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One Dead After New Zealand Volcano Erupts; Trump To Kim: You Could Void Special Relationship With U.S.; Russian And Ukrainian President To Meet In Paris; New Details On The Shooting; Florida Victims Remembered; U.S. House Judiciary Committee Readies for Next Hearing; Candidates Make Final Push Ahead of Crucial Vote. Aired 1-2a ET

Aired December 09, 2019 - 01:00   ET

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

[01:00:00]

PAULA NEWTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello. I want to welcome our viewers joining us from all around the world, I'm Paula Newton. Coming up on CNN NEWSROOM, a tourist outing turns deadly in New Zealand after a volcano erupts on White Island. A special relationship on the rocks. The U.S. President warns North Korea over its latest test launch. Plus, peace tops the agenda at a high stakes meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia.

And we do begin with breaking news out of New Zealand. At least one person has been killed after a volcano erupted on White Island. CNN Kristie Lu Stout joins us now with more details. And Christie, you know, the police themselves described it as grim saying that they expect more fatalities and that at this point in time, it's too dangerous for the rescuers to even reach White Island.

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Paula. We have learned a lot more about the devastation caused in New Zealand on the volcanic eruption in the northern part of the country in this island called White Islands. There was a police press conference that wrapped up in just the last 15 minutes or so. We learned that at least one person has died and that more fatalities are expected, again, this according to New Zealand police. The person who died was one of 23 individuals who were rescued from the island.

Now, police say around 50 people were on the island at the time of the eruption. Earlier, we had heard from the government of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying that the number was 100. That number has been downgraded to 50. But we did hear an updated statement from Jacinda Ardern who spoke alongside her colleagues in the police force who says that the focus right now needs to be on search and rescue.

Now, more details about the eruption. It started earlier today, Monday, 2:30 p.m. local time on White Island. That's about 50 kilometers on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. We've been airing photos and videos like this one showing plumes of smoke rising that are visible from the mainland. Those plumes of smoke rising on the back of the volcanic eruption on White Island. An emergency operation is underway to try to find and rescue those who remain there on that island. But New Zealand police, they say that at this stage, it is too dangerous for police and rescue to go onto the island because it is still covered in ash and volcanic material.

More on the volcano itself. It's called the White Island volcano. It is one of the most active volcanoes in New Zealand. It is also called, Paula, one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes. There are ocean liners that cruise near the island. There are guided tours available on the island, tours that go to White Island because they want to see it strange alien moonscape, the one engage in extreme tourism. It has one of the most dramatic environments that anyone can see in New Zealand. But again, this is an active volcano. Paula, back to you.

NEWTON: Yes. And so tragic as people were, as you said, just trying to take that in was no warning that this eruption would happen. I want to just ask you before you go. Did you get an indication about the size of this eruption because the video that we are seeing and the accounts were reading on social media sounds terrifying?

STOUT: Yes. And during that police press conference, we're trying to -- we're listening in to the members of the press corps who were there. They were kept asking that question, give us some indication of scale of size. And still, we're trying to get more information about that.

But on the issue that you just raised about whether this came with or without warning, we know this, Paula, that last month authorities did raise its volcanic alert to level two because scientists observed increasing amounts of sulfur dioxide gas. That's a key indicator of rising magma.

Now, although according to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, she says the focus right now has got to be on search and rescue. Questions are being asked about why tourists were even allowed on the island, the home of this steaming, smoking, and as of today again, erupting volcano. Back to you.

[01:05:00] NEWTON: Yes. All interesting context there. And Kristie, I know you'll continue to stay on top of the story for us. We will give you that breaking news out of New Zealand as soon as we have more information. I appreciate it, Kristie.

Now we begin this hour with a warning from the U.S. to North Korea. President Donald Trump tells North Korean leader Kim Jong-un he risks losing everything a day after North Korea said it carried a successful test at a missile site.

Mr. Trump tweeted, "Kim Jong-un is too smart and has far too much to lose. Actually, if he acts in a hostile way. He signed a strong denuclearization agreement with me in Singapore. He does not want to void his special relationship with the President of the United States."

Paula Hancocks joins us now live from Seoul where you've been following this. And Paula, it is hard to know exactly, you know what the intention was behind this. And when they say a successful test, what does that mean? You know, given North Korea's pattern, do you expect more information about this in the coming hours or days?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, yes. I mean, what we usually have, Paula, is the bare minimum of the information and then the next day you'll generally get some photographs, you'll get more indication as to what exactly was tested.

The working assumption amongst most experts at this point is that it could potentially have been an engine test for a satellite launcher, or potentially for an ICBM, an intercontinental ballistic missile which could potentially hit mainland United States. Now that of course, is one of the missiles that does concern the U.S. as opposed to some of the shorter ranged missiles that that President Trump has not been concerned by over recent months.

But we don't know for sure exactly what was tested at this point. But what we do know is that North Korea had given some warning for this. We know that CNN had seen satellite images from last week from last Thursday which suggested that they were preparations for this kind of engine test. And we also know that North Korea has given this end of deadline for the U.S. to change its attitude, to come up with something different in the way it deals with North Korea or they'll choose a different path.

Now, you can read between the lines there that North Korea is looking for some easing of sanctions which is what they've been looking for many months now. And also we heard North Korea saying that that could be a potential Christmas present for the United States. It depends on them what sort of Christmas gift that they will have. So we've really have been expecting something like this.

We don't believe that this is necessarily the Christmas gift they're talking about, but potentially even a precursor to it. Paula?

NEWTON: And given what's been going on, and certainly we've been having this doing and trying from the United States in North Korea, but I want to ask you, there in South Korea, at certain point in time so involved in trying to get some kind of an agreement between the United States and North Korea, what's been the reaction there?

HANCOCKS: Fairly muted. We have heard from the defense ministry saying that they have -- they are aware of the tests, they're closely monitoring the situation. There's nothing more that they have been able to give publicly. But what we've seen over recent months is that South Korea has effectively been sidelined when it comes to any kind of negotiation, any kind of dealing with the North Koreans.

They have consistently been trying to reach out. They've cons1istently been going through the liaison office along the DMZ trying to reengage with the North Koreans. But as of this moment, as far as we know publicly, there has been little coming back the other way.

At one point just a matter of months ago, President Trump had asked President Moon Jae-in of South Korea once again to be the middleman, to be the negotiator to try and facilitate talks between the U.S. and North Korea. We're very far from that point now when it comes to South Korea, even though that was relatively recently. Paula?

NEWTON: Yes, it wasn't a long time ago. I'm glad you pointed that out in terms of where we are now, given all the hopes, especially there in South Korea that this would be a different outcome. Paula, thanks so much. We'll continue to check in with you.

Now in just a few hours, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will hold their first face to face meeting. The stakes are high as they are expected to try and hash out an agreement to end the five-year conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Now, the fighting began in 2014 after Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, and then backed pro-Russian separatists in the Donbass region. Since then, about 13,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Matthew Chance joins us from Moscow where he is following these developments.

In terms of what's expected to be hashed out, sometimes they won't even set up these meetings unless they've got something prepared. Are you getting that indication that they will come up with some kind of breakthrough here?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: In terms of the specifics, Paula, no. But I mean, look, I mean, Volodymyr Zelensky was elected back in May overwhelmingly on a platform of bringing to an end this ongoing brutal grinding conflict with a Russian-backed separatists which you say has left 13,000 people dead, but has also meant that millions of people in eastern Ukraine have had to flee their homes.

[01:10:12]

And so it's been immensely disruptive and economically damaging to the country. And so he wants to bring that to an end. And the problem is that-- is that he's going to be meeting face to face for the first time Vladimir Putin whom he spoken on the phone before. This is the first time they're sat across the table. He's a tough, you know, negotiator, possibly one of the toughest that there is in international diplomacy.

And he's also got the problem that whenever he makes any concessions, and we've seen this over the past couple of weeks and months to the Russians, he's accused of capitulation by his rivals domestically. And so he has to walk a very fine line to try and move the peace process forward, but not do so much in terms of making concessions that it's going to add fuel to the fire and bring more protesters on the streets or perhaps even feel some sort of internal conflict in Ukraine.

He's got another problem as well which is that Ukraine has been backed very strongly by the Europeans in the United States. But the Europeans now sort of indicating they're moving away, particularly Emmanuel Macron, the French president talking about a rapprochement with Russia. And of course, Ukraine has been dragged into the hyper- partisan impeachment saga in the United States, as well.

And so there's a sense in which you know, that kind of unquestioning cross-party support for Ukraine, United States has also started to be undermined. And so it's a very difficult challenge that Volodymyr Zelensky has.

NEWTON: Yes. You certainly laid it out quite starkly there so we'll continue to watch this over the next few hours to see if anything develops. Matthew Chance for us from Moscow, I appreciate it.

Jill Dougherty is a CNN Contributor and a Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center. She joins me now from Washington. Jill, a lot on the line here to say the least. I mean, look, it's been four years since, you know, the broad outlines of what should have been a peace agreement were there and yet it's taken this long to get to the table. What do you think success looks like with this kind of a meeting?

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, I think a lot of the expectations are pretty limited they'd have to do because after all, as you put it, it's taken a long time. Finally, they're meeting but President Zelensky is under enormous pressure. He's not only meeting with President Putin, who is a much more experienced politician, there is no question, so that's number one. How will he stack up against Putin or with Putin?

The second thing would be his own people. There is a lot of -- there have been protests several days, people very angry. Will Zelensky give in to Putin? Will he give up the store? Is he too weak? Can he do it? And then finally, you have probably the last thing that President Zelensky wanted which is to be embroiled in this impeachment controversy here in the United States.

So it's very, very difficult and realistically maybe just the fact that Putin and Zielinski are meeting, and that they're discussing, and that there is some sort of movement, it might be what could be expected.

NEWTON: Yes. I mean, a Hollywood script that had half of these plotlines would have looked unrealistic, and yet here we are. And again, it's a man who is new to the job -- new to the job, but someone who doesn't have any experience in politics. You and I both know how deeply steeped in history this conflict is. When we talk about what's going on there on the ground, do you think Russia has kind of already won in terms of this being a war of attrition and what they hope to get out of this?

DOUGHERTY: Not necessarily. I mean, it's -- you know, that region is so -- we're talking about the southeast Donbass really is pretty much under the control of these illegal formations, you know, under the influence of Russia. But the main part of Ukraine, there has been some type of unity.

I mean, you look at the theory original poll numbers for the Zelensky, and that's what we're looking at right now. Zelensky, he had very high ratings when he was elected. I was looking at some just back in September, in fact, he was at 73 percent. And right now he's fallen down to 52 because people are very, very worried. So, oddly enough, they support him overall to meet with Putin, but they are nervous.

So yes, the Russians control many areas in the east, but Ukraine itself is relatively united right now. How long that can go, how deep that is, is another question.

NEWTON: Yes. It'll be interesting to see exactly as you said, even with expectations are low what the first etchings of a deal might look like even if they can't follow through during this meeting. Jill, if you will, given all your experience with Russia, I really want to take it from Putin's focus now as well. I mean, he's really had a moment on the international stage in the last year. You know better than anyone what shrewd negotiators they are. What do you think he's looking for out of this?

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DOUGHERTY: You know, I think that there is a broader picture. You can get into the weeds on the Ukraine part of it and Zelensky, and that's really, really important. But I think Putin probably is looking at how he comes across to the West. You know, right now, he is looking like a reasonable person who is going to this meeting who wants peace, wants some type of negotiation, that's what he's been talking about. And that will win some points. It could, at least in Europe, not sure here in the United States, but then you have Donald Trump, who is quite complimentary of President Putin a lot of the time. So, I think it's that value of looking like a peacemaker, which is one of the roles that Vladimir Putin plays and wants to play quite well.

NEWTON: Yes. And he certainly relished that role in Syria, to what end, still we don't know how that's going to play out. But certainly, I have to ask you, in terms of the Russian public itself, and you and I both know how oppressed they are in certain terms in terms of showing any opposition? But Russians will be looking closely as well. And do you think this could be even a slight crack in the door in trying to get some of those sanctions removed if this goes well for Putin?

DOUGHERTY: Well, that would be the ideal thing for President Putin. It's -- I think that's very far in the distance. But of course, the Russian strategy, President Putin's strategy, has been to, you know, divide the United States and Europe. Europe has more financial economic interests and Russia has more to lose. And so, could be persuaded more to end sanctions. So far, that's holding, but there's -- I would say that there is a little bit of exhaustion about sanctions because they haven't really worked in the way that perhaps the West wanted them to work. They worked to a certain degree, but they haven't solved the problem. You know, President Putin, Russia still has Crimea. Russia still has these illegal formations in the eastern part of the country.

So -- but I -- but I think, you know, you can't -- you have to look at Putin in terms of both his domestic situation. This will play well in Russia, because Russians, really, they are so united. Many people have relatives, they want this war to end.

NEWTON: Right.

DOUGHERTY: 30,000 people die. So, they will play well in Russia. It could play well in Europe. And it does make Putin look like a person who's striving for peace. We'll have to see how Zelensky looks because --

NEWTON: Right.

DOUGHERTY: (INAUDIBLE) again are enormous.

NEWTON: Yes. Especially given Ukraine being in the news so much recently with the impeachment. Jill, thanks very much, so much for parsing this with us. Appreciate it.

Now, U.S. authorities are trying to piece together more details about the Florida naval base shooting. Ahead, what we're learning about the shooter and the weapon he used in that attack. Plus, remembering the victims of Friday's deadly attack in Florida. What family members and loved ones are saying of the fallen U.S. soldiers.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN INTERNATIONAL METEOROLOGIST: High pressure responsible for some sunny weather recently across the Eastern United States, beginning to exit the picture off towards the east. And we do have a front on approach. Meteorologist Pedram Javheri with you. And it is a trend here for wet weather across portions of the country. And of course, if it's cold enough, it is all about the wintery weather in place. Minneapolis, one of those areas, seeing the wintery weather, and that's going to be frankly the least of their concern over the next couple of days, as easily the coldest air of the season begins to filter in across portions of the U.S.

And notice, the company to the south, quite a bit of wet weather get up in to say, areas of New England, could see some snow showers out of this. Fortunately with this, it is going to be a minimized event as far as how much moisture is available, but the cold air, really, becomes a predominant story. And notice that it dips farther into portions of the Great Lakes region. Eventually parks in off the northeast, and that's where we get the potential for snow showers across that area come Thursday afternoon or so. But how about highs into the 5,10, 15 below zero for an afternoon high. That is Minneapolis for you into the portions of late autumn.

And notice, in Chicago, go from nearly the double digits down to five below for an afternoon high. And all of that cold air eventually tries to make its sort of presence felt across New York City. So, it certainly going to feel like the holidays here when you drop from 16, introduce some snow showers as early as Wednesday, and potentially remain cold into the weekend across portions of the United States.

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[01:20:40] NEWTON: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince has reportedly spoken with U.S. President about the deadly naval base shooting in Florida. Now, according to state media, he reiterated that the Kingdom will cooperate with the investigation and express condolences for the victims' families. On Sunday, the three U.S. sailors killed in the attack were honored with this procession. Earlier, the White House National Security Adviser said the shooting appears to be a terrorist attack. But the FBI is still trying to determine why the gunman, a Saudi Air Force officer, open fire.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RACHEL ROJAS, SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE, FBI: While there are many reports circulating regarding the shooters motivation and his alleged activities leading to his attack, I can tell you that we are looking very hard at uncovering his motive. And I would ask for patience so we can get this right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: Now, the FBI also says the shooter bought his hand gun legally. Law enforcement official says another Saudi national filmed the aftermath of the scene, but they believe that person was a bystander and not involved in the attack. Earlier, I spoke with CNN Intelligence and Security Analyst Bob Baer. I began by asking him about the way the Trump administration has been treating the shooting.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB BAER, CNN INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY ANALYST: Right now, it doesn't look very good that the President is defending Saudi Arabia at this point. The only people that can actually vet these people sent to the United States for military training is Saudi Arabia. It certainly looks like terrorism at this point. Saudis are very unlikely to get into random personal attacks on people with armed weapons. There's some stuff on the internet suggest al-Shamrani was involved Al-Qaeda, which this may -- this may turn out to be right. But right now, the President should be consoling the families and not Saudi Arabia.

NEWTON: Yes, it was interesting that even in his comment from the other day, the President pointed out that, you know, that the kingdom would be trying to help the families. And again, that would come as cold comfort at this point, especially when it doesn't seem that Saudi Arabia knows what this military trainee was up to. And that brings me to my next question. OK, they're promising absolute cooperation. With all your experience about Saudi Arabia, what does that actually mean? I mean, to what end? You know, as you just pointed out, they were in charge of scrutinizing these people. And given the history with 911, you know, you'd think that they would look at this and try and identify key risks of a larger problem that they have, which is radicalization.

BAER: Well, there's two things. One is they have never completely cooperated in 911. We do not know how the 15 Saudis ended up recruited, sent to the United States. Was it -- did it occur in the mosque? Did it occur within the tribe? We don't know. They did not cooperate. There were no arrests in Saudi Arabia. And the witnesses that did go back to Saudi Arabia were not properly questioned. The FBI didn't have complete access to them. Saudi Arabia (INAUDIBLE) and the security services are still penetrated by Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State sympathizers. The stories are anecdotal, but we are not allowed to look inside the Saudi system. We simply don't know what's going on. So, for one or two of these people to slip through and end up in Pensacola, and murder American servicemen, doesn't really surprise me.

NEWTON: And given that, what do you think the Trump administration response should be there? Because, obviously, there are other people in the national security apparatus right now that obviously are looking for answers.

BAER: You simply cut off training, you know? When you can clean up your house, when you give us good answers, when we get full cooperation, you can send your servicemen here to get training. Until then, you just cut it off. It's that simple. But they are not cooperating, they have not since 911, and right now, there's no indication that they're about to.

NEWTON: Yes, and there's certainly no indication that the Trump administration is about to cut off any of that training. Bob Baer, we'll leave it there for now. Thanks for joining us. Appreciate it.

BAER: Thanks.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: Now, the U.S. military also held a solemn transfer ceremony for those three slain sailors. Just a few hours ago, their remains were received at Dover Air Force Base in the State of Delaware. CNN's Brynn Gingras has more on the fallen servicemen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHEILA WATSON, MOTHER OF SLAIN SAILOR: He actually put the angel on our tree. He got to play with his niece and nephew and be with us.

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CHIEF MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Ensign Joshua Watson's parents saw their son for the last time just over a week ago when he went home to Alabama for Thanksgiving break. It would be his final holiday with his family.

BENJAMIN WATSON, FATHER OF SLAIN SAILOR: He and I are both big Auburn fans. We watched the game Saturday together. So, we've got that.

GINGRAS: After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, Watson wanted to become a military pilot. He began flight school in Pensacola less than a month ago.

ENSIGN JOSHUA WATSON, SLAIN SAILOR: Get through flight school and maybe go fly jets, that'd be pretty cool.

GINGRAS: In a January interview posted on the Navy Athletics YouTube channel, Watson said he was looking forward to training at the Naval Air Station in Florida.

B. WATSON: He was chasing his dream to serve his country and be a pilot.

GINGRAS: But his dreams were cut short Friday, when a Saudi military officer opened fire in a classroom building. U.S. Navy officials say Watson was one of three young sailors who ran towards the gunman as he advanced. All three were killed, but their actions saved lives. At 23 years old, Watson was the oldest sailor to lose his life. Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham was only 19 years old. His father tells CNN, Haitham was an all-star athlete and describes him as very kind and fun to be around. His high school principal echoed that sentiment.

ERIN SAVAGE, PRINCIPAL, LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL: He was a perfect kid. Students and staff loved him. Beautiful smile and always just wanted cared about other people and wanted to know how everybody was doing on campus.

GINGRAS: 21-year-old airman apprentice Cameron Scott Walters also lost his life Friday. Originally from Georgia, loved ones in Walter's hometown are grieving. A statement on the city's official Facebook page reads, quote, "We ask our community to come together for Cameron's family, to mourn and remember him, and to pay tribute to his sacrifice." We will forever be grateful for his courage and heroism. Brynn Gingras, CNN, Pensacola.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NEWTON: U.S. Democrats are gearing up for another impeachment hearing. Coming up, why the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee says he feels confident in their case. Plus, a crucial vote in the U.K. is just days away, after a weekend filled with campaigning, and look at where the candidates stand in the polls.

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[01:30:55]

PAULA NEWTON, CNN ANCHOR: And welcome back. I'm Paula Newton.

We want to update you now on our top stories this hour.

Police say at least one person has died after a volcano exploded on White Island in New Zealand with the death toll expected to climb. Dozens of people were on the island at the time of the eruption. About 20 of them were tourists from the cruise liner Ovation of the Seas.

U.S. President Donald Trump is warning North Korean leader Kim Jong-un he could lose their quote, "special relationship". This comes a day after North Korea claimed it successfully conducted an important test at a missile site.

Mr. Trump also tweeted Kim Jong-un is quote, "too smart and has far too much to lose if he acts in a hostile way." Washington is anxiously waiting the release of a report from the

United States Justice Department's inspector general who will outline whether political bias influenced the FBI's decision to start the Russia investigation. The report is expected to be released in the coming hours.

Ok. The U.S. House Judiciary Committee will hold another crucial hearing in the impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump in just a few hours. Sources tell CNN the hearing will pattern -- will showcase a pattern of behavior that shows Mr. Trump's impeachable conduct.

Democrats have spent the weekend holding mock hearings in preparation, saying that they are trying to play this out as if it's a real trial.

On Sunday, committee chairman Jerry Nadler said he feels confident and the Democrats as they move closer to drafting articles of impeachment.

Speaking with CNN, Nadler described their case as solid.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JERROLD NADLER (D), NEW YORK: We have a very rock solid case. I think the case we have if presented to a jury would be a guilty verdict in about three minutes flat.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: Joining me now is Larry Sabato. He is the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia and the author of the "Kennedy Half Century".

All right. Larry -- we all have to take a deep intake of breath here. This impeachment steam roller keeps going through Congress. They might even they say have a vote by Friday if we can believe that.

I want to talk to you though about how it's gone over with voters because it's interesting that the beginning of this process we were talking about whether or not these hearings would flip Republicans. And now we're talking about whether or not Nancy Pelosi can keep the Democrats on side (ph) in this vote.

LARRY SABATO, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: Yes. And my guess is that while these hearings have been very interesting, I think people who paid attention have learned a great deal, public opinion has barely moved.

Now the good news for Democrats is that about a narrow majority, maybe 50 percent of the public, does in fact want Trump impeached and even removed, with 43 percent or so of the public not wanting that to happen.

The bad news for Democrats is that these are pretty much the same numbers we started out with. In other words it's all a function of how people look at Trump and whether they approve of his job performance or not. NEWTON: And do you buy the argument that some people say that ok, you

may not believe that this follows in terms of being something that is impeachable. But at the end of the day the constitutional guardrails have to be there and that is why the Democrats claim he has to be impeached.

SABATO: I think primarily that is the motivation. Obviously with so many members of Congress potentially voting for impeachment it's tough to summarize all the motivations.

But I think for the leadership, for Nancy Pelosi for example, all things considered she might have preferred to skip impeachment. She certainly was leaning against it for a long time.

But the evidence in this particular case, the phone call with the president of Ukraine was so stark and so offensive to Democrats that she felt she had to move forward.

[01:34:52]

NEWTON: And getting to the point about what is included in this and what isn't I want you to listen to Adam Schiff who is now talking about whether or not any evidence from the Russian inquiry, the Mueller report should be included in the articles of impeachment. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ADAM SCHIFF (D), CALIFORNIA: As a former prosecutor it has always been my strategy in a charging decision, and an impeachment of the House is essentially a charging decision, to charge those that there is the strongest and most overwhelming evidence or not try to charge everything even though you could charge other things.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NEWTON: Now that's definitely pointing to the fact that they're not going to include any of that. That they're going to try and have a more narrow focus.

I want to ask you -- do you think this is the way they're going to lose the American public if they start to muddy the waters even more?

SABATO: I think that Chairman Schiff along with Speaker Pelosi is absolutely right to try and focus the impeachment on a couple of things that a distracted public can understand.

Can they use evidence collected by Bob Mueller in the Mueller report? Of course they can. But what's important to me is that this is not a doctoral dissertation. You are not (INAUDIBLE) serving the literature and trying to produce every possible argument in favor of your thesis. You are simply trying to present the most compelling pieces for the public to judge and of course for the Congress and eventually the Senate to judge.

NEWTON: And frankly (INAUDIBLE), you know, the President certainly is talking about the IG's report which is supposed to be released any moment now. He says it will be good. It will in some way, shape or form prove that the basis of the Russia inquiry, the Mueller investigation was bogus.

It doesn't seem like from the leaks that we've had that that is actually the truth but to what extent do you think that will provide cover for the Trump administration and the President himself; and another distraction from the impeachment inquiry?

SABATA: Well, if it actually says that, obviously it will provide cover to the Trump administration and be an enormous distraction.

I'll be shocked if it actually says that. You know we have learned --

(CROSSTALKING)

NEWTON: But just to -- just to interrupt for a second. Here's the thing -- whether it says that or not look what William -- look what William Barr did with the Mueller report. He released that one page and made it seem as if -- no actually we're good here. The President has been exonerated.

SABATO: Yes. And that has made him the boy that cried "wolf". Because once we saw what the truth was about the Mueller investigation and what the Mueller report actually said he lost face. And we go back to what he said, it turned out it wasn't true.

So that makes most of us even more skeptical of whatever he would say about this new report.

NEWTON: Another busy week ahead.

Larry -- thanks so much. Really appreciate your input here.

SABATO: Thank you -- Paula.

And stay with us for a special coverage of the Trump impeachment hearings by the House Judiciary Committee. That starts at 1 p.m. in London and 9 p.m. in Hong Kong, right here on CNN.

Now with three days until the British voters head to the ballot box, polls show the Conservative Party has the edge in Thursday's general election. Now a new opinion poll by Survation (ph) has the Conservative Party widening its lead over the Labour Party by 14 points.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hoping to win a clear majority that will let him proceed with his plan to take Britain out of the European Union by January 31st.

Now with just days to go every vote, of course, counts. All the candidates were out campaigning this weekend to try and get their message out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: It's a close fourth (ph) election indeed (ph), everybody. But we have to get back to what we have to drive now, drive for the line keeping the ball firmly at the back of our feet. And we're going to get that. We're going to get that but we are only going to get that if we work very hard.

JEREMY CORBYN, LABOUR PARTY LEADER: Our manifesto is serious, well- prepared and fully-costed. We've got a grey book that identifies every single item of expenditure we wish to make as a Labour government. We're the only party to have done that because we are absolutely serious about this election.

So we've got five days to go. Five days -- four days, I suppose really, to go for the election. And our determination is not lowered. It's higher and higher and higher the nearer we get to polling day itself.

JO SWINSON, BRITISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS LEADER: Just a few days to go and what do we know? We know that so much for our country's future hinges on what we all collectively do in the next few days. We know that so many people have still not decided where they will stick their cross on the ballot paper on Thursday and in so many seats. It will come down to a handful of votes.

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NEWTON: Now CNN honors the work of ten people who tried to make the world a better place. Ahead we will tell you who was named the biggest hero of them all.

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ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: The 2019 CNN Hero of the Year is --

KELLY RIPA, CNN HOST: Freweini Mebrahtu.

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NEWTON: A woman who dedicated her life to keeping Ethiopian girls in school has been named the 2019 CNN Hero of the Year.

Freweini Mebrahtu was recognized for designing a reusable menstrual pad so girls and young women wouldn't miss or even drop out of school.

She was also commended for trying to end the cultural stigma around that entire issue.

Here's what she said when she accepted her award.

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FREWEINI MEBRAHTU, CNN 2019 HERO OF THE YEAR: This is for all the girls and women everywhere -- dignity for all. Dignity for all girls. Finally, period is getting (ph) its moment. I so much appreciate it.

This moment is not just for me. This moment is for every girl. We have not spoken the thing, we say period for a long, long time everywhere in this world. And I truly, truly appreciate for CNN being the voice for all of us to be heard loud and clear. Dignity for all.

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NEWTON: And we congratulate her. She and her team have produced 700,000 reusable pads a year in Ethiopia. Nearly 800,000 girls and women have so far benefited from her work.

And as I say -- a big congratulations to all the CNN Heroes.

And thanks for watching CNN NEWSROOM.

I'm Paula Newton.

"WORLD SPORT" is next.

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(WORLD SPORT)

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