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One World with Zain Asher
Any Moment: Trump Attends Dignified Transfer for 4 U.S. Members Killed in Iran Strikes; Trump Threatens to "Destroy One Bridge or Power Plant" for Every Ship Iran Hits in Strait of Hormuz; Mexico Working with CDC to Test Taylor Farms Lettuce; Former Venezuelan Leader Back in Court; Police Clash with Angry Gen-Z Demonstrators; Props, Costumes from Hit TV Show go up for Auction August 5th. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired July 22, 2026 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAIN ASHER, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: All right, four U.S. members killed over the weekend will receive a dignified transfer today. "One World" starts
right now. The dignified transfer comes after the U.S. military carried out an 11th straight night of strikes against Iran. We are live at the White
House with the latest.
Plus, ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro heads back to court in New York City will look at what could happen in today's hearings. And fans of
the hit TV Show Outlander can take a piece of the show's history with them into the future for a price. All right, coming to you live from New York.
I'm Zain Asher. This is "One World".
Any moment now, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the dignified transfer of U.S. service members killed in Iranian strikes. Four
soldiers who lost their lives in the past few days will be transferred to Dover Air Force Base. First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, Private Isabella
Gonzalez, and Sergeant Angel Rampersad were killed on Friday when an Iranian missile struck a U.S. base in Jordan.
A Fourth Service Member, Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton, was killed during the control detonation of a drone in Northern Iraq on Sunday that
brings the number of American troops killed since the U.S. launched its war with Iran nearly five months ago to 18. Before operating or departing
Washington, rather, President Trump said that Iran will pay a huge price for their deaths.
CNN's Betsy Klein joins us live now from the White House. Just in terms of this dignified transfer, I mean, it is of course one of the most somber
rituals that a president can make, and this president's had to do this a few times now. The total number of service members killed during this war
is now at 18, and that really does raise a lot of important questions for the American public as to whether this war is even worth it in the first
place, Betsy?
BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, Zain, President Trump set to attend this dignified transfer, which is now underway. Really
underscoring, as you just laid out, the very -- of this war with Iran. 18 U.S. troops now killed since this began back in February.
Four of them killed over the weekend. And that is the first time that U.S. service members have been killed since this ceasefire deal fell apart, and
the fight and strikes have really escalated. The president is observing as the remains of these four fallen service members are transferred in
transfer cases from an aircraft to waiting vans.
Now, a little bit of technical information here. The reporters who are there observing this are not allowed to have their cell phones on site as
this is happening. They are there right now recording this information, and we will bring it back to you playing out the tape later.
But I want to take you through the four service members the president is honoring right now. They are 25-year-old First Lieutenant Tyler James
Feehan, 19-year-old Private Isabella Gonzalez, 28-year-old Sergeant Angel Rampersad, and 30-year-old Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton. The president
saying this is one of the hardest things he does as president, listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: For me, it's one of the hardest things to do as a president, but has to be done. All I'm
going to say is, we love you. We love your child, and that's what they are to them. They're their children. There's no games, no nothing. That's their
child, and all you can do is throw out your heart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KLEIN: Now, the president also claimed in those remarks that these slain service members agreed with his stated goal for this conflict that Iran
cannot have a nuclear weapon. He did not provide evidence for that, and we should note that U.S. troops are supposed to fight even if they do not
believe in the cause.
But this comes after this conflict has been steadily escalating. 11 straight nights of U.S. strikes on Iran, and the president now issuing this
stark warning. He says in a post to social media, from this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of
Hormuz, whether it be by missile, rocket, drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant,
including those located next to or in the capital city of Tehran.
President Trump now weighing the possibility of a diplomatic resolution or targeting that critical infrastructure, as he mentioned, those bridges, the
power plants. He's also potentially willing to target Kharg Island, that key oil hub that would almost certainly involve the possibility of boots on
the ground, Zain.
[11:05:00]
ASHER: All right, Betsy Klein, live for us there. Thank you so much. All right; Iran is warning the U.S. if it follows through Donald Trump's threat
to strike one of its most secure and protected nuclear sites, it will be considered to be an expansion of this war.
According to state media Iran's military command is vowing to powerfully attack U.S. targets and allies in the region if Pickaxe Mountain comes
under fire on Tuesday. Donald Trump said the U.S. will be hitting the fortified facility located deep underground next to a major nuclear complex
pretty soon and very heavily. And earlier, the U.S. President had this to say about how the war is going.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: They're going to pay a big price. They're getting -- they're getting -- they're being decimated. Nobody wants Iran to have a nuclear weapon. You
want Iran to have a nuclear weapon? You think it's good?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: It all comes on the 12th day of escalatory strikes between the U.S. and Iran, the worst since the April ceasefire. A U.S. official says that
Donald Trump has just approved a landmark nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, one that could actually permit the Kingdom to enrich its own uranium for
nuclear reactors.
The U.S. official says that under the deal, which would last 30 years, external inspections might be -- would be limited of Saudi Arabia's nuclear
program would be limited. A formal announcement could come later today. Asked about the deal earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was tight-
lipped.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARCO RUBIO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Well, I'm not going to opine directly on that agreement. We're going to put out -- even when the moment is
appropriate, we'll put out that in writing. We have to do it with Congress, anyways. So, we'll certainly do it publicly. But suffice it to say, the
U.S. is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: CNN's Nic Robertson joins us live now from Jerusalem. So, just in terms of this idea that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia could be reaching a deal
to allow the Kingdom to enrich nuclear fuel for nuclear reactors, I mean, technically this is for civilian purposes.
But there is this fear that perhaps eventually, at some point, Saudi Arabia would be tempted to perhaps try to develop a nuclear weapon, especially
Israel. Israel has certainly raised those concerns. Just walk us through what we know so far, Nic.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah, we haven't heard from the Prime Minister here in Israel speak about it publicly. But we have
heard from various members of the opposition who have said, as you're saying there, that it's a danger that while this is a civilian nuclear
program, that in the future it's unclear what could happen in the region.
And because of the unorthodox lack of oversight or limited oversight, and Saudi having its own enrichment on its own soil, that gives rise to that
fear that Saudi could develop a nuclear weapon. I think it's also worth taking a step back and saying Saudi Arabia has a military treaty with
Pakistan that has nuclear weapons.
So, in theory, certainly the understanding from Saudi over the years has been that it would have access to nuclear weapons by that route. But the
point that's being made here in Israel is that this is by the opposition parliament Knesset members is that this is a failure by Prime Minister
Netanyahu because really it gives because of his failure to have a strong relationship with President Trump and his failure to get a normalization
with Saudi Arabia, which a few years ago under President Biden this civilian nuclear deal would have been tied to.
It really cuts into Israel's military and security standing in the regions. There's a criticism here of the Israeli Prime Minister. But in the
specifics of what Saudi Arabia gets here, which is this civilian nuclear program that has limited oversight. It doesn't have the additional
protocols that gives the International Atomic Energy Agency, the sort of oversight that it would have in other countries.
And it gets to enrich its own uranium, which is not normal in the sort of new dispensation of civilian nuclear programs around the world. Most
countries import their enriched uranium. That's the type of the deal that the UAE had in 2009. It was called the gold standard at the time.
So, this really does look like a deal that gives Saudi Arabia things that other countries would want. Not least, Iran would love to get a deal where
it enriches its own uranium and has limited oversight.
ASHER: And Nic, speaking of Iran, I just think the dynamics and the parallels are really important, not least because obviously Saudi Arabia
and Iran are rivals. And just in terms of what Iran has, because Iran does have a nuclear program that is technically, on face value, intended for
civilian use.
But part of the problem, the reason why we're in this mess, so to speak, is because of the fears that they are enriching uranium to near weapons
grades.
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When you have a situation whereby, perhaps Iran, if and when it does develop a fully-fledged nuclear weapon, it's going to be very tempting for
Saudi Arabia, as their rivals, to do exactly the same. Just talk to us about that dynamic and what it means for security as a whole in the region?
ROBERTSON: Yeah, and it's something Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has said in the past that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, he wants one. But you
know, I do think it's significant in that context that Saudi Arabia has, in the past year, reached this and agreed and signed a military treaty with
Pakistan that has its nuclear weapons.
I mean, I think there's a large understanding in the region that Saudi Arabia was, although they might say this is not accurate, was behind the
funding and support and help for Pakistan in building its nuclear weapons program. And certainly, the sense is that Saudi Arabia, should it need to,
particularly under this new military treaty, could call upon those weapons.
Now that's not clear, and that's a worst-case scenario. But it does speak to this issue that is happening, and I think this is being expressed by
those opposition members here in Israel. But it's a much broader concern around the world that as countries around the world begin to get civilian
enrichment programs for their own civilian nuclear power plants, the possibility of them breaking out in the say -- in the way that North Korea
did behind the scenes to develop a weapon.
And then you're stuck with a country that has a nuclear weapon because there's no way to challenge them because the fear would be they would use
that nuclear weapon. That this is going to be a sort of growing problem, and how to manage that. And it's always been viewed that the International
Atomic Energy Agency is the international watchdog and body to do that, and it would have the oversight.
But what's being discussed here is that body not having the oversight? That's really going to raise those concerns about the possibility of future
breakout.
ASHER: All right, Nic Robertson, live for us there. Thank you so much. All right, joining us live now is Retired Army Major General Spider Marks.
Thank you so much for being with us. I just want to start on the somber news that we're getting today about the dignified transfer.
You've got four American service members being killed effectively over the weekend. And by the way, what is technically supposed to be a ceasefire
right between these two countries? When you have a situation whereby a ceasefire, or if you will, a memorandum of understanding, is not even worth
the paper it's written on. It's not respected at all. How does that change the dynamics of a war?
MAJOR GENERAL JAMES SPIDER MARKS, U.S. ARMY (RETIRED): Well, Zain, you know a ceasefire truly is a messy agreement. Ceasefires, as a matter of routine,
are violated to a certain degree, and when you create a ceasefire, there are boundaries around which you're not going to cross over.
Generally, they aren't prescribed, but there are activities at the lower level where engagement takes place, where there's an understanding that a
mistake could be made and it could escalate. So, routinely, these, at least the dynamic of a ceasefire gives you some certainty, not necessarily
comfort, but certainty that it won't expand beyond that.
I think we're at the point now where we're what I would call danger close to an expansion or a complete elimination of the ceasefire, based on what
we've heard and what we've seen over the course of now 11 days of engaging in Epic Fury. But it has not risen to what I would call a phase three of
Epic Fury, in that it's an all-out assault like we've seen over the course of the first many, many weeks of this operation.
ASHER: But what you have now is somewhat of a new phase in this war, whereby both sides are willing to up the ante in terms of targeting
civilian infrastructure, something that Donald Trump has talked about quite a few times. You have desalination plants being targeted by Iran.
You've got bridges and that kind of civilian infrastructure being targeted by the U.S. Power plants Donald Trump is talking about power plants as
well. Just the fact that both sides are now willing to directly target places, areas, infrastructure that previously, I think, a few months ago,
we all would have said were perhaps off limits.
You know, what does that tell you about the direction that this war is heading in? And also, just the fact that you know there's been some talk
that some of this could be considered a war crime. The fact that the U.S. is now engaged in that level of attacks, things that would be -- would have
been considered off limits, red lines, so to speak. What do you make of that, with all of your military experience?
MARKS: Yeah, there really. I would say two things at play here, Zain. Number one is deterrence. The definition of deterrence. Deterrence means
your opponent feels that the risk is not going to be worth the reward.
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That the punishment is going to be greater than the punishment that they think they're going to impose on the enemy. And it also has to do not only
with military but also through all those elements of power. You know, diplomacy and economics, military obviously, and the information sphere as
well.
So, deterrence is at play, and we see that the deterrence risks are being elevated. What you just described. The second thing that it's at play here
is the law of armed conflict. That's the legal interpretation of those international bodies that describe what is legal and what's illegal in
terms of warfare.
Certainly, the United States has historically personal experience. We walk into operations with a clear understanding of being within the limits, the
defined limits of the law of armed conflict. Certainly, Iran does not do that. Let's be frank.
So, it is dangerous to talk about that. But your description of power and bridges, desalinization, certainly those are civilian targets. But also,
there are many targets within that body of the definition of target sets, that will impact directly on the IRGC and their ability to conduct
operations.
That's where the legal definition gets really, really tight, and you're going to get disagreements on both sides. So, we can't be too quick to say
we're going after a power plant. Ergo, that's a war crime. What we need to say is, let's define what it is we're trying to achieve?
And if it includes that power plant, how does that affect the operation going forward and the dilution of a capability from the enemy in terms of
the IRGC or whatever independent groups are working now on mission orders and not necessarily direct orders from the IRGC. So, this is a very
slippery slope, and 1000 different lawyers will come up with 1000 different answers.
ASHER: Yeah, that's one of -- that's been one of the arguments of the Trump Administration that a lot of these so-called infrastructure targets are
actually dual use, not just used by civilians, but also would, as you point out, actually possibly impact the IRGC and Iran's military as well.
Just in terms of how Iran has managed to last this long, several months into this war, just I think their resilience is perhaps surprising a lot of
people. They do have one of the largest and most diverse missile and drone arsenals in the Middle East, built over many decades, a lot of it stored
underground.
Did the United States underestimate the sort of capabilities, the military capabilities, and the sort of sheer size of Iran's arsenal before entering
into this war do you think?
MARKS: Zain, I don't mean to sound flippant, but wow, that I mean, you think absolutely.
ASHER: Yes, yes.
MARKS: You know, I would tell you with a degree of a level of certainty that our intelligence community, those that have watched Iran over the
course of 47 pleasures, and going back certainly to the period of the of the Shaw and how did that happen and how did the Ayatollah come from Paris
and what were all those dynamics?
You even take history further back and you realize this is an immensely resilient and proud people, immensely talented. And over the course of the
past 50 years, this regime has developed a command and a control apparatus that is deeply, deeply embedded in the civilian population.
And you've got the majority of the Persian people would probably say we want these boys gone, but there's no mechanism by which to move them out of
the way. So, I would say that the intel community probably stated with certainty, look, we can kick this hornet's nest, but how long do we want to
kick it?
In other words, when are we going to decide that our -- the threat that Iran poses, which is the nuclearization of its military and the delivery of
a warhead by an ICBM, has been either eliminated or at least delayed? And the answer to that question is, look, we're never going to know unless
we're there on the ground and we can open doors and we can see what's being done, it's never going to be eliminated.
Certainly not obliterated. We can delay it, but there has to be a protocol and an engagement profile that says, if we think you're going down this
path, like what we think might be happening at Pickaxe, well, we may revisit that target. We might say, look, we told you, you can't do that,
and we've had these initial discussions.
We're not going to -- we're going to do the best we can to make sure you don't get a nuke in that particular case. OK, then we may have an
engagement profile with Iran. Our diplomacy with Iran will be done through military force. That's a pretty hard thing to. And to achieve results, it's
just punitive.
[11:20:00]
So, at some point, you cross over to the definition of our engagement is just unnecessarily punitive. And we're going to have to -- we're going to
have to have some way to engage with Iran that says, look, you are going to feel some significant pain. The regime is probably not going to go
anywhere.
We can't expect that to happen. The resilience is quite phenomenal, not surprising. So, our engagement posture is going to be pugilistic. That's
unfortunate, but it's the truth.
ASHER: All right, Major General Spider Marks, appreciate you being with us. Thank you. All right; your daily commute just got a little bit more
expensive. Oil prices have shot up this month after 11 straight days of U.S. bombing in Iran.
Brent Crude, let's take a look here is around $95, $94 a barrel, while the U.S. benchmark WTI appears to be trading in the mid-80s. Wall Street does
not like any of this. Stocks are down in midday trading. The DOW, the NASDAQ, and the S&P 500 are all taking hits today. We're seeing a bit of a
mix.
Though the NASDAQ is down ever so slightly, the DOW is up ever so slightly as well, basically flat across the board. To be honest, Anna Stewart joins
us live now from London. So, Anna, in terms of oil prices, Marco Rubio essentially saying that the Iranians are not serious about a deal.
There is the fear that this war could, despite the fact that we are technically in a ceasefire, this war could really -- we could really be in
for the long haul. Anna, just walk us through what -- what's happening in the oil markets?
ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You're right. And investors there at this stage once again, you know, not for the first time, factoring in
potentially a prolonged, effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. And each day the rhetoric seems to escalate this situation in the Strait of
Hormuz, and investors are getting more and more jittery.
So, you mentioned Marco Rubio. We also, of course, had that post from President Trump on Truth Social, essentially saying that if Iran shoots at
a single vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. will bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant, including those located next to or in the capital
city of Iran, you know comments like that, of course, don't make you feel like further ceasefire is imminent. That's for sure.
And on top of that, it's not just this major artery for oil that we're watching right now, and that was responsible for around 20 percent of
global oil prior to the war. We're now actually looking as well at some security issues over another very narrow body of water. I want to show you
a map.
This is the Bab Al-Mandab Strait. This has had security issues in the past from Houthi rebels in Yemen, Iranian-backed, and once again, this is
becoming an issue. Now, in the last few months, this had been a safer route compared to the last few years, and Saudi Arabia had very much leaned on
this narrow body.
It's just 18 miles wide at its narrowest point, as a bit of a choke point, really, for the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia had managed to divert 70 percent of
their crude oil, running it along a pipeline east to west across the entire country, and then using the Red Sea to get it out.
Now, if Houthi rebels, as they are threatening to do, blockade this Strait, and we have an effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as well, where
you're looking at maybe 6, 7 percent more of global oil being taken off the market. Now that will definitely impact prices.
And just speaking to a few analysts today, I mean, one from Pickering Energy Partners has told CNN that oil prices could be back above $100 a
barrel if that was -- if that blockade did happen in addition to everything we're seeing in the Strait of Hormuz. So, it's really bad news after bad
news when it comes to oil prices today.
ASHER: You can say that again. All right, Anna Stewart live for us there in London. Thank you so much. Right when we come back, if you're in the U.S.
Midwest, you might want to be extra careful about what you eat. We're bringing you the latest on the Cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Plus, due back in court soon, the Former Venezuelan Leader Nicolas Maduro is set for a pre-trial hearing here in New York. We'll bring that to you as
well after the break.
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[11:25:00]
ASHER: All right, several states in the U.S. Midwest are reporting growing cases of diarrhea caused by cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that can
contaminate fresh food or water. The outbreak is believed to stem from iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, which provides ingredients to
some Taco Bell restaurants.
As of last week, the CDC has linked more than 1,600 cases to the outbreak and is tracking more than 5,000 others. Mexican authorities are working
with the CDC to collect samples from a Taylor Farms facility in Mexico. Just three cases of severe diarrhea caused by cyclospora have been
diagnosed in Mexico, which is in line with regular patterns of illness. Mexico's Health Secretary gave some background on Tuesday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID KERSHENOBICH, MEXICAN HEALTH SECRETARY: In Mexico, there have only been three cases of cyclospora, and those cases are routine. In other
words, they are within the normal epidemiological pattern. We do not have a cyclosporine outbreak. Therefore, regarding the lettuce processing facility
in Guanajuato, from the outset, we have worked jointly with the Epidemiology Director at Seneca and U.S. authorities, including the FDA.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: CNN's Valeria Leon is across the latest from Mexico City. So only three cases in Mexico, but there are of course some fears that this Taylor
Farms facility in Central Mexico could be the source of the outbreak, perhaps. Just walk us through what we know, Valeria.
VALERIA LEON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Zain. Mexican authorities are now conducting their own investigation into the cyclospora outbreak in the
United States. And this comes just after U.S. officials traced the lettuce supply to a company operating in the Central Mexican State of Guanajuato.
The FDA initially reported that a lettuce sample had tested positive for this parasite, but later withdrew that result, saying it was a false
positive. Despite that reversal, and although there is currently no evidence confirming contamination. Mexico -- the Mexican authorities
decided to continue with this own investigation.
And what we're learning now is that Mexican health authorities sent inspection teams to Guanajuato to collect samples and examine the
production sites linked to the lettuce under investigation. The work is being carried out by Mexico Health Regulator and also its agricultural
health agency in coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mexico's Health Secretary David Kershenobich also confirmed three cases of this cyclosporiasis in Mexico, but said that authorities have ruled out an
outbreak in the country. So far, officials have not linked those cases to the lettuce involved in the U.S. investigation. And here's how Secretary
Kershenobich explained Mexico's response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KERSHENOBICH: A sample was taken that tested positive, but the FDA later determined it was a false positive. Therefore, we currently have no
evidence. However, we have traveled to Guanajuato and collected samples to conduct our own investigation in coordination with the U.S. CDC.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEON: The lettuce was traced to Taylor Farms in Mexico, which voluntarily removed this iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico from the U.S. market.
[11:30:00]
And this case is significant for Mexico because the U.S. is its largest agriculture export market. And just for now, no broader restrictions on
Mexican produce have been announced, but Mexican authorities want to determine whether contamination occurred at the source, and of course,
prevent investigation from affecting other producers and exports Zain.
ASHER: All Right, Valeria Leon, thank you, thank you for clearing that up for us. Appreciate it. All right still to come, the Former President of
Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, is due back in court next hour. We take a look at the case and what to expect from Maduro's legal team.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ASHER: Welcome back to "One World". I'm Zain Asher in New York. Here are some of the headlines we are watching for you today. President Trump at
this hour is at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, attending the dignified transfer of four service members killed in the light of duty. All four lost
their lives during recent attacks launched by Iran.
The Pentagon says nearly 100 U.S. service members have been injured in just the past two weeks. Meantime, the U.S. has completed its 11th consecutive
night of strikes against Iran, U.S. Central Command says it hit Iranian operation centers, aircraft hangars, and military logistics infrastructure.
Earlier, President Donald Trump vowed to destroy one bridge or power plant every single time that Iran targets a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. And
officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo see nearly 1,000 people have died from Ebola there since mid-May. The country has seen a toll of almost
2,500 cases.
There is no approved vaccine or treatment for this current strain of Ebola. The Director of Africa CDC now warns it could become one of the worst Ebola
outbreaks the world has ever documented.
[11:35:00]
And Russian officials say that one person died and two were injured in overnight Ukrainian drone strikes on two towns in Southern Russia. Videos
geo located and verified by CNN shows plumes of smoke at logistics warehouses owned by Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer. It comes
after Ukrainian drones struck other Wildberries structures over the weekend.
All right, in the next hour here in New York City, the Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is due back in court. His lawyers are expected to
renew their challenge to the U.S. military raid that forced him out of power in January. Maduro and his wife were brought to the U.S. by force to
face drug trafficking charges.
In convicted -- if convicted, rather they could face life sentences. They both plead not guilty. Federal prosecutors and then Maduro's lawyers are
seeking a trial in June 2027. That's according to a Justice Department filing. Let's take a closer look at what we can expect from today's
hearing.
Gene Rossi is a Former Federal Prosecutor. Joins us live now from Washington. So, I'm going to pose that question to you. Just explain what
we can -- what we will see? What we'll hear during today's pre-trial hearing for Nicolas Maduro and his wife?
GENE ROSSI, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: Well, Zain, it's good to see you. At a pre-trial hearing, usually there's a discussion of discovery that has or
has not been produced. If it's classified, they would probably have a hearing to determine what would be exposed to the jury classified wise.
The other thing is you'd have motions to dismiss the indictment, motion for a bill, particulars, other motions to suppress evidence and things like
that. But Zain, I got to say, I've been reading a key issue that's going to be raised at this hearing today, or maybe later.
And that is the issue under an arbitration clause in our extradition treaty between the United States and Venezuela that was signed around 1922 or
thereabouts. And the thing about the extradition treaty is this, the Venezuelan government is insisting that the capture, kidnapping of
President Maduro and his wife-that was illegal, and it violated the extradition treaty.
The United States, through the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York, they're arguing, of course,
otherwise. And that he should be tried just like any other normal defendant in June of next year, that issue is a dispute.
And under the treaty, Zain that has to go to an arbitration panel, and if the arbitration panel rules in favor of Venezuela that the abduction of
Maduro and his wife was illegal under the treaty, he is released.
So, before we even think about having a trial June of next year, if the court applies the treaty as the defense argues, the trial will be
suspended, and this matter will be brought to an arbitration panel under the treaty. So, you will not have a trial June of next year. That's very
interesting to me.
ASHER: Yeah, it is very interesting. So, based on what you know and what you've read about this extradition treaty between the U.S. and Venezuela
that was signed over 100 years ago, it sounds like. You know the way in which Nicolas Maduro was captured, the legality around it. There's been so
many questions about it.
Is that, given your legal expertise, was that in direct violation of the treaty that was signed 100 years ago?
ROSSI: Well, Zain, I always say I know what I don't know. I am not an extradition expert. My feeling is this, the defense team does have a good
faith argument that the abduction, the DOJ, FBI, CIA operation, whoever organized that, going into a country and taking out a president, even if
it's disputed as to whether he's legitimate, that would set a bad precedent for our country and other countries that they could do the same.
So, they have a good faith argument. And of course, the Justice Department saying we have an argument that he was a narco terrorist of the highest
degree, and we had the right to seize him and bring him to the country to answer for an indictment. Both sides have good faith arguments.
My point is this, if it goes to an arbitration panel and they agree with Venezuela, then President Maduro, alleged President Maduro, is going to
have to be released. End of story.
ASHER: There are other arguments that his lawyers are pushing for. I mean, yes, you bring up the very important one with the extradition treaty.
[11:40:00]
But also, this idea of sovereign immunity. Does that hold even when you're dealing with a dictator, Gene?
ROSSI: Well, when the Reporter Khashoggi was brutally, brutally murdered when he was trying to get either a passport or some visa, this is several
years ago. The argument was that the Head of Saudi Arabia, the Prince, that he was behind it, he was the man behind the curtain.
The wife, the widow of Khashoggi, Mr. Khashoggi, filed a suit or attempted to file suit, and they concluded the courts concluded that he had immunity.
So that is a good faith argument that Mr. Maduro, President Maduro's team, and he's got a brilliant defense team, including Barry Pollock. That's a
good faith argument they could make.
I don't know if that's going to fly in this case, because with the Prince of Saudi Arabia, there was questionable evidence as to whether his fingers
were, you know, as part of this killing of Khashoggi, or was it a bunch of rogue supporters of the prince?
Here, this indictment, which is very fulsome, detailed over about 30 pages, there's ample evidence that Mr. Maduro allegedly was involved in a narco
conspiracy of a grand scale.
ASHER: All right, we will have to leave it there. I'm sure we will have you on this topic several times if there is a trial, as you point out, given
the debate about the extradition treaty between the United States and Venezuela. Gene Rossi, live for us there. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
ROSSI: Good to see you.
ASHER: All right, still to come here on "One World". Good to see you too. Thousands of young people protesting in India's Capital, leading to violent
clashes with police. What they're demanding from the Modi government just ahead. Plus, Tropical Storm Bertha is barreling its way along the Gulf
Coast, with its sight set on Louisiana. What those in its path can expect coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
ASHER: All right, hurricane season is never kind to the U.S. Gulf Coast, and this year is certainly no different. Take a look at Tropical Storm
Bertha. It's heading westward along the coast, bringing wind, rain, and possible flooding conditions to four states.
It's just south of Mississippi and Alabama, with landfall expected in the coming hours near New Orleans. Meteorologist Chris Warren joins us on the
very latest. So, when it does make landfall, Chris, what more? What can we expect?
CHRIS WARREN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, it depends on where you are. And for the most part, it could be a lot worse. I mean, you look right now with
rain that is on the way for New Orleans, just a little bit of a breeze. At times, not even that much of a breeze. Winds are gusting to 22 miles an
hour, so gusty winds can be expected.
Just a few showers. When you look at this, your eyes draw on right here. Here's all of the rain and the thunderstorm activity, and this is where the
actual center of the tropical storm is, and where some of the stronger winds are. Now, if all of this was right here, then it would be in some
serious business here for a much stronger storm.
Gust at times up to 65 miles an hour, and there are tropical storm warnings in effect here in blue. So tropical storm conditions are expected for some
of these areas, possible in some of these areas where there is the watch over the next day or two.
But when we look at what is going on in the big picture here, the gusty winds are going to help push some of the water onshore. There'll be some
water rises from the Gulf here in Alabama into Mississippi and parts of Louisiana, but the rain is not a huge deal at the moment.
And this track, the new track in this hour, it brings it a little bit farther to the north. So, more time over land means more time this tropical
storm will be weakening right into tomorrow morning. So rough surf is really going to be the big one here with some localized flooding.
So, for some areas, not a great day at the beach. Other areas, you might not notice much. Hurricane -- again, well away from the worst of the
weather because they are in where the center of the storm is. And fortunately, the worst of the weather, the heaviest of rain and the
strongest thunderstorms will remain out over water before eventually pushing inland.
So, here's the water rises generally one to three feet. Some areas two to four feet. This would be above high tide. So, at the high tides, might see
some localized flooding. Should not be a huge issue. But with that in mind, just have to be cautious if your plans do take you to the beaches here from
still parts of Florida and in over to Louisiana. So overall, catching a little bit of a break here at the moment, Zain.
ASHER: All right, Chris Warren, live for us. Thank you so much. All right, Gen-Z protesters in India's Capital are demanding the Modi government
overhaul the national exams process, which they say is depriving them of opportunity.
India's Education Ministry has long been mired in controversy with leaks of exam papers and technical failures, placing a strain on families who've
invested everything into their children's future. That frustration spiraled into two days of violent clashes in New Delhi, as police met demonstrators
with batons and tear gas. CNN's Rhea Mogul brings us up to date with the protests.
RHEA MOGUL, CNN SOUTH ASIA REPORTER: Well, the mood in Delhi right now is definitely one of anger, but it's also one of determination. Thousands of
protesters have gathered and reclaimed their main protest site in the heart of New Delhi, after police dismantled it earlier this week, and many of
them say that they're not going to leave until India's Education Minister resigns.
Now, this defiance comes after clashes between police and protesters that ended in a crackdown on protesters. And many protesters that we've spoken
to on the ground in Delhi say that that crackdown has only intensified their resolve, and it's broadened their support as well.
Now, just yesterday, the political opposition in India capitalized on that anger, and they staged a sit-in protest outside Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's residence. The Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, said that he wanted Modi to resign, and he was briefly detained by police during
that sit-in.
This started off as an online movement, but it's really grown into much bigger political story. Prime Minister Modi hasn't directly responded to
the protesters, but yesterday he did send a message via a senior official from his party. And that official said that Modi is and his administration
is determined to stop paper leaks from happening, and he reassured the Indian youth that they were important to his administration.
Now, it's very important to note that Modi is a leader who doesn't typically respond to criticism, and he doesn't typically respond to wide-
scale protest movements. He's weathered a lot of you know storms during his 12 years in power, and that's just sort of his style.
[11:50:00]
But what analysts say, and they're watching this very closely, is that Modi can't, or any Indian government for that matter, can't afford to lose the
support of the young people in India because they're one of the largest young populations in the entire world, and they're such an important
political force for the country.
ASHER: Reah Mogul reporting there. All right, the historic fantasy TV Series Outlander is letting fans make their own lasting legacy, but marking
a milestone will come at a cost. Coming up, see you could own as the highest bidder.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ASHER: All right for eight seasons, the hit TV Show Outlander followed characters around the globe, and through hundreds of years of time travel.
And soon, fans will have the chance to own their own piece of the show's history as some of Outlander's most recognizable props and costumes hit the
auction block in London next month. Our Lynda Kinkade has details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know all of this because -- future.
LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): The time traveling TV Series Outlander has come to a close, but fans still have a chance to own a piece
of the hit show. Props, costumes, and set pieces from Outlander are set to go on auction at the London Auction House Bonhams.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's me.
KINKADE (voice-over): The show ran for eight seasons after its premiere in 2014. And took fans around the world from the Scottish Highlands to
America. Many iconic costumes from major scenes in the show will go under the hammer, with estimates that some items will go for several $1,000.
MADELEINE CATER, HEAD OF SALES, BONHAMS AUCTION HOUSE: There's such a big range from all of the tartan, from the early Scottish Highlander episodes,
through to Paris, which was amazing, sort of sumptuous, luxurious costumes, through into America.
I think the red dress that Claire wears in season two is going to be a fan favorite. I think a lot of Jamie's costumes, particularly the tartan
costume and the kilt that he wears in the Battle of Culloden against his arch nemesis Black Jack. I think that's really going to see some
competitive bidding and I think people are just really excited to own a part of this show.
KINKADE (voice-over): The auction has some experience when it comes to auctioning UK production memorabilia. Bonhams previously auctioned off
props and costumes from the Crown and Downton Abbey.
CATER: We're really seeing that these long shows build such an audience, and it makes people really invested in it.
[11:55:00]
And I think for a lot of people, they have a real connection, an emotional connection to it now, and that history and that story. So, we think maybe
some private museums, some individual collectors. It's going to be really, really interesting to see where it all ends up.
KINKADE (voice-over): The live auction takes place on August 5th. Lynda Kinkade, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ASHER: All right, nine months after the shocking robbery of the French crown jewels, a gallery in the Louver Museum, Louver Museum rather, in
Paris has reopened. The thieves were disguised as construction workers, there were some arrests, but the jewelry has still not been recovered.
Security at the museum has been boosted with the addition of new and additional surveillance cameras. All right, stay with CNN. There is much
more "One World" with my colleague Bianna Golodryga after the short break.
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END