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North Korea Situation Update; Chinese Market Problems Examined; Gun Townhall Reviewed. Aired 8-9a ET
Aired January 8, 2016 - 08:00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[08:00:34] KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hongkong, and welcome to News Stream.
South Korea respond to the North's claimed hydrogen bomb test with loudspeakers playing Republican (ph) messages. We'll be live in Pyongyang
for the latest.
A thick pollution blankets in this capitol (ph) spread measures to reduce the chocking smog.
And for global screen to a drone we can actually ride in, we run to the best of the consumer electronic show.
Now, South Korea is once again blasting anti-North Korean propaganda across the border through loudspeakers in response to Pyongyang's claim on winter
(ph) that it carried out a hydrogen bomb test. Its (inaudible) considers this broadcast an act of war.
Meanwhile, bore (ph) global condemnation is pouring in. North Korea's longtime backer of China has issued a fresh call from Pyongyang to stand
down on these nuclear ambitions. Beijing has publicly called from North Korea to "stick to his deem denuclearization pledges." Japan sole maker is
also taking action into last few hours. They passed a resolution protesting the North's nuclear test.
Our CNN's Will Ripley is in Pyongyang. He joins us now live. And, Will, first, this new propaganda broadcast, South Korea is literally just turning
up the noise at the DMZ, is this something that North Koreans don't like. Will Pyongyang retaliate?
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we don't know. That's the short answer but we do know how Pyongyang responded over the summer when the
South turned on these propaganda loudspeakers.
Remember, years ago, this was regular practice for the two sides to blast propaganda back and forth over the board of North and South Korea, the
(inaudible) horizon. But the DMZ had been quiet at -- for a number of years until this summer went to South Korean soldiers were injured in land mine
blasting. As retaliation, the South turned on the propaganda broadcasting music, news reports, messages saying that life was essentially better --
claiming that life is better on the southern side, and of course that's infuriating because North Korea has a hundreds of thousands of troops
stationed along the DMZ or within earshot of these messages.
And so, there was -- you know, there were reports that the North responded with artillery fire, trying to take out these loudspeakers. They brought
more troops in the border. The troops were putting to a state of readiness for war and then situation -- the situation deescalated. But, now that we
have this nuclear test when the North Korea clearly sending a message not only to South Korea but to the entire world, that it is going to
aggressively move forward with growing its nuclear arsenal, now you have the president of South Korea trying to just show some power to her own
people by saying that they are now going to take a hard line and then they're going to resume this propaganda -- this propaganda battle.
No official word yet from Pyongyang here though from the regime how they're going to respond, Kristie.
STOUT: And, Will, the truth in this nuclear test claim, a number of experts on both countries have various doubts about that claim that it tested in
each about two days ago, how do North Korean officials respond to that?
RIPLEY: Well, they say that they -- it was an H-bomb. And if you look at, I mean, all of the state media here, this is the front page of one of the --
this is the main state newspaper where you can see Supreme Leader Kim Jong- un signing the order which specifically said that hydrogen bomb was detonated.
We visited a science center here in Pyongyang, a brand new science center has been open less than a week. Amongst the students who I interviewed
today, there was absolutely no doubt in their mind that it was an H-bomb. And overwhelmingly, the people who we're talking to say that they have
tremendous national pride.
So, the regime certainly within its country has no problem convincing people that this was an H-bomb, but when outside analyst are looking at
things like defected radiation levels, there was no significant change in radiation levels, the size of the -- the manly earthquake was similar to
previous North Korean nuclear test and that's where the skepticism comes in.
We were told by officials though that the reason for the radiation -- the radiation level staying low is that this test was conducted with new
technology and the test was done deeper in the mountain in the nuclear test site and then that's what has prevented radiation from seeping into the
environment.
[08:0513] But we haven't yet sat down with the scientist who was laid out to some sort of documentation of really concrete proof, these are just
discussions that we've been having here.
STOUT: Got it. And, Will, today is Kim Jong-un's birthday. But have you seen any celebrations there in Pyongyang?
RIPLEY: We have not. This is not a national holiday, unlike the birthdays of Kim Jong-un's father and grandfather which there are huge celebrations,
mass spectacles to commemorate those national holidays.
We were told that Kim Jong-un does not want his birthday to be recognized as national holiday. The officials who we spoke to said he is a humble
leader, and that's why he is not calling for national celebration. The only thing that we've seen out of the ordinary, because there are no banners up
there, no celebrations in the street, there is nothing on state TV, students are already on winter breaks so there is no day off from work for
regular folks here in Pyongyang. But Kim Jong-un did give venison and -- to local restaurants to -- as like a special meat that they could serve to
commemorate his birthday.
So, some special meat on the menu is about all there is as far as celebrations here.
STOUT: Yeah, but no major celebrations for this humble leader.
Will Ripley reporting live from Pyongyang for us. Thank you, Will.
Will Ripley has given us another eye on North Korea, In this shot that was posted on Instagram early on Friday morning and we can see the skyline of
Pyongyang.
And keep in mind, it's also believed to be the 33rd birthday of leader Kim Jong-un. As just reported then, he is seen here in a publicity pamphlet
touring (ph) that seems science complex where Will Ripley was visiting expert shows a few hours ago.
Now, South Korea's propaganda messages are taken very, very seriously by Pyongyang.
Paula Hancocks listens in and shows us why this form of psychological aggression has proven so effective in the past.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is South Korea's latest weapon against North Korea, K-pop. It may sound bizarre but Big Bang's hit song,
Bang Bang Bang, has been blasted across the DMZ as part of Seoul's psychological warfare.
Propaganda loudspeakers set up along the most heavily fortified border on earth broadcasting empty raging (ph) messages. Basically supports music
then the message to the people of the North of being lied to by its leaders, all guaranteed to anger Pyongyang.
ANDREI LANKOV, PROFESSOR, KOOKMIN UNIVERSITY: (Inaudible) a few measures, this that North Korean fight this seriously. And this is exactly why they
decided to do it. They believe it's a kind of soft support to North Korea.
HANCOCKS: The loudspeakers were tested off last summer after a decade of silence. This followed a land mine blast in the DMZ which mains (ph) two
South Korean soldiers and that they blamed on the North and rejected by the North.
In August, Pyongyang fight on the loudspeakers spotting a brief exchange of fire across the border. But why is the country that's not faced by
international sanctions affects it via loudspeaker?
CHUN YUNG-WOO, SENIOR ADVISOR, ASAN INSTITUTE: The most dangerous virus that could destroy North Korean regime on the foundations, either logical
(inaudible) foundations of North Korean regime is the truth about North Korea, truth about outside world.
HANCOCKS: Some defective say they heard the broadcasts was still in North Korea and it helped them make the decision to escape.
They say truth hurts and that is definitely the case in North Korea. And isolated regime but very strictly controls information going in and out of
the country, but appears powerless to some dangerous message from the South.
Paula Hancocks, CNN Seoul.
STOUT: Well, let's take a look at how the stock markets are doing up to these weeks global sale off, and as you could see, reaction Europe has from
pretty much mix, (inaudible) of the DAX are up slightly, all the Paris cut 40 is in the red. Now, on Wall Street, features are pointing to a higher
open.
US charts (ph) report will be out later this hour and we'll bring you the figures when they come out.
Now, here in Asia, the Shanghai composite under the session of more than one percent that comes after China decided to scrap the so-called circuit
breakers at whole trading when there is a steep slide. But some believe they had the opposite effect.
China's markets close early twice this week after plunging seven percent. The Shanghai composite ended this year's first trading week down some ten
percent.
Matt Rivers stays (ph) us through all the turmoil.
MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The first trading day of the year and the first time, a brand new circuit breaker goes into effect.
[08:10:00] A new manufacturing report is out showing persistent weakness in the Chinese economy, stock markets drop in response, enough to trigger the
circuit breaker for the first time ever.
It's meant to give the markets a breather. It has the opposite effect. Chinese stocks keep falling when trading resumes and falls so far that
trading ends early. And the selling spreads.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Every market being affected by the sell off, I mean there is no market that is spared this morning. It's not you figure out
everything is deep in the red.
RIVERS: Things stabilize Tuesday and Wednesday. The Central Bank pumps $20 billion into the financial system to calm investors nerves. But ultimately,
it doesn't work. Heavy selling resumes on Thursday.
This time set off by the Chinese Yuan being set at its weakest level in five years, a movement to help exporters. The circuit breakers are
triggered again, the second time in one week. China again stops trading for today abruptly closing less than 30 minutes in. The dramatic move rattles
investors around the world.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All of these markets open shortly down as you can see those lapses.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the worst four day start to a year on record.
RIVERS: Beijing takes more steps to help, pumping another $10.6 billion into the money markets announcing new rules to limit stock sales more of
the same. But unexpectedly, Beijing announces late Thursday night it is suspending the circuit breakers after just four days. The response on
Friday? Overall positive.
But if you look below the surface, the Chinese stocks market swung wildly up and down throughout the day.
This was the week that South China's regulators try to get a handle on volatility and failed. Analyst say there are growing doubts over the
government's ability to stabilize shares, in a market that is already heavily controlled by Beijing.
Matt Rivers CNN, Beijing.
STOUT: And we are seeing more reports coming out across Europe.
A woman being sexually assaulted during New Year's celebrations.
A police in the capital of Finland, Helsinki, as well as in Zurich. They say that they have received multiple complaints of groups of men attacking
women and stealing from them.
And it follows where the similar attacks and rape in Cologne, Germany and several victims report their attackers were men of Arab or North African
descent. Germany's interior ministry says 31 suspects have been identified more than half of them, asylum-seekers. The German Justice Minister says
that they could be deported. The sexual attacks have filled a political storm over immigration and victim's rights and led to this. This protest in
Cologne.
Now, you're watching News Stream still in the program. Pollution levels in the Indian capital are at hazardous levels. And we'll be going live to New
Delhi where then smog has smothered the city.
Also, I had an update on the bush fire that devastated parts of Western Australia.
And we have a CNN Exclusive as the U.S. President defends his executive order on gun control at a CNN Town Hall. We'll hear what Barack Obama have
to say.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
STOUT: It's coming to you live from Hong Kong. Welcome back, you're watching News Stream.
Now, let's take you to India where fix (ph) smog has engulfed New Delhi. Pollution has risen to dangerous levels, flights and train service have
been cancelled or delayed because of the poor visibility. This comes despite new rules that began the smog restricting private car use to
alternate days. Now, it's an attempt to ease the smog in one of the world's most polluted cities.
[08:14:58] Now, President Barack Obama meanwhile, he met with gun rights advocates during a Live Town Hall hosted by CNN on Thursday. He urged
support for stricter gun laws which is expanded background checks to keep firearms out of criminal hands. And he dismissed claims that he was trying
to enact Martial Law by taking away guns.
The National Rifle Association who refused to attend the Town Hall accused Mr. Obama of not respecting the Second Amendment on Fox News.
Now, for more on Obama's appeal for stricter gun laws, here's our White House correspondent Michele Kosinski.
MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: President Obama address the crowds split on the issue with a surprising story from his time on the campaign
trail, going to a rural Iowa. He says the first lady brought up the subjective guns for protection.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, U.S. PRESIDENT: At one point, Michelle turned to them and she said, "You know, if I was leaving in a farmhouse where the Sheriff's
Department is pretty far away and somebody can just turn off the highway and come up to the farm, I want to have a shotgun or a rifle to make sure
that I was protected, my family was protected." And she was absolutely right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSINSKI: He faced tough questions from familiar faces. Thea Kyle, wife of murdered American sniper Chris Kyle. Mark Kelly has been the former
congresswomen and shooting victim Gabby Giffords. Hillary Corbin is a rape victim and NRA supporter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY CORBIN: I had been unspeakably victimized once already and I refuse to let that happen against myself or my kids. So I can hear administration
see that these restrictions that you're putting and to make it harder for me to on a gun -- or harder for me to take that where I need to be is
actually just making my kids and I was safe.
OBAMA: There's nothing that we've proposed that would make it harder for you to purchase a firearm.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSINSKI: I can speak you with no-show here, the NRA itself.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: If you listen to the rhetoric, it is so over the top and so over heated. I'm happy to talk to him. But the conversation has to be based on
facts and truth and what we're actually proposing. It's not some, you know, imaginary fiction in which Obama is trying to take away your guns.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSINSKI: It was the Sandy Hook shooting that made President Obama uncharacteristically emotional this week. Now, he watched himself make that
speech.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON COOPER: I think a lot of people were surprised by that moment.
OBAMA: I was too actually. You know, I visited New Town two days after what happened, so it was still very wrong. It's the only time I've ever seen
secret service crime on duty. It continuous to haunt me, it was one of the worst days of my presidency.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOSINSKI: And as Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz now campaigns with this image of the president alongside the words, "Obama wants your
guns," many conservatives were riled, offended by his calling that kind of rhetoric, a conspiracy which is somewhat hastily defended.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COOPER: Is it fair to call the conspiracy?
OBAMA: Well, yes...
COOPER: I mean, it's a lot of people really believe this deeply that they just don't...
OBAMA: No, no..
COOPER: They just don't trust you.
OBAMA: I'm sorry, Cooper. Yes, it is fair to call it a conspiracy. What do you think? Are you suggesting that the notion that we are creating a plot
to take everybody's guns away so that we can impose Martial Law?
(CROSSTALK)
OBAMA: Yes, that is a conspiracy. I would hope that you would agree with that. Is that controversial?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STOUT: And that was Michelle Kosinski reporting. Now, let's get back to India where New Delhi has blanketed by hazardous levels of haze today
despite recent official attempts to curve the smog.
CNN's Sumnima Udas turns us live from New Delhi. And, Sumnima, again, hazardous levels of air pollution there today. What is to feel like to
breathe that in?
SUMNIMA UDAS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Kristie, it's not easy to take a deep breath here without covering your mouth with some sort of
handkerchief or a mask. And if you stay outside for long enough here, I do start to tear and itch eventually. PM 2.5 level having incredibly bad as
winter and average of 2 to 300 on a daily basis, that's at least 10 times worth than what the WHO (ph) team sees acceptable.
And this morning when we woke up, there's incredibly dense fall, the worst we've seen this winter. I could barely see the trees outside by window. The
visibility was still low that went PM 2.5 level, that's 500, that's off the chart. That's at least 50 tons, what the (WHO) deem to be safe. But unlike
Beijing, there was no sort of government warning here, there's no system like that. And placed (ph) here, people were still allowed on the street,
hardly anyone actually wear a mask still. And there was business as usual, Kristie.
STOUT: No red alert, no government warning system there in New Delhi. We're looking at just the stunning literally breathtaking test (ph) and taking
your breath away, and images of the terrible haze there. And the government try to cut the air pollution there with this new policy to rushing cars.
Why is that not enough?
[08:20:09] UDAS: Well that seems since January 1st, Delhi has been experimenting what it cause this, odd even scheme, private cars have been
allowed on the street.
...this new policy the Russian cars and the government tried to cut the air pollution there with this new policy, the Russian cars. Why is that not
enough?
UDAS: They'll have to be in shifting (ph) things. Since January 1st, Delhi has been experimenting what it cause this odd even scheme. Private cars
have been allowed on the street on alternate days depending on what is the final number of the license plate, they're odd or even, and congestion has
decreased significantly as a result of the speed and everyone has been talking about it, tweeting about it, and the Delhi government has been
celebrating it, but pollution of course, has not been affected. It's as bad as ever and that's because cars are not the only cause of this traffic (ph)
air here, Kristie, and the pollen as well from the new cars are added to the street of Delhi everyday, the estimate of how much vehicles contribute
to the level of the PM2.5 range from 20 to 40 percent and only a fifth of that actually comes from cars.
So many people here think if the government is actually curious about testing the pollution level, they have to look at the other major
contributor of the pollution here like construction, the co-fire -- co- powered power plant outside of Delhi, the thousands -- tens of thousands of chalk that come in everyday and the use of belcher, the diesel mostly, and
then link with time, hundreds of thousands of acres farmland is burned every year to make way for new farmers, so if the government is serious,
this other major contributing factors need to be looked into.
STOUT: You know, shocking since that there are pollution there in New Delhi.
Sumnima Udas reporting live for us. Thank you for that, Sumnima.
You're watching News Stream. And still to come, bush fires are raging across Western Australia. Little forest that a third of one small town has
been destroyed.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
STOUT: A bush fire is raging across parts of Western Australia. More than 200 fire fighters are trying to put it down. At least four people have been
injured and nearly 100 buildings have been destroyed.
Local reports say that the fire has swiped out as much as 1/3 of a small town. Emergencies have been declared in at least two nearby towns and
residents are being urged to leave.
Now, let's get more now from our meteorologist, Chad Myers. He joins us now live from the World Weather Center, and Chad no doubt certain weather
conditions are feeling these dangerous fires.
CHAD MYERS, METEOROLOGIST: No question. Hot and dry and windy, And in other parts of Australia, Lake Eyre, the largest lake in the -- basically in the
entire continent is filling up, so we don't even -- we had to spread this rain around a little bit, but it doesn't seem so today.
[08:25:06] So let's get to Yarloop where the real fires are burning. And a third of the town completely gone, everything in cinder is completely dry
and still burning. It is even burning all the way to the ocean, there are parts of the dooms (ph) that are on fire. That's how windy and how out of
control this fire is right now, may be a little bit of a handle tomorrow as the winds die down, but such a large area to catch.
Once you start to get this circumference, the perimeter of the fire in miles and kilometers and tens of kilometers, then you have so much more to
fight.
If there will be some rain, there will, but not enough. And in fact, some of the rain may contain lightning. It's the reason why we had one of the
wild fires in the first place. It was a lightning induced wild fire that got completely out of control in just 24 hours. So, yes, there will be some
wind, yes, there will be some rain, but I don't see any of this going away in anytime soon.
So let's get down to the maps and I'll show you exactly what's going on here in Australia. It's the South West corner of Australia. It's the
plateau, it's the area that if you move some air up that plateau, you will get thunder showers and thunder storms. That's what we'll get today. It
will go away tomorrow, the winds will go away, and I think the fire fighters will get a slight handle on this as we work our way into Sunday,
that's the big story.
Then finally, all the fire fighters need to get this out is a break. Stop the wind and that's all we need. We can get the rest of it out ourselves,
but the winds have been blowing 40 to 60 kilometers per hour.
So let's get back to here now to this map where the winds are blowing in a certain direction to make significant rains in the middle part of the
country above normal rainfall where we would not expect it in an El Nino year. And we're -- They're not expecting Lake Eyre to fill up, but if we
take a look at what December 8 look like, there's false color image of what the lake was back then, back in December. And now, because of the rain
right there on the plateau, it is filling up and it's becoming the largest lakes, one of the fresh water lakes of course, here in Australia.
So if you can spread some of this rain around. maybe things will get a whole lot better.
Kristie.
STOUT: And, Chad, is there anything that officials can do to -- in advance stop this bush fires or wild fires from happening or at least reduce their
impact. What can officials do?
MYERS: Yeah. Not at 60 kilometers per hour, no, because an ember from one fire wall jump a line. If you make a line and you think, OK, we've got it,
we stopped it, all of the sudden, the ember will jump over the line and create a new fire, all they can do is wait for the wind to die and that's
later tonight until tomorrow.
STOUT: Big bush fires on the move and very quickly to dangerous stuff.
Chad Myers reporting, thank you.
Now, an epicenter of regional anger, we're going to bring you an exclusive look at the home town of an executed Shia cleric. We are live on the ground
in Saudi Arabia after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:29:59] STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hongkong. You're watching News Stream and these are your world headlines.
South Korea is now blasting propaganda through loudspeakers across the North Korean border. It comes after Pyongyang claimed they carried out an
H-bomb test. The North views the broadcast as an act of war.
European markets are hovering near the flat line after Thursday's heavy losses. In Asia the Shanghai composite ended the session up nearly 2
percent after Chinese authorities scrapped the so-called circuit breakers. And Wall Street gets underway in about an hour and features are pointing to
a higher open.
A police in Helsinki and Zurich say that they have received multiple complaints of sexual attacks and theft during New Year's Eve celebration.
And the reports follow word of similar attacks in Cologne. Germany's interior ministry says 31 suspects have been identified, more than half of
them are asylum seekers.
Saudi Arabia is denying Iran's acquisition that Saudi warplanes struck the Iranian embassy in Yemen. Our CNN cannot independently confirm the embassy
was hit. A tension spiked between the two rivals after Saudi Arabia executed 47 people last week including Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
Protesters responded by setting fire to Saudi Arabia's embassy in Tehran.
Our CCN's Nic Robertson traveled exclusively to al-Nimr's home town. He met with al-Nimr's brother in Saudi Arabia to get his perspective on what's
been happening. He is back in Riyadh and he joins us now live. And Nic you are the first journalist who visit the cleric's hometown, what is the
sentiment like there now and what did his brother tell you?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: And Kristie one of the reasons that we've had this rare opportunity is because the government
feels that it's too dangerous to let people go there and fight, the only condition -- the conditions that we were allowed to visit this town on
where that we traveled in a heavily armed police vehicle that we didn't exit the vehicle when we were in the town, this is what we found.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON: As we approached what's become Saudi Arabia's most dangerous town, a digger dumped by the townspeople gauging out a sectarian divide,
cutting themselves off from the rest of the country.
It is the sheer town of Awamia, the hometown of executed Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr. The police have told us it's not safe first to drive our own
vehicles here, we're in one of their armored personnel carriers, they say it's too dangerous for us to go outside the vehicle just around here they
say they get shot at, a couple of their officers have been killed like that.
I don't mind video we can't be sure when it was shot, the port severe police convoy just like ours under attack here.
In a nearby hospital we visit a young victim of the violence, he is clinging to life caught in the crossfire between police and the man they
call terrorists.
He says -- He said his name is Muhammad, his 8 years old and his father doesn't want to be on the cameras, very concerned about it. And what we've
been told by authorities here is it if he appears on camera then when he goes back into Awamia, he'll face problems.
Victims of the rising violence are increasingly common here, this man beaten in Awamia. He is a Shia, he shows me his injuries, shot in the
ankle, his wrist broken and stabbed in the head. He tells me his kidnappers accused him of being a government spy which he denies.
Our drive through Awamia, however, is proving an eventful. Shops are open, no one shoots at us, shocking the police, but not everyone is so surprised.
Al-Nimr's brother who's contacted us here, he says it is safe for us to get out of the vehicle and go and meet with him, he's been calling for calm.
We meet later in a nearby town. He defends his brother whom the government accuses of inciting the violence.
MOHAMMED AL-NIMR, BROTHER OF EXECUTED CLERIC (Through a Translator): There's a real problem in this country between the Shia and the government.
It's a political problem about the rights of the Shias.
ROBERTSON: Since 2011, tensions in this tiny town of 25,000 people have grown confrontations between handfuls of youth and police, but sometimes
meant deadly. The protesters (inaudible). Police say they want to avoid civilian casualties and arrest the people they call terrorists.
BRIG. GEN. MANSOUR AL-TURKI, SAUDI ARABIA MINISTRY OF INFERIOR SPOKESMAN: Well, if we want to engage with this people directly then we know there
will be victims. That is not allowed actually in our job, so we have to work patiently.
ROBERTSON: In Awamia time is on no one's side as tensions here and across the region rise.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[08:35:02] ROBERTSON: There are about a 10 percent of the population in Saudi Arabia are Shia, most of them are in the east of the country which is
where Awamia is. And we visited a lot of other Shia communities in and around that area.
They certainly don't have the tensions, the type of tension that existed in Awamiah where there's checkpoints going in and out of the town, where the
police only feel safe riding in armored vehicles. And in fact that whole eastern area we went feels very much like the other part of Saudi Arabia,
Kristie.
STOUT: Yeah, but the hometown of the cleric, the place where you went to truly is an epicenter of the regional anger that is taking root in the last
few weeks-- in a few-- last week.
And now we have this news that Iran has accused Saudi Arabia of intentionally striking its embassy in Yemen. It seems that the tensions
are just rising even more.
ROBERTSON: They are. And that's an international concern more than just a region but beyond. What the Iranians are saying is that the Saudi has
dropped a bomb on their embassy in the Yemeni capital. The area is cold and off, it's very hard to get and an independent technical analysis, the
best analysis that we've had so far is that it doesn't appear to have been a massive explosion at the embassy.
But the Saudis say this is not the case they didn't bomb it. What they say happened is the truth is who they say in Yemen are backed by the Iranians.
(Inaudible) have misfired their own weapons, missiles in the past, so three particular incidences the Saudis point to and they say that this is one of
them. The (inaudible) weapon misfired because they lack the technical capability, that's what the Saudis are saying.
This is indicative of this -- the rise in tensions, this diplomatic spot who's underway right now. That doesn't seem to have an immediate end in
sight, Kristie.
STOUT: And as the tension continues to rush it up, what's the stake here if there is no resolution between Iran and Saudi Arabia, what does that
mean for the war in Syria and now the larger battle against ISIS?
ROBERTSON: It makes it much tougher to bring the resolutions the war in Syria. Saudi Arabia and Iran were both at the negotiating table just
before Christmas. A critical moment, it's the first time they've done that and of course both have the stake in their country.
Iran sees propping up Bashar Al-Assad as an existential issue for them, it connects them to Hezbollah in Lebanon. For the southeast they believe that
Bashar Al-Assad should be out of office and made back a good number of rebels inside Syria. So if you don't have these two major powers of the
negotiating table, then you're less likely to get to deal them right now. This talk schedule for the 25th of January in Geneva, the Saudis have said
they'll be there, there'll be at the end table, the Iranians have said this current diplomatic spot will make it much harder to get peace and that's
easy to imagine. It's hard to see them compromising in this air of heightened tensions, Kristie.
STOUT: Nic Robertson, live in Riyadh for us. Thank you.
Now the U.S. job support for December has just been released, and employment is unchanged at 5 percent. And they were 292,000 jobs added,
that is more than predicted.
Our CNN money survey shows economy is expected to rise up 212,000. Investors have been looking for stability in the U.S. especially given all
the volatility in China's market this week. And we'll have more on the job support on World Business Today in less than half an hour from now.
Now after the break, you're going to see a TV that you could roll up and take on the go. Plus the insider buzz behind the human drone, Samuel Burke
explains it all from this year's Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
STOUT: Welcome back, now tech innovators are pushing to get their products noticed at the world's largest consumer electronic shows. CNN's Samuel
Burke is in Las Vegas where he has spent the week testing up the best and the worst of tomorrow's technology.
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[08:40:00] SAMUEL BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There's the good, the bad, and the really ugly at the Consumer Electronic Show, CNN gone through the worst
of it, so you only have to go to the best of it.
I know Jimi Hendrix but the Jdrix (ph) guitar isn't just meant for professionals and what's cool about this one is it could be an acoustic,
Spanish, electric, any type of guitar that you like, you connect it to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. In fact you can turn it into other
instrument even a harp. It looks really small maybe about half the size of a typical guitar that means you can pack it up and take it in an airplane
with you easily.
Imagine being able to roll up your tablet and put it in your pocket or even roll up your television and put it away in a covert. LG display gave us a
little slight to the future when they showed us their rollable HD screen. Now I've seen startup companies with flexible screens, but I've never seen
one in HD with this type of colors. Don't even bother asking me the price, it's not going to be on the market for a few more years they say.
The volt electric bike looks like a motorcycle, acts like a motorcycle, goes 40 miles an hour, but isn't a motorcycle because it has pedals for
when the electric battery runs out, so you can keep on going. Since it's not a motorcycle it's maker say, you don't need a driver's license and it
is treated like a bike. So if you're looking for a parking space all you have to do is lock it up with the other bicycles.
The human drone generated a lot of buzz at CES this year. We are pretty skeptical and went to meet with the Chinese makers Ehang. They wouldn't
let me fit in the drone or even fly it, but they assure us that some of their employes have been up in the air for a few minutes. This drone will
set you back $200,000 to $300,000 they say, when it goes to market in a few years' time they hope.
Automakers have dominated CES this year like never before. The C is supposed to stand for consumer I'm beginning to wonder if it won't be the
car electronic show by next year.
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STOUT: Samuel Burke there at CES.
Now, big news about the Silver Screen, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced it's nominees for the BAFTA awards the Best
in movies in 2015.
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STEPHEN FRY, ACTOR: And the nominations for best film are The Big Short, Bridge of Spies, Carol, The Revenant, and Spotlight.
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STOUT: In the leading actress category the nominees are, Cate Blanchett, Brie Larson, Alicia Vikander, Saoirse Ronan and Maggie Smith. And
nominated for leading actor, Eddie Redmayne, Leonardo DiCarprio, Michael Fassbender, Matt Damon, and Bryan Cranston. And the winners will be
announced at London's Royal Upper House on February the 14th.
And that is News Stream. I'm Kristie Lu Stout, but don't go anywhere, World Sport with Rhiannon Jones is up next.
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[08:45:00] RHIANNON JONES, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: Hello. Welcome to CNN World Sport. I'm Rhiannon Jones in London.
Once one of the most powerful man in football now suspended UEFA President Michel Platini said he won't stand in the FIFA presidential election next
month. Platini is being banned from all football-related activities for eight years by World Football's governing body, along with suspended FIFA
President Sepp Blatter.
Both men were found guilty of breaches surrounding a $2 million so-called "disloyal payment" made to the Frenchman in 2011. Both are appealing
against their bans.
Platini holds French sports newspaper L'Equipe, "I no longer have the time nor the means to go through the voters, to meet the people, to fight
against the other candidates. In withdrawing, I am dedicating myself to my defense."
On Friday, he received backing of FIFA candidate and UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino who said the Frenchman has a right to a due process.
Platini's worries (ph) started in October of last year along with outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter. He was banned from all football-related
activities for 90 days. He then lost his FIFA appeal and took his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports. Just days before Christmas came at
the eight-year ban that rules him out of the election on February the 26th.
So that leaves five candidates to succeed Blatter, who's been FIFA president since 1998. Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Jerome Champagne
of France, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino, the head of Asian Football, Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, and South Africa's Tokyo Sexwale.
From one Frechman now hitting the headlines to another all eyes will be on Zinedine Zidane on Saturday for his first watch in charge with Real Madrid.
(Inaudible) host Deportivo La Coruna and La Liga saw the club legend's managerial debut with his star-studded side.
Rafael Benitez was sacked by President Florentino Perez on Monday just 18 league matches. He's had in charge and he was replaced by the (inaudible)
Galacticos.
This to have made it clear that as well as entertaining the Santiago Bernabeu supporters, his priority is winning the two trophies still up for
grabs after their expulsion from the Copa del Rey.
Now former Barcelona marketing manager Esteve Calzada joins me earlier. I asked him whether he feels the down runs the risk of losing the myth behind
his name at the player.
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ESTEVE CALZADA, FORMER MARKETING MANAGER, F.C. BARCELONA: I've nothing of risk at all. I mean, we're talking two completely different things. I
mean, what he did as a player is basically amazing and I will always stay there.
Obviously, he's risking as a manager and probably this comes a little bit early in his career. But I would say his got lot to win and not much to
lose because if -- I mean, he's got an amazing sport, he's an MK. I think that one of the issues that Benitez had, in my opinion, when you manage
these clubs, you need to have the credibility as a top player in a top club which has.
JONES: Yeah.
CALZADA: So he's very well (inaudible) and he's lot much to win and not much to lose.
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JONES: Well, staying with Spanish football, the news, just in Barcelona have confirmed today will appeal Luis Suarez two-game Copa del Rey ban
handed down by the Spanish Football Federation. It follows a reported tunnel bus stop during their first leg clash against Barca's rival Espanyol
on Wednesday. If the sanction holds up, Suarez would miss the return leg next Wednesday and a hypothetical first leg of the quarter-finals, should
Barca (ph) Club qualify.
Now, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rips of the script to offset Yaya Toure on Thursday and win the Confederation of African Football's Player of the Year
award.
Manchester City feels that Toure was bidding to win what -- which has been a record fifth straight title but the Gabonese striker narrowly beat him by
just six votes to become the first player from his country to receive the award.
Aubameyang who plays Borussia Dortmund is a Bundesliga -- while Bundesliga's leading scorer so far this season with an impressive 18 goals
in 17 lead games. The 26-year-old usually known for his wild and wacky personality was clearly moved by the owner.
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PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG, CONFEDERATION OF AFRICAN FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2015 (THROUGH TRANSLATION): I am so happy. I'm not someone who
usually cries but it is quite an emotional moment. When you're standing along side players like Yaya Toure and Andre Ayew, there is pride in
winning such a trophy ahead of them because they are great players. And I obviously admire them a lot.
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[08:50:00] JONES: Coming up after the break Jordan Spieth's solid 2016 strong, but see who got the better of him on day one in Hawaii.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're all taking about the (inaudible) it's amazing nine...
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JONES: Welcome back. Wold's number one Jordan Spieth begun 2016 where he left off in 2015 with a solid start, the first PGA tour event of the new
year in Hawaii. His potter was a major keys in his success last year and it doesn't look like it's cooled off over the winter, this long birdie has
a second got him off to a terrific start.
It's a short time, one bat either. Here he knocks this 90 at a approach shot within a few feet of the whole to set up another birdie. It's 37
under par round of 66 spotting him squarely in contention after day one. But the 22-year-old wasn't able to keep up with defending champion Patrick
Reed this brilliant eagle at the 18th gate in and eight under par, 65 and a one shot lead heading into Friday's second round.
It'll be tough to face the better or even match a spectacular 2015 that saw him win two majors and rise to the top of the world ranking spot and Shea
Donahue found out for our monthly and living golf show, the young American trained himself in straight back into the thick of it getting a seasons
starters ball well ahead of Christmas.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First up for the global super star, the all important sponsor photo call, alongside a few of his peers. The Texan realizes the
road he has to play is much broader than just turning up for a tournament.
JORDAN SPIETH: This is what I love to do. This is what we love to do. We'd like to see it keep going. That we were inspired by those ahead of us
and as they set the records we wanted to play on the PGA tour traveled world, we wanted to break those records if the game can grow and grow and
grow, it's a great game it's one the teaches a lot of incredibly positive values.
And I think that has a positive impact on society and honestly and something deep here, but in my mind it's very important to grow the game
with golfer on the world and we can impact just another place here or there and we're going to be very pleased.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come rain or shine Spieth gives the game 100 percent as two does his Caddie Michael Greller who was been integral to his success.
But may be worrying for his competition is the Jordan believes there is room for improvements.
SPIETH: Yeah. There are definitely ways that I can find tune and get better that's what we've tried to do each year, that's what we've been able
to do each year.
[08:55:00] I can get longer since the combination of swing and what I do in the gym. So there are certain categories that I can improve on, maybe
spend a little extra time.
JONES: Let's end with the NFL's road to the Super Bowl 50 which begins as we can with the wild card playoff games. The AFC has two games on
Saturday, the first have the Houston Texans hosting maybe the hottest team in the league in Kansas City.
The Chiefs have won 10 games in a row, the second game features a pair of division rivals as the Cincinnati Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh won in Cincinnati 33 to 20 just four weeks ago. The Denver Broncos and New England Patriot will await the winners next week.
And Denver received some good news on Thursday, they'll have a health Peyton Manning starting at quarterback. Manning returns to the line up in
a reverberal in Sunday's comeback over Sand Diego after missing the last six weeks with a left heel injury.
Meanwhile the NFC wild card games are on Sunday where the Green Bay Packers travel to Washington to take on the Redskins. Green Bay have lost six of
their last 10 to finish 10 and 6 in contrast to Seattle Seahawks of one-six of their last seven. They begin their quest for a third straight Super
Bowl appearnce by taking on the Vikings in Minnesota.
And the story there could be the weather, the temperature at kickoff is expected to be around minus 19 degrees Celsius no less. That would be one
of the coldest games ever played. Now it could be an advantage for the Vikings so who are more accustomed to freezing conditions than the
Seahawks. And Vikings' head coach Mike Zimmer thanks the fans braving that beat the cold can do their bet to warm up their team.
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MIKE ZIMMER, HEAD COACH, MINNESOTA VIKINGS: We need our fans to make an advantage for us. And it would be loud and make sure they have some
tailgating before they come out, so they stay warm.
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JONES: That's all for this edition of World Sport. I'm Rhiannon Jones in London, see you for another update in just under two hours' time.
World Business Today with Maggie Lake in New York is next.
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