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Typhoon Rai Hits Eastern Philippines; Philippine Red Cross Takes Preemptive Action; France Bans Travel from U.K.; Some European Countries Now Vaccinates Children; Six Men Arrested in Saxony, Germany. Aired 3-4a ET
Aired December 16, 2021 - 03:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): A super typhoon slams into the Philippines with hundreds of thousands of people in its path. We'll have a live report from Manila.
France is limiting tourism from the United Kingdom as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads.
And new documents have been released in the assassination of JFK. But some researchers are underwhelmed.
Welcome to all of you watching us from around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN Newsroom.
UNKNOWN: Live from CNN center, this is CNN Newsroom with Kim Brunhuber.
BRUNHUBER: A powerful super typhoon is battering the Philippines with heavy rain and strong winds. Rai made landfall less than two hours ago, with wind gusts more than 300 kilometers per hour. It's been putting to a category five hurricane, and officials are warning of life-threatening storm surges. Tens of thousands of people have already been evacuated from coastal areas.
Let's go to meteorologist Pedram Javaheri in the CNN weather center. Pedram, let's get right to it, what's the latest?
PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know, the storm system still powering through this region, Kim. And you know, it came ashore at 260 kilometers per hour near Siargao Island, the particular island home to about 200,000 people and the system still maintains this intensity as it goes towards the west.
And I'm trying to look at the population of some of these islands, Bohol Island, in particular, Surigao City, and certainly Cebu City. Some of these areas have one million people across these islands. And accounted to at least two and a half to maybe three million in the path of the storm as it continues barreling across.
And I do expect this to weaken at least gradually over the next couple of hours. But it could still drop down to a category four equivalent which would be a menacing storm among the strongest you'll ever see anywhere in the world, and certainly across this region.
This is one of only a handful of storms to make landfall at this scale at this category. And historically speaking, there aren't too many storms on the planet that have made landfall at this scale. So, you can look at them and get a pretty good understanding of the amount of damage that is left behind.
And unfortunately, it is often catastrophic, it is often left uninhabitable for a period of weeks or months. Power often is lost for sometimes several months in these areas that are hardest hit.
And that's the biggest concern, and when you look at just how incredible the storm system was. In a matter of just 24 hours, increasing in intensity by 140 kilometers. Now, rapid intensification is designated with about an increase of 50 kilometers per hour, increased in 24 hours.
This nearly tripled that threshold to reach this intensity. Of course, the alerts among their highest you'll see across this region of the Visayas. Cebu City, one of those areas we're watching carefully with over a million residents, and the storm system, again, could still remain a category four equivalent system over the next 12 hours.
A lot of these islands across the archipelago of course leave the storm exposed to plenty of water, plenty of fuel to maintain its intensity over the next 12 hours. So that's a big concern. And beyond this, we'll watch for our friends across Vietnam, potentially southern China that still a typhoon could be approaching that region as well, Kim.
BRUNHUBER: All right. I appreciate it. We'll stay on the story throughout the newscast. Pedram Javaheri, thank you so much.
JAVAHERI: Thank you.
BRUNHUBER: CNN Philippines correspondent Gerg Cahiles joins me now on the phone from Manila. Thanks so much for being here with us. Just take us through what conditions are like right now where you are.
GERG CAHILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kim, Typhoon Rai known here as Odette is now hammering central and southern Philippines after hitting the resort island of Siargao early this afternoon. The weather bureau here says Rai is rated category four, the second highest classification and it impacts destructive winds. Reaching more than 240 kilometers per hour.
This wind force can potentially cost massive damage to structures and crops. Officials have forced around 100,000 people mostly in coastal areas to leave their homes to safer grounds. Air and sea travel have been canceled, and a number of areas in the southern Mindanao region are flooded because of heavy rain.
And workers are rushing to rescue people stuck in their homes because of high floodwaters. In particular, storm surges may happen in the central provinces of Leyte and Samar. These areas suffered the blow of super typhoon Haiyan in 2013 that killed thousands of people.
The weather bureau says Rai will weaken as it cut across central Philippines in the next 24 hours. Kim?
[03:05:03]
BRUNHUBER: Yes. So, we're not expecting Rai to be as catastrophic as Haiyan. Any reported casualties so far?
CAHILES: Well, the country's disaster coordination bureau has yet to report any casualties as of the moment, and hopefully none will come their way. And the country's bureau is on red alert, search and rescue teams are on the standby. And relief goods have been distributed to evacuation sites. So that's the preparation can be made in the wake of this typhoon. Back to you, Kim.
BRUNHUBER: Yes. They have some 20 typhoons a year that they deal with, so hopefully they are indeed prepared for this one. Gerg Cahiles in Manila, thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Now earlier, I spoke with Richard Gordon, chairman and CEO of the Philippines Red Cross, and he give us a sense of what conditions were like and how the organization is ready to respond. Here he is.
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RICHARD GORDON, CHAIRMAN & CEO, PHILIPPINE RED CROSS: Well, there is heavy winds right now in Mindanao and the embrace of the typhoon could go all the way up to the waistline of the Philippines. Waistline, that this including the Bicol region, which is facing the Pacific Ocean. All the eastern border provinces are going to be affected.
Right now, it's going to be hitting Surigao where they have a tourist place that called Siargao. Good surfing, but it goes out to Dinagat Island. And onwards it will go later on to Cebu, which is a very populated area. And Bohol, and then it will affect some parts of lower Luzon, and going out to Palawan and to the western pacific.
BRUNHUBER: Yes. A huge footprint there, some 30 million people potentially in harm's way, what is your biggest concern right now?
GORDON: Well, the biggest concern is people should already be properly secured. They should be in evacuation areas. Already there's been preemptive evacuation undertaken. And certainly, when you go there, they will be worried about, you know, COVID being spread. So, we have to make sure that they have masks, and you have to make sure that they have plenty of water, that there is medical support that have to be given to them.
Hot meals are being distributed as I speak. And in some port areas, they're already -- they're already held there because there is no inter-island shipping. In fact, even the land connection from Luzon to Mindanao have stopped during the duration. We even stop the vaccination for a couple of days until the typhoon passes.
BRUNHUBER: Yes, but for you is the concern more, sort of the lesser populated outlying areas that could face this huge storm surges, or the bigger population centers where more people might be affected?
GORDON: Yes, that's always a concern, just as the tsunami and the typhoon Haiyan. That was a big surprise, and it went inland and destroyed so many homes and several islands. We've learned our lesson there and that's why there's preemptive evacuation, but certainly we're making sure that we can react right away.
So, we have water search and rescue teams from the Red Cross and from the government. And certainly, after that happens, it will probably be a loss of power. So, we're preparing our generators, we're preparing our water tankers and we have quite a few. And already, there are some areas where there is no electricity, in certain areas of the affected areas.
BRUNHUBER: Do you have any idea -- I mean, it's hard to tell right now, but certainly Pedram Javaheri our weather specialist was telling us that it may be weeks, maybe even months that some areas might be uninhabitable. There might be some long-term consequences for people, what kind of accommodations are being made for them?
GORDON: Well normally, they would have evacuation centers in the municipalities in the provinces. They've been very good. The local governments have been building up their capacity to -- you know, casualty evacuation center so that people can go there.
And of course, normally we would use school class -- the school rooms, and that is what has happened in the past. And certainly, water becomes a problem there, sanitation becomes a problem, and certainly, when they lose their homes that's going to be a very big problem.
If they lose their homes like during Haiyan, the Red Cross alone had to build 80,000 homes, that is what we completed in several islands. Now this is not as strong as Haiyan, and hopefully it will not be stronger, even then you'll still have a lot of damage for homes, for schools, and for other facilities that people will use.
And there will be probably water shortages because there will be no power. And therefore, we really have to make sure that food supplies are brought in, and certainly water supplies.
[03:09:59]
That is why the Red Cross and the government has been ratcheting up their capabilities to supply water because that's the first casualty normally.
BRUNHUBER: Yes. Well, a huge challenge ahead, we certainly wish you and the rest of the Red Cross workers there, the best of luck as you respond to this crisis. Do you stay safe.
Thanks so much for joining us. I really appreciate it.
GORDON: Thank you very much. And thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE) BRUNHUBER: Coronavirus cases surge to new heights in the U.K. We'll take a look at what health officials say to expect next as Omicron spreads.
Plus, Italy kicks off a campaign to vaccine -- to vaccinate younger children as a plan to curb the spread of COVID. We'll live in Rome, next. Stay with us.
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BRUNHUBER (on camera): Europe is on the edge as the Omicron coronavirus variant is spreading quickly. British health officials are sounding the alarm after the country saw its highest single day increase in cases since the start of the pandemic.
E.U. officials are warning of a double challenge as both the Delta and Omicron variant sweep across parts of the continent. The European Commission president says Omicron is expected to be dominant by mid- January, and many countries are now adopting new initiatives to try to stop the spread. Rolling out vaccines for younger children.
All right, Salma Abdelaziz is live for us in London. So, Salma, let's start with the news that will hit hard there and the U.K. France is set to strengthen restrictions against travelers from the U.K. Now the French government had sort of telegraph that this might happen in some reason interviews. But what they're proposing might catch some there by surprise. What's the latest?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: It's sort of like deja vu, Kim, because it was about this time last year that France put restrictions into place against the U.K. because of the Kent variant, so it is going to feel like deja vu for many people here.
But let's go through these restrictions. We are expecting an official announcement from the French government in the next few hours. But here's what we know. You are now not allowed to travel from the U.K. into France unless you have a compelling reason.
You have to have a negative test taken just 24 hours before departure, and now any arrivals will be required to self-isolate for seven days. But you can be released from that isolation if you have a negative test 48 hours after arrival.
Now residents of France, citizens of France will be exempt from these rules, but for all other travelers the message is pretty simple, pretty clear here, Kim. If you're a tourist from the U.K., don't come to France.
And why are they doing this? They're doing this because they are simply concerned about the Omicron variant. They want to slow the spread of the Omicron variant, that's the reasoning from the French government.
We have yet to hear of course from British authorities on this, but we do know that this country has already recorded its highest number of cases since the start of the pandemic yesterday, largely due to this very fast, rapidly moving Omicron variant. Kim?
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BRUNHUBER: Yes. So, the U.K. also trying to get a handle on this, but then undermining the Boris Johnson government's efforts to try and do that, all the backlash against the scandals over their own behavior in partying case.
ABDELAZIZ: It was sort of interesting to watch yesterday's press conference. So, this is a press conference that that's held to give COVID updates. It's held in a regular basis.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in attendance, as well as the country's chief medical doctor, the chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty. And you could hear the balance there between politics and science.
On one hand you have professor Chris Whitty saying, look, yes, a record has been broken, the highest number of cases in a 24-hour period since the start of the pandemic. And we expect, this is what the top doctor was saying, we expect that more records will be broken in the coming weeks because of Omicron.
He was warning that is country is facing the double challenge of Delta and the Omicron variant. We've got new figures on hospitalization. So, in the last seven days, hospitalizations and patients admitted with coronavirus has increased by 10 percent. The number of positive cases has increased in the last seven days by 20 percent. Nearly 20 percent, I think it was 19 percent in some.
So, really serious figures there. And the questions that journalists kept asking the country's top doctor was, well, what we should do about Christmas. Should people gather? Should people get together? And the professor's message was, over and over, again make priorities. Don't mix with people you don't know. Don't mix with people that you don't have to mix with.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of course saying, look, we've put new restrictions in place, those includes mask mandates, it include the requirement to show COVID passes in large scale venues. I believe, this is the prime minister's words, that this Christmas will be better than last.
But already you can see this pressure building. If this starts to get worse. If, and here's the big if, because there's a finite number of hospital beds, Kim, in any country. There's only so many hospital beds.
So, if there is pressure on those hospital beds, if they start running out, well, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is going to be in a really tough spot trying to roll out any new restrictions. And again, that's if and when it's required, Kim.
BRUNHUBER: Yes. Escalating crisis both politically and medically there. So, let's pivot to Ben Wedeman in Rome. Ben, the push in some countries has been to vaccinate younger children. I understand that will be happening soon where you are in Italy.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We're at the Museo dei Bambini in Rome where this afternoon in six hours they will start to provide vaccinations to children between the ages of 5 and 11. Now in the region of Latvia where Rome is located, 35,000 reservations or bookings have been made for those vaccines.
And it's not just here in Italy. Also in Greece, Spain, and Hungary they have begun this campaign to vaccinate children between the ages of 5 and 11. Now it's not going to be a full vaccine, the same vaccine that adults are receiving, it's about a third of the dose that the adults get.
Now there has been some hesitation, however, one opinion poll conducted here Italy found that 40 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 12 have reservations about getting their children vaccinated. Even though in the population at large the number of people who approve of the vaccine is much higher.
But this is just one of the tactics that has been adopted to try to slow the spread of COVID-19 in general. Not necessarily the Omicron variant which isn't as common in continental Europe as it is in the U.K. Delta continues to be the variant that is most common in Europe.
In fact, even though we did her -- hear Ursula Von Der Leyen, the commissioner of the European -- the president of the European Commission saying that she believes by mid-January Omicron will be the dominant variant. Kim?
BRUNHUBER: All right. Our thanks to you both. Salma Abdelaziz in London, and Ben Wedeman in Rome. I really appreciate it.
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.
Thanks so much for joining us, Dr. Griffiths. I appreciate it.
So, the head of the U.K. Health Security Agency called the Omicron variant, quote, "probably was the most significant threat since the start of the pandemic." Do you agree?
SIAN GRIFFITHS, EMERITUS PROFESSOR, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG: Good morning. Yes, Jenny Harries, the head of UKHSA was very clear that Omicron is the biggest threat. And that's because it spreads so quickly. It has -- it spreads -- doubling every two days, so even though we've got very large, we've got record case numbers recorded, that's probably a total underestimate.
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This is a mild disease, but that shouldn't lull people into feeling a sense of security. Because if you just get large numbers of people with the disease, a large number will still need medical care, will still need to go to hospital and would still need ICU. So, the big threat is to the NHS, to our National Health Service, as
it is across Europe, the rates are going up in almost all countries. And as your reporter was saying, it's not just Omicron, it's also on top of high levels of Delta.
So, we have two variants. Of the two -- of variants that are at high- level with Omicron taking over in the U.K. And so, yesterday's press conference where you play the clip from Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, was a pretty somber affair. It was a very much of, you know, please, please, take this seriously. Please revise your plans for Christmas. Think very hard about whether you're going to go to parties if you don't really need to. Get boosted.
And there's a -- so there's a massive boosting campaign going on. And a call for volunteers to come forward to really reach out to communities, as well as everybody being advised to take -- to take the measures they need to take to protect themselves.
BRUNHUBER: Yes. Let me follow up on the U.K. sort of warning people to cut back over Christmas as you mentioned. But do you think people will actually listen considering all of the scandals swirling around the Boris Johnson administration over their behavior, over the, you know, the -- in Christmas' passed?
GRIFFITHS: Well, I think that the difficulty here is to the 38th that happened last year to the very real threat of this year. And I think that's why people like Jenny Harries and Chris Whitty are pushing the message that you really have to think now and you have to think about do you want to see your relatives, you know, your elderly, your relatives this year.
If you do, it was 10 days to Christmas yesterday. You need to take steps to make sure that you don't end up in isolation and miss Christmas again because of the spread of the virus. And also, this, I know that in my demographic, which is slightly older it's really being listened to.
And with my kids. My kids are all listening. And we're all talking as family and saying, well, what should we do to make sure that we can meet together this year. So, I think that will probably counter the political noise about what happened last year.
I hope that's the case. And I think that's very much the message from the health professionals in the U.K. Think about this rising wave, think about the threats to yourselves, to vulnerable populations, to your families and really get boosted as quickly as you can.
BRUNHUBER: And speaking of kids, we've already seen some schools closed there in the U.K. Some students I know in Canada were told to take home all of their books and belongings over the Christmas holidays because they might not come back in person classes in the New Year. How worried are you that kids will be forced out of classrooms yet again this year?
GRIFFITHS: Well, we're actually at the end of term. Some of my grandkids finish yesterday. Some will finish tomorrow. So, I don't think schools are closing. But they are trying very hard not to close education -- and not to impact on education.
So, all the other moves that have been taken are to allow kids to stay in education, as much as possible. Because we know the different, that there is harm of disrupting education to the children not only their learning, their educational achievement, but their mental and social development.
And so, I think the trust here is very much about getting the COVID passes, and using COVID passes in places where there are big crowds. It's about wearing masks, much more mandated mask-wearing. And it's about the messages about ventilation and hygiene. It's about those messages rather than trying to close schools.
I think everything that can be done will be done to keep schools open as long and as far as possible. So, I think that as we come to the Christmas break, the message is very much, think about what you do to, you know, decrease the risk as much as possible through your own behaviors, where you go and how you gather.
And that's been -- that's been quite a lot of trust as well. It's obviously, if you're eligible, get your booster. So, 12 to 15-year- olds can -- are being encouraged to take up their boosters, and the 16 to 18-year-olds to get their second jab. And then all over 18's to get the third booster.
So, I think that that's the focus at the moment. And we all, obviously hope that Omicron wave will start to turn but I think the signs are and the messages from the people who have looked at all the data is we're only at the beginning of the problem. And the problem is going to grow. So, that's -- it was quite a somber message yesterday.
BRUNHUBER: Yes, absolutely. Let's hope some of those preventative messages resonate. Thank you so much, doctor. I really appreciate you joining us.
GRIFFITHS: Nice to talk to you. Thank you.
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BRUNHUBER: German police say a group of suspected anti-vaxxers were arrested in Dresden for allegedly planning to assassinate the governor of Saxony who is pro-vaccine. The suspects were said to be angry that officials are proposing vaccine mandates for all Germans.
CNN's Fred Pleitgen is in Berlin with the details.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: State police in Saxony says that it is investigating some six suspects now whom they accused of possibly wanting to murder the governor of the state of Saxony.
The state police saying in a statement that these people were all members of a telegram chat group, and that within that chat group, and also in conversations that were offline that some of the members of that group talked about wanting to not only murder the governor of the state of Saxony, but possibly also other members of the government of the state of Saxony.
Another thing that the police said as well is that apparently, in some of these chat group postings that some of the people talked about being armed. Now, the raids took place early on Wednesday morning. And the police said that six objects were searched by police officers, and that's when some weapons were found as well as crossbows as well.
Those are now being analyze to see whether or not they would've been able to fire in the first place. All this comes as there is a debate here in Germany about whether or not both anti-vaxxers and other conspiracy groups are becoming more militant and more dangerous. Here's what the German chancellor had to say about that.
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OLAF SCHOLZ, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): What exists today in Germany is denial. Absurd conspiracy theories, deliberate misinformation and violent extremism. Let's be clear. A small extremist minority in our country has turned away from our society, our democracy, our community, and our state. And not only from science, rationality, and reason.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN (on camera): All this comes as Germany is dealing with an uptick in violence, both against police officers but also in parts against journalists as well. At demonstrations against the coronavirus pandemic measures, but also against vaccinations in general.
And also, another issue this country is dealing with, the police in Berlin tells CNN that across the country both news organizations, as well as politicians received parcels containing meat and threatening letters. And in those letters, it was apparently stated that similar parcels would keep arriving if there was a vaccine mandate here in Germany.
Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Berlin.
BRUNHUBER: So ahead, a new study on China's widely disputed Sinovac vaccine has researchers urging people to get a third dose. The latest from the region, next.
And later, the U.S. reacts after the UAE suspends talks over major deal to buy F-35 fighter jets. We'll hear from the secretary of state, just ahead. Stay with us.
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KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR (on camera): Welcome back, I'm Kim Brunhuber, and you're watching "CNN Newsroom." More now on our breaking news, we're tracking a powerful super typhoon sweeping across the Philippines. Rai is battering the country with wind gusts toping 300 kilometers per hour. The equivalent of a category five hurricane. This is the 15th storm that hit the country this year. Meteorologist Pedram Javaheri is in the CNN Weather Center. Give us an
update on where it's going, and how bad is it?
PEDRAM JAVAHERI, CNN METEOROLOGIST (on camera): You know, Kim, this storm system still plays a cause quite a bit of damage. The strongest typhoon we've seen make landfall across the Philippines since super typhoon Haiyan, back in 2013. And it kind of shows these 260 kilometers per hour winds. Still watching the storm with very little weakening at this hour.
And just to give you a perspective of the rarity of a storm of this magnitude making landfall across this region of Southern Philippines, go back to the 1800s. Look at data, within about q00 kilometers of any land falling storms across Mindanao. And you only find three other named storms that have been this strong at landfall, Rai comes in the same threshold of category five equivalent. And again, most recently, that was super typhoon Haiyan back in November of 2013.
Notice again the winds is staying at 260 KPH. We do expect within the next hour to see these numbers drop just negligibly. And unfortunately, the system has so much momentum, so much strength, so much ferocity, that we do expect this to remain a category four equivalent.
And these islands here, population ranging from about 200,000 where the storm made landfall in Surigao island towards areas just to the west. And of course, Cebu city where populations there are about 1 million people. So anytime you're looking at a storm of this magnitude working its way towards a million people, we know the impacts could be significant, historically speaking.
Again, these storms can leave behind damage that is significant, and last for a period of weeks or even months before power is restored. So this is something worth following, and of course you look at the amount of storm surge potential, as high as three meters in some of these low lying areas.
Storm system underwent significant strengthening in a span of 24 hours going up 140 kilometers per hour in intensity in this 24 hour span. And the concern now is, once it gets to the Philippines, it's far from over. Can still maintain typhoon status, our friends across Philippines -- across Vietnam I should say, and then eventually Southern China will be in the path of another typhoon, potentially, later this weekend, Kim.
BRUNHUBER: Alright. We'll listen. We'll stay on this big story throughout the day. Pedram Javaheri, thanks so much.
Now to Australia where four children were killed, five others critically injured in a tragic accident. They were celebrating the end of the school year when l wind lifted an inflatable castle into the air, the children fell about 10 meters to the ground. The school closed early for the day, and the parents were called to come get their children.
And as Scott Morrison called it heartbreaking. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT MORRISON, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: The events that have occurred today in Devin Port, in Tasmania are just shattering. They are just unthinkable heartbreaking, and young children on a fun day out together with their families and it turns to such horrific tragedy. At this time of year, it just breaks your heart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: Authorities in Tasmania are offering counseling to the affected families.
The state of New South Wales in Australia is reporting its highest number of daily COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. The surge of infections comes the nation eases many of its pandemic restrictions, despite growing concerns over the omicron variant. Health data shows more than 90 percent of people aged 16 years and older in New South Wales have been vaccinated.
CNN's David Culver joins us now live in Shanghai. So, let's start with the latest in Australia. What's going on there?
DAVID CULVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'll start you off there, Kim. And you pointed out that this is another day where we are seeing a new record, since the start of the pandemic. I think that's what's most concerning, as you go back now well over a year, nearly two years. And here we are setting records still, and the omicron variant obviously playing a role in this.
But what's interesting is the health officials there are focused more so on the number of hospitalizations. And they say as of now, it's been manageable.
Still, they're putting forth efforts to try to maintain social distancing, keep some of the really advisories in place, they don't want to do the restrictions again, because they just eased those. But they're saying folks, as you're gathering for Christmas, if you're coming together for the New Year, try to do so responsibly.
[03:35:04]
I want to take you now to South Korea where they're also seen a record, but this has to do with a record number of patients in need of critical care. They hit that, as well -- they are roughly at 989, and they give that number because it's the thousand mark that they are really concerned about. If they hit that ICU occupancy of 1,000 beds taken, they would warn, in South Korea, that this could have a trickle down effects that will impact others who may need treatment for other illnesses at various hospitals.
So they are going forward with social distance measures going back into place, it's timed around, again, the holidays. In fact, starting this weekend they're saying for example in Seoul, that parties of six will have to be reduced to four, that's the maximum you can have to get together in a public setting, and they're again urging people to try to keep space from one another, that's going to last into the new year.
Now, bring you here to the mainland in China where they're reporting double digit cases. May not sound like a lot, but again China is pushing with this zero COVID policy. They're trying to maintain that well into the Beijing Olympics. And so it's difficult, but they're doing it with the contact tracing. Obviously, borders are quite restrictive to come in and out. And they're going forward with mass testing as well.
So this latest outbreak that their experiences is actually in a neighboring province from where I am, it in (Inaudible) province. And it's not really involving as of now. Omicron, that variant is detected in two cases in the south.
But here is the concern with omicron altogether here in China. We are hearing from the University of Hong Kong, and researchers there, that are suggesting that the SinoVac vaccine, which is Chinese made and widely used here and in other countries may not be effective against omicron.
Now this is a preliminary result that's coming out, and these researchers say that essentially they look at the number of antibodies, and they're not high enough to neutralize the omicron variant, hence they suggest that there could be a lot of breakthrough infections, even for those who are vaccinated, Kim.
BRUNHUBER: All right, David Culver, thank you so much. We really appreciate that.
And speaking of vaccinations, more than three quarters of Canadians are fully inoculated. But the government is still warning people to be aware of tougher days ahead, because of omicron.
As Paula Newton reports, Canada has issued a new travel advisory because of the variant.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Canadian officials admit the move is drastic, but they say they are fearful of what this variant could do to Canadians health. And for that reason, they are advising all Canadians to avoid nonessential international travel.
In fact, that advisory had just been lifted several weeks ago, having been in place since March 2020. And, while it is an advisory, it is not a ban, and that also means that foreign nationals can still visit Canada, provided there are fully vaccinated and have a negative COVID test.
And here in Canada the vaccination rate is quite high. But the booster rollout has been somewhat slow. Many provinces are now ramping up those efforts. But public health officials here warned that they still expect a sharp increase in cases in the coming weeks, do of course to that omicron variant.
Paula Newton, CNN, Ottawa. (END VIDEOTAPE)
BRUNHUBER: The days of easy money in the U.S. government stimulus are coming to an end, the Federal Reserve is projecting several interest rates hikes next year to ease inflation. U.S. financial markets rose on the news, trading is underway this hour in Europe.
And here's a look at the Asia Pacific markets right now. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell says any rate increases will be gradual, but analysts expect three of them next year, the first one likely in May. The price inflation in the U.S. is at the highest has been in for decades, as Americans are paying more for everything from gasoline to ground beef. And Powell says it may not get better anytime soon, here is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEROME POWELL, CHAIRMAN, FEDERAL RESERVE: These problems have been larger, and longer lasting than anticipated. Exacerbated by waves of the virus. As a result, overall inflation is running well above our two percent longer run goal, and will likely continue to do so well into next year.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRUNHUBER: The U.S. says it's prepared to move forward with a multibillion dollar fighter jet deal with the United Arab Emirates, if the UAE still wants to pursue it. Those comments from Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, come after the UAE said it was suspending talks with the U.S. to acquire the F-35s.
CNN's Sam Kiley has more from Abu Dhabi.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Stealth fighters have been creating a lot of noise between America and its allies in the United Arab Emirates. The Emiratis have suspended talks over buying 23 billion dollars' worth of the planes, because of U.S. imposed sovereign operational restriction, and other technical details. This seems to include the U.S. is trying to make sure that the F-35s that they have already agreed to sell to Israel, still have an edge over those they may sell elsewhere.
[03:40:09]
ANTONY BLINKEN, UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE: We wanted to make sure, for example, that our commitment to Israel's qualitative military edge is assured. So we wanted to make sure that we could do forward any technologies that are transferred to other partners in the region, including the UAE.
KILEY: The Emiratis have reset their foreign policy, away from much criticized military interventions in places like Yemen and Libya, so they may no longer need stealth fighters. After the allied evacuation in Kabul, and years of chaos in Iraq, they see the U.S. as their most important, but really unreliable ally. They also paved over American attempts to stop Chinese tech giant
Huawei supplying their 5G network. And U.S. demands that the Emiratis shutter a Chinese marine operation here.
ANWAR GARGASH, UAE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS: I think the important thing also, is to try and this is only really for the great powers to do. To try and manage their conflict, and to manage their competition, in a way that it doesn't really slip into a second cold war, which I think will be disastrous for both for capitals, as well for all of us.
KILEY: Trade with China was up almost 40 percent for the Emirates this year. And now that the Emiratis have stepped away from joining U.S. led military adventures in the region, there have been a better place to horsed trade in the arms bizarre.
They recently announced a $19 billion defense deal with France, and that included 80 (inaudible) fighters. And while the U.S. exhibited a mockup of an F-35 at Dubai's latest air show, this one stole the show. And it's made in Russia.
Sam Kiley, CNN, Abu Dhabi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BRUNHUBER: Alright. Still to come, they're calling it a very positive conversation between the leaders of Russia and China. We'll take a closer look at their virtual meeting, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRUNHUBER: Russia and China are bonding over their shared adversaries, as the West puts pressure on them. Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping held a virtual summit Wednesday, we'll hear from Melissa Bell in Moscow in a moment. But first here's Selina Wang and she's reporting from Tokyo.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SELINA WANG, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): During the virtual meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, the Chinese leader praised the country's relationship, as a model of cooperation for the 21st century, this meeting was a show of solidarity, especially towards Washington, at a time when both countries are facing increased in diplomatic pressure from the West.
[03:45:07]
China under pressure over trade, technology, human rights. Russia under pressure over a buildup of troops near the border of Ukraine. Xi Jinping in this meeting referred to Putin as a quote, old friend, adding that they've met 37 times since 2013.
Ties between Russia and China are deepening across sectors. They're working together to build a lunar space station, striking energy deals, and also strengthening military cooperation. In October, Russian and Chinese warships teamed up to circle around
Japan. Putin will also be attending the Beijing Winter Olympics at a time when the United States, and several other western countries have announced diplomatic boycotts of the games.
Xi Jinping told Putin at this meeting that he is looking forward to meeting Putin face to face at the games and quote, "Would like to join hands with you together for the future." Now as Melissa is going to unpack, the Kremlin has called this meeting, quote, "Very positive."
MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): This was a meeting, as Selena was just saying very much about furthering the cooperation that's already (inaudible) strengthen this last few years between Beijing and Moscow. But given the timing of the call, given its context. It was also very much about the two leaders presenting a united front against the western pressure that's been brought to bear, not only against Russia, but also against China, each leader speaking to the others grievances.
And with Xi Jinping very much backing Vladimir Putin's idea, then what Russia now needs are guarantees as to its security. Now that call for guarantees was also at the heart of discussions here in Moscow today, between the U.S. envoy for Europe, Karen Donfried and officials from the Kremlin and the foreign affairs ministry.
They handed to her, their proposals for those security guarantees, what Moscow is looking for is legal guarantees, and essentially a guarantee that NATO will not be seeking an eastward expansion. That very much of the heart of those proposals, Karen Donfried will now be leaving Moscow and heading to Brussels to discuss them with America's allies in Europe.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BRUNHUBER: Joining me now from Moscow is Alexander Baunov, senior fellow at Carnegie Moscow Center and editor in chief of Carnegie.ru. Thanks so much for being with us again. So, I want to start with the Putin-Xi meeting, what do you make of the growing convergence of China and Russia? Does it just boil down to the enemy of my enemy is my friend, is that too reductive?
ALEXANDER BAUNOV, SENIOR FELLOW, CARNEGIE MOSCOW CENTER (on camera): First of all, (Inaudible), Putin and Xi meetings became a routine. As well said there were five or more per year before the pandemic. Now when they're talking about Russia and China alliance, it's not a real military alliance. They call this a strategic partnership, and it's not about being a brother in arms in the case of a conflict, but it's about being a reliable rear and flank for each other, if a partner has problems or sort of military conflict with the West.
BRUNHUBER: So here in the U.S., the Biden administration have said that China is it's number one priority, Russia is sort of fallen down the pecking order to number two. So is Putin using this (inaudible) to sort of strengthen his hand when dealing with the West? I guess the theory is that the more the two countries are linked, the more the U.S. will have to keep both of them in mind when dealing with any country with a major issue.
BAUNOV: The size of China's economy makes it a bigger, a major partner in the strategic alliance. But in the Kremlin, in general, in Russian public opinion, people are very much aware of this disparity. So Kremlin is very cautious to be swallowed, to be a minor partner in this alliance. That's why it's not a form of alliance, it's a partnership.
And they go on to have the arms free, not to have any obligations towards each other. But what they are thinking about, it's how to confront economic pressure, and devastating sanctions promise to both countries, in case they have a conflict with the West.
BRUNHUBER: So as you say, it sort of goes beyond the military then. You know, Russia selling weapons to China, conducting joint military drills. So, how else will this (inaudible) help? You mentioned economically, but maybe, you know, technology could be an example. Joining forces to a certain extent might allow them to innovate faster together than, say, the U.S. could by itself?
[03:50:00]
BAUNOV: Technology is very important, because in 14 years or 15 years it was the only source of high tech in this world, the West. The situation changed very quickly in the recent 10 years to 15 years. So Russia has an alternative supply to high tech technologies, of electronics, and it's China.
Look at 5G technologies that are -- and the choice between the Western ones and the Chinese ones, Russia has of course chosen the Chinese. The Chinese technology. Then the finance sector, both countries, even the mutual trade, are very depending on the western currency. There are huge mutual traders still made in U.S. dollars, and partly in Euros and (inaudible) hard currencies.
So they were talking in this particular summit, yesterday and in every meeting they had, about how to replace as video shares possible of a neutral trade with national currencies. So (Inaudible), the Chinese yuan, and the Russian ruble.
BRUNHUBER: So last time you and I spoke, we spoke before the latest talks between the U.S. and Russia. So now, do you feel as though any progress has been made on the military buildup on the Ukraine border?
BAUNOV: Look, there's nothing sensational about this meeting, first of all? But for sure, Putin has informed President Xi Jinping about his contacts with President Biden, with the western general, about his plans around Ukraine. Because this is the first direct contact between Xi and Putin after this escalation has taken place.
Since then, nothing has changed in the ground. I mean, around Ukraine but some diplomatic -- further diplomatic steps have been undertaken and we expect here in the Kremlin, they expect the next meeting and the next contact with President Biden, maybe some meeting in a different formats, between Russia, several NATO members, some major NATO members and the United States. There is some diplomatic developments but not military developments on the ground.
BRUNHUBER: All right, so much at stake in this important issue. Thanks so much for your analysis, Alexander Baunov, senior fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center. I really appreciate it.
Still to come, new details have been released on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, nearly 60 years ago. We'll have that report ahead, stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRUNHUBER: Historians and conspiracy theorists are combing through hundreds of government documents just released on the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. They were supposed to be made public four years ago. But despite some new information, as CNN's Tom Foreman explains, it's no great revelation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN F. KENNEDY, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES: What your country can do for you --
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The nearly 1,500 documents are filled with intriguing details. A Polish driver in Australia saying he listened in on Russian passengers, talking about five soviet submarines, carrying 400 to 500 soviet soldiers on their way to Cuba. There was a plot to pay $100,000 to kill President Kennedy.
[03:55:05]
A Nicaraguan claiming he saw the president's killer, Lee Harvey Oswald being paid $6,500 by Russians. Oswald meeting with the KGB agent, just months before the killing, an English reports like this. Oswald entered Mexico, claiming he was a photographer phoning the Soviet embassy to ask for a visa, so he could go to Odessa, USSR. A little of the information is entirely new to the public, many of the leads were long ago dispensed with or disproven.
UNKNOWN: To the White House in Washington comes the final verdict on the fateful tragedy which engulfed the nation 10 months ago.
FOREMAN: But ever since the war in report, every tiny bit of information pulled from the shroud of government secrecy has fed conspiracy theorists who believe Oswald did not act alone, it may have been backed by Cuba, Russia, the Mafia --
UNKNOWN: I saw a flashlight in the bushes, and shots ringing out.
FOREMAN: And these latest papers are fascinating serious historians to, even when they aren't all about Oswald.
TIMOTHY NAFTALI, CNN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: I learned some things today, more details about how the mafia we're used in an attempt to kill Castro. Now I sort of understand much better that the technique that would have been involved, and why it was a serious effort which did not actually succeed as we know.
FOREMAN: That sort of information is precisely what intelligence agents are cagey about. They don't want their methods or their context known even decades later after this far ranging investigation. And that's why, about 10,000 documents remain either heavily redacted, or entirely off limits.
Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BRUNHUBER: The driver with the most wins in F1 history is no longer plain old Lewis Hamilton, he is Sir Lewis Hamilton. The British racing sensation, was knighted on Wednesday by Prince Charles, the distinction may ease Hamilton's bitter second place loss, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. Hamilton is the fourth F1 driver to be knighted. He's also the first to receive the honor while still racing. All that, and he brought his mom along the ceremony, you can see there. Very cute.
Well that's wraps this hour of "CNN Newsroom." I'm Kim Brunhuber, my colleague Isa Soares takes over from here with more news. Please do stay with us.
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