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NEWS STREAM
Security Footage Shows Saudi Body Double; Race to the Midterm Elections in Florida; Siemens CEO Pulls Out of Saudi Conference; Jean Nouvel's Spectacular Palace of Culture Shimmers in the Desert; Sea Cucumber the Key to Ocean Sanctuary?; Video Appears to Show Body Double in Jamal Khashoggi's Clothes; John Bolton in Moscow Amid Missile Tension; Migrant Caravan Still Heading for United States; Australia Prime Minister Apologizes to Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse; Taiwan President Visited Train Crash Victims; High Profile Disappearances Raise Concern in China. Aired 8-9a ET
Aired October 22, 2018 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[08:00:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong and welcome to "News Stream." As Saudi Arabia doubles down on its story of
Jamal Khashoggi's death, a shocking video throws a different light on it.
The U.S. and Russia accused each other of violating a nuclear missile treaty. Are we heading towards new nuclear arms raise?
And they have made it past hardships and closed borders. Now, thousands of people continue their herring (ph) journey to the U.S.
And we begin this hour with a jaw-dropping exclusive report on the killing of Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. CNN has obtained
potentially damning video from the day the Washington Post journalist died.
It shows a man Turkish investigators believed post as a body double leaving the consulate in what appears to be Khashoggi's clothing. Our chief
international correspondent, Clarissa Ward, has more from Istanbul.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: At first glance, this man could almost pass for Jamal Khashoggi and that's the idea. These
are the last known images of Khashoggi alive moments before he entered the Saudi consulate. Take a look, same clothes, same glasses and beard, similar
age and physique, everything except the shoes.
But a senior Turkish official tells CNN that the man on the left is a body double, one of 15 Saudi operatives sent to kill Khashoggi and then cover it
up. His name is Mustafa al-Madani. Surveillance cameras capture him arriving at the consulate in a plaid shirt and jeans at 11.03 with an
accomplice. Two hours later, Khashoggi arrives. He was killed inside shortly afterwards.
While Khashoggi's fiance waited in front of the consulate, we're told al- Madani came out through this back exit. Disturbingly, he appears to have been wearing the actual clothing of the murdered journalist. The intent,
Turkish investigator say, was to perpetuate the lie that Jamal Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed.
The apparent double and his companion take a taxi to Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It's one of Istanbul's main tourist attractions and an easy place to get
lost in a crowd. The man headed to the bathroom. The accomplice carries a plastic bag. When they emerged, al-Madani is wearing his own clothes again.
And just like that, Jamal Khashoggi has disappeared forever or so the Saudis would have had the world believe. Little did they know, Turkish
authorities would quickly uncover the cover up.
From their next stop at a nearby restaurant where al-Madani appears to have ditched his fake beard to a dumpster where the men finally dumped the
plastic bag. The senior official says investigators believed it likely contained Khashoggi's clothes.
As they head back to their hotel, the pair appeared visibly relaxed. Their mission is complete. Clarissa Ward, CNN, Istanbul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LU STOUT: And do stay with us. We will have more from our chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward, in about 20 minutes from now.
CNN's Sam Kiley is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with more on the story. And Sam, first, the latest narrative, the latest take from the Saudi Government is
that the killing was, quote, "a mistake"?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. In the words of Adel al-Jubeir, the foreign minister and aberration, and that the culprits,
those that are believed to be responsible for this will be punished and that punishment and investigation will go in every direction and any
direction. So, the investigator's take, this is the new Saudi line.
Remember that they rely very heavily on the argument coming from the crown prince himself in an interview to Bloomberg since weeks ago now. He
insisted that Mr. Khashoggi had left the consulate.
[08:05:12] Now, the Saudi line is -- and I've just been speaking to senior official -- is that the system here, the headquarter was badly misled by
the people on the ground who accidentally would appear killed Mr. Khashoggi and then try to cover it up. That's exactly the words that Mr. al-Jubeir
used and that's supposedly words that are coming out from officials.
But I think it's worth listening to a short extract of the foreign minister because it does indicate a degree of contrition at least. This is what he
said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You said you don't know where the body is. Someone obviously knows. Was it chopped up? Was it dismembered? Do you know that?
ADEL AL-JUBEIR, FOREIGN MINISTER, SAUDI ARABIA: Look on this with our Turkish colleagues. The public prosecutors continue in his line of
questioning. This was not a place that was a rouge operation. This was an operation where individuals ended up exceedingly asserted his
responsibilities they had. They made a mistake when they killed Jamal Khashoggi in the consulate and they tried to cover up for it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KILEY: They tried to cover it up and the body is missing. All of these things are part of the narrative that the Saudis are putting together. Many
Saudis here, Kristie, do believe the government is lying that this was a rouge element. I think senior officials believed this too. Ultimately, we
may never know who actually gave the order for this operation.
But every time the Saudis come out with a narrative, the Turks something that puts holes in it. So, there have been briefings here given to other
media organizations that suggest that Mr. Khashoggi was rolled out in a car and handed over to a collaborator. That is inconsistent with the Turkish
line that he was dismembered.
Now, we have this body double from Clarissa's reporting, which undermines the idea that Mr. Khashoggi was killed by accident because why, of course,
would you turn up for a meeting designed to persuade him to return home, which is the official line if you got a body double, not only a body double
but one that you actually use and put into his clothes, Kristie.
LU STOUT: Yeah. Very good point. And as the Saudis continue to spin an explanation, as you pointed out, as we've been airing that exclusive report
by Clarissa and team, there is evidence to prove otherwise.
Sam Kiley, reporting live for us from Riyadh, as always, thank you so much. Take care.
The U.S. National Security Advisor, John Bolton, is in Moscow. He is set to meet the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and Russian state media
reports a meeting with President Putin is being prepared. Bolton's visit comes after President Trump's announcement over the weekend that he is
pulling the U.S. out of a decade old nuclear treaty with Russia. Lavrov says Moscow is waiting for an official explanation for the move. Both sides
accuse each other of violating the cold war era pact in recent years, accusations the Kremlin has denied.
Our senior international correspondent, Fred Pleitgen, has more now from Moscow. Fred, interesting timing here for John Bolton. You know, he is the
hawkish national security advisor, seen as a driving force behind this move for Trump to dump out of the treaty. He is in Russia this week. How will
those meetings go down there?
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, presumably, fairly cold. I don't think they will have a very warm welcome at many of
those meetings. They are actually already underway. We've gotten really -- a lot of lines are already out of those meetings. A lot of Russians were
very, very angry at what's going on. You mentioned that later on today he sets to meet Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister. Lavrov already
earlier today came out and essentially warned the United States that if the U.S. leaves the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty that Russia will
retaliate.
What the Russians are saying, look, if that is the case, they will need to have what is called parity. That means if the U.S. deploys any sort of mid-
level nuclear weapons and the Russians are going to do the same thing. And that's where you have that keyword that we've been hearing so much from the
Russians, is this going to lead to another arms raise?
Now, the Kremlin earlier today said exactly the same thing at a conference call earlier today with Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, where
he also said the Russians would take retaliatory measures if indeed that were the case. So, there are some angry reactions that are going on.
The latest that we have for you right now, it appears as though the national security advisor, John Bolton, right now is in a meeting with his
Russian counterpart, Nikolai Patrushev. It's a very important meeting here because obviously they are on the same level and a lot of security matters
will be discussed.
But you're absolutely right. The Russians are saying they want an explanation. Essentially what they want to know, we've heard this from
Lavrov. We've heard this from Peskov as well. They want to know if what they heard from President Trump over the weekend that the U.S. wants to
pull out of this treaty whether or not that is a final decision by the United States or whether or not there might still be some wiggle room
possibly to re-negotiate something or re-work this treaty if you will. The Russians say, at this point, they don't know what's going on.
[08:10:03] If you listen to a lot of the things that other Russian politicians has been saying as well, a lot of the criticism, the fact that
they saying this could be a new arms raise, a new Cuban missile crisis, all of that is always with the caveat they still don't officially know that the
U.S. really wants to leave this treaty certainly right now. It's a very, very important meeting going on here in Moscow and they will be over the
next 24, maybe 36 hours as well, Kristie.
LU STOUT: And these accusations that Russia has violated this nuclear treaty, the INF, the Kremlin denies it. But can you fact check that for us?
Has Russia breached this treaty?
PLEITGEN: It's very difficult to say. The U.S. says they believe or very strongly believe that Russia is in breach of the INF treaty. And they say
essentially what the Russians have done is they've taken a missile system that has an intermediate range and made that nuclear capable with cruise
missiles and then deploy that somewhere in southwestern Russia.
That's sort of the information that we've been getting from the United States and from NATO allies as well. NATO has said that it stands behind
the United States and its decision and said that for a very long time NATO and the U.S. have been asking Russia for more information on all of these.
Since 2014, the Obama administration has said that it believes Russia is in breach of the INF treaty. Now, the Russians continuously denied that. The
Russians have said there is no evidence that has been provided about any of that.
And the Russians have since fired back or have been firing back and saying that the U.S. is the one who is against -- in breach of this treaty because
the U.S. is developing an anti-missile system and to do that they obviously need to have missiles that do have that intermediate range to test that
system. And therefore, the Russians said the U.S. is in breach of the INF treaty itself.
So, these accusations and counter accusations have been flying back and forth. And it seems as though right now all of these have an impact either
this treaty is going to stick and be re-negotiated or indeed the U.S. might believe it all together, Kristie.
LU STOUT: Yes. A setback for the relationship, a setback for arms control. Fred Pleitgen, reporting live from Moscow. Fred, thank you.
Meanwhile, China has responded to the U.S. decision to withdraw from the treaty with Russia saying, "It is wrong to cite China." Over the weekend,
President Trump pointed to Chinese missile development as one reason behind the move. But the Chinese foreign ministry hit back calling the action by
the United States, quote, "completely wrong."
It has been a grueling journey for a caravan of Central American migrants headed to the United States. Mexican authorities say the group is now
heading to Tapachula. It's a city about 40 kilometers from the Mexico- Guatemala border. More than a thousand people have requested asylum in Mexico in just the past three days. But huge crowds are determined to
continue to trek north despite the fact that President Trump says they are not welcome.
On Sunday, he tweeted this, quote, "Full efforts are being made to stop the onslaught of illegal aliens from crossing our southern border," adding that
the U.S. will turn away anyone who doesn't apply for asylum in Mexico.
CNN's Bill Weir is following the caravan. He joins me now live from Tapachula, Mexico. Bill, thank you for joining us. You've been tracking the
caravan, meeting the people. What is their story and how are they feeling right now?
BILL WEIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kristie, there are thousands of different stories in this caravan. The official numbers from the Mexican
government tells us that it's north of 7,000 people. It's hard to know how they counted that through census now.
But as you can see, they're just coming alive here. This is the main square in Tapachula. And to give you some perspective, on Friday, they reached the
Guatemala-Mexican border with that river crossing and the Mexican Federales trying to hold that line, but they just could not. Even though the gates
were shoved open and they were forced back, people just simply went around, swam the river, jumped off the bridge, and yesterday walked about 40
kilometers, 50 kilometers or so.
Here, this is the town center of Tapachula. As you can see, over here is the fountain in the main square, which has become the sort of impromptu
camping ground, but they're waking up. They're getting up. They're picking up their trash, which is interesting to see. They don't want to leave any
ill will here.
Of course, Mexico has an immigration problem of their own. And I've heard some resentment from folks saying, "We don't have enough jobs for
ourselves. We can't take these people as well." But then you see so much charity. I met a woman yesterday who drove three hours with a trunk full of
tortillas to hand out, people with clothes and giving them there.
There is strength in the numbers for these folks, safety and security as they travel together. But of course, the price of that is the visual of
what Donald Trump would like to call this invading mob of criminals. But most of these folks either are oblivious to the politics of the United
States or they don't have any choice.
It's like a powerful poem by Warsan Shire who said you only leave home when home is the mouth of a shark. You only put your child in a boat when the
boat is safer than the land. And I've heard that story again and again and again where they would love the luxury of lining up and doing this in a
proper fashion with the right papers.
[08:15:06] But some of these folks are either fleeing violence in Honduras, political oppression, or just economic better fortunes in what they see as
a land of opportunity, Kristie.
LU STOUT: That's a beautiful poem you cited just now and it's a wonderful reminder that many of these desperate people are seeking a better future,
escaping, as you pointed out, poverty, gang recruitment, political prosecution, et cetera.
Bill Weir, we'll leave it at that. Thank you so much for your reporting. We'll check in with you a little bit later. Bill Weir, joining us live from
Tapachula.
You're watching "News Stream." And still to come right here in the program, Australia's prime minister delivers a national apology while fighting back
tears. We'll tell you who he is saying sorry to and why. Plus the recent disappearance of two high profile Chinese citizens is raising concerns over
Beijing's corruption crackdown.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LU STOUT: Coming to you live from Hong Kong. Welcome back. This is "News Stream." Australia's prime minister has apologized to thousands of victims
of child sexual abuse. In an emotional speech that was broadcast live, Scott Morrison said the nation has, his words, failed its children. This
just comes after a five-year investigation that uncovered thousands of abuse cases over several decades. Will Ripley has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCOTT MORRISON, PRIME MINISTER, AUSTRALIA: Not just as a part that is Prime Minister, I am angry too.
WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A rare moment of raw emotion in the Australian Parliament for Prime Minister Scott Morrison giving an
official apology for the thousands of victims of child sexual abuse.
MORRISON: We love you, we hear you and we honor you. And again today, we say sorry.
RIPLEY: This long awaited apology comes after a five-year Royal Commission study. The report shocked Australia. A staggering 17,000 survivors came
forward, nearly 8,000 of them sharing their stories of abuse, abuse hidden for decades by churches, schools, charities, the very institutions trusted
to protect children.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Christians didn't give bleep (ph). They didn't came and I still go. And why these institutions still get money when they
have done all the damage to pay for.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll do better to protect all children in Australia from abuse --
RIPLEY: Some survivors and their families heckled (ph) the prime minister, angry about the lack of speed and limited scope of assistance.
A trusted Catholic priest molested Chrissy Foster's two daughters. One killed herself in an overdose. A drunk-driving crash left the other
disabled. Foster says repeated apologies by the Catholic Church are not genuine.
CHRISSY FOSTER, MOTHER OF TWO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS: Anything they say in a form of apology or things are put in place would have been the
closest public outcry impression to do so. It's not something that comes from the heart, which is where it should have come from.
[08:20:11] RIPLEY: Australia will offer victims counseling and compensation, and if they want, a direct apology from the institutions
complicit in their abuse. Groundbreaking steps advocates hope will be a blueprint for other nations.
MORRISON: I simply say I believe you. We believe you. Your country believes you.
RIPLEY: Words many feel they've been waiting for for far too long. Will Ripley, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LU STOUT: Now, the president of Taiwan visited the site of a deadly rail disaster on Monday. Tsai Ing-wen met with family members of those killed
after train carriages flew off the tracks in the northeast part of the island. At least 18 people are dead and nearly 180 are injured. Authorities
in Taiwan are investigating what caused the accident. They're looking into the train speed and brakes as possible factors.
Human rights advocates say the two recent high profile disappearances in China should be a wake up call about what's going on there. Now, the
activist say the message from communist leaders is clear, no one is too big. Anyone could be next. Matt Rivers reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The A-list actress and the Interpol chief, two of China's most famous international citizens, and yet
in President Xi Jinping's authoritarian security state, each has proved powerless.
Fan Bingbing is one of China's biggest film stars. But in June this year, a former TV anchor accused the actress of not paying proper taxes. And within
weeks, she vanished. No one saw her for months.
In 2016, Meng Hongwei became the first Chinese head of Interpol. But last month on a visit to China, he disappeared. His wife told CNN his last
message to her was a knife emoji.
GRACE MENG, WIFE OF MENG HONGWEI (through translator): At the beginning, I could not be certain what happened to him. Then after I received his
message, I knew that he was in danger.
RIVERS: He has been accused of taking bribes and other crimes but remains missing. Both disappearances are part of Xi Jinping's signature domestic
policy, a ruthless anti-corruption drive that's estimated to have netted more than 1 million government officials so far plus big fish in the
business world too. It's an easy way, critics say, for Xi to get rid of his enemies and terrorize their families.
MENG: I worry about his life. I don't know if he is alive or what happened.
RIVERS: It's a feeling Lee Wan Xu (ph) knows well. Her husband, Wang Tsuen Jong (ph), is also in state custody. She hasn't seen or spoken to him in
more than three years.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): My biggest fear right now is whether or not he'll come out of jail alive.
RIVERS: She has protested for his release too, but her husband isn't rich. He is just a middle class human rights lawyer accused of, quote,
"subversion of state power," in prison along with hundreds of other such lawyers and activist since 2015.
They're often held in so-called black jails, unable to communicate with the outside world. Prisoners we've spoken to alleged tortured, but China denies
it. We found one of those jails in 2016.
And to be honest, we didn't know what to expect when we were walking up here. But around here, it is relatively quiet. That's an unassuming
building, but it does belie what activist say goes on inside.
On Wednesday, back in Beijing, we saw Fan Bingbing in public for the first time in four months, leaving the airport. She was accused of tax fraud,
fine nearly $130 million. The only way it seems to emerge from the ranks of the disappeared is to grovel at the foot of the state.
Without the favorable policies of the communist party and state, there would have been no Fan Bingbing. She wrote on social media her only public
statement so far.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): In China, it doesn't matter if you're a huge official or a famous actress. If they can disappear, anyone
can. That means anyone can be next.
RIVERS: For China's president, Xi Jinping, the country's most powerful leader in decades and the man Donald Trump calls a good friend, there is no
celebrity too big or human rights lawyer too small who can't be taken down as a threat. Matt Rivers, CNN, Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LU STOUT: This is "News Stream." And still to come, did a Saudi operative post as journalist, Jamal Khashoggi? Some says the Saudis try to cover up
his disappearance by using a body double.
[08:05:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching "News Stream" and these are your world headlines. U.S. National Security advisor, John
Bolton is in Moscow for high level meetings, including a meeting with the country's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. The visit comes days after the
U.S. pulled out of the decades-old treaty with Russia to cut thousands of missiles from both countries' arsenal. The move announced by President
Trump at the weekend has drawn widespread criticism.
Mexican authorities say that more than 1,000 migrants have requested asylum there over the past three days, but huge crowds traveling from Central
America are still trying to reach the United States even as President Donald Trump says they are not welcome.
A CNN exclusive shows what may be premeditation in the killing of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. A security camera footage from the day
Khashoggi disappeared shows a man whom Turkish investigators believe was meant to be a body double entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul wearing
a plaid shirt and exits hours later appearing to be wearing the journalist's clothing. Earlier, the Saudi foreign minister said that the
killing was a tremendous mistake and part of a rouge operation.
For more, on her exclusive CNN report, let's go straight to our CNN chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward, live from Istanbul. Clarissa,
you have uncovered this video evidence that suggest that this was a premeditated killing. It involves the use of a body double. What more can
you tell us?
WARD: Well, first of all, Kristie, I should emphasize that this was very much a group efforts spearheaded by the entire CNN Istanbul bureau to gain
access to this exclusive report.
Senior Turkish official essentially telling us that authorities here have no doubt, Kristie, that this was premeditated and it was premeditated
murder. They went on to say that essentially as you saw in our report earlier in the hour that the Saudis actually brought in a body double.
Well, how do they know that they brought him in especially for this role? Well, if you look at the fact that he is 57 years old, which is a couple of
decades older than almost all of other operatives. And you look at the fact also, Kristie, that he is about the same height, size, and build as Jamal
Khashoggi. You start to ask yourself, why else would he have been brought in to this operation.
Beyond that, you have to ask yourself, why would he be carrying a fake beard? We see him wearing a fake beard as he leaves the consulate behind
through the back entrance wearing the clothes that have been presumably taken off the dead body of Jamal Khashoggi. This is seriously terrifying
and more job (ph). And it does seem to indicate very strongly premeditation, whether it was premeditated murder, whether it was
premeditated kidnapping, abduction, or rendition (ph), we don't yet know.
I have reached out to a Saudi source close to the palace who would neither confirm nor deny the use of a body double. But one thing is clear, Kristie,
the Turks and the Turkish authorities here are not satisfied. They want more answers and they want the truth. It remains to be seen whether or not
they'll get that, Kristie.
[08:30:00]
LU STOUT: This is the first time we've seen this really disturbing video, and it begs the question, if the Saudis went to such length to pull this
off, why didn't someone release photos of the body they believe in the consulate through another door earlier?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That is the million dollar question, Kristie. This is something we were all trying to wrap our heads around when we first got
this material. I think there are sort of two main components to it.
First of all, I think the fact that they had gone to this length explains why in the beginning they were so happy to tout this brazen lie that he had
walked out of the consulate unharmed. It's entirely possible that they believe that we're counting on the fact that Turkish surveillance video,
Turkish surveillance cameras were going to pick up on this sort of would be Kashoggi body double and therefore believe their account.
Another possibility is by the end of the evening, it was becoming clear to them that their story or that their cover up was already been spotted by
Turkish authorities. They hadn't necessarily banked on the fact that Khashoggi's fiancee will be waiting outside the consulate, making it harder
to believe that he would just walk out the back without saying goodbye to her.
And also they knew when Turkish authorities came on and search that plane, I think they already perhaps had a really strong sense that Turkish
authorities were on to them and doubted their story.
That may also explain why it is that they did not try to push the narrative any further and why they did not reveal or share their own images, their
own surveillance video of the body double in action, Kristie.
LU STOUT: It's a bombshell report and exclusive. We thank you and your team there in CNN Istanbul for bringing it to us. Clarissa Ward reporting
live, take care.
Now, U.S. lawmakers, they are doubtful about the explanation. Republican Senator Bob Corker says that the U.S. should punish Mohammed bin Salman if
an investigation confirms he was involved in the killing. Corker spoke with Jake Tapper earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BOB CORKER (R), TENNESSEE: Do I think he did it? Yes, I think he did it. If he did it, then I think there should be a collective response. I've
talked to ambassadors' mother countries in the West. They are looking for the United States for leadership on this issue, but they also want to make
sure that they coordinate a response with us.
They too have arms sales to Saudi Arabia. They too have interests there just like we do. And so, this is something where I think you are going say
the United States, United kingdom, France, Germany working collectively with others if he did this to respond in an appropriate way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: The U.S. midterm elections are just over two weeks away. Florida is home to some key races this year. Republican Governor Rick Scott is
running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson.
A new CNN poll shows Nelson has a slight edge right now. He is up five percentage points. Win or lose, Rick Scott is leaving the governor's
mansion. The two main contenders for his job are Democrat Andrew Gillum and Republican Ron DeSantis.
Now, our polling shows Gillum with a big lead, 12 points. That poll came before Sunday's gubernatorial debate hosted by Jake Tapper. The candidates
squared off and DeSantis, he went on the attack.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RON DESANTIS, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR IN FLORIDA: Andrew wants to impeach Donald Trump. You got to be able to work with the administration
because you have to work with the army core. You got to know the key people in the administration. Otherwise, we're never going to be able to solve the
problem. I'm the only guy that can do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: For his part, Gillum tried to link DeSantis to the president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW GILLUM, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR IN FLORIDA: Donald Trump is weak. He performs as all weak people do. They become bullies. And Mr.
DeSantis is his acolyte. He is trying out to be the Trump apprentice at every turn. He's tweeting to him. He's talking to him. He's showing up his
complimenting him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: OK, so we heard and we know what the candidates are saying. What about Florida voters? CNN's Ryan Nobles traveled to the state to find out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RYAN NOBLES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Aaron Ward runs a barbecue food truck in one of the most important states on the midterm map, and he thinks
Floridians are sick and tired of both Republicans and Democrats.
AARON WARD, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER: I think people are pretty much hammered with politics.
NOBLES: Political fatigue could be a big problem, especially for the two candidates for governor, who won the primaries by appealing to the basis of
their respective parties.
GILLUM: I believe we are going to win this not by capitulating on what we believe.
NOBLES: On the left is Democrat Andrew Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee. He won his primary with the support of Bernie Sanders calling for
abolishing ICE in it's current form and plugging a multi-state Medicare for all plan. Gillum believes that policy portfolio will attract voters of all
stripes.
[08:35:01] GILLUM: I actually think we talked about the issues to the primary and will in the general that whether you're an independent or a
reasonable thinking Republican or a Democrat that you care about.
NOBLES: Gillum is drawing big crowds of enthusiastic Democrats such as Tony and Belva McNair.
GILLUM: Appreciate your support, you all.
NOBLES: Impressed with his bright blue politics and the fact that he has promised to take on President Trump.
But for many Floridians such as Maegan Morris, just being oppose to Trump isn't enough.
So you're not even necessarily a fan of President Trump but you think the focus on him is too much?
MAEGAN MORRIS, FLORIDA VOTER: I think there is a lot of focus on him, probably more than any presidents ever. And I would like to see the issues
addressed more.
NOBLES: Separating this race from the president won't be easy, especially for Republican Ron DeSantis.
DESANTIS: Then Mr. Trump said you're fired. I love that part.
NOBLES: DeSantis ran arm-in-arm with President Trump during the GOP primary, opposing tax increases, supporting construction of a wall along
the border with Mexico, and voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act while in the House.
DESANTIS: We need a governor who is going to work constructively with the Trump administration to advance Florida's priorities.
NOBLES: He too has GOP base voters fired up. His Republican supporters believe that DeSantis can attract middle of the road voters by just being
himself.
NORMA RENO, DESANTIS SUPPORTER: People really need to listen and follow him for that because he was the best for the people. He was the best for
Florida.
NOBLES: But at a time of fierce polarization, the middle lane in Florida politics may be up for grabs. And for Ward who talks to voters every day,
the candidate that is able to attract the middle and hold their bases effectively just might be the winner on election day.
WARD: How do you merge those together to come out to what it is that this one state wants?
NOBLES: Right, right, right.
WARD: That's tough. you're going to get a ton of different backgrounds trying to merge into one single situation.
NOBLES: Sometimes they vote Republican, sometimes they vote Democrat because it's shifting, right?
WARD: Absolutely.
Ryan Nobles, CNN, Tallahassee.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LU STOUT: And this just into us here at CNN in the aftermath of the confirmed killing of the Saudi critic and journalist Jamal Khashoggi. We
have learned that another high-profile leader has stepped out and backed out the Saudi conference for this week.
We have learned that the CEO of Siemens, Joe Kaeser, made the announcement just moments ago, saying that he has pulled out of the Saudi conference,
calling the decision "clean." He said that the decision was not against the kingdom or its people but based on "how much responsibility one can assume
at one time."
You're watching "News Stream." Coming up after the break, we will be going to Destination Abu Dhabi. After some 10 years in the making, we are going
to show you the stunning new centerpiece of the Emirate's arts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LU STOUT: Welcome back. Now, the capital of the UAE has risen out of the desert in a matter of decades. All this week, we are exploring its
landmarks and the people. First stop, Louvre Abu Dhabi, the iconic building designed by Jean Nouvel, opens its doors in November of 2017. We joined a
young Emirati artist for a tour of the museum that is quickly becoming the centerpiece of Abu Dhabi's burgeoning art scene.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
[08:40:03] UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My name is (INAUDIBLE), an artist, and I also work at (INAUDIBLE). I love Abu Dhabi because art scene is flourishing
and that makes me happy to be living here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The centerpiece of Abu Dhabi's emerging art scene is the Louvre Abu Dhabi, opened in November of 2017. It was 10 years in the
making and costs over $100 million to build.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The first thing you'll notice walking to the Louvre Abu Dhabi is the dome. The way the lights filters through the dome, it
offers jus the perfect amount of refuge from the harsh sunlight. So, I really think it's great.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The floating dome was designed by award-winning architect Jean Nouvel. It is inspired by Arabic geometric patterns.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a wonderful introduction to the gallery in the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Louvre Abu Dhabi houses masterpieces from around the world, conveying the universal theme of humanity throughout the museum.
Paintings by van Gogh, Gauguin, and Monet (ph) adorn the walls.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The fact that the Louvre Abu Dhabi presents all these different historical period of artifacts and objects adds of course to the
cultural landscape and also adds to the knowledge and to education here.
I especially like this painting because of the way the artist works. This was not painted from a live scene. This was the artist combining different
elements and putting them together to create the scene of a young Emir reading a book.
It's interesting to watch people's reaction to this painting because it is very popular. Even people who don't know much about art recognize it.
Setting them in history books and then seeing their paintings here, experiencing the paintings first hand adds so much to the experience of art
students and art lovers in general.
Having a big name as the Louvre Abu Dhabi definitely brought so much attention to the region. We have so many artists, curators, and art lovers
simply visit the UAE because of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LU STOUT: Could footage of a sea creature dubbed the headless chicken monster actually be the answer to ocean conservation? Now, this deep sea
sea cucumber has been captured on cam for the first time in its hope that the footage will inspire the creation of a new antarctic ocean conservation
zone. Officials are meeting in Tasmania this week to discuss the possibility of a refuge.
And that is "News Stream." I'm Kristie Lu Stout, but don't go anywhere, "World Sport" with Christina Macfarlane is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:45:00] (WORLD SPORT)
END
