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Top U.S. and Russian Diplomats to Meet Soon in Geneva; Much- Need Water Shipments Headed to Tonga; Munich Archdiocese Abuse Report; Conservative MP Alleges Downing Street Intimidation; HK COVID Policy Impacting Cathay Pacific Airline, Crew; Australia: First EU Country to Mandate Adult Vaccinations. Aired 3-4 am ET
Aired January 21, 2022 - 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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[03:01:08]
LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, Lynda Kinkade. Ahead on CNN Newsroom, all eyes on Ukraine with Russian troops on the border. The U.S. and Kremlin a meeting in Geneva will take you there live.
Plus, the aid finally reaching Tonga days after a devastating tsunami. Look at what the island nation needs most. And new allegations surfacing in the party gate scandal in the U.K. Now Boris Johnson staff has been accused of bullying lawmakers who want the Prime Minister to step down.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Center, this is CNN Newsroom with Lynda Kinkade.
KINKADE: Ukrainian leaders say the U.S. must do more to stop a potential Russian invasion, tens of thousands of Russian troops amass on the border with more on the way to neighboring Belarus. Ukraine is fearing an attack and a possible repeat of Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are in Geneva, Switzerland for a new round of talks. And America's top diplomat has some cleaning up to do. CNN's Kylie Atwood reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BIDEN: If any, any assembled Russian units move across Ukrainian border, that is an invasion.
KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): President Biden cleaning up his comments from Wednesday suggesting there may not be hard hitting consequences for Russia, if they undertake in a minor incursion into Ukraine instead of a full-blown invasion.
BIDEN: They will be met with severe and coordinated economic response that I've discussed in detail with our allies as well as laid out very clearly for President Putin. ATWOOD: Coming after he said this just a day before.
BIDEN: One thing if it's a minor incursion, and then we end up having a fight about what to do and not do, et cetera.
ATWOOD: The initial comments left Ukrainian officials stunned, believing Biden gave President Putin the greenlight to enter Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky saying, "There are no minor incursions and small nations just as there are no minor casualties and little grief from the loss of loved ones." Top Biden administration officials have been scrambling to clean up the comments.
ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border and commit new acts of aggression against Ukraine that will be met with a swift, severe united response from the United States and our allies and partners.
ATWOOD: Secretary of State Tony Blinken wasn't alone. America's European allies also tried to present a united front to intimidate Russia.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: NATO allies are ready to respond.
BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Being no doubt that if Russia were to make any kind of incursion into Ukraine of any on any scale, whatever, I think that that would be a disaster.
ANNALENA BAERBOCK, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translation): Any further aggressive attitude on the part of Russia would have grave consequences.
ATWOOD: All this as Russia bolsters its arsenal for a possible invasion, bringing combat helicopters closer to Ukraine this week and using their intelligence services to recruit Ukrainian traders to prepare a takeover of Ukraine's government. The U.S. now sanctioning current and former Ukrainian officials, the Treasury says are, "engaged in Russian government directed influence activities to destabilize Ukraine." But the Kremlin saying another call between President Biden and Putin would, "be welcomed."
Meanwhile, President Biden saying he expects Russia to invade.
[03:05:02]
BIDEN: My guess is he will move in.
ATWOOD (on camera): Now, sources tell CNN the Biden administration moved to give approval to three Baltic States this week to provide us made weaponry to Ukraine. Now, that is one move to ensure that if Russia does go forward with this invasion into Ukraine, that it will be a bloody war for Russia and all of this, the actions that Biden administration is taking this week, coupled with the discussions about President Biden's remark come ahead of a meeting between Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Foreign Minister Lavrov of Russia that take place on Friday in Geneva. Kylie Atwood, CNN, the State Department.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: CNN's International Diplomatic Editor, Nic Robertson is standing by for us in Moscow. But first I want to go to Geneva and our Senior International Correspondent Frederik Pleitgen. So, Fred, in two hours from now, we will see the foreign Russian ministers sit down with the U.S. Secretary of State, what are the expectations for this meeting?
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, both sides, Lynda, so that they believe that this meeting is of the utmost importance. And in fact, the Kremlin itself came out and said they believe that this meeting will be absolutely key considering how things have been going between the U.S. and Russia. And of course, also, the U.S.' allies as well.
Now, whether or not a lot of headway is going to be made to something that certainly is very much questionable, and certainly will be very difficult as well. But at least what you have right now is you have the two top diplomats of each nation talking to one another, of course, that we saw a for instance, in Geneva a week ago was that it was more the deputy level speaking to one another there. But now you have the sort of top diplomats who are speaking to one another. And you can map out areas where perhaps there could be some headway made and other areas where it is going to be difficult.
And, of course, there are those two key areas that the Russians have said that they have massive security concerns, one of them being NATO weapons, near Russia's borders, the U.S. has already signaled that perhaps there are things that could be done in that realm. But then the big key issue is going to be the status of Ukraine, where the Russians are saying they want written guarantees from the U.S. And it's not our NATO allies, that Ukraine will never become a member of NATO. And that's something that the U.S. has said is simply not going to happen. That is something that the U.S. and NATO allies have said is simply not going to happen. Are there sort of scenarios where the two sides can at least agree to keep speaking about this issue and see whether or not they could come to some sort of at least interim agreement to try and avoid this situation from escalating even further, Lynda?
KINKADE: And Fred, and before this meeting, the U.S. Secretary of State met with European allies in Berlin, is the U.S. and its allies on the same page when it comes to responding to Russian aggression?
PLEITGEN: Well, I think that right now, the U.S. and its allies in this situation are probably more on the same page than I have seen them at any time over the past couple of years, really. And one of the reasons for that is that the Biden administration, specifically Secretary of State Blinken has been making these efforts as negotiations have been going on with Russia to constantly keep the U.S.' NATO allies, and generally the U.S.' allies in the loop about what is going on and try to come to some sort of common position. You have that, for instance, with his visits to Ukraine earlier this week. And then with that visit to Berlin yesterday where he didn't just speak to the German Foreign Minister, but also the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and to France as well. And if you look at, for instance, the Germans, they're very important in this process, because of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that massive economic and also, of course, many say political project between these two nations. The Germans are now saying that Nord Stream 2 would be up in any sort of or would be up for disposal. If there was any sort of escalation on the part of the Russians. That's a big shift on the part of the Germans to put that out there to threaten that Nord Stream 2 could be affected by all of this. So certainly, does seem as though the Secretary of State has brought on board the allies. And it does seem to be a very unified position between the U.S. and its allies vis-a-vis Russia. Lynda.
KINKADE: Yeah, it certainly sounds that way. Frederik Pleitgen in beautiful one, Geneva, thanks so much.
Well, I want to go to Moscow and CNN's Nic Robertson. Nic, Russia continues to say that it has no plans to invade Ukraine. Ukraine says the risk of war has not increased since 2014. But then if you listen to the U.S. say it says it looks like an invasion is imminent, and that it could happen quickly. What is your assessment of these stark differences?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah, and we heard from the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock yesterday speak exactly to this issue. And she said, you know, about the Russian troop deployment and about Russia, saying that it has no intention of invading Ukraine. She said, the Russian troop deployment speaks a different language and the language that it speaks to a lot of people in Eastern Europe and the rest of Europe at the moment is that the potential exists for an invasion that the troops are close that the armaments are close. The buildup has continued.
[03:10:14]
Secretary State Antony Blinken was saying this only yesterday and pointing to the ongoing military exercises that have just begun between joint military exercises between Russia and Belarus, which is just to the north of Ukraine, and that would potentially give Russian troops a toehold to launch operations much closer to the Capitol, cave than they would otherwise be where they're close to the border with Ukraine in the east.
So, this -- the deployment, and again, I think the language that the German foreign minister has used, sets a tone, an understanding that the language of the troop deployment speaks to there being a readiness to invade. Should that be a decision of President Putin, which is where Secretary State Antony Blinken says the decision lies. But it's very hard to interpret it, other than an extreme amount of pressure being created on Ukraine and United States and NATO to get as serious as they're going to get in discussing with Russia, Russia's concerns.
KINKADE: And Nic, in terms of weighing the diplomatic costs, what did Russia line from the 2014 annexation of Crimea, that might inform any decision it makes now?
ROBERTSON: Well, there were costs. They took a little time to come. It took the European Union, perhaps about a year to organize the sanctions that it was going to impose on Russia because of the invasion of Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea. I think the lessons for Russia from that were over the period of time that while the sanctions were damaging, that they could live with them, that the European Union and NATO were quite flat footed in responding to a developing situation.
It is different this time, because the lessons of the other side of Europe and NATO have been learned from that scenario that a Russian troop presence close to the border could precipitate an invasion. And so, Russia will be aware that NATO is better prepared, in some ways, you know, with weapon systems, defensive weapon systems going to go the Ukrainian military.
But in terms of, you know, understanding how the language that the European speak, the divisions that exist within Europe and across the transatlantic alliance with the United States that exists on how to handle Russia on this issue, Russia will have learnt those in detail and its methodology of negotiating now separately with the U.S., separately with NATO, in a way certainly many analysts believe tries to exploit those differences. So, Russia has taken many lessons from this, that it can withstand economic sanctions to a degree. It understands how to do that and has developed methods to deal with it. And that, you know, there is not a significant military immediate threat to Russia, other than Ukraine's military, which has improved a lot since 2014. But is no match for the Russian military so that would likely be one analysis they will be able to take.
KINKADE: All right. Great to get your perspective, as always, our International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson for us in Moscow, thanks so much.
More countries lining up to send aid to Tanga as a Pacific nation reels from a catastrophic volcanic eruption and tsunami. It polluted water sources across the country, causing significant shortages and raising fears of potential disease outbreaks.
Now, Japanese cargo planes and a New Zealand ship set to deliver desperately needed water. Vessels from Australia and Britain are expected to bring other aid in the coming days.
Well, our Blake Essig joins us now from Tokyo. And Blake, it it's hard to believe that it's almost a week since the volcanic eruption. But good to say that some aid is finally arriving.
BLAKE ESSIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, you know, Lynda, again, international aid started arriving yesterday and more is on the way. One new development today, international call services has been a challenge for the past several days essentially Tonga has been cut off from the rest of the world because of damaged communication lines. So at least partially partial, partial restoration of Tonga's main island Tongatapu, and one other island had their international call service restored.
[03:15:10]
Only about 400 calls are allowed to be -- or able to be made at one time. So very limited but at least a step in the right direction.
Of course, Tonga is made up of more than 170 islands, its population of about 100,000 people is spread out over 36 of those islands. So, while we are starting to get a clearer picture of the devastation caused by the volcanic eruption and tsunami, there's still a lot we don't know, if there's not a lot of communication going on with those outer islands.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ESSIG: This is what it looks like now on Tonga's main island, fallen trees, homes destroyed, agriculture ruined and ash covering just about everything. For several days, Tonga was essentially cut off from the rest of the world because of ashfall and damaged communication lines. After a massive volcanic eruption and tsunami created an unprecedented disaster in the South Pacific.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Water is our most concern right now.
ESSIG: But finally, some good news. With the airport clear to volcanic ash flights from New Zealand and Australia carrying humanitarian aid and disaster relief, we're finally able to reach the island nation. And because Tonga has essentially been virus free throughout the pandemic, delivery of supplies was contactless, and the aircraft were only on the ground for a short time to avoid creating an outbreak.
FATAFEHI FAKAFANUA, SPEAKER OF THE TONGAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: Right now, the humanitarian aid is arriving, and there are protocols for contactless drop off of cargo. And this is happening at the wolf and also at the airport. That whole exchange was already contactless. So, I believe, you know, we've had the last two years to practice that. And it'll be no different for the humanitarian aid arriving.
ESSIG: As a result of the volcanic eruption and tsunami, the United Nations says about 84,000 people, it's more than 80% of Tonga's population may have been impacted by the disaster. And with communication lines, still weeks away from being restored.
PITA TAUFATOFUA, TONGAN OLYMPIC ATHLETE: I haven't heard from my father. We have a family home on the main island of Tonga, Tongatapu right on the water of the lagoon. I've got no idea what's happened to him or to the family home. I'm optimistic.
ESSIG: Some family members living overseas like Tonga's famous Olympic flag bearer are left feeling helpless, unable to check on loved ones.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ESSIG (on camera): Of the shirtless Tongan Olympic flag bearer Pita Taufatofua has started raising funds to help Tonga's recovery. So far, his GoFundMe page has raised nearly $600,000. Lynda.
KINKADE: That is fantastic to hear. Blake Essig, good to have you with us from Tokyo. Thanks so much.
Well, earlier I spoke with the Pacific head of program, the International Federation of the Red Cross, and I asked her what kind of aid is needed most right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAINIANA ROKOVUCAGO, PACIFIC HEAD OF PROGRAM, IFRC: The main priority it is water. The volcanic ash fall has affected the drinking water because they collect water tanks and also their main supply in which are the borehole. So, this have the ash fall and the tidal wave, the salt water from the tidal wave is inundated the water source. So, the priority is water at the moment. And we were hearing from our counterparts, and he has been confirmed that actually involved in the operation in distributing water. And the tidal wave that followed the eruption did bring in debris which the communities have been able to clean up. And they have been able to clean up their homes, and also the surroundings for movement around the island. And so, our counterparts have reported that the community is actually being born, been mobilized to assist the government in its effort to clean up and to build back to normalcy.
KINKADE: And just finally, Sainiana, did people on the island have much warning before this volcanic eruption?
ROKOVUCAGO: You know, Lynda, we can account for the preparedness that has happened on the island, you know, with the humanitarian agencies, the Red Cross has been involved in this community preparedness and, you know, with the number -- there were a few casualties that they reported, but, you know, to say that the community was prepared because, you know, there, they did adhere to the core by the government to move to higher grounds, you know, to move to the higher ground. So, you can say that there was some sort of preparedness, you know, on the island. They had been prepared, you know, and to be able to move in a time where they could move. So, we can say that there was preparedness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[03:20:07]
KINKADE: Well, that was Sainiana Rokovucago, Pacific Head of Programs for the International Federation of Red Cross.
Well, still to come, accusations of blackmail from Number 10 Downing Street aimed at silencing Boris Johnson's critics in parliament. We'll have the latest from London when we return.
Also, a new report says the former Pope failed to take action on claims of sexual abuse when he was an archbishop in Germany. Stay with us.
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KINKADE: Welcome back, Boris Johnson says he has no knowledge about his staff allegedly trying to bully lawmakers who want him to resign. The British Prime Minister is facing a rebellion within his own party with accusations that his staff held parties during lockdown. Well, a Conservative MP now alleges that a Downing Street campaign of intimidation and blackmail is underway to silence critics. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz is standing by for us in London. Another day, another turn of events and now these allegations of blackmail, take us through them?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: So, this comes from a couple of different conservative MPs but mainly a senior Conservative MP named, William Wragg, and he says that the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his top officials, those who continue to support him in his cabinet have been intimidating. Members of the Conservative Party who want to push for that no confidence vote.
We also heard from Christian Wakeford that is the Conservative MP that defected this week that literally crossed the island sat with the opposition this week during PM queues who also said that he was threatened with losing funding for schools by the party if he took these actions, if he moved away from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Now, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has personally responded to these allegations, saying he see no evidence of blackmail or intimidation and when asked by reporters if he would investigate it, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would look into it, of course, if there was something to look into. But a concrete denial there from the Prime Minister.
But let's step away from the he said, she said now, Lynda, because here's the bigger picture. The Conservative Party right now is at a crossroads. They have to decide what to do with their star candidate, Prime Minister Boris Johnson now that he's in hot water, what made Johnson so successful, so popular within the party was his ability to win at the ballot box. It's that simple. He was able to galvanize the Tory Heartland. He was able to get Brexit done when no one else could. He was able to make people vote Tory who had never voted Tory before in their lives. He's absolutely a political success in that sense, but all of that now, his popularity now quickly waning. You're looking at a Prime Minister has the lowest approval rating since he took office.
[03:25:03]
The Conservative Party is now trailing behind the Labor Party in some local polling, local polling. So, MP is really concerned about their own seats now, about their own positions of power. And really, it's about do they continue to support Prime Minister Boris Johnson? Or is it time for that no confidence vote? Is it time to push him out? Obviously, there's a split within the party over that. So, you can see this internal wrangling happening. And meanwhile, of course, Johnson is going to do his very best to get that support because his political future lies in their hands. Remember that critical number 54 lawmakers turn against him, 15% of Conservative MPs in Parliament. That's it. That vote could take place, Lynda.
KINKADE: All right. Salma Abdelaziz as always, our thanks to you from London.
Well, the report from German investigators finds that former Pope Benedict XVI fail to act on claims of child abuse when he was Archbishop of Munich. The inquiry was conducted by a local law firm and looked at allegations going back decades. Hundreds of victims were found, and a few cases were reported while the former Pope was Munich's Archbishop, then known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARTIN PUSCH, LAWYER, WESTPFAHL SPILKER WASTL (through translation): In a total of four cases, we have come to the conclusion that then Archbishop Cardinal Ratzinger can be accused of misconduct in cases of sexual abuse. Two of these cases concern acts of abuse committed during his tenure and sanctioned by the state.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Well, Benedict XVI stepped down as Pope in 2013. His tenure was overshadowed by a growing scandal over allegations of sexual abuse of minors. CNN Vatican Correspondent Delia Gallagher has more on the report and the response so far.
BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAL CORRESPONDENT: This is a massive report running more than 1800 pages covering about a 75-year time period from 1945 to 2019 looking at cases of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Munich, it was just released on Thursday afternoon, and the initial responses from the Vatican and from Pope Emeritus Benedict say they need time to read it and look into the findings.
Cardinal Marx who is the current Archbishop of Marx is also implicated in the report for mishandling two cases of sexual abuse during his tenure. He is a close advisor to Pope Francis. He also gave a brief statement to the press on Thursday saying he wouldn't be time to read the report. And he will be holding a press conference next Thursday to discuss it.
This report was commissioned by the Catholic Church in Munich, it was part of their historical reckoning, part of their way of holding themselves accountable for what happened in the past. Reports like this have been going on in diocese throughout the world, as part of the Catholic Church's effort at transparency. This report, of course, all the more important because it does include the years in which the Pope Emeritus was Archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982. So, now it is up to the Vatican to respond to these findings. We'll see what they have to say in the coming days. Delia Gallagher, CNN, Rome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Well, still ahead we're keeping an eye on developments in Geneva, Switzerland, where U.S. and Russian diplomats are looking for an off ramp to the military crisis along Ukraine's border.
As Hong Kong's hometown airline is falling on hard times due to China's zero COVID policy. We'll take a look at the stress it's putting on employees just ahead.
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[03:31:18]
KINKADE: Welcome back, Russia's foreign ministers in Geneva at this hour for talks with his U.S. counterpart on the crisis in Ukraine. Sergey Ryabkov and Antony Blinken looking for ways to ease tensions. His Russian troops massed along the border.
Moscow says it wants an end to NATO expansion and a promise that Ukraine won't be allowed to join the bloc. Diplomats have been trying for weeks to dial back the pressure. Tens of thousands of Russian troops have deployed the Ukraine's border and even more on their way to Belarus to Ukraine's north.
Jill Dougherty is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. She is also CNN's former Moscow Bureau Chief, good to have you with us, Jill.
JILL DOUGHERTY, FORMER CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF: Thank you, Lynda. Glad to be here.
KINKADE: I want to get your perspective, Jill, on what realistically can be accomplished in this round of talks between the U.S. and Russia, given previous talks have failed to get any breakthrough?
DOUGHERTY: You know, this is a really dramatic moment. I really think, you know, it could be the end of diplomacy. I think there is one purpose specifically that Secretary Blinken wants to carry out. And that is to ascertain, you know, where are the Russians, if that's possible, because so far, they have been insisting on what they want, which is this written guarantee of security for Russia. But it really is at this moment. Does it go forward? Remember the talks last week, could there be a second round? And if there isn't a second round? Then what? Would it be that, you know, Russia rose into Ukraine or what? So, it really is a very tense moment.
KINKADE: It really is. And given there has been no breakthrough. It's fair to say negotiations are supposed to be based on the idea that each side gives a little yet neither side seems to be budging, especially on the key points regarding NATO. Where is there room for common ground on these issues?
DOUGHERTY: I actually think there are, you know, if you look at the Russians, there are three things that they want. No extension of NATO, which would include Ukraine, so no Ukrainian NATO, no offensive weapons, close to the Russian border. And then finally rolling back NATO to what it was back in 1997, which would essentially eliminate a lot of the Eastern European countries. So, the United States cannot accept one and three, but they could have some room for, I'm going to call them negotiations with discussions in areas like arms control, for example, weapons, missiles, intermediate short-range missiles, where they could be stationed in that region, or transparency about military exercises. These are things that potentially really could be a compromise area. But the problem is, so far, Russia is saying take it or leave it is the entire deal. All three or we don't agree to anything.
KINKADE: Yeah, exactly. Jill, in terms of weighing the diplomatic costs, what did Russia learn from its 2014 invasion of Crimea, and, of course, Georgia in 2008, that informs any decision it might make now.
DOUGHERTY: Well, you know, Crimea is kind of different. But take your point, that I think they learned that they could do it. They did it with a fig leaf, you know, of a vote by the people, et cetera. But they do have Crimea, and they apparently are not going to give it back.
[03:35:02]
So that's where we are. And that could be one lesson that they are taking. But I think this is different. You know, this is a very big- massed army on the border with Ukraine, and a real showdown. You'd have to say Crimea happened more quickly, more unexpectedly. And it was certainly less of a military operation.
KINKADE: Yeah. So, in terms of us lessons, what did the U.S. learn from the annexation of Crimea?
DOUGHERTY: Well, again, I'd say the same thing, you know, that it if they were not prepared. They didn't really quite respond to it. They couldn't stop it, and they have to live with it. But this is something else. You have the United States, European allies, NATO and others who have joined together to make it very clear that this, if Russia does take military action, there will be severe consequences. We've heard this over and over again, but this is really much more of a showdown. And it is a major show of force from the Russian, a military show of force, but from the west, so far, a diplomatic based on sanctions, but it could be military too, because just look at today, where the United States and NATO agreed to let the Baltic countries provide military weapons to Ukraine.
So, things are happening, you know, United States giving $200 million more to Ukraine for military equipment. So, it is I think, you know, again, where they go with this is unclear, but I think it is a much bigger operation.
KINKADE: Yeah, certainly, we will be watching those talks between the U.S. and Russia very closely later today. Jill Dougherty as always, good to get your perspective. Thanks so much.
DOUGHERTY: Thanks, Lynda.
Well, Australia is now the first country in Europe to mandate vaccines for all adults, the country's parliament passed a law on Thursday, making it compulsory for all residents over the age of 18. It'll be enforced beginning March 15. And violators could face fines of nearly $700.
In Israel students 18 and under will now be required to take home COVID tests twice a week in order to go to school. If they test positive, they'll have to stay home until they recover.
And early February, France will start easing some COVID restrictions, sports and cultural venues will be allowed to open at full capacity. And later in the month nightclubs, concerts and bars will follow suit. Well, CNN has your COVID headlines covered. I want to bring in Kristie Lu Stout joins us now from Hong Kong. And Kristie just brings us up to speed on what the troubles facing Cathay Pacific are right now?
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, well look, you know, Hong Kong used to be an international logistics and aviation hub. But during the pandemic the last two years it has been cut off from China and the rest of the world. And Cathay Pacific and especially its pilots have been feeling the pain.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LU STOUT (voice-over): Once the gleaming aviation hub that drew pilots from all over the world, Hong Kong is now locked in one of the toughest quarantine regimes on the planet. And some pilots at Cathay Pacific Airlines our breaking point.
CATHAY PACIFIC PILOT: It just seems like an ever downward spiral of feeling of helplessness and just despair.
LU STOUT: Speaking anonymously for fear of reprisals, this pilot is Hong Kong's quarantine rules are damaging his well-being.
CATHAY PACIFIC PILOT: For weeks on end, of just eating hotel room food, no fresh air. There's no real way to get exercise. And you just sort of sit around a lot, I find your health really suffers.
LU STOUT: Like most airlines, Cathay has been hit hard by the pandemic, but the challenges it faces as a Hong Kong based carrier are among the toughest around. Hong Kong pursues a zero COVID policy with strict quarantines all Cathay flight crew are fully vaccinated. But pilots tell CNN that the airline has a strict policy for those travelling to countries deemed as high risk like the U.S. and U.K. To stop those flights, Cathay runs what they call closed loop flights on a voluntary basis.
(on camera): Cathay pilots tell CNN they involve five weeks can find a hotel rooms. The first three weeks they fly, they're confined to hotels during layovers. And the last two weeks they're in Hong Kong hotel quarantine. The process is so grueling, the company has set up emotional support groups.
(voice-over): And weighing on all crew the risk of ending up at a government run quarantine camp with their families if someone tests positive for COVID. Cathay is also under fire for sparking a fifth wave of infection after two crew members broke self-isolation rules spring Hong Kong's top leader to threaten Cathay with legal action.
PATRICK HEALY, CHAIRMAN/EXEC DIR, CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS: We have apologized publicly.
LU STOUT: The airline apologized and fired the staff involved. Without naming the airline, Hong Kong police arrested and charged two former flight attendants for allegedly breaking COVID-19 rules. Cathay confirmed the arrests to CNN.
[03:40:09]
As a city tightens restrictions amid an Omicron outbreak, Cathay has cut more flights with passenger flights slashed to 2% of pre pandemic levels this month.
HEALY: And I salute you for your service to the community.
LU STOUT: In a message to staff, company Chairman Patrick Healy thanks them for their sacrifices. He also said he was acutely aware that a small number of our crew have brought the company into disrepute by breaking self-isolation rules. Despite the turmoil and let's say the airlines prospects remain positive.
BRENDAN SOBIE, INDEPENDENT AVIATION ANALYST: They're still in relatively good shape financially compared to other airlines in Asia, as well as other airlines based in Hong Kong.
LU STOUT: After working at Cathay in Hong Kong for over 10 years, this pilot plans to leave by the end of the year. He says flying a plane at a time of zero COVID could turn into a safety issue. In response the company emphasize how it supports its staff, while adding pilots who wish to withdraw from the closed loop roster pattern can do so without prejudice at any time.
In another era, Cathay promised an experience for its passengers to arrive in better shape. It's a message the iconic airline and its pilots need now more than ever.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera): The pilot who again spoke to us anonymously for fear of reprisals, when he spoke to us and he talked about the story when he found out over 10 years ago when he got the job with Cathay Pacific, he said he was so elated. He said it was akin to getting into an Ivy League School. You know, Cathay Pacific has had this reputation for being a premier employer. But now it is struggling under the weight of zero COVID, air cargo capacity cuts, passenger flight capacity cuts, mounting frustration inside the company, as well, Lynda?
KINKADE: Yeah, tough times. I've flown with Cathay many times. It's a great airline, but certainly really tough all involved right now. Kristie Lu Stout, thanks so much for that report.
I want to bring in Jim Bittermann, who has more now on what's going on in France. Good to see you, Jim. So, in the lead up to elections and positive news for those in France that we should see some COVID restrictions eased next month.
JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Lynda, in fact, a lot of newspaper reporting here is linking the elections to this love this easing of restrictions that we're going to see take place in about 10 days' time.
Here's the way the very popular newspaper chair's put it this morning, the end of the crisis in sight, that is a little bit premature, given the fact that there are now about 400,000, just around 400,000 new cases each day they recorded for us. However, the Health Council, which recommended that these restrictions be ease that is basing their recommendation on the fact that the vaccination pass is going to take into effect on Monday. And that basically the number of people in the ICU who are COVID infected, in fact, are beginning to stabilize.
So, as a consequence, they recommended that starting on the second of February, you'll no longer have to wear a mask in the streets. And the end, you can also go out and about other, in other ways in a less restrictive way. And also, the 16th effect where they're going to ease some more restriction. So, basically, it's a gradual lifting of restrictions in two phases.
KINKADE: And Jim, in terms of Austria from March., anyone there at age 18 expected to be fined, quite hefty fines if they're unvaccinated.
BITTERMANN: Exactly. It's the most restrictive in Europe as a matter of fact, but it doesn't really go into effect until the middle of March. But in any case, yes, there'll be fine. And the other thing that will happen there is going to be giving out lottery tickets or anything to get people to take vaccines. They're going to give out lottery tickets for each dose of vaccination that you get. So, if you get three sort of typical with the booster, you get three chances, three chances out of 10 to win 500 euros. So, anything to encourage people get some shots.
KINKADE: Yeah, the carrot and the stick. That's the incentives. All right. Good to have you with us. Thanks, Jim Bittermann, I appreciate it.
KINKADE: Well, coming up in CNN Newsroom more than a dozen people have been killed after a horrific explosion. How a traffic accident levelled an entire town. We'll have a live report next.
Plus, defiance in Sudan. Protesters again marching through the Capitol demanding an end to months of military rule.
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[03:46:58]
KINKADE: Well, at least 17 people have died and dozens more injured after a huge explosion in western Ghana on Thursday. A visual said it happened when a truck carrying explosives for mining operations collided with a motorcycle. CNN's Stephanie Busari joins us now. And Stephanie just bring us up to speed with the latest.
STEPHANIE BUSARI, CNN DIGITAL SUPERVISING EDITOR, AFRICA: So, Lynda, we've been talking to people who witnessed the scenes of this, the aftermath of this very devastating event in Western Ghana as you say Thursday afternoon, and they described how this one's bustling and vibrant town was entirely levelled and collapsed buildings could be seen everywhere, and people been pulled out of rubble, animals and livestock strewn everywhere.
And he also -- you can just imagine the scenes of chaos. This eyewitness also described how locals join the rescue efforts themselves, pulling people out of rubble and fairing them to seek treatment as ambulances were not immediately on the scene. And the President of Ghana has described this incident as a sad, unfortunate and tragic incident. And the Vice President we're told is due to arrive at the scene to assess the situation this morning.
And, you know, this is actually not the first time that Ghana has suffered an unfortunate gas explosion. There have been several, in fact, Lynda. The worst affected blast was in 2014 -- 2015 rather when 150 people died. Lynda.
KINKADE: Yeah, just looking at these pictures out of chaos, devastation, as you say, Stephanie Busari thanks very much.
Well, dozens of judges in Sudan are speaking out about ongoing violence against pro-Democracy protesters. More than 70 people have been reportedly killed since last October's military coup, tear gas broke up a protest march in the Capitol on Thursday, two days after seven people died in unrest. U.S. diplomats say American aid to the impoverished nation will not resume until a civilian led government is in place.
Well, at least 29 people have been killed during a stampede in Liberia and with others in a critical condition, it's feared that number will rise. Take a look at the scene outside the hospital earlier today. The tragedy unfolding during a church gathering. There are reports that robbers had rushed the crowd causing a crush of people. Well, the government has declared three days of national mourning. One survivor explained what she endured.
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SALAMARTU HOLLIS, STAMPEDE SURVIVOR (through translation): Because of the crowd, I told my big sister, I said I'm feeling bad. Let's go home. Me and my sister were coming. And as soon as we reached the gate, that's when we saw a big crowd. People pushing each other falling down. That's when I told my sister let's go back but we couldn't. They'd already closed the gate. By then we were outside couldn't go back inside and people died. People were stepping on my back, my chest. I fainted and by the time I came to I was in the hospital.
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[03:50:16]
KINKADE: An investigation into the deadly incident is underway.
Extreme precautions have been taken to keep COVID out of the Chinese Capitol. But authorities the saying it's already becoming -- already being detected among Olympic arrivals. We'll have the details just ahead.
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KINKADE: Welcome back, the International Olympic Committee says COVID has already been detected among guests who have arrived in Beijing so far for the Winter Games. We're told the positivity rate in that group of 1800 is about 1.5%, but that no infections have occurred within the so-called closed loop, which includes the Olympic village and venues.
Meanwhile, dedicated lanes only for Olympic staff and athletes and are being used to keep new COVID cases from spreading to the Chinese public and other 23 locally transmitted infections were reported on Thursday. CNN's David Culver reports from Beijing.
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DAVID CULVER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Travelling into Beijing may prove to be a tougher race than an Olympic competition. These winter games taking place in a capital city that increasingly feels like a fortress, China determined to keep out any new cases of COVID 19 starting at the airport.
(on camera): This is the terminal that's going to be used by athletes, some of the Olympic personnel and media arriving into Beijing. They've got a wall up that keeps the general population away from everyone who's part of the Olympic arrivals.
(voice-over): Those coming in required to download this official app to monitor their health inputting their information starting 14 days before arriving in Beijing. While health surveillance and strict contact tracing is part of life for everyone living in China, it's making visitors uneasy. Cybersecurity researchers warn the app has serious encryption flaws, potentially compromising personal health data. China dismisses concerns but Team USA and athletes from other countries are being advised to bring disposable burner phones instead of their personal ones.
From the airport athletes and personnel will be taken into what organizers call the closed loop system, not one giant bubble so much as multiple bubbles connected by dedicated shuttles. Within the capital city, there are several hotels and venues plus the Olympic village that are only for credentialed participants.
(on camera): The dedicated transport buses will be bringing the athletes the personnel the media through these gates, but for those of us who are residents outside, this is as close as we can get.
(voice-over): Then there are the mountain venues on the outskirts of Beijing connected by a high-speed train and highways, all of them newly built for the Winter Games so as to maintain the separation. Even the rail cars are divided, and the closed loop buses given specially marked lanes.
(on camera): It is so strict that officials have told residents if they see one of the vehicles that's part of the Olympic convoys get into a crash to stay away. They've actually got a specialized unit of medics to respond to those incidents. It's all to keep the virus from potentially spreading.
[03:55:02]
(voice-over): It also helps keep visiting journalists from leaving the capital city to other regions like Xinjiang or Tibet to explore controversial topics. With the world's attention the Olympics allows China to showcase its perceived superiority in containing the virus, especially compared with countries like the US but this will in many ways also be a tale of two cities, one curated for the Olympic arrivals and pre-selected groups of spectators. Another that is the real Beijing.
Though some local Beijing residents are now in a bubble of their own. Communities lockdown after recent cases surfaced in the city outside the Olympic boundaries, a mounting challenge for a country that's trying to keep COVID out and yet still stage a global sporting spectacle to wow the world. David Culver, CNN, Beijing.
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KINKADE: Well, British Singer Adele is postponing her upcoming Las Vegas residency due to COVID-19. The multiple Grammy Award winner was set to begin a series of shows this weekend at Caesars Palace, but Adele says her show isn't ready. After half her crew came down with COVID.
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ADELE, GRAMMY WINNING SINGER: I'm so sorry but my show ain't ready. We've tried absolutely everything that we can to put it together in time and for it to be good enough for you, but we've been absolutely destroyed by delivery delays and COVID.
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KINKADE: Were tickets for the show went on sale last month and Caesars reported record breaking sales. Adele says the dates will be rescheduled.
Music fans are mourning the death of an American icon.
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KINKADE: Well, he was born Michael Lee Aday, but fans knew him as Meat Loaf, the singer who gave us hits like Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad, and I Do Anything For Love, but I Won't Do That. And, of course, this classic Paradise by The Dashboard Light. He also appeared in movies including Fight Club, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne's World. And he's verified Facebook page disappeared a short time ago. It said, our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side.
Daughters, Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours. No cause of death was shared in that post. He was 74 years old.
I'm Lynda Kinkade, thanks so much for your company. Stick around. Isa Soares will have much more news after a very short break.
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