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U.S. and Chinese Officials Agree on Trade Deal Framework; Japan's New, Conservative Prime Minister to Meet with Trump; Hurricane Melissa Intensifies Ahead of Landfall in Jamaica; 3 Dead, 33 Wounded as Russian Drones Strike Kyiv; French Police Arrest Two Suspects Amid Louvre Heist Manhunt; Duffy: Airline Delays, Cancellations to Worsen; Gov. Newsom in Online Feud with Joe Rogan; Startup Aims to Make Recycling Safer & Smarter. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired October 27, 2025 - 00:00   ET

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

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hey, everybody. Thank you so much for starting your week with us. I'm Polo Sandoval, live in New York, and this is CNN NEWSROOM.

[00:00:41]

Both Washington and Beijing announcing that they have reached a framework of a deal to avoid an escalating trade war. We'll take you live to Asia in moments.

And forecasters are warning residents in Jamaica to seek shelter now. And this as Hurricane Melissa nears Category 5 strength, likely to bring catastrophic destruction to the zone.

And Vladimir Putin, with an ominous announcement amid a breakdown in diplomatic talks with the U.S. and Ukraine.

ANNOUNCER: Live from New York, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Polo Sandoval.

SANDOVAL: All right. Let's begin with the U.S. president, as he's expected to arrive in Tokyo in the coming hours after leaving Malaysia. This will be the second stop of Donald Trump's six-day, three-nation tour of Asia. His goal is strengthening his diplomatic ties in the region, according to the White House.

He's planning to meet with the Japanese emperor, as well as the newly elected prime minister.

But all eyes will be on his upcoming summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, and that's expected to happen later this week.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says that the U.S. and China, they've already agreed on a so-called framework for a trade deal. And this after a new round of trade talks in Malaysia.

Now, if the deal is finalized, this could avoid a tariff hike of 157 percent on Chinese goods. So, a lot at stake here. CNN's Hanako Montgomery is in Tokyo ahead of President Trump's visit.

But first, wondering if we can go to Kristie Lu Stout, who's live in Hong Kong, with more on the details on this potential U.S.-China trade deal.

Kristie, statements from the Chinese government and coming from the U.S. treasury secretary, they seem to be offering some optimism that the U.S. and China are likely to seal a deal later this week.

From your reporting, is there any insight on what that deal could look like?

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT/ANCHOR: Yes, we are indeed getting some insight as to what that deal will look like, Polo. And the markets, as well, which is why global markets have been buoyant as they're pricing in what they are anticipating to be another trade truce.

Now, look, the U.S. and China, they have reached a framework deal on trade ahead of a key meeting between the U.S. president, Donald Trump, and the Chinese president, Xi Jinping.

In fact, we heard from one top Chinese trade official who said, quote, "A preliminary consensus has been reached over the weekend on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur."

We also heard from the U.S. treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, who said that he expects the Chinese to delay export curbs on rare earths for a year.

Now, remember, earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to slap tariffs -- new tariffs, about 100 percent, on Chinese goods in response to Chinese curbs on rare earths.

Now, while in the region, Trump has been very bullish about getting a trade deal with China. He's very optimistic, but I should point out that the Chinese have been more cautious in their approach.

I want you to listen to this from Li Chenggang, who is a top trade negotiator from China. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LI CHENGGANG, TOP TRADE NEGOTIATOR FOR CHINA (through translator): The U.S. position has been tough. Whereas China has been firm in defending its own interests and rights, over the past more than a day's time, we have experienced very intense consultations and engaged in constructive exchanges, in exploring solutions and arrangements to address these concerns.

The two sides have reached preliminary consensus on these issues, and next we are each going to go through our domestic internal approval processes.

(END VIDEO CLIP) STOUT: Now, rare earths have long been a major sticking point in the U.S.-China trade relationship. China absolutely dominates the global supply of rare earths, which is used in everything from our smartphones, our screens, our EVs, even in fighter jets, missiles, and drones.

But in addition to rare earths, other issues were also brought up during these trade talks between the U.S. and China over the weekend, including fentanyl, the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China into the United States; U.S. port fees; as well as TikTok.

In fact, on Sunday, we heard from Scott Bessent, who said that a, quote, "final deal" had been reached on TikTok and that it would be, quote, "consummated" when Xi Jinping and Donald Trump meet in South Korea later this week at the APEC summit.

But got to point out, according to the Chinese, we have yet to hear any official comment or confirmation from the Chinese side, whether or not that meeting is actually going to take place.

[00:05:06]

Polo, back to you.

SANDOVAL: And before South Korea will come Japan. And that's where we find Hanako Montgomery at this hour. The president there, Hanako, landing in just a matter of a few hours. Can you tell us a little bit more about what we can expect today?

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes Polo. I'm just outside the Imperial Palace, actually, where the U.S. president, Donald Trump, will be meeting the Japanese Emperor Naruhito in his second official meeting with the emperor.

The U.S. president was here in 2019 during his first term. And they exchanged niceties; they exchanged formalities. And we're expecting largely the same in the second meeting, as well.

But really, all eyes, Polo, are on this bilateral summit that will be will be held with the U.S. president and the Japanese prime minister on Tuesday morning, local time.

Now, this is the first official meeting between the two leaders. Donald Trump has already called Takaichi a wonderful person, a beautiful woman, and is really looking as though he will share a good relationship with the Japanese prime minister.

Now, there is a lot at stake here during this first official summit between Japan and the United States under these two leaders. But the Japanese side has said that this meeting will really be about seeing what kind of chemistry they have together and will be really about formulating and solidifying their ties.

In fact, during his regular press conference, the chief cabinet secretary of Japan, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said, quote, "This meeting will be the first in-person summit between the two leaders, and they intend to use it as an opportunity to build a personal relationship of trust."

He went on to say that they'll be using this as an opportunity to build a cooperative relationship, further strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance and working together toward realizing a free and open Indo- Pacific.

Now, these are largely the same goals that we saw during the former Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba and also, of course, under the former U.S. President Joe Biden.

But really, Polo, I do want to emphasize here, there are some issues at hand that Japan and the United States will have to work through. And that's largely -- largely to do with trade.

Of course, Japan and the U.S. came to a tariff agreement where the U.S. lowered tariff rates that it had imposed on Japan to 15 percent, and that was seen as largely a success on the Japanese side.

But there's still lots of questions that remain unanswered about the 550 billion U.S. dollar investment deal that Japan has agreed to make.

So, Japan has agreed to invest this much amount of money, which is equal to more than a 10th of Japan's entire economy. So really, huge sum. But again, there are no details yet about how that will be rolled out, which specific sectors will be invested in, and how that will exactly look.

So, in this first meeting between Takaichi and -- and Trump, Polo, we are expecting more details about that deal to be agreed upon.

Now, also, Polo, on the agenda will be defense. So, Takaichi has long pushed for a higher defense spending for Japan. She, in fact, on Friday during a press conference said that she would boost Japan's defense spending to 2 percent of the country's GDP to March 2026, by March 2026.

Now, this is actually two years earlier than initially was agreed upon. So, Takaichi here really kind of showing that she's appealing to Trump, really kind of sweetening the deal for Trump, and showing that she is willing to cooperate with the U.S. president during these very unstable ties.

Now, also, Polo, I do want to emphasize here that Takaichi will likely appeal the fact that she is a protege of the former Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe.

Now, Abe, who was assassinated in 2022, she [SIC] had a very good relationship with Trump when he was president during his first term. They shared many rounds of golf. They enjoyed burgers together. They watched sumo. I mean, very, very colorful times.

And Takaichi will likely lean on her personal relationship with Abe to appeal to Trump that she is someone to be trusted, a leader within the Indo-Pacific region that Trump can look to in these, again, unstable times -- Polo. SANDOVAL: Yes, we heard the president not just praising Takaichi during that flight to Asia yesterday, but also the late Prime Minister Abe.

Thank you so much, both Hanako Montgomery and Kristie Lu Stout for all your reporting. It's going to be a big day.

Joining me now from Tokyo is William Chou. He's a senior fellow and deputy director of the Hudson Institute's Japan chair. Thank you so much for joining us on this significant day, William. WILLIAM CHOU, SENIOR FELLOW AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR, HUDSON INSTITUTE'S JAPAN CHAIR: Great -- glad to be here.

SANDOVAL: So, how much will todays visit define the next chapter of U.S.-Japan relations? You heard from my colleagues right now, the very long list that will be -- the very long list that is the agenda for Japan's new prime minister and President Trump.

CHOU: So, I think today's meeting will be very important, just -- mostly just to make sure that the two leaders get off to a great start as you just reported, right, there are many places where Prime Minister Takaichi and President Trump align on things like strong security, strong pro-growth agenda, strong borders, and obviously, their shared friendship with former Prime Minister Abe.

I think it's a great, great chance to get the relationship off to a good start on policy areas, as well.

[00:10:04]

But I do -- we do realize that this is a longer process where there is a lot of details on security, on economics, on that 550 billion trade deal that needs to be hashed out over time.

But yes, this is an important step in making sure that things get off to a good start.

SANDOVAL: And you mentioned that -- that alignment between these two leaders. We know that Prime Minister Takaichi is known for -- oftentimes for her conservative rhetoric. So -- so she and the U.S. president are likely going to find quite a bit of common ground.

But let's explore the opposite here. Do you see any matters in which the two leaders may perhaps disagree on; perhaps a bump in the road?

CHOU: So, I think the real issue is probably on security issues, right?

So, Prime Minister Takaichi has been proactive in -- in demonstrating that Japan is ready to take on its own responsibilities, that it wants to be a valued security partner with the United States.

That means raising its defense spending to -- to 2 percent by March 2026, two years ahead of schedule.

The Trump administration recently encouraged NATO allies to raise their defense spending to 5 percent. Now, I think the jump from 2 percent to 5 percent, that is a question of speed and pace and capacity.

I think likely, there may be negotiations between the Takaichi government and the Trump government -- administration on the speed at which Japan will increase its defense spending.

At the same time, though, I think Japan is taking many proactive approaches, both in traditional defense spending, as well as more economic security spending, as we're seeing right now with China's use of rare earths.

And I think that will help address a lot of these shared priorities on building security in a holistic sense.

So, there's a question about pace and sort of the type, but I think the two will be able to work out a lot of their -- their -- their positions over time.

SANDOVAL: And in terms of policies in Japan, when you speak to -- to people, what is your sense of what the people of Japan are hoping to see in their new prime minister? Beyond this big -- this big meeting that she's scheduled for with Donald Trump?

CHOU: Sure, certainly, I think the Japanese people, everyone whom I've talked to, want the relationship, the U.S.-Japan alliance, to proceed ahead.

At the same time, though, I think most ordinary Japanese really want to ensure that this new prime minister can address cost of living, quality of life issues. You know, standard kitchen-table-type issues that everyone, not just Japanese, but you know, also Americans and Europeans and everywhere else, all prioritize.

Takaichi has sensed this. She has talked about how she will prioritize economics, particularly in the domestic sense. And I think really, long-term, if she is able to deliver domestic economic growth in Japan, she will strengthen Japan in terms of as a -- as an economic power and as a valued ally for the United States.

So, I would say, yes, the alliance is important, but Takaichi can best help contribute to the alliance by strengthening Japan's economic and political strength through the ability to deliver real impact to ordinary people here in Japan.

SANDOVAL: The domestic issues, as you point out, they certainly are going to be critical here for Prime Minister Takaichi.

William Chou, thank you so much for -- for taking some time.

CHOU: Great. Thank you again.

SANDOVAL: Of course. Well, Jamaica is currently bracing for what could become one of the most destructive hurricanes of the year. We will be going live to Kingston with the latest on Hurricane Melissa in just a few moments. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:17:58]

SANDOVAL: Jamaica is currently getting ready for what could be the strongest ever hurricane to make landfall on the island nation.

Hurricane Melissa is forecast to strengthen to a rare Category 5 storm, and that's before it hits Jamaica on Monday, according to the forecast.

The U.S. National Weather Service currently warning of damaging winds and heavy rainfall that will likely cause catastrophic and life- threatening flash flooding, as well as landslides in the coming hours.

The intensity and also the slow-moving nature of this storm, that's what's causing some uncertainty among many Jamaicans.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Usually, when there's a storm -- when a storm -- they say a storm is coming, usually it doesn't hit us. We don't get the full impact. So, me personally, I've never witnessed a hurricane that has damaged Jamaica. So, I'm not sure if I'm scared, because I don't know what to expect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: A climate expert in Jamaica will join us live in just a moment. But first, we want to go to CNN meteorologist Chris Warren as he explains the big picture: what's expected in the coming hours and days.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS WARREN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Major Hurricane Melissa expected to bring catastrophic consequences to Jamaica and possibly beyond.

The worst of the weather happening on Monday, Monday afternoon. Monday night is when we're expecting to see landfall happen.

Now, think about this. Landfall essentially is not the beginning of the storm. It's almost like halftime for the worst of the worst of the weather.

So, this is 8 o'clock Eastern Time here in Jamaica, continuing for several hours across the island, and then eventually moving into Cuba and beyond.

Here are those winds. Several hours, several hours of hurricane-force, possibly major hurricane-force winds. Devastating, if not catastrophic consequences with Melissa as it moves across Jamaica.

And then Cuba is up. Haiti also going to be devastated with the amount of rain. Possibly the strong hurricane-force wind gusts, as well, for Haiti. And then Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas need to be on alert by midweek, as well.

Rainfall just by itself is going to be devastating, with the potential for many landslides, as well, across Jamaica and also across Haiti, Cuba, Turks and Caicos. Bahamas also do need to be on alert.

[00:20:13]

As far as the United States goes, a coastal low is going to be developing here on the East Coast by next weekend, late next weekend, and next weekend.

But Melissa expected to stay well offshore.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: All right. Let's bring in now Tannecia Stephenson. She's a climate science professor at the University of the West Indies.

Thank you so much for joining us, Tannecia.

TANNECIA STEPHENSON, CLIMATE SCIENCE PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES: It's a pleasure. Thank you so much for having me.

SANDOVAL: Of course. So, it's coming up on 11:30 p.m. where you are there in Kingston, Jamaica, right now. I'm curious. What are the conditions where you are at this moment?

STEPHENSON: Right now -- right now, we have no rainfall. I'm in Kingston, Jamaica. No rainfall, very little winds. And it's in contrast with earlier where we had some intermittent rainfall, and we had stronger winds.

We passed by the coast on -- on my way to my parents, and the waves were -- we saw large swells coming in. So, that's how it was earlier. But right now, we have quite a lull, and it's quiet.

SANDOVAL: You shared with us that there's a high level of anxiety among many people there that you've seen and spoken to. Have you seen residents heed those warnings that we've been hearing for -- for days now, for people to get ready; that this was going to be likely a historic storm landfall?

STEPHENSON: Absolutely. What we have been seeing are our number of images of persons getting ready. Fishers working together to bring boats in. Farmers doing early harvesting, and having to consider that this is a this is as much as we can do right now. And we will ride out there after.

You see homes and persons taking initiatives to -- to batten down homes, secure homes, secure businesses. So, persons are indeed taking the warnings seriously, especially since last year we had Beryl that we encountered. A lot more activities are on the way, to ensure that we're prepared. SANDOVAL: Tannecia, do you see any possible vulnerabilities in Jamaica's infrastructure that could perhaps be the first to go, either during landfall or after? Basically, any areas that you're worried about and other people there in Jamaica.

STEPHENSON: Well, because we're coming out of some rainfall already, we anticipate that we're going to have quite a bit of landslides to deal with.

As we look at some of the construction infrastructure that is in place right now, there have been appeals made by our government to construction areas to -- to remove equipment, to remove gravel, for example. Anything that will heighten our risk and the impacts to us.

I think agriculture is an area of concern. And the impact it will have on -- on our food security is one of those areas that we're watching very closely. Because we know it will have devastating impacts for us.

SANDOVAL: Were you in Jamaica when Hurricane Gilbert struck in 1988?

STEPHENSON: Yes, yes, I remember Gilbert. I was in high school around that time.

SANDOVAL: So, were there any lessons that perhaps were learned during that storm that are being put to use today?

STEPHENSON: Oh, absolutely. And even our late experience with Beryl last year has -- has left us with greater activities around preparedness.

So, right now, we see the government of Jamaica having daily press briefings. And has -- the government has been doing so over the last five days, to one, manage the information, because they have been warning against some of the false information that -- that the citizens have to contend with. So, we're managing the narrative a lot better.

We see greater coordination, as well, across agencies. And so, in these briefings, we hear from our Ministry of -- of Water, Environment and Climate Change. We hear from agencies; we hear from road works. We get a better sense of the coordination and the activities that are underway right now.

We hear of water stations having backup power supply, so that, if we lose power or when we lose power, there are systems that will continue to operate.

We hear of the contingencies that JPS has put in place, the Jamaica Public Service, our electricity provider, and how they have already made arrangements for linesmen to already be in the island to help support recovery.

[00:25:07]

So, there are number of lessons that the country has taken to heart; the country has used to help us to plan for the storm that is approaching.

SANDOVAL: That is incredibly encouraging to hear, especially since there's a lot of uncertainty about what the next 24 hours and beyond may look like, especially for Jamaica.

But we are certainly thinking about you. We're thinking about your parents and everybody else that's in Jamaica right now, preparing to hunker down. And -- and we certainly wish you the best. We'll check back.

STEPHENSON: Thank you so much. Thank you so much.

SANDOVAL: Thank you, Tannecia Stephenson.

Well, Russia is currently testing the limits of its nuclear-capable arsenal amid rising tensions with the U.S. Coming up here on CNN NEWSROOM, details on Moscow's new cruise missile and the latest Russian drone attacks on Ukraine's capital.

Plus, a breakthrough in a break-in. French police, they now have two men in custody, accused of the Louvre Museum heist that happened only about a week ago. An update on the investigation when CNN NEWSROOM returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:30:50]

SANDOVAL: Welcome back. I'm Polo Sandoval in New York, and these are today's top stories.

The U.S. and China, they have reached a, quote, "substantial framework" for a trade deal to avoid additional tariffs. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says that officials, they've already laid out the groundwork for talks in the coming week.

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, they are set to meet in South Korea on Thursday, and that will be the final stop in President Trump's whirlwind tour of Asia.

And this after wrapping up a quick visit in Malaysia. He is now on his way to Tokyo. He'll be meeting with the Japanese emperor at the Imperial Palace and then later holding talks with the country's newly elected conservative prime minister.

Hurricane Melissa, it is currently bearing down on Jamaica, and it is forecast to strengthen to a rare Category 5 storm before making landfall late Monday.

The U.S. National Weather Service warning the damaging winds and heavy rainfall will likely cause catastrophic flash flooding, as well as landslides there in the coming hours.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says that Israel will be choosing which countries can take part in the new international stabilization force, as its called, in Gaza. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): We control our own security, and we have made clear that, in regard to international forces, Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us, and that is how we act and will continue to act.

This is, of course, accepted by the United States, as well, as its most senior representatives made clear in recent days.

Israel is an independent state. We will defend ourselves by ourselves, and we will continue to control our fate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: Now, this ISF would handle security efforts in Gaza under the U.S.-backed peace plan.

Sources say that Netanyahu told U.S. President [SIC] J.D. Vance that he objected to Turkish troops going into Gaza.

Red Cross officials, they've also been meeting with Hamas. They discussed finding missing remains of Israeli hostages. That last meeting between them happened on Sunday.

Israel says that Hamas is violating the ceasefire by not returning the bodies of 13 hostages.

With diplomatic relations faltering between Washington and Moscow, President Vladimir Putin says that Russia has successfully tested its latest nuclear-powered weapon. Russia's top general claiming that the long-range cruise missile traveled 14,000 kilometers, or 8,700 miles, and this during a test on Tuesday.

It stayed in the air for about 15 hours, according to the Russians. Moscow describing the weapon as, quote, "invincible" and able to evade missile defenses with an unpredictable flight path and nearly unlimited striking range.

Now, President Putin says that Russia will now be working to deploy this new missile. His announcement on Sunday follows yet another night of Russian attacks on Ukraine's capital.

CNN's Paula Hancocks, following the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's been a deadly weekend across Ukraine, in particular in the capital, Kyiv.

HANCOCKS (voice-over): Residents woken once again on Sunday morning to further drone attacks. More than 100 drones being fired from Russia.

We know over the past couple of days there has been loss of life. There has also been a number of people injured, including children among the injured. The youngest we know of is just four years old. Now, we have heard from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying, "They've been striking residential buildings, our people are children."

He also had quite a sobering number, saying that just over the past week, Russia has fired some 1,200 drones and more than 1,300 guided aerial bombs.

Now, he did renew his call once again for more Patriot missile guided systems, saying that the air defenses need to be bolstered in Ukraine.

We do know from the Air Force there that there have been -- the majority of these missiles and drones being shot down, but those that are getting through are deadly.

[00:35:03]

And we really are seeing that the recent Russian launches are showing the shortfalls in the Ukrainian air defense systems.

HANCOCKS: Now, we have been speaking to some of those impacted in the latest strikes. Let's listen to what they said.

NATALIA ZURA, KYIV RESIDENT (through translator): We had a terrible night. We had to climb down the fire escape from the third floor. Thank you to our rescuers, our guardian angels. We are very grateful, because we almost suffocated. We almost burned to death.

MARIA ZURA, KYIV RESIDENT (through translator): When I was climbing down, I stopped being nervous. Because I realized that if I was nervous, I'd get in the way of the person who was rescuing me.

OLHA MOTIANINA, KYIV RESIDENT (through translator): Look, it's a very sad picture. People have died, and I don't know how to describe it. It's very sad and affects my mental state.

HANCOCKS: Now, at the same time as Russia is launching these attacks, it is also testing new weapons, according to the head of the armed services, saying that they have successfully tested a nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile.

HANCOCKS (voice-over): Now, he was showing the president, Vladimir Putin, claiming that it remained airborne for some 15 hours, that it managed to -- to travel some 14,000 kilometers. That's about 8,500 miles. These claims coming from the Russian military side, not any independent source.

But we did hear President Putin saying that he wanted to see these weapons deployed as soon as possible.

Now, of course, diplomacy is very much on hold when it comes to this situation. Just last week, the U.S. president, Donald Trump, canceled his plans to meet with President Putin. It was going to be in Budapest.

And then we heard just on Saturday again, him saying that it simply wasn't the time to be meeting with Putin, saying, quote, "It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get to."

Polo Hancocks, CNN, Abu Dhabi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Lithuania temporarily shut down its main airport on Sunday, this after several balloons entered its airspace for the fourth time in recent days.

Officials in the NATO member country say that they're likely being released by smugglers, that they're possibly trying to move contraband in and out of neighboring Belarus.

And they blame the Russian-aligned president of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, for not stopping these balloon launches.

Similar balloon and drone incursions, they are currently on the rise across Europe. And they've already caused multiple airport closures, as well as widespread travel delays.

In France, police say they now have two suspects in custody, who they say are linked to last weekend's crown jewel heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

According to local media reporting, one of the men was arrested at the Charles de Gaulle Airport trying to leave the country.

CNN's Melissa Bell in Paris, following the latest on this investigation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA BELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A breakthrough in the case around the heist at the Louvre Museum last Sunday morning.

BELL (voice-over): Two arrests were made on Saturday night in France, according to the Paris prosecutor's office, including of one man who had been preparing to leave France at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

A hundred investigators have been working on this since the break-in at the world's most visited museum last Sunday morning. And the fear had been that the suspects might have left the country.

In the end, it was here that they found these two. According to French press reports, the man preparing to leave the country had been trying to get to Algeria. They are, say French media reports, two men in their 30s.

The prosecutor's office is not giving much more away, and the interior minister is urging caution as they continue to build their case.

But clearly, very good news for the BRB, the French unit of police that has been looking into this case and under a great deal of pressure to come up with some results.

For now, we understand that there isn't much word on where the jewels might be, but certainly, the fact that two men have been taken into custody, good news after a week of desperate searches for some information --

BELL: -- that might lead them to some conclusions in what's been described here in France as the break-in of the century.

Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: A lot still ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM, including a war of words between the governor of California and podcasting heavyweight Joe Rogan. We'll break down the rift and why it's making waves online.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:44:08]

SANDOVAL: Well, if you're in the United States and keeping count, it's now 27 days into the U.S. government shutdown, and officials are warning that flight delays and cancellations will only get worse the longer this continues.

Transportation Security [SIC] -- Secretary Sean Duffy says Americans should, quote, "call the Democrats" amid the frustration.

But the fact is, neither Republicans nor Democrats have made any progress towards reopening the government.

CNN's Rafael Romo went to one of the nation's busiest airports to see more of the problems that could be facing the airline industry.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What may explain, in part, the shortages of air traffic controllers this weekend is the fact that Friday marked the first full paycheck missed by some federal workers since the government shutdown began.

ROMO (voice-over): Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said earlier in an interview that there were 22 notices of understaffing around the country on Saturday, adding that, quote, "That's a sign that the controllers are wearing thin."

[00:45:08]

Also on Saturday, the tracking website Flight Aware listed more than 5,400 flight delays nationwide, with the Dallas-Fort Worth airport hit particularly hard.

Since the shutdown began October 1st, there have been about 200 air traffic control staff shortages reported at FAA facilities.

ROMO: More than four times the number seen during the same period last year. In an interview with FOX News, Secretary Duffy also said he's

concerned airports around the country may see more staffing shortages during the upcoming week.

SEAN DUFFY, U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: So, what I see coming forward as we get to Monday, tomorrow, Tuesday, and -- and Wednesday, that you're going to see more staffing shortages in towers, which means you're going to see more delays, more cancellations.

And then you see more Americans frustrated at Democrats. And they'll say, open up the government. Enough is enough.

ROMO: How much of a concern is it for you as a traveler?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot. It's a big concern.

ROMO: Can you tell us why?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, because I'm thinking that, if I weren't getting paid, I would be very angry. And it would be very difficult for me to do my job. And that's a critical function.

And I'm hoping that some -- somebody is taking care of them. So, I'm -- I'm flying today on sheer faith.

ROMO (voice-over): And Secretary Duffy also said that more air traffic controllers are calling in sick. He also expressed concern that some may need to resort to food banks after missing paychecks.

ROMO: We also have to consider that bad weather is affecting parts of the South, so that may also explain some of the delays we may see this weekend and over the week.

Rafael Romo, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Authorities in Cameroon, they have detained about 30 politicians and activists linked to opposition presidential candidate Issa Tchiroma. That's according to his campaign.

This comes amid protests and heightened tensions ahead of the announcement of presidential election results in the coming hours.

Tchiroma and his supporters say that -- that he beat current leader, President Paul Biya, in the October 12th vote. And they also claim that authorities are currently trying to rig the results.

Protesters have barricaded roads. You see here, they've burned some tires. And also, police have responded with tear gas and water cannons against those protesters.

To Argentina now, where President Javier Milei's party is claiming a strong victory in that country's nationwide midterm election.

With 90 percent of the vote counted, Milei's party has nearly 41 percent. The main opposition has 24.5 percent. Now, that would give the president's party 64 seats in the lower house of the national congress, with just 31 for the opposition.

U.S. President Donald Trump has already made very clear his support for Milei's government.

The election was really seen as a de facto referendum on the president's policies there in Argentina.

California Governor Gavin Newsom says that he is considering running for president someday. He's speaking with CBS News Sunday morning. "CBS Sunday Morning," I should say.

Newsom said that his focus for now is to help Democrats regain control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections. He said Donald Trump's presidency will, quote, "de facto end" if Democrats succeed in the midterms.

Here's what he told CBS about his own presidential ambitions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM (D-CA): I'm looking forward to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment. And that's the question for the American people. They'll make that determination.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it fair to say after the 2026 midterms, you're going to give it serious thought?

NEWSOM: Yes. I'd be lying otherwise. I'd just be lying. And I can't do that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANDOVAL: Let's stay on Governor Newsom. He's been ramping up his online criticisms of President Trump and now embroiled in another very public feud, this time against one of the world's most popular podcasters, Joe Rogan. The two are currently criticizing and challenging each other.

CNN's Alek -- Elex (ph) -- I should say, CNN's Elex Michaelson. He explains more about what's actually behind this rift.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NEWSOM: Well, you start with Joe Rogan. I'm going to start -- I'm going to start cursing.

JOE ROGAN, PODCASTER: He wants to be president so bad.

ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The governor of the most populous state and the host of one of the most popular podcasts are feuding.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Gavin Newsom. MICHAELSON (voice-over): California Governor Gavin Newsom, who hosts his own podcast, has invited Joe Rogan onto his show and publicly asked to be invited onto Rogan's show.

NEWSOM: Joe, why won't you have me on the show? He won't have me on the show. It's a one way, and he has guests coming, attacking and bashing but he will not have me on the show, period. Full stop. He should have me on the show.

Come on my show, Joe.

ROGAN: I think I'll probably vote for Bernie.

MICHAELSON (voice-over): Rogan expressing support for Bernie Sanders' presidential run in 2020.

ROGAN: It's standup. It's funny stuff.

MICHAELSON (voice-over): And backed President Trump in 2024, though he's criticized some of his policies in recent months.

NEWSOM: What we're experiencing is America in reverse.

[00:50:04]

MICHAELSON (voice-over): But Rogan doesn't seem impressed by a potential Newsom presidential run in 2028.

ROGAN: You can't ruin a city, and then go on to ruin a state, and say, guys, that was just practice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know.

ROGAN: Once I get it as a president, I'm going to fix it. Fix it all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I mean, it's so crazy, but he's such a great politician. He's so smooth.

ROGAN: No, he's not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don't think so.

ROGAN: No. No, I think he's terrible.

MICHAELSON (voice-over): Rogan attacking Newsom's job performance in California.

ROGAN: You have the highest unemployment. You have the highest homelessness.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With even Hollywood.

ROGAN: Money is missing. You killed Hollywood. Like, Hollywood doesn't exist anymore.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's literally gone. MICHAELSON (voice-over): Newsom, responding to Rogan on X, posting "California is the fourth largest economy in the world but number one in manufacturing, farming, new business starts, tech and VC investments, Fortune 500 companies, public higher education. I could continue. Invite me on anytime, Joe Rogan."

ROGAN: It was all that (EXPLETIVE DELETED) before you were there. It was all that (EXPLETIVE DELETED) forever. It's because the weather's perfect, man. It has nothing to do with you.

MICHAELSON (voice-over): Newsom's team posting this photo on X, writing that, quote, "Little Joe is snack size because he can't handle full-size debates."

NEWSOM: I'm not afraid to go. I'm punching Joe Rogan, OK? That son of a bitch not used to that. And he's going to dismiss it. He's going to laugh it off. I mean, you know, tough guy, all that.

But he's going to have me on.

Here's a guy who celebrated Bidenomics just this week.

MICHAELSON (voice-over): Newsom debated Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on FOX News in 2023.

NEWSOM: You are making a damn dent.

MICHAELSON (voice-over): And hosted conservative guests like Charlie Kirk on his own podcast.

NEWSOM: I'm debating these sons of bitches. I'm out there on these right-wing shows, so I'm not scared. Where the hell is the Democratic Party? Where's our equivalent of Turning Point USA?

MICHAELSON (voice-over): Newsom's team doubled down, repeating the snack-size slap on X: "Joe Rogan is a snack-sized podcaster who can't stop talking about me. (Obsessed! Crush? No thank you!) But is too scared to have me on and let his audience hear the truth."

ROGAN: He's talking some (EXPLETIVE DELETED).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On Twitter.

ROGAN: I know it's like you think that's going to work? Like that's so stupid. Like, this is such a bad look.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

ROGAN: It's such a bad choice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a little desperation in it.

ROGAN: But it's just stupid. It's like, this is a bad strategy. Like I probably would have had him on.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. ROGAN: But now I'm like, nah. What are you doing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a fun version where you just do it and cook him. You know?

ROGAN: He'll cook himself.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: And don't forget to tune in up, about in 24 hours, as Elex Michaelson launches his new show, "The Story Is," tomorrow here on CNN. You can catch the premiere at 9 p.m., L.A. time. That's 5 a.m. Tuesday in London, noon in Hong Kong. So, make sure you watch.

His first guest will be the man that you've been hearing a lot about and just heard from: California Governor Gavin Newsom. So that conversation just getting started.

Still, though, here on CNN NEWSROOM, a lot to get to, including a chemical hazard that's sparking fires across the U.K. that may be hiding inside your household waste.

Up next, how one start-up's high-tech solution may reduce the danger before it ignites.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:54:33]

MICHAELSON (voice-over): So, as battery-powered devices become more common, so do the potential environmental and safety hazards that could be hiding in our trash.

In the U.K., for example, one recycling plant is currently turning to artificial intelligence to spot these dangers before they possibly ignite.

CNN's Allison Chinchar to explain.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At a recycling plant in Sittingbourne, England, workers are tackling a danger in everyday trash: fires erupting from the debris.

The cause is batteries, but one type in particular, found in phones, toys, power tools, and vapes. Lithium-ion batteries are the source of the flames.

SCOTT BUTLER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MATERIAL FOCUS: And here you see a range of different types of batteries, all the different chemistries. But this one is a particular new type that's causing a lot of challenges.

These are the lithium-ion batteries that charge vapes, and in the U.K. alone, were seeing 8 million of these binned or littered every week. CHINCHAR (voice-over): The highly flammable batteries can ignite when crushed, setting fire to surrounding waste.

BUTLER: We've seen in the U.K. significant increases in fires associated with vapes and batteries and hidden batteries inside electricals.

CHINCHAR (voice-over): The U.K. startup Lion Vision thinks A.I. could help stop the fires before they start.

The group has developed a camera-led tool that scans the debris flying through the conveyor belts, spotting and removing the lithium-ion batteries before they spark trouble.

BUTLER: So, we're using a camera system mounted above a belt, and that is connected to a computer that is running an A.I. Machine learning system. That is scanning those images and looking for batteries. And hazardous objects that we've trained. The A.I. algorithm to detect.

CHINCHAR (voice-over): When the system identifies one, an air ejection bar fires a jet of compressed air to knock it safely out of the waste stream. And Lion Vision says, with every pass, the system gets smarter.

BUTLER: We're always looking at the data that we're collecting. Detecting and how we can improve that. So new batteries might come through, different brands that we would then build back into our training data in order to deploy new models that can detect different brands of batteries a high tech fix for a growing waste problem, one that could make recycling safer and smarter for the future.

Allison Chinchar, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANDOVAL: Appreciate you staying with us the last hour. I'm Polo Sandoval in New York. I'll be right back with more of your headlines after a short break.

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