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What We Know with Max Foster
Trump: Israel And Lebanon Agree To 10-Day Ceasefire; U.S. Warns It Will Use Force If Ships Don't Comply With Blockade; Energy Official: Oil Crisis Could Stifle European Travel; Ukraine: Russia Launches Massive Drone & Missile Attacks; Pope Leo Is On An 11-Day Trip Through Africa; Artemis II Commander Says He Hopes Mission Unites The World; Trump Touts "Very Good Relationship With Iran". Aired 3-4p ET
Aired April 16, 2026 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[15:00:31]
MAX FOSTER, CNN HOST: A ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon comes into effect in a matter of hours.
This is WHAT WE KNOW.
After a day of telephone diplomacy. U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Lebanon will begin a 10-day ceasefire, starting
just two hours from now. Mr. Trump just spoke to reporters saying Hezbollah is on board a critical detail that could help shore up a broader U.S.-Iran
truce.
Now, Mr. Trump says he'll invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House for a peace talk over
the next week or two. Mr. Netanyahu released a statement saying he did not agree to two Hezbollah conditions for a ceasefire, including the withdrawal
of Israeli troops from Lebanon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): We have an opportunity for a historic peace agreement with Lebanon. President
Donald Trump intends to invite me and the president of Lebanon in order to try to advance this agreement. This opportunity exists because since the
war of revival, we have fundamentally changed the balance of power in Lebanon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: CNN's Kevin Liptak is at the White House.
First, though, to Jeremy Diamond in Jerusalem. And what was really crucial there, Jeremy, and the president's statement was this idea that Lebanon had
-- sorry, Hezbollah had agreed, as well as Lebanon
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And we haven't seen an official statement from Hezbollah. But the president's statements
do track with what we were hearing from Hezbollah member of the Lebanese parliament, who said that Hezbollah would cease fire if Israeli strikes in
Lebanon stop. And we are now just a few hours away from when this ceasefire is supposed to go into effect.
The fire has not ceased yet, though it's important to note that in the last hour, even, we did see continued Hezbollah rocket fire towards northern
Israel. No indication of any stop and Israeli military operations in Lebanon. And that is typical of what we tend to see in the final hours
before one of these ceasefire agreements go into effect.
But in addition to what we heard from President Trump, we also heard from the Israeli prime minister tonight, who is very much trying to sell this
ceasefire agreement to the Israeli public, to an Israeli public that, by and large, did not want a ceasefire with Hezbollah, that wanted to see
Israel continuing to carry out the fight in Lebanon, 80 percent plus of the Israeli public supporting continuing the fight against Hezbollah.
But the prime minister told the public tonight that he believes there is now a historic opportunity to advance peace negotiations with Lebanon, and
that was why he was agreeing to this temporary ceasefire. Of course, behind the scenes, we know that it's the result of heavy pressure from the United
States, from President Trump in particular, speaking directly with the Israeli prime minister on an almost daily basis over the course of the last
week.
The prime minister did make clear, though, that Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, noting that Israeli troops are positioned
as deep as 10 kilometers inside of Lebanese territory and that Israel is going to continue to hold on to that territory as a buffer zone while
negotiations continue -- Max.
FOSTER: Thank you, Jeremy.
So, Kevin, actually a genuine win from the president on this one, because this would have been very tough to, to get through. And the pressure, as
Jeremy was saying, would have had to be intense on Israel.
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: And it was intense in Israel. You know, the president speaking to Netanyahu on consecutive days
last week, encouraging him to tone down the attacks inside of Lebanon. Then this week, the president speaking to Netanyahu multiple times, trying to
get this ceasefire agreed to with the recognition that if Israel was going to continue its operations inside of Lebanon, the president's broader peace
agreement that he's trying to broker with Iran was not going to happen.
And so, this was an imperative on the part of the White House and on the part of the president. And he is kind of framing it in historical terms,
talking about, again, the number of wars that he's resolved, saying that he was going to invite the Lebanese president and the Israeli prime minister
to the White House over the next week or two to have some sort of agreement really kind of framing it akin to the Camp David Accords from 1978, when
Jimmy Carter brokered relations between Egypt and Israel.
So, for the president, this was absolutely essential. And you hear as he's talking today, a renewed sense of optimism about that Iran deal. He says
that in-person talks could resume as soon as this weekend.
[15:05:00]
He says he doesn't think he'll have to extend that ceasefire that was in place until Tuesday. And he is providing some more detail about where that
optimism is coming from. He says that Iran has agreed not to obtain nuclear weapons. We should say that Iran has been saying that for years. In fact,
the experts and officials have always doubted that, given that they were enriching uranium to near nuclear grade.
The president also says that Iran has agreed to give up what he calls its nuclear dust, its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium that are buried
underneath one of its destroyed nuclear sites. And so, you do get a sense of what the contours of the deal that the president is so optimistic about
what those are as he looks ahead to these talks. The president even said that if there is sort of a grand agreement to be had with Iran, he would
travel to Pakistan himself to sign it. And so, this agreement that he has secured with Lebanon does seem to have unlocked a renewed sense of optimism
about this broader peace agreement with Iran.
But for all of the reasons that Jeremy was laying out, a lot is uncertain. For one, Hezbollah is not a signatory to this ceasefire. The whole thing
seems to be dependent on Hezbollah stopping its attacks on Israel. Israel, of course, seems likely to have fire back if those attacks don't end. And
so, where this all goes from here is still uncertain. But at least for now, it does appear as if it's a diplomatic achievement on the part of the
president.
FOSTER: Absolutely, Kevin, Jeremy, thank you both very much indeed.
The U.S. warning ships that try to bypass its blockade of Iranian ports, that it is ready and willing to use force if they refuse to comply. The
chairman of the joint chiefs, General Dan Caine, says so far, 13 ships have made the wise choice of turning around. He added that U.S. forces haven't
had to board any vessels. Pentagon officials say that while a diplomatic solution to the conflict is preferred, U.S. troops are rearming, in the
event that fighting resumes.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had this message for the regime.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PETE HEGSETH, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: In the meantime, and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this blockade, successful blockade. But if Iran
chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Right now, European airports are facing a critical jet fuel crunch. The global average price has more than doubled from a year ago.
That's according to the International Air Transport Association. And in a new statement, the KLM Royal Dutch airlines group says they plan to cancel
160 European flights in the coming months.
So, what we want to know is what happens if Europe runs out of jet fuel.
Joining me is CNN's Richard Quest.
Well, we've got a bit of a sense of it, haven't we? Because it's been happening in Asia already.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR AT LARGE: Yes. So we've got from the IEA saying there's about six weeks worth of jet fuel in the system. And of
course, what's happened is all the jet fuel that was on its way and being refined and sent to storage before the war, that's what we're using up now.
And there is nothing coming up behind it to replace it.
And what it means is that the airlines now are starting to do a bit of jiggery pokery, not only with their flights cutting back in the United
States in some cases. United Airlines has announced cutbacks on schedules, frequencies, less profitable routes, but also fleet decisions. Lufthansa
Group today announced it was bringing forward some of its fleet changes. The A340s will leave the fleet sooner. The 747-400 will be retired sooner,
and that's because they are fuel thirsty. You don't want to be flying them if you can avoid them and you want to be using more modern equipment.
I think that if we do not see more jet fuel soon coming into the system, then you're going to really see the airlines having to rob Peter, to pay
Paul as they try to juggle, to get the fuel they need.
FOSTER: A difficult time for people planning to book flights, but probably more difficult for those that already have booked, Richard. I mean, what
happens to people who have booked flights and they get them canceled?
QUEST: I think that's a fairly well-traveled path. The airline will initially try to put you on another flight of its own. If it has to cancel
you, it will then try and make other arrangements for you. But ultimately, if it cancels a flight very close to the -- to the departure date, then
you're talking about E.U. U.K. 261 the compensation that you will get as a result of canceled flights.
And it'll be an interesting question, Max, whether this canceling flights because of fuel shortages counts as extraordinary circumstances. Theres an
argument that says it doesn't because the airlines can pick and choose which flights they cancel.
FOSTER: Yeah. Interesting. Richard, thank you so much.
Well, as the world focuses on the war in the Middle East, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is keeping his priorities front and center by
visiting top European allies.
[15:10:07]
His efforts to secure more military aid come, excuse me, as Russia launches one of its largest drone and missile attacks of the year.
Clare Sebastian has more on that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just three days after Russia's short Easter ceasefire, this was one of the biggest Russian drone and missile
attacks on Ukraine of the year. The capital, Kyiv, a key target, especially for ballistic missiles. President Zelenskyy said firefighters battling huge
blazes and a 12-year-old child among those reported killed in the capital.
Well, Ukraine's national police released footage showing what it says was a double tap strike. Police coming under fire as they arrived at the scene of
a missile strike in Kyiv. One officer seriously injured, and this in the port city of Odessa, the scene of the deadliest single strike. An apartment
block was targeted first by drones, authorities say, and then in the morning hours by a ballistic missile.
This man's son among the victims.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We were awakened after the strike, and we were suddenly buried under furniture. The ceilings were collapsing.
We were trapped under the furniture. And my wife and I tried to get out. She rushed to our son. I checked their pulses. I couldn't feel a pulse in
either Vlad or his fiancee.
SEBASTIAN: Out of 44 missiles, Russia fired Wednesday into Thursday, Ukraine's air force says 13 got through air defenses. And this is something
Zelenskyy has spent the week warning about, touring European capitals, raising the alarm about a critical shortage of air defense interceptors in
Ukraine amid what is now a global race to secure supplies as demand surges, because of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
On Thursday, he raised the issue again, saying he had asked his air force chief to chase up partners to make sure political pledges translate to
deliveries.
Clare Sebastian, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Amid a standoff with President Trump, Pope Leo is blasting what he calls tyrants for spending billions in wars around the globe. The pontiff
made the comments during a stop in Cameroon.
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump says he has a right to disagree with the pope, falsely insisting to our Kaitlan Collins that the pope said Iran could have a
nuclear weapon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Pope has to understand that, very simple, I have nothing against the pope. His brother's MAGA all the
way. I like his brother Louis.
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You're not fighting with him.
TRUMP: I'm not fighting with him. The pope made a statement. He says Iran can have a nuclear weapon. I say Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. And --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Well, the pope's focus isn't just in the U.S. and the Middle East. Tens of thousands have been killed in a separatist conflict in Cameroon,
and Leo is calling for an end to the bloodshed.
Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb is traveling with the pope. He has our latest report for you from the tour.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, thousands have turned out to see Pope Leo here in Bamenda in Cameroon. Leo coming to this part of
the country where there has been so much conflict between English-speaking separatists and the francophone government, and people giving him a joyous
welcome.
And Leo himself seeming to be in his element in this part of the world. Of course, Leo, a former missionary in the Global South, spending years in
Latin America here feeling very much at home in Africa.
Now, Leo had a very strong message at a peace meeting in Bamenda. This is what he had to say.
POPE LEO XIV, CATHOLIC CHURCH: Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic or political gain.
Dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.
The masters of war pretended not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy it. Often a life is often not enough to rebuild. They turn a blind
eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation. Yet the resources needed for healing, education and
restoration nowhere to be found.
LAMB: Leo, concluding his day in Bamenda with a mass here at the airport, with thousands here waiting to see him and to take part in this very
special celebration. Leo here in Africa, in Cameroon, as part of a long four-country visit to the continent.
Christopher Lamb, CNN, Bamenda.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: "We just want to thank the world," those were the first words from the commander of the Artemis II moon mission a short while ago, he and his
crew spoke to the media for the first time since arriving back on Earth. The crew talked about their awe and excitement at the mission, and how
surreal it's been to find themselves suddenly in the global spotlight.
[15:15:06]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REID WISEMAN, ARTEMIS II COMMANDER: This NASA organization and our international partners, they put together this amazing vehicle, the Orion
spacecraft that we named Integrity atop the space launch system, riding to the moon on a European service module. They provided this -- this massive
structure that was able to push for humans around the moon and bring them safely back.
So thank you to every single person that had a hand in building that machine, because it was a magnificent machine. But then we would also be
remiss if we didn't thank the media, if we didn't thank the content creators, and if we didn't thank the world for just tuning in for a second
and getting hooked on this mission.
We were certainly hooked on this mission, but when we came home, we were shocked at the global outpouring of support, of pride, of ownership of this
mission. And really, I think at the beginning, that's what the four of us wanted. We wanted to go out and try to do something that would bring the
world together. To unite the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Joining us now, Jacob Bleacher. He is the chief exploration scientist at NASA's headquarters, which means he is one of the leaders of
NASA's effort to return humanity to the moon and beyond.
Thank you so much for joining us.
I mean, it's interesting talking about the pope and then going into this story, because I was struck by the press conference how there was a
discussion about consciousness and how religion actually is something that struck these astronauts in space.
JACOB BLEACHER, CHIEF EXPLORATION SCIENTIST, NASA: Yeah. It's -- I mean, this is a huge event for the world. And we're so happy to have our friends
home. The mission they flew went very well, Artemis II and it's just tremendous now for them to have a few moments to reflect on that experience
and really, you know, discussing the humanity of what they -- what they experienced as they flew around the moon and came back.
FOSTER: It was very much about the messaging for them now that they're back, wasn't it? They were talking about getting the most out of the
experience when they were there, but then they felt their -- they were there, you know, as representatives, obviously, of people on earth, all
people on earth actually.
So, they're trying to express how they felt on board so people could feel like they were up there too. And they did that really effectively.
BLEACHER: Yeah. I think it's -- it's been amazing. You know, we all know them and have worked with them and trained, helped train them and to see
them now trying to deal with -- with what they experienced and almost at a loss for words at some points now is they've -- you've heard them say
several times, you know, I'm still going to need some time to really think through what I just experienced.
So, you know, it was fun going through the job with them over the last few years, as they prepared for this, watching them out there on their way to
the moon, passing around the moon, coming home, describing what they saw, learning how to fly the spacecraft that's never had humans on board.
Tremendous mission. But now it's -- yeah, it's fun to hear them try to really put to words what they're feeling and what they experienced.
FOSTER: Yeah. And as you say, they struggled with that. But in terms of the science, I know you're going to be spending a long time digesting what
they came back with, but are there any clear wins for you in terms of science already?
BLEACHER: Well, as we've said from the beginning, this was a test flight and the purpose was to learn about the Orion spacecraft, how it handles
with humans on board and learning about the environmental control, life support systems. But the science was the same. It was a test run for that
as well.
With crew on board and, you know, being able to use the assets, the capabilities that we have now that we maybe didn't have during apollo, uh,
the training these folks went through. So, they collected a tremendous amount of data and we will be sifting through that for quite some time. I
think what really struck me was the eclipse that they were able to experience, depending on what day they launched, we may not have been in a
situation where they, they had the chance to experience that, I was really struck by them describing the far side of the moon while it was in shadow
during the eclipse, because what we were seeing on the feed coming back was basically just darkness.
And to -- that really just drove home to me how important it is to have the humans there have the, the human eye and the human brain thinking about
that unique environment from where they were. So we'll be pulling -- pulling apart these data for a long time, trying to understand what we saw
there.
FOSTER: And NASA's Jacob Bleacher, thank you so much for joining us on this momentous day.
Now, coming up, six years since they stopped being working royals, the duke and duchess of Sussex explained the mental toll of being part of Britain's
royal family.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:22:50]
FOSTER: Prince Harry and wife Meghan have been speaking out about the pressures of life as working royals during a four-day visit to Australia.
This tour from the duke and duchess of Sussex is a semi-official one since they stopped being working members of the royal family six years ago.
In a speech on Thursday, Prince Harry said he had been questioning his role since the death of his mother, Princess Diana. The pair also spoke at an
event for young people's mental health, where Meghan described the barrage of abuse that she had received
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEGHAN, DUCHESS OF SUSSEX: Every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked and I was most trolled person in the entire world -- man or woman.
I'm still here. And so, when I think of all of you and what you're experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realize that, you know,
that industry, that billion-dollar industry that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks, that's not going to change. So, you
have to be stronger than that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Bonnier Greer joins me now. They made some salient points today. I mean, certainly she was trolled.
BONNIE GREER, BROADCASTER: Absolutely.
FOSTER: And, certainly, Harry had a very tough upbringing.
GREER: Yeah.
FOSTER: But they -- this is a theme that they've stuck with since they left the royal family and they're now trying to use it in a productive way
in sessions like that.
How do you think it's going for them?
GREER: Well, you know, it's -- I've just got to say this. It's very odd, you know, why they left the royal family for reasons of their own and
probably good ones. Why are they still the duke and duchess of Sussex? You know, and I'm saying this as an American who lives here, why would she want
to be the duchess of Sussex? That doesn't make any sense.
So anyway, you got that then they're doing a tour by which some of it is private. You have to like, pay money to see them. I guess they're raising
money, but I -- you know, what are they? What exactly are they?
They're not royals, but they're assuming the facade of royals, which is okay because the royal family doesn't say anything about it.
[15:25:02]
So, it's okay. But in this crazy world --
FOSTER: They wouldn't say anything about it.
GREER: No, they wouldn't, they sure wouldn't. And, and -- which is deep.
But in a world where -- this crazy world, you have to ask what, what are they? Who are they?
FOSTER: I know it's an interesting point that you make there because it's difficult as a reporter to cover it because traditional royal tours are set
up for royals to represent the monarch and deepen ties between two countries. And this one was set up pretty much in exactly the same way,
wasn't it, but at a lower level. So there wasn't the prime minister involved and all of that. But I can't think of any other celebrities that
do these tours. So, what are they trying to achieve?
GREER: It's a -- they're obviously using what they used to be to get -- to do the good things that they think.
FOSTER: But then they're criticizing it, what they had.
GREER: Well, that's what doesn't make any sense. You see. I mean, the only people -- I mean, I don't know why an American woman want to call herself
the duchess of Sussex. It's a ridiculous title. It's a -- it's one of those sort of grab bag duchess that the royal family had, the sovereign has in
her remit. Why would you want to do that?
FOSTER: Especially when everyone knows them as Meghan --
(CROSSTALK)
GREER: Well, exactly. It doesn't matter.
FOSTER: Let's just listen to something that Harry said today in relation to his mother
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE HARRY, DUKE OF SUSSEX: After my mum died just before my 13th birthday, I was -- I don't want this job, I don't want this role, whatever,
whatever, wherever, wherever this is headed. I don't like it. It killed my mum and I -- this is just -- this is -- I was very much against it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: He then goes on to describe that he then realized he does have a platform and he wants to use it. So that's perhaps what they're doing here.
GREER: Well, yeah, but you know what I'm saying. It's -- I'm old enough to remember when he was a little boy and when he was walking behind that
coffin. It was the worst thing I'd ever seen at the time. So it's got to be a shattering thing on him.
He's still a prince of the blood. He's still a royal prince.
FOSTER: Still in line to the throne.
GREER: Absolutely. Meghan -- and her children are in line to the throne. She has no status. So, you know, what exactly are they doing?
And not that it's a horrible thing because they're getting funds to help people, but what is their through line? I'm saying this as a dramatist,
what are the -- what's the through line? What are they saying to us? What are they saying to us?
FOSTER: What do they represent?
GREER: What? But what are they saying to us? They're not royals, but they are moving around as if they have some sort of royalty. The titles they
should drop, they mean nothing.
FOSTER: What's the danger for them of this strategy?
GREER: I think in the end, um, they're going to be like, the duke and duchess of Windsor, which we don't want, you know, they shouldn't want
that. And that is his great, great uncle, his great uncle who abdicated from the throne in the 30s because he wanted to marry an American divorcee.
FOSTER: Lived abroad.
GREER: And he moved to France and lived in Paris. They become cocktail -- they became cocktail party people on the circuit. We don't do cocktail
parties like that anymore. These two are too cool to do that.
But it's kind of they're on a circuit as what? As what? They're not royals. What are they? And I think in a sense --
FOSTER: Where does that story go then as a playwright?
GREER: Well, I -- I think it has to go. I think the children, when they're old enough, are going to ask about what is this all about? They are they
are prince and princess, and they always will be. And they're two extraordinary beings because of their lineage already.
So they're going to probably ask their parents at one point, what's this all about? Because I don't know my cousins. I -- you know, I'm not there.
I'm growing up as an American. What is this?
And we can say to ourselves, well, this is an interesting sort of high level of soap opera or entertainment. But the matter is that when there are
questions in this country about having royals anyway, what are they about? How do they play both sides of this? And that's what they're doing.
FOSTER: Yeah. It's interesting. I've spoken to lots of people or tried to find out from people in Australia whether it's changed opinion, and no one
could really answer it for me, which was interesting because I think obviously these tools are set up to get more support, aren't they?
GREER: But also people have made them celebrities in a special kind of niche and that's where they are.
FOSTER: Okay. Bonnie Greer, thank you so much for coming into the studio.
GREER: Thank you.
FOSTER: Still to come, President Donald Trump says the U.S. has had some very good talks with Iran, but is now saying about the possibility of
another round of negotiations between the two countries.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:33:18]
FOSTER: More on our breaking news, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10- day ceasefire. U.S. President Donald Trump telling reporters today that peace talks could take place at the White House over the next week or two.
He added that Hezbollah would be part of any potential agreement.
As for the U.S. war with Iran, the president says a new round of talks between Washington and Tehran could happen as soon as this weekend. This is
what he had to say when asked about the possibility of extending the current ceasefire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: We're doing very well, I can tell you. Maybe it will happen before that. I'm not sure it needs to be extended.
Just so you know, Iran wants to make a deal and we're dealing very nicely with them. We've got to have no nuclear weapons. If we do, that's a big
factor. And they're willing to do things today that they weren't willing to do two months ago.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: CNN's Nic Robertson is following developments for us from Islamabad.
Take us through how these two different peace deals are linked, Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Sure. Look, the deal between Hezbollah or Lebanon and Israel is a deal that Iran said had to be
part, that there had to be a ceasefire there to be part of the bigger U.S.- Iran ceasefire. So that seems to be coming into place and it's come into place right when the top level Pakistan mediators, the field marshal and
the interior minister are both in Tehran, they've been there over 24 hours now. They've had several rounds of talks with the main Iranian
interlocutors, the sort of number two, yesterday, the foreign minister, the number one in Iranian negotiator, the parliament speaker, earlier today.
[15:35:05]
So those talks, it appears, are still ongoing because that Pakistani delegation in Tehran has not left there yet, as far as we know. And
President Trump said that the negotiations were ongoing. So, I think there's a real sense of linkage here that the Iranians would have been
looking to see if they can build back any of that huge amount of lost trust in the United States from the -- from the talks that didn't work out this
past weekend.
And being able to see so publicly, President Trump pressure both Lebanese leader and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to get a ceasefire
going there, that -- that will likely add hope and momentum and strength to what the Pakistan team can do inside of Tehran.
The president is speaking very hopefully about a deal. He's speaking about it in terms of that Iran has agreed not to handle a weapons that they've --
they've agreed to hand over the nuclear dust. And I think here he means that sort of highly enriched uranium that's buried underneath a mountain in
Iran at the moment. And I think a key question to watch here and a key question for the Iranians will be who comes to get it?
Is it U.S. forces? Where does that -- where does that highly enriched uranium go? So, these are going to be some of the core questions. And of
course, Iran likely looking for war damage, reparations for unfreezing of sanctions for a multitude of points. But President Trump focuses it clearly
on Iran not having a nuclear bomb.
And that does kind of sort of cover up a multitude of other issues out there, not least the Strait of Hormuz, but the president sounds really
hopeful and ambitious and asked if he would come to Pakistan for a signing. He said that he would, I think the sense is that while this top-level
Pakistan delegation is still in Iran, this is still a work in progress. The president's hopeful. But it's not all done yet, it appears, Max.
FOSTER: There's so much distrust between the sides. But, you know, Iran was clearly calling on Israel to stop bombing Hezbollah. And Trump gave
them that. So do you think trust is building on the Iranian side in these talks.
ROBERTSON: I think without that, it would have made what the Pakistani field marshal, the interior minister, were trying to do to move the Iranian
side along it would have made it much harder. J.D. Vance the vice president, when he left here last weekend, he said U.S. has put down best
and final offer. Essentially, the bulls in the Iranian court.
Now the Pakistani team, the negotiators have gone to Tehran to try to sort of, if you will, move Iran forward, move that ball, if you will, and
undoubtedly, what's happened in Lebanon will have helped that situation, because both Pakistani and Iranian officials said it was a very, very
important point. They said that just earlier today. Both sides said that.
But this doesn't mean that Iran has rolled over and given President Trump everything that he wants, it doesn't mean that there aren't details in this
going forward. Remember, it's the nitty gritty here that's the tough to do stuff. It's one thing for Iran to say, yes, you can have the highly
enriched uranium, but it will be important to them about who comes and gets it, how they do it, what happens to the facilities afterwards and where it
goes, what happens in the public domain?
You know, Iranian officials have talked about the importance of their -- of respect of them and their dignity in all of this. And that will also be
part of what they'll want to see coming out of how all of this is presented, if and when it gets done.
FOSTER: Nic Robertson, appreciate it. Thank you so much.
Now, it's the final moments of trade on Wall Street. And stocks are trying to stay in the green. The Dow is just about clinging on to those gains.
Same for the Nasdaq and the S&P 500, which set all-time records on Wednesday.
This is our Business Breakout.
The clock is ticking on a global food crisis if disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz. That is according to a top economist at the United
Nations. Maximo Torero warns that nearly a third of all fertilizers come through the waterway in countries already, and planting season don't have
long to adjust.
China's economy grew 5 percent in the first quarter of the year, but officials in Beijing are warning of a volatile situation ahead. Now, China
is the first major economy to report Q1 numbers since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran. That's pushed up the cost of energy and
raw materials for Chinese consumers.
The Democratic senator, Elizabeth Warren, says a nomination hearing for Kevin Warsh shouldn't go ahead after she met privately with Donald Trump's
pick to run the Federal Reserve.
[15:40:06]
Warren says she has concerns over Warsh's financial disclosures and his possible ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Warren says the hearing, scheduled for
next week, should not go ahead until an investigation takes place.
A Manhattan jury has found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster held an illegal monopoly and overcharged fans. The judge will now hold a second
trial to decide exactly what remedies are warranted and what should happen to the companies. Live Nation says it plans to appeal any unfavorable
rulings.
Kara Scannell joins us now with more.
I mean, there's -- I mean, it's already an unfavorable ruling, isn't it? But the judge has a lot of power here. It probably goes from fines to
breaking the business up, doesn't it?
KARA SCANNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It does, Max. There's really so much that's on the table here from what the fallout will be from this jury
verdict, where a jury is finding that Ticketmaster and Live Nation acted as an illegal monopoly, violating state and federal laws.
I mean, one lawyer said to me, this is an earthquake for the industry because of just how significant it is. But as you say, that is the first
step. The next step will be what does the judge do? And he will hear another trial where they'll be evidence put on relating to damages. How
much in penalties? Actual cash that Live Nation and Ticketmaster may have to pay the states.
And then what other kind of potential structural remedies might come? The states are saying they want to break up of the company, Ticketmaster and
Live Nation merged in 2010, but there have been many complaints over the years about high ticket prices. These fees that are added onto tickets and
just overall anticompetitive behavior that prevented rivals from getting into the industry, especially on concerts that has kept fees high.
So when the judge sees what this next evidence is as it comes in this trial, he will then decide what structural changes he thinks are necessary
that could stoke competition because that is the heart of it. They're found as being anti-competitive. It will be what changes can happen that could
potentially open the door to more competitors coming in, to there being different types of deals, perhaps not these exclusivity deals, but that
will all come down the road.
And at this point, it's not clear when that trial will take place. But as you said, Live Nation has said they are going to fight this every step of
the way. They have some motions before the judge now where they want the judge to say that Live Nation, essentially would have won in this case that
the proof wasn't proven and that the jury got it wrong. So, they have a few of these legal motions pending.
So that's what they mean when they say that they're going to fight this now. But if this does stand this verdict, then they are going to continue
to fight, that there shouldn't be as dramatic and drastic changes that could really change the shape of Ticketmaster and Live Nation as we know it
today.
FOSTER: Kara Scannell, thank you.
Still to come, future in doubt, golf's controversial breakaway league could soon lose funding. Find out why after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:46:14]
FOSTER: Confusion surrounds the future of LIV Golf, the sports controversial breakaway league. Multiple reports suggest the leagues
financial backer, Saudi Arabia's public investment fund, is considering pulling funding from the team-based competition. LIV Golf has denied any
changes to its operation.
Over the past few years, the league caused a stir when it pulled big name players away from the PGA tour. What we don't know is when will LIV Golf be
forced to stop its competition?
Joining us now is CNN "World Sport's" Coy Wire.
I mean, they need the big players, don't they, to make it work. And that's what they've lost. And that's the reality, right?
COY WIRE, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yeah. Those big players wouldn't be drawn over there if there wasn't some big dollars calling their name. Right. Liv golf
insists its business as usual as the league tees it up in Mexico on Thursday. Behind the scenes, though, the tour is being forced to quiet
these growing concerns about its long-term future amid some swirling, shut down rumors.
LIV is backed by Saudi Arabia's public investment fund, as Max said, which has poured a reported $5 billion plus into the breakaway tour since its
launch in 2022. But you have these global economic pressures, including the volatility in the oil markets tied to the geopolitical tensions we're
seeing, and that's raised questions about future spending. According to reports from "The Wall Street Journal" and "The Financial Times".
Earlier Thursday, a Saudi source familiar with the matter told CNN that the PIF would not be pulling out of LIV Golf this year, saying in part, the PIF
is in for this year, but is restructuring as they were supposed to merge with the PGA tour. But that deal did not go through.
The source added that they had been approached by some for investment or buyout, but had to put those on hold for the PGA talks. As of now, they are
looking at all options.
Now, amid all the rumors, LIV CEO Scott O'Neil sent a letter to all employees. In the letter, he said, "While the media landscape is often
filled with speculation, our reality is defined by the work we do on the grass. We are heading into the heart of our 2026 schedule, with the full
energy of an organization that is bigger, louder and more influential than ever before."
So, Max, LIV has recently lost some of those stars we were talking about -- Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed. They still do have the likes of Jon Rahm,
Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson. So, for now, LIV says nothing has changed. But despite the confident messaging, Max, if the money ever does
slow down, this entire model gets much more difficult to sustain.
FOSTER: Yeah, absolutely. Coy, I appreciate it. Thank you so much.
Still to come, police are investigating a shocking murder suicide involving a former lieutenant governor and his wife. It's a developing story. We'll
have the latest for you, though, after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:51:25]
FOSTER: We continue to follow a tragic story unfolding in Virginia. Officials say the states former lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, shot
and killed his wife and then killed himself. It happened at the couple's home in suburban Washington. The couple's two children were home when it
happened and called police.
For the latest, let's bring in CNN correspondent Brian Todd. He's live at the scene in Annandale, Virginia.
I mean, what a story.
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, Max. We have some jarring new details from the police chief of Fairfax County, Virginia. His name is
Kevin Davis.
Davis confirming that Justin Fairfax, the former lieutenant governor of Virginia, shot and killed his wife, Cerina Fairfax, in the basement of this
home behind me in the overnight hours into Thursday morning. Shortly after midnight is when they got the 911 call.
According to the chief, the couple's two teenage children were inside the house at the time, and it was the son who called 911 to report the murder.
According to the chief, the shooting stemmed from an ongoing domestic dispute, which he said seemed to be tied up in a complicated or messy
divorce. The detectives reviewed the incident using a lot of cameras that were inside the house, tied to those divorce proceedings.
Now, as for that 911 call, again, the son was the person who called 911 to report the shooting. And we have audio from the 911 dispatcher describing
the scene and describing the call. We do have to warn viewers this could be disturbing to some, but take a listen to that 911 dispatcher audio.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DISPATCHER: Caller stating that his dad might have stabbed his mom, saying that she's laying on the ground bleeding, can see holes in her shirt.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's going to look like an obvious DOA. I don't have a pulse.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Alpha, we got another subject down in the bedroom upstairs. I think this is going to be our subject. He's got a firearm with
self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
TODD: Now, according to Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis, Justin Fairfax shot his wife several times in the basement of the home. Then,
according to Chief Davis, he ran to a primary bedroom at the top floor of the home and then shot and killed himself. They were able to piece all that
together by the presence of several cameras in the house. As I mentioned, these were part of the divorce proceedings. These cameras were set up, and
interestingly enough, that played into another incident that happened in January when Justin Fairfax actually called police and reported that his
wife, Cerina, had assaulted him. Well, Chief Davis told us today that because of the presence of those cameras inside the house at the time as
well, they were able to piece together that that alleged assault did not occur -- Max.
FOSTER: Just wondering what the reaction is, how high profile was this family.
TODD: Well, Max, the neighbors here described the family as quiet and friendly and said that they keep -- they kept to themselves. Most of the
neighbors knew that Justin Fairfax was the lieutenant governor of Virginia and that he did live here.
But what we also picked up through some court documents tied to the divorce proceedings was just a very kind of disturbing picture of Justin Fairfax's
mental and emotional decline in recent years. And this was written by the judge in the case, who said that in recent years, Justin Fairfax had used a
lot of alcohol, that he had detached himself from his family, that he cloistered himself in his home office and would take walks outside wearing
only a hoodie and just basically keep to himself.
The judge also in those court papers wrote about significant debt that Justin Fairfax had incurred. And just, you know, again, a portrait of a man
who had really kind of been declining mentally and emotionally in recent years.
[15:55:02]
Those -- that, according to court papers that we obtained related to the divorce proceedings.
FOSTER: Yeah, such a tragedy. Brian, thank you so much.
Now, a Titanic survivors life jacket will be auctioned off this weekend. It's expected to fetch up to 350,000 pounds. That's nearly $500,000. The
U.K. auction house Henry Aldridge & Son says this jacket is the only one from a survivor of the 1912 tragedy ever to go on auction. It was worn by a
first class passenger. Laura Mabel Francatelli. She was one of only 700 survivors from the tragedy. Some 1,500 people died.
The beige vest was signed by Francatelli and others who were rescued. This week marks 114 years since the ill-fated ocean liner sank on its maiden
voyage.
I'm Max Foster. That's WHAT WE KNOW. Do stay with CNN.
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