Live from Abu Dhabi Connect the World takes you on a journey across continents, investigating the stories that are changing our world.
European Health Commissioner Tonio Borg says that, while something clearly went wrong in Spain, the country should not be criticized for the continent's first homegrown Ebola case. And speaking to Becky Anderson from Brussels, he added that the answer to protecting the continent is not banning flights from affected countries in West Africa. Borg says Europe has a crucial role to play in supplying humanitarian assistance to the nations at the heart of the outbreak.
The world's largest refugee camp – Dadaab in Kenya – is some three thousand kilometers from the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. But children in the two camps have been united through the power of pen and paper. Aid agency CARE International helped Somali children write letters of hope and encouragement to Syrian youngsters in a similar predicament. This video demonstrates what happened next.
As the athlete known as the "Blade Runner" is grilled by the South African state, Becky Anderson asks psychologist Dr James Thompson of University College London about his state of mind.
Earlier this week, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed a bill into law, introducing life imprisonment for those who engage in "aggravated homosexuality." Just one day later, a tabloid newspaper in Uganda published a list of the country's "top 200 homosexuals." Surveys show that 96% of the Ugandan public says society should not be accepting of homosexuality.
But where has this anti-gay sentiment in Uganda come from? One source may be that of American evangelical Christians, who have assumed a growing influence in the country and advocated against gay lifestyles.
One of the most well known is American pastor and lawyer Scott Lively. Becky spoke with him about his missionary work on Connect the World. She began by asking Lively for his reaction to the new law in Uganda.
"I have mixed feelings about that," Lively said. "I support parts of it, the parts that have increased penalties for homosexual abuse of children and intentionally spreading AIDS through sodomy. But the parts dealing with simple homosexuality I don't agree with. They're far too harsh."
Lively said that Ugandan culture and history itself was the main source of the anti-gay sentiment seen there. "No American evangelicals taught the Ugandans how to be against homosexuality," he said.
When asked whether he was an extremist, Lively replied that "an extremist is in the eye of the beholder."
Uganda's president has signed sweeping anti-gay legislation, introducing life sentences for "aggravated homosexuality." Anyone who counsels or provides services to LGBT people would also face prison time, a provision that ensnares rights groups currently operating in the country.
CNN's Zain Verjee spoke exclusively to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni about his motivations for introducing the new law.
During the interview, Museveni said that he is "acting on behalf of society." His motivation for stepping up the country’s existing anti-gay legislation came as a result of Ugandan scientists producing a report finding no genetic link to homosexuality. "Once you argue that it is a question of choice, then really you have lost the argument,” Museveni said.
In reaction to the bill's condemnation from Western governments and human rights groups, he responded: " They are not going to make our people budge.” Museveni went on to say: “If you don't agree, you just keep quiet. If we are wrong, we shall find out by ourselves."
Zain asked Museveni whether he personally dislikes homosexuals. “Of course,” Museveni said. “They are disgusting."
Text: Uganda's President Museveni signs controversial anti-gay bill into law
Text: Ugandan tabloid prints list of 'homosexuals'