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Second Round of Nuclear Talks Wrap Up in Geneva; Civil Rights Pioneer Jesse Jackson Dies at 84; Sheriff Chides Media for Pizza Order to Crime Scene; Australia Refuses to Repatriate Women and Children Allegedly Linked to ISIS; UAE Extends "Hope Probe" Mars Mission to 2028; Muslims Worldwide Prepare for Month of Ramadan; British Princesses Swept Up in Epstein Scandal; Winter Games Full of Thrilling Upsets, Shocking Downfalls. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired February 17, 2026 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): Welcome to our second hour of the show. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi, where the time is 7:00 in the
evening.
Iran and the United States have wrapped up a second round of negotiations in Geneva, as efforts to de-escalate tensions continue.
Also in Geneva, trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. begin.
And in the United States, civil rights icon reverend Jesse Jackson dies at 84.
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ANDERSON: We're following two high stakes talks in the Geneva area, the epicenter of diplomacy today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON (voice-over): On the left, you see the Intercontinental Hotel, where president Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-
in-law, Jared Kushner.
The real estate developers turned all-purpose mediators are meeting with Russian and Ukrainian delegations right now to try to end -- or certainly
bring an end to an seemingly intractable war.
And on the right, that's the Omani ambassador's residence, just a few kilometers away, where Witkoff and Kushner held indirect nuclear talks with
Iran's foreign minister earlier.
He told reporters moments ago that talks were constructive. Amid the diplomacy, both sides are sending strong messages by flexing their military
muscles. Here in the Middle East, Iran partially closing the Strait of Hormuz today for live fire drills. There you see some of today's exercises.
And the USS Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group making its way to this region, joined the growing American naval buildup.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Right. CNN's Fred Pleitgen back with us from Geneva and U.S. national security reporter Zach Cohen this hour, joining us live from
Washington, D.C.
Stand by, Zach. Let's get to Fred on the ground in Geneva.
And what are we learning about any substance out of these talks today?
Let's start with the U.S.-Iran talks.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Becky, we're getting a little bit of substance of what was apparently talked about
at those talks that happened in the Omani residence here in Geneva.
Not very much from the U.S. side yet. And that's no wonder because, of course, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are right now already in the next
set of talks, those trilateral talks with the Russians and the Ukrainians, to try and end the conflict there.
However, as far as the Iran talks are concerned, we have now heard from Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of Iran. And as you mentioned he
called the talks very constructive.
He also said that they apparently mapped out a path forward, principles for a path forward, to try and work toward an agreement. Now he warned that
reaching such an agreement will be difficult and will get more difficult as they move on and gets to some of the nuances.
The other thing that we've also picked up from the Iranians is apparently, as of right now, there is no date set yet for a next meeting. Apparently,
both sides want to meet again. There is no date set yet. The Iranians however want that to happen as soon as possible.
The Iranians have floated possibly staying here to continue talks, to try and move toward an agreement a little bit faster.
However, what we're hearing now from an Iranian source is that they're telling us that the Iranian delegation is definitely departing and flying
overnight back to Tehran. The Iranians are saying both sides are going to draft the principles, at least for an agreement, to try and reach a way
forward.
As you're absolutely right, the military posturing in that region continues with those exercises going on in the Strait of Hormuz from the Iranian
side. And, of course, Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group from the U.S. moving ever closer to the Middle Eastern region as well. Becky.
ANDERSON: Fred, what might any agreement look like at this point?
PLEITGEN: Well, I think it's a very good question. And there are certain things that the Iranians definitely don't want in any agreement. And those
are the two very big topics of their ballistic missiles and also of proxy forces and general allied forces in the Middle East.
They want all of it to be about nuclear. It seems as though right now the negotiations are only about the nuclear file, as they call it. And the big
issues there are Iranian uranium enrichment.
Of course we have heard U.S. president Trump in the past say he wants zero enrichment on the part of the Iranians. The Iranians are saying that is not
going to happen apparently.
[10:05:00]
There are certain proposals that have been floated in which both sides could possibly get their way with a certain degree of compromise, possibly
with some enrichment at least happening inside Iran or possibly a pause in enrichment.
So far we don't know the details yet but that certainly is one of those very tricky and sticky issues.
The other thing, of course, Becky, for the Iranians, it's very important for them is they want sanctions relief. They want broad sanctions relief if
they are going to agree to any terms for a deal moving forward.
And, of course, also to put drastic brakes on their nuclear program as well. That's going to be very important for them. So those are the two main
issues.
How much sanctions relief?
What sort of sanctions relief?
And then, of course, first and foremost, uranium enrichment on the part of the Iranians. Becky.
ANDERSON: Zach, let's bring you in. We've seen the U.S. carry out this massive military build up of assets in the region as these talks move
forward. Donald Trump has maintained he can strike Iran if the talks don't come up with the results that he wants.
He's also reiterated that he believes Iran does want to make a deal.
Are you getting any clearer sense at this point of what the president's current thinking is and where things might be headed after today's talks?
ZACHARY COHEN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Becky, it appears he's still leaving all of his options open. As you mentioned leaving the
door open for this diplomatic process to play out.
But also at the same time has been threatening the Iranians with military force. And, of course, that message being reinforced by this massive
military buildup, that there's no indication that the talks today are going to change the U.S. military's plans to continue flowing military assets
into the region.
We've already seen them move several aircraft from -- that were stationed in the U.K. to the Middle East, as well as flowing air defense systems into
the region as well.
And all that along with the USS Gerald Ford, the newest and biggest U.S. aircraft carrier, still making its way into the Middle East. So there is a
lot of U.S. firepower that is heading in the direction, even as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are engaging in these talks.
And it's still -- it will be interesting to see what president Trump's reaction is to the substance of today's meeting. As Fred mentioned, we have
not heard from the U.S. side as Kushner and Witkoff moved immediately into their next round of meetings.
But the president's rhetoric has been very, very extreme. In some cases, U.S. -- top U.S. officials and the president both suggesting that they
would prefer regime change in Iran and saying that they would potentially be willing to use military force in some way to facilitate that.
Now I was told in the leadup to these meetings by a U.S. official that the president has not made a decision on whether or not to take military
action. So again, leaving the opportunity for this diplomatic process to play out.
But all the while trying to maintain significant pressure on the Iranians by parking significant naval assets literally outside of his front door.
ANDERSON: Yes.
Good to have you both. Thank you.
I want to get on to our next guest, also on the ground in Geneva in Switzerland, for those talks. Ali Vaez is the Iran project director at the
International Crisis Group. He led the group's efforts to aid negotiations back in 2015 for that nuclear deal that Trump would later unilaterally pull
out of.
We heard from the Iranian foreign minister, Ali, describing positive developments from today's negotiations. Iran's critics already suggesting
that that is a familiar refrain; we've heard it all before and then nothing of substance materialized.
And without an American readout at this point, it's not clear what progress, if any, Washington believes was achieved.
What more are you hearing at this point?
ALI VAEZ, IRAN PROJECT, INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP: It's good to be with you, Becky. As you said, it's too soon to judge. We have to wait to see
what is the U.S. judgment of this round of negotiations.
But the reality is that, if the parties have agreed, at least on the scope of these negotiations, that in and of itself is progress. There is still
the substance, which is the most difficult thing in these talks.
You remember that, in 2015, it took 2.5 years to negotiate the substance. But again, if at least they can agree on what is it that is on the table
and they're going to negotiate about that, I think it's a positive development.
ANDERSON: So if then your overall assessment of the chances of keeping a diplomatic offramp are alive seems positive at this point, can we just talk
about what we believe those guiding principles might be?
We certainly understand the Iranians seem intent on keeping ballistic missiles and proxies off the table.
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So any deal, were that to be the case, if this was squarely focused on what happens on uranium enrichment, for example, what is happening around that
nuclear file, how different would that be to that deal that you were involved in back in 2015?
Sounds like it could be very familiar, correct?
VAEZ: Not necessarily. Becky, I would -- I would say there are two main differences. One is that Iran's nuclear program is now in ruins. So things
that were not possible in 2015 -- for instance, Iran agreeing to completely suspend its uranium enrichment -- are now facts on the ground.
Iran has not spun a single centrifuge in the past seven or eight months. It has not enriched a single gram of uranium in that period. So some of the
concessions are now easier for the Iranians.
And also in terms of scope they might agree, that on nuclear negotiations are going to be detailed and substantive. But on non-nuclear issues, they
might agree to a few principles.
For instance, they might have an understanding about nonaggression that could extend to both sides' respective allies in the region. That in
practice means that Iran would no longer, at least financially or militarily, support nonstate allies in the region.
Well, that's hard to verify. That's hard to enforce. But president Trump can use that as part of his victory narrative. So we'll have to wait and
see.
Again, it really boils down to one thing, Becky, which is, if the parties want a limited and achievable agreement, they're going to have a deal. But
if they want to go for overreach, they're going to have a war.
ANDERSON: This is Iran's supreme leader, Ali, as talks got underway earlier. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALI KHAMENEI, IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER (through translator): It seems to them that the U.S. president keeps saying this, the U.S. Army is the
strongest army in the world. The strongest army in the world may sometimes get slapped so hard that it cannot stand up straight.
They keep saying we've sent an aircraft carrier toward Iran. Very well. An aircraft carrier is certainly a dangerous piece of equipment. But more
dangerous than the carrier is the weapon that can send that carrier toward the bottom of the sea.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And Iran also closing off part of the Strait of Hormuz to carry out military drills earlier. Look, we're seeing a lot of posturing on both
sides right now.
How seriously do you take those threats from Khamenei we heard earlier?
VAEZ: I do take them seriously because I think the Iranians have concluded that, if they continue to demonstrate the degree of restraint and escalate
in a very calibrated way, as they have done in the past -- you remember when president Trump killed Soleimani in 2020 or when he attacked Iran's
nuclear program last year.
Iran responded with mostly performative attacks. And in their view, this has only encouraged the U.S. to push the envelope further. And so the only
way of trying to stop this process of U.S. and Israel having a Google calendar reminder to bomb Iran every six months is to inflict significant
costs on them.
So I do believe that there is a significant risk of escalation, even in some sort of limited confrontation. And this is why the U.S. can start a
war with Iran. But it cannot make sure that it will be scripted.
ANDERSON: Yes. I just wonder how significant you believe that risk of escalation is at this point. I just want to bring up the oil prices. These
are current oil prices and they've slipped back off their highs of late.
Brent crude around 66.37 on the dollar and WTI crude slightly lower. You know, earlier delivery on that 62 and change. So the markets certainly are
not looking at -- or certainly don't seem at least to be pricing in an imminent attack at this point.
What do you think the risk is at this point?
VAEZ: Well, I do believe that the president of the United States understands that there are risks. And that's why he has not taken action,
despite the massing huge firepower in that part of the world. His preference is for diplomacy.
And the door to diplomacy is still open, even if the pathway to a deal remains pretty narrow. But at this point, I think the real risk, Becky, is
in miscalculation.
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Some sort of false flag operation. And if the negotiations eventually fail, a repeat of last year meaning that the U.S. would decide to take limited
military action. But then tensions would spiral out of control from that point on.
And let's also make one thing clear. There is no real easy pathway to regime change through use of military force, either, in Iran. I mean
there's no precedent for using airpower to achieve that objective.
And in the case of Iran, the likeliest scenarios are either some sort of a radicalized leadership that would emerge from the ruins of war or the
country could descend into a civil war. And that would be very destabilizing for the rest of the region as well.
ANDERSON: You're on the ground in Geneva in Switzerland. Stay in touch, Ali, good to have you. Thank you very much indeed.
Also in Geneva, talks underway between Ukraine, Russia and the United States. This is the third round of discussions between the three sides
since talks here in Abu Dhabi. Territorial issues expected to be high on the agenda.
The meeting almost coincides with the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. I spoke to Melissa Bell in the past hour.
Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: What we've been hearing is that the important thing, Becky,
that takes place is that these trilateral talks should be happening at all. And yet, so far, after the first two round of talks, we really have seen
very little in the way of tangible progress, apart from a prisoner swap that took place after one of those rounds.
Until we've just been hearing as those talks begin this third round of trilateral talks begins in Geneva, from the Chief Ukrainian Negotiator
there, Rustem Umerov, who said there spoke to his gratitude that United States was so involved that it was continued to stay upon apart process.
And what we've understood is that the American President tends to follow these indirectly and to participate in that way. So a lot of attention on
what these talks can yield. And yet, I think it's fair to say that expectations remain pretty low, because the sticking points that have been
there throughout the last few months of attempted negotiations being led by the United States started and stalled and started again have foundered on
those two issues.
One, the question of the territorial integrity of the Donbas, Moscow continues to insist that it wants the entire region, Ukraine that it will
not give any territory that it has not lost militarily. And then, of course, the question of what happens after a peace deal, if it be still,
was found the question of whether NATO troops would be allowed on the ground.
We heard in Paris in January that big announcement that had been made when Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were here in person, that there would be
this multinational force on the ground to help ensure that Ukrainian stability and peace were allowed to continue way beyond a peace
deal.
Now we then heard, almost immediately afterwards. Moscow say that they would consider even post a peace deal, any NATO boots on the ground in
Ukraine, as legitimate targets. So these two sticking points remain and it's very difficult to see, given the positions of both Kyiv and Moscow,
that any progress can be made.
Still, the hope is that by having all of the parties together, we will at least avoid what we saw previously, where progress would be made by
Americans, Europeans and Ukrainians on one hand, the United States and Russia on the other and that by the time you put everything together,
there was no room for maneuver between the maximalist demands of both Kyiv and Moscow in terms of what they wanted, either to maintain or to achieve
going forward.
So important negotiations in so far as they're trilateral but hopes pretty low, all the more, given the attacks overnight, Becky.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Melissa Bell reporting there.
Well, tributes are pouring in for the civil rights leader, reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed away at the age of 84. He was a man whose vision, fiery
speeches and fight for equality left an indelible mark on American history and politics.
A protege and senior aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson was one of the leading voices against racial disparity in the United States. Decades
ago, he taught one of his signature lines, "I am somebody" to children on Sesame Street.
(VIDEO CLIP, "SESAME STREET")
ANDERSON: Well, he was born to an unwed teenage mother in South Carolina during the Jim Crow era but broke barriers to become a groundbreaking
politician, inspiring millions to register to vote and mounting to electrifying campaigns for the presidency in the 1980s.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JESSE JACKSON, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER: Announce to you this day my decision to seek the nomination of the Democratic Party for the presidency of the
United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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ANDERSON: Well, he founded the Rainbow Push Coalition, focusing on social justice and political empowerment. And in later years, he was an elder
statesman. When President Obama delivered his victory speech in 2008, cameras caught Jackson looking on, tears in his eyes.
Hospitalized in recent months for a neurological disorder, the reverend died today surrounded by his family.
Well, still to come, investigators have cleared Nancy Guthrie's family members in her disappearance.
So who do they have their eye on?
More is coming up?
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ANDERSON: Well, at any moment we could learn the DNA test results from a glove found in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON (voice-over): The FBI says the glove discovered about three kilometers from her home appears to match the one worn by the suspect, seen
here on Guthrie's doorbell camera on the night that she disappeared.
While they wait for that piece of the puzzle we have also learned that the Pima County Sheriff's Department has cleared Nancy Guthrie's family members
as possible suspects in her disappearance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF CHRIS NANOS, PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA: I plead with you to be careful of what it is we put out there. You could actually be doing some damage to
the case but you can do some damage to that individual too. This is -- social media is kind of a -- kind of an ugly world sometimes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, that was the Pima County sheriff two weeks ago, warning people against putting out any unverified information that might jeopardize
the investigation.
But in this social media era, there are droves of citizen sleuths and influencers trying to crack this case. CNN's chief media analyst Brian
Stelter takes a closer look now at the online intrigue.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALMA HERNANDEZ (D-AZ), STATE REPRESENTATIVE: What we're seeing in our community and our city right now is just not normal.
BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST (voice-over): That's Arizona state lawmaker Alma Hernandez, fed up with the misinformation being peddled
online and on the ground.
HERNANDEZ: We have individuals who are calling themselves journalists, who are YouTubers and, quite frankly, just really random individuals who are
out there with their cameras and live streaming.
But I think at the end of the day, what we need to be talking about is the fact that these individuals are actually, like I said, causing more harm
than good.
STELTER (voice-over): In one instance, a delivery driver tried to deliver a pizza at Nancy Guthrie's door. According to local reports, someone
ordered the pizza for an unidentified blogger at the scene.
The Sheriff's Department incredulously called it out, saying, "We can't believe we have to say this. Do not order food delivery to a crime scene
address."
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JOHN DEPETRO, YOUTUBER: It's the fear of missing out.
STELTER (voice-over): John DePetro is a streamer from Rhode Island who flew to Tucson to cover the case.
DEPETRO: The type of content I do, it's not for someone that just wants to watch the news and get a quick recap. It's for the people that can't get
enough of it.
STELTER (voice-over): DePetro says he uses his own sources and aggregates from others that he trusts.
DEPETRO: There's certain key people that I depend on I use as a source, John Miller is one. There's few people that are as knowledgeable as he is.
STELTER (voice-over): But DePetro admits that others online are not as disciplined.
DEPETRO: It gets tiresome, because they just totally go on rumor.
ANDY SIGNORE, YOUTUBER: But yes, there's always a bad streamer once in a while or somebody who does something maybe not correct but I think the
audience is wising up to the smart ones.
Here we go. We got, oh, wow, look at this.
STELTER (voice-over): Andy Signore is another YouTuber who's been doing this for years.
SIGNORE: A million subscribers on YouTube and we're on Instagram and mostly other ones as well.
There's that view, sunsets coming.
STELTER (voice-over): Signore flew all the way from Tampa to cover the case.
SIGNORE: My parents live in Tucson and so it hit home a little harder for me, just because I was like, this is tragic and scary and I wanted to make
sure that there was enough people really spotlighting the case, because I'm worried some of the authorities haven't been as on top of it as maybe they
should have been.
STELTER (voice-over): Signore says he first covered the Gabby Petito mystery about five years ago and that story showed him just how curious the
true crime audience can be.
SIGNORE: That's what's I think, really impressive about our streamers is the audiences are so invested. They want to be there. 24/7, they want to
help.
STELTER (voice-over): But while Signore and DePetro have remained responsible in their coverage, other streamers and influencers have not.
HERNANDEZ: I don't think anyone enjoys in our community seeing that an individual who they got a tip saying that they are a suspect is now all
over social media and everyone you know, calling them the kidnapper, right?
STELTER (voice-over): She points to last Friday's SWAT activity at a nearby home as a prime example. The operation ended with no arrests. But
while claims online spread so rapidly that the sheriff's department had to issue a rare post to refute them as, "Not accurate" -- Brian Stelter, CNN,
New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, that's Brian Stelter reporting for you. CNN's Leigh Waldman is on the ground and she is following what is going on there.
And what more do we know about know about the investigation at this hour?
LEIGH WALDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, everyone is kind of waiting with bated breath here for those DNA results from the glove that was
uncovered not far from Nancy Guthrie's home here.
We know that the FBI has received it. They had the preliminary results this weekend. They were doing a kind of a quality control this weekend as well.
And once they firm up those results and get them through CODIS, they're hoping to find a match between that glove and the DNA that was uncovered at
Nancy Guthrie's property.
The sheriff says that they don't have those results just yet. And even if they were to get a positive match with CODIS, that criminal database that
holds over millions of people's DNA from prior offenders, they don't necessarily have to share that information with us.
We imagine that they'll start the investigative leads to try and find where that person is. If they don't get a hit there, they're hoping to use
genealogy and use public-submitted DNA from the third-party DNA mapping websites to try and find a match there.
All of this is coming as we're getting new information from Sheriff Chris Nanos regarding the Guthrie family themselves. We have a statement from the
sheriff.
He said, "The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case. To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel."
And he told one of our CNN affiliates, KOLD, that the family was actually ruled out as suspects in the very first few days of this investigation.
Meanwhile, they are sifting through more than 40,000 tips that have been submitted in the weeks now since Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home.
We know that the backpack that was seen on the doorbell camera video by that suspect was an Ozark Trail Hiker backpack that sold at Walmart.
They're working to identify the other brands of clothing that he was wearing, including those gloves, the ski mask and a jacket, Becky.
ANDERSON: It's good to have you, Leigh. Thank you very much indeed.
All right. Let's get you up to speed on some of the other stories that are on our radar right now.
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ANDERSON (voice-over): And Hillary Clinton has accused the Trump administration of a continuing coverup over the release of files linked to
Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, she said officials are, quote, "slow-walking disclosures and shielding powerful names."
The U.S. Justice Department insists it is committed to transparency.
Two people have been killed and three others are critically injured after gunfire erupted during a high school hockey game in Rhode Island. Police
say the suspected shooter targeted family members before taking their own life. The investigation is ongoing.
[10:30:00]
Australia says it will not repatriate citizens who have alleged links to ISIS from Syria; 34 women and children had planned to travel to Australia
on Monday but were turned back. Prime minister Anthony Albanese says the government is offering absolutely no support.
ANDERSON: Well, the UAE is furthering its mission in space. I'll be speaking with the chairman of the space agency here in the Emirates about a
new announcement that will expand the future of space exploration. Stay with us.
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ANDERSON: All right. Welcome back. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. Your headlines this hour.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ANDERSON (voice-over): Iran's foreign minister is describing the latest round of nuclear talks with the U.S. as positive. He says both sides have
agreed on the guiding principles and will work on draft texts of an agreement.
Now a date for the next round of talks has not been set. The U.S. side has yet to comment on today's negotiations.
Meantime, a third round of peace talks between Moscow, Kyiv and Washington is now underway. The meeting is happening in Geneva following discussions
here in Abu Dhabi. This round is expected to focus on territorial issues as president Trump pushes for a deal.
Ukrainian officials say Russia launched another wave of attacks across Ukraine just hours before these talks began.
Well, a remarkable life and legacy for civil rights champion reverend Jesse Jackson, who has died at the age of 84. He rose to prominence as an aide to
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before becoming one of the leading voices against racial disparity in the United States.
He was a groundbreaking politician who reshaped the Democratic Party and mounted two runs for the presidency in the 1980s.
ANDERSON: Well, Elon Musk has long set his sights on Mars but it does appear he's aiming for a more realistic goal now: the moon.
In a post on X this weekend, he said, "SpaceX has already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the moon as we can potentially achieve that
in less than 10 years; whereas, Mars would take 20-plus years."
While Musk recalibrates his sights to the moon here, UAE is doubling down on Mars, extending its presence in its orbit.
The UAE space agency just announced that it's extending its landmark Emirates Mars mission until 2028. This comes as the UAE's Hope Probe marks
years in orbit.
[10:35:00]
The Hope Probe made history in 2021 when the UAE became the first Arab nation and only the fifth country in the world to successfully reach Mars'
orbit. Since then, the spacecraft has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the Martian atmosphere.
And minister Ahmed Bahloul Al Falasi, the chairman of the board of directors of the UAE space agency, joins me now here in Abu Dhabi.
It's good to have you, sir.
AHMAD BELHOUL AL FALASI, MINISTER OF SPORT, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Good to be here.
ANDERSON: How are you?
AL FALASI: Good, good.
ANDERSON: Let's start with the significance of this announcement, the extension of this mission today.
Why?
AL FALASI: Well because we're able to, right?
So as you know, this is the first mission for the UAE. So naturally, we're a bit more conservative. Our goal was to have it orbit Mars for one Martian
year, which is two years on Earth. We then extended until 2025.
But today we realize that we can go even further for three more years. Now the significance of that is we're offering much more data for the global
community to be able to analyze the atmosphere of Mars and, therefore, predict as well what will happen here on Earth.
We promised one terabyte of data. We already offer 10 terabytes, so we're overachieving in terms of data. And we continue to fund it for the next
three years.
ANDERSON: And it can't be cheap.
So how do you assess the return on investment for something like this?
AL FALASI: Good question. So the biggest investment was in the initial development phase and the launch. But now once you're in orbit, the only
cost you have is the ground segment and the scientific team running the mission.
So it's a fraction. It's about 5 percent to 7 percent of the total cost. So it does make sense to extend it. I think all missions globally, given the
choice, no one would terminate a mission. They'd always extend.
And the data becomes more valuable because, as time passes by, you calibrate your equipment much better. So you get more accurate results and
you're able to point and answer different questions with time as you gain more experience.
ANDERSON: And this is not just for the UAE and the scientists here but, of course, this is this is, you know, valuable experience and data for the
world, I mean, scientists around the world. Elon Musk said it is only possible to travel to Mars when the planets align every 26 months, the moon
every 10 days.
So tell me, why Mars for the UAE?
AL FALASI: Well, look Mars for us is the eventual goal. I think all of us agree that Mars is final destination. The question is the route.
Do you go direct or do you go via the moon?
So Mars missions will continue to happen unmanned. But the manned missions will have to go to a closer area like the moon, where, as you said, 10 days
transport. And therefore we need to really make sure that all of our technology is viable enough to be able to comfortably take a manned mission
to Mars today.
If we do that, you're talking about six months. I don't feel comfortable stopping somewhere for six months with today's technology.
So as we develop our technology on the moon and even use fuel from the moon -- because the moon today has water; we can extract hydrogen and oxygen,
which will become a self-sustaining environment for you to go back to any other planet, even besides Mars.
ANDERSON: I want to just get our viewers a sense of some of the achievements of this mission. The Hope Probe delivered images of a never-
before-seen worm-like aurora stretching halfway around Mars and a once in 80,000 years interstellar visitor comet, 3I/ATLAS.
Just how significant are those?
And we talked about this not just being a project for the UAE but for the - - for the global industry.
How significant are these breakthroughs for the global exploration story?
AL FALASI: Absolutely. So these are two separate and inventions or explorations. One is on Mars. So when we talk about aurora, these are
moving auroras that help us understand in detail, how do clouds form on Mars?
So in the future when we go to Mars, we understand the potential risks and how to mitigate them.
Equally important, it allows us here on Earth to understand how does our atmospheric pressure gets affected with pollution, with, you know,
environmental changes happening on board?
And then when you talk about the 3I/ATLAS, that's a comet that's coming from another solar planet. It goes back to the formation of humanity 4.5
billion years ago. So with the probe, we're pointing it to Mars.
But as this comet passed by -- so one-off incident -- so we pointed back to the comet to observe it closely as it passes beyond the sun. And we can see
how this dissipates. So we can understand what it formed from. This will help us as well for intergalactic missions as well.
So on one hand we're looking at Mars, which is our next 10-20 year horizon. But at the same time, understanding the origins of space as well.
ANDERSON: The UAE has the 2117 Mars project.
Is it 2217 or 2117?
It's 2217.
ANDERSON: 2217; I'm sorry -- to establish human settlements on Mars by the year 2217.
Where are we now and how confident are you?
[10:40:00]
And you ain't going to be around at that.
(LAUGHTER)
AL FALASI: You know --
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: I'm guessing -- yes, exactly. I wish we were both around by that point but probably won't be.
But how confident are you that that goal is achievable?
AL FALASI: I mean look, realistically, if you look at the development of technology in space, it's phenomenal. It's astronomical. Today we're
talking about developing a space station, a lunar space station on the moon and developing even data centers on the moon.
So the technology is evolving so fast that I actually believe we'll be able to do that even beyond, I mean, earlier than 2217. I think establishing a
settlement on the moon, a lunar settlement, will help us understand how to be able to sustain human presence in an inhabitable object.
Now that could easily be then transformed to Mars. The challenge there remains is the transportation and the exposure to radiation. So you solve
one problem of developing sustained habitat. Then you have the other problem of transport in a very unfriendly environment with no radiation
from space and other elements as well.
ANDERSON: It's fascinating. You talked about data centers. Look, tech giants betting big on data centers, as is the UAE. The UAE Stargate
project, of course, underway at this point and rapidly coming to fruition.
But we are looking at AI computing in space through fleets of satellites powered by solar energy and cooled by the vacuum of space. Elon Musk has
talked about the opportunity for, you know, the next frontier being AI data centers in space.
How close is the UAE to having its own pilot to orbit?
AL FALASI: Well, look, I think let's talk about the technology first. This is not science fiction. We already have one startup company that developed
a one kilogram size data center in the moon that was able to process data and process AI functions.
So we know the technology is viable. Now the U.S. interest has always been big in AI and space. We are still looking on the side to understand how
valuable it is. And there are two options.
One is to do it physically on lunar surface. The other option is orbital as well. So the moment you go outside the Earth orbit and have satellite-like
functions that operate as data centers, it can actually be commercially viable.
The one in orbit has a lower latency, so the communication is faster. The one on the moon, you can build bigger ones. But the issue is the length and
the communication back and forth. So these are, you know, two different options. We're looking into both.
We haven't made our decision yet but, overall, yes, space is a priority. As a priority, it's a matter of time that we get them both together.
ANDERSON: Space entities in the UAE have tripled investment, which has topped some $12 billion.
How hard is the UAE pushing that space economy?
I mean you and I have talked about this before and I've been sort of, you know, in and out of this story now over the last basically the last decade.
Where are you at?
AL FALASI: So I think we're advancing very well. So we run a survey annually on the space economy. Today, the space investment by commercial
space is 49 percent of all investments. We have 44 billion dirhams, 49 percent is commercial. It was 43 percent last year.
So we're seeing a growing interest from commercial space in the UAE. And I think from a policy perspective, any country that's serious about space
cannot do it purely by government.
The U.S. is a great model, succeeded by allowing the likes of SpaceX and others to succeed. So for us, we're at a tipping point right now, where the
first decade was establishing the basics, like the first astronaut, the first Mars mission.
But now we're actively working with private sector to make the UAE as a hub for either foreign investment or homegrown companies. As an example, our
next mission to the asteroid belt, we have allocated 50 percent of our budget to be given to private sector to contribute with us.
So we're sending a signal to the government here actually wants private sector to come in and wants it to be part of the whole story.
ANDERSON: I've just got to point out to the viewer, you talked about the decade that we are in. I mean, you know, you are at the back end of only
the second decade of the UAE's space program in and of itself.
There are a number of people I've spoken to here who are at the forefront of that back in 2007. So it is -- it is really quite remarkable when we
think about the progress that has been made here. It's always good to see you. Thank you very much indeed. And Mabrouk on the extension, on the Hope
Probe and Ramadan.
(CROSSTALK)
AL FALASI: -- thank you so much.
ANDERSON: Well, it is not just UAE looking to the stars, of course. Muslims worldwide are preparing for the month of Ramadan. The official
start depends on the local crescent moon sightings, which can differ across countries and communities.
People gather around the world at sundown to search for the moon. And the UAE has just confirmed the first day of fasting is tomorrow while Turkiye
and Oman have announced Ramadan will begin in that part of the world on February the 19th.
[10:45:04]
We will be back after this quick break. Stay with us.
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ANDERSON: Well, six companies linked to Sarah Ferguson are to shut down as newly released documents spark fresh scrutiny over her past ties to Jeffrey
Epstein. Now the files suggest that the former wife of Prince Andrew maintained contact with Epstein after his conviction, despite previous
claims that she cut ties.
Well, now their daughters are being swept up into this scandal. Max Foster has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAX FOSTER, CNN LONDON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of Britain's royal family thrust into the spotlight after being
named hundreds of times in the latest tranche of Epstein files.
The saga involving the late sex offender had already engulfed both their parents, the former Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. Now new
details have emerged about Epstein's friendship with the princesses' mother, who seems to have brought her daughters into his orbit, even after
he was convicted for sex offenses.
A series of emails released by the Department of Justice indicate that Ferguson, Eugenie and Beatrice, all visited Epstein in Miami in 2009, just
five days after he was released from jail. He served 13 months for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
"Do you need a ride," Epstein asks, before they lunch?
"No, thank you." The former duchess replies, adding, "It will be myself, Beatrice and Eugenie," at a time when they were 20 and 19 years old.
In a subsequent email, Ferguson tells Epstein, "Cannot wait to see you."
A separate thread between Epstein and his personal assistant days earlier also appears to indicate that he paid about $14,000 for the trio's flights
to the U.S. and here is another email chain nearly two years later, in 2011 between Epstein, Ferguson and her then-spokesperson.
In it, the former duchess says that Beatrice advised her on how to handle a British journalist to whom she had given a statement about Epstein. Just
last year, Ferguson's spokesperson said she had cut off relations with Epstein, "as soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations."
But all these DOJ files suggest otherwise. As for Andrew Mountbatten- Windsor, Beatrice and Eugenie's father, he remains under pressure from his ties to Epstein. The disgraced former prince has previously denied any
wrongdoing, including after he reached an outer court settlement with a woman who said she was trafficked to him as a teen.
Beatrice and Eugenie have kept a low profile through all of this and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing simply because they have been named in the
Epstein files.
[10:50:00]
FOSTER: We have reached out to Ferguson's representatives for comment on these exchanges seen in the Epstein documents and CNN has sought to contact
the princesses for comment but we haven't heard back from them -- Max Foster, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Max Foster reporting.
Well, ahead on CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson, we look at the highs and the lows in what has been an action-packed and drama-packed
Winter Olympics in Italy. Stand by.
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ANDERSON: Well, it's been a Winter Olympics full of thrills, chills and spills. And as the Milan Cortina games roll through their final week, I
want to get you a brief recap of some of the highlights and lowlights, frankly.
For upset wins, how about Australia's Cooper Woods?
Ranked 20th in the world, he took home the gold in the men's moguls.
Then there's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, winning gold for Brazil in the men's giant slalom and the first-ever Winter Olympics medal for a South American
country.
And a different drama on the slopes. American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, just days after tearing her ACL, crashing out the women's downhill course
and had to be airlifted to hospital with a broken tibia.
She underwent three surgeries but she does keep her spirits up, we are told, throughout the entire ordeal.
Well, maybe the most shocking result, the Quad God, American figure skater Ilia Malinin, not completing jumps and falling during his free skate,
crashing out of medal contention in the men's singles competition. It's the first time he hasn't won an event since 2023.
Well, the games also had their fair share of controversies and drama. Take the biathlon bronze medalist from Norway, who used a news conference to
declare that he had cheated on his girlfriend.
And a Ukrainian entrant in the skeleton disqualified for wearing a helmet honoring his country's war dead. Coy Wire is in the middle of all of this
in Italy.
I mean, Coy, lots of terrific stories but also, it has to be said, some athletes who simply haven't lived up to expectations.
What stood out to you, sir?
COY WIRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, there's nothing like this pressure, Becky. Pressure can make diamonds. It can also bust pipes.
You mentioned Ilia Malinin. He hadn't lost a competition in more than two years but he failed to medal in the men's individual competition.
Immediately afterwards, Becky, he said, "I blew it."
And nothing compares to the Olympic stage. He posted on social, in part, "No matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable
pressure, it all builds up as these moments flash before your eyes, resulting in inevitable crash."
He's just 21 years old. He'll reportedly be skating in the Olympics gala on Saturday. That's a good sign. And next month, also planning to skate at the
world championships, where he has a chance --
(AUDIO GAP)
WIRE: -- France's reigning Olympic champion and their flag bearer, Becky, Clement Noel was left stunned after leading just -- leaving just seven
seconds into the second run of his slalom on Monday, straddling two gates.
He said, "I had no panache." That's how he described it. The 28-year old was France's greatest hope for a title in alpine skiing. Making matters
worse, Becky, his coach was in charge of the course design.
[10:55:04]
So it's highs and lows, Becky, at these games. There's been plenty of viral moments. You mentioned a couple of them, like the Norwegian decided to vent
to the world that he cheated on his girlfriend. Probably not the best decision if you're trying to get her back
(LAUGHTER)
ANDERSON: Yes. Amazing. You talk about no panache on the slopes. I mean, that's how I would just describe my skiing every time I get on the slopes.
I mean, clearly he was expecting more from himself.
(LAUGHTER)
ANDERSON: Coy, it's good to have you. The games always known for these viral moments. And you've been there, watching them develop. Norway's --
oh, what am I doing now?
What am I doing now?
"Parting Shots." Here I go.
Thank you, Coy.
For tonight's parting shots, grab your saddles. The Year of the Horse is here. Today marks the first day of the Lunar New Year, one of the most
important holidays for many Chinese around the world.
And it is not just for one day, of course. The festivities often last for 15 days, from parades and bazaars to traditional holiday treats. Many
people also look for the Chinese zodiac predictions for hints about what's in store for this year.
Well, happy Year of the Horse from me and the team here in Abu Dhabi. That is it for CONNECT THE WORLD. It's been a good show. I said that halfway
through the show. My producer said, don't jinx it. And then the teleprompter went down. So there you go.
Don't jinx it, stay well, stay with CNN. "ONE WORLD" is up next.
END
