good morning. i'm marci gonzalez in for diane macedo. >> i'm kendis gibson. here's the top headlines on "world news now," shocking news from london. pop superstar george michael passing away at the young age of 53. his death being blamed on heart failure. michael is being remembered for mega hits like "careless whisper," "faith," "i want your sex," and so many more. updates coming up. china calls it a routine exercise, but it comes amid renewed attention over self-ruled taiwan which beijing claims as its own. a powerful earthquake has struck southern chile, but there was very little damage and no loss of life. thousand he of people were

evacuated over fears of tsunami, but that alert was canceled after over 90 minutes. japan's prime minister, shinzo abe heads to hawaii today for his last visit with president obama. he will visit pearl harbor, the first leader of japan to visit the site of the attack. those are our top stories on this monday, december 26th. from abc news, this is world news now." >> good morning, everybody, on this monday morning. we are going to start with the shocking news, 2016 has taken another legend. this time, george michael dead at the age of 53. >> michael's manager says he died of heart failure yesterday at his home in glntd. many have tape to twitter to honor him. >> michael rose to fame as part of the duo what happens in the '80s before a solo career selling more than 100 million albums. we'll look back with the bbc.

♪ >> reporter: he burst into the scene in the early '80s when he formed wham with andy ridgely. the duo had number one singles around the world and conquered china, and they were the first pop band to perform there. george michael loved fame, but he never blame used to it. >> hip hop artist, that's what i dreamed of, what i'm still grateful for. but my god, i wished i coped with the other stuff the way other people do. i wish i'd been born with that particular suit of armor, you know, because i wasn't. ♪ not everybody has got a body like you ♪ ♪ but i gotta think twice before i give my hide away ♪

>> reporter: he hit the headlines for other reasons. he was stopped for a series of traffic offenses leadsing to a spell in jail. he was caused and fined for drug possession and received treatment for drug addiction. ♪ time can never mend the careless whispers of a ♪ >> reporter: in 2011, he suffered a life threatening bout of pneumonia while on tour. in 2011, he suffered a life threatening bout of pneumonia while on tour in australia. it was unexplained, but not suspicious. the family said he died piecefully at home, called him a beloved son, brother, and friend. >> of course, much more on george michael's death ahead on "good morning america." "star wars" actress carrie fisher is still being treated in a los angeles hospital after suffering cardiac arrest during a flight from london friday. her mother tweeted yesterday that her daughter is in stable

condition and she's thanking everyone for their prayers. harrison ford and mark hammel send fisher well wishes. donald trump's plans to shut down his charitable foundation hit a legal hurdle. the president-elect says he's dissolving the foundation to avoid even the appearance of conflict, but new york's attorney general says trump cannot legally dissolve while the foundation is under investigation in new york state. among other things, he's accused of using foundation money to purchase a self-portrait. overseas now, and the search for answers following the crash of a russian military jet. all 92 people on board are presumed dead after the plane went down in the black sea. abc's chuck sieverson has the latest. >> reporter: as mourners placed flowers in memory of the lost, recovery ships plucked fragments of the plane from the black sea. a russian military plane took off sunday morning from the airport in sochi. two minutes later, it crashed, taking 84 passengers and eight

crew members into the waves. by air and by sea, more than 3,000 responders around the scene, recovering some bodies and fragments of the plane. the aircraft's flight recorders have no radio beacons making their recovery more difficult. the flight crew reported no problems before the disaster and the plane's wreckage was scattered over a wide area, raising the possible specter of terrorism. among the victims, 64 members of the ensemble, the official choir of the russian military. russia's president vladimir putin declared monday a national day of mourning. we'll conduct a thorough investigation, he said, doing everything to support the victims families. in sochi sunday night, they paid respect, candles part of the darkness, but not the mystery of the doomed flight. abc news, new york. in north carolina police search for two suspects who allegedly shot seven people during a christmas party. authorities say a fight started during the party attended by at

least 250 people at a moose lodge. witnesses say the gunmen wore ski masks opening fire and then left the scene. none of the victims suffered life threatening injuries. and rocker troy avv is in fair condition after being shot on christmas night in new york. the rapper whose name is rollin collins struck twice and crashed the vehicle into a parked car. police are investigating the shooting. collins made headlines this year after being charged with attempted murder for shooting at a new york concert in may. parts of the midwest were hit by severe weather on christmas day, strong winds, even a possible tornado hit the area around kearney. this garage was a total loss and power was knocked out to hundreds. gusty winds are expected to last through the morning. >> here's the scene a little bit further north. blizzard conditions making for dangerous driving in south and north dakota as well as montana. 15 inches of snow possible in

these areas, and some parts of minnesota, freezing rain makes the roads slippery. two interstates are closed because of hazardous conditions and hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled over the weekend. >> icy roads are a challenge in the northeast as the temperatures plunge overnight. >> accuweather's justin povick is tracking it all for us this morning. justin, good morning. >> kendis, marcy, good morning to you. we're following a little bit of ice throughout the mortgage into the northeast. snow into the upper midwest and another storm system into the northwest. the south is pretty quiet, but the northern tier of states we definitely have our hands full. not talking about blizzard conditions, per se, more so into the afternoon, but still some residual wind and snow. so it's slippery here from minnesota back into northern and eastern north dakota. icy situation in new england but then the sunshine and warmer temperatures kick in. unfortunately no sun here in the northwest.

it's wet along the 5 with snow and higher terrains in the cascades. >> thanks to justin. whether it's cold or not, the next story might send a chill up your spine. >> some very hearty souls in germany observed their annual christmas day plunge into a berlin lake. many of them, they're wearing santa hats, christmas themed bathing suits. >> so in the past year, they had to chip ice away in order to make the plunge, but this year it was balmy, 8 degrees celsius. >> that's not balmy. improvement over having to chip through ice together. >> absolutely. >> the translation, it was, you know, in the 40s or so. >> it was not that bad at all. >> yeah. still doesn't look that good. >> yeah. exactly. i don't know that i would call it an icy plunge. >> exactly. coming up, ambitious 9-year-old shows how to get help

to those who are less fortunate. he's leading the way on "good morning america" coat drive. >> looking back at a fun assignment. >> fun? really? >> a python hunt in florida. marci will get to see me squirm and run like a child. that's just a normal day. watching "world news now." >> but it's a really tight shirt. "world news now" weather brought to you by mucinex dm. mucinex dm. easy booger man. take mucinex dm. it'll take care of your cough. fine! i'll text you in 4 hours when your cough returns. one pill lasts 12 hours, so... looks like i'm good all night! ah! david, please, listen. still not coughing. not fair you guys! waffles are my favorite! ah! some cough medicines only last 4 hours. but just one mucinex lasts 12 hours. start the relief. ditch the misery. let's end this. you fine but your passengers in your carsmell this...t smells eliminate odors you've gone noseblind to for up to 30 days

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heart but the very next day you gave it away ♪ ♪ this year ♪ dancing the last christmas over the week. we were at my party. >> absolutely. yeah. one of the best christmas songs. >> it is. it is. well, the pop music, of course, is reeling this morning, the untimely death of george michael, only 53 years old. >> after rocking to the top of the charts, he continues as a successful solo artist, and in 2008, chris interviewed michael for "good morning america." ♪ that's all i wanted someone special someone sacred in your eyes ♪ >> reporter: you had success. you had moved on. then this day comes where you decide, i'm going back to the u.s. >> uh-huh. >> why? >> because i was happy enough to. it's just a much more relaxed person. and i think people have the

ability to get happier as you get older. ♪ you told me to go up the back ♪ ♪ and when i got back to the flat you had burned rubber at the flat ♪ >> reporter: the idea of being backstage, what does it do for you? being with them, warming up, but it's more than that. >> my relationship with music has changed so much. you don't really appreciate where you are or what you've got until you get older and your friends and how tough life is, and then suddenly, you see the spirituality, not just the good fortune of being able to play music. none of this, even though i think the most important thing i do, even though they have one fantastic night concert, you give people music to use years when you write. you tie yourself more than one night. you tie yourself to big events in their lives. you tie yourself to their childhood, and their growing up, and it's a real privilege, but from day one, i always knew not to take home with me.

♪ >> such a good singer. we'll be right back. "world news now" continues after this from our abc

march to the new year is on, but not without looking back at favorite moments of the pars year.

>> not my favorite moments, like that time i ran away from snakes, a lot of them. so let's go deep into the everglades to witness the complete destruction of, well, here you go. >> point of no return. >> reporter: they grow more than 20 feet long and have been known to eat alligators whole. >> so there's no possibility that there b might be a snake around here? >> yes, there is a good possibility. >> all right, then. we're on the hunt for the burmese python, one of the biggest, baddest snaked in the world, danger with every step. >> i really have no idea why i signed up for this. jumped from a butterfly. >> put your hand in there knowing there could be a snake down there? you don't think it might bite you? >> it might. >> but i'll be able to pull it out of there. >> all right.

>> tens of thousands of serpents took over the florida everglades, terrorizing the would wild. >> used to be millions of birds here, wading birds, but the snakes sit here quietly and wait on them. the bird's going to lose every time. >> firefighters say the woman found a seven foot burmese python hiding underneath stacks of clothing. >> well, we know there's a lot of missing cats in the neighborhood. >> that's why bill booth, tampa firefighter and snake hunter, is here. he's one of over 800 people who come from across the country to compete in the python challenge. people are effectively removing burmese pythons. >> reporter: a month long contest to grab and trade in wild pythons for cold hard cash, dead or alive. >> they will be measured. >> reporter: the fish and wildlife conservation commission holds classes to show you how to do it. the contest is open to anybody, and i mean anybody.

how old is the kid that's out with a golf cart? >> he's 8. >> 8 years old looking for a python? >> yeah. >> that sounds safe. but this is not bill's first rodeo. he and his crack team of python hunters are confident they can slither away with enough of the snakes to win the competition. i'm riding shotgun at today's competition, but i have a confession, i'm terrified of snakes. do you think they can sense fear? >> they probably do and probably be waiting for you. >> you're funny. >> you see him laying in the water. head's up out of the water. >> to my luck, we didn't wait long. >> got one. >> all right. hold on. >> thinks they got one. oh, yeah. >> he's cold. >> oh, my god. come here. there he is.

there he is.>come here. there he is. there he is.>come here. there he is. there he is. come here. there he is. there he is. >> there he is. >> that's our python. >> these pros catch snakes alive with their bare hands. >> that was quick. >> no, no, no, no. >> unb like raz and samantha, who are first time hunters armed with a pillow case and golf clubs. >> like steve irwin back there as if you know what you're doing with the pythons. >> right. >> do you think you do.? >> yeah. >> no. there's a sense of it. >> a lot of people are doing this, never been python hunting before, i guess people, they want the challenge. they they, oh, a python in florida? that's crazy. let's find one. >> is it dangerous? >> it could be, yeah. you don't have the experience to handle a big snake, you're going to be in a world of hurt. >> and by hurt, we mean, wrapped around by and choked out, wrapped up, bitten.

>> while i'm still shaking off the first encounter with the new friend, bill's teammates -- >> hey! ha-ha! holy [ bleep ]! ha-ha! >> have pulled in two more. and another makes four. >> oh, so excited. still shaking. >> very calm. would look great in a britney spears video. >> miley would probably like it, too. >> you don't want to touch one? >> not even the back end? >> not at all. >> every snake goes to the university of florida where they study them for environmental impact. >> python is eating our native wildlife. without a healthy food chain, you don't have a healthy environment. even though the fwc admits the number of snakes caught barely makes a difference, they say the competition brings attention to the problem. >> this is a serious issue. it brings the awareness to everyone in florida, the united

states and the world of an invasive snake. much to my surprise, there's not as much backlash to this. even peta is okay with it as long as hunting is done by experts like bill and they are killed humanly. as the day draw toes a close, bill's team reaches the checkpoint. >> all day long. not moving much. >> you can slow down in opening that up. we're going to take them all out for a class picture now. >> do you want to reach in the bag and get them out? >> i'm going to get you -- >> no, you're not. i'm not touching it. >> for the competition, they end up bagging 33 out of 106 total pythons caught including this, oh, my god, 15 footer, winning them $8,000 in prize money. nope, not worth it. >> what are you doing over there? >> i'm practically in miami right now.

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what was in front of with as i went into the room, i just start firing. >> what was in front of you? >> my parents. >> it's not supposed to happen in beverly hills. one parent ♪ what was in front of you? all right. well, you know, there are quite a few coat drives this time of year. >> yes. >> including one by our colleagues at "good morning america." >> yes. and the big start of the gma

coat drive just happens to be a fourth grader from new jersey. diane macedo took a break from her trip to the maldese coast or wherever she was to tell us more about this kid. >> amazing. >> meet 9-year-old max frost. let's check the ones we should take today to the store. the new jersey 40 grader is on a mission for warm coats warm hearts drive, joining amy adams and among others. >> there's some kids that don't even have coats, so i wanted to help people get more. >> he started making his boxes, designing them himself. i just put all of his photos on instagram and facebook and got so many responses. it's amazing. >> reporter: last holiday season, he created 170. this year, he's already beat that, making boxes for the local hair salon and his class at school. they have already wrangled 40 coats and counting. bierington donations filled two

carts. >> donating is so easy. bring it into our store, drop it in the box, and we care for the rest. >> reporter: they are gifting max another 100 coat r fizz his goal this year. >> so proud. >> reporter: perhaps the bigger gift, he got to meet a family who benefitted from the donations last year. >> seeing that it actually came from a boy that a year older than my son, that's great. a young man. >> reporter: showing one act of kindness goes a long way. >> merry christmas. >> warms the heart, so does this. >> you're shaping all the presents. >> i am. nothing good in them. >> seeing what's inside the stockings. >> exactly. i like diane gets to skip work, but still gets some gifts.

nice.

this morning on "world news now," the loss of george michael. >> the iconic british singer died at age 53. we'll look back on his rocketing rise to superstar candidates dom. how he managed to always push the envelope and hear from him in his own words on how he dealt with the pressure of fame. dangerous travel conditions as millions get set to return home. blizzard conditions across the northern states could spell disaster on the roadways. and in michigan, a state of emergency declared as a sinkhole threatens to swallow a neighborhood. and it is not the first time residents have faced this crisis. and ready, set, return with christmas now in the rearview mirror. it's time to exchange all those thoughtful but let's be honest impractical gifts that you received.

we're going to have a roundup of some of this year's weirdest presents. better have the gift receipts on this monday, december 26th. it's boxing day. from abc news, this is "world news now." >> good monday morning to you, everybody. on this boxing day, day after christmas. hope you had a nice holiday. >> we begin the half hour with shocking death of george michael, the grammy award winning british singer who shot to fame in the '80s, passing away at just 53 years old. >> received the word from michael's manager saying he died of heart failure in england on christmas day at home. the publicist adding he had not been ill. >> michael started off as part of the duo wham before launching solo career like "i want your sex," and he sold 100 million albums and made headlines for high profile run-ins with the law. >> our insider joining us now by phone with the look back on his remarkable career. bruno, good morning, thank you

for joining us this morning. >> caller: good morning, kendis. >> a stunning loss. you met him several times. was it a shock to you? >> yeah. this is definitely the book end to a very sad year in music, kendis. i met him several times, worked for the record label in the '80s and '90s, sony music. and then at mtv when he made a successful comeback in 1996. a talented man. it's a sad day for the music industry and culture overall. >> and from wham to the controversies, how do you think he'll be remembered? what do you think george michael's legacy will be? >> the great thing about it is people are talking about his music, not the controversy, not the run-ins with the law, but song writers, 20th century, he was tremendously talented, wrote his song, produced them himself,

played all the instruments. you can't find too many artists nowadays who can do what he did for so many years. >> first to do that, take ownership of his music in so many different ways. >> in so many different ways. even went to legal fights with record companies, sony, so own or to get his masters back. he took a long time in the studio in between albums because he was a perfectionist. it was something he always said, never really wanted to release music unless he was fully confident it was the best possible work that he could possibly do. >> he's been off the public stage a little bit, last

performance back in 2012 or 2014, rather, on stage. so he's been a bit of a recluse, but he kind of put it all out there, didn't he, bruno, in his music. >> yeah. he wanted to let his music do the talking. he never felt comfortable in the spotlight and never really liked the life of a pop star. i wouldn't say he was a recluse, but he just wanted -- he did not like that being in the public eye constantly. he would let the music speak for itself. he was working on a follow-up album. his last album, actually, new recorded material was in 2004, so we're talking, 13 years ago now. >> even though it's been such a long time since he put out music, he was still able to headline his own shows and sell them out. he has such a huge, huge fan base. >> still an arena around the world, last tour was very successful. it was a run of 20 arenas, i believe, but outside the u.s. and europe. he's a stadium artist.

he never lost the magic and power to draw so many people. >> i guess it goes beyond george michael itself, but give me a sense, bruno, you've been in this industry for a long time as a long time agent, producer and such. how rough was 2016 when it comes to the music, world? >> oh, my god, kendis, started with the loss of david bowie and it seems like it's ending with george michael. hopefully nothing else happens but between prince and leonard cohen, it's been horrendous. we've lost people who were beyond talented and it's going to be hard to replace them. i'd say close to impossible. you know, the fact that out of the '80s, george michael in houston, prince, michael jackson, they are gone. that's a huge loss for the world, not just for music fans, but the world. >> voices of our generation passing away. 2016 can be done with. thanks to bruno joining us now from spain early this morning.

thank you. >> yeah, thank you. we'll have more on george michael later this half hour, but we turn now to another celebrity, star wars actress carrie fisher treated in a los angeles hospital this morning after suffering cardiac arrest on a flight from london monday. >> fisher's mother, actress debbie reynolds, tweeted yesterday that her daughter is in stable condition and she thanked the public for their prayers. harrison ford and mark hammel ed the public for their prayers. are among those sending well wishes to fisher. and overseas now, russian investigators search for the cause of the deadly plane crash into the black sea. all 92 people on board killed including dozens of singers and russia's world famous military choir. it crashed into minutes into the flight in clear weather. it has head to a russian base in syria at the time. the transport minister said the crash was likely due to pilot error or technical malfunction,

but a terrorist attack has not been ruled out. the israelis are still fuming over the u.n.'s anti-settlements vote. benjamin netanyahu wanted to protest the white house failure to block the resolution condemning israel's settlement activity in the west bank. the prime minister blames the obama administration for arranging it. >> as i told john kerry on thursday, friends don't take friends to the security council. >> president-elect donald trump urged the u.s. to veto the u.n. measure. ten of the top diplomates from countries who also supported the resolution were called to jerusalem, as well. and a fake news story led to a twitter feud and nuclear threats between israel and pakistan. israeli official accused pakistan of meddling in syria and warned of a nuclear attack. in response, pakistan's defense minister noted that pakistan is a nuclear state, as well.

israel tweeted that the item was totally fictitious. a typhoon ruining christmas day in the philippines has weakened slightly this morning. tens of thousands spent christmas in crowded and powerless emergency shelters now starting to return home. winds were still gusting up to 90 miles per hour. and the storm was moving towards heavily populated area south of manila. a powerful earthquake has hit southern chile &, but little damage and thankfully no loss of life. thousands of people evacuated over fears of a tsunami, but that was lifted an hour and a half after the quakes. back here at home, some freezing rain making for dangerous travel in the upper midwest. an ice storm warning in effect in north and south dakota. parts of i-90 closed down because of slippery conditions, and blizzard warnings were in effect in north dakota, south dakota, and parts of montana.

a sink hole threatened several homes in michigan. so far the hole opened up under one home. the homeowner got out saturday morning, but another hole opened up in the same area in 2004. in germany, 54,000 people's christmas celebrations were disrupted to authorities could diffuse a bomb from world war ii. police in the town of ogsburg rang bells and got people out of their homes sunday morning. >> they evacuated residents and returned home later, and christmas was the best time to defuse it because of less traffic. german officials say this was the largest evacuation of its kind since the end of the war.

well, coming up right here, george michael in his own words. >> rippling across the entertainment world overnight, and we've got back into the archives for an interview in which the provocative singer opens up about the darker times in his life. and what's the world's largest artificial tree has to do with lyrics to a respect rap song ended up in a christmas carol lyrics book. >> huh. >> yeah, mystery solved. follow us on facebook at wnnfans.com, and twitter. @abcwnn. you're watching "world news now." @abcwnn. you're watching "world news now." she said it's too much work. lulu's hair just floats. uhh help me! (doorbell) mom, check this out. wow. swiffer sweeper, and dusters. this is what i'm talking about. look at that. sticks to this better than it sticks to lulu. that's your hair lulu! mom, can we have another dog? (laughing) trap and lock up to 4x more dirt, dust and hair than the store brand stop cleaning. start swiffering. that cough doesn't sound so good. well i think you sound great. move over.

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national menorah lit in washington, d.c. to celebrate hanukkah. the jewish festival of light, of course. this was a second night ceremony was delayed because the first night fell on the sabbath. the giant candle holder was first lit by president carter back in 1979. president-elect donald trump wished everyone a merry christmas as he celebrates the holidays with his family at his florida estate. trump and melania trump attended a midnight christmas eve service at the palm beach church where they were married. the congregation cheered as he arrived. he also took to twitter to wish everyone a merry christmas and a very, very, very happy new year. three veries. i wanted to get that in there. while we are home for the holidays and president obama who grew up in hawaii, eighth and last presidential christmas

break there. >> the first family is spending it like the others, hiking, golfing, eating shaved ice and remembering those who safeguard the country. >> reporter: visiting troops on christmas day is a holiday tradition for president obama, and this was his last visit as commander in chief. >> the people here in america back home understand that every single day that you're serving, you're fighting for our freedom and fighting to keep us safe and fight to go maintain our way of life. it's impossible for us to fully repay what you've done and sacrifices you make, but at least it's important to hear from us that what you do matters. >> reporter: president obama thanking u.s. troops and families for service at the marine corp. base in hawaii. on christmas eve, the president personally called u.s. service members from each branch of the military stationed overseas to thank them too. on twitter, a picture and this message. best part of the holidays is the time we share with those we love.

on behalf of michelle, malia and sasha, merry christmas, everyone. a series of laughs, president teaming up with michelle to make follow-up of the weekly address during the holidays in 2009. >> given how our first christmas weekly address went, i realized that he needed all the help he could get. >> reporter: reflecting. >> the greatest gift received over eight years has been the hop nor of serving as your president and first lady. >> reporter: this year, a historic stop for president obama. the japanese prime minister will join him at pearl harbor tuesday, the first time a japanese leader visited the site since the attack. stephanie ramos, abc news, honolulu, hawaii. >> our thoughts are with stephanie that she can maintain with that glare in her eye. >> that's a tough assignment. >> yeah. be strong. coming up in the next half hour, nba and nfl deliver the ultimate gift to sports fans,

some of the best plays that you may have missed overnight and some seasonality fashions from players and from fans. but first, we will hear more from george michael from george michael himself in an interview from the abc news archives. you're watching "world news now." "world news now" continues after this from our abc stations.

80s.pop star, 90s pop star, as well the george michael passing away on christmas day. his last album was in 2004, but no doubt, he could fill a stadium. >> oh, absolutely. several years ago, chris talked to him for "good morning america" about the darker side of fame and he faced down his many demons. >> i had my very first relationship at 27 because i really had not come to terms with my sexuality until i was 24. i had my very first live-in relationship and six months into it discovered that my partner,

who i was very, very, you know -- six months in, you're deep in the throws of love, aren't you? and i lost my partner to hiv. and then took about three years to grieve, and after that, i lost my mother, so almost like i was cursed. >> reporter: how did you survive what you went through? the loss of the most important man and woman in your life? >> it was depression and shock that just went on for years. then, of course, i got had myself arrested, right? so it was a very eventful and bizarre, bizarrely dark period for me that i actually thought was going to go on forever. >> reporter: the shocking 1998 arrest was in a public rest room and outed him to the world. but despite the notoriety that followed, michael says he didn't feel humiliation, but something

surprising. >> was there relief? as embarrassing as it was -- >> huge relief. it took me about a year to admit to myself, i've done it, deliberately. >> that was obviously the supposition. he knows what he can do, how he can carry on his relationships if he wants one. why would he do something like this, in a rest room? >> well, the truth is, cruising has gone on for as long as there have been men trying to hide their sexuality. >> reporter: then there were rumors of drug use, in 2006, two drug-related arrest, one found slumped over the wheel of a car after taking sleeping pills. >> that was why i did it twice in a year. i needed my license taken away. when you know you've done something really stupid, the punishment doesn't really feel inappropriate. >> reporter: you started the concert last night with a song you wrote in 1990. "waiting", and the language seemed like it was tailor made for today. >> he know. i know. it's so perfect, isn't it? >> people change, too late to try again? >> tried to try again at 27, bloody hell, still trying again

at 45. >> reporter: if you could talk to george michael in 1999 -- >> yes. >> reporter: what would you tell him now? >> oh, as the 24 or 25-year-old >> i'd say, god, you're going to get fat. as the 24 or 25-year-old who could not believe how quickly all of his dreams had come true, could not believe how blessed he'd been, and then just this absolute nightmare. you had to believe there's a reason it happened in that orders. i was supposed to learn those things earlier than some other people to put it into work. ♪ but i wait for something more because i gotta have faith ♪ >> so fascinating to hear him talk about his demons and all his success and also all his fears about not getting fat. >> right. >> george michael will be

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with the febreze car vent clip break out the febreze, and [inhale/exhale mnemonic] breathe happy. it is your monday morning mix on this day after christmas, and, of course, today is the day a lot of people will be returning some gifts. well, here's a look at some real life gifts given over the weekend for the holidays. >> okay. >> for christmas that they'll have a tough time returning. so this is a putin calendar. it was 12 months of heaven. there's different photos. >> wow. >> that was a gift given to someone. there's also the life sized -- that's a big one. >> why? why does that exist? >> i have no idea. yeah. >> okay. all right. >> there's a blanket that

features the hunky cast of the outsiders. remember that? from the 80s. >> digging in the attics and coming up with these things? >> shopped at ebay, here, this is what i'm giving to my cousin. >> random, right. >> finally, the umbrella hat. which i don't think is that bad at all. >> practical. >> this lady didn't want it, her grandmother gave it to her. >> poor grandmother. all right. they celebrated christmas in space. >> a few times. >> yeah. exactly. and they, you know, have to have the traditional christmas meal, so there was turkey, mashed potatoes, gingerbread, and one of the french astronaut had a take on his favorite holiday meal, chicken supreme with morels. sounds fancy, i don't know what it is. seems -- >> mushrooms. >> really great. and that wasn't all. here's one of them telling us about the holiday treats. >> we have beverages, packaged cider and cocoa, hot cocoa, one of my favorites, especially growing up in iowa when you

wanted to stay warm. >> and -- >> that packaged cider is really good if you add a little bit of vodka or some -- >> do you think they have that up there? >> i don't know. one can dream. christmas is huge in sri lanka. how big is it? this is the world's largest, largest fake christmas tree, a synthetic christmas tree, at 238 feet tall. and there it is in sri lanka. i say this in that a lot of people going to church over the weekend to celebrate the birth of christ, and in one particular ceremony there, one person messed up. instead of hail mary, many catholics are familiar with, they put this hail mary, the words for this hail mary in there. ♪ hail mary ♪ what do we have here now >> that's tupac's song, "hail mary." >> what? >> let's just say we only aired, like a few second version because that's --

because that's -- >> that's the only thing okay th for wounded warriorsgram and their families to build new lives together. when my dad left, i was, like, this big, but now i'm, like, this big. my dad got a master's degree in human resources. thanks to warriors to work that my dad has a terrific job. when the warrior project helps them by, you know, giving them another start. now that my dad's home, i get a lot more hugs. i'm really proud of him. find out more about wounded warrior project at findwwp.org. welcome home the brave.

this morning on "world news now," another tragic loss of an icon this year. george michael, the provocative british singer has died at the age of 53. the news shocking his closest fans and collaborators. full details coming up. whiteout conditions in northern states as a blizzard moves through dumping over a foot of snow in some regions as high winds and possible tornados create scenes of chaos elsewhere. forecast straight ahead. new this half hour, a fugitive on the loose down under. >> be on the lookout for that guy. trying to track down a seal on the run giving residents a show. how the rich and famous spent christmas from the gift giving to the big surprises. we got the best of all of the holiday fun in the skinny on

this monday, december 26th. from abc news, this is "world news now." >> good morning, everybody. we are going to start with the sad news, shocking news this morning. george michael, one of music's legendary artists passing away so young, only 53. >> michael died yesterday at his home in england. his manager says heart failure was the cause. he had a string of mega hits during the early '80s. he was prized for his vocal range, numerous grammy awards, and often found himself embroiled in controversy. >> stars are paying tribute on social media, elton john calling michael the kindest and gentlest soul. madonna says, farewell, my friend. >> one, two, three, go!

>> reporter: the stunning death of george michael brings a sudden end to one of pop music's most brilliant careers. the superstar was just 53. his publicist said he died peacefully at home. in the '80s, george michael was one half of when a wham with andrew and michael rose is a solo artist, selling 100 million albums in a career lasting almost 40 years. the first solo album sold 20 million including the raunchy "i want your sex." >> my music only ever reflected part of the music i listen to. and some of my favorite albums would not be things that anyone expected, and even though they influence me, i know who i am and what i'm capable of and what my limitations are. >> reporter: his career included brushes with the law over dangerous driving, drug use, and public sexual behavior. >> i don't inhale any of that. it's dangerous.

i don't inhale any of that. it's dangerous. what i really am is a writer. and, you know, i, you know, i just never thought the looks are much to begin with. but whatever they are, they fade. my brain will go eventually, it's gone, but the songs are still there. you give people music for years and years when you write. you tie yourself to more than one night and bigger events in their lives. you tie yourselves to their childhood and their growing up, and it's a real privilege. >> such a loss. >> it is. totally is. has not sunk in yet. we'll have more on the loss of george michael later on. turning now to weather making a mess for holiday travelers. >> travelers in the midwest, those warned to stay off the roads because of dangerous conditions, north dakota and

south dakota and minnesota are off limits because of freezing rain that is making some of the roads there too slippery, and other areas, a blizzard reduced visability with up to 15 inches of snow possible. >> a possible tornado caused damage in a ford dealership in nebraska. damaged vehicles and overturned structures there littered the scene as cleanup crews got to work. >> the only bright spot is schools are on a holiday this week, and many people were taking off. >> that would be nice. with more on the forecast, we're joined by accuweather's justin povick. good morning, justin. >> thanks, good morning to you. travel situation for today is a busy travel day, northwest looking at a storm system and our storm over the northern tier of states is winding down. adding on to that, a little bit of freezing drizzle and freezing rain into the northeast makes it an active day overall, at least in the north. so, again, ice eventually

wrapping up later on into the day throughout the interior northeast and north new england. otherwise, it's warming up for so better news here beyond mid afternoon. northwest, snow in the cascades, a little wet on the 5 from seattle to portland, so have the umbrella handy, and the snows are winding down, but windy over the upper midwest. kendis, marci, back to you. >> thank you. those lost in the russian military plane crash were remembered in a vigil last night. visitors brought candles and flowers to create a memorial to 92 people who died. the plane just took off to a russian base in syria when it went down in the black sea. russia's transport minister says pilot error or president-elect donald trump technical fault is likely to blame. enjoying christmas at his florida estate as he announces plans to dissolve his charitable foundation. there's also been a political dust up with the obama administration over israel. and a christmas greeting from trump's incoming chief of staff

is causing a little bit of a stir. here's abc's eva pilgrim. >> reporter: the rnc chairman's holiday message lighted up twitter. over two millenia ago, a new hope was born into the world, a savior who would offer the promise of salvation to all mankind just as three wise men did on that night, this christmas heralded a new king. they wonder if it referenced trump as the new king. they clarified on twitter, christ is the king. he was born today so we could be saved. it's sad and disappointing you are politicizing a holy day. donald trump spent the holiday with his family. the future first family attended church christmas eve in the third row, and the plebt did not escape the holidays free of the spotlight. in a scramble to clean up questionable appearances, trump announcing his family foundation is dissolving. in a statement saying, to avoid

the appearance of any conflict with my role as president, i have decided to continue to per sue my strong interest in philanthropy in other ways. but the new york attorney general says the foundation cannot legally dissolve until his investigation is complete. it is still ongoing. among his concerns, whether trump used foundation money to the purchase a self-portrait ask if the foundation funded any questionable political donations. trump insisted 100% of the money has gone to charity. also, what began as an orderly transition of power now dissolving into a presidential turf war. >> it's one president at a time, and until january 20th, president obama is. >> reporter: the fight over one of america's closest allies, israel. >> the bond between the united states and israel is unbreakable. >> i love israel. i love israel. >> reporter: the u.n. friday passing a measure condemning the country for building

settlements. trump pressured the obama administration to block the measure, but instead, they abdomen a stained, allowing it to pass, breaking long standing u.s. policy to defend israel at the u.n. trump tweeting the big loss yesterday for israel in the united nations will make it much harder to negotiate peace. too bad. but we'll get it done, anyway. eva pilgrim, abc news, new york. president obama and the first lady paid final trip to visit troops and families at a marine corps base in hawaii. the president told troops that serving as their commander in chief has been the privilege of his life. he said his gratitude remains as the private citizen. the president spent part of the weekend making calls to soldiers overseas. all right, here's a scene that probably only would see down under. a massive, massive seal ran amuck in a tasmanian suburb before being captured by police. so that's mr. lou seal. as he was dubbed by police. climbed on a car, smashed a windshield and dented a roof.

at one point, he fell asleep in a driveway. >> exhausting thing to make that escape. the public was warned to keep distance as the creature wandered the streets. he was tranquilized and is headed back to the wild. >> lou seal. >> they tried to find out why he was on the run. they asked him, but he said his lips were sealed. >> i like it. >> that was not very good. all right. moving on. coming up, the rematch of champions. >> the christmas showdown. thank you for the apology. i'm not sure if i'm accepting it or not. the showdown between the nba's best coming right down to the wire. could this be a playoffs preview? >> the royals who stole the show over the weekend. you're watching "world news now." world news now weather brought to you by stamps.com. amps.com. you won't see these folks at the post office. they have businesses to run.

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by the fireside. >> a beautiful setting. >> all the gifts i got you just warming up by the fire here, kendis. >> beautiful setting. >> all the gifts i got you during the commercial. >> thank you. >> you're welcome. >> i'm sorry. didn't mean to break it. >> after the presents are open for us or smashed in some cases, perfect, for many people, not me, but for many people, it's time to watch sports and the denver broncos got a lump of coal in the stocking. >> yeah, that's right. their own playoff spot secured, the kansas city chiefs eliminated denver from the playoffs, 33-10. hill taking a handoff, 70 yards

from one of the kansas city -- one of the kansas city touchdowns. this all added insult to injury. nose tackle. you have to watch this. he's lined up. is he going to run it in? no. just tosses it over. this is late in the game to demetrius harris late in the game for the touchdown. the defending super bowl champions aren't in the playoffs at all for the first time in six years for them. disappointing. pittsburgh, in the meantime, stunned baltimore with the last minute rally to clench the afc north with nine seconds to go. antonio brown reaching over the goal line after a 4 yard reception to give the steelers a 31-27 win and eliminate the ravens from the postseason. the qb, roethlisberger, made up for two third quarter interceptions. that's one of them. baltimore's flacco interpreted on the final play to end the miserable season for the ravens. >> all right.

how about this? before the game, steelers' running back came straight from the other job, right from the north pole dressed like buddy the elf, complete with a custom touch on the wool hat. love it. >> awesome. >> there is always a good selection of nba games on christmas, too, and we'll start with the lakers snapping their 11 game losing streak against the team with whom they share an arena, the clippers. >> the lakers had seven players in double digits, the most for them this season, trailing at halftime, ran out to an 18-point lead during the third quarter, beating the clippers 111-102, 22nd time lakers won on christmas, tieing the nba record. and it also ends a four-game losing streak for the game. fans expected a great game between last year's finalists were not disappointed. we're talking about the cavaliers. >> oh. >> irving with an amazing day,

this turn around jumper 3.4 seconds left, and warriors win cavaliers won, 109-108. it was cavs fourth straight win over golden state. they own their numbers. the warriors kevin durant led all scorers with 36 opponents, but failed to make the final shot that you saw there that would have won the game. oh, well. lebron james had what everybody wanted, except, we assume, the warriors. >> and since they don't let me talk about the plays and the sports, i have no idea what i'm talking about, we will once again get back to talking about the fashion of it. this is what cleveland fans were greeted by reaching their seats. probably what game them the home team edge. >> pretty. >> you know, it's the in-thing, ugly sweaters, better than t-shirts shot from the cannon, whatever it is they do. this is better for everybody. >> well, it's lovely being here. we're going to start opening up

some of these gifts as we get ready for the skinny. what did you get? and why does this say rob from rachel? >> oh. well. >> it does. >> one of these is yours, i'm sure. "world news now" continues after this from our abc stations. our family was drifting apart... ...until we found a connection. you have the power to change your child's life. the boys town national hline can help. (tdd# 1-800-448-1433)

♪ skinny so skinny ♪ the entertainment world in is shock after the death of pop superstar george michael who died christmas day of heart

failure at the age 53. he first shot to on fame as half of the duo wh had am as and rye ridgely, who treated last night, that he was heart broken at the loss of my be loved friend yog. >> elton john posted a photo of himself with michael saying, quote, i'm in deep shock. i have lost a beloved friend. >> and madonna posted a clip of her introducing michael at an award show with a note, farewell, my friend. another great artist leaves us. and nile rogers said they were working with michael >> yeah. 's team in london just a few days ago. he said he was stunned and in another tweet, he called george michael, quote, an absolute genius. >> it has just been such an awful, awful year for celebrity deaths. >> it absolutely has. >> david bowie, mohammed ali. who outside of musicians -- >> nat king cole, as you mentioned, go outside the music world. you have these legends that passed away in 2016, then prince

in late april. >> yeah, right. >> shocking news all around. >> right. >> just like many of celebrities sharing photos of christmas celebrations, liam hemsworth and miley cyrus celebrated their day by posting pictures with each other in their ugly sweaters. >> i think they are actually attractive sweaters. so chrissy tiegen and john legend posted photos of their low key christmas morning with their baby daughter, luna. >> so cute. >> santa enjoyed the visit with carrie washington, but mrs. claus appears a little concerned. >> can't blame her. >> all right. country singer carrie musgraves got a great guest on christmas eve, an engagement ring. he proposed in her family home in texas with the song "two for

the road" playing. >> posted on instagram she didn't say yes when he popped the question. she said, hell yes. >> enthusiasm. all right. hell yes. to britain and youngest royals who are stealing the show from their parents and grandmothers and great grandparents. prince george and princess charlotte went to church with their parents, will and kate, for christmas in the hometown of the duchess of cambridge. >> the prince in particular caught everyone's eye as he sucked on candy canes on the way to church and on the way back. the royal watchers commented on the tailored coats and how stylish the family looked as always. >> oh, yeah. no surprise that talent runs in the family. mariah carey posted this picture of her son dancing to "all i want for christmas." how fun is this?

this is moroccan, one of her twins. >> so cute. seems to be singing along with mom's song. >> we all danced to the song this weekend. which means, you're controlling your cough on your morning commute. and later when you're joking with beth... even when most cough medicines stop, delsym is still working. ♪ and when your days' over, your cough is still under control. thanks to the #1 12-hour cough medicine. delsym. the cough controller. from the moment you met you wantecomfort and protection that's why pampers swaddlers is the #1 choice of hospitals to wrap your baby in blanket-like softness so all they feel is love pampers swaddlers

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it's been the number 1 doctor recommended brand for 10 straight years, and it's still recommended today. use as directed ♪ city sidewalks busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style ♪ >> santa is done with his list, i think. >> we're done with christmas and we're still listening to christmas music. all right. >> we're still in the mode. you have, like, ten days, i think. kids are off from school, still celebrating gifts, and adults off from work as well, at least today because it's the legal observance of christmas. >> sure. >> and you might be looking for something to do other than going to the mall. >> yes, i think everyone's sick of shopping at this point. luckily, there good movies in theaters now. we look at the choices. >> reporter: celebrating the holiday with a trip to the movie theater? it's not only "rogue one" taking audiences into the deep beyond. >> requesting call time. >> rogue.

rogue one. >> maybe you've heard, jennifer lawrence and chris pratt are in a movie together. >> we woke up too soon. 90 years too soon. >> with the hibernation ending too early, there's tenderness and trouble. and passengers. >> we are just on our way to work at nasa. >> reporter: based on events of african-american women whose brain power helped to get the u.s. in orbit back in the 1960s. academy voters may also be taking notice as denzel washington directs as he and viola davis reprize the roles they played on broadway in had "fences." annette bening could be looking at her fifth career oscar nomination for the role of the matriarch in california, company, and elle fanning, all of them 20th century women. >> don't you need a man to raise a man?

>> no, i don't think so. >> for kids, animated animals making their way to the stage. in "sing." yes abdomen, that's a balding matthew mcconaughey and ben affleck directing and starring the gangsterus saga "award night." emotionally calibrated heart felt "manchester by the sea," and made for the big screen musical, "lala land." making you part of the who will win discussion and giving you a night out. chris conley, abc news, los angeles. >> really is the best time of year for movies. >> absolutely. i don't go any other time of the year, but ahead of the oscars. >> exactly. >> don't miss us on facebook, wnnfans.com. this is abc's "world news now," informing insomniacs for two decades

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have a great boxing day. s morning. making news in america this morning -- ♪ dance forever >> the untimely passing of singer george michael. details of his death this morning. reaction to his passing and george michael in his own words. what he told abc news about his demons. also, tough travel on this day after christmas. snowy conditions forcing the closure of interstate highways. rain and storms elsewhere making a mess across the middle of the nation. your forecast just ahead. a developing story in michigan, a state of emergency declared because of a sinkhole. families out of their homes, forced to evacuate with no word on when they'll be back. and kansas city's hefty quarterback throwing a late touchdown pass for the chiefs as they end the playoff hopes of