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China Reacting to Donald Trump; Terror in Istanbul; Attacks in Syria Continues; From Celebration to Mourning; New F-35's for Israel; Less Toys for Christmas. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired December 12, 2016 - 03:00   ET

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

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[03:00:00] GEORGE HOWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Seriously concerned. China reacting to Donald Trump's comments on a decade's old policy that he suggests could change.

And the 2016 U.S. election, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers call for a full investigation of alleged cyber attempts by Russia to sway the vote.

Plus, terror in Istanbul. A Kurdish militant group now taking responsibility for the latest deadly bomb blast there.

Live from CNN world headquarters in Atlanta, welcome to our viewers around the world. I'm George Howell. CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump continues to irritate the Chinese government this time with comments on the one China policy. The China government says it is seriously concerned. By Trump's suggestion that he might not abide by the policy that has been in place once he is in office. It's been a pillar of the U.S.-China relationship since the 1970s.

In the meantime, another front, Donald Trump is siding with Moscow over allegations by U.S. intelligence that Russia interfered with the U.S. presidential election. The Kremlin has vigorously called for the U.S. to come up with any evidence to show it and those assertions. Trump calls the hacking claim, ridiculous.

Two very volatile issues, our correspondents are following both. CNN Matthew Chance is live in Moscow, and CNN's Matt Rivers live for us in Beijing.

Matt Rivers, we start with you in Beijing, this relationship between the United States and China have been around for a quite some time. But on Fox News Sunday, the president-elect called into question the one China policy. Let's listen to the comments we can talk about it here on the other side.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: I fully understand the one China policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by one China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade.

I mean, look, we're being hit very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea which they shouldn't be doing. And frankly, with not helping us at all with North Korea. You have North Korea, you have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they're not helping us at all.

So, I don't want China dictating to me. And this was call put into me, I didn't make the call. It was a call, very short call saying congratulations, sir, on the victory. It was a very nice call.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: The president-elect of the United States and China is now responding, first, we heard, unofficial response, Matt, over a tabloid there and now we're hearing from the Chinese government.

MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. It was just moments ago on a regularly scheduled press conference at the ministry of foreign affairs that we heard, officially, from the Chinese government for the first time and they didn't really mince words. As you said right off the top they say they are seriously concerned about the president- elect's remarks.

They say I -- the spokesman said that he wanted to stress that the Taiwan question has a bearing on the sovereign integrity of China and that the one China principle is the political bedrock for China relations and that if it is compromised, cooperation in major fields bilaterally between the United States and China would be out of the question.

And then that spokesperson went on to say, that they urge the president-elect and his incoming administration to fully stick to the policy when they take office.

Pretty strong words given that at most times when we go to these press conferences the Chinese government usually very vague, not really taking pointed stances but then not really surprising. Given that the issues surrounding Taiwan are one of the most -- is one of the most sensitive topics for the Chinese government, and this one China policy that really has been the bedrock of U.S. and Chinese political relations for decades now very, very sensitive here.

And in another way, we heard from the Chinese government earlier this morning in an alternative way, that would be through state run newspaper. And this one, particularly, the Global Times.

No one here in Beijing as more tabloid newspaper very provocative, but still run and approved by the communist party. And in an editorial released this morning after the president-elect comment, he called a child -- he's like a child in his ignorance of foreign policy. Very, very strong words from the editorial side of the Global Times, George.

03:05:05] HOWELL: Matt Rivers with the response from China. Matt, thank you. Now, to our Matthew Chance live in Moscow. Matt, we want to talk about the situation with Donald Trump and hacking.

Donald Trump has basically thrown the U.S. intelligence community under the bus with his comments on Fox News. Let's listen to this comment and we can talk about that, as well.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed someplace. It could be Russia. It -- I don't really think it is, but who knows. I don't know either. They don't know and I don't know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Donald Trump there, again, doubting the work of the intelligence agencies that he, himself, will rely on when sworn in as president of the United States some next month. But, again, it seems that Russia has an ally in Trump. Russia saying that they doubt the claims as well and they want to see proof.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think obviously there's a couple of things going on with Donald Trump there. He wants to, as much, sort of free air as possible, much space as possible between him and any suggestion that he was brought into office with the help of the Kremlin.

And so that's one of the motivation obviously what Donald Trump is saying. But he's also talking to a very key point when it comes to this serious allegation of hacking, which is that there's very little in terms of concrete evidence.

If there is evidence that the U.S. security services the intelligence services have, they have not made it public. And on that issue, he agreed entirely with the Kremlin. that they said time and again here in Moscow, since these allegations first floated back in October at the height of the U.S. presidential campaign, that this is simply is no hard evidence, that Russia had anything today with this. And of course, Russia categorically denied it.

What that always has been though, is strong circumstantial evidence, it may not be the digital footprint left behind the hackers who did this. But there is circumstantial evidence that those people who were hacked were the perceived enemies of Russia, if you're friendly towards Russia, you haven't been hacked that's why Hillary Clinton e- mails or Democratic Party e-mails were hacked into and Donald Trumps were apparently not.

And so, it's that strong circumstantial evidence that continues to raise questions over Russia's involvement in this -- in this political crisis now in the United States.

HOWELL: Russia seemingly pleased with this. They are finding an ally in the president-elect. On the other hand, China, not so pleased. Gentlemen, thank you both for your reporting. We'll stay in touch with you as we continue to follow both of these very important stories. Let's now bring in Scott Lucas, a professor of international politics

at the University of Birmingham in England who offers some perspective here, joining now live via Skype.

Scott, so you heard our correspondence in their reporting just a few moments ago. Let's start with the situation in China, we heard the response there to Donald Trump's comments on Sunday. And I'd like to get your thoughts on this new firm stance by China.

SCOTT LUCAS, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM SHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS PROFESSOR: Hi. China sees this as a serious issue, because they see themselves is dealing with an unpredictable president-elect who is not listening to the U.S. State Department, who is not listening to his own intelligence agency. Who is not listening to 40 years of American deliberation over this issue.

Look, since 1979, when U.S. recognized Beijing, it's been a tricky situation as to how they remain in ties with Taiwan. And president and their diplomats has wrestled with this. What Trump has done is, in part, because of his belief that Chinese is ripping the U.S. arm, and in part because of most of lobbying behind high powered Washington firm, including former Senator Robert Dole.

He's sort of just gone on his own with this campaign and nobody knows how quite how far it will go. Is he actually talking about using recognition of Taiwan as part of an economic war with Beijing?

HOWELL: Here is question though, I mean, this is the guy who wrote the "Art of the Deal," right? So, the question is, is this Donald Trump just off putting bluster out there to then walk it back in order to find middle ground for some sort of a new agreement, is that what he's looking for and here is the question, when it comes to world leaders and world powers, does that work on the diplomatic stage?

LUCAS: Well, setting aside if someone wrote the "Art of the Deal" for Trump. The fact is that Trump doesn't perceive on the basis of what we would consider a plan or strategy, and simply he throws down comments whether it's in Twitter, whether it's in television interviews, with a little bit of backing, for example, lobbying efforts in this case with Taiwan.

[03:09:59] Now, that's what I mean by unpredictable, because you cannot really gauge your own economic diplomatic and military policy because you don't know what Trump will do in the next 24, 48, or 72 hours. I can't tell you he's definitely going to go to show down with Beijing. What I can tell you is that China is uncertain. Here in Europe we're uncertain. And the rest of the world is uncertain about what this man will do.

HOWELL: China is uncertain, as you point out, and when it comes to the U.S. intelligence community, they feel a bit slighted, I would say by the president-elect doubting the work of these dedicated officials when it comes to their suggestion that Russia was involved, had some involvement in swaying the U.S. election.

LUCAS: That's so important wider context. I mean, Trump said yesterday, now work your way through this, that he doesn't read intelligence briefings because he is too smart to do so. So, think about that level of, let's call it confidence and the belief that he can dismiss the CIA, the director of national intelligence, the FBI, any other agency. He doesn't need anyone to tell him what to do.

Now, how do you develop a coherent policy towards Russia and sees very serious allegations. How do you develop a coherent policy towards China. How do you think any coherent policy if you think that you're the only person in the room that really needs to know anything and that other people's information. Well, big deal.

HOWELL: Trump promised during the election that he would redraw the map when it came to the Electoral College. Scott, the question, is this Donald Trump now trying to realign the status, the arrangement between world powers and if so, is this strategy defective?

LUCAS: Let me be honest with you, Donald Trump is in this, in my opinion, for Donald Trump, he is extremely sensitive about any notion that he didn't win the election by a large margin over Hillary Clinton.

He's one that by any suggestion that he is now in absolute control of what he is doing. So what we're seeing is not a strategy. He's -- Trump just sort of throwing out thought balloons, which quite provocative and I would say quite dangerous, simply because we're only be growing up with you. He's a bit of a narcissist.

HOWELL: Scott Lucas live for us in Birmingham. Scott, thank you so much for your insights. We'll stay in touch with you. And I'm sure we will talk says and days and days and days to come.

LUCAS: Thank you.

HOWELL: Turkey is on the offensive after twin bombings that rocked Istanbul Saturday. Police there detained more than 100 pro-Kurdish party officials after the Kurdish militant group attack claimed responsibility for those blasts.

The group splintered from the Kurdistan Workers Party with the PKK some time ago. Turkish jets targeted PKK positions this weekend after those attacks. In Istanbul officials say they carried out two dozen strikes in the Kurdistan region.

Following the story is CNN's Muhammad Lila is live this hour. Muhammad, Tell us more what are you hearing about these air strikes that have been taking my place?

MUHAMMAD LILA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Turkish military statement says that they carried out the air strikes overnight targeting a couple of dozen locations in northern Iraq. And this was not entirely unexpected, of course, after the bombings over the weekend. Turkey vowed that there would be revenge on the group that was behind this. And what we saw over night with some of that revenge.

Also, as you mention, George, more than 100 people, in fact, 118 people who are pro-Kurdish party have been arrested or detained across the country in operations that have taken place since that bombing began.

So what we're starting to see now is more of a crackdown and more of retaliation from the Turkish establishment on those pro-Kurdish elements here inside Turkey as a result of the twin blast that happened on Saturday night.

HOWELL: Muhammad, I'd like to talk to you about Saturday night just to get your perspective. I know that you and your team there that have been reporting, you guys were nearby when this happened. We are thankful that you are all OK.

But I want to get a sense of what has been the reaction, so many other people who are nearby when this happened, how are people dealing with this after a year of so much violence that has played out.

LILA: Well, George, it's a good question. And you have to remember that for the last couple of years, Turkey and even Istanbul have seen attacks like this. So they're not entirely out of the blue. I mean, you can never prepare or expect an attack to take place.

But the city of Istanbul certainly knows how to move on. I'll give you an example, the actual blast site, we were there yesterday late into the evening. And the blast site when the car bomb exploded left a two meter crater in the ground.

Less than 12 hours after that blast took place, that crater had already been paved over and traffic had already been moving once again.

Now, if this scale of an attack happened in many other cities we would see that area, that intersection closed off as part of an investigation, possibly for several days if not weeks.

[03:15:03] Here in Turkey, they've been sort of accustomed to attacks like this attack whether it's an attack on the airport, or an attack in a military barracks, or in this case, an attack outside of football stadium.

And very quickly there's been a concerted effort to make sure that life goes back to normal. Just over my shoulder, you can see a flag flying at half mass, but you can see people walking around Taksim Square as though there is no extra security threat or threat level.

So, it effectively is people trying to move on and get back to life and that's the message that the government has been putting out saying, look, these attacks happen. We're going to retaliate but don't let it disrupt life and that's what we're seeing on the ground right now.

HOWELL: CNN correspondent Muhammad Lila live for us in Istanbul, Turkey. Muhammad, thank you for the reporting. And we'll stay in touch with you.

This is CNN NEWSROOM. Still ahead, ISIS may have just dealt a major setback to the Syrian government. The latest on fighting in Palmyra, coming up. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT REPORTER: Hi, there. I'm Patrick Snell with your CNN World Sport headlines.

In the Premiere League on Sunday, Chelsea came in leading win or draw since the head of Arsenal with be Hull City on Saturday and that's just what they did. Their three points on Sunday hardened though, a terrific finish from Diego Costa on 76 minutes to break down.

A stubborn West Brom side at Stamford Bridge that's 12 goes now for the Brazilian-born Spaniard who has already matches his tally from season after just 15 matches.

The Chelsea left forward position a little poor in trying to keep pace at they took on West Ham at Anfield, though the reds would strike first and it's one that prove to be a tight match. West Ham would answer with two goals of their own to go into the break leading Liverpool could any master a second half level from Divock Origi in the 48-minute would end to two there.

Sunday also seeing Manchester United take on its top number. They came into the home game at Old Trafford on the run three straight draws that well up the pace in the Premiere League. But maybe just maybe their luck is changing.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan first half goal, first Premier League goal, in fact, for the club. That was the difference United win 1-nil. The victory moving United within six points of fourth place and sputtering Manchester City who lost on the weekend.

Thanks for joining us. I'm Patrick Snell.

[03:20:00] HOWELL: The crisis in Syria, we have some breaking development to tell you about in that civil war. We are hearing from Syrian state media from ISIS's media wing and from activists, they're all saying the ancient city of Palmyra has been recaptured by ISIS.

You'll remember the terror group was driven out of that UNESCO World Heritage site back in march and then this, propaganda video from ISIS purports to show its attacks this weekend. Syria news agency, SANA reports that over 4,000 militants swarmed the city from various directions.

This follows Russian claims that its air strikes had helped to drive off the extremist over the weekend, but it now appears the city is once again in the hands of those terrorists.

As ISIS attack in Palmyra, the Russian and Syrian assault continued in east Aleppo. Russia said now that more than 700 rebel fighters have surrendered in the last day. But similar reports have been denied by activists in the past.

Activists will confirm, however, that the Syrian regime and its allies have just regained control of yet another part of Aleppo, another neighborhood the city's east has been battered with air strikes and artillery and tens of thousands of civilians have escaped.

As the Syrian regime offensive continues around here, a young girl living in east Aleppo has grab the world's attention and now she's speaking out to CNN with the help of her mother, seven-year-old Bana has been tweeting about life in that city.

But as the government assault continues as it intensified just in the last month, Bana's Twitter account was deactivated. She has now returned to Twitter, but the family lives in hiding.

On Sunday, Bana and her family spoke exclusively to CNN's Jomana Karadsheh via Skype. And Jomana joins us now from Amman, Jordan. Jomana, it's good to know that you reconnected with this family. What did they have to say to you?

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, George, we have been in touch with the family over the past week. But Bana's mother, Fatemah, has been really worried about her family's safety. They feel that they are a target and so they really kept a low profile.

But there have been so many questions about their faith, others skeptics who've raise questions about the authenticity of their Twitter account. So, on Sunday, Fatemah decided to speak to us to address these questions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BANA ALABED, SYRIAN RESIDENT: Hello, my friend. How are you? This is where Aleppo.

KARADSHEH: The seven-year-old captured the world's attention, as her mother Fatemah tweeted almost daily about her Bana's life under siege in eastern Aleppo.

Then this chilling tweet came last month. "Tonight we have no house. It's bombed. I got in rubble. I saw death and I almost died." With a photo of her child Bana covered in dust.

As regime forces advanced and captured their neighborhood, the family disappeared for a while and rarely tweeted. On Sunday, Bana, and her mother spoke exclusively to CNN from an undisclosed location in rebel- held eastern Aleppo.

FATEMAH ALABED, SYRIA RESIDENT: I feel that we are really targeted from regime people, so I can't tell anyone, even my parents doesn't know where I live really.

KARADSHEH: The tens of thousands of people have left east Aleppo and they've gone out, why are you still there?

F. ALABED: I am afraid to lose one of my kids if I flee with all the people because they think I am work against the regime. I don't belong to any side. I am just what I was speaking about the civilian people, about children.

KARADSHEH: Fatemah says she decided to speak to us because some have accused them of being anti-regime propaganda tool, something she denied but she admits helping her daughter articulate their messages to the world. Fatemah says she feels doing it in English is more effective.

F. ALABED: Bana can speak little English. I help Bana to make sure that her voice reach to a lot of people in English.

KARADSHEH: Bana's answer in English are short and her mother in the background helps her. We switch to Arabic. She clearly is more comfortable.

(FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

B. ALABED: My brother, Noor, doesn't speak because of the bombing. We don't know what he says and we are so scared of the shelling. When our house was shelled we were so scared and we suffocated because of the dust and we were going to die.

[03:25:02] KARADSHEH: Bana says she miss school, she misses her home and with barely any food available, she also misses fruit.

Two months ago, Fatemah told us she would never leave Aleppo. Now all she wants is for someone to evacuate them to safety. Bana sings her favorite song. The 1980 song about children are bore.

B. ALABED: I am child with something to say, please listen to me. I am a child who wants to play. Why don't you let me? My aunts are waiting. My friends are praying, small hearts are begging. Give us a chance. Give us a chance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KARADSHEH: And George, Fatemah says Twitter not only gave them that ability to send their voices out to the world to give the world a glimpse into their life in eastern Aleppo. It has also given them messages of support.

They have nearly a quarter of a million followers and they say they always receive these messages from all over the world from people who cheer upon despite the life that they are trapped in right now. And she says that gives them hope that someday maybe they will have a better life outside Aleppo.

HOWELL: Certain stories, just stay with you, Jomana, you're reporting really drives at home her saying at the end, "I am a child with something to say, why won't you listen to me?" I'm sure the world will be following her on Twitter and we'll be thinking about that family. Jomana, thank you.

Still ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM, from celebration to disaster and now mourning. We have more on the deadly church collapse in Nigeria as to what may have caused it. Stay with us.

[03:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOWELL: Welcome back to our viewers around the world, you are watching CNN NEWSROOM. It is good to have you with us. I'm George Howell with the headlines we're following for you this hour.

The Chinese government is seriously concerned by Donald Trump's most recent remarks on the one China policy. The U.S. president-elect on Sunday questioned the value of the policy which dates back to the 1970's.

Trump told Fox News that he understands the policy but doesn't see why the U.S. must abide by it unless it's part of a larger agreement with Beijing on trade and on North Korea.

Slow and steady. One race for New Zealand's former finance minister, Bill English he was sworn in as Prime Minister Monday. English led his party to its worst ever defeat back in 2002.

But the former farmer who stated parliament and balanced the nation's book. He replaces John Key who resigned unexpectedly last week.

A Kurdish militant group is claiming responsibility for Saturday's deadly twin bombings in Istanbul Turkey. Thirty eight people, most of them police officers were killed and 155 others were wounded. Turkish officials say that 13 people are now under arrest in connection with that attack.

It has been a deadly weekend in Egypt, as well, after an explosion at a Coptic church in Cairo. It's still unclear who is responsible for Sunday's bombing. State sponsored media reports that blasts killed at least 25 people and it injured dozens.

The church sits next to St. Marks's Coptic Orthodox cathedral, a key site for Coptic Christians. Egypt's president has called for three days of national mourning. And the country's Grand Mufti has condemned the explosion has a deplorable terrorist attack.

For more on the Cairo church attack I'm joined now by, on the phone from London by H.A. Hellyer. He's a senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic council think tank and the author of "A Revolution Undone Egypt's Road Beyond Revolt."

It's good to have you with us, sir. Let's talk, first of all, about the significance of this religious minority in that nation, the Coptic Church and why this group was targeted.

H.A. HELLYER, ATLANTIC COUNCIL SENIOR FELLOW: Well, this is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world. It's an indigenous Egyptian community. I mean, it has come under fire over the past few years, but also going much further back by different forces within the Egyptian society not least of the government. But the community also complain of discrimination otherwise.

HOWELL: This is a group that comprises about 10 percent of the population and what we have seen since the over throw of hosing the barracks' government, the cases of discrimination quite frankly, violence have been escalating.

HELLYER: Well, in the past few years where you've seen that the opponents to the current political disconcert in Egypt, many view of them view the Coptic Christian community as being part of that regime. And unfortunately, as a result it means that there's a lot of sectarian incitement about that community from opponents of the government.

And that sort of thrown into the same basket as all the other elements of the political authority and much of this comes only down to sectarian incitement. But this was does have an effect. And I think what we've seen on Sunday is the result of this force being turned into action.

HOWELL: Let's talk, though, just a bit more about the sectarian violence that plays out. Because at this point, there's no group that has been, you know, credited for the responsibility for this attack, but what could you tell us about the different groups, which groups would attack this particular minority.

HELLYER: So as you say, no one claimed responsibility for the attacks, we don't know for sure yet who was responsible. There are other groups in Egypt that have claimed responsibility for attacks on military installation that's on police. There is an attack just a few days ago where half a dozen to a dozen police officers were killed in an attack on a check point within in greater Cairo. And a group did claim responsibility for that.

For this particular attack, however, nobody claimed responsibility. It's likely to be radical Islamist in nature but we don't know. We don't have the -- we don't have the evidence and confidence yet and that's why it requires a fully impartial independent and thorough investigation.

[03:35:11] HOWELL: H.A. Hellyer on the phone, again, a senior non- resident fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank. Again, the author of "A Revolution Undone: Egypt's Road Beyond Revolt." Mr. Hellyer, thank you so much for being with us. We'll stay in touch with you, obviously, as we learn more about who has been -- who is behind that attack.

Investigators in Nigeria are looking into what caused the church to collapse on a huge group of worshippers. They were there to celebrate the church's pastor becoming bishop.

But as many as 50 people are feared dead as that building came down during the ceremony. Rescue workers are using cranes to lift the steel and to reach and to find out the dead and the injured. And the states' governor is calling on authorities to arrest the contractor who built the church.

Farai Sevenzo is covering the story live for us in Naorobi, Kenya. Farai, what more do you know about the person who was arrested?

FARAI SEVENZO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: At the moment we don't know much about the person who was arrested. So, covering from it I think it's obvious that the governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel is pulling his finger of blame at the construction. But the reality is that the congregants who were in this church were trying to consecrate their bishop, Mr. Weeks. And 20 minutes into the service before the offerings we hear the iron

girds is supporting the roof suddenly collapsed and the roof came down as well as the actual building.

In a moment, the figures we have, as many as 50 are dead. People from the Uyo University Hospital are saying there are many people are still injured. The morgues are filling up. And rescue efforts are still underway.

But this goes to the very heart of construction in Africa. As you can imagine, it is a continent on the right, literally buildings are up everywhere, and the African organization for that civilization and civil engineers are saying there is not enough efforts being made to ensure that these buildings are safe and meet proper standards.

In Uyo, for example, it lies of the southeast coast of Nigeria in upper Ibom state is on gravely sandy terrain, sometimes swamp, but are these things in terms of civil engineering being completely adhered to, some people are saying that they use scrap metal instead of steel, that sometimes the authorization is simply board and not actually tested for the buildings. Cement meant for four floors is packed into six floors.

Many questions still remain about why buildings continue to collapse and cause such tragedies of complete enormous impact.

HOWELL: So the state governor yet calling for an arrest. We understand that the rescue effort continues. They're trying to find any survivors. Can you tell us about the situation there on the ground, though, and how long they will keep up that effort?

SEVENZO: Well, at the moment we know that the Governor Udom Emmanuel has declared the two days of national mourning due to end Tuesday afternoon. We know that the effort to try and find survivors is continuing, they have cranes operating on the ground. There are many people completely heartbroken.

And the governor, himself, let's not forget, luckily escape with his life. He was in there in the congregates and about to commemorate this bishop until security scouted him out. But many people were not so lucky.

HOWELL: Faira Sevenzo following the story in Nairobi, Kenya. Farai, thank you for the reporting. We'll keep in touch with you as you learn more.

A powerful tropical cyclone is moving ashore in eastern India right now. And our meteorologist Pedram Javaheri is here to tell us about it. Pedram?

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: And you know, we see tropical cyclone in this part of the world frequently, George, but we've not seen one of this strength in about 22 years and making landfall in such a populated region. So, it is concerning what's currently going on at this hour. And you take a look it is literally moving ashore at this moment. So,

it's going over an area in Chennai where we know the metro population has grown tremendously in reaching years going from just a few million back in 1994 to now what is the metro population approaching 10 million people.

But it's a category one equivalent storm system, in fact it is healthy category. It moves ashore right now. We've seen the heaviest rainfall will fall just south of town. And with an urban environment with so many people with that population density, you can see the darker areas of the map indicating where the most populace regions are.

With an area that is serving like this you're going to have flash flooding and it is such a deadly scenario when you have so many people in this area.

You take a look at what typically the hidden dangers are flood waters, we know contaminants whether it be raw sewage or chemicals that spill into the flood ways, into roadways and homes of course, that become dangerous. Infectious diseases such shigella, salmonella, and E. coli often people will see the waters recede, they go back into their properties cuts under knees or feet begin picking up some of these diseases.

[03:40:03] And then insects is becoming aggressive as well as (Inaudible) of course are disruptive from their habitat even wildlife such as snakes have known to be found in say kitchen counter tops when somebody thinks the water is receding they return back to their properties and they have to deal with that aspect of the hidden dangers of flood waters.

But pretty significant size storm system at it sits there offshore with the satellite imagery. Again, you take a look at the areas that have been impacted in recent years with tropical cyclones. We have had some close proximity of Chennai, but none have come in with winds of 140 or so kilometers per hour which is what we're looking at right now.

There is the heaviest rainfall. Notice that will continue as it crosses over towards the western state there before the storm weakens. And in some ways the rainfall certainly it's going to be beneficial.

You take a look at what's happened in recent years, 2014 and 2015, we've had a deficit in the monsoon, 2016 was actually forecast to be a good year, but, again, we came in with the deficit. And this is just for the past couple of years.

You look past the last six years or so, only two years have come in the green meaning more surpluses or more rain fall that we expect has just come down. So, George, the rainfall is beneficial. And I often say in life, too much of a good thing quickly becomes a bad thing.

HOWELL: Yes.

JAVAHERI: And so much places here in India they want rain fall about 250 million people rely on the rain mainly from the monsoons for their livelihood.

HOWELL: Right.

JAVAHERI: And oftentimes they don't get it. And when they do it comes in too much at once which might be what's happening right now for some of these areas.

HOWELL: Pedram Javaheri, thank you so much.

JAVAHERI: Thanks, George.

HOWELL: Still ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM with Christmas just weeks away now, millions of boys in Venezuelan warehouse will stay instead on store shelves. We'll give you the reason why, next.

Also the most advanced stealth fighter jet in the U.S. is being added to the Israeli military. The first F-35 are just hours from delivery.

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[03:45:02] HOWELL: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm George Howell.

Just a few hours from now, Israel begins taking delivery of the most advanced stealth fighter jets in the world. The F-35 lightning as what it's called, the U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter will be there for the ceremony.

CNN's Ian Lee explains the American warplanes equip the capabilities of everything else in the Middle East.

IAN LEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Barrage jets screech across the summer sky, Israel surprise attack destroys hundreds of Egyptian planes in hours. Their air superiority shortens the 1967 war to just six days.

The new sound of air domination in the 21st century says Israeli generals. The F-35 stealth fighter will be the most advanced plane in the region. Israel ordered 50. The initial fuel arriving Monday, making Israel the first country outside of the United States to receive Lockheed Martin's fighter, the price tag, more than $100 million.

Lieutenant Colonel Yotham will lead the Squadron. His identity concealed for security, we're told.

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YOTHAM, F-35 SQUADRON COMMANDER (TRANSLATED): The F-35 stealth capabilities widen our operational better. It allows us to bring in to action many abilities that is immediate from air force for superiority.

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LEE: As it looks around its neighborhood Israel perceives many threats. The Syrian conflict is on its doorstep. Hezbollah in Lebanon rearming since the last war with Israel in 2006. Russia's S-300 and more advanced as 400 surfaced-to-air missile systems. Introduced into Syria last year to support President Assad's military efforts. The advantage of the F-35 Israel hopes is that it can find virtually undetected.

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YOTHAM (TRANSLATED): The F-35 is built to deal with a lot of threats on the ground. It knows how to deal in the best possible way with everything that lies in the region of interest that the ideas outside the borders of Israel.

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LEE: But the plane has growing pains including problems with software, the engines and weapons. Retired Air Force Brigadier General Ephraim Segoli has seen this before.

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EPHRAIM SEGOLI, MILITARY ANALYST: When you are developing new technology, you'll suffer from problems and you'll fix it.

LEE: But Segoli insist this plane is a game changer.

SEGOLI: The idea that you're the first state. The first stealth in the area that get it. It's a lot to your reputation.

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LEE: A reputation that Israel hopes will make any rival think twice.

Ian Lee, CNN, Jerusalem.

HOWELL: Ian, thank you.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he believes U.S.-Israeli relations will improve when Donald Trump takes office. Here is just a bit of what Mr. Netanyahu told CBS's 60 Minutes here in the United States.

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BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: I know Donald Trump and I know him very well. And I think his attitude his support for Israel is clear. He feels very warmly about the Jewish state, about the Jewish people and about Jewish people, there's no question about that.

LESLEY STAHL, CBS 60 MINUTES CORRESPONDENT: With Trump, do you think that Israel will not be as at odds with the United States as you have been under the Obama administration?

NETANYAHU: Yes, we had differences of opinions with -- I had differences of opinion with President Obama and most well-known of course, is Iran.

STAHL: Was it personal between the two of you?

NETANYAHU: No. No, I don't think so. I think that suppose we had the greatest of personal chemistry, OK. So, what, do you think I wouldn't stand up against the Iran deal if I thought as I did, that it endangers the existence of Israel, of course, I would.

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HOWELL: The Israeli leader said that he plans to meet soon with Donald Trump to talk more about the Iran nuclear deal which, again, both men have criticized.

Venezuela's government is replacing the country's highest denomination banknote. Venezuelans have 72 hours to trade in the 100-bolivar bill for coins.

President Nicolas Maduro announced the switch in a televised statement Sunday. He said the purpose is to prevent mafias from smuggling the bills outside the country. Venezuela is an economic crisis with triple digit inflation.

Another government move is angering some Venezuelan parents two weeks before Christmas. Nearly four million toys are off the shelves.

CNN's Rafael Romo explains why.

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN SENIOR LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS EDITOR: Boxes upon boxes of toys stacked up to the ceiling in this spacious warehouse. It's not the North Pole.

[03:49:59] The warehouse belongs to Kreisel, Venezuela's largest distributor of toys. All of this merchandise was confiscated by Venezuelan government.

Venezuela's chief of consumer protection said the government confiscated nearly four million toys. The government accuses Kreisel of hiding the toys to sell them at highly inflated prices during the Christmas season.

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NICOLAS MADURO, VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT (TRANSLATED): We have found case of criminal hoarding of four million toys so the children of our communities, neighborhoods and government committees will for sure have their toys for Christmas, thanks to our laws. This is like reinforcement for baby Jesus.

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ROMO: Venezuelan tradition says baby Jesus and not Santa brings toys to children. According to authorities, the operation targeting the toy distributor began Thursday, but law enforcement officials were still at the warehouse over the weekend.

The toys the government says, will now be made available at under market prices to families with children in impoverished neighborhoods. Some consumers are calling President Maduro, "the Grinch that stole Christmas." Now many stores won't have any toys for the Christmas season. Business leaders go further saying this is nothing less than theft.

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FRANCISCO MARTINEZ, PRESIDENT, THE VENEZUELAN FEDERATION OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (TRANSLATED): This goes against our rights and due process. This is part of the constant attacks that we, business, people have endured in Venezuela over the last 15 years which have caused a lot of 60 percent of all companies in Venezuela.

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ROMO: And while many children in poor neighborhoods will get some of the toys. For other families elsewhere in the country, their only hope now rests with baby Jesus.

Rafael Romo, CNN.

HOWELL: Rafael, thank you. Still ahead, this story behind the viral video of one student, finding out he's going into the Ivy League. Stay with us.

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JAVAHERI: Hopefully your Monday starting off on a fine note. I'm meteorologist Pedram Javaheri with CNN weather watch right now.

And for the last full week of the autumn season across the northern hemisphere we're going to get a blast here to come in and its i Arctic that one in origin, so certainly you're to see temperatures really sets some records across some areas around the northern portion of the United States.

Initially snow showers coming across much of New York State. And certainly some lake enhanced snow showers expected around those favorable areas. But around the Western United States, winter weather watches is in advisory in the highest elevations, so I know skiers and snowboarders have been looking forward to getting one good season in the last couple.

And I think this one at least looking like it will start off that way across parts of the Western United States. But the temperatures high temps across Winnipeg, yes, they call it 'winterpeg' for a reason because their high temperature is minus 19 degrees across that region.

[03:54:58] Chicago, the best they can do six below. Way your way out towards Dallas, Texas, into the middle teens there, and you notice the cold air not just confined towards the Midwestern area in southern Canada. It eventually makes as well towards the eastern portion of the U.S. where New York City fails to climb above the freezing mark for a high into later this week.

Work your way towards the tropics. Nassau looking at temps into the upper 20s, Belize City also at 27 degrees. While farther to the south, you start feeling a little bit of a seasonal change there. Brasilia coming in at 28 degrees. And we're quickly approaching the summer down to the south. Porter Mountain, 15.

HOWELL: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. Now to Sweden where there is presumably no shortage of toys or Santa's.

This is the army of Saint Nick's; they're warming up for a charity race. We're hearing about 1,500 people took part in the race this year, sprinting through the slippery streets as much more snow fell.

And as we leave you this hour, we leave you with a good feel good story here, cell phone video that captured the moment, a college senior found out that he got into Cornell University here in the United States with all of his teachers and fellow students surrounding him and the celebration has quickly become a classic.

I just love the energy right there. That video has more than two-and- a-half million views on Facebook, since just Thursday. The young man currently goes to T.M. Landry College Prep in Louisiana, a school attended mostly by students of low income families.

Thanks for being with us. I'm George Howell. The news continues here on CNN right after the break.

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