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Putin Hails Soaring Russia-China Relations on Visit to Beijing; Xi in Spotlight as China Pitches New, Non-Western World Order; Xi to Host China's Largest Ever Military Parade; Judge Rules Trump Administration's Use of U.S. Military in L.A. Was Illegal; Israel Weighing Annexation of Parts of West Bank; Israel Intensifies Attacks ahead of Gaza City Takeover; Taliban Call for Foreign Help after Deadly Afghan Quake; Debate over Sex Education in the Philippines; Premier League Clubs Smash Spending Records. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired September 02, 2025 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): Welcome to our second hour of the show. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi, where the time is 6:00 in the
evening. We're following breaking news this hour for you.
A federal judge has ruled U.S. president Trump's use of the U.S. military in California, which was back in June, violated federal law, which could
have major consequences for his current efforts to deploy troops to other cities.
A show of warming ties and military might in China: President Xi set to cap off a meeting with his, quote, "old friend," Russian President Putin,
with a military parade showing off the country's cutting-edge weapons.
Plus, Afghanistan reeling from a strong earthquake that has claimed well over 1,000 lives. I want to speak to an aid group on the ground about
relief efforts there, as well as the ongoing refugee crisis at its border with Iran.
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ANDERSON: Rock-solid friendship and a growing resistance to the West on full display in Beijing. Russian president Vladimir Putin heaping praise on
his Chinese ally and their country's unprecedented relationship, as he describes it, as the two men held hours of talks today.
This show of solidarity comes as President Putin looks for ways around global isolation for his war against Ukraine.
Mr. Xi promotes his view of an alternative world order and both men face the policy challenges of a Trump presidency in the United States.
Russian energy giant Gazprom made a major announcement during those talks, saying it secured a long-delayed deal with China to build new pipeline and
supply Russian gas for 30 years. CNN's Marc Stewart with more now on that and all the events happening in Beijing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARC STEWART, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Now with this announcement of this gas line, it will be yet another direct route for China to get an
energy source from Russia. We're looking at some reporting from Russia's state news agency, Tass.
So this appears to be a long-term deal. So this is something that Russia, as you mentioned in particular, is celebrating. Note that China in
particular has never condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. And it is facing criticism from the United States for its large fuel purchases.
Of course, this idea of tariffs is certainly looming overhead, as we have seen with India. But right now, this relationship between these two world
leaders, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, is very strong. We heard a lot of warm words exchanged earlier today in Beijing. Let's take a quick listen to
some of Xi -- or, rather, Vladimir Putin's remarks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): I thank you for the warm welcome extended to our entire delegation. Our close communication
reflects the strategic nature of Russia-China relations, which are at an unprecedentedly high level.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: Let's talk about the optics about all of this, because that is also as significant as this business deal. These are two men who have what
has been described as this no-limits friendship.
And as we saw today, the kinship is very strong. Becky. Of course there is economic strength between these two nations.
But politically and when we look at the optics, the fact that they have been standing side by side, it's really sending this unified message
against the West at a time when China, in particular, is really trying to establish itself as the leader of a new world order.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, my next guest coauthored the article, "What does China want?" in an MIT's journal "International Security."
In it he says, quote, "China's aims are unambiguous. China cares about its borders, its sovereignty and its foreign economic relations," also arguing
that China's aims are limited and focused on internal challenges.
Jackie Wong, assistant professor of international studies at the American University of Sharjah, joins me here in Abu Dhabi.
And, sir, it's good to have you.
That may be the case, the conceit of your argument.
What do you make of the show of diplomatic force and military might that we are currently seeing being made by China?
JACKIE S.H. WONG, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF SHARJAH: Well, first, thanks for having me.
ANDERSON: You're more than welcome.
WONG: Yes. So basically what we are trying to argue is China aim is very transparent and consistent over the years. And what you are seeing here,
including what happened in the last two days in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, you can see, is China trying to try to display its diplomatic
influence to the U.S.
[10:05:08]
That China is not backing down from a lot of coercive tactics that the U.S. is using, including tariffs, some kind of coercion toward China over the
years.
And basically it's a wonderful opportunity to China, in my view, that showing that although we are defensive but we are staying staunch because
Putin is staying with us, India is staying with us.
ANDERSON: This is really interesting. So it seems to me that you are arguing that this show of force, which is quite performative, it has to be
said, has an audience of one, U.S. president, Donald Trump.
WONG: Yes, yes. So basically, China still wants to maintain a cooperative relationship with the U.S., as you can see from all the statements. And
even in Xinhua news agency today, it's displaying the cooperation between the U.S. and China in World War II, in light of the military parade
tomorrow.
But basically, China also wants to send a signal to the U.S. very clearly that China is not completely backing down or just following the will of the
U.S., not to befriend with any particular country, particularly Russia, who is having war right now in Ukraine. China is not giving up the original
plan to work with Russia continuously.
ANDERSON: Another important invitee is Kim Jong-un, of course. We have seen him arriving in Beijing ahead of Wednesday's military parade for what
will be the first time that the leaders of China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are all present in the same place.
CNN reporting that Washington strategists have dubbed this the "axis of upheaval."
I wonder what you make of that, given what you just said.
How apt a description is that of this?
Let's be frank, this is a multilateral meeting.
WONG: Yes, I think it's a multilateral meeting. And actually, Kim Jong-un with the China is a -- is a very interesting phenomenon, given that Kim has
not been visiting China since 2018.
And this is the first time that Putin, China and Kim Jong-un are staying together, that, in a meeting that's showing resolve to international
audiences, not just to the U.S. but other Western countries, that they are not going to bend to the will of either countries ask them to do.
I think this is a signal that China wants to signal to international audience.
ANDERSON: And I've made the point that there is another invitee, of course, which is Iran.
In the paper that you coauthored, which I thought was fascinating, you argue, and I quote here, "China has an increasingly clear economic strategy
for its relations with both East Asia and the rest of the world, that aims to expand trade and economic relations."
In terms of India and Modi's presence in Beijing this week, is China taking advantage of a mistake or a perceived mistake or misstep by the U.S. under
president Trump in imposing this 50 percent tariff on India?
I mean, the India-China relationship is a very complex and complicated one.
Or do you think China is operating separately from any considerations of U.S. economic policy at this point?
How do you read this?
WONG: No, I think you're absolutely right. I think China is absolutely leveraging -- it's leveraging the misstep or mistakes that the U.S. is
trying to do. Basically what the U.S. has been doing is trying to use tariffs to pressure India not to purchase any Russian oil.
ANDERSON: And they're not doing that with China at present, of course.
WONG: Yes. But also if you think about it in a strategic term, it's not only of the benefit of China but also India as a second-most populous
country in the world today. It's signaling to the U.S. that, look, we have alternatives. And China can be that alternative. So I would say China is
leveraging that opportunity.
But at the same time, India, while Biden, during the Biden administration, they're trying very hard to incorporate India into the Quad, including
Australia and Japan, which is beyond the traditional Five Eyes Alliance, now it sounds like the whole plan need to reconsider from the side of the
U.S.
ANDERSON: Yes, that Quad that you've just described was part of the Biden administration's real ambition for Asia.
You don't see that as influential under this Trump administration and going forward?
WONG: Well, I guess a lot of things that the Trump administration plan to do, including using tariffs to achieve its political goal, has spilled over
to other traditional security issues. So you think about it more carefully, the Quad original goal is to build a technological alliance that kind of --
ANDERSON: As a buffer against China.
WONG: China, right.
But right now, India -- and if you pay attention to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization statement issued yesterday, it's the first time
for this organization which has -- which is aiming at nontraditional issues as the original plan 25 years ago.
It's the first time they mentioned they need to cooperate on artificial intelligence. So I guess the Quad is still there. But whether it's still
going to be as influential as before is subject to question.
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ANDERSON: And Trump is going to hate that, just the very notion this cooperation on AI and advanced tech is part of that statement. I think it's
a really important point you make.
CNN analysis finds that our viewers online -- and our viewers can find this online -- it says the following, "Xi's message with his multi-day exercise
of soft and hard power is clear. China is a force that wants to reset global rules. And it's not afraid to challenge those of the West."
Does that marry with what you are seeing at present?
WONG: Well, I guess whether China wants to be a leader has multiple dimensions. In our article, we argue that China don't have ambitions to be
a global hegemon, as what the U.S. has been trying to do over the last 70 years after World War II.
But certainly, in the statement, if you pay attention to the original statement in Chinese, it has said very clearly, China wants to lead the
reform of the global governance. So it can be a lot of issues, right?
It can be climate change, it can be trade, it can be nontraditional security issues, including transnational crime. So these are the things --
are the things that China really wants to leverage, that China can offer help to get more support at the international stage.
ANDERSON: It's fascinating and it's good to have you, Jackie, to do a deep dive on this.
WONG: Thank you.
ANDERSON: And give us some of your analysis and insight. Terrific. And thank you for coming from Sharjah --
WONG: Yes. Thank you so much.
ANDERSON: -- one of the Emirates here in the UAE. Thank you.
This summit in China undoubtedly meant to send a message to the U.S. president, as we've been discussing, about political power and influence
outside the sphere of Washington.
So far, Donald Trump hasn't commented on the events in China. He's been focusing on crime and his push to remove Federal Reserve board governor
Lisa Cook as Congress returns from its summer recess today.
And on that note, you can expect to hear and see a lot this week about efforts in the U.S. to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Keep your eyes on
Congress here to discuss it all.
With us is CNN Politics senior reporter, friend of this show, Stephen Collinson.
Stephen, I don't know whether you heard the conversation that I was just having with Jackie here.
Is there any sign the gravity of this summit in Beijing is sinking in for Trump?
Where's his head right now as he's teasing an exciting announcement, in his words, about the Defense Department at 2 pm Eastern today?
STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I think that he will undoubtedly have been watching this because he spends a lot of time
watching TV.
The only related thing that he's said about this is that he claimed, in a post over the weekend, that India had offered to slash tariffs to nearly
zero, which doesn't seem to be very likely to be true.
But it could be a sign of his understanding that, what he's effectively done with his tariff policy is to push India into the arms of China, which
is exactly the opposite of the initiative that the past five U.S. presidents, including in his first term, his own administration tried to
achieve.
But I think, you know, you're right to point out that some of these relationships in this meeting in China, are very complex. There are fault
lines across that Shanghai Cooperation Organization structure. But it clearly is a reaction to what Trump has been doing.
For instance, Trump has emboldened China by making the U.S. the major source of instability in the globe by taking on China on his trade war and
backing down, because China has this massive trump card of rare earth metals.
He's shown that the United States can be faced down by a bigger or equally large rival power. He's embraced Vladimir Putin. And Putin has effectively
mocked his efforts to end the Ukraine war.
So I think the United States is seeming to a lot of other powers as much weaker. And Trump has basically splintered the transatlantic alliance with
his attacks on the E.U. The E.U.'s thinking about going its own way.
So I think it's very difficult to look at this and not think that this meeting in Beijing and in Tianjin was a symptom of weakened U.S. global
power.
ANDERSON: Yes, it's fascinating, isn't it?
Good. Well, thank you for that. I want to get to the breaking news.
Last hour, a federal judge has ruled Trump's deployment of the National Guard in California violated the law. Listen to how Katelyn Polantz, our
colleague, broke it down for me earlier.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Sending troops into Los Angeles, essentially as a show of force of the American
military, federal law enforcement, that is what the judge is blocking here. And the ruling, it will not just apply to Los Angeles.
[10:15:00]
It will apply to all of California. The Defense Department can't just send the National Guard in to do domestic law enforcement, make arrests,
question witnesses, things like that. They can protect federal properties.
And the National Guard that has been deployed and remains in Los Angeles for that purpose is going to be able to remain there.
But Becky, this is a pretty significant, substantial opinion from Judge Charles Breyer in the Northern District of California, writing that you
can't just militarize cities.
He points out that a months-long deployment of the National Guard and the Marines to Los Angeles over the summer was for the purpose of the Trump
administration trying to establish a military presence there and that it was top down and systemic.
The state didn't want it. The city didn't want it. And thus they are the winners here in this court battle.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, that's Katelyn Polantz.
Do you see this as the final word in setting back Trump's mission to deploy the military across the country?
Or could this set up yet another major court battle?
COLLINSON: I don't think it's the final word, because experience tells us the Trump administration will be certain to appeal this, try to get a more
favorable ruling in appeals court, potentially all the way up to the conservative majority on the Supreme Court.
At this point, it only applies to California. The president is thinking about sending troops into Chicago in the coming days to help with law
enforcement or potentially immigration sweeps, which is another very controversial issue.
Obviously, that will create another legal challenge from the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago.
I think what the administration will do is argue that this is a district court and it doesn't really have the power to constrain the authority of
the president. They've done that multiple times in previous cases on other issues. That is not constitutionally true.
But what the administration does is it acts and applies power and then waits for the courts to rein it in. So I think it's going to keep trying to
outrace the courts on this issue.
If there is an appeal, it's possible that the California ruling itself could be stayed, pending that appeal, giving the Trump administration more
time to do exactly what it wants, not just in California but potentially in other states.
ANDERSON: Always a pleasure. Thank you.
Stephen Collinson's in the house.
Coming up, despite growing international outcry, Israel may be moving forward with new, illegal annexation plans in the West Bank. More on that
is after this.
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ANDERSON: Israeli officials tell CNN that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to hold another meeting this week to discuss the potential
annexation of the West Bank.
[10:20:08]
Citing Israel's expansionist ambitions, Belgium on Monday joined a growing list of countries planning to recognize Palestinian statehood at the U.N.
General Assembly later this month. Now the international pressure is clearly mounting.
And while the United States has remained steadfast in its support of Israel, president Donald Trump said in an interview released yesterday that
the Israelis are losing the war of public relations. CNN Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: There are two key questions at this point, Becky.
One of them is will the Israeli government actually move forward with annexation of the West Bank?
And second, the second question is going to be to what extent do they move forward with annexation of the West Bank?
Because, as we understand it, the Israeli prime minister has a few different options before him in terms of annexing parts of the West Bank.
You know, options ranging from a limited takeover of several Jewish settlements in the West Bank to all of Area C, which is already under
Israeli security and administrative control.
But that would amount to 60 percent of the West Bank's territory and effectively preclude the establishment of a Palestinian state, which we
know, of course, several right-wing ministers in Netanyahu's government have made very clear is exactly their goal with this push for annexation.
Another option that is being weighed right now is annexation of the Jordan Valley. That is that strip of land on the eastern edge of the West Bank
alongside the Jordan River. And in terms of annexing that, Israel would be able to make somewhat of a security argument.
And ultimately, Israelis have long talked about always maintaining security control of the borders of any eventual Palestinian state. And so that would
fall under that rationale.
But any annexation, Becky, regardless of how much, would violate multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and would likely be largely viewed and
widely viewed as a violation of international law.
And so, ultimately, we don't know whether the Israeli government is actually going to move forward with a step that would likely increase its
isolation on the world stage at a time when it is already increasingly becoming a pariah in the international community.
Ultimately, the Israeli government has other options as well to respond to what is expected to be a wave of countries recognizing Palestine as a
state; everyone from France to the United Kingdom, now Belgium, joining the list, Australia.
All of these countries are indeed set to move forward with recognizing a Palestinian state and the Israeli government has vowed that there would be
consequences.
The other consequences they could impose would be sanctions on the Palestinian Authority, limitations on the movement of diplomats from those
countries to go into the Palestinian Territories in the West Bank.
So there are other options here as well. But the bottom line here is that we are witnessing, you know, a quite enormous clash here between this very
right-wing, very insular Israeli government and the policies it is pursuing and the impact that that is having on its standing on the world stage.
And all of that, of course, would be worsened not only by a move to annex the West Bank but also by what we are already seeing starting to take shape
in Gaza. And that is the next stages of this major military operation in Gaza, with the takeover of Gaza City and perhaps eventually the conquest of
the entire West Bank.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: You just heard Jeremy mention the expanding operations in Gaza City and we are just learning that tens of thousands of Israeli reservists
who have been called up are expected to report for duty today.
Jeremy has been reporting on what is happening inside Gaza. I have to warn you, some of the following images in his report are disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DIAMOND (voice-over): As Israeli attacks intensify, fear is coursing through the streets of Gaza City. Driving some families to flee. But this
hail of bullets is a reminder that even running away carries immense risk and no guarantee of reaching safety.
Fear etched across Saeed and Mariam's faces but they listen intently as their mother tells them to stay close to the buildings, as they set off
once more.
They are among thousands of Palestinians who have begun to flee under similar circumstances. The U.N. says nearly one million could be forced out
of Gaza City, which is already experiencing famine. Israel is halting humanitarian airdrops and ending daily tactical pauses that enabled more
aid trucks to reach the city.
The first stages of Israel's assault on Gaza City already underway.
[10:25:03]
Airstrikes and artillery shelling of the city are ramping up. The casualty count mounting alongside it. 135 people have been killed by Israeli strikes
in Gaza City since Friday, according to hospital officials. Israel says Abu Obaida, the longtime spokesman of Hamas'' military wing, was killed in one
of those strikes on Saturday. No comment from Hamas.
And once again, the all too familiar sight of children among the dead, a mother's anguish and the outpouring of grief and disbelief that followed.
"We were gathered in a tent and we had nothing to do with anything. Look in front of you. These are children," this man says. "This elderly one here is
my grandmother. This is my sister. I don't know where my brother is."
But these images represent just a fraction of the death and destruction that await this city. These plumes of smoke indicate Israel is readying a
path for its tanks and troops to take the city, even as Israel's top general urges his government to reconsider a full scale assault and accept
the ceasefire and hostage release deal on the table.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now, we don't have (INAUDIBLE). We don't know where we go. The bombing around us.
DIAMOND: Like so many here, Muhammad al-Daham (ph) no longer knows where to flee but his pleas are directed toward one man.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President Donald Trump, stop the war right now. Everyone die. And if you care about Gaza City, you should stop the war
because everyone here die.
DIAMOND: Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, still to come on CNN, desperate rescue efforts underway in remote regions of Afghanistan after a major earthquake there.
I want to speak to the head of the humanitarian group aid there or one of them about the challenges.
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ANDERSON (voice-over): All right, welcome back. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. Here are your headlines this hour.
And Vladimir Putin is describing Russia's relationship with China as, quote, "unprecedentedly high." The Russian president spent several hours
with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as Beijing prepares for a huge military parade on Wednesday. During their visit, Russia's Gazprom announced a
lucrative gas supply deal with China.
[10:30:04]
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media that Chicago will be safe again. There's widespread speculation the president will deploy
National Guard forces in Chicago, as he has done in Washington.
His latest comments follow a spate of shootings over the weekend in Chicago that killed at least seven people.
Well, the U.S. Congress is back in session after a month-long recess. Lawmakers face a host of high-stakes issues and potential showdowns,
including a push to get the Trump administration to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Congress is also trying to avoid a government shutdown at
the end of the month.
ANDERSON: Well, to Afghanistan now, where rescuers are desperately trying to reach survivors after a powerful earthquake struck the country on
Sunday. That earthquake killed over 1,400 people and leveled entire villages.
The situation, we are told, is so dire that Afghanistan's Taliban rulers are now calling for international help in the recovery and rescue
operation. Listen as one resident describes how the tragedy has impacted him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NELATULLAH, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN, RESIDENT (through translator): Two of my family members were killed in the earthquake last night. Our
house was completely destroyed. We need shelter and we need any help we --
ANDERSON (voice-over): Charlotte Siente joins us now from Herat in Afghanistan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: She represents the Danish Refugee Council, which responds to humanitarian crises around the world.
Charlotte, it's good to have you. Thank you for joining us.
First up, what have you heard from your team in the eastern region that was the hardest hit?
CHARLOTTE SIENTE, SECRETARY-GENERAL, DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL: We have heard that this earthquake has been absolutely devastating and that it struck a
country that is already severely hit by a number of other crises.
We hear that entire villages have been flattened; mud brick houses have been totally destroyed and a number of the very remote villages are
extremely difficult to reach because this is an area with a lot of mountains, where it's very difficult to gain access to some of these
villages.
We also know that the regime, the de facto authorities here, have been have been flying out victims, injured people, to nearby hospitals in Jalalabad
and that the authorities are taking also actions to restore some of the roads that have been severely damaged by landslides and debris and making
the area even more inaccessible.
The assessment now is that more than half a million of people have actually been affected by the earthquake and will need support to recover this
catastrophe. So that is the situation that we are finding there.
Right. And many of those who have been impacted -- and you're talking about half a million people -- are in extremely remote locations. The Taliban are
appealing to the world for more support, both in the recovery and rescue operations.
Are they likely to get it?
How do you see the international community stepping up at this point?
SIENTE: You know, it's quite interesting. I'm today in Herat. And Herat was a Western Afghan city that was severely hit by an earthquake two years
back.
And what actually made the big difference in the response back then was that it was an integral, comprehensive response, where the international
community was able to support with all kinds of things; you know, foodstuff, medical supplies, all kinds of items at the same time.
Now we are in a very different situation because Afghanistan has faced extremely severe aid cuts over the last year, not only by the U.S. but by a
number of other donors. And that means that the stockpiles are not filled with emergency goods and items to deliver, that logistics are not as easily
available.
So the response is actually more difficult to deliver in these circumstances. However, it's important to say that we and other
humanitarian actors are present on the ground. We have today started delivering cash, for food for people in severe need.
And we will start delivering non-food items -- blankets, hygiene kits and others -- as of tomorrow, in the most affected areas.
ANDERSON: Yes. And we have seen some response in the initial hours of this, not least from the country where I am, the UAE, stepping in with at
least a plane full of support. So we'll watch this space to see what happens next and how we, you know, whether we see further support.
[10:35:03]
You are in Herat, which itself is no stranger to earthquakes. And you've talked about how the government, you know, might handle things this time as
opposed to in the past.
We know that the area of Afghanistan hit the hardest by this earthquake is also facing a high number of Afghan refugees returning from Iran. We have
reported on this extensively.
What are they returning to?
Do they have a home or system to return to at this point?
Can you just fill us in on what the situation is today?
SIENTE: Yes, I've just been today at the border crossing of Islam Qala, the border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran. And that is where
thousands of Afghans are being deported to in recent months.
More than 1.5 millions have been forced to return from Iran to Afghanistan over the last seven to eight months. And they -- and we spoke to a number
of these. People today are talking about the difficulties of returning.
We spoke to a young woman there, a 25-year-old woman, Sara, who told her story. She was basically returning to a country that she hasn't been in for
the last 25 years. She left as a baby. Now she's returning with a father who is ill and incapable of working and with the responsibility for a
younger brother.
She talked about a very strong lady, a very capable lady, about all of her concerns and her desperation as to what is going to happen to her, where
she's going to settle, what is she going to live off, how is she going to take care of the family.
And that is the story that is comparable to so many other stories we heard at Islam Qala today.
ANDERSON: Yes. That's fascinating. We also know the Iranian economy, of course, is struggling right now. So what the right answer is at this point
is one that is being debated, you know, extensively.
Your organization released a recent report on the impact of Western aid cuts. And I just want to get your view on this. It predicts that 2.5
million fewer people in Afghanistan would be reached because of these aid cuts. This was before the earthquake.
And you have said, quote, "When funding is suddenly cut, lifelines are cut."
Are you seeing or do you expect to see the direct impact of these cuts now?
SIENTE: We are seeing the direct impact of these cuts. I mean, a number of the agencies, including ourselves, have been forced to cut back on our
support; support for livelihoods, support for cash, for food, support for the very important endeavors here to clean this country of landmines and
unexploded ordnance.
This is the most heavily affected country by unexploded ordnance on this planet. And we are forced to cut back. And so are many of our partner
organizations as well. So Afghanistan is already seeing the consequences. And the response to this earthquake will most likely also be affected by
these cuts.
ANDERSON: Charlotte, thank you. Thank you for your work. And thank you for your time today here on CNN.
And for more information about how you can help Afghanistan earthquake victims, you can go to cnn.com/impact.
Well, still to come on this show, it is a deeply Catholic nation. But the growing rate of teen pregnancies in the Philippines is raising alarm bells.
And it is sparking a fierce debate over the future of sex education in the country. More on that is after this.
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[10:40:00]
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ANDERSON: The rate of teen pregnancies in the Philippines is among the highest in Asia. It has already been declared a national social emergency
and it is sparking a fierce debate between lawmakers, church leaders and health groups over the future of sex education in what is a deeply Catholic
nation.
Hanako Montgomery has more on the controversy as part of CNN's "As Equals" series on gender inequality.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. JUNICE MELGAR, FOUNDER, LIKHAAN WOMEN'S HEALTH: Their reproductive tracts are not yet ready. Mentally, they're also not ready.
HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Do you think these 13-year-old girls are sinning?
JEROME SECILLANO, CATHOLIC PRIEST: Yes, they are sinning.
MONTGOMERY: Are you scared about giving birth?
MONTGOMERY (voice-over): It's a school day for 15-year-old Jamica. But before she gets to class, she plays with little Jamico (ph), her nine-
month-old son.
JAMICA, MOTHER: If he cries before I go to school, I have to play with him first before leaving.
MONTGOMERY: Jamica was 13 when she conceived. Pregnancy crept up on her, foretold in stretch marks and a late period.
JAMICA: I cried.
MONTGOMERY: Why did you cry?
JAMICA: Because I was young and I was already pregnant.
MONTGOMERY: Jamica is part of a soaring number of Filipino adolescents forced to end girlhood for motherhood.
But she's one of the fortunate ones. Not only did she endure pregnancy and labor but she's also finishing her education.
Jamica is just on her way to school now and you can tell that she really loves her son a lot. Very much cares for him. But if she had the choice not
to get pregnant so young, she would have chosen that.
Here in the Philippines, teen pregnancy has been described as a national emergency. Young families often belong to the poorest communities of
fragile homes and narrow alleyways.
Now the latest government data collected between 2019 and 2023 shows a 38 percent spike in the number of 10- to 14-year-olds giving birth in the
Philippines. None old enough to choose such a life-changing ordeal.
How difficult is it for an adolescent girl to give birth?
MELGAR: So we know that pregnancies are below the age of 16 is three times riskier than in older women.
MONTGOMERY: So these girls can die.
MELGAR: Yes, their reproductive tracts are not yet ready. Mentally, they're also not ready. So they're not seeking the care.
MONTGOMERY: Women's health advocates have told CNN that the crisis is fueled by social media's growing role as a place to meet people and COVID-
19 restrictions loosening. In an effort to curb adolescent pregnancies, sex education advocates introduced the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill,
which would standardize and enforce sex ed in school.
But under pressure from the Catholic Church and conservatives, it was stalled. Three years on, the senate still hasn't passed the bill. Its
latest version, introduced in July, grants major concessions to conservatives guaranteeing parental control and religious freedom.
Most people in the Philippines are catholic and the church has a lot of power in this country.
They influence Filipino society, values and also to some extent, politics.
SECILLANO: Even if you bombard them with sex education, it's still, they're going to engage in sex and then get pregnant later on.
MONTGOMERY: We've spoken to some very young moms who got pregnant at age 13 and they all said that had they received sufficient sex education, they
would not have chosen to get pregnant.
SECILLANO: Well, that's a narrative that we don't want to discredit.
[10:45:00]
But I'm telling you that even if you tell people not to sin, it's still they're going to sin.
MONTGOMERY: So do you think these 13 year old girls are sinning?
SECILLANO: Yes, they are sinning when they engage in sex without the benefit of marriage. It is a sin.
MARIA LOURDES SERENO, CONVENOR, PROJECT DALISAY: With everything we have, we have to root out --
MONTGOMERY: Conservatives against the bill have rallied around a new lobby group called Project Dalisay or in English, Project Pure.
What exactly about this sexual education program are you against?
SERENO: Filipinos cannot imagine the thought that the reproductive organs of their young children, as young as grade one, will be discussed in a
classroom setting?
MONTGOMERY: U.S. right wing Christian groups have influenced the debate in the Philippines, anti-abortion rights group Human Life International has
campaigned against the bill, telling CNN in a statement it poses a moral threat to the Philippines. Family Watch International also told CNN that
sex ed programs are inappropriate and unnecessary.
Project Dalisay's convener Maria Lourdes Sereno says she's taken the lead from right wing Christian groups in the U.S. But denies any financial
ties.
SERENO: We look for information, the technical information, the science from the U.S. is actually very -- it's important to note the science that
U.S. think tanks produce, U.S. medical experts produce.
MONTGOMERY: In 2022, the Philippines raised the age of consent from 12 to 16, meaning adolescent pregnancy may constitute statutory rape.
Volunteer group Likhaan warns the rise in adolescent pregnancies is also driven by this power imbalance between some young girls and older teenage
boys and shifting attitudes toward them spending time together. It's one of the many things they teach young women about as they race to fill this
gap in the Philippines sex education.
PRINCESS SALAMAT, VOLUNTEER, LIKHAAN WOMEN'S HEALTH: So in here we have a condom. And then we also have combined oral contraceptive pills. But it can
also be used for the plan B method or the emergency contraceptive pill method.
MONTGOMERY: Likhaan is greeted warmly here. Friendly faces in a community where birth control is a luxury.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks for condom.
MONTGOMERY: So the volunteers who are handing out these condom kits told me that they target these basketball courts because they know that young
men gather here and they don't have access to contraceptives.
So they hope that with these condom kits, they'll practice safer sex.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I took these condoms so I don't impregnate anyone. I'm too young to have a family.
MONTGOMERY: At 14, Clara thinks she's too young to be an expecting mother. She's asked to remain anonymous because she doesn't want her classmates to
know she's pregnant.
CLARA, EXPECTANT MOTHER: I haven't gone to the hospital.
MONTGOMERY: Why not?
CLARA: I have no money yet, to go to hospital.
MONTGOMERY: Do you think it's going to be a boy or a girl?
CLARA: I want a boy.
MONTGOMERY: Boy?
Why do you want a boy?
CLARA: I want him to be like my older brother. I don't want to him to end up like me. And he won't get pregnant.
MONTGOMERY: As the political battle rages on, thousands of girls like Clara are forced to live with the consequences of a life they would never
have chosen -- Hanako Montgomery, CNN, the Philippines.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And you can learn more about the issue of teen pregnancy in the Philippines and more stories from young and expectant moms and dig deeper
into both sides of the debate over sex education in schools in the Catholic nation On our website.
Right. I want to get you up to speed on some of the other stories that are on our radar right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON (voice-over): And a landslide has killed at least 1,000 people in Western Sudan, according to an armed group that controls part of this
region. The landslide struck on Sunday after days of heavy rainfall. The Sudan Liberation Movement is asking the United Nations and international
aid agencies to help them with recovery efforts.
Well, a new aid flotilla is headed for Gaza after being forced to turn around due to bad weather. Organizers say the Global Summit Flotilla
Mission is the largest attempt yet to break the Israeli blockade and it is expected to be 70 ships strong by the time it reaches Gaza.
Well, 80 years ago today, Japan formally surrendered to the Allies, ending World War II. At a ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington
about a dozen veterans will remember their more than 100,000 comrades who didn't return home from the Pacific theater.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, still to come, the Premier League breaks record after record off the pitch. We're going to take a look into the spending
highlighted by Liverpool finally getting their man.
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ANDERSON: Well, it's been a record-breaking transfer window for the English Premier League, more than 3 billion quid or about $4 billion spent.
And Liverpool FC paving the way, splashing more than $550 million.
That spending included clinching their main attacking target, Alexandre Isaac, who comes over from Newcastle for around a $117 million transfer
fee.
Well, our man, CNN's Matias Grez, following all of this for us, totting up the moneys, having a look at who's in, who's out after staying out of the
market, Matt. Last summer, Liverpool flexing its financial muscle, this transfer window, big time. Just explain if you will.
MATIAS GREZ, CNN SPORT PRODUCER: Well, after spending a British record 125 million pounds on their main target, Alexandre Isaac, on transfer deadline
day yesterday, Liverpool took their total spending in this summer transfer window to 415 million pounds.
And that is not only a Premier League record but it is the most any club in Europe has ever spent in a single transfer window. And now this marks a
significant change in transfer policy for Liverpool.
Less than three years ago, former manager Jurgen Klopp said it was not possible for Liverpool to compete with the financial powerhouses in the
Premier League and in Europe. And before that had even said he would no longer be in football the day that footballers start costing more than 100
million pounds.
Well, Liverpool have just spent more than 100 million pounds on two players in one transfer window. But like you said, there are reasons they've been
able to do this. They have spent significantly less than many of their main rivals in the Premier League over the last few seasons.
Last season, they opened their expanded stadium, which meant increased ticket sales. They have, of course, the Premier League prize money for
winning the title last season. And on top of that, they've raised a significant amount of money on player sales, around half of the amount that
they spent on players.
So the books are probably underneath it, looking a bit more balanced than they seem on the surface.
ANDERSON: Yes. I just wonder how the rest of the Premier League is responding to Liverpool's big spending. I mean, it's ironic that, last
year, spending nothing in the window and they won the league.
They better win the league again when they spend this cash, right. And they -- and they may just do that. I mean judging by the form that I've seen
them in, which hasn't been as good as, you know, I've seen them play. But I mean, they're off to a half decent start, aren't they?
GREZ: Yes. Well, the expectations are certainly on now. I mean, they were, I think, favorites to retain their title even before the transfer window.
But they're certainly overwhelming favorites to do that now.
But I think the rest of the league had no choice but to spend big as well. I mean, they -- the Arsenal were the closest challengers to Liverpool last
season. They finished 10 points behind them.
So even before Liverpool's record breaking outlay, the rest of the league was already playing catchup. And just to give you an idea of how much some
teams are spending, just to try and grab on to Liverpool's coattails.
Manchester City have spent 180 million pounds, Chelsea 275 million pounds, Arsenal 255 million pounds and Manchester United 250 million pounds. I
mean, these are all enormous figures.
[10:40:00]
That, in many transfer windows in previous seasons, would have been by far the most that any club would have spent in a transfer window but all
dwarfed by Liverpool this season.
But, of course, as Manchester United fans know, a little too well, spending a lot of money does not guarantee success. Of course, success is mostly
dependent on how quickly you can get your new players to embed within the team, how quickly you can get them to gel and play nice football together.
And Becky, of course, your beloved Spurs, typically not a team able to compete with the financial powerhouses in the Premier League, have spent
over 160 million pounds to try and challenge in the Premier League this season.
Although I'm not sure, unfortunately, it will quite be enough to challenge for top honors in the Premier League in Europe this season.
ANDERSON: Yes, well, I mean, they came 17th last season, so if we -- if we challenge and make it halfway up the board, maybe we've got we've got to
beat the likes of Bournemouth, who by the way played terrific football at the weekend when they beat us at White Hart Lane.
But yes, it's really interesting isn't it. This bump in spending, you know, of course, affects the game of football. It also affects not just the
Premier League but the lower leagues. Of course all of that is good stuff. It's always good to have you. Matt. Thank you.
Our man in the house today on the transfer window, which is now slammed shut until January, of course.
That's it for CONNECT THE WORLD. Stay with CNN. "ONE WORLD" is up next.
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