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World Nations Agree to Climate Plan; FBI Concludes Search of San Bernardino Lake; Donald Trump Behind in Iowa; Reports that ISIS May Have Captured Box of Syrian Passports; Baltimore Trial Resumes Monday; New Details on May Texas Shootout; Women Make History in Saudi Arabia; Darth Vader Speaks Out. Aired 5-6a ET

Aired December 13, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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


[05:00:14] GEORGE HOWELL, CNN HOST: Celebrations for now. But nations around the around, they pledge to create a better future for the planet. Still some experts are waiting to see if their actions speak louder than their words.

Donald Trump finds himself in unfamiliar territory in the U.S. State of Iowa. He's in second place but he is refusing to play second fiddle to front-runner, Ted Cruz. And as movie villains go, they have a lot to live up to.

We hear from the Star Wars bad guys that are stepping into the hefty footprints, Darth Vader.

From CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm George Howell. CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.

And a very good day to you. We begin this hour in Paris with the latest on the historic climate deal that was reached in France. Delegates from nearly 200 countries are headed back home with a plan in hand to help combat climate change.

Representatives approved the final draft on Saturday and the French foreign minister Laurent Fabius made that announcement. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAURET FABIUS, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER: I'm looking around the room, I see that the reaction is positive, I don't hear any objection, the Paris agreement for the climate is accepted.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Our John Sutter was at that conference and now, he joins us live from Paris.

So John, we were together yesterday when that moment was reached. When Mr. Fabius banged the gavel to acknowledge a consensus there but now these delegates, they have to take this deal back to their respective countries and try to sell it. JOHN SUTTER, CNN DIGITAL COLUMNIST: Yeah, basically for this deal to

go into force, the nations that signed on to it, there are 196 which is like truly incredible to get 196 countries to agree to almost anything. But they have to ratify this deal on the national level. For the U.S. that likely will means some sort of executive order. Other countries have different processes.

I think the real moment though was yesterday here in France. This was the time where countries, you know, came together, could have objected to this deal. We saw a three nights almost all night long of negotiations to get to this point. And like I said, I think that the world sent a signal that they want to tackle climate change and they want the fossil fuel era to end and rapidly move towards a cleaner economy.

It's almost hard to overstate how significant that is. This was a fork in the road and if the -- these negotiations had fallen apart as many U.N. climate negotiations have in the past I think that would have been catastrophic for the movement to do something about climate change. Instead, we saw all this momentum carrying through.

As U.S. President Barack Obama said, we live up to this moment and, you know, I think that this signals a real shift in how countries will handle this. But as you mentioned, we'll -- it's yet to be seen exactly what policies they'll put into place to achieve this high ambitions.

HOWELL: And let's talk about what happens next as far as countries like the United States so that, you know, we'll have to bring this back and have it either, you know, debated in the House and Senate and then, you know, passed or, you know, I know that you've mentioned there are some who question whether this could be an executive effort, you know, to be glad, you know, to put this into being. But, how difficult will it be to make sure those larger countries, the, you know, the bigger polluters are involved and that they get this deal passed?

SUTTER: Yeah. So, I think if you look at what's required to meet these goals, this treaty sets out the goal of limiting warming to two degrees Celsius or well below that. They -- it has the number 1.5 degrees in the text which was hugely surprising to me and other people who have been following this closely. It's an incredibly ambitious targeted based and requires us to be off of fossil fuels, to be more or less carbon neutral by about 2050 or shortly thereafter. So, that's a rapid change in the way that we're producing our energy and heat in particular and they also think like people where stationed. We'll have to cut those rates down dramatically.

In the United States, for example, you know, climate change is a hugely contentious issue politically. The science is very subtle. Scientists agree that this is happening and we're causing it. But in the U.S., you see many politicians, especially on the Republican side of things to doubt that science and say that, you know, this will be too costly to put into place.

So, I think we'll have to see how these things are haggled out in reality. But the truth is that to meet these ambitions countries will have to put new resources plans in place. And some of the things you hear experts talk about are carbon taxes, you know, putting a price on the pollution that's associated with greenhouse gas emissions.

You know when power plant in the U.S. is producing energy or in China, that has ramifications in Africa for drought, in storms in Southeast Asia. This is such a global problem that it really requires all the countries to work together to see what's in their self-interest, you know, to green their economies and to hopefully find, you know, some financing, some new industries out of that but also to do it on behalf of the rest of the world.

[05:05:05] HOWELL: And John, correct to say it will take 55 countries to sign on to this and mainly those larger countries for this deal to actually take effect, correct?

SUTTER: Yeah, that is correct, 55 countries and totaling about 55 percent of global emission. I don't see anyone questioning whether that will happen now. I see that as more of a formality and then things could change. But where it sits right now, I think the moment in Paris where you saw Laurent Fabius, you know, gaveling this agreement through with over no objections from 196 countries. That is hugely significant and it was seen as the turning point in the moment.

I think what follows is more of a technicality unless something changes, unless we hear new objections being raised in the future.

HOWELL: CNN's John Sutter, live for us at our Paris bureau. John, thank you so much for your reporting there.

So, let's talk just a bit more about Saturday's agreement and what it means in real terms for people in the most vulnerable parts of the world. And for that, our meteorologist Derek Van Dam is here. And Derek, so, you know, this deal is historic, but there will be effects on countries with climate change.

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, that's true. And it's all about the ability of those countries to adapt to the effects of climate change and we're going to talk about an example between the United States and the Philippines. Two separate countries developed versus developing and the various weather phenomenons that they're dealing with now.

But take a look at the graph on your screen. I'll try to boil this down as simple as I can. Privilege versus marginalized country, you see that vulnerabilities of people increase ten-fold as this developing nations with a very weak infrastructure and a poor economy are impacted by the effects of climate change.

But on the contrary, developed countries have a significantly higher capacity, George, to adapt and cope to the natural disasters that continue to impact places like the Philippines. And into Southeast Asia as well as the United States, so we're going to compare these two and first talk about the United States where they're currently contending with some unusual late season tornadoes that took place in Texas. Keep in mind, the average income per person in the United States is $55,000., in the Philippines $3,000. That's per year per person. That's according to the World Bank. Now, this is the tornado damage that resulted in Texas, U.S. State of Texas. The ability for this particular part of the world to adapt to climate change and stronger storms will be relatively easy when compared to what other countries will have to face with a weaker infrastructure and the weaker economy.

And get to my graphic here, you'll be able to see what I'm talking about. These are the thunderstorms that caused the upwards of two to three tornadoes, just north of the Houston area, roughly 45 miles north of that regional, so wind damaged and hail damaged, still a chance of severe threat. But really, that's not the context of what I'm discussing at the moment.

We'll continue to see the storm system move east but let's hop to the other side of the world, the Philippines, and talk about their current natural disaster. It's been extremely active tropical season for the western pacific. And guess what? There's another typhoon that has its eye set on Luzon and Manila. Keep in mind this is a country with a population of about 100 million people.

Luzon is the most populous island and that also in compasses Manila. Look at the strength of this typhoon. Typhoon Melor and it's expected to increase in intensity over the next 24 hours. It will stall out at least temporarily and produce a significant amount of rainfall. I realize we have both domestic and international viewers watching us at this moment in time.

So rainfall rates could go over 300 approx or even 500 millimeters of rainfall. That's roughly 12 inches up to 20 inches of rain in a few days' period. You can imagine what that means. Flooding a potential for Southern Luzon. That's something we're going to monitor very closely.

But this all, just comes back to the idea of climate change. George, the fingerprints of climate change written over both of these disasters and these phenomenons, we can't directly attribute to them. But, of course, there are certain pieces there that certainly show their face when they're talking about heavy rain and destruction from tornadoes.

HOWELL: Derek, thank you so much for extreme insight there.

VAN DAM: Thanks, George.

HOWELL: Turning to another story, in France is voting is under way in that country and depending upon how those ballots are cast, a far- right anti-immigration party could win control of the French region for the very first time. Marie Le Pen just cast her vote. Her national front party had a surprisingly strong showing in the last week's first round.

The day's outcome could give Le Pen a launch pad for a presidential bid in 2017.

On now to Geneva, Switzerland, that is a city on edge after police arrested two people around charged them with terrorism offenses.

[05:10:02] Official say the suspects were carrying Syrian passports and that they had traces of explosives in their vehicle. It is not clear yet though whether those arrests are linked to the attacks in Paris that happened last month.

For more on this, let's turn to our international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson who joins us live in Geneva. Nic, good to have you with us.

So, what do we expect next in this investigation?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, George, the police have said to expect more house searches and more arrests in the coming days. But today, right now, it's a day of celebration, one of a street celebration here in Geneva.

You see people like this man here dressed in traditional costume from 1602. The last time, Geneva went to war, big celebrations, the Escalade celebrations here in Geneva and the police have decided to allow these celebrations to go ahead, Police station writer (ph) but there are more police than normal out on the streets.

It's early hours yet, but this town, the center square in the old part of town, you can expect this to be full of marching bands and people out enjoying the atmosphere here in the little cafes. But if you come over with me here, you'll get an idea of what people in this city are learning about these two suspects arrested with apparently authentic Syrian passports, traces of explosives left in the car.

The local newspaper headlines on there, on the boards here, The Escalade, that's the celebration here, going ahead and made high surveillance. The Syrians, it says, arrested when they had a puncture in their car. What we know about these two arrested men is that the police are investigating them for connection to the terrorist organization. Also saying that we're hearing from European sources on this that perhaps it's not explosive traces specifically of explosives but traces of (inaudible) chemicals that could have been used to make explosives.

So, this a very serious investigation, ongoing investigation. You can hear with the bells, this is a city celebrating its history, celebrating the last time it was at war, but also facing now a new threat and more surveillance out on the streets. And here you have another man in his traditional costume from 1602 sorted his side no defense against the threats of ISIS these days. But in the background here, you can expect to see more police presence. George?

HOWELL: Nic, good to see people going on with typical customs and just everyday life. At the same time, a every intensive investigation is under way in Geneva. Nic Robertson live for us there. Thank you for your reporting.

In Southwest Russia, at least 23 people are dead and another 23 injured after a fire broke out at a psychiatric hospital. A hospital employee says there were 140 disabled people inside. Including 50 who were bed-bound. At least 51 people were rescued unharmed so far. The cause of that fire is unknown.

You're watching CNN NEWSROOM and still to come, police arrest a man in California that they claim intentionally set fire to a mosque. Details ahead on that story. Plus, new battle lines are being drawn in the Republican race for the White House. Donald trump faces up to his Ted Cruz problem.

You're watching CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:15:58] HOWELL: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm George Howell.

In the United States, the FBI has concluded their search of a lake in San Bernardino, California, that lake near the site where 14 people were killed in a terror attack 11 days ago. CNN, Ana Cabrera tells us what investigators may be looking for.

ANA CABRERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Divers have spent days combing this lake, searching for any evidence that may be connected to the killers, Tashfeen Malik and Syed Farook. We understand divers have found a number of items in the lake, although FBI officials aren't confirming to us exactly what those items are nor whether they can confirm if they have to do with this case.

One FBI official telling me they find a lot of stuff because this is a public lake. They have to do further investigation to determine whether it is part of this investigation. But we have learned a little bit more about how they're conducting this search. It is slow. It is methodical. They are using metal detectors. They have specialized equipment that protects them and helps them to see under this water because of extremely dark and murky. It's also deep, up to the 10 feet deep in places, we have learned.

And so, these divers are trained professionals and they're doing a grid search so that they leave no stone unturned and make sure they get anything that could possibly be evidence in this case. We do know that Tashfeen Malik and Farook were in this area on the day of the shooting according to what authorities have said on the record.

They say they got a tip that led them here. They've scoured the park area. But really, the lake is what's left. It did the shooters ditch anything? And of course, one thing that's been missing since the beginning is the hard drive from the couple's computer.

That's something that they are really hoping to find. Perhaps it's in this lake. The other thing I want to remind us of is the victims in this tragedy. We now know many of the victims are being laid to rest, including Shannon Johnson, whose funeral was on Saturday. He is the 45-year-old man who many have called a hero saying, he died trying to protect one of his co-workers.

HOWELL: That was CNN's Ana Cabrera reporting.

Also according to the woman he shielded from the bullets, Shannon Johnson's last words were, "I got you". Also in California, a man is in jail this day accused of setting a mosque on fire. 23-year-old Carl James Dial, Jr., has not been officially charged. But he was arrested on five counts, including suspicion of arson, a hate crime and felony burglary. The fire happened Friday. Several people were inside that mosque praying when police say it was set on fire intentionally.

Julie Buehler from affiliate KMIR has this report.

JULIE BUEHLER, AFFILIATE KMIR: The smoke has dissipated and the flames are gone. But the damage remains on the outside of the Islamic Society of the Coachella Valley. Raymundo Nour became the acting Iman at the mosque, eight years ago when he moved to the area for a new job. But he's been Muslim since 1970.

RAYMUNDO NOUR, MOSQUE IMAM: "It's a feeling of sadness, but not despair. You know, though we're sad that our mosque was affected, we intend to fully get back to normal here shortly. You know, we do consider this an active terrorism just like anything else. We do understand that there is a very small handful of people who do this type of things, you know, on both sides and we just want the message to be out there that we do not condone any of this type of behavior, criminal activity coming from any side.

BUEHLER: The mosque suffered considerable damage to its entrance and smoke damage throughout. While they are still in the process of cleaning, Nour said they don't have an estimate of the cost to repair.

In the next day or so, Nour said they'll be boarding it up to prevent any further damage. He said there is no timetable to return to this building, and he'll be speaking with his board to see if they'll need a new place to worship.

NOUR: Well, it's a physical building and, you know, the truth is, we can worship anywhere. We can worship in the parking lot if we so desire. You know the building just offers us protection from the elements and a symbol of the fact that we're here.

We are a people of resolve and I'm absolutely sure we're going to pick up the pieces and fix the building and move on.

[05:20:12] BUEHLER: This attack is a stark contrast to the expression of tens of thousands of Catholics on their annual pilgrimage across the Coachella Valley and Nour was hopeful that that is what America is about.

NOUR: That's what makes America great. You know the fact that you have the right to worship in your own manner and it really doesn't matter who likes it and who doesn't.

HOWELL: That was Julie Buehler from affiliate KMIR reporting.

Turning now to U.S. politics, the presidential primary season kicks off in just about seven weeks and Republican candidate Donald Trump has now fallen sharply behind his rival Ted Cruz in the key State of Iowa. In a new Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics poll, Mr. Cruz has a 10-point lead in Iowa, which is the first state to vote in the primaries. Cruz and Trump face off on Tuesday in Las Vegas at the final Republican debate this year that will be held right here on CNN.

The battle lines are being drawn between the front-runner and his closest rival. CNN senior Washington correspondent Jeb Zeleny, takes a closer look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Trump, still comfortably on top of the Republican field, has a new rival nipping at his heels. For the first time, Ted Cruz signaled his plan at a closed-door fund-raiser to take on Trump and Ben Carson.

SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX), REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe that gravity will bring both of those campaigns down. And I think the lion's share of their supporters come to us.

ZELENY: A recording of Cruz given to The New York Times offers a behind-the-scenes look at his strategy to try what's eluded other Republicans, taking down Trump.

CRUZ: People are looking for, who is prepared to be a commander-in- chief? Now, that's a question of strength, but it's also a question of judgment. And I think that is a question that is a challenging question for both of them.

ZELENY: Cruz has been one of the few Republicans unwilling to tangle with the billionaire front-runner. As Cruz tried to contain the furor after his private words went public, he tweeted, "The establishment's only hope, Trump and me in a cage match. Sorry to disappoint. Donald Trump is terrific."

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you so much.

ZELENY: Trump, appearing tonight in Iowa, said he will return fire.

"Looks like Ted Cruz is getting ready to attack. I am leading by so much, he must. I hope so. He will fall like all others. Will be easy."

It's a moment Trump's been waiting for.

TRUMP: And he's been so supportive, but at some point he's going to have to hit me, right? It's going to be a sad day, but we will hit back, I promise.

ZELENY: The latest skirmish comes as Republicans worry whether they can stop Trump. Party leaders discussed preparing for a contested convention at a private meeting this week in Washington. Ben Carson said any back room deals could push he and Trump from the party.

In a statement today, he said, "If this was the beginning of a plan to subvert the will of the voters and replace it with the will of the political elite, I assure you Donald Trump will not be the only one leaving the party."

The Republican National Committee said there was no reason for worry.

SEAN SPICER, CHIEF STRATEGIST, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE: Republican voters will choose the delegates that will go to the convention in Cleveland next July. Those people will decide the nominee. That's it, bottom line, plain and simple.

ZELENY: The party is trying to bring order to the chaotic race, as other candidates hope to gain traction. Supporters of Ohio Governor John Kasich launched a new online effort to put a stake in Trump.

TRUMP: Trump Steaks are by far the best tasting, most flavorful beef you have ever had.

ZELENY: Mocking one of the mogul's old businesses, Trump Steaks. Yet Trump remains squarely on top. A new poll in New Hampshire shows Trump at 27 percent, followed by Chris Christie at 12 and Marco Rubio at 11.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: That was CNN senior Washington correspondent Jeb Zeleny reporting for us.

Now, as we've seen time and time again, Donald Trump has a way of riling his adversaries up but one of his critics might top them all. Remember that moment that Mr. Trump was posing with an eagle for a magazine photo shoot. Well, CNN's Jeanne Moos reports, for once Mr. Trump seemed to be caught a little bit off guard.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Donald Trump is great at winging it but now, he's become pray for comedians, thanks to an eagle.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The eagle is agitated because his dead brother is on Donald's head. But he has no -- and yeah.

MOOS: The video is from a "Time Magazine" photo shoot with an eagle named Uncle Sam, as his owner Jonathan Wood helped set up the shots.

TRUMP: How's my hair look?

MOOS: More than feathers got ruffled. You were there to handle the bird. You ended up handling Trump's hair.

JONATHAN WOOD, MASTER FALCONER: Yes, and it's real.

MOOS: But the bird really became a headache when the Donald inadvertently invaded his territory by reaching.

TRUMP: You don't show the aspirin over there, do you?

WOOD: It takes a little courage to work with a bird like that. He's the most difficult bird that I have to work with. MOOS: Uncle Sam, the eagle, was hit by a car more than 20 years ago and Wood helped rehabilitate him. Now, 27 years old, he's blind in one eye and off balance.

[05:25:08] But you can't call the bird a left-winger. He actually had part of his left wing amputated after the car accident.

Turns out Uncle Sam has also snapped at Stephen Colbert and Bill Clinton.

WOOD: Yes, he's an equal opportunity fighter.

MOOS: The Trump Eagle photos were part of a cover story back in August.

So, "Time Magazine" decides to release the out takes about four months after they were taken. Around the time Trump was criticizing the magazine for picking German leader Angela Merkel as person of the year.

Trump tweeted, "I told you 'Time Magazine" would never pick me despite being the big favorite. They picked the person who is ruining Germany."

Instead of being picked, Trump is being pecked.

JIMMY FALLON, COMEDIAN: After that, Trump was like now I'm now banning all bald eagles from America.

MOOS: And guess whose time has come for bird of the year?

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Well after facing off with that eagle, Donald Trump will face CNN'S Chief Washington Correspondent and host of "STATE OF THE UNION" Jake Tapper at its latest day at 9:00 a.m. eastern time and 3:00 p.m. in london right here on CNN.

And you're watching CNN NEWSROOM, still ahead this hour, hundreds of abandoned dogs in Turkey are finding out they really are man's best friend. Heartwarming story straight ahead.

And just days before the latest Star Wars epic hits the screen, CNN has a revealing interview with members of the dark side. At story in this broadcast continues around the globe this hour on CNN worldwide.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:30:09] HOWELL: Welcome back to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. It's good to have you with us. I'm George Howell. The headlines we're following this hour.

(HEADLINES) HOWELL: Authorities in Geneva, Switzerland have charged two people for terrorism. They say the suspects' car that had traces of explosives in it. It's not clear if these arrests are part of a wide manhunt for people linked to last month's terror attack that happened in Paris, France.

Both suspects in Geneva had Syrian passports. It's an alarming revelation in light of a new intelligence report that says ISIS may have captured a Syrian government passport machine and boxes of blank passports. With phony travel documents, terrorists can then hide their international travels. Here's CNN's Rene Marsh.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RENE MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A new intelligence reports warns ISIS has the capability of creating fake passports for international travel.

SEN. ANGUS KING (I), MAINE: Part of the territory, they took over half and have a building that where the Syrians process passports so they have blank passports and they have the means to print them and fake them. So, this is obviously another level of concern that we have to pay attention to.

MARSH: U.S. officials are also concerned ISIS may have access to biographical data and fingerprints for Syrian citizens that could be used for phony I.D.s.

JAMES CORNEY, FBI DIRECTOR: The intelligence community is concerned that they have the ability, the capability to manufacture fraudulent passports which is a concern in any setting.

MARSH: Following the Paris attacks, investigators found fraudulent Syrian passports on two of the terrorists. The U.S. government has since expanded its efforts to flag to other countries suspected documents terrorists could exploit to travel. A Syrian refugee in Paris told out front just how easy it is to obtain a fake Syrian passport.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It cost you about 700 Euros.

MARSH: 700 Euros.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Or less maybe. It depends on negotiation.

MARSH: And I could have one of these...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By your name, even American name, even not Arabic name or any name. Your photo...

MARSH: Anything i want?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your photo, your name. Anything you want.

MARSH: State Department Spokesman John Kirby said the department has been tracking the terror group's ability to make passports. JOHN KIRBY, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: We have been aware of

reports not just in the press that they may have obtained this capability. Obviously, it's something that we take seriously.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: That was CNN's Rene Marsh reporting for us.

In the U.S. city of Baltimore, the police department there has canceled all officers' leave next week. This in preparation for possible protests following the trial of one of their own.

The William Porter trial resumes on Monday with closing arguments and jury instructions. He is the first officer to be tried in the death of Freddie Gray. Authorities say Mr. Gray broke his neck in April as he was being transported in a police van with Porter.

CNN's Jean Casarez reports from the courthouse.

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The defense has arrested and now on Monday jury instructions and closing arguments in the criminal trial of Baltimore Police Officer William Porter. Porter is one officer, one of six charged in the death of Freddie Gray.

It all began on April 12th when Freddie Gray in west Baltimore was arrested and put into the police transport van. Defendant William Porter was an officer that was there that day and the heart and soul of the prosecutor's case are the six stops of that that transport made with Freddie Gray inside before it got to the police headquarters.

Somewhere along the way, Freddie Gray suffered a catastrophic neck injury to his spinal cord. It's a prosecution theory that especially on stop number four where William Porter said to Freddie Gray, "What's up?" and Gray said either, "Help" or "Help me up," and then the defendant asked him, "Do you need a medic," and Freddie Gray said, "Yes."

[05:35:20] William Porter did not call for a medic and did not put a seat belt on to restrain Freddie Gray. Prosecutors say that is criminal negligence right there and a reasonable police officer in the same position would have called for a medic and would have put a seat belt on Freddie Gray.

The defense is saying that Officer Porter knew Freddie Gray, knew him from the streets, saw him every day and that Freddie Gray, when he was arrested never wanted to go to jail and would say anything he could to get out of it.

Jean Casarez, CNN, Baltimore Maryland.

HOWELL: There are new details emerging in the investigation of a biker shootout in Texas last May. That shootout left nine people dead and 177 others arrested.

CNN's Nick Valencia has more on what happened that day and what may have caused it but we do warn you that some of the video that you'll see is graphic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is a violent showdown. A newly obtained footage by CNN, video shows the moments that led to the bloody shootout between rival biker gangs in Waco, Texas, last May.

The video picks up with an argument in the parking lot already in progress. You can see members from the Cossacks and Scimitars, two allied motorcycle clubs huddled left of the camera.

Just off camera, bikers from the Bandidos and Cossacks, two archrivals, argue after one is nearly hit by motorcycle, according to witnesses.

In police interviews, the rivals point the finger at each other as to who started the fight and then chaos. You don't have to hear the gunshots to feel the intensity erupt outside the Twin Peaks Restaurant. Some bikers duck for cover. In the background, you can see others run from the slaughter. In perhaps the most graphic portion of the surveillance tape, a man in a red bandana sneaks up on another biker and appears to strike him in the throat.

The two wrestle on the ground before a third biker joins in. The man in the red bandana is struck several times in the head while on the ground. He's stomped at least once. He lies motionless as the men he was fighting walk off screen.

In the foreground, more bikers run from what seems to be the epicenter of the violence. One man checks the blood dripping from his arm, another falls to the ground after appearing to be shot. The agony is all around.

According to a document passed on to CNN, by a source closed to the case four of the nine bikers who died were hit by 223 caliber ammunition. As to what really started this all, well, that's still up for debate. We mentioned the argument in the parking lot but others have told the police that the feud between the Bandidos and Cossacks was brewing way before the day of the shooting.

In interviews with police, bikers said it was over a long-standing dispute about fees that the Bandidos wanted collected from Cossacks. Others put it more simply. They say the fight was all about respect.

Nick Valencia, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: You're watching CNN NEWSROOM and still to come, a big first in Saudi Arabia. For the first time, women are voting in the male- dominated kingdom, but they had to get men to drive them there. We will look at how the role of women is evolving in Saudi's society and what is still holding them back.

Plus, how abandoned dogs in Turkey are having no trouble finding new happy owners. That story ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:40:06] HOWELL: It is being considered a giant leap for women's rights in Saudi Arabia. Women voted for the very first time in the conservative male-dominated kingdom. They're also being allowed to run for public office for first time. But when it comes to campaigning, it's been tough for these political pioneers because female candidates are not allowed to speak to male voters.

CNN's Becky Anderson has more between the struggle between tradition and progress.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I've spent years helping the Middle East and the gulf region and the issue of women's rights in Saudi Arabia often comes up.

The kingdom is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Al-Saud family. Now, the government according to a strict interrogation (ph) of Sunni Islam. Women need a permission of a male guardian to travel to work, to attend the higher education or to marry. But Saudi Arabia does have a very young population, median age there just 26.

Many that I've spoken to say that the role of women in the country is evolving.

Now, 2015 marks the first year the Saudi women were allowed to campaign for public office and to register to vote at the municipal level. That came two years after former King Abdullah decreed that women must make up at least 20 percent of the Shura council and it's an appointed body that drafts laws and advises the king on major issues.

More Saudi women are also joining the workforce. Only about 19 percent of them currently perform paid work because Saudi government says their numbers have risen considerably from 23,000 in 2004 to over 400,000 in 2014.

Now, women are still required to cover their hair and wear long clothing in public but in many malls and hotels these days, women are seen without head scarves. And perhaps the most visible sign of women's rights is Saudi are not in the case maybe is that they are not allowed to drive.

But the women I have met there tell me they are often frustrated by the west's focus on this topic and feel it ignores the other positive steps. They say have been made. But proponents for change say allowing women to drive would be a big step towards opening other doors of opportunity.

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HOWELL: Becky Anderson reporting there from Abu Dhabi.

And now on to Istanbul, Turkey where a woman has been spent the last 12 years rescuing hundreds of dogs, especially Golden Retrievers that are unable to find homes and new owners. Luckily there is a silver lining for some of the Goldens.

Senior International Correspondent Sara Sidner explains.

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SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's play time. First, this raucous crowd greets each other in all manner of ways.

[05:45:04] Then they turn to the humans.

All these dogs are here because of Yasemin Baban.

All these dogs were once abandoned and unwanted on the streets of Istanbul. And you won't believe where they'll end up.

YASEMIN BABAN, DOG RESCUER: Dogs have no chances. They cannot talk. They cannot beg. They don't steal. They just want food and affection.

SIDNER: After seeing the conditions of the shelters 12 years ago in Turkey, she dedicated her life to saving domesticated animals.

BABAN: I left the shelter crying and I went again then I cried and then I said, crying is not enough. Someone has to do something. And then I started to volunteer here in shelters.

SIDNER: She was soon warned of a disturbing trend.

The reason you see so many Golden Retrievers here being rescued is because people in Turkey love the puppies, they're really popular. But once they get grown up, they end up putting them out either on the streets or in the forest and that's also why they're also good natured, because these were people's pets at one time.

But their sweetness hurts their chances of survival on the streets of Istanbul where tens of thousands of hardcore stray street dogs live.

AHMET, DOG RESCUER: We vaccinate them. We neuter or spay them. And then we'll put them a chip which is for their identification of the dog. And we issue their health certificates, their passports.

SIDNER: That's where the story turns into a very long journey for the Goldens, from Istanbul, turkey, to Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Turns out, Americans love their Golden Retrievers and Baban found just the place. Adopt a Golden Atlanta.

BABAN: American raised Golden rescues have lists of people waiting to adopt dogs. And here, we don't find anyone.

So far adopt a Golden Atlanta has taken in 123 Golden Retrievers from Istanbul. They call them Turkey dogs. With all the animosity building between east and west, this is one connection that has no bark or bite.

Sara Sidner, CNN, Istanbul.

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HOWELL: You're watching CNN NEWSROOM and still to come, from a galaxy far, far away, the next epic fight between the rebel alliance and the empire is about to stage its opening this -- its opening weekend and ahead, we hear from some of the players from the dark side.

You're watching CNN NEWSROOM.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's calling to you.

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[05:51:43] HOWELL: Star Wars fans, the wait is almost over. In just a few days, The Force Awakens will hit movie screens in the United States and Disney studios is hoping to break the record for the film's opening weekend.

Fans have spent $60 million in advanced ticket sales. Wow. And like all other Star Wars films, this latest installment has complicated and rather ground-breaking villains.

CNN's Isha Sesay sat down with the people behind the dark side.

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ISHA SESAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Talk to me about what this moment means to you, to be part of all of this.

GWENDOLINE CHRISTIE, ACTRESS: "STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS": On my first day, I have to sit in the car. I had to sit on my hands and to stop myself from screaming. Because, you know, it's a film that I've loved, that so many millions of people have loved and the idea of you being in that film is mind blowing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've got nothing to fight for.

SESAY: You play one of the most eagerly anticipated characters in this new Star Wars movie Kylo Ren. What can you tell us about the character?

KYLO REN, ACTOR: "STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS: That he is very unfinished, I would say. Not polished in a way that I think people normally associate with Star Wars, maybe. There's something familiar, at the same time kind of unsettled about him.

SESAY: First female villain in Star Wars. Talk to me about that. You've also said she's a very progressive character.

CHRISTIE: Well, I think it's really exciting to have a character played by a woman where we form a relationship with her due to her character rather than as we conventionally do, as has been the case in our societies, the way a woman is made flesh.

SESAY: Talk to me about preparing to play a villain like this. REN: Well in that, I didn't think of him as a villain. I didn't

think of him as doing things bad necessarily. I thought it more of him being right, you know. Kind of very much like playing someone in real life. You take the things that open your imagination maybe and then kind of disregard the things that are limited in you.

There's to be an awakening.

CHRISTIE: What was it like making this film?

I didn't get that sort of eureka moment of that phone call you've got it, because we were filming at the same time as Game of Thrones.

Some blessing (inaudible) and both the production of Star Wars and Game of Thrones are very generous in how they worked it out. I sort of prepared myself that this might not be able to happen. That being made reality of actually being in that film was very meaningful to me and very, very, very exciting.

SESAY: You're getting emotional.

CHRISTIE: Yeah. But it's a wonderful thing, you know. It's a wonderful thing because when dreams are made into actuality, that is a wonderful thing and it ties into what the movie is about, which is about hope.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is useless to resist.

SESAY: How much was Darth Vader, how much was that the old school villain of Star Wars movies if you will? How much of that was on your mind as you took on this role?

[05:55:05] KEN: A lot and until it wasn't. Until it wasn't, it seemed to be limiting, you know. But with these characters live in a world where those characters were real and they existed. As you could probably imagine, it's all very surreal to be in this world with these people. It's a unique thing that is all good.

SESAY: The journey is just beginning.

KEN: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Finish what you started.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: All right. At a time when going green has become a worldwide priority, some Italian radio presenters are petitioning for an unlikely candidate for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize. That candidate is, the bicycle. Their argument, bikes unlike cars don't cause pollution and they don't have any connection to the many wars fought over oil. They say each kilometer biked represents $0.17 that added to the world's economy and fittingly, they plan to deliver their completed petition to the Nobel -- committee, I should say by bicycle relay. So, best of luck to the bicycle.

We thank you for joining us this hour. I'm George Howell at the CNN center in Atlanta.

For our viewers in the United States, New Day with Christi Paul and Victor Blackwell is straight ahead. For other viewers, Best of Quest starts in just a few moments after your world headlines.

You're watching CNN, the world's news leader.

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