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Isa Soares Tonight

The Israeli Hostages Who Didn't Come Back Alive; Venezuela's Maduro and His Wife Face New Torture Charges; Attorney: Accuser in Cornell Case is Getting Death Threats; Gulf Coast Prepares for Hurricane Isaias. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired October 08, 2026 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[14:00:00]

CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Christina Macfarlane in for Isa Soares. Tonight, new

CNN polling reveals chances are increasing for Democratic pick-ups in what usually are deep red states just 26 days out from the Midterm elections.

So, what are the biggest issues for likely voters? We'll discuss. Then the deadliest single attack in Ukraine this year kills at least 33 people, as a

Russian strike sets two buses alight. I'll speak with a Ukrainian MP.

And French student leaders say the government's response falls short on another day of mass protests. We'll go live to the French capital for the

latest.

But we begin with new signs that a blue wave by the U.S. Democrats could be even bigger than expected, hitting even the deepest red Republican states

amid widespread disapproval of President Donald Trump.

A new CNN polling could spell trouble for Republicans in Ohio and Iowa just weeks before critical Midterm elections. President Trump won both states by

double digits in 2024, and Republicans currently hold both U.S. Senate seats in each state. But take a look at this.

The latest CNN poll conducted by SSRS shows that in Ohio, President Trump's approval rating stands just 36 percent among likely voters, while in Iowa,

that rating is just a bit higher at 41 percent. Now, the biggest reason for the sagging numbers is the economy and the rising cost of living.

In both Ohio and Iowa, more than 70 percent of likely voters say Mr. Trump's policies have increased costs in their state. And when it comes to

their personal financial situation, far more say it's gotten worse in the last two years rather than better.

Our Kevin Liptak is joining us now live from Washington. So, Kevin, I mean, dissatisfaction with the economy here is really front and center in this

polling. And as we said just then, I mean, President Trump won both of these states by double digits in 2024.

So, just talk us through here what's changing and how much of an opportunity this presents for Democrats?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, and it's some rough numbers for President Trump in this poll. And I think it kind of -- is

illustrative of this Midterm contest writ-large. A deeply unpopular President, mostly unpopular because of the economy, bringing down

Republicans in states that he should be doing fairly well in.

You know, these are both states that he won by significant margins in 2024. His approval rating now underwater in both of these places. And that is

translating to some tough races for the Republicans in each of these states.

And so, in Ohio, you have the Senate contest there between Sherrod Brown, who was the Democratic Senator from Ohio before he was voted out in 2024.

And Jon Husted, who is the incumbent Republican, now Sherrod Brown is leading Husted by 6 points.

So, this would be a flip for the Democrats in that state. The approval rating, I think, tells the story here, only 36 percent of voters in Ohio

approve of how the President is doing. He's upside down by 28 points in that state, which is just significantly different from two years ago when

the President won by double digits there.

Ohio has become more and more of a red state over the last decade or so. Iowa has been a red state for much longer. You know, they have not sent a

Democrat to Washington for quite some time. And even -- again there, the President's approval rating underwater.

He won this state by 13 points, but now only 41 percent of likely voters approve of the job he's doing there. And that, again, is translating to the

Senate contest. Ashley Hinson, who is a Republican Congresswoman from Iowa, is leading, but only narrowly her Democratic rival, Josh Turek.

[14:05:00]

It's a margin of error race, so too close to call. She's at 45 percent, Turek is at 43 percent. I think the numbers that really jump out most,

though, in these polls are on the economy. And it's not just that voters disapprove of how the President is handling of the economy, are anxious

about the economic conditions, it's that they are directly linking President Trump to those economic numbers.

You know, three-quarters of voters in both of these states saying that President Trump's policies have made economic conditions worse. And so

that, I think, just spells pretty bad news for the President and for Republicans, now, 26 days before the Midterms.

MACFARLANE: Yes, absolutely, and we'll wait to see if the President says anything or even acknowledges this polling. But also, Kevin, we just wanted

to turn to something we've been watching closely in the last couple of hours, and that is the White House press ban.

Earlier, a federal judge briefly extended CNN, "Politico" and "MS Now" access to the White House while he said he was considering a longer-term

ruling. What more can you tell us about that?

LIPTAK: Right, and he says he will have a final decision on this by next Tuesday. He is putting a hold on the ban until then. So, essentially, the

ban is not allowed to go into effect until then. So, CNN, "MS Now", "Politico" will still have access to the White House.

In the hearing today, he seemed to be weighing two constitutional questions. One is the question of due process and whether the White House

followed due process in putting this ban into effect.

In his previous temporary ruling, he suggested that the White House had not. He's also questioning the First Amendment possibilities of this. So,

whether -- or the White House was infringing on these media outlets' First Amendment rights of free speech.

And he seemed skeptical that the -- or he seemed -- he seemed to suggest that the White House had perhaps infringed on some of those rights by

putting this ban into place. But there are all kinds of questions about what this would mean, not only for accessing the White House, but also for

these outlets' ability to access Air Force One and the Oval Office.

Those have remained off limits for CNN and the other outlets, even as the judge put that ruling into effect that said that they would be able to

access the White House grounds. And so, the larger ruling should be coming sometime in the next several days.

But for now, the ban that the White House put on these media outlets access to the White House remains on hold.

MACFARLANE: All right, well, we will, of course, look ahead to that. Kevin Liptak there, we appreciate it in Washington. Thank you. And we turn now to

Ukraine, and what has been described as Russia's deadliest attack this year.

Authorities say a Russian strike in eastern Ukraine set two public buses on fire, and at least 33 people were killed in the attack. Ukraine says it's

clear Russia is targeting civilians. Officials in the Donetsk region suspended public transportation and urged civilians to flee the area for

safer parts of Ukraine, but it's unclear where in Ukraine is safe.

Officials say a Russian strike hit an apartment block in northern Ukraine on Wednesday, killing 22 people, including five children. 30 flats were

destroyed as families slept inside them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the strike was a birthday gift by the Russian military to

mark their leader, Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday.

Joining us now live from Kyiv is Inna Sovsun. She is a member of the Ukrainian Parliament. Thank you so much for joining me this evening. Look,

in the past month, you know, we have seen Russia hit schools, medical facilities, apartment buildings, and now, we have here an attack on two

buses in what is the worst attack against civilians this year.

Your President is calling these deliberate attacks on civilians. What are you calling it? And what is your reaction to this attack today?

INNA SOVSUN, UKRAINE MP: Well, it's a shocking news, of course, so we are all following it the whole day. It adds up to the previous attacks, as you

mentioned, in a -- in a small town of Pryluky, which is a small town in a relatively rural area north of Kyiv.

Twenty-two people killed in their sleep; five kids included. So, it was just 50 people in just two of those strikes within the scope of two days.

Add to that smaller target, so-to-speak. And also add to that, that -- they're attacking -- they're not just taking lives, which is of course, the

most scary part, but also undermining the livelihoods of the Ukrainians.

[14:10:00]

I'm now seated at my apartment, I can hear outside the street multiple diesel generators working, because half of the city doesn't have

electricity right now as we speak. And this has been the problem for the past two days already.

So, the goal of Putin is to make sure that civilians in Ukraine don't feel safe, that they want to move, that they don't want to stay here. And that

is -- apparently remains his goal no matter what he's talking about, whether he wants negotiations or not.

MACFARLANE: And as we mentioned, I mean, officials in the Donetsk region where this attack happened have urged that civilians there to flee to safer

parts of Ukraine. Where is it that, you know, civilians at this point can go to from that region?

And how great is the danger for those living closest to the frontlines of Ukraine? You know, given Russia is now deliberately, it seems, targeting

civilians.

SOVSUN: Well, that's a great question. Which cities are safer? Of course, closer to the frontline is most dangerous because that is where they have

easier access with drones. And unfortunately, they use this advantage that they have.

But frankly speaking, living here in Kyiv over the past couple of months has been terrifying as well, since they now have very fast drones that can

fly very quickly, very fast. They get to Kyiv in a matter of minutes.

Living in Kyiv over the last two months has been close to impossible. We are now facing a situation where we have air raid alerts almost during the

whole day, which just give you one simple example, which basically undermines any schooling done because schools cannot function when there is

an air raid alert, kids have to go to the shelter.

If they're in the shelter, they can't study. So, basically, we skip the whole month of schooling with kids not being able to study. And that's --

you know, that's not taking lives, of course, but it still makes staying here very unpleasant and very unsafe, and people are thinking of moving

even from Kyiv.

People on the west, of course, feel a bit better. It's -- you know -- but again, with new fast drones, even those areas are now not completely safe,

at least not as they were half a year ago.

MACFARLANE: Yes, and amidst all of this, I mean, this -- the expectation is that this coming Winter, your fifth during this war is going to be

Ukraine's toughest yet. I spoke to the CEO of DTEK, which is of course Ukraine's largest private energy company.

Earlier this week, and he said that the biggest problem or the biggest challenge that they're going to face this Winter with the impending attacks

that are going to come on the energy system will be reconnecting power stations amidst Russia's attack, and keeping the lights on.

And I wonder from a government perspective, you know, when it comes to keeping the power on, to keeping Ukraine's grid connected, what steps are

the government taking to be ready for that right now?

SOVSUN: Well, it is a huge challenge. And I have to say that here, the government, the private sector, everybody works together because it's a

challenge for the whole country. The problem is of course that, that the transit infrastructure is very vast.

We cannot protect every single station, every single substation. What the government has been doing is, they have been trying to protect the most

important lines, the most important substations.

And of course, the most -- the truth is that the most effective way to protect them is the air defense. That is why Ukraine is asking for Patriot

missiles and then the other ways and other missiles that we can use for air defense.

Because frankly-speaking, no matter how much effort you put into trying to build some sort of shelter, some sort of construction on top of any

substation, it can all be destroyed. It can all be destroyed with ballistic missiles if we wanted to.

And so, of course, the most important way to do that is to strengthen our air defense. That's the cheapest way to protect our energy infrastructure.

Because indeed, the Russians are targeting the transit system.

We are right now in the situation where the majority of electricity is being produced on the west of Ukraine. But we still have a big portion of

population living on the east of Ukraine. And what the Russians are doing, they're trying to disconnect those two parts now by targeting the transit

infrastructure.

Again, air defense is the best way to do that. There are other ways to protect that infrastructure. But again, I believe not a single country in

the world would be able to protect their own energy system from such massive attacks as we are facing right now. So, of course --

MACFARLANE: Yes --

SOVSUN: Unfortunately, we expect --

MACFARLANE: Yes --

SOVSUN: The interruptions of services for sure.

MACFARLANE: You know, the last time we spoke to you here on CNN, you were pregnant. And I just want to say, because I think you are due sometime soon

--

[14:15:00]

SOVSUN: Still am --

MACFARLANE: To have a baby -- yes, still pregnant. OK, so, due sometime soon. Look, I hope you don't mind the personal question because I know you

have a teenage son as well. How are you feeling? And what is it like right now to be a mother in this war?

SOVSUN: Yes, well, first of all, still pregnant, due any day now. And that is a different set of challenges, very simple issue of getting to the --

you know, to the hospital when the time comes is becoming a challenge because I live on the 14th floor.

So, getting downstairs is going to be a challenge if there is no electricity and my elevators are not working. I'm very much -- frankly

speaking, my biggest fear right now is to be in the delivery room when there is an air raid attack.

Because that's when we are most vulnerable and then you can't do much. But unfortunately, that is how women have been giving birth in Ukraine for the

last almost five years. So, that's something I worry a lot about right now.

And then of course, I worry about my teenage son who's just turned 14, with him experiencing this whole war for five years now, majority of his school

experience is living through the war or going to the bomb shelters.

I'm very much concerned about how that affects his education, his well- being. I'm trying to do as much as I can as a mother, but I just want everybody watching this to realize that, you know, the price of this war is

something that we will be paying for many years to come.

And whenever it will be done, there will still be damage done to the people who lived through all of this, unfortunately, including the children of

Ukraine. But you know, we remain hopeful, otherwise, I wouldn't be -- I wouldn't be planning to become a mother again.

But yes, we want our country to stand strong, but for that, we need as much support from everybody else as possible.

MACFARLANE: Well, it goes without saying, you know, that we wish you the very best. And I'm sorry you're having to do this in these circumstances,

but I'll be praying for you and the very best of luck, and thank you so much for coming on and telling us about your country tonight. Thank you.

That was Inna Sovsun there speaking to me now. Several explosions heard in Saudi Arabia's capital of Riyadh were reported. One witness told

"Associated Press" that a large blast was heard earlier in the city's international airport.

That airport is once again closed early in the week, Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked it, along with another Saudi airport in the southern city

of Abha. Saudi Arabia's top aviation official said on Wednesday that three people were killed and 36 others injured.

The Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis says they intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh. Let's bring in

Nic Robertson who's been following all of this. And Nic, this strike against Riyadh's main international airport was, by all accounts, quite

massive. What are you learning about that and how much damage was inflicted?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, the Saudi-led coalition spokesperson said that they'd intercepted Houthi ballistic

missiles over Riyadh earlier in the day. They'd intercepted two of them.

The Houthis said that they were successful in targeting the international airport, and they'd caused damage and images and video that have emerged

later in the day appear to show a Saudia, Saudi national airline carrier plane on the ground that appears to have been impacted, damaged, broken

completely by one of these missiles.

The Houthis continue to try to target this very important airport for the Saudi government between King Khalid International Airport there in Riyadh

and the other airport in Jeddah, these are the main hubs.

But this is -- this is an important airport. It's symbolically important for the Saudis, of course, they are on the world stage doing a huge amount

of business, trying to attract investment to the country. So, anything that takes down the airport, which appears to have been what happened today, if

you look at the departure board there this evening, most of the flights are canceled.

There were dozens upon dozens of flights either canceled or delayed through the day. They do have some departures running, but a lot of international

flights appear to have been canceled as well.

So, the Houthis are making a point it appears, to strike back at the Saudis at vulnerable civilian infrastructure, as the Saudis support the

internationally-recognized Yemeni government inside Yemen that has just vowed over the past weekend to rid the country of the Houthis.

[14:20:00]

So, this is going on. And as you said there, the -- that international airport in Riyadh yesterday was targeted. A Sudanese man was killed, eight

people wounded in that airport and another airport in the south of the country, Abha targeted the day previously, Tuesday.

And two people killed, two women killed there and 28 people injured. So, it does seem that the tensions between the Houthis and the Saudis are really

escalating at the moment.

MACFARLANE: Yes, certainly seems to be a serious escalation there, Nic, appreciate it. Thank you. All right, still to come tonight on the show,

violence erupts on the streets of Paris as police clash with demonstrators on another day of mass protests.

And we're live from Madrid where crowds are paying tribute to the woman who inspired a movement.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MACFARLANE: Protesters have packed the iconic Place de la Bastille in Paris as authorities struggle to contain the biggest student demonstrations

France has seen in decades. Riot police charged at protesters deploying tear gas and water cannons.

Thousands of people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested since the movement started three weeks ago. Demonstrators are calling for the

government to urgently address teacher shortages and dilapidated school buildings. CNN's Melissa Bell has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Another big protest this Thursday, not just in Paris, but around the country, even

now being brought to an end by policemen, the students once again out in full force to make their anger plain, and the police again trying to keep

things under control.

A lot of the anger that we've seen here today, just like on Tuesday, that big demonstration that saw some 260,000 people turned out around the

country has been aimed not just at the changes that they're demanding and the extra funding that they're asking for their schools.

But now also, at what they say has been a disproportionate use of violence by the police. For its part, the Interior Minister defending the actions,

the police, he says that there are inquiries underway in 20 or so specific cases of allegations of violence, but that otherwise, that has been a

proportionate response to what they've seen.

For now, the students say that they'll keep up the pressure, unsatisfied as they are with what has been announced so far by the Prime Minister, which

is that there will be measures by the end of the month. Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[14:25:00]

MACFARLANE: There's been an outpouring of grief on the streets of Madrid following the death of Maria del Carmen Abascal. She was the 87-year-old

woman whose eviction sparked mass protests across Spain.

She was in the hospital for severe anxiety and exhaustion after being evicted from her home more than two weeks ago. Maricarmen lived in that

home for more than 70 years. Well, protesters have returned to the streets, marching from Puerta del Sol to her former residence, where a vigil is

being held.

Our CNN's Pau Mosquera has been following all of this from Madrid. And I believe it's joining us from that march right now, Pau. Tell us what you're

seeing and how people are feeling about the death of Maricarmen.

PAU MOSQUERA, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christina, first of all, to tell you about the news, came yesterday like a huge shock, many

couldn't believe that Maricarmen died, they were expecting her to sign her new contract and get back home.

But it finally wasn't possible. So, right now, as you can see, we are now walking alongside all the protesters that are joining this march towards

Maricarmen's home where she was evicted from on September 23rd. This is two weeks ago.

We are right now in a part of this march where everyone around me is walking in silence as a sign of respect. But over the few first minutes of

this march, we have heard some of them shouting, this was not a death. That was a murder.

They are blaming politicians, lawmakers for not doing everything that was on their hands to prevent Maricarmen from being forced out from the

apartment. And also, they are very upset --

MACFARLANE: Unfortunately, as you can see there, we have lost Pau's audio. But as you can see, that march continues all the way from the Puerta del

Sol to Maricarmen's home, where she lived. We'll continue to follow this.

But for now, we'll leave it there and tell you that still to come tonight on the show, as Israel marks three years since the October 7th attacks, we

remember the hostages who never made it home alive. A special report from our Jeremy Diamond after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:30:00]

CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR: On October 7th, 2023, Israel faced its deadliest day in history. More than 1,200 people were killed in a Hamas

attack and 251 hostages were taken by militants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken credit for bringing back every last hostage,

but 40 of them did not come back alive. CNN's Jeremy Diamond has their stories. And a warning, some of the images you're about to see are

disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They were kidnapped from a music festival, dragged from their homes, forced at gunpoint into trucks. The

Hamas-led October 7 attack was the deadliest day in Israel's history, with more than 1,200 killed, and by the end of the day, 251 people were hostages

in Gaza.

It took more than two years before they were all released, most in ceasefire deals. Israel's Prime Minister, who is facing elections this

month, has repeatedly taken credit for that outcome.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: We brought back every last one of them.

DIAMOND: But his statements don't account for this brutal reality. Of the hostages who were taken into Gaza alive, one in five died or were killed in

captivity. Hostages like Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American Israeli.

RACHEL GOLDBERG-POLIN, MOTHER OF HOSTAGE KILLED IN GAZA: We hear some leaders, some leaders saying we got all the hostages home, and I just came

from my home. Hersh never came back to my home. Like, please don't say that you brought him home, anyone.

DIAMOND: We spoke to dozens of hostage families and Israeli military and government officials to piece together what happened to these 40 hostages.

Five died in captivity from their wounds or due to a lack of care, including Odette Lifshitz, an 83-year-old journalist and peace activist. 11

were killed by Israeli strikes or ground operations, including these three young men who were shot dead by Israeli ground troops who mistook them for

Palestinians.

Nearly half of the hostages were killed by their captors, according to the Israeli military and forensic evidence reviewed by their families. Nine-

month-old Kfir and four-year-old Ariel were killed by their captors' quote bare hands. The cause of death of eight others is still unconfirmed,

including these six hostages who were killed in a tunnel in Khan Yunis following an Israeli strike nearby.

They are among 24, more than half whose deaths we trace back to Israeli military actions, including Israeli strikes and ground maneuvers that

prompted captors to kill their hostages. The Israeli military's hostage task force worked to keep the hostages alive and secure their release.

BRIG. GEN OREN SETTER (RET), FMR DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ISRAEL MILITARY HOSTAGE TASK FORCE: Each and every operation was carried out only after people

from the hostages' unit have assessed the risk to hostages. Operations got canceled. Operations were changed because of that.

DIAMOND: Israel had laid out two main war objectives, releasing the hostages, but first and foremost destroying Hamas's military and governing

capabilities. Do you see those two objectives as having been in conflict with one another?

SETTER: They have been in, I'd say, very strong tension. Military pressure is necessary, and it entails risks. We could see very vividly how, when

Hamas felt under pressure, it was more flexible in the negotiations, and vice versa.

DIAMOND: But Setter said it was clear which goal was a priority.

NETANYAHU: Tonight, I want to speak to you about total victory. Total victory. There is no substitute for it.

DIAMOND: Alexander Dancyg, a Polish-born Holocaust historian, was one of six hostages killed in that Khan Yunis tunnel in February 2024. Bullet

wounds suggest they were shot by their captors after Israel struck a nearby tunnel, but they may have also been killed by the bomb's toxic gasses, like

their captors.

YUVAL DANCYG, FATHER WAS KILLED IN GAZA: They told us no one can, you know, can survive from this -- from this air strike.

DIAMOND: Who do you hold responsible for your father's death?

[14:35:00]

DANCYG: My government. The ones that responsible for what happened to them, first of all, is Hamas. But from what happened later, my government.

DIAMOND: The Israeli military's chief of staff at the time, Herzi Halevi, told Yuval the strike was a mistake and took responsibility.

DANCYG: But when you have a war with citizens underground and you decide that the war is the most important things, it's possible that hostages will

get killed.

DIAMOND: Amid protests here at Hostage Square, Israel and Hamas were on the verge of an agreement in July 2024 when suddenly the Israeli Prime

Minister issued a new demand that Israeli troops remain along the Gaza- Egypt border.

SETTER: We knew that the price could be the life of hostages, and the fact that it materialized in such a painful and almost immediate way after the

crisis negotiations is just made it more -- even more tragic.

DIAMOND: In late August, Hamas executed six hostages, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, after Israeli troops operating in that tunnel system

unknowingly closed in on their location. Hersh and four others from that tunnel would have been released as part of that July framework agreement,

according to Israeli officials. But that deal wasn't signed until January. The terms nearly identical.

DIAMOND: Was that delay worth it?

SETTER: In my personal judgment, it was not worth it. Given that the current situation is that Hamas has not been fully defeated and is still

governing at least a part of Gaza, realistically, I think the war could have ended the beginning of 2025.

GOLDBERG-POLIN: For me, pointing fingers and blaming doesn't bring Hersh back, and doesn't ease my pain, and so I think of it as I live in a cage of

suffering, and I'm trapped in this cage, and it's where I live. So that's how I am.

DIAMOND: Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: And we'll right back after this short break. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MACFARLANE: Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Celia Flores faced new charges for alleged torture.

[14:40:00]

In an indictment filed today, U.S. federal prosecutors accused the couple of torturing political opponents and U.S. citizens in Venezuelan prisons.

Separately, a pretrial request by Flores to be moved to a house arrest was denied. Maduro and Flores were captured during a U.S. military raid in

January. They have pled not guilty to charges on drugs, weapons and terrorism and are being held without bail at a New York detention center.

Kara Scannell has been across this and joins us now. So, Kara, these charges center around allegations that Nicolas Maduro and his wife tortured

both Americans and Venezuelans. Just walk us through them.

KARA SCANNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christina, that's right. These new charges allege that Maduro and the former first lady, Flores, tortured both

Venezuelans and Americans as a way for them to maintain their power for more than 25 years until U.S. forces removed them in January to face those

narco terrorism conspiracy charges and gun charges.

Now, they're also facing an additional count of conspiracy to commit torture. The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, which

brought the charges, Jamie McDonald, he had this to say after court.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMIE MCDONALD, U.S. ATTORNEY, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK: The members of Maduro's broad conspiracy were not just sitting behind a desk. These

members of the conspiracy were holding the shovel. American citizens were tortured and so were thousands of Venezuelans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCANNELL: According to the U.S. authorities, the types of torture that the Americans and the Venezuelans endured include everything from

electrocution, waterboarding, being forced to take a certain substance, which caused one person, one of the Americans to vomit. And that person was

allegedly forced to eat their vomit, also including allegations of rape. One American was beaten so badly once every hour for days that he has

permanent eye damage, according to the indictment. They also were suffering from asphyxiation.

So, this part of the allegations of this broader case that the U.S. has brought against the Maduro's, alleging that they used all sorts of

evidence, all sorts of crimes, including torture, to try to stay in power, to make people in Venezuela in fear of them so they could maintain the

stronghold.

Now, Celia Flores was in court today because she asked a judge to be released on bail, citing medical conditions. The judge said that that was

premature since she hadn't undertaken certain medical tests. He also said that she is a flight risk and that the evidence in this case is strong. So,

he denied her application for bail. They will both be back in court in the coming weeks to be arraigned on these charges.

Maduro's attorney told me that he denies the charges and that he looks forward to his day in court. Right now, this case is set for trial in June.

See if that date holds once these new charges are now added to the indictment. Christina.

MACFARLANE: Yes. I mean, those are disturbing details indeed, and we'll wait to see, as you say, if that court case goes ahead, that trial goes

ahead in June. Kara, thank you very much.

Turning now to disturbing developments surrounding the woman who says she was gang raped at Cornell University two years ago. The attorney for the

accuser says his client is terrified and is fearing for her safety following a series of violent threats targeting her and her family. On

Tuesday, police rushed to the family home with guns drawn after receiving a false tip that someone was killing people in the house.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS GIUFFRA, ATTORNEY FOR JANE DOE: She was absolutely home when she when it happened, and she saw a multitude of heavily armed police with guns

in her father's face, her brother's face, her friend's face. It could have been a significant tragedy. People could have been dead. Police officers

would have to live with the trauma of knowing they killed innocent people. This has gone too far. It's outrageous.

I think there are people out there who are looking for attention. They're trying to get clicks. They're being completely irresponsible, completely

irresponsible. You know, the Bible says you reap what you sow. If you sow hatred, you're going to reap hatred. And that's what's happening.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Meantime, city officials in Ithaca, which is home to the university, are temporarily pausing Cornell affiliated event permits,

including those from fraternities citing public safety concerns. Well, the decision came on the same day students staged a seven-hour sit-in, as you

can see here, in show of solidarity with the accuser known as Jane Doe.

CNN's Jason Carroll has been following the story for us and joins us now. And, Jason, the account that we heard from Jane Doe's lawyer is really

disturbing. I mean, what more are you hearing about that false tip or this swatting episode as it's being referred to?

JASON CARROLL, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's not just a swatting episode, it's the hate, according to Jane Doe's attorney, is

coming from across the board.

[14:45:00]

He says that not only was Jane Doe threatened, but her parents, he says, now receiving threats. He says he's receiving threats as well. But he's not

the only one speaking out. An attorney representing one of the accused Chi Phi members here, one of the students at Cornell, also speaking out. He

spoke to my colleague Gloria Pazmino, who is also covering this case as well and giving a lot of information. He is of the opinion that basically

his client is not being given a fair shake in the public eye.

He says that 90 percent of the evidence in this case, he says, has not even been released yet to the press. And he also went on to say that no crimes

were committed on that night back in 2024. Here's a little bit more of what he had to say about his client's involvement in all this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREW MILTENBERG, LAWYER FOR GILLO LOPES: I've seen all of the evidence in the Title IX file. There was no crime committed. But I'm aware of.

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: So, you don't believe a crime was committed at all, not just with your client's involvement, but with

everyone.

MILTENBERG: Correct. And I certainly don't think a crime was committed by Gillo.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: And again, according to what Jane Doe has said, she told Cornell police, she said within, she said with 100 percent certainty that she had

been raped. And so, what you're seeing now here is from Jane Doe's attorney, he says that there's a lot of hate being spread on one side.

On the other side of this, you have an attorney representing one of the accused who believes that his client is not being perceived fairly in the

eyes of the public.

MACFARLANE: Yes. So, Jason, what does all of this say now about how safe Jane Doe is? Not just physically, but mentally, too, because we also heard

her lawyer say that she, obviously, her mental state is deteriorating because of the ongoing threats she's received.

CARROLL: He has said that. He has repeatedly said that, talked about her mental state, talked about the ongoing threats. I think what this points

to, you hear about what he's saying. We were at the Cornell campus. You hear from students there. This is the type of story that has just stirred

up a lot of emotions on both sides of this. And I think what a lot of people have been asking for up there at Cornell is more transparency, more

transparency with the investigation.

And so, perhaps now that a special prosecutor has been assigned to this case, that comes with controversy as well. But perhaps now, you know, those

on both sides of this issue will get some more clarity in terms of where this investigation stands and what the facts are.

MACFARLANE: Yes. Well, we're certainly seeing action, aren't we, on the ground there with that seven-hour sit-in today. And we'll continue to

follow it, Jason. Thank you very much.

Now, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress says she's speaking up about her experience because she knows many survivors struggle in silence.

Bernadette Greene Placentia said she was raped by two unknown men while she tried to fix a campaign sign in Arizona. The incident happened in August,

according to a police report filed with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. She said she was hit in the back while she walked back to her car,

lost consciousness and woke up to being raped. The Sheriff's Office says it is investigating the case.

All right. Still to come tonight on the show, U.S. states along the Gulf are bracing, or Gulf Coast, are bracing for Hurricane Isaias. Yes, we're

live in Alabama, where it could make landfall in just a few days.

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[14:50:00]

MACFARLANE: Happening right now, a California homecoming for one of America's largest warships. The USS Abraham Lincoln is docking in San Diego

after a long Middle East deployment. The Lincoln's roughly 5,000 sailors and marines were away for 321 days as they supported combat operations

against Iran. And there you can see some live pictures.

We're turning now to the U.S. Gulf Coast, which is getting ready for Hurricane Isaias. The storm is currently a Category 1 hurricane and gaining

strength. It could become a Category 2 in just a few hours, as water in the Gulf is abnormally warm for this time of year.

Landfall is expected near the Alabama-Florida border. Some airports are closed, train services cancelled as people stock up on groceries and gas.

There's now a state of emergency in parts of Alabama and Florida, while mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in the Florida panhandle.

CNN's Isabel Rosales is joining us now from Alabama. And as we said there, Isabel, the state of emergency has now been issued. I can see you're

standing right on the beach where things are due to hit. So, tell me what you're seeing and how people are preparing.

ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Isa, yes, this would be beautiful, sugar white, sands, emerald, clear water any other time of the year. It's

clear why this area draws in so many visitors and, of course, the locals here. But yes, they've got a dangerous storm coming their way.

The governor here, Kay Ivey, has declared a state of emergency for 40 counties, including where I'm at right now, which is Baldwin County. But

listen, we're still 24 hours out to the peak impacts of this thing, which are anticipated to happen in this area late Friday afternoon into early

Saturday morning. But even 24 hours out, we can still feel these winds picking up.

And as you take a look at the Gulf right here, look at how choppy that is. And that will only continue to get worse and more dangerous. Storm surge is

a big concern here, as well as the heavy rain, the winds. But the city of Gulf Shore is taking steps to protect the infrastructure, to protect the

properties, to protect the beach and, of course, the people. And this is one of the steps that they're taking.

As we take a look right over there, you see that those are double red flags that they're flying right now, meaning that the water here is closed to the

public. It is illegal to enter the water. And we've seen beach patrol going around up and down the coastline here, making sure that people are

following the rules and they're being safe.

But obviously, this is such a touristy spot that folks out here right now, while it's safe, they're enjoying their beach. You can see people right

here taking a look at this beautiful site, enjoying these wind gusts. You know, right now, that's OK. But obviously, going into tomorrow, this is all

going to look very, very different.

I want you to also listen to the head of emergency management agency for nearby Mobile County, what he's urging people do. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE EVANS, DIRECTOR, MOBILE COUNTY, ALABAMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: It's time to prepare like we're going to get the worst-case scenario for our

community and get your business in order, get your home in order, take care of your loved ones, get the things you need.

[14:55:00]

And then if it doesn't happen to be as bad as we thought, well, then, hey, that's always a good thing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSALES: And I was just speaking earlier today with the mayor here, Robert Kraft, the mayor of Gulf Shores, where I'm at right now, and he has issued

a voluntary evacuation request, which is the extent of his authority for non-residents here. This is important because they have a big festival

happening right now that has tripled their population from 18,000 to over 50,000 people. He's asking the governor to please issue a mandatory

evacuation order. The answer so far from emergency management has been no, but he is re-upping that request today. He doesn't want people, all of

them, to clamor or to evacuate at the last second. That's when it gets dangerous, Isa.

MACFARLANE: Yes. Well, Isabel, I'm just so impressed by that couple sitting behind you, clearly chilling until the hurricane arrives on Friday

when they might not want to be there. Thank you so much for bringing us up to date. We'll obviously continue to watch it.

And thank you for watching tonight. Stay with CNN. What we know with Mac Foster is coming up after this quick break. Stay with us.

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