cnn's paula hancocks is live in seoul. but first, let's go to cnn's barbie nadeau standing by in rome. more restrictions are on the way as omnsomnicon is being found i more and more european countries. >> europe was already facing a very difficult winter ahead. so now the idea that we have a new evapvariant to deal with, w the booster programs aren't really up to snuff is very troubling. these european nations are trying figure out what to do to try to save the holiday season, not limit people too much, not destroy the economy any further. it's a very troubling moment here in europe. >> and in the meantime, the continent is still in the throws of the existing covid crisis because of the delta variant. so how are the worst-hit countries trying to cope with that? >> we have full lockdowns in countries like austria and a partial lockdown in the netherlands, because of the higher number of cases. each and every country are looking at more mask mandates, even vaccine mandates now, as a way to sort of counter the surge in cases

cnn's paula hancocks is following the story from seoul. what are we hearing? >> reporter: we're not hearing from family or friends, we're not hearing from peng herself as well. that is what is increasing concerns about her well-being and whereabouts, and we have reports from "global times" state-run media, a piece of the communist party. so we know it's a sanctioned comment from the "global times" editor saying that peng would be seen in public soon. we don't know what format that will take, if in fact it is true, but he is claims that she is at home, and she is freely, freely, the word he has used. of course, there are growing concerns that she is not undergoing anything at this point freely. now, it was back on november 2nd, when she accused the vice premier, former vice premier, of coercing her into sex at his home. within 30 minutes of that post on social media it was taken down. and nothing has been heard or seen from peng directly since. everything as i say we are seeing has been from chinese state-run media. earlier last week there w

for more on that, i'm joined by paula hancocks from seoul.cross asia, i guess more restrictions are on the way now in the face of this new variant? >> it appears so, kim, yes. and ironically, just a week ago, we were talking about living with covid. we were talking about how many different countries around asia and the world were really starting to open up and lift some of those restrictions. here in south korea, it was very similar, four weeks ago, they eased curfews on certain businesses. more people could gather, even if they were unvaccinated in some cases, but now we are expecting potentially these eased restrictions to be walked back. what south korea has done, which is what many countries have done, is to ban travel eight southern african countries, even korean nationals that are coming in from that country will have to quarantine in a government facility for ten days. they're also suspending the visa system. and we saw something very similar in australia, as well. in fact, it was a very sudden decision in australia to introduce quaran

paula hancocks, thank you so much for that.now, congressman jim lang, a democrat from rhode island. and congressman, so good to see you. >> good to be with you. >> so i'll get to the olympics in a moment, but first, let me ask you, what do you think is happening with peng shuai. president biden has said he wants verifiable proof of her safety. what, if anything, can the u.s. do here? >> well, these are all disturbing issues and i join with president biden in helping to see concrete proof that peng shuai is okay. this is very disconcerting, and we should all be very troubled, those who care about human rights, and the fact that her safety could be compromised. that's very disturbing. >> the women's tennis association is saying that it's prepared to pull out all of its tournaments from china, and they estimate that they have more than $1 billion tied up in the long-term deal with china. it's like a ten-year deal. so in your view, does this assist in some leverage of demanding more detail about her whereabouts and well being. >> i

cnn's paula hancocks in seoul. appreciate. >>> the u.s. secretary of state, antony blinken, is in africa and sounding the alarm about the conflict in tigres. the dire warning when we return. stay with us. one role of a lifetime...one sore throat. but she had enough. she took new mucinex instasoothe sore throat lozenges. show your sore throat who's boss. new mucinex instasoothe. works in seconds, lasts for hours. ♪ ♪ xfinity rewards are our way of thanking you just for being with us. enjoy rewards like getting illumination's minions movie on us. xfinity mobile benefits. exclusive experiences, like the chance to win tickets to see watch what happens live. andy cohen: hey! it's me! and tasty recipes from bravo's top chef cheftestants that'll have you cooking like a pro. the longer you've been with us... the more rewards you can get. join for free on the xfinity app. our thanks. your rewards. >>> u.s. secretary of state antony blinken is warning that the war in tigre has launched ethiopia on a path to destruction. blinken will wrap up his thre

. >> cnn international correspondent paula hancocks is live from seoul, south korea.ing list of countries imposing the travel restrictions. what are south korean officials say? >> reporter: alex, it's just a matter of days ago i was talking about how south korea was opening up, started their living with covid process, but clearly that seems to be a thing of the past at this point. they have banned travelers coming in from eight southern african countries at this point. they said they're going to suspend the issuing of visas for nationals from those countries coming from those countries. even korean nationals, coming in from the affected areas, they will have to do a ten-day government facility quarantine. up until now they've been exempt from quarantine or have to quarantine at home. that is going to change from these particular areas. they've pointed out that there will be some exceptions, some humanitarian exceptions. for example, coming for a funeral they could work with the individual on that. interestingly, the korean version of the cdc is saying that they're goi

paula hancocks, thanks so much for that report.f color have been devastated at covid-19, dying more than white americans. in her hometown of philadelphia and jumped in it help. she's a pediatric surgeon who is bringing testing and vaccinations to those in need. >> african-americans were dying at a rate greater than any other group in philadelphia, so i jumped in. we were intentional about getting plaque and brown communities the access and care they needed. those who are most vulnerable, they need to have the support. >> i'm done. i feel great! >> just seeing folks come out, day in and day out, their presence says everything. >> yes! >> and she's smiling! >> it was all this narrative, black people don't want the vaccine, but they were lined up. we had to earn the trust of the people. you know it's saving lives. the data shows it. i could not allow one additional life to be lost when i knew that i could do something about it. everything we did was for them, to make sure they can get the care they deserve. ♪ ♪ >> and go to cnn heroes

paula hancocks joins us live. a global outcry, people are waiting to hear what's going on. what do you know about this point, paula? >> well just in the last half hour, that global times editor has tweeted once again and he's tweeted a video clip which he says shows dinner with peng shuai and her coach and friends. you do see her sitting at a table in what appears to be a restaurant and the video content shows they are shot on saturday, beijing time. so today. now he had said earlier that he didn't know that she was going to have public activities soon. now, cnn cannot independently verify this video. we have just seen it as i said in the last half hour in the comments section or at least one of our translators has listened to what they are seeing and there is confusion about the date. the man points out tomorrow is november 20th. and it's quickly corrected bid someone sitting next to him, no, no, it's the 21st. which is raising some questions on social media. now, it is worth pointing out we are seeing this video

. >> i'm paula hancocks in seoul.er of days ago here in south korea, we were talking about living with covid. we were talking about the government pulling back restrictions and border patrols. that has all screeched to a halt thanks to this new variant. we hear from the government that they are suspending plans to further ease restrictions. we heard from president moon jae-in calling the situation severe. in fact, even though there hasn't been a positive case of omicron in south korea at this point, the situation is still fairly dire. we are seeing a record number of critical cases and also of deaths and icu beds are few and far between, especially in the greater seoul area. and elsewhere in asia, we're seeing more restrictions coming into place. japan seems to be the strongest at this point. the prime minister today saying that he's suspending new arrivals of foreign nationals from tuesday quote in order to avoid the worst situation. all officials, though, say they are just trying to buy time to figure out what they'

. >> reporter: i'm paula hancocks in seoul.to live with covid, starting to ease their border restrictions and opening up. that has come to a screeching halt due to the new variant. now japan has been the strongest in its response so far. we heard from the prime minister today talking about all new arrivals being banned of foreign nationals coming into the country from tuesday. he says, quote, in order to avoid the worst situation. now he does specify this is a temporary measure just to give them time to figure out what they are dealing with, something that we're hearing repeatedly from officials in this region. now one country that hasn't had to make any changes, of course, is china as it still has one of the strictest border restrictions in the whole world. at this point they are not giving up on their zero covid policy. >> pthank you all for your reporting. >>> and what prosecutors are warning could happen to potential witnesses if bannon is allowed to go public with certain documents. that's next. feel stuck with credit card