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Biden Approval Rating Improves Ahead of November Voting; Congress May Move to Cut Off Arms Sales to Saudis; New Questions About Americans Detained in Russia; U.N. Votes to Condemn Russian Annexations in Ukraine; Anti-Government Protests Persist Amid Violent Crackdown; Rare Protest Against Zero-COVID Policy Erupts in Beijing. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired October 13, 2022 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Max Foster. If you're just joining us, do let me bring you up to date with our top stories this hour.

In the coming hours the January 6th committee will hold its first -- or its final rather -- public hearing. Committee members are expected to showcase new witness testimony and evidence in their case against Donald Trump's role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

That hearing comes as we learn new details about the Justice Department's investigation into Donald Trump's mishandling of classified documents. A source tells CNN the Trump employee told the FBI the former president directed them to move boxes to Mar-a-Lago after a subpoena for those documents was already given.

Now with the U.S. midterm elections less than a month away Democrats are cheered by President Biden's improved poll numbers. The hope is it'll help boost Democrats locked in tight races across the country.

According to the latest CNN polling, the president has rebounded from the 38 percent approval he had in June and July and now stands at 44 percent. That's 3 points higher than his approval rating in April and May.

Saudi Arabia denies its decision to cut oil production by 2 million barrels a day was for political reasons. But there is still a backlash brewing in the Biden White House. Following the president's visit over the summer the administration had expected the Saudis to honor a U.S. request not to slow down the oil. The president says he's now evaluating all aspects of U.S./Saudi relations. Some members of Congress say legislation is in the works to cut off future U.S. weapon sales. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. RO KHANNA (D-CA): The Saudi decision is appalling because it wreaks of ingratitude. America has done so much for Saudi Arabia. We supply them with 70 percent of their arms. We stood up for their sovereignty when Saddam Hussein was going to invade. And for them to hurt and fleece Americans in their pocketbooks at a time of crisis is just wrong and there need to be consequences. The president has said there need to be consequences.

[04:35:00]

Senator Blumenthal and I today introduced legislation to put a pause on all arm sales to the Saudis.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Americans already paying the cost for that oil cut decision by OPEC+. Gas prices have been inches closer to $4 again according to AAA, the average price for a gallon is $3.91.

We'll be closely watching Wall Street when the opening bell sounds this morning. Investors are already nervous about ongoing U.S. inflation. And if the Consumer Price Index today shows it's not under control it could trigger a selloff. The Federal Reserve's aggressive efforts to cool the economy run a very real risk of causing a recession if they overdo it. But President Biden is downplaying that scenario. CNN's Rahel Solomon has our report on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAHEL SOLOMON, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: U.S. President Joe Biden pushing back against growing concerns of a recession. During an exclusive interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Biden said I don't think there will be a recession. If it is, it will be a very slight recession.

Biden also saying that the U.S. is better off than any other major country both economically and politically -- a reference to global inflation around the world. Now the labor market does remain very tight here in the U.S. with the unemployment rate at historic lows.

Inflation, well that's proving to be persistent. The Federal Reserve's efforts to tame inflation by raising interest rates is meant to slow the U.S. economy. But critics warn it could also derail it. A new inflation report Wednesday showed producer prices or wholesale inflation rose last month 0.4 percent. That is twice what a sample of economists surveyed were expecting.

Over the last year producer prices are higher, 8.5 percent. Producer inflation gives us a sense of what's in store for consumer inflation. The idea being, if it costs more to make a good or service, part of that could make its way into the prices that we pay as consumers.

Speaking of consumer inflation, Thursday will learn if consumer prices rose in September when the government releases its CPI report. Last month it showed prices rose slightly, 0.1 percent in the month prior or 8.3 percent over the last year. Friday we also hear from three major U.S. banks when they kick off early-season for the third quarter.

Rahel Solomon, CNN, New York. (END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: And meanwhile, despite growing economic turmoil in the U.K., British Prime Minister Liz Truss is rolling out spending reductions. Truss says per government won't reverse its vast tax cuts or reduce public spending. But will instead, make sure to, quote, spend public money well. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LIZ TRUSS, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: What we're making sure is that we protect our economy at this very difficult time internationally and as a result of our actions, Mr. Speaker. And this has been independently corroborated, we will see higher growth and lower inflation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: U.K. markets have been in chaos after the finance minister announced massive tasks cuts and subsidies for energy bills last month without saying how it will all be paid for.

Meanwhile, King Charles met with Liz Truss in Buckingham Palace for the first of their weekly audiences. The British Prime Minister had earlier been grilled by lawmakers in Parliament. During her rein, Queen Elizabeth held weekly audiences with the nation's Prime Minister's to discuss government matters.

Still to come, new questions about two Americans detained in Russia. Brittney Griner has apparently been off limits to U.S. diplomats, while Paul Whelan is in prison hospital but it's unclear why.

Plus, antigovernment protesters continue to fill the streets of Tehran even as government forces are accused of using increasingly brutal tactics to try to silence them.

[04:40:00]

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FOSTER: The round of applause at the United Nations as members voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territory. 143 countries supported the resolution, only Russia, North Korea, Syria, Belarus and Nicaragua voted no. Moscow staged the sham referendums last month claiming four occupied regions had voted to become part of Russia. The U.N. resolution calls for Russia to immediately and unconditionally reverse the decisions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LYNDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N.: Colleagues, the facts are clear. A U.N. member state, one with the permanent seat on the Security Council has attempted to annex territory from its neighbor by force.

(END VIDEO CLIP) FOSTER: Russia's U.N. ambassador said Western leaders have blackmailed countries into voting for the resolution and that people in the annexed regions did not want to return to Ukraine.

U.S. diplomats say they have not had counselor access to basketball star Brittney Griner for two months now. She's serving a 9 month sentence in Russia on drug charges but her appeal hearing is coming up later this month. Meanwhile, another American detained in Russia, Paul Whelan, spoke to with family for only the second time in nearly a month. His brother says Whelan has been moved to a prison hospital but it's unclear why. The White House says it's monitoring both of these cases closely. As CNN's Kaitlan Collins has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: President Biden is also elaborating on a comment he made to CNN's Jake Tapper about potentially meeting with President Putin on something like the release of Brittney Griner saying that he would not meet with him just generally on Ukraine. But when he was asked today if there's actually been any movement when it comes to the conversations surrounding Griner's release, the president said not with Putin.

All of this comes as the White House has just released a 48-page document outlining their national security, basically their biggest priority when it comes to that. Putting China above Russia saying they're more worried about China in the long term. Though obviously Russia does pose a threat in the short term saying that the post-Cold War era is now over.

Kaitlan Collins, CNN, the White House.

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FOSTER: The crackdown on antigovernment protests continues to escalate in Iran.

Video from a pro-reform activist website shows both uniformed and pain clothed police firing weapons in the air to disperse crowds in Tehran. Eyewitnesses also report businesses were forced to close their doors as tear gas and rubber bullets were used to chase protesters away on Wednesday. It comes as Iran's education minister admits some student protesters are being detained and sent to so-called psychological centers where they can be reformed. CNN's Nada Bashir joins us now with more. That's an extraordinary move.

[04:45:00]

NADA BASHIR, CNN REPORTER: It's raising significant concerns. This new development as confirmed by the Education Minister Yousef Nouri, speaking yesterday in remarks published by the reformist newspaper, telling the newspaper that some students who had been detained are now being referred to these psychological institutions, as he's termed it, where they will undergo a program for reform and re-education according to the education minister. He's described the students as being part of the protests, displaying

anti-social behavior. Once they have been examined by experts, they will then be allowed to return to their classes.

But of course, this has raised concern and we've heard the alarm bells being rung by human rights groups earlier in the week including UNICEF who has raised concern over young people, children, teenagers being killed, injured and detained over the course of these demonstrations.

And this is really the latest sort of part of the crackdown that we've seen by the Iranian regime. The security forces of course using heavy- handed tactics against protesters still. And in just the last few days we've seen the protests still springing up, up and down the country.

FOSTER: In terms of these centers where they want to reform people, what are they saying? Learn to wear head scarves or learn not to demonstrate or this will be what happens if you continue all of this?

BASHIR: Look, it's unclear what that sort of program will entail. We heard from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaking yesterday. He described these people taking part in the protests as rioters. And said some of them are agents or in line with Iran's enemies. And that they would be dealt with by the judiciary and the security forces. But then he eluded to these psychological institutions. He said that other people taking part in these protests are just agitated -- in his words -- and that cultural work is needed.

So, of course, we have seen these protests really focusing on those severe restrictions on women's rights. But they're also now wide reaching, other grievances, of course. And there appears to be a real effort now by the regime to control the spread of discontent and disillusionment that is growing across the country.

FOSTER: OK, Nada, we'll keep watching it.

North Korea calls this a clear warning to the enemies. We're live in Seoul with Kim Jong-un's latest provocation coming up.

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FOSTER: To China now where a rare public protest has erupted against the government's zero COVID policy. It comes just a few days ahead of the Communist Party Congress in Beijing where Xi Jinping is expected to secure an unprecedented third term. Protesters hung banners on a prominent overpass in the Chinese capital. Bringing in CNN's Selina Wang following developments from Hong Kong. And you know, the other element of this is that we're getting images of it which is very powerful and very much annoyed the authorities in China.

SELINA WANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, already these photos and images are being scrubbed and censored from China's internet. I cannot overstate just how rare and extraordinary it is to have a demonstration like this, not just because it's in the capital but because it's in direct opposition and anger, directed not just at zero COVID but at Xi Jinping himself and in such a sensitive time. In Beijing right now there's a ramped up security and surveillance.

Because we are just days away from this party Congress when Xi Jinping is expected to secure that unprecedented third term. So, you can see in those photos there are two banners hung over a busy, prominent overpass in the capital in Beijing.

And one of the banners reads, "Go on Strike, Remove Dictator and National Traitor Xi Jinping."

The other banner reads, "Say No to COVID Tests, Yes to Food, No to Lockdown, Yes to Freedom, No to Lies, Yes to Dignity, No to Cultural Revolution, Yes to Reform, No to Great Leader, Yes to Vote. Don't Be a Slave, Be a Citizen."

There were also videos showing a loud Speaker with an unidentified man's voice repeating what I had just said. There were also plumes of smoke that you can see in the video but we don't know what those plumes of smoke are from.

It's unclear at this point if any arrests were made. But the people involved in this could face very severe punishment. That could include imprisonment or even worse. During the past few months, we have seen rare showings of protests and discontent because of how harsh China's zero COVID policy is. But again, to see this in the capital directed at Xi Jinping himself, this is extraordinary -- Max.

FOSTER: OK, Selina in Hong Kong, thank you.

North Korea says it has successfully fired off two long-range strategic cruise missiles. It says this demonstrates its nuclear strike capability. Leader Kim Jong-un is said to be very satisfied with the results of this particular launch. CNN's Paula Hancocks is following this live for us in Seoul. We're getting almost daily updates on this program.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We are, Max, yes. I mean, this particular one, cruise missiles, wasn't technically breaking any rules for North Korea. The cruise missile technology is not banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions as many of the other missile launches that we've seen have been.

But just the fact Kim Jong-un himself was there. He was shown on North Korean state-run media and also has been quoted as saying it is another clear warning to the enemy. So clearly this has an international feel to it. He had a message for those outside of North Korea. Also saying that it shows the capabilities of his nuclear combat forces.

But it is number 26 when we count up the number of missile launches that we've seen this year. It is a record for the North Korean leader. Kim Jong-un certainly showing that he wants to increase his weapons capability and interestingly this week was the first time in six months that North Korean state media actually reported on it. So, they have broken their silence. They are now very vocally showing and saying what they are doing and this was another example of that. So even though the missiles themselves weren't of great concern to the

region and also to Washington, certainly the fact that they are messaging it in this way would have been of concern -- Max.

FOSTER: OK. Paula, thank you.

[04:55:00]

Now it's not even Halloween but Christmas has come early with a new trailer for a highly anticipated movie. The musical "Spirited."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How did you know all that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't know, I was just following you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You were following me?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got -- I messed up in the middle there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Attack is new for me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a very expressive medium.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Apple TV+ dropped the teaser on Wednesday for the film starring Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer. It's a new take on the Christmas carol story starring Reynolds as Ebenezer Scrooge. Adaptations of the Dickens classic will all the way back to 1938. "Spirited" will hit theaters a short time in November before going to Apple's streaming service.

Now for years Hollywood's trade papers have reported actor Tom Cruise who famously does his own death defying stunt work was working on a film that would be shot in outer space. It still in the works apparently.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Open the door! Open the door!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I'm trying.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, my God!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: The head of Universal Film Entertainment Group told the BBC the project is in development aiming to film scenes on the International Space Station with Cruise potentially being the first civilian to do a spacewalk.

And staying with space, the James Webb space telescope has captured a stunning new image. 17 rings of dust created by violent interactions in a binary system. The pair of enormous stars is located more than 5,000 light years from earth called WR-140, they are spinning around each other in an eight-year long orbit. Researchers say the image reveals how intense star life can push matter around in space. Amazing.

Thanks for joining me here on CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Max Foster in London. "EARLY START" with Christine Romans is next right here on CNN.

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