it. good luck with everything. >> thank you. >> thank you for watching. we appreciate you being here with us on "legal view". "around the world" starts now. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com 23 americans detained overseas, many held captives for years. is the u.s. government doing enough to free them? >> the north korean leader threatens violence, telling his troops to prepare for war. a familiar threat or signs of imminent combat? plus, boxing day in british commonwealth nations and so far this traditional shopping holiday is living up to its name. welcome to "around the world," everyone. i'm michael holmes. >> i'm fredricka whitfield in for suzanne malre. an american man held hostage for 2 1/2 years is making ai direct plea to the president of the u.s. >> warren weinstein, and in a video released by his

kidnappers, he feels abandoned and forgotten, his words, by his country, and his health is failing. >> 72 years old. he was grabbed from his home in pakistan in summer 2011. this is the first image we've seen of him in more than a year. he speaks not only to the president, president obama, but the american media and to his family. >> elise labott, it's not the first time that we've seen him. what do we make of this video and what happens being done about it in washington? >> reporter: you can see the years have taken its toll on him him. the kidnappers are asking for release of al qaeda prisoners and halt why pakistan. u.s. will not negotiate. it doesn't want more kidnappings of terrorists feel the u.s. is willing to bargain for their release. but still, mr. weinstein is making a desperate plea for help

from president obama. let's have a listen to what he had to say. i'm now over 72 years of age, i am not in good health, i have a heart condition, suffer from acute asthma and the years have taken their toll. i've been cut off from my family. my wife, who is over 70, my two daughters, my two grandchildren, my son-in-law, and perhaps new members of the family whom i've never met. needless to say, i've been suffering deep anxiety every part of every day, not knowing what is happening to my family, not knowing how they are, and because i'm not with them. >> and he said that he spent his whole life in the service of the u.s. government and the american people and he's really not just playing to president obama but

secretary of state kerry and the american public and the people to say, listen, please don't forget about me, i don't want to be another statistic here. >> in the video, weinstein's asking the administration directly to negotiate for his release. is what government's sresponse o this request today? >> they're not saying very much. in a statement provided to cnn, deputy spokesperson said that, we are working hard to authenticate the latest report but we we it rate our call that warren weinstein be released and returned to his family. fred, these type of cases are handled quietly and low key. the u.s. doesn't want to do anything that could jeopardizefully efforts going on to get him out. he does work for a private company, which was doing contract work in pakistan. they could be working on something. we haven't seen any public acknowledgement of any of that type of effort. we have reached out to the family, of course, but they're not saying anything.

obviously, not having him home at the holiday, another hard year for them. >> thanks so much. so, warren weinstein is certainly not the only american who is either detained or held hostage overseas now. at least 23 u.s. citizens in these countries, you're about to see, either being held captive by extremist groups or jailed by countries hostile to america. >> among them, people like robert levettson, retired fbi agent, disappeared in iran seven years ago, in the news recently. captors sent pictures to his family. talking about bowe bergdahl, he's a u.s. soldier captured from his post in afghanistan held since 20009. >> alan gross, u.s. government employee, jailed in cuba. several u.s. officials including former president carter personally pleaded for his release. so far new york success. >> and then kenneth bay has been in the news, too, recently. detained in north korea for more

than a year, the government convicted him of hostile acts against north korea. let's bring in bob bayer to talk about this, a cnn national securitiance lift, former cia operative. we're talking about here, too, not people who have gone through legitimate court proceedings, if you'd like, for crimes committed. talking about men and women who are being held hostages basically, political reasons. what are the difficulties here, and explain the distinction. >> well, i mean the fact they haven't committed a crime or recognizable crime, the united states can't provide defense lawyers, it can't provide advice, pressure on these governments. they're political prisoners and subject to the political winds. our relations between the countries are the radical groups. you take al qaeda on one end of the scale, we have no relations at all, we take cuba, who jails people for political crimes, and there's not a whole lot the

government can do. >> so, to that point, then, when the u.s. government says it does not negotiate, its tradition is not to negotiate with extremist groups, are we saying that, if there is a release of any number of these people, it's likely going to be out of goodwill by the captors or these nations? >> look, they're very whimsical, to say the least, whether it's north korea or al qaeda, you know, they check the political winds, and if they see some benefit, they release these people. i think the good news is they're keeping them alive. these groups have matured a bit. but on the other hand, this weinstein, the demands of his captors is the release of abdel rahman, the man responsible for the bombing of the world trade center, it's just not going to happen. i don't know what sort of deal, you know, i put in quotation mark deal, the state department could offer, but it would

certainly be through pakistan, which would have relations with the group that kidnapped weinstein. >> it's difficult for pakistan government, though, isn't it? with a lot of the groups, particularly up in the waziristan region, they're pretty independent. they don't listen to the pakistan government either, in the case of weinstein. >> exactly. i mean, the pakistani army can barely get off the roads in the tribal areas. they are subject to the same kidnappings and murder by al qaeda. there's not much they can do. as far as getting directly the kidnappers, they probably don't meet them. probably some intermediaries but it's tenuous. >> also tenuous, north korea. you've got at least one american being held there, apparently convicted of a crime, according to that country. and then you had this latest high-profile stunt involving dennis rodman, because of the basketball visits. do you see, in any way, these two things coming together with

some sort of release or agreement of release of freedom? >> he's probably the best chance. ken bae, the best chance? >> i think ken bae. the lead or of north korea, jim young un, he might agree with rodman. rodman sit down with him, dude, let's get this guy out, and i could see this guy releasing him. i think we'll see him before we see the rest of them. >> all right. bob, thanks so much, bob baer there. those people, some of them, years they've been held. >> i know the families are praying that there will be some hopeful outcomes in all of this. >> yeah. just ahead, the u.s. sending help to iraq in an effort to stamp out al qaeda violence. there that is terror network gaining ground, a lot of people say it is and has been for months. we'll talk about that at the bottom of the hour. associated press reporting the leader of an al qaeda group may have sought to kidnap the

united nations workers in syria. report quotes iraqi intelligence officials who say the man is the head of the head of a powerful al qaeda group. this year one worker was kidnapped and held for eight months in syria. >> another two dozen u.n. peace keepers are briefly held, eventually released. 45 people killed in violence in iraq christmas day. two car bombs, killing 38 people in baghdad. one of those bombs was outside a christian church in baghdad, the christian community there is persecuted for some time since the war starts. the other bomb at an outdoor market in a christian neighborhood in baghdad. >> the u.s. embassy in baghdad condemned those attacks. police say terrorists targeted christians celebrating christmas. they are believed to be 500,000 christians in iraq, half of the number that lived in iraq a decade ago. >> the rest have fled.

a government shakeup under way in turkey amid widespread protests in istanbul and the capital, a complex story. turkish prime minister announcing a reorganization of his cabinet. that's one word for it. he got rid of half of the cabinet, ten, in fact, in this reshuffle. three of the ministers resigned first, they stepped down after their sons were arrested, or detained, in anti-corruption sting. >> mr. erdo want plays instability of meddling of political rivals but the prosecutor cited instances of corruption including bribery and money laundering. andrew finkel joins us istanbul. is this about corruption or a power grab in disguise, perhaps? >> well, the prime minister would like to depict it as a power grab but the prosecutors, which moved against a whole

group of people, just over a week ago, seem to have uncovered pretty serious evidence, including huge amounts of cash, which have been stored away in shoe boxes in the head of a private bank of a state-controlled bank, and also in this safe of sons of the ministers who resigned. so he really has a fight on his hands to convince people that what he's really trying to defend, the integrity of his government, as opposed to stopping a corruption investigation. >> andrew, when you fire half of the cab threat and you've got ministers stepping down, one saying mr. erdo won should redesign. the police and prosecutors, they're being anti-government and the other side, there's conspiracy series about a cleric in the u.s. involved here. what does it mean for his

stability? his ability to stay in office? >> reporter: well, there must be some questions now. i mean, if you looked at him two weeks ago, solid support in the country, 50%, at least of the population, really approving of the job that he was doing, it's hard to believe he's now on the ropes. yet, there are a series of serious allegations, they seem to be moving closer and closer. he's taken various steps to stop allegations going forward, including removing the prosecutor from his job. the prosecutor, as you say, complained very voluably, there was an obstruction of justice going on. yet he's a man who knows how to play offense and he's going to continue doing so. >> for u.s. viewers, too, a crucial ally, crucial regional player, neighboring syria, this

can fall apart. if it fall as part politically what does it mean in a regional sense? >> reporter: well, falling apart, turkey, if the government is forced to resign or if he is forced to step down, there will be an election and someone will replace him. it's not as if turkey itself is going to fall apart. yes, the lira's under assault, and the stock market is not doing as well it was two weeks ago. it's a a big country, a strong country. the fact that a man with his auto tratic pretensions is unable to stop civil servants from doing jobs properly is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. >> it's a complicated and difficult situation. thanks so much. andrew finkel in istanbul for us. more of what we're working on "around the world." ice breakers race to rescue a

ship stranded off the coast of antarctica. but will it be another day or so before help can arrive? a bit chilly out there. also, north korean leader kim jong-un tells his troop to be ready for a war that could break out, quote, without prior notice. is he serious or more of the same? we'll talk about that as well. i have a cold with this annoying runny nose. [ sniffles ] i better take something. [ male announcer ] dayquil cold and flu doesn't treat all that. it doesn't? [ male announcer ] alka-seltzer plus fights your worst cold symptoms plus has a fast-acting antihistamine. oh, what a relief it is!

welcome back. north korea's leader, showing, again, he can shake up that part of the world with a few wores. >> didn't take much. >> not for the first time, saying rather disturbing things. anyone listening? that's the question. the state news service in north korea reporting that kim jong-un has order all combat troops to be ready to fight at anytime. >> that sent ripples across the korean demilitarized zone. karl penhaul in seoul today. >> reporter: north korean leader kim jong-un made comments christmas eve, during a visit to unit 526, that's a joint task force of the army, navy, and air force. he told his troops to be on high

alert because war could break out at any time. in many ways, these bellicose statements are nothing knew and the north korean military is always on high alert. around 70% of the million man force is based close to the dmz, poised to strike south korea at any time. but u.s. and south korean intelligence officials say that, in the coming months, they do expect some provocative actions from north korea. why? first of all, january 8th, we have kim jong-un's birthday and at 31, he has to show his own people he's tough enough for this job. also, in the first quarter of 2014, expecting joint military exercises between the u.s. and south korea, and the north koreans always see this as a provocation, and like to respond in kind. thirdly, of course, don't forget, that earlier in december, kim jong-un order the execution of his own uncle on charges of treason and shady

business dealings. so right now, the reclusive leader's trying to stick out his chest and show the world who is in charge. but right knew, north korean observers say, they suspect these latest comments by north korea's leader may be more showmanship than substantive. >> all right. karl penhaul there in seoul, south korea. again, it could be a little cry wolf going on, this is a regular thing now. >> but he's getting attention that he's seeking. >> exactly. that's what it's all about. >> on to japan now. today, the prime minister did something that was not popular with other countries nearby. he visited a shrine built to honor japanese war dead but people in south korea and china don't see it that way. >> yeah, because they were invaded by japan, and war criminals are buried at that shrine. those governments, chinese government, south korean government, regard the shrine as a symbol of japan's aggressive

imperial past. they believe the soldiers honored there, some war criminals. a chinese official says the visit hurts that relationship with japan. >> translator: abe's visit to the shrine has undermined the basis of china/japan relations and created new obstacles for further improvement of bilateral relations. the japanese side will have to be responsible for all consequences from his visit. >> and they are already arguing, of course, about the islands in the area. alls of disputes. >> adding on to pile of controversies. >> it does happen regularly, when a prime minister go there's, when they go there, this pops up. abe knew what he was doing when he went there. long lines, freezing temperatures it doesn't stop these boxing day shoppers. >> i'll tell you all about that. >> i can't wait. >> boxing day, yeah. we'll talk about it when we come back. 1ñp

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we're talking before the break about boxing day. >> explain. >> yes. the a huge shopping day in london, but in also other countries throughout the british commonwealth. canada, australia, new zealand. >> it's not boxing-boxing. >> nothing to do with puj liftic enterprises. >> out of the way. >> think the rich people in the old days, they had the staff working on christmas day, and they boxed up the leftovers in little gifts for the staff and sent them on their way. that's what the holiday was about back then. now it's become -- >> commercial. retailers are excited about it. rosy tompkins joins us from london amid the shopping madness. is it parallel to what in the states people think is black friday, the day after thanks give, everyone goes shopping? what is boxing day and retail speak all about now? >> reporter: it's a shopping fren frenzy, that's exactly what it

is. in full swing, the a tradition, not just a british tradition, not just a commonwealth tradition, but a global phenomen phenomenon. there were queues of thousands of people, how international the crowd was. the word has spread globally about a boxing day, an event to experience in london. here's a sample of some of those we met in the queue. >> this is my first time, i'm from korea. >> china. >> china. >> i've been seeing it from far. i wanted to try it myself. >> when you come here on holiday, it's one of the things, boxing day. >> reporter: there we go, high on the list for tourists coming to london. boxing day the official launch of the sales we're seeing a shift away, due to online shopping, which is on the rise, at its highest ever, accounting for 20% of nonfood sales and

that's having an affect on where sales begin. people still come in hugs numbers, suspecting to take in $4.2 billion across the uk. that's a good sign for improvements in 2013, going into next year. >> yeah. wow. online is all what i do. >> all the way. >> not queueing up outside. the a public holiday, boxing day, everybody's off. >> no excuse. >> good to see you. >> stand in line. >> i did not know, rosy educated me, the a big tourist thing. >> we saw that. very international. >> yeah. >> thanks so much. rosy and michael awesome explainer. >> boxing day. >> all about it. >> nothing do with the boxing. >> al qaeda, gaining ground in iraq. now the u.s. is sending help. d"

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welcome back to "around the world." a couple stories we're following now. chaos in egypt, five people wounded after a bomb exploded today, this near a university in the capital of cairo. a second bomb was diffuses

nearby, according to state television. no word on who might have been responsible. >> but egypt's military-backed government blamed the muslim brotherhood for another recent bombing, despite the fact that a different organization claimed responsibility for that attack. the interim government officially declared the muslim brotherhood a terrorist organization. >> the united states october objected to the government's assault on the decades-old political group's reputation. it was, after all, elected, the government in egypt, before it was overthrown. thailand, relentless violence continues in bangkok between anti-government protesters and police. one police officer was actually shot dead more than a hundred people injured, including another 35 police officers. police say protesters are trying to disrupt an upcoming election and hoping to force the prime minister out of office. protesters believe she is controlled by her older brother, who was ousted as prime minister in 2006.

thailand's government is rejecting calls to delay elections. another major story elsewhere in the world. we're talking about south sudan. heads of state from ethiopia and kenya through in today and met with south sudan's president amid widespread violence, much ethnically based. thousands feared dead in fighting that u.n. says has resulted in mass killings and threatens to push the country towards civil war. >> u.n. security council adding thousands of troops to its peacekeeping force to protect civilians in the world's newest nation. >> also an emerging humanitarian crisis as the number of throws displaced continues to grow. i spoke to the u.n. humanitarian coordinator about the sheer scale of the problem. >> two things that we're fast approach, 100,000 civilians displaced. we've almost got 60,000 people

seeking protection within the u.n. bases in five different towns. and in addition to that, we know of congregations of people out in rural areas. >> our fred pleitgen in new york now. is the conflict closer to being resolved after the meeting? >> reporter: it doesn't look as if it's closer to being resolved. the meeting in south sudan between the president of south sudan, the president of kennia, prime minister of ethiopia. all three parties said the meeting had been constructive but no conclusions reached. african nations are calling on the conflict in south sudan to end immediately, for there to be peace talks immediately and a cease-fire to take place as fast as possible. it's not only african nations pushing for that, the u.s. is pushing vehemently as well. a special envoy to the country there, negotiating on the ground. right now it seems both sides are trying to gain ground on the

battlefield. there's fighting around the down of bor, though that has been retaken by government forces. also fighting reported from other parts of the country, including the oil-rich north of the country where much of the revenue for south sudan comes from. this is far from resolved. the main thing has to be to get the two parties to the negotiating table otherwise the ethnic clashes going on could indeed descend the nation into a very, very bad conflict that threatens the integrity of the country as a whole. >> fred, before i let you go, you've got the south sudan president, but the opposition guy, who is out of town at the moment, nobody's able to reach him. what point talks, if they can't get the two sides together at the moment? >> reporter: it's going to be very difficult. right now from what we're hear, it seems though this is still essentially a conflict between the president and the former

vice president. right now is in an undisclosed location. but one that threatens to become a more ethnic one. the big problem in that country, it has a big ethnic diversity, a lot of tribes committed massacres against each other in the past. there are people who say, at this point in time, this does not seem to be an ethnic uprising or ethnic war, if you will, but that this is still a conflict between two people, and for -- therefore, it can be solved politically. absolutely right, the more this drags on, and u.n. says this, the more this drags on, the more difficult it's going to be to find two sides to get to the table. the more other tribes get involved, ethnically diverse the fighting becomes the more difficult this is going to get and the more sprawling this conflict is going to get. that's why all countries, first and foremost, u.n. and u.s., trying to get two sides together saying you have to stop this immediately or else it could get out of control, as it has in other african nations in the past. >> indeed. a lot of u.n. coordinators on the ground, worried about that

spreading like that. thanks so much. fred pleitgen. >> looking out of control, sadly. >> a little background on south sudan and how the conflict emerged gained independence from sudan 2011 after decades of conflict, tribal tensions involved the dinka and nuer ethnic groups. conflicts stems from the president's july dismissal of his vice president. fighting broke out 11 days ago between the dinka majority forces and rebels loyal to the vice president. both sides fighting for control over the country's oil-rich regions. >> they are from competing tribes and that's where the worries. "new york times" reporting that the u.s. is sending dozens of missiles and drones to iraq to help the government fight an al qaeda-backed insurgency. this comes after daily bombings in a country where the u.s. paid

a huge toll in the lives of it was members before withdrawing troops two years ago. peter bergen joins us to talk about the state of al qaeda today. peter, al qaeda rising, if you like, in iraq, it's nothing new. this has been coming for a while. one of the main concerns is the cross border nature. you've got al qaeda in syria, as well. what is the big risk here when it comes to iraq, though? >> well, you know, michael, as you know, violence in iraq is back up to where it was in the 2008 time period, when the war was almost at its height. so, we're seeing, as we saw yesterday in baghdad, attacks that killed dozens of christians but also seeing, you know, multiple attacks often by al qaeda in iraq, really destabilizing the country. that's why the maliki government is off on these ammunitions from

the obama administration. >> so, what is the ultimate goal? clearly, al qaeda wants to strengthen, terrorize, it wants to be in control of everyone's freedoms. but if there is a way to succinctly put it, what is the ultimate goal? >> well, in iraq, they want to impose taliban style state on the country and exclude shias from government, that's their end goal. can that happen? not very likely, it's -- there's not a sunni majority in iraq. even with the sunnis, al qaeda isn't the most attractive political partly. sadly, they've come back, as mike said, they've also had the presence in syria, the most effective opposition, really, to the assad government is the al qaeda groups there, they control much of the country and anywhere there's extensive safe haven for al qaeda, that's a problem not only for the country they're in, but potentially european countries and the united states, because we're seeing a lot of people coming to

fight with al qaeda in syria. >> when the u.s. went into iraq, what would be the worst possible outcome, we seeing that now? al qaeda wasn't there when the u.s. went into iraq. now you've got it in iraq. there was one point where everyone was say, al qaeda's on the ropes, they've taken out the leadership, crushed the backbone but they're on the rise in iraq, syria, yemen, other places in north africa. what do you see as the state of al qaeda at the moment? >> well, it's doing well, unfortunately in iraq and syria. on the pakistan border it's in terrible shape. you had the segment in the program about about weinstein who has been kidnapped by al qaeda in pakistan. that's really the kind of -- that capability's not very large, they're able to kidnap an american citizen in pakistan, like mr. weinstein, but not able to do what they want to do reach out and attack the united states. al qaeda central's in bad shape, but you know, some of its affiliates are doing better for

the moment. >> all right. peter, wish we could chat longer. peter bergen, thank so much. ice breaks are racing to rescue a ship stranded off the coast of antarctica. why the passengers might not be seeing help soon. >> they didn't want this white of a christmas. [ sniffles, coughs ] shhhh! i have a cold with this annoying runny nose. [ sniffles ] i better take something. [ male announcer ] dayquil cold and flu doesn't treat all that. it doesn't? [ male announcer ] alka-seltzer plus fights your worst cold symptoms plus has a fast-acting antihistamine. oh, what a relief it is!

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last count we had three ice breakers heading to free a russian flag vessel trapped in ice off antarctica. >> here's the new video of the ship that we have to share with you. shot today, 74 people are on board or maybe down below. some of them tourists and scientists and researchers altogether there. stranded since yesterday and for the first time, however, we are hearing from the leader of the crew. >> as you can see, we're actually in a blizzard at moment, a low pressure system sitting over the vessel and wind spinds on average of 50 kilometers an hour reaching 70 kilometers an hour. vessel hasn't moved for two days and we're surrounded by sea ice. we can't get through. everybody is safe, the vessel's safe but we can't make a passage forward. >> makes it seem like fun.

>> they doesn't look comfortble. but a sense of urgency, excitement. >> certainly is. excitement with the ships coming there. jennifer grey's watching it for us. from a weather point of view, it gives people an idea how big that area is. it's summer in australia. >> exactly. so it's really -- some areas in the u.s. are colder than where they are. so, what he was talking about, a couple of low pressure systems have moved through the area and what it's done is because of the wind direction, it's sort of moved some of the ice packs in towards the ship and trapped it, only two nautical miles from open water. where they are in antarctica, about 100 miles from where they left their station and they've been doing research for the past three weeks or so they've been on the vessel. there it is, 100 miles dew east where they left. and just like you mentioned, it is summer there and so temperatures should reach around freeze, maybe higher than freezing. areas in u.s. are colder, some

areas of the u.s., where they are. 74 researchers and crew members on board, calling this expedition spirit of moss. ship's very comfortable for them. they have three ships breaking that ice to reach them. the closest one should arrive tomorrow and there's plenty of food and supplies on board. >> that's why he didn't sound stressed out. >> yeah. plenty of time. warm, too. do you know anything more about what they're doing in terms of the exploration research and that? they're based down there all the time, pretty much. >> yeah. it's really interesting. i've been reading blogs and tweets, doing research from marine mammals to oceans to the antarctic ice sheet. all kinds of research, researchers, explorers, volunteers on board. it looks like they're having a good time. spirits are high. let's hope that those ships don't have a problem reaching them, then things may change a

bit. >> we're seeing half glass-full. they are on this adventure, there's a level of expectation this would be part of the adventure. >> they do great work. bases there and ships going down, do great research, except when they get stuck. >> as lon as you have food. >> exactly. >> now, when we come back, the chinese government has big changes in store for its controversial one-child policy. details after the break. you make a great team.

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welcome back to "around the world." we're taking you now around the studio. >> around the studio there. i jumped in a little early. >> that's okay. >> we want to take you to ukraine. serious story there. government officials have three suspects, believed to be behind beating of a prominent journalist and social activist. her name taniana, she was dragged from her car, and beaten on christmas day. this happening near the capital kiev. >> a dashboard camera captured some of the attack. it's the second time in two days a vocal critic was attacked. >> a freelance journalist, known for investigating corruption among state officials sheep did get a concussion, also a broken

nose in this beat-down. the u.s. embassy's getting involved demanding a full investigation, and that's someone be held accountable. three suspects in custody. >> disturbing. china, planning to relax its longstanding one-child policy has taken a critical step forward. state-run media report china's most powerful legislative body poised to approve the revision committed by the cabinet. >> submitted a little while ago. this is getting down to it actually happening. starting 2014, couples in certain provinces will be able to have two children, if one of the parents was themselves an only child. david mckenzie explains what the change means for families and the country, as a whole. >> reporter: eight restaurant on the outer edges of beijing, this family gathers to celebrate her birthday. and prays new changes in china's

one-child policy. because now school teacher is allowed to have a second child. >> if i have one more child in the future, i wish that the number could be three. >> reporter: for three generations, one-child policy shaped their family. the grandmother was one of nine children, but the law forced her to have only one. it was the same for fang. it made her the center of the world, like in most chinese families. but fang and her husband remember their own childhoods. as far as i'm concerned, if she had a little brother or sister, it would be bet for her, he says, because i'm an only child, too. i was always lonely growing up. millions of couples in china will be allowed to have a second child. it one of the most significant

reforms to the one-child policy, since the late '70s. but has the communist party acted too late. >> internally, i'm very happy, excited. unfortunately, at least for our family, i cannot afford two raise one more child. >> reporter: like many couples today in china, fang says they are saddled with debt, struggling to handle soaring prices and expected to support their aging parents. as we get old, they're going take care of all of us elderly. how are they able to do that? the changes in the one-child policy are meant to secure the future of china by giving a choice back to families. but for many, perhaps, it's a choice they cannot afford to make. david mckenzie, cnn, beijing. >> such a mother, you are like, oh. >> can't help it. >> cute, cute. >> what compassion, you know,

it's being demonstrated there by seeing the families that are enjoying. >> sweet babies. a sweet little baby. 2013, almost over, if you didn't notice. we'll look back at who defined it. >> speaking of babies. baby george there. of course, the royals made the list. >> yeah. >> we'll tell you who else is on it and what else. [ male announcer ] for every late night, every weekend worked, every idea sold... ♪ ...you deserve a cadillac, the fastest growing full-line luxury brand

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if you've been following the news, you know it's plenty cold in canada. big ice issues. we're actually getting new information now about the massive power outage caused by the ice storm in the northern, and also canada. >> goodness. imagine not just going one day, two days but now up to a week without power? more than 600,000 customers doing without, some won't get it back now likely until wednesday. >> unbelievable. it is cold. jennifer grey is back again to tell us about this. we're hearing about this. 600,000 people, no power for a week. >> yeah. it's crazy. this is from the ice storm that happened during the weekend. it hasn't gotten above freezing

there. ice is still there. and it's having a hard time melting. but it looks like good news in store. by saturday and sunday, temperatures should get above freezing. we should be at 37 on saturday. 36 on sunday. and then, if we get sunshine there, it will definitely help to melt some of the ice, good news. looking at radar now, we are seeing just light snow showers, trying to approach toronto. if you look at accumulation amounts for today, into tonight, it looks like they're not going to see much accumulation at all. look likes today's going to be lake-effect snow, guys. >> thanks so much. >> it is the christmas season, a dusting is nice. >> but not that. >> think positive. now that christmas is behind us, at least christmas day, countdown to new year's is on. >> as we look to january 1st, looking at those moments that defined 2013, the birth of at royal baby. >> collective ahhh. >> here's becky anderson.

>> reporter: it there were signs from the start this duke and duchess of came bridge would be a less conventional royal union, a wedding that would mark the new era for the british monarchy and new way of doing things. william and kate breaking tradition almost every step of the way. almost immediately, after the couple said "i do" the speculation began when would the next royal baby arrive? >> there's no doubt that the arrival of this royal baby has the world waiting with bated breath. >> we understand the palace has announced that kate has been admitted, that she's now in labor. >> as the baby, the new royal heir in the united kingdom. duchess of cam bridge smiling, looking well. a big smile from prince william, so proud. >> a good pair of lungs, that's for sure. he's a big boy, quite heavy.

but we're still working on a name. so we'll have that as soon as we can. >> reporter: then moment that took the breath away of royal watchers. prince william putting his baby in the car, in his own car, and driving away. >> it's interesting to see how they handle today. and it isn't how things would have been handled 20, 30 years ago. >> he and the duchess are doing everything on their own, they are being royal parents and royalty hasn't behaved that before. they have had an army of staff they relied on. he put the car seat in, drove off, they're getting up at night. i think he's got a sense, what it's like to be ordinary and, as a result, we've been able to connect with him as an ordinary person. >> i think driving your son and your waif away from hospital is really important to me. i don't like fuss, so it's easier to do it yourself. where i can be, i'm as

independent as i can be, same as katharine and harry, we've grown up differently than other generations and i feel it i can do it myself, i want do it myself. >> another moment with the couples' u next way of doing things on display the christening of prince george. the event a lesson in the rewriting of the royal handbook. a very private affair, service was held in a private chapel, not buckingham palace. not all royal relatives invited to the christening. of the 22 guests in attendance, most were close friends of kate and william. >> i think we have got a sense of the modern monarchy here. it may not be an intentional redesign by william, but he's being himself, and that's probably what's changed and what the new world now and the new world for monarchy will experience for the next few years because george will pick up on that as well and develop it further in his day.

>> i love that. >> you were saying, yours were baptized -- >> my children were baptized not quite like that, but believe me, if you understand my sister and she's really big on opulence, she was trying to help me acquire something like that. so it went for a great second, offwhite. >> it's a boy. >> i know. >> thanks for watching "around the world" today. "cnn newsroom," brianna keilar next. see you tomorrow. >> more damage control for tack in the hacking controversy. pin numbers problems, denials from the retailer. right now the u.p.s. trucks are rolling as they try to make up for missing so many christmas deliveries. other companies pitching in to lessen the blow to customers. retailers in colorado getting licenses in the mail and those businesses could sta