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Trump's Perspective on Syrian Problem?; Israel To Turn Arson Investigation in Haifa Wildfires; ISIS Claims Responsibility in Baghdad Truck Bombing. 10:00a-11:00a ET

Aired November 25, 2016 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:12] ANDREW STEVENS, HOST: I'm Andrew Stevens in Hong Kong. Welcome to News Stream.

Dozens killed in an ISIS suicide attack near Iraq's capital. This as we hear more harrowing tales from those who escaped the terror group's

grip in Mosul.

Back to business for the president-elect with the American holiday now over, Donald Trump looks to build his team.

And shopping up a storm. Black Friday deals send bargain hunters in the U.S. into a frenzy.

Iraqi-led forces have been pushing ahead with their biggest assault on ISIS yet, but the terror group is striking back in vicious and unexpected

ways. ISIS says it's behind a trap bombing southeast of Baghdad in an area near the ancient city of Babel.

At least 80 killed, mostly Shiite pilgrims from Iran. ISIS says it's behind a truck bombing southeast of Baghdad in an area near the ancient

city of Babel. At least 80 people were killed, mostly Shiite pilgrims, from Iran.

ISIS says the bombing response to the operation to retake the city of Mosul. Well, there is concern now that civilians could be trapped in Mosul

as a fourth major bridge was destroyed in the U.S. airstrike. CNN's Phil Black is in Irbil, which is east of the city.

And Phil, what do we know of the conditions for those inside Mosul?

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Andrew, they are very difficult and also very dangerous. Now, the civilian population of Mosul

was advised by the Iraqi government to hunker down in their homes and wait there as the street fighting rages around them, wait until it passes,

because their concern was that if the fighting triggered a mass exodus from the city, then that would result in a humanitarian crisis and yet more

human suffering.

So the Iraqi forces say they are altering their fighting tactics to ensure there is minimal harm

caused to the civilian population. It's reducing their capabilities, they say, because they can't use heavy weapons, they can't call in air power,

but what we've seen firsthand inside Mosul is that ISIS is not showing the same concern.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLACK: These people have just lived through the horror of urban warfare. They cowered in their homes for days, prayers and white flags

their only protection as Iraqi forces fought their way through the neighborhoods of eastern Mosul against fierce ISIS resistance.

Now there is little food, water, or medicine. No electricity, but there's much relief.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ISIS is like a dark thing on your chest?

BLACK: ISIS is a like a dark thing on your chest?

UNIDENIFIED MALE: Yes. Yes.

BLACK: And it's gone now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, Daesh -- the dark is gone.

BLACK: You can hear the fighting in the near distance. It's still dangerously close.

ISIS has gone from these streets, but its ability to harm these people hasn't passed. Just 24 hours ago we're told a family was sitting here

outside their home when a mortar struck just a short distance away, and an 18-month-old girl was killed.

Her name was Amira Ali (ph), her father Omar is overwhelmed by grief.

He cries, "what did she do wrong? She was just playing. She's gone from me and she's my

only one."

Every day this makeshift clinic inside Mosul sees the terrible consequences of mortars fired

into civilian areas. It's a bloody production line. The wounded are delivered, patched up quickly, and loaded into ambulances for transport to

hospital. At times it seems endless, as one ambulance pulls away, another military vehicle speeds in carrying more wounded civilians.

They are unloaded with great care as the medics work to help the victims of yet another ISIS

mortar attack.

But they can't save everyone. This man's 21-year-old son was killed. He says, "a mortar just fell in front of the door. We came and he was just

a piece of meat. Four or five of my neighbors were standing with him, and they are all dead."

Here another parent falls to the dusty ground before the body of her son. These people endured two years of living under ISIS, only to be

killed by the group's desperate military tactics and its total indifference to the lives of the innocent.

Now, the important thing to remember is this is really just the beginning, in the city of more than a million people. The Iraqi forces

have only really began the early stages of driving ISIS out.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[08:05:26] BLACK: They've only started to fight to take that ground in the east of the city. So, they have got to keep pushing westward. The

toughest fighting is still yet to come. And of course, what all of that means is that there is a lot of concern logically that the humanitarian

situation, the humanitarian cost of this military operation is only going to get a lot worse, too -- Andrew.

STEVENS: And Phil, there's actually very little they can do for those still trapped in the city as they advance, as you say, changing their

battle tactics moving in slowly. The people inside the city will have to rely on themselves to survive.

BLACK: Yeah, that's right. Some people are choosing, or have chosen to leave. There's something like around 70,000 people we understand have

left Mosul or the surrounding area because of this ongoing military operation, but the majority are still within, many are believed to be,

understandably, too scared to try to leave, and there is increasing concern from aid groups what this is going to mean for those people because,

obviously, it is so dangerous, increasingly dangerous within the city itself as the battles rage around this civilian population.

But on top of that, aid groups are also worried about the challenge of getting in the necessary supply and aid, food, water, the very basics that

will keep these people alive, even in areas that have been liberated.

What they are hoping is that Iraqi forces will be able to create safe corridors that will allow

people to get out, but also allow aid to get in -- Andrew.

STEVEN: All while indiscriminate shelling from ISIS apparently continues.

Phil, thank you so much for that. Phil Black joining us from Irbil.

Now, over the border in Syria there's a new warning some people in eastern Aleppo could run out of food in less than ten days. The head of

the Syrian civil defense has told Reuters that rescuers have almost no resources to pull people out of the rubble either. He says on Thursday

alone at least 59 people were killed in the besieged city.

Well, coalition forces have long been fighting the terror group in both Syria and Iraq, and much

of that battle has been helped thanks to teams in the air. CNN has gained exclusive access to a secretive plane just like the one that you see here

that spies on ISIS militants.

CNN's senior international correspondent Fred Pleitgen has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Fighting ISIS in a space suit. We can only identify the pilot by his

first name, Captain Steven, and by his call sign, Meathead. He's about to embark on a high-altitude reconnaissance mission in a U2 spy plane.

We were given rare access to the preparations, launch, and landing on one of these highly secretive mission that's have a clear objective, one of

the pilots tells me.

MAJ. MATT, U.S. AIR FORCE: With the U2, we're able to get out there and find those guys, track 'em, get information back to the fighter types,

bomber types. So, when they go out, they've got the best intel, best information about where they are, and then obviously do what needs to be

done.

PLEITGEN: The U2 can fly extremely high, more than 70,000 feet, and get pictures and information to forces on the ground very fast. It's a Cold

War-era plane flying since the 1950s, but its cameras and sensors have been completely upgraded. (on camera): With its many technological upgrades, the

U2 dragon lady remains one of America's main assets in the information- gathering effort against ISIS. But, of course, intelligence gathering happens on many levels. And much of it happens through drones like this

Global Hawk which patrols in the skies above Iraq and Syria almost every day.

The information from these surveillance platforms is key to helping jets from the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition strike their targets in support

of forces combating the group on the ground in places like Mosul in Iraq.

But while the U2 can soar higher than almost any other plane, it's pretty hard to land. We're in a chase car that speeds after the jet helping

to guide the pilot to the ground after almost a ten-hour mission. Peeling himself out of the cockpit, Captain Steven says he believes the U2 is

making a major impact.

CPT. STEVEN, U.S. AIR FORCE: Things we can do while we're up there, as well as how often we're up there, thanks to the maintenance guys we're

constantly up in the air providing support to those who need it most.

[08:10:03] PLEITGEN: The need for the U2 services will remain in high demand while ISIS may be losing grounds, the group remains deadly and

elusive.

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, in the Middle East.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STEVENS: The fight against ISIS will be one of Donald Trump's major challenges when he becomes president of the United States, but while he and

his team are busy filling administration and cabinet posts, there's been a report that Trump has been skipping most of

the daily intelligence briefings since his election.

The Washington Post says the president-elect has only met twice with a team of intelligence analysts. The vice president-elect Mike Pence has

been receiving his briefings almost every day. But Trump did assure the public via his Twitter feed that he is working hard,

even on Thanksgiving Day. He's been spending time with his family at his estate in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, but has more meetings

scheduled in the coming hours and potentially more announcements.

Here's CNN's Jason Carroll.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A conference call scheduled for 10:30 this morning. Basically, this is going to be the

transition team going over who is on tap to be interviewed on Monday for a cabinet position.

Having said that, we might hear something later on today about commerce secretary. As you know, Wilbur Ross, the billionaire investor, is

up for that particular job.

Also, we might hear something about Ben Carson, who's up for HUD secretary. He basically said an offer is on the table. Trump for his part

turned at least part of the holiday into a working holiday. You know, he said many times throughout the campaign is impose a 35 percent tax on

businesses that took their jobs overseas to Mexico, businesses like Carrier air conditioning company. Well, he tweeted about that, saying, "I'm working

hard, even on Thanksgiving, trying to get Carrier air conditioning company to stay in the United States, in Indiana. Making progress. We'll know

soon."

Carrier air conditioner weighing in on that, saying, "Carrier has had discussions with the incoming administration and we look forward to working

together. Nothing to announce at this time."

In terms of those other announcements, namely the position of secretary of state. That is something that the lead candidate Mitt Romney

is pulling over and checking with advisers. Not expecting to hear something on that front until later next week.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STEVENS: Jason Carroll reporting there.

Now, as Trump prepares for more talks with his transition team, his former campaign manager is speaking out. Kellyanne Conway says Trump

supporters are not happy about a possible cabinet post for Mitt Romney. The 2012 Republican presidential candidate is said to be in contention for

secretary of state, but he was fiercely critical of Trump during the campaign.

Conway tweeting, "receiving deluge of social media and private comments re: Romney. Some Trump loyalists warn against Romney as secretary

of state."

Now, China has ordered all residents of the Xinjiang region to surrender their passports. Those who want to travel abroad need now to get

permission.

The government has not said why they are confiscating those passports, but activists say

Beijing is deliberately targeting Muslim Uyghurs. In the past, China has blamed that minority group for multiple attacks.

Our Matt Rivers has this report from Beijing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Local authorities across Xinjiang started posting orders last month that all residents must

turn in their passports at local police stations. They said it was for a, quote, annual review, but afterwards those passports will be kept by police

and anyone wishing to travel abroad will have to apply for permission. Anyone who doesn't comply with the order may be barred from leaving the

country.

This affects millions of people in the far northwestern where ethnic tensions between Uyghurs and Han Chinese have boiled over on several

occasions in recent years. The Uyghurs are ethnic majority in XinJiang, but the Han are the majority in China.

The passport recall applies to all residents in the region, but the world Uyghur congress, a

rights group based in Germany, says it's a deliberate move to restrict the movement of Uyghurs. Amnesty International say it's the latest example of

how government is clamping down on people's activities in the region to control and prevent unrest.

WILLIAM NEE, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: We've seen over the past few months that the government has been collecting passports in different

areas, announcing regulations that people who wanted to get their passports back or who wanted to travel would have to give DNA samples, blood samples,

voice recognition. And this kind of fits into the pattern of the government using, you know, big data and biometrics to control the

population.

RIVERS: China blames Uyghur separatists for carrying out a number of deadly attacks both in

Xinjiang and other parts of the country. It comparing them to terror groups like ISIS and al Qaeda.

But rights groups say it's Beijing's oppressive religious policies and economic marginalization of the Uyghurs that has provoked the unrest.

Authorities have given no specific reason for this passport recall, but millions of people across this vast region are now having their travel

plans more closely scrutinized and their movements more strictly controlled.

Matt Rivers, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[08:15:26] STEVESN: And staying in China, the death toll from the collapse of scaffolding in the eastern part of the country has now risen to

74. And there are reports the disaster happened when a crane crashed into a platform with 68 people working on it.

Chinese media report 13 employees at the plant in southeast China have been taken into custody.

Now, still ahead, demonstrations at Myanmar's embassies in Thailand and Malaysia. They are calling it a day of rage against alleged ethnic

cleansing. We'll tell you how the Malaysian government is stepping in.

Wildfires are tearing across parts of Israel and the West Bank. And while some residents are able to return to their homes, international

reinforcements have been called in to help battle those flames. We'll be live just ahead.

Plus, chaos in the consumer fight to the finish to get Black Friday deals. We're live from the center of the action at a Jersey City store with

all the details on the other side of the break. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

STEVENS: I just want to show you this picture, this dramatic picture problems facing an oppressed minority in Myanmar.

We're following new developments over mounting violence against Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim population. The Malaysian government is

condemning the brutal military crackdown. Demonstrators have been holding a day of rage outside of the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and the

Malaysian foreign minister is demanding a meeting with Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi at the earliest possible date, as well as the ambassador of Myanmar

to convey Malaysia's concerns.

Now, protests have also been held in Thailand. Let's go to Saima Mohsin, she joins us live from Bangkok with the latest.

And first, Saima, tell us what we know so far about the growing protests.MATT RIVERS: Local authorities across Xinjiang started posting

orders

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Andrew, as you say a day of rage was called for across Asia and the rest of the world as

people try to show solidarity with the Rohingya people as they come increasingly under pressure within the Rakine State.

Nothing new really, Andrew, but some of the pictures that have been released over the last few

days are incredibly horrific. The limited amount that we have been able to show, we showed on the program, of course, on Thursday.

And as these have come out and people have seen these images, they've decided to come out on

to the streets outside Myanmar embassies across Asia. As you say, Kuala Lumpur, Bangladesh and here in Bangkok outside the embassy, hundreds of

people gathered, calling for action, writing letters and holding them aloft for Aung San Suu Kyi as well.

And in Bangladesh, thousands of people came out there. Of course, Bangladesh is bordering Myanmar, and that's one of the places where decided

to come out on to the streets outside Myanmar embassies across Asia, as you say.

Kuala Lumpur, Bangladesh and in Bangkok outside the embassy, hundreds of people gathered, calling for action, writing letters and holding them

aloft, and in Bangladesh, thousands came out there. Of course, Bangladesh were bordering Myanmar, and that's one of the places where the Rohingya

refugees are desperately trying to get to, to get away from Rakine state. And we heard from some of these people who described scenes of rape,

torture, and sexual assault, a number of them losing family members, either being killed or lost in the river crossing that they made,

treacherous crossing at night -- Andrew.

STEVENS: And the United Nations calling the Rohingya the most oppressed people on the planet, Saima.

Let's talk about Aung San Suu Kyi. She, herself, was kept under house arrest for 20 years in Myanmar. But she seems to be silent so far. Why is

that?

MOHSIN: Yeah, deafening silence, Andrew. And as you say, why is that, it's really hard when you see the pictures that we're seeing coming

out of Rakine State to understand why there is absolute and definitive denial of violent crackdown that's widespread.

What the Myanmar government is saying is they are only targeting people who are carrying out violent protests themselves against the Myanmar

state. You'll remember this all started in early October when a number of alleged Rohingya attackers targeted border guards and this crackdown

against the Rohingya people is a actually a response to that. 100 people, perhaps many more, we really don't know -- let's remember the Rakine State

is under lockdown now. NGOs, the United Nations, journalists like myself, can't get in there. So at least 100 people, we believe, have been killed

so far.

And Aung San Suu Kyi, is saying -- and she told CNN just last month -- that this is not the only problem facing her government. This is not the

primary concern for her government. This is just what the international community is focusing on. A lot of people are saying that this is nothing

short of willful blindness.

And when we hear claims of or phrases like ethnic cleansing, this isn't the first time, Andrew, and the worrying thing is, that when we see

these repeated systemic attacks on the Rohingya people, why is there no response, as you say, from a woman like Aung San Suu Kyi? She may not be

the president, but she has been for decades a flagbearer for human rights, a lot of hopes resting on her when her government came in. She is, of

course, the strongest voice amongst the civilian government.

A lot of people saying well, of course, hang on, the military has control very much of security, still a 25 percent stake in government,

They hold 25 percent of seats in parliament. But Aung San Suu Kyi at the very least should be able to speak out and condemn this kind of human

rights violations and one of the groups that works with Rohingya has people told me they are incredibly disappointed, not

only by Aung San Suu Kyi's deafening silence, but also her civilian government -- Andrew.

STEVENS: Absolutely, Suu Kyi, really known as the conscience of her country for the silence, as you say, deafening indeed. Saima Mohsin in

Bangkok, thanks very much for that.

Now there's also anger in Malaysia over the arrest of a prominent civil rights leader. Maria Chin Abdullah (ph) was detained under an anti-

extremism law. During a search police say they found, quote, documents detrimental to democracy, including many linked to a foundation to an

American businessman, George Soros, that funds groups around the world to promote Democracy.

Now, thousands marched through the streets of Kuala Lumpur in support of Abdullah. Activists think the arrest was politically motivated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IVY JOSIAH, WOMEN'S RIGHT ACTIVIST: I think there are three reasons. I think first to quell the outrage around 1MDB, because Malaysians do want

answers around 1MDB. Secondly is to to instill fear. They had hoped that relations -- our leaders have been amazing, they show no fear, but more

importantly, Malaysians show no fear.

And I think the third reason is that they hoped that by removing the leader they will pull the rug under our feet, that we'll be in disarray.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEVENS: Now, wildfires continue to rage across parts of Israel and the West Bank. And authorities say that there's evidence a number of fires

were caused by arson. An official says at least ten people have been detained in connection with the blazes, which began Tuesday north of Haifa.

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, told reporters those arsons would be treated as terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): Every fire that was caused by arson or incitement to arson, is terrorism by

all accounts and we will treat it as such. Whoever tries to burn parts of Israel will be punished for it severely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[08:25:05] STEVENS: Let's bring in CNN's Oren Lieberman now who is in Haifa with the latest. And, Oren, first of all, just on the fires, are

they under control now?

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The fires where we are, which is to say in the city of Haifa, the largest city in northern

Israel, are under control at this point. We have seen a few hot spots. We've also seen firefighting aircraft circulating around this area,

dumping flame retardant chemicals on the western slopes of this mountain.

But again, for the most part, the flames here in Haifa and in most of Northern Israel are under

control at this point.

The new concern is a fire just outside of Jerusalem that sprung up that's because of the conditions here, the dry conditions and windy

conditions all across Israel mean that fires from yesterday, which is to say hot spots, can restart and reignite the flames.

Here in Haifa, though, today has been about assessing the damage, and it is severe, especially where we are now.

Take a look at this home behind me. This is effectively in central Haifa, in the middle of the city where we are. Flames came up the back

side of the mountain that we're standing on right now and torched these homes. The roof caved in. There's a washer and dryer in there, all of

that burned out. And not only this home, but all of the homes here in this area. Homeowners now coming home, the

evacuation lifted just a couple of hours ago. Homeowners now coming home to assess the damage and figure out where they go from here.

A number of those homeowners have come up to us and said they can't believe the extent of the damage. There's nothing left inside their homes

and now they'll have to figure out how to move on from this point.

In terms of the number of fires, that number is actually quite staggering. Since last weekend, Israel has dealt with some 1,200 fires.

At least 250 of which are major fires, according to authorities, and it's not just here. The Palestinian Authority also dealing with a number of

fires there, mostly in the northern West Bank. Those fires, as we understand it, are under control.

This has become an international effort. Israel calling in help from the region. The Palestinians sending fire crews and trucks. The Russians,

the Turks, the Greeks, the Americans also sending in help to make sure these fires get under control and put them out.

As for what started these fires, the police chief has said a number of these fires are, in fact, arson, a number are also negligence. That is

part of the investigation. Andrew, that -- once all these fires are under control is where the focus will be, figuring out which fires were arson and

then who started those fires.

STEVENS: Oren, thanks very much for that. Oren Liebermann joining us live from Haifa. And you can see there the damage caused by those

wildfires.

Now, you're watching News Stream. Still ahead on the show, Trump's take on Syria. A challenge the bloody civil war poses for the president-

elect. What are his campaign promises and what analysts believe is actually possible.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

[08:31:31] STEVENS: Now, the war in Syria will become a key challenge for the U.S. president-elect. Syria's leader has called Donald Trump a,

quote, natural ally. And Trump seems to want to change Washington's approach. CNN's Becky Anderson looks at what that could mean.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have been very clear that a red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons

moving around or being utilized.

ANDERSON: More four years later, that red line has been crossed again and again, but there's been little in the way of action to back up

President Obama's warning, despite activists documenting the often deadly use of chemical weapons across Syria. Shocking terror,

even in the country almost numb to cruelty, a country that has been ensnared in civil war for nearly six years, ISIS festering there for much

of it, preying on the country's complex and toxic mess.

But America's next president, Donald Trump, saw it in more simple terms on the campaign trail.

TRUMP: ISIS is honoring President Obama. He is the founder of ISIS. He's the founder of ISIS.

ANDERSON: That's not true, of course, but Syria's president Bashar al-Assad has been at the

center of it all, with Moscow throwing a huge amount of fire power on to Syria's battlefields to help him stay in control, something Washington has

been pushing against.

OBAMA: It is unimaginable that you can't stop the civil war there when the overwhelming majority of people in Syria consider him to be a

brutal, murderous dictator. He cannot regain legitimacy.

ANDERSON: The U.S. has given weapons and other support to rebels who want Assad gone, as well. That may be about to change.

TRUMP: We're backing rebels. We have no idea who they are. But I would certainly like to

see what's going on. I'd like to find out who these people are that we want to give billions of dollars to. We have no idea.

And, sure, Assad is a bad guy, but you can have worse. And maybe these people are worse.

ANDERSON: Some analysts think we should put all that to the side.

FAWAZ GERGES, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: We should not take what he said during the presidential campaign very seriously because it is

incoherent. It is contradictory. It is counterproductive. And if he does translate what he said on the presidential -- during the presidential

campaign. This would be catastrophic.

ANDERSON: But the Kremlin doesn't seem to think so. It describes Trump and Putin's views on Syria as, quote, phenomenally close.

Meanwhile, millions of refugees have been forced from their homes, many pouring towards Europe. For them, Trump has some familiar rhetoric.

TRUMP: We want to build safe zones. We'll do it in Syria. We'll get the Gulf states to put up the money. They'll do it.

ANDERSON: There have been calls for places like right here, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab states to do more to help the refugees.

So far, they've mostly gone unanswered. They'd rather keep this as bay, this messy, uncontainable web of a patchwork of fighters, jihadi forces and

others, all armed to the teeth, fighting in Syria.

What President-elect Trump can or will do to untangle it remains to be seen.

Becky Anderson, CNN, Abu Dhabi.

(EDN VIDEOTAPE)

STEVENS: Police in France are searching for a suspect after a woman was found dead inside a

retirement home for religious people. A local official in southern France says a masked man forced

his way into the home early on Friday morning. The intruder tied up a staff member, who was able to free herself and call police.

A source says a knife was used to kill the victim and that it appears she was the intended

target. Police do not think the attack was terror related.

Well, more than half a century of bloody conflict could soon be coming to an end with

the signing of a new peace deal between the Colombian government and its largest rebel group. The president and leader of the FARC signed an

agreement on Thursday. Negotiators went back to the table after voters rejected the original deal. But the president pushed

ahead for an agreement.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUAN MANUEL SANTOS, COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): This improved an adjusted agreement, thanks to the contributions of society,

incorporates the immense majority of the proposals made while preserving the central objectives of the Cartagena agreement.

What have we Colombians achieved with this agreement? We have managed to put an end to the armed conflict with the FARC and lay the foundations

for the construction of stable and lasting peace, which is broader and deeper. We have managed to end the bloodshed and ensure there are no more

victims.

We are confident about taking up an active role and full legality in coming debates and fair politics. We highlight the importance for the

country of the creation of a transitional government, whose fundamental objective is the full implementation of the Havana agreements and which all

sectors and forces, which have worked relentlessly to achieve, it should be incorporated.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEVENS: This time the voters won't decide if they like the deal made with the rebels. It now goes before congress.

Still ahead here on News Stream, stores across America brace for chaos as Black Friday brings in frenzied shoppers. We're live in one of those

U.S. stores just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

STEVENS: Welcome back.

The actress Florence Henderson has died from heart failure at the age of 82. Millions of people grew up watching Henderson play the matriarch in

the family sitcom The Brady Bunch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, hi!

FLORENCE HENDERSON, ACTRESS: What's all the yelling up there? What's wrong?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, nothing, nothing at all.

HENDERSON: Uh-huh. That's the kind of nothing that bothers me the most.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEVENS: Now, Henderson's manager says her death was unexpected, but that the actress was

surrounded by friends and family when she died.

As Americans leave Thanksgiving behind, the locals are restless in their hunt for a bargain on black Friday, so named because retailers are

hoping big sales will push their books back into the black.

Well, shoppers across the U.S. are hoping to score some big deals as they begin their Christmas season. Let's bring in CNN's Alison Kosik in

New Jersey where eager customers have been waiting up all night to snap up sales.

Nice to see you again, Alison. Just how frantic has it been?

ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I heard the frenzy really happened last night. I'm talking about on Thanksgiving night, around 6:00

that's when this Target opened actually for business and there were hundreds of people waiting outside to come in.

Yes, toys are always a crowd pleaser. And he caught the ball, that was a good one. But I'll tell you what this year's got to get gift is:

it's TVs.

Target is telling us that when it opened its doors last night at 6:00 p.m., 3,200 TVs were sold, every single minute in the first hour of that

opening. That's really amazing.

So, yes, keep in mind it's those TVs that are a big crowd pleaser. Clothing is doing really well. I know here at Target you get 30 percent of

clothing.

One of my favorites happens to be this robotic vacuum. I don't know about you, Andrew, but I like it when I can vacuum the floor and sit on the

couch and just watch TV while someone else does it for me. What do you think?

[08:40:48] STEVENS: That's working for me, too. As long as you have got a gin and tonic in your hand somewhere.

Those TVs, I saw the price tag there, $899. Is that a good deal?

KOSIK: It apparently is. Those are specials that they bring in. Target not usually selling that brand, so they are bringing in these

special brands to really lure those shoppers in.

And you know, you look at the holiday sales period overall, expectations overall, retailers are really optimistic for this year. The

National Retail Federation is expecting that holiday sales overall in November and December will increase 3.6 percent more than sales were last

year. That's topping $605 billion.

Part of the reason for that: the jobs picture is bright, incomes are going up, and gas prices are

low, so the expectation is that maybe Americans have a little more disposable income to spend in the stores this year -- Andrew.

STEVENS: Yeah, you know, over the years we've seen some pretty ugly sights as people stampede into the sales and sort of, you know, gets quite

nasty. Has there been reports that sort of thing has happened this time around?

KOSIK: I haven't heard of that personally. From what I can see, stores are now doing is i know Walmart has handed out sort of tickets for

people to sort of orderly stand in line. Target has put out this rope so people can stand along the line and keep it orderly.

You know, everybody wants to get those special deals, you know, the greatest toy and everybody is going to run in line to get the life-sized

Star Wars figure. But, you know, they realize that they want to get these deals, but they also want to keep it orderly. And I think that you're

seeing stores step up to the plate and try to keep it as calm and less chaotic as possible.

STEVENS: Yeah, I have known far too many people in this office who would buy one of those full-sized Star Wars figures, Alison.

KOSIK: Yeah, they are nice, right? Look how -- they are really large, they're really tall. See?

STEVENS: Wow, you're taller than something, that's good to see. We have got to go. Good shopping. Go buy that vacuum cleaner.

OK, got to go. That's News Stream. Thanks for joining us. I'm Andrew Stevens. Don't go anywhere. World Sport with Christina Macfarlane

is just ahead.

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