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Connect the World
Zelenskyy Meeting European Leaders in London, Brussels; Syria Marks One Year Since Fall of Bashar Al-Assad's Regime; Al-Sharaa Denounces Israeli Attacks on Targets in Syria; Thailand Launches Air Strikes Against Cambodia; Suspect Arrested in Second Attack on Charlotte Light Rail; Prosecutors Release New Evidence in Luigi Mangione Case. Aired 9-10a ET
Aired December 08, 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)
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: A live look at the streets of the Syrian capital as people celebrate a full year without the Assad
regime. But what does the future of the war-torn country look like? It's 05:00 p.m. in Damascus, it's 06:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi. I'm Eleni
Giokos, and this is "Connect the World".
And also coming up on the show today, President Zelenskyy turning to Europe as the U.S. President again seems to blame Ukraine for lack of progress in
peace talks with Russia. Plus, one of the wars President Trump claims to have ended is heating up again, with Thailand launching air strikes against
Cambodia.
Right, all that more coming up. First, let's take a look at how the stock market futures are looking today, this Monday in New York. And as you can
see, it is all green. We've got the NASDAQ up three tenths of a percent and the DOW flat the two with a positive buy is really important.
You've got the Federal Reserve meeting later on this week. It is anticipated that we'll see a 25-basis point cut that coming up later this
week. In the meantime, right, let's start with our story and big show solidarity in Europe amid increasing signs that the U.S. President is
tilting towards Russia and his efforts to end the war.
Now, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently in London today, meeting with his European counterparts, the British French and
Germans as well. And will also head to Brussels to meet NATO and EU leaders, and this after President Donald Trump said, Mr. Zelenskyy hasn't
read the U.S. peace plan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: So, we've been speaking to President Putin, and we've been speaking to Ukrainian leaders,
including Zelenskyy, President Zelenskyy. And I have to say that I'm a little bit disappointed that President Zelenskyy hasn't yet read the
proposal that was as of a few hours ago. His people love it, but he hasn't.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: Right, those comments follow weekend talks in Florida between U.S. and Ukrainian officials with little progress reported. And the unveiling of
President Trump's new security strategy critical of Europe, which the Kremlin praise. We've got Clare Sebastian, standing by for us live at
Downing Street.
Clare, good to see you. What have we heard so far in terms of these meetings? And importantly, quite a show of solidarity by the Europeans
after those talks in Miami.
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. Eleni, I think that is, you know, at least half of the point here we saw a lot of sorts of warm hugs as they
walked into 10 Downing Street behind me, the President Zelenskyy in particular, receiving a very warm welcome from the UK Prime Minister Keir
Starmer.
Obviously, the Christmas tree creating a festive mood. But I have to say, that does not seem to have been replicated in the room. The press was
allowed in very briefly, as the four leaders sort of sat in a row and gave brief opening statements. And I think a couple of them at least let slip a
pretty bleak mood.
The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying, look, we stand with Ukraine in the pursuit of a just and lasting settlement if we get that far, which I
think is a tone that we haven't really heard from him before, and then Chancellor Merz of Germany came out, perhaps even stronger, saying that he
was skeptical of some of the details coming out in documents from the U.S. side.
So, I think that sort of let slip a very tense mood, a very nervous mood. Europe, of course, has been sidelined from these talks over the last 2.5
weeks that have involved on one track, the U.S. and Ukraine, and on the other track, the U.S. and Russia. So, the point I think of today is that
the Ukrainian team is going to brief the European on what's happened.
So far from their perspective, we did see Rustem Umerov, the lead negotiator on the Ukrainian side, walking behind President Zelenskyy. So,
they are going to get essentially, the finer details of what's been discussed so far, concretely, is anything going to come out of today?
It's not clear at this point. Obviously, the Europeans are being expected by the U.S. to stump up security guarantees for any post war settlement.
There's a big debate raging in Europe now about how to fund Ukraine through next year, especially when it comes to those frozen Russian assets, most of
which are parked in Europe.
So those are concrete details that could come up. But overall, I think this is a chance for Europe to show its support, to try to strengthen Ukraine,
as it's getting pressure, not only from Russia, of course, but from the U.S. President, as you showed there, and to try and show its solidarity as
well as of course, to get the update on what's happened in those talks, Eleni.
[09:05:00]
GIOKOS: All right. Clare Sebastian, thank you so much for that update now. Another story we're following, Syria is celebrating its first year free
from the oppression of Bashar al-Assad. Crowds have been gathering in Damascus and beyond to mark the anniversary, one year ago today.
Syrian rebels declared Damascus liberated after defeating Assad's army. And the longtime dictator fled, he was replaced by the rebel leader who remains
now in the presidency. Ahmed al-Sharaa says the new Syria is a nation of peace after years of civil war, and he's working to rebuild international
relations.
But at a conference in Doha, he told our Christiane Amanpour that Israeli attacks inside Syria are working against regional peace. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AHMED AL-SHARAA, SYRIAN PRESIDENT: I believe that since we arrived in Damascus, we sent positive messages regarding regional peace and stability.
And we've said very frankly that Syria will be a country of stability, and we are not concerned in being a country that exports conflict, including to
Israel.
However, in return, Israel has met us with extreme violence, and Syria has suffered massive violations of our airspace. And we've been victim of over
1000 air strikes and over 400 incursions, the last of which was the massacre that Israel committed in Beijing --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: Well, that deadly raid happened just over a week ago. Israel's military said it was looking for Lebanese militants who were planning an
attack. And you can see Christiane Amanpour's full interview with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa tonight at 06:00 p.m. in London, 09:00 p.m. in
Doha.
CNN's Nada Bashir joins us now discuss the important milestone for Syria and what comes next. Nada, great to see you the streets of Damascus. I
mean, frankly, some of the images we've been seeing filled with jubilation. It's one year on, and frankly, Al-Sharaa has been on a road show to try and
rally support to try and turn the economy around.
But I want you to give me a sense of how people are feeling. Syrians are feeling on this year, on this day, one year on.
NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well look, Eleni, this past year has marked a significant moment of hope for Syrians, not only those inside Syria, but
also those aboard as well a huge Syrian diaspora community, and today we have seen that reflected in these displays of celebration in Damascus.
And beyond across Syria, many gathering in the streets, in squares, to take part in the celebration to mark the anniversary, one year on since the
Former Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, the authoritarian regime leader whose family had led Syria for decades, marking one year since he fled
Syria following that rebel takeover, led by now President Ahmed al-Sharaa, of course, fleeing to Moscow after what had been years of conflict in
Syria.
And it's important, of course, to underscore and remind our viewers the scale of that conflict and the impact on the Syrian people. Hundreds of
thousands of people killed as a result of the brutality inflicted upon the Syrian people by President Bashar Al-Assad. Hundreds of thousands, millions
displaced, both internally displaced and displaced as refugees.
Many taking very dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean to escape the violence in Syria. So, as you can imagine, this is a significant moment of
celebration and hope for many in Syria. Many are hopeful for what there is to come, of course, in terms of the transition period that Syria is
undergoing at the moment.
We saw today, the President Ahmed al-Sharaa taking part and participating in morning prayers at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. There, he spoke to
worshipers, saying that he is determined to build a strong and just Syria in his words. He also took part in a military parade alongside senior
ministers throughout Damascus.
And we've seen these gatherings continuing throughout the day and expected to continue throughout the evening in Damascus and beyond. And of course,
it has been a turbulent year that has to be noted. We have seen bouts of sectarian violence -- On the whole, we have seen is a real transition
period, an effort by the new government to reforge international relations, to deepen ties with regional allies, including Turkey, including the Gulf
nations.
GIOKOS: Yeah.
BASHIR: And, of course, crucially strengthening those ties, or new ties, with the United States.
GIOKOS: All right. Nada Bashir, thank you so much for that update. Now, Hamas insists it's very open minded about what to do with its remaining
weapons, amid growing concerns that its fragile ceasefire with Israel could collapse. A senior Hamas official says the group is willing to discuss
freezing or storing its arms.
And that follows comments by Israel's Prime Minister on Sunday, who said his country is very close to advancing to the second phase of the U.S.
brokered ceasefire deal.
[09:10:00]
Benjamin Netanyahu is emphasizing. Saying that Israel's priority in the next phase of the plan is to, quote, disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza.
CNN's Jeremy Diamond is live in Tel Aviv for us. Jeremy, good to have you with us. So, Netanyahu saying that phase two could prove more difficult, or
at least as difficult as the first phase of the ceasefire.
Give us an idea of the timeline of the next move and what still needs to happen to get there?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we know that a lot still needs to be agreed to between these two sides, as the United States in particular,
has played a leading role in not only mediating the negotiations that led to this agreement, but also the ongoing discussions about how to get to
that next phase of this ceasefire deal.
We know, of course, that the United Nations has approved a resolution that would create this international stabilization force, although details about
which countries will be contributing troops and how many troops still remain publicly, at least unknown at this stage.
And the Israeli Prime Minister is making clear that he wants to have input on all of that, and that a lot of this is going to be decided and discussed
further when he travels to the United States later this month. Still a date has yet to actually be set, but he is expected to travel to the United
States later this month to meet with President Trump.
And on the table, of course, will be discussions about what exactly the disarming of Hamas actually looks like, and also the steps that Israel is
going to have to take, namely, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Israeli controlled parts of the Gaza Strip, where we expect that, that
international stabilization force will begin to take territory from the Israeli military in order to try and begin to create some Hamas free zones,
effectively, where Palestinian civilians could move to areas that are already starting to be rebuilt.
But of course, there are also other major questions about the governance of the Gaza Strip, with Hamas set to hand over power to a Palestinian
technocratic government, which would be overseen by this international board of peace. As you can hear me just discussing this.
I mean, there are so many different layers to the next phase of this agreement, and that's why we heard the Qatari Prime Minister over the
weekend, for example, noting the fact that what we have so far is really a temporary truce that could fall apart if the right decisions aren't made
going forward.
Calling this a critical moment in these negotiations. We understand that last week, the United States, Qatar and Israel held important meetings.
Israeli officials were also in the Egyptian capital of Cairo at the end of the week to talk about the last remaining hostage, the body of the last
remaining hostage that is still being held inside of Gaza, that will unlock the possibility of beginning to move to phase two.
All of this as Hamas is also talking about what it may be willing to do regarding that disarmament portion. We heard from the Hamas spokesman,
Basem Naim, who spoke to the Associated Press, saying that Hamas is willing to freeze or store its weapons. He also talked about the possibility of
laying them down.
But it seemed like he was talking about something that would be much more time limited. He said during quote, during the ceasefire time or truce, and
that is different from what is in this 20-point blueprint from the United States to lead to a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
As Basem Naim, that Hamas spokesman, said there are a lot of clarifications that are still required, that is certainly true, and all of this again,
still very much subject to ongoing negotiations and discussion that will be happening over the course of the next month.
GIOKOS: All right. Jeremy Diamond, thank you so much. And still ahead on "Connect the World", civilians flee as a fresh round of violence breaks out
between Thailand and Cambodia. So, what does this mean for the Trump brokered peace deal. Plus, new data out of the United States pointing to a
worrying trend in the immigration crackdown. We'll have both of the stories right after the short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:15:00]
GIOKOS: Thailand launched air strikes against Cambodia on Monday, as a new wave of fighting broke out between the Southeast Asian neighbors. People in
Thailand living near the border started to evacuate on Sunday. Officials in each country are blaming each other for the latest violence. Thailand's
Prime Minister had this to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANUTIN CHARNVIRAKUL, THAILAND PRIME MINISTER: Thailand has never wished to see violence by affirming that Thailand has never been the initiator or the
aggressor, but Thailand will not allow the violation of its sovereignty and will proceed reasonably and prudently, prioritizing the principles of
peace, security and humanity.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIOKOS: Well, the fighting comes just two months after peace deal was signed and witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump. CNN's Ivan Watson has
more.
IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Round of fighting between Thailand and Cambodia marks the potential unraveling of a peace
plan presided over by U.S. President Donald Trump, less than two months ago. Both Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of strikes along
their disputed border Monday morning, and of spreading fake news about the conflict.
A Thai military official says that their air strikes were retaliation for a Cambodian attack earlier on Monday that killed a Thai soldier. And Thailand
says it only targeted military infrastructure. Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense has denied those allegations, calling them false
information in a statement on X.
The Royal Thai Air Force says around 70 percent of Thai civilians have been evacuated from border towns. One civilian is reported to have died during
the evacuation due to a pre-existing medical condition. Winding back the clock a little, Thailand and Cambodia fought a five-day border conflict in
July that killed dozens of people and displaced about 200,000.
It was the deadliest violence in recent years stemming from a border dispute that goes back generations. The two countries agreed to an initial
ceasefire in July, after both the Thai and Cambodian leaders held calls with U.S. President Trump. An extended ceasefire declaration was signed in
late October on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.
It was witnessed by Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim. President Trump saw this as a major diplomatic victory, but on the ground,
tensions began to rise again within just a couple of weeks. And now, with the ceasefire on the verge of collapse, it's unclear whether the U.S.
President will again personally involve himself in this conflict. Ivan Watson, CNN, Hong Kong.
GIOKOS: Right, let's get you up to speed on some of the stories that are on our radar right now. A local news broadcaster in Nigeria is reporting that
the government has secured the release of 100 school children abducted last month from a Catholic boarding school.
More than 300 students and school staff were taken in the attack in Niger state. It's one of the country's worst, mask kidnappings. Officials in
India believe electrical fireworks sparks a fire at a nightclub that killed 25 people. It happened in resort village in Goa state. An Indian Minister
says most of those killed died of smoke inhalation after they tried to seek refuge in an underground kitchen.
A man has been arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina, after the second stabbing in four months on the city's light rail system. The suspect in the
latest incident, which left the victim in critical condition, is set to appear in court next hour.
[09:20:00]
It comes after Ukrainian refugee was killed in an attack on a train in August. Right, in New York, the man accused of the fatal shooting of United
Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson is scheduled to appear in court this hour for an ongoing pretrial hearing. Luigi Mangione is accused of gunning down
Thompson on a Manhattan sidewalk a year ago and has pleaded not guilty to state as well as federal charges.
Over the weekend, the New York County District Attorney's Office released new photos of evidence in the case. Defense attorneys are attempting to
toss out some of the potentially incriminating evidence ahead of Mangione's murder trial in today's hearing. CNN's Kara Scannell is following this
story for us from New York.
Kara, great to have you with us. This is a multi-day pretrial hearing for Luigi Mangione, and it was postponed on Friday after he called out sick.
What type of evidence are his attorneys attempting to throw out and why?
KARA SCANNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: His lawyers want to throw out some statements that he made to the police officers who arrested him at a
McDonalds about five hours outside of New York City, about five days after the alleged the shooting of the United Health Care CEO.
They also want to throw out any of the evidence that was collected in the search of a backpack that he had with him. And inside that backpack that
included a 3d printed gun ammunition and a red notebook with his alleged writings, that is what law enforcement has referred to as his manifesto.
So critical evidence to this investigation, and his lawyers are trying to get it thrown out. So, through the process of these hearings, though, we
have seen more evidence come out. And as you're seeing on the screen there, some of the photographs of what Luigi Mangione was wearing the day that he
was arrested, and what was also on him that day.
We also have heard, we've also have seen some of the full video of the shooting of the CEO, where it's -- I want to warn you, it's disturbing, but
you see, after the gunman shoots the CEO, he slowly walks past him and looks at him on the ground before crossing the street. Then you can see it
up there on the screen.
Now, it kind of gives you a sense of these are the early hour mornings in midtown Manhattan, and it shows, kind of the sense of calm of what happened
there, that of course, launched a nationwide manhunt. And then we next heard from some of the law enforcement officers and the 911 dispatchers in
Altoona, Pennsylvania, where, five days later they received a 911 call from the manager of a McDonalds after customers thought they saw the alleged
shooter. We have that call. So, let's take a listen to it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have a customer here that some other customers were suspicious of, that he looks like the CEO shooter from New York. They're
just really upset and they're like coming to me, and I was like, well, I can't approach him, you know.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, of course not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCANNELL: And you can hear there that it's also a very casual tone. People did not think it would actually be the alleged shooter. We also then heard
testimony from the responding officer, an Altoona Police Department officer. And he testified that when he walked in, he saw the man matching
the description in a corner table in the McDonalds approached him.
The man was wearing a beanie and a medical mask. Asked him to lower his mask, and the officer said at that moment he knew with 100 percent
confidence that it was the person that was suspected of shooting the CEO. So, we then also saw all this body cam footage, which has not been made
public, in part because it does have the statements that Mangione made to the officers.
And that is something the judge has not yet ruled on whether that can come in or if that will get thrown out. We also have seen some of those images
and materials that he had on him, including a to do list. And on that very day, December 9th of last year, it said that he was doing an Intel check
in. And also on that list, it said, survival kit, Eleni.
GIOKOS: All right. Kara Scannell, thank you so much for that update. And now turning to troubling new data out of the United States, which shows
nearly 75,000 people with no criminal record have been detained by immigration and customs enforcement since President Trump took office.
Those numbers coming from the data deportation project, a group associated with the University of California, Berkeley. CNN's Priscilla Alvarez spoke
to my colleague Kate Baldwin a short time ago.
PRISCILLA ALVAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This data really backs up what we have been hearing anecdotally from attorneys as well as advocates who have
worked with a lot of those immigrants who have been detained by immigration and customs enforcement and by U.S. Border Patrol over the last several
months.
And in many of these cases, there had not been criminal records. Yes, these were people who were in the United States illegally, but they did not fall
into the categories that the administration has repeatedly talked about, about national security and public safety threats just based on their
record.
[09:25:00]
So, this data, again, shows that of the 220,000 arrests that have happened in these last nine months, nearly 75,000 people had no criminal records.
This is, according to the data deportation project, which, as you mentioned, is a group associated with U.S. Berkeley Law School.
Earlier this summer, though we had been seeing similar data crop up. That is that less than 10 percent of immigrants taken into custody since this
was October 2024 had any serious criminal convictions. So, this has been a trend that we have been seeing over the last several months.
That is that many of those taken in don't have these criminal records. Now, Tom Homan, the White House border czar, was asked about ongoing operations,
including the one happening in Minneapolis, targeting undocumented, Somali immigrants, and who exactly they're targeting. And this is what he had to
say. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM HOMAN, WHITE HOUSE BORDER CZAR: We're looking for public safety threats, national security threats and illegal aliens. Nothing's changed,
Dana, from day one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ALVAREZ: Now this is something that I have also been hearing from my sources. Again, they continue and maintain that those that they are
targeting are public safety, national security threats. But that doesn't mean that if they are targeting someone who is a threat, that they won't
also take those around them.
Those are called those, quote, collateral arrests, and those can be people who are here undocumented, but may now have a record. We also see this with
the U.S. border patrol operations in places like Chicago, Charlotte and now New Orleans. As they do these sweeps, they may just take people in based on
reasonable suspicion.
This all goes to show what we have been hearing in many of these incidents, which is that people across the board who are undocumented in the United
States are being taken in by federal immigration authorities and face deportation in many of these cases. And in other cases, are still trying to
work through the immigration process while they are in detention is just overwhelming, with around 66,000 people in detention now.
GIOKOS: All right. Priscilla Alvarez there, giving us an update. You're watching "Connect the World". There's more news right after this. Stick
with CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GIOKOS: Welcome back. I'm Eleni Giokos Abu Dhabi, and you're watching "Connect the World". Right, we're a few seconds away from the start of
trade in New York. And futures were showing us that we were going towards a positive opening. It is, we're anticipating the last decision from the
Federal Reserve.
Quarter of the pace is point cut later on this week. And of course, a lot of anticipation on how that's going to drive markets going forward. And
there you go.
[09:30:00]
Start of trade in New York. All right, we've got 15 seconds to go. And as we head firmly into the last month of the year, it's been quite volatile
over the past few weeks. All right, so markets just kicking off for the start of the week, and checking in on those early numbers, the DOW JONES is
battling to find a bit of direction.
I'm not sure if those are -- Can we just get a refresh? Because that's showing that the DOW is up. OK, so, it's flat with a negative bias, from
what I can tell. But pre-market trade, we were seeing a bit of lack of direction on the DOW. Again, market participants are really waiting for a
little bit more information later on this week.
And of course, forecast by the Federal Reserve are going to be very pertinent in terms of understanding the strength of the U.S. economy and
the strength, of course, of the consumer, as we are starting to get quite concerned on the cost of living in the United States. All right, in the
meantime, I want to give you some breaking news here at CNN.
Paramount is launching a hostile bid to buy Warner Brothers Discovery after WBD accepted a bid by Netflix for part of the company. Paramount has made
an all-cash offer to directly to Warner Brothers shareholders. Now Warner Brothers Discovery is the parent company of CNN.
We've got Brian Stelter with us. This news, Brian, just coming in to CNN. And it seems that the bid and the efforts to try and get their hands on
Warner Brothers Discovery has now turned hostile. Take me through what we know.
BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Yes, how valuable is Warner Brothers Discovery? That's the big question on the table, and we're seeing
the stock market react and answer that question in real time. Warner Brothers Discovery owns CNN and HBO and Warner Brothers.
And Netflix is trying to buy only the entertainment assets the movie studio, the streaming service, Paramount, however, is swinging in with a
counter offer for all of the company. And that's what Paramount has been trying to do all along, trying to buy the entire company all at once,
trying to preempt other bidders.
Paramount started trying to do this a couple of months ago. That's what kicked off the bidding war involving Netflix and Comcast. Netflix
ultimately won that bidding war last week with Warner Brothers Discovery choosing to enter into a contractual deal with Netflix to move forward.
Of course, that's going to take at least a year to consummate, but now you have Paramount coming back with a serious counter offer, offering $30 per
share all cash, and arguing to shareholders that this is a better way for them to make their money. Now here's Paramount CEO David Ellison, moments
ago, making his pitch directly to investors.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID ELLISON, CEO OF PARAMOUNT: Again, I think the most important thing to go back here is, look, we're sitting on Wall Street where cash is still
king. We are offering shareholders $17.6 billion more cash than the deal they currently have signed up with Netflix.
And we believe when they see what is currently in our offer, that that's what they'll vote for.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STELTER: Some investors agreeing with them at this point this morning, WB shares opening more than 5 percent higher than they closed on Friday,
nearing that $30 level that Paramount is offering. Now the Paramount shares apparently also up in the first few minutes of trading.
Netflix basically flat. And Netflix spokesperson has told me they're not going to have any response to this hostile takeover bid from Paramount. You
know, if you're Netflix, and you've won this bidding war, you're going to try to move forward. But now that you have another company making a public
bid directly to shareholders.
This is going to be a very public, very dramatic tug of war over the future of this media empire.
GIOKOS: Yeah. Yeah, and exactly that. When we've seen this before with corporates, it can result in quite a big bidding war. Brian Stelter, thank
you so much for that update. Good to have you on.
STELTER: Yeah.
GIOKOS: We're going to very short break. We'll be back right after this. Stick with CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:35:00]
GIOKOS: Right, sports fans and celebrities descended upon Abu Dhabi this past weekend for the finale of The Formula One season, and what a finish it
was for Britain's Lando Norris, the 26-year-old, took his first Bull Drivers Championship. But events like this aren't just about great sport,
they're also big business.
Ethara is the events company behind the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it estimates 203,000 spectators came to the weekends F1 races. I was one of them.
Ethara's CEO spoke to CNN's Becky Anderson about the economic impacts beyond the race track.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAIF RASHID AL NOAIMI, CEO OF ETHARA: This year, based on hotel rates that have come up, based on ticket prices, we're projecting to exceed 1.4
billion dirhams so far.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN ANCHOR, CONNECT THE WORLD: So, 121 -- 1.24 to 1.4 that's significant growth. Talk to me about the wider opportunity, the
value proposition in purchasing. And let's be frank, these tickets aren't cheap. What is the value proposition for a punter, as it were, you know,
coming to Abu Dhabi to see the race.
NOAIMI: So, a big part of our value proposition is it's not just the race, it's a whole week of activities in Abu Dhabi. And this year it's no
exception. We have, you know, the four after race concerts headline artists. We've had 100 Grammy Award winning artists perform after race
concerts.
We have all of the attractions on Yas Island. It's included in your ticket price going to one of the amazing theme parks that we have on Yas Island.
We have new editions, the museums, the Louvre Museum. But this year, for the first time, the Zayed National Museum, that just opened its doors, the
Natural History Museum has a new inclusion as well.
So, if you take the value of going just to these different attractions, which are included for every ticket holder on its own, that's 2200 dirhams
of extra value that every three-day Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holder gets.
ANDERSON: This is the 17th year of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Can you just reflect for a moment on the journey, if you will?
NOAIMI: It's been phenomenal. I mean, 16 editions already delivered year on year, we've seen an improvement in international tourism. Like I said, 70
percent coming to the UAE. Last year out of that, 70 percent 50 percent it was their first time visiting Abu Dhabi.
And these are individuals, when asked in our survey, said, we will come back. We want to see more of Abu Dhabi. We love what you have to offer. So,
the journey has been amazing. We're seeing the value of that, and we're seeing a lot of inbound tourism coming to the Grand Prix.
The other thing is, in terms of corporate business partnerships, this year, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has a record 15 partners that are involved in
delivering the event. Obviously, Etihad Airways has been our title sponsor since the beginning, but we have a record number of founding partners and
event supporters in 2025.
ANDERSON: So, let's talk about 2026. Tell me what's coming up, both with the Grand Prix and with the wider business.
NOAIMI: So, Formula One has new rules in 2026. So, the car is going to be completely different. We don't know what it's going to -- what the results
are going to look like. We don't know what teams are going to be ahead. But there's no doubt. In previous years, when there's been a change in the
rules, things have mixed up.
And you know, you'll see throughout the first season, some teams will catch up very quickly. So, we're expecting a very exciting season in 2026. And
we're also going to be launching our tickets for 2026 very soon.
[09:40:00]
ANDERSON: 16 years this being the 17th Grand Prix that you are now responsible of course so to deliver, when you think back, I know you
haven't been involved in the same role over that period of time, but when you think back and reflect on that journey. Personally, what's been the
most exciting moment for you? Is there one single moment that you look back and go, God, this was brilliant?
NOAIMI: I mean, there's so many moments to be honest, but walking around the fan zones, seeing the shift in the audience has been tremendous.
ANDERSON: What do you mean by that?
NOAIMI: When you walk around now, you'll see a lot more females. You'll see a much younger audience, a much younger demographic, and they are super
passionate about the sports. And you know, they're all wearing their merchandise. They're supporting one of the teams or one of the drivers.
And seeing that transition and the shift in the demographic in Formula One sports has been a tremendous journey, and to witness it, the audience is
much bigger. It's much more diverse, and yes, it's a really exciting time for the sport.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GIOKOS: Breaking news coming through right now. This is out of Japan. A tsunami warning has been issued for parts of the East Coast after a
magnitude 7.6 on the Richter scale struck off the coast. More on this breaking news, we've got a short break, and we'll bring you more
information as we get it. Stay with CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GIOKOS: Right. We have breaking news for you out of Japan. A tsunami warming has been issued for parts of the East Coast. And that's after a
magnitude of 7.6 earthquake struck off the coast. I want to go straight to our Hanako Montgomery for an update 7.6 magnitude earthquake.
[09:45:00]
You've got this tsunami warning that has been issued. What is happening on the ground, Hanako?
HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, Eleni, as you just mentioned, a tsunami warning has been issued for parts of Northern Japan and in some
parts of the country, these waves could reach up to three meters in height. Now that's pretty significant.
Even you know a few centimeters of the tsunami can be deathly. So, the Japanese government right now is warning citizens living in parts of
Northern Japan to evacuate to higher ground to get to safety, as the waves are encroaching onto the Japanese coast.
Now, Eleni, as you mentioned, you know, this is a 7.6 magnitude earthquake. It had a depth of about 50 kilometers, and this is a huge magnitude when it
comes to earthquakes. And we have seen videos on Japanese social media where users are sharing their room, getting -- filled by the earthquake,
things falling down in their bedrooms.
And many people are extremely shocked to see such a huge, huge jolt in the country. Now I myself, Eleni, was actually getting ready for bed. I was in
my pajamas when this earthquake hit, and I can tell you that this earthquake was so large.
GIOKOS: Yeah.
MONTGOMERY: It was even felt here in Tokyo, and my bedroom was shaking for at least 30 seconds, and the earthquake felt very long, which can also be
frightening for many individuals who are just wondering when the shaking will actually stop. So, you can only imagine how terrifying people in
Northern Japan must feel at the moment.
GIOKOS: Yeah, I mean, exactly. We've got the map up and we can see where the epicenter is, basically Northern Japan. The tsunami warning coming
through on the impact coming from the eastern parts. And I see how far Tokyo is away from the epicenter of the 7.6 magnitude quake, Hanako.
You know, you've actually seen earthquakes in the past month in Japan. Tsunami warnings given and then lifted. Give me a sense of how people are
preparing as of course, there is anticipation where you see more earthquakes after the initial one.
MONTGOMERY: Yeah, absolutely so after a tsunami warning or advisory is issued in Japan, individuals who live near the coast are expected to get to
higher ground. Now, most people in Japan do have an emergency bag, and that will usually be just a book bag filled with necessity.
So, they can be warm clothing, it can be emergency food, it can be water, also toilets, emergency toilets, really anything that one might need if
they're evacuating at a school, for example, somewhere that they might need to shelter because they can't actually stay at home.
Now, once they have their go bag, they are then expected to get to higher ground. Now, when it comes to tsunami, Eleni, I mean, the thing that the
Japanese government really stresses that no matter how small the wave, it can be deadly. So, it is really, really key, especially before the tsunamis
actually hits the Coast of Japan, for people to actually get to higher ground so that they can evacuate in time.
I mean, one potentially positive thing about tsunamis is that there is a bit of a delay after an earthquake hits, and the tsunami waves will usually
come a few minutes after that initial earthquake. So, people do have time to evacuate. They have time to get their things and just go.
So, what the Japanese government really stresses to people in events like this is just to leave their home and get what they need, to shelter at a
different location and just get to higher ground and wait for more government advisories. Wait for more government information about
potentially where they might have to go next, or potentially if they can go home if, for example, the tsunami advisory is listed.
GIOKOS: Yeah, you know, are we anticipating? Have they given any information about potential aftershocks, given the experience in Japan?
Authority is always very vigilant of what comes next.
MONTGOMERY: Yeah, I mean, with earthquakes, Eleni, I mean, most earthquakes do have aftershocks, and that can be potentially just as powerful,
potentially just as fatal as that initial shock. In fact, last year in 2024 over the summer, we saw a huge, mega quick advisory being issued in Japan,
and then a few days afterwards, we saw a massive after shock as well.
So, aftershocks are commonplace. They are part of the experience of living in Japan, and individuals living in this country are expected to prepare
for this aftershock as well. And Eleni, I just want to flag here that we are getting information that some of the tsunami heights are going to be
measuring three meters high, and this is for parts of the Hokkaido Pacific Coast.
[09:50:00]
So, Hokkaido is the northernmost part of the country, and then also potentially Aomori Pacific Coast, and Iwate prefectures. So those are three
prefectures up in the north of Japan, and where, of course, the epicenter of this earthquake was there, very close to.
GIOKOS: Yeah, just give me, Hanako, just repeat that. We're talking about the height of the waves?
MONTGOMERY: Yes, three meters high for parts of Northern Japan.
GIOKOS: Yeah.
MONTGOMERY: So that includes parts of Hokkaido, which is the northernmost part, the northernmost Prefecture of Japan, also Aomori Pacific Coast and
Iwate prefecture. Now for Japan, they have different tsunami advisories based on how high the tsunami waves actually are and when the tsunami waves
will measure about a meter in height.
The Japanese government issues a tsunami advisory, but that, of course, is upgraded to a tsunami warning when the waves are expected to be even
higher. So, in this case, for those three prefectures in Japan, we are expecting higher tsunami warnings. Of course, those meters, those waves are
expected to be three meters in height.
GIOKOS: Yeah, and just Hanako, give me a sense of whether you've heard any information about any damage done to buildings. And, of course, how people
have been affected?
MONTGOMERY: Yeah, I think the way it's a bit hard to tell the extent of damage at the moment.
GIOKOS: Yeah.
MONTGOMERY: Given that also it is nearing 12:00 a.m. to nearing midnight here in Japan. So, for many people, they of course, will be at home this,
you know, it's a Monday night here in Japan, so many people will have gotten to bed getting ready for Tuesday, a work day for many here.
So, we can expect more updates about the extent of damage in the coming, minutes, even hours, potentially. But of course, just, you know, looking at
social media, just looking at messages that I'm receiving from my friends, my family members. I mean, this was a massive earthquake, and of course,
there is significant concern about just the extent of damage that could ensue, especially given those tsunamis warnings have been issued for parts
of Northern Japan.
GIOKOS: Yeah. I mean, it's absolutely scary, because 7.6 is a big earthquake. It is very significant. You've got this tsunami warning, and as
Hanako says, three-meter wave height, and also just looking, you know, through social media, to get a sense. I mean, you were explaining that you
even felt it Hanako, as far as Tokyo.
You know, and at this point, when you see the way that authorities respond and react, obviously, major caution is taken. Give me a little bit of an
idea and a picture of how people close to the epicenter will be preparing at this moment as this tsunami warning comes into effect.
MONTGOMERY: Yeah, absolutely. So, individuals and people living in parts of Northern Japan where this epicenter is very close to will likely now be
getting their emergency go bag, and most households in Japan do have at least one emergency go bag. This is really a piece of advice that the
Japanese government has a long issue for people living in this country, which is, of course, very prone to natural disasters.
Now, the next thing that people would be doing is evacuating their homes, especially if they live close to the coast, or if they live in low ground.
So usually, they'll get to higher ground that might be potentially a hill next to their home. It could also mean potentially, for example, school
grounds.
Now normally in towns and cities across Japan, there will be government designated evacuation spots. And these are places where people have to go,
or people are advised to go in the event of an emergency. And this is really to help them get the resources that they need, because usually
relief workers will hand out any materials or hand out any, you know, water, food to individuals at these evacuation centers.
It's also a good way to get information from local authorities about their next steps. And again, it's a good place to shelter. So, if individuals
living in parts of Northern Japan don't have higher ground to go to near their homes, then they might be going to these evacuation centers.
And again, that can be local schools, that can be a park. It can also just be a public space where people gather and away more information about what
they can do in the coming hours. And Eleni, I do want to just stress here that for people living in Japan, of course, natural disasters are part of
daily life.
GIOKOS: Yeah.
MONTGOMERY: There is an earthquake at least every day in Japan.
[09:55:00]
It's a very small earthquake potentially, but earthquakes are very commonplace. So, people are used to dealing with this type of disaster, but
it is, of course, very frightening.
GIOKOS: Yeah. Exactly, and Japan does sits on those four major tectonic plates. So, it's something, I guess, that you know that could happen. You
know, Hanako, you mentioned you felt it in Tokyo and you were about to go to bed. And I'm sure it must have been such a jolt, not only for you, but
I'm thinking of the people close to the epicenter as well. How did you feel in that moment, Hanako?
MONTGOMERY: Yeah, of course, I mean, you know, given our work as journalists, Eleni, my first thought was, oh, what's going to happen with
Northern Japan. How are people feeling there? But I can tell you, you know, as I mentioned earlier, I was just getting ready for bed, I was reading my
book, and then I felt just a minor shaking at first.
I could see my lamp overhead. I land in my bedroom, start to shake, and then the earthquake got bigger.
GIOKOS: Yeah.
MONTGOMERY: I could actually feel my apartment building shaping more and more. I do live on the seventh floor, so that usually means we do feel
summers a bit more.
GIOKOS: OK.
MONTGOMERY: But again, the earthquake felt very long. I can say I wasn't measuring, but it was definitely over 30 seconds long. So, after that, I
went into my living room, I just held any materials that were easy to break, and then waited for more information.
GIOKOS: Yeah. All right, Hanako, thank you so much for that update this 7.6 earthquake in Japan. We'll bring you more on this breaking news story right
after the short break. Stick with CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
