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Isa Soares Tonight
A Dramatic Successful First Rescue As A Survivor Is Pulled Out From The Flooded Cave In Laos; President Trump Says He's Meeting In The White House Situation Room To Make A Final Call On A Deal With Iran; Outrage From NATO Members Who Say A Russian Drone Hit Apartments In Romania; Two Wounded After Drone Hits Apartment Building In Romania; Kenyan Court Freezes U.S. Plan For Quarantine Facility; Sources: U.S. And Iran Reach Tentative Deal, Trump Yet To Sign Off; U.S. Oil Stockpiles At Lowest Levels Since 2003; Haiti Heads To First World Cup In Half A Century. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired May 29, 2026 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LYNDA KINKADE, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Lynda Kinkade in for Isa Soares. Tonight, a dramatic,
successful first rescue as a survivor is pulled out from the flooded cave in Laos. We'll have more on the status of the rescue for those who remain
trapped.
Then U.S. President Trump says he's meeting in the White House Situation Room to make a final call on a deal with Iran. We'll have the latest on
that. Plus, outrage from NATO members who say a Russian drone hit apartments in Romania.
I'll be joined by the Romanian Foreign Minister to get her reaction. That and much more coming up. We begin with the breaking news and exclusive CNN
reporting from the scene of a dramatic cave rescue in Laos. Take a look at these images.
The moment a survivor was safely let out by rescuers after being trapped for more than a week underground. A CNN producer on the scene says he
seemed weak with stomach pain and skin irritation after days in the cold, dark, flooded chamber. He spoke just minutes after his rescue.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Four people remain trapped in the cave and are awaiting assessment before evacuation. Two others remain missing, and the cave rescue team told
CNN, they have not had contact with them.
The villagers entered the cave more than a week ago to search for gold, but got trapped by flash flooding. Rescue operations will resume at 9:00 a.m.
local time on Saturday, which is in about eight hours' time. CNN's Will Ripley is reporting exclusively on the ground near the Laos cave rescue
site.
He and producer Kocha Olam spoke to one of the cave divers shortly after the first survivor was rescued, with Kocha translating live on air. The
diver gave an update on where operations stand now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, so Kocha is on the line right now with one of the Thai rescue divers. He's
actually on speakerphone right now, so, I'm going to let Kocha translate what he just told us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
KOCHA OLAM, CNN PRODUCER: Sure, OK, let me translate that. He just said (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE). He just said that today's extraction
activities will suspend for tonight. They will resume again at 9:00 a.m., the reasons that all the divers and rescuers are very tired.
So, the guys that he retrieved today had some problems with his hands and foot because of it's been in the water and a damp area for a long time, and
he has some problem at his stomach. Let me ask the name, who was the first one who left?
RIPLEY: Yes, let's find out his identity --
OLAM: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
OLAM: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
RIPLEY: This in real time what we normally would do --
OLAM: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
RIPLEY: On tape, but --
OLAM: OK --
RIPLEY: This is the miracle right here --
OLAM: Any --
RIPLEY: Translation problems --
OLAM: Yes, his name is Meud(ph) --
RIPLEY: Meud(ph)? --
OLAM: His name is Meud(ph) --
RIPLEY: OK, and what do we know about Meud(ph)? Is he -- is he a father? Is he married? Do we have any details about him?
OLAM: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
OLAM: OK, he's a son. He's single and he's with his parents.
RIPLEY: OK, the call has just dropped, so, I'm trying to redial the IFB 1 now --
OLAM: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
RIPLEY: But I -- so if you -- I can't hear you, Wolf(ph), but if you can still see and hear me, I'm just trying to call back. Can we ask him about
the other four? What is their condition and what is the timeline for getting them out? Is it going to happen when there's daylight?
OLAM: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
RIPLEY: This call is not working --
OLAM: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
RIPLEY: I'm back, I can hear him, let's go(ph) --
OLAM: Yes --
[14:05:00]
OLAM: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE) OK, four of them started to have some illnesses already. Some of them have like stomach issues. Some of them have
skin issues, and also the skin -- the skin at their hands and their feet has some problem because they've been in a damp area for a very long time.
And some of them have intestines issues because they didn't have like -- they didn't go to toilet for a very long time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well, for more on this source of challenges the rescue divers are facing, let's bring in Christian Stenner, who is a rescue coordinator. Good
to have you with us.
CHRISTIAN STENNER, CAVE RESCUE COORDINATOR: Thank you.
KINKADE: So, you, Christian, have explored some of the deepest and most remote caves in the world. What immediately stands out to you when you look
at this rescue operation that's underway in Laos? What poses the biggest danger right now?
STENNER: Definitely, the challenge is to get people out of the cave when there may be parts of the cave that are flooded or mostly underwater. And
if they're completely flooded, that means that scuba gear might be required to get the people through.
Otherwise, it will be the challenges of the water and the temperature of the water and the ability of the trapped people to be able to move under
their own power. So, are they well enough to help with their own rescue, to crawl, to climb or to walk? And how much assistance they might need to do
that?
KINKADE: So, we were just obviously showing the first survivor coming out of that cave after being rescued. Does that successful first extraction
usually make subsequent rescues easier, or can the conditions deteriorate there?
STENNER: Yes, it can be a bit of both. The learnings that you could get from getting a successful extraction could obviously be applied to the next
ones coming. However, as time goes on, the people who are still trapped may become weaker, they may become less able to move on their own power.
So, there's a bit of a balance there between doing it quickly and leaving them in place and making sure the rescuers are safe and have learned enough
to be able to do that in a better fashion.
KINKADE: Rescuers in Laos have described the conditions as like diving into coffee because visibility is almost zero. Operationally, what does that
mean for these rescuers?
STENNER: Yes, it means it's a challenging situation when you're in a cave and there's no visibility, and there may be multiple ways on or different
things that can catch your equipment, cause a snag and so forth.
So, if you have limited air capacity, then that can cause you as the rescuer to be in a hazardous situation. And that will apply to the people
being rescued as well, and the conditions that they'll have to navigate in coming back out of the cave.
KINKADE: And of course, rescuers right now have a taking a rest, they need to reassess the situation in the morning, about eight hours from now when
they resume the rescue operation. What kind of physical and psychological toll does a multi-day rescue like this take on the rescuers themselves?
STENNER: Yes, there's definitely challenge because there's pressure to perform and to hope for a good outcome for every one of those trapped
people. So, I'm sure that's weighing on the rescuers themselves.
But as well, they'll be trying to take care of their own health and their own capability to look after themselves as best they can so that they can
look after the other people.
KINKADE: Christian, you've said that cave exploration is one of the last unexplored frontiers. What makes a flooded cave system like this uniquely
unforgiving compared to, say, a rescue on a mountain or in an ocean?
STENNER: Yes, the challenge with any cave and especially in a flooded cave are that the usual things that a rescuer might have, like GPS, like a
functioning radio communication light. These are things that are not available underground.
And then when you remove the capability to move easily and just walk or crawl because you flooded a part of the area with water. These are all
challenges that typically don't exist on a surface rescue. And they make things a lot more challenging for the rescuers and for the trapped people.
[14:10:00]
KINKADE: And just quickly, you've spent long periods underground in harsh conditions. What happens mentally to people trapped underground for days in
darkness?
STENNER: Yes, it's going to be unique to each individual. But what can happen in some cases is that people do get that sense of isolation that
kind of weighs on -- weighs on their psyche. And certainly, it can cause people to have more of a panic reaction where they feel like they have to
get out of the cave immediately, even though there's no -- there's no safe way to do that.
So, that's the thing that's happened with people in the past when they've been trapped underground. And that can cause certainly a lot of anxiety and
a lot of pressure in order to try to, you know -- a need to get out of the cave very quickly, even though it might not be possible.
KINKADE: Christian Stenner, we appreciate your expertise today. Thanks so much.
STENNER: Thank you.
KINKADE: U.S. President Donald Trump says he is meeting in the White House Situation Room with advisors to decide whether to sign off on a deal
between the United States and Iran. In an online post, the President reiterated the U.S. demands for Iran to give up any nuclear ambitions and
reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
A source says it's unlikely the President will give his OK until he is assured that Iran's supreme leader has approved the proposal. On the
Iranian side, Tehran's Foreign Ministry says a Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations has not yet been finalized.
Iran's top negotiator says his country secures concessions not through talks, but through missiles. He added that no step will be taken before the
other side acts. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, a key mediator in U.S.- Iran talks met today with the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio in Washington.
CNN Betsy Klein is in Washington, and our Matthew Chance joins us from London. Good to have you both with us. I want to start with you first,
Betsy. President Trump, no doubt, is facing a great deal of pressure from Republican hawks who oppose concessions to Iran. How serious is that
internal political resistance right now?
BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: I think it's definitely factoring into the President's decision-making here. But what's also
factoring into his decision-making is just how much political pressure there is on him to end this conflict. We're seeing gas prices at about
$4.39 a gallon on average nationwide.
So, all of that weighing on the President. But it was just a couple of hours ago that the President announced in this post to his social media
that he was heading to the Situation Room where he would be meeting with advisors to make what he says is a final determination on whether to move
ahead with this deal with Iran.
Now, earlier this week, both the U.S. and Iranian sides reached this sort of preliminary agreement to end the conflict, extend the ceasefire and
reopen the Strait of Hormuz; that critical oil thoroughfare.
But President Trump notably had not yet signed off on this. So, now he is in the Situation Room with some of his highest-level advisors making a
decision on whether to move ahead. And the President, in that lengthy post, laying out some of the key provisions here.
He says that Iran must agree that it will never have a nuclear weapon or bomb. He says that the Strait of Hormuz must be immediately open without
any restrictions or tolls, that has been a key negotiation point here.
He says the mines that have been laid by Iran must be removed and terminated. And in return, he says, the U.S. will lift its blockade on the
Strait of Hormuz. Now, one of the biggest outstanding nuclear issues is Iran's highly-enriched uranium.
What President Trump has repeatedly referred to as nuclear dust. Trump says that it will be unearthed by the U.S. in consultation with Iran and the
International Atomic Energy Agency, and then destroy. But it's still unclear how exactly that is going to happen.
What's also unclear is how long Iran will agree to a moratorium on its nuclear ambitions. Now, according to our reporting, this plan could create
a phased system for Iran to get some financial relief as long as it is in compliance with the United States demands.
Trump says that no money will be exchanged until further notice, so that is another space to watch. All eyes on the President's social media. If he has
any readout, any indication of which direction he plans to move forward. Lynda.
KINKADE: Yes, exactly. We are watching that closely, Betsy Klein, thank you. And Matthew, to you, obviously, we've heard a lot about the lack of
trust on both sides. Regional governments in the gulf viewing this current stage of negotiations with optimism or are they skeptical of where things
are going?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CHIEF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, I don't think even America's close allies in the Arab gulf states really know
what's going to come out of President Trump's mouth when he -- when he -- when he walks out of that, you know, Situation Room briefing later on
tonight, that he was saying he was going to be making a final decision about this Memorandum of Understanding.
[14:15:00]
They've been wrong-footed like the rest of us. You know, we've been sort of, you know, torn between on the one hand, a Memorandum of Understanding,
a deal being on the verge of being agreed, and then need to be cast off at the last moment because it didn't meet the high expectations that President
Trump has for a deal to end this conflict.
And I think we're all in the same boat right now. I think the additional factor that you have to weigh in all of this, and Betsy was talking a lot
there about what President Trump wants, and the political pressure that he is facing in the United States and from his critics who may look at this
deal and go, look, you know, this doesn't really represent much of a victory at all.
I mean, you know, Iran always said that it didn't have, for example, any ambitions to create a nuclear bomb. The Strait of Hormuz was open before
the war had begun. And so, you know, kind of achieving those things isn't much of an achievement really.
But the other issue you've got to factor in is that, the Iranians also have political pressure. There are hardliners in Tehran, and I was in the
Iranian capital just last week speaking to some of these people who are absolutely adamant that their government make no concessions to the United
States.
And the idea that after its supreme leader has been assassinated, after it's been subject to bombardment by U.S.-led -- you know, U.S. and Israeli
forces essentially over the past several months. The idea they're going to make concessions to Washington is something that is very unpalatable to a
lot of Iranians, but particularly to the hardliners. And it's the hardliners that are calling the shots in that country right now.
KINKADE: Yes, exactly, especially when they believe they have the leverage here. Matthew Chance, great to have you with us from London, our Betsy
Klein, also, our thanks to you in D.C. Well, a federal judge is putting the brakes on the U.S. President's plans to create a nearly $1.8 billion fund
for the alleged government weaponization.
The judge temporarily paused payments on the fund as she considers arguments in a lawsuit brought by a former January 6th prosecutor. Critics
describe it as a slush fund for Donald Trump's allies that could potentially include rioters who were convicted.
The controversial fund is overseen by the Justice Department, and a hearing in the case is set for next month. Still ahead, the former U.S. Attorney
General facing tough questions about her handling of the Epstein files. What she's telling lawmakers after the break. Also, outrage and concern
after a drone, slams into an apartment building in Romania
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:20:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. ROBERT GARCIA (D-CA): Very clear that we continue to be incredibly disappointed of the decision to not have this interview videotaped and then
released to the American public. The second thing we asked Chairman Comer is to ensure that this interview is under oath, and we understand the
Attorney General is going to be there answering questions from Congress.
But it should have been under oath, and it should be videotaped. We obviously have a lot of questions as it relates to why only 50 percent of
the files have been released, why many of the survivors there were literally put in danger, by the way the files were released, that private
information should never have been released. And of course, why this continues to be some type of cover-up. And so, we don't --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: That was the Ranking Member on the U.S. House Oversight Committee, Democrat Robert Garcia there, just moments ago, blasting former U.S.
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Capitol Hill. Now, Bondi testified before a House Committee today to discuss her role in overseeing the Justice
Department's release of the Epstein files.
She vigorously defended what she called an unprecedented commitment to transparency, despite the fact that millions of those files still haven't
been released as required by law. And she refused to answer questions about Donald Trump. Bondi also didn't speak under oath. Democrats accuse her of
shifting the blame to her successor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GARCIA: She said, and I quote, "acting AG Blanche was managing the entire investigation", end quote. And what you're going to hear in that interview
and what she's saying here in her words and remarks, is that it was Todd Blanche; the current acting AG that was leading the Epstein investigation.
And quite frankly, all of the mistakes that we saw, the redactions, not protecting survivors. She continues to push that back onto the acting AG
Todd Blanche, who by the way, was Donald Trump's former personal lawyer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Our legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid is tracking this story for us, and joins us now live. Great to see you, Paula. So, the former
Attorney General has been criticized by both sides of the political aisle over her handling of the Epstein files. Why was the interview today
conducted behind closed doors? And what have we learned so far?
PAULA REID, CNN CHIEF LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: So, originally, when she was still Attorney General, they issued a subpoena for her to come and
answer questions when she was fired and removed from the Justice Department, it wasn't clear if they could enforce that subpoena.
So, they negotiated this voluntary interview behind closed doors that was not recorded. But the committee has said it will release a transcript. So,
until we get that transcript, we are relying on what lawmakers and Bondi's team said happened behind closed doors.
As you heard there, Democrats have insisted that she tried to pin the blame for a lot of what happened on acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. But
when Bondi came out of the hearing, she put on social media that, that was not true.
And in fact, she praised Blanche's, quote, "Herculean efforts". Now, her lawyer also came out and said that there was nothing wrong with saying
Blanche was responsible. She was represented today, interestingly by another top Justice Department official, Harmeet Dhillon, who currently
heads the Civil Rights Division.
Dhillon said that when you're Attorney General, you have to outsource a lot of things to deputies. So, she sort of dismissed these concerns about
blaming Blanche as being like the common way an Attorney General would act.
Now, she is apparently the 13th witness that lawmakers have interviewed as part of their investigation into all things Epstein. But we won't know
again exactly what she said until they released that final transcript. That could happen as early as next week.
KINKADE: And Paula Reid, did hear that Democrats questioned her about, you know, whether Trump was protected politically during the disclosure
process. What are you hearing about that and how that issue came up?
REID: So, they asked her about her various conversations with the President. Now, that's something Pam Bondi could have raised a privilege
over. Conversations with the President are usually protected, but instead, lawmakers suggested that her lawyer again, Harmeet Dhillon; a Justice
Department official stopped her from answering those questions.
Now, that could have been a tactic to prevent Bondi from having to, you know, cite privilege or in any other way block the question herself. But
again, any conversations that she had with the President would likely be privileged.
She wasn't likely to answer those questions anyway. But of course, that's something that lawmakers are going to want to know. What were your
conversations with the White House?
[14:25:00]
We know that this Justice Department is sort of led by the White House far more than prior ones.
KINKADE: Yes, certainly a lot of interest in the Epstein files. And this interview behind closed doors. Paula Reid, good to have you with us in
D.C., thank you. Well, violent clashes broke out Thursday between federal ICE agents and protesters outside a New Jersey immigration detention
facility.
Tensions have spiked all week at the Delaney Hall facility amid reports detainees are being mistreated. Some detainees have reportedly gone on a
hunger strike. Local officials are calling for calm, but also expressing frustration that they've not been given full access to the facility to see
the conditions themselves.
Well, still to come tonight, crossing yet another line, your reaction from the European Commission President after suspected Russian drone hit a
densely-populated area in Romania. Plus, a judge blocks plans for the U.S. to set up a quarantine facility in Kenya. As East Africa continues to
grapple with the widening Ebola crisis. Details next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: Welcome back, I'm Lynda Kinkade. A recap now of our top story and the remarkable moment one of the people trapped in a flooded cave in Laos
was rescued after more than a week underground. CNN is learning that he has issues with his stomach, hands and feet.
You're looking at exclusive CNN images of the ambulance leaving the rescue site. At least, four other people remain trapped and rescue operations are
set to resume in around 7.5 hours. The father of the rescued survivor has expressed his deepest gratitude to those who saved his son.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[14:30:00]
KINKADE: We will continue to follow this breaking news story and bring you any developments as we get them from our team on the ground in Laos.
Well, outrage today from NATO and E.U. members after Romania says a Russian drone hit an apartment building. Two people were wounded in the incident.
Galati is located just across the border from Ukraine. Romania's defense ministry says Russian drones have breached the country's airspace some 28
times since Moscow began attacking Ukrainian ports across the Danube River.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Russia crossed the line and the E.U. stands in full solidarity with Romania.
We're joined now by Romanian Foreign Minister, Oana Toiu, live from Bucharest. Great to have you with us.
OANA TOIU, FOREIGN MINISTER, ROMANIA: Thank you for having me.
KINKADE: So, Minister, this is not the first time suspected Russian drones have crossed into Romanian airspace, but this one hid in an apartment
building, injuring a woman and a child. Does this indicate Russia's war is now directly threatening NATO and European territory?
TOIU: It is the more -- most severe incident we have seen since the start of the war. Romania has the longest border with the war, 650 kilometers.
And of course we do have the Danube and the Black Sea close to it. It is important to say though that the mother and child are well. They have
received medical care. But of course the level of worry, the level of concern is very high. Not just in Galati, the city that was hit but also
across the country and I would dare to say across allied territory because this has raised concerns.
I have seen the statements come from Vladimir Putin and we do have a clear message to him. It is his drone and we know that he knows it. We have seen
Russia try whenever this hybrid interferences happened on the eastern flank to also push their own side of the story, narratives that would deflect
from their own responsibility. But especially in Eastern Europe, we do have a history that teaches us that Russia is not to be trusted.
KINKADE: Yes, of course, Russia denying responsibility. NATO officials and yourself pointing to the evidence that this was from a Russian system. Does
this risk, this pattern of plausible deniability suggest an escalation? And at what point do future incursions become intolerable?
TOIU: Well, I would say they're already inacceptable from the first moment they happened, but they're also a moment that shows us that the war at our
border generates, of course, risks and insecurities. And that is why it is very important that we do continue the international collaboration and
solidarity, not just of course to protect every inch of the NATO territory, but also to support the path towards peace at the border and to support the
resilience of Ukrainians and the increased pressure on Russia so that it authentically reach the dialogue conversation there.
KINKADE: Minister, NATO says it will defend every inch of alliance territory. What specifically is Romania asking from the alliance?
TOIU: We have a very clear list of capabilities that are needed to increase the air defense on the eastern flank. I've had this conversation and of
course the ministry of defense has had it as well with SACEUR, the U.S. European Commander of NATO. I've spoken today with Secretary General Mark
Rutte as well as of course the President and the Minister of Defense have had these conversations. And we are going to continue to increase our
capabilities.
On Romania side, of course, we've also made it a priority in our procurement. We've allocated two billion euros for procurement on air
defense and we are also part of international air defense missions not just on our airspace but across the eastern plank.
KINKADE: Minister, you've warned repeatedly about instability in the Black Sea. Do you believe that Russia is deliberately testing NATO's eastern
flank?
TOIU: We do see the Black Sea as being a strategic point. It is the connection of Europe to South Caucasus to the Middle East. That is why we
also see it is very important for Russia to try to keep it in its sphere of influence. But of course that is not the case. We are strong in protecting
it. We do have a NATO component in demining. We do have a great partnership with Turkey, Bulgaria in protecting the Black Sea. And of course, the Black
Sea is also part of the conversations I'm having with members of Congress. It was part of the conversation I had with Secretary of State Marco Rubio
last year as well.
KINKADE: And Minister, Russian officials are warning Europe to "Get ready essentially for more drone incidents. Is this deterrence messaging or is
this a signal of escalation?
[14:35:14]
TOIU: It is part of their reckless behavior as they have increased the attacks on civilian infrastructure ports close to our border, close to NATO
border. They are unable to have full control of their own drones and their own capabilities. And that reckless behavior needs to stop.
KINKADE: And so, could future drone strikes trigger potentially an Article 4 under NATO?
TOIU: We do believe now that we have a continuous consultation among us in terms of what are the threats that we see and what are the capabilities
that are needed. We have actually asked for some time ago that we do plan in June and we are going to have a conversation in the council on maritime
security where we're going to add of course the security of the Danube and our capability plan.
KINKADE: Certainly there are some political some politicians and some analysts both here in the U.S. and Europe that argue that deeper NATO
support for Ukraine is essentially the risk that's -- it's risks escalating this conflict further. How do you respond to that concern?
TOIU: We do see especially now that this type of modern attack has also generated lessons from this war and we do see Ukraine as well becoming a
security partner not just in the region but also if we are to look at the Middle East, we also see the countries there having intense conversations
with experts from Ukraine in order to be able to have a more adapted air defense system. So, we do see Ukraine as our neighbor and we do see a
partnership with them in the future in terms of common solutions. For example, we're also going to produce together air defense mechanisms for
drones.
KINKADE: And given minister that there's already been more than two dozen incidences in Romania where suspected Russian drones have come into your
airspace. Just what are you prepared to do right now?
TOIU: We do have a clear decision for our pilots to shoot down the drones. We have seen F-16s. We've scrambled them as we see the drones on the
radars. But that created of course also a security risks in terms of shooting down the drones themselves over populated areas. That is why it is
very important that we do procure the proper air defense system adapted to the drone incursions and that we do have an increased presence in terms of
airplanes in terms of helicopters in terms of radars and anti- drone systems on the eastern flank.
KINKADE: Oana Toiu, Romania's Foreign Minister, we appreciate your time today. Thanks very much.
TOIU: Thank you.
KINKADE: Well, a high court in Kenya has temporarily suspended plans for the U.S. to establish an Ebola quarantine center in the country. The Trump
administration wants to open a 50-bed quarantine unit to house U.S. citizens who are potentially exposed to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of
Congo.
The plans have drawn widespread criticism. Kenya hasn't reported any cases from the current Ebola outbreak in its territory. CNN's Larry Madowo is in
Nairobi with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LARRY MADOWO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Why do Americans think that their lives are more important than the lives of Kenyans? That appears to
be the national mood here, the overall sentiment across the country. There is near universal opposition to this U.S. plan to set up an Ebola
quarantine facility or isolation ward in the country for Americans. And now a judge has agreed that it might endanger public health at least
temporarily.
A Kenyan high court judge ruling that the Kenyan government cannot get into this agreement with the U.S. It cannot admit, transfer or in any way allow
anybody exposed to Ebola or with confirmed Ebola to come into the country until this plays out in the court. That's until June 2nd when the Katiba
Institute, this is the civil society group that filed the suit, will have their moment before this judge to explain why they're opposed to it.
But they're not the only ones. The Law Society of Kenya has also filed a constitutional petition to essentially block the Kenyan government from
doing this because again the same argument is that if Ebola is too dangerous for Americans, it is too dangerous for Kenyans.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union, that is the union representing 10,000 plus doctors in public and private hospitals are
opposed to it. They say that Kenya is a sovereign nation. it is not a geopolitical isolation ward and that they will not allow the Kenyan
government to give a public safety for foreign aid. That reference is because the U.S. has said it is committing $13.5 million to Kenya for Ebola
preparedness efforts. Many Kenyans are offended by repeated statements from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said that the U.S. priority is to
protect U.S. citizens and they will do everything to ensure that Ebola does not get to the U.S.
[14:40:23]
The corollary here, the way people see it here in Kenya is that they're saying, oh, you can have Ebola over there in Kenya, but it cannot come to
the U.S. even if they're American citizens. And that is why there's this universal opposition to it. Local leaders in central Kenya where reports
say this 50-bed facility should have opened on Friday are opposed to it.
But the Kenyan government has not been fully transparent in terms of what deal they got into with the Americans. So far there's been no response from
the Kenyan government and that is fueling a lot of speculation as to why President William Ruto's government got into this deal in the first place.
And some Kenyans say it appears to be for the money and they say return the money to the Americans and keep us safe because they feel that the Kenyan
health system, the healthcare infrastructure here is just not ready for an infectious virus like Ebola.
Larry Madowo, CNN Nairobi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Iran says it fired warning shots at four vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. A telegram post from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says
the ships were trying to pass through the waterway without authorization. U.S. officials say the Trump administration has reached a tentative
agreement with Iran that would include reopening the strait, but the president has not yet signed off on it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT BESSENT, U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY: I think that we can see that the president very clearly stated out -- stated his three. Open the strait,
highly enriched uranium, no nuclear program.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are those three aspects that you just outlined part of the temporary deal that has been agreed?
BESSENT: If there can be no deal without those, why would there be a deal without those? We perhaps have the makings of a deal here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: The administration is hoping a deal will bring oil and gas prices down and replenish dwindling reserves. CNN's Matt Egan reports.
MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Back-to-back major wars have put a big dent in America's stockpile of emergency oil. So you recall that four years ago
after Russia invaded Ukraine, then-candidate Trump really blasted the Biden administration for aggressively draining oil from the Strategic Petroleum
Reserve ahead of the 2022 midterms.
Now, President Trump's administration after the war with Iran started is draining the SPR at an even faster pace ahead of this year's midterm
elections. So, just in the last week alone, the SPR lost about nine million barrels of crude. That nearly eclipsed the record that had been set the
week before. And now the SPR is down by about 50 million barrels since the war with Iran has started. That amounts to roughly 12 percent of what this
reserve had gone in just the span of a few months and it's now has the least amount of crude in two years.
Now, in many ways this is exactly what the SPR is designed to do. It is basically like an airbag that can be deployed during emergencies to try to
cushion the blow of higher energy prices for consumers, for businesses. And the SPR, it remains the world's largest emergency stockpile of crude.
Presidents of both political parties have turned to the SPR during emergencies, including wars and natural disasters like hurricanes.
The Biden administration really aggressively drained the SPR, but the fact that it's going down at an even faster pace this spring underscores the
size and scope of the current energy crisis. There's estimates that about 1.2 billion barrels of crude have been derailed because of the closure of
the Strait of Hormuz. Some context, that's basically 12 days of world demand that has just been completely wiped out because of this conflict.
And what's notable is a lot of those barrels, they're not just going to the U.S. refineries that need the crude to make gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel.
Roughly half, according to some estimates, roughly half of the SPR barrels, they're actually getting exported overseas to Europe and Asia because there
are countries overseas that have been hit even harder by the closure of Strait of Hormuz than the United States has.
The bottom line is energy prices would be even higher if not for this emergency reserve of oil. But this is not a bottomless pit of crude. It's
got to be refilled eventually. And when you do, that could end up lifting demand and prices higher even after this crisis is over. Back to you.
KINKADE: Our thanks to Matt Egan there. We're going to take a short break. Much more news coming up in just a moment. You're watching CNN.
[14:45:07]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: Well, this week we are exploring the global rise of K beauty as part of "K EVERYTHING," a CNN an original series with Daniel Dae Kim, South
Korea's cosmetics industry is known for embracing advanced technology and rapid innovation. Well, today Daniel visits a clinic in Soul to try a
trending K beauty procedure known as the Salmon Sperm Facial.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANIEL DAE KIM, HOST, K EVERYTHING (voice-over): I'm at Mend Clinic where I've started coming for regular skincare checkups thanks to advice from my
wife. She introduced me to the esteemed Dr. Yoon Wonyoung who's since become a friend.
DR. YOON WONYOUNG, MEND CLINIC: HI, DANIEL!
KIM: Hello!
WONYOUNG: Nice to see you again.
KIM: Nice to see you. Thanks for having us.
WONYOUNG: Yes. Please come into my office.
KIM (voice-over): Lately, I've been seeing a lot about a trending procedure, and I got to admit, I'm curious, especially because of its name,
the Salmon Sperm Facial.
WONYOUNG: We don't take the salmon sperm individually, but we do some enzymatic digestion to get the DNA from the salmon or the (INAUDIBLE). So,
PDRN is good for like helping the damaged skin get more healthier and produce more collagen.
KIM: All right. I look forward to getting these injections. Let's see what happens.
WONYOUNG: Sure.
KIM (voice-over): First, numbing cream to help with the pain. I didn't know it was going to hurt.
WONYOUNG: Please lie down with this side. Yes.
KIM: Which way? This way?
WONYOUNG: Yes. This way.
KIM: That's the machine.
WONYOUNG: Yes. Yes.
KIM: Looks like a robot.
KIM (voice-over): It's actually a micro needling device.
WONYOUNG: You OK?
KIM: Yes. I didn't even feel it.
KIM (voice-over): Nine tiny needles inject the salmon DNA into the top layer of the skin, triggering the body's natural wound healing process that
stimulates skin rejuvenation.
KIM: Lemon cream works really well. It may not look like a lot now, but Dr. Yoon says in a few short months, we'll see the full effect.
WONYOUNG: Korea has extremely easy accessibility to the cosplay procedure. This very affordable in Korea compared to other countries.
KIM (voice-over): The salmon sperm facial is generally considered safe. Though Dr. Yoon is quick to point out that there are some risks including
allergic reactions.
WONYOUNG: Most of the beauty procedures we are doing in clinics, it has to be done only by doctors in Korea. And as the doctors have lots of
experience, they try to like, study more and adopt new technologies faster. As here you can keep up with the trends as the market is like developing
very fast.
[14:50:18]
KIM: We're done?
WONYOUNG: Yes, we are done.
KIM: OK, that was completely painless.
WONYOUNG: Yes.
KIM: Oh, I look like I got a little sunburn and a little redder than usual, but I'm camera-ready.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Ouch. You can see the full episode of K Everything this Saturday on CNN. You can also stream the full series in the U.S. on the CNN app and
globally on HBO Max.
We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back with much more news in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. After decades of living with gang violence and instability, Haitians are finally something to celebrate.
Their men's football team is heading to the World Cup this summer for the first time in nearly 50 years. Uniting communities with a sense of
excitement and hope. CNN's Stefano Pozzebon reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This was the moment Haitians held their breath for, their national team made it to
the FIFA World Cup. The first time in more than 50 years. It was more than a sports victory. It was some much needed good news for a nation battered
by humanitarian crisis.
And national team players like Woodensky Pierre don't take that responsibility lightly.
WOODENSKY PIERRE, NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM PLAYER, HAITI (through translator): I always had in mind that playing for the country was a
privilege and I would be able to use my talent to help the country.
POZZEBON (voice-over): Gangs have overrun much of the capital, Port-au- Prince and parts of Haiti's main agricultural region. In Port-au-Prince, the violence has made it hard to access medical care. Entire families are
fleeing. Add to that a deepening hunger crisis and economic turmoil. Because of the unrest, Haiti's soccer team cannot even practice at home.
But now there is something to look forward to. A new hope especially for younger generations.
SAID ZAUL, 12-YEAR-OLD HAITIAN PLAYER (through translator): I want to play for the national team. My dream is to win a World Cup with the Haitian team
to show others what Haiti is.
[14:55:06]
POZZEBON (voice-over): It's a dream Pierre hopes is within reach for more and more young Haitian athletes.
PIERRE (through translator): Playing in Haiti and making it up to the national team, this is something to be proud of, to be happy. And there's
going to be an opportunity for a lot of other younger talent in the national league to make it to the national team someday.
POZZEBON (voice-over): Haiti World Cup stint will not solve its problems, but for now it's given the country something to finally celebrate.
Stefano Pozzebon, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well, global recording artist Bad Bunny is joining the cast of the upcoming movie Toy Story 5 as the toys go up against a smart tablet that
threatens to render traditional toys obsolete. Bad Bunny plays a fashionable toy called Pizza with Sunglasses, who's described as a member
of a small but mighty community of forgotten toys. Toy Story 5 will be released in theaters worldwide in about three weeks.
And finally tonight, models and robots strutting the runway together at a fashion show in Seoul. The event on Thursday was built as a "physical A.I.
fashion show." The machines and humans wore coordinated outfits and danced to synchronized choreography. The organization -- the organizers said the
show aimed to present robots not as replacements for humans but as companions capable of sharing emotion.
That does it for this edition. I'll be back with much more news in just a short time with "WHAT WE KNOW." Stay with us. You're watching CNN.
END
