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Connect the World
Highlights of World Cup matches and the suspense is thick as fans watch the match between Ghana and Netherlands
Aired July 02, 2010 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MAX FOSTER, HOST: The fight against sex trafficking. Sweden says its novel approach is the way forward. Laws there target people who buy sex, not those who sell it. Tonight, whether Sweden's approach can work elsewhere, especially in key points along the trafficking pipeline.
On CNN, this is the hour we connect the world.
It doesn't matter where you are, odds are your country plays a role in this problem, as a source of trafficked people, it's a key transit point or it's a final destination. Just ahead, we're going to show you where your country falls and what's being done to change that. Exploring the connections from London, I'm Max Foster.
Also tonight...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our position is absolutely clear. We want those marginalized and poor to be assisted irrespective of race. But it must be based on need.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: That's what Malaysia's former prime minister and now opposition leader wants to do with the country. Anwar Ibrahim is our Connector of the Day, answering your questions.
And in sport, we've had one huge shock.
Could we have another?
Five time champions, Brazil, knocked out of the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the team these guys love right now fighting to stay in. Ghana, in the coming minutes, could become the first African team ever to make it to the semi-finals. We're live from South Africa with the day's highlights.
We begin, though, with efforts to unravel a web of enslavement that's one of the most profitable businesses in the world. Sweden took the lead in fighting sex trafficking 10 years ago, becoming the first country to punish the purchase of sex, not the sale of it.
Today, we're learning whether that approach has been effective.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: More than a decade ago, Sweden made it illegal to pay for sex, but not to provide it. Now, the first major study into its effect and government figures say street prostitution has halved.
BEATRICE ASK, SWEDISH MINISTER FOR JUSTICE: What we just see due to the legislation is that Sweden is a less interesting market for criminal organized networks dealing with trafficking for sexual abuse. And that means that they are less interested to -- to work in Sweden. Which means that we have less problems than our neighbors. And that's good.
FOSTER: Critics contend the law may have simply moved prostitution from the streets and driven it underground. But officials believe otherwise. They say the law has reduced demand for prostitutes and the Swedish National Criminal Police Service says the ban on the purchase of sexual services has stopped traffickers from basing themselves in the country.
Does that mean the problem has just been shifted to other countries?
ASK: Well, that has to be a qualified guess. But if you work -- were focused on a special geographical area, you don't only move the problem, you actually fight it. And I think that maybe some of the international networks did business somewhere else. But, of course, if we give them a lot of trouble, they get less done.
FOSTER: So, where do the victims of sex trafficking in Europe come from?
Well, largely from the Balkans. Nearly a third come from there. The former Soviet Union accts for a fifth of the victims and 13 percent of victims come from South America. That's all according to the United Nations, which also says there are 70,000 new victims a year across this continent alone. It's a market worth $3 billion a year.
(on camera): What sort of countries are coming?
Let's have a look at your system.
Do you get the impression that lots of other countries are considering your laws or at least political parties elsewhere?
ASK: Well, I know from the discussions we have had in Brussels that many countries see trafficking as a main problem and that they can see that young, young teenagers are involved in prostitution. So they want to do something about it, to fight it.
And I think that that's the reason why people try to see what ideas are there and what instruments are used. And that the Sweden -- the Swedish model, in this case, has been successful. And that's good. And we are happy to share our experiences with others.
FOSTER (voice-over): Other countries have already followed the Swedish model. Norway and Iceland. And there are campaigns for the same to happen elsewhere, like in the U.K. The theory goes, address the demand, not the supply, for prostitution and you may help undermine the system for human trafficking.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
FOSTER: Sex trafficking may be falling in Sweden, but let's take a look at the global picture. The U.S. government estimates that nearly 400,000 women and girls are trafficked across international borders for sex each year. Take a look -- take a look at this map of the United Nations. The countries in red are the origin countries. You can see many of the women who are trafficked come from Russia and the former Soviet Republics, along with China, Thailand and Nigeria.
But then, they are moved. Italy, Poland and Hungary are a few of the transit countries where women are brought en route to their final destination. And here you see where they end up, literally spanning the globe -- the United States, France, Turkey and Japan are just some of the destination countries for women who are trafficked.
So, can the Swedish model of fighting sex trafficking really be applied to all these other countries?
Let's put that to Andrea Bertone, director of HumanTrafficking.org.
She's joining us now from Washington.
Thank you for joining us.
What do you make of the Swedish model?
Is it all that the -- the minister there is cracking it up to be?
ANDREA BERTONE, DIRECTOR, HUMANTRAFFICKING.ORG: The Swedish model is unique. And when the law was passed in 1999, it was a unique law that -- that no other country had decided that they wanted to address prostitution in this way. And not too many countries have followed this model.
However, I'm not sure that the model can be exported wholesale to many other countries in the world.
FOSTER: Why is that?
BERTONE: The Swedish model is narrow and it focuses primarily on the purchase of sex, as was said earlier. What the report is saying, that came out today, is that the incidence of street prostitution has reduced and they've been able to see that by talking to individuals and organizations and police who are -- who are working on this issue.
However, there has always been the concern that the issue of prostitution has been pushed underground, if you will, or pushed into places that are not seen by those who are working on the issue.
So we -- even though the report says that they think that prostitution in other establishments and even in homes has been reduced, as well, the -- the truth is that, actually, we just don't know.
FOSTER: So, more research needs to be carried out into this.
But do you think if other countries did move some way toward clamping down on the purchase of sex, that you could do real damage to the international trafficking rings. I mean that's where they make all the money, isn't it, it's in prostitution?
BERTONE: I think that it is a model that we need to do more research on, as you said. Prostitution and trafficking are not always the same thing, although many will agree and international law recognizes that children who are involved in prostitution would be considered trafficking victims.
However, the Swedish government takes the position that prostitution equals trafficking and not other -- and many others do not take that particular view.
The report also recognizes that prostitution has increased in neighboring countries, its Nordic numbers. And I think that this is quite significant, because if the Swedish model is creating less demand for prostitution, what it is, in fact, doing is possibly creating more demand in neighboring countries, because those who are involved in -- in the organized criminal activity aspects of it might just be moving to neighboring countries.
So this really needs to be looked at more closely.
FOSTER: What's the solution, then, briefly, if you can?
BERTONE: Yes, I -- I believe a solution needs to be holistic and to refer to the U.S. government way of looking at it, which is the three Ps -- prevention, protection and prostitution -- anti-trafficking laws need to be holistic and they need to look at sex trafficking and labor trafficking.
FOSTER: OK, Andrea Bertone, thank you very much, indeed for joining us with that.
Now, coming up next, he's one of the most controversial figures in Malaysian politics. Anwar Ibrahim has spent time in prison for corruption and has repeatedly fought allegations of sodomy. But he remains popular and is now leading the government opposition. He's going to tell us about his plans for the future, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He is one of Malaysia's most influential politicians and perhaps one of the country's most polarizing figures. Anwar Ibrahim was viewed as the rising golden boy when he began his term as deputy prime minister in 1993. But five years later, his career came crashing down when he was tried and convicted of sodomy. He spent six years in prison before the Malaysian court eventually overturned the charges.
Most believed Ibrahim's political career was over. In the 2008 elections, he led Malaysian opposition parties to historic gains. Just as hopes in his resurgence began to gain momentum, a second allegation of sodomy was leveled against him -- allegations he denies. Anwar is still fighting those accusations, saying that they are politically motivated.
Fighting on no matter what the odds, Anwar Ibrahim is your Connector of the Day.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
FOSTER: I spoke with Anwar Ibrahim from New York last week.
And I began by asking him why he thinks his opposition party has had some recent success.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANWAR IBRAHIM, MALAYSIAN OPPOSITION LEADER: Generally, the Malaysians are tired of the same corrupt, draconian measures and corrupt policies.
FOSTER: I've got viewer questions for you.
Dr. Sashi says: "If you were handed the reins of power in Malaysia, what would you do to level the playing field for all the different races in the country?"
IBRAHIM: Our position is absolutely clear. We want those marginalized and poor to be assisted irrespective of race. But it must be based on need. What -- the difference with the current government administration of amlaw (ph) is that they use these policies to enrich the few, to continue with privatization programs without tender -- procurement policies without tender, which means you allow a group of cronies to enrich themselves, to get the hundreds of millions of dollars and using the new economic policy and the policy to assist the Malay poor.
FOSTER: Awaal Oastad asks: "Malaysia is a country with two laws, common law and Sharia law. Does he support one law or the status quo?"
It does sometimes confuse things, doesn't it, in Malaysia?
IBRAHIM: One must not assume that one is to believed in some aspects of the Sharia law to be implemented that it would be, as you indicated, fairly and justly. Therefore, we must have adequate reforms to ensure there is just administration of these laws.
But the way we draw the line is we -- it's not to allow in any way that this application of the Sharia laws to either compare or force onto the rights of non-Muslims in Malaysia.
FOSTER: Minority has written to us, asking: "What reforms will you bring in if you are prime minister of Malaysia? What do you think of the current economic state, for example, of the country? Are you concerned that it will go bankrupt, Malaysia?"
IBRAHIM: At the rate we are going, there has been even a statement recently -- a contentious one contradicted by the prime minister -- by a key minister -- suggesting that the at the rate we are going, with subsidies, with corruption, with the leakage and the losses, we'll go bankrupt by 2019. Our position is there must be reform to ensure that you don't have wastage and to rid the country of corruption and to have the policies of -- a clear policy in terms of procurement policies that will not lose in the long run.
FOSTER: During the Asian financial crisis, Malaysia went through a really, really tough time. You oversaw very tough austerity packages and you delayed big building projects, for example.
And, interestingly, you didn't bail out the banks, did you?
What do you make of what's going on in Europe and America right now, because they're reliving what -- the nightmare that you went through?
IBRAHIM: Well, in the issue of private (ph), you have to save to make sure that financial institutions remain strong, if not robust. But the private, it cannot be to help and build out the rich. That happened in Malaysia. Family members of the leaders, either they have interests in banks or in companies or shipping companies, were given billions of dollars. But the small, medium industries or economies or interests were completely marginalized.
FOSTER: Some of our viewers expressing a concern that you're an active politician at the same time as facing trial for a new set of charges.
What's your -- your defense there?
Should you wait for the trial to end before you carry on in public life?
IBRAHIM: Well, these are trumped up charges by a corrupt regime to deny of our rights.
And can you think of any criminal charge where documents are not given, where -- where police reports have to wait for six months to just look at the police report?
I mean if the charge in a system that is transparent and we have an independent judicial system, then you talk about charge. But here is a frivolous charge, a scurrilous attack on the character without any basis. In any country in the world, a charge this size and in this manner would be thrown out.
FOSTER: You're questioning the independence of the Malaysian justice system. That's quite an accusation. Surely, you should allow the system to run its course.
IBRAHIM: It's not my view. It is about counsel. It's the International Commission of Juries. It is the International Bar Association and the U.N. repertoire on the independence of judges. And they have -- the consensus is there's something rotten in the entire judicial process.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
FOSTER: Anwar Ibrahim there.
Our Connector of the Day on Monday is fresh from his team's defeat in South Africa. The U.S. football coach, Bob Bradley, says he's proud of their performance. And now he's talking to us about his plans for the U.S. team and what it would take for them to win the World Cup.
He's answering your questions, too. So head over to our Web site to get involved. And remember to tell us where you're writing from. It's CNN.com/connect, of course.
Tonight, though, we'll be right back with a series on Poland.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: Today, we wrap up our week long special -- week long series of special reports from Poland, a part of CNN's I-List series.
We kicked off the week with a close look at Poland's economy.
Did you know it's the only one in Europe that avoided recession?
On Tuesday, we looked at the legacy of one of Poland's most famous sons, Frederic Chopin, the compose...
(MUSIC)
FOSTER: The composer was born 200 years ago this year, but his music is, of course, timeless.
On Wednesday, we met some of the many Poles returning home from abroad to take advantage of these booming business opportunities.
And yesterday, we showed you the turmoil some families are going through to try to get back their homes decades after seizure by the communist government.
Today, we're taking you into the last primeval forest in Europe. It straddles the border between Poland and Belarus and is home to a national treasure that nearly vanished from the face of the planet.
Frederik Pleitgen explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the mist of Poland's Bialowieza Forest is one of Europe's most unlikely creatures. The European bison, once almost extinct, has made a comeback, thanks to conservation efforts.
Ranger Matios Shimura (ph) says for most of the 20th century, there were no wild bison.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The last three living (INAUDIBLE) the world of the bison was killed by poachers in 1919. But at that time, they were already in some enclosures and a zoo. So from these animals, we get them back.
PLEITGEN: Today, about 450 bison roam the Bialowieza Forest, the rangers say -- the biggest population in the wild anywhere in Europe. And living in a unique habitat -- the Bialowieza National Park, one of the last patches of primeval forest left in this part of the world -- straddling the border between Poland and Belarus.
(on camera): This is what forests in Europe probably would have looked like about 2,000 years ago. It's been left in its natural state. For instance, none of the dead wood has been cleared off the ground. Now, the park rangers here believe that if they did clear the dead wood, it would kill off about 50 percent of the species here.
(voice-over): The ecological diversity and the sheer age of some of the trees here make Bialowieza a tourist magnet. About 200,000 people visit the forest every year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it's very rich, the nature, and pure. And it's amazing to be here.
PLEITGEN: But the bison, or Zubr in Polish, are the main attraction and make for good business, not just in tourism. There's Zubr beer, among the most popular in Poland. And the famous Zubrowka bison grass vodka -- made at a factory nearby Bialystok and exported to 47 countries around the world, an unmistakably Polish drink, says the director.
HENRYK WNOROSWKI, DIRECTOR, POLMOS (through translator): The Zubrowka trademark is one of the five most recognized Polish brands in the world, he says, which shows that it is known globally.
PLEITGEN: However it's marketed, the animal itself is a national treasure and a record holder as the heaviest land animal in Europe.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's big and it's -- it's look good. So it's very good animal to be a symbol of the place like big forest. In the big forest, they have too big -- to have a -- have a big animal, because it's suit well.
PLEITGEN: Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Bialowieza, Poland.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
FOSTER: And that brings us to the end of our week long series on Poland. In the past, we've focused on Iraq, on obesity, and many other topics.
What would you like us to examine next, though?
Connect with the show on the Web site, CNN.com/connect. Or you can e- mail the team at connecttheworld@CNN.com.
Now, the World Cup action is back on. Four teams played today, but only two are still in the hunt. We'll tell you which.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: Welcome back to CONNECT THE WORLD.
I'm Max Foster.
Let's check the headlines this hour.
The alleged Russian spy scandal deepens. Two suspects have told U.S. federal investigators that they were using false identities. Court documents indicate the two, known as Michael Zottoli and Patricia Mills, also acknowledged that they are Russian citizens.
US General David Petraeus is arriving in Kabul to take command of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan. He replaces General Stanley McChrystal, dismissed from his post by U.S. President Obama last month. NATO's secretary-general says Petraeus will not change the strategy of the war effort.
Pakistani police are on high alert after a shrine attack in Lahore killed 50. Police say two suicide bombers detonated their explosive vests inside the shrine on Thursday.
Here's Nic Robertson with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, already, in reaction to this attack on the shrine, representatives from the shrine have come out on the streets with weapons vowing revenge. They will attack, they say, whoever was responsible for this.
We've also heard from moderate Sunni religious leaders saying that the prime minister should resign, the chief minister of Punjab, where this attack took place, should resign because, they say, that they should have done more to protect the security of people there.
Effectively, these Sunni leaders pointed the finger of blame for this attack at the Pakistani Taliban, telling the army that they should crack down on the Taliban.
We haven't had a claim of responsibility yet. The police are still investigating. However, one family believes that they recognized one of the suicide bombers caught on the videotape in the seconds before he detonated explosives. A guard at the shrine can be seen chasing him across the courtyard at the shrine before his explosives blow everyone off their feet.
So the police still following up on one of the I -- one of the attacks who may have been identified there. Tensions are high. Fear is also very high, because although the government is vowing to step up security there and it has been stepped up, people are very much aware that -- that there is the likelihood of another attack, where the death toll could be just as high.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
FOSTER: More than a bit of drama today at the World Cup. The Netherlands came from behind to beat Brazil 2-1. Uruguay and Ghana are still playing their match. It's now in extra time. (AUDIO GAP) have Argentina facing Germany and Paraguay taking on Spain.
Alex Thomas joins us from Johannesburg with highlights of today's matches.
First of all, the Ghana game -- looking as if that's going to go on a bit, right?
ALEX THOMAS, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Max.
Good evening from Johannesburg.
It should all be over here at Soccer City Stadium behind me. They've just started a 30 minute extra time after the game finished 1-1 after the normal 90 minutes.
And this one has been a big match, almost as big as the Brazil-Holland game, but for very different reasons. Two sides and two countries desperate to reach the semi-finals. Uruguay with their pomp firmly in the past, hosting the first ever World Cup way back in 1930, two time world champions. But this is as far as they've got, is 1970.
Ghana, the only African side left in the competition. So huge pressure on them to perform. They've got the hopes of a whole continent resting on them. And just coming from Soccer City Stadium myself, I've been in there for the vast majority of the game, I can tell you, the vast majority of fans inside supporting the Black Stars, as they're known, because of the black star on the Ghanaian flag.
Huge noise, vuvuzelas and cheers and boos, Uruguay, the Pantomime Villains (ph), but Ghana who got into their stride as that first half wore on. And at the end of it, the last kick of the first 45 minutes, Sulley Muntari, barely used by Milan with Jose Marinyo, unleashed a thunderbolt strike from 30-40 yards out. Maybe it will grow with exaggerations as the tale is told. But after half time a Uruguay fight back, Diego Forlan scoring from the free kick, so 1-1 after normal time. As I said, they're playing extra time in that one, Max, 30 minutes of it.
But let's take you through the action from the opening quarter final, which took place earlier in Port Elizabeth. A giant of an encounter between Holland and Brazil. And it was Brazil that drew first blood. In the 10th minute Rubinho finishing a pinpoint pass from Felipe Melo. You can see Rubinio with the pass, something he hasn't managed much from Manchester City this season, but he looked pinnacle (ph) there. Later in the first half, an excellent move that showed Brazil at their best. Their coach often accused of pragmatism, but that was a flowing move saved by Holland's goalkeeper.
Later in the second half, this time, Wesley Schneider with a cross, Melo this time, not such a hero. Heading it into his own goal. Holland won the lot, it got even better for the Dutch later in the second half with Arjen Robben swung over the corner and Wesley Schneider, possibly the smallest man on the pitch, beat everyone to their header, 2-0 to Holland-2- 1 to Holland, I should say, at that stage. And of course, it got worse for the five-time world champions. Brazil ending the match, Max, with just 10 players after that late fending off for Mellow, he is going to be the villain of the piece, as is Coach Dunga, who confirmed at the news conference that his four-year tenure as Brazil coach, is over and they are out of the World Cup.
MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR, CONNECT THE WORLD: Alex, thank you so much. What a World Cup, so unpredictable all the way along. Now whatever happens at the match that is still going on, the people of Ghana have reason to be proud. Coming into the quarter finals they were the only African team left in competition. Christian Purefoy joins us now from Accra, in Ghana.
They must be getting pretty nervous in this extra half hour, but great news anyway.
CHRISTIAN PUREFOY, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: In fact it is great news in the match, everyone has just piled into the bar behind me to watch what they hope will be the last half hour of this game. You could cut the tension with a knife here.
After that first goal, Ghana scored their first goal, the place erupted. One man shouted out, this is the best day of my life. And they want to repeat that here tonight. After Uruguay scored the whole place went silent. And then the bar played the national anthem and everybody got back into the swing of things. Like I said, you could cut the tension with a knife. They're hoping-they're hoping that in about 15 minutes or so they'll be able to erupt again, that they will have had this game. And then they will be the first African team ever to get through to the semifinals. That is how important this match is, Max.
FOSTER: I'll have to come back to you if it comes through. Pretty exciting stuff for most people there.
Today's quarter finals are dominating talk on our Web site as well. Listen to these fans from the Netherlands and from Brazil.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(FANS CHEERING, SCREAMING)
JOHANNES WILLERBRENMWICK, DUTCH FAN: It was an amazing game. Holland went all the way. First half was tough, but they came back, won 2- 0.
ALEX CRAMWINKEL, DUTCH FAN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) We are in the final (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
(CROWD CHEERING)
It is still a match, in the first half, but then Holland came out (UNINTELLIGIBLE) But yeah, a bit down about it, but (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: We'll have more on this after the break, with our super fans, wrapping up this week's World Cup action. We'll have that Ghana result for you, as well, promise.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: You may remember the deep sea oracle of football. Paul Velkvest (ph) is proving quite grand at correctly predicting the winner of each match Germany has faced so far this World Cup, so they say. As you can see here, he picked last Sunday's winner with Britain. His task, to choose foods from one of the containers lowered his German keepers. For this day's clash between Argentina in Cape Town he still likes the taste of Germany. As good an oracle as any.
Now that's one way to make a wager, another is to consult our super fans, director of new documentary, "Football Fables", Baff Akoto joins me with his wrap up of the week. But first, I spoke to the producer of documentary "Soka Afrika", Simon Laub, a little earlier, and began by asking him about Holland's upset over Brazil.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SIMON LAUB, PRODUCER, "SOKA AFRIKA": I think everyone really favored the Brazilians. They were, you know, along with Spain, they were the sort of-the team that everyone looked to beat. And you know, congratulations to Holland, because they've done it. I think Holland and Argentina, two of the most exciting teams playing, incredible attacking football.
But a little bit of a question about, you know, if it can all come together. It has for Holland today. And I think they've done incredibly well to beat Brazil.
FOSTER: It was pretty boring this whole world cup, to begin with, wasn't it. Now it is, you know, it is completely unpredictable. Really exciting stuff. So what else grabbed you over the week? What matches have you been watching? Do you remember?
LAUB: I've pretty much have been watching all the games. I think, you know, it has been a very high standard. And actually, when the pressure has come, and the teams have delivered. You know, it kind of pains me to say it, but even the Germans were just so ruthless and you know, they really stepped up and destroyed us unfortunately.
But you know, Ghana, for me the standout success story of the World Cup and I really truly hope that they can go on and go further.
FOSTER: In terms of your picks, you did say last week Spain to win. Are you sticking with that, after the outcome today?
(LAUGHTER)
LAUB: I did, indeed. And I'm sticking to what I said from the beginning Spain undoubtedly (ph) up for the Golden Boot. And I think we should maybe ask Baff if he's changed his mind, because I believe he switched around to Brazil and now maybe he's for Ireland (ph) again. But let's ask-
FOSTER: We're going to have words with him about that. You've been a bit more consistent. I think that to your-
(CROSS TALK)
FOSTER: To you credit.
Finally, you know, looking back on the World Cup at this point, it is getting better and better, right? LAUB: I think so. I think that the, you know, that when the pressure is on, the big teams are standing up and being counted. Holland didn't buckle, they kept resolute and they go their breaks. And you know, a famous victory for them. And for a team that has never actually won the World Cup, you know it is very exciting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Welcome back to the studio, the most tense studio I can remember it being in some time. Baath, of course, the arch Ghana fan.
You've been to a party?
BAFF AKOTO, DIRECTOR, "FOOTBALL FABLES": Yeah, I just came. I left the party at 1-nil. Great atmosphere. It is 1-1 now, and I'm on tinder hooks.
FOSTER: Were they playing well?
AKOTO: We're playing really well. I mean, like, you know-
FOSTER: There have been sort of great attempts which didn't work. Then the final
(CROSS TALK)
AKOTO: Ghana consistently the best African, the most consistent African side in the tournament. And you know what, if they go through they'll deserve their spot in the semis.
FOSTER: And how are Uruguay sort of playing at sort of your vulnerabilities?
AKOTO: You know, it is finally balanced. And we all know about Forlan, we all know about Suarez. They have definitely got the more potent straightforward strike force. So, you know, however Ghana are playing, you just can't discount the Uruguay strikers.
FOSTER: What would it mean to Ghanaians for them to get through to the next stage?
AKOTO: It would mean everything thing.
FOSTER: They would be the most successful African team ever in the World Cup, right?
AKOTO: If Ghana goes through, this-
FOSTER: Are you going to make a promise?
AKOTO: This flag will not leave my head. I'm going to wear it as a bandana.
FOSTER: For how long?
AKOTO: For a week.
FOSTER: A week.
AKOTO: You'll see me here next week with this on my head.
FOSTER: Unwashed for a week.
AKOTO: Unwashed for a week. My mom will be very proud of me.
AKOTO: And I presume this is the only think Ghanaians around the world are talking about right now.
AKOTO: Africans, around the-
FOSTER: Africans?
AKOTO: You know, to be honest, everyone I've met this week is a Ghana fan.
FOSTER: Yes, it is true. Everyone who is out, falls behind Ghana.
AKOTO: Even some people who are still in.
(LAUGHTER)
AKOTO: You know what, to paraphrase the famous quote, we're all Ghanaians now.
(LAUGHTER)
FOSTER: It's true.
AKOTO: You know, I'm just waiting for the word in my ear to know when we've scored.
FOSTER: It could happen any minute, isn't it? In the next 10 minutes or so.
AKOTO: It's the director (ph).
FOSTER: We'll get the results. I don't want to upset you, though. I don't know how fragile.
(CROSS TALK)
AKOTO: I'm fragile.
FOSTER: OK.
AKOTO: But let's carry it.
FOSTER: We've also got Christian waiting for us in Accra, he's got the response from there.
But I just want to ask you, you would have been watching the TV earlier for that amazing Brazil game. I mean, can you believe they're out?
AKOTO: You know what, today Holland has just ensured that this is going to be a historic World Cup, whatever happens with Ghana, whilst we're on air. The fact that Brazil are out, we're going to have a-a unprecedented situation where a team is winning the World Cup outside of their continent. Unless my new favorite pick, Ghana, have anything to say about this.
FOSTER: You're new favorite pick?
AKOTO: I know.
FOSTER: Simon had a point. You are a bit flexible on your picks.
AKOTO: You know-
FOSTER: Where have you gone with your weekly picks? Take us through.
AKOTO: You know what I've been Brazil from the start, and that was my head talking, my heart always said Ghana. So it is a no brainer. Brazil are out.
FOSTER: Should have gone with your heart?
AKOTO: My heart says Ghana now, you know. We'll see if I'm still crying or not by the end of this.
FOSTER: In terms of players?
AKOTO: I'm still sticking with Higuain after that first week of games. Holland, I thought would do well. I picked them personally to start with. They have done well. They have done better than I expected, but that person has not quite jelled. They have spread the goals around a bit. And, yeah, they are marching forward. But I still think Higuain is in a very flee flowing Argentine team. So, he's got four goals. It is neck and neck with him and Vittek , so-Simon, me and him, next week, we're going to have it out.
FOSTER: Going to have words.
AKOTO: Exactly.
FOSTER: Just take us through, looking back on the World Cup so far. Because I said to Simon, how-you know, there was a bit of coverage about how it was a bit dull to begin with. It could be-it cannot be described as dull at this point. Anything goes.
AKOTO: No, not at all. I mean, you know, that first week it was put me, it was a dull World Cup. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it came alive after the cagey first-round matches. It has come alive. And, you know, look at us today. You know, this is the historic day in the history of the World Cup. So, you know, goals galore, tension galore, it is everything to play for.
FOSTER: Yes. In terms of tension, Accra is a pretty tense place right now. We find Christian there, amongst the fans.
How's it going there, Christian?
PUREFOY: Max, we managed to drag Samuel away from the game.
Samuel?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah?
PUREFOY: How are you feeling?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fine, fine. Just fantastic.
PUREFOY: You are really enthusiastic for this match.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sure they're going to win.
PUREFOY: Are you proud whatever happens?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah.
PUREFOY: Whatever happens what are you feeling?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel proud because I know it is history, you know? That we are in the semifinals. But I'm fantastic. I'm feeling good.
PUREFOY: How have you been feeling throughout this match?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel great. Great, because I'm sure they are going to win the match. Yeah.
PUREFOY: He can't even take his eyes off the match, Max. Back to you.
FOSTER: Fair enough. Back with you when we get that results. It is going to go crazy if Ghana win, isn't it.
AKOTO: In this studio, it will be.
FOSTER: And out there.
PUREFOY: And out there, everywhere.
FOSTER: When he talks about this is history, is that just the football fan following his team? Is it more than that, more than football?
AKOTO: it is more than that. I mean, you know, whether it is more than football is yet to bee seen I mean, the legacy of this World Cup will become apparent in the weeks and the months and the years, you know, after this. But in a purely footballing sense, this is, you know, unprecedented. As I said last week, European teams don't tend to travel well. And only Brazil has won the World Cup outside their continent, so in that sense it is already-it's going to be a tournament for the books. If Ghana goes through it is going to be doubly so. And you know, when Ghana win the World Cup it is going be, you know the roof is going to go off the place.
FOSTER: Still, 1-1 and we're halfway through extra time. Could be penalties.
AKOTO: There could be.
FOSTER: At which point, the tension, really, does start mounting.
But let's talk a bit about, you know, you were saying this is important for Africa, if Ghana goes through. Africa has come across extremely well as a result of this. Because all of those very cynical journalists saying that South Africa couldn't handle this-I wasn't one of them.
AKOTO: You weren't.
FOSTER: They have been proved absolutely wrong. This is armies of general news reporters in South Africa, they haven't got a thing to do.
AKOTO: Yeah, I think it is-you know, my film, "Football Fables" talks about the historical context of football on the continent. And how it has always meant more than just a game. And I think this World Cup has shown that, you know, the biggest event in the world can be staged on the continent and be successful and thoroughly engaging, you know? So, as I say, the legacy of that will become apparent in the months and years ahead. But the cynical journalists, you know, they've got column inches and air time to fill. So, you can't really blame them, they're just doing their job.
But, you know, it is great to see them all proved wrong. And personally speaking, if someone you know, as someone who knows the continent well, there was never anything to worry about.
FOSTER: No, but you are proud at this point?
AKOTO: I'll be even prouder when Ghana goes through.
FOSTER: Got 15 minutes, possibly a bit more.
AKOTO: We've got it. I hope.
FOSTER: So much tension in Accra, and here in the studio. That is going to be on Baff's head for a week. We'll all have to endure it. I'm wondering if Uruguay should be the winners.
Back after this short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: A new documentary takes one of the most universal concepts and approaches it from four very different perspectives. Along the way, it challenges you to consider whether you would do things differently. Becky takes us inside the world of babies.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR, CONNECT THE WORLD (voice over): As movie concepts go, they don't get much more simple than this. Follow a group o babies around for the first 18 months of their lives. What sets this work apart is the scope. The film is the work of French director Thomas Balmes. I spoke with him shortly before the film's premier in his native France.
(On camera): How did you choose the babies, and why? I mean, they're all you know, four babies from four completely different places?
THOMAS BALMES, DIRECTOR, "BABIES": My choices was just to like have four different environments and their relationship with technology and what we consider the norm. From like, absolutely no connection with modernity like in Namibia, in the Inmba (ph) Tribe, who know absolutely nothing of what we consider of the comforts, to a bit more comforts in Mongolia, to an American family, to a futuristic situation like Tokyo. We to me, is a kind of metaphor of where I think we are all going to be in 50 years, with tiny spaces and a lot of technology.
ANDERSON (voice over): The babies do, well, pretty much what babies do the world over. They walk on unsure legs, they feed themselves and, sure, maybe it's not that exciting for you or for them, but in that simplicity, you find a universal link.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mama, mama, mama.
ANDERSON: And forget the old show biz adage about never working with animals or children, these young stars were naturals.
BALMES: They were all born with cameras around them. And so they completely forget about us. We were in Mongolia, at the time of the shoot, and the film finished, in fact, when they are 18 months, which is the only time when they are trying to realize there was something weird of having one guy behind a camera filming them for such a long time.
ANDERSON: You aren't going to get any advice on how to raise children. The movie is not even rated. No judgments are made on what you see, accept your own, whether it is a goat that interrupts a bath, or parents taking their child for motorcycle ride.
(On camera): I know that you were hoping that this film would have a great deal to say about cultural differences between the First World and the Third World. Are you convinced that you got that out of the movie?
BALMES: You know, what I never have any specific plan when I'm starting a film. I'm having questions and at the end of a filming I have more questions, at the end of the editing I have even more questions. I think the role of like a documentary film maker is only to raise questions among the viewers. And regarding that I think I succeeded.
ANDERSON (voice over): What you do get, hopefully, is a reminder that wherever we are, whatever society we live in, there is a period in each of our lives that is filled with absolute wonder.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Well, this raises the question, is there one best way to raise a child? Could your own parenting skills work in another culture? We're joined now by Hanna Bostok, she is director of Tinies International Nannies. The company deploys child care providers to families all around the world. Thank you so much for joining us.
The demand for British nannies as big as ever. So, why? Why are people fascinated by British nannies?
HANNA, NANNIES: Hi, good evening.
HANNAH BOSTOK, DIR., TINIES INT'L. NANNIES: I think there is quite a lot of prestige behind having an English nanny. At Tinies we take on girls who are qualified in the industry. We have colleges in the U.K., such as Norlands (ph) Nanny and Childkin, (ph). And the girls come forward, they spend years qualifying at childcare. They obviously very well-educated and I think that overseas there is still such a prestigiousness of having a British nanny.
FOSTER: You mention Norland Nanny there, which are the sort of, they are the smartest nannies you could probably have. People will think of Mary Poppins, I think it is fair enough to say, I think it is very traditional. Some would say strict, actually, style of parenting, or nannying, whatever you want to call it. But you think there is a specific type of parenting, in a particular country, like the U.K.?
BOSTOK: I don't, no. I think that what has happened and we find in at Tinies when we have parents calling, up and asking for British nannies, is it quite often they will be relocating to potentially over to America or into London, and they would like their children to be familiar with the British society, to have the language, and to potentially when they go to an international school, they already have some of the key stages behind them. And I do think that we still have Mary Poppins, who is as wonderful as she is, you know, it doesn't exist. And you know, that is also getting over that and explaining that to parents. I do think we do produce an amazing amount of fantastic British nannies, and they are in very, very high demand.
FOSTER: And from your perspective, on an international marketplace, how does parenting change, or the bringing up the children change around the world. Give us some generalizations. Because that films we just saw, gave the impression that actually it is fundamentally different in different countries. You'd never see a parent riding around London, with a baby on the back of a motorbike.
BOSTOK: No, absolutely. Like I always say, and I'm a parent myself, and I always say to my clients, who I deal with. I don't think there is any right or wrong in how you bring up your children. What we do need to do is sort of customize our nannies who are going overseas. A huge amount is going into that. So when the nannies come to us, you know, as an agent, we ensure that they will have done some research on the country that they are going to. Quite often they will be a head nanny in a family circle. And they'll often have another nanny who is native, working alongside, them. So they've still got that side of the life that they require, but they just would like the English side as well.
FOSTER: Hanna Bostok, thank you very much, indeed, for joining us on the program today.
Those babies in the documentary, "Babies", may be seeing this, just around the corner, featuring our top video of the day. Or one of them, it is a flying car, the Terrafugia Transition is poised to soar into production in the U.S. after clearance by the Federal Aviation Administration.
I want one already. It is street legal, it's pretty green, too. It gets almost 50 kilometers to a gallon. It will cost you a pretty penny, though, the price tag nearly $200,000. That's me out of the picture already then.
Here's something else you don't see everyday. Crews moving and historic gas station in Iowa, got into a sticky situation. They had to stop when the chimney became wedged under a bridge. Didn't do their research properly.
And, look out Portland, Maine. There is a moose on the loose. Police cars, game wardens, trucks, and the state wildlife biologist were no match for this beast. After several hours of pursuit and several attempts to hit it with tranquilizers, it "vamoosed" into the woods. Off he goes.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. We'll be right back with an update from Ghana, on the game versus Uruguay. It is getting really tense, 1 all, with just a few minutes of extra time to go. Will it be penalties?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: Don't have ticket to the World Cup? Never mind, you'll feel like you are part of it all in our "World in Pictures" tonight. First up, Brazilian fans in Rio cheer on their team in the quarter final match up against Netherlands. Joy turned to dismay as Brazil lost. A dejected fan wiped away tears at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Just across the stands you'll find a different scene in a sea of orange, as the Netherlands supporters cheered their team's 2-1 victory. Excitement was also at fever pitch for Uruguay and Ghana. Fans wore Ghana's national colors and the teams star on their faces, on their way to the match at Soccer City Stadium, in Johannesburg. But it was blue, white and gold for Uruguay fans, who also demonstrated, this one at least, her devotion at Soccer City Stadium. Who says excitement is just on the pitch as we take you through the lens in our "World of Pictures" tonight.
Extra time is almost over in that exciting, nerve-wracking quarter final, between Ghana and Uruguay. Want to take you back to Christian Purefoy now. He is watching the game live from Accra with those fans, it must be extremely nerve-wracking there.
Hello? Christian, can you hear me, amongst the noise, the horns, sounds like there is a vuvuzela in the background there.
PUREFOY: Yes, sorry, Max. Yes, I can hear you. It is incredibly tense right here, now in Accra. Everyone has got their noses basically to the screen. It looks like it is going to go through, to penalties. You can hear the cries going up behind me. Everyone is extremely tense at what has been a very long match. And the people saying their team will come back heroes whatever, for the gallant effort they've put up.
But everyone, some are silent, some are breaking out into tears and chants. The occasional vuvuzela, but everyone is on the edge of their seat, Max.
FOSTER: Christian, thank you, good luck for the rest of it.
May well be penalties, we're waiting to find out. Let's get to the other big game today. Holland, knocking Brazil out of the World Cup. Football fans on out Web site, have had plenty to say about what happened today in that match.
Sku wasn't surprised at the results. One of the few, writing, I mean no disrespect to Brazil's fans but the fact of the matter is, "They were extremely overrated as a team, this World Cup , in their defeat was not a shocking result."
Frenchman, wants to congratulate the winners, writing, "It is a sad day for my Brazilian friends. I know many of you and not a single person from Holland, but today I have to say, Bravo, Holland."
And Likjuk doesn't take sides, simply writes, "This is a World Cup full of surprises and I like it."
I like it, too. So, do you like the World Cup winners this year? Join the conversation and get yourself heard on CNN. Head to our Web site, CNN.com/connect. I'm Max Foster, and that is it for the show on the TV. But do stay connected with us on line. "BACKSTORY" is next, after this check of the headlines.
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