News Broadcasting
CNN to air previously unseen Al Qaeda footage in lead up to 9/11 anniversary
MUMBAI: CNN International has launched an exclusive weeklong series of never-seen-before footage taken from multiple videotapes recovered from inside Afghanistan by CNNs senior international correspondent Nic Robertson.
These tapes graphically reveal the expertise, resources and resolve of the Al Qaeda terrorist movement, says the channel. The five installments of Terror on Tape will air throughout the week and conclude with a CNN Special Report summarizing the series.
Robertson worked several weeks to track the story, relying on sources cultivated during his years of reporting from Afghanistan. Experts tell CNN that these tapes show Al Qaeda operatives training in the field as they practise assassinations, kidnappings and urban combat, says the release.
In many cases, the footage is the video version of discarded documents discovered by CNNs Mike Boettcher last year in Afghanistan. In that discovery, CNN reported on papers, notes, documents and instruction manuals left behind when Al Qaeda fighters fled Kabul. Many of the documents and manuals included instructions on how to hijack and blow up airplanes, how to build bombs and how to explode trains, ships and other modes of transportation.
Each day, CNN International will broadcast reports on these tapes.
19 August Terror on Tape: Chemical Tests. CNN reviews the Al Qaeda tape library together with a report which shows chemical weapons testing on dogs. Experts discuss various possible chemical agents that could have been used and agree that the tape shows Al Qaedas capabilities to be greater than previously thought.
20 August Terror on Tape: Roots of Hatred. For the first time, viewers can witness a video of Osama Bin Ladens May 1998 news conference where Al Qaeda declared war on the West. The tape provides a fascinating glimpse into the workings of the terrorist group.
21 August Terror on Tape: Explosive Force. Buried in a movie video, a detailed primer on how to manufacturer TNT from scratch, using easily available materials.
22 August Terror on Tape: In Training. Viewers can examine methods of training in Al Qaeda camps including urban hostage taking and assassinations. The training video matches techniques described in written material were earlier obtained by CNN in Afghanistan and from Al Qaedas terror manual.
23 August Terror on Tape: Face of Evil. The tapes gives an insight into the persona of Osama Bin Laden and how one can gauge from the Al Qaeda tapes future plans up the organisations’ sleeve.
The programmes will air Monday-Friday 6.30 am during News Biz Today 9.30 am during BizNews 4.30 pm during Asia Tonight and 7.30 pm during Asia Tonight Hongkong time.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
