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England Imposes New COVID Restrictions To Contain Omicron; Number 10 Allegedly Partied During 2020 Lockdown; Canada And U.K. Join Diplomatic Boycott Of Winter Games; New Chancellor Olaf Scholz Faces Big Challenges Early On; White House: Joe Biden To Speak With Ukraine's President Thursday. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired December 09, 2021 - 00:00   ET

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

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JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Coming up here on CNN NEWSROOM, plan B for England with the Omicron variant more contagious than Delta, Boris Johnson tightens pandemic restrictions, but unlike last year, when the nation was under lockdown, Christmas parties are still allowed.

And Boris Johnson insists there was no festive gathering at Number 10 this time last year, despite video showing Downing Street staffers laughing about what to say if anyone found out about their party at Number 10.

And the Winter Olympics, which came with an Asterix, a growing number of countries signed on for a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Games in Beijing, protesting China's appalling record on human rights.

ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM with John Vause.

VAUSE: Wherever you are around the world, thank you for joining us here on CNN NEWSROOM and we will begin in the U.K. where the British prime minister has announced pandemic restrictions will be tightened over fears of the Omicron variant, which is spreading faster than the Delta variant, could be the dominant strain in Britain within weeks.

While Boris Johnson is trying to convince a pandemic weary nationwide these measures are needed, he's facing criticism of double standards after a leaked video shows his aides joking about a Christmas party at Downing Street last year when all social gatherings were banned. We'll have more on that story in a moment.

Now, under what's called plan B for England, new guidance for working from home, mandatory vaccine passports for large public events and facemask must be worn in public. We have more details now from Prime Minister Johnson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We will reintroduce the guidance to work from home, guidance to work from home. Employers should use the rest of the week to discuss working arrangements with their employees, but, from Monday, you should work from home if you can.

Second, from this Friday, we will further extend the legal requirement to wear a face mask to most -- to most public indoor venues, including theaters and cinemas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: With us now for more on the Omicron variant and booster shots is Dr. Eric Topol, Cardiologist and Professor of Molecular Medicine at Scripps Research. Welcome back. Good to see you.

DR. ERIC TOPOL, CARDIOLOGIST (on camera): Thanks, John. Great to be with you again.

VAUSE: OK, so the U.K. Health Security Agency lays out fairly obviously the reason why Plan B is going into effect, posting on their website: Omicron is displaying a significant growth advantage over Delta, meaning that it is likely to outcompete Delta in the U.K., become the dominant variant, a current trend at least 50 percent of coronavirus cases to be caused by Omicron variant in the next two to four weeks.

British Prime Minister pointed out that Omicron virus is spreading across Britain at the same rate as it is in South Africa. So, I guess does this mean Omicron will likely replace Delta as the dominant variant globally? And what are your concerns when you look at this incredibly high rate of transmission?

TOPOL: It's very concerning, John, because it's happening so fast in South Africa, in the U.K., Denmark, these are all exponential curves. And certainly, that's going to happen in all of the countries around the world.

So, we're heading towards a new global dominant strain of Omicron, which is really we don't need that. Delta has been enough of a challenge. This one has a lot more immune escape, and at least some increase contagiousness. So, it's going to give us a rough time in the months ahead.

VAUSE: And England's Chief Medical Officer made the point that right now for the U.K. at least, this is the calm before the storm, here he is.

TOPOL: Right.

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CHRIS WHITTY, ENGLAND'S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER: We know from previous ways, and this is not particularly surprising that there is a delay between people becoming infected with COVID and ending up with symptoms and then with hospitalization.

So, there's usually about a two-week delay. We would therefore not expect that these cases -- the case rates in hospital will start to go up for a number of probably two to three weeks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: So essentially, given this rate of transmission, should hospitals be bracing for a tsunami of COVID patients all needing treatment all around the same time?

TOPOL: Yes, that's a really important question. That's an unknown. As you know, John, the early reads were maybe this was more mild, but that's very uncertain because in South Africa, the patients that were representing were younger, and they had prior COVID, many were vaccinated.

So, we really don't have a sense about what happens if you have people who are over age 60, who haven't been vaccinated haven't been prior infected.

[00:05:06]

TOPOL: So, we're going to learn about this in the next few weeks. That's something you can't get out of a lab study. Most likely, the virus will be similar.

Fortunately, we don't have any signs that it's more lethal or more virulent, but it's probably going to behave similar. And then, the question, the begging a question is, will that put attacks on hospital resources in places around the world, and it's certainly a possibility, especially since we don't even have Delta contained.

VAUSE: We don't have Delta contained in many parts of the world. Yes, and we have this latest information about the double dose Pfizer vaccine being fairly weak against Omicron.

But when you get this third dose, this third injection, it becomes highly effective. I want you to listen to Pfizer's Chief Scientific Officer, here he is.

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MIKAEL DOLSTEN, CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER, PFIZER: To be protected of Omicron, you really need a three-dose series of vaccination. And that's how we should look at it right now, the three-dose series is what you need.

everyone should get vaccinated. And those that have given the two doses should as soon as possible get to third dose.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: So, I guess, these COVID vaccines, they started out, you know, in most cases two doses. Now, it's up to three, which was mandatory (PH) to fight the virus.

And the latest research we have from Israel, though, shows that mortality from COVID is reduced by 90 percent after a booster, that's a pretty compelling argument, you go out there and get the third shot. But is this now the ceiling for the number of shots we will need? TOPOL: Oh, that's a tough one, too, because, you know, your point about reduction in mortality 90 percent and that's against Delta. That study was republished today, that in alone should give a strong reason to get a third dose. And that's an age -- over at age 50.

But now with Omicron, as you pointed out, after the exposure to Omicron with two doses, it just doesn't match up. And that booster has an extraordinary effect from 25 to 40-fold increases in neutralizing antibodies.

So, we do know that the booster is necessary not just because of what -- the waning over time, not just because of Delta but also to restore effectiveness against Omicron.

The question though that is central right now is how long will that last? How long would this original vaccine be able to fend off Omicron? Is it just a few months? And no one knows that yet.

So, we're going to find that out over time. We need better vaccines that are either Omicron directed or pan coronavirus vaccines which are in our reach.

VAUSE: Two years almost two -- almost two years into this and we're talking about new vaccines, more studies, more research, still too much which is unknown.

Dr. Eric Topol, thank you.

TOPOL: You bet. Thanks, John.

VAUSE: Thank you, sir.

Yes, Virginia, it seems there really might have been a Christmas party at Downing Street. The video shows staffers at Number 10 not at the actual party, but rather days after the alleged event, laughing and joking about how to explain the gathering should anyone find out. One senior aide resigned within hours of the video being made public. Calls are growing louder for the Prime Minister to step down as well.

Boris Johnson has apologized. He has ordered an internal investigation, repeatedly insisting there was no party at Downing Street a year ago, when the rest of the country was under strict lockdown.

CNN's Salma Abdelaziz has the latest now, reporting in from London.

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SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Allegra Stratton, spokesman for Downing Street, became a household name overnight in the U.K.

On Wednesday, she resigned on her doorstep.

ALLEGRA STRATTON, FORMER DOWNING ST. SPOKESPERSON: My remarks seemed to make light of the rules, rules that people were doing everything to obey. That was never my intention.

ABDELAZIZ: The senior British government official made headlines, appearing to mock COVID rules and joking about a Christmas party last year.

STRATTON: I went home. This fictional party was a business meeting. And it was not socially distanced.

ABDELAZIZ: If true, it would be a brazen violation of COVID restrictions.

This video obtained by CNN affiliate ITV shows aides rehearsing for a briefing, four days after the alleged party. But while Downing Street staff giggled on the video about cheese and crackers, the U.K. was in the grips of a deadly rise of COVID-19 cases.

Safiah was caring for her elderly father that day. She says he contracted coronavirus during the Christmas period and later died of the virus.

SAFIAH NAGH, COVID FAMILIES FOR JUSTICE: We had five people at my dad's funeral. I was able to actually be with my dad when he died. Me, my mom and my brother were able to be there which I consider a huge privilege because so many other bereaved family members didn't have that opportunity.

ABDELAZIZ: On December 18th alone, the day the Downing Street party allegedly took place, more than 500 people were reported dead from COVID-19 in the U.K.

[00:10:03]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyone needs to start leaving now.

ABDELAZIZ: And this is how police handled other festive gatherings, cracking down and handing out spot fines.

For days, the prime minister maintains that no party even took place.

JOHNSON: All guidance was followed completely.

That's not true.

I can tell you is that all the guidelines were observed.

ABDELAZIZ: On Wednesday, the prime minister told parliament he would launch an investigation, but admitted no wrongdoing.

JOHNSON: I was also furious to see that clip. But I repeat, Mr. Speaker, that I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged, that there was no party and that -- and that no COVID rules were broken.

KEIR STARMER, BRITISH LABOUR LEADER: So, the British people put the health of others above themselves and followed the rules. Isn't the prime minister ashamed that his Downing Street couldn't do the same? ABDELAZIZ: The day after the alleged party, Boris Johnson effectively canceled Christmas for the entire nation limiting gatherings. Two days later, most of the U.K. was back under tier 4 restrictions, essentially a full lockdown.

Now, as the country once again is fighting a variant, Omicron, many are asking if the prime minister has the moral authority to lead the country.

Salma Abdelaziz, CNN London.

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VAUSE: CNN European Affairs commentator Dominic Thomas is with us now from Vaxjo in Sweden. Dominic, good to see you.

DOMINIC THOMAS, CNN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR (on camera): Thank you, John.

VAUSE: So, here's a little more from Boris Johnson at Wednesday's question time in Parliament.

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JOHNSON: I understand and share the anger up and down the country at seeing Number 10 staff, seeming to make light of lockdown measures. And I can understand how infuriating it must be to think that the people who have been setting the rules have not been following the rules.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: And that's the point. Yes, putting aside all of the politics of the scandal, the real issue here seems to be the damage done to the public's trust in this government just as tougher pandemic guidelines are being introduced. It's a case of don't do what I do, just do as I say, right?

THOMAS: Yes, that basically sums it up, John. I mean, what we have learned over the past two years is that competent, consistent messaging from the authorities has been absolutely crucial in stemming the growth and the dissemination of the virus. And we have great success examples in places like Finland, for example, and New Zealand.

That's not always been the case. We do know that in areas where you've had competent leadership, take Germany as an example as well. And that has not always worked out in the best way.

But what we do know for sure, is that incompetent leadership, inconsistent messaging has contributed to worsening the situation.

And when we look at the U.K. now, with over 150,000 deaths, it is absolutely clear that there's a correlation between the lies and the mishandling of this and the inconsistent messaging of Boris Johnson's government here. And what we can just only hope is that the British people being

increasingly resourceful in taking hold of these measures and not waiting for the government to provide these.

But unfortunately, this inconsistent messaging does mean that it's going to discontinue to disproportionately impact those people that throughout this process have been misled and underserved by this government.

VAUSE: Well, now we get to the politics and for that, here's some more from their leader of the Labour opposition, listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STARMER: No one was dreaming of a Zoom Christmas, turkey dinners for one, gifts exchanged at service stations, but the virus was out of control. 489 people died of COVID on the day of the Downing Street party.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: This time last year when thousands of fines are being written for breaching COVID restrictions on gatherings, this was the Christmas with Boris -- which Boris Johnson cancelled. But he seemed to get some credit for making the tough calls.

Is all of that now undone? Has he just submitted a narrative, you know, of the rule for the Tories, a rule of everyone else?

THOMAS: Yes. And I think that that has been not just -- I don't think just for the Tories. I think that for the Tory leadership and for a certain kind of entitled leader, which is really what this is -- which is all about.

What's so striking about this, though, is that there's really nothing new about this. I mean, his closest adviser Dominic Cummings came public and talked about the sort of the gross mishandling, the ignorance of Boris Johnson's administration, the ongoing and corruption scandals and so on.

And yet, let's not forget, this is a prime minister who essentially came to office on the heels of a misinformation campaign of lying to the British people about the impact of Brexit and so on, and ended up essentially winning an issue on a single issue.

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THOMAS: This has never been a government that's been about policy, that's been about transforming the situation and improving people's lives in the U.K. And the sense of entitlement is reflected, I think, in all of the behavioral patterns of this particular government, and yet, it still succeeds in holding on to power.

VAUSE: But there's this growing criticism now of Johnson and the leadership from within his own party. You know, they're calling this leaked video indefensible and catastrophic. A recent poll just came out, a majority believing the prime minister

should actually resign, and a third of conservative voters feel the same.

Assuming this controversy does not get any worse. Will Johnson survive? And why would anyone assume it won't get any worse?

THOMAS: Yes, why would they not assume? This is just simply another chapter in the Boris Johnson and prime ministership. What's so absolutely extraordinary back to the previous point that I made is that -- is that it seems for the overwhelming, you know, voting public, that Boris Johnson's private behavior, his inconsistent messaging and so on, are secondary to the fact that he delivered Brexit or second to the fact that he delivered this massive majority for the Conservative Party.

And at this particular stage, the opposition itself has remains divided and seems incapable of mounting some kind of opposition to Boris Johnson that would potentially undermine him.

Now around him in this sort of dangerous waters, he essentially serves at the will of the Conservative Party at this stage, and it would be up to them to make a decision as to whether or not to remove him.

But once again, he delivered this massive majority, they are in control, they seem to be at this stage untouchable. When the fall comes, it will be rapid, but there's no reason to believe at this particular stage that this latest chapter will lead his closest people around him to undermine him and remove him when the path ahead for them remains uncertain. They have this majority, and they ultimately control the agenda and the narrative about these questions.

VAUSE: Dominic, it's good to have you with us. Thanks so much. We appreciate it.

THOMAS: Thank you, John.

VAUSE: There have been apologies as well from the prime minister of Finland after she was seen out clubbing late Saturday night in Helsinki, even though she'd been exposed to COVID-19.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANNA MARIN, FINNISH PRIME MINISTER (through translator): I do of course, apologize for my behavior and actions. I haven't acted the best way possible. And for that, I apologize.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: That COVID exposure happened on Friday during a meeting with the foreign minister who tested positive the following day. Prime Minister says she missed a text Saturday advising her to self-isolate, she left her phone at home.

Another government minister at that same meeting went to a football match, another went to a dinner party. All have since tested negative. Canada and the U.K. will stage a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing

Winter Olympics, joining the United States, Australia and Lithuania (INAUDIBLE) sending an official government delegation to the games.

Chinese officials in Canada say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is politicizing the games. While the Chinese Embassy in the U.K. accuses the government of a political smear campaign.

Live Now to Hong Kong, CNN's Kristie Lu Stout. I guess we're now in the situation that I guess the insults are getting a little more civil. They called the Australians immature didn't he, last night?

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Yes, and I'll bring up that statement for you in just a moment. And here we have more nations joining America's diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympic Games. And China is saying again it opposes the politicization of sport and that these officials were never invited in the first place.

Now on Wednesday, we heard from the British prime minister, he announced an effective diplomatic boycott of the game so the U.K. is now joining Canada, Australia and the United States in this diplomatic boycott.

This is not a full boycott. Athletes from these countries will still be able to take part in to participate in the games. It means that the government officials won't take part in say the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games due to take part -- take place in about just two months time.

It was on Monday earlier this week when the Biden administration formally announced its diplomatic boycotts citing human rights abuses in China including the charge. China is committing genocide in Xinjiang, a charge that China vehemently denies.

And China in response said that the United States will pay the price. It also said that they will be resolute countermeasures. It also had a response to the U.K.'s decision.

Let's bring up the statement for you from the Chinese Embassy in the U.K. saying this "The Beijing Winter Olympics is a gathering of Olympic athletes and winter sports lovers across the world. It's not a tool of political manipulation for any country, making an issue out of the presence of government officials at the Beijing Winter Olympics is in essence a political smearing campaign."

And we also have this from China's embassy in Canada in response to Canada's announcement that it too is taking part in a diplomatic boycott. This statement saying "Based on ideological biases, as well as lies and rumors, Canada and a handful of Western countries have been flagrantly engaged in political maneuvering with the attempt to disrupt the smooth progress of Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."

[00:20:02] STOUT: And finally, John, I just want to stop for a moment and just compare where we are now to where we were 13 years ago. John, you were there as a correspondent in Beijing covering the Summer Olympic Games in the run up to the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. We covered countdown Beijing together.

Here's a photograph back then 2008 of then-U.S. President George W. Bush, he is with his father, the former President H.W. Bush, who was also an honorary captain for the American Olympic team. And between them Yang Jiechi, who is then the Foreign Minister of China, they're there watching the games, there was no diplomatic boycotts.

13 years ago, China was under intense criticism and intense scrutiny for its treatment of Tibet. And yet, there was no diplomatic boycott. That scene there in very stark contrast to where we are now with the Beijing Olympic Winter Games just two months away. Back to you, John.

VAUSE: Yes, it's a very much different time I guess back then, and China seem to have a different attitude towards the rest of the world.

But we're now hearing from the IOC President Thomas Bach weighing in on the diplomatic boycotts and concern over the Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai. What's he saying?

STOUT: That's right. We heard overnight from the IOC President, he said two things. In regards to the diplomatic boycotts, he downplayed them. He said it's a political decision, it's not going to be affecting the athletes.

And in regards to the case of Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis star, he defended his organization's handling of the case.

It has been over a month since Peng Shuai posted that explosive #MeToo allegation as accusing a very powerful man, a former vice premier of forcing her to have sex with him. There was a period of time she was missing for a few weeks, and then she appeared in a series of state media clips, photographs, and videos.

And also, reappeared in a video chat, two video chats that took place that IOC took part in even though the video from the video chat and a detailed transcript was never released. All we got was the still photograph and a statement from that.

What we heard from Thomas Bach, he defended the handling of the case. He did say that Peng Shuai is in a "fragile situation", but did not mention the sexual assault allegation. Back to you.

VAUSE: Kristie, thank you. Good to have you with us. As always, thank you so much. Kristie Lu Stout live for us in Hong Kong.

Well, and so it is done. Angela Merkel stepping aside for Olaf Scholz to become Germany's Chancellor, generational shift it seems. The pressing challenges ahead.

And in just a few hours, U.S. President Joe Biden will speak with Ukraine's president about Russia's military buildup, that's just days after Biden squared off with Vladimir Putin on video link.

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VAUSE: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz just sworn in and quickly getting down to business. His first foreign trip is planned for Friday, he'll head to Paris and Brussels. His three-party coalition says it's committed to making green investments. A priority is also strengthening the European Union. But the most pressing challenge of all, Germany's COVID crisis.

CNN's Frederik Pleitgen has details.

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FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): It is the end of a political era here in Germany after more than 16 years in power, Angela Merkel is stepping aside and handing the reins over to the social democrat, Olaf Scholz.

Now, on her way out, Angela Merkel had some words of wisdom for Olaf Scholz, she said that she understands that right now is a very emotional moment for him as he takes over power from her. But she also said that she wished him all the luck in the world as he takes on this very important job.

ANGELA MERKEL, FORMER GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): I know from my own experience that it is an emotional moment to be elected to this office. You may have guessed that it`s an exciting fulfilling task, and also a demanding task.

But if you approach it with joy, then it's perhaps also one of the most beautiful tasks there is, to bear responsibility for this country. I sincerely wish you all the best in this work, and always a happy hand for our country.

PLEITGEN: Now, both Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz made clear in their speeches that they expect a lot of continuity. One of the things that we have to keep in mind is that of course, Olaf Scholz was the Vice Chancellor and Angela Merkel's last cabinet and also, the finance minister in Germany. So, a lot of the policies that we've seen here in this country over the past couple of years have also been shaped by Olaf Scholz.

Nevertheless, he does face a lot of challenges. On the one hand, it is modernizing Germany's economy. But first and foremost, it is also fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Right now, Germany in a very difficult situation with a lot of daily new infections in this country. And also, the death toll really rising as well.

Aside from that foreign policy also seems to be a big challenge for this new chancellor, of course, right now, with the situation there in eastern Ukraine, and with Russia amassing troops near the borders of Ukraine. And Olaf Scholz, has made clear over the past couple of weeks and the

past couple of days that he really values the Transatlantic Alliance. He appears to be very, very much in favor of some of the things that President Joe Biden has been doing. He also praised President Biden for what he calls new multilateralism and the way that the United States deals with its allies.

Now, of course, foreign policy is going to be a big issue and one of the other key players to take a look at in the new German government is the new foreign minister for the first time, it's going to be a woman leading Germany's foreign ministry and Annalena Baerbock of the Green Party has also been highly critical of Russia and also highly critical of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project.

Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Berlin.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: The Ukrainian officials say Russia appears to be increasing troop numbers near their border. Russian troops, they say have now numbered at 120,000. U.S. intelligence earlier put that number at 175,000.

This includes Army Air Force and Navy personnel (INAUDIBLE) just today after Ukraine dominated the high stakes call between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Biden has ruled out sending U.S. troops to Ukraine, but warns Russia have harsh sanctions, should there be an invasion of Ukraine.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I was very straightforward. There were no minced words. It was polite but I made it very clear. If in fact he invades Ukraine, there will be severe consequences, severe consequences, economic consequences like none he's ever seen or ever had been seen in terms of being imposed.

But the idea that the United States is going to unilaterally use force to confront Russia invading Ukraine is not on the cards right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: The U.S. president scheduled to speak with Ukraine's President, for more on that here's CNN's Matthew Chance.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, the Ukrainian leader says the recent video call between President Biden and Vladimir Putin of Russia is positive, but that he's waiting for a briefing from the U.S. leader expected on Thursday before commenting on the substance of the call.

Vladimir Zelensky told reporters here in Kyiv that he thought the most important thing about the virtual Biden-Putin meeting was that the U.S. leader was now taking a "personal role" in resolving the war in the east of the Ukrainian state.

Zelensky added that he regarded it as Ukraine's victory that the United States supported Ukrainian sovereignty and independence.

Well, in a two-hour video conference call on Tuesday, President Biden warns the Kremlin leader against staging a further invasion of Ukraine, President Putin told the U.S. leader that he wanted legal guarantees that NATO, the Western military alliance will stop expanding to the East, meaning Ukraine which wants NATO membership, wouldn't be able to join.

Russia which has already annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, and now backs rebels in the country's East. He's, again, been massing tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine's borders in recent weeks.

[00:30:11]

Vladimir Putin told reporters on Wednesday that Russia doesn't want confrontation, but feels threatened by NATO, which, in his words, "has an unfriendly disposition towards us, to say the least."

Matthew Chance, CNN, Kyiv.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: When we come back, the head of Instagram facing some tough questions on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers raising concern over the potential negative impact social media has on children.

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VAUSE: U.S. lawmakers had some tough questions for the head of Instagram on Wednesday about the harm the app does to the mental health of younger users. And when they accused the company of not doing enough to protect children, the Instagram boss pushed back.

CNN's Donie O'Sullivan has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT): Self-policing depends on trust. The trust is gone.

DONIE O'SULLIVAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The head of Instagram facing a disturbing picture of his platform and the harm it causes, especially among kids.

SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN): You view the kids as a theater ride for people to get into your product. Have you not -- have you not done things to get more teenagers interested in your product? Are you not worried about losing them to other platforms? You better tell the truth. You're under oath.

O'SULLIVAN: It is the latest round of tough questions from lawmakers for Meta, formerly Facebook, which owns Instagram. BLUMENTHAL: Shouldn't children and parents have the right to report

dangerous material and use, and get a response?

ADAM MOSSERI, HEAD OF INSTAGRAM: Senator, yes, I believe we try and respond to all reports, and if we ever failed to do, that is a mistake that we should correct.

O'SULLIVAN: Instagram embroiled in controversy since whistleblower Frances Haugen leaked internal documents from the company about the harms of the social media platform on young people, particularly teenage girls.

FRANCES HAUGEN, WHISTLEBLOWER: Facebook's internal research is aware that there are a variety of harms facing children on Instagram, that are -- they know that severe harm is happening to children.

O'SULLIVAN: Mosseri today pushing back.

MOSSERI: I firmly believe that Instagram and that the Internet, more broadly, can be a positive force in young people's lives.

I also know that sometimes, young people can come to Instagram, dealing with difficult things in their lives. I believe that Instagram can help in those critical moments.

O'SULLIVAN: The Instagram boss being asked about research released this week that shows teenagers are easily able to find accounts advertising the sale of drugs like Xanax and Adderall, its algorithms even promoting these accounts to some users.

MOSSERI: Accounts selling drugs or any other regulated goods are not allowed on the platform.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Apparently, they are.

MOSSERI: Senator, respectfully, I don't think you can take one or two examples and indicate that that is indicative of what happens in the platform more broadly.

[00:35:03]

O'SULLIVAN: Mosseri pledging the company will do more to protect young users, but it's too little, too late for people like Ian Russell, who lost his daughter, Molly, to suicide in 2017.

IAN RUSSELL, LOST DAUGHTER TO SUICIDE: There was no sign of any mental ill health in Molly before her death, and we couldn't work out what could possibly trigger it.

O'SULLIVAN: Russell says he looked at his daughter's social media and was disturbed by what he saw on platforms including Instagram.

RUSSELL: Having had a glimpse of what Molly was exposed to, I think I now understand why she was pushed to do what she did.

O'SULLIVAN: Adding to the pressures on the social media giant, recently a bipartisan group of state attorneys general launched an investigation into the potential harms of Instagram for children and teens. Meta claiming the allegations are false.

Donie O'Sullivan, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VAUSE: The cause of a helicopter crash in India, which claimed the life of a senior military leader, is now under investigation.

The chief of defense staff died Wednesday when his helicopter came down in a fiery crash in southern India. Twelve others on board were killed, including his wife.

The military captain did survive and is now in hospital.

The general served at the top military job for almost two years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him an outstanding soldier and a true patriot.

The roll-out of coronavirus vaccines this time, a year ago in Europe, was seen as a landmark moment, offering some of the first significant protections against this deadly virus.

But hopes of vaccines ushering in a swift end to the pandemic proved elusive.

CNN's Cyril Vanier reports on the progress made so far, but importantly, the challenges that still lie ahead.

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CYRIL VANIER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT/ANCHOR (voice-over): One year ago, Europe started vaccinating en masse. The world marveled at the U.K.'s impressive early rollout; worried about super freezers keeping vaccines cold enough; and hoped this was the beginning of the end of the pandemic.

(on camera): One year on, Europe is in the grip of a new wave of COVID-19. From curfews, to lockdowns, to working from home, restrictions are back in multiple countries. So have vaccines really kept their promise?

(voice-over): When it comes to saving lives, that's a resounding yes.

DR. PETER DROBAC, GLOBAL HEALTH EXPERT, OXFORD UNIVERSITY: They exceeded all of our expectations in terms of their efficacy, and particularly, their ability to prevent severe disease and death.

VANIER: As for preventing infections --

KEITH NEAL, EMERITUS PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM: It seems to be less good at stopping people actually acquiring the virus.

VANIER: Still, countries that have been slow to vaccinate have paid the price in human lives. Take Bulgaria. The European union's least vaccinated country -- only

26 percent uptake -- has the world's highest mortality rate. That reality has prompted once-reluctant Austria to mandate vaccinations from February, with Germany poised to follow suit.

How long does immunity last? That, perhaps, the biggest disappointment.

NEAL: Immunity wanes. It's a bit like slowly going down a hill. It's not a steep drop-off. So if you've been vaccinated four months ago, you are less -- certainly less protected than if you were vaccinated two or three months ago.

VANIER: Forcing Europe to bet on boosters. In France, all adults will lose access to restaurants, bars, train stations and more, if they fail to get their booster by mid-January.

The head of the French Scientific Counsel already talking about a fourth dose.

Is the holy grail of herd immunity still achievable? The short answer, no.

DROBAC: I don't think it is achievable anymore. You probably need to have well over 95 percent of the population, with some immunity. It's going to be difficult to achieve that in practice.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One, two three.

VANIER: As Europe prepares for its second COVID Christmas, questions abound about the Omicron variant: its transmissibility, its severity. Vaccines, by no means a silver bullet, but still, by far, the best protection available.

Cyril Vanier, CNN, Paris.

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VAUSE: Still to come, a Japanese fashion tycoon begins his 12-day visit to the International Space Station. But the billionaire still has some bigger goals ahead for the space tourism.

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VAUSE: Right now, a Japanese fashion mogul is orbiting Earth on board the International Space Station. Billionaire Yusaku Maezawa docked on Wednesday. He's the first tourist to fund his own visit to the space station in more than a decade.

But he still has bigger plans ahead for space exploration. And CNN's Blake Essig has details.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And lift off.

BLAKE ESSIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Move over Bezos and Branson. There's a new billionaire in space.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- The MS-20, with two Japanese spaceflight participants.

YUSAKU MAEZAWA, FASHION ENTREPRENEUR (through translator): The first thing I think I would do when I get to ISS is to use the toilet, because it will be a long journey.

ESSIG: That is Yusaku Maezawa, a Japanese fashion tycoon who "Forbes" says is worth about $1.9 billion and will be spending the next 12 days on board the international space station.

MAEZAWA (through translator): I never thought I would be able to go to space, but I've always had a love for the stars and celestial bodies. I cannot express how happy I feel for this opportunity, and it feels like my dream has finally come true.

ESSIG: For the past several months, the eccentric billionaire has been preparing for that moment. He's tried on a space suit; attempted to learn Russian; and trained in near zero gravity.

MAEZAWA (through translator): The part that I struggled with was the spinning chair.

ESSIG: All the while, documenting the experience for his hundreds of thousands of YouTube subscribers.

A shared experience that won't stop, now that he's left Earth. That's because the 46-year-old didn't make the trip alone. You brought along a videographer to document the journey and inspire a generation.

MAEZAWA (through translator): I hope to be able to send a message that, if you keep chasing your dreams, one day will accomplish them.

ESSIG: And it won't be his last space odyssey. In 2023, he's set to take the giant leap, becoming the first civilian passenger on the SpaceX moon trip.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yusuke Maezawa, please come forward.

ESSIG: And true to his non-conformist, big spender style, the former rock band dropped warm, not one, but all the seats on board Elon Musk's spacecraft and is offering eight spots, free of cost, for that trip around the moon.

MAEZAWA: Let's go to the moon.

ESSIG: Blake Essig, CNN, Tokyo

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VAUSE: Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm John Vause. Please stay with us. I'll see you again at the top of the hour. In the meantime, WORLD SPORT starts after a very short break.

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