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Connect the World
Queen Elizabeth in Ireland; Controversy over Barack Obama's Vision for the Middle East; Strauss-Kahn Bail Terms Ironed Out. NATO Widens Campaign Against Gadhafi. Remnants of War Deadly Threat to Misrata Young. Obama in Dangerous Legal Territory in Libya. IMF Approves $40 Billion Loan to Portugal. US Pastor Claims Saturday is Judgment Day. Why People Believe End of World Claims. CDC Issues Advice for Zombie Apocalypse. Connector of the Day Vera Zvonareva. Horsing Around in Parting Shots.
Aired May 20, 2011 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BECKY ANDERSON, HOST: Dominique-Strauss Kahn is still in jail this hour, but his release may be imminent. Well, after a setback for his lawyers and an afternoon of legal wrangling, the former head of the IMF should be leaving Rikers Island any time soon.
Also tonight, deadline looming in Libya. After today, U.S. involvement there may require an act of Congress.
And it's the end of the world as we know it tomorrow -- maybe. I'm going to explain.
Those stories and more tonight as we connect the world.
Well, this hour, watching and waiting -- the disgraced former head of the International Monetary Fund could get a taste of freedom any time now, at least en route to the flat where he'll be held under house arrest. After hours of delays, it seems Dominique-Strauss Kahn will finally bid Rikers Jail adieu. The sticking point was where he will go next. But just minutes ago, reports that he'll be sent to a temporary detention location in Lower Manhattan.
Well, it's been a day of activity. Thursday's bail deal involved a million dollars cash and a $5 million insurance bond, both of which have been posted. Strauss-Kahn will eventually be placed under round the cock - - clock house arrest and electronic surveillance.
Well, meanwhile, the IMF said today that Strauss-Kahn will receive a $250,000 separation payment and a, quote, "a modest annual pension." Well, the trouble began, of course, over the weekend, when a housekeeper at the Sofitel Hotel accused him of, amongst other things, sexual assault.
Well, Richard Roth has been covering the comings and goings and the latest turns in this case.
He joins us now out of New York -- Richard, we thought we'd seen -- we'd have seen, at least, the images of Strauss-Kahn leaving Rikers Island tonight.
Not yet. Tell us more. What's going on?
What's the holdup?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT: There was another court hearing here in New York Friday afternoon. It has concluded, apparently. And the judge has once again, this time officially, announced that he has granted bail to the defendant, Dominique-Strauss Kahn, the former head of the International Monetary Fund.
We don't know where he is going exactly. There were problems with the initial arrangement, apparently, for an apartment on Manhattan's East Side, where it has been reported he was going to take his house arrest for no matter how long it lasts.
Now, because of concerns from the prosecution, Dominique Strauss-Kahn is looking for a new temporary home. We believe that is part of what the holdup was about. There were court debates privately in judge's chambers, Judge Michael Obus, between the prosecution and the defense.
So what the judge said was the court has set some conditions, had granted bail. With regard to the house, the judge said the temporary location for the French financier, the current situation, according to the judge, wouldn't work out. There were some media reports that neighbors did not want a circus atmosphere at their -- at their apartment building.
The security company that the defense for Strauss-Kahn employed has found, according to the judge, a temporary location and is going to look for a more suitable location that would please the court. That according to the judge. Under those terms, he accepted bail. Under what the judge said, Dominique-Strauss Kahn cannot leave the temporary location unless there's a medical situation. And in the permanent location, his allowed to leave, with notice, though, and under a strict schedule. He must give at least six hours notice.
Let's listen now to the defense attorney for Dominique Strauss-Kahn following this latest court hearing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All that happened today is the judge...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- the judge signed the order for Dominique Strauss- Kahn's release. He will be released.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now, I'd like to have something else to say.
The reason that he had to move is because members of the press attempted to invade his private residence and interfered with his family's privacy. And I'm asking all of you, please, respect this family's privacy. I know you have to do your job and report the news. But it's not as important as respecting the rights of Mrs. Sinclair and Mr. Strauss-Kahn and their family to privacy and to some time together in the...
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks very much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: Judge William Taylor representing Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a lawyer from Washington. And the situation is that Dominique Strauss-Kahn set to be freed from Rikers Island prison, the isolation cell there, for a destination unknown, possibly in Lower Manhattan, for this temporary home for him -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, good luck keeping the media away from wherever he goes.
So meantime, he's still in Rikers.
Do we know how long?
I mean when is he -- when is the eta, as it were, or the estimated time of departure, ETD?
ROTH: I think they have to work out these arrangements to make sure that it is secure, this next location. Look, he may not be released tonight. I mean it -- we've seen topsy-turvy things happen here. They want sufficient notice. They've got to set up the electronic monitoring, the electronic bracelet. They may wait. The judge certainly doesn't want to look foolish if the defendant should somehow escape or make other plans. They want to get everything right and they know it's such a high profile international focus event.
So we're waiting and we'll -- if we get word from the court during the program, I'm sure we'll update you.
ANDERSON: Of course you will.
Richard, just before you go, remind us, seven counts he's been indicted on.
When does this all officially sort of kick off?
ROTH: Well, some would say it's really kicked off already. I don't know how long this is going to go.
Will this ever go to trial?
The next court hearing, June 6th in Manhattan, where everyone will come back for more of a hearing regarding the seven criminal counts. He was indicted on Thursday by a New York grand jury. That's the substantive news. A lot of people have also been focusing on the release. But he has to face these charges now, the maid -- the hotel maid, the African immigrant, is certainly a credible witness, according to the prosecution, which said yesterday, their case is growing.
So there's going to be a lot of investigative work by the lawyers. It has just started, Becky, as you said.
ANDERSON: Well, Richard Roth in New York.
Richard, thank you for that.
Well, the notorious Rikers Island jail is a far cry from the lavish accommodations to which Strauss-Kahn is accustomed, of course. It's believed he and his wife own several properties around the world, including a home in the French capital.
Ivan Watson visited his Parisian stomping ground.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
IVAN WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is one of the most elite, expensive neighborhoods in Paris, Place des Vosges, a centuries' old planned square in the heart of the city where the French author Victor Hugo once lived. It's also where Dominique Strauss-Kahn maintained a Paris residence, right here in Number 13 Place des Vosges.
Now this expensive neighborhood couldn't offer more of a stark contrast to the Bronx apartment building where the alleged victim of the assault in that New York hotel lives.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn had come under some criticism in the past. He's a leading member of the Socialist Party, but he was photographed getting into an expensive Porsche here in this neighborhood once, leading some to criticize him, calling him a "caviar Socialist."
The neighbors here, the owners of the boutiques and galleries around here are very camera shy. But some of them tell CNN they would periodically see Strauss-Kahn and his wife, Anne Sinclair, getting in and out of chauffeured vehicles here, but say they were always polite, always said, hi, how do you do?
A New York judge has released Strauss-Kahn on $1 million in bail. He will now live in a New York rented apartment under near constant surveillance, wearing an electronic tracking device.
And it's likely to be many long months before he ever sees him home here in Paris ever again.
Ivan Watson, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, of course, the story is in New York but playing out in Paris. Let's gauge how this is all going over, over there. Some there have insisted from the start that Strauss-Kahn was set up, prompting critics to accuse the French of being in denial.
Well, Jean Michel Demetz is deputy editor of the news magazine, "L'Express".
And he comes to us now from Paris.
They say a long time -- a week in a long time in politics. And Strauss-Kahn certainly knows that himself. A week is a long time in the -- in the media spotlight.
What do the French public feel about this case five, six days on?
JEAN MICHEL DEMETZ, DEPUTY EDITOR OF "L'EXPRESS": It's still a big story. I mean five days after the beginning of this story, it's still a big story in the French media. And the French public is still very split about the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case.
Is he -- is he guilty?
Is he a victim himself of a conspiracy?
Everybody has his say about that. Everybody is talking about that at the restaurants in France, with families, you -- there's many of -- many disputes. Everybody has his own feeling about this story and -- and the French, actually, are very, very lost right now.
ANDERSON: Is there still concern and some distaste about the way that he has been, you know, walked in front of the media, you know, paraded, the perp walks, as they're known in the States?
Certainly, at the beginning of the week, people were really concerned about that in -- in France.
Is that still the case?
DEMETZ: So I couldn't hear you.
Can you repeat it?
ANDERSON: There's a very different way of dealing with someone like Strauss-Kahn in the States. He's been paraded in front of the media. And some in France, I know, at the beginning of the week, were concerned about the way that he was handcuffed and walked through the media glare.
Is that still a concern?
And there is -- are those cultural sort of issues still a concern?
DEMETZ: Yes. It's still an issue. It is still an issue for many France people, because the American judiciary system is so different from the French one. And we have a very different legislation to protect people who are allegedly accused of -- of -- of a murder, of a crime.
And so the -- the pictures of a friend -- of the U.S. -- of the way the U.S. judiciary system is working are making many French people upset, because we don't understand how it works right now.
ANDERSON: Do you think this is damaging to U.S.-French relations, out of interest?
DEMETZ: Well, there's always a part among some of the French public to say, OK, the Americans know how to do...
Better and so on. And sometimes they don't.
So, yes, of course, on the fringe of the French public, it will feed the American bashing feeling. But for many -- but for most of the French people, they just say OK, let's wait and see what are the evidence. Show us the evidence. Let's see how the American judiciary system is working. Let's see how Dominique Strauss-Kahn can defend himself.
ANDERSON: No real comment from Sarkozy.
Are you surprised by that?
DEMETZ: Sorry?
ANDERSON: No real comment on this case from the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Does that surprise you?
DEMETZ: No. France -- no. The French president has not his say about -- to say about that. It's a -- it's a justice system. He cannot say anything, especially as some people believe that Strauss-Kahn is a victim of -- of -- of a political conspiracy. So even some -- a fringe of the population can really believe it, as surprising as it can sound.
But Strauss-Kahn is a victim of a political plot.
So, of course, President Sarkozy said -- didn't say anything about that and say to the -- his party, please calm down and don't say -- don't make any comment. Let the justice work now.
ANDERSON: We certainly had comment from Strauss-Kahn's own party, the Socialist Party.
Is there any sense that the party sort of can revive itself, as it were, I mean, this is certainly in a sort of political environment that we are in at the moment?
Is there an obvious leader at this point?
Are they still on the ground, as it were?
DEMETZ: No. I mean the Socialist Party, according to me, is going to live a very difficult time in the next months. He will have to answer a few questions about why he wanted to pick Dominique Strauss-Kahn if Dominique Strauss-Kahn -- if the evidence shows that he is guilty. If -- if -- if it's different, of course he will be the big winner months before the next presidential election. But if Dominique Strauss-Kahn is -- is guilty, is -- is -- he -- the Socialist Party will have to say what they knew about him, what they knew about his personality and why they were ready to endorse him.
ANDERSON: All right.
We thank you for that.
Out of Paris, your expert on the subject tonight.
And we are just hearing, as I was conducting that interview, from New York, reported on Reuters, that law enforcement authorities have said that Dominique Strauss-Kahn has now been released from Rikers Island jail.
As we get more on that, of course, we will bring it to you.
We knew it was imminent. He has apparently been reported, at least by the wires, that he has now been released. We're chasing that story for you. More on that as we get it.
Well, you're watching CONNECT THE WORLD.
Still to come, sticking to their guns -- the high stakes stand-off between Obama and Netanyahu over peace in the Middle East. We're going to explain what is not negotiable.
Calls to end NATO strikes on Libya and not just from the Gadhafi government.
And this Russian superstar knows what it's like to play in a grand slam final. Now, she wants to win one.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, how do you put an end to scenes like these in the Middle East?
Well, it's a question that has plagued U.S. presidents for years and one that has now forced Barack Obama to turn support for a controversial plan into policy.
Coming up, we're going to take a look at his new vision for the Israeli-Palestinian region and whether it's one shared by its people.
I'm Becky Anderson in London.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD.
It's 18 minutes past 9:00, out of London for you, the other stories that we are following for you this hour.
And deadly clashes have erupted in Syria, with shots ringing out after Friday prayers.
Activists claim security forces fired on pro-democracy demonstrators, killing at least 34 people across the country. It's violence we have been seeing for weeks now in Syria. The government there continues to crack down on protesters.
Well, the Taliban is claiming responsibility for a bomb attack on a U.S. convoy in Peshawar in Pakistan. One person was killed and 11 others were injured in what militants tell CNN was a revenge attack for the killing of Osama bin Laden.
Well, in a video recorded message, a deputy Taliban commander vowed to continue the al Qaeda leader's fight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALI UR REHMAN, TEHREEK-E TALIBAN PAKISTAN (through translator): -- mission, which is not dependent on any one man. We loved him because he was courageously fighting against America and its allies. We have to continue his mission because we love his mission more than the man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: South African authorities are investigating a train collision that wounded more than 850 people outside Johannesburg earlier. It happened Thursday night in the township of Soweto. A Metro Rail spokesman says three people are still in hospital with critical injuries.
Well, last month a train collision near Pretoria killed one person and wounded 100 others.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth has wrapped up her historic visit to Ireland with a visit to an English market.
Fionnuala Sweeney has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: A sendoff fit for a queen at Cork Airport amid satisfied smiles of relief from the Irish government. This four day visit has put Anglo-Irish relations at a new level.
The queen's last day in Ireland saw her almost, but not quite, in tourist mode. It began with a stop at the Rock of Cashlin County, Tipperary, a Medieval church set on a rock, said to have been spat out onto the ground by the devil during a fight with Ireland's patron saint, Patrick.
Then it was on to the second city of the Irish Republic, Cork. A stop at the English market, so named in the mid-19th century by the then Protestant population to distinguish the markets they frequented from other Irish-Catholic markets.
A tour of a scientific institute followed to showcase Ireland's technology industry before she headed for the airport.
The words historic and symbolic have come to signify these past four days. Queen Elizabeth returns home with the satisfaction that this trip has been successful beyond expectations.
This week, Ireland gave a heartfelt welcome almost for an estranged member of the extended family and in doing so, in some small way, came of age.
Fionnuala Sweeney, CNN, Dublin.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the president and three senior officers have resigned from the company that runs Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant. Tokyo Electric Power reported an annual loss of $15 billion after the March earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear crisis. The company also said it will decommission four reactors at the plant and it's canceling plans to build two others.
A former teammate says that cyclist Lance Armstrong used performance enhancing drugs before several events, including the Tour de France, which Armstrong won seven times. Armstrong, who has never tested positive for drugs, is denying these most recent claims. Well, Tyler Hamilton makes the allegations in an interview with the U.S. network, CBS.
Well, they both spoke of peace, but were they speaking from the same page?
Up next, we'll find out if Israel's prime minister and the U.S. president managed to find some common ground.
Plus...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The largest earthquake the world has ever seen, there's going to be (INAUDIBLE), the buildings will collapse, it's going to be quite awful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the clock is apparently ticking -- certainly according to the Prophets of Doom.
But will our time on this earth really be up tomorrow?
More on that after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The United States believes that negotiations should resolute in two states with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan and Egypt and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. We believe the borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, it's an idea that the U.S. has supported, unofficially at least, for years. But no U.S. president ever before stated it as policy until yesterday, when Barack Obama set out his vision for the Middle East.
But it's not one shared by Israel, who today warned that a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders would leave its country indefensible.
So what would it actually look like?
Well, the white line on this map shows Israel's borders before the 1967 War fought against its Arab neighbors. After that, Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights.
Well, Mr. Obama's plans have faced criticism from both sides of the divide, with the Palestinian faction, Hamas, describing his speech as, quote, "empty of concrete significance."
So what's actually new here?
On CONNECT THE WORLD last night, I put that question to the Middle East Quartet envoy, Tony Blair.
Have a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TONY BLAIR, SPECIAL ENVOY, QUARTET: He laid out the basis for that negotiation about territory. He laid out what the tests would be in respect of security. And he also said something very important about essentially two states for two peoples.
Now, this may seem to us very common currency, but the president of the United States setting that out in that way is actually new.
What we need, of course, is the two parties to come back and now negotiate on that basis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, today, Israel's prime minister warned that peace based on illusions, as he said, would eventually fail. But during a meeting at the White House with the U.S. president Benjamin Netanyahu said he was prepared to make compromises.
Well, let's head to Washington now and speak with our senior State Department producer, Elise Labott.
More, if you will.
What did he say today?
ELISE LABOTT, SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT PRODUCER: Well, Becky, the body language between the two leaders was actually very tense. Prime Minister Netanyahu looking straight at President Obama, almost reprimanding him, telling him this -- this peace deal that he floated about the '67 borders just isn't going to fly.
Let's take a listen to what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: While Israel is prepared to make generous compromises for peace, it cannot go back to the 1967 lines, because these -- these lines are indefensible, because they don't take into account certain changes that have taken place on the ground, demographic changes that have taken place over the last 44 years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LABOTT: Now, Becky, we did hear that -- from some Israeli sources, that Prime Minister Netanyahu went into this meeting today with President Obama very concerned. He came out a little bit more encouraged. He heard a little bit more detail about some of the other things that were in the speech, such as what is the right of return for refugees?
Basically, the U.S. and Israel both agree that most of those Palestinian refugees would not be able to return to Israel, but would have to go back to a Palestinian state or be compensated. He got a little bit more assurances from President Obama on that.
Also, what are the conditions for dealing with Hamas after that Palestinian unity agreement between Fatah and Hamas?
Prime Minister Netanyahu very nervous about what the conditions for dealing with Hamas. He's not ready to sit down.
So a lot more to be discussed, but we are looking toward September and toward that deadline where the Palestinians are looking to declare independence, to seek recognition at the United Nations. And so a lot of people think this was effort by President Obama to head this effort off. And I think he explained, as Israeli sources said, why he went into this detail in the speech yesterday -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, interesting timing.
All right, Elise, we thank you for that, out of Washington for you this evening.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD here on CNN.
Blown out of the water -- NATO destroys eight of Gadhafi's warships. And the latest from Tripoli -- why at least in the U.S., the campaign may soon be illegal.
Plus, doom and gloom, literally. The end of the world is just hours away -- at least according to this man. Well, let's hope not. Why this young star doesn't want her world to end. Your Connector of the Day is up after this short break.
That's the next half hour -- and your headlines.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: It's just about half past nine in London.
I'm Becky Anderson.
You're back with CONNECT THE WORLD here on CNN.
Well, it's deadline day for the U.S. mission in Libya.
Is President Obama in danger of breaking the law as he continues the fight against Gadhafi's forces?
We're going to take a look at the limitations of his war powers after a very quick check of the headlines for you.
This is CNN.
Reuters reports the former head of the International Monetary Fund has now been released on bail from a New York jail. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who's accused of sexual assault and other crimes, is being placed under house arrest at a temporary location in lower Manhattan.
Israel's prime minister has rejected a proposal by US president Barack Obama for a Palestinian state based on borders that existed before the 1967 war. Speaking, though, at the White House, Benjamin Netanyahu said he was prepared to make compromises for peace.
Syrian authorities have met protesters across the country this Friday with lethal force. Amateur video out of the city of Latakia is said to show one victim hurt in clashes with security forces there. Human rights activists say at least 34 people have been killed.
The US Homeland Security Department says al Qaeda has had a, I quote, "continuing interest in attacking US oil and natural gas targets." That's coming from the materials taken from Osama bin Laden's compound. Officials say they are not aware of any specific or imminent attack.
And the countdown is on. NASA has announced the date for its final Shuttle launch. Space Shuttle Atlantis is slated to lift off on July the 8th. The mission will mark an end to America's 30-year space program.
Well, you heard me discussing the fact that Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been released from Rikers Island jail just earlier. Let's get to Richard Roth, who's covering the latest twists and turns in this case. What do we know at this point, Richard?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR UN CORRESPONDENT: Well, in New York, the old adage is, when it comes to real estate, it's location, location, location. The problem is, where would Dominique Strauss-Kahn be able to live out, serve his home detention?
That was the issue, the initial location reportedly objected to by neighbors, perhaps concerns about the media. So, there was a court hearing in New York on Friday, the judge officially granting bail, listening to all the terms worked out.
He'll be in a temporary home, lower Manhattan, possibly near Ground Zero, and then he will find a more permanent basis for a location. He has to give notice, six-hour notice, if he wants to leave that location going forward.
Next court date, June 6th. He's still not been set free yet from Rikers Island. Becky?
ANDERSON: Richard Roth on the story out of New York for you. Richard, thank you for that.
Well, NATO has -- here we go. Wait for the music, Beck.
NATO has widened its campaign against Moammar Gadhafi, turning its fire power on the Libyan leader's warships. This is a cockpit view of the bombardment, which destroyed eight naval vessels at Libyan ports.
Well, the attacks unfolded about the same time that the Libyan government offered a peace deal, offering to withdraw its fighters. The conditions, an end to NATO's strikes and a rebel withdrawal. Nima Elbagir joins us live, now, from Tripoli with the very latest. Nima?
NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, this latest escalation by NATO is proving to be one of their more contentious ones. They hit eight vessels at the three ports of Al Khums, Sirte, and Tripoli. The issue is that five of those vessels were docked at the Tripoli commercial port.
We went down and saw them. We could see that they clearly were docked at the port, and we could also that they clearly were naval vessels.
NATO is saying that they hit them because they say Gadhafi is now using maritime assets, naval vessels, to hit Misrata. But the issue is that they -- he wasn't using these vessels. These vessels were at the commercial port, which is, effectively, the last remaining supply line for goods and fuel coming into Libya.
The Tunisian border has been rocked by unrest, fighting between the Libyan government and rebels. Obviously, there is a no-fly zone. So, the concern here is that ships carrying those much-needed supplies into Tripoli will now be very wary about coming in.
We spoke to one of the managers at the Tripoli port, and he said they're expecting ten ships coming in over the next two weeks, and they are really concerned that those ships will now not arrive, Becky.
ANDERSON: Nima, what's life like in Tripoli these days?
ELBAGIR: There's definitely a sense here in Tripoli that people are keeping their heads down. People are watching and waiting. They have been -- they've been present during this last huge escalation. Gadhafi's compound has been hit twice just in the last week.
But they also are feeling that the government has not yet reached that tipping point, and so people, I think, are not prepared to put themselves on the line either way.
There's also -- this is what's been really interesting for me. There's also a lot of fear here in Tripoli. Some of the supporters that I've been speaking to say there isn't necessarily love for Gadhafi that is putting them on his side, but more fear of what will happen after Gadhafi. Fear of what could happen in a society that really has only unified in the last few years around Gadhafi, Becky.
ANDERSON: And Nima, what do we know at this point of Gadhafi and his family's whereabouts?
ELBAGIR: Well, we know that they are on the move. We know that they are very, very concerned.
We've put in several interview requests, and this has been one of the main issues for them is the concern that any equipment that we bring to an interview point, obviously it's not even on the table that they could possibly come to us, but any equipment that we could take with us could have a GPS locator.
It is absolutely inconceivable for them at this point that they are not personally being targeted. They do not believe any of the NATO assurances that this is not a strike they're coming after him and his closest family members, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes, fascinating. Nima Elbagir for you on the ground in Tripoli. Nima, thank you for that.
Well, even where victory has come for rebel forces in Libya, terrible losses continue to mount in the wake of these battles. As Emma Murphy reports, the remnants of war remain a deadly threat to the young and to the inquisitive.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
EMMA MURPHY, ITN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Misrata streets bear the evidence of weeks of war. Gadhafi's fighters may have been forced out of the center of this city, but the scars of the battle are etched on every building.
In time, with work, such damage will disappear. It won't be quite so simple for the young victims, though. Children who don't realize what dangers now litter their streets. This, the remnant of a rocket.
MOHAMED ELFAGIEH, TRAUMA SURGEON: He lost both of the hands.
MURPHY: Iman (ph) is 14, not injured by the fighting, but by the weapons left behind. He'd no idea he'd picked up a cluster bomb until it exploded. Almost every part of his body was injured by the blast.
ELFAGIEH: He's not the only one in Misrata. There are -- hundreds and hundreds of like this, amputee people, and some of them, they lost their eyes, some of them, they lost their legs, their feet, their hands. He's not the only one, and he will not be the last one.
MURPHY: Nine-year-old Mahmoud (ph) stood with his friend, Damon (ph), at the time of the explosion. He has terrible injuries, but has escaped with all of his limbs. His face is badly scarred where he was hit by shrapnel.
"There was a huge explosion," his mother tells us, then goes on to describe how, after living in fear of the fighting, families are now terrified to let their children outside for fear of further injury.
They've been gathering up weapons and spent ammunition to put on a show in Misrata, a terrifying array of what's been deployed here. You see the yellow and black stripes of the cluster bomb, you realize why they're so appealing to young, inquisitive minds.
MURPHY (on camera): The worst-affected parts of the city have now been sealed off, but it's impossible to try and find where all the explosives have been left. As a result, it is the youngest in society who will find them most interesting, and pay the price for many years to come. Emma Murphy, ITV News, Tripoli Street, Misrata.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: You'll be well aware that the Libyan government as called for an end to NATO's strikes. So, too, some lawmakers in the United States. Why?
Well, according to a 38-year-old resolution, President Barack Obama is in a dangerous legal territory. Dana Bash explains the problem.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): US military action in Libya began two months ago. Now, the president may be on the brink of breaking the law if he continues the mission without congressional approval.
REP. BRAD SHERMAN (D), CALIFORNIA: Bring democracy to Libya while shredding the constitution of the United States.
BASH: At issue, the 1973 War Powers Act, which says if the president does not get congressional authorization 60 days after military action, the mission must stop within 30 days.
The president formally notified Congress about the Libyan mission in this letter, March 21st, which makes Friday the 60-day deadline.
Inaction is roiling lawmakers on the left.
SHERMAN: He cannot continue what he's doing in Libya without congressional authorization, and when a president defiantly violates the law, that really -- really undercuts our effort to urge other countries to have the rule of law.
BASH: With rare agreement from the right.
SEN. RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY: I mean, no more important decision than sending someone to war who could lose their life, and yet, we're going to have no debate on it? The people's representatives would not be allowed a debate on it? I found that really appalling, and it's a terrible precedent.
BASH: To be sure, president and both parties often ignored another part of the War Powers Act, that the commander in chief should get congressional approval before military action.
But it's virtually unprecedented for a president to continue a mission beyond 60 days without a resolution from Congress. The administration is deliberating what to do.
JAMES STEINBERG, US STATE DEPARTMENT: We are actively reviewing our role going forward. Throughout, the president has been mindful of the provisions of the War Powers resolution and has acted in a manner consistent with it. He will continue to do so.
BASH: Angry lawmakers in both parties say part of the problem is their own congressional leaders are not raising a stink.
PAUL: Very few people are talking about this. They're just letting the president do whatever he wants, and I think that's Congress abdicating the rule of law and abdicating constitutional restraints that they should obey.
SHERMAN: Some of my colleagues would just as soon not do our job because this is a difficult part of it.
BASH (on camera): The administration could try to get around violating the 60-day deadline for congressional action in Libya. They could argue that the US only has a minor role in a NATO mission, ask for an extension, or even temporarily stop military action to restart the 60-day countdown.
But some Republicans say they want to take this issue to the Supreme Court, which has never ruled on the War Powers Act. Dana Bash, CNN, Capitol Hill.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, news just coming into CNN Center, and we are learning that the IMF has approved a near $40 billion three-year loan to Portugal as part of a euro zone bailout. You will be well aware that has been negotiated for some weeks now, looking at a Portuguese election, of course, on June the 6th.
A new administration will be delighted, at least, whoever it is, that certainly part of the loan -- my sense is they were looking for slightly more than that, around about $80 billion. But anyway, there you go. That's the news out this our. More on that, of course, on CNN as we get it.
Well, the end of the world is nigh. In fact, it's just hours away. That is, at least, according to a US pastor and his followers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The first time the Earth rolls into May 21st is at the International Time Line, New Zealand.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, New Zealand first.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At sunset.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll be able to watch --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's right. That's right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- on CNN the Earth ending in New Zealand --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- in an eye.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, right, right, right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, if Saturday turns out to be Judgment Day, you can guarantee we will be covering it on CNN for as long as possible. Much more on doomsday and how to be prepared, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: You're back with CONNECT THE WORLD. Now, if a US pastor is correct, this will be my last show. In fact, it gets worse. None of us are going to be here on Monday. Phil Han has more on the end of the world.
(BEING VIDEOTAPE)
PHIL HAN, CNN DIGITAL PRODUCER (voice-over): "With the armies of heaven come a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations." That's how the book of Revelations warns that the world will end. And that day may now be here. Armageddon.
There are some people who believe that on May 21st, an earthquake will strike that is so powerful, it will kill hundreds of millions and will signal the day Jesus returns for the Rapture.
Only 3 million true believers will be saved, and the rest will endure five months of hell on Earth.
Don't worry too much, though. That's only according to one pastor in the US, and he's been wrong before.
Harold Camping and his followers have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars warning people to be prepared for Judgment Day, scheduled for Saturday.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ninety-seven percent of the people God will destroy.
HAN: Some people are so convinced they'll be leaving Earth, they are making arrangements for their pets. After the Rapture Pet Care points out there is nothing in the Bible about what happens to animals during the Rapture, but for $10, they'll look after them for you.
Camping says there is irrefutable evidence in the Bible that May 21st is the beginning of the end. Fortunately for us, he said the same thing back in 1994, but was oh so wrong.
Camping isn't the only person to prophesy an expiration date for mankind. In 1844, William Miller predicted the second coming of Christ on October 22nd, but he and his 500,000 followers were let down when the sun rose the next day.
In 1919, meteorologist Albert Porta proclaimed that the position of six planets would generate such a force that the sun would explode and destroy Earth. Wrong.
Nostradamus, one of the most famous prophets in history, predicted the end of the world in 1999, but it's been 12 years since then, and we're still standing.
Still, thinking that the world might end Saturday has inspired people to imagine what they'd do with their last day on Earth.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Spend it with loved ones, I suppose.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would like to spend it with my family.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Probably just go crazy, go shopping. Have a big party.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sleep. Sleep is underrated.
(BEGIN FILM CLIP - "2012")
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I adhere to the Mayan calendar, which predicts the end of time --
(END FLIM CLIP)
HAN: The next big doomsday prediction is set for December 21st, 2012. That's according the Mayan calendar. But by then, we may already be gone. Phil Han, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Scary stuff. Well, maybe having a bit of fun with this. But there are thousands of people, you may be one of them, who truly believe it. I want to talk about that with the psychologist Wendy Walsh, who joins us this evening out of Los Angeles. If we're all going down, and we're going together, what are you going to do tonight?
WENDY WALSH, DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY: I'm going to cook a large dinner for my family, because apparently it's the last supper.
ANDERSON: OK, all right, well, I'm not. There you go.
WALSH: No, the -- if I can --
ANDERSON: Go on.
WALSH: If I can take out the levity for only one second, it's simply to say that all religions share one thing, which is a fear of dying. So they create these ways to pull people in with this fear. There they are with airports with their signs, trying to pull fear-based people in.
But the guy who invented this is a Californian. Remember, I live in a state where people consult the charts and the cards when they take a dinner invitation. They don't sign contracts when Mercury is retrograde, and they give you crystals instead of aspirins when you're sick.
(LAUGHTER)
WALSH: So, here he is, in California.
ANDERSON: Listen. It's not just in California. People do believe these things all around the world, of course, as well. I mean, you talk about the idea that people sort of almost preying on our sort of fears to a certain extent.
But isn't there this sense that, if we're going to go, we're going to go down together, and it almost makes us feel better about it?
WALSH: Well, the interesting thing is that, if you believe what this 89-year-old radio pastor has said, it's that 3 million will actually live. So, they're trying to get those 3 million to sign up now. And then, the other -- the rest of us will spend five months in torture.
Well, I think spending five months at anytime in the way the world is right now, hooked up with our technology, our iPhones and BlackBerries, is torture, because we're living the stress of everybody around the world together when we stay connected.
ANDERSON: If you make -- yes, you make a very good point. I mean, we are so connected, aren't we? And the world is so stressful. Do you think people who are trying to convince us of these things are doing a better job or have got a better environment to do it in these days?
WALSH: Yes, that's what happens. These kind of yahoos arise at a time when there tends to be a lot of turmoil and change going on.
It's not that more earthquakes are happening or more children are stolen from hotel rooms and raped and murdered. It's that we're hearing about it, because the world, the globe has become very small and technology has connected us.
So, it -- of course it makes people more fearful, so guys like this come along and say, "Hey, be one of the 3 million, and put your money in the coffers while you're doing it, by the way."
(LAUGHTER)
ANDERSON: Yes. No, I get it, I get it. I mean, this guy's not the only one, of course. There'll be people around the world, not just interested in what he's saying, but there are other people like him acting it out, aren't they, all over the world?
WALSH: Absolutely. Because during a time of kind of turmoil and fear, you also see the rise of superheroes. You see them rise in art and literature. And sometimes in politics. So, it'll be very interesting to see which superheroes arise out of this.
ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely. All right, Wendy, we thank you for that. Go and cook the dinner, and I'll -- well, I'll just go out for a drink with the team. Thank you. Wendy Walsh in California for you.
Well, rumors that the end of the world is upon us, it got us thinking as a team. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued advice if zombies attack, and we found this.
First, you need an emergency plan. Very sensible, of course. Stockpile food and water. They say a battery-powered radio would also be useful. Well, a basic first aid kit would come in handy.
But they do admit that if a zombie bites you, you're a goner anyway. A top official says it's a lighthearted way of getting people to think about being prepared for any kind of disaster.
Well, whether zombies attack or a giant earthquake swallows us all up, the web is abuzz about the end of the world. Nearly 300,000 people have signed up on Facebook for what is called a post-Rapture looting event.
And while you're logged on, check out CONNECT THE WORLD's Facebook page, facebook.com/CNNconnect. Hurry up. You may not have long.
Not even Judgment Day can get in the way of this Russian tennis star, though. She is ranked third in the world, and she's got her goals set high both on and off the court. Vera Zvonareva is your Connector of the Day. It's your part of the show, and it's up after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, we're just days away from the start of the French Open, a Grand Slam title that has eluded some of the greats of tennis. One young lady to watch is tonight's Connector of the Day. She's found her clay feet, as it were, this year, and is looking to clinch her first Gram Slam trophy. Get you connected.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON (voice-over): She's ranked number three in the world, but tennis star Vera Zvonareva has her eye on the top spot. She's coming off a banner year that took her to the finals at Wimbledon and the US Open.
The Russian tennis star is known for her ability to play on all surfaces and is quickly becoming one of the most watched women in tennis.
Off the court, she's equally as impressive, having recently graduated from the Russian State Academy, she's now working on a second degree at the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow.
She's also spending her time working on the fight against Rett Syndrome, a disease that affects the nervous system, primarily in young girls. She spoke to me about that and about the defining moment at last year's Wimbledon final that threw her into the spotlight.
VERA ZVONAREVA, TENNIS STAR: I'm very happy that I was able to put all these little things together that I was working on and that I was able to manage and beat them. So, it definitely was a great experience. I think it gave me a lot of extra motivation and a lot of extra confidence to keep working hard.
ANDERSON (on camera): Well, Louis asks, what's the difference between the 10 best and 100 best ranked players?
ZVONAREVA: It's about learning how to bring the best out of yourself even if you're not having a good day. And about able to win those matches even if you are not playing good.
You have to work, probably, with your head a lot. You have to know why you're there and how you want to beat your opponents, always thinking, never stop thinking, and that's probably about it.
ANDERSON: Well, you make it sound so easy, and I'm not sure that it is. You're studying for a second degree. I haven't heard of many other players doing that while they're working the circuit. Why is that so important to you at this time?
ZVONAREVA: You can only play tennis for so long, but there are other things in life, and I want to experience a lot of different things.
I love studying, I love learning new things, and that's something that keeps my head busy and that's something that helps me to talk my focus off the tennis court and develops myself outside of the tennis court, and I think it is very important.
ANDERSON: Chloe asks this. She says, is there a reason you cover your head with a towel in the changeover? She says, "What's that all about?"
ZVONAREVA: One of the ways that I found that works for me to relax is I just cover it with the towel, I close my eyes, and try to think about what I'm going to do next in my next two games, and I found that that helps me a lot, and this way I can keep my concentration a bit throughout the whole match.
ANDERSON: Well, Ashvin asks a question that many people have been asking recently. What do you think about women's Grand Slams moving to five sets?
ZVONAREVA: I'm not sure if us girls we can actually handle that intensity for five sets. You could see a lot of -- women's tennis is at very high level right now, and you can see a lot of matches going to three sets. Even the first rounds.
So, it is very tough out there at the moment, and if you have to play all those matches, five sets, that's just -- for us, I think that's very, very hard physically.
ANDERSON: And finally, I just want to move away from the court for the time being. I know you do a lot of work raising awareness for Rett Syndrome, a disease that only affects young women. Why the work on the condition, and what do you hope to achieve?
ZVONAREVA: First of all, I would like to raise an awareness and try to help some kids and their families whose kids are sick with Rett Syndrome just to help them to diagnose and just teach them how to treat the condition and how to live with it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, Vera, will be absolutely delighted to learn that the Paris Open, the French Open is wide open this year. No Venus or Serena, obviously two of the top players, so it's all up for grabs, and we wish her the best of luck.
Well, I've got a special programming note for you. Next week, Tuesday, I'm going bring you CONNECT THE WORLD live from outside of Buckingham Palace. Why? Well, it's been a busy week, as you know, for Obama. Big speech in the last 24 hours, bet Benjamin Netanyahu today.
He's on his way to Europe and to the UK next week. We're going to focus on his visit to the United Kingdom and the special relationship between the two countries. How good is it? That's Tuesday night at 9:00 in London, 10:00 in Paris and in Rome, right here on CNN. Look forward to seeing you then.
Well, before we go tonight, this Friday out of London, a bit of horsing around in tonight's Parting Shots. Meet Ruby. Well, she's a pony who's become quite famous in the past week after turning up at a hospital, a human hospital, for medical treatment.
It's the journey she took to get there which has really raised eyebrows. Look at these pictures. Unbelievable, isn't it?
Her owner thought they'd go express via train. Ruby was even squeezed into an elevator -- you've seen the pictures -- to get into the platform.
Alas, the plan failed, and not because her owner had attempted to evade the fare. He had, according to the train service, attempted to buy his four-legged friend a ticket.
And with that, I will bid you a good night. I'm Becky Anderson, that is your world connected. Thanks for watching. Your world news headlines and "BackStory" will follow this short break. From the team here in London, it is a very good evening. If the end of the world doesn't come as scheduled, I'll see you back here, this time on Monday.
END
