Return to Transcripts main page

One World with Zain Asher

FAA To Cut Air Traffic By 10 Percent At Dozens Of U.S. Airports; Trump Sets Refugee Ceiling At Record Low For 2026; Sheinbaum Takes Legal Action After Public Groping Incident; Kenya's Great Green Wall; Aired 12-1p ET

Aired November 06, 2025 - 12:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:00:36]

ZAIN ASHER, CNN ANCHOR: Coming to you live from New York, I'm Zain Asher. Bianna is off today. This is "One World."

There are signs that Congress could be inching closer to a deal to end the longest shutdown in U.S. government history. Sources tell CNN that intense

talks are happening on Capitol Hill and there is some optimism a deal could be announced this week.

But there are still sticking points. And some Democrats say their party's electoral success this week shows voters want them to stand firm and not

give in.

In the meantime, the shutdown is about to make air travel -- air travel, rather, in the U.S. much more difficult. The Trump administration says it

will cut back on flights at dozens of the country's busiest airports starting tomorrow.

The move would cause a traveler nightmare with major delays and cancellations across the country. But the transportation secretary says

this must be done to deal with staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEAN DUFFY, U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: If people have asked me, why don't you find money for air traffic controllers? I mean, that's the

purpose of a shutdown. I don't have access to money. I can't find dollars to pay them because the Congress said there is no money.

And so we can't break the law. And so I can't -- I can't pay them. I'd love to, but I can't. And so the message is sit down, figure this out, open the

government up. And, you know, let's not hold Americans hostage, especially when they want to travel.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: Our Danny Freeman is at one of the major airports that are set to feel the cutbacks. He's at Newark in New Jersey. That's my local airport.

And I know how busy it can get.

Just explain to us how painful it's going to be for passengers if -- if flights out of there are cut by 10 percent, Danny.

DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Zain, it's going to be extremely painful. Listen, it's a very strange moment right here because this is a slow moving

and yet also fast moving enormous story. Because right now here at Newark Liberty, like you said your airport, looking at the board, things are

actually pretty OK right now.

There are a couple of delays, but flights have been taking off. It's the fear of tomorrow that it's really just on so many people's minds right now.

And it feels like the calm before that storm, before that anticipated 10 percent reduction in flights. Not just here, but in 40 airports, major

airports across the country.

So it's a bit of an odd feeling right here because people are talking about it. People are concerned. People are talking about it. But these folks here

today are the lucky ones. It's really the fear of what may happen tomorrow, Zain, that is really sending not only passenger's concerned, but also

airlines scrambling as well.

We've heard from both American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest. American Airlines, just this morning, said that all flights are operating today as

normal. They also said that they believe that the majority of their customers will actually not be affected, but they are currently proactively

reaching out to customers who will be impacted.

Southwest said similar things. Delta said a similar statement as well. Most of, I should say, Delta and American, they also noted for our international

viewers, of course, that long haul flights, they were not on the table of flights to potentially be impacted. So that's perhaps at least one piece of

good news, at least for the moment.

But, Zain, I'll speak for my own personal story that's happening right now. I'm supposed to be on a flight at noon tomorrow heading out West. I just

was able to check in moments before coming on the air with you. So far, that flight seems to be OK right now, but that's the stress.

And even the CEO of Frontier Airlines, Zain, he recommended, with, there are people who are worried about maybe getting stranded in a location. He

recommended trying to book a protective extra flight, perhaps on a different airline. That's the conversation that passengers and customers

and travelers are going to start to have to wrestle with as this looming 10 percent cut happens.

Now, I will say one last thing, Zain, because you noted at the top that these negotiations are ongoing, our very own Pete Muntean just got some new

reporting that the Trump administration is now actually kicking around, potentially starting tomorrow, at a four percent reduction cut instead, and

then increasing the level of cuts by these are two flights by one percent as the shutdown continues to go on day by day.

So that I think just shows you, Zain, that things are still in flux. Again, hopefully travelers won't see the brunt of this impact. But again, this all

stems down from the shutdown. The air traffic controllers then get impacted. They have to start taking off shifts.

And then, of course, eventually, as we've seen over the past several weeks, but now we are seeing in a much more intense way, potentially tomorrow, the

traveling public really expecting to get hit. Zain.

[12:05:02]

ASHER: All right. Danny Freeman, live for us there. Thank you so much.

All right. The ongoing government shutdown is just one of many challenges facing Republican leadership right now from President Trump, down 42

million Americans are currently going without food aid benefits right now. More job cuts were announced last month in any October in the past 22

years.

Supreme Court justices appeared highly skeptical of Mr. Trump's emergency tariffs, a cornerstone of his economic policy.

And Democrats swept key races nationwide on Tuesday night in elections widely considered a referendum on the president. And it's not just Trump

administration's domestic issues coming under scrutiny but abroad as well.

Trump is threatening to attack Nigeria to stop what he's calling the killing of Christians, claims the government calls baseless.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DUNOMA UMAR-AHMED, PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Recent external claims suggesting systemic religious persecution in Nigeria are

unfounded.

MOHAMMED IDRIS, MINISTER OF INFORMATION, NIGERIA: Nigerian crisis longstanding security challenge that have impacted Christians and Muslims

alike.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: The U.N. meantime is blasting U.S. military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Pacific and the Caribbean that have killed nearly 70 people as

a violation of international human rights law and top Democrats in Washington are demanding more transparency.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MARK WARNER (D-VA): They're showing by introduction and drug recovery and the fact that the individuals on the boats are actually known

narcoterrorists would sure set goal along way and convincing a lot of Americans, and for that matter, the rest of the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: Brett Bruen is the president of the global situation room and former director of global engagement at the White House under President Obama. He

joins us live now from Washington. Brett, thank you so much for being with us. We have so much to talk about.

I am going to get to Venezuela in just a moment. But I do want to talk about the new announcement by the Trump administration that we got a few

days ago. This idea that the administration is going to cap refugees coming into this country at 7,500, instead of, what, it was under President Biden

which was 125,000. That is a 94 percent reduction.

Talk to us at this time when global displacement is pretty much at record highs, why were White South Africans' the only group, the only nationality

singled out for priority status here?

BRETT BRUEN, PRESIDENT, THE GLOBAL SITUATION ROOM: Well, I think it comes down to Trump's selective application of both the refugee law in the United

States, as well as our international obligations. And he enjoys, whether it's with Afrikaners, White South Africans or with Christians allegedly

being persecuted in Nigeria, to focus in to slice that group out and one can, you know, examine that the merits or lack thereof in some of those

cases, but Trump is using this largely for domestic purposes.

So that is, you know, to say it appeals to the evangelical based when we're talking about Christians in Nigeria being prosecuted or Afrikaners in South

Africa who are being persecuted. It goes with the narrative that he is building here on a domestic level.

But internationally, Zain, as you bring up, we are abandoning our responsibilities. We're setting a terrible example for other countries who

have to grapple with and who have to also quite frankly take their fair share of refugees.

ASHER: I mean, and you think about the number of different groups that are in desperate straits right now, dire straits right now in terms of needing

to be resettled whether it's the Rohingya Muslims and what's happening with them in Myanmar, whether it's the Uyghur Muslims as well with China.

There are certain groups obviously being mass -- targeted to mass killings in Sudan as well, Afghan women under the Taliban. I mean the list goes on.

As it pertains to Christians in Nigeria, for Donald Trump and obviously you mentioned that he's looking at a domestic audience. Why is military action

the first port of call as opposed to trying to find a diplomatic solution? Why threaten to drop bombs before just picking up the phone?

BRUEN: The short answer is he feels as though that looks tough that, you know, saying, I'm going to engage in military action plays well with his

base, it projects power.

And I think you need only look at his secretary of defense, or now I guess we're calling him a Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth. And they like that

performative diplomacy and defense.

And yet, at the end of the day, Zain, it is neither practical nor does it protect those persecuted Christians to engage in military strikes or to

even put American soldiers as Trump has raised the prospect of on the ground in Nigeria.

[12:10:18]

You know, as someone who spent half of his diplomatic career in Africa, I can tell you the notion of American soldiers going into an African country

is going to create a whole lot of security issues for Americans, let alone Africans as, you know, obviously, that will help the likes of Boko Haram,

Al-Shabaab and other extremist groups to replenish their coffers and their ranks and, obviously, from a propaganda standpoint be very powerful for

them.

ASHER: Yes. I mean, it's interesting. I didn't know that you spent half of your diplomatic career in Africa. I'm actually originally from Nigeria. And

the first thing that I thought of was that, when I saw this story, was that if Trump truly, truly believes that Christians in Nigeria are genuinely

being targeted for mass killings and they are actually being persecuted, then why not offer them the same refugee status that you're offering white

South Africans?

BRUEN: I think it is a very valid question. And quite frankly, it -- it belies the lack of genuine concern.

And as you raised, Zain, I mean, we have seen just in the last week humanitarian atrocities being committed in Darfur in Sudan. And yet, the

Trump administration barely whispered a level of concern, let alone taking or threatening to take significant action.

And so this inconsistency on the international front is going to, I think, increasingly become problematic for Trump because other world leaders are

going to say, well, what are you doing about this persecution or about that problem?

ASHER: Yes. The inconsistency is the right word. For one particular group, you offer resettlement, the other group, you offer military action, very

inconsistent.

All right. Brett Bruen, live for us there. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

BRUEN: OK.

All right. Still to come, Mexico's president is now pressing charges against a man accused of harassing her on a crowded street. The incident

was captured on video. Details ahead.

Plus.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANNA MARIN, FORMER FINLAND PRIME MINISTER: There is a double standard and women are treated differently than men.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: One former world leader says she came up against double standards when it comes to gender. She explains that and more coming up.

Plus, one of CNN's biggest environmental initiatives is thriving. Call -- just ahead, we take a look at our people around the world are doing their

part to protect the planet.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ASHER: We turn now to an incident that is raising questions about the security surrounding Mexico's first female president. Claudia Sheinbaum is

taking legal action against a man who seemingly groped her on a public street on Tuesday. She calls the episode an assault on all women and adds

that this is not her first such experience.

[12:15:09]

CNN's Valeria Leon joins us live now from Mexico City. Valeria, this video is so upsetting. It really goes to show that no woman is immune to this

kind of behavior even if you're president. Even if you become president of a country, you can still fall victim to this. Walk us through what happened

here.

VALERIA LEON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Zain. And it was a very unsettling moment captured in a video that now has gone viral. President Claudia

Sheinbaum was walking near the National Palace in Mexico City, on her way to a meeting at the Education Ministry, greeting supporters when a man

suddenly came up from behind her and attempted to kiss her on the neck.

As people in the central neighborhood watched, she pulled away quickly as her team stepped in and the incident ended when one of the top security

guards intervened.

Mexico City police later set preliminary findings link the same man to the alleged harassment of two other women that same day. The video spread fast

online, reigniting a national and even global conversation about harassment and the safety of women in public life.

President Sheinbaum later said, if they do this to the president, what happens to all women in Mexico? She's pressing charges saying that this

isn't just about her, but about something women in Mexico face every day.

Authorities confirmed the man, who Sheinbaum said appeared to be drunk, has been arrested and is now in custody at the Sex Crimes Investigation Unit.

And the incident on Tuesday has brought renewed attention to an issue that runs deep in Mexico. Official data shows that about seven out of 10 women

in the country have faced some form of violence and nearly have said they've experienced sexual violence.

This episode has also raised questions about Sheinbaum's security when asked whether she would consider increasing her protection.

Given how easily the man approached her, Sheinbaum said she will continue as usual, insisting there is no risk against her. She confirming her news

conference that she has no intention of changing her policy of interacting closely with supporters.

But, Zain, for many women in Mexico, this viral video was approved of something they already knew that even a simple walk in broad daylight can

be risky.

Tuesday incident in Mexico City provoked outrage across the country with many women saying that street harassment is a common place in many parts of

the country. Sheinbaum said her government will also review state laws to ensure that street harassment is categorized as a crime throughout Mexico.

And today, they launch a campaign to combat this phenomenon. While there were widespread expressions of support for Sheinbaum, there were also some

on social media who criticized her for making too much of an incident.

Others slammed Sheinbaum for smiling as she tried to sleep away the men's grip and not for pushing him away herself.

The secretariat for women, part of Sheinbaum's administration condemned the incident saying that the public cannot be used as an excuse to invade

someone's personal space. Zain.

ASHER: Yes. Deeply, deeply disturbing. Valeria Leon, live for us. Thank you so much.

All right. Being treated differently is nothing new for female leaders. That's the word from Sanna Marin, the former prime minister of Finland.

When she got the post in 2019, she was the youngest world leader at just 34.

She faced a lot of controversy when a video of her dancing at a private event surfaced. She was pressured to take a drug test which she passed. She

talks about the scandal in detail in her brand new memoir.

Marin tell CNN if it had been a man in the same situation, the outcome would have been very, very different.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIN: I wanted to include, of course, a chapter of those scandals also in the book, not only because those were the things that I have to face, but

also to show that there is a double standard and women are treated differently than men.

I don't think any male leader or professional has ever asked, how can you be at work today when yesterday you went to a bar with your friends to

watch a football game and drank beer.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. How dare you?

MARIN: The how dare you? How can you be at work today of doing that? So there is a double standard. And, of course, the images of me dancing looked

for some people outrageous and the other not so much.

And there was also a lot of support. And I really appreciate that -- that women across the globe supported and wanted to show that support. And I

think we need to support women in general because they are facing these kind double standards. And they are facing quite harsh reality.

[12:20:09]

And we have to show them that they have the right to be fully themselves. They can be professionals, leaders, extremely tough at work, but at the

same time, they can be mothers and daughters and friends and they can have a free time and not to question their qualification to do their job.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: Her book, "Hope in Action," was released earlier this week.

All right. The city of Uruapan, Mexico has a new mayor.

Grecia Quiroz took over for her husband just three days after he was assassinated. She received approval from the state Congress to take over

the job. A hooded gunman shot and killed Carlos Manzo on Saturday.

The incident sparked a nationwide backlash against the government for not doing more to fight organized crime. Carlos Manzo has expressed concern for

his safety or had rather expressed concern for his safety days before his death after he spoke out against the powerful drug cartels.

His widow says, she'll keep up the work that cost her husband his life.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GRECIA QUIROZ, MAYOR OF URUAPAN, MEXICO (through translator): Listen carefully. Let it be heard loud and clear. The legacy of Carlos Manzo will

continue. Even if his voice has been silenced, even if those who gave the order to take his life in the cruelest way, this will go on.

Everyone watching me will be witnesses to this. Carlos Manzo will not be forgotten. Carlos Manzo, they took a hero, they took a great leader, a

leader who will never ever be forgotten.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: According to her party, Grecia Quiroz will be protected by at least 14 security agents.

We'll be right back with more.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ASHER: Welcome back. Right now, CNN's annual call to Earth Day is swinging into action in celebration of how people come together to help protect the

planet.

More than 600,000 people of all ages are taking part in a day-long event around the world on T.V., digital, and social media in English, Spanish,

and in Arabic.

This year's theme is called "Guard Your Green Space." We're asking participants to show us how they're guarding their shared spaces for future

generations.

CNN has a team of reporters covering call to Earth Day across the world. L.A., Atlanta, London, Nairobi, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.

And since 2015, the African Union's Great Green Wall Initiative has helped plant millions of trees across nine countries.

Victoria Rubadiri takes us to Western Kenya, where farmers are joining in, turning degraded land into productive biodiverse gardens.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VICTORIA RUBADIRI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the rolling farmlands of Western Kenya, Mary Awiti tends to a thriving patch of land, perched

just near the banks of the River Sondu in Kisumu County. Her one hectare farm place host to a range of fruit trees and vegetables.

[12:25:09]

But slightly different from a typical farm, in and around hers, are all kinds of tree species, from this towering indigenous mango tree to the row

Leucaena tree seedlings lining the perimeter.

MARY AWITI, FARMER (through translator): We have a green wall. It's a living fence surrounding the entire farm made up of three rows. The outer

row has acacia and dovyalis followed by Leucaena and Calliandra. This fence keeps away animals and thieves protecting microbes and produce.

RUBADIRI (voice-over): It's a concept called permaculture farming, a more holistic approach that encourages using organic fertilizer and pest control

methods, crop rotation and minimal tilling of the land. All to improve soil quality and harvest yields.

RUBADIRI: That's the unmistakable scent of lemongrass. Now beyond smelling great, it's actually a very useful plant along with these beautiful yellow,

marigold flowers that farmers use as a natural pesticide on a farm much like this one, anything from onions to eggplants and those banana trees in

the corner grow in the same ecosystem and it's supposed to mimic nature where they support each other.

As a result, you get richer soil because it's able to retain moisture much better. And throughout the year, you have access to your very own personal

grocery store.

RUBADIRI (voice-over): For the last decade, trees for the future or TREES for short, has been teaching small holder farmers this model called the

forest garden approach.

MERCY KARUNDITU, COUNTRY DIRECTOR, TREES FOR THE FUTURE, KENYA: It entails a four years intensive training program for the farmers enrolled in the

program. And they have a lot of size of about 0.8 hectares.

RUBADIRI (voice-over): In Kenya, TREES has reached 18,000 farmers, restored 16,000 hectares of land and planted more than 60 million trees.

Across Africa, small holder farmers have restored nearly 100,000 acres and planted more than 370 million trees through their forest gardens.

KARUNDITU: We are here in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, but we also in Senegal and Mali. And the forest garden approach is -- is unique for each

country because they adapted to the local names.

RUBADIRI (voice-over): For Mary, since joining the program four years ago, she's seen her farm become more resilient, enabling her to support her

family and sell excess crop harvests at the market.

AWITI (through translator): The trees I plant absorb carbon and release oxygen, which cools the environment around my garden. This makes my farm

more resilient compared to others who don't follow these practices.

I have noticed that my crops handle changing weather better while nearby farms without trees suffer more heat and soil degradation.

RUBADIRI (voice-over): TREES plan to scale up to 75,000 farmers as it extends further into Tanzania and Uganda with the hope that more farmers

will embrace forest gardens as the method of choice in guarding their green spaces.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ASHER: And after the break, join CNN chief climate correspondent Bill Weir as he sits down for an exclusive conversation with the legendary

oceanographer, Sylvia Earle. No Blue, no Green.

That does it for this hour of "One World." I'm Zain Asher. Appreciate you watching.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:30:00]

(CALL TO EARTH)

[13:00:00]

END