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Connect the World

U.S Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA; 170 Injured In Pro and Anti- Government Groups Clash In Mansoura; Nelson Mandela on Life Support; Australian PM Ousted; Gateway: Final Leg of Pioneering Railway Journey; UN Warns of Designer Drugs; Drug Regulations

Aired June 26, 2013 - 16:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't even have words, I'm just so happy and overrun with emotion. I couldn't be more proud of my country and of the Supreme Court today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BECKY ANDERSON, HOST: What a major victory for the gay rights movement means in the States. And how it might impact the rest of the world.

Also ahead this hour, pushed out: what Julia Gillard's ouster from power means for the future of Australian politics.

And a staggering defeat for this seven times Wimbledon champion.

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN London, this is Connect the World with Becky Anderson.

ANDERSON: Well, we're going to get to those stories in a moment. First, though, some breaking news this hour.

CNN has learned that Nelson Mandela is on life support. Earlier this Wednesday, South African President Jacob Zuma there would be no change to the 94-year-old's condition and that he was still, and I quote, critical raising questions over how long Mr. Mandela has actually been on life support.

Let's get straight to Isha Sesay who is outside the Pretoria hospital.

Isha, how long do we know, if at all, how he's been like this?

ISHA SESAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Becky, the (inaudible) we do not know the answer to that question to be absolutely blunt. It had been reported in South African media that the former president was on life support only a short time ago with CNN's Robyn Curnow able to confirm that with one of her sources that the former leader, Nelson Mandela, is indeed now on life support in that hospital just behind me.

We found out on the weekend that he was in critical condition. He's now been in the hospital for 19 days. That it's worth pointing out that when asked, the South African government spokesman Mac Maharaj said due to patient-doctor confidentiality he could not comment on these kinds of details. So that was all he was willing to say.

All we know from CNN's Robyn Curnow via an official, Nelson Mandela is indeed on life support this evening here in the hospital behind me.

LU STOUT: Isha Sesay outside the hospital. And of course as we get more information on the state of Nelson Mandela's health, of course, we'll bring it to you here on CNN. Our correspondents there on the ground ready.

Well, it's a ruling that will change the lives of many Americans and will resonate around the world. Legally married gay men and women in the United States are now entitled to the same federal benefits as heterosexual married couples.

Now this was the reaction outside the court in Washington. Same-sex marriage is an issue which is one of the most divisive in the U.S. and indeed wherever you are watching around the world you'll know it is polarizing wherever you are.

Here's the fine print of today's rulings. The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a section of the law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The court's 5-4 vote ruled the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA in the States, denies equal protection to same-sex couples. As I said, they can now claim the same benefits as opposite sex marriage couples.

Separately the court declined to rule on a California ban on the same-sex marriage known as proposition 8, or Prop 8 as it was known. That decision now paves the way for gay unions to resume in that state. And the plaintiffs in that case are celebrating.

Well, U.S. President Obama said the ruling striking down DOMA is, and I quote, a victory for couples who have long fought for equal treatment under the law.

Let me bring in CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin who is in Washington tonight. And considering that we have viewers around the world who will be watching this with interest and wondering how ultimately this ruling may sort of trickle down, Jeffrey how historic are today's rulings?

JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: This is a very historic moment in all of United States history, because this is the most important gay rights victory in the long history of the United States Supreme Court.

As people may know, in the United States each one of the 50 states decides whether same-sex marriage is legal. And currently 12 states allow same-sex marriage.

But there's a federal law, a law that covers the whole country that was passed in 1996 that said the federal government will not recognize any same-sex marriages, even in the states where it's legal.

Well, today's decision said that law was unconstitutional.

So under federal law, all of the same-sex married couples in those 12 states will be able to take advantage of the many benefits that married people get. They can file joint tax returns. They can receive survivor Social Security benefits. So this is really an enormous practical victory for same-sex couples, but it is also symbolic of a dramatic change in the whole issue of same-sex marriage in the United States.

ANDERSON: I think that's the important point here that the mind-set has changed. And that being reflected, possibly, by this decision or these decisions by the Supreme Court today.

Jeffrey, thank you very much indeed for that. Jeffrey Toobin, a regular guest on this show.

How do other countries, then, view homosexuality and same-sex marriage? Well, take a look at this map. 15 countries have laws allowing same-sex marriages and domestic partnerships. And I'm putting those together. They're not the same, of course, but I am putting those together. Highlighted here in green, as you can see. They include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, South Africa; also France, Belgium, Holland, Spain and a handful of others. There are nearly 20 others, shown here in yellow -- let's bring that up -- that offer some rights to same-sex couples including Germany and the UK. Also parts of the U.S. and indeed of Mexico.

More than 70 countries, this is 2013 remember, 70 countries ban or restrict same-sex relationships in some way. You can see them across here. According to Amnesty International, there are seven countries where same- sex relations are still punishable by death, shown here in red.

Let's just look at those for a moment. They include, Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, North Sudan, Yemen, and parts of Nigeria.

I don't want to be partisan here.

Joining me in the studio, gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

It does seem absolutely extraordinary that in 2013 there are some countries that are punishing homosexuality with death, but you know I'm not here to - - for our viewers get a sense of my own sort of persuasions or sense of sensibilities, as it were.

Let's get back to the U.S. story today. Gay marriage is not legalized across the USA. And the majority in the states still ban gay marriage. However, today, two landmark rulings, which could potentially trickle down, one assumes, to other countries around the world.

PETER TATCHELL, GAY RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER: Well, I think the important thing for the United States about this judgment is that it is a victory for love and marriage. Everybody who supports love and marriage should rejoice.

ANDERSON: Rejoice, love and marriage. You get to share your pension and your tax benefits and all of that stuff, right?

TATCHELL: Absolutely.

But even heterosexual couples who believe in love and marriage, they should welcome the fact that gay couples will also now be able to take part in this institution.

I think the other aspect of this decision is that it establishes a very important principle. And that is, that gay and lesbian people should be equal under the law. And that will have a knock on effect, I believe, not only in state legislations, but also in other federal laws and aspects.

My Twitter feed will be alive as you speak, because there will be people around the world in many, many countries -- and it is their own -- it is their right to say it, that homosexuality is wrong, and if I were to agree with it certainly marriage isn't an institution they would agree with. And there will be many viewers watching this tonight who will disagree with absolutely everything you say.

What do you say to them?

TATCHELL: Well, I believe in democracy and free speech. They are entitled to their opinions. But I also believe that democracy involves equality before the law. And just as I would never countenance discrimination against people because of their race, their faith, this disability, their gender. Equally, I think in a democracy we have to accept that whatever we may personally think about same-sex couples, they are entitled to the same rights and the same responsibilities as everyone else. That is a fundamental democratic principle. And if you depart from it for one group, you open the door to also discriminating against others.

ANDERSON: When we talk about the economy, we often say that when the U.S. sneezes the rest of the world catches a cold. And I want to use that analogy, although it's a terrible one really tonight. But I want to use that...

(CROSSTALK)

TATCHELL: ...a cold. This is a get well message.

ANDERSON: This is a get well message, all right.

But the idea being that when something happens in the States, eventually it sort of trickles down to other parts of the world. It was only a couple of weeks ago that in Italy -- you know, a country that is part of G8, one of the supposedly eight biggest countries in the world, for the first time allowed its first gay marriage.

Are we -- or should we expect to see the sort of legislation that we've seen from the states trickling down into other countries around the world, at least where gay marriage or civil ceremonies are allowed at present.

TATCHELL: I'm sorry, I have need to correct you. Italy does not allow gay marriage. In fact...

ANDERSON: Civil ceremonies.

TATCHELL: Civil ceremonies...

ANDERSON: Which is completely different, of course.

TATCHELL: That's right.

ANDERSON: You're right to point that out.

TATCHELL: Of west European countries, Italy is the great bastion of homophobia. It's the most backward nation in western Europe. And it is down to the maligned influence of the Catholic church and the Vatican. They are holding back equality for gay people. And it's absolutely shocking in the 21st Century that in contrast to France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Portugal, Italy, a major, major power is so resolute in supporting discrimination...

ANDERSON: You're right to pick me up on that.

TATCHELL: ...gay citizens.

But in terms of the wider pictures.

ANDERSON: The wider picture is this -- you know, we're seeing at least in those states where gay marriage is allowed in the States, that those who decide to get marriage would be allowed to share pensions, tax benefits and all the same things that heterosexual partners are allowed. Will that happen here? In Africa, in Asia, in other parts of the world any time soon?

TATCHELL: Same-sex marriage is an unstoppable global trend. I see it as analogous to the battle for women's rights and the right of women to vote. The first few countries gave women the right to vote, the rest of the world stood back aghast and said we'll never, ever change.

ANDERSON: This is all about emancipation, is that what you're saying?

TATCHELL: Absolutely.

ANDERSON: I'm not sure -- let me just put this to you...

TATCHELL: Most of the world has given women the right to vote. And they will give gay people the right to marry.

ANDERSON: And I would expect you to say that, Peter, coming from the organization that you do. But look me in the eye and say you and I have been around for a long time now. We'll be talking for a long time about this very subject. There are parts of the world where homosexuality is banned, it is punishable with death. How confident are you that a ruling as you've had in the United States today, which is quite remarkable, will trickle down any time soon to the rest of the world?

I know you want it to. My question is, will it?

TATCHELL: Well, first of all the United States is not the world leader. Many other countries, including Uruguay, South Africa and Argentina, have already got same-sex marriage. So they've beaten the United States to it. But I'm very glad the United States has joined the crew, although this ruling is not about same-sex marriage, it's just about ending the federal non-recogition.

ANDERSON: It's about benefits, it's about money.

TATCHELL: It's more about benefits.

ANDERSON: But, you know, because of the size and economic and geopolitical power of the United States, it will have a global impact. And I am confident that eventually, even in the most right-wing homophobic states, we will eventually see equal legal rights for gay people, including same- sex marriage.

It may take 50 or even 100 years, but it will happen, because in all these homophobic countries, there are gay people. It's interesting, we just had a survey recently which found that the highest rate of internet searches for gay porn was in countries where the laws were most repressive. And that would indicate that there are many people in those repressive homophobic countries that have same-sex desires. And their desire, their love, their affection for their partners cannot be stopped by any state no matter how tyrannical.

ANDERSON: Mr. Tatchell, always a pleasure.

I was going to say, I hoped to see it in our lifetimes. You went on to say 50 to 100 years. And I'm not sure I'm going to be around that long.

Anyway...

TATCHELL: Thank you.

ANDERSON: Thank you. Peter Tatchell, always a pleasure to have on the show, an expert on this subject.

Still to come this hour, violent clashes break out in Egypt. State media reporting more than 150 injured. We're going to go live to Cairo for you, find out why.

Plus, yesterday she was tweeting about her platform, today she doesn't have one to stand on. The full story of just what went wrong for Julia Gillard.

And later in the show, cracking down on illegal highs. Why alarm bells are ringing around the world about synthetic drugs. That coming up in 90 seconds. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Egypt's state media is reporting one person killed and 162 injured in violent clashes in the city of Mansoura. It's considered a Muslim Brotherhood stronghold that supports President Mohammed Morsi. The unrest comes as opposition groups are preparing to stage mass protests against Mr. Morsi's rule. That's expected Sunday.

He's just made a speech to the nation.

Reza Sayah is in Cairo for us. Reza, what did he say?

REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, a lot of people were eager to see what kind of tone he was going to take in his speech. And clearly the speech started out with a conciliatory tone. This was the president extending an olive branch to the opposition and saying let's make peace, reminding everyone of the sacrifices that it took for the revolution to happen back in 2011, saying the country is in a pivotal situation and the country needs to unite to move forward.

Then his speech kind of went into a meandering direction when he accused the anti-democracy faction, suggesting it was remnants of the Mubarak regime.

But clearly this was a conciliatory speech. He said it's normal in democracy for there to be divisions. He said I understand the opposition, but I cannot accept anyone who is willing to align with the enemy. Here's some of what else President Morsi had to say tonight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MOHAMED MORSI, PRESIDENT OF EGYPT (through translator): I stand for you as a citizen. I worry for my country and my homeland and for my nation and for Egypt, dear Egypt that god forbid if harm was befallen on it, it will impact the entire Arab and Muslim world and the entire world in general.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAYAH: President Morsi is still speaking. By the way, his speech comes four days before his one year anniversary. In a healthy, stable democracy there would usually be a cause for celebration. Not the case with everyone here in Egypt -- his critics, the opposition planning for mass demonstration against him on Sunday. These are the moderates the liberals who feel that they've been pushed aside from the political process. There's a lot of concern for violence.

And we saw a glimpse of what could happen on Sunday today in Mansoura, Becky. One person killed, more than 170 injured when the two sides -- supporters of President Morsi and his critics -- clashed in that particular city -- Becky.

ANDERSON: Remarkable stuff. Thank you very much indeed. Reza Sayah for you out of Egypt this evening.

Well, it's been a day of staggering upsets at Wimbledon. The defending champions, Roger Federer, knocked out of the tournament in just what is the second round. The seven time Wimbledon champion suffered a shocking defeat to Ukraine's Serhiy Stakhovsky. And I hope I've pronounced his name right, because he's not a player I know well.

It follows the departure of third seed Maria Sharapova in the women's draw.

Christina Macfarlane, whose name I can pronounce, is standing by with the very latest.

This is a tournament which is really challenging the best of us to come up with some of these names that we've never known before. What is going on? What's wrong with Roger Federer? Did he play a lousy game or what? What was the story?

CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN SPORTS CORREPSONDENT: I've definitely been looking over the top 100 rankings again this week, Becky. Just in three days, what is arguably the greatest shock in the history of Wimbledon, really, today and arguably the greatest grass court player of his generation out to a man ranked 116th in the rankings.

And aside, from it just being another top seed out, Becky, this is why it matters. Roger Federer was chasing his eighth title this year. Just 10 years ago, he won his first grand slam at Wimbledon. And this was to be the great anniversary as he came back and matched Rafa Nadal's eight titles on Clay and went one better than Pete Sampras at Wimbledon. So an incredible shock for him.

And if Rafa Nadal is the king on clay, you know, Roger Federer really is the king of Wimbledon. He's arguably the greatest grass court player out there at the moment.

And there are rumors now -- you know, he turns 32 in August -- that his ranking could slip as far as fifth in the months to come. And it's funny, Becky, because he really didn't have a bad game, but he was just outplayed by this astonishing Ukrainian who obviously had the match of his career. And he said today that it was incredibly magical for him.

But interestingly, Federer is the seventh former world number one to have left the tournament today. So just an amazing day.

ANDERSON: By no means should we belittle these guy's who are beating some of the greatest tennis players of our generation, but there does seem to be -- I don't know whether it's just at Wimbledon, but I've been watching during -- there does seem to be a sense of the changing of the guard somewhat here. I'm not writing Rafa Nadal off on clay, because I no doubt he will come back.

But there's a sense that we're seeing a new generation, right?

MACFARLANE: Yeah, I think that's fair to say, Becky. And we don't want to jump to any conclusions yet, but there's definitely, if you look at the big four, let's say. It's the first time they've played together in a year. So we can really compare and contrast them this year. And there's definitely a sense of survival of the fittest. And when you look at Djokovic and you look at Murray, they seem to be just that further bit ahead of Federer and of Nadal.

Federer has actually been having to tailor some of his training in order to step up and be ready for the grand slams. And that's because, you know, arguably he's on the decline. And so there is certainly a sense of the changing of the guard. And, you know, it will become clearer obviously as we watch Murray and Djokovic now and see how they perform. I mean, they're the only big two really left on either side of the draw going forward.

But some really interesting things coming out of today. It's been -- there were seven withdrawals on court today, as well, Becky. I'm sure you saw lots of players citing the grass for various reasons for that.

So top seeds falling every day it seems at Wimbledon.

ANDERSON: Whoa. All right, Christina, thank you for that. Keep your eyes on the courts for us as we move through this couple of weeks at the All England Club.

Live from London, this is Connect the World. Coming up, a change at the very top Down Under. The result of a leadership vote brings Australian politics back full circle.

And as Brazil's football team kicks off on the pitch, protester kicking off on nearby pavement. We're going to hear from one of the country's young protesters. That's coming up in 90 seconds. Don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Protests have erupted in Brazil in the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte. The thousands of demonstrators who were there outside a Confederation's Cup match where Brazil's national team is up against Uruguay.

For now, at least, the protests look peaceful. But wary authorities have poured in hundreds of extra police and soldiers to help control the crowds.

Now mass demonstrations over social inequalities have rocked Brazil, as I'm sure you're aware, in the past two weeks. The Brazil-Uruguay match is underway right now. And it's a tight match. They are tied 1-1. And we'll bring you the latest on that match as it continues.

Meanwhile, the government in Brazil appears to be listening in part by promising a referendum on sweeping reforms. When I say they're listening, I say they seem to be listening to the protesters. But critics say it's just a bit too diffuse, these demonstrators.

We want to get a sense of how much progress the protesters feel they've made. We're joined now by Alessandra Orofino, the co-founder of My Rio, a democratic organization that's encouraging change, who I know was on the show -- I wasn't here -- about a couple of weeks ago.

The government says they think they're affecting change. They feel that your as protesters engaging with them, that they are listening, that things are changing. Are they?

ALESSANDRA OROFINO, CO-FOUNDER, MY RIO: I think they're listening in part. I think they're trying to implement real change. And that's only natural after what we've seen for the past few weeks. But they hadn't realized that people have different demands, but really everyone just wants a forum to be heard more systematically. And we need big institutional change in Brazil if we are to continue to have a strong democracy.

ANDERSON: OK. Big institutional change is a big subject to deal with. You can't get everything done overnight.

So as a protester on the streets, amongst hundreds of thousands who have been making their point, what is it if you can prioritize what is it that you want done now?

OROFINO: I would want participatory budgeting in every single major Brazilian city. I want people to be able to vote on what their priorities are directly, at least for part of the city budget, so that we can actually say if we want stadiums or schools, if we want big infrastructure investments for the World Cup or if we want better hospitals. These are what people are saying on the streets right now that are really, really important.

ANDERSON: We'll have you on again, because we are going to follow this story, but just as a goodbye to you, Brazil-Uruguay 1-1. What do you think the score is going to be?

OROFINO: Brazil is going to win for sure.

ANDERSON: Good girl.

2-1 I reckon, our guest reckons tonight. And we'll keep you up to date on what the score will be. Thank you very much indeed. I'm not belittling by any sense the story of the protests in Brazil. It's a story we've been on here at CNN. And we will continue to cover.

But, as our guest says, if you're in Brazil tonight, of course you are supporting the team.

The latest world news headlines are ahead as you would imagine here on CNN.

Plus, she gambled and lost. Australia's prime minister loses a party leadership vote reinstalling the man she ousted three years ago. That story is amongst your headlines coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: This is CNN, the world's news leader. The headlines this hour. We have learned that former South African leader Nelson Mandela is now on life support. The 94-year-old has been hospitalized more than two and a half weeks for a recurring lung infection. He's been listed in critical condition since the weekend.

Earlier, I spoke to South Africa's chief justice and asked him if the country was prepared to let Madiba go.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAGOENG MOGOENG, SOUTH AFRICAN CHIEF JUSTICE: Well, a percentage of the nation is probably prepared to, but the overwhelming majority isn't, in my view, prepared to let him go.

And I'm not surprised, because I lost my grandmother at the age of 96. She was 96 when she departed, and I thought it was going to be easy. It isn't.

And for such a unifying figure, who does not only belong to South Africa and Africa, but the whole world, considering his big heart and how he was willing to forgive in circumstances where you and I would probably not have been willing to do so, it's not just easy for South Africans to let go of him.

ANDERSON: Is South Africa strong enough to stay united after the death of Nelson Mandela?

MOGOENG: Absolutely. Ever fair, his legacy is inspirational, but the constitution that we have, the checks and balances, the maturity that we have experienced, both in the political field, in the economy, and in the judiciary, I think will see us through.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Two key ruling from the US Supreme Court gave same-sex couples a reason to cheer. One ruling threw out provisions in federal law that denies benefits to legally-married same-sex couples, but allows them to heterosexual couples. The other turns back a ban on same-sex marriages in the state of California, which could now resume in a matter of days.

Egypt's state media is reporting one person killed, 162 injured in violent clashes in the city of Mansoura. That city is considered a Muslim Brotherhood stronghold that supports President Mohamed Morsi. The unrest coming as opposition groups are preparing to stage mass protests against Mr. Morsi's rule on Sunday.

Qatar's new emir, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has made his first address to the nation since being sworn in. The 33-year-old replaces his father, who in a rare move, voluntarily abdicated his position.

Well, Australia's first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, has resigned. Late on Wednesday, she lost a party leadership fight with her longtime rival, Kevin Rudd. Mr. Rudd, who was ousted as prime minister by Ms. Gillard three years ago in a similar leadership contest could be sworn back into the top job within hours. Michael Holmes with the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIA GILLARD, OUSTED PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: It is my intention to call a ballot for the Labor leadership at 7:00 PM tonight.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): And so began the end for Julia Gillard of what has been a tumultuous three years since she usurped the prime minister Kevin Rudd in a leadership challenge.

KEVIN RUDD, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY LEADER: This has been a very busy two and a half years.

HOLMES: The stunning coup led to a tightly-fought election. It was only the support of two independent MPs who handed Gillard victory and a place in history as Australia's first female prime minister.

But she has not been a popular leader. Her determination to push ahead with a controversial carbon emission tax angered many Australians, as did her tax on profits in Australia's big industry, mining. And the Supreme Court struck down her refugee swap deal with Malaysia.

Aside from the usual political rhetoric, she has also been the butt of many personal attacks by opponents. Her critics have focused on her hairstyles, her attire, her lack of children. "Deliberately barren" were the words of one opposition senator. Even this from feminist Germaine Greer on ABC's "Q&A" program.

GERMAINE GREER, AUSTRALIAN ACADEMIC: What I want her to do is get rid of those bloody jackets.

(LAUGHTER)

GREER: You've got a big ass, Julia, just get off it.

(LAUGHTER)

HOLMES: Opposition leader Tony Abbott publicly agreed with Greer. In October last year, Gillard hit back.

GILLARD: The leader of the opposition says that people who hold sexist views and who are misogynists are not appropriate for high office. Well, I hope the leader of the opposition has got a piece of paper and he is writing out his resignation.

(CROWD SHOUTING)

GILLARD: Because if he wants to know what misogyny looks like in modern Australia, he doesn't need a motion in the House of Representatives, he needs a mirror.

HOLMES: She has made headlines for the spills. For repeated attacks with sandwiches, which she has laughed off.

GILLARD: Oh, I think it must've thought I was hungry.

HOLMES: But then, she was on the menu. The Julia Gillard Kentucky Fried Quail among the courses at a liberal dinner party, with reference to small breasts and huge thighs. Most recently, she was forced to defend her partner, hairdresser Tim Mathieson, when an Australian DJ asked if he was gay on national radio.

HOWARD SATTLER, RADIO DJ: That's all I'm asking.

GILLARD: Howard, you and I have just talked about that, so now, that is bordering --

SATTLER: I want to --

GILLARD: -- let me just bring you back to Earth. You and I have just talked about me and Tim living at the lodge.

SATTLER: Yes.

GILLARD: We live there together as a couple.

HOLMES: But throughout her term, there have been also repeated attempts to undermine Julia Gillard from within. The first clear sign coming in February last year.

RUDD: I've decided to contest the leadership of the Australian Labor Party.

GILLARD: This is not an episode of Celebrity Big Brother. This is about who should be prime minister.

HOLMES: She won the challenge then, 71 votes to 31, but even then, the opposition leader predicted it would be a short-lived victory.

TONY ABBOTT, AUSTRALIAN OPPOSITION LEADER: It's not so much a new start for this prime minister, but merely a stay of execution.

HOLMES: In 19 months, Gillard's popularity has tumbled so much that polls have been predicting her party could lose 35 seats in the September election. As a result, Australian politics have come full circle. Julia Gillard is out, Kevin Rudd is back in.

Michael Holmes, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: So, where does this leave Australia's leadership now? Let's bring in Monica Attard. She's the editor of the "Global Mail Australia" and joins me live via Skype from Sydney tonight.

This story that the world is watching quite frankly, when as a woman you get slated by Germaine Greer, the feminist extraordinaire, you've pretty much -- you've got nowhere to go, have you? Our viewers will be wondering just how misogynist -- if Germaine Greer is being a misogynist, then just how misogynist is Australia these days, and it is a serious question to you.

MONICA ATTARD, EDITOR, HOOPLA.COM: Well, look, it's a serious question that many women in Australia are asking as well, although I think a couple of things have to be put on the record.

I don't think Germaine Greer is a misogynist. I think she made a snarky throwaway line that she's since regretted making. She has been an enormously strong supporter of Julia Gillard and, indeed, came out in an editorial last week in TheHoopla.com, which is, by the way, the magazine I now. I'm not the editor of the "Global Mail."

ANDERSON: Right.

ATTARD: But she came out in a very, very strong editorial last week on TheHoopla.com calling on women and people in Australia generally to vote for Gillard. So, I think that was a minor blip in the Germaine Greer horizon.

But misogyny more broadly speaking in public life in Australia is a significant issue. I think Australians did struggle with the fact that Gillard is a woman. I don't think it was all that killed her leadership. She was a very awkward character herself. There were claims about the monotonous voice. There were claims that she was very wooden and stilted, unable to relate to people.

But still, the kind of abuse that she copped, the kind of abuse that was hurled at her is the sort of sexist, gender-base abuse that you would not see hurled at a man. That is most certainly true.

ANDERSON: And I think it has, quite frankly, I'm being serious here, really surprised people around the world that this is 2013 and they've seen that sort of behavior. What do you think the lessons learned are, and does this in any way set Australia back, or do you think the lessons learned from this might actually be positive ones going forward?

ATTARD: Well, I most certainly hope they are, and Gillard herself in her resignation speech last night said that the shades, the nuances associated with the misogyny, sexist debate as it related to her time in power would be debated and discussed and, hopefully, thought about very deeply over the coming years. And I'm sure that that will be the case.

But I don't think that anybody should be under any misunderstanding abroad. Whilst the aspects of misogyny got huge play here, they got far bigger play abroad than they did in Australia. Misogyny was not the defining factor of Julia Gillard's time in power. It is not something that dominates cultural life in Australia, either.

I think like most Western, modern societies, Australia has the same -- probably the same degree of misogyny as the UK, as the United States. We have -- and, indeed, if you look back to the -- in the UK's period to when Margaret Thatcher led the country, although misogyny she was certainly -- she did not attract the same degree of misogynist invective as Gillard did, it was a different time. It would have been considered extremely impolite.

ANDERSON: She had a handbag that she used to wield on people --

ATTARD: She did, indeed.

ANDERSON: She --

(LAUGHTER)

ANDERSON: Maybe that's what Julia Gillard needed. Thank you very much, indeed. You're making some very good points this evening, and they are very much taken on here at CNN. Thank you.

Live from London, you are watching CONNECT THE WORLD. They are dangerous and easily bought over the counter, the new synthetic drugs that have US authorities racing to try and regulate. That story still to come.

And reaching the destination. Watch the final part of what is an incredible train journey that involved crossing two continents, six countries, and six time zones. That is next here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: All right. All this month on the Gateway, if you are a regular viewer of this show, you'll know that the Gateway's been on a pioneering railway journey from Chongqing in China all the way to the world's largest inland port in Duisburg in Germany.

And tonight, we bring you the final leg of that trip, which I must say, was incredible -- I was on it -- crossing two continents, six countries, and six different time zones. Take a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON (voice-over): The light is fading over Germany. This train that began its journey over 11,000 kilometers away, has almost arrived.

ANDERSON (on camera): The last time I saw this freight train was 18 days ago in Chongqing in China. Since then, we've followed its journey all the way to here, the town of Hamm, in Westphalia in Germany. And this is where I get onboard for the final leg of what has been an extraordinary trip.

ANDERSON (voice-over): From here, Thomas Vogel (ph) and his assistant, Dirk Ribbert, will see it through to the finish line.

DIRK RIBBERT, ASSISTANT TRAIN DRIVER: I think every train that we drive is a challenge. After more than 10,000 kilometers to drive this train to the destination and then the journey is finished for this train, it's a nice feeling for a train driver.

ANDERSON: Since March 2011, Hewlett-Packard has chosen to send some of its computer products from China by train. At the end of the line, Duisburg, the world's largest inland port on the banks of the River Rhine.

RIBBERT: We cross the Rhine, and we are now driving into our destination.

ANDERSON (on camera): Well, my journey has reached an end at the final destination, Duisburg. This train has crossed two continents, six countries, and six time zones.

ANDERSON (voice-over): From here, the train is towed two kilometers to the port terminal. Cranes spring into action for the night shift. Work continues into the next day.

ANDERSON (on camera): From here, these containers filled with computer product are loaded onto trucks and driven to the Netherlands. From there, they're distributed across the continent to you and me, the consumer.

ANDERSON (voice-over): After two years of operation, this remains a one- way train, east to west, perhaps a poignant reminder of our economic times.

HANS-GEORG WERNER, DB SCHENKER: It's not so easy to bring products from China through Kazakhstan and then Russia, and Russia to Germany. We are now working on electronic solutions, which are very far, so we would speed up there, we will make it much faster. I always say it's the last adventure on rail.

ANDERSON: Just the mention of the old Silk Route conjures up images of exotic goods crisscrossing on ancient pathways. This freight train signals a new chapter, a very modern Silk Route, connecting Asia with Europe.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Remarkable journey. Well, coming up after this short break on CONNECT THE WORLD, the crackdown on legal highs. The drugs designed to be one step ahead of the law that are having sometimes devastating side effects. That story still to come.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: On World Drug Day, the United Nations is warning of what they say is an alarming new problem: designer drugs that tweak the formula of existing narcotics to evade current laws.

Now, the UN's 2013 World Drug Report says there are now more designer drugs, as they call them, than traditional controlled drugs, like heroine and cocaine. This is global issue, with all the countries you see highlighted here reporting the emergence of new types of legal highs.

Designer drugs include synthetic cathinone ones like Methadone, also known as Meow Meow, plant-based hallucinogens, like salvia, and synthetic cannabinoids like spice, which have a similar effect to marijuana, I'm told.

The United States is stepping up its crackdown on synthetic drugs. Drew Griffin followed a team of anti-drug officials as they went on a bust in the US state of Louisiana.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What took place here in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana this morning happened across 35 states and 5 different countries. Basically, the largest synthetic drug takedown ever, $15 million in cash and product were confiscated, some 375 search warrants served.

And this is what they are after, these little packets. They look like they are little potpourri packets, and that's what they are billed as, not for human consumption. But inside is this chemically manufactured synthetic marijuana that has become so widespread and, quite frankly, so dangerous because the chemicals involved and the fact that it's being targeted to younger and younger users.

JOHN SCHERBENSKE, US DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION: The biggest user population of these drugs are 12 to 17-year-olds.

GRIFFIN: Whew! That is crazy.

SCHERBENSKE: They are presenting significant problems and challenges for emergency room doctors. A patient will come in and tell a doctor that they have take a drug. They'll ask them what drug have you taken? And they won't know.

GRIFFIN: Even though those little containers say "not for human consumption," obviously the store owners who are selling them that we went into their establishments knew that these should not be out in public. They were tucked behind counters. In some cases, you had to have a password or know a password to even buy this stuff.

So, these drugs busts are taking place across the country here in the US and in five different countries across the globe. But again, this is really only a temporary slowdown in this flow of chemical drugs across the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Can you regulate legal highs? Joining me now is Dominic Ruffy, the Resilience Program's manager for Amy Winehouse Foundation. Can you is one question. Should you is another one. You've used drugs, and a lot of them, haven't you, in the past?

DOMINIC RUFFY, AMY WINEHOUSE FOUNDATION: Yes. Yes, I have, yes.

ANDERSON: Tell me about it.

RUFFY: OK. Twenty-two years in active addiction, starting off with low- level drugs: marijuana, LSD, ecstasy, and then winding up a full-blown crack and heroine addict for a number of years. And actually, at the tail end of that addiction -- addictive cycle, I did try legal -- a legal high, which you just mentioned, salvia.

ANDERSON: Yes.

RUFFY: I wrote off a car that night.

ANDERSON: You did what?

RUFFY: I wrote up a car that night. It kind of took me off my feet, and I was a guy who was, at that time --

ANDERSON: I was going to ask you what the difference you think between those drugs that pretty much most of our viewers will agree are drugs that should be banned or regulated, and the synthetic highs, where there is a body of science and argument that says, well, hang on a minute. You might just want to regulate these slightly, but should they really be off the market?

RUFFY: Well, yes.

ANDERSON: You say yes, right?

RUFFY: Absolutely. And it's not a new thing. That's the problem, that there was a report in 2005 by the University of Hertfordshire, which advised the government via the ACMD and Professor Nutt that there were 415 substances they'd identified as psychoactive, that they had the potential to be marketed as a legal high. So, this isn't new. And they're very, very dangerous.

ANDERSON: You know, as a former drug user-stroke-addict, that if you want to get drugs, you can get them. Doesn't matter whether they're banned, they're -- whatever. You know you can get your hands on them. So, to a certain extent, is this police policy, i.e. get them off the market, or should this be a health policy? And this is always the big debate, isn't it?

RUFFY: Well, actually --

ANDERSON: You can get them if you want them.

RUFFY: Absolutely. So, maybe we should target understanding why young people feel the need --

ANDERSON: Good point.

RUFFY: -- to use these drugs in the first place. And if I may say, that's precisely the work we do with the Resilience Program at the Foundation.

ANDERSON: Sure.

RUFFY: We work with young people to help them identify the feelings and the experiences that they may have as young people, bring them to light, so peer pressure, self-esteem, risky behavior, eating disorders, body image. All those things that people experience.

And then, when they do experiment with drugs and alcohol -- and they're going to, there's no denying that -- they are more susceptible to fixing on those drugs and using those drugs to replace those feelings of low self- worth.

So, that's what we really focus on at the Foundation is dealing with the cause of why people may take substances in the first place as opposed to looking at the policing of these substances.

ANDERSON: And you're doing some fantastic work, and we've got about less than a minute left --

RUFFY: Yes.

ANDERSON: -- on this show, so if you had one message for our viewers tonight, young and old, but perhaps the youngsters amongst those who are watching, what would it be?

RUFFY: My message would simply be, be aware of what you're doing. There are huge risks involved. There is nothing in my background that would say I was going to be an addict. It turned out that way. And I didn't know that at 13 when I first took a drug.

ANDERSON: But life is better now.

RUFFY: It certainly is, actually.

ANDERSON: Thank you.

RUFFY: Thank you.

ANDERSON: Dominic Ruffy joining me tonight. I'm Becky Anderson, that was CONNECT THE WORLD. You're watching CNN. It continues, although the team here in London, at least, wishes you a very good evening, and thank you for watching.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END