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New Day Sunday

Man Stabs Hanukkah Worshippers at Rabbi's Home; Israeli Prime Minister Offers Support after U.S. Attacks; 5 Dead in Small Plane Crash Near Louisiana Airport; Officials Identify Some Victims of Hawaii Tour Helicopter Crash; Trump Showing Frustration with Impeachment Process While on Vacation; Sanders Campaign Betting on New Caucus-Goers in Iowa; Top International Headlines of 2019; NASA Unveils New Rover to Scout Mars; LSU Wins College Football Semi-Final Despite Personal Tragedy. Aired 5-6a ET

Aired December 29, 2019 - 05:00   ET

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


ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

[05:00:17]

CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: Five a.m. right now, and we are following breaking news out of Rockland County, New York.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Five people were stashed in a knife attack at a Hasidic rabbi's home during a Hanukkah celebration. It happened late last night. All of the victims were also Hasidic Jews. And at least two are reported to be in critical condition.

PAUL: Police reporting this hour they do have a suspect in custody. We know about 100 people were gathered to mark the seventh night of Hanukkah. One of the witnesses says the rabbi had just lit a candle when the attacker stormed inside.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARON KOHN, WITNESS: I saw him walking in by the door. I asked, who is coming in, in the middle of the night, with an umbrella? While I was saying that, he pulled it out from the thing, and he started to run into the big room which was on the left side. And I'm throwing tables and chairs, he should get out of here. And he injured a guy, was a carrier (ph) rest guy. He was bleeding here, bleeding in his hand all over.

I ran into the other room, because I tried to save my life. I saw him running down this way, so I ran out. And two ladies came along with me. They were still hysterical. What time is now? I don't even know the time now, and they're still hysterical right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: CNN's Polo Sandoval is live for us this morning in Monsey, New York.

Polo, we understand that you're near the home where this attack happened. Give us an idea -- kind fill out the story what we know from police and witnesses there.

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, still a lot of questions. What we we do know is police have already cleared the scene after what was a very busy night here of families coming together, celebrating Hanukkah. Instead, that night turning into horror.

And now, of course, that investigation on track as they try to answer a question that's left behind for so many of the residents in this -- in this community, a short drive from New York City, which is why? Why did this happen?

We should note, at this point, authorities have not officially classified this as an anti-Semitic hate crime. However, New York authorities, mainly hate crime investigative divisions are on the case right now. They're looking into this, including the FBI, of course, because we have to remember that this is happening after a string of incidents that have taken place in New York City, at least eight of them. Up to nine in the last seven days really, in which members of the Jewish community have been approached and, in some cases, even assaulted.

But back here, though, and this community, I can tell you at this point, there are five members of this community that are currently recovering in the hospital.

According to several witnesses, an individual simply walked into the residential building you see, the home that you see behind me, and then immediately began to stab several individuals there, as you mentioned, as they were celebrating Hanukkah.

That suspect, in making a getaway. We are told by investigators they now have the suspect in custody. However, they have not released a whole lot of information on who this person is.

And then, of course, the key question on a possible motive.

But when you look at it, when you take a step back and you look at everything that's been happening to many members in the Jewish community and then, of course, many of the people who call this part of New York home, a place that has a large population of ultra- Orthodox Jewish families, then you begin to put the pieces together. And there certainly will be that immediate suspicion that this was a hate crime. However, as we made very clear at the beginning, they have not officially classified it as that.

In the meantime, this community is beginning already to heal. You're hearing these remarkable stories of survival. The rabbi that was hosting the celebration, immediately after this incident took place, went right next door to the synagogue and lit a candle and continued with that celebration.

So yes, it certainly speaks to the resilience. But they are still asking that question, not just why but also what? What can you done to prevent something like this from happening and also some of the incidents we've seen in New York City from happening again -- guys? PAUL: Yes. When you put that graphic up of all of the attacks that

have happened since December 23, what is striking is that there has been a daily attack for the last seven days. And I know that we're hearing from the New York A.G. We're hearing from Mayor Bill De Blasio. Also, Governor Andrew Cuomo. What is he saying, Polo?

SANDOVAL: He's calling this attack, this mass stabbing, as it was described earlier, as horrifying. And also saying that there will be no tolerance for any kind of anti-Semitic activities or, of course, any kind of attacks of this nature, as well, and promising to prosecute those -- or the person responsible.

So we are hearing that from authorities. But at the same time, you are hearing this growing call by members of the Jewish community, those who feel targeted, that they want more than just condemning these kinds of acts. They want real concrete action. They want these individuals to be prosecuted and, essentially, send a message to anybody who may harbor any kind of sentiment like this, that this is what could happen if they act on these kinds of sentiments.

[05:05:16]

But of course, for now, a lot of of the attention is on this neighborhood as they try to find out exactly what went down.

But back in New York City, I can definitely tell you that we are seeing an increased police presence in these communities, not necessarily because of just what happened here tonight, but what we've been seeing, an average, as you said, Christi, at least once a day for the last eight days, an attack on members of the Jewish community in New York City.

PAUL: All right. Polo Sandoval, so appreciate the update. Thank you.

Cedric Alexander is with us via phone right now. He's former -- he is a former president of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

Cedric, thank you so much for being with us. I don't think we can overstate this. One attack, at least, over the last seven days. How do -- how does law enforcement move forward with this? What are they doing right now?

CEDRIC ALEXANDER, FORMER PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BLACK LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVE (via phone) : Well, one thing that is clearly going to be done in the state of New York, and it's already been activated, is New York state task force against, that works specifically around crimes such as this that target certain populations based on race, ethnicity, and so forth.

So this is a case here, unfortunately, as sad and tragic as it is, a community there that is within that region that's seeing these types of attacks is very alarming to all of us.

But it is without question that the governor there, Cuomo, and other leadership throughout that city and throughout that state, are going to put the necessary resources, via the state police, along with the other agencies -- in this case Monsey, New York -- they're going to work collaboratively together and have identified, it appears, a suspect to this crime.

But they're going to even dig deeper and begin to look at what is this pattern? Where is it coming from? When is it stemming from? Is there any association or connection between these individuals or these crimes that have taken place?

So you're going to see a lot of investigative work that's going to take place as this task force, that has been initiated there by the governor, are going to go after any and all who may be involved.

But I think for all of us, Christi and -- and Victor, for all of us as Americans, we have to be very vigilant. We have to be able to look out for each other. And we have to make it known, all of us, whether you're in New York state or across this country, that these types of attacks towards any individual, any group of such violence is just not acceptable. And it takes all of us as a nation to stand against it.

BLACKWELL: Cedric, these attacks are not happening exclusively at Houses of worship or even at religious events or ceremonies. They're happening at homes, on the street. How does a department, how does a law enforcement agency protect against these attacks when they're not centralized?

ALEXANDER: And that is certainly a pattern that we're seeing here, is that is there is no pattern. So as a result of that, what you're going to see law enforcement do and what you're seeing they're already activated there in New York state, is that even the local authorities there have heightened their patrols in certain communities and -- and around synagogues.

And it becomes important for all of us, regardless of where we live, to be able to support police, support those communities by being vigilant, by being alert. If we hear anything that doesn't sound right, if we overhear anything, if we see anything, it becomes important that we report that to the authorities so they can try to get ahead of it as quickly as they can.

Because what you have here, Victor, is no apparent pattern whatsoever. But we do see a targeting of a certain population of Americans in this country and that belong to a religious group. And we have to make sure that all of us are alert, are attentive and work in collaboration there with our local authorities in that state, in that community and across this country. Because these events may continue to occur. We don't know. But what we do know, as Christi just pointed out, we've seen at least one event every day over the last number of weeks.

BLACKWELL: Yes. All right. Cedric Alexander, thank you so much for your insight.

I want to bring in now Evan Bernstein. He's the New York regional director of the Anti-Defamation League.

Evan, thank you for being with us.

EVAN BERNSTEIN, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE: Thank you.

BLACKWELL: You know, Mayor De Blasio said that -- I want to read it here -- "We cannot overstate the fear that people are feeling right now."

Your reaction to what happened overnight. And I don't know, if someone's targeting a community, is it better to be in groups or not to be in public or not? I mean, what is that fear? How is it manifested in the community?

BERNSTEIN: Well, this is -- you know, what happened in the overnight here in Monsey, and I've been on the ground here since 11 p.m. last night. We're standing now in front of the home of the rabbi where the Hanukkah celebration took place and where the stabbing, you know, allegedly took place.

And it's been a horrific time for the Orthodox community now for, really, the last few weeks. Clearly, now with what has taken place in Monsey, what took place in Jersey City with the murders that took place there, and also the spate of events that have taken place, the attacks that have taken place in Brooklyn, right now if you're openly Orthodox, you are incredibly scared right now. You're fearful. You're not going about your daily life in the same way you did in months prior.

And we're, you know -- as an ADL organization that is there to stop the defamation of the Jewish people, we are incredibly concerned by the rise of hate that we're seeing towards the Jewish population, especially here in the New York/New Jersey region.

PAUL: Obviously, there has been a strong response by law enforcement to these. How confident are you that they can get a handle on this and maybe get some information in some capacity as to the core of where this is coming from?

BERNSTEIN: You know, I know -- law enforcement worked in fantastic collaboration with local police and police in New York City, as well, to apprehend the perpetrator. And actually was, you know, apprehended in New York. And I think, you know, law enforcement is doing everything in their power.

We have, you know, done so much work together, unfortunately, with the FBI here in New York, homeland security, NYPD, local police here in Rockland County. And everyone here is doing everything in their power to try to protect these populations.

I think the challenges are that there are, you know, anti-Semitic tendencies now that are rising up in ways that we have not seen in very, very long periods of time that this is beyond policing. This is not just policing. This -- these are communal problems. These are societal problems that we need to get in front of. And we need to figure out why these things are happening, why this rise against the Orthodox populations and why the rise against the overall Jewish population is taking place right now, locally and in this country. BLACKWELL: And beyond those reported incidents, the attacks, the

threats, I know that you're concerned about those offenses that are not reported. What's the evidence that supports, maybe, that concern about those -- those attacks that are not reported? And -- and what's the significance? Explain that.

BERNSTEIN: You know, one of the challenges we have is at the ADL, our audit of anti-Semitic incidents is, you know, something that we've been doing since 1979. And we rely on people that are going to be able to, you know, call us and reporting to us, either online or on the phone. A lot of these Orthodox populations, ultra-Orthodox populations are populations that are just using that kind of technology and also are typically a little bit more insulated, you know, from other kinds of norms.

And so what we're trying to do is work with community leadership in these Orthodox, openly-Orthodox communities, Hasidic communities, to get this to become part of their normal routine.

I have had so many conversations with people that have been assaulted, or have had other issues taken place with them. They just haven't reported it. There's a fear of reporting. There's a fear of retaliation. Or they just don't have the understanding of how to report.

So what happens is in a place like here in Rockland County, you maybe will only show a few or a handful of incidents that have taken place in our audit, when in reality, we believe, based on our conversations with Orthodox leadership, there's far more of that happening. And we need to do a better job of getting to these populations so they can report, so that we can work with law enforcement and elected officials to really give the best picture and clearest picture about what's actually happening in these communities.

PAUL: All right. Evan Bernstein, we appreciate so much you taking the time to be with us.

BERNSTEIN: Thank you.

PAUL: I know you've been there for a long time overnight there. Thank you.

BLACKWELL: Still ahead, we've got more of our breaking news coverage of this mass stabbing at a home of a rabbi in New York. We'll go live to Jerusalem and get the response from Israel.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:17:22]

BLACKWELL: More now on our breaking news, the stabbing at the home of a rabbi in Monsey, New York, a town north of New York City. A witness says about 100 people were there to celebrate the seventh night of Hanukkah when a man with a large knife stormed inside.

PAUL: Police say they do have a suspect in custody at this hour. New York's governor has activated the state's Hate Crimes Task Force in response.

BLACKWELL: And this attack is the latest in a string of anti-Semitic attacks, most of them happening in New York and the New York City region.

CNN's Oren Liebermann joins us now, live from Jerusalem. What has been the reaction there?

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We just got a reaction from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who responded not only to the attack in Monsey, New York, but the broader phenomena of attacks that we're seeing throughout New York.

And he says, "Israel condemns in every sense the latest anti-Semitic incidents and the brutal attack in the middle of Hanukkah at the rabbi's House in Monsey, New York. We send wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. We will work together in every way with the local authorities in order to help eliminate this phenomena. We offer our help to all countries."

Netanyahu there offering Israel's assistance in dealing with anti- Semitism. It remains unclear, or rather, it hasn't been clarified yet as to how or in what form that help would come. And we will certainly see what help Israel offers not only to the U.S. but any other country that might be interested in that sort of assistance.

Israel's president, Reuven Rivlin, was one of the first to weigh in on Sunday morning, as news broke of the attack here in Jerusalem. He said, "Shocked and outraged by the terrible attack in New York. We are praying for the rapid recovery of those injured. The rise of anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish problem, and certainly not just the state of Israel's problem. We must work together to confront this evil, which is raising its head again and is a genuine threat around the world."

Speaking of around the world, next month, Israel's Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem, will host a conference on anti-Semitism that coincides with the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp in Poland. Heads of state come here. And part of that question will be how do you deal with anti-Semitism? Is it simply a matter of education, education about anti-Semitism, education about the Holocaust? Those questions have become more and more pressing because of what we're seeing in New York and because of what we just saw, of course, in Monsey.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Jewish Agency says on holidays, on days when Jews should feel safe in their homes, in their communities, in their synagogue, these are the days that Jews are being attacked. Pittsburgh, San Diego, Monsey, all of these were on holidays, whether it was the Sabbath for Pittsburgh and San Diego, or whether it was the seventh night of Hanukkah, as it was in Monsey.

He also issues a warning that goes beyond just the Jewish faith. He says it always starts with the Jews, but it never ends just with the Jews.

[05:20:04]

BLACKWELL: Oren for us there in Jerusalem. Oren, thank you.

Now, we'll continue, obviously, to follow this breaking news throughout the morning. But you can get all of the latest updates on our website, CNN.com.

PAUL: Still ahead, five people are dead after a small plane crashed in Louisiana late yesterday. It's connected to a college football playoff game, as well. We'll break it down for you. Stay close.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PAUL: Twenty-three minutes past the hour right now. I want to tell you about the five people who were killed after a small plane crashed in Lafayette, Louisiana, yesterday. Officials say it was on its way to Atlanta. Several of the passengers were headed to the college football playoff between LSU and Oklahoma.

One of those passengers was Carley Ann McCord.

BLACKWELL: She was a sports reporter in New Orleans and the daughter -- the daughter-in-law, I should say, of LSU coach Steve Ensminger. Those victims ranged in age from 15 to 59. And the only survivor from the crash is in the hospital. Officials say he is in critical condition.

CNN's Natasha Chen has more for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NATASHA CHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Saturday morning just before 9:30 local time in Lafayette, Louisiana, people saw a plane fall out of the sky.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For the first time, my heart just, like, want to stop and give up and take their place. And I just feel like it's pain. It's pain for the family and all that.

CHEN: This witness described the plane tilting, hitting a post, and a couple of vehicles. What's left is a burned-out car flipped upside- down and pieces of the plane scattered in a field across the parking lot of this post office.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's one of those things, like, you never could picture it in your mind. It was terrifying. And outside, I could feel the heat from the flames. And I could smell the fuel.

[05:25:04]

CHEN: There were six people on the plane, and only one of them survived.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We got closer, and they pulled a guy out of the burning flames and brought him out.

CHEN: The lone survivor: 37-year-old Wade Berzas, vice president of sales at Global Data Systems, an I.T. company.

Among the five who died, Carley McCord, a 30-year-old sports reporter who worked at WDSU in New Orleans.

CARLEY MCCORD, PLANE CRASH VICTIM: Well, everyone loves a good family football story.

CHEN: Her football family includes her father-in-law, Steve Ensminger, offensive coordinator for Louisiana State University. McCord was on her way to see LSU play against Oklahoma University in Atlanta at the Peach Bowl.

MATT MOSCONA, ESPN RADIO: I've been up all day. It's been hard to do the show, quite honestly. I don't have much to say.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

MOSCONA: Other than there's a lot of people that are going to be hurting today.

CHEN: Those hurting include families of the injured. Besides Berzas, who survived from the plane, one more person on the ground was severely burned and is being treated in a hospital. Two more people inside the post office were treated for smoke inhalation and are expected to be OK.

Natasha Chen, CNN, Lafayette, Louisiana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLACKWELL: Well, now to Thursday's helicopter crash in Hawaii. Police have identified some of the victims who died. That's when the chopper went down near the city of Hanapepe.

PAUL: Officials believe all seven passengers were killed. They include the pilot, a 13-year-old and her mother. The other victims are believed to be members of a family from Switzerland.

Now CNN's Josh Campbell has more for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Local fire department officials tell us there were likely no survivors in the crash of a tourism helicopter here in Hawaii with seven people on board.

Officials announcing they have located the scene of the wreckage. The crash site in a remote area inside a state park behind us here in the northwest section of the island of Kauai.

Now as far as those on board, officials tell us that, in addition to the pilot, there were four adults and two children. Search teams have located the remains of six individuals. The search for the seventh victim continues at this hour.

Now, this all began on Thursday afternoon after this tourism helicopter failed to report back to base at its scheduled time. Officials sending out an alert to the U.S. Coast Guard, that launching a massive investigation involving the Coast Guard, Navy, rescue fire and rescue crews, as well, that lasting throughout the night for some 16 hours.

Again, officials eventually locating the wreckage behind us inside a state park here in the northern section of Kauai.

Finally, regarding the cause of this incident, that remains under investigation. We're told that a team from the NTSB and FAA has been sent to this location to start that investigation. Officials tell us that at this hour, it appears as though inclement weather may have been the likely cause.

Josh Campbell, CNN, Kauai.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL: Now, listen, there were a string of air incidents yesterday. In North Carolina, four people were injured after a small plane crashed during takeoff. It went down across the street from Asheville Regional Airport. The FAA issued a ground stop as a result of that crash.

BLACKWELL: In Long Island, another small plane crashed into the woods on final approach to the airport. Officials say the pilot was the only person on board, and the police have not released information on his condition.

PAUL: A Delta flight had to return to the airport in Austin, Texas, due to mechanical issues. Officials say it may have been caused by a drone or bird strike. Delta said the plane did return to the gate, and passengers de-planed normally.

BLACKWELL: President Trump goes into his second week of vacation, showing an apparent frustration with the impeachment process.

PAUL: Between rounds of golf and meetings with aides, the president continued his tirades on Twitter, sharing pro-Trump and anti-Democrat messages. CNN's Kristen Holmes reports from West Palm Beach.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, President Trump may be physically here in Florida, but his mind is clearly back home in Washington and on impeachment. While he's been mixing and mingling with those guests and members at Mar-a-Lago, we're also told he's been picking their brains, asking people who should be part of his defense team when it comes to the impeachment trial. What their defense strategy should be.

And while we've seen President Trump on the golf course numerous times, we've seen him on Twitter far more, tweeting almost every day, attacking impeachment Democrats, and of course, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Clearly, the president is perturbed by the fact that the speaker has not transmitted over those articles of impeachment to the Senate.

And of course, just a breakdown where we stand: at an impasse between Democrats and Republicans on what exactly a fair trial would look like. The speaker would like some sort of commitment from Republicans, which she has yet to receive. Democrats believe a fair trial would include witnesses and documents. And again, Republicans have not conceded to that.

So it will be something to see how this plays out, particularly given the fact that both parties appear to have dug in. But I spoke to several Republicans who told me that they hoped it would really just play itself out. That Speaker Pelosi, once the House was back in session in early January, would fells the political pressure to transmit those articles over to the Senate.

[05:30:13]

However, take a listen to a top Democratic congressman, Dan Kildee, who spoke to CNN.

REP. DAN KILDEE (D-MI): I think we have to wait until we have some assurance that the trial is not going to be some sort of a sham or a joke.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: I mean, I'm talking extremes here. Like into February?

KILDEE: Well, I mean, that's certainly possible, but I'm not going to get ahead of the speaker.

HOLMES: And February is a long ways away. But we have learned from sources that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is now open to the idea of bringing the impeachment trial procedures and rules to the Senate floor without any Democratic support. All he needs is a simple majority.

But one thing to keep your eye on is those more moderate Republicans. Are they going to be on board with these Senate trials that have absolutely no Democratic backing?

In West Palm Beach, Florida, I'm Kristen Holmes, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL: So you know the Iowa caucuses, they are fast approaching. Well, Bernie Sanders's campaign is making what some are characterizing as a risky bet.

BLACKWELL: The Sanders team is hoping an army of highly-motivated, political newcomers will lead him to victory. CNN's Ryan Nobles has this story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RYAN NOBLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bernie Sanders remains confident about his chances here in Iowa. But his campaign is employing a strategy that involves convincing hundreds, maybe thousands of Iowans that have never caucused before to come out and support him. It's a strategy that even his campaign admits is risky.

But if they pull it off, they believe they can win here.

(voice-over): If the Bernie Sanders team is right --

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We believe in grassroots organizing.

NOBLES: -- this is where the Iowa caucus will be won.

DENVER FOOTE, BERNIE SANDERS CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER: Hello. My name is Denver. I'm volunteering with the Bernie Sanders campaign.

NOBLES: On sidewalks, in the cold. With dedicated volunteers like Denver Foote, one of the many foot soldiers in the 2020 version of the Sanders revolution.

FOOTE: He's for the people. He's by the people.

NOBLES: Sanders is back in Iowa this week with a revamped strategy on full display, while he's still drawing big crowds at raucous rallies.

SANDERS: We have a number of challenges.

NOBLES: His campaign, though, has a new, more targeted focus, highlighted by Sanders himself, attending small issued-based forums and town halls and his field staff organizing new caucus goers around specific issues like health care.

SALLY BENDA, IOWA VOTER: I've had cancer before. And health care is very important. I have a pre-existing condition, basically.

NOBLES: The Sanders team is focusing on voters like Sally Bennett (ph), who may not traditionally have been part of the Iowa caucus process, but have been inspired by the Sanders message because of a personal experience.

It's not the first time a campaign has made turning out new caucus goers a key part of its Iowa strategy. It worked well for Barack Obama in 2008. But the Sanders campaign says its 2020 model is a political leap of faith.

(on camera): Is it, in any way, though, a gamble for you to do it this way?

MISTY REBIK, SANDERS CAMPAIGN: If we're not willing to take risks and expand the electorate, then you're right. It is a gamble. But look, the senator has always been somebody who is willing to gamble a bit and do what was right.

JUDY DOWNS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, POLK COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY: You just show up that day and register as a Democrat.

NOBLES: OK. (voice-over): Caucus participation requires commitment. It means spending several hours on a specific night to publicly support a candidate, which is why campaigns traditionally place a premium on those who have reliably caucused in the past.

DOWNS: It's a big ask to bring new people into the system. But it's definitely a worthy cause. And if they can do it successfully, they might win on caucusing.

FOOTE: What is your name?

NOBLES: For the Sanders team, they say this is about more than a campaign. It's about the next step in a political movement.

REBIK: I don't know if that's risky. I think that's the right thing to do. Because frankly, if we want a White House that represents all people, we've got to talk to all people, and they've got to get voted in by all people.

NOBLES (on camera): And the Sanders strategy in Iowa will be on display this week in Iowa. In fact, Sanders planning to spend New Year's Eve in Des Moines. He has a number of events there to start 2020.

They don't view this as a deal breaker, even though they believe they can win there. If they don't win in Iowa, Sanders already has plenty of investments in those first four early states, as well as the big Super Tuesday states of California and beyond.

Ryan Nobles, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLACKWELL: From global political instability to massive protest movements, 2019 has been a tumultuous year around the world. Coming up, which stories made our list of the biggest international headlines?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:38:03]

BLACKWELL: Terror attacks, an attended coup, massive protests are just some of the headlines from a busy year in international news.

PAUL: Yes. CNN's Clarissa Ward has a look at the top global headlines of 2019.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLARISSA WARD, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: As the decade comes to a close, so does another tumultuous year. 2019 was marked by global protests, brutal terrorist attacks, and political instability. And CNN was there as it all happened.

(voice-over): Number nine. THERESA MAY, FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I will shortly leave the

job that it has been the honor of my life to hold.

WARD: Theresa May stepped down as British prime minister after failing to secure Brexit, the U.K.'s withdrawal from the European Union. She was replaced by Boris Johnson, who called for an early election in December, hoping to break the Brexit impasse.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: And a major victory for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: And yes, they will have an overwhelming mandate from this election to get Brexit done.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Many MPs who lost their seats have blamed Jeremy Corbyn, saying people decided that he just wasn't the kind of leader they want.

WARD: Boris Johnson vowing to get Brexit done by the end of January.

No. 8, China ramps up its persecution of Uyghur Muslims.

WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: China doesn't want you to know the secret behind these walls. Men, women, children, sometimes entire families separated from each other, cut off from the outside world.

The U.S. State Department says they live in prison-like conditions, locked up not for what they did but who they are, members of Muslim minority groups from Xinjiang province in China's Far West.

WARD: Human rights groups allege that 2 million members of the ethnic minority are being detained in sprawling secret camps. The Chinese government denies this. It says the Uyghurs are voluntarily enrolled in, quote, "vocational training centers."

[05:40:11]

No. 7, a holy day meant for rest and worship turns deadly in Sri Lanka.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: An entire country shaken after hundreds of people are killed in a wave of bombings. This is Sri Lanka. More than 200 people are dead, hundreds more wounded, in three separate cities.

WARD: Ten days before the massacre, an intelligence memo warned of a possible attack, raising questions about whether more could have been done to prevent the bloodshed.

Two of the suicide bombers were brothers, members of a prominent wealthy Muslim family. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.

No. 6, power in numbers. Citizens from almost every continent flood their cities' centers and demand systemic change.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The mass protests against income inequality have gone on for two weeks. Twenty people have been killed.

WARD: Some protestors paid the highest price, but their movements forced dictators out of power.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This morning, a military transitional counsel announced the end of Omar al-Bashir's 30-year reign, a dictatorship known for its brutality against its own citizens.

WARD: They confronted economic inequality, fought for democracy, and reaffirmed the underestimated power of a people united.

No. 5, the world's most wanted terrorist cornered and killed.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: As we are getting some major news out of the Middle East. ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is believed to have been killed.

WARD: President Trump announces U.S. Special Forces conducted an overnight raid in Syria. Al-Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest, killing himself and three children when he was cornered in a tunnel.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He died like a dog. He died like a coward. The world is now a much safer place.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: U.S. Special Forces were in the compound for about two hours and were able to gather what's described as highly-sensitive material on ISIS before pulling out and flying back to Iraq.

WARD: Days later ISIS announces a new leader of the caliphate. Baghdadi's death symbolizes the destruction of the Islamic State but not the end of its violent ideology.

No. 4, the deadliest terror attack in New Zealand's modern history.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Police say these were the actions of a lone gunman whose rampage began with the attack on the Al Noor Mosque and subsequently the Linwood Mosque.

WARD: The massacre claims the lives of 51 people and wounds 49.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We ended up having to lift the bodies over top of other bodies onto our stretchers. There was no -- and those people were bleeding, and there was a lot of blood.

WARD: The gunman, a 28-year-old self-described white supremacist, armed with military-style weapons and livestreaming the massacre from a helmet cam. He posts an 87-page manifesto on social media just hours before the attack.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern vows to take action on gun violence.

JACINDA ARDERN, NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER: Today I'm announcing that New Zealand will ban all military-style semiautomatic weapons. We will also ban all assault rifles. WARD: No. 3, a power struggle in Venezuela ushers in an era of

violence and poverty.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The breaking news straight out of Venezuela. Juan Guaido, the country's self-declared interim president and opposition leader, urging the military today to join him, to take to the streets to force out the president, Nicolas Maduro.

WARD: After what critics describe as an illegitimate inauguration of Maduro, Guaido challenged Maduro's claim to the presidency. President Trump recognizes Guaido as the legitimate president.

Madura accuses the United States of backing an attempted coup and expels U.S. diplomats from the country.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The world watched as a stark message was sent to protesters. Maduro's forces would not tolerate dissent. Human rights activists say they're being backed up by an unprecedented police crackdown.

WARD: The United States sanctions Venezuela's government-owned oil company. But almost a full year later, Maduro remains in power, more resilient than his opponents expected.

As for the Venezuelans Guaido once inspired, they continue to suffer from government corruption, inflation and hunger, losing faith that much will change.

No. 2, abandoning a commitment, creating a vacuum.

[05:45:03]

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT/ANCHOR: An invasion is under way in northern Syria. Turkey's President Erdogan said the military offensive there has begun.

TRUMP: And our soldiers have been coming back over that period of time.

WARD: Days earlier, President Trump makes an abrupt announcement that he is withdrawing U.S. troops from Northern Syria, clearing the way for Turkey to launch an offensive.

The moves, essentially, abandons Kurdish fighters who have fought alongside American forces to defeat ISIS. Ceding power to Turkey, cemented Bashar al-Assad's grip on Syria, and benefiting the regional ambitions of Russia and Iran.

At No. 1, a pro-democracy movement fights for autonomy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Breaking overnight from Hong Kong, protesters flooding the streets, clashing with police, as Hong Kong marks 22 years since it was formally returned to China.

WARD: Frustrations were ignited with the proposal of a controversial extradition bill that would see mainland China's authority over the semi-autonomous region grow.

At its peak, organizers estimate as many as two million took to the streets.

The extradition bill was suspended. But as violence and property damage grew, so did the protesters' demands. They wanted an independent investigation into police actions, the release of all those arrested, conditions that proved unpalatable to authorities.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And there is no end in sight to the short political divisions and this crisis that has plunged Hong Kong into economic recession. The worst crisis this city has seen in a generation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL: So here's a question. Has life ever existed on Mars, and could humans survive there? Well, CNN is getting an up-close look at how NASA plans to find out soon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm all dressed up with somewhere to go in a bunny suit, if you will, to give us a sneak preview of the Mars 2020 rover that's coming up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:51:07]

PAUL: So NASA has its sights set on Mars in 2020. The space agency planning to launch its new rover on a mission to the red planet next summer. The hope isn't just to finally confirm if life ever existed there but to pave the way for us, the first humans, to visit.

BLACKWELL: And CNN's Paul Vercammen got a chance to get an up-close look at how it will work.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERCAMMEN: I'm here inside the clean room at JPL. And behind me, arguably the most tricked-out vehicle in the solar system, the Mars 2020 rover.

Among the new features on this rover, the Terrain Relative Navigation. If you see that red triangle, a camera in there is going to be taking images of Mars as it parachutes down into a crater.

And why this is important is this camera is going to match images taken from the orbit. And that way, they can make much more daring landing, such as in a crater. Before, they always had the safest bet, a nice, flat surface. This will also allow them to avoid hazards, such as a rock outcropping or something else that might endanger the landing of any vehicles. Also, as we look at this vehicle, it will take some 300 scientists to

operate it. You can't see this well. But back down there in the body, MOXIE. Why MOXIE is important. It will try to convert this Martian atmosphere into oxygen.

And down the road, if we're going to put men on Mars and women, we're going to need the ability to convert the Martian atmosphere into breathable oxygen. They can't haul all that oxygen with them. So that's where MOXIE comes in. And as we said, converts it to breathable air.

Now, when does the Mars 2020 rover launch? Right now, it's on schedule for July or August of 2020. That's when we will be close to Mars again here on Earth.

Also, they're calling it the Mars 2020 rover for now, but there's a contest that involves students, and we believe before too long you will hear a new name for this vehicle.

Reporting from Pasadena, I'm Paul Vercammen. Now back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLACKWELL: In the face of immense personal tragedy, with the loss of an assistant coach's daughter-in-law, the LSU Tigers, they found a way to win.

PAUL: Vince Cellini's here.

I was watching this last night when it happened. And I thought how is he even going to coach?

VINCE CELLINI, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Right.

PAUL: I mean, that is the strength of this man.

CELLINI: It is. And sometimes the sport itself can be sanctuary for those types of emotions. And -- and as it is, the team was relatively insulated from the day's events.

Many of the LSU players said after the game they had no idea about what had occurred. But to be in the national semifinal and to have tragedy touch a key member of the coaching staff, it could have been overwhelming.

This was LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger on the field before the Peach Bowl, almost in tears, learning just hours before his daughter-in-law, Carley McCord, was one of five people killed when their private plane crashed.

He stayed on to coach, and he coached brilliantly. His team might not have been aware, but they played inspired football against Oklahoma. The game over in the blink of an eye.

Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow was otherworldly. Eight total touchdowns at his hands. Seven through the air and another on the ground, the most by any player ever in a bowl game. The Tigers win 63-28.

But head coach Ed Orgeron, who called his assistant, Ensminger, the MVP of the day.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ED ORGERON, LSU HEAD COACH: There was a tragedy that happened to Coach Ensminger's family today. I was the one that had to tell Coach, and here's what I told him. I told him what happened. And here's what he said: "Coach, we're going to get through this." And obviously, he was distraught, but he called a great game today, so it just goes to shows you the integrity, and the grit and character of the men on our football team.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CELLINI: Absolutely incredible.

In the nightcap, Clemson/Ohio State, all sorts of controversy. A targeting call hurting the Buckeyes earlier. In the third, Clemson is up when Trevor Lawrence hit Justin Ross with a pass. He appeared to fumble. A scoop and score for the Ohio State touchdown to take the lead.

But hold everything. The play is reviewed, and it's overturned as that pass is ruled incomplete. So the Buckeye lead is gone like it never happened. The old review booth. That's how it went.

And in a pivotal moment, final minutes of the fourth quarter, Clemson is down and the Tigers superstar sophomore quarterback was incredible, leading Clemson the entire length of the field, 94 yards. Travis Etienne, the game-winning touchdown. Ohio State interception late hurt them and ends their season.

Clemson survives, 29-23, keeping their chance at back-to-back titles alive.

Soc Clemson/LSU, Monday, January 13 from the Superdome in New Orleans for the national championship. It is going to be an all-Tiger final. And Clemson's going to have to heal up a little bit here. It was a very physical game with Ohio State.

BLACKWELL: All right.

PAUL: Vince, thank you.

BLACKWELL: Thank you, Vince.

CELLINI: Thanks.

BLACKWELL: We'll continue to cover the breaking news, that stabbing in New York. We have more for you in a moment. More for you in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLACKWELL: The breaking news this morning coming out of Rockland County, New York. Five people were stabbed in a knife attack at a rabbi's home during a Hanukkah celebration late last night.

PAUL: All the victims, we're told, were Hasidic Jews, at least two in critical condition right now. Police say they do have a suspect in custody.

BLACKWELL: Roughly 100 people were gathered to mark the seventh night of Hanukkah. One of those witnesses says the rabbi had just lit --

[06:00:00]