Return to Transcripts main page

NEWS STREAM

Uber Facing Pressure From Governments; Pentagon Claims Russia Targeting U.S.-backed Rebels; Mui Thomas Fights Cyber Bullying; Nepal Faces Fuel Shortage. Aired 8:00a-9:00a ET

Aired October 1, 2015 - 08:00:00   ET

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


[08:00:10] KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. And welcome to News Stream.

Now Russia launches a fresh round of airstrikes in Syria, claiming it has hit four ISIS facilities.

Uber under pressure: the car service faces restrictions in two of the world's biggest cities.

And the U.S. prepares for the possible arrival of Hurricane Joaquin as the major storm threatens to collide with the east coast.

The Russian defense ministry says it has carried out a series of new airstrikes in Syria, hitting ISIS targets. Now Moscow insists the campaign

helps the Syrian military fight ISIS and other terror groups.

But critics say Russia has targeted Syrian opposition fighters, including some backed by the United States. And now the Russian defense ministry

says it has hit ISIS facilities in Hama (ph), Homs and now Idlib.

Now the U.S.-led coalition also flies missions over Syria and coordination is key. U.S. and Russian military officials could meet as soon as Thursday

to discuss that.

Now, we expect to hear from the Syrian ambassador to Russia at any moment. Matthew Chance is attending that news conference. He joins us now live.

And Matthew, Russia has carried out new airstrikes in Syria. What exactly is it targeting?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, well, according to the Russian defense ministry, and they've released a video of these strikes

taking place, there were four facilities struck overnight by Russian warplanes in Syria. They're described by the Russian defense ministry as

ISIS facilities, specifically -- it's written in this statement I've got in front of me here -- specifically an ammunition dump near Idlib, the

headquarters of ISIS, or a headquarters of ISIS in Hamaa province, and various other facilities as well that have been hit in these latest series

of airstrikes, according to the Russian defense ministry.

Now, as you mentioned, there is some confusion over whether it is just ISIS that is being targeted by the Russian military on this date two of their

air campaign in the skies over Syria, a number of other rebel groups may also have been targeted, opponents of the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad.

It's interesting, because the defense ministry is sticking to this idea -- or this line that it's Islamic State they're focusing on, but other aspects

of the Russian establishment are sort of being more nuanced about it. The Russian foreign minister, for instance, basically saying that the Syrian

government have requested Russian assistance in targeting not just ISIS, but other groups as well.

Take a listen to what Sergey Lavrov had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SERGEY LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): Our answer is honest and frank. President Putin and our other official

representatives have said repeatedly that at the request of the Syrian government we're helping them to fight ISIS and other terrorist groups.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHANCE: That's the sort of concern, the matter of concern for many western countries, the fact that these other terrorist groups are also being

targeted not just Islamic State.

Separately, there's going to be some coordination, very shortly, we're hearing, between U.S. and Russian militaries to make sure they don't come

into any unwanted contact with each other in the skies over Syria. But again, you know, something that the United States is not going to like, the

Kremlin releasing a statement to reporters earlier today saying that we already are coordinating in Syria, we're coordinating at targets with the

Syrian army. And so this is what the Russians are clearly doing backing up the Syrian army as much as possible not just against ISIS, but by other

opponents of the regime as well.

LU STOUT: Yeah, there's international concern about Russia's intent here. I'm also interested in concern inside Russia. I mean, this could be an

open-ended battle for Russia. So what do the people of Russia make of it?

CHANCE: Yeah, it's an interesting question, because there is a great -- and we sometime neglect this in the media -- there is a great deal of

sensitivity in Russia about the idea of Russian forces being used overseas and being involved in combat operations overseas. They had a very bad

experience in the late-1970s in Afghanistan. Thousands of Russian soldiers, or Soviet soldiers as they were back then, lost their lives. It

kind of traumatized a nation in the same way that Vietnam did to a certain extent in the United States.

And so there is -- there are these sensitivities there.

A recent opinion poll that I saw yesterday conducted by the Lavada Center (ph), which is an independent polling body, said that only something like 4

percent of the Russian population were in favor of military action by Russia. So it's not necessarily something that's popular domestically,

politically here in Russia, but it's something the Russian government obviously feels very strongly about. It has made it a priority to back

both politically and militarily now the Syrian government of Bashar al- Assad.

[08:05:42] LU STOUT: All right, Matthew Chance reporting live for us from Moscow. Many thanks indeed for that.

Now, the U.S. has promised to increase coalition airstrikes against ISIS in Syria. And the same coalition is also trying to combat ISIS in Iraq.

Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi says Russia would be welcome to join the fight against ISIS in his country.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAIDER AL-ABADI, IRAQI PRIME MINISTER: Well, of course it is beneficial. Forget Iraq was attacked from across the Syrian border into Iraq by Daesh,

by ISIL. And that cost us a lot of human costs in terms of people killed, people being kidnapped, people being enslaved, women, children. So, any

joining of this fight against Daesh by anyone we very much welcome.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Now, the Iraqi prime minister also says Russia should join the U.S.-led coalition.

Now, Arwa Damon is following developments from Istanbul. She joins me now. And Arwa, first, what impact will Russian airstrikes have on the civil war

in Syria?

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we've been speaking to a number of activists who are in touch with various different rebel groups

and all of them are quite shocked and dismayed to say the least, because as they have been pointing out, and as we also have been reporting, these

areas that the Russians are hitting are not necessarily ISIS strongholds. You were talking about how they were striking Idlib and near Idlib. ISIS

was driven out of these quite some time ago.

And what they do view this as being a gamechanger from their perspective. And in that sense, a gamechanger that is going to tip the balance very

significantly towards the Assad regime. And there are great fears that if the Russians do continue this level of intensity of airstrikes, do continue

targeting these various key rebel and opposition positions, Assad's forces are then going to be able to go in and regain key territory.

The other issues also for a lot of those who are involved in this, and especially the Syrian population that is still suffering from Assad's

barrel bombs on a daily basis, those rebel fighters and those who were just caught in the middle is this impression at this stage, Kristie, that is

being put forward that when Russia decides to back someone, i.e. the Assad regime, it does so with true force, whereas when the Americans come in --

sure they'll launch a few airstrikes against ISIS positions, they don't really change the dynamics of the battlefield. But they aren't really

standing behind who they claim to be their true allies and that is the Syrian opposition.

LU STOUT: Arwa Damon reporting for us.

Now, Syria's ambassador to Russia is talking about those airstrikes right now in Moscow, let's go there live. Let's listen in.

(SYRIAN AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA PRESS CONFERENCE)

[08:24:08] LU STOUT: Live from Moscow, that was Syria's ambassador to Russia addressing Russia's airstrikes in his country and emphasizing the

legality of those strikes. Riad Haddad. he reiterated that the airstrikes happened after the request was made by the President of Syria Bashar al-

Assad. And he added that the airstrikes are in accordance with international law.

Now Syrian ambassador also said that the Russian airstrikes are targeting ISIS as well as al Qaeda. And he addressed what he called a media war with

Syria saying, quote, that the whole world has been convinced that Syria is the international terrorist.

Now earlier we heard from the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov who said Russia is targeting ISIS and other groups with its airstrikes, now on

day two, happening right now in Syria.

Now meanwhile, in northern Afghanistan security forces say that they have retaken most of Kunduz, but skirmishes continue as it tried to push back

the Taliban. Now, local police spokesman says the government is in control of key positions and main roads in the city, but the Taliban claimed they

are gaining ground.

Meanwhile, in the Afghan capital of Kabul, hundreds of people took to the streets. The marches were held to protest against the Taliban.

Now for the latest, our international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson joins us now live from London. And Nic, Afghan forces say that they have

regained control of Kunduz from the Taliban. Have they?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, it's a changing feature. It seems that earlier in the day what we were hearing from the

government was indeed accurate, that they've taken control of the main streets, that main roundable, that sort of widely regarded as the sort of

hub of the city. And if you take that, then you've taken the city.

The government has said that there was still Taliban hiding out in Houses, that they were getting in gunfights with them, that some of the houses were

booby trapped by the Taliban, but what we've been learning more recently, and this is from a resident in the city, he says that around about the

middle of the day the government forces pulled back from the city of Kunduz to the airport on the edge of the city, which is where they'd come in from

the night before. And now he said he can hear gunfire going on around the airport.

And that does seem to fit with what the Taliban are claiming, which is that they're making -- they're pushing the government back and they're attacking

them around the airport. So really it seems we've got an ebb and a flow. The government coming in, the government being pushed back.

While all that's been going on, the president of Afghanistan has had a video conference with his commanders close to the front line and one of

their military headquarters.

He's been assured by those military commanders that the civilians are being taken care of. The president also said that civilians should be taken care

of. Of course that is key here, because fundamental for Taliban getting into the city so quickly was a dissatisfaction to some degree with the

government. The government has got to be careful when it fights. They're not to upset the civilian population more. There's been a lot of civilian

casualties, in the hundreds we've heard so far.

But, you know, part of -- part of that picture as well from the government is we've also heard the president saying he's going to send a team in there

to assess what happened. And there will be punishments for those military forces who deserted their posts on Monday and ran away in the face of the

Taliban, Kristie.

LU STOUT: Civilians caught up in the battle. You mention the ebb and flow of very fluid situation in Kunduz. Nic Robertson reporting. Thank you.

Now, Nepal faces a severe fuel crisis that is worsening by the day. And the nation says it is India's fault. As Ravi Agrawal reports, it all

started with political change.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAVI AGRAWAL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It all began with this, a new constitution for Nepal. Celebrations in parliament. And of course on

the streets.

For many Nepalese, they were finally a sovereign nation in the true sense of the word. But all was not well.

Some of Nepal's ethnic minorities said the constitution wasn't inclusive enough. They protested. Most of those minorities, seen as being

culturally close to India.

And then this, hundreds of fuel tankers and goods trucks not crossing into Nepal from India. Kathmandu calls it a trade blockade, vengeance of sorts

from New Delhi.

Nepalese are angry. Whatever the diplomatic wrangling, they are suffering. Transport has been hit. The state won't sell fuel for private vehicles.

Even airlines being told to carry enough fuel for a trip back across the border.

Nepal says it could run out of fuel in less than a fortnight.

It's a landlocked country sandwiched between India and China and it gets 100 percent of its fuel from India.

No fuel is bad, even in a good time. But for a country rebuilding after two devastating earthquakes this year, the timing couldn't be worse.

India says the problem lies with Nepal, pointing to obstructions on the border and weeks of internal protests that have New Delhi worried about the

safety of its truckers. Either way, Nepal's worst year in living memory has just gotten worse.

Ravi Agrawal, CNN, New Delhi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: You're watching News Stream. And coming up, Russia launches new airstrikes in Syria. It says it's targeting ISIS and other terrorists, but

that has the coalition concerned. Up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:32:05] LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching News Stream. And these are your world headlines.

Now the Russian defense ministry says it has carried out a series of new airstrikes in Syria. It says they hit four ISIS facilities, including an

ammunition dump near Idlib and a headquarters in Hamaa. Now Russian officials say the strikes are to help the Syrian military fight ISIS and

other terror groups, but the U.S. and opposition groups say that they have targeted Syrian opposition fighters.

Afghan officials say most of the city of Kunduz is back under government control. The police say security forces are still driving Taliban fighters

out of some areas. Now the Taliban claimed that they have gained ground since the government's advance.

Hurricane Joaquin is lashing the Bahamas. It is now a category three storm and it's expected to get even stronger. Now the eastern United States is

bracing for its arrival, but projections of where it's headed remain uncertain.

Now several major drug cartel kingpins are in the U.S. after being extradited by the Mexican government. They say the suspects include a

brutal leader named Edgar Valdez, better known as La Barbie. And Jean- Baptiste Kingery, an American who supplied weapons to cartels.

Now we want to keep our focus now on those new Russian airstrikes in Syria. Now Barbara Starr has the very latest from the Pentagon. She joins us now

live.

And Barbara, the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov says Russian airstrikes are targeting ISIS and other groups, does that include U.S.-

backed rebel groups in Syria?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, indeed it may. There is a lot of information out there. Senator John McCain, one of the most

senior members of the United States Senate a short time ago saying that he's convinced that the Russian strikes did strike an area of U.S.-backed

rebels.

This is one of the big issues, Kristie, the U.S. is concerned. If Russia is striking these rebels, these are the rebels that are fighting the Assad

regime, the Russian strikes could therefore help prop up Assad and that is not what the U.S. wants to see. The U.S. pressing Russia to live up to its

word to strike ISIS targets.

We will have to see how that goes. It'll be later today that we may learn more about that and may learn more about what will happen with a U.S.-

Russian planned meeting for both militaries to sit down and talk about how they can both operate safely in the skies over Syria -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: Looking forward to getting more clarity on that planned meeting. Barbara Starr reporting live from the Pentagon, thank you.

Now, Uber may be popular, may be convenient, but the new competitor for taxis is running into all sorts of obstacles in Europe.

Now right now in London, the ride sharing service faces new regulations that create more red tape. Now the rules include a five minute wait before

passengers can start their trips after booking. Another proposed restriction would bar the company from displaying driver availability on

its smartphone app.

Now Uber supporters in London have launched a petition against the new rules. It already has tens of thousands of signatures.

Now, this latest challenge in London is just one of the many that Uber has faced around the world. It says that it's operating in all of these places

highlighted here on the map, around 60 countries in all. But Uber has faced legal challenges in almost a third of the countries it operates in.

In fact, on Thursday it was banned in Rio de Janeiro, the next host of the summer games in 2016.

Now you're watching News Stream. And still to come, born with a rare skin condition, but overcoming adversity: one Hong Kong woman is raising

awareness and rising above despite cyber bullying and ignorance. Her story is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:37:27] LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now I want to share with you the inspiring story of a young woman here in Hong Kong.

Now Mui Thomas suffers from a rare genetic condition that makes her skin red and raw. And her appearance has made her a target. Cyber bullies

drove her to the brink of suicide. But now she's trying to educate people about the challenges she and so many others face.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MUI THOMAS: In an ideal world, I would like people to maybe not stare, maybe not freak out and run away from me, because then that helps me and

hopefuly other people who look different, hopefully help them to realize that they are a member of society.

LU STOUT; Abandoned at birth, bullied at school and regularly abused as an adult, 22-year-old Mui Thomas has a rare condition called Harlequin

ichthyosis. Her skin sheds much faster than normal skin, she has no control over her body temperature and she has arthritis. But Mui is

determined not to let that hold her back, taking inspiration from her father's love of rugby to become a fully qualified referee.

THOMAS: When I'm on the pitch, I'm just a referee in the middle. Nobody actually cares whether I look different or not, they only care if I make a

wrong decision. And I love that. I love the fact that I'm in some way I'm anonymous.

LU STOUT: Mui is also giving back by volunteering to teach disabled people to sale, working at a special needs school, and giving motivational talks.

THOMAS: When I was a child, I once said mommy if there's one thing that I want for Christmas it is to have ordinary skin.

LU STOUT: Mui's experience of cyber bullying if the focus of her talks, where she relives the most painful time of her life to try to help others

going through the same thing.

THOMAS: The cyber bullies, they made comments like, oh, you shouldn't be alive, you should have been dead. Nobody loves you. Nobody wants you.

And when you're already a teenager struggling with your self image, that really hurts. And, yeah, I wanted to jump off and commit suicide.

LU STOUT: It's not just teenagers who make Mui a target. She says just recently she was nearly forced off a public bus by a driver angry at her

appearance.

[08:40:00] THOMAS: And then he turned around and started pointing at me to get off, because he thought that my face made him want to vomit. When I

get such ignorance and things it does chip away. And I Just hope it doesn't completely take my confidence away.

LU STOUT: Even Mui's adoptive parents Tina and Roger, who took her home when they were hospital volunteers, say they often face abuse themselves.

TINA THOMAS, MUI'S MOTHER: We had Mui in my arms. And a woman came up to me and said you burned your child, you're a bad mother and she spat in my

face. I just walked on, because I didn't want to make a scene, cause a scene for Mui. I knew that she would feel that it had to do with her. And

I didn't want her to feel that.

THOMAS: They were there when I was in my deepest, darkest moments. And I'm so grateful for that.

LU STOUT: Mui is thought to be the fourth oldest person in the world living with her condition. The oldest is currently 31. But her uncertain

future is certainly not slowing her down.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: She is such an incredible and inspiring young woman. And if you want to find out more about the work that Mui is doing, she is indeed

active on social media. You can find her on Facebook or on Twitter. And right now, Mui and her parents are calling on YouTube to stop what they

call shock videos. They say that images of Mui were recently used in a YouTube video belittling her condition.

And more than 1,000 people have signed the Thomas family's petition not to allow videos that exploit people with visible differences.

Now there's no word if YouTube has responded to that petition.

Now it's worth noting that the site will automatically pull videos that may contain copyright infringement, and while videos with harassment and cyber

bullying are also against YouTube's terms they only are taken down after they've been flagged by users.

And that is News Stream. I'm Kristie Lu Stout, but don't go anywhere. World Sport with Christina Macfarlane is next.

END