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Biden, Xi Set to Hold High-Stakes Virtual Summit; Belarus Facing New European Sanctions Over Migrants; Austria Begins Lockdown for the Unvaccinated; New Delhi Schools Close Amid Severe Air Pollution; Queen Elizabeth Cancels Remembrance Day Appearance. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired November 15, 2021 - 00:00   ET

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

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello, everyone, I'm Michael Holmes. Appreciate your company.

[00:00:

Coming up here on CNN NEWSROOM, real issues for a virtual summit. The U.S. president, Joe Biden, and Chinese Xi Jinping will meet just hours from now to talk out their differences over video link.

Plus, the crisis at the Belarus-Poland border could soon escalate. This as the E.U. plans sanctions on those transporting migrants for the boundary between the two countries.

And school is out for a week in New Delhi, as thick smog chokes India's capital. We'll have a live report.

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Michael Holmes.

HOLMES: The leaders of the U.S. and China are set to meet virtually for a high-stakes summit in the coming hours, as they look to tackle recent tensions over things like Taiwan, trade, and human rights.

It will be the first meeting between the two since U.S. President Joe Biden took office, although they have spoken twice on the phone.

Mr. Biden expected to make clear U.S. priorities and concerns. Chinese President Xi has hinted at a slight warming of relations, saying his country is willing to boost cooperation and get the two sides back on track.

CNN's Steven Jiang joins me now, live from Beijing, with more on what we can expect. So Steven, the likely priority agenda items. And also, what are the expectations overall?

STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Michael, the short answer to that is items, issues are plenty, as you mentioned, but expectations are low.

Now, this relationship of course, had been on a nosedive for quite some time, especially during the administration of former U.S. president, Donald Trump. But, you know, as Mr. Biden took over early this year, there were some

hopes and expectations that there could be some ease of tensions. That obviously didn't happen, because Mr. Biden has not only kept most of Mr. Trump's China policies and measures, his stated approach of building this united front against an increasingly powerful, and some will say, aggressive Beijing, has really upset and unsettled many officials here, because they consider that approach would be posing a greater threat to the Chinese government, compared to Mr. Trump's going along approach.

That problem explains in the past few months, we have seen this ratcheting up of rhetoric and actions from both sides on a whole wide range of issues. You mentioned some of them: Taiwan, but also tech, cybersecurity, and of course, China's human rights records.

And that of course,, is an issue very much close to Mr. Biden's heart, as he has insisted. He wants to put human rights and democracy at the forefront of the U.S. foreign policy agenda, as he tries to blunt the advancement of rising authoritarianism around the world. And that's a trend very much led by China and its strongman leader, Xi Jinping.

So given this broader context, it's just very hard to envision any breakthroughs in any of the major issues that have been, the two sides have been fighting over.

So the point of this meeting, according to many analysts, is really to keep communication channels open at the very top. So as to avoid any strategic miscalculations about each other that would really not only harm bilateral ties but also, of course, potentially endangering regional or even global peace and prosperity -- Michael.

HOLMES: You mentioned the sometimes fractious relationship with Donald Trump and his modus operandi. Much has been made of the personal relationship between Biden and Xi, built up by the many years. How might that relationship impact how the meeting goes?

JIANG: You know, it's an interesting question, because the two men obviously, have mentioned their own previous conversations and encounters in their two phone calls they held since Mr. Biden took office.

But really, you know, at this stage of things, given where the two governments, or the two countries, stand on so many critically important issues, it's just hard to see how this supposed warm rapport between the two leaders in person could make any meaningful impact.

Mr. Xi Jinping obviously going into this meeting emerging from this Communist Party leadership meeting, cementing his supremacy over the party of the nation, and potentially rule for life. So he's been obviously, you know, working for nationalism, and you know, want to stand firm.

Mr. Biden, obviously, facing a growing list of domestic challenges, and with China being a rare bipartisan consensus, doesn't probably want to show any sign of weakness.

[00:05:07]

So it's really, again, doesn't -- this doesn't bode well for any major breakthroughs in their disputes and disagreements, Michael.

HOLMES: Yes. Good point. Steven Jiang in Beijing, thanks so much.

Joining me now from Philadelphia is Scott Moore. He's the director of China Programs and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania.

Thanks for being with us. First off, just how do you see the current state of China-U.S. relations? And given the mistrust and -- and competing interests, what can perhaps best be hoped for from this meeting?

SCOTT MOORE, DIRECTOR, CHINA PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA: Absolutely, Michael. Well, this is a relationship, and it is by most accounts, the world's single most important bilateral relationship. We shouldn't lose sight of that, in terms of how we look at the importance of tomorrow's meeting.

But this is a relationship that's been going from bad to worse for some time. I think in a lot of people's minds, the main question is how much worse it can get and will get.

And I think in that light, we should see tomorrow's meeting is really in terms of whether Biden and Xi can find a way to lower tensions, to manage differences, and perhaps to find one or two areas of common ground and constructive partnership. But in general, pretty low expectations.

HOLMES: Right, exactly. The six-party plenum this month elevated Xi to Mao Tse-tung status in terms of position in power. And let's call it job security.

How does he view the west, in terms of administration, which of course come and go. How long-term is his view, and how does that manifest in his strategy?

MOORE: Well, job security is certainly one way of putting it, Michael.

I think there is a bit of a difference, in terms of how -- in terms of the outlook of Xi Jinping, administration to administration. But I think it is important to keep in mind that both the U.S. and Chinese sides do have a custom, going back several decades, of holding an in- person meeting within the first year of a new U.S. presidential administration. This meeting will continue that tradition, albeit virtually.

And Biden and Xi have had several phone calls and know each other quite well from previous phases of their career.

So that tradition is continuing, but I think it is fair to say that there is a lot of kind of contextual difference in terms of the U.S. versus Chinese systems that will hang over this meeting. HOLMES: What is, or should be, worrying the U.S. about China's path:

the Belt and Road Initiative; growing military activity in the South China Sea; the export of surveillance technology; cyber capabilities? What is the biggest shock to the U.S. that will be on Joe Biden's mind?

MOORE: Well, all of those things are certainly areas of concern for the U.S. administration and in Washington, more generally. But you have to say that the chief concern right now is really Taiwan. That's certainly the most worrying point of friction between the two countries. And most analysts -- and I would count myself among them -- do see a pretty significantly increased risk of conflict over Taiwan in the near future.

It should be not forgotten, though, that there is one bright spot in this generally fairly bleak picture. And that's climate change. Just a couple of days ago, the U.S. and China issued a surprise joint declaration during the recently concluded Glasgow climate conference, which indicated that despite all their differences, the two countries are at least still capable of speaking with one voice when it comes to the critical issue of climate change.

So there is at least that bright spot to point to.

And the last thing I think that is kind of important to consider and that we should look to for this meeting, is the issue of trade. And that is a little bit more complex. I think there are some potential areas of partnership and working forward, but you do -- do see those tensions hanging over that issue, as well.

HOLMES: I want to ask you, too, what you see as Xi's plan going forward, because he's the one with the longevity in the bank. Clearly, he sees the east on the rise and in many ways the west on the decline. How is he and likely will he take advantage of that?

MOORE: I mean, I think, in general terms, extremely likely. Virtually certain. And I think that's a lot of what you've seen over the last couple of years, in terms of what look, certainly from an American perspective, like a much more belligerent Chinese foreign policy, certainly increased repression at home, and an increased willingness to challenge liberal values pretty much everywhere.

And again, issues in areas like Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Taiwan are probably the foremost examples of those. And I think all of those broadly fit that pattern that you mentioned of a more assertive, and in many ways, more aggressive China and Xi Jinping himself.

[00:10:15]

HOLMES: Yes. Great analysis, as always. Scott Moore, thank you so much.

MOORE: Thanks so much, Michael.

HOLMES: The crisis along the Belarusian-Poland border is nearing a confrontation, or it might be. The Polish border guard claims dozens of migrants are getting help

from Belarusian forces to make a major attempt to break through the border. And they reported seeing tents coming down and migrants getting instructions from Belarusian officials.

That's after Poland issued a mass warning to phones in the area on Saturday that the border is sealed and migrants should go back to Minsk.

The ministry of defense tweeted Polish forces are in the border area on standby. The U.S. says the crisis is aimed at diverting attention from Russia's activities on the border with Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Lithuania says it's also seeing an influx of migrants trying to cross its border from Belarus. And in the coming hours, the European Union is planning to impose new sanctions on Belarusian airlines and travel agencies suspected of helping migrants reach the border.

Nada Bashir with the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NADA BASHIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL PRODUCER: Well, all eyes were certainly on Brussels on Monday, where E.U. foreign ministers are set to meet to discuss the situation unfolding on the border between Poland and Belarus.

Thousands of refugees currently stranded on the Belarusian side of the border, attempting to make that desperate crossing into Poland, into the European Union, although Polish authorities have so far blocked the vast majority of these refugees from crossing into the border.

Some 15,000 troops there, including other border officials behind the barbed wire fence, preventing refugees from crossing the border.

Late on Saturday, many of the refugees in the area will have received a text message warning them not to attempt to make that crossing, saying that they won't be allowed to pass on through Poland into Germany or other E.U. countries.

So there are some serious concerns now that the refugees stranded on the border will continue to be stranded there, stuck in the middle of this political standoff between the European Union and Belarus.

And we heard earlier in the week from German foreign minister Heiko Mass, who said that talks on Monday are set to be focused on the potential expansion of sanctions. That is, sanctions on companies and individuals believed to be involved in human trafficking.

The E.U. has accused Belarus of driving and manufacturing this refugee crisis in an effort to destabilize the E.U.'s external borders and distract attention away from Belarus's own human rights abuses, although Belarus has denied these claims.

But there are serious concerns now of the humanitarian situation. Thousands of refugees stranded there in dire conditions. Temperatures falling to freezing, desperate shortages in food and medicine supplies, as well as other essential items.

And many of these families, who have traveled from the Middle East and Asia, traveling with small children. So there are real concerns there, humanitarian aid groups calling for access and calling for something to be done immediately in order to bring an end to this crisis.

And at the moment, these refugees stay stranded in between this political standoff between the European Union and Belarus, unable to advance into the European Union, as they so desperately hope to do so. But also unable to return home.

Nada Bashir, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Now, many of the migrants are from Iraq and Syria, or at least some of them are ethnic Kurds. In an interview with CNN's Becky Anderson, Iraq's foreign minister accuses Belarus of taking advantage of people trying to seek a better life in Europe.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FUAD HUSSEIN, IRAQ FOREIGN MINISTER: Immigration is not a new phenomenon, it's an old phenomenon. It has to do with two factors: pull and push factors.

I'm sorry to say that, but we feel that Belarus is using these immigrants as a political tool against the European Union and European countries. In fact, we had various discussions with the Lithuanian minister of foreign defense, with Poland's (ph) minister of foreign affairs, with almost all European Union ministers about this issue.

We cannot forbid our people to travel abroad. So they are free. And that this is according to our constitution. But when they arrive there in Minsk, we feel that there are some organizations there, and who export (ph) them, to get them to the border.

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You're talking about smugglers?

HUSSEIN: This is a problem. They are criminals, and they're smugglers inside Iraq, in Belarus, in other countries. They are organizing these things.

[0015:06]

So we are in discussion with the European Union also, and we are trying to control this. In fact, we didn't allow Iraqi flights from Baghdad to Belarus. We forbid that. And now, Turkey is doing the same.

So let's hope to -- that we will reach a solution, because at the end, human beings must not be used as the tools for political aims for some countries. To put pressure on European Union, they can use other -- other kinds of means, but not using refugees, and especially refugees from Iraq. Now we are talking about Iraq.

So thousands of them, they -- they are there. And it is a terrible situation. We are trying to solve it. We are communicating with the refugees themselves, or those immigrants, to bring them back to Iraq. That's our policy.

Talking to the European Union, trying to convince those people to come back to their country. And at the same time, giving signals to the government in Minsk that this is not the right approach.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: The Iraqi foreign minister there, discussing the Belarusian- E.U. border crisis.

Now in England, police have arrested three men under the Terrorism Act after a car explosion killed one person and injured another near Liverpool hospital. The suspects, all in their 20s. No other information about their background has been released yet.

They say they're keeping what they call an open mind as to what caused Sunday's explosion, which involved a taxi. They're urging the public to remain calm, but vigilant, as they continue to investigate.

London's mayor tweeting, "London stands with Liverpool. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible incident."

A quick break here on the program. When we come back, Austria puts its unvaccinated population into lockdown. The new measures to stop the surge and the costly consequences for ignoring the restrictions.

Plus, severe air pollution has forced schools to close in New Delhi. What the Indian government is saying about this. That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Countries in Europe are in crisis mode as rising COVID infections prompt new restrictions.

In the coming hours, Austria will begin enforcing lockdown measures for the unvaccinated, after reporting record case numbers last week. But not everyone is happy with that mandatory lockdown. Barbie Nadeau following that story, and more, across Europe for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBIE LATZA NADEAU, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Protesters gather in Vienna ahead of new restrictions now in effect in Austria and other parts of Europe that target the unvaccinated.

[00:20:04]

Officials from the World Health Organization say Europe is once again at the center of the pandemic. And some governments are getting tough on those who have not been vaccinated by limiting what they can do and where they can go. In Austria, anyone 12 and over who is not fully vaccinated is under a

stay-at-home order. That means no going out, unless it's for work, taking a walk, or other essential purposes, though children ages 12 to 15, who are regularly tested under government standards, can participate in some public activities.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's very discriminating, because I'm allowed to go to work, but the rest of the day, I have to stay at home?

NADEAU: With only 65 percent of Austria's population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, one of the lowest rates in western Europe, millions of people are now under lockdown again, though there are some exemptions for those who are recently recovered from the virus.

Officials say the lockdown will initially last 10 days, and there will be stiff fines for those who don't comply, which will be enforced through spot checks.

KARL NEHAMMER, AUSTRIAN INTERIOR MINISTER: Every citizen, every person living in Austria must be aware that they could be checked by the police at any time.

NADEAU: Germany's capital, Berlin, also singling out the unvaccinated, who under new restrictions called 2-G, can no longer dine indoors at restaurants; go to bars, cinemas, and other venues. Those privileges are now only for the vaccinated and those who can show proof of recent recovery from COVID-19.

The targeted measures come as Germany has some of the highest daily numbers of new coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.

Not everyone is happy with the new tactics. Business owners must now turn away customers if they don't meet the criteria.

But some, who implemented the rules while they were still optional, say there was a sense of relief that come from them.

KASTEN DREES, BAR MANAGER (through translator): For me and my employees, it makes things easier at work. The customers are also more relaxed. We don't always have to check, if customers are wearing their masks when they get up.

NADEAU: Tough consequences for the unvaccinated, but with soaring new cases of COVID-19 in Europe. Some governments are shifting their tone for those who have not taken the vaccine.

Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Schools and government offices in New Delhi are now closed for a week, as severe air pollution blankets the city. Thick smog has hung over the Indian capital for days now, and air quality in and around the city is being rated from very poor to severe.

CNN's Vedika Sud joins me now live from New Delhi.

These closure steps that are being taken come, of course, as India, ironically, faces criticism for watering down the COP26 communique reference to coal.

VEDIKA SUD, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Of course, Michael, and that's one reason I'm wearing this mask, even today. I mean, we are already battling a pandemic, but during these months of the year, you'll see Indians in Delhi wearing the masks because of the poor to very severe category that the pollution levels are at over the last three weeks.

Today, it is in the poor category, but we're being told by the environment ministry that, in the coming days, it's once again going to fall in the severe to very severe category in parts of Delhi and neighboring areas.

One big reason for this, Michael, is stubble burning, which means crop burning by farmers in and around Delhi.

Now, in the last two weeks, it's been up to 50 percent carbon (ph) contribution by stubble burning to the heavy levels of pollution in and around Delhi.

Schools have been shut for a week, starting today in Delhi. The chief minister of Delhi made this announcement last evening. Also, this is very worrying, because it leads to a lot of respiratory issues. Not only with adults but children, as well. It's as bad as smoking packs of cigarettes, according to medical experts. And that remains the worry.

Now, very importantly, Michael, today the supreme court will continue hearing a petition filed by a student, a 17-year-old student, last week, who has asked for what are the measures being taken by the Delhi government in curbing pollution levels.

This happens every year, Michael. You and I spoke on last year, as well, and the year before that, when it comes to high pollution levels in Delhi and neighboring areas.

The problem is that the Delhi government, and the central government, is almost always reactive to the situation than proactive. So today, we're going to hear both from the central government, as well as the Delhi government, on the measures that they are putting in place to curb the pollution levels, which are already peaking -- Michael.

HOLMES: Yes, yes. Worrying images that we're seeing there. And as we said, India, of course, was a main driver of this watering down of the communique language on coal. And the president of COP26 later said that, quote, "India and China are going to have to explain themselves to the most climate vulnerable countries in the world."

What would be India's explanation? What's being said there?

[00:25:04] SUD: So the environment minister, who was at COP26, has come out and said that from India's point of view, COP26 has been successful. While other countries, of course, like you have pointed out, have been criticizing India for watering down the agreement.

Now India, along with China and some other countries, have stated that they want the phasing down of coal instead of the phasing out of coal.

Now, Bhupender Yadav, who is the environment minister here in India, has explained earlier, even at COP, that, for India, 70 percent of its energy comes from coal. And that will be increasing over the years, given the population of the country, Michael.

Let's just listen in to what the Indian environment minister had to say at COP26.

HOLMES: Vedika, I don't think we have that sound, unfortunately. But we'll leave it there for the moment. But important report. Thanks so much, Vedika Sud there in New Delhi.

All right. We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, the stakes are high as Joe Biden and Xi Jinping prepare for their first virtual summit, as we've been reporting. We're going to take a look, though, at some of the thorny issues they will be confronting.

Also, as Cuba reopens to foreign travelers, the island is also cracking down on activists, rallying protests, ahead of Monday's planned demonstrations.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: And welcome back to our viewers all around the world. I'm Michael Holmes. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM.

Now, back to our top story. U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold that virtual summit in the hours ahead. It will be Monday night in Washington, Tuesday morning in Beijing.

The leaders have twice spoken on the phone, most recently a 90-minute conversation back in September. But this will be their first meeting since Mr. Biden took office, in a face-to-face sense, even if virtually. And of course, it comes with U.S.-China relations at a low point.

CNN's David Culver explains how we got here.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID CULVER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The leaders of the world's reigning and emerging superpowers, heading into a much-anticipated virtual summit, as bilateral ties largely remain in deep freeze.

VICTOR SHIH, PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO: The summit is a preliminary sign that the relationship between the U.S. and China is getting back on a more normal track. CULVER: U.S.-China relations have been growing more tense since 2018,

when former President Trump launched his trade war over Beijing's alleged unfair practices, slapping massive tariffs on Chinese goods.

[00:30:03]

The downward spiral worsened amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as Washington accused China of covering up its mishandling of the virus that would quickly bring the world to its knees.

ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: President Biden --

CULVER: A transition to the Biden administration did little to ease tensions. An early meeting between senior U.S. and Chinese officials, marred by fiery exchanges.

Recently though, signs of progress. A high-profile Chinese tech executive, detained on U.S. criminal charges in Canada, was allowed to return to China.

And just last week, both countries coming together in a joint effort to fight climate change. The heated rhetoric, at times, softening a bit.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We welcome the competition. We're not looking for conflict.

CULVER: In a letter published last week, President Xi said China is willing to "enhance exchanges and cooperation across the board" with the U.S.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On both sides, there is a stabilization of the relationship, which would allow both powers to peacefully coexist in a (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

CULVER: But the two sides still at odds over a wide range of thorny issues, from mounting military tensions across the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea; to tech and cybersecurity; to human rights.

But likely topping the agenda, experts say, is what plunged U.S.-China relations to an historic low to begin with. An agreement on trade might just lead to a thaw in ties between the world's two biggest economies.

David Culver, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Cuba is bracing for protests on Monday, the same day the island nation begins to reopen to tourists. The government is ready to welcome foreign visitors once again, following what it calls a successful COVID campaign, when it comes to vaccinations.

But opposition groups plan to use the day to demand greater freedoms and the release of jailed activists.

Cuba's government is already cracking down, surrounding the homes of activists on Sunday, including well-known playwright, Yunior Garcia.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted his support to the opposition, calling on the Cuban government to quote, "demonstrate respect for human rights."

The son of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has submitted his candidacy for the Libyan presidency. That's according to the country's election commission.

But Saif al-Islam Gadhafi faces a major obstacle. The 49-year-old is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, for allegedly suppressing the revolt of the Libyan people in 2011.

In a rare interview in July, he told "The New York Times" he thought his legal issues could be, quote, "negotiated away" if he wins the election next month.

Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former U.S. president, Donald Trump, is expected to turn himself in in the coming hours. He's facing two charges of contempt of Congress, after he defied a subpoena from the committee investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.

But Bannon may not be the last member of Trump's inner circle to face charges. Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows snubbed the same committee on Friday when he failed to show up for a deposition. And if he continues refusing to cooperate, one lawmaker says the committee won't hesitate to act.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ADAM SCHIFF (D-CA): We have been moving very quickly to make these decisions, and I'm confident we'll move very quickly with respect to Mr. Meadows.

But when, ultimately, witnesses decide, as Meadows has --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

SCHIFF: -- that they're not even going to bother showing up, that they have that much contempt for the law, then that pretty much forces our hand. And we'll move quickly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Coming up on CNN NEWSROOM, growing concerns over Queen Elizabeth's health after the British monarch canceled what would have been their first public appearance in three weeks. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[0036:01]

HOLMES: Countries in Europe are in crisis mode as rising COVID infections prompt new restrictions. Let's talk more about this with Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and professor of molecular medicine for Scripps Research.

Good to see you again, Doctor. These record case numbers in Germany, we've seen Germany, of course, once praised for its handling of the pandemic; the partial lockdown in the Netherlands; Austria's planned lockdown of unvaccinated. Do you think tough moves like Austria's will work in slowing the spread?

DR. ERIC TOPOL, CARDIOLOGIST/PROFESSOR OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE, SCRIPPS RESEARCH: Well, good to be with you, Michael.

I think it is important that anything be done to kind of get control, containment at this point. Austria is the third in the world in terms of caseload.

So it's probably a short-term thing. The main agenda is getting that vaccination rates up as high as possible. Germany is in the mid-60s. Austria's even lower than that. We know it's got to be 80, 85 percent to really start to get some containment. So that's the urgent matter right now.

HOLMES: When it comes to vaccine hesitancy, I mean, the thing that continues to strike me, it couldn't be more clear that the people dying of COVID are overwhelmingly unvaccinated. Why do you think vaccine resistance is still so high, in light of that incredibly stark fact?

TOPOL: You're absolutely right. If you look at Eastern and Central Europe, you see where there's low vaccination rates, countries like Georgia, the death rates are alarmingly high; whereas even though there's a surge in western Europe that we've been discussing, death rates, especially for the countries with high vaccination rates, is extremely low.

So this should be compelling evidence how critical it is to get these vaccinations.

And also the waning effect. So, certain countries are doing really well with getting the booster shots in, like Belgium and the U.K. But many countries are lagging behind, and that's just as important to after getting the primary vaccinations, is getting those booster shots.

HOLMES: Variants, of course, emerge in conditions of rampant spread. And we've discussed that many times before. How worried are you, given that these -- with these surges, that a new variant could emerge that could defeat the vaccines and put us back to square one?

TOPOL: Well, that's always a concern, Michael. We know this variant, this Delta Plus, AY.4.2, it's not one of particular concern at all at this point. It doesn't cause more problems clinically, and it's really growing at a very slow rate, competing slightly with Delta.

But so far, we haven't seen a variant that's worrisome to compete with Delta, but just as you're alluding to, it's possible if we don't achieve containment. Right now, Europe is the outlier, and of course other continents will follow. HOLMES: And of course, the European case just happening before winter

has even arrived. How worried are you about that, given the months ahead? The fears that winter is the time, of course, that COVID will spread the fastest?

TOPOL: Absolutely. You know, we get people going indoors. We don't have the mitigation measures like the masking and distancing in place. There's a lot of pandemic fatigue. So all the gatherings and the indoor holidays, these are things that could make things worse than they are right now. And so, yes, none of this portends good things in the imminent time ahead.

HOLMES: And I know you've written about this, too. The United States is still stuck at around 60 percent fully vaccinated. Is it inevitable the European surge will hit the U.S., as well?

TOPOL: I don't think we can avoid that, Michael. We are not even 60 percent. We're much slower to get the booster shots in than the countries in Europe.

We're also -- we had a first mover disadvantage, because like Israel and the U.K., we were giving our vaccines much earlier, so there's a lot more waning here.

We have almost no mitigation measures, and we're already seeing, in the last seven days, a 13 percent increase in cases. We've never gotten, really, below 75,000 new cases a day.

[00:40:07]

So we're starting at a high baseline. We're starting to go up, and it looks like what's going on in Europe right now is going to have a replay here in the U.S. quite soon.

HOLMES: It's interesting. In Austria, some of the restrictions are on children. It does seem that children and teenagers are prime drivers of spread, even if serious illness and death isn't common amongst them. But given their role in spreading, how important is it, then, for those younger people to get vaccinated ASAP?

TOPOL: I'm glad you asked about that, because we do know that the teens and children were drivers of the U.K. surge, which is now under control, and in the U.S.

So that's why vaccination of the teens and the kids, are starting in the U.S. just recently, age 5 to 11, is really important. That helps to get that containment and that total population level of vaccination very high, no less protect the children.

So some countries in Europe have done that better, but overall, we are way behind where we ought to be. We've had the teens eligible for vaccination in many countries, but they're not getting the pick-up, the demand as they should.

HOLMES: Always great to have your expertise, Dr. Eric Topol. Thanks so much. Appreciate it. TOPOL: Thank you, Michael.

HOLMES: Britain's Queen Elizabeth canceled a planned appearance at Sunday's Remembrance Day ceremony. A royal source says the move was not related to recent doctor's orders to rest up.

But it has been weeks since her last public event, and there's growing speculation about the 95-year-old monarch's health.

CNN's royal correspondent, Max Foster, with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: The queen pulled out of the Remembrance Day commemorations in Central London last-minute, and it's because she strained her back, according to Buckingham Palace. She's effectively in too much pain to go there.

We're told by a royal source that this is unrelated to the reason she's canceled other recent engagements. That was on medical advice that she needed to rest.

That is a big moment for the queen not to arrive at this event. She's only missed it six times in her long reign: four times when she was traveling abroad, and twice because she was pregnant.

She is commander in chief of the armed forces. She served in the Second World War, so she wouldn't have pulled out of this lightly.

And a royal source telling CNN the queen was deeply disappointed to miss the engagement, which he considers one of the most significant engagements of the year.

We are being reassured, though, a royal source telling CNN, that the queen hopes to continue as planned with her schedule of light official duties next week. That is carrying out engagements remotely, and allowing her to carry out her crucial, central constitutional role, but without arriving in person, which clearly, she's unable to do right now. And her doctors continue to advise her to rest as much as possible.

Max Foster, CNN, Hampshire, England.

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HOLMES: Thanks for watching and spending parts of your day with me. I'm Michael Holmes. Do stay tuned for WORLD SPORT. I'll see you in a little bit over 15 minutes.

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