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Battle for Mosul; Trump Booed at Al Smith Dinner; El Chapo Closer to Extradition to U.S.; Syria Warns Turkey about Overflights; Britain to Address Prior Wrong Against Homosexuals; Typhoon Haima Update. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired October 21, 2016 - 03:00   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[03:00:00] NATALIE ALLEN, CNN NEWSROOM SHOW HOST: While Iraqi and Kurdish forces try to push ISIS out of Mosul in Iraq, the terrorist group has launched a new offensive elsewhere.

Also, Filipino President Duterte is calling for a separation from the United States which caught his own government by surprise.

And uncomfortable moment. Donald Trump may have taken the joke too far, getting booed at a charity event for attacking Hillary Clinton. Yes, they were together once again just after the debate.

That's all ahead here on CNN Newsroom. Thank you for joining us. We're live in Atlanta. I'm Natalie Allen.

ISIS fighters are carrying out coordinated attacks right now in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Official say they started in the overnight hours targeting police stations and Kurdish security offices.

TV stations they are showing dead ISIS fighters in the streets. This latest battle is more than 100 kilometers from Bartella, that's the Christian town Iraqi-led forces retook from ISIS on Thursday.

You can kind of see from that map there where all this is happening. The military is aggresively pushing its way into ISIS territory in an effort to liberate Mosul.

Michael Holmes is near Mosul. He joins us now live. And, Michael, you know, they're targeting Mosul and next thing you know ISIS has move, you know, down the road a bit to Kirkuk. What do we know about what's happening in Kirkuk?

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. That's a -- that's about 170 kilometers way form Erbil. And so, yes, what's significant here I think, Natalie is that not on the front line per se. And so what you're seeing there is an ISIS ability to carry out attacks behind the front line. It's long been suspected that ISIS has sleeper cells in everywhere from Baghdad to obviously now places like Kirkuk.

What we're hearing from Kirkuk is that ISIS fighters moved into residential areas overnight. And then carried out, and still, apparently carrying out a coordinated attacks on the number of security targets, police stations and the like and Kurdish security offices as well.

There are casualties. The local media are showing the bodies of dead ISIS fighters in the street. What, as I say, though, perhaps is significant about this is that showing that are far from the actual Mosul are battle lines as Iraqi and Kurdish forces push there to have closer to that city.

ISIS having the ability to pop up, if you like, behind the front lines and cause chaos like this. And it's probably something you can expect to see more of, Natalie.

ALLEN: The Iraqi coalition, these forces, are they prepared if it keeps, you know, sending its tentacles out, they are prepared to fight on more than one front?

HOLMES: Well, as I said, they kind of expected this sort of thing to happen once the Mosul offensive got underway. The resources are being poured in to that front line, as we saw yesterday.

Some of the fiercest clashes that we've seen in this four-day campaign to retake Mosul in Bartella, which is a predominantly Christian town, not far from Mosul, about 20 kilometers or so from Mosul.

We were down there on that front line. Our own Arwa Damon was farther for than we were and saw significant clashes, Iraqi forces pushing forward there and they say that they have taken the town. They claim that they killed 200 ISIS fighters.

But we know that a number of car bombs, perhaps half dozen were driven towards Iraqi forces and we can -- we can attest ourselves that there were Iraqi casualties, as well. We were watching as wounded were loaded on the back of a flat bed. There were four or five of them and they were taken away appearing to have what looked like shrapnel wounds, as well.

So, Iraqi forces are taking casualties. They don't tell you how many but they are taking casualties but they say they are inflicting more damage on ISIS and the taking of Bartella is certainly a significant win for them but they are going to continue their push towards Mosul.

Another interesting thing over night, Natalie, I'll tell you about is Kurdish officials saying that they took casualties on the battlefield yesterday, too. Not specific about where or how many but perhaps what is significant is they did mentioned in an overnight statement that they did not get the coalition air cover that they had need during their fighting yesterday, which is a pre-pointed statement to make.

The campaign, though, does continue behind us here. We have been seeing rocket strikes and air strikes, as well for the last half an hour. Probably a half dozen or so. Natalie?

[03:05:05] ALLEN: All right. Michael Holmes, thank you so much. Keep thinking about all of those people that are there in Mosul as this continues to heat up. Thanks, Michael.

Well, Iraqi and Kurdish forces aren't just battling ISIS ground forces but also drones that are dropping bombs from the air.

Our Nick Paton Walsh has that.

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Day four and perhaps the biggest push yet from the north into the plains around Mosul, trying to dislodge the determined and deranged remnants of ISIS. The Peshmerga backed with staggering air power are now common sight of American special forces who the Pentagon says are advising, not assaulting, positioned in the front of the attack.

The work was slow. Destructive. Begging the question, what becomes of the wreckage under new masters? Suddenly, in the sky, a hail of bullets. They've spotted a drone. Tracer rounds dance around it and finally take off its nose. ISIS use them to spot targets for artillery and even drop small bombs.

This one tumbles down. Its wreckage picked over. It's unclear whose it is. Yet progress down the road to (Inaudible) is agonizingly slow.

This is the source of so much fighting this morning but still full of ISIS. In fact, we've heard the Peshmerga have listened to those militants on their radios this morning discussing how they should wait and only launch a counterattack once the Peshmerga are inside.

Two Peshmerga are killed by a mine and others injured in intense clashes when they flanked the town heading left across barren farmland. ISIS still here, hunting the dust (Ph) pushed back moments earlier.

We reach one unit pinned down on a hill. They say a drone is observing them but also dropping tiny bombs on them. Like grenades, we are warned. Rocket after rocket lands. Sometimes near. Sometimes far. Over the hill there, is fiercer fighting. And still, the rockets come in. Exposed, trudging through land turned arid in the fight.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, Near Mosul, Northern Iraq.

ALLEN: When ISIS flooded into Mosul in 2014, the militants forced out thousands of Christians. They went to Jordan, many of them finding shelters in churches.

Two years on, not much has changed and the pain is still fresh for at least one woman who fled her home.

Our Jomana Karadsheh has her story.

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Most to those gathered here at St. Mary's in east Amman gave up everything for their faith. When ISIS took over their city Mosul two years ago, Christians were given two choices, leave or be killed. Some ended up in neighboring Jordan with only the clothes on their backs.

They sing "Our Father Who Art in Heaven" in Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ.

Father Khalil Jaar has dedicated the past two years to helping refugees. His church has provided families with shelter, food and support. Father Khalil Jaar says even if Mosul is liberated, these refugees will not go back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KHALIL JAAR, ST. MARY'S CHURCH PRIEST: The Christians are very tired to be persecuted and to be transported place to place. They are tired already. They lost the hope to go back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KARADSHEH: Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Iraq's Christian community once estimated at more than a million has endured countless attacks by extremist groups forcing most to flee.

Under ISIS' reign of terror, churches were vandalized and destroyed. The group boasted about attempts to wipe Christianity from the land where it existed for centuries.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[22:09:57] JAAR: Christianity will disappear perhaps from the Middle East. But for me, as priest, I don't have any -- I am not afraid. Because for the Christian, for the believers, wherever they go, this is a holy land.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KARADSHEH: Two years ago, we met Anne Danielle and her family who found sanctuary at Saint Mary's. This one room is all her family of five have to call home.

Just mentioning Iraq and the life she once had in Mosul is still too painful for Anne.

"When we left it was all over for us," she says. "When we left, we lost our homes, our memories, everything was gone. I don't think we will ever go back. It's too hard. I don't want my children to live the same experience. We paid the price. I don't want to go back and in a few years the same thing will happen. It is constant wars in Iraq."

KARADSHEH: The family has been granted asylum and will be leaving soon to Australia but it's bittersweet feelings. Anne's 10-month-old son, Joseph was born a refugee. She doesn't believe he will ever see Mosul.

"We will always remind him of his country," she says. "We tell him how we were forced out; we will tell him that we never thought we'd leave our land. They forced us out of Mosul."

Anne prays every day for her family and for the country she once called home.

ALLEN: And Jomana Karadsheh joins us now live from Amman, Jordan. Her story is poignant, Jomana, because we hear so much about where the refugees are now and where they are going. And she talked about the pain and you could certainly see it and hear it in her voice of leaving everything behind.

And now we know there is a humanitarian crisis ongoing. If people get out of Mosul alive, up to 1 million could be displaced and does the church you visited there in Jordan expect more refugees?

KARADSHEH: You know, Natalie, it's hard to see Jordan taking in large numbers of refugees. This country is already hosting more than half a million Iraqis, more than a million Syrians. But the priest that we spoke to in that church, Father Khalil, he says that he still on a daily basis almost still receiving Christian refugees from Iraq.

He said there is a steady flow of refugees. These Christians who really have given up on this, on their country for now. They really see no hope, no future for them in Iraq right now and they are still arriving in Jordan with the hope of leaving from Jordan to somewhere in Europe or the United States soon, Natalie.

ALLEN: All right. Jomana Karadsheh for us there in Amman, Jordan. Thank you, Jomana.

Up next here, we turn to the U.S. election. The race for the White House and why Donald Trump got booed at a charity event in New York with Hillary Clinton just a few steps away.

[03:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT REPORTER: Hi, there. I'm Patrick Snell with World Sport headlines.

Robin van Persie making his return to play at Old Trafford for Fenerbahce on Thursday in the Europe League against old club Manchester United. RVP scored almost 60 goals in just over 100 matches during his three-year stint at United before heading off to life in Turkey.

But today, it won't only be about RVP. United coasting to a 4-1 win. Behind the brace from French international, Paul Pogba. However, the special moment did come for the Dutchman Van Persie later in the match as he scored a consolation goal with fans from both side acknowledging the moment as well.

And only Europa League news into Milan facing England Southampton in Group K just one goal that settle this one. It comes from the host just 23 minutes from time. Antonio Candreva with his first goal for Internazionale and a game with the same they feel they should have got something from.

And former world number one tennis player, Rafael Nadal pulling the plug on his season to recover. He says full fitness ahead of coming back stronger. After a year of a series of injuries in recent months, the 14-time Slam champ taking to social media and Facebook saying, "It's no secret that I arrived to the Olympics short of preparation, not fully recovered but the goal was to compete and win a medal for Spain. The forced recovery has caused me pain since then, and now I'm forced to start and start preparing for 2017 season."

That is a look at your CNN World Sport headlines. I'm Patrick Snell.

ALLEN: We turn to the election now. And although Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump shook hand and sat one seat apart at an annual dinner in New York a few hours ago, the bitterness of the presidential campaign was still apparent.

Trump is being criticized for the tone of some of his jokes at the event. The Al Smith Catholic charity dinner is supposed to be a lighthearted affair where the political elite poke fun at themselves, but Trump apparently didn't get the memo.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Hillary believes that it is vital to deceive the people by having one public policy.

(CROWD BOOING)

And a totally different policy in private. That's OK. I don't know who they are angry at, Hillary, you or I.

For example, here she is tonight, in public pretending not to hate Catholics.

(CROWD BOOING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Hillary Clinton spoke next and she didn't miss a chance to take a few shots at Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, (D) U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: People look at the Statue of Liberty and they see a proud symbol of our history as a nation of immigrants, a beacon of hope for people around the world.

Donald looks at the Statue of Liberty and sees a four.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Well, democrats and republicans alike are criticizing Trump for refusing to say he will accept the results of the upcoming election. It is a theme he repeated on the campaign trail Thursday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I will totally accept the results of this and great and historic presidential election if I win.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Trump's words are red meat for democrats hoping that Hillary Clinton can put this race out of reach. And she's getting plenty of help from her high-profile surrogates.

Here's CNN's Brianna Keilar with that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: Hi, everybody.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Hillary Clinton reveling in her third and final debate with Donald Trump.

CLINTON: Feeling relieved and very grateful. No more debates. No more naps.

KEILAR: A jab at Trump for accusing her of resting instead of preparing while she was off the campaign trail for days. That was the case again today as she lean on her high-profile surrogates to rally voters. President Obama in Miami.

BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PRESIDENT: You can reject somebody who proves himself unfit to be president every single day and every single way.

(CROWD CHEERING)

KEILAR: Vice President Joe Biden in New Hampshire.

JOE BIDEN, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: Either he is so stupid that he doesn't -- no, no, it's possible that -- no, really, give me a bit, it's possible he doesn't understand the damage he is doing.

TRUMP: No idea.

CLINTON: Seventeen in total.

KEILAR: Clinton did her best to inflict damage last night by landing one little jab after the other.

CLINTON: The wall that Donald talks about building. He went to Mexico. He had a meeting with the Mexican president. He didn't even raise it. He choked.

[03:20:01] TRUMP: And I sat in my apartment today, in a beautiful hotel down the street known as...

(CROSSTALK)

CLINTON: Made with Chinese steel.

TRUMP: But I will tell you.

KEILAR: And she saw huge opportunity in Trump's refusal to say he'd accept the outcome of the election. Calling it "horrifying."

CLINTON: Every time Donald thinks things are not going in his direction, he claims whatever it is rigged against him.

He is denigrating, he is talking down our democracy and I, for one, am appalled that somebody who is the nominee of one of our two major parties would take that kind of position.

KEILAR: Clinton's campaign thinks Trump made a fatal mistake and they will be talking about it until Election Day.

OBAMA: To suggest that he will not concede, despite losing the vote, and then says today that he will accept the results, if he wins -- that is not a joking matter. No, no, I want everybody to pay attention here. That is dangerous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Joining me now is CNN political analyst Josh Rogin, he is also a columnist for the Washington Post. Josh, thanks for being with us.

Well, the Trump campaign has been trying to spin Trump's comments about accepting the election results, even comparing it to Al Gore and the Florida recount in 2000, if we dare bring that up. But the damage may be done. Just listen to his supporters here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He thinks the election maybe rigged or maybe stolen. Does that scare you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely. I believe that. I honestly believe that that's true.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That the election maybe stolen?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I had goose bumps. I really -- I really -- and I want him not to concede until he is absolutely positive

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: So, hypothetically if he lost and conceded, would his supporters respect the decision, or is this meant to delegitimize the Clinton presidency if she wins?

JOSH ROGIN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, first of all, I think it's important to know that there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud and no evidence that the varied electoral system throughout the 50 states are going to be rigged.

I think this does sets up a problem post-election if the election is close. If it's a blow-away election and if Clinton wins by several points it will be hard for the Trump supporters to buy in to the argument that it was rigged.

But if it is only a few hundred votes and a few key swing states you can be sure that Trump supporters are ready to despite anything that Trump says at that time to make sure that they have their views heard.

ALLEN: And hopefully will also couple with hanging chads from the 2000 election that we saw in Florida.

Well, republican leaders speaking out. Senator John McCain issued this statement "i don't know who is going to win the presidential election. I do know that in every previous election the loser congratulates the winner and calls them "my president." That's not just the republican way or the democratic way. It is the American way. This election must not be any different." He said.

So, Josh, how are republicans reacting to the debate and is there concern about major losses down the ballot?

ROGIN: I think they are upset and worried. Mostly because of what John McCain alluded to in that quote, which is that this time the republicans may lose but next time the republicans may win. And when you undermine popular faith in the systems that control our democracy, that's hard to undo.

So, Trump maybe starting a sequence of events that may actually come back to bite republicans in the long run. And in the end, while it's very easy to do damage to Americans confidence in government and democracy, it's hard to repair that damage after the fact.

ALLEN: They were both at a very important dinner tonight, a tradition in New York, the Alfred E. Smith charity dinner. it is light-hearted, but Donald Trump didn't get the memo perhaps. And he got some boos when he flat the tax Clinton and called her crooked. Your reaction because many people say after dinner they don't remember ever there are being boos there.

ROGIN: Yes. Well, according to Twitter the last time a candidate was booed at the Al Smith it was 1980 and that candidate was Jimmy Carter. So, it's been at least 36 years since anything like this has happened. I mean, Donald Trump began with some light-hearted banter, but sooner rather than later he descended in to what were just mean, and most importantly, unfunny attacks on Hillary Clinton.

He really broke the bipartisan spirit of the event and he was booed pretty harshly by the audience and, you know, it's just another sort of example of Trump sort of failing to read his audience and I think it just reinforces the narrative that, you know, he's ill-prepared and the narrative that he doesn't care about what he says or how that's interpreted by his audience.

ALLEN: Now meantime, the first lady, Michelle Obama still campaigning for Hillary Clinton in Arizona Thursday. Hit Trump on his behavior with women.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[03:25:07] MICHELLE OBAMA, U.S. FIRST LADY: He demeans and humiliates women as if we are objects, meant solely for pleasure and entertainment, rather than human beings, worthy of love and respect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: A new polls in Arizona have shown a Clinton lead as much as five points. How unusual is this? And will is Michelle Obama having an impact?

ROGIN: I think Michelle Obama is having an impact, but what's having most of the impact is Donald Trump's own words. He refuses to sort of acknowledge that he has a problem with women voters. He is down over 20 points with suburban women suburban voters which is a key voting bloc that he needs in several swing states such as, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

And he doesn't seem to realize that he has this problem, so he hasn't changed his tactics at all.

During last night's debate, instant polls show that his least popular comment of the night was when he asserted, without evidence that he has more respect for women than anyone else. Whatever he is saying whatever he is doing in the wake of the scandal of the released video it's not working.

And in order for Trump to repair or even make progress with women voters he first has to admit that and he hasn't done that yet.

ALLEN: Right. Three weeks hard to believe but it could be a long three weeks at the same time.

ROGIN: I think so.

ALLEN: CNN political analyst, Josh Rogin, we appreciate you. Thank you, Josh.

ROGIN: Anytime.

ALLEN: Other news ahead, the controversial Philippine president has made yet another a really challenging statement toward the United States. We will tell you about that in a moment.

[03:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ALLEN: Welcome back to our viewers around the world. You are watching CNN Newsroom live from Atlanta. I'm Natalie Allen with our top stories.

Sources inside the Iraqi city of Kirkuk say coordinated ISIS attacks are happening right now. They apparently started in the overnight hours, and several ISIS fighters have reportedly been killed. Iraqi- led forces are battling ISIS to try to reclaim the city of Mosul.

On Thursday, they retook the nearby Christian town of Bartella.

Accused Mexican drug lord El Chapo is closer to being extradited to the U.S. to face drug and conspiracy charges. A Mexican judge rejected two defense motions aimed at stopping the transfer. His lawyers say they'll appeal. Experts say that could delay his extradition by up to a year.

Thousands of women in several Latin American countries wore black and protested in the streets on Wednesday. They're demanding an end to violence against women after 16-year-old girl was raped and murdered in Argentina.

Earlier this month, police have arrested three people.

Philippine government officials are again walking back controversial comments made by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Earlier, Mr. Duterte announced the military and economic separation from the United States in favor of strengthening relations with China.

And now the Philippine trade minister has had something to say about the comments by the president.

And our Matt Rivers is joining is from Beijing where he's following the developments.

It seems there's a difference of opinion within the government there in the Philippines. Hello, Matt.

MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Natalie. And we spoke to the trade minister this morning. I spoke to him around 11.30, local time. And what he said is that what President Duterte actually meant, specifically talking about economically separating from the United States is that he was really just talking about rebalancing the Filipino foreign policy from away from the United States and towards China.

But I asked him, well, if that's what he meant why didn't he say that, and he didn't really have a good answer. But this is the kind of thing that we heard before from President Duterte in the sense that he says something outlandish and his ministers have to walk back the statements later on.

So, let's show you -- let's show you the back story here of how we got to where we are at this point.

Marching soldiers, military bands, red carpet welcome for President Duterte in Beijing by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both men oversaw agreements signed in 13 different areas from trade to tourism.

But the real news of the day came at a later business forum where Duterte spoke. Towards the end of his speech he said this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RODRIGO DUTERTE, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT: Your honors, in this venue, I announce my separation from the United States. Both in military, not maybe social, both in military, but economics also.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RIVERS: The implications of a statement like that could be serious. The Philippine President Duterte has regularly engaged in anti-U.S. rhetoric. And these are his strongest comments to date.

But it's unclear how this will play out in practical terms. Militarily, the United States and Philippines are treaty allies with a mutual defense obligation. The U.S. regularly rotates military troops and equipment through the Philippines and the two countries have also conducted several joint naval patrols in the South China Sea this year.

A true separation, as President Duterte suggested, would mean an end to both the treaty and the troop presence. But president Duterte has made statements before that his staff then has been forced to walk back or clarify.

CNN reached out to Duterte's office for more details on his announcement. We received no reply.

In the past, Duterte has expressed anger over the U.S. military presence, but said the treaty would remain because his advisers told him it was necessary.

He did, however, cancel joint military exercises set for next year. What Duterte meant by separating economically is less clear. Though, U.S. Philippine trade is worth tens of billions of dollars.

In that same speech, the president also indicated what he has said for months now that he wants to leave the U.S. behind in exchange for new, stronger allies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DUTERTE: And maybe I will also go to Russia to talk to Putin and tell him that there are three of us against the world. China, Philippines, and Russia.

(APPLAUSE)

[03:35:00] It's the only way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

RIVERS: And so a lot of response coming from U.S. officials here. We got a statement earlier today, Natalie, from U.S. embassy official in the Philippines.

And they said that we've seen a lot of this sort of troubling rhetoric recently, which is inexplicably at odds with the warm relationship that exists between the Filipino and American people and the record of important cooperation between our governments.

And they added that so far the Philippine government has not reached out to them to specify what Duterte meant when he said that the two sides would separate.

The embassy says they are just creating unnecessary uncertainty and whether there is any clarification coming from President Duterte remains to be seen.

He is scheduled to go back to the Philippines later on today leaving here from Beijing. And when he arrives his aides say that he will be giving a press conference there at almost midnight local time. So, we'll see what he has to say when he faces reporters for the first

time since making these very controversial comments.

ALLEN: Yes. It will be interesting and certainly the United States will be listening. All right. Thanks so much, Matt Rivers for us there in Beijing.

We want to turn now to the Middle East once again. The Assad regime in Syria is warning Turkey it will shoot down any Turkish warplanes that violate Syrian air space.

That blunt message comes after Turkish air strikes in Syria struck Kurdish fighters allied with the United States.

Turkish officials claim 200 Kurds were killed but a predominantly Kurdish political party puts the death toll at 14. The Kurds say they were advancing on ISIS near the city of Aleppo when the Turks attack.

Meantime, efforts to help sick and wounded people trapped in the city of Aleppo are underway after Russian and Syrian government and opposition forces agreed to a temporary pause in fighting there.

We've got these new images showing the scale of destruction in the city and what civilians have been up against. Yes, people were living here when this happened.

Opposition groups say at least 600 aerial attacks were carried out over a three-week period after the collapse of the latest ceasefire.

We have teams covering the story across the continent. Ivan Watson is following developments in Syria from Istanbul, Turkey. And Matthew Chance is reporting on Russia's involvement from Moscow for us.

Thank you both for joining us. And, Ivan, let's start with you, because of these new developments, the warning from Assad about Turkey and its air space.

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, frankly, it's a rather an empty warning because there are air forces of a number of countries, the U.S., France, other countries as well as the Turks now that are flying around in Syrian air space and there is very little that the Syrian government can do against any of these forces.

In the meantime, the besieged eastern part of Aleppo, which is still controlled by rebels, residents there are telling us, Natalie, that that's the fourth morning in a row this morning that has been relatively quiet after weeks and weeks of intense aerial bombardment carried out by the Russian and Syrian warplanes and helicopters.

The Russians have announced a series of humanitarian corridors. And they published maps with live video feeds of ways that they would like for residents to emerge from that place. But residents as well rebels that we've talked to are saying that nobody really is going out yet.

And in fact, we've seen photos of one small protest in this rebel-held enclave of locals defiant and saying they will not abandon this territory that so many people have fought and bled for so long.

We have talked to some residents, however, Natalie, who have indicated they would perhaps like to leave. People so shell-shocked by the fury of the aerial bombardment over recent weeks that they like to get out and have suggested that the rebels don't want them to leave, which is an accusation that the Syrian and Russian government have made as well.

The U.S. envoy to the United Nations who binds the power has alleged that the blockade around eastern Aleppo, enforced by the Syrian government and by the Russians has not allowed a single humanitarian convoy or made evacuation from that region since July 7th. Natalie.

ALLEN: Yes. I mean, that's just so, so incredibly terrible. I mean, unbelievable, 600 bombing campaigns in three weeks and I repeat, still people alive there in Mosul -- excuse me, Aleppo not wanting to leave.

Ivan, thank you.

[03:39:58] Let's turn now to Matthew Chance there in Moscow. He's following the angle from there for us. And certainly, Moscow has been involved in this attack on Aleppo. Matthew?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's been spearheading the attack on Aleppo. I mean, it's because of the presence of Russian forces in Syria backing their long-time ally Assad that the Syrian government has been able to make the advances it's made over the past year or so, that really, really pushing back on rebel strongholds.

And it's now in a position where it's poised to potentially take the arguably the most important city in Syria, Aleppo, it would be the last sort of metropolitan area that is in the hands of the rebels. So it's a very significant military moment, that is this humanitarian pause that's in place, it's been extended by the Russian defense ministry for another 24 hours from when the deadline was supposed to -- supposed to, you know, kind of come to an end.

So, it takes up to 1300 GMT, which is just under five hours from now although there is a possibility of it being extended further.

But as Ivan was alluding to then, there are concerns being expressed here in Russia that the rebels inside the city Aleppo are actively preventing civilians from taking advantage of the humanitarian corridors that have been opened up by the Syrian government and their Russian allies.

That was a concern expressed by Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister to his U.S. counterpart, John Kerry in a phone call last evening.

And so, look, I mean, there is this humanitarian pause underway. But it is only at the moment going to be lasting for the next five hours or so.

ALLEN: That sounds daunting. Matthew Chance, following developments from Moscow for us. Thank you, Matthew.

Well, coming up next here, Britain tries to set things right for thousands of gay men, many of them now dead. Why they are being pardoned. Stay with us.

[03:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ALLEN: Britain is trying to right a historic wrong. It's planning to pardon thousands of men, who were condemned as criminals for simply seeking homosexual relationships.

But as CNN's Phil Black reports activists say a new law, named for a hero of World War II doesn't go far enough.

PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Ninety-three-year-old George Montague lived through a time when Britain had much to learn about tolerance when living as a gay man wasn't only thrown upon it was considered criminal behavior.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE MONTAGUE, GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST: These are days when enough of their way to track you down, They enjoyed it, they relished it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACK: George is one of thousands of men prosecuted for breaking a law that no longer exist. The offensive gross indecency was often to men in consensual same sex relationships.

MONTAGUE: Some of these men committed suicide because of the operation going to leave the stigma.

BLACK: Since 1967 when the law was abolished and marched of the country Britain's gay rights movement has continued fighting for and achieving great change like equal marriage legislation. But the criminal records of all of those convicted of obsolete sexual offenses have stood until now.

Britain's parliament is set to change the law so all of those who were convicted and have since died will be pardoned. It's been called Turing's law, now to be celebrated World War II code breaker Alan Turing, the tragic hero of the film "The Imitation Game" starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Am I a criminal?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACK: After Turing's work cracking Nazi and Enigma code machine he was prosecuted for having a relationship with a man and later killed himself. Turing was pardoned in 2013. Gay rights campaigners are pleased the records of others are now being restored, as well.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL TWOCOCK, STONEWALL DIRECTOR: There are tens of thousands of stories that just like Alan Turing about lives that were really affected by these laws in the past. I think I would say that it's really important that it has happened and people can draw a line.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACK: Receiving a pardon is a little trickier if you are still alive. Those like George Montague must first apply to have the individual cases investigated, but George said he doesn't want a pardon because that implies he did something wrong.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MONTAGUE: I was guilty of being homosexual but you can't be guilty of that. I was born -- I was born that way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACK: George and others want an apology. The British government is being very careful with its language, expressing, quote, "extreme regret." Activists don't think the new pardon arrangement is perfect but they say it's a commendable step that goes some way to fixing a long standing injustice.

Phil Black, CNN, London.

ALLEN: After crashing through the Philippines, typhoon Haima is now soaking southeastern China with heavy rain and fierce winds. The powerful storm has shut down Hong Kong. Hundreds of flights are cancelled. The stock exchange is closed and temporary shelters are open.

Nine cities in China are also on high alert as this storm heads inland. Typhoon Haima slammed the Philippines early this week killing several people.

And Derek Van Dam our meteorologist is following this one closely. Derek, hello.

(CROSSTALK)

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi, good day, Natalie.

ALLEN: Shut down Hong Kong. I don't think I've ever said that.

DAM: Yes. You know, this is not a place you want to be today. Because they have had a rough stretch. Of course, the city very susceptible to typhoons. They know how to act when a typhoon does makes landfall.

This particular typhoon made landfall about a hundred miles or a 100 kilometers just east of Hong Kong. But unless they are still feeling the outer rain bands just whipping the city. In fact, you can see the live sky cam of the Victoria Harbor. Some of the ferry services across this region have been suspended or delayed for the day. Certainly not a pleasant day to be outside to say the least.

So, let's get the latest information on typhoon Haima. Currently right now still equivalent to a category one hurricane, 120 kilometer per hour winds, with gusts over 150 kilometers per hour. The storm is moving inland very quickly.

In fact, at a clip of about 25 to 30 kilometers per hour. And so, we really cut off its moisture source and its ability to strengthen any further. So disorganization over the next 24 hours will lead to the storm eventually just kind of petering out.

But still a formidable storm at the moment will bring rainfall and strong gusty winds for the next several hours in to Hong Kong. In fact, that's why the Hong Kong observatory has a signal eight red code at the moment. This means gale or storm force winds over the next several hours are coming out of a southwesterly direction.

And that's important, as well. Because earlier this morning, local time in Hong Kong, the winds were coming out of a northwesterly direction.

[03:50:02] So, some of those areas that were sheltered from the winds now starting to feel the change in wind direction. And if there is any debris that has been kicked up by this typhoon will certainly see that pushed around in another way. So, that can be very dangerous to say the least.

Now as the storm moves inland, again, we've lost this moisture source that we will start to die out. But we so see the concern here growing for the potential of at least landslides and mudslides. Remember, this is a mountainous part of the world. And they are seeing their fair share of rainfall.

In fact, Hong Kong would typically see about 100 millimeters. But we have already had an excessively wet October. And you can see this rainfall spreading inland and north and east. Shanghai, in fact, will have good chances of heavy rainfall over the next two days, as well. So, very active over eastern China. Natalie?

ALLEN: Absolutely. Just going on and on...

(CROSSTALK)

DAM: It is.

ALLEN: ... as usual this time of the year. Thanks, Derek.

DAM: All right.

ALLEN: Just ahead here, the U.S. presidential candidates try to play nice at a charity fund-raiser in New York.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: And he says I don't have any stamina. That is four and half hours. I have now stood next to Donald Trump longer than any of his campaign managers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAM: The climate prediction center in connection with NOAA have revealed their winter outlook for the months of December to February. And if you like the mild winters, well, you're going to enjoy this forecast for the deep south of the United States. Above-average temperatures from Southern California right through the southeast, including Atlanta, Georgia.

And in terms of precipitation, we have above-average chances of above- average seasonal outlook. At least for the upper Midwest, and specifically the Great Lakes and into parts of Montana and Idaho.

If you're looking for below average precipitation, we continue with a weak La Nina trend for the deep southeast, and unfortunately, we continue with our drought conditions for that area, as well as the southwest including southern California.

Now, nationally, throughout the United States for today, the start of the early weekend we have a cold front that is sagging south. And that is bringing a shot of cool autumn weather from the Great Lakes all the way southward into Georgia.

Also an area of low pressure associated with that bringing chances of rain for places like New York City, Boston, as well as the nation's capital. Look at the temperatures today for the big apple, 22 degrees, Atlanta feeling the chill at 19, 12 for Chicago, 24 for Denver, and a steamy 30 expected in Los Angeles.

[03:55:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ALLEN: What a difference a day makes 24 hours ago, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump debating for the last time before the election. Really going at each other. Several feet apart. Tonight, in New York, they were seating just very close together at a high-priced charity event trying to make lighthearted moments about the campaign.

Let's see how they did.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Hillary accidentally bumped into me and she very civilly said, "pardon me." And I very politely replied, let me talk to you about that after I get into office.

CLINTON: Donald wanted me drug tested before last night's debate and look, I got to tell you, I am so flattered that Donald thought I used some sort of performance enhancer.

Now, actually I did. It's called preparation.

TRUMP: Michelle Obama gives a speech and everyone loves it. It's fantastic. They think she's absolutely great. My wife, Melania, gives the exact same speech, and people get on her case.

CLINTON: Donald really is as healthy as a horse. You know, the one that Vladimir Putin rides around on.

TRUMP: You know, last night, I called Hillary a "nasty woman," but this is all relative. After listening to Hillary rattle on and on and on. I don't think so badly of Rosie O'Donnell anymore.

CLINTON: Come to think of it, it's amazing I'm up here after Donald. I didn't think he would be OK with a peaceful transition of power.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: All right. It's nice to see the candidates laughing and people laughing with them.

Thanks for watching. I'm Natalie Allen. The news continues next from London with Max Foster.

[04:00:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)