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Connect the World
Republican Presidential Candidates Prepare for First Debate; Confusion Over Certainty Of Plane Part Belonging to MH370; More Plane Debris Found on Reunion Island; Historic Floods in India Displace Thousands; Jon Stewart Signs Off Tonight; Japan Prays for Peace on 70th Anniversary of Hiroshima Bombing; Russia Steps up Crackdown of Banned Western Foods; President Obama Attacks Critics in Defense of Iran Nuclear Agreement; At least 12 Dead in Bombing at Saudi Mosque. Aired 11:00a-12:00p ET
Aired August 06, 2015 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:20] MAX FOSTER, HOST: Washed ashore, more potential clues and still many unanswered questions in the investigation into Malaysia Airlines
flight 370. We'll bring you the latest from Kuala Lumpur, Toulouse and Mauritius for you.
Also ahead, a somber day of reflection in Hiroshima as Japan remembers the victims of the world's first nuclear attack 70 years ago.
And taking his final bow: Jon Stewart signs off after 16 years of gags, laughs and razor sharp wit. We're live for you in New York as the
king of political satire prepares his final show.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN London, this is Connect the World.
FOSTER: We begin, though, with a developing story out of Saudi Arabia. An explosion has rocked a mosque in the southwest of the country.
It's believed to have been caused by a suicide bomber. It happened in the Asir region of the kingdom. We're still learning details on it, but the
state-run Saudi press agency says 13 people were killed and nine were injured.
The pictures you see here are of Prince Faisal bin Khalid. He's he prince of the Asir area. He's visiting the wounded there in the hospital
as you can see.
Let's get the latest on this with our Nick Paton Walsh. He's in Beirut.
And it was a mosque that was attacked, which was frequented, if I can say that, by security services?
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Max. It seems to be a very direct targeting here of what's known as the emergency
forces, part of the security structures of Saudi Arabia who went to this key mosque is Asir, attacked in noon prayer and clearly it's not obvious at
this stage who is behind it. Previous attacks, we had two quite close together in May, in fact targeting differently the Shia in the east of the
country. They were claimed by ISIS. But there has been no claim of responsibility at this stage with this particular attack.
As you said 13 dead, 10 of those were in fact from the emergency forces who frequented that particular mosque. It's not far from the border
in Yemen, so there could potentially be speculation down the line that's linked to Saudi Arabia's involvement inside that highly volatile country.
Remember now, for months there's been a concerted aerial campaign and now a ground campaign in the southern city of Aden by Saudi Arabia and
other allied Gulf monarchy states to try and push the Houthis and loyal militias with them out of certain areas.
Many lives have been lost. Perhaps what we've seen today is an overspill into Saudi Arabia, but it's also a sign of the great volatility
inside that nation, too, struggling with its war to its south with the Houthis in Yemen, but also from tanking of oil prices to upon which the
entirety really of Saudi society is dependent. That sudden downturn, I think, has made many I think perhaps there may be a lot of concern inside
the house of Saud about what it can do to sustain its future in stances like this where its own emergency forces are so acutely targeted to frankly
such terrifying success -- dozens wounded as well. That will of course send chills I think down many of those in power inside Riyadh now -- Max.
FOSTER: OK. Nick Paton Walsh, thanks for joining us from Beirut with an update on that as the details come in.
Now Malaysian officials say new aircraft debris has been found on Reunion Island in the western Indian Ocean. Now, it's once again the focus
of the search for possible wreckage for missing flight MH370. This time, Malaysia says search teams have found seat cushions and window parts from a
plane.
Earlier, the country's Prime Minister Najib Razak says the debris found last week, which you're looking at right now is definitely from
MH370. But investigators in France where it was tested have used most cautious language.
The latest reported finds are sure to raise more questions around a very complicated picture as we have it right now.
To help make sense of all of this, we're going to go to Saima Mohsin, she is in Toulouse for us. We've also got Andrew Stevens. He's in the
Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. That's where the information came about this latest set of debris, wasn't it, Andrew. So, what have you heard from
the authorities there?
ANDREW STEVENS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly the authorities are saying very clearly, Max, that this debris, these three
parts that they're talking about -- a cushion, aluminum material as they say and parts of a window -- are related, that's their word, related to an
aircraft. Not necessarily MH370, but to an aircraft.
There are also questions, though, we couldn't get to the bottom of when this debris was actually found and where it is at the moment. It has,
as we understand, been handed over to investigators on the island of Reunion where it was found, but we're not sure whether it is now on its way
to Toulouse where the investigation is taking place.
But as you say, it came less than 12 hours after the prime minister had made it very, very clear that the first piece of debris that was found,
the flaperon, is in fact without doubt from MH370. That was much stronger than the French were on that point. And the Malaysians again today, and I
was speaking to senior transport department officials here.
The Malaysians were saying the reason we are so confident this is related to 370 is the fact that we've got a maintenance seal on that part,
which is an MAS Malaysia Airlines Systems seal. There is a serial number, which also ties in with Malaysian Airlines, and the color of the flaperon
also ties in with the overall color scheme of Malaysian Airways.
So, put those together and that is what at least their three key points that the Malaysian prime minister based his statement on last night
that they have made this linkage.
No such linkage yet, though, with this other new debris, Max.
FOSTER: OK. And in terms of that new debris, Saima you're there where the debris of all sorts will be analyzed. The wing is going to be a
much easier thing to analyze and confirm as MH370, isn't it? These pieces of seats and windows are much harder to analyze, but they are found in the
same area.
SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, they are found in the same area at exactly the time and the geographical location that
searchers and analysts who believe that MH370 went down in the southern Indian Ocean say should be turning up, this debris should be turning up
around now 17 months later since it first disappeared. Extraordinary isn't it, Max, that we've had to wait so long, and not just us but the family
members of the passengers and crew on board.
Now, yes, the wing is relatively easier. Why? Because they have it here. It's bigger. There's a lot more mass to go through and because it's
relatively in one piece as well, they're hoping to glean a lot of clues from that. They can look at where the pain is actually stripped away.
Now we know the paint is stripped away, because it's got marine life growing on it. That marine life would not be able to grow on that wing
given the specialized paint on it. And remember, that paint is how they matched it to MH370, as Andrew just mentioned.
They'll look at the marine life as well in itself to see how long it's been in the water, maybe even marine experts can say which part of the
Indian Ocean that particular marine life comes from.
And of course they'll be running that 3D imagery, the x-rays, the sonograms inside this laboratory. The investigators have been here since
first thing this morning, Max, and they left just a couple of hours ago.
Now when that new debris comes, we don't know what condition it is in. We don't know how long it's been in the sea. We don't know what damage has
been done to it. But nevertheless, they are all pieces in this very confused, complicated, mysterious jigsaw puzzle that is the disappearance
of flight MH370 -- Max.
FOSTER: Absolutely. Saima in Toulouse, also Andrew in Kuala Lumpur, thank you both very much indeed.
Well, ever since plane debris was found on Reunion, crews on other islands nearby are also searching for possible wreckage. Our Erin
McLaughlin was able to accompany the Mauritian coast guard and sent us this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here on the island of Mauritius, about 120 miles away from Reunion, the search for any signs of MH370
continues. Now, normally the coast guard here goes up in the skies to conduct surveillance missions, but they're leaving the search into their
normal routine. And they're conducting visual searches using planes such as this one capable of really hugging the coastlines, capable of flying
only 200 feet above the waters.
They're on the lookout for anything the size of a flaperon, anything white or shiny on the waters.
Now, we had the chance to go up with them today. And they actually did spot a white object of interest. And they called it in to a local
operation center who then sent out a boat to investigator further. But you know really being up there in the skies illustrates just how difficult and
painstaking this work is. The ocean is vast and expansive and it's full of false alarms.
But, you know, the people here working tell me that they're dedicated to this effort, because they understand that finding more debris from MH370
will yield more clues to solving the mystery.
Erin McLaughlin, CNN, Mauritius.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Now, still to come, a keen night for U.S. Republicans running for the White House. They'll take part in the first debate ahead of the
2016 election. We'll look at hard it could be to steal the spotlight on such a crowded stage. Look at them all.
Plus, Egypt's president is pinning his country's economic hopes to the Suez Canal. But will his multi-billion dollar bet pay off? We'll discuss
that just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:12:30] FOSTER: You're watching CNN. This is Connect the World with me Max Foster. Welcome back to you.
Now Egypt is officially opening a major expansion of the Suez Canal. The new project expanding one of the most important man-made sea routes has
taken a year to complete at a cost of more than $8 billion as well. But it'll be able to handle larger, modern ships and two-way traffic for the
first time, so the Egyptian government is expecting a substantial increase in revenue.
We cross to Suez now. CNN's Ian Lee is standing by there for us. And a real sense of national pride.
IAN LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Max. I mean, you really can't get much more than this. All day, we've been
hearing the radio playing patriotic songs, newspapers have been full of articles talking about how this canal is not only going to revolutionize
Egypt, but it's going to be a gift to the world. And we heard that from Egypt's president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. As he spoke here, he said this is
a gift to humanity.
They really have high hopes for this. And there have been a lot of promises. And Egyptians are betting on this canal, too, not just the
government but you also have the average Egyptians who hope that this does bring in badly needed revenue and jobs for the country.
But today there's been tight security here as the president, we also saw other dignitaries, the king of Jordan, the president of France was here
as well. So, they wanted this to have the pageantry to go perfect. But there are a lot of questions about will this canal really live up to all
the promises that have been delivered.
And while this has been taking place, we're also watching a kidnapping by ISIS that took place here in Egypt. And we're in Sinai right now. And
this is not far away from where ISIS operates as well, hence the heavy security. They gave this Croatian hostage just 48 hours for -- to live,
for the Egyptian government to fulfill their demands, which is releasing all the female Muslim prisoners.
So, while Egypt is trying to celebrate today, they do have this hostage situation currently taking place and tomorrow's deadline looming,
Max.
FOSTER: Ian, thank you very much indeed for that.
Well, for some analysis of the potential economic impact of the canal's expansion, let's bring in CNN's emerging markets editor John
Defterios. And what do you think of the financial projections on this one, John?
[11:15:12] JOHN DEFTERIOS, EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: Well, it's a pretty tall bar that's being set by President el-Sisi, Max. They're saying
they're going to double the number of ships going to nearly 100 a day, double the revenues by 2023, cut the waiting time for the cargo that's
going through, and all the while trying to create a million jobs between now and 2023 to this one region alone.
I think it's also worth noting the pride that the Egyptians themselves are taking in to this project. They raised $8.5 billion for the expansion
that we see here on the graphic. This was all raised by the Egyptian people through bonds themselves. And in less than 10 days.
And, Max, what this is really all about is building momentum for President el-Sisi 14 months into power. And these are the projections he's
putting by 2023. Last year, they brought in $5.3 billion into the Suez Authority. He thinks by that time, they can raise that to some $13
billion.
But it does raise the question, is he setting the bar too high right now where he has to manage expectations in the near-term so it doesn't
boomerang on him in the next three to five years.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OMAR ASHOUR, ASSOCIATE FELLOW, CHATHAM HOUSE: Egypt has (inaudible) expectations problems. So, if the -- that economic project in the Suez
Canal does not fulfill the dreams and expectations, I think we may have a social and political problem on the long run.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: That underscores the challenge for President el-Sisi, Max. And I think the biggest one, of course, is unemployment, particularly after
the Arab Spring. It's risen to double digits. Some 13 percent. And it's double that amongst the youth.
And what he's trying to create in Egypt and around Suez, Max, is very similar to what's been developed here in the UAE, particularly in Dubai and
Jebel Ali, and that is not just a channel here to have ships go to the outer world, to Asia and to Europe, but more importantly to create
manufacturing and logistics and try to attract foreign direct investment to create the jobs necessary to bring that overall rate down, particularly
amongst the youth, Max.
FOSTER: Well, we'll see how the projections work out. Thank you very much indeed for that, John.
The original canal, of course, has a very storied history. It's been the backdrop to war as well as economic booms in the past. CNN's Nick
Glass has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NICK GLASS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Unlike the men who built it, we can now look down on their extraordinary handiwork from above From the Red Sea
in the south, the Suez Canal first meanders and then cuts across the desert, channel after channel ever straight right up to the Mediterranean
in the north. For almost 150 years now, it's been an essential trade route between east and west.
Cutting through it is frankly a monotonous journey: 160 kilometers through featureless desert. But the canal earns Egypt billions of dollars
in toll fees every year and remains the greatest of maritime shortcuts used by ships of all flags.
Napoleon Bonaparte was the first to seriously consider a permanent canal after he invaded Egypt in 1798, but was told it was unfeasible.
Half a century later, in 1854, a French diplomat and entrepreneur Ferdinand de la Ceps (ph) persuaded the ruling Egyptian viceroy that it
could be done.
Construction work began 1859 and took 10 years. A workforce of tens of thousands of Egyptians, in effect, slave labor.
The Europeans eventually brought in steam-driven dredging machines to help. The canal opened with much fanfare in 1869, just seven meters deep
and at its widest 90 meters across.
The operating company had a 99 year lease. Investors, mostly French, made vast profits, as did the British.
ANNOUNCER: The Suez Canal, storm center of controversy for weeks now becomes a cause of war in a lightning sequence of diplomatic and military
moves.
GLASS: In 1956, the canal was nationalized by Egypt's president Nasser. In this, the Suez crisis, France and Britain ultimately lost their
controlling influence.
ANNOUNCER: War in the Middle East.
GLASS: The canal featured in the Arab-Israeli conflict in 1967, the so-called sixth day war, and remained closed for eight years.
Now, perhaps more than ever, the current Egyptian government is promoting it as a symbol of nationhood. And, in its expanded form, as some
kind of rebirth. This time, only Egyptians were allowed to invest.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Nick Glass giving the history of that incredible waterway. The British shortcut in that region.
Now still to come, the U.S. president is facing some pushback after slamming critics of the Iran nuclear deal. We'll have reaction to his
major speech in a live report for you from Washington.
Plus, remembering Hiroshima, a somber anniversary in Japan as they look back on the horror that took place 70 years ago today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:21:55] FOSTER: You're watching Connect the World live from London. Welcome back. I'm Max Foster.
Now, it was 70 years ago today that the world witnessed for the first time the devastating impact of nuclear warfare after the U.S. dropped an
atomic bomb on Hiroshima in Japan.
Today, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry commented on the anniversary whilst also bringing up the Iran nuclear deal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KERRY, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: It's a very, very powerful reminder of not just the impact of war in a lasting way on people, on
countries, but it's also underscores the importance of the agreement we've reached with Iran to reduce the possibility of more nuclear weapons.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: The bombing of Hiroshima killed tens of thousands in the immediate aftermath and many more in the years to come. And it turned much
of the city into ruins in an instant.
Earlier, many in the same city stood silent to remember the attack. CNN's Ivan Watson was there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
IVAN WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDNET: A bell tolls marking the exact moment 70 years ago when a radioactive inferno exploded over Hiroshima.
A somber anniversary for the first and only country to ever be hit by an atomic bomb.
On a day that led to the deaths of some 200,000 people, the Japanese make an appeal for peace.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urging the world to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Among those in the crowd, U.S. Ambassador Caroline
Kennedy, representing the country that dropped the bomb.
Three days after bombing Hiroshima, the U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki, a devastating attack that forced Japan's
unconditional surrender.
Many here today hope the horrific memories of 1945 will make people think twice before taking the path to war.
MOEKO SUENAGA, UNIVERSITY STUDENT: I think the best way to the world peace is to come and see with their eyes, their own eyes and think about by
themselves.
WATSON: These volunteer guides say August 6 is not just a day for tears.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I've heard it is sad. But it's -- I've heard there's hope, too, because there were many young people there
together.
WATSON: There is a strong focus here on passing on stories of the A- bomb to future generations. Afterall, the bomb killed tens of thousands of innocent children.
This is one of the most personally poignant places here in Hiroshima. It's the children's peace monument. And it's dedicated to a two year old
girl who survived the atomic bomb and died some 10 years later as a result of leukemia. People come here and they hang up these delicately folded
paper cranes in honor of the child victims of the A-bomb.
70 years after the sky burned with atomic fire, this city prays for peace, hoping the world will stop and listen before it's too late.
Ivan Watson, CNN, Hiroshima, Japan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[11:25:29] FOSTER: Well, when the atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima, the blast was said to be brighter than the sun. CNN has gone to
meet some of those who survived the attack and they've shared their stories with us. You can find that and all our Hiroshima coverage this anniversary
by heading online to CNN.com.
The latest world news headlines are just ahead, plus a billionaire headlines the field at the first debate at the U.S. election season. We'll
preview tonight's event featuring Donald Trump and nine other Republicans running for the presidency.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: This is Connect the World. The top stories this hour. Malaysia's transport ministry says more pieces of debris belonging to an
aircraft have been found on Reunion Island.
The new items are said to include pieces of windows, seat cushions and Aluminum material.
Meanwhile, in the Mediterranean Sea rescuers are still searching for as many as 200 migrants who are feared drowned after their boat capsized on
Wednesday. Around 600 people are thought to have been on board the wooden vessel. At least 373 people have been rescued.
An Afghan military helicopter has crashed in the south of the country. The defense ministry says it was the result of a technical problem. Its
official statement contained no information about casualties.
Torrential rains in the aftermath of Cyclone Komen are causing havoc across South Asia with hundreds killed and millions displaced. India is
amongst the hardest hit. In West Bengal, hundreds of thousands have been moved to relief camps. Sumnima Udas has the very latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUMNIMA UDAS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The state of West Bengal is some to some of the biggest rivers in the country flowing all the
way down from the Himalayas, and many of them are now flowing over the danger level.
Now in some areas like this, the water level is starting to recede, but in the new line parts of West Bengal the situation is still very
desperate.
Kilometers and kilometers of flood water as far as the eyes can see. Conocol (ph) district in eastern India is one of the worst affected.
The main river is actually seven kilometers from here, roughly around five miles, but you can see how far inland the water has come. And people
have started fishing on what used to be the farmland.
Hundreds dead, hundreds of thousands of homes damaged, roads submerged, wading through the flood water is the only option for many.
We hitch a ride with a wedding party. The groom rented his neighbor's rickety boat because he had no other way to bring his bride home.
"What can I do? I can't change the wedding date, can I? So I had to get married even in these conditions," he says.
Rambinjarat Sagar (ph) is a potato trader. He says his entire supply for the season has been destroyed.
I ask him how he's going to support his new bride. I don't know, he says.
Throughout the journey, the village priest blows his auspicious conch shell.
All of this used to be rice paddy fields. And it's actually planting season right now. But as you can see, the entire area has turned into a
mini-lake of sorts. And it's actually quite deep as well, about 10 to 15 feet.
Those who don't have access to boats are stranded. Entire villages cut off from the outside world for almost a week.
The homes are unlivable, so they found this dry patch of land and they've built this makeshift shelters over here. They've moved all their
livestock as well, but so far they say they've received absolutely no help.
Floods are not uncommon here. They happen every monsoon season. But this is the worst its been in years, they say.
After a long journey, Rambinjarat and Kamala (ph) are finally home, a welcoming ritual is performed. The holy water may not be as clean as it
should be, the celebrations perhaps not perfect, people making the best of it even in the worst of times.
Something has to be said about the resilience of the people here. They deal with so much hardship on the day to day basis, and floods like
these are a huge setback for them. But still, they persevere.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[11:32:28] FOSTER: Now, the stage is set for a U.S. congressional showdown on the Iran nuclear deal. Senators have agreed to begin debate on
September 8 after returning from a monthlong recess. President Barack Obama sent them off with some of his strongest words yet on why the deal is
so critical. He says it cuts off all pathways for Iran to build a nuclear bomb and says some form of war is assured if the deal falls through.
Mr. Obama also said none of the arguments against the deal hold up to scrutiny.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: So this deal is not just the best choice among alternatives, this is the strongest non-
proliferation agreement ever negotiated. And because this is such a strong deal, every nation in the world that has commented publicly with the
exception of the Israeli government, has expressed support.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: President Obama picked up a few key votes this week, but still faces a tough fight on the Iran deal. One senator who swung his way,
independent Angus King told CNN it was the hardest decision he's ever made. He also took aim at some his Republican colleagues.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ANGUS KING, (I) MAINE: There were people on that side of the aisle who came out dead against this agreement within an hour of its
announcement. They hadn't read it. They didn't have the background on it. And that's pretty frustrating. I feel like you know, as I said if those
guys were in a jury pool they would have been disqualified for prejudice for voting on the case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Let's get more on that from Elise Labott live in Washington.
Having said that, some of these politicians have been under intense pressure, haven't they, from Israeli lobbyists. So they're under pressure
on this.
ELISE LABOTT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. It's not just Israeli lobbyists, but they have hundreds of supporters fanning out across
congressional districts over the recess, going to be flooding their offices with calls, emails, tens of millions of dollars, Max, in ads and polls.
It's really a campaign style battle on Capitol Hill.
And so, you know, when you look at some of these undecided Democrats who on one hand want to support the president's really signature foreign
policy legacy, it would be, as opposed to some of their constituents that don't want to support the deal, it's very hard for them.
FOSTER: OK, Elise, also we want to talk about the tone of President Obama's speech yesterday -- quite combative . This is how Senator Majority
Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, responded to the speech. He said, "Democrats and Republicans deserved serious answers today, not some
outrageous attempt to equate their search for answers with supporting chants of death to America. This goes way over the line of civil
discourse. End of quote there.
I mean, what -- I mean, Benjamin Netanyahu on one side is saying this deal is more likely to create war, an arms race in the region, but
President Obama is saying it's less likely to create war. So, people have to make that decision, didn't they?
LABOTT: I think what the president was saying yesterday in his speech was I was right about the Iraq War, you were wrong. All these people that
don't like the deal are the ones that supported the war in Iraq and he points out how disastrous and catastrophic that was for the region. And so
what he's doing is really dismissing all of the criticism to warmongering and people who support Iraq. And I'm not sure that's really going to bring
over those undecided people.
I think what a lot of people that are fearing the deal -- not just on the nuclear aspects, but really the windfall of cash that Iran is going to
get and the fears of what they'll do with that in the region to support terrorist groups, that would attack Israel, that could attack Gulf allies.
I think maybe what they were looking for the president to do is lay out more of a strategy of I understand your concerns. Let's see how we could
make this deal work.
You have concerns about the inspections, this is how we're going to ensure those inspections are right. How can make Israel safer in the
region? How can we make the Gulf safer in the region and how are they going to cut off some of the Iranians financing to those groups.
So, I mean to dismiss the criticism as just warmongering I don't think answered the fears that some of these reluctant lawmakers have. We'll just
have to see.
I think the president will probably squeak by. I think he said that himself. He'll probably have enough votes, but certainly it's going to be
a very bruising battle between Democrats and Republicans on this issue.
FOSTER: It really is. We'll keep covering it. But we also want to ask you about something else whilst your there, Elise, because CNN covered
the release of this year's State Department report on efforts to combat human trafficking, but I understand there's been some controversy since it
was released.
LABOTT: That's right. Well, you remember when the report came out there was some criticism about Malaysia, for instance, that was upgraded
from tier three, which is really the worst offenders to what they called a tier two watch list, which is a little bit better and avoids those type of
sanctions.
Other countries like Cuba were also bumped up. And so the question that's become really in Washington a very big issue now is whether this is
politically motivated, if -- you know, it seems to be that some of the analysts in the trafficking in persons office were recommended that
Malaysia, that Cuba stayed on that tier three list because they really hadn't made enough progress in combating their problem.
And so there were other countries like China, for instance, that the analysts wanted to be downgraded to tier three. And so there's a lot of
reporting, particularly by Reuters, that the diplomats in the regional bureaus, the western hemisphere, those diplomats that are dealing
politically with these countries, you know, stopped that from escalating and those countries from staying on the worst list.
And you know, look, the president has his Trans-Asian trade initiative. If Malaysia were to stay on that list, that would complicate
things.
So, a lot of discussion today, and particularly on Capitol Hill, of whether this report can really maintain its integrity, Max.
FOSTER: OK, really interesting. Elise, thank you very much.
Now, one could argue that the race for the White House begins in earnest tonight. The campaign season's first prime time debate just hours
away.
Frontrunner Donald Trump will share the stage with nine other Republicans running for president.
CNN's Dana Bash has a preview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The biggest event at this Cleveland arena these days is when Lebron James is
playing. But all these satellite trucks are lined up for political sport, the first Republican 2016 presidential debate.
SEN. MARCO RUBIO, (R), FLORIDA & PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is not reality television.
BASH: Sources close to the nine GOP contenders sharing the stage with the unlikely front-runner Donald Trump insist he will not be their focus.
RUBIO: All of us owe voters an explanation of who we are, what we plan to do if we're elected. That's what I plan to focus on.
BASH: As for Trump he insists he wants to focus on issues.
DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & CEO, TRUMP GROUP: I'm not looking to hurt anybody. I'm not looking to embarrass anybody. If I have to
bring up deficiencies, I'll bring up deficiencies. But certainly I'm not looking to do that. I'd rather go straight down the middle. You don't know
what's going to happen.
BASH: And tries to lower expectations, politician style.
TRUMP: I've never debated. My sort of -- my whole life has been a debate. But I've never debated before. These politicians, all they do is
debate.
BASH: The question is whether the man, who retaliated against an opponent by reading his cell phone number on live TV, can help himself.
[11:40:03] TRUMP: I don't know if it's the right number, let's try it. 202...
BASH: Trump's hard-charging lawyer warned maybe not.
MICHAEL COHEN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, TRUMP ORGANIZATION: Look what happened. Lindsey Graham, not even in the debate. Rick Perry, not even in
the debate. You attack Donald Trump he's going to come back at you twice as hard.
BASH: But while Trump may be the most entertaining, Jeb Bush may have the most to lose. He's still the favorite among many establishment
Republicans. And this is a critical chance for him to prove he's worth a record $100 million-plus he raised.
JEB BUSH, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR: My dad's the greatest man alive. If you don't like, I'll take you outside.
BASH: That shaky performance at a New Hampshire forum this week has some backers worried. Not to mention this stumble yesterday when talking
about Planned Parenthood.
BUSH: You can take it dollar for dollar -- although I'm not sure we need half a billion dollars for women's health issues.
BASH: But his campaign is trying to stay on message in a new cheeky way, the Jeb Bush swag store, selling things like this vintage tank top.
BUSH: This was a serious decade.
BASH (on camera): But as for Jeb Bush's preparation, I'm told by sources inside his campaign that he is very much focused on trying to
explain to people that he's not just another Bush, that he has another specific conservative record from when he was governor of Florida, even on
issues of education, where people think maybe he's too moderate in the Republican electorate. And also, he's going to try to separate himself,
maybe not by name, but just the dynamic to show that he is different from the guy at the center of the stage, Donald Trump.
Dana Bash, CNN, Cleveland, Ohio.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: I'm going to cross over to Cleveland now. CNN's MJ Lee is watching the debate preparations there. When we say that Trump is
centerstage, he literally is, isn't he? He gets the best position in the middle, because he's furthest ahead in the polls.
But he is a very combative figure. How can the others say they're not going to take him on when he's probably going to take them on throughout
the debate.
MJ LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think that is the big challenge for everyone else that's on the stage tonight, how they can ensure that this
doesn't turn into another Donald Trump show. He is obviously someone who had really dominated a lot of the media coverage over the last couple of
weeks because his style is so different and because he is such an atypical candidate and politician.
For the nine candidates on stage, the juggle will be whether they go after Trump or whether they try to stick to their own talking points and
try to get their own policy views out there, introduce themselves to the voters and not have it be so focused on Trump.
Trump, for his part, has tried to downplay his own preparation, and has also said that, you know, he's not interested in going after the other
candidates, unless he is first provoked. That may or may not happen. And I think that will be the fascinating thing to watch tonight in this first
debate.
FOSTER: It'll be interesting, won't it? I was with him last week and he said he's not going to prepare. He's just going to show up and see how
it goes whereas the others are super prepared, aren't they? So, there is that risk that whatever he says he'll seem more authentic because he's just
speaking off the cuff, whereas the others are really thinking through everything that they want to say.
LEE: And for sure his style has been what has really helped him, you know, propel himself to the top of the polls. You go to his campaign
events, and everyone will tell you, you know, we like the fact that he's so brash. We love the fact that, you know, he acts like the reality TV show
star that he once was. People like that about him and are attracted to that part of him.
So, the test for him will be, you know, is it a strategy that has worked for him so far. And so he holds on to that tonight, or does he try
to act a little more presidential.
FOSTER: We'll see. MJ Lee, thank you very much indeed. It's going to be fascinating.
Live from London, this is Connect the World. Coming up, as John Stewart gets ready to sign off the Daily Show, he's giving all of us the
last laugh. We look back at some of his best moments next.
Plus, the geopolitics of brie. Why western food products are being destroyed in Russia.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[11:46:20] JON STEWART, HOST, THE DAILY SHOW: The world is demonstrable worse than when I started. Have I caused this?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: You're watching CNN. This is Connect the World with me Max Foster. Welcome back to you.
That was, of course, Jon Stewart.
Believe it or not, he was once voted the most trusted news person in America. And tonight, he'll present the Daily Show for the final time,
bowing out after 16 years of host of the popular satirical show.
Brian Stelter looks back at his career.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: This is the Daily Show, the most important television program ever.
BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There was a Daily Show before Jon Stewart.
CRAIG KILBURN, FORMER HOST, DAILY SHOW: First in other news.
STELTER: It premiered in the summer of 1996 hosted by former ESPN anchor, Craig Kilburn. But it wasn't until Stewart took over in 1999 that
the show really started to matter.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think you're on somebody's short list for vice president.
STELTER: His sharp tongue instilled fear in politicians and TV pontificators, and he more than tripled Kilburn's average ratings, too.
While Kilburn introduced segments like five questions, and the longer lasting "Your Moment of Zen," Stewart's "Daily Show" earned the respect of
the industry with 20 Emmy's and two Peabody Awards. Stewart was a clown, that's for sure.
STEWART: Champagne and caviar for everybody.
STELTER: But he was also a fact-checker, and a media critic, showing the power of a big video clip library to catch lawmaker's contradictions
and cable newsers' exaggerations. His message, humor can hold people in power accountable.
STEWART: Let me give you Mug Force One, this is yours.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Nice.
STELTER: Toward the end, Stewart's interviews got more serious, and so did his tone. Liberals loved him, while some conservatives despised him.
But they all had to pay attention.
JON OLIVER, CORRESPONDENT, "DAILY SHOW": The human mojo is on.
STELTER: Stewart's young correspondents became stars. Long before being nominated for an Academy Award, and winning a Golden Globe, actor
Steve Carell spent five years on "Daily."
STEVE CARELL, FORMER CORRESPONDENT: Senator, how do you reconcile the fact that you were one of the most vocal critics of pork barrel politics,
and yet, while you were chairman of the Commerce Committee, that committee set a record for unauthorized appropriations. I'm just kidding. No. I don't
-- I don't even know what that means.
STELTER: Later he joined another "Daily Show" star Ed Helms on "The Office."
ED HELMS, ACTOR: I'm still just thinking about my old pals.
STELTER: John Oliver got his start thanks to Stewart, too.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: New Jersey has the highest property tax in the nation.
OLIVER: I know. And what are you getting for it? Because it's an awful state.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Exactly.
STELTER: And people thought he'd take over the show some day until HBO came.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey, what are you going to do with her?
STELTER: Before Olivia Munn starred Magic Mike, she also reported for the Daily Show.
OLIVIA MUNN, ACTRESS: Before there was a name for tiger moms, there was my mom, the original MILF, the mother I learned from.
STELTER: And now a new generation of comedians, like Jessica Williams, are continuing Stewart's tradition.
JESSICA WILLIAMS, ACTOR: We'll put you on the tin ladies, but Alexander, go with them to make sure they don't do any impulse buys.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Let's bring in Brian. He's standing by outside the Daily Show studio in New York. The show must go on Brian, and it will with South
African Trevor Noah taking over as host as well. What do you think made this work, though, political satire wasn't anything new? It was around
before Jon Stewart. But why do you think he made it work?
[11:50:00] STELTER: Stewart was able to stand out for a couple of reasons, I think. One is his use of video clips. You know, he took over
the show at a time when suddenly you could have pretty much every video clip, every TV newscast ever made all available online. So he was able to
use video clips to point out the contradictions of politicians or the once in a while the exaggerations of cable news anchors even. He was able to
use that video in very innovative, creative ways.
He also, over time, became a more serious host. He says he's always been just a comedian, but as we were pointing out in that story just now,
he sometime turned very serious, had very cutting message for Washington and for other institutions that he thinks have really failed the American
people.
So, I think it was that ability to turn from satire to very serious political talk that is a hallmark of his last few years in this Daily Show
office.
FOSTER: Is Trevor Noah mad for taking on the role?
STELTER: Well, we've been talking to some of the fans that are in line here outside the studio, another seven hours or so before this program
will actually be taped. But fans have been lined up already hoping to get inside tonight.
Some of them say they will definitely watch Trevor Noah, but they have no idea what to expect. They barely know who he is. He's been a
correspondent on The Daily Show, but for only a handful of times.
There's one thing that's for sure and that's that the Daily Show will be very different with Trevor Noah in charge. Even the executives atop
Comedy Central that have been in charge of the cable channel say they haven't quite figured out what kind of show it'll be once Jon Stewart does
sign off tonight.
FOSTER: That's interesting, though, isn't it, because what Jon Stewart did was inspire a new generation of comedians, of satirists and
journalists in his wake, right. And it was not just in America, it was global, which is why Trevor Noah really sort of plays into this as well.
STELTER: Yeah, I think that's a really important point. You know, we see local versions of The Daily Show in other countries now. They are all
different, but what units them is this idea of rearranging the day's news, poking fun at the day's news, but sometimes actually educating people,
informing people about how politics and the world works through humor.
The reason why folks are in line here is because they say they actually learn a lot from Jon Stewart at the same time they're entertained
by him. That's a lesson I think we've seen journalists learn, and certainly we've seen politicians in some cases come to fear a format like
the Daily Show.
You know, listen, sometimes Jon Stewart takes cheap shots. Sometimes he seems to skew to the left. But he is someone you had to pay attention
to here in the U.S. for a long time.
FOSTER: It's a moment in media history. Brian, you're there, thank you very much indeed for bringing us that.
Live from London, this is Connect the World. Coming up, cleaning up the aisle. We'll tell you why Russia is stepping up efforts to remove
banned western goods from grocery shelves.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: Welcome back.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is waging a war on food: western food to be precise. Danish bacon, French brie, Spanish chorizo, any contraband
shipments of these banned western products will be destroyed on sight.
Critics of the government say it's a grotesque move in a country with millions in poverty. CNN's Matthew Chance reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
[11:55:00] MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): It's the start of a new crackdown on the imported western foods Russia has branded illegal. This 150 ton cargo of bacon, seized at the
border with Belarus, and incinerated.
It was produced in Denmark, says this Russian agricultural official. It was meant to be sold on the territory of Ukraine, not Russia. Documents
appear to confirm the Danish source that there's outrage that at a time of economic hardship, this perfectly good food will be destroyed.
One online petition signed by tens of thousands of Russians calls for seized products to be distributed to the needy, like pensioners or the
unemployed.
(on camera): It's been more than a year now since the Kremlin banned imports of some Western foods. Retaliation for sanctions imposed by the
West over the crisis in Ukraine. But from the outset, quality Western products have been smuggled in and discreetly sold at high-end supermarkets
like this one. But with the new Kremlin crackdown (inaudible), that may no longer been tolerated.
(voice-over): Already one Kremlin-backed youth group called (inaudible) or "little pigs" has been highlighting the violations, raiding
the stores still stocking Western food.
These nuts are on a list of banned products, this activist tells the cameras. It means they were not certified and so they might be dangerous,
she warns.
But critics say the real danger may be enforcing the food ban too strictly. On Russian television, more images of seized products being
destroyed, this time seven tons of European cheese crushed and buried. For many Russians struggling to pay their food bills, this latest Kremlin
crackdown seems such a waste.
Matthew Chance, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: In tonight's Parting Shots, developers in Dubai are planning a new complex that promises to set five world records. Maidan One (ph)
will be an 8.6 billion dollar leisure, retail, residential and hotel complex. When it's completed in 2020, it'll hold the record for having the
world's longest indoor ski slope, the largest dancing fountain, the tallest residential tower, the highest restaurant, and the highest 360 degree
observation deck.
The estimated 78,000 residents who will live there, would you believe, will also enjoy a waterpark, a marina and indoor sports facility and 650
retail stores. You'll never need to leave.
We'll wait to see how that's built.
Max Foster is here for you, of course. Thank you very much indeed for watching. Connect the World comes back on Sunday. Thank you for watching.
END
