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Connect the World
Firefighters Battle Major Wildfires in California; Australia Faces Worst Drought in 50 Years; Trump-Backed Candidate Holds Narrow Lead in Special Election; Gates Faces Tough Cross-Examination by a Defense Team; Saudi Foreign Minister Says Canada to Blame for Diplomatic Row; Boris Johnson Under Fire Over Burqa Comments; At Least 36 People Dead in Congo Ebola Outbreak; Elon Musk May Take Electric Carmaker Private. Aired 11-12p ET
Aired August 08, 2018 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00] LYNDA KINKADE, CNN HOST: Hello and welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Lynda Kinkade in Atlanta filling in for Becky Anderson. Good to have
you with us.
Out of control fires, blistering heat and extreme drought. It has been a bad week in a season of record breaking and deadly weather right across the
world. Firefighters in California battle some of the biggest fires this state has ever seen. While Australia faces its worst drought in living
memory. And scorching temperatures in Asia have governments handing out ice vests and electric fans.
In California 17 major wildfires are currently burning right across the state. Thousands of firefighters are battling the blazes amid very intense
conditions. Conditions like this. Footage of Fernando essentially a tornado of flames swirling through one of the blazes. One of the fires, the
Mendocino Complex is now the largest fire in California's history. Already burning through an area bigger than the city of Los Angeles. I'm going to
head over to Dan Simon who's been near that blaze in Lake Port, California. And Dan, you've been this day in and day out. Those fires are getting
bigger. Now officials fear they might not be able to contain this for quite some time.
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They're saying it won't be fully contained until September 1. But I have to tell you that the fire has slowed down
significantly over the last 24 hours. We've seen just modest growth. But I also have to say that the numbers are just staggering. We're talking about
1,100 square kilometers that have been charred. This is an example of what you're seeing throughout the region. You can see this charred landscape
below in this valley and off in the distance perhaps you can see some of those vineyards that California is famous for.
Now the fire came up this mountain and it torched this house behind me. This is one of about 100 or so homes that have been destroyed in the
region. And what's noteworthy about this particular home is that the owners did everything that they should have done in order to mitigate a potential
wild fire. They got rid of the brush that surrounded their home. You can see that gravel there in the driveway and that sort of a defensible
perimeter that the experts say you should put around your house if you can. So, they did everything that they should have. In the meantime, obviously
they're trying to struggle with their emotions. And you have so many people throughout the state who are feeling that way after losing their homes.
As you mentioned, Lynda, you're talking about 17 major wildfires burning throughout the state of California. 13,000 firefighters throughout the
state. More firefighters here than we've ever seen before in the history of California. We keep setting more and more records. As a matter of fact,
firefighters here from as far away as Australia and New Zealand -- Lynda.
KINKADE: Yes, certainly, an international effort needed there right now, Dan. And of course, the U.S. President has weighed in on all of this taking
to Twitter blaming California's environmental laws. We just got that tweet up.
He said, California wildfires are being magnified and made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren't allowing massive amounts of readily
available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop the fire from spreading.
This is one of two tweets the President has written about this. How is California responding to that?
SIMON: Well I have to say, officials here on the fire line really have no idea what the President is talking about here. There's never been a problem
in terms of having enough water to battle these fires. As a matter of fact, most of these major blazes are occurring near large reservoirs of water
where there's ample water to try to get the fires under control. So, they're not quite sure what the President meant. I can tell you that
California has had issues with its water where there's been a controversy over how much water should be allocated to farmers and some of the
environmentalists have been upset about that. So, perhaps that's what the President was referring to. But at this point nobody really knows. And the
White House has yet to clarify it.
KINKADE: Yes, they can't clarify it at this point. Dan Simon, good to have you with us. Thank you so much.
While the dry weather continues to feed those fires in California, dry conditions in Australia are causing the worst drought in half a century.
Officials say the state of New South Wales is now 100 percent in drought. Take a look at this footage. This is from May. Hundreds of desperately
thirsty cows swarm a water truck showing just how bad things have gotten.
[11:05:01] The owner of the livestock company says they haven't seen rain in about three months. In the southern hemisphere researchers are warning
things will get worse. My colleague Kristie Lu Stout has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There's been barely any rain in this part of eastern Australia for months. A drought has
scorched large areas of land crippling farmers and leaving their animals with little to eat. The entire state of New South Wales is now affected.
MALCOLM TURNBULL, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: This is the worst drought in New South Wales since the 1965 drought. Not many of us remember that very
well. Most Australians weren't born.
LU STOUT: For farmers the situation is bleak. Their crops are failing. There are water shortages. And with no grass for the animals to eat, they
must spend thousands of dollars to feed them if they can.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Been here all my life and it's the worst I've ever seen in 58 years.
LU STOUT: These pictures show the bodies of cattle at one family farm. Some of the animals still alive here are too weak to eat. As the drought
continues, farmers are increasingly dependent on government assistance. This week Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a new aid package of
nearly 200 million Australian dollars in addition to separate state relief measures. The assistance includes money for mental health services, a
necessary step for many farmers struggling to deal with the strain on their livelihoods.
MARGO WOLLASTON, FARMER: I find droughts a little bit like cancer, it sort of eats away at you. It just gets dryer and dryer, and more severe and more
severe and impacting on your life a lot worse.
LU STOUT: With no sign of this dry spell ending, help for these farming communities can't come first. Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: While those farmers wait for rain, many people in Asia are dealing with a deadly heat wave. At least 42 people have died due to heatstroke in
South Korea. While North Korea has declared it an unprecedented natural disaster. Our Paula Hancocks reports from Seoul.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Over recent weeks every time you see someone you meet the first thing you talk about is the heat. The weather
has really has become one of the main topics of conversation here in Seoul. Now across Asia we have seen records being broken this summer and
fatalities, particularly in Japan and here in South Korea have been higher than they have been in years.
(voice-over): Summer holidays in Seoul, heat, water and children. It's the perfect combination for having fun. But this year the heat has proved
deadly across much of Asia and the quest to stay cool has gone beyond child's play. 43 people in South Korea have died from heat-related causes.
Police are now carrying umbrellas on patrol to escape the sun. Paramedics have been given special ice vests for the first time this year. At last
week's repatriation ceremony for Korean War remains military personnel in full uniform paid their final respects on the hottest day in 111 years.
A MET agency spokesman says the temperature has risen sharply this year. We're expecting ups and downs in coming years, but the average temperature
will continue to rise.
(on camera): If you're struggling in downtown Seoul, then you can walk through one of these cold-water sprays and it really does cool you down.
This is something that Tokyo is considering. They're looking ahead to the Summer Olympics in 20 20and they're looking at something like this to help
keep spectators cool.
(voice-over): Amid concerns, conditions could be unbearable for the athletes. Olympic organizers are asking the government to literally change
time. To put the clocks forward during the summer so the day starts earlier when it's cooler.
Japan's heat wave has sent a record number of people to hospitals since the start of May. 138 people have died. The city of Kamogawa, near Tokyo, saw
temperatures hit over 41 degrees Celsius, 106 degrees Fahrenheit two weeks ago, the highest ever on record.
North Korea is far less equipped to deal with the heat. Electricity is not a 24-hour luxury. Air conditioning is rare. Kim Jong-un has been dressing
for the weather carrying out field guidance in short sleeves and a straw hat. Even state-run media has been talking about severe high temperatures.
No mention of fatalities.
And it's not heat, but lack of rain hitting Australia now in mid-winter. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is pledging cash for farmers hit by the
worst conditions in decades. Power grids from southern China to Seoul to Tokyo have been severely tested this summer. Officials hoping the worst of
the deadly heat wave is behind us.
(on camera): Also, the MET agency did give us some very interesting and fairly shocking statistics saying that when they looked since records began
at the four worst heat waves, three of them are since 2013. Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[11:10:02] KINKADE: Wildfires, drought, record breaking temperatures. Our correspondents have been taking us through the extreme weather right around
the world. I want to bring in CNN meteorologist Chad Myers to connect all of these events. And Chad, are these events, these record-breaking events,
related?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, certainly. With the increase in carbon dioxide and the global temperature warming by one-degree C already since we
began burning fossil fuel. Certainly, this has something to do with it. Something in play. And it's always been back to me when I talk to kids, I
talk to adults about this. It isn't so much that it might rain, and might be hot, it might be drought, we're trying to feet 8 billion or more people
across the world, and you can see what's happening to farmland, rangeland there in Australia. And if it's not going to rain where the land is
fertile, and we can grow more crops, then we really have something else on our hands, which could be a humanitarian disaster when it comes to food
shortage across the entire globe.
Here's what it looks like. A record he in many locations. The thing with this heat wave is it happened where people lived. It didn't happen in
remote areas. Big parts of big cities have significant, significant hot temperatures, 10 to 15 degrees above normal. Then we have major wildfires
in a couple of places and then the extreme drought. So, it kind of all adding itself up to what will be for 2018 right now, shaping up to be the
fourth hottest year on record. 2017 was the hottest year without an El Nino. This is also not an El Nino year. But there are 2015, '16, and '17,
they all will top the charts as the top four hottest years on record.
This is what Europe looked like in May. You kind of have to look close, but it's green. The grass is growing. The farms are doing great. All of a
sudden you put all of this heat and you stress this out. And now, this is the same visible satellite, the same picture from the same satellite just a
couple of days ago and now you see a lot more brown where there was green. Carbon dioxide is going up. We're all the way up to about 410 parts per
million. That is just way higher than we ever have been in the past about 800,000 years or so.
So, yes, it has been hotter across the globe. Millions and millions of years ago but we weren't trying to feed 8 billion people at that time. So,
what can we expect? More water vapor in the air, that means more heavy rain when it decides to rain. Sea surface temperatures are warming. That could
make stronger typhoons cycles into hurricanes. Sea ice is being depleted across the northern part especially in Antarctica and the top of the world,
North Pole. And temperatures there are warming up. Ice is melting, water is getting warmer. It's a feedback effect that we've been talking about.
Look at this. Copenhagen was 31 degrees this year. Now it's getting better. Don't get me wrong. There is a cooldown. It's not hot everywhere, but the
cooldown is occurring, it's just going to be slow to take place for some spots. And then even after it cools down, Paris, you're back up to 31 by
Sunday -- Lynda.
KINKADE: That is hot. All right. Chad Myers, good to have you go through all of that for us. Thank you so much.
MYERS: You're welcome.
KINKADE: Live from Atlanta, this is CONNECT THE WORLD. Coming up, small elections are held in the U.S. that could have a big impact for Republicans
come November. Is President Trump helping or hurting his party's chances? We'll have more on that next.
[11:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: You're watching CNN, and this is CONNECT THE WORLD. I am Lynda Kinkade. Welcome back.
It's a sign of the times that a congressional race in a small U.S. state is being scrutinized right around the world. Votes are still being counted but
so far, Troy Balderson is the Republican backed by President Trump is ahead by a razor thin margin in a special election in Ohio. The district has been
solidly Republican for years and this should have been a breeze for Balderson. Trump campaigned for him and tweeted his support. And
Republicans have spent millions of dollars on this race. It is being watched very closely because it comes less than three months before the
midterm elections. Mr. Trump's party will fight to hang on to its 23-state majority in the House. So, is Ohio a harbinger for other rough road ahead
for other Republicans?
CNN's Ryan Nobles is outside of the Ohio capital and our White House correspondent, Abby Phillip, is in New Jersey where Donald Trump is on a
working vacation. Thanks for both being with us. I want to start first with Ryan. Looking at the votes because at this point there's only about 1700
votes between the Democratic and Republican candidate. And we know thousands of absentee and provisional votes haven't yet been counted.
Should Republicans be nervous?
RYAN NOBLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Lynda, I guess it depends if you mean should Republicans be nervous in the short term or long term? It's likely
that Troy Balderson will hold on to this margin and will likely walk away with a victory here at this first stage at what is essentially a two-part
contest between he and Danny O'Connor, but it was such a small margin. As you mentioned, about 1,700 votes. There are still 8,000 provisional and
absentee ballots to count. But usually that's too big of a margin to overcome in any kind of a recount. So, he might win this first round. But
what happens as we move ahead to November, not just here in Ohio but across the country.
I mean, this was a district that Republicans never had a problem winning. They've held it for more than 30 years. They had to spend more than $5
million this time around and Democrats only spent about a million and may just squeak out a victory. And Democrats believe that this is not even the
most competitive race on the map in November. So, if it was this tough for Republicans in this district, what does that tell them about what's coming
up in the midterms. To answer your question, yes, they probably should be nervous.
KINKADE: Absolutely. Ryan, just stand by for us. I want to go to Abby. Because President Trump, of course, endorsed this Republican candidate. He
won this district by 11 percent. And it has been in Republican hands for decades and while it's too close to call, the President is already taking
credit for what he calls a win.
ABBY PHILLIP, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's absolutely right, Lynda. The President in a tweet last night essentially saying that if he
did not come into this race on Saturday, held a rally for Troy Balderson, this would have been much worse. That Balderson was doing poorly until
Trump showed up. And maybe that is true. Maybe the President helped him on the margins, but this is a problem for Republicans in a district that the
President won by 11 points. He performed a little bit better than Mitt Romney in that district, is now a huge struggle for Republicans as Ryan
just pointed out.
And just a few minutes ago the President tweeted again about this issue of why people keep talking about troubles ahead for Republicans even though
Balderson might very well pull out a win in this race last night.
He said, Republicans have now won eight out of nine house seats, yet if you listen to the fake news media, you would think we are being clobbered. Why
can't they play it straight, he says? It's so unfair to the Republican Party and in particular your favorite President.
[11:20:00] But the problem for Republicans, of course, is that this was a special election. They were able to pour millions of dollars into the race.
They were able to send the President of the United States into it to help pull out a victory. But come November there are so many races, dozens of
Republicans in seats that are more narrowly held. Where President Trump did not do as well, and they are facing the prospect that they might not be
able to pull out a 2,000-vote victory like Balderson did last night. That's why the coverage has been so tricky for President Trump. President Trump
here is just taking a victory lap. He's saying, I'm winning. I've won last night, and it doesn't matter how narrow the victory was. I think come
November Republicans need these margins to be much bigger in order to hold on to their House majority.
KINKADE: Yes, they certainly do. Just stand by for a second, Abby. I just want to point to some of the other candidates backed by Mr. Trump and how
they fared Tuesday. Chris Kobach is locked into a tight race in Kansas. He is battling the incumbent in the state's Republican primary for governor.
Votes there still being counted. And two candidates allied with Trump won in primaries in Michigan. One for governor who you're seeing here and
another for a senate seat. And so, abbey, what does this all say about Trump's ability to lure voters? And given that first term presidents
normally lose states in the midterm elections. Who will be walking away from Trump come the midterms?
PHILLIP: Well, it's going to be a mixed bag for President Trump being out on the road. There are some places like Kentucky where the President is
actually quite popular. The President is going to be able to campaign for certain people. He endorsed Chris Kobach over the objection of a lot of
establishment Republicans. And now that race is so close Kobach could end up being the victor in that race unseating essentially the incumbent there.
So, the President has a lot of sway among primary voters, but the problems for him are going to be in purple states, purple districts, in suburban
districts. Suburban districts like Ohio where there are a lot of Republican's who are more moderate who are disenchanted with him. And a lot
of really energized Democrats. So, it is a mixed bag.
The President has said he wants to be out on the road five or six times a week but it's going to have to be very carefully chosen where he shows up.
He can't go everywhere. He can't support Republicans everywhere. That's not uncommon for Republican incumbents, or for any incumbent Republican
President going into a midterm election. However, President Trump has proven to be pretty uniquely motivating for Democrats. So, that's why
Republicans are even more nervous than they might have been under normal circumstances. Given how great the economy is for them, given how much they
say that they have to go to voters with taxes, regulations. They're still having a lot of trouble out there on the ground.
KINKADE: Yes, they certainly are. All right, Abby Phillip. But I just want to go back to Ryan because we've got this news just coming in to us.
Republican congressman in New York, one of President Trump's first supporters, has been arrested. What can you tell us?
NOBLES: Yes, Lynda, this story is just breaking. This could be something that could blow black on the White House. Representative Chris Collins, he
represents western New York, the Buffalo New York area. He was the very first member of Congress to endorse President Trump. And after his
endorsement the flood gates really began to open for President Trump in terms of that run which at the time many Republicans were skeptical of.
And Collins is being accused of insider trading. Essentially sitting on a board for a corporation. He got a tip about a drug trial that hadn't gone
through. And Federal investigators are accusing him of contacting his son and his son's soon to be father-in-law and telling them about this drug
trial to allow them the opportunity to sell off that stock before the stock tanked. Now this is just an accusation right now, and indictment, but a
pretty serious one.
And just interesting wrinkle in that indictment, supposedly Collins actually took a call about this particular issue while he was at an event
at the White House. So, it'll be very difficult for President Trump to distance himself from this all that much. I mean, he may not be involved in
the actual crime itself, but Collins is someone who has been a very vocal and long-time supporter of President Trump. In the other thing we should
point out since we've been talking about the midterms is does this now bring yet another Republican seat into play for Democrats? Collins in a
very reliably red seat but perhaps that changes now because of his legal troubles.
KINKADE: Exactly. Another headache for President Trump. Ryan Nobles, Abby Phillip, good to have you both with us. Thanks so much.
You can get all of the results for the upcoming and past 2018 primary elections. They are on our website. Just go to CNN.com to keep up to date.
The government's star witness in the trial of Paul Manafort is now on the stand after days of dramatic testimony. Defense attorneys ended their
bruising cross examination of Rick Gates this morning giving prosecutors one final chance to question him and undo any possible damage.
[11:25:00] Defense attorneys tried to shred Gates' credibility after he testified that Manafort directed him to commit crimes. The men were long-
time business associates, and both held senior roles in Donald Trump's campaign. CNN's Joe Johns reports, the defense painted Gates as a liar, a
thief and an adulterer who simply cannot be trusted.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT(voice-over): Star witness Rick Gates back on the stand painting a clearer picture of financial crimes
he says he committed with former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Gates testifying Manafort sent him hundreds of e-mails, many directing him
to transfer money through off shore accounts.
Prosecutor showing in April 2015 e-mail Manafort sent to Gates after finding out he had to pay higher taxes than he anticipated. Manafort
writing, WTF. How could I be blindsided like this? You told me you were on top of this. We need to discuss options. This is a disaster.
For the first time Manafort's and Gates' ties to President Trump entering the courtroom. Prosecutors presenting an e-mail Manafort sent to Gates
asking for tickets to Trump's inauguration, so he can give them to banker Stephen Calk. The government alleges Calk helped Manafort get a loan under
false pretenses. In another e-mail Manafort floating the banker for secretary of the army. Gates repeatedly telling the juryman Manafort was
the ring leader of their many schemes and kept a close eye on all financial dealings.
Judge T.S. Ellis interrupting Gates saying Manafort didn't know about the money you were stealing so he didn't do it that closely. Manafort's
attorneys launching a fierce cross examination trying to shred the credibility of his right-hand man. Gates admitting to having an
extramarital affair and the defense highlighting his refusal to use the term embezzlement.
Manafort's lawyer pushing, why won't you say embezzlement? Gates replying, what difference does it make? The defense again saying, why won't you say
embezzlement? Finally, Gates caving, it was an embezzlement from Mr. Manafort.
Gates also testifying he may have submitted personal expenses for reimbursement by President Trump's inauguration committee, which he helped
to operate. Manafort's attorney pressing Gates, this jury is supposed to believe you after all the lies you've told? Gates appealing directly to the
jury saying, I'm here to tell the truth. Mr. Manafort had the same path. I'm here. I have taken responsibility. I'm trying to change.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well, that was our Joe Johns reporting there. The Republican U.S. Senator who visited Moscow this week has made a big revelation about his
mission. Rand Paul tweeting that he delivered a letter from President Trump to Vladimir Putin's administration. He says it emphasized the importance of
bettering relations. Russian state media says the Kremlin has not reviewed the letter. Paul visited top lawmakers in Moscow on Monday including at
least one who's currently under U.S. sanctions of a Russian interference in the 2016 election.
This is CONNECT THE WORLD, live from Atlanta. Coming up, the stakes are raised in the growing diplomatic row between Saudi Arabia and Canada. The
latest comments from the Saudi Foreign Minister as Canada holds his ground against the kingdom's human rights policies.
[11:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: You're watching CNN, and this is CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Lynda Kinkade in Atlanta filling in for Becky Anderson. Welcome back.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister is blaming Canada for the country's growing diplomatic row. He says Canada made a mistake by criticizing the kingdom's
human rights policies and needs to fix it. These comments come as the Saudi state-run news agency reported the kingdom is transferring Saudi patients
out of treatment programs in Canadian hospitals. Patients will be moved out of the country. Thousands of Saudi students in Canada will also be forced
to leave. Saudi Arabia earlier announced it's expelling Canada's ambassador, freezing trade and suspending flights to and from Canada. Our
John Defterios joins me now for more on all of this. And, John, this every day this seems to really step up a notch. Saudi patients now being forced
out of Canada. What are the motives here?
JOHN DEFTERIOS, CNNMONEY EMERGING MARKETS EDITOR: Well, I was looking for the most fitting analogy, Lynda, and I think it's using the diplomatic club
and pounding Canada each and every day with new measures. It almost appears that the kingdom was looking for a target here and found one in Canada to
make a point here about its power in the Middle East and its willingness to throw its weight around.
Let's take a look at the latest two measures that you were talking about. Saudi patients that are seeking medical care in Canada will be transferred.
This is an edict coming down from the ministry of health. The "Financial Times" is reporting that in the last two hours that banks operating on
behalf of Saudi Arabia need to divest any assets that they hold in Canada. This has not been confirmed by the government, but it seems like a rifle
shot right across the bow to Canada depending on the level of that portfolio. And you have the list of the other items there. They're wide
ranging from suspending the ambassador to suspending flights and trade relations going forward.
Now this all goes back to Chrystia Freeland, the Foreign Minister of Canada, sending out tweets on behalf of human rights activists, one female
activist in particular. They have family members in Canada and that's why Canada decided to intervene. She said they would not apologize. That was a
position as of Monday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to speak within the next three hours to make a comment on the relations with Saudi
Arabia. Back in Riyadh, the Foreign Minister, Ahmed Al-Jubeir, was rather blunt saying we don't need intervention.
This is a quote from the Foreign Minister. Canada knows what it needs to do.
I would interpret that having spent years covering Saudi Arabia that they're looking for a full-fledged apology from Ottawa at the same time.
KINKADE: Yes, it certainly sounds like they're not going to get it. Of course, this all comes at a time when the Saudi Crown Prince says were open
for investment. But then over one tweet it shuts down all trade and diplomacy with one entire country. What sort of message does that send to
others doing business with the Saudis?
[11:35:00] DEFTERIOS: Well, I think predictability and trust are key factors when it comes to foreign direct investment. You rightly point out
that this is an effort by the kingdom over the last 2 1/2 years over the banner of the Vision 2030 to attract foreign investors and open up the
market even to tourism with some major megaprojects.
Now you remember the arrests that took place last year of some 300 Saudi billionaires and they extracted billions of dollars under the guise of
corruption. This shocked the international community here, but I think the point from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always been looked under the
previous king, King Abdullah, as the major oil producer in the sight of the two holy mosques. But the Crown Prince and King Salman, his father, have
always believed that their role as a military force and a diplomatic force has been downplayed and they're out to change it. And there's regional
support for this as well. Many have been waiting for Saudi Arabia to step up its game. Most from the outside, particularly in the Western states say,
this is over the top.
But Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain all decided to put out statements today saying that outside interference is not welcome. And then I thought
it was interesting coming from Russia, the foreign ministry put out a statement saying that having the moral criticism coming from the West is
not constructive. And I'll just had one other point here. I think there is the Trump factor. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is very close to Donald
Trump. He made major military purchases over the last year and I think he feels embolden to kind of throw his weight around even to the northern
neighbor of the United States.
KINKADE: Yes, he certainly does. Well, we will continue to follow this story. John Defterios, good to have you on it for us. Thanks so much.
Well, former British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, set out to criticize Denmark for banning burkas in a recent column for the "Telegraph." But
instead, he became the subject of scrutiny himself after insulting the women who wear them. Among other thing Johnson compared women who wear them
to letter boxes and bank robbers. Well, are Bianca Nobilo joins me now from London. And Bianca, it's no surprise that Boris Johnson has been compared
to Donald Trump over his controversial and offensive remarks. And now the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, wants him to apologize.
BIANCA NOBILO, CNN LONDON: Yes, we've heard that from the Prime Minister. She was joining the course of voices including the Conservative Party
chairman who felt that it was best that Boris Johnson apologize. And as you said, Lynda, there have been numerous illusions drawn between Boris Johnson
and Donald Trump. They're both very theatrical, fairly populist in many of the ways they conduct themselves. And they're known for playing it, well,
either very close to the mark or seeing the mark and just going right over it for political effect. And they really understand that audience.
But his remarks have caused offense. And as you outlined there in the introduction, it is interesting as the thrust of Boris Johnson's article
was actually saying that Britain is a liberal country and therefore shouldn't have a ban on the however, he personally felt that it was
oppressive. And uses very colorful language describing why he didn't like burqas. Including likening those women to letter boxes and bank robbers, as
you mentioned. Now the Conservative Muslim forum -- so that's the foreign within the party of Boris Johnson -- have said that he's pandering to a
far-right narrative and the reaction to it has been incredibly strong.
KINKADE: It certainly has. We'll see if he does, indeed, apologize. Doesn't sound like it though. Bianca Nobilo, good to have you with us. Thank you.
Still to come, Congo battles yet another deadly outbreak of Ebola in its second in a matter of weeks. We're going to talk with someone with
experience who's tried to contain the virus in the past. That story next.
[11:40:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: You're watching CNN, and this is CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Welcome back.
Dozens of people have died in the latest Ebola outbreak which is happening in one of the most populated regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The death toll in the Northeast province of North Kivu, is now 36. In the World Health Organization has just confirmed that there is no link to
separate an outbreak in the Western Equateur province which has just been declared over. Nima Elbagir has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was supposed to have been a lesson the world had already learned.
PETER SALAMA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: We expect, however, that the overall case count will rise in coming days to
weeks.
GIGOVA: An epidemic that had already been tamed.
SALAMA: This strain of Ebola carries with it the highest case fatality rate.
GIGOVA: In 2015 in the aftermath of the Ebola outbreak in west Africa which killed over 11,000 people, scientists said they had successfully tested an
Ebola vaccine which could confirm up to a year of immunity and the world breathed a sigh of relief. But this May, just over four years after the
start of the West African outbreak, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is in the throes of an Ebola crisis. The United Nations World Health
Organization which is attempting to lead a global response says, this outbreak is more complicated than any that has come before it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: WHO said the new cluster of cases is occurring in an environment which is very different from previous locations either as an
active conflict zone. And added that the major barrier will be safely accessing the affected population.
GIGOVA: As the death toll climbs, people in the outbreak zones are grappling both with the loss of loved ones and this new reality that is
unfolding. The disease is spread through contact with any contaminated body fluids and even children are having to learn that a single touch can be
deadly.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD (text): We have to do this and wave and not touch people.
GIGOVA: At a time when the craving for the comforts of contact with those you love is need more than ever. Nima Elbagir, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: My next guest has extensive experience in dealing with Ebola. Dr. Jennifer McQuiston from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, was
deployed to Sierra Leone during the outbreak four years ago. She joins me now from the CDC headquarters here in Atlanta. Thanks for being with us.
Thanks for having me.
KINKADE: Just before I get to the first question I just want to remind our viewers of what Ebola is. Because the World Health Organization describes
it as one of the most deadly diseases known to humans with an average fatality rate of 50 percent. Which has spiked to 90 percent in past
outbreaks. Humans catch it from bodily fluids and infected wild animals. And it spreads among humans through contact with blood or bodily fluids.
Symptoms can include fever and muscle pain followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash and impaired kidney and liver function. Now Ebola was first discovered
in 1976 near the Ebola River, which is now in the Democrat Republic of Congo.
So just explain for us whether -- obviously since this 2014 outbreak a vaccine has been created. Can that vaccine be effective in the Democratic
Republic of Congo?
DR. JENNIFER MCQUISTON, PART OF CDC RESPONSE TO 2014 EBOLA OUTBREAK: I think it's important to really emphasize that this is a great example of
why outbreaks need to have the world's attention on them. Viruses are constantly emerging, and they can move quickly, and we need to have systems
in place to detect and respond. We're working on that. I think we can do more. But in the Democratic Republic of Congo they do have experience
dealing with Ebola as you noted.
[11:45:00] This time we do have a vaccine. The vaccine was successfully used in Guinea during the 2014, 2015 epidemic there. And it was just used
in the Democratic Republic of Congo's outbreak in northwestern region as well. It will likely be used here as well. This is Ebola Zaire which is
what that vaccine is designed to work against.
But I want to emphasize that vaccine alone is not the only solution to control Ebola. We know how to control Ebola. It is tracing contacts of
people who are sick. It is getting people with Ebola into treatment facilities quickly. It is helping communities learn how to have safe and
effective and dignified burials.
KINKADE: You mentioned the Zaire strain of Ebola which were seeing now in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It seems to be the most
fatal strain of Ebola. Is the vaccine as effective on this strain as it is on others?
MCQUISTON: There are different types of Ebola viruses and there are different case fatality rates that have been reported for each of them. And
Ebola virus, which was formally called Ebola Zaire, does have the highest case fatality rate among the Ebola viruses that we know of. The good news
is that the vaccine that's currently being used in the Democratic Republic of Congo was specifically designed against the Zaire strain of Ebola and
there's every indication it should work in this outbreak as well.
KINKADE: Let me ask you a question. You were part of the response effort during the Ebola outbreak in 2014. The World Health Organization counted
more than 28,000 confirmed or suspected cases of Ebola worldwide at the time. More than 11,000 were fatal. Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone where
you worked were the country's hardest hit. So, what lessons were learned from that outbreak that can be applied now? And how can we prevent future
outbreaks?
MCQUISTON: I think one of the most important lessons from the 2014 to 2015 Ebola epidemic in West Africa was the need to have strong systems in place
before and outbreak hit. So, that when Ebola is detected the resources are already there. They've practiced on how to do it and the can respond
quickly and effectively to keep the outbreak from getting out of control.
In West Africa Ebola was not quickly recognized. It was an area of the world where they had not had a lot of experience dealing with Ebola. And
they didn't have those resources prepositioned and ready to go.
What's happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo is different. I mean, as you mentioned, this is where Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976.
And this country has had at least ten Ebola outbreaks that we know of since that time and they've built a lot of experience and history responding to
it. So, the country has the resources and the knowledge and the skills and the people who are trained in country to do it. They have a lab that's
conducting the testing which was not in place in Sierra Leone or Liberia or Guinea when that outbreak first started.
What's different about this outbreak, as you mentioned, is that it's happening in an area of active conflict. And we've not had to deal with or
respond to an Ebola outbreak in a situation like that before. And it means there needs to be a lot of partners working together to safely bring this
outbreak under control.
KINKADE: Yes, it certainly provides a lot of additional challenges. Dr. Jennifer McQuiston, good to get your perspective from the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention. Thanks so much.
MCQUISTON: Thank you for having me.
KINKADE: We have lots more online on this including a look at how drug resistant super bugs are killing babies in Malawi. That collaboration with
the bureau of investigative journalism is on CNN.com right now and well worth a read.
Live from Atlanta this is CONNECT THE WORLD. Still to come, a dramatic new twist in the road for Tesla. Is the electric car maker going private? We'll
have a live report next.
[11:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: You're watching CNN, and this is CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Lynda Kinkade in Atlanta. Welcome back.
We're keeping a close eye on electronic car maker Tesla after founder Elon Musk's stunning announced that he could take the company private. That word
coming initially from this rather cryptic tweet sent Tesla shares soaring on Tuesday. Trading had to be suspended for a bit. Musk says he has the
funding but still hasn't made a final decision. Well, there is still an awful lot that we don't know like who that backer could be. CNN's Clare
Sebastian joins us now from New York. And Clare, one tweet from Elon Musk sent stock soaring. What's his argument for taking the company private?
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNNMONEY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Lynda, this is very much the best explained part of this whole story. Yes, that Tesla later yesterday
afternoon released an e-mail that Musk had sent out employees where he basically laid out his rationale. And this is something he's talked about
before as something that would make the company more efficient.
But basically, he said, that wild swing that we've seen in the company's stock price are a distraction to Tesla employees. He said being beholden to
the quarterly earnings cycle encourages decisions that may not be in the company's best interests long-term. And he said it also encourages short
selling. It gives people an incentive to attack the company. We know that he's had an adverse relationship with short-sellers. And certainly, his
tweet yesterday very much hurt them given the rise in the stock price. But it's not so much why he's doing it, it's how he did it, how he announced it
that's causing so much confusion. The fact that he did it on Twitter. The fact that he said funding secured. We still have no real evidence that that
is the case. That is what is baffling so many people out there.
KINKADE: Yes, certainly a lot of questions about that. And of course, this announcement followed a report that Saudi Arabia had acquired a stake in
the company. Tell us more about that.
SEBASTIAN: Right. On any other day this would have been the biggest news about Tesla. This is a report from "The Financial Times" that Saudi
Arabia's Sovereign Wealth Fund had acquired a 3 to 5 percent stake in Tesla worth up to about $3 billion. This was something that sent the stock price
higher. It was over shadowed after that by Elon Musk's tweet. But certainly, an investment on that scale is seen as a vote of confidence in
the company and in Musk's vision going forward.
KINKADE: And just finally, you mentioned that he made this announcement on tweet as we discussed. How unusual is it for that sort of announcement to
be put out there in the public sphere like that?
SEBASTIAN: It's extremely unusual. Usually for going private transaction you would have to consult your board, you would have to file several
disclosures with the SEC most of which would be vastly larger than 280 characters. You would form a special committee of board members. We do now
know that the board was consulted last week, and they have been meeting ever since then. But the Elon Musk tweet was the first statement to the
market, and that on the face of it isn't illegal. The SEC has an allowance where you can post market moving, potentially market moving comments on
social media. And if investors know that that's where to look and Tesla has told them to look at Musk's tweets in the past. But I think it's the
statement about funding secured. We don't know that that is true. If it turns out that he doesn't have the funding secured been that can be seen as
fraud on the market. So, there are a lot of legal questions swirling around this at the moment.
KINKADE: Very murky. All right, Clare Sebastian for us in New York, good to have you on the story.
Well, in our parting shots tonight, we look at Europe's extreme heat wave which has push temperatures to record highs sparking wildfires from Greece
in the south all the way to Sweden, which is usually immune for such natural disasters. But the sweltering heat is having some pretty unexpected
results uncovering history that many of us thought was lost. Like these yellowing fields in Ireland now exposing prehistoric ruins along the river
Boyne.
[11:55:00] All these Irish cliff tops where fires revealed World War II markings. Which once alerted pilots that they were flying over neutral
territory. Incredible. The drought ridden Elbe River in Germany has revealed over 20 pieces of artillery from the same area. And in
Nottinghamshire in the U.K., this sun baked lawn shows now shows where a stately house demolished a long time ago once stood. Like so many other
sights hidden from sight until now that never fully erased from our history.
You can always follow the stories the team is working on throughout the day, especially all the big news shaping the Middle East by going to our
Facebook page. That is Facebook.com/CNNConnect.
There's only so much we can pack into an hour so be sure to check out the Facebook page for much more. I'm Lynda Kinkade. That was CONNECT THE WORLD.
From the team in Atlanta and those working around the world for us in London and Abu Dhabi, thanks so much for watching.
END
