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President Trump Strengthening Diplomatic Ties in Asia; Hurricane Melissa Heading to Jamaica Forecasted as Category 5 Storm; French Authorities Arrested Two Suspects Over Louvre Heist; Trump Heads To Tokyo Amid High-Stakes Asia Tour; Putin Claims Successful Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile Test; USDA: Government Won't Use $6B Fund to Pay Food Stam Benefits; Feuding: California Governor Gavin Newsom Versus Podcaster Joe Rogan. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired October 27, 2025 - 02:00   ET

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

[02:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BEN HUNTE, CNN HOST: Hello wherever you are in the world. You are now in the "CNN Newsroom" with me Ben Hunte in Atlanta and it is so good to have you with me. Coming up on the show, Donald Trump is set to arrive in Tokyo seeking to cement trade deals and build alliances while on a tour of Asia.

Police in France make multiple arrests in the brazen daytime heist at the Louvre, one of them just in the nick of time.

And frustration is mounting at U.S. airports. The already stressful endeavor made worse by a government showing no signs of reopening.

Welcome. The U.S. president is expected to arrive in Tokyo in the coming hours. It will be the second stop of Donald Trump's six-day and three-nation tour of Asia aimed at strengthening U.S. diplomatic ties in the region. He's planning to meet with the Japanese emperor and newly elected Prime Minister. This all comes after President Trump kicked off his trip in Malaysia.

In a social media post, he highlighted what he called major trade deals made during his visit. He also oversaw the signing of a peace declaration between Thailand and Cambodia. But all eyes are on his upcoming summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. That is set to take place in South Korea later this week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the U.S. and China have agreed on a framework for a trade deal after a new round of trade talks in Malaysia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCOTT BESSENT, U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY: I think we've reached a substantial framework for the two leaders who will meet in Korea next Thursday. So, you know, on the table, the President had given me maximum leverage when he threatened 100 percent tariffs if the Chinese impose their rare earth global export controls. So I think we have averted that so that the tariffs will be averted. (END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: News of the potential deal between the U.S. and China is having a positive impact on the markets. U.S. futures are up as a result and right now all three major indexes are pointing higher. The major markets in Asia got a boost as well during early trading on Monday. Currently Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai are all in positive territory as you can see there. CNN's Hanako Montgomery is in Tokyo ahead of President Trump's visit. Thanks so much for being with me Hanako.

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you.

HUNTE: How will Japan be welcoming President Trump? And what's the mood like ahead of his scheduled meetings? Hello, Hanako, can you hear me?

MONTGOMERY: Oh, Ben, hello. Sorry, I think there was some issue with the audio there. It's good to see you. I'm just outside the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo where the U.S. President Donald Trump is (inaudible) just a few hours. In fact, the police are just getting set up here securing this location, making sure that it's all safe for the U.S. president to come through.

Now, during his second official meeting with the Japanese emperor, the two are expected to exchange niceties. They're expected to really just have a formal meeting. Then throughout Trump's two-day visit in Japan, he will be holding bilateral talks with the new Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi (inaudible). Then Trump is expected to visit Yokosuka Base where he'll be speaking to some U.S. troops based in Japan.

Then in the evening on Tuesday he will be having a working dinner with Japanese business leaders where trade and the economy will likely be on the agenda again. Now, Ben, really the mood in Tokyo right now is pretty positive. The two leaders are expected to get along pretty well. They're both conservative They both share a lot of the same political and personal values.

And in fact, the two leaders haven't actually ever met physically in person for an official meeting, but they had a phone call just last week where Trump said that Takaichi was very friendly. He called her beautiful and a wonderful person. And really the same sort of things are being said on the Japanese side.

The Japanese government earlier today during a regular press conference said that this first bilateral meeting was really intended to bring the two leaders closer together to bring U.S.-Japan relations to new heights. They also really wanted to have -- both leaders have an intimate relationship to make sure that the Indo-Pacific region is free and open.

[02:04:59]

This is really sort of the same rhetoric that we heard under the previous Japanese Prime Minister and also previous presidents. So again, Ben, very positive vibes before the U.S. president comes through in just a few hours to the Imperial Palace just behind me.

HUNTE: Well, that all sounds exciting. What are Japanese officials and the public most focused on right now? What would a good visit look like?

MONTGOMERY: Yeah, Ben, I think a really good visit for Japan would be if they're able to hash out some details regarding this trade deal that the U.S. and Japan have signed. So, right now, Japan actually got off pretty easy when it comes to tariffs. They were able to lower the initial pretty high tariff rate to just 15 percent, which is far less compared to other U.S. allies. But there's still lots of questions about this $550 billion investment deal that Japan pledged to as part of these tariff agreements.

So this investment deal, I mean, it's a huge, huge sum for Japan. It's actually more than a tenth of Japan's entire annual economy. But we don't really know how this money will be invested, where it will go, how this will be rolled out. So Japan is hoping to get a few more details about what that investment deal will look like. Also on the agenda, Ben, would be discussions about defense. So Trump, as you know, has long pushed for U.S. allies to spend more on defense, and Japan has pledged to boost its defense spending to 2 percent of its GDP by 2027.

But actually, to appease Trump and sort of to really make sure that Trump is pleased and happy, the Japanese prime minister said just last week that that deadline was getting pushed up two years earlier to March 2026. So again, defense and the economy will likely be on the agenda during this bilateral meeting between Takaichi, the new Japanese prime minister, and Trump. Ben.

HUNTE: Okay, thank you for that. Hanako Montgomery in Tokyo. Speak to you again in the next hour.

More now on the potential trade deal between the U.S. and China. We're learning about some of the major points in the deal's framework, mentioned by the U.S. Treasury Secretary. Scott Bessent says China will make substantial purchases of U.S. soybeans after stopping their orders. Presidents Trump and Xi are also expected to finalize a transfer of the ownership of TikTok so it can continue to operate in the U.S. The White House may lift or reduce a tariff on chemicals exported from China used to create the dangerous drug fentanyl.

The deal could also speed up America's access to rare earths in China. CNN's Kristie Lee Stout has more for us on a potential deal from Hong Kong.

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN COPRRESPONDENT: The U.S. and China have reached a framework for a trade deal ahead of a highly anticipated meeting between the U.S. President Donald Trump and the Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Now, a top Chinese official says quote, "a preliminary consensus has been reached." Now on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in KL over the weekend, we heard from the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent said that he expects China to delay export controls on rare earth minerals for a year. Earlier Donald Trump has threatened to impose new 100 percent tariffs

on Chinese goods in response to China's curbs on rare earths. In Malaysia, Trump was confident, saying that he expects a deal, but the Chinese are a bit more cautious. Now, this is what we heard from China's top trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, on Sunday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LI CHENGGANG (through translation): 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 and 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)

LU STOUT: Rare earths have been a major sticking point in the U.S.- China trade war, and China dominates the global supply. Rare earths are in everything from your phone, your TV, your electric car. They're also in fighter jets, missiles and drones. And in addition to rare earths, U.S. and Chinese officials say that they discussed other issues, including fentanyl, including U.S. port entrance fees and TikTok.

Now, Bessent said that the U.S. and China reached a, quote, "final deal" on TikTok, and that Trump and Xi would, quote, "consummate the deal" when they meet at APEC in South Korea on Thursday. And China has yet to confirm that the two leaders will meet. Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.

HUNTE: Jamaica is preparing 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 before hitting Jamaica on Monday. The U.S. National Weather Service warns damaging winds and heavy rainfall will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides in the coming hours. The intensity and slow-moving nature of the storm is causing uncertainty among Jamaicans.

[02:09:54]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNKNOWN: Usually when a storm -- they see 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)

Melissa is expected to dump several months' worth of rain as it passes over Jamaica. Rainfall totals of just over a meter or up to 40 inches are expected in parts of the island. Well, let's keep talking about it. Joining us live from New Kingston, Jamaica is Jhordanne Jones, postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Physics at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Thank you so much for being with me. How are you doing at the moment and what conditions like where you are right now?

JHORDANNE JONES, POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES MONA: Hi, yes, thank you for inviting me as well. And the conditions have been particularly fair for Kingston for being in the eastern section of Jamaica, where there is also significant damage and significant impacts, particularly in St. Thomas as well as in Portland.

HUNTE: Gosh. We have been hearing warnings for days now, and there's been some really strong language in those warnings. But how are they landing over there? Are people listening and preparing?

JONES: Oh, we certainly are. This is the first time I think that we've ever had a landfall in Category 5 hurricane, much less to have one sit over us for several days. This is the worst I think that we have seen in quite a while. The last storms actually have a ground zero landfall was Hurricane Sandy and that was just a Category 1.

HUNTE: Gosh. From the latest data, what stands out to you most about this storm? What makes it different from others that we've seen in recent years?

JONES: So the closest storm to memory that might be even remotely similar to Hurricane Melissa at the moment is Hurricane Dorian. And I think what is particularly unique about this storm is that it has been able to sit within the Caribbean for so long, very similar to Hurricane Dorian that also sat over the Bahamas, I think in 2019. So, this particular time of year is actually not very uncommon for the Caribbean --

HUNTE: Yeah.

JONES: -- to experience hurricanes. October to November is when we have the warmest sea surface temperatures switch back to the Caribbean. So we do actually get a fair amount of activity at this time. But for a storm to sit within the Caribbean region for this long is unprecedented, I believe. And the damage that will cause because it has been stalled for so long will be unimaginable.

HUNTE: So scary. Authorities across the island have been evacuating communities and opening shelters, right? From what you're seeing, is Jamaica as ready as it can be for what is coming?

JONES: Yes, they have been very proactive about moving people out of low-lying areas. We are a Caribbean island. We are an island in general so, we do have a lot of low-lying areas, particularly along the coast. So for instance, St. Thomas is already seeing those impacts. Sections of Kingston are already seeing those impacts. Sections of St. Catherine, which is just on the left or the western side of Kingston will be seeing those impacts.

And unfortunately for us, this land falling will take us right in the middle, right? So all sections of Jamaica will feel those impacts and we're already seeing that and we have not even seen or felt really the full impact of Melissa just yet.

HUNTE: I'm so sorry you're going through this. Just wondering, were you in Jamaica when other storms struck? And if so, were there any lessons from previous ones that could change what you'll be doing this time?

JONES: So, the last storm that I experienced firsthand was actually Ivan in 2004.

HUNTE: Wow.

JONES: I was 14. So that was a very long time ago. And as you may already have known, that was not a full impact. So it did not make landfall, but we did experience some of the more severe parts of that eye wall, as well as the rain bands, the inner rain bands of that storm. I cannot recall in my memory of a storm like Hurricane Melissa.

[02:14:57]

I have not felt zero impact or, sorry, not zero impact -- ground zero landfall, right, where the eye wall or the eye has actually gone onto land.

And I believe that that is true for quite a few Jamaicans, quite a few generations of people within Jamaica. Yeah, so we have only had about three storms make landfall in Jamaica. That was Charlie in 1951, Gilbert in 1988, and then Sandy in 2012. So there are these stretches of time in between these storms. It is unimaginable, I think, for many generations of people to actually imagine Hurricane Melissa.

HUNTE: Okay. Well, we'll leave it there for now. Jhordanne Jones, thank you for being here. Please take care. We're all hoping for the best for all of you.

JONES: Thank you.

HUNTE: Okay, still ahead. A breakthrough in a break-in. French police have two men in custody, accused in the Louvre Museum of jewel heist. An update on the investigation, next. See you ina bit.

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[02:20:00]

HUNTE: Welcome. French police now have two suspects in custody, who they say are linked to last weekend's crown jewel heist at the Louvre Museum. According to local media reporting, one man was arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport by trying to leave the country. CNN's Melissa Bell brings us the latest from Paris.

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

HUNTE: Well, earlier I spoke with Leila Amineddoleh, Chair of The Art Law Group at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin. She says fewer than 10 percent of stolen artworks are ever recovered. As French police search for clues to find the missing crown jewels, I asked her why their chances of recovery are so low in such a connected world.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEILA AMINEDDOLEH, CHAIR OF THE ART LAW GROUP AT TARTER KRINSKY & DROGIN: Well, the problem with art is that once its stolen, thieves do not advertise it and it's harder to track art. Unlike with automobiles, there aren't VIN numbers on artworks and it's movable. So it's movable, it's easy to hide and thieves will sometimes hide art, conceal stolen art for years or decades before it re-appears. And after time has passed, it might be more difficult to actually track down and recover stolen art.

HUNTE: Well, speaking about that, these thieves took gems and jewelry, items that can be melted down or re-cut. Does that make them easier to sell? And what kind of black market channels would they be looking to use?

AMINEDDOLEH: Oh, the problems with the pieces that were stolen from the Louvre is that they're really easy to take apart. You dismantle the objects and break them down to the raw materials, which obviously have great value with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds. So it's easy to put them on the black market where you could find unscrupulous dealers and buyers that will simply recut these gems, put them in different settings and conceal them. No one needs to know that they came from a royal tiara or other royal jewelry piece.

HUNTE: There is a long history of looted or stolen artifacts ending up in private collection and sometimes even decades later they're being found. Given the global spotlight that is on this case, how likely is it that any of these jewels could quietly resurface in the legitimate art market years from now?

AMINEDDOLEH: They can never actually reappear on the legitimate market in their current state or in their complete state as royal jewels. But if they are taken apart, then they could easily be hidden. And we've seen this for many decades. When you think about periods of time where there's been massive looting, for example, during World War II, whereas fine art might be recovered because it's recognizable, jewelry or furniture or porcelain These types of objects are much easier to hide, much easier to trade on the black market and may never reappear because they can be changed, disguised and just altered in the way they appear.

So unfortunately, once the objects like these go on a black market where they can be changed, it's likely that we'll never see them again. Although I hear from the news that there are some suspects that are in custody. So Hopefully there will be information that will reveal where these objects are hidden.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: President Trump is traveling to Japan right now. He's preparing to meet the country's new Prime Minister, the latest on his high-stakes Asia tour when we return.

Plus, as diplomacy stalls between the U.S. and Russia, the Kremlin is touting its latest nuclear-powered cruise missile. Why Moscow claims the new weapon is invincible.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:25:06]

HUNTE: Welcome back. U.S. President Donald Trump is boasting about what he calls major diplomatic and economic achievements during his whirlwind tour of Asia. He's now on his way to Tokyo after wrapping up a visit to Malaysia. He'll meet the Japanese emperor at the Imperial Palace and later hold talks with the country's newly elected conservative Prime Minister. They are expected to discuss tariffs, regional security and Japan's defense spending, all points of tension in recent months.

Jacob M. Schlesinger is the President and CEO of the United States Japan Foundation. Thanks so much for being with me. How are you doing?

JACOB SCHLESINGER, PRESIDENT & CEO, UNITED STATES-JAPAN FOUNDATION: My pleasure. Great.

HUNTE: Good. It's good to see you. Let's get into it. In Japan, Trump's meeting the country's new Prime Minister. How significant could that encounter be and what should we expect to see?

SCHLESINGER: You know, I mean, every meeting between two leaders, especially a meeting with President Trump, has the potential to be hugely significant in either a positive or negative way.

[02:29:58]

But two main things. One is Japan has a new prime minister who is untested on the world stage. And so, this will be an early sign of how she is able to manage this important, but potentially unpredictable relationship.

And the second is the United States. In Japan, as with other countries around the world, is pushing for a significant increase in defense spending. And the question both is how much Japan is able and willing to respond to that, and whether the president is satisfied with that response.

BEN HUNTE, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. Do you think that the new Japanese prime minister will be like her mentor, Shinzo Abe, who had such a special rapport with Trump that other leaders in Asia lacked?

SCHLESINGER: You know, the Japanese press in its reporting certainly seems to hope so. And I think she's portraying herself that way. And clearly, President Trump himself, in his comments, has made clear that he finds, the fact that she's close to Prime Minister Abe, the late Prime Minister Abe is a plus in his mind.

But I would say two things. One is part of what made Prime Minister Abe's relationship with President Trump so successful was not his policies. It was his ability to figure out a way to charm an American president who clearly finds it important to be charmed. Part of that involved a willingness, to be blunt, to swallow his pride and to be sycophantic, which is something that some world leaders have trouble doing.

The second is the late Prime Minister Abe had a very strong grip on power with a very large majority in both houses of parliament, and so he was able to deliver things fairly significantly in ways that a lot of Japanese prime ministers are not. In contrast, Prime Minister Takaichi has a very weak minority government right now. And even if she wants to take bold moves that President Trump is eager to see and that she's willing to provide, it's not clear she can deliver.

HUNTE: So best case scenario, what do you think could come out of this leg of the trip? Do they reach an accommodation not only on trade issues, but also regional security? What will make this a good visit?

SCHLESINGER: I think part of it is that they develop a chemistry and that they do come out of this meeting feeling like they have a rapport, which is important in all world relationships, but particularly in this one. I think that there will certainly be something on defense, whether, again, she's already said she wants to accelerate Japan's defense spending. And the question is whether President Trump will find that adequate or not, at least for the time being, to give her some breathing room.

And as you mentioned, trade. That's also hugely important. And the Japanese press has been full of reports that you know, she will come forward with presents or what the Japanese like to call omiyage to satisfy President Trump that she is offering some, some goods and some progress on reducing the trade imbalance and increasing Japanese investment.

HUNTE: Do you see this Asia tour as a genuine turning point in U.S. foreign policy, or is it more of a performance aimed at projecting strength back home? SCHLESINGER: Well, you know, it's a -- it was on the calendar, not as

a -- as a -- as an improvised -- improvisational tour, but rather, you know, scheduled because there were two summits of world leaders. And President Trump had committed to going to them.

You know, I think in some ways the significance is, is as much really his potential meeting with President Xi of China later in the week than it is with anything that happens before that.

You know, as with anything in this administration, it's hard to know what constitutes a turning point. They're so unpredictable, and directions seem to change so often that you know what seems like a turning point one week could really be reversed the following week. And so, I think it's really important that he's showing a commitment to the region. It's really important that he's spending time with leaders in this region.

Whether that has any lasting impact on the direction of his administration, we really have to wait and see.

HUNTE: Okay. Well, we'll leave it there for now. Jacob Schlesinger, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

SCHLESINGER: My pleasure. Nice to talk to you, Ben.

HUNTE: Where the diplomatic relations faltering between Washington and Moscow, President Vladimir Putin says Russia has successfully tested its latest nuclear-powered weapon. Russia's top general claims the long-range cruise missile traveled 14,000 kilometers, or 8,700 miles, during Tuesday's test. It stayed in the air for about 15 hours. Moscow describes the weapon as invincible and able to evade missile defenses with an unpredictable flight path and nearly unlimited striking range.

President Putin says Russia will now work to deploy the new missile. His announcement on Sunday follows yet another night of Russian attacks on Ukraine's capital.

CNN's Paula Hancocks has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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

[02:35:02]

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 are people, our 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 1300 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, and we really are seeing that the recent Russian launches are showing the shortfalls in the Ukrainian air defense systems.

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 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. Now he was showing the president, Vladimir Putin, claiming that it remained airborne for some 15 hours, that it managed 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.

Paula Hancocks, CNN, Abu Dhabi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will choose which countries can take part in the new international stabilization force in Gaza.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: 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)

HUNTE: Well, the stabilization force would handle security efforts in Gaza under the U.S.-backed peace plan. Sources say Netanyahu told U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance that he objected to Turkish troops going into Gaza. Meanwhile, two hostages were released from the hospital on Sunday and more welcomed home by a cheering crowd.

Evyatar David and Segev Kalfon were among the 20 hostages released by Hamas this month, at the beginning of the ceasefire.

This comes as Red Cross officials met with Hamas on Sunday to discuss finding the missing remains of 13 Israeli hostages. Israel says Hamas is violating the ceasefire by not returning the bodies of these hostages.

Just ahead, staffing shortages, missed paychecks and frustrated fliers. All the results of the U.S. government shutdown. Now, officials warn the airport delays and cancellations could still get much worse. See you in a bit.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:42:33]

HUNTE: We are 27 days into the U.S. government shutdown. Nearly a month of uncertainty for federal workers who don't know when they will next get their paycheck, as well as those who receive food stamps with funding for the vital government assistance program in jeopardy. The Trump administration says it won't tap into billions of dollars in contingency funds to cover benefits next month if the shutdown continues. More than 40 million Americans who receive food assistance would be affected. And there's still the matter of health care subsidies. The sticking point that Democrats are unwilling to budge on.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries says his party is willing to talk, but their invitation hasn't yet been acted upon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY), MINORITY LEADER: Our view as Democrats is that we want to sit down with anyone, any time, any place, either at the Capitol or back at the White House to reopen the government, to enact a bipartisan spending agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people, while at the same time decisively addressing the Republican health care crisis that is crushing the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: And while many top Republicans have accused the Democratic Party of holding the country at ransom, there is growing anxiety within the GOP. They're worried there really isn't a plan to address the large spike in health care costs to millions of Americans once the government does reopen.

Officials are warning flight delays and cancellations will only get worse the longer that all of this continues. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says Americans should, quote, call the Democrats amid the frustration. More than 50 staffing shortages have been reported since Friday morning at air traffic control towers across the country.

CNN's Rafael Romo has more for us on the problems 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.

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. Also on Saturday, the tracking website FlightAware 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, more than four times the number seen during the same period last year.

[02:45:07]

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 Wednesday that you're going to see more staffing shortages and 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 flying today on sheer faith. ROMO: 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. 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)

ROMO: Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is weighing in on the fight over redistricting. In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, he said Democrats shouldn't try to beat Republicans at their own game, but should work to outperform them.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, FORMER CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR: There's this war going on all over the United States who can out-cheat the other one. You know, Texas started it. They did something terribly wrong. And then all of a sudden, California says, well, then we have to do something terribly wrong. And then now other states are jumping in, and now this is spreading like wildfire all over the country.

And it saddens me to see that we're going in the opposite direction rather than having an independent commission draw the district lines. And so, Jake, I have to tell you that, you know, when you think about this out trying to out-cheat each other rather than outperform each other, it's all between Democrats and Republicans and the ones that are getting left behind are the people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Meanwhile, Newsom has ramped up his online criticisms of President Trump, is embroiled in another very public battle, this time against one of the world's most popular podcasters, Joe Rogan. The two are criticizing and challenging each other.

CNN's Elex Michaelson explains the drama.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM (D), CALIFORNIA: We start with Joe Rogan. I'm going to start cursing.

ROGAN: 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.

NEWSOM: 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? You won't have me on

the show. It's a one way, and he has guests coming and 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.

JOE ROGAN, PODCASTER: I think I'll probably vote for Bernie.

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

ROGAN: It's stand up. It's funny stuff.

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

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

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. I know once I get it as a president, I'm going to fix it. I fix it all.

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

ROGAN: That is missing. You killed Hollywood, like Hollywood doesn't exist anymore. 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 any time, Joe Rogan.

ROGAN: It was (EXPLETIVE DELETED) before you were there. It was all that (EXPLETIVE DELETED) forever. It's because the weathers 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 sized because he can't handle full size debates."

NEWSOM: I'm not afraid to go. I'm punching Joe Rogan. Okay? 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 to do that. Where the hell is the Democratic Party? Where's our equivalent of Turning Point USA?

[02:50:01]

MICHAELSON (voice-over): Newsom's team doubled down, repeating the snack-sized 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."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's talking some (EXPLETIVE DELETED) 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. 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: Yeah.

ROGAN: But now, I'm like, what are you doing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is a fun version where you just do it and cook him, you know?

ROGAN: He'll cook himself.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: Our Elex Michaelson launches his new show, "THE STORY IS", tomorrow here on CNN. You can catch the premiere at 9:00 p.m. on Monday in Los Angeles. That is 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday in London and noon in Hong Kong. His first guest will be the man that you just heard so much from and about, California Governor Gavin Newsom. Excited. They are big, they're orange. And surprisingly, they float pretty

well. We'll show you the annual pumpkin regatta making waves in Belgium, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[02:55:03]

HUNTE: You are looking at a massive day of the dead exhibition in Mexico City's Main Square. It commemorates the city's 700th anniversary. Some of these statues are ten meters tall. Mexico City was once an ancient Aztec capital, and the towering display is inspired by the mythical journey of the Aztecs to settle at what is now Mexico City.

In Belgium, pumpkins aren't just for carving, they are for paddling, too. Participants in this year's pumpkin regatta climbed aboard, or rather, into their hollowed-out vessels and paddled their hearts out in the 100-meter race. The event started in 2008 as a partnership between pumpkin farmers and the local kayaking community. It draws a crowd and organizers say there is nothing quite like it anywhere else in Europe.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CEDRIC VAN NEDERKASSEL, EVENT ATTENDEE: Awesome I mean, it's fine to get. Outside with the rest of the family and it's something for all ages. So yeah, just great. Very creative. So yeah, nothing but bonus points. Yeah.

WIM CRIAR, EVENT ORGANIZATION TEAM: Because it's a unique environment here in Belgium and almost in Europe. I don't know any other place which does this with pumpkins.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Switzerland takes the business of cheese very seriously. Raclette comes from a French word for scrape. It's a traditional Swiss dish made with melted cheese. Raclette world championships brought cheese makers from 13 countries together in Morzine, Switzerland. Judges ranked five categories of cheeses in the competition, including varieties made from raw and pasteurized cows' milk, as well as milk from sheep and goats. They were all vying to scrape together the heartiest, most delicious meal possible.

And now I'm hungry at 3:00 a.m. Thanks for joining me and the team this hour. I'm Ben Hunte in Atlanta. I'll be back right after this quick break. You're watching CNN.