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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Faces Real Threat; More Than 200 Homes Turned into Ashes; Typhoon Phanfone Brought Destruction in Philippines on Christmas Day; Pope Francis Calls for Peace and Reconciliation; Boeing Working to Gain Public Trust; Queen Elizabeth Asks for Peace and Calm; Hong Police Arrested 105 People on Christmas Day. Aired 3-3:30a ET

Aired December 26, 2019 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:00]

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KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR: Hello there. I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching CNN Newsroom.

Ahead this hour, a securities care for Benjamin Netanyahu just hours before the Israeli prime minister faces a key party leadership challenge.

More than 200 homes are wiped out by a fire in Chile and officials believe an arsonist is responsible.

And nearly two dozen people are dead after a typhoon rips across the Philippines over the Christmas holiday.

We begin in Israel where the threats to Benjamin Netanyahu are real and political. The prime minister was rushed from the stage at a campaign event in the city of Ashkelon after a rocket was fired from nearby Gaza.

Now Mr. Netanyahu returns to the rally a few minutes later after the rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system. The same thing happened before Israel's national elections back in September.

Now Mr. Netanyahu is facing another threat to his leadership of the Likud Party. Thousands of members were cast their votes in the coming hours for the future of the conservative movement.

Our CNN's Oren Liebermann has more from Jerusalem.

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a serious challenge for leadership of the Likud, the political party he has led for more than a decade of. His challenger hard line right wing politician Gideon Saar, a former minister of education. Whoever wins this race becomes head of the Likud Party and will be the Likud's candidate for prime minister in the upcoming election in March.

If Netanyahu wins the political mapping in Israel doesn't really change that much but if Saar wins it could effectively be the end of Netanyahu. He remains prime minister until someone else forms a government after the next elections.

The 70-year-old Israeli leader has pretty much ignored Saar during the short campaign, instead focusing on his own accomplishments as prime minister. Meanwhile, Saar promises to do and succeed where Netanyahu has failed. The former government and break Israel's political deadlock.

Political analysts expect Netanyahu to win. He has won all of the last leadership races for the Likud in a big way. No challenge has gotten even 30 percent of the votes in a more than a decade, but what about this time? Netanyahu faces a much more difficult situation after the last two national elections in April at September, he failed to form a government.

Now he faces criminal indictment on charges of bribery and fraud and breach of trust in separate corruption investigations. He says he's innocent but it's one more bump in the road for him and his race.

Netanyahu wants to win and win big. If he takes this leadership race something like 80 to 20 it cements his control of the Likud Party and shows the strong loyalty the party has to its longtime leader, but if this is a close race, for example, 55 to 45 or something along those lines, it will be seen as a major blow to Netanyahu.

He may have one but if he doesn't win big it's a sign the party is shifting away from him and in a different direction, and that could do damage to Netanyahu in the upcoming election in March. We expect results of the leadership race sometimes in the early hours of Friday morning local time.

Oren Liebermann, CNN, Jerusalem.

STOUT: Now authorities in Chile believes that arson was responsible for raging wild fires along the central coast. Hundreds of homes have been lost but officials still don't know the full extent of the damage.

Eleni Giokos has the latest.

ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A blaze sparked on Christmas eve range through Chile's coastal city of Valparaiso, leaving hundreds of people without a home and knocking out power for thousands more. By Christmas not much was left as volunteers sifted through the rubble.

The damage is extensive and Chilean officials say figuring out just how much was lost will take some time. Residents fled their homes as fire spread taking what they could along the way.

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OMAR GONZALEZ, RESIDENT, VALPARAISO, CHILE (through translator): I managed to get the pets and the TV out but I couldn't take more because the police took me away as there was nothing that could be done. (END VIDEO CLIP)

GIOKOS: So far, no deaths or major injuries have been reported but hundreds of homes have been heavily damaged by the flames.

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CRISTIAN MONCKEBERG, CHILEAN HUSING MINISTER (through translator): Our teams are already starting to see that it could be up to at least 200 homes affected. These are many homes where many families could have been affected. This isn't just about the numbers. There are families behind this to whom we have to answer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[03:04:57]

GIOKOS: Forestry officials estimate at least 140 hectares of trees and grassland have also been lost to the flames. Hundreds of volunteer firefighters and aerial teams battle the fire overnight. And while the fire has not been contained it has turned to a less populated part of the city.

The mayor of Valparaiso said on Wednesday that evidence indicates that the fire was set intentionally.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): There are many signs that indicates that this was intentional and we have submitted that information to the attorney general's office.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GIOKOS: The mayor did not say whether there were any suspects in the case. Chilean President Sebastian Pinera expressed his sympathy to those who lost their homes and his support to the emergency responders fighting the blaze.

Eleni Giokos, CNN.

STOUT: Now cooler conditions have helped crews make progress battling the bush fires in Australia but it is not expected to last with another heat wave forecast for the weekend. There are now 72 fires burning in New South Wales. The fewest the state has seen in recent weeks.

Now the death toll meanwhile from typhoon Phanfone has risen to 21 in the Philippines. The storm made landfall on Tuesday battering the country with strong winds and storm surges. Some city saw more than 20 centimeters of rainfall. It's according to preliminary reports.

Phanfone is now moving over the South China Sea.

Our meteorologist Pedram Javaheri joins us now with more. And, Pedram, a horrific development for communities there at this holiday season. Is the worst over or does the storm pose additional threats?

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: No, the worse is absolutely over, Kristie. This is the excellent news. The timing is certainly making landfall on Christmas eve progressing over a 26-hour period, essentially covering all of Christmas Day across parts of the 7,600 islands that make up Philippine archipelago.

Certainly, the worst-case scenario when it comes to a storm that maintains intensity. An incredible storm that made landfall at around category one equivalent still sits there even though it traverses across the island 150-kilometer-per-hour winds. In fact, it is strengthening but it is moving away from land.

So what is left of it here over the landfall again on Christmas eve produced about 100 to upwards of 200 millimeters of landfall with the latest numbers we have access to enough to cause certainly flooding, some landslides, and of course significant damage in place especially when you factor in those winds pushing over 150 kilometers per hour. So, the worst is now over for the Philippines.

The system migrates off towards the west. We expect within the next 24 hours to have it weaken significantly, and then wind shear or winds above the storm begin to shred the storm apart rather quickly on Saturday then eventually into Sunday when it approaches areas around Da Nang into northern Vietnam. So, it'll be just a rainmaker once it arrives across that region and shell of its form itself.

But I take you across areas of Australia where weather conditions have actually improved rather nicely in the last couple of days. Align firefighters to make quite a bit of ground here in recent days. Active wildfires down to 75 across in New South Wales. It was well over 100 just a few days ago.

Uncontrolled fires down to only 12 which were about 50 or so which is a couple of days ago. So, again, improved conditions here, but unfortunately the model suggests extreme heat. Once again returns. Of course, we are heading right into January where the hot season far from over.

And you take a look the forecast kind of shows the progression of heat, Kristie, going in towards early next week with wind also accompanying it. So, the firefighters had a break. They made some ground here, but unfortunately it looks like the weather pattern is turning again into next week, Kristie.

STOUT: Yes. And the days ahead it's going to be brutal. It's going to burn. Pedram Javaheri, thank you for that crucial update.

JAVAHERI: Thank you.

STOUT: Now Pope Francis calls for an end to war and an end to injustice this holiday season. The countries he mentioned by name in his prayer for peace just ahead.

Plus, Queen Elizabeth's annual Christmas address. She hinted at a turbulent year. We'll explain what the monarch was likely talking about.

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STOUT: Welcome back. Pope Francis uses in Christmas Day address to focus on conflict and injustice around the world. He singles out places where people are persecuted for their Christian faith especially in parts of Africa, but he had a broader and more personal message as well.

Here is CNN senior Vatican analyst John Allen.

JOHN ALLEN, CNN SENIOR VATICAN ANALYST: Pope Francis on Christmas Day delivered a message of peace in his traditional Urbi et Orbi address to the city, meaning Rome and the world.

Survey in the global situation, he mentioned Syria and the Middle East, Venezuela in the Americas, Congo in Africa, and Ukraine. All places where the pope and his team have been engaged for a long time in trying to resolve conflict and bringing in the suffering. What was new was the way he personalized his message.

Let's give a listen.

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POPE FRANCIS (through translator): May he soften our often stony and self-centered hearts and make them channels of his love. May he bring his smile through our poor faces to all the children of the world. To those who are abandoned and those who suffer violence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: So, there you heard the pope talking about trying to convert our stony hearts, trying to overcome our indifference in the face of suffering. Basically, his message was if you want to change the world first start by changing yourself.

It's a very simple pastoral message but then again Pope Francis is the pastor in chief of the world's largest organized religion.

For CNN in Rome, I'm John Allen.

STOUT: Now Queen Elizabeth reflected on a turbulent year as the British royal family gathered for Christmas celebrations. In her annual speech she said some things may felt bumpy but remain hopeful for the future.

Anna Stewart reports.

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: It's a very British and well-worn tradition to watch the queen's speech on Christmas Day. And guess what the queen is really talking about? Of course, there is often considered to be a subtext to what she says. And as she speech the headline remains that of yesterday when

highlights were first teased. The importance of reconciliation. Referencing the life of Jesus, her majesty had this to say.

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ELIZABETH II, QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM: Of course, at the heart of the Christmas story lies the birth of the child. A seemingly small and insignificant step ever looked by many in Bethlehem, but in time, through his teaching and by his example, Jesus Christ which show the world how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding.

Many of us already try to follow in his footsteps. The path of course is not always smooth and may at times have felt quite bumpy. The small steps can make the world difference.

STEWART: A bumpy year. Many think that's a reference to Brexit and the political turmoil the U.K. has experienced. Some however, also speculate that the queen may be referencing the bumpy year that the royal family itself has had, whether it was Prince Philippe's car crash in January, Prince Harry and his wife, the duchess of Sussex's turbulent relationship with the press. They are suing several British newspapers.

And of course, more recently, the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew's friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew stepped down from official royal duties in recent but he is spending Christmas with the royal family in Sandringham.

He was seen entering the church for an early morning service with his brother Prince Charles but he wasn't actually seen for the main event the main service. What we saw her majesty the queen arriving with Prince Charles' wife, the duchess of Cornwell.

The queen had actually changed outfits from the early service. She was resplendent and rather festive in red. Also arriving, you can see Prince George and Princess Charlotte with their parents, Prince William and the duchess of Cambridge.

[03:14:57]

This was the first time the youngsters have attended the Christmas service. Notably absent of course was Prince Philip. The queen's 98- year-old husband fresh out of hospital was likely resting at home. He didn't attend last year and has rarely seen after retiring from public life two years ago.

Prince Harry and the duchess of Sussex meanwhile are spending Christmas in Canada. They are taking private family time away from the glare of public life. They, and the rest of the royal family will no doubt be enjoying time with each other at a special time of the year and looking forward to a fresh start in 2020.

Merry Christmas. I'm Anna Stewart in London. STOUT: The U.S. president and his wife spending Christmas far from

the glare of impeachment back in Washington. Their holiday message is next.

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STOUT: Welcome back. Now as Democrats and Republicans argue about the rules of Donald Trump's impeachment trial, one Republican senator is openly criticizing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for coordinating with the White House defense team.

Now Senator Lisa Murkowski said she found McConnell's remarks disturbing.

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SEN. LISA MURKOWSKI, (R-AK): I heard what Leader McConnell had said. I happen to think that that has further confused the process. You need a prejudged and say there is nothing there, or, on the other hand, he should be impeached yesterday. That's wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has delayed sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate until McConnell announces the rules for the president's trial.

And while impeachment consumes Washington, the president is far away spending the holidays at his resort in Florida.

Boris Sanchez is there.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: President Trump on Christmas Day with the message of unity for Americans, calling for a deeper understanding and respect for Americans who exemplify the teachings of Jesus Christ.

An interesting message from President Trump considering the day before he went on a rant about impeachment in which he attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying that she hates Republicans, that she hates people who voted for him and also this comes just a few days after he called her crazy.

Listen to more now from President Trump alongside First Lady Melania.

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MELANIA TRUMP, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Americans across this land are grateful for all the men and women in uniform who keeps us safe. Our military, our police and everyone in law enforcement.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: We say special prayer for those military service members stationed far from home, and we renew our hope for a peace among nations and joy to the world. On the behalf of the entire Trump family we wish everyone a joyous and Merry Christmas and a very happy, happy New Year. (END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Notably the president was asked about the House speaker as he returned to Mar-a-Lago from church. The president headed to a Christmas eve dinner when reporters asked him if he prayed for Nancy Pelosi.

Remember that the president earlier in the month criticize Pelosi for saying that she prays for him, that she prays for his health and for his success. The president declining to answer the question except saying, quote, "we're going to have a great year."

Boris Sanchez, CNN, traveling with the president in West Palm Beach, Florida.

STOUT: After two fatal crashes of the troubled 737 MAX, Boeing has reportedly launched a frantic P.R. blitz in regaining the trust of airlines as well as the public.

[03:20:07]

The news comes just days after the company ousted its CEO.

Vanessa Yurkevich reports.

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Boeing has been doing damage control behind the scenes after these two horrific crashes involving their 737 MAX jets.

Now according to documents obtained by the New York Times, Boeing has been serving thousands of customers around the world since May about whether they would feel safe flying on the MAX once it's back in service.

Earlier this month, 40 percent of passengers told the company they would not be willing to fly on the MAX and that is unchanged from October. Boeing is also reaching out to the airlines according to the New York Times. Last week they held 30-minute conference calls with major airlines outlining how they can respond to passengers who may have concerns about flying on the MAX 737.

For example, if a passenger realizes that there on a MAX at the gate, Boeing is suggesting to agents that they should rebook them on a different flight or even have the pilot speak to them in person to reassure them. Or if a passenger starts to panic in air Boeing is suggesting treating it like a medical emergency and trying to de- escalate that passenger.

We reached out to Boeing on all of this and here's what they had to say. Quote, "We routinely engage with our airline customers, communications teams to seek their feedback and brief them on our latest plans. Each airline is different in their need so we provide a wide range of documents and assistance that they choose to use or tailor as they see fit."

Now this is are coming after earlier this week when Boeing fired their CEO, but what these documents obtained by the New York Times reveal is that Boeing is very conscious of the uphill battle it has with passengers and regaining their trust after the loss of 346 lives in those two horrific crashes.

Back to you.

STOUT: You're watching CNN Newsroom coming to you live from Hong Kong. Up next, many protesters here in Hong Kong could face years behind bars. And legal experts say it puts an entire generation of young people and the court system in great jeopardy.

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STOUT: Welcome back. Now police in Hong Kong arrested 105 people on Christmas eve. They say anti-government protesters illegally marched in a key shopping district disrupting the public.

Hong Kong embattled leader Carrie Lam accused demonstrators of ruining the holiday. But critics say police used unnecessary tactics to disperse the crowds like pepper spray, tear gas and water cannons.

Now the protest here in Hong Kong they've been raging for well over six months now. And many of the demonstrators are students who have risked everything for democracy including their freedom.

Anna Coren looks at how the movement is affecting the city's overburdened judicial system.

ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On a Sunday afternoon back in October, thousands of Hong Kong protesters take to the streets shouting their demand in the pouring rain.

Among the crowd is Matthew (Ph). It's not his real name. He's asked us to hide his identity.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are now here to fight for our freedom and most importantly to fight for our future.

COREN: It's the sense of duty that's driving the protest movement and for months he's been on the frontline clashing with police.

Are you scared about getting arrested?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, of course. I don't want violence to happen, but the government just don't listen to us so what are we supposed to do? There's only one single option for us and that is a revolution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[03:24:56]

COREN: But a week later, Matthew's fight comes to an abrupt end. Undercover police dressed as protesters arrest him. He's charged with possession of offensive weapons, a crime that carries a three-year prison sentence.

Out on bail, Matthew agrees to talk to us again. We meet at his friend's cramped apartment. Protest posters cover the walls. The enormity of the situation has sunk in, but he has no regrets about his involvement.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, not at all. The only regrets I have is not being careful enough.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: For this soft-spoken career professional, he knows the seriousness of his alleged crime means he may end up with a criminal record, but says that's a sacrifice he's willing to make for what he believes is a greater cause.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe Hong Kong will have fundamental change and my future has just become insignificant compared to what happened in Hong Kong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: Over the past six months, more than 6,000 protesters have been arrested of which more than 40 percent of them are students. And while only a small proportion of them have actually been charged, pro- democracy lawmakers and activists fear that Hong Kong will lose a generation of future leaders.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TED HUI, MEMBER, HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: When people with heart or with the ideals and really values what they believe, these are people with quality. They are the future of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong government is treating them -- damaging them, put them into rooms.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: Almost a thousand protesters have been charged with offenses ranging from unlawful assembly to the more serious crimes of rioting, assault, and arson. A third of them are students.

Legal experts believe the court system is not equipped to handle the sheer volume of trials, the first scheduled to start early next year. And if the majority of protesters are convicted, there's concern the prison system will be overloaded.

The Hong Kong police tell CNN they want to see further prosecutions and say the only thing holding them up is the slow speed of the courts.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JOHANNES CHAN, CHAIR PROFESSOR OF LAW, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG: At the moment, we don't know how many more will be charged and/or what offenses they will be charged. This is not just the court but even the police and the prosecutions are not ready. But it just shows this is not only the strains on this judiciary but the prosecution and the police are not even prepared to handle all this mess.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: We catch up with Matthew just before his court appearance. He is feeling nervous. But while he and hundreds of front liners like him may end up behind bars, he's confident the fight for Hong Kong will continue in his absence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: After six months, we have already given so much on the protests. So many people got arrested. So many people got beaten up, and life has been sacrificed. We just cannot stop right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: Anna Coren, CNN, Hong Kong.

STOUT: And thank you for watching CNN Newsroom. I'm Kristie Lu Stout. I'll be back with the headlines in just a moment.

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