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Live from Abu Dhabi Connect the World takes you on a journey across continents, investigating the stories that are changing our world.
Improbable Reprieve at Iran Gallows
An Iranian man convicted of murder was facing almost certain death. But seconds before his hanging was due to take place, he was offered a reprieve from the unlikeliest source. A photographer was on hand to capture the whole remarkable scene. He tells CNN's Connect the World with Becky Anderson exactly what he witnessed.
#themorningafterthenightbefore
For those of you who caught the inaugural show, I hope you'll agree we had a successful launch Sunday for Connect the World with Becky Anderson from Abu Dhabi. For those of you who didn't, can I suggest setting a digital diary "alert" weekdays at 7p local!
Onwards. . . With the first show in the bag, I'm mindful that the editorial narrative for our MidEast prime-time show must continue to provide this region with the best of the international news agenda – using CNN's incredible asset base of reporters around the world – with a focus, as news befits, on the stories that resonate here – in all their glory.
To that end, your input as viewers of the show and as consumers of the incredibly successful cnn.com/Arabic is absolutely crucial. You are part of "our" Global Conversation and I appeal to you ALL to get involved via the cnn.com site, on Twitter, on Instagram and on Facebook as we build our rundowns to reflect the news, views and opinion across the region.
And just so that you know: having been born and brought up with the vagaries of the British weather, I'm still getting used to waking up to blue skies and genuine smiles in the UAE! Believe me, this is ONE challenge that aim getting used to incredibly quickly!!
Moussa: Constitution doesn't exclude
Egypt's military-backed government is being put to the test, as voting on their new constitution continues. So far proceedings have been marred with unrest. At least nine people have died in clashes between supporters of ousted president Morsy and government security forces.
Veteran diplomat and former Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa headed the commission that drafted the constitution. Yesterday Becky asked him how he answers critics who say that the only thing this constitution does is legitimizes the very powerful and unquestioned position of the army in Egypt today.
"The clause about the defense minister will be deleted, because it is only for eight years and two presidential periods. If the progress that you are talking about and we are hoping for and working to achieve produces results it is certain that this clause will cease to exist. It is because of the circumstances prevailing in Egypt."
In an opinion piece in the New York Times Moussa claimed that his committee of 50 gave everyone a seat at the table, and that an invitation was extended to all Islamic groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood.
In response to her question about the impossibility of the Muslim Brotherhood being involved in the process when their organisation has been banned, Moussa replied; "Let me tell you that the constitution does not exclude any group, any individual, any citizen. The constitution caters to all Egyptians from all walks of life. Muslim Brotherhood members can run for a seat in the parliament, or field candidates in parliamentary elections or presidential elections. The constitution differs sharply from the previous one, which was called the 'Muslim Brotherhood constitution' that it excluded, it banned members of the previous regime from participating, from running for parliament, from running for elections."
Moussa also confirmed that if General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ran for Egyptian president he would support him. "I really believe that he is going to run but I cannot tell you that he has told me so. But all indications lead to that and let us see within the next few days or a week or so what kind of decision he is going to take. First of all he has to resign his post as Commander-in-Chief."
Observers are watching to see if participation is above 33%, that's the percentage of voters who turned out for the former Islamist backed constitution.
Voting is scheduled to finish at 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT), although it remains unclear when results will be announced.
Text: Egypt votes on new constitution, tests legitimacy of military-backed government
CNN Preview: Sting
In an upcoming addition of "CNN Preview", Becky interviews Sting about what inspires him as a musician, and the release of his first album in a decade. Look out for the interview coming soon on Connect the World.
Images © Darren Bull/CNN
