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CNN INTERNATIONAL: Next Hour: U.S. Lawmakers to release Trump Tax Returns; Italy Wants EU to Require COVID Test for Travelers from China; Ukraine: Heavy Russian Attacks in Donetsk Region; What is Pele's Legacy; Pentagon: U.S. Aircraft forced to take Evasive Action. Aired 8-8:30a ET

Aired December 30, 2022 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:00]

BIANCA NOBILO, CNN HOST: Get back. In the meantime in the next hour U.S. economic is set to release some of Former President Donald Trump's federal tax returns. He refuse to take them public because the candidate and then as President. Trump is already calling this move and outrageous abuse of power.

The release comes days before Republicans who want a slim majority in November's midterm elections take control of the House. Trump was the first Presidential candidate in decades who didn't release his tax returns. As Kristen Holmes reports, the Former President has a lot of stake here.

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: After years long legal battle, the House Ways and Means Committee led by Democrats will release Trump's taxes on Friday morning. So here's what we are expecting to see these are going to be returned for six years from 2015 to 2020. These are going to be his personal federal tax returns as well as the returns of some of his businesses.

They will also include IRS audit materials. Now this is a big deal for a number of reasons. Trump himself has built an entire brand on being a wealthy and therefore successful businessman. And in that process, he has done everything in his power to protect that image and that meant shielding his finances for decades.

That includes his net worth who he did business with how exactly he made his money? And the big question now is what this pulling back of the curtain is going to reveal? Will it have a political impact?

One thing to remind you of here is that when Trump ran for office, and when he was President, he became the first President in modern history, not to release his tax returns. Now, we do have some information. There was an analysis done on these taxes from the Joint Committee on Taxation.

They talked about his income tax, or they talk 2017 he paid only $750. In 2018 and 19, he paid 1.1 million, and in 2020, he paid $0 in income tax. Now this same group also raised questions about his charitable deductions, particularly gears, where he made deductions that were over a million dollars, most of them in cash. So we'll see what comes out of these documents but again, a big deal.

We're already hearing from Republicans saying that this is setting a bad precedent. The Former President himself has said that when Republicans take control of Congress, they should immediately start investigating Biden and his family and get them to turn over their tax returns. Kristen Holmes, CNN, Washington.

NOBILO: And we will of course bring you live coverage of the release of Trump's tax returns that starting at the top of the next hour right here on CNN. Two more countries plan to place restrictions on travelers from China. South Korea says it will stop issuing short term visas from its consulates in China for the time being.

Those that do get visas will need a negative COVID test and Spain is also now requiring a negative test or proof of full vaccination. The measures come as China sees a surge in COVID cases as eases, its strict zero COVID policies. European Center for Disease Control has a different take that it calls the restrictions on travelers from China unjustified.

It cites higher immunity among the U.S. population and said that COVID variants circulating in China are already in the EU. Still, member States like Italy have put restrictions in place on their own, including requiring a COVID test for visitors from China, or covering the story on two continents.

Barbie Nadeau is at the airport in Rome, and Paula Hancocks joins us from Seoul. Barbie, let's start with you because Italy has imposed restrictions tell us more about them and also which other European country is following suit.

BARBIE NADEAU, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: That's right now, if the Italian restriction started this week, there, every single person that comes in on it on a flight direct from China will be tested for COVID-19. They found two flights, 50 percent of the people on those two flights in Milan, tested positive. They've had a much lower number here at Fiumicino Airport outside of Rome, but they're testing because they just fear that China, as they say is not being transparent enough about the situation.

They're also sequencing a sampling of these test results. And they've so far found it's just Omicron but they're concerned, they're continuing to be very vigilant about it. Now, Italy had insisted that other European nations follow suit because when you they can't test people that are coming in on connections.

Spain just today said they would to be testing people coming in directly from China, or they would accept a vaccine. But the Italian leadership here is certainly hoping that more countries follow suit because again, if people come in on a connection and aren't being tested, the virus can spread. And of course, here in Italy, that's so important.

This was the first Epicenter outside of China almost three years ago, that really changed the face of this nation. And when you look at the airport here, almost everything is still in place. It's very easy to put these testing mechanisms back in place and that's what they're doing very efficiently and happened so far. It will stay until January 31 but likely to be renewed after that, Bianca.

[08:05:00]

NOBILO: And Paula, how are these new international restrictions in Italy, in Spain being received in China?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly they're not being welcomed Bianca, we've had a couple of comments today from Beijing one saying that they wanted to say that they were truthful, open and transparent in the way that they are reporting data.

Also one top epidemiologist saying that there is no secrecy in China that they have nine variants of Omicron in the country at this point and all the information that they have is being shared with the World Health Organization that the WHO. And of course, we're hearing from other countries that there is not enough data being shared.

That there's not enough genome sequencing the United States, for example, quoting that as the reason it decided to put more restrictions in place for travelers from China. But this is being rejected by Beijing. We've heard through state run media, which often says what the leaders maybe don't want to say Global Times, for example, which is state run, said that they believe that what is happening is unfounded and discriminatory also leaders blaming the Western media for distorting the facts.

So there's definite pushback from Beijing at this point. But when you look at the numbers being reported, Beijing has admitted that no longer will they give a daily number of COVID cases. They have significantly refined the definition of a COVID death.

It has to be someone who's died from a respiratory illness directly related to COVID 19. And the numbers are miniscule when you consider what we have seen all our teams on the ground have seen and what we're hearing anecdotally in China itself. So this transparency that Beijing says it has and the lack of transparency that many other countries believe it has is indirect competition at this point.

So Beijing is pushing back but countries around the world including South Korea, just this Friday are putting extra checks and balances in place. Of course, here in South Korea, the government wants to put those checks in place, as it was February 2020. Very soon after this outbreak happened, that South Korea was hit hard.

Obviously very close geographically to China, many Chinese tourists and students come here to South Korea. And not only have they put the checks and balances in place that other countries have checking that you don't have COVID before you come in even having a test afterwards. They're also effectively trying to stem the number of travelers from China by stopping short term visas being issued at their consulates in China, Bianca.

NOBILO: Paula Hancocks in Seoul and Barbie Nadeau in Rome. Thank you both for bringing us the two sides of that story. A court in Myanmar has sentenced oppose Former Leader Aung San Suu Kyi to another seven years in prison.

A source says that the court found her guilty of corruption charges. It's the last in a string of trials against a 77 year old Nobel Peace Prize winner who now faces a total of 33 years in prison. Suu Kyi denies all charges rights groups call the convictions Schanz and part of the ruling military junta is drive to crush democracy.

And the death toll from a huge fire that gutted a casino in Cambodia has grown to 25 people. At least 100 people were injured in the blaze that tore through the building near the Thai border, which also includes a hotel. Officials say that some of the victims were trapped in their rooms as the flames raged.

Others jumped to their deaths in a frantic attempt to escape. Cambodian rescue teams are using heavy machinery to dig through the rubble as they search for dozens of people who are still unaccounted for. They expect to wrap up their efforts by Friday evening and the Cambodian government has also said it will investigate the cause of the fire.

Let's return now to our top story. Vladimir Putin says that he's expecting China's President to make a state visit to Russia in a few months' time. And he's vowing to strengthen military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing.

Meantime President Zelenskyy's office says three Ukrainians were killed in cross border shelling in the Northern regions. So to discuss all this CNN's Ben Wedeman joins us now live from Kyiv. Ben, tell us your analysis of what we've learned so far about this video call between President Putin and President Xi, especially the elements that of course pertain to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, there was no specific reference to the war in Ukraine, but certainly what we heard that President Putin says he was looking forward to intensify military to military Cooperation.

[08:10:00]

WEDEMAN: The Chinese however were somewhat less specific on what they wanted in that regard President Xi talked about political cooperation and the two countries working as global partners. Because what we've seen is that the Chinese are certainly benefiting from dismal oil from Russia. But in terms of military supplies, from China to Russia, it doesn't seem that China at the moment is a significant source of weaponry or ammunition.

And certainly there as far as cooperation going in the other direction, it's questionable after the fairly dismal performance of Russian equipment and the Russian Military in Ukraine. That it's been a very good marketing run, so to speak, for West Russian weaponry as far as the Chinese, are concerned, Bianca.

NOBILO: And Ben, overnight, there was a drone attack on Ukraine, and the government has said that all 16 drones that were attacking were destroyed. Are there improvements being made and Ukraine's ability to defend itself against the skies?

WEDEMAN: Well, certainly what we saw yesterday and I'm hearing distance studs nearby.

NOBILO: We can hear that too.

WEDEMAN: And in terms of yesterday, what we saw was a fairly good ratio of downed missiles to those that were launched from Russia. 11 drones were also shot down yesterday. Now overnight, yes, there were 16 drones launched in the direction of Ukraine.

As far as Kyiv goes, two of them were shot down before they reach the city, 5 were shot down over the city. So it does appear that the air defenses are working relatively well. But it just takes a few to get through and cause a serious disruption for instance, yesterday in Kharkiv for missiles did reach their targets in that city where that caused severe disruption of the supply of electricity.

So it doesn't take much too just get a few through and cause trouble for Ukraine despite clearly a fairly good air defense system, Bianca.

NOBILO: Ben Wedeman, thank you so much. We'll leave you to investigate those studs. Stay safe and thank you and your team so much for your reporting. Still to come, he was one of football's biggest ambassadors who brought the sport to millions friends and fellow athletes bid farewell to the legendary Pele after the break.

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[08:15:00]

NOBILO: The world is mourning the loss of legendary football star Pele. He rose from playing barefoot in poverty in Brazil to become one of the greatest football players and indeed athletes in history a three time winner the World Cup. He died at the age of 82 from multiple organ failure related to colon cancer and tributes are pouring in from across the world of sport.

But also culture politics, even NASA paid tribute to the champion posting this image of a spiral galaxy in the constellation sculptor which includes the colors of the Brazilian flag. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro declared three days of national mourning as fans describe what Pele meant to them. For many, his legacy goes well beyond football.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EVERTON LUCIO, SOCCER FAN: Pele for us was not just a Santos player. Pele was a part of our life, feels like we're losing a family member who didn't dream of being Pele.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NOBILO: Joining me now is CNN "World Sports" Amanda Davies. You can just see the emotion and the whole that this leaves for the country of Brazil and also sports fans all around the world. Talk us through the magic of Pele, how much of it came from just a natural ability and how much came from his background and his approach to how he trained?

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: I think I mean it was a bit of both. There is no doubt in terms of naturally gifted footballers plus sports people. He was absolutely up there and you just have to see the videos that have been put together particularly over the last few weeks seeing the skills that some of the greatest footballers of the modern day, the last 50 years have produced.

Pele did most of it before they did it. He was very much leading the way but and it's the goals that he scored the records that he broke the age that he did it he was making waves at the age of 15. It was widely talked about the fact that he played barefoot practiced with a sock stuffed with rags and his tale really of coming from that.

Yes, his father was a footballer but coming from that at the age of 15, helping Santos to a title in his first season. This you remember is the era before the internet before social media. So whilst he was making waves and breaking records in Brazil, it was really at the World Cup where he was catapulted onto the world stage, the youngest player to ever represent Brazil, at a World Cup.

He helped Brazil to their first world title they hadn't won the World Cup before Pele. He helped them to 1958, Age 17. He then helped them repeat that feat four years later, there are still only two countries that have ever successfully defended their crown.

We talked about France not being able to do it this year and then they missed out in 1966 when he was injured. But he came back four years later, and helped them to a Third World Cup. He's still the only player to have won three world titles.

And really there was there's an image from 1970 him shaking hands swapping shirts with the England captain, the late legendary Bobby Moore. And that was really for me, and for a lot of people of my generation that encapsulated that he was so much more than just a football. That was really seen as an image that broke down racial barriers and catapulted him to that next level embracing not only sport, but far beyond that as well.

NOBILO: And let's talk about that next level, because as you say, leading the way and being a trailblazer is synonymous with him. And he was one of the first young, iconic black sports people, as you were saying to me earlier, really only in the league of Muhammad Ali, that you can make the comparison. What do you think his legacy will be beyond football?

DAVIES: Well, there's always that debate should sports people footballers automatically because of their talent want to use that platform and go beyond that? No, they shouldn't have to. But he is somebody who absolutely saw the power of what he could do, and use his how he used his platform, as you said, like Muhammad Ali.

And he was as comfortable on the football pitch, taking on defenders as he was in a boardroom shaking hands with Presidents from anybody from any walk of life. And there was a common theme but that people paying tribute to him the likes of President Barack Obama are talking about he walked in and was so warm and listen to people's stories and understood the impact he had on people.

[08:20:00]

DAVIES: The impacts that he had on people didn't necessarily have to have an impact on. And that is very much a common thread of what is running through and you know, yes, he has inspired generation after generation after generation of footballers but he really made people realize that the power of sport.

And Neymar, I think, you know, the current Brazil generation has summed it up. Well, there's been so many tributes paid over the last 24 hours, but he would say, I would say before Pele, football was just a sport. Pele changed everything. He transformed football into art and entertainment. He gave voice to the poor to the black and above all, he gave Brazil visibility, his magic will endure.

NOBILO: It really as an astonishing legacy of a single individual. Amanda Davies, thank you so much. You're watching CNN "Newsroom". We'll be right back after a short break.

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NOBILO: The Pentagon says it will lodge a complaint with China over a dangerous encounter last week with a Chinese fighter jet. The U.S. Military reconnaissance aircraft was forced to take evasive action after the Chinese fighter that you see there, maneuvered in front of the American plane. CNN's Oren Liebermann has the details.

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: This incident all unfolded about a week ago on December 21 over the South China Sea, where a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft and RC 135 rivet joint was conducting what the U.S. says routine operations over international territory so not restricted by any country's sovereign territory. That's when a Chinese fighter jet drew close in an "unsafe maneuver" according to Indo Pacific Command, forcing the U.S. jet to take evasive maneuvers. Take a look at this video.

This is from inside the U.S. aircraft and RC 135 rivet joint. This is a relatively large aircraft with a crew of about 30 people, the Chinese J 11 from the People's Liberation Army Navy draws closer slowly and you can see it in the video. Indo Pacific Command says it came to within 20 feet of the U.S. aircraft's nose and that's when you see this in the video.

[08:25:00]

LIEBERMANN: The U.S. aircraft descends to get away and clear some open space some safe distance between the two aircraft. The defense official says it is not uncommon for there to be safe and professional interactions between aircraft of different militaries, including U.S. and China. This, the official says was not one of those this was an unsafe maneuver, and that will be brought up with China through the appropriate channels.

It only adds to the tension between Washington and Beijing now, some of which centers around the South China Sea. China claims much of the South China Sea as its sovereign territorial waters are claimed the U.S. does not recognize the U.S. insists it will sail and fly wherever international law allows. Oren Lieberman CNN in the Pentagon.

NOBILO: Southwest Airlines is promising to fly its full schedule of flights today. This is after it canceled nearly 16,000 flights over the holiday period leaving passengers in limbo. The U.S. Department of Transportation is warning the airline that it will face consequences if it doesn't compensate those passengers. CNN's Nick Valencia reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This has been a crazy time.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Southwest Airlines aiming for a turnaround by Friday, expecting to have normal operations with minimal disruptions on Friday. Airline staffers already informed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mostly full schedule come Friday. That's we're hearing.

VALENCIA (voice over): And while Southwest has seen more than 2300 cancellations so far Thursday. Another sign the airline is finally recovering after a week of travel nightmares this Southwest Airlines customer ecstatic after finding his lost luggage.

PATRICK KEANE, PICKING UP LOST LUGGAGE (ph): I'm just glad to be here and I'm glad I have my bag and they brought up give me some compensation for a week.

VALENCIA (voice over): Similar scenes playing out in airports across the country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our luggage has arrived. So we're very excited about that.

VALENCIA (voice over): Amid the mass stories of compassion, with Southwest passengers coming together to help one another. Like the three strangers from Wisconsin, stuck at the airport in St. Louis, who ended up carpooling to Milwaukee.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He had seen my Packer hat and nice Wisconsin guy assumed I was going to Milwaukee.

VALENCIA (voice over): Or the Denver couple stranded in Minnesota struggling to rent a car, which ended up hitching a ride with a stranger.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And she jumped right up. And she said if you guys want to join me on going to Denver, I'd be happy to take you guys.

VALENCIA (voice over): Sadly for some the outcome is a little more heartbreaking. Like it is for this St. Louis bride forced to cancel her wedding in Belize.

KATIE DEMKO, MISSING WEDDING DUE TO SOUTHWEST ISSUES: We were in, I was in shock. We tried to rebook and there was nothing southwest actually booked me on a flight for January 2. My wedding is tomorrow, December 30.

VALENCIA (voice over): Wednesday, the airline's Chief Commercial Officer released a video apologizing for the debacle.

RYAN GREEN, CCO, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES: My personal apology on behalf of myself and everyone at Southwest Airlines for all of this. You know by now all the flexibility in planning that we put in place to deal with the storm just wasn't enough.

VALENCIA (on camera): This travel nightmare has gone on for more than a week and Southwest Airline officials are telling their passengers to hold on just a little bit longer announcing in an email that they expect to return to normal operations with minimal disruptions as early as Friday. Nick Valencia, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NOBILO: Taiwan's largest firework show will help bring in the New Year. Our Will Ripley takes us to Taipei for a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): New Year fireworks in Taipei 101, a proud tradition for Taiwan's tallest building dazzling more than a million spectators each year, many more around the world, a Taipei tradition for nearly two decades beginning with the towers launch in 2005.

MICHAEL LIU, VICE PRESIDENT/CCO OF TAIPEI 101: Call the team with thought about how to celebrate Taiwan on tower to be the world's tallest building at that time. So we did it for the celebration. And the next year, people was asking like are we going to play again? So until now it's completely unexpected.

RIPLEY (voice over): Michael Liu is the man behind the magic, managing the firework show for 18 years ever since Taipei one on ones opening. The show gets longer every year. This year 300 seconds of 360 degree skyscraping pyrotechnics, taking a team of more than 60 people. Safety is the top priority. No room for mistakes with huge crowds packing central Taipei.

LIU: You know every year we'll finish the firewall. We would have started the next year's preparation already. So you feel very proud of this.

RIPLEY (voice over): We're getting an exclusive look from the rooftop of this 101 storey tower, 460 meters more than 1500 feet above Taiwan's capital.