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NEWS STREAM

Donald Trump Takes on China Using Twitter; Haitian Recording Artist Sends Message to the World; Matteo Renzi Steps Down After Losing Referendum Vote; Alexander Van der Bellen Wins Presidency in Austria; Hong Kong Pro- Democracy Lawmaker Nathan Law's Next Steps. 8:00a-9:00a ET

Aired December 05, 2016 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:28] KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong and welcome to News Stream.

Now, Donald Trump takes on China the way he knows how, on Twitter. We'll tell you how Beijing responded to the president-elect's controversial chat

with Taiwan's president, as well.

Also, a major political shakeup in Europe. Italy's prime minister steps down after a crushing referendum loss.

And two months ago Hurricane Matthew slammed into Haiti, and now from the destruction a

recording artist sends a message to the world.

Donald Trump is showing no intention of backing down against China after his weekend phone call with Taiwan's president set off diplomatic shock

waves. On Sunday, he took a swipe at China on Twitter, a social media platform that is banned in the country, tweeting this, quote, "did China

ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency, making it hard for companies to compete, heavily tax our products going into their country, the U.S.

doesn't tax them, or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don't think so."

President-elect broke with decades of U.S. protocol last week when he spoke with the Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen. Beijing has launched a complaint

to the U.S.

Now for more, Alex Field is monitoring reaction in Beijing. Andrew Stevens is looking to

Trump's accusations about China that he leveled on Twitter.

And let's start first with Andrew.

Now, Trump, he called China out again on Twitter, called China out as a currency manipulator. Can you fact check that charge for us?

ANDREW STEVENS, CNN MONEY ASIA-PACIFIC EDITOR: Certainly not the first time. This is an old recurring theme, Kristie, of Donald Trump's that

China is manipulating its currency, it's forcing it down, making it weaker, which means that it's more competitive against goods all around

the world, including, of course, the U.S.

But if you look at what's going on in the currency markets, that just doesn't hold water at the moment. The dollar has been on a complete tear

since Donald Trump won the election. Take a look at these numbers and get a sense of what's been happening.

The Japanese yen is 10 percent down against the dollar since the election, as you can see there, 9.1 percent. The euro is down 4.5 percent, but the

Chinese yuan is only down by less than 2 percent.

Now, China certainly can manipulate the currency. It's a sealed currency, if you like, Kristie, so it doesn't float freely, but if you look at those

numbers, what you are seeing is the government actually propping the value of the yuan up. A lot of analysts I've been speaking to saying if the yuan

was freely floating in the markets, it would be down a lot further than it is now. So China's actually helping the U.S. dollar at the moment by

keeping more of a parity. So that claim it's a manipulator, technically they do manipulate, but certainly, it's in the U.S.'s interest, not against

them.

LU STOUT: All right, from Andrew in Hong Kong, let's go to Alex Field in Beijing. And, Alex, at the weekend two days ago, Trump made that

controversial phone call with Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Taiwan. To what extent did that rattle Beijing?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it is such a large departure from what's been decades of policy that's governed the relationship between

the U.S. and China that it all but forced (inaudible) officials in Beijing to react and to respond swiftly and that's exactly what they did.

The question here, though, is trying to understand what exactly Trump intended in accepting the call from Taiwan's president, that's the matter

that's really of interest to China.

There have some who have speculated that it's a sign of the inexperience of his transition team, the inexperience of that team when it comes to dealing

with foreign policy and fully understanding the longstanding policies of the U.S. and the implications of adjusting or

changing policies, others have supposed that this is perhaps not that but a harbinger, a specific

harbinger, of change to the U.S.-China policy that could be brought forward by a Trump administration, that's certainly the idea that would rattle

officials in Beijing the most.

They did react in a somewhat tempered fashion, though. They reached out to Washington,they lodged a complaint against what they called a relevant

party, which would be Trump's transition team, also reached out to the White House. They've had some assurances from the current administration,

that the One China policy, which you referenced earlier, remains firmly in place. But also urged the

incoming Trump administration to stand by that policy, this policy that has protected what they consider to be the mutual economic and trade interests

that these two countries share.

The stronger rebuke from Beijing went to Taiwan itself. Strong words for Taiwan's leader

for making that call.

As for President-elect Trump, well, officials in Beijing still view him as the president-elect. He has not yet been inaugurated, which means he's not

yet in the position to dictate or decide policy towards China -- Kristie.

[08:05:32] LU STOUT: OK, so a muted response from Beijing to that phone call that Trump made with Tsai Ing-wen at the weekend.

And back to Andrew Stevens, since that phone call Donald Trump has taken to Twitter to

challenge China, as you mentioned challenge a beat ago, challenge China as a currency manipulator yet again, but also on taxes.

Trump said China heavily taxes U.S. products going into China and it doesn't happen the other way around. What kind of tax arrangement is in

place and is it going to change under President Trump?

STEVENS: Again, Kristie, this is something that Donald Trump has said on the campaign trail and at the time it raised eyebrows because people were

looking specifically what taxes are you talking about and there's been quite a lot of work gone into this to find out whether there are these

taxes that China has put in place on U.S. goods specifically, but not the other way around, i.e. Chinese exports going into the U.S.

Now, the closest we can find is the value added tax that China, along with over 100 other countries, employs, which is a tax on consumption. So, when

you buy a good, you pay in China's case an extra 17 percent, which goes to the government. The U.S. does not have this value added tax, so any

American goods going into the U.S. is subject to this tax, like any goods from anywhere in the world going to China is subject to that tax.

So, it could be that if we're talking about more specifically tariffs, well, yes, U.S. goods going into China do face tariffs, and the best we can

average out, because you imagine sthere's all sorts of tariffs for different goods, is around about 5 percent, so a 5 percent tax

on U.S. goods. But the U.S. also charges tariffs on Chinese goods, whereas Donald Trump says the U.S. doesn't charge anything. The U.S., in fact,

does, it's around about 3 percent. So, there is a difference there. But we can't nail down exactly what Donald Trump says, what taxes he's referring

to.

But like I said, he's said it before. Again, you have this big picture stuff but drill down the details, and it's just not there at the moment.

LU STOUT: Yeah, he said it before, but I appreciate the fact check yet again from you. Andrew Stevens live for us from Hong Kong. Alexandra

Field with the reaction in Beijing, a big thank you to you both.

Now, Donald Trump has named more people to his cabinet. He has chosen former political

rival Ben Carson to the U.S. secretary of housing and urban development. The retired neurosurgeon ran unsuccessfully for this year's Republican

presidential nomination. As housing secretaryC carson would oversee federal public housing programs. The nomination has to be

confirmed by the senate.

And the U.S. president-elect is casting a wider net in his search for secretary of state. Now, a source with the team says Jon Huntsman, former

governor of Utah and U.S. ambassador to China, is one of the people being considered. Already in the mix are 2012 presidential candidate Mitt

Romney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the ex-CIA director David Petraeus, Republcian senator Bob Corker, and former U.S. ambassador to the

UN John Bolton.

Now to the two big political shake up stories in Europe. Now, voters in Austria have chosen a

pro-Europe independent candidate. Alexander Van der Bellen is their next president. Now he beat his right-wing opponent, Nobert Hofer, in recount.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEXANDER VAN DER BELLEN, AUSTRIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT: It is not an exaggeration if I say that today we see a red, white, red, you know, the

flag of Austria, a red, white, red signal of hope and change, a red, white, red signal today goes from Austria to all the capitals of the

European Union.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Italy is also shifting gears. The prime minister says he will step down after voters rejected a referendum on the constitution.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTEO RENZI, ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER (through translator): The no vote won in a very convincing manner. I send my congratulations to the leaders of

the no campaign. I hope they work well in the interests of our country, Italy, and Italians.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: But Marine Le Pen of the French National Front calls the vote a rejection of the establishment, quote, "the Italians have rejected the EU

and Renzi. We must listen to this thirst for the freedom of nations and for protection," unquote.

But some analysts say Italy's vote was more about personality than policy.

Now CNN's Ben Wedeman is following developments in Rome. He joins us now live. And Ben, why did Matteo Renzi lose this vote?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's difficult to say, because so many people had different reasons for voting against this

referendum on constitutional amendments. The problem is that earlier this year he said that these amendments to the constitution, which initially

were well received by the Italian public, when he said he would resign if people rejected them, then suddenly it switched gears, the entire focus,

and it became a question of a popularity contest of Matteo Renzi himself.

Now, he came to power two years ago. He was fairly popular. He was seen as an outsider. He was previously the mayor of Florence, but he was really

not able to turn around the Italian economy and really, for instance, make a dent in the 11 percent unemployment rate and the more than 40 percent

when it comes to youth unemployment.

So as a result we get headlines like this in the Libro (ph) newspaper affiliated with Silvio Berlusconi, it says Renzi, pack your bags. And so

he is out and he's going to be meeting later today, we understand, with the Italian president to hand in his resignation. The

president is going to have to either appoint somebody as the head of a temporary government until, perhaps -- although it's not at alll clear --

elections will be called.

Now, elections weren't supposed to happen until 2018, but given the size of the defeat that Renzi has suffered, these elections may happen earlier than

that.

[08:11:42] LU STOUT: And many people across Europe will be watching this very, very

closely. In fact, a number of Europe's anti-EU leaders have already weighed in celebrating the vote, like Marine Le Pen. Why? I mean , was

this vote a vote in Italy a vote against Europe?

WEDEMAN: To a certain extent, yes, but there, as I said, there were other things involved. There was his personality. Some people didn't like him.

Others felt that the referendum, rather the amendments that were proposed, didn't go far enough. You talk to almost any Italian and nobody is really

happy with the status quo. Many do feel that the government is largely paralyzed perennially

and would like to see more radical change.

Some people, for instance, in the Five-Star Movement, which is the second largest bloc in parliament and very much an anti-establishment movement,

wanted to see much more radical change.

But certainly, if you look at some of the elements of the no campaign, for instance, Valega Nord (ph) led by Matteo Salvini, he was very much part of

the anti-EU movement. For instance, he tweeted shortly after the results came out saying viva Trump, viva Putin, viva Le Pen, and viva La Lega (ph),

of course the Northern League in that case. So he certainly is seen as an anti-EU vote.

But other Italians who are actually quite enthusiastic about European Union don't see it quite that way -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: Got you. Ben Wedeman with the view from Rome, thank you.

So, how will these major developments in Europe weigh on investors? Let's cross over to New York now. We got Richard Quest standing by with a look

at market reaction.

And Richard, how are the markets taking in this new reality?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh, they are taking in their stride. The Italian market opened lower and then sort of rallied

back a bit. The euro lost about 1 perent or so, but again all have come back, and for a good reason.

In the case of the Italian vote, it is for the status quo, even though perversely it is for change in that sense. It was kicking the

establishment, painfully, but the status quo remains.

And the real issue here is the uncertainty that now generates as relates to Italian banks, which are bordering their crisis in some cases, and the

Italian economy, which is just about stagnant of growth and has been for many years. And those are the driving forces, if you like, that the market

will be looking at.

But let's -- nobody be hoodwinked this morning into believing that this vote puts into question Italy's membership of the euro zone or anything

like that, or indeed even if there will be a referendum or a referendum question on anything about euro membership in the future. None of that's

on the cards. None of it's likely. Nobody's even talking about it except perhaps me.

LU STOUT: OK, so if anything, all eyes on the fate of italy's banks. Richard Quest reporting for us, thank you.

Now, a lot is at stake in the coming year in Europe. We got France, Germany, and The

Netherlands going to the polls in 2017, and right wing are pushing establishment parties to the limit.

Now, French president Francois Hollande will not be seeking re-election next year. That means his Socialist Party will have to find somebody to

run against Marine Le Pen of the right wing National Front.

Now then in The Netherlands, voters are choosing a parliament in March and the anti-immigrant Party for Freedom led by Geert Wilders, hopes to build

on its momentum from the last two elections.

Now in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel is to run for a fourth term and voters are looking for stability in uncertain times, but she's been facing

heavy backlash over Germany's refugee policy.

Now, there has been a political shock on the other side of the world, as well. New Zealand's prime minister John Key offered his resignation before

the country's next general election. He says his family has sacrificed a lot for his career and owes it to them to step aside.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KEY, PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND: I honestly don't think on a family basis and a lot of other reasons I could commit for much beyond the

next election. So I've got no option but to do it now. Now is the right time to do it rather than -- I'm just -- I've come too far to mislead the

public. I'm not going to do that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Now, Mr. Key has been in power for eight years. He has led the ruling National

Party for 10. His resignation will be final on December 12 when the party picks a new leader.

You're watching News Stream. And still to come right here on the program, CNN is inside

Aleppo, a city at the center of Syria's brutal civil war.

And a painful search: investigators look for answers after a warehouse fire kills dozens of people in Oakland, California.

And Hong Kong lawmaker and umbrella movement leader Nathan Law says he will fight even harder for democracy if the government does indeed take away his

election seat. We're going to have more on the city's growing controversy. Keep it here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Coming to you live from Hong Kong, you're back watching News Stream.

Now in Syria, government forces have taken control of about 60 percent of eastern Aleppo. Their nonstop offensive killed at least 24 civilians on

Sunday alone, that's according to the Aleppo media center.

As the violence escalates, the UN security council is trying to step in. A vote is expected there later today on a resolution calling for a seven-day

truce, but Russia has suggested it will probably veto that resolution. It says separate talks with the U.S. could result in the withdrawal of rebels

from eastern Aleppo.

Now, the UN security council vote comes as Syrian's government gains confidence that it can, indeed, retake Aleppo. And some residents who fled

the city's eastern neighborhoods are now returning.

Now, from Aleppo, CNN's Fred Pleitgen shows us the devastation they have found.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Driving through a destroyed wasteland that until recently was one of the main battlegrounds

in Syria. Aleppo's Hanano District was in rebel hands until last week when government forces moved in with crushing fire power.

13-year-old Hudei (ph) shows me where a rocket landed next to his house and describes the fear he felt.

"We were very, very frightened" Hudei (ph) says. Normally we would hide in the basement, but luckily that night we slept on the first floor because

that's when two rockets hit right over here.

Hudei's (ph) little brother Abdul Karim (ph) is clearly traumatized by the horrors he's witnessed and still weak from living under siege for weeks

with almost no food and water available much of the time.

As the rebels lost their grip on this place, many residents fled from trying to escape with their lives and not much more. Now, they're coming

back. Some haven't seen their houses for years.

Khaled Chlorella left in 2012 when the rebels took this district. Now he's trying to salvage any belongings in what's left of his apartment.

"I am very sad because everything is either destroyed or ransacked," he says. "We found these pictures under the rubble. Even the walls are

destroyed. But we will come back here and rebuild."

The battle for Aleppo is far from over, but Syrian government forces clearly have the upper hand. Taking about half the rebels territory in the

past week alone, and continuing to push their offensive with massive fire power.

[08:21:34] (on-camera): Like in so many districts that have been taken back by the syrian military, there is a massive destruction in this part of

Eastern Aleppo. But there's no denying the shift in momentum in favor of the Syrian military and also the boost in morale that many of their

soldiers have gotten.

(voice-over): Troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad tell us they believe they could capture all of Aleppo, Syria's most important

battleground, very soon.

"The rebel headquarters was right here," he says. "So the loss of this district was a big blow to them. You can see how our shelling is pounding

them, and that shows that their morale is collapsing."

Rebels left behind a makeshift cannon when they fled here last week. So far the opposition hasn't found a way to shore up their defences in the face of

this massive and possibly decisive Syrian government offensive.

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Aleppo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Now, life has been going on in eastern Aleppo despite repeated bombings reducing much of it to rubble. 7-year-old Bana al-Abd (ph) managed

to capture the world's attention by tweeting updates during the bombardment from Aleppo. On Sunday, there was a final message from her account sent by her mother Fatemah (ph) who wrote

this, quote, "we are sure the army is capturing us now. We will see each other another day, dear world. Bye -- Fatemah."

Now her Twitter account has been deleted. It's not yet clear why.

In Pakistan, daily fire at a hotel in Karachi. 11 were killed and 75 injured when a fire tore through the building in the early morning. The

mayor says people had trouble escaping because there was no proper fire exit and fire alarms failed to work. The Regent Plaza

is one of Karachi's most popular hotels.

At least 33 people confirmed dead in Oakland, California, after a fire tore through a warehouse where a dance party was taking place. Officials are

combing through what is left of the building looking for victims, as well as clues to what caused the fire.

More now from Stephanie Elam.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Officials launching a criminal investigation team and an arson task force to inspect the deadly

fire that engulfed this Oakland warehouse hosting a party over the weekend.

HIATT: It just doesn't seem that that's a fire that's survivable. So the reality, I think, for all of us is beginning to set in.

ELAM: Of the confirmed dead, a teenager and an Oakland deputy son.

SGT. RAY KELLY, ALAMEDA COUNTY SHERIFF: This tragedy has hit very close to home.

ELAM: But with less than half of the two-story warehouse searched, authorities fear the worse.

KELLY: The number of victims will rise.

ELAM: Officials say firefighters with shovels are methodically removing debris bucket by bucket.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our first priority is the humane and compassionate removal of the victims of this tragedy.

ELAM: The warehouse, known as "The Ghost Ship" was an illegal residence, home to some artists, now currently under investigation for city code

violations, for hazardous trash and debris, and an illegal interior building structure.

Friday night's electronic dance party, one of many held in the space, operating without a permit when the building quickly erupted in flames.

MULE: He said, "I broke my ankle. I need you to pull me out."

ELAM: One survivor, an artist who used the space, describes the horrifying moment he had to leave his friend behind.

[08:25:02] MULE: I wasn't able to pull him out, and the fire was just getting too hot and the smoke was just getting too bad; and I had to -- I

had to leave him there.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Oh, such a frightening account. That was CNN's Stephanie Elam reporting.

Now, construction is stopping at least for now on a controversial pipeline project in the U.S. state of North Dakota. The line is finished except for

a segment originally planned to run under a lake that sits near tribal land.

Now, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and supporters have protested this project for months.

Sara Sidner reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Celebrations, tears of joy, chanting, and drumming. That's what was the initial reaction when the folks here found

out that the Army Corps of Engineers was going to stop this pipeline by asking the Dakota access pipeline to be rerouted -- rerouted away from the

thing that has caused the flashpoint here. Rerouted and kept from going underneath the Missouri River.

It is a very big victory for the Standing Rock Sioux and all of the people who have been here for many months trying to stop this pipeline from

potentially going under the water and one day leaking. However, what we have also heard from the tribe is that they are concerned that this may not

be permanent, depending on which administration is in place, and worried about Donald Trump's role in all of this when he takes the presidency.

CHASE IRON EYES, STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBAL MEMBER: We need to stay here. Everybody here needs to stay here until we know exactly the legal

ramifications of what took place today. As far as, you know, into the future, there's no guarantee that this is going to stand. If President-

elect Trump could override what just happened today on January 20th and grant that easement, then we're in for a world of hurt. Nothing has changed

for us.

SIDNER: We're hearing that from other members of the tribe that even though is truly a victory and people feel relief, there is also worry about what

happens next. Right now, this camp is filling up. No one seems to be leaving.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Sara Sidner reporting there.

Now, the company building the pipeline says it remains committed to seeing the project through to completion without rerouting.

Now, Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers are butting heads with the government over their

elected seats. And we will hear from Umbrella Movement leader Nathan Law on what his next move will be.

Also ahead, revolutionary leader Fidel Castro has been laid to rest. We'll tell you what Castro hoped for in his final days.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

[08:31:31] LU STOUT: Former Umbrella Movement leader Nathan Law says he will not back down on his fight for democracy, even as the government filed

a lawsuit to r remove him and three others from their elected seats in Hong Kong's legislative council.

It was filed after Beijing reinterpreted Hong Kong's constitution, allowing the Hong Kong government to claim some pro-democracy lawmakers oaths of

office were invalid.

Now, Nathan Law spoke to CNN and explained why he is determined to fight.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NATHAN LAW, HONG KONG PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST: It's not just about my seat, and it's not just about the resources that we have in the legislative

council. It's about whether those people voted for me are willing to come out on the street and protest, saying that the government shall

not deprive the rights of election from them.

I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing, because that is what they don't want us to do. They want us to be silent. They want us to be surrounded

by sentiments. That's not the way we will do. We will definitely fight back and we'll definitely tell Hong Kong people to come out and we put

pressure on them.

You have to act like what you have promised. In 1997, the Chinese government promised Hong Kong democracy and as it's written in black and

white in the but they failed to do so. So I think it is very important to tell Hong Kong people to tell the world that Chinese government is a

government that they will do what they have promised, although it is very unlikely that they will do so in the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Hong Kong lawmaker Nathan Law there. There has been a lot of controversy over the Hong Kong government lawsuit. You can find out more

about the situation on our website. Just go straight to CNN.com.

Now in Cuba, thousands attended memorials across the country to mark the funeral of Fidel

Castro. The official event, though, was kept private in line with Castro's wishes. Patrick Oppmann has more on what the leader meant to thousands in

Cuba.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Santiago de Cuba known as the cradle of the revolution, tens of thousands of the

faithful give Fidel Castro his last public send-off. The crowds of Castro admirers pledged the devotion to the fallen leader until La Victoria

Siempre, the eternal victory.

But Raul Castro said his brother would not be immortalized in the way so many strong men before him.

RAUL CASTRO, CUBAN PRESIDENT (through translator): He was consistent with that attitude until the very last hours of his life insisting that once

dead, his name and his figure would never be utilized to named institutions, plazas, parks, avenues, and other public spaces. And neither

build in his memory monuments, busts, statues, and other similar forms of tribute.

OPPMANN: Castro was laid to rest on Sunday in Santiago. A private ceremony for a leader who for six decades lived the most public life. Only members

of the secretive Castro Family and a small number of guests were in attendance.

Just weeks before his death, Fidel Castro's son and personal photographer predicted his father's final wish.

ALEX CASTRO, FIDEL CASTRO'S SON: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

[08:35:08] OPPMANN (on-camera): And why doesn't he (inaudible)?

A. CASTRO: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

OPPMANN: But hundreds of thousands led highways and roads across Cuba as Castro's ashes were transported past to worship the leader who changed

their lives and island forever. Housewife Purveley (ph) Santos Garcia waited alongside the road for hours to catch a final glimpse of the Cuban

leader she said she loved like a father.

PURVELEY SANTOS GARCIA (through translator): Thanks to him, we have what we have. Our education, health care, that all thanks to the commander.

OPPMANN: But Castro also left behind a host of problems for Cuban's to grapple with. An outdated Soviet-style economy, a heavy headed police

state, the exodus of some of the island's best and brightest. As the massive memorials for Castro die down, Cubans are left alone to face an

uncertain future.

Patrick Oppmann, CNN, Santiago de Cuba.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: You're watching News Stream. And just ahead, a Haitian recording artist and filmmaker join together with a simple, but powerful

message on Haiti still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. We'll tell you about it next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: It is been two months since Hurricane Matthew struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti, killing hundreds and displacing tens of

thousands. And although much of the world has moved on from the story, Haiti is still reeling and still rebuilding. One Haitian recording artist

freedom and freelance producer Iftal Guan (ph) created a music video to show us not only the crippling destruction there, but also the dreams that

haven't been broken.

(MUSIC)

LU STOUT: It's a beautiful work. That song is called "Dream a World" again. It's by a Haitian recording artist Freedom.

And for a list of ways that you can help those affected still by Hurricane Matthew, go to

CNN.com. I've just tweeted out the link. My Twitter handle @KLustout. From there, you'll find a list of organizations who are, indeed, getting

help to those who need it.

Now, as President-elect Donald Trump continues to assemble his cabinet, his pick for Treasury Secretary has drawn criticism from some democrats. Now,

CNN's Anderson Cooper spoke with U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a political opponent of Trump, about his choice of a former Wall Street

figure to be commerce secretary.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Senator Warren, earlier today, you said that the pick of Steve Mnuchin, quote, "should send shivers down the spine of

any American who got hit during the financial crisis." Is that fair? I mean, should no one who worked then in finance during that time be

eligible?

SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D), MASSACHUSETTS: No. But that's not really the point.

I mean, look at it this way. What happened is the Wall Street bankers crashed the economy. They got bailed out. And nobody went to jail. That

made the American people really, really furious. They're still angry about it.

Donald Trump tapped into that anger, and he promised when he was running for president that he would break the connection between Wall Street and

this Congress. He said he was going to separate that from the government, no more revolving door. He wasn't going to do that sort of thing.

And then what does he do? He turns around and picks a guy who had actually been one of the people who helped do all of those lousy mortgages that not

only broke the economy but broke millions of families. And then after the crash, a guy who turned around and bought a bank that then became infamous

for how hard it squeezed families that had already been cheated and was the foreclosure machine following that.

You know, the American people -- this is a guy who also said today that he wants to roll back the Wall Street regulations. The American people are

furious over what Wall Street has done. They don't want somebody who is going to come in here and say, hey, let's help Wall Street. And what Donald

Trump is doing is he's literally handing the keys to the Treasury over to a Wall Street banker who helped cause the crash.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: And that is News Stream. I'm Kristie Lu Stout, but don't go anywhere. World Sport with Amanda Davies is next.

END