Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

U.S. Tapping to Impose Tough Travel Rules; South Africa's COVID Cases Skyrocketed; U.S. Boycotts China's Winter Olympics; Crumbley's Facing Multiple Charges. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired December 06, 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)

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): Hello, and welcome to our viewers joining us here in the United States and all around the world. You are watching CNN Newsroom. And I'm Rosemary Church.

Just ahead, ramping up restrictions as the Omicron variant spreads the United States is imposing new requirements on international travelers. We'll explain what they are.

The new details we're learning in Michigan's school shooting including the warning signs that were overlooked.

Plus, remembering the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator, Bob Dole, who died at the age of 98.

UNKNOWN: Live from CNN center, this is CNN Newsroom with Rosemary Church.

CHURCH: Good to have you with us.

Well, new COVID testing requirements are now in effect for all travelers coming into the United States. It's part of the effort to curb the spread of the Omicron variant which has already been found in at least 16 U.S. states.

Now anyone boarding a flight to the U.S. must have proof of a negative COVID test one day before takeoff. Plus, foreign nationals must be fully vaccinated to enter the country, but that requirement is not in place for U.S. citizens.

A travel ban is also in place for South Africa where the variant originated and other South African countries. But top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci says that's being re-evaluated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Now as you mentioned as we're getting more and more information about cases in our own country and worldwide, we're looking at that very carefully on a daily basis and hopefully we'll be able to lift that ban within a quite reasonable period of time. I mean, we all feel very badly about the hardship that that might have

put upon not only South Africa but the other African nations, and for that reason in real-time literally on a daily basis we are re- evaluation that -- we're re-evaluating that policy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH (on camera): The U.K. will also be requiring pre-departure COVID test for in-bound travelers regardless of their vaccination status starting Tuesday.

And CNN's Anna Stewart is live from London Gatwick airport. Good to see you. Good morning, Anna. So, travelers throughout the world of course being caught off guard by all these new requirements. So, what's the U.K. doing to combat the threat posed by this new Omicron variant?

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Yes, everyone being caught off guard, particularly of course those people who are in the Southern African nations trying to get home, given that so many of them have been added to various international travel ban list. Nigeria has now been added to the U.K.'s red list. Ten countries all in Southern Africa on there, and it means that only U.K. citizens are allowed to travel from there and on arrival in the U.K. they need to quarantine for 10 days in a quarantine hotel at vast expense, $3,000.

And Rosemary, I'm seeing reports that lots of people are actually on a wait list for that, they are actually will stay longer while capacity is built for it.

In addition, as the testing, as you mentioned, the reintroduction of a predeparture test if you are coming to the U.K. that's two days before, a rapid or a PCR. And that's in addition to having to be tested within two days of arrival here in the I.K., and that now has to be a PCR test. All of this regardless of your vaccination status.

It adds cost. The add (Inaudible) is likely to deter some travelers. Not least given that so many people are being caught off guard while they are away. There's always that risk, isn't there that travel rules will change while you are away.

Lots of criticism, of caution the travel and tourism industry, also from some scientists saying that the U.K. government is really closing the barn doors after the horses bolted given there are already 246 cases of the Omicron variant identified in the U.K. yesterday. That's the total number. It increased by 50 percent in just 24 hours. Rosemary?

CHURCH: Right. You mentioned the scientists. What about the industry overall, though? What is being said? Because this is the problem, isn't it? People get caught overseas and some just can't get home.

STEWART: Yes. And the overwhelming message from all of the travel and tourism body who have been looking at is essentially this is a devastating blow that will further destroy confidence in travel. And I'm seeing some reports, for instance, from BALPA, the pilot's

union, they want to see the U.K. come actually pay for the mandatory tests that are being issued here, others want to see the return of the furloughs for this sector saying this sector is the only one being impacted by the latest rules and restrictions here.

[03:05:04]

So, yes, lots and lots of criticism from travel and tourism. I suspect U.K. travel stops will be down today. And I think we're going to have a volatile week across global markets actually when they open in an hour's time in Europe. Given all the news we keep getting about the Omicron variant and of course still lots of information we need to know about it. Rosemary?

CHURCH: Yes. The markets don't like uncertainty. That is for sure. Anna Stewart joining us from London's Gatwick airport. Many thanks.

Dr. Jorge Rodriguez is a board-certified internal medicine specialist and viral researcher, he joins me now from Los Angeles. Thank you doctor for all that you do.

JORGE RODRIGUEZ, BOARD CERTIFIED INTERNAL MEDICINE SPECIALIST & VIRAL RESEARCHER: Thank you, Rosemary. My pleasure to be here.

CHURCH: Great to have you with us.

Anecdotal evidence appears to suggest those vaccinated against COVID- 19, and particularly if they also have a booster shot are less likely to experience severe illness or death from the Omicron variant. And Dr. Anthony Fauci says this is encouraging, but more data, he says, is needed. What's your reading of what we know so far about this new variant?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, what we know so far is that we need to wait before we make any final -- well, decisions or conclusions. But one thing is certain, and I think that Dr. Fauci obviously is correct. It's the fact that if you are vaccinated, and especially if you are boosted, you are bound to get, at the very least, some protection against Omicron and very likely you're going to get some very good protection.

What's being seen now in South Africa and other areas is what we see usually is that the unvaccinated people are the ones that are getting the sickest.

CHURCH: And, doctor, stricter travel rules are going into operation in the next few hours here in the United States. With incoming travelers required to be vaccinated and also have a negative COVID test result within the last 24 hours, how big an impact will that likely have on fighting the Omicron and, indeed, the delta variants? And what more needs to be done, do you think?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, I think that it's going to be making a very large impact. I have been proposing something like this for a while. I think it's ridiculous knowing that you could be negative one day and you're harboring the virus and it won't show up for a few days. The thing that you should travel with a 72-hour negative test, that's

just not enough. Again, if it were up to me, at least international travel, should at this point be limited to people that are vaccinated and have a negative COVID test within 24 hours of travel.

We keep dodging bullets and we keep thinking that this is something that's going to go away and that we have to do it, you know, in an easy way. We are now approaching two years of doing this in a relaxed fashion, and we need to get serious about this.

CHURCH: And there is still a lot that we need to learn about the Omicron variant, but it appears that its mutated form contains more of the common cold, making this more contagious, but perhaps less severe, unless, of course, you're particularly vulnerable.

If that is proven to be the case, would it actually be better for that variant to eventually become the dominant one across the globe?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, it's never a good thing for more people to get infected. And we have to keep in mind that the virus doesn't replicate in thin air. It replicates within the human host or another animal host. It requires our DNA. And it is replication, replication mistakes that are variants.

So, therefore, the more people that get infected, the more variants that are going to happen. And the next one may be the really bad one. So, I understand where some people are thinking, hey, maybe it's best to have natural immunity and that will take care of it. But we also see that natural immunity wanes and it doesn't protect against every variant. So, at the end of the day, you don't people to get infected.

CHURCH: And doctor, around 60 percent are vaccinated. Over 80 percent now have at least one shot. But it's imperative, of course, everyone get that third booster shot if they want to protect themselves against the Omicron variant and any others that may follow as well, of course, as the delta variant, which is still the dominant variant in this country.

So how hopeful are you that the U.S. will reach that 80 percent or so vaccination rate by, say, early 2022?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, the fact that there are 80 percent of the people that have gotten at least one shot, that leads us to believe that they're going to get their second shot, and hopefully their booster. So that is a very positive statistic, and something that does make me hopeful.

I think there is a small percentage of people that are going to just dig their heels in and not get vaccinated. But if anecdote is true, I've go call this weekend from an old acquaintance who hadn't been vaccinated.

[03:10:03]

And of course, he got my wrath a little bit, but also, you know, a little bit of understanding. And they are going to get vaccinated, he and his wife are. So, I think people are just tired of this and they are coming around, those that are not vaccinated.

CHURCH: Yes. I mean, hopefully people will come round. It's better late than never, I guess. Right? Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, many thanks for joining us. I appreciate it.

RODRIGUEZ: Thank you.

CHURCH: Police in Brussels, Belgium, resorted to water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters who are angered by mandatory new COVID measures. Twenty people were arrested in those scuffles. So far, fewer than a dozen cases of Omicron have been confirmed in Belgium, but officials are taking no chances.

On Friday, the government announced new restrictions, including a mask mandate for children over the age of six.

South Africa recorded more than 11,000 new COVID cases on Sunday. One COVID-19-related death was recorded on Sunday as the total number of COVID fatalities approaches 90,000. South Africa's president has said the Omicron variant appears to be dominating new infections.

And Larry Madowo joins us now live from Johannesburg with more on this. Good to see you, Larry. So, what is the latest on these COVID infections in South Africa and of course the dominance of this Omicron variant?

LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Rosemary, COVID-19 appears to be surging fast here in South Africa. This province of Gauteng which includes Johannesburg is the epicenter of it right now. Over the weekend, about 70, 71 percent of cases that were turning positive just in this province. That is why President Cyril Ramaphosa is saying there is a need for people to get vaccinated.

Over the last week the number of daily cases has increased fivefold. Almost a quarter of tests that are being done in South Africa are now turning up positive. And compare that to two weeks ago when only two percent of cases were positive.

So, over the last fortnight, it's just blown up in terms of how many people were getting tested are becoming positive. And it's a great deal of concern. It is believed that this is driven by the Omicron variant that President Ramaphosa is describing as the dominant variant right now, even though the country is doing on small amount of sequencing of the positive tests and it still needs a few more weeks to better understand how severe this variant is and if the current vaccines will be effective against it.

CHURCH: And, Larry what impact of these travel bans on South African travel has had on the region and what's being said about that there's anger about the ban's increases there?

MADOWO: There's been a great deal of outrage within government and within ordinary Southern Africans who see these travel bans as racist because they only affect South Africa and neighboring countries like Zimbabwe, and Botswana, Namibia, but not countries in Europe that have also declared cases of the Omicron variant from France, the Czech Republic to Germany.

And they think this is a double standard that's unfair. And President Ramaphosa he used the term that the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres did use, travel apartheid. The president of Malawi who is also the chair of the Southern African Development Community called it Afrophobia. That is deliberately targeting travelers from Africa.

And many of these countries depend on tourism, South Africa being the leading one of them. And when people are not allowed to come here, then it's a devastating impact on the economy that's dependent on tourism. And that's why they are calling on these countries, the U.S. and the U.K. and others that have banned travelers from South Africa to reverse those decisions.

CHURCH: Right. And worth pointing out that Dr. Anthony Fauci has indicated that they will re-evaluate those bans. We'll see what happens with that, of course. Larry Madowo joining us live from Johannesburg. Many thanks.

A court in Myanmar has sentenced ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in prison on charges of incitement and violating COVID-19 protocols. It is the first verdict against the Nobel Peace winner since the military seized power in a February coup. The 76- year-old still faces 10 more criminal charges including corruption, all of which could amount to decades more in prison.

Suu Kyi supporters argued the charges are politically motivated and Amnesty International has called today's sentencing an unbridled destruction of freedoms.

Well, sources close to the Biden administration say a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics is expected to be announced sometime this week. And that means no U.S. government officials would attend the games, silently protesting China's human rights abuses without impacting U.S. athletes who want to compete.

President Joe Biden first mentioned he was considering a boycott last month.

And CNN's Kristie Lu Stout joins me now live from Hong Kong to talk more on this. Good to see you, Kristie. So, what has been the reaction so far in China to this possible diplomatic boycott?

[03:15:06]

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rosemary, we are still awaiting fresh comment from China's ministry of foreign affairs. We have a monitor of social media and the censors have been busy at work on China's Weibo platform, the words, United States Olympic boycott are actively being censored and blocked in China. I should said, that early -- say that early reporting on CNN TV has also been censored inside China this day.

And this all comes after several sources have told CNN that the Biden administration plans to announce this week a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Not a full boycott, but a boycott that would involve U.S. government officials not attending the opening ceremonies of the games due to kick off in about two months' time.

And this was expected because in the months leading up to the games, you had U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the aisle demanding a diplomatic boycott in response to human rights abuses in China, including charges that China is committing genocide against Uyghurs or other Ethnic Muslim minorities in its western Xinjiang region. Allegation that China strongly denies.

Last month the U.S. secretary of state, Antony Blinken said that he was talking to other countries around the world about the issue of Olympic participation. And that other world leaders including the British prime minister has been actively weighing and considering the possibility of a diplomatic boycott.

Now, China has been repeatedly condemning these calls for a diplomatic boycott, I'm calling them acts of malice, saying that this is something that's politicizing sport at a time that sports shouldn't be politicized.

I want to bring up a recent statement for you that came out last week from the ministry of foreign affairs in which you hear from the spokesman Wang Wenbin saying this quote. "The U.S. and a handful of countries make an issue out of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and link their official's attendance with so-called human rights issues.

This is in essence a smearing campaign, the name of defending human rights such an act of politicizing sports obviously violates the Olympic charter, unquote."

And, Rosemary, a lot is at stake for the Olympic host. You know, this is a matter of national pride in China. This when the Beijing games kicks off, it's going to be an opportunity for the country to showcase its soft power in the world stage. And when it does happen, Beijing will become the first city to host both the summer and the Winter Olympic Games, and that is a major point of pride inside the country. Back to you.

CHURCH: All right. Kristie Lu Stout, many thanks. Joining us live from Hong Kong there.

LU STOUT: You're welcome.

CHURCH: Well, disturbing drawings and internet searches, new details released in Michigan show the red flags surrounding a suspected school shooter. The time line leading up to this terrible event when we return.

[03:20:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH (on camera): Milwaukee's dancing grannies walked arm in arm Saturday night in Wisconsin. Their first public appearance since the driver barreled through the Waukesha Christmas parade two weeks ago. Four of their members were killed. The dancing grannies had been a staple in Wisconsin since 1984. They usually perform in about 25 parades each year. The group hopes to be dancing again by spring.

We are learning more about the building where the parents of the school shooter in Michigan were arrested. Specifically, the man whose work space the couple was found in. The 65-year-old contacted police saying he had no idea James and Jennifer crumbly had active warrants for their arrest. So far, he has not been charged with any crimes.

CNN's Athena Jones has the latest on the investigation from Michigan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ATHENA JONES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Hi, there. Well, the Oxford school district is now requesting an independent third-party investigation into the events leading up to Tuesday's deadly shooting. In ray letter from the superintendent to the school's community, they are revealing more about the school's version of the events leading up to that day.

So we know now that on Monday when Ethan Crumbley was discovered looking at images of ammunition on his cell phone, he told the school counselor and school staff member he and his mother had recently gone to a shooting range. And that shooting sports were part of, or a family hobby.

We know that on Tuesday morning after a teacher alerted the school counselor about Ethan Crumbley's concerning drawings, Ethan told the school counselor that the drawings which depicted a semiautomatic hand gun, a bullet, a body with bullet holes that appeared to be bleeding and words like, blood everywhere, and the thoughts don't stop, help me.

Crumbley said that drawing was part of a video game he was designing. And so the letter says that at no time did counselors believe Ethan Crumbley exhibited behavior that showed he was going to be a harm to himself or to others. They say his demeaner was calm.

One key point from this letter is that the superintendent writes that Ethan Crumbley's parents did not inform the school district about their son's access to a firearm or that they had recently purchased him a firearm. What is not clear from this letter is whether the school asked the Crumbley's about Ethan's access to a firearm.

We've also learned more about the man who helped James and Jennifer Crumbley into that building, that warehouse in Detroit, where they were discovered in the early hours of Saturday morning. That man is cooperating with authorities. We know he's a local artist there in Detroit who uses the location as a work space.

And through his lawyer, he says he did not know, he wasn't aware that the Crumbley's were facing an arrest warrant. This man has, as I said retained a lawyer and he could still face charges for having helped the Crumbley's.

Athena Jones, CNN, Pontiac, Michigan.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CHURCH: Following the Oxford shooting, gun control laws and limits on access to firearms are on the minds of many Washington lawmakers. Speaking with CNN, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy says gun control laws are important, but gun storage laws could also save lives.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[03:24:57]

SEN. CHRIS MURPHY (D-CT): If parents violate the law, then they should be held accountable. In this case I don't know the details of the Michigan law. But it looks as if these parents bought a gun for their child who shouldn't have ever possessed it.

And so, if parents are in violation of state law, they should be held accountable. I do think that this really should make us think hard about safe storage laws. In Connecticut we have on the books a law that requires parents to safely store their guns. And if those guns aren't locked up with minors in the house, they can be held accountable without question.

Michigan doesn't have that law on the books, but we should pass that on a national basis. I think we could get a lot of gun owners to support us to simply say, if you have minors in the house, if you have weapons, you have to keep those weapons locked up. If we just made that change, not only would that prevent some of these horrific mass shootings instances --

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Suicide.

MURPHY: Suicide.

TAPPER: Which is most of the gun deaths in this country, suicide.

MURPHY: And accidental shootings. Right? So, a safe storage law may be the kind of thing that could draw bipartisan compromise that could get support of a lot of common-sense gun owners. Because It's not about taking anybody's weapons away. It's just about saying if you're going to own the weapon, store it safely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH (on camera): The senator's home state of Connecticut passed sweeping gun control legislation after the Newtown shooting in 2012, banning some weapons and requiring background checks for all gun purchases.

Well, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to uphold Mississippi's law banning most abortions after 15 weeks into a pregnancy. The state's Republican governor who is pro-life calls this a watershed moment in American history as the court could overturn or weaken the landmark Roe versus. Wade ruling.

On Sunday, Tate Reeves told CNN he had some reason for optimism after last week's hearing when the court signaled it might uphold Mississippi's law. That position, however, is not representative of the majority of Americans who believe Roe v. Wade should be upheld, according to a recent national poll. A ruling from the court is not expected until June of next year.

Ukraine is expected to be high on the agenda when the leaders of the U.S. and Russia meet virtually on Tuesday. We will have a preview just ahead. But before Vladimir Putin talks with Joe Biden, he will be sitting down in-person with India's prime minister. A closer look at what their summit will focus on in a live report. Back with that and more in just a moment.

[03:30:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): The White House says President Joe Biden is looking forward to talking with his Russian counterpart when the two leaders hold a video call on Tuesday. They are expected to discuss a range of topics, including Ukraine. The White House says Mr. Biden will underscore U.S. concerns over Russia's military activities on the border with Ukraine.

CNN's Joe Johns has more from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Plenty on President Biden's agenda this week. Probably the number one item is that secure video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The number one issue on that call likely to be the thousands of Russian troops massing on the Ukraine border.

American authorities say they have a lot of information about it. They even released an intelligence report with a number of pictures of the locations where the troops are massing. What they don't know is what it all means, whether Putin is attempting to set up a distraction or whether he, in fact, is seeking an invasion of Ukraine sometime next year.

Administration officials have said that if Putin tries it, there could be a whole round of financial sanctions to make Putin pay.

Joe Johns, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH (on camera): Joining me now with her perspective is Natasha Lindstaedt, professor of government at the University of Essex. Good to have you with us.

NATASHA LINDSTAEDT, PROFESSOR OF GOVERNMENT, UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX: Thanks for having me.

CHURCH: So, President Biden will talk Tuesday via video call with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, over these escalating tensions triggered by Russian troops massing at Ukraine's border. Mr. Biden has already warned that he won't accept red line set by Moscow. So, what does he need to say to Putin and how careful does he need to be?

LINDSTAEDT: Well, he does need to be very careful because what Russia wants is for very clear assurances that Ukraine will never become a member of NATO and that there will never be missile defense systems set up in Ukraine.

And the Biden administration, of course, can't make these types of promises, but what they will try to assure Russia is that they -- the west, U.S. is not threatening to Russia, that these threats are manufactured, and that they need to back down and not try to in any way do anything in Ukraine that could cause conflict, because if they do so, there will be a whole host of very serious economic threats.

These sanctions would be much harsher than the ones that already in place. It is important to know that though these sanctions have not caused Russia's economy to crumble, it's been nearly impossible for Russia's economy to grow. And so, for Putin, if he would invade Ukraine at this moment, there would be all kinds of economic sanctions. And I also think it would be unpopular.

Now, on the one hand, him projecting strength to the Russian people is incredibly popular. But actually, going in there and invading would probably look to be a huge mess that Russia wouldn't want to get into.

CHURCH: So, is it your sense that this is more showmanship? So, you got a thousand or so Russian troops at the border with Ukraine. As you say, the U.S. has threatened these sanctions. But how far this would go and what impact they would have, we don't know. We also don't know the intent of President Putin at this juncture. But how likely is it that this is more show?

LINDSTAEDT: I really think this is more of a deterrent because Russia is very worried about the fact that there are missile defense systems in Romania, in Poland. Putin himself had said that they are very worried about the U.S. and other western countries extending into its sphere of influence and that the west can be in Ukraine within seven minutes. So, I think this is more of a deterrent.

But the thing to remember, of course, is that Putin has invaded countries in the past. It has invaded Ukraine. It has annexed Crimea.

[03:35:00]

LINDSTAEDT: It has invaded Georgia. And Putin is a very unpredictable person. You don't know what he's doing to do from one moment to the next because he is not surrounded by advisers that always tell him to not do this. He does his own thing. That makes it more difficult to predict.

But this would be a hugely costly adventure for Russia if they decided to invade Ukraine. It is different to say Crimea where Russians really felt they had owned Crimea and there might have been popular support even inside Ukraine for doing so, and the other type of invasion could be incredibly deadly and costly for Russia.

CHURCH: Right. As I mentioned at the start, President Putin has called NATO military infrastructure expansion in Ukraine his red flag or his red line. But Biden said Friday he doesn't accept anybody's red line. So, what is Putin's likely intent here, just looking at those possible options?

You mentioned Crimea. So, the world knows what he's capable of. But then it's sort of anybody's guess what is going on here. His intent is the big question, isn't it?

LINDSTAEDT: It is. I mean, I think it's still to just project strength. I think just even moving these troops to the border itself is popular and his ratings have been slipping somewhat, and this is very important to him to appear to be legitimate. But I think he might be also genuinely concerned of western encroachment into Ukraine.

Russia sees Ukraine as almost part of its own country and there are long historical and cultural reasons for this. But his red line, of course, he doesn't want anyone ever going into Ukraine. And there's been a lot of concerns that Ukraine is moving westward. I mean, that's what initially caused Putin to invade Crimea in the first place.

So, he is trying to set a clear line here and this is classic sort of cold war mentality of deterrence and hoping that that sends a clear message to U.S. and other western allies that Russia means business.

CHURCH: All right. We'll see what comes out of that video call. Natasha Lindstaedt joining us there, many thanks.

LINDSTAEDT: Thanks for having me.

CHURCH: Before his virtual summit with President Biden, Vladimir Putin is said to head to India for face-to-face talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Those talks are kicking off in the coming hours with defense ties expected to be in focus.

Let's head straight out to New Delhi where CNN's Vedika Sud joins us now wit more. Good to see you, Vedika. So, what all is expected to come out of these talks between the Russian and Indian leaders?

VEDIKA SUD, CNN REPORTER: Good to be with you, Rosemary. Given the fact that the Russian president has only moved out of his country once before since the pandemic and also skipped two very key summits, the G20 as well as COP26, the fact that he's moving out only for the second time is signal enough how important the ties between the two countries are.

As we speak, the inaugural two plus two meeting between the two countries is underway. The defense ministers of Russia and India and the foreign ministers met this morning local time. Now, that meeting between Putin and Modi is scheduled for about three hours from now.

Now, according to analysts, Rosemary, the geopolitical choices made by the two countries has been very interesting in the recent months and years. Now, we all know that the ties between India and America have been strengthening, but the ties between India, Russia, and China have been strained over the years like the guest just mentioned. Now, this is what's requesting to be interesting while the talks are held. India also depends heavily on Russia for arms supplies. It (INAUDIBLE) in 2018 with Russia for the S-400s missile defense system and that (INAUDIBLE) America. India could also face sanctions in the coming months once the delivery of those S-400s begin.

But in the last conversation about this by the United State Department, Ned Price had said that they have not decided on a potential waiver and this is something India was aware of when it (INAUDIBLE) with Russia but it still stands for strategic autonomy given the threat it faces from China and Pakistan at its borders.

So, today, when the two leaders do meet, energy, trade and defense will be high on the agenda. But India's balancing act with these two super powers will be interesting to see, how (INAUDIBLE) in the region given both these countries have common interests in the region. Rosemary?

CHURCH: All right. Vedika Sud joining us live from New Delhi, many thanks for that. Appreciate it.

Well, coming up, Pope Francis is wrapping up his trip to Cyprus and Greece. The latest on his visit and the harsh criticism he had for European countries when it comes to the migrant crisis. Back with that and more in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[03:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH (on camera): The situation in Indonesia's east Java Province remains dangerous after Saturday's deadly volcano eruption. At least 15 people were killed and about 1,700 are displaced after the sudden eruption destroyed hundreds of homes, damaged many schools, and left villages covered in ash. Twenty-seven people are still missing. The hot ash, volcanic gases, and smoldering debris are still a threat to those living nearby.

I want to bring out these live pictures now from Athens. Pope Francis is meeting with students at a catholic school in the city. It is one of the last stops on his five-day trip to Cyprus and Greece. During his visit, the pope has focused on the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean, calling out European countries for ignoring the issue. He also visited a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.

Trump-era immigration policy that candidate Joe Biden vowed to undo is back in effect today. The administration says it still wants to end the rule. But, for now, its hands are tied.

CNN's Matt Rivers explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "Remain in Mexico" is back for now. The signature Trump-era immigration policy, which forced tens of thousands of people seeking asylum in the U.S. to wait out their claims across the border in Mexico, is set to be reinstated on Monday. Trump held it up as an effective way to reduce illegal immigration, something then presidential candidate Joe Biden hammered him for.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: This is the first president in history of the United States of America that anybody seeking asylum has to do it in another country.

[03:45:00]

BIDEN: That's never happened before in America. They're sitting in squalor on the other side of the river.

RIVERS (voice-over): Well, Biden is now the second president on that list. Despite terminating the program after he became president, a federal judge ruled over the summer the administration broke federal law in doing so.

The Supreme Court declined to reverse the decision. And after a new agreement was reached this week with Mexico, the program kicks off once again Monday.

JEN PSAKI, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: We also believe in following the law and that's exactly what we're doing as there was a ruling that required us moving forward with implementation.

RIVERS (voice-over): Several changes have been made to the program, according to U.S. officials. Migrants will be proactively asked if they fear going to Mexico, claim to processed within six months, and categories of vulnerable people exempt will be expanded. But for critics, the changes do nothing to alleviate their concerns.

KENNJI KIZUKA, HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST: We see people today even who are already living in these terrible circumstances and yet more people will be returned to these dangers.

RIVERS (voice-over): During the Trump administration, tent cities along the border sprang up. Migrants waiting for their asylum hearings living in squalid conditions. Easy prey for the myriad criminal organizations operating at the border.

New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez says his concern is that now the program is actually expanding, pointing to several examples in a statement, saying in part -- quote -- "By adding new nationalities to this policy, applying "remain in Mexico" border wide and limiting access to counsel, the administration is going far beyond a good faith implementation of the court's order."

For some migrants already living in Mexico, they say the conditions they're forced to wait in on the way north are terrible.

JEAN PIERRE, HAITIAN MIGRANT (through translator): We sleep badly. There are children here. I think that the migration authority should find another way.

UNKNOWN: Joe Biden once described the "remain in Mexico' policy as dangerous, inhumane, and goes against everything we stand for as a nation of immigrants. So, why is he keeping it?

PSAKI: He continues to stand by exactly those comments and statements. And the secretary of Homeland Security put out a memorandum conveying we want to end this program.

RIVERS (voice-over): In an October 29th memo, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says the administration is still formally preparing to end the program, saying it -- quote -- "fails to provide the fair process and humanitarian protections that individuals deserve under the law." But Mayorkas says he can't cancel the program until the courts let him. It is unclear when that will happen.

And in the meantime, as we have seen in our reporting throughout the year, be it in Honduras or Southern Mexico or the northern border, migrants are going to keep coming. Only now getting to the U.S. just got that much harder.

Matt Rivers, CNN, Mexico City.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH (on camera): And just ahead here on CNN, remembering the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole. Why President Joe Biden says he will miss his friend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[03:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: The United States is paying tribute to long-time Senator Bob Dole, who died on Sunday at the age of 98. Dole was a decorated World War II veteran who served 27 years as a U.S. senator from Kansas, and was once a Republican nominee for president. Dole's family says he dedicated his life to serving the American public. They say he'll be remembered for his integrity, humor, compassion, and unbounded work ethic.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer has more on the life and legacy of Bob Dole.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(APPLAUSE)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Bob Dole was the kind of politician you'll have a hard time finding in Washington these days. Much of the country only saw the cartoon image, "hatchet man."

UNKNOWN: Senator Dole has richly earned his reputation as a "hatchet man" tonight.

BLITZER (voice-over): Sharp-tongued partisan.

BOB DOLE, FORMER KANSAS SENATOR: (INAUDIBLE) use election promise from my opponent.

BLITZER (voice-over): Pundits who didn't know better labeled him "mean spirited." But the man wasn't defined by grouchiness or gridlock.

(APPLAUSE)

BLITZER (voice-over): In the Senate, where he spent the bulk of his political life, Dole became a master at forging compromise, working with Democrats to cobble together bills that left the country better off. A food stamp bill with George McGovern, the Americans with Disabilities Act with Tom Harkin, social security reform with Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

DOLE: Some might find it surprising given the view of the Congress has been my life. But that is not so. With all due respect to Congress, America has been my life.

BLITZER (voice-over): He also was a driving force behind Washington's magnificent World War II Memorial.

DOLE: I've sort of become the unofficial greeter. I try to greet every group. I can't explain the emotion and what it means to one of these 85, 90, 95-year-old veterans who get a chance to touch and feel the World War II Memorial. It's probably the best thing that's happened to them in years and they're going to remember it the rest of their life.

BLITZER (voice-over): Dole is one of those young Americans who went off to the war. On a hillside in Italy, an explosion severely damaged his shoulder and spinal cord. Dole spent 39 months in hospitals, hovering near death more than once.

DOLE: First, I didn't think it was fair. Then I looked around in the next bed and they were taking somebody away who passed away or somebody had lost both legs or done something else. I didn't feel so sorry for myself.

BLITZER (voice-over): His right hand remained virtually useless for the rest of his life. His mind, however, was fine.

Voters in his home state of Kansas sent Dole to Washington for five terms, where he thrived, becoming a Republican leader in the Senate. He was President Gerald Ford's running mate in 1976, and ran for president in 1980 and 1988, finally winning the republican nomination in 1996.

UNKNOWN (voice-over): William Jefferson Clinton has a job for four more years.

BLITZER (voice-over): It didn't work out.

DOLE: There's a lot more from winning.

[03:55:00]

DOLE: It hurts to lose an election, but stay involved and keep fighting the good fight.

BLITZER (voice-over): A 45-year political career was over. Dole moved on with grace.

MELANIA TRUMP, FORMER FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: Great Senator Bob Dole.

BLITZER (voice-over): After the bitter 2016 primaries, Dole was the only former Republican presidential nominee to attend the convention that nominated Donald Trump.

He poignantly saluted the casket of fellow Republican but frequent rival George Bush. And to the end, Dole kept the trademark humor so familiar to those who knew him and so surprising to those who did not.

DOLE: We always try to have a little fun. My view is if it's not any fun, it's not worth doing. You look at your life and your own reflection. I think success and failure is not opposite, it's part of your life.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH (on camera): And tributes for Bob Dole have been pouring in from all around the world and from America's top leaders. President Joe Biden ordered flags flown at half-staff honoring Dole as -- quote -- "an American statesman like few in our history. A war hero and among the greatest of the greatest generation. And to me, he was also a friend whom I could look to for trusted guidance or humorous line at just the right moment to settle frayed nerves. I will miss my friend."

And former President George W. Bush said, in part, I will always remember Bob's salute to my late dad at the Capitol. And now, we Bushes salute Bob and give thanks for his life of principled service.

And thank you so much for your company. I'm Rosemary Church. I'll be back with another hour of "CNN Newsroom" in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)