the situation for their own
gain. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NAOMI LONG, JUSTICE MINISTER, NORTHERN IRELAND: I don't believe that many of those, Elon Musk included, who have been posting about this and
agitating around this, have the slightest interest in the community in Northern Ireland.
In fact, I doubt some of them could have found Belfast on before this happened. They're simply weaponizing other people's pain and distress in
order to be able to support their own political narrative around immigration.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Well, Musk rejects claims he is to blame, pointing the finger back at immigration policies. Police in Belfast are now preparing for another
potential night of unrest. Our Nic Robertson has more for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice-over): At its dangerous peak Tuesday night, police rescuing Belfast residents as their
home 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 roam 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.
JON BOUTCHER, CHIEF POLICE CONSTABLE, NORTHERN IRELAND: 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're looking to get a further some 200 officers to get on
the streets to deal with this.
ROBERTSON: The rioting triggered by a knife attack Monday night where the victim, Stephen Ogilvy 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.
ANSEIME SHIMA, BELFAST RESIDENT ORIGINALLY FROM D.R. CONGO: I'm afraid maybe I might be the next to be attacked on the street, so I don't know
what 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'm the next.
ROBERTSON: The British Prime Minister calling for calm at a time when the U.K. is being tested by divisions over immigration.
[14:05:00]
KEIR STARMER, PRIME MINISTER, UNITED KINGDOM: 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: 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 know-how 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's very easy these days especially, to look online and be persuaded --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes --
BOUTCHER: 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: Most everyone in Northern Ireland hoping for calm. Nic Robertson, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: Well, our next guest says as last night's scenes were shameful and disgraceful, John Finucane is a Sinn Fein MP for North Belfast, where the
stabbing took place. John, really appreciate you being with us. I understand that about 200 police officers are being deployed in the city to
try and keep peace this evening.
Just give us a sense of what you or what you've been hearing from residents and what you have seen, because it was utter chaos as that report just
showed.
JOHN FINUCANE, NORTH BELFAST MP: Well, good evening from Belfast, and thank you for having me on your show. I spent most of yesterday from first
thing in the morning, right through to late last night when I wasn't speaking to your colleagues in the media liaison with police, but also
speaking to residents where this attack took place.
I spoke to those who woke up to the horrific news yesterday morning, that this attack took place on their doorstep. I spoke to those who intervened,
whose selfless and very brave and courageous actions, I think saved this victim's life.
I also spoke to those who took footage, which I hope and pray will be invaluable to the police and to the prosecution as we seek to get a
conviction for the man who carried out this horrific attack. But what I did say throughout yesterday is that for those who are truly concerned, on
behalf of this victim, for those who care for his friends, his family, for the community that suffered this trauma, then we must support the police.
We must respect the rule of law. What we saw last night was the complete opposite of that. And what I'm struck by, and what I would like to impress
upon your viewers who may be don't know Belfast as well as I do, is that it wasn't those residents who suffered this trauma who were angry and ranting
and wrecking their own communities.
These were people in communities well away from this area, well away from this part of North Belfast. What we saw were homes attacked, people burnt
out of their houses, businesses destroyed, public transport set on fire, criminality and thuggery. And that serves nobody, especially not the victim
at the center of this horrific attack two nights ago.
SOARES: And it is -- it is understanding, John, why people like you pointed out why people are angry. It was a brutal and horrific crime that
was committed. And of course, the victim and the suspect I should say, was charged with attempted murder. But what do you say?
We were playing some of that video there. What do you say to the -- to those masked rioters that are coming on the streets? Do you fear, first of
all, there will be similar scenes tonight?
FINUCANE: Well, so far, Belfast is quiet. I think that --
SOARES: Yes --
FINUCANE: They -- the very commendable statement from the family of the victim, I hope will help.
SOARES: Yes --
FINUCANE: I think an increased police presence I hope will help. But as I've said before, what this victim needs is justice, what our community
needs is safety. What we saw last night was the complete opposite of that.
If we are truly serious about supporting the victims, supporting the community that suffered this, then we must respect the rule of law. I said
again when talking to your colleagues in the media yesterday, and I was speaking extensively throughout the day, as you can imagine, I too, was
angry. I was angry that I have --
SOARES: Yes --
FINUCANE: To speak to you tonight about such a negative story coming from North Belfast, when there is so much that is positive that I could speak
to. But there is a way in which we all must channel our anger. It must be constructive.
It must be first and foremost in the immediacy, designed to help the victim, designed to help those who intervened, who are traumatized by what
they witnessed, and also that community that needs to pick up the pieces.
What we do not need is our community on fire, is people using this as a very opportunistic springboard to express their racism, to express their
sectarianism, to use it as a launchpad, to basically embark on a spree of thuggery and devastation.
[14:10:00]
We don't want to see that. And I would say that whilst it is getting a lot of headlines, that is not representative of the Belfast that I know and
live in, and I'm proud to serve.
SOARES: And I'm going to get to that in just a moment. But I've got a question, I don't know if you can clear up some of the media reports that
we have been seeing, that suggest that WhatsApp messages, John, were basically exchanged ahead of these riots.
I mean, are these riots, are these protests, riots rather than protests, are they organized? And if so, who is leading them?
FINUCANE: Well, the age that we live in, obviously the quickest way to get communications out there is through social media, through WhatsApp and --
SOARES: Yes --
FINUCANE: Different things like that. What we have seen is messages, some of which haven't come to fruition at all, that would contain threats, but
obviously some that have. Who is behind this? I think is a very good question because they have a lot to answer for.
And just the way that I spoke very vocally and forcefully yesterday, calling for the attacker who caused horrific injuries on the victim two
nights ago, to be brought to justice and feel the full weight of the criminal justice system upon him.
I call for the same thing for those who embarked on a spree of devastation last night. To those who sent young children out to do their work, to smash
windows and intimidate families and intimidate businesses, that is not what we want to see here, and I do hope that the police will take full action to
bring those people before the courts.
We don't know how sophisticated the organization is, how opportunistic it is. But what we do know as a matter of fact, is that there are people far
outside of Belfast, far outside the island of Ireland, who are seeing this as an opportunity to peddle their hate and to try and sow division.
And we have been very clear right across the political divide, to speak with one voice to those people, and that is stay away. You are not wanted.
You are not here to help. We know how to look after our own communities here, and we do not need your divisive politics for your own selfish
interests anywhere near our society here.
SOARES: I hear you, John, and I will get to those forces outside, of course, even the continent, in just a moment. But let me ask you, closer to
home, really, some of the politics closer to home, because as we said in the report, the suspect is an asylum seeker from Sudan.
As our report said, he's here legally, but lots of questions you would have seen circulating being posed about immigration policy. And what we have
seen with some politicians using this as a lightning rod. Let me just play what Nigel Farage has said. You probably have heard it, but it's important
for our audience. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NIGEL FARAGE, LEADER, REFORM UK: Yes, what happened last night on the streets of Belfast, barbaric, horrific in every way. We know that the man
was of Sudanese origin. Number 10, a point-blank refusing to say whether he came here legally or illegally.
All that we know is that he was given leave to remain. Well, I'm sorry, but we're giving out that sort of status. We're dishing it out like smarties to
people we haven't properly checked. And I very much doubt whether this man should have been in Britain at all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: Just your reaction, John, to that.
FINUCANE: Well, Nigel Farage is a man who, time and time again has shown his gleeful ignorance when it comes to all matters concerning Ireland. He
has very little concern for the people of Ireland. He's shown that through his ignorance of our Good Friday Agreement and peace process.
And I think he showed that time and time again during the very tortuous Brexit negotiations following the referendum in 2016. And I have to laugh
quite ironically, at somebody like Nigel Farage, who comes on to politically point-score in the middle of a very serious tragedy that has
happened on my doorstep.
It is Brexit itself which has probably prevented the United Kingdom from returning somebody in the circumstances that is now before our courts on an
attempted murder charge, because Brexit by its very nature, has prevented them from returning somebody to an EU country of origin.
So, perhaps Nigel Farage should look at his own backyard. He should look at the consequences of his own political actions. And we are not here to take
any lectures or advice from Nigel Farage. He is an English nationalist. He does -- he cares about his English people.
He does not care about the people of Ireland, let alone the people of North Belfast. He is rejected. He has no political mandate on this island
whatsoever. The people who do have a political mandate such as myself, such as I heard the Justice Minister, I think at the top of your show as well,
we are people --
SOARES: Yes --
FINUCANE: Who live here. We are people with a mandate. We are people who know our own communities, and I will listen to those people before I would
listen to somebody like Nigel Farage.
SOARES: And John, you hinted at forces outside, of course, I'm guessing you were referring to Elon Musk, who has been accused also of inflaming
tensions just today. He commented and then retweeted, "it's not social media that's inflaming tensions, not Elon Musk, it's not Nigel Farage, it's
not the far right, et cetera."
[14:15:00]
I mean, what is your message to the likes of Elon Musk who are interfering? You're seeing the tweet here. What do you say to that? I mean he basically
retweeted this, basically saying that this is where he stands.
FINUCANE: I can't see the tweet that you're referring to, and I haven't actually seen any tweets from Elon Musk today. I've been caught up as you
can imagine in the constituency quite a lot. So, I haven't seen that, but on a more gentle basis --
SOARES: Well, let me tell you what he says, he says -- he retweets something, and he says -- can we bring it up, Anna(ph), if you don't mind.
I'm going to get my producer to bring it up, because he comments as --
FINUCANE: Thank you --
SOARES: He comments on this piece, but he is agreeing to this. It's not social media that's inflaming tensions. It's not Elon Musk, it's not Nigel
Farage. It's not the far-right. It's the very deliberate policy of mass- controlled immigration and open borders.
This policy has to end or will destroy western nations. So, he basically comments on this, retweeted it and commented on that. Just react to that.
John?
FINUCANE: Well, there's a lot to unpack in that. I think first and foremost, to be fair to the debate, that the argument, the only person that
we can blame for the attack two nights ago was the attacker himself, the only person that we can blame for the widespread destruction that we saw in
Belfast and beyond last night are those who took to the streets.
But there is a wider context. And what we have seen over the past 48 hours has been replicated in other parts of Britain, in Ireland or other parts of
Europe. Where are those who are outside of the area who immediately parachute themselves in to take selfie videos, to try and get social media
clickbait, to try and hype up and increase tension in an area that may or may not fall at the door of Elon Musk.
And whilst he may make points about immigration, those are political points for the governments in Westminster and in Dublin also. But to the people on
the ground who are trying to maintain community cohesion, it is not helpful when we have people who have come over -- coming over from England.
I would include Nigel Farage and not with the sole -- the sole desire to create further division for their own political ends, because it is people
like me that are left to pick up the pieces. It is the communities that I represent that are there to pick up the pieces.
These people are very easy to spot. There's very little sophistication that comes behind them. They are a blunt tool coming in to really compound
people's grief and hurt and prey on their fears.
The message is very clear whilst the headlines are distasteful and ugly coming from Belfast, you can take it from me that the vast majority of
people reject that style of politics, reject that style of street protest and violence and thuggery, and we do stand behind the rule of law. And we
do actually support the victim and those who witnessed this in a credible and healthy fashion.
SOARES: And our thoughts are with the victim and the community. John Finucane, thank you very much, a very clear message there --
FINUCANE: Thanks so much.
SOARES: You're very welcome, just to reiterate that message, that was from Elon Musk. He retweeted it with the word exactly. Now, U.S. President
Donald Trump warns that there could be more U.S. strikes on Iran today.
The President told reporters earlier, he believes Tehran is tapping or stringing the United States along in negotiations. He took the unusual step
of previewing the next move by the American military. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We hit them hard yesterday, and we're going to hit them again hard today, in case you missed it, in
case you don't turn on your television set and we'll see what happens with the deal.
We were -- we were really close to a deal. But they keep tapping us along. They keep playing us for suckers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOARES: While raising the temperature, another exchange of strikes between the U.S. and Iran following the downing of an American army helicopter,
Tehran fired on U.S. targets in Jordan and Kuwait. Bahrain also appears to have been hit.
And here are some of the images from southern Lebanon after state-run media reported an Israeli airstrike in the town of Sidon. The IDF has said it
will continue its campaign against Iranian-backed Hezbollah in the region.
Well, from the White House, I want to bring in our Kevin Liptak. And so, Kevin, President Trump saying, as we've just seen in the last few hours
that the U.S. is about to strike again. Tell us more, flesh out a bit more of what he said and whether he thinks that, you know, the deal is possible
here or this is just a negotiating tactic.
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, I have to say, it's very difficult to ascertain what the President's intentions are in here, in
part because they're so dramatically different from what we heard from him.
You know, less than 48 hours ago when he said he thought a deal with Iran would be in hand within two to three days, and sounded very reluctant to
restarting the war, saying that it would cause a lot of people to be killed and cause the Strait of Hormuz to remain closed for another several months.
And he seems to have done a complete reversal by telegraphing that the strikes would begin again today. And so, where the President actually
stands here, I think, is difficult to tell. Is this just a pressure tactic to try and get Iran to finally come to the negotiating table and bring this
deal across the finish line?
[14:20:00]
I think, you know, it's clear the President is frustrated that Iran is, in his words, tapping him along. He seems to be using as a pretext for these
new rounds of strikes, the downing of that Apache helicopter that occurred earlier this week in which the U.S. already responded to.
We do know -- and this is according to White House officials, but you also see it playing out in public as well, that the discussions with Iran over
this deal continue to sort of plod forward. There's a delegation from Qatar in Tehran today, Qatar has acted as something of a mediator in all of their
-- in all of these talks.
They're working to try and bridge some of these gaps between the two sides that have so far prevented this deal from being finalized. We also hear
from White House officials, you know, that the President's envoys, including Steve Witkoff, continue to have these discussions with the
Iranians to try and get this deal finalized.
But it very evidently is just going too slow for President Trump. You know, he's complained about this before. We know that President had asked for
certain changes to this deal about a week ago that had been sent back to Iran.
They seem to have been taking their time in how they wanted to respond to that. And it all seems to be just going much too slow for the President's
liking. And that seems to be what has led him to issue this new threat of new war.
But it has led us to this place where we are neither at a complete ceasefire, because the two sides keep exchanging fire. And we are also not
necessarily at a place where we are in a full-blown war. You know, the President says that the ceasefire, at least in theory, remains in effect.
So, we're in this sort of liminal area where neither war nor peace is unfolding, and the President seems to suggest that he will be going back to
these strikes sometime today. Isa.
SOARES: Kevin Liptak for us there in Washington. Thanks very much, Kevin, at the White House. Well, CNN's Fred Pleitgen is in Tehran with more on the
unfolding situation. Of course, we must note CNN operates in Iran only with the permission of the government, but maintains full editorial control of
our reporting.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): It's not often that we're able to attend events put on by Iran's Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps. And the one that we're at today commemorates IRGC commanders who were killed when Israel attacked Iran in June of last
year.
Now, as you can imagine, senior IRGC brass is not necessarily very keen to speak to media from the United States, but we were able to speak to a
senior IRGC commander as well as a cleric of Iran's armed forces, both of them telling me that they're not particularly impressed with President
Trump's threats that Iran will pay a price for not making a deal with the U.S. so far.
President Trump says that Iran will pay a heavy price for not making a deal with the United States yet. What's your response?
HOSSEIN MAROOFI, BRIGADIER GENERAL, ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS: Trump is delusional. He must understand the power of this great nation, and
he must recognize the strength of our Armed Forces.
He should have become aware of the great movement of our Armed Forces in these recent operations, and fully comprehend the readiness of our armed
forces with the support of the Iranian people.
ABDUL ALI DERGAHI, MILITARY CLERIC: If until yesterday, it was only the Islamic Republic that was sanctioned, today, it is the U.S. that is
sanctioned in the Strait of Hormuz, and that harm affects the whole world. The Islamic Republic has not been, is not and will never be a war seeker.
PLEITGEN: Now, of course, all of this comes right on the heels of the United States and Iran trading blows with the United States attacking sites
in the Persian Gulf, including islands and also the Port of Bandar Abbas.
While the Iranians fired missiles at U.S. bases in Jordan, in Bahrain and in Kuwait. Now, the Iranians have said that there will always be a tough
response from their sides to any attacks from the United States.
But of course, both sides are still working to try and put together a Memorandum of Understanding that would then pave the way for negotiations
between the U.S. and Iran to reach a broader peace agreement.
All of that, of course, right now in a very difficult state, a lot of people that we speak to here say they don't really have much faith that it
could happen. At the same time, the Iranians are saying that they are ready for any new attacks and will strike back hard. Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Tehran.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: And still to come tonight, it's one of the most high-profile appearances yet before U.S. lawmakers investigating the Epstein scandal
will have insight into what Bill Gates is saying behind closed doors. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:25:00]
SOARES: Tech titan Bill Gates is answering questions on Capitol Hill today about his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He is testifying
behind closed doors, according to a copy of his opening remarks. Gates said he had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
He said he was aware Epstein had faced, quote, "prior legal issues", but said he didn't fully understand the extent. And it comes a day after
Epstein's former executive assistant testified about scheduling so-called massages for Epstein with young women and girls.
Lesley Groff also reportedly acknowledged arranging multiple phone calls between Epstein and Donald Trump before he became President. Of course,
let's get more on all this, CNN's Annie Grayer is on Capitol Hill.
So, Annie, let me start first of all, with Gates. Give us a sense -- I know it's behind closed doors, but give us a sense of what he said in his
opening remarks and what he said that we didn't know prior to this.
ANNIE GRAYER, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, Gates is making the case behind closed doors that he never saw anything illegal, he never participated in
anything illegal. He's trying to downplay his interactions with Epstein, saying that it only -- he only really had a relationship with Epstein from
2011 to 2014.
Now, all of those interactions happened after Epstein was a registered sex offender, and Gates talked about how he wished he had not associated
himself with Epstein at all. But said that he was really trying to use Epstein to get access to big dollar donors for his healthcare, global
healthcare work initiatives that he was pursuing.
He said he has regrets that he ever was connected to Epstein, and talked about how he -- how he believes that Epstein was manipulating him. In that,
Epstein was aware of Gates' extramarital affairs and was trying to use that as leverage to try and keep him close to Epstein.
So, I'm going to read for you some portions of Gates' opening statement that we obtained, where Bill Gates says, quote, "at the outset, I want to
state very clearly, I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct.
I never went to his island, his ranch or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone. While he may have sought to foster a personal
relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated.
I learned Epstein had become aware of sensitive information about my personal life, including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my
marriage. These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family."
Now, I'm also told from sources in the room that Gates is being asked about a number of the unverified bombshell allegations about Gates in the Epstein
files, including these two e-mails that Epstein apparently was drafting to himself but never sent, where he included allegations of Gates, including
that he set Gates up with women, and that he helped Gates obtain medication to hide a sexually transmitted disease from his then wife, Miranda --
Melinda Gates, excuse me.
So, those are all interactions happening behind the scenes. Gates is being questioned by both Democrats and Republicans. We're told that he is being
cooperative with the questions that lawmakers have for him, but he is pushing back firmly, saying that he knew nothing and saw nothing illegal.
SOARES: And as we were mentioning there, Annie, earlier, you know this comes, and we brought the viewers a story yesterday, comes on the heels, of
course, of Lesley Groff, one of Jeffrey Epstein's longtime assistants who was questioned by the House Oversight Committee. I mean, can you shed any
more light on what she said and how her testimony is being received?
GRAYER: So, Lesley Groff was Jeffrey Epstein's longtime assistant for nearly 20 years. She booked every appointment that Epstein had, booked all
of his flights, and also booked massages that Epstein would receive. And she tried to frame these massages as just regular routine appointments.
They were quick conversations.
But we know from women who are victims of Jeffrey Epstein that the massages is where a lot of the horrible crimes that Epstein committed occurred
during those massages. And Lesley Groff claims that she knew nothing about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.
But lawmakers say coming out of the interview that Groff's testimony gives them new leads to pursue, new names of people to potentially bring in to
question. In fact, following Groff's testimony, House Oversight Chair James Comer said that he wants to bring in Alan Dershowitz for questioning who
was mentioned in the Epstein files. Comer separately said that he also wants the committee to hear from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who
oversaw the release of the Epstein files.
Now, the committee previously heard from former Attorney General Pam Bondi, but she made it seem like Todd Blanche was in charge of how the Epstein
files were released. So, clearly there are a lot of new leads that the committee is pursuing. The committee is conducting its 15th interview
today, and it's far from over this investigation.
SOARES: And I know you'll stay across it for us. Thanks very much, Annie. Appreciate it. And still to come tonight, we continue to follow the unrest
in Northern Ireland. Our Nada Bashir will join us with the very latest.
And as the 2026 World Cup gets ready for kickoff, we'll talk about how entry into U.S. alone can be an obstacle to attending some of those very
matches. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:35:00]
SOARES: Welcome back, everyone. We continue to follow this hour developments out of Northern Ireland. Anti-migrant violence erupted in
Belfast on Tuesday after a Sudanese man was charged with attempted murder in a stabbing attack.
Well, according to officials, rioters set homes and cars on fire, as you can see there, in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods. Some schools and
public transportations were closed today as a precautionary measure. Northern Ireland police say an extra 200 police officers will patrol the
streets.
Nada Bashir joins me now. And, Nada, I'm guessing these extra 200 police officers, of course, being deployed to try and keep the peace, but we were
hearing from Nic Robertson's report earlier in the show, and the fear within some in the community is incredibly palpable.
NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely. And of course, this attack, this incident has come at a time when we are seeing that anti-
immigration rhetoric gaining momentum, not only within the community, but also within the political ranks as well, certainly within the Conservative
Party and the hard right reform U.K. party.
But it really was the distressing and staggering video footage of Monday night's attack, which was filmed by a bystander, a deeply distressing and
graphic video showing the now charged 30-year-old Sudanese individual attacking this victim on Monday evening, which really spread on social
media and essentially started a wildfire of calls for protests to take place, not only in Northern Ireland, but across the United Kingdom.
We certainly have seen that centered in Belfast, where we have seen those images of protesters taking to the streets, both overnight and this morning
as well. We have seen protesters lighting, setting alight buses, cars, homes and barricades as well. And we have seen that increased police
presence.
And at this stage, we are hearing words of condemnation both from the police and political officials. Northern Ireland's first minister has, of
course, condemned Monday's attack, but has said that this attack cannot be exploited or should not be exploited for these violent protests that we are
seeing, saying that there is no place for racism and discrimination in Northern Ireland. And those remarks have been echoed by the British prime
minister as well.
SOARES: Nada, thank you very much indeed. I know you're keeping abreast of all the very latest. Nada Bashir there with the latest.
Well, I want to take you to the streets of Tirana, Albania, because thousands are again taking to the streets as protests there enter their
11th day. Let me show you these live images coming into us from Tirana. It is 8:37 in the evening. It seems the crowds are getting bigger and bigger.
Look, you can give you a sense really of the scale of these protests. We've kept abreast of this every single day here on the show because of these
very images.
Now, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has been facing mounting pressure as he vows to push ahead with this controversial luxury development that has
been linked to Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. As you know, it has been dubbed the Flamingo Revolution, hence why very often these
protests you see lost pictures of flamingos. And that is because the stretch of coastline earmarked for this very project is a wetland. It's
home to those very birds. And people have been taking to streets, taking to streets in large numbers, staying up very late at night. It's 8:38. And
then you can give you a real sense of the crowds and the tensions in Tirana. We are going to continue to monitor these images and to stay on the
story for you.
We're going to take a short break, because after this, a Somali referee, of course, you've seen that, is returning home after U.S. denied him entry for
the World Cup.
Plus, find out our predictions as who will be crowned world champions. I bet you know who I'm going to go for. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:40:00]
SOARES: Well, football excitement blasts off this week as the FIFA World Cup finally gets underway. The opening match is scheduled for Thursday in
Mexico City with the home team playing South Africa. A few hours later, South Korea will take on the Czech team in Guadalajara.
Argentina won't play until Tuesday and star player Lionel Messi appears ready for his sixth World Cup. The captain of the reigning world champions
scored a penalty in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Iceland during yesterday's warm-up, despite, of course, a recent muscle injury.
While the Trump administration is defending its decision to bar a Somali referee from entering the U.S., Omar Abdulkadir Artan arrived back in
Mogadishu today to really what can only be described as a hero's welcome. A White House official told CNN that he was denied admission due to, quote,
association with suspected members of terror organizations. Artan, who was named Africa's top male referee in 2025, would have been the first Somali
to referee a game at the World Cup.
Let's get more on all these trends. Jules Boykoff is a political science professor at Pacific University in Oregon and a former professional
footballer. He's also the author of "Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing, and the FIFA Greed Machine." He joins us from Paris.
Jules, welcome to the show. I really do want to pick up with the referee, the story of that Somali referee, Omar Artan. Just your reaction when you
heard that he had been denied entry to the U.S.?
JULES BOYKOFF, POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR, PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, FORMER PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER AND AUTHOR, "RED CARD": Well, football is supposed
to unite the world. At least that's the slogan of FIFA, the world's governing body for soccer. But the exclusion of Africa's male top referee
from 2025 definitely does not unite the world. And in fact, it casts a pall over the tournament.
This tournament is shaping up to be a World Cup of chaos. And that is in part because of things like this exclusion from referees, not allowing fans
from a variety of countries. This could be a World Cup that we remember for a long time, but not necessarily for the right reasons.
SOARES: Right. And from what I understand, I mean, he was invited, Artan was invited to officiate matches in Canada. Why was not, why couldn't that
happen? Where does FIFA stand on this? Could not, could FIFA not make this happen?
BOYKOFF: Well, first of all, I think FIFA could have taken a much stronger stand on this incident, standing up for its referees. Second, I really wish
we would have seen some solidarity from other referees who will be refereeing this tournament. They could have stood by in solidarity with
this referee who's being excluded from the tournament.
[14:45:00]
FIFA has said that the reason why he can't just go on standby in Canada and maybe referee some matches there is because all the referees are convening
together in Florida in order to go through some training prior to the tournament. If he can't attend the training, then that makes him ineligible
to do the refereeing. But it seems to me that it would be a perfect moment to figure out some creativity in dealing with this situation.
SOARES: Yes, you would have thought so, wouldn't you? Let me leave Mr. Artan for just a moment, because you've been hinting at this. You said that
you view this World Cup as a massive paradox, Jules, just explain and expand what you mean by that. How does this World Cup potentially compare
with others?
BOYKOFF: Well, it's a paradox because on one hand, it includes more countries than any previous World Cup in the history of the sport. On the
other hand, what we're seeing is numerous people left behind, whether we're talking about those who can't afford a ticket to the match, whether we're
talking about people from Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire who will not be allowed to get a visa to attend this tournament.
And so, we're really seeing a situation where politics are rippling through this World Cup. I would argue this is the most politically combustible
tournament in the history of the modern game. And that's actually saying a lot. After all, Vladimir Putin used the 2018 Men's World Cup to engage in
sportswashing. Four years later, that's the exact same thing that happened in Qatar.
SOARES: Yes. And you mentioned, of course, you mentioned Iran, Haiti, Ivory Coast and Senegal. Those are the four of the countries that are part
of either a full or partial U.S. travel ban. Do you think, Jules, that this will stop people from going to the game, from making the journey, impacting
their experience?
BOYKOFF: I've talked to numerous people here in Europe that are not going to the World Cup because they don't want to deal with the hassle. The other
specter that's haunting the World Cup is the specter of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Everybody who's been following the news knows that ICE
has been running rampant through neighborhood after neighborhood in the United States, city after city.
I mean, some of them look like they just showed up from robbing a liquor store all masked up and now they're ready to go to work. Why would you, if
you were a racialized person from Africa, Asia, elsewhere, come to the United States and take a risk that you might be snapped up and thrown in
detention? After all, let's not forget that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is rounding up U.S. citizens. They've even been putting people
in detention who are Native Americans. Think about the level of irony at work there.
And of course, we've even seen Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials killing in the streets of Minneapolis citizens of the country.
So, yes, this has definitely cast a pall over the tournament, and you're seeing that reflected in the hotel numbers. Hotel reservations are way down
from what the industry expected, and I think that's a reflection of these factors that we're talking about.
SOARES: It's quite a paradox, that is for certain. Jules, really appreciate you coming on the show. Jules Boykoff there, live from Paris.
BOYKOFF: My pleasure.
SOARES: Well -- thank you. Well, football fans are set for more than a month of bumper action with a whopping 104 matches in total. It is the
first time 48 teams will be taking part in an extended tournament. If you want to know who we're personally backing, Max Foster, Paula Newton, and I
whittle down our top picks.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Can I ask for help from the crowd? No. Anybody? No.
SOARES: Oh, I can't do a winner. I can't do a winner.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What an amazing shot.
SOARES: I can't do a winner. This is awful.
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm not a great expert in the footballing prowess of any of these teams.
SOARES: Will I lose friends? Yes, I most likely will.
NEWTON: This is so tough, guys. I'm already nervous, and they haven't even started.
FOSTER: I mean --
NEWTON: This is how you get it done. Good juju for your team, OK?
SOARES: I think that Max will pick England for his final. Clearly very biased like me.
FOSTER: Well, I don't know why Paula's even involved in this, because Canada's going nowhere.
NEWTON: I don't have any research or any football or soccer knowledge, but I make up for it in enthusiasm.
SOARES: OK. I'm -- there's no science. I'm just going to go with my gut, OK?
NEWTON: All right. Here. Here we're going. So, we're going to select here the first and second place teams in each group. So, this is easy, actually.
SOARES: I'm going to put Morocco first, Brazil second. I'm sorry, Brazil.
NEWTON: I'm going with Mexico first, South Korea second.
FOSTER: Can I just ask you, they're playing each other, these two, aren't they? And those two.
SOARES: Now, select the eight best third place teams. Here we go.
NEWTON: They are telling me to select eight of the best third place teams. This is not easy.
[14:50:00]
FOSTER: Australia, because they're always good at sport.
SOARES: I have to put Scotland, because my producer would be offended if I don't.
NEWTON: I'm going to go with South Africa.
FOSTER: So, we're in the knockout round. I've nailed it, basically. And I am going to predict the winners of this entire tournament. So, this is very
exciting for you.
NEWTON: Ecuador and Senegal. This is so tough.
SOARES: Now, this would be a cracker of a game. Argentina, Uruguay, two massive rivals and neighbors. I would pay to watch that.
FOSTER: Brazil will beat the Netherlands. Although the Netherlands could fluke it, but it is Brazil and they always come up trumps.
NEWTON: England and Mexico. You know, Mexico is going to be at home.
FOSTER: We are now into the final, all of a sudden.
NEWTON: This would be epic. We've got France and then I'm picking Brazil.
SOARES: This is not politics or foreign policy. This is just gut. So, Portugal.
FOSTER: We are into the final. And Spain won.
NEWTON: I'm Paula Newton here in New York and I have just completed my World Cup bracket. Brazil is going to take it all. Don't ask me why.
SOARES: I'm Isa Soares. And the winner of this year's World Cup will be Portugal.
FOSTER: I'm Max Foster. Spain is going to win the World Cup if everything goes to plan. But, you know, anything can happen in the World Cup.
NEWTON: So, remember, guts, spirit, stop being cynical. Keep repeating it to yourself. They're bringing it home.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOARES: There really is not much science to this. We just went with our gut, maybe slightly biased on my end. Apologies.
And you too can make your very own 2026 FIFA World Cup prediction on our website with CNN's bracket in this interactive graphic. You can play out
your predictions for the entire tournament. We are going to take a short break, but do stay right here with CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SOARES: Well, a historic moment in Spain for Pope Leo XIV. The Pope is currently leading mass and giving a blessing at Barcelona's Sagrada
Familia, as you can see there. While there is still work to complete, 2026 has been deemed to be the de facto opening of Antoni Gaudi's 18th-century
masterpiece.
[14:55:00]
And construction began more than 144 years ago. We brought you that story yesterday. Crews have now installed the last major structural element, and
that is a cross atop the central tower.
The Pope's trip, of course, to Spain has also had a light-hearted moment. Superstar Bad Bunny is also in Spain. And the two, I've been told, have had
a private meeting, though there is no photo.
Well, a former Air Canada pilot is accused of flying for nearly two decades without the proper pilot's license. Canadian police say Geoffrey Wall
captained more than 900 flights without obtaining the necessary license or completing mandatory testing. Wall flew for nearly 17 years and was
licensed to fly commercial planes. Investigators say they were tipped off after routine examination in 2025.
And finally, tonight, forget leopard print and fur, it seems dinosaur is all the rage these days. Take a look at this. A handbag made using a T-Rex
fossil is set to be auctioned in Paris tomorrow. Scientists extracted ancient protein fragments from the fossil. They then used them to create
this slab, grown leather, as you can see there. The bag's expected to sell for as much as, get this, $570,000. One of the auctioneers described it as
a mix between a dream and scientific reality and a bit of grand fantasy.
That does it for us. Thanks very much. I'll see you tomorrow.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:00]
END
