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Connect the World
Coronavirus Death Toll Rises, Surpassing SARS; Thai Shooting Rampage Suspect Dead; At Least Two Troops Killed in Afghanistan; America's Choice 2020; Russia Sends Potential Coronavirus Carriers to Siberia for Quarantine; Virus Delays Adoption of Chinese Girl; Pope Francis Visits the UAE. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired February 09, 2020 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live on CNN, this is CONNECT THE WORLD.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN HOST (voice-over): Hello and welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Alison Kosik, sitting in for Becky Anderson.
The big story this hour, the death toll from the coronavirus now surpassing that of the 2003 SARS epidemic. China reporting 89 more people succumbed to
the disease there on Saturday. That brings the total to 813 deaths, all but two of them on Mainland China.
More than 37,000 cases are reported now. While the majority of them are within China's borders, the virus has spread to more than 2 dozen countries
and territories around the globe. Chinese President Xi Jinping has for the most part remained quiet as anger grows within his country.
People there are angry over what they feel is a slow government response to contain the virus and angry over the apparent muzzling of the whistleblower
doctor, who tried to warn the public about the disease before contracting it himself and dying.
President Xi told president Donald Trump that control and prevention efforts have reached, quote, "a critical stage." Let's bring in CNN's David
Culver who is standing by for us from Beijing.
You have been covering this from the beginning and have been able to step back and analyze.
If this is a test for Xi Jinping's leadership, how do you think he's faring?
DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, this certainly is a test and, Alison, you have to look at where this started originally. It started at
the local level and that's where the concern initially was against the Wuhan mayor and the governor of Hubei province.
It seemed a lot of criticism stayed at the local level and it was the central government and President Xi Jinping who swooped in and said we're
going to take over this and make sure we can clean up this mess and then we will obviously reassess it from there.
Now in doing so, he initially gained a lot of respect and people said, OK, it seems like the central government has now taken this and perhaps they
know what they're doing. And that has since changed a bit. It's changed in the sense of concern and sentiment from most of the folks who have
expressed it online.
You mentioned Doctor Li, somebody who we connected with just a week ago. He was somebody who became a hero of sorts in all of this, somebody who was an
early whistleblower, inadvertently put something out to his friends and it went public. He became seen as somebody who was trying to raise the alarm
and sound it here.
But when his death was announced, it seemed like state media initially put it out there and then withdrew it, citing the hospital saying he was still
alive. People weren't buying it online. They expressed a lot of concern and quite frankly they believed that it was a cover-up state media was doing
and perpetrated in part by the central government and the party.
However, what the party will put out there and President Xi Jinping has expressed is that this is something that he's now trying to take control
of, with deployment and coordination of multiple levels, trying to get thousands of medical military personnel in there, building these two
hospitals in what you have to admit is an unprecedented amount of time.
It's quite impressive to see how they've come together. And he's trying to work with the global community, too. That's the other issue. China has
become increasingly isolated in the world and all these travel restrictions have come out against it.
But the censorship has been at issue that we're actually seeing right now, as my producer is pointing out. When we start to talk about subjects like
this that are deemed sensitive they're censored out, particularly when they have to do with the president.
They'll also point out here, Alison, unlike the U.S. where you'll often hear from President Trump certainly multiple times a day on Twitter or
you'll see him out and about at several press conferences or even answering reporters' questions, that's not the way it works here. It's very
different.
They like to draw that distinction. So while you may not see him physically, they like to stress he's still in control and still getting
things done.
KOSIK: So the World Health Organization is sending a team to China either tomorrow or Tuesday to investigate the outbreak.
Why has it taken so long for the WHO to get a team on the ground there?
CULVER: So the WHO, we should also point out, has been quite praising of China's efforts here, too.
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CULVER: Now they will say when you're looking at a system like this and trying to figure out how to assess things, they're relying heavily on
Chinese scientists and Chinese data. While it may seem like it's delayed on the outside, they're still getting the information and still getting the
research.
While physically they may not have been here, they are still able to do some sort of scientific advancement and trying to fully understand what
exactly is going on with this virus and how it's transmitted and ultimately how you contain it.
The bigger question is going to be, going forward, is this containment effort effective?
In its extreme, in many cases, the lockdown itself of 60-plus million people and well over 15 cities and provinces -- and we're seeing in even
some cases it's gotten to the extreme of, we've said every other day somebody can be the one representative from the household to leave certain
homes.
Well, in some jurisdictions it's every three days one person can leave the home just to go grocery shopping and come back. So the question will be
ultimately how successful is this. And that's something China is trying to stress to the world that they have it under control.
KOSIK: A lot of cabin fever there. David Culver, live for us in Beijing, great reporting, thanks very much.
A travel nightmare for 3,600 people aboard a cruise ship in Hong Kong is over. Hong Kong health officials announced today that there have been no
confirmed cases of Wuhan coronavirus found onboard and the passengers are free to leave.
They had been trapped onboard for five days. For thousands of people aboard another cruise ship docked in Japan, a very different story. Here's Matt
Rivers.
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MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, a total of 70 people now have tested positive for the coronavirus on board this ship. And it is for that reason
the Japanese health officials say this quarantine is crucial, that everyone on board who isn't sick is going to remain on board until February 19th.
What that has done is create this day-to-day life, filled with monotony, boredom and a bit of tension.
RIVERS (voice-over): An early morning takeoff on a flight to see the Diamond Princess, the ship where dozens of people have been diagnosed with
the coronavirus. Passengers on board under mandatory quarantine until February 19th.
The ship is actually returning to harbor. It was out of the harbor for about 24 hours to take care of some maintenance issues, including the
production of fresh water. For the people on board it had the added effect of breaking up some of the monotony.
People below saw our helicopter flying around. Rose Yerex even shot this on her cell phone. We asked her and husband, Greg, to show us their cabin.
GREG YEREX, QUARANTINED PASSENGER: Small mini-fridge on the right, desk on the left. Swing around and there's Rose. And you can see there sure isn't
much space in here.
ROSE YEREX, QUARANTINED PASSENGER: It's hard being stuck into a small room. But we are keeping ourselves occupied with all kinds of things, from
watching movies and reading books.
RIVERS (voice-over): Breakfast dropped off at the door each morning. Yesterday they were allowed out on deck for an hour, masks on, at least two
meters from others. It's all part of the quarantine. Health officials say it's the only way to stop the virus from spreading further. Some on board
say it's like being in a cage.
MATTHEW SMITH, QUARANTINED PASSENGER: The time I really sense it is when the crew comes by and knocks on the door to hand you your food and then the
doors close, as though somehow it's the feeding of the zoo animals.
RIVERS (voice-over): Matthew Smith says he gets it, though, and praises the action of the cruise company and the government. He feels the
quarantine will work and is a good idea even though others onboard say they're afraid of catching the disease and have asked to get off.
SMITH: I think they could avoid that fear if they were a little more rational. But I understand, it's a stressful situation for everybody.
RIVERS (voice-over): Despite some people wanting off, the Japanese government says no chance the quarantine will end before February 19th.
Tests will continue. Anyone diagnosed will be taken off. And if you are not sick, prepare for your room to be disinfected and settle in.
R. YEREX: We are really looking forward to being able to get home.
RIVERS: As we watch this ship docking into the harbor, it's strange to think that the passengers on board will not be able to get off. They are so
close to land and yet so far away from being able to be on it.
There was some 428 Americans on board this ship, several of whom who have publicly called for the U.S. State Department to get involved to allow some
of these Americans to come off the ship and serve their quarantine periods on shore.
However, the Japanese defense ministry say they have talked to officials inside the U.S. government and says the U.S. government is supportive of
the regulations Japanese health officials have put into place.
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RIVERS: Despite some of these requests, it does look like all of the Americans and everyone else will be serving out this quarantine period on
board the ship through February 19th.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOSIK: Matt Rivers, thanks very much.
The death toll has risen to 29 following Saturday's shooting at a crowded mall and a military base in Thailand; 58 people were wounded. Authorities
say the gunman was a soldier. They had tried several times to persuade him to turn himself in but police later shot and killed him during a standoff.
A few hours ago, large crowds held a vigil for the victims. CNN's Kristie Lu Stout has more on how the shooting unfolded and the attacker's takedown.
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KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR: (voice-over): Terrified shoppers run out of the mall as a calm day turned deadly in one of Thailand's largest cities.
Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat city, is where a Thai soldier opened fire at Terminal 21 mall, killing at least 26 people.
Hours after the rampage began, images on social media showed people sprinting across the mall as heavily armed Thai police and military
evacuated them.
Jon Fielding, an English teacher, was inside the mall during the shooting.
JON FIELDING, TEACHER: I was just at the mall with a friend. Everything was completely normal. And then all of a sudden, everyone started running.
Lots of shouting and panicking. And we immediately knew something was wrong.
And the immediate reaction is to kind of duck down and hide. And then everyone was running into the shops and restaurants and barricading the
doors.
Luckily we were right next to a restaurant, so we went inside and shut the door. It's a huge mall, really busy, on a Saturday. There must have been
thousands of people in the mall.
STOUT (voice-over): The tragic event unfolded in real time and security forces published images on social media, giving instructions for people
trapped in the building to get out. Emergency workers livestreamed their rescue efforts as they were taking victims on stretchers out of the
building.
ANUTIN CHARNVIRAKUL, THAI PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER (through translator): We have been trying to bring out whoever we can. And we will gradually save
others who are still stuck inside.
STOUT (voice-over): Thailand's defense ministry spokesman said the suspect, Army Sub. Lt. Jakrapanth Thomma, shot and killed his superior,
then went around shooting his colleagues. After he escaped from his quarters he drove to the mall and started shooting civilians.
He added, the gunmen's motive is still unknown. Facebook said in a statement it had removed the suspected gunman's page, although there was no
evidence of violent videos.
"We are working around the clock to remove any violating content related to this attack," the statement said. "Our hearts go out to the victims, their
families and the community affected by this tragedy in Thailand."
STOUT: Police tried several times to try to convince the shooter to turn himself in, even bringing in his mother to try to convince him to stand
down.
Authorities say they had to confront the gunman in order to save the people being held inside. And the saga ultimately ended when police shot the
gunman dead after a 12-hour standoff -- Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOSIK: At least two U.S. troops and one Afghan soldier were killed in a brazen attack in Eastern Afghanistan. A U.S. military spokesman says it
appears someone wearing an Afghan uniform opened fire with a machine gun on a joint operation south of Kabul.
It's the latest action against security forces in the country after a record number of attacks last year. Journalist Jennifer Glasse is following
the story from Kabul and joins me now live with more.
So Jennifer, what are you learning about this attack, the circumstances surrounding it?
JENNIFER GLASSE, JOURNALIST: Well, the former district governor where this attack took place tells CNN that the attacker was actually an Afghan
soldier. Right now Afghan officials and American officials are working on an investigation to try and figure out what was the motivation behind this.
No one has claimed responsibility.
So the question will be whether this soldier acted because of some sort of disagreement with the U.S. and Afghan troops on that mission in Eastern
Afghanistan or whether he was some sort of Taliban or other infiltrator.
And that will be the key question of the investigation moving forward. There are about 13,000 U.S. troops here in Afghanistan, almost equally
divided between NATO's training mission that trains and advises Afghan forces and the counterterrorism mission.
Now that's what the U.S. Special Forces were doing when this attack happened. It was in Nangarhar province, they were finishing what U.S.
officials call a key leader engagement when this man opened fire with a machine gun. Two Americans killed, one Afghan killed.
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GLASSE: Six Americans wounded, being treated at U.S. facilities, and three Afghan forces wounded as well.
The big question will be what does this mean for the entire U.S. mission going forward?
We have already heard talks that President Trump would like to draw down some U.S. forces and the commander here, General Scott Miller, has said
that he can do what he needs to do with about 8,600 U.S. forces.
Now these kinds of insider attacks are no -- General Miller is no stranger to these kinds of insider attacks. He narrowly escaped being injured in one
about a year and a half ago in Southern Afghanistan.
KOSIK: OK, Jennifer Glasse, thanks so much.
Still ahead on CONNECT THE WORLD --
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The testimony that you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?
KOSIK (voice-over): Testify against the U.S. president and he may fire you. At least that seems to be the case with Donald Trump.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSIK: And U.S. presidential candidates are in a race to the finish ahead of Tuesday's New Hampshire's primary. Coming up, who's up, who's down and
what are they saying.
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KOSIK: We are just two days away from this year's first U.S. presidential primary. After the chaos and confusion of last week's Iowa caucuses,
Democrats are hoping the New Hampshire primary will provide more clarity.
Thousands of people attending a Democratic Party gala Saturday night heard last-minute appeals from the candidates. Although there were many calls for
party unity, it got rowdy at times.
Pete Buttigieg was jeered by some supporters of Bernie Sanders. Buttigieg supporters responded by chanting their candidate's name.
A new CNN tracking poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire shows Bernie Sanders holding a narrow lead with support from 28 percent of the
likely Democratic voters. It shows Pete Buttigieg coming in second with 21 percent. They're followed by Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren.
The poll was conducted Wednesday through Saturday. Bernie Sanders was a guest on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION." He renewed his criticism of rival
candidates who have accepted big-ticket contributions from billionaires, specifically Pete Buttigieg.
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SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D-VT), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am running against a candidate, Pete Buttigieg, among others, who has raised contributions from
more than 40 billionaires.
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SANDERS: Including the CEOs of some of the largest drug companies in America. So we are independent of our revolution, all these other groups.
They are legally able to do what they want. So my message to all of the candidates, let's end all of that stuff right now.
You want to do it today?
Let's do it today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSIK: Pete Buttigieg responded just moments later on the same program. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FORMER MAYOR PETE BUTTIGIEG (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Bernie is pretty rich and I would happily accept a contribution from him.
Look, this is about making sure that we bring everybody into the fight at a moment when we're going to be going up against Donald Trump, who, with his
allies, are raising -- I think the other day they raised $25 million in one day. This is the fight of our lives. I'm not a fan of the current campaign
finance system.
But I'm also insistent that we've got to go into this with all of the support we can get. And, by the way, my campaign is where it is because
hundreds of thousands of individuals -- no corporate PACs, individuals -- have contributed through peteforamerica.com and in I think 2 million plus
contributions, the average under $40.
I'm the mayor of South Bend. It's not like that's an establishment fund- raising powerhouse. We were able to get here by putting together a movement. And that movement is the one that is going to turn the page,
bring an end to the Trump presidency.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSIK: Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg both appearing on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION."
So much to sift through here. Our friend of the show here, Julian Zelizer, is back with us. He is a professor of history and public affairs at
Princeton University. And he joins us live from New York City.
All right, here we go, because you are knee deep in this tweeting earlier, if Joe Biden has shifted from the unbeatable to the lower expectations
phase of the campaign, he is doing an excellent job.
Biden has been quick to take jabs at Pete Buttigieg, Buttigieg calling them small-minded as the race gets tighter.
What do we have going on here?
JULIAN ZELIZER, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Look, even though Biden wasn't expected to do particularly well in Iowa and even in New Hampshire, the
numbers are very real for many donors and many organizers.
I think many people are worried now about where does this all go after New Hampshire if he doesn't perform well?
You have two front-runners now, Buttigieg and Sanders, who have a lot of momentum, a lot of support. And so there is a risk for Biden; if he keeps
performing at a poor level, people will leave him. And I think a lot of the campaign senses this. That's why there's been some reorganization taking
place this week.
KOSIK: There's also a lot of hostility going on here between the candidates.
How productive is that just for the Democratic ticket in general?
ZELIZER: Well, obviously they want to be careful not to sell Republican talking points to the nation as they have these debates. But in general,
it's good for parties to vet the candidates.
They put everything out there so that Democrats will hear it now as opposed to in the fall campaign, when President Trump is the opponent. And you also
essentially test these candidates.
How do they do when they have this kind of political attack come their way on television, on social media?
So I think it's fine for Democrats to have this now. We've had divisive primaries in the past, 2008. And the party can still win after that.
KOSIK: How much do you think this has all come down to money when it comes down to whittling the Democratic field into something more narrow?
ZELIZER: Money matters. You can't run a campaign without a substantial amount of dollars. That's why these early contests matter most. They're a
gauge for donors in terms of where the money goes.
But it's true, a lot of the candidates, both Buttigieg and Sanders, are raising money also from lots of small donors. And I think that isn't just
money, it's a reflection of grassroots interest and support. So I don't think money and the grassroots are always disconnected, as you'll sometimes
hear the candidates suggest.
KOSIK: All right. Let's segue to Washington, where President Trump has fired two major impeachment figures, Alexander Vindman and Gordon Sondland.
Was this expected?
ZELIZER: Well, if you've been watching, yes. This is a purge. This is a president who's very vindictive, who's very angry about this impeachment.
And so it's natural he's not going to want people around him who testified against him to remain in his vicinity.
It's not a normal thing to do. This is yet another extension of how he uses presidential power. But if you follow Trump, this is predictable.
KOSIK: And we are learning the White House plans to ask for less money than it sought in previous years for a border wall in its proposed spending
plan. The border wall, as you know, has been a key promise of the Trump presidency.
So how will the wall play into President Trump's re-election campaign?
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ZELIZER: Well, the total dollar amounts probably matter less than the promise or claim it's being built, it will continue to be built and it's an
accomplishment of the administration.
So I think that's why he might want to say I'm going to spend less but ultimately the symbolism of the wall was so central in 2016, I think you're
going to hear about it again in 2020.
KOSIK: OK. Julian Zelizer, always great to get your analysis. Thanks for being with us.
ZELIZER: Thank you.
KOSIK: As Democratic candidates fight their way up the political food chain, maybe they could take a lesson from the animal kingdom.
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KOSIK (voice-over): This coyote, for instance, teaming up with a badger for a joint late-night hunt. It's been widely shared online so -- and we
wanted to share it with just in case you didn't see it.
The unlikely friendship was caught on camera as part of a conservationist's study.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSIK: One Twitter user wrote, "If animals of different species can cooperate, why can't we?"
Oh, wait, there's more. Then there's this other surprise gesture of kindness from an orangutan. The animal held out his hand to help a man get
out of snake-infested water. The moment was captured by a photographer.
The photographer said the man was struggling to move in the muddy water and the image was shared on Instagram and has melted the hearts of many people
all over the world.
This is CNN's CONNECT THE WORLD. We'll be back right after this.
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KOSIK: Images of widespread devastation are ingrained in the minds of Australians after massive bush fires this summer. And it won't be forgotten
anytime soon. It will take years to recover from the damage to ecosystems, wildlife and personal property.
Almost 12 million hectares burned, 1 billion animals killed, hundreds of homes destroyed and 26 people lost their lives. Bushfires are still burning
in parts of New South Wales, although some relief has come from torrential rain.
But with the Earth scorched and nature making up for a drought, the storms are now causing flash flooding. Mylee Hogan with Australia's 7 News
reports.
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MYLEE HOGAN, 7 NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The north coast battered; 500 millimeters has hit the ground in four days. The sheer volume of water
leading to flash floods. Crews forced to perform 40 flood rescues across the state.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There has been a number that have driven into floodwaters and we have had to rescue them.
HOGAN (voice-over): That system intensified, hitting the mid-north coast and spreading south.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's uncommon to see rainfall rates as high as we're seeing.
HOGAN (voice-over): This afternoon a teenage boy was pulled to safety after he fell off a canoe in floodwaters.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So the majority have been people being caught between two rivers or creeks that have gone up unexpectedly.
HOGAN (voice-over): Homes inundated with water on the central coast.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you concerned about tonight?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It just keeps rising.
HOGAN (voice-over): Heavy falls relief for some farmers, ,one rejoiced in dam. The kids and even the dog joined in. Drought-ravaged land drenched,
bruised, jumping in the wet through Coonamble, a town in the central western plains, dust now muddy water.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've had nearly 100 percent of the state in drought conditions over the course of the last 12 months. So no matter where it
falls at the moment, it's going to be a welcome relief.
HOGAN (voice-over): The Illawarra soaked with more than 100 millimeters and it's still falling.
HOGAN: The rain isn't just heavy, it actually hurts as it comes in sideways but it's when you look at the surf that you can tell the strength
and severity of the system battering the coast. Wave heights of over 5 meters recorded here.
In Ulladulla, a yacht beached and just further south after raging for 74 days, the Kerwin (ph) fire is out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is fantastic. There's no doubt. There's small in faces (ph) everywhere right now.
(WEATHER REPORT)
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KOSIK: A disturbing development in Antarctica shows the impact of climate change. On Thursday, the continent unofficially reaching its highest
temperature ever recorded, about 18 degrees Celsius.
Studies warn that many of Antarctica's glaciers are melting because of global warming. Scientists say Antarctica's ice sheet continues -- contains
enough water to raise global sea levels by 60 meters. Think about that.
When we come back, Russia is sending evacuees from China to Siberia. The questions nations are being forced to answer as they evacuate their
citizens from Wuhan.
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KOSIK: Returning to our top story this hour, the novel coronavirus from Wuhan, China, has killed over 800 people and infected over 37,000. As
several countries work to get their citizens out of China, the question is what to do with them when they arrive home. Russia is shipping its
potential carriers off to Siberia. Matthew Chance reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On a bleak Siberian runway, a frosty reception for the first Russians evacuated
from Wuhan, China.
To contain the infection, suitcases are sprayed with disinfectant on the tarmac as emergency workers in protective suits escort the passengers into
quarantine.
This is where potential exposure to coronavirus leads. Two weeks under strict observation at this remote Soviet-era sanatorium, a virus gulag
where evacuees are isolated from the outside world. Some are now video blogging from inside.
VLADIMIR MARKOV, RUSSIAN EVACUEE FROM WUHAN: Now what do we have to do is to put our old clothes in one bag, this is old clothes, and other clothes
in another bag and then call to reception and they will come and take our clothes for the infection. Also we had to use alcohol and clean all
personal belongings.
[11:40:00]
CHANCE (voice-over): Russia has particularly high exposure to China, including a vast land border, more than 4,000 kilometers long, now closed
bar a few tightly controlled corridors.
It also attracts 2 million Chinese tourists a year. But now the throngs of tour groups have been cancelled and curtailed flights directed to a single
terminal in Moscow, where passengers are carefully screened before being allowed in.
ZHANG GAOQIANG, PASSENGER FROM CHINA: From yesterday I also hear that the Russian government will limit the flights from China and the Russians. I
think this is also for to protect the Russian people.
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CHANCE (voice-over): But Russia also wants to protect its important relationship with China. The two countries have strengthening trade and
political ties and shared tensions with the United States.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking foreign language).
CHANCE (voice-over): Little surprise Russian state television is trying to blame the U.S. for the coronavirus outbreak.
"The virus is named after the coronas or crowns Donald Trump placed on the head of beauty queens," this news reader claims. Reports in the same
bulletin alleges the virus was created by U.S. pharmaceutical firms to make money.
Even a global pandemic, it seems, can be an opportunity to take a bizarre swing at a rival -- Matthew Chance, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOSIK: The impact of this outbreak is reaching people across the world in ways you may not have even thought of. Natasha Chen tells us about an
American couple, who is now facing an agonizing wait to see when they can pick up their adopted daughter in China.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When the child comes out and --
NATASHA CHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Noah and Ivy Cleveland were supposed to be on a flight to China Friday night to pick up their adopted daughter.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We had this made for her to wear on her adoption day.
CHEN: Instead, they and their two sons spent Friday evening showing us the baby room. They spent months preparing for 3-year-old Ruby Faith's
homecoming.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What we also like is dogs right here and --
CHEN: The Clevelands spent two years and an often unpredictable adoption process. They finally got the certainty of booked plane tickets, hotel
rooms, only to have their adoption agency tell them less than two weeks before meeting their daughter that plans were on hold because of the
coronavirus outbreak. This was just days before the U.S. announced restrictions on people traveling from China.
IVY CLEVELAND, ADOPTIVE MOTHER: This was the first time in my life that actually went to the point of being sick in my body. I just laid over her
bed, over her crib that I had, you know, prepared for her and look at that, the pictures on the wall and her clothes in her closet. And just
understanding that this is not happening right now.
CHEN: The State Department says adoption cases are still being processed, though the advised adoptive parents not to travel to China for the time
being.
I. CLEVELAND: Our two boys were staying here. And so I had six different babysitters line that they care for them for the 14 days who would be gone.
NOAH CLEVELAND, ADOPTIVE FATHER: These are our suitcase all over the countries we've traveled --
CHEN: And because plans in this house often involve Noah Cleveland's out of town tours performing Christian music, the sudden change in logistics is
also costly. More importantly, it's stretching their faith.
N. CLEVELAND: I know by my story and my life that I did -- there's many things I signed up to go through. But at the end, the way that God works it
out I would never trade it. And I know this is just a part of our story. It's part of Ruby story and how incredible will it be to be able to tell
her, look what -- look what -- look what we did to fight for you.
CHEN: What they did to fight for a girl who they say was abandoned in a hospital bathroom when she was six months old. A girl who's diagnosed with
hydrocephalus.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In that he built this sign.
CHEN: A girl whose new middle name is Faith, the very thing her family is relying on right now.
If you could say something to her that she would understand right now, what would you want her to know from you?
N. CLEVELAND: Mama and Daddy is coming. Just wait, we'll be there soon.
CHEN: Natasha Chen, CNN, McDonough, Georgia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOSIK: Animals are also at the front lines of this virus. Rescue groups say thousands of pets are stranded in Wuhan and are running out of food and
water because their owners can't return home.
Volunteers are being called to break into the houses to replenish supplies for the animals, some of which they say have been found close to
starvation. Wuhan has been on lockdown for more than two weeks.
[11:45:00]
KOSIK: And many pet owners who left for the Lunar New Year holiday, they did not plan to be away for that long.
Let's get you up to speed on some other stories that are on our radar right now.
Vote counting is underway for Ireland's general election and so far the race is too close to call but an exit poll suggests an unprecedented three-
way tie. Sinn Fein is making huge gains in many constituencies. That is the only political party that operates in both Northern Ireland and the
Republic of Ireland.
Israel has blocked Palestinian agricultural exports from reaching international markets by blocking a crossing between the West Bank and
Jordan. The Israeli defense minister says the decision was in response to a months-long Palestinian boycott of Israeli cattle.
This is CNN's CONNECT THE WORLD. We'll be back right after this.
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KOSIK: A year since Pope Francis visited the Arabian Peninsula, religious leaders are coming together in Abu Dhabi to celebrate that historic moment.
During his trip, the pope designed what was called a document of human fraternity that aspires to be a blueprint for tolerance, unity and peace.
But beyond the words, there are actions. CONNECT THE WORLD'S Becky Anderson has the story.
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BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): February 2019, an historic papal visit to the UAE paving the way for a new era of interfaith cooperation. By
signing this, the declaration of human fraternity, alongside of one of Islam's highest religious leaders.
A year on, this is the fruit of their commitment. Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders gathering together in Abu Dhabi to map out how to make
human fraternity a reality. They joined me to break bread over breakfast, a cardinal, a rabbi and a Muslim scholar, alongside the Emirates' minister of
culture.
ANDERSON: What does the concept of human fraternity mean to you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a blessing. I'm sitting today, having breakfast with religious leaders from the Jewish community, from the Muslim
community, from the Christian community and this is the reality of the human fraternity declaration.
What was signed here a year ago today, it was signed for one purpose and really its one sole purpose is to remind everybody what is it to be a human
being, to love each other. We were breaking bread this morning. This is what our religion tells us, side by side, understand each other, talk to
each other. We are living it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sitting and having a meal is so appropriate for the human fraternity.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because it's to eat together, it's to pray together, it's to play together, it's to laugh together, it's to be compassionate to
each other, to bring diverse people around a table and give them an opportunity to share and listen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking foreign language).
ANDERSON (voice-over): For these men, walking the talk of fraternity means sharing common experiences and embracing humanity's common stories.
ANDERSON: Let's talk about just where we are at present because the pope, at the beginning of this year, 2020, expressed concern about this region.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Particularly troubling are the signals coming from the Middle East. I therefore renew my appeal to all the
interested parties avoid an escalation.
ANDERSON: How do you hope that the human fraternity document and the initiatives that will come with that might speak to the youth of this
region about change, about hope, about the possibility of peace going forward?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like in math, you need to search for the common denominator in order to solve the problem. The common denomination is we're
all part of one family, that we're all created in the image of God.
We live in a time there are 70 million refugees, displaced persons. And we have to understand that we need to take care of it.
Are we going to lose a generation of children because they're not educated in these camps?
Are we going to lose a generation who can't read and write?
CARDINAL MIGUEL GUIXOT: We are all belonging to the same human family. Therefore, from the cultural point of view, from (INAUDIBLE) point of view,
wherever we are, anytime, anywhere and with anybody, we are all human beings. Now we have to continue as we are celebrating the first anniversary
with all its achievement.
We have to continue in expanding and helping the international community at large to go through the values of this document on human fraternity.
RABBI M. BRUCE LUSTIG: So well spoken by the cardinal but, in addition, I think we also need to recognize that this grew out of an appropriate moment
in time.
Think about it, what other nation on the face of the Earth spent a year dedicated to a year of tolerance?
The Arabic for the year of tolerance, the tolerance, English, that's a very poor choice of language because it's really embracing. It's really
enveloping. It is all the things that we're going to do in this concept.
ANDERSON: Do help us out here. Just explain because this is really important.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The rabbi is absolutely right. The word that we used last year was tasamah (ph). Tasamah (ph) is a lot more greater than the
word tolerance. It is co-existence, it's not just tolerating somebody, it's to co-exist.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Inclusion.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Inclusion. So it's a powerful word that's been used for centuries and it is on the essence of Islam. And I think (INAUDIBLE) can be
in more detail on the definition of tasamah (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking foreign language).
ANDERSON: There will be people who perhaps say this is good for you but this sounds quite naive, given where we're at as a world.
But go on, what's your message?
LUSTIG: My message is, is that it takes courage. The brilliance of what was done in the creating of the Abrahamic family house is so important.
Why?
Because it's a physical manifestation of what we're trying to achieve on one piece of ground together, on a base, a common base. Three houses of
worship will stand. And yet you can come into that space and that space is open to all.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As Rabbi Bruce alluded to, you're going to have people from the Jewish faith, Muslim faith, Christians coming together,
understanding each other, walking and sitting inside different religious buildings.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's going to be so powerful to see. And if that can't be a beacon of light, then I don't know what can be.
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KOSIK: An important moment for the region. To connect to more stories here in the Middle East, head over to cnn.com/connect. You can also join the
conversation on Twitter @cnnconnect and follow me @AlisonKosik on Twitter and Instagram.
I'm Alison Kosik. That was CONNECT THE WORLD. Thanks so much for watching.
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