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Russia Out with False Propaganda; India Boycotted Beijing Winter Olympics; Russia and China's Relationship Deepens; ISIS Leader Killed in Syria; Europe Ready to Leave Pandemic Behind; Boris Johnson's Top Aide Resigns; U.S. Women's Hockey Team Beats Finland In First Game; Winter Storm To Cause More Air Travel Nightmares; Storm Bears Down On Madagascar. Aired 2-3a ET
Aired February 04, 2022 - 02:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[02:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): And welcome to all of you watching us around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber.
Ahead on CNN Newsroom, the moment Beijing has been waiting for is almost here. The official start of the Winter Olympics. On the sidelines the presidents of Russia and China discuss escalating tensions in Ukraine. We're live in Hong Kong with more.
Plus, the leader of ISIS dies in a U.S. raid in Syria. Killing the terror leader was not the initial plan.
And several of Boris Johnson's top aides turning in their notice. We're live in London with the latest setback facing the British prime minister.
UNKNOWN: Live from CNN center. This is CNN Newsroom with Kim Brunhuber.
BRUNHUBER: It's 3 p.m. in Beijing where the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics is just a few hours away. And one of the highest profile guests in town is Russian President Vladimir Putin. He is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade, energy, and tensions with Ukraine.
Putin's visit comes as the U.S. accuses Russia of planning a false flag operation as a pretext to invade Ukraine. Now the Kremlin denies it but the U.S. officials say Russia is preparing a graphic propaganda video of a fake attack by Ukraine. The Pentagon release some details but no evidence to support the allegations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KIRBY, PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY: As part of this fake attack, we believe Russia would produce a graphic propaganda video. Which would include corpses and actors that would be depicting mourners. And images of destroyed locations, as well as military equipment at the hands of Ukraine and the west.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: U.S. and European officials are also worried about Russia's deployment of about 30,000 combat troops to Belarus along Ukraine's northern border.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENS STOLTENBERG, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: Over the last days we have seen a significant movement of Russian military forces into Belarus. This is the biggest Russian deployment there since the Cold War.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: CNN's Ivan Watson is live this hour in Hong Kong with more on Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing. Ivan, so what are we expecting from this meeting?
IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, these are two leaders whose relations have deepened over the past couple of years. Trade between China and Russia has been growing. The two countries have been conducting joint military and naval exercises.
China about to host the Winter Olympics delighted to have foreign heads of state come and visit. Xi Jinping this is his first face-to- face meeting with a foreign leader since the in-person meeting since the beginning of the pandemic.
Russia, of course in the middle of a face-off with the U.S. and its western and NATO allies and coming to China clearly looking to deepen economic ties. And if in fact Russia does face crippling sanctions as the Biden administration has put it, hoping that China can help in the event of a blow to its economy.
Both governments heralding the 20-year anniversary of a good neighbor treaty and talking about deepening their economic ties. The relationship is fascinating. Not only do these countries share a 4,000-kilometer-long border, they also share antipathy an increasing antagonism with the U.S.
The -- they are not exactly equal partners here, Kim. China dwarfs Russia economically and demographically. Its population and economy both about 10 times larger than Russia's. They have traditionally cooperated at the United Nations Security Council and the two leaders are expected to have a one-on-one lunch today.
We are watching to see updates and statements that may come out of this. They have put out statements. Their foreign ministers saying that they do not want to see the Winter Olympics politicized. And that's a nod towards the U.S.'s diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics along with a number of U.S. allies.
But look at the statement that just came out from New Delhi in the last 24 hours. India launching a last-minute diplomatic boycott of the Olympics not because of China's human rights record, which is the grounds for the U.S. and western countries democracies diplomatic boycott, but for a very different reason.
[02:05:02]
First take a listen to this Indian government official.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARINDAM BAGCHI, SPOKESPERSON, INDIAN MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: It is indeed regrettable that the Chinese side has chosen but to politicize an event like the Olympics. I wish to inform that our (Inaudible) affairs of the embassy of India in Beijing will not be attending the opening or the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WATSON (on camera): New Delhi announcing that its public broadcaster will not broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies. It is protesting the fact that a Chinese military officer who participated in a deadly 2020 battle on the Chinese Indian border that led to the deaths of at least Indian -- 20 Indian soldiers that he participated in the Olympic torch relay.
Just a sign that the host country doesn't want politics messing with the Olympics, geopolitics are swirling around these games.
BRUNHUBER: Yes. Impossible to escape them. Ivan Watson in Hong Kong, thank you so much.
So, for more on the relationship between China and Russia, let's bring in Alexander Korolev who is a senior lecturer in politics and international relations at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
Thank you so much for being here with us.
So, according to China, during the meeting between both countries, foreign ministers in Beijing, China and Russia apparently coordinated their positions on Ukraine. How significant is that?
ALEXANDER KOROLEV, SENIOR LECTURER IN POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, SYDNEY: Well, it's pretty much it is significant. Because in case of sanctions against Russia, China will be supporting Russia. At least it will continue business as usual.
And we do see this increasing level of coordination between China and Russia. So, it's not an official alliance, but obviously they are coordinating their efforts in the joint attempt to see the U.S. power checked. So, I think this is one of the indications of that.
BRUNHUBER: Yes, it's not a continuum, right? I mean, it doesn't seem as though, you know, as Russia and China's relations with the west are deteriorating. Their relationship with each other is becoming tighter. I mean, obviously, as you say they both want to undercut the west and the U.S. power specifically. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? But that was true during the Cold War as well, and their relationship seems to become closer since then. Some say the closest they have ever been. So why specifically are these two countries being drawn together now?
KOROLEV: Well, I think that the major driving force behind China and Russia alignment is the fact that both of them have bad relations with the United States. So, it's kind of the simultaneous deterioration of U.S./China and U.S./Russia relations is the major factor that brings them two together.
But at the same time, I think western sanctions against Russia also contributed to the rapport between Russia and China. An important -- some -- some important energy deals were recently signed between the two countries, also military cooperation has been enhanced. And China also simplified trade regulations for non-energy products from Russia.
So, while the U.S., I think is the major driving force or the relationship with the U.S., at the same time there are obviously some economic incentives that drive these two countries together.
BRUNHUBER: But economically, so I get how, you know, Russia would gain if China can find ways to circumvent sanctions but isn't China worrying that pivoted towards Russia could hurt its standing and trade with the U.S. and Europe?
KOROLEV: Well, there might be this kind of worry but the problem is that China's relations with the U.S. have deteriorated dramatically recently. So, we had a trade war between the United States and China and the structure of the economic cooperation between China and Russia is different from the kind of trade that China has with either Europe or the United States.
So, China cooperates with Russia mostly in the energy sector and military industrial complex. So, the closer links with Russia they don't really challenge China's trade relations with Europe or the United States so I don't see that these two are significantly correlated.
BRUNHUBER: But then from the flip side if Russia becomes more dependent on China. Would that there forgives China much more clout in its dealings with Russia?
[02:09:53]
KOROLEV: Yes and no. Again, we need to look at the systemic level at the structure of the international system. And currently, as I mentioned earlier as long as -- as long as China's relations with the United States and Russia's relations with the United States are pretty bad actually and far from ideal, this incentive is much stronger for China to treat Russia well basically.
Because China does need Russia. Russia is a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and they used joined veto multiple times and Russia does need China's energy and Russia's military technologies. So, yes, it's sort of mutual interdependence I would say than rather than simply Russia's dependence on China. BRUNHUBER: We'll have to leave it there. But thank you for your
analysis. Alexander Korolev, we really appreciate it.
Well, for the second time in less than three years U.S. special forces have taken out the leader of ISIS. Abu -- Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al- Qurashi who was behind some of the terror group's most savage acts. The goal was to capture him alive apparently during the U.S. raid on his compound. The White House says he killed himself and his family.
CNN's Oren Liebermann explains how the operation unfolded.
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OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A U.S. raid shattering the overnight hours in northwest Syria. Special forces going after the leader of ISIS. Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, aka, Hajji Abdullah.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Last night's operation took a major terrorist leader off the battlefield. And it sent a strong message to terrorists around the world. We will come after you and find you.
LIEBERMANN: President Joe Biden watch from the White House as special forces closed in on their target. The helicopters approached the three-story compound in the middle of the night according to senior administration officials. Once on the ground, special forces warn civilians to clear out, evacuating 10 civilians including eight children.
Officials say al-Qurashi then blew himself up, killing his wife and children and tearing the top of the building apart. His lieutenant one floor below was killed in an exchange of fire with U.S. forces. The Pentagon said a child was also killed on this floor but wouldn't say how or by whom.
Towards the end of the two-hour operation officials say two members of an Al-Qaeda affiliate were killed in an exchange of fire with U.S. forces. U.S. forces also having to destroy one of the helicopters on the ground after mechanical failures. Four civilians were killed in all according to Pentagon and five combatants that wasn't the plan.
UNKNOWN: And I say capture the leader of ISIS, that was the intent of the mission.
LIEBERMANN: This raid was the biggest U.S. operation in Syria since the operation to kill Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2018, the original leader of ISIS. Al-Qurashi's background is a bit of a mystery. His exact birthplace and birthdate unclear. He was in U.S. detention in 2008 before he was turned over to the Iraqis. And at some point, released.
In March 2020, the State Department labeled him a specially designated global terrorist with a $10 million reward.
BIDEN: He was responsible for the recent brutal attack on a prison in northeast Syria holding ISIS fighters. He was a driving force behind the genocide of the Yazidi people in northwestern Iraq in 2014.
LIEBERMANN: Al-Qurashi never left the third floor of the building in northwest Syria except to bathe on the roof, officials said. By early December, intelligence officials believe they had pinpointed his location and Biden authorized the operation.
The White House called his death a blow to ISIS but the terror organization still suffering from the defeat of its self-declared caliphate in 2019 has plans to rebuild.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LIEBERMANN (on camera): General McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command said that even if Hajji Abdullah didn't have the same name recognition or fame as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the original leader of ISIS, he was just as dangerous and just as involved in planning ISIS attacks. Meanwhile, U.S. officials say the next leader of ISIS will suffer the same fate.
Oren Liebermann, CNN at the Pentagon.
BRUNHUBER: All right. Let's cross to Abu Dhabi and CNN's Jomana Karadsheh. So, Jomana, now for the first time we're hearing discrepancies between the U.S. accounts of civilian casualties and what we're hearing on the ground. What more do we know?
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Kim, as the dust begins to settle from these operations the focus right now is going to be on the discrepancy and the accounts that we're getting from the U.S. military. And what we're hearing from Syrians on the ground especially when it comes to the issue of civilian casualties.
As you heard there in Oren's report, the U.S. military says that four civilians were killed in this operation and five combatants. And then, you know, they give a breakdown saying that Al-Qurashi detonated his suicide vest early on in that operation taking his own life, his wives, and his children.
Then they talk about a deputy, a lieutenant who is on the second floor with his wife saying that they were killed there. They also say that a little girl was on that second floor and was killed. And the U.S. military has not yet clarified how that child was killed. And then they talk about these hostiles, these combatants who approach the building and were killed.
[02:15:03]
But what we are getting, Kim, from the ground, from northwestern Syria, from the rescue group the White Helmets were the first on the scene after the U.S. military left is a, really paints a much murkier picture of what may have happened there.
They are talking at least about 13 people who were killed they say in this operation. They say that at least six children were killed and four women. And we have seen those videos. Really disturbing horrific images that the bodies of tiny children being pulled from underneath the rubble.
So, right now, really the focus is on the U.S. and what they are going to say about this. We heard from President Biden, we've also heard from the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin saying that they chose to go for a riskier kind of operation, putting troops on the ground going for a special forces operation to try and minimize casualties in this case.
And you know, General Austin -- Secretary Austin saying that, basically they believe that Al-Qurashi did cause those civilian casualties, but he also said in a statement, Kim, given the complexity of the mission, we will take a look at the possibility of our actions may have also resulted in harm to innocent people.
This is coming at a time when the Biden administration and the U.S. military has been under a lot of scrutiny. A lot of criticism recently over civilian casualties in airstrikes whether it's in Afghanistan or in Syria over the past few years.
So, all eyes right now are going to be on what comes out of this review that the Pentagon and the U.S. military is doing into this operation and what sort of accountability there will be if they did result in any sort of any civilian casualties in this operation. Kim?
BRUNHUBER: All right. Thanks so much, Jomana Karadsheh. I appreciate it.
Another dismal day for Boris Johnson with four of the prime minister's top aide abruptly quitting on the same day. We'll have a live report from London just ahead.
Plus, we'll find out why a top World Health Organization official says there might be a light at the end of the COVID tunnel for Europeans. Stay with us.
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BRUNHUBER: Embattled British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suffered one of his most embarrassing political setbacks to date with four top aides abruptly resigning from Downing Street on Thursday. Perhaps the biggest blow is the departure of policy chief and long-time senior aide, Munira Mirza. She resigned over the prime minister appearing to blame opposition leader Keir Starmer for not prosecuting an infamous pedophile more than a decade ago.
Johnson's off topic and misleading broadside outrage members on both sides. Here's what he has to say about it on Thursday.
[02:20:02]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I want to be very clear about this. Because a lot of people have got very hot out of the color. And I understand why. Let's be absolutely clear. I'm talking not about the leader of the opposition's personal record winning when he was -- when he was DPP.
And I totally understand that he had not anything to do personally with those decisions. I was making a point about the -- his responsibility for the organization as a whole. And I think that people can see that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER (on camera): CNN's Scott McLean is live in London for us. So, Scott, first we saw those letters of no confidence from members of his own party. Now the slew of resignations. And unprecedented blow for Johnson. So, take us through the story.
SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kim. Yes. I mean, the prime minister has said that in the wake of the party gate scandal he wanted to make some changes to his staff. And the circumstances of three of these four resignations are not abundantly clear. Though, the image of four people leaving all on the same day certainly doesn't do much to dispel this public image of chaos within Downing Street.
So, his chief of staff is now gone. So as his director of communications. The man who was accused of giving out Gag Awards back in December 2020 at a gathering at Downing Street at a time when indoor gatherings were banned. His chief principal secretary, private secretary is also out. This was a man who sent out an e-mail inviting staff to a garden party at Downing Street and advising that they should bring their own booze at a time when Britain was under lockdown.
But you mentioned, perhaps the worst resignation of all here Munira Mirza, she is a woman who has worked with Boris Johnson for 14 years including at a time when he was mayor of London. In fact, she was once named by Johnson in an interview as one of the top five most influential women in his life.
She is particularly upset. She was particularly upset about Johnson's failure to apologize for those comments about the infamous pedophile Jimmy Savile. And the implication that Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition was somehow personally responsible for that. That is widely seen as a low blow.
Keir Starmer wasn't the director of public prosecution at the time, he was in charge of the organization but he had nothing to do with that specific case. So, you heard the prime minister earlier there, Kim, clarify but he did not apologize.
And that was not good enough for Mirza who wrote in her resignation letter. Quote, "there was no fair or reasonable basis for that assertion. This was not the usual cut and thrust of politics. It was an inappropriate and partisan reference to a horrendous case of child sex abuse. You try to clarify your position today but despite my merging you did not apologize for the misleading impression that you gave."
Now after the news of her resignation broke, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, was asked about it and specifically if he thinks that the prime minister should apologize for his comments. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RISHI SUNAK, BRITISH CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: With regard to their comments, you know, being honest, I wouldn't have said it. And I'm glad that the prime minister clarified what he meant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCLEAN: Now the British press is framing that as a rebuke, as a swipe with the prime minister from his chancellor. Also, a man who is widely believed to be interested in becoming prime minister himself if Boris Johnson were to resign or were to be forced out.
So, the question now is, all of this, Kim, just a bump in the road for the prime minister? Or is this a sign that the wheels are really starting to fall off.
BRUNHUBER: Yes, a pretty big bump, I would say. Scott McLean in London, thank you so much.
MCLEAN: You bet.
BRUNHUBER: The World Health Organization's Europe chief says the end of the COVID pandemic on the continent could be in sight despite about 12 million cases being recorded across Europe last week.
Dr. Hans Kluge says it's a result of vaccination, a seasonal pause, and the relative mildness of the Omicron variant.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HANS KLUGE, REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: This context that we have not experienced so far in this pandemic leaves us with the possibility for a long period of tranquility and a much higher level of population defense against any research in transmission even with more violent variants.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER (on camera): As you can see on this map there, some countries in Europe have a fairly high rate of vaccination. But Dr. Kluge cautions that the pandemic isn't over. And that hospitalizations continue to rise in countries with lower vaccination rates and vulnerable populations.
So. it's bit of a mixed picture in Europe as some countries ease restrictions, others like Germany are reporting new daily highs in cases.
So, for more on all of that I'm joined by CNN's Jim Bittermann. So, Jim, before we get to the situation in Germany, let's start where you are in France where we are hearing some encouraging words from top officials about the situation there.
[02:24:59] JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: In fact, Dr. Kluge's optimism was in fact reflected by the French health minister who was on television, notably without a mask. This is the first time we've seen this in a long time that he's not wearing a mask as he talked to the French people, and basically said, the worst was behind us. Here's the way he put it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLIVIER VERAN, FRENCH HEALTH MINISTER (through translator): My message tonight is that the worst is behind us. We've done the work first of all, because we lived the COVID way for two years. Even if we have other waves, we have every reason to think that this would be the less dangerous variant. So, the worst is behind us. And we've done the hardest in this wave.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BITTERMANN (on camera): In fact, that kind of optimism is being reflected across Europe because we are seeing various restrictions and various kinds being lifted in all sorts of different countries, Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy, they're all lifting restrictions in one way or another, sometimes completely, sometimes just partially.
However, as you said, in Germany, in fact, they are not lifting restrictions because the daily case count there overnight went up to practically a quarter of a million. It's been mounting every day this week. And as a consequence, the Germans are not about ready to lift their foot off the brake yet.
And in Austria as well, because the vaccine mandate which was much debated in the parliament there has finally passed and goes into effect today. Having said that, it won't reinforce until the middle of March. But when it is, the Austrians will face hefty fines if they're not vaccinated. Kim?
BRUNHUBER: All right. Thanks so much, Jim Bittermann. I really appreciate it.
Still ahead, the Beijing Winter Olympics are moving full steam ahead despite reports of more COVID infections. We'll look at the latest numbers, coming up.
And the countdown is on to the Olympics opening ceremony now just hours away. So, we'll look at what we can expect from the big event after the break. Stay with us.
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BRUNHUBER (on camera): Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Beijing at this hour. He is due to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to discuss the tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Then the pair will attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics just a few hours away. Now his visit comes as the U.S. is accusing Russia of planting a false
flag operation to justify an invasion of Ukraine. Russia's ambassador to the European Union denies the claim.
China is reporting new COVID-19 cases tied to the Beijing Olympics just before the official start to the Winter games. The Beijing Olympic Committee reported 21 new infections among games' related personnel as of Thursday. Since the closed loop system began on January 23rd more than 300 have been identified.
[02:30:04]
And we are now just hours away from the Olympics opening ceremony. Officials say some 150,000 spectators will be invited to attend the games. Venues will be evenly split between those spectators from the inside the closed loop system and those living outside. Meanwhile, competition has already begun in Beijing.
Reigning Olympic champ, the U.S. women's hockey team won their first game on Thursday beating Finland five to two. Curling and skiing events also took place on Thursday.
All right. Guest Marco Balich has a lot of experience when it comes to opening ceremonies. Have been the creative director and producer for many of these events in the past. This year he's the creative director of the flag handover ceremony from China to Italy, which will take place during the closing ceremony and joins us now from Milan. Thank you so much for being here with us.
So, these ceremonies, the opening ceremonies will be held in the bird's nest same stadium as 2000 Olympics, same director as well, as I understand, but it promises to be very different from those ceremonies which had some, you know, 15,000 performers, some 91,000 people on hand to watch it. So what are you expecting to see later today?
MARCO BALICH, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND OLYMPIC CEREMONIES PRODUCER: Well, thank you for having me. I think we expect a different version of China, in a way Zhang Yimou, which is a great director is going to perform. He said a more romantic show. So we are very eager to know what romantic means in Chinese terms, but for sure is going to be a very beautiful show because Zhang Yimou was a great director. And he has a beauty that is outstanding, in my personal opinion.
BRUNHUBER: But it will be smaller. And thematically the director says it will reflect the state of the world. I mean, how do you ? how do you that without, you know, bumping everybody out?
BALICH: Well, of course, you know, we have in this dichotomy of where the creation of a show of this scale. It's a teamwork. So choreographer, stage designer, musician, musical -- they have to gather together. So COVID is impacting that for sure. So you have to do a smaller show. But still, the opening ceremony of the Olympics remain the -- for the biggest show in the world for three reason.
The biggest audience in the world, the biggest sort of impact in terms of a spread around the planet of messages. And of course, budget is the big -- is the most expensive show in the world. So, we have greater expectation for this show. But for sure, we are curious to see a very, you know, different version of China from 2008, where it show a very muscular and big show. So we are very curious to see if they're going to perform a romantic version of China, which, you know, it could sounds, you know, different in our eyes.
BRUNHUBER: You know, the lighting of the cauldron is usually sort of a spectacle shrouded in mystery with having, you know, covered a bunch of these, you know, sometimes the details do leak out, especially now, when we're some hours away. Any idea of what we might see?
BALICH: Well, the challenge that Zhang Yimou has, I think, is that there was a beautiful show performed in the exact same location. So ? and, you know, there was a cauldron on the roof, appearing at the very last moment. So, we're very curious to see what is going to -- how is going to lead the code. For sure the technology from 14 years ago, has developed immensely in terms of quality of projection. And so we're very looking forward for a very technological show. That I am sure.
BRUNHUBER: Now, how will the two main issues or casting twin shadows over these opening ceremonies affect things? I'm thinking, first of all, the abstentions from the countries that are boycotting the games diplomatically. India, the latest nation just to announce a diplomatic boycott. And of course COVID, I mean, some of the athletes like U.S. figure skater Nathan Chen say they won't participate in the athlete walk in part of the ceremonies because of fears of COVID.
BALICH: Well, I was part of the Tokyo opening ceremony as a consultant, senior Consultant in a very complicated environment in an empty stadium. So, I think this is an improvement from Tokyo in terms of -- we will have a small portion of audience and of course COVID plays a major role in giving a -- sort of a sinister cloud over those fantastic athletes which have been training. But overall, we should always focus that we do this for them.
Aside from the political and the grandiosity of a show and the political reason why a nation engage in in organizing an Olympic. I think we always have to focus on the joy and the energy and the beauty of the -- of those athletes who have been training alone sometimes in very different environment.
[02:05:01]
BALICH: And so, I am really looking forward to celebrate them the best possible way.
BRUNHUBER: Now, in the last minute we have left. I mean, you talked about the scale involved in these. I mean, you've been involved in planning events like these. So, take me behind the scenes of what it's like, creatively. How long and complex can it be to put something like this together?
BALICH: Well, it's a two-year process in fact. It could be comparable to a major feature film in our studios, Hollywood Studios, major -- six months to create the idea, six months to create the budgeting, and six months to prototype and the last six months of harsh training and rehearsals. So, this COVID I think has affected that because the digital sort of exchange that, you know, that all those computer sort of driven session of creativity are really affecting I think the way that -- because creativity needs live exchanges.
And there is no question about that. I mean, nuances are made through a rapid exchange, which kind of do between two computers. So I think that the difficulty that Zhang Yimou went, and the -- and the Tokyo people went through the process was how you create a mnemonic narrative without having, you know, working elbow to elbow around the table. And so, the process is long, it's a teamwork.
And there is about 800 people behind the scene on those kinds of spectacles between a costume designer, wardrobe, music composer, art director, lighting designers, et cetera, et cetera. So, you can imagine how to coordinate these huge amounts of number of people is kind of complicated but, you know, we're looking forward to it.
BRUNHUBER: Yes, definitely. Looking forward to it. Should be a spectacle to watch on many levels. Marco Balich in Milan, thank you so much for being with us. Appreciate it.
BALICH: Thank you. Thank you very much.
BRUNHUBER: A powerful cyclone is headed straight from Madagascar. We'll go to the CNN Weather Center for the latest on the storm. Plus, millions of Americans have to hang on for at least one more day before a massive winter storm moves out. Before it does, it's set to cause another round of air travel nightmares. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRUNHUBER: Well, the U.S. isn't getting a break just yet from a massive winter storm that's pummeling large parts of the country. The storm stretches more than 2500 kilometers from the Gulf Coast, New England. It's caused at least three deaths including a person killed in a suspected tornado in Alabama. The weather knocked out power to more than 300,000 customers.
It's causing treacherous, conditions on the roads and forcing airlines to cancel. Close to 3000 flights Fridays so far. Forecasters expect the storm to linger until at least Friday night.
[02:10:05]
BRUNHUBER: Well, just weeks after a deadly tropical storm hit Madagascar, the island is bracing for a new another dangerous storm. A tropical cyclone is expected make a devastating landfall on the east coast of the country this weekend. It tore through Mauritius earlier this week. More than 7000 homes were left without power due to the cyclones, strong winds and heavy rain.
All right. Let's bring in meteorologist Karen McGinnis. You've been tracking this, Karen. What can they expect?
KAREN MCGINNIS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: This is a very powerful tropical cyclone. It rapidly gained intensity over the last 24 hours. And right now it is the equivalent of a category three hurricane in the Atlantic basin. But this sitting in the Atlantic Ocean -- the Southern Indian Ocean is looking very powerful. That eastern edge is eroded a little bit because of its interaction with land.
But don't be fooled. This is still very powerful supporting winds of 195 kilometers per hour. There are about 28 million people that live in Madagascar. And I dare say that most people will somehow be impacted by the system whether it'd be through power lines down, power outages, also the potential for flash flooding due to the extremely heavy rainfall. Some of these coastal areas along that Central and South Central Coast could see 500 millimeters or more.
That is potentially devastating. But on the order of between 100 and maybe 300 millimeters. So those will be some of the common amounts that we see. It will traverse across Madagascar and then move into the Mozambique Channel and weaken as it travels towards the south. In the United States, a huge swath of real estate all the way from Texas into the Tennessee River Valley through the Ohio Valley and now pushing towards the Mid-Atlantic.
Into the Northeast in New England. snow, ice, wind, rain, dangerous weather conditions even a tornado reported just to the south of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in the warm sector of the system. But a lot of areas on the backside of this weather system that is making its way slowly to the east are seeing that combination of ice and snow. Places like Memphis also into Kentucky, Louisville and Lexington also portions of Indiana, Southern Indiana had been hit hard with heavy amounts of snowfall.
Now what happens is it moves towards the northeast in New England. This is what we're expecting as we move through time where you see that pink and purple-shaded area. That tells us we're transitioning from the snow to the ice. So New York City, will you see snow? It looks like it's going to be more ice than anything. But even then nothing like we have seen in places like around Dallas and Oklahoma City and into southern sections of Missouri.
Almost 110 million people seeing this wintry weather that just doesn't seem to quit, Kim?
BRUNHUBER: What a mess. Karen McGinnis, thank so much. Mount Everest has lost decades worth of ice in a short period of time. That took around 2000 years to form, melted in about 25 years. Scientists warn this could worsen climate impacts and cause more frequent avalanches and a drying up of water sources.
All right. I'm Kim Brunhuber. I'll be back at the top of the hour with more CNN Newsroom. World Sport is next.
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ALEX THOMAS, CNN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS ANCHOR: It'll be Salah V. Manet and the Africa Cup of Nations Final. Egypt survivor a penalty shootout breaking the hearts of post Cameroon.
And Jackie Chan joins the torch relay as the official opening of the Winter Olympics gets closer. Hello. Welcome to CNN World Sport I'm Alex Thomas in London. There will be a mouthwatering clash of Liverpool superstars in the Africa Cup of Nations Final. Mo Salah's Egypt will face Sadio Mane's Senegal after the Egyptians broke the hearts of hosts Cameroon in the second semi-final. It was goalless after 90 minutes an extra time.
Cameroon crumbling in the penalty shootout, missing three spot kicks. And Egypt there going three-one up, piling on the pressure. It was too much for the hosts. Their final penalty going wide after two have been saved. Cameroon are out and Egypt go into the final although their coach Carlos Queiroz won't be on the bench after being sent off. It's the same venue for the final the LMB Stadium in Cameroon's Yaounde.
You can only imagine how hectic the atmosphere would have been if Cameroon had got through and said it's Egypt there facing Senegal who booked their place 24 hours earlier with victory over Burkina Faso. Sadio Mane with the final goal in that three-one win.
SADIO MANE, SENEGAL FORWARD (through translator): We expected a very tough game. And so it was, but we were calm and we took our opportunities and I think we deserve this victory.
ALIOU CISSE, SENEGAL MANAGER (through translator): We have never been so close to this cup, and we will have to recover and it will be a big battle. And we dedicate this victory to all the Senegalese people.
THOMAS: Let's get some analysis now with our African football expert and CNN Contributor and probably slightly crestfallen Francis Nkwain. How heartbreaking is that for host Cameroon, Francis?
FRANCIS NKWAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, it's disappointing but I think the game was a tribute to football. It was quite deserving of a semifinal. Shortened goals but entertaining nonetheless but disappointing for a host country but I think Egypt were the finalists and we all look forward to watching Mane v. Salah and European club maybe would have wish we beat Egypt and they made their way home. So I could have explained back.
THOMAS: Yes. Set the scene more for us, Francis, for those of our viewers that didn't see the game because they might be surprised about you talking about a sort of feast of football when it finished nil-nil after 90 minutes an extra time but it was a very entertaining nil-nil, wasn't it?
NKWAIN: It was indeed. You had a lot of a ? well, maybe not a lot of attention goal but a very entertaining football. We were introduced or maybe not introduced. We saw a young player who I think is the hope of Cameroon in football at the left back who Nouhou Tolo had a phenomenal game against Mo Salah. Really good entertaining football expressing football, can lead the bar twice I believe it was.
Salah had an attempt on goal but tactically really impressive. Very composed apart from the bench where we had Carlos Queiroz, ending up with a red card. That was interesting in and of itself. So, Egypt have to face this challenge now of how they turn up on Sunday without the coach but it really was very, very entertaining game. Qualitative in terms of the football on the pitch, maybe not enough goal scoring opportunities, but it definitely wasn't a boring nil-nil.
THOMAS: And in fact, not just Queiroz, the head coach of the Egypt but his assistant will miss Sunday's final as well after getting a second booking in this tournament. How important could that prove to be? And can you understand Queiroz's frustrations or will he be blaming himself for losing his cool? I mean, this is a guy that's coached at Manchester United other top clubs. He's experienced enough to not get himself sent off surely.
NKWAIN: Yes, you'd like to think he would have enough experience not to. But I think there is something truly unique and spectacular about the atmosphere on African football. He gets to the best of us. And so, in spite of his experience of Manchester United and Real Madrid in Portugal, I think he got the African bug in it, maybe got the better of him.
[02:50:04]
NKWAIN: But I think on a serious note Egypt, they're professional enough. I think they'll find a way to make sure that they're ably coached and prepared for what will be a truly be fitting final, it's a shame Cameroon will be in it. But Senegal are not here to play games. They can play football and I think they want to win. They've been particularly close, very often. Lost to Algeria last time around.
So I think they really are at moments where they need to close the deal. And so, I think everything's set up for a really, really exciting game. And I think the absence of the coach and the assistants won't mean that much to the players on the pitch because he'll still be with them in training, and we'll set them up for what they hope will be another star in their jersey.
THOMAS: Look, we set it up like this, you know, that the tabloid newspapers are going to do the same. It's going to be Salah v. Mane in all the headlines. Of course, that's not right, because it's a team game. But it's also pretty intriguing, isn't it?
NKWAIN: It is. It is really is. Their teammates, they have a particularly strong bond that we are all quite familiar with. And it's credit to African football and also credit to the English Premier League in some way. But I think it sets up -- it sets things up for a really, really entertaining game. Will guarantee a bigger and maybe more international audiences as well, which is only good for African football in general.
But I also think the tournament in itself as it comes to its close has really been fine tribute to what Africa has to offer and hats off to Cameroon for playing a very strong points and putting together a pretty solid tournament, very competitive tournament. And I think they also bowed out quite gracefully. Because losing in penalties is something that we all know, it's a bit of a toss of the coin.
The lads who miss penalties will be a little bit down but they'll get over it and hopefully they get themselves together to do the battle against Algeria for the qualifications for the World Cup. So. THOMAS: No doubt about that. Cameroon certainly got the country excited while their run lasted. Thank you for being so objective. Francis Nkwain. Appreciate it, Francis.
NKWAIN: Thank you very much.
THOMAS: Let's move on to news about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who of course flew home early from the Africa Cup of Nations with health complications resulting from his positive COVID-19 tests. And he says he's making a childhood dream come true by playing for Barcelona. Aubameyang unveiled to the media wearing his new club shirt after completing his transfer from English Premier League club Arsenal.
The Gabon striker fell out of favor in North London says he's now fulfilling a lifelong ambition in Spain's top division.
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PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG, BARCELONA STRIKER (through translator): Always had the dream of playing in La Liga. And I think it's an incredible opportunity for me. It's a dream since I was little, so it's an opportunity of my lifetime. Everyone knows Barsa is one of the best clubs in the world. So I'm very happy to be here.
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THOMAS: Interesting to see how he gets on at the camp. Now we've got much more CNN World Sport for you coming up in just a moment.
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[02:55:008]
THOMAS: Hello again. World Sport is back with the second day of a far shorter Olympic torch relay for many recent games. Thursday's route traversing a section of the Great Wall of China that's most often visited by tourists. Famous martial arts movie star Jackie Chan who was born in Hong Kong was among those picked to carry the torch, saying it was a huge honor, and this is his fourth Olympics but admitting he was very cold.
Now, just days after his lavish praise, Rafael Nadal's age defying victory at the Australian Tennis Open. Roger Federer has revealed when he might know if he can ever resume his own career. The iconic Swiss player says he's aiming for either April or May, as the time when he'll discover whether or not his most recent knee surgery will allow him to compete at the highest level again. He's now 40 and hasn't played since losing in last year's Wimbledon quarter finals.
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ROGER FEDERER, 20-TIME MAJOR CHAMPION: This question is better answered maybe by April, May. But for now, of course the drive is there. I'm really motivated to do my work, what I'm allowed to do, I did it all again this morning. I'm back in the gym again tomorrow. And I'm working as hard as I'm allowed to. So it's a ? it's still good times even though it's a little bit slow, because I would love to do way more. But the doctors and everybody is holding me back a little bit.
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THOMAS: Federer has however committed to playing team events. The Laver Cup in September, where he'll represent Europe, alongside Rafael Nadal. The duo had played doubles together in the 2017 edition of this competition. And looks like Nadal is looking forward to having him back on his team. The 21-time Major champ tweeting, Roger, you bought the practice court or is it me? Looking forward to playing again with you, my friend.
And the excitement over the snow and ice extravaganza that's underway in China must be catching because we've seen the current Formula One World Champion tackle very wintery conditions. Just three weeks away from preseason testing. Red Bull star Max Verstappen tried out the G.P. Ice Race Circuit at Zell am See Airport in Austria. His car had to be kitted out with special spikes Pirelli tires but the F1 champ said it was still slippy.
Something he's not as used to as Austrian Ice Speedway star Franky Zorn who faced the challenge on two wheels instead of four.
And that does it for this edition of World Sport. Many thanks for watching. Stay with us. The news is next.
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