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Health Experts Advise Against Big New Year's Parties; U.K. Reports Another Record-Breaking Day of COVID-19 Cases; Cases Up in Portugal, But Hospitalizations, Deaths Are Down; Biden, Putin Hold High-Stakes Phone Call; Many European Cities Cancel New Year's Eve Celebrations; Dubai Prepares for New Year's; Taiwan to Take Legal Action Against Nicaragua; Top 10 U.S. Political Stories from 2021. Aired 12-1a ET
Aired December 31, 2021 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Coming up on CNN NEWSROOM, the world prepares to ring in the new year much like it did the last. The sky-high COVID infections, celebrations scaled back or canceled, and health officials urging a quiet night at home.
[00:00:38]
With Omicron sending children to hospitals in record numbers, U.S. regulators look set to authorize a vaccine booster shot for 12- to 15- year-olds.
Also this hour, that phone call. Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden hold serious and substantive talks over Ukraine. But is the Russian president trying to de-escalate this crisis, or ratchet up tensions with the U.S.?
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is CNN NEWSROOM with John Vause.
VAUSE: Hello, everyone, and welcome to our viewers in the United States, joining us here on CNN International.
Around the world, the advice is mostly the same. The safest place to see in the new year will be at home, surrounded by a small number of people. Many cities' public celebrations have either been canceled or scaled back, or now have tougher guidelines for revelers.
Hopes of partying like it was 2019 have been dashed by a surge in COVID infections, driven by Omicron and Delta. Despite a record daily count of 74,000 new infections across New York state, the traditional ball drop in Times Square, still scheduled to take place.
But now there are new restrictions: masks and proof of vaccination, both mandatory. Attendance will be capped at 15, 000, and viewing areas off-limits until 3 p.m.
The seven-day average of global infections is almost 1.2 million, the highest ever since the pandemic began. Average daily cases in the U.S. have set a record for the third straight day, more than 355,000 Thursday. And children, once thought to be immune from the worst of the
coronavirus, are now being admitted to hospital in the United States at a record rate of close to 400 every day.
Right now, at least 10 U.S. states and the District of Columbia are reporting some of their highest patient numbers since the pandemic started. And the peak of this wave is yet to come.
CNN's Alexandra Field reports now from New York.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. LEE SAVIO BEERS, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS: This is probably not the time to have big New Year's celebrations. You know, really, really dial things back.
ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A new year bringing in new COVID records. As for the big party in New York's Times Square --
DR. JONATHAN REINER, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: We're in the public health crisis of our lifetimes. Frankly, it should've been canceled.
FIELD: But this ball will drop, despite the highest numbers of new daily cases the city has ever seen. And without L.L. Cool J, who called off his performance after testing positive for COVID.
MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK CITY: It's going to be outdoors, vaccination only, masks required, socially distanced. But we want to show that we are moving forward. And we want to show the world that New York City is fighting our way through this.
FIELD: The city insisting it can party safely, even while navigating staffing services affecting EMS, the fire department, and the subway.
SYRA MADAD, NYC HEALTH AND HOSPITALS: Staff shortages, it's a real issue, both from a pre-hospital standpoint, from EMS, you know, bringing patients into the healthcare system, as well as with healthcare workers, and not just in New York but around the nation.
FIELD: Atlanta is canceling its annual New Year's celebration, the Peach Drop.
In Washington D.C., the Smithsonian temporarily shutting down five of its museums.
Another thousand flights canceled today, with airlines still crippled by staffing shortages. And, JetBlue announcing they're canceling nearly 1,300 flights through the middle of January.
Testing lines are still stunningly long.
The pressure only rising for hospitals around the country. Ten states and Washington, D.C., are seeing some of the highest hospitalization numbers of the pandemic. In Georgia, six major health systems report collectively seeing a 100
to 200 percent increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Unvaccinated adults remain most likely to be hospitalized. But pediatric hospital admissions for COVID are now at a record high.
BEERS: The vast majority of the children who are being admitted are unvaccinated. There's small numbers who are vaccinated, but the vast majority are unvaccinated. And so being unvaccinated increases your risk for hospitalization significantly.
FIELD: Twelve- to 15-year-olds could become eligible for a booster shot as soon as next week, if the FDA signs off, according to a person familiar with the agency's plan. That's the same time many students will be heading back to the classroom after the holidays, and amid a surge the likes of which we've never seen.
Princeton University already announcing they're pushing back the return to campus by one week.
[00:05:07]
(on camera): And a new warning from the CDC for people to avoid cruise travel, despite their vaccination status. The CDC raising the risk level of cruising to a 4. That's the highest level. They are citing an increase in cases aboard ships since Omicron was first identified.
In New York, Alexandra Field, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Dr. Jorge Rodriguez is a board-certified internal medicine specialist and viral researcher. He's with us this hour from Los Angeles. Good to see you.
DR. JORGE RODRIGUEZ, INTERNAL MEDICINE SPECIALIST: Thank you, John, likewise.
VAUSE: OK, so let's start with COVID and kids. In the United States, the secretary for health and human services, he pointed to a record number of children who are not only being infected, but are also now being treated in hospital. Here he is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
XAVIER BECERRA, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY We thought, for the longest time, our kids were safe, because they didn't seem to be catching the infection the same way. Today, I think you're hearing the news. More and more of our children are not only contracting COVID, but they're actually being hospitalized. This stuff is real.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: So, is it real enough now to authorize booster shots for kids 5 and older, as well as those who are 12 to 15?
RODRIGUEZ: Absolutely, it is. I think we need to stop differentiating between older humans and younger humans. The virus doesn't differentiate. They go after humans.
So anybody that has the right DNA for the virus to attack will be attacked. Therefore, everybody in the world, as far as I'm concerned, should eventually be vaccinated. We're just waiting to make sure that the vaccines are safe.
But in essence, my answer to your question is yes.
VAUSE: We know that New Year's Eve celebrations are being scaled back, but in New York City they will go on. The ball drop will happen. But there are updated guidelines. One caught my eye in particular.
Unvaccinated minors under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult to enter the event. What, because why, the coronavirus avoids unvaccinated toddlers if they're with a vaccinated parent? What's the sense of this?
RODRIGUEZ: There is no sense to that. It's ridiculous.
Sometimes you just sit back and say who the heck, you know, came up with that victim [SIC].
You know, sometimes we're right now just sort of kowtowing to the lowest common denominator. And we're trying to please everybody, and at the end of the day, we're helping nobody.
So I think that any -- any parent who has a young child that has not been vaccinated should absolutely not go into such a large group of people.
VAUSE: At this point, should the celebrations be canceled?
RODRIGUEZ: You know, in my opinion, yes. I mean, have we not learned a lesson, John, over the last two years? Every time we try to make an exception, every time we try to soften up the rules, we get bitten.
We did it in July when the CDC prematurely said that it was all right to take your mask off. There has to be a period of no progression of infections for us to feel safe.
So yes, I do think that, you know, those large celebrations should be canceled at this point.
VAUSE: We know that now from health officials in South Africa confirming the worst of the Omicron wave is over, also confirming it was less severe than Delta, and was over in a short period of time.
Most people hear that part of the equation and not a lot else. But it's important to listen to what you're about to hear. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEER: We're at an all-time peak for COVID hospitalizations, and about half of them are children under 5.
DR. JAMES PHILLIPS, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: I'll be honest with you, it's unlike anything we've ever seen. Even at the peak of the prior surges of COVID. What we're experiencing right now is an absolute overwhelming of the emergency departments throughout the Washington, D.C.
DR. CATHERINE O'NEAL, OUR LADY OF THE LAKE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: What we're seeing in the hospital today is the same thing we've seen at the beginning of every single surge. So, to hear that Omicron is different and is not causing immense illness in people is not what we're seeing on the ground.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: That's just a small sample of what's happening across this country. And I get it, we're sick and tired of being sick and tired. But we have to confront reality. We have to -- we can't ignore the virus. What's your advice here? How do you convince people that this is, in fact, serious?
RODRIGUEZ: Well, John, I used to have sort of some gallows humor and say people aren't really -- some people aren't going to believe it until they start having to jump over dead bodies, you know, to get to the grocery store. And that's still hyperbole, but we're really not far from that.
Sure, this Omicron may be milder, but tens of times more people are getting infected. Therefore, 10 times more people are probably going to be going, you know, to the hospital.
Quite honestly, I sit here tonight with you, kind of dejected and hopeless, and in shock for the first time in a long time. When I found out that yesterday the world was half a million new cases in the United States, far surpassing anything. And when you see the graphs, they're going straight up like a rocket.
I think soon, we will be seeing millions of people getting infected on a daily basis.
[00:10:07]
And the shame of it is that we have, at our disposal, something that can prevent that, or ameliorate it very quickly, and those are vaccines. And due to politics, or due to stubbornness, or due to whatever, we're not taking advantage of that.
And hopefully, it won't happen, but when history is written, you know, they will be laughing and saying, you know what? They had the cure and the treatment at their fingertips, and they didn't use it. And that is a deadly shame.
VAUSE: Yes, at the very least. Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, as always, thank you so much and all the best in the new year. Thank you, sir.
RODRIGUEZ: Thank you, sir. Likewise.
VAUSE: Well, it was another day of record-high COVID infections, for many European countries. The U.K., Ireland, Greece, Spain, and Italy among nations reporting their highest daily case count ever.
CNN's Salma Abdelaziz has the very latest now, reporting in from London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Amid skyrocketing infection rates, and record-breaking case counts, Britain's National Health Service says it is now on a war footing. It's preparing plans for a potential wave of Omicron patients.
The National Health Service officials saying there is no time to wait. Preparations must go into place now. So what are these preparations? Well, there's going to be surge hubs built. These will be temporary stations at eight hospitals across England. Each station should be able to accommodate up to 100 more COVID patients.
There's also more surge beds, potentially, as part of this plan. Up to 4,000 additional beds, if the NHS needs it, out of an abundance of caution for a potential wave of Omicron patients.
It, of course, comes as multiple European countries see massive skyrocketing surges in their countries. That's causing New Year's Eve cancellations, of course, across the region here in London. The Trafalgar Square fireworks will not take place this year. Paris also not holding its fireworks over the Champs-Elysees.
Rome, Berlin, multiple other cities, of course, as well, canceling big New Year's Eve celebrations. And across regions, everyone being urged to be cautious about their plans on New Year's Eve.
Salma Abdelaziz, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: A daily record of COVID cases in Portugal on Thursday. But notably, compared to the same time last year, a much lower hospitalization rate. The government has decided to shorten its quarantine period for COVID patients from 10 to seven days.
CNN's Vasco Cotovio has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
VASCO COTOVIO, CNN PRODUCER (voice-over): The lines for testing in Lisbon snake beyond the horizon. It's the holiday season, and extra care is paramount.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I decided to take the test to be safely with my family.
COTOVIO: Residents like Vito (ph) get six free tests per month. The government-sponsored is designed to keep a close eye on the coronavirus, but the extra vigilance didn't stop Portugal from seeing a sudden (ph) surge in cases, raising fears of another deadly wave. This was the scene inside Portuguese hospitals not long ago. Christmas
in 2020 brought a surge in COVID infections. ICUs were overwhelmed for months, and medical staff told us they were on the brink.
DULCE GOMES, LEAD NURSE, CASCAIS HOSPITAL (through translator): I don't even have words to say it. The difficult part is really working too many hours.
COTOVIO: A year later, the situation is dramatically different. Cases are up, but hospitalizations and fatalities are down. ICUs, like the one we visited, with beds to spare, despite an Omicron surge.
Epidemiologist Manuel Carmo Gomes, who advised the government during the worst of the pandemic, credits vaccines.
MANUEL CARMO GOMES, EPIDEMIOLOGIST, UNIVERSITY OF LISBON: We are living a life that is much more normal now than it was a year ago. And that was because of vaccinations.
COTOVIO: The campaign, led by Vice Admiral Henrique Gouvela e Melo, took the country from worst to first. Now, nearly 90 percent of Portugal is fully vaccinated, and a quarter of the country has been given a third jab already.
Still, while some studies suggest Omicron might be milder than other variants, Carmo Gomes says some restrictions are necessary to keep the virus under control.
GOMES: When we apply a small percentage to a vast -- to a massive number of cases, we are going to end up with an amount of cases that could flood the hospitals. That's the real danger.
COTOVIO: For now, the government is taking a cautious approach, rejecting lockdowns but keeping most businesses open. A delicate balance between a return to the days of crowded ICUs or simply a return to normal.
Vasco Cotovio, CNN, Lisbon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Wildfires have forced thousands of people from their homes in the U.S. state of Colorado. The fast-moving Marshall Fire has burned at least 1,600 acres in Boulder County. More than 500 homes being destroyed so far, and at least six people have been hurt.
One hospital evacuated all patients. Another began transferring patients, as well.
[00:15:04]
Dry conditions, hurricane-strength winds are fueling the flames, which is unusual for this time of year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TONY LAUBAUCH, METEOROLOGIST: Well, I'll tell you, this has been very uncharacteristic for December. We've been talking about -- I mean, everybody's been talking about just the crazy weather, the lack of snow, lack of moisture. Unfortunately, this is one of the results that you see from this. The dry conditions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: The National Weather Service is expecting heavy snow in the area in the coming hours. We'll have the very latest forecast later in the hour.
Still to come, Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin stake out their positions in a very lengthy phone call just weeks before both sides are set to meet in Geneva to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Those details just ahead.
Later, we'll find out how different cities are planning to ring in the new year as COVID cases skyrocket.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: The Kremlin, it seems, is satisfied with Thursday's phone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden. The White House says it was serious and substantive.
During the 50-minute-long call, President Biden again warned of dire economic consequences if Russia invades Ukraine. President Putin apparently reply -- was that would be a colossal mistake. For now, both sides have agreed to keep talking.
[00:20:04]
CNN's Nic Robertson has the very latest, reporting in from Moscow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, within minutes of that phone call wrapping up, a Kremlin spokesman said that the Russian side was happy with the way that the call had gone, that the conversations were serious; they were constructive.
He said that they felt that President Biden had showed a willingness to understand the essence of Russia's security proposals. That is, that Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO and that NATO cannot put its troops or military hardware inside of Ukraine.
So Russia clearly saying that they feel that message had landed. But the Kremlin spokesman also saying that Putin was very clear that he understood the message from President Biden, that if Russia doesn't de-escalate tensions at the moment, there could be serious economic, financial and military consequences.
Now President Putin, from his perspective, said that, well, if that's the case, this is a serious mistake by the United States. This would be a rupture in bilateral relations that would be felt for generations.
So the Russian president very clearly pushing back on President Biden's point there about sanctions if Russia doesn't de-escalate.
And on the point of de-escalation and removing Russia's troops from close to the border with Ukraine, the Russian side said, Look, we're going to continue with our troops in the positions that they are, in the same way that the United States would behave in the same way if it was Russian troops close to the border with the United States.
So it doesn't -- you don't get the impression at all that they're -- the Kremlin, that President Putin are backing down at the moment.
They do feel that they've landed their message to a degree, and they're clearly saying they understood President Biden's message. It doesn't mean they're going to follow what he said, though.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Steven Pifer is a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, currently a research fellow at Stanford University. Ambassador Parker, thanks for being with us.
STEVEN PIFER, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE: Glad to be here.
VAUSE: OK. So this was an attempt, I mean, was an attempt by Putin to de-escalate the crisis over Ukraine. Because if he wanted to do that, he could order a draw-down of Russian troops from the border. Instead, satellite images show an increase in the military presence this month.
So is the phone call, on the other hand, a way of taking Biden's measure? There's a theory out there that Putin wanted to size him up, see what his commitment is to Ukraine before ordering an invasion. How do you see it?
PIFER: Well, I think there were a couple of things. What President Putin was trying to do was basically trying to shape the conversations that will take place in about two weeks' time.
And the one bit of news is the Russians now have it confirmed that there will be three channels of communication: a U.S.-Russia channel, a NATO-Russia channel, and then a broader conversation in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
But otherwise, it appears that Mr. Putin reiterated his positions, and then President Biden reiterated that, if Russia does use military force against Ukraine, there will be significant economic sanctions. There will be more military assistance to Ukraine, and NATO will bolster its presence in areas near Russia.
Now, also, President Biden said, Look, there's a conversation to be had here. The big question in my mind is, do the Russians want to have that conversation? They put down two draft agreements that have a lot of unacceptable elements. But is that designed to elicit a rejection? Or is it, instead, an
opening bid in what will be a fairly difficult negotiation?
VAUSE: Just very quickly, explain the significance of those three tracks of communications.
PIFER: Right. Well, the Russians would like to have, basically, a U.S.-Russia conversation. In the ideal Kremlin world, the United States and Russia would settle everything over the heads of the Europeans and the Ukrainians.
And the White House has been very clear that that's not going to happen. That the phrase you hear from the White House officials is, nothing about you without you. So there's going to be a negotiation about Ukraine, Ukraine has to be at the table.
And that's when you can bring in the NATO-Russia conversation. That channel, which is to meet on January 12. That way is in place for NATO to voice its concerns about Russia behaviors. There's a two-way dialogue. And then the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe brings everybody in.
And again, there's going to have to be a place for Ukraine, a special place for Ukraine at the table, if they're talking about some kind of settlement issues, in terms of these broader European security questions that affect Ukraine.
VAUSE: We've heard the conversation being described as serious and substantial. According to the Kremlin, the U.S. president said there were no intentions of deploying offensive weapons in Ukraine.
And Biden also said this to reporters about U.S. commitment to Ukraine's defense. Here he is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The idea that the United States is going to unilaterally use force to confront Russia invading Ukraine, is not in the cards right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[00:25:08]
VAUSE: For Putin's point, he warned that tough economic sanctions in response to a Russian invasion would be a colossal mistake.
It seems that that is kind of indicative of where -- of just how effective economic sanctions have been, despite what Moscow has repeatedly said. And that seems to be one of the big developments out of this, that really, those economic sanctions have bite, or at least there's a fear of the bite those economic sanctions could have.
PIFER: Yes, I think that was one of the more interesting things to come out of the conversation, is Russia has now been under sanctions by the United States and Europe going back to 2014, when it first seized Crimea and then sparked the conflict in Donbas in Eastern Ukraine.
And for the last seven years, the Russians say, We don't care about sanctions. They have no impact.
You know, I think from what we've seen from the Russian commentary today, that they do care. And that may reflect a Kremlin understanding that the surge of sanctions that are now being discussed between the United States and the European Union that would kick in if there's a new Russian military assault on Ukraine, would be much more painful for Russia than the sanctions that have been applied over the last seven or eight years.
VAUSE: At least from the U.S. point of view, it seems that the White House position has not changed since this crisis began. At least since that video conference earlier in this month between the two leaders.
PIFER: I think that -- yes, I think you have President Biden on the one hand, it's a mixture of deterrence by trying to emphasize to Mr. Putin there are real costs if you make that mistake of invading Ukraine. But also holding out the possibility of a negotiation.
And again, it gets down to the question, these two draft agreements that the Russians tabled two weeks ago, and then made public immediately thereafter. You know, is that -- are they intended as the opening bid in a negotiation, or does the Kremlin want to offer it on a take-it-or-leave-it basis?
From some of the commentary that see after today's conversation, it looks like both sides see some possibility for a real negotiation. That's going to take place after some of the more unacceptable elements fall away.
VAUSE: So looking ahead to those talks in Geneva just a few weeks away from now, if this is meant to shape those talks, what are you expecting now from that high-level meeting between both Russian and U.S. officials and NATO officials, as well?
PIFER: Well, I think you're going to see in the bilateral discussion it will be talks. And the points will be made that, one, it's important that Russia de-escalate the military threat before you get into serious negotiations. Because no one really wants to negotiate when the Russians have this gun pointed at the head of Ukraine.
And a second point will be, as well, there can be some discussion of these questions. When you get down to the hard bargain or the real negotiation, that's going to have to shift into a channel that's not just the United States and Russia.
Because then you're talking about issues that affect Ukrainian security, but also affect the security of all the European members of NATO. And that's got to be a much more broader negotiation.
And so I think that's how it starts. My guess is what we see the week of January 10, that's the beginning. If the Russians, in fact, are prepared for negotiation, it could happen. But it's going to be, I think, a very difficult negotiation, because the sides are coming into it with very different interests.
VAUSE: Ambassador Steven Pifer, thank you so much for being with us.
PIFER: Thank you.
VAUSE: We'll take a short break.
When we come back, the party is on in Dubai, despite Omicron. How the city is preparing for New Year's Eve celebrations. Yee-haw.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:32:02]
VAUSE: Welcome back to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm John Vause. Well, depending on where you are in the world will depend on how you see in this new year's. In some places, Omicron and Delta be damned. They're still planning to carry on with New Year's Eve parties.
But elsewhere, like London, they won't be celebrating with the traditional fireworks. But Big Ben will chime in the new year.
2022 begins much the same -- same way as 2021 did, with sky-high case numbers. At least 10 U.S. states are reporting some of their highest hospitalizations since the pandemic began.
CNN's Hala Gorani has more now on how different cities around the world plan to celebrate 2022.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HALA GORANI, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The quick spread of the Omicron variant is putting a damper on New Year's Eve celebrations around the world.
While some smaller events are still taking place, it will be a grim start to another year of the coronavirus pandemic.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced in a tweet last week that the annual event in Trafalgar Square is canceled, saying, "The safety of Londoners must come first."
Some 6,500 people were expected to attend.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson decided against tougher COVID restrictions but cautioned that people should be smart about how they ring in the new year.
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I think everyone should enjoy the new year but in a -- in a cautious and sensible way. Take a test, ventilation, think about others but above all, get a booster.
GORANI: In Paris, the traditional fireworks display over the Champs- Elysees has been called off. And officials have implemented a mask- wearing policy in outdoor public spaces starting Friday. And in Atlanta, the New Year's Eve Peach Drop has been canceled for
the third year in a row, as positive cases are on the rise in Georgia's capital city.
But to the delight of many, the fireworks in Sydney will go on as scheduled. Attendees are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated and boosted.
And an indoor mask mandate is also in effect in New South Wales for those over the age of 12.
In New York, workers are preparing the traditional Waterford crystal ball that will drop over Times Square. This year's event will be scaled back to 15,000 people. There's usually about 60,000 revelers taking part.
After canceling its New Year's Eve celebrations earlier this month, Rio de Janeiro reversed course. There will be no outdoor concert this year, but the world-famous fireworks on Copacabana Beach will go on. The city also announced precautionary measures to avoid mass gatherings.
And Dr. Anthony Fauci has some strong advice for those who do plan to attend large celebrations.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: If your plans are to go to a 40- to 50-person New Year's Eve party with all the bells and whistles, and everybody hugging and kissing and wishing each other a happy new year, I would strongly recommend that this year we do not do that.
[00:35:11]
GORANI: Many were hoping for a return to normalcy as we ring in the new year, but thanks to COVID, we will have to wait a little bit longer.
Hala Gorani, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Dubai is still planning to celebrate in a very Dubai kind of way. And that means record numbers of international tourists are expected to see in the new year. And CNN's Eleni Giokos reports now on what health authorities there are doing to prevent the party becoming a super-spreader event.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT/ANCHOR (voice-over): From bustling restaurants to packed beaches --
KENNETH, SWISS TOURIST: It looks like it's not even in a pandemic, although everyone is wearing a mask. But I feel like it's really like we are getting back to normal. GIOKOS: While the Omicron variant is shutting down countries around
the world, record numbers of tourists and visitors are flocking to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
(on camera): At the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, teams prepare for the over-the-top fireworks and laser light show. Dubai does nothing small.
(voice-over): This year, New Year's Eve revelers will need to register via an app to gain access to view the show in downtown Dubai.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Take a deep breath.
GIOKOS: Spurred by one of the world's highest vaccination rates and strict government mandates, Dubai has become a tourist go-to hot spot.
SOFIA, UKRAINIAN TOURIST: Right here, in the pandemic, it's a lot of people here, we know, but we are masked and we have a COVID passport and all of that.
GIOKOS: According to the Dubai Department of Tourism, international visitors reached over one million in October. Hotels in Dubai recorded a 16.8 percent surge in occupancy the first 10 months of 2021.
The UAE has reported that 99 percent of all those eligible for vaccines, anyone over 12, has received at least one dose.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A little bit.
SARAH, JORDANIAN TOURIST: I'm really surprised because I have had a lot of people here. So I'm a little bit afraid to -- to test positive here. But let's hope not.
GIOKOS: Hosting the World Expo has also been a draw to Dubai this year. Visits crossed the 6.3 million mark as of mid-December.
But as the party continues in Dubai, with the world hunkering down, this luxury travel destination will keep pushing forward and, as they say, the show must go on.
Eleni Giokos, CNN, Dubai.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Out with the old, in with the new. Please stay with CNN as the world rings in 2022. We've sent Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen to New York's Times Square so you don't have to take the risk.
Coverage begins 8 p.m. New York, that's 9 a.m. New Year's Day in Hong Kong.
Coming up here, the very messy breakup of Taiwan and Nicaragua, now turning nasty and apparently heading to court. More in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:41:28]
VAUSE: Protesters clashed with security forces again in Sudan again on Thursday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SHOUTING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Doctors say the troops used live rounds, shooting dead at least four people. Others were wounded, and tear gas was also fired at protestors in the capital.
The military staged a coup back in October before reinstating a civilian prime minister to lead the transitional government until elections in 2023. Protesters say that arrangement just is not working.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Today, we are demonstrating for the fall of the military power and against the political agreement, which was supposed to stop the bloodshed but unfortunately, there is still death and violence. It means that this agreement is not the right one.
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VAUSE: Two media outlets say their offices were raided by troops from Sudan and their staff was arrested and assaulted, while a Qatari TV station says security forces interrupted a live broadcast before detaining some of its employees.
Well, there's been quite the bitter separation. Nicaragua recently dumping Taiwan, diplomatically, to reestablish relations with Beijing. But breaking up, as they say, is hard to do. Taiwan now suing over assets and property illegally seized by the Nicaraguan government.
CNN's Matt Rivers has the latest.
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MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it was earlier this month that the government of Nicaragua decided to formally sever ties with the island of Taiwan and instead, diplomatically recognize China.
Of course, China views Taiwan as a breakaway province, and therefore, countries around the world can only have formal diplomatic relations with either Taiwan or with China, the Nicaragua government deciding to, essentially, switch sides here.
But the Taiwan government is now basically saying that the Nicaraguan government is adding insult to injury because of an announcement earlier this week. They made clear their intention that they would seize or attempted to
confiscate all of Taiwan's former holdings, former properties in the country of Nicaragua, after Taiwan diplomats were forced to leave the country, due to the severing of these diplomatic ties.
Taiwan's government now saying it will take legal proceedings against the Nicaragua government for this decision to confiscate assets in the country and basically hand them over to China. So not only are they confiscating the assets, but they plan to then hand them over to the government of China.
Taiwan said Nicaragua was, quote, "unlawfully exercising state power" when it interfered in the legal transference of diplomatic property.
Basically, Taiwan was trying to give some of this property to other groups in Nicaragua.
Now, I have this tweet for you from the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which it's written, "After the Ortega regime ordered Taiwan out of Nicaragua before Christmas, we sold the embassy to the Managua archdiocese for $1. This charitable act was our goodwill to the people. But Ortega seized the property and will gift it to the PCR," or People's Republic of China. "This is unlawful and utterly disgusting."
So clearly, the Taiwan government very upset over this decision to take what was formerly Taiwan's property and give it to China. Insult added to injury after the severing of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Matt Rivers, CNN, Mexico City.
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VAUSE: 2021 brought the U.S. everything from an assault on democracy to pandemic paralysis. The 10 top stories in American politics when we return.
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[00:48:52]
VAUSE: Welcome back, everyone. 2022 might just be looking up, if predictions from Peruvian shamans are true.
The annual tradition took place at a ceremony in Lima, with indigenous religious leaders making their predictions.
Now, the first one, an economic crisis mainly in Europe. An escalation of Ukraine, but they say Russia will not invade. Instead, they say the easing of tensions will happen, with an agreement negotiated on good terms.
They also see a spirit of unity in Latin America. Oh my. And there was even more good news about world peace and COVID.
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CLEOFE SEDANO, PERUVIAN SHAMAN (through translator): We have performed a ritual to have peace in the whole world, and so that the pandemic will end and withdraw from the world, so that it does not continue to affect human beings. The pandemic will end this year. After taking Ayahuasca and San Pedro, we have determined it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: So let it be.
Now, then they danced and chanted, all to send good vibes to leaders around the world. They could use some good vibes.
2021 has been a divisive and transformative year for U.S. politics. From the attack on the Capitol, to the big lie; from pandemic misinformation to the pull-out from Afghanistan.
[00:50:00]
CNN's Jim Acosta has a look back at the biggest stories of the year in U.S. politics.
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JIM ACOSTA, CNN CHIEF U.S. DOMESTIC CORRESPONDENT: The top 10 political stories of 2021 make this past year feel more like a decade. Starting at No. 10, pandemic paralysis.
As medical experts stressed vaccines and boosters as the best way of preventing COVID-19, disinformation and lies about these life-saving shots continue to spread, as well, misleading millions of Americans.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm sure you've seen the pictures all over the internet of people who have had these shots, and now they're magnetized. They put a key on their forehead, it sticks. You can put spoons and forks all over them, and they can stick.
ACOSTA: Of course, that's utter nonsense, so get vaccinated.
At No. 9, the Republican Party at war with itself over its leader, disgraced ex-President Donald Trump and his big lie that he won the 2020 election.
DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're not forgetting 2020. Most corrupt election.
REP. ADAM KINZINGER (R-IL): In truth, the president cost us. The president is unfit, and the president is unwell.
NEIL CAVUTO, FOX BUSINESS HOST: If Donald Trump were the 2024 nominee, would you support him?
REP. LIZ CHENEY (R-WY): I would not.
REP. MATT GAETZ (R-FL): You can send Liz Cheney home! Back home to Washington, D.C.!
ACOSTA (voice-over): At No. 8, Democrats have issues of their own.
ANDREW CUOMO, FORMER NEW YORK GOVERNOR: Given the circumstances, the best way I can help now is if I step aside.
ACOSTA: Facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York resigns.
GLENN YOUNGKIN (R), GOVERNOR-ELECT OF VIRGINIA: Virginia, we won the state!
ACOSTA: Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, wins the governor's race in Virginia.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: A very big night for Republicans and a major, quite frankly, a major wake-up call for Democrats.
ACOSTA: And Gavin Newsom, Democratic governor in California, successfully fights off a recall there.
GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM (D-CA): Thank you to 40 million Americans, 40 million Californians. Thank you for rejecting this recall.
ACOSTA: No. 7, messy withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Biden administration scrambles to evacuate American citizens and tens of thousands of Afghans from the country ahead of an August 31st deadline.
Thirteen U.S. service members and more than 170 Afghans are killed in terrorist attacks outside Kabul's airport in the chaotic end to America's longest war.
BIDEN: It's time to end the forever war. Thank you all for listening. May God protect our troops.
And No. 6, the big lie gives birth to an amateurish audit of the 2020 election results in Arizona, which ends up confirming what Americans already knew: Joe Biden won Arizona.
DOUG LOGAN, CEO, CYBER NINJAS: The ballots that were provided to us to count in the Colosseum very accurately correlate with the official canvas numbers.
ACOSTA: As new GOP-driven restrictive voting laws crop up in state houses across the country.
GOV. RON DESANTIS (R-FL): I'm actually going to sign it right here. It's going to take effect. Florida, your vote counts.
ACOSTA: No. 5, President Biden and his team try to show Democrats can deliver with big legislative victories, first on COVID relief and then infrastructure.
But the question remains, can his Build Back Better social spending plan pass through the Senate? At No. 4, double trouble for the GOP in Georgia, as Republicans lose
two Senate runoff races in January.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: John Ossoff, the Democratic candidate in Georgia, he is defeating David Perdue, the Republican candidate.
ACOSTA: GOP insiders blame Trump, grumbling that his election lies backfired.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is hereby acquitted of the charge.
ACOSTA: Trump becomes the first president in American history to be impeached for a second time, this time for inciting the insurrection at the Capitol. Once again, Republicans stand in the way of a conviction.
BLITZER: Democrats falling, though, short of the 67 votes needed to convict Trump. This is the second time Donald Trump has been acquitted in an impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate.
ACOSTA: At No. 2, an event that would normally land at the top of any list of big political stories: the inauguration of a new president.
BIDEN: Preserve, protect and defend --
JOHN ROBERTS, CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT: The Constitution of the United States.
BIDEN: -- the Constitution of the United States.
ACOSTA: But it was far from a typical transfer of power, as Trump tried to scheme his way into staying in office, pressuring state officials like Georgia's secretary of state.
TRUMP (via phone): So look, all I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state.
ACOSTA: No. 1 story, of 2021. American democracy under attack. January 6th, the insurrection.
[00:55:01]
TRUMP: We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore.
ACOSTA: In one last-ditch attempt to halt a Biden presidency, a violent mob of Trump supporters and members of far-right groups stormed the Capitol, some chanting they want to kill the vice president.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hang Mike Pence! Hang Mike Pence!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hang Mike Pence! Hang Mike Pence!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hang Mike Pence! Hang Mike Pence! UNIDENTIFIED MALE: USA!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: USA!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: USA!
ACOSTA: Rioters clashed with police. Eventually, they smashed their way inside, sending lawmakers running for cover.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody, stand down!
ACOSTA: A Trump supporter is shot dead by a police officer, as she and others attempt to breach the speaker's lobby inside the Capitol.
First responders are beaten with the American flag and sprayed with chemicals.
As night falls on a shameful scene, a symbol of American democracy is left battered. In the melee, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick was assaulted by chemical spray. He suffered strokes and died the next day.
Haunted by January 6th, a handful of other officers later die by suicide. And the trials of the insurrectionists begin.
(on camera): True to form, Trump went on to lie about what happened at the Capitol. He never showed remorse, never apologized for what he did. Trump has so far escaped any accountability. Instead, he has been emboldened by Republicans who have largely adopted his lies as their own.
His lapdogs in conservative media and his disciples in Congress now echo his toxic rhetoric. Political violence Trump and his allies unleashed is now the subject of an investigation by the January 6th House Select Committee.
That probe, and its findings, may well alter the political landscape for 2022 and beyond.
Jim Acosta, CNN, Washington.
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VAUSE: Well, thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm John Vause. Please stay with us. I'll be back with another hour of CNN NEWSROOM after a very short break.
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