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Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall in Cuba After Devastating Jamaica; Trump and China's Xi Set for High-Stakes Summit; . Aired 7- 7:30a ET

Aired October 29, 2025 - 07:00   ET

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

[07:00:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: The breaking news, Hurricane Melissa slamming Cuba now. It made landfall overnight after leaving a trail of massive destruction across Jamaica. This storm remains massive, roughly the size of Texas. We are tracking it all for you.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: New this morning, the FBI says it prevented a plot to attack synagogues in several states, seizing an arsenal of weapons from a suspect. They say he was also targeting public figures.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: And it's one heck of a morning in Mississippi where a truck full of research Monkeys crashes, and now rhesus monkeys are on the loose. Deputies warning, these primates aren't armed, but they are dangerous.

I'm Sara Sidner with Kate Bolduan and John Berman. This is CNN News Central.

BOLDUAN: All right. The breaking news this morning, first Jamaica, now Cuba. Hurricane Melissa has made a second landfall in Cuba as an extremely dangerous Category 3 storm. These right now are some of the most dangerous hours ahead for the island, as Melissa is bringing life-threatening flash flooding, the potential of landslides and up to 12 feet of storm surge.

The newest update shows that it is hitting with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour. Melissa is about -- it's a huge storm. It's about the size of Texas, which is about 770 miles across, if you're measuring, as it moves northeast over Cuba. The storm is expected to bring, as I mentioned, so much rain, like 25 inches of rain to some areas. More than 700,000 people have been evacuated on the island. And as the sun is going to be rising, we are getting a clearer idea of the scope of the historic devastation on Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa is the strongest storm ever on record to hit that island. The prime minister has declared all of Jamaica a disaster area with reports of catastrophic damage to homes, hospitals, schools, infrastructure, more than a half a million people there are without power.

CNN's Patrick Oppmann is in Cuba, in the thick of it right now. Patrick, what are you seeing? PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, we've been taking a beating all morning, all night, and we're very lucky we have a generator. That's how we empower hundreds of thousands of people around us. And these wind gusts come in and it's not (INAUDIBLE), and it's been like that all night long. (INAUDIBLE) pieces of roof coming often, one with incredible intensity and just feel for the people who are not structurally as solid as we are (INAUDIBLE).

There are many homes (INAUDIBLE).

BOLDUAN: All right. Patrick, we're going to work on reconnecting to make sure we can hear. You a little bit better, but let's be honest guys, he's in the middle of it. As he was saying, they have been getting hammered all throughout the night. It continues at this hour. We're going to reconnect with Patrick Oppmann and bring him in just a few. John?

BERMAN: Yes, I hope we do get back to him there. I think people can understand why the communications are so dodgy right now. He's in the middle of a Category 3 hurricane.

This storm hit as a Category 5 with winds of 180 miles per hour in Jamaica. Let's go to Jamaica. Brandon Clement is a storm chaser. Brandon, where are you, first of all, and what are you seeing?

BRANDON CLEMENT, STORM CHASER, WXCHASING: I'm currently in Kingston, and we actually have some really good weather right now. It's a little warm and muggy. That's about it, but calm winds, no rain. Last night it kind of got rough for just a little while, had some gusty winds, a lot of power outages throughout the city, some minor street flooding taking place, but Kingston was really spared.

BERMAN: So, how far out of Kingston did you get? What have you seen in terms of storm damage?

CLEMENT: We've gotten out to the central part of the island around the area of Mandeville is about the farthest west we've been able to get.

[07:05:03]

Once we hit Mandeville, of course you got a lot of trees with shallow root systems and high terrain. So, they came down very easy. So, a lot of trees down, lots of power lines down, lots of signs, minor roof damage, some roofs went off was not exactly well-built roofs. So, we had hurricane impacts there.

But once you go farther west than that, it's, without a doubt, that things dropped off really fast and got really bad. So, wherever that eye wall came in and wherever that eye wall crossed over the country, we're expecting to see total devastation.

BERMAN: Yes, total devastation. Now, I know you couldn't get there, you got as far as you could, but what's your sense, what are you hearing in terms of how bad it is from the area where the storm passed right over? CLEMENT: Oh, I mean, I don't have to -- I don't have to see it. I already know. I've done enough of these storms to know what a Category 5 eye wall looks like when it comes on shore. It's going to be complete devastation where it may impact on land for the first time. And as it crosses the country, it's going to gradually decrease in intensity, but it's still going to be very bad. Once we get out there -- we're going to try and get out there today. But I'm questioning whether or not that's possible with all the trees down, but we're going to do our best for once we get out there. Like I said, we're expecting complete and total devastation.

BERMAN: Did you see any -- as you were heading out, did you see any people heading in your direction? Was there a sense that people were trying to move out of the damaged areas?

CLEMENT: When I was out there, it was during the storm. I may see a car every two hours. It was completely empty. Everybody was much smarter than us and weren't driving around in the storm. But, yes, it was empty. So, we did see some people trying to move. We saw some people evacuating. We saw some people in the middle of the storm carrying garbage bags. Their houses were flooded in Mandeville. We saw flooding going through, you know, roofs getting ripped up, and, you know, things you see in a hurricane.

Fortunately, though, it wasn't too bad in that area, but like I said, once you get farther west than that, we understand what was happening and it was hell on Earth.

BERMAN: And we have a clear shot of you right now, which is frankly a little surprising. Talk to us about the infrastructure that exists in Kingston, because that will matter in terms of being able to get supplies and help to the areas that were harder hit.

CLEMENT: So, I'd be very surprised that the airport was damaged at all. They're doing an assessment on it today. Kingston was, I mean, absolutely spared. I think we had some 55, 60-mile-hour wind gusts maybe, so a lot of power outages throughout the city. So, power outage going to be the biggest deal. I'm on generator power. We've got underground fiber coming into to our location, so we've got great internet, we've got power. So, we're very comfortable and lucky here. But most of the city has been spared from an infrastructure standpoint outside of the power. I expect the airport to be completely functional for -- especially for aid, for aid flights.

BERMAN: Well that's good news, at least. Brandon Clement, who is in Kingston right now, where things are okay, I know you're going to head west to try to get to some of those areas that will harder hit. I expect you will find scenes of devastation there. We appreciate your help. Sara?

SIDNER: All right. Ahead on his whirlwind tour of Southeast Asia, President Trump is still talking about whether he can run for a third term, even though the Constitution is clear.

And special hacking teams, covert cyber attacks and secret operations, what we're learning about CIA action around Venezuela, some brand new CNN reporting ahead.

And extreme surf, sending at least five homes in North Carolina. Watch this crashing into the ocean.

Those stories and more ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:10:00]

SIDNER: Happening today, President Trump now hours from one of the most consequential meetings since he returned to the White House. Tonight, he'll be sitting down with China's leader, Xi Jinping, as the world's two largest economies are struggling to resolve a trade conflict that has upended the global economy.

The sit-down will take place in South Korea where the president right now is wrapping up a dinner for the APEC Summit.

CNN's Kristen Holmes is in Gwangju, South Korea. This is the most important meeting with President Trump, meeting with the prime -- good grief -- the Chinese leadership. What are you expecting to see today?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, look, if it's up to President Trump, it seems like it's going to go well. I mean, just on the days that he's been on this trip, he's been growing more and more optimistic about this meeting with the Chinese president. It started out as we don't know what's going to happen, we will see. I was hearing from White House officials that this was just an opportunity for the two men to sit face-to-face. But as of today, President Trump seems to have higher expectations. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I think we're going to have a deal. I think it'll be a good deal for both, and that's really a great result, you know? that's better than fighting and going through all sorts of problems.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: So, why his optimism is going up? That's the question. We know that his negotiators, both his U.S. negotiators and the Chinese counterparts, have come up with a framework. Clearly, they've been in constant communication ahead of this meeting, which is normal for a meeting between two heads of state, particularly where there's so much on the line.

[07:15:01]

But part of what could be fueling this optimism could also be what we're seeing here on the ground in Asia. President Trump has come out of this trip with a number of deals, particularly when it comes to rare earth minerals. Just moments ago, he was standing next to the leader of South Korea and said they had reached a deal on trade, something that had really devastated in the past because of those tariffs that President Trump had put in place the economy here in South Korea. So, that will likely, hopefully for them, be good news, but we have seen nothing of the details there.

But when it comes to what actually is hoping to be achieved here by both sides. One, President Trump is going to want some assurances on rare earth minerals. One, he's not going to want to pay more fees when it comes to bringing those rare earth minerals in. We know that he's been trying to become less dependent or have the U.S. be less dependent on China for that. That's why we're seeing him sign all these deals. And on the other side, President Xi is going to want some real promises on tariffs, the idea that he's not going, President Trump, to impose these a hundred percent tariffs that he had threatened starting November 1st.

Now, that's just the beginning. We've heard other rumors of what might be in this framework, lowering tariffs on the U.S. side for China as fentanyl had been flowing in, President Trump saying that Xi had been working on that, so they might lower those tariffs, China promising to buy soybeans from America's farmers. Obviously, that would be huge. That's something that they've been struggling with now. So, all of this is what we're hearing is in the framework, but, of course, nothing is a done deal until these two leaders sit down from across from each other and sign off on it.

SIDNER: All right. Kristen Holmes live there for us, we will be checking back in with you in South Korea. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Police find a suitcase full of ammo and body armor, and now a man is in custody. We have new details on what investigators are calling a foiled plan to attack multiple synagogues.

And game five for the Dodgers and Blue Jays is tonight after Toronto tied up the World Series at two games apiece.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:00]

BOLDUAN: It is that wonderful time again, friends, time for sports. The World Series is all tied up after the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers in game four.

Andy Scholes has all the details. Did it take 18 innings this time, Andy?

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: It did not, Kate, and thank goodness because I'm still recovering from that game three marathon. But I tell you what, nothing seems to phase these Blue Jays. They were down in the ALCS time and time again, always found a way to fight back and they did it yet again in game four, the World Series. And the celebrities were out last night in L.A. Brad Pitt, LeBron, Sydney Sweeney, Prince Harry and Meghan. They were all in attendance to see Shohei Ohtani on the mound. And he had a 1-0 in the third when Jays slugger Vlad Guerrero Jr. came to the play, and Vlad got a hold of that one, his seventh home run of the postseason, first homer Ohtani has allowed since August 27th. Now, Ohtani pitched into the seventh inning, but he left the game with runners on, and then the Jays once again, get into that Dodgers bullpen, scored four runs in the inning. Toronto would win 6-2 to even the series. It was Blue Jays' manager, John Schneider, on bouncing back from losing game three.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN SCHNEIDER, TORONTO BLUE JAYS MANAGER: I feel really good about this team every night, you know what I mean? It's hard to play 18 innings and come back and kind of flipped the narrative against a very talented team and a very talented individual in Shohei Ohtani on the mound. I feel really good about just us, you know, focusing on tomorrow's game.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: All right. So, the World Series now a best of three, game five tonight in L.A. And it's going to be a rematch of game one starters on the Mound. It's going to be Blake Snell versus Trey Yesavage.

All right, in the NHL, meanwhile, every single team was in action on Tuesday. And Jordan Martin, he had an eventful night for the Carolina Hurricanes. Second period, Martinook the steal and he goes all the way down the ice and scores. That made it 2-2.

Check out what happens to him, though, just minutes later this shot, goes right off his blade on his skate, just completely knocking it off.

BOLDUAN: How often does that happen?

SCHOLES: Yes, he's been doing his best to try to just get off the ice. But, look, it was a struggle. His teammate tried to help him. Martinook eventually just crossed his leg off of the ice. You have Vegas scored four in the third period to win that game.

BOLDUAN: Please do that video up again.

SCHOLES: 6-3.

But, yes, Kate, I feel like that all the time, right, something like that. That was me at Dodgers stadium trying to get out after game three.

BOLDUAN: Wait.

SCHOLES: He's crawling my way out.

BOLDUAN: Please cue that video up again. That just made my year and nothing against -- I know professional hockey players are beasts on so many levels. That is the funniest thing I've ever seen. It's also what I look like anytime I've ice skated with two functioning skates. That is hysterical. Oh my gosh.

SCHOLES: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Oh, I needed that today.

SCHOLES: Even those guys need two plates to skate.

BOLDUAN: Got it, so close.

So, the fact that he tried to hop on one foot is like, that's how good he is. He is like, I got this. I'm just going to hop on one millimeter of escape.

All right, we could do this for obviously ever. Thank you, Andy.

John Berman, would you hop on one skate?

BERMAN: Here's the true story. I managed the girls' ice hockey team in high school.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

BERMAN: And I got a concussion. Think about that. Let that --

BOLDUAN: Can I just say this?

BERMAN: Let that sink in. Let that sink in.

BOLDUAN: Obviously, obviously, obviously.

SCHOLES: I wish there's a video.

BERMAN: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Right? It looked like that. It looked like the one you just showed.

BOLDUAN: You got hopping off on one -- literally, I'm going to watch it all day.

BERMAN: All right, thank you all.

So, a storm the size of Texas dumping feet of rain, our first look at some of the damage after hundreds of thousands of people are displaced by Hurricane Melissa. We're trying to reestablish contact with our reporter who's right in the middle of it all right now.

[07:25:00]

And then monkey on the lam, a truck crash springs several monkeys used in medical research. For a time, there was concern the monkeys could be infected with STDs.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right. A new update on Hurricane Melissa, the storm made landfall in Southeastern Cuba a short time ago with winds of 120 miles per hour. That makes it a major Category 3 hurricane. [07:30:00]

There was vast flooding outside and inside.

Now, the island could get up to 25 inches of rain. That's in addition to potential storm surge.