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CNN International: Zelenskyy to Visit Capitol Hill Amid Shutdown Chaos, Growing Republican Resistance to More Ukraine Aid; India Suspends Visa Services for Canadian Nationals; Zelenskyy Pleads for Additional U.S. Aid for Ukraine; Rupert Murdoch Stepping Down as FOX & News Corp Chairman; Autoworkers Union: Stellantis Makes New Offer; Astronaut Frank Rubio Breaks U.S. Spaceflight Record. Aired 9- 10a ET

Aired September 21, 2023 - 09:00   ET

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

[09:00:00]

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LYNDA KINKADE, CNN HOST: Hello and welcome to CNN "Newsroom". I'm Lynda Kinkade in Atlanta just to have this hour. Zelenskyy is in Washington after leaving New York. The Ukrainian President is set to meet with lawmakers and President Biden in a push for further U.S. military aid.

A staunch ally Poland says it won't transfer any new weapons. Also, the high level talks come after Russia launched its biggest attack in weeks striking the capital of Ukraine, Ukraine carrying out new strikes too in Crimea and history in the making in Paris.

King Charles becoming the first ever British monarch to address the French Senate, the King saying Britain and France damn with Ukraine and that cube will prevail. The Ukrainian military claims it has carried out a major attack on a Russian airbase in Crimea. Russia has sent dozens of missiles across Ukraine overnight.

For the first time in months the main targets included the country's energy facilities. Our Fred Pleitgen has more from Southern Ukraine.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The Ukrainians are saying this is the first massive aerial attack on their energy infrastructure that they've seen in the past six months. So Ukrainian General Staff is saying that the Russians launched several strategic bombers from an airbase in the West.

The Luftwaffe at that then flew towards the territory of Ukraine and launched several facilities towards the territory of Ukraine. The Ukrainian General Staff was saying that of the 43 cruise missiles that were launched their air defense forces man to take out 36 of those cruise missiles.

But of course, some of those cruise missiles did manage to come to from what we're hearing from the Ukrainians. They say that the damage was most extensive in the west of the country and in central parts of the country, especially energy infrastructure, but there's also one town called Cherkasy where a hotel was hit.

And the Ukrainians are saying that there are a lot of injured people on the ground there. The Ukrainians say that this is the first time in half a year that they've seen the team extensive attack on their energy infrastructure very significant for them, because right now we are of course in fall.

The end the Ukrainians say that they feeding see isn't here in this country is approaching. There are some areas that were without power for a certain amount of time that the Ukrainian says they are trying to restore that power as fast as they can. Fred Pleitgen CNN, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

KINKADE: Well, the Russian attacks come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Washington meeting with U.S. lawmakers. He's seeking more support from U.S. Congress that opposition to additional funding has been growing amongst House Republicans. Lauren Fox explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAUREN FOX, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, returning to Capitol Hill for the second time in less than a year, only this time the political landscape in Washington has shifted.

REP. BYRON DONALDS (R-FL): The hardest thing I'll tell you is there's no money in the house right now for Ukraine. It's not a good time for him to be here, quite frankly. That's just the reality.

FOX (voice-over): While there is still broad bipartisan support to fund that war effort in Ukraine, Republicans in the House are bitterly divided as they debate a path forward to avert a government shutdown. Cracks in the conference have been building for months.

In July, 70 House Republicans voted district Ukraine of all U.S. military aid as part of the debate on the defense bill while Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell has been a dogged supporter of funding the war.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): These people in Ukraine who were fighting for their independence are taking on one of the two big adversaries we have Russia and China. It seems to me we ought to be helping.

FOX (voice-over): McCarthy facing growing rebellion in his right flank has been more circumspect.

REP. KEVIN MCCARTHY (R-CA): Is Zelenskyy elected to Congress? Is he our President? I don't think I have to commit anything. I have questions for him. Where's the accountability on the money we already spent? What is the plan for victory?

FOX (voice-over): The skepticism reflects a shift in public opinion. A CNN poll in August found most Americans are now opposed to more Ukraine funding. Among Republicans that number is higher at 71 percent. REP. SCOTT PERRY (R-PA): Our people can't afford their electric bills, their gas bills or their food bills and before we sent blank checks to some of their country, we need to take care of our people.

FOX (voice-over): Today Zelenskyy will make his case to bipartisan leaders, including McCarthy, who will ultimately decide if he'll cross his hardliners to put Ukraine aid to a vote.

REP. ABIGAIL SPANBERGER (D-VA): If he lives in this constant fear that one member on his far right is going to take the action of motioning to vacate the chair thereby removing him from the speakership.

[09:05:00]

I mean, we are making day to day decisions or not making day to day decisions, because one guy wants to keep his job. But as the war in Ukraine rages on, even Republicans who made back the effort say they want more accountability.

REP. GARRET GRAVES (R-LA): This administration has both accountability and transparency issues they've got to address before they deserve another -- .

FOX (voice-over): On Tuesday, President Joe Biden made his impassioned plea to the United Nations warning of the cost of inaction.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF U.N.ITED STATES OF AMERICA: If you allow Ukraine to be carved up is the independence of any nation secure.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, later today, President Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with President Biden. Arlette Saenz joins us now from the White House with more on this. So, Arlette, Russia attacked Ukraine again, overnight it hitting the capital and targeting energy infrastructure.

This is hours before the Ukrainian President is set to meet with President Biden. What's on the table when these two meet and what sorts of case will Zelenskyy have to make to the President?

ARLETTE SAENZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Lynda, when President Biden sits down here with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy he's interested in hearing the battlefield perspective from the Ukrainian President. That's according to White House officials who say President Biden wants to hear more about what specific needs Zelenskyy will need as this counter offensive wages on.

But it does come at a time as you heard Lauren point out there, where there has been very real skepticism up on Capitol Hill specifically with Republicans about whether the U.S. should be providing more aid to Ukraine. Now, in the President's view, this aid is critical. That is why he's asked for that $24 billion from Congress.

But it's unclear whether that actually has the ability to get across the finish line. Now, while Zelenskyy is here in Washington, the White House is also expected to announce a new round of military assistance, which will include artillery, anti-armor, anti-aircraft and air defense capabilities.

But one thing that is not expected to be part of this package are those attack at arms, those long ranged army tactical missile systems that Ukraine has adamantly pushed for quite some time Ukrainian President Zelenskyy telling our colleague Wolf Blitzer, he would be disappointed if this type of machinery would not make its way into Ukraine's hands.

Now, the White House has not ruled out the possibility of giving the attack comes to Ukraine at some point. And they've noted that there have been times in the past where they have really changed and revolutionize what kind of equipment they are providing to Ukraine.

So it's not ruled out down the road. But for the time being, it does not appear it's going to be part of this package. Now, while Zelenskyy enjoys incredible support from President Biden and his administration. He is coming to Washington in a different political environment when he was here just nine months ago, at the White House and up on Capitol Hill.

Democrats were in control of the House, there was a broader support for aid to Ukraine. But now there is some resistance that has been bubbling up and emerging that's very real within the Republican caucus, specifically in the house, even though there is bipartisan support for Ukraine aid up in the Senate.

So, one of the challenges for Zelenskyy and for Biden today is going to be continuing to make that case, as the White House has tried to ensure that there will be support for Ukraine in the long haul.

KINKADE: All right. Arlette Saenz we will be following up meeting closely later today. Good to have you there for us outside the White House. Thank you. Well, Ukraine is now facing another battle on a diplomatic front as relations with one of its staunchest allies in the war continues to deteriorate.

Poland says it won't provide new weapons to Ukraine, as tensions rise between the two countries who dispute centers on a temporary ban on Ukrainian grain imports to some EU countries. CNN Investigative Producer Katie Polglase is following the story and joins us from London, Katie, good to have you with us.

So Poland now obviously is one of Ukraine's strongest allies. But it's now saying it won't supply new weapons to Ukraine because of this route over grain exports. Just explain what's upsetting Poland.

KATIE POLGLASE, CNN INVESTIGATIVE PRODUCER: That's why Lynda, this is an ally of Ukraine. They are on the same side, ostensibly. But what has happened here is really all about grain. It's obviously now escalated to other things as well. You mentioned the weapons no longer being delivered to Ukraine, but this started with grain.

The issue was that Ukraine decided to export grain to their European neighbors at a cheaper price. Now that started to undercut the farmers in areas such as Poland, upsetting Poland, which meant that they decided to ban the input of Ukrainian grain of course. The Ukrainian leadership became very unhappy about that, as a result of that the European Union just last week that they would be suspending that ban. But of course that has also now led to further escalation and the Polish side says that they will defy that ban.

[09:10:00]

As a result of this, there's been a war of words, including from Zelenskyy himself what he was at the U.N., referencing Poland and saying it was unacceptable for them not to be importing Ukrainian grain. We've since been hearing reports that Ukraine has been losing millions of Euros a month as a result of these neighboring countries, including Poland, not importing this grain.

What it has now led to in the past day or so is really now an announcement that they will no longer be delivering weaponry to Ukraine as well. And that escalation is significant because, of course, this military aid from the European partners, and of course, their U.S. partners.

Zelenskyy in D.C. as we speak is crucial for Ukraine's counter offensive. And so perhaps in a notable shift of tone to de-escalate the situation we're hearing today that Ukraine's Agrarian minister had a phone call with his Polish counterpart to discuss the issue.

And also to discuss notably, Ukraine's proposal to resolve the situation perhaps, and admitted that Ukraine is open to options and open to discussing a way to de-escalate the situation. And it's notable this comes at the same time Ukraine has made agreements now with Slovakia.

They also had issues importing Ukrainian grain and wanted to ban it. They have now come to an agreement, apparently regarding licensing and controlling the grain that comes into Slovakia. We don't have any more details than that at the moment. But that indicates that compromises can be made. And perhaps something similar could happen for Ukraine and Poland, as well, Lynda.

KINKADE: All right, Katie Polglase, good to have you on the story for us from London. Thanks so much. Well, Britain's King Charles has addressed at the French Senate in a passionate speech today switching between English and France. She hailed the country's commitment to supporting Ukraine.

And spoke strongly about a topic near and dear to his heart, climate change. Max Foster has been following his trip from Paris and joins us now live. Good to have you with us, Max. So King Charles spoke about this indispensable U.K.-French relationship as he made this historic address in the French Senate. And for the most part, he spoke in French. How did he do?

MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'm not French, but all the French speakers I've spoken to said he did really well, they were quite surprised, actually. And a lot of it, as you say, was in French. And this was a very rare honor indeed, there's very few Heads of State that have been allowed to address the floor, the actual floor of the Senate, and certainly no other British Kings or Queens.

So that was a big honor for him. And it went down in incredibly well, because there was this 1.5 minute standing ovation afterwards. And he couldn't sit down. He didn't really know what to do with himself, because he couldn't sit down till it was over. But it went down really well.

And I think that it was a reminder really, that there are deep, long term historic ties between the U.K. and France. Politically, they've been much damaged since Britain left the European Union. And I don't think Boris Johnson helped with that sort of personal relationship either.

Certainly was not President Macron. And so this was a reminder that there were historic ties, Britain has always stood by France, in the past, in the war, for example, all these reminders really came through for many of the politicians there. So he did what he was sent to do by the British government, which was, you know, reestablish those ties that seem to have gone down pretty well.

KINKADE: Excellent. Good to see and thanks so much for that Max, Max Foster from Paris. Thank you. We've got some "Breaking News", just coming in to CNN; Rupert Murdoch has announced that he's stepping down as the Chairman of Fox Corporation and FOX News.

In his statement, he said the time is right for him to take on different roles. His eldest son Lachlan will become the sole chairman of both companies. India has expanded Visa services for Canadian nationals, while Canada says it's temporarily adjusting its diplomatic staff in India.

It's just the latest developments in a diplomatic spat between the two nations, which has been deepening since the Canadian Prime Minister linked New Delhi to the assassination of our Sikh activist on Canadian soil. Our Vedika Sud defying the story, Vedika, this diplomatic tit for tat continues is going from bad to worse.

VEDIKA SUD, CNN REPORTER: Absolutely, and given the developments over the last couple of hours, Lynda, certainly it is going south. Now you did mention the two developments. The first is that India will not be issuing Visas to Canadian nationals. And this is not only for Canadian nationals within their country, but even in countries outside Canada.

Huge bold step being taken there and the reason given by the Minister of External Affairs here in India, is this, a statement by Arindam Bagchi who's the spokesperson of the MEA? Let us listen to what he had to say when this question was put to him at the media briefing that included about 40 minutes back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARINDAM BAGCHI, SPOKESMAN, INDIA'S MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: You are aware of the security threats being faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada.

[09:15:00]

This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our high commission and consulates are temporarily unable to process Visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SUD: Lynda, you know, these briefings take place almost every Thursday of the month, and it did today. And it lasted for about 45 minutes of which we were here calculating about 42 minutes was just on the issue and the face-off between the two nations.

More than 35 questions were posed to the spokesperson of the MEA here in New Delhi, on just the deteriorating ties between India and Canada. Now, the other development, of course, like you mentioned, is that Canada will be downsizing its diplomatic presence in India.

And they did issue a statement a couple of hours back. I'm going to read from that statement. They said, with some diplomats having received threats in various social media platforms, Global Affairs, Canada is assessing its staff complement in India. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India.

That's a huge step that they are taking and responding to that in that media briefing today, the spokesperson did confirm that they had put a request to Canada to do this, because their numbers according to the spokesperson, in terms of the presence of diplomats in India is much larger than the presence of Indian diplomats in Canada.

Also, the spokesperson then went on to say there should be parity in rank. Now, it's just intensifying the tensions between the two countries and this is essentially over the Khalistan movement, a movement by six separators for a separate homeland in the state of Punjab here in India.

And India has always gone to Canada requesting for them to take action against what they call anti-India elements and extremists in Canada in their claims. Nothing much has been done about this by Canada over the decades, back to you.

KINKADE: Vedika Sud for us in New Delhi. Thanks for joining us. Well, still ahead on the programs Zelenskyy is in the U.S. capital why his second wartime visit to Washington is so significant, plus, the longest mission for any American and NASA astronauts spending a year in space, that story coming up.

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[09:20:00]

KINKADE: Welcome back, I'm Lynda Kinkade Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting with U.S. lawmakers in Washington today ahead of his visit to the White House. President Biden is trying to shore up support for a $24 billion package for Ukraine. But some House Republicans are not on board. Well, joining us now is Orysia Lutsevych. Good to have you with us. She is the Deputy Director of the Russian and Eurasia Programme and the Head of the Ukraine forum at Chatham House. Thanks for your time.

ORYSIA LUTSEVYCH, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF RUSSIA AND EURASIA PROGRAMME AT CHATHAM HOUSE: Sure, good to be with you, Lynda.

KINKADE: So the Ukrainian President is again going to make a case for Ukraine. He has to get some of these Republican lawmakers on board. But some of the comments he's already said at the UNGA have backfired terribly. I'm talking about Poland, one of Ukraine's most loyal allies now saying that it won't give Ukraine any more new weapons, explain why?

LUTSEVYCH: Well, Poland is the next bordering country with Ukraine that is in a way in the nature of perception of frontline state. So Poland's decision to give as much as it had in a stockpile was very much a decision to defend itself, because Ukraine is as shield of Poland, holding its defenses against Russian aggression.

Of course now, let's remember, there are elections in Poland as much as in United States. This is linked to the current leadership trying to show that they put Polish interest first. And there are risks in breaking away of some of that solidarity but let's also not exaggerate. Poland said that it will also continue its commitments on previous contracts.

So it will deliver on new existing obligations, but it will not take what it has in a stockpile, because they are extremely depleted.

KINKADE: And of course, Poland making the case that it has already given a third of its weaponry to Ukraine. But in terms of the U.S. Steel, we know that U.S. President Biden is planning to make a further delivery of aid to Ukraine. That's on top of the $40 billion that the U.S. has already spent on this war.

There are obviously Republicans saying when is it going to stop? When are we going to see a peace deal on the table? What case does Zelenskyy need to make today?

LUTSEVYCH: Nobody wants to stop this war more than Ukrainians. I spent last two weeks in Ukraine. And you see the burden of the society scaring weights losing its best men and women in this horrific battle. But the case is simple. Russia has not changed its objectives to destroy Ukraine as an independent state.

We not only see Ukrainian counter offensive, but also Russians are mobilizing. They're bringing more deployment inside Ukraine. And their rhetoric is that we must destroy independent Ukraine. And if Ukraine collapses, if Ukraine is not getting timely, and actually increased military assistance, this will hugely destabilize the whole of European continent.

Ukraine is the geographic center of that continent. And deacon of some kind of, you know, limit on Russian imperial aggression. So this is much bigger than state that territory, or then Ukraine itself. This is where we should be looking at. It's actually to protect the wider European continent and also to deter China.

Because China clearly is watching how this war will end and whether European and transatlantic community, under the U.S. leadership, will be able to stick in it together.

KINKADE: Orysia, there is of course, an election here in the U.S. next year. Donald Trump is the front runner for the Republican Party. And a Trump presidency would mean potentially the end of military and financial aid to Ukraine. He's already suggested that he would make a fair deal, which is what he calls it an endless war in 24 hours getting Russia and Ukraine on board.

As Zelenskyy says, I don't buy that because no peace deal will mean giving some of my territory to Russia. That's not going to happen. What does Zelenskyy face? What is the Ukraine face if Trump wins the next election in the U.S. and what does it mean more broadly for Europe?

LUTSEVYCH: Well, we know it well, that there are two different things. One is election campaign and another one somebody becomes the President. I don't deny and everybody is quite aware and has the chill on the backs in case President Trump the reef is reelected again.

[09:25:00]

And indeed puts in action this plan to which we have no detail but that means actually that Europe will have to shore up much more its own defense industrial complex because this war is in Europe. Unfortunately, it's very slow in building its own capacities. Countries like Germany are lagging behind.

There are no streamlined procedures for common European industrial production and military production. So I think its key between now and whoever is in the White House that Europe takes its own defense seriously and continues to build its deterrence against Russia and to ensure Ukraine wins on the battlefield.

KINKADE: Orysia, the savage of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House, we appreciate your time today. Thank you.

LUTSEVYCH: Thank you.

KINKADE: Well, we are going to take a quick break.

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KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. I want to return to our "Breaking News" story coming into us here at CNN Rupert Murdoch has announced his stepping down as Chairman of News Corp and FOX News. In his statement he said the time is right for him to take on different roles.

His eldest son Lachlan will become the sole Chairman of both companies. Anna Steward has jumped on this story a short time ago and is joining us now live from London. We do know that Rupert Murdoch has put out a statement on this at the age of 92 finally stepping away from his roles. What is he saying?

[09:30:00]

ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: 92-years-old decent age, I would say for anyone to retire and yet it's still taken us slightly by surprise. It's hard to imagine this media empire without the tycoon that is Rupert Murdoch, at the head of it. He first dipped his toes into the newspaper business in the 1950s.

And it's obviously bought up a load of companies and become such a big voice in the media, news and entertainment business. In the statement that we have from Rupert Murdoch, he says he's just decided to transition to the role of Chairman Emiratis at Fox and News. As he said, his son Lachlan will also now be taking the role in his place, which wasn't always clear.

I mean, the succession story of Rupert Murdoch is clearly one so interesting, that spawned a certain idea for a rather good TV series of irises, and this is a very interesting move. Lachlan Murdoch was always really perhaps considered to be the golden child, the most likely heir apparent.

But there weren't, there were some sort of rocky phases during that, I remember him quitting a job at News Corp in 2005. And people question whether that was it. Now I'm going to take you through some of the statement that we've got here. Rupert Murdoch says our companies are in robust health, as am I. Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges.

We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years, I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them. I have a big question about what this will mean for votes on the board. And how much will this man step back? Rupert Murdoch, it's hard not to envisage him looking over the shoulder of his son, Lynda?

KINKADE: Yes, that is my question. Because he didn't say he's going to retire, just step back and take on some different roles. So we'll see what comes of that. Anna Stewart for us in London, thank you. And maybe Richard Quest might be able to shed some more light on that. Richard is joining us on the phone.

So Richard, we know Rupert Murdoch has been in the business for over 70 years. He's not retiring, but he is stepping down from his role as chairman with both News Corp and Fox Corp. What do you make of this move?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR-AT-LARGE: I think it's very, very clever. It's exactly in line with the sort of strategy that Rupert Murdoch has exhibited over all those decades. But the reality is, Lynda, I mean, you're an Australian, you've had Murdoch around in your life, all your life, my entire professional life of some 40 odd years.

Rupert Murdoch has been a presence, right the way back to when I was a trainee, in the mid-1980s. When he closed whopping, I thought he closed Fleet Street and opened whopping to print his London newspapers. And then you push forward through to the phone hacking standoff, where he overnight flows, one of his most profitable titles to News of the World.

And then he gives evidence, he gets a pie in the face. He was ahead of the game, Lynda, when he decided to merge companies, and then split them again. He was constantly looking, you know, between the higher profile, higher performing companies like Fox, and the movies. But his heart was always in News Corp.

The print, the touch of the paper, and certain to say that he's stepping down is, I think, a misnomer to say he's stepping away, I think is an error. I think what he's doing is going to let Lachlan run the company, as he probably has been on a de facto basis. And Rupert's going to watch.

KINKADE: And I wonder what this means, Richard, in light of this upcoming U.S. election in 2024, because we know that Rupert Murdoch obviously has always had his take on where things stand in elections. And we know that there was a new book out recently, which explained or at least gave some, some insight as to his perspective on Donald Trump running again as the next Republican presidential candidate.

The bulk of the fall, the end of FOX News, and the Murdoch dynasty, by Michael Wolff wrote that Rupert Murdoch has been frothing at the mouth, over Donald Trump in the lead up to this next election. What sort of take do you think we'll see going forward? Will it be much the same in terms of his presence and his voice coming through?

QUEST: Oh, absolutely. But, but it will be channeled via Lachlan, who won't be a puppet. Lachlan believes the same. So I would say if you want to see where FOX News is going with regard vis-a-vis Donald Trump, look at what we learned in the voter machines case, where we saw the email and the messages from Lachlan about Trump. Where we saw how Lachlan was maneuvering things towards Trump.

[09:35:00]

That's going to be the way forward to the core question of whether there is daylight between Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch. The answer is probably not much, because otherwise you wouldn't have been given the job. Lachlan has been running the companies de facto for some years now.

I think, I think Rupert Murdoch remains kingmaker in many ways. I think Lachlan remains the executioner of the policy in all ways. And I think it is a fool that dismisses Rupert Murdoch now, just because he says, I mean, look, even the phrase Chairman Emeritus. Chairman Emeritus always leaves room for people like me to say, are you a backseat driver?

You either go yesterday. Well, in this case, he's sort of having his cake and eating it, which as I said, at the beginning, is classic Rupert Murdoch.

KINKADE: And it was interesting Richard, a short time ago, and I was speaking to Anna Stewart, she was alluding to the drama that plays out on the show succession as to which child would take the reins in these sort of dynasties. And in terms of Lachlan Murdoch, why, why was he the standout?

QUEST: Well, I think he stands out because he's had the most experience, and he is walking in lockstep with his father. If you look at the other two candidates, primary candidates, you're talking about James Murdoch, and Elizabeth Murdoch. Well, Elizabeth has basically run various production companies, some successfully others not so.

But she's now in her 60s, and she has basically said, I'm not interested. I don't want it. I've got my production company, Los Angeles, London, fine. James Murdoch, on the other hand, has now given up all of his major roles within the company. And has made it quite clear, he is not in agreement with the way that his father and his brother have been in relation to Trump democracy.

He has been highly critical of that. So it is unthinkable that James Murdoch would be there. And it has been that way for some years, by the way, ever since he gave his of his roles in -- and a whole load of other things.

The reality of Rupert Murdoch is that the genius has always had some form of scandal surrounding regardless, phone hacking, Donald Trump, and issues of the company and the company's ownership the oversized weight and the company that the family shareholding has his various marriages over many years.

And therefore, it is almost certainly important day to mark that he steps back. But don't be fooled. Lachlan has been running the company, Lachlan is the man.

KINKADE: And of course during the COVID pandemic, Lachlan moved his entire family back to Australia. It wasn't that long ago that he kind of started spending more time here in the United States. I suspect you'll have to make more of a permanent move here if he's going to run these major corporations.

QUEST: Oh, look, this family has played ducks and drakes with nationalities and moving their entire life. Yes, remember Rupert Murdoch himself, change nationalities took U.S. citizenship, so he could buy local television stations, because non-U.S. citizens were not permitted to buy them.

So there's the idea that Lachlan will shift here or shift there, spend more time in the U.S. or so. These are people with fleets of planes at their disposal, multiple homes where they can live, where their bum happens to be at night, seems to be pretty irrelevant.

KINKADE: Just looking at these pictures of Lachlan Murdoch and his wife Sarah, I worked with Sarah, back in Australia many years ago at -- Australia. She is a wonderful woman. We are waiting to see what this means for the company going forward. Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as Chairman of FOX News and News Corp.

We will see how things progress, but Richard Quest good to get your perspective on that breaking news. Stay with CNN, we'll be right back.

QUEST: Thank you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:40:00]

KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. One week into the U.S. auto workers strike and one of the big three manufacturers has made a new offer. That's according to union officials. Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler is expected to be back at the main bargaining table, while GM and Ford talks continue behind the scenes.

Vanessa Yurkevich, she's following the developments and joins us now, Vanessa, good to have you on the story, so where negotiations at right now?

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so we know that Ford and General Motors met with UAW at that main bargaining table yesterday. But we really haven't heard much about progress since yesterday. Usually the union when they think that something is moving in the right direction, they may come out with something like reasonable progress has been made.

We haven't heard much on that front. But Stellantis did make a new offer. And that is the first new offer that any of the big three have made since the strike started. And Stellantis in the Union scheduled to be back at the negotiating table today. But you know there are about 12,700 people on strike right now from the union.

But what is happening is by noon tomorrow, if there's not substantial progress, in the words of UAW President Shawn Fain, he's going to authorize more strikes at more plants. And we've already seen Lynda, the ripple effect of just less than 13,000 people on strike.

Ford announcing that they've had to lay off six or 600 people, Stellantis just yesterday saying that 68 people are immediately laid off with possibly 300 plus coming and General Motors confirming yesterday that 2000 people are now on layoff.

So if there are more people that are authorized to go on strike at different plants, we can expect that the companies will lay off additional workers. And if you remember, last week, we had that strike deadline where the two sides had to come up with a deal. Otherwise, there would be a strike. This is almost like a new deadline that's being set by the union.

We expect that tomorrow around noon, we'll know if any progress has been made. And if not UAW president saying that he's going to send more strikers to the picket line, something that really the automakers do not want to see because it's impacting business. And Lynda as the strikes grow larger and larger, obviously, the economic impact on these automakers are going to be more substantial, but we know the two sides really seem quite far apart.

If you remember the UAW asking for 40 percent in wage increases the last public offers that we've seen from these automakers, 20 percent that's a big gap to make up, Lynda.

KINKADE: A huge gap. Vanessa Yurkevich, good to have you on the story for us. Thanks so much.

YURKEVICH: Thanks.

KINKADE: Well, there is some growing optimism that another major U.S. labor dispute may be nearing its end, striking writers and producers are back at the bargaining table with Hollywood studios.

[09:45:00]

And in a positive sign studio heads have joined the negotiations. New talks are scheduled for Thursday. Strike has paralyzed Hollywood since May. Well, the first round of peace talks on the future of a breakaway territory in Azerbaijan have wrapped up taking place the day after a ceasefire was caught.

Negotiators from the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region met with representatives from Baku to talk about the future of its ethnic Armenian residents. Well for more on this, Salma Abdelaziz is following the developments and joins us live. So these are the first talks since the announcement of that ceasefire. Where negotiations at right now?

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Those talks were described as constructive in positive Lynda, there is something very important to note here. This is a very long running conflict nearly three decades, two wars. And it all concerns of course, this tiny, ethnically Armenian enclave, home to some 120,000 estimated people.

But a huge difference here now and that is during the ceasefire yesterday, the separatists, the Armenian separatists of Nagorno- Karabakh agreed to disarm, agree to lay down their arms that brings Azerbaijan ever closer to its goal of integrating this enclave. Of course, this area is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

Why these changes? Why finally are the separatists agreeing to lay down arms agreeing to hand over weapons potentially to Azerbaijan? Well, that is because their supporters, if you will, are wavering Armenia, which is seen of course as the major backer of the ethnic minority, they're the ethnic Armenians.

There has taken hands off approach saying it is not involved in these mediations. It does recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan that set off demonstrations Wednesday by many who felt that their government was failing the ethnic Armenians of Azerbaijan. Russia, as well, which is a mediator has been a mediator in these talks and was able to negotiate that ceasefire on Wednesday.

Russia has been seen as the security guarantor for Armenia and those Armenians. It also has been pulling away taking a hands off approach as it gets more involved in the Ukraine conflict. But all of that means that the ethnic Armenians again living in that enclave feel very much alone. They face the military offensive by Azerbaijan this week that reportedly killed dozens, including civilians and children. They faced a month along the blockade, one that they say that the Armenian separatists say has resulted in humanitarian concerns in that enclave.

So going forward with these talks and the statement from all warring sides is that talks will continue without a scheduled date is what does disarmament look like? And what does it mean to integrate the tens of thousands of Armenians in that enclave? They will be concerned of course about equal rights, about humanitarian, access about being given what they feel like is their place in Azerbaijan.

KINKADE: Yes, integration a huge question. Salma Abdelaziz for us in London thanks so much. Still to come after to the break, imagine spending a year above Earth. A NASA astronaut has taken the crown for the longest time an American has been in space; we'll have that story in a live report next.

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[09:50:00]

KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio has passed an historic milestone. He has become the first American to spend a full year in space.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): And lift off, a sunset start to the mission of Rubio -- to the International Space Station.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Rubio spent an extra six months aboard the International Space Station because of trouble with a Russian ride home. Well, for the record, a Russian cosmonaut holds the world record for the longest time in space having spent 437 days in orbit. Our Space and Defense Correspondent Kristin Fisher joins me now.

Good to see you Kristin. So this was an astronaut who was the only man to spend six months in space. Instead he's now returning to Earth after 12 months who returned next week. Explain the delay.

KRISTIN FISHER, CNN SPACE AND DEFENSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, there was an issue with the Russian Soyuz spacecraft that he was supposed to be catching a ride home on. And you know, Lynda, it's not all that uncommon for an astronaut stay up at the International Space Station to be extended by a little bit.

What makes this situation so rare is that his time up there essentially doubled. And oh yes, he has a wife and four children waiting for him back on Earth.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): And lift off. FISHER (voice-over): A few weeks before NASA Astronaut Frank Rubio launched to the International Space Station with two cosmonauts on a Russian Soyuz rocket. I spoke with him about the geopolitical tensions that he'd be leaving behind on Earth.

FISHER: Did you ever have any second thoughts about flying on a Russian Soyuz in the middle of this conflict with Ukraine?

FRANK RUBIO, NASA ASTRONAUT: You know, again, not really because I do, I trust my crew wholeheartedly, if anything, right there's a little bit of nerves about the whole big picture of going to space for the first time, spending six months up there.

FISHER (voice-over): But six months quickly turned into a full year after his ride home the Soyuz spacecraft was struck by a small object in space, puncturing the Soyuz's radiator and spilling coolant into space.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): A stream of particles.

FISHER (voice-over): Russia Space Agency, Roscosmos decided the spacecraft was unsafe. And a replacement Soyuz would need to be sent to bring the crew home for Rubio, who was on his first spaceflight and had just become the first Salvadoran American to go to space. It meant being away from his wife and four children for double the time that he'd been preparing for.

FISHER: If you had known at the time you launched that you were going to be up in space for a full year, instead of six months. Would you have still done it?

RUBIO: Yes. Hey, Kristin, it's good to talk to you again. I think it would have depended on what I would have found out. Obviously, if, if they had asked me up front before you start training, because you do train for a year or two years for your mission. I probably would have declined and that's only because of family, things that were going on this past year.

And had I known that I would have had to miss those very important events. I just would have had to say thank you, but no, thank you. But once you commit to the mission, once you're a part of the training, I would have been committed to the mission.

FISHER (voice-over): By the time Rubio returns to Earth next week, he will have been in space for 371 days longer than any other American in history. Three spacewalks conducted dozens of science experiments. But perhaps the most interesting experiment for this army doctor turned astronaut is the one that zero gravity has been conducting on his own body.

RUBIO: The reality is we're not standing, we're not walking. We're not bearing our own weight and so it'll be anywhere from two to six months before I essentially say that I feel normal.

FISHER (voice-over): And normal is exactly what Rubio is craving, spending time with his family and time outside these walls on Earth. RUBIO: Oh, up here we kind of have the constant hum of machinery that's keeping us alive. And so, I'm looking forward to just being outside and enjoying the peace and quiet.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FISHER (on camera): Now if all goes according to plan, Dr. Frank Rubio will be back on Earth next Wednesday. But Lynda just imagine, what that for just breath of fresh air must feel like after spending over a year essentially living inside of a machine.

[09:55:00]

You know, you hear Dr. Rubio talk about the humming and the constant noise, all this stuff up there that keeps him alive. But you have to imagine that after a while, even though it keeps you alive, it has to get a little bit annoying. And you hear him say, he just wants some peace and quiet now.

KINKADE: I don't know. I think he said he had four kids. I don't know if he's going to get that peace and quiet with four kids.

FISHER: That's a great point, actually. But hey, at least it's your kids bugging you and not the hum of machines, right?

KINKADE: Yes, I've heard that they cannot wait to wrap their arms around him and congratulations to you on returning after your second baby.

FISHER: Oh, thank you so much. I mean, hey, I will sometimes take the hum of machines over the kids, right. I see your point has been taken.

KINKADE: Exactly. I hope you're getting some sleep. Good to have you with us.

FISHER: Thank you.

KINKADE: Kristin Fisher, welcome back.

FISHER: Thanks.

KINKADE: And thanks so much for joining us for this show, CNN Newsroom. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Stay with us. "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson is next.

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