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One World with Zain Asher
Geneva Hosts Peace Talks Between Ukraine, Russia And U.S.; U.S. Holds Separate Talks In Geneva On Ukraine War And Iran; Public Interest In Epstein Files At An All-Time High; Guthrie Family Cleared AS Suspects In Nancy's Disappearance; Civil Rights Icon Rev. Jesse Jackson Dead At Age 84; E.U. Data Privacy Watchdog Launches Probe Into Grok; Lunar New Year Celebrations Kick Off Around The World; Aired 12-1p ET
Aired February 17, 2026 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[12:00:35]
ZAIN ASHER, CNN ANCHOR: Opportunities for peace. Negotiators come to the table for two major moments in global diplomacy.
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN ANCHOR: The second hour of "One World" starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Look, so far, Ukraine better company the table fast. That's all I'm telling you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Ukraine and Iran are front and center. How today's talks could move the needle for global security?
ASHER: Also ahead, a nation in crisis. How Cuba's fuel crisis has turned into a crisis on waste.
Plus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JESSE JACKSON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: We must never surrender. America will get better and better. Keep hope alive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: The man, the myth, and the legend we reflect on the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson.
ASHER: And later, it is official, the year of the horse is upon us. Your predictions from a Feng Shui master on how Donald Trump, Timothee Chalamet
and Margot Robbie will fare in the year.
All right. Coming to you live from New York, I'm Zain Asher.
GOLODRYGA: And I'm Bianna Golodryga. You are watching the second hour of "One World."
And all eyes today are on Geneva. We begin with two major diplomatic discussions unfolding there today. The U.S. and Iran nuclear negotiations
and a new round of trilateral talks between the U.S., Russia and Ukraine.
Let's start with Iran. The country's foreign minister says Tehran and Washington have agreed on, quote, guiding principles for further talks. But
then adds that the drafting and writing phase of the agreement will be more difficult.
ASHER: Yes. We are also tracking negotiations over Russia's war in Ukraine. And exactly one week from today, we'll actually cross the four-year mark on
that full-scale invasion.
Today's talks in Geneva happening just hours after Ukrainian authorities say that Russia launched new attacks. Since Monday, at least two deaths
have been reported along with 16 people wounded.
For more on Ukraine's talks, let's bring in Kylie Atwood joining us live now from Washington. I mean, obviously these talks, once again, are
happening in the back drop of Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine. Just walk us through what is going to be different at this time. This is the
third round of trilateral talks.
Just in terms of any expectation for breakthrough here, how low or high is any optimism?
KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I mean, I do think your question as to what is going to be different here is a good one because
that really isn't entirely clear to us.
U.S. officials obviously making the commitment to have these round of talks is significant. They have previously said that, you know, they don't agree
to the principle of talks for toxic. They -- they want to actually make forward progress.
But as far as the actions from Russia's side, it doesn't indicate that they are actually wanting to put down their weapons in order to pave the way for
any sort of agreement here. U.S. officials aren't telling us that there is some sort of agreement on the precipice here.
And the other thing is that the Bi -- excuse me, the Trump administration is not necessarily putting a tremendous amount of pressure on the Russians
right now as they head to these negotiations later today.
By contrast, what they are doing with the Iranians is quite substantial. The U.S. military posture in the Middle East is quite tremendous right now.
That continues to build up. There's a second aircraft carrier coming to the Middle East in the coming days that is going to give the U.S. even more
military prowess if it decides to carry out strikes against Iran.
And President Trump has said that that is a real possibility if the Iranians don't agree to a negotiated deal here.
What we're hearing from U.S. officials following those U.S. Iran talks, which took place in Geneva this morning, is that in the next two weeks they
expect the Iranians to come back with proposals that address the gaps in the positions between the U.S. and Iran.
This signals that these talks actually delved into substance for the first time. There were rounds of talks a few weeks ago. It -- it wasn't clear
that there was any real substance that was discussed. It does appear that these round of talks got to the meat of the matter.
However, we're hearing from both sides, as you discussed in the opening there, the Iranians and the U.S. officials saying that it's very clear that
more detailed work needs to be done.
[12:05:07]
The Iranian Foreign Minister saying that when it comes to the text, work becomes more detailed and harder. It's very clear right now that the text
of what any nuclear agreement between the two sides could actually look like hasn't really been delved into.
And that is historically where the U.S. and Iran have had to break away from one another and not had diplomatic breakthroughs.
There are a few things that the Iranians, I'm told, according to sources familiar with the back and forth between intermediaries, have signaled that
an openness to discuss with the U.S. in terms of potentially pausing some of their uranium enrichment for some time, but not for the long term, also
potentially moving some of their uranium stockpiles out of the country, specifically to Russia.
So those are things that U.S. officials might actually be able to dig their teeth into. But what we're watching for right now is some sort of actual
progress that could send off the U.S. military buildup in the region and these threats of military action that President Trump continues to make.
ASHER: All right. Kylie Atwood, live for us there. Thank you so much.
GOLODRYGA: All right. Let's discuss these negotiations, specifically the negotiations in Geneva that are taking place as it relates to the war in
Ukraine with our next guest, Alina Polyakova. She is the president and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis.
Alina, it is good to see you. I know you're fresh back from the Munich Security Conference. And these two subject matters were front and center
and fascinating that you have the same two negotiators representing the United States, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, neither of which are
seasoned diplomats, but very close to President Trump and speak for him when they go into these meetings.
And as it relates to the talks around the war in Ukraine, the subject matter now is focused on territorial concessions. And that is obviously the
hardest part of these talks. We've known this for a while now, and the fact that you have a hardliner like Vladimir Medinsky now who is participating
in these talks tells you what about what Russia is willing to give up here.
ALINA POLYAKOVA, PRESIDENT AN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CENTER FOR EUROPEAN POLICY ANALYSIS: No, absolutely. I think the mood at the Munich Security
Conference was -- was very stark and very clear. You know, President Zelenskyy spoke in public, but also in private on multiple occasions.
And it's very clear that Russia's capacity to carry out the war in terms of its ability to innovate, particularly in the drone domain, has been
increasing, while at the same time support for Ukraine, both military and - - and economic as well, has shifted to Europe. And Europe is scrambling to get military assistance to Ukraine. So we're in a very difficult moment.
And when we look at who is joining the trilateral negotiations between the United States, Russia and Ukraine, what we see is trusted envoys from the
U.S. side. We also see the trusted envoys from the Ukrainian side.
What I see on the Russian side doesn't signal to me that they're taking these negotiations seriously, that they are sending, you know, GRU
primarily officers and hardliners exactly, as you said just to be there and not to offend President Trump and the United States, but without any desire
to actually compromise or negotiate, which is exactly what's needed to move these conversations forward.
So, unfortunately, you know, I don't think the talks in Geneva are really going to break through the impasse that we've been in now for -- for a long
time.
ASHER: And, Alina, just in terms of the Ukrainian side in all of this, I mean Zelenskyy has been adamant that he doesn't want to give up territory.
I mean, he's talked just recently at the Munich Security Conference. He talked about the fact that giving up territory to the aggressor would of
course be a mistake at the very least because of the message it sends.
If his stance isn't changing and that Russia is also digging in their heels, I mean, as you point out, can we really expect any kind of progress
from not just these trilateral talks, but future trilateral talks as well? What needs to change for there to be actually a breakthrough here?
POLYAKOVA: Well, unfortunately, we're stuck in -- in a bit of a formula now. You know, Ukraine is defending Europe. It's the only country defending
Europe from Russian attacks. Europe is supporting Ukraine in that defense.
Russia and President Putin, that's the only actor they can actually stop the war. And the U.S. and President Trump are the -- is the only actor they
can pressure Putin to do so.
So until something changes in that formula, I think this war is going to go on for some time. And on the territorial question, you know, this has been
the problem from these negotiations at the very beginning, which is that for the Russians at the end of the day, this is not about territory.
[12:10:02]
I think even if the Ukrainians were willing to voluntarily give up territory, which is not politically certainly feasible in Ukraine right now
for Zelenskyy to do. You know, I don't think their ambitions would stop there. Russia's ambitions are far bigger and far broader than a few
kilometers of the Donbas.
And what's interesting is what I heard from European leaders in Munich is that they believe that if there is a ceasefire in which Ukraine cedes
territory and it gives some sort of break to the fighting, that this actually increases the risk that Russia then pushes forward and there is a
direct confrontation with NATO.
So the risk actually increases, not decreases, which I think is something we have to think about as these negotiations are taking place.
But then the bottom line for me is that President Trump and certainly the United States has all the leverage to put more pressure on the Russian side
in all kinds of different ways, economic and military included to change the formula that I laid out. Until that happens, I just don't see how
anything changes.
GOLODRYGA: Yes, especially since there are visible cracks now showing as we're entering the fifth year of this war in Russia's economy as well. And
we know that they've suffered a tremendous loss as it relates to manpower.
So you have President Trump on the one hand clearly not going as far in terms of putting more pressure on Russia as he can, even saying there you
heard on Air Force One, that Ukraine needs to move.
But what we also heard from President Zelenskyy in Munich was that if there is a ceasefire in place, what would be required from his perspective for
Russia not to once again attack is to get more guarantees from Europe and the E.U., perhaps even E.U. membership. That is something that the
Europeans can control unilaterally without the United States necessarily intervening.
What are you hearing from the Europeans on that front? Are they willing to do that?
POLYAKOVA: Well, certainly, Ukraine is in the process of E.U. accession, if you will. But we know from experience from other countries, that's a very
long process for a country that's not actively fighting a war where all of its resources are going through that. It requires a massive transformation
of the regulatory structures, the economic structures of any country, the political structures.
And it takes a very, very long time, which is why in the past, usually countries have become NATO members first. And then they petition for E.U.
membership because it's just a much more difficult process.
And I think it's quite unfair to put so much pressure on Ukraine to move forward in that because it's a country of war. All of their resources are
going to defending themselves.
And I think, again, we keep talking about this is a Russia-Ukraine issue. And let's be clear, and this was a big topic in Munich. Russia is waging a
shadow war, a kinetic, below threshold war on Europe as we speak, on NATO as we speak.
So there are sabotage operations, attacks in critical infrastructure. They're jamming GPS signals that don't allow planes to land. I mean, this
is a massive assault that's being carried out. And I don't think that is being fully absorbed in Europe yet that would -- that would really push
Europeans to take much faster and much more serious action. They're getting there, but I'm afraid it's still just too slow.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. There are reports of the Wagner Group now has their mandate, has shifted from just recruiting more fighters to now those
sabotage operations inside of Europe as you just laid out. That's why President Zelenskyy said he needs more specific guarantees from Europe and
the United States if a ceasefire is put into place.
Alina Polyakova, thank you so much. Good to see you.
POLYAKOVA: Thank you.
GOLODRYGA: Well, turning now to the Epstein files. New Mexico has approved a comprehensive probe of the late sex offender's ranch that is located
within the state.
ASHER: Yes. Lawmakers there say it'll be the first full investigation into what happened at Zorro Ranch where Epstein is accused of trafficking and
sexually assaulting girls and women.
The probe comes as the Epstein files shed a new light on activities at the ranch. They also showed ties between Epstein and two former Democratic
governors as well as an attorney general on New Mexico.
GOLODRYGA: Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is accusing the Trump administration of a cover-up in how it is handling the Epstein files.
In Munich, she spoke to the BBC claiming that the Justice Department is slow walking the release of documents and stolen-walling requests from
Congress all in an effort to protect powerful men named in the files.
Following threats of contempt of Congress, both Clinton and her husband are set to testify in a closed-door deposition later this month in the House
Oversight Committee's Epstein investigation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: I think everybody should testify who was asked to testify. I just want it to be fair. I want
everybody treated the same way. That's not true for my husband and me because other witnesses were asked to testify. They gave written statements
under oath. We offered that. They want to pull us. Why do they want to pull us into this? To divert attention from President Trump? This is not
complicated.
[12:15:21]
ASHER: Yes. Trump who's mentioned more than 1,000 times in the documents, eventually encourage Republicans to vote to release the files late last
year, after initially resisting an effort to make them public. The U.S. president had this to say about Clinton's comments.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I have nothing to hide. I've been exonerated. I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. They went in hoping that they'd find it or found just
the opposite. I've been totally exonerated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Public interest in the Epstein files is at an all-time high and our Harry Enten is here to explain.
And, Harry, it's not for lack of trying on the Republicans' part or at least the speaker's part and the president's part to try to put this in the
rearview mirror and yet, yet, it's still dominating headlines here in the U.S. and abroad.
HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes, absolutely right, Bianna. You know, we talk about this. We speak about president, oh, we're going to try
and pass the buck over there. This is not about me. It's about the Clintons. Oh, this is a nothing burger.
Well, the American people don't think it's a nothing burger. And as you said, an interest in the Epstein case, the Epstein files is at an all-time
high.
What are we talking about here? Well, why don't we just take a look at Google searches for Epstein? This month, the month of February, up like a
rocket, the Google searches, up 900 percent versus a month ago, the highest on record.
And I should note, of course, there are plenty of other months, right, in which the Google searches were really high. But yet, the month of February
has featured the all-time highest.
And I will note very importantly, despite the fact that the Trump administration has tried to push the buck on the other folks, the top name
associated with search of Epstein, well, it's Donald John Trump.
So he is the person who is most associated with the Epstein files in the minds of the American people. And it is not an issue in which he does well
with the American people, because take a look here.
All right. Let's take a look at Trump's net approval rating. I've got a whole bunch of different issues for you on the board. And he's in the
negative, his net approval is on the negative with all of them. But the Epstein case is a completely different animal.
Look, on immigration, he's 16 points below water. Foreign policy, 20. The economy, 20. Trade and tariffs, 25 points below water.
But look at this, look at this. On the Epstein case, get this, his net approval rating is 39 points underwater. It's just in a completely
different camp. Any moment that the president in the United States is talking about the Epstein case, it is a loser. He is losing politically.
I will note among independents, his net approval rating on this issue is closer to about minus 50. I know I can't really write 50 very well, but it
is minus 50. So it is something that the center of the electorate really, really hates.
But more than that, remember, politics and oftentimes this president really sometimes will say, you know what, I don't care that much about the Senate
electorate. I care about my base.
But even amongst his base, this is his weakest issue because take a look here. Look at the approval ratings. OK. Republicans who approve of Trump.
You look at immigration. You look at the economy. You look at foreign policy. You look at trade and tariffs, they're all pretty much in the same
grouping, right?
Seventy-seven percent approval among Republicans on trade and tariffs. Seventy-nine percent on foreign policy. Eighty percent of the economy.
Eighty-five percent on immigration.
But look at the bottom of your screen. Look at the Epstein case. His approval rating among Republicans is just 55 percent. He's barely getting a
majority approval among Republicans.
And you can see that very well with Thomas Massie, of course, the congressman from the Commonwealth of Kentucky going after him on the
Epstein files. This is an issue that divides Republicans and unites independents and the general electorate against the president of the United
States.
Any minute that he is talking about the Epstein case, he is losing politically. That is why they want to push the buck to somewhere else. But
the bottom line is this, the American people aren't passing the buck at this point. Their interest in it, guys, is at an all-time high.
GOLODRYGA: So despite the fact that the president says he's exonerated, this has nothing to do with him.
ENTEN: Sure. Sure.
GOLODRYGA: Americans still can't seem to get enough.
ENTEN: No, no, no. They -- they -- they can't get enough. They wish, of course, the president wishes they were talking about anything else. And, of
course, what a surprise, the president making statements that the American public disagrees with. What is today? Oh, it's a day that ends in a why.
GOLODRYGA: Harry, I have to say a mutual friend of ours. I will not name this person just sent me a text and said, I wish I had 10 percent of
Harry's energy. And I would agree with that. You always come a hundred percent fully charged.
ASHER: I think you can have two percent. It'll be just fine.
ENTEN: One -- half a percent. I will note the Coke Zero is on the table over there. But the bottom line is this, any time I get to see you two, my
energy is sky high.
[12:20:08]
GOLODRYGA: You always know what to say too, Harry.
ASHER: So sweet.
GOLODRYGA: So gifted. Thank you.
ENTEN: I'm giving you the heart symbol if you're not looking down at the screen.
GOLODRYGA: We're seeing it.
ASHER: No. We're looking at you.
ENTEN: OK. Good. Good. I just want to make sure that my love transports not just in visual, but in audio as well.
GOLODRYGA: It always does, Harry. It always does. See you next time.
ENTEN: See you.
ASHER: You need one percent of that energy.
All right. Tributes are pouring in from around the world in honor of a civil rights icon and a political trailblazer who helped, quote, bend the
ark of history.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. The Reverend Jesse Jackson has died at the age of 84. No cause was given, but he had been hospitalized in recent months and was
under observation for a rare neurological condition.
Jackson, a protege of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was known for being a tireless advocate for the marginalized and pursued a relentless
fight for racial justice and equality.
ASHER: But he was also a political powerhouse launching two groundbreaking presidential bids that profoundly reshaped the Democratic Party. Here's how
his friend Bryan Stevenson, author of "Just Mercy," described Jackson to me last hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRYAN STEVENSON, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE: He was always a champion for anyone who needed a champion. And he was a
great source of inspiration to me. He came to Montgomery every year. We would spend time together. He came to everything.
We opened -- when we opened the legacy sites, he was right there and became, you know, really committed to that. He's what pushed me and others
to start thinking about anti-poverty work, in addition to the legal work that we do and we're now doing that work.
And it's a great loss. He did have a singular and unique voice in American politics, but also just in American life. His speech at the 1988 Democratic
convention, I think, was one of the great orations. He was charismatic, but he was committed to those who needed someone to champion their cause. And I
think that legacy is so unique in this country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: And CNN actually spoke to Jackson about his legacy just a few years ago. I want you to listen to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do you hope your legacy will be?
JACKSON: Non-stop service. I will die with my shoes on. I'm going to work it out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: Jesse Jackson, dead of the age of 84.
We'll be right back with more.
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[12:25:14]
GOLODRYGA: Well, three French regions remain on high alert for flooding, with water levels expected to fall only slowly after days of heavy rain.
French meteorologists have issued their highest warning for areas in the south and west, including Bordeaux.
ASHER: Nearly 1,600 people had to be evacuated after the Garonne River burst its banks last week. Officials warned, more rain is forecast, raising
concerns. Conditions could worsen before they get better.
GOLODRYGA: All right. Turning back here in the U.S. and Arizona, where the search for the missing 84-year-old mother of NBC host, Savannah Guthrie,
continues.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has officially cleared Nancy Guthrie's family members, including siblings and spouses, as possible suspects in her
disappearance.
In a statement on X, Sheriff Chris Nanos says Nancy's loved ones are victims in this case, and it would be cruel to suggest otherwise.
ASHER: In the meantime, we're still waiting to learn the DNA test results from a glove found in the case. And investigators are working with Walmart
to gather more information about the backpack worn by the suspect seen in this video.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. CNN's Josh Campbell is following this story for us. Josh, we are now in week three. You can only imagine the excruciating pain. This
has been for the Guthrie family to endure as they are just praying for any signs of life in the return, obviously, of their mother Nancy.
Can you talk about the significance of the sheriff coming out officially clearing the names of those family members? What that means? Because this
has also not only been emotionally difficult for the family, but for investigators too.
There are so many leads and paths they've been going down to close these that are unfounded is significant for them too, correct?
JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And, you know, this high-profile nature of this investigation has essentially brought, you
know, out of the woodwork, a lot of true crime enthusiasts as well as online, you know, social media sleuths who have proffered, you know, all
kinds of different theories about what occurred here.
And there was this building notion by some, again, absent any insight into the actual investigation that it was a family member that may have been
involved here, which, you know, you look at that, that's not only irresponsible, but you can imagine how harmful that is to the family that
is now, you know, dealing with the disappearance of their mother, you know, obviously a beloved member of the family to now then have them implicated.
And so that was notable to hear the sheriff coming out and saying not only has the family been cleared, but really admonishing, you know, these, I
don't know how else to say this is one of the journalists out there who are basically spreading a lot of disinformation without actually backing that
up with fact.
He really took them to task saying this needs to stop. This is harmful. And then finally it's worth pointing out that he said that family members, not
only are they not suspects, they have been nothing but cooperative.
ASHER: Josh, what do you make of the behavior of the potential abductors over the past three weeks? I mean, initially, you know, Savannah Guthrie
was asking and the family was asking for proof of life. I don't believe that they got that.
And then there was multiple ransom letters, then there was a first deadline, a second deadline, and then nothing. I mean, I don't -- I don't
believe we've heard anything just in terms of any kind of additional ransom notes or account activity. What do you -- I mea, what do you make of that?
What concerns you about that? What doesn't that up to you?
CAMPBELL: Well, you know, in a -- in a typical kidnapping, if you will, you will have some type of two-way communication, because both sides have
something the other wants. Obviously, the abductor has a beloved member of the family and the family presumably has, you know, money that that person
wants.
And so these cases are typically marked by some kind of dialogue, some kind of discussion, some kind of demand. Look, this is what I want. And then
that proceeds from there, often, you know, behind the scenes, either between an abductor in law enforcement or the abductor and members of the
family.
This has been marked by these kind of bizarre letters that went out to TMZ as well as some other local media outlets, essentially making a demand for
money, but then no actual follow-up.
And so, you know, from an investigative lens, absent any type of communication, you have to wonder if that was just simply false, if that
was someone maybe taking advantage of the situation to try to extort this family for money.
Obviously, the family has been through so much here, but it does raise real concerns for investigators. I've been talking to, you know, people working
the case and they say that because there hasn't to date been this two-way dialogue that really limits their ability to determine what this person
wants.
And I'll also note that, you know, law enforcement says that right now every possible outcome here and motive is now on the table. They don't know
if this was some type of home invasion, a burglary that went wrong, whether Mrs. Guthrie was targeted just randomly or whether she was indeed targeted
because of the high-profile nature of her daughter. Authorities simply don't know.
[12:30:03]
But, of course, the longer this goes on, the more bleak it certainly looks, not only because of, you know, her age, but also her health. And it's
really confounding investigators right now that they have not heard from an alleged abductor, essentially laying out what they want to get this
resolved.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. And you see the tone, the messaging, the language of the videos posted by Savannah and her family really changing. And the most
recent one speaking to everyone's inner goodness that -- that there's never too late of a time to do the right thing.
And anyone that knows Savannah knows that that really is meant from the bottom of her heart. This couldn't have happened to a better more loving
woman. And we are just praying, praying that they see this case closed and are reunited with their mother.
Josh Campbell, thank you so much.
CAMPBELL: Of course. Thanks.
ASHER: U.S. President Donald Trump says the U.S. and Cuba are talking as the island nation deals with the impact of a crippling oil blockade.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Cuba is right now a failed nation. They don't even have jet fuel to get for airplanes to take off. They're clogging up their runway. We're
talking to Cuba right now. And Marco Rubio talking to Cuba right now. And they should absolutely make a deal because it's a -- it's really a
humanitarian threat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Cuba's oil supply has fallen off after Washington cut off oil shipments from its ally, Venezuela, and threatened to penalize other
countries sending oil to the country.
ASHER: Now trash is piling up across Havana because there isn't enough fuel for garbage trucks to keep their routes.
All right. Still to come here, more pressure on Elon Musk's X as the E.U. launches a major investigation to sexualize images on the A.I. chatbot,
Grok.
GOLODRYGA: And get your saddles ready because the year of the horse is now in full trot. A special report on what this Lunar New Year could bring.
That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:35:09]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACKSON: We must never surrender. America will get better and better. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: And that was the prevailing message Jesse Jackson offered generations of Americans in his relentless pursuit of racial justice and
equality. The 84-year-old civil rights icon is being remembered worldwide following his death on Tuesday.
His family didn't reveal the cause of death, but had -- he had been hospitalized in recent months for a rare neurological condition.
GOLODRYGA: Yes. The man described as one of America's greatest moral voices never wavered in his commitment to diversity and inclusion. Jackson was a
protege of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and also a two-time presidential candidate who had a profound impact on reshaping American
politics.
Here's part of one of his legendary speeches at the 1984 Democratic National Convention.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACKSON: Our flag is red, white and blue, but our nation is rainbow, red, yellow, brown, black and white. We're all precious in God's sight.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
America -- America is not like a blanket, one piece of unbroken cloth, the same color, the same texture, the same size. America is more like a quilt,
many patches, many pieces, many colors, many sizes, all woven and held together by a common thread.
The white, this Hispanic, the black, the Arab, the Jew, the woman, the Native American, the small farmer, the business person, the
environmentalist, the peace activist, the young, the old, the lesbian, the gay and the disabled, make up the American quilt.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: Time now for "The Exchange" and our conversation with CNN presidential historian Tim Naftali. He's also a former director of the
Nixon Presidential Library and co-author of "Impeachment: in American History." Tim, thank you so much for being with us.
We just had a sample of Jesse Jackson speaking. He was a phenomenal orator, certainly an inspirational figure. He worked tirelessly for the economic
empowerment of black people in this country and really had his overriding goal, his mission to really fight on behalf of those who are marginalized.
I mean, obviously he sort of plays a sort of dual role in the American -- in American sort of history and -- and his legacy is twofold. One, of
course, is this tireless campaigner for civil rights and this sort of moral authority, but the other is obviously his political activism.
He tried twice to become president of the United States at a time when, of course, this country was certainly not ready for a black president, let's
be honest. But his groundbreaking work did pave the way for someone like Barack Obama, right?
TIM NAFTALI, CNN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: There's no question that Reverend Jackson paved the way for not just black politicians, but for people of
color to run effectively for office.
One thing that has to be stated and -- and repeated, and -- and it was clear in the clip that you played, Jesse Jackson, while he came out of
Martin Luther King's movement, in fact, was a protege of Dr. King's, tried to broaden his political movement in the 1980s, '70s and '80s, to include
all minorities, all people of color, and talk like Dr. King at the end of Dr. King's life, talked about not just race, but class.
And so Jesse Jackson was interested in powering economic -- the economic empowerment of all minorities, all those who have been kept out of the
corporate boardrooms.
And so it makes him even more important. He would have been important just as a major black figure, but he's also important as someone who connected
different strands of the progressive movement, and to some extent the liberal movement in the United States.
He did run twice for the presidency. That's the nomination of the Democratic Party. He came third the first time in 1984 and second in 1988.
He demonstrated that a person of color could -- could win the Michigan caucuses, could win the Vermont caucuses, could win the primary in
Virginia. He did all those things in 1988.
[12:40:06]
And in that way, he laid the groundwork, not simply for Barack Obama and Kamala Harris, but for other people of color. So he is -- he is a -- a
bridge figure between the era of Dr. King, of which he was a young part and the Obama era.
He was the main voice, moral voice, for people of color in the 1980s, without a doubt, and into the 1990s.
GOLODRYGA: And when you look at his arc and the role that he played on the public stage, Tim, throughout multiple administrations, Republican and
Democrat, he was both, at times, a thorn in the side of presidential administrations and an asset. So, can you talk about his role in history on
that front? He never made it to be president of the United States, but every president had engaged with him.
NAFTALI: Barbara Bush, in her memoirs, talks about how much she liked Jesse Jackson. And George Herbert Walker Bush had said to her that when Jackson
gave his word to President Bush, he kept it.
Although Jesse Jackson was -- was capable and willing and quick to criticize politicians, Democrats, and Republicans alike, he was also a
formidable and interesting and important figure in American politics.
He was extraordinarily good at voter registration. He was extremely good at motivating. He was charismatic. And he brought the issues of the working-
class Americans and minorities who were kept out of the American economy to the forefront. And so he was admired and, at times, challenged by others in
the American political elite.
Bill Clinton is a very interesting example of that. Bill Clinton, President Clinton, and Jesse Jackson had a fraught relationship. But Jesse Jackson
joined the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Jesse Jackson reached out privately to Chelsea Clinton. He was one of the few people, not member of the family,
who had her private telephone number when she was at school.
And he gave her pastoral advice. He didn't play politics. In fact, this was a secret call. But it meant a lot to the Clintons, especially to President
Clinton that Jesse Jackson had done that.
And Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton, in the last year of Clinton's administration, went on a tour, not simply of minority working-class areas,
but white working-class areas in Appalachia, to talk about opportunity.
The country was doing well economically, but not everybody was enjoying that economic benefit. And so Clinton and Jackson together, with others,
went around the country, talking with poor folks to keep hope alive.
So Jackson was able to build bridges, not just to Republicans, but also to fellow Democrats, who at times felt that he was a competitor.
Jesse Jackson had an enormous political -- set of political ambitions. He did want to become president. He didn't just want to be a symbolic
candidate. And so he pushed his fellow Democrats. That ambition motored him forward. It may have held him back a little bit.
But in the end, it made him a strong voice that all people in the American political elite had to take notice of and react to.
ASHER: Yes. And it -- I mean, it certainly makes you wonder how a figure like Jesse Jackson would have felt that he fitted into a country in today's
America that is obviously moving increasingly to the right.
But Tim Naftali, we have to leave it there. Thank you so much. We appreciate it.
We'll be right back with more after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:45:42]
GOLODRYGA: All right. After a global backlash over sexualized images on X's A.I. chatbot, Grok, the E.U. data privacy watchdog is now launching a
large-scale investigation. X, which is owned by Elon Musk, is also facing separate probes in the U.K. and in France.
ASHER: Yes. Thousands of deepfake images of women and children were created by Grok last month alone. X has previously denied any wrongdoing in
relation to an investigation in Paris.
Hanna Ziady is following this story from London. Hanna, just walk us through the scope of this investigation and what's being looked at here.
HANNA ZIADY, CNN BUSINESS SENIOR REPORTER: Right. Well, it is starting to feel a bit repetitive as you've kind of outlined there. There's numerous
investigations ongoing into X here in Europe, including in France, and here in the United Kingdom over as you outline this issue of Grok, it's a.I.
chatbot, creating these sexualized images of women and children, a function that X has since restricted.
But what's significant about this investigation, and I think those words, large-scale bear repeating, is that it's being brought by Ireland's Data
Protection Commissioner. And that regulator is responsible for enforcing GDPR, which is the E.U.'s flagship data privacy law.
And under that law, there are really onerous requirements on companies in the way that they handle personal data. So the regulator is going to be
looking into whether X has breached that law and -- and how it's handled the -- the personal data of E.U. citizens.
That law has been used, by the way, to bring huge fines against the likes of Meta, LinkedIn, TikTok, to name a few.
But also, the regulator can require companies, under this law, to essentially change their business practices. So this just adds to that
regulatory pressure on X, not only to protect its users from illegal content, but also to protect their personal data, Zain.
ASHER: All right. Hanna Ziady, live for us. Thank you.
GOLODRYGA: Well, it could be a sign of the Trump administration's mounting pressure on media. Late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert is slamming
CBS lawyers for scrapping a taped interview with a democratic candidate.
ASHER: Yes. James Talarico is running in the Texas democratic Senate primary at issue the FCC's equal-time rule, which requires networks to give
equal airtime to political candidates.
GOLODRYGA: There are big exemptions for news coverage under that rule, and those exemptions largely used to apply to late-night and daytime talk shows
as well.
But last month, FCC chair Brendan Carr has said shows like Colbert's should no longer assume that. And Colbert's show posted the interview on YouTube
since the FCC rules don't apply to streaming.
All right. Coming up for us, he's one of the hardest working civil servants at 10 Downing Street. You know what I'm talking about. He's marking a key
milestone in his career this week. Also job stability, really. The details, after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:50:12]
GOLODRYGA: How pretty is that? The Year of the Fire Horse is now officially in full trot for the more than one billion people celebrating globally.
This Lunar New Year is set to usher in lots of vibrant energy and hopefully plenty of good luck. I like that.
ASHER: Yes. It's about speed and momentum apparently this year. But what is the spell for politicians and celebrities? CNN's Kristie Lu Stout ask a
Feng Shui master to share his predictions.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Lunar New Year is a season of celebration. And this year, it falls on February the 17th, the
start of the Year of the Fire Horse.
LU STOUT: Sounds super intense. What could happen in the Year of the Fire Horse?
RAYMOND LO, FENG SHUI GRAND MASTER: The horse is a powerful fire element. So it's a pure fire year. So fire is a very strong energy, very energetic.
There will be protests and anti-government and demonstrations and also not so peaceful.
LU STOUT (voice-over): Raymond Lo is a master of Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese art of creating harmony by balancing the elements. When a new Lunar
New Year approaches, many here consult a master like Lo to plan ahead. Full disclosure, we're doing this just for fun.
LU STOUT: Donald Trump born in the Year of the Dog. Zohran Mamdani is the goat.
LO: Fire is not his favorable element. So it will stimulate his enemies and then, therefore, he will face oppositions and obstacles in the Year of the
Fire Horse. So he's a strong metal gentleman. He's in good luck.
Fire is the power to metal people. So therefore, he will gain in power. That's -- that's actually a favorable year for him.
LU STOUT: Also, the last time we talked, you said it was going to be a good year in 2024 for Joe Biden and a bad year for Donald Trump. That didn't age
well.
LO: Actually, it's Joe Biden because his luck. The year is not so bad, but he's luck is going down.
LU STOUT (voice-over): So then what about the luck of celebrities like Timothee Chalamet, born in the year of the wood pig, but with a birth date,
that means.
LO: He's strong water. So that's why he will be into a prosperous year. Also, water means girlfriends. He has more chance to encounter girlfriends
and more chance to make money.
LU STOUT: Well, let's not tell his current girlfriend that.
LU STOUT (voice-over): And if you're a horse in a horse year, like actress Margot Robbie, Lo says, watch out.
LO: If you are the horse, you are -- you're offending the year. And in penalty with the horse means you have more worries and more -- more
trouble.
LU STOUT (voice-over): Lo advises horses to protect themselves with a goat amulet.
Look, in 2026, anything can happen. Good luck and comment full trot or not.
[12:55:04]
Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLODRYGA: OK. So I just checked. I was actually born the year of the horse as well, the Earth horse.
ASHER: Well then, what did he say for that? Do you remember?
GOLODRYGA: I don't know.
ASHER: I was born in the year of the pig and I literally could have replace that.
GOLODRYGA: We'll have to have a separate subject and segment just on that.
All right. Finally, big congratulations to one of 10 Downing Street's longest serving civil servants. Larry the Cat is marking 15 years as the
U.K.'s chief mouser working under six prime ministers.
The 19-year-old tabby was adopted from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London back in 2011, ever since he has won over the British public with his
unwavering commitment to keeping the rodent population in number 10 under control.
ASHER: Yes. He has more staying power than most British politicians, actually. Larry's believed to have made his first successful catch in April
2011 at the tender age of four. His calm, feline presence has brought some light, relief during some of the U.K.'s most turbulent political moments.
GOLODRYGA: We'll always have Larry.
ASHER: Yes.
GOLODRYGA: All right. That does it for "One World" today. I'm Bianna Golodryga.
ASHER: I am Zain Asher. Appreciate you watching. Don't go anywhere. She'll be back with "Amanpour" after a short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:00:00]
END
