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Connect the World

Pakistan Says it Shot Down 5 Indian Fighter Jets, One Drone; Cardinals Prepare to Hold First Vote to Elect Next Pope; Pakistani Defense Minister Speaks to CNN after Indian Strikes; Executives Behind Disneyland Abu Dhabi Resort Speak to CNN; Disney Announces a New Theme Park in Abu Dhabi; Conclave to Elect a New Pope to Begin. Aired 9-10a ET

Aired May 07, 2025 - 09:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[09:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, these are live pictures of St. Peter's Square Cardinals who will soon enter the Sistine Chapel and

commence the Conclave process to choose a new Pope. It is 03:00 p.m. in Vatican City, it is 05:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi. I'm Becky Anderson.

You're watching "Connect the World".

Also coming up, India and Pakistan on the brink of a wider conflict. This comes as India launches missiles deep into Pakistani territory. United

States has announced a truce in the Red Sea with the Iranian backed Houthi rebel group, but the Houthis warn Israel could still be a target.

Stock market in New York opens about 30 minutes from now its interest rate decision day, investors will be keenly waiting for that result. Futures

indicating a relatively muted start back there at half past nine. I want to start this hour with two long-time rivals on the brink of a full-scale

conflict, it seems, after India hit what it calls terrorist infrastructure deep inside Pakistan.

Pakistan's government calls it a, quote, blatant act of war, and its prime minister is vowing to retaliate. Well, India's Foreign Secretary says the

action is an appropriate response to militant attack, a militant attack two weeks ago in India administered Kashmir that killed more than two dozen

people.

Pakistan reports at least 26 people killed in the strikes early this morning, including children and says Indian missiles targeted mosques.

Military sources in Pakistan say the Armed Forces shot down five Indian Air Force jets and one drone. We've got Nic Robinson for you on the ground for

us in Islamabad. Vedika Sud joining us from Delhi. It's good to have you both. Nic, let me start with you. Walk us through exactly what we

understand to have happened and where these tensions stand at this point?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, we understand at about one o'clock in the morning, India struck what they described as 9

different sites inside of Pakistan, some of them inside Pakistan proper. One of those the deepest strike India has made into Pakistan since 1971

when the two countries for an intense war at that time.

That is perhaps beyond the bounds of what Pakistan had been expecting from India in retaliation for the killing of 26 civilians in Indian controlled

Kashmir two weeks ago. The prime minister here has said that Pakistan's army is entitled to act in self defense using corresponding actions that

they should avenge the loss of light of innocent life.

He was speaking in the past couple of hours in Parliament. It was a very emotive speech. Parliamentarians banging on their desks at time as his

cadence rose and fell through this speech. He didn't talk about actions of revenge. What he talked about was a valiant army and air force being

prepared.

Spoke about the downing of the Rafale jets, these are the French made fighter jets. He said India took a lot of pride in those aircraft, and

Pakistan should take pride in the fact that they were able to shoot them down. So far, video appears to have emerged of at least one of those

fighter jets downed in Indian controlled Kashmir, about 40 miles from the border.

It appears at this early stage of analysis that it may have been hit by a surface to air missile fired from Pakistan in defense. And this is, in

essence, what the prime minister is alluding to here. The fact that they were -- Pakistan was able to do this. They should take pride in because

Rafael Aircraft and the manufacturers themselves have taken pride until now that none of their fighter jets have been downed.

[09:05:00]

I think more broadly about where the situation goes from here the prime minister speaking about that right to self defense and the support for the

army to take that action. It's not clear that that action is imminent. It's not clear at all what it would be. But in the past few days, Pakistan has

vowed to retaliate to any Indian strikes here.

And of course, very emotive that children are among the dead, women and children among the injured, that a mosque should be hit strikes a chord.

But I think it's also worth just pointing out here that the leader of a prescribed terrorist organization here, Jaish-e-Mohammed that took

responsibility for the terror attack inside of Indian controlled Kashmir in 2019.

A leader who continues to use his Telegram channel to post aggressive statements against India. He said his home had been targeted and that ten

of his family members, including children, had been killed. Now his organization is a prescribed terrorist organization, prescribed by the

U.S., the U.K., the U.N., the E.U. and by Pakistan as well, Becky.

ANDERSON: Nic, stand by. I just want to bring in Vedika here. India, of course, has linked the massacres on April the 22nd in Kashmir to Islamabad.

That is a claim that Pakistan denies India says it has a right to self defense against terrorism at this point.

What more are we hearing from the Indian government? Can we expect this to further escalate? What do we know about Pakistan military claims that

Indian fighter jets and a drone were shot down earlier this morning.

VEDIKA SUD, JOURNALIST: I'm going to respond to your second question first, Becky. We've reached out to the Indian Air Force. There has been a response

from them. But what experts here are really wanting to understand is, where is the proof from Pakistan when it comes to them claiming that they've shot

down these jets?

If there is proof, why haven't they come out with it? Where the images? But like I said, we're still to hear from the security forces here in India.

There's been no word, despite a press conference a couple of hours back here in India, local time this morning, where the foreign secretary

addressed the press and gave lot of details on these attacks, or rather, these offensives carried out the military offensive carried out by the

Indian side.

Now, ever since this attack, which was in the dead of night, like Nic pointed out, 01:05 a.m. till about 01:30 25 minutes, 9 sites in Pakistan

administered Kashmir, as well as in Pakistan, were hit. We've had the ministers talk about it. They've come out. They've hailed the soldiers here

in India, and they've congratulated them for carrying out this attack.

Now the national sentiment here in India, ever since that heinous attack on the 22nd of April has been to take revenge, quote, unquote. And if you

remember Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was the man back in 2019 who withdrew the special status of Kashmir. And he promised to bring peace to

the valley.

Now, the Indian government has come out today and said the reason Indian administered Kashmir Pahalgam was attacked on the 22nd of April was because

it was economically progressing the entire area after what happened in 2019. And it's also because a lot of tourists were coming back to the area,

and that's the reason that militant groups wanted to attack Indian administered Kashmir all over again.

We've had the defense minister come out today. The Home Minister come out today. We've had the National Security Adviser of India come out today

hailing this offensive, military offensive. But what's also interesting at this point is that you have the international gaze on South Asia right now,

and many are calling it.

You know that India and Pakistan perhaps could be on the brink of war, but you have the Indian government now dialing all the stakeholders, the key

players internationally, and telling them what went down from 01:05 to 01:30 on Wednesday morning.

They're talking to their counterparts internationally, trying to tell them that we have only hit terror training camps in these areas. We've made very

precise targets that we've hit, really at this point. We've tried to minimize the casualties when it comes to civilians. But of course,

Pakistan, like Nic said -- says there's been a heavy casualty at their end, Becky.

ANDERSON: It's good to have you both. CNN working to speak to officials on both sides of this conflict.

[09:10:00]

And in a few moments, I will be speaking with the Pakistani Defense Minister. So do stay with us for that. Thank you both for your reporting.

Well, this escalation between India and Pakistan has disrupted travel across the region and beyond. Pakistan has closed part of its airspace

following Wednesday's strikes, leaving passengers stranded, including at the country's busiest Airport, Jinnah International in Karachi.

Several Gulf Airline carriers have suspended flights to Pakistan, including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways and multiple major international

airlines have said that they are rerouting or canceling flights to and from Europe to avoid flying over Pakistan. Airport closures in Northern India

have also affected many routes.

Well, world leaders and the United Nations are both urging India and Pakistan to show restraint in the latest amid this latest escalation. U.S.

President Donald Trump called news of India's confirmed military operation against Pakistan quote, a shame. Mr. Trump says he learned of the latest

developments just ahead of a special Oval Office ceremony on Tuesday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: They've been fighting for a long time. You know? They've been fighting for many, many

decades and centuries, actually, if you really think about it. No, I just hope it ends very quickly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: U.S. President Donald Trump also announcing a ceasefire with Houthi rebels on Tuesday. Senior Houthi Leaders acknowledged the

announcement, but say the halt in U.S. strikes on Yemen will be evaluated on the ground first. Oman says it brokered the deal between the U.S. and

Yemen's militant Houthis.

Neither side will target the other, including U.S. vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab Al Mandab Strait. Well CNN's National Security Reporter Zachary

Cohen is in D.C. An Israeli official says the U.S. did not inform Israel about its de facto truce with the Houthis before Trump announced it in the

Oval Office.

Of course, the Houthis have been striking Tel Aviv will certainly sending ballistic missiles that way, one landing just very close to the airport

just over the weekend. What does this line from the Israelis tell us at this point about the lack of communication between the U.S. and Israel on

this.

ZACHARY COHEN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: Yeah. Becky, I think it speaks to how focused the Trump Administration is on trying to secure some

sort of deal with Iran over its nuclear program. That's something that Donald Trump has said, that he wants, and something that he has made clear

to his top officials is a key priority.

And it's something our colleagues have heard is a reason behind this ceasefire. Steve Witkoff, one of Trump's top envoys in the Middle East,

helped broker this ceasefire. He's also engaged in diplomatic talks with Iran. They're hoping that this will help build momentum in those talks,

something that is widely seen as kind of a long shot.

They're asking Iran to really consider something that they would have never considered before in giving up its nuclear program. And that's also

something that the negotiations are, something that Israel has made clear it does not agree with, is the best path forward.

Israel has asked for U.S. support on multiple occasions. We reported this on multiple occasions, to use military action to try to dismantle Iran's

nuclear program by striking various nuclear sites that it's identified. And so, look Israel and the U.S. clearly on opposite ends of this Iranian

negotiation priority for the Trump Administration.

Obviously, Iran backing the Houthi rebels. And what it means at the end of the day too, is that the violence and the -- you know the ongoing conflict

and the tensions between the Houthis and Israel will likely continue without U.S. intervention, as long as a deal with Iran remains possible in

the mind of Donald Trump.

ANDERSON: It is good to have you. Thank you very much indeed. Well, in Vatican City, 133 Cardinals from around the world are in the Vatican right

now preparing to undertake what is a very secretive process that has been happening in the Catholic Church for hundreds of years. That process the

Conclave to pick the next Pope or succeed Pope Francis, who passed away last month.

Voting begins in the coming hours, when those cardinals forecast their first ballot. CNN's Ben Wedeman joining us now from St. Peter's Square.

Ben, let's just talk about today's events at the Vatican and inside the Sistine Chapel. Walk us through what we can expect.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Becky in about an 01:15 minutes, we're going to see a procession of these 133 Cardinals from

the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel, where they will enter and take an oath of secrecy.

[09:15:00]

And at some point, after that, the door will be locked and they will begin the process of the first vote for the next Pope. We're expecting within the

next 3.5 to four 4 to see some kind of smoke emerge from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel. In the first round of voting that's usually just an

opportunity to get a feel about where the votes actually lie, as opposed to the days we've had of intense speculation and names being thrown about.

But of course, we're not going to know what the results of that vote are, except that either it's black smoke, there is no decision, or it's white

smoke, a Pope has been chosen. But as I said, highly unlikely we're going to see any white smoke today, which means that -- after that, the Cardinals

will return to the Casa Santa Marta, the residents in the Vatican City that Pope John Paul II had specially built for these occasions these Conclaves.

Of course, this Conclave, with 133 Cardinals from 70 countries around the world, is the biggest conclave in the history of the Church. In any event,

go back to the Casa Santa Marta, have dinner, and then tomorrow it will start all over again with four rounds of voting scheduled.

Now, just to put it all in historical context, back in 2013 it took five votes to decide for the Cardinals to decide on the election of Jorge

Bergoglio, of course, became Pope Francis. A similar, relatively short conclave resulted in the choice of Benedict XVI as well.

So, the expectation is this time around, it will not be particularly long. Of course, the unfortunate comparison that's always made is back to 12,168

when the Conclave lasted 1006 days, hopefully, for the sake of CNN's budget, it won't go on that long, Becky.

ANDERSON: Ben, always good to have you. Thank you very much indeed. Historic times there in Vatican City. Well, our live coverage of the

Conclave gets underway in less than an hour. That is 10:00 a.m. in New York, 04:00 p.m. in Rome, 06:00 p.m. if you are watching here in the UAE.

Well, India and Pakistan inching closer to a full-scale conflict than they have in years. Now that India's military has launched strikes on Pakistan,

what comes next? I'll speak to Pakistan's Defense Minister after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Right now, tensions are soaring across South Asia, with India and Pakistan, it seems teetering on the brink of an all-out conflict.

[09:20:00]

Well, India says its missile strikes on Pakistani sites overnight targeted, quote, terrorist infrastructure. Indian officials argue the strikes were

necessary to stop further attacks like last month in Kashmir.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VIKRAM MISRI, INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY: Earlier this morning, as you would be aware, India exercised its right to respond and pre-empt as well as

deter more such cross-border attacks. These actions were measured non escalatory, proportionate and responsible.

It was deemed essential that the perpetrators and planners of the 22nd April attack be brought to justice. Despite a fortnight having passed since

the attacks, there has been no demonstrable step from Pakistan to take action against the terrorist infrastructure on its territory or on

territory under its control. Instead, all it has indulged in are denials.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: That is the perspective from India for Pakistan's reaction. Now I'm joined by Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khwaja Muhammad Asif. If you've

just heard the response there to India, can I just get your perspective, please, sir, to the comments that you've just heard.

KHWAJA MUHAMMAD ASIF, PAKISTANI DEFENSE MINISTER: Oh, well, we offered immediately after what happened in Pahalgam this terrorist attack in

occupied -- Indian occupied Kashmir, then there should be an international investigation. And some -- you know agreed upon delegation or investigators

can come and examine who is responsible for what happened in Kashmir, Indian of Kashmir?

ANDERSON: India has not agreed to that. It says it is necessary.

(CROSSTALK)

ASIF: India has --

ANDERSON: -- it accuses terrorist organizations in Pakistan and supported by the government. It accuses those of being behind the attack. I want to

talk very specifically about what's happened, sir? This attack happened shortly after midnight. India says it did not attack military sites.

It says it struck nine sites in total, all, quote, terrorist infrastructure. Quote from where terrorist attacks against India have been

planned and directed. So, walk us through what was targeted and where?

ASIF: You know, I'll again make the same offer for what happened in Pakistan yesterday. The Indian tanks took place perhaps six or seven sites

were attacked by Indians. In the -- we'll invite or, I think it is already underway that international media has listed all these sites, and it can be

-- they can be interviewed, or they can go to their channels, whether these sites were being used by terrorists, or these sites were ever used by the

terrorists.

So, there's again, a very open offer to the Indians, or international community to examine and inspect the sites which were attacked.

ANDERSON: Right. Let me put this to you. India is explicit about these being sites that were used by terrorists. This is terrorist infrastructure.

Do you have any evidence to suggest that that is not true? You're the Defense Minister, sir. So, with respect, let's be very specific. India

said, hold on -- India has said it struck nine sites. These were not Pakistan military sites. These were terrorist infrastructure.

ASIF: Absolutely wrong, absolutely wrong. There's absolutely no evidence. India would just want to justify whatever they have done last night, and

they were taught every -- you know the fitting lesson that therefore they lost five planes. Three of them are Rafael and American jet. So, they --

what they came in to target supposedly terrorist camps or training grounds or training camps.

ANDERSON: You're telling me that you don't know whether these sites were terrorist training?

ASIF: No. There are absolutely no terrorist activities. It's just the imagination, the figment of imagination of India. They just want to justify

it. Whatever they are doing, they find trying to find a justification for that --

(CROSSTALK)

ANDERSON: You've just brought up the fact that India lost some fighter jets.

[09:25:00]

So, let's be quite clear about this. Pakistan claims it shot down five Indian Air Force jets and a drone, as I understand it. India says there's

no evidence of that, no proof. So, can you provide more detail? Can you provide more detail, and is this the response that your army spokesman

threatened, or is there further action to come? Let's start with these -- this very specific allegation of five fighter jets shot down. Where's the

evidence for that, sir?

ASIF: It's all over the social media, on Indian social media, not on our social media. The debris of these jets fell into occupied Kashmir, and it's

all over here Indian media today --

ANDERSON: You're the defense minister --

ASIF: -- the media --

ANDERSON: -- the reason to talk to you today sir, it's not to talk about content all over social media. I'm sorry. it's not to talk about content

all over social media. I'm asking you very specifically for the evidence for the detail. For example, was any Chinese equipment used by Pakistan to

down these Rafael jets, as I understand you are alleging them to be?

ASIF: No, no Chinese equipment. We have Chinese planes, JF17 and JF10 Chinese planes, but they are being manufactured, assembled in Pakistan now.

We have very close to Islamabad. We have a facility over there where these planes are manufactured.

And if India can buy planes from France and use them. We can also buy planes from China or Russia or United States or U.K. and use them. And let

me -- let me say one thing, they have already admitted that they three planes were down.

ANDERSON: Can I just repeat the question that I asked?

(CROSSTALK)

ASIF: By --

ANDERSON: I wasn't asking whether Chinese fighter jets were used. I've just was any Chinese equipment used by Pakistan to down these jets that you

suggest were targeted?

ASIF: These were down the dog fight. Missiles were fired by our planes, and they were shocked. Very simple, what sort of equipment you were referring

to?

ANDERSON: I'm just asking you. Was any Chinese equipment in these --

(CROSSTALK)

ASIF: Jet -- we -- the missiles were fired by our teams, and they were down. Then, I think it was JF17 or JF10.

ANDERSON: Sir --

ASIF: -- involved in this government.

ANDERSON: I have to ask you, how concerned are you at this point? I mean, is further conflict on the horizon? Are you can -- are you concerned about

a direct conflict, a war at this point?

ASIF: Yeah, there is a -- there is a possibility of this conflict, expansion of this conflict into full felt war, which we are trying to

avoid. But last night, they crossed the international boundary. We have working boundary, international boundary and control line.

So, the other two are -- you know, they involved -- they involve disputed directories. But crossing the international boundary, this is a clear-cut

violation and invitation to expand the conflict and maybe convert it into something much wider and much more dangerous for the reach.

ANDERSON: Defense Minister, the U.S. President, has called this escalation a shame. I wonder you know how much support you believe you will get from

the U.S. if this escalates. And when asked in a recent interview to admit that Pakistan has a long history of backing, supporting funding and

training terrorist organizations, which India accuses you of time and time again.

Your response was this quote, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, and the West, including Britain.

That was a mistake, you said, and we have suffered. Implied in that answer, it seems you are admitting that Pakistan has a long history of funding,

training, supporting and backing terrorist organizations. Is that correct?

ASIF: Let me ask you a question. You know who brought Osama Bin Laden to Pakistan?

ANDERSON: Sir, I'm interviewing you. That's an important question. India has no --

(CROSSTALK)

ASIF: That's very --

[09:30:00]

ANDERSON: India has accused that -- terrorism.

ASIF: -- question --

ANDERSON: What did you mean when you said that? That was a mistake.

ASIF: It was a mistake that we stood with United States of America in a war which was not our war, which was a war between Soviet Union and U.S.A.,

between two superpowers. We had nothing to do with that, that was going on in Afghanistan. It was a mistake that we joined that war.

And later on, after 911 again, the war was being fought in Afghanistan. We were just neighbors, but we, you know --

ANDERSON: Funding, supporting and training terrorists.

ASIF: -- if we cooperated -- and I'll give you just a very recent example, two, three months back, there was a bounty on surrounding -- and he's a

free man known the one he has been removed. So, who is responsible for labeling people as terrorists and not labeling people as terrorists or

taking off the label of terrorist --

ANDERSON: Right. So, what happens next?

ASIF: Ah --

(CROSSTALK)

ANDERSON: What happens next?

ASIF: What happens then?

ANDERSON: What happens next, finally?

ASIF: What happens next? What happens next is, we are prepared for all-out war. Also, this is absolutely no doubt, because India is, you know,

increasing the intensity, increasing the you know, the stakes this conflict. So, we should be prepared for an all-out war. Otherwise, we

cannot be caught with -- God's gun,

ANDERSON: Defense Minister, it's good to have you. Thank you for the time today here on CNN.

ASIF: Thank you -- nice talking to you --

ANDERSON: -- develops. CNN continues to reach out to officials in India for interviews. We want to get their point of view, of course, as well, and we

will continue to get a response and an opportunity to speak to officials.

ASIF: Thank you.

ANDERSON: We will get them on air for you. We will be back after this very quick break. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:35:00]

ANDERSON: Well, welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi. You are watching "Connect the World". These are your headlines and Pakistan's Prime

Minister vowing his country will respond after India hit what it calls terrorist targets deep inside Pakistan, at least 26 people are reported

killed, including children.

India says the strikes are in response to a militant attack -- control part of Kashmir last month that killed more than two dozen people. Well, the

conclave the centuries old and secretive tradition of choosing a new Catholic Pope begins in the coming hours. 133 Cardinals from around the

world are in the Vatican to select the new leader of the Catholic Church to succeed Pope Francis, who, of course, passed away last month.

Markets have been open for about five minutes, and the major indices are up. They are up slightly, though. Let's be quite clear about this. This is

Federal Reserve decision day today. The fed widely expected to leave rates on hold. Investors looking for Jerome Powell's comments on tariffs on Trump

and potential future cards.

Well, let's take a look at one specific company today reporting earnings, and that is Disney, and it's beat expectations quite significantly, and the

numbers reflecting that its share price up nearly 10 percent.

One of the brightest spots in what was a better-than-expected report Disney parks and experiences, the division, particularly its domestic parks in the

United States, saw increased profits and revenues off the back of those earnings. CEO Bob Iger made a big announcement today, the first new Disney

theme park in 15 years, and the first in the Middle East, right here in Abu Dhabi.

I sat down for an interview with Josh D'Amaro, who's Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and Mohamed al Mubarak, who is Chairman of

Miral and of Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism. And we discussed this unique partnership.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON (voice-over): 70 years ago, this year, Walt Disney opened the first Disneyland in California.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's really no secret about our approach. We keep moving forward.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.

ANDERSON (voice-over): Now, for the first time in 15 years, a brand-new Disneyland has been announced, and it's coming to Abu Dhabi. The UAE

capital will soon be home to the seventh Disney destination. One of the key drivers of the deal is Mohamed Al Mubarak, the fourth behind bringing F1

and the MBA to Abu Dhabi, wielding the iconic Saadiyat cultural district. But even for him, this one feels different. I asked him, why.

MOHAMED KHALIFA AL MUBARAK, CHAIRMAN OF MIRAL AND ABU DHABI DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND TOURISM: Disney magic, you know, very difficult to replicate

Disney magic. I think we all know the IPs at Disney have. But more importantly than that is how they continuously create everlasting memories,

whether when you visit their parks, watch the shows, watch their movies, anything that's a touch point by Disney creates that.

I felt that. The earliest memories I have, happy memories, was visiting Disney World with my mother and my siblings for the first time. That memory

lives with me. That memory created not just a fan, but created an emotional connection with this brand.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The 7th Disney theme park resort --

ANDERSON (voice-over): The arrival of Disney is more than just a headline. It is the latest step in Abu Dhabi's sweeping vision to become a global

capital of culture and tourism. It's transformation I've seen unfold firsthand over the past decade.

ANDERSON: The plan to develop Yas Island, I believe, was initiated back in 2006. Hit me back.

MUBARAK: This shop, right really gives me goosebumps. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed, flew over this island. He wanted to

create a destination for all.

ANDERSON: So, I've watched the evolution of this place. Is Disney the crown jewel?

MUBARAK: Yes, when it comes to sort of what we're trying to create here at Yas Island, but we continuously innovate.

[09:40:00]

We continuously find ways to enhance this quality of life that is so dear to us. So, are we going to be done after Disney? No, we're always going to

find ways to bring in more people to experience our collective. We are in a very distinct geographical location. We are four hours away from a third of

the world's population, Asia, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, North Africa, Central Africa, the Arabian Peninsula.

We're going to be creating something there that actually touches every single geographical location within that.

ANDERSON (voice-over): Josh D'Amaro has driven Disney's most ambitious projects, transforming parks into a cash powerhouse. He insists, today's

announcement is only the first step in Disney's Grand Abu Dhabi vision.

JOSH D'AMARO, CHAIRMAN OF DISNEY PARKS, EXPERIENCES AND PRODUCTS: We're in the very early days of what Abu Dhabi will mean to this part of the world.

It's pretty impressive the population that surrounds this area, and it's pretty impressive. What's already happening here right now.

When you bring Disney into the mix of a tourism destination, and you build with the ambition that we plan to build with here, undoubtedly, what will

happen is that will attract even more tourists. It's kind of a crossroads of the world. In a way, it's a young nation, but it's a very proud nation,

a nation that celebrates legacy and history, but also has this very aggressive leaning forward in terms of what the future can look like.

And in many ways, it's very similar to Disney everything that we do, particularly as we build new, we're pushing the envelope on creativity. Our

research and development labs back at home in California, are working on some of the most cutting-edge technologies to immerse people in these

stories.

What we recognized very early on in our discussions with Miral and the people of Abu Dhabi was this lean towards technology, this futuristic look

at what society could look like.

ANDERSON (voice-over): And that focus on the future and cutting-edge technology is fully aligned with the Abu Dhabi strategy.

MUBARAK: We're going to be utilizing the investments that are happening in the UAE and around the world in regards of tech and quantum in AI, on how

we can bring this all together. So right now, what's amazing is that we know we have a lot of pieces of the puzzle. The next couple of years is

putting this puzzle together.

ANDERSON (voice-over): Another new feature is gamification, designed to engage a digital first generation in the Disney multiverse.

MUBARAK: So, gamification is huge. We gamify everything you're seeing it in our daily lives. It's making every difference. How are we going to gamify

the experience of our visitors from their hotel rooms, maybe from the booking stage, where they feel that they are part of this world and they

are either gaining points or they are gaining a prize throughout the overall experience. That's something that definitely we would look into.

D'AMARO: We made an investment in Epic Games about a year ago or so now, a billion and a half, and what we're seeing is Gen Alpha particularly is

gathering in that -- are gathering in these in these spaces to play games, to socialize, to watch. So, these communities are forming, and we wanted to

be part of that.

Think about a Disneyland theme park inside of a virtual environment, and by the way, back and forth, something that you experience in Fortnite, for

example, which is part of Epic Games, that experience you have there you might be able to carry back to a theme park.

So, we're really pushing hard into the space, and with the new park that we're building here in Abu Dhabi. We've got an opportunity from ground up

to think about how games and interactivity cannot be just something you do at home or on your phone, but how it interplays with the actual park.

ANDERSON (voice-over): Bringing imagination to life with cutting edge technology in a city that blends tradition and modernity as it races

towards a bold new future.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: Let's get you the very latest then, from CNN, U.S. National Correspondent, Natasha Chen. She's live outside Disney headquarters in

Burbank, California. It's great to have you from there. Natasha, thank you. Disney releasing its quarterly report, saying that after a modest decrease

in 24 U.S. Park attendance rose again and revenue surged. How did this all play into today's big announcement?

NATASHA CHEN, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, that timing and context is everything, isn't it?

[09:45:00]

The stocks for Disney were up 11 percent at the open, and that tells you that people are seeing theme parks as a resilient part of the business, a

bigger piece of the Disney pie. And as you mentioned, even after a modest decrease last year, U.S. attendance in parks is back up.

Now international, the news was not as great, but they said on the earnings call that it's not getting any worse, and attendance is still quite good.

It's just that the per guest spending, specifically in China, is struggling a bit, because Chinese consumers are a bit challenged right now.

But overall, this really supports Disney's idea to expand in Abu Dhabi, in this place in the world that has not yet reached a lot of their consumers,

especially as your piece mentioned, in India, there are so many people there who could take a shorter flight to Abu Dhabi than they could to

Shanghai or Hong Kong.

Now, the real question Becky is whether the existing infrastructure for the theme park tourism industry in Abu Dhabi in Dubai can support what Disney's

vision is. Josh D'Amaro told you that, you know he sees a potential 500 million visitors who could have the means to visit this park.

I spoke to a consultant who has worked with global companies developing theme parks for decades. He told me that he actually consulted with some

building in the Middle East years and years ago. He is a little bit concerned that some of them are just now maybe turning a profit, so we'll

have to see how Disney changes that game, Becky.

ANDERSON: It's going to be fascinating, but it's amazing news, not just for this region, but very specifically for the residents of Abu Dhabi. I can

tell you, this news has gone down amazingly well here, and will be a great story, like we say around the region as well. Thank you very much indeed

for joining us, Natasha.

Well, more on our breaking news when we come back, how the White House is reacting to the crisis unfolding between India and Pakistan. More on that

is after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Back to our top story this hour, Pakistan's Prime Minister says that the military has been authorized to take quote, corresponding action

after India carried out the deepest strikes inside Pakistani territory in over 50 years. Pakistan's military say the strikes killed at least 26

civilians, including kids.

U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to the news soon after the attacks unfolding -- unfolded, calling it a quote, shame. Well. CNN, Alayna Treene

at the White House. Alayna, what more are you hearing about the -- how the president might plan to handle this?

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yeah. Well, look, Becky, this is something that White House officials have been monitoring now for roughly

over two weeks.

[09:50:00]

And it was clear that they wanted Pakistan to cooperate with the investigation that India had initially launched into that terrible attack,

but they also made clear that they wanted India to respond in a responsible manner and not escalate this. And that's really what I'm hearing today, is

that the main goal for officials here in Washington is to try and find a way to stop this from becoming a full-on war, you know, with repercussions

that go beyond where things are now.

They really want to try to de-escalate this. And you sort of heard the president say some of that yesterday when he was in the Oval Office. As you

mentioned, he called it a shame. He said he had just heard about it. He said he guessed people knew -- I guess people knew something was going to

happen based on a little bit of the past you mentioned, this has been something that's been going on for a long time.

But I think the key question, of course, now is where, how much does the White House actually want to get involved? And I think that's something

that they're deliberating on behind the scenes. We also know that the president has a good relationship with India's Prime Minister, Modi.

Modi was actually at the White House in February. I think a key question now is, will the president call him up and try to talk about this with him

directly at the highest level? And the other person who's really crucial to all of this is Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who is now wearing, you

know, two hats on this double duty.

He's also National Security Adviser, and so he's really at the core of all of this. Now we did hear from him yesterday. He posted publicly about it.

He said, I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. I echo the president's comments earlier today that this hopefully ends

quickly and will continue to gage both India and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution.

So again, the goal here, I think, is to see how much they can try and contain this without getting overly involved at this stage, Becky.

ANDERSON: Alayna, good to have you. Thank you. Important story. Well, still to come, cardinals leaving mass at the Vatican earlier today, ahead of the

official start of their conclave to elect a new hope, day one. We'll bring a first round of voting, details on that, is up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANDERSON: Well less than an hour, 133 Catholic Cardinals will be sealed off inside Rome's Sistine Chapel in what's known as a conclave to choose a new

pope. Here they are earlier leaving mass ahead of their important task. Collectively, they are charged with picking who is best to lead 1.5 billion

Catholics worldwide.

[09:55:00]

On the eve of the conclave, Vatican officials took one of the traditional steps in the transition to a new pope they made void the fisherman's signet

ring and lead seal Pope Francis used during his 12-year pontificate. It's a tradition dating back centuries when the church needed to prevent letters

or papal decrees from being forged after the pope's death.

The ring was named after St. Peter, who was, of course, a fisherman. That's it for the first hour of "Connect the World". Taking a very short break.

Stay with us. Back with more after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END