Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
England Coronavirus Pandemic; More Countries Join Olympic Diplomatic Boycott; Biden to Speak whit Ukrainian President; Germany's Shift in Power; Activist Ponders Next Move After Fleeing to Spain. Aired 3-4a ET
Aired December 09, 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: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I am Rosemary Church.
Just ahead here on "CNN Newsroom," time for "plan B." England is reintroducing a number of COVID restrictions as the Omicron variant grips the nation. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under fire after an alleged Christmas Party at 10 Downing Street during last year's lockdown. There has been one high-level resignation and calls for more.
Plus, sending a message to China. Canada and the U.K. joined a growing list of countries in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
UNKNOWN (voice-over): Live from CNN Center, this is "CNN Newsroom" with Rosemary Church.
CHURCH (on camera): Good to have you with us. Well, even with the holidays rapidly approaching, England is headed into another period of tighter restrictions in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.
The so-called "plan B" announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson calls for people to work from home as much as possible beginning next week. From Friday, masks will be required in public venues such as theaters and cinemas. And starting next week, access to nightclubs and crowded events will require proof of vaccination.
The prime minister said that the new rules could change based on updated scientific data. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Let's do everything we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones this winter, and to reduce the pressures on our NHS. As we learn more, so we will be guided by the hard medical data around four key criteria. The efficacy of our vaccines and our boosters, the severity of Omicron, the speed of its spread, and the rate of hospitalizations. (END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH (on camera): The new rules come as the prime minister faces growing accusations that his own staffers have ignored the restrictions imposed on everyone else. Even his own health secretary says it is understandable why people are upset over a video of staffers joking about an alleged Christmas party at Downing Street during last year's lockdown.
In that video, former Downing Street advisor Allegra Stratton, who has now resigned, and other staffers made wisecracks about how to respond if reporters asked about the alleged party. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ED OLDFIELD, PRIME MINISTER SPECIAL ADVISOR (voice-over): I've just seen reports on Twitter that there was a Downing Street Christmas party on Friday night. Do you recognize those reports?
ALLEGRA STRATTON, PRIME MINISTER'S FORMER SPOKESPERSON: I went home.
(LAUGHTER)
STRATTON: Hold on, hold on.
OLDFIELD (voice-over): Would the prime minister condone having a Christmas party?
STRATTON: What's the answer?
OLDFIELD (voice-over): I don't know.
UNKNOWN (voice-over): It wasn't a party. It was Cheese and wine.
STRATTON: Is cheese and wine all right? It was a business meeting.
UNKNOWN (voice-over): Not joking.
STRATTON: This is recorded. This fictional party was a business meeting. And it was not socially distanced.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHURCH (on camera): CNN's Scott McLean joins us from London. The optics don't look good, do they, Scott? One Downing Street advisor has resigned over this alleged Christmas party. How many more may follow?
SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. It remains to be seen, Rosemary. But you mentioned the health secretary saying it is understandable that people are upset after seeing this video. In fact, Sajid Javid was supposed to do a round of interviews with British press yesterday and he canceled on those because he says he was so upset by this video.
I mean, when was the last time that you heard of a politician in any country calling for an investigation into whether or not a party took place at the address that they live at?
This is the seemingly ridiculous question that is dominating British politics right now. Why is this so controversial? Well, it is because the date in question, December 18th of last year, is a time when in London, indoor gatherings, indoor social gatherings were banned. In fact, more than 500 people died of the virus that same day.
And the next day, the prime minister announced that those same restrictions would be extended across all of England to -- effectively canceling Christmas.
We are talking about this now. of course, because of the existence of that video where the press secretary seemed to joke about this event. She gave a tearful resignation yesterday.
The prime minister was grilled on this in the House of Commons yesterday. He says that, of course, he was upset after seeing the video, but he continues to insist that no party actually took place and that all the rules were followed, at least according to what he has been assured by his own staff.
[03:05:07]
MCLEAN: Now, there is a sliver of gray area here, Rosemary. I really mean sliver. That is because at the time, you were allowed to go into your office if there was no way for you to work from home. And so, some Downing Street were obviously coming in and seeing other people.
When though does work become a party? Probably for most people when wine and cheese are introduced into the mix. In fact, a brand-new poll found that a majority of British adults believe that the prime minister should resign over this incident, including one-third of conservative voters.
Opposition leaders were also crying foul yesterday. Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, said that, look, the prime minister was caught red-handed. He can save us all the headache of an investigation by just acknowledging that rules were, in fact, broken.
All of this, of course, makes it much, much harder for the prime minister and the government more broadly to sell its new package of restriction because of the Omicron variant. Masks are now mandatory in indoor spaces and immunity passports are required for both large indoor gatherings and outdoor gatherings as well.
But you have to wonder how many people are going to question whether they really need to follow that advice if they're hearing that Downing Street staff can't do the same. Rosemary?
CHURCH: Yeah. We will be looking for the definition of a party. Scott McLean, joining us there, many thanks, appreciate it.
Political commentator John McTernan is a former senior aide to Tony Blair. He joins us now from London. Thank you so much for talking with us. So, former Downing Street advisor Allegra Stratton tearfully resigned in the way of this scandal after a leaked video showed her and others joking about a December 18th Christmas party last year at 10 Downing Street in breach of COVID rules and during a lockdown. So, why was this alleged party ever allowed, who was in attendance, and why did Stratton think it was so funny?
JOHN MCTERNAN, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, you are absolutely right to call it an alleged party. Prime Minister Boris Johnson still hasn't confirmed that a party took place, although everybody knows that a party took place, because if he admitted it took place, he would have to admit that the rules have been broken.
So, he has gone through a process of apologizing, letting one of his aides, Allegra Stratton, resign from party. He still doesn't say it took place. He's apologized for the impression given and had called for an inquiry. Paper in the U.K. are full of stories of other parties. Was there a Christmas quiz night? Was there another party in central office, which is a different party from 10 Downing Street?
So, it sounds like there is a culture of senior people in the conservative party believing that they can bend the rules so they can do what they want at a time when many of us, including myself, have relatives in hospitals that we couldn't visit. For months, I couldn't visit my mother because she was in hospital. Many, many people were in worse situations than that.
Probably the worst thing in this crisis for the government is it's becoming very clear that there was one rule for them -- they thought there was one rule for them and a different rule for the rest of the country, and that is a very, very painful thing for the people to hear and feel and it's actually damaging for the government.
CHURCH: Let's talk about that. I wanted to talk about how potentially damaging this could be for Prime Minister Boris Johnston, whether he can survive this considering he repeatedly denied a party ever took place. And of course, somebody is not going to resign for no reason, are they?
Now, there are calls for Johnston to resign, with polls showing most Brits want him out, even conservatives, about a third of them apparently. So, can he survive this, do you think? He has survived many times before, hasn't it?
MCTERNAN: That is right. He is a very brazen and self-confident man. I mean, all political leaders have to have a reservoir, massive reservoirs of self-confidence to even get to the top in politics. It feels like it may not be the end for him but it might be the beginning of the end.
He is a man who has governed with huge confidence. He has governed at times against the odds. People didn't expect him to come back to lead the party. He almost split the conservative party to take control of the leadership. Then he didn't have control of the House of Commons but then had an election where he won a landslide majority. It feels as though like this is the end. He has been governing with this huge confidence, pushing through many things that would've brought down lesser prime ministers.
CHURCH: Right.
MCTERNAN: Maybe the thing that is going to bring him down, but maybe not immediately. You feel conservative MPs no longer feel that he is the right man to take to the next election.
CHURCH: So, this alleged Christmas party would constitute an illegal gathering.
[03:09:59]
CHURCH: Police have prosecuted other illegal gatherings just like this (ph). So, is that what needs to happen here? And if so, what advice would you give Boris Johnson and his team and how to respond to this?
MCTERNAN: Well, the estimates, I mean, there are 10 thousand (ph) fines and students across the country have had to pay those fines. There are massive fines that have been enforced.
The advice I would give to the prime minister is the advice I would give to any political leader in a situation like this, which is the truth will come out. So, get it out quickly and get all of that out. Don't get bits of it out. The more the details are being dragged out -- it looks as though you are trying to hide things.
It may not look good when you bring out the full truth. How many rules were broken? It may not look good but you have to sack (ph) people. But it is better than looking as though you are hiding it, you are colluding in it, and you don't care.
That is the problem to the prime minister. He has always assumed that he can just dismiss any accusations because the public have confidence in him and the public don't like the opposition. It turns out that on this issue, he has read the country wrong.
It is because of the losses of the people (INAUDIBLE) last year. It's because Christmas and the holiday period is so important to people and it was taken away last year. It's because he looks out of touch.
It is the most dangerous position a political leader can ever have, is to be seen to be out of touch and to be acting in such a way that (INAUDIBLE) behavior, that it looks as though they don't have a connection to the public. And when the public think you are not on their side, then the beginning of the end for your political career is in sight.
CHURCH: We have seen one resignation. We will see if more heads roll. John McTernan, thank you so much for joining us, appreciate it.
Canada and the U.K. are the latest to announce a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. They joined the U.S., Australia, and Lithuania, which have chosen not to send delegations to the games.
Chinese officials in Canada say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is humiliating the country by politicizing the games, while the Chinese embassy in the U.K. accuses the government of a political smear campaign.
CNN's Kristie Lu Stout joins us now from Hong Kong with more on this. Good to see you, Kristie. So, more countries joining this diplomatic boycott led by the U.S. But China says Canada and the U.K. weren't even invited. What is the likely impact of all of this? Just how angry is China about this?
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We just heard a very angry statement in the last hour or so. Look, as more nations are participating in America's diplomatic boycott that initiated the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, we have the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the last or so saying that those nations as well will -- quote -- "pay the price" -- unquote.
On Wednesday, we heard from the British prime minister, he announced an effective diplomatic boycott of the games. You have the U.K. joining Australia, Canada and the United States in this action. This is not a full boycott, athletes from these countries will participate in the games, but it means that their government officials won't be taking part unless (ph) at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games.
On Monday, that was when the United States and the Biden administration formally announced its diplomatic boycott, citing concerns over human rights abuses in China, namely the charge that China is committing genocide in Xinjiang, a charge that China (INAUDIBLE) denies.
China on the back of that said that the United States will -- quote "pay the price," that there will be -- quote -- "resolute countermeasures," and now, China is using that forceful language against the other countries as well that are joining in on this diplomatic boycott.
We do have a statement that came up. This is from that Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing that just wrapped in the last hour. We will bring it up for you. We heard from the spokesman, Wang Wenbin, said this -- quote -- "The United States, Australia, United Kingdom and Canada used the Olympics for political manipulation. They cannot win the hearts of the people and are isolating themselves. They must also pay the price for their mistaken acts."
And Rosemary, China has yet to articulate what that price would be. Back to you.
CHURCH: All right. Kristie Lu Stout, joining us live from Hong Kong, many thanks as always.
Well, a prominent pro-democracy figure in Hong Hong has been found guilty of encouraging participation in a peaceful Tiananmen Square vigil last June. Media tycoon Jimmy Lai's legal representative tells CNN the formal charge was incitement to knowingly take part in an unauthorized assembly. Sentencing is set for Monday. Lai, a critic of Beijing, has been in custody for months, facing charges related to pro-democracy protests in 2019 and also under the national security law imposed by Beijing.
[03:14:58]
CHURCH: In just a matter of hours, U.S. President Joe Biden is set to speak with Ukraine's president about Russia's military buildup just days after his video call with Vladimir Putin.
And Angela Merkel steps aside as Olaf Scholz becomes Germany's new chancellor. We will look at the challenges facing his coalition government. That is still ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. Ukrainian defense officials say Russia is increasing troop numbers near its border. They say 120,000 troops are there now. That includes Army, Air Force and Navy personnel. U.S. Intelligence findings say the number could eventually reach 175,000.
President Joe Biden is set to speak with Ukraine's president in the coming hours about the Russian military buildup. Mr. Biden has ruled out sending U.S. troops to Ukraine but warns Russia of harsh sanctions if it invades the country.
CNN's Matthew Chance has more now from Kiev.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The Ukrainian leader says the recent video call between President Biden and Vladimir Putin of Russia is positive, but that he waiting for a briefing from the U.S. leader expected Thursday before commenting on the substance of the call.
Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters here in Kiev that he thought the most important thing about the virtual Biden-Putin meeting was that the U.S. leader was now taking a -- quote -- "personal role" in resolving the war in the east of the Ukrainian state. Zelensky added that he regarded as Ukraine's victory that the United States supported Ukrainian sovereignty and independence.
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 (INAUDIBLE) NATO membership (INAUDIBLE) to join.
Russia, which has already annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, now backs some rebels in the country's east, is again amassing tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine's borders in recent weeks.
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, Kiev. (END VIDEOTAPE)
CHURCH (on camera): Russia and China are busy attacking President Biden's summit for democracy set to begin in the coming hours. Neither country was invited to attend. Chinese diplomats have been mocking the summit online while state media in both countries suggest the project is hypocritical.
[03:19:58]
CHURCH: Propaganda experts say the fact that official mouthpieces for Russia and China are speaking out shows just how nervous they are about potentially being isolated over their anti-democratic policies.
The virtual summit will be held over the next two days with representatives from about 100 governments taking part, along with journalists and civil society groups.
The White House says the summit will focus on the challenges and opportunities facing democracies, with plans to announce commitments, reforms and initiatives to defend democracy and human rights.
Germany's new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, is wasting no time getting down to business with his first foreign trips planned for Friday to Paris and Brussels. His three-party coalition says it's committed to green investments and strengthening the European union. But his most pressing challenge is tackling Germany's COVID crisis.
CNN's Fred Pleitgen has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: 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 is 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: 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 in Angela Merkel's last cabinet and also the finance manager 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 is 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. 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 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 foreign minister. For the first time, it is going to be a woman leading Germany's foreign ministry. Annalena Baerbock of the Green Party has also been highly critical of Russia and also highly critical of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project.
Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHURCH: French authorities have released a Saudi man they initially suspected of taking part in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He was detained at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on Tuesday after his name appeared to match a man wanted in the killing. But French prosecutors say further identity checks showed they were holding the wrong man.
A hit squad murdered and dismembered Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. A U.S. Intelligence report concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved the operation. The Saudi government has denied that report.
Earlier this year, Cuba was swept by its largest anti-government rallies in decades. But one of the activists involved fled his homeland. Now, he is facing anger from his supporters back on the island and questions about where his loyalties really lie. He sat down with Isa Soares in the midst of his self-imposed exile to tell us his side of the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ISA SOARES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For many, Yunior Garcia, was the rising star of Cuba's protest movement, a renowned playwright who had hoped to bring the curtain down on the world's last communist stronghold, before he and his wife suddenly fled to Madrid. [03:24:57]
YUNIOR GARCIA, CUBAN ACTIVIST (on-screen translation): I think if I had stayed in Cuba, I would be able to do a lot less for my people.
SOARES (voice-over): His dramatic departure in November under the cover of darkness caught many by surprise. But he tells me he did not abandon the very cause he has been fighting for.
GARCIA (on-screen translation): I appreciate that some maybe don't understand my decision to leave, but time will show where one can be more helpful to its companions.
SOARES (voice-over): Still, some, including supporters of his Archipelago movement, now accuse him of surrendering to pressure from the regime, even calling him a traitor. His former supporters now raising questions about his true allegiance.
(On camera): The Cuban government says that you worked for the United States. But the way in which you left begs the question whether you could actually be an agent for Cuba. Are you a double agent?
GARCIA (on-screen translation): Neither double, nor single, nor of any kind. They call me exchange agent. They don't even dare say I am a CIA agent. What they say is that the CIA has been using me without me knowing it.
SOARES (voice-over): His departure followed months of pressure from the Cuban government. He says they blocked him from leaving his house, threatened him with the arrest, and even left a dead bird on the door of his apartment as a warning.
GARCIA (on-screen translation): I withstood everything until a point where I couldn't take it anymore. I was losing my center. A kind of anger started to grow inside me, you know? Like a kind of hatred that changes you into someone else.
SOARES (voice-over): Leaving Cuba also meant leaving his eight-year- old son behind, a decision that is still eating him up.
GARCIA (on-screen translation): We hadn't had the time to pause. My wife and I, in the middle of all this intense beating. Until the moment where we had a break in our schedule when we had nothing to do. And I heard my wife cry in the room. We found some release together. Neither of us wanted to be here.
SOARES (voice-over): Still, he decided he did not want the Cuban regime to turn him into a martyr.
GARCIA (on-screen translation): I don't want to die trying, I want to achieve it. That Cuba becomes a good country where my son can live in.
SOARES (voice-over): He says his fight will continue, away from his homeland, at least for now.
(On camera): You are a scriptwriter. How does this story end? GARCIA (on-screen translation): This story cannot be written by a single person. It is a collective creation. And if I don't return, I lose myself, this is the thing. So, I know that I have to go back.
SOARES (voice-over): A tale of tragedy and sorrow, whose last act has yet to be written.
Isa Soares, CNN, Madrid, Spain.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHURCH (on camera): And still to come, how the Omicron variant is driving up COVID cases in South Africa. We will have a live report from Johannesburg.
Plus, coronavirus vaccines reached the one-year mark in Europe. How they have shaped the ever-changing pandemic for the better and how they have fallen short. We will take a look. We will have some live reports. Stay with us.
[03:30:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): Well, let's get you up to speed now with the top COVID headlines from around the globe. The World Health Organization says while global weekly cases have plateaued, deaths increased by 10 percent compared to last week. But two new Israeli studies have found that booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine can reduce COVID infections and deaths by 90 percent or more.
Meantime, Germany recorded its highest death toll since February in the last 24 hours. The country has been struggling with rising cases amid a low vaccination rate. And South Africa reported nearly 20,000 new COVID cases on Wednesday, a record since the omicron variant was detected.
And CNN's Eleni Giokos is standing by in Athens, our David McKenzie is in Johannesburg. Good to see you both. So, Eleni let's go to you first, and Germany really struggling with COVID, recording its highest death toll since February. What is the latest on all of this?
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN MONEY AFRICA CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, I mean, this is a record daily death number out of Germany. And this is the country struggles to contain its fourth wave. The numbers are extraordinary in terms of positive cases in Germany in the past 24 hours, coming in at 69,600. And an additional 527 people died in the past 24 hours. And that brings the total death toll in Germany to 104,000.
It is the highest number that we have seen since February. Now Germany last week announced a nationwide lockdown for the unvaccinated. And as you said Rosemary, the country has a very low vaccination rate. So, if you are unvaccinated in Germany, you have been banned from going anywhere apart from essential businesses like pharmacies for example. In the meantime, leaders are apparently discussing mandatory vaccines
in the coming months. Hospitals are starting to feel the pressure as well, in terms of capacity specifically in intensive care units.
And I mean, focusing on other countries in Europe. Denmark records its highest positive rate. It is tightening up as omicron they say is spreading extremely fast. Bars and restaurants are closing at midnight. Concerts with more than people -- 50 people standing have also been shut down.
And the authorities have confirmed over 6,600 cases of new cases. It's the highest daily rate yet, as I've said and 577 omicron cases have been confirmed in Denmark. So you kind of get the sense that there is concern about omicron spreading in these countries as genomic sequencing is occurring.
In the meantime, in Finland, the Prime Minister has apologized after a video has spread very fast on social media that him dancing mask-less in a nightclub. After knowingly coming into contact with one of her colleagues that was positive with the coronavirus. And she says that she left her government phone at home. So she didn't receive the message that she had been recommended to self-isolate.
These are some of the biggest headlines that are coming out of Europe, in the meantime, as many countries, Rosemary, are starting to discuss mandatory vaccination. And also, starting to shift a travel bans and the requirements for people traveling from countries, (inaudible) countries in Southern Africa.
CHURCH: Alright. And David let's go to you, you are there in Johannesburg. South Africa has reported nearly 20,000 new COVID cases, what is the latest on all of this?
DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, you can expect these cases to rise as this wave dominated by the omicron variant, Rosemary, increases. Now how fast it rises is, it remains to be seen. I think the critical thing here to watch isn't so much cases necessarily, but how severe those cases are.
And clinicians and charities, ambulance drivers that I've been speaking to over the last few days. Their initial indication at least, is that the high level of cases are not matched necessarily by a very significant spike on hospital admissions and deaths. That is the critical bit of information. But we will have to wait and see several weeks before we can really tell what the impact of omicron is going to be.
[03:35:11]
CHURCH: And David, what do we need to be looking out for next? Because obviously the situation in South Africa has much wider implications, doesn't it?
MCKENZIE: It does. And I think what we need to watch is whether the vaccines hold up against this variant. We have that lab results, early lab results, from both Pfizer and South African scientist on that vaccine, that shows there is a drop of an immune response, but it isn't catastrophic. And they are certainly saying that this is better news than they thought.
So the first thing to watch for is how much vaccinated people are getting infected with this. And particularly again, whether they are landing up in hospital. A lot of scientists and public health experts are saying, it is not so much about avoiding infection at this point, it's avoiding severe outcomes.
So, we will have to wait and see. Another 10 days, to two weeks maybe, we will get a clear indication of how bad omicron really is. But there is no evidence yet, it is more severe than previous variants. You know, we have been talking about booster shots a lot. The regulator here has now authorize booster shots for people who received Pfizer.
And even though it has been shown that this is effective against this variant, the WHO again saying, that this just points to the inequity in the fight against COVID-19, because many people have not even received their first shot or a single shot of Johnson & Johnson. While other countries are talking about the boosters.
And I think a final thing to look at are these travel bans. You know, this is CNN's running list of travel bans. It runs nine pages long. And there is a growing sense of frustration that given that omicron has been found all over the world now, what the economic impact of this will be if it isn't necessarily a public health benefit.
Across the world, health authorities are still saying from individual countries, that this is a way to buy themselves time. I have to say, here on the ground, no one is really buying that at this point. Rosemary?
CHURCH: Yeah, indeed. David McKenzie, Eleni Giokos, many thanks to you both for those live reports.
Well the rollout of coronavirus vaccines across Europe, a year ago, was seen as a landmark moment. Offering some of first significant protections against the deadly virus. But hopes of vaccines ushering in a swift end to the pandemic have proved elusive.
Cyril Vanier reports on the progress made so far and the challenges that still lie ahead.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CYRIL VANIER, CNN SHOW HOST (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.
When you're 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?
When it comes to saving lives that is a resounding yes. PETER DROBAC, GLOBAL HEALTH EXPERT, OXFORD UNIVERSITY: We've 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 about 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 slowing going down the hill. It's not a steep drop off, so if you have been vaccinated four months ago, you are less protected, then if you are vaccinated two or three months ago.
VANIER: Forcing Europe to bet on boosters. And France, all adults who 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 heard 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.
VANIER: As Europe prepares for its second COVID Christmas, questions abound the omicron variant, its transmissibility, its severity. Vaccines, by no means, are a silver bullet, but still, by far, the best protection available.
Cyril Vanier, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[03:40:11]
CHURCH: And joining us from Oxford England, is Dr. Sian Griffiths, she is an emeritus professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and led Hong Kong's investigation into the 2003 SARS epidemic. Thank you doctor for all that you do.
SIAN GRIFFITHS, EMERITUS PROFESSOR, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG: Good morning, Rosemary, nice to be with you.
CHURCH: So, Pfizer now says its third COVID booster shot offers protection against the new omicron variant, but two doses may not be enough to do that. And we have learned that the two new studies from Israel have found the Pfizer booster shot reduces infections and deaths by 90 percent or more. We should know more by Friday. But how encouraged are you by this news?
GRIFFITHS: Its encouraging results because what they show is that the vaccine boosters will protect to some extent, against omicron. Because the big question when omicron came on the scene was, will vaccines work? How transmissible is it? How is the severity of the disease going to be? And what is the real nature of this virus?
Scientists around the world are working in different ways on different studies on this question. And we keep getting small hints of what the jigsaw will look like eventually. So, it is encouraging. But it doesn't mean that we can just sit back and say let omicron rip. I don't think that is the case at all.
CHURCH: And of course, here in the United States, the CDC says only about 25 percent of vaccinated adults have actually received that third booster shot. So given what we have just learned about the extra protection offered by the booster shot, is it time to redefine what fully vaccinated means and make it a three shot, instead of two-shot regimen?
GRIFFITHS: Well, that's obviously something that needs to be discussed by the various committees, such as in the U.K., the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization. We already have a recommendation in the U.K. of having boosters. All adults to have a third shot. And Pfizer and Moderna of the two vaccines being used.
I think as you said earlier, in France, the vaccine pass will rely on people, particularly older people having had three shots. So, we are into -- we are definitely not into this is going away territory. We are into -- actually to control the virus, we need to stay on top of the variants, we need to see developments in vaccines that are appropriate for the variants that emerge.
And I think we may well see ourselves in a situation like we are with the flu, where we continued to be vaccinated against strains of virus that are prevalent at that particular point of time. And that is just such a precautionary public have approach.
CHURCH: And U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is imposing tougher COVID restrictions across England in an effort to contain the omicron variant and, of course, in the wake of a government scandal. Brits will need to wear face masks in most public places, work from home where possible and show COVID passes to get into nightclubs and other crowded events. Will these measures be sufficient do you think to contain the threat?
GRIFFITHS: Well, that is really difficult. These measures are coming on top of other measures that come at a time -- that are coming at the time of year when we already have a lot of viruses, not just COVID circulating in our population. We have pressures on the health care system from other things than COVID.
And I think that two scientific adviser yesterday was pointing out that the key thing we need to do is slow the spread of omicron. Get a better understanding of it and hopefully these measures will contribute towards it. But it's a combination of things. It's getting vaccinated, getting those shots is the most important thing.
And the booster program has been wrapped up. G.P.s had been -- general practitioners are allowed to differ other work, other routine work to prioritize booster jabs. Booster jabs are really the key. These other measures are part of the whole picture and hopefully taken together, they will control the spread of omicron. Because we are all getting towards Christmas. And I think people are very keen that we don't cancel Christmas again this year.
CHURCH: Yeah, it appears that we are all having to learn to live with COVID. It is not going anywhere anytime soon, right? Dr. Sean Griffiths thank you so much for joining us, I appreciate it.
GRIFFITHS: Thank you.
CHURCH: UNICEF says the coronavirus pandemic has caused the worst crisis for children it has ever seen. The U.N. agency detailed the devastating impacts in a new report saying, it's pushed 100 million children into poverty since it began.
UNICEF also says the pandemic has rolled back progress on access to food, education and mental health, and medical care. It says urgent action is needed to prevent a lost decade for children.
[03:45:04]
Well, New Zealand wants its future generations to stop smoking. And a new law could make that happen. Next year, lawmakers will kick off a campaign to reduce the number of smokers across the country to less than 5 percent by 2025. Currently, only those 18 and older can buy tobacco. But, the new bill would aggressively raise the legal age for purchase. New Zealand's government also plans to reduce the number of shops that sell tobacco products, as well as cut back on tobacco imports and advertising.
India is trying to figure out why a helicopter crashed, killing its top military general. Next, we go live to New Delhi for an update on the investigation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHURCH: An investigation is underway in India after a helicopter crash that killed the nation's top general. India's chief of defense staff was killed Wednesday, along with 12 other people on board. The helicopter went down in the southern part of the country, but it is unclear what actually went wrong.
Our Vedika Sud is following this story for us from New Delhi, she joins us now live. Good to see you, Vedika. So, what is the latest on this helicopter crash that killed India's top general?
VEDIKA SUD, CNN PRODUCER (on camera): Rosemary, more details have emerged after the Indian defense minister spoken parliament this morning local time. Now, according to the details he shared, the chopper took off from an airbase at about 11:48 local time on Wednesday. It had the chief of defense staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 12 others on board.
But 20 minutes into that ride is when the air traffic control lost communication with the chopper. And that is when the crash took place. Now, it is going to take a while, of course, to find out what's really has happened. According to the defense minister, a (inaudible) services inquiry has been ordered.
What is going to help the probe, is the recovery of the flight data recorder, which was retrieved this morning. And that is really going to be key in the investigation. More on the former chief of the defense staff, he was the first chief of defense staff appointed in December 2019.
Also, to let know how important his designation really is, he was the man who was the eyes and ears for the defense minister. He is the one who would help with military decisions. Especially the biggest ones, be at the border skirmish with China, or the tensions with Pakistan, or any other military related matters.
Now his cremation is expected to take place tomorrow, Rosemary, in the afternoon sometime, local time. He will be cremated with full state honors. Currently the (inaudible) remains will be moved along with the others to Delhi by about 6 o'clock local time. We are waiting to hear more from the Indian Air Force on this.
[03:50:06]
But of course, the government, a lot of representatives from the government, from the president, prime minister, to the defense minister and other ministers, have all expressed grief and shock over the untimely demise of India's top military man, along with his wife and 11 others. There is only one survivor, Rosemary. And what we do know currently, is that he is critical but stable, and he is on life support. Rosemary.
CHURCH: Alright, Vedika Sud, bringing us up to date on that helicopter crash. Many thanks for that.
Well, football legend, Pele, is in the hospital. Coming up, an update on his condition and word on when he could be released.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHURCH: U.S. lawmakers grilled the head of Instagram on Wednesday about the mental health impact the app has on young users. They claim the company has not done enough to protect children. But the Instagram executive told a different story.
CNN's Donie O'Sullivan reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNKNOWN: Self-policing depends on trust, the trust is gone.
DONIE O'SULLIVAN, CNN BUSINESS REPORTER (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 (inaudible) way for people to get into your product. 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.
SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT): Shouldn't children and parents have the right to report dangerous material, and get a response?
ADAM MOSSERI, HEAD OF INSTAGRAM: Yes, I believe we try and respond to all reports, and if we ever failed to do so that is the mistake that we should correct.
O'SULLIVAN: Instagram embroiled in controversy, since whistleblower Frances Hagan, leaked internal documents from the company about the harms of the social media platform on young people, particularly teenage girls.
FRANCES HAUGEN, FACEBOOK WHISTLEBLOWER: Facebook's internal research is aware that there are right on facing children on Instagram that are -- they know that severe harms happen to children.
O'SULLIVAN: Mosseri today, pushing back.
MOSSERI: I firmly believe that Instagram and 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 ask about research released this week that shows teenagers are easily able to find the (inaudible) advertising the sale of drugs like Xanax and Adderall. Its algorithms even promoting this accounts to some users.
MOSSERI: Accounts selling drugs or any other regulated goods are not allowed on the platform.
UNKNOWN: Apparently, they are.
MOSSERI: Senator, respectfully, I don't think you can take one or two examples and indicate that is indicative of what happens in the platform are broadly.
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, two suicide in 2017.
UNKNOWN: There was no sign of any mentally 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. UNKNOWN: We haven't had a glimpse of what Molly was exposed to. I
think I now understand, why she was pushed to do what she did.
[03:55:04]
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)
CHURCH: The rideshare company Lyft is giving its employees another year to work remotely. Lyft says, its workers will not be required to return to their offices until 2023. The company did not mention the omicron variant, but says it wanted to give employees more flexibility. Lyft still plans to reopen its offices in February, but going there will be optional for now. A number of other major companies have also pushed back their return to office states.
Brazilian football legend, Pele, is expected to be out of the hospital in a few days. That's from a hospital spokesperson in Sau Paulo, where he is undergoing chemotherapy for a colon tumor. The 81-year-old was admitted on Wednesday, about three months after he had a tumor removed. Pele is one of the best known players of all-time, who clinched three World Cup titles with Brazil. He's honors include The Player Of The Century from FIFA and The Athlete Of The Century from the International Olympic Committee.
And tennis champion, Serena Williams, will miss the 2022 Australian Open. Williams made the announcement online, saying that she is still recovering from a hamstring injury from earlier this year. The Australian Open tweeted their sympathy, wishing her a speedy recovery. Williams had previously been slated to headline the women's draw at the tournament in 2022 after reaching the semifinals this year. Her last major win was at the 2017 Australian Open.
A climber who stumbled upon a treasure trove of precious stones on France's Mont Blanc eight years ago, is now allowed to keep half of the jewels. The entire hall of emeralds and sapphires is worth more than $150,000. Officials believe the gems were being transported on an Indian plane that crashed in the area, almost 50 years ago.
And thank you so much for your company, I'm Rosemary Church, have yourselves a wonderful day. "CNN Newsroom" continues now with Kim Brunhuber. He's up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
