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Isa Soares Tonight

Deadly Flash Flood Hits Nepal-China Border, Hundreds Missing; At Least 14 Newborns Killed by Hospital Fire in Pakistan; Fans Around the World Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton; Prince Harry and Meghan Arrive Back in U.K. After Six Years. Aired 2:00-3p ET

Aired August 26, 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]

MAX FOSTER, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Max Foster in for Isa Soares. Tonight, hundreds missing, many

feared dead after catastrophic flash-flooding hits Nepal. We're live in Kathmandu just ahead.

Then Meta agrees to major changes to its platforms as it settles a landmark child-harm case. More on that and the huge $18 billion payment. Plus, as

the CIA director makes an unannounced visit to Moscow, I'll be joined by Romania's Foreign Minister to get her reaction amid fears Russia's war on

Ukraine could spill over. That, and much more just ahead.

We begin, though, with the deadly flooding in Nepal and Tibet. The region of Tibet controlled by China. Hundreds of people are missing and feared

dead. Some may find this video you're about to see disturbing. The scenes are chilling. Entire villages, houses and roads swept away by a rushing

wall of water, mud and rock along the border with Nepal and China.

Hundreds of foreign travelers are believed to be amongst the missing. The search and rescue effort is proving to be extremely challenging, in part,

due to the terrain. Early reports indicate a landslide may have triggered the flood, but the official cause isn't clear. More now from CNN's Hanako

Montgomery.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Dozens of people begin to run. What comes next in this surveillance video is hard to

imagine. A mountain of mud and water taller than the building crashes down, wiping out everything in its path like something from a disaster film. But

this is a border crossing between China and Nepal.

It's the result of a deadly flash flood that swept through Himalayan villages on the Nepal-China border on Wednesday. Its enormous force

destroying homes and buildings, including in Nepal's Rasuwa District. Aerial footage captured from a helicopter over the district shows the

immense barrage of water flooding the valley below.

It's a popular area for hiking holidays. Hundreds of tourists, including foreign nationals, have been reported missing. According to an initial

assessment by Nepal's Tourism Board. Nepalese Army helicopters are helping rescue citizens from rooftops in the flood-affected areas.

The Red Cross is also deploying an emergency team with relief supplies, and in Tibet's Gyirong Port, China's President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out

search and rescue efforts to find those who are missing after a mudslide caused major casualties.

China's state news agency "Xinhua" reported. The mudslide has cut off the region's roads, communications and power, "Xinhua" said. Nepal's Foreign

Minister said the deadly flash-flood was caused by an earthquake, triggering a large landslide, which blocked the Bhotekoshi River. The full

scale of the devastation is yet to become clear. Hanako Montgomery, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Journalist Kosh Raj Koirala is an editor at the "Republika Daily", he joins us from Kathmandu. Thank you so much for joining us, Kosh. As the

hours go by --

KOSH RAJ KOIRALA, EDITOR, REPUBLIKA DAILY NEPAL: Thank you --

FOSTER: We're learning more about what happened. And it seems -- it seems much more devastating than we first thought. Initially, we thought it was

an earthquake, didn't we?

KOIRALA: Yes, we thought that it was because of earthquake. But then, you know, the exact cause is yet to be determined. But our Foreign Minister

said in parliament that it was caused by a sort of landslide, which was triggered by mild earthquake in Tibetan region.

But yes, the devastation is one of the biggest, I think it's a national tragedy for Nepal. And we have not had -- seen this level of, you know,

devastation in decades. And the government officials, they say that they are finding it very challenging to conduct search and rescue operation as

well.

Because, you know, many of the settlements, they have been completely inundated by mudslide and the Roshi, you know, the river. Yes.

[14:05:00]

FOSTER: So, the river was blocked off by this initial landslide, as I understand it. And it's a very powerful river, isn't it? And it's literally

gushing through these villages.

KOIRALA: Yes, it was powerful village. Now, the government official later, they said that, you know, they have received some information from Chinese

authorities. There was some glacial lake outburst badly, you know, that was triggered by earthquake, and all of a sudden, you know, the water started,

you know, the water level in the Bhotekoshi started rising and people were caught off guard.

You know, the local people, they didn't have even time to actually run away from this place, they could not even escape. And you can see the footage

captured by (INAUDIBLE). But they could not escape from that flood. And several, you know, hundreds of people are, you know, feared missing and

feared, you know, washed away.

And as of 8:30 p.m. local time, yes, police personnel, they say that, at least, you know, 100 dead bodies have been already retrieved from the

downstream Trishuli River and more dead bodies are expected to be retrieved --

FOSTER: Kosh --

KOIRALA: In coming days.

FOSTER: Because there's some quite isolated areas. And as I understand it, the helicopters that the governments are sending in can't land because the

area is flooded. So, we really don't really know what the casualty numbers are at this point, do we?

KOIRALA: Yes, we don't know. And I had -- I had, you know, talked to Nepal Army, you know, personnel officials who were -- who were there on duty and

also the Home Ministry official, they say that, you know, the devastation, the extent of the damage is beyond our imagination.

It's really big. And, you know, yes, helicopters were sent, but then, you know, it's not easy. Like it's a -- it's a difficult terrain. And they have

put -- they have deployed helicopters in the nearest Army barrack. From there, you know, the troops have been mobilized, but they are also finding

it very difficult to reach to the, you know, the sites.

And, you know, remove the debris and retrieve dead bodies or those alive. And it's becoming very challenging for even security personnel also.

FOSTER: And amongst the casualties, of course, are tourists. I know it's not peak season there because there is often weather trouble at that time

of year, but it's still very busy, isn't it, for tourism?

KOIRALA: Yes, and so it's a peak season in a way, and it's a very popular destination for hiking and a large number of tourists. And according to

Nepal Tourism Board, you know, 341 foreign nationals, they are feared missing.

That's the -- you know, report that tourism -- Nepal Tourism Board has collected. And there are also like, you know, foreign tourists hiking

there. You know, their record might not be there with the Nepal Tourism Board. So, several hundreds, you know, foreign and local tourists are

feared missing there.

And it's a popular hike destination. And people from all around the world, they come there for, you know, their holiday and they hike there. And, you

know, it is a very popular destination for tourists.

FOSTER: Well, thank you so much for joining us, Kosh Raj Koirala, I know you've got a very busy time and our thoughts with everyone in your country.

KOIRALA: Yes --

FOSTER: Now a former hostage speaking out about his ordeal and the propaganda video he was forced to record for Hamas. Evyatar David was at

the Nova Music Festival on October 7th, 2023. He was taken hostage by Hamas and spent more than two years in captivity.

At one point, he appeared in a propaganda video digging what he said was his own grave. David was one of the last 20 living Israeli hostages in Gaza

and was released as part of the U.S. brokered ceasefire deal. He spoke with our Bianna Golodryga in his first international interview since his

release. Some images you may find disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's an image that shocked the world. The emaciated figure of Evyatar David in a Gaza tunnel

after being held by Hamas for more than two years, Evyatar was finally released last October. Back into the arms of his family.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GOLODRYGA: Now, nearly a year later, in his first international interview, Evyatar, who has made a remarkable physical recovery --

(On camera): You look fantastic --

(Voice-over): Says he's still dealing with the mental toll.

EVYATAR DAVID, FORMER ISRAELI HOSTAGE: One hour I can be fine and happy, and the second one, I can remember something from captivity and get

flashbacks. And also, I can wake up at night from nightmares.

[14:10:00]

GOLODRYGA: Evyatar was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival on October 7th, 2023 and dragged into Gaza. He was held alongside his best friend

since childhood, Guy Gilboa-Dalal for much of his captivity. In a propaganda video released in August 2025, Evyatar was forced by his Hamas

captors to list the days he went without food. His skeletal body looking close to death.

DAVID: We were in extreme starvation, everything I sang and saying there and doing, they tell me what to do. But of course, how you can see my body,

it's totally true, I couldn't -- (INAUDIBLE) --

GOLODRYGA: (INAUDIBLE) to dig his own grave.

DAVID: When I -- when I tried to dig that, the grave just to -- just to hold the shovel, it was almost impossible. Probably the hardest physical

thing I ever did. They took me like 50 meters walk. And for me, it was almost -- I almost collapsed. It was almost impossible for me to do.

GOLODRYGA: Evyatar says his captors would sometimes eat in front of him. Another kind of torment.

DAVID: I can hear them laughing and eating cakes and drinking tea like there is no person that walks like next to them and looks like a skeleton.

But this is how they are. They are very cruel.

GOLODRYGA: Since those scenes of jubilation when after 738 days, he and Guy became some of the last hostages to be released from Gaza, Evyatar and

other survivors say they haven't had enough help from the government, his family and friends launched a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for his

recovery.

(On camera): What could you tell this government or the next government because there are elections just weeks away about what they could do

differently and better?

DAVID: We don't have enough help. This is why I do the campaign that my family and friends did for me, for raising money, and I hope the next

government will do better.

GOLODRYGA (voice-over): As for the broader situation between Israel and Hamas, Evyatar does not have high hopes for a resolution. The U.S.-backed

Board of Peace announced in recent weeks that Hamas had agreed to disarm if Israel withdraws its troops from Gaza, a move which President Trump called

historic, but which has so far been rejected by Israel.

(On camera): You spent over two years underground with some of these men, these terrorists. You know them in a way no negotiator ever will. Do you

allow yourself to envision a Hamas-free Gaza and peace?

DAVID: No, I don't think it's possible because their pure ideology, they just want the whole land. They don't really care about Gaza. I could see --

I could see it in their eyes. It's the thing that they want the most. I never saw something like that. It's scary really.

GOLODRYGA (voice-over): For Evyatar, each celebration of life's milestones now represents victory. He recently attended fellow former hostage Eliya

Cohen's wedding.

DAVID: You know, they tried to take all of us and take our lives and ruin our family's life. And everybody here life. Eventually, they didn't manage

to like ruin Eliya and Ziv's life. Eventually they got married under the chuppah and it's the biggest closure in victory.

GOLODRYGA: Bianna Golodryga, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Iran's Revolutionary Guard confirming Iran and Oman have worked out some detail of a proposed -- a proposal to open a temporary shipping

lane in the Strait of Hormuz. That's according to Iran's semi-official news agency "Tasnim".

The two countries have also reportedly agreed on how to divide their share of the critical waterway and any of its revenues. But a broader deal still

needs to be finalized, and oil prices for a third day in a row took a dip on hopes that an agreement is near.

Here's a live look at the markets for you. They are currently down 0.5 percent, Brent Crude, which is the main benchmark. Elsewhere in the

economic world, Meta agreeing to pay nearly $18 billion as part of a landmark settlement involving social media addiction claims.

A lawsuit brought jointly by 29 states accused the social media giant of intentionally designing addictive platforms that harmed young people's

mental health. According to a court filing, as part of the settlement, the owner of Facebook and Instagram has agreed to make changes to its

platforms.

[14:15:00]

This, as Meta has been appearing in court for a trial where four states were seeking more than a trillion dollars in damages. The tech company

denies its platforms harm children, calling the claims against it unsubstantiated. CNN tech reporter Clare Duffy joins us from New York. So,

Clare, why did they settle on this case? Do they think they couldn't win?

CLARE DUFFY, CNN TECH REPORTER: Well, Max, I think if you're looking for Meta's perspective here, perhaps they did not want their executives to

continue having to take the stand. In this case, Instagram Head Adam Mosseri was set to testify for a second day today.

We were also expecting to hear from CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and they were being asked pretty tough questions about internal Meta documents that

suggested this company knew about risks to children. But, you know, as publicly were saying our platforms are safe for your kids.

And so, for Meta's perspective, they don't have to continue this trial, from the states' perspective, they have said that they think this

settlement brings about change more comprehensively and faster than if they had continued with this litigation process.

Of course, the states could have been seeking up to more than a trillion dollars in this trial. But this $18 billion settlement that they have

agreed to really is a landmark moment. This is the largest settlement with a big tech company, something a number of the Attorneys General have

pointed out today.

And the money which will go to funding state programs for youth mental health, online safety awareness, that is only part of it. As you said, Max,

Meta has also agreed to make some really significant changes to its platforms.

And I'll walk you through just some of those. It will be setting up a two- hour daily time limit for teens aged 13 to 17 for both Instagram and Facebook, it is implementing a night mode where these apps will be blocked

for teens from midnight to 6:00 a.m.

A school mode where teens will receive fewer notifications throughout the day. They're also turning off likes on teen posts, and they'll be prompting

teens every 15 minutes that they're using these apps to try to get them to be a little bit more mindful about their scrolling habits.

Now, some advocates say that they would like to see even more, but this is a major change to how Meta's platforms operate. Could potentially have a

significant impact on the company's bottom line, if it does indeed result in teens spending less time on these apps, viewing fewer ads.

And importantly, Max, Meta is pushing for other big tech companies, including TikTok and YouTube, to take similar steps. As part of this

agreement, Meta has said we will pay out 70 percent of this $80 billion -- $18, excuse me, billion dollars right at the start, and then the remaining

30 percent, they will only pay out if TikTok and YouTube agree to make similar changes.

So, really, this could result in industry-wide changes in terms of how young people act and how they use social media platforms, and the impact

that, that has on their mental health.

FOSTER: Yes, big change. Clare, thank you so much for bringing us the detail on that. Still to come tonight on the show, a rare trip to Moscow by

the CIA director as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine stall. What President Trump has to say about the surprise visit just ahead.

And later, tributes from around the world for Dolly Parton. We'll show you one with the British royal family.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:20:00]

FOSTER: CIA Director John Ratcliffe has made an unannounced visit to Moscow to meet with Russian officials. President Trump says the visit was

semi-routine and not intended to warn Russian President Vladimir Putin against an attack on NATO territory.

Ahead of the trip, Washington asked Ukraine to halt strikes in Moscow and other Russian cities. The visit marks Ratcliffe's first known visit to

Russia since taking up his role under President Trump, and comes as peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine stall.

Joining us now from Bucharest, Romania's Foreign Minister, Oana Toiu, thank you so much for joining me, Foreign Minister. And when was the first you

heard about this, and what was your reaction?

OANA TOIU, FOREIGN MINISTER, ROMANIA: Thank you for having me. U.S. has urged Russia on the path for peace for some time now, and we do believe

direct contact might be of help. In this direction, we have always said that in order to bring Russia to the peace negotiations in a sustainable

way, we need alignment with Ukraine, but we need alignment as well between European and U.S. leaders.

So, we are hopeful. I'm going to meet tomorrow in Chisinau, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Andrii Sybiha; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of

Ukraine, on the day of the independence of Republic of Moldova.

Of course, we're going to be hosted there by President Maia Sandu, and we're going to have a chance to further discuss on how we see the path

towards a resilient and sustainable peace in the region.

FOSTER: Have you had any feedback about what was discussed in that meeting?

TOIU: Well, I will not comment upon that. I'm sure U.S. will disclose whenever, and if they feel it is the need to both the public and partners

and allies, depending on their own plans in that direction. But I can say, whenever there is an alignment between leaders, whenever there is an

alignment between the countries that are working towards peace, that also increases the level with which Russia pays attention.

FOSTER: Washington asking Ukraine to halt strikes on Moscow and other Russian cities. Is that something that you're pressing for with President

Zelenskyy too?

TOIU: I'm sorry, can you say the question again, please? I didn't hear it clearly.

FOSTER: So, Washington -- yes, Washington is asking Ukraine to halt the strikes on Russian cities. I wonder if that's something that you're

encouraging Ukraine to do as well.

TOIU: Well, from the information that we have, there has been a temporary request based on the travel of U.S. officials in terms of what is the path

forward. Our discussions with Ukraine are focused around economic resilience, because we're the country that has the friendliest border with

Ukraine.

And that's why we're working on integrated logistics and connections. And we also believe as Winter is coming, that there is a need for international

support for that resilience. And we see that happening. In terms of U.S., something that we're discussing with the United States is the Pearl

Initiative within NATO, an initiative that Romania was part of last year, as well.

FOSTER: Obviously, a lot of concern for the east European countries about the war spilling over into NATO territory. What's your view on that at the

moment? Because they've only been incursions so far, haven't they? Not necessarily intentional. But do you think Russia is testing your borders?

TOIU: Well, we do see an increase in the spillover effects of the war. And in that sense, we have, of course, taken diplomatic measures such as the

closure of the general consulate of Russia in Constanta.

[14:25:00]

And we do believe these incursions are generating risks not just for the eastern flank, but we need to remind the world that the Black Sea and

specifically the Constanta Harbor as well, are key for the global grain supply chain.

Whenever we see a disruption in the freedom of navigation and in the security of the Black Sea, we see that being felt directly in the prices of

grain and food in Middle East and Africa. So, we have spoken as well with Ukraine, with our European partners, of how important it is to ensure we

protect the security at the Black Sea in order to keep this flow going globally and make sure we do not have millions of people that feel that

directly in their access to food, for example.

And why am I mentioning that? Is because the Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, of course, their effects are felt regionally

more. But it does have a global impact. And that overlap with the energy crisis and the Middle East and Strait of Hormuz challenges might pose a

significant effect on the prices that are felt in other regions as well.

And that is why we are grateful for the allied support in bringing security on the eastern flank and then the Black Sea. And U.S. is a reliable partner

in that direction, as well as our European partners within NATO.

FOSTER: The big test of that, of course, is if Russia actually attacks a NATO country to test it, because NATO will have to decide whether or not to

attack back. How do you think NATO will be resilient or will they resist the idea of going into conflict with Russia?

TOIU: The main aim that Romania has, and the main aim that NATO has, is peace and keeping citizens safe, as well as contributing to a path towards

a sustainable peace at the border. In the Ankara Summit, in the final statement, Article 5 was reaffirmed.

But more than that or equal to that, what is very important is the clear decision that we have taken in Romania, as well as the decision that other

allies have taken to increase the investments, we have on our defense budget to make sure we are resilient enough, but also to make sure that

there is a deterrence element that will make NATO not to be challenged.

FOSTER: OK, Foreign Minister Oana Toiu of Romania, thank you so much for joining us on CNN today. Still to come tonight on the show, what we know

about the cause of that catastrophic flash-flooding near the Nepal-China border and why the death toll is almost certain to rise.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:30:00]

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: More on our top story as rescuers search for survivors of a catastrophic flash flood near the Nepal-China border. This

is the moment a bridge snapped before being swept away as powerful floodwaters inundated Nepal's Trishuli River. Hundreds of people are still

missing.

At least 157 people have been confirmed dead. But that number is expected to dramatically rise once the water recedes and the true extent of the

damage becomes clear. One member of parliament tells CNN Nepal needs all the help it can get.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DHANANJAY REGMI, NEPALI PARLIAMENT MEMBER: Obviously, this kind of disaster, we certainly need the support from our neighbor and from the

international community and government has already requested, I think, and wherever, because at present we cannot say at what level we need what kind

of support.

But we activated every system. By tomorrow we will come to know more that how many available hospitals are enough for them or not, or if we need more

technical people for these rescue operations or not. So, these all things will be clarified tomorrow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Let's bring in CNN Meteorologist Derek Van Dam because much confusion, Derek, about what started this was it an earthquake, a glacier

crumbling or just a mudslide? What have you been looking at?

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, we've got some new information to report from the USGS as we kind of tie together all of the clues, analyze

the satellite data. This is what we're learning.

Right now, there was a 4.4 registered earthquake near the border of Nepal and China earlier this morning local time. But that has now been revised by

the USGS. They now say that that was actually the ground shaking because of a landslide. So, this helps really piece together the puzzle.

So, let's kind of broaden out, give it a bigger perspective here and zoom in on Google Earth. This is the Himalayas. There are thousands of peaks

that tower 6,000, 7,000 meters in the air. But this is one of the fastest warming places on the planet, two times more than the global average. So,

what that's doing is it's destabilizing the rock. It's destabilizing the glaciers that sit so high in the altitude here.

This is the landslide point. According to the latest USGS tweet, when they revised it from an earthquake to a landslide that caused the shaking,

that's registered as a 5.2 magnitude. It is this very location. And you can see the amount of glacier ice within that area that slipped below to the

valley and the gorge below. And that, of course, caused, or at least in part, caused this torrent of water that came trembling down the hill.

And I want to show you this before and after satellite image to kind of confirm this idea. This is yesterday's satellite image, the same location.

I want you to pay attention right there. There's the glacial tongue that we showed on Google Earth just a moment ago.

Now, we're going to go to a satellite image that was taken just a few hours ago, and you can see the scar from the landslide. Notice the browning

effect right there near the ocean, or excuse me, near the river. I'll play it back and forth again, and you can kind of see that area. That's where we

believe the starting point of the landslide occurred.

So, what happened is that ice fell down into the valley and the gorges below. It created this cataclysmic event, this hazard that kind of

culminated in the form of an inland tsunami. That's the best way we can use to describe it. And this is one area near the border of Nepal and China

that we've been showing videos of all morning long.

And I want you to take note that the water seems to come from this location, but it reaches a dead end, basically this mountainous traverse

here that is going to stop the water in its tracks and allow it to flow out in all directions, even going uphill at some points. In fact, this proves

just that. This is actually, we geolocated this. This is actually uphill from where the water would normally be going downhill. So, there was enough

force in this water to create an inland tsunami that moved uphill.

[14:35:00]

Now, this is another perspective of that, and the water you can clearly see here just filled with debris, ice, meltwater, boulders, whatever it can. It

takes it downhill, and it rushes, and it takes everything out in its path. This is where, unfortunately, communities reside. People reside within

these areas.

And when we kind of broaden out and look into the broader perspective, that water's got to flow somewhere. So, it goes downstream, threatening millions

of people. And unfortunately, when we zoom into this very location, Baddour, this is in Nepal. Notice the river right here, this bend, and

we're going to get in even closer. That is a bridge. I'm going to show you the video of the moment that water came through this particular area,

taking out everything in its path.

You can follow the water from the height of the Himalayas all the way down into the lower areas where residents reside and unfortunately have lost

their lives today. Max.

FOSTER: That's brilliantly explained, Derek. Really appreciate it. What a tragedy. And we have another one for you, sadly. At least 14 newborns dying

in one of Pakistan's deadliest hospital fires in recent decades. Rescue sources say hospital workers were able to save only one infant. A grieving

father told reporters outside the hospital that the fire killed his three- day-old baby. He said, quote, "No one can understand the pain I'm going through."

CNN's Gage Goulding has more on how Pakistan's government is responding to the blaze.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GAGE GOULDING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When you really think about it, this fire started in what could be the worst part of a hospital, a nursery,

where infant children, we're talking about babies, maybe just a few days old, recently born, were, and they can't fend for themselves here. We're

told that this fire started around 7:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Sources telling CNN that an air conditioning compressor exploded starting

that fire in the hospital.

And at this time, what we're also being told is only one baby was able to be saved, and more than a dozen children were killed in this fire. I mean,

you could only imagine. These are parents that just went through what could be one of the most joyous experiences of their lives, now facing burying

their young children. The prime minister of Pakistan is saying that he's, quote, "deeply saddened and vows an investigation and to hold anybody that

is responsible to the strictest of penalties."

The government, they're actually forming a fact-finding committee to investigate this. But it's important to note that government facilities,

especially hospitals here, are chronically underfunded. There have been hospital fires before due to aging infrastructure. So, whether there truly

is an investigation to be had, that's something that will come out. But I think there's nothing that is more important right now than thinking about

the families that now have to bury their young children, more than a dozen babies killed in this fire.

Gage Goulding, CNN, Hong Kong.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:40:00]

FOSTER: Tributes coming in for the late music legend, Dolly Parton. The singer and philanthropist died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after a brief

battle of cancer. Amongst those paying respects to Parton were the U.K.'s royal family.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: "9 to 5" like you haven't heard it before playing during the changing of the guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. In a message, the

royal family remembered Parton as someone who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many. Appropriate perhaps for the queen of country, she

also got a big city salute.

In New York, the Empire State Building also taking a queue from "9 to 5." Tuesday night at 9:25, the famed building was lit up in pink in tribute to

Dolly.

Jason Carroll takes a look at more of the tributes flooding in for the iconic singer.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You know you speak to people out here in Severville County, those who knew Dolly Parton, you know

they would say she would always say, you know, the show must go on and that's exactly what's happening here at Dollywood. It is open for business.

Behind me you can see there are folks here who are lined up to enter the Dollywood song teller Dolly's Journey. It's an attraction where it's like a

museum where folks can come inside and basically learn about Dolly Parton's life and how she grew up from humble beginnings to become who she was. A

lot of folks that we spoke to out here had already had tickets to come to Dollywood today so being here today holds very special significance to

those who we spoke to.

I want you to listen to what some of those out here are saying about Dolly Parton and what she meant to them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Rags to Riches, the American story. Just to see her humble beginnings in the replica of that one log cabin over there that is

so tiny for all those children and to see all of this. I have grandchildren, the Imagination Library. Books are sent to kids every month

totally free of charge. My grandkids didn't come with us today. We knew it wouldn't be a place today for them, but we're coming back Friday. Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dolly was just a light in the dark world. She stood for equality, had a strong faith. I mean, she was an LGBTQ ally, Black

Lives Matter ally. She just loved everybody. She was a true epitome of just love and brightness.

CARROLL: You know, there have been a lot of questions about what Dolly Parton's legacy will be. When you think about Dollywood, for example, she

opened this back in 1986. Didn't open it for her ego. She opened it because she wanted to provide jobs for those here in the county, for her community,

and that's not all. She's also going to be known for her literacy program where she provided free books every month to young children so they would

learn how to read because her father didn't know how to read.

How she gave back to the community when this area around here was devastated by wildfires and she financially helped out families. How she

helped people graduate from high school by giving them the incentive to form a buddy program where they would team up in seventh and eighth grade

and then if they continued on as buddies and graduated from a high school together, they each got $500.

Spoke to people who received those books, spoke to people who were part of that buddy program. You know, Dolly Parton was someone you know who was

loved by so many people all over the world but she never forgot her hometown roots, never forgot the people here. Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Jason Carroll at Dollywood. Now, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived back in the U.K. six years after they left the country and

stepped away from royal life. Harry and Meghan departed the U.K. in 2020 due to tabloid intrusion, racism in British institutions, online abuse and

complex family dynamics. The pair are returning as private citizens meaning they'll not resume any official duties.

Their children Archie, seven, Lilybeth, five, already enrolled in school, and the term starts very soon in September which is why they've arrived.

Anna Stewart joins us from London with some breaking updates. Anna.

[14:45:00]

ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, big news. Not only have Team Sussex returned to the U.K. but so has Pula, the black Labrador, and a new dog

Mia, a beagle who was rescued in 2022. These are actually the only lines officially confirmed by the spokesperson for the Sussex family. Everything

else is British media reports.

According to British media reports, they flew back around lunchtime and landed at Birmingham Airport in the U.K. They came in by private jet,

apparently, according to all those reports. Of course, Max, this just further fuels speculation about where in the U.K. they will be living.

Plenty of people pointing to the area of the Cotswolds, a rural area I think you're pretty familiar with. Very affluent, filled with celebrities,

perhaps like yourself and many others. But of course, we're not going to know.

This is a private matter. The travel arrangements are private, where they live is private and certainly the schools where their children will go.

FOSTER: It's the Montecito of England, I've decided, because they do have lots of celebrities living there, don't they? A couple of hours from

London. So, very she-she but not good enough for the chickens, apparently.

STEWART: Not good enough for the chickens, but we are informed that there is no foul play and that the chickens will be residing in Montecito. I

think we have some videos of these chickens. And while you've been on air, Max, I've done some, you know, good investigative reporting. One of the

chickens is named Sinky and it was actually previously owned by Ellen DeGeneres and was rehomed because it was getting henpecked at her pen.

But yes, they are staying in Montecito. They will be looked after. Goodness knows by whom. I think we've had enough questions to Team Sussex about the

animals of the household.

FOSTER: We didn't see the chickens, but we believe you, Anna, because you've been doing that digging.

STEWART: Maybe next hour we'll get you video.

FOSTER: We need to see them. Coming up, the Trump administration cabinet agencies launched their approved TikTok campaigns, while some posts are

catchy, others are just. We'll let you decide more of this after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: The Trump administration working to dramatically expand its immigration crackdown. CNN's Jennifer Hansler now reports on the latest

plans to target visas for asylum seekers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER HANSLER, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: The U.S. State Department is moving to revoke the visas of potentially hundreds of

thousands of foreigners who have applied or are seeking asylum in the United States.

[14:50:00]

The move would go after those who came to the U.S. on temporary visas meant for things like tourism or business and then stayed and applied for asylum

here. State Department spokesperson said that they are working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify those who would be subject to

those visa revocations. And he said that those who come here on a temporary visa and then apply for an asylum case are committing, quote, "visa fraud."

Now, a source familiar with the matter said that these revocations would not be done in quote, "one fell swoop," and they described the number as

dynamic. Now, this all comes as part and parcel of the Trump administration's broader anti-immigration policies as they've sought to

crack down both on who is coming to the U.S.

And those who are already in the country, an immigration attorney and a former consular official told CNN that the revocations would not likely

result in the immediate deportation of these individuals. The attorney explained that if there is an asylum case, at the very least, they would

have to go before an immigration judge before they could be removed from the country. They said that this is all part of the administration's

efforts to claim that this is a visa system that has been abused and that it is more symbolic than anything else.

Still, we have seen a large number of visa revocations under the Trump administration earlier this month. They said they provoked more than

170,000 visas. We also saw them crack down on attempts to have people use that temporary visa to come into the U.S. And apply for asylum. In order to

apply for asylum, you do have to be here in the country and fleeing persecution.

Jennifer Hansler, CNN, the State Department.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Many of President Trump's cabinet members have joined TikTok in the past month following approval from the Justice Department for federal

employees to use the app. Their videos have quickly drawn attention from the Veterans Affairs secretary doing pushups to explicit rap to Health

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shooting lightning bolts out of his eyes. Many viewers are questioning the priorities of these pages, the officials

behind them as well.

We go live now to Brian Todd in Washington, who's had the great joy of unpacking these videos that seem to be going viral for the wrong reasons.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kind of like that, Max. You know, the Trump administration rolled this TikTok campaign out a little over a month ago,

and it's run the gamut from clever and creative videos to maybe some cringeworthy posts to controversial videos.

Now, one that's drawn controversy was put out by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the star of that video is VA Secretary Doug Collins. The video

titled SEC law reporting for duty. You see it here shows Collins doing pushups with VA Employees practicing his golf swing and other things. It's

controversial because it really is all about Doug Collins and because of the lyrics. It has body sexually suggestive lyrics and some curse words.

Now, we're not allowed to play it for you because of copyright laws in the language. But here are some of the lyrics in the video from the song "Salt

Shaker" by the Ying Yang Twins, quote, "Roll that a round around like a mother effing wheel. Shake that is ass. This ain't no mother effing drill,"

end quote. Sounds great coming from middle aged white guy, doesn't it?

This video, according to three sources inside the VA who spoke to CNN has caused some consternation within the agency. One high level VA Source told

us, quote, "We're embarrassed by this."

Douglas Massey, a longtime VA Employee and head of the local branch of the union, which represents hundreds of thousands of VA Workers sent Doug

Collins an email denouncing that video Massey and other and another VA Source told us these new VA TikTok videos have kind of gotten away from

previous VA Social media outreach where the VA would give veterans guidance on how to get care for things like mental health and suicide prevention.

And now, they say the post focus more on promoting Doug Collins. Massey also personally criticized Collins, who is a former Air Force chaplain and

civilian pastor. In his email to Collins, Massey said this quote, "Frankly, as a conservative Southern Baptist pastor, I was surprised that an official

VA video was paired with a song containing explicit sexual content," end quote.

Now, the VA responded in an email to CNN, Press Secretary Quinn Slaven saying this, quote, "The post simply shows Secretary Collins performing two

of the most important aspects of his job, listening to the concerns of veterans and VA employees. What's more, VA's use of TikTok and other

emerging forms of media has helped the department recruit more than 225,000 new VA Health care enrollees in 2026 alone." Slaven also denied that the VA

has scaled back its social media outreach on suicide prevention and mental health.

But the VA not the only agency that uses crude language in a TikTok video. You have to check this one out.

[14:55:00]

One video put out by the Treasury Department features rapper Nicki Minaj, who is a big trump supporter, bopping back-to-back with Treasury Secretary

Scott Bessent, with the rapper singing part of her song, "Bees in the Trap." Here's a quote from some of those lyrics. Quote, "Bitches say S and

they ain't saying nothing. 100 mother effers can't tell me nothing." Not quite channeling Nicki correctly, but you get the gist. These TikTok videos

clearly targeting younger generations who frequent TikTok.

One video shows, as Max mentioned earlier, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with lightning coming out of his eyes.

Another TikTok from the Small Business Administration features a raccoon named Jimothy. It's a raccoon with a spinal condition who's gone viral on

social media, promoting the idea of shopping locally. That video didn't get many views, but you do have some empathy for the poor raccoon, Jimothy.

Max.

FOSTER: Brian about to go viral in his own way on TikTok with his wrapping brilliantly done. Thank you so much.

TODD: Yes.

FOSTER: Thank you for watching tonight. Do so with CNN. I'll be back after the break with "What We Know."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:00:00]

END