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Connect the World
Trump Touts Accomplishments & "Greatest Economy"; CNN Visits Northern Gaza with Israeli Military; Maersk CEO Upbeat in the Face of Trump Tariffs; Egypt, Qatar Sign Massive Real Estate and Tourism Deal; Guard Your Green Space: Efforts to Protect Urban Oases; Japan Deploys Troops to Combat Deploy Deadly Encounters. Aired 9-10a ET
Aired November 06, 2025 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, this is the scene in the U.S. Capitol, where lawmakers are attempting to reach a deal to end what
has become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. It is 09:00 a.m. there. It is 06:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi from our Middle East
Programming Headquarters. I'm Becky Anderson. You're watching "Connect the World".
Also coming up this hour, the Trump Administration says it will cut 10 percent of air traffic at 40 busy airports if a shutdown deal is not
reached by Friday. Meanwhile, new footage shows the last moments before the deadly UPS crash in Louisville. And covering Gaza, while CNN has asked for
independent access, Israel has allowed CNN's Jeremy Diamond to embed with the IDF and visit a part of Northern Gaza.
The stock market in New York opens about 30 minutes from now. And Futures indicating a flat to slightly higher open, as investors today do seem to be
seeking some direction more on that as we move through the hour, of course.
We begin with what looks like a glimmer of hope for that hardest hit by the U.S. government shutdown, and it is all about momentum, with the Democratic
Party pumped up after Tuesday's election win. Sources tell CNN that Senate Democrats involved in talks to reopen the U.S. government are hoping to
capitalize on that momentum.
They're looking to spur Republican lawmakers to support a compromise to end what is this longest government shutdown in American history. Well, at the
same time, President Donald Trump continues to push the idea that scrapping what is known as the Senate filibuster could solve all the problems that
would allow Republicans to pass any measure with a simple majority. Not everyone, though, supports the president's plan as CNN's Kevin Liptak now
reveals.
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: It is becoming clearer and clearer as the government shutdown now reaches record length that President
Trump used this as a major liability for Republicans. And this, in a lot of ways, is a change in mindset. The president has for a long time appeared
confident that Democrats would catch the blame for the shutdown.
But now, after major losses for Republicans in Tuesday's off year elections, the president is encouraging members of his party to adopt a new
tack, and that was pretty evident when he gathered them at the White House in the State Dining Room for a breakfast on Wednesday morning really kind
of encouraging them to take new steps, in particular to eliminate the Senate filibuster, that 60 vote threshold that is required to pass most
legislation in the Senate.
What the president told them was that if they ever wanted to pass legislation going forward, that they would need to take this step. It's
called the nuclear option of eliminating the filibuster. And you know, the room was really kind of sullen. There was not a lot of reception for the
president's encouragements there.
And I think it was evident, even after the president continued pressing his case in private, that he hadn't necessarily moved a lot of these Senators
off their positions. And in fact, the Senate Majority Leader, John Thune, as he was returning to the Capitol, acknowledged that there just isn't the
votes at this point to do away with the filibuster.
And so how the president moves forward here, I think, remains an open question. And as he was speaking here in Miami, the president really didn't
dwell on the election results this week. There was one election that he was focused on, and it was the one, one year ago when he won the presidential
election.
He seemed far more enthusiastic about that victory than he was about kind of dwelling on the losses. He did roll out some new lines of attack against
Democrats, and in particular, the mayoral victor in New York City, Zohran Mamdani. He called him a communist. In fact, he used the word communism or
communist 13 times in his speech.
And he said that this choice would be in front of Americans, one of communism or common sense. And it seems almost inevitable that that becomes
the line of attack going forward. You know, this was meant to be a broad economic speech, and the president did tick through the accomplishments of
the last year in office.
And he tried to encourage Republicans to focus more on them in their own public messaging, saying that, quote, we have the greatest economy right
now. But that a lot of people don't see that. He said, if people don't talk about it, then we won't do well in elections.
[09:05:00]
You know, this is something of a familiar sentiment for presidents. I think every president that I've covered has encouraged members of their party to
talk more about their accomplishments. I think the issue for president is that he himself has not been particularly laser focused on the economy.
And just in this quote economic speech here in Miami, he went on a number of tangents, whether it was talking about transgender bodybuilders or
renaming Mount McKinley or his malfunctioning teleprompter at the United Nations, or removing Africa from the G20. There were a lot of topics that
he focused on that were not the economy.
And so, I think it was still a notable acknowledgment from the president and an indication that there are signs that the economy is going to be an
issue for him and for Republicans about a year out from next year's critical midterm elections. Kevin Liptak, CNN, Miami.
ANDERSON: And some breaking news just in on one of the best known and most powerful U.S. lawmakers. Democrat Nancy Pelosi, has announced that she will
not seek re-election to Congress after nearly 40 years in Washington. We'll get you more on that decision as we move through the next couple of hours
here on "Connect the World" on CNN.
Well, the Trump Administration is planning to reduce the number of flights in 40 different U.S. airports if the government shutdown doesn't end by
Friday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced 10 percent of traffic would be cut, though it is still unknown exactly which airports
would be targeted.
He says the decision was made to, quote, keep the airspace safe amid staffing shortages during the shutdown. The federal employees who staff air
traffic control towers and security screening checkpoints at U.S. airports have been working for weeks without pay. CNN's Whitney Wild has details on
how this shutdown is impacting.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WHITNEY WILD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In this church basement, an assembly line of volunteers prepares plates destined for the airport.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're going to work every day. At least this is one thing we can help them out with.
DARRELL ENGLIST, PRESIDENT, AFGF LOCAL 777: We're going to load these up.
WILD (voice-over): Darrell English is the Regional President of the National Union representing Transportation Security Administration
Officers.
ENGLISH: You're awesome back here.
WILD (voice-over): On a crisp Monday morning, he and other union reps load up coolers then drive an hour to deliver free meals to TSA officers at
Chicago Midway International Airport.
ENGLISH: We know that it's been a month now officers are struggling, so anything that we can do to help them out, they're going through a lot of
personal and emotional stress right now, on top of their jobs.
WILD (voice-over): Amid the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, these TSA officers are in a holding pattern. They're essential employees,
so they have to work, but they aren't being paid. In Houston this week, a major jam at security lines lasted up to three hours as some TSA employees
called out sick. Top Leaders in Washington blame each other.
SEAN DUFFY, U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: As every day goes by, I think the problem is going to only get worse, not better. I hope that Democrats
come to their senses and end their shutdown.
REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): This is day 35 of the Trump Republican shutdown. Donald Trump and the Republicans cannot govern.
WILD: Whose fault is this? Does it even matter?
ENGLISH: Well, at this point, it doesn't matter, because at the end of day, it's about who could be -- who's going to help us get fed. So, we're not
trying to point fingers at it. We're just trying to bring people together.
ROXY KNIGHTLY, FORMER TSA OFFICER: I felt like I was pushed into a corner.
WILD (voice-over): Roxy Knightly was a TSA Officer until Friday, when she says she resigned.
KNIGHTLY: I tried to push through for as long as I could, but my lease is literally about to end within the next two weeks, and landlords require two
pay stubs. I do not have two recent pay stubs.
WILD (voice-over): Now Roxy is moving out of state to live with a friend.
KNIGHTLY: I kind of feel a little bit lost, to be honest with you, because I did, you know, intend to continue working as a transportation security
officer. It definitely was not an easy decision for me to have to make. It breaks my heart that it's come to this.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WILD (on camera): The major concern that English has is that this is starting to push into that really busy travel season between Thanksgiving
and Christmas. He's worried, if this shutdown continues, if TSA Officers are not paid, we are going to see more sick outs.
More people who simply cannot come to work because they can't afford to come to work, or more people quitting. And he said that could make for
chaos at the airport, making what we saw in Houston this week only the beginning. Whitney Wild, CNN, Chicago.
ANDERSON: Well, CNN has received some stunning new dash camera video showing the moment that a UPS plane crashed in Louisville on Tuesday. And a
warning to our viewers, this video is distressing to watch.
[09:10:00]
An NTSB official says that the left engine of the plane detached during takeoff, and this video may support that finding. The crash killed at least
12 people and destroyed multiple buildings in the area. We've also learned the plane crash left behind a debris field about a half a mile long. CNN's
Leigh Waldman is in Louisville and spoke with Jessica Dean about other findings that investigators have now uncovered.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEIGH WALDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jessica, like you mentioned, they got on site here yesterday, so today will be their first full day conducting that
step by step walk through of this massive debris field that's left behind from this devastating crash here.
We know at this point they have recovered the black boxes from those planes. NTSB, telling us that the boxes did suffer heat, but they're built
to withstand that. They can still gather data from it. They're also asking people who live around here who have surveillance cameras to share those
videos with them, calling those valuable assets, it's something they're going to be analyzing to try and determine a probable cause of what went
wrong here.
And we mentioned that video of what appears to show the engine off of that plane, the NTSB confirming that. And last night, as we were here, we saw
part of that engine actually being hauled away on the back of a truck here. It's all part of this extensive investigative process that the NTSB is
going through here.
We're hoping to hear more from them today about this ongoing investigation. But there's also a very real impact to the community here, businesses
surrounding the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, including a business that had a lot of damage to it itself.
The owner of that company, a recycling company, saying it was like hell's fury here, after that plane crashed. Take a listen to some of the heroics
by his employees that he described to our Isabel Rosales.
SEAN GARBER, CEO, GRADE A RECYCLING: One of our managers dove in the center of between two bales and had a ball of fire go over the top of him, and
then he got up and ran out. And he was very heroic, because one of our customers was 95 percent burn, and he picked him up and brought him to
safety.
WALDMAN: We've heard from hospital officials who say they have two people currently being treated for critical injuries because of burns. They've
treated other people for blast injuries. As a result of this crash, 12 people are dead as a result of it. They fear that number is going to
continue to rise. And Jessica something so heartbreaking here is that one of those victims is believed to be a young child.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, Israel has identified the body of another deceased hostage from Israel from Gaza. The Israeli Hostages Forum says Joshua Loitu Mollel
was a student from Tanzania who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October the 7th, 2023. His remains were handed over on Wednesday. The bodies of six
deceased hostages remain in Gaza.
Well, inside the Enclave the limited supplies of food that are getting through huge crowds of hungry Palestinians. This was a temporary kitchen in
Khan Yunis. Yesterday, the World Food Programme says only half the food that is needed is actually getting into the Enclave. Israel says it is
fulfilling its ceasefire obligations.
Well, journalists, including our own Jeremy Diamond, have repeatedly urged Israel to let them into Gaza without restrictions, to independently show
the world what is happening there. While we are still waiting for that, Israel has allowed Jeremy and other journalists to embed with the IDF and
visit a part of Northern Gaza. Have a look.
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: So, we've just arrived at this Israeli military position along the yellow line inside the Gaza Strip, and
you can see all around me, the first thing that catches your eye, obviously, is the enormous extent of destruction here.
We are in Gaza City's Shujaiyya neighborhood, or at least what's left of the Shujaiyya neighborhood, because you can see that there is almost not a
single building that is still standing in this area. This is about as far as we foreign journalists can get into Gaza right now.
The Israeli military, the Israeli government, has only allowed us in, in limited circumstances on these types of militaries embeds for more than two
years now. Israel has barred foreign journalists from freely entering the Gaza Strip. We would of course, like to go further down where there are
actually Palestinian civilians, to be able to talk to them directly and cover their experiences.
But you can see in this area, there are no Palestinian civilians, just an established Israeli military position. And so much destruction beyond.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DIAMOND: Have you taken us on this military embed today, but we as foreign journalists cannot independently access Gaza. We can't cross that yellow
line and go and speak with Palestinian civilians. Why not? The war is over.
[09:15:00]
LT. COL. NADAV SHOSHANI, INTERNATIONAL SPOKESPERSON, ISRAEL DEFENSES FORCES: Well, that's a question I think that you should ask people about my
pay grade, and I'm in charge of embeds. I'm an IDF spokesperson. I'm in charge to bring reporters to see what IDF is doing to do my best.
DIAMOND (voice-over): We asked where exactly that yellow line is, and I was just told that it's slightly beyond some of those few remaining buildings
that are still standing there. But it's almost impossible for us to distinguish exactly where that yellow line is, and we know that it's also
the case for the Palestinians on the ground who have been shot at.
Some of them have been killed as they have approached or accidentally crossed that invisible yellow line.
DIAMOND: How are Palestinians on the ground supposed to know where that line
is?
SHOSHANI: Well, the line was also published publicly, social media, leaflets and so on. But also, our troops are extremely careful. There's
warnings in real time. One does not get lost into IDF fire. In most cases, the people crossing the yellow line are Hamas. It's not an accident, and
when it is civilians, in most cases, they are able to move back.
DIAMOND: But you have -- but the Israeli military has killed civilians who crossed the yellow line accidentally. There was a family that was traveling
in a vehicle they were fired upon by an Israeli military tank shell. Do you need to revise those policies.
SHOSHANI: It's a work in progress as I said.
DIAMOND (voice-over): The Israeli military has begun to deploy these yellow concrete blocks in order to distinguish where exactly that yellow line
stands. But it's still not covering the entirety of that yellow demarcation line.
We have heard talk, of course, of establishing this international stabilization force. There are efforts now at the United Nations Security
Council to actually establish a resolution that would send that force into Gaza. But for now, all of that has yet to actually be implemented on the
ground, and you can see behind me the enormity of the challenge that remains.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, you're watching "Connect the World" with me Becky Anderson. There is a lot more news ahead. Just after quarter past six here in Abu
Dhabi, stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: The CEO of JPMorgan Chase says AI is capable of making companies hugely productive. Jamie Dimon concedes that the technology could decimate
jobs in certain fields, but insists it will create positions elsewhere. He spoke exclusively to CNN's Erin Burnett.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMIE DIAMON, JPMORGAN CHASE CEO: I think the much wiser way to look at is that there will be jobs that are eliminated 10 percent, 50 percent 80
percent by AI. It will also create jobs, just like when people had the car the horses, but they car created mechanic jobs. Tractors eliminated and
fertilizer eliminated 39 million jobs in farms.
You get better food, better farm, and all that brain power and human capital went to do other things over time. The only real risk for society.
Forget military, nuclear proliferation. I worry about is all things get used by bad guys.
[09:20:00]
That's true for almost anything. So, we need to think that through and regulate it, and proper regulation, not over regulation. And if somehow,
it's too fast for society so, I do a thought exercise. If I think there are 2 million commercial truckers United States. If it eliminated 2 million
jobs tomorrow, and it was safer for the streets, less CO2, better time delivery, no complaints, happier customers.
When you push that button and put 2 million people have jobs, you know, making good paying jobs that support families with the next job they have
maybe -- you know, maybe stocking shelves somewhere, $25,000 a year.
Well, if you want a revolution, that's a good way. That's good way to do it. So, if that happens, we civic society and government and business
should say, hey, let's be thoughtful. Income assistance, adjustment, you know, slower retirement, phase it in, overtime, retraining, relocation, so
society benefits, and you don't have too many people who suffer terribly.
And you know, that was kind of the same mistake we made with trade. You know that there are huge benefits, but you know, certain towns got wiped
out, and so we would -- we need to be very thoughtful at a handle if it happens too fast.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: It is a tale of two cities in New York right now, many residents celebrating Zoran Mamdani's win in the mayoral race, even as others
threaten to move out, citing concerns over his business policies. Jason Carroll with this.
All right, looks as if we're having a little bit of trouble in getting that report to you. Let me get you up to speed on some of the other stories that
are on our radar right now.
And Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become -- has a shot at becoming the world's first trillionaire. Tesla shareholders are set to vote later today on a new
compensation package for Musk that includes a massive amount of stock. But the company warns if the package doesn't pass, Musk might, quote, pursue
other interests.
And a typhoon has made landfall in Vietnam as one of the most powerful tropical cyclones of the year. It barreled into the Central Vietnamese
Coast with winds equivalent to a category three hurricane. It had left at least 114 people dead in the Philippines, with more than 100 others missing
there.
Well, as the U.S. government shut down drags on. The Trump Administration has issued revised guidance to states about food stamp benefits impacting
millions of Americans. The update calls for reducing benefits by 35 percent instead of the original 50 percent. The change was made to comply with a
court order. All right; you're watching "Connect the World". I'm Becky Anderson, stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:25:00]
ANDERSON: OK, welcome back. You're watching "Connect the World" with me Becky Anderson, live from Abu Dhabi. And Egypt and Qatar have signed a
major partnership to develop a real estate and tourism project on Egypt's Mediterranean Coast. The Alam Elroum Project will transform an untouched,
seven-kilometer-long stretch of coastline into a luxury international destination.
Doha is paying $3.5 billion to acquire the land, part of a massive overall investment of nearly 30 billion. And I'm hoping to be joined a little later
this hour by Ali Al-Ali, who is the CEO of Qatari Diar, the Real Estate Arm of Qatar's Sovereign Wealth Fund. Before we do that, let's check in on
these markets. Shall we?
We are about three and a half, four or so minutes before the bottom of the hour. The bottom of the hour, of course, here in Abu Dhabi is the bottom of
the hour in New York, that will be 09:30 the opening bell. And it's been an interesting week for these markets. The Futures market showing what really
looks like a sort of flat to slightly better open.
But do, of course, keep an eye on these big tech players in those indices markets just flicking into negative charity. It does feel as if, at
present, investors are really looking for a bit of direction. Some key issues out there. The U.S. government continues to be shut down. That is
the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
The Supreme Court, of course, debating the merits of the Trump tariffs at present. That was a big story yesterday, and investors keeping a keen eye
on that. That's not just a domestic U.S. story, of course. It is -- one as well. And then we've got these tech hyper scales with these sky-high
valuations. It does seem as if investors are keeping a keen eye on whether or not those valuations and those stock prices will hold.
All right, let's get you on to another business story that we've got for you. Shipping Company Maersk is considered a bellwether for global trade.
And its CEO is upbeat about the company's future in the face of these Trump tariffs. Vincent Clerc sees a positive outlook, even as shares of Maersk
fell more than 5 percent in the past 24 hours.
CNN Business and Economics Reporter Anna Cooban sat down with Clerc to get his assessment of global trade. And Clerc's optimism Anna coming in the
wake of a global trade slowdown. He is looking ahead in what is, or was certainly a very insightful conversation with you. Just fill us in on the
key takeouts, if you will.
ANNA COOBAN, CNN BUSINESS & ECONOMICS REPORTER: Yes, Becky. Well, you'll see it's quite counterintuitive. You've got these positive results today,
but shares are down, as you said, around 5 percent. Now this is really an indication of what is about to come.
Vincent Clerc was talking about this oversupply in the market, which is essentially depressing the amount that he can charge his customers to ship
their goods all around the world. So, this is why investors aren't particularly happy today.
But what I found particularly interesting in this conversation was what he was saying around this manufacturing boom coming out of China. China is
selling in droves. It's EVs, it's solar panels to customers all around the world, but it's particularly sort of picking up the slack left by the
United States because of Trump's tariffs, because of the uncertainty caused by that, and there is a contraction in trade around the United States
that's been seen by Maersk because of this.
ANDERSON: So, that's his sort of -- that's his kind of position as you -- as you spoke to him. Maersk has been massively affected by the disruption
to shipping, hasn't it in the Red Sea. I mean, this has been a story that we've been covering over these pasts, what, two years since the conflict in
Gaza, of course, began. And the interruptions in shipping caused by the Iran backed Houthis. What did he say about that?
[09:30:00]
COOBAN: So, I asked him this question. I said, you have been avoiding the Red Sea for the best part of two years. Very good reason. We've seen
attacks by Houthi militants, and there have been flare ups in these attacks in correlation with flare ups with the war in Gaza.
And he basically said that he's going to take a wait and see approach. We've seen this Gaza ceasefire. He wants to see that this will hold. He
wants to see reconstruction in Gaza before he's prepared to send his ships through that all important trading route, the Red Sea, or the Suez Canal.
He quite clearly, is not taking any chances with that.
ANDERSON: Going back to the conversation about the impact of these Trump tariffs on global trade. I was just remarking for our viewers that the oral
arguments being held for a long session yesterday at the Supreme Court not just being watched intently by the Trump Administration, who wants to see
their powers expanded in the use of these tariffs, underscored as possible by the Supreme Court.
But this is a story that has real global implications, and an organization like Maersk will be keeping a keen eye on what the Scottish decision will
be with regard these tariffs at this point, one assumes, and going forward.
COOBAN: Absolutely. I asked him about the U.S. China trade agreement. We've seen really positive steps in the detention in that relationship in recent
days. He again struck a very cautious note. He also mentioned the SCOTUS sort of does discussions around tariffs, and said that, yes, OK, trade
tensions have abated in recent months, but we're still fundamentally in a place of uncertainty.
In fact, he said that a lot of this has the feel of a temporary reprieve. So, while we have that really extraordinary meeting between President Xi
Jinping of China and President Trump, this isn't to say that we're not, in a few weeks this time, going to be in a state of having the rug pulled out
from underneath us again.
Look at just what happened with Canada, with the Ontario tariff as that caused Trump to respond quite forcefully and change the game again between
Canadian and U.S. tariffs.
ANDERSON: I always think having conversation with an organization like Maersk gives you a real indication of, you know, how the world is sort of
working around? What are these, you know, key geo economic sort of headwinds, a geo economic and geo political headwinds that international
companies face at present?
Shipping, trade, absolutely, sort of front and center key at the -- at the sweet spot of what happens when it comes to the movement of goods and
services around the world. It's good to have you. Thank you very much indeed. An important conversation there for Anna.
Well, it's equal to a popular movie franchise may be coming to the big screen. We are struggling with some of our technology today. What I wanted
to show you was a trailer for the 1999 movie "The Mummy" with stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Vice. They are reportedly in talks to reunite for the
next installment of the franchise.
Since the first film, Fraser and Vice have both won Oscars. They last appeared together in the sequel in 2001. Well, Fraser appeared alone in
2008 for "The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor". Entertainment site deadline first reporting plans for the next movie, which haven't been
officially confirmed.
Well, as I say, we are struggling with a little bit of technology. So, you may have noticed that we're not running very much video for you. You get to
look at me as I discuss with you, report for you, but sadly failing to bring you any pictures for our television show today, but we are looking to
see how we can write that.
Meantime, a good discussion coming up, not one that we need an awful lot of pictures for Egypt and Qatar signing a major partnership to develop a real
estate and tourism project on Egypt's Mediterranean Coast. Now, the Alam Elroum Project will transform an untouched, seven-kilometer-long stretch of
coastline into a luxury international destination.
Doha paying $3.5 billion to acquire the land, which is part of a massive overall investment of nearly $30 billion 29.7 to be exact. We're joined now
by Ali Al-Ali. He's the CEO of Qatari Diar, the Real Estate Arm of Qatar's Sovereign Wealth Fund. And Ali it's good to have you. Thank you very much
indeed for joining us today. Tell us more about what's planned for this project, which has been -- it's been described as a major luxury
destination.
[09:35:00]
ALI AL-ALI, CEO, QATARI DIAR: Well, first of all, thank you for having me again, Becky.
ANDERSON: Welcome.
AL-ALI: Thank you. Well, as you -- as you know, this is a mutual beneficial partnership between Qatar and Egypt and it shows our trust and our
confidence on the -- on the real estate sector, along with the touristic sector, on the and Egypt.
What we are committing a very high number and to this project that shows our vision that beats the vision of the of the government in Egypt. So, our
commitment is to deliver very high end not it's a 20 million square meter it's not a project, it's not a product. It's a whole community, a whole
city, that we are going to have all year long. It's not only for summer; it's going to be -- it's going to be a full pledge of a city.
ANDERSON: It's interesting, isn't it? It builds on other Gulf investments made along that coastline. Why does this development specifically make
sense to you now? And what's the timeframe on it?
AL-ALI: Well, it does make sense. We do have a lot of experience when we are talking about a city planning and city operation, and along with
developing a whole city that sits on very high standard when it comes to sustainable lifestyle and a good experience and good environment.
So, what we are planning to do is not only a summer camp or summer hotel, the summer resorts. It's going to be a full infrastructure that will have a
school, that will have free zones, it will have a full component of a city to be live all year long. That component is not there yet on the North
Coast of Egypt.
ANDERSON: Yeah.
AL-ALI: So, that's the different concept that we are coming with, which will make it much more feasible and for people to live there rather than
going there.
ANDERSON: And Ali, you know, Egypt now, for some time, has been very much open to business, looking to attract foreign investors as you know, it is
well documented that it is struggle for some time with debt and with a difficult economy. It does feel as if it's somewhat out of the woods and
moving in the right direction at the moment.
This deal includes more than $3 billion in a cash payment. Can you just explain briefly the investment structure and what kind of boost you believe
this will give the Egyptian economy?
AL-ALI: Well, I think it's already -- its impact is already on the market, and we see it on all the exchange. Well, we've been here for more than 15
years. And we've seen the economy here, and also the commercial aspect of it goes up and down for various of reasons during the past decades.
However, all the indication and all the regulation, and all the flexibility that the current government supporting us with all the subsidies, the tax
and so on. So, all those schemes come together in a formula that makes it very feasible for us. And just keeping in mind that 3.5 billion is just
acquisition of the land. We are talking about approximately $30 billion worth of investments over the period of the whole project.
ANDERSON: What does this deal say about the growing ties between Qatar and Egypt? What do you see as the future between the two countries? Is there
more of this sort of deal down the road?
AL-ALI: Well, from Qatar Diar perspective as real estate developers, we are looking only at this aspect. However, it has a more valuable points that to
the projects itself to have more than 99 industry is going to be built on this project has more than 200,000 employees been going to be on this
project.
So, it's beyond just the real estate project. However, there are other sectors which I believe the government in Egypt have openly going through
to the private sector, and that might be very fruitful for other companies.
ANDERSON: And this sort of project marks a clear change in direction for Cairo, which in the past, had sought loans from Gulf neighbors. And
certainly, at times when they had good relations with those Gulf neighbors. Of course, Qatar and Egypt went through a pretty bumpy time during the
blockade.
[09:40:00]
But do you see this as a sort of underscoring this new direction, which is about significant investment into the Egyptian economy? You know, a key
partnership, as it were, as opposed to the sort of what we've seen in the past, which were, you know, which was a -- an Egyptian government which
appealed for support in loans, which, frankly, doesn't suit, for example, the IMF, who really needs to see this Egyptian economy back on its feet?
AL-ALI: Well, it's a very good question. Well, as I mentioned, it is having a mutual beneficial partnership on this project. And from our perspectives,
as Qatari Diar, you know, we are PNL company. We have a board, and we are going and any new investments, we go and do it base on a profit
perspective.
So, that is a major part of our company. So besides that, yes, as I agree with you, it has a lot of support to the both entities, to the both
parties. However, from Qatari Diar point of view, we look at it as a very promising projects, based on our studies, and initial feasibility is going
to have lots of, you know, double digit income on us.
ANDERSON: Yeah.
AL-ALI: -- in terms of a profit. So, so I think it's one of the best and one of the largest outside Qatar, for Qatari Diar.
ANDERSON: Yeah, bottom line makes sense. Deal done, good to have you, sir. Thank you very much indeed. Right next --
AL-ALI: Thank you. Thank you.
ANDERSON: We are celebrating nature wherever it is found. We look at efforts to nurture green spaces, even in big cities like London.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, CNN is celebrating what we call our "Annual Call to Earth Day" today, showcasing how people are coming together to protect our
planet. Now we've got a team of reporters across the globe from Los Angeles to Atlanta, to London, to Nairobi, Beijing, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
This year's theme is "Guard Your Green Space", and focuses on how we can find an Oases of calm, even in built up areas. Well, our Nada Bashir is in
London, where students have been working to spruce up a green space outside their school. Nada, thanks for joining us. Good to have you. Where are you
in London? And what are those students who are there with you working on?
NADA BASHIR, CNN REPORTER: Well, Becky, we're in North London. We're at the North Bridge House Senior School. And earlier today, we had a chance to
have a look at that green space that is set to be transformed as part of this effort to create an eco-sustainable space.
[09:45:00]
And you can see some of the students behind me are working on designs at the moment. They will be producing those designs to create the sustainable
space. And we've been hearing all day from these students about what they're working on and the other sustainable products that they are taking
part in.
And I'm joined with by Alicia and Harry. Alicia, do you want to just talk us through what you guys have been working on today?
ALISSIA, STUDENT NORTH BRIDGE HOUSE SENIOR SCHOOL: Yeah. So, we're currently in an urban area, and there's not much green space. And so, we're
planning on transforming our Astro into a bee well garden, and that's going to include things like us growing vegetables that can be used in the
kitchen and having plants that are easy to maintain and are great for the local biodiversity. And it's great because it's a good way for students to
connect with nature.
BASHIR: And Harry, I know this is just one of many projects that you guys have been working on. Talk me through some of those other projects.
HARRY, STUDENT, NORTH BRIDGE HOUSE SENIOR SCHOOL: Well, as in many other community schools have been doing projects such as, we try to reduce our
energy consumption by having, like, reps in each class telling them students to turn off their monitors, stop, like, turn off plugs, we're not
using them and stuff and such like that.
And also -- we've also tried reducing food waste by having people in the kitchens, and we had reduced portion sizes as well. It's all been an effort
to reduce our carbon footprint throughout the couple of last couple years.
BASHIR: Great. And I mean, this is obviously a big project for the school. We've been hearing from a lot of the students today working on those
redesign efforts, and there's a lot of excitement about this new eco- sustainable garden. All parts of that focus on guarding green spaces Becky.
ANDERSON: And look London you know, for those who've been to London will be aware that there is an awful lot of green space, in fact, in Central
London. But in some of these sort of outer areas. So, you know, it is a congested, built-up city. What are some of the other efforts being made
elsewhere to protect green spaces Nada?
BASHIR: Well, look, we're seeing a lot of focus now on trying to not only protect and safeguard these green spaces, but also redevelop green spaces
as well, ensure that there is an expansion and not just green spaces for recreation, of course, but also focusing on sustainable efforts.
And what we've been seeing in quite a few parts of the city is actually the development of roof gardens, for example, to try and -- try and expand on
the spaces that are available. We've been seeing a lot of these efforts taking place in local schools as well. So, getting that sustainability
focus starting from a very early age.
ANDERSON: Good to have you. Thank you very much indeed. It is "Call to Earth Day" today. Nada kicking our show off from North London. It's good to
have you. Thank you. We are back after this quick break. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, a massive push for global leadership in AI and advanced tech here in Abu Dhabi given a further boost this week after Microsoft
announced its investment in the UAE over the next few years would be a massive $15.2 billion. Well, I spoke to Microsoft's President and Vice
Chair Brad Smith earlier this week about why the company is focused so closely on this Emirates? And whether he shares current concerns amongst
some investors who about an AI bubble?
[09:50:00]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRAD SMITH, PRESIDENT & VICE CHAIR, MICROSOFT: I would say three things. First, I don't for a moment want to discount the importance of the
opportunities in Saudi Arabia. I've been to Doha. You look at where what's happening in Kuwait, all of these places.
And they all benefit from cheaper electricity prices, which is critical to the development of large-scale AI. And governments that I think want to
have a forward-looking view. So, yeah, I think that's worth just reflecting on.
Second, what started a little bit by happenstance, I think, has now taken root. And we're pursuing with a real degree of a forethought. The
happenstance was the development of the bilateral, intergovernmental relationship between the UAE and the United States.
And the request that came our way, would we consider doing something that would be good for our business and in service of the relationship between
our two countries? And that has then led to this broadening and deepening investment.
I will say the vision here is inspiring. The prioritization of the work that needs to be done is encouraging. The capabilities that are here to put
this to work are rapidly evolving and growing, because everywhere in the world, we need to keep rapidly growing and evolving with these new skills
and technologies and the like. But you see this combination of vision, commitment, capabilities, resources all being combined in a very effective
way.
ANDERSON: There is understandable concern about the immense financial and strategic risk of these AI ambitions across the board. I think you'd agree.
Demand for AI is still somewhat hypothetical. I think we'd agree. Given that, how do you explain to investors why or how Microsoft's multi-billion
dollar spend makes sense?
SMITH: Well, I can only speak for Microsoft, and not only talk about Microsoft, because there's so many companies making all of these
announcements. The first thing I will say is, when you hear a number from us, it's real. Yeah --
ANDERSON: It's big.
SMITH: Yeah, it's why, you know, I thought it was important coming to Abu Dhabi this week. It's 15.2 billion. And then we talk about, how much is
capital expenditure? How much is, say, operating expense and the like? And we didn't round up because I want people to know that we actually are
committed to spending this.
And these are precise numbers. We know what we're spending it on. Our biggest challenge right now is not over supply. It's that we can't meet
demand. So, yeah, I've been challenged in the last week or two where we're having to turn down contracts from people who want us to deliver more AI
services to them, and then say, the next six months, and we know we won't have the capacity to meet their needs.
ANDERSON: I just wonder how you respond to concerns that these mega deals between, for example, your company and Open AI. Open AI and Oracle, Oracle
and Nvidia, Nvidia and Amazon, Amazon and Open AI. These are very circular.
And if you've been around long enough, you'll remember the Dot Com era, and this all has the echo of vendor financing, and we all know how that ended,
or at least what happened during that period. So, for those who have a real concern about that, what do you say?
SMITH: Well, I'm old enough and have been around long enough to have lived through that. And I think, I always think that people benefit by thinking
broadly, asking hard questions, and the best way to avoid a problem is probably to worry about it, otherwise you're going to find out that maybe
you should have.
Yeah, for us, we don't have the number of those types of relationships that you describe. Let me just put it that way.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: It's always fascinating speaking to Brad Smith, good to have him and more on of that interview is upcoming on our intelligent future
platform. We'll let you know when that is out.
Well, in Japan, troops have been deployed to help combat bear attacks. It's been a record year for deadly bear encounters with at least 13 people
killed more than 100 injured. CNN's Hanako Montgomery updated the situation a little earlier on.
[09:55:00]
HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kate, these troops certainly won't be killing the bears. They actually legally aren't allowed to cull
wild animals, so they can only provide logistical support. Now, what that means is they'll help lay down traps. They'll also transport bear carcasses
and also help local hunters get around town.
Now, the actual culling of these bears will still be left to the local hunters. But they say that they're having a really hard time trying to keep
the bear population under control because of Japan's aging population. There just aren't enough hunters anymore to help with this problem.
Now also, experts say that we're seeing a rise in the number of bear attacks because of climate change. They say that the bear's natural food
resources are getting more and more scarce, so they're having to come into towns and cities to find food. So naturally, that means they run into
humans more.
So, this year alone, we've seen bears enter schools, nurseries and even supermarkets in search for their food. In fact, a university in Northern
Japan had to cancel classes for two days because they found a bear on campus. That's how bad -- that's how bad the problem is getting.
Now, the troops are being deployed to one area of Japan where there's -- where this problem is especially severe, but the entire country is on high
alert. In fact, the central government is currently drafting up a number of different countermeasures that they hope will help solve this problem, and
they hope to finalize these countermeasures by mid-November. But they've yet to really propose any solutions, Kate, that deal with this problem in
the long term, any solutions that really get to the root cause of this bear attack issue.
ANDERSON: Well, that is it for the first hour of "Connect the World". We will be back at the top of the next about four or so minutes from now, with
the second hour, stay with us.
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END
