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Connect the World
Biden to Speak with European, NATO Leaders Friday on Russia's Troop Buildup Along Ukraine's Border; Sources: ROC Skater Who Failed Drug Test is a Minor; Prince William Puts Spotlight on Environment During UAE Visit; Protests Grow Over School Headscarf Ban in Southern India; Biden Pledges U.S. Support in Call with Saudi King; Gazidis: Football Could Give Better Examples on Social Issues. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired February 10, 2022 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Live from Dubai. This is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Welcome back to the show tonight live from the World Expo in Dubai. And here at EXPO 2020 every
country given the opportunity to celebrate and showcase its culture and its artistic talent, and today it's the UK's turn.
Celebrations currently underway are the Al Wasl Dome behind me earlier His Royal Highness Prince William touring this site supporting his initiatives
which we will get to in a moment.
First, though, the news of the day and we start with the latest diplomatic efforts to defuse the Russia/Ukraine crisis. CNN just learning the U.S.
President Joe Biden will speak on Friday with European and NATO leaders about Russia's troop build-up near Ukraine.
News of that call coming on the day Russia starts large scale joint military exercises in Belarus now those drills looming large over a meeting
between the top British and Russian diplomats in Moscow Sergei Lavrov calling his talks with Liz Truss a dialogue of the death, Truss telling
reporters that if Russia is serious about diplomacy, it needs to move its troops away from the border.
Well, at NATO headquarters in Brussels British Prime Minister Boris Johnson say it appears Russia has not decided on whether to invade Ukraine but you
can tell all the possible invasion remains grim. Well, clearest path for diplomatic progress appears focused on what are called the Minsk Accords
aimed at stopping fighting in separatist controlled regions of Eastern Ukraine.
This conflict there has dragged on eight years thousands have died. CNN's Alex Marquardt hard toured the front lines.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Flying low over the Ukrainian countryside this Soviet era military plane heads
toward the border with Russia.
We traveled here with senior Ukrainian officials and military leaders to get a sense of the mood and preparations where Russian troops are the
closest near Ukraine's Eastern Donbas region. This is of - where many of these Ukrainian troops who are mostly young men have been fighting Russian
back forces on this cold and desolate front.
They're eager to show us how they've been living and fighting here in a conflict involving Russia that has been largely forgotten, but which has
taken over 14,000 lives in the past eight years, according to the United Nations.
Ivan has been here the whole time, like the other soldiers here he says they're confident they could face a new Russian invasion.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course, we ready for some - and we basically wait here.
MARQUARDT (on camera): Do you think that will happen this bad situation?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not --I don't know because I don't know what in the head of the guys in that territory.
MARQUARDT (on camera): But for you, the war has already started.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course.
MARQUARDT (voice over): Were taken to the farthest point forward where sandbags and tires are piled high, then.
MARQUARDT (on camera): So there was just a burst of what sounded like automatic gunfire. We are just 70 meters we are told from the fighters on
the other side of the front line.
MARQUARDT (voice over): Were rushed away our escorts keen for us to see what happens, but not too closely.
MARQUARDT (on camera): Hearing this gunfire and being so close to this front line, you can't help but think that even if diplomacy succeeds in
preventing Russia from invading Ukraine, yet again, this fighting which has been raging since the last time Russia invaded Ukraine will almost
certainly continue.
MARQUARDT (voice over): NATO leaders say that ending the fighting already happening here is a critical part of preventing further Russian aggression.
With NATO so far, refusing to send troops to Ukraine to fight Ukraine insists it needs more help.
OLEKSANDR-TKACHENKO, UKRAINIAN MINISTER OF CULTURE AND INFORMATION: But the important issue what they need is additional weapons assistance from the
rest from our Western allies, financial assistance, because that's what we need to make sure that we will defend not on the peace in this country, but
he's in Europe.
MARQUARDT (voice over): As of to punctuate their point, more gunfire rings out. Alex Marquardt, CNN in Eastern Ukraine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, that's our report from Eastern Ukraine. I want to get you to Nic Robinson, who is joining us, now live from Moscow. Let's just see
what's been going on the frontlines there. Let's talk about this diplomacy then.
Or perhaps lack of the UK's Prime Minister has said the next few days could be the most dangerous moment in Europe's security crisis for decades as
Russia and Belarus stage these massive military drills. Is Boris Johnson's view, shared there in Moscow?
[11:05:00]
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: No. In essence what Boris Johnson was saying today when he was with the Jen Stoltenberg
Secretary General with the Polish Prime Minister as well nations like Russia specifically Russia, in this case cannot use their power to
influence and push around smaller, weaker neighbors like Ukraine.
And that's not the view here. The view here is that it's NATO, you know, a powerful military alliance that is, in essence, a threat to - a threat to
Russia. And that's why they're saying in part, they're having these even bigger than planned military exercises in Belarus, because of, you know,
the, what they describe as an unprecedented threat from NATO.
So the view from here is completely different. And we got another aspect of that today, when the British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, delivering her
boss Boris Johnson's message to Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister saying you know, choose the path of diplomacy, avoid the possibility of
conflict and bloodshed.
De-escalate the tensions, draw down the forces, and we can get into a serious dialogue that will address yours, your security concerns and our
security concerns. You know, but as you said that the Russian Foreign Minister essentially said, well, you know, we're talking but no one's
listening. They're talking past each other. And they met for two hours today.
And the frustrations afterwards were very clear to see it was tough language that was being used afterwards. And it's at times it felt a little
undiplomatic. So if there is contrasting views, but we knew that we knew that all along.
But you know, Russia continues to push to have it's to have its way here. And the military exercises are just part of it. And Ukraine holding its
nerve, NATO holding its nerve is all part of that to try to get beyond it to the better diplomatic narrative.
ANDERSON: So Nic, we now know that the U.S. President will speak Friday with European and NATO leaders about what is going on at present. Is it
clear at this point, whether there is any further sort of substantive narrative from the west here?
I mean, they have they say, provided sufficient off ramps, and President Putin is just not biting. So what do we understand to be the substance of
any further talks with Biden and these European and NATO judges?
ROBERTSON: So I think two important points here, one, and the off ramps that have been offered some arms control agreements, missile location
agreements, trip training and deployment agreements with reciprocity.
You know, and both sides being able to see transparently what the other side of doing that as a track on offer there. That's not been accepted so
far. President Macron, the French President came here Monday, he spent five hours.
More than five hours in conversation behind closed doors, just him President Putin and their translators. So we don't have a full read on what
was said. But we do know from President Putin and President Macron that various ideas were put on the table. It was said that President Macron
accepted that Russia had, you know, genuine security concerns in this situation.
He was looking for ways to draw Russia down those diplomatic tracks. We don't know what was said behind the closed doors. We do know that President
Macron had a phone conversation yesterday with President Biden the readout from both President Macron's office and from the White House was very
limited, so no insights there.
But you know, I suspect what President Biden is going to do is to try to, you know, address NATO; European allies resolve to stay united to stand
united, potentially share new information. They have a great deal of concern right now on what Russia's Navy is doing, and the full intent in
the Black Sea and Sea of - just South of Ukraine that that is causing a huge concern.
So potential strategic military insights from the United States on what they perceive happening or may happen on the ground.
ANDERSON: Nic Robertson is in Moscow for you folks. Thank you, Nic. Well, sources tell CNN the athlete from the Russian Olympic Committee who tested
positive for banned substance is a minor. It didn't name the athlete and we don't know when they took the drug test.
The only minor on the ROC is the 15-year-old Figure Skater Kamila Valieva. Now the Medal Ceremony for the Premier Figure Skating Event has been
delayed. The IOC Spokesman says that is for legal consultation to end sports handlers.
CNN's Sports Analyst Christine Brennan has been covering the Olympic Games since 1984. She's been talking to her sources about the story and she joins
me now live from Beijing. What have you learn at this point?
[11:10:00]
CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: Becky, this is a developing story. And it's very confusing and frankly threatens to kind of swallow up these
entire Olympic Games because figure skating is so important.
But the minor, the 15 year old athlete who tested positive is Kamila Valieva. She is the gold medal favorite in the women's competition, which
happens next week, and was part of that Russian team winning the gold medal.
We don't know what's going to happen. The IOC, of course, runs the Olympic Games and says it's a legal matter and no other comment. So there's a real
void here and into the void go lots of questions and some rumors and but the options seem to be that if.
If she is disqualified, and the Russian team, the Olympic team, obviously, because Russia has already been banned and in trouble from the last four
Olympic Games, not allowed to have their flag or their anthem, or call themselves Russia?
Well, if they're disqualified, then the United States would move up win the gold and Japan would win the silver Canada would then come from fourth
place to third and win the bronze. If there is a sense of leniency, if there's a sense of sympathy for the 15-year-old that she herself probably
didn't do this, that there an adult a coach was involved with this doping incident?
Then you could see a scenario potentially where the results stay the same, although you can imagine the outcry around the world because there's such
concern about doping and those athletes who do it right, that if there's another doping issue with Russia, after all the previous history, the last
10 years or so.
What kind of message is that to those athletes who are trying to do this for fair play and for their integrity moving forward so lots of questions,
as I said very few answers.
ANDERSON: What do we know about the whole process of testing which has been such a big issue? And I know as you as we've been pointing out, you've been
covering these games since 1984. How has this process developed? What do we know about what's done today?
BRENNAN: Well, what we're hearing about this particular test is it occurred in December, which of course, was before the Olympic Games. And one of my
sources that I talked to Becky said the last thing you do is have an unopened drug test before you send an athlete overseas.
So you want to button that up, you know, you want to know what your athletes have done positive or negative. So it's very strange how there
could have been a test in December and the results are only known to the public in February.
Does that indicate a cover up that someone whistleblower telling these again, as I said, questions more than answers, but it's a very bizarre turn
of events? But drug testing is a part of every athlete's life.
And it's not only in competition, where you provide a sample after you win a medal or finished fourth or fifth, whatever person is told that they have
to provide a urine sample but it's also knock on the door random testing 365 days a year for the opportunity to be Olympians.
What these athletes go through is extraordinary, which is why the Russians behavior has been so egregious and why there is such concern about the
Russians once again, potentially cheating.
ANDERSON: We'll leave it there. We thank you very much indeed for joining us. Just ahead, Price William porting closer ties with this region, he is
here at EXPO 2020 in Dubai, celebrating National Day. The UK's National Day and UK talent on show here at EXPO. Our Royal Correspondent will join us up
next. And the UK Culture Secretary also here at EXPO; I caught up with her on the latest developments in the Downing Street party gates scandals.
Plus a little later, the Chief Executive of AC Milan tells CNN about the future of the Italian football club and how the sport can be a force for
good in the face tough issues like racism?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: As we've been reporting here on "Connect the World" Prince William is in town, he's promoting the UK and a more sustainable world. The
Duke of Cambridge also celebrating UK National Day here at EXPO 2020. Well, a short time ago the second in line to the British throne, met with the
Prime Minister of the UAE.
Prince William looking to deepen UK ties with the UAE and its 50th anniversary year. Duke of Cambridge also showcasing his conservation
efforts he helped plant a tree in the mangrove reserve area in Abu Dhabi before heading here to Dubai. It's a brief trip and it has a lot of history
behind it with and growing political turmoil at home Prince William just kind of beacon for the UK's reputation overseas.
CNN's Royal Correspondent Max Foster is at the UK Pavilion here at Expo and he joins me live from there. Before we talk about what Prince William has
been up to here? His father, Prince Charles, as we understand it now in isolation after having tested positive and the big question, as a result of
this is, of course, when did he last see his mother Queen Elizabeth II? What do we know at this point?
MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, all we've been told by Royal sources that they did meet recently our assumption is it was probably on
Tuesday when we know that they were in the same town as each other Windsor. But we haven't had that specifically confirmed.
But it does suggest it's that day simply because they're saying that she doesn't have symptoms that she has been closely monitored. They won't give
us any more details. They won't tell us whether or not she's been tested. But you would assume that she would have been tested very quickly once they
realize that Prince Charles had COVID that happened today.
There are also other people that he met you know, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Home Secretary as well. So some concern about the amount
of people Prince Charles met, obviously the focus very much on the Queen because of a range.
ANDERSON: Certainly some concern about that. We'll keep you up to date folks on what Max gets has he continues to talk to his sources. Meantime,
Prince William is here and you have been trailing him as he's moved between Abu Dhabi and Dubai today, why is he here? And what's he been up to?
FOSTER: Well, this was you know, it was a government mission. He was asked to come here and it was about promoting the UK abroad, deepening those
ties, as you say, but also an opportunity for William to promote some of the causes that he cares about as well.
So a long day for him and I think they quite successfully found a great deal of overlap between what the UAE is trying to promote and what Prince
William personally is trying to promote?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FOZETER (voice over): Prince William in a cargo container at Dubai's Jebel Ali Port to reveal illegal wildlife exports. It's a demonstration to show
what DP World which runs the port is doing to prevent one of the most lucrative cross border criminal trades.
Williams's charity united for wildlife is raising awareness of the issue and DP has agreed to help fund it. As has the airport in Dubai amongst the
worlds' busiest the United Arab Emirates has one of the highest per capita carbon emissions rates in the world. They're also keen to show the Prince
how the country is tackling climate change.
FOSTER (on camera): Here in Abu Dhabi they're investing heavily in mangrove parks like this one, which the government says soaks up four times as much
carbon as a rain forest they also protect the coastline from flooding and erosion.
[11:20:00]
FOSTER (voice over): Williams showed the project by Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Khalid, and he planted new mangroves with children from the British
school.
SUMAYA AHMED, STUDENT, BRITISH SCHOOL AL KHUBAIRAT: His presence to learn kind of like it just sort of almost motivated think that there are like the
big players in the world who are actually they're interested in these sorts of things. And they are also motivating students as well to sort of learn
about it.
FOSTER (voice over): Then it was on to the Dubai Expo and a stark message.
PRINCE WILLIAMS: This is the decisive decade. If we do nothing, by 2030, we will be speeding towards increasingly devastating planetary and
humanitarian crises as a result of our changing climate.
FOSTER (voice over): In an effort to find solutions to the climate crisis, he launched the Earthshot prize, and this was a chance to meet those
involved from this region.
This first official visit to the UAE for William is a chance for him to promote his interests, but also those of the UK, the government dispatching
royalty to deepen ties and to project stability and strength over the chaotic politics currently playing out at home.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: A real whirlwind tour has to be said Becky has just been watching a concert there for UK day here at the expo. And then he's going to head off
tomorrow morning, we understand but his first official visit to Dubai seems too gone pretty well. Everyone seems pretty pleased on both sides of the
diplomatic divide on it.
ANDERSON: Thank you, Max. Max Foster's in town as is the UK's culture secretary. She is also here at the Expo World Fair today. She is of course,
a member of Boris Johnson's Conservative Party.
Well, the Prime Minister facing question for yet another damning photo said to have been taken during lockdown, just have a look. This one published by
The Daily Mirror appears to show Boris Johnson gathering with others in an office with a bottle of champagne and no masks inside.
The Daily Mirror newspaper says the picture was taken in December of 2020 when London faced strict COVID restrictions. When Johnson was confronted
about the photo as Prime Minister's questions or PM cues got underway on Wednesday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FABIAN HAMILTON, BRITISH LABOUR MP: A photo has emerged of the prime minister in Downing Street on the 15th of December 2020, surrounded by
alcohol, food and people wearing tinsel. It looks a lot like one of the Christmas parties he told us never happened.
So for the sake of my constituents in the sacrifices she made, will the Prime Minister be referring this party to the police, as it's not one of
the ones already been - prime minister?
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: First of all, I'm very sorry about his a constituent and for the difficulties that jeez, she's been through.
And I understand I understand very much her feelings, Mr. Speaker. But in what he has just said I'm afraid he is completely in era.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, given that that picture certainly appears to show the Prime Minister a bottle of booze, a gentleman with tinsel around his neck. I
asked Nadine Dorries, Culture Secretary who was here in Dubai today, what era, the Prime Minister was referring to there. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NADINE DORRIES, BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA & SPORT: Say, look, this is the normal contrast of a political debate in the
House of Commons. But what I would say in the food, it was an open packet of crisps. It was Christmas. It was a zoom quiz with the wider staff.
So I mean, basically that's what I've got to say on it. I'm not sure who didn't do a zoom quiz join lockdown with an open packet of crisps.
ANDERSON: In a statement released later in the day, London's met said it was reviewing its earlier assessment that the December the 15th event
didn't meet the threshold for criminal investigation. Should the prime minister be found criminally negligent? Will you support others in
withdrawing your support for the Prime Minister?
DORRIES: No, absolutely not. And I'm, of course, I'm not surprised that photograph doesn't reach threshold. If it did, I'm afraid a lot of us would
be caught in that - net, because I'm not sure I know of many people, either who were working in offices at the time or at home who prior to Christmas
when to resume quizzes.
ANDERSON: You are well aware of the investigation by the senior civil servants Sue Gray into alleged parties at Downing Street and Whitehall in
breach of COVID-19 regulations that was released recently. And she condemned the failure of leadership in Boris Johnson's government. Do you
agree with her assessment?
DORRIES: No, she didn't. She didn't express a failure of leadership in Boris Johnson's government at all. She expressed a set of recommendations
which have been acted upon. You may have seen that there's been a reshuffle almost of sorts and many reshuffle.
[11:25:00]
DORRIES: There's been a complete change of staff in number 10. And either the Prime Minister's taken very seriously, Sue Gray's reporting has acted
upon it. Has he failed in any way on in delivering for the country? No, he hasn't.
And I really wish that people who for various reasons of their own, whether they're remainders, or those who never wants him to be Prime Minister in
the first place, or those who think they'd been passed over for ministerial jobs that they should have had, I just wish those people would look at what
he's delivering for the UK and get behind the Prime Minister. We all should be doing that.
ANDERSON: You cannot imagine withdrawing your support under any circumstances.
DORRIES: Well, of course, you know, kick the dog; I'd probably withdraw my support for him. But no, based on his professional delivery for the UK, no,
absolutely not.
ANDERSON: Your own political program includes an online safety bill that you are pushing through that will include controversial measures that could
see social media company executives facing prison.
Your critics say that this poses a significant threat to the freedom of speech; you yourself have been the subject of online abuse. And there are
very real reasons to hold social media companies accountable at this point. Where's the line, though, between accountability and freedom of speech?
DORRIES: So the bill as it stands, which will begin for Parliament's and much hasn't been published yet. And I understand that people may have
misperceptions about what the bill is going to achieve. But I will reassure people that we've been very careful to try to lie between freedom of speech
and protecting young and vulnerable people and adults too.
And so one of the measures, we put in places that publishers and journalists, whether it's broadcast or printed are actually carved down to
the bill. So there is no democratic impingement on freedom of speech other than what the press can print, or what you can say indeed, or you're not
included in that bill.
And in addition to that, we've been very careful about how, what content can be removed, what can't be removed, and how the bill is framed and even
what it protects.
ANDERSON: You're here in Dubai, and you're part of the delegation, which is here today for what is the UK National Day. What's your message here?
DORRIES: Well, the UK is open for business is the main message tourism, you know, we want people to start coming back. It's getting that tourism
economy going again; it's getting people from here visiting the UK again.
And it's to bring the message now the UK's arms are wide open; we're ready for you to come back. It's safe to do so come back. So that's really the
message I've been carrying.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Nadine Dorries speaking to me earlier. Well, coming up. Defines on the streets of India, why this college student has become the face of
Muslim resistance. And he calls himself Benjamin Button. How long can this AC Milan superstar keep going? When I asked the club CEO that interview is
just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Elections are underway in India's most populous state. The contest in Uttar Pradesh, Hindu majority state with more than 200 million
residents is being viewed as a major test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his political future.
The state is currently led by Mr. Modi's BJP party's Chief Minister Firebrand follower of Hindu nationalist ideology, which has taken a deeper
hole there in recent years. Well in Karnataka State, BJP stronghold in the country southwest signs of the party's Hindu nationalism spreading into
more facets of day to day life but being met with fierce resistance.
Protests broke out again on Wednesday over a ban on headscarf said in educational institutions activists say the ban is yet another example of
the party's crackdown against the Muslim population. The state's high court is now considering petitions against the band.
Well this video has gotten a lot of attention. It shows just how tense the situation there has got. A female student in Islamic garb heckled by angry
young men on her way to school, but instead of shrinking away, she shouts back facing them head on.
Vedika Sud was out talking to voters in Uttar Pradesh earlier and she joins us now live from Delhi. I want to get to both of these stories. I want to
start though with that story out of Uttar Pradesh. You just return, what people told you there?
VEDIKA SUD, CNN REPORTER: Becky it's such an interesting state, isn't it the state of Uttar Pradesh. Before I tell you more about the people we
interacted with for the benefit of your viewers Becky, Uttar Pradesh has a population of over 200 million people. It's the most populous state in
India.
And if it's taken as an independent country, Becky it will be the eighth most populous country in the world. Now this is not for decades that Uttar
Pradesh usually the people of Uttar Pradesh vote on caste and religious lines.
It's very important to them and that's what they vote for really. And that's what we saw in the temple town of Ayodhya, the Holy City. It's known
for its communal clashes in the past between the Hindu and Muslim community.
It's a temple town where a very important and holy deity to the Hindus. There's a temple under construction there, which they hold very dear. And
this is also one of the towns in the state of Uttar Pradesh that saw the devastation post the second wave of COVID-19 last year.
How do people really want to vote? Here are more the people we spoke to. And what they had to say some of them say that they compel to vote on
religious lines though the unseen too much development around, the other say we're happy with the Uttar Pradesh government.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUD (voice over): A lifeless body is tiered to the banks of the river - Ayodhya, a holy city in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh. It's one
of the 217 body social worker Ritesh Mishra says he cremated in four months.
During the peak of the second wave of the COVID epidemic in 2021 when the Delta variant swept India, someone claimed others abandoned. Many families
either too poor to perform the final rites of COVID-19 victims are just too scared of contracting the virus.
Last year mass funeral pyres in the state indicated there were more COVID- 19 deaths in Uttar Pradesh than numbers released by the state government. I asked him which political party he'll be voting for in the upcoming state
election, Mishra supports the ruling dispensation.
RITESH MISHRA, SOCIAL WORKER: I'm compelled to vote for the BJP. They're constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya. That was their main agenda.
SUD (voice over): Uttar Pradesh is currently governed by Yogi Adityanath a firebrand monk and trusted aide of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
also the champion of the BJP Hindu nationalist agenda.
In 2019, a verdict by India Supreme Court vindicated Modi and his party stand on a decade's long legal battle. A holy site in Ayodhya considered to
be the birthplace of the revered Hindu deity Ram was handed over to the Hindus, a mosque once to their before being demolished by a Hindu mob in
the early 1990s.
[11:35:00]
SUD (voice over): As millions watch Modi said the ceremonial cornerstone for a temple in the midst of the pandemic. Right Wing supporters like Seer,
Pawan Kumar Das Shastri see this happening elsewhere.
PAWAN KUMAR DAS SHASTRI, SEER: Our next mission is constructing grand temples for our gods in other holy cities.
SUD (voice over): In the state capital Lucknow an emotional Harshit Shrivastava wipes away his tears. He talks to us about his father who died
of COVID 19 in April last year. Despite all efforts, Shrivastava failed to find a hospital that would take his father in. The family was staunch
supporters of BJP, but not anymore.
HARSHIT SHRIVASTAVA, FATHER DIED OF COVID-19: In the name of religion, this government is taking advantage of the poor and uneducated.
SUD (voice over): Yogi and his lieutenants have repeatedly rejected allegations of polarizing communities or mishandling the pandemic.
DR. DINESH SHARMA, DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER, UTTAR PRADESH: BJP's poll agenda was is and will always be development.
SUD (voice over): How do voters here look at the government's performance to the value development or the assertion of religious identity? The answer
might determine what happens in the 2024 national elections.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SUD: Such a crucial election for the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and his future aspirations Becky, especially ahead of 2024 that's when the
next national election is scheduled. Becky?
ANDERSON: Yes, that's fascinating stuff further protests over this ban on headscarves that educational institution meanwhile, Vedika a ban that
activist activists say is yet another example of the BJP's crackdown against the Muslim population. What's going on here?
SUD: Becky, I want to start with a video that has gone viral on social media. You did make a reference to it when you were talking about this
controversy. But I want to go into it in a bit of detail here. This is young girl, her name is Muskan.
And she studies in a small town in the state of Karnataka that you were talking about. She got off a bike, she went to submit an assignment is what
she says when a mob of men wearing saffron scuffs, that's the color of the BJP symbol as well.
They came forward and they heckled her because she was wearing a hijab. Now this young woman, the face of resistance, as far as these protests are
concerned, went back right there, stood there and she chanted an Islamic phrase, when they chanted some Hindu phrases where they were talking about
their Hindu gods.
This goes to there, Becky, she didn't move. She wanted them to know that she will not be intimidated. But that's not the case with all the female
students there who are in hijabs, the Muslim community, which is about 30 percent of the total population in Karnataka.
This started as a controversy when some young girls going to a government school, were denied entry, they were denied education because they were
wearing these hijabs. When you speak to the state government and affiliate here in India did.
The Education Minister of Karnataka said that schools are no place really to practice religion. Now this case is in court. We're waiting to hear from
court and what the verdict is going to be in the next few days. But clearly women who are Muslims in India have come forward. These protests are
happening all over the country and they say we don't feel safe here. Our rights are being compromised, Becky.
ANDERSON: The story that we have reported on here on "Connect the World". Vedika, thank you. Folks, let's get you up to speed on some of the other
stories that are on our regional radar right now and a new push for laws to protect women from domestic violence in Iran after a grisly case involving
this young woman.
Her husband was arrested after he posted a video of himself holding her severed head. - brother was also arrested, now this girl just 17 years old
had fled to Turkey, and just returned home at her family's urging.
12 people were injured by debris when Saudi Arabia blew up drone over Abha international airport. Saudi led coalition says the drone was fired by
Yemen's Houthi rebels. The Houthis have attacked the airport before.
The White House says the U.S. is committed to supporting Saudi Arabia as it defends itself against Houthi militia attacks. That was expressed in a
phone call between President Joe Biden and King Salman of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Notably, Mr. Biden did not speak with the Kings powerful son Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is the de facto ruler of the kingdom.
Bolivia's Eastern Parliament Speaker has declared a new Prime Minister Designate. But the current Interim Prime Minister, Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah
isn't budging.
[11:40:00]
ANDERSON: He says he will not allow another transitional government. Dbeibah was appointed Prime Minister following UN brokered talks in Geneva
last year. The massive trucker's protests are causing disruptions on both sides.
The U.S. Canadian border several auto plants report having to scale back production. These truckers are now blocking four border crossings. What are
they protesting? Well, they are protesting what they see is strict Coronavirus rules.
Well, officials now warn the protests could spread to the United States. This is causing chaos in Ottawa in Canada. Now, here's where we find CNN's
Paula Newton. Paula at this stage, there was a sense certainly that these protests may be sort of scaling down. But it doesn't appear to be the case
at this stage, are either side showing any evidence of being prepared to budge?
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely not. In fact, the stalemate continues very much Becky to the frustration of not just residents here,
but this is now spreading throughout the country. So Becky, as I had been saying to you in the last few days, we are here in Ottawa, and that is the
national parliament building.
And as you said, that is the protest in front. So it's not just a protester, right, it is gridlocked because of the heavy trucks that are in
front of Parliament. I'm in the middle of the street right now, Becky, this is completely closed.
These are businesses that are supposed to be open. They're supposed to be restaurants, your stores, nothing of the kind. But also Becky, take a look
behind me more trucks. And this is what is grid locking the city.
And more than that, Becky, this is now what protesters around the country are trying to do at so many different areas. I want you to look at some
video we have from some of the border crossings. At last count, there were four that were affected perhaps not all blockaded. But certainly officials
in those communities are upset about what this could mean for the economy.
Basically officials in those regions telling me that look, this is going to significantly affect jobs, Canada's reliability as a trading partner. And
more than that, you know, when the mayor of Windsor described to me the fact that when police did try and move in, Becky, the issue is that
violence erupted.
And that is what authorities have been trying to do they want to avoid any kind of a confrontation. Today's Thursday, Becky, protesters here tell me
that they will be back in force by Saturday and Sunday. And some of the supporters that they seem to attract here are not necessarily truckers,
right.
They're just people who want all the COVID-19 restrictions lifted. And this morning, it's now clear but even here in Ottawa, we had protesters also
show up to the airport. As you can see from some of the pictures we're showing you throughout this country, really from the west all the way to
central Canada, those impromptu protests have been wreaking havoc, Becky.
ANDERSON: Thank you, Paula Coming up, Snowsports affected by shrinking seasons - wants to protect our winters.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: Well, the Winter Games are happening in Beijing, there is concern from environmental scientists that snow season is becoming so short the
winter sports are, quite frankly on - ice. On today's "Call to Earth", we speak to legendary snowboarder Jeremy Jones about his efforts to protect
our winters from climate change.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEREMY JONES, FOUNDER, PROTECT OUR WINTERS: --to me, just the great teacher, they challenged me they make me feel alive; they ground me, but
also take me to this like really special place. Globally, there are 100 million people that really identify with the outdoors; it's a huge part of
their life.
And if you're in the outdoors consistently, you don't need to be convinced that climate change is real. Protect our winners as an organization. I
started in 2007, with the goal to unite the winter sports community to have a unified voice on climate change.
ANNE NOLIN, PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO: Thanks for helping with the measurements betterments today.
JONES: And - is one of several incredible scientists we work with.
NOLIN: Well, this might be a really good area to dig a snow pit. I became aware of protect our winners when they came and talked to me they wanted to
know more about the science of snow and climate.
JONES: How deeper you go to the bottom?
NOLIN: Usually, we'll see.
JONES: You know, take a minute.
NOLIN: Yes, it does. My research focus is on snow and glaciers and how they melt and become water supply for people and forests. And lately, I've been
looking at the effects of wildfire on snow packs.
So this really high burn severity occurred as a result of the - fire. And it was a huge fire that exploded over this landscape. We don't usually
expect that kind of fire behavior.
So the black carbon that we see here in the snowpack came from these burnt trees all around us. And the burnt woody debris, the burnt bark, the burnt
needles, these black trees will continue to deposit that stuff on the snow for another 10 years.
JONES: And when that when this nice pristine white surface gets that black, burnt debris on it, then that speeds up.
NOLIN: Oh, yes.
JONES: Melting, right?
NOLIN: Yes, and melted weeks earlier than it would otherwise across the West around the world, we see declining glaciers, we see declining
snowpack's at all latitudes. We see a lot more warm winters than we did, you know, 30 years ago, there's always cause for hope.
Nature is resilient. And things grow back. Forest thinning can actually increase forest health by allowing forests to use the water more
effectively. If you open up a forest to some extent, you can increase the snow accumulating on the ground because it's not being caught in the
canopy.
JONES: I've been able to call myself a professional snowboarder for almost 30 years well aware of my carbon footprint and try to reduce it every year.
But some of the bigger things would be changing my diet to a plant based diet.
Most recently, solar panels on my house, really reducing the amount of air travel that I do. But to get the CO2 reduction we need, we need large scale
systemic change.
NOLIN: It's something that we can address; we have to address it head on. What people can do is you know; think about what you can do in your daily
lives. But more importantly, think about how you can band together with other likeminded citizens to advocate for climate change solutions, like
protect our winters.
JONES: The work I'm doing is for these future generations, so that I can hopefully look at my kids and my grandkids and say you know what, I had
this opportunity, and I did everything I could with it to get us on the right path. So not only can you sign on snow where you have a healthy
planet.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, let us know what you're doing to answer the call with the #calltoearth, I'm sure you know that by now. We're taking a very short
break, back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
ANDERSON: Well, another bad boy image emerging in European football calls going for the West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma to be fired. Now this is
after he was allowed to play a match on Tuesday.
Despite a controversial video of him that his fault outrage online, soon was filmed slapping and kicking a cat. He has apologized and was fined two
weeks' salary. He's also been dropped from an Adidas sponsorship deal.
It's not just the players; European football on the whole is tackling a number of issues of domestic abuse of racism and indeed of inclusivity. I
sat down with the Chief Executive of AC Milan during his visit here recently to Dubai and asked him about much of this. As well as his plans
for building what he says will be Europe's most sustainable stadium, have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
IVAN GAZIDIS, CEO, AC MILAN: Creating this foundation is fundamental for the future. And in Italy, this is a step that needs to be taken. You know,
the Italian game was at top of the world 20, 30 years ago, and it has not managed to build a foundation for itself.
As we look forward, it needs to do that, it needs to do that if it wants to have a healthy, robust and exciting future, I believe it will. We're making
great progress with our stadium in Milan, and Italian football can do that the potential it can unlock is incredible.
ANDERSON: You believe that increased expenditure on infrastructure will help, just explain.
GAZIDIS: Football is no longer a working man's game. This is a game that people are watching, women are watching all around the world. It's a global
game. So it has to look at ways to be more inclusive. It starts with having a safe environment. But it also needs to be an inclusive environment as
well, where you can feel that you're participating in the event.
ANDERSON: Sadly, the headlines in England at least dominated once again by allegations of domestic violence by a player following a number of high
profile cases. And what responsibility do you believe clubs have in changing player behavior and addressing the issue of women's safety?
GAZIDIS: I think it's an extremely important issue. And I think football in many ways, does reflect the issues in society, but it also has the ability
to lead thought in variety of areas and provide better examples.
I think one of the challenges that football has is that it's very male dominated. We still see that in leadership positions across the game. And
that's both in the on field positions by which I mean technical staffs, but also off the field.
People like me, chief executives and senior management figures, so I think we would be benefited in so many ways in football to have a more diverse
environment. We've done a lot of work on this diversity inclusion issue.
[11:55:00]
GAZIDIS: I've done it with the European clubs Association, where we've introduced concepts of diversity, inclusion and equity. And I do think
challenging the male dominated way. The cultural environment of football is a huge piece of this to understanding the issue better and having better
ideas to try and solve it.
ANDERSON: You have acknowledged the issue of racism in the past, and you've said football, not just Italian football, but Global Football needs to own
it and act. What are you doing at AC Milan?
GAZIDIS: When we have racism in - stadiums, there must be consequences for those actions. And really, in the end, clubs have to face those
consequences because there is nobody else that is capable of implementing this change on the ground. I have to say though, overall, if we look at the
broad arc of football in the past two or three decades, I think it's been an incredible force for good.
We have people that we get to know as personalities as footballers admiring their skills, learning more about them, and only later reflecting, wait a
second that person is black or that person is a Muslim. These are incredibly powerful statements. It humanizes people.
ANDERSON: I just got to ask you about the ageless Zlatan Ibrahimovic still playing at a high level at the age of 14. What makes this self-proclaimed
Benjamin Button tick, Ivan? And when will he retire if at all?
GAZIDIS: He knows that every year he gets older. He knows every year he needs to develop his game to continue to be relevant and performing at this
level. And he knows that one day his playing time will come to an end.
ANDERSON: Will he end his playing days at AC Milan?
GAZIDIS: I hope so. You know, I think we have a special story with Zlatan. And what he's done, you know, we actually have one of the youngest teams in
Europe, even with Zlatan playing. So this is an incredible - he's not doing anything to the average age of our squad.
But he has really given something to back to the team to these young players and I hope it will be a relationship that lasts for a lifetime.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Ivan Gazidis speaking to me recently and you can catch part two of that conversations where as we discuss the upcoming World Cup in Qatar,
that conversation right here on "Connect the World".
Thank you for joining us from the team working with me here in Dubai tonight and around the world. We leave you with some vibrant shots so of
the World Expo here celebrating today UK National Day.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
