Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

France Anticipates Rise of Omicron; Germany Looking to Impose Lockdown for Unvaccinated; Poor Ventilation Favors Omicron; Girls Sold in Afghanistan to Curb Poverty; IOC Says It Held Second Call With Chinese Tennis Star; Growing Concern Over Well-Being Of Tennis Star; China Faces Host Of Challenges Ahead Of Winter Games, Calls For Boycotts Of Winter Games; Cuban Children Return To Classrooms Amid Omicron Fears; Iran Has Not Enriched Uranium To Weapons Grade; Ukraine Crisis Tops Antony Blinken, Lavrov Meeting; Pope Francis Supports Migrants In Cyprus; German Army Honor Chancellor Angela Merkel; Megan Markle Wins Court Battle; Reproducing Robots And Frogs; Elle Magazine Bans Animal Fur. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired December 03, 2021 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): From India to Malaysia and beyond, the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly around the globe. We're live on three continents with the latest developments.

A CNN exclusive, the nine-year-old Afghan girls sold as a child bride. We'll show you her dramatic rescue.

And, China responds after the Women's Tennis Association suspends events there over the treatment of one of its stars. We'll have details in a live report from Hong Kong.

Welcome to all of you watching here in the United States, Canada, and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN Newsroom.

UNKNOWN: Live from CNN center, this is CNN Newsroom, with Kim Brunhuber.

BRUNHUBER: Malaysia and Zimbabwe are the latest countries to report cases of the Omicron variants of coronavirus. And Germany is taking a major step to fight a surge in COVID infections. German leaders have announced a nationwide lockdown for the unvaccinated, they will be banned from all but the most essential businesses.

Meanwhile, European health officials say the Omicron variant could make up more than half of the cases on the continent within the next few months, and that have some calling for mandatory vaccinations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): Mandatory vaccinations will be discussed and voted in the German Bundestag, and the government and the states will all see ethics council to work out the recommendation by years end. Mandatory vaccinations could then, if approved in parliament, will become effective around February 2022.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER (on camera): Starting Monday, all travelers entering the United States will face tighter testing rules, even U.S. citizens will have to show a negative COVID test from one day before their departure. Foreign nationals must be fully vaccinated, and the White House has a vaccine mandate for domestic travel is still under consideration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: This tighter testing timetable provides a dramatic degree of protection as scientists continue to study the Omicron variant. And we are extending the requirement, both internationally and domestically, to wear a mask for travel on aircraft, trains, public transportation through the winter months.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER (on camera): And we are covering this developing story with our reporters from around the world. Cyril Vanier is in Paris, David Johannesburg -- David McKenzie is in Johannesburg, and Blake Essig is in Tokyo.

So, let's go first to Cyril. As I mentioned, European officials are making some startling predictions about how soon Omicron could be the dominant variant on the continent. So, what's the latest on the situation there?

CYRIL VANIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, every day, Kim, we find out of new confirmed cases in a number of countries in Europe. And late last night it was France's term, there are at least eight confirmed cases in France. I think it's reasonable to expect that in the coming days we will find out that there are actually more.

There is aggressive contact tracing taking place not just in France, but in many European countries. European countries know they are not going to stop Omicron from taking a foothold in Europe.

And in fact, the ECDC said as much, you referred to it that they believe this will account for at least half the cases in just a few months.

So, what they are trying to do is they are trying to slow it down. Number one, aggressive contact tracing. Number two, they have put in place aggressive travel restrictions, sometimes outright bans on Southern African nations even though the World Health Organization has said those don't work. Most European countries have gone ahead and done them regardless.

Having said that, Kim, they are fighting really two fronts. And the most significant COVID fronts that European countries are fighting right now is still the Delta variant, which counts for almost all cases in Europe.

Listen to what the head of the French scientific council said, now this is the group that advises the government on how to deal with the pandemic.

All right, I understand we don't have that quite ready for you. The point he was making was that this is -- the Delta variant is still the priority, and must remain the priority for governments, because we are seeing a surge in cases, it is the case here in France, where 90 percent of the people, note that, Kim, 90 percent of the people who can be vaccinated are 12-year-olds and up, and still, we are seeing this surge in cases.

[03:05:04]

The French health minister saying, that one person gets admitted to intensive care every 10 minutes. So right now, to put it shortly, European countries looking at the Omicron variant, but alarmed and panicked by the Delta variant, Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. That's a good way to phrase it. Cyril Vanier in Paris, thanks so much. All right. We're going to head now to Johannesburg and CNN's David McKenzie. David, scientists there in South Africa are learning more about the variant first discovered there even as cases are surging. And I understand you just got a briefing from the South African officials, what did you learn?

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we learned is that cases are rising here fast. And Kim, two things are worth noting, one is the situation does appear quite potentially serious here in this country.

Here where I'm sitting in the Gauteng province, it's an exponential rise in cases. There is a rise in hospitalizations, but they say there's plenty of capacity at this point.

Worth remembering, Omicron took hold at a very low point in terms of transmission, there is a lot of room for it to move. And you've seen those positivity rates skyrocket after from a very low base, maybe 10 days ago, the lowest point in the pandemic in fact.

So, it's still unclear how the impact of this will be in terms of serious disease, for now the parents are skewing younger but there could be a variety of explanations for that. And the big news, I think, and the most important news is that vaccines appear to be having an effect. And the health minister has one message for the world.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE PHAALA, SOUTH AFRICAN HEALTH MINISTER: So, the evidence that this very clear thus far is that like all previous variants, our best protection against serious illness lies with the vaccination. We must therefore not hesitate to take the vaccine, because of this Omicron variant, it provides -- the vaccination provides our best protection against serious illness and death. (END VIDEO CLIP)

MCKENZIE: And so, what happens here, is obviously potentially a bellwether for the rest the world because this variant where it's unclear where it started. But it certainly has seated in Southern Africa. They say the next two to three weeks will be critical. Of course, everyone wants answers right now, but there's always a lag between incidents and then hospitalizations that we've seen throughout the pandemic.

Despite the optimistic viewpoint from clinicians in recent days that perhaps this is a less severe illness. The experts in epidemiology are saying it's too early to tell. You need to wait and see if this does impact people in the same way or worse than previous variants. At this stage there is no evidence that's any worse, but it does appear to be spreading faster and have more instances of reinfection.

Meaning, if you had COVID before, you might get it again, though less severely.

BRUNHUBER: Despite the assurances, certainly plenty to worry about there from the statistics that you're citing there. David McKenzie in Johannesburg, thanks so much.

The director of the WHO in the Western Pacific says the Omicron variant will eventually come to most countries in the region. They're urging governments to prepare.

So, for more on that I'm joined by Blake Essig live in Tokyo. So, Blake, more cases being discovered on the continent there, leading to more border closings including where you are in Japan.

BLAKE ESSIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, Kim, here in Japan specifically, you know, for the last several weeks, you know, months plus, the borders looked like there are starting to open up, more business travelers and business students coming back. That's all changed. You know, less people are allowed in now, it's harder to get in and visas have been taken away from people that have them that weren't able to get in here.

And so, things are changing, and it is all because of this new variant and the uncertainty that has come with it. And I know it's disappointing to hear, but WHO officials made it clear earlier today that this pandemic is far from over, and that we must adapt to the way we manage with the virus to better cope with future surges.

And so far, in this region, this new variant has been found in several countries, including two here in Japan, seven in Australia, four in Hong Kong, five in South Korea, two in India and Malaysia just reported its first case today.

Now, that case is particularly interesting because it involves a student studying at a local university who arrived in Malaysia from South Africa on November 19th, and that is before the first reported case of the new variant was reported to the WHO.

[03:09:52]

That all being said, WHO officials say that the variant is likely already circulating in many more countries that has already been reported. And now with this new variant starting to spread, officials point to our experience throughout roughly the past two years as a guide for what needs to be done now.

They say that it's important for countries to aim for higher vaccination coverage, continuing to promote public health and social measures, including social distancing, mask-wearing.

They also want to make sure that the healthcare capacity is where it needs to be. They want you to strengthen active surveillance like testing, and of course, taking a risk-based approach to border control.

And although there is still a lot we don't know about this new variant, health experts say that the information we do have suggest that it's more transmissible than even the Delta variant, and as a result many governments across this region have tightened entry requirements and quarantine rules, while others have outright banned the entry of travelers from certain countries.

Cambodia banned 10 countries from Southern Africa earlier today from entering the country as a result of this variant. But according to WHO officials, travel bans won't keep cases out of countries, but will buy them some more time for countries prepare for what's coming, if it's not already there, Kim?

BRUNHUBER: Yes, that's a message being echoed here by U.S. officials as well. Blake Essig in Tokyo, thanks so much.

And joining me now is Dr. Kelvin To, a clinical associate professor at the University of Hong Kong. Thank so much for joining us.

I want to ask you, the circumstances surrounding Hong Kong's first two infections are a bit unusual, and have led your team to a few theories about the transmissibility of these variants. So, take us through what you've observed.

KELVIN TO, CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG: So, the first two cases, the second case is believed to being transmitted from the first case. Basically, those are two people who are quarantined in the same hotel. They were living in a room which is opposite to each other. They have never met each other, so they did not have any direct contact at all.

So, it was believed that the transmission occurred because the original patient, when he opens the door the virus gets into the corridor, and the air flow was relatively stagnant in the corridor. And then, the victim, or the second patient, open the door in the opposite room, then it's believed that he inhaled the virus after opening the door.

So, we suspect that it may be a case of airborne transmission in which there is actually no direct contact with any droplets or anything like that.

BRUNHUBER: Gosh. So, I mean, having two people like this in nearby rooms who never met, you know, this suggest something about the transmissibility of this variant then?

TO: It's a bit too early to predict because it's really well known that even previous strains of SARS COVID-19 can spread in the airborne route given the correct condition. So, it takes time for us to observe, to see other cases whether this airborne transmission is widespread or whether it's just an isolated incident.

BRUNHUBER: We are hearing there from our South African correspondent that officials there are posturing that it is more transmissible than the Delta variant, which, you know, so quickly traveled around the world and became the dominant variant. So, you know, is that what you are expecting here, and if so, what does that mean, do you think?

TO: It is what we worry about. I mean, just Delta variant, can replace other variants pretty quickly. So, I think we -- I mean, we are prepared that this may become another Delta variant pretty soon, but of course it takes time to know whether this is true or not.

BRUNHUBER: Now we don't know many answers about this, but already we were just hearing there from South African officials that they suggested that vaccines are still effective against this. What's your assessment so far in these very early days?

TO: We currently don't have any data on the vaccine effectiveness, although that in Hong Kong or the cases, or the four cases were vaccinated, and they have -- they were asymptomatic or mild. So at least from those four cases it seems that the vaccine works.

So far, we don't have any deported data to support whether the vaccine work or not. We should, I mean, scientists around the world should have some data within a few weeks so that we can know about this risk.

BRUNHUBER: The very early reports from South Africa and elsewhere have so far suggested that the cases have been fairly mild. Is that any cause for optimism, or could it just be a function of the age profile of the cases maybe skewing younger, or is it just too early to tell?

TO: I think it's too early to tell. One thing I'll just say that the age group is a bit skewed right now, because most of the cases are young people who do not usually develop severe illness.

[03:15:06]

What we learn most is the elderly, and especially in Hong Kong, for example, our elderly vaccination rate is very low, and so especially in Hong Kong we are very worried that what will happen if the Omicron variant infect the elderly. So, we are very cautious about that.

BRUNHUBER: Despite all the fears about it, you know, let's say increase transmissibility, the message we've been hearing from some of your colleagues is still, you know, don't panic. Why not? TO: I think we should never be panic when the variant come up. Of

course, we have to be prepared, but I mean, there is no reason to panic. At least, you know, our measures all work so far. For example, in Hong Kong our border control was able to stop the Omicron variant from entering our community.

And the mask seems to be working, I mean, none of the contacts at the airports are infected. So, I'm sure that, I mean, with such simple measures that we are always doing can really stop this virus from spreading wild if we adhere to those measures.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. In many countries that is certainly a big if. I really appreciate all of your insight, Dr. Kelvin To. Thank you so much.

TO: Thank you.

BRUNHUBER: All right. When we come back, a nine-year-old girl rescued from child marriage in Afghanistan. Now you may remember our exclusive story about Parwana who was sold as a child bride. Well now she is safe and speaking with our Anna Coren.

Plus, the International Olympic Committee says it spoke with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai again. We'll explain why the Women's Tennis Association says they're still concerned for her wellbeing. We'll have that after the break. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER (on camera): Last month we brought you a distressing story about child marriage in Afghanistan. Many of you were particularly disturbed by the case of nine-year-old Parwana who was sold in marriage to a 55-year-old man for around $2,000. Her father said it was his only option to feed his family.

CNN was granted rare permission to document the disturbing sale and hand over. Well, after an international outcry following our story, the U.S. based nonprofit Too Young to Wed got involved and rescued Parwana. CNN was there to document it and Anna Coren brings us this exclusive report.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: An Iranian love song plays from a cassette as the driver navigates his way through the snow dusted Laghman valley in northwestern Afghanistan. Crammed in the back of the station wagon is a mother and her six children, who have just left behind a life of constant struggle and hardship. All they have ever known.

[03:20:08]

Among them, nine-year-old Parwana. Our cameraman, Siddiqui (Ph) asked her how she is feeling.

"I am so happy," she says, with a beaming smile. CNN met Parwana dressed in pink in and internally displaced camp in

Badghis province back in October. Her father claims he was selling her to feed the rest of the family as a humanitarian crisis grips the country. He had already sold his 12-year-old into marriage, and told CNN that unless the situation improved, he would have to sell his four remaining daughters as well, including the youngest, just two.

"If I didn't have these daughters to sell," he asks, "what should I do?"

Parwana's buyer who lived in a nearby village, confirmed he was taking the nine-year-old as his second wife.

UNKNOWN (through translator): I'm 55 years old. I have a wife with four daughters and a son. I bought her for myself. I will wait until she becomes older.

COREN: CNN was granted rare access to film the final payment and hand over. The buyer asked for it to take place at a house in his village and not the camp for security reasons. He paid a total of 200,000 Afghanis, just over $2,000 U.S. dollars for Parwana in land, sheep, and cash.

"This is your bride, please take care of her," says Parwana's father. "Of course, I will take care of her," replies the man. As he drags her away, she whimpers. Moments later, she digs her heels into the dirt. Refusing to go. But it's hopeless.

CNN's story caused an outcry.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Now a distressing story out of Afghanistan showing the --

COREN: The network was inundated with offers of help from the public, aid organizations, and NGO's wanting to assist Parwana and the other girls featured in our story. The U.S.-based charity, Too Young to Wed took the lead.

Its founding executive director, Stephanie Sinclair, has been working to end child marriage and help vulnerable girls around the world for almost 20 years. She says, the perfect storm is brewing in Afghanistan, and it is the girls that are suffering.

STEPHANIE SINCLAIR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TOO YOUNG TO WED: I know these stories are difficult to watch, and they are difficult to do, and they bring around a lot of concern, but at the same time we need to keep people, understanding that this is happening, we need to keep ringing the alarm bell. Understand these are real girls and real lives, and they can be changed.

COREN: Within Badghis province, there was widespread backlash towards Parwana's father and the buyer after our story went to air. With claims they brought shame on the community. Even the Taliban told CNN the practice is forbidden.

MAWLAWI BAZ MOHAMMAD SARWARY, BADGHIS INFORMATION AND CULTURE DIRECTORATE (through translator): I request everyone not to sell their children. Child marriage is not a good thing, and we condemn it.

COREN: Women's rights activist and U.S. citizen Mahbouba Seraj who chose to stay in Kabul after the Taliban swept to power in August to run her women's shelter. She says Parwana's case is just the tip of the iceberg.

MAHBOUBA SERAJ, FOUNDER, AFGHAN WOMEN'S NETWORK: There is lot of misery, there is a lot of mistreatments. There is a lot of abuse is involved in these things. And it will keep on happening with the hunger, with the winter, with poverty.

COREN: As a result of the controversy caused by the story and intervention from the charity, Parwana was allowed to return home after almost two weeks with the buyer's family.

"Since Parwana has been rescued, I'm very happy for that," says her father. He admitted to CNN that under duress from the community and some local media outlets, he changed his story out of embarrassment for what he had done and apologized.

The buyer is unreachable for comment, but the debt is still outstanding. Too Young to Wed then organized to have Parwana, her mother, and her siblings, all removed from the camp with the father's permission. The four-hour journey to neighboring Herat province was broken up with some childhood fun.

Before arriving at the motel. For children who have only ever lived in a tent, the novelty of being warm, fed, and safe wasn't wearing off.

"They've rescued me, they've given me a new life," says Parwana. "I thank the charity for helping me."

A few days later, they moved into the safe house. Parwana's mother, 27-year-old, Resavou (Ph) has never lived in a house. She was sold into marriage at 13 and has since had seven children. Six of whom were girls.

[03:25:03]

Most days in the camp she would beg for food and often her family would go to sleep hungry. Now, all she wants is to give her children a better life.

"I have a dream, a wish they go to school and start an education," she says. "I have a lot of wishes for them." Too Young to Wed has already began distributing aid to Parwana's impoverished camp, among others. While the small charity is prepared to bridge the gap, they are calling on the large aid organizations to step up.

SINCLAIR: These are communities that have relied on international aid for the last 20 years. And so, what a lot of that is stopping, these people didn't stop needing support. We can't let them pay the price. Because ultimately, girls always pay the biggest price.

COREN: I speak to Parwana on Zoom through my colleague Basia (Ph).

Hello, Parwana. I'm Anna!

UNKNOWN (through translator): How are you? How are you feeling?

COREN: I very good. Thank you. How are you?

UNKNOWN (through translator): I'm fine. I'm so happy. I'm safe. I'm rescued.

COREN: Then she asks, when are you sending me to school? She wants to study and become a doctor or a teacher. But fairytale endings are few and far between for girls in Afghanistan. Even more so now than ever.

Anna Coren, CNN.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER (on camera): What a story. Now if you'd like to help girls like Parwana, please visit tooyoungtowed.org and you can learn more about their work in Afghanistan and how you can be part of the solution.

Now the Winter Olympics are just about two months away but China is facing a host of challenges as it works to reassure the world it can host a safe event. Coming up, a look at how Beijing is preparing.

Plus, heading back to the classroom in Cuba. What an aggressive vaccine strategy means for reopening schools and dealing with the Omicron variant.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: Welcome back to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada, and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN Newsroom.

Beijing is criticizing the Women's Tennis Association for politicizing sports after its suspended events in China in response to the controversy surrounding Peng Shuai. The International Olympic Committee says it believes the tennis star is safe and well after holding another call with her on Wednesday. But the head of the WTA says these chats are very much orchestrated.

[03:29:59]

CNN's Will Ripley joins me now from Hong Kong. So Will, a huge call there by the WTA. So, take us through the decision and the reaction in China.

WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, WTA Kim, is really following through on this vow that their head, their CEO, Steve Simon said which is that if there is not a full and transparent investigation of Peng Shuai's allegations of sexual assault they can no longer have confidence that their players are safe in China. They can no longer do business in China, a considerable amount of

their business. You're talking about a 10-year deal reportedly worth upwards of a billion dollars. But the WTA seems to be the only sporting organization right now standing up not the world's most powerful and perhaps more influential the IOC.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RIPLEY (voice over): When the head of the Women's Tennis Association made this stunning announcement on out front.

STEVE SIMON, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, WOMEN'S TENNIS ASSOCIATION: We're planning to suspend our events until such time that the Chinese authorities do the appropriate thing.

RIPLEY: Chinese state media began waging a propaganda war. Blasting the WTA in English on Twitter, a platform banned in the mainland. This tweet reveals Chinese tennis star, Peng Shuai sent a third email to the WTA Steve Simon expressing her shock for the WTA's unfair decision to suspend all tournaments in China. Simon confirms to CNN, he got the email and just like the first two, he's not convinced Peng is speaking freely.

SIMON: We just feel very strongly that this is certainly being orchestrated. This is something we can't walk away from.

RIPLEY: Even if it means losing a lucrative 10-year deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: The WTA, the CEO Steve Simon has been as strong as I have seen, a leader in sports in a long time.

RIPLEY: The WTA strong response in stark contrast to the International Olympic Committee's quiet diplomacy. The IOC now claiming on Wednesday it held a second video call with the three-time Olympian. No photos or videos released. Offering her wide-ranging support including a personal meeting in January.

The IOC handing out this single photo of its first video call with Peng last month. The IOC's longest serving board member telling out front despite no independently verified evidence that call alone is enough proof for them that she is OK and not being held against her will.

DICK POUND, MEMBER, INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE: There are lots of countries where you can't easily leave the country and so forth. She is fine and she is not under any kind of coercion or confinement.

RIPLEY: China's global times citing the Chinese Tennis Association saying the WTA's decision was based on fictitious information. This state propagandist tweeting, the WTA is coercing Peng Shuai to support the West's attack on the Chinese system. They are depriving Peng Shuai's freedom of expression. That Chinese system censored Peng's painful post a month ago. Accusing a retired senior communist party leader of sexual assault. PENG SHUAI, OLYMPIC TENNIS STAR (through translator): Why did you

have to come back to me take me to your home to force me to have sex with you? I couldn't describe how disgusted I was.

RIPLEY: Her post erased in less than 30 minutes. Chinese social media users appearing to use code words to evade the government's army of sensors. Some using a line from Peng's post that going up against a powerful party official is like hitting a rock with an egg.

One comment says, why don't we talk about the issue of you know who. The thread deleted 20 minutes later. The Chinese television never aired these videos of Peng. Videos activists say are almost certainly staged. Released about three weeks after Peng's post aimed at a foreign audience to repair China's reputation ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

RICK BURTON, PROFESSOR OF SPORT MANAGEMENT, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY: The public face that they will show when the games actually happen in February it will appear as if this never happened.

RIPLEY: Some of the world's most famous athletes voicing support for Peng and the WTA. Olympic partner sponsors remains silent, much like the tennis star herself.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RIPLEY (on camera): And right now as we speak, the Chinese government is once again continuing this effort to silence CNN's reporting about this issue. Every time we start talking about this story in China they cut our feed. It goes to color bars. It's been happening almost hourly every time the ticker talks about Peng Shuai. Why is the government so insecure about this story? Why are they going to such great lengths and devoting such resources to keep this story quiet inside China.

Because it really is, activist say, unprecedented for a woman, never mind a famous athlete to make this kind of accusation against somebody who is so powerful, so high up in the government, so connected to the Chinese President Xi Jinping. Somebody who has seen in video just a couple of seats away from President Xi.

This is so sensitive and potentially destabilizing activist say, that China will go to whatever lengths it needs to do except of course allowing Peng Shuai to speak freely and conducting this open and transparent investigation. That seems to be no indication that they're willing to do that, Kim.

[03:35:11]

BRUNHUBER: Yeah. We're still waiting for that. Great reporting Will Ripley in Hong Kong. Thanks so much.

So as we just mentioned the Beijing Winter Olympics are fast approaching with just about two months to go in the controversy surrounding Peng Shuai is just one of the many challenges China is facing ahead of the games.

Concerns of the omicron variant has led Beijing to double down on that strict zero COVID strategy. CNN's David Culver has more from Beijing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Two months before the start of the Winter Olympic Games, anew COVID variant is surfacing globally. But Beijing is hoping its strict COVID defenses will keep omicron away, it won't be easy.

UNKNOWN: I do think it is cause for concern. This is the last thing that organizers would want. This is just not the big question mark that anyone would want at this moment.

CULVER: While the new variant has not yet been reported within mainland China there are several confirmed cases in neighboring Hong Kong.

A foreign ministry spokesperson saying that the omicron variant will pose some challenges but they are confident that the Winter Olympics will be held smoothly and successfully as scheduled.

China already has some of the toughest containment measures in place. Mass testing by the tens of millions. Strict digital contact tracing and targeted community lockdowns all part of our daily lives here.

This is as close as we can get to some of the iconic Olympic structures from 2008 repurposed for the Winter Olympics but now sealed off in a COVID bubble of sorts.

On top of the health concerns growing calls for Olympic boycotts as Beijing continues to deny widespread allegations of human rights abuses. The Women's Tennis Association suspending tournaments within China as it reiterates calls for Chinese tennis star, Peng Shuai to be able to speak freely and openly. Peng briefly disappeared last month after she accused a top communist official forcing her into sex.

UNKNOWN: What we know in the early stages of what I think is full- scale ideological battle the ultimately could culminate in the United States under the Western nations engaging in a full boycott of the Beijing Winter Games in 2022.

CULVER: But it seems here within China most folks are unaware of the controversy surrounding these Olympic Games. Instead you've got stories like this filled with Olympic merchandise.

And folks here shopping seemingly filled with a lot of excitement and joy, even national pride.

UNKNOWN (through translator): We are very excited Beijing just hosted the 2008 Olympic Games and now it's the winter games again, this is truly exhilarating.

CULVER: Even with mounting uncertainty much like 2008 China is expected to put on a spectacular show. The question is, will folks watching from the outside be wowed or see it all as a fancy facade covering up an increasingly authoritarian state?

David Culver, CNN, Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Anxiety about omicron isn't stopping schools in Cuba from reopening to in-person learning. The island has a high vaccination rate it also has yet to report a single omicron case.

CNN's Patrick Oppman reports from Havana on some of the unique ways Cuban kids have gotten their lessons and their shots.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Cuban schoolchildren return to class. It's been a long time coming on this island where in- person schooling has been interrupted for most of the pandemic. In till November this is how students were keeping up with their lessons.

With Cuba's state-run school system calls tele-classes. Hours of televised courses broadcast to specific grades throughout the day. It's not interactive like online learning but officials say it was the best available option in a country where most people still don't have a home internet connection.

With schools, parks and even the beaches closed many Cuban parents say the pandemic has been especially tough on their kids.

It's been difficult because children have their routines just like we do she says. The routines of school, other kids, their homework, their chores. But I think that tele-classes have helped a lot.

But even education officials acknowledge that the televised classes don't work for everyone. And that kids need to be back in classrooms.

It's no secret that we have students that might have not have a TV in their home she says or students that could have a broken TV where there are so many people in a home that make makes it difficult to concentrate on the lessons.

While the world waits to see what the impact of the omicron variant would be, Cuban health officials say that more than 80 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. And that the island has already been vaccinating children as young as two years old.

[03:40:07]

Studies show that vaccinating kids may be crucial to avoiding higher death tolls. Even the most children infected with the coronavirus usually have mild symptoms they can still pass the virus on to more vulnerable people. A study released in November by the COVID-19 scenario modeling hub says that vaccinating children in the U.S. could prevent 500,000 new cases and some 15,000 new deaths this winter.

In Cuba vaccinations are not mandatory for kids to return to school. Bayanelli (ph) said she wanted her 6-year-old daughter Milanaise (ph), to receive Cuba's homegrown vaccines before starting in-person schooling.

It's necessary that students can interact with their teachers she says. Even though we parents have done our best at home.

It is a very big deal but little Milanaise, doesn't shed a tear. And many parents here say after more than a year without in-person schooling there's nothing they look forward to more than getting their kids safely back in the classroom. Now as the omicron variant threatens the gains that have been made they hope that this new normal can last.

Patrick Oppman, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: As military tensions ratchet up along Ukraine's border with Russia, a high stakes meeting between the top diplomats of Russia and the U.S. We'll have a report from Kyiv on what they have to say just ahead.

And have a look at this, these are live images coming to us from Nicosia, as Pope Francis visit Cyprus for the first time. He's calling for compassion for the many migrants seeking refuge there.

We'll have more after the break, stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: CNN has confirmed that Israel recently shared intelligence with the U.S. that suggests Iran is repairing to enrich uranium to 90 percent, the level needed to build a nuclear weapon. But the head of the U.N. agency then inspects Iran's enrichment facilities says, there is no evidence that it has reach that critical threshold. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAPHAEL GROSSI, DIRECTOR GENERAL, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY: We are inspecting every place where they enriching uranium. And they are enriching five, at 20, at 60 but not at 90 percent. That I can tell you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Negotiators have been meeting in Vienna this week in an effort to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. But on Thursday U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken says, he's not optimistic the deal can be save in light of Iran's current activities and rhetoric.

The United States has a message for Russia regarding the Kremlin's military buildup on Ukraine's border. Washington's top diplomat met with his Russian counterpart on Thursday to discuss the matter in an informal dinner the night before reportedly put those tensions on full display.

[03:45:07] CNN's Matthew Chance is in Kyiv with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Well, top diplomats from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine engaging in what is describe to me as a diplomatic clash at an informal dinner early this week. That is according to what Ukrainian government source with knowledge of the incident.

The Russian and Ukrainian Foreign Minister apparently trading barbs over the conflict in East Ukraine at dinner. With the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, forced to chime in on the side, of course, of Ukraine. A version of events described, confirmed to CNN by western officials as well familiar with the incident.

But Russia's foreign minister though pushing back on the characterization of the atmosphere as tents. But confirming to me that the dinner ahead of formal meetings in the Swedish capital Stockholm, between Secretary Blinken and his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts actually took place.

Amid spiraling concerns about the buildup of Russian forces near the Ukrainian border. Russia says it wants legal guarantees that NATO will not expand further east towards its borders. U.S. Secretary of State warning of severe consequences if Russia again invades Ukraine. Saying that is now up to Moscow to back down. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTONY BLINKEN, UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE: It is now on Russia to de-escalate the current tensions by reversing the recent troop buildup. Returning forces to normal peacetime positions and refraining from further intimidation and attempt to destabilize Ukraine.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHANCE: Meanwhile, Ukraine also reacting indignantly to Russia's call for NATO to back off. The country's foreign minister saying that Russia should have no say whatsoever in discussions about Ukraine's relationship with the western military alliance. So all these talks underway so far failing to break that diplomatic deadlock.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Kyiv.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Dressed in full regalia, Germany's armed forces bid farewell to their chancellor of 16 years on Thursday. Ahead of her departure next week a procession of soldiers carrying flaming torches honored Angela Merkel with the highest military ceremony for a civilian called the Grand Tattoo. Merkel thanked the pandemic workers and wished the incoming chancellor and the country future success. Here she is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): It is now up

to the next government to find answers to the challenges that lie ahead of us and to shape our future. For that Olaf Scholz, I wish you and the German government led by you all the very best. Good fortune and best of success. I am convinced that we can continue to shape the future well if we don't succumb to discontent, envy and pessimism.

But like I said elsewhere three years ago, get to work with Joanna Heart, at least that's what I always did in my life in East Germany. And all the more so wanting freedom. It is destroying the heart which I wish on all of us in a figurative way for a country, also in the future. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: In keeping with tradition the chancellor picked three songs for the ceremony. One of which caught many listeners by surprise. See if you can recognizing it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Alright. That song goes a bit way back but per her request the military marching band played German (Inaudible) singer, Nina Hagen's (ph) 1974 hit "You Forgot The Color Film." Merkel earlier explained that she considers this song a nod to her past.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MERKEL (through translator): The song was a highlight of my youth. The song also came from East Germany and coincidentally it is still played in a region that used to be my constituency. So everything fits.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: The German parliament is expected to officially elect Olaf Scholz as the new chancellor next week.

Pope Francis begins day two of his first ever trip to Cyprus. The pontiff has been calling for reconciliation during his visit to the divided island which is also struggling with a large influx of migrants. We have more now from CNN Vatican correspondent, Delia Gallagher.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It's Pope Francis's first time in Cyprus and he told journalist coming over on the papal plane from Rome that his visit would quote, "touch some wounds." That's an apparent reference to both the problem of migration on this Mediterranean islands. Cypress is a member of the European Union but it is close to the

Middle East. And so it is a gateway for migrants trying to reach Europe. But the pope was also referencing the internal divisions in Cyprus which since 1974 has been divided between a Turkish-controlled north and a Greek south.

[03:50:03]

And Francis on Thursday met with the President of Cyprus and other government representatives and he encouraged them in patients and dialogue he said in the search for peace and unity. Unity not only for Cyprus the pope said, but for Europe as a whole. On Friday the pope will visit with some refugees in the center of the capital city of Nicosia before moving on to Athens, Greece, on Saturday.

Delia Gallagher, CNN, Nicosia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Migrants hoping to cross the U.S. border have a new hurdle, Remained in Mexico, a Trump era program is now under court order to resume.

Journalist Stefano Pozzebon has the latest on what this means for migrants awaiting immigration hearings.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST (voice over): Mexico has agreed to a starter program in which U.S. bound non-Mexican migrants will stay in Mexico while they wait for a U.S. immigration court hearing. The Biden administration announced on Thursday.

The program which is largely known as Remain in Mexico was launched in 2019 under the Trump presidency, and was suspended once President Joe Biden took office in January 2021. But in August, a Texas federal court ruled that the Biden administration violated federal law in how it gone about on (inaudible) the program and ordered it to be restored.

Officials from the Biden administration have declared that they are restarting the program only because of the court order. And that the administration will continue to appeal against that decision.

In a statement, the Mexican government announced that the program would only be temporary. Although it did not state when it might end. In the following agreement the program was set to restart on Monday.

Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, Caracas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Alright. Coming up on "CNN Newsroom" we will tell you what this kind of frog and robot have in common. We'll share the promising research when we come back, stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: It was a legal victory for Meghan Markle in the latest run of her privacy battle with the publisher of "The Mail" on Sunday. The Duchess of Sussex had previously want a judgement against the publishers, "Associated Newspaper Limited" for reproducing parts of the letter she sent to her father. They appealed the decision but on Thursday the court ruled that the Duchess had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the contents of the letter.

Markle celebrated the judgment saying quote, "While this when is precedent setting what matters most is that we are now collectively brave enough to reshape the tabloid industry that conditions people to be cruel and profits from the lies and pain that they create." "Associate Newspapers Limited" says they are considering an appeal to the British Supreme Court.

A high profile fashion magazine is banning fur from its international publications. "Elle" magazine says it's making the move to support animal welfare and reflect changing tastes. It joins a number of fashion houses and retailers ditching animal for over the past few years. "Elle" executives say they hope to move fosters a more humane fashion industry.

A team of U.S. scientists has created a living Pac-man star robot which can create its own offspring. It's called a Xenobot named after the type of frog from which it is constituent's cells were taken.

[03:55:07]

Robotic scientists, Josh Bongard, says in the future the millimeter sized robot could be put to use as in various ways notably in the branch of medicine that tries to regrow and repair damage tissues.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSH BONGARD, UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT: We showed that with just skin cells under certain conditions this clump of skin cells will grow small hairs known as cilia. And they beat these hairs like flexible ores and they will swim themselves through the water just for fun we took a swarm of these xenobots. Put them back in the dish and we sprinkle some very small pellets into the dish.

What we saw was as these xenobots moved around they happen to push these pellets into piles. Which led us to the idea of what happens if you replace these pellets with more loose frog cells. Which is that they will push these frog cells into piles.

Cells under certain conditions are sticky so the cells in the pile will adhere or stick to one another. And over about five days if the pile is big enough it will also sprout these small hairs. And the pile itself will start moving. And that is quote/unquote child xenobot.

Maybe in the long term we are able to create bio bots from human cells. And there might actually have medical applications. In the much more near term it's probably going to be underwater applications. These are after all frogs' cells that are perfectly happy in freshwater.

You can imagine them inspecting root systems in vertical farms or hydroponic planted plants. Reducing the cost of producing freshwater in desalination facilities. Helping with wastewater treatments, sewage, anything underwater they may have been use in the not too distant future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Well, if spiders and bugs make you squirm, well, you're going to love this. Colombian authorities found hundreds of creepy crawlies from being smuggled out of the country to Europe on Thursday. Among the creatures that were seized, 232 tarantulas, 67 cockroaches, nine spider eggs and a scorpion with seven of its young. Two German citizens were detained and claim they were transporting them for academic purposes but Colombian officials say they lacked the required permits and will be prosecuted.

Well, I'm Kim Brunhuber, thanks for spending part of your day with me, "CNN Newsroom" continues with Isa Soares, next. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)