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Hala Gorani Tonight
Steve Mnuchin and Mark Esper Condemn Turkish Military Actions; Trade Talks with China Under Way Today; Marie Yovanovitch Testifies in Impeachment Inquiry; Death Toll Rises In Turkish Offensive In Northeastern Syria; Typhoon Hagibis Takes Aim At Japan; Studying Climate Destructions Is Taking A Toll On Scientists; 100,000 Evacuated In Southern California Wildfire; CNN's LGBTQ Town Halls Mark Historic Political Moment. Aired 2-3p ET
Aired October 11, 2019 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[14:00:17]
BIANCA NOBILO, CNN HOST, HALA GORANI TONIGHT: Hello and welcome to HALA GORANI TONIGHT. I'm Bianca Nobilo.
We begin with breaking news on what the U.S. is calling very significant new sanctions against Turkey. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin spoke
moments ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE MNUCHIN, TREASURY SECRETARY: The president is concerned about the ongoing military offensive and potential targeting of civilians, civilian
infrastructure, ethnic or religious minorities. And also, the president wants to make very clear, it is imperative that Turkey not allow even a
single ISIS fighter to escape.
Again, I want to emphasize, at this point, we are not activating the sanctions. But as the president has said, he will provide very significant
authorities based upon the continuing efforts.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NOBILO: Earlier, the U.S. defense secretary sent a warning to Turkey as well, telling Ankara to de-escalate its offensive into northeastern Syria
or risk serious consequences.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK ESPER, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We oppose and are greatly disappointed by Turkey's decision to launch a unilateral military incursion into northern
Syria. This operation puts our SDF partners in harm's way. It risks the security of ISIS prison camps, and will further destabilize the region.
From the president on down, we have communicated with the Turks on this issue. I spoke with Turkish Defense Minister Akar yesterday to express our
strong opposition to Turkey's actions and reiterated the damage this is doing to our bilateral relationship.
To be clear, we are not abandoning our Kurdish partner forces, and U.S. troops remain with them in other parts of Syria. The impulsive action of
President Erdogan to invade northern Syria has put the United States in a tough situation.
Given our relationship with our NATO ally Turkey, who has fought alongside the United States in the past, the Syrian Democratic Forces who helped us
destroy the physical caliphate of ISIS, and the safety of U.S. military personnel.
Rather than get pulled into this conflict, we put the welfare of our soldiers first while urging Turkey to forego its operation, and working
hard with us to address their concerns through the development of a security zone along the border.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NOBILO: The words, in stark contrast to U.S. President Trump's decision, days ago, to withdraw American troops from the Syrian border, in effect,
paving the way for Turkey to move in.
Clarissa Ward joins us from Syria now. She's made it from that base to a Turkish funeral today. Now, Clarissa, as I was just saying, it does seem
that the president's decision did essentially enable Turkey's military maneuvers here. So why the disparate rhetoric here between the U.S.
defense secretary and the president? Can you make any sense of this?
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think, Bianca, we've unfortunately come to be accustomed to sometimes the words of
the president being at odds with some of his most senior advisors and cabinet members.
In this instance, let's be very clear. U.S. troops are in an incredibly, incredibly awkward position. We actually saw that for ourselves firsthand
today in the city of Hasakah. We went to visit a U.S. base there. The U.S. base is actually guarded and protected by Kurdish forces.
They have been fighting alongside each other in the battle against ISIS, with Kurdish fighters on the front line and the U.S. military providing air
support, calling in mortars and that sort of thing. And they have developed very close relationship as a result.
Now, U.S. soldiers who are here and special forces, operatives particularly, find themselves in the incredibly uncomfortable position of
essentially having to stand back and watch while President Erdogan and the Turkish military launches this widespread offensive, and not being able to
do anything about it to protect their allies or defend them.
So I'm not entirely surprised that we're hearing a different tone from the secretary of defense than we've heard from the president, although
interesting, after hearing from the Treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, that obviously there is a lot of pressure on the White House, now, to show that
it is taking a tough tone with Turkey. And certainly, that is manifested in the sort of threat of very severe sanctions. Though, important to note
that those sanctions have not been activated yet, Bianca.
NOBILO: Clarissa, ISIS have claimed responsibility, I believe, for a car bomb attack, which has killed four people. Do you see that as an early
indication of the fact that they're taking advantage of this confusion?
[14:05:02]
WARD: Well, that's the real worry, Bianca, is that any time you have a security vacuum, a power vacuum, that a group like ISIS will step in to
fill the void. The car bomb that you're talking about took place in the town that I'm standing in now, Qamishli. It happened earlier today.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for it, although we should say, as we always have to say when they claim responsibility for these things, they
are opportunists. They often like to claim responsibility for anything that has inflicted chaos or damage. So in this instance, we can't confirm
that they are indeed the ones who were the perpetrators of this attack.
But what we can say, more broadly speaking, is that of course there is a very real risk that with the current confusion, as you mentioned, there is
the possibility for ISIS sleeper cells to be activated, for ISIS prisoners to potentially escape from prisons, and for the group in general to sort of
seize the momentum, take advantage of the power vacuum and try to reconstitute and recoalesce -- Bianca.
NOBILO: Clarissa Ward in northern Syria, thank you.
Let's go to the White House now. Sarah Westwood is there. Sarah, let's start on the threat of these new sanctions that we just heard about from
the treasury secretary. Break down the top lines for us, and how much of a surprise is this?
SARAH WESTWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, Bianca, it's important to note that although Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said President Trump, signing
an executive order that grants the Treasury Department very significant new authorities to impose sanctions in the future, they're not actually
activating sanctions against Turkey right now.
Mnuchin said that could include primary sanctions, secondary sanctions to anyone associated with the Turkish government. He expressed Trump's
concerns about the Turkish military offensive, and specifically about the fact that the Turkish military could target civilians or civilian
infrastructure. That is a concern of the Trump administration.
But, of course, this is coming amid widespread criticism of the Trump administration's decision to remove those 50 U.S. troops from the border
with Turkey and Syria as Turkish military pushed into Syria, exposing our allies, the Kurds, to danger.
So this is coming as the Trump administration has been facing a lot of criticism, perhaps even of abandoning the Kurds, according to some of the
president's critics. So this move could be seen as the administration trying to show that they are still trying to hold Turkey accountable after
a move that was widely perceived as a concession to Turkish President Erdogan -- Bianca.
NOBILO: And, Sarah, we're also following another breaking news story this hour. We're hearing that Chinese negotiators may have reached a
preliminary agreement on a trade deal. What do you know about that?
WESTWOOD: That's right, Bianca. CNN is reporting that the U.S. and China have reached a preliminary agreement on China trade. It would ease some of
the tensions between China and the U.S., but would fall short of the comprehensive deal that President Trump has been seeking. A source tells
CNN that that could involve delaying the imposition of tariffs. Those were supposed to go up next week, so it could keep tariffs at their current
level.
President Trump is supposed to meet with Chinese Vice Premier Liu today. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said he and Ambassador Lighthizer will be
briefing President Trump on the progress of the two days of trade negotiations that took place, here in Washington, this week. Mnuchin
described those discussions as productive, so perhaps we could see more movement on that preliminary trade deal in the next hour or so -- Bianca.
NOBILO: Sarah Westwood, thank you. Breaking news coming thick and fast where you are, appreciate it.
Much more on the news of this trade deal coming up later in this hour. CNN's Richard Quest will join me on set to break it all down.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced it plans to send 1,500 additional troops to Saudi Arabia, in a move meant to deter potential Iranian aggression.
The news comes on the same day as Iranian state media reported an attack on an Iranian oil tanker. It happened about 96 kilometers from the Saudi port
of Jeddah on the Red Sea. Iran's state media says the tanker was possibly hit by two missiles. And investigators are looking into the source.
Iran's foreign ministry is condemning the attack, saying someone needs to be held responsible.
CNN international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson joins me now. Nic, I just read through some of the details about this, but we don't really know
that much. It's somewhat shrouded in mystery. So how unusual is that?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Given the context of what's happening and the tensions there, it's not that unusual. But this
is a little bit exceptional because the only things we're heard have come from the Iranian side, the foreign ministry spokesman calling it dangerous
adventurism.
And at one point, the spokesman for the national oil company that owns the tanker, Iranian national oil company, had said that these missiles that
hit, the two missiles, could have been fired from Saudi Arabia. Now, they're saying that's not the case.
But what we don't have, so far, is any evidence of what happened. There was reports of a fire on board, though (ph) these two missiles or
projectiles or whatever they were, hit the vessel around about 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. in the morning. And there was an oil spill as well.
[14:10:06]
But we haven't seen the images of the holes (ph), which are supposed to be a meter or a meter and a half, we haven't seen images of an oil spill, we
haven't seen images of a fire. We know that the crew are all safe, and that the tanker has continued to move. So that's sort of a significant
part of the mystery. And the Saudis haven't said anything.
NOBILO: Do the details that we have and the actors involved suggest that this could be retaliation for the attacks on the Saudi oil facilities?
ROBERTSON: You know, that would be one of the sort of immediate things that you would think about and you would look at. And it's not impossible
that it is. I mean, the Saudis said that they would announce their -- the results of their investigation into the attack, they would announce them
publicly when they had them.
But they'd made clear to their allies, and Britain, France and Germany very quickly signed up to the fact that wide understanding was that Iran was
behind those attacks.
The Saudis haven't gone public, which kind of tells you a couple of things, that they want to keep diplomacy on track. But at the same time, there is
the scope, here, for what was described as an act of war, for sort of an asymmetric type response.
But also, let's remember that just a couple of days ago, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reminded his European allies that Iranian oil tanker with
2 million barrels of oil, that was impounded by Gibraltan authorities, that was later released because the Iranians said none of it, the oil, was going
to go do Syria. Well, Secretary of State Pompeo released evidence, showing that the oil had ultimately ended up in Syria from that Iranian tanker,
despite what the Iranians had said.
So was this tanker on the way to the Mediterranean full of oil? Is this somebody else sending a message to the Iranians? We don't know.
NOBILO: So, obviously, that happened earlier this week. On the point of timing of this as well, last week, there were positive sounds coming from
the Saudis and the Iranians about a possible de-escalation through intermediaries. So the timing of this seems peculiar in that context.
What do you make of that?
ROBERTSON: Well, and also the timing that we would hear from the United States today, that they're sending, you know, an additional 1,500 troops to
base in Saudi with sort of a message to Iran.
You know, with any negotiations -- and I think you're looking at the situation here -- you have -- you can have sort of two tracks under way.
While the doves are talking peace and creating a space for peace, the hawks can be plotting and planning war.
And I think there's a sense or a question, a legitimate question that seems to be in the air at the moment, does President Rouhani really control
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, who the United States, you know, have designated terrorist organization, believe of sending oil to Bashar al-
Assad, the Syrian president that's helping fuel and keep the war going there.
So, you know, is the leadership in Iran really controlling the hardliners? And in a scenario like this, we just don't know. And this could be part of
the picture.
NOBILO: Nic Robertson, thank you very much.
Still to come on the show, it wasn't clear this morning if she would even show up. But not only is the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine testifying
before Congress, she's given what could be some damaging information about President Donald Trump.
And a fast-moving wildfire in Southern California has closed schools, highways and forced more than 100,000 people from their homes. We'll take
you live to Los Angeles.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:15:30]
NOBILO: Back to our breaking news now, and sources familiar with the trade talks between the U.S. and China say that there's a preliminary agreement.
While it would ease tensions, it's not a comprehensive deal. One source says it will likely include some tariff relief. U.S. President Donald
Trump is set to meet with China's vice premier soon, and finalize the agreement then.
Richard Quest is here with me. So, Richard, remind us how this works. The negotiators have been off together in a room. They've thrashed out a deal,
but it hasn't got the seal of approval from Donald Trump and the Chinese vice premier?
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I mean, one would be amazed if, having gone this far and put together something that they put together a
showpiece event with the president and the vice premier, if it didn't go through. So let's put that to one side at the moment.
No, the -- both talks in China and following on from here, negotiations in the back rooms have put together some -- cobbled together -- I would see
this as a de-escalation of tensions. What they're aiming to do, of course, is to forestall the fresh set of hundred, two, $300 billion tariffs that
were going to be increased to 30 percent. That was due to happen next week.
The idea is ,get that down, get those off the table and put in place some one or two other things, maybe agricultural buying or some bric-a-brac that
will come along with it.
NOBILO: So on a scale between a mini deal and the comprehensive free (ph) --
QUEST: Oh, oh.
NOBILO: -- trade deal that was once hoped for, where would it sit?
QUEST: Mini, mini, mini.
NOBILO: Mini, mini deal?
QUEST: Mini, mini, mini. This is -- I mean, if you think about the complexity of these negotiations, it is highly unlikely that on a random
Friday in October, they're going to suddenly be able to say, we've done the deal, hallelujah, we have put together a comprehensive trade negotiation.
That takes years.
NOBILO: Do you think that it was always going to turn out like this, then? It would be a small deal, which led to a bigger deal, and then eventually a
more sweeping deal?
QUEST: No, no. I didn't think -- don't think it had to. I think it only became incremental once Donald Trump was ratcheting up the heat with these
sanctions and tariffs. I -- sorry, tariffs, I should say. And the real problem is, how much progress is being made on the fundamental issues of
intellectual property protection, piracy and market access? Those are the areas that the U.S. president, quite rightly, in the view of the allies,
has said we will not do a deal until we break these issues.
NOBILO: So if those are the most contentious issues --
QUEST: Yes.
NOBILO: -- what are the next set of issues that you think progress might be made on?
QUEST: It's -- I mean, it is, to a certain extent, bric-a-brac. It's sort of nice to have. It's things like are you going to buy more of this, are
you going to buy more of that, are you going to open up this part of your industry? Elements of market access, banking insurance, more visas,
tourism, all that sort of stuff that comes along with it.
But it's not the core, which is a change in philosophy of the Chinese trading mentality. Now, that has not happened and I would be very
surprised if, on this random Friday in October, we get it today. I might be wrong, but --
NOBILO: Rarely happens.
QUEST: Well, I wouldn't go that far.
NOBILO: Richard Quest, thank you very much.
You can hear more about that on "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" --
QUEST: You will.
NOBILO: -- coming up.
A key witness in the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump is giving what could be some damaging testimony behind closed doors today.
According to "The New York Times" and "Washington Post," the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, says President Trump has been
pressuring the State Department to oust her since last summer.
She says there was a, quote, "concerted campaign against me," and said that she was incredulous that she was removed from her post by, quote,
"unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives."
And we're just now learning why Yovanovitch is speaking so frankly. When the Trump has vowed not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry, so it
turns out she was issued a subpoena.
Let's bring in congressional correspondent Sunlen Serfaty to explain. Sunlen, what are you learning about all of this? What are the biggest
developments that you've seen today?
SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly, there was, Bianca, so much speculation heading into this closed-door meeting
today. If the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine would even show up, whether she would be allowed to show up or not. And she has been inside
for, now, a little over five hours, giving her deposition. But now we are hearing, certainly, some elements, the back story here.
[14:20:00]
According to a statement that was just issued by these three investigatory committees, they say that they were informed, that the State Department,
they say at the direction of the White House, directed Yovanovitch to not testify this morning. They said, then, that they issued a subpoena this
morning to compel her testimony today.
And the committee, certainly underscoring the concerning nature of all this, saying that this just only -- this is just the latest efforts by the
Trump administration to obstruct their investigation. And they say, to conceal a truth.
So, certainly, no absence of drama, just about getting her in the room today. And of course, we know from that letter that was released, earlier
in the week, from the White House, sent to Capitol Hill House Democrats, they say that they plan to not cooperate with their investigation, not to
turn over witnesses. So certainly, significant that she is in the room today.
And you read, certainly, the headlines from what she said, from what we know from the opening statement that she made in the room, the fact that
she felt that there was a smear campaign going on behind the scenes, to -- that ultimately led to her ouster, and really talking about at least how
she sees it, how -- who those people were, essential in trying to get her out -- Bianca.
NOBILO: Sunlen Serfaty in Washington, thank you.
Let's get some perspective now on all of this from political commentator Michael Smerconish. He's host of "SMERCONISH" here on CNN. Great to have
you on the program, sir.
MICHAEL SMERCONISH, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Hi, Bianca.
NOBILO: Hey. Let's break down, for our international viewers, the strands of this impeachment inquiry. Today, we've been hearing about Yovanovitch
and the fact that she was pressured by the State Department. We've also seen the arrest of key associates of Giuliani. These might seem like
different threads, but actually they could all have potentially damaging implications for the impeachment inquiry as far as the president's
concerned, right?
SMERCONISH: This is awfully confusing at home, here in the United States. I can only imagine how an international audience might have their heads
spinning, trying to keep up with the developments.
So in a sentence or two, this is what I think people need to know. The issue here is whether President Trump conditioned aid for Ukraine on an
investigation first having taken place, of his domestic political rival, Joe Biden. So all of this, to your point, does relate to that. Frankly, I
think, as the facts are developed, it seems like that was the case.
If that was the case, it does set up a second legal issue, which is, was it necessarily illegal? Because our Constitution is quite vague in terms of
what impeachable conduct is. It speaks to treason, bribery and other high crimes or misdemeanor. This doesn't really have the ring of treason or
bribery.
What's a high crime or misdemeanor? That's a subjective test. And so, you know, it's very hard, even once the facts are determined, to know where,
ultimately, it goes.
NOBILO: And it seems that the Democrats are being stonewalled by the White House in this inquiry. I spoke to a Democratic congressman yesterday who
said that he felt like it did bolster their case for impeachment because it indicates that there's something to hide. Is that the general consensus?
SMERCONISH: Well, that's definitely the consensus among Democrats. Among Republicans, they would say that this is a witch hunt and that they've been
lying in wait for the president of the United States since even before he was elected.
My own view, as an attorney, is that this is headed for some kind of a judicial determination. We really do seem like we're at the beginning of a
constitutional crisis, where the executive branch is saying one thing, the congressional branch is saying another and it'll be left to the courts to
try to sort out how much documentation has to be produced, how many witnesses and in what circumstances are going to be questioned.
NOBILO: And do you see any sort of shadows of how the Trump administration is going to present their defense to all of this emerging?
SMERCONISH: Well, interestingly, you know, we certainly glean a lot from the way the president conducts himself on the campaign trail and through
his Twitter account.
And he has said a number of things that, frankly, lend credence to some of the charges against him. My hunch is that, in the end, it will be a, yes,
that is exactly how I conducted myself, and I did it in the national interest because of my concern for how our tax dollars would end up in a
country with corruption. And I make no bones about it. I wanted my rival investigated as a duty to the country, not for my own partisan advantage.
NOBILO: Something which struck me over here in London, with a particular disconnect, is the fact that the president does seem to be hammering home
his message on law and order in his campaign mode. And yet, obviously, he's facing this impeachment inquiry. It seems like a curious strength for
him to try and hammer home when he is in all this hot water.
[14:25:17]
SMERCONISH: Right. It's an interesting observation. I think he would say that he's entirely consistent in wanting to be supportive of both law
enforcement at home and to do our part to rid other countries of corruption.
The political ramification of this is that every time there's conversation about these allegations, you can't have a full conversation without talking
about what is he alleging about former Vice President Biden's son? So I think there's some political damage being done to Joe Biden in the long
term.
And that even if -- even if there's nothing to any of the allegations that Trump makes about Biden, I wonder if there's a seed being planted in
voters' minds about Joe Biden's electability.
It's hard not to notice that Elizabeth Warren is surging in the polls right now. And according to the wagering markets, both overseas in London and in
the United States, she's actually twice as likely as Biden to be the Democratic nominee. So it's very interesting to see where this goes, but I
think that she is the beneficiary for just doing nothing.
NOBILO: That was going to be my final question to you, Michael. Is the fact that realistically, it's so unlikely that President Trump would be
removed from office. So this is going to be a key issue for the 2020 campaign. And other than the potential drawbacks that it has for the Biden
campaign, what else do you see about it changing the landscape of the election in 2020?
SMERCONISH: Well, Bianca, to your first point, I think you're right, at least as things stand right now. Because impeachment in the United States
requires a simple majority vote in the House of Representatives, where Democrats control that House. That seems likely.
Then, there's a trial in the United States Senate. The senators act as jurors. Given Republican control of the Senate, it seems unlikely that
there will be the two-thirds vote that's required for conviction. So very possible that the president is impeached, meaning the House passes it, but
that he's exonerated in the Senate. He will then, in that eventuality, try and turn that to a political advantage and say, I've been vindicated, when
in fact that might not even be the case.
And the final thing that I'll say is that on CNN, on Tuesday night, is the next Democratic debate. And it'll be very interesting to see how this
issue is handled by Joe Biden's Democratic opponents.
NOBILO: Absolutely. We'll be tuning in for that. Michael Smerconish, thank you so much. Great to talk to you.
SMERCONISH: Thank you. You too.
[14:27:53]
NOBILO: Still ahead, Ethiopia's prime minister is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. We'll look at what earned him this honor.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:30:24]
BIANCA NOBILO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The death toll is climbing just a few days into the Turkish offensive in Syria with 100,000 civilians
fleeing the bombardment, according to the U.N.
Turkey said it has killed nearly 200 terrorists in the last three days. This video shows the funeral for 25 years old member of the Syrian
Democratic Forces killed earlier this week by Turkish mortar round near the border.
The SDF is pleading with the U.S. to intervene to stop Turkey's military campaign.
Arwa Damon joins us now on the border with the firsthand look at the destruction and counterattacks there.
Arwa, talk to us about some of the destruction and the humanitarian toll that you've already been witnessing from the Turkish attacks.
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, as would be expected, this is after all a war. There has been a response from the
other side, keeping in mind, Bianca, this is a very uneven battlefield, given the Turkish military might and assets they have at their disposal.
But there have been a number of mortar attacks that took place that landed inside populated Turkish civilian areas that are very close. They're right
up along the Turkish-Syria border. One of them is an area known as (INAUDIBLE), and incidentally, its population is predominantly Kurdish.
There -- we went there earlier today to the scene of the aftermath of an attack that took place yesterday that killed a woman and her two daughters
who were barely in their teens. That same town was hit just a few hours ago. Just a short while ago where another eight people were killed. So
across the stretch of border in Turkey, at least, you don't have a civilian death toll that is at about 17.
So Turkey is not only facing this challenge, this reality that inside Syria, this offensive is causing tens of thousands of people to flee. And
keep in mind, their aim is to create this so-called safe zone. But Syrian Kurds are getting pushed out of that area right now being displaced. They
don't know where to go.
And here on the Turkish side of the border, we're also seeing, of course, much smaller scale. But people in these border towns also beginning to
flee as well. And this is a very, very potentially ugly battle feel that is only going to get more devastating as Turkey continues to press forward
with this offensive.
And the sad and despicable reality when it comes to these wars that are launched for whatever reasons it may be is that, it is the civilians that
often end up paying the price and it is the civilians that end up being used as political pawns, Bianca.
NOBILO: Arwa, those who are trying to flee to escape, what kind of dangers are they facing? And is there anything being done, at all, to try and
protect them?
DAMON: Well, inside Syria, they face enormous challenges. There has been no preparations inside Syria for the -- as you are mentioning hundred --
thousand plus people that have been fleeing this Turkish offensive.
So where have they gone? There are no camps that were made ready for them. And already, it's worth keeping in mind that the Kurdish forces inside
Syria were barely able to manage the camps that were under their control before all of this began. The refugee camps and then the camps that are
holding these 60,000 plus families of those ISIS fighters who stuck out until the very end.
And then you have the civilian population that lives along the border inside Syria that is trying to seek sanctuaries somewhere, but where do
they end up going given how widespread, especially along the border, this Turkish offense of is.
They face one set of very difficult and very dire challenges that a number of humanitarian organizations are warning about that this could potentially
create yet another humanitarian disaster inside Syria.
And then you have what's happening on the Turkish side of the border, which as I was saying, is a much smaller scale. But we are seeing a lot of these
border towns beginning to clear out.
And for residents that do choose to stay behind, there are regular government warnings telling them to remain inside, not to spend time out on
the street. Because as we have seen, over the last few days, there are rounds that are landing inside Turkey.
[14:35:04]
From speaking to residents in some of these towns, we're hearing that people who are choosing to flee are going to relatives in other villages.
But again, one of the big concerns in all of this is that, this is not an offensive that is going to remain very neatly contained to this border
stretch. Rarely, do military operations remain neatly contained.
But this one, in particular, because of all of the dynamics that are involved, Bianca, very seriously were spreading, not just beyond the border
region, but potentially having, you know, repercussions that we can't anticipate, but a number of them that will quite likely be unexpected.
NOBILO: Arwa Damon joining us there from the Turkish border. Thank you.
Police believe a stabbing rampage in Manchester England could be an act of terrorism. A suspect was arrested after it happened at a shopping mall in
the city center. At least four people were hurt. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUSS JACKSON, ASSISTANT CHIEF CONSTABLE, GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE: We do not know the motivation for this terrible attack. And if it is random,
it's certainly brutal and, of course, extremely frightening for anyone who witnessed it.
We have arrested the man, a male in his 40s on suspicion of terrorism, because of the nature and circumstances of this attack. This is bound to
bring back memories of the awful event of 2017.
This time, we do not believe that there is anyone else involved in this attack.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NOBILO: The counter terrorism force is leading the investigation. But police say they're keeping an open mind about the motive.
This year's Nobel Peace Prize goes to Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed. He's widely known for his role in ending the two-decade long war between
Ethiopia and Eritrea.
While acknowledging unresolved issues, the Norwegian Nobel Committee says his action deserved recognition and encouragement.
CNN's Eleni Giokos takes a look at what brought Mr. Ahmed to this point.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This year's Nobel Peace Prize winner is a rock star kind of politician who emerged from Ethiopia in
2018. Abiy Ahmed is the first ever Ethiopian prime minister from the Oromo people.
For years, the Oromo have been the largest of Ethiopia's 90 plus tribes but never in power. But last year came Abiy, young, popular, and with a zeal
and a haste to reform.
Political prisoners were freed. A state of emergency scrapped and freedom of expression returned like rain after a long drought.
It was Ethiopia's fall of the Berlin Wall moment but not everyone was supportive.
Two people were killed in a grenade attack at a political rally Abiy attended in June 2018. Abiy cost blame on groups wanting to undermine his
agenda of peace.
But a much larger threat had long gone unresolved, what would Abiy do about the old enemy, Eritrea? The two decades old war began as a vague border
dispute between the two countries and estimated 100,000 people died.
Then came a breakthrough in July 2018, Eritrean president, Isaias Afwerki, landed in Ethiopia to cement peace with Abiy.
Months later, the border between the two countries reopened, and Eritrea, sometimes dubbed, Africa's North Korea, was suddenly opened to the world.
A final peace deal was signed in September 2018 in the Saudi city of Jeddah. Accepting the Peace Prize, Ethiopian prime minister's office says
Abiy has made peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation key policy components of his administration.
But as the chair of the Nobel committee said, many challenges remained unresolved.
BERIT REISS-ANDERSEN, CHAIRMAN, NORWEGIAN NOBEL COMMITTEE: There's a long way to go. And Rome was not made in a day and neither will peace and
democratic development be achieved in a short period of time.
Eleni Giokos, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NOBILO: Still to come tonight, Japan is bracing for a powerful typhoon. The rugby World Cup there has already cancelled some matches because of the
storm. A forecast update just ahead.
And scientist studying the climate are raising alarms. The destruction they see on land and our oceans is taking a toll on the planet and on them.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:40:40]
NOBILO: Typhoon Hagibis is taking aim at Japan this weekend. The storm is forecast to move close to, if not directly over Tokyo with a strength of a
category two hurricane. Heavy winds and rain could mean major disruptions and air and rail travel.
And sports fans who traveled across the globe are disappointed that some of the rugby World Cup matches have been cancelled.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it was the right decision for security reasons because it should be too difficult to organize it with more than -- over
100 kilometers winds with a heavy rain (INAUDIBLE) milliliters of rain in less than 24 hours. So I think it's impossible to play rugby, at least,
and then for security reasons.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think they should have been rescheduled. They did say before (INAUDIBLE) that they would cancel all games. But I think it
could have probably moved it to today. It seems all right now. No games today hardly any. So I think they should have rescheduled. But I'm happy
with it. It's safety at the end of the day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For us as a supporter, it's a pity. We would really appreciate to fight against the English (INAUDIBLE) in the stadium and to
see a beautiful game each time -- England is a beautiful game. So, yes, it's a pity for us, but safety first. I understand the decision.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because much as disappointing and it's our second to last game. Safety is the ultimate thing. It doesn't really actually
matter. It's a game, much as I'm passionate about it. It's a game and people's safety and staff and everyone, all of us. That's more important.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NOBILO: Meteorologist Jennifer Gray joins us with more on the storm's path now.
Jennifer, where is the storm going next? Is it gaining or losing strength?
JENNIFER GRAY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, we continue to lose strengths as it gets closer to Japan. Right now, equivalent to a category four.
But as you said, it will drop its -- an intensity by the time it has its closest brush with Tokyo. Right now, 250 kilometer per hour winds, gust of
260 moving to the north, northwest at 22 kilometers per hour.
Now, this storm is going to continue on that track before bending back to the north and east. You can see it right here within about 24 hours. It
is going to make its closest path to Tokyo around 150 kilometer per hour winds. So definitely a little bit weaker than it is right now, which is
good news. But it is going to have a lot of wind and a lot of rain with this.
We still could experience wind gusts of 100, 110 kilometers per hour as this passes by. Now, some of these areas, some of the most populated areas
in Japan, so it is going to create a problem this weekend. Not only for the folks trying to go out and do activities but we're also talking about
air travel, rail travel, things like that will also come to a halt.
Here's your forecast radar. And you can see Saturday morning, the rain already on shore and then it's going to continue throughout the day on
Saturday. By Sunday, it should quickly be moving out.
So the good news is, it's not going to be lasting very long, but it is going to be a rough go as it passes by.
So here's the rainfall total. We could see anywhere from 250 to 500 millimeters of rain just on the west side of Tokyo, and then that'll be
pushing out by Sunday.
So flight cancellations definitely. More than a thousand cancellations of flights. So definitely check with airlines first. And you know Tokyo,
that area, is some of the most populated around Japan. So it is going to impact a lot of people.
[14:45:13]
Here's a projected path. This is interesting, because these are landfalls within 50 nautical miles. And you can see, we had Helen back in 1958 and
then nothing until 2002. And then since then, this is going to be our fifth storm making that impact, and we've already had five named storms
just this season impacting Japan. And then in the last couple of decades, we've had quite a few come very close to Tokyo. Bianca?
NOBILO: Thank you, Jennifer. Jennifer Gray for us there at our weather center.
Now, whether it's wildfires or typhoons, scientists are seeing far more intensity in many of these natural events because of the climate crisis. A
team of scientists from the U.K. University of Exeter, say they have a sense of grief of what they're witnessing. And they're speaking out about
the dangers in the general science.
Professor Tim Gordon shows us what he's seeing and hearing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TIM GORDON, PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF EXETER: I work mainly on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. And I, personally, record the sound. So when you dive
on a healthy coral reef, you can hear the sounds of all sorts of organisms. You can hear shrimps and sea urchins clicking their claws and scraping
along bottom. And you can hear fish whooping and grunting and chattering.
When you dive on a degraded reef, it's completely different. You hear this sort of eerie, empty silence, and that's because the animals have died and
they're not making that noise anymore. That's really heartbreaking to me. And it's tragic because I know that it's not just there.
You see glaciers melting. You see the arctic shrinking as its size melts into the sea. You see forests burning and retreating. As weather
envelopes moves and weather patterns change, animals aren't able to respond fast enough, they're not able to either move or able to keep up.
The support networks that exists in other fields, I don't think do exists in science at the moment. The extent of the damage that we're not just
seeing but recording and studying is severe, and can be very distressing. What environmental scientists need to be contributing now is to understand
what ecosystems can still be saved, what of the damage has been done can be restored. And if people are trapped in cycles of grief, they're not going
to be able to make those discoveries, to make those decisions.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NOBILO: All these extreme climate stories have young people around the world worried, and they're showing that you don't just have to be a trained
scientist to demand action on confronting our climate crisis.
A group called Extinction Rebellion, founded in the United Kingdom, have launched a series of coordinated protests like this one in New York's Times
Square. Dozens of people were arrested Thursday as crowd brought traffic and hundreds of activists were arrested here in London, including one man
who stretched out on top of a British Airways plane to protest a lack of action. Extinction Rebellion plans two weeks of peaceful disobedience.
In Southern California, a fast moving fire is forcing about 100,000 people to evacuate their homes. Authorities are pleading with residents to leave
as soon as they got the warning. What's known is the Saddleridge fire exploded over night filled by wind gusts of nearly 100 kilometers per hour.
It jumped across two highways as it spread into neighborhoods in Northern Los Angeles. Many colleges and schools are closed for the day and
thousands have had their power cut as a precaution.
Paul Vercammen is in Los Angeles with the latest on the areas at risk. Paul, what have you been seeing?
PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, behind me, Bianca, you can see the fire came ripping through these foothill communities in the San
Fernando Valley. Moving so quickly. Seemed impossible for firefighters to save every single home. And this one, as you can see, is just now a pile
of agony.
And then look over just to my right. You can see how whimsical these fires can be or just how effective firefighter can be in saving homes. They were
able to save this one in the cul-de-sac. And over here, they lost the house right next door.
And this is a very sad moment. This is the homeowner returning to see that their house is no longer there. The problem was is the humidity dropped so
fast. It was -- it gets below then nine, eight. It gets dry. And sometimes the fire just sucks all the moistures out of the air compounding
the problem.
And as we articulated to you, you had these rapidly moving winds that just snapped through here. They've extended what's called a red flag fire
warning until tomorrow. And this evening here in southern California. But no, they've extended until tomorrow.
[14:50:10]
It's been quite something. The winds a little calmer now. But when it whips up, you know, that sort of lump in your throat goes down to the pit
in your stomach and you just worry that another fire might break out, Bianca.
NOBILO: Well, it's very sad to see the area all around you and the people, as you mentioned coming back to their homes. What kind of help is
available for these people who are returning home and can't go in and need help rebuilding?
VERCAMMEN: Well, they set up shelters throughout this area. Sometimes, I mean unfortunately for them, it can't be much more than a cot, you know,
inside a -- let's say a Red Cross shelter or gymnasium. But hopefully, they have relatives. And I've heard a lot of people talk about their
insurance and you just cross your fingers for these homeowners and if they have great insurance.
I had one homeowner tell me that, you know, he evacuated with a clean conscious, because he said he got all of his most valuable mementos and
belongings and he said he was ensured to the hill. So he felt like he could withstand it.
But the memories, you just look at these people here right now and you hope that they grab every one of those important mementos that could be burnt in
the fire, Bianca. That's the scene here in the foothills of Los Angeles, California. Back to you.
NOBILO: Paul Vercammen, thank you very much for your reporting.
More to come on the show, including the best moments from CNN's LGBTQ town hall.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A supporter approaches you and says, Senator, I'm old- fashioned and my faith teachers made that marriage is between one man and one woman. What is your response?
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, I'm going to assume it's a guy who said that. And I'm going to say, then just marry one
woman. I'm cool with that, assuming you can find one.
NOBILO: We'll have the mic drop moments and a whole lot more.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NOBILO: At CNN's LGBTQ town hall, nine U.S. democratic presidential candidates discussed issues that often get overlooked.
Kyung Lah has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The first presidential candidate to identify publicly as gay before historic LGBTQ town hall was
paused --
(CROWD CHANTING)
LAH: -- by protesters highlighting transgender members of their community who had been murdered.
MAYOR PETE BUTTIGIEG (D-IN), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I do want to acknowledge what these demonstrators were speaking about which is the
epidemic of violence against black trans women in this country right now.
(APPLAUSE)
And I believe or I would like to believe that everybody here is committed to ending that epidemic and that doesn't include lifting up as visibility
and speaking through it.
LAH: Unscripted moments, forcing candidate response.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Black trans women are being killed in this country. And, CNN, you have erased black transwomen for the last time. Let me tell
you something. Black trans women are dying, our lives matter.
BETO O'ROURKE (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: She grabbed the mic to stand up for herself, and other trans women of color and trans men of color, that
she talked about as well. That's what democracy looks like in America.
[14:55:04]
SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Make sure that we create safe communities in which they can exist.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop killing us. How do we get those men to stop killing trans women of color? We are hunted.
HARRIS: I know.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Systematically hunted. How do we do that?
HARRIS: There needs to be a safe place for the members of our transgender community to go when they have been exposed to that kind of harm. And we
know there's not always a safe place.
LAH: Kamala Harris highlighted how as a prosecutor, she fought and helped eliminate an anti-gay law. And Joe Biden, pledged gay rights would impact
international relations in his administration.
COOPER: So a country like Saudi Arabia.
JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Saudi Arabia, same thing, by the way, they have very low social redeeming value.
No. And I have been blunt about it. I've been very, very blunt about it. Very blunt about it. I know they are supposed -- they're ally and all the
rest. Look, there are certain things that we cannot tolerate.
LAH: Cory Booker equated gay rights with all civil rights.
SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We are not free -- when we swear an oath, all of us, swearing oath, it will be a nation of liberty
and justice for all.
Those are aspirational words right now until every LGBTQ American has equal rights and I will get the equality act passed and into law in our country.
LAH: A night of serious issues but not without some levity.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And a supporter approaches you and says, Senator, I'm old-fashioned and my faith teaches me that marriage is between one man and
one woman. What is your response?
WARREN: Well, I'm going to assume it's a guy who said that. And I'm going to say, then just marry one woman. I'm cool with that. Assuming you can
find one.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NOBILO: That was Kyung Lah reporting. Thank you for watching tonight. Do stay with CNN. "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is up next.
[15:00:00]
END
