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Two Killed in Jakarta Terror Attacks; WADA Report Released; British Actor Alan Rickman Dies of Cancer; Italian Police Arrest Immigrant in Woman's Death; El Chapo Flirts with Mexican Actress; Three Winning U.S. Powerball Lottery Tickets Sold; WHO Says Liberia is Ebola-Free; Three Convicted in Hatton Garden Heist; 2016 Oscars Who's Who and Who's Not. Aired 10-11a ET

Aired January 14, 2016 - 10:00   ET

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

[10:00:00]

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ROBYN CURNOW, CNN HOST: Hi, there, everyone. Welcome to the INTERNATIONAL DESK. Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Robyn Curnow at the CNN Center.

We start with the terror attacks in the heart of Jakarta that police believe were carried out by ISIS. At least two people are dead, 19

wounded. Five of the attackers were killed.

The assault began in a shopping district with Western chain restaurants and stores. The attackers used bombs and guns. Police say they targeted

foreign nationals and other police officers.

The spokesman says the hunt for any other attackers is over but police are looking for suspects who may have helped to plan or finance this attack.

Well, CNN's Kathy Quiano joins me now live from Jakarta.

Hi, there, Kathy.

What else are you hearing about this investigation?

KATHY QUIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Robyn, very little for now but we do know that the police are trying to identify the attackers, the five who

were killed when out of the attacks here after the gunfight and the explosions here at the -- just -- which happened about 100 meters from

where we are standing right now.

They're also going to look into the links to possible networks here, terror cells, Islamic militant groups, particularly those who may have links to

ISIS. And top of the list would be the East Indonesia Mujahideen, which is based out of central to the west. They have been a target of police and

military operations in the recent weeks.

They have been trying to get the leader of that group, Santoso, who is the most wanted terrorist in Indonesia. So they are going to look at that.

They're going to look at how theses attacks were planned, how these were funded.

It's certainly a surprise for many here because, for a very long time, authorities believe that existing networks here, the existing terror

militant groups here were not capable of launching a major attack again in Indonesia -- Robyn.

CURNOW: And, Kathy, what do we know about the victims?

QUIANO: Well, we know that the two civilians who were killed, at least one of them is a foreign national. He was one of two foreign nationals, who

police say were dragged into a parking lot by the attackers and were shot there. One of the two foreign nationals survived with serious injuries.

But there were also a lot of Indonesians who were injured in this and the attacks and the explosion in the Starbucks cafe and the gunfight that

ensued after that.

This area is a very popular area. It's surrounded by office buildings, embassies, commercial establishments. It's, you know, open almost 24 hours

a day. Meetings are held in Starbucks cafe.

I have been into that one and, you know, you often see people gathered around there for meetings. So a lot of Indonesian victims as well here.

And Indonesians are rallying around them. They're rallying around the country, uniting in social media, saying we will -- they will not be

afraid, that they're united and that they will fight back -- Robyn.

CURNOW: At the scene there, Kathy Quiano in Jakarta, thanks so much for that update.

Well, let's go to Michael Weiss. He joins me vis Skype from New York, he's a CNN contributor and co-author of "ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror."

Michael, hi, there. Seems like we're talking far too often about the style of attacks.

MICHAEL WEISS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's the new normal, isn't it?

I mean, in the last three days, I think you've seen an attack in Istanbul, this one in Jakarta, you had it this last week in Philadelphia, a guy who

looks like he was what they call ISIS-inspired or a lone wolf, shoot a police officer as he was stopped at a red light in his vehicle.

So, yes, we are now at a rate of far too many of these crammed into the same period of time and space. I just worry that this is only the

beginning.

You know?

It's what I call the new old strategy for ISIS, a return to foreign operations in sort of the event that they're -- the reality, I should say,

of a constricting geographical expanse in Syria and Iraq. So they want to get attention for themselves by doing these spectaculars abroad now.

CURNOW: We can talk more about that but I also just want to focus on Indonesia.

Why Indonesia and it continues to be a classic target in many ways for terror groups.

WEISS: Yes. I mean, there are several reasons. One most obvious is that it's the most populous Muslim country. The suburbs of Jakarta apparently

are where -- is where ISIS is doing a lot of its recruiting.

But it's also kind of a, you know, a very common foil for both Al Qaeda and for its -- what used to be its Iraqi franchise, Al Qaeda in Iraq.

You'll recall in 2002, bin Laden praised the attacks on Australian holiday makers --

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WEISS: -- in Bali, justifying it as follows, that, you know, Australia had a role in liberating East Timor from Indonesian occupation. When Abu Musab

al-Zarqawi, his emir in Iraq, bombed the U.N. building or the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, killing a rather famous Brazilian diplomat,

Zarqawi justified it along the same lines.

This is Australia perpetrating a form of Western imperialism and the United Nations, of course, is an accomplice in this.

So the fact that this took place near a U.N. building, that's a very common target for ISIS and Al Qaeda. They were obviously going after Western

tourists by attacking a Starbucks, as your guest just said. This is a very well-trafficked area in Jakarta.

And ISIS is looking to establish a wilayah in Southeast Asia. So it makes perfect sense that they would -- they have the wherewithal and the

capability to strike in Indonesia.

CURNOW: So what you're saying, I mean, we're seeing similar strategies, similar tactics, varying levels of success, sometimes directly coordinated

by ISIS; other times something you call the invisible armies, sort of inspired by ISIS.

Either way, we're not seeing the spectaculars in terms of 9/11. But still, this consistent sort of eating away at security and a confidence in world

cities, deeply worrying.

WEISS: Yes. And nor will you see the 9/11 style spectacular. One of ISIS' field manuals, if you like, it's sort of a Maoist tract that they

defer to all the time. It's called "The Management of Savagery," very evocative title, a very appropriate one. It was written by a jihadist

theoretician in 2004, uploaded to the Internet.

And all the Zarqawists are reading this stuff. And he actually says, Naji is the name of the guy who wrote it, don't try to sort of shoot your wad,

so to speak, trying to plan one of these elaborate planes into buildings type of spectacular.

Instead, focus on the frequent and intensive attacks that will frustrate and discombobulate your enemies such that he or the country and its

security apparatuses will become overstretched.

So one of the targets that most commonly referred to is anything to do with hydrocarbons, the oil industry in Egypt or the region or in the West. But

of course, any targets that are soft in nature, populated by tourists or, you know, holiday makers, have at it. That's the way to bring the

superpower of the United States to the knees and all of its allies, which include, by the way, the Arab governments of the Middle East.

CURNOW: Michael Weiss, thank you very much. Never very optimistic talking to you.

WEISS: No. Ask me about --

CURNOW: Thank you for your perspective and analysis, though.

Say that again?

WEISS: I said ask me about Powerball next time.

(LAUGHTER)

CURNOW: I don't think we will. Thanks a lot, though. Appreciate your perspective.

And as Michael was saying there, frequent, intensive attacks and Istanbul, also, another city still trying to reel from a terror attack there this

week.

Now there's been another scathing report regarding corruption in sport unveiled here live in the last hour. The World Anti-Doping Agency has

released the second part of its investigation into doping among Russian track athletes.

Now "WORLD SPORT's" Alex Thomas has been poring over the new details, joins us now live from London.

Hi, there.

What can you tell us?

ALEX THOMAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Robyn, this is the second report from WADA's independent commission and Dick Pound is heading up the

independent commission, promised to be more explosive than the first, which last year led to the expulsion of Russia from world athletics competitions

and puts their place of their track and field athletes at the Rio Olympics in doubt.

But, overall, as we still digest what happened about an hour or so ago, it doesn't seem to quite live up to its prematch billing, if you like.

Much of the report was leaked in advance by one of the global news agencies and essentially the devil is in the details. What's the main thrust of it

is that Lamine Diack, the former president of the IAAF, track and field's governing body, is the sole man responsible for what's described as

"embedded corruption" in the organization. Diack, of course was replaced by Britain's Seb Coe in an election last August and now Diack is a suspect

in a criminal investigation by French prosecutors.

And Diack was very contradictory about Coe, who's been under fire ever since taking over the presidency of the IAAF. He's promising to reform the

organization but of course he was a vice president under Diack for many, many years.

And this latest report severely criticizes the IAAF council for not doing enough to spot what Diack was up to, which has been alleged as least as far

as extortion of athletes to cover up positive doping results. But he also backed Coe as the man to help reform the IAAF. Listen to this.

[10:10:00]

RICHARD POUND, CHAIRMAN WADA COMMISSION: I think it's a fabulous opportunity for the IAAF to seize this opportunity and, under strong

leadership, to move forward out of this.

There's an enormous amount of reputational recovery that has to occur here and I can't -- (INAUDIBLE) the personalities, I can't think of anyone

better than Lord Coe to lead that.

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THOMAS: So although Coe's received the backing of Dick Pound, which many will question, saying how can the WADA commission criticize the IAAF

council, of which Coe was part, and yet back him to lead them into a new dawn, if you like.

Nonetheless, the main -- that's sort of overshadows the main focus, which his on Lamine Diack, the man from senegal, the first black African leader

if such a huge global sporting body. His son, Papa Diack, is believed to be hiding away in Senegal from authorities. An international arrest

warrant has been issued by Interpol for him. So he'll be in trouble if he tries to leave Senegal at any point.

And the allegations get so extreme, Robyn, that it's even suggested that Diack at the height of this trouble even had Russian president Vladimir

Putin aware that the attempts in which to bribery and extortion went to, to cover up doping, positive doping results from Russian athletes and the

buildup to the London Olympics in 2012 and the world championships in Moscow.

CURNOW: Yes. And as you've said, I mean, in a way, this is more devastating on sport, more devastating than the impact of corruption on

FIFA and then we have also got to ask the question, what happens with the Olympics that are coming up?

Meanwhile, you'll keep it all -- keep us on the straight and narrow.

With us, Alex Thomas, thanks so much. Appreciate it.

Well, coming up here at the IDESK, a day of celebration and mourning in Hollywood. The nominations for Academy Awards have been announced. We'll

tell you who leads the pack and who got snubbed.

Plus, the film and theater industries say goodbye to one of the greats, Alan Rickman. More on his life and career. Stay with us.

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CURNOW: We're back. Thanks for joining us.

Actor Alan Rickman has died at age 69 after a short battle with cancer, according to a source familiar with his prolific career.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2)

ALAN RICKMAN, ACTOR, "SEVERUS SNAPE": If anyone here has any knowledge of Mr. Potter's movements this evening, I invite them to step forward now.

(END VIDEO CLIP, "HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2)

CURNOW (voice-over): Rickman was one of Britain's and Hollywood's most versatile screen and stage actors. His famed roles include the brooding

Severus Snape from the Harry Potter films -- there he is there -- and the devious villain, Hans Gruber, in "Die Hard."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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CURNOW: CNN's Erin McLaughlin joins me now live from London.

Hi, there, Erin. I mean, this is a man who is very familiar to audiences around the world. And there is a great deal of sadness about his passing.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There is, Robyn. He is considered to be one of the greats. Known for this very intense charisma, this very slow

and deliberate delivery. He was also known, of course, for playing the villain. You saw it there.

Who can forget Professor Snape from the Harry Potter films?

Alan Rickman played that character throughout all of those films. He was the character that Potter fans loved to hate or hated to love behind this

very stoic external facade. It was a very complex character. But that, of course, wasn't the only villain he played.

He burst on the Hollywood scene in 1988, with his portrayal in "Die Hard" opposite Bruce Willis. He portrayed the character, Hans Gruber. He

actually was offered that part just two days after arriving in Hollywood. But he wasn't only known as the villain. He also had a softer side.

Who can forget 1995, "Sense and Sensibility," he played Colonel Brandon to the delight of women around the world.

So very much a loss for the film community; according to a family friend, he passed away from cancer, surrounded by his loved ones.

CURNOW: Indeed. And I mean, some of them very popular roles but he was RADA trained, he was a great theater actor, as well.

MCLAUGHLIN: He was. And he most recently, actually, directed Kate Winslet in the play, "A Little Chaos."

But aside from that, tributes we're seeing pouring in, Robyn.

J.K. Rowling from Harry Potter, tweeting, "There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman's death. He was a

magnificent actor and a wonderful man."

We're also hearing from British comedian, Stephen Fry, tweet, "What desperately sad news about Alan Rickman, a man of such talent, wicked charm

and stunning screen and stage presence. He'll be sorely missed."

We're also hearing from politicians, British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, tweeting, "Very sad to hear that Alan Rickman has passed away. One

of the greatest actors of his generation. My thoughts are with his family and friends."

Rickman is, of course, known as a card-carrying member of the Labour Party here in Britain.

People here are in shock. People here are still reeling, of course, from the death of David Bowie earlier in the week, David Bowie also was 69, also

died of cancer.

The comedian, Eddie Izzard, tweeting, "I do not want my heroes to die. Alan Rickman is dead and he was another hero.

"Alan, thank you for being with us. We are sorry you had to go."

And we are expecting more reaction in the coming hours -- Robyn.

CURNOW: Indeed. Thanks so much for that, Erin McLaughlin there in London.

Well, still to come here at the INTERNATIONAL DESK, an African immigrant is arrested in Italy, accused of murdering an American woman. What

investigators are learning about how the two are linked.

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CURNOW: Hi, there. You are watching the INTERNATIONAL DESK.

An illegal African immigrant has been arrested in Florence, Italy, in connection with the death of an American woman there, after police say his

DNA was found at the crime scene.

Well, for the latest in the investigation, I want to bring in CNN contributor Barbie Nadeau, who joins us now live from Rome.

Hi, there, Barbie.

Who's this man?

What happened?

Do we know?

BARBIE NADEAU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The prosecutor this morning announced 27-year-old Cheik Diaw from Senegal was arrested after they were able to

confirm that his DNA was found in Ashley Olson's apartment. They found it in two specific places, on a cigarette in her apartment and on a condom.

The prosecutor also said that the two, as far as they can recreate, had consensual sex. There was no sexual assault and they also threw out the

theory that we had been hearing earlier today and last night, that this just could have been an erotic game gone wrong.

In fact, the prosecutor told us that it was a consensual situation that ended and it somehow transpired into a violent death. She also had -- she

was -- she died of strangulation but the prosecutor told us that she also had two fractures in her cranium, which also, you know, I think really

poses more questions than answers.

We don't have a lot of information about what the initial interrogation with this man yielded and that may come in the coming days, especially when

he is arraigned in a court, probably sometime next week or the week after.

But we do know that this situation has certainly calmed things down in Florence a little bit because, you know, we didn't have a suspect for the

first four days and people were starting to be very concerned that there was someone, an assassin on the loose. At least that is answered.

I doubt it will have much comfort or closure for Ashley's family, who are in Florence. The funeral is expected to be on Friday and she's chosen --

her family has chosen, in fact, to bury her in Florence. So that's where her final resting place will be.

CURNOW: So why do you think this case has got so much attention?

NADEAU: Well, you know, I think because Ashley Olson came to Florence to start her life over again, to find happiness. It's just an idyllic dream

that so many people had. Her marriage fell apart in the United States. She came to Italy and, you know, she had found it. She'd found the

happiness.

There are pictures of her on her social networking pages that just show what appeared to be a very happy person. Her friends describe her as a

happy person. Everybody apparently loved her. And I think it just, you know, calls into question just how things can change in such a short period

of time.

She met this man; he was an illegal immigrant in Italy. They met at a very posh nightclub, though. He was living here illegally but by no means was

he living much differently from her by the sounds of it. They were frequenting a members-only club. And they left together.

The CCTV tape, according to what prosecutors have said, show them leaving the club together. It was her choice, it would appear, to be together with

him.

How things went wrong, though, that may never be known. We'll never get her side of the story. And I think that the mystery, always in these

cases, you know, is what draws people's attention to this.

Everybody feels, wow, that could be someone I know, could be my daughter, could be me, things like that. That's I think why we continue to pay

attention to crimes like this.

CURNOW: OK. Barbie Nadeau in Rome, thank you so much.

More new information is coming out about what or who led to the recapture of the world's most notorious drug lord.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was caught last week in Mexico after his second high-profile prison escape. Then it West revealed that he had met with

actor Sean Penn for a magazine interview while he was on the run and that a Mexican actress had brokered the meeting.

A Mexican newspaper has printed text messages between El Chapo and Kate del Castillo. It's believed the communication is what led Mexican authorities

to Guzman's location.

In one exchange, El Chapo messages her that he wants to meet her in person.

She replies, "Me, too."

Then he writes, "You are the best of this world. We will be great friends. I will take care of you."

Del Castillo responds, "I am beyond moved that you say you will care for me. No one has ever taken care of me. Thank you."

Well, less than three months after that, El Chapo was recaptured. He's now fighting extradition to the U.S.

Millions of people are back at their jobs with long faces right now --

[10:25:00]

CURNOW: -- including most of the newsroom behind me -- after failing to win the -- to pick the winning combination in America's Powerball lottery

for the $1.6 billion jackpot but their three winners were found.

Three tickets were sold that hit the jackpot, one at this grocery store in Florida, one in Tennessee and one in California, where CNN Sara Sidner saw

some unusual reaction. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a madhouse inside the 7-Eleven in Chino Hills as soon as they found out that this was the store that sold the

winning ticket, people just started showing up, not necessarily because they had won the lottery but because they were just excited that their

hometown 7-Eleven actually sold the ticket.

And it has been a madhouse since the announcement was made, dozens of people coming in, cheering. They're outside. They're here for the cameras

as well. But they're also kind of here to celebrate because this store will get $1 million. The winner -- everybody wants to know who it is, of

course -- Sara Sidner, CNN, Chino Hills, California.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CURNOW: Thanks to Sara for that report.

Well, still ahead, West Africa reaches a major milestone. The Ebola outbreak could be over. Our David McKenzie is live with what that means

for efforts to find a vaccine and for the survivors left behind. That's next.

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CURNOW: Hi, there, everyone. Welcome to the INTERNATIONAL DESK. I'm Robyn Curnow. Here's an update on our top story.

Police in Jakarta believe ISIS is responsible for coordinated terror attacks that killed at least two people and wounded 90. The attackers used

guns and bombs. Police say they targeted foreigners and other police. The manhunt for any more attackers is over but police are still looking for

others who may have helped plan and finance the attack.

And it's a landmark day in the fight against Ebola in West Africa. For the first time since the outbreak, all three worst affected countries are

officially Ebola-free. Liberia is the latest to reach that status, declared Ebola-free today.

The World Health Organization says it's been 42 days since the last infected person tested negative and there have been no new cases in that

time. Guinea and Sierra Leone were declared Ebola-free late last year but the World Health Organization cautions that the three countries remain at

high risk. In fact, Liberia was declared Ebola-free on --

[10:30:00]

CURNOW: -- two previous occasions and experienced two small flare-ups in July and November last year.

Well, the outbreak in West Africa was the worst since Ebola was discovered in the 1970s. More than 28,000 people were infected with over 11,000

deaths. Liberia was the hardest hit with more than 4,000 people dying in that country.

Well, CNN's David McKenzie is following the story from Johannesburg.

I know you and your team covered this story in these affected areas, David, and although this is cause for joy and optimism, there's still a lot of

caution, isn't there?

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there is caution. And there's vigilance needed, says the World Health Organization, Robyn, because they

say that really the issue here is to avoid those flare-ups and, perhaps more importantly, avoid a situation like we saw in West Africa during that

outbreak, where the World Health Organization, by its own admission, was very slow to make this the level of emergency that got the world's

attention.

We were reporting in those countries as CNN before even that came to the fore and in those early days you could really tell that this was going to

be a really bad crisis because of the nature of where this began, in the remote border regions of these three countries, the movement of the people,

the lack of a health infrastructure all meant that this exploded in the rural areas, in the urban areas and became a global health scare.

But today's very significant good news, whether the systemic things have been put in place to avoid it in the future, that remains to be seen --

Robyn.

CURNOW: With that in mind, also, while there is again calls for optimism, many survived this disease and it was that that has many people concerned,

because, you know, I think there's real concern about health affects of surviving Ebola.

Just a few moments ago here on the IDESK, David, we spoke to Dr. Ian Crozier, who was a doctor treating patients in West Africa. He got Ebola

and this is what he told us about the symptoms he and others have had.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. IAN CROZIER, EBOLA SURVIVOR: For the individual survivor, many survivors are struggling with some unexpected consequences of that disease,

many with profound fatigue and joint disease and some with more severe disease similar to what happened to what happened in my eye.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CURNOW: He was mentioning there, David, his eye. And there have been a number of cases of blindness, of vision being affected in survivors. A

real concern for health workers, as well, now.

MCKENZIE: Well, that's right. And this virus, that's been around since the '70s, as you say, is not very well-known because it hasn't always been

the priority of scientists because it didn't affect those in wealthy countries, to put it bluntly.

But there are affects like he describes, issues with vision, hearing, arthritis, fatigue. It's too early to tell what the long-term effects of

those people who survive this deadly virus.

Around 60 percent of the people who contracted it in this outbreak were killed by Ebola. So the survivors are the lucky ones and then there's also

just the legacy of the virus, the outbreak in West Africa, particularly UNICEF says more than 20,000 children are now left orphaned.

The real social fabric has been shattered in these countries. We just saw it when we were there, when people weren't holding hands, shaking hands,

they weren't allowed to bury their dead because of fear of contracting the disease.

So there really is a sense that it's going to have to be a rebuilding phase that could last generations in that region and really has good lessons, if

harrowing ones, for world health officials for the future -- Robyn.

CURNOW: Indeed. And the devastation still very much being felt. David McKenzie in Johannesburg, as always, thanks so much.

You're watching CNN. There'll be much more news after this break. Stay with us.

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CURNOW: We've got some more news for you on the biggest robbery, burglary, legal in British legal history. I mean, it's a lot to get out because this

was massive. The Hatton Garden heist in London just was huge in terms of the takings of these thieves.

We have our Phil Black, who is in London. He stood for many days outside the location.

You're back there.

Do we know who these men are?

We hear there have been some convictions.

Any other details on them and what they did?

PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Robyn, so it was the Easter long weekend last year, when a gang of thieves, incredibly professional,

motivated, conducted this huge, ambitious heist, breaking into the building, jamming an elevator, scaling down the shaft, drilling through a

50-centimeter wall to access the safe deposit box and making away with around $20 million worth of jewels, gold, valuables.

We had heard about six weeks after that that police arrested a group of men that were notable for their, well, I guess, advanced years. Many of them

in their 60s and 70s.

These were career criminals, we have since learned, four of whom pled guilty pretty soon after they were arrested but four more have been on

trial over the last seven weeks or so and today we have a verdict in that trial. An additional three have been found guilty for their roles in this

robbery.

So we know now in total that some seven people either admit to or have been found guilty in this case. As I say, they're all, they were led by men of

advanced years, 60s and 70s, some of them as young as their 40s as well. Around $20 million worth of goods was stolen but the police have only

recovered around one-third of that -- Robyn.

CURNOW: OK. Phil Black, thanks so much for that update. Appreciate it.

And now, the Oscar goes to -- well, we'll soon find out.

Nominations announced this morning for the 88th Academy Awards. Leading the pack is frontier survival story, "The Revenant." It tops the

nominations list of 12 nods, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio.

(VIDEO CLIP, "THE REVENANT")

CURNOW: Well, the movie with the second most nominations, "Mad Max: Fury Road." The action film received 10 nominations, including Best Picture.

(VIDEO CLIP, "MAD MAX: FURY ROAD")

CURNOW: And hot off her win at the Golden Globes, Brie Larson looks to be the front-runner in the Best Actress category, playing a young mother held

captive in "Room."

(VIDEO CLIP, "ROOM")

(VIDEO CLIP, "CREED")

CURNOW: And Sylvester Stallone could win his first Oscar. He's nominated as Best Supporting Actor for reprising his role as Rocky Balboa in "Creed."

The eight films nominated for Best Picture include -- here's the list -- "The Martian," "The Big Short," "Spotlight," "Bridge of Spies" and

"Brooklyn."

As usual, the Oscar nominations revealed a few surprises and a few names that noticeably didn't make the cut.

Our out.com columnist, Michael Musto, joins me now from New York.

Let's first talk about those who did make the cut.

[10:00:00]

CURNOW: Is this Leo's year?

MICHAEL MUSTO, OUT.COM: Absolutely, Robyn. Leo, this is his fifth nomination. He's never won before and that's going to factor into the fact

that he's suffered as an actor. He wants that Oscar. Just like his character suffers in "The Revenant." And that's a movie about the triumph

of the human spirit. And Oscar loves that kind of thing. He plays a frontiersman who's left for dead and has to grovel his way against the

elements. So I think it's a slam dunk that he's going to get his Oscar.

CURNOW: OK. Slam dunk for Leo.

What about the women's nominations?

I mean, this is a great bunch of actresses, incredible artists, also in very strong roles.

MUSTO: And I was very happy to see Charlotte Rampling, a wonderful British actress, get her first nomination for "45 Years."

I think it's obviously going to be Brie Larson at this point. She is tremendous as a mother in captivity with her son in the movie, "Room."

Though Saoirse Ronan, the Irish actress, is also terrific in the movie, "Brooklyn," in which she plays an immigrant in 1950s.

CURNOW: We're also seeing Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Lawrence.

MUSTO: All great.

CURNOW: Absolutely.

Let's also talk some of the controversies here. There were tweets we were looking at earlier in the newsroom, someone tweeted that this list of

nominations is starting to look like a Trump rally, all white.

MUSTO: Yes.

CURNOW: Black actors have been snubbed here.

MUSTO: Well, Idris Elba was considered a lock for Supporting Actor for "Beasts of No Nation." And it's pretty shameful that they left him out.

Robyn, let's not forget, last year the Oscars came under fire for not being racially inclusive enough. This year they've gotten Chris Rock to host and

I presume part of the reason for that is to make up for last year's omissions. And this year they snubbed not only Idris Elba but "Straight

Outta Compton" only got a screenplay nomination. It didn't get a Best Picture nomination.

So yes, things are looking a little too pale here if you ask me.

CURNOW: OK. In terms of snubs, though, having this conversation, what else was snubbed, whether it's pictures or actors and actresses?

Who else do you think is going to be drowning the sorrows this day?

MUSTO: Well, Ridley Scott was considered a lock for Best Director nomination for "The Martian." He didn't get it.

Jane Fonda, I thought, definitely deserved a Best Supporting Actress nomination for "Youth." She's brilliant as an actress telling off Harvey

Keitel's character. Didn't get it.

And Aaron Sorkin just won the Golden Globe for screenplay for "Steve Jobs." He is left out in the cold. So now we're wondering how much of a

forerunner the Golden Globes really are for the Oscars. Some of their winners aren't even nominated.

But it's nice to see Sylvester Stallone, I must say, who really can play Rocky Balboa in his sleep but did a very nice job and he did win the Golden

Globe. He might probably win the Oscar. He gives a very relaxed, lived-in performance as a man fighting for his life.

CURNOW: Yes. And I mean, we all love a bit of Sly Stallone.

Just tell us also about "Star Wars."

MUSTO: "Star Wars" got a whole bunch of nominations. It's not up for Best Picture mainly because "Mad Max: Fury Road" is the action picture to top

all action pictures this year as far as the critical reception. And "Mad Max" is up for Best Picture. "Star Wars" got things like sound and all

kinds of technical things and score and stuff like that. So "Star Wars" doesn't need Oscars. What they have is a lot of money in the bank.

They're like the ultimate Powerball winners.

CURNOW: Very good point.

MUSTO: The last thing they need are awards.

CURNOW: Thank you so much, Michael Musto. As always, appreciate it. And I must say, I'd enjoy "The Big Short." I don't know if you can find a

comedy about the financial crisis but I thought that was great. But we'll be talking again about winners and losers very soon. Thank you so much.

Appreciate your joining us here on the IDESK.

MUSTO: Thank you.

CURNOW: Well, that does it for us. I'm Robyn Curnow. I will be back in just over an hour with more on those Jakarta attacks. But in the meantime,

I'm going to hand you over to Amanda Davies at "WORLD SPORT." So stick around for that.

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