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China Announces Three-Child Policy; D.R. Congo On Alert; Proposed Unity Government Seeks Oust Netanyahu. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired May 31, 2021 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:00:23]
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: A new era for Israeli politics. That's the message from Yair Lapid but the political path forward is far
from a done deal.
Then China announces a three-child policy to grow its aging population. The economic and societal impact of that plan are ahead.
And is that volcano in the DRC threatens to erupt again? The U.N. estimates $1 billion is needed to rebuild the damage caused so far.
It's 4:00 in the afternoon in Goma in the DRC, 5:00 p.m. in Jerusalem. It's 6:00 in the evening here in Abu Dhabi. I'm Becky Anderson. Hello and
welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD.
Well, former ally of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be the one who cost him his job. Naftali Bennett, a former defense minister
announced his party is joining a unity government being put together by Yair Lapid who's been tasked with forming a government. Politically, the
coalition couldn't be more different with parties stretching from the far right to the far left, but they are united in one thing, taking the job.
Mr. Netanyahu has held for the last 12 years. Recently, though Israelis have seen their country stuck in a political rush going to the polls four
times in the last two years. Keep in mind this is though far from a done deal, Mr. Netanyahu could still convince some parties to defect or tie
things up procedurally. Well, Naftali has emerged as a sort of kingmaker since it would be hard to form a governing coalition without his party
seats. Hadas Gold takes a look at what may be a new day in Israeli politics.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HADAS GOLD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Nearly 10 weeks after Israelis cast their ballots and a decisive primetime move from former defense minister Naftali
Bennett.
NAFTALI BENNET, FORMER ISRAEL DEFENSE MINISTER (through translator): Well, although
it is now clearly proven, there is no right-wing government possible with Netanyahu at its head. It is either a fifth election or a unity government.
GOLD: Once a close a to the Prime Minister now perhaps the man to sink Netanyahu is 12-year unbroken run as Israel's leader.
BENNET: I'm announcing today that I intend to act with all my strength to form a national unity government together with my friend, Yair Lapid so
that God will, together we will rescue the country from this tailspin and we will get Israel back on track.
GOLD: Minutes later, Netanyahu lashed back.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): He is deceiving the public again, the same lies the same hollow slogans about
hatred and division. This from a man who was actually contributing to hatred and division. A man who was committing the deception of the century.
GOLD: Apparently no greater crime for Netanyahu than seeking to create a left-wing government. An accusation at which Bennett scoffed, given his own
previous support for West Bank annexation.
BENNET: The left is making difficult compromises when it bestows upon me, the former leader of the (INAUDIBLE) proponent of the land of Israel, the
role of Prime Minister.
GOLD: Up to eight political parties would likely take part in any unity government. But sources close to coalition talks say the hard work has
already been done. The position of Prime Minister is widely expected to rotate with right-wing Bennett going first and centrist Lapid second. An
announcement could come in the next few days, then parliament has a week to give its approval.
Even so, in a country so long used to seeing Netanyahu in power, few rule out the possibility of a further twist or two before this story finally
resolves.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, a lot of gold joining us live from Jerusalem where she has been following this political rollercoaster. Hadas, this as we've said is
far from a done deal. Who will watch could derail it at this point?
GOLD: Well, I'm sure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will try to do whatever he can within his power to derail this possible coalition. I mean,
for him the best option is a fifth election. And as we've been saying, this is far from a done deal. Although it sounds like they are getting close to
these formal coalition agreements. And although they could be days away from swearing in this new government. They still have a few steps to take
before this is a done deal.
They have to formally sign these coalition agreements then they have to present them to the Israeli President. And then these really Parliament,
the Knesset has to vote on this. And the Speaker of the Knesset is a Netanyahu ally. So there could be some procedural moves that could be put
into play to either somehow delay or try to do something to try to delay this vote.
[10:05:07]
GOLD: And of course the Parliament has to vote on it before the new government can formally be sworn in. So there's still a few days of
political maneuvering left. Now what could be done is perhaps Netanyahu or his allies could try to convince some of the members currently sign up for
this coalition to defect. Perhaps some members of Naftali Bennett's Yamina party because just two or so defectors could cause this entire coalition to
crumble.
But as it stands right now, the way the sort of the feeling here on the ground is that there is the possibility of probably a greater possibility
than in previous years that Israel could be heading towards the final days of Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister.
ANDERSON: Let's be quite clear here. The members involved in this so-called change coalition literally agree on one thing. They want to see the back of
Netanyahu. Does this coalition have public support? Is it clear?
GOLD: It's not clear. I mean, look, if you're from the center left or from the left wing in Israel, they very much support a change government. They
want to see that, you know, out of power. I've seen polls showing 95 percent of respondents saying that they support this change government even
with Naftali Bennett, leading and keep in mind that Naftali Bennett is a right- wing leader. He is very much pro settlements, pro annexation.
Something that for some people on the left and center left in Israel is not something that they agree with. But there is a sentiment, especially
amongst the center left in the left, that anything that can be done to get rid of Netanyahu is worth it. Now, polls are showing that Yamina
supporters, Naftali Bennett's voters are not necessarily happy with this agreement, two-thirds of them in a poll that was -- that's being cited by
channel 12 here saying that they are not happy with this agreement and that more would rather have a fifth election.
It just goes to show you how atrophied the political situation here in Israel is after so many elections over and over again, that has led to this
point. This very, very, as you noted unique unity government that will have political parties ranging from merits on the left all the way to Naftali
Bennett's Yamina Party on the right sitting together in government, as you know, they don't agree on much other than they don't want Netanyahu in
power.
And there are some very real issues of facing Islam right now, obviously, just coming out of -- within the ceasefire with a with the Hamas-led
militants in Gaza, issues in East Jerusalem tensions with the Palestinians. It's hard to see whether they will be able to make any sort of big strides
forward on those issues considering who will all be sitting together in government.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. Thank you. Stay with us on this story. Coming up in about 20 minutes, I'll be speaking with the former Deputy Chief of Staff of
the Israel Defense Forces. Yair Golan is now a member of the left-wing Meretz Party in the Knesset. He says his party is giving up many of its
principles in order to "Remove Netanyahu from his throne." That interview in about 20 minutes time.
Well, a major policy shift. China has announced it will allow parents to have up to three children instead of two. The new rule is meant to combat
an aging population. It follows a census showing the population grew at its slowest rate over the last decade since the 1950s. There's a lot to unpack.
Let's turn you to our David Culver Cooper who is in Beijing. And there are both economic concerns here and societal impact of what is this slowing
population.
And this is a significant problem that authorities see in China. Just walk us through what's at play here, David.
DAVID CULVER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is a critical crisis right now, Becky. And you're right. This is a combination of the economics.
But it's intertwined with the social aspect and social stability in particular which you know, is crucial here and maintaining the status quo.
As a part of that, its prosperity. So if they can maintain the prosperity, they can -- for the most part, keep folks happy, and on a trajectory of
stability.
If that starts to falter, then that could change things. And what could challenge that, but this potential decline in population. Now what we saw
in that census that released three weeks ago from here was what Beijing characterized to be its slowest rate of growth. There's been rumored
decline for many years, but it's just as of now being seen as a potential going forward. And that's why we see this preemptive move from the Chinese
leadership.
And this goes all the way to the top. This is coming from the Chinese Communist Party's pull up Bureau and President Xi Jinping in particular is
behind this decision. It's not yet law, but it's, of course likely to become that. And it's up now allowing for three children per family. But
what you have to go back to is the one child policy which obviously dated for many decades, going back to 1979, roughly, and continued up until 2016.
And there were some serious impacts of that and we're starting to still see that play out right now with how this aging population is continuing to
grow.
[10:10:10]
CULVER: And how the birth rate is continuing to decline. Add into that, life expectancy is increasing. So it is a multitude of factors that's
becoming increasingly complicated for the leadership here to tackle. And it's not clear, Becky, if these policies are really going to have that
substantive of an impact or if they're going to have to go into social welfare, if they're going to have to go into housing and education and make
a really multifaceted of reforms that could then potentially have an impact.
ANDERSON: That's the top line politics as it were. What's been the response locally to the announcement?
CULVER: There has been a lot of chatter on Chinese social media in particular about this, this is an increasingly popular topic now that it's
come out of in the past few hours. And there are a lot of criticisms going towards the Chinese government as well. Now, those are quieted quickly
here. But there are critics saying that this is once again, the government infringing on women's rights in particular, exerting control over women's
bodies and the decisions they're to make.
And then beyond that, there's concerns that this is really just not going to have any real impact in changing the economic outcome and really the
trajectory as of now, but it's -- right now something that is not being too widely spoken outside of Chinese social media, people are really murmuring
about it, but what we're likely to see is just questions going forward as to how it's going to impact and play out.
But I don't see really everyday families making multiple changes to accommodate this because really, from a financial perspective, Becky,
life's getting really expensive for many families here and they're trying to balance that.
ANDERSON: David Culver is in Beijing for you folks. Just get you to the U.S. It's Memorial Day there. Let's get you to Arlington National Cemetery,
which is just outside Washington where President Joe Biden, his vice president and military leaders are attending a ceremony.
President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and military leaders at Arlington ceremony. The authoritarian leader of Belarus met with his chief supporter
Vladimir Putin over the weekend. They discussed detained activists Roman Protasevich and Sofia Sapega. While Mr. Putin and Alexander Lukashenko
mingled on a yacht in Sochi, the young dissident and her -- his Russian girlfriend have been jailed in Belarus.
The two were arrested after their Ryanair flight was diverted in the move. Some governments are calling a state-sponsored hijacking. And we've just
learned that authorities in Belarus have arrested the editor-in-chief of a local news Web site and accused him of posting extremist information. CNN's
Fred Pleitgen joining us from Berlin with more on this story, which is of course being closely watched around the world. What more do we know at this
point?
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Becky, Well, I think it's closely watched throughout the world certainly closely watched
throughout Central Europe and across the Atlantic as well. And I think one of the things that we're seeing is that this is sort of more and more
widening into - I wouldn't necessarily call it a standoff between Russia and especially NATO, but certainly is leading to more issues between those
entities.
It's quite interesting because NATO, the Secretary General of NATO gave a press conference not too long ago where he said that NATO was now going to
restrict the access of some Belarusian to NATO headquarters. The NATO also said that it was quite happy about the fact that the NATO-allied countries
were restricting their airspace to Belarusian airlines. So you can see that widening to the defense sector.
[10:15:10]
PLEITGEN: At the same time, you were just talking about that visit that Alexander Lukashenko paid to Vladimir Putin over the weekend where they
were on that yacht together, they had dinner together. Lukashenko's son was also there. A lot of really important things also happen there. There was a
line of credit that the Russians approved that is now going to get paid out of about $500 million.
That of course, is very important to keeping the Lukashenko government afloat, but also kind of pulls Belarus further into Russia's orbit. And of
course, the fact that Belarus is now under this big pressure from the west -- from a European nations and from the E.U. in particular, that of course,
in itself pushes it closer towards that orbit of the Kremlin and of Russia as well. The Russians for their part, the Russian Foreign Ministry now only
learned this a couple of minutes ago they are now saying that they are going to help Belarus and especially help Belarusian companies that come
under pressure by sanctions from the European Union.
Of course, the E.U. and also the United States have said that they are on the cusp of widening sanctions against Belarusian entities, but against
Belarusian persons as well. All this as Roman Protasevich as you've just mentioned, continues to linger there in detention and his companions, Sofia
Sapega as well. We just learned also today she's going to remain in custody for at least another two months.
So certainly things not looking very bright on that front. As we can see the sort of situation really hardening as Russia digs in, the E.U. digs in.
NATO digs in as well, Becky.
ANDERSON: Well, Fred Pleitgen on the story out of Berlin for you today. Fred, thank you.
Well, the estimate is in. See how much rebuilding could cost the Democratic Republic of Congo after a deadly volcanic eruption there. We are live in
the city of Goma as the region is on edge over the potential of a second eruption.
Another school mass kidnapping in Nigeria as the country struggles with a string of these attacks. We bring you the very latest on the missing
children.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: The Democratic Republic of Congo is on high alert for the threat of another volcanic eruption. You can see ash rising from the volcano's
crater here. A local official said 92 earthquakes were recorded in the area within a 24-hour period. Regional edge following a deadly eruption more
than a week ago. The lava flow, swelling up homes, roads, pretty much everything in its path.
The deputy head of the U.N.'s peacekeeping force in Congo says more than a billion dollars is needed to repair the damage.
[10:20:03]
ANDERSON: Well, Larry Madowo is seeing some of the destruction in the City of Goma. And he joins me now live. I know that you took to the air to see
the volcano's crater for yourself. I mean, the shot that you've got behind you, you know, it -- is pretty devastating. What did you see when you got
up above?
LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Becky, we saw the genesis of what we have here, which is the lava and these used to be people's homes under this
field of lava. But from the sky, we saw where that red hot lava flowed from essentially. It's been replaced now by grey ashes. That experts tell us is
probably a good sign. It means that the crater is collapsing, and there's nothing under there.
So there's no imminent danger. However, experts from the Goma Volcanic Observatory did two flyovers today. But they also did pick up some fishes
in in there, they did pick up some little holes here and there that appeared to be the beginning of something. There's not a lot to make of
that at this point. But what they're telling people to be vigilant that they're not ruling out the possibility that there could be a grand eruption
or a water eruption.
One of the people we flew -- we flew with yesterday is Dario Tedesco, who has been studying this mountain since 1995. And obviously people are
looking to him to say, is this all over? This is his response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DARIO TEDESCO, VOLCANOLOGIST: Not ruling out the possibility of another option. I'm thinking, and I'm saying that statistically, there is very few
chances that this can happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MADOWO: So what that means is that the danger appears to be fine, because people are tired of being displaced. They're trying to come back home. But
we cannot assure you that you're safe if you come back home. The ground might explode, the water might explode.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The deputy head of the U.N. peacekeeping estimating, Larry, that to date, damage will cost more than a billion dollars to repair and we're
talking about roads, water, electricity supply. And for a little context for our viewers. That's something like the equivalent of two percent of the
country's GDP. I mean, how are those rebuilding efforts likely to play out at this point? I mean, how are people going to cope in the -- in the near
to medium term?
MADOWO: The immediate concern is preserving life, which is keeping people away from another eruption if it happens. Right now humanitarian agencies
are trying to make sure they have food and shelter and medicines, and that there's no outbreak of COVID-19 or color which is broken out here in the
past. And then people don't have homes like the woman who lived next door. Her home is under this. How does she even start? She didn't have insurance.
She didn't -- she might not get any government support. And there's so many of the stories like that. 900 homes were completely flattened by this.
80,000 people, 80,000 households have been displaced by this. If there's another eruption, it could be catastrophic. So the U.N. peacekeeping
mission here has told us that they will need international partners to try and rebuild what's left in this part of the Eastern DRC. That's several
years away, hoping there's no other option in that time.
ANDERSON: Yes. Larry Madowo is on the story for you, Larry, thank you. But in Nigeria, another kidnapping has taken place. This -- the latest in what
has been a string of attacks. That an Islamic school in the State of New Jersey students were abducted and indiscriminately shot out by a group of
armed bandits. That according to state police, one person was killed. Officials now trying to ascertain how many children are missing.
Since December more than 800 students have been abducted for ransom in Northern Nigeria. Well, CNN's Stephanie Busari has been reporting on these
kidnappings for months. She joins us now from Lagos. And at this point, and what more do we know about this specific incident, Stephanie?
STEPHANIE BUSARI, CNN SUPERVISING EDITOR, AFRICA: Hello, Becky. So far, we don't have a confirmed number of students kidnapped. But we do know that
the students kidnapped were very young this time around. This is unusual development and in this kidnapping spate. Usually their targets, secondary
school students or older students. But as a spokesman, a police spokeswoman has told us that the children kidnapped, some of them were so young that
they had to be released by the secured -- by the kidnappers because they couldn't walk through the bushes.
You know, the kidnappers made them walk miles through the -- through the forest to the enclaves. But these children were so young, they couldn't
walk this distance and they were free by the kidnappers.
[10:25:03]
BUSARI: There's a level of them. We don't have a confirmed number of all the kidnapped students so far but we know 11 have been freed. And the
police spokesman has said they will update when they have a confirmed number. Becky?
ANDERSON: That is absolutely terrifying. Stephanie. this is, of course, part of a much wider issue in Nigeria. You and I have talked sadly, over
the months about what's going on. And last month you did an extensive report on what we've described as the industry of kidnapping in Nigeria. I
just want our viewers to see a clip of that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSARI: They fired guns, some of them came into the school. They came and took us away. Taken from her dormitory in Zamfara State. She and 278 of her
schoolmates were made to walk all night through the forest to the kidnappers' camp. What she found that was unimaginable. Four of her own
family members who had also been snatched from their homes, including she says, her sister and father.
I cried, but my sister told me to stop crying because when you cried here, you got beaten. But there was to be no joy for a union.
LIYASU MAGAJI, KIDNAP VICTIM: I wouldn't look at her because I was afraid they will know she's my daughter. And as a result harm her or harm me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You were talking to a 15-year-old who was kidnapped. Stephanie, what is being done to limit these incidents?
BUSARI: Well, solutions are very thin on the ground, Becky. Nigerians are terrified. They're terrified to drive, to go to work, to get in their cars
because they are scared of being kidnapped. If they can't pay ransom, they will be killed. And these kidnappers are very ruthless. Just last month,
five students were kicked out from a university and five of -- five of them were killed by the kidnappers.
Some of them have just been freed, but their families had to pay millions of naira in ransoms. So, lots of people are saying where is the leadership?
Where is -- where is the governance in trying to stop these issues, which are happening all around the country. And those solutions are very thin on
the ground. And some are saying Nigeria is a failed state. Although some other security analysts are saying it's a bit too far to say that. But
those solutions to really combat these problems are not forthcoming, Becky.
ANDERSON: CNN's Lagos bureau chief Stephanie Busari. Steph, thank you.
There's been a major force on the world stage for the last 12 years. But a group of Benjamin Netanyahu's rival now come together with one goal, to
oust him. We'll take a look at their chances coming up.
And in a sure sign, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will go ahead. Some of the first athletes are headed there. Australia's softball team making its way
there all that have more with World Sport here on CONNECT THE WORLD.
[10:30:476]
ANDERSON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be facing what many a politician fear. His enemies joining forces against him. One of the prime
minister's former allies, Naftali Bennett has joined a coalition started by Yair Lapid. With Bennett's support, the new coalition could enter the
political quagmire that is gripped Israel for the last two years. Four elections and that time have yet to yield a clear leader.
Still, this new coalition still has to overcome many obstacles before changing anything. I want to bring in Yair Golan now. He spent much of his
career in the Israeli military and was the Deputy Chief of Staff of the IDF. He is now a member of the left leaning Meretz Party in the Knesset
trying to unseat Mr. Netanyahu. It's good to have you with us. Let's be quite frank about this. This is an anti-Netanyahu coalition, so called
change coalition.
Ideologically, the partners to this coalition have practically nothing in common. Is this a sustainable way to govern a country potentially?
YAIR GOLAN, ISRAELI KNESSET MEMBER: Well, this is certainly not the best way to govern the country. But this is not the first time we have such a
unified government, with a government like this, you know, during the 80s, and frankly, it was quite successful. So yes, we can agree upon all the
things that are purely civilians. We can disagree but you know, fix those issues which are in disagreement.
And the most important thing is to have a mechanism to solve all the ideological problems. W Israel is needed right now more than anything else
is to, you know, to experience a week or two without Benjamin Netanyahu, without the shadow of this, you know, poisoning person which really ruin
the publicity of the Israeli society.
ANDERSON: So, let's talk about Naftali Bennett then. Because he speaks openly about annexing most of the occupied West Bank. He says, the creation
of a Palestinian state would be "suicide for Israel." He is considered by many to be the, the if -- one of, if not, the most right wing of
politicians in Israel. His party won just seven of the 120 seats in the Knesset last election. How do you suggest that you can sort of come
together with a politician or a party like that, and put aside your differences for the benefits of Israel and Israeli society? Those are in
great -- these are entrenched ideological differences.
GOLAN: Well, you're right. You know, it's a -- I would say it would be impossible, even to touch the Palestinian issue during the renewal of this
new government. Hopefully, new established government. Yes, it's impossible. Yes, we are in huge disagreement with Naftali Bennett
concerning this issue because we believe we need to separate ourselves from the Palestinians, while the very right faction of the Israeli political
system believe that we need to annex them.
Yes. This is probably the most important question for the destiny of Israel. And, yes, we want to touch this issue probably in the next two
years. I want to be optimistic.
ANDERSON: Which is a very big admission, isn't it? To say that it's impossible to deal with the issue of the Palestinians for at least two
years you say, when at the moment, Israel sits with a very fragile ceasefire holding between Israel and Hamas. I spoke to Naftali Bennett, and
Just a couple of weeks ago, he made it clear, he will not shy away from conflict in order to protect Israeli interests, even if there is outside
pressure.
[10:35:09]
ANDERSON: I just want you to have a listen to what he told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENNETT: What I will say is any government I participate in or lead, under no circumstances will -- I allow myself to have my hands tied while
defending my people. So we -- and I will always do the right thing for the good of the State of Israel and its citizens, regardless of the political
machine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So, what you're telling me is despite talks that have been underway in courage to try and turn this into a permanent ceasefire. And
amid these rising tensions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, you have absolutely no confidence that these issues, these causes, the root causes
of the escalation in violence and the terrible conflict and the loss of life that we've seen recently will be dealt with at all.
GOLAN: Well, it's all depend on the good intentions of all participants in this government. I believe that Naftali Bennett is a rational person, will
truly understand that there is no way you -- to settle down the disagreement between the different faction of this government. So yes, we
need to make some concessions and he need to do to make some concessions, there is no other way.
So yes, we can reach, you know, much common ground concerning economical issues, social issues, in domestic -- other domestic issues, like education
and health. And therefore, I believe that we have much to do right now, during this, you know, very fragile period in the Israel history in order
to fix, in order to correct some of the terrible things that were caused by Benjamin Netanyahu.
I think that Naftali Bennett understand it and therefore, we need to move forward with this. Maybe, you know, a bit peculiar government, but the most
reasonable right now.
ANDERSON: Are you comfortable sitting in a coalition with Naftali Bennett personally?
BONAT: Comfortable, it's not the right term to describe my feelings. It's much more about understanding. It's come from the Russia. Yes, I believe
that you cannot fix the Israeli society, without -- as long as Benjamin Netanyahu remain in place. Therefore, we need to replace him. And we need
to do it, you know, in all costs. There is no -- we need to do everything in order to achieve this goal.
So yes, we can -- we can make it. I believe we can make it and I can tell you that, from my perspective, I go into this adventure with the most --
with the best intentions in order to make it successful.
ANDERSON: Let's be quite clear here, there are still cards that Netanyahu can play. He continues to put pressure on people to defect and he has time
on his side just about Parliament will need take a week to vote on any coalition arrangements. Would it be foolish to count them out at this
point?
GOLAN: Well, no doubt that Netanyahu is going to do whatever is needed from his perspective, to remain in power. No doubt. This is a very dangerous
situation for the Israeli democracy. And therefore, we need to move forward as fast as possible. And we need to establish this government as fast as
possible. There is no time to, you know, to contemplate about, you know, the negative aspect and the positive aspects of this, you know, strange
government.
We need to do it right away. And we need to show the Israeli people that yes, we can survive without Benjamin Netanyahu who poisoned our society.
ANDERSON: Yair Golan is a member of the left leaning Meretz Party in the Knesset. His analysis and insight here on CONNECT THE WORLD. Thank you,
sir. We're taking a short break. Back after this.
[10:40:09]
GOLAN: Thank you
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Take a look at this pair of very slow moving pensioners. Tarpeian like camp are aging sloths who have just moved into a brand new retirement
home at Folly Farm in Wales. It is not like these two had high stress physically demanding jobs before but even sloths get to feeling the aches
and pains that we all feel as we get a little older. So, they are now in a specially built enclosure.
By the floor is soft, ropes and branches are easier to reach and it's kept warm because even sloths can get aging reaching bones. Aussie Aussie
Aussie, Oi Oi Oi. That chant ready to grow louder. Australia sending a planeload of Olympic athletes to Tokyo first. Today the first international
team to touch down in Japan in World Sports. Alex Thomas is where it is. What do we know?
ALEX THOMAS, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: I'm old and lady, Becky. That whole lot sloth story was about me for a moment. We know that despite the huge
question mark over whether those Tokyo Olympics will even get underway. It hasn't stopped Australia's softball team from being one of the first to
actually fly they're ahead of the games to base themselves there. More than two dozen players and support staff or fully vaccinated.
They've taken PCR tests in advance of flying out there. They'll probably have more when they arrive. Stay in a bio secure bubble. And it's just the
start of this process by which organizers think they have got the protocols in place to make it happen. We know that's not a certainty yet. We've got
much more on WORLD SPORT coming up though including a major shock about who will host the Corporate America.
ANDERSON: Got you. WORLD SPORT after the break. We're back after that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WORLD SPORT)
[11:00:00]
END
